The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-20
MRS. GODDARD FREE
Jury at Lewiston Declared Her limo
cent Of Numbering John SierS.
WAS OUT FIFTEEN HOURS
The Tragedy and Events Leading
Up to Its Commission Briefly
Retold - other North
west News.

Lewiston. Idaho, special % the Spo-
kane Spokesman Review: After being
out IS hours the jury in the murder
case against Mrs. Goddard reported
THAI II had arrived at a verdict. All Of
the parties particularly interested In
the verdict were soon at hand and the
court room quickly filed with curl
Gus throng The long consultation OF
the jury gave the public an inkling of
what the verdict would be, but never
thelcSs there was Intense interest and
the silence while the usual questions
were being asked the foreman Of the
jury was most impressive.
I'VE. the jury. in the case wherein
Mrs. Goddard is charged with the will
ful murder of John Siers on May 10.
1895. find the defendant not guilty"
We're the words which fell upon the
stilled court room. The change or
sentiment I'm the defendants favor dur
ing the trial had been marked. and this
was intensified after the closing ad
dresses of the attorneys for the de-
Tense
Prior to MAY 10. 1895. there had been
trouble between Mrs. Goddard and old
John Slers. who was more Familiarity
known az "Buena," over the money
coming To Sleis from the sale OF the es-
tate OF the dead partner. Eleven years
ago the firm of Schissler a Siers was
repUted TO be the Wealthiest In North
Idaho. possessing lands. stock and
money in great abundance. Seven
years ago Schissler died. the joint
property of the estate was settled up,
and among other property was farm
at VAIN. IL miles from Lewiston,
which was sold for $4,000 to NJ. +.
Ward. a son-in-law of Mrs. Goddard.
and Siers was TO be the beneficiary OF
the sale. Ward bought the place on
time and was unable, on account OF
bad luck. to meet his payments. so
Fred W. Piper OF Moscow. who tried
the murder case. was appointed re-
ceiver pending a settlement Of the
CAIN.
ON the 18th OF May Siers and three
friends drove out to the farm. Sicrs
claiming he warted to see Mr. Mott,
sick friend. who was also a brother OF
Mrs. Goddard. Siers and his friends
went heavily armed. as the former
owner Of the farm said he anticipated
trouble. lie told his friends that Mott
had had troubf~-w-ffh Mrs. Goddard
and was Obliged to sleep I'm the barn.
Slers was on his way to the barn when
the shooting began NJ. +. Ward, the
son-in-law. was firing at Siers. who
was returning the FIRE Mrs. Goddard
came up at this junCture and fired two
shots with revolver ~ Siers. both OF
which took effect. Ward came toward
the wounded man. when Shorthill. who
remained outside the fence. fearing
thot more harm would come TO his
friend. opened fire with n Winchester
on the party. hitting Ward twice In the
stomach and SCATTERING the wrist Of
Mrs. Goddard. Siers died shortly after
from his wounds and Ward also sue
cumbed 10 the bullets through his alb
domen.
While the shooting was In progress
the 13-year-old son Of Mrs. Goddard
rushed 10 the assistance of his mother.
but arrived too late u prevent her be-
ing shot. He was armed and chased
Shorthin to the Lake house. a summer
resort three miles from the tragedy.
when ShoIthill finally got away
The affair created intense excitement.
everyone I'm the neighb1rhood taking
sides. 50 that when the trial came off
81 was necessary to send TO the utter
most boundaries Of the county 10 get
Jurors who were unbiased. The case
was fought vigorously by both sides.
some OF the best legal talent In the
Northwest being retained on both sides.
The trial has been one OF the most
sensational In the history or Northern
Idaho and has occupied nearly a month
OF the term.