Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-08-08
AN EXTRAORDINARY PREACHER.
Boston Herald.1


past few days scandalous statements have
been circulated quite generally in Northboro
and several of the surrounding towns re-.
aecting on the character of Rev. E. A. God
dard, the resident pastor of the Baptist
church here, who has oeen preaching here
some over year, the statements in question
charging him directly with an indecent e1-
posure of his person before several ladies,
both married and single, and also with
throwing kisses at young ladies when on the
street, all these acts occurring in the day.
time. Hearing these stories, Herald rep
| resentative hastened to Northboro this morn
ing for the purpose of investigating the af,
fair, and as q result gained the following
! particulars: Located on the Hudson road,
about half mile from Northboro Centre. is
small house, owned by the family where
Mr.. Goddard has been in the habit of goirR
for the purpose of retirement, recreation,
and study for some time past, the location in
question being on public highway and in
full view of the passers by, and at q point
where many female operatives of the woolen
mills have occasion to travel Here during
| the present summer Mr.. Goddard has been
seen many times enjoying his leisure, both
in the house and about the yard. For some
few weeks past some half dozen woman,
either young or old, have reported to their
families that as they were passing the house,
at different hours of the day, man, whom
they supposed to be Mr.. Goddard, had stood
at one of the windows, in view of the street,
and deliberately exposed his person.
At other times, it is alleged, he has been
seen in the yard of this place waving his
handkerchief, throwing kisses, exclaiming
"by BY" and manifesting other amorous
traits of character when young ladies were
passing. To the ears of the people of North
boro especially all of these statements and
more of the same sort have been coming the
past week, but, being aimed at a religious
teacher who was generally esteemed among
them, being favorite with the young peo-
pie, and of pleasing address, they were more
than could be possibly be believed, those
who knew MI. Goddard best hardly daring
! to breathe of tho suspicion aroused, and, to
| great degree, entertained. Some of the
injured parties even suggested legal prosecu-
ton, but the evidence of positive proof was
so meagre, it happening that none of the in
suited ladies knew him personally, this mode
of retaliation was abandoned. An interview
with these persons to-day, since the confes-
sion, proves that they will institute no legal
proceedings against Goddard, choosing to
let the subject drop.
After spending some two hours in an in
vestigation into the alleged misconduct of
the clergyman, the Herald representative
called IN Mr.. Goddard at his home, stated
his business, and that he felt in honor bound
to ask him for his side of the scandalous
story, which, to the surprise of the former,
was at once given him to the form of full,
free, and ank confession, which was rem
dered in reply to the interrogation as to
whether there was any foundation for the
stories now being circulated about the town,
which implicated himself in certain alleged
improper acts toward ladies. Mr.. Goddard
appeared weighed down with deep trouble as
he slowly commenced his half-hour's con-
fession by saying that, in the main, and
the exception of few exaggerations, the
statements about his indecent exposure we're
true as they had come to US from the lips of
previously interviewed parties. Ever since
he was nine years of age, he said, in sub
stance, passion which he could not wholly
control had taken possession of him, and
now he could not go to God with lie on his
lips: so he had conclued to make full con-
fession of his conduct, which of late had
brought disgrace on the church, on his
family, and on himself. The statements
made relative to the disgraceful transactions
reported to have been performed by him.
we're, according to the testimony from his
wn lips of too true character. Mr.. God
dard said he knew of his imprudence, as re-
ported, and was heartily sorry for it. He
also stated that he should go before his
church and frankly tell them that. owing to
his indecent and disgraceful conduct, he was
no longer fit to remain as their pastor. He
had prayed to God in the past that he might
overcome this evil propensity, but he had at
different times yielded to it. He did not re-
member of his being responsible for some
| of the acts alleged, but could not state posi-
lively that he was not. These and several
other confessions of like nature were made
to the Herald representative. all of which
went to prove the truth of the allegations
made against the minister. The church has
taken no action in the matter as yet. Mr..
Goddard has wife and large family of
promise residing here. and came to North
boro from Palmer.