1 00:00:09,562 --> 00:00:10,322 Speaker 1: Originals. 2 00:00:10,362 --> 00:00:12,522 Speaker 2: This is an iHeart original. 3 00:00:17,322 --> 00:00:24,402 Speaker 3: Let's go back in time, No, not that far back. 4 00:00:25,242 --> 00:00:29,762 Speaker 3: Let's go back to October nineteenth, nineteen ninety one, to 5 00:00:29,842 --> 00:00:32,722 Speaker 3: the small town of Hastings, Nebraska. 6 00:00:34,962 --> 00:00:39,922 Speaker 4: Think back to the future town with the clock tower 7 00:00:40,002 --> 00:00:41,802 Speaker 4: and all that jazz that vibe. 8 00:00:42,162 --> 00:00:45,282 Speaker 3: The leaves were the color of apple juice and Kraft 9 00:00:45,402 --> 00:00:49,882 Speaker 3: macaroni and cheese. The weather was brisk. A man began 10 00:00:50,082 --> 00:00:54,122 Speaker 3: a peaceful walk around Chautauqua Park, a nice green space 11 00:00:54,202 --> 00:00:57,202 Speaker 3: with a pavilion, playground and picnic tables. 12 00:00:57,562 --> 00:01:00,682 Speaker 4: He was over there, metal detecting. I guess, I don't 13 00:01:00,722 --> 00:01:03,762 Speaker 4: know why, why would you meddle detect by I don't know, 14 00:01:03,882 --> 00:01:05,242 Speaker 4: change falling out of pockets. 15 00:01:05,522 --> 00:01:08,922 Speaker 3: Then, right near the base ball diamond, the man came 16 00:01:08,962 --> 00:01:16,642 Speaker 3: across something unusual, something disturbing. A dead goose, or at 17 00:01:16,762 --> 00:01:19,282 Speaker 3: least what was left of a dead goose. 18 00:01:19,762 --> 00:01:22,202 Speaker 2: It's been plucked clean or skinned. 19 00:01:22,242 --> 00:01:26,042 Speaker 4: I guess, no head, no wings, but the legs. 20 00:01:25,642 --> 00:01:28,042 Speaker 2: Were still on, with a pair of shoes on. 21 00:01:29,282 --> 00:01:33,642 Speaker 3: The man had a sinking feeling. You see, Hastings had 22 00:01:33,722 --> 00:01:39,282 Speaker 3: a local celebrity, a sneaker wearing goose named Andy. It 23 00:01:39,402 --> 00:01:43,482 Speaker 3: was hard to believe another sneaker wearing goose could have 24 00:01:43,562 --> 00:01:46,562 Speaker 3: turned up dead in the park. The man in the 25 00:01:46,602 --> 00:01:51,122 Speaker 3: park decided he would call Andy's owner, Geene Fleming, just 26 00:01:51,162 --> 00:01:52,522 Speaker 3: to check in on the goose. 27 00:01:53,042 --> 00:01:56,402 Speaker 4: This was back in the day before really everybody had 28 00:01:56,522 --> 00:02:00,522 Speaker 4: cell phones, and everybody used a phone book to get 29 00:02:00,562 --> 00:02:01,602 Speaker 4: in touch with people. 30 00:02:02,162 --> 00:02:05,682 Speaker 3: So the man headed home treasure hunting, put on paws 31 00:02:06,202 --> 00:02:09,522 Speaker 3: and grabbed the phone book. He ran his finger down 32 00:02:09,602 --> 00:02:13,602 Speaker 3: the page of f's until he found Gene Fleming. He 33 00:02:13,722 --> 00:02:18,082 Speaker 3: punched the buttons on his phone. 34 00:02:18,322 --> 00:02:18,522 Speaker 1: Hi. 35 00:02:18,682 --> 00:02:18,842 Speaker 4: There. 36 00:02:18,922 --> 00:02:21,082 Speaker 3: Gene just wanted to call and check in. 37 00:02:21,482 --> 00:02:22,282 Speaker 5: Is Andy okay? 38 00:02:23,522 --> 00:02:28,322 Speaker 3: Was Andy okay? What a question? As far as Jane knew, 39 00:02:28,482 --> 00:02:32,682 Speaker 3: Andy was safe and sound, why wouldn't he be. Gene 40 00:02:32,802 --> 00:02:36,842 Speaker 3: rushed to the enclosure where Andy and his mate Polly slept. 41 00:02:37,482 --> 00:02:41,522 Speaker 3: Where there should have been two peaceful geese with their 42 00:02:41,602 --> 00:02:46,122 Speaker 3: heads nuzzled close to their chests, there were just clumps 43 00:02:46,202 --> 00:02:51,122 Speaker 3: of hay bedding, and further off, two sets of footprints 44 00:02:51,162 --> 00:02:55,322 Speaker 3: in the dirt, not goose sized, human sized. 45 00:02:55,842 --> 00:02:58,362 Speaker 4: So that's how they learned that that Andy had been 46 00:02:58,602 --> 00:02:59,962 Speaker 4: taken in the night. 47 00:03:00,522 --> 00:03:04,242 Speaker 3: As improbable as it seemed at the time, Andy's death 48 00:03:04,602 --> 00:03:10,682 Speaker 3: and life would still be reverberating around Hastings three decades later. 49 00:03:14,402 --> 00:03:18,882 Speaker 3: Welcome back to very special episodes and I heart original podcast. 50 00:03:19,362 --> 00:03:23,322 Speaker 3: I'm your host Dana Schwartz and this is Andy the 51 00:03:23,402 --> 00:03:24,802 Speaker 3: sneaker wearing Goose. 52 00:03:28,922 --> 00:03:32,322 Speaker 5: Welcome back to very special episodes. I'm Jason English, joined 53 00:03:32,362 --> 00:03:35,562 Speaker 5: as always by Dana Schwartz and Zarreon Burnette. And I 54 00:03:35,642 --> 00:03:39,442 Speaker 5: love a good, weird, small town story, Dana or Zarin. 55 00:03:39,962 --> 00:03:42,842 Speaker 5: Is your hometown famous for anything super strange? 56 00:03:43,202 --> 00:03:45,402 Speaker 3: No, I will say the one. It's not like an 57 00:03:45,522 --> 00:03:48,122 Speaker 3: urban legend. But I'm from the Chicago suburbs that are 58 00:03:48,242 --> 00:03:51,682 Speaker 3: very like John Hughes suburbs. So if you remember in 59 00:03:51,802 --> 00:03:54,882 Speaker 3: the in the movie Ferris Bueller, his friend Cameron has 60 00:03:54,922 --> 00:03:57,402 Speaker 3: like a really cool house that's like over a ravine 61 00:03:57,802 --> 00:04:00,042 Speaker 3: where you remember like a cargo story of the glass. 62 00:04:00,282 --> 00:04:01,602 Speaker 3: That house is in my town. 63 00:04:02,002 --> 00:04:02,242 Speaker 4: What. 64 00:04:02,922 --> 00:04:05,242 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's pretty great. I love that house. I've always 65 00:04:05,322 --> 00:04:08,002 Speaker 1: loved that house. It's a cool house, like the dream house. 66 00:04:08,082 --> 00:04:09,722 Speaker 3: Oh my god, and I grew up in it. 67 00:04:11,362 --> 00:04:12,602 Speaker 1: Did you should drive past it? 68 00:04:12,642 --> 00:04:12,722 Speaker 4: Like? 69 00:04:12,762 --> 00:04:13,882 Speaker 1: Is that like a local thing to do? 70 00:04:14,522 --> 00:04:16,202 Speaker 3: No, it's not even like out of the way. It's 71 00:04:16,242 --> 00:04:18,122 Speaker 3: like I would drive past it on my way to school. 72 00:04:18,722 --> 00:04:21,802 Speaker 6: Oh, whoa, that's tough man. In my town, we had 73 00:04:21,802 --> 00:04:23,882 Speaker 6: nothing as cool as that. But we did have a 74 00:04:23,922 --> 00:04:26,322 Speaker 6: tunnel that was built under a road, and the tunnel 75 00:04:26,362 --> 00:04:29,242 Speaker 6: was specifically built for toads. It was called toad tunnel 76 00:04:29,882 --> 00:04:32,562 Speaker 6: and it costs fourteen grand. You look online, there's all 77 00:04:32,562 --> 00:04:34,482 Speaker 6: sorts of numbers, but it's actually fourteen grands. Some people 78 00:04:34,482 --> 00:04:35,162 Speaker 6: say thirty grand. 79 00:04:35,162 --> 00:04:35,482 Speaker 1: Whatever. 80 00:04:35,682 --> 00:04:37,762 Speaker 6: But it made us, my town, hometown of Davis, into 81 00:04:37,802 --> 00:04:38,642 Speaker 6: such a laughing stock. 