Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1909 — Fred Gillman Was Paroled. [ARTICLE]

Fred Gillman Was Paroled.

Fred D. Gillman, who was convicted of embezzlement at the March term of the court at this place two years ago, and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of from one to three years, was released last week on parole. His wife went to Michigan City to meet him and they returned to Goodland, but what, If any plans they have for the future has not been made public.

Mr. Gilman was sole owner of the Home Bank at Goodland and its failure in the summer of 1904 was a financial blow to Goodland, and a great surprise! to Mr. Gilman’s friends. He had enjoyed the confidence of almost everyone in the town and community, but bad loans and the failure tp make good of those to whom he had made large advances foiled the bank to close. Mr. Gilman left Goodland the day before the crash came and for two years concealed his whereabouts. In February 1907, he was located at Bloomington, 111., and was arrested by Sheriff Stoner and brought back to this place for trial, and was convicted at the March term of court Before leaving for the penitentiary Mr. Gilman stated that; his faijuie was brought about by the friends he had trusted, and probably the pardoning board took this view of the matter and on the strength oi their belief that he was not wholly lesponsible for the fallue, granted a paiole. The same pardoning board has persistently refused to grant Tom McCoy, the Rensselaer bank wrecker, a parole, and must have viewed the two cases differently. His wife, who was formerly Miss Dora Wickwire, has stood by him in his misfortune, jmd having money In her own righty will probably establish him in business again some place. Many people .who have known Mr. Gilman from boyhood hvae felt much sympathy for him, believing him to be the victim of circumstances and his supposed friends than any Intent to defraud. However this may be, he has paid the penalty Imposed by the court and by the permission of the paidoning board Is again at liberty. Mr. Gilman was a model prisoner, and is looking well after his two years confinement —Kentland Enterprise.