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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 16, 1886)
r f gSyf tfof i THE OMAHA DAILY BEE , TUESDAY , MARCH 10 , 1886 . * IT W Lauor Finds That Ho Was Awake When He Killed Hia Wife. HE TELLS THE OLD , OLD STORY. How Ho Sliot the nnrglnr InVlilto nncl TlioiiKht It Wni All a Horri ble Drcnin Cowln's Severe Cross-Kxntnlnntlon Court I loom Scenes. The district court was filled yesterday morning when Judge Neville look his aunt. Tlio attendance was larger than upon any previous morning owing to the fact that it wns understood that Laucr wns to bo placed upon the stand. The lirst witness was T. W. T. lllchards , who was present when toils wore made as to tlic light , in the room. Ills evidence was simply corroborative of that given by Mr. Gibbon and Herman Kountz. llo stated thai the Rlovo used in the room was ono with which ho was familiar and that if the lire in it was low it could bo brightened up in fifteen minutes BO that a newspaper could bo read by its light. When John W. Lauer took the stand there was a hum of expectancy among tbo niidiunco. Ho walked to the witness stand in an unconcerned manner , and gave his evidence without changing his tone or permitting his voice to falter in the slightest degree. It was noticeable that ho used the word "tragedy" when ever ho spoke of the dcatti of his wife. Ijnucr Telia His Story. His examination was as follows : Q. Mr. leaner , you are the defendant in this case ? A. Yes sir. Q. What tlmo did you reach homo on the night licforo the shooting' ' A. I reached homo on the night before the shooting about 7 or 7:1.1. : Q. Who wns with you ? A. My wife was with mo In thebimcy. Q. On rcachlm : homo what did you do ? A. On reaching homo 1 drove around to the back Dart of my house. In the alley behind the barn , anil I hacked the horse up against the barn , lifted my wife out of the busnrv , un- hltcncd the horse and took him out Mv wife stood with mo. Itook him around into the barn on the oppoiitu sldo faclun towauls the house , and my wife went around with mo and waited at the door until 1 had put the horse nway. When I had Mulshed I went to the house with mv wife. Wo went Into the house and Immediately lit a light , anil then wo set about preparing supper. It was a hnsty meal because I cot homo late. I usual ly got homo from 0 to 10 or 15 minutes after 0. On this particular evening I did not get homo untllToraquaiter past 1 recollect iirepar- Ingsupper. I think it likely I assisted as much as my wife. I usually did when I was homo. Alter supper I helped my wife take tliodlshes off the table and put them away. After wo had finished Btippor I think It was in the neighborhood of 8 o'clock it did not take us long to prepare supper on account of the casolluo stove. Along In the neighbor hood of 8 o'clock I wentnml lay down in the dining room. I lay down on the sofa In the northwest corner. Q. Where wns the light placed. Mr. Lauer ? A. On this particular occasion it was placed at'tho north end on the sowing machine that was sitting at the north end. t In reply to the question as to whether the window curtain was up or down , Mr. lauer Bald : "Tho curtain was down , because I pulled It down myself , und It remained that way until the next day. Q. How were the blinds ? A. At this par ticular tlmo the blinds were open. Q. What did yon do there during the even- ilng ? A , During the evening , the first thing I recollect doing after supper was laying down on the sofa , I had been very busy that clay and was very tired and I lay down on the sofn. I had boon suffering with a boll on my right cheek. . Wo had two or three dally papers lliero that evening , 1 am not positive which. My wife sat bcstdo mo as close as I am to the arm of this chair ( pointing to the arm of the chair on which ho was sitting ) on the smaller of two locking chairs wo had in the houso. Her head was facing in the same direction as 1 was lying. I told her to read Hie paper to mo and she sat on the rocking chair and read the paper. She did not read very long. She said , "John , I am tired , 1 would like to go to bed. " 1 looked at my watch and it was 20 or 23 minutes to nine , and 1 said , "Xo Sally , It Is a little too early. 1 will try and read a little myself. " She getup up and went Into the other room to undress. After a snort time , what I suppose would bo 'time for her to undress , .she came back in her nlpht dress and came over to the sofa and said , "Move over on the backside of the sofa and let mo He down beside you. " 1 threw threw down my paper and blio lay down be- Hide mo. laying on my right aim , snuggled down beside me anil looked up in my face and blushed as though Bho had done something foolish , and wo lav there talking for a little while. After talking a very minutes she bald , "John , feel how my heart flutters. " Of course , as she wns lying on my right side , I coulil not feel her heart very well , so 1 said , "well Sally "if you do not feel well , let us go to Led. " We got up , and while I do not 10- mcmbor the exact manner of taklnc olt my clothes , 1 recollect undressing. My wife , 1 think , got in bed lint. I am not positive , but It Is the impression I have that she got In rJhsU She then , whllnl was undressing , and . tJmt Is connected with the other , got up again unit said , " 1 lorgot to piepaui the oatmeal lor < lK'ililast ; , " anil I think that while him was propaiing the oatmeal that 1 got In bed. Af ter preparing the. oatmeal Him came and got in bed and wo lay theio talking for some little tlo time. I