New-York tribune., 1900-03-25
THE SHOOTING OF GOEBEL.
TESTIMONY OF F. WHARTON GOLDEN
NOT CONVINCING-HE DID NOT
NAME THE ASSASSIN.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rR1puxE.1

IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
Louisville, KY. March 24-The prosecution in
the Goebe conspiracy cases has practically fin
ehed its case with the examination of F. Whar-
ton Golden at Frankfort to-day While Golden
made some startling statements. his testimony
was not convincing II was made up of hearsay
and conjectures, and would be barred by the
rules Of evidence in any save an examining
court. He did not disclose the name OF the as
saesin, IL said he would do, and in other
respects what he had to say fell below expecta-
tons though ne did attempt to connect Govern
Taylor with the alleged conspiracy TO as
sassinate.
Golden was exceedingly nervous the stand
and twice broke down. saying he was too sick
to continue, After he had finished his testimony
he excused. and the court was adjourned
until Monday. No more witnesses will be intro
duCed by the prosecution and no further arrests
VIII be made until the April Grand Jury has re-
turned indictments. Golden Will be cross-eX-
auned Monday II he is able to endure it
CIolden's principal testimony given in the
afternoon. He said that January %. the
day before GOebel was shot, John Powers told
him Goebel was to be killed the next day He
saw Powers give key, supposed 10 be his Of
fee key. TO a black haired. black mustached
man Powers also said: We have two negroes
TO kill Goebe?' These negroes were Dick
Combs and Mason Hockersmith. The witness
heard Combs say to a man:
"I have watched him (IoebeD for week. and
I would know him far as I could see him, and
damn him, I could hit him, too"'
The witness on January 80 saw Caleb Powers
and John Powers in the office Of the former
and Governor Taylor and Treasurer Day were
also present. Z. ]. Howard of Harlan County,
joined the party and asked Governor Taylor to
call out the militia. Taylor said, waving both
hands: My God, you fellows must act nrst. l
have the soldiers ready, and can get them out
quick enough"
When the witness was asked what was 10 be
done that the soldiers would be called out, he
said il was 10 start a riot In the Legislature
and clean them up" that is, kill them so as
TO give the Republicans a majority. Before the
shooting John Powers told the witness that two
negroes had been secured TO do the killing, but
he was not told afterward who actually did the
killing
After giving this testimony the witness was
excused. The prisoners will certainly be bound
for trial, but il is remarkable that no at
tempt is made TO arrest the real assassin or dls-
close his name. II is now said he is one Of the
Philpots feudist of Clay County, but the story
has no good basis.
Judge Emmett Field handed down his final
opinion in the GovernOrship case at o'clock
this afternoon. He held that GOebel was regu-
larry declared elected Governor by the Leg1s-
lature and J. c. W. Beckham was chosen Lieu
tenant Governor and succeeded TO the Governor
ship He also found that Senator Carter was
regularly chosen TO preside over the Senate. He
declares that Governor Taylor Is usurping the
office Of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor
Marshall the Office Of Lieutenant-GOVernOr, and
orders them to vacate and pay costs. To all of
this Taylor and Marshall object and take an
appeal