The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-16
MATTER MAY BE TAKEN UP AT
MEETING THIS MORNING.
Sensational Statements MADE BY Mrs.
James Heston. City Firemsn's
Wfe-chicf Denies

The charge filed against Chief %
Police Thomas Leyland. BY Jimmy"
Heston and wife. viii be taken up and
discussed by the Board ~ Control
this morning This vas the conclu-
sion cleaned from talking with mem
bers OF the board last night. although
none would say how the Investigation
would be- taken up.
IL is understood that they will only
discuss the matter this morning. and
set date for the further considerst-
Ton of the matter. In speaking 20 DIR.
Haskins. he said. Il believe the whole
thing Is a frame-up on the chief and
that they have no grounds for their
charEes. l want TO see the matter
thresned TO the bottom and the per
sons guilty. prosecuted.
In speaking 10 thu chief about the
matter. be said he mad nothing To say
further than be had said. but would
allow u all 10 come out at the proper
time. lie refused TO say whether or
not he had employed attorneys. al
though IL Is understood that he has.
lie refused 20 discuss his plans, say
ing that he did not care TO make them
public as that would not be policy.
Although nervous, he claimed that
there was no truth in the story and
that he expected 70 be indicated at
an early date lie believed that the
whole matter was a frameup. and
claims IL is from the gang who for
merly were Interested In the segre-
gated district
Mrs. Heston claims that the charges
are true and IL is said has made affi-
davtt to them befort q notary. She
has employed an attorney to look
after her case and to prove that the
chief is guilty OF having Illegal rela.
lions with her
est occasions the chief entered her
rooms and also that he gave her tick
cts 10 shows and fairs. She clair.s
that this started when Chief Leyland
vas still on the beat as "a patrolman
and that they continued up until the
latter part Of January. Since that
time hse claims she refused him al
though he endeavOred to renew the
relations.
Husband Leaves Home
Mr.. Heston Is member OF the fire
department and is we'll known in the
city lie was formerly a semi-pro-
fessional baseball pitcher and one
who made friends everywhere. II is
said that his wife made a confession
10 him about a week ago and since
that time he has left his home. TAX
ing up his abode at the Nigilant hose
house.
Inc woman and little son. FRANK
Heston, Jr.. still reside az the home
place. II Is understood that a divorce
suit has been filed by the husband
and that an alienation suit for
$4,000 Is to be instituted against the
chief by Heston. The woman who
made the charges is almost pros
trated with grief over the affair. hut
states that she acted as she did for
the good OF her husband
The HestOn family live in the same
house with Chief Leyland and his
family. She said he told her he
would have Der husband discharged
from the department unless she ac-
coded To his wishes.
One thing is certain-an investiga-
ton will follow Immediately. Whether
there will be a called meeting OF
council To take the matter up or not
cannot be said But this Is expected
unless the board finds by their inves-
tigation that there is absolutely moth
ing to the story.
The sensational charges were ri
morCd during the past week. but came
10 q climax Saturday morning at the
meeting Of the board OF control. fol
lowed by the denial of the chief and
the statement OF the woman in the
case The theory of plain clothes men
being stationed around the house can
not he subS'antiated, as the depart
ment as a whole refuses 20 talk about
the matter In any way whatsoever.