Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-24
Former Gov. TayIor's Affidavit
T0day'S Feature
AT CALEB POWERS TRIAL
Helton's Story About the Rifle Is
Damaging.
THE DEFENSE IS GRATIFIED
W. ]. Davidson, Former State Of
f1cial to Testify for Powers.
Sensation Promised.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
LEXINGTON. KY. December "a
The court room at Georgetown is crowd
ed today to hear the reading of the affi-
davit of Nj. s. Taylor former Governor of
Kentucky, who is charged, as is Caleb
Powers, with completely in the assassina-
ton of Senator William Goe5el. Taylor
makes specific denial that he knew of any
plot or conspiracy to kill Goebel. and
swears that he never took part in any
such plot or conspiracy.
The affidavit, which was taken at the
exiled governors home in Indianapolis in
1903, says in part:
WAS in my office when the shot
was fired. / went to the window and saw
the PROSTATE form of some one lying on
the walk. Senator Alexander and L were
talking at the time. Leander Guffy came
in and told me who had been shot. There
was great excitement A crowd began
to gather. I at once issued a call for the
entire state militia. Think W. C. P.
Breckinridge helped me to prepare the
order. 1 remained in my office all that
DAY. Sent Capt: Davis to Gen. Collier to
get the militia out
Between the 25th and Goth. suggested
to Caleb Powers that it would be a good
plan to get up big crowd from all parts
of the state to petition the legislature. He
approved the plan and left for Louisville
January 80 to attend to the matter
The calling out of the militia was for the
sole purpose of protecting life and prop
erty.''
Upon a plain and direct question the
deponent declared emphatically that he
had nothing to do directly or indirectly
with the killing of Goebel nor with
Golden, Culton. Davis. Youtsey and others
whose names have been mentioned in the
trial. He denied all knowledge Of Jim
Howard and declared that he had never
met. him until February. 1900, after the
killing of Goebel. He denied that he Of
fered through Frank Cecil $500 and a
pardon to any one who would kill Goebel.
Further denying any completely in the
killing of Goebel. Taylor declared that he
never attended any meeting, never heard
timatIen of any meeting or of any agree
ment or echsptraey. to harm any person
or persons. or to injure or xiii either Sem
ator Goebel or any member Of the legfsla-
ture. AS a matter of fact. he said he
never heard of any plot to kill, and never
violence. He denied dictating the letter
to Youtsey to bring Howard to Frank
fort to kill Goebel. He denied urging
the sacrifice of any life or lives.
Youtsey's Testimony Weakened.
Cali through the affidavit it tends to
weaken the testimony of Henry Youtsey
and to clear himself and Caleb Powers
and James Howard.
When the affidavit was completed James
Howard, convicted to a life term in the
penitentiary for the Goebel murder. took
the witness stand. Howard'S testimony
will occupy the remainder Of todays ses-
sion and part of Christmas day. He will
deny that he had any part in the killing
of Goebel, will deny Youtsey's story, and
will also deny that he krew of the plots,
and will declare that SO far as he knows
Taylor sand Powers had nothing to do
with the murder. He is making a fin
witness for the defense, and is telling his
story in clear, measured tone.
Looks Bad for Youtsey.
The case against Henry f. Youtsey has
been greatly strengthened by the testi-
mony of Enos Johnson and Albert Helton
Helton swears that within few minutes
after Goebel was shot Youtsey gave him
the Marlin rifle which has since been iden-
tilted as the one which killed Goebel and
Johnson swears he saw Youtsey give Hell
ton the gun. Helton also swore that he
heard Youtsey complain that 'Tallow
Dick Coombs had not arrived to kill
Goebel. and that he (Youtsey) would have
to do it himself.
w. J. Davidson, the assistant secretary
Of state under Caleb Powers and about
whom Youtsey has testified so mitch as
being connected with the murder, has ar
rived to testify for Powers. After the
killing of Goebel Davidson went to In
diana and his whereabouts have ueen
practically unknown since that time
The defense claims that his appearance
at this time will be Of material benefit to
their side of the case as contradlcting
much of what Youtsey has testified to-
The arrival of Davidson was kept a secret
to all save those employed on the defense.
Not member of the commonwealth knew
that he was even expected.
According to the testimony Of Youtsey
and Golden, davidson was a party to the
alleged conspiracies but he has never
been indicted. In any event a new sensa-
ton is promised when he takes the stand
Davidson says he has been near In
dianapolis ever since he left Kentucky,
in 1900:
IMPORTANT WITNESSES.