The Washington times., 1913-07-09
NOTED CRIMINAL IS
FREEDFROM PRISON
"BIack Bart" Released After
Serving "a Years of Life
Sentence for Murder.

MARQUETTE, Mich. July 9.-"Black
Bart Holzhay. whose criminal career
was one of the most spectacular ever
recorded in the United States, was re-
leased today from the Marquette prison,
after having served twenty-four years
of a life sentence imposed on him in
1889 for murder. His release is made
possible by legislation enacted two
years ago, which extends the benefits of
the parole law to convicts undergoing
life sentence.
Holzhay is now forty-seven years old.
When he was received at the prison he
was illiterate and possessed a record
as 'desperado, stage coach and train
.nobber. He gave the prison much
trouble during the first few years. but
following a surgical operation his char
acter changed completely and he be-
came a model prisoner. He has since
been student, and has given himself
a good education. For many wears he
has been the prison librarian and
photographer.
Because Of his swarthy appearance
and iil-kept beard Holzhay gtined the
name Of BLACK Bart" the bandit. and
Gus as the most picturesque criminal In
the histories of Wisconsin and Michi-
gan-the terror Of two States. His ex-
ploits in the woods OF northern Michi-
gan rivaled those of Jesse James. A
peaceful lumberjack for a long while, he
suddenly broke into a series of crimes
which continued until the mention Of
his name struck terror to the hearts of
travellers in the North woods. Stages
were stopped one after the other on
their trips between the lumber camps
and the town. and their passengers
held up, the mail sacks rifed. and every
article OF value stolen.
Shoots Two in Hold-Up.
Finding stage coaches too tame. Holz-
hay took to holding up trains, going
through the coaches and robbing every
passenger. Large rewards were placed
on his head by the Government and the
railroads. but he was fearless and was
not captured. The rewards grew as his
depredations continued until they to-
tailed the sum Of $500 Every man in
the woods was watching for him. but
when Holzhay appeared in their camps
and demanded food they feared to lay
hands upon him.
Holzhays career Of crime continued
banks, stores trains. stage
coaches. and private housees alike fall
ing into his hands and getting out
aeain with less than they possessed
hold up the stage which passed Lake
learning that several Chicago
bankers, among them A. z. Fleischbein,
were to be on board. He stopped the
coach and demanded the money from
the bankers. Fleischbein reached his
hand into his pocket, but instead OF
cash he pulled out a revolver. Before
he could shoot the bandit had fired and
fell. mortally wounded. a
second man tried to resist. but Holz-
ahnf d i'm zlG
and got away.
The authorities Of two States took up
the pursuit. Trains were watched and |
stages guarded. But for a long time
II Holzhay evaded his pursuers. He slept !
in the woods. only going to the villages |
for necessary food.
Operation Brings Change.
Il was when he went TO Republic !
hat the bandit was captured. Village |
Marshal Glode recognized BLACK /,
Bart" and, aided by several men. Iu-ed /
TO an upstairs room. There ,
all pounced upon the bandit. Il took ,
three men to bind the desperate after |
he had made a fierce fight and at
.empted 10 shoot his captors.
In his cell Holzhay was as fearless |
rs II he was holding up train or a |
,oach. On one occasion he stole a table !
Snife. sharpened II on the floor Of his !
n his cell when he came to take the |
prisoner to work. Many other times he |
gave the officials much trouble during !
he early years or his confinement |
Finally the physicians decided that lie
was insane and he was sent u the
asylum at Ionia. There he was oper at
ID upon. and then returned to Mar
luctte.
Since the operation Holzhay has been
different man. He has given no
rouble whatever. his demeanor has
been as gentle as that of a child and
III his time when not at work has been
iavoted to reading. He is familIII
With the history and politics OF every
latton. and has written many esaays
m sociological and philosophical sub
ects He invested the small earnings
le had saved IN copper stocks and his
savings jumped TO several thousands.
With the help OF Warden Russell who
olaced his money. for him. He is row
IN expert in the doings of the market.
L Is believed he has saved enough
money TO keer him the rest of his
lays. He probably will go to live with
'eletives In Wisconsin.