Caleb Powers papers

Abstract

The Caleb Powers papers (dated 1900-1941; 6 cubic feet; 9 boxes, 1 item) consist of materials relating to the third and fourth trials of Caleb Powers, which took place during 1903-1904 and 1907-1908.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Caleb Powers papers
Date
1900-1941 (inclusive)
1903-1908 (bulk)
Extent
6 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Assassination -- Politics and government -- Kentucky.
Conspiracy -- Kentucky.
Affidavits
Statesmen.
Lawyers -- Kentucky.
Finding Aid Author
Processed by Beth Eifler; machine-readable finding aid created by Beth Eifler.
Preferred Citation
51w15: [identification of item], Caleb Powers papers, 1900-1941, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
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.
Scope and Content
The Caleb Powers papers (dated 1900-1941; 6 cubic feet; 9 boxes, 1 item) consist of materials relating to the third and fourth trials of Caleb Powers, which took place during 1903-1904 and 1907-1908. Papers include the correspondence of Powers, his attorneys, witnesses, and other interested parties; affidavits, subpoenas, and other legal documents; newspaper clippings and magazine articles; and other miscellaneous materials relating to Powers' four trials. Judge Samuel M. Wilson of Lexington served with Powers' defense team and collected the manuscript materials.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

THIRD TRIAL, 1903-1904

Scope and Contents note

These materials relate to the third trial of Caleb Powers, which took place during 1903-1904 and ended with a guilty verdict and death sentence for Powers. Included are transcripts of witness testimonies, various legal documents and notes, correspondence, published copies of Powers' speech given before the court, and Judge Samuel M. Wilson's notebooks from the trial.

WITNESSES

Defendant's Witnesses

  • Box 1, folder 1
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WITNESS TESTIMONIES

First Volume

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Second Volume

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Third Volume

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Fourth Volume

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Sixth and Seventh Volume

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Eighth and Ninth Volume

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Tenth and Eleventh Volume

  • Box 1, folder 8
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MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND NOTES

Order and Other Documents Concerning the Official Stenographer

  • Box 1, folder 9
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Bill of Exceptions

  • Box 1, folder 10
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Kentucky Court of Appeals, Brief for Appellant

  • Box 1, folder 11
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Motion for New Trial and Court Opinions

  • Box 1, folder 12
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Notes

  • Box 1, folder 13
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SAMUEL WILSON NOTEBOOKS

Third Trial, August 3, 1903 - , Book No. 1

  • Box 2, folder 1
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Third Trial, August 3, 1903 - , Book No. 2

  • Box 2, folder 2
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Undated

  • Box 2, folder 3
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CORRESPONDENCE

1903

  • Box 2, folder 4
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1904

  • Box 2, folder 5
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1905

  • Box 2, folder 6
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1906

  • Box 2, folder 7
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SPEECHES

Caleb Powers Speech, August 27-28, 1903

  • Box 2, folder 8
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Caleb Powers Speech, August 27-28, 1903

  • Box 2, folder 9
To top

Address Delivered by Judge James H. Mulligan at Frankfort, KY on October 5, 1903

  • Box 2, folder 10
To top

FOURTH TRIAL, 1907-1908

Scope and Contents note

These materials relate to the fourth trial of Caleb Powers, which took place during 1907-1908 and ended with a hung jury. Included are subpoenas, witness lists, bills and receipts, correspondence, notebooks and notes, affidavits, motions, and other miscellaneous legal documents.

SUBPOENAS

Scope and Contents note

Subpoenas are organized alphabetically by the county in which they were issued.

Adair - Butler

  • Box 3, folder 1
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Caldwell - Daviess

  • Box 3, folder 2
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Elliott - Franklin

  • Box 3, folder 3
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Gallatin - Hopkins

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Jackson - Lyon

  • Box 3, folder 5
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Madison - Pulaski

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Rockcastle - Wolfe

  • Box 3, folder 7
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WITNESS LISTS

Lists of Senators and Representatives in Regular Session of 1900

  • Box 3, folder 8
To top

Witness Lists from Third Trial

  • Box 3, folder 9
To top

Witnesses for the Defense

  • Box 3, folder 10
To top

Witnesses for the Prosecution

  • Box 3, folder 11
To top

AFFIDAVITS, STATEMENTS, AND TESTIMONIES

Witness Affidavits

  • Box 4, folder 1
To top

Witness Statements

  • Box 4, folder 2
To top

Witness Testimonies

  • Box 4, folder 3
To top

Caleb Powers Affidavits and Motions

  • Box 4, folder 4
To top

Samuel Wilson Affidavits

  • Box 4, folder 5
To top

SAMUEL WILSON CALENDAR AND NOTEBOOKS

Calendar/Daily Reminder, 1907

  • Box 4, folder 6
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Notebook, June 20, 1907

  • Box 4, folder 7
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Notebook, October 10, 1907

  • Box 4, folder 8
To top

Notebook, November 1, 1907

  • Box 4, folder 9
To top

JURY SELECTION AND INSTRUCTIONS

Challenges, Motions, and Affidavit Relating to Jury Selection

  • Box 5, folder 1
To top

Challenges and Motions Relating to Jury Selection

  • Box 5, folder 2
To top

Jury Instructions

  • Box 5, folder 3
To top

MISCELLANEOUS LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Court Orders

  • Box 5, folder 4
To top

Misc. Legal Documents

  • Box 5, folder 5
To top

BILLS AND RECEIPTS

July - November, 1907

  • Box 5, folder 6
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NOTES

Scope and Contents note

This section includes notes regarding jury selection, witnesses and their testimonies, drafts of motions, points, and addresses to the court, references to prior court decisions and rulings, and other misc. notes taken during trial.

