Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-07
Startling Testimony by Prose-
cution's Star Witness.
THE PLOT TO KILL G0EBEL
Damaging Evidence Against Prison
er by Wharton Golden.
THE PARDON BY GOV. TAYLOR
Presence Of Armed Men at Frank
fort-sensation Over Threatened
Arrest Of Others Indicted.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
LEXINGTON. KY, December THE
first witness at today's session of the
Caleb Powers trial at Georgetown was
Wharton Golden, one of the prosecutions
most important witnesses. Golden claims
to have been intimate with Gov. Taylor.
Powers and Charles Finley. in construct
| ing the plot to murder GoeLel. He swore
| chat at conference in the Frankfort
cemetery, in a conversation with Caleb
Powers. Powers said: 1.-THE best way to
kill Goebel is to start riot in the legis-
lative hall and kill him there" Golden
declared he told Powers he did not think
that was best. but that Goebel should DO
| shot as he walked to the capitol.
Later it was suggested that Goebel be
killed in the dining room Of the hotel. and
that he Golden had secured Eli Farmers
consent to kill Goebel there. Powers sug-
gested that five or six mountain men
should start a political argument. and In
the fight kill Goebel accidentally He
declared Powers ordered that fighting
men, armed with .45-caliber pistols. be
sent with the mountain army. Golden
said he later had John b. Hurst get fifteen
men together to go to Frankfort and
settle the matter. Golden said each OF
these men had killed three to five men
each.
Golden spent all morning on the stand
and the big audience listened breathlessiy.
The Alleged Taylor Pardon.
The pardon granted Caleb Powers by
Gov. w. S. Taylor. absolving him from
punishment Of the murder OF Senator
Goebel. is the only evidence so far intro
duced to show that Powers knew of the
plot to kill Goebel. This pardon is dated
/ L. X,lt
signed by Powers himself, as secretary OF
state.
The secretary of states journal, also
produced, shows that similar pardons
were issued John w. Davis. John l..
Powers, Charles Finley, W. H. Culton
and Harlan Whitaker.
The testimony Of Dudley Williamson.
given at a former tria was read, show
ing that the Frankfort company OF mi
litiamen was in the line of march at the
arsenal half an hour before Goebel was
shot, and that when the shots were fired
the troops were ordered to move to the
| capitol grounds.
Stirred Coffee With Revolver.
Eph. Lillard. warden OF the Frank
fort penitentiary, told OF scenes surround
ing the shooting of Goebel. He also told
| of the mountain army's action and how
he saw one man in a hote; stir his cof-
| fee with his .46-caliber revolver.
A senation was caused by the announce
ment from Frankfort that Judge James
Breathitt. the incoming attorney general.
will at once cause the arrest Of many
men indicted for connection with Goeosis
murder. The men have been indicted. It
Is alleged by the defense. but not arrested,
blu the murder charge is held over them
by the prosecution to secure testimony
favorable to It's side.
The matter will be taken out OF the
hands of the present commonwealth Of
| ficials. because of the methods pursued In
| prosecuting some and letting others 60
without any attempt to punish them.