The Trial of Charles Chase for the Murder of Frank Goodhue
Contributed by Nancy Loging
History of the Chippewa Valley, pg. 107-108 The most remarkable criminal trial, by reason of the surrounding circumstances, that ever occurred in the state of Wisconsin took place in this city. Charles William Chase lived with his parents at Cook's Valley, in the town of Auburn. He had a friend named Frank Goodhue, who boarded with the Chase family, and Charles and Frank occupied the same bed. On the night of December 13, 1878, Chase learned that Goodhue was coming to this city on the following morning, and that he had about $100 in his possession. Goodhue got up early in the morning and started on his journey. The fiend of avarice had taken complete possession of Chase and he determined to have his friend's money. He arose quickly from his bed and followed his victim. Coming up with him in the brush, within a quarter of a mile from home, he shot him dead.
As soon as the perpetration of the crime became known the most bitter feeling was engendered against Chase. He was arrested and lodged in jail, but his was not sufficient to appease the anger of the people. The jail was attacked at night and the entrance forced open. The mob cut its way to the cell in which the accused was confined, and burst it open. In an instant, a rope was round his neck and he was dragged out into the open air, and although it was bitterly cold, he had nothing on but his underclothes and his feet were naked. The mob hurried him to a convenient lynching place. He ran with them and while doing so managed to get the rope from his neck. Suddenly he escaped from the crowd, and started for Eau Claire, barefooted, over snow and ice, and although pierced through and through by the winter wind he did not stop until he reached his destination.
Life was worth the living yet, and protection was all he needed. He gave himself up immediately to the proper authorities, who kept him in custody there until the night before his trial, which took place in the same month in which the crime was committed. Justice was swift in this instance. Judge H. D. Barron presided, and the prosecution was conducted by W. R. Hoyt, district attorney. The accused was defended by Gen. H. Richardson. The public excitement was intense, and threats of violence alarming. As soon as the farce of swearing in the jury was accomplished, the prisoner's counsel applied to the court for protection for his client, asking that he be sworn in as a special deputy sheriff, which application was granted. After looking round the courtroom the counsel suggested that a number of the prominent citizens present be also sworn in. Seventy-five volunteered and were accepted. The prisoner was conducted from the jail to the court by this formidable body-guard. He was tried, found guilty of murder in the first degree, and sentenced on December 31, 1878, to states prison for life.
On the same evening a formidable mob congregated around the jail. They were determined to obtain possession of the murderer and hang him. His counsel told him that he would have to take him away that night. The necessary arrangements were made, and he was conducted to a carriage, in waiting near by, and conveyed to the lower bridge. It was at this spot that an attack was anticipated. Chase said that in case of such an event he would ask as a favor that his handcuffs be taken off, but that the shackles on his legs could remain. "Then," he remarked, "while I last we'll have some fun." He was, however, conducted safely to Eau Claire, and ultimately lodged in the prison at Waupun.
West Central Wisconsin: A History, Vol II, 1933 >
County Jail Vicissitudes The present county jail was built in 1875. The main part is a two story brick building and is used as a residence for the sheriff and his family. Upstairs are one large room and two cells each capable of holding two prisoners and used for female prisoners. The main jail is built of stone. It has twenty cells and each will hold two prisoners. The whole interior is iron. It is located near the courthouse on the corner of Spruce and New Court streets. It was the scene of the Chase lynching escapade and the Forboul jail-breaking.
[William] Chase, the murderer of Frank Goodhue, was a giant in stature, standing six feet two inches. It seemed that his one object in life was to be a desperado and bully. He held up travelers on the road and if they had anything that he wanted, he would take it from them. He was a terror to the community but no one complained because of the high esteem in which his parents were held in Cook's Valley.
On the night of December 13, 1878, Frank Goodhue, a young man residing in Chippewa Falls, was sent by his mother to collect $116 that was due her from some one up in that country. He collected the money, and, being acquainted with the Chase family, stayed there overnight, sleeping in the same bed with Chase. In the morning early, he started afoot for the Falls. He had not been gone long when Chase started after him, knowing that Goodhue had the money, and [Chase] overtook him. Chase had with him a stocking in the end of which was fastened a large stone. With this he beat Goodhue over the head. It seems that Goodhue had a revolver with him, and Chase must have taken it from him, because there were two bullet holes in Goodhue's head besides marks of the dreadful beating he had received from Chase. There was a little snow on the ground, and it showed where Goodhue had attempted to escape but was knocked down again by Chase.
After accomplishing this brutal deed, Chase went home. Some school children passing by noticed the body lying in the brush, and notified the neighbors. The Chase house being the nearest, the body was taken there. It was noticed after the body was taken in that Goodhue was still breathing, but he died soon after without regaining consciousness. Suspicion centered at once on Chase, and notwithstanding his denials there was talk of lynching him. The judgment of the cooler heads prevailed, and he was bound hand and foot and locked in a room. Chase by some pretext got them to untie his hands and was permitted to go out doors. With a pair of shears, that were passed to him by his mother as he went through the door, he cut the bonds that bound his feet and made for Menomonie, the county seat of Dunn County, and gave himself up to the sheriff there. The sheriff of Chippewa County was notified and went to Menomonie and brought Chase back with him. A crowd gathered at the jail and an attempt was made to take the prisoner away from the sheriff and lynch him.
