Charles Kincaid Trial: 1891

The trouble began when Kincaid published an article exposing Taulbee's extramarital affair with a young woman who worked at the U.S. Patent Office. As described within the modesty of the times, the pair was found "in a compromising way," they held "sweet communion for half an hour before going to plebeian Monday lunch," and the two "were rather warmer than they were proper." The story first appeared in the Washington papers and was reprinted in the Louisville press and the New York Morning Journal. As a result, Taulbee's personal and professional life was destroyed. His wife of 17 years left him, and the congressman didn't even bother to seek reelection; instead, he remained in Washington, D.C., to practice law.

Taulbee blamed all of his problems on Kincaid and his hatred steadily grew. The two frequently crossed paths and, each time, there was a confrontation where Taulbee got the better of Kincaid. Taulbee was six feet two inches tall, strong, and in great physical condition. In contrast, Kincaid was short and in terrible health. Born with an eye defect (astigmatism) that narrowed his vision, the correspondent also had a tumor on one eyelid and since 1885 he nearly died twice from attacks of typhoid from which he never fully recovered. He also had liver and digestive problems that his doctors said were due to stress. The reporter tried his best to avoid his tormentor, but it was Kincaid's job to be at the Capitol to interview politicians, lobbyists, and other newsmakers, and Taulbee was frequently there to chat with old friends and acquaintances. Sometimes, the ex-representative even lay in wait to intercept his victim.

For example, Taulbee once tossed Kincaid across a hallway. On other occasions, the former congressman dashed the correspondent against an iron railing and jammed Kincaid against the door of a streetcar. When the two were in an elevator, Taulbee slammed his heel down on the reporter's foot and held it there while his victim screamed in pain. The ex-representative once cornered Kincaid and said, "I ought to cut your throat." The reporter also received warnings from friends and politicians that Taulbee threatened to kill him and had gone to the Capitol's Press Gallery in search of his prey. Every time he met the former congressman, Kincaid did not have the physical strength to resist and he offered apologies in the hope that the attacks would lessen. But it was to no avail. In February 1890, tragedy struck.