Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Rachel Fuller for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Aurora (IL) Daily Express Monday, September 2, 1889 Black Bart in Irons Wisconsin's Bandit Not in Business Any Longer. THE LAW GETS ITS GRIP ON HIM A Well Managed Capture of a Desparate Robber - He Deplores the Fact That He Hadn't a Chance to Arrange Another Funeral and Admits That He Is the Man Wanted So Badly REPUBLIC, Mich., Sept. 2. - RELMUND HOLZHAY, alias "Black Bart," the highwayman, who for five months past has been robbing trains, waylaying stage coaches and holding up pedestrians, is in custody. He was captured here Saturday morning by City Marshal GLODE and Justice of the Peace E. E. WEISER, and has been taken to Bessemer to answer for the killing of A. FLEISCHBEIN of Belleville, Ills., at Gogebic, Monday of last week. HOLZHAY confesses to all the stage and train robberies. THE ROBBER IDENTIFIED. HOLZHAY'S capture was easily effected. He applied at the Republican house for lodging in the evening and was assigned to a room. This was about 6 o'clock. He ate supper and an hour later was shown to his room. The landlord observed a striking resemblance between his guest and the description of the Gogebic stage-robber, and informed the village marshal, who had also been notified by E. E. WEISER, a justice of the peace, who had seen him on the street. It was determined not to attempt the arrest in HOLZHAY'S room as he was known to be heavily armed. HOLZHAY arose at 6 o'clock Saturday morning, ate a light breakfast, and paid his bill. He had a checkered quilt rolled up and bound with a small rope. In this impro- vised way he carried a change of clothing and a small bottle. Slinging the bundle over his shoulder he started off, intend- ing to make for the Wisconsin lumber camps. MANNER OF THE CAPTURE. As HOLZHAY approached them they walked toward him apparently engaged in earnest conversation and paying no attention to the stranger at all. When they came near they parted to allow HOLZ- HAY to pass between them. No sooner were they abreast than the officers seized their man one at each arm and shoulder and threw him to the pavement. HOLZHAY struggled and tried to reach his hip pocket, nearly succeeding in doing so. At that moment Policeman PAT WHALEN came up and with his stick gave the pros- trate man a rap on the head which quieted him, and he made no further resistance. HAD HIS ARTILLERY ABOARD. At the jail he was searched and three revolvers, three gold watches, four pocketbooks, and other articles were found on his person. One pocketbook bore the name of REIMUND HOLZHAY, the robber's name. He broke down under the examination, and acknowledged committing the robbery of the Milwaukee and Northern train at Ellis Junction last May and the robbery at Lake Gogebic Monday of last week. Among the pocketbooks found on HOLZHAY was the one that he took from FLEISCHBEIN, the man whom he killed and robbed when he held up the stage at Gogebic, and which contained letters and papers bearing FLEISCHBEIN'S name. A MIGHTY COOL PRISONER. When seen by a reporter he said he knew that men and blood- hounds had been on his track, but he had not seen them. When asked how he felt about his capture he shrugged his shoulders and answered: "I don't know. It's about all that could be ex- pected. I am sorry, though, that I was caught alive. If the marshal had been a little slower there would have been a fu- neral in Republic to-morrow." He would neither admit or deny that he was the robber of the Milwaukee and Northern train or the Wisconsin Central train, answering to the pointed questions, "I don't know." He did the work for fun, he said, and when it was suggested that it might be expensive fun for him remarked that "He laughs best who laughs last." He was manifestly uncomfortable when lynching was suggested. HOLZHAY began his career on the road last April and since that time has robbed two railway trains, five stages and a general store at Bonduel, Shawano county. He got comparatively little money by his exploits. HOLZHAY CONFESSES HIS CRIMES. The Process of "Holding Up" the Passengers He Robbed. MARQUETTE, Mich., Sept. 2. - Bandit HOLZHAY, long the terror of the northern section of Michigan and Wisconsin, surlily paced up and down a cell in the strong jail of Marquette county yesterday until 5:30 o'clock, when he was placed in a special coach bound for Bessemer. He is a German, 23 years old, and by no means a desperate looking fellow. The prisoner has confessed to all his crimes, and made the following statement to the two officers who captured him: "I did hold up the Milwaukee and Northern train. I don't just remember the date. I got a haul of about $50. I boarded the train at Maple Valley. I went through the train and spotted such men as I thought would be likely to have money. I then walked back and the first man I held up was the brakeman. I then held up a passenger ang got $30 out of him. I also held up several other passengers and got small amounts. I had to take what they gave, and I could not search them as I was playing a lone hand. I also got a few watches, but none of them were of much value. DIDN'T HAVE A SACK FOR BOODLE. "I did not have a sack to collect the boodle in. I held my gun in one hand and received the donations with the other. I got off at Ellis Junction and took to the woods. I also held up the Wisconsin Central railroad train. I think it was August 7th or 8th. I got only a small amount in cash. I got a few watches, two of which you have taken from me. The black pocket book found on me was taken from a passenger on the Wisconsin Central train. You will find a $200 note, and a lot of cards, which I think gives the passenger's name. I have done several other little jobs, but these don't concern you and will do no good to tell, as they did not amount to much. I commenced busi- ness in this section some time this spring. ===========================================================================