Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-23

day. August II; at Ellsworth, Friday,
August IL.
Except for the confirmation of the
nominations mad" by Gov. John +.
Hill, the only business transacted at
Friday mornings session of the COVER
nor and executive council was the hear
ing on the petition of Mrs. Ellen NJ.
Nelson now serving 4 sentence in tn"
county iail for larceny, for a pardon.
Mrs. Nelson formerly lived in Augusta.
but for the past year has been living
in Bath. ON March Is. last. she, to-
.rether with one GeOrge F.. Barnes, was
arrested or a warrant charging the
larceny of bedding. plates and other
articIe- to the value of about 800 from
the R;rchwood. summer motel AT
West Bath. Harnes had been employed
at the hotel for several years as care
taker an, last winter had Mrs. Nelson
there rs cook. When they left the
hotel on March 3. they took the goods
away with them. After the arrest Mrs
Nelson WAS confined in Jail until her
trial at the April term of the supreme
court for Sagadahoc county in April.
-
both we're sentenced to six months in
iail. being committed on April H. TO
tte knnnebcc county Jail in this city.
so that she has served over three
months of the sentence.
Joseph Williamson. Esq. of this city
anpearcd in behalf of the petitioner
He went over the case. as above out
lined and said that she supposed That
Barnes had a right to take the goods.
inst as he had said. He pointed out that
b;s client did not deny the taking Of
III. goods but contended that Barnes
nv his own testimony given at the
trial. which he read, turned states EVIL
dcnce and in that way the woman was
convicted. In no other way would IL
have been possible. The fact that
Barnes went to the owner of the prop
crty, after leaving the hotel. ana stated
that he had taken the goods and want
cd her to come and see them was evil
d,nce he maintained. of the truth OF
Mrs Nelson's story. Mr.. Williamson
road a letter from the wOman's mother
in Skowhogan praying for her pardon,
as she depended upon her for support
He also read a petition from Mayor
Rohcrtson Of Augusta. ana otherS'
asking for executive clemency lot inc
woman. Sheriff Ham. told the council
that she had been n model rrlSohrF
and that she was A good cook. If she
cared to STAY at the jail, as cook, after
hnr release he would be pleased to pay
her good wages.
County Attorney Charles D. Newell
Of Sngadahoc county. appeared IN OPP
position to the pardon. II" SAID tnit
Rarncs was ~ man of weak intellect
and easily Influenced. In his opinion
the woman was as much to blame as
The man. 1t did not seem to him that
she could believe. in view of the diiter-
ont kinds of goods taken. that he had
right. even though he he the car
takcr, to carry them away. Barnes
would have stayed at the hotel longer
hal not she persuaded him to move
into the city. He felt that her PUNISH
mant if she served the full sentence.
would be light. Mr.. Newell called upon
city Marshal Rreen and Policeman
George Fletcher Of this city to TESTIFY
in regard to the wOman's reputation
here.
These officers said that it had been
unsayory. Marshal Breen had known
her for about 20 years. When ne mist
knew her she was a good woman. nut
for the past several years her reputa-
ton had been bad. Had been arrested
many times for drunkenness and two
wears ago was taken into custody on
a charge of adultery. was held for the
grand jury. but escaped trial as the
complainant failed to prosecute
Fletcher had known her hut two years.
He told of circumstances connected
with her arrest for adultery.
Council granted petitioners leave t"
withdraw.
The nominations made by the Cover
ror were confirmed and Judge George
II. Smith. OF Pressure Isle. the new re-
porter Of decisions to the supreme
court who was present was congratu-
lated by the members of the councii
and his many friends. After which all
hands smoked some very fine cigars at
the expense of the judge. The usuai
roll of accounts was passed and councli
adjourned to Monday. Aug. -, at I.
NJ