Ward A. Teachout story - 1939

Man is Arrested on Bigamy Charge

Chenango Telegraph, February 24, 1939

Ward A. Teachout, [33], was arrested shortly after 5 o'clock Wednesday night on Fair street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] by Undersheriff Frank J. Machio and Deputy Harry Watts on a warrant charging bigamy.  Teachout is to have an examination before justice Frank Warner of New Berlin, who issued the warrant, Friday morning at 10 o'clock. He has asked to consult with former District Attorney Glenn F. Carter as his counsel.  Joyce Reynolds Teachout of Sherburne, whom the defendant married in 1935, is the complainant in the case.  It is charged Teachout wed Mildred Louise Grover of Potsdam, in June 1925 at Rochester.  They lived together until 1929 or 1930 when they separated.  Teachout is then accused of marrying Joyce Reynolds in New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY] in November, 1935, without first obtaining a divorce from the first wife.  The defendant is reported to have been living in this city the past two months.

Chenango Telegraph, April 18, 1939

Ward A. or Warren Teachout of Sherburne was indicted for bigamy in that he married on June 28, 1925, Mildred Louise Grover and without obtaining a divorce from her wed Joyce Reynolds at New Berlin on Nov. 6, 1935.

Bigamist is Sent to Attica Prison

Chenango Telegraph, April 18, 1939

Ward A. or Warren Teachout of Sherburne was Monday afternoon sentenced by County Judge Hubert L. Brown to not less than one year and not more than one year and six months in Attica state prison, after pleading guilty to a charge of bigamy.  In passing sentence, Judge Brown said "It has reached the point where marriage is not regarded as a very solemn or important occasion by some people.  The court cannot pass over or ignore the consequences especially to society."  District Attorney Lester H. Mosher told the court the evidence showed the defendant knew where his first wife was living before he was married a second time.

Teachout's Wife Gets Annulment

Chenango Telegraph, April 25, 1939

Further examination of Sheriff Neil D. Lewis, hurt Wednesday in an automobile crash near Auburn, revealed Friday that the Chenango county official had received a fracture of one rib near the chest bone.  Mr. Lewis is confined in Auburn City Hospital and appears to be making a fair recovery.  It was not until Friday that Sheriff Lewis was informed of the death of his companion, J. Raymond Oakley of this city.  Physicians at the Auburn institution decided to break the sad news to the sheriff in view of the large amount of mail he is receiving and because the messages referred to the accidental death of Mr. Oakley. Since confined at the hospital Sheriff Lewis has made repeated inquiries as to Mr. Oakley.

Information received from Malone reports that Joyce Teachout of Sherburne was granted an uncontested annulment from Ward A. Teachout by Justice Ellsworth Lawrence of the supreme court on Friday.  Teachout is confined at the Chenango county jail, having been returned here by deputies following the Auburn accident in which Mr. Oakley was killed and Mr. Lewis hurt.  Teachout was being taken to Attica State Prison to serve a term for bigamy.  He is alleged to have abandoned his wife whom he married in 1935.  Steps to secure clemency for Teachout because of his heroic work at the scene of the crash are about to be taken by his counsel, Glenn F. Carter, who consulted with County Judge Hubert Brown Friday afternoon.  Mr. Carter has been informed of Teachout's services by Cayuga county officers and their willingness to speak in his behalf.  Mr. Carter is undecided as to what move he will take in the prisoner's behalf.  Willing to assist in the movement to aid Teachout are several Sherburne residents.

News Item - April 1939

Norwich:  Ward A. Teachout of Sherburne, convicted bigamist who was enroute to the state prison at Attica on Monday morning with Chenango County Sheriff Neil D. Lewis and J. Raymond Oakley, Norwich business man, when the car in which they were riding was overturned, taking the life of Mr. Oakley and sending Sheriff Lewis to the Auburn Hospital, was returned to the Norwich County jail Monday night by Undersheriff Frank J. Machio, bringing with him high praise from the peace authorities of Cayuga County for his quick action in summoning held for sheriff Lewis, who was wedged in the wrecked car bleeding profusely from a bad laceration in the left side of his neck.

It is understood that a movement will be started here to seek clemency for Teachout because of his conduct at the scene of the accident when, after summoning an ambulance and state troopers, he turned himself over to the representatives of the law, informing them that he was a prisoner.

Thursday morning residents of Sherburne phoned the sheriff's office in norwich, stating that they were willing to start a petition in their community in his behalf.  Teachout was sentenced to spend not less than one year and not more than one and one-half years in Attica after he had pleaded guilty to the bigamy charge on Monday before County Judge Hubert L. Brown.  Lawyers in Norwich on Thursday were divided in their opinions as to whether Judge Brown could change the sentence he has already pronounced upon Teahcout, should he be so disposed and that it would be necessary to carry the case to Governor Lehman, asking him to show clemency, while other attorneys claimed that, as jurisdiction over the prisoner had never been taken from Chenango County, Judge Brown would have the legal right to change the sentence should he be so inclined. The funeral of J. Raymond Oakley, who was killed in the accident, will be held from Emmanuel Episcopal Chruch, Norwich, Saturday morning at 10:30, the rector Rev. Lloyd S. Charters, officiating.  burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Sentence Passed on Teachout Suspended by Judge Brown

Chenango Telegraph, May 2, 1939

Ward A. Teachout, the prisoner who showed remarkable courage and rendered such valuable service at the scene of the automobile accident near Auburn April 19, when Sheriff Neil D. Lewis was seriously injured and which caused the death of J. Raymond Oakley, local clothing merchant, won his freedom from the Chenango county jail Monday, when County Judge Hubert L. Brown suspended execution of the sentence of not less than one year and not more than 18 months meted out to the man after a plea of guilty to bigamy.  After Judge Brown had suspended sentence on Teachout during good behavior and warned him that one misstep would mean he could be made to serve the prison term, the man with tears in his eyes thanked the court for the clemency shown him and said "I will do the best I can, thank you."

