The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-29
Out Of the ScaffoId's
Shadow Hoch Smiles.
A REPRIEvE GRANTED
Stay OF Execution Allowed by Govern
or When Assured! that Money 10
Appeal the Case Had Been
Raised. Woman Seeks TO
Save the "BIuebeard.
Save the "BIuebeard."
(By the Associated Press

Chicago, July 28.-Johann Hoch,
"bluebeard" and confessed bigamist.
sentenced to be hanged today for
poisoning one of his wives, was this
afternoon granted reprieve until Au-
gust % by Governor Densen. The
stay of execution followed hours Of
anxiety on the part of Hoch. who had
never given up hope and was allowed
by the governor only after the latter
had been assured that the necessary
sum to appeal the case had been rails
ed. The amount $500 was given by
an attorney and friend of Hochs coun-
sell The attorney declared he was
actuated purely by humanitarian mo-
tives.
An incident at the jail during the
preparations for the execution was the
appearance of a physician and wo-
man, who. told Jailor Whitman that
they wanted to help In KIoch's battle
fors life. They said they wished to
raise funds for the condemned man
and asked Jailor Whitman to delay
the hanging as long as A-ossible.
Hoch's attorney. however, had already
been in communication with the au-
thorities respecting the stay of SEN
tence.
The woman who interviewed inss.be-
half of Hoch was Miss Cora Wilson
She professed to have become inter
ested in the case from humanitarian
motives only. She enlisted, in her aid.
DR.. Liston II. Montgomery, one of the
most prominent physicians In the CITY,
Miss Wilson said:
II am interested in the case solely
because L think the man ought to have
an equal chance"
DIR. Montgomery said:
This lady, whose name, as far as
am concerned, must ever remain Sc
cret. is actuated solely from human
itarian motives 1t is the same cause
which determined me to assist her L
became interested i'm the case from a
scientific standpoint long ago. | went
over the testimony thoroughly. The
deduction made by experts as to how
Hoch administered arsenic to his
wives, | have always deemed absurd.
All arrangements had been made
for the execution today and in view
of the action of Governor Deneen yes
terday in refusing a stay of execution
and similar action by the State Board
of Pardons Hochs chance for life
was considered slight.
The Talk Over the Phone.
About the time set for the execu-
ton the attorney who furnished the
money appeared III the Case IOT tic
first time. This attorney, it was said.
telephoned Hoch's lawyer that the for
mer had $500 to give toward aiding
to appeal the case. I se two lawyers
hastened tQ the jail, told Jailer Whit
man of the money secured and ar
ranged with the jailer to postpone as
long as possible the execution of Hoch.
Meanwhile they sought states Attor-
ney Healy and had him arrange
conference with Governor Deneen over
the long distance telephone. Hoch's
counsel told the governor that there
was lacking. only small sum of the
amount necessary for a review of the
case. After discussing the matter
with the States attorney, the governor
finally consented to a stay for the
condemned man and SO notified Hoch's
counsel
Hoch, even several hours before the
time set for the hanging, was quite
confident of executive clemency, al
though at times he seemed to despair
of receiving a reprieve.
He had retired early in the night
and awoke at o'clock this morning
cordially greeted his death watch of
two guards and talked with them for
some time. He changed his clothes
and seemed resigned to the fate that
awaited him but he assured his few
visitors that there might fe a chance
for him yet.