Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-24
A RAILR0ADER'S RUIN.
STRANGELY SWITCHED OFF BY A
SEDUCTIVE SIREN
A Baltimore and Ohio officials Boom in
Badness-Haffner's Happy Home
Wrecked and Good Name
Gone Glimmering.

Special dispatch to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
COLUMBUS, o., November 22.-FOr
some DAYS there has been much gossip
i'm railroad circles touching supposed
Illicit relations existing between we'll
known and efficient railroad clerk and
woman from GAINESVILLE. The atten-
ton on his part was so devoted and so
bold that it became manifest to his wife.
The result of the affair was, his wife lett
him and he lost his situation. The
person referred TO is Mr.. George j. Hail
ner, ticket agent OF the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, who resided at No. 46 East
Eighth avenue. Mr.. lIatiner for many
wears was the Chief Clerk OF Mr.. A.
ID. Smith, when that gentleman was
Auditor at Columbus for the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. He was not in
temperate, and had no irregular habits
that his friends knew OF until his IN
fatuation for the GAINESVILLE woman
came 10 the surface. Having risen to Il
position of confidence, and being in the
line of promotion, and having no habits
that were likely to interfere with IN
creased confidence from the Company,
il l. strange 10 the friends OF MIR.
IIailner that he became unbalanced IN
this direction.
lie has Just returned from West
jefferson, to which place he went 10
hold conference with Mrs. Hatlner,
who left his place OF abode lsst Mon
day. Her friends live in West Jefferson.
il is stated that Mr.. Hailner met the
GAINESVILLE woman, last summer. They
were together at Burr's Mill campmeet-
ing, near that place. Within the last
few months she came to Columbus Oc-
casionally, stopping at places where 1t
would be convenient to see Mr.. Hail
ner. She is about nineteen years OF age,
has dark hair, blue eyes, and, 1t Is said,
is rather prepOsSessing. One excuse
offered bv lIaflner to Mrs. Haffner, for
following the woman, was that he was
responsible fer her deviation from the
path of reCtitude, and was obliged to
take care Of her. Whether the obliga-
ton was compulsory, or q streak OF
moral conviction that he should make
some restitution for a grievOus wrong,
is not stated.
Last saturday Hahner told his wife
that ne had 10 90 out on the road on
business for the company. His wife,
however, learned that he had not gone
ont of the city, but was stopping IN
town with this woman from Barnes
vile. Halincr came home Sunday, and
it seems the wife could stand it no long
er. Ii is stated by the neighbors that 4
hot time was had at the house Tor
time, and in the afternoon the husband
lett. SUNDAY night Mrs. III. took up the
carpets, packed the furniture, and on
Monday morning took the buggy and
started for home. The matter had
reached the ears Of the officials of the
Baltimore and Ohio Company, and
MONDAY iafner was discharged.
From parties with whom Mrs. III. has
talked, il has been learned that Nh. IL
actuallvtoo his wife's iewelry and gave
il To the Belmont county girl. II is al-
legged by the injured wife that while she
was i'm Cincinnati, during the ExpOsi-
ton, her husband had the girl installed
Us mistress Of the house. -
Haflner has had many warm friends
in the city, was competent railroad
official, and man of fine address. His
sudden ruin for this reason the more
surprises his friends. The ease furnishes
an illustration OF those strange infatua.
tious which at times cause men TO for
get almost all the ties which they ordin-
arilv hold dear and cherish warmly.