The record-union., 1895-04-12
TRAGEDY In KENTUCKY.
Duel With Pistols in the Business
Center of COvington.
BANKER AND STATE SENATOR
MEET IN FATAL COMBAT.
The Former Killed, While the Latter
Escapes Injury-The Shooting the
Result of an Old Feud Over Bill
the Senator Had Passed In the Leg
isIature Relating to the Depositing
of City Funds in Banks.
Special to the RECoRD-UNrox.


CINCINNATI (O.), April lin the
business center of CovingLon, KY, John
L. Sandford, Cashier of the Farmers and
Traders Bank, was killed at l:30 P. NJ,
by State Senator William Goebel. Both
fired at each other on the crowded street.
An hour later one of the wealthiest citi-
zens was dead, and a leading politician
was in custody at the station-house,
while the streets were thronged with ex-
cited crowds. The factional agitation
over the bloody affair continues to run
high tonight on this side of the river. as
well as in Covington and other Kentucky
towns.s
Goebel and Sandford were the leaders
of two bitterly contesting Democratic
factions. The teud was an old one, but it
became intensely personal last Saturday,
when the Covington Ledger published a
very bitter attack on Sandford, which the
latter attributed to Senator GoebeI. The
latter acknowledged its authorship. The
friends of both have been talking this
week in such a manner that trouble was
expected the first time the two men met.
The meeting to-day showed both were
well armed.
Senator Goebel and Attorney General
Hendricks were walking up Madison
street. AS they approached the First
National Bank Sandford, who was lean
ing up against the railing, approached
quickly toward Senator Goebel and
spoke to the latter, at the same time
drawing his revolver. Senator Goebel
turned TO one side just as Sandford fired.
The bullet from Sandford's revolver
passed through Senator GoebePs coat and
10 n r0l1 n
Senator Goebel then drew his revolver
and fired, his shot taking effect in the
right side of Sandford's forehead. The
first word was spoken and the first shot
was fired by Sandford. There we're but
two shots, one by each of the assailants.
Sandford's friends deny that the latter
was lying in wait Ior the Senator.
Sandford was shot over his left eye,
blood flowing profusely on the sidewalk
before he could be removed. Sandlord's 8
mansion is four miles out. His family
teIephoned to friends to bring him home
Immediately, but he could not be re-
moved. Sandford's son was the only one
of the family who reached him before he
died. The victim never regained con-
sciousness. lie died in less than hour,
and the remains arrived at the home
stead about the time of his usual return
in the evening. The police were called
10 keep the crowd away from the scene at
the bank after the affair.
After The shooting, when Sandford fell,
Senator GOebel returned to the Court
house, stopping only moment, and then
went to police headquarters and gave
himself up.
Here is the reason I killed him." ex-
claimed the Senator, jumping up excit-
edly. and turning about he threw his
coat-tail around and showed where the
bail OF Sandtord's pistol had passed
through, tearing away a portion of the
cloth. He was lying in wait for me.
saw him when l reached the gas Office
about twenty feet away from the steps OF
the First National Bank. | was on NV
way to the Citizens National Bank with
my friend, General Hendricks. AS soon
as | saw him reach for his revolver,
reached for mine"
The trouble between the two men dates
back for years. In the Legislature Sem
atOr Goebel had bill giving the City
Treasurer of CoviDgton power to make
the city depository of any bank he de-
sired. Previous TO this time the Farm
ers' and Traders Bank, of which Sand
ford was cashier, had been the city de-
pository. he City Treasurer had drawn
funds from the Farmers and Traders
Bank, which at times amounted to $780,
COO. and made the Citizens National the
depository. Senator Goebel had another
bill passed reducing the toll on the Lex
ington turnpike, OF which Sandford was
President.
Mr., Sandford was 81 years of age. His
wife was a Marshall, and sister of the
celebrated Thomas Marshall of Kentucky V.
Mr.. Saudford's grandfather was disUin-
guished in the State, being at one time a
State Senator and a member of the Con-
stitutional Convention.
Senator Goebel is a successful business
man, as well as lawyer. He is 40 years
OF age, and unmarried. He located in
Covington when quite young, He is out
tonight on bail.