Rev. J. N. Phillips, the Methodist minister, quieted the mob and it was decided to let the law take its course. There was much bitterness, however, and to close observers it was evident that there was trouble ahead for Chase. About seven that evening, people began to gather again and storm the jail. They made the sheriff, Fred Hoenig, a prisoner, and with Mike Devine for their leader, began sawing at the woodwork of Chase's cell. Next to this cell was a man accused of stealing an ox from Senator Mark Douglass. While the crowd was at work Riley began shouting and crying that he was not Chase, but Riley, who stole the ox. On that statement he was convicted when his case was brought to court. The cutting away of Chase's cell away, took several hours, and the locksmith with his hammer and cold chisel could be heard for blocks away, drawing a mob to the scene that has never before or since been equaled in Chippewa Falls.
When the door fell in and they threw the rope around Chase's neck, the excitement produced was intense. Men clamored to take hold of the rope. Chase was dragged out of the jail in his underclothing. While the excitement was at its height, Chase slipped the noose from his head and disappeared, no one knew where. Word came that he was found in a hayloft near Eau Claire and was taken to the county jail there.
The night was bitter cold when he crossed the Chippewa River on the ice near the old mill. He was without clothing, had only stockings on his feet. When found his feet were frozen and he was so exhausted that he had to be carried from the barn to a house where he was held and treated for several days. He was again taken to Chippewa Falls under a strong guard and lodged in the county jail.
The circuit court was in session, and Judge H. D. Barron, to prevent further attempts at lynching, called the case at once. The trial was by jury and lasted ten days. Chase was taken back and forth to and from court by an armed guard of citizens. The jury, after debating twenty minutes, found him guilty. The courtroom was crowded and word was sent to the judge that as soon as the jury returned its verdict there would be another attempt to lynch Chase. The judge took in the situation and summoned a lawyer named Daniel Buchanan whom he had heard express himself against lynching and appointed him a deputy sheriff. The jury was brought in and rendered its verdict. The judge then ordered the sheriff to bring Chase into court. Deputy sheriff's were ordered to let no one pass through the door except the armed guard and the prisoner and to arrest any one in the courtroom who attempted to interfere with the prisoner.
After the judge sentenced Chase to life imprisonment at Waupun he was returned to the jail where Buchanan was waiting for him. The latter covered Chase with an overcoat twice too large for him, drew a cap over his head, and then started to take him out of the jail. As they reached the door the mob was coming up the steps. Buchanan told Chase to go ahead and if he made the slightest attempt to escape he would shoot him. It was dark, and the mob rushed by them and into the jail. At the head of Bay Street Buchanan had a wagon waiting and before the mob knew of the escape, they were on their way to Eau Claire, where they caught the midnight train and the next day Buchanan landed Chase in the prison at Waupun. After spending several years there, Chase died. His record in Waupun was bad. He was known as a desperate prisoner, and spent most of his time in the dark hole on bread and water.
Chippewa Herald, December 20, 1878
A Cold Blooded Murder - An Attempt To Hang - The Supposed Murderer Our community was startled on Saturday to hear that the day before, Frank Goodhue, a young man about eighteen years of age, had been murdered near Sand Creek, on the dividing line between Dunn and Chippewa counties. Most of the citizens here will remember him as being one of the check boys in the Union Lumbering Company's store about six years ago. His mother sold some property in the town of Auburn a few months ago, and he went up there recently to collect what was due her--the intention of both being to start for California the present week, and live there.
While collecting, young Goodhue made his home at what is known as "old man Chase's". The house is in Dunn County, about one hundred and fifty rods across the county line. Early Friday morning, the testimony shows that, about four o'clock, he started for the city, having somewhere about one hundred dollars in his pocket, but he had hardly crossed the line when he received a blow from a sling shot. There being some snow on the ground, the progress of the struggle, by the blood, was easily traced. He ran across the road on the Dunn county side and crept under the fence--the murderer following him up with the sling shot. The ground then shows that Goodhue got up again, and ran ten rods, when he was evidently knocked down. Getting up, he probably started for the brush, but fell, and the struggle there was desperate. The murderer then put a revolver to Goodhue's head and fired--the ball entering the left temple, into the brain. So close must the weapon have been that the powder had burned into the face. Goodhue's body was then carried back to the spot where the blow was first struck, and there it was found by a school boy about six hours afterwards. The branches of the brush were all covered with blood.
Goodhue lingered along in a senseless condition for a few hours, when the pulse stopped beating. Suspicion immediately pointed to Chas. W. Chase--a son of "old man Chase"--and he was arrested. A tassel from the cap usually worn by him was found hanging on one of the bushes. The sling shot was found near at hand. It was made of small stones done up in a blanket, and wound around with strips of rubber.
