Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-20
O.H.Berry& Co.,
Main and Tenth Streets.
GOVERNOR ATKINsoN's WIFE.
Little Likelihood of second Trial or
Forgery Case.
Washlngton Post.)


Governor Atkinson of my State, can
pardon his wife if she is convicted on the
second trial." said Congressman Charles
p. Dorr. of West Virginia. but he can
not appeal to the people for vindicauon
until 1891. The Constitution or west
Virginia wisely provides that no Governor
can succeed himself. and Governor Atkln-
son must wait just seven years Tor VIM
dication If the case turns against his
wife and he pardons her with an appeal
TO the people for vindication. Political
things move pretty swift in this world
and time, and seven years are long
time to wait for vindication.
Seriously speaking" said Mr. Dorr, l
do not believe the case will ever come
to a second trial. a dead issue - usual
" inferred in West Virginia, and this Is
a dead issue. Newspapers in the Dig
cities cannot galvanize 1t into llfe
Mrs. Atkinson is a very beautiful wo-
man. She has large amount of gray
matter as the reporters call IT, in her
head. and she is not likely to be con-
victed i'm any trial that can be had In
West Virginia. And nobody Is anxious
to have her convicted.
Her first husband was Or. Davidson.
a brilliant, but somewhat dissipated man.
Mrs. Atkinson's maiden name was Horter,
and she was always known as wonder
fully bright and attractive woman. The
product of this union was two children,
both sons and now grown. One night
DIR. Davidson, looking for a bottle Of
liquor, drank concentrated I've by mis-
take, and died.
."Soon after Mrs. Davidson married
Jndge George ID. Camden. He was 30
and had N.
He was wealthy, mainly in farming
lands. and he trusted his wife fully and
implicitly. She was his private secre-
tary, with full power Of attorney, and
during his declining years she was the
entire family. Judge Camden was an
uncle of Johnson n. Camden, United
States Senator from West Virginia. All
the Camdens were money-making men,
and Judge George ID. Camden was no eN-
ception When he died IL was discovered
that a will existed whereby the wife was
given practically all the property. This
was no surprise. but the heirs raised a
row. The will was attacked. After some
litigation a compromise was agreed upon.
Mrs Camden netted SlOS,OOO out Of the
transaction.
"Not long after the death OF Judge
Camden the widow became the wife OF
George Wesley Atkinson. Governor of
West Virginia. He had been an able
Methodist preacher i'm his early days, and
he became an able lawyer shortly after
ward. He had been married before.
Two sons. both grown. were his Off
spring. He married Mrs. Camden, and
from this multiplicity Of family interests
the present row started. Camden Som
mers, who led the fight against Mrs. At
kinson. is a nephew of Judge George
ID. Camden He is a bold and aggressive
man, but fighting a woman is usually
losing business. He will find it so in the
end.
But, win or lose, Governor Atkinson
cannot appeal TO the people until 1891. IL
he resigns in the event of Mrs. Atkin-
sons conviction, the President OF the
Senate. under West Virginia law, sue
ceeds him and serves until 1900. Governor
Atkinson cannot then appeal to the people
for vindication. for the Constitution Of
the State provides that Governor can
not be a candidate to succeed himself
Governor Atkinson must wait until 1904
for vindioation. Those who have advised
him to appeal to the people for vindica-
tlon.' should he pardon his wife, In the
event Of conviction, have not realized
that vindication is seven years off.'