Elzear John HOWDER
![[William, George, Elzear, and Jane (Hayes) Howder]](../../graphics/h360-grp.jpg) |
| Left to Right: William, George, & Elzear Howder. Seated: Jane (Hayes) Howder Washington, DC. Early 1920's. |
- BIRTH: 21 Aug 1905; Bellevue, Campbell Co., Kentucky, USA
Father: Lewis Henry HOWDER
Mother: Jane Frances HAYES
Family 1: Margaret Mary HANFMAN
- MARRIAGE: Abt. 1926-1927
- CHILDREN:
- Eugene Jerome HOWDER
- Bernard Paul HOWDER
_George HOWDER __
_John M. HOWDER ___|
| |_Mary WESCOTT ___
_Lewis Henry HOWDER _|
| | _Lewis PRIEST ___
| |_Electa J. PRIEST _|
| |_Nancy M. HAIRE _
|
|--Elzear John HOWDER
|
| _________________
| _Thomas HAYES _____|
| | |_________________
|_Jane Frances HAYES _|
| _________________
|_Bridgett REYNOLDS_|
|_________________
Notes
Updated November 17, 2025. Compiled by Howder (www.howderfamily.com) from the following source(s):(1) 1910 United States Census for District of Columbia, Washington City, Precinct #5 (Part of): Enumeration District 86; Sheet 10B; April 27, 1910.
Elzear J. HOWDER is the son of Louis H. and Jennie H. HOWDER. He is 4 years old and born in Kentucky. The family resides at 1322 South Capitol Street
(2) 1920 United States Census for the District of Columbia, Washington City, Precinct 6 (part of): Supervisor's District 40; Enumeration District 40; Sheet 8B; January 1, 1920.
Elilza HODDER is the son of Lewis and Jane HODDER. He is 15 years old, born in Kentucky, and is attending school. The family resides at 114 Eye St. N. E.
(3) Arrest via Newspapers.com: Evening star; Washington, District of Columbia; Thu, Aug 23, 1923; Page 2
"BOYS HELD IN CAR THEFT / Two Put Under Bond for Grand Jury Action / Elzear HOWDER, 22 I street northeast, and Joseph GOETZINGER, 20 H street northeast, charged with stealing a $2,000 automobile from Earl COOK, 1124 North Capitol street, August 10, were held for the action of the grand jury in the United States branch of Police Court today. Their bond was set at $500. Both of the boys are only seventeen years of age. George BREW, 10 I street northwest, a friend of HOWDER and GOETZINGER, also seventeen years old, was charged with stealing an automobile tire. It being BREW's first offense, Judge SCHULDT placed him on probation. HOWDER and GOETZINGER were arrested by Detective O. W. MANSFIELD of the fourth precinct. He recovered the automobile."
(4) Accident via Newspapers.com: Evening star; Washington, District of Columbia; Mon, Jan 26, 1925; Page 3
"Elzear HOWDER, 1228 Trinidad avenue northeast, was driver of an automobile that collided with the machine of J. P. MULROE, 1403 Varnum street, in front of 47 I street this morning and was overturned. HOWDER and companions who accompanied him were injured. Hospital treatment was refused."
(5) Joyriding via Newspapers.com: Times Herald; Washington, District of Columbia; Fri, May 29, 1925; Page 1
"Others sentenced were... Thomas Aloysius QUILL and Elzear J. HOWDER, joyriding, seven days in jail and paroled."
(6) Births via Newspapers.com: The Washington Herald; Washington, District of Columbia; Sun, Oct 24, 1926; Page 19
"BIRTHS... Elzear J. and Margaret M. HOWDER, boy."
(7) U.S., City Directories via Ancestry.com: Washington, DC
- 1924: HOWDER Elzar J student r22 I ne
- 1926: HOWDER Elzear J driver r1228 Trinidad av ne
- 1927: HOWDER John E chauf r1228 Trinidad av ne
(8) Births via Newspapers.com: Times Herald; Washington, District of Columbia; Thu, Apr 19, 1928; Page 19
"BIRTHS... Elzear J. and Margaret M. HOWDER, boy."
(9) 1930 United States Census. There is clearly something unusual with the records for Elzear John HOWDER, and it appears he was counted twice. As he was often in trouble with the law, it is unclear whether this was an intentional deception or a miscommunication. There are also some interesting variations in the information provided for him. Furthermore, to add to the confusion, his wife and children are included in a separate entry without him. ALL OTHER HOWDER SIBLINGS HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE 1930 CENSUS -- IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT HIS RECORDS HAVE BEEN CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER.
(9a) Kentucky, Campbell Co., Bellevue 4 - City, Ward 3: Roll T626-738; Enumeration District 21; Sheet 22B; April 19, 1930.