Chase is about twenty three years of age, weighs 195 lbs., and is a perfect athlete. One who evidently knows him, describes him as possessing certain "peculiarities in his surroundings and habits indicating that he is a man of morbid and depraved mind, and that he has been brought to the commission of this crime by the reading of vicious stories of adventure and bloodshed. He called himself Buffalo Bill, wore a white wool hat covered with hieroglyphics representing him and the letters of his name, and his trunk was filled with dime novels and books depicting scenes of blood and violence,--a literature which, barnacle like, clings and flourishes in the homes of filth, crime, and total depravity."
While in custody in Sand Creek, it is said that someone reported to him that Goodhue was recovering, when Chase became nervous, and dexterously drawing a knife from his belt, cut the rope that bound him, and started off on a run. He was pursued by a large crowd, but evaded them, and kept on the road towards Menomonee. Taking possession of a horse on the route, he rapidly made his way there, but as the officers along the line of the railroad had been notified, no sooner did he arrive than he was nabbed by the sheriff. On Monday evening, Sheriff Hoenig brought Chase here. Meanwhile, considerable excitement was prevalent in town, and it was common talk to hear people say that he ought to be lynched, but no one thought the attempt would really be made. About half past ten, however, a crowd of about two hundred men--composed of the relatives and acquaintances of the deceased, and others, surrounded the jail, cut off the bolt locks with chisels, etc., took Chase from his cell, and tied a rope around his neck. The crowd then pulled him towards some trees bordering on Duncan Creek, when it was suddenly discovered that the prisoner had loosed the rope off his neck, and got away. There was a wild shout of disappointment, and pursuit began immediately, but nothing was heard of him until the train came from Eau Claire early next morning, bringing word that Chase had arrived there, and was safely in jail. From his own confession, he says that he jumped over a fence into a garden, lay there for half an hour, then crossed Duncan Creek, and went up on Catholic hill, then crossed the Chippewa on the pond, and started down the river. As he had nothing on but drawers, stockings and a shirt, he stopped at a house where he says they gave him boots and clothes. Says he crossed the river at the Blue Mills, and went into Eau Claire at 4 o'clock on the West Side, where he secured shelter in L. P. Hotchkiss' barn. Mr. H. found him there, and the Sheriff of Eau Claire took him into custody at 6 o'clock. On Tuesday night, he was brought to this city, and arraigned in court, when he plead not guilty. His trial is set for Monday, December 28. H. W. Coleman appears as his attorney.
District Attorney Hoyt has been very vigilant in this matter, and deserves credit for his promptness in bringing the prisoner so swiftly to trial. On Tuesday afternoon, the Sheriff summoned a posse comitatus of forty-five men to aid in keeping the peace. Among them was Mayor Poznanski, Lt. Gov. Bingham and Messrs. L. C. Stanley, D. E. Seymour, the attorneys of the city, and other citizens who did not want the city disgraced with any lawless exhibitions. They will be on duty until the trial comes off.
There is no excuse for the conduct of Monday evening, for not one out of ten knew anything about the proof against the prisoner. Pretty much every one supposes he is the murderer, but every man is entitled to a fair trial. The mob of Monday night was a leaderless affair, and wretchedly managed. Few there are who will not endorse what Chase himself says of the participants. "They acted like a lot of boys. They were not masked; they thought they had me foul, but I made up my mind I was too 'fly' for them. If I was them fellows, I would go into some backyard today, and throw mud at myself". That rabble ought to feel ashamed for two reasons: 1st - for breaking in the jail, and defying the laws. 2nd. for the shuffling, silly, idiotic and ignoble botch they made of their work.
--While the rule of the HERALD is not [to] prejudice anyone's case by making aparte statements before trial, we cannot refrain from remarking that Chase is a desperately hard case, and bears the impress of a villain in his countenance. He boasts of knowing the infamous Younger brothers, who are now in the Minnesota State Prison, and is a nephew of the notorious Dell Moon, who is familiar with Waupun.
About one year ago, a tree agent, who was on a collecting trip, was found dead by the roadside, in this same locality. The ground gave evidence of a desperate struggle, but from that day to this, nothing has been found out about it. It looks very much as if the murderer of that man and young Goodhue were identical. There is evidently a band of desperate men on the borders of Chippewa, Dunn and Barron counties. Robberies have been frequent, and now comes murder. The trial of Chase may possibly afford a clue to some of the other transactions.
Chase freely converses with anyone that the Sheriff allows to see him. He is full of sporting phrases, and slang terms seem familiar to him. While in the Eau Claire jail, a reporter of the Free Press interviewed him, and as his story is the same as the one he tells here, we give a portion of it relating to the attempt of the mob to hang him. It is something on the braggadocio order:
"When they battered down the locks, I hid myself under the bunk of my cell, covered with blankets. They cut the locks with sledges and hammers mighty fast. Six cells were opened, and one poor fellow said when they broke in his cell, 'I am not the one you want, my name is Riley; I am the man that stole the ox'. (Prisoner laughed in relating it.) They took a stick and poked around my cell and punched me out. Had nothing on but shirt and pants. I got up and they broke into my cell, put a rope around my neck. Told them to keep cool. The fellow who put the rope around my neck trembled like a dog. I told them not to get excited; there was plenty of them to do the job; if there were but a few of them and several to hang, there might be occasion for some nervousness."
