The daily sentinel., 1906-02-26
The Acme
of Crime !
Gov. GOOdins So Regards the Al
legged Western Federation Con-
spiracy---ldahO Executiee Makes
Eagerly Expected Statement.
Details of Confession
,ecial to The sentinel.

Special to The Sentinel.
Boise, Idaho, Feb. Governor
Gooding last night issued the follow
ing statement in respect to the Steun-
enbers assassination:
Il want to state officially that lIar-
ry Orchard has made a fun confes-
sion as to the manner and motive of
the assassination of Ex-Governor
Steunenberg, telling of the plans
made and giving the names of those
making them.
The assassination of Ex-Governor
Steunenberg which occurred at his
own gate on tn eve of December 30, ,
1905, was the third attempt that Or
chard made against his life His
confession was made to Captain Nc
Parland. 1t included a history of his
life from early boyhood up to the
time of his arrest. In the confess
sion Orchard implicated all of those
now under arrest and others, includ-
ing j. l.. Simpkins. He told the
story of twenty-siX murders the re
suits of conspiracies in which all the
accused parties were interested.
When this story is given to the pub
lie / believe il will be the greatest
narrative OF crime in the worlds his
tory.
There has never been any doubt
as to the truth of Orchards con
fession among those who are famil-
lar with the crimes committed in Ida
no and Colorado and charged to the
inner circle of the Western Fedora
ton OF Miners / attribute Orch
ards confession to the great brain OF
James Mcfarland who has been EN-
ployed by the state 10 run down the
murders of Ex-Governor Steunenberg.
have seen Orchard myself since this
confession was made. He told ne
that no promises of clemency or re-
ward had been held out to him by
Mcfarland or any one else.
THE state desires to secure jus
tice. There is no thought OF punish
ing the innocent or waging war or
any labor organization. The assas-
sination OF Ex-Governor Steunenberg
a grave crime against the state OF
! idaho. was committed and as its
executive I felt it my duty to lend
every energy toward the discovery
of the guilty parties and their fitting
punishment | wish TO announce that
4 have withdrawn the offer of So
/ 600 reward made by the state for
1 the punishment OF the guilty parties
and have advised that the parties who
had offered rewards TO do likewise.
| They have agreed TO do so, and yes
terday there was not single dollar
of reward offered for the convic-
ton of the murderer of Sleunenberg
! A reward of $1,000 is now offered by
us for information leading TO the ar
rest of J. l.. Simpkins, and this Is
the only reward now offered in con
lnection with the Steunenberg assas-
sination.
MY reason for Withdrawing the
reward and advising others who haC
Loffered rewards to withdraw then
is that | felt that no detective as
+sociation or anyone else is entitlee
TO the reward by the state. Harry
Orchard was arrested before any de
tectives We're on the ground on in
formation secured by committee o
citizens of Caldwell, assisted by a rev
; of us who left Boise ON specla
train a few minutes after the assas
sination of Ex-Governor Steunenberg
. we were all the friends and neiSh
.. bors of the ex-governor, and an
sure his services will always be re
: membered with gratitude.
/. "There is no question about a iai
trial. No higher class OF citizen
. can be found than those who live II
= Canon county. They have no prelu
. dice against any class of people D
/ they Iaborers or capitalists.
Il am a firm believer in organiz
. ed labor: but feel there must d.
, more of an effort made by the mem
bers of such organizations TO Sc
lect more high characters as thei
, leaders.
''There has been some complain
! as to the close continent OF Mover
I HAYWOOD and Pettibone in the penn
tentiary. | want it understood ina
! as much leniency will be given thes
men as the rules of the prison VII
, permit They have not been glVeI
! prison garb or prison food. me
have been furnished the same 100
as is placed on the table for empIoS,
! ees of the penitentiary. They WI
4 be given ample opportunity 10 eNel
else. and will. with the exception o
the state papers, be allowed any
newspapers they desire. There
5 not a better library in Idaho than IN
! one at the penitentiary. They nay
3 been given access to this and viii D
5 shown every courtsy in keeping VII
} the management and discipline
5 that institution