The herald., 1897-10-16
HOT WEATHER
Did Not Affect Luetgert
Listeners
COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE
NOT CONVINCED OF THE LADY'S
DEATH
COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENSE
The Flood of Oratory Will Continue
for at Least Two Days
Next Week
Associated Press Special Wire.


CHICAGO, Oct. 15.-At 2 o'clock this
afternoon the thermometer registered
S5 degrees, with every condition favor
able for still higher mark. According
to the bureau officials, this is the hottest
weather at this time of year for twenty
five years.
The intensely hot weather had but lit
tie effect upon the attendance at the
Luetgert trial The court room was
packed and hundreds of persons We're
unable to gain admittance. Attorney
Vincent, chief counsel for the defense,
continued his address to the jury. His
arguments were principally directed to-
ward the reasonable doubt" as to the
death of Mrs. Luetgert. He vigorously
attacked the police officials for their al
legged browbeatng of witnesses partic-
ularly in the case of Mary Simmering.
whom he declared the defendant had
treated more like a daughter than an en-
ploye. The witnesses for the prosecution
were held up to Scorn and Judge Vincent
declared that the prosecution had done
nothing but throw mud at hisc lent
while the defense had been engaged in
scraping ii off.
During all the hot afternoon session of
the court ex-Judge Vincent pleaded with
the jury to spare the life of his client
He argued that there was nothing in the
alleged love of Luetgert for Mary Sim
mering, the pretty servant girl, that
would inspire the sausage maker to COM
NIT such diabolical crime as was laid at
his door Mary Simmering is relative of
Mrs. Luetgert and had been in the fam
lily for years and was regarded as men,
ber of the family rather than in the light
of a servant. the speaker declared. Then
he read the testimony of Mary Simmer
ing, who had said that Mrs. Luetgert
was her friend and had often paid her
extra wages, warning her not to let Luet-
guert know this fact. He also recalled
that the two women exchanged presents
on Christmas, 1896, and were apparently
on the best Of terms. With bitter invec
tive, Luetgert's chief legal defender at
tackled the police department for the al
legged cruel browbating treatment which
had not only bene heaped upon Mary
Simmerng, but which had also been ac-
corded other witnesses for the defense.
Ex-Judge Vincent seemed fully to real
ze that this was the last plea to appeal
for the big man who sat within touch of
his hand, and this fact inspired the ora
tor with eloquence and fire. In one of his
outbursts he shouted, turning suddenly
toward Luetgert: 'They have for
months been throwing mud at him, and
mud at him, and mud at him." At each
repetition of the phrase the speaker
reached down and dashed an imaginary
handful of mud in Luetgert's face Then
he stopped suddenly. Facing the jury,
nc stood silently for a moment and then
added: "And we have been scraping ii
off,
States Attorney Deenen was sharply
criticised for the attack made upon tho
reputatio of w. A. Charles, and then the
lawyer declared that Mrs. Luetgert had
been well treated at her home. He re-
called the fact that Luetgert and his
wife had lived together eighteen years
and had got along as we'll during their
married life as people of their station
and mental development usually do-no
better and no worse.
Ex-Judge Vincent declared it as his
firm conviction that Mrs. Luetgert had
wandered away while demented and if
she was dead her death was not due to
any act of her husband.
Mr.. Vincent will probab bly, conclude his
address in tomorrows session. On Mon
day States Attorney Deenen will make
a five hours speech and the case will
doubtless be given to the Jury late on
Tuesday.