The sun., 1919-01-21
ROBBERS STAY PAIR;
PLUSH HAT is CLEW
Saloon Keeper Is Fatally Shot
After Wife Is Killed Try
ing to Aid Him.
BANDITS FLEE; MISS CASH
-Four Linger in Queens Bar
Until Proprietor Is Alone
and Attempt Holdup.

A woman who tried to save her hus.
band by springing between him and the
muzzles of three pistols aimed at him
py robbers was shot dead early yester-
day In South Ozone Park. Queens. Then
across her body they shot the husband
and he died In a hospital.
The man and wife whose lives wers
thus abruptly ended were Mr.. and Mira
Joseph Holbach. They had a combina-
ton saloon and dance nail at Rockaway
Boulevard and Leahy avenue. known rs
Holbach's Hall On Sunday night there
was dancing. At midnight the couples
left. but four men stayed at a table in q
small room back OF the bar, drinking
beer, They were passably dressed,
looked like Sicilians and chartered much
among themselves Holbsch. who
waited on them. thought he recognized
one OF them as an Italian he had known
slightly in Astoria seven years ago, but
did not say anything.
Four in Sudden Attack.
Mrs. Holbach had left the kitchen AMI
gone UP stairs TO her room. Between
and o'clock her husband told the four
late drinkers that they would have to
leave. as he was going to lock UP. They
said that was all right, and asked when
the next trolley car would pass.
Holbach did not know for sure Ono
Of the quartet went outside, ostensibly to
inquire. His companions went into q
isvatory. Holbach sleepily busted him.
self about the bar.
Suddenly there was rush from the
lavatory and cry, Hands up" Turn
ing. Holbach saw three revolvers pointed
at him.
Instead Of surrendering he swung his
fist and knocked down one of the hold
up men. The others started firing and
the PROSTATE one got up and Joined
them.
Mrs. Holbach came running down the
stairs screaming The instant she
stepped in front Of her husband she was
shot and instantly killed. a bullet al
ready had entered Holbachs left arm.
The assass!ns. stopping Just long enough
TO send another bullet into his right side,
ran out and disappeared.
Holbach was still conscious. He
dragged himself TO the icebox. got $3.50
he had concealed there and staggered
across Ieany avenue 10 the nome OF
James McInerny, where he said:
Jim. I've been shot and SO has my
wife. Get help quick"
Then. although MORALLY wounded. he
to get back to his barroon.
where he fell beside the body of Mira
However, he was able to give
a clear story Of what had taken place
TO the police and retained his senses TN
Ill shortly before his death, which oc-
CURED AT 1924 p. NJ. yesterday in ST,
Mary's Hospital. Jamaica.
Hat Found on Floor.
A black plush ha. that had belonged
TO the man whom Holbach knocked
down was found on the floor OF the bar
room. His three companions wore der
bies. Three OF the men were each about
feet inches tall; the fourth was
about ) feet 1 inches. A young woman
who was among the dancers in Holbach's
hall before midnight said she Noticed
the men sitting at a table as she went
put and would know them il sho saw
them again.
The police believe the murderers in
tended robbery, but were too scared to
ook for money after they finished shoot
ing.
Holbach said in the hospital that
neither he TOR his wife had relatives In
this country, but that his two sons by 4
former marriage were officers in the
German army, having been commissioned
long before the war.