The Detroit times., 1908-11-09
bees FOR WHISKY
AND TO SEE HIS
PARAM0UR
kURkA's REQUESTS BEFORE
STARTING FOR JACKSON TO BE-
GIN LIFE TERM ARE DENIED
THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF.

Pale, trembling and thoroughly dis
heartened. John Kurka, slayer OF his
best friend, Tony Schultz. for love OF
the latter's wife, left the county jail.
Saturday noon, in custody OF Deputy
Sheriff Edward Minock and Special
Deputy A. l. Lamphere. TO be trans
ferred TO Jackson prison. where he will
spend the rest OF his days. The party
left on the i o'clock train over the
Michigan Central.
Kurka made two requests before
leaving the Jail. One was for a
large drink OF whisky, lone last
drink" as he expressed 1t. The other
was that he be permitted 10 see Mrs
Schultz. who Is now under guard In
Grace hospital and who will bep laced
on trial for completely in the murder
as soon as her illness is over. Both
requests were denied.
AS the hour for his departure drew
near, kurka became like a Gagged ami
NAL, pacing nervously up and down the
cell block and occasionally lodging
into his cell. A deputy caught him
toying with towel and demanded TO
know what he was about
Il would like TO kill myself" an
swered Kurka.
To guard against any attempt at sui
eide on the prisoners part, Turnkey
Guyette had Kurka transferred TO the
dungeon ward and closely watched.
When brought down into the jail Office
TO be prepared for his Journey, Kurka
was more respondent than ever.
kurka Threatens Suicide.
Il won't be in prison long" he said.
Il Kill myself sure. What Is the use
OF living any more?"
Kurka talked freely. when Ques-
timed. about his crime, and his ante
cedents. and 1t was highly interest
ing story that came from his lips.
1T was the woman's fault more
than mine" he said, in his broken
English. Il wanted TO leave the
Schultz home long ago and IL had
this thing wouldn't have happened,
but she said l must stay. So did
Tony And I stayed.
You see, Tony and came from the
same town In Hungary. We were lit
tie boys together and went to the
same school. l came to America three
years ago next February. two weeks
after Tony. I heard about Detroit
and came here. but didn't know Tony
was here for a long time afterwards,
when friends told me. We finally
found each other through an adver-
tisement in the papers. He said i
must come and live with him and we
would be brothers. went to his
house In April.
After little while, the woman she
was always wanting Tony to go out
nights SO she could be with me. !
wanted to go, too. but she made me
stay. but Tony thought nothing about
1t. Then she talked with me about
getting rid Of Tony, but didn't want
to do Ii.
Has Impulse TO XIII.
THE Saturday night before he died
I got the neighbours AK to cut some
wood. When l was cutting 1t an aw-
full feeling came over me and drive
me mad. Something say. Kill him,
kill him. I could think Of nothing
else. couldn't sleep. and finally
got up. early in the morning and went
into the house. She was up. Tony
was sleeping os the bed. l go into
his room once, twice, and come out
again. Then cry like baby. i
can't kill him. said. Then that feel
ing gets into me again. I 60 out and
bring the ak from the barn. The third
time go In the room. Tony is still
sleeping. ! 60 and strike him ON the
head with the ak. Then hardly know
what do till Tony is dead. Oh, my
poor brother"
Although Kurka has continually re-
ferred to his victim In his confessions
and conversations as brother the
two were no relation, even distant.
Judge Mandell disposed Of Kurka In
short order after the jury returned It's
verdict Friday.
II have never heard OF q more cold
blooded deed than yours" he said.
You first betrayed your victim by
stealing the affections of his wife.
Then. in order to further crafty that
unholy lust. you. In conspiracy with
the woman. brutally killed him as he
lay asleep. Then you carted the body
to a distant field In the hope that
your crime would not be detected.
You showed no mercy to your victim
and you have no right to expect It
here. The sentence Is that you be
imprisoned In the state penitentiary In
Jackson for the rest OF your natural
life. Take him away, Mr.. Sheriff"
And Kurka, with downcast head.
was led back to his cell.
Girl Tells Shocking Story.
A story. which in itself would have
been sufficient TO send Kurka TO pris-
on for life, even had he not murdered
Anthony Schultz, was told in the ju-
venile court, Saturday morning by Ju-
liza Pfaff, the 14-year-old sister of Mrs.
Schultz, widow of Kurka.s victim and
who now awaits trial for her share in
the killing of her husband.
The story told by the girl revealed
a shocking condition Of affairs In the
Schultz home, and Julia said that her
sister and her husband knew OF hei
being abused by Kurka. Judge Rob.
merit decided that she should go to an
A ., otft,,ftnp uhara aha will racaiva an