The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-05-07
To Announce His Decision in
the Caleb Powers Par
don Matter.
AS 1T WAS EXPECTED
Says 1t Will be Several Days
Yet Before He Will An
nounce Decision.

FRANKFORT, KY, May Gov
ernor Wilson was unable to COM
plete the reading OF the papers in
the Caleb Powers pardon matter in
time to announce his decision today
rs anticipated Yesterday. He says 1t
will be several days before his de-
cision will be- ANNOUNCED.
Four times has Caleb Powers, for
mer secretary of state of this COM
monwealth, been put on trial for his
life and at three OF these, trials the
jury brought in verdict of convic-
ton. The charge against him was
that he conspired with others to
bring about the assassination of Sem
a.or W!,l!am Goebel on January 30,
1900 Goebel at the time being con-
testant for the gubernatorlal chair.
Goebel was shot in this city, the fatal
shot having been fired, according to
the eharge. from window of Secre-
tary Of State Powers's Office. and
dsath resulted on February 8. At
abe time the shooting occurred Pow
rs was in Louisville but 1t was .charg-
az that he had loaned his office key
Spthers so that the murderer of
~ eoel could stand at the window
when he fired. At the time and at
each of the trials. MS well as in mag
azne and other articles written by
him. Powers declared that he had no
knowledge that Goebel was to be
shot and he denied that he had any
thin gto do with thes hooting.
Few trials in the history of the
country have held wider interest and
few have developed more side-lights.
more or less connected with the whole
cause and there have been claims
of political affiliations that influenced
action at various stages of the noted
trials. Three times Powers was con-
yicted and twice sentenced to death,
but at the fourth trial the jury dis
agreed and in view of that fact the
movement for possible pardon was
given additional impetus. The petit
ton for pardon that was presented 10
Governor Wilson was most voiumin-
Gus, containing not only signatures of
thousands of native Kentuckians but
also names of people from all parts
of the United States and even from
points in Africa and Australia. Dur
ing his long Imprisonment, in which
he has been In the custody of both
state and federal officials at various
,Aages of the proceedings which In
Il AIDED appeals to the Supreme Court
Vi Nhe United States, Powers contin-
a5 the study of law and announced
THAT he would engage In the practice
when released, but some months ago
he gave out statements that he would
be candidate for congress in case
of pardon. These statements We're
made as an impression of his conf
dence that he would ultimately re-
gain his freedom.
James Howard, q noted feudist of
Clay county, was accused in confess
sion by Henry =. Youtsey of taking
part In the actual assassination, and
the possible connection, of Youtsey
and Howard with the case have been
the occasion for many conflicting
statements in the shape of newspaper
interviews, atfidavits In the various
trials and appeals on behalf of diff
ferent perosns who had in some way
been implicated in the various trials.
ioutsey, who was stenographer and
private secretary to Governor Taylor,
said that Powers gave him the office
key and his testimony in the case has
been one of the most bitterly assail-
ed points in the case againt Pow
ers.