Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, March 16, 1886, Page 2

= zheumr . @t the same time yelled atthe top of my voice, that B Lauer Finds That He Was Awake When He Killed His Wife, HE TELLS THE OLD, OLD STORY. MHow He Shot the Burglar in White and Thought It Was All a Horri- bie Dream — Cowin's Bevere Cros: amination—Court Room Scenes. The district court was filled yesterday moruing when Judge Neville took his seat. The attendance was larger than upon any previous morning owing to the fact that it was understood that Lauer was to be placed upon the stand. The first witness was T. W. T. Richards, who was present when tests were made as to the hight in the room. His evidence was simply corroborative of that given by Mr. Gibbon and Herman Kountz. He stated that the stove used in the room was one with which he was familiar and that if the fire in it was low it could be brightened up in fifteen minutes so that a newspaper could be read by its light. When John W. Lauer took the stand there was a hum of expectancy among the audience. Ho walked to tho witness stand in an_unconcerned manner, and ve his evidence without changing his ne or permitting his voice to g i the slightest degree. It was not that he used the word “‘tragedy” wi! ever he spoke of the death of his wife. Lauer Tells His Story. His examination was as follows Q. Mr. Laver, you are the defendant in this ease? A, Yessir, Q. What time did you reach home on the pight before the shooting? A. T reached home on the night before the shooting about Tori:lh. Q. Who was with you? A, My wife was with me in the bugey. Q. On reaching home what did you do? A. On reaching home Idrovearound to the back part of my house, in the alley behind the barn, and'T backed the horse up against the n, lifted my w out of the buggy, un- hitened the horse and took him out. My wife stood with me. 1 took him around into the barn on the opposite side facing towar house, and my wife went around with me an ‘waited at the door until 1 had put the horse away. When I hiad finished I went to the house with my wife. We went into the house and immediately lit a light, and the) we set about preparing supper. It was hasty meal bocause I got home late. [ usual- 3 got iome from 6 to 10 or 15 minutes after 6. n this particular evening I did not get home until7 or a quarter past. I recollect’ prepar- ing supper. "I think it likely I assisted as much as my wife. I usually did when I was home. After supper I helped my wife take thedishes off the table and put_them away. After we had finished supper I think it was in the neichborhood of 8 o'clock—it did not take us long to prepare supper on account of the gasoline stove. Aloug in the neighbor- hood of 8 0’clock I wentand lay down in the diningroom. Ilay down on tiie sofa in the northwest corner. Q. Where wag the light placed, Mr. Lauer? A. On this particular occasion it was placed at'the north ¢nd on the sewing machine that ‘was sitting at the north end. In reply to the question as to whether the window, curtain was up or down, Mr. Lauer sald; ‘“The curtain was down, because I pulled it down myself, und it remained that ‘way until the next day. . How were the blinds? A. At this par- ticular time the blinds were ope . What did yon do there during the even- ing? A. During the evening, the first thing Irecollect doing after supper was layin down on the sofa. I had been very busy tha day and was \'l‘l‘{:lr‘!d and I lay down on the sofa, I had been suffering with a boil on my rlxl{% t'hee}n '. We lllml !l\vo or three dl}lly papers there that evening, L am not positiye which. My wife sat buflfilu me as cR)m n:l am to the arm of this chair (pointing to the arm of thechair on which he was nl{tlng) on the smaller of two rocking chairs we had in the house. Her head was facing in the same direction as I was lf‘lng. 1 told her to read lhe{mmrm me and she sat on the rockin chalr and read the Hr'.\ er. She did not n‘n:i very lfllgfi. She sald, ‘“John, I am tired, 1 would like togo to bed.” 1 looked at my ‘watchand it was 20 or 25 minutes to nine, and 1 said, “No Sally, it Is a little too early, 1 will try and read a’little myself.” She got upand went into the other room to undress, After a snort time, what I suppose would be time for her to undress, she came back in her night dress and came over to the sofa and said, “Move over on the backside of the sofa and letme lie down beside yow.” threw down my paper and shé lay down be- side me, laying on” m, it arm, snugeled down bisida. 1he and logked up'in my face and blushed as though she h something foolish, and talking for a little while, alking a yery minutes she said, “John, feel how my heart flutters.”” Of course, as she v i on my right side, I could not, very well, so I said, *“we do not feel well, let us gfu to got up, * and ' while do t member the exact manner of taking off my clothes, 1 recollect undressing, My wife, ot in bed first. I am not positive, S the impression I havo that she got in il She then, while I was undressing, and at is connected with the other, got up again and said, 1 forgot to prepure the oatmeal for Dreaktast,” and I think “that while she was aw]m ng the oatmeal that I got in bed. Af- er preparing the oatmcal she came and got in bed and we lay there talking for some lit- tle time, I will Say that while we were ly- ing on' the sofa “that we talked together at times: [ do not mean to say that we were reading all the time. We used to sing, and on this ticular evening 1 think we sang, Ttis pression that we d 3 (f. When'you went to bed where was the light left? A, It was left on the east end of the dres Q. How that base burning stove left on that evening® A, It was left with the drafts elosed, 50 as to make it run_as low as sible, simply to earry the five through un. il morning, Q. About wha we I After t time did you touch the stoye A. Just before going to bad; it could possivly have been later thai five min. utes to®. Lam not positive, We did not Iay on thosofa more than ten minutes, * - 2. When you fixed the stove in that man- ner, how much tire was in | bright, How long after you went to bed did you 0 to sleep? I know I musthave fallen asfeep as regards my wife I do not know e went to sleep before I did or not. n this particnlar occasion 1 recollect dis- tinetly of 1ying 1 bed and talking to my wite, Q. What was the next thing that you rec- alleet? A. 1he next thing that I recollect 'was when 1 was awakened out of a sound sleep, 1 was lying on my back to the best of my recollection and heard a nolse in the next room. Iwas awakened out of a perfeetly sound sleap and | supposed when I was being awakened that it was burglars. That was the first and only thought that 1 had at that ‘gime. [ turned to my Tight sido and grabbed iy revol O this particular night [ had it prepared so that 1 ecould grasp it easily om under my pillow. I got my revolver just as quick as | eould af my right side, 1 then turned in the diree tho next ruom and furned baek on my back and looked over the foot of the bed, 1 did not see anythivg, but I heard a rastling In the other rc After hearing the noise in the other yoom, I lieard a voiee. I will not say that [ heard voices. 