The suburban citizen., 1900-02-03

Frankfort, KY, Especial. State Senator
William Goebel, who hoped soon to be ele-
waited by the Democratic Legislature to the
position Of Governor Of Kentucky, was shot
down by a hidden sharpshooter near the
front steps Of the State House Tuesday morn
ing.
Late at night his condition was critical
and it was considered likely that he would
soon die.
The legislative committees to which Goe-
bells contest for the Governorship was re-
ferred met at night and decided in favor Of
seating him. 1t is expected that the Legis-
lature will make this action final II Goebel
survives. There is great sympathy for him.
"They Have Got Me This Time"
The bullet struck Goebel In the right side.
He made one quick motion as II to draw a
pistol and then fell at the feet Of Col. Jack
Chnn, who was walking by his side.
They have got me this time Jack" he
said; Il guess they have killed me. Then he
writhed upon the pavement and was still.
Five shots in all were fred and as Chinn
bent over his fallen friend he heard the four
harmless bullets whiz by his head. Only the
first bullet struck the target.
The concealed marksman quit firing and
men with pistols in their hands came tum-
bling out Of the state House doors and down
the steps Senators and Representatives OF
both parties at nrst asked:
"Who is it2'
They crowded around the victim, all eager
to help him and all Mortified when they
knew that Goebel himself had been shot.
Colonel Chinn and three policemen, helped
by half a dozen other men, carried Goebel
to the Office of Dr. Hume two blocks away.
Loose Overcoat Helped Him.
It is said by many judges Of good shooting
in Frankfort at the present time that the
would-be assassin was mlsled by the loose
ness of Goebels overcoat and fired too much
to one side.
For time no effort had been made to
catch the assassin. The police and onlook-
ers, instead OF surrounding the building
whence the shots came were busy with the
victim or too excited to act.
Everybody seemed on the defensive and
stood rendy for battle.
The few witnesses Of Goebel's fall agreed
that the shots were fired from the third
story west window OF tho State Houses east
wing. A rush was finally made for the State
House doors with view OF catching the
culprit, but already the occupants OF the
building were armed A score of noun
taineers who havo been in the building since
their arrival last week appeared at the en-
frances, rifles in hand, and nobody was per-
mltted to enter for a while.
Armed MOuntaineer Arrested.
The crowd outside was at bay, but in turn
1t held the buildings occupants besieged,
mountalneer was seen running from the
rear OF the building toward the AdjutRnt.
Generals office In the west wing. The crowd
pounced upon him in a moment, shouting
"Yop murderer !" and "Kill him ~ but no
shots were fired.
An old man, j. L. Miller, pinioned the
fugitive's arms while others rushed up. He
had three big Colts pistols and go cartridges.
His captors handled him roughly, but he
begged to be heard, swearing that he had
not fred a shot.
The police took him TO jail unharmed.
There ls no evidence against him and all his
pistols we're fully loaded. He is Harland
Whitaker, OF Butler county.