The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-05-01
SERIOUS CHARGES
Against Rev. John ". West, the
Well Known Temperance
Worker.
WAS VIRGINIA FIELD SECRETARY

telegram from Lexington, Ky. pub
ished In Richmond Times Dispatch OF
Thursday, says: Rev. John VI. West.
superintendent OF the Kentucky Anti
Saloon League and leader I'm the fight
Tor driving liquor out OF the State. has
been forced To resign his position and
leave Kentucky. He Il charged with hav-
Ing offered indignitles to little girls at
Cstlettsburg, ny. where he was She first
OF this month leading q movement 10 =
local option election there.
"A sensational story Is told by X. h.
Barton, q prominent Catlettsburg citi-
zen, armed with afiidsvits from his
daughter aud other little girls, who ap-
peared before the executive committee 10
charge Of local option work AZ Catletts-
burg. while West was present, and open
~ charged him with having offered
indignities 10 children, all OF whom are
under fourtee IA years OF age, in the Bap-
tist church building at Cetlettsburg, aud
also 10 "a hotel room. Barton Was armed
and was kept from killing West only by
efforts OF members OF the committee
West left the building where the
charges were made without making q
strong denial, IL IL said.
"BsrtOn's friends then, at the earnest
request OF the committee, agreed to keep
the matter secret because OF the adverse
effect IL would have or prohibition work
there II West was forced TO resign. This
was done. but Barton did not hear OF II.
and last night made the whole matter
public West at once packed his effects.
and IL IL stated tonight from Louisville.
where he made his headquarters, that he
has left the State. going to his fathers
home In Maryland.
AanfaA Ao -. 4
liberties with girls. but said he might
have 'ticklsd' some OF them, but that
the charge against him OF anything
more serious Is preposterous However.
the committee was very bitter today in
it, denunciation. West IL a married
man, his wife being from Gate City, or
farewell, Va.
West Is known all over Virginia, hav-
ing. II Is said, been stationed ia Rich
mODd for some years. and was a leader
In the Anti-SalCon movement there for
over six years. He also held several
psstorates there. He came TO Kentucky
last year"
The Times Dispatch says further:
Mr.. West is widely known In Rich
mond, where be lived for about six years
a. the field secretary OF the Anti-Saloon
League OF Virginia, a position from
which be retired less than year ago.
and IN Shich he has been succeeded by
the Rev. ]. d. NcAlister. Mr.. McAlister
Is now IN Norfolk. and other officers OF
the Anti-Ssloon League were not 10 the
city last night. While resident OF Rich
mond, Mr.. West made his home at I'LL
West Main street. He Travelled TO all
parts OF Virginia. and at one time or an
other spoke Ia many ~ the most promi-
nent pulpits OF Richmond churches.
1T Wa announced when he left here
that Mr.. West was urged TO help the
temperance cause ia Kentucky. where his
services were needed. No charges were
ever made against him IN this city, and
he was regarded as faithful Worker
Indeed, bis efforts Were highly commend
ed by his associates and ministers, who
declared when he left that the league had
greatly prospered under his direction"
Mr.. West Il well known In Fredcricks-
burg, having spent considerable time
here during the local option campaign
last year.