Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-02-28

when asked her if she could say it was him, |
she answered clearly. No. l then asked
concerning Miss Riggs, and she Informed me
that she (Miss Riggs had visited her home
during the summer and that she had also
visited the Kaufmans; that young Kaufman
was Miss Riggs beau, and they intended to
marry, but his father objected because Of their
youth. From Luray l went to Louisa Court
house to see Mr.. Ritter With him found a
letter from Miss Riggs to his wife. This
letter had disgraceful charges against Mr..
Yates. Mr.. Ritter consented to my taking
the letter with me to let Mr.. Yates read it,
| took the letter to Mr. Yates; he read it, but
showed no excitement at all, and said it was
put-up job On him. He returned the letter
| to me.
| SAID IT WAS NOT TRUE.
81 wrote Miss Riggs to write me, if what
she said in the letter was true, and received a
reply that it was not | turned these letters
over to the institution, where [ think, they
still are. Certainly, they must be found
among the institution records of the case.
My convictions after the inquiry knowing
the disposition and temper of the deaf, was
!
tered the window, and 50 made my report, l
think, verbally. 1 may have written a letter
also, but cannot now remember. The matter
seemed of so little importance that | paid no
further attention to it,
To the above give my word of honor as
being true statement of my trip to Luray
and Louisa Courthouse. | gave no instruc-
ton to Miss Ogden beyond telling her to
stand by the truth, and that God would re-
ward her in the end.
And as to my word of honor, refer YOU to
every deaf person who knows me in Virginia,
OF anywhere else, and to that man of order in
a schooI-room Captain Charles S. Roller, of
Augusta county, and whom | taught at the
Virginia institution.
Tam, very respectfully, yours,
/ 81. W. MICHAELs."
At the time Professor Michaels visited Miss
Ogden, no one could have known that sub
committee Of the board would visit her, for,
at that time, no sub committee had been ap-
pointed for that purpose.
RITTER WANTED A PLACE.
AS to W. G. Ritter. another witness against
against me, l have this to say. He applied to
me as superintendent of the Arkansas Deaf
Mute Institution for positions for himself and
wife, after. according to his published state
ment before the investigating committee. Miss
Riggs. of Accomac, had written witness wife
that Teacher Yates had ruined her. 1t is
further true, that Mr.. Ritter and wife board
ed with me in Staunton just prior to my leav-
ing for Arkansas, and that | was led to be-
lieve from his own actions that he was sim
cere friend of mine, Now, leaving out of the
question this hearsay manner of elimination,
l submit would Ritter and wife have sought
positions under me in Arkansas and boarded
at my home In Stanton had l been the moral
leper he now would smrch? There certainly
must be some mistake about his testimony as
published in the newspapers.
TESTIMONIAL TO CAPT. DOYLE.
Before l close my statement, simply as a
matter of Justice to Capt. Z. S. Doyle l have
this to say:
l was associated intimately with him for
eleven or twelve years. We ate at the same
table, and had every opportunity to note his
private life and habits.
He was not dissipated man in any sense
OF that term. According to an old-time Viz
ginia custom, he sometimes took a "toddy,'
but never, while l knew him, was he to my
knowledge and belief under the influence of
liquor. On the contrary, he was a man of
high moral worth, and a true Christian gen.
tleman. l wish to say further and emphasize
it, that he was kind and honorable in all his
intercourse at the institution, worthy Of the
respect he received from ALL and true to every
trust reposed in him. And if am competent
, to Judge, his administration of the affairs of
the Institution of which he has been so long
, the head, was, during my long stay there with
him, in marked degree efficient and capable.
, And may be permitted to say further that it
is matter of heartfelt regret to me that a
man so noble and worthy of love should after
having served an afflicted class so long and
so WE'LL stand now in his old age in the atti-
tude of the man who warmed into life the
yenomous reptile that stung him to death.
THE OTHER TEACHERS.
Now as to the other teachers who have
been assailed: From long and intimate
acquaintance with them, l am willing to
swear, that they do not deserve, SO far as
4 know, that such calumny should be heapeJ
upon them.
J. [ consider Prof. lluritt one of the best
teachers and one of the truest friends that the
. deaf of Virginia ever had. roomed with
J.. him for years. and if he is anything else than
y true Christian gentleman, in every sense OF
the word, do not know it.
Prof. Bear, for forty years an hOnored
teacher of the deaf, with white locks and a
visage that give unmistakable evidence OF
f true labor and high character, is also charg-
ed He, who is an honor to that old institu
:. ton, both as pupil and as teacher! Car
i the prosecutors of such man think they will
& do credit to themselves, their class, or their
~ institution?
I! Professor Williams is also assailed
, better teacher and truer lover of the deaf
: never saw. He is a power in a school, {
e noble fellow in every respect.
# There is also Professor Uumbert. who,
n understand, is charged with berng cruel tt
;, the pupils and condoning the use of intoxi
:. cants among them. In my opinion greater
Or libel could not be peIpetrated upon any
:, man. During my ten OF twelve years as
: ISOLATION with him as teacher, he was, 81
- far as l could see or know, the sou
: of discipline and good order among
>. the pupils under his control Yet OF
account of having once been nearly blint
and pupil in the same institution he wa
at all times kind and sympathetic to the las
/. degree.
o. Does the character of a man amount tt
q anything? Or is it possible that life o
q faithful and earnest endeavor can be ruinet
n by the statements of a few people, some 0
r. whom do not know the value of language O
p. the meaning of connected expressions?
a TESTIFY TO HIS WORTH.
n Character does and must amount to some
T. ing and the following letters from forme