The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-03-25
HIRED NEGROES
TO KILL GOEBEL
Sensational Testimony IN the
Kentucky Conspiracy Case.
GOLDEN TAKES THE STAND
Startling Story Of a Plot IiOr Wboksals
Murder-0rer q 1900 Armed MouniaIn-
een Broush, to the Capital.

FRANKFORT, KY. March "A. John
Powers told me they had two negroes
here 70 kin Goebel. They we're Hecker
Smith and Dick coombs."
This statement was made today by
Wharton Golden. fraiI, consumptive
looking Kentucky mountaineer, while
on the witness stand in the preliminary
examination Of Secretary Of State Ca
leb Powers, charged with conspiracy to
hill Goebel Golden told story Of
events leading up to the murder that
II substanliated win, in the minds Of
those connected with the prosecution.
at least, probably go far toward prov
ing the contention OF the common
wealth that the murder OF GOebeI was
the result Of a plan in which several
prominent men were involved.
Whether the defense viii seek 10 Inn
peach tiol.len's testimony in this pre-
liminary examination is not known, as
the attorneys for the defense will not
tall on the subject. but unless such
an attempt IS made the commonwealth
VIII rest its case. both County Attor-
ney Polsgrove and Attorney Campbell
being satisfied that enough evidence
has been presented to hold the defend
ant on the charges.
Golden. who claims TO have been q
friend OF Secretary Powers and his
brother John Powers, for years, gave
testimony that was particularly dam
aging to John Powers, but he also
brought in the names Of many others.
including Charles Finley, W. II. Coul-
ton and Governor Taylor. in his recent
story OF the bringing Of mountaineers
to Frankfort previous 10 the assassina-
ton. Governor Taylor. however was
not directly implicated and the attor-
neys for the commonwealth intlmat-
ed today that they 10 not expect to
have his name brought forth proml-
nently in the story of the alleged con-
spiracy.
Golden became SO weak under the
strain OF the examination in the after
room that he begged to be allowed
respite. Golden's testimony tended to
show that the plan was made to bring
to Frankfort several hundred regular
mountain feudists," who would, If nee
essGry, as Golden expressed 1t. go into
the legislative hail and kill off enough
democrats to make it our way"
The testimony did not show that the
alleged plot TO kill Goebel was a part
Of the original plan, nor did it contain
the names of those who conceived that
idea, bu. the commonwealth sought to
show by Golden's conversations with
Various people that not only John and
Caleb Powers, but others as well, had
full knowledge Of the alleged plan OF
assassination.
When did YOU have the conversation
about the conspiracy with Secretary
Powers?' was attorney Campbelrs first
question.
When Powers and left here togeth-
er, Powers told me to go to Harlan
county ana tell Postmaster Hirst ID
send down ten regular mountain fued-
istso
What was your understanding Of
that requesty
Wei, men who would stand up, and
II necessary, 80 into that legislative
lall and kill off enough to make II IN
cur favor
Witness stated that Powers said he
wanted a regular army Of mountain
eers to come to Frankfort.
Did you have any further conver-
sation With Powers regarding the work
to be done by the men coming?s
No, sir; they understood what thew
We're kept here Tor. We knew those
men were here TO go into that legisla-
tive hall and If necessary to clean out
enough democrats to make a majority
on our side.
The answer created i sensation. Dur
ing lengthy argument over technical
point Golden became III and the court
adjourned until 1880 D. m.
When court re-conveaed Golden re-
sumed the stand. He testified that
twelve or fifteen hundred mountaineera
were brought to Frankfort. They were
fed back OF the state-house. Captain
Davis and Charles Kinley provided
the provisions.
Continuing, Golden said: I'VE sent
most of them back that night. BY We,
mean myself, Powers. Davis, Coulton
and Governor Taylor"
Finley, Taylor and Powers decided
to send back all but ten or fifteen from
each county. I selected twelve armed
men to be kept from Knox county:
Deputy Marshal George Thomas select
ed the men iron, Laurel county.
about 175 men Of the mountaineers
brought to Frankfort remained here
to see that we got justice"
The cross examination OF Golden win