The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-02
IN A HORN.
Witnesses in the Luetgert Case
Now Talk
Into the Receiver of a Large
Sized Photograph.
A QUESTION OF BONES.
Experts Continue to Give Con-
Trajectory Evidence
Regarding the Kind of Bones
Brought Into Court

Chicago. Oct. at looked for few
moments today as if there would be an
interruption in the Luetgert trial Jur-
or John E. Fowler was not feeling well.
but he expressed a desire that the case
proceed and court opened at the usual
hour
The first witness called this morning
was Dr. V. A. NIerrillat. of the AIcKilop
Veterinary college. Chicago. DR.. Mer-
rillat was called upon to Identify va
riOuS bones placed in evidence by the
prosecution and declared by the defense
to he the bones of the lower order of
ami ais. Like his predecessors upon
the tand in the expert line, the witness
was inclined to lecture and demon. .Strate
his remarks to degree that became
tireSOme.
DR.. Merrillat was less confident in his
identification than other experts who
have been heard during the trial Bene-
fitting by their amusing and at times
humiliating blunderS the witness avoid
ed the cleverly laid technical pitfalls
arranged by Prof Dorsey of the Field
Columbian museum. Dr. Merrillat re
fused to identify the gorilla femur
which yesterday proved a stumbling
block to Dr. Airport, who said it was
the femur of a strong man, who in life
had probably been feet 4 inches tall.
In reality the gorilla, whose bones now
rest in the Field COlumb bian museum
was 6 feet inches tall when he roamed
the jungles. The witness also refused
d
bone. He said that he wanted some
thing more than an isolated bone in
order to positively state it's probable
nature and connection. While he felt
sure in his own mind as to the identity
of the bones, yet he did not propose,
he said, in a case involving so much,
and While he was under oath, to posi-
lively state that these bones were alb
sOlutely what he thought they were
He did not believe in off-hand guessing
and thought any expert should be
granted time to make a thorough inves-
A phonOgraph expert brought into
court today score of receiving cylfn-
ders and a vast bugle shaped tube
This was trained on the witness stand
and by request Of counsel, witnesses
will speak loud and clear in the future
In short time photographic reproduc-
tiCns of some of the evidence will be
heard all over the country.
On crosse examination by Assistant
States Attorney McEwen, Dr. Merrill
lat was led into a fiat contradiction of
DR.. Airport as to the Identification of a
hog femur. Yesterday Dr. Airport
positively identified the bone as the up
per part of the femur of a hog. This
morning, DR. Merrillat just as posi-
lively stated the bone was the lower
part of the femur.
''Sure?" queried Assistant States
Attorney McEwen.
Sure" echoed the witness
you could not be mistaken?''
"I think not no sir
That's alP' remarked Mr. McEwen
smiling as he toyed with the femur of
the hog.
DR.. J. Hughes. of the Chicago Vet
Urinary college was next called to the
stand and told what he knew about
bones to the phOnograph-a incident
ally also to the attorneys and the jury
His evidence did not differ materially
from that of the other experts Later
Prof. EclIley, of the Chicago College of
Physicians and Surgeons was called
and questioned at length regarding ses-
amoids, femurs, tempOrals and other
bones.
Luetgert was apparently in the best
of spirits and good humOr and laughed
frequently over the tiIts between eoun-
sci.