The Portland daily press., 1886-09-23
THE GOULD CASE.
Some Statements Heard on the
Street.

The government inspector continued his
work yesterday, on the Gould defalcation.
and it is thought by tonight he will be able
to give the papers the detailed result of the
examination of the books of the bank. As
soon as the inspector has finished his work
it is stated in special, f1om Washington to
the Boston Herald, that the Comptroller, up
on receiving his report, will proceed crim-
nally against Mr.. Gould. In this connection
we are requested to state that the examina-
tons of the National banks are conducted by
the United States inspector and those of
the State institutions by the State Bank Ex-
aminer. In the other institutions with
which Mr.. Gould is connected, the funds are
all right according to the statements of the
officers. Besides the Portland Trust Com
pany and Maine Savings Bank, Mr.. Gould is
one of the Gardiner Water Company, and
has acted as its broker in its financial trans
actions. The Home Journal says his defal-
cation does not involve the water company
in any way, or interfere with the other
works in which the same company is inter-
ested.
A report was circulated yesterday to the
effect that Mr.. Gould was sick with brain fe-
yer. This is not the case. He was improv-
ing in health yesterday, and was able to be
up and dressed. He received several sympa-
thetic notes and bouquets from old friends,
while a number of handsome floral gifts
were sent to his wife and daughter.
In conversation with a gentleman of this
city yesterday, who has been prominently
identified with the First National Bank, he
said that two years ago he requested his
mother to sell all her stock in the bank. She
objected on the ground that the stock was at
high premium and commanded dividend
that couldn't be obtained elsewhere. The gen.
tleman insisted, and she finally asked why he
was so determined. He replied because he
did not think the cashier was man of prin-
ciple, and that it would be better to sacrifice
temporary gain for future security. Not on
ly did the lady sell her stock, but all of the
family disposed of theirs, so that when the
defalcation occurred not a dollars worth of
the bank stock was held by any of them.
The same gentleman was asked if he had
heard any statement to the effect that
gentleman went to Mr.. Gould withs$19 600 in
bonds to hold for him, and that the owner of
the bonds had hardly left the bank before
Mr.. Gould was selling them. The gentleman
replied that the statement was true.
1t is stated that one other stakeholder, at
least, lacking confidence in Mr.. Gould, also
sold out his stock.
1t is reported that family, residing in
Cumberland, went to Mr.. Gould with $4,000
to have him invest for them. That gentle
man sold the bearer of the money some
I, e.
as anything could be, and that he could go
home and sleep soundly, resting ON that
statement The family never saw any of
their money again; not single coupon was
ever cashed.
An Augusta attorney related that he knew
where Mr. Gould recently made 5000 in one
week by lucky speculation.
OF other moneys intrusted to his care, a
lady is said to have lost $27,O 900. 1t is limited
strongly that one way in which he secured
the money from private individuals for in
vestment was through the promise of large
dividends, a la Grant & Ward, but parties
now ascertain that while they received the
dividends the principal is gone and they
can find no investment in which it was ever
placed. OF course, if these statements are
true, unless MI. Goulu makoS Confession, IL
will never be known how much money he
has used.
1t is reported that about one-third of the
stock of the bank is held by benevolent and
charitable institutions.
bank director of this city says that
with the loss of 100000 of 100000 surplus
of the bank, and the former quotation of
shares being 14S, the present value of the
shares would at least fall to 1872, or sixteen
per cent.
Mr.. Gould has sent his resignation as
cashier Of the bank to the directors. Hon.
Josiah I'll. Drummond is counsel for Mr..
Gould, but is not prepared to make any
statement at present.