The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1897-10-08
Mrs. AtkiQsol
Before the Court at GIenville.
The Governor and Other Noted Pso-
pie in Attendance.

Chenille, w. Va, Oct. 3.-The
most noted case which ever came
up in the circuit court of Gilmer
county, and one which, consider
ing the prominence of the parties
involved. and the sensational
nature of the the charges pre-.
ferred. probably finds no parallel
instance in any State in the
Union, was called by Judge Biz
zard Friday morning. when court
opened, and is now in course Of
trial.
Mrs. Myra q. Camden, widow
of the late Judge G. d. Camden.
of Clarksburg, was indicted at
the June term of the circuit court,
of this county, upon a charge Of
having illegally signed Judge
Camden's name TO some receipts,
Mr.. Camden Sommers, one of the
heirs of Judge Camden, being
the chief witness against her..
Mrs. Atkinson does not deny that
she signed her husbands name
to a great many papers during
his long illness and always with,
his authority and the courts have
many times in the past recog:
nized her authority to do this and
have accepted, without question,
papers so executed.
The finding of the Indictment
by the grand jury created quite
a sensation at the time, coming
on the eve of Mrs. Camden's mar
rage to Governor George w
Atkinson.
When the case was reached on
the docket, Judge John Brannon
appeared for Mrs. Atkinson and
entered a general demurrer to
the Indictment; the demurrer
was set for argument and Judge,
Brannon entered into a lengthy
discussion of legal technicalities,
admitting the execution of the
papers on the part of Mrs. Atksn-
son, but denying that they were.
in any sense forgeries.
Robt. G. Linn, counsel for the
prosecution. conducted the argu-
ment against the demurrer, and
the whole, making an effective
and logical argument.
Hon. r. P. Kidd, for the defense,
divided the thirty minutes allotted
Judge Brannon for closing the
argument, and made a telling and
characteristing speech. MIS-.
Atkinson, all through the pro-
ceedings, was an attentive list
ener to the arguments and fire.
quently, during the course of
Judge Brannon's remarks, ex-
pressed her approval by inclina,
tions of the head.
Judge Blizzard overruled the
demurrer and declared theindict-
ment to be valid upon its face.
The defense is ably represent
ed by Judge John Brannon and
w. W. Brannon, of Weston. and
Hon. X. F. Kidd. and Spencer
Collins. of this place. while the
States interests are being vel.
looked after by by Robert g.
Linn, John S. Withers and Prese-
cutting Attorney G. N. Bennett,
of the local bar.
Camden Sommers, of Clarks.
burg, the main prosecuting wit
ness; Mr.. Ramsburg, of Fred
erick, Md; W. L. Camden. Of
Baltimore, and other heirs of the
late Judge Camden, are here for
the purpose of prosecuting the
case with al, the vigor possible.
Glennville, Oct. 6.-For several
days it has been impossible to
proceed with the trial of drs.
Atkinson because the States
main witness, Geo. w. DAWSON,
of Lewis county, was not present.
It was claimed that he was sick
SO the court finally seat an officer
and a physician after him. he
is now here and the trial will go
on at once.
The friends. of Mrs. Atkinson
are very active in her behalf and
are bringing into court many
sss.,-,e,s, 49,. &t,e 4 eFSnno Han