William Goebel had been elected as the 34th Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the disputed gubernatorial election of 1899. On January 30, 1900, the day before he was to be sworn in, Goebel was shot multiple times from the nearby State Building as he walked across the Old State Capitol in Frankfurt. One bullet struck him in his chest, wounding him gravely. The following day, while lying on his deathbed, Goebel was sworn in as Governor. He died four days later, on February 3, 1900.

Several people were charged in connection with the politically motivated murder resulting from Goebel’s controversial election as Governor. All, however, were either acquitted or pardoned, and his assassin remains unidentified.

Governor William Goebel

A Drawing Of The Assassination

Published In Harper’s Weekly

William Goebel is the only state governor in United States history to be assassinated while in office. 

An Unfortunate Distinction

The spot where Governor William Goebel was shot is marked at the Old State Capitol in Frankfurt. It is a sad but unique and largely unknown locale of American history.

I learned of the incident and visited the locale while traveling through the beautiful Bluegrass state several years ago.

Me Visiting The Historic Site

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6865289/william-justus-goebel#

SOUCRES:

• Kentucky—It’s History and Heritage