Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-06-19
CALEB POWERS FREE;
PARDON Is GRANTED
NOTED KENTUCKY CASE 10
BROUGHT TO AN END BY GOV.
WILSON'S ACTION.
EXECUTIVES REASONS
FOR LIBERATING HIM
offiolaI Also Reieases James Howard
Both Men Go to Their Homes at
once-Lltisation Drags Over Eight
Long Years.


Long Years.
Frankfort, KY, June 15.-By an.
nouncing the pardon Saturday of Ca
leb Powers 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 formally expressed their
interest by signing the petitions for
pardon. Both were released from pris- |
on and went to their homes. In the
closing days of January, eight years
ago, while the contest OF William
Goebel for the gubernatorial seat 90
cupied by William 8. Taylor was be.
ing 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 filling that position, sus-
picion was at once directed toward
him and his arrest followed. Four
times has Powers been put on trial
for his life on the charge of com.
plicity in the murder.
Many setbaoks for Powers.
The first three trials resulted in
conviction and sentence, 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
appealed to the supreme court, which
turned it back to the state courts, the
jury disagreed and thereupon the
efforts for a pardon for Powers, as
well as for James Howard, who had
been convicted some years ago on
charge of completely, were renewed
lures of people Of all parties and all
sections were appended to the petit
tions that poured in on Gov. Wilson
and for several weeks that official has
been considering the case. His deci.
sion was made known Saturday in
the shape of a formal statemert. &C Il Tic
fact and his reasons therefor, which
he gave to the. press at once.
Gov. Wilson Gives Reasons.
Gov. Wilson gave out the follow
Ing reasons for pardoning Caleb Pow
ers and James B. Howard:
Application has been made to the
governor for the pardon of Caleb
Powers, who stands charged by indict-
ment found in the Franklin circuit
court and afterwards transferred on
change Of venue to the Scott circuit
court, with the crime of being acces.
sorry before the fact to the willful muir.
der of William Goebel.' The applica.
ton is supported by petitions recon.
mending the pardon Of the accused
signed by nearly 100000 persons, some
100000 Kentucldans, and large pro.
portion are Democrats. 1t is not
likely that at any time during my
term of Office shall be called upon
to decide matters of graver import
ance than those presented by the ap-
plications for pardon of Caleb Pow
ers and James B. Howard.
Anticipates Harsh Criticism
Il realize that whatever my decision
may 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 Ii this state ever
did before. The murder of Senator
Goebel destroyed a remarkable life
brought the deepest grief to his fam.
lily and thousands of friends who loved
him; overthrow whole state election,
destroyed the peace and good feeling
of the state for eight years, set neigh.
Dor against neighbor, made politics
almost war, stained the good name
of Kentucky and shocked the civil.
lied world. There was and is no shad.
ow Of excuse or palliation for this
base crime. There can be no mercy
for any one guilty of the murder OF
of aiding or abetting 1t; but the more
grave the crime, the more serious Is
the responsibility OF deciding the ques
ton of guilt and the more imperative
the duty of guarding against injustice
and wrong imposed under the pres.
sure of public excitement.
saye Release lie Popular Demand.
81 may say. that, in my Judgment
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 ma
,jority of the people Of Kentucky with
out distinction as to party. The court
OF appeals has reversed three trials
and conviction Of Caleb Powers fol
errors against him. On the fourth
trial, ten of the twelve jurors, mem
bers of both parties, voted for his &C
quittal and signed petition for his
pardon. Although the governor Is
authorized to pardon in advance of O,
without reference to the trial Of case
such power should never be exercised
except under the most extraordinary
circumstances. Honorable and friend
ly contests in our elections, and loya]
and friendly support of the officers
when elected according to our rules
governing elections. shall at last make
cur contentious fair and reasonable in
stead Of angry and hostile. Their
we shall have made a great gain MOI
only In the respect of the world but
In the happiness and welfare of every
man, woman and child in Kentucky.