will say that while wo were ly ing , on the sola tlmt wo talked together at tinjen ; I do not mean to bay that wo were leading all the time. Wo used to slug , and on this pai tii'iihir civcuing 1 think wo bang. It is my Impulsion that wo did. Q. Wlii-ii you wont to bed where was the light left ? A. It was left on the cast end of the dresser. Q. How was that base burning steve loft on that evening ? " A. It was left with the dmlts closed , so as to make it run as low as possible , simply to ctury the liio through un til morning. Q. About what tlmo did you touch the steve last ? A. Just botoie going to bad ; it could not possibly Imvo been later than 11 vo min utes to0. lam not positive. Wo did not lay on the sola more than ten minutes. Q. When you lixed the stove in that man ner , how much lire was In It ? A. Well , so far as thiowlng out light , it could not lia\o boon bright , Q. How long after you went to bed did you go to slcpp ? J know 1 musthnvu fallen asleep very soon ; as regards my wife I do not know whether oho went to Meop before I did or not On this particular occasion 1 recollect dis tinctly of lying In bed and talking to my wife. Q. What was the next thing that you rec ollect ? A.'ilia next tiling that I recollect was when 1 was awakened out of a sound alcup. I was lying on my bade to the beat of my recollection and heard n nolsointlmnoxt room. I was aw koncl out of a inrfectly ' Bound ble p and 1 supposed when I wns being awakened tlmt It uas burglun * . That was the tirot und only thought that 1 hail at that tlmo. I turned to my right sldo and giahticd for my levoiver. On this particular night i had it propaied so tlmt 1 could grasp it easily fioiu under my pillow. I got my revolver Just an quick i > s 1 could alter turning over on my liuht side , 1 then turned In tint dhectlnn of Iliu next luoiu and turned back on mv tuck and looked over the foot of the bed. 1 did not bee un\ thing , but I heaid a rustling In the other i\om. Alter hcailug the noU'e in the other loom , 1 Iiraid a vokv. I will not sny that I heard voices. 1 supposed It was a burglar , but 1 did not recount/a the voice , und biipposed thn burglar wns talking tosomu other burglar. 1 naturally concluded them vine two burglars nt that time possibly in the loom that 1 was in. That is what I thought at that time. But I hcaul tliUuist- ling and Immediately after hoailng this uisl- lliitf , there wis not tlm smallest part of u * second before 1 saw a fnim appear over the foot of tin bed and as soon as 1 saw tlm form , and as quick us lightning , 111 rod anil _ nt tlio saiiui ttiue yelled nt the touof my voice , I will not say that yellviu heioic. Allot thing and yelling at the bawo time , 1 * ul 111 Id bed and looked alum : the foot of the bul -.on the outside. Mydlstlnrt recollection la \ that I expected to koc Munrtlilng fall , and.I lield my revolver , for If I had M-CII anything /all I should have shot again , 11 lit 1 taw nothing und didn't hear auy < thing. Something drew my attention Ilia in ad u ma ihlukof my wife. 1 put out no Jinid : wltcio my wlfo ought to have been bin 6hu uosuut there. 1 uaturally concluded bat It wai my wife that came toward the > cd. 1 Jumped out of bed as quick as I could rnn nround'thc foot of me bed and 1 felt lown on the lloor. 1 felt my wife on the loor. 1 then turned and recollect before doug - ug anything further 1 called my wlfo and shook her. 1 had my hands about her hips , I should imagine. 1 cnllcd to her but tliero ivns noteply. I turned to tlio dresser and It the lamp th.it was on the dresser. Then 1 iurned to my wife as she wns lying on the loor. 1 nm not positive as to whether she as lying on her fnco or not. My Impression s that she was lying rather Inclined to her face and Intouco turned her over on her back. Her head was distinct , that Is.as iar as any connection between her head and body was concerned , the body mo\ed but the head did not move with the body. That is uiy im pression and bc t recollection. Q. Well , what wns done then , John ? A. Well then 1 knelt bcsldo my wife , between the dresser and my wife's body , and looked down at her. Hiood wns gushing out other nose and mouth , and It seemed to me , out ot icrears. It looked to mo as though it was coming out of her right ear. Ido not recol lect as whether 1 got UD on my feet , 1 was amazed and horror struck. 1 felt of myself to see whether I was awake or not. I yelled as hnrd as I could yell and I recollect getting down on the lloor and looking In my wife's face. The blood , 1 think , was still coming outof uiy wife's nose. 1 looked athcr , shook her and called to her and there was no swer. I looked Into her eyes. Her eyes were closed , almost to , and I could see the whites ot her eyes , lier mouth was perfectly mo tionless. She never breathed. The Impres sion that 1 got that she was bnnth ng was simply the blood coming out of her mouth In pulsations. It seems to mo tlmt this Is the recollection' I have of It Itscera- cd to have come out of her mouth In pulsa tions , and that is what I have taken for blUll f tAUVL blillli la III1UV * may 111 * 1 V t- i V ( f. v breath Ing ; but ns to her breathing , or being nny life In the slightest except that I put my liauil on my wife's heart nnd her heart bent. Outside of that there was no movement that my wife over showed atter. Q. Then what did you do ? A. Then I heard my sister up stairs ; I heard her run ning around up stairs. Iran around to the door Intending to call her. I recollect dis tinctly of running around to the northeast door of the dlnlngroom. The door was