Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-29
Investigation Into Shooting BY
Sergeant Goodale Results i'll
Reinstatement
THE OFFICER is ExoNERATED
Committee Goes Over the Ground and
Gets Story of Witnesses, Whose
Statements Are Positive That Good
aIe's Shots Were Not Aimed at Me-
gro, James Bradley.

After a thorough investigation into
the circumstances surrounding the
shooting by Sergt Burt Goodale, of the
police force. OF James Bradley, the
Omaha negro, the police and fire COM
mittee of the city council recommended
to Mayor Iugledue that Goodale be re-
instated, which was done Sunday ev-'
ening. The committee exonerates
Goodale from any intention of wound
Ing Bradley, and declares the shooting
to have been accidental
The committee, composed of Chair
man Psenicka, and Councilmen Nc
Donald and Herman, in company with
Mayor Ingledue and Chief of Police
Nicholson, Went over all the ground
carefully Sunday. and talked separate
ly with Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Krough,
Twelfth avenue and Nevada, who We're
eye witnesses to the shooting. After
their story of the shooting was Sc
cured, the committee also got the Off
GERS story in detail. Each one told
exactly the same story, which
was in effect that the first shot was
the only one that was sent in the di-
rection that Bradley was running. and
that 1t struck the ground and made tine
dust fly twenty feet behind the man.
The other two shots were fired into the
air. Mrs. Krough was especially pos
Tive as to the circumstances, and said
that she took especial notice after the
officer fired first that he pointed the
gun upward when he shot the other
two times.
krough stated that the negro asked
him ii he would shoot colored man
when Krough was guarding him with
the officers gun, and Krough replied
that he would. The negro evidently
didn't believe he would, for he sud-
denly broke and ran a moment later.
No Liability, Says Northup.
City Attorney Northup has given as
his opinion that. If the facts are as he
understands them neither the city nor
the officer himself is liable for even a
civil action, to say nothing of criminal
prosecution, as a result of the shoot
ing. The evidence all points to the
fact that there was no intent. and the
evidence also shows that there was no
negligence on the part of the officer in
doing his duty.
Tho Committees Report.
The committees report to the may
or, which was. filed with the mayor this
afternoon, is as follows:
Your committee on police and fire
departments beg leave to report upon
the suspension of Desk Sergeant
Goodale:
That on Friday morning. July 26th.
1907, Desk Sergeant Goodale met one
James Bradley. colored. at or near the
corner Of 18th avenue and Nevada and.
the officer observing that Bradley was
tramp and acting suspiciously re-
quired him to submit to a search and
found in his pocket several cartridges
Of revolver and while he was search
ing him the man, Bradley, drew re-
volver from his coat pocket and Officer
Goodale wrenched the weapon from
him and had him walk along with him
to the home of Henry Krough. Both
Mr.. and Mrs. Krough who We're witt,
nesses to what followed say that the
Hidu was lclI ny lAc OlAlSSi eCHiPoA
arily in charge of Mr. Trough while
the officer went in the house to phone
for the patrol wagon; that while the
officer was In the house the man,
Bradley. said to Krough that you
would not shoot would you?" and
started to run, that Trough called the
officer and when the officer came out
the man, Bradley, was running and
failed to stop when called to by the
officer and the officer started after
him and the gun was discharged, the
bullet striking the ground some dis
lance in the rear Of the fleeing man;
that two other shots were fired by the
officer in the air and that it would not
be possible for either Of them to have
hit Bradley; that it is probable that
the first shot was DETECTED by striking
something on the ground and in that
manner and accidentally hitting Brad
ley. 1t is our opinion that it was not
the intention Of the officer to wound
the man, and we believe that he
should be fully exonerated and would
recommend that he be placed back in
service. We would further say that
he was on duty and acting under in
structions as are all officers to arrest
all Migrants and search them for
weapons. Respectfully submitted,
A. PSENICKA,
J. e. MCDONALD,
GEORGE HERMAN.