The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-09-28
CZECH RESIGNED.
Fathers Smith and Hassell
Tell Him That All Hope
Is Gone.
AN EXEMPLARY PRISONER
Unconcerned About His Execution
Next Thursday-Life in
the Jail.

sFish'' John Czech, who is to be hang
ed on Thursday next, for the murder OF
his wife, was lying IN his cot in the
County Jail this morning when Fathers
Smith and Hassell entered the little
whitewashed cell. He rose slowly and
bent his head when he perceived the
priests. The doomed mans eyes were
red. He a been crying because OF
the visit of his daughter yesterday Wheh
he was not permitted to touch her.
In a kindly tone Father Hasselb speak
ing in Germans, told him that there was nc
hope from the Board of Pardons.
81 supposed not the murderer replied
with a slight tremor in his voice. y
guessed it was all up yesterday, when
nv counsel did not come near me all
day. An, well, L" Here his voice
failed him and he sank on his cot and
cried. After a few seconds he got UP
and wipirg his eyes on his ragged shirt
sleeve listened attentively to the CON-
forting words from the Highest Court
of Pardons.
He said nothing more, and after the
priests left him he reclined on his cot
gazing abstractedly at the trees which
surround the gloomy looking jail.
L
When a News representative ap-
nroached the door which guards the lit
tle passage to his room he got up and
tried to say something, but stopped after
saving Gut He regarded his visitor
for a few seconds and then m%ournfully
his head he returned to his
former recumbent position.
A few feet away from his was a stall
III - 1raaneEo strict water
on his prisoner. To him the wretcheo
man only sad a few words about MS
approaching end, and these We're thai
he felt tina there was no hope.
81 must die. I suppose" he said IN 9
cool. matter-of-fact a as If he was
not in the slightest degree affected. Real
izing that only four short days OF his
life remain he is resigned and does not
appear to mourn the dreadful fate II
store.
AN EXEMPLARY PRISONER.
During his imprisonment he has not
given his keepers one bit of trouble
indeed John Mersheimer, the warden's
assistant. declares that he is an exem-
plarv prisoner. He never complains and
obeys all the rules and is a marked con-
trast to Thomas McLaren, who muir
dered his mistress. McLaren, when be
was in the jail. grumoled at everything
SAY" he said to the writer, who was
N the corridor one day, 81 thought muir
derers could nave what they wanted tc
eat. Ive read in the papers [hat peopiee
like to eat, and they got it, too. Why,
lust look at Carlyle Harris, he got
cigars and always had two or tnr oed
dishes for his dinner, and bang up food
too. But here [ am starving because
[ am not used to eating food like this,
contemptuousfy pointing to his nner
stantial food. Warden Mitchell treats
his unwilling guests with excellent rare.
"The Sheriff" McLaren was informed
only gives o c 9nqIns f6eir mn mealss He 'i Is
not obliged to do this, but sherl1S NAYS
tender hearts and wish to make the lasl
hours of one about to be executed as
Comfortable as the circumstance viii
"Oh' that's it," returned McLaren, re
aectively. n then proceeded to .grumble
arificism4 Sometimes his bed was toe
IN l6lb apa tfaf Il 154S &iS Has '0 With 20ae comm@ non
pickpockets and thieves He believed
LIFE In sJAIL.
y Czech Doesn't say a word about ms
food. eating sp PARE yg,ea 9f aT whs seeved q
he same time as the other prisoners
and he is of course not allowed either
. IL irnife or fork. If any food is sent il
to him it is closely examined.
He rises early and goes to bed Ions
before others think Of retiring; Most O.
the day is spent at the little barred
window which commands a. view q
Newark avenue. He can see the crowds
which gather around the Court mops,
4 I;ttle and looks with Indifference or
he n. Simple pastimes of the prisoners II
Ilo oorr;10r outside.
Il Eotpars smith and Hassell are unre
mi+fing in their attention to Czech an6
he seems pleased to see them. Boil
gentlemen will attend him up to TIL
Fatal time when the falling of tn
weight VII swing his soul into eternity