Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-04-06
\ STRONG DENIAL
From Charles Boutwell,. Who Figured In
the Habig Story.

the IIabig Story.
Charles +. Boutwell,, the New York
man who was the central figure in the
story outlined in yesterdays REGISTER,
as sworn to by Katie Habig, was seen
by reporter yesterday. He denied
that the girls story was true, and made
the following statement
The girl was of bad character be-
fore | took her away to New York, last
summer and well knew it, but great as
is the injury she has done me. have no
i'll will towards her, and would take her
back TO my house again if she would
agree TO behave herself. ! even had to
watch her at resort out the pike
on the day | left the city with
her. number of men following her.
In New York | took every precaution TO
keep her off the street and away from
men. knowing her improper tendency,
but despite all the efforts ! could make
i'm that direction, she succeeded i'm max
ing the acquaintance of man in a Soc
ond class restaurant. This came to my
! knowledge after ! had been sick 1t
had been my custom 10 do the market
ing, and as my wife and the girl herself
are OF German descent, we often drank
beer. getting il from "A saloon near by.
While | was sick, the girl asked and
was allowed to purchase various sup
plies and to obtain beer. but she would
often be gone a long time on these err
randS, and had my suspicious aroused.
! would question her as to whether she
met men or not, but she would invara-
bly, say she had not. When | was able
to 90 out, watched her and caught her
talking 10 this restaurant man, and
kissing him. Later, when | charged
her with it, she admitted it. and said
she had met him from the first day she
was permitted to 60 out.
"On the trip TO Florida, there was
quarrel in the sleeping car caught
her acting improperly with stranger.
and myself and wife Scolded her, as Il
matter of course-my wife being prob
ably rougher with her than myself.
When we got to Jacksonville ! notified
her people to meet her at Washington
City. and at once started back with her,
and turned her over to her brother at
Washington. As far as my letters are
concerned, am entirely willing to see
them all in print. The girl and the
newspapers have done me an irreparable
injury. but as | have said, hold no i'll
will toward her.
AS for myself, | know nothing Of
anyone named as the party said to have
put up money, and had no occasion to
obtain money in the manner indicated.
My income is i'm excess of what | spend,
and comes from investments. ] am Il
member of the Consolidated Exchange.
but am not an active member. | don
do much business there; generally
whcnI do. lose. am well known TO
Rresident Northrop, Of the Garfield
lNltiOnaf RsoAk, WIN lately invested
5.6Od'fdr Nc in Wells, Fargo Il Co.
stock, which pays me per cent. inter
est.
There is another point which ! wish
TO correct My wife never attempted
suicide here. That is absolutely un-
true. When ] read it, | asked her:
Why. did you ever do anything like
that?' and she said it was not true.
The story is all wrong. and enquiry
will show it to be So. am willing to
pay the expenses Of a reporter to 90 to
New York City and make an inycstiga
tion into the whole affair"