Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-02-20
EIGHT YEARS FOR A. 4. COULD
Cashier Of Platte Valley State Bank ct
BSllweod IL Sentenced.
PLEA or GUILTY RESULTS IN LENIEScY
Judge sOrnberger in Passing Sentence
Refers to the BARLEY Parole and
Hopes NebraskRBs Don't
Approve of IL.

DAVID CITY, Neb., Feb 19.-(Special)-
Amos H. Gould, cashier Of the Platte VAL
ley State bank of Bellwood. was sentenced
to eight years in the penitentiary by Judge
Sornberger this morning.
Yesterday afternoon, when Gould was ar
raigned in the district court the court
room was packed to its utmost capacity
with creditors of the bank, those whose
names had been forged to notes and mort
cages, and a large number who came
through curiosity.
When Gould was arraigned he pleaded
guilty to the charge of forging notes and
disposing of the same. The information
contained eleven counts and he pleaded
guilty to each count separately.
Judge Sornherger briefly commented on
various crimes committed and the sentences
imposed upon the criminals. and said that
BARLEY was sentenced to the penitentiary
for twenty years and was pardoned at the
expiration Of six years, but he hoped the
good people OF Nebraska did not approve
Of the pardon. He concluded by saying that
forgery is a most heinous crime and asked
Gould what excuse he had to offer for COM
mitting such grave offense.
Mixed Up in Real Estate Deals.
Gould stated briefly: 81 will have to
admit l have done wrong. ! knew better.
1 was brought up better, but l got mixed
up in some real estate deals and signed
notes with friends which had to pay, and
had to raise some money"
When asked as to what he had done with
all of this money he said: ''I have heard
that have this money stored away some
place. This is not true. have not got
one dollar" He did not say what he had
done with all the money.
The court asked Gould II he knew of or
could give any reason why he should re-
ceive a short sentence. He said: "Noth>
ing, except have family, wife and two
children, boy IA years old and a girl IL
years old" When he spoke of his wife
and children his lips ouivered and tears
came to his eyes, which, so far as can be
learned, is the first indication he has given
Of any humiliation whatever since his
arrest. Continuing, Gould said: II have
nothing further to say, only that IL was
allowed to do so could pay back a large
amount that have forged and taken from
people in various ways. have friends
that would see that / had a start in life
again, but 1 suppose that would have moth
ing to do with the sentence
Estimates of Losses,
When the court asked Gould II he knew
the amount of the forgeries, he said he
did not. but approximately II; was $4,000.
The amount Of the forgeries continues n
grow, and record Of $5S.000 In addition tc
amounts heretofore known has been re-
ceived here this week.
County Attorney Walling says he has
made an estimate Of the forgeries and de-
falcations, and a very conservative state
ment fixes the total at 5000, 900 to $3.50, 900.
From the appearance, the prisoner at the
bar was as much surprised at the short
sentence he received as was the large
audience, which completely filled the court.
room. Kisses were plainly heard from
various parts of the courtroom and looks
of dissatisfaction were visible on the coun-
tenances of many present.
r. G. Gould. assistant cashier, will prob.
ably be arraigned in district court this
week. He claims he is not guilty and thai
he had nothing whatever to do with the
wrecking of the bank. His trial will
probably not be had at this term Of court.