The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-23
LANKER|NG'S STORY TOLD
His Case on Today in the
General Sessions
Court.

Ine story OF the row Wnlcn occurred
In Busch's Hotel, Hoboken, on November
49, after a game dinner, given to some
friends by Emile Latterman, the propri-
etor, and which almost resulted in the
death of Adolph Lankering, was retold
in the General Sessions Court this morn
ing, at the trial of Oscar Schlichting, for
assaulting Lankering. Assistant Prose-
cutor Van Wrinkle is conducting the case
for the State, assisted by Congressman
elect DAILY. Former Judge Hoffman rep
resents the defendant. Mr.. Van Wrinkle
told complete story of the row in his
opening. Lankering and Schlichting were
both guests at the dinner. Lanker-
ing, who had attended a meet
ing of the Quartette Club, of
which he is president and did not arrive
at the hotel until nearly midnight. He
sat down at table with several friends.
Schlichting and Captain Albert Mohmking
were seated at another table Lankering
and his friends left the dining room and
went out to the barroom about one
o'clock One of the party had been unable
to find his hat, and they sat down al a
table and drank Rhine wine and cham
payne while waiter was searching for
the missing hat. Schlichting and
Mohmking, who had gone away in the
meantime, returned and sat at an adjoin-
ing table. They also ordered wine; in
fact, there was large quantity of wine
drunk that night by all hands. Before
sitting down with his friend Schlichting
greeted the other party and shook hands
with some of them. Lankering refused to
take his proffered hand.
After sitting down at the table Monm-
king drew from his pocket letter of
resignation which Lankering had sent to
the German-American Verein and began
to read it aloud, at the same time inter-
jecting comments on criticisms Lankering
had made in the letter on the manage
ment Of the society. No attention was
paid to him.
When the missing hat had been recov-
cred, Lankering and his party left the
table and stepped up to the bar to settle
there. Schlichting joined the party while
Mohmking remained seated at the table.
Schlichting first declared that he was as
good as any man in the party. The state
ment was not disputed. Then addressing
himself directly to Lankering. Schlichting
said that he was just as good a
that he ought to show some gratitude for
favors done him and pay his debts
Lankering had loaned Schlichting $3.50 to
establish him in business. Words followed
and Lankering pushed Schlichting away
Schlichting fell against Mohmking and
knocked him off the chair. Schlichting
picked up glass and struck Lankering
over the left eye. He then ran away.
Lankering's wound which was consid-
cred serious at the time, was dressed and
apparently healed mp, but few days
afterward Lankering complained of pains
in his head. The wound was reopened
and it was found that the skull had been
fractured Some small pieces of bone
were removed. Lankering was laid up
until Christmas eve and he was attended
by several physicians.
Lankering today told the story of the
affray and the circumstances leading up
to it, just as Mr. Van Wrinkle had told it.
did you say to Schlichting,' asked
Judge Hoffman, on cross-examination,
{. so you shot off your powder again y
mo, sir" replied the witness.
did you say to him, If you We're not
so dirty, I would smash your damned
faco'?"
mo, sir; I don't use such language"
did you say you would knock his teeth
down his throat?"
81 did not
Didn't you call him coward and say
that he perjured himself?"
mo, sir
Did you hear him say that a man who
lives in glass house shouldn't throw
stones?''
Il didn't hear him say it, replied the
witness, laughing.
What is there amusing about this?''
asked Judge Hoffman, sharply.
Because nothing of what you are talk
ing about happened"
The physicians who attended Lankering
were called in turn and described the
character of the wound. Their testi-
mony had not been finished when the
Court took a recess. The trial will last
all day.