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Caleb Powers: Great orator spoke in Historic Adair Courthouse Famed Kentucky orator drew one of largest crowds ever to the Historic Adair County Courthouse. One more reason - on its own - that preservation of Columbia/Adair County's multi-millionaire dollar asset, the Adair County Historic Courthouse, is a Top Priority today. Click on headline for complete story with photo(s) and CM postscript which asks if anyone knows more about the possible Russell County connection to the William Goebel assassination By Mike Watson Caleb Powers Speaks at Adair County Courthouse, 1909 The September 1909 term of the Adair Circuit Court drew a large crowd to Columbia, perhaps the largest delegation seen in this place in several years. On the 20th, the Honorable Caleb Powers had an appointment to deliver his lecture "Right Upon the Scaffold and Wrong Upon the Throne." Mr. Powers is a drawing card and many were here to see him. Judge (H.C.) Baker opened court promptly at 10 o'clock a.m., and by the noon hour an organization was perfected... An audience of about two thousand was assembled to hear the speaker. He was introduced by Judge H.C. Baker in a few words touching the hardships endured by Mr. Powers during his long confinement in prison. There is not a doubt but Mr. Powers is largely the favorite of the Republicans of Adair County and if he announces for Mr. Edwards' seat in Congress he will have a strong following in this end of the district. [Mr. Powers was in the primary race for Congress from the 11th District, which once embraced Adair County. Mr. Edwards, the other Republican candidate, was Don C. Edwards...] While he had many admirers here, a great many came through curiosity to see the man...quite a number of Democrats were present to hear him tell his story. Mr. Powers is a fluent speaker and was frequently applauded during his address...He departed Columbia for Jamestown. [Adair County News, 22 Sept 1909] *** In his forthcoming race for Congress, Mr. Powers was scheduled to speak at the following places in Adair County, as per the Adair County News of 29 June 1910: Sparksville, July 5th; Glensfork, July 6th; Gradyville, July 7th; McGaha, July 8th; Cane Valley and Knifley, July 9th. The Glensfork correspondent stated, "Caleb Powers addressed a small audience here on the 6th." He spent the same night at the Hancock Hotel in Columbia. Mr. Powers spoke to a crowd at Gradyville, estimated at 300 to 500, at the residence of Mr. Robert O. Keltner. He made his appearance at Knifley on the appointed Saturday evening and met with voters.[Adair County News, 29 June & 13 July 1910] *** Mr. Powers won the race for Congress in the November 1910 general election and represented the 11th District for eight years. *** Stricken from the Docket--No Charge Now Hangs Over the Head of Caleb Powers-- Frankfort, July 14 (1910)--The last legal step in the famous Caleb Powers case was taken when Special Judge J.S. Morris went to Georgetown to formally call for trial the case of the Commonwealth against Powers, charged with the murder of William Goebel...Jailer Finley filed the pardon granted Powers by Gov. Willson, and the case was finally stricken from the docket. [Adair County News, 22 July 1908] *** Caleb Powers, served as Representative from Kentucky; born near Williamsburg, Whitley County, 1 February 1869; attended Union College, the University of Kentucky, and Centre College; was graduated from Valparaiso University; attended West Point Military Academy in 1890 and 1891; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1894 and commenced practice at Barbourville; superintendent of public schools for Knox County 1894-1899; elected Secretary of State of Kentucky in 1899 but was unseated after a contest; convicted of complicity in the assassination of Gov. William Goebel in 1900 and sentenced to prison; was pardoned in 1908; author of "My Own Story" in 1905; elected as a Republican to the Sixty-second and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1911-March 3, 1919); was not a candidate for renomination in 1918; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912; moved to Washington, D.C., and served as assistant counsel for the United States Shipping Board from 1921 until his death in Baltimore, MD, 25 July 1932; interment in City Cemetery, Barbourville, KY. [From Mr. Powers' Congressional Biography] -MIKE WATSON CM Postcript: Caleb Powers was one of the greatest Kentucky orators ever. That his life has not already been made into a movie is nothing short of incredible. His autobiography, "My Story," is a fascinating read. He was wrongfully sentenced to life in prison as an accomplice in the assassination of Governor William Goebel, but was pardoned and went on to an illustrious career in the United States House of Representatives. Incidentally, though the assasination was often ascribed to the 'Mountain Army' of Whitley County, KY, at least one resident of Russell County, KY, in the 1950s says that a whispered legend there is that the assassin was from Russell County and that a very few knew his identity. Our informant however, did not live up to his civic obligation and divulge the secret. -EW This story was posted on 2011-11-20 06:57:17
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More articles from topic Local History:
Jose Massilenia Pablio came to Adair Co., with James W. Sexton Adair Countians and the War for Texas Independence 1836 91 years ago: a death bed leaves Columbia 5th Silent City maybe the best. Weather was perfect, too Historic Adair County Courthouse: Robert A. Taft argued here A near-disastrous Adair County caving expedition Coming to town with $1 to spend: It went a long way, then Memories: Kids got a dollar when they went to town 5th Annual Silent City Tour is Monday, October 24, 2011 A Saturday trip to town was a big event View even more articles in topic Local History |
 
115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
  
   
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