The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-07
David seawright Kills His Neishbor,
James Goddard, and IL Wounded
by Taylor Goddard.
ABsCoNDER FARDEN CAUGHT
MAN WHO ROBBED ADAMS EXPRESS
OFFICE AT TERRE HAUTE.
Followed Over the Country by Pink-
Down I'm Baitfmore.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
GREENSBURG, Ind. Oct. 6.-0ne OF the
saddest tragedies in the history OF this
county occurred at Sandusky. this morn
ing. which resulted in the death OF James
Goddard. one of the most highly respected
farmers of the county. Tie circumstances
are following.
Taylor Goddard son OF James Goddard,
married a daughter of David Seawrie1t
and early in the summer the young wife
died, leaving a little daughter 20 the care
of her mother, Mrs. seawrisht. The two
families close ncighbors and the child
spent part Of the time at each house. al
though she preferred the Goddard home.
This morning Tayloo Goddard went over
TO Seawright's to. get the child. bat
David Seaw-ight refused TO let him have
her. Taylor returned to his fathers and
told what had occurred. when his father
said: "Come on. wen get the child The
young man tried TO induce his father 10
wait until Monday. but failed AIR. God
dard. on the way over, picked up heavy
fence paling. The two men entered TIE
seawright kitchen. where the family were
eating breakfast. and demanded the child
Mr. SeawIIghf, who is small man, weigh
ing 40 pounds rose from the table and
refused to let them have her Goddard.
who yesterday weighed 23s pounds. started
toward Seawrieht to strike him with the
paling Taylor Goddard drew a revolvcr
and fired three shots, two Of them maxi
ing furrows in Seawright's neck Sea-
wright backed into the next room and,
taking up his shotgun. fired The shot
entered James Goddard's face and blew
off the entire upper part OF his head kill
ing him instantly Seawright hitched Up =
team, drove to this city and gave himself
up TO the authorities
After hurried examination he was re-
leased and returned home. Both familic3
are well-to-do and. far known have
never had any trouble before.
A visit to the neighborhood this after
noon disclosed a community in high state
Of excitement Groups Of men were stand
ing about the little village discussing the
tragic event. General opinion seems to diff
fer as to which party was TO blame. Young
Taylor Goddard is reported saying that
he did not fire until after he saw hio
father fall to the floor. but the Seawrishts
claim that he fired before. The room In
which the tragedy occurred looked a. *
a cyclone had passed through II. The table
and stove were overturned, the dishes and
chairs broken and everyf1Ing In confus-
ion. The brains of the dead man were
spIashed over the walls and ceiling. while
the carpet shows large pool OF blood
near the center of the room. When the
news was taken TO Mrs. James Goddard
she was completely prostrated and a physi-
clan had to be called.
A relative OF the murdered man tells the
story OF the affair as follows: About y
o'clock this morning. at the little village Of
Sandusky. five miles north OF here. David
S. Seawright shot and instantly killed
James s. Goddard. The trouble occurred
over the possession of a grandchild. Ivy
lor Goddard. the only son or James God.
dard. and father OF the chill, had gone 70
Seawrigft early in the morning and 1skeQ
for possession OF his little girl. but was re-
fused. Taylor Goddard then went home-.
and, in company with his father. again
went to Seawright's and requested posses-
sion Of the child, and was again refused.
Seawright's son Will drew a chair and
struck at James Goddard when seawriEht
interfered James Goddard said. Keep cool;
1 am peace officer with authority 1e~
ferring TO the fact that he con-
stable of the township in which he resided.
At this tizie MAY. TAYLOR GODDARD. VII SEA
front yard, Nation holding young Goddard.
while VIII Seawright was striking at him
with board. The elder Seawright came
from the house with a double-barrcl shot
gun and fired at James Goddard. but MISC 4
him. He then turned his gun on his SON
in-Iaw, and while taking deliberate aim,
young Goddard drew his pistol and fired
twice at Seawright while being held by
young Nation, one shot making slight
wound While the elder Seawright was
aiming his gun at his soE-in-law the elder
Goddard pulled reling of the fence and
advanced toward him. seawright fmrDe~
diately turned his gun toward the elder
Goddard who stopped, and Seawrighf. TAX
ing deliberate aim. fired, Gooaard receive.
lust below the right eye. and dying in-'
stantly. Goddard was unarmed and wa
never known to carry weapon. He was
fifty-four years of age, prosperous farm
er and the merchant Of the village"