Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-01-26
lUETGERT IS CALM.
| Alleged Murderer is More Conn
DOS and Makes n LaCh-
rynnOS0 DISPLAY.

Chicago, ILL.,, Jan. Z2.-IhP crowd IN
attendance at the Luetgert murder trial
today was greater even than the day be-
fore, and long lines Of people stood out
side waiting for an opportunity to pass
the guards at the entrance to Judge
Gary's courtroom.
When Luetgert took the stand today
he was apparently much more composed
and answered the questions propounded
him by his counsel in a firm voice. The
defendant was inclined to go into details
more than his attorney, Mr.. Harmon, de-
sired. When asked to pay less attention
to detail, Luetgert, with some show of
anger, said that he would tell his history
thoroughly or not at all.
Explains About the Potash.
The most important feature of Luet-
gerts recital today was his explanation
Of the presence of the potash in the fac
tory. He said it had been in his place of
business for nearly two months before
the day of his wife's disappearance; that
1T 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 he explained was neces-
sary because there were many things to
which to attend at night.
"A question was asked by Luetgert's
counsel regarding Mrs. Feldt, but this
subject was passed over quickly. Luet-
CERT simply saying that Christine some
times visited his house.
Luetgert said that his wife's health pre-
vious to her disappearance had been bad
and she was frequently troubled with
headaches. His own health, too, was
bad, partly on account of his irregular
hours.
L always had to get up at night" said
the defendant, sometimes two or three
times, to attend to matters at the fac
tory
ct was absolutely necessale- for me to
sleep there. 1t was known all over the
nelghborhOod that [ was sleeping there,
and that | had dogs there, so that
burglars knew better than to come there
When Luetgert finally reached that
part OF the story concerning the happen
lngS on May /. the date of his wife's dis
appearance, the audience and jury paid
the closest attention.
The Day Mrs. Luetgert Disappeared.
'Do you remember what transpired on
the morning of May 1 % asked Attorney
Harmon.
II ate breakfast early and went to my
Office
''What was the first thing you did that
day?'
Il gave some orders. | told my men to
go to the basement and remove some bar
rels of salt. | then went down and
saw that three barrels of tallow were in
their place"
Continuing, the witness 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 ear
ly in March," asked Mr.. Harmon.
For what purpose"
"To make soft SOAP"
What arrangement if any, had you
with reference to cleaning the factory?'
Zone 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 very clean, as these people
don't know anything about the business
and what we would call clean they would
call dirty. Well, figured the stuff 1 had
then for fat L could not sell, potash was
cheap and 1 thought it was cheaper to
make soap. When I used to work for
Engel Bros. l learned the receipt for max
ing soap.
Inspector Setback Smiles.
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 bar
rel of potash?" asked Mr. Harmon.
'The next day"
''Where did it stand?'
''It was between the office and the meat
market, where everybody who came in
couldn't help but see it."
Did you give any orders about that
barrel?'
eyes, l told 'SmokehoGse 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 not get
hurt
Now will you tell me why you delayed
from March until two weeks before May
before making the soapT'
1.-THE men came too soon to see the fac
tory-before it was cleaned"
what time Saturday, May l, 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 eating
supper that night?"
Wishes to Shield His Wife.
Luetgert here hesitated for some mo-
ments before speaking.
well, my wife made some remarks
do not like to repeat" finally answered
the witness
''Tell US all about that conversation -
said Mr.. Harmon.
Mr.. Harmon" replied Luetgert, 81
will not repeat what my wife said that
night unless | am forced to-.
Mr.. Iuetgert," said his senior coun-
sci, "you will not be forced to tell any
thing you do not wish to, but as your
counsel | 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 | told
her she said. then we will lose every
thing / told her we would. Then this
is all we get for our thirty years hard
work since we came to America? I told
her it could not be helped; that l was
not afraid to work and would face the
world afresh. She made these remarks
in the presence of both children.
''Do you recollect what time Of the
night it WASP"
II don't remember exactly"
Luetgert then told of his going home
and said: 'At home I saw my wife sit
ting in the kitchen against the east wall
and reading a paper. l think it was a
German paper. l could not find the tea
and asked her where it was. She said
she did not know, but that the girl al
ways attended to that The girl was in
bed. | found the tea in the basement
pantry and went up stairs again. There
l saw Louis and my wife"
Last Time He Saw His Wife.
Luetgert told next of speaking to Louis
and of carving lantern which the wit