Morning journal and courier., 1883-10-29
ssDrowned in a Pond. {"

The Late Connecticut My ystery Solved
 AFrs. GodTrey's Sud Fate--yTamderEng tO
 Death While Temporarily Insane-Ad-
 dacted to the Use of ODIates.
 WEsrpoRr, Conn, Oct. 2S.-This quiet lit- tie village was thrown into the most intense excitement yesterday by the news that the body of fine looking woman had been found in a shallow pond about mile from Sauga- tuck station under circumstances that vividly brought to mind the Jennie Cramer and Rose Clark Ambler murder cases, and what at first was supposed to be another Connecticut mystery has been solved. Instead of a mur- der, it was case of suicide. The deed was done by the unfortunate woman while tenn porarily insane, brought on by the use of opiates It appears that about half-past o'clock on Friday morning young man namedIDooley on his way to work, upon near ing the pond in question, which is seldom more than five feet deep, was mortified to behold floating about thirty feet from the shore the body of female. Thinking the
 woman might yet show signs of life he sp- proached nearer the spot and was startled at the fixed stare of death in her large glaring and beautiful eyes, while at the left side of the head was to be seen mark of blood as if from an open eash. With horror of past Connecticut mur- ders fitting quickly through his mind the young man lost not a moment in giving an alarm With the help of several neigh bors the body was brought to the shore and & messenger was sent to notify Deputy Sher- if Dr. Frank Powers of the discovery. When the woman was turned to the shore it was seen that she evidently had not been long in the water for an embroidered broche shawl about her shoulders remained in position without being pinned or tightly fastened,
 while her hat hoated but few feet away. She appeared to be about thirty five years of age, rather full build and not uncomely ap- pearance, while in her ears could be seen her gold earrings, with plain gold and stone ring upon her left hand. The blood mark on the forehead, over the left eye, was the only indication suggesting foul play. The news of the discovery spread rapidly, and soon the villagers hocked around and num-
 Der of dark theories began to be discussed as to the woman's death. But no one seemed to be able to identify the woman until 8 baker
 with his wagon drove up. When he saw the features of the deceased, with her mass of dark brown hair disheveled about her marble like brow, he said he was sure 1t was Mrs.
 Godfrey, milliner, at South Norwalk about three miles distant. Immediately messen- ger was dispatched to the woman's residence, and there the milliner bearing that name WAS found, but she stated that there another lady bearing that name who resided
 with her husband, natter. at Nor
 walk. which was still nearer to Vest
 port, where the body was found. Upon ar
 irving at this address the messenger found that the Mir. Godfrey now sought after was at work, but a minute description received of his wife tallied exactly with that of the woman discovered in the pond. By this time Dr. Powers had arrived at the place v,1, Ina ha af ordered it carried on ladder to the farm house of Mr Morris Ketcham, who resides close at hand, where 8 careful exami
 nation could be held preparatory to an inquest. Before commencing this examination however, Deputy Coroner Powers concluded to wait 8 few mo- monts and see if any of the friends of the de-
 ceased would come forward. In short time the messenger sent came into the barn fol-
 lowed by middle aged man.
 This man announced his name as Edwin
 Godfrey, and to the doctor he stated that he was not greatly surprised at the death his wife had met, as he had expected for some time past that she would come to an untimely death. When asked to explain this strange statement, MT. Godfrey informed the coro-
 ner that some time past, through taking strong opiates, her mind had be-
 come so affected that she was given to aim lessly wandering at times from her home. In fact, Mir. Godfrey added he had to some times stay at home two or three days at 8 ! time to keep watch over her until the effects of her illness had passed before he | could safely go to work with assurances of her safety. Three times before she had wan dered from home, and on all these occasions found her way towards Westport. To \ further satisfy himself, Dr. Powers cleared 1 the barn and made a more careful examination of the woman to see if
 there had been any violence used. Her aI. ArNh hoTz
 while the blood mark over the left eye
 showed that it was but slight scratch, which might have been received from the brush 1 which line the edge of the pond. The jewell " she wore was all her husband knew her to l possess at home, and a dollar and eighty cents in her pocket showed no attempt at robbery had been made. The deputy coron- CT therefore concluded Mrs. Godfrey had l wandered down to the pond when it was dry at low tide, and being in dazed condition must have laid down, and becoming stupe- fed, remained in the spot until the tide rose and the waters submerged her.
 Considering an inquest unnecessary the coroner gave a certificate that Mrs. Godfrey's death was the result of drowning, caused while she was laboring under temporary alteration of the mind. Mrs. Godfrey leaves two grown children, one young man about 19 years of age. who was not aware of his mothers death, though hearing of the wom- an found in the pond, until he arrived from work and beheld his mothers corpse brought into her home.
 The residents of Westport feel relieved that the mystery of the death of the unfor- tunate woman has been cleared up. for all in the place dreaded that they were to be treat ed to another instance of Connecticut justice, similar to the Cramer and Ambler cases. A brawny resident of Westport on seeing your correspondent in quest of facts on the case said nonchalantly: 'tOh, you needn't look around here for mysteries. You'll have to go to Stratford for them, because here we in- tend'uo know all about case at once, and don't you forget it, either"
 The Court Record.