Teachout whose acts at the crash scene brought him favorable comments from all corners, was returned to the Chenango county jail the day of the accident.  He had been confined in the jail since receiving medical treatment that was required.  His case was brought before Judge Brown Monday by former District Attorney Glenn F. Carter, his counsel, on a motion to reopen the case and suspend the former prison sentence.  Mr. Carter reviewed the service Teachout performed at the time of the fataltiy, how the man after getting out of the car and making Sheriff Lewis comfortable raced some distance to call for help and the state police.

"The acts of Teachout were commendable," Mr. Carter told the court.  "He had the opportunity to escape, but he made no effort to do so.  I am told both the sheriff and Mr. Oakley had considerable money on their persons and those sums were untouched.  There was only one instance when sheriff Lewis was conscious and that was when he called to him.  Mr. Carter stated that when Sergeant Stevenson and Trooper Donovan arrived at the scene Teachout informed them he was a prisoner in the car and was being taken to Attica state prison by sheriff Neil Lewis.  "He placed himself in the custody of the officers," said the lawyer "and gave information and assistance and cooperated in every way possible in aiding the sheriff and the two troopers."  Mr. Carter said the prisoner had been returned here after the accident and that the matter was rightfully in this county.

"All the peace officers have recommended the defendant be given a suspended sentence," said Mr. Carter.  He said that other peace officers in the city are in favor of Teachout being released, based on the man's conduct at the accident scene.  He said that the situation is unusual in itself.  He presented affidavits from Sheriff Lewis, Sheriff Burt Cooper of Cayuga county and Trooper Ward Donovan of Troop D.  Sheriff Cooper's affidavit recited the fact he had known Teachout and his family for years and that the man had never been involved with the law before and "I do not hesitate in recommending leniency be shown him."  Trooper Donovan said Teachout did everything possible at the scene of the accident in making Lewis comfortable and "anything you can do will be pleasing to Sergeant Stevenson and myself."  Mr. Carter said Sergeant Stevenson was away on vacation but that he felt he joined with his associate in the recommendation.  The affidavit of Sheriff Lewis asked that Teachout be given a suspended sentence from Attica if possible.  "I personally recommend same," said the sheriff's statement "as no one appreciates the services Teachout rendered more than I do."

In reply District Attorney Lester R. Mosher said "I don't intend to question the fact the services rendered by Teachout are commendable.  He used his head and good judgment.  I feel, however, the defendant and his counsel are approaching it from the wrong angle from a legal standpoint."  Mr. Mosher said he felt the sentence formerly given the man was legal and he spoke of the records on file in the State department of correction.  He said the question of the man's guilt could not enter into it.  "I feel so far as the court is concerned," remarked Mr. Mosher, "That it is a closed case, that it is not proper for the court to open it again and that the sentence passed upon the man should stand, for I believe the court is without jurisdiction."  The district attorney said he felt the defendant and his counsel were not without a remedy in that they could appeal to the governor.  "I hate to see the court take a step that is not legal and entirely proper," he remakded, "I could recommend a medal for Teachout, but I don't think the sentence should be wiped out entirely.  If the governor pardons the man all well and good."

In suspending execution of the sentence Judge Brown said, "The court recognizes the conduct of the defendant at the time of the accident and without question it is commendable.  He exercised good judgmewnt.  He did the things that were proper and showed the spirit of human sympathy and consideration.  "I am not inclined ot modify or change the sentence but I have, I believe, the authority to suspend execution of the sentence. The judgment of the court is that executioin of the sentence of imprisonment made at the time the defendant peladed guilty be suspended during good behavior."
__________________________________________________

Obituary -Ward A. Teachout

Norwich Sun, November 6, 1946

Ward A. Teachout, 41, died suddenly at his home in North Norwich at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning following a heart attack.  Born September 5, 1905 in Weedsport [Cayuga Co., NY], he had passed the past several years in Sherburne and North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].  At the time of his passing he was employed as a truck driver for the Sherburne Rendering Company.  He leaves besides his wife, Charlotte Teachout; his mother, Mrs. Jerome Teachout of Weedsport; a sister, Mrs. Helen Hammond, also of Weedsport and six brothers, Charles, Donald and Harry of Syracuse and George, Robert and Frank of Skaneateles Falls.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.  Funeral services will be held at the Breese Funeral Home Saturday afternoon at 2, Rev. Thomas G. Swales, pastor of the Broad Street Methodist church of this city officiting.  interment will be in the Sherburne West Hill cemetery.

Ward Arthur Teachout (b. 5 Sept. 1905) was the son of Jerome and Sarah (Bishop) Teachout.  During his military enlistment during WWII (stationed at Ft. Eustis, VA), he married Charlotte A. Ladue, the daughter of Seymour and Alice (Ireland) LaDue in Arlington, VA on 5 October 1942.  [Certificate of Marriage, Commonwealth of Virginia, 31785]