The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-31

of the tragedy and grief for her dead hus-
band.
William Goebel was born forty-four years
ago, OF humble German parentage. in
Pennsylvania. four months after the arri-
<al of his parents from the ODD country
When he was four years old. the family
removed to Covington. KY. and for ten
years the boy grew up amid the environ
ments OF a bar room and cheap boarding
house. He sold newspapers and saved his
money, and he attended, spasmodically
the public schools. At the age of fourteen
he left his fathers bar TO pick up his own
living, having an aversion TO a drinking
place. After serving brief apprenticeship
In Duhme's watch factory, in Cincinnati.
he developed desire to study law.
to read under Carlisle and Stevenson.
and before he was thirty years old he was
Carlisle's partner. Then he plunged into
politics. and soon became the undisputed
master of Covington and Kenton county.
His only defeat was when he tried to Sc
cure the Democratic nomination for appel
late judge In his district. A deauaock in
the convention followed. and compelled the
withdrawal Of Mr.. Goebel. the nomination
and election going TO Representative Payn-
ter. of Maysville.
Then came his career in the Senate. which
developed the Sanford affair, and then,
in furtherance of his design to intrench
himself in State politics, the passage of
the Goebel election law. which was bitterly
fought by nearly all the most prominent
dacy In the present contest. The Louis
vile convention. held in June last. was the
next step. Goebel went into the convention
with 2Oo delegates out OF more than a
thousand. In two DAYS he had tricked
Captain W. J. Stone out of enough sup
port TO enable him 10 throw out as many
delegates pledged to General 4. Wat.
Hardin as were necessary, substituting for
them Goebel adherents, and he was, by
these methods, declared the nominee OF the
convention.
William Sylvester Taylor was nominated
by the Republicans, and his nomination
has not been exceeded for acerblty. even
In the political annals OF Kentucky. A
the nomination OF Ex-Governor John Young
Brown. After the election. the Democratic
commissioners, chosen under the provisions
OF Goebel's election law. declared Taylor to
be elected, whereupon Goebe instituted
the contest now nearing completion before
the Legislature of the State.
GoebePs marked characteristic has been
the subordination and overriding OF every
thing and everybody inimical to his polit-
ical interests. Neither men nor friendship
have been allowed to stand in his way
he mas never been known TO smile or TO
shed tear. Women had no place in his
life, and whisky and tobacco were abhor-
rant to him. Sociability was an unknown
faculty, and story or a joke had no part
In his thoughts. 1.-THE knight of the Mac
chiavellian Countenance" Henry Water
sons descriptive phrase. coined during the
struggle over the election bill which bears
his name, fits him exactly. and his mind
is as Macchiavellian as his face.
He Is man who despises any ostenta-
ton whatever. He steadfastly refused to
have his picture taken up to his candidacy
for Governor, and persistently refused to
write an autobiography of his life. and
none is found in the many histories and
lives of famous men OF Kentucky. He has
made his home for years In Covington
with Mrs Bryson. on Sixth street. He Is
very simple IN his manners, and as Mrs
Bryson has often remarked, he ie 90 quiet
and gentle that they would scarcely know
he was in the house. He II a hard. close
student, and Is ever porting over law books
CT literature. He has never married.