Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-06-19
TWO ACCUSED OF COMPLETELY IN
GOEBEL MURDER FREED BY
GOVERNOR.
CLOSES NOTED KENTUCKY CASE
Wilson Considers Petitions Containing
100000 Names Urging Him to
Take This Action.
CRIME STAINED STATES NAME.

ers and James Howard Gov. Wilson
closed the last chapter in one of the
most noted criminal cases in the history
of this state, in which the people of all
sections of the United States have for
mally expressed their interest by signing
the petitions for pardon.
In the closing days of January, eight
years ago, while the contest of William
Goebel for the gubernatorial seat occu-
pied by William r. Taylor was being
heard, Goebel was shot, dying later from
his wound. The shot was believed to
have come from half-open window OF
the secretary of states Office and as
Caleb Powers was then filing that posi-
ton, suspicion was at once directed to-
ward him and his arrest followed.
Tried Four Times.
Four times Powers has been put on
trial for his life on the charge of COM
plicity in the murder, the first three
trials resulting in conviction and SEN
tence, death being the penalty in two
trials. On the fourth trial, which came
after the case had been carried to the
United States court, being finally ap-
pealed to the supreme court, which turned
it back to the state courts, the jury dis
agreed and thereupon the efforts for
pardon of Powers, as we'll as for James
Howard, who had been convicted some
years ago on charge of completely, were
renewed.
Governor Explains Action.
Gov. Wilson gave out the following
reasons for pardoning Powers and How
ard:
Application has been made to the COVER
nor for the pardon Of Caleb Powers, VINO
stands charged by Indictment found i'll the
Franklin circuit court and afterwards
transferred on change Of venue to the
Scott circuit court, with the crime Of be-
ing accessory before the fact to the Wllful
murder Of William Goebel. The appiica-
ton is supported by petitions recommend
ing the pardon of the accused, signed ny
nearly $4,000 persons, some 24OooO Ken
tuckians, and a large proportion are Demo
Gratis.
1t Is not likely that at any time during
nv term of office l shall be called upon TO
decide matters Of graver Importance than
those presented by the applications for
pardon Of Cabel Powers and James B. How
ard. l have given to their consideration
the most careful conscientious and thor
ough investigation and thought In my pow
er. / realize that whatever my decision
NAV be it will be harshly criticised. For
more than eight years this group Of cases
has held the attention Of the whole state'
and, indeed, Of the whole country, as no
cases In this state ever did before.
Stained Kentucky's Name.
The murder of Senator Goebel destroyed
q remarkable life, put the deepest grief 10
his family and thousands Of friends VINO
loved him, overthrow whole state eiec
tion destroyed the peace and good teellhg
of the state for eight years, set nelghDof
against neighbor, made politics almost war;
stained the good name OF kentucky ana
shocked the civilized world. There was,
and is no shadow Of excuse or palIiation
for this base crime. There can De NO
mercy for any one guilty Of the murder or
Of aiding or abetting 1t, but the more grave
| bilty of deciding the question OF quit ana
the more imperative the duty OF guarding
against injustice and wrong imposed unuea
| the pressure Of public excitement, passion
The sympathy which makes all the world
| akin of every good man and woman, IS
With With the brothers, kinsmen and friends OF
the victim Of the murder
Heard No Private Request.
have not heard nor considered, but have
refused to consider any, private or secret
| request or appeal in either of these cases.
| ond have without exception required that
| all Of the proceedings should be heard pub
| licly in the presence Of representatives of
| both sides so that all should know every
thing to which any weight was given for or
| against the applications, and that all The
| world should have a chance to Judge that
the reasons for the decision were just and
righteous
murder was committed battle description
and already, after only eight years, seem in
credible The bitter struggle in the Demo,
| cratic party had resulted In the election Of
| the Republican state officers and the issue
| of the certificates Of election to them by
two Of the three members of the state cleo
tion board: all three being Democrats.
After full argument before me In public
by both sides, and after most patient,
laborious and careful examination OF all OF
the evidence, In the trials, l grant Caleb LED
the offense with which he stands charged,
and restoration to all his rights of citl-
zenship. and order that ne De 1ortn"lth
released from the jail.
Believes Powers Innocent.
I state as my reason for. granting a par
don that am firmly convinced that he Is,
beyond all reasonable doubt innocent OF
the crime charged against him, and that
any further prosecution against him for
the crime 50 charged d would be be o great ha
ing Of the commonwealth,
[ may say, In addition, that, In my Judg
ment, after the fullest inquiry the release
Of the accused from liability to further
prosecution of the charge preferred against
! him is desired by the vast majority of the
| people Of Kentucky without distinction as
to party.
Caleb Powers was released from Jail
| at 10 o'clock and went at once to no
| tel. James 3. Howard was also re-
leased from the penitentiary at Frank
| fort this morning.
MOOSE SWAN OUT TO SEA.