Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-02-23
Slept Well Last Night and Awoke
In an Apparently JoviaI
Mood.
EFFORT MADE TO SAVE HIM.
His Attorneys Petitioned U. S.
Judge Lands for Habeas Cor
pus, Which Was Denied.
Protested His noccnce--CIergyman
Who Attended Him Said lie Admit
ed He Had Been Bigamist.

Chicago, Feb 23.--Johann Hoch,
convicted Of the murder OF his wife,
Marie Welcker- Hoch. was hanged in
the county jail today at 1884 o'clock.
Three times respited, Hoch insisted to
the last that he be granted all the de"
lay that the law conceded him. Under
the wording of his sentence, the GRIM
inal was to hang between the hours Of
10 a, m. and 2 p. IN. When the last
resource of his attorneys-an appeal
a. the federal court OF a violation Of
the fourteenth amendment to the Con-
sttution which forbids that a man
shall be deprived Of his life with
out due process OF law--had been de-
MED, Hoch abandoned all hope of saw
ing his life but still insisted that he
be allowed to live as nearly to o'clock
as possible
ITS ALL OFF"
When Jailer Whitman. who has
long been n friend Of Hoch, appeared
IN his cell and remarked ITS all off,
John, nothing more can be done for
you" Hoch replied that's all right.
That's all right, but | want TO have all
that Is coming 10 me in point of time.
III go when 1880 o'clock comes, but If
you try to take me before that time,
I'll fight"
1T wouldn't do you any good to
fight" replied Jailer Whitman.
u know that" replied Hoch, but
want all that Is coming to me. I'll go
oil right at /; 30"
The jaller, after consulting with Dep
uty Sheriff Peters, agreed to the delay.
Hoch then asked that his dinner be sent
for. His wish was granted and he ate
with an evident relish and apparently
without thought that he would never
enjoy another meal.
ON THE scAFFoLD.
II was exactly 1882 o'clock when
HOch. preceded by Deputy Sheriff Pc
ters and attended by Jaier John l..
Whitman, Rev. Schleter and Rev. j. II.
Burkland stepped upon the scaffold, and
two minutes later he was a corpse He
walked upon the scaffold quietly, and
stood directly under the moose with
heels together and head erect like
soldier ON parade. He was pale, but
composed and full Of courage.
Rev Burkland was steadily reclting
Peters asked Hoch To step back upon
the trap He took two steps quickly,
glanced down to see If he was I'm the
proper place and then turned his face
10 the deputy sheriff
DO you want to say something's"
asked Deputy Sheriff Peters.
Yes" said Hoch.
MI Burkland was still reciting the
prayer and Jailer Whitman held ont his
hand 10 silence him. The clergyman
not noticing, kept on with the prayer,
ana one or the guards spoke to him.
lie ceased Immediately and Hoch, as
soon as he could speak without inter-
fuption, said In strong German ac-
cent?
HOCHS LAST WORDS.
Father. forgive them, they know not
what they do | must die an innocent
man. Good bye"
lie chopped the last words off I'm a
snort lncisiye manner and before his
voice was silenced the drop fell.
Dr, francis w. Mcnamara, the jail
Physician, was at Hochs side the in
slant he fell and declared that death
had been instantaneous. the neck being
broken. The body late in the after
noon was delivered to a local UNDER
taker who had engaged TO inter 1t at his
own expense,
Rev j. 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
had confessed.
Did he confess to the murder?" he
was asked.
The clergyman hestated and then
answered:
We'll, he said that he had been a
b'gamlst and a very wicked man."
lie declined to say word as to
whether or not Hoch had confessed the
crime.
HoCH SLEPT WELL.
Hoch slept well all night and when he
evoke this morning he was apparently
IN a joylal mood He turned to Guard
James Cummings, who was in the room
with him ana wished him good morn
ing Cummings Immediately summon
ed Night Jailer ONeil who came at
once to the room and said Good
morning, John; how are you this morn.
ingW
Il feel fine" said Hoch. II had a
good night and was not disturbed. I'm
feeling fine"
Hoch then gave his order for break
tast and while awaiting its arrival, was
given several papers to read
Look here oNeil," he called out
see what one OF the papers says about
me-"
lie then read to O'Nell the article
which said that he had given up all
nope and was In a state OF collapse
That thing says ] have lost hone"
remarked Hoch. but have not | will
Keep my nerve to the last"
As the morning passed on and the
time set for the execution approached,
hoch abated nothing OF his good rd-
ture. AS one Of the guards passed
before his cell, he called him to the
door and, holding out a b-oent piece
said:
Here, Tony, so and get glass Of
beer"
It's getting close to the time, isn't
it?' continued Hoch. well. I'm
ready, you people won't have any trou-
pie with me. When the minute comes
III go like a brave man. What's more,
III go Ike an innocent man. never
committed the crime and I'm not afraid
10 CO."
Despite his brave words II was evil
dent that Hoch was under severe
strain. He appeared nervous, but his
strong will stood him In good stead,