Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-03-03
OFTHE CRIMES
60VERNER GOODING OF IDAHO
ON ORCHARDS CONFESSION.
He Says Harry Orchard, Confined In
Penitentiary Accused Of Assassina-
ton of Ex-Governor Steunenberu,
Has Got Religion and Wants Peace
With His Maker.

Governor Gooding Of Idaho has is
sued the following statement with re-
spect to the Governor Steunenberg as.
sassination case:
Il want to state especially that Har-
ry Orchard has made full confession
as to the manner and motive for the
assassination of Ex-Governor Steunen-
berg, telling of the plans made and
giving the names of those making
them. The assassination of ex-Gover-
nor Steunenberg which occurred at
his own gate, on the evening of Decem-
Der 80. 1905. was the third attempt
that Orchard made against his life
The confession was made to Captain
James MCFARLAND. 1t included a his
tory of his life from his early boyhood
up to the date Of his arrest In that
confession Orchard implicated all
those now under arrest and others, in
GLIDING ]. L. Simpkins. He told the
story Of rs murders, the result of con-
spiracies in which all the accused par
ties were interested. When this story
is given to the public l believe it will
be the greatest narrative of crime
which the world knows.
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 Colo
RADIO, and charged to the inner circle
Of the Western Federation of Miners.
I attribute Orchards confession to the
great brain of James Mcfarland, who
has been employed by the State to run
down the murderers of Ex-Governor
Steunenberg. have seen Orchard N.Y.
self since this confession WAS made.
He told me that he was not promised
either clemency or reward by Mr.. Nc
Parland or any one else.
Mr.. Mcfarland was aided in his
work by Orchards early training. In
his boyhood the Bible was read night
and morning by his parents. The i'm
preston 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 the gu
preme being and hereafter, and that
now his one thought was to make
peace with his maker.
THE finding Of the bomb ut Judge
Goddard's gate and many olner things
which viii later be made known at the
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
The assassination of ex-
Governor Steunenberg, a grave offense
against the state OF Idaho, was COM
milted.
"As executive, felt it my duty to
bend every energy toward the discov-
cry OF the guilty parties and their ut
ting punishment. / wish Ito announced
that have withdrawn the offer of
$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 for
the conviction Of the murderers of
Steunenberg. A'reward of $1,000 is now1
offered by as for information leading
TO the arrest OF ]. L. Simpkins, and
this Is the only reward now offered in
with the Steuenberg as
,assination.