82 00:04:38,682 --> 00:04:40,642 Speaker 1: We were on the Daily Show. It was like a 83 00:04:40,682 --> 00:04:45,082 Speaker 1: whole thing. Everybody I knew was laughing about it. Yes, okay, 84 00:04:43,762 --> 00:04:45,642 Speaker 1: so yes. 85 00:04:45,802 --> 00:04:47,762 Speaker 6: Now there's even a children's book out of it, like 86 00:04:47,842 --> 00:04:49,402 Speaker 6: it really it's little miners. 87 00:04:49,602 --> 00:04:50,722 Speaker 1: Guys. That's good. 88 00:04:50,842 --> 00:04:54,722 Speaker 5: I'm glad you both had good answers. I struggled here Denville, 89 00:04:54,722 --> 00:04:57,202 Speaker 5: New Jersey, where I grew up, we didn't have any 90 00:04:57,202 --> 00:05:00,002 Speaker 5: famous sneaker wearing animals. We did have a deer one 91 00:05:00,042 --> 00:05:02,802 Speaker 5: time get into our elementary school and raised a ton 92 00:05:02,842 --> 00:05:06,402 Speaker 5: of hell, But the deer was not celebrated. It didn't 93 00:05:06,402 --> 00:05:09,562 Speaker 5: happen on the town quite like Andy the sneaker wearing goose. 94 00:05:11,162 --> 00:05:14,682 Speaker 3: This is not a true crime story. It's a story 95 00:05:14,802 --> 00:05:18,202 Speaker 3: about a life, and that life started in the spring 96 00:05:18,362 --> 00:05:19,842 Speaker 3: of nineteen eighty seven. 97 00:05:20,522 --> 00:05:22,962 Speaker 2: He hatched on a bright sunny day. 98 00:05:23,562 --> 00:05:26,402 Speaker 4: I wasn't there for it, but rumors were it was 99 00:05:26,682 --> 00:05:28,682 Speaker 4: an exceptional hatching. 100 00:05:29,122 --> 00:05:33,762 Speaker 3: That's Jessica Corgy. She says, there was something special about 101 00:05:33,802 --> 00:05:34,442 Speaker 3: this goose. 102 00:05:34,722 --> 00:05:36,962 Speaker 2: He hatched without webbed. 103 00:05:36,602 --> 00:05:42,202 Speaker 3: Feet, born without webbed feet, or without feet of any kind. 104 00:05:42,802 --> 00:05:46,282 Speaker 3: His legs ended with little stumps. 105 00:05:46,002 --> 00:05:49,362 Speaker 4: So he had a little bit of a challenge from 106 00:05:49,442 --> 00:05:53,202 Speaker 4: the beginning. And he lived on the farm for two 107 00:05:53,362 --> 00:05:56,922 Speaker 4: years and got around as best as he could in 108 00:05:56,962 --> 00:05:57,642 Speaker 4: his own way. 109 00:05:58,202 --> 00:06:01,842 Speaker 2: He wasn't built like other geese were. 110 00:06:02,042 --> 00:06:04,762 Speaker 4: He had to adapt on his own to try to 111 00:06:06,162 --> 00:06:10,602 Speaker 4: move and hit goose society as it were. It wasn't 112 00:06:10,722 --> 00:06:15,722 Speaker 4: until this person that came out of nowhere helped him 113 00:06:16,162 --> 00:06:20,682 Speaker 4: and improved his life. So one day, my grandpa had 114 00:06:20,722 --> 00:06:24,042 Speaker 4: went out to the farm to pick up some ducks 115 00:06:24,402 --> 00:06:27,602 Speaker 4: that he wanted to put on our pond out at 116 00:06:27,642 --> 00:06:30,722 Speaker 4: our place. When he went out to pick up these 117 00:06:30,802 --> 00:06:34,442 Speaker 4: ducks is when he had seen this goose trying to 118 00:06:35,122 --> 00:06:41,322 Speaker 4: haphazardly cross this gravel road. And my grandpa's nature is 119 00:06:41,562 --> 00:06:46,762 Speaker 4: he was an inventor and an entrepreneur, and at this time, 120 00:06:46,842 --> 00:06:49,322 Speaker 4: he was retired and didn't have a lot to do, 121 00:06:49,642 --> 00:06:55,682 Speaker 4: so he eventually gave into his curiosity and desire to 122 00:06:55,762 --> 00:07:00,162 Speaker 4: help the goose, and so this is where our story begins. 123 00:07:01,922 --> 00:07:05,762 Speaker 3: Geene Fleming was a man who wore many hats. After 124 00:07:05,922 --> 00:07:10,082 Speaker 3: welding on during World War Two, he moved to Hastings 125 00:07:10,162 --> 00:07:15,722 Speaker 3: where he welded on hayfeaters and moonlighted modeling clothes. After 126 00:07:15,762 --> 00:07:20,162 Speaker 3: that he became a cigarette salesman. Then he started tinkering 127 00:07:20,282 --> 00:07:24,522 Speaker 3: and inventing livestock equipment. He got his big break when 128 00:07:24,562 --> 00:07:28,522 Speaker 3: he invented the roll oil cattle oiler, a delightful name 129 00:07:28,602 --> 00:07:33,522 Speaker 3: for a triangular contraption that applies parasite fighting oil onto cows. 130 00:07:34,522 --> 00:07:37,882 Speaker 3: Jane was also a Shriner. That means he was part 131 00:07:37,962 --> 00:07:42,122 Speaker 3: of a global fraternity quote based on fun, fellowship and 132 00:07:42,162 --> 00:07:47,442 Speaker 3: the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. According 133 00:07:47,482 --> 00:07:52,002 Speaker 3: to Jessica, Jane really focused on the fun pillar. He 134 00:07:52,082 --> 00:07:56,242 Speaker 3: loved to soup up different cars and machines for Shriners 135 00:07:56,242 --> 00:07:59,722 Speaker 3: to ride on in local parades. By the time Andy 136 00:07:59,802 --> 00:08:02,402 Speaker 3: came into Jean's life, he was in the twilight of 137 00:08:02,442 --> 00:08:06,162 Speaker 3: his life, but his passion for inventing was as strong 138 00:08:06,322 --> 00:08:09,522 Speaker 3: as ever. He got to work devising away to help 139 00:08:09,602 --> 00:08:10,402 Speaker 3: Andy walk. 140 00:08:11,082 --> 00:08:13,402 Speaker 4: I think if you were to hear it from his mouth, 141 00:08:13,722 --> 00:08:17,042 Speaker 4: he had several ideas that ran through his mind and 142 00:08:17,642 --> 00:08:21,362 Speaker 4: several he said were a success and some that were not, 143 00:08:21,602 --> 00:08:27,282 Speaker 4: which includes a skateboard theory, riding a bike type deal. 144 00:08:27,962 --> 00:08:31,842 Speaker 3: The most successful method was simply slipping a pair of 145 00:08:31,882 --> 00:08:34,162 Speaker 3: shoes onto Andy's legs. 146 00:08:34,842 --> 00:08:39,042 Speaker 4: The shoes, you know, needed a bit of modification to 147 00:08:39,162 --> 00:08:40,842 Speaker 4: fit onto a goose. 148 00:08:41,282 --> 00:08:44,922 Speaker 2: The size of this goose, it was a big, big goose. 149 00:08:45,482 --> 00:08:49,402 Speaker 4: And so he put some foam and additional things inside 150 00:08:49,402 --> 00:08:52,522 Speaker 4: the shoe so they would fit a certain way, and 151 00:08:52,882 --> 00:08:55,642 Speaker 4: he put a pair of I think the first pair 152 00:08:55,962 --> 00:09:01,202 Speaker 4: was a size zero leather white patent leather baby shoe. 153 00:09:01,602 --> 00:09:03,362 Speaker 2: So that's what he started with. 154 00:09:04,842 --> 00:09:07,642 Speaker 3: Jean took Andy for a walk around the to get 155 00:09:07,802 --> 00:09:11,562 Speaker 3: used to his new kicks. At first, Andy kicked backwards 156 00:09:11,842 --> 00:09:14,682 Speaker 3: as if trying to flick some mud off his legs, 157 00:09:15,122 --> 00:09:19,202 Speaker 3: but soon he was sauntering around without a problem. Jean 158 00:09:19,362 --> 00:09:23,282 Speaker 3: also drilled holes in Andy's shoes so he could swim 159 00:09:23,322 --> 00:09:26,882 Speaker 3: as well as walk. In less than a month, Andy 160 00:09:27,002 --> 00:09:31,162 Speaker 3: wore his baby shoes to shreds, but Jeane, ever, the tinkerer, 161 00:09:31,642 --> 00:09:33,362 Speaker 3: just fixed him up a new pair. 162 00:09:33,922 --> 00:09:36,362 Speaker 4: From there on he tried. I saw the goose and 163 00:09:36,602 --> 00:09:41,802 Speaker 4: many types of shoes. I saw him in cowboy boots 164 00:09:41,842 --> 00:09:43,282 Speaker 4: and converse. 