The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-31
SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON, SAYS HE WAS NOT GUILTY

Hastings. N. Y, Aug. 317Seven and one-half years ago Joseph Soko, a Hungarian. 80 years of age was ar rested here charged with spilxing a New York Central switch in an at- tempt to wreck an express train. Soko knew little English and less about American laws. and though he pro tested that he was innocent his protest bore little weight
 In the usual course of events, ac- cording to Justice of the Peace James sE. Hogan, of this town, Soko would have been arraigned before him for a preliminary. hearing, but Soko was taken to Dobb's Ferry, where a jus uce of the. peace held him for the Grand Jury.
 Soko was indicted in due course and brought to trial before County Judge Platt, at White Plains. He was com yicted and sentenced <to from seven and one-half to 12 years in Sing Sing.
 soko went to prison despite his declarations in broken English. that he knew nothing of the crime charg- ed against him. While in Hastings he had lived here for five years and bore an excellent reputation-he had worked for the National Conduit and Cable Co.S He took up the duties as signed him at Sing Sing with, the same
 
 that he had shown in the cable fac tory. In three and one-half years as a reward, he was sent to the Great Meadows prison. He found life easier there and 1nade-no complaint, but he always maintained tha the was not guilty
 Hastings, even Judge Hogan forgot Soko. But some two years ago, MT. Hogan, who had never believed Soko guilty, heard of another railroad. ar rest, and that set him thinking again. He wrote to the Board of Pardons about Soko's case, and was asked to collect what evidence he could to back up his contention that the man was serving time for a crime of which he was not guilty.
 A few days ago Judge Hogan heard that the Board of Pardons had decid- ed to parole Soko. and then received a letter asking if he would receive Soko's parole reports If Soko's rec ord is good at the, end of one year he is to receive full pardon.
 The Judge talked it over with Jas. Magee. Superintendent of the National Conduit and Gable Go, who also be- 1ieYed Soko was committed wrongful ly, and Magee promised to give him his old job and an increase of 50 cents a day. They wanted him to have ev-
  was Warranted
 Soko arrived in Hastings yesterday morning and gave his two sponsors a happy surprise He had gone away a bit uncouth and scarcely able to make himself understood ins English. He came back smiling and ready to start in again. He was neatly dressed and during his stay in prison had master ed the English language so that he spoke with hardly a trace of ac- cent.
 Judge Hogan told him about the job i that was waitiAg for him. .I am glad of that, ; he said. 'I want to work 1 to earn money so that I can get at the facts of my case and find out why I was sent to prison when I was not 1 guilty
 ss1 am sure that Solo was not gull ty,' said ~Justice Hogan last night. .sEIe was a fine young fellow. He nev- CT drank and SO far as T know. had no bad habits, Everybody here liked him.
 s'Thens came his arrest, and it was most unexpected to everybody. know that SoIo wasn't even in. Hast 1ngs when it was alleged he spiked the switch. but at the home of a friend who had a. farm near Ossining.''