Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1910-08-17
SANS HE MURDERED HIS WIFE.
John GoOdlett Now in Ocone, Jail
Awaiting Information.

John Goodlett, colored. was lodged
in the jail at Walhalla early last Fri
day morning and Is being held here
pending instructions from Asheyille
Goodlett was first noticed particu-
larry in the Wolf Stake section OF
Oconee, when he stopped at the home
OF Magistrate p. A. Brown and asked
for something to eat. He was given
some victuals by Mr.. Brown, who
warned him to "move on" to other
parts. Goodlett, however, was some
what talkatiye, and little later vol
unteered to Magistrate Brown the
information that he had killed his
wife at Asheville and was now want
ed in the Old North State on the
MMge of murder. On this informa-
Mr.. Brown held the negro in
custody, prepared warrant upon
which .Goodlett could be held, had
his constable arrest him and bring
him to Jail
Since Goodlett has been within the
lall he has somewhat enlarged uDon
his original confession. going more
,nto detail.
1t was about four years ago, he
says, that he killed his wife, though
information from Ashcville fixes the
date about two years ago. Discover
ing that his wife was unfaithful to
MIN, Goodlett asserts, he killed her
one night while she was in the com
pany OF another negro man. He
then left North Carolina. Arriving
at Ioccoa, Ca, he assumed the name
or George Wofford, and shortly after
his arrival he was married to a ne
gro woman Of that place. He says
that he later learned that she, too
was unfaithful to him and he became
discouraged and lost confidence in
the "gentler sex" in general, decid-
ing that he would "reform." He
t2ld the woman that she could go
VAr way and he would go his; that
he had killed his first wife, and that
he was wanted for murder and was
going to give himself up to the au-
thorities at Asheville. During his
stay in Georgia, he divided his time
between the towns Of Toccoa and
Lavonia, according to his statement.
He claims that he was on his way to
Ashewille to give himself up when he
met Mr.. Brown and made the confess
sion that landed him behind the
bars in this State. There Is a re-
ward OF $50 offered by the Governor
OF North Carolina for the arrest Of
combe county, that State, has noti-
fled Sheriff Kay, Of Oconee, that from
the description Of Goodlett given by
Sheriff Kay he is satisfied that he
has the man wanted by them.
Goodlett IS a light ginger-cake col
ored negro, Of slight build and prom
inent eyes. He weighs about 1876 or
lao pounds. Information from
Greenville, this State, Is to the effect
that Goodlett Is we'll known in that
city, his mother during slavery hav-
ing belonged to the McBee family.
There seems to be considerable inter
est there in some quarters as to the
negro under arrest.
Goodlelt will be held here until in
formation is received as to the wishes
or the North Carolina authorities
He seems to have been a very intel
l1gent sort Of fellow, though Sheriff
Kay seems to think from his general
conversation that his mind may at
present not be entirely clear.
Goodlett says that he was locked
up by the Seneca authorities last
Wednesday night, and on Thursday
morning he was told to hunt the
tall timber; and he hunted it.
This morning Sheriff Kay received
from ASheVille photograph OF
GoOdlett, and there is no mistaking
the fact that he has in his custody
the right man. He will be taken to
Asheville within a very short time,
instructions to that effect having
come from the sheriff Of Buncombc
county.