Goebel Shot by an Assassin—He Will Probably Die From the Wounds*

MARTIAL LAW IS DECLARED

Soldiers and Citizens Are Rushing to the State Capital

Intense Excitement Prevails—A Bloody Riot Imminent.

A cowardly assassin has sought to end the election troubles in Kentucky by murdering William Goebel, the democratic candidate for governor. Goebel was shot and fatally wounded yesterday morning while he was walking through the state house yard. The assassin fired from an open window in the second story of a block opposite the state house. Two shots were fired from a rifle. One took effect, striking Goebel on the right side, the ball passing through the body and coming out below the right shoulder blade. The latest reports are to the effect that Goebel will die.

Few people believe that Whitaker is guilty. "That man Davis," to whom Whitaker referred, is Colonel John Davis, the custodian of the capital grounds. He is Colonel Jack Chinn and Warden Lillian of the penitentiary were with Goebel and caught him as he fell. While they were holding the wounded man several more shots were fired, all of them striking close. These shots helped to locate the building from which they were fired and a crowd of men soon surrounded the building to prevent the escape of anyone from within. Several men attempted to enter the doors from the outside, but were prevented by groups of mountaineers who stood in the doorways. Many of these men held Winchesters in their hands. The crowd drew back and no entrance to the building was effected for several minutes after the shooting occurred and all trace of the assassin was lost.

Harlan Whitaker, a farmer of Butler county, is under arrest, but the evidence that connects him with the murder is so slight that it will hardly hold him. Whitaker was caught while attempting to leave the building hastily. He submitted to search and on his person were found three revolvers and a knife. The revolvers were all loaded and a hasty examination showed that no chambers had been discharged. In addition, all of those who heard the shots agree that they were from a rifle and not from a small weapon. Whitaker's statement is as follows: "I was on the first floor of the building when I heard Governor Taylor tell that man Davis, the capitol policeman, to go over at once to see General Collier. I said I would go with him, and that is where I was going, I wanted to know, too, what the shooting was about. When I stepped outside that man grabbed me and that is all I know, and that is a fact."

Colonel Davis testified, "I was just outside of Governor Taylor's office when I heard the shots and heard Governor Taylor say: 'My God, what have they done?' He called me to go at once over to the office of Adjutant General Collier, and Whitaker went along. I am positive he could not have done the shooting. We were at the doors of the building in too short a time for that."

Outside of the arrest of Whitaker there has not as yet been the slightest trace of the assassin. The murder was deliberately planned. Several shots were fired from the same building, and the men firing took the precaution to use smokeless powder. It was impossible in the confusion of the moment to fix the shooting with any degree of accuracy, and it is hardly likely now that the truth will ever be known unless some member of the conspiracy reveals the secret.

In twenty minutes after the shooting a company of militia surrounded the capitol building. In the excitement that prevailed many wild telegrams were sent to distant parts of the state, and it is expected that 50,000 or 60,000 people will rush to Frankfort today under martial law. Everything will be turmoil and confusion.

Late last night the legislative committee that has for two weeks been hearing evidence in the contest proceedings instituted by Goebel to unseat Governor Taylor decided by a vote of 10 to 1 that William Goebel was the legally elected Governor of Kentucky. This is a strict party vote and is the result predicted from the first. The Republicans will make application in the United States Circuit Court at Cincinnati for an injunction restraining Goebel from taking his seat, and the legal battle will be continued in that court.