Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-14
TWO PARDONS GRANTED.
Ashford Sampson and Leslie A. Ken
niSton the Fortunate Men.
Certificate OF Election issued 10 Hon. Amos
AlIen-Capitol News.

The first of the TWO prisoners Is ASH
ford Sampson Of Augusta, and the sec
ond is Leslie a. Remission of SebaBo.
Sampson hearing for a petition was
given at the meeting, Monday. while
Kcnniston'S was given two months ago.
The latter is serving sentence of
four years for assaultinS mark NJ.
Rachelder Of Stbago. in the winter of
1876. 1t is claimed that tho act was
done in lf-defencc. while Bachelor
was under the influence Of liquor. This
mas been laying on the table sinces that
time. Ashford SIMPSONS case IS given
below in the brief account of the hear
ing.
All the councillors We're present and
the meeting was filed with the usual
routine of authorizing the drawing of
warrant for the payment of sums owed
by the State. The nominations made
one week ago We're confirmed and the
certificates of election to Hon. Amos
l.. Allen as congressman from the lst
district was made out. The Snow fish
warden case was not acted upon. but
left upon the table for the next meet
ing. which will occur. Wednesday. De
ccmber 20, at / L. NJ.
Governor Powers made no announce
ment Of action on the Lowell pardon
which awaits only his signature but
he Informed the Journal he should act
upon the matter, today. The friends
,f thc pardon have no fear as TO the
I. t.cl ~ viii take.
Leslie G. Cornish, Esq, of Augusta.
appeared to represent the petitioner in
the pardon hearing of Ashford +.
Sampson of Augusta, who is serving Il
six years term in the State prison,
having been convicted at the Septem-
Der term Of the Kennebec county court
of being q common thief.
The story of the affair as recited by
Mir. Cornish showed that strong drink
was without doubt the cause. Mr.. Cor
nisn had statement from Sampson
and after opening his case read the
statement.
Ashford +. Sampson is "A years of
age. and is the son of W. l.. Sampson,
who has been for "a years the efficient
engineer at the Maine Insane hOspi-
tai When nine years of age his mother
died. At IL he took his first drink and
from that time drank heavily. He was
a good boy to work when not intoXi-
Gated and a good hearted boy.
His first offence was in the summer
of 1897. He was with a chum. both be
ing intoxicated. The chum stole a BIZ
cycle of Warren Sanborn. Sampson
took the wheel and sold it in Chelsea.
The wheel was recovered and the affair
settled by SIMPSONS father. He then
went to Chelsea to work haying, stay
ing there two weeks. ON his way
home he passed the Carson house,
where he went in and stayed week,
keeping drunk about all the time. He
was brought to Augusta by Rose and
Cora Carson in a top buggy, hauled by
a broncho. All We're drunk. Rose sent
Sampson to the city from the Muster
grounds to get a jug Of liquor. He got
still more intoxicated and drove to
Randolph, where he sold the team for
$40 and q SlVcrene watch. that had
been loaned to Rose Carson, for s.. He
next remembers Of finding himself in
Bangor. tie next morning. He work
"a near there for 4 few days and re-
turning to Bangor, heard he was
wanted in Augusta. where he returned
and was arrested.
He was placed in jail and did not
send for his father, believing he would
get but a Jail sentence for the offence,
knowing that though he had intended
Eo larceny he was liable for the deeds
The grand jury found three indict-
ments for larceny ana it is a rule that
any person found guilty of three Sepa-
rate larcenies at one term OF court
shall be deemed a common thief.
Sampson @peaded guilty to the three
charges. having no counsel and the
sentence Of six years was imposed. he
says in his petition that he will, if par
loned. try to lead an honest. indus
trious life. free of the use of intoX-
cants. as he drank only because his
companions did, having no thirst for
liquor.
The father testified to all that the
son said in the statement, saying he
had not known of the indictments I'M
til after the boy pleaded guilty.
NJ. s. Campbell, treasurer and stew
ard Of the hospital and II. Il. Cony.
the farm superintendent, both testified
10 the boys good disposition and be
havior when not intoxicated.
Superintendent 3. T. Sanborn had in
tended To be present but was detained
1T the knight murder trial. EX-Gov-
ernor Robbie. president of the hospital
trustees. sent strong letter for the
pardon. as did Hon. p. 0. Nickery,
Judge a. G.. Andrews and Marshal H.
It. Morse.
Judge Hall. who sentenced the young
man. said had he known the facts OF
the case better he would have doubted
the Justice of charging Sampson with
being a common thief when there was
no moral impulse to steal manifested.
but all were committed when the boy
was intoxicated. Though technically
liable. the young man could not be SAID
| 70 he q common thief
/ Petitions were read from the frlehds
and neighbors living near the insane
hospital. from the members OF Seth
Williams Post. CT. A. r.. of which the
| father is a member from Mayor Lane
and the greater number of the alder
| men and councilman, and from many
/ of the leading citizens of Augusta.
In summing Mr. Cornish SAID every
| one thought the boy had been PUNISH
ed enough for deeds committed Whiie
| intoxicated and for offence of the ma
1 Il Z n mind the tact