Daily Republican., 1880-04-26
sDDERzooKs CknGx
His Confession Of the Murder or
GOss-Details OF tine Conspiracy
10 Ron the Insurance Companies,
ana Particulars OF the Horrible
Murder.

10 Ron the Insurance Companies
and Particulars OF the Horrible
Murder.
1t is now over five years since VIM
Z. Uiderzook was hanged at West
Chester, Pa, for the murder of W. g.
Goes. Previous to his execution he gave
into the hands Of his counsel written
confession with request that It should
not be given to the public until after
the statutory limit Of time, for fear II
might implicate A. c. Goss. This period
having now elapsed, the full confession
is published In the New York "Her,
aid" of Saturday last. 1t commences
with the statement that w. $. Goss and
W. L. Udderzook married sisters, and
so became intimate friends. Goss was
indolent and drank to excess.
In 1868 he got his life insured in the
Mutual Life Insurance Company, Of
New York, for 5000, for the benefit Of
his wife. He often found 1t difficult to
get the money to pay the premiums,
and Udderzook frequently loaned him
money for that purpose. Goss was
unable to return the money, and COIN
planned that the life insurance was a
constant drain upon him, and stated
his intention of getting even with the
company.
The two men then formed a plot by
which Goss was to insure his life for
$40, 900 more, and Undertook was to
pay the premium. Then the insured
man was to rent a shop, which was to
burn down and his charred remains
were to be found, and the policy paid
over by the companies and divided by
the conspiraturs. The body burned
was to be a dead body of about the
same size as Goss placed there for that
purpose, while he remained in conceal
ment until the money was paid.
TIE BURNING.
In January, 1872, all arrangements
were made for the carrying out of the
swindle. The place was selected and
the body secured.
II do not know where the body
came from that was used," says the
confession; "Goss always told me he
would manage that. Thomas D. Laud-
enslager did not tell the truth when he
said Goss and took a box away from
Thomas & Sons, on the afternoon of
the fire. A box was taken away con-
talniug some things for the house On the
York road, but it was not on that day.
It was sometime before and contained
some boxes, tools and rubber material
to keep up the appearance Of working
)ut there"
Some time before A. G. Goss, "a broth
ar of W.. s. Goss, had come on from
Nashville, Tenn, and the scheme had
been made known to him although he
lad very little to do with it.. The shop
vas burned and the charred body be-
ng found, Goss's death was at first ac-
,ented az q facs by the public. t-
Meanwhile Goss was hidden at VIII
where he soon got to drinking
yery hard and became impatient. The
Insurance companies were sued for the
money, and 20 much time was taken up
n that way that UdderzOok was in con-
tant fear tha. Goss would appear in
ar while intoxicated make
,ngrarded statements about himself. |
n May 1873 the jury gave % verdict
against the insurance companies, but
notion was made for new trial, and
loss accused his brother and Undertook |
t mismanaging the affair.
The written confession then goes on to
ay:
"The idea now struck me that in
moment Of weakness be might try to
make terms with these companies, and
yhile did rot doubt that he could do
and save himself | knew that the
'urden would fall upon me, for l bad
OF only been in the conspiracy, but
ad testified in court. At once the State
rison and disgrace stared me in the
ace. All the position had gained for
lyself would be lost, and l would be
1cked up for years. All care about
he money fled and l only thonght of
~ own safety. l thought if I could
My supply him with plenty of money
9 would drink himself to death but
lat, fast as it is, seemed slow to me
ith the danger of exposure every
Ioment over him. Oh how many
mes have wished some calamity
ould befall him, but at this time l
sver thought OF being myself the in
rument of his destruction.
MAKING THE KNIFE.
"But the matter preyed upon ME
ay and night. If anybody came into
le shop where l was working, ina l
med it was an officer, and the ugly {
ought constantly came into my mind: G
he were only dead 1t seemed to {
a question Of self preservation with
9, and at last determined TO do some
ing-I would go to Newark, N. j.,
I'd see him. By this time the idea J
ID taken strong hold of Inc that the +
ly salvation for me- was to kill him. /
1t / could not make up my mind TO do 4
used to look at the pistols and
lives in the store windows, but l was I
raid to buy one, and as l was myself t
maker of edge tools, one day went .
work and made fine dagger or dirk.
made it with great care, feeling that
it became necessary to use it, 1t
ould not fail me. But still hoped o.
mething would intervene to stay my n
nd or to reader the act unnecss- a
ry." b
Udderzook made au appointmentlto N
,et Goss in Philadelphia, and the two "
.rted for West Grove, Chester Comfy, C
!. They arrived there and commenced 0,
walk toward Jennerville. On the way IL
lderzook was several times tempted to
,rder his companion, but he eonclud-
that "it was the best plan to take
m to Sam Rhoades' and give him a
in his whiskey." He pro. IL
-. "a toba n 81 T.. ~ iT