The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-02
HIS CONFESSION
GOVERNOR GooDING CREDITS OR.
cHARD'S STORY.
duplicates FEDERATION
Skiifull Work Of Detective Mcfarland
Orchard Tells Story Of Twenty
Six Murders-AlI the Result Of
Conspiracies.

Conspracies.
Boise, Idaho.-Governor Gooding has
issued the following statement in re-
gard to the Steunenberg assassination
case:
Il want to state officially that Harry
Orchard had made a 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.
1T includes 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-
spracies by which all the accused
parties were implicated. When this
story is given to the public | 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. | 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.
"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-
tion 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 it's chief executive l
felt it my duty to bend every energy
toward the discovery of the guilty par
ties and fitting punishment.
| "I Wish tn apnOuncS that | have
withdrawn the offer of $4,000 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 today there is not a single
! dollar of reward offered for the convic>
ton OF the murderers of Steunenberg.
A reward of $1,000 is now offered by
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-
tectives were on the ground on in
formation secured by committee of
citizens of Caldwell, assisted by a few
of us who left Boise an special train
after the assassination of Ex-Governor
Steunenberg. We We're all the friends
and neighbors Of the ex-governor, and
| am sure their services will always be
remembered with gratitude. There is
no question about a 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 citizens, be they laborers or
capitalists. | am a firm believer in or
ganized labor, but feel there must be
more of an effort made by the men,
bers of such organizations to select
men of high character as their lead
ers.
There has been some complaint
made as to the close confinement Of
Meyer, Haywood and Pettibone in the
penitentiary wish it understood that
as much leniency will be shown these
men as the rules of the prison will per-
nit. They have not been given prison
garb or prison food They have been
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-
tion of the state papers. they will be
allowed any newspapers they desire.
There is not better library in Idaho
than the one,at the penitentiary. They
have been given access to this and
will be shown every courtesy in keep
ing with the management and dis
cipline of that institution"