Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-06
HOCHS WIVES
Johann Known to Have
Married Sixteen.
Eiqhteen More Accredited Him
without Confirmation.
Coroner Claims Mrs. Marie Walker
Died Of Arsenic Poisoning-The Wives.


Chicago. Feb. 5.-Mrs. Marie Welcker
Hoch died from arsenic poisoning. Cor
oner Hoffman made this announcement
today as the result Of the examination
of the body by DR.. Lewke ana Ut.
Robert Zeit Of the Northwestern I'M
versity. after the body was exhumed at
Oakward two weeks ago. Or. Levine
and DIR. Zeit and others have found
sufficient amount Of arsenic IN tne
stomach of the woman to cause dea'i'
DR.. Joseph Reese, who attenued hei'
savs ne gave no arsenic in his medi-
cine. "The chemical analysis OF the
embalming fluid and the intrumeh's
used and all other fluids when tne uh-
dertaker had in his possession discioses
no arsenic whatsoever" he salu.
will have this evidence written up anu
presented to the coroners jury ana 'iie
inouest next Tuesday, and peile'e
some one will be held to the grand jury
and allow that body to determine VINO
ia responsible for the woman deatn'
am of the opinion that that person
will be the husband of the woman. If
he ia the man under arrest in New
York he is the guilty person. There IS
m nuestion in my mind that Mrs. Hoch
was killed by being given slow poison
A verified list Of Hoch's wives was
given out by the police, tonight, as fol-
lows:
Mrs. Mary Steinbecher, Chicago;
married in 1894 and died two months
later.
Mrs. Mary Ranken Wernecker, Chi
cago: lived with Hoch OILY few days;
tried to rob her Of $1,000 when she lied.
Mrs. Martha Hercfeldt, Chicago; mar
ried in 1894, was robbed of $500 and de-
serted; dead.
Mrs. Janet Spencer, Chicago; married
Hoch In 1895, and deserted same year.
Mrs. Huss, Wheeling. w. Va, mar
ried to Hoch, alias Huss; died suddenly
soon after marriage. Hoch was arrest
ed but not convicted.
Mrs. Alice s. Hauk, Peoria, ILL.,, mar
ried Hoch a few years ago and was de-
serted; identified his picture.
Mrs. Lena Hoch; married in MilWau-
kee and died suddenly shortly after
ward; police have proof of death.
Mrs. Gretchen Hoch, sister of Lena
Hoch; married Hoch soon after her Sis
ter's death: she too. died.
Mrs. Marie Becke Schultz married
Hoch in St. Louis in 1903 and died I'M
der suspicious circumstances soon al
terward.
Mrs. Marie Goerk Schmidt, Chicago,
married to Hoch, alias Jacob Schmitt,
in 1901: deserted in 1902.
Mrs. Sophia Panache Fink. Batavia,
ILL.,. married Hoch, alias Frank Lucas,
in 1900: deserted.
Mrs. Mary Hendrickson Schmitt. Chi
cago, married to Hoch. alias Schmitt'
In Hammond, Ind, in 1903, lived with
him i'm Pullman, where she was desert
ed.
Mrs. Ada Dodd. Dayton, o.. married
Hoch, alias Robert Gable, Oct. 3, 1913,
deserted a month later and robbed OF
all her money.
Mrs. Robert Curtis, married Hoch In
New York, Nov. II. 1908: deserted IN
Washington, being robbed of $11o0 anu
left penniless.
Mrs. Marie Walker. Chicago, married
Hoch in December, 1904, died. Jan. IL,
after a short Illness; body exhumed anu
ANALYSIS of viscera revealed arsenic.
Mrs. Emelie Fischer, Chicago, sister
of Marie Welcker, married Hoch one
week after her sisters death and was
deserted next day after being ropbed
of $3.50.
Other women who are said to have mar
r,ed Hoch. burt whose associations with
hin, the police have been unable to verify,
are as follows:
Mrs. Anna Hoch, Vienna; married 10
Hoch. alias Jacob Schmidt, and deserted
Mrs. c. A. Mayer, Chicago; dead
Mrs. Jacob Schmidt, Chicago; fate I'M
known. i,
Mrs. H. I. Rick, Chicago: married in
1902; dead.
Woman in Essen, Ger, name unknown
deserted by Hoch when he came 10
America to escape arrest for oahk
fraud.
Woman in Norfolk. Va; died mysteri-
ously. Hoch arrested after he had git zen
the impression that she had coniIli ii..,
suicide, but was released after ii'es''e"
Mrs. Johann Hoch. Chicago; mysterious
ly disappeared. o, 1Ioob
nS sssasx in in is m and TO-
Chicago: disappeared .,,,,,,,;,
Mrs. Caroline Shaefer. Philadelphla'
married to Hoch last June and deserted
Mrs T. O'Connor. Milwaukee, married
to Hoch, alias Gerald James. in January,
1903, and deserted.
MIS-. IRlSntOH, Dali
Hoch in 1900 said to have died suddenly:
Mrs. Justine Loeffler Elkhart. Ind, said
to have married Hoch in Chicago. May y,
1902; relatives can find no trace of her:
Mrs. Henry Bartel. Cincinnati. married
Hoch. alias Schmidt, in 1897: died soon
afterward.
Mrs. Frederick Doess. Cincinnati. mar
ried Hoch and deserted by him a few
months later. photograph of Hoch identi-
fed by her.
Mrs. Emma J. Klencke. Baltimore, mar
ried Hoch last June; deserted month
later, losing $100.
married Hoch In 1899.
Mrs. Hulda Nagel. St. Paul, married
Hoch alias Count Otto Won Kern. in May.
1902, deserted in a few days. losing $500
of her money.
Mrs. A. Kelly, Appleton, Wis, married
Hoch under the alias OF Baker two years
ago; deserted a few weeks later and
robbed of $1,000
MITCHELL WILL INVESTIGATE.