1 supposed it was a burglar, but 1 did not recoznize the voice, and supposed the burglar was talking to some odher burgla naturally coneluded thera were two burglars at that time possibly in room that 1was i That is what 1 Lought at that time. But I v this rust- Ing and hnmediately after heaving this rust- ing, there was not " the smallest part of a second Lerore 1 saw a " foot of the bed an forw, and as quick soon as [saw that 5 lightning, I tired and Y"l uMl Ml‘l‘l { iml Was n‘\-u Alter ving and yelliug at the same ek and looked along the foot of _on the oufside. My disiinst e ) is [ expected to see something fall, and. ! my revolver, for had seen ng fall 1 siould have shot again. w uothing and didn’t hear amy- ‘&lmflhlngnmw wy attension that me think of iy wife,” I put out my and where iy wife ought to have been but Was uot there, 1 uatwally concluded s sl the by 2 s - appear over the | thatit was my wife that eame toward the bed. 1 jumped out of bed as quick as I could tan around fhie foot, of tne bed and 1 feit down on the floor. 1 felt my wife on the floor. 1then turned and recollect before do- ing an, 'lhlmi further 1 called my wife and shook her. 1 had my hands about her hips, 1 should imagine, ed to her but there was no reply, 1 turned to the dresser and lit the lamp that was on the dresser. Then 1 turned to my wife as she was lying on the floor, 1 am not positive as to whether she was Iying on her face or not. M. is that she was lying rather in face and 1 atonce turned her over on her back. Her head was distinet, that is,as far as any eonnection between her head and body was concerned, the body moved but the head did not move with the body. That is my im- pression and best recollection, Q. Well, what was done then, John? A. Well then [ knelt beside my wife, between the dresser and my wife's body, and looked down at her. Blood was gushing out of her nose and mouth, and it seenied to me, out ot Tier ears, It looked to me as though' it was coming ont of her right ear. Ldo not recol- lect as whether [ got i on_ Iny, feet, 1 was amazed and horror struck, 1 felt of myself to see whether I was awake or not. 1 yelled a8 hard as I eonld yell and I recolleet getting down on the floor and Jooking in my wife’s face. The blood, 1 think, was still coming outof my wife's nose. 1 looked at lier, shook her and ealled to her and there was no swer. I looked into her eyes, Her eyes were closed, almost to, and L could see_the whites of hereyes. Her mouth was perfectly mo- tionless. She never breathed. The impres- sion”that 1 got that she was breathing was_simply the blood coming out of her mouth in pulsations. [t scems to me that this Is the recollection I have of it. It seem- ed to have come out of her mouth in pulsa- tions, and that is what I may have taken for breathings but as to her breathing, or being any life It the slightest except that I put my haiid on my wife's heart and her heart beat, Outside of that there was no movement that my wife ever showed after. ‘Then what did you do? A. Then I heard my sister up stairs; I heard her run- ning around up stairs. ['ran_around to the door intending to call her. I recollect dis- tinctly of running around to the northeast door. of the diningroom. The door was fast- ened in such a manner that a person without light could hardly open it. (Here followed a deseription of the fastening to the door.) 1 recollect running back to the dresser and getting the Iamp that was on the dresserand aking it and setting it on_the table in the dining room. 1wentto the door and un- twisted the wireand opened the door. By that time my sister was coming down stairs. I do not know whether she did say anything ornot. Itis my impression that she sai something, 'Ithink she said “John, what is the matter?” but I was too excited to remem- ber, Then, 1 think I smd, “Minery: and get somo help.” I wanted to my wife and see if she was not living. If shie was alive I wanted to be near her and to do_something for ber if I could. . After she started for help "what did you do? ‘A. 1 went back to my wife, I thought at all times that my wife was dead. I recol- Ject distinctly putting on my clothes. 1 do not think my clothes were put on for to go down to the mill. Q. When you went back, after you sent our sister for help, what was done ‘with the ight? A, After she went for help 1 took the light in on the dresser. The Cross-Examination. The first question asked by General Cowin in cross-examination was, “When did you first make the acquaintance of your wife?” The -question was objected to by Judge Thurston. ~ *‘There is one thing,” clnimed General Cowin, “which cnables us to go into this whole matter. The witness said that he shot his wife by mistake, thinking she was a burglar. That permits to ascertain the relations which they bore to each other.” Judge Neville stated that he knew such aquestion would arise and had looked up the law Sunday. It was his opinion that the cross-examination of adefendant was different from any other witness. Judge Savage made an argument attempting to show that such a question was improper, and was not legitimate cross-examination. General Cowin suggested that_he be per- mitted to ask that one question, which was unimportant, and that the argument be heard later. This was agreed to and he continued: “‘What were you doing Friday?” “On that day [ was attending to my affairs. I met my wife a few minutes after 6 o’clock at Paxton & Gallagher’s, We drove to the postoflice and several stores and then went home, arriving there i ter 7 o’'clock. There had been upper prepared as that her usual custom?