The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-02
WALTZ HANGED.
"Joe's" Confessions, Trial
and Imprisonment.

CArsKILL, May /. 1874.

CArsKILLs May /. 1874.
Joseph Waltz singularly depraved and 1end-
tsh murderer. was hanged here this morning at
fifteen minutes past ten O'Clock. In all the history
Of hanrings in recent years there has been no case
perhaps, where man on the very morning OF his
execution was so possessed by the demon OF
MURDER Half an hour before he was launched into
eternity the wretch seized mis- mother by the
throat and attempted to strange her. He was
like an untamed tiger, ready, without moments
warning to spring upon any living thing within
his reach. The murder OF his keeper,
Charles Ernst, sent such thrill of horror
and Indignation through the community as was
never experienced before. And even at this mo-
ment some maudiin humanitarians were before
Governor Dix seeking a reprieve for the murderer.
The plea OF insanity was exploded long since, and
Waltz in his true character was nothing less than
q fend in human shape. He appeared perfectly
stolid on the scafiold and took no notice OF the
surroundings Ills neck was not broken, but alter
hanging for fourteen minutes he was pronounced
dead from strangulation. His father witnessed
the execution and took possession OF the body.
The Catholics refused him burial, and the body
Will be inferred on the Waltz farm tonight
The story OF the murder OF which ne was con-
victed is as follows:-
FATE OF HoLcHER, THE SCISSORS GRINDER.
daTluOu aUlCucT, TcSpc~tdUic muu IcSiuluS LII
Albany, and following the avocation or scissors
grinder, lett his home about the middle Of April,
1873 for short trip along the Hudson as far as
Rondout, intending to return about the LIST OF
May. He was in the habit OF making trips from
one to three times year, generally being absent
two or three weeks at q time. Being absent
longer than that time upon his April trip, his
friends became alarmed and advertised for him.
They knew when he left home he had about 800
with him, besides nice silver watch with gold
Key attached to the chain. The receipts OF the
trip probably Increased the amount OF mon ey in
his possession 500 more.
They made search for him, and ascertained that
after leaving Rondout ne W ent to Poughkeepsie,
and from there to Catskll where they learned that
Holcher had been, two weeks previous, inquiring
for the Waltz family, with whom he intended to
remain over night. Being informed they lived on
a farm about two miles below Athens village. he
left for the farm, and pass the colgate
half way between CatsKill and Athens the same
evening.
The wife OF Holcher and his son-in-law, Mr..
Kelch. went to the house occupied by the Waltz
family, the members of winch were found at work
in the garden.
Mr.. kelch inquired OF the old man whether Hol-
cher had been there. Waltz said he had been
there. put went away about midnight; but soon
afterwards contradicted himself by saying that
Holcher went away the next morning After fur
Their conversation Waltz said that during the night
he heard loud screaming in the room occupied by
Holcher, and was about to get up to see what was
the cause, when the noise ceased and ne concluded
to remain in bed. The next morning, on going into
the room where Holcher slept, he found large
pool of blood on the floor and that Holcher was
missing, as was also pillow and blanket from
the hod
anything Of Holcher. After further questioning
Waltz said Hocher left his bell there, but objected
10 giving 1t until he was paid for the pillow and
blanket. Finally he consented that Mrs. Holcher
and Kelch should see the bell and directed his son
Joseph, man twenty-three years OF age, to 60 to
the horse Tor it. The son went towards the house,
ana did not again show himself The old man
Waltz then accompanied them to the house and
showed them the bloody floor where Holcher slept.
The spot was about three feet in diameter the
blood having been scraped up and removed but
the stains still remained. Kelcn and Mrs. HOcher
made q further examination of the premises, but
saw no additional traces OF the missing man. nor
could they ind young Waltz to question him about
the matter.
Having ascertained suficient to arouse
SUSPICIOUS OF FOUL PLAY,
Mr.. kelch and Mrs. HOcner returned to Albany,
and informed Chief Maoy OF the result OF their In
vestigatioDs. Chief Malov wrote letter to Sheriff
stances, and recommending mat some action
should be taken by the Greene county authorities.
With this letter Kelcn proceeded to Catskil and
had an interview with The sheriff. The sherin at
once commenced in the case. lawyer was sum-
moned, who drew up anldavlts to which Mr.. Kecn
issued search warrant Tor the arrest OF the
suspected professionalism Waltz and Joseph
Waltz, father and son-at whose house the last
traces OF the missing man were found.
Under Sheriff Bennett and Onicer Ernst, accom-
panied by Mr.. Kelch. proceeded to waltz's house,
ana there found an old sofa. at one end
SATURATED WITH BLOOD,
which the family acknowledged they mad been try.
ing TO remove; also that blood was on the wall and
on the floor under the sofa, or where it stood, and
which had run through under partition into
another room. The family admitted 1t was blood,
and that they had been trying to take II out, and
said they had planned the floor. the officers found
a bell belonging to Holcher in the house, which
officers then arrested both the Waitzes, father ana
son, and conveyed them TO Catskill, wnere they
were lodged IN Jail.
THE OLD MAN WALTZ
said he was awakened by a loud noise down stairs,
and got up and lit a match; but the noise stopped
and he went to bed again, and when he got up IN
the morning Holcher was gone and had carried or
a pillow and blanket lone blanket, was LETT which
was saturated with blood which they had washed,
but had not got the blood all out. Mrs. Waltz said
that when she went to bed that night she left
Hoicher and her son, young Waltz drinking, and
they all Thought Holcher must have the nose bleed
in the night as they found all this blood IN the
morning. When told that 1t was supposed HOlcher
somebody must have got into the window and
commit ID the deed. The sofa, blanket and bell
were secured. A search warrant was taken out to
nnd Holcher's money, watch and SCISSORS grinding
machine. Sheriff Bennett and Constable Charles |
Ernst, accompanied by about twenty citizens, VIE
tied Waltz'5 holse and premises to make a search
1or the body OF Hocher; but being near night
but little could be done. short distance from |
Waltz's house. beside stone wall, was pile Of
stones. Upon examination there were found some
twenty small stones stained with blood and hair
which were taken TO Catskill, and an examination
made by Coroner flaming. who pronounced the
blood the blood OF human being, and the hair to
come from the head, whiskers or mustache OF Q
man.
SEARCH FOR HoLcHER's BODY.
Then followed the search for the body OF Holcher,
In which the whole community took the deepest
interest IL Is almost year ago now, but 1t Is
still wildly remembered. The grounds OF the
Waltz arm were invaded by hosts OF people who
were anxious Tor new developments In
the tragic affair. Everything that possessed
any evidence OF suspicion was scanned by
eager eyes. The first theme for conversation,
as we'll as wonderment, was the announcement OF
the findinr or two small hand bells under the barn
floor. These bells had, as was generally believed,
been stolen from q schoolhouse short distance
uhar fnav