The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-17
Syears He Arranged for the Crime
Himself Under Direction OF Tay-
Tor and Others.
TESTIMONY AT FRANKFORT
THAT is INTENDED TO SUPPORT THE
CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY.
Youtsey Once offered $4,000 to Tell
Enough to Convict Seven Men-Ex-
Governor TaylOr's Denial.

FRANKFORT KY, April 16.-Henry E.
Youtsey to-day for the first time told on
the witness stand his story of the killing
of the late Governor Goebel. He named
James Howard, the defendant, as the man
who fired the shot. Youtsey said he saw
Howard for the first time a few minutes
before the shooting. Howard had a letter
sent him several days before by the wit
ness at Governor Taylors dictation. Yout-
sey says he took Howard into the Office
Of Caleb Powers, then secretary Of state,
which had been especially arranged for the
shooting. He showed Howard the Marlin
rife, the bullets and the window from
which the shooting was to be done. He
says Howard asked what he was to get for
doing the shooting.
What do you want for it?' Youtsey
says he asked. and Howard said he wanted
a pardon for killing George Baker.
81 told him he could have that and more,
too" said Youtsey.
about that time" said the witness,
"Goebel came in the gate and l pointed
him out to Howard and then ran from the
room. AS / disappeared down the steps
to the basement heard the crack Of How
ards rifle
Youtsey said that after the shooting he
passed through the Statehouse basement
and a few minutes later came back into
the legislative building from the east side
entrance. II stayed in the Office of Assist
ant Secretary of State Matthew'S said
he, "for few moments and saw Matthews
break open Caleb Powers's office and find
the guns that had been left in there
Youtsey said that at the time of the
shooting he was private secretary to
Auditor Sweeney, but that while his po-
litical status was not definitely fixed it
was understood he was to have a good
place under Taylor.
Governor Taylor said Youtsey, "di-
him as our leader and he was morally re-
| sponsible for all we did. We knew we had
| the Governor and the pardoning power be-
hind us. and we were not afraid of pun
During Youtsey's testimony Howard sat
| with eyes riveted on the witness. His wife
sat behind him. Howard did not change
expression. Youtsey once on cross-ex-
| animation said that after he was arrested
and later sent to the penitentiary he still
held hope of gaining his liberty He
| thought Yerkes would be elected Governor
and would pardon him. Yerkes was de-
| feated, however, and about year ago he
decided to talk and did tell his story to
| Prison Physician Tobin. Youtsey said
| further that he had an additional incentive
| to tell the story, as Taylor, Powers and
others had used him as catspaw and
| got into trouble.
When Youtsey resumed the witness box
at 3 o'clock this afternoon every available
! inch of room in the courtroom was filled.
many women gracing the rows of seats
| outside the railing. Attorney Violet con-
| ttnued the cross-examination for the de-
/ Tense, and tried to extract from the witness
| an admission that he was hopeful of receiv-
| ing reward, either in the way of re-
| duction of his sentence or lighter work in
| the prison. Youtsey said no inducement
| of that kind had been held out to him. He
| said that the only man who ever talked to
| him about any kind of reward was James
A. Scott, now Of counsel for Howard. ''This
| was just before 1 was arrested" said he
| land Scott told me If 1 would tell enough
| to bring about seven convictions he would
| get me $4,000
Youtsey admitted having sent for Gov
| ernor Beckham and asking his advice. The
| Governor held a conference in Warden
| LIZARDS office, and he said that Beckham
| told him that he should tell everything
but that he was offered no kind of induce
| ment.
Attorney Violet asked number of cues.
| lions. the evident purpose of which was to
| show that DR.. Johnson, and not Howard
shot Goebel. Youtsey admitted that he
and Johnson had planned to kill Goebel
and that Johnson would do the shooting
| w. j. Davidson, then superintendent OF
| public instruction. he said, offered to allow
| Johnson the of his Office to do the
| shooting. Witness, however, did not an.
prove of Johnson's plans for the killing
land discarded him. He did not see him
after Jan. %.
Youtsey. in reply to questions, admitted
| that he had not been compelled to work ir
| the prison since he made his confession tC
| the grand jury. He claimed, however thai
he had been sick, having been troubled
his evidence on cross-examination to-mor.
|