The Indianapolis journal., 1901-04-14
STATES PART In FARCE
Is OVER At FRANKFORT, THE PROS
ECUTIoN RESTING.
Judge O'NeiI, Opening for Defense, Re-
hcarses the Taylor-RipIey Con-
vcrsation-No Plot to Kill.

FRANKFORT, KY, April 13.-The pros
ecution rested in the Ripley-Goebel con-
spiracy case to-day. and the defense, after
having its motion for peremptory instruc-
tions TO acquit overruled made the open
ing presentment of its case. Court then
adjourned until Monday.
William p Reeder, ex-clerk of Knox
county, was the first witness He testified
that, he talked with Caleb Powers and
Charles Finley frequently in regard to the
crowd they were getting up to go to Frank
fort on Jan. %. Witness asked Finley if
there was going to be a fight a Frankfort
Finley replied that he thought so, and
would not be surprised if GoebeI should be
killed in the next five days. Town Mar
shal Jesse, of Pleasurevile testified that
Ripley's military company had it's first
drill on Jan. 27, and the second drill was
on Jan. 30 both in secret County Judge
Bruce testified that Ripleys company was
Illegally got up. no application having
been made for its organization, as required
by law.
Wharton Golden told of the organization
of the mountain army. He got it up in
conjunction with Powers, who gave him
the money. He also told of conversation
with Governor Taylor, in which Taylor
asked him if he and his men would back
up the Republican members of the Legisla-
ture in case they started fight lie told
Taylor they would. Caleb Powers. in jan
uary, told him that the killing of Goebel
was the only way to settle the contest,
that several hundred men should be
brought here from the mountains, and that
Taylor would pardon the man who did the
shooting. Touching Ripley, witness said
he saw him in the adjutant generals Of
flee a few days before the asSasSinatiU
General Collier told Ripley he had no guns
with which TO equip the company that Rip
ley had organized. Ripley SAID he would
buy Winchesters if he could not get others.
He saw YOutsey get the key TO the secre-
tary of states office JAN %. The prOSecu-
tion then rested.
A motion for peremptOry instructions for
acquittal on evidence presented by the COM
monwealth was overruled, and Mr.. - Nell sa
made the opening statement FOR the de-
fense. He said that he was convinced his
client was innocent; that he did not even
know Caleb Powers, Finley, Youtsey and
other suspects. He barely knew Taylor and
had only met him on two occasions, Just
prior to the assassination, and the proof
showed no link connecting him with the
conSpirators or with any part or the con-
spiracy, if one existed. Regarding the tes-
tirnOny of Ex-Governor Bradley and Judge
Yost, ONeil said a mountain had been
made of a molehill There great eX-
citement in Frankfort on Jan. %. and
when Ripley went into Governor Taylor $
office he found the latter nervous and
wringing his hands. He asked what was
the matter and Taylor said: ION, my God
Ripley, these are terrible times. Goebel
will be killed; l will be killed, and there
will be a riot here
Ripley told him he thought these things
could be avoided and inquired when he
should get his company ready. To this Tay-
lor said: MY God. haven't you got them
ready yet?"
This was all there was TO it,. said
O'Neil, land no such construction could
rightfully be put it has been done in
this trial"
O'Nei said both Governor Bradley and
Judge Yost were mistaken as To the point
Ripley was endeaVoring TO make when he
told of the conversation with Taylor, in
which he used the words. "Goebel will be
killed" Ripley saw Youtsey passing, about
that time and recognized him as the man
he had seen come out of Taylor's office on
Jan. 80 Ripley related the whole conversa-
tion, but attached no Importance TO Tay-
lor's statement. Court then adjourned until
Monday.