Notes 1

  • Box 5, folder 7
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Notes 2

  • Box 5, folder 8
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Notes 3

  • Box 5, folder 9
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CORRESPONDENCE

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by sender's last name and chronologically thereunder.

A-N

A

  • Box 6, folder 1
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B

  • Box 6, folder 2
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C

  • Box 6, folder 3
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D

  • Box 6, folder 4
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E

  • Box 6, folder 5
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F

  • Box 6, folder 6
To top

G

  • Box 6, folder 7
To top

H

  • Box 6, folder 8
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I

  • Box 6, folder 9
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J

  • Box 6, folder 10
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K

  • Box 6, folder 11
To top

L

  • Box 6, folder 12
To top

M

  • Box 6, folder 13
To top

N

  • Box 6, folder 14
To top

0-Y

O

  • Box 7, folder 1
To top

P

  • Box 7, folder 2
To top

Caleb Powers, December 1906

  • Box 7, folder 3
To top

Caleb Powers, June-August 1907

  • Box 7, folder 4
To top

Caleb Powers, October-November 1907

  • Box 7, folder 5
To top

Caleb Powers, 1908

  • Box 7, folder 6
To top

Caleb Powers, undated

  • Box 7, folder 7
To top

R

  • Box 7, folder 8
To top

S

  • Box 7, folder 9
To top

T-U

  • Box 7, folder 10
To top

W

  • Box 7, folder 11
To top

Samuel Wilson

  • Box 7, folder 12
To top

Y

  • Box 7, folder 13
To top

POST-TRIAL AND MISCELLANEOUS, 1900-1941

Scope and Contents note

This section includes materials from the period following Powers' fourth trial, as well as a few miscellaneous materials relating to all of his trials.

Petitions for the Pardon of Caleb Powers, 1908

  • Box 8, folder 1
To top

Brief prepared for the Petition Committee of Georgetown, Ky. by Caleb Powers, March 18, 1908

  • Box 8, folder 2
To top

Newspaper Clippings, 1900-1908

  • Box 8, folder 3
To top

The Master Detective, September 1931 and October 1931

  • Box 8, folder 4
To top

Correspondence, 1911-1941

  • Box 8, folder 5
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Kentucky Court of Appeals: Caleb Powers, appellant versus the Commonwealth of Kentucky, appellee. Brief for appellant. Copy 1

  • Box 8, folder 6
To top

Kentucky Court of Appeals: Caleb Powers, appellant versus the Commonwealth of Kentucky, appellee. Brief for appellant. Copy 2

  • Box 8, folder 7
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Kentucky Court of Appeals: Caleb Powers, appellant versus the Commonwealth of Kentucky, appellee. Brief for appellant. Copy 3

  • Box 8, folder 8
To top

ELECTION RESULTS AND NEWSPAPERS, 1900-1908

ELECTION RESULTS, 1900-1907

Statement of the Official Vote of Kentucky, The Morning Democrat, Supplement, Saturday, December 29, 1900.

  • Box 9, item 1
To top

Statement of the Official Vote of Kentucky, The Morning Democrat, Supplement, Saturday, December 19, 1903.

  • Box 9, item 2
To top

Statement of Official Vote of Kentucky, The Morning Democrat, Supplement, Wednesday, December 14, 1904.

  • Box 9, item 3
To top

Election Results, Grant County, Kentucky, November 21, 1907.

  • Box 9, item 4
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MISCELLANEOUS NEWSPAPER SECTIONS, 1903-1939

Powers, Caleb. "Caleb Powers' Plea for Justice." Lexington Leader, August 30, 1903, Sunday Morning: Second Section 1-6. copy 1

  • Box 9, item 5
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Powers, Caleb. "Caleb Powers' Plea for Justice." Lexington Leader, August 30, 1903, Sunday Morning: Second Section 1-6. copy 2

  • Box 9, item 6
To top

The Farmer's Equity Journal, Saturday, May 2, 1908.

  • Box 9, item 7
To top

"The Last Word on Goebel's Deathbed" by Richard Rennelsen - review of "The First New Dealer, William Goeble" by Urey Woodson. (from Courier-Journal, June 6, 1939)

  • Box 9, item 8
To top

BOUND NEWSPAPER, 1907-1908

Lexington Leader, November 10, 1907 - January 5, 1908.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.