The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-05
BAD DAY FOR THE DEFENDANT
MRS. FELDT GIVES DAMAGING EVI-
DENCE AGAINST LUETGERT.
Widow with Whom the Sausnge-NIaIk-
er Was Infatuated--RinEs OF the
Victim Further Identified.

CHICAGO, Sept. A-state's Attorney
Deenen has q sensation to spring on the
defense in the Lutegert trial next week.
which will, he believes, clinch the fate OF
the accused sausage maker. IT is nothing
less than a portion of a skull a number
of teeth and the first joint of what is be-
lieved to be the left index finger of a hu-
mar md, which, it is claimed, were found
in the vat in the basement of the sausage
factory Already testimony has been in
troduced to show that there were particles
of flesh found in and around the vat by
the ~ and others appearing as state
witr but so far there has been doubt
as ability Of the state to prove that
thes~ were particles of human flesh. Grue-
some and important as these small par
ticles of bone are, 1t is believed by the at
torneys for the state that they will be
convincing when introduced as evidence
along with tho expert testimony of Profs.
De la Fontaine and Haines that they are
human. These two experts, as a result OF
experiments recently conducted, will it is
said, state positively that it is possible.
under the circumstances, under which 1t
is alleged by the state that Luetgert
worked to destroy and disintegrate a hu-
man body. II, as is stated by man close
ly associated with the prosecution. a por-
ton of a skull is introduced and the ex-
perts testify that 1t is human, it will be
hard for the defense to shake the effect it
will have on the jury. 1t is known that
part of a false tooth was found near the
vat in the sausage factory during the
search by the police. This was introduced
in evidence at the habeas corpus proceed
ings before Judge Gibbons 1t was shown
by the witnesses that Mrs. Luetgert had
such tooth. A lot of flakes and small
particles of bone were introduced by MIR.
De Ia Fontaine. The police collected them
in a gunny sack when they flushed the vat,
but the experts could not say they were
human. These leave a doubt, but when
the prosecution introduces, as it is claimed
it will, a portion of a skull, some natural
teeth or pieces of teeth, together with the
testimony Of the experts that there is no
doubt that they came from a human skel-
eton, it will go long way towards sup
plying the link now missing in the corpus
delioti, the inference being that a human
body was destroyed in the vat where these
portions of bone were found.
yellow JOURNALISM"
One of the features of the sensational
trial is the focking in from all portions
Of the country of newspaper correspondents
who crowd the regular press seats and
throng the space within the railing, where
improvised desks have been placed for
them. The majority find all the features
necessary in the stirring incidents Of the
trial but some of the reporters have found
it necessary to call on their imagination for
striking scenes and coloring. Luetgert's
most prominent characteristic is his stolid,
unflinching bearing, his face rarely showing
more expression than the back of his
massive neck, yet in his blank countenance
enterprising journalists find daily depicted
all the human passions from desire for a
glass of beer to abject terror and soul tor
ture. At a recent session an outlandish
street band, short on melody and long on
breath, stopped beneath the courtroom win
dows and turned loose a stream Of popular
airs Luetgert, with everybody else pres-
ent, was amused at the temporary interrupt
ton, but in the incident melancholy corre-
terest Out of the ravishing strains of
Sweet Rosy O'Grady' and My Gal is a
High-born Lady they conJured funeral
march, and with narrowing mlnuteneSs or
detail described the CONFUSION OF fear
which swept across the prisoners paid
countenance. To the average spectator the
countenance was rather red and moist as
a result of the high temperature Of the
crowded. courtroom, but for all that it was
reports. The big defendant reads these
graphic tales with great interest and seems
to oe highly amused by them, frequently
indulging in hearty laughs at the discovery
that ne has broken down or Is ON the
verge of a collapse.
To-day was q bad one for the defendant
The strongest evidence which has yet been
given against him brought out, and
Some of il was dana ging The witness who
gave the strongest evidence against the
sausage maker was Mrs Christina Feldt, a
widow of whom the prosecution alleges
Luetgert was infatuated and TO whom it il
claimed he has written number Of love
letters since he has been confined in the
Jail. Mrs Feldt said that on various occa-
sionS Iuetgert said 10 ner tnat ne did not
care for his wife, and once said that he
thought more of the domestic in the house
than of Mrs Luetgert He also said that
he had many quarrels with his wife, and
when Mrs. FelGt asked him why he did not
secure divorce he said that as soon as
his financial troubles were over he would
settle with her" He repeated this several
times and called his wife a carcass" and
other names equally unpleasant. 1t was
said to be the object of the prosecution m
having Mrs. Feldt on the stand TO show
that Luetgert was desirous of getting rid
of his wife for the purpose of marrying the
widow, but this was not made clear. Mrs.
Feldt said, however, that he had made
threats against his wife many times.
LUETGERTS LOVE LETTERS.
Several letters. alleged to have been writ
ten by Luetgert to Mrs. Christine Feldt,
were made public tonight and will, the
prosecution announces. be submitted TO the
jury Monday. They abound in such en-
dearing terms as Beloved Christine My
beloved, dear Christine" and the like and
were written at various times since Luet-
gerts arrest. He frequently asserts his In
nocence and his belief that there is no evil
dence to convict him, severely condemns
Attorney Tripp who was formerly his coun-
sci, and urges Mrs. Faldt to assist him in
raising money for lawyers fees He sew
eral times declared that he will soon ~
free and with YOU and says that I'VE
will then have all the money we WANT
To one letter he adds this postscr.if,f.
What you are doing now YOU will be
proud Of hereafter. that you have fulfilled