Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-02-27

BY GoODlNG
Governor Of Idaho Says Harry Orchard
Told the Truth in Regard to steun-
enberg Murder.
IS CONFIRMED
Says Meyer, Haywood and Pettibone
Will Have Fair Triais-Detec-
tive Mcfarland Praised.

Boise Ida, Feb. 26.-Governor Good
ing tonight issued the following state.
ment with respect to the Governor
Steunenberg assassination case:
Il want to state officially that Har.
ry Orchard has made full confession
as to the manner and motive of the
assassination of Ex-Governor Steunen-
berg, telling of the plans made and CIV
Ing the names of those making them.
The assassination of Ex-Governor
Steunenberg. which occurred at his
own gate, on the evening of Decem.
Der 80, 1905, was the third attempt
that Orchard had made against his life.
This confession was made to Capt.
James Mcfarland. 1t included a his
tory of his life from his early boy.
hood up to the time of his arrest. In
that confession, Orchard implicated all
those now under arrest, and others,
| including ]. J. Simpkins. He told the
story of 26 murders, the result of con.
spiracies in which all the acucsed par
ties were interested. When this story
Is given to the public, believe it
Will be the greatest narrative of crime
which the world knows.
| MCFARLAND is Praised.
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.
l attribute Orchards confession to
the great brain of James Mcfarland,
who has been employed by the state
to run down the murderers of ex-GOv.
ernOr Steunenberg. | have seen Or
chard myself since this confession
was made. He told me that he was
not promised either clemency or re.
ward by Mr.. Mcfarland 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
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 the
Supreme Being and hereafter, and
that now his one thought was to make
| peace with MS Maker.
THE finding of the bomb at Judge
Goddards gate, and many other things
which will later be known at the trial
have proved the truthfulness of Or
chard's confession beyond all ques-
tlon to those familiar with his story
Desires Only Justice.
THE state desires to secure JUS
tice. There is no thought of punish.
| rp tho innnnonf OIL,
| labor organization. The assassination
of Ex-Governor Steunenberg, a grave
offense against the state of Idaho, was
committed. AS it's executive, l felt it
my duty to bend every energy toward
the discovery Of the guilty parties and
their fitting punishment. wish to an
nounce that I have withdrawn the Of
fer of $4,000 reward, made by the
state, for the punishment of guilty
parties and have advised other parties
who had offered rewards to do like
wise. They have agreed to, and to-
day there is not a single dollar of re.
ward offered for the conviction of the
murderers of Steunenberg. A reward
of $1,000 is offered by us for informa-
tlon leading to the arrest of j. J. Simp-
kins and this is the only reward now
offered in connection with the Steun-
| eDberg assassination
Withdrawal Of Reward.
my reason for Withdrawing the re-
ward and advising others who had Of
fered rewards to withdraw them, is
that l felt that no detective association
or any one else is entitled to the re.
ward offered by the state. Harry Or
cEard was arrested before any detec-
tlves were on the grounds, on infor-
nation secured by a committee of cit
liens of Caldwell assisted by a few
OF us. who left Boise on the special
train a few minutes after the assassi-
nation of Ex-Governor Steunenberg.
We were all the friends and neighbors
of the ex-governor, and I am sure his
services will always be remembered
with gratitude. There is no question
about fair trial. No higher class of
citizens can be found than those who
live in Canyon county. They have no
prejudice against any class of people.
be they labOrers or capitalists I am
firm believer in organized labor, but
| feel there must be more of an effort
made by the members of such organ
iZation to seclect more men of high
character as their leaders.
Treatment Of Prisoners.
There has been some complaint made
as to the close confinement of Meyer.
Haywood and Pettibone in the peni.
| Tertiary. l wish it understood that as
much leniency will be given them as
the rules of the prison will permit
They have not been given prison garb
or prison food. They have been fur
nished the same food as is placed on
the table of the employees of the pris-
on. They will be given ample oppor-
tunity for exercise and with the
exception of the state papers, they
will be allowed any newspapers de-
sired. There is not better library
in Idaho than the one at the peniten-
tiary. They have been given access
to this, and will be shown every cour.
tesy in keeping with the management
and discipline Of that institution"
D. q. Henderson Dead.
Dubuque. IA, Feb. 26.-Former
Speaker David B. Henderson, of the
"a