Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-11
CRIES THEY'VE DESERTED NE"
FOR THE FIRST TINE HE REALIZES
HIS POSITION.
Relief Growing That SchIeEcl Was
Dcceived-Was surely Urged On
by DIR. Berger's Enemies 20
Kill HIm-PrfsOner Has
Lost Heart.


ton of his crime. was very clearly estab-
lshed By the exclusive publication IN Ihe
Journal, yesterday, Of the signed state
ments Of two of the most reputable ply
sicians in Kansas City that DR.. Berger was
physically incapacitated from committing
the act The story as told by the Schie-
gels. man and wife, had been so highly
some of It so monstrously. improbable, that
it had found few believers. Yesterdays S
story in these columns. and the fiat, un-
eQuivocal statements of Drs. HALEY and
Wainwright swept away nearly every YES
tige of sentiment for Schlegel. An even
ing newspaper. which had considered Mrs.
Schlegers story very seriously Friday, yes
terday impressed its extreme improba-
bility." The crime was everywhere looked
upon as murder. not justltiable.
schlegei realized this Yesterday after
noon ne broke down completely, and paced
his cell, sobbing, for hours, tears rolling
down his cheeks.
They have deserted me-" he repeated
over and over. "and there is nobody to
stand up for me-"
For the first time he seemed 10 realize
the gravity Of his position and the enor-
nifty Of the ofense OF taking human life.
Dr. Berger's physical condition was
known to other physicians than those
whose signed statements were given yes
terday. but they decline. acting upon ad-
vice TO make any statement at present.
John OGrady has been retained by Dr.
Bergers brother 10 assist in the prosecu-
tion. and he is averse to having any more
OF the states evidence brought out at this
time if it can be avoided.
The belief is growing that schlegel was
misled and deceived as to the assault upon
his wife, while it is certain that he was
directly urged TO his bloody deed by deadly
enemies of DR.. Berger. He tells himself
OF waiting, waiting 10 see If he would be
justified; Of asking friends about it; and
naturally these friends must have sifted
down TO men who bore DR.. Berger no good
will. How far they urged him on, what
measure OF responsibility rests upon them,
has not developed. One. however. il is
known from Schlegers own statement ad
Vise1 hi'.i on the day of the tragedy to
kill az . he killed Il is believed that about
this nan net is being surely woven.
There are more than whispers that Mrs.
band asserts, and 1t is a mistake that all
the neighbOrs of the family stand by them
in this AFFAIR. Schlegel's jealousy. it has
been established. extended over a long
period, at least from two years prior to
last November. There are some who build
the theory that Mrs Schlegel harassed
in fit of anger turned upon him and told
him that his suspicions were true; then.
out of this. grew the story of rape. How
ever Il came about and however false. there
is no doubt that Schlegel believed il. He
trooded over II. He was urged on by DR..
BerEer's enemies. At last he killed his
man. Schlegel * a suspicious. brooding
German. His wife may have never sus-
pected, despite his jealousy and his talk,
friend who inhamed his passions to the
point OF courage.
Whom do you mean has deserted you?''
he was asked yesterday while bewailing
his condition.
But he would not answer and kept on
walking up and down his cell. crying.
There is a strong belief that Schlegel can
not stand the strain of confnement-his
breakdown yesterday would show this
Prisoners on the same tier-thirty or forty
in all-whO have taken a keen interest in
Schegel and watched him closely fear he
may kill himself. Few will be surprised
If the stories clung to so tenacously by
the prisoner are brushed aside and the de-
fense made insanity.
Prosecutor Lowe has not returned home
10 tell what occurred IN his Office between
Dr. Berger. Mrs. Schlegcl and himself
the assault at that time. Few believe this
statement telegram from Minneapolis
TO The Journal states that Mr.. Lowe is
not there With the Kansas City Elks.
Coroner Bedford has In his possession
the small book which was taken from
Schlegel containing the names of witnesses
he proposed to have summoned after he
had killed DR.. Berger. None OF the other
data in II bears a date line. In the book
are the following lines:
XIII him to-day and don't run from the
I an about 10 right a great wrong"
llH1c Is up. wait 10 longer for him."
The last entry w9s made in ink.
Detectives Halpin and Sanderson are
watching the case for the police.
SchIeEeTs Nerve Gone.
John Schlegel is breaking down. He no
longer laughs and chats with visitors who
stand before his cell IN the county iafI. The
full horror Of his awful position is Just
forcing its way into his ploddiue, brain
For the first time since his arrest. M :
O'Clock last evening. he cast aside the mask
OF Indifference and sobbed like a child His
pudgy form shook with emotion and as the
tears tricllcd down his face he sobbed.
They have deserted me: there is no one
20 stand up for me"
Who has deserted you?' asked a report-
er for The Journal. who stood before his
cell:
"Who-who?" demanded schIcreI. pausinr
In his nervous walk up and down the mar
row quarters OF his cell. \ wild look came
into his eyes and his lips quivorod a tor
rent Of tears fe!l from his eyes and he sgnk
helplessly 10 his iron couch
IT was fierce storm OF emotion which
swept over ;, hltECl lie wiped his ..,-as
with the back Of his hand and resumed his
march mp and down the cell. CRYING Nut-
tered words I'm German esCaDsd his IiDs
coming as though he had speDt his sfrenrfb
IN trying to hold them in check Once he
came 20 the bars and clutching them nrm-
"Oh, my boys. They were here this aftar-
noon. ana the little fellows cricd-criod as
though their hearts would break. 1t makes
His fingers slipped from the steel con-
Zines as ne staggered back and forth. reel
ing Ike a man drunk with Wine
Jailcr Lum Wilson ana Mr.. Siabau tl,a
stepped before the cell. Mr. Sicben held
hiS hand through the bars and said:
Why. It's Johu-Johu Schlegol"
- htEtl EraSped the OutstUetChed hand
and squeezed Il couvulsivcly. lie pressed
his tear-siained face close TO the bars and
pcered curiously into Sieb,n-s face
Ny name Is Siehgn.n he said TO Schlegel,
who had not recognized him
'oh, yes, Sisbcn.' echoed SchIcEcL
Then the two men talked IN German for
quite awhile. Schiegel often bursting into
uttered seemed 10 have soothing eject
upon the prisoner. As soon as Sieben had
passed on. however. Schles,l sank down
upon his bunk and. burying his face In his
hands. began 10 cry again. lie refused 10
answer any questions to newspaper re-
Mrs SchlegeI her two sons and two rela-
tiNes Of hers visited SChlegel yesterday aft
cTTCon and passed an hour with him. Sew
cral times SChlegcl kissed his boys and
wher they left. the little fellows wept be-
caUsc their father could not 20 along. II
was then that Schlegcrs nerve deserted
hin. The enormity Of his offcnSe against
society and the struggle with the law that
Is Vet before him seemed for the first time
10 penetrate his mind and force him 10 a
the train robher. came 20 his cell door
sohlegel was crying softly. lie looked up