East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-05-01

Georgetown, KY, May 1.-The cell
ebrated case of Caleb Powers, former |
secretary of state of Kentucky and |
thrice sentenced to death for the mur- |
der of Governor Goebel, came up for
hearing in the district court here to-
day and the fourth trial promises to
be even more interesting than it's pre-
decessors. Former Governor Black
of New York, recognized as one of
the foremost criminal lawyers of
America, has been retained to con-
duct the defense and he will be as
sisted by former Governor Yates of
Illinois and several other attorneys
of prominence.
The Murder of GoebeI.
William Goebel was shot on De-
cember go 1900, as he was approach
ing the state house, in Frankfort, a
few hours before arguments were to
begin on his contest Tor the governor
ship of the state. Ten persons were
arrested for his murder, including
some of the most prominent republi-
cans in the state. Ex-Governor Tay-
lor, who was suspected of being a
party to the plot, fled the state and
has ever since remained a fugitive
| from justice. Another suspect was
Sergeant N. Wharton Golden, of the
state militia, who confessed, impli-
eating Caleb Powers, republican Sec
retary of state; Captain John Davis,
w. H. Culton and Harland Whitaker.
1t was Golden who finally implicated
James Howard, who was indicted in
April, 1901, along with "Tallow Dick"
Coombs, Whitaker, Berry Howard,
Powers, Culton, Charles E. Finley and
Golden.
Powers was the first one tried, and
was sentenced to life Imprisonment
but he obtained a new trial on the
ground that the jury was unfair. Af-
ter being again convicted he was
granted another trial, and in Decem-
ber, 1902, he made a public appeal
for funds to carry on the third trial,
which resulted in his conviction and
sentence to death.
James b. Howard was found gull
ty in September, 1900, and sentenced
to death. He received two new trials,
and third time was sentenced to life
Imprisonment. Henry Youtsey, an
other of those implicated in the plot,
was given a life sentence.
Just before the shooting of Goebel
w. S. Taylor had been declared
elected governor of Kentucky, but
Goebel entered a protest, and the
state legislature, which, under the
Goebel law, was the proper body to
decide the matter, declared in his
favor.
Thousands flocked to the scene of
shooting. Friends of the murdered
man did not hesitate to implicate
Governor Taylor in the shooting. For
days before Goebel was shot Frank
fort had been filling up with men
from the mountains. Fearing blood
shed the governor called out the
state militia, an act which further
inflamed the anger of his enemies.
Frequent attempts were made by
the democratic members of the leg
islature to meet and declare Goebel
elected, but Governor Taylor frustrat-
ed each move. Finally they went to
Louisville and held a secret meeting,
making Goebel the chief executive
and ]. W. c. Beckham the lieutenant
governor. After Goebel's death Beck
ham succeeded to his claim, which
was finally upheld by the United
States supreme court.
Calem Powers, whose fourth trial
is no won, is about 35 years old. He
was born on a farm in Knox county
and was educated in the county
schools. He was elected secretary Of
state by the republicans, and it was
from his office that Goebel was shot.