fast ened In such a manner that a person without light could hardly open It. ( Hero followed a description of the fastening to the door. ) 1 recollect running back to the dresser and getting the lamp that was on the dresserand Inking It and setting It on the table In the dining room. 1 went to the door and un twisted the wire nnd opened the door. Uy that time my sister wns coming down stairs. Ido not know whether she did say anything or not. It Is my Impicsslon thnt she snld something. I tfdnk she said "John , what Is [ ho mutter ? " but 1 was too oxclted to remem ber. Then , 1 think I said , "Minerva , run and get some help. " I wanted to stay with my wlfo and sec If she was not living. If she was allvo I wanted to bo near her and to do something for her If I could. Q. After she started for help what did you do ? A. 1 wont back to my wife. I thought nt all times that my wife was dead. I recol lect distinctly putting on my clothes. Ido not think my clothes were put on tor to go down to the mllL Q. When you went back , after you sent your sister for help , what was done with tuo light ? A. Atter sue went for help 1 took the light in on the dresser. The Cross-Examination. The lirst question asked by General Cpwin in cross-examination was , "When did you first make the acquaintance of your wife ? " The-question , was objected to by Judge Tlmrston. "There is one thinf' , " claimed. General Cowin , "which enables us to go into thia whole matter. The witness said that ho shot his wife by mistake , thinking she was a burglar. That permits to ascertain tlio relations which they bore to each other. " Judge Neville stated that ho know such a question would arise and hud looked up the law Sunday. It was his opinion that the cross-examination of a defendant was different from any other witness. Judge Snvago made au argument attempting to show that such , a question was improper , nnd was not legitimate cross-examination. General Cowin suggested that ho bo per mitted to ask that ono question , which was unimportant , nnd that the argument bo hoard later. TUis was ngrcod td and ho continued : "What were you doing Friday ? " " 9n that day Iwas attending to my affairs. I met my wife u few minutes after 0 o'clock at Paxton & Gallagher's. Wo drove to the postoilico and several stores and then wont homo , arriving there a little after 7 o'clock. There had been no snnpor prepared. " "Was that her usual custom ? " "Well , it was " "I objoct"said Mr. Thurston. The objection was sustained , and Laucr continued : "I wont out of the house and closed the blinds , except those in the dining room. Thosa on trio west side of the room were left open just ns 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 house ? " The first thingl did was to light the gas oline stove and heir ) get the supper. Wo had bought some wionQrwurstoecauso it was easily prepared , and wo had some re gard to each other's feelings. " "You did , oil ? " said Mr. Cowin. "Is that the beat instance of it that you can give ? " "I could give more. " "After supper , " continued Lauor , "I lay on the lounge and mv wife sat in a clmir near mo. I askea my wife to read to mo , which she did for about half nn hour. After she finlslicd I said , 'I'll read nisolf n little whilo. ' " "When she stopped reading did you use iy , abusive language to her ? " No , sir , I dnlnot. She wont into the bed room and changed her apparel nnd then came back to the Ipuiigu and lay down beside mo. " Tho' witness then stated in detail the occurrences of the evening. After they wont to bed his wife got up und nutsomooalmoal on the steve to pronaro it for breakfast. His wife afterwards came back to the room , blow out tlio light and wont to bed. "After she got in bed and the light was blown out , could you sno her ? " asked the hiwvor. "I could not ; as n matter of fact I did not see her until uarly tlio next morn ing when I lighted the lamp , " Lauor then stated that ho put coal in tin ; stove , ns was his usual custom before retiring. Gen. Cowin then subjected Laiior to a volley of questions about the position of the lamp , the lightness of the room , the pltiuo where his revolver was. "I saw a form , " said Luuer , "and then looked to the right of the bed and nlso to tlio dining room. I could only sou the dim outllnu of u head und could not ilistinguuu who it was. Tlio Revolver in Court. At this point Gen , Cowin asked for tlm revolver and Lauer romarkcd , "Oh 1 yon needn't bring it in. I'll admit that it wns tho. sain Q onn tlmt I used. " "That'.s nil right , " said tlio general as he took the revolver nnd handed it to tlio witness , "Don't the " shoot reporters" ejaculated Judge Savngo us ho saw the muzzle of the weapon pointed toward the table wliero the newspaper men wore writing. "It isn't loaded , " replied Lauer , coolly , as ho looked into tlio barrel , Tlio revolver - volvor was then placed under u piece of paper used to rojirosent a pillow , and the witness showed how ho drew it before ho fired the fatal shot. "When you tired the shot was it lighter or darker than when you went to budJ" wns thn next question propounded. "I can't bay. 1 felt for my wife , and didn't look to RCO whether shuyis ; in bed or not. I put my hand over to wliero I thought < .ho was lying and Jon nil .she was not there. " "How much could you sco ot the form at which you shot : could you recognize the head ? fl "No , ( iuiioinl ; I couldn't tnll whether It was tlio head of my wlfo or your head. I wish it had boon yours. " " 1 don't ' doubt It. You'4 like to liavo my head In range now"goutly