* “Well, it was—" “I object,’ said Mr. Thurston. The objection was sustained, and Lauer continued: ‘I went out of the house and eclosed the blinds, except those in the dining room. Thosz on the west side of the room were left open just as they were during the day. ‘Did you swear at the inquest the fol- lowing morning, I returned to the house at 9 o’clock last night,’ " “I did not."” ; **What did you do after coming into the 1o ) The first thing Tdid was to light the gas- oline stove and help get the supper. Wo had bought some wienarwurst beeause it was easily prepared, and we had some re- ch other's foelings.” 1, ¢h?” said Mr. Cowin. “Is lllle best instance of it that you can could give more." “After supper,” continued Lauer, “T lay on the lounge and my wife sat in a chair near me. . I askea my wife to re to me, which she did for about half an hour. After she finished I said, ‘DIl read myself a little while,” " *‘When she stopped reading did you use any abusive language to her “No, sir, I did not, She went into the bed room ‘and changed her appavel and then came back to the lounge and lay down beside me.” The witness then [ detail the occurrences of the After they went to bed his wife \d putsome ontmeal on the stove it for breakf: His wife came back to the room, blew out the light and went to bed. “After she got in bed and the light was blown out, could you see her?'’ asked the lawyer, “Icould not; as a matter did not see her until early th mg when I lighted the lamp,” Lauer then stated that he put coal in the stov as was his usual custom before retiring. Gen. Cowin then subjected Lauer to a volloy of questions ahout the position of the lamp. the hgntness of the room, the pl where his revolver was. ‘'l saw a form, said Lauer, “and then looked to the right of the bed and also to the dining room. I could only see the dim outline of a head and could not distinguish who it was, The Revolver in Court. At this point Gen. Cowin aski tho revolver and Lauer remarkec you needn’t bring it in. 1l admit that it was the same one that I used,” *That's all right,” said the general as he took the revolver and handed it to the witness. “Don't shoot the reparters” Judge Savage as he saw the mu the weapon pointed toward the where the newspaper men were w “It isn't loaded,” replied as he looked into the ba volver was then placed under 2 pie paper used to represent a pilio the witness showed how he drew it before b fived the fatal shot. *When you fired the shot was it lighter or darker’than when you went to bed ™ was the next question propounded “Tean't say. 1 felt for my wife, and lidn’t look to see whether she was in bed I put my hand over to where 1 ght she was lying and found she was not there.” “How much eould you sce of the form at which you shot; tould you recognize the hoad ™ “No, General: [ couldn't tell whether it was the head of my wife or your head. I'wish it had been yours.” “I don't doubt it. You'd like to have 1 in range now, " geutly remarked . Cowin. 1 object to that,” said Mr. Thurston, “aud I want to bave the exact lauguage of fact I next morn- THE OM;&HA DAILY BEE, TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1886 taken down. Tt is bratal, vindictive, unprofessional and intended to in- flame the passion of the audience.” “If my remark was brutal,” said the general rising to his feet, “It was simply a just reply to a brutal answer made by the witness, He said that he wished the head at whizh he shot had been mine.” The witness was then questioned as to what he did after he fired the shot and said that he got up and shook his wife and ealled to her without getting any re- gponse. He then went to the dresser and lighted the lamp in a state of great ex- citement. At this point Judge Neville looked at the clock and adjourned court till two o'clock. Afternoon Session. The court room was crowded in the afternoon, about 200 ladies having seats inside the railing The question of the right of the prose- cution to go into Lauer's relations with his wife was deferred until later in the day and Gen. Cowin proceeded with the ss-examination. n response to a ion he stated that he did not know that his wife was dead until he lighted the lamp. Every detail of the proceed- ings of the night was fully examined, Now, Mr. Lavuer,” continued Gen. Cowin, “you lighted the lamp and Ful down beside your wife. Did you feel of her heart; " “Idon't think I did. The body was lfm‘ on its right side—that is inclined to the right.” “‘When you first looked at the body af- ter lighting did you know she was dead?’ ‘1 thought she was fatally hurt but I did not know she was dead until I turned her over on her back. I could not see the wound.” "Wh‘y did you turn her over on her back?” ‘“To find out how badly she was hur’ I raised the head a little and saw « blood streaming out of her nose. I couid see no evidence of life, but when I touched the body in the region of the heart I could feel its beating. " “You didn't touch ier inany place where there was boo b “No sir, L did not. Tlooked ather face and knew the wound was in the cen- ter of the faco. I have always known that the heart ceased to beat after death.” “Did vou do anything to ascertain if she was dead beside feeling her heart?* “Nothing but shake her.’ “Did you attempt to wash the blood from her wound, get water. or try to get m\y\hqu for her?” I did'not.”” “How long did you remain by the body?" *‘Not more than half a minute, but 1 was satisfied that life was_extinct. After getting up from the body I pinched my- self, looked at the bed, turned to my wife and became satistied that I was awake.” ‘‘You were not sure that you were awake before then?” “I was not."" ““When you knelt by her body again did you press your lips to hers?” *I did not.” “Did you take out your handkerchief and wipe the blood from her forehead?” I did not."” “Did you bring water to cool her parched Tip: did not.” *No,” said Gen. Cowin impressively, ““you did none of those things.” “‘Are you sure that Sally Lauer did not scream before you fired the shot?” “If she did I'did not hear her.” Lauer then went on tosay that he heard a noise in his sister’s room and called to her to come into the room. She came toward the door and he told ‘her that he had mis- taken Sallie for a burglar and shot her. She didn’t ask in what manner she was injured, but at once wen tfor help. ‘Had you thought of gotting a doctor up to this time?'” th"‘I bad -not—I didn’t think of auy- ing.” “When you went back to your wife's body didn’t you do so_with the idea of being present if she did return to con- sciousness?” ““That was just exactly I thought.’ u didn’t think to send for a s then examined as to the I he dressed himself but seemed to have forgotten all about how he was dressed. Upon the Rack. The cross examination proceeded as fol- ows: . Mr. Lauer, after you went to the body, felt'of it near the hips you think, then, after putting one band on the hip and’ another on he shoulder and shaking the body and speak- ing to her and receiving no reply, did you then know that she was dead? A, 1 did not. Q. Did you then put_your hand on her in the vicinity of the heart? A. I'do not recol- lect that I did, Q. This is all you did until you lit the lamp, A. To the best of my recollection xactly right. 4 Where did you put your pistol? A. As to where I vut niy pistol T do not know Q. Did you put it in the dressing cas¢? A, 1.6 not know where I put it. Q. When you got up to_light the lamp where did you find the mateh? A. Well, as to where I found the mateh I am not p tive. I must have found it in the little matel) stand that stood opposite the lamp. -+ Q ch- stand-ioeatad? amp you then looked you?” A. I did; yes Now up to this time after getting out of u had done nothing, said nothing, you had done nothing other than siuply lie body of your wife, shake her and 1to her and light the lamp? A. That is 1 liad done up to this time. Q. Now you lighted the lamp, _turned aronnd and saw the body of your wife on the floor? A & did, Q. Upon the tloor? A. Yes, sir. You got down by thi of it, did you? A Yes, sir. Q. Now, did you feel of her heart? A g1 do not think 1 felt'of her heart tirst. Q. In what position was the body when you first lit thelamp? A, Ltwas inelined toward the face; 1 do not” think it was emirely on t o all s not the body at that time lying on A. No, L do not think it was. It was on o de rather t left, but it was ing towards ti o, Q. When you first looked at the body, after Lighting the lamp, did you ithen know that your wife was dead? A."1 do not think that 1 thought she was dead. When I saw the blood wras coming frow her mouth, thou L thougnt my wife had beon hurt fatally, Q, "Then you turned her over on_her back Iuwalnla the south, A. Yes, sir, towards the south. Q, Did you then see the wound? A. Well, Idon’t know that I ean positively say—well, Lkuow that I did not see the wound. Q. Axe you sure that you moved her body, auer? A, Iamn positive that I did, Mr. Laue on its back f was hurt. Q. It inclined towards the right, sl an on the what did you turn the body A. To seo low wy wife Al Yes, Q. The wound could not be seen? A, It wils hot on account of the inelination of the body; it was because the face was covered with blood, Q. Do you know how you left the head? A, 1 think ram qnite positive, as 1 now said, rather more inelined towards the position in which the body la Q. Could yoil sei then any evidence of life in the body? “A. T could not see any. Q. When you felt the body in the Tegion of the heart, could you feel the beating of the leart? A, 3 Ldid, Q. Did youtake hold of her head? A, 1 think I toiiched her forehead; there no blod on the forehead. 0. Your hands were perfeetly clean so far as the blood was concerned. A. Yes, sir; perfectly clean. Q. Did you swear at_the coroner’s inquest in this language near think she was Lying on et right side. & think that I turn- ad lier a litle?” A, T do not know as to that, Q. Youfelt in the region of the heart and ber heart was beating; did you make any further examination of the body to aseertain whether or ot there was still life? A. An ocular exsiniuation, tha s al. of the heart Q. Did you know the beatin; death? A. I have always might exist atter known that. Q. When you felt the - beating of the beart you were satisfied thay Iith was extinct, were you? _A. 1 was not s¥isfied no, sir, Q. You did nothing eigs only just to look ather? A, 1 recollpet distnetly of taking her arms in mine and sifaking and moving her after I lighted the JJanp, but did not rhnmir her position At alf. Q. Did yon take a ¢foth anylhing and wipo the blood from her face? A. [did not; I thought mywife was dead, . Did vou goand getany water and attempt to bathe her face; did) yow go and get auy- thing for her? A. [ did mot, . How long did you rewain there by the body making this examinstion? A, I did not remain but a very, short time, Q. A few moments? A, 1do not know as to the number of monients. Q. How long did yeu vemain by the body after lighting the lamp? A, 1do not think it could have been more than ialf a minute. Q. And in that half minite you satisfied yourself that life was extinet. A. L think I was certain almost instantly, Q. Although the last you knew from phy: cal examination the heart was still beating, Yes, sir. . Now, after getting u} Lrom the body what did you donext? A, After getting up from the body [ pinched myself, looked in the direction of the bed, looked back at my wife and walked back and forth in- the room o Satisty myself that | was awako, Q. Before this, you were not satisfied that you were awake. ~A. | was awake. Q. And then you walked np and down for a time, did you? A. I did. q. Then did you feel of the body again ? Did you press your lips to bers then ? A, I did not. Q. Did you take ont your handkerchief then to wipe the blood from her face? Did yon then et drop of cold water to cool her parched lips? A. 1 did not Q. Now then, how long ¢id yon kneel by her this second time 2 A.” It could have been but a short space of time; I do not know just how long it was. Q. Then you got up again? A, 1 think 1 was yelling at the top of my voice. Q."You yelled at the top of your volee when you thought you had shot a burglar ? A0 Did You k ? A, P 5 you keep that yelling uh? A, For some time I did. I llllnkyll was as much from fear a3 anything I know of. Q. Why did you not yell before you shot? A. I never thought of that. Q. Are you sure Mr. Lauer, that Sally Lauer did not yell when you pulled that pis- tol? A, I cannot say as fothat. bo‘s' Now then, after getting down beside the the second time did yougetup and walk again? A, Ido not know just exactly what Ldid then, Q. You finally went out Into the .