Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-01
PORTLAND, Sept. 80

zled $500: on Jnly 10th, $1,000, and on Au-
gust lst, Sl455. The third indictment al
leged that Jan. l3, 1884, he embezzled
400 and made false entry in the bond
ledger.
About 10 minutes before six tonight VIM.
+. Gould came into the U. S. court room e,-
corted by Deputy Marshal Smith. Very few
persons we're present. Deputy Smith opened
the doors OF the prisoners box, and Gould
took his seat therein with his eyes intently
nxed on Judge Webb. He looked neither to
the right or the lett from the time he took
his seat until he went in charge of the officer.
Gould Is no ordinary looking criminal. His
head Is finely shaped and his forehead and
nose have classical cut. The lower part OF
his face is hidden by thick beard of dark
brown color slightly sprnkled with gray He
wore dark well fitting overcoat which Sc,
OF to advantage his straight well built figure
No trace of emotion at any time during his
arraignment could be seen on the features,
they were as impassive as il carved In mar.
BILE.
His counsel, Hon. J. II. Drummond, sat
within the railing in front of the prisoner
Silence, almost painful, prevailed in the
court room.
District Attorney Bird moved that the in
dictment against Could be taken up.
Mr.. Drummond said his client waived the
reading of the indictment.
The clerk asked Gould if he waived the
rp ud dnJ nf 4 h.t md, nd h., 4
lie did. The clerk asked him if he was guilty
or not guilty. He answered guilty.
The district attorney then moved for ar
ragnment on the other three indictments.
Gould waived the reading of each and
pleaded guilty to each.
The district attorney then moved for SEN
tence on the first indictment.
The court asked Gould if he had anything
to say.
Mr.. Drummond stepped to the dock and
Gould took from his pocket paper and
passed it to his counsel. Drummond said
the prisoner intended to make a very brief
statement but thinking he might be unable
to express himself as desired he has reduced
to writing what he would say and by his re-
quest will read it.
Drummond with a good deal of unsteadi-
ness in voice and with much feeling read the
following paper, which is in Gould's well
known, bold and busness-like hand:
81 have carefully read the copy of the in
dictment which has been furnished me BY
my counsel. | cannot now say without ex-
animation of the books of the bank that all
the charges contained in it are true as alleged,
but the fact still remains that am guilty of
improperly using the funds entrusted to my
keeping, and that its just | should be pun
81, I 4
to offer any defense. When left New York
for my home l was sure this struggle which
| was making was vain, ana all hope of re-
trieving my error must end as it has. then
determined TO return to give nv aid in ex-
planning the affairs of the bank, to give up
all the property l had and thereby, as far as
possible, make restitution for the wrong had
done, and to bear with what fortitude could
command the punishment which my acts
should bring me to.
First, have done, and it only remains for
me to suffer the penalty of the law. | wish
1t could tall upon myself alone. 1t would
serve no good purpose for me to state causes
which have led TO this crime, nor to blame
others for not having warned me. 1t would
in nowise change my responsibility, but it
will readily be believed that in the beginning
had no design to take one dollar from the
bank that could not account for. My inti-
mate relations with the institution, its man
agement and its officers led me to different
course of action in the outset than should
have pursued under different circumstances,
but f, und myself heavy loser through the
misconduct of others. | could not make
good the funds had used. | have tried eve
ry means to keep my credit. | have strug-
gled hard to extricate myself from my unfor-
nat. md
burse the bank and save myself and those
In all this have failed.
Nothing remains &c me but to undergo the
sentence which justice, tempered as | hope
with mercy, requires the court to pronounce
WIN. E. GOULD.
Judge Webb then said: Il have 10 de-
sire to say one single word which will add to
the burdens that rest upon this unfortunate
man. The duty that rests upon me is one
me to disregard all matters of
simple feelings and look to the public well
fare. 1t Is evident to everybody that cases
OF this sort are OF the most serious injury to
the community in any light in which they
can be viewed. If the temptations of such a
position as Gould has held have been very
great, it is all the more important that the
Will of the parties so exposed to temptation
should be fortified, upheld and sustained bv
the views of the consequences. 1t is no spirit
Of unkindness toward him, but from the sim
gle regard to public welfare that we should
determine the amount of penalty / must inn
pose. am well assured that If it was only
himself concerned. if he was set free, his
punishment would be as great as any indlvid
lal would be disposed to impose upon him..
act in the interest of the public"
Judge Webb then wrote upon the back of
the indictment the sentence, and further said
The statute confines me within certain
limits. There's an uncertainty never fully
setteled, as far as know, by the courts as to
he duty of the judge presiding where dis
.inct miraculous of the statute are contained
in the same indictment. I shall t-eat this
case in such a way that if l am required to
ieal with both l shall give the least penalty
he law will allow me on each aud not exceed
he amount can give for one."
Judge Webb passed the indictment to the
,lerk, remarking that the warrant for the re-
noval to State Prison would not be issued
until Saturday.
Clerk Davis then pronounced the follow
ng sentence of the court: "Wm. e. Gould,
,arken to your sentence as the court has
lwarded it. The court having considered the
crime whereof you stand convicted, orders