"He (Gov. W. S. Taylor) pardoned today Caleb Powers, John W. Davis, John L. Powers, Charles Finley & William H. Culton charged in a warrant with the crime of aiding & assisting in the murder of William Goebel in Franklin County, Ky., on ----- day of March 1900 and as an accomplice in and accessory to said crime, and conspiring to commit same, and says knowing that said charge and warrant is the result of a political conspiracy to terrorize and oppress for political purposes, and also believing implicitly in the absolute innocence of said Caleb Powers, John L. Powers, Charles Finley, and William H. Culton, but realizing that as the courts are now organized, said Caleb Powers, John L. Powers, Charles Finley, and William H. Culton will be denied a fair trial. Pardon is granted."
Signed: W. S. Taylor, Governor of Kentucky
