The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-05
LUETGERT WANTS TO TESTIFY
ALLEGED WIFE MURDERER MAY co
ON WITNESS STAND TODAY.
Says He Can't BE "Lied" to the Gall
lows, and that He VIII Make Every
thing Plain When He Talks.

for the defense, had at last tired of the ex-
pert evidence. The testimony of each sue
ceeding witness was practically repetition
of that of preceding witnesses. Nothing
was being gained, while the record of the
case was being swelled with volume of
technical medical verbage For a
week bones had ratified before the
jury and eminent experts had dis
puted about them. The controversy
had become tiresome to the jury. The coun-
sci for the defense observed this and
stopped DR.. Reise may be called on to tell
of the result of another experiment. but
the real story of the experts as to sesa-
moids, femurs, metacarpals, temporals and
other bones has been told.
This afternoon ex-Judge Vincent, Attorney
Phalen, Arnold Luetgert and others who
are interested in the defense held consul
tation relative to whether or not Luetgert
should go on the witness stand AT the
close of the conference tonight ex-Judge
Vincent said he had not decided on the mat
ter. 1t was intmated that Luetgert might
be called to the witness stand tomorrow.
In fact, it is expected he will be- States
Attorney Deenen sought information on this
point tonight, but learned only that counsel
for the defense would announce their de-
ex-Judge Vincent would rather that Luet-
get remained off the witness stand. Attor
ney Phalen, his associate, desires that the
big sausage maker tell his story to the jury.
Luetgert is anxious to explain matters, and
the leading counsel for the defense seems
to fear the prisoner will talk too much if he
goes on the stand and thus injure his case.
Luetgert said this morning: II will give it
IN oiobf alxo Of
people when get on the stand. They can't
lie Luetgert to the gallows My story will
make everything plain
MOB OF CURIOUS PEOPLE.
There was an undminished crush of peo-
pie at the Criminal Court building this
morning All kinds of schemes were re-
sorted to by the throng in efforts to reach
the second floor of the building, on which
Judge Tuthills courtroom is located. The
police and deputy sheriffs experienced great
difficulty in handling the crowd Only those
who possessed tickets were admitted. Less
fortunate people tried to squeeze their way
in with the ticket holders. This plan
brought several enthusiastic citizens into
violent collision with the officers and hot
arguments ensued, in which the right of the
sheriff to exclude any one from pubic
courtroom was eXcitedly disputed. But the
officers in charge of the entrance were in
exorable and hundreds of men and women
slowly filed out of the courthouse when the
courtroom had been hled to its utmost ca
pacity. Among the visitors was Judge }.
N Thompson of the Court of Appeals OF
Louisiana. He occupied seat on the Dencn
with Judge Tuthill.
Luetgert and his inseparable cigar
reached the courtroom half an hour before
the opening hour The big sausage maker
was ceany Shaven, neatly attlreq ana APP
parently in the best of spirits. He greeted
his attorneys and friends pleasantly and
erri, 1ad ct N
garded him coolly. L can stand TINS sort
of thing a lifetime, SO far as the physical
endurance is concerned, said Luetgert,
when complimented by Phalen on his per-
sonal appearance. But l wish IL was over
with" continued Luetgert as he sent a
cloud of tobacco smoke in the air. 1t wears
on mans nervous system, and especially
if the weather is warm, as it has been most
of the time during my trial. feel much
better since / recovered sufficiently from
the injury to my leg to abandon that
crutch. crutch is an insutIerable nui-
sance to a person who is not used to It..
MORE EXPERT TESTIMONY.
Professor Eckley, of the College of Ply
sicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, was re-
called to-day for cross-examination on sew
eral matters in connection with his identifi-
cation of bones His testimony was simply
a repetition Of that of other witnesses along
the same line and he was not kept on the
witness stand long.
Professor Plummer. of the Northwestern
Medical College, the second witness OF the
day. gave evidence much to the liking of
the defense. After brief examination OF
the temporal bone introduced by the state
and positively identified by Professor Dor
sey. of the Field Columbia Museum, as the
right temporal of woman, DR.. Plummer.
with emphasis, declared the bone
WAS not poDp the tep Baars but ct very er,
superficial resemblance to the hui
man temporal" said the witness. The line
I'D ia
nerve is simply trace which indicates that
two bones have been joined or glued to-
gether. / notice what appears 10 me to be
vegetable matter 1t is of a somewhat
greenish tint, peculiar to vegetable matter
and to no other matter.
The bone which has been identified by
the experts Of the prosecution a human
femur was handed to DIR. Plummer, and
without hesitation he denied that 1t was a
femur of the human race. 1t resembles in
q slight degree human femur, said the
witness "but the bone is much smaller
than the average human femur. There are
other distinct characteristics of the human
femur missing. Besides, this bone looks
rough and OF a degree or thickness not seen
in the human femur.
During the afternoon session Professor
'Eckley was recalled a second time and ad-
mitted that on one occasion he did say that
Professor Dorsey whose evidence he testi-
fed against, one of the best men the
state could have procured as an expert.
Prof. VIM. b. Hall, of the Northwestern
Dental College, an expert In chemistry,
gave scientific testimony with reference to
action o
plates to which they are attached. 1t was
his opinion that the potash solution in the
vat in which Mrs. Luetgerts body is said
| to have been disintegrated was not OF suf-
| ficient destructive power to seriously affect
| the teeth but it would undoubtedly either
destroy or greatly damage the mouthplates.
A CHEERFUL WITNESS.
David Victor, a carpenter, who lives in
| the vicinity of the Luetgert sausage fac
| tory, was called on to tell whether he had
| ever observed Mrs. Luetgert in a sad
morose condition of mind. He said he had
not She was always cheerful and happy
| when he saw her.
How many times have you seen her
cheerful and happy?" asked States Attor-
ney Duncan.
"Oh. 1 don't know" answered the wit
ness
wen, about 275 times? urged the ques-
| toner.
| Not so many"
/ Wei 274 times, them
! Yes, that's about right"
$50 are you. You may go" said the
| states attorney, and the cheerful witness
| stepped down.
Druggist H. f. Kruger, at whose store
| at Clybourne and Ashland avenues. Frank
Bialk bought a bottle of Hunyadi water on