The herald., 1897-09-23
The Author of Luetgert's
Troubles
ROBBED THE SAUSAGE MAKER
POVERTY DROVE THE WIFE
INSANE
The Defense Makes Claims, Which, If
Proven True, Will Certainly
Clear the Defendant
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
CHICAGO, Sept. 22.-Ex-Judge Vim
cent sprung surprise on the prosecu-
ton in the Luetgert murder trial in
his opening statement today by his ref
erence to a man named Robert Davey,
who, he said, was the original medium
through which all of Luetgert's trouble
arose, and whose actions resulted in
Luetgert being charged with murder.
A little over year ago, Satan, in the
shape of a medium-sized, well-dressed
and educated Englishman named Rob-
ert Davey, came to Luetgert and caused
all his trouble, said ex-Judge Vincent.
This man came with forged letters
of introduction, representing himself as
a man of means Luetgert always car
ried his heart on his sleeve, as you Will
see when he goes on the witness stand.
Davey told Luetgert he could be the
sausage king of the world" went on ex-
Judge Vincent, land Luetgert believed
him, for Davey was an artist in painting
glowing pictures of wealth and fame.
He told Luetgert he represented an
English syndicate and that a company
would be organized with capital of
$500, 900 and bonds for an additional
$4OO. 600 could be issued. The company
would be known as the A. l.. Luetgert
Sausage and Packing Company, Davey
said, and Luetgert would be given $780,
900 cash and $fOO 900 worth of stock. Out
of the cash he could pay off $4,000 in
debtedness. which was covered by
on the factory.
Mrs Luetgert was delighted over the
visions of wealth revealed by Davey' 3
picture, and Lue tgert, uneducated, hon.
est and without suspicion, was pleased
over the prospects of ranking with the
Armours Swifts and Nelson Morris in
the meat world. Davey had his expenses
during the time he was negotiating with
Luetgert, whom he had induced to close
the factory preparatory to the change
which was to have taken place January
1st, 1897. He called upon Luetgert for
money and got 1t, in all about $25 900,
and finally Davey told Luetgert the
money and bonds were in custody Of the
Continental Bond Company of New
York Luetgert and Judge Goodrich, to
whom Luetgert told his story, went to
New York. But none of the bankers or
bond cqmpan ndes of that city had ever
heard Of Davey. and said Luetgert had
been swindled."
The attorney told how Luetgert's busi-
ness had been injure by the closing of
the factory, and in addition to the loss
of $25.OO0 to Davey lost by the failure of
E. S. Dreyer and Conlpany's bank. Then
he borrowed $4,000 from Foreman
u, hov 1yar 10 Al q ~ bar ~
gage on the factory. Finally, failure
came and disaster drove Mrs. Luetgert
to the verge of insanity. Later the
woman became insane, the lawyer said,
and wandered away.
The life of Luetgert was briefly sketch
ed Arrived in America 80 years ago
without a dollar, counsel said, by in
dustry and thrift he built up an enor-
nous business. He made three million
pounds of sausage a year and sold 1t all
over this ccu-trv and Furone. Ofte,
there were 100000 pounds of meat in the
factory at one time, and sales from the
factory 10 local Gus lomela averaged
$3.50 per day. Nineteen years ago, Luet-
CERT married Miss Louise Bickner, the
woman he is said to have killed. She was
his second wife. They had four chill
dren, two boys and two girls. The lat
ter are now dead.
Attorney Vincent startled the prosecu-
ton by the magnitude of his claims in
the last few minutes of the morning ses-
sion, that Mrs. Luetgert is alive. He
said he would prove it by witnesses who
had seen her since May LIST, and would
also prove that the bones found in the
L h,,% v,,,k I,ov he
the police authorities. The attorney said
ne would show that the rings are not
Mrs. Luetgert's.
The attorneys speech made an impress
sion on those in the court room and there
was a more cheerful smile on Luetgert's
face ac he limped back to jail.
The first witness for the defense in
the Luetgert trial was called today and
there will be three weeks of evidence
tending to prove his innocence before
the attorneys in the case commence their
fnal arguments.
During the afternoon session three
of the witnesses were heard. The firs'
called was ex-Judge A. A. Goodrich
partner of ex-Judge Vincent, CHIEF
counsel for the defense. The witness
said that on May 30th Luetgert came te
hie office and with tears in his eyes in
formed him that Mrs. Luetgert had dis
appeared.
Il advised him to keep the matter ou
of the newspapers" said ex-Judgt
Goodrich. IT told him if his creditors
to whom he owed some $50, 900, heard O.
the disappearance they would foreclost
Immediately"
Adolph Delant. a drayman. testified
that on May 1st he took three barrels o.
grease and tallow to Luetgert's factory
He understood the stuff was to be uset
in making soap.
Rosa Gleich OF 1859 Paulina' street
Lake View, was called to the witness
stand to fmpeaeh the evidence of Emrs
Schimpke, who testified for the prose
cution and said she saw Luetgert ant
his wife going from the Luetgert resi-
dence to the sausage factory about Il
o'clock on the night of May 1st.