The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-02
aoebers WiIl Never swerved.


[From the New York Mail and Express.l
There seems to be no doubt that Will
lam J. Goebel was absolutely devoid of
fear. During the heat of the recent cleo
ton in Kentucky a prominent Louisville
official a politician and a newspaper man
were seated in a cafe of that city. and the
discussion naturally fell upon the all-ab-
sorbing theme then rending the Bluegrass
did you ever hear of GoebeFs exploit
up in the Cumberland mountains several
years agO2" asked the city official. "NO2
I was doing a little quiet work among the
boys, and the mountains were my
wherever I went. 1 knew Goebel only
slightly, though We were, of course, well
known to one another politically, but
while I was riding leisurely along one of
the valley roads one afternoon l overlook
passed. recognized the Democratic lead
er- In the easy Kentucky manner we
logged along side by side for a mile or
more and gradually became more affable
IN conversation.
the far side of the mountain tonight, and
] intend to put up at Andy Jessup's; do
you happen to know anything about the
place? I hear that man can get decent
fare. for this country, over there "
wen. expect he must have seen my
race Tor l saw slight smile around the
corners of his month. Andy Jessup'si Did
1 know himi AS much as we We're polite
help throwing out a word of warning.
Andy Jessup was a leader among the
the most bitter ant-Goebeltes in Ken
tucky-and when they are bitter up in
the mountains it generally takes the form
of lead l doubted very much if I had
heard Alright. and thought that if it We're
so he was being drawn into a certain
trap for assassination.
" MIR. Goebel.' I said, I'm not much of
see a man run his head into moose. and
/ want to tell you to stay away from
Andy Jessup,s. 1t won't do you, any good
You know why, 1 guess but take my ad-
vice and stay away.
" Mr.. b he said. and I saw the. same
smile play around his lips, 1 thank you
for your well meant advice, but have
business there tonight, and if you make
in that direction L guess you'll find me
there and so saying he put spurs to his
horse and waving farewell galloped off
toward the distant mountain. while L
turned down the lane that carried me to
my destination.
It knew that he was up to some des-
perate game and felt really sorry for
event, so shortly after I had eaten my
supper l mounted my horse again and.
and, with one of the men from the village
whom knew 1 could trust, made my way
toward the mountain road to the other
1T must have been near midnight be-
fore we struck the ridge and began the
Save for the few stars overhead it was
as dark as pitch, and as well as 1 knew
the road we had some close calls on the
Drinks of jagged precipices. But we
scrambled on, trusting to our horses more
than to the lines, and were nearing the
mountain stream that ran by JesSup's
mill when a shot rang out not hundred
yards below, and, turning the corner Of
scene / shall never forget as long as I
live. The wide door of the mill was open
and a big bonfire was blazing in front,
lighting up everything around. The light
fell on the faces of four men One of
them had his back to the side of the mill
and was leveling his pistols at two others
while the fourth lay prone upon the
ground My companion and ] stopped
short and sheered to one side to get out
of range as another shot rang out, and
Goebel. for it was he with his back to the
mill, let one of his pistols drop from his
other and a second man reeled and fell
Then a perfect fusfllade began and 7 saw
GOebel drop to one knee. As he did so
he caught sight of us two. and quick as a.
flash he acted on the situation
50 Come on bOysp he yelled: come ont
afraid of hitting mer he cried, and in
that moment he was saved. His only re-
naming antagonist, who really had him
at his mercy, turned with a startled look
in our direction and CSOebel fired low. The
man broke for cover and before we had
horse and moment later We heard the
clatter of the animals hOOfs down the
mountain side.
That was the last saw of him until
some three months afterwards, here in
Louisville. None of the men, so it turned
out, was fatally hurt, and when 1 sa "
him he I1mped only slightly.
Hello! b said he; how goes it?
Haven't seen you since that little night
we had up in the mountains over at Andy
JeSSups s You remember And. by the
way. he added, i owe you thanks for
getting me Que of a tight scrape. They
nearly had me done for he said laugh
went after. 80