The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-11-23
CONFESSED In COURT.
Holzhay Tells the Story of
Ills Life of Crjme-He Takes the Stand
and Admits That He Is Guilty-CIaim-
Ing that He Robbed .nd Murdered
While Under - Spell.

EfSSAMkR, Mlcn., Nov. l4.-HOlZhay
took the stand to-day and made a con
fesslon. He told the story of his life
from birth TO the hour of his arrest.
lie admitted that he robbed the Mil
waukee & Northern train at Abrams six
months age; that he went through the
Wisconsin Central train at Cadott 8
month later, and that he waylaid
the Gogebic stage and shot Banker
tleischbein, for whose murder he is on
trial. But he claimed that each act of
lawlessness was committed while he was
"spell'-an insane period which he
claimed 10 experience at various times
the result of a fall some wears ago.
The line of defense WAS so novel
that the spectators who filed the court
room to the doors were inclined to
smile, but the story and the facts
brought out by the cross examination
were listened TO with the closest atten-
ton. Holznay has play ed his trump
card in admitting his guilt, but has lost
the game. The story is too thin for the
jury, and he will be convicted and SEN
fenced to life mpTisonment.
Notwithstanding that Il carpet of snow
covered the around and was being added
to by steadily falling fakes that melted
on whatever they landed, the public
was not deferred from attending the
trial to-day. a larger number of ladies'
were IN attendance than on eny previous
day. The line OF defense pursued to-
day was in the direction OF the prison.
er's insanity.
Holzhay was put on the stand the
first thing this morning and in re-
luctant manner told the history of his
lie.
Il was % years old the I'd of last
month" he began. 81 was born in
Germany, in the southern part, and nv
parents stllli there. All the schooling
ever received was in the old country
| never attended school in America. /
came to the United States seven wears
ago, and not having any trade |
went to work IN my uncle's
planning mill in Green Bay, Wis.
/ worked there about two wears
and then went to work on the Oconto
River, where | staid about three years
Becoming tired of this life and desiring
change, | went out West. l stopped
III Portland, Ore, for a short time, and
then went up to the Puget Sound coun-
try, where l worked IN mill
about five months. spent
about month riding around
the country on horseback and was in
the West about eight months altogether.
| then came back and went to work
again on the Oconto River and worked
there about year and a half"
In answer TO questions put by his at
torney, Holzhay stated that while in
Washington Territory he was injured
by his horse falling on him; that he laid
unconscious for some time atterward,
and that while lis health previous to
this accident had been good, since then it
had been bad. He could not describe
just how it affected him, bat it affected
hiE whole system, and particularly his
head. Ordinarily he felt quite good,
but these bad spells would come over
him and would last probably dav,
sometimes more. He said that during
these spells he felt strange, but
could not describe the feeling. During
such spells his actions and any incl
dents or occurrences taking place at
such time were all a blank afterWard.
Nearly all last winter WAS spent in
the woods working, but he came
ont one time to see a DR..
Williams, In Chicago, who is connec ed
with DR.. Lucas Institute for the treat
ment OF nervous diseases. 4 bout
year and half ago he went to see Dr.
Palmer in Green Bay, who treated him
for nervous troubles. The spells came
on him some tines quite unexpect-
edly and he always had to
look out for himself, and at
times he feels an irresistible
impulse to do something bad or desper-
ate He had several of these spells
since his capture, and probably had. 3
dozen or more since he WAS injured.
HolZhay said he remembereu the
him. lie could not tell why he
held up the stage. He held it up, and
that was all he knew about it.
4 fellow prisoner OF Helzhay, named
Burns, Las been engaged the past
month or two in writing a life of
the robber, and has incorporated
into the narrative several deeds of dar-
ing claimed to have been committed by
HolZhay while in the Western country.
In the cross-examination Prosecuting
Atty. Howell mentioned several ofthese
instances where Holzhay was alleged
to have held up several men, and asked
him as to the truth or falsltY of the
stories. Holzhay said they were ali
untrue and originated in the
brain of Novelist Burns. In regard
to the holding up of the Wisconsin Cen
tral and Milwaukee & Northern trains
Holzhsy eaid he felt the spell
about the same as at the time of
the Gogebic stage robbery, and did not
remember any OF the incidents con-
ed that in all these instances,
" Sh0nTInU
it appeared to clear his brain and
brought him to realization of what he
was doing, and he took TO the woods
aiterward 10 avoid being captured.
Holzhay did not remember who was
in the Gogebc stage, did not remember
seeing either Fleischbein or the
driver, and failed to identify
the watch and pocketbook said
TO have belonged TO Fleischbein.
He claimed that he bad never seen
Fleischbein's name on the pockethook
until his attention was directed to it by
Mr.. Howell.
Attorney Flannigan fustered the
prisoner somewhat when be said:
"lolzhay, why did you carry two guns,
knowing that YOU were liable to have one
of these spells at any time and shoot
somebody. When you felt one of these
spells coming on why didn't you leave
these guns somewhere until after you
recovered ?"
Holzhay appeared somewhat stag
gered by the directness of this question
and hesitatingly replied: II carried
the revolvers to protect myself from
wild animals in the woods, and did not
like to leave them anywhere. as might
not find them again"
''ls 1t necessary for man to carry
two revolvers to protect himself In the
woods of this country ?"
Yes, sir" said Holzhsy, 81 think il
is
This reply seemed to satisfy the pros
ecution, as Holzhay WAS removed from
the stand and shortly after returned to
jail. Holzhay's examination lasted
about two hours and demonstrated
that while he is undoubtedly
cunning he Is far from quick-witted and
at times even stupid and sulleR. There
is no doubt that, to certain extent, he
enjoys the notoriety given him by the
report Of the trial IN the papers, and
while be ehafes under confinement,
cares little as TO the outcome of the trial.