The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-24
Special Dispatch to tho IntollIgenoer.

Special DlSpntcn 10 tno lhtellEtncers
CHARLESTON, ", Va, Nov, 2S.-Po-
lltIcal circles were turned topsy- turvy
to-day when the news spread that ].
w. Goshom, familiarly known as "Blil
Dave" for twelve years county clerk,
had been arrested for theft, 1t could
hardly be believed. but visit to Squire
Bonds office authenticated the report.
Mr., Goshorn was there, and SO was his
brother Ernest. but Sheriff Copenha-
yer had charge OF the former. and he
was not allowed 20 depart from the
room without an escort. Mr.. Goshorn
called the Intelligencer representative
TO one side, and stated that II was "a
set up Job" on him. In few words he
said: II wanted to see certain papers
I'm the county clerks Office, and made
arrangements with bob" Coleman. who
works there, to get them for me, so l
could view them at my leisure. He did
as asked, but the officials thought
was taking them to keep, and thus the
annoyance am put to. am confident
can prove myself innocent of the
charge"
]. A. Jarrett. deputy county clerk,
said: "Bill Dave" Goshorn has been
coming to our office frequently and
looking over papers. Not long since he
made an arrangement with Robert
Coleman, who works in our office, to
get hold OF certain cancelled road Or
ders to the amount OF $500, and prom
fsed him good reward II he would
burn them He gave as his reason that
some one ought to go TO the penitenti-
nry, and ex-Sheriff Peter Sllman might
as we'll be the one; for II the orders
could not be found in the future, II
would be conclusive evidence that Sill
man had conspired with the county
court to defraud the county out OF
$4,000. It would show steal between
the sheriff and county court, and per-
haps all could be sent to the pen" Mr..
Coleman would not agree to destroy
them, but he told Goshorn he would
place them where he could find them.
and arranged to have Goshorn come In
at noon to-day while was at dinner.
"About twenty minutes before noon
Goshoru and his brother Ernest came to
the room and remained until | started
home to dinner. Wien / left, "Biil
Dave" accompanied me to the door OF
the court house, and when l mounted
my bicycle he hurried back into the
clerks office and took out the papers,
placing them in his inside coat pocket.
He and his brother then hurried out
and came out on the Court street en-
trance. when they were interrupted by
Deputy Sheriff Jarrett and ex-Sherln
Silman, who made pretense OF wish
ing 30 pay them money. About that
time, came upon the scene, and "Bill
Dave" seeing that he was trapped, ask
ed Mr.. silman to return to the clerks
Office with him, as he wished to look
over some land books.
1--WE all returned to the office and
hardly had we entered the back apart
ment when Goshorn made an excuse to
go 20 O closet near by. / knew his mo-
tive. He would go in there and de-
strpv the papers in his possession. by
washing them in the sewer. grabbed
him bv the coat and said: 'Goshorn,
want those papers and he obeyed my
orders by handing them over. Sheriff
Copenhaver then came In and arrested
him"
Mr.. Goshorn was taken before Squire
Bond and employed General @. C.Watts
10 defend him. The case came up at
2:3O o'clock. and quite number OF wit
uesscs were examined, whose testimony
was about the same a. given above.
Colonel John g.. Floyd, represented
the prosecution. Goshorn was released
upon 81, 200 bond signed by ]. VI. Saun-
der. A special grand Jury will he call
ed nt once. to investigate the charges
against him.