The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-05
A PLOT Is PROVEN.
Taylor's Own Men Give Sensational
Evidence in Goebel Case.
THERE is NO DOUBT OF A CONSPIRACY.
Pardons for all Had Been Made Out by
Taylor.
KILLING OF COEBEL WAS ADVOCATED.
Judge George Denny Was ia Favor Of His
Assassination.
GUNS IN SECRETARY OF STATES OFFICE
Cuiton and youtsey Frequently Seen
Therc--soldiers Under Marching
orders just before Tragedy.

Frankfort, KY, May 4.-The most I'M
portant testimony yet brought out in con-
neetion with the assassination of Goebel
was brought out tonight In the hearing
for bail in the Culton case, Assistant
Secretary of Stat ]. B, Matthews and
Mckenzie Todd, private secretary to Tay-
lor, were star witnesses, and gave tesu-
mony nearly as sensational as that OF
Culton.
Matthews stated that pardons were Is
sued also to Charles Finley. John L. Pow
ers, Harland Whitaker and possibly w.
II. Culton. The witness first said that a
pardon had been issued to Culton, but
later said he was not sure AS to Culton.
but thought he entered pardon for him
at the same time ne entered the other
three pardons and those to Caleb Powers
ana JONI bHNlsp hAlIu w.
The hearing will conclude tomorrow.
Hearing of the evidence in the Culton
case was resumed this morning
Captain, j. II. Howe. BarbonIville
military officer. testified regarding Caleb
and John Powers coming to him ten days
before the assassination and trying to get
him TO bring his company to Frankfort
disguised as citizens. He declined TO do
SO unless ordered by Taylor and no order
came till after the assassination, Janu-
airy 80.
Colonel Jack Chinn, who was with Coo
bel when he was shot, stated that he was
sure that the shot that hit Goebei was
fired from the executive building.
Ed Sleffee. who was standing on the por-
tlco in front OF the State house, saw Goe-
bsf fall. Immediately after the shot he
looked toward the executive building and
thought he saw the barrel of rifle point
ing out of the window of the office of
the secretary OF state. The rifle was
drawn in and The window closed.
AT the afternoon session arguments were
heard from attorneys of the telegraph
company in regard to the submission oil
kilograms as evidence. The court ruled
that the writ should apply only to mes
sages bearing on the Goebel assassination.
Several kilograms were read to and from
the defendants all relating 10 the visit
OF the armed mountain men TO Frankfort,
last January.
At the night sitting OF court, ex-State
Auditor l.. g. Norman testified that prior
to the assassination ne overheard Judge
George Denny or Lexington say some
\ body ought to Kill Goebel, and Taylor
ought TO pardon the man that did H.
He said the tenor of Denny's conyersa-
| ton was that Goebel's death would save
/ the lives Of other people. Witness COM
| municated the remark to Goebei.
Mckenzie Todd. private secretary "a
Taylor, testified that he saw Cuton and
Youtsey al Taylor's office several times
He did not know Jim or Berry Howard
lie saw armed men around Taylor s ulhct
the day OF the mountaineer excursion
! Asked II he saw any guns in the Office OF
the secretary Of state, witness said he
saw TWO there on Saturday prior TO Tho
assassination Youtsey was in the room
ana the latter picked up one OF the guns
and took a position near the window. liz
asked Youtsey what he was going 10 do
Youtsey said he thought there was trouble
lip The legislative building and that III I
started. he wanted to be prepared
Youtsey said he would nor start ap'
trouble. but he would be prepared 70 pro
tect the building II il did starr The sec
rotary testified as follows;
Il was in the reception room OF Taylor
81 h.. QEs
THE shots seemed TO come from tine wes
end If The building did not know tn
GoeheI had been killed until 10 Davis la'
In and told u.s. / went with DAVIS 70 ~
house and he got gun. We came oacl
Immediately.
THE door 10 the office Of the secretai
NJ state was opeued While We were gone
Assistant secretary OF State J. J
Mattbews was called 10 the stand. -
said. ~ was in Taylor's reception roo
when The assassination occurred. !.
arst sbot soutded to me as II II cam
from between che two buildings COY
pistol and started out. ~ ] openeu ll
+, door met Henry Yontsey coming ~;
. had a revolver in his hama nc aakea u
where The shooting was. Taylor askt
NJ Hartgrove 10 70 out and see what hs
Iannened. Hartgrove went out Just amer
81 me. / remained in the Office but re
minutes. and when | returned sever
people had come into the office ~ ~
10 get 10 the secretary Of states mice
get some OF the guns which we're ther
/ The doors we're locked and had 70 era
over the transom 10 get Ia. The windo'
and curtains were down. rifle
lying by one 81 the Windows with the 81
: toward the east. There was also r
in each corner on the lett SIDE o. I
= room. Two we've OF 80 cahnre
:, amined them 10 see II they had be
. recently nreds ! am positive that two
them we're loaded but am not sure as
4 the other one II solled my hands.
IN DO not know that this was caused