The San Francisco call., 1905-01-27
FIND POW DERS
IN HOCH'S DESK
What Is Believed to Be Evi-
dence Against the Alleged
Wife Murderer Discovered


CHICAGO. Jan. 26.-Five white pow
ders, supposed to be the kind given to
his wives by Johann Hoch, have been
found in an old writing desk which
had been taken from the house at 6430
Union street, formerly occupied by
Hoch. The powders are now in the
hands of the city chemist for analysis
William Nusser told Police Inspector
Shippey of another alleged wife of
IIochI Nusser says that Miss Martha
Herefeldt, now living in Pasadena,
Cal, married Hoch in 1895. Nusser
baked the wedding cake. Miss Here
feldt was living with her sister, Mrs.
Mary Burmeister, at the time. Hoch
took $500 from this woman, it is al
legged, and also got a few hundred dol
lars from Mrs. Burmeister and dis
appeared.
Allegations of mesmeric influence en-
tered to-day into the case of Hoch.
Mrs. Henry Fink of Aurora, ILL.,, one
of Hochs many wives, charged him
with having mesmerized her into the
union at Aurora in 1902. Mrs. Fink
declared that under the influence Of
the mysterious German she had con-
sented to marry him after five min
utes' courtship.
A trunk full Of books on hypnotism
Hoch when he disappeared from Au-
rora three days after the marriage.
Mrs. Fink is about 60 years of age.
Belief that Hoch may prove to be
the elusive and mysterious Edward
Hatch, accomplice of III. II. Holmes,
the notorious woman murderer whose
crimes created excitement all over the
United States and Canada in 1895, has
led the police to begin an investiga-
oil bn linz q rr1a
Holmes made his confession. when in
prison at Philadelphia before his exc
cution. Hatch was generally regard
ed by the police as a mythical charac-
ter invented by Holmes.
That Hoch used the name Hatch or
Hotch as one Of his aliases about
eleven or twelve years ago, at the time
Of the Holmes outrages, Is declared to
have been made known to detectives
working on the case.
Gustav Strelow. an employment
agent, told the police to-day that In
1897 he had dealings with Hoch and at
that time learned of Hoch's many mar
riage ventures.
! ''Hoch came to my employment bureau al
a North Clark street in 1907" said Streiow,
''and asked me to. allow him to look over my
list of applicants for positions housekeeper
I gave him the list and he inquired IL knew
| II any of the applicants had any money
shortly after that saw his advertisement ir
| German newspaper asking to meet
| wealthy German widow. A woman living ir
+, Ontario street. I believe her name was Mar
| tha Herefeldt. came into my office and saw
/ Hoch's picture my desk. She immediatel,
| identified 1t as that Of her husband. who she
| said had disappeared after robbing her OF hel
savings and those of her sister. After that
/ saw Hoch with several different women
Many women came to my office and asked fol
| Hoch's address
| ST. LOUIS, Jan. 2s-Chief Of Detectives
Desmond found by investigation to-day tha
Johann Hoch, wanted by the Chicago police
/ for alleged bigamy and wife poisoning. ant
! John Schultz. formerly of st. Louis, are on
and the same. His investigation extended t.
| the circumstances surrounding the death o
| Mrs. Mary Schultz. wife of John Schultz.
! PASADENA, CAL, Jan. 26.-Nothing Il
| known here OF Miss Martha Herefeldt, who Il
/ said to have married Johann Hoch in Chicag'
I in 1895. Inquiry at various places failed Z
/ develop anything.