The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-01

Court Decides Against Hint.
Chicago. July 2S.-Johann Hoch
"Rlue Beard and confessed bigamist
Gcntcnced to be hanged today for
poisoning enc of his wives. was this
afternoon granted a reprieve until
August Is. by Governor Deneen. The
stay of execution followed hours OF
anxiety on the part of Hoch who haG
never given I'D hope and was allowed
by the governor only after the latter
had been assured that the necessary
SEm to appeal the case had been rails
ed. The amount $500 was given by an
attorney and friend of Hoch's counsel.
The attorney declared he was actuat-
ed purely by humanitarian motives.
An incident at the Jail during the
preparations for the execution was
The appearance of a physician and a
woman who told Jailer Whitman that
Athey wanted to help in Hoch's battle
Tor life. They said they wished to
raise funds for the condemned man
and asked Jailcr Whitman to delay
the hanging as long as possible. Hoch's
2ttOrney. however. had already Deer
in communication with the authorities
respecting the stay of sentence.
The woman who interviewed in be
half Of Hoch was Miss Cora Wilson,.
She professed to have become inter-
csted in the case from humanitarian
motives only. She enlisted. i'll her
aid. DR.. Liston II. Montgomery. one
"a Tho 11rr+ ro,p.iaoDf ~, -,
the city.
Hiss Wilson said: Il am Interested
IL the case solely because L think the
man ought to have an equal chance"
DR.. MONTGOMERY aid This lady
whose name. as far as I am concerned
must ever remain q secret. is actua1e
solely from humanitarian motives. It
is the same cause which determined
me 10 assist her. l became interested in
The case from q scientific standpoint
long ago. 1 went over h testimony
thoroughly. The deduction made by
eXTerts as to how Hoch administered
arsenic to his wives. l have always
deemed absurd"
All ARRANGEMENTS had been made
for the execution today and i'll view of
the action OF Governor Denae1 Yes
,tcrday in refusing a stay of execution
and similar action by the state board
of pardCns. Hoch's chance for life
was considered sight.
About the time set for the execution
the attorney who furnished the money
appeared in the "ase for the first
time. This attorney, 1t was said. tele-
Dhone Hoch'S lawyer that the form
er had $500 to give toward aiding to
appeal the case. ThC two lawyers
fastened to the Jail. told Jailer Whit
man of the money secured and ar
ranged with the taller to POSTPONE" as
IN-or n- ccih w.. 1x, 80. - I-~.~
Meanwhile they sought States Attor-
Eey Healy and had him rrang a con
terence with Governor Ienaen over
the long distance telephone. Hoch's
counsel told the governor that there
was lacking only a small sun, of the
amount necessary fer q review Of the
case. After discussing the matter
with the states attorney. the governor
flnally consented to a stay for the
condemned man and SO notified Eoch's
counsel.
Hoch even several hours before the
time set fer the angin was quite
confident of executive clemeney. al
though at times he seemed to despair
of receiving 81 retrieve
He had retired early in the night
and woke at Z o'clock this morning
cordially greeted his death watch of
two guards and talked with them for
some time. He changed his clothe
and seemed resigned to the fate thai
awaited him. but he assured his few
visitors that there might be 4 chance
for him yet.
He received his attorney. two min
listers. Jailer Whitman and T'r. +. w.
Mcnamara. the Jail physician. Hoch
discussed with them his prospects cor
q stay and reiterated his innocence
of the charge of murder. He read the
Bible and said his prayer. Meanwhile.
unknown to Hoch- the negotiations for
tie reDrjeve were progressing 1t
was noon and the delay up to this time
inspired Hoch with renewed hope. He
ate dinner. smoked a cigar and read.
Half an hour later. through the win
dow of his quarters. HAVING been re-
moved from the cell he had occupied.
he received the news of his rrDrIeye.
1t was conveyed to him by SPECTATORS
of the prCccedingS in the states at
~tcrncy's office which adioins thac of
the Jail building. He was disinclined
TO believe the news at first. but when
it was brought to him also by tbs min
istors he was overjoyed. He clasped
their hards and declared that he was
the happicst MAI alivc The crowd
about the Jail sent up a shout that was
heard for blocks. The prisoners ioir-
60 in the demonstration Il Hoch was
almost overcome
Hoch said: 'fIf the Supreme court
decides against me / am willing TO die.
/ ask no mercy and no favor. / be-
l1eve in the law. but / feel that If the
Supreme court has a chance to review
the case it will result favorably to
me-
Hoch's attorney announced that he
Would at once Drerare to appeal the
zaee