«itunfi room? A. lhad. Ihadbeen walking bac and forth between the two rooms. Q. You then heard Miss Lauer coming down, did you? A. No, Ithink 1 heard some kind of a noise upin om. Q. What di {ou say to her when you call- ed her? A. I think I called to_her” to come into the room. My impression is that she did notcome into the room, I tried to_ induce her to come into the room. what w ajandkerchief, or She asked me the matter and I told her that I had mistaken Sally for a burglar and shot her, Q. Shesaid she would run and get help? A. That is what I remerber, Q. Had youup to ‘this timo thousht of gettinga doctor> A. I had not thought of getting a doctor then. Q. Is It a fact, Mr. Lauer, that you stated at the preliminary examination and to four or five persons that morning that there was no use ot sending for the doctor because you knew she was dead lready? A. I may have aid s0. Q. Now, then, up to this time, Mr. Lauer, Eou had done nothing that you now remem- er except what you haveirélated, had you? A. 1 do not recollect anything. Q. Well, then, afteri Miss Lauer went out you went back to_where your wife was be- cause you did not want to leave the body? A, I think that was the réason, You thought ifishe did come to life again you wanted to be there? A. I do not know that I thought in that manner. Q. Did you, Mr. Lauer, at that time, have a feeling that if there should be a return of life you wanted to be there, but you did not think of sending for the doctor 'to help the return of that life, did you? A. I know that I did not think of sendingforthe doctor. . And you had e &hti the proper thing to do was fo leave the bod%l lying on the floor —you had thought of that, hadi you. not? A. 1 thought I did not want to leave; 1 certainly did want to be near miy wife. \Q.l fi'l“l 50 you remsined'near her, did you? A, 1did. Q. But you did not raise your hand to re- store consclousness, or any(hing of that kind, did you? A. Ido not think I did anything to restore consciousness but shake her.’ Q. You simply shook herand yelled to her? A.'1 used that éxpression, Q. Well, when you went back into the room did you again kneel beside your wife? id. Q. How long did you stay that time? A. 1 dopot think I stos ill anywhere. Iwalked around the room. I went and put on my clothes. Q. Do you know where you found them? A. 1do not recollect. Q. Do you know where you found them? A. No, I'do not. Q. You put-on your shoes, your vest, your coat? A, 1 presume so. Ikunow I musthave L\u( on my pants. I must have used some ind of intelligence. . Who was the first person to come there? 1‘\{ Iihu first person to come, L think, was old Mr. Le Q. Did you go ont into the kitchen before this time? A, 1 did not. Q. When did you o into the kitechen? A, Wien Mr, Drexel was preparing the bod Q. You did not go into the Kitchien, then, until Mr. Drexel had commenced preparing the body for examination. A. I know that did not'go in until then, I went through the door from the dining room into the kitchen. Q. Did you find that door at that time locked? A, T think it was locked. Q. With those wiresin? A, I presume the wires were in, Q. Your wife was no longer there, was she? A, Ldidu't leave my wife, . After you got your clothes on thought of going Tor Dr. Parker. lives two blocks and a half aw didn’t you go? A, L did not wi my wife, Q. You did not know yet whether she was dead or not, did you 1 was very much oxcited, and I think that had something to do with my actions at the time, Q. You thought it was a proper place to leave the body? A, [ thought [ would rather not disturb the body. Q. When you got on your elothes you did not then know whether lile was extinet or not? A. I did, I think, from the first mo- ment. My impression was that she was m.';uL1 Q. you He only ¥, now why it to leave reason, then, that you_ did for 1 ker was becilus to leavo the body of your w the reasons yes, si Q. Ls it 1o n that you carea nothin, Mi. 2 Why did you not pick her up and lay her on thebed? A, 1 did not wish to move my wife, Q. Mr. Lauer, the bed was not disturbed after you two got up No, sir; nobody touched it, I presume. g Q. Was your wite ili the habit of getting up nights? A, Icannot say that it was a habit; I will say that sie mumwumy gotup in not go ou did not want A. That is Al the uigh Q. Dia"yon swear that fho had never got up do not think I in the night be- the night before2 A. I swore that she never gov fore. ({ Mr, Lauer, yon did nothing with the body except to nioye it alittlg placing it more on the back? A, Yes, L did; from facing to- wards the north, . Who put that cover on her? A, 1did. L. Witen did you et A, I did that when I heard somebgy ¢pninz. Q. Where did you €t that cover? A. On the foot of the bed, Q. At the time that your wife went to bed that night, and before she put the oatmeal on the stove, was her hair up? A, Well, sir, 1 do not know, ! Q. She had'a_very larze amount of hair, had she nat? A, ¥ Q. Attho time she got #p il]lll put the « meal on the stove, was her hair up or down? A. I donot know. Q. Atthe time you went to the body to see it, What was the condition of her hair? A, Ifer hair was under ber head, scemingly, to me; I cannot say whether it was dowi or not. When you went to the boay of your why did it occur to_you to leave her for the coroner? A, Well, sif, [ do not think it occurred to me to leave her {or the coroner at that time. Q. Wiy then did you make the statement that you did to a number, that you left her for the coroner? Did you make a statement 10 a number of persons that when you went 10 the body of your wife, instead of picking ler up and putting her on the bed, you: left her forthe coroner? A. I do not think I ever said it in the manner in which you have put it. Q. Will you swear that you did not say it in the manner in which” you have said it? 5 10 when Tett the bed and went to the body Q. Yes. A. Very well, siv; I donot think that I ever made that an<wer in reply to such A guestion s vou liave put, Q. Did Mr, Baldwin, ‘n the presence of the district attorney and Major Dennis, ask yon how this occurred? 1 think it Is likely (Question objected tc Q. Did you 2o into the bed room and there explain to him how it occurred, in the pres- ence of the district attorney and’ Major Den- nis? A, T think it is likely, Q. Now, then, in that explanation, did you say that 'you felt over for your wife and !