davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Hoch Is Hatch.

For the Chicago police are positive
that IIoch was once the janitor of the
Holmes castle, and that he worked with
the infamous murderer This belief Is
based on the fact that Hoch was at one
time known as Hatch, and when Holmes
was condemned 10 die he swoTe again
and again that he did not commit all
the crimes laid at his door but that he
had an assistant, ii janitor, named
Hatch, who was guilty of murder. Il
was thought at the time that Holmes
was merely trying to delay the day Of
his death-he was horribly afraid to die
by being held 10 give evidence against
another man. His assertions. therefore,
in regard to Hatch were noted by ths
police but not believed Recent work of
Chicago detectives, however. has found
convincing proof thar a janttor named
Hatch did work under Holmes and tina
Hoch IS Hatch
The methods of the two arch criminals
by which they raised money in their
frequent marriages, were nearly allied.
Holmes married, and if his wife's life
was not insured, he saw TO it that a
policy was soon taken out Shortly
after this the woman invariably died
The life insurance policy made out
to Holmes, the money was quickly col
fecfed by him and he was ready for an
other ma trimoniaI venture
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
A Modern David.

''ITnder the existing circumstances II
appears reasonable to presume that my
distinguished friend. the Senator from
Nevada. refers to the abnormaily de-
veloped sightseer who is occupying an
unusual position which is partial
trespass upon the floor of this august
legislative body" said Mr.. Lodge.
You can have my gun, Lodge" came
in an audible whisper from the Demo-
cratic side.
who's that advocating gun play =
inquired the giant with an interested
look at the whisperer.
That's 'Gumshoe BIZ Stone" replied
the reporter, He's from Missouri, you
know"
MIR. President" continued the Sena-
tor from massachusetts,. IF the Ser
geart-at-arms and his assistants are
lacking in the physical courage requisite
to this occasio / shall offer my services
for the maintenance of Senatorial dig
nifty. / have recently made a caref Il
study of the japanese art of jiu-jits Il
which l trust will enable me to overcome
this visitation"
Turning to Senator Tillman, who had
dropped into the seat behind him he
whispered Ben, this is where 1 show
the Swiss Minister what might have
happened to him
MIR. President came a voice from
the Democratic side.
That's Senator Pettus from Ala
bama," volunteered the reporter.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
His Thirty-two Wives.

The wives which. according TO the
Chicago police. Hoch has had during his
remarkable career, number all told
thfrty-two Twelve are said to have
met with violent deaths. The first OF
these was Anna Hoch, to whom he was
married in Vienna before he came TO
this country. His first matrimonial VIC
TINS in this country were IN Chicago.
where it is claimed he married four wo-
men whose names have not yet been
ascertained. His fifth wife is definitely
stated to have been Julia Steinbrecher,
who died In Chicago in 1894. Four more
Chicago wives We're Martha Herfeidt,
Jeanet Spencer, Caliie c. Andrews, and
Mrs HoyIe Hoch, who died in 1888. He
then went to Wheeling, w. Va, marry
ing Mrs John Hicks, who died, and
back TO Chicago, wedding Mrs. Emma
Rencke OF 3T5 Ward street, that city,
and a Mrs. PalInka, OF Batavia III. lie
also married d MIS- RINK, OF aurora
Natalie Irgang and Hulda stevens are
oeiier names on the remarkable list
scbya Tzuaan became his wife and then
Marie Schultz. OF Argus: Ind, who died
in 1860 and Mary Becker, of ST. Louis,
who died in 1852, were rapidly addec 10
Bluebeards list. Eliza Goerk, Of Chi
cago; Sophia Fink, of Aurora, and Mrs.
T. O'Connor, of Milwaukee, next ac-
cepted him. These in succession gave
place to Anna Hendriehson, of Chicago;
Lena Hoch, of Milwaukee, who DIED IN
1898; Caroline Schaner, Of Philadelphia.
and Amelia Fisher and Marie Welker.
OF Chicago, who died January II, 19ao-
Another of the women whom 1t IS
thought Hoch disposed OF was Mrs
Mary Becker Of St Louis Henry
Schwanzara. III Burling street, who Is
employed a s a, waiter III the PompeLan
room of the Auditorium Annex, told IN
speet0r Shippy that he was POSITIVE
Hoch poisoned Mrs Becker, who was
his Inother-in-Iaw Under the name OF
John Schultz Hoch married the woman
in st. Louis in March, 1902. The woman
lived with Hoch one year, lacking Two
days when she died suddenly. SehWan-
cara said:
INV n1other-in-Iaw was sick only
few DAYS She was getting better when
one evening her husband said he would
make her a seItzer lemonade He went
into the kitchen and mixed il with some
whitish medicine Shortly after she
drank it she complained of pains IN tne
stomach Next morning she was worse
and that evening she died. The doctor
said she had chronic nephritiS-
'.Hoch collected $3.50 insurance on her
life and borrowed about $500 more from
her friends on the plea that he wanted
to pay funeral expenses for q nee DuF-
ial Then he disappeared. he never
maid the funeral expenses nor the doc
| TORS bill In St Louis they lived at
| as South Twenty-frSt street L recog-
| nized the picture of Hoch at once as
that of Schultz
Herman Webster Midget, 1t Will De
remembered, furnished the most sensa-
! tionai example of the criminal classes
| known in years The number or Yietims
| known. He confessed to twenty -SeVen
| murders If such a thing is possible, the
| truth of the Hoch case may prove an
even more startling record Of crime
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
His Operations Come to Light.

