The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-11-26
FIVE YEARS.
Cyrus Miller Gets the Minimum
Penalty Allowed by Law.
Judge TOrrey Makes an Effective Plea
for Him, and Judge Severance Holds
Out Hope of Pardon.

Cyrus B. Miller was Saturday
sentenced to serve five years at hard
labor in .penetentiary at Stillwat-
er for the crime of grand larceny in
the first degree, of which he stands
convicted by his own plea Of guilty.
Sheriff Bowen had intended to take
him to Saltwater this afternoon, but
the case came on too late. He VIII
probably go within day or two.
Miller appeared very pale and down
cast when brought in at 800 p. N. to
receive his sentence. La reply to
questions by the court, he stated that
he is in his 10Th year, his occupation
had boon farming, largely, but he had
| followed the profession of school
teacher for two years.
Miller said that ne had nothing to
say why sentence should not be pro
nounced upon him, but his attorney,
Judge Torrey, made some eff ctive re-
marks. Mr.. Torrey said that he was
not there to apologize for the viola
tiOn Of law, but to remove from the
mind Of the court anything that may
have come TO him from false repre-
sensations regarding his client. He
spoke OF MilIer's youth, and the fact
that he is the sou of an Old soldier,
ADD appealed TO the sympathy Of h
court. He said that Miller never had
the advice Of fond mother, but had
grown up himself and had no bad
habits, such as using tobacco, drink
ing or gambling, aud none of tue
faults that young men are addicted
TO in the present day. Ga this ac-
count il was hard to conc i've Of his
conduct, unless the circumstances
were thoroughly understood.
Judge TOrrry reviewed Miller's life
up to his downfall in Nebraska. He
said that Miller could have secured
500 from a bank on his friends eu-
dorsemenG, for three months, TO pay
an obligation to friend who was in
want, but had too much honor to al
low his friends to go on note which
he could not pay. One stormy night
he walked thirteen miles TO see the
friend, found him suffering. and on
his Way back passed farm house
where he had worked Two years be-
fore. Knowing that there were pro-
visions In The cellar, and having had
nothing to eat all day, he went to get
something to eat, the family being
asleep. For this he got year in
prison. Owing to poor health, it Was
liberty or death with him and he es-
capped. After that he worked when
ever lie could, until he Was taken sick
again year ago last fail. Haying no
place to go, no money and no friends,
he selected his de under the Ydeger
school house and made home there.
He didn't s4eal from the Garden City
depot with reconciliation, but went
i'll 10 get some OIL, saw the clothing
BOXES there, took what he thought
he would need for his ovid use. judge
Torrey said that he mad 10 excuse to
offer sOr this. Miller Was evidently
vlcJim of adverse circumstances. He
was not a desprado. Mr.. Torrey
closed by reading the letter which he
received from. Mlller's father under
date of Nov. 7th
Judge Severance then pronounced
sentence upon Miller, as stated
above, saying that it was the loves t
sentence that he could pronounce.
Addressing Miller, he said that if all
lie suggestions Of his parent turned
out 10 DE true, and the belief of his
counsel is justified by subsequent
events or proof, and these SHOW that
ne Ougut not TO be confined SO long.
the board OF. paFdon~ can take up the
case and grant a pardon or parole
The defendant after fourteen months,
Something might be done, aud Miller
could consider this and it would
throw some light into his prison life.
-Mapleton spent S2l, $50 in general
Improvements The past season. A
good showing.
Mich Juliar was in the city Friday
and purchased the black stallion
owned by company of farmers ia
Nlcolle5
W. III, Harris, of Amboy, has COM
menced an action in the district