New-York tribune., 1900-03-25
TESTIMONY IN DETAIL.
5oLDEH-s SENSATIONAL STATEMENT OF THE
PREPARATIONS FOR THE SHOOTING.

GoLDEN-s SENSATIONAL STATEMENT OF THE
PREPARATIONS FOR THE SHOOTING.
Frankfort. KY March 24-The prosecution In the
case against the Secretary of State Caleb Powers
charged with completely in the Goebel assassina-
ton introduced its principal witness to-day. F.
Wharton Golden. Of Knox County, intimate
friend of Secretary Powers. He said he had known
Secretary Powers for seventeen or eighteen years,
and was good friend Of all the defendants. He
was in Frankfort in January and February and
saw Powers nearly every day. He continued:
Powers told me 10 60 to Harlan County and
tell Postmaster Hirst 10 send down men who
were regular mountain feudists."
What was your understanding OF that request
We'll men who would stand up and If neces-
sary go into that legislative hall and kill off
enough to make in favor I did Mr..
F4irst. I saw James Howard. I told him wanted
ten who had good Colts, forty-fves'
We're the forty-ives 10 be put in evidence
asked Attorney Campbell
Most assuredy they were" answered Golden.
Golden said ne did know the witnesses who
came TO Frankfort He delivered the message to
Howard the Sunday preceding the Goebel
shooting.
When did you next see Caleb Powers"
u saw him Tuesday. I got the train at
Ferris Station, Laurel County. He had a couple
Of men on the train named Pease and Locket- He
told me TO take care OF them. l next Powers
in Frankfort I don't remember what conversation
we had with them
Who selected the men who came from Harlan
County,"
Hamp Howard selected thirty men besides the
ten Caleb Powers, I think, selected the from
Knox County. There were about seventy or eighty.
County Attorney Spark selected the men from
Laurel County
When the witness saw Powers in London the
Secretary said he wanted regular army OF noun
tain men 10 come. In all about twelve hundred or
fifteen hundred men were brought to Frankfort the
witness said. They were fed back of the State
House. Captain Davis and Charles Finley providing
gto- Com TiTl11 sagI
We sent most OF them back that night BY we
I mean myself. Powers. Captain Davis, William
Culton and Governor Taylor. Finley, Taylor and
Powers decided to send them back. all except ten
or hfteep from each county. About hundred
and seventy five from the mountaineers brought 10
Frankfort remained here that got justice.
We understood what they were kept here for
We knew that those were here 70 go into that
legislative hall. and, If necessary clean out those
fellows"
What feows?"
The Democrats-enough make a majority on
our side"
The answer created a sensation in the courtroom.
Golden said that he in the Executive Build
ing on the day before the shooting He met Caleb
Powers in Governor Taylor's anteroom. Powers
asked him to go to Louisville day. He told
John Powers going 10 Louisville with Caleb
Powers. He and John Powers and an unknown
man had talk concerning the closing Of Secretary
Powers's Office in the latter's absence u had
back turned said Golden, but when I turned I
John Powers give the key 10 the man. JOhn
Powers said 10 me- Goebel is going 10 be killed
this morning I said. This be done He
said: Don't get excited. I gave that the
wrong key said, We must go see Caleb
After John talked 10 Caleb Powers on that Mon
5av morning what next done2'
we all went back 10 the State House 7 did not
go 10 Louisville that morning. I can't say why
DO you know a man named Dick Coombs?"
asked Attorney Campbell.
II do. He Is colored and lives in Beattyville. He
down wi he Iypa
Did you have any talk with Caleb John
Powers about Dick Coombs? p"
No but they had two negroes there 10 Kill
Goebel. John Powers told me so. They We're
Hecker Smith and Dick CoOmbs. 7 saw Dick
Coombs al the drug store near the station every
morning for a week previous 10 the shooting.
Coomhs. talking to man named Wallace in
presence. said with oath. 1 know him far
7 him. and can kill him far !
versation IN the Acjutant-General's office.
He also said I know his every movement, and l
can hit him with this as far as ! can see him
He carried a Colts % that shoots a Win
craztar carrr,dpe Coorlbs was in the 4 ssfst-
Adjutant-Generafs office on the morning of
the shooting. with Hecher Smith and Jim Wal
Powers this morning The fellow little man.
When Caleb and John Powers and MYSELF
went back there. he said, You have given the
wrong key ! don't remember hat John said
him The rest OF the day was around town No
reference made TO the key during the day,
The key was that OF Caeb's office
On Tuesday did you meet Caleb ana John Pow
ers2' asked Attorney Campbell.
Yes / saw them in Caeb's ONCE. got letter
from Brakeman that morning asking me 10 come
10 Louisville. Caleb said he was going with
but said he might want TO go to the mountains
He was talking TO Walter Day and Governor Tay-
lor r. J. Howard OF Harlan county. came up
calling out the militia. Taylor said: My Cod you