The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-23
Attempts to Explain the Presence
of the Potash.
WAS TO MAKE SOFT SOAP
Said His Wife Told Him She Would Not
Stay to See the Sheriff Take Pos
session of the Place-Didn't
Want to Live.

I.uetrert's recital to-day was his ex-
PLANTATION of the presence of the potash
in the factory. He said it had been in
his place of business nearly two
months before the day of his wife's dis
appearance; that it had not been con-
cealed, and that he was to make soft
soap out of IL. The prisoner also told
of his sleeping in the factory, which, he
explained, was necessary, because there
were many things which he had to
attend TO at night. When Luetgert
finally reached that part of the story
concerning the happenings on May l,
the date of his wifes disappearance.
the audience and the jury paid the
closest attention.
do you remember what transaction
you made the morning of May II"
asked Attorney Harmon.
Il ate breakfast early and went to my
Office
What was the first thing you did
that day."
Il gave some orders. l told my men
to go to the basement to remove some
barrels of salt. i then went down and
saw that the three barrels of tallow
were in their place.
Continuing. the witness told Of buried
bones he had in the factory basement
and of tat that he intended to convert
into sausage. He told of the small meat
market he conducted.
when you purchased a barrel of pot
ash early in March, asked MIR. Har-
mon, what was your purposes"
ITO make soft soap
What arrangements, IL any, had you
made with reference to cleaning the
factory"
One day. after the New York trip,
Mir. Charles came home and said there
N factory.
told me TO keep the place very clean, as
these people did not know anything
about the business. and what we would
call clean they would call dirty. Well,
i argued. the stuff | had then for fat,
could not sell, potash was cheap and :
thought il was cheaper To make soap.
When ! used to work for Engel Broth
ers ! learned the recipe for making
soap
inspector Setback. who sat alongside
the jury, smiled as Luetgert told of his
experience in the line of making soft
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 meat
market, where everybody who came in
could not help but see it."
Did you give any orders about thai
barrel?'
Yes, 4 tolu SmOkenOuSe FRANK lt
break it up. and told him IT was stun
that would burn, and to cover his face,
so that he would not get hurt.
Now, will you tell me why you de-
layed from March until two weeks be-
fore May, before making the soap2'
1.-The men came too soon to see the
factory before it was cleaned?"
What time Saturday, May l, did
you return home?' asked Attorney
Harmon.
''oh. / can't tell the exact hour; ii
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
We'll. my wife made some remarks
/ do not want TO repeat he finally re-
piled.
Tell US all about that conversation,
said Mr.. Harmon.
Mr. Harmon replied Luetgert, -
will not repeat what my wife said thai
night unless forced to-"
Mr. Iuetgert.n said his senior coun
sci, you Will not be forced to tell any
thing you do not wish, but your
counsel | want you TO tell every wore
that passed between you and your wifi
that night"
My wife asked me about the manne
of foreclosing mortgages, and when
told her. she said: Then we VIII lost
everything. | told her we would. 'Ther
this is all We get Tor our 80 years
work she said. since we came Il
America | told her IL could not b,
helped. that ! was not afraid To worl
and would face the world afresh an,
work hard for a livelihood.
AS he told of the loss of his fortune
and his willingness to begin all owe
again. Luetgert seemed TO be great,
affected Tears came to his eyes hi
oh n n n 1
throat
My wife said she was not afraid bu
that / could work and earn a living
continued Luetgert, but what wi
people say they Will laugh at u.s. sh
said.
i told her to let them laugh. tina
laughing would not take away m
work. She said: If this should conn
i don't want TO live She said sh
wished the children dead. About thi
time Louis came in and asked fc
money to go TO circus and his mothC
told him We had no money for circuse
] gave the boy 10 cents
What happened next2' asked Hal
mon.
she said: If the sheriff should CON
you will not find me here. ! told hi
that IL was foolish to talk that wa.
She said that il was not foolish. tn;
there was nothing foolish about ii, ar
If things kept on as they had for Il
last two months l would not see h.
any more. l laughed and said she ha
better stay with her children. she sa
] was always laughing at her. | d
not pay much attention to her remarl
because she had been talking like tn
for several months"
How was Mrs, Luetgert's mind g
fected by the long sickness of your lit;
boy Elmer the winter before?" ask
MI. Harmon.
1t affected her a great deal, and $
often made the remark that she wou