"One fellow who was pale said that [I] looked tough, when they put the rope around my neck. I replied, I suppose it looked better than it felt. I was jerked out in double quick time. The mob on the outside got hold of the rope and jerked me ten feet before I struck the ground below the steps. I alighted on my feet. There was much yelling and excitement. I thought my time had come. Would have sold my ticket for ten cents in U.L. Co.'s bonds. I was bound to die game, though. Some spokesman said, 'Say your prayers now, you son of a gun.' I said, who is it giving me so much wind. You have the whole town, and a rope about my neck. Don't get so excited. They acted like a lot of boys. If I had been doing the job, I would have done the hanging in the jail. They seemed to think they could not find a tree good enough as they rushed me off towards some tall pines. I told them there was plenty of time. I got the rope off my neck shortly after leaving the jail. They then took a hangman's knot about my neck, and a slipping noose about my body. Asked me if I had anything to say. I could not be heard without hollering, there was so much noise. I would not holler, however, and neither would I squeal, as I was bound to die game. They said, 'Bring him along, we'll hang him, and let him pray afterwards.' They then started with a run, and when some thirty-five or forty rods from the jail I obtained my freedom from the rope. Am 'fly' with a rope. I pulled up slack with my right hand, and got my left elbow between the rope and my body, obtained slack in that manner for my neck at the same time, and as I freed my body I also freed my neck at the same moment, throwing the rope off at my left side. The crowd seemed a dozen thick around me. I used my strength and pushed two fellows out of my way. I was caught by the shirt by two chaps at different times, and they each took a piece of my shirt, but did not stop me. I dodged about and got outside the crowd. They yelled to a man coming to stop me. I dodged him . . . . . . [can't read some of this paragraph] . . . . . . . I laid breathless until the crown had all passed, and then I sprang over the fence, and did do a little good running in the opposite direction. I jumped Duncan Creek and made for the hill towards the Catholic Church." [Here follows a description of his route to Eau Claire, which we give in the early part of the article].
"Last night, the crowd [was] bound to hang some one; they didn't want to buy a rope for nothing, and if they hadn't found me, they would have hung someone else. They wanted to pluck me this morning as fruit from a pine tree. They wanted me as an example of their valor--one pluck in the lynching business. I weigh 200 lbs. in light clothing. When I got away, I pushed a fellow so he must think I weigh 300 pounds. If I ever push him again, he will think I am the same fellow. The mob were not masked. They thought they had me foul, but I made up my mind I was 'too fly' for them. If I was them fellows, I would go into some backyard today and throw mud at myself. I told them when they halted me to know if I was guilty, that Dell Moon did it. I knew Dell could take care of himself. I was ready to tell them a lie or anything else under such trying circumstances. When they had me, it made me think of my happy schoolboy days, you bet. I didn't stop to shake hands with the boys when I got loose.
I would like to have made the acquaintance of the chap that threw the rope over my neck, but I didn't stop for an introduction. I want my trial now. I shall not flee from justice. All I want is a fair trial. If I am convicted, I will then be serving my time, and if for life, I will get acquainted with my companions the sooner, and when they know me they will find me all right. I want to look every man in the face. I am not guilty of the crime charged. It was set up on me by others in the Fox settlement who are my enemies. That is a tough neighborhood, and someone is
murdered there every year; and mark my word, if I go to States Prison, the same lawlessness will prevail there, and murders will be committed just the same. I was a warm friend of Frank Goodhue, was with him while collecting money the night before the murder. Don't know how much money he had; not a great deal. I have no occasion for murdering a man for money, and such a small amount of money as that is abound. I don't care to go to Chippewa Falls again. The reception accorded me there last night was too lively. I prefer more quiet retirement. Things were not conducted to suit me there. Sheriff Hoenig may, as a rule, be a good man to his guests, but I prefer the hospitality I receive here with Sheriff Cook and Jailer Hart. I am no hog. I don't want so much fuss made over me as they demonstrated at the Falls last evening."
The Chippewa Herald, January 3, 1879
A Text for Ministers The fate of Chase, the murder of young Goodhue, taken in connection with his bringing up, is a terrible warning to children who read dime novels and similar trash, and to parents who permit it to be done. It clearly appears that Chase was never known to do a days work in his life. At the time of the murder, he was an athletic young man of about 22 years old. >From early childhood, he was reared in idleness, and the only time occupied was in reading dime novels, yellow back literature, Buffalo Bill and other similar injurious books, and in imitating the characters therein referred to. It was the pride of his life to have the neighbors speak of him as Buffalo Bill and other like characters, and as a consequence of such an education, he has retired from society, and ought never to be permitted to see the outside of prison walls again.