remarked Mr. Cowin. "I object to thnt , " said Mr. Thurston , . "and I want to huvu thu'exact luuguago taken down. It Is brutal , vindictive , unprofessional and intended to in flame Iho passion of tiio audience. . " "If my remark was brutal , " said the general rising to his feet , "It wns simply a just reply to a brutal answer made by the witness , Ho said that ho wished the head nt whhh ho shot had been inina. " The witness wns then questioned ns lo what ho did nftor ho fired the shot and said that ho got up and shook his wife and called to her without celling any re sponse. Ho Ihon went to the dresser and lighted the lamp in a state of great ex citement. At this point Judge Neville looked at the clock nnd adjourned court till two o'clock. Afternoon Session. The court room was crowded in the afternoon , about 200 ladies having scats inside the railing. The question of the right of the prose cution to go into Lauer's relations with his wife wns deferred until later in the day and Gon. Cowin proceeded with llio cross-examination. In response lo a question hi ) stated that he did not know that ills wife was dead until he lighted the lamp. Kvory detail of the proceed ings of llio night was fully examined. "Now , Mr. Lauor. " continued Gen. Cowin , "you lighted the lamp and got down beside your wifo. Did you feclof her heart ; " "I don't think I did. The body was lying on its right side that is inclined to the right. " "When you first looked nt the body af ter lighting did you know she was dead ? " s"l thought she was fatally hurt but I did not know she was dead until I turned her over on her back. I could not sec the wound. " "Why did you turn her over on her back ? " "To find out how badly she was hur * I raised the head a little and saw th blood atroatning out of her noso. I could see no cvidenco of life , but when I touched the body in the region of the heart I could feel its Denting.1 ' "You didn't touch uer in. auj place where there was bloo.lb'1 "No sir , 1 did not. Ilook'ed nthor face and know the wound was in the cen ter of the faco. I have always known that the heart ceased to beat afler 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 got anything for her ? " "IdiiPnol. " "How long did you remain by Iho body ? " "Nol more Ihnn half a minute , but 1 was salisfied lhat life was extinct. Aflor gelling up from tlio body I pinched my self , looked at the bed. turned to my wife and became satisfied that I was awake. " ' 'You wore not sure that you were awake before then ? " "I was not. " "When you knelt by her body again did you press j'our lips to hers ? " "fdidnot. " "Did yea take out your handkerchief and wipe the blood from her forehead ? " "Ididnot. " "Did you bring water to cool her parched lips ? " "Ididnot. " "No. " said Gen. Cowin impressively , "you did none of those things. " "Aro you sure that Sally Lauer did not screambefore you.fired the shot ? " "If she did I did not hear her. " Lauer then went on to say thai ho heard a noise in his sislor's room and called lo her to como into the room. She came toward the door and ho told 'her thai ho had mis taken Sallie for a burglar and shot her. She didn't ask in what manner she was injured , but ntonco won tfor help. ' 'Had you thought of getting a doctor up to this time ? " "I had -not I didn't thinlc of any thing. " "When you wont back to your wife's body didn't you do so with tlio idea of being present if she did return to con sciousness ? " "That was just exactly I thought. " "But you didn't think to send for a doctor ? " "No sir. " Lauer was then examined as to the manner in which ho dressed himself but seemed lo have forgotten all about how ho was dressed , Upon the Hack. The cross examination proceeded as fol lows : Q. Mr. Lauer , after vou went to the body , felt of it near the hips you think , then , after putting one hand on the hip ami another on the shoulder and shaking the body and speak ing lo her and receiving no reply , did you then know thai she was dead ? A. 1 did not. Q. Did you then put your hand on her In tlio vicinity ot the huart ? A. I do not recol lect that I did. Q. This is all you did until you lit the lamp , was it ? A. To the best ot my recollection that is exactly right. y. Wliero did you put your pistol ? A. As to where 1 mil my pistol 1 do not know" Q. Did you put It in the dressing case ? A. I do not know wlieie I put it ( } . When you got up to light thn lamp wlieie did you find the match ? A. Well , ns to where 1 found the match I am not posi tive. 1 must have found It in the little match stand that stood opposite the lamp. . , . "Q. Where wns that match btmuMoeatott ? A. On the riirht hand side. Q. Alter lighting the lamp youthen looked around at the body , did you ? A. 1 did ; yea sir. 1 trot down on the lloor beside it. O. Now iij ) to this time after gettln ? out of , bed you had done nothing , taid nothing , you nail done nothing other than simply feel the body of your wile , shako her and call to her and light the lamp ? A. That Is all 1 had douu up to this time. Q. Now jou lighted the lamp , , turned aiouiid and .viw the body of yoiu wife'on. the Horn ? A. 1 ilul. Q. Upon tlm lloor ? A. Yes , sir. Q. You got down by the bide of it , did you ? A. Yes , sir. ' Q. Now. did you feel of her hcail ? A.JI do not think 1 felt ot her heart lir.it. Q. In wlmt position wai thu body when you Hist III thn lamp ? A. I twos Inclined toward the face ; I do not think it wascnjholy on the face. Q. Was nol llio body at lhat time lying on Its i Ight sldo ? A. No , I do not think It was. It was on the light bldo rather than on thu left , hut It Wiirt Inclined towards the faco. Q. When you lirst looked nt the body , often lighting the lump , did you ; then know lhat your wlfu was dead ? A. 1 do not think that I thought she was dead. When I saw the blood was coming fioiu her mouth , then I thougnt my wife had been huit fatally. Q , Then you turned her over on her back toward * the buutli. A. Yes , sir , towards the bOUtll. Q , Did you then see the wound ? A. Well , I don't know that I am positively sav well , I know that I did not see the wound. Q. Aiu you sure that you moved her body , Mr. Lnuer ? A. 1 am positive that I did. Q. Mr. Lauer , wlmt did you turn the body on its back foi ? A. To bee liow my wile was hurt. Q. It Inclined towards the right. A. Yes , sir. sir.Q. . The wound could not bo seen ? A , It wo.