The Topeka state journal., 1905-07-28
SAVED BY WOMAN
Johann Hoch Sentenced to Hang
at Noon Today,
Has Been Reprieved by the Gov
ernOr Until September.
ONLY NEEDED MONEY
To Garry His Case to the Su-
preme Court on Appeal.
Was Near to Death Because Cash
Was Lacking.
Mysterious Mrs. Wilson Comes
Forward With ST, 100.
HE NEVER LOST HOPE.
ssBluebeard" Still Believed That
Something Would Turn Up
Three Hours Before Time for
His Execution.
HE NEVER LOST HOPE.
ssBluebeard" Still Believed That
Something Would Turn Up
Three Hours Before Time for
His Execution.


Chicago, July 2s.-Johann Hoch has
been reprieved until the middle of Sep
tember.
A woman with money effectually in
tervened today between "Bluebeard
Hoch" and the hangman. Almost on
the steps of the scaffold the combina-
tion of femininity and finance that has
been potent throughout the remarkable
career of the ti-bigamist and wife
murderer, developed anew and secured
him new lease of life. AFTER all ar
rangements were completed and death
faced Hoch within two hours. a woman
went to his rescue. So earnest did she
appear in an effort to furnish money
necessary to allow Hoch to appeal his
case that there were hurried consulta-
tfons between officials. The upshot was
that the execution planned to take place
at noon was postponed until 2 p. m, the
last minute allowed by law, unless the
governor should grant a further re-
prieve.
The woman is said to be wealthy and
professed to have become interested in
the case from humanitarian motives
only. She enlisted in her aid DR.. Mont
gomery, one of the most prominent
physicians in the city. DR. Montgomery
acted as her intermediary in the nego-
tiations. At 2 o'clock a. m, Jailer
Whitman was aroused from his sleep to
answer a telephone call. Some person
who refused to give his name at the
time announced that he would appear
at the Jail at 10 a. m, prepared to fur
nish money, the lack of which it has
been alleged, prevented Hoch from
completing the legal records required
by the supreme court in case of an ap
peal The records cost S1,100. Hoch
had 800 and. a conditional promise of
S40O additional Because no name was
given on the telephone Jailer Whitman
attached little Importance to the noti-
flcation. But today at the hour named
Dr. Montgomery with Mrs. Wilson ap
peared at the jail. Their talk with
Whitman convinced him they were in
earnest and steps were at once taken
for new appeal.
Wanted to Give Him a Chance.
Mrs. Wilson said she stood ready to
advance a portion of the money nee
essary to enable Hoch to carry his
case to the supreme court, and that
three persons had also agreed to ad-
vance a part of the sum necessary.
Mrs. Wilson departed to see these men
and if possible to appeal to the gov
ernor herself She was assured by the
Jailer that he would delay the execu-
tion as long as possible in order to
give Hoch the benefit of all possibili-
ties. Meanwhile Hoch, who had
about given up all hope, paced his
cell nerVOuSly awaiting the outcome.
1t was stated DIR. Montgomery in his
effort to shield the woman from pub
licity vouched for the production of
the money and with every assurance
the governor would require DR.
Montgomery and Mrs. Wilson left the
Jail together. Mrs. Wilson clung
tenaciously to her anonymity. She
said
81 am interested in the case solely
because 1 think the man ought to
have chance-an equal chance
DR.. Montgomery said: This lady,
whose name as far as am con-
cerned, must ever remain a secret is
actuated solely from humanitarian
motives. 1t is the same cause which
determined me to assist her. I be-
came interested in the case from a
scientific standpoint long ago. l went
over the testimony thoroughly. The
deduction made by experts as to how
wives I have always deemed absurd
When I returned from the Pacific
coast two days ago after a several
- weeks absence, I learned that Hoch
was on the point of being hanged I
have thought him a poor unfortunate
man and when this lady, having read
In the papers of my sentiments, ap-
peared at my Office and offered to give
Ale money IOr E1OcnS appeal L was
glad to assist her.
After DIR. Montgomery and Mrs.
Wilson left the Jail, States Attorney
Healy talked over the telephone with
Governor Deneen, who is at Spring
field, and who was made acquainted
with the latest phase of the situation.
The governor told the states attorney
to ascertain whether the offer was
bona fide, to make sure of the money,
and then to call the governors office
again. The governor thereupon in
structed Sheriff Barrett to delay the
execution until 1:50 p. m.
Wanted to See the Cash.
Soon afterward DR.. Montgomery and
Mrs. Wilson returned to the states at
torney's office where they were closet
ed with the states attorney and Hoch's
attorney After d long conference
Hoch's lawyer emerged and announced
that DR.. Montgomery and Mrs Wilson
had failed to convince the states at
torney that the woman would give the
money. The lawyer for Hoch said
however, that a telephone message
from an attorney known to Hoch's
lawyer had been received, stating that
the sender of the message had $500 to
give toward saving Hoch. The offer
was said to be on account of persona I
friendship for Hoch's attorney. Hoch's
representative had replied that the
money. to satisfy the states attorney