|m:m| she” was not there? A. 1 presume 1 did. Q. Did you say that you then Jumped out of bed and saw the body of your wife? A. 1 will say that I'saw my wife lying on the floor. Q, Did you say to Mr. Baldwin, Major Dennis and the district attorney_that you thought she was breathing? A. Well, sir, my impression is that 1 did. T did think she wi ing when I saw her and 1 think I did 50 state. Q. Did Mr. Baldwin then say to you, “Why didn’t you pick her np and put Ler on th bed.”? A, T do not think he said it in exactly those words: it was that in substance. id you reply, "1 left her for the coro- ner.”? Did youor not say to Mr. Baldwin, Major Dennis and the district attorney. \ Lleft het for the corgner, or left her until the coroner would come,” or'words to that effect? A, I think L did, Q. Now, Mr, Lauer, Did you think your wiie was breathing when Mr. Gallagher got there, half an hourafter the shooting? A. No, sir. That was not after Mr. Gallagher got there, Q. Why did you think the best place for her was on the floor? A. Well, sir. 1 do not kmow that I thought that the best place. Q. Why did you think the best piace was where you shot her ? “A. It oceurred to me to leave her where she lay at that time. Q. Mr. Lauer, have you studied the ques: tlon as o iow many men have boen found guilty of murdering their wives? A, No sir. Have you been looking over the ques- tion some? ~A. I do not think I have been logking over tho question any, Q. Did you examinb it some before this tragedy ? ~A. I cannot say that I did. . Mr. Lauer, did you love Salfie Lauer ? A Ldid, and T love her yet Love her dead ? [Question objected to; objection overruled.j A. I love her memory. . Did you at one time hit her over tie head with & pistol, nearly breaking her nose ? [Objected to; objection sustained, . Did you ever manifest your love for her by breaking her nose Wit . pistol? [0b- Jected to; objection sustained. | They Lived Happily. When Lauer walked down from the stand his seat was at once taken by John G. Bell. Mr. Bell testified that he knew the Lauers very well and that he had never seen anything to make him think that they werc not on the most plea: terms. On the cross-examination eral Cowin brought out the asser from the witness that he had never sel any abuse given by Mr. Lauer to his wife while he was present. Miss Emma S e, who lives directly west of the_Lauer house, was the next witness. She testified that she had been in the habit of visiting the Lauers several times a day. They scemed to be loving and kind. She awakened by Miss Lauer on the night of the tragedy. She looked at the west window in imwr‘s dining room and saw that the curtain was down. On cross-examination she saw a light in the dining room until nearly 9.0’clock. “Call Miss Minerva Lauer," said Mr, Thurston, after he had dismissed the for- mer witness. For a Brother's Life. The interest of the audience at this point began to increase, and as Miss L:\llur walked to the witness stand every eye in the court room was centered upon her. She was neatly attired in a suit of wellfitting biack, in which she looked oxceodingly pretiy. She gave her testi- mony in at rapid,distinet manner and could be heard in every part of the room. “I saw Mr. Lauer,” said she, ‘‘about 1 o'clock on the afternoon before the sad accident occurred. That afternoon Iwas inyited out to spend the afternoon and take tea with a fricnd, and did not return until 8 o’clock in the evening, When I got back I went at once to my room, which is directly over my brother’s bed room, and commenced tosew. From the position of my room I could readily hear what was going on below. I heard my brother humming a tune, and ina few moments 1 thouglit I heard he and Sally singing together, at one time. Then thought that I could hear somebody read- ing aloud, but I could not tell what was Dbeing r After o while I heard my brother's heavy breathing, and knew that onc of them had gone to bed “Now, Miss Lauer,” said Mr. Thurs- ton, ‘‘you were in_your brother’s house for a considerable length of time, and I wish you'd the jury whether or not he lived happily with his wife.” “Yes, indeed,” said the witness, turn- ing towards the jury and stretching out her hands in u supplicating manner: “‘they did live happily together. Of that I can give y ive proof. Johngi ified lie h and whim. There was nothing in his power which he did not do for her happiness. He even used ve her of her household s to ent. He invariably used to pri st in the morning and would always assist her with the dinner and supper. No one could have been mo kind and affectionate than he. I assul you,” continued she, turning her beauti- ful eyes towards the jury, “‘that he was a kind and afiectionate hushand.” “Tell when you wi first aroused,” said Mr. 'I‘hmatun, tlaconicall he carcfully adjusted hi speetacles and glan inan absent manner. “1 heard a shot,” said Miss Lauer with another apbealing glance at the jury, while a winning smile found'its way to her lips, “and at the same time I heard m-—a terrible seream. I next hes brother run- ning about in the room below, moanin and lamenting. 1 got up instantly and pounded on the floor, ealling out io him to know what the m 5. thought that burgl v und knew that I ought to I was a_coward |]m|ll;:,|h, gold rimmed :ral Cowin whole minute befol my room. When at 1 3 bottom of the stairs I met John who said, ‘Minerya, I mistook Sally for a burglar and shot her.’ d to'go in the room where she was, but he caught me arm and held me then rushed out to wage's house for help. I tried to into John's house again but they wouldn’t let me do so. He Washed the Dishes. “Now, Miss Laue id Gen. Cowin, as he began a cross examination, which was so skillful and adroit that the wit- ness did not seem to appreciate the fact that she was being subjected to the piti- less firo of one of the best criminal law- yers in the United Sts Lauer," continued Gen. Cowin, that John always got breakfast:” “Invariably.’ “You saw a kinder husband b r got 1 f got_offended He was or urse, of course,” murme 1. “Butnow suppose the ¢ rdinary mortal, don’t you think he'd | lay in bed and made | ( if his wif and prepare breakfast? HyBho didn's got mad. He used to wash the dishes didn't he, breakfast, dinner and supper dishes?” “He did.” “[suppose one would W other would wipe, that is whe issing each other.” iss cach otner. It was ity every wish ex sh and the they were you say you wo ikened by shot and a scream Yes, 8 terrible screaw, & horrifying yell. :’}\'hul did you do?" up at and once ot the b ped floor John. ther?” | room and screaming. 