On the night of the 12th of December, 1878, the murdered Goodhue, with a small sum of money about him, slept with Chase at the home of Chase's father. On the morning of the 13th, before daylight, Chase murdered Goodhue within a few rods of the house. He was shortly thereafter arrested, and kept by the officers until the next day, when a mob gathering to hang him at the place of the murder, he escaped, stole a horse, and kept on his way until the 15th, when he was again arrested and confined in the Dunn County jail at Menomonie. On the 16th, he was brought to Chippewa Falls. That night, he was taken from the jail by the infuriated populace, who were determined to hang him; and after the rope was about his neck, he begged for an opportunity to make a statement, and that being allowed, gave him a chance to again escape. He left on a bitter cold night, in his stocking feet, with only shirt and pants on, and on the morning of the 17th was arrested in Eau Claire, and on the 18th brought here again. On the 19th, [he] had a preliminary examination before Judge Coleman.
Between the 19th and 23rd, he had a vacation, and gave attorneys an opportunity to engage their services to him. On the 23rd, he was arraigned in Circuit Court, and plead not guilty to an information charging him with murder. On the 26th, his trial commenced, and lasted until the afternoon of the 31st, when the jury, in seven minutes time, found him guilty of murder in the first degree. That night he was sentenced for life. January 1st, 1879, he took his dinner at Waupun.
Thus have his fondest hopes for notoriety been realized. This is a true chapter from life history. It cost a large sum to have him arrested and punished, and the people have to bear the expense. For the last two years his neighbors have been telling of just what he was coming to, but they were powerless to prevent it. We may yet have to have some legislation to prevent the rearing of children in idleness and crime. Sooner or later the strong arm of the law has to step in, and the quicker the better.
The Chippewa Herald, January 3, 1879
The Chase Murder Trial - A Verdict of Guilty Rendered On Thursday afternoon of last week, after a panel of seventy men had been exhausted, the following jurymen were selected: Franklin Root, James A. Brainard, James Melville, John W. Gregg, Henry Cronk, Anton Schneider, William Copp, J. M. Stillson, Charles A. Chase, John Schick, W. F. Innes, R. D. Stafford. A better jury was never drawn in Chippewa County. All had confidence in the selections.
District Attorney Hoyt opened the case for the state in a neat and concise manner. On Friday morning, the witnesses for the prosecution were sworn. They testified: that the prisoner was with the deceased when the latter was collecting money, thus showing his knowledge that the latter had money on his person; that the boot pacs of the prisoner filled the tracks in the snow where the body of the deceased was found; that a tassel off the prisoner's cap was found on the brush close to where the murder was committed; that when the prisoner was arrested, a few hours after murder, his face was scratched, as if by a scuffle in the brush; that he told different stories as to how the scratches were brought about; that when the deceased started for Chippewa Falls at 4 o'clock in the morning, the prisoner was with him; That the blood found upon Chase's coat was human blood; and, that when the constable arrested the prisoner, he offered five hundred dollars if he would let him go.
The evidence for the prosecution, although circumstantial evidence, was pretty strong and clear. On Monday morning, the defense commenced. By witnesses, an attempt was made to show that the prisoner had been killing turkeys, and that the blood on his clothes might have come from that; and that the prisoner injured his hand in moving a fanning mill on the morning of the murder, and that the blood from the wound dropped on his clothes. The prisoner's testimony included the fanning mill theory of blood; he also stated that when the deceased got up so early and started for Chippewa Falls, he [Chase] went to work in the granary; that he knew nothing about the murder until informed about the matter; admitted offering the constable money to let him escape, but stated that he was afraid of being lynched, and so wanted to get away and give himself up, where he could have a fair trial.
The testimony closed for the defense with the prisoner's father on the stand, who stated that he did not know much about the matter; that his wife [the prisoner's mother] knew a good deal more than he did, but she was ill, and could not be present. On Tuesday morning, the Attorney's commenced summoning up. District Attorney Hoyt was assisted by Mr. N. W. Wheeler, while the defendant was represented by Gen. Richardson and C. J. Wiltse, Esq. Mr. Hoyt opened the argument for the state. He was followed by C. J. Wiltse and Gen. Richardson for the defense. Mr. Wheeler closed for the state, reviewing the testimony in a clear and comprehensive manner.
At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Judge Barron charged the jury as follows: Gentlemen of the Jury: -- The defendant here is charged with the murder of one Frank Goodhue on the 13th day of the present month. The prosecution does not rely upon the testimony of any eye or ear witness to the killing of Goodhue, but presents its case to you upon circumstances, -- circumstances which if you believe occurred, -- it claims should be as satisfactory and conclusive as the testimony in court of those asserting that they were eye witnesses to the homicide. The defense claims that circumstances may take place and often have taken place, -- have so conspired as it were, -- by chance against the innocent as to lay crime at the door of the guiltless. Circumstantial evidence is held by the courts to be evidence proper for a jury to predicate a verdict upon. To illustrate what I mean by circumstantial evidence, I will adopt the language of one who was one of the most distinguished jurists of his day: "If your horse had been shot in the stable by a musket ball and it was proved that a man was seen immediately before [loading] his gun and go[ing] into the stable, that the report of a musket was heard in the stable and the man immediately came out with his gun unloaded and fled, these circumstances would raise a violent presumption that the man shot the horse because the loading of the gun, the report in the stable and the gun being unloaded when he came out are all facts which must necessarily attend the fact presumed, to wit:
That he shot the horse. And upon such testimony, unexplained, it would be the duty of a jury to give a verdict against him equally as it would be if the shooting of the horse was positively sworn to by the same witness. For, in either case, if the witness was to be credited there could be no reasonable doubt of the guilt of the accused, although there was a possibility of his innocence. If your horse is stolen and shortly thereafter he is found in the possession of the accused, who refuses to give any explanation as to the manner in which the horse came into his possession, those circumstances raise a probably presumption that the accused committed the theft. It is every day's practice to convict on such circumstantial evidence if the transaction is unexplained. If a man gave medicine to his wife and she died shortly afterwards, it would be a light presumption of the fact that he had given her poison instead of medicine and could not legally authorize his conviction for murder," Circumstances alleged to have taken place must clearly be established in your minds and every circumstance favorable to the defendant, developed by the testimony, is to have as much weight and importance as have the circumstances against him.