Hoch's operations first came to light
in an accusation made against him by
the last of his women dupes. This is
Mrs Emilia Fisher, who lives at 312
Wells street, Chicago. ON December 10
of last year, after a brief courtship re-
sulting from an advertisement placed in
a German newspaper, Hoch married
Mrs. Marie Welker, a widow who lived
at Willow and Larrabee streets. Chi
caeo, where she conducted d confec-
tionery store. and who was a sister Of
Mrs Fisher. Hoch protested to Mrs.
Welker that he was a man OF means
lonely, and DESTROYS Of the companion
ship Of Il woman, She allowed herself
during a brief interview to be persuaded
to relieve his loneliness. Hoch had pre-
viously rented and furnished a house at
6430 Union avenue. near the location of
the Holmes castle. 10 this house he
took his bride after their marriage. She
had this amount, together with her say
ings amounting to s270. The day fol-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Made a Good Impression.

Hoch seldom faiIeE to make Il good
impression wherever he went. His per
sonal appearance is decidedly in his
favor Although ffty-one years old he
looks not more than forty-five. lie is q
finc-lool1ing man about > feet s inches
tall and weighs 175 pounds. He is slight
ly bald, has black hair and beard. His
eyes are light blue and half hidden by
great dropping eyeIIds. He has Il we'll
rounded but retreating chin and a
mouth that droops at the corners. In
variabIy he wears gold-rimmed spec
tacles.
IIoch's is face that adapts itself
readily 10 Il MAKE up. With little
change in the manner of brushing the
hair and OF shaving a, different man APP
pears. He is known to have changed his
identitv a dozen times by changing the
style Of his whiskers.
with his soft and well moduiatad
voice Hoch j. just the man to have IN
influence over women intellectually his
interiors Here Hoch never made a mis-
take. lie never got out OF his element
He associated with women not sharper
than himself. Yiddish, French, English
and German. he speaks with tluency- n
his dress he has always affected plain
neat clothes.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
When La Toilette Comes to Town.

The reporter chucSled audibly- He
was as much amused at the Brobdins-
nagian's adaptability as he was by the
performance to which ne referred
THE speed you ha 1e developed for the
acquisition of American slang Is sim
ply immense" he said. las for the lit
tie turn to which you refer it is moth
ing but a rehearsal That is Spooner of
Wisconsin pfacticing for the introduce
ton of his new colleague, Senator la
Toilette to the Senate.
While this conversation was going on
order had been restored to the Senate.
The distinguished gentlemen resumed
their seats. but they one and all kept
their eyes on the front of the press gal
lery.
Mr.. President rang out command
ing voice The owner was man OF
distinguished appearance with short
curly brown hair, SJreaked with gray
and a penetrating eye.
THE Senator from Massachusetts, "
acknowledged the President pro tenn.
That's Lodge" whispered the report
er in the ear of UrnOg. There's going
to be something doing"
"I move, Mr. President. that we go
into executive session.
Il second the Senator's motion" said
the senior Senator from Nevada But
l desire to ask how the galleries ara
to be cleared.
who is the ver-bearded pigmy.
wearing the dress suit? asked the
giant.
STEADY" cautioned the reporter.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
An Embarrassing Question.