1 waited a moment till I summoned enough conrage to go down stairs. I thought that burglars had shot John, and T was afraid of my life. 1 saw him atthe entrance to his room, and I'w had an agonized oxprossion on his ace. W light was there that enabled you to sce his expressiont” “Ithink there was a lamp which shone out_into the hall.”” “You say you got out of bed in- stantly and heard John rushing about. What do you mean by instantly?” “I mean instantly, that is just as soon as I could got out.” ““Ah, ves; yon heard him running about the room as you heard the shot.” The examination continued for s but from_this point no new f: were developed. Ben Gallagher wa th alled and testitied to the hapry rela- tions existing between Mr. -and Mrs. Lauer, after which the court adjourned. While every person connectod with the trial is an object of interest, Genoeral Cowin scems to be the central fi His cross-examination of Lauer y day was a pieco of work which the law- yers say has never been aqualed at the Omaha bar. He proceeded in a masterly manner, and whilo he was at times severe with the witness, he never forgot that he was a gentleman before he was a lawyer. His argument is looked forward to with a great deal of interest. ——et DYINC IN SQUALOR. A Female Miser Worth $150,000 Be- queaths $60,000 to Benevolent Bocieties. A Rochester, N. Y., special savs: Mrs. Elizabeth E. G. Emerson has lived in Rochester over thirty yoars, formerly at a hotel, where she was noticeable as an intelligent and attractive woman. Then she bought a house, shnt herself i, kept nloof from everybody, even the chureh, and became the mystery of her neighbor: hood, She never went out excoept for necessities. She lived in squalor and her arments were filthy. Three weeks ago she fell ill, but would allow no one to as- sist her. By accident her condition was discovered “and her neighbors sent a to care for her, but she would have en the woman away had she not been too weak. Five days ago, when dy- mg, whe wrote this messag It is my wish that my departure and burial be as private as possible. To en- force this, I request that no notice of cith- er be sent to any new pers. I request the ofticiating clergyman to state t it sh to have only a Christian e from all worldly customs. was the Savior's, and such should be his followers." The fact h: st come to light that this remarkable woman w worth about $150,000. She left a will, drawn by herself, devising $60,000 to the Presbyterian benevolent societies and the remainder to the children and crandchildren of the Rev . astman of Smithville, Ontario, whose daughter it is s: she was. She was twice n ied, her first husband’s name being ( i The executors named are Charles E. Pond of this city and C. G. Clark of New ork, sceretary of the American Express Company. Mrs. Emerson lefta note also stating that she had no ild, sister or brother, father or mother livin -— Gov. Seymour and the Young Lawyer. Portland Argus: The New York Sun says of Mr. Scymour: ‘“‘No man, we sup- pose, in the history of New York ever en- joyed such unqualified popularity among the members of his own party,” and the Sun is wholly right in the matfer. 1 have a lunch acquaintance who is a good fel- low and a )_')oonl lawyer, but who does not get onin the world. Some two year: ago he thought he wonld like a certain post at Albany, and, as he had no politi- cal influence, 'he took a whim to place hi; case before Mr. Seymour and invoke his powerful aid. He'went to Utica and told the governor who and what he was and what he wanted, after hearing which the kind old gentleman invited him to r main while he went to lie down and resf for he was too feeble to sit up long at any one time. 'The governor kept that young man in hig house two days and nights, talking with him now and then, and all the tine takirg his measure. When sat- istied that the young lawyer had spoken the truth and “was really deserving, th governor gave him a letter to the ofli an Albany in whose department the d sired place was, and_also slipped into h hand "a goodly roll of bank bills, and in answer to the young man’s vrotest against taking the moncy, he quictly re- marked: “When you are as old as i am you can pass the money along to some other striggling young man.” He also told th J in hotel while in V. went to Alban and was received from King Charlemagn duced all around as the mour, and honors were show upon him. When he went to pay hi he was informed that Governor Seymour had telegraphed that the bill was to be sent to him. A we ago the law: yer became the father of a bouncing ho whom he promptly named Horatio S mour, and so wrote the governor, all he supposed the old gentlen I gotten him. In return be r ter which T now™ hold in contained a check for a round sum. the letter the governor speaks feclingly of his own age and approaching death, and adds some lines for the boy which, when he is old enough to read, shonld and doubtless will inflnence all his after life for good Possibly this little story of what the old governor did for a poor un known young man may cast aray of light upon his unequaled popularity, - A Prosperous Savings Bank., Philadelphia Ledger: The small ings of a thrifty community mak aggregate The “Old Saving itis called, at the southwest corn Seventh and Walnut streets, nearly $26,000,000 that are the over 105,000 persons. At least half of these people are women, and nearly 28,- 000 naw accounts were openad last yea This venerable institution, wh ng ented s an sav- ) N over seventy years growing t0'its present condition, and has all the time been increasing the surplus_held for the protection of the depositors, its assets upon January 1 having bee or $1,950,477 in nm-us.