Conversation so far:
How did William Goebel get started in politics?
In 1887, James W. Bryan vacated his seat in the Kentucky Senate. Goebel decided to seek election to the vacant seat representing the Covington area.
Did William Goebel win the seat in the Kentucky Senate?
Goebel won the Kentucky Senate seat by a mere fifty-six votes.

Question: What year did this take place?
Self-contained rewrite: What year did William Goebel win the Kentucky Senate seat?