Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-08
THR GOODWIN TRAGEDY
SENSATIONAL BUT VGRkOIOUS EXPLANATION
OF NEW FORKS MYSTERY.
The Murdered Nan Baehslor-Wrising to the
Woman Be was Going to Marry When She
Got a Divorce-Svalyn erandvills's
Jsalousy-The Actress infatuated
With Goodwin.

South Dakota, In which III was Salu tha'
the courts in that State had determined
to grant no more divorces under the len
lent laws which have made that locality
famous for speedy divorce prosecution.
To this despatch was appended list oil
names Of persons who are now living IN
that State for the purpose OF securing a
divorce. One of the names Is that OF a
woman of high social connections IN
New York city, whose husband is
man Of responsibility in financial In
stitutiOn.
On the evening Of the day when this
announcement appeared Mr. Charles +.
Goodwin, while sitting at his desk IN
the Percival apartment house on west
Fortv-second Street, and writing leF
Ter To the lady above indicated, was
shot TO death by Bertram c. webster,
leaving the letter unfinished. Ii was
the awful termination OF one OF the
most pathetic, tragic and, In some re-
sDects. romantic tales of real life which
il has ever been the duty Of newspaper
10 record. The story is here told ana
the first tme-inveStigation oy the 10
cal police and reporters having Ialled 10
get az the facts Of this dreadful tragedy
Charles L. Goodwin was born IN boS-
ton and was member OF family which
stands very high in that city, both in
regard 10 its social relations and its bus
mess achievements. 1t was asserted on
the morning after he was shot that Mr..
Goodwin was q professional turtman,
and as his murderer vas known to be
associated with those who race horses
for living, it was surmised that some
business quarrel, perhaps, intensified
by illicit passions, might have led
10 this tragedy This surmise
was inaccurate. Mr.. GoOdwin's tastes
were as remote from professional and
disreDutable sports as those OF any
well-bred gentleman could well be. de
was trained as merchant, and in his
early DAYS entered the dry goods house
of h. G. Frost & Co., OF Boston, then
one Of the leading firms engaged In the
trade there. subsequently the hrm es-
tabliShed house In New York city, and
Goodwin came with the partners here,
and was rapidly promoted until he was
esteemed one OF the ablest statesmen In
the wholesale dry goods trade.
As a business man his reputation was
splendid, and a most promising career
was thought TO be surely awaiting him.
When he attained the full stature OF
manhood 10 was seen that nature had
bestowed upon him the greatest OF
manly charms; he was Of athletic,
though not heavy, figure; his form was
as erect as a grenadier's; his complexion
was as fair as q maiden's; his eyes were
true-blue color: his hair was Of light
auburn tint, and when he grew silky
moustache he was pronounced one OF
the handsOmest Of young men in the
city. He was a man OF exceedingly
good habits, and though possessed Of a
charming cOmradeShip, which led him
10 form many acQuaintances among the
most desirable Of the young business
men in the city to know, yet he was
always mindful Of his Self-reSpect, and
though not an aesthetic he used the
good things Of life with moderation.
Very rarely did he ever drink more wine
ihan was good for him, and when he did
30 It was upon those festive occasions
ike dinners, or celebrations in his club,
where moderate over-indulgence is re
garded as accidental rather than due TO
4 deprayed disposition.
GOODwIN's POPULARITY.
So charming companion as Good
win proved himself TO be is always
sure TO be eagerly sought by the young
men OF this city who are active in bust
ness affairs. he numbered among his
acQuaintanceS and intimates a large
number of subordinate officers in our
banks. and In the dry goods district
not one OF the army OF active young
men there employed is there who did
not either know him slightly or
else was on terms Of intimacy with
him. He became a member Of four
Of the fashionable clubs-two
of them clubs which provide
city homes for young men,
and two Of them clubs whose
members are interested in reputable
amateur sports. He was very fond Of
Watching, and was a member Of the
LarchmOnt Yacht Club, which numbers
some of the most worthy young men in
the city in its membership.
GoOdwin's characteristic in his life
with his companions was his cultivation
and gentle breeding. He was one Of
those young men Of whom everybody
SAYS, HE is q true gentleman" He
of kindly disposition. His courtesy
was unfailing; he was always master Of
his temper, and he was continually per-
forming little acts which indicated true
gentility OF heart.
GOODwIN's ROMANCE.
In 1883 Mr.. Goodwin went to spend
the summer at LarchmOnt, a very pretty
suburb of the city, fronting on that part
of Long Island Sound where its waters
broaden, aud just beyond the eaSterly
limit Of what is known as the East
River. Among those who were sum-
mering at Larchmont was an afficer con-
nected with banking business in the
city and his wife. The confidence i'm
poSed upon me make it impossible TO
mention this officers name. He was a
man of swarthy complexion, fond Of
society, somewhat nervous In his man
nerismS, and while OF unblemiShed
reputation in his business, still did
not impress those who lived in
Larchmont in the summer as entirely
gentle in his relations with other peo-
ple. His wife was a very beautiful wo-
man: she was brunette of decided hue,
her skin being OF rich olive tint, her
ewes very dark, her hair brOwn-black,
her figure most attractive, and always
dressed with exceeding taste; but in dis
position she seemed not so Vivacious as
some OF those who were gathered in
that charming spot TO spend the sum-
mer. Her reputation was Of the high
est; her family connections included
persons OF very great repute in this
city, among them some partners in a
house which has worldwide fame.
1t was apparent to the summer visi-
tors that she was not living very happi-
- L,eh,,S II ,vos said that