165 00:09:43,442 --> 00:09:47,522 Speaker 3: At this time, Jessica was living with her grandfather, her grandmother, 166 00:09:47,722 --> 00:09:51,682 Speaker 3: Jean's wife Nadine, and her mom, dad, and sister in 167 00:09:51,762 --> 00:09:55,962 Speaker 3: a converted World War Two naval ammunitions depot building. 168 00:09:56,602 --> 00:10:00,522 Speaker 4: My life was never ever normal from day one, but 169 00:10:00,842 --> 00:10:05,322 Speaker 4: on this particular day, I had come home from a 170 00:10:05,322 --> 00:10:07,602 Speaker 4: brutal day of junior high. 171 00:10:07,642 --> 00:10:10,362 Speaker 3: This was the day Jessica was going to meet her 172 00:10:10,402 --> 00:10:14,642 Speaker 3: grandfather's newest project, a goose wearing shoes. 173 00:10:15,202 --> 00:10:17,882 Speaker 4: Yeah. I was having a bit of a tiff with 174 00:10:18,002 --> 00:10:23,162 Speaker 4: my oldest friend Andrea, and I don't even know what 175 00:10:23,202 --> 00:10:25,762 Speaker 4: we are fighting about, because I mean, there's really in 176 00:10:25,842 --> 00:10:29,082 Speaker 4: junior high. The two things I was really interested in 177 00:10:29,162 --> 00:10:31,642 Speaker 4: were boys in popularity, so it was probably one of 178 00:10:32,202 --> 00:10:34,602 Speaker 4: those two things. But anyway, I was eating the pain 179 00:10:34,722 --> 00:10:38,722 Speaker 4: away in our kitchen, and our kitchen was halfway underground, 180 00:10:39,322 --> 00:10:42,402 Speaker 4: so the window looking out was eye level, so I 181 00:10:42,442 --> 00:10:46,522 Speaker 4: could see my grandpa outside with a red leash in 182 00:10:46,602 --> 00:10:49,842 Speaker 4: the hand, but I could not see what was at 183 00:10:49,842 --> 00:10:53,442 Speaker 4: the end of the leash, because there were plants obscuring it. 184 00:10:53,562 --> 00:10:55,082 Speaker 2: And so it was. 185 00:10:55,242 --> 00:10:58,522 Speaker 4: That time when I went outside in this garden we 186 00:10:58,602 --> 00:11:02,802 Speaker 4: called it the Japanese garden, and there he was, with 187 00:11:03,282 --> 00:11:07,962 Speaker 4: this adorable gray goose, standing in white pat and leather 188 00:11:08,002 --> 00:11:08,802 Speaker 4: baby shoes. 189 00:11:09,362 --> 00:11:13,722 Speaker 3: Her grandfather introduced her to the goose. He had gray 190 00:11:13,762 --> 00:11:16,842 Speaker 3: feathers save for a patch of white on his stomach, 191 00:11:17,202 --> 00:11:21,242 Speaker 3: a bright orange beak, and glassy black eyes like a doll's. 192 00:11:21,722 --> 00:11:23,922 Speaker 3: At this point, his name was rock and Roll. 193 00:11:24,522 --> 00:11:28,682 Speaker 4: Rock and Roll was the way he got around, simply put. 194 00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:32,242 Speaker 3: But Jeane wanted to give him a new name, so 195 00:11:32,282 --> 00:11:34,602 Speaker 3: he asked Jessica for some ideas. 196 00:11:34,962 --> 00:11:37,402 Speaker 4: And I was thinking of my friend that I was 197 00:11:37,442 --> 00:11:39,722 Speaker 4: mad at, and it just came easy. 198 00:11:39,762 --> 00:11:43,162 Speaker 2: I said, how about we name Amandy? And it stuck. 199 00:11:43,642 --> 00:11:47,322 Speaker 3: Once Andy got acclimated to his new environment and his 200 00:11:47,402 --> 00:11:51,842 Speaker 3: new shoes, Jeane cooked up a plot to acquire Andy's mate. 201 00:11:52,242 --> 00:11:54,682 Speaker 3: He struck a deal with another member of the family, 202 00:11:55,162 --> 00:11:59,162 Speaker 3: two of Jean's geese for one female goose named Polly. 203 00:11:59,562 --> 00:12:01,762 Speaker 4: It was kind of like, here, Billy, take these geese 204 00:12:01,762 --> 00:12:04,922 Speaker 4: off my hands because they're mean to Andy. But he 205 00:12:05,002 --> 00:12:07,562 Speaker 4: made it sound like more like, Oh, I'm gonna trade 206 00:12:07,602 --> 00:12:12,002 Speaker 4: you in kind, these two fine geese for this one goose. 207 00:12:12,402 --> 00:12:14,762 Speaker 4: But I think they were just mean to Andy so 208 00:12:14,842 --> 00:12:19,642 Speaker 4: that he got rid of them. He was he was 209 00:12:19,802 --> 00:12:22,962 Speaker 4: very much so a salesman's that was part of his nature. 210 00:12:23,002 --> 00:12:24,682 Speaker 2: He was born a salesman. 211 00:12:26,082 --> 00:12:30,682 Speaker 3: Being the preteen that she was, Jessica wasn't too invested 212 00:12:30,762 --> 00:12:34,122 Speaker 3: in her family's antics. As far as she was concerned, 213 00:12:34,162 --> 00:12:38,482 Speaker 3: Andy was her grandfather's business, not hers. But she couldn't 214 00:12:38,522 --> 00:12:41,122 Speaker 3: help but notice Andy's peaceful nature. 215 00:12:41,762 --> 00:12:46,362 Speaker 4: So Grandpa had this little work area with this work table. 216 00:12:46,962 --> 00:12:50,922 Speaker 4: He would put Andy's chest on the table and this 217 00:12:51,162 --> 00:12:54,082 Speaker 4: foam cutout that just kind of fit him snug as 218 00:12:54,082 --> 00:12:57,322 Speaker 4: a bug, and his little legs would just dangle off 219 00:12:57,362 --> 00:13:02,642 Speaker 4: the table and Grandpa would would fuss around and take 220 00:13:02,682 --> 00:13:06,042 Speaker 4: off shoes and put on different kinds of shoes, and 221 00:13:06,202 --> 00:13:10,002 Speaker 4: the goose would just sit there and just chill out 222 00:13:10,242 --> 00:13:13,562 Speaker 4: like he was enjoying it. I put him up on 223 00:13:13,602 --> 00:13:16,082 Speaker 4: the table to walk and see if those shoes would work, 224 00:13:16,122 --> 00:13:18,322 Speaker 4: and if they didn't work all, then back down onto 225 00:13:18,442 --> 00:13:20,802 Speaker 4: his little foam pad where he would lay and take 226 00:13:20,842 --> 00:13:23,962 Speaker 4: the shoes off. And it's so yeah, you know, it 227 00:13:24,002 --> 00:13:27,842 Speaker 4: was just I don't know. His personality is what stands 228 00:13:27,882 --> 00:13:32,042 Speaker 4: out the most with me overall, Like whether we were 229 00:13:32,082 --> 00:13:34,682 Speaker 4: at the mall or he was just tooling around in 230 00:13:34,722 --> 00:13:39,002 Speaker 4: our garden outside, he was just a chill, nice goose. 231 00:13:39,522 --> 00:13:43,362 Speaker 3: Jean and Andy brought people out of their shells and 232 00:13:43,442 --> 00:13:47,242 Speaker 3: brought out the best in the community. But amid all 233 00:13:47,402 --> 00:13:59,722 Speaker 3: this attention, Andy also brought out the worst. That chill, 234 00:13:59,962 --> 00:14:04,442 Speaker 3: nice goose soon caught the attention of locals. I mean, 235 00:14:04,642 --> 00:14:06,682 Speaker 3: what would you do if you were running errands one 236 00:14:06,762 --> 00:14:10,322 Speaker 3: day and saw a goose waddling around in infant sized 237 00:14:10,482 --> 00:14:14,722 Speaker 3: tennis shoes. So it's no surprise that Andy started to 238 00:14:14,802 --> 00:14:20,042 Speaker 3: gain a group of admirers. Andy was particularly popular among 239 00:14:20,162 --> 00:14:23,842 Speaker 3: children with disabilities, who looked up to Andy and how 240 00:14:23,882 --> 00:14:27,242 Speaker 3: he lived his life to the fullest despite the obstacles 241 00:14:27,282 --> 00:14:28,122 Speaker 3: he was born with. 242 00:14:28,562 --> 00:14:33,282 Speaker 4: Let's face it, everybody has ability needs and that's the 243 00:14:33,402 --> 00:14:40,042 Speaker 4: legacy that Andy really really championed was this notion of 244 00:14:40,522 --> 00:14:44,122 Speaker 4: I got dealt this stack of cards and by George, 245 00:14:44,322 --> 00:14:47,642 Speaker 4: I'm going to make the most of what comes via that. 246 00:14:48,282 --> 00:14:50,282 Speaker 3: Andy even got a write up in the press. 