West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-10-22
Alleged That He Defrauded His Part
ner Out OF Thousands.
SENSATIONAL STORY SPREADING
Crooked Deal In ". Il X. StOck-IIOW
lie Unloaded PostOillce Site
on Government.

ness and surprise there have come to the surface
here developments concerning the private and
public business and practices Of Hon. George
c. Sturgiss. present congressman from the Second
district. which have dumfoundcd his closest
friends and COMPOUNDED his political adherents.
Backed by n suit in court to recover some $4,000.
borrowed from his trustful friend and partner.
Hon. J. Ami Martin and established beyond per-
adventure of doubt by the statement of Mr.. Martin
himself. who has hitherto withheld the inner Sc
crets of the monstrous transactions because he
did not desire To in any way jeopardize one Re
publican sent to congress. the disclosures made
public today for the first time cannot be denied
refuted and are to be believed.
This city is all agog the disclosures. slight
rumors of which had leaked out and were being
whispered about among the Republicans in this
and the adjoining county of Preston. causing blank
amazement and almost political panic. The facts
are related by Mr. Martin himself. one of the most
honorable in this part of the state. read like
the plots Of ruination of of the bodest trusts
in existence and all are backed up by records.
papers, documents. and facts and figures
To fully appreciate the amazing cunning of Mr..
Sturgiss and his deliberate brgand-like methods
with Martin. who was half owner and partner
with Sturgiss in the Morgantown & Kingwood
railroad before it's secret sale to Senator S. Il.
Elkins. 1t is fitting that something be said about
]. Ami Martin. the who has reluctantly given
to the world the inside history Of these dark trans
actions. His life is an open book. and hundreds
and hundreds Of Republicans and Democrats alike
in this. Preston. Taylor. and other counties where
he has been widely and favorably known for thirty
years will testify that ]. Ami Martin never did u
wrong. never knowingly msrepresented fact.
and that they are prepared TO take his statement
as the truth, pure has his life been. Since 1892
Mr.. Martin has guarded the secret of what he
claims Is Mr.. Sturgiss' perhdy, believing that he
would make amends and save his reputation. The
courts have been his last resort. patience finally
exhausted and belief in his trusted friend and
partner at last shattered.
J. Ami Martin was born and reared in Preston
county and term after term was reelected clerk
Of the county court there by majorities which tes
tilted 10 his honorable career and popularity. He
is an ardent active church member. a modest. re-
| firing man. with clean a record any TO be
found in this country. He declined sixth re-
nomination In Preston county. having a desire to
devote his time TO making a standard gauge rail-
road out Of the West Virginia Northern. running
from Tunneton to Kingwood. which he did. also
securing coal and coke works along the route. He
is Of the most public spirited 60 be found
anywhere. and no; until he completed the NJ. & X.
did he stand In the position 20 any financial
return for his hard work IN industrial develop
ment
He long ago saw the possibilities Of the DcckorB
Creek valley and proposed to George 9. sturgiss
tina; they build what was started and known on
paper al the Black Bottle railroad" Mr. Martin
was TO build the line Mr. sturgiss 10 finance H.
They became partners. Incorporated with $4,000
capital and NJ Martin moved o. this city % take
active charge
The road was laid out and surveyed By Mr.. Mar
tin and his and Martin personally looked after
the grading. trestlc building. etc. working SUM
mer and winter. until the road was completed 20
Mason town ard he had secured industries along
the route which began with passenger traffic 60
produce business The way sturgiss financed
the road was 20 secure a SIS 900 bond subscription
from Morgan district lie raised s25.000 on The
notes Of the company. and sold $4,000 n the
company's bond8-the company consisting u him
sef and Martin. with a few nominal shareholder
20 be Incorporated. The road itself was regarded
a1 a marvel. 10 have been constructed and sup-
piled with Riding stock out Of such r. limited out
ay Of money. and 10 BE- generally recognized that
Martin was not oniy the pioneer. but that 10 biz
interchangeable energy porsistcncc. and faithfuincE9
good weather and bad-is due the credit Tor toe
line. now richly feeding this city and opening a
marvellous hive of industry and business along its
line. The Kingwoo people publicly recognized
Martins work and presented him with % costly
sold gold watch and chain as testimonial of their
appreciation Of bis success
Little did they know he was Co be trickcd
correspondent Of thia paper. having heard the
rumors q Mr.. sturgiss' alleged f.m-nam game
over his partner and ers.ehia friend visited j.
Ami Martin ~ his home iu this city. Uo had just
returned from hts wJrk in DuuFard Valley ua
county. whore he a. general manager Dr. construct
Ink trolley line for the farmers Of che region
who own all the stock and are supplying aU tho
money Somewhat weary from "a buoy day ff.r
hr. Martin is 20 energetic hc docs not hesitate 20
work with pick and shovel among biz men to cn-
courage them) he received the reporter with
friendHness but some reluctance. BE was in-
formed that there were rumors annat that Hon
George 9. sturgiss had deceived and defrsuded
him IN the sale Of the railroad 20 Mr. EkIna with
much hesitation. Mr.. Martin said.
You know that am a Republican. although
not IN politics. owe debt Of gratitude DO tho
party, for IN ny Old home county u Preston th,y
honorod me year IN year out have purDoae-
y withheld my second suit against Mr. sturgisr.
and have RETAINED from talking about this un-
fortunate affair because did NOT want % b. The
means Of causing ny party any embarrassment.
You Ne how stand. and ! believe I had better
not discuss the natter now until after the election
when shall probably bring ny second suit which
win lay tbsse things bare 70 the public"
u vas explained 20 M. Martin that rumors
about the transaction bad already gained publicity
aod were golng Ike wild-hre through che state
= wss sDgzested % him that these runors nay
not b. correctly stated, that he might BE- mis-