The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-01-18
Charles A. Goodridge Shot
Self in the Head
SPANISH WAR VETERAN
Once Conducted Restaurant at
Judson: Bore Excellent
Reputation
From Thursdays Daily.

Though never on the firing line
and surviving veteran OF the Span
ish-American war for many years
Charles A. Goodridge of North Man
kato yesterday afternoon met a tragic
end, as truly victim of that struggle
between nations as those who died
on the field of battle.
After suffering ill-health for nine
teen years, and observing in his des-
peration that he was growing worse
instead of better, the unfortunate
man finally ended his life with bull
let in his home at 500 Nicollet av-
enue. No one else was in the house
at the time. With an automatic re-
volver. he shot himself through both
temples in his bedrocm m. He was seat
ed in a chair as he committed the
desperate act. The bullet went
straight through his head and lodged
in the wall He fell against the bed.
Here he was found dead by Mrs.
Goodridge about four o'clock in the
afternoon, as she returned from a trip
over to town.
It was about two o'clock in the aft
ernoon when she last saw him. He
gave her no intimation that he in
tended to kill himself He kissed his
wife goodbye and asked, "Are you
going to be gone long?" and she an
swered, NO"
Before enlisting in The service, he
had been sound, healthy man. While
in tie camp he contracted typhoid
fever. The disease crippled one Of
his legs. He spent about year in
st. Dukes hospital at st. Paul At
first his right leg was drawn up so
that he could not possibly use it. Lat
er he recovered the use of the limb
to some extent. But he never be-
came well. At times the poison iu
his system would break out on other
parts Of his body. He tried in vain
to be cured. He suffered constantly.
out he vas always cheerful. He had
way OF looking on the bright side or
life in the most trying circumstances,
and his suicide was a surprise to all.
For some weeks he has hardly been
able to eat and his sleep has been
bad.
Formerly in Business at Judson.
Mr.. Goodridge has been able to do
some labor. On account of his de-
bility, he drew pension or $24 a
month. Three years, ago he had a
store and restaurant at Judson. It
was on September l that he and Mrs.
Goodridge moved from a farm in
Kerns to their present home in North
Mankato. Here be bought the beau
tiful little cottage that has been the
family home ever since Mr. and Mrs.
GOodridge and two students who
room there were all the occupants OF
the house.
Charles A. Goodridge was born at
Kerns, June 9, 1877 At the outbreak
of the Spanish American war he en-
listed at Mankato in Company M,
18th regiment, infantry, Minnesota
volunteers. This was on July 2, 1898.
He received his discharge at Camp
Mackenzie on March 81, 1899. He
ives married on May 16, 1905, to DOL
lie M. Thomas of Judson at the judi
son Methodist church. He was a
member of Schaumkessel camp, No.
10, of the United Spanish War veter-
ans. located at Waseca.
He is survived by his wife; one
sister, Mrs. G. A. Keene, North Man
kato, and three brothers, Henry Good
ridge, Kerns; David Goodridge, North
Mankato, and Frank Goodridge, Rem
ton, Washington.
The funeral will be held at one
O'clock Saturday afternoon from the
undertaking parlors of Landkamer
Brothers. The remains will be buried
in Hebron cemetery.