Admissions made by an accused party are to be taken with caution and care and to be considered in connection with all their surroundings as shown by the evidence. To be of weight they must have come from the accused where and when he was free from fear, arising from the threats and conversation of others, and from hopes and expectations created by the inducements of those he believes have the power to serve him.
If an accused party after being informed of the cause of his arrest, escapes or attempts to escape from those in charge of him the jury may consider the same in connection with the question of guilt or innocence. But if such escape or attempt to escape is made to avoid the vengeance of a mob or summary violence and not for the purpose of avoiding that and meeting the charges against him, such attempt or such and is not evidence against the prisoner. An offer by a prisoner to bribe the officer who has charge of him, to allow him to escape, may be weighed in connection with the question of guilt or innocence. But one's effort to thus bribe an officer is not to be thus considered if the evidence shows that it was made to enable the accused to avoid the vengeance of a mob or summary violence and not to escape meeting a trial by the duly and legally organized courts of the land.
To find a verdict of guilty against the defendant, you must be satisfied, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he is guilty of the offense or his surroundings, is presumed to be innocent until proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be guilty. Beyond a reasonable doubt is not beyond all possible or imaginary doubt. It should, however, be a serious and substantial doubt, and not a mere speculative doubt voluntarily excited in the mind in order to furnish a pretext for avoiding a disagreeable verdict. "It is a doubt which is an honest uncertainty existing in the minds of a candid, impartial, diligent jury, after a full and careful consideration of all the testimony, and with a single eye to the ascertainment of the truth irrespective of the consequences of the finding."
At 6 o'clock, the jury went out, and Court adjourned until 8 o'clock. At that time they came in with verdict of murder in the first degree. Gen. Richardson then made a motion for a new trial, which was overruled, and Judge Barron asked the prisoner if he had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon him. The only response was something to the effect the witnesses for the prosecution has put up a job on him, and that he was not guilty. After he was through, the Judge sentenced him to state prison for life, at hart labor.
--And thus ends the trial over one of the most cold blooded murders every committed in Wisconsin. The prisoner was well defended, and everything done by his counsel to make out as good a case as possible for him. But there was hardly a human being in the crowded courtroom during the progress of the case but what felt that Chase murdered Frank Goodhue. Certainly the chain of evidence pointed most directly in that manner. in the locality where the prisoner made his home, the feeling was very strong against him, and there are many who concede that Chase's mother is mixed up in this terrible murder. it is not improbable that the whold family will be compelled to leave the Sand Creek country, and go to some new place where nobody knows them.
We cannot close this article, without complimenting District Attorney Hoyt upon the prompt manner in which he is bringing offenders against the law to a speedy trial. he is a faithful, competent and energetic officer, whose course since he went into the District Attorney's position, has made Chippewa County most unwelcome for thieves, roughs, and murderers.
The Chippewa Times, January 8, 1879
Chase-Goodhue Murder Trial - Closing Scenes of the Trial
The Mob Outwitted and the Prisoner Safely Landed at WaupunThe great trial of William Chase for the murder of Frank Goodhue, of which, we gave a full report of the testimony in last weeks TIMES, resulted, as we predicted it would, in the conviction of Chase, who, from appearances and the testimony produced, outranks any desperado the northwest has ever furnished since Frank Rande, and he even surpasses him, in nerve and depraved recklessness. The defense rested at half past ten o'clock, and at a quarter to eleven District Attorney Hoyt commenced his argument in behalf of the state and closed at noon. The argument was regarded as an able one, clearly analyzing the testimony, and holding all the while that William Chase was the murderer of Frankie Goodhue. The courtroom was crowded to its utmost with eager spectators. The prisoner sat beside his counsel, cool, collected, but pale, and listened with the utmost attention to the denunciations and praise. When Mr. Hoyt sat down. Judge Wiltse promptly rose and commenced the argument in behalf of the prisoner. He spoke for over an hour and a half, and a more able or eloquent speech we never heard the Judge make. Then came the prisoner's chief counsel, General Richardson.