- * not on account of the Inclination ot the body ; It was because the fnco wad covered with blood , Q. Do yon know how you left Iho hond ? A , I think rum quite positive , ns 1 no\v said , rather moro inclined towards the position in which the body lay. Q. Could you beu then any evidence of life iu the body ? A. I could not see any , Q. When you felt the body In the legion of thu heat t , could you leel the beating ot the heart ? A , Yes , sir : 1 did. Q. Old you take hold of her head ? A. 1 think I touched her forehead ; there was no blood on thu forehead. U < } . Your hands were perfectly clean so fai ns the blood was coiicuined. A * Vas , sir ; pcifoi/tly clean. ( } . Didyoiibwearat the coroner's Inquest In this language nearly , "i think t > ho wns 1) ing on lift lUht side. 1 think lhat t turn ed lier a little ? " A. I do not know as to that. ( } . You felt In the region of the heart and her heart was beating ; did you make any further examination of thobouyto ascertain whether or Hot tliero was still lite ? A. An ocular examination , that U all , Q. Did you know the beating ot the heart might exist alter death ? A. I have always , known that. Q. When you felt the beating of the heart you were satisfied that HTb was extinct , were you ? A. I wns notSjiThfTedj no , sir. ( } . You did nothln lso only jii3t to look at her ? A. 1 recoiled dlstnctlv of taking her nrms In mine null stroking nnd moving her after I lighted .llio 1laiip , but did not chnnco her position ke nil ! ' Q. Did you tike n cRjthVa landkcrchlef. or nnylhliifc and wlpo the blood from her face ? A. Ididnot ; I thought mywllo was dead , Q. Did vou ( foandgethhyVatcr and attempt 10 bathe her face ; did ) vou ( < thing for her ? A. t did rtofi O. How long did you rcitaln thereby the body making this oxnihinilloti ? A. I did not remain but a vcryi short lime. Q. A few moments ? * A , Ido not know as to the number of monJcnbt. Q. How long did you remain by the body nftor lighting the lamp ? , .V. Ido not think ft could have been more than hilt a minute. Q. And In that half minute you satisfied yourself that life was extlnfct A. I think I wns certain almost Instantly , Q. Although the Inst you knew from physi cal examination the heart wts still beating. A. Yes. sir. Q. Now , ntter getting up from the body wlmt did you do next ? A. jUter igctttng up from the body I pinched riysolf , looked in the direction of the bed , looked back at my wlfo nnd walked back and fiirth In the loom to satisfy myself that 1 was nwnko. Q. IJorore this , you were cot satisfied that you were awake. A. 1 was iwako. Q. And then you walked up nnd down forn.timc , did you ? A. I did. Q. Then did you feel of the body ngaln ? Did you press your lips to hers Ihen ? A. I did nol. Q. Didvou take out your handkerchief then to wlpo the blood from her lace ? Did yon Ihen get a drop of cold water to cool her parched lips ? A. I did not Q. Now then , how long did you kneel by her this second tlmo ? A. It could have been but a "hort space of time ; I do not know Jusl how long 11 was. Q. Then yon cot up again ? A. 1 think 1 waa yelling at the top of my voice. Q. ion yelled at the top of your volco when you thought you hna shot a burglar ? A. Yes sir. Q. Did you keep thai yelling nfc ? A. For some time 1 did. 1 think it was aa much from fear ns anything 1 know of. Q. Why did you not yell before you shot ? A. I never thought of thnt Q. Are you sure Mr. Lauer , that Sally Laner did not yell when yea piillod that pistol tel ? A. I cannot say as to that Q. Now then , atter getting down bcsido the body tlio second time did you get up and walk again ? A. I do not know just exactly what 1 did then. ( i. You finally went out Into the sitting room ? A. Iliad. I had been walking back and forth between Iho two rooms. Q. You then heard Albs Lniior coming down , did you ? A. No , I think i heard some kind of a noise up in her room. Q. What did you say to her when yon call ed her ? A. I think I called to her to coino Into the room. My impression Is that she did not come into the room. I tried to Induce her to como into ttio room. She asked mo what was tbo matter nnd 1 told her that I had mistaken Sally for a burglar and shot her. Q. She said she would run and get help ? A. Thnt Is what I remember. Q. Had you up to this time thought of getting a doctor ? A. I bad not thought of getting n doctor then. Q. Is It a fact , Mr. Lauer , that you staled at the preliminary examination and to four or live persons that morning that there was no use ot sending for the doctor because you knew she was dead already ? A. I may have said so. Q. Now , then , up to this tlmo , Mr. Lauer , yon had done noUiiiiR that you now remem ber except what you h&vclrclated , liad you ? A. 1 do nbt recollect