The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-05
POWERS MUST WAIT.
Governor Wilson Unable to Reach a
Decision in His Case Today.

Frankfort, KY, May 5-Governor
Wilson was unable to complete the
reading of all the papers in the Caleb
Powers pardon matter in time to an
nounce decision today, as had been
anticipated. He says that it may be
several days before his decision can be
announced, the pressure of other mat
tiers causing the delay.
-Four times has Caleb Powers, former
secretary of state of this common
wealth. been put on trial for his life
and at three of these trials the jury
brought in verdict of conviction. The
charge against him was that he had
conspired with others to bring about
the assassination of Senator William
Goebel on January 80. 1900, Goebel at
the time being a contestant for the
gubernatOrial chair.
Goebel was killed in this city, the
fatal shot having been fired, according
to the charge, from window of Secre-
tary of State Powers office and death
resulted on February 8. At the time
the shooting took place Powers was in
Louisville, but it was charged that he
had loaned his office key to others so
that the murderer of Goebel could
stand at the window when he fired AT
the time and at each of the trials as
well as in magazine articles written by
him, Powers declared that he had no
knowledge that Goebel was to be shot
and he denied that he had anything to
90 WIN the SnOOI1nS.
Few trials in the history of the coun-
try have held wider interest and few
have developed more side lights. Ken
lucky feud troubles have been more
or less connected with the whole case
and there have been claims of political
difficulties that Influenced actions at
various stages of the noted trial.
Three times Powers was convicted
and twice sentenced to death, but at
the fourth trial the jury disagreed and
in view of that fact the movement for
possible pardon was given additional
impetus. The petition for pardon thai
was presented to Governor Wilson was
most voluminous, containing not only
signatures of thousands of Kentuckians
but also the names of people from all
parts of the United States and even
from points in Africa and Australia.
During his long imprisonment in the
custody of both state and federal Off
Gals at various stages of the proceed
ings, which included appeals to the
supreme court Of the United States,
Powers continued the study of law and
announced that he would engage in
practice when released, but some
| months ago he gave out the statement
| that he would be a candidate for con-
gress in case of a pardon. These state
| ments were made as an expression OF
| his confidence and he would ultimately
regain his freedom.
James Howard, a noted feud1st OF
Clay county, was accused in confes-
sions by Henry E. Youtsey of taking
part in the actual assassination ano
| the possible connection of Youtsey and
Howard with the case has been the oc-
casion for many conflicting statements
| in the shape of newspaper interviews
affidavitS in the various trials and ap-
peals on behalf of different persons
who had been in some way implicated
| in the various trials.
| Youtsey, who was stenographer ano
private secretary to Governor Taylor
said that Powers gave him the office
key and his testimony was one of thf
most bitterly assailed points in the case
against Powers.