247 00:14:50,882 --> 00:14:53,762 Speaker 4: The local paper did a little story on Andy and 248 00:14:53,802 --> 00:14:56,682 Speaker 4: it was very cute, and you know, we were excited 249 00:14:56,722 --> 00:14:58,722 Speaker 4: for him, and yay, he got into paper. 250 00:14:59,202 --> 00:15:00,362 Speaker 2: I learned a. 251 00:15:00,322 --> 00:15:02,962 Speaker 4: Little something that might nod to the fact that it 252 00:15:03,082 --> 00:15:10,082 Speaker 4: was my grandpa that potentially tipped off the paper. But 253 00:15:10,202 --> 00:15:13,762 Speaker 4: what we didn't anticipate was the next day opening up 254 00:15:13,842 --> 00:15:17,282 Speaker 4: a different paper and seeing a similar image of Andy 255 00:15:17,522 --> 00:15:21,842 Speaker 4: and a story about Grandpa and understanding, oh wow, this 256 00:15:22,042 --> 00:15:26,842 Speaker 4: had hit the Associated Press. And not only did it 257 00:15:26,922 --> 00:15:32,642 Speaker 4: go you know, national, from coast to coast, it went international. 258 00:15:33,082 --> 00:15:37,962 Speaker 4: And by day three after the article, we're getting calls, 259 00:15:38,202 --> 00:15:41,242 Speaker 4: letters are starting to come in, and it was an 260 00:15:41,282 --> 00:15:45,482 Speaker 4: immediate overnight, you know, rise to fame. 261 00:15:46,202 --> 00:15:50,362 Speaker 3: How did preteen Jessica feel about it? Well, Jessica wanted 262 00:15:50,402 --> 00:15:53,282 Speaker 3: to be a famous singer one day, and as such, 263 00:15:53,682 --> 00:15:56,602 Speaker 3: she hoped to see her name in the paper alongside 264 00:15:56,642 --> 00:15:58,282 Speaker 3: Andy and her grandfathers. 265 00:15:58,762 --> 00:16:01,162 Speaker 4: I thought there was going to be potentially a mention. 266 00:16:01,842 --> 00:16:06,282 Speaker 4: There was not a mention, and so from that article on, 267 00:16:06,402 --> 00:16:09,722 Speaker 4: I was I was a little bit tuned out. I 268 00:16:09,842 --> 00:16:13,602 Speaker 4: was jealous. I suppose I was jealous. It was a 269 00:16:13,642 --> 00:16:18,722 Speaker 4: little embarrassing, and I had to go to some of 270 00:16:18,762 --> 00:16:23,922 Speaker 4: his appearances and be on like Goose poop patrol at 271 00:16:23,962 --> 00:16:27,042 Speaker 4: the mall and other places. 272 00:16:27,602 --> 00:16:31,202 Speaker 3: You heard her, right, the mall. Andy the Goose had 273 00:16:31,242 --> 00:16:35,162 Speaker 3: his own kiosk at the mall so locals could meet 274 00:16:35,322 --> 00:16:38,682 Speaker 3: the famous foul. One even became a member of the 275 00:16:38,762 --> 00:16:43,082 Speaker 3: Andy Fan Club, complete with a certificate signed by Jean 276 00:16:43,282 --> 00:16:44,202 Speaker 3: and Nadine. 277 00:16:44,802 --> 00:16:49,442 Speaker 4: My grandma was ever much so the business woman. She 278 00:16:49,642 --> 00:16:53,122 Speaker 4: had set up a gift shop area so they would 279 00:16:53,162 --> 00:16:56,882 Speaker 4: have visit Andy days at different places, and the mall 280 00:16:57,042 --> 00:16:59,882 Speaker 4: was one of them. I would be there wishing I 281 00:16:59,922 --> 00:17:02,202 Speaker 4: was at the other end of the mall, at the 282 00:17:02,322 --> 00:17:05,122 Speaker 4: arcade where the boys were, and it was horrifying for 283 00:17:05,842 --> 00:17:11,162 Speaker 4: somebody my age to be you know, he's this famous 284 00:17:11,322 --> 00:17:15,082 Speaker 4: person with this goose, and yeah, it's hard to play 285 00:17:15,122 --> 00:17:15,882 Speaker 4: back up to that. 286 00:17:18,042 --> 00:17:23,082 Speaker 3: Luckily for Jessica, Andy didn't ruin her social status too much. 287 00:17:23,562 --> 00:17:27,602 Speaker 3: She soon moved an hour and a half away from Hastings. Meanwhile, 288 00:17:27,682 --> 00:17:34,722 Speaker 3: Andy flew four hours away to Los Angeles. Andy and 289 00:17:34,842 --> 00:17:38,562 Speaker 3: Jean were guests on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson 290 00:17:38,962 --> 00:17:44,442 Speaker 3: build alongside Isabella Rossellini and Martin Short. Jean told Andy's 291 00:17:44,482 --> 00:17:49,282 Speaker 3: origin story and showed off Andy's shoe collection, which included 292 00:17:49,322 --> 00:17:52,842 Speaker 3: a pair with flippers attached to help him swim, and 293 00:17:53,002 --> 00:17:56,482 Speaker 3: another pair with metal spikes to help him walk over 294 00:17:56,562 --> 00:18:00,682 Speaker 3: snow and ice. For the record, Martin Short came out 295 00:18:01,122 --> 00:18:04,482 Speaker 3: with a roast goose, also wearing shoes. 296 00:18:05,562 --> 00:18:09,202 Speaker 4: Because after he was on Carson, my thirteen year old 297 00:18:09,282 --> 00:18:13,202 Speaker 4: mind had exploded in embarrassment and I just did not 298 00:18:14,082 --> 00:18:16,082 Speaker 4: want to be associated with that at all. 299 00:18:18,922 --> 00:18:22,722 Speaker 3: Someone who did want to be associated with Andy. The 300 00:18:22,802 --> 00:18:27,722 Speaker 3: associates at Nike. They sent him a hefty supply of sneakers. 301 00:18:28,242 --> 00:18:31,642 Speaker 3: There was just something captivating about Andy. 302 00:18:32,042 --> 00:18:36,642 Speaker 4: It's just instant joy to see him, and that is 303 00:18:36,722 --> 00:18:39,562 Speaker 4: like the mood that It's just an instant mood that 304 00:18:39,642 --> 00:18:42,242 Speaker 4: he would create, whether you're just reading about him in 305 00:18:42,282 --> 00:18:43,962 Speaker 4: a story, you see a picture of him. 306 00:18:44,202 --> 00:18:48,242 Speaker 2: A goose with shoes is just innocent fun. 307 00:18:48,562 --> 00:18:53,162 Speaker 3: Jeane continued to parade Andy around town. The pair made 308 00:18:53,162 --> 00:18:57,922 Speaker 3: appearances at libraries, schools, county fairs and parades. 309 00:18:58,682 --> 00:19:02,482 Speaker 4: He gladly would travel across the state and go to 310 00:19:02,682 --> 00:19:07,602 Speaker 4: wherever the request came to have Andy vis it people. 311 00:19:07,802 --> 00:19:09,482 Speaker 2: He was loved it. 312 00:19:09,482 --> 00:19:14,442 Speaker 4: It kept him like incredibly connected with himself and his 313 00:19:14,642 --> 00:19:17,002 Speaker 4: community and the world around him. 314 00:19:17,602 --> 00:19:20,762 Speaker 2: Andy was the conduit to the. 315 00:19:20,762 --> 00:19:26,642 Speaker 4: Last hurrah of a very very interesting, intriguing, and dare 316 00:19:26,682 --> 00:19:30,362 Speaker 4: I say, brilliant life. It was a match made in 317 00:19:30,442 --> 00:19:34,922 Speaker 4: heaven pretty much until you know, heaven came a little 318 00:19:34,962 --> 00:19:36,682 Speaker 4: early for one of them. 319 00:19:37,562 --> 00:19:41,282 Speaker 3: Which brings us back to the beginning, to that grisly 320 00:19:41,442 --> 00:19:47,042 Speaker 3: scene in the park. After Andy's murder was confirmed, news 321 00:19:47,242 --> 00:19:51,042 Speaker 3: spread through the family. Jessica learned about it via a 322 00:19:51,082 --> 00:19:52,922 Speaker 3: phone call from her sister. 