The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-02-05

ac.ly one hour after the death OF Mr..
Goebel J. G. w Beckham was sworn
I'm as governor of state, the oath being
administered by S. j. shackelford.
clerk Of the court Of appeals.
Il had been determined To keep
secret the news Of the death of Mr..
Goebel until NJ Beckham should have
been formally inducted into office. and
the delay was made greacer by the in
ability Of Or. Mccormack 60 leave the
bedroom OF Mr. Goebel and make the
proper certiofcate OF death. Untn this
had been done the democratic attorneys
were unwilling that the oath Of office
should be administered
The ceremony took place In a small
room on the same floor as that I'm which
nfr. Goebel died and but a few doors to
the west Of IT, In the room az the time
were Senator elect Blackburn. Col r.
II Young, Col. Philip Thompson, Eph
LillaId, j. II. Lillis, Lieut. l.. T. Nc
Kay. S. j. Shackelford, Or. p. w. Wells,
Col. Harry Mckay. Col Jack Chinn
kit Chinn, Dr. Mccormack Joseph
Blackburn. Jr. and three representa-
tives OF the press.
Colonel Young and Senator-olect 1919 k
burn sat at table I'm the center ot the
room upon which they had drawn up the
papers necessary 20 the administra lun
of the oath OF office 20 Nv Beckhan.
After the papers had been completed,
there was wait of nearly ten minutes
for Mr. Mccormack The death certf-
icate had already been prepared and D.
Mccormack quickly signed his name and
sworn to the contents OF the paper.
"Now. Mr. Beckham, it's your turn"
said Colonel Young.
Mr. Beckham. who had been standing
in the far corner Of the room, az once
advanced to the table with a flush OF
excitement on his youthful face
"sign the OATH" said Colonel Young.
pushing the paper toward him. Beck
ham hesitated. and Coiouei Young re-
peated his request
LET me be sworn first" said Mr.
Beckham
you must sign the paper before you
can take the OATH" said Colonel Young.
I'VE want your oath 90 the signature"
Mr.. Beckham advanced to the table
and affixed his signature and then step
ped back. lie held up his right hand for
the oath. which was read to him by Clerk
Shackleford. The light was none OF the
best, and the writing on the paper none
OF the most legible, and Mr.. shaekleford
made slow work of it. Al of the time
Mr.. Beckham stood before aim with his
eyes shining and deep nush on his
face.
When the clerk read the concluding
words Of the OATH 80 help you God"
Mr.. Beckham's reply came, Il do" and
then, with greater emphasis, "and may
God give me strength 10 do my duty"
II devoutly hope ne will" .rejoined
Colonel Young.
The first official action OF Governor
Beckham was the appointment Of a new
adiutant general, and his last act before
assuming the oath was an order remov-
ing Adiutant General Collier and Assist
ant Adjutant General Dickinson
The order was delivered 20 Captain
Bennett at the gate Of the capitol
grounds twenty-five minutes before the
oeath of Mr.. Goebel. Mr. Beckham was
made acting governor last night
Mr.. Beckham seemed deeply affecte by
the position IN which circumstances had
placed him and he did not reveal much
JOY over the congratulations which those
In the room showered upon him, al-
though he accepted them gratefully
There Is one thing that / would have
been greatly pleased 10 have had done
by Mr.. Goebel before his death" ne
said, "and that is 10 have signed the GER
udcate Of Senator Blackburn or course
I am greatly pleased TO have the priyil-
eye myself. but / know It was a matter
close to the heart Of Mr.. Goebel. AMI I
wish that he could have lived longer.
think ! can promise" he said. with a
smile, that It will be one Of the frst
things that / viii do on Monday
At a late hour NJ Beckham issued "a
proclamation to the people OF Kentucky
announcing that the work OF the assas
sin had ended iu the death Of Nj. Goe-
bel, and that he. Beckham, had qua f.
fed and assumed the duties Of the chief
executive.
After referring 10 The high character
and courage OF the deceased. who Is pro-
nounced "A martyr IN the cause Of the
people, the proclamation says:
~ enter upon the discharge of this
high office surrounded by conditions
which would tax the wisdom OF men far
stronger than T. Knowing well the try-
ng difficulties that are ahead OF me. and .
The dangers which surround me- wtich
have already compassed the destruction I.
)f civll government in the capitol OF The
state hereby soiemnly command and
warn that all violent characters. and MAJ
iua OF the state now IN possession ~ .
.hIs city. Do lmmedlately al.hand. NV