Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-02


F talcation would DE discovered. My plans were,
however. ovcrruled, and | set about making
tho hest appearance possible. AT this time
nv defalcation was much larger, though ]
think about this time my salary was raised TO
81 900 but no special examination was made.
the whole thing was easily carried forward
with the doings of the institution, supposed TO
be in prosperous condition. After the de-
cease of the late Joseph McKeen, Dec. 2,
1860, became treasurer of Bowdoin College,
with a salary Of 800. In order to carry for
ward successfully the duties of both positions
l was obliged to have an assistant in the Of
fee of treasurer. This expense, together
with the almost unavoidable additional out
lays, made the office of very little if any pc
cuniary advantage. Thus matters continued
until August, 1871. During all this time /
have never been engaged or interested in any
speculations whatever, either in stocks or in
any other way; nor have l at any time paid
out large sums not belonging to myself, nor
have | entrusted to others or reserved to my
self any of the funds of the bank, to secure
any benefit to myself or others, except as
stated. 1t will be seen that the whole time
covers nearly twenty-ope years, starting with
a debt of about $500. During the last month
met with a loss of $1,000 in the wreck of
the brig, Josephine, which sailed from Port
land to St. john this interest in the brig be-
ing taken in part payment of some real estate
sold; and during the last twenty years | have
suffered other losses, amounting in all to the
like sum of 81 900. have recently by deed
and bill of sale made over to the bank all
property of every description which l have in
the world, and my wife has released dover
therein. | consider this property worth about
SIS, 200. Such in substance is the sad story.
The property which have conveyed to the
bank and what | have used in meeting my
family expenses, represent all that have re-
ceiyed from any source whatever, the amount
which have received except from the bank
being much LEES than generally supposed.
During all this time no person had the re-
hottest idea of the real facts IN the case, or
that matters in the bank were wrongly man
aged till felt compelled TO make known to
my fanily and then to the officers of the bank
that was a defaulter. Thus l have attempt
ed to state to the court the material facts in
my case but do not pretend to offer this
statement to the court as tcgat or DtofGt de-
fence for my conduct. The mental suffering
which during the last twenty years the knowl-
edge of my undiscovered guilt has caused me,
has been heavier penalty than any which
this court can impose. have never attempt
cd, and do not desire to escape the conse-
quences of my crime. l leave myself in the
hands of the court
Judge Shepley, before pronouncing sem
tence, narrated briefly the provisions of the
statute in such cases, saying that the allega-
tons in the prisoners statement, duplicating
others 10 his crime did not palliate his own
guilt. If these frauds were committed by the
directors while the bank was a national Or
he would have regarded it his duty
to instruct the rosecuting officer to present
them to the grand jury for indictment. With
the offence in the State Institutions this court
had nothing to do. It deals with the case as