The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-05-11
ORCHARD skYss: STORY I I
OF CR||ME:NA ] FALSE
Noted Criminal Said to Have
Retracted STORY Implicat-
ing Miners Officials.
Prosecution in Idaho Said to
Be Astounded at Recent
Turn in Great Conspiracy.

4uu III NIo&tt ttOO11SpudCy
BOISE, Idaho, May 9.-The prosecu-
ton was astounded today when it was
declared that Harry Orchard, the prin-
cipal witness against w. D. Haywood,
the miners official on trial for the
murder. Of former, Governor Steunen-
berg, would retract his: confession.
Governor Gooding, United States
Hawley were thrown into a. panic.
The prosecution depends upon Or
chard's testimony to sustain its con-
tention and should the witness retract
it will not have a peg on which to
hang it's case.
Ono Witness Retraeys.
Steve Adams, who was expected to
corroborate Orchard, has retracted his
confession and Orchard knows it.
Should the latter decline to make
this confession on the witness stand it
would be. a startling announcement to
this celebrated case.
More startling disclosures are prom
ised.
=
to discuss. this contingency they are
greatly alarmed over the reports and
fearful that the case will fail.
The, governor is angered over re-
ports that Boise is filled with armed
men; that fears are entertained for
the safety Of the states witnesses in
the Haywood trial and that the fed
eral cavalry at Fort Boise is held in
readiness for action in case of an out
break.
Eyes Of Country on Idaho.
BOISE, Idaho. May 9.-With the
eyes Of the country centered on them,
attorneys for the prosecution and de-
fense are preparing for the great legal
drama which begins this morning with
the trial of William D. Haywood,
charged with the murder Of former
Governor Frank Steunenberg.
Never in the history Of this mining
town has any issue SO stirred the peo-
pie. The trial is the topic of CONVEX
bitterly partizan. There seems titn
sation everywhere. The feeling Is
bitterly partizan. There seems to be
no neutral ground.
We believe In a fair trial. say
! men who were friends of 1Steunenberg;
"butt we want to see Justice DONE" Is.
LIN their mtndas the aeclsed men are
guilty and Justice Eas they see It means
Econviction and death. -
The mine owners dare not. carry
their conspiracy 50 far as Ito hang
these men," say the friends of the
| defendants. IF they are guilty Of the
crimes with which they are charged,
why was it necessary to kidnap them ?
Why were they not tried in Colorado?"
One Verdict Fate Of Three.
While Haywood is the only prisoner
to be placed on trial Thursday 1t is
understood by both the state and the
defense that the entire case against
| the others rests on this verdict. Etay-
| wood, who, at the time Of his arrest
In February, 1905, was secretary Of
the Western Federation of Miners, Is
accused Of being the arch-conspirator
| who planned murder in a wholesale
| fashion.
Charles H. Meyer, president Of the
| organization, Is credited with being the
plant tool in the hands of the strong
| er man.
George A. Pettibone, the third de-
fendant, is charged with having been
accessory to the murder by manufac-
turing bombs and in being the inven-
tor Of "hellflre," substance which.
once ignited. cannot be extinguished
with water. It was in his store in
Denver that the bomb which killed
Steunenberg is said to have been
manufactured
Can Trial Be Fair7
There ts fourth prisoner Of whom
| little is heard. but who is claimed to
play the most prominent part in the
drama. He is Harry Orchard, who con-
fessed to placing the bomb which blew
Steunenberg into eternity, and in that
| confessions implicated the others, not
alone In the assassination OF Steunen-
| that startled the West. -
Can an impartial Jury be secured in
| Ada county? That is q question asked
frequently, but the people seem d.
| vided on that as they are on the guilt
or innocence Of the prisoners.
There will be no more delays If a.
jury can be secured. The defense will
not renew its motion for q change OF
| venue. The murder of Steunenberg
was committed lin Caldwell, Canyon
county, and while Boise is in the same
court district, 1t Is in Ada county.
where the feeling is supposed to be less
bitter. ~, <~~G
In every part OF the country labor
organizations are demanding a fair
trial., This movement, started by So
cialists Immediately following the ar
rest Of the accused, Immediately re-
ceived an impetus through the action
OF President Roosevelt. The president
IN a letter to Chairman Sherman of
New York, characterized Meyer and
Haywood as undesirable citizens"
100000 for Prosecution. s
Hundreds Of citizens here agree with
President Roosevelt In the statements
he has made in his letter, but there
are many who believe that, the letter
has stirred to winter heat the al
ready partisan feeling which existed,
making the selection OF an impartial
jury more difficult 81. r. Sa f ~. .sr$
No time or money has bAen snared