The true northerner., 1897-10-27
'SWEARS He IS S|NLESS
First Sworn Statement Made by
AdoIph Luetgert, the Alleged
Chicago Wife-Murderer.
BRIEF DENIAL THAT HE rs GUILTY

Did Not Kill His Wife and Does Not Know
Where She Is, He says-Believes She
Will Yet Reappear Alive-Jury Fails to
Agree, Declares Agreement Impossible
and Is Discharged-Accused Man VIII
Try tn Get Out Bail.
Chicago, Oct. 22.-The Associated Press
last night obtained the one great feature
missing in the famous Luetgert trial
the sworn testimony Of the defendant
himself, Adolph l.. Luetgert Standing
last night in the gloomy Jail adjoining
the grim-looking gray-stone court build
ing in which his remarkable trial had
at last been brought 10 a finish the burly
sausage manufacturer capped the eli
max Of the extraordinary series of events
which began with his bankruptcy and
alleged frightful diabolism Of boiling his
wife to death at midnight in a vat in his
factory cellar. Closely following the
final result of the trial which has at
tracted worldwide attention, Luetgert
made under oath a statement concerning
the fearful crime charged against him,
the first sworn statement of such a kind
ever known in newspaper annals.
Scene Was Unique and Dramatic.
The affidavit was put In writing in due
legal form. and is certified TO by notary.
Ex-Judge William A. Vincent. the lead
ing counsel for the defendant in this eel
ebrated case, the man 10 whose brain,
skill and energy Luetgert beyond all
doubt owes his great legal victory, gave
consent 10 the affidavit being made. The
scene in the Jail when Luetgert took the
oath was as dramatic as the circum-
stances were unique. In the dimly lighted
jail corridor, Luetgert standing erect
grasping the iron bars that still kept him
from liberty, lifted his right hand SOL
emnly asserted as the notary admins
tered the oath. The gruesome surround
ings were a reminder in some degree Of
the midnight occurrences in the factory
cellar that have become familiar to the
hundreds OF thousands who have fol-
lowed the details of the great trial.
Few IL any Of the curious prisoners
and turnkeys who were spectators had
any inkling Of what was taking place.
Luetgert the notary and the representa-
tive Of the Associated Press conferred
together for a few moments and then
Luetgert without hesitation made affi-
davt and signed il in ink with the hand
that is alleged to have committed one OF
the most fiendish crime on record.
81 Did Not Kill My Wife,"
The affidavit explicitly declares Luet-
gert's innocence. The document in full
follows:
ITO Public: The result OF my trial, end
ing today is victory for me because OF
the disagreement of the jury. but l am
very much disappointed and very much
surprised that the jury did not bring In
verdict Of not guilty
II did not kill my wife, and do not
know where she is. but am sure that II
is only question of time until she comes
! home.
II did not go upon the witness stand
because my lawyer. Judge Vincent, wa:
bitterly opposed my doing so, and because
he advised ME that it was not necessary
Il am grateful for the tremendou:
change in public sentiment in my favor
and time will demonstrate that am not
| only an innocent but very grievously
wronged man. TSgned1
"ADOLPH L. LUETGERT."
Subscribed and sworn TO before m,
this 21st day Of October, A D.. 1897.
GSigned] NJ. F. SULLIVAN.
! Notary Public