Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-17
.ALVORD'S STORY
PROHIBITION LEADER IEI,.s
THE SENATE WHAT HE KNOWS
FORMER BLUEFIELDERs FIG
IRE IN THE STORY.

CRE IN THE STORY.
Theodore Alvord. president OF the
Anti-Saloon League OF West virginia
testified before the senate investigat-
ing committee i'm executive session
from which the public was excluded.
but his testimony has since been
made public. Alvord gave the names
OF his informants. and in the recital
of his story the names of two for
mer citizens of Bluefield appear.
They are William Brockmyer and AL
exander GLADDEN.. Brockmyer was a
merchant on Raleigh street up to
or years ago and GLADDEN. was an
architect and inventor. He left here
in the summer OF 1897.
ALvORD'S TESTIMONY.
Alvord testified that he received
two letters telling him a graft fund
had been raised. One was from w.
X, Gray, a merchant OF Mount
Hope. w Va, stating that ]. w.
Bragg, local saloonkeeper, had told
him that he had subscribed TO a fund
TO beat the amendment. The other
letter was from Haze Morgan. n
lawyer OF Clarksburg. who wrote
that travelling salesman for a Bal
timore office supply house told him
that he called at local brewery to
sell office supplies, and the man
ager stated to him that they weren't
buying anything now. for the reason
that all OF their money had been sent
to Charleston; that every man in the
senate had his price. and they knew.
what that price is, and that no pro-
hibitory amendment would pass the
senate.
GAVE OUT THE STORY.
Alvord admitted that he told Miss
Ayres. of the Gazette. that he heard
rumors of 100000 being raised TO
beat the amendment. but said he did
not say he believed the senate could
be corrupted. In fact, regarded IL as
honest body as ever assembled
Pressed for his personal belief as TO
che integrity OF the senate. Alvord
said ne knew nothing and believed
nothing that reflected on It's honesty.
He said Miss Ayres went too far in
her story. and that he impressed
upon her the fact that he was only
giving her rumors and knew OF moth
ing positively He admitted, how
ever, that he had the story pub
lished, believing II would help the
prohibition cause in the senate.
Alvord said "I want to lay be-
fore the committee one letter that J
received. | also have another letter
which I wish to present would
like to state to the committee that
have the names OF the parties refer
red to there, which ! wish to give to
the committee.
WILL STAND BY STATEMENT.
Also in regard to MIR. Haze Nor
gan, / will state that ] made in
quiries as 10 him and / am assured
that he is thoroughly reliable, and
he gives me the name Of the travel
ing salesman referred to i'm his letter
as William Brockmyre, now stopping
in Clarksburg with Alexander Glad
den, and who will be there week
or two Morgan told me over the
phone yesterday that Mr.. Brockmyer
would stand by what he said. The
salOonkeeper mentioned by Mr.
Gray OF Mount Hope, is J. w. Bragg.
Gray told Inc over the phone that he
told him in the presence of other
witnesses that somebody had sent
man around for subscriptions to
fund to beat the amendment. J. r |
Corbin, OF Huntington. In the insur-
ance business. told H. r. Williams, |
the state highway inspector, that he |
saw a liquor man on the train who |
said: I am going home satisfied
we have got the amendment fixed. |
William Carson, saloonkeeper at |
16 Charleston street, West Side, this |
city. told his brother-in-law. Robert |
OuuB' BIOteIymdn on the WeSi |
Side, that a meeting was held Of H.
1uor men to beat the amendment. |
am inclined TO think he said he was
but about that am not
sure.
Contributions FROM WHEEL
ING.
~ also heard that Wheeling
brewery had telegraphed I'm contri
buttons to that meeting. That is as
understand g. was not talking
With Mr.. Young. but ] sent a reliable
nan TO see him, and 7 understand
dr. Young said he would stand by
What he had said. Alexander G.
lawrence said 10 ". G. Moore that !
lo was approached with a subscrip-
ion paper for the fund, but declined
o give anything 7 also have a let
or from Rev y ~ Shadduck. OF
in which occurs the
ollOwing paragraph. j notice by
he morning paper that Jake Fisher
s. investigating charges that money
las been raised TO grease some Of
f.g ..r.wafr4. .f.g tt..U a. O..