The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-07-15
PROF. BOGART EXONERATED.
Continued from First Pagel

Hllh 10 IthlEui DuJ would nave prosecuted
him and discharged him if there had been
cause to Justify the action
An affidavit by Miss Catherine Norris now
superintendent Of the schools, stated that
Clara Yates is smaller than the average girl
of her age. detective Toole claims she is
well developed Miss Norris swoars She be-
lieves the Yates charges are wholly untrue
and that Prof. Bogart is a man of excellent
reputation and ability.
An affidavit by Minnie Rebeek, a pupil in
the schools, states that the Yates girl told her
that the story was what she had dreamed and
that it had no foundation
Elsie and Lillian Shuck also pupils, swear
that it was the universal custom for children
to visit the schools and receive instructions
from teachers that Prof Bogart frequently
escorted them and other pupils home after
such meetings and they never saw him do
anything other than what gentleman would.
That he was always more like father than a
stranger.
Elizabeth Gallagher swears she was EN-
ployed as a domestic in Prof Bogart's home
and lived in a place adjoining Knoxville.
She went home every night and when she
was delayed after dark Prof. Bogart escorted
her home. His conduct was always that Of
an upright and honorable gentleman.
clipping from a Knoxville newspaper
stamping the Yates charge as a malicious at
tack for vengeance upon Prof Bogart, as well
as a letter to similar effect and embracing IA
high recommendation to State 'Superinten-
dent Schaejer from Griffin Reno, d. D., of
Knoxville and Frank D. Troth, ex-Secre-
tary of the Knoxville School Board, were also
read. similar letter from w. O. Quest of
Knoxville was read and then President Price
read the report of the committee that visited
Knoxville, and which was favorable to Prof.
Bogart 1t was read at the last meeting.
President Price concluded his presentation
of atlidavits by reading one by Superinten-
dent Bogart, in which he swears that he
never treated the Yates girl ungentlemanly,
or in any way insulted her.
Immediately after this affidavit was read
Mr.. Higgins moved that Detective Toole be
called in as further evidence" Mr. Dewitt
seconded the motion but it was lost by a vote
of to 8. Mr. Church voted with the six
Democratic members.
Mr. Dewitt and President Price had another
lively discussion on the relevancy Of Mr.
Toole's appearance the President overruling
Mr.. Dewitt with the statement that if Mr.
Toole had any papers he could send them and
that it was understood that the evidence he
had CLEANED was embraced in the afiidavits
that had been read.
Mr.. Dewitt Perhaps not half of ours is
out yet"
Mr.. Price IF he has any papers let him
send them in"
Mr.. Dewitt well, don't know that he
has,
Mr.. Hanna I'VE are investigating this
case and l don't see what dread there can be.
of having Mr.. Toole come in here and giving
what he learned"
Mr. Price He has given what he has
found in the aiiidavits presented"
Mr.. Edwards contended that there really
was only two pieces of evidence bearing
directly ON the charge-the affidavit Of the
girl making it and the affidavit of Superin-
tendent denying it, He added. Suppose a
girl came into this room when Mr.. Hanna
was alone and asked him for book, and
after getting it, the girl went out and said he
had insulted her, How could he prove him
self innocent?"
Mr.. Hanna was anxious to reply and made
it quite lengthy, saying, substantially, that
he would not run away, but would stand his
ground and face the charge, etc
Mr.. Edwards replied with the remark that
Mr., Hanna denial would not prove his in
nOcence
Mr.. Hanna Don't the father and
mother say that Mr. Bogart promised that if
they would let the matter drop he would re-
sign and leave the town 2'
Mr. Edwards And five of the School
Directors swear that that is not true and our
committee TO Knoxville claim it is
not true. We have the commission from the
State Superintendent the Attorney General
decides he has no jurisdiction then you went
back to the State Department and asked them
to recall the commission, and the answer you
have. Now we have these atfdavits, a fiat
contradiction Of everything you have read
You cannot do any more than make Prof
Bogart deny it under oath, and you have his
statement before you. 4 mans word should
be as good as his oath.
Mr.. Hanna: 80, no mans word is not
as good as his oath"
Mr. Edwards Il say MANS word is as
good as his oath at al times"
Finally Mr.. Edwards made the following
motion: 81 move that the Superintendent
that was elected on May 5th, 1896, to serve
for three years be entirely exonemted from
these charges that the report Of the State
Superintendent be accepted and filed and that
the committee Of five be discharged" Mr.
Baugh seconded the motion.
Mr. Dewitt moved as an amendment that
the superintendent does not be exonerated
and that the committee be continued until
he has proved himself innocent of the
charges preferred against him.
Mr., Lee said he did not think there was
any alternative left, but to accept Mr. Bogart
Mr. Edwards AN intelligent and i'm
partial man would not ignore all the evidence
that is there. We have the afidavits Of five
members of the Knoxville school Board
swearing that there was no evidence against
Mr.. Bogart or he would not have been allowed
to resign, Are we going to ignore them and
believe just what the girl say" ="
Mr. OBrien I'VE are Just in the same
place as when we started this evening l
don't think it fair to acquit this man without
having hearing in Knoxville and if we do
not l say gentlemen right here, the citizens
and Taxpayers will not stand it and a meet
ing will be called, and we will have an
investigation over our heads'
Mr. Sullivan This thing Of only two
atiidavits. l want to know if Mr. Bogart