Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-06-18
THE TRUTH ABOUT A MOST RE-
GRETTABlE AFFAIR.

| WSeh lull anu COmpleJe statement
OF the most unfortunate state of affairs
that has ever been known in this
town. We do not usually print mat
tiers OF this sort. But there have
been so many sensational and untruth-
full reports in the newspapers, so many
false and bitter things reported in
this community, that a plain and COM
plete relation of the facts is neces-
sity. The circumstances detailed be-
low are absolutely truthful and the
REGISTER stakes its reputation upon
their accuracy.
About month ago E. F. Goodwin,
principal of Shepherd College, re-
ceived an anonymous letter, according
to his statement, attacking the char
acter Of Miss Wingate, the music
teacher of the school. 1t charged
her with serious crime. A few days
later, on Tuesday, May 18th, Cool
win called Miss Wingate into his Of
fee and told her of having received
this letter, and also mentioned 1t to
II. l.. Snyder, the resident member
of the Board of Regents, but appa-
rently attached no more importance
to it than an anonymous letter de-
served. On Wednesday he again
called upon Miss Wingate and asked
her where she had been the previous
night. She told him she had been at
home and nowhere else. With coarse
ness he then charged her with having
been at a certain place, which, how
ever, he refused to name, and that he
was now convinced of the truth Of the
accusation in the anonymous letter.
the most serious crime that could be
charged against virtuous woman.
He refused to show Miss Wingate the
letter he said he had received, stating
that his wife had destroyed it. He
read to her what he said was copy
of the letter, and he later said this
was also destroyed.
On Thursday, May 21st, Goodwin
went to the office OF II. L. Snyder, of
the Board of Regents, and said that
he had conclusive proof of the guilt of
Miss Wingate of the serious crime Of
which she had been anonymously &C
cused that tue evidence was in his
possession. He refused to give the
evidence or to name any witnesses,
and 10 pressure could induce him to
dlvulge either. When Mr. Snyder
suggested to him that he might be
making d terrible mistake, be laughed
at the suggestion, and reiterated his
statement that his proof was so abso-
lutte and the evidence so convincing
that there could be no mistake. He
said lie would stake his position, his
Observation-Disclosures his ablll-
ty to prove his charges He also said
he had absolute knowledge that Miss
Wugate was away from her home on
Tuesday night, and that the coudi-
tons under which he knew her to be
away were such as to make assurance
Of her guilt beyond question. He
still refused, however, to give any clue
as to his evidence. On Friday he
again called on Mr.. Snyder and
showed letter lie had written to Mr..
| Miller, the State Superintendent Of
Schools, in which he stated that
scandal involving the music teacher
bad been started, that he had conclu-
sive proof of her guilt, and that he
desired an immediate investigation.
| Goodwin said he would not send the
letter, however, ifMiss Wingate would
resign and leave town. This PROPOSE
ton was instantly rejected, as it had
been previously scorned by those to
whom he had made it, including the
victim Of the vile scandal. He there
upon stated that the investigation
which his letter would bring would
substantiate all his accusations. lie
uercr matted this letter, though it was
not known by interested parties until
a week later.
By this time, Goodwin's accusa-
tons having become public, number
Of the most reputable men Of the
town, including PersOns Of such char
acter and integrity as W. n. Lemen,
| c. D. Wysong, Henry W. Potts, L. H.
Reinhart, G. T. Hodges and a. S.
cambridge, all of whom are gentlemen
Of the highest standing and none un-
der fifty years Of age, besides others
equally well-kuown and reputable,
counseled together to protect the rep
utation of Miss Wingate, whose life
and conduct in this community has
been such as to make it impossible to
believe such evil of her. These gen.
tlemen, DESTROYS Of investigating the
affair as fully and as quietly as posi-
bic, requested Mr.. Remnant and Mr..
Potts to call upon Mr.. Goodwin and
ascertain from him the alleged facts.
The result is in the following state
ment, written by Mr.. Potts:
"AIr. Refnhart saw Prof Goodwin
first and came back with the iulorma-
ton that the latter would produce
his witnesses before the committee,
but that they must be under oath
Mr.. Remnant further said that Prof.
Goodwin had told him the details Of
the matter and had said that the in
vestigation, if pushed, would serious
ly reflect on some very prominent per-
sons in the town. On the afternoon
of May Goth, l H. W. Potts went
with Mr.. Remnant to have an inter-
view with Prot. Goodwin and to re-
quest an immediate investigation. He
then stated that he would not give Us
the names Of his informant or witness