323 00:19:52,922 --> 00:19:56,002 Speaker 4: And she was crying, and she told me about what 324 00:19:56,122 --> 00:19:59,802 Speaker 4: had happened. And yeah, I at that first moment, I thought, 325 00:19:59,842 --> 00:20:04,082 Speaker 4: oh my god, he finally snapped. Or the next thing 326 00:20:04,282 --> 00:20:07,922 Speaker 4: was an animal got Andy and he pans annexed. And 327 00:20:07,962 --> 00:20:11,082 Speaker 4: then the next thing I thought was this shouldn't be funny. 328 00:20:11,082 --> 00:20:14,042 Speaker 4: I shouldn't be laughing. It gave me a case of 329 00:20:14,082 --> 00:20:16,642 Speaker 4: the giggles, because the way she put it was that 330 00:20:16,682 --> 00:20:19,362 Speaker 4: they found a leg with a shoe on it in 331 00:20:19,482 --> 00:20:21,882 Speaker 4: Chautauqua Park. And I couldn't help but have like this 332 00:20:22,042 --> 00:20:25,962 Speaker 4: Looney Tunes vision of a drumstick with a shoe on it, 333 00:20:26,042 --> 00:20:29,602 Speaker 4: you know, and this lush grass and taking this terrible 334 00:20:29,602 --> 00:20:32,602 Speaker 4: thing that happened and reducing it to a fit of 335 00:20:32,722 --> 00:20:34,802 Speaker 4: laughter was terrible on my part. 336 00:20:34,922 --> 00:20:36,402 Speaker 2: But that is what happened. 337 00:20:36,642 --> 00:20:38,762 Speaker 3: News outlets caught wind quickly. 338 00:20:39,122 --> 00:20:40,642 Speaker 6: You love it footless goose. 339 00:20:40,762 --> 00:20:44,762 Speaker 3: It's lain a murder, most foul. He was found decapitated 340 00:20:44,762 --> 00:20:46,882 Speaker 3: in skin near the town baseball diamond. 341 00:20:47,042 --> 00:20:49,362 Speaker 1: He was my favorite goose because he had no feet. 342 00:20:49,762 --> 00:20:51,082 Speaker 1: Why'd they do it? 343 00:20:51,082 --> 00:20:54,322 Speaker 6: It's frightening to think our community might be home to 344 00:20:54,402 --> 00:20:57,002 Speaker 6: someone who would do such a horrible deed. 345 00:21:00,202 --> 00:21:03,522 Speaker 3: Jean recovered Andy's body and buried him in the yard 346 00:21:04,002 --> 00:21:06,882 Speaker 3: not far from where Jessica first met him for year 347 00:21:06,962 --> 00:21:12,162 Speaker 3: years before, a local granite company donated a headstone. There 348 00:21:12,322 --> 00:21:17,242 Speaker 3: was no ceremony, but the Flemings received mountains of condolen 349 00:21:17,402 --> 00:21:21,722 Speaker 3: cards in the mail and hundreds of phone messages. People 350 00:21:21,882 --> 00:21:26,442 Speaker 3: wanted to pay their respects and recount their favorite memories 351 00:21:26,442 --> 00:21:31,042 Speaker 3: of Andy. This one goose had touched so many lives 352 00:21:31,522 --> 00:21:36,922 Speaker 3: his death sent shockwaves through town. Death doesn't make sense, 353 00:21:37,642 --> 00:21:42,322 Speaker 3: especially not when brought about by murder, especially not when 354 00:21:42,322 --> 00:21:47,002 Speaker 3: the victim is completely innocent, and especially not when the 355 00:21:47,122 --> 00:21:51,402 Speaker 3: victim is a goose. Looking for some sort of reason, 356 00:21:51,842 --> 00:21:55,802 Speaker 3: some information that could make this senseless act make sense. 357 00:21:56,362 --> 00:22:00,642 Speaker 3: The people of Hastings quickly turned to pointing fingers at 358 00:22:00,722 --> 00:22:04,922 Speaker 3: potential culprits. Even Jessica got caught up in the fervor. 359 00:22:05,562 --> 00:22:10,002 Speaker 4: We had a company family manufacturing company, so like was 360 00:22:10,042 --> 00:22:14,122 Speaker 4: it a worker that got mad or was it the 361 00:22:14,122 --> 00:22:17,562 Speaker 4: big one at this time? So like in the eighties, 362 00:22:17,842 --> 00:22:20,962 Speaker 4: well early nineties, I guess at this point like Colts, 363 00:22:21,002 --> 00:22:25,962 Speaker 4: like everybody was going nutballs over Colts. It was kind 364 00:22:25,962 --> 00:22:28,882 Speaker 4: of all over the map of who could it be? 365 00:22:29,322 --> 00:22:32,802 Speaker 3: Remember how Gene lived in a converted World War Two 366 00:22:33,082 --> 00:22:39,042 Speaker 3: naval ammunitions depot. Andy's enclosure was among the maze like structure, 367 00:22:39,522 --> 00:22:44,522 Speaker 3: making it quite private that to Jessica was something of 368 00:22:44,562 --> 00:22:45,082 Speaker 3: a clue. 369 00:22:45,482 --> 00:22:47,682 Speaker 4: There was a south end and a north end and 370 00:22:47,802 --> 00:22:52,522 Speaker 4: different levels, and in the sub basements there were entryways 371 00:22:52,522 --> 00:22:56,362 Speaker 4: into tunnels that snaked around the grounds out there. But 372 00:22:56,442 --> 00:23:01,282 Speaker 4: then there was also these covered walkway ramps that spider 373 00:23:01,402 --> 00:23:05,922 Speaker 4: legged off the side of the building. But anyway, one 374 00:23:05,962 --> 00:23:11,282 Speaker 4: of these amps, these covered ramps they outfitted for animals, 375 00:23:11,282 --> 00:23:14,242 Speaker 4: for chickens and whatnot. And so it was in one 376 00:23:14,282 --> 00:23:16,962 Speaker 4: of these ramps that came off of a room we 377 00:23:17,042 --> 00:23:19,482 Speaker 4: had in our building that we called the Spanish Room. 378 00:23:19,562 --> 00:23:23,162 Speaker 4: But you entered in through the Spanish Room, and the 379 00:23:23,642 --> 00:23:28,962 Speaker 4: goose was kept in this little room inside the ramp, 380 00:23:29,642 --> 00:23:32,882 Speaker 4: and then the ramp extended beyond that room. It would 381 00:23:32,882 --> 00:23:36,882 Speaker 4: have had to have been somebody with special knowledge of 382 00:23:37,002 --> 00:23:38,002 Speaker 4: where the goose was. 383 00:23:38,602 --> 00:23:44,162 Speaker 3: The investigation was forgive me a wild goose Chase. The 384 00:23:44,202 --> 00:23:48,442 Speaker 3: Hastings Chamber of Commerce and the community banded together to 385 00:23:48,602 --> 00:23:52,202 Speaker 3: set up a reward fund of ten thousand dollars for 386 00:23:52,362 --> 00:23:56,562 Speaker 3: information on Andy's death, an impressive feet on its own, 387 00:23:57,082 --> 00:24:01,402 Speaker 3: but especially considering that the most they had previously been 388 00:24:01,442 --> 00:24:05,322 Speaker 3: able to raise for a reward was one hundred dollars. 389 00:24:06,322 --> 00:24:11,362 Speaker 3: As for Jan, well, his beloved pet was gone. The 390 00:24:11,442 --> 00:24:15,362 Speaker 3: bird he would travel around the country with, was gone. 391 00:24:15,562 --> 00:24:18,642 Speaker 3: The fluffy creature he'd hold in the crook of his arm, 392 00:24:19,082 --> 00:24:24,802 Speaker 3: a downy storm cloud with nikes dangling from orange legs gone. 393 00:24:25,602 --> 00:24:31,002 Speaker 3: Jean channeled his grief into commissioning a bronze statue of Andy. 394 00:24:31,562 --> 00:24:35,522 Speaker 4: He's a tough nut to crack because he was part of. 395 00:24:35,442 --> 00:24:36,562 Speaker 2: The silent generation. 