Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1898 — TO PRISON FOR LIFE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TO PRISON FOR LIFE.

The jury declares luetgert GUILTY OF MURDER. Verdict Makes the Penalty a Penitentiary Term—Prisoner Appears to Be Satisfied to Have Escaped the Gallows- Guatemala's President Slain. Takes.lt Calmly. Adolph L. Luetgert, the Chicago sausage maker, is guilty of wife murder. After five hob re -of deliberation the jury agreed upon this verdict. Half an hour before midnight Wednesday each of the twelve men rose in his scat in the jury box in Judge Gary’s court and declared that beyond ths question of a reasonable donbt he believed the prisoner had taken the life of his wife, Louise Luetgert, on the night of May 1. Thfe prisoner sat without a sign of emotion and met the gaze of each juror without a tremor. If anything, a look of gratitude and relief was noticeable on his face. He had expected the death penalty if convicted. The first intimation that a verdict had been arrived at, says a Chicago dispatch, was brought by Une of the bailiffs from the jury room on the sixth floor. The jury wanted to see Judge Gary. This was shortly before 11 o’clock. The scene in the court room and State’s attorney’s office was instantly changed from a rollicking gathering of those connected with the case te an anxious, expectant crowd. State’s Attorney Deneen and Mr. McEwen came into the court room promptly and took their places at the west end of the counsel’s table, which they occupied during the trial. Mr. Harmon, Mr. Kehoe and Mr. Reise gathered at the opposite side. William Charles was nearby with an anxious look on his "haggard face. Behind him sat Arnold Luetgert, the defendant’s son, equally agitated. Dr. Reise and others ; interested in the defense were grouped about them. In the midßt of them a chair was left for Luetgert. Inspector Schaack, Captain Schuettler

and many of the officers who have worked on the case were on hand. Judge Gary arrived at 11:20 o’clock, and he promptly ordered every one to sit down and maintain silence. The last strain of the trial had come, and the silence became oppressive, while the wait for Luetgert and the jury continued. No one ventured to break this, except Mr. Harmon, who objected to the draft from one of the open windows, and asked the bailiff to close it. Luetgert came into court closely guarded by five bailiffs, and took his position near the private entrance to the court room. Attorney Harmon requested that he khould take his place with his counsel, and the prisoner complied. He was looking pale and anxious, and showed the effects of the severe strain under which he has labored. Juror Snow was the first to appear, a few minutes later. The solemn expression on the faces of the twelve men seemed to show that they had decided on a verdict of guilty. Juror Bachelor carried a bundle of papers, the instructions and verdict Another wait of five minutes, ■lore silent than the first, occurred, while Luetgert was being brought over from the jail. Juror Bolek bowed his head as if suffering from the long strain. Juror Loeb’s face was swollen and red as if he had been weeping. Judge Gary addressed the jurors: “Gentlemen, have you agreed upon a verdict?” Juror Bachelor rose and replied, “We have, your honor.” The momentous piece of paper was handed to the clerk, who read:

“We, the jury, find Adolph L. Luetgcrt guilty of murder in the form aud manner charged ta the indictment, and fix the punishment at imprisonment in the penitentiary for the rest of his natural life.” A look of intense relief a tthis announcement passed over the face of the prisoner, who seemed glad that he had escaped the death penalty. Mr. Harmon promptly rose and requested that the jury be polled. This was done by the clerk, and each juror announced that he concurred in the verdict. Mr. Harmon then gave notice that in due time he would file notice for a new trial. The jury were then discharged by Judge Gary. “That ia only half a victory and half a defeat," said Mr. Hannon. “It was unjustifiable from either standpoint, and a compromise. We asked for an acquittal or a conviction, nnd there could be only one conclusion if he was really guilty.” Luetgert’adawiyers regard the verdict as a compromlne on the part of the jury nnd look upon It as a victory for their client. Luctgert was immediately surrounded by his friends-as he stood up in court, nnd they shook him heartily by the hand and congratulated him that he had escaped the death penalty. They plainly shotved their satisfaction with the outcome of the trial.

The big prisoner ail this time was closely guarded by bailiffs, who when the short scene was over led him back to his cell in the jail. A four-story rear tenement in New York City wna destroyed by fire. Seven families lost everything they owned nnd two childrerf were burned to death. They were Tony, 3 years old, aud Michael, a year lyounger, the children of Flllippo Hpolriellc, a bootblack living with his wife and three children on the top floor. Second Officer Tobias Torrescn of the steamer Vigilaucia waa missing when that vessel reached quarantine at New York from Tampico aud Havana. It is believed hfc vVSs carried overboard from the bridga la the storm that prevailed.

ADOLPH L. LUETGERT.