Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-16
MICHAEL BoLAK HANGED.
He Says He is Not Guilty on the
Scaf1oId.

BELvDERE, N. j., July l6.-Michael Bolak
was hanged in the Jail here at 1882 this morn
ing for the murder of Michael Bollinshire.
HIS LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.
Bolak retired last night at IL O'Clock. He
had eaten hearty supper and spent the time
after that until he retired in deyotions and in
chatting with Natchman Hayes He had been
an inyeterate cigarette smoker, but when he
retired be gave his last package TO Hayes. saw
ing, IN broken English: You take; BolGk
smoke no more"
At 4:30 am. he awoke and inquired the time.
and then said he would take another nap. An
hour afterward he arose and made his ablu-
tions and carefully dressed himself in a black
suit with black crayat His spiritual adviser
then entered his cell and prayed with the con-
demned for some time.
Ii was reported that he had made a confess
sion OF has crime 70 one of the priests. After
some time IN prayer, mass said and the
last sacrament administered TO the condemned
man. At the conclusion of the services Bolak
talked cheerfully, although he exhibited some
nervousness. He had expected his wife but
she did not come. Bolak bade her good-bye a
week ago, entrusting her and his children TO
God, telling her
GOD Is NOW YOUR FATHER"
Shortly after 10 O'Clock the announcement
was made that the hour had come. Bolak
arose somewhat nervously, but expressed him
self as ready, and in a few minutes, with one
spiritual adviser preceding and the other
walking behind him, Bolak marched through
the lall TO the corridor OF the court house and
thence through window TO the court ward
The gallows, which was composed of two up-
rights with a cross-beam. was Just outside the
window. A rope dangled from the cross-beam
to one end OF which was attached 6OO-pound
weight. There was no delay on the scaffold.
and a minute later Bolak had stepped upon
the platform. The weight was cut and the
doomed man shot into air. He exclaimed Just
before the weight fell:
81 AM NOT GUILTY. GoD"
His neck was broken and death was instap-
taneous. As the body swung 10 and fro not a
muscle moved. There were but few people in
the court yard but about two hundred were
congregsted on the outside. There was no ex-
citement.
On the night of September 26, 1855. Bolak
and Michael Bolinshire. both Hungarians and
friends, sauntered out into the country from
the rolling mill at Oxford where they both
were employed. Their errahd was ostensibly
to pick apples. Some hours later a crew on a
railroad train heard two pistol shots and, ON
running along TO the east of the tunnel on the
Delaware. Lackawanna and Western railroad
near Oxford found dead body. 1t proved to
be that of Bollinshire. Investigation showed
that the man had evidently first been hit by a
piece of rail fence and knocked insensible and
two shots fired into his body. There was ample
evidence that the body had been dragged
across the track. The head was pounded 70 a
Jelly, and a large stone. covered with blood
near by, showed the implement used.
Bolak an hour later was seen in the vicinity
homeward bound. He was arrested. and a
bloody pistol and bloody clothing were un-
earthed at his house. The caliber Of the pistol
agreed with the size Of the balls in the body.
Bolak was convicted on strong circumstantial
evidence. He denied his guilt on the stand
until the last. His wife and child we're with
him until after his conviction She has always
professed to believe him innocent. He was
passionately devoted TO his child He was q
different TO death.
The motive for the crime was robbery, Bolak
having taken S64 from his victims body.