The New York herald., 1871-12-07
LEUENBERGE2'S LUNACY.
The Sing Sing Love Tragedy
Revived.
Trial Of Jacob Leuenberger for the Murder Of
Frederick Meyer-A Sad Story Of 81. Valen.
tines Day-How the Would Be Suicide
Appeared in Contradictory tho
Rage oil Man-Testimo-
ny for the People.


In the Court OF over and Termincr. at White
Plains Weschester county, yesterday, the trial OF
Jacob Leuenber2er for the killing OF Frederica
Meyer at Sing Sing last February was commenced
before Justice A. b. Tappan, County Judge Rooert
Cochran and the Justices OF Sessions As full
account OF the crime with which the prisoner il
charged has already appeared In the HERALD, II 10
unnecessary at this time to more than TO the
salient features Of the SAD affair."
Leuenbcrger, who Is a native OF Switzerland had
always borne the reputation OF an morensive kind
and industrious man. Possessed OF unusual intel
iigencc he, In connection with partner. engaged In
the business dstilng spirits. by which tney 10th
rapidly accumulated property said to be valued at
$4,000. In the family of Jacob Drlon. his business
partner. the prisoner had lived for some years. as
did also the deceased young woman, who occupied
the relationship OF niece TO the former. UnfOrtu
natey for both. WHlr4
LEUENBER0gR FELL IN LOVE
with Frederick. ana sought eagerly to obtain her
consent to marry him. She, however, did NOS
"tenderly incline" toward the honest advances OF
jacob On the contrary, she seemed to prefer the
society or q youth living In the village, and to
whom, IL was reported, she was engaged to be mar
rled. In course Of time the young man Indicated
went out West anl soon Afterwards 1t Is said,
THE TICKLE GIRL
promised Leuenberger that, In theabsent lover
came not back within given time she would then
marry him. Inc allotted period had almost expired.
when, disaslrously for all parties, the truant
swan returned, and was Immediately re-
stored to the affections OF his inamorats. Tnis
state OF affairs drove poor LcuenDerger almost If
not quite distracted and ne was observed TO wear
q moody, taciurn and detected men. On the l4th
OF February last (St Valentines day. the successful
lover enclosed piece OF rope and some nails to
4 nhnrf ~
he "iAD BETTER HANG HIhSELF," .sF
as he could never have the young woman. II Is be-
already hai'-crazed ain, and he az once armed
himself with revolver and proceeded to the store
tr was not on the premises, however, or
there Is, little doubt that he would have re-
Meyer into eternity. I 10 accused, later In tho day,
went as usual TO dinner ut the residence OF his
from the table ana waking to another part Of the
room, where the deceased was sewing, he, without
uttering word,
killing her Instantly. He then placed the weapon
to his own forehead and sent another pail Crashing
through his SKULL and from the effects oil which he
fell 10 the loor apparently heiess. In few sec
onds however, he revived, end, totterlng 10 table,
seized a large carving knife, with which he made
ATTEMPTS TO STAB HIMSELF
before the weapon was ultimately wrencnec from
his grasp. Leucnberger hovered on the confines or
the grave for days. the physicians In attend
auce declaring that n was Impossible Tor him to sur
vve Although the patient recovered. all attempts
to find the bullet proved futile. and, In all human
PROBABILITY, tue leaden messenger yet remains In
the prisoners hcad--a marvel to surgical experts.
The accused has never denied the charge Of XII.
Ing Frederica Never, ana wnen arrllpned aLer Inc
fndlng oil a true biz by The Grand Jury he
PUT IN A PLEA OF GUILTY."
This plea lnc Court refused 10 10 accept % ,aIna anu
to consult counsel regarding ms dcleace During
his confinement IN Ine County Jail Lenennerger M
the synpalhies OF all who came In contact with him.
The bullet mark IS sun plainly visible n the prs
p1ar,af an1 md ~
OF his features While IN Court yesterday seemed to
convey the impression mat he was
| IN the proceedings. District Attorney Dykman CON-
Quoted tue case for the peo1!c, Francis La;ki ap-
After couple OF hours had been spent IN EN-.
panellng jury the prosecuting attorney briefly
opened the Case and thea called the first witness.
TESTIMONY FOR TUE PROSECUTION.
Miss Caroline Schmidt having been sworn testi.
Mrs. Dirton, who was the wife OF the prisoners
business partner; she lived in the same house with
her sister, where Lcucnbcrgcr had also boarded for
number or years; the deceased was her niece, and
had lived with the DIrons since she was six years
dinner on the l4tn OF February last; witness Mrs.
Diron, tne deceased and three children were In the
took OF dinner. without talking much, and on That
occasion witness did not notice anything unusual
arNEnALLY QUIET AND SILENT, .s
even when at home: Frederca Meyer tnc deceased>
did not take dinner ihen, but sat at a small table
moments after Leuenberger arose from the table
Witness heard the report or pistol, ana saw de-
ceased's head drop to one side; deceased did nos
fal', but leaned over on the table at which she
was sitting; the accused then stepped back
two PAGES ana shot himself through the FORE
head with the same pistol, wnen he Immediately
FELL TO THE FLOOR;
witness waited TO see no more, but ian ont for the
purpose OF calling assistance; physician
rived shortly afterwards, and on examine;
ton, found that Frelerica was deld the ball
having entered the right side or her head;
the pody allowed TO remain IN sitting posture
until tue arrival OF the Coroncrs jury; when wit
returned To the hou.e Leuenbcrger Was up and
was attempting 10 STAB himself with large knife
which he mad In his haad tie pistol had been re-
moved when ne fell 10 The floor afes shooting him.
ser did not see the pistol with the prisoner before
he shot the deceased
Cross-examlned.-Tne deceased was niece OF
Mrs. Diron aud myself; she was about twenty years
old; the prisoner tnougnt good deal OF her and
she appeared to ue very friendly towards him; no
tIced that tor few weeks before the shooting Leu
enburger had become gloomy aud melancholy; he
was always iond OF staying at home, and was not u
drinking man; knew the deceased TO nave another
young man visit ner occasionally. .e
Another witness was examined as TO the Killing,
but the testimony elected was merely a corrobora-
ton oil the foregoing.
the taking OF testimony will be continued TO day
when II Is probable the cise VIII go to the jury.