The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-26
LEO HIRTH'S SLAYER
DEAD MANS WIFE IDENTIFIES xoTo-
RIoUs Al LINTNER As THE MAN.
Recognized His Voice mt the Police
Dnngerous Condition.

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Sunday morning. The police have suspected
LirtLer ever since the crime was committed
and he was arrested yesterday morning just
after ~daybreak by a large squad Of detec-
tIves and sergeants Of police. He and his
brother Amos were taken from their beds
and dragged to the station house, where
they were held on minor charges. In Police
Court a continuance was asked and granted
until next Wednesday. AS soon as this was
done word was sent to Mrs. Hirth asking
her TO call at the station house. She was
too i'll to climb the stairs to the superintend-
ent's Office, and was ushered into Chief Of
Detective Splan's office. where the identifca-
ton took place.
Before bringing the prisoner into her pres
ence Superintendent Colbert requested her to
describe the man who snot her husband.
Clearly and without being directed by lead
ing questions, Mrs. Hirth said that the taller
OF the two men-he who did all the talking
was very slender and slightly stopped, with
a hollow chest. The mask he wore was
drawn tight across his face, so that his
prominent cheek bones and thin, hatchet
face stood out plainly. The description CIV
en- of her husbands murderer tailed in
every particular with that of Lintner, and
the superintendent felt confident that Mrs.
Hirth would at once identify him as the
guilty man. First cautioning her to be
brave and make no ortcry, the superintend-
ent directed detective McGuff to lead Lint
ner into the room. Mrs Hirth sat at one
of the open windows with her back to the
street. At the other window sat the superin-
tendent's secretary, j. l.. Engie. Mrs. Hirth
had a free and unobstructed view OF the en-
tire length Of the room, ana could also see
DaCk through the inner rooms TO the door
Of the cell room. Chief Of Detectives Splan
stood a little to one side of the long table
the prisoners slightest move. The superin-
tendent stood on the left side of the room,
narrowly observing Mrs. Hirth.
Lintrer had no idea that he was about TO
confront the murdered mans wife and adj
vanced towards the door leading into the
room. AS his eye caught sight of the widow.
and staggered as he moved forward and at
the same moment he threw his hands up
to his face. as II to prevent her from getting
a fair view of it, He staggered slightly and
found support by leaning heavily against
the Undiscovered table. Instinctively he
turned his head away from her. so that she
could but see the side Of his face. Mrs.
Hirth was deeply affected, and once or twice
seemed about TO lose control of herself ano
cry out. But a warning glance from the SUI
control, and she made no sign nor uttered
a word that would indicate that she recog-
nized the man.
HECOGNlZED HIS VOICE
Mrs. Hirth has always said that she would
recognize the voice of the masked burglar
who shot her husband. and in order to leave
no possible room for error. Lintner was
questioned and answered several questions
in her presence. At the first sound of his
voice Mrs. Hirth for the first time turned
uneasily in her chair. and the superintendent
motioned for the prisoner to be led away.
C@---~r~ - - -& - 49, NJ
Hirth tainted. Her head fell back across
her chair. For fully three minutes she was
unconscious and ii was only after the adj
My God" she cried, that is the man who
killed my husband. That is the man."
and it was Some time before she could be
quieted. She was taken to her home by
Matron Buchanan. and Pat Reidy, her
brother, who now lives with her. Then she
collapsed completely and a physician was
summoned. Mrs. Hirth's brother is serious
ly alarmed at her condition.
From the moment OF his arrest until after
he was confronted by Mrs. Hirth. Albert
Lintner refused to say anything as TO his
whereabouts on the night of the murder. He
did not remember where he was on that
night. the night before nor the night follow
ing. This is regarded by the police as being
a very damaging statement, inasmuch as ii
was only a week ago that the crime was
committed. Lintner was questioned very
closely as to how he came In possession of
the money, SIS. which was found under his
during a trip through the South. Lintner
claims that he attended the exposition at
Atlanta, and that he was in other cities. go
what is known to the police as "a CRATER
That is. he works the shell game, assists at
bunco steering and is an all-around crook.
He claims he made the money by working
through the South.
HIS DAMAGING ACTIONS.
The superintendent said that until Mrs.
Hirth so positively identified Lintner the po-
lice were simply working upon suspicious,
and that the case is not entirely made. HI
admits that it will take hard work to secure
a conviction. All evidence now in hand is
purely circumstantial. so far as can be
learned. The most convincing thing to the
police that they are on the right track is the
fact hat Mrs. Hirth was so positive that
Lintner Is the guilty man, and that he acted
very strangely. to say the least, when con-
fronted by her. If Lintner Is the man he
must have known that Mrs. Hirth did not see
his face on the night OF the murder. and the
conceal 1t from her. Then they think that If
Lintner could give a plausible account OF
would at once speak out, and not allow the
charge OF murder to hang over him. Another
circumstance which 1t is thought will have a
heavy influence on the Jury is the fact that
the revolver found under Lintner's pillow
carries a .3S calfber ball OF the kind fired into
the woodwork and furniture at the Hirth
home. Lintner's mother and brother are un-
able to account for his actions on the night
OF the murder, or at least refuse to do So
Refuge Is taken behind the plea that nothing
will be said until an attorney is consulted. II
is probable that w. ". Harding will be re-
tanned. Mr.. Harding Was busy in the con-
vention yesterday afternoon, and told Mrs
Iintner that ne could do nothing for her un-
I'll to-day or tomorrow.
After a conference with Chief Splan,
Thursday evening, Superintendent Colbert
determined that there was sufficient evil
dence against Albert Lintner to justify his
arrest, and IL was arranged that he shoul
be captured yesterday morning. At 8
O'Clock Chief Splan, detectives McGuff,
Richards. Stout. Wilson and Thornton and
Sergeants of Police Lowe, Corrigan, Hy-
and and Laporte assembled at the station
house. Part of them rode in the covered
patrol wagon. which followed behind Chief
Splan's buggy. The Lintners live at No.
1917 Berlin avenue, a street running north
of Fall creek just east of North 1ndianap-
OILS. The house is a two-story frame struc-
ture, surmounted by a cupola on one cor
ner. The house and stable were completely
surrounded, an officer being stationed at
every door and window. Daylight was Just
breaking. Mrs Lintner, mother of Albert
and Amos. was the first TO awaken when
Chief SDlan battered on the front door.
She came down stairs and inquired what
was wanted She was ordered to open the
door. Peeping through the Stat OF a shutter
she saw that the house was surrounded,
and replied that she would let them in as
---- - m $500