There was a deathly stillness as he arose to address the court and jury. Everybody knew the great interest he had taken in his client and knew he would make the effort of his life to clear him. No one was disappointed. The General's argument was the most brilliant and powerful one ever made in a court of justice in this part of the state. Notwithstanding the great bitterness that was everywhere manifested towards the prisoner. Mr. Richardson created much sympathy for the client before he concluded his remarks. At four o'clock Nelson Wheeler, who, by the way, should have been mentioned in the trial before, as he took a very important part, closed the case for the state in a two hour speech. In opening, he referred to the importance of the case, and the care taken in the selection of a jury to procure unbiased men. He carefully analyzed the prisoner's story and pointed out wherein it was fallacious. The argument was clear and concise. Mr. Wheeler made several hits upon the opposite counsel, which created much amusement. His plea is regarded as one of the ablest ever made by him, and a strong presentation of the prosecution. Without taking the usual recess, the Judge delivered his charge, which was able and impartial, and listened to intently by the large crowd. It was satisfactory to counsel on both sides, and all speak of the admirable rulings of the Judge in the case. The following is the charge:
Judge Barron's Charge Gentlemen of the Jury: -- The defendant here is charged with the murder of one Frank Goodhue on the 13th day of the present month. The prosecution does not rely upon the testimony of any eye or ear witness to the killing of Goodhue, but presents its case to you upon circumstances, -- circumstances which if you believe occurred, -- it claims should be as satisfactory and conclusive as the testimony in court of those asserting that they were eye witnesses to the homicide. The defense claims that circumstances may take place and often have taken place, -- have so conspired as it were, -- by chance against the innocent as to lay crime at the door of the guiltless. Circumstantial evidence is held by the courts to be evidence proper for a jury to predicate a verdict upon. To illustrate what I mean by circumstantial evidence, I will adopt the language of one who was one of the most distinguished jurists of his day: "If your horse had been shot in the stable by a musket ball and it was proved that a man was seen immediately before [loading] his gun and go[ing] into the stable, that the report of a musket was heard in the stable and the man immediately came out with his gun unloaded and fled, these circumstances would raise a violent presumption that the man shot the horse because the loading of the gun, the report in the stable and the gun being unloaded when he came out are all facts which must necessarily attend the fact presumed, to wit:
That he shot the horse. And upon such testimony, unexplained, it would be the duty of a jury to give a verdict against him equally as it would be if the shooting of the horse was positively sworn to by the same witness. For, in either case, if the witness was to be credited there could be no reasonable doubt of the guilt of the accused, although there was a possibility of his innocence. If your horse is stolen and shortly thereafter he is found in the possession of the accused, who refuses to give any explanation as to the manner in which the horse came into his possession, those circumstances raise a probably presumption that the accused committed the theft. It is every day's practice to convict on such circumstantial evidence if the transaction is unexplained. If a man gave medicine to his wife and she died shortly afterwards, it would be a light presumption of the fact that he had given her poison instead of medicine and could not legally authorize his conviction for murder," Circumstances alleged to have taken place must clearly be established in your minds and every circumstance favorable to the defendant, developed by the testimony, is to have as much weight and importance as have the circumstances against him.
Admissions made by an accused party are to be taken with caution and care and to be considered in connection with all their surroundings as shown by the evidence. To be of weight they must have come from the accused where and when he was free from fear, arising from the threats and conversation of others, and from hopes and expectations created by the inducements of those he believes have the power to serve him.
If an accused party after being informed of the cause of his arrest, escapes or attempts to escape from those in charge of him the jury may consider the same in connection with the question of guilt or innocence. But if such escape or attempt to escape is made to avoid the vengeance of a mob or summary violence and not for the purpose of avoiding that and meeting the charges against him, such attempt or such and is not evidence against the prisoner. An offer by a prisoner to bribe the officer who has charge of him, to allow him to escape, may be weighed in connection with the question of guilt or innocence. But one's effort to thus bribe an officer is not to be thus considered if the evidence shows that it was made to enable the accused to avoid the vengeance of a mob or summary violence and not to escape meeting a trial by the duly and legally organized courts of the land.
To find a verdict of guilty against the defendant, you must be satisfied, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he is guilty of the offense or his surroundings, is presumed to be innocent until proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be guilty. Beyond a reasonable doubt is not beyond all possible or imaginary doubt. It should, however, be a serious and substantial doubt, and not a mere speculative doubt voluntarily excited in the mind in order to furnish a pretext for avoiding a disagreeable verdict. "It is a doubt which is an honest uncertainty existing in the minds of a candid, impartial, diligent jury, after a full and careful consideration of all the testimony, and with a single eye to the ascertainment of the truth irrespective of the consequences of the finding."
After the Judge finished reading his charge, there was much excitement in the courtroom and the sheriff jumped from his seat, rapped order, and called upon all present who had been sworn in as the prisoner's guard to come forward. About forty men answered to their names when called. An officer was then sworn and the jury were escorted to their room to decide the fate of the defendant. The Judge then ordered the officer at the door to allow no one to pass out but the sheriff and his posse. When the prisoner was safely landed in jail, the Judge adjourned court until eight o'clock, after which the great crowd dispersed, only to return at eight o'clock to hear the verdict.
