The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1908-01-10
LITTLE old man
FEARS FREEDOM.
Forty-seven Year Behind Pris-
on Bars. and breads to
Leave His Cell.

A little old man with gray hair
and mustache and enjoying the best
of health, slept in a hospital cell In
Sing Sing Prison last night-although
q free man. For forty-seven years he
had been a convict, and is now free
to 60 where he pleases. He would like
nothing better than to come to the
big city once more, but he is afraid.
He is not fearful of anybody, for
he has not an enemy and, for that
matter, not a friend in the world.
But he is afraid he may get lost.
He has read of L roads and subways
trolley cars oars on Broadway, and
the throngs to be found everywhere
on the streets until he fears he might
become bewildered in the hurly-burly
if he took advantage of his freedom
just now.
The man is Franz Holman, in
years OF service the Oldest convict
in New York--State. and perhaps in
the world. Forty-seven years ago
Holman was taken TO Sing Sing a
prisoner. Less than two months later
he was transferred TO Dannemora
Prison. He remained there until last
when he was taken back
to Sing Sing. Last Thursday the Pa
role Board met at the prison. Hof-
man was sent for and the board
decided 10 release him on parole.
DR.. Irvine, the prison physician,
had just completed an examination
of Hofmann when a reporter was ad-
mitted to the hospital ward.
4 never saw anything like it" said
DIR. Irvine. This man has been be-
hind bars for forty-seven years, has
lived on prison fare all That ime,
and Ne is sound as a nut. He is abso-
lutely free from any organic trouble
and a fine specimen of manhood al
sixty-seven years
Would you like to come to New
York with me- asked the reporter.
L will show you the sights
You are very kind" said Holman.
| would like to go, but l cannot do
it,"
But you are free, was suggested.
That is true, but am afraid, said
the old man.
What wonders do you expect to see
when you come back to New York"
II don't know what to say about
that said Hofmann. You don't al
ways believe all you read and some
things you can't understand. Boys
who come from the city tell me
they ride on a railroad under the
street. How can that be? Isn't the
streets going to fall in on the train?
Suppose it should fall on us if we go
in it? Then there's the road up in the
air. am safe in a horse car or in
q wagon, but Tam not sure about the
in the air and the other
They say, too, that
cars are running along the streets
and no horses to be SEEM
You mean trolley cars, of course
was suggested.
YES said Hofmann You see have
a lot to learn. am going to keep
On the regular life l have been liv-
ng for the past forty-seven years.
am going to be a gardener,I hope
How doyou account for your
good physical condition. he was
asked.
When | was taken to Sing Sing
said Holman, 81 made up my mind
was there TO stay. The trouble with
most prisoners is that they do nothing
but thing about how they are going
70 get out. Franz l said TO myself,
this is your new home, and you are
going to stay here until you die.
Make the best of it, That Is what |
lid Maybe il was because | contended
That my health didn't break down.
always minded my own business
and never mixed up with other people
affairs. l was treated right because
minded my own business
Haven't YOU changed your mind
about coming to the city today? ask
I'd the repo ter.
No: I'm scared was the answer.
Il never was SO nervous and excit-
ID as have been to-day since learn
ID that i can go free. Warden Frost,
Who has been awful kind TO me, win
90 with me and see that don't get
'un over or loose myself
He's about the best prisoner
have ever known, said Warden Frost.
He wears nine stars, which means he
has been on excellent behavior for
nine times five years, and bar be-
heath the stars, meaning another
year of good conduct.-New York
World.