Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-22
TEARS OF LUETGERT
Briny Drops Fall from til, Eyes Of the Big
Sausage Maker.
ALLEGED WIFE MURDERER CRIES IN COURT
Buries His Face in His Hands and sobs
like Child.
CREATES A SCENE WHILE ON THE STAND
Police Captain Smiles and Spectators Gaze
in Bmazamsnt.
;aEATes A SCENE WHILE ON THE STAND
tUETGERT NOT AN EXPERT OaTHoGRAPHER
Swenrs that lie Never Could Spell the
Name of His First Partner in
the Matrimonial
Business.
CHICAGO, Jan. 21-Aiolph L. Luetgert

CHICAGO, Jan. 21.-Adolph L. Luetgert
went on the witness stand today and told
the jury the story of the doings in his sau-
sage factory the night of May 1. He en-
deavored to explain the mystery surrounding
the disappearance of his wife, for whose
murder he lis being tried. 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 had tickets of adj
mission, Judge Garys court room was
packed some time before the opening hour.
There was unusual number ti women
present The audience paid the closest at
tention to Luetgert's examination.
Prior to going on the witness stand Luet-
CERT, while taking exercise in the Jail, was
accompanied by James Smith, who has been
en- trial with Chris Merry for the murder of
Merrys wife. Smith was extremely nervous
over the outcome of the jury's deliberations
in his case, but Luetgert spoke encourag-
ingly to him.
II received an invitation to masquerade
ball, which takes place on February g." said
Luetgert to his companion. "I'll let you
have it. You'll be able to use it before l
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. To this Luetgert replied in the
affirmative. II was married to Miss
Pauline Ruelke in 1872" said the defendant,
"How do you spell thai name?"
NOT AN EXPERT IN SPELLING.
"oh, l don't know. l never could spell
IT," was Luetgerts reply.
Attorney Har uon of council for the de-
fense, then wett into Luetgert's financial
affairs at the time of Mrs Louise Luetgert's S
disappearance and drew out the statement
that Luetgert was worth about $50 900 ex-
elusive of real estate. Attorney Harmon
then asked Luetgert when his first wife died.
I'm November, 1871"
"And how long were you widower?"
Until next year in January"
At this point Luetgert broke down and
commenced crying like child. Seeing the
condition his client was in, Attorney Harmon
asked for a recess, but Judge Gary refused
to allow it. After a few moments Luetgert
regained control of himself. The display of
grief drew smiles to the face of Police Cap
tain Schuettler, who occupied n seat immedl-
ately behind the defendant, and the jurors
looked on in establishment as Luetgert buried
his face in his hands and sobbed.
Before you were married, where did you
and your little boy Arnold live?" was the
next question.
II slept in the store myself and my boy
at my mother-in-law's."
"When were you married the second
time?" Luetgert was asked by his counsel.
'In 1878, to Louise Bicknese." There was
not trace of emotion in the voice of Luet-
CERT, 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 location in 1879.
The court at this point took recess.
DEALS WITH DAVY.
Nothing important transpired during the
afternoon session. and the examination of the
witness by his attorney, Mr.. Harmon, was
SO slow that when court adjourned nothing
pertaining to the alleged murder of Mrs.
Luetgert had been brought out.
The court reconvened at 2 o'clock and in
few minutes an objection to some questions
put by Mr. Harmon, as being trivial, brought
from the court the statement that an hour
and twenty minutes hal been consumed in
arriving dt VHe TesBtsld, Dut SuppOSeu II
would be best to let the defense alone, as OBJ
jections appeared only to cause further de-
lays.
Mr. Harmon made some haste at this point
and Mr.. Luetgert explained several passages
between himself and his wife as testified to
by state witnesses.
Luetgert told of his offer to sell his entire
plant for 100000 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 Luetgert said he re-
ceiyed telegram from Or. John Phillips Of
New Haven, Conn, saying that Dayy was
threatened with rheumatic fever. Luetgert
consulted with Attorney Goodrich and then
left for New York to find Davy If possible
He was not at the hotel he had given as
his address Then Luetgert went to New
Haven. He found DR.. Phillips to be an old
man who had not practlced for fifteen years
The doctor said he did not know Davy and
had not sent the telegrlm saying he was III.
A search OF the New Haven hospitals failed
to locate the man.
HIS FACE CoLoRs.
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 nervousy drummed with his pencil and
he sank low in his chair and slouched for
ward as he Explained why he hesitated to tell
his wife the result of his trip, saying she
dlsliked the location of their home and
wanted to move, and that he had agreed to
settle $4,000 upon hsr and keep only $780,
600 himself when the deal went through,
what WIS the effect of the news when
you did tell her?" asked Mr. Harmon, and
everybody knew what was coming,
Mr.. Luetgert looked down, then glanced
up, bit his lip and swallowed. He leaned
back In his seat and drummed audibly with
the pencil. Finally he reached back for his
pocket handkerchief.
IudRa E,sry WAS Watching him closplV. AT