The New York herald., 1879-09-23
Trial for the Murder Of
Jennie P. Clarke.
DETAILS OF A REVOLVING CRIME.
Dramatic Recital by the Nurse of the
Unfortunate Girl.
A STORY OF CONFIDENCE AND BETRAYAL.
[sY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. !

On the afternoon of February 27, 1879. a workman
on coal wharf in Lynn discovered a trunk floating
among blocks OF ice in the Saugus River. He sum-
moned assistance and the mysterious trunk
was hauled ashore. 1t found to con-
tain the body of young woman. ter
ribly distorted. the legs and arms twisted
and broken in the packing and the nose entirely
moved from the face. The news spread like wild
hre. The Coroner was summoned and the police
notified, and the whole community was thrown into
. fever of excitement and indignation. For four
months the best detective skill failed to unravel the
mystary of the girls identity. the place where
she met her terrible death, the per-
petrators of the crime. Every supposed clew was
worked to the end by the most experienced Of de-
tsctives and the shrewdest Of newspaper reporters
and the fact appeared probable that the
fortunate victim would have to be laid away
unknown in her lonely grave when the body
was identified as that Of Jennie p. Clarke. of
Boston Highlands who had mysteriously disap-
peared during the latter part of February. and
short time previous to the finding of tho trunk.
Subsequent Investigations confirmed the Clarke
theory and then increased the ardor OF detectives
aud reporters to ferret out the murdorers, but
nearly Ave months elapsed before the welcome event
Of the arrests occurred.
WORK THE DETECTIVES
When the body had been identified that Of
Jennie P. Clarke, Detectives Gerraughty and Hard
ing. Of this city, started to work up the Resd
ing at No. 81 Lagrange street, professedly as
spir4tualistic medium. but really abortionist,
1t the time Of Jennie P. Clarke's death. was
Mrs. Caroline G. Goodrich. whose sign an
nounced her "AIme. Goodrich. clair
voyant." This woman was found to have had
business dealings with certain "Dr." Daniel F.
Kimball formerly of No. 266 fremont street.
While these facts being collected the de-
tectives learned that woman. o nurse by
profession. living at Somerville, was demanding
payment Of 5000 from Nine. Goodrich. With
the knowledge that Mrs. Goodrich was an abor-
honist. and that DR.. Kimball her intimate
friend, . new light seemed breaking in the
case. The nurse was apprehended and taken into
custody. From her obtained the confession that
Jennie p. Clarke came to her house In Somerville,
on the morning Of February 13. having submitted
to an abortion on the previous day. at No 21 La
grange street. which was performed by Mrs. Good
rich. When Jennie arrived in Somerville she was
suffering from o cold and the effects OF the
abortion. and she continued to grow worse until
she died. on February 25 Before she died Jennie
made the statement that her ruin caused by her
former employer. Allen N. Adams. Of the Boston
Highlands; that Adams counselled the procuring of
the abortion and had himself attended to tho pre-
liminaxy arrangements. such - treating with Mime.
Goodrich and DIR. kimball.
The parties were arraigned before the Grand Jury
on the following day and indictments found against
them as follows:-Against Caroline c. Goodrich for
Clarke; against cdr" Daniel Kimball for being &C.
cessory to and aiding and abctting abortion and
against Ellen N. Adams for being accessory before
the fact.
Their trial opened to-day in the Superior Criminal
Court. and some hfty witnesses were sworn for the
government. District Attorney Stevens conducted
the prosecution and William B. Gale appeared for
the accused When Judge Aldrich opened court q
large concourse Of spectators was present. and
about two hundred were turned away by the court
we're brought in carriage from Charles Street jail
whore they have been confined since July Is. Their
appearance was awaited with intense interest. and
when they entered they were of course the centre
Of attraction. Nine. Goodrich attired in
. black velvet bonnet. cashmere shawl and
her eyes were sunken. giving evidence Of her con-
nnement Kimbal appeared quite robust, and
shaved and wore mustacho, quite long. and wased
and twisted ut the ends. ALI looked we'll. and
showed little concern about their possible fate.
The indictments having been read and all the pre-
Nminares gone through with. District Attorney
Stevens addressed the Court and jury on the his
tory and strocity Of the crime.
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness was City Marshal Stone. of Lynn.
when he at the head Of his officers saw it as II was
taken from the Saugus River He also gave q de-
scripton Of tho Dress tho ropes bricks and bottles
to the public. On cross-examination he testi-
ned that the trunk not the water the river
was about three hundred feet wide at high water;
the wharf was about q milo from Lynn and about
eight miles from Boston; there was difference
o. nine nine or 1 ten @ feet IN the height Of the river
mud cosc to the marsh. where it might have been
left by high tide. but It bore every appearance OF
then Identified each article separately they being
held up to the jury. and eliciting shudder from
the audience. During witness testimony the
Goodrich woman maintained a stolid demeanor
while Kimball seemed to be deeply interested and
Henry g. Mears, . police officer of Lynn, testified
that he accompanied Marshal Stone when he went to
the spot where the trunk was found and he corrob-
GRATED what the previous witness said.
John Gould. Michael Daily and Michael Reardon
described the finding Of the trunk in the river and
~ appearance. They we're the nrst persons to call
Mrs. oliver ]. CLARK. mother of tho deceased was
next called. She seemed TO be completely broken
down with grief Her testimony was mostly rs to
her daughters appearance.
Josephine Adams. wife Of Allen M. Adams one Of
the indicted PARTIES was next called She testified
that Jennie had lived in her family at the Highlands
she identified tho earrings; the last time she had
she had found the other part Of the ear.
rings in Jennie's bureau drawer; she had
left her clothes with witness; she was dressed
velvet hat and a cloak trimmed with dark fur; she
took with her some articles in q shawl strap:
went to Lynn and did at first recognize tho body
put further examination of the contour Of the face
&C., convinced her or the Identity; afterward sho
had no doubt.
EVIDENCE OF THE NURSE.
me sensation OF the afternoon the testimony
OF mrs. Forsaithe, the nurse. at whose house
Jennie died All tho conversation with the
dead girl. her confession that Adams was her
ehc said she had known Mrs. Goodrich
Tor SIX years. a young woman. she said. came to
my house on Wednesday, February IL, between four
and ave O'Clock In the afternoon, and died Tues
DAY, February rs; she died ut two o'clock
IL the afternoon, saw Mrs. ooodrich tho day
after the young woman came; told Mrs.
Goodrich that the young woman had come; Mrs.
Goodrich said that she was three months prep pant
and ~ have operated upon herr rccollect no
moro conversation ut that time Mrs. Goodrich said
she had sent the young woman to me because
was good nurse; Mrs. Goodrich snid:-
III the gir does not come around send her TO me
again on Saturday.; Mrs. Goodrich lived at No. II
Lagrange street. in Boston; there was a sign
on the door. "Mrs. Goodrich, physician the
girl appeared 10 be In a very low condi-
ton. but aaid nnihinn. tho nirl suo.t a.