Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-03-12
TEASDALE'S CHARGES.
Supt. Thompson Denies Them, and Is
Backed by Affidavits.

Backed by Ahidavits.
Superintendent Thompson, Of the
city gas works, denies in toto the
charges made by Robert Teasdale, IN
card signed by him, and published
last Sunday Supt. Thompson says,
first, that the trustees never instructed
him to notify Teasdale to furnish better
coal. He did of his own motion tel
Teasdale he must do so; so did Mr.. Pol
lock, of the gas board. This had no
effect. and the board then directed Sec
rotary Schul to advertise for new blds.
Mr.. Thompson says he has no DOUBT
that as the coal was received here II
was all right, but Teasdale took out
the Jumps, sold them as clean coal ana
sent the city the rest. Mr.. Thompson
says five different persons told MN
they would be willing to youch 1Or Ihls
statement. Further than this, he says
he defies Teasdale to name person
connected with the gas works to whom
he ever furnished free coal or whisky
If anybody ever did accept anything ne
would like to know it, and who they
are.
Mr.. Thompson's statements are
backed up by two afiidavits bearing on
the subject. made by employees OF the
works, and which are as follows:
State of West Virginia, County of Ohio
tO-Wit:
On this 10th day of March, 1896, person
ally appeared before the underslshed 49,
thOrity William Is. Tracey, VINO Deliis uutS
sworn states that he has lived III the Cl1y
of Wheeling all mis- llte with the eAcePlilo ,.
of about TWO years at stanton, Va, InaI
since November l, 1880, ne mas p S - ~,
pioyed at the City Electric Llght FldHl a.
coal passer. that is he loads the cars anu anu
shOVes or prOpels the same TO the HrtIilan'
that early in February, 1870, hOpeil -.
dale began to furnish coal 10 the sdlu
plant: that said coal from the beglhuIu5
was of a very inferior quality, composer
principally of slack and art lhat III d J. M
of one night this Teasdale coal Iequ4i -
from three to four carloads more thdH MaH
used of the coal which they burned prior
10 getting the TeaSdale coal. Attlant luI-
Their states that he knows of none OF the
men getting coal or whisky from IedsddIe,
that he has no recollection OF Iedsud,e SNel
delivering coal TO him in the past before
securing employment at said plant or since
but If he ever did atiiant paid MIN (the
said Teasdale) for the coal, but aIlahl
AYERS that he has no recollection OF ever
buying any coal from him. As 10 the
charge that the employees are running the
works, afliant AYERS that he individually
is only attending 10 his particular WORK.
but his observation is that superintendent
Thompson is running the works without
the aid or assistance of anyone and needs
w B. TRACEY.
Taken. subscribed and sworn to before
me this 9th day Of March, 1896.
r. n. GILLESPY,
Notary Public in and for Ohio County,
West Virginia.
State of West Virginia, County of Ohio,
On this 10Th day of March. 1896, person
ally appeared before the unders gned au-
thority James Bell. who being duly sWoIh
says that for the past eighteen years .4e
has been a resident and citizen Of me CITY
of Wheeling. West virginia, tnal since
November. 1890 he has been employed 5 Z.
fireman at the Wheeling Electric Light
Plant: that Robert Teacdale on the 81 day
of February. 1896. began under contract
with the Gas Trustees OF sald cltN, 10 luI-
nish coal 10 the said Electric Light Plant,
which was under said contract TO be run
of-mine coal of first class quality, but al
fiant AYERS that. on the contrary, II was
composed in great part or sack ana d.It'
that on or about February S the atiant
met the said Teasdale al his place OF Dus'@
ness. and was asked by him how he liked
the coal he was furnishing the plant. At
faint uepled II was not worth damn.
Then Teesda'e asked affiant to say nothing
about the coal 10 give him the number Of
his Cafiianrs) house. and he CTeasdale)
would send him a load of coal Ntfiant
further says that in said last named con-
versatiou the said Robert Teasdale told
him and promised him that if ne continued
TO burn his coal a the said plant and KEEPS
his mouth shut about the quality Of the
same. said nothing 10 the superintendent
or the trustees about the same he CTeaS-
dale) could afford 10 keen affi2nt in coal all
the time Affant replied: 'Mr. easdale,
I don't feel like burning three to four car
loads more of your coal than other peoples
Cmeauing thereby that the inferior quality
80 rrfsf fisff al ffnH fa
consumption; that is, more coal TO keep the
steam US than if the Goa. was of better
quality Afiiant Immediately reported
above attemgt to bride him to to, Trustee
Councilmen J. r. Butts, Thomas G. Britt
and a number of his fellow workmen at
the plant. Afiiant further AYERS that TO
his knowledge and belief the said Teasdal6
never at any time furnished any employee
of the said Electric Plant with either liquor
or coal. unless some of them might have
purchased coal from his as they would
from any coal dealer. Atiiant further says
that he never saw the said Teasdale at the
said plant. but understands he was there
once day or two after he got the contract
As to the insinuatiOn of said Teasdale's
that the men are running the works. aft
ant says that he simply and strictly Is per-
forming his work as fireman under the
orders Of his boss. and his observation
teaches him that this is true of all the.other
mer; th9t the superintendent is the head
on me NoIhS. anu runs the same without
the aid or assistance of anyone and re-
quires none Affiant further saws that he
has neither purchased nor received any
coal from said Teasdale since going to
work at said plant I'M November 1895. and
further afiant saith not
JAMES BELL.
Taken. subscribed and sworn to before
me this 9th day of March, 1896
r. n. GlLLESPY.
Notary Public in and for Ohio County.
West Virginia.