.'Who is that pigmy taIking?" ia
quired UTnog.
The reporter turned and looked at ths
Senator who had the floor.
THAT is Senator Morgan of Ala
bama," he replied. He holds the rec
ord for long distance speaking. If nay
memory is correct. he spoke five days
and nights on the Panama Canal bill"
The giant dropped lightly TO The
floor. and stepping over the heads Of 9
dozen Senators, Squeezed through the
doors leading to the corridor. He
walked in silence until the east steps
Of the Capitol were reached.
How many days did you say that
pigmy spoken" he asked.
Five replied the reporter.
rs he the only, pfgmy that talks dur
a0h, no. said the reporter. The
others talk as much as he
Well, why don't they stop talking
and get to work?" asked the giant.
This is beautiful weather we ara
having" said the reporter.
1.-THE giants experiences in Washinzton So
ciety VIII be told next Sunday.l
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Boosted His Power Over Women.

As the legend of crime is gradually
unfolded, Johann Hoch stands thing
accused, preyor upon women. Yet so
clever has he been in his address and in
concealing his coId-blooded murders that
an unwilling need Of admiration must
go out to him from those who read the
story. a brute with a trained intellect.
in the knowledge OF his strength he
Knocked at woman and her inability 10
cope with him. He boosted that women
were so far inferior to him in in
tellectual power that he could play with
them as he wished. He had but to tell
them anything, anything, however, i'm
possible and they would believe. They
were so dependent and confiding he
said, that they should be classed as
domestic animals. not human beings
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Courts Sister While Wife Dies.


The following day Mrs. Fisher came
and assumed the care of the sick wom-
an. On January u, while she was alone
with her husband, Mrs. Hoch died.
Hoch went downstairs and informed
Mrs. Fisher. After cleaning up the
death chamber Mrs. Fisher went down
stairs and was approached with prop
osition that she take the place of his
dead wife.
Il am an unfortunate man" Mrs.
Fisher reports Hoch to have said to her.
Marie was not nay first wife ! was
married before, and my first wife was
an invalid, and now, Just as 1 thought
/ was to have another happy lone my
new wife is dead. ! am lonely and have
no means. You are q good woman and
Try me I will bring your children
here from Germany and you can be hap
Dy with me"
Mrs. Fisher has nine children in Ger
many. Continuing her narrative of the
occurrence. she said:
Il resented his proposal, and told him
he should not talk of such things Sc
soon after his wifes death. January 10
/ rode with him to the cemetery, and,
again, over his wife's grave, he asked
me to marry him. The following
Wednesday he came to my home and /
consented to become his wife. He told
me we would go out OF town and no one
would know of it until my sister had
been dead a long time / went with him
To Joliet that afternoon and we We're
married We came back and went to my
house that night The next morning ne
asked me to give MIN $3.50 / had saved
to pay off a mortgage he claimed was
held against the house and furniture
on Union avenue. went with him to
The bank and got the money ana gave it
to him Then he disappeared.
Hoch had followed with his last wife
the same methods of duplicity which he
is alleged to have practleed during the
past ten years He told her that the
rented house and the furniture, bought
on the instaIlment plan. We're his. After
ascertaininE how much money his dune
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05

suggest that the Senator from Massa-
chgsetts defer his motion for an exeeu-
tive session and permit the regular ses-
sion TO be continued until our distin-
guished visitor decides to leave of his
own accord"
Senator Lodge yielded TO the sugges-
ton from his Democratic colleague ana
the session was resumed Urnog watch
ed the proceedings with great interest
and in silence until his attention was at
tracted by an animated group in a dark
corner. The reporter looked IN the di-
rection of the giants gaze and saw Sem
atOrS ElkinS. PenrOse, German. and
DepeW engaged in earnest conversation.
What are those little fellows so ex-
cited about" asked the Brobdingna-
gian.
That said the reporter, 'is a con-
ference for the purpose of securing IA
VorabIe action by the Senate in behalf
of the bill TO secure rates and rebates
from the railroads"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05

