Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-05
Witness Says Judge
Wesc0tt Knew of Story
Bergd0ll'S Pot of Gold

Washington, May edward S.
Bailey. law partner OF Samuel T. An
sell. corroborated before a House in
vestigating committee today Ansell's
testimony that former Judge J. w
Wescott, Of New Jersey. knew all
about the story of the pot of gold"
before Grover Cleveland Bergdoll.
the Philadelphia draft dodger, es-
capped.
The witness was questioned par
ticuiarly as to this phase of the case
yesterday because of the emphatic
declaratio by Judge Wescott yester-
day that the first he heard of the
buried treasure was after Bergdoll
had escaped. MFR. Bailey also cor
roborated the Ansell testimony, de-
MED by Wcscott that the judge went
to the war department to sec the sec
re tary in the prisoners behalf, and
remained there some time without
seeing him.
Testifying after Mr. Ansell had
been subjected to a severe cross eX-
aminatio by Representative john
son. Democrat. Kentucky, a member
of the committee. Mr.. Bailey related
the gist of a conversation in his Of
fee as to plans by which the lawyers
hoped TO obtain the release under
guard of Bergdoll for the purpose of
recovering his hidden fortune. and in
l.~yz 7 10 aBr
of Philadelphia and Judge Wescott
took part.
Responsibility for changing mill
tary plans. by which Bergdol was
permitted to stop over in Philadel-
phia to visit his mother. instead of
proceeding direct to Hagerstown,
Md. near which the money was sup
posed to be buried. fell properly upon
thes houlders of Gibboney. Mr..
Bailey declared. 1t was from his
mothers home that Bergdoll es
capped.
Mr.. Railey's testimony had not
been completed when the hearing was
adjourned over until Monday. Be
fore leaving the stand. however, he
told the committee of a talk he had
with Bergdoll at the Governors Is
land prison of the latter's tale of the
gold, and of the military plans for
speedy trip to find it. Mr.. Bailey de-
ella red that Gibboney took a personal
interest in the prisoner and promised,
in event of his acquittal to take him
to Philadelphia and try to make a
man of him.
During the long cross examination
of Mr.. Ansell, conducted largely by
Mr., Johnson, direct attack was made
on the lawyer for accepting employ
ment as counsel 'for an Infamous
draft dodger." Mr.. johnson wanted
to know if he would have defended
Benedict Arnold and Judas Iscariot.
The witness said both were entitled
to trial under the laws.
Mr.. johnson insisted that as he had
promised to stand responsible for the
safe return of the prisoner. the for
mer acting judge advocate general of
the army was in duty bound to do so.
Mr.. Ansell contended. however, that
even if there had been an error of
Judgment, the request for the mans
release was made in good faith and
that under military regulations the
authorities and not the lawyers, were
responsible for his safe return.
The witness denied that he had
broken faith with Major General Har-
ris adiutant general of the army, who
issued the release order and declared
that his chief regret was that he had
been the man at whose instance the
general approved the expedition. Cen
eral Harris, he added, relied upon the
Judgment of officers at Governors Is
land to see that the prisoner was ad-
equately guarded.