The record-union., 1898-01-23
Explains The Presence Of Potash in
The Sausage Factory.
SAYS That 1t Was Purchased for the Pur-
pose Of Making Soft Soap.
Relates to the Jury the Incidents
Occurring Just Previous to the
Disappearance OF His Wife
The Conversation at Their Last
Meeting-She Was Distressed
Over the Fear OF Losing All
Their Property.


CHICAGO, Jan. 22.--The crowd in at
tendance at the Luetgert murder trial
to-day was greater even than the day
before. When Luetgert took the stand
to-day he was apparently much more
composed, and answered the questions
propounGed 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 10 detail,
Luetgert, with some show of anger,
said that he would tell his story thor
oushly, or not at all.
The most important feature of Luet-
gert's recital to-day was his explana-
ton 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 disappear
ance; that it had not been concealed,
and that he was to make soft soap out
OF it. The prisoner also told of his
sleeping in the factory, which. ne ex-
planned, was necessary, because there
attend to at night.
When Luetgert finally reached that
part Of the story concerning the hap
penings on May 1st, the date of his
wife's disappearance, the audience and
jury paid the closest attention.
DO you remember what transaction
you made the morning of May 1st?"
asked Attorney Harmon.
Il ate my breakfast early and went to
my office"
What was the first thing you did
that day."
Il gave some orders. I told my men
to go to the basement to remove some
barrels of salt. / then went down, and
saw that the three barrels of tallow
were in their place.
Continuing, the witness told of bur-
led bones he had in the factory base
ment, and of the fat he intended to
convert into sausage He told of the
small meat market he conducted.
When you purchased barrel of pot
ash early in March, asked Mr. Har-
mon, what was your purpose?"
ITO make soft soap
What arrangement. if any, had you
made with reference to cleaning the
factory?"
One day, after the New York trip,
Mr.. Charles came home and said there
was a chance to sell the factory. He
told me to keep the place clean, as the
people did not know anything about
the business, and what we would call
clean they would call dirty. Well, I
argued that the stuff l had then for
fat l could not sell; potash was cheap,
and l thought ii was cheaper to make
soap. When l used to work for Engel
brothers l learned the recipe for max
ing soap"
Inspector Schaack, who sat alongside
the jury. smiled. and 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 seeing it,
Did you give any orders about that
barrel?'
Yes; I told Smoke-house Frank to
break it up. and told him it was stuff
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 soap?"
The men came too soon to see the
factory-before it was cleaned
What time Saturday. May 1st. did
you return homer" asked Attorney
Harmon.
''Oh, | 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 / 90 not want
TO repeat he finally replied.
TEL US all about that conversation
said Mr.. Harmon.
Mr.. Harmon" replied Luetgert. L
will not repeat what my wife said tha,
night, unless forced to-
MIR. Luetgert," said his senior coun-
sci, you will not be forced to tell any
thing you do not wish, but as your
counsel / want you to tell every word
that passed between you and your wife
that night"
MY wife asked me about the man
ner of foreclosing mortgages. and when
told her she said: Then. we will lose
everything | told her we would
Then, this is all we get for our thir-
ty years work, she said, since we
came to America I told her it could
not be helpeS; that / was not afraid
to work. and would face the world
afresh and work hard for a 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
throat.
MY wife said she was not afraid but
that I could work and earn a living"
continued Luetgert. but what will
people say? They will laugh at u.s. she
said. / told her to let them laugh:
that laughing would not take away my
work. She said. If this should come
don't want to live She said she wished
the children We're dead. About this
time Louis came in and asked for
money to go to a circus. and his moth ar
told him we had no money for cir
cusses. I gave the boy 10 cents"