Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-08-17
THE ASYLUM SCANDAL.

sessions have been held at the asylum.
We print synopsis of the testimony,
and our readers may form their own
opinions concerning the matter.
Mrs. Mary Summerville, comely
young widow % years of age, was one
of the witnesses. An unfortunate
marriage gave her so much trouble
that she became slightly deranged and
was taken to the asylum. She said
that DR.. Stathers was very kind to her
while she was a patient, but just be-
fore she left the institution he went to
her room and attempted to kiss her.
Some months later she returned to
Weston and secured place as attend
ant in the asylum. Mrs. Summerville
testified that one night DR.. Stathers
said he wanted to talk to her and was
coming to her room. She asked him
not to do so. That night somebody
tried her door. On the following night
she was awakened to find DR.. Stathers
sitting on her bed. The door had been
unlocked from the outside. "He said
he loved me, and wanted Inc to be his
little pet. l threatened to make an
cutlery, and he left the room Wit
ness testified that DR.. Stathers subse-
quently made declarations Of love for
her, demonstrated with her for her
treatment OF him, charged her with IN
gratitude, reminded her that she was
friendless, save him, and made further
improper proposals. DR.. George Sny-
der testified that DR.. Stathers told
him he would give half his years sal
airy for certain privileges with Mrs.
Summerville.
Miss Alfaretta Wilson, young and
pretty girl, said that she had been an
attendant in the asylum. She testl-
fed that DR.. Stathers gave her a room
with no lock on the door, and that,
because of its being infested with
reaches, she left the light burning.
About midnight few nights after her
appointment, she alleged, DR.. Stathers
came into the room, turned the light
out and began trying to hug and kiss
her. She ordered him from the room.
threatening to alarm the watch. Be-
fore leaving he endeavored to make
her promise she would not tell on him
She refused and he told her she would
lose nothing by becoming his "pet.
Miss Wilson has brought suit against
DR.. Stathers for $4,000 damages tor
alleged defamation of character.
Miss Grace Bussey, formerly an at
tendent at the asylum, testified that
DR.. Stathers asked her to take two
weeks trip with him to Pittsburg. He
asked her to cease going with Ralph
Kitson and told her she could have a
better time if not tied down to one
man, She left the hospital because
she was not properly treated.
The testimony of a number Of per-
sons was received, showing that Dr.
Stathers and Miss Hattie Green, an at
tendant, left Weston at the same time
Miss Green bought a mileage book
and gave the name Of Maude Stathers.
DR.. Stathers bought double berth at
Grafton to St. Louis, and the two
got on a train together. Fillmore
Howell, porter at Grafton, testified
that a clerk at the hospital named
Topping visited him and offered him
a good position at Weston if he would
not tell all he knew about the above
matter.
The defense began its side of the
case Tuesday. A number Of employ
ees of the asylum were examined, each
witness declaring that they would not
believe Mrs. Summerville, Miss Bus
sey or Miss Wilson under oath, though
upon cross-examination several admit
ted that they did not know either Of
the ladies personally. The cross-ex-
animation also brought out the fact
that the employees were called together
Friday night to meet the attorneys
for the defense, at which time the tes-
timony was discussed, and they were
told what was expected of them. The
attack upon Miss Wilson's reputation
created something Of a sensation, as
she is a cousin of Congressman Dayton,
and is known as lady Of the highest
personal character.
From a careful reading of the pro-
ceediugs before the board of directors,
it appears that the board is strongly
biased in favor of DR.. Stathers. His
side of the case seems to be favored
in the rulings, and his witnesses are
treated with more consideration than
are those of the prosecution.
DR.. Stathers is a married man and
has a family.