The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-26

FRANKFORT, KY. March 25.-"John
Powers told me they had two nissers
here to kill Goebel. They were Hooker
smith and Dick Coombs.'
This statement was made yesterday
by E. Wharton Golden, a frail. con-
notwithstanding Kentucky mountain
Ger, while on the witness stand in the
preliminary examination of Secretary
of State Caleb Powers, charged with
conspiracy to kill Goebel. Golden told
n story of the events leading up to the
murder that, II substantlated, will in
the minds Of those connected with the
prosecution at least probably go far to-
ward proving the contentious of the
commonwealth that the murder was
the result Of plan in which several
prominent mon were involved
whether the defense will seek to
impeach Golden's testimony in this
preliminary examination is not known,
as the attorneys will not talk on the
subject, but unless such attempt is
made the commonwealth will rest its
case. both County Attorney Polsgrove
and Attorney Campbell being satisfied
that enough evidence has been present.
ed to hold the defendant on the charges.
Alleged Damaging Testimony.
Golden, who claims to have been a
friend of Secretary Powers and his
brother, John Powers, for years, gave
testimony that was particularly dam
aging to John Powers. but he also
brought in the names Of many others,
including Charles Finley, w. H. culton
and Governor Taylor in his story of
the bringing of the mountaineers to
Frankfort previous to the assassination.
Governor Taylor, however, was not
directly implicated, and the attorneys
for the commonwealth minated to-
day that they do not expect to have his
name brought forth prominently in the
story of the alleged conspiracy.
Golden was not cross examined yester-
day and adjournment was taken at an
early hour this afternoon on account OF
his physical condition, the witness
having slight hemorrhage during the
morning becoming so weak under the
strain of the examination OF the after
noon that he begged to be allowed re-
spite. He was quite nervous at times.
Golden's testimony TENDED to show
that plan was madH to bring several
hundred regular mountain feudlsts" to
Frankfort, who would, II necessary, as
Golden expressed 1t. go into the legls-
latIve hall and kill of enough Demo-
Gratis TO make 1t our way"
The testimony did not show that the
alleged plot to kill Goebel was part Of
the original plan, nor did It contain the
names of those men who conceived the
idea. But the commonwealth sought to
show by Golden's conversation with
various people and not only John and
Caleb Powers but others as well had
full knowledge of the alleged plan OF
assassination.
Golden, after being sworn, said he had
hHONH GGNlGAhIS EOWSTH tut seventeen
or eighteen years, and was good
friend of all the defendants Witness
was in Frankfort in January and Feb
ruary, and saw Powers nearly every
dial. He was in Frankfort on January
"A, went to Harlan county on the IS.
then went to Laurel county for two or
three days from there. returning to
Frankfort.
Where then did you go?--to Bar
boursvllle?" asked Attorney Campbell.
The witness refused to answer. but
finally admitted that Powers told him
to go to Harlan county and tell Post
master John H'rst to send down ten
witnesses in the contest case.
He told me to go to Harlan coun-
w." he said, "and tell Mr.. Hlrst to
send down ten men who were mountain
feudIsts"
what was your understanding Of
that request?"
To Reduce Majority by Murder.
well, men who would stand up, and
necessary, so into that legislative hall