Monday, September 7, 2015

Adolphus Newton 1858 - 1910

Adolphus Newton
Elected Secretary of the Chenango Savings & Loan Assoc.
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1903
 

Adolphus Newton
1858 - 1910
 
Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At a special meeting of the shareholders of the Chenango Cooperative Savings and Loan Association on Tuesday evening to choose a secretary to succeed Philo R. Aldrich, who was removed by death, about 350 shares of stock were represented.  Of this number Adolphus Newton received a majority there being but one other candidate, Scott R. Donaldson.  Edward J. Elliott was elected a trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the withdrawal of Mr. Newton to accept the position of secretary.
 
It was also voted by the shareholders to procure a large portrait of the late secretary, Mr. Aldrich, and hang the same on the wall of the association meeting room.  This latter action was taken as a slight but appropriate expression of the appreciation in which Mr. Aldrich's services to the association are held.  His tireless zeal in behalf of the organization coupled with his ability and thoroughness found fruit in the vigorous growth the association enjoyed during his secretaryship.  He was full of plans for the future in the work when death called him from his unfinished labors.  Nobody is more familiar with the duties involved or better fitted from his close association with Mr. Aldrich than Mr. Newton to take up the work where the late secretary laid it down and it is believed that under his charge the association will continue to thrive and prove to be in the future even more than in the past "a friend in need and a friend indeed" to many who are seeking to own a home of their own.  His choice was the most natural one under the existing circumstances and it is believed that coming days will demonstrate that no mistake has been made in the selection of a new secretary and virtual manager of one of the most important local industrial and financial institutions.
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Returned From the West
Former Secretary of Loan Association Indicted on Four Counts
Rome Daily Sentinel, October 6, 1909
 
Adolphus Newton, who resigned his position as secretary of the Chenango County Savings and Loan association at Norwich and went West, returned to Norwich this week and the grand jury now in session has indicted him on four counts, charging grand larceny, second degree.  he appeared before justice Stratten and entered a plea of not guilty to the indictments.  he is accused of appropriating several thousand dollars of the loan association's money.  His indictment and subsequent arrest have caused great surprise in Norwich.

Binghamton Press, October 6, 1909

Announcement was made yesterday afternoon of the indictments handed up by the Grand Jury which reported this week.  Included in the number were four against Adolphus Newton, formerly secretary of the Chenango County Savings and Loan Association of this village, by which indictments he is accused of the crime of grand larceny in the second degree.  At the time Mr. Newton resigned his position as secretary of the loan association and sent West, there were persistent rumors of a misappropriation of funds.  Subsequently it was rumored that a settlement had been made, and interest in the case dropped.  Mr. Newton returned to town a few months ago and has lived quietly here since.  He was taken before County Judge Stratton and entered pleas of not guilty on all four indictments. 

Insisted on Going to Prison
Utica Herald Dispatch, November 3, 1909

Norwich:  Adolphus Newton former secretary of a loan association here, was sentenced to a term in prison this morning for misappropriating funds belonging to the association.  After his crime Newton left town and sent to the State of Washington, but his conscience troubled him and he came back.  On his return he stopped off at Auburn and asked the prison officials to lock him up, which, of course, they could not do.  He wanted to be punished and he was indicted at the last session of the Grand Jury on three counts. This morning he was brought before Judge Stratton and sentenced to Auburn Prison for a maximum of one year and 10 months and a minimum of one year.  Newton was charged with, second degree.  Two other charges were withdrawn.  The judge and district Attorney and defendant talked the matter over a few days ago and they offered to give Newton a suspended sentence, but he insisted that he be sent to prison and today his wish was granted.

