Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1899-08-11
INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY.
Mrs. Sommerville Gives Evil
dence Against Dr.. Stathcrs.

Which was the BASIS OF the Charges
Against the Superintendent OF the
Asylum Much Time DEVOTED to the
Methods of Procedure THE Lie
Passed Between Mr.. Notary and Mr..
f0stor Mrs. Sommeryiiie still ON
The Stand When the Board Adjourn-
ed.
WESTON, W Va. August I0.-The
lie was passed between opposing
counsel in the Stather's investiga-
tion this afternoon, and but for the
prompt interference of members Of
the board, blows would have been
exchanged.
DR., Stathers sat beside w b. Nc
Gary, one OF his attorneys, and Mr..
Foster charged that he prompted
MeGary to oppose motion guaran-
teeing protection TO employees of the
hospital who testified, Mr.. McGarv
had previously charged that en-
|ployes had beeu promised promotion
for testiiying, in the event Of the re.
moval of DR.. Stathers
Mr.. Foster resented this warmly
and when he concluded Mr.. McGary
characterized Fosters charge as d
dirty black malignant lie
The two started toward each 9th
en-, but were prevented from cx-
changing blows
Good humor was restored mo.
ment later when Col. Pap Tolar,
offered to stake off twenty foot
ring for the belligerent lawyers
The prosecution offered new
charges and they were promptly
tabled by the beard.
The new charges were five in
number, two of a general and three
of specified character. The gem
eral charges alleged lax enforcement
Of rules and tolerating inebriety
among employees.
The first specific charge covers
the alleged improper proposals OF
Dr.. Stathers to Mrs. Sweeppie
Brandon, of Barbour county.
The second alleges that in the
summer Of 1897, Mrs Ethel Roush,
an attendant, was i'll and DR.. Stath-
ers visited her and made improper
advances.
The third alleges that he left the
institution about June Is, 1899,
with Harriet Green, former atten-
dant, and that the two made trip
to Cincinnati
1t was late in the afternoon when
Mrs. Mary L. Sommerville, the prin-
cipal witness for the prosecution,
was placed on the stand. She is Is,
very prepossessing, but nervous
and delicate looking. She told her
story in straigh forward manner
and perceptibly impressed the mem
bers Of the board.
When the direct examination was
concluded aud Mr.. McGary asked
her question concerning facts in
connection with her marriage, there
was prompt objection, but tears
came to the eyes Of the witness and
during the protracted argument over
the relevancy Of the evidence she
was very much agitated.
Only portion of Mrs. Sommer-
ville's story has been told in the
news papers Domestic troubles re-
sulting from an unfortunate mar
riage deranged her mental faculties,
and she came to the hospital for
treatment in July, 1897. She was
discharged cured three months la
ter. On the stand Mrs. Sommer-
vile said Dr. Stathers was very kind
to her while patient, but that just
before her departure from the insti-
tuition she was i'll, and that he went
to her room and attempted to kiss
her, she struggling from his en-
brace On January 10th, 1898. she
returned to the institution with rec
concentrations and was appointed
as an attendant Since Nav LIST,
1898, she mas been storekeeper at
the hospital.
Mrs. Sommerville further testified
that one night in June, DR.. Stathers
said he wanted to talk to her and
was coming to her room. She asked
him not to do SO. That night some
body tried her door On the follow
ing night she was awakened to find
DR.. Stathers sitting on her bed. The
door had been unlocked from the
outside.
ssHe said he loved me, and wanted