The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-23
THE GOODRICH MYSTERY.
BrOOklyn'S Latest Sensation ---HOw Did
the Man Come by His Death?
The Detectives Hold to the Theory Of Suicide
The Coroner. Contends That Deceased
Was Murdered-what Medical
Men Say Pro and Con.

The topic uppermost in the mind Of the Brooklyn
community yesterday was the unaccountable and
mysterious manner OF the taking or Of Charles
Goodrich, the widower, who was found on Friday
morning lying dead with three bullets in his head,
in the front basement OF his house, 731 Degraw
street, near Fifth avenue, BROOKLYN "Was Mr..
Goodrich murdered or did he commit suicide H''
was query propounded on all sides.
'If you knew as much about the case as could
tell you, were at liberty to do So" remarked one
Of the detectives, 'you would be satisfied that 1t is
suicide and not murder"
There was no murder committed at all: am
satisfied on that score" remarked another de-
tective.
ton. He has visited the house and examined the
body and the premises twice.
The Coroner said FL am of the firm opinion,
from what observed and learn thus far, that
HE WAS MURDERED IN THAT HOUSE.
What other conclusion can one arrive at when he
considers that there were three shots discharged
into the mans head2 Just imagine for moment
how could he have had the ne rvous power to fire
Off the pistol three times and lodge each shot in
his head, two of the bullets crossing the brain
transversely and the other ball unfolding itself
in the skull. The balls were found by the ply
sicians, Drs. Shepard and SpeIr, who made
the post-mortem examination. My opinion
is that Goodrich heard the noise made by the
breaking OF the rear basement window pane, and
| upon coming down stairs to what 1t meant he
| was struck on the forehead, which would account
for the wound on the right eyebrow. This blow
would have stunned him. and then 1t would have
the pistol from his hand and discharged the three
bullets which were discovered IN deceased. There
were four chambers in all fired Off from the pistol
Then the blood could have Deen washed from
THE CUT ON THE FOREHEAD,
the body laid on the back, the pistol placed by the
right and semblance of suicide given to the case
The inquest VIII probably be held about Thursday
next when we will be able to reach the TRUTH
Deputy Coroner Lynch stated that q son OF Alder
man Richardson had recognized Mr.. Charles GsOd-
! rich, to whom he nodded in friendly manner
driver of the car also saw deceased and these wit
nesses will be Forthcoming at the inquest. This is
within eleven hours OF the discovery Of his CHASTITY
remains by his brother ex-Assemblyman W. W.
Though few currency stamps were found in the
pockets OF Tue dead Iian, w., a;s watch, pocketbook
and valuable ring are missing Thep. .a.'cr o'r-
cu Tnssa "a S support the robbery theory
The subject, rather evaded direct answers to the
Raairss He did say, however, that he was a IN
warrant his making them known without interior
ing with the ends Of Justice, would be OF
A STARTLING CHARACTER.
The Chief had heard the story givensise to by
Of the newspapers, alleging that u wsman had re-
Gently been heard crying murder ~ while in dis
pute with deceased, but he did not give any Gre
dence to it, There were no revelations made
yesterday, at all events, which led to the POSSIBLE
ity Of the arrest Of anybody on suspicion OF being
implicated in the murder or robbery of Charles
| Goodrich.
WHEN DOCTORS DISAGREE.
Opinions among medical men as to whether de-
| ceased-whO was u slight built man. certainly not
OF strong nervous power-could possibly have shot
! left ear then behind the right ear, are divided.
| Seine say 1t is possible for man to retain con-
seriousness and nervous power sufficient to innict
murdered, as either of the two balls which ira
bility erectually to have obviated the posi-
bility Of controlling the nerves SO as to inhict the
| WAS THERE WOMAN THE CASEY
Rumor has it that up to within a few weeks ago
woman resided near deceased, and that he was
| upon terms OF acquaintanCeship with her. Upon
one occasion their voices were heard quar-
relling loudly, and she, it is said, cried,
was the trouble between them. Mrs. Fletcher, a
lady who lives on Degraw street. near Fifth avenue,
Charles Goodrich during his absence. These epis-
ties came written in female style of chrography.
On "Wednesday last she received such missiye and
letter and remarked ii am tired Of this, and
the 'f people living in that spsrsely bull
in the house, being in
| front room above the paror n0or the other on
the third door, back. No clothing or wearing ap.
parel OF any description was found on the premises
| other than his own however.
THE FUNERAL
| The body Of deceased was handsomely coflined by
| an undertaken yesterday and removed to the man
sion OF Mr.. w. w. Goodrich, on Cumberland street,
opposite Fort Green. Here the funeral services
| viii take place at three O'Clock this afternoon. On
| Monday the remains will be taken to Albany. his
former place Of residence, where they will be in
| TERED In the family burying ground.
mur rourp Hupnpprp