Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-10-28

capped the climax of the extraordinary
series of events which began with his
sensational bankruptcy and alleged
frightful diabolism of boiling his wife
factory cellar. Closely following the
result of the trial which has attracted
worldwide attention Luetgert made
under oath a statement for the Asso
ciated Press concerning the fearful
crime charged against him. 1t was
the first sworn statement made by
him. and the first statement of such a
kind ever known in newspaper annals.
The affidavit was put in writing and
due legal form and is certified to by
ii notary.
EX-Judge Vincent, the leading coun-
sci for the defense in this celebrated
case, the man to whose brains, skill
and energy Luetgert beyond all doubt
owes his great legal victory, gave
consent to the affidavit being made
public. The scene in the Jail when
Luetgert took the oath was as dramatic
as the circumstances were unique. In
the dmly lighted Jail corridor, Luet-
CERT standing erect and grasping the
iron bars that still kept him from lib
erty, lifted his right hand and sol,
emily assented, as the notary admin.
istered the binding form. The grue-
some surroundings were a reminder IN
some degree of the midnight occur
rences in the factory cellar that have
! become familiar to the hundreds OF
thousands who have followed the de-
tails of the great trial. Few If any OF
the curious prisoners and turnkeys
who were spectators had any inklne
of what was taking place. Luetgert
the notary and the representative OF
the Associated Press conferred to,
gether for few moments and then
| Luetgert without hesitation made the
! affidavit and signed it in ink with tn
! hard that is alleged to have commit
! ted ono of the most liendish crimes or
record. The affidavit explicitly de-
elared Iuetgert's innocence. The doc
ument in full is as follows:
'ro the public: The result OF IN,
trial, ending today, is a victory for me
because of the disagreement of the
! Jury, but | am very much disappoint
: ed and very much surprised that thu
| Jury did not bring in a verdict OF no
! guilty ! did not kill my wife and de
not know where she is, but | am sure
that 1t is only question of time unit
she comes home. did not go upol
the witness stand because my lawyer
Judge Vincent was bitterly opposed
to my doing o and because he advises
me It was not necessary, | am yer!
! grateful for the tremendous change II
public sentiment in my favor ant
time will demonstrate that | am no
only innocent, but Il very grievousl,
wronged man.
"Adolph l.. Luetgert,
"Sunscribed and sworn to before m
/ this 21st day Of October A. D., 1891
M. +. Sullivan,
Notary Public, "
The jury stood nine for convictio
and three for acquittal. 1t had bee
dead-locked for thirty eight hours.
Court was called to order ut 10:l
and the jury, haggard looking and hal
of the members minus their collars
filed in. The court waited on Mr.. De
neen and the prisoner.
Gentlemen, | have called you int
court to ask If You have reached
verdict" said Judge Tuthill.
Foreman Heickhold arose and re
piled: Your honor. we have not"
is there any prospect OF you
reaching once" asked the court,
Il don't think so, In fact, know
there Is not; ut least that is my fir
belief" responded the foreman.
How do you stand: numerically.
mean. not individually quer'ed tn