The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-01-03
Bitter Experience of Man Who
Served Seven Years for AnOther's


Served Seven Years for AnOther's
Crime.
good-looking young man with light brown
hair, expressive dark eyes, and smooth-shaven
face attracted very little attention from the hurry
ing crowds as he stepped from Chicago Alton
train at the Canal street depot yesterday after
noon and passed through the Dig iron gate. Yet
this young had a very interesting personal
history. Though only 20 years old his experience
of lite has been most bitter and unhappy He has
been taught in the most impressive manner the
strange lesson that in this world the innocent
sometimes made to suffer for the guilty.
1t was VIM. Thomas, formerly of Sandwich, ILL.,,
who had just been pardoned and released from
the Joliet Ien.tentary after serving seven years.
seven months and fifteen days of aseventeen-year
sentence for a murder which he never committed.
He accompanied from the prison by his
brother. A. ]. Thomas, of 1913 Madison street. who
had gone to Joliet to meet him and welcome him
back home. At the depot the aged. gray bearded
father was impatently waiting for the liberated
sons app e,rance, and when the boy came he was
afectionately embraced by the old man, who said:
"Ciod bless you. my sOn' with voice filled with
emotion. while tears of JOY rolled down h cheeks.
The trio at went to the residence of A. J.
Thomas at 434 West Randolph street. where there
a touching and happy family reunion. The
pardoned man seemed dazed by his new surround
ings. but soon grew accustomed to them. little
later he made his toilet emerged from the house
stylishooking young fellow, and accompanied
his relatives to the marriage of his sister. which
took place on the North side last evening. Gov.
Oglesby let me out just in time for the happy
event." said young Thomas laughing.
1t on St. Valentines night. 1880, that the
core by the foul murder Of Henry P. Allen
tired farmer. who was supposed to keep we'll
filed strong box in his house. He was cruelty shot
down while resisting burglars who had broken
into his residence for the purpose of making off
with this box Of treasure. The murderous robber
robbers escaped. leaving no clue behind. Num-
persons about town whom suspicion
rested were held in custody, but being able to
count for their whereabouts on that bloody night
soon ret free again.
Il was arrested Oct. IL. some nine months after
the murder" said VIM. Thomas yesterday while
in charge of an exhibit at the Chicago exposition
Clarence c. Woodruff and John Dryer we're ar.
rested the same day. Harry Reifenburg and FL
nier Emmons we're arrested the next day ut Sand
wich. We had all been boys and friends in Sand.
wich in former years. We we're taken to Syca-
more, the county seat of DeKalb comfy, and
locked up without any preliminary hearing though
demanded one ut Sandwich where we were
best known Our Attorney Gus Van Buren, sued
out writ OF habeas corpus. but before it could be
argued before Judge Kellum the grand jury held
night session with States Attorney Stevens and
returned indictments against all five of US. So
the writ was never argued.
Public opinion so excited in De Kalb
county that our attorneys took a change of venue
to Kane county against my will. as wanted to be
tried right at home where was best known. The
trial began at Geneva in February, 1884, Judge
Kellum presiding. 1t lasted about month. A
nolle prosequi was entered in the cases of Dwyer
Emmons and Reifenburg, and Woodruff and 1
held the guilty parties 1t was the first case
of States Attorney Ryan and he boosted that he
intended to make his reputation in it by convict.
ing US. He assisted by Mr.. Hopkins, the
present congressman from that district, and
Judge Barry of Elgn. The defense was repre-
sented by Gus Van Buren,. Maj. Maybourn, and FL
lis & Smell.
"A piece of candle had been found in the
dered mans house by a rural detective: Grocery
man Barker of Sandwich testified that he had
given my little sister piece of candle the day be-
fore the murder; at Barkers store second piece
was found-namely the piece which the grocer
had cut off and kept when he gave my sister the
half. Now Microscopic Piper of Chicago made
examinations and testified that the two pieces
formed the original candle. 1t was this. l think,
that convicted me in the eyes of the jury. But
that the piece of candle given my sister was not
the same found in the murdered mans house was
certain from the fact that the girl had burned it
up entirely the same evening she received it.
Cora Mum, female detective in the employ
of Turtles agency, testified that she had over
heard confessions from Woodruff and l in Gam
bler's alley and in the Everett House on Madison
street. Woodruff proved that on the date of the
alleged confessions he was not in Chicago but WIS.,
ting a sick brother at Sandwich l moved an al.