The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1911-09-07
BICKFORD CASE UP again
ASK REHEARlNG OF EMBEZZLE.
MENT CHARGES.
Former North Dakota Treasurer
Confident Of Reversal Of
Verdict.

Washburq.-Thursday was set for
bearing of the new trial motion or for
the sentencing of G. L. Bickford, the
former treasurer Of North Dakota
convicted last June Of the embazzle.
ment of $54.65.
In the June term it was brought out
that Bickford was the president of the
First State bank of Bowbells at the
time he took Office, Jan. A.. 1909. His
president, these three being the only
stockholders. The bank was qualified
as a state depository for $4,000, hav-
ing given a bond for $4,000.
There were three items that made
up the embezzlement charge. The
first was the Barnes county deal. In
March Bickford received $25,215.26
from Barnes county to pay a balance
due the state from Barnes county for
school fund collected in that county
as per a draft drawn by the state au-
ditor and turned over to the state
treasurer for collection. Bickford sent
the entire sup to his Bowbells bank
that month without making any record
of it in the books of the Office, and
without taking any certificates or re-
ceipt from the bank. He did the same
with other collections from the Barnes
county treasurer, giving the Bowbells
Lank the use of $4,000 of state money
while the bank only paid interest on
$1,000 which the books showed was
there.
The second was the insurance
money. In October, 1909, Bickford
took $4,000 cash which was on de-
post with the state treasurer as Sc
curity for the Waseca Hail Insurance
company. He turned this over to his
bank without making any record or
taking any receipt for it.
Carried az Cash for Year.
Certain deposits OF checks made up
the third item. Twenty thousand two
hundred and thirty dollars Of state
money, in addition to the $4,000 al.
ready there, was deposited in the Bow.
bells bank shortly after Bickford went
in Office. A certificate Of deposit for
the amount lay in the cash drawer
and vas carried as cash for over ayear
Meanwhile the state drew nc interest
on this amount. Other sums of money
were put in other banks on certificates
Of deposit bearing interest, which were
carried as cash items and the interest
collected and retained by Bickford.
In the trial each of these three
Items was shown to be clearly defined
and separate from the other. The
claim the defense will make tomorrow
Is that under the North Dakota Law
It is not legal to try a man on three
separate criminal o1enses at the same
time, alleging that. as a matter of fact
the information does not allege three
different offenses, while there Is only
one general charge.
Another point on which the defense
will make a fight is that on which the
!, verdict of guilty was returned. Ii
the process Of the trial there was al
item admitted a. evidence tending t.
Indicate motive in Bickford's par
relative to alleged crookedness in tn,
administration Of tho affairs Of tn,
Pf1oe. This particular item was on,
q for q little more than $54, and 1t il
tho one on which the Jury returned
verdict Of guilty.
Defendant is Confident.
The defendant is confident that tn
supreme court will reverse the lowe
l court and order abandoned all proceed
Ings 30 far had. The motion for a new
trial must first be arrested befor,
Judge Crawford and his denial of tn
motion would send it to the highe
! court.
!, Judge Crawford and his srenoe
rapber arrived from Dickinson, bu
It is thought that a motion for a fey
days adjournment will be made. o.
account Of some delay in the trans
Dcribing Of the evidence,