Promptly at eight o'clock, Judge Barron recalled court, and at five minutes past eight the jury took their seats. Their faces were somewhat pale, indicating the weary confinement to which they had been subjected. They were an intelligent looking body of men, and paid the greatest attention to the proceedings. When quietness had been restored, the Judge asked the jury if they had agreed upon a verdict, to which they answered, "We have, your Honor." The sheriff then handed the Judge a sealed verdict which read: "We find the prisoner guilty of murder in the first degree." There was much excitement, and the ladies, who had all through the trial been very bitter against the prisoner, commenced to cry and manifest sympathy for him. The Judge then asked the prisoner if he had anything to say why the sentence of the court should not be passed upon him. He arose and said: "Your Honor, I have not, except that I am as innocent of this murder as any man in this room." The Judge then sentenced him to State's Prison for the term of his natural life, and that three days in each year he be kept in solitary confinement. At ten o'clock on Tuesday night, while the mob was discussing the best way to get into the jail, Mr. Chase was quietly run out of the back door of the jail through several back streets to the front of John Rumsey's residence, where a team of fast horses and a tightly closed carriage was in waiting, and taken to Eau Claire, and that night taken to Waupun. Chase should be thankful to the officers who planned and so successfully procured his escape from the city so soon after he had received his sentence, for had he remained in the jail forty-eight hours longer, there is no question but what he would have hung for his most horrible and fiendish crime. Those who escorted him from jail to the carriage say he showed much fear, and several times doubted the purpose of the officers and begged of them not to hand him over to the mob. He was taken to Waupun by Deputy Sheriff Dipple, who saw his head shaved, and dressed in the convict's garb. Mr. Dipple says that before he left, Chase began to realize his position, and feel for the first time the terrible life that was before him. As to his ever being able to break away from Waupun, there is not the least fear, and as to his every being pardoned is out of the question. His guilt is too clear and his crime too fiendish and brutal for that. Thus closes the first and last act of one of the most horrible tragedies ever committed in this or any other country. The trial has been fraught with the greatest interest, not only in this vicinity, but throughout the northwest, and will long be remembered.
The Chippewa Herald, January 10, 1879 John Dipple, our worthy policeman, who accompanied Chase to Waupun, has returned. John says he would like no better job than to have kept on traveling with Chase, exhibiting him at ten cents a sight, for at every station there were large crowds anxious to see the murderer.
The trial of Wm. Chase, for the murder of Frank Goodhue, was concluded at Chippewa Falls on Tuesday. The jury, after a short absence, brought in a verdict of guilty, and Judge Barron immediately sentenced him to State Prison for life. It is likely that Chase has only got his deserts, but the trial that was given him hardly seems such a one as should have been accorded to a man charged with the crime of murder. The idea of trying a man in a place where a large mob of citizens had attempted to lynch him, and where public opinion was all against him, seems repugnant to all ideas of justice and fairness. Why his counsel did not secure a change of venue or a postponement of the trial seems incomprehensible. From the accounts of the trial, it looks very much as though the jury were overawed and almost forced to bring in a verdict of guilty. During the progress of the trial, it is said that some of the old gang of lynchers were practicing with a rope, so as to be ready in case of acquittal. Such trials are not calculated to strengthen the public regard for law or promote the ends of justice. -- [Eau Claire News].
We can assure our neighbor that Chase "only got his deserts," and that the trial given him was "such a one as should have been allowed to a man charged with the crime of murder." No man charged with an offense ever had a fairer trial. It was the common remark here after the jury were sworn that we need not expect a verdict of guilty unless the evidence warranted it, and there was a determination upon the part of all to give him a fair trial, and what our people wanted to find out was who had committed this most heinous offense, they did not want to punish a man merely because he was charged with it. Our people deprecated the attempt to lynch him, and there was an entire change of feeling the next day in favor of Chase. His trial lasted five days and he was represented by three Attorneys, and he had every chance in the selection of a jury, and as far as his guilt is concerned there is not the lease question about it. We are not responsible for what the people tell the News, but there is not truth in the story that anyone was practicing with a rope so as to be ready in case of an acquittal, or that the jury were overawed, or any such stuff. Criminals would be pleased to have the News' suggestion carried out and have their cases postponed and moved out of the county, all of which would tend to prevent a trial. As Chase had not and does not complain, we do not think the News ought to get unduly excited about it and misrepresent the facts and our people, and the very reverse of its predictions are true, for the trial has strengthened the public regard for law and it certainly has promoted the ends of justice. Our advice to the News is not the believe all you hear and not to lay too much stress upon "it is said."
The St. Croix Republican expresses it's opinion in this manner: "The summary manner in which justice was dealt out to Chase, at Chippewa Falls, is a new departure in the punishment of crime in this section. Generally when a man commits a depredation in this vicinity, he manages to stave off his trial as long as possible, buy up witnesses, or in some other manner cheat the penitentiary. Our Chippewa friends have established a commendable precedent, and it is hoped this and adjoining counties will fall in line."