Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-21


Against Gould on Criminal Process.
PORTLAND, Sept. 20.
ihe citizens of Portland were astounded
this morning at the news of heavy detalca-
ton by one of the most prominent men of the
city, almost the last person who vould have
been though of as likely to commit . crime of
this Kind. 1t appears that the directors of
the First National Bnnk have discovered a
denclt In the account of William F.. GouId
who has been the cashier of the bank aimee
It's organization under the United States law.
Two weeks ago Mr.. Gould went to New
YORK on business connected with placing of
some bonds of Water company in which he
was interested. After he had gone. the fact
'hat Ne was defaulter came to the knowl-
edge of the officers of the bank. 1t was
feared that he had gone to Canada to escape
discovery, but it was soon found that this
suspicion was unjust. MIR. Gould was sum-
moned back and answered the summons
promptly. He arrived from New York
week ago last Friday. He was then informed
BY the directors of what had been discovered
against him. blr. Gould at once made full
confession and proposed to surrender himself
into custody. He was told that his assista nee
was needed at the bank in strengthening out
the accounts. Mr.. Gould readily took hold
and assisted the investigation to the utmost
his ability. He WAS at the bank the most of
last week, but was kept under surveillance,
although he had not indicated the slightest
intention of absconding.
On Saturday the investigation had pro-
ceeded sufficiently to require the officers of
the bank to notify the comptroller of the
treasury at Washington of the detalcalion
and also to cause the arrest of Mr.. Gould on
civil process, so as to make sure he could
not get away in case he changed his mind.
He was placed in the custody of Sheriff
True, who took him to his residence on State
street, where he is now guarded constantly
by the sheriff or one of his deputies. 1t is
understood that Mr.. Gould has been com
pletely Frustrated by the disgrace that has
bed since Saturday. He talks calmly and
does not attempt to excuse his course in any
way.
The directors of the bank say that Mr.
cashiers account as long MS two or three
years ago. They do not yet know the char
acter of all his speculations but he dealt
largely in stocks with the money he took
from the bank. The amount of loss to the
bank has been stated at $S7 900. By this is
meant the net loss after subtracting
the whole amount OF Mr.. Goulds prop
erty, all Of which he has made over
to the bank. 1t is thought that the
whole deficit will exceed Sl50,0OO. Mr..
Goud's property exceeds $50, 900 and the loss
to the bank will therefore be IN the neighbor-
hood of 100000. The capital of the bank is
one million dollars and its surplus is three
hundred thousand dollars. The business of
the bank will in no wise be affected. As far
as can be learned no corporations or individ-
uals in this city will lose anything by Mr..
Goulds deficiency. 1t is reported that par
ties outside of the city will suffer to consid-
cradle extent
None of Mr.. Gould's immediate family
knew of his defalcation until Saturday night.
His father and mother were not informed of
it until yesterday. His relatives are deeply
distressed and they have the sympathy of the
entire community. When Mr.. Gould first
knew that his defslcations had been discov-
cred it is said that he broke down completely
in thinking of the blow which the news would
be to his family.
The State bank examiner made an investi-
CATION of the affairs of the bank last May,
spending four days in examining the accounts.
Mr.. Gould was present all the time and the
examiner found no deficit or the books.
Mr.. Gould's salary at the bank was $4,000
year. At the time he built his new house on
State street it was reported that he had been
fortunate in speculstions Undoubtedly this
is so and later he lost everything in his haste
to be rich,
When the directors first learned of the de-
falcation it was hoped and expected that
everything could be explained and settled
without public disgrace TO Mr.. Gould. Later
it was found that this was impossible. The
bank has taken no steps to institute crimi-
nal process. This has been left entirely in
the hands of the comptroller of the treasury.
All further steps in the matter will be order
ed by him.
Governor Robe is director in Geud's
bank, and was the first one whose attention
was called to the irregularities of Gould.
He went to Boston to meet Gould, and has
been at work on the case ever since.
Judge Wiswell of Ellsworth, National
Bank Examiner, will arrive Tuesday fore
noon and begin an official examination, the
probable result of which will be the arrest of
Gonld on a criminal process.
There is some comment on the fact that
Gould was the leader of the Mugwumps here
in the campaign of 'S4 and opposed Mr..
Blaine because he was not good enough.
curious feature of the case is that three
out of four men on Goulds bond are dead.
Neal Dow, the only one living, is held for
$40, 900. The three dead bondsmen are A.
X. Shurtleff, Robert Holyoke and St. John
Smith. They have been dead from six to
sixteen years.