New-York tribune., 1905-07-29
A REPRIEVE FOR H0CH.
GoUernor Grants Stag after Erecu-
ton Had Been DELAYED.

Chicago, July 2S.-Johann Hoch the Blue
beard" and confessed bigamist, sentenced to be
hanged to-day for poisoning OF his many
wives this afternoon received q reprieve until
August % from Governor Deneen The stay of
execution followed hours of anxiety On the part
Of Hoch, who had never given up hope It was
allowed by the Governor only after he had been
assured that the necessary sum to appeal the
case had been raised. and came after the execu-
ton had been put off for two hours The
amount. $500. was given by an attorney and
friend Of Hoch's counsel The attorney de-
elared that he was actuated purely by humani-
tartan motives.
While the preparations for the execution were
going on. a physician and q Miss Cora Wilson
appeared and told the jailer that they wanted
to help IN Hoch's battle for life They said they
wished to raise funds for the condemned man.
and asked the jailer to delay the hanging.
Hochs attorney. however. had already been in
communication with the authorities respecting
the stay Of sentence It was at first reported
that the woman had given the $500
About the time set for the execution the at
torney who furnished the money telephoned
Hochs lawyer that he had $500 to give toward
an appeal OF the case The two lawyers hastened
to the Jail and arranged with the tailor to post
pone the execution Meanwhile they had States
Attorney Healey arrange conference with Gov
ernor Deneen over the long distance telephone.
The Governor finally consented to a stay for the
condemned man. and SO advised Hoch's counsel
Hoch even several hours before the time set
for the hanging. was confident OF executive
cIenency He had retired early IN the night
and awoke at o'clock this morning cordially
greeted his death watch and talked with them
for some time He assured his few visitors that
there might be a chance for him yet At noon
Il
ate dinner, smoked a cigar and read
Half an hour later through the window Of his
quarters. he received the news Of his reprieve
from spectators IN the States Attorneys Office.
He was disincIined TO believe the news at first.
but when Il was brought to him by two min
listers he was overjoyed The crowd about the
Jail sent Up shout that was heard for blocks.
The prisoners Joined in the demonstration, and
Hoch was almost overcome.
8och said: IF the Supreme Court decides
against me am willing 10 die. ask no mercy
and no favor I believe in the law. but feel
that If the Supreme Court has chance TO re-
view the case it viii decide favorably to me-"
Hoch's attorney announced that he would ar
once prepare TO appeal the case.
Hoch was in some respects a remarkable
criminal The exact number Of women he mar
rfed VIII probably never be known. but he is
renorted TO have had more than a score in the
last ten years Several are said TO have died
in suspicious circumstances Mrs. Marie Welcker
Hoch. for whose murder Hoch was SEN
fenced to hang. died Of arsenical poisoning after
a short Illness, on December 10 Of last year.
Preceding her death he had obtained from the
woman all her money. he had done in most
Of his previous marriages. Five days after her
death he married her sister. He obtained from
7er $50 and disappeared. Mrs. Ffsher-Hoch
told the police, and after long search ne was
arrested in New-York
The biRamous practice Of Hoch started in Ger
many II is said His first wife was deserted by
him ia Vienna. The list Of wives as compiled
bv the police after his arrest. number twenty
seven All he would admit that he had
committed biganly once
TIoch has been a model prisoner, and the jail
guards have been paI ticularIy friendly TO him.
sft.~ breakfast to-day they gave him bouquet
OF lasturtiuTns.