The herald., 1897-10-08
Tears Luetgert's Evidence
to TatterS
A BAD DAY FOR THE DEFENSE
IN THE FAMOUS CHICAGO MUIR
DER TRIAL
The Prisoners Witnesses Utterly Dis
credited by Business Men and
Grand Jury Members

Associated Press Special Wire.
CHICAGO, Oct. 7.--Ane more day Of
evidence and the finish of the Luetgert
trial will be In sight The state an
nounced today that it had but few wit
nasses and that 1t would get through to-
morrow without much delay. An ad-
tournament will then be taken until Mon
day, when the defense will offer small
amount of sur-rebuttal and then the
way will be clear for the arguments of
the attorneys, which will take about ore
week.
1t was a bad day for the defense. The
evidence of two Of their chief witnesses
was almost destroyed. Mary Siemrner-
ing and William Charles, Luetgert's
business partner, were the sufferers.
Witness after witness came on the stand
and swore that when Mary Siemmering
had denied that she had admitted i'm
proper relations with Luetgert she had
not told the truth. They said she had
admitted it and in the most unequivocal
manner. Most of these witnesses were
members Of the grand jury which had
indicted Luetgert and their evidence was
crushing. They all told the same story
and the most desperate effort Of the de-
fense could not shake one of them.
Prominent business nlen who had
dealings with Charles, and bankers with
whom he had done business, swore that
he could not be believed under OATH and
told of shady business transactions Of
which he had been guilty. In this case.
as in that of Mary Siemmering, the de
fe'n4se made frantic efforts to save the
character of their witness, but We're not
able to accomplish anything.
The rebuttal evidence of the prosecu
ton in the afternoon made serious in
roads on the direct testimony of the de-
fense. The evidence given by each of
the impeaching witnesses called was
sharp, crisp and to the point. Mary
Siemmering's evidence was torn to tat
ters. Members of the grand jury, which
indicted Luetgert last May, appeared on
the witness stand and testified to ad
missions the woman had made before
that body as to her relations with Luet
CERT. According to the story OF each,
the woman confessed that improper re-
lations had existed between herself ard
Luetgert. In vain did ex-Judge Vincent
and Attorney Phalen attempt to break
down this crushing impeachment OF one
Of their strongest witnesses by sugges-
tions Of intimidation
Then came horde of witnesses to
impeach William Charles, Luetgert's
partner
Mr.. Charles set in the court room and
he heard his reputation assailed right
and left. He heard his reputation for
truth torn into ribbons and while these
were Haunting in his reddened face. his
ears were greeted by the harsh tones of
former business associates, who Ques-
toned his integrity,
Edward j. Barton, assistant cashier
Of Foreman Brothers bank, was posi-
tive that he could not believe Charles
under oath He said his bank now had
a note Of Charles for $4,000. The bank
foreclosed a mortgage upon Luetgert's
sausage factory May 4th, and the as
sistant cashier had thus acquired some
knowledge of Charles methods Of bus-
ness.
Abram Selig, who bought the grocery
department Of Luetgert's sausage fac
tory for $500 at the sheriff's sale, testi-
fed that he had found 159 boxes of soap
In the store and that much of 1t was
scrub soap" This was brought out to
show that Luetgert did not need to
make soap to clean the factory.
The state will close its case tomorrow.