The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-10-09
LEWIS SENTENCED.

Farmers National bank OF Vergennes,
pleaded guilty in Rutland on Tuesday 10 |
making false entries on the books Of the |
bank and WAS sentenced by Judge II vt II. |
Wheeler OF the United States circuit court |
to seven years without labor In The house OF |
correction Ia Rutland. This Ia the same |
sentence as that imposed on Marvin A. Nc
Clure and Charles W Mussey for completely |
in wreCking the Merchsut9' National bank
OF Ru land The other counts against Law
il were consolidated and mol pressed, Die
tticJ Attorney J. i. Martin cOnsenung y
the wishes OF Lewis counsel in this respect
Lewis received his sentence calmly aud
m inlaiD-d to the last the apparently In
differe exterior with which he hes coaked
his feelings since the bank went into the
receivers hands,
When Lewis took his place in the prison.
ers' pen he was somewhat agitated and his
|, first few words we're spoken in a hoarse in
distinct voice. He recovered quickly, how
ever, and his voice grew strong and iull.
He did not speak over dozen words but
watched the progress OF the case with great
interest.
Former Congressman Henry II. Powers
of Morrisville, made strong plea for a light
penalty urging that the respondent did
| what many another business man had done
before him, that is overdrew his bank &C.
| count. Tue bank, however, suffered mis-
| fortune when Lewis could not make up the
| shortage when this fact brought on disaster
| to the respondent He said Lewis had
made more II an complete restitution since
| that zine and had profited nothing by his
! transactions. Judge Powers 80 said Lew
il still had many friends ready to help him
when lis confinement was over. He as
sured the court that the respondent WAS 80
repentent as could be desired and in con-
clusion urged that the sentence be light
| one.
District Attorney Martin replied briefly
that az Lewis had pleaded guilty to falsify-
ing the accounts of the bank, had proved
unfaithful to the trust enjoyed by him and
had violated both his I ,ith and the law, he
was therefore desc wing of punishment.
The district attorney did not desire to urge
n hard OF severe penalty, but he believed
Lewis had committed serious offence.
Judge Wheeler after moments thought
| imposed a sentence of seven years, leaving
II discretionary with the prisoner where he
should be confined Lewis PREFER d the
House of Correction in this city and was
taken there almost immediately by United
StateJ Marshal Fred A. Field. Lewis re-
fused to say anything regarding his SEN
tence, but stated that he heartily endorsed
every word uttered by his counsel. He was
evidently disappol ted as we'll as surprised
at his sentence, but showed few signs of
nervousness. In the House OF Correction
he was placed in the hospital ward as the
other parts OF the institution are badly
crowded.
After the grand jury completes its work
1t is expected the court will take rec ess
until November when the petit jury will be
called and the cases against Lieut.. Gov.
Martin f. Allen of Ferrisburg, and John
w. Ketchum, for alleged completely with
Lewis will be heard.
Both these men we're in court on Tues
day and appeared in good health and spir-
ten of Burlington and Frederick s. Plstt o
Poultney, his counsel. Ketohum has re.
tanned Cushman & Sherman OF Burlingt on
and New York criminal lawyer to defend
him. He refuses to divulge the name Of
this lawyer but states that he is one of the
( remost lawyers in NV York city and
that he will be here at the time OF the trial.
ID. FL. Lawis is dsregardng the instruc-
tions OF his counsel not to talk for public =
ton. He converses freely with newspaper
men who call on him; He says his nerves
are already wrecked because he Is not al
lowed to smoke at the House Of Correc.
ton.
To q newspaper man on Thursday he
said: II decide my best course was to
come forward and make clean breast oil
1t. therefore pleaded guilty to classifying
the banks books, and my couns-l, Con-
: gresham Henry II. III Powers made q
. clear statement OF the case. 1 have not 8
word to add or TO take from Mr. Powers
remarks. He told the facts just as they
were. l have more than made restoration
to the bank. La fact, they are owing me
today several thousand dollars back salary
, L put many, many d liars more In the bank
r than took out. In view OF these extenu-
. =, ating circumstances l thought the court
would give me about five years. I'm al
q most fifty nine years old and when l am
released In five years and ten months I'll
, be almost an old man."
l He smiled rather sadly as he spoke, The
4 year and two mon his OF the seven year sen.
tence is for good behavior. Mr.. Lewis went
ON TO speak OF the attachment OF his person
| al property in favor OF the bank and reier-
l ated that he thought his actions and these
a But" he said, II understand the judge
gives them all seven years." referring tC
: the sentences OF Charles w. Mussey and
Marvin A. Mcclure, who were given that
penalty by Judge Wheeler for completely in
4 wrecking the Merchants National bank OF
Rutland.
When asked il he should take up a spa
cial line of study to make the time pas
quickly during his confinement, he said
a ~ don't know what shall do. I'm sure
| haven't made up my mind just what III
: do while here and you know as much as
Z what will do when I'm released" Mr.
! Lewis was sppare ntly interested in the 9th
: or men indicted for completely in wreckine
y the Vergennes bank and expressed won
I der whether Lieut. Gov. Allen would come
to trial or not
He would say no more but evinced no de
sire to palliate or withdraw his first state
ment. "Ketchum," he said, II understand
has engaged an expert criminal lawye
from New York but that won't make any
difference any more than 1t did with me.
Mr.. Lewis room is shared by two othe
I prisoners owing to the crowded condition
: OF the institution.