Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-08
The Affiiction Of Monomania,

Former Governor Plaisted has re-
ceived letter from Donald F. Snow
county attorney of Penobscot, enclos-
ing letter from a convict at the
Maine State prison. The letter, writ
ten upon the sudden death of Judge
Plaisted of Bangor, is of interest to a
great many people who knew and
loved Judge Plaisted, as did this con-
Wet, and it is of general interest be-
cause of the striking revelation of the
good ip the worst of u.s. eff not of the
bad in the oest of us"). Here is a
highly intelligent and educated man
afflicted with a faint of insanity that
disgraces him and places him on a
level with, and a prison mate of. the
lowest criminals who are the product
of ignorance. depravity, social idiocy
and mistaken Interpretation of the
purpose of life.
This man writes from State prison to
one college mate of another, both of
respect and honored by the people. He
is an outcast because of an affection
from which even the heartfelt plead
ings of his classmate, then In high
judicial position, could not turn him.
But he has the heart of a divine and a
gift of expression that would be USE
full to the world were it turned in the
right direction.
Thomaston, Me, June 3d. 1914
Hon. Donald F. Snow, Bangor, Me.
My dear Mr.. Snow:--I have lust
learned of the untimely death of your
dear friend and classmate, Ralph p.
Plaisted. l was very sorry indeed to
hear the sad news for l had known
Ralph since his college days and to
know him was to love him. Here in
my lonely cell my thoughts go back
tonight to the days that have passed
l can see the old Delta just as plain
and the boys playing ball. l can see
Ralph. Hile Fairbanks, Emery Sykes,
Hinckley. Hutchinson, Billy Allen and
George Seco, Growing. I was a good
boy then and l never dreamed l would
turn out SO bad.
Ralph's death must hace been
great shock to you and his wife must
be Frustrated with grief. Taken
away so suddenly without the chance
to say goodbye to his dear ones, it goes
TO show that in the midst of life, we
are in death. He has gone but he
will not soon be forgotten. He was a
noble soul and as judge of the court
he was in close sympathy and touch
with all. He talked with the poor
misguided mortals in the warm spirit
of genuine friendship. The most
humble and unfortunate could ap-
preach him, as we'll as those in the
higher ranks Of life. Kindhearted
and generous to a fault, he was never
so happy as when he could relieve the
distress of the poor or assist some err.
ing being who in his weakness needed
the aid of his fellowman to help him
rise again. He understood the frail-
ties of human nature and what temp
tations In the hour penury and sor-
| row. beset men. He did not as some
do preach mercy and kindness and
forgiveness and then withhold the
helping hand to lift up the fallen and
penitent that he may regain useful
ness and be restored to self respect.
See how many he has given chance
in his court. Before he was Judge,
Bangor jail was crowded the year
around. Ralph was indeed kind
hearted man, man who always ex-
tended a helping hand to his brother.
to lift him to level ground so he could
again take his place among his fellow
men He will ge greatly missed and
his pleasant smile will not be seen
again. His attitude toward life can
be summed in these beautiful lines of
Sam Walter Foss--
Let me live In my house by the side
of the road
And be friend to man."
| ! could go on and on but three
pages are all l am allowed to write
/ can only say in closing that q bright
flower has been stricken down just as
1t was beginning to cast its shadow Of
beauty amongst the weeds and tares of
| this earth.
Thus quietly did he go, his memory
VIII be no thistle on the wind of many