Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-26
26 MURDERS PLANNED
CONFESSION OF coNsPIRAcIEs
OF WESTERN MINERS.

Gov. Gooding of Idaho last night issued
the following statement at Boise with re-
| spect TO the assassination of former Gov.
Frank Steunenberg:
Il want to state officially that Harry
Orchard has made full confession as to
the manner and motive of the assassination
of former Gov. Steunenberg, telling of the
plans and giving the names of those max
ing them. The assassina ton of former
Gov. Steunenberg, which occurred at his
own gate on the evening of December 30,
1905. was the third attempt that Orchard
made against his life. This confession was
made to James MCFARLAND.
1T included history of his life from his
early boyhood up to the time of his arrest.
In that confession Orchard implicated all
those now under arrest and others, inciud-
ing j. L. Simpkins He told the story of
twenty-siX murders, the results of con-
spiracies in which all the accused parties
were interested When this story is given
tic the public believe it will be the great
est narrative of crime which the world
Knows"
Truth of Story Undoubted.
There has never been any doubt as to
the truth of Orchards confession among
those who are familiar with the crimes
committed in Idaho and Colorado and
charged to the inner circle of the Western
Federation of Miners. have seen Orchard
myself since this confession was made. He
told me that no promises of clemency or re-
ward had been held out to him by McPar-
land or any one else. Mr.. MCFARLAND was
aided in his work by Orchards cary train
ing. In his boyhood the Bible was read
night and morning by his parents. The
impression of the early days came up and
smote his conscience when he was brought
face to face with his God He told me that
he believed In Supreme Being and q here
ms Uo n
make his peace with his Maker The find
ing of the bomb at Judge Goddard's gate
(Denver) and many other things which will
later be made known at the trial have
proved the truthfulness of Orchards con-
fession beyond all question to those famil-
lar with his story
State Desires Only Justice.
1.-THE state desires to secure justice There
Is no thought of Furnishing the innocent or
waging war on any labor organization. The
assassination of former Governor Steunen-
berg, grave crime against the state of
Idaho, was committed and as It's execu-
tive felt 1t my duty to bend every energy
toward the discovery of the guilty parties
and their fitting punishment. | wish to an
nounce that l have withdrawn the offer of
5000 reward made by the state for the
punishment of the guilty parties, and have
advised other parties who had offered
rewards to do likewise. They have prom
ised to do so, and today there is not
single dollar of reward offered for the
conviction of the murderers of Steunenberg.
A reward of 81 900 is now offered by US
for information leading TO the arrest of
J. l.. Simpkins, and this is the only reward
now offered In connection with the Steunen-
berg assassination.
MY reason for withdrawing the reward
and advising others who had offered re-
wards to withdraw them is that l felt that
no detective association nor any one else
is entitled to the reward offered by the
state Harry Orchard arrested before
any detectives were on the ground, on In
formation secured by a committee of cit
izens of Caldwell, assisted by few Off
GERS who left Boise on the special train
few minutes after the assassination of for
mer Governor Steunenberg. We were all
friends and neighbors of the former gov
ernor and l am sure the services will al
ways be remembered with gratitude.
Fair Trial is Promised.
There Is no question about a fair trial.
No higher class of citizens can be found
than those who live in Canyon county. There
may be prejudice against any class of peo-
pie, be they laborers or capitalists. 1 am
a firm believer in organized la Dor, but 1
feel there must be more of an effort made
by the members of such organza tons to
select higher characters as their leaders.
Tere has been some complaint made as to
the close confinement Of Meyer, Haywood
and Pettibone In the penitentiary. l wish
1t understood that as much lenity will be
given these men as the rules of the prison
permit
They have not been given prison garb
or prison food. They have been furnished
the same food as is placed on the table
for employees of the penitentiary. They will
be given ample opportunity for exercise,
and will, with the exception of the state
papers, be allowed any newspapers they
DESIRE There Is not a better library in
Idaho than the one at the penitentiary
They have been given access to this, and
will be shown every courtesy in keeping
with the management and discipline Of that
institution"