Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-18

With the testimony of DR.. w. E.
Stathers, the defense has virtually
closed it's case and the prosecution has
promised that it's evidence in rebuttal
will not occupy more than another
day.
AS the matter stands the witnesses
for the defense have been fewer in
number, but every material fact adj
duced by the prosecution has been
fatty contradicted.
While the rule of preponderance OF
evidence might establish the guilt OF
DR.. Stathers in some or all of the
charges alleged against him, it is ex-
tremely probable that the board will
attach considerable weight to the
character of witnesses, and the at
tacks upon their credibility.
DR.. Stathers was on the stand the
major portion of the day, but the board
remained in session until his cross-ex-
animation had been concluded. He
denied every allegation of improper
conduct on the part Of witnesses for
the prosecution, and his admissions
cover only facts Of minor Importance.
With reference to the motive for the
prosecution, he testified that previous
and subsequent to his assuming charge
of the institution, he was asked by
Postmaster R. AID. Hall, and other Re-
publican leaders to make "a clean
sweep Of all
THE DEMOCRATIC EMPLOYEES
of the hospital, and that he declined
on the ground that wholesale and sum
mary dismissals on political grounds
would impair the efficiency OF the In
stitution. He did not remember writing
a letter to Mr.. Hall on the subject,
but when handed a letter written prior
to his taking charge here he identified
it as written by him. The letter ap-
proved an editorial in Mr.. Halls paper,
advocating the immediate dismissal OF
all Democrats from the institution.
DR.. Stathers testified that he is 81
wears of age. He was reelected Super
intendent at the meeting of the board
in April of this year.
He was Intercepted with reference
to the preparation of the retraction for
Mrs. Sommerville and said it was
written at her request. after she had
represented to him that she was ex-
cited. and did not know what she was
doing when she made her affidavit.
She copied it, making few alterations,
and he DESTROYED the original paper.
In answer to questions concerning
tho testimony of Mrs. Wilson and
daughter. he. said: IF Mrs. Wilson had
said anything about the institution be-
ing in bad odor. l would not have en-
ployed her daughter.
His version of the Alfretta Wilson
matter was that while walking through
the halls late one night, he found the
door of her room open. The ilght was
burning. and she was
LYING IN BED AWAKE.
when he reprimanded her for these in
fractions of the rules she said the door
would not close, statement which ne
ascertained to be true.
Cross examined about this incident,
he admitted that Miss Wilson reported
to him that Miss Busy was circulating
a report that he was in her room max
inc love to her until after midnight.
she said the girl was telling every
body. but he could not elicit a single
name from her. He did not investigate
it.
Mr.. Foster pressed him for reason
for not INVESTIGATING and for retaining
the girls. do you keep persons here
who will circulate slanderous reports
about you and Why"
II did then, because | was not dis
posed at the time to remove them"
To questions about his alleged mis-
I happened to throw my arm about her
shoulder. / meant no improperly by IL.
she is a young lady I highly respect.
He admitted saying to her that he wan
ted to send his pretty girls TO Wheel-
ing, but explained that the converse
ton was with reference to going for a
patient He was proud Of the good
looking girls at the institution and lik-
ed to send them out.
In connection with his story OF the
ST. Louis trip last May. he explained
going to Grafton instead of taking the
west bound train to clarksburg by say
ing that he
EXPECTED TO MEET HIS SON.
at the latter place. but falling. proceed
ed to Grafton and saw him as he got
centa.ssd - Thard P.se.