The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-07-08
BEHIND BARS FOR "a YEARS
llliterate When lie Entered Insti.
tuition He Now Is Educated
HAS A CONSIDERABLE FORTUNE

hdrquette, Mich, July S.-"Black
Batt' Holzhay, whose criminal career
was one OF the most spectacular ever
recorded in the United States, was re-
leased yesterday from the Marquette
prison, after having served twenty
iour years or life sentence imposed
on him IN 1889 for murder His re-
lease was made possible by legislation
enacted two years ago, which extends
the benefits of the parole law To con-
ricts undergoing life sentence
Holzhay is now A. years old. When
he was received at the prison he was
illiterate and possessed a record as a
desperate. stage coach and train rob-
Der. lie gave the prison much trou-
ble during tne first few years, but sub
sequently his character changed com
pletely and he became model pris-
"nei. lie has since been a student
and has given himself good cduca-
ton. For many years he has been
the prison Librarian and photographers.
Ran Camut of Crime
Because OF his swarthy appearance
and Ill kept beard Holzhay gained the
name OF Black Part" the bandit, and
under thar sobriquet he became motor
ious as the most picturesque criminal
IN the histories of Wisconsin and
Michigan-the terror of two states.
Ills exploits In the woods of northern
Michigan rivaled those of Jesse James.
peaceful lumberiack for a long
while he suddenly broke into a series
ct crimes which continued until the
mention Il his name struck terror TO
the hearts "f travellers in the north
woods. Stages were stopped one after
The other ON their trips between the
passengers held mp the mail sacks
niicd and every article of value stulcu
Finding stag" coaches too tame,
Hol2hay took Ia holding up trains,
going through the coaches and rob
bine every passenger. Large rewards
were placed on his head 10y the GOV
rrnment and the railroads. bat he was
fearless and was not captured. The
reward grew as his depredationa con
tnued until they totaled the sum OF
$1,000. Every man in the woods was
watching for him, but when HolZhay
appeared IN their camps and demand
ed tood they feared To lay hands upon
him.
Shoots Two Who Resist.
iol2hay's career OF crime continued
unmolested, banks, stores, trains, stage
coaches and private houses alike fall
ing into his hands and getting out
again with less than they possessed
before. Finally Holzhay planned to
hold up the stage which passed Lake
Gogeblc. learning that several Chicago
bankers, among them A. +. Fleisch-
bein, We're 10 be on board He stop
ped the coach and demanded the
money from the bankers. Fleischbein
instead of cash he pulled out re-
VolN er Before lie could shoot the
bandit had fired and Fleischbein fell,
mortaily wounded. A second man
tried 10 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
\ illages for necessary food.
II was wien he went To Republic
that the bandit was captured. Village
Marshal Glode recognized "B a k
Bart" and aided by several men.
lured Holzhay 10 an upstairs room.
There all pounced upon the bandit. 1t
took three men to bind the desperate
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 occasion he stole "A
table knife, sharpened IL 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
ether lines he gave the officials much
trouble during the early years of his
Finally the physicians
decided that he was insane and he
was sent To the asylum at Ionia. There
he was operated upon, and then re-
turned To Marquette.
Since the operation Holzhay has
been different man He has given no
trouble whatever. his dcmeanor has
been as gentle as that Of "a child end
All his time when not at work has been
devoted 90 reading. lie Is familiar
with the history and politics OF every
nation and has written many essays
IN sociological and philosophical sub