The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-22
A Wealthy Citizen Of Brooklyn, Brother Of
Ex-Assemblyman Goodrich, Found
Shot Through the Head.
WAS IT MURDER OR SUICIDE ?
A Gold Watch, Chain and Pooketbook Stolen
from the Person Of Deceased-Singulsr
Efforts to Lend the Semblance Of
Self-Destr uction to the Body.

detectives and the most incisive and penetrative
powers Of the Coroner to dlspeL The great question
to be kept in view by these of1cials OF the law,
upon whose perspicuity so much depends in
fathoming the AFFAIR, is, "Was 1t murder or sui
eide r That is the question to be solved. Theories
are sngulary strong bearing upon either
version; but the burden OF proof lies with
the authorities. The facts a4e, In BRIEF
these:-A gentleman OF wealth and steady
habits residing in a brown stone dwelling in q
thnly settled neghborho0d ON the hillside, the
western sloping OF Prospect Park, on Degraw
street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues was found
lying on the floor OF the front basement OF his resi-
dence, with
BULLET HOLE THROUGH HIS LEFT TEMPLE
and a deep scar on his right eyebrow. The window
OF the rear basement (the kitchen) was broken, so
as to admit the entrance Of hand to shove back
the catch which fastened the sash. A jack-knife
was also found In the room, and towel which had
been rinsed for the evident purpose Of Oblit-
Grating the stains OF blood which were, however,
plainly visible The watch, chain and p0cketbOok
OF deceased were missing and the beliefs that they
were stolen. thorough search OF the domicile
from cellar to attic failed to elicit any further EVIL
dence Of robbery. Nothing was disturbed nor
was there the slightest indication OF q struggle
having taken place on the premises.
THE MYSTERY WAS DEVELOPED
in this manner: Ex-Assemblyman William W. Good
rich, the leader OF the liberal movement in Kings
county during the late campaign, visited Police
Headquarters corner OF Livingston and Court
streets, about ten O'Clock yesterday morning, and
informed the authorities that Charles Goodrich his
brother, was lying dead in an unoccupied house,
and believed that he had been murdered Ser
geant Van Wagner and Detectives Folk and Videtto
at once repaired to the house, where Cap
toin
already installed searching for clew to
che mystery. When the representative
OF the HERALD arrived, which was early in the
forenoon, he found the body OF deceased, man
about 1--WE feet eight inches, attired in suit of
black, lying on the brightly carpeted floor Of the
well furnished basement. The head was reposing
on the legs Of pair Of boots,
THE BODY LYING ON ITS BACK,
about two 1eet from the mantelpiece, the feet
toward the door leading to the hall. Over the
right eyebrow was . cut, such as might have been
dealt by the blow Of heavy instrument, but,
strange to say, there were no blood stains on that
side OF the face. On the left temple. In the rear
part, was bullet hole. The blood on this side was
deep and clOtted. thick cl0r Of the life fluid
also stained the white marble hearthstone, and
this stain must have been made by the
| blood which flowed from the incislon on
| the left eyebrow. The hands were stretched down
straight by the sides as carefully as though the
remains had been regularly laid out by an under
taker BY the side OF the right hand was
Of the Ethan Allen pattern 10 seven.shooter) with
three chambers discharged. There was just one
slight splash Of blood on the lower part Of the
the sprinkling Of the blood from the wound over
the right eye, supposing him to have been struck
Of the deceased, who was seated near the head of
The unfortunate man. said that he felt confident
MURDERED IN THAT HOUSE,
| and that robbery was the object, as his geld
watch "a very valuable ene), chain and pOcketbOok
deceased had with him. but he did not think 1t was
any very large amount. He (Mr. W. w. G00drich)
stated that he had called to see his brother on
Wednesday morning, upon which occasion he took
with MIN little can. He rang the bell and knocked
at the door, but, receiving no answer, concluded
departure, and did not return until yesterday
morning shortly before nine O'Clock. The can
was unable to gain admission to the house. He
then repaired to the residence OF Mr.. Potter, .
gsas N ns P who had the
along the r:Sl g he seSttis u eie sl0tSsfs pi.cs
down the ladder leading from the roof at the foot
OF which is door. The door being locked from the
MT hurst 1pen the ns and
the third floor. He then repaired through each
room, finding the doors all open, but
| NO PRESENCE OF LIFE.
| Reaching the basement hall he tried the handle
I OF the front apartment. 1t was locked, Cropping
|
open the door leading to the rear yard. The win.
dow was next opened. The window pane had evil
suficient space to admit Of the Introduction Of o
hand to remove the fastening. knife had also
been used, doubtless before the glass was broken,
But t. 80 W ~ -- ''''' '''' '''"'
THE FULL HORROR OF THIS SCENE
did not burst upon him until he opened the door
which divided the front and rear basements in the
former Of which lay the murdered remains of his
OF age, was q lumber merchant formerly OF Albany,
but Tor the past five years resident Of New York.
He had been married but was q widower. Some
money In the purchase OF real estate, and last sum-
mer erected six three story and basement brown
bleak locality in Winter but charmingly elevated
place Tor Summer residence. The house in which he
met his death, according to the statement OF his
and had furnished IL for the occupancy OF gentle.
man and family who were about to take up their
residence there few days hence. Deceased was
NOT GIVEN TO MELANCHOLY
or dependency, nor had he any financial troubles,
as far can be ascertaned. While stopping in
this house-No. 731 Degraw street.-the had been in
the habit OF eating his meals out, or bringing a
lunch with him I'M. He slept in the mont room, on
and reansnsns tie s0r SIDE a's his '% Ssd'
open desk. the upper part Of which was
flied with books The theory Of one Of the oficers
upon the bed, and hearing q noise in the basement
proceeded. pistol in hand to investigate It. He was
struck on the temple and then shot The blood
from the latter wound was washed away and the
pistol placed BY the right hand
TO LEND THE APPEARANCE OF SUICIDE.
wet towel, above men Toned, bearing marks Of
blood, gives strength to this theory. Beneath the
sink was found a copy OF the fourth edition OF the
Eagle OF Thursday last. The paper In question was
saturated with water.
Coroner Whitehill visited the house during the
forenoon, examined the wound and expressed his
inability TO give any decided opinion to the
problem. He has empaneed the following dis
tinguished jury, and Is determined upon arriving
ultimately 1t
THE MOST NTELLIGENT VERDICT PRACTICABLE:
Alderman N. T. Richardson, ex-Alderman ID. D.
| whitney. .. b. Chittenden, Congressman Thomas
| Kinsela, Henry Z. Bowen, supervisor at Large
william Il. OSBORN, John b. R0lph, George Powers
| ID. A. Robbins and Robert Spears. the inquest IL
set down to be held at two O'Clock tomorrow after
noon.
WAS 1T SUTCIDEf
Mrs. Fletcher, q lady residing on Degraw street