Elzear John HOWDER is listed as "John" and living in the household of Louis & Camille HOWDER. Louis is his brother.
- Address: 305 Washington Avenue
- Age: 24 years old at time of census; age at first marriage left blank
- Birthplace: Kentucky, with his father born in Kentucky and his mother born in Ohio
- Occupation: Mechanic; Automobile
- Occupation Code: 7623 (Mechanics; Automobile repair shops)
(9b) 1930 United States Census Washington, DC: North Precinct Track 26; Roll T626-298; Enumeration District 235; Sheet 5A&B; April 14, 1930.
Elzear John is listed as "John" and living in the household of Charles & Margaret M. BARRICK. Marguerite is his sister.
- Address: 208 Eye Street
- Age: 24 years old at time of census; 20 when first married
- Birthplace: Kentucky, with his father born in New York and his mother born in Kentucky
- Occupation: Taxi Driver; Taxi Co.
- Occupation Code: 398V (Chauffeurs; Taxicab company)
(9c) 1930 United States Census for District of Columbia, Washington City: North Precinct; Tract 26; Block 750; Enumeration District 235; Sheet 2B; April 2, 1930.
Elzear HOWDER's wife, Margaret [HANSMAN] HOWDER and their two young sons are living in a different location with her parents.
(10) 1940 United States Census for California, San Francisco County, San Francisco City, United States Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island, Building 66: Supervisor's District [blank]; Enumeration District 38-126; Sheet 2B; April 21, 1940.
Elzear John HOWDER is incarcerated at Alcatraz Prison, California
- Relation to Head of Household: 355-AZ (this is his Alcatraz prisoner number)
- Age: 34, Divorced
- Highest Grade of School Completed: High School - 2nd Year
- Birthplace: Kentucky
- Residence on April 1, 1935: Washington, DC
- At Work: Institution
(11) Arrest via Newspapers.com: Evening star; Washington, District of Columbia; Tue, Apr 12, 1932; Page 17
"15 TAXICABS FORM 'POSSE' TO CATCH ALLEGED ROBBER / Sniper Suspect Beaten After Capture in Spectacular Chase Past White House. / ENRAGED CHAUFFEURS TAKE MAN TO HOSPITAL / Another Driver Leaps From Car, Letting It Hit House When Bandit Holds Him Up. / A group of angry taxicab drivers, several of them victims of recent robberies, overtook and pummeled and alleged bandit into submission early today after a spectacular automobile chase on Pennsylvania avenue past the White House. Still another hacker, enraged at delivering up the day's receipts, leaped from the driver's seat last night and allowed can and hold-up man to crash into a residence at 1035 Tenth street. The suspect in the first case, captured at Seventeenth street and Pennsylvania avenue, first was treated at Emergency Hospital for lacerations about the scalp and face, and then identified by victims in two other holdups last night. He will be viewed at the headquarters line-up tonight by witnesses to the murder of Paul RIEDEL, 56-year-old Mount Pleasant street baker. CHASED BY 15 CABS. The prisoner described himself as Elzear John HOWDER, 26 years old, of no stated address. His scalp was laid open by what police describe as 'a blunt instrument' shortly after the commandeered taxicab in which he was trying to escape was forced to the curb by about 15 hackers in their automobiles. HOWDER, police said, was armed with a .32 caliber automatic of a type used in the RIEDEL hold-up slaying and in the sniper shootings of several weeks ago. Efforts also will be made to identify HOWDER in the later shootings, it was said. The chase began at the Rose Coffee Shop, 731 Thirteenth street, where several hackers had gathered from their stand across the street. A man, later identified as HOWDER, came in and drew a pistol on Peter VLACHOS, manager of the shop, robbing the cash register of $31 and obtaining $10.65 in bills and change from VLACHOS' person. The bandit ran across the street to the cab stand and ordered Harold P. ALTMIRE of 1332 I street to drive him to Fourteenth street and New York avenue. DRIVERS FORM 'POSSE.' The hackers in the shop ran out after the robber and spread the alarm. Six or eight of the drivers leaped into their cabs and started in pursuit. One driver, whose name was not learned, was bowled over by a passing cab as he dashed across Thirteenth street to join the chase. He picked himself up, however, and fell in behind the procession. Seeing that he was closely followed, the fugitive leaped from the taxi at Fourteenth street and New York avenue and hailed another cab, driven by Morris GOODMAN of 1017 K street. In this automobile the robber sped out Pennsylvania avenue, while other taxicabs fell in with the pursuit. Just after the lead cab passed Seventeenth street, the passenger alighted while the vehicle was still in motion and was hurled to the pavement. GOODMAN and ALTMIRE, who had followed, police report, disarmed HOWDER with assistance of two other drivers -- Stephen J. JOHNSON of 1430 N street and Joseph E. McCAULEY of 465 H street. Following a scuffle, HOWDER was taken to Emergency Hospital, where he was arrested by Detective Sergts. James E. KENNEY and Joseph WALDRON, who had been summoned from headquarters. MONEY FOUND IN POCKETS. HOWDER was taken to No. 6 precinct and picked from a line-up by VLACHOS. The pistol and $49.80 was taken from his person, police say. A short while later HOWDER was identified by Harry E. MINOR of 18 Ninth street northeast as the bandit who robbed him of $20 in cash and a quantity of prescription whiskey about 11:30 o'clock last night. MINOR said he was in his drug store at Eighth and East Capitol streets when the bandit covered him with a gun and forced him to empty the cash register into a paper bag. MINOR then was obliged to open the safe and hand over three pints of prescription rye, two pints of rum and a quantity of tobacco. Before leaving, the bandit ordered MINOR to remain in the rear of the store. Strolling out, the robber went only a little way down the street, MINOR said, and then returned to see if the druggest had obeyed his orders. MINOR told police the bandit threatened his life and promised to return to see if he had handed over all his money. PAPER BAG FORMS LINK. Detective KENNEY and WALDRON said they connected the coffee shop and drug store robberies through the fact that the robber in both cases had ordered his victims to scoop the money into a paper bag..."
