The Springfield herald., 1906-03-02
HIS CONFESSION
GOVERNOR eooplNe CREDITS OR.
cHARD's STORY.
duplicates FEDERATION
skilfuII Work Of Detective Mcfarland
Orchard Tells Story of Twenty
Six Murders-AIl the Result OF
ConspIracies.

Six Murders-All the Result Of
ConspIracies.
Boise, Idaho.-Governor Gooding has
Issued the following statement in re-
gard to the Steunenberg assassination
case:
81 want to state officially that Harry
Orchard had made Il full confession
as to the manner and motive of the
assassination of Ex-Governor Steunen-
berg, telling of the plans made and
giving the names of those making
them. The assassination of ex-Gov-
ernor Steunenberg. which occurred at
his own gate, on the evening of De-
cember so. 1905 was the third attempt
that Orchard made against his life.
This confession was made to James
Mcfarland.
at includes a history of his life
from his early boyhood up to the time
of the arrest. In that confession Or
chard implicated all those now under
arrest, and others. including j. l..
Simpkins. He told the story OF
twenty-six murders, the result of con
spiracies by which all the accused
parties were implicated. When this
story is given to the publicrI 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
Colorado and charged to the inner cir
Gle of the Western Federation OF
Miners. l have seen Orchard myself
since this confession was made. He
has told me that no promises of elem
ency or hope of reward had been held
out to him Mr. MCFARLAND was aided
in his work by Orchards early train
ing In his boyhood home the Bible
was read night and morning by his pa
rents.
1.-The impression of those 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 a supreme Being and hereafter,
and that his one thought was to make
his peace with his Maker. The finding
of the bomb at Judge Goddard's gate
and many other things which Will later
be made known to the public at the
trial have proved the truthfulness OF
Orchards confession beyond all ques'
ton to those familiar with his story
The states motive is TO secure justice
There is no thought of punishment OF
the innocent or waging war on any la
Dor organization. In the assassination
of Ex-Governor Steunenberg grave
offense against the state of Idaho was
committed As its chief executive
felt it my duty to bend every energy
toward the discovery of the guilty par
ties and fitting punishment.
81 wish to announce that nave
withdrawn the offer of $1,000 reward
| made by the state for the punishment
| of the guilty parties, and have advised
| other parties who had offered rewards
| to do likewise. This they have agreed
| to do, and to-day there is not single
dollar of reward offered for the convic
| tion of the murderers of Steunenberg
| A reward of $1,000 is now offered b!
me for information leading to the ar
rest of j. l.. Simpkins, and this is the
| only reward now offered in connection
| with the Steunenberg assassination.
MY reason for Withdrawing the re
| ward and advising Others who had OF
| fered rewards to withdraw them is
|, that / think no detective agency or any
one else is entitled to reward. Harry
| Orchard was arrested before any de
| tectiyes were on the ground on In
| formation secured by n committee o.
| citizens of Caldwell, assisted by fe"
| of us who left Boise an special tran
after the assassination of Ex-Governor
Steunenberg. We were all the friends
| and neighbors of the ex-governor, ant
! | am sure their services will always Dt
remembered with gratitude. There IL
| no question about fair trial. Nc
higher class of citizens can be fount
| than those who live in Canyon county
| They have no prejudice against an!
| class of citizens, be they laborers oi
| CAPITALISTS | am a firm believer in or
ganized labor, but | feel there must be
| more of an effort made by the mem
bers of such organizations to selec
men of high character as their lead
| ers.
"There has been some complaint
made as to the close confinement o
Moyer, Haywood and Petubone in the
penitentiary. ! wish it understood tha'
as much leniency will be shown these
r,eI. as the rules of the prison Will per
nit. They have not been given prison
garb or prison food. They have beer
furnished the same food as is placed
on the table for employees of the peni
tentiary. They will be given ample
time for exercise, and with the eXcep
ton of the state papers, they VIII be
allowed any newspapers they desire
There is not better library in Idaho
than the one at the penitentiary. IheS
have been given access to this and
will be shown every courtesy in keep
ing with the management ana uls
cipline of that institution