Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-16
KENTUCKY.

l. hcnLOCRy prison,
under sentence to be hanged for the mur-
der Of Gov. William Goebel Of the Blue
Grass state. After the 4th Of March, 1911,
the chances are that Powers will be a
member of the House Of Representatives.
Such rapid changes Of fortune are pos
sible only in state where political con-
ditions are as chaotic and feuds as fierce
as in Kentucky.
Four times tried for murder, thrice con-
victed, once sentenced to hanging and
twice to life Imprisonment, the fourth
trial resulting In a hung jury, which was
followed by the psrdoning of Powers by
Gov. Wilson. in 1908. after he had been
in Jail eight years. Powers yesterday won
the nomination for Congress in the
eleventh district. defeating the present in
cumbent. Don c. Edwards by a majority
of more than 5000 AS the district is
strongly republican. the election of Pow
ers in November will follow as q matter
OF course.
Campaign Bitter One.
The campaign for the nomination be-
tween Edwards and Powers was the
most bitter and vindictive ever held in
kentucky-and perhaps anywhere else.
Great disorder was expected in the noun
tain districts while balloting was in
progress, but only one murder occurred.
This was at Grapevine. In Perry county.
a wild mountain region, where Squire
Celwell shot and killed John Holmes in
an argument over the casting of vote.
Powers carried all save two or three
counties and in Edwards own strong
landslide for the man who was thrice
convicted OF numbering Goebel was alb
solutely unexpected by the Edwards fac
ton and was not even anticipated by
Powers and his followers.
Powers past was exposed by the Ed
and he was called a murderer" a "feud-
list" and a man ''steeped in crifle.'' Ed
wards regularity was not made an issue
against him.
Story Of Goebel Murder.
The murder Of Goebel attracted atten-
ton throughout the United States ten
years ago. although the details are per-
haps not now so well remembered. In
the elections Of November, 1899, W. s.
Taylor. republican. and William Goebel,
democrat. were running for Governor of
Kentucky. The vote was close, and GOe-
lor's apparent majority Of 1900 Powers
was elected secretary Of state on Tay-
lor's ticket
After the state election commission had
counted the vote and decided In FAVOR or
Taylor. Goebel carried the fight to the
legislature. which was strongly demo-
cratic, and which. II was apparent from
the outset, was determined to seat Goe-
bel. To intimidate members Of the legis-
lature Gov. Taylor brought down from
the mountains OF eastern Kentucky all
tho desperadoes. feudists and moonshiners
he could gather together. and formed
them into q sort Of civil guard.
The morning Of Tuesday. January 30.
1900. while walking through the capitol
grounds with Col. Jack Chinn and Eph
Lillard, warden Of the Kentucky peniten-
tiary, Goebel was shot down by an assas-
sin concealed in one of the rooms of q
building exclusively occupied by Gov. Tay-
lor and the republican leaders. the win
dows Of which overlooked the grounds
The same day the joint commits sion de-
clared Gobel Governor Of Kentucky. and
on tho morning OF January 81. 1900, and
took the oath Of Office as governor.
Took CaDifa1 tn Maintains