The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-07


in Novemb Der, 1905.
''Simpkins at this time was mem
Der of the executive board of the West
ern Federation of Miners. After he
went away 1 tried to catch Governor
Steunenberg down town some night so
I could slip out and plant the bomb
for him near his home. He was out of
the city a large part of the time. Once
1 went to Boise, but could not find
him here. 1 returned to Caldwell and
stopped at the Saratoga hotel, carrying
the bomb in my grip. 1 finally located
Governor Steunenberg on Christmas
night. 1905, and taking the sawed off
pump shotgun Pettibone had given me,
I went out to his house. 1 heard the
governor coming and tried to get the
two parts of the gun together, but had
not succeeded before he passed into the
house. I then went down town again.
The Fatal Bomb.
The next time 1 saw the governor
he was sitting in the Saratoga hotel.
bomb and hurried out to the Steunen-
berg house and planted the bomb by
the gate. 1 then started back to the
hotel and when about two blocks away
ran as fast as 1 could toward to the
hotel, but had not reached it when the
explosion occurred.
Il went to my room to do up some
package. AS 1 was doing SO a giant
cap in my pocket exploded and tore
one side of my coat out. I was afraid
everybody in the hotel had heard the
explosion. I waited awhile but there
was no indication that any body heard
what had occurred in my room. 1 went
down stairs and remained at the hotel
until Monday when 1 was arrested"
After your arrest did you communi-
cate with any one?" asked Mr.. Haw-
leg.
Did you receive telegram from
anUhOdUop
Yes, sir"
What did you do with this tele-
gram?'
Destroyed it,
Attorney Richardson for the defense,
objected to this. The telegram itself
was the best evidence, he declared.
Wen produce the original telegram
declared Senator Borah.
Orchard said the telegram was not
signed.
The witness spoke more slowly and
perhaps with just tinge of feeling in
his voice as he told of placing the
bomb which destroyed Governor Steu- |
nenberg. During his recital he could
look directly across the room at the
young son of the dead man, who sat
with gaze constantly fixed upon his
fathers self confessed assassin
Received Letter.
Orchard told of receiving a letter
while under arrest.
Are you acquainted with the hand |
writing of George A. Petitioner" ask |
ed Attorney Hawley-
81 am. yes, sir"
Estate whether the letter received in |
jail and which you destroyed. was in
the handwriting of George A. Petit |
BONE
The defense objected to this saying
it was not the proper way to identity |
handwriting and gave absolutely no
opportunity for contraversion- The
objection was OTerruled.
81 believe it was in the handwriting
of George A. Pettibone," said Or
chard
The attorneys for the defense moved |
to strike out the answer on the ground
that it was merely a belief: Judge
Wood asked the witness if the letter
was written by Pettibone-
ITO the best of my belief, it was
declared Orchard.
Motion to strike out overruled,"
said Judge Wood
Taking the witness back to his ex-
perience in Colorado, Mr.. Hawley ask
ed him if Haywood had ever said any
thing to him with reference to the
death of Arthur Collins. superintend-
ent of the Smuggler-Union mine IN
Telluride.
Haywood told me-" said Orchard.
that he had sent steve Adams and
administer to California to kill Fred
Bradley and the superintendent of
mine whose name 1 don't, remember.
He said they had got in jail and he had
to send them quite sum of money"
Later Orchard said HAYWOOD had
also told him he had sent Adams to
Pocatello. Idaho. to throw some
ssPettibone dope" or Grecian fire into
a train of nonunion miners that was
expected to pass through there.
Orchards story was done.
Cross Examination.
"You may cross examine said Mr..
turning to Attorney Richard
son of the defense
The latter began without a mo-
you we're born in Canada, you
say?"
shifted his position quickly to face his
luestioner. Looking past Richardson.
first wanted to know all
the geography of northumberland
county, Ontario, where Orchard was
born. The witness supplied the infor-
nation unhesitatingly.
Are your father and mother liv-
ng?" asked the attorney.