The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-16
IA DESCENDANT OF THE PILGRIMS.
Her Education, Occupations, Peculiari-
Ties and Insanity.
GRIEF OF HER MOTHER And FATHER.
Full Particulars Of the Career Of the Muir.
deFeSs Of Charles Goodrich.

murderess Of Mr.. Goodrich, in BROOKLYN, was a
native, and during her early life resident OF
Plymouth. Although the stories OF the singular
tragedy had been read and commented upon here
no one could connect the name Of Kate Stoddard
with the youthful and handsome Betsey King
who, until few years ago, was not
only the belle, but the model OF propriety,
OF the whole town. Last night the evening papers
received by the late train furnished the rst rumors
that Kate Stoddard and Betsey King were one ana
the same person, and this morning the story was
confirmed. AS may be expected
PUBLIC RxCTENBNT AND VILLAGE GOSSIP
run high and 1t has increased rather than abated
ever since. "Who would have thought that she
would have committed murderl' and al cannot
believe it' are samples OF the expression OF
establishment and doubt heard In oil quarters. 1t
was true that she had not been in Plymouth much
during the last five or six years. but still she was
remembered as an innocent harmless and quaint
little girl, and the very last one who would have
committed such terrible crime as the one she
has 80 recently and fully confessed. Her parents
are both living and are among the most respect
able and honOred citizens OF the town, and,
rs may be expected, this terrible affiic-
iion has almost driven them to distraction.
The mother was not aware OF the terrible
tragedy in which her daughter had acted so promi-
nent part until about the moment she was Wis
ited by HERALD reporter this afternoon, and the
father, who was absent from the town during the
day. did not learn OF his terrible aliction until this
evening. Last night, when the news was first re-
ceved, or two OF the neighbors called upon the
Jamilp, but they were SO happy and cheerful that
none had The heart to break to them
THE TERRIBLE NEWS
that their daughter Betsey HAD committed the
highest crime known 10 the laws-one which
may send her to felons cel for life, or cause her
10 eXpiate it upon the scarold.
81 can't tell her the the awful news: il ! do
can never forgive myself for It," said an elderly
lady 10 your reporter, with tears in her eyes,
: But" she added, 1.-THE poor woman ought to
know it." Mrs. Keith, an old friend Of the family,
Ut length volunteered to perform the dsagreeable
service, and few moments after the sad
news had been broken Your Correspondent
called upon Mrs, King at her neat and tidy resi-
dence In little court of Summer street. Tle
poor woman, who had been before suffering the
tortures OF neuralgia in the head was now nearly
crazed. Her grief was not OF the spasmodic kind,
nearly broken, that her cup OF sorrow was fun.
she was reclining upon sofa. and her countenance
@ to- w fSl a t nna
and even the mingled grief ana sympathy of q
couple OF her sisters and some OF her old neghbors
Jailed to anord her any comfort.
''Oh, my poor Betsey my poor Betsey ~ was all
that She would say, and then she would give way
IN sOBs AND TRARs,
but In agonizing groans Of the most narrowing
was at this time absent and ignorant of the terri
BILE event which has destroyed the peace and hap
piness OF his remaining life.
'.Tnere appears to be great deal of sympathy
for your daughter IN New York; remarked, land
there Is very general impression that she COM
united the act while In tit OF insanity"
"Oh, know she must have been crazy. would
rather have heard OF her death than to know that
she would do anything wrong II she knew it.
can't talk about It now but you please tell me all
about her. My eyes and my head pain me so
can't read hardly q wOrd.n
THE STORY TOLD THE MOTHER.
In compliance with the poor w9man's request,
Of the to ts hto o Of whcn as
cned with an interest that was really painful to
witness. Once in a while she would interrupt
with an inquiry, being very particular TO know If
1t was possible that the unfortunate girl was in her
right mind when she committed the bloody deed.
her ~ insane seemed to afford the heart6roEen
mother great sa tislaction.
In response to inquiry concerning the story
OF Betsey having formerly been in an insane asy-
lum, Mrs. King said that she once In the Taun-
on ms ION 2r s non pus sne
0J her neighbors, who was familiar with the Cir
eumstances. The heart-broken woman seemed TO
desire solitude In her great afficton and all her
sympathizing friends withdrew except her two sis
tiers, who remained until late in the afternoon.
THE FATHER HEARS 1T.
Mr.. King, when he arrived home this evening,
learned for the first time the terrible OF his
daughters crime, which has been the uppermOst
reluctant to believe 1t at frst. but when he finally
realized the terrible facts he gave way entirely,
and all efforts to administer comfort were in vain.
IL ia probable that he Will visit his daughter in the
course OF q few days.
mlity OF her parents and her liberal education
have all been alluded TO in the HERALD, but your
schoolmates, has been able to gather many adj
slitiona facts concerning the early Lie and career
Of this most remarkable criminal. She was born
here In Plymouth, and was her father and
mother before her. and she may, therefore, be con-
sidered az pretty direct descendant OF the little
band VINO
CANE OVER ON THE NAY FLOWER
two or three centuries ago; She is the youngest
being married to a Mr.. Bartlett worthy citizen
Of Hyde Park, Mass. II was her sister and not
Betsy who taught school here In Plymouth county
although Betsy Is said to possess a far superior
education. She is a graduate OF the High School,
and during her tuition she was particularly cele
brated as writer some Of her compositions are
said TO have had touch and elegance and shown
= depth Of thought and study, which attracted uni
remarkably apt and her proficiency siten excited
the envy and Jealousy OF her school mates. While
her father and mother are firm and enthusiastic
FOLLOWERS TIRE SECOND ADVENT.
The two daughters were always devoted Baptsts
and Betsy was particularly regular and earnest in
her Sabbath school attendance. In personal ap-
pearance she was always very attractive. nature
supplying those rare charms which the most ac-
COmpished millinery and dressmaker could not
embelIish. One OF her old school mates described
her 10 your reporter as ''real sweet, full, round
graceful form, auburn hair and altogether
the best looking one In the family" There was
always something about her that was different
from other girls. and her associates. knowing her
little whims, used TO crafty them. Her parents,
too, we're very indugent with her and always al.
lowed the utmost freedom In everything. At
school she was more fearless than most scholars,
and II she did not commit any very serious breach
Of the rules 1t was not because she feared the
sequences. While she was clever she was still
SLY AND ARTFUL.
Perhaps to say that she was ''odd" best describes
her character during her school day career. One
day she would be all milk and honey with some OF
the scholars and the next day she woudnt notice
them. She didn't seem to care particularly for
the society OF gentlemen, so lar az any one IN
her sweethearts n she had any. and IL Is more
than likely that the burning passion was never
fully developed until she left her home some six or
seven years ago. The circumstances or
HER FIRST GOING AWAY
ere IN keeping with her singular and characteristic
conduct ever since. one day she suddenly took 1t
into her head to go to Boston, and when she de-