Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-13
Those Sent to Prison for
Election Frauds Ap-
peal Mayor Roberts
Must Furnish a Bond
Of 100000
JAIL SENTENCES
FOR 81 OTHERS

Indianapolis, April 12.-Four men con-
trial and sentenced by Judge Anderson
today 70 the federal penitentiary at
Fort Leavenworth, Kan, received their
commitment papers late today and were
given until Sunaay to begin the trip to
prison. The other l6, including Mayor
Dom NJ Roberts. who received prison
sentences and appealed and the 81 who
VINO We're given sentences ranging from
one day to six months in the local jail.
were in Jail here tonight. 1t was said
the IL will be given two or three days
in which to obtain their appeal bonds
which were fixed by Judge Anderson at
s1C,oO0 for each year the men We're SEN
fenced. Edward Holler. the former chief
of police, who had pleaded guilty, also
received prison sentence.
The four who withdrew from the APP
peal are: John NJ Masselink, city seal
er of weights and measures; Arthur
ellis, Progressive election official; Jo-
seph Strauss, liquor salesman, and
George Severn, gambler. Each had been
sentenced to year and day in prison
and 10 a fine of Sl0J.
Roberts Bond
To obtain liberty pending his appeal
Mayor Roaerts, who was sentenced to
prison for six Years :and to a fine Of
s2ou0-the severest sentence given-will
have to furnish bond of $4,000.
Only eight of the 116 prisoners escaped
punishment. Four were given suspended
sentences. and four others, at the re-
quest of United States District Attor-
ney Daley, were not sentenced, as, he
said. it might invalidate their testimony
in the trial Of Roy Shattuck, the Repub-
lican candidate for Congress, and four
other Republicans who were candidates
for offices in Vigo county.
Before passing sentence Judge Ander-
son overruled a motion for new trials.
He gave counsel Tor the defence 60 days
in which to file exceptions to the rul-
lngs.
The Sentences
Mayor Dom NJ. Roberts Of Terre
Haute, who was described today by
Judge Anderson as the arch conspi-
rator," was sentenced today by the
federal court to serve six years in the
penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth,
Kas.. and pay fine of $4,000. Twenty
others of the 116 persons who have
been convicted or pleaded guilty to the
federal indictment charging conspira-
cy to defraud the United States by
corrupting the election of Nov. 5, 1914
also received sentences to Leaven-
worth prison. Four were given sus-
pended sentences. Judgment was re-
served in the case of four at the re-
quest of United States District Attor-
ney Daley and the remainder were
given either sentences in the loca,
jails or fines. IT was said to be the
largest number sentenced at one tins
in the local federal court.
Motions OverruIed
Before sentence was passed Judge
Anderson overruled motions for new
trials, filed ON behalf Of the q mer
found guilty by jury last Tuesday.
Edward Holler, former chief of pc.
lice of Terre Haute, was the only one
Of the SO who pleaded guilty to re-
ceive a prison sentence. Mr.. DALEY
announced that the four men whose
sentences were reserved would be wit
resses for the government in the tria
Of Roy Shattuck, Republican canGi.
date for Congress in the fifth district
and four other Republicans. on a sim
liar indictment. Judge Anderson Sc,
the trial for May II.
Eli II. Redman, elected judge of the
circuit court Of Vigo county by II
votes. and Sheriff Dennis Shea, were
sentenced to five years in the peniten-
tiary and fined $1,000 each.
Harry S. Montgomery. president OF
the Board of Public Works; Thomas
c. Smith, city judge: George Ehren-
hardt, member of the Board Of Public
Works, and Edward r. Driscoll, Sec
rotary of the Vigo county Democratic
central committee, were sentenced tc
three years each in the penitentiary
and find $500.