Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-04-30
George ", Pierce Fails
70 Secure a Pardon.
ceadHbn1I Pardon Granted MI.
ikl Msrelsr, Rumtord Falls.
D,tss Assigned For National Guard
Camp d instruction..
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
=. Tuesday, May 81, at 10 A. N.

Nsxt Meeting Of Governor and Council
Il Tussday. May 81, at 10 A. N.
The regular monthly meeting Of the
Governor and Council. which was held
in the temporary Council chamber al
the Blaine house Friday. was devoted
IN a considerable extent to pardon
hearings. The first case to be consid-
cred was that of George w. Pierce OF
lewiston who is doing IS years at
Thomaston for attempted murder. At
the hearing yesterday he was repre-
sented by l.. w. Fales of Lewiston. In
0pening the case MT. Fales described
the crime OF which Pierce was con-
yjcted. the attempt to poison ex-City
Marshal H. e. Teel OF Lewiston. by
whlskey charged with arsenic. and the
attempt to poison Judge A. d. Cornish
of the Lewiston municipal court by
sugar containing arsenic. II con-
tend" said Mr.. F'nles, that George w.
Pierce has paid the penalty for his
wrong doing. lie has served IL years
for O contemplated crime and now
asks the he be freed
Charles f.. Boothby of Lewiston. a
nephew Of Pierce. stated that he has
had several talks with Pierce in the
prison and he is thoroughly penitcnt.
Pierce told the witness that he
(Pierce) did not remember of doing
the things of which hc was accused
and that If he were given his freedom
he wetild endeavor to lead an upright
life, be a credit to the community and
he would promise that he would not
hurt anyone.
Hon. Frank A. Morcy Of Lewiston.
county attorney Of AndrOscoggin
county. strongly opposed the granting
Of a pardon to Pierce.
1T was no fault of Pierce" said Mr..
Morey. that several persons were not
killed by him. Candy charged with
arsenic was found on the steps Of the
residence Of Judge William II. Newell
while sugar containing enough arsenic
to kill was left at the residence OF
Judge Cornish. In Pierce's safe was
found bottle of arsenic and Il list OF q
dozen prominent men who had been
marked for the slaughter by Pierce
Judge Cornish's house was painted and
other mlsdemeanors committed which
have been laid at the door of this petit
es"hcI tot VACtoIlSt NtSatVb'y' ~ W o.
only by accident that some one did not
drink some Of the arsenic charged
whiskey which was sent to ex-City
Matsi,df 1raet. ---'-sTT 's'-'-' 80 80
THE community would not be safe
continued Mr.. Morey, with George w
Pierce at liberty. lie is in a good safe
place now and for the good Of the
community and the protection of oul
citizens | protest against Il pardon be-
ing granted to this man"
Attorney F'ales said that he believe.
that Pierce was insane at the time OF
the commission OF the crime. although
he was sent TO the hospital for obser.
walton and adJudged sane.
Questioned by Councillor Cunning
ham az TO Pierce's conduct in the
prison, Attorney Fales stated that he
had understood that Pierce had been
Nnruly at Thomaston at times as he
chafed under the confinement
The matter was tabled for executive
session,
Matthew Mccarthy Of Rumford
Falls appeared as counsel for the petit
TONERS In the case OF Iiilaire MERCER
Of Rumford Falls, who Is serving n
years sentence in the Augusta Jail for
perjury.
Attorney Mccarthy produced n large
number OF signatures to petitions for
Merciers pardon.
Every minister but one in Rumford
Falls has signed q petition for Mer-
ciers pardon" said Attorney Nc
earthly. and the sentiment up my way
Is that he has already paid the penalty
Tor the crime. The man had never
before been before court. Thes.
petitions are signed by the leading citi-
gems OF Rumford Falls. including
Waldo Pettengiil, George p. Rishe'
and Judge A. f.. Stearns of the
municipal court as well as all the
members OF the board of selcctmen OF
humford Falls. Ntercier has been in
jail since last October. period of six
months
Representative Stanley Bsbcc OF
Humford Falls stated that he had
known the petitioner for several years
and he had always borne good repu-
tatioh. The witness did not think
.nat there was anyone in Humford
runs or in fact in Oxford county who
opposed The granting OF Il pardon 10
Mercier County Attorney Parker had
'o'd the witness that he would not
oppose the granting the pardon.
Frank 3. Miller OF Rockland ap-
Mared as counsel for the pardon OF
alexander Rector Of Rockland. who is
serving sentence Of four years in the
states prison at Thomaston for break.
aug. entering and larceny.
Attorney Miller commended that Rec.
"r has already paid the penalty fol-
me crime. that his health has beer
seriously impaired by his confinement
shd that he has a wife and children
dependent upon him for support.
The pardon was opposed by Phillip
howard. county attorney OF Kno,
County. III .,.
continuances were granted in thu
saraoh cases Of John j. ellis of Rum
."fd Fails. who Is serving a term il
."e oxford county Jail at South Paris
ana DR." Ebert NJ. Bates of Rich
.."ho' who Is serving a sentence o
nv rse years in the States prison n
.nomaston for manslanghter in caus
'ix the death of Richmond girl n,