Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
SKETCH OF PRISONERS CAREER.

Enjoyed GuOd Business and tho
Confidence of Many People.
J. sidnoy Goodmansnn In fail at Pender
for the alleged murder of his wife by polson-
ing, is well known in this city He arrived
in Omaha in the summer of 1893, and took
up his residence at the Brunswick hotel.
He spent large amount of money In dress
ing and was quite a prominent figure In
social circles during the period of his So
journ here. His profession was that of
dentist and he fitted up a very handsome
office in the Paxton building. His practice,
however failed to materialiZe in the pro-
portions that he expected, and toward the
latter portion of his stay here he ran short
of funds. Many of his newly acquired
friends will remember him even to the pres
ent time for various amounts furnished
him. He was member of the First Metho-
dist church and took a leading position in
Sunday school work.
Goodmanson left Omaha in September,
1898, going direct to Pender. where he began
practice. He has often visited the city
since that time, stopping at the best hotels.
Goodmanson was not married at the time
he lived in this city. His visits to Omaha
since removing to Pender were the occa-
sion for good time" He spent money
freely, and was known as a high roller
among a select coterieI with whom he asso-
ciated. Goodmansons wife never accom-
panied him during his limited excursions"
although he never lacked the company OF the
gentler sex. In appearance Goodmanson is
rather slender, of about medium height, with
dark eyes and black hair, which he wore
somewhat after the theatrical fashion.
WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED.
Goodmanson was arrested at Pender for
the murder of his wife Laura Goodmanson,
last September, ard. while awaiting his pre-
liminary hearing had beautiful quarters In
the PEBBLES hotel, in charge Of Sheriff John
10 Ii,,,ir tria Snt far
December IA. The verdict of the coroner's
jury at Tiskilwa, ILL.,, was no surprise TO the
citizens of Pender. as they had made up
their minds in accordance with the verdict
of the jury, that n-strychnine-wa the
cause of the sudden death of Mrs Goodman
son. 1t Is the ardent hope Of the relatives
of the deceased that IL be proven that she
met her death through natural causes.
From this fact alone 1t Ia believed that tho
prisoner will receive a fair trial and be al
lowed all opportunity to prove his innocence.
But there is an undercurrent and intense
feeling OF all classes at Pender that the
just demands of the law should meet with
a speedy and righteous judgment in the
case, where the infraction was so apparently
plain.
Goodmanson's personal history previous to
1890 is hard to trace He went to Tiskilwa,
H., from Chicago and opened dental Of
fee. His own reports OF his early life wero
vague and contradictory. lie was sent adrlft
n
to make his own way in life, without means
or education, other than such as a youth
left to his own inclinations picks up from
the streets of a frontier city. As errand boy
or clerk he earned his living until he
finally turned his attention TO dentistry, fin
ished course of study and hung out his
sign at Tisldlwa, In 1890 Hc fitted up his
Office and attired his person tastefully, al
though in a somewhat lavish manner, and
succeeded In ingratiatng himself into good
society and soon had an excellent practice
In his profession. But 1t was not long be-
fore the young men OF his acquaintance there
began to form different opinion as to his
character than had at first been held, and
the gossips began circulating numerous
stories with regard TO shady actions
FRIENDLY WITH THE FAIR SEX.
During his stay at Tlskilwa, Goodmanson
was visited by young woman residing in
Chicago. to whom 1t was understood he was
engaged and on several occasions she was
accompanied by her father. Both were we'll
entertained and very much liked by his
friends. He also made occasional visits to
their home In Chicago. This engagement ls
said to have been broken of by the young
womans father soon after G0odmansOn left
there for Omaha, III repOrtB having reached
him OF unfaithfulness 10 his afianced. Dur
ing the latter part OF the doctors stay in
TiRkllwa he became a quite frequent at
tendant at the Methodist Episcopal church,
taking part in the Epworth league and prayer
meetings, enjoyed social gatherings and the
society OF the young women, and seemed 10
take special pleasure In winning their con-
fdencc and affection, in which direction hls