The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-24
The Camden Heirs Deny
AtkinSOn'S Charge.
Assert They Did Not Intend
to Annoy the Governor.
Lawyer Writes Letter Regarding
Work of the Grand Jury.

Parkcrsburg, w. Va, June 2i.-The
heirs of the late Judge Gideon ID. Cam
den are indignant over the charges made
by Governor Atkinson, through the Gin
cinnatI Commercial Tribune, that the
case or forgery was worked up against
Mrs. Camden by the Camden heirs TO
humiliate him, as he is TO be married TO
Mrs. Camden.
Camden Sommers of Clarksburg editor
OF the County Mail ana Advertiser and
grandson of Judge Camden. Is one OF the
attorneys for the Camden heirs. He is
well known throughout West Virginia
and although member of the bar of the
state has never practiced his profession
TO any extent but has been engaged in
newspaper work most of the time His
brotber-in-law, Charles III. Taney, is ed
itor of theWheeling Register, and Hoffman
Sommers, his brother Is the senior mem
ber of the firm of Boughner * Sommers
insurance agents, Of this city. The fam
ily feels bitterly the accusations of Gov
ernor Atkinson, and the following is a
copy of a letter sent TO thei governor yes
terday by Camden Sommers:
70 Hon. George w. Atkinson:
Dear Sir-I have just read purported
interview with you In the Commercial
tribune of Cincinnati, under date of
Juno 20, in reference TO recent indict-
ment found against Mrs. Myra ii. Cam
den of this place, by the grand jury of
Gilmer county.
No Humiliation Intended.
You say in that interview that you be-
lieye there was an effort to humiliate yo,l
In reference To this statement, desire to
say that this matter was called to the
attention OF the prosecuting attorney Of
Gilmer county I'm May, 1896 Action
was delayed at the October term of court,
more because of the general election
than for any other reason. The old attor-
ney was goinR.out of Office and n new one
was coming in. and, besides this. almost
every body was busy with political matters.
Isere-was- grand jury at the
February term of court, and IL was not
before this time that the matter could be
properly brought before the grand jury.
This action, therefore, was contemplated
before you were talked OF as candidate
for governor of hhis state, and before
there was any public announcement or
even rumor of your approaching mar
riage with Mrs. Camden.
You have absolutely no connection
whatever in the matter. In your interview
you explain the circumstances of the in :
dictment by saying that 10 was merely an
effort on the part of other heirs of q. ID.
Camden to secure property which they
claimed and which the governor and Mrs.
Camden claimed belonged to Mrs. Cam
den.
The Work OF Attorneys
The heirs Of Judge Camden have abso-
lutely no connection with this matter, but
1t Is the action OF their paid attorneys,
active In their efforts to save their clients
the small remainder left to them OF q once
fair and valuable estate. There can be no
property now included in the assets Of
the estate to which Mrs. Camden can lay
claim whatever. as she has BEEN sspaid in
full the sl0S, 0O0 demanded under com
promise agreement.
In your purported interview you declare
that Mrs. Camden would not have any
trouble in clearing herself, and that you
would be married IN spite Of their efforts.
There Is no effort whatever on the part of
the heirs TO prevent your marriage, and
rs 10 Mrs. Camden being able to clear
herself they hope 1t may be true. learn
with pleasure that you will be here TO
deliver an address Thursday night. II
you desire 1t at that time, "a copy of the
indictment and all tho original docu-
mentary evidence in the case will be
spread before you or any one interested,
either privately or in the presence of
counsel, and II, after examination of the
papers, you or any one Interested can show
that there Is nothing in the case, or can
even offer plausible explanation of tho
unfortunate affair." the Camden heirs will
be second to no one in congratulating
the widow Of their distinguished relative
upon happy escape from this most un-
happy situation.
l have the honor to remain your obe-
dent servant.
CAMDEN SOMNlERS.
Attorney for Camden Heirs
Governor Atkinson Talks.
The governor left here last evening
for Marksbury to make an address To the
Masonic fraternity this evening. and on
Friday will marry Mrs. Myra H. Cam
den. who has been recently indicted by
the Gilmer county grand jury. The gov
ernor says that an effort is being made 20
give his wedding au unpleasant notoricty.
The fact that the indictment and the
announcement of the engagement came
almost simultaneously he regards as an
effort TO embarrass him and his prospec-
tive bride. Judge Camden has been dead
several years, and the alleged .forgeries
of his name TO receipts were made before
! his death, tho present prosecution hav-
| ing been begun, Gov. Atkinson says only
since the announcement of the comi z
marriage of Mrs Camden.
There was considerable litigation over
tho settlement Of the judges estate. and
will, which left the bulk OF the property
to Mrs. Camden.
Gov. Atkinson thinks that the charge
will fall through. or that IL the case ever
| comes to trial 10 Will result In the COM
plete vindication of Mrs. Camden. lie
Is emphatic In his declaration that he
will stand by Mrs. Camden to the last
and says the affair Is an effort ON the
part of other heirs To the Camden estate
To secure property. lie also reaflirms
| there is an effort To humiliate him.
IL is claimed that Mrs. Camden was
authorized to sign the receipts which 1t is
alleged were forged.
Donovan Indicted.