396 00:24:36,882 --> 00:24:42,642 Speaker 4: So for him to, you know, emote his own emotions 397 00:24:42,762 --> 00:24:48,042 Speaker 4: from deep within not gonna happen, okay. But I could 398 00:24:48,122 --> 00:24:51,962 Speaker 4: see just in his demeanor. And this was even before 399 00:24:52,082 --> 00:24:52,882 Speaker 4: Andy came in. 400 00:24:53,202 --> 00:24:56,122 Speaker 2: There was a loss of light in the eyes, you know, 401 00:24:56,442 --> 00:24:57,242 Speaker 2: slowing down. 402 00:24:57,762 --> 00:25:03,002 Speaker 3: Even before getting Andy, Jean's health had been failing. Unbeknownst 403 00:25:03,122 --> 00:25:06,202 Speaker 3: to Jessica and her family, he had been in the 404 00:25:06,282 --> 00:25:08,882 Speaker 3: beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease. 405 00:25:09,482 --> 00:25:12,882 Speaker 4: I think Andy for that time was a tether for 406 00:25:13,002 --> 00:25:18,762 Speaker 4: my grandpa to reality. When Andy was killed, I think 407 00:25:18,842 --> 00:25:24,202 Speaker 4: that essentially snapped whatever cord was keeping him here. 408 00:25:24,602 --> 00:25:29,522 Speaker 3: Jean passed away on December thirty first, nineteen ninety nine. 409 00:25:29,562 --> 00:25:33,482 Speaker 3: He never found out who kidnapped and killed Andy, but 410 00:25:33,682 --> 00:25:44,762 Speaker 3: it turns out someone had already solved the mystery for 411 00:25:44,842 --> 00:25:48,962 Speaker 3: a long time. That was that the world kept turning. 412 00:25:49,082 --> 00:25:53,562 Speaker 3: In Hastings, the mall where Jessica was put on goosepoop 413 00:25:53,682 --> 00:25:57,642 Speaker 3: duty closed. The little school on the edge of town 414 00:25:57,722 --> 00:26:01,082 Speaker 3: that Jessica attended was literally put on the back of 415 00:26:01,122 --> 00:26:05,602 Speaker 3: a truck and driven away, leaving just an empty lot behind. 416 00:26:06,242 --> 00:26:11,642 Speaker 3: Hastings changed, and gradually the memory of Andy began to fade, 417 00:26:12,442 --> 00:26:16,122 Speaker 3: but not for the people who knew him best. Jessica 418 00:26:16,202 --> 00:26:20,002 Speaker 3: had always loved to write, so when she was a teen, 419 00:26:20,162 --> 00:26:24,002 Speaker 3: her family encouraged her to write a story about Andy. 420 00:26:24,522 --> 00:26:28,202 Speaker 3: She responded with her usual teenage enthusiasm. 421 00:26:28,762 --> 00:26:30,922 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, yeah, Okay, I'll get to it. Someday. I'll 422 00:26:30,922 --> 00:26:31,722 Speaker 2: get to it. Someday. 423 00:26:32,242 --> 00:26:34,442 Speaker 4: Time goes by, and then all of a sudden, you're 424 00:26:34,522 --> 00:26:37,882 Speaker 4: a person of a certain age, and you start thinking, oh, oh, 425 00:26:37,922 --> 00:26:39,682 Speaker 4: I don't have lots of time anymore. 426 00:26:40,282 --> 00:26:42,362 Speaker 2: But all of this time for me. 427 00:26:43,282 --> 00:26:47,442 Speaker 4: Has emotionally built me up to where I can handle 428 00:26:47,522 --> 00:26:48,562 Speaker 4: telling the story. 429 00:26:48,682 --> 00:26:48,962 Speaker 2: Now. 430 00:26:49,042 --> 00:26:53,002 Speaker 4: I can see it from a lens of outside of 431 00:26:53,042 --> 00:26:56,082 Speaker 4: an emotional lens, I guess. 432 00:26:55,602 --> 00:26:58,562 Speaker 2: More, from an adult perspective. 433 00:26:59,122 --> 00:27:03,002 Speaker 3: After about twenty years had gone by, Jessica put on 434 00:27:03,122 --> 00:27:07,562 Speaker 3: her detective hat and reopened the case of Andy's murder. 435 00:27:08,082 --> 00:27:12,282 Speaker 3: She turned over every stone and peered behind every lamp 436 00:27:12,322 --> 00:27:16,762 Speaker 3: post in Hastings looking for clues. She even reached out 437 00:27:16,762 --> 00:27:20,282 Speaker 3: to a fortune teller to perform a sance searching for 438 00:27:20,402 --> 00:27:26,762 Speaker 3: answers beyond the veil. Luckily, her grandparents meticulously kept track 439 00:27:27,082 --> 00:27:31,282 Speaker 3: of any potentially important piece of paper, and all of 440 00:27:31,322 --> 00:27:35,522 Speaker 3: that paper ended up in Jessica's possession. She was pouring 441 00:27:35,602 --> 00:27:40,282 Speaker 3: over fan mail, crime scene photos, and her grandmother's notebooks 442 00:27:40,802 --> 00:27:44,082 Speaker 3: when she noticed a letter she hadn't seen before. 443 00:27:44,802 --> 00:27:48,602 Speaker 2: This letter was too a bronze. 444 00:27:48,122 --> 00:27:52,802 Speaker 4: Sculpture artist that was in process of making this Andy sculpture, 445 00:27:52,842 --> 00:27:55,922 Speaker 4: and the letter was from my grandpa, and my grandpa 446 00:27:56,042 --> 00:28:00,162 Speaker 4: had said, when you finish, contact the Chamber president for 447 00:28:00,362 --> 00:28:02,522 Speaker 4: the money, because they had the reward fund. 448 00:28:03,042 --> 00:28:05,402 Speaker 2: And while that letter never got to the artist. 449 00:28:05,522 --> 00:28:09,322 Speaker 3: The artist had asked Gene for some photos of Andy 450 00:28:09,402 --> 00:28:12,882 Speaker 3: to finish part of his model. But since the letter 451 00:28:13,042 --> 00:28:16,682 Speaker 3: never got back to the artist, he never got his photos, 452 00:28:17,282 --> 00:28:21,162 Speaker 3: never finished the project, and never picked up the money. 453 00:28:21,802 --> 00:28:24,962 Speaker 4: So I called the artist and I found out that 454 00:28:25,362 --> 00:28:29,202 Speaker 4: it's a project that just disappeared. It just vanished, and 455 00:28:29,282 --> 00:28:31,962 Speaker 4: he was nearly done with it and had to change 456 00:28:32,002 --> 00:28:35,842 Speaker 4: his policy, and so it stands out to him. And 457 00:28:35,922 --> 00:28:38,802 Speaker 4: so then I'm like, oh, well, that's bad. Well, I 458 00:28:38,842 --> 00:28:42,202 Speaker 4: wonder what happened to the money. So I called the 459 00:28:42,202 --> 00:28:45,602 Speaker 4: Hastings Chamber to find out what happened to the reward fund. 460 00:28:46,442 --> 00:28:51,002 Speaker 3: It had been a while since Andy disappeared. The person 461 00:28:51,002 --> 00:28:54,242 Speaker 3: who answered the phone at the Chamber of Commerce had 462 00:28:54,362 --> 00:28:56,202 Speaker 3: no idea where the money was. 463 00:28:56,962 --> 00:29:00,402 Speaker 4: And so directed me to several phone numbers, one of 464 00:29:00,442 --> 00:29:04,362 Speaker 4: which was the express that was in that returned letter. 465 00:29:05,242 --> 00:29:09,082 Speaker 3: The ex president of the Chamber of Commerce, Ougene, had 466 00:29:09,242 --> 00:29:13,882 Speaker 3: directed the bronze sculpture artist to contact for payment in 467 00:29:13,962 --> 00:29:15,602 Speaker 3: the letter that never reached him. 468 00:29:16,082 --> 00:29:20,682 Speaker 4: I called the ex Press and yeah, almost immediately like, 469 00:29:20,802 --> 00:29:23,162 Speaker 4: of course, I sound like an idiot and stupid for 470 00:29:23,202 --> 00:29:25,442 Speaker 4: what I'm asking him about, you know, this goose and 471 00:29:25,522 --> 00:29:29,802 Speaker 4: murder and money. And he told me immediately that well, 472 00:29:29,882 --> 00:29:33,882 Speaker 4: the after they found who killed Andy, he was told, 473 00:29:33,922 --> 00:29:36,322 Speaker 4: you know, essentially they needed to sit on the money 474 00:29:36,362 --> 00:29:40,362 Speaker 4: until the statute of limitations ran out. And so at 475 00:29:40,362 --> 00:29:44,162 Speaker 4: that time I was floored and I didn't know. 476 00:29:44,042 --> 00:29:46,762 Speaker 2: How to react or what to say. So essentially I 477 00:29:46,842 --> 00:29:50,442 Speaker 2: just ended the call going they found the killer. 