a'tivtltlng. Q. Well , then , nfteti Miss Laucr went out you went back to where your wife was because - cause you did not want to leave the body ? A. I think that was the idason. Q. You Ihouehl inrsuej did como lo life ngaln you wanted to be .tlwre ? A. I do not know that I thought 111 tKat manner. Q. Did you , Mr. Lauer , at that tlmo , have a feeling that If there should be a return of life you wanted to bo 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 sending/forHho doctor. (3. And you had thott hti the proper thing to do was to leave the body lying on the floor you had thought oCJhatvuadi you not ? A. 1 thought I did not want to leave ; 1 certainly did want to bo near niy wife. Q. And so you roinsincdinear her , did you ? A. Idid. " Q. But you did not raiso. your hand to re store consciousness , or anything of that kind , did you ? A. Ido not think 1 did anything to restore consciousness but shako her. Q. You simply shook hcrnud yelled to her ? A. I used that expression. Q. Well , when you wont back Into the room did you again kneel beside your wife ? A. I did. Q. How long did you stay that time ? A. 1 do not think Istood still anywhere. I walked around the room. I went and put on my clothes. Q. Do you know where you found them ? A. 1 do not recollect. Q. Do you know where you found them ? A. No , 1 do not Q. \ on put on your shoes , your vest your coat ? A. 1 presume so. I know I must have put on my pants. I must have used some kind of Intelligence. ( J. Who was the lirst person to come there ? A. The ihst person to come , I think , was old Mr. Lee. Q. Did you go out into tha kitchen before this time ? A. I did not Q. When did you go into the kitchen ? A. When Mr. Drexel was preparing the body. Q. You did not go Into the kitchen , then , until Mr. Drexel had commenced preparing the body lor examination. A. I know that 1 did not go In until then. I went through the doorfiom the dining room Into the kitchen. O. Did you find that door at that tlmo locked ? A. 1 think it Was locked. Q. With those wires In ? A. I presume the wires were In. Q. Your wife was no longer there , was bhe ? A. 1 didn't leave my wlfo. Q. After you got your clothes on you thought of cuing for Dr. Parker. Ho only lives two blocks and n Imlf nway , now why didn't ' vou go ? A. IdliLnot want to leave inj' wife. _ , Q. You did not know yet whether she was dead or not , did you ? A. 1 was very much excited , and 1 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. I thought I would rather not ilMinl ) the body. ( i. When you got on your clothes you did not then know whether life was extinct or not ? A. I did , 1 think , troih the lirst mo ment -My impression was that she was dead. ( j.'llm reason , then , that yon did not gofer for Iv. Paikcr was becauvj you did not want to leave the body of your wife ? A. That is thoieason ; yes , sir. Q. Is It not another icason that you careii nothing aboulthat , Mr. Lnuer ? Why did you not pick her up and lay heron the bed ? A. 1 did not wish to move my wifo. Q. Mr. Lauer , the bed was not disturbed after vou two got up ? A. No , sir ; nobody touched It , I prcMime. U. Wns your wlfu In tlio habit of gelling up nights ? A. I cannot say that It was a habit ; I will bay that she liaiVjptewloually got up in ( lie night. Q , IMil you swear trial flio had never cot up in the night bolorui A * I do not think f swoio that she never * got ) in the night bo- O. Mr , Lnuor.-you did nothing with the body except to mo visit till tile ; iilamiiicitmoro on tlio back ? A. Yes , I did ; from facing to wards the north. Q. Who put that cover on her ? A. 1 did. Q. Wlton did you drttl ti > A. I did thai when I heard somcbiKly tMuing. Q. Whciodldyouga Tlmt cover ? A. On the foot of the bed. Q. At the tlmo that your wlfo went to bed that night , and botoro aha put the oatmeal on the stove , was her hair up ? A. Well , sir , I do not know. Q. Shu had n very largo amount of hair , had she not ? A. Yea , sir. 6 O. Long ? A. It w-iR 11 Q. Hulky ? A. Hulk-y. ' ( J. At the time she got , rth nnd put the oat meal on the steve , wad her hair up or down ? A. 1 do not know. Q. At the time you went to the body to sec It , what was the condition of her hair ? A. Her hair was under her head , seemingly , to me ; I cannot bay whether It wns down or not , Q. When you went to the body of your wile , why did it oe.cur to you to leave her for the coronei ? A. WeJI , sir , I do not think It occurred to me to leave her for thu coroner at that time. Q. Why then did you make the statement that you did to a numlier , that y on let t her lor the coroner ? Did you make a statement to a number of jMirsous tlmt when you went to the body of your wife , instead ot picking her up and putting heron the lied , you left her for the coroner ? A. I do not think I ever bald it iu the manner fn which you hate put it. Q. Will youswear ; that you did not say It in the manner It ) which you have said it ? A. As tohfii I left thu bed and.went to ( ho body ? ' . - . ' . Q. A es. A. Very well , sir ; 1 do not think Hint I ever made that answer In reply to such n question as jou hnvo put. Q. Did Mr. llnldwln. hi the presence ot the district attorney and Major Dennis , nsk jou how this occurred ? A. I think It Is likely. ( Question objected to ) . Q. Did you 1(0 ( into the bed room and there explain to him how It occurred , In the pres ence ot the district ntlorney nnd Major Den nis ? A. I think It is likely. Q. Now , then , In that explanation , did you sny lhat you felt over tor your wlfo nnd found she wns not there ? A. 1 presume I did. < ) . Did