(12) Confession via Newspapers.com: The Washington Daily News; Washington, District of Columbia; Wed, Apr 13, 1932; Page 2
"2 Identify Suspect as Robber; Admits Two Taxi Holdups / Elzear HOWDER to Face Line-Up Again Tonight; Nabbed by Hackers After Gunplay. Elzear J. HOWDER, 26, was picked out of the police line-up last night at the detective bureau by to victims of recent holdups. He is also said to have admitted robbing two taxi drivers a few days ago. More than 100 persons recently robbed viewed HOWDER in the line-up with four other white men and 28 colored men held as suspects. NABBED BY HACKERS. HOWDER was arrested early yesterday morning by a group of taxi drivers after holding up the Rose Coffee Shop, at 731 13th-st nw. He was identified shortly after being arrested as the man who robbed the drug store at Eighth and East Capitol streets Monday night of $20 and five bottles of liquor. He was identified last night by D. DELVECECCHIO, of 500 13th-st se, as the man who took $17 from his store two weeks ago. George FLIKAS, grocer, of 401 Maryland-av ne, said he was the man who robbed him of $18, April 7. ADMITS HOLDUP. HOWDER confessed to detectives that he held up Jack TALLON, a hacker, of 815 M-st nw, last Sunday and robbed him of $12. He also said he took $4 and the cab from David SAMUELSON, of Riverdale, Md. After the line-up, three of the white men were released. HOWDER and other suspects will appear in a line-up again tonight in an attempt to identify them in other robberies."
(13) Sentencing via Newspapers.com: The Washington Daily News; Washington, District of Columbia; Sat, May 7, 1932; Page 7
"BANDIT BEATEN BY TAXI DRIVERS GIVEN 15 YEARS / Elzear J. HOWDER Pleads Guilty to 2 Charges / Elzear J. HOWDER, was was captured and beaten badly by taxi drivers several weeks ago when he attempted to hold up one of them, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Justice James M. PROCTOR yesterday in District Supreme Court. HOWDER pleaded guilty to two charges of robbery. On April 12 he held up Peter G. VLACHOS, 741 13th-st nw, and the day before, Harry E. MINER, 723 East Capitol-st."
(14) U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men via Ancestry.com
- Name: Elzear John HOWDER
- Address: 1413 18th Pl. S.E. (scratched out address: 507 E, S.W.), Washington, D.C.
- Telephone: None
- Age: 36 (b. 8-12-1905; Bellevue, Kentucky)
- Contact: Charles BARRICK; 507 E, S.W.
- Employer: James E. HOOD, 2600 Bladensburg Rd.
- Place of Employment: Hood Transportation Co. - Same - Washington, D.C.
- Description: height - 5ft. 7in.; weight - 150 lbs.; eyes - grey; hair - brown; complexion - ruddy
- Physical Characteristics: Left little finger broken
- Date: Feb 16, 1942; Washington, D.C.
(15) 1950 United States Census for the District of Columbia, Washington City, D.C. Jail: Enumeration District 1-338; Sheet 23; April 2, 1950.
