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INCENDIARISM TABOO AND RECEIVES STIFF JOLTPerson Starting State’s Worst Forest Fire Will Attest To FactLANSING, Aug. 10—Officials of the’ state forest fire organization to-day expressed the view that the pri son term given the convicted fire bug in the $188,000 Presque Isle state forest fire was a stiff sentence, clearly indicating that incendiarists will continue to suffer hard times in Michigan courts.”A sentence of two and one-half to 10 years was handed out to Fred B. Shimel, Onaway, following his conviction of starting the fire which, early in May, swept through 28,000 acres in parts of three northeastern Michigan counties.Conservation department officials attending the court proceedings in Montmorency county said the reprimand handed out by Circuit Judge Fred Smith “was one to be long remembered for its severe language.”Forest fire authorities predicted further cooperaation of the judiciary with prosecution and prevention efforts in connection with set” fires. They pointed out that the prison term in. the present case was matched . by sentences given four years ago in the aftermath of the last previous large incendiary blaze.More McClure, Roscommon, regional supervisor for the conservation department, declared, This Shimel case shows that judges in different circuit court districts are in accord cm punishments necessary for such offenses.”McClure said Judge Smith upbraided the defendant for gross earless-ness and for maliciously directing his spite against a private property owner with the result that considerable public property was damaged and lives endangered. Officials explained that two fire fighters were hospitalized;'for injuries suffered when escaping from a trap” of rushing flames.
Newspaper Details
Ironwood Times
Ironwood, Michigan, US
Fri, Aug 11, 1939
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Library O.
MI, USA 16 Jan 2018
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