DISAPPEARANCE OF MR G. W. GOODGER.
When, on Thursday, it became known that Mr G. W. Goodger had left his home at an early hour in the morning (between three and four o’clock) and had not been seen during the day, a very painful impression was created. This feeling was intensified from the fact that the missing man was not fully dressed when he left his house, wearing only his trousers and socks, his other apparel being found in the bedroom. He was heard to leave the house by members of his family, but being an early riser as a rule, and not being well, no particular notice was taken of his going out. Not till an hour or two afterwards was any alarm felt, when on enquiry no word could be got of the missing man. Energetic search was made in a semi-private way throughout the day, but without any result. In the afternoon several parties went out, but not the faintest trace of Mr Goodger could be found, and serious fears then arose that something serious had happened him. On Friday morning a number of leading townspeople met and organised a systematic band of searchers, who scoured the surrounding country for a radius of fully four miles. Their efforts, however, met with no reward, and the conviction was forced upon nearly everyone that the unfortunate man had found his end in the river running at no great distance from his residence. The police examined the river bank downwards for several miles, and stations lower down were advised to be on the look-out. The theory — for at present it is little more — that Mr Goodger has met his death in the river, seems the more probable seeing that for the ten days previous to Thursday he had been confined to his room, and was in too weak a condition to overtake a journey of any length. For some time back his general health had not been satisfactory and it is said that recent reverses of fortune had rendered him despondent and at times slightly aberrant mentally. Within two days of his disappearance he had complained of an acute pain in Ids head, and was altogether in an unsatisfactory condition. Taking all the surroundings into consideration, it seems highly probable that in a moment of mania and perhaps more acute physical suffering our unhappy townsman ended his troubles in the river. To many of Mr Goodger’s oldest acquaintances this idea is repugnant, as being utterly opposed to the man’s nature, which ordinarily was buoyant, hopeful, and self-reliant. But it must be remembered that Mr Goodger had gone through twelve months of weary harassment and worry over his business affairs, and it is not surprising if the strain upon his mind proved more than could be endured, and reason became unthroned, with the sad results above recorded. The misfortune is aggravated by the fact that until Mr Goodger’s body is found — for death must by this time have ensued from exposure and exhaustion if the river assumption is incorrect — his affairs cannot be administered for the benefit of his family, for whom the warmest sympathy is felt in this most melancholy affair.
Few names of Goldfields residents are more generally known throughout Otago than that of Mr Goodger. Indeed, it is not too much to say that the town of Cromwell through his connection with it was brought into prominence in the commercial and mining circles to a much wider extent than it would otherwise have been. In town itself he for years took a leading part in all our institutions, serving as mayor and councillor various terms. In establishing of our local Hospital he was an indefatigable worker and liberal supporter, and in other ways did much that was praiseworthy. He was a man of great enterprise, and if his ventures were not always wise or prudent they invariably tended to the benefit of the district in which he lived. Whilst in prosperity, he was continually devising new schemes, to carry out which cost a heap of money, expended both locally and otherwise. As the largest proprietor in the Cromwell Quartz Company at Bendigo — of which famous mine he was one of the original owners — and the landlord of a flourishing hotel property, at one time his income must have been very large, and at this time everything he took in hand was gone into lavishly, if not extravagantly. But the rich returns from the mine did not hold out, business otherwise became slack, and things did not prosper with our popular townsman. Gradually he became more involved in financial troubles, which at length brought about the painful result already chronicled. Deep and universal regret will, we are sure, be felt by all who knew George Wellington Goodger that a man of such bold enterprise and liberal heart should close his career in so pitiable a manner as circumstances lead one to believe. We write as of one who is dead; to think otherwise would be to hope against hope. The bereaved family themselves accept the worst aspect connected with Mr Goodger’s disappearance, and only look for the comfort of paying the last filial respects to his remains — a comfort which we trust will yet be vouchsafed to them. -Cromwell Argus, 18/12/1883.
An inquest was held by Major Keddell at Roxburgh on Friday evening on the body of George Wellington Goodger, which was found on Thursday evening in the Molyneux River, at the island just below Roxburgh. The principal witness was the son of deceased, George, who repeated the statement as to the disappearance from his residence at Cromwell of deceased, which previously has been published. The verdict returned was "Found drowned." -Otago Witness, 19/1/1884.
A brief outline of the antecedents of one at least of the above pioneers is worthy of special record. Geo. W. Goodger arrived about the latter part of 1862, at the Kawarau Junction, now Cromwell. His first venture was in the dairying line on a small scale, the strength of his herd being two cows. Dairying was a profitable business in those days, new milk selling at two shillings per quart. With milk-can in hand mornings and evenings Goodger went the round of his customers, and sparingly doled out the precious liquid. He was a bit of a mechanic, and did a little carpentering. In 1865 he became a publican, but still continued to vend milk. He was not a fluent orator, notwithstanding that on one occasion he occupied the civic chair, and was a Justice of the Peace during his term of office. George Wellington Goodger first became prominent in 1868, when he obtained a fourth share in the Cromwell Company's claim. The other shareholders were Messrs Logan, Garrett, and Ebden — the latter better known as "Charcoal Joe," in consequence of his having burned charcoal and kept his mates in "tucker" while shepherding the claim, until Mr Goodger came to their rescue, and by some stratagem raised £500 with which he placed a battery of ten stampers on the ground. The subsequent yield of gold from that celebrated mine is well known to the public. I heard it stated on good authority that Mr Goodger received £40,000 in dividends as his share. Notwithstanding this, at the time of his death his assets were, as may be said, nil. Had that money been securely invested, or deposited in a bank for safe keeping, more than likely deceased would be living to-day, an independent man, with his family well provided for. The trade of the hotel was quite sufficient to enable himself and family to live in opulence. But no — he recklessly went into unprofitable speculations, which led to his downfall. There is one consolation, however: the money expended was laid out in the district where it was realised and now as a token of gratitude towards the late Mr Goodger, the Cromwellites should unite and raise a substantial testimonial on behalf and for the benefit of the younger members of his family left unprovided for, and who are unable to do for themselves. -Cromwell Argus, 17/6/1884.
Cromwell Old Cemetery.
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