Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-11
Three Arraigned in
Portland Court for
Conspiracy to Con-
Ceal Assets
AIIege Property Sold by De-
PENDANTS without TITLE

Portland Me-, April 10.-ln the
United States district court Friday
was begun a hearing in case that is
one of few of this nature to come up
in New England. The government
charges that Hubald Daigle or
Frenchville, his brother Arthur OF
Fort Kent, and the uncle of these two,
Domonic of Fort Kent, conspired to
conceal the assets of Hubald when
he was a bankrupt.
The case will occupy the attention
of the court for 10 days and it is eX-
pected that over 80 witnesses will be
examined. In its ramifications, the
alleged events extended over a terri
tory from northern Maine to Boston
and the investigation has occupied
over a year. The three Daigles were
indicted at the September term of the
United States court. The case was to
be tried at a special term on Jaa. 20,
but was then continued until the April
term.
After jury had been drawn, Dis
trict Attorney Robert t. Whitehouse
opened for the government and oc-
cupied the attention Of the court for
nearly an hour and a half, discussing
the issues and the offense. In explain
ling the statute he said that each one
of the persons found guilty of the Of
Tense charged with liable to a PEN
atty of not more than $4,000 or two
years III prison or both. He explained
at some length just what conspiracy
means. Then he took up the case at
issue.
According to the opening. Hubald Dali
gle began business in July, 1872 Shortly
after that he decided his store to his faith
er, Raymond Daigle, and in September,
1912, this deed was recorded Following
that he transferred his potato house to
his sister and on Jan. "a, 1913, he made
common-law assignment to his uncle,
Dominic Daigle. just four months and
one day from the date the deed given
Raymond Daigle was recorded. A month
later on Feb. "a. Hubald Daigle went
into bankruptcy. involuntariy, on the pc
tition of Milliken, Tomlinson Co., the
Parker, Thombs Co., and the Clark Eddy
Co. of Portland. The liabilities were gwen
as s26.443 and the assets as s4709
Mr.. Whitehouse pointed out that since
Hubald began business ne had received
in merchandise s25, 755 worth, and that he
had admitted. when he started, he had
had a surplus of $4,000 From this, Dis
trict Attorney Whtehouse pointed out
that $4,000 worth of property had dis
appeared in some unaccountable manner
II was because of this and of the part
Arthur and Dominic Daigle are alleged
to have taken in the affairs of Hubald
that the charge of conspiracy has been
brought. The government alleges that
Dominic Daigle. in his name, sold prop
erty that really belonged to Hubald and
that Arthur assisted in the transaction.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Whitehouses
address 20 witnesses for the government
Were sworn and others will be presented
the first of the week. The taking of tes-
timony began at noon and when adjourn
ment was taken till afternoon two men
had been on the stand The first was
James f. Hewey, clerk of the T. s
court who told of the bankruptcy pro-
ceedings as shown by his records; and
the second was Jerome C. Finson of
Bangor, who was trustee in bankruptcy
for Hubald Daigle. He was still on the
stand at recess.
The case is being prosecuted by Dis
triot Attorney Whitehouse and by AS
sistant District Attorney Arthur Chap
man. William r. Pattangall of Water
vile is senior counsel for the defence
and A. S. Crawford, Jr., of Fort Kent
is assisting him.