The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-03-18

Louis, 1903, disappeared
Mrs. Maria Schulz, Argos, Ind. died
suddenly, 1900.
Mrs. Hoch, sister of Mrs. J. H. Fl.
/ SchWartzmann, Milwaukee, died 1898.
Mrs Hoch, another sister of Mrs
| SchWartzmann, Milwaukee, died 1897.
Mrs. G. A. Meyer Hoch, died May, 1892.
Mrs. H. Trick, Chicago, died suddenly,
1892.
| Mrs. Jacob Huss Hoch, Wheeling, w.
Va, died suddenly, 1896.
Mrs. Hoch. Norfolk, Va, died sudden
| ", 1899.
Mrs. Henry Bartel, Baltimore, died
1896.
Mrs. Wilhelmina Hoch, died Buffalo,
1893.
Mrs. JustIna Loeff1er, Elkhart, Ind,
disappeared.
May Have Been Hatch.
Authorities from Englewood, one of
Chlcago's suburbs, have become pos
sessed OF the most sensational stories
relating to the character and past life
OF Johann Hoeh. 1t is actually believed
lnere that this Roch was a pupil of
"Bluebearda Holmes, the wholesale
murderer, who, in his famous Sixty
third street castle crushed out the
ilVes OF almost two scores of men, WON
en- and children until his discovery, trial
and confession finally brought him to
the galloWs. The EngleWeod people de-
clare that the methods of the two men
are 50 similar and that the pictures of
Johann Hoch SO nearly resemble the
| Well-remembered face of Edward Hatch
said to be the right-hand man of Holmes,
that they have little doubt but that
Hatch and Hoch are one and the same
| person.
Awful Methods of Holmes.
Holmes operations were of an awful
character and would have done credit
| to the accomplished Spanish inquisi-
zionist, whose tortures were achieved by
means of weapons of force. Holmes,
with honeyed words, enticed his victims
to his so-called castle and with prom
Use Of future happiness would thrust them
into dungeon or secret vault and turn
| on the deadly gases which would soon
end their lives. 1t is believed that many
OF the unfortunates who disappeared
while attending the worlds fair in 1893
came to their end through his enigmat-
| ical lust for human lives. Holmes adj
mltted doing away with nearly so men,
| women and children, and how many
more persons were victims of his cum
ming will probably never be known.
/ This Holmes has been classed as the
archdend Of history, and the very idea
that Hoch should have been connected
| with his awful crimes makes one shud-
| der for the realization Of the facts which
the near future is likely to bring forth
Holmes derived financial profit from his
| fendish acts by doing away with many
trusting innocent little children. The
/ bodies were invariably burned in quick
| lime, and SO cunningly were the deeds
accomplished that it is little wonder
| that so many years passed before his
crimes were brought to light. The part
| which Edward Hatch, supposed by the
| suburban authorities to be Johann Hoch.
| took. was that of handy man around the
/ Sixty-third street Castle Such man
was Indispensable in covering the tracks
of the multi-murderer. Hatch's duty
was to build secret walls and passages,
| lay floors and in many other ways pre-
vent the discovery of the awful carni-
4 val of slaughter which had been carried
on within the castle" walls for years.
| Naturally such a helper was very much
/ in the confidence of his employer
Holmes before his hanging accused this
| same Edward Hatch with the murder of
| the Peitzal boy, whose disappearance
caused such Juror in the suburb at
1 the time.
Hoeh Appeared in Many Roles.
If all reports of the sudden appear
ances of Mr.. Johann Hoeh are to be ac-
counted true, then that versatile Ger
| nan gentleman has appeared in almost
| as many roles as there are leaves on the
trees. He has gone about, sometimes as
a poor but honest artist, several times as
| wealthy stock holder, very often as a
gentleman of leisure touring for his
health and endeavoring to rid himself
of as much currency as time would per
NIT Probably the most notable Of
his poses is that in which he is said
to have represented himself as the
Count Otto Won Kern, Of Germany.
This little adventure took him to St.
Paul. Here he is said to have intro
duced himself to Mrs. Hulda Nage1,
whom he married after brief court
ship, in May, 1902 Very soon after
the simple ceremony the count induced
the newly-made countess" to turn her
real estate and other possessions into
cash, preparatory to taking trip
abroad, in which, incidentally, the pair
were to inspect the estate OF the
.'nobIeman'' in Germany. He left the
countess to herself while he went to
the city to purchase tickets for their
trip. The count was never heard OF
after that, although warrant was
sworn out for his arrest. Just at pres
emit the countess conducts boarding
house DIT Austin. Mimi. and upon being
presented with a picture of Mr.. Hoch.
declared that the photograph was
life-like reproduction Of her lost
count,
How His Downfall Came About.
The last of Johann Hoch's alleged
dupes, however. proved his downfall.