New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-20
Intended to Kill by Knife or
Poison Persons Who Wished
to Die, He Calmly
Asserts.
HAD CERTIFICATES READY
Slayer of Anna Aumuller Stole
Documents from Doctor to
Make Official Reports
on Victims of His
Lethal Chamber.

Hans Schmidt, the Roman Catholic
priest who killed Anna Aumuller. yes
terday startled the police and his own
counsel by saying that II was his in
tention to found in New York "lethal
chamber" where persons who wished
to make an end Of themselves could
come and he put to death.
The murderer calmly made this ad-
mission of his wholesale murder plan
when asked in regard 10 the uses he
expected TO put the book Of Health De-
partment death certificates found in
his effects.
There were twenty certificates in the
hook which the priest stole from a
Harlem physician whose acquaintance
he cultivated assiduously. Two were
torn out. on one of the stubs was the
name Of a person. The other stub was
blank.
Inspector Faurot last night refused
e. reveal the name written on the stub,
but said he believed it was purely
fanciful. and that the certificate was
not used for dead person. Detectives
McKenna and Thompson went to the
Tombs Yesterday afternoon and asked
the priest about the death certificates.
He told them he confidently expected TO
find a use for them.
To Use Knife or Poison.
In statement yesterday made
through his attorney, Alphonse G..
Koelble. Schmidt said he hoped TO be
able. through euthanasia. 10 rid the
world Of cripples. incurable invalids
and aged persons who wished to die.
Il had intended 10 use a sharp knife
or poison" the priest said preferably
a knife. because that would have been
far less painful In my opinion there
are many people for whom life is not
worth living. I considered | would be
performing a good deed in freeing them
from a miserable existence"
Father Schmidt would not tell me
how he came in possession Of the city
death certificate" Koelble asserted.
How would you have used them if
YOU had carried cut your idea?" Koelble
asked.
oh" was Father Schmidt's reply, Il
would have filled in the blanks after
the manner of a physician. and signed
my name as DR.. Emil Moliere."
Schmidt told Koelble that he did not
use any Of the death certificates.
Mr.. Koelble saw his client in the
Tombs late in the afternoon.
He seemed angry when l talked with
him." said Koelblc For the first time
since he has been confined he showed
spirit. He told me he was annoyed at
the stories springing up all over the
world which associated him with other
crimes and dragged in the names Of
innocent people. Once the taint Of
scandal attaches itself to a ruan's name
81 fingers he said
Ready to Go to Chair.
The District Attorney is interested
I'm sending me 10 the electric chair.
Koelble said Schmidt told him. 1T
would please him. no doubt, to have me
go there" the priest added. ut Will
also please me. ! am ready TO 20 at
any moment-this minute, in tact. or
tomorrow. or next day.
why delay and waste all this time
through red tape? ! have told all
know: | have confessed TO everything
haven't /? l have denied nothing.
want to go 10 the electric chair.
have faced death many times before
and l shall face it in the electric chair
Continued on third page. sixth column.