The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-29
HOCH SAVED FROM VERY
 SHADOW OF THE GALLONS
AT WoMAN'S INSTANCE HE IS
 GRANTED 4 RETRIEVE.

Date ot Ills Execution Put OR Until
 August 2S-MOney Furnished for Him
 to Appeal His Case-AH Arrange
 mepts Made for His ExecutiOn-At-
 torney Appears Just in Time-Con-
 demned Had Received Bible and Said His Prayers
 Chicago, July 2s.-Johann Hoch, con- fessed bigamist and sentenced to be hanged to-day for poisoning one Of his wives was, this afternoon granted a re- prieve until August 25 by Governor De- neen. 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 1 latter had been assured that the neces- sary sum to appea! the case had been raised. The amount-$500--wa given by an attorney and friend of Hoch's ! counsel. The attorney declared that he was actuated purely by humanitarian motives. An. incident at the jail dur l ing the preparations for the execution ! was the appearance of a physician and woman who gave her name as Mrs. Wilson, and who is believed to have furnished the money for an appeal, who told Jailer Whitman that they wanted to help Hoch's battle for life. They said they wished to raise funds for the condemned man and asked Jall- | ]. 1,o Lax | long as possible. Hoch's attorney, how lever, had already been in communica- tion with the authorities respecting the stay of sentence. All arrangements had 1 been made for the execution to-day and in view Of the action of Governor De- neen yesterday In refusing a stay of execution, and similar action by the state board of pardons here, his chance for life was considered slight.
 l About the time set for the execution the attorney who furnished the money appeared in the case for the first time. This attorney 1t was said telephoned Hoch's lawyer that the former had $500 to give toward aiding to appeal the case. The two lawyers hastened to the jail, told Jailer Whitman of the money secured and arranged with the jailer to postpone as long as possible the execu- tion of Hoeh Meanwhile they sought States Attorney Healey and had him arrange a conference with Governor Deneen over the long distance tele- lphone. Hoch's counsel told the gover- nor that there was lacking only a small sum of the amount necessary for re- view 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 S. counsel.
 Hech, even within a few hours of the time set for the hanging, was quite confident of receiving 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 Ichanged his clothes and seemed re- signed to the fate that awaited him but he assured his few visitors that there might be chance for him yet.
 He received his attorney, two min- isters. Jailer Whitman and Dr. r. W. McNainara, the jail physician, Hoch discussed with them his prospects for a stay and reiterated his innocence of
 murder. He received the Bible and said his prayers. Meanwhile unknown to Hoch the negotiations for the reprieve were progressing, Itwas noon and the delay up to this time inspired Hoch with renewed hope. He ate dinner, smoked cigar and read.
 Half an hour later, through the win- Z dow of his quarters, he having been removed from the cell he had occupied he received the news of his reprieve
 It was conveyed to him by spectators of the proceedings in the states attor- neys office which adjoins the jail building. Hoch was disinclined to be- ! lieve the news at first. but when it was brought to him also by the ministers he was overjoyed. He clasped their hands and declared that he was the happies man alive. The crowd about
 the jail sent up a shout that was heard for blocks. The prisoners joined in the demonstration and Hoch was almost overcome.
 Hoch said: If the supreme court de- cides against me, am willing to die. ask no mercy and no favors. I believe in the law but I feel that if the su-
 preme court has chance to review the case it will result favorabIy to me-
 Hoch's attorney announced that he would at once prepare to appeal the case.