lowing her marriage to Eoch it is al
legged by Mrs. Fisher that her sister
turned over all her cash 10 ner husband.
The following day she fell Ill She asked
her husband to send for doctor. and
DR.. Joseph Reese, of the EngIewood
Union Hospital. was summoned He
declared that Mrs. Hoch was suffering
from a kidney and bladder trouble and
ordered that she be sent TO a hospital
or that Il trained nurse installed 10
care for the sick woman. Hoch de-
clared he could not send the woman to
Il hospital so a nurse, Miss Gussie Hol-
Zaefci. Of 1922 Prairie avenue was hired
She cH1a.Hed five days when Hoch sent
her away, although his wifc's condition
WAS worse than It had been at any pre-
yious time. In discharSing the nurse
lioch said his wifes sister, Mrs. Fisher.
was coming from the north side to care
for Mrs. IIOch
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Mrs, Mario. ,Wolkn t1OCh

How well he has demonstrated woman s
weakness his thirty-odd marriages anC
subsequent murders show
Close to Bingen on the Rhine Johann
Hoch was born IN 1854 He served in an
artillery regiment during the Franco
orabIy. he says-in 1875. Going 10 Berlin
he was for two years employed in a
drug store, where he learned much about
the connection of poison. Then he
studied medicine in the University of
Heidelberg, ard was graduated in 1875.
Thus he had an excellent training for
his later career of crime.
IN 1888 Hoch got into trouble over a
woman and came hurriedly TO the Unit
ed States, bringing Il wife with MIN.
Whether she WAS the first one of the
long string which this modern Blue
beard" has married can only be con
occurred. It IS said that he married her
in Vienna IN 1881, while he was con-
tinuing q searching study of drugs.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Chicago Police Certain
He Was Janitor of
the Castle.
Methods Used to Raise
Money Like Those
of Holmes.
Far More Clever Than
Holmes in COncealnlent
Of His Crimes.
? oHANN HoCH, the modern BLUE

OHANN HOCH, the modern BLUE
beard" recently arrested in New
- York, who has out-Holnsesed
Holmes in the number and variety of
his crimes committed upon women, pre-
sents q rare case 10 the students of
criminology-
He is degenerate, If not, what is
to become of the human race? But his
degrneracy manifests itself along only
two lines, greed and brutality to
women Greed for wealth, at least for
money to keep him in comfort, can be
assumed from the fact that he chose
only women who were known to have
substantial, If small. fortunes. His
brutality is apparent from the great
number of women whom he made his
dupes, the larger majority of whom. it
is alleged, he afterward poisoned If
it IS possible to separate intellect and
passion, Hoch may be said to be intel
IectualIy man above the average. but
in his passions a degenerate Of the
lowest type.
When Holmes was executed in Phil
adelphia in 1895. it was hoped that he
was he only instance OF that danger
Gus type of degeneracy in the United
States. This was mistake The
country was aghast at the frequency
and brutality OF his crimes. and, above
all, at their brilliancy. He had been
immune from punishment for years
Women and children had been muir
dered and not breath Of the story had
come to light until long afterwards,
when his now celebrated castle in
Chicago was ransacked from roof to
cellar and gave up its CHASTITY relics.
But Hoch has been more clever than
Holmes. For as far as has been
learned he has no skeleton closet, at
least not containing material bones and
skulls; each OF the wives done away
with lies in decent grave. and though
sIrrounfed the deatF,- there are doctors
certificates and Hoch's glib tongue to
prove that the women came to q nat
uraI death. In this at least he has sur
passed his old master
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05

Mrs. Praxmerer later wrote to the
Chicago police that Hoch was in New
York
the papers were seen by Mrs. Catherine
Kimmerle, OF 546 West Forty-seventh
street to whose home he had gone as a
had offered to marry her. She notified
the police and his capture followed with
in a few hours.
Three of the women who married Hoch
and were fortunate enough to escape
with their lives have united in an effort
to have the Chicago grand jury indict
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05

had he fixed the amount of the alleged
mortgage to cover the entire sum, Sc
cured il and disanneared.
The presence of EIoch in New York
was betrayed to the police by Mrs. AU-
gust Praxnerer, of 30+ East Ninety-tirst
street He had known the PraXmerers
nine years ago, when he was in the early
stages of his marrying career, and. after
The death of his last vile in Chicago,
fed to their home to avoid the police;
They had been told of an $1,000 diamond
robbery in which he was supposed to be
mixed up and refused to have anything
to do witt him.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
"And Saul Said to David"

