Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-23


in which three of the most prominent
young men in the State found themselves
involved at an early hour this morning.
Imagine two bank officials. prominent
members of the Pendennis, probably the
most arstocratic social club in the South,
and sons of wealthy parents, found in
nude condition with two young women in
a Turkish bath house conducted by the
son of one of the greatest editors In the
country; thence all four running stark
naked through the snow-covered streets,
revolver in hand, caught by policeman,
arrested, and then arrangements made for
a duel Then some idea can be had OF
story which is probably the biggest sensa-
ton of the kind that ever shocked Louis
vile.
The principals in this scene were John
w. Sharp, of the First National Bank, of
Louisville: Stone Walker, millionaire
banker of Richmond, KY; two handsome
young women of the lower strata, and the
son OF Henry Watterson. 1t is just TO say
in the beginning that Mr.. Ewing Waiter
sons part in the affair is worthy OF the
highest commentator, and none OF the
odium of the sensation is due him, as he
dCGeQ only III Iuo uclOuSb VI buC ASpuNdbLOu
Of his fashionable Turkish 0ath-house
The Pendenuis Club and the Crescent
Bathhouse are in the central portion OF the
city, and are only half square from each
other. Though Mr.. Walkers home is at
Richmond, he spends much of his time in
this city, and he and John NJ. Sharp are
''chums," both being BANKERS. Mr.. Walk
or is ranked with the best politicians in the
State, and was an active supporter OF Cas-
sius NJ. Clay, Jr., as long he was in the
present Senatorial race. He and Mr..
Sharp usually while away their idle hours
in the luxurious apartments Of the Pen
dennis Club They are Kentuckia of
blue blood, and are not averse TO the taste
of old Bourbon on a cold snowy morning
like this was.
Last evening they
TALKED LONG AND GAYLY
over their wine cups. Midnight came.
Still they had not left the club rooms. A
half hour later they entered the carriage
at the door and disappeared, none save
their own full selves knew where 1t now
seems probable that even they didn't know,
else gentlemen of such standing and re-
sponsibility would not have brought them
selves so Hnenviously before the public
gaze. That was the first act of the play.
Shortly after o'clock the curtain was
rung up on another act, which, had there
been an audience, would have brought 10
their mind the luxurious, Intoxicating life
of the young Roman aristocrats about the
famous baths Of PCmpeii carriage
drove to the foot of the broad stairs lead
ing into the Crescent Bath-house, conduct
ed by Mr. Ewing Watterson on high
Eastern scale. The baths are open all
night but for "men only" Mr.. Sharp
and Mr. Walker. the gentlemen from the
Pendennis, stepped from the carriage. a
handsome young woman clinging to the arm
Of each. A porter in Oriental costume
opened the door. 1t was at the quiet hours
Of the night and thinking the breach of
rules would not be discovered the porter
allowed fat "tip' to persuade him into ad-
hitting the two couples.
TWO GENUINE TURKS
ushered them into the large bathing room,
where, in q very brief time, the bankers
and the women were stripped like new
born babe. On marble slabs they were
placed and steamed, and delightful per-
fumes were rubbed into their moistened
skins. The women became languorous un-
der the influence of the bath, but finally all
took plunge in the marble pool, the mar
BILE in which was as clear as crystal. An
hour had been passed at the bath, and such
an hour IL was
Mr.. Watterson has an elegant suit OF
rooms over the place, and after o'clock
the night clerk stole quietly to his room.
''Mr. Watterson,n said he 1.-TWO men and
two women are bathing together. What
shall dol Just found it out"
Mr. Ratterson sprang from his bed,
hastily dressed and rushed downstairs.
The guilty bathers heard him coming
They were naked. II was no time for GER
emonies. Mr.. Walker drew pistol from
his trousers, which lay on chair He
aud Mr.. Sharp slipped on their overcoats
and shoes The women only got their
stockings on. All grabbed their clothes in
their arms. and at the point Of pistol, the
porter was ordered TO open the spring
latched door He feared 10 move. The or
der was repeated three times, with the
THREAT or INSTANT DEATH.
The door was opened. A half inch Of
snow had fallen. and the white fakes still
came down rapidly. Naked and shiver-
ing. the strange looking quartet ran into
the street. They reached the corner, just
above which was the Pendennis, not
knowing whittier to 90. A burly police
mans form emerged from Beneath lamp
most. and his stern command, Consider
Yourselves my prisoners" rang like their
death-knell They could not resist
Walker was disarmed. and the policeman
marched tnem 10 the Fonda Block, where
they were allowed TO dress.
In the meantime Mr.. Watterson had tele-
phoned 70 Central police station, and the
patrol wagon dashed 10 the Crescent. But
the birds seemed TO have flown. The
wagon had barely returned 70 the station
when it was called 10 the Fonda, and
Sharp and Walker were taken TO be
locked up. The policeman did not know
what had occurred, he says, and the women
were allowed to 20. The men were taken
first to Mr.. Watterson's rooms. They
asked him not TO prosecute them, but he
was immovable,
''You are coward and won't fght,"
said Banker Sharp bitterly.
"I WILL FIGHT YoU WITH PISTOLS
AZ ten PAGES, - said Mr.. Wattersou.
''Irs 60" said Sharp, but the police in
terfered aud took the prisoners 70 jail.
where they put upc cash collateral for their
bond, the charge being oIsorderly conduct
Sharp entered a carriage and ordered the
driver TO 20 10 the Crescent, saying be in
tended TO fight q duel with Mr.. Wat
terson. But the police watched
his movements and trouble was at least
temporarily avoided. The prisoners gave
sssnmed names. Sharp was registered az
George Spinning, and Walker as Caleb
Shearer. Mr. Watterson SAYS he will
prosecute them TO the last. He was deep
put his place, which has high reputation,