SHOOTING SENSATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 142, 15 December 1908, Page 3

SHOOTING SENSATION

A DOCTOR AND A WOMAN. THE LATTER SHOT TWICE. DELAYED ARREST. [BY TELEGRAPH-— PRES3 ASSOCIATION.] WAITARA, Uth December. The town was badly startled this afternoon when the news of a shocking tragedy spread like wildfire over the community. The first intimation was given when Mrs. Goode, wife of Dr. Goode, rushed in great agitation across to the residence of Mrs. Clare and announced that the doctor had shot Mrs. Klenner. It appears that the doctor had gone to the residence of the latter, which is next door to his own, and on gaining admittance, made an improper proposal to her. On Mrs. Klenner attempting to escape from him, the doctor drew a revolver and fired three shots at her, two of which took effect. He. then left the unfortunate woman for dead and returned home. When his wife became acquainted with what had happened she immediately ran over to Mrs. Clare's house as stated. It so happened that when the information was given, Messr3. J. Morrison and Trim, the borough workmen, together with the Rev. ■J. B. Brocklohurst and Mr. Cliff Tate, were close by. The workmen were at once despatched to the polico station, whilst the two gentlemen last named went over and attempted to gain entrance to Dr. Goode's housa. Just as Mr. Clilf Tate entered the small gate, Dr. Goode came to the French casement and threatened to shoot him if he did not clear out. Morrison and x Trim returned from the police sta- ; tion at the moment Dr. Goode came- to ■ the window, and it seemed to all four j that there was much blood on his shirt ' front. On perceiving the arrival of ieinforcements the doctor proceeded to lock all the windows and then withdrew. Until police assistance was forthcoming the party could do nothing but watch the house to prevent the doctor's ! escape. j In the meantime, Mrs. Clare went to Mrs. Klennar's assistance, whilst Constable Price also appeared. The -woman, was found on the floor of her sittingroom -with, her clothes saturated in blood and she herself in a state of collapse, j Owing to the absence of the only other medical officer who resides in the town, Constable Price immediately telegraphed for, assistance. After seeing that Airs. Klenner was made as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, he sought out two justices of tho peace to take the depositions . of the wounded woman. DEPOSITIONS TAKEN. Mrs. Klenner' s depositions were sworn before Messrs. Cameron and Jenkins, J.P.s, and the signature witnessed by the Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst (Anglican clergyman) and read as follows: — " I, Mary Ellen Klenner, wife of Alois Klenner, depose that on Monday, 14th December, Dr. Goode came to my front door. I cautiously opened the door, not knowing who was there. Dr. Goode came in and called me to him in the front room. He then locked the room door. He said, ' Sit down, I want to speak to you,' and he wanted me to give him myself. I answered ' No. ' I then tried to get out of the room, but he jumped up and locked the door, and said, 'You won't,' and then he shot me. He fired at me twice. There was another shot fired. He said, ' Are you dead?' but I did not reply. Ho then tried to reload his revolver. He could not, and then ho said he would go home and have aomo whisky and do for himself. This occurred at about 2.30 this afternoon." Dr. Goode, it is stated, has been drinking heavily the last four daya. People passing his house last night heard him talking in a threatening way to himself. He was then on his verandah. Mrs. Klenner, whose husband is a butcher by occupation, is at present in a very low state. She has been removed to the New Plymouth Hospital, where two of the bulletis were located, and the doctors deemed it advisable to operate. A crowd gathered round tho house immediately the news spread, but no. attempt was made to effect an arresfc until seven o'clock, when Constables M'lvor and Price, with a number of volunteers, broke into the house. Tho former closed with tho doctor, who had just risen from a sofa. The prisoner was removed to the police cell, and will | be sent to New Plymouth in the morning. Much indignation was publicly expressed at the seeming dilatoriness of the sergeant of police at New Plymouth, who was asked for assistance at four o'clock, but none came till nearly seven. The full name of the prisoner is Ed.ward Jonathan Goode. ARREST CAUSES EXCITEMENT. AN INCENSED CROWD. NEW PLYMOUTH, 14th Dec. Dr. Goode was brought into town to. night and lodged in the cells. He apparently has no knowledge of the occurrence, railing bitterly against the police for entering his house and arresting him. His victim was operated on, and one bullet extracted, but the operation is not completed. There are hopes for her recovery. Goode's arrest was the subject of con- , siderable excitement in Waitara. After the crime Dr. Goode locked himself in the house, which no one dared to enter until Mounted Constable M'lvor arrived from New Plymouth about 6.30. Immediately an organised assault was made on the several doors of the residence, the constable himself bursting in the surgery door. As Goode, with revolver, came out to meet him, M'lvor threw himself on the prisoner and bore him to tho floor, where he was secured wiu tho asiistanea of others, and u> revolver loaded in £tvo chambers was,

wrenched from him. The incensed crowd attempted to assault the prisoner, but desisted after raining blows, which mostly took effect on the constable. The prisoner is a very powerul man, about seventeen stone in weight and over six feet high.