Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-29
Pardon Hearings

Pardon Hearings
The pardon cases were taken up
early in the session, being heard in
the following order:
Emery F. Ward, Limestone
NJ. A. Johnson of Rockland APP
peared for Emery F. Ward of Lime
stone, who is serving a to Sugars
sentence in State prison for assault
with intent to kill George w. Graves
at Fort Fairfield.
Mr.. johnson said Ward was a
lovable boy. who got into this trouble
through circumstances. He con-
tracted a bad disease, began drink
ing and became wild and reckless.
| his whole character and disposition
changing.
In April 1915, while drinking, he
secured two revolvers and so pounds
| of dynamite and went to dance.
The people scattered. He planted
the dynamite in a nearby field, fired
it and did considerable damage and
then skipped to Canada. The father
repaired the damage and reached an
agreement with the authorities and
people that if he would come back
| and behave himself nothing would
be done He came back on horse
F, back: but was met by an officer
. pulled off his horse and arrested, in
the presence of Il crowd, which
pummeled him. His revolver went
off. through the bottom of the
holster, although he doesn't remem-
Der firing. The officer was slightly
scratched.
He later secured H. w. Traitor as
counsel. The charge of murder was
stricken out and counsel says it was
agreed to strike out the intent to
kilf' on the assault charge.
He was sentenced Nov. -. 1915
for four years, but had been in Jail
since April, 1915. The sentence
seems unusually severe, more so
than in others Of six cases I've had
Letters were read from numerous
of Wards associates, who said he
! was peaceable and we'll disposed al
ways. except when drinking, and
favored a pardon. Good behavior
while in confinement was told, to-
gether with belief that he would, if
/ pardoned. give no further trouble All
united in the opinion that Ward has
been sufficiently punished. The
same sentiment and opinion were
voiced in letters from officials and
prominent citizens.
George W. Graves, the officer shot
in the arrest of Ward. strongly fav-
ored a pardon. saying he thought the
deed was not done maliciously and
that he had been punished enough.
Trial Justice A. c. Fraude wrote
that the apprehension Of Ward was
the result Of misunderstanding on
the part of the officers. as the justice
| himself had telephoned Ward to
| come home and his trouble would be
! fixed up all right Ward was on his
way home. according to this assur-
ance. when arrested.
Warden F. J. Ham Of the State
prison wrote tnat Ward had been a
| model prisoner.
Herbert w. Trafton, counsel for
Ward at the hearing, wrote that he
had learned facts since that showed
him that instead of advising the boy
to plead guilty. he should have stood
trial and probably escaped the Sc
we're sentence. He thought Ward
sufficiently punished. Suffering
from a disease and drinking heavil.
he was irresponsible at the time.
Thinks he has learned his lesson, viii,
never err again and should be par
doned.
w. B. Ward Of Limestone. father
nf the hnV fnl Nf Re-
change in his son and the cause, a
bad disease. He acted peculiarly
then. though always behaved before
that. He had spent considerable
sum In freeing the boy from the dis
ease. He would take him home and
help him start life anew.
Peter leCIair, Rumford
Albert Beliveau Of Rumford an
peared for Peter Leclair Of Rum
ford. who is serving a year in Jail at
, South Paris for keeping a house of
i'll fame, being sentenced by Judge
/, Bird to one year and $500 fine.
He has now been in Jail Is months.
with months more to serve on the
fine
Sheriff Harry A. Cole Of Oxford
county wrote that he thought LeClair
sufficiently punished and that il re-
leased would make good citizen.
Counsel stated that no opposition
appeared among the authorities to a
pardon.
Albert w. Nye Of Bangor
Mrs. Jennie NJ. Johnson, city mis-
sionary of Bangor. gave the details
of the offence for which Nye was
convicted. saying he was sentenced
in September. 1918. for selling liquor,
being used as tool by one Mitchell,
who has skipped. Nye was out on
bail and making good at work. but
visited Bangor and was jailed. Mrs.