Evening journal., 1898-03-15
TOWN IN TROUBLE.
EIaine Corporation Owes
Thousands of Dollars.
RESULT OF JUDGE HlLE'S MlSDEEDS
Geeting of Excited Citizens Elects n
Committee of Three to Eject Set
Element with Holders of Notes
Against the Town.

FOxCROFT, Me- March 15.-Intense
excitement prevailed at the annual
town meeting here yesterday, provoked
by the tremendous financial problem
confronting the people as result Of
the recent decision of the law court
that notes given by the late town treas
urer. Elias J. Hale, were good and thas
tho town must shoulder q debt of $751;
QUO incurred thereby.
The chief feature of the meeting yes
terday was action upon a proposition
TO choose a committee of three citizens
10 effect a settlement with the holders
OF notes against the town and the judg-
ment creditors Of the town This COM
mittee will be directed not to bind the
town to pay over 25 per cent of this in
debtedness, the total amount not to ex-
ceed $50 900 unless otherwise instructed
by vote Of the town.
The present predicament of the town
IS the result of what is considered gen
orally as a disregard of town finances
for more than 80 years, during which
Judge Elias J. Hale considered to be
enc Of the most upright and honorable
men in the state, was repeatedly elect
ed town treasurer. IL was not until the
year 1894 when William p. Cakes was
elected to the board Of selectmen, that
bond was required OF Judge Hale,
and at that time Mr.. Oakes was severe
ly criticised for demanding such Sc
curity
Mr.. Oakes, however, seemed to think
the statutes should be carried out even
in case in which the action was con-
sidered almost in the light of sacrilege.
Later, as the town seemed 10 be get
ting out of debt. Mr.. Oakes wanted a
list of those holding notes against the
town. Such a list could not be OBJ
tained from Judge Hale, and, when
| pressed, he said that 1t would be i'm
possible to furnish one, as he had prom
ised his friends that he would not do
so. AMI. If necessary, ne would resign
rather than break his word.
The selectmen decided not to push the
matter then, but to wait until the next
town meeting and elect a new treasu-
rer. At the next meeting of the town.
| however Judge Hale was again elected
town treasurer When his report came
up for approval, it was closely scanned,
and among the items was one of $500
advanced by treasurer" Selectman
OalSes at once wanted an explanation
of it, and on March 2s. 1895, he visited
( Judge Hale and talked the matter over.
An hour after Mr.. Cakes interview
Judge Hale committed suicide by shoot
ing in his office
The tragedy was a severe shock to
he community first of sadness, but
! alter OF horror, when it came to light
bat an extensive plan of defalcation
nad been carried on for years. Upon
he news of Judge Hale's death per-
sons holding notes given by the dead
| treasurer came to the selectmen and
| wished their money, and within three
days of Hales suicide notes to the
amount Of $4,000 were presented.
The investigation which followed
! showed that Judge Hale for a great
many years had been borrowing money
for his own use and giving in return
notes against the town. Within thre,
months after his death $4,000 in note,
was on the list, while several who he1C
similar paper did not make known th'
amounts. Special town meetings wer,
called and able counsel was employed
10 guard the interests OF the town.
AS the late treasurer had exceeded
his authority in pledging the credit o
the town to this extent, the position as
5umed by the town was that they owe'
nothing. Suits were brought by severa
Of the note holders. and five of the case
were carried to the law court. Thes
cases We're regarded as test cases T.
test the validity OF the whole, and tn
recent decision of the court makes Fox
croft liablefor nearly all of the debt