The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23
THE SAUSAGEMAkER ON THE
STAND IN HIS OWN DE-
TENSE.
HIS TEARS FREELY SHED.
ACCUSED MAN READY TO WEEP
UPON THE VERY SLIGHTEST
PROVOCATION.
A NEW VERSION OF THE TRAGEDY.
The Facts Put In a Light Which, 1t
Is Hoped, VIII Prevent
Conviction.

CHICAGO, Jan. 22-The- crowd in
attendance at the Luetgert trial today
was greater than the day before, and
long lines of people stood outside wait
ing for an opportunity to pass the
guards at the entrance to Judge Gary S
court room. When Luetgert took the
stand today he was apparently much
more composed and answered the Ques
tons propounded him by his counsel in
a firm voice. The defendant was in
clined to go into details more than his
attorney, Mr.. Harmon, desired. When
asked to pay less attention to detail,
Luetgert, with some show of anger,
said that he would tell his history thor
Oughly or not at all. The most impor-
tant features of Luetgert's recital to-
day was his explanation of the presence
of the potash in the factory. He said
it had been in his place of business for
nearly two months before the day of
his wife's disappearance; that it had
not been concealed, and that he was
to make soft soap out Of it. The pris-
oner also told Of his sleeping in the
factory, which he explained was neces-
sary because there were many things
to which to attend at night. A question
was asked by Luetgert'S counsel re-
garding Mrs. Feldt, but this subject
was passed over quickly, Luetgert SIM
ply saying that Christina sometimes
visited his house.
Luetgert said that his Wife's health
previous to her disappearance had been
bad, and she was frequently troubled
with headaches. His own health, too,
was bad, partly on account of his ir-
regular hours. Il always had to get
up at nights" said the defendant
some times two or three times to at
tend to matters at the factory. 1t was
absolutely necessary for me to sleep
there. 1t was known all over the
neighborhood that 1 was sleeping there
and that [ had dogs there so that bur-
glars knew better than to come there
When Luetgert finally reached that
part of his story concerning the hap
penings on May 1, the day Of his wifes
disappearance, the audience and jury
paid the closest attention.
DO you remember what transaction
you made the morning of May -"
asked Attorney Harmon.
IT ate breakfast and went to nv Of
fee"
What was the first thing you did
that day."
Il gave some orders. told my men
to go to the basement to remove some
barrels of salt. 1 then went down and
saw that three barrels of tallow were
in their place.
Continuing the witenss told of buried
bones he had in the factory basement
and of fat he intended to convert into
sausage. He also told of the small
meat market he conducted.
You purchased a barrel of potash
early in March?" asked Harmon.
For what purpose?"
ITO make soft soap"
What arrangement, if any, had you
made with reference to cleaning the
factory"
ABOUT THE POTASH.
"One day. after the New York trip,
Mr.. Charles came home and said there
was chance to sell the factory He
told me to keep very clean, as these
people did not know about the business.
and what we would call clean they
would call dirty. Well, l figured the
stuff / had then for fat 1 couldn't sell;
potash was cheap and 1 thought 1T was
cheaper to make soap. When l used to
work for Engel Bros, 1 learned the
recipe for making soap"
Inspector Setback, who sat along
side the jury smiled as Luetgert told
of his experience in the line of making
sCft soap.
When did you first see this barrel of
potash?" asked Mr.. Harmon
The next day"
Where did it stand?"
1T was between the Office and the
meat market where everybody who
came in could not help but see it,
Did you give any orders about that
barrel?"
Yes, I told Smokehouse Frank to
break it up and told him it was bad
stuff, that it would burn him, and that
he should cover his face so he would
rot get hurt"
Now will you tell me why you de-
layed from March until two weeks be-
fore May before making the soap?''
The men came too soon to see the
factory before it was cleaned
What time Saturday, May 1, did you
return homer" asked Attorney Harmon
'Oh, 1 can't tell the exact hour. 1t
was late in the afternoon"
What was said in the conversation
between you and your wife while eat
ing supper that night?"
Luetgert here hesitated for some mo-
ments, before speaking
well, my wife made some remarks
I do not like to repeat" finally answered
the witness.
Tell us all about that conversation"
said Mr.. Harmon.
MIR. Harmon" replied Luetgert, az
will not repeat what my wife said that
night unless I am forced to-
Mr.. Luetgert,' said his senior coun-
sci, you will not be forced to tell any,
thing you do not wish to, but as your
counsel, 1 want you to tell every word
that was said between you and your
wife that evening"
MY wife asked me about the manner
of foreclosing mortgages, and when I
told her, she said then we will lose
everything. I told her we would. Then
this is all we get for our thirty years
hard work since we came to America
1 told her it could not be helped; that
] was not afraid to work, and would
face the world afresh and work hard
for living, if necessary"
AS he told of the loss of his fortune
and his willingness to begin all over
again, Luetgert seemed to be greatly
affected. Tears came to his eyes, his
chin trembled and Jumps rose in his
threat
MRS. LUETGERTS STATE.
MY wife said she was not afraid, but