The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-02-24
HOCH DIES FOR
MURDER OF WIFE
Notorious Uxoricide Hanged in Chi
cage After Exhaustion of All
Possible Legal Delays.
STORY OF HIS MANY CRIMES
OFTEN MARRIED, HIS WIVES ALL
DESERTED OR POISONED.

Chicago, Feb. 23-Johann Hoch, con-
victed of the murder Of his wife, Marie
Welcker- Hoch, was hanged in the coun-
ty jail today at 1:& O'Clock. Three
times respited, Hoch insisted to the last
that he be granted all the delay that the
law conceded him. Under the wording
of his sentence, the criminal was to hang
between the hours of 10 a. m. and 2 d.
m. When the last resource of his attor-
neys-an appeal to the federal court of a
violation of the fourteenth amendment
to the constitution which fOrbids that a
man shall not be deprived of his life
without due process of laW-had been
denied, Hoch abandoned all hope of saw
ing his life. but still insisted that he be
allowed 10 live as nearly to o'clock as
possible.
When Jailer Whitman, who has long
been a friend Of Hoch, appeared in his
cell and remarked tits all off John,
nothing more can be done for you"
Hoch replied that's all right. That
all right, but I want TO have all that is
coming to me in point of time. I'll go
when 1870 o'clock comes, but if you try
to take me before that time, I'll fight"
TT wouldn't do you any good to fight, g"
replied JaileT Whitman.
81 know that" replied Hoch, but I
want all that is coming to me. I'll go
all right at 1:30."
uty Sheriff Peters agreed to the delay.
HOch then asked that his dinner be sent
for His wish was granted and he ate
without thought that he would never
enjoy another meal.
It was exactly 1:32 o'clock when Hoch.
preceded by Deputy Sheriff Peters and
attended by Jailer John L. Whitman,
Rev. Schleter and Rev. J. r. Burkland
stepped upon the scaffold and two min
utes later ne was a corpse He walked
upon the scaffOld quietly and stood di-
rectly under the moose with heels to-
gether and head erect Ike a soldier on
parade. He was pale, but composed and
full Of courage.
Makes Speech on ScaffoId.
Mr. Burkland was steadily reciting the
prayers for the dying when Deputy
Sheriff Peters asked Hoch to step back
upon the trap. He took Two steps quick
~, glanced down to see If he was in the
proper place and then turned his face to
the deputy sheriff.
DO You want to say something's"
asked Deputy Sheriff Peters.
Yes" said HOch-
Mr.. BurkIand was still reciting the
. prayer and Jailer Whitman held out his
hand to silence him. The clergyman, not
noticing, kept on with the prayer and
20ne of the guards spoko to him. He
I ceased Immediately and Hoch, as soon as
he could speak without interruption, said
in a strong German accent:
Father, forgive them, they know not
what they do. I must die an innocent
He chopped the last words off in a
shorts incisive manner, and before his
voice was silenCed the drop fell
DR. Francis w Mcnamara, the Jail
physician was at HOch's side the instant
he fell and declared that death had been
instantaneous, the neck being broken
The body late in the afternoon was de-
liVered to a local undertaken who had
engaged to inter it at his own epense-
Rev ]. r. Burkland, one of Hoch's
spiritual advisers, had a talk with the
prisoner shortly before he was led to
the scaffold and said later that HOch
Ibid he confess to the murder" he
The Clergyman hesitated and then an
wen he said that he had been a big
amist and a very wicked man"
He declined to say a word as to whe-
Their or not Hoch had confessed the
Slept Well at Night.
Hoch slept we'll all night and when he
awoke this morning he was apparently
in a jOViGl mood He turned to Guard
James Cummings. who was in the room
with him and wished him good morn
ing" Cummings Immediately summoned
Night JaiIer O'Neil, who came at once
TO the room and said: Good morning,
Johu how are you this morning."
Il feel fine said Hoch. Il had a good
night and was not disturbed. I'm feel
Hocb then gave his order for break
fast and while awaiting its arrival, was
given several papers to read
Look here, O'Neil." he called out
see what one Of the papers says about
He then read to O'Nef the article
which said that he had given up all hope
and was in q state of collapse
THAT thing says I have lost hope,
remarked HOch. but / have not VIII
keep my nerve to the last.
Appeal to Federal Court.
A short time before the hour set fel
execution a petition was filed In the L. ,
circuit court by HOch's attorneys ask
ing federal intervention to save Hocn
The petition said that the state authorl'
ties were endeavoring TO execute Hoct
in violation Of the fourteenth amend
nent to the constitution and without due
nrocess of law After filing the petition
the attorneys left the federal Duildlne
immediately intending it is said, to e
to the criminal court building to try t
get a stay of execution pending actor
OS result of the legal complication.
JaiIer Whitman announced that the exc
ciItion would be delayed Until application
for a writ of habeas corpus could %
passed upon by some judge IN the Ied
after consultation with States At
tornev Healy the Jail officials decided
10 delav the execution, If necessary, un
I'll n. m. the last hour named In the
court sentence providing for the hanging
The section OF the fourteenth amend
.nent on which HochS latest petition Wa'
based is as follows:
NO state shall make or enforce AM
law which shall abridge the privilege.
of immunities of citizens Of the United
States nor shall any state deprive an.
nerson of life. liberty property with
ont due process OF law, nor deny an!
nerson within its jurisdiction the equa
projections Of the laws
Nickel for Glass of Beer.
As the morning passed on and the tim
set for the execution approached Hocl
obated nothing of his good nature. A
ne of the guards parsed before his eel
he called him TO the door and. holding
ont A scent piece, said:
Oh" Here Tony. go and get glass 0
beer" -.
,t2'' continued Hoch- We'll. I'm ready
xou neople won't have any trouble wit
me When the minute comes I'll go Xix
Continued on Page 2.