The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-05-03
PARIS. KENTUCKY. FRIDAY. NAY 3, 1907.

children and on that account he did not
care to discuss the matter.
Mr.. Laffoon also denied the state
ments made by Mr.. Arnsparger and de-
tailed his connection with and know
ledge Of Mr. Chapman.
The Mayor also said that when he
had written to the President Of the
Madisonville School Board in regard
to this matter. that official had conced-
ed the facts in reply.
The whole situation can be thorough
~ understood from reading the last
paragraph of Mayor O'Brien's last
statement and the charges contained
in the letter of Mr.. LafFOon, County
Attorney of Hopkins County, of which
jacksonville is the county seat. The
Mayors statement concluded as fol-
lows:
Since my appearance before the
School Board, the statement has been
assiduoUsly circulated by some of its
members, that the matters to which |
called their attention, had been care
fully investigated in Madisonville and
found to be without foundation.
Against that statement, l set the writ
ten and signed statement of the County
Attorney of Hopkins County, that no
investigation of these written charges
was ever made, but that on the con-
trary as soon as they were made, Mr..
Chapman Immediately resigned and
the natural inference is, that he took
such action to escape an investigation.
The fact remains that Mr.. Chap
man left his former place under a
cloud; that after written statements
charging him with immoral conduct
had been made, he resigned, without
an investigation, and so far as the
records show, without making any
effort to show his innocence. Under
such circumstances. 1t is evident that
his reputation is such, that hiS'cOntin-
ued connection with the school can only !
result in damage to that institution. /
again repeat my request that you take !
such action as VIII result in his re-
moval, and suggest that you adopt /
resolution requesting the Board of Edu- /
cation to dispense with his services. -
That portion of the County Attor- !
ney's letter referring to the written I
charges filed against Mr.. Chapman is
as follows:
There were many damaging reports
about Chapman's attempted intimacy
with girl pupils. 1t was the town
talk. Good citizens appealed to me as
County Attorney to investigate the
matter. did investigate. AS the re-
suit of my Investigations | procured
the signed statements of three girls.
all that | attempted to get, stating
that Chapman had called them into his
office at different times, and while
alone with him he had put his hands
under their dresses and (our readers
are referred to the letter itself for the
details Of the charges).
1.-Two of these statements were writ +
ten by me in the exact language of the
girl making them. The other one was
written by the girl herself, not in my /
presence nor in the presence of any
one else. After | had secured these
statements, | went before the School
Board and informed them of their
nature, not telling them that | had
them written in my possession. The
School Board informed ME that they
could not act unless the charges were
reduced to writing and formally pre-
Sented. | then produced the state
nentS and read them to the Board and
them that unless they pro-
ceeded, to act upon these statements,
which / had read, | would demand a
warrant Of arrest and proceed with
in the Courts. told them
hat If they would dismiss Chapman
rom the School | would not insist upon
| prosecution, as the parents of the
girls did not want the matter brought
publicly before the community or have
heir daughters brought into court to
,estify upon such charge, if it could
De prevented. The Board Immediately
sent for Chapman and informed him of
he statements III my possession and
What L had said, thereupon he imme-
lately resigned his position and moth
ng further was demanded or DONE
After the Mayor had concluded, the
Council adopted a resolution, asking
ne School Board to Immediately dis
Mss Mr.. Chapman. All of the written
tatements and letters have been made
| part Of The City records and spread
lpon the minutes. They are now pub
ic documents and are open to the in
pection Of the public. They are we'll
worth reading and should be carefully
examined by every citizen of this city
Who has the interests of the school at
leart.