Taulbee was a son of William Harrison Taulbee (1824–1905) and his wife, Mary Ann Wilson (1831–1916). Born near Mount Sterling, in Morgan County, Kentucky, Taulbee attended the common schools and was tutored by his father. He was ordained for the ministry and admitted to the Kentucky conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He studied law and was elected clerk of the Magoffin County Court in 1878 and reelected in 1882.
During his tenure, he became embroiled in a long-running dispute with a Kentucky journalist, Charles Kincaid, who wrote a series of articles accusing Taulbee of profiting from his congressional service. The relationship between the two men hit a breaking point in December 1887, when Kincaid published in the Louisville Times newspaper a salacious account of an affair the congressman was alleged to be having with a young government employee.[1] The ensuing scandal led to Taulbee's decision not to seek another term. He left office in March 1889 and became a lobbyist, frequently visiting former colleagues in the Capitol Building.[1]
During his visits to the Capitol, Taulbee and Kincaid sometime crossed paths. The two men detested one another, and Taulbee, a much larger man than Kincaid, was known to harass the reporter. Tensions boiled over on February 28, 1890, when Taulbee and Kincaid encountered one another on the second floor of the Capitol outside the House floor. Witnesses said the two exchanged harsh insults before Taulbee grabbed the shirt collar of Kincaid and threw him backwards. Taulbee went about his business as Kincaid ran home to get his pistol.[1]
Later that day, Kincaid was descending the staircase on the House side of the Capitol when he saw Taulbee below him. As Taulbee approached, Kincaid pointed the pistol directly at Taulbee and shot him in the face. Taulbee fell onto the steps, bleeding profusely. When the police arrived, Kincaid admitted that he had fired the shot.[1]
Death and aftermathedit
Taulbee lingered for 11 days before he died from the effects of his wounds at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. on March 11, 1890.[2] He was interred in the family burying ground near Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Blood stains from his wounds are still visible on the staircase in the Capitol Building where he was shot.[1]
Kincaid was charged with murder. His defense team was led by U.S. Senator Daniel Voorhees of Indiana and the trial became a national sensation. After numerous delays, the trial began in March 1891, a year after Taulbee's death.[citation needed] Kincaid pleaded self-defense.[citation needed] On April 8, 1891, the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty."[citation needed]
McAfee, John J. (1886). Kentucky politicians : sketches of representative Corncrackers and other miscellany. Louisville, Kentucky: Press of the Courier-Journal job printing company. pp. 149–152.
^ abcdeOverby, Peter (February 19, 2007). "A Historic Killing in the Capitol Building". NPR.
^"The death of Congressman William Taulbee on the steps of the U.S. Capitol". History, Art & Archives: United States House of Representatives. Office of the Historian. February 28, 1890.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
April 12, 2024
william, taulbee, william, preston, taulbee, october, 1851, march, 1890, representative, from, kentucky, member, house, representatives, from, kentucky, 10th, districtin, office, march, 1885, march, 1889preceded, byjohn, whitesucceeded, byjohn, henry, wilsonpe. William Preston Taulbee October 22 1851 March 11 1890 was a U S Representative from Kentucky William P TaulbeeMember of the U S House of Representatives from Kentucky s 10th districtIn office March 4 1885 March 3 1889Preceded byJohn D WhiteSucceeded byJohn Henry WilsonPersonal detailsBorn 1851 10 22 October 22 1851Morgan County KentuckyDiedMarch 11 1890 1890 03 11 aged 38 Washington D C Political partyDemocraticChildren5 sonsProfessionLawyerWilliam Preston Taulbee circa 1890 Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Congress 3 Death and aftermath 4 References 5 External linksEarly life and education editTaulbee was a son of William Harrison Taulbee 1824 1905 and his wife Mary Ann Wilson 1831 1916 Born near Mount Sterling in Morgan County Kentucky Taulbee attended the common schools and was tutored by his father He was ordained for the ministry and admitted to the Kentucky conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South He studied law and was elected clerk of the Magoffin County Court in 1878 and reelected in 1882 Congress editIn 1884 Taulbee ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives He was elected as a Democrat and served two terms winning re election in 1886 During his tenure he became embroiled in a long running dispute with a Kentucky journalist Charles Kincaid who wrote a series of articles accusing Taulbee of profiting from his congressional service The relationship between the two men hit a breaking point in December 1887 when Kincaid published in the Louisville Times newspaper a salacious account of an affair the congressman was alleged to be having with a young government employee 1 The ensuing scandal led to Taulbee s decision not to seek another term He left office in March 1889 and became a lobbyist frequently visiting former colleagues in the Capitol Building 1 During his visits to the Capitol Taulbee and Kincaid sometime crossed paths The two men detested one another and Taulbee a much larger man than Kincaid was known to harass the reporter Tensions boiled over on February 28 1890 when Taulbee and Kincaid encountered one another on the second floor of the Capitol outside the House floor Witnesses said the two exchanged harsh insults before Taulbee grabbed the shirt collar of Kincaid and threw him backwards Taulbee went about his business as Kincaid ran home to get his pistol 1 Later that day Kincaid was descending the staircase on the House side of the Capitol when he saw Taulbee below him As Taulbee approached Kincaid pointed the pistol directly at Taulbee and shot him in the face Taulbee fell onto the steps bleeding profusely When the police arrived Kincaid admitted that he had fired the shot 1 Death and aftermath editTaulbee lingered for 11 days before he died from the effects of his wounds at Providence Hospital in Washington D C on March 11 1890 2 He was interred in the family burying ground near Mount Sterling Kentucky Blood stains from his wounds are still visible on the staircase in the Capitol Building where he was shot 1 Kincaid was charged with murder His defense team was led by U S Senator Daniel Voorhees of Indiana and the trial became a national sensation After numerous delays the trial began in March 1891 a year after Taulbee s death citation needed Kincaid pleaded self defense citation needed On April 8 1891 the jury returned a verdict of not guilty citation needed References editUnited States Congress William P Taulbee id T000055 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress McAfee John J 1886 Kentucky politicians sketches of representative Corncrackers and other miscellany Louisville Kentucky Press of the Courier Journal job printing company pp 149 152 a b c d e Overby Peter February 19 2007 A Historic Killing in the Capitol Building NPR The death of Congressman William Taulbee on the steps of the U S Capitol History Art amp Archives United States House of Representatives Office of the Historian February 28 1890 External links editNPR A Historic Murder in the Capitol BuildingU S House of RepresentativesPreceded byJohn White U S Congressman Kentucky 10th District1885 1889 Succeeded byJohn Henry Wilson Kentucky nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William P Taulbee amp oldid 1197603398, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
