Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-10-04
LEWIS GETS SEVEN YEARS.
Farmers National Bank Wrecker Pleads
Guilty on One Count.


cashier of the Farmers National bank of
that place, pleaded guilty to making false
entries on the banks books at the session
of United States District court in this
city yesterday, says Wednesdays Rut-
land Herald. and was sentenced by Judge
IIoyt II. Wheeler of Brattleboro to seven
years Imprisonment, without labor, at
the house of correction. The disposal of
the case occupied little over half an hour
and was witnessed by few people out
side the members of the grand jury. The
respondent did not utter a dozen words
in the entire proceeding. In making his
plea he appeared somewhat agitated, but
grew calmer and watched the progress
of the case intently. lie was evidently
surprised at the sentence, but kept up to
the end. II. II. Powers OF Morrisville,
his attorney, made strong plea, which
was briefly answered by District Attor-
ney j. /. Martin, the prosecuting officer.
The prisoner left the court house as soon
as sentenced and was Immediately taken
to the house of correction.
As soon as the docket was called, At
torney Martin stated that he understood
David II. Lewis was ready to plead to
one of the counts on which he was held.
After short conversation with Mr..
Powers he added that Mr.. Lewis was
ready to plead guilty to the charge of
making false entries on the books of the
Farmers National bank. Mr.. Martin
acquiesced in the request of Lewis coun-
sci that the other counts against the re-
spondent be consolidated and mol pressed,
and Judge Wheeler ordered that nolle
prosequi entry be made.
The respondent was then called to the
prisoners pen and arralgned on the
charge of making false entries on the
books of the bank while cashier of that
institution. When Lewis took his place
he was decidedly nervous, but he quickly
regaincd his compOsure, and although his
voice was husky and ndistinct at first it
Immediately grew strong and firm. He
pleaded guilty to the charge and then sat
down to listen intently to the plea in his
behalf by Mr.. Powers and its answer by
Attorney Martin. Judge Powers spoke
at some length. lie said in part:
"There are some considerations in
connection with the case which desire
to submit to the court, believing that the
most favorable plea will arise from a
plain recital of the facts which have, in
part, from Mr.. Sulliyan, the banks re-
ceiver. First, this respondent did not
leave the state when the shortage at the
bank was discovered. Second, he owned
up at once to the true state of his personal
account and acknowledged his overdraft
In addition he has made complete and
ample restitution. The loss to the bank
amounted to about $4,000. The respon-
dent. through the aid of friends, procured
and paid in the sum of S25 900, leaving q
shortage of $1,000. He had been cashier
for nearly 20 years with a salary latterly
of $500 year. While the overdrafts
were being made he did not draw out his
salary and there was due him balance
of $9500. In point of fact the respondent
has not only paid back to the bank every
dollar, but has actually therein about
$500 in addition. His bond of $4,000
with the surety company has been paid
and his personal property attached in a
suit in favor of the banks receiver, which
should realize somewhere from $4,000 to
S5O0O."
Judge Powers closed with plea for a
light sentence.
District Attorney Martin arose as soon
as Mr.. Powers was seated and in slow,
distinct tones, spoke in part as follows
81 haye no desire to urge the court to
impose hard or extreme penalties.
Whether Lewis has made the loss to the
bank good or not, cannot say. l un-
derstand that upwards of 100000 of the
banks funds have gone somewhere.
How much of this sum Is due to the
actions Of the respondent | am unable to
say. He has pleaded guilty to violating
a United States statute by making false
entries. I'm not here to deny that S25,-
900 has been paid In on his account, and
| apprehend that after this case is dis
posed of there will be claim put in foI
that sum on the grounds that it was
merely loan. But that is neither here
nor there. The false entries to which
Mr.. Lewis entered plea of guilty are
bad enough. They extend over many
years-too many. His duty was to KEEP
the books of the bank where they should
be and guard every dollar on hand. In
|
unguarded. Time and again checks have
been charged over and over on the book:
of the bank. While not all of these falst
entries are by Mr.. Lewis, some of then
are distinctly from his pen. He alsC
made false reports TO the comptroller anC
the stockholders of the bank in regard L
| its standing. Under the law he is sup
posed to make these reports truthfully
Instead they were untruthful and deceiv
ing The books Of the bank show a wan
of due fidelity on the part of the cashier
} to my mind serious offense, violation
of duty and violation of the law"
Both Mr.. Powers and Mr.. Martil
spoke again briefly in answer to ques
: tions from one another or from the court
>, The former stated among other thing
, that he thought Mr.. Lewis had beel
t falsifying the entries for about fiftee
years. After moments reflection
i Judge Wheeler delivered the sentence Il