Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-07-16
An Unfortunate Matter.

We are sorry to mention a matter
that az rule should have no place in
our columns, but as it has been pub
lished in the newspapers of the State
generally, We give the facts in order
that the real situation may be known.
A couple of weeks ago VIM. j. Brit
uer, of Swissvale, Pa, came to Shep-
herdstown to see his daughter, Mrs.
Littler, wife of Prof. Carl W. Littler,
teacher of modern languages in Shep-
herd College State Normal School. and
in day or two it was gossiped that
Prof. Littler and Miss NJ. Eva Wright,
music teacher of the school, had gone
away together, and that Mr.. Britner
was here to investigate the matter.
1t is said that Mrs. Littler had
found postal card addressed to her
husband by Miss Wright, making an
appointment to meet him in Swissvale,
and that Mr.. Britner had reason to
believe that they had been together in
that town. Of course, rs the matter
was freely gossiped, the stories grew
in vast proportion, and all sorts Of
scandal were suggested. Prior to this,
Miss Wright had left for Chautauqua,
New York, where she expected to
study music during the summer, and
Prof Littler had gone to Pittsburg,
where he said he would remain during
vacation.
News of the talk here reached them,
and during the past few days the edi-
tor of the REGISTER has received let
lers from both Prof. Littler and Miss
Wright, in which they very strenuous
ly deny any wrong-doing. Prof. Lit.
tier writes us that he had made an in
vestment for Miss Wright in the Pitts
burg neighborhood, and that she had
come there to conclude the details of
the transaction, and that their meet
ing was simply and solely on business.
The intimatlon is made that family
trouble and hastY jumping at unjusti-
fable conclusions started the Difficult
ty. Miss Wright, who is now at
Chautauqua, also states that her visit
to Pittsburg was entirely matter of
business, and that she had no thought
that it would result in a scandal.
The details of the matter were COM
municated to the Board of Regents,
presumably by Principal ]. G. Knutti
of Shepherd College, and at meeting
held in Charleston last week the board
dismissed Prof. Littler and Miss
Wright from their positions. Prof.
Walter NJ. Duke, a graduate of Shep-
herd College and at present principal
of the Hedgesville high school, Was
appointed in Prof. Littler's place, and
Miss Blanche Barnes, of Fairmont,
W. Va, was appointed music teacher.
The two principals in this unfOrtu-
nate affair have been popular residents
of Shepherdstown during their terms
as teachers in Shepherd College.
Prof. Littler was here but one year,
having been appointed last September
upon the recommendation of Prof.
Knutti. He is native Of Switzer-
land, and was an expert in the man
ufacture of iron and steel prior to
coming to this place, living in the
Pittsburg district. He is a young
man and made many friends by his
geniality and pleasant manners. His
wife is daughter Of VIM. ]. Britner,
formerly of Shepherdstown but nov
Of Swissvale, and granddaughter of
Joho II Show, of this place Prof.
Littler made his home with Mr.. Show
while he was here, and his conduct,
was exemplary. Miss Wright, who
came here from Owensville, Indiana,
two years ago, is musician Of unusual
talent, and Shepherd College has
never had better teacher in this de-
partment. She is a middle,aged lady
and has taught II various institutions
for a number of years. Her conduct
during her two years residence in
Shepherdstown was above reproach,
and she possessed the respect of the
people and the highest admiration Of
her pupils, who came from every sec
ton of this county as well as from
Maryland. Her work here was very
successful, and her income from teach
ing was large, as her classes were al
ways full.
We are not among those who believe
the stories that are calculated to blast
the reputation of Prof. Littler and
Miss Wright On the contrary, we
are of the opinion that they are the
victims of hasty and ill-considered
action and of the gossips who so often
make mountains of Rolehills and pre-
fer to believe evil rather than good of
THAR fallounnan