Preceded by Don C. Edwards Profession Lawyer Preceded by Charles Finley Name Caleb Powers | Political party Republican Party Republican Party Alma mater Valparaiso University Succeeded by John M. Robsion | |
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Born February 1, 1869
Whitley County, Kentucky ( 1869-02-01 ) Died July 25, 1932, Balti, Maryland, United States Books My Own Story: An Account of the Conditions in Kentucky Leading to the Assassination of William Goebel, who was Declared Governor of the State, and My Indictment and Conviction on the Charge of Complicity in His Murder Education Valparaiso University, United States Military Academy, Centre College | ||
Caleb Powers (February 1, 1869 – July 25, 1932) was a United States Representative from Kentucky and the first Secretary of State of Kentucky convicted as an accessory to murder.
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Early life
He was born near Williamsburg, Kentucky. He attended the public schools, Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky, the University of Kentucky at Lexington, Kentucky and Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He graduated from the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business Institute (now known as Valparaiso University) in Valparaiso, Indiana and attended the United States Military Academy in 1890 and 1891.
Powers studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1894 and commenced practice at Barbourville, Kentucky. He was the superintendent of public schools for Knox County, Kentucky 1894-1899. He was elected secretary of state of Kentucky in 1899 but was unseated after a contest.
Assassination of William Goebel
Powers was convicted of complicity in the assassination of Governor William Goebel in 1900. The prosecution charged that Powers was the mastermind, having a political opponent killed so that his boss, Governor William S. Taylor, could stay in office. Among his attorneys was R. C. O. Benjamin. He was sentenced to prison. An appeals court overturned Powers' conviction, though Powers was tried three more times, resulting in two convictions and a hung jury. Governor Augustus E. Willson pardoned Powers in 1908. Powers had served eight years in jail. While in prison, Powers authored the 1905 book My Own Story.
Congress and later life
After leaving prison, Powers was elected as a Republican to the 62nd and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1919) but was not a candidate for renomination in 1918. He served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912 and moved to Washington, D.C., and served as assistant counsel for the United States Shipping Board from 1921 until his death in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1932. He was buried in City Cemetery, Barbourville, Kentucky.
Caleb Powers married Laura Rawlings in January 1896 and she died six months later. He was survived by his second wife, Dorothy. He had one daughter, named Elsie.