The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-09-01
Chicago's Murder Mystery

The trial Of Adofph Leutgert for the
murder of his wife. which began 10
Chicago last Monday. will doubtless
prove to be one Of the most absorbing
murder trials that has occurred in this
or another country There are few
cases 10 the criminal annals to compare
with it. Circumstantial evidence will
have to be ,rusted to from beginning to
end. There is 90 proof. in fact. that
murder was committed. Only wo
man has been missing, and the author
ities have theory as to her disappear
ance, which may prove to be true or
net. II. with the proof now known to
the public. con vicsion can be obtain
ed, the trial will become a landmark in
crimina. history.
On the night Of the 1ss of May last
Mrs. Leutgert disappeared from her
home 10 Chicago. and there is 20 au-
thensio proof that she has been seen
alive sioce. Her husband was large
sausage manufacturer. but had become
embarrassed io business It was no
torious fact that the couple did not live
bsppily together. and that he bad made
vague threats against her. 90 the
night of the supposed murder the az
tborisies believe that the wife was en-
ticed 70 the sausage factory BY the hus-
band. murdered, and her body dis.
solved in some stroug chemical 10 one
of tbe vats used in the factory. There
is no proof, however. that Mrs Lieut.
CERT vent to tho sausage factory. the
last acknowledged sight of ber having
beer bad by her 12.year-old son, Louis.
wbo tade ser goodnight at 10 80
o'clock and vent to bed.
The facts upon which the authori-
ties will proceed are these. A few days
before the supposed murder Lsu.gers
bad had delivered at the factory large
package OF somr msterial which burned
the hsuds Of those who touched it. and
which bad never been used in the es.
tablishment before. The police be-
lieve it 10 have been some corrosive
chemical % the night Of the allege.
murder it is known that Lentgert had
FIRE built under one Of the vats. that be
remained aloce in the vat room until
e.rly 10 the following morning, ADD
tha. be ordered: the place thoroughly
cleaned out Immediately afterwards
In searching the vat which bad been
used on that oighs the authorities found
two gold rings, both OF which. it is
said, bave been identified as having be.
logged to Mrs. Leu.gert. aud ao arti-
foial tooth, such as it is claimed Mrs.
Leutgert wore. sod 10 the catch basin
under the vat some small pieces Of bone
aud small taogle OF blonde hair we're
also found.
To test their theory that the dead
body Of Mrs. Leutgert was dis.
solved in some strong chemi-
cal solution experiments we're made
at the Rush Medical college. 10
Chicago, which. it is claimed. proved
that such result can be obtained Il
is claimed that these experiments
proved tba. dead body can be dissolv
ed in less than three hours But there
will be conflicting testimony, as is usu.
al in such cases. Professors aud expert
chemists will try Co show that human
body canoot be dissolved 10 the time
given, aod that this is especially true
Of che frootal bone of the skull and Of
the teeth. Testimony will also be of
fered going to prove that Mrs. Lieut.
CERT bas been seen 10 different places
since the alleged murder, and Luet-
gers himself stoutly asserts that she
will walk into the court room during
the trial. But as the production of
Mrs. Leutgert alive aud we'll would
have cleared up the mystery at aoy
time little trust can be placed in these
claims.
The case is certainly q mysterious
one, and it will test The best skill of the
detectives and prosecuting attorney to
weave the iocrim;oatiog testimony to.
ge,her. aud present it to jury 10 such
a clear and connected light as to pro-
duoe conviction. It will be Interesting
to see whether two RIGGS. tooth. and
q ssugle Of hair are ss effective 10 no
ravelling this murder mystery as some
teeth were 10 coovict,og Professor
Webster. of Boston, Of the murder Of
DR.. Parkman many years ago. Pro-
fessor Webster tried to destroy all evi-
of his crime by burning the body of
his victim, bu. the discovery 10 the
ashes Of some gold.6lled teeth, which
we're Identified as having belonged to
to DR.. Parkmsn, led to the detection
aud punishment Of Professor Webster.
IF the Chicago trial should have Sim
liar result from nearly similar circum-
stances it will mark it as one OF the
most sensational 10 the history Of mur.
Dh:i.1olob;o proee