Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-02-23

'ective then changed his tactics.
His visits to the cell were short and
in the nature of friendly interviews
He took occasion to talk in a father
ly way TO the prisoner, expressing
his regret that one so talented and
evidently so well brought up should
SO far stray from the teachings of
his youth. Skillfully he played up
on the prisoners feelings. Orchard
gradually became as clay in the
hands of the detective. Finally he
began to talk about his early life of
the Christian home IN which he had
been reared. Tears would spring to
his ewes as he told Of the prayers of
his mother for her only son and of
the tender, loving precepts Of his
father.
MCFARLAND was not slow to take
up the lead. He encouraged the
man to talk of his early home life
and on leaving always left some sen
tence on Orchards mind that gave
the prisoner food for reflection until
the next visit.
At last one day Orchard met his
visitor with an expression upon his
face that told the detective as plain
ly as words that the man was about
TO confess. It was calmer look
than Orchard had worn for weeks.
1t was look of determination.
"You have something to tell me?"
asked the detective as he entered the
cell.
81 am ready to make full con-
fession," replied Orchard. 81 am
asking nc lenlency. ! have thought
the matter over long and carefully.
My lonely imprisonment here will
drive me crazy if do not confess!
My conscience will not permit me
to keep the guilty secrets! If ever
man suffered the torments of hell,
am tnat man! | only hope that
God, in His infinite mercy, Will heed
my prayers! have been "a wicked
man! / want to tell"
Here Orchard broke down and il
was some time before he could con-
tinue. His confession, however,
was absolute and far-reaching. II
is believed that every word spoken
/ by the conscience -striken man was
! truthful. In fact, investigation
: made since on the strength of some
of his statements have proved con-
r clusiyely that Orchard told the truth
> Later Orchard repeated all that hs
had told to Detective Mcfarland n
the presence of several chosen wit
t nesses.
> The authorities have not mad,
D known the full details of Orchard'i
], stateme, is but enough has beer
e given in a general way to show tha
e they include some startling dis
3 closures. The most important con
= fcssion was the yerificatlon OF tn
: actual existence of an ''inner circle
J. of the Western Federation o
e Miners. This elmer circle,o q
!. Orchard declares, had compiled
q list of men, who were to- be kille'
+ by members of the organization
u The list is net made public in ful
!, but it is known that 1t contained tn
e names of James H. Peabody of Co
g orado, Chief Justice of the Suprenl
d Court William III. Gabbert of Cole
n rado, former Justices Luther M
Goddard and John Campbell &
e Colorado and Former Adjutar
r. General Sherman Bell of Colorado
u Frank Steunenberg was the onl
is Idaho man on this list, according I
r Orchard. The assassinations I
is these men were all planned, Orchar
10 says, at the headquarters of ii
err Western Federation of Miners, /.
n secret meetings of members of Il
r sinner circle" which were attende
n by Meyer, Haywood and oh'
to celebrities of the organization.
Orchard gave in detail instanc