Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-09-15
He WRS MURDERED
Bad Lands Mystery
Cleared Up HO1Zer
COnfeSSeS.

The sequel OF the disappearance of
of John Fank as reported III last
weeks Herald proves conclusiyely
that a terrible murder was committed.
Tanks disappearance dates from
Sept. / His body was found on the
9th buried under the edge of brush
pile, badly decomposed but bearing
plain evidence of having been shot
three times-twice with shot gun
and once with revolver. The bullet
from the revolver entered the temple
and lodged IN one of the vertebrae of
the neck. The gun shots struck the
body in numerous places.
The circumstances and evidence in
the case indicate the following as
about the truth Of the matter:
Fank and Holzer were neignbors
living about seven miles north of
Platteville. The neighborhood, on
account Of its many crimes aud mis-
demeanors is known as 1.-The Bad
Lands or 'Hell's Half Acre" John
Fank was prominent character there
and had been called king of the Bad
Lands"
There have been numerous cases of
arson in the nelghborhood. Fank had
recently lost a stack of hay by fire;
Holzer had four cords of wood burn
ed; others had suffered more serious
losses. On account of these things
and others there was a recognized en-
nifty between the men,
On Thursday, Sept. /, Fank left his
house and went to a neighbours, Mer-
vim Clifton. While there the subject
of Holzer came up. Fank said he had
heard Holzer was going to get away
with him, that they were laying for
him, that he was afraid and did not
90 out of nights on account of it.
On his way to Clifton's Fank went
by Holzer's. On his way back he
again passed Holzer's house. The
tragedy occurred short distance
from the latter's house in an old road
or path running through his corn.
field and used by school children anC
others as by-way.
The body was found 1913 yardt
southeast of the place of killing in ;
pasture lot, buried about one and one
half feet below the surface of tn
ground under the edge of brush
pile. The work was very CAREFUL,
done, all surplus dirt being removed
The only suspicious circumstance wa
that stump had been pulled up AM
thrown on the brush-pile showing
fresh work.
1t is understood that the body wa
hid Thursday night between o'cloc
and midnight.
The whole country around joine
in the search. The reward of S.
!, goes to Frank Laughton, o. j. Ben
, nett, Ed Mundon, Gene Kirkpatric
and Ike Hull. The stencil from tn
body led to its discovery, it being i
SO shallow grove.
A cornorer's inquest was held befor
Justice Dolan of Platteville. DR.. Oct
tiker, f. B. Smith, Dave Gardner
John Dennis, Chas. Grindell and Gee
Briggs were jurors. Their verde
was to the effect that John Fank cam
to his death as the result OF gu
shot fired by VIM. Holzer
At his hearing set for last Tuesda
Holzer waived examination and
now in jail awaiting trial.
He is man about five feet. 10 incl
es tall, weighs 80 pound and al
pears wiry and active. He has dar
hair and eyes and is reported 70 hay
a violent temper. Here is the sui
stance Of his story as given to ii
writer Wednesday morning:
Ny name is VIM Holzer | ";
born in Ohio and am now 80 yea
old My father, Christian Holze
lives at Preston. l have one brotht
: in Oklahoma and another at father
My wife's name was Clara Webe
We have children. Since we we
married we have lived near Presto
% in Nebraska, and on our prese
{ place. / never had much educatio
=. always had to work hard. I don't I
IS member dates very we'll. my wife c
st tell you exactly al. these dates; y