you say that you then jumped out of bed and snw the body of your wife ? A. 1 will say that I snw my wlfo lying on the floor. Q , Did you say to Mr. Haldwln , Major Dennis nnd the district attorney that you thought she wns breatlilnc ? A. Well , sir. my Impression Is that 1 did. I did think she was brcatldnif when 1 saw her and 1 think I did so state. Q. Did Mr. Haldwln then say to you , "Why didn't you pick her up and put her on the bed. " ? A. I do not think ho snld llln cxnclly those words ; It wns tlmt In substance. Q. Did you reply , " 1 left her for the core ner. " ? Did you or not say to Mr. Baldwin , Major Dennis nnd the dtstrlcl nttorney. "No , I loft her for the coroner , or left her until the coroner would como , " or words to that effect ? A. I think I did. Q. Now , Mr. Lauer. Did you think your who was breathing when Mr. Unllachor got Iheio , half nnhouraf lor Iho shoollne ? A. No. sir. Tlmt was not after Mr. Gallagher got them. Q. Why did you think the best pluco for her was on the lloor ? A. > N ell , sir. I do not kuow Hint I thought that the best place. Q. Why did you think the best place wns where you shot her ? A. It occurred to me to leave her where she lay at that time , ( } . Mr. Lnuer , hnvo you studied tbo ques tion ns to how many men have been found guilty of murdering their wives ? A. No sir. Q. Have you been looking over the ques tion some ? A. I do not think I have been looking over the question any. Q. Did yon uxnminb It some before this tragedy ? A. I cannot say that I did. Q. Mr. Lauur , did you love SalOo Lauor ? A. I did , and I love her yet Q. Love her dead ? [ Question objected to ; objection overruled. ] A. I love her memory. Q. Did you nt one time hit her over the head with a pistol , neatly breaking her nose ? [ Objected to ; objection sustained. ) Q. Did you over manifest your love for her by breaking her nose with a pistol ? [ Ob jected to ; objection sustained. ] They Lived Happily. When Lauor walked down from the stand his -seat wai at once taken by John G. Bell. Mr. Bell testified thnt ho know the Laucrs very well nnd that ho had never scon anything to make him think that they were not on the most jplcasant terms. On the cross-examination Gen eral Cowin brought out the assertion from the witness that ho had never scon nriy abuse given by Mr. Lauor to his wife while lie was present. Miss Emma Sav.ifjc , who lives directly west of the Lauer house , was the next witness. She testified that she had been in Iho habit of visiting the Laucrs several times a day. They seemed to bo loving nnd kind. She was awakened by Miss Lauor on the night of the tragedy. She looked at Iho west window m Lauor's dining room and saw that the curtain was down. On cross-cxaminaliou slip saw a light in the diuiug room until nearly 9. o'clock. "Call Miss Minerva Lauer , " said Mr. Thurs on , after ho had dismissed the for mer witness. For a Brother's Life. The interest of the audience at this point began to incrqaso , and as Miss Lauer walked to the witness stand every eye in the court room was centered upon her. She was neatly attired in a suit of wcll-fitling black , in which she looked exceedingly pretty. She gave her testi mony in a rapiddistinct 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 aad accident occurred. Thnt afternoon I was invited out to spend the afternoon and take tea with a friend , and did not return until 8 o'clock in the evening , When I got back I went at once lo my room , which is direclly over my brother's bed room , and commenced to sew. From the position of my room I could readily hear what was going on below. I heard my brother humming a tune , and in a few moments 1 thought I hoard ho nnd Sally singing together , at ono time. Then I thought that I could hoar somebody read ing aloud , but I could not toll what was being rend. Aflur u while I heard my brother's heavy breathing , and know that one 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 wLsli you'd tell the. jury whelhcr or not ho lived happily vith his wifo. " "Yes , indued , " said llio witness , turn ing towanls the jury anil stretching out her hands in a supplicating manner1 "they did live happily together. Of that I can give you positive proof. John "rat ified her in every wish and whim. There was nothing in his power which ho did not do for her happiness. He even used to relieve her of her household cares to u great extent. Ho invnrhibjy used to pre pare breakfast m the morning and would always assist her with the dinner and supper. No ono could have been more kind and nfl'ectioimte than ho. I assure you , " continued she , turning her beauti ful eyes towards the jury. "Unit he was a kind ami affectionate husband. " "Tell' when you were first aroused , " said Mr. Thurston. ( laconically. , as ho carefully ndjnslud his gold rimmed spisclacles and glanced tit Gunonil Cowin in.iin absent manner. " 1 heard a Bhol , " said Miss Launr with another appealing glance at the jury , while a winning smile found its way to her lips , "and nt thu same time 1 heard a scream a terrible seroiiin. lne\t hoard my brother run ning about in the room below , moaning anu lamenting , i got up instantly nnd pounded on the lloor , calling out to him to know what the mutter ws'S. ' I lit once thought tlmt burglars wore in the hoiiso und knew that I ought to go down stairs. I was a coward though , -and waited u whole niinutn before I dared to go out of my room. When at last 1 reached the bottom of thu stair * I met John who said , 'Minerva , I mistook Sally for a burglar and shot her. ' I tried to go in