The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-24

CHlCAGOiAuB' -a,-7Aliel hNo ptSHAN
mary hearings and three months con-
finement in the county jail, Adolph L.
Luetgert, the rich sausage maker, was
put ON trial, charged with the murder of
his wife. before Judge Tuthlll, in the
criminal court to-day. The big sausage
maker has declared to his attorneys, ex-
Judge William A. Vincent and Albert
Phalon, that he desired no further de-
lay. Both the state and defense pro-
phesy that 1000 venlremen will be ex-
amlned. and that week will pass be-
fore twelve men who are acceptable to
both sides are found. Then the trial Will
begin in earnest
The theory OF the state Is that Luet-
gert induced his wife to accompany him
TO his sleeping apartment in the fac
tory ofTlce,an there strangled her. Then
he is thought to have taken her body TO
the basement, and to have immersed It
in a vat filled with solution of caustic
potash heated to the boiling point.
What remained OF the body after this
process, 1t is alleged. was gathered to-
gether and thrown into the furnace OF
one of the boilers upon express orders
given by Luetgert to his watchman.
Frank Balk The state has made sew
eral experiments in support of this the
ory,
To Experiment on Cadavers.
Luetgerts attorneys viii also expert
ment with crude potash. With tho re-
suits they hope successfully to combat
the testimony 10 be introduced by the
| state regarding the dislntegration OF
cadaver in solution similar to that
found in the vat in the sausage factory
In which Mrs. L4uetgert's remains are
alleged 20 have been destroyed.
The cadaver used by the state. say the
attorneys for the defense. was several
DAYS old. In It there was not the re-
slsting power Of nerves and muscles
which body from which life
has Just passed would offer to
the action of the solution. Act
ing upon this belief the defense has
employed experts to conduct expert
ments with fresh body, and the de-
fense processes the utmost confluence
that the results will utterly dlsprove the
theory of the prosecution.
| While the trial Is IN progress detec-
| tiyes all over the country and Germany
viii be searching for Mrs. Luetgert.
who has been reported to have been
seen In various places since her hus-
hands arrest. All of these have been
run down by the police, who claim to
have proved they had little foundation.
Nevertheless,lt ls said the defense hopes
by the relterntlon OF such stories TO
raise the question OF doubt In the minds
Of the jurymen.
Court Room Crowded.
Long before the case was called for
trial the corridors OF the criminal court
building were crowded with people, an
xlous to get into the court room, and a
special detail OF police was necessary to
keen them in order. When the case was
called, the court room was filled TO sur
location, n remarkable feature being the
number OF women present. Luetgert
himself sat close to his attorneys, un-
usually pale. The coolness which mas
characterized the sausage maker ever
slnce his arrest deserted him and he
| showed unmlstakable signs of nervous
ness. He was dressed neatly In black.
Immediately after the court was called
to order States Attorney Deneen arose
and announced that the prosecution was
ready to proceed with the trial. the
attorneys for the defense made slmi-
lar announcement, no application for a
change OF venue being made. A contro.
yersy then arose as to the manner OF
drawing the jury, the prosecution con
tending that Il should be drawn under
the new Jury commission law. After
some discussion this was agreed TO, At
torney ViSeent for the defense however
notluE an exception for the purpose OF q
test az TO the constltutlonnlity OF tha
law. Court then adjourned until TO-
| fnorrOW.