Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-05-04
Powers Fourth Trial.

| NSSA q SoO"AS I'D - A'AeSJ 10 AA'
celebrated case of Caleb Powers
secretary of state of Kentucky ano
thrice sentenced to death for muir
der of Governor Goebel, came W
for hearing in the district cour
here today and the fourth trial viii
proceed without delay. The pres
ent trial promises to be more in
teresting than it's predecessors
Former Governor Black of New
York, recognized as one one of the
foremost criminal lawyers of Am.
erica, has been retained to conduct
the defense and he will be assisted
by former Governor Yates of IL
linois and several other attorneys
of prominence.
| THE MURDER OF GOEBEL.
William Goebel was shot on De-
cember 80, 1900, as he was ap-
preaching the state house, in
Frankfort, a few hours before ar
guments weresto begin on his con-
test for the governorship of the
state. Ten persons were arrested
for his murder, including some of
the most prominent republicans in
the state. Ex-Gov. Taylor, who
was suspected of being a party to
the plot, fled the state, and has ev-
er since remained a fugitive from
justice. Another suspect was Ser
geant N. Wharton Golden, of the
state militia, who confessed, i'm
plicating Caleb Powers, repubil-
can secretary of state; Capt. John
Davis, w. H. Culton and Harland
Whitaker. It was Golden who
finally implicated James Howard,
who was indicted in April, 1901,
along with "Tallow Dick" Coombs,
Whitaker, Berry Howard, Pow
ers, Culton, Chas. E. Finley and
Golden. i
Powers was the first one tried,
and was sentenced to life impris-
onment, but he obtained a new
trial on the ground that the jury
was unfair. After being again
convicted he was granted another
trial, and in December, 1902, he
made a public appeal for funds to
carry on the third trial, which re-
suited in his conviction and sem
tence to death. >-~ ....
James B. Howard was found
guilty in September, 1900, and
sentenced to death. He received
two new trials, and the third time
was sentenced to life imprison-
ment. Henry Youtsey, another
of those implicated in the plot, was
given a life sentence.
Just before the shooting of Geo.
bel, w. S. Taylor had been de-
clared elected governor of Ken
lucky, but Geobel entered a pro-
test, and the state legislature,
which, under the Goebel law, was
the proper body to decide the mat
ter, declared in his favor.
Thousands flocked to the scene
of the shooting. Friends of the
murdered man did not hesitate to
implicate Gov. Taylor in the shoot
ing. For days before Goebel was
shot Frankfort had been filling up
with men from the mountains.
Fearing bloodshed the governor
called out the state militia, an act
which further infamed the anger
of his enemies.
Frequent attempts were made
by the democratic members of the
legislature to meet and declare
Geobel elected, but Gov. Taylor
frustrated each move. Finally
they went to Louisville and held
a secret meeting, making Goebel
the chief executive and j. w. G..
Beckham the lieutenant governor.
After GoebePs death Beckham sue
ceeded to his claim, which was fin
ally upheld by the United States
supreme court.
Caleb Powers, whose fourth trial
is now on, is about thirty-five
years old. He was elected secre.