Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-23
DEFENCE OF LEUTGERT.
Mrs. LuctGerf sim Alive-Bones In
Vat Not Those of Human.

CHICAGO, September 22.-The first
witnesses for the defence in the Luet-
CERT trial were called to-day and there
will be three weeks of evidence tend
ing to prove the sausage-maker's inno-
cence before the attorneys in the case
commence their final arguments.
Attorney Vincent. for the defence,
made the opening statement for Luet-
CERT, and according to him, the defence
will be simple. II will consist chiefly
OF a general denial Of all the expert
evidence submitted by the State, proof
that the caustic potash used In the vat
was purchased by Luegert for the pur-
pose of making soap. and evidence tend
ing TO show that Mrs. Luetgert is alive,
and in all probability in Germany.
Concerning the rings found in the vat,
Attorney Vincent said that they were
not those of Mrs. Luetgerts, and that
he would prove that she had never seen
them. much less worn them. He also
declared that he would bring witnesses
to show that many Of the bones identi-
fed by the experts for the prosecution
as human bones are in reality those of
lower animals. He will also show, he
said. that Mrs. Luetgert has been seen
alive and well, save for her mental trou-
bles. since May 1st, the night on winch
IL is claimed that she was murdered.
He also asserted that Luetgert Will go
on the stand in his own defence.
A warm legal fight arose in the course
Of the opening statement of Attorney
Vincent. In outlining the defence, ne
said that he would prove that Mrs. Luet-
CERT. nervous and discouraged by the
business reverses Of her husband. had
told several of the neighbors that she
intended to run away from home. The
State protested against the admission OF
such evidence. and the Court. after lis
tening to the arguments Of the lawyers.
said that he did not think that he could
permit such testimony to go in. The
defence felt this badly. as Attorney Vim
cent. in the heat of his statement, had
said that without such evidence as he
had lust alluded TO his client might be
hung.
He fought with desperate energy for
the admission of the testimony, and final
" Judge Tuthill said that he would per-
nit the introduction Of evidence relating
to conversations with Mrs. Buetgert held
n week prior to her disappearance. but
he said that the testimony must be abb
solutely direct end unquestioned.
THE DAYS EVIDENCE.
The purport Of the evidence to-day was
that Iuetgert reported the disappearance
of his wife TO his lawyer. and was greatly
disturbed by the fact, and that he had
purchased large quantities of material
for the purpose of making soap. One
witness testified that toward the close OF
April he was at the Luetgert factory,
and saw Mrs. Luetgert, who seemed TO
be depressed. She remarked during a
conversation that nearly everything was
gone, and she thought she would 60 too
nretty soon, and work on farm, where
no one knew her.
Rose Gleich, of 1889 north Paulina street
Lake View, was called on to impeach the
evidence OF Emma Schimpke, who testi-
fed for the prosecution, and said she
saw Luetgert and his wife going from
the Luetgert residence TO the sausage
factory about 10 o'clock on the night of
May LIST. Gottlieba Schimpke, younger
sister of Emma's. also testified to this
fact but as the child afterwards adj
mitted she did not know what state or
county she was living in, her evidence
was of little value. Rosa Gleich SAID
that she was with the Schmpke girls on
the night of May 1st. They had all
been to a dance. She declared positively
that neither Of the Schimpke girls had
seen either Luetgert or his wife that
night. and that since she had testified
Emma Schimpke had admitted 10 the
witness that she had sworn falsely, and
tried to get her TO do the same. telling
her she must not be ION Luetgerts side
Emma Schimpke said to me that II
was the prattle of her sister that got her
into the case" said the witness. land she
testified to suit the side that called her.