Powers, Caleb, 1869-1932

Congressman, legislator, statesman.

Caleb Powers was born near Williamsburg in Whitley County, Kentucky, on February 1, 1869. He attended several public schools in Kentucky, including Union College in Barbourville, the University of Kentucky in Lexington, and Centre College in Danville. He eventually graduated from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. After attending West Point from 1890-1891, Powers studied law and was admitted to the Bar in 1894. He served as superintendent of public schools in Knox County from 1894-1899 and was elected secretary of state on the Republican ticket in 1899. The results of the 1899 election were contested by the Democrats and when the legislature convened in January 1900, Democratic candidate William Goebel was declared elected governor over William S. Taylor, Republican incumbent. Goebel was shot outside of the old State Capitol building in Frankfort on January 30 and died four days later on February 3.

Powers was charged with complicity in the assassination of Governor Goebel. He was tried four times, with the first two trials resulting in a life sentence and the third in the death penalty. All three sentences were reversed by the Kentucky Court of Appeals and new trials granted. The fourth trial resulted in a hung jury and Powers was eventually pardoned by Kentucky Governor Augustus E. Willson in 1908. Powers went on to be elected as a Republican to three succeeding Congresses (1911-1919). He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912, and later moved to Washington, D. C., where he served as assistant counsel for the United States Shipping Board from 1921 until his death on July 25, 1932.

Congressman, legislator, statesman.

Born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Caleb Powers, attended the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, and graduated from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana. After attending West Point (1890-1891), Powers studied law and was admitted to the Bar in 1894. Powers served as Superintendent of Public Schools in Knox County (1894-1899), was elected Secretary of State of Kentucky in 1899, but unseated after it was contested.

Subsequently he was convicted of complicity in the assassination attempt of Governor William Goebel in 1900. Upon Goebel's death he was tried four times for the murder, eventually being pardoned by governor Augustus E. Willson in 1908. Goebel went on to be elected as a Republican to three succeeding Congresses (1911-1919). He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912, and later moved to Washington, D. C., where he served as assistant counsel for the United States Shipping Board from 1921 until his death.