The Newtown bee., 1904-04-22
CIRCULATION
Ten Pages.
New Milford,
MIR MATTOON SENTENCED.

Former State Senator Burton H.
 MattOOn of WatertOwn was on Friday sentenced to minimum term of eight years in States prison on four charges of making false entries in the books of the Watertown Savings bank. Sen- tence was pronounced by Judge Rob- inson sitting in the Superior court at New Milford. Senator MattoOn heard his fate with ashen face, but without quiver, standing straight and true as the gray-haired jurist solemnly pro- is much heavier than was expected. The general opinion was that MT Mat toon would be given an indeterminate term of from three to five years. State Attorney Warner in his plea for sentence asked for only six years. There was gasp, half aStOniShment and half pity as the audience in the court room in quick mental arithmetic totalled the number of years for all counts. Sheriff Middlebrooks rapped with his knuckles on his desk and drowned. MT Mattoon sat down quiet ly and slowly, but without sign Of emotion. He was taken direct to the prison from New Milford, Friday after noon, by Sheriff Middlebrooks of Win sted. At the State prison, Saturday, lU Wdo lCdI llcu Ul1dU MI shaved and wearing the regulation suit of stripes, was engaged in making shoes in the prison shoe shop. He was assigned to cell No. 1401, Friday even- ing, and it is by this number that he will be officially known during his stay at the institution. He passed his first night in the prison as the other pris- Oners and was assigned to his new work in the morning. "He is being treated just the same as all the Oth ers," said the warden. There seems to be some difference of opinion about the length of time Senator Mattoon will have to spend in the State prison at Wethersfield. According to the Hartford Post, the newspapers blun- dered in saying that MT Mattoon was eight years." The Post says: "Mat- toon was sentenced on four counts and the indeterminate sentence law pro- vides that in such a case the trial judge shall impose no minimum term except under the first sentence and that the several maximum terms shall be construed as one continuous term of imprisonment. Mattoon'S sentence was as follows: First count, not less than three or more than five years; second count, two years; third and fourth counts, IS months each. Which means that MattOon was sentenced to prison for a minimum term of three years and a combined maximum term of 10 years. As Thomas Dudley Wells, editorial writer of The Post, is secre- tary of the prison directors, his decla- ration will probably be taken as final by the public. At New Haven MT MattOOn went with the sheriff for walk and purchased some of his favor ite brand of cigars, as he is great smoker and was afraid he would not be able to secure them at Wetherstield. In his conversation with the sheriff, he expressed surprise at receiving such a long sentence. He said he was en- toying good health, but he thought that he would miss the long walks which he has been in the habit of taking. He was thoroughly tired out upon reaching Wetherstield, it being evident that he had been under great strain. A rather peculiar incident oc- cured as Sheriff MiddiebroOks and MT Mattoon arrived at the prison. A new gateman was on duty there and upon seeing the sheriff carrying grip and MT Mattoon a dress suit case, he was non plussed for moment to tell which was the prisoner and which the officer. The rather embarrassing situation was relieved quickly, however, by the ar rival of a guard who was acquainted with the sheriff.