Morning journal and courier., 1890-10-09
THE COURT RECORD.
Superior Court-Crimtnal Side-Judge

Superior Court-Criminal Sidc-Ju udge
 Hall.
 The arson case against Victor Muhlich and Bertha Von Gruttke occupied the at tention of the court all day yesterday. They are charged with setting fire to the building in State street near Wall in which the Rattan company did business. The jury impannelled is:
 Luther c. Bronson of Beacon Falls, Deming w. Doolittle, Dwight L. Johnson of Bethany, William Page of Branford, William s. Baldwin, Chauncey Slater and Samuel H. Brooks of Cheshire, John J. Bradley, Henry P. Bradley of East Haven, Charles w. Potter, Fayette w. Rossite and Daniel K. Parmalee of Guilford,
 The following witnesses were sworn: Benjamin E. Brown, David Strouse, Hen ry c. Bretzfelder, Policeman Ahern, Po- liceman P. Doherty, Superintendent Boil mann, Chief Hendrick, Edwin B. Bow ditch, Fire Marshal Kennedy, Maurice Fitzgerald, Detective Reilley and Silas w. Searle.
 City Attorney Daley assisted the state in prosecuting, and Attorneys Asher and Blydenburgh appeared for the prisoners. Civil Engineer Searles, E. B. Bowditch, Watchman Fitzgerald and Policeman Do herty were examined and gave testimony such as was given in the city court. Law yer Strouse and Superintendent Bollman were also examined.
 Mrs. Gruttke took the stand at $40 o'clock She stated that she owned the business at the time of the fire, and had owned it since it was purchased of Trustee Strouse in September, 1889, for $250, she paying $200 cash and giving the trustee chattel mortgage upon the place for $50, which she paid off few weeks later. She had expended $150 for type, $92 for cedar lumber and other small amounts for other material since. Her husband had con- ducted the business when she bought it of Trustee Strouse, and after that it had been conducted by Victor Muhlich, whom she always designated as ''the young man."
 In reply to questions of Attorney Asher, she York where she had gone with her husband to find him, after seeing an account of her destitute Victor has lived with the von Gruttke's and worked in the shop
 sg tsa eGyssnVs aySs did on the
 After supper, began the prisoner, in her slow went te %,c+ar shoe store pair of shoes The store was closed, and we took a short walk down through o'clock we went into Hermans saloon on Union street @ because s Victor tor vented some beer went fear he would drink too much One of our GUS toners came in and Victor sat and talked with time time About io o'cleeF, % my husband, Ga Carl 1s Von Gruttke, came in. Victor said something to him as down ws two but Other they en ns snS mose victer drans more beer during tSis tims began to feel sick, and we three wont out to go home. Before we got to Chapel street Victor was was very sick, andI told him to go into. the sa- his stomach My husband left us and I waited for Victor who soon came out of the soloon and We walked up Union street, through Court street to State and up State on the right hand side. ssop pn we heard two dosss WSfsh e9s %e wished Icould get them fo take home with me we had better go home. He left me- crossed the street, unlocked the door and went in. I follow ed him and stood holding the door back to wait ing down the stairs and ran out into the street. followed them for fear they would run away, was coming down after them. The dogs ran home and went after them. I fbund my hus- When was just putting on my nightdress I heard the alarm of fire. My husband ran out. ..4n d you @ follow hlmy ' asked % Attorney Asher utes.'' v, "Why not!n asked States Attorney Doolittle Because I was shaking all over,' was the damaging answer.
 What was the matter with your" asked the States attorney.
 T was chilly, was the slow reply. "Did you tell Victor to set the place on fire!" asked her counsel in concluding his explanation.
 ssNo, sir.''
 s'Did you set it on fire?'
 'tNo, sir"
 ssDiu you want it set on firel' <
 States Attorney Doolittle objected.
 City Attorney Daley began, his cross S-examina- tion She declared she did not wish to dispose of the business, but her husband was very anx- ious to do so and gave her much trouble with his efforts to have her sell out.
 The city attorney questioned her closely as to her relations to Muhich and the location of their rooms in the house.
 'sDid you ever talk to Victor about running away to Germany and leaving the old man be- hind, g he asked.
 .sNo never,'' was the quick reply.
 Court was here adjourned till 10 o'clock this morning.