478 00:29:52,002 --> 00:29:55,522 Speaker 3: It turns out the murder had been solved for ages. 479 00:29:56,242 --> 00:30:00,562 Speaker 3: Only two years after Andy's death, the Sheriff's department called 480 00:30:00,682 --> 00:30:03,882 Speaker 3: the Chamber of Commerce and said they'd found out who 481 00:30:03,922 --> 00:30:06,602 Speaker 3: did it, but they wouldn't release the name, and they 482 00:30:06,602 --> 00:30:10,402 Speaker 3: didn't want a news release about it. The department said 483 00:30:10,442 --> 00:30:15,322 Speaker 3: the perpetrator was someone deemed quote not responsible. That's the 484 00:30:15,482 --> 00:30:20,202 Speaker 3: term usually used when someone is a minor, mentally disabled 485 00:30:20,402 --> 00:30:24,682 Speaker 3: or otherwise not in control of their actions. Maybe they 486 00:30:24,722 --> 00:30:27,322 Speaker 3: didn't want the news to get out because they knew 487 00:30:27,362 --> 00:30:32,322 Speaker 3: how fervently the residents of Hastings cared for Andy the goose. 488 00:30:32,762 --> 00:30:36,162 Speaker 3: If they knew, maybe they'd pick up torches and pitchforks 489 00:30:36,522 --> 00:30:42,482 Speaker 3: searching for revenge. Jessica wasn't interested in any retribution like that. 490 00:30:43,282 --> 00:30:46,682 Speaker 3: Knowing the name of the killer was important to Jessica 491 00:30:46,762 --> 00:30:51,162 Speaker 3: for one reason. She got the closure her grandfather could 492 00:30:51,162 --> 00:30:51,682 Speaker 3: never get. 493 00:30:52,842 --> 00:30:55,002 Speaker 1: Does that mean that you already know? 494 00:30:56,122 --> 00:30:57,242 Speaker 2: Yeah, of course I know. 495 00:30:57,842 --> 00:31:02,882 Speaker 1: Oh okay, And I'm guessing you don't want to share 496 00:31:02,882 --> 00:31:03,442 Speaker 1: it right now. 497 00:31:04,242 --> 00:31:07,202 Speaker 2: No, I'm not going to share right now. I'm not 498 00:31:07,202 --> 00:31:08,562 Speaker 2: got to share right now. 499 00:31:09,002 --> 00:31:13,322 Speaker 3: That's our producer, Sarah. She tried to probe Jessica for 500 00:31:13,402 --> 00:31:17,082 Speaker 3: the name, but Jessica is sitting on it for now. 501 00:31:17,722 --> 00:31:21,762 Speaker 3: She doesn't want to incite an angry mob. And besides, 502 00:31:21,882 --> 00:31:25,762 Speaker 3: the real story here isn't Andy's death, but his wild 503 00:31:25,962 --> 00:31:31,642 Speaker 3: and delightful life. Now Jessica is spreading that story far 504 00:31:31,802 --> 00:31:36,282 Speaker 3: and wide. While young Jessica wanted nothing to do with Andy, 505 00:31:36,802 --> 00:31:41,762 Speaker 3: adult Jessica feels called to ensure his legacy doesn't fade. 506 00:31:42,162 --> 00:31:44,882 Speaker 3: She has several projects in the pipeline. 507 00:31:45,362 --> 00:31:46,562 Speaker 2: Shall I count the ways? 508 00:31:46,682 --> 00:31:50,482 Speaker 4: Let's do the documentary, Let's do kid's books, Let's do 509 00:31:51,522 --> 00:31:55,722 Speaker 4: you know, cartoons, Let's do yeah, all sorts of things. 510 00:31:55,722 --> 00:31:59,442 Speaker 4: So Andy it's gonna be Andy Overload in the future. 511 00:31:59,922 --> 00:32:03,402 Speaker 3: Jessica has compiled all of her memories of Andy and 512 00:32:03,642 --> 00:32:08,282 Speaker 3: armchair investigations into his murder into a one woman show 513 00:32:08,322 --> 00:32:13,522 Speaker 3: called Andy Interrupted. By day, Jessica works as a park ranger, 514 00:32:13,922 --> 00:32:17,242 Speaker 3: but at night she's up on stage, presenting evidence and 515 00:32:17,562 --> 00:32:19,202 Speaker 3: entertaining audiences. 516 00:32:19,562 --> 00:32:23,242 Speaker 4: It just happened, and it was very natural. I had 517 00:32:23,282 --> 00:32:26,562 Speaker 4: a great time. I feel like it is a show 518 00:32:26,602 --> 00:32:29,642 Speaker 4: that is worth seeing. It's entertaining its history. 519 00:32:29,722 --> 00:32:35,962 Speaker 3: It's true, it's been over thirty years since Andy was killed. 520 00:32:36,522 --> 00:32:40,202 Speaker 3: Jessica never expected he would have such a grip on 521 00:32:40,242 --> 00:32:40,802 Speaker 3: her life. 522 00:32:41,282 --> 00:32:45,322 Speaker 4: I didn't realize my life path was crisscrossing his in 523 00:32:45,402 --> 00:32:50,322 Speaker 4: such a way that it almost seems predestined. 524 00:32:49,802 --> 00:32:52,122 Speaker 2: That I'm stuck with Andy the ghost. 525 00:32:53,682 --> 00:32:57,602 Speaker 4: But I'm finding joy in a place with this story 526 00:32:57,642 --> 00:33:01,442 Speaker 4: that I never saw myself heading towards. 527 00:33:02,082 --> 00:33:03,882 Speaker 2: And I could never. 528 00:33:04,242 --> 00:33:09,362 Speaker 4: Thank my grandfather enough for that moment of kindness of 529 00:33:09,442 --> 00:33:12,562 Speaker 4: him wanting to bring home a goose that. 530 00:33:12,522 --> 00:33:13,482 Speaker 2: Needed help walking. 531 00:33:14,002 --> 00:33:18,722 Speaker 4: You know, who would have known, It's like the butterfly effects. 532 00:33:19,042 --> 00:33:23,882 Speaker 4: My grandpa was always afraid that people would forget about 533 00:33:23,882 --> 00:33:27,202 Speaker 4: the legacy of Andy, you know, and the irony is 534 00:33:27,202 --> 00:33:30,202 Speaker 4: is that it was him. He was the one that forgot. 535 00:33:31,402 --> 00:33:34,002 Speaker 4: And so that's another big push like that hurts my 536 00:33:34,122 --> 00:33:37,722 Speaker 4: heart so much. And sometimes I can really go to 537 00:33:37,762 --> 00:33:39,202 Speaker 4: pieces when I'm talking about them. 538 00:33:39,362 --> 00:33:43,362 Speaker 3: And yet, thanks to people like Jessica, people who cared 539 00:33:43,442 --> 00:33:47,082 Speaker 3: about Andy, this Goose's story will live on. 540 00:33:48,162 --> 00:33:50,802 Speaker 4: One thing that I would like to do that I 541 00:33:50,842 --> 00:33:54,282 Speaker 4: think would be an honor for my grandpa is to 542 00:33:54,362 --> 00:33:59,562 Speaker 4: finish this bronze statue. The original artist that he had 543 00:33:59,682 --> 00:34:03,202 Speaker 4: hired is still willing to make it if we can 544 00:34:03,402 --> 00:34:06,722 Speaker 4: pull the funds together, and so that'll take time, but 545 00:34:07,002 --> 00:34:10,242 Speaker 4: eventually we'll get there and get the statue made, and 546 00:34:10,282 --> 00:34:13,562 Speaker 4: hopefully people will then be inspired to ask why is 547 00:34:13,602 --> 00:34:18,002 Speaker 4: this cute little goose wearing high tops? And that message 548 00:34:18,042 --> 00:34:22,762 Speaker 4: of kindness and invention will be brought back into the light. 