Commutation for Newton
Auburn Citizen, April 26, 1910

Adolphus Newton, 53 years of age and a physical wreck, this morning received a special commutation from Governor Charles E. Hughes commuting his sentence of not less than one year not more than one year and 10 months to five months and 22 days which made his sentence expire yesterday.  Newton pleaded guilty at Norwich, Chenango county, in November last to grand larceny in the second degree and on the same day was received at the prison.  Almost from the start he has been confined to the hospital  and was unable to walk to the clerk's office to sign his release and other necessary papers. he was carried in a chair by three attendants.  Then so feeble was he that it took him many minutes to make the motions to make his signature....His sister, Mrs. Davids, and daughter, Mrs. Cross, were at the prison to greet him.  They left on the 11:47 o'clock train for Norwich but Newton was taken back to the hospital to await the arrival of some friends who will help him back home where he will spend his remaining days.

Adolphus Newton Pardoned
Chenango Union, April 28, 1910

Adolphus Newton, the former secretary of the Chenango County Savings and Loan association, who was last spring sentenced to served a term in Auburn Prison following his plea of guilty to an indictment charging larceny, has been pardoned by Governor Hughes and this afternoon will leave the prison a free man.  Messrs. John H. White, L.H. Babcock and Louis Glasgow went to Auburn to bring him home today.

Mr. Newton probably enjoys the distinction of being the only man in New York state who has served time in the prison at Auburn of his own free will and accord.  He was offered a suspended sentence but refused to accept  this, saying that he wished to serve time.

He was indicted by the September, 1909 grand jury for misappropriating Loan association funds.  November 3, 1909, he appeared before Judge Stratton and changed his plea of not guilty to one of guilty.  Sentence of not less than one year not more than one year and ten months was imposed.  Newton volunteered to take his commitment papers and go to Auburn prison alone.  Although the officers had no doubt that he would do this, they did not accept the offer and he was taken to Auburn by Sheriff Beardsley.  Three other indictments pending against Mr. Newton at that time were dismissed.  Judge Stratton and the county officials stated at the time that they would have consented to a suspended sentence believing that the ends of justice would have been as well conserved in that case.  The accused,  however, insisted that he be sent to prison and his request was granted.

His health was then poor, and he has been failing continuously since.  His pardon by Governor Hughes was due largely to his physical condition.  It is not believed that he can long survive.
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Death Notice
Utica Herald Dispatch, May 21, 1910

Adolphus Newton, formerly secretary of the Chenango Savings Association at Norwich, recently pardoned from Auburn Prison, where he was serving a term for taking association funds, is dead at Norwich.  Newton was the man who refusing a suspension of sentence, insisted on serving a prison term in expiation of his crime.

Obituary - Wife of Adolphus Newton
Broome Republican, September 5, 1908

Mrs. Florence K. Newton, wife of Adolphus Newton of this village [Norwich, NY], died at her home on East Main street, Wednesday night, after a long and painful illness.  She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abner Tucker of Pharsalia and was a woman of the best ideals and perfect character.  her life in this community, where she had resided for many years, is her best eulogy.  Her husband, four children, her father and mother, and three brothers and one sister survive.  Funeral services will be held from the Free Methodist church, of which she was a devoted member, Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. W.H. Clark of Rome officiating.

 

1 comment:

  1. Hello, and a very friendly congrats on your epic work here. I kindly wanted to draw your attention to the fact that your blog is being cited as attributing your photo from an obituary of Eunice Adelaide Newton [from a 2015 blog post] as being the face of the emerging famous Seneca Falls name of Eunice Newton Foote. I fully know this is a mistake being made by other people and Not by you. [!] I just wanted you to be aware. I notice that you have many Newton family members listed. Are you aware of the growing fame Eunice and her husband Elisha? http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/the-pulse-podcast/103965-do-it-yourself here is a link to a radio story where they interview me about her. Fast-forward to 12mns 2osecs to get to my story. If you know about her father/family from East Bloomfield NY, [Father Isaac Newton - originally from Goshen Conn.]I would be very interested in contacting you. I am James 'Jimbo' Daily 610-291-6458 jimbo.daily@aol.com Lets connect ! I think I know more about this couple than anyone in the country - would love to share. ALSO, no one has found a picture of Eunice - would Love to! I'm in love with her and her daughters. [!!]

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