The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-25
SHOOTING AFFAIR.
John Goddard Deliberately Shoots
Charles Lambert,

Last evening just before o'clock crowd of
men was standing 10 front of Lambs cigar
store on Federal street, when suddenly shot
was heard and the word spread over the city
that John Goddard had shot a man named
Charles Lambert. Some one ran to the police
station and notified Deputy Black of the affair
and he detailed officers Hicks and Pickett to
arrest Goddard. The officers passed down Ex-
change street to Federal street, where they met
Goddard and arrested him. He was searched
and on his person was found five barrel Colts
he was arrested. He told the officers that he
had shot man, but who it was be did not
know. He said that he meant to kill him, and
he hoped to God he had. "If he is not dead it
is not my fault, he said in reply to question.
He said that the crowd had tried to rob him
and he shot at them.
Charles Lambert the man shot, is brother
in-law of James M. Cobb He came to the
station, and his wound, very slight one, was
examined He said that he was standing in
crowd with several others, when Goddard
drew a revolver and fired into the crowd hit
ting him. The shot struck his suspender but
ton and glanced off, making slight skin
wound, and the shot fell down in his boot. But
for the button the shot would probably have re-
suited fatally. He said Goddard was talking
about some one abusing his dog but he did not
know whom he meant.
A gentleman who does business on Federal
street says that the crowd gathered first in
front of James Cobb's shop, 112, opposite where
the shot was fired. They talked quite loudly
there, and after little while crossed over.
Goddard was then seen to take out a revolver
and say 81 showed this revolver before, but the
next time will do something more than show
it." In a few moments after this remark the
shot was heard and the crowd dispersed.
Some one else says that Goddard was talking
with one man about kicking his dog, and went
to shoot him and struck another man who was
taking no part in the controversy other than
standing in the crowd.
Still another person who claims to have seen
the affair, said that Col A. W. Bradbury, who
was in the crowd, was talking Catholicism to
Goddard. when suddenly he seized his revolver
and cried, "Your are q id Catholic and
fred The shot missed Col. Bradbury, whom 1t
was aimed at, and struck Lambert.
About two hours after the affair Goddard
was visited in the cell room and asked his YER
sion of the affair. Pointing to his little dog by
his side he said, "That dog is the cause of the
whole trouble. was up town talking with
some men when one of them kicked the dog. I
love that dog as love my life, and told him to
stop kicking him. He said he would kick him
as much as he chose, and said you kick that
dog this again, id your soul will shoot
you AT and he kicked the dog again, and l
slapped my hand into my hip pocket and tax
ing aim fred and he fell I meant to shoot
because said 1 would. know now it was
foolish thing to give myself away, but would
as soon die as have my dog injured. I made no
attempt to escape, but gave myself up when I
met the officers. suppose people will say
We'll, John was drunk, and shot man. I
was not drunk no more than I am now. The
most unfortunate part Of the affair is that 1
have an engagement at a euchre party, and be-
ing locked up here will prevent my going.'
He appeared rather excited, but not drunk,
and talked freely. He asked the interrosator if
he would not have done just so if his dog had
been thus assaulted. He sent word to w. w.
Thomas, Jr, his counsel, to come and bail him
out. but Mr.. Thomas did not respond, and God
dard passed the night in the station.
He will be taken before the Municipal Court
this morning, charged with assault with intent
to kill.