The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-04
WILLIAM GOEBEL.
The Remarkable Career of II Self
Made Man

The life of William Geebel. late Governor
Of Kentucky, who was shot down by an
unknown assassin.s was! in many respects.
a remarkable one Up TO within few
months the incidents in his career which
could have been classed as specially i'm
portant. might have been chronicled in
dozen lines. yet to adequately portray the
| true character OF the man who has recently
made such a fund, of history. would today
call for exceptional requirements.
He was born in Sullivan county, Penn
sylyania. thirty-nine years ago, his father,
an honest, hard working German immi-
| grant In the sons youth the family re-
moved to Covington. Ky. where the father
conducted small store. The thirst for
| knowledge was born in William Gcebel
In the little room behind the store where
the dainty edibles from the fatherland and
| little barrels of beer from nearby brewery
were stored, sat the boy, book in his
band. The father, wise beyond his day, leL
the boy keep the book, when two or three
1 dollars week might have been earned by
| occupations that 10 another German father
might have seemed OF more moment
William read and studied He had few
| playmates. He was an unusual boy, boy
! who loved books more than play He went
to the public schools in Covington and
/
| he would become a lawyer. He sought no
/ advice, and none was offered. His father
/ approved. and the real career of the boy
| began. While he rad made few il any
companions among those Of his own age, he
| had carefully cultivated the acquaintance
of men Of affairs, especially those of the
| legal fraternity. Among these acquain
tancs was John W Stevenson. foremost
| among the lawyers of Kentucky and at
ON fff,Ra g 81,
| son of the German immigrant entered the
office of this man for the real work Of his
| career.
Less than ten years later John ". Ste
venson died, leaving his large estate in the
hands of his law partner, William Goebel,
to be executed without bond. The trust re-
manned in the hands OF the original ex-
ecutor when he became the choice of the
Democratic party for Governor Of the State
OF Kentucky He had acquired fortune
| of his own, had established one of his
brothers in a business which grew to i'm
mense proportions, sent another to Yale,
and seen him through that university. and
had become master of politics in his own
community
In section Of our country where birth
Of high degree breeding, and social posi-
ton are generally supposed to be elements
coincident with success. William Goebel
stood for what he was The studious, per-
severing youth, the astute young lawyer,
the later master of political craft the pow
erful, respected, wealthy leader of party
whose lights were bluegrass aristocrats-
stood alone and supreme man wholly
self made. Simple acumen and force of
character had raised him above the caste
prejudice of Kentucky and commanded
respect which none could question.
man of the people, he was always con-
sistent and always for the people, a quality
of character which resulted in a personal
supremacy which is said to have been en-
joyed by no other leader in the history OF
the State. 4 born leader he possessed that
peculiar power which makes men blndly
follow any Instructions emanating from the
chief. This faculty was perhaps his strong
est characteristic He led; others followed
His first campaign was made in 1887,
when he was elected to the Kentucky SEN
ate and from that moment his rise in
politics was assured. He was returned to
the Senate at every election, and was the
representative of Kenton county to the
Constitutional Convention OF 1S90-'S1. He
was for a time the law partner of John G.
Carlisle and during his entire legal and
political career he was the foe Of corpora
tive encroachments. This feature of the
man lent an. added-stFength to his position
State. His campaigns were made solely
upon the issues current; he was no hand
shaking stump orator; his views were built
upon a firm foundation. and he laid them
plainly before the people. More than this,
he upheld them and preserved the integ-
rity OF his Office and the deep regard of
his followers while he made the natural
enemies which are predestined to fall to
a man who is the fearless exponent of his |
opinions and the sturdy champion of the
masses. The courage of his convictions |
was ever mistaken. and he never re-
pudiated a promise.
Prior to the shooting which caused his !
death, the most tragic episode in his |
career was his encounter with John W.
SANFORD. OF Coyington, which resulted in
the death OF the latter. Ii was a most |
deplorable affair. II is said that he wrote |
and caused to be printed in a Coyington /
newspaper an attack on the personal |
purity of Sanford. During the late cam
paign in Kentucky. the original. in the |
handwriting OF Goebel was reproduced in |
Louisville newspaper in justification be- |
cause of a denial OF the authorship. The |
prOvocati0n is said TO have been series |
of vicious newspaper assaults upon Goebel, |
wholly political in character, and other !
political antagOnism.
The feud began eleven years ago ard J
for four years the bitter enmity Letween /
the two men grew. Newspapers were used !
as the mediums. and the attacks were torrid I
in their nature. GOebel learned thar Sand !
ford had written certain articles criticisinx 4
him. and replied in yituperative Language. I
disdaining 10 conceal the authorship OF the Z
article. These familiar with the affair 4
foresaw the tragedy which followed but
they saw it in another light. Goebel was
a lawyer and student. Sanford d veteran
of Morgan's command and skilled in RE
use Of firearms. The wise ones predicted
that Goebel would avoid a meeting. but
they little knew the man.
They met on the principal street OF Gov
ington one morning, five years ago.
Are you the author of that article?"
said SANFORD.
Il am replied Goebel.
They drew their pistols and the reports
we're almost Simultaneous. Sandford's
bullet pierced the clothing of his rival.
leaving red mark across his body but
SANFORD was struck in the forehead and
died in a few hours.
At the coroner's inquest Goebel was ac-
quilted on the ground that Sanford had
been the aggressor. 1t is said that Gov.
John Young Brown. who was well ac-
quainted with all the circumstances OF the
case, had sent Goebel pardon before he
was tried.
William Goebel is credited with never
having had love affair A year ago he
astounded a friend by remarking. Il be-
lieye l ought to have wife
He then went on TO explain what he
would require of helpmate.
Il do not demand he said. that she
have beauty or riches, or that she stand
very high in the social scale. / want a
wife for her mental qualities only"
After a tumultuous convention lasting