Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-04-30

the Anti-Saloon League, readily ad-
m.ts that West Us no longer connect
ed with the ALJ-Saloon League, but
reluctantly reveals the truth OF the
affair. However. DR.. Beauchamp
talked freely OF the matter. He
said:
Yes. DR.. West has resigned. Ne
was asked to resign by myself. ]
asked for his resignation after duly
considering serious charges that had
been made against him.
DR.. Beauchamp, with the sugges-
ton OF tears in his eyes, said:
They make very serious charges.
They allege that DIR. West was at
least very indiscreet."
Urged to divulge the real nature
OF the charges, DIR. Beauchamp con.
| tinued:
is 1t absolutely necessary to print
this most unfortunate story? Well.
| cannot see how he can be defend
ed, while l believe he was innocent
Of any intention or thought Of wrong
That he acted with serious indiscre-
ton is certain. He admits as much
himself. The girls say his action
toward them was not that Of a gel-
tleman. The say he fondled them
| to an indecent extent"
AS l got it from DR.. Reid, one
of the episodes mentioned in the &c
| fidavits occurred in the Baptist
| church at Catlettssburg. DIR. Reid
stated that the little daughter OF
Barton insisted that West enticed
her into the Baptist church, togeth.
er with another girl about her age.
and that while in the church he COM
mitted the alleged offense. DR.. Reid
said further that prior to the occur
renee with the Barton child West
had taken some ungetlemanfy al
vantage of another child at the FlC,r.
ence Hotel. DR.. Reid had an aft
davit embracing the statement OF
the other child
Continuing, DR. Beaucha1p said:
we all regret the occurrence deep
| ly, but we know we cannot expect
West to remain here. ] had known
him for ten years; was with him IA
his work in Virginia and elsewhere.
and knew him always as a gentle
man and a christian. This matter
is a personal blow TO me. Not alone
do / regret it on account OF the es-
feet 1t will have upon our cause,
but because Of my personal esteem
for DR.. West, and especially for his
family. In all the years have
known West, there was never d
breath OF suspicion upon his charac.
ter, until he came to Kentucky"
Mr.. West was found at his home
in Falkland. When he learned tn IT
the Catlettsburg affair had leaked
out he paled visibfy.
After a few minutes he told the
following story:
'The unfortunate affair grows out
OF actions on my part ] now realiz
were indiscreet. The affair with the
girl who Il suppose, was the Barton
child, came about in this manner:
1t was on the day OF the local option
election there in CatIettsburg ! had
been In town several days and had
labored intessantly / had enjoyed
little sleep, being at a hotel that
was crowded with lumbermen, who
made great deal OF noise at nights.
] had been up late the night before
in my work. When election day
came I spent all the forenoon about
the polling places. A little disturb
ance occurred I'm one OF the precincts
which disturbed the election. got
a crowd Of our people together and
went TO the precinct. The feeling
was intense, and It disturbed me IN
my fatigued state a great deal be-
fore 1t was finally adjusted. then
returned to another precinct where !
had been at work earlier I'm the day.
| I worked until could scarcely stand
upon my feet.
Went TO Church to Rest.
AT fast ] was compelled to rest
a little. I would have gone to ms
room at the hotel, but condition.
were not conducive to rest there, AM
/ Continued on fourth page)