The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-27
THRILLING SCENE IN COURT
ALMOST A GENERAL FIGHT At
KENTUCKY HEARING.

Row in Which Several People Might
Have Been Killed, Was Narrowly
Averted - Caused by Misunder-
standing of an Attorneys Words.
Examination of Golden Concluded.
The Witness Practically Admitted
That He Had Turned States Evil
dence.
Frankfort, KY, March 26.-The most
thrilling event of the examining trial of
Republican Secretary of State Caleb Pow
ers occurred this afternoon shortly after
o'clock, and for a few minutes it looked
as if serious trouble could not be prevent
ed.
Col. George Denny, for the defendant,
in an argument upon the competency of
a question, said
"It is perfectly lawful for people to come
here and to come armed. 1 came here
several times myself"
He was referring to the crowd that was
present at the mass meeting held in the
State House yard just prior 10 Gov. Goe-
bells assassination.
Col. Campbell, for the prosecution re-
Piled that he did not consider it lawful,
ana was SURPRISED 10 KNOW IndI MT.
Denny had come here armed. Denny de-
MED having made such statement, and
said that he did not come armed Col
Campbell insisted that he had made the
statement. Both men were very much
excited and spoke with vehemence and
with arms shaking commenced to ad-
vance toward each other.
The court room was crowded and the
audience evidently thought fight was
on, and made a mad rush for the doors
and windows, people falling over each
other in their efforts to get out of the
room. Several policemen and deputy
sheriffs were crying for order, and Judge
Moore was bringing his gavel down with
terrific force, and urging the people to
take their seats After five or ten min
utes of the most exciting scenes since the
assassination, quiet was restored.
Apology Settled 1t.
Col. Campbell then arose and apollo
gized to Denny and to the court, Col.
Denny replying in a very '1appy speech.
On an inspection of the record it was
found that Col. Campbell had miscon-
strued Col. Denny's statement
Ex-Gov. Brown, in a speech, asked the
court to adjourn and give the people
time to cool off, stating that ID was only
people around him that dozens of people
were not killed. He further said that it
not that he feared any violence, but
he only spoke for the protection of his
client.
County Attorney Polsgrove objected to
adjourning, stating that it would be an
admission chat the court was unable to
protect the prisoner and insisted upon re-
suming the questioning of Golden.
Col. Denny agreed with Mr.. Polsgrove
and the examination proceeded.
At the conclusion Of the examination
of Golden the commonwealth rested it's
case.
Golden CrOss-Exnmined.
Golden as the prosecutions star wit
ness created great interest. When placed
on the stand for cross examination he
said he learned about two weeks ago that
he would be arrested if he did not tell
what he knew about the assassination,
and that if he did tell The attorneys for
the commonwealth would try to save him
from prosecution.
Thomas Cromwell, who swore out the
warrant against Powers was the first per-
son he talked to about the assassination.
Cromwell had been to the mountains and
heard that he was connected in some way
with the murder and sent for him. Golden
told Powers of his conversation with
Cromwell and told him (Powers) that he
wanted to get away from the State House.
lie got leave Of absence from Republic
can Assistant Adjutant General Nixon and
left
He said he could not remember that he
ever heard Powers say tsat he intended to
harm anyone. Dick Coombs. the alleged
assassin, was brought TO Frankfort he
said, by William Culton, one of the defend
ants.
said He Exposed His Party.
Golden said he told Judge Fleming of
Winchester, that he intended TO tell all he
knew about the affair. Whileahe was in
Winchester. he said, he was stopped by
two men, DIR. Foster and William Steel
who grabbed him by the arms and cursed
him for exposing the Republican party.
Golden replied that the had not exposed
the party. Gov. Brown asked him If he
had not told the two men that he knew
nothing about the affair Golden said he
might have told that, as he would have
said anything they wanted him to. Gov.
Brown asked him if he made a habit of
saying anything a person desired, to
which the witness responded:
Not when ! am on equal terms with
them"
Golden was then excused for a few min
utes. owing to Illness
The witness resuming. said when he
heard on his way to Louisville with Pow
ers thar Gov Goebel had been shot, he
told Powers what had happened, AMI
Powers said that it was a dirty shame
and outrage. When asked about the man
who was given the key the morning Goe-
bel was killed, Golden said he did not
know his name, but could recognize him
anywhere. He said he saw him here
Saturday.
HAN INTERVIEW WITH GRIGGS