Elzear J. HOWDER is incarcerated at the Washington, D.C. Jail
- Address: D.C. Jail, Washington, DC
- Age: 44; married
- Birthplace: Kentucky
- Occupation Category: Inmate
- Same House a Year Ago: No
- Living On a Farm a Year Ago: No
- Living in the Same County a Year Ago: Yes
- What County a Year Ago: Washington, Dist. Columbia
- Birthplace of parents: United States
- Highest Grade of School Attended: S10 (High School)
- Finish This Grade: Yes
- Attended School Since February 1: No; 30 or over
- Weeks Worked Previous Year: 30
- Salary in 1949: $3,500
- Money Earned Working on Own Account: None
- Other Income: None
- Military Service: None
(16) Letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Washington DC (in response to FOIA Request No. 2000-149), February 4, 2000.
The letter cites two references:
"Name: Elzear John HOWDER
DOB: 8-21-05
Register #s: 3258-DC, 44739-A, 355-AZ, 58621-L
Offense: Robbery
Sentence: 15 years
Court: Washington, DC
Sentencing Date: 5-6-32
Commitment Date: 5-6-32 at Lorton (3258-DC)
transfer: 9-5-34 to USP, Atlanta (44739-A)
transfer: 10-15-36 to USP, Alcatraz (355-AZ)
transfer: 7-13-41 to USP, Leavenworth (58621-L)
Expiration with Good Time: 9-29-41...
Name: Elzear John HOWDER
Reg. No. 70520-A
Offense: (1) Carrying Deadly Weapon, (2) Robbery
Sentence: (1) 2 years, 48 days to 6 years, (2) 144 days
Court: (1) ?, (2) Washington, DC
Sentencing Date: (1) 1-30-50, (2) 6-23-50
Commitment Date (1) 1-30-50 to USP, Atlanta
Conditional Release: 7-25-54
Discharged from Supervision: 12-25-55"
(17) Washington Post, January 30, 1950, page 1 ("Policeman Nabs Alcatraz Alumnus in Cafe Fight -- Local Sugar Bowl Game"). Includes photograph.
"Police Pvt. Charles A. Scott had a few busy minutes on his way to work yesterday morning. He stepped between two men in a fight, disarmed one who was prepared to clout another with the jagged fragments of a sugar bowl, and came up with a former Alcatraz inmate, armed with a .45-caliber automatic and a record of 33 prior arrests. Scott told superiors he entered a restaurant at 1555 Pennsylvania ave. se., for breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Two men began to argue. One picked up a glass sugar bowl and clouted the other over the head with it twice, Scott said, breaking the bowl. Then he tried to cut the other with a fragment. Scott seized the glass-wielder and the glass fragment. Then he said, the man shouted: 'That man has been holding me up all night! He's got a gun.' Scott said the second man then reached for his belt. Scott released the first man, grabbed the second, and found the .45. Meantime, the first man fled from the place, jumped into a cab, and disappeared. The gun-carrier, Scott said, was identified as Elzear J. HOWDER, 44, of no fixed address. He admitted being sentenced here in 1932 to 15 years on nine counts of robbery. He said he served time until 1941, part of it in Alcatraz. He denied any holdup of the man who disappeared. Police said his record shows arrests here on charges including robbery, carrying concealed weapons, and being a fugitive from justice. Scott once received a silver medal for pursuing and disarming an armed man, and has been commended for other captures in murders and other cases."
(18) Washington Post, January 31, 1950, page B1 ("Alcatraz Alumnus Sentenced to 360 Days on Gun Charge").
"Elzear HOWDER, 44, a former Alcatraz inmate, was sentenced here yesterday to 360 days in jail for carrying a deadly weapon and held under $15,000 bond for grand jury action on robbery charges. HOWDER's woes started Sunday morning, when a sugar bowl was broken over his head during a fight with another man in a restaurant at 1555 Pennsylvania ave. southeast. A policeman, Pvt. Charles A. Scott, of the Tenth Precinct, had stopped in the restaurant for breakfast and broke up a fight, only to learn from the sugar bowl wielder that HOWDER was carrying a gun and had robbed him. Then the other man fled as Scott searched HOWDER and found a loaded .45-caliber automatic in his belt. Yesterday, the sugar bowl wielder appeared at police headquarters after reading of HOWDER's arrest. He identified himself as Peyton MANUEL, 52, a cab driver, of 116 N. Carolina ave. se. He told police HOWDER had engaged his cab early Sunday morning, then had robbed him of $7. Later, HOWDER had forced him to go along into the restaurant, Manuel said. To make matters worse for HOWDER, another cab driver, Henry C. Gasque, 35 of 413 Newcomb st. se., appeared at headquarters yesterday and identified HOWDER as the man who robbed him of $15 and his cab Saturday night. The cab was recovered yesterday after HOWDER admitted the holdup. HOWDER pleaded guilty in Municipal Court to carrying a deadly weapon and was given the maximum sentence by Judge Armond W. Scott. He waived hearing on the robbery charge. Records show he was sentenced to 15 years here for armed robbery in 1932 and served part of his sentence at Alcatraz."