Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-05-04
THOMET PLEADS GUILTY.


to Eight Years Imprisonment.
Milwaukee, April 26.-Mathew Thorn
ct, the fire-bug, pleaded guilty in the
municipal court this morning to having
fired the Stadt theater and he was
given the maximum penalty of the law
Judge Wallber sentenced him to eight
years at hard labor at the state prison
at Waupun.
Thomet took his sentence with good
grace and made no demonstration. He
set his teeth firmly when he learned
that the penalty was eight years, bun
otherwise made no show of feeling
When taken back to the police station
he said he was sorry for what he haG
done, but that it had been wholly due
to liquor and that he would promise
that he would never again touch the
stuff.
+ During the trial the judge asked
ThOmet if he had anything to say. He
replied that he had not, except that the
statements made by the witnesses were
true. The judge questioned ThOmet
carefully, the examination lasting
about fifteen minutes. In reply to the
questions, ThOmet told how he had
started the numerous small fires and
how he had finally touched a match
to the waste paper at the Stadt
theater He said he was drunk each
time he had started a fire and really
done.
Didn't you relaize that you en-
dangered the entire city?'' asked the
Judge.
mo, l didn't think of it. ] was
drunk every time" replied the prison
or.
"Well, you are too dangerous a man
to be permitted to run at large, and We
will have to put you where you cannot
get drunk" said the judge. Then
turning suddenly toward the prisoner
the judge asked: 'Din't you start these
fires in the churches?''
mo, sir, I did not / told you every
thing Those little fires and the one
at the Stadt theater were ALL" re
piled Thomet.
Have you anything to say why sen
tence should not be passed upon ou?"
asked the judge.
mo sir,'' replied ThOmet.
us there anyone here who would like
to say anything in your behalf?' was
asked.
Thomet looked about, and said he
guessed there was nobody.
1.-The sentence of this court is that
YOU, Mathew ThOmet, be confined in
the state prison, at hard labor, for
the term Of eight years, the first day
and the first day in each year to be in
solitary confinement" said the judge
The lines around Thomet's mouth were
drawn a little tighter, but there was
no further show of emotion and in re
spouse to a motion of the deputy Sher-
ifs hand he stepped back into the
prisoners pen. BY the time he was
taken back to the police station by
Officer Nieder he had fully recovered
himself and he smiled as he babe Court
Officer Gentle and others goodbye.
TNhomet was given the maximum
penalty for setting fire to business
building. The penalty is more sever
for firing a dwelling. Figuring in the
time he will get off for good conduct in
prison, Thomet will have to serve five
years and three months.
At the police station he was taken
up stairs and Chief Jansen and In
spector Riemer had a long talk with
him. He said he felt better now that
everything was settled. He said he
was sorry for what he had done and
that he would never drink again. He
also said that he had told all he knew
about the fires in the city and that he
had had nothing to do with the fires
in the churches or in the wholesale
district.
Later in the day, Thomet was trans
ferred to the couny jail. He will prob
ably be taken to Waupun tomorrow.