The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-19
HOW THE MEN MET.
Early History of Schlegel-
Their Meeting.
Schlegers Leg Broken = DR..
Berger Sets 1t.

Kansas City, Oct. 19.-John Sch1egel,
who on the afternoon of July last,
shot down and killed DR.. L. A. Berger
at Twelfth and Walnut streets, was
placed on trial in the criminal court
yesterday. DR.. Berger was one of the
most prominent and respected members
of his profession in the city He was
45 years of age and had wife and two
grown children. SchlegeI was a Ger
man grocer and claimed that Berger,
acting as his family physician, had as
saulted Mrs Berger. The murder was
one of the most deliberate ever COM
mitted in Kansas City and because of
the prominence of Berger has proved
very sensational Many witnesses will
be called to testify and sensations are
promised. The court room today was
crowded. Difficulty is being had in Sc
curing a jury.
John SchlegeI was born at Lentz, a
little suburb of Berlin, Germany, in
September, 1851 His father was no
tel porter, and after receiving an ordi-
nary education, Schlegel began work at
the same business. While engaged in
this occupation he acquired fair
knowledge of the English language.
When he was 21 years of age he en-
tered the German army and served the
three years required by law. Then he
again went to work in the hotels.
Every inn in Berlin requires an in
terpreter for the transaction of bust
ness with English speaking guests, and
in this capacity Schlegel served for five
years.
In the meantime, a cousin had come
to America and located at Blooming
ton, ILL.,, where he secured employment
in an iron foundry. He cOrreSpOnded
with Schlegel, and when the latter
parents died urged him to come, too.
In 1879 Schlegel made up his mind to
do so, and, accompanied by his brother
now a resident of Bloomington, came to
this country. Bloomington was his first
home, and there he remained three
years.
In 1882 he came to Kansas City and
began work as a grocery clrek for the
man he afterwards succeeded at Eigh
teenth and Oak streets. A year later
he first met his victim, DR.. Berger.
He was out delivering groceries one
day when the horse attached to the
fright and ran away. The wagon was
wrecked and the drivers leg broken
above the ankle. DR.. Berger was driV-
ing by. He was recognized as a physi-
clan by the bystanders and when called
upon treated the little German.
SchIegel himself admits that he took
a liking to Berger and not only would
have no one else give him medical ad-
vice, but was loud in his praises of the
doctors skill.
In 1885 he returned to Bloomington
and was married to Adelaide Heinz.
They at once came to Kansas City,
where SchlegeI had bought the grocery
store he still conducts. Ever since they
have resided above it.
They have had three children, all
boys, two of whom are living, aged 9
and IA years. The eldest boy of the
three died of diphtheria and Mr..
SchlegeI always reproached his wife
because she did not employ DR.. Berger
in that case, StOutly maintaining that
had she done so the boy would never
have died.
Mrs. SchlegeI also claims that it was
while nursing this sick boy that she
contracted the affiiction of the throat
for which she swears she was being
treated at the time the alleged assault
was committed.