Goings, John M.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: GOIN.J003

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: GOIN.J005
• _FGRAVE: 141880416

Josephus + McCoy, Mary Ann. Mary was born on 4 Jan 1835 in Illinois; died on 4 Mar 1917 in Arkansas; was buried in Minden Cemetery, Minden, Kearney County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: MCCO.M010
• _FGRAVE: 141880449

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: GOIN.R001
• _FGRAVE: 140414039

Notes:

Roswell Goings was a 77-year-old, well-to-do farmer, heavy drinker and known wife beater who lived in Worth Township in Woodford County. Melissa Goings was his 70-year-old wife who alleged that Roswell attempted to strangle her in their home on April 14, 1857. She later acknowledged that she found it necessary to defend herself by striking Roswell with a piece of firewood, knocking him unconscious.

Legend has it that Roswell’s friends were able to revive him that evening, and he supposedly said that Melissa attacked and struck him about the head several times, saying something about getting the house and farm. Unfortunately for Roswell, he lapsed back into unconsciousness and died four days later. A coroner’s inquest was held, and Sheriff Abiah Minor had no choice but to arrest Melissa when she was indicted for first-degree murder. She was allowed her freedom pending trial after bail was posted, and a trial date was set for October 10, 1857.
When Lincoln entered the courtroom of the Woodford County Courthouse in Metamora, he supposedly indicated that he needed more time to prepare his case and get to know his client, but Judge James Harriott would only grant him a recess to prepare a first-degree murder defense. There are two versions of what happened next: 1) that Lincoln and Mrs. Goings walked outside, and 2) that they sat in a downstairs office to talk privately.

Lincoln was in need of more information, but he also needed time to deal with the surprise revocation of Melissa’s bond, which may have alerted him to the judge’s possible predisposition to conduct the trial without much concern for the woman’s defense. In other words, she would be on trial before a possibly unsympathetic judge, and a conviction could result in her being hung. The town felt sorry for Melissa and didn’t want to prosecute, let alone hang her, and Lincoln must have been aware of these sentiments. He may also have been of the opinion that the judge didn’t much care about the town’s sentiments, which may have encouraged Lincoln or others to seek justice for a victim who might pay with her life for having defended it from a brutal attacker.

As her bond had been revoked, Melissa was technically the responsibility of the sheriff. At the end of the recess, the courtroom again began to fill up with officers of the court and the many spectators who enjoyed the entertainment that such a case provided—particularly one involving Lincoln, the skilled trial lawyer, and his well-known country wit.

Everyone returned from the recess—everyone, that is, except Melissa Goings, who was nowhere to be found. One person allegedly saw a foot going through an open window, but no one else could or would provide any additional information. Again, there appear to be different versions of what happened next. One version has Lincoln being accused by a bailiff of “running her off,” as he was the last one seen with her. The more popular version has Lincoln responding to the judge’s demand that he approach the bench and explain any part he may have played in his client’s disappearance. In the commotion of what must have been a confused courtroom, it is said that Lincoln told the judge, “Your honor, I did not chase her off. She simply asked me where she could get a good drink of water, and I said…Tennessee has mighty fine drinkin’ water.” Legend has it that this was received with uproarious laughter from a thoroughly entertained crowd.

Roswell + Lett, Monica Melissa. Monica was born on 19 Jan 1788 in Maryland; died in 1867 in Benicia, Solano County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: LETT.M001
• _FGRAVE: 140418910

Notes:

Buried:
Burial Details Unknown

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: MORG.F001
• _FGRAVE: 39683730

Floyd + McDade, Ethel Irene. Ethel was born on 31 Dec 1897 in Noble, Richland County, Illinois; died on 7 Jan 1984 in Olney Care Center, Olney, Richland County, Illinois; was buried in North Freedom Cemetery, Noble, Richland County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: MCDA.E001
• _FGRAVE: 51164843

Notes:

Ethel I. Morgan, 86, Olney, died Saturday evening, Jan. 7, in Olney Care Center.

Visitation and services will be in the Zirkle Funeral Home with pastor Herman Gumble presiding. Burial will be in North Freedom Cemetery.

Mrs. Morgan was born Dec. 31, 1897, in Noble, the daughter of Allen and Myrtle (Irland) McDade. She married Floyd Morgan Jan. 26, 1916, and he precededher in death Aug. 21, 1964.

She was a member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ.

Survivors include two sons, Louis, Olney; George, Dundas; six daughters, Rose Spillman, Wilma Cummins, and Maude Straley, all of Olney; Gladys Beidleman, Noble; Anna Eblin, Mt. Vernon; and Margaret Miller, West Liberty; a brother, Reuben McDade, Urbana; a sister, Verna Baker, Carrolton; 26 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers; two sisters; and two grandchildren.

Taken from the Olney Daily Mail, Olney, IL, Jan, 1984.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: MORG.L004
• _FGRAVE: 39683736

Lewis + Cook, Harriet Ann. Harriet was born on 6 Jul 1877; died on 20 Jun 1952; was buried in North Freedom Cemetery, Noble, Richland County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: COOK.H007
• _FGRAVE: 130352390