Lexington history: A political dispute turned deadly for two city leaders in 1889

Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.

In 1889, a political dispute between two Lexington leaders turned deadly.

Col. A.M. Swope and Col. William Cassius Goodloe were leaders within the Republican Party in Kentucky. Both of the men had national reputations, and fought in the Union during the Civil War. Both had earned the rank of colonel.

Swope had been the Internal Revenue Collector for the district. Goodloe had been a state senator and the minister to Belgium, then moved into the role of Internal Revenue Collector.

The dispute between them began in 1888 during the Kentucky Republican Convention. As the party leaders moved to nominate delegates to the national convention, the two men backed different candidates. Swope supported Sen. John Sherman as the Republican presidential candidate, while Goodloe supported Benjamin Harrison.

Debate between the two sides rose to a heated level, including personal insults. Swope and Goodloe’s arguing rose to such a level of animosity that others at the convention stepped in and convinced the two men to withdraw their insults and shake hands.

But the efforts didn’t fully mend feelings and enmity. The two refused to speak to one another. When Goodloe was appointed Internal Revenue Collector, Swope was infuriated. He’d held the position under President Rutherford Hayes and hoped to return to the position under President Harrison.

On Nov. 8, 1889, the two men ran into each other at the post office. As Swope entered the building to pick up his mail, he blocked Goodloe’s access to his mailbox. Goodloe waited patiently, but Swope struck up a conversation with the mail clerk and continued to block Goodloe’s box.

In some accounts, Goodloe said, “Will you please allow me to get my mail?” In others, he harshly barked, “You obstruct my way!” In either case, Swope ignored him and continued talking.

Goodloe took Swope’s actions as an affront.

“This is the second insult from you!” he said.

The two men confronted each other and drew weapons — Goodloe, his folding clasp knife with a four-inch blade, and Swope, his revolver.

Records indicate Swope fired his gun and hit Goodloe in the stomach. Then he fired again, grazing his shoulder.

In response, Goodloe lunged at Swope, stabbing him in the chest. Swope stumbled, but Goodloe was upon him. Goodloe raised his knife hand again and again, stabbing Swope 12 more times until he lay dead on the floor.

According to news reports, Goodloe stood up, walked out the door of the post office and called out to a passing businessman, “Call a carriage. I am shot clear through. Get me a doctor.” His doctor said, however, the wound to his abdomen was not treatable. Goodloe died two days later, in great pain, at the Phoenix Hotel.

“It is a calamity which Lexington cannot estimate,” the Weekly Leader said. “And at present, she can do naught but sorrow.”

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