The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-09-04
GOVERNOR BECKHAM
Guarantees to Protect Fu-
gitive Taylor
I'm THE EVENT OF HIS RETURN
To Kentucky TO Testify for
P0werS-"Safe Return
To Indiana"

Gov. Beckham has addressed let
ter to Commemorative Attorney Rob-
ert B. Franklin, of the Fourteenth ju-
dicial district,in which he gives assur-
ance of cooperation with that officer
in granting immunity to w. S. Taylor,
the Indiana fugitive, for him to come
to Scott county, this State, to testify
zfor Caleb Powers.
The Governor expresses the opinion
that he and the Commonwealth At
torney can absolutely insure Taylor
immunity and a safe return to Indi-
lucky to testify.
The letter of the Governor, which is
in response to a communication from
the Commemorative Attorney written
few days since, reads as follows:
GOV. BECKHAM'S LETTER.
Commonwealth of Kentucky, Exec
utive Observation-Disclosures, Ky.
Aug. q, 1907.-To the Hon. Robert
B. Franklin, Commemorative Attor-
ney, Frankfort, Ky.-Dear Sir: In re-
Spouse to your communication of Aug
ust, Is, in reference to the matter of
assuring William S. Taylor immunity
from arrest in the event of his COM
ing to Kentucky to testify in the case
of the Commonwealth VS.. Caleb Pow
ers, | wish to state to you that in
every way possible shall cooperate
with you In seeing that the said Tay-
Tor, ii ne comes to testify in that case,
shall be protected from arrest and al
lowed to return to Indiana.
There is not the slightest question
that /, as Governor, and you, as Com
monwealth's Attorney of the district
in which he is indicted, can absolute
ly insure him such immunity from ar
rest and a safe return to Indiana. You
may, therefore,re rely implicitly upon my
aid, If needed, to carry out your as
surance to him of this immunity. Very
respectfully yours,
J. c. w. BECKHAM,
Governor of Kentucky.
REPLY TO TAYLOR'S STATE
MENT.
Commonwealth Attorney Frank
Inns formal reply to the statement is
sued by Taylor from Indiana several
days ago was written and mailed to
the fugitive Ex-Governor tonight, fol-
lowing the receipt by the prosecutor
of the letter from Gov. Beckham. In
order that the offer of immunity may
be clinched beyond all shadow OF
doubt as to the protection to be af-
Torded, Mr. Franklin, under authority
from the Governor, asserts that an
armed military escort will be provided
for Taylor during his stay in Ken
lucky. Mr.. Franklin incloses to Tay-
lor the letter he received from the
Governor. His letter is as follows:
Frankfort, KY, Aug. 27, 19O7.--W.
s. Taylor, Indianapolis, Ind.-Sir: In
the public prints have read state
ment above your signature, bearing
date Indianapolis. Ind, August %,
1907, from which / quote the follow
ing: ITO the Public-Some time ago
there appeared in public press what
purported to be statement of Rob-
ert B. Franklin, Commonwealth At
torney, In which 1t is said that II l
would return to Kentucky to testify
in the Caleb Powers case, waving my
constitutional rights, he and other
State officers would guarantee me
immunity from arrest during the time
necessary for me to go there, testify
and return Later on the press con-
tanned what was published as let
ter from him to Gov. Beckham, asking
the Governor to cooperate with him
in guaranteeing this immunity, have
waited for more than week and
have received from neither of them a
communication concerning the matter.
This fact indicates that the PROPOSE
ton was not made in good faith and
mainly for newspaper talk mad politi-
cal effect"
l now desire to say to. you that
should your presence be desired by
Caleb Powers at his coming fourth
trial as a witness for him, If You,
waving your privilege to decline to
answer any questions because the ans
wer might tend to incriminate you In
the conspiracy to murder William