Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1906-02-28
TELLSOFTnE Crime
G0vERAER G0ODING OF IDAR
ON oRCHARD's CONFESSION.
He Says Harry Orchard, Confined
Penitentiary Accused Of Assassin
tion Of Ex-Governor Steunenber
Has Got Religion and Wants Pea,
With His Maker.

Governor Gooding OF Idaho has I
sued the following statement with
spect to the Governor Steunenberg a
sassination case:
Il want to state especially that Ha
ry Orchard has made full confessio
as to the manner and motive for Il
assassination Of Ex-Governor Steune
berg, telling Of the plans made ar
giving the names OF those makir
them. The assassination OF ex-Gove
nor Steunenberg which occurred
his own gate. on the evening Of Decer
Der 80, 1905, was the third attemI
that Orchard made against his lii
The confession was made to CAPITAL
James Mcfarland. 1t included a hi
tory Of his life from his early boyhoc
up to the date Of his arrest. In ths
confession Orchard implicated
those now under arrest and others, II
cluding J. L. Simpkins. He told tn
story Of 26 murders. the result of col
spiracies In which all the accused pa
ties were interested. When this stor
is given to the public believe 1t wi
be the greatest narrative Of Grim
which the world knows.
There has never been any doubt a
to the truth Of Orchards confessio
among those who are familiar with tn
crimes committed In Idaho and Cole
RADIO. and charged to the inner circl
Of the Western Federation Of Miners
I attribute Orchards confession to tn
great brain Of James MCFARLAND, VIII
has been employed by the State to ru
down the murderers Of ex-Governo
Steunenberg. I have seen Orchard my
self since this confession was made
He told me that he was not promise
either clemency or reward by Mr.. Nc
Parland or any one else.
"Mr. MCFARLAND was aided In hi
work by Orchards early training. Il
his boyhood the Bible was read nigh
and morning by his parents. The i'm
preston Of the early days came VI
and smote his conscience when he wa
brought face to face with his God. H,
told me that he believed in the su
preme being and hereafter. and tina
now his one thought was to maxi
peace with his maker.
THE finding Of the bomb at Judg,
Goddard's gate and many olner thingi
which will later be made known at tn,
trial proved the truthfulness Of Or
chard's confession beyond all question
to those familiar with his story.
"All the state desires is justice
There is no thought Of Furnishing the
innocent or waging war on labor or
ganizations. The assassination of ex
Governor steunenberg. a grave offenss
against the state Of Idaho. was com
mitted.
"As executive. felt It my duty tc
bend every energy toward the discov
cry Of the guilty parties and their ut
ting punishment. wish to announce
that have withdrawn the offer ol
$4,000 reward made by the state for the
punishment Of the guilty parties and
have advised that the parties who had
offered rewards do likewise. They
have agreed to, and today there is not
a single dollar Of reward offered fol
tie conviction OF the murderers ol
Steunenberg. A reward Of $1,000 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 Steuenberg as
sassinatiOn.