Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1904-04-21
In The S. II. OF c.
ThOs. f. McGarry Sent Up For
Four Years.
To That Prison for Connection with
Grand Rapids Water Deal.

Thos. F. McGarry was Mayor of the
city of 1onia about Is years ago, he
was brilliant attorney, was popular
in social circles and highly respect
ed citizen. Today he is an inmate of
the State House of correction, having
been sent there for four years for his
connection with the famous Lake
Michigan water scheme in Grand
Rapids, He was convicted two years
ago in the Allegan circuit court after
one of the hardest fought legal bat
ties ever tried in the Michigan courts
An appeal to the Supreme court was
made and the decision was recently
affirmed.
McGarry had moved to Jacksonville,
Fla, where he was connected with
large numbering company, doing an
extensive and paying business. Nc
Garry said he would come back to
Michigan aud take his sentence
should the supreme court sustain his
conviction, he has kept his word
although many people thought he
would not.
McGarry arrived in Allegan Satur-
day morning and was accompanied to
the Court House by his attorneys and
old time friends, Judge A. b Morse
and A A. Ellis of Ionia.
Judge Wolcott occupied the bench
and as soon as court was called to or
brief and formal manner addressed
the court as follows:
''If your honor please, the people
desire to have sentence passed on
Thos. F. McGarry."
"Mr, McGarry, have you anything
to say why sentence should not be
passed upon you?" asked the court.
The respondent stepped before the
bar and wit hout the least indication
of emotion replied:
Nothing, your honor, further than
what have already said, and which
now adhere to am willing to abide
by the decision of the court"
The Judge then pronounced SEN
tence stating that it was an unpleas.
ant duty for him to perform, that he
had been accorded fair trial and
was represented by competent legal
talent.
81 am satisfied, the Judge said that
no one was more responsible than
yourself in planning and carrying out
this corrupt scheme. You were a
lawyer and knew the law you were
violating and its penalty.
1.-THE sentence of the court is that
6ou be confined at hard labor and dis.
cipline in the Michigan reformatory
at Ionia for a period of four years
from and including today"
After the adjournment of court Mr.
McGarry said that he arranged his
business in Florida before leaving
Jacksonville so that be could remain
away several years if necessary, His
wife and childre will remain in their
Jacksonville home he said.
81 came up here to take my medi-
cine like man, although am limo.
cent OF the crime charged against me
did not come here to squeal and in
volve innocent men, as Salisbury did
when he came from Detroit There
are severah reasons why | need not
have come here from Jacksonville,
but / would not act the part of a
sneaking cur"
The sheriff and attorneys accom-
panied him to Ionia, arriving there
in the evening where he began serv-
ing time.
''McGarry will make a model pris-
oner," said Warden Fuller. 81 never
knew a man of intelligence who was
not, and / am sure that he will help
us in every way possible and will be a
benefit to the others. | shall put him
him at work temporarily in the din.
ing room and kitchen, but he will
probably go to the greenhouse soon.
We always aim to put our men at the
work for which they are best adapted
and If there was clerical position
open / should place him there because