The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-24
ABETTING GoEBEL'S MURDER.
IS THE CHARGE AGAINST SECRE-
TARY CALEB POWERS.

Preliminary investigation Into the
Assassination Has Begun Shots
said to Have Come From the Di-
erection of the Secretary of States
Ofice-Very Little Positive Testi-
mOny-TrOOps on Hand TO See That
order Was Preserved.
Frankfort, KY. March 2S.-The prelirn-
mary examination of Secretary of State
Caleb Powers, charged with abetting the
assassination of William GoebeI began
to-day before Judge Moore.
The Court House was guarded inside
and out by militia and scores of deputy
sheriffs, armed with Winchester rifles, to
prevent possible interference from
"mountaineers," who were reported on
their way to Frankfort, but their pres
ence was unnecessary, as the mountain
GERS failed to appear and no disorder oc-
Cured.
The commonwealth's witnesses were
called, numbering forty. Golden was not
In the list. The witnesses to-day included
Warden Eph Lillard, Detective Arm
strong, Sheriff Bosworth of Fayette coun-
ty who arrested Secretary Powers and
Capt John Davis and Silas Jones of
Whiteley county, who is now under bonds
charged with completely in the murder.
The testimony tended to show. that the
shots came from that section of the exec
utve building in which Secretary Powers
Office is located, although no one sw6re
that the shots were from the Secretary's
Office
F. Wharton Golden, who is said to have
made a confession, will be put on the wit
ness stand later. Prosecuting Attorney
Polsgrove said tonight that sufficient evil
dence had already been heard to warrant
holding Powers. but that the case would
be much stronger before he was through.
Former Gov. Brown for the defense says
the evidence so far is decidedly weak.
1t is probable that all the witnesses for
the prosecution will be heard by to-mor-
row afternoon.
Hands Went to Hip Pockets.
During the afternoon soldier in the
rear court yard dropped his revolver on
the stone tagging and it exploded In an
instant every man in the crowded court
with their hands to their rear pockets.
Eph Lillard warden of the Frankfort
penitentiary, testified that he walked just
a little ahead of Senator Goebel, and when
the first shot was fired he saw that the
second window in the office of the Jeere-
tary of State was slightly raised. The
other shots, he said. did not come from the
same place. The first shot was evidently
from a rife, while the others seemed 10 be
from pistols.
Policeman Wingate Thompson testified
that as the crowd was carrying Senator
Goebel out of the yard he saw armed men
at the entrance to the executive building
and recognized John Davis and Berry
Howard among them.
Detective Armstrong of Louisville, said
that Secretary Powers refused any ia
formation whatever at the time of the
shooting as 10 who was in the building.
Capt. John f. Hawn of Barbouville,
testified that Powers had asked him TO
turn over his ammunition and company TO
Lieut.. Gibson, previous to the shooting.
Get the Principal First.
Gov. Brown made the point that a man
cannot be convicted as an alder of a crime
unless some principal is convicted of the
crime. AS the actual murderer of Goebel
has not yet been named, the point pos
sbly involved the liberty of Secretary
Powers. Judge Moore ruled against the
Silas Jones of Whitley county testified
he though the shots were fired from the
corner of the building in which Secretary
Powers office is located. He Immediately
walked into the ante-roOm, where he saw
Capt. Davis and Gov. Taylor among the
others.
There was considerable excitement the
Governor came 10 the door and wanted
90 know who was shot.
Did you see anyone try to open Caleb
Powers door?" asked Attorney Polls
grove.
Yes, l saw a man with sandy whs
kers trying TO open the door He struck
il with a hatchet," replied Mr.. Jones.
Mr.. Jones said there was much noise,
out he could not say that he heard any
from Secretary Powers Office.
On cross-examination Jones said he
saw Powers leave his office during the
morning for Louisville. This was previous
to the shooting. The witness said the
shots sounded as if fired from the same
gun, bur he could not say positively
whether they were fred from the upper
or the lower story Of the building.