Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-29
Friends Of Condemned Wife Murderer Raise
Funds to Pay for Appeal.
STAY OF EXECUTION At LAST MOMENT
Prisoner CONFIDENT that Governor
Would Grant Further Time-sRys
He Asks Neither Favor
Nor Mercy.

anxiety on the part OF itOtut WIN Ihh
never given up hope and the stay was al
lowed by the governor only after the lat
ter had been assured that the necessary
sum to appeal the case had been raised.
The amount. $500. was given by an at
torney and friend OF Hoch's counsel. The
attorney declared he was actuated purely
by humanitarian motives.
An incident at the Jail during the prepare
lions for the execution was the appearance
of a physician and a woman, who told
Tailor Whitman that they wanted TO help
in Hoch's battle for life. They said they
wished to raise funds for the condemned
man and asked Tailor Whitman to delay
the hanging as long as possible. Hoch's
attorney however, had already been In
communication with the authorities re-
spectlng the stay OF sentence.
Money for Appeal Raised.
About the time set for the execution the
attorney who furnished the money APP
peared in the case for the first time. This
attorney IT was stated, telephoned Hoch's
lawyer that the former had $500 to give to-
ward aiding to appeal the case. The two
lawyers FASTENED to the Jail, told Tailor
Whitman of the money secured and ar
ranged with the jailor to postpone as long
as possible the execution of Hoch. Mean
while they sought States Attorney Healy
and had him arrange a conference with
Governor Deneen over the long-distance
telephone. Hoch's counsel told the governor
that there was lacking only a small sum
of the amount necessary for a review Of the
case After discussing the matter with the
states attorney, the governor finally con-
scented to a stay for the condemned man
andkso notified Hoch's counsel.
Hoch retired early I'm the night and awoke
. toll N,A
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
| viyitors that there might be a chance for
| him yet. He received his attorney, two
ministers Tailor Whitman and DR.. F. w.
| Mcnamara, the Jail physician. Hoch dis
cussed with them his prospects for stay
and reiterated his innocence of the charge
Of murder He read the Bible and said his
prayers.
News Broken to Prisoner.
Meanwhile, unknown to Hoch the nego-
tiations for the reprieve were progressing.
1t was noon and the delay up to this time
inspired Hoch with renewed hope. He ate
dinner. smoked a cigar and read,
Half an hour later through the window
of his quarters he, having been removed
lIOIl lHt Ntll ne ndu OCCuDltut ItNtlNGu lilt
news of his reprieve. 1t was conveyed to
him by spectators of the proceedings in the
states attorneys Office which adjoins that
of the Jail building. He was disinclned to
believe the news at first. but when, it was
brought TO him also b. the ministers he
was overjoyed. He clapped his hands and
declared that he was the happiest man alive.
The crowd about the jail sent up shout
that was heard for blocks. The prisoners
Joined in the demonstration and Hoch was
almost overcome.
Hoch said:
II the supreme court decides against me
j am willing to die. / ask no mercy and no
favor. believe in the law. but feel that
II the supreme court has a chance to re-
view the case 1t will result favorably to
me-
Hochs attorney announced that he would
at once prepare to appeal the case.
History of HOch.
Johann Hoch, convicted murderer and
confessed bigamist who was condemned to
die today for killing one of his many wives
was in some respects a most remarkable
criminal. The exact number of women he
married will probably never be known, but
he is reported to have had more than a
score of wives in the last ten years. Seven
of this number he welded in this city
some of whom are said to have died under
suspicious circumstances.
Mrs. Marie Welcker- Hoch, for whose
murder Hoch was sentenced to hang today
died of arsenical poisoning after a short
illness, December 10 of last year. Preceding
her death he had obtained from the woman
all her money. as he had done in most OF
his previous marriages.
Five days after her death he married hel
sister. Mrs. Emilia Fisher, his last wife, az
far as the record now shows, and the DAY
following the wedding he obtained from
her $3.50 to be used. he said. in paying the
mortgage on the furniture and house wher,
he lived day or two later he disappeared
and Mrs. Fisher-Hoch told her story to the
police. A search for Hoch, extending e
Milwaukee, Cincinnati Pittsburg and New
York, then began. He was arrested in New
York January 30 on information given by q
woman at whose house he was boarding
and to whom he is said TO have proposed
marriage after an acquaintance OF scarcely
twenty-four hours.
Meanwhile Hoch's alleged marriages and
, crimes received wide publicity and In
; various parts Of the country women wer,
1 reported as having been his victims,
6 The bigamous practice OF Hoch started IT
, Germany, 1t is said, where he was known as
Jacob Schmidt, and it is supposed this Il
his real name. His first wife was deserted
8 by him in Vienna. The list Of wives, a,
, compiled by the police after his arrest
numbers twenty-seven.
Hoch was promptly brought back to Chi.
) cago. The body OF Mrs. Marie Welcker.
I Hoch was exhumed. A coroner's Jury
found she had died Of arsenical poisoning
Hoch was indicted and after a trial lasting
month and replete with unique features
was found guilty. After the trial Hocf
complained he had not received fair treat
I ment by the jury, which he said did no
give enough time 10 the consideration OF tn,
3 evidence, having reached a verdict In tive
j or three hours. He denied the stories o.
his many wives and all he would admit wa
' that he had committed bigamy once,
Little is known concerning Hoch's rela
3 tives. as he has steadfastly declined 20 tel
| Sheriff Barrett. who had charge of the ar
\ rangements for the execution, anything con
) corning himself. His only confident hal
been his spiritual adviser, Rev, August'
| Schlechte.
|