The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-09
BIG KNIFE IN COURT
STATE THINKS TO HAVE DAMAGED
LUETGERTS CAUSE.

LUETGERTS CAUSE.
Ars. Feldt, Luetgert's Sweetheart, is Re-
Called and Identifies an Ugiy-Looking
knife With Stains on It Which the
State Says Are of the Blood of Mrs.
Luetgert-He Gave His Beloved Chris
Day He Was Arrested-Expert Testi-
mony-Luetgert Smiles,
Chicago, Sept. s.-The defense in the
trial Of Adoiph Luetgert for wife murder
was somewhat surprised by a movement
Of the state today. What is considered
20 be one Of the strongest pieces Of evil
dence in the trial was introduced. Mrs.
Christine Feldt, Luetgert's one-time
sweetheart, was called 10 the stand by
the state for the third time. Assistant
States Attorney McEwen handed her an
ugly-appearing pocket knife, the blades
OF which were stained and rusted, and
asked her if she had ever seen il before.
She testified that the big sausage manu-
facturer had given her this knife f0c
safe keeping on the day OF his arrest.
The prosecution asserts that il was with
this knife Luetgert murdered his wife
Jefore placing her body in the boiling
potash, where it was dissolved.
The ugly looking object was passed
around for the inspection OF the attOr-
neys and was handed 70 Luetgert, who
opened and closed the blades, gazing cur
iouSly a. the weapon and scraping the
blade with his finger as if 70 feel the
stains which covered the blade. He
evidenced no emotion, though ne knew
that every person in the court room, in
Guiding court, jury and spectators, were
closely watching and taking note Of his
every action. In talking with his attor-
fneys he admitted that the knife was his
property.
The court opened with the usual crowd
clamoring for admission at the door.
Within the court room, the members Of
the fair sex predominated among the
spectators and the little room was
crowded 10 its utmost capacity.
When Luetgert entered Shortly before
court was opened, he repeated his man
ner Of Tuesday and smilingly nodded at
the jury. He attempted 10 catch the
eye Of Judge Tuthill. but that official re-
fused 70 notice the prisoner.
The first witness called was Eugene B.
Palmer, a reporter for the Chicago Jour
nal. Palmer testified TO having held a
small bottle under the stream Of pinkish
matter which flowed from the slucaway
OF the vat when the police opened the
valve. Palmer was followed by W. H.
Stuart, also a oJurnal reporter, who
corrob0rated the testimony of his con-
frere and also testified TO having deliv-
cred this same bottle of pinkish slime
into the hands of an expert, who will be
called later in the case.
POLICEMEN TESTIFY.
Policeman Bernard Preuss was called
and identified two bits of steel as the
pieces ne found in the ashes where the
supposed residue of bones and other ma
terial which was scooped from the vat
was dumped. Policeman Fred Talworitz
testified as TO having found a hairpin in
the same pile of refuse and the hairpin
was produced as evidence, after an OBJ
lection by Attorney Vincent to the ef-
feet that it was improper to introduce
as evidence any and every object. which.
owing to its similarity to objects worn
by any and every woman, could never
be identified as having been the prop
erty Of Mrs. Luetgert.
Then came the sensation Of the day.
CORSETMAKERS IN COURT.
]. II. Olenbrett and w. G.. Cady, cor
succession and positively identified the
two alleged corset steels as having been
the product of their factory. Certain
marks on the bits of metal were shown
10 correspond with similar marks on new
steels which were produced in court.
The witnesses each testified positively |
as II the similarity and also to the fact |
that the new steels were of the pattern |
usually sold by their factory. 1t was con- |
sidered by the state 10 be a great blow |
20 the defense and was unexpected by /
the latter. who hoped to prove that the |
two pieces of steel were scale bands.
THE FALSE TEETH CARPENTER. /
p Carl Klein, Jr.. who is employed by |
dentist, described a set Of false teeth |
which he had sold Mrs. Luetgert. Klein /
seemed to be burdened with a sense of 1
his own Importance in the case and in T.
the cross-eXamination by Attorney Vim
cent. chief counsel Cor the defense. he
continually objected IL the questions
asked and refused 10 answer the several /
questions until the court ordered him Il
do 50. His conduct N The stand caused ,
considerable merrIment among the law
yers and spectators.
y POOR, WEAK SISTER.
Emma Schimpke. sister 10 Cottliebe
scnimpke, who testified 10 having seen