The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-22
IN HANDS OF THE JURY
The jury in tho Luetgert Case Retire.
Nothing From Them Up to 12 O'clock
Last Night Immense Crowd About the
COurthOuse-kiOting Feared

Nothing From Them Up to IL O'clock
Last Night Immense Crowd About the
Courthouse-kiOting Feared
Chicago, ILL.,, October 1s.-The fate of
Adolph A. Luetgert, accused of murder
ing his wife and dissolving her body in
vat, filled with caustic potash, is now
in the hands of the jury. Judge Tuthill
finished his charge to the jury at 4:45
o'clock p. M, and five minutes later the
jury filled out n was locked in the
jury room. Supper was sent into them
a short time later and after it had been
disposed of, they set earnestly to work
on the evidence. Judge Tuthill took
up quarters near the criminal court
building in order to be within easy call,
if a verdict should be reached during
the night. At midnight not a word of
any sort had come from the jury room
and the chances of an all-night wait
for the verdict seemed excellent. Ru-
mors of ten to two for conviction and
later of ten to two for acquittal fioated
around, but there was no authority for
either story The attorneys on both
sides were confident at midnight OF a
verdict favorable to their side, while the
opinion of the public was turning to-
ward a disagreement.
States Attorney Deneen occupied the
greater part Of the day with his closing
address. He concluded by asking that
the extreme penalty be given the
prisoner. A buzz Of comment ran
through the court room as the states
attorney finished his address and was
congratulated by a few friends who
sat neal him. The judge granted an
impromptu recess and the jury left the
room. Luetgert got up and went out
also for a drink of water. In ten min
utes the jury had returned. Judge Tut
hill swung around in his chair until he
faced the jury and deliberately picking
up his notes on the charge, he began
their reading. AS Judge Tuthill finish
ed the reading he looked up at the jury
and said: Gentlemen you may retire
and consider your verdict"
Luetgert stood up near where he a
been sitting most of the time for more
than eight weeks, after the jury retired,
and with his little golden haired son in
his arms, received a few friends. His
son Arnold Luetgert and William
Charles pressed forward and warmly
shook the hand of the prisoner. Luet-
CERT smiled and gazed about him.. He
but behind the mask of indifference
those who have watched his varying
moods could race suppressed nervous
ness. He soon returned to his cell
where he ate sparingly Of supper
The crowd which surrounded the
criminal court building and Jail at
night passe in number anything wit
messed since the opening Of the famous
trial. BY dark the street in front of the
courthouse was damned and the crowd
surged around the orner in front of
the Jail. Men, women n children
lined the pavements in ron of the
Michigan street entrance and the line
extended to Dearborn avenue, on the
east and North Clark street on the
west. The tops of the three buildings
across the street from the court build
ing had crowds Of spectators and every
window in the structures facing the
building had it's occupants. Sheriff
Pease late in the evening issued an or
der to keep the crowd out Of the build
ing as a demonstration somewhat viO-
lent in it's nature was feared when the
verdict was received. Enough people
got in, however, to completely fill the
court room. But three women graced
the assemblage by their presence, in
strong contradistinction to the crowd OF
females during the day.
About $3.50 o'clock the crowds in Mich
igan street were augmented by over a
score of men from the vicinity of Luet-
gert's sausage factory. They were as
sertive and unruly n demanded ad-
mission to the court building. This was
refused them but they were q persis-
tent hat word was telephoned to the
East Chicago Avenue police station for
officers. The alteration drew a crowd
which quickly chOked the entrance.
Captain Hoffman, of the East Chicago
Avenue station sent a patrol wagon
filled with officers to the scene on a
hurry p rum. When the officers
reached the building they drew clubs
and aided by a score Of deputy sheriffs,
| drove the crowd back.
The friends of Luetgert had by this
time been REINFORCED by about 200
| other people from the crowds. But they