Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-09
A KENTUCKY TRAGEDY.
Two Prominent Republicans Fight
One Killed; the Other Badly Wounded.

-NNes taC WHIT
Lexington, Ky., witnessed an old-time tragedy
yesterday. Col William Cassius Goodloc
killed Armstesd N. Swope. and was himself
oadiy wounded In the republican convention
OF May i, ISIS, Col. Goodloe said that fully
two-thirds OF the Faystte county delegation in
the convention did not speak to Swope. This
ranked in swopes breas; and was the cause Of
tire ARRAY
Both men were in the post Office at las D. m
after mail, ana their letter-boxes were rather
close together. They approached the boxes
together, and as they saw each other rlared
fiercely. One OF the two, il cannot be discoy-
cred which. exclaimed:
"lou spoke TO me. You insultea me-"
This was followed by some angry words from
the other man. What they were rs not known.
Then each drew weapons wope a pistol.
ioodioe knife Swope fired and Goodloe
struck the pistol down as II went OF the hall
entering his abdomen on the right side Good
Toe began stabblng his opponent in the breast
which forced Swope backward toward the
money-order door. they having begun the fight
about midway down the lobby After several
blows had been struck by Goodloe Swope fired
again. missing Goodloe.
In moment after firing the second shot
Col. Swope fell on his face within 10 feet of ia.
door. and. weltcrinc in his blood. died almost
WOUNDS were found IN his
back, arms and breast Immediately after tho
killing Col Goodloe walked 20 a PHYSICIANS
once, where his wounds were examined lie
was perfectly cool and made a disposition OF
ms property IN case of death. The only per-
sons who saw the fight were Postmaster Nc
1nesney, who was just issuing a money order;
William Shelby, who IN the money-ordcr
lobby, and Harry Swift. postal clerk They
agree substantially upon the statement given
above; shelby aided Goodoe 20 reach the phy-
=
was resting easy in his room at the Ph1nix
motel HIS physicians say his condition is more
hopeful. He is not under arrest Public sym-
patty is about equally divided hut universal
sorrow is expressed. Col. swope will be buried
at Lancaster, Ky.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
private telegram from Lexington 20 Com
gresham j. ii. Thomas, who prevented diff
Guilty between the two men in the Ebbitt house
last winter. gives an account Of the beginning
of the fracas ''Goodloe. on entering the most
office this afternoon. found Swope getting his
mail. Their boxes adjoin. Swope obtained
MS mail. and, seeing Goodloe. instead of stem
ping aside, commenced a conversation throu. IA
the opening with postal clerk. Goodoc said
10 hlm: You obstruct the way Swopc re-
piled TO the effect that il was an indifferent
matter to HIM If he did. Goodloe said: This
Is the second insult from YOU Each con-
fronted the other, drawing their weapons.
S"oPe revolver from his oyercoat pocket and
Goodloe clasp knife from his trouscr's pockct
Goodloe opened has knife, Swope firing before
ne could use it, The first shot struck Goodloe
IN the abdomen. Goodloe plunged his knife
twlce INTO Swope. when Swope fired the second
shot, which missed Goodloe continued 20
strike, lnfiicting many wounds and until Swope
tel dead, Goodloe's condition Is precarions
lie rallied from the shock promptly and has
pulse Is good, but IL has not as vet been deemed
advisable to probe the wound"
Col. Swope was a native of Kentucky about
nity years old. He practced law at Paris Ky
until lS6l, when he joined the Union army and
rose TO the rank of colonel serving on Gen
Buells staff. After the war me went 20 LeNing-
ton and resumed the practice of law lie held
many positions OF trust within the gift OF ma
tlonal administrations and was regarded ns ono
OF the ablest men in his party In the last
kentucky republican convention he made a
strong hight for Senator Sherman before that
body, but was unsuccessful in his attempt TO
have the delegation instructed for the Senator
being opposed by Col. Goodioe. In 1877 Mr.
Swope was appointed collector of internal rev.
enue for the seventh Kentucky district and re-
signed In 1888. He was an applicant for COM
missioner of internal revene under President
Harrison. but WAS defeated. IL is claimed
through the enmity of Col Goodloe
Col Goodloe was born in Madison county in
1871. His great grandfather was Gen. Green
Clay, who commanded a brigade in the north
western campaign under Gen. Harrison In
1861 he accompanied his uncle, Cassius NJ.
Clay. to Russia where he was sent as minister
by President Lincoln. MIR. Goodloe acted as
secretary of the legation until 1862 when no
returned and joined the Union army as assist
ant adJutant general OF volunteers. serving
until 1864, when he resigned and commenced
the practice of law in Lexington. In 1865 he
was elected a delegate to the national republic
can convention and was appointed a member
OF the committee TO notify Gen. Grant % hIs
nomination. In 1873 he was elected 10 the
state senate and the following winter was NOM
mated by the republican coucus for United
States Senator.