Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-22
THE SAUSAGEMAKER on THE STAND
IN HIS OWN BEHALF.
VERY MOIST TIME IN COURT.
ACCUSED WIFE MURDERER WEEPS
COPIOUSLY AND OFTEN.
Slow Progress Made and the Time OF
the Disappearance Was Not
Reached observation-disclosures
Crowd Present to-IIenr
Leutgcrt.

Chicago. Jan. ia. l.. Luetgert went on
the witness stand to-day to tell to the jury
his story of the doings in his sausage fac
tory the night of May l. He endeavored TO
explain the mystery surrounding the dis
appearance OF his wife, for whose murder
he is being tried, but such slow progress
was made that the date of the murder was
not reached before the court adjourned.
An immense crowd gathered around the
criminal court building long before the case
was called, but warned by experience, the
police allowed only those TO enter who mad
tickets of admission. Judge Gary's court
room was packed before the opening hour.
There was an unusual number of women
present The audience paid the closest at
tention TO Luetgerts examination.
Prior 10 going the witness stand
Luetgert, while taking exercise In the 1hi,
was accompanied by james Smith, who has
been on trial with Chris Merry for the muir
der of Merry's wife. Smith was extremely
nervous over the outcome of the Jurys de-
Mberations in his case, but Luetgert spoke
encouragingly to him. Il received an IN
vitation TO a masquerade bail which takes
place on February 81 said Luetgert 10 his
companion I'm let you have it. You'll
be able to use i; before / will.
After relating the story Of the various
financial deals in which he Was Interested
Luetgert was asked If. during the time
he was first engaged in business, he was
married. He replied in the affirmative.
II was married TO Miss Pauline Ruelke
in 1872" said the defendant.
How do you spell that name?"
"Oh, / don't know. 1 never could spell
it, was Luetgerts reply
Attorney Harmon, of counsel for the
defense, then went into Luetgerts financial
mi pf Louise
Rerts disappearance, and drew. out the
statement that Luetgert was worth about
1900. exclusive of real estate.
Attorney Harmon then asked Luetgert
when his first wife died.
In November, 1885,.
And how long were you a widower?"
Until the next year, in February"
At this point Luetgert broke down and
oomnen crying like child. SeeinS-the
condition his client was in. Attorney Har-
man asked for a recess, but Judge Gary
refused to allow it. After few moments.
Luetgert regained control of himself.
The display. of grief drew smiles to the
face of Police Captain Schuettler. who oc-
cupied a seat Immediately behind the de-
fendant, and the jurors looked on in as
tonishment as Luetgert buried mis- face
in his hands and sobbed.
Before you We're married, where did you
and your little boy Arnold hve?" was the
next question.
Il slept in the store myself, and my boy
at my mother-ip-law s."
when We're you married the second
time2" LuetGert was asked by his counsel.
In 1873. to Louise Bicknose."
There was not trace of emotion in the
voice" of Luetgert as he mentioned the
name of the woman he is charged with
having murdered.
The defendant then told OF the various
places he and his wife had lived, and of
his going into business at his latest loca-
tion In 1873. The court at this point took
q recess.
The court reconvened at o'clock, and in
a lew minutes an objection TO some ques-
brought from the court the statement that
an hour and twenty minutes had been con-
sumed in arriving, at the resgesta, but he
supposed it would be best TO let, the de-
Tense alone. as objections appeared only to
cause further delays.
Mr.. Harmon made some haste at this
point. and Mr.. Iuetgert explained several
passages between himself and his wife, as
testified 10 by state witnesses.
Luetgcrt told of his offer TO sell his entire
plant for s3ooooO. The option of William
Charles, the coming of Robert Davy into
the deal. and the greatest abundance of de
tails marked the further recitation. After
the deal was closed Euetgert said. he re-
cefved a telegram from DR.. John Phillips,
of New Haven, Conn. saving that Davy
Imetgert consulted with Attorney Good
rich. and then left for New York TO find
DaNy, II possible. lie W.lS not at llit motel
lac had given as his address. Then Luet-
CERT went 10 New Haven, He found DR..
Phillips 10 be an old man who had not
practiced for fifteeR years.
= The doctor said he did not know Davy,
and had not sent the telegram saying he
was i'll. A search of the New Haven hos
pitfalls failed to locate the man. The last
passage was TO the effect Of the news of
his failure to find Davy upon his marital
happiness. The question proved too much
for the defendant. His face colored, he
nerrously drummcd with his pencil and
he sank low in his chair and sioucned for
ward as he explained why he hesitated
TO tell his wife the result of his trip. say
ing she disliked the location of their home
and wanted TO move. and that he had
agreed to settle $4,000 upon her and keep
only 100000 himself when the deal went
through.
What was the effect of the news when
you did tell herr" asked Mr. Harmon, and
everybody knew what was coming.
Mr.. Luetgert looked down. then glanced
up. bit his lip. and swallowed. lie leaned
back i'm his seat. and drummed audibly
with the pencil. Finally he reached back
for his pocket handkerchief. Judge Gary
WAS watching him closely. At this point
he said the defendant had been on the
stand nearly three hours. and the court
would adjourn until tomorrow.
1.uetgert proved 10 be 4 very lachrymoSe
witness. his fears coming frequently and in
considerable volume whenever the name Of
lis dead wife was brought into the case.