Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-28

Chicago, July 2S.-A woman with money effectually interfered to-day between ..Bluebeard" Johann Hoch and the hangman, almost on the steps of the scaffold. The combination of criminality and finance that has been quoted throughout the remarkable career of the multi-bigamist, develop ed anew and secured for him re- prieye until next September. The warden who had made every prepara- tion for taking the life of the con- demned wife murdered, on the intelli- gence that a woman was ready to give bail and furnish funds for an appeal to the supreme court, delayed the execution for two hours. In the meantime he got into communication with the governor over the long dis tance telephone and the ending of the whole matter was the reprieve until September The woman in the case said she interfered for humanitarian reasons alone.
 Cook county jail, Chicago, July B. Three hours before the time set for his execution. "Bluebeard" Johann Hoch, the wife murderer, had not given hope of clemency. Although there seemed little probability for in reference by the state as the result of the action of Governor Deneen and the state board of pardons in refusing him further reprieve, Hoch believed he had yet a chance for life.
 HOch slept soundly during the night. He awOke only once in the morning about o'clock and complain ed of having feeling of nausea. Af- ter he had been relieved he retired again and soon fell asleep. He arose at his usual hour and declined the comparatively sumptuous meal given all prisoners in the jail here. He said coffee and rolls were good enough for him and this was given to the ron- demned man.
 Hoch at this time appeared cheery as possible under the circumstances. and chatted pleasantly with the guards assigned as the death watch.
 Hoch has been mode prisoner and the jail guards have been particularly friendly to him. After breakfast they presented him with bouquet of nas- turtiums. Several bouquets were sent to him from outsiders but pailer Whit allow them to be sent to his cell not wishing to risk the possibilities of a concealed poison.
 It was raining hard and as Hoch heard the batter he bemoaned the gloomy day. "I fear that is going against me" he told the guard.
 To Assistant Jailer O'Neill he said he felt fine. As night guard bid him goodbye Hoch said: What's the matter. I'm not going yet. If they hang me to-day they will murder an innocent man Let them go ahead.'
 Hoch then put on black suit and black scarf. He packed his few be- longings. saying he might be able to use them yet He gave Guard Sulll- van photograph of himself and wife. Mrs Emelia Fisher Hoch. sister of the woman for whose murder he was to hang.
 Among the few callers admitted to see him were Rev Auguste Schlechtc, his spiritual adviser. who aided him fin his futile effort to raise funds to carry his case to the supreme court, and Rev II. F. Haertel. pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and his attorney. To the ministers he spoke of his regret that the funds could moi he obtained. As the time for the hang. ing approached Hoch grew somewhat less buoyant in spirit and began slow. iy to lose the slight hope he had held out. He reiterated that he was inno. cent of murder and would admit only the charge of bigamy against him. Dr Liston H. Montgomery. a well known physician. accompanied by a woman whose name was said to he Mrs May Wilson. appeared at the jail about two hours before the time sci for the execution and said that mon. ey was available to take Hoch's case to the supreme court The woman re fused to tell her name but insisted she had enough money. The two visited Hoch's attorney. Plotke Meantime efforts were made to reach Governor Deneen.
 Chicago. July 2s.-Joahan Hoch convicted murderer and confessed biz amist ondemned to die today for kill ing one of his many wives was in some respects most remarkable criminal
 The exact number of women he mar ried probably never will be known. but he is reported to have had more than a score of wives in the last ten years Seven of this number he welded in this city. some of whom are said tC have died under suspicious circum stances.
 Mrs Marie Welker Hoch. for whose murder Hoch was sentenced to hang today died of arsenical poisoning aftei . short Illness December 10 Of last gear. Preceding her death he had ob tained from the woman all her money as he had done in most of his preyiou: marriages. Five days after her deatf he married her sister. Mrs Emi Fisher. his last wife as far as the rec ord now shows. and the day following the wedding he obtained from her x7.s to be used. he said in paying the mort gage on the furniture and house where he lived. A day or two later he dis appeared and Mrs Fisher Hoch told ths police.
 A search fer Hoch extending to Nil waukee. Cincinnati. Pitfsburg and New York then began He was arrest esi in New York January 30 on informa fion given by q woman at whose hous'