Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1906-03-02
Admits Assassination of Ex-
Governor Steunenberg
of Idaho.
duplicates All Those Now Under Ar
rest, and Others, Including J. L.
simpkins-TeIIs the Story Of
Twenty-six Murders as Result
Of Conspiracies.

Boise, Idaho. Gooding or
Sunday night issued a statement with
respect to the Steunenberg assassina
! ton case, In which he says:
Il want TO state officially that Harry
| Orchard has made a full confession as
to the manner and motive of the as.
sassination of Ex-Governor Steunen-
berg. 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 the evening of December
BOTH 1905, was the third attempt that
Orchard made against his life.
'This confession was made to Cap
tain James MCFARLAND. 1t included a
history of his life from his early boy
hood up TO the time of his arrest. In
that confession Orchard implicated all
those under arrest and others, includ.
ing J. l.. Simpkins. He told the story
of twenty-six murders, the results OF
conspracies in which all the accused
parties were interested When this
story Is given to the public, I believe
1t will be the greatest narrative OF
crime which the world knows.
There has never been any doubt
as to the truth of Orchards confes,
sion 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. | attribute Orchards comics.
sion TO the great brain of James Nc,
Parland who has been employed by
the state to run down the murderers
of Ex-Governor Steunenberg. | have
seen Orchard myself since this con-
fession was made. He told me that
no promises of clemency or reward |
had been held out to him by McPar-
land or anyone 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
when he was brought face
70 face with his God. He told me that
ne believed in Supreme Being and
4 hereafter, and that now his one
thought was to make his peace with
lis Maker.
THE finding of the bomb at Judge
soddard's gate. and many other
hings which will later be made
,nown at the trial, have proved the
of Orchards confession
,eyond all question to those familiar
With his story The state desires to
ecure Justice There Is no thought OF
unishing the innocent or waging war
n any labor organization. The as
assination of Ex-Governor Steunen-
erg, a grave crime against the state
( Idaho, was committed. AS it's ex-
cutive felt 1t my duty to bend every
nergy toward the discovery of the
uilty parties and their fitting pun.
'hment.
II wish to announce that l have
ithdrawn the offer Of $4,000 reward,
lade by the state, for the punish.
tent of the guilty parties, and have
1vised that the parties who had Of
red rewards to do likewise. They
ave agreed to, and today there is
ot a single dollar of reward offered
II the conviction OF the murderers OF
A reward OF $1,000 is
wv offered by us for information
aiding to the arrest OF j. L. Sfmp- :
ms, and this is the only reward now =
fered in connection with the Steun-
berg assassination.
MY reason for withdrawing the re-
ard and advising others, who had
Tered rewards to withdraw them, is
at | felt that no detective associa'
IN or anyone else is entitled to the
ward offered by the state. Harry
chard was arrested before any de.
.tives were on the ground, on infor'
alton secured by committee OF
liens of Caldwell. assisted by few
us who left Boise on the special
in few minutes after the assassi'
ton of Ex-Governor Steunenberg
2 were all the friends and neigh
rs OF the ex-governor. and | am sure
sir services will always be remem-