, 1900-02-15
G0EbELS I0A6E
THE KENTUCKY POLITICIAN
FELL A VICTIM TO HIS OWN
UNBRIDLED AMBITION
Like Caesar, He Had a Brutus-Was
Killed by Friends of Colonel San
ford, Who Had Long Vowed Ven
geanee for the Murder-Black-
burns Change OF Heart.

Senator Goebel. This opinion is gain.
ing ground here since the death OF Goe-
bel, and it is said that the authorities
are now s~hadowing men who commit
ted the deed not for political ends. but
TO satisfy private vengeance.
When Mr.. Goebel was acquitted OF
the murder of Colonel John Sanford at
Covington in 1895 VOWS were made by
scores of Sanford's friends to get re-
venge. Among these men who declar-
ed they would square accounts with
Sanford's slayer was United States
Senator ice" Blackburn. He is said
to have sworn over the dead body OF
Colonel Sanford. and in the presence
of Mrs. Sanford, that he would kill the
man who had shot his friend. Black
burns sentiment, as is we'll known, was
afterward changed. He became one OF
Goebel's most ardent admirers. Re-
Gently the feeling against Goebel on
the part Of Sanford's friends. was made
more bitter when Mrs. Sanford was re-
ported insane with grief. 1t is now as
serted hat friends of Sanford and 9TH
ers with them had taken advantage OF
the present exciting conditions that
prevail in Kentucky to shoot down Goe-
bel. believing that politics would aid
them in concealing their identity.
Another secret relating to the shoot
ing OF Goebel has been unearthed. 1t
is believed to have been revealed by
Goebel himself during a lucid moment,
1t proyes that Goebel was expecting an
assassin. After being shot. Goebel was
taken to the Capitol hotel, and there
it val discovered he a steel coat
of mail. Every .precautiOn was taken
to keep this from the public. The dem.
ocrats and followers of Goebel preferred
TO have the public believe that their
leader was shot down when he least
expected it. 1t was also stated official.
ly from one Of the physicians who at.
tended the injured man that the coat
of mail had injured him almost as bad
ly as the bullet. Particles of the steel
we're carried into his body by the bull
let. The physician added that Goebel
had been shot with a Krag-Joreensen
rife, in which the steel bullet Is used.
The fact that Goebel wore the chain
armor underneath his clothing on the
day of his assault proves that he had
some intimation of approaching trou-
BILE.
1t cannot be denied that in a man.
lei at least William Goebel was the
victim of his own 4amb3ion. He was
determined to become the governor Of
Kentucky. For years he planned for
it. He ruled his party with a powerful
lash, and he made almost Is many per-
sonal enemies in the party IS out of
1t. There are men in, Kentucky who,
while they recognised the leadership
OF Goebel, hated him relentlessly. and
wished him no good. Goebel's career
has been a succession Of remarkable
triumphs. His political career began
eleven years ago, when he became a
candidate for the senate to succeed
State Senator Bryan, who was elected
to the lieutenant governorship in the
middle of his senatorial term. He was
successful In his campaign in spite Of
the determined opposition Of capital
its throughout Kentucky, and has rep
resented Kenton county in the senate
continuously since.
His power in the democratic party
in the state began from his first cam
paign. He managed his campaign him
self and won it in spite Of the OPPOSE
ton Of leaders and OF the wealthy in
terests arrayed against him.
His success won their ad-
miration and confidence, and
from that time on his counsels were
sought and accepted unquestiouably to
a greater and greater extent. until by
the sheer force of his ability as a lead
er he gained the master hand in his
party. This position, however, was
not won without trampling under foot
the ambitions of many of his co-work-
ers, These were all cast aside with
out hesitation. his courage in this often
justifying him IN the eyes of his follow
ing. But it made him relentless en-
emies, who evidently were arrayed
agairs ST him in his greatest campaign
for the %governship, and these forces
are the ones that defeated him and
led up t his death. Goebel stepped
aside for no man. He kept his ambi-
ton before him. and everything else
was subordflated to it.
He was born in Pennsylvania In a lit
tse village in Sullivan county, but re-
moved with his.SaHsAts to CoviAgtos'
KY, whenshsSv0s only 4 years I'D. He
was trained as most Kentucky youths
are-trained to know no fear for man
or beast, and little for any higher pow
er. His mother was a devout church
woman, and, although Goebel was an
agnostic,, he continued the rental of
his mothers pewsin church after hss
Asatb. swhis be sever AltsaAed asers
vice In the church, he still sent with
unfailing regularity her subscriptions
10 the various church organizations.
His 1--we for her was the one feeling
that ever stirred his cold heart. II any
other entered It, 1t was obliterated or
died ~stii,born, unable 10 and ~sustanancs
In 4 place 70 full Of selfish and unwav-
ering ambition. a.