The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-09
BLOOD ON The BLADE
LUETGERT'S KNIFE INTRODUCED AND
SURPRISES THE DEFENSE.
Two Corset SteeIs Identified. "A Crowd Clam
oring for Admission and Many Women
Get Ektal:e.

Chicago ILL.,, Sept. o.-lne uelense III
the trial of AdollEh l.. Luetgert, for wife
murder were Surprised by move of
the State in tha trial to-day, What is
considered to :5e one of the strongest
pieces of evidsnce was introduced. Mrs
Christine FeIlt, Luetgert's one time
sweet heart, Nas called TO the stand by
the State fo{ the third time. Assistant
States Attorney McE,wen handed her
an ugly appearing pocket knife, the
blades of which were stained and rusted,
and askeA her if she had ever seen il
before. SHE testified that the big sau-
sage menufacturer had given her this
knife for safe keeping on the day of his
arrest.s The prosecution asserts that II
was with this knife Iuetgert murdered
his wsfe before placing her body in the
boiling potash, where it was dissolved.
I'lss ugly looking object was passed
around for the inspection of the attor
neyS and was handed to Luetgert, who
opeied and closed the blades, gazing
clrEiously Mt the weapon and scraping
the blade with his finger as if to feel
the stains which covered the blade. He
csidenced no emotion, though he knew
that every person in the court room was
closely watching and taking note of his
5vcry action. In talking with his attor-
l=neys he admitted the knife was his prop
crty.
j. III. Odenbrett, and w. G. Cady,
corset makers were placed on the stand
in succession and positively identified
the two alleged corset steels as having
been the product of their factory. Ger
tain marks on the two bits of metal were
shown to correspond with similar marks
with new steels which were produced
in court. The witnesses each testified
positively as to the similarity and also
to the fact that the new steels were
Of the pattern usually sold by their fac
tory. It was considered by the State
to be n great blow to the defense and
was unexpected by the latter who hop
ed to prove that the two pieces of steel
were scale bands.
Emma Schimke, sister of Gottlieba
Schimkpe, who testified to having seen
Luetgert and his wife enter the factory
ON the fated evening, was placed on the
stand to corroborate the testimony OF
her younger sister. She was a very fall
tering witness and suffered under the
scathing cross examination to which she
was subjected.
She was apparently imbued with the
idea that she M kt testify only to those
matters which hurt the cause of the de-
fense. Judge Tuthill administered n
kindly but firm lecture to the trembling
girl.
From her, the defense secured the ad-
mission that she was not sure she saw
Luetgert and his wife enter the factory
and the defense also forced her to admit
that she could not remember anything
that happened ON any other particular
night than May 1st. When asked the
day of the week upon which May 1st
fell, she hesitated and then said: "Sat-
itY
The defense felt that their cause had
gained perceptibly from her testimony.
The court opened with the usual
crowd clamoring for admission at the
door. Within the court room. the MEM
bers of the fair sex predominated, a.
mong the spectators and the little room
was crowded to its utmost capacity.
When Luetgert entered shortly before
court was opened he reneated his man
ner Of Tuesday and smilingly nodded at
the jury. He attempted to catch the
eye Of Judge Tuthill. but that official
refused to notice the prisoner.