Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-04-12
SENSATION IN OLD KENTUCKY.
THE TROUBLE STRICTLY \ PO-
LITICAL oNE-sANFoRD SPOKE
THE FIRST WORD AND FIRED
THE FIRST sHoT.GOEBEL TELLS
WHY HE IJrp THE KILLING.



In the business portion Of coying-
ton, KY, John l.. Sanford, cashier Of
the Farmers and Traders bank. was
killed at 1880 p. m. today by State
Senator william Goebel. They fired
at each other on the crowded streets.
An hour later one Of the we llthiest
citizens was dead and leading poll
tician was in custody at the station
house, while the streets were thronged
with excited crowds.
Excitement runs high on this side Of
the river, as well as In Covington.
Goebel and Sanford were leaders Of
two bitterly contendlng Democratic
factions. Inc feud Is Of political
natur> but 1t became intensely per-
sonai Idst Saturday when the Coving-
ton Ledger pubhsned very bitter at
tack on SANFORD. winch the latter at
tributed to Senator GueDei. rhe lat
ter acknowledged us authorship.
Senator Goeoel aud Attorney General
Hendricks were walking up AIadIson
avenue this afternoon. As they ap-
preached the FIRST national bank. SAN
Iord, VINO was leaning against the
railing, approached senator GoeDei
ana spoke 10 the latter, at the same
time drawing IA revolver.
senator Guebel turned to one side
just as SANFORD fired, the bullet from
sanfords revolver passing through
Goehel's coat, and his trousers, In two
places, over his hips Senator Goebel
then drew his revolver and hred, his
shot taking affect in the right side OF
Mar. Sanford forehead. The first word
was spoken and the first shot was
fired by sanford.
mere were out two shots. one by
each of the assallants. Sanford
friends say that the latter was not ~
ing in wait for the senator. Sanford
was shot over his lett eye. bleeding
profusely on the sidewalk before he
could be carried into the First National
bank. Sanford could not be removed
and his son was the only one OF the
family who reached him before he died.
The victim never regained conscious
ness. The police were called 10 keep
the crowd away from the scene during
the afternoon and evening. After the
shooting senator Goebel went TO police
headquarters and gave himself up.
Here is the reason killed him. ex-
claimed the senator. jumping up eX-
citedly and turning about. lie drew his
coat around and showed where the
ball of Sa1fords pistol had passed
through, tearing portion Of the cloth,
He was lying in walt for me. saw
him when / reached the gas otilce
about twenty feet from the steps of tine
bank. / was on ms way TO the Citi-
zens' National bank with General Hen
bricks. As soon as / saw him reach for
his revolver reached for mine
The trouble between the men dates
bacl: for years. In the last legislature
Senator Goebel introduced bills 10 have
the city deposits removed from tht
Farmers and Traders bank to tne
Citizens National bank. and a reduc-
ton in toll on the Kentucky turnpike,
Of which Sanford wac president.
MIR. Sanford was 81 years old. His
wife WIS a sister OF the celebrate
Thomas Marshal OF Kentucky.
Mr.. sanford's grandfather was dis
tinguished In the state being at one
time a state senator and member OF
the constitutional convention.
senator Goebel is successful busi-
ness man as well as a lawyer. He is ~
years old and unmarried.