II trust. Mr.. President, that the Sena-
tor from Massachusetts VIII refrain
from violence Remember the a1moni-
ton In the book of Samuel. chapte:: II.
verse 80: And Saul said to David: Thou
art not able 10 go against this Philistine
to fight with him. 1 would respectfully
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
CONTINUED from Third Page

bow which lasted a full minute. Then.
turning TO face the Senate chamber, he
slipped his right-hand finger tips be
tween the second and third button of
his coat and with head thrown back,
smiled a beatifie smile.
Who is the pigmy doing stunts and
wearing the smile that won't come OFF,
inquired Urnog, who was visibly i'm
pressed
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Johann HOch

him for bigamy. They are Mrs. Anne
LA Augusta F'ischer-Hoch, Mrs. Anna
Hendrichson-Hoeh and Mrs. Marie
Goerk-Hoch. Because q wife may not
testify against her husband in d bigamy
case it win be necessary to get wit
nesses from different parts of the coun-
try where the marriages took place.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05
Hoch's Methods.

Johann Hoch relied more on his abili-
ty TO persuade the women to give him
what he asked. It was his custom to
represent himself as a well-to-do man.
q widower perhaps, Upon each attempt
10 get wife he would hire an apart
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-05

That's Stewart of Nevada, "a
making u pass at you.
The Adair County news., 1905-02-22
L. w. 7. 5. Notes.

Miss Minnie Kemp, who was tempo
rarily employed to fill the vacancy
made by Miss Shaw's resignation, is no
longer with us. She was we'll liked by
the faculty and students and she wish
es the school the best of success.
Last week the thermometer on this
hill registered twenty below zero,
which was the coolest we have had
this winter.
On account of the cold weather no
work has been done on the dining room
for several days.
Miss Virginia Belts, who is teaching
the classes recently taught by Miss
Minnie Kemp, is proving that she is a
splendid instructor and thorough
scholar.
Only a very few of the pupils board
ing have the Grippe now.
Miss Lena Salmon, of Bliss, was de-
tanned at home last week on account of
sickness. Miss Celeste Shirley, of
Midtown, also was absent last week.
The number is now two hundred and
eighty. The ones entering last week
were Isaac Story, and Andrew Lead
better.
The school work is moving along
nicely in all Of the departments.
The twenty second we will have an
appropriate and very interesting lee
ture from Governor ]. R. Hindman and
we are expecting very pleasant and
profitable time. Lecture is to begin
promptly at ten o'clock.
The Adair County news., 1905-02-22
HRIZONR.
Ft. Apache. 2, II, 1905

Ft. Apache. 2, II, 1905.
Editor News.
lis with the greatest pleasure
that I attempt to write few lines
to The News.
/ suppose the people on Cum
berland river are too busy catch
ing logs, to write a few lines to
the News. | haven't noticed
anything from Rowena or Ken
dali for the last few months.
We are having plenty of snow
and some rain. Old people claim
it is the worst in 20 years. The
freightors have been four days
coming through Black Canton.
The quarter master sent out
some teams a few days ago. Last
night one driver came in with 10
head of mules pulling a load Of
hay.
Some of our boys are out all
the time. Three of them brought
in four deer yesterday. We are
living high on deer, bear and tur-
key, most all the time. l was
with four Government Surveyors
for three months, and 1 got all
the hunting that wanted.
They are going to run rail-
road from Rice, Ariz., in the wes-
tern part to Holbrook, in the
northeastern part, via. Apache.
Sixty recruits came in yester-
day for the 9Th Cavalry.
Oral l. Mcclure,
Troop H. 3rd Cav.
The Adair County news., 1905-02-22
kNIELEH.

We have had the coolest weather
known here for several years.
Mr.. VIM. Knifey and family have
been on the sick list for several days.
Messrs. VIM. Parker and R. S. Pike
will remove to Texas in the near future.
Mr., D. j. Bowen is doing a good
business with his saw and grist mill at
this place.
Humphrey & Jeffries have gotten
their gasoline engine placed and will
soon be ready for work.
Mr.. Henry Geasol, of Louisville, is
visiting relatives at this place.
Mr.. Willis Aker has returned from a
visit to Illinois.
John A. Beard is very sick with pneu-
monia.