Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott 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. =========================================================================== The Calumet News July 8, 1913 HOLZHAY ENDS PRISON CAREER Man Who Terrorized U.P. in Late Eighties Released From Marquette Prison. BEHIND BARS FOR 24 YEARS Illiterate When He Entered Insti- tution He Now Is Educated. HAS A CONSIDERABLE FORTUNE Marquette, Mich., July 8 - "Black Bart" HOLZHAY, whose criminal career was one of the most spectac- ular ever recorded in the United States, was re- leased yesterday from the Marquette prison, after having served twenty-four years of a life sentence imposed on him in 1889 for murder. His release was made possible by legislation enacted two years ago, which extends the benefits of the parole law to convicts undergoing life sentence. HOLZHAY is now 47 years old. When he was received at the prison he was illiterate and possessed a record as a desperado, stage coach and train robber. He gave the prison much trouble during the first few years, but subsequently his character changed completely and he became a model prisoner. He has since been a student and has given himself a good education. For many years he has been the prison librarian and photographer. Ran Gamut of Crime. Because of his swarthy appearance and ill kept beard HOLZHAY gained the name of "BLACK BART," the bandit, and under that sobriquet he became notorious as the most picturesque criminal in the histories of Wisconsin and Michigan - the terror of two states. His exploits in the woods of northern Michigan rivaled those of JESSE JAMES. A peaceful lumberjack for a long while, he sudden- ly broke into a series of crimes which continued until the mention of his name struck terror to the hearts of travelers in the north woods. Stages were stopped one after the other on their trips between the lumber camps and the town and their passengers held up, the mail sacks rifled and every article of value stolen. Finding stage coaches too tame, HOLZHAY took to holding up trains, going through the coaches and robbing every passenger. Large rewards were placed on his head by the government and the railroads, but he was fearless and was not cap- tured. The reward grew as his depridations con- tinued until they totaled the sum of $2,500. Every man in the woods was watching for him, but when HOLZHAY appeared in their camps and demanded food they feared to lay hands upon him. Shoots Two Who Resist. HOLZHAY'S career of crime continued unmolested, banks, stores, trains, stage coaches and private houses alike falling into his hands and getting out again with less than they possessed before. Finally HOLZHAY planned to hold up the stage which passed Lake Gogebic, learning that sever- al Chicago bankers, among them A. E. FLEISCHBEIN, were to be on board. He stopped the coach and demanded the money from the bankers. FLEISCHBEIN reached his hand into his pocket, but instead of cash he pulled out a revolver. Before he could shoot the bandit had fired and FLEISCHBEIN fell, mortally wounded. A second man tried to resist, but HOLZHAY shot him also, searched the men and got away. The authorities of two states took up the pursuit. Trains were watched and stages guarded. But for a long time HOLZHAY evaded his pursuers. He slept in the woods, only going to the villages for necessary food. It was when he went to Republic that the bandit was captured. Village Marshal GLODE recognized "BLACK BART," and aided by several men. lured HOLZHAY to an upstairs room. There all pounced upon the bandit. It took three men to bind the desperado after he had made a fierce fight and attempted to shoot his captors. Model Prisoner After Operation In his cell HOLZHAY was as fearless as he was holding up a train or a coach. On one oc- casion he stole a table knife, sharpened it on the floor of his cell, and held one of the guards at bay in his cell when he came to take the prisoner to work. Many other times he gave the officials much trouble during the early years of his confinement. Finally the physi- cians decided that he was insane and he was sent to the asylum at Ionia. There he was operated upon, and then returned to Marquette. Since the operation HOLZHAY has been a dif- ferent man. He has given no trouble whatever, his demeanor has been as gentle as that of a child, and all his time when not at work has been devoted to reading. He is familiar with the history and politics of every nation and has written many essays on sociological and philosophical subjects. He invested the small earnings he had saved in copper stocks and his savings jumped to several thousands, with the help of Warden RUSSELL, who placed his money for him. It is believed he has saved enough money to keep him the rest of his days. ==========================================================================