St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-05-30
Farrar and Illus sey.
Bank Wreckers Sentencod

The United States court which ad.
Journed at Windsor recently opened at
Rutland late Wednesday afternoon,
Judge Hoyt H. Wheeler of Brattleboro,
presiding. Soon after the opening of the
court John c. Farrar, the defaulting
teller OF the Waterbury National bank,
pleaded guilty to the first CONT OF his
indictment, that of abstracting the funds
of the bank. The other two counts, EN-.
bezzling and misapplying the funds Of
the bank were nole pressed. At the
close of the plea of his council, H. K.
Kemp Of Montpelier, made an eloquent
plea for Farrar. He said it was one Of
an uncrlminal motive. The youth was
victim of circumstances. He spoke of
his unimpeachable character hitherto.
He lett the Burlington high school when
IL years old to enter the Waterbury
bank. The first irregularity was an
overdrait and was within the knowledge
OF the officials. He continued from this
to ialsiiy items, and make incorrect foot.
ings. Mr. Kemp read petition of II
waterbury citizens asking for a mini
mum sentence. Judge Wheeler sentenced
Mr.. Farrar to six years imprisonment,
without hard labor, in the house of cor
rection at Rutland.
Mr.. Farrar appeared in the court |
room very composed and calmly ans
wered guilty when the judge questioned |
him. He seemed relieved when his SEN |
tence, one year above the minimum, was
pronounced by Judge Wheeler.
Cashier Mussey came into the court |
room evidently under an intense nervous
strain and appeared to be forcing him
self into a state OF calmness. When |
Judge Wheeler asked the customary
question: guilty or not guilty ?" he |
quickly answered guilty" as if glad to
have the ordeal over. T. M. Molonev
spoke in his defence. He said that Mr.. |
Mussey did not attempt to flee the con-
sequence of his crime. He went to All. |
bany, but it was to consult friends, |
fully intending to return, as he did. He |
had not since attempted to conceal any.
thing but had seemed willing to take his
He personally gained
no thing from his crime and was COM
PEELED to live under a shadow for some
years. He had no intention at any time
Of deirauding the bank to the extent
hat he ultimately did.
Attorney Martin stated that there
we're IN the bank notes covering every
1ollar distracted from the bank. Judge
Wheeler then sentenced the respondent
20 seven years Imprisonment without
abor. The court room was crowded
and there was intense interest. Mcclure
was self possessed and pleaded not
guilty and his council asked an adjourn
nent to the October term. This was
granted, the judge fixing his bail at $780,
300
la imposing the sentence on Farrar
Judge Wheeler said he did not feel iusti.
he'd in fixing it at five years, the mini.
mum, nor did he think the respondent
was deserving of the 10.year maximum
Therefore he would sentence
me prisoner to six years confinement in
he house OF correction. The Judge re-
,alled the case of a bank officer in an.
other state who was now filling a re.
'ponsble position after serving six years
n prison, and said he believed there was
yet chance for Farrar to succeed in
lie.
District Attorney Martin thought
hat Mussey's case was purely a case of
weakness on the part of the respondent.
lie did not indicate what his opinion
vas as to the proper sentence to impose,
tut reviewed briefly the crime of which
he respondent had pleaded guilty.
"Ot course, said Judge Wheeler this
5 a very bad case and very hard case.
The sentence will probably be more
evere to him on account of what he
,nows his family will suffer. The ipno-
ent always suffer more than the guilty.
Ne have, however, to consider not only
he punishment Of offenders, but the
of the law. There must be
IN example for others who lean toward
rime. Taking the law into consider
ltlon, my mind settles on seven years,
md that is the sentence"
Mussey and Farrar were assigned cells
n the house of correction. The United ,
states laws in such cases do not allow
he sentencing of man to hard labor.
he prisoners may by good behaviour I
'ain tive days on every month they
erve. 7
l want to exchange my Registered
Morgan Mare, Chestnut Color for a =,