The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-05-18
HARRY ORCHARD CLAIMS
NO THREATS WERE MADE
lie CONSIDERED EVERYTHING AND MADE ms CONFESSION
WITHOUT REGARD 10 RESULTS

The Associated Press sent out the
following dispatch Thursday night
from Boise:
Harry Orchard, the prisoner wit
ness upon whom the state of Idaho
chiefly relies to prove it's charge that
an inner circle of the Western FEEDER
alton of Miners planned in conspira-
cy the murder of Governor Steunen-
berg. broke his long silence today
and for over half an hour discussed
himself and his Imprisonment with
representatives of the Associated
Press whom he had expressed de-
sire to see.
Orchard denied that he had been
submitted to any mistreatment during
his long confinement, denied that du-
ress or force had been used upon him
to secure the statements he had made
and denied that Detective Mcfarland
and the officials of the state have
promised him immunity for his con-
fessed crime or reward for the value
of his alleged confession in the hands
of the state.
Orchards manner and conversation
during the interview tended to
strongly confirm the assertion that he
has been re-converted to and is deep
in the zeal of the Christian religion.
Two illustrations used by him to ex-
plain change in the kind of books
he reads were Christian-like in char
acter and religious in tone.
Orchard is perfectly sound and
healthy in body, clear and quick of
brain and If there was ever anything
in the reports that he was breaking
in health and mind there is nothing
now in his appearance or manner to
give them the shadow of suggestion.
The one condition imposed upon
today's interview by Warden Whitney
of the Idaho penitentiary was that
there must be no discussion Of "the
case" and the prisoner himself when
he appeared for the meeting asked
that that same condition be observed.
No expectation of the make-and
manner of the man known to have
confessed that he committed a series
of revolving murders, including that
of Frank Steunenberg, was realized in
the prisoner brought by the guard to
Warden Whitney's private office. AS
far as the appearance go the prisoner
might have gone any walk in life ex-
cept the one his own story says he
travelled
He came in quietly, smiling a little
as he advanced. and looking straight
ahead out of pair of twinkling. blue
eyes. His greeting was self-possed
and his manner courteous. Orchard
Is somewhere about five feet eight in
height and of stocky, plump huild
that would send the beam of scales
fitting somewhere between the ITO
and 1870 marks. His hair Is dark
mustache is light eolored and fails
to conceal rather prominent teeth and
a good sized mouth. His head Is a
little roundish. but quite well formed
and there are crowsfeet at his eye
sides to tell of his years and life. The
mans complexion Is clear and his
face bronzed. He is quick and certain
In movement, of easy manner--a
man toned down--and smiles a little
nearly all the time he Is talking. He
wore neat fitting. we'll made suit
of gray, pair of highly polished
lace shoes and his general appearance
and figure were good-anything but
the expected one.
81 don't care to talk about the
case at this time" he said after the
introductions and the commonplace
had been passed. 81 am little leary
about alking to newspaper men, so II
you ask me anything that think
should not talk about I'll tell you. ]
know you'll understand"
rs there anything as to your treat
ment In general that you'd care to say
to the public at this timer" he was
asked.
mo. there Is nothing special to be
said. have been treated very we'll
by everyone since my arrest The
sheriff of Caldwell was very kind to
me and since have been here my
treatment has been very fine--all that
I could expect under the circum-
stance. have been treated with the
utmost courtesy by everybody am
given the greatest freedom. have
a large room With open windows and
/ exercise every day. I walk but