Goebel Assassination Scrapbooks, ca. 1900-1910

Author

Processed by Masten Childers III, encoded by Lynne Hollingsworth; machine-readable finding aid created by Margie Plarr

Title

Goebel Assassination Scrapbooks

Date

ca. 1900-1910

Repository

Kentucky History Center, Special Collections

Arrangement

Original order maintained.

Conditions Governing Access note

Access at KHS only. Use microfilm, transcriptions or images when available.

Preferred Citation Note

[Identification of item], Goebel Assassination Scrapbooks, ca. 1900-1910, 2000M04, Special Collections, Kentucky History Center, Frankfort.

Extent

9 volumes

Abstract

This collection contains nine scrapbook volumes of political newspaper cuttings concerning the assassination of Gov. William Goebel. The volumes cover the Democratic convention and Populist movement, the 1899 election, the election investigation and assassination of Goebel, the assassination's aftermath effect on Frankfort and the State, and the numerous trials and verdicts of those accused of the assassination.

Biography/History

1898	William Goebel introduces Goebel Election Law to General Assembly
1899	Split in Democratic Convention at Music Hall - Goebel takes nomination from P.Wat Hardin, who is supported by the L & N, and William Stone, and ex-Confederate. The L & N railroad is accused of ensuing riots at this Louisville convention in order to stop Goebel's victory. In the end Goebel is left with many new enemies and a nomination for Governor.
December 12th - January 31st	William Taylor is Governor of KY
1900-January 30th	Goebel shot, Governor Taylor declares an emergency, calls out militia
January 31st	Democrats invalidate election, Goebel is sworn in as Governor
February 3rd	Goebel dies
March	Caleb Powers arrested, Governor William Taylor indicted as an accessory to murder; Taylor flees to Indiana where the Governor of Indiana refuses extradition; Caleb Powers, Henry Youtsey, Jim Howard, Berry Howard and Garrett Ripley were all indicted and tried; Berry and Ripley were acquitted.
April-1st	examining trial of Powers
July-1st	trial of Powers begins
August	Powers sentenced to life in prison
September	Howard's 1st trial - sentenced to life in prison
October	outsey's 1st trial, after conviction he turns state's evidence
1901-March	Court of Appeals orders a 2nd trial
October	2nd trial for Powers begins
November- 2nd	life sentence
1902-January	Howard sentence to 2nd life in prison
December	Court of Appeals reverses 2nd trial decision
1903-April	Howard's 3rd trial
August-3rd	Powers trial begins
October	Powers sentenced to death
1904-December	Court of Appeals reverses decision of 3rd trial
1905	Powers spends year in jail waiting for 4th trial
	Federal Supreme Court sends case back to state courts saying it is the state's responsibility
1907-July-4th	trial called
November-4th	Powers trial begins
1908-January	trial ends with hung jury
February	Powers and Howard pardoned
1909-April 23rd	W.S. Taylor pardoned
1916	Henry Youtsey paroled
1919	Henry Youtsey pardoned

Scope and Content

This collection contains nine scrapbook volumes of political newspaper cuttings concerning the assassination of Gov. William Goebel. The volumes cover the Democratic convention and Populist movement, the 1899 election, the election investigation and assassination of Goebel, the assassination's aftermath effect on Frankfort and the State, and the numerous trials and verdicts of those accused of the assassination. Some of the volumes are in better condition than others are, and some are more extensive or focused in their coverage of the topics listed above. See the container list below for a description of the individual scrapbooks.

Subjects

• Goebel, William, 1856-1900 -- Assassination.
• Trials (Assassination) -- Kentucky -- Franklin County -- 20th century.
• Kentucky -- Politics and government -- 1865-1950.
• Goebel, William, 1856-1900.
• Powers, Caleb, 1869-1932.
• Taylor, W.S. (William Sylvester), 1853-1928
• Youtsey, Henry
• Scrapbooks, aat.

Related Material

Microfilm of trial transcripts available in Kentucky Historical Society. Library. Microfilm room. Lester Papers. KHS/Special Collections. Mss#96SC70 Trajectories of bullet routes, and Old Capitol Annex floor plans used in the Powers trials. Use surrogate copies. KHS/Library Biography files.

Collection Inventory