‘;;l th 1 and $2,861,025 in temporary | ble of immediate conyersion into Its invested ussets are in the United States, state and eity loans and solid railway mortgages, and are earried in most in » figures much below the S0 it realised upon largely inereased valuation al at lower 1 of th uld be Nothing is carried at s par, and many items 80 that it the maguificent 228 of Kove , stilte, ¢ and - other Londs were converted into eish at pres ent prices the surplus of the saving fund would far exceed $1,000,000 It can be exaggeration that no simi- | liax institution in the world can exceed | its showi f 3 5, its margin of safety : itors, or the unguestioning | aposed 5o properly in it by such a large number of people. The “Old Sav ing Fund keeps the money of one-vighth entire population of Philadelph it not for the rigid rule rest each one’s upnual deposit o § te would probubly be doubled l adult population of this community we think fully one third have at times been represented among its. depositors BRISTLING WITH ACTIVITY. Wheat Buoyant at the Opening and Oue- Half Oent Above Saturday. PORK SLIDES DOWN 36C A BARREL Corn and Oats Break, in Sympathy With Wheat—Trading in Pro- visions Active~Live Stock and General. CHICAGO GRAIN MARKET. CicAGo, March 15,—(Special Telegram. |— WiheAr—The leading speculative markets were all bristling with activity this morning, and wheat was very buoyant at the opening, starting sales for future delive being at a full half cent above Saturd: closing price. The under lead was pork, and everything in the list took the downward track, and the general break that followed ecaused the most intense excitement for a time. Pork slid down 8% per barrel so easily that it fairly took the breath away from the bulls, and be- fore 12 o’clock the May option touched $0.70. Lots of 10,000 barrels were freely offered by a prominent trader at $0.75, but buyers did mnot apnpear in large numbers on those terms, The day was full of surprises to everybodv and the markets were all ner- vous and unsettled. Speculative trading in the aggregate reached a larger amount than for a long time past. Both Liverpool and London cables came in very strong this morning, with wheat reported a turn dearer in all positions, and California sorts were re- ported 64 higher, Private cables were con- firmatory of an improved condition of atfairs abroad, and on this news the market here went up at the opening. May property quickly sold to 86e, and considerable long wheat came out at over 86c. The close of business last Saturday doubtless found the loeal crowd pretty well loaded up. Trading at 864fc was light, however, and at that point there was a sudden reaction that carried prices down to 8iie without searcely a stop. The principal canso of the break was a sharp downward turn In provisions. In addition to this the New York market was off nearly de. Export clearings were higher than expected, and the estimated decrease in the visible supply dur- ing the past week proved smuller than was generally expectea. There was but a feeble reaction during the latter part of the morn- ing session, and at 1 o'clock 853¢c was bid, 1 ¢ uncer Saturday’s closing figures, There Was a fair run of outside buying orders early, and Wall street sold considerable wheat here, it was said, through their Chieago reprosen- tatives. Lester, Everingham and the Eldridge crowd were free buyers, with Cudahy, Kent, Farley and Hobbs named as among the largest sellers. The general feeling of weak- ness to-day was intensified by a decline in St. Paul stock. Mixor GrATNS—Corn broke e in sym- pathy with wheat and provisions, and under the hammering of one or two loeal houses, Farley & Carter being prominent and heavy sellers, May sold off to 8% by 1 o'clock. Trading was larger than for some time past. Oats were also more active but lower, closing e off at 1 o'clock. ProvisioNs—There was an active trade in provisions, wholly on speculative account, and prices were weak, pork falling off 80c per barrel from Saturday’s prices and lard 5¢ per 100 pounds, and while there was some reaction, the falling off was rather heavy. Large lines of pork were offerod by prom- inent houses known to be long, and 1t was rumored that the syndicates were letting go. This latter, however, was uot verified up to the close of tho morning sos- sion. It is estimated that at least 75,000 barrels of pork changed hands. Lard was the least weak, though offered freely, while ribs were hard to sell. The receipts of hogs W up to expectation, and prices were a nickel lower. #NOON BOARD—On ‘the afternoon board there was a moderate amount of activ- ity in wheat, with the bears the strongest men in the pit. By vigorous hammering May wheat was crowded down to B43g@soe, sing at 85¢. May corn was k¢ lower, and were a shade easier, Pork lost 5¢ per Lard was steady. Chandler-Brown Co,'s Report. “The following report of Chicago's specula- tive markets is furnished the Brm by W. P. Peck, Omaha representative of Chandlet- Brown Co., of Chicago and Milwaukee: Wheat opened firm. Cables quoted English markets strong and in_good demand. Calie fornia and spring 6d higher. New York dis~ patehes were also strong, but owing to an os- timated deerease in the visible supply of énly half a million bushels wheat broke off, Fraley and Cudahay being heavy sellers. New rk reported five loads taken for export up ipts of primary markets, 225,000 bush- cls; shipments, 45,000 bushels, rlot receipts at Chicago 72 wheat, 457 corn, May whe so0ld to 86ic and gradually declined to 85%e, where it closed at 1p. m. Corn and oats Provisions we: e, Tibs 10¢, P eWhe taken for y at {@de off, Pork selling 8¢ off, lard lower; 25 loads 1 at Now York. I e lowe March ... April May Jun P 58 K= March April May .. EZZs econ EEER 8= coze sooo Jui BHORT 113 March oo ceoe enaa E328 85 : e inE 3222 8 . oo uy June. CricaGo, March 0 —CATILE top price for shipping cattle was about $5.50, and dressed beet men paid tor a few good to choice cattle, Receipts to-day were not large, but there was an ex- tremely dull feeling in the market for some Bids were 15%0c¢ lower than on Friday, and there was & very slow movement, New York and Liverpool were steady, and salesmen could seo 10 reason for making the sions which puyers wanted, and so s was very slow, Sales averaged about ower than the closing prices of last week, with isolated cases where the deeline was wuch more. Some 1,400 1b meal-fed cattle, for which only %S¢ was bid, were Leld over, # buyers seemed quite indifferent. Some 1,107 1b corn-fed Colorado gattlo suld at $4.5734, and some 1,148 1b sold at $b. were out of the same Jov which & e 1,170 lbs, and sold Friday at 500 1bs, §4.555.05; 0; 900 10 1,200 1bs, nehiow 190 Lbs, §1.7 44.90, Hoas - The hog market was also dull and Ugloclower, Packers are Bot willing 0 g .