The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-09-25

FIST" JOHNS DOOM
Sheriff Toffey Makes Pre-
parations to Hang the
Wife Murderer.
EXECUTION NEXT THURSDAY
Board of Pardons Will not Inter-
yene-Gruesome Details Of Ar
engagements.
EXECUTION NEXT THURSDAY


Sheriff Toffey this morning began his
preparations for the hanging of "Fish'
John Czech, who murdered his wife on
the Hackensack meadows early in the
year. Justice Lippincott named Octo-
Der 8 as the day for the execution and
unless the Board of Pardons interferes
Fish John will swing.
Ex-Judge Abel 1. Smith and Mr.. Fred
erick Fralnbach two weeks ago made
strong appeals to the Board for a COM
mutation of the death sentence to life
Imprisonment. Up to this afternoon
the counse had received no notification
from the Board of Pardons as to their
decision. and it is extremely improbable
that they will interfere.
The circumstances of the murder
pointed to. great elaboration and pre-
meditation and those who are supposed
to know shake their heads when the in
t%erventton of the Board of Pardons is
mentioned. They say the murderer's
fate is sealed.
Sheriff Toffey of course goes ahead
with the dismal preparations as if no
such body as the Board of Pardons ex-
listed. He had a list before him of
those authorized to attend the execution
and each of these will receive an official
invitation to attend on October 8, next
Thursday, at a certain hour to witness
The last sentence of the law properly
carried out.
THE HANGMAN DROPS IN.
A few days ago Hangman Van Hise
lropped into the Sheriff's office and as
Usual chatted glibly about the unfortu-
tate whom he will work Off" Var Hise
s proud of his gruesome profession and
las the enthusiasm of a Dennis about
lim. He walked over to the jail and
ook a long peep at his victim, who was
'lowly pacing up and down the CORR
Tor on the main floor of the prison. Van
Use mentally weighed him up and NUT
.ered:-
Ind forty pounds. 1hat'l mean -
nut he didn't finish his sentence and
walked off humming a psalm tune, in
| key as mournful as he thought the
AS for the object of his tender solicit
atoms. he is the coolest and most uncon-
',erned man standing in the shadow of
he gallows ever seen in the Hudson
sounty Jail. He talks very little and usu-
lily spends most of his time marching
dong the corridor with his hands be-
lind his back and his ShreWd, cunning
ace puckered up into a scowl if nyone
peaks to him. He wears no coat or vest.
\ greasy looking wooden shirt and a
iingy pair of dark gray trousers com
)lete his faiment. Occasionally he will
watch a game OF cards which Murder
RS GEM and Sheehan are constantly
>laying, but he doesn't play. He never
eads-he cannot-and passes the weary
hours communing with his own
thoughts.
FINAL PREPARATIONS.
Day and night: sleeping or awake. his
very movement is watched. Warden
Michel and his staff of keepers take
s not cheated of its lawful victim.
The execution. unless the Board of
7ardons intervenes. will take place in
north corridor on the third hoor
II the Jail. At the end of this corridor
he Negro Hallinger and Bernard Alien
berger We're hanged. A small square
hole in the wall marks the spot where
he cross beam of the gallows rests. Re
fore Thursday Var Hise will bring the
scaffold from Newark and it will be set
Up in position and tested before Wednes-
lay night.
All the prisoners in that ward will be
the day before and precautions
AIKEN against outsiders witnessing the
NAL act The condemned man will he
removed to the little cell on the third
loor usually occupied by murderers dur
ing the last few moments of their life.
There Sheriff Toffey will read the death
warrant and the hangman will afix the
straps, put on the black cap prior to the
.ast march to the scaffold.
The jury deputed by the Court and
Sheriff to witness the gloomy drama will
re placed on each side of the corridor.
BY ten o'clock the flag hoisted over the
all VIII tell the curious crowds outside
Fish John" is no more and the
of the law is indicated.