The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1900-02-07
C0EBbL ASSASSINATED.

SeSoI "SS
ass 1855 in ,ted on January SOB, by a
cowardly murderer, who calmly,
coolly and deliberately planned an in
cold blood executed it, while walking
through the capito! grounds Oh bis
way to the capitol building at 10
minutes after II o'clock that morn-
ing, William Goebel, the Democratic
contestee for Governor of Kentucky,
Was shot down and very dangerously
wounded.
Harland Whitaker, a farmer frcm
Butler county, the home county OF
Governor Taylor, is now in the jill
at Louisville charged with the crime.
There is no direct evidence against
Whitaker and he was placed under
arrest more because be was caught
around the capitol building when
the shots were fired than for any
other apparent reason. He denies
in the most positive manner that he
had any connection with the shoot
ing or knew anything about it. He
was running toward the scene Of the
shooting and not away from it when
be was arrested.
Senator Goebel was wounded by a
rife ball of small cslibre, not over So;
which struck him in the right side
just below the arm pit. The ball
passed through the back part of the
right lung, across the body in a
Diagonal line, passing out below the
left shoulder blade. The vital or
CONS were not injured with the ex-
ception of the right lung.
Mr.. Goebel was on his way to the
senate chamber in company with
CJl. Jack Chinn and Warden Eph
Lillard Of the Frankfort penitentiary.
Mr.. Lillard was a few feet in ad-
vance of Goebel and CHM, who
were walking side by side, G,ebsl
being on the right and Coinn upon
the left.
From the outer edge of the capitol
grounds to the step OF the capitol
building the distance is about 800
feet. Two thirds of this had been
passed and the men we're walking
slowly when suddenly a shot rang
out from a large three-story build
ing which stands 50 feet east of the
capitol building. This building is
used for Offices by nearly all the
leading officials OF the State, Gov,
ernor Taylor and the Secretary of
State having rooms on the first floor.
As the shot was heard Goebel gave
quick involuntary exclamation of
pain and made an effort to draw his
own revolver. His strength was un-
equal to the task, however, and he
sank upon the pavement. With
great rapidity several more shots
we're fired, the bullets all striking
the brick sidewalk close to where
Goebel lay. None of them touched
him, however.
While William Goebel lay at the
point of death in bis room as the re-
suit of an assassin's bullet the con-
testing boards, which for two weeks
had been listening to the evidence in
his contest for the governors chair,
declared him entitled to the seat.
The boards having in charge the
contests between Goebel and Taylor
for Governor, and Beckham and
Marshall for Lieutenant Governor,
met at I o'clock tonight in the city
hall to consider the evidence sub
United to them, and prepare their
report to the Legislature. A few
legal authorities were read TO th' m
It the request of Senator Allen, wi o
wished light shed upon a few doubt
full points. Then by a strict party
vote of 10 to l, William Goebel was
declared to have been legally elected
Governor of kentucky.
The Bsckham. Marshall contest
was then voted upon and a strict
party vote Of 8 to 2 settled this mat
'er.
Several Democrats sought to get
together a quorum of both house,
ho'd a night session, push through
he reports and declare Goebel the
Governor Of Kentucky before nor
ng. to give him the honor before he
died, but too many legislators were
away. 1t is a certainty that Goebel
will be made Governor tomorrow if
be is alive.
Frankfort, Ky, Jan. 81 -Governor
Taylor this morning adj burned the
legislature to meet at London, KY,
February + Militia in the city pre-
vented the Democrats from assem-
bling and members were threatened
with arrest.