Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-08
SLASHES WOMAN
TO DEATH WITH
A BUTCHER KNIFE
Whynack Johann, Austrian,
Commits Fearful Crime at
Home in Davenport.
JEALOUSY INSPIRED HIM
Deed One Of BIoodiest In Police An
naIs-man Quickly Captured
and Makes Confession

ployed as butcher by the Kohrs Pack
ing company OF Davenport. yesterday
confessed TO the police that he had
murdered his wife. The woman was
killed about $3.50 Saturday night at
their home. 1861 Harrison street,
being hacked literally to pieces with a
knife. her head being nearly severed
from her body. Johann was arrested,
covered with blood. Immediately after
committing the crime, being caught by
the bremen of hose company No. 3.
who saw him sneaking away from the
place after the screams Of the woman
had been heard.
The killing was inspired by Jealousy.
Johann claimed that a rival for his
wife's affections prior 10 their mar
rage had followed them to America
and had come to Davenport to endeav-
or to get the woman away from him.
The couple had quarreled frequently
and johann had been arrested for
beating the woman. The latter recent
" told neiShbors that she feared she
would be killed, and yet she continued
to live with her husband and at the
same time. # is claimed, TO receive at
tentions from the other man.
The other man, Hervey Franzl. who
rosmed near the Johann domicile, was
arrested yesterday and told the police
his story. He said he had been the
sweetheart of Mrs. johann before her
marriage. He was impressed for mil
itary duty. and while away on the Ital-
ian frontier the girls parents, as he
says, compelled her to marry Johann.
Franzl. feeling that he and the girl
had been taken an unfair advantage
OF. refused TO give her up. and as soon
as his term OF service expired he cana
70 America and hunted her up.
Ready With Knife.
Mrs. Johann worked az the Ely Cell
When she returned home Saturday ev-
ening evidently her husband was wait
ing for her. He had a knife he used
in his work at the Kohrs plant. a short,
vicious looking weapon with a blade
four inches long and pointed. II was
sharp as a razor. The crazed man.
who is q giant in size. made short
work OF the woman He threw her
across a bed, hacking at her, jabbing
the knife into her body up to the han
die dozen times and laying open her
hands and arms TO the bone when she
raised them in trying to protect her
self. Finally. with one slash the fiend
cut the woman's throat. severing near
ly all the neck but the spinal column.
Then he fed.
The woman. whose screams had al
tracted the attention Of the neighbor-
hood. after receiving all these wounds
managed to walk to the door at the
rear to make her way down the stairs
to the ground She reached the door
of the apartments of Nels Bentley be-
low before dropping dead. Mrs. Bent
ley came to the door and the sight
caused her 10 faint. Physicians work
ed with her all night. so serious was
the shock.
Mr.. Bentley spread the alarm and
the police were called. In the mean
time the firsmen saw Johann trying
70 steal away in the shadow OF the
buildings and gave chase. overhauling
aim IN a short distance. They found
1 knife in his shoe. The one with
which he did the killing was found on
he bed where the deed was committed. !
Within half an hour after he had been |
edged in a cell Johann was asleep.
The body OF the woman was taken /
% the Nissen e. Hartwig undertaking |
ooms. where the inquest was begun I
ate this afternoon. Johann Is being
leld on the charge OF murder in the
irst degree.
Claimed She Was Starved.
April % Johann was arrested after
e had beaten up his wife and she in
urn had called the police. II then
eyeloped that another Austrian had
rossed the ocean. traced Mrs. Johann
o Davenport and had tried to steal
er away from her husband.
At the time the wife claimed she
vas being slowly starved 10 death. be-
ause her husband suspected her OF
1fidelity and refused to give her
ither money or food.
Johann told the police that he mar
led Marie in Austria and that the
Their man had been hts chum. Both
TeTe suitors for the girls hand. When (
ne unsuccessful one learned his fate (
e swore that he would have her some I
me.
Other parts OF his testimony at the !
me were as follows: Marie and
me TO America and chose Daven-
ut as our home. We were very hap )
until this other man came here. He
{ a room just a few doors from US.
suspected him from the first and
pt close watch
told me that after I went 4
work my old chum would come to !,
my wife and stay long time. One
: came home early from work and