Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-06-18

community he had outraged, out we
know of no bodily harm offered him.
After these occurrences, at the
urgent request of Miss Wingates
friends, and as a matter Of justice to
her, resident Regent II. L. Snyder
made a brief statement to the school,
stating that the result OF the investi-
CATION of the members of the Board
had revealed the fact that there was
no truth in the charges against the
accused. He made no reflection upon
any person concerned in the matter,
but appealed to the school to do her
Justice After he had left, Goodwin
made remarkable statement to the
school, in which he stated that he had
never made any charge against Miss
Wingate, but that he had wished to
protect her, and sought to pose as her
friend. He made these statements IN
the face Of the facts, unknown, per-
haps, TO the students, that he had
charged Miss WlLga,e with dread
full crime to her own face that he
had repeated the charges to the resi-
dent Regent that he had given them
with disgusting details to Mr.. Potts
and Mr.. Reinhart; that he had caused
the matter to be recorded in The Of
fetal minutes of the faculty Of the
school, going so far as to put in writ
ing the statement that there was con-
vincing proof of the guilt Of the ac-
cused and the further fact that he
had also asked of the State Super.
intendent an investigation. He also
took such other liberties with the
truth, to put it mildly, and was so
plausible IN his evaslons or perversion
Of the facts; that 1t Is not TO be
wondered at that the students, not
regarding it as possible that a man in
in bis position could 80 deliberately
falsify the affair, were won to believe
him when be told them he never
meant any harm Many Of them,
encouraged by couple Of the teach
ers, who sided with him, signed
petition asking for his retention az
principal. In day or two the man
who on such AIm.v evidence had
sought to destroy the reputation of a
virtuous woman, a latherless and
mother.ess girl whom every gentle
man should instinctively seek to pro-
tect, and who as a teacher in his
school had right 60 be shielded IN
stead Of prosecuted the man who had
deliberately gwen out SANDER that
would cast a cloud upon a refined
and cultured home ami is defeuseless
iumates-this man was posing as
martyr and as prosecuted one. He
set up the plea that he was beng
bounded for having done his duty,
and somehow be and those who had
taken sides with him succeeded III
dividing public sentiment to a very
considerable extent. 1t cannot be,
however, that this was done with
knowledge Of the facts, but because
some persons believed part Of the
wild and untruthful stories that have
been too numerous TO be traced and
costradicted.
On June 9th, the wife and mother
whose home had been scaudalized met
Goodwin and his wite upon the street,
and in a blaze Of indignant wrath at
the sight of him as lie WAS apparently
about to insult her by speaking to her,
she made a personal attack upon him
He escaped with little damage, but the
incident added to the feeling.
Sheriff J. D. Billmyer had tele-
graphed Governor White q couple Of
days prior to this that Goodwin,was IN
danger of violence, and the Governor
responded that he must be protected.
The sheriff thereupon appointed about
twenty deputy sherihs, who stood
guard about Good@ins house, about
the school grounds and accompanied
the principal whenever he appeared
in public. The ridiculous side Of the
matter was manifest when Goodwin
walked up and down the street with
an armed man on either side oil hin
and no one seeking his blood. There
is considerable diversity Of opinion as
to the wisdom of the sheriff in making
all this display OF armed force upon
what is regarded by many as very
slight justification, and bringing into
public notonety still further matter
that for the good OF the community
had best been kept as quiet as posi-
bic. The guards were ostentatious
and numerous, not to say of a deadly
appearance, until Goodwin and his
family lett town sometime between
dark and daylight Tuesday night.
On Monday Of this week meeting
of the Board of Regents was held in
Shepherdstown, all the members be-
ing present except Mr. Ogden and Mr.
May. The matter was brought to
their attention informally by repre-.
sentatives of Miss Wingate. No
charge had been made by Goodwin
After discussing the matter, the Board
passed resolution declaring that not
witbstanding rumors in regard to one
Of the teachers Of Shepherd College,
the Board found no cause for any III
vestigation, no charges being present
ed and 10 evidence to support such
1umors. The Board therefore found
no cause for censure or for action.
This ended the matter so far as the
school authorities were concerned.
Goodwin packed up his household
goods the first of the week, and Tues
day night sometime took bis departure
with his family. presumably to go to