549 00:34:27,202 --> 00:34:29,242 Speaker 5: All Right, we're back. I don't know if this one 550 00:34:29,282 --> 00:34:31,042 Speaker 5: needs to be a movie. We might just all need 551 00:34:31,082 --> 00:34:35,002 Speaker 5: to go see Jessica's one woman show about this totally. 552 00:34:35,042 --> 00:34:37,442 Speaker 5: But Saren, did you happen to cast this one anyway? 553 00:34:37,562 --> 00:34:38,002 Speaker 1: I did? 554 00:34:38,042 --> 00:34:40,122 Speaker 6: Well, you know I'm gonna love a story that starts 555 00:34:40,122 --> 00:34:42,602 Speaker 6: with someone metal detecting and then they find a goose 556 00:34:42,602 --> 00:34:44,402 Speaker 6: who wears a pair of sneakers. So I was like, 557 00:34:44,522 --> 00:34:47,282 Speaker 6: really into this story. So I tried casting Jean and 558 00:34:47,322 --> 00:34:49,682 Speaker 6: his granddaughter in a way that would be kind of 559 00:34:49,842 --> 00:34:51,642 Speaker 6: sweet and kind to make for a nice movie, even 560 00:34:51,682 --> 00:34:53,882 Speaker 6: if it doesn't deserve one per se. So since Jean 561 00:34:54,002 --> 00:34:57,242 Speaker 6: was from the greatest generation, I picked the actor Richard Farnsworth, 562 00:34:57,362 --> 00:34:59,682 Speaker 6: who was the assistant coach from the Natural. He also 563 00:34:59,682 --> 00:35:02,602 Speaker 6: wrote his tractor in that Oscar nominated movie The Straight Story. 564 00:35:02,602 --> 00:35:04,682 Speaker 1: I'm sure if you remember this, it was I believe 565 00:35:04,682 --> 00:35:05,602 Speaker 1: it David Bench film. 566 00:35:05,842 --> 00:35:09,442 Speaker 6: Yeah, the one that's like not weird, Yes, exactly. So 567 00:35:09,482 --> 00:35:11,282 Speaker 6: I thought that guy would be great as Gene. And 568 00:35:11,322 --> 00:35:14,762 Speaker 6: then for Jean's granddaughter, Jessica, I liked Ady Bryant from SNL. 569 00:35:14,762 --> 00:35:16,682 Speaker 6: It seemed like she could be from Nebraska and could 570 00:35:16,762 --> 00:35:18,362 Speaker 6: kill in that role where she and her grandpa tend 571 00:35:18,402 --> 00:35:20,562 Speaker 6: to a goose who wears sneakers, so she just has 572 00:35:20,562 --> 00:35:21,282 Speaker 6: like a sweetheart. 573 00:35:21,362 --> 00:35:22,442 Speaker 1: And then also I. 574 00:35:22,442 --> 00:35:24,922 Speaker 6: Did cast the Andy the Goose goes on Johnny Carson 575 00:35:25,002 --> 00:35:27,562 Speaker 6: bit so I cast that as Okay for the guest 576 00:35:27,642 --> 00:35:31,082 Speaker 6: Marge short that night, Dana Carvey, and it's Johnny Carson. 577 00:35:31,482 --> 00:35:34,562 Speaker 6: Also Dana Carvey, you got a special Dana Carvey interviews 578 00:35:34,602 --> 00:35:35,242 Speaker 6: Dana Carvey. 579 00:35:35,482 --> 00:35:38,442 Speaker 3: Mike Myers did that sort of thing all the time totally. 580 00:35:38,722 --> 00:35:40,002 Speaker 1: That was actually kind of where I got the. 581 00:35:39,922 --> 00:35:42,242 Speaker 3: Idea, Yeah, let Dana Carvey have a chance. 582 00:35:42,802 --> 00:35:43,362 Speaker 1: Yeah exactly. 583 00:35:43,362 --> 00:35:45,642 Speaker 6: I was like, you know, Dana is really amazing, and 584 00:35:45,682 --> 00:35:47,202 Speaker 6: we all think. To Mike Myers, I was like, you 585 00:35:47,282 --> 00:35:49,242 Speaker 6: know what, I think Dana Carvey gets this one. So yeah, 586 00:35:49,282 --> 00:35:51,082 Speaker 6: I'm glad you had the same thut. Do you guys 587 00:35:51,082 --> 00:35:53,082 Speaker 6: have any very special characters for this one? I mean 588 00:35:53,082 --> 00:35:54,962 Speaker 6: I picked Andy the goose obviously. I mean, you're gonna 589 00:35:54,962 --> 00:35:56,882 Speaker 6: be a goose with no feet wearing baby sized air 590 00:35:56,962 --> 00:35:58,442 Speaker 6: Jordan's every time I'm picking. 591 00:35:58,242 --> 00:36:00,322 Speaker 3: You, it's only the goose for me. The goose is 592 00:36:00,362 --> 00:36:02,962 Speaker 3: the star of this episode. There is no other character 593 00:36:03,042 --> 00:36:05,442 Speaker 3: in this episode except the sneaker wearing goose. 594 00:36:05,682 --> 00:36:06,002 Speaker 1: Yeah. 595 00:36:06,042 --> 00:36:10,242 Speaker 5: Really good golf cameos from Isabella Rossellini and Martin Shore, 596 00:36:10,402 --> 00:36:14,442 Speaker 5: but they weren't on screen enough though they Bringing out 597 00:36:14,482 --> 00:36:18,482 Speaker 5: a roast goose wearing sneakers is a killer bit. I've 598 00:36:18,482 --> 00:36:20,602 Speaker 5: thought about doing that for this episode, but I don't 599 00:36:20,642 --> 00:36:21,962 Speaker 5: know how to roast a goose. 600 00:36:23,322 --> 00:36:25,282 Speaker 6: I also want to see Andy the Goose on Broadway. 601 00:36:25,322 --> 00:36:27,202 Speaker 6: There was mention of like if it was a Broadway 602 00:36:27,242 --> 00:36:30,242 Speaker 6: show picture like I don't know Richard Kind as Grandpa Jean, 603 00:36:30,322 --> 00:36:34,362 Speaker 6: and like Christy Channerwickans, Jessica and French Stewart is Andy 604 00:36:34,402 --> 00:36:34,802 Speaker 6: the Goose. 605 00:36:34,882 --> 00:36:37,282 Speaker 1: You know what I'm in, I am in, I am in. 606 00:36:39,362 --> 00:36:42,082 Speaker 5: Very special episodes. Is made by some very special people. 607 00:36:42,802 --> 00:36:45,482 Speaker 5: Very special thanks to Jessica for sharing her family's story 608 00:36:45,522 --> 00:36:47,362 Speaker 5: with us. Do you ever have a chance to check 609 00:36:47,402 --> 00:36:51,362 Speaker 5: out her one woman show, Andy Interrupted? You absolutely should. 610 00:36:51,882 --> 00:36:55,282 Speaker 5: Today's episode was written by Sarah Shlee and edited by 611 00:36:55,602 --> 00:36:59,602 Speaker 5: Carmen Borca Carreo from the Wonder Media Network. We've teamed 612 00:36:59,642 --> 00:37:01,722 Speaker 5: up with Wonder on a few of these episodes. If 613 00:37:01,722 --> 00:37:04,162 Speaker 5: you like this one, check out the Affair of the 614 00:37:04,202 --> 00:37:06,882 Speaker 5: Diamond Necklace from last May, and be on the lookout 615 00:37:07,002 --> 00:37:10,282 Speaker 5: for a couple more from Wonder later this spring. Our 616 00:37:10,322 --> 00:37:14,122 Speaker 5: show is hosted by Danish Schwartz, Zaren Burnett, and Jason English. 617 00:37:14,642 --> 00:37:18,602 Speaker 5: Our producer is Josh Fisher. Editing and sound designed by 618 00:37:18,642 --> 00:37:23,562 Speaker 5: Josh Fisher, Additional editing by Mary Doo, Mixing and mastering 619 00:37:23,602 --> 00:37:28,442 Speaker 5: by Beheath Fraser. Original music by Elise McCoy fact checking 620 00:37:28,442 --> 00:37:33,522 Speaker 5: by Austin Thompson. Show logo by Lucy Kintania. Our executive 621 00:37:33,522 --> 00:37:37,162 Speaker 5: producer is Jason English. If you'd like to email the show, 622 00:37:37,322 --> 00:37:40,442 Speaker 5: you can reach us at Very Special Episodes at gmail 623 00:37:40,522 --> 00:37:44,242 Speaker 5: dot com. If you are a rating giving kind of person, 624 00:37:44,522 --> 00:37:46,962 Speaker 5: go give us a good one on Apple Podcasts or 625 00:37:47,082 --> 00:37:51,242 Speaker 5: Spotify or wherever you're listening. We will see you next Wednesday. 626 00:37:52,282 --> 00:37:55,842 Speaker 5: Very Special Episodes is the production of iHeart Podcasts.