Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-06
NO DECISION TUESDAY.
Pressure Of Other Business Delays
Action In Powers Case.

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 a decision today as had been
anticipated yesterday. He says that it
may be several days before his deci-
sion can be announced, the pressure
of other matters causing the delay.
Frankfort. Ky, May 5-FoGc times
has Caleb Powers, former secretary of
state Of this commonwealth, been put
on trial for his life and at three of
these trials the jury brought in YER
dict of conviction. The charge against
him was that he had conspired with
others to bring about the assassination
of Senator William GOebel on Jan. 50,
1900. Goebel then being a contestant
for the GubernatOrial chair. According
to the charge Goebel was shot from
window of Secretary of State Pow
ers office
At the time the shooting occurred
Powers was in Louisville but it was
asserted he had lent his office key to
others so that the murderer of Goebel
could stand at the window when he
trials, as well as in magazine and other
articles written by him, Powers de-
clared that he had no knowledge that
Goebel was to be shot and denied that
he had anything to do with the
shooting. Few trials in the history of
the country have held wider Interest,"
and few have developed more side
lights
Kentucky feud troubles have been
more or less connected with the whole
case and there have been claims Of
political difficulties that Influenced ac-
ton 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 a
possible pardon was given additional
impetus
The petition for pardon that was
presented to Governor Wilson was
most voluminous. containing not only
signatures of thousands of kentuck-
lanS out 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 Of
Meals at various stages of the proceed
lngs which included appeals to the SUI
preme court of the United States, Pow
ers continued the study of law and
announced that he would engage i'm
practice when released, but some
months ago he gave out the statement
that he would be candidate for Con-
gress in case of a pardon. These state
ments were made as an expression Of
his confidence that he would ultimately
regain his freedom
James Howard, a noted feudist of
Clay county, was accused in confess
sions by Henry +. Youtsey. of taking
part in the actual assassination and
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. appeals
on behalf of different persons who had
been IN some way implicated in the
various trials.
Youtsey, who was stenographer and
private secretary to Governor Taylor.
said that Powers gave him the office
key and his testimony had been one
of the most bitterly assailed points in
the case against Powers