Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1897 — LUETGERT’S LETTERS. [ARTICLE]

LUETGERT’S LETTERS.

Missives Which Tend to Establish a Murder Motive. When Luetgert, the alleged Chicago wife murderer, entered Judge Tuthlll’s courtroom Tuesday he smiled and nodded at the jury, but he failed to extend the sweep of his salutation to the crowd. The first business taken up was the reading of translations of letters written by the defendant to Mrs. Christine Feldt. The reading of the fond missives sent by Luetgert to the widow occupied much time, several being very lengthy. While Assistant State’s Attorney McEwen read the epistles the jury listened carefully. The reader was careful to place due emphasis on each endearing word or phrase and to fully emphasize all reference to the fact that the big sausage manufacturer was anxious for the time to come when he would be free to wed the object of his affections. When those portions of the letters containing reference to Luetgert’s trouble in engaging an attorney were read aloud it evidently embarassed the prisoner.

Luetgert’s leading attorney, ex-Judge Vincent, smiled and the prisoner visibly winced when the sentence was heard In which Attorney Vincent was termed “greedy.” The letter went on to state that Luetgert intended to release Attorney Vincent, as he did not consider him able to handle so important a case. In another letter Luetgert wrote to the effect that on th? first day of the trial there was to be a great surprise for the police and the State. An attorney of world-wide fame was to be engaged, and when “the dogs of police” saw who it was they would quail with fear. This as yet unknown lawyer, Luetgert continued, was to supersede Attorney Vincent and then the case would be properly conducted. Attorney Vincent shook with silent laughter several times during the above and similar references. He seemed to regard the matter as a huge joke. Luetgert, whose chances for life were so considerably reduced by the introduction of the letters as evidence, rocked to and fro in his chair, and occasionally forced a sickly smile, during the endearing passages in the letters. He evidently did not enjoy the public exposition of his amatory correspondence. After the letters were all read the recipient, Mrs. Christine Feldt, a middleaged widow, was called to the witness chair for the purpose of finishing her testimony for the State. When Mrs. Feldt was called to the stand her former lover, to whose case

she had done so much damage, refused to glance In her direction. He twisted uneasily in his chair, and then leaned over to Attorney Vincent and a consultation was held. Meanwhile Assistant State’s Attorney McEwen proceeded with the direct examination, which dealt largely with the financial relations between Luetgert and Mrs. Feldt. The latter admitted having received funds from Luetgert prior to his arrest, and said that she had withdrawn the money at his demand from a safety deposit'vault for his use. The sums, she had withdrawn at different times footed up $4,000, the entire amount which she had received. She asserted her Ignorance of how this money was used by the prisoner, but admitted tha,t portions of it had been retained by her on his order for the care of his children. She also testified as to the substance of the letters and asserted that she had refused to lend Luetgert her own money upon the requests which she had received from him in the letters. She testified to having received in all eight letters from the big sausage manufacturer. The prosecution regards Mrs. Feldt as one of the most important witnesses, as through her testimony they expect to es-

tibliah the feet of LaMftrt’a motive hi the alleged mnrdcr of his wife. The last witness called by the State on Tuesday was Nicholas Faber. Faber was employed as a fireman in the sausage factory and said that he had seen Mrs. Luetgert enter the factory about 11 o’clock on the night of the murder.