thu room where Blio was , but ho caught mo by the arm and hold mo back. I 'then ' rushed out to Mrs. Sav.'igo's house for help , I tried to go into John's house nsam but they wouldn't let mo do so. " Ho Wnalicd tlio Dishes , "Now , Miss Lauer , " said Gpn. Cowin , as ho began u cro- 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 lire of onn of the best criminal law yers in tlio United States. "Now , Mias Lauer , " continued Gon. Cowin , "vou say that John always got breakfast * " "Invariably.1 "You never saw n kinder husband era a bettor wifo. Ho never got mud at her ? " "No , sir. " Ho never got ollbndiid nt her in the least degree , llo was too good. " "Of courso. of course , " niurniorod the general. "Hut now suppose thu case of an ordinary mortal , don't you think ho'd gel mail if his wife lay in bud and imulu him get up and prepare breakfast ? " "John didn't gut mad. " "Ho used to w.nh the dibhcs didn't ho , breakfast , dinner and hiippor dishes ? " "llo did. " "Ibiipposo ono would wash and the other would wipe , that is when they were not kissing each other. " "Well they did kU * each otner. II wns John's aim to gratify every wish expressed - pressed by his wifo. " "Now Miss Lauer. you say you were awakened' by a fehot and a scream. " "Yes , a terrible scream , a horrifying JC"\Vhatdidyou do ? " "I at ouco got UP and rap- p'ed on the lloor ami called to John. I .heard him rushing about the. room and screaming. 1 waited a moment till I summoned enough courage to go down stairs. 1 thought thnt burglars hnd shot John , nnd 1 wns afraid of my life. I saw hlmattho onlnuico to his room , nnd he had an ngonizcd expression on his faco. " "What light was there that enabled you to see his expression f" "Ithlnkthoro was a lamp which shone out into the hall , " "You say you got out of bed in stantly and hoard John rushing about. What do you mean by instantly ? " "I mean instantly , that Is just as soon ns I could get out. " "Ah , yes ; you heard him running about the room as you heard Iho shot. " Tlio examination continued for same time , but from this point no now facts were developed. Ben Gallagher wu./ then recalled and testified to tlio happy rela tions existing between Mr. * r nu Mrs. Laucr , nftor which the court Adjourned. While every person connccto'l with the trial Is an object of interest , General Cowin sooim to bo the central figure. His cross-examination of Lauer yester day was a piece Of work which the law yers say has never been equaled at the Omaha bar. Ho.proceeded in a masterly manner , and. while ho was at times bovore with the witness , ho never forgot that ho was a gentleman before ho was a lawyer. His argument is looked forward to with n greal deal of interest. DYING IN SQUALOR. A Fomnlo Miser Worth $15OOOO Uc- quoatua $ ( JOOOO to Uouovolent BoclotlcB. A Rochester , N. Y. , special savs : Mrs. Elizabeth . G. Emerson has lived Iu Rochester over thirty years , formerly at a hotel , where she was noticeable as zm intelligent and attractive woman. Then , she bought a house , shut herself in. kept aloof from everybody , oven the churon , and becnuio the mystery of her neighbor hood , She never went out except for necessities. She lived in squalor and her garments were filthy. Three weeks ago she foil ill. but would allow no one to as sist her. By accident her condition was discovered and her neighbors sent a nurse to care for her , but she would have driven the woman nway had she not been too weak. Five days ago , when dy ing , who wrote this message : "It is my wish that my departure nnd burial bo as private as possible. To en force this , I request that no notice of cith er bo soul to any newspapers. I request the ofiicintinc : clergyman to slate thai it was my wislflo have only a Christian burial , free from all worldly customs. Such was the Savior's , and &uch should bo his followers. " The fact has just como to light that this remarkable woman was worth about $150,000. She left a will , drawn by herself , devising ? GO,000 to tlio Presbyterian oenovolont societies and the remainder to the children anil grandchildren of the Rov.tD. . W. Eastman of Smithvillc , Ontario , whose daughter it is said she was. She was twice married , her first husband's name being Gilbert. Tlio executors named are Charles E. Pond of this cily and C. G. Clark of Now York , secretary of the American Express Company. Mrs. Emerson lofta note also staling lhat she had no child , sisler or brolher , father or mother living. GOT. Seymour anil the Voting IJaivycr. Portland Argus : The New York Sun says of Mr. Seymour : "No man , we sup pose , in the history of New York over en joyed such unqualified popularity among the members of his own party , " and the Sun is wholly right in the matter. I have a lunch acquaintance who is a good fol low and a good lawyer , but who does not get on in tlio world. Some two years ngo he thought ho would like a certain post at Albany , and , as hoi had no politi cal influence , he took a whim to place his case before Mr. Seymour and invoke his powerful aid. Ho went to Utica and lold the governor who and what he was and what he wanted , after hearing which the kind old gentleman invited him to re main while he went to lie down and rest , for he was too feeble to sit up long at any one time. The governor kept that young man in his house two days and nights , talking with him now and then , and all the time taking his measure. When sat isfied thnt the young lawyer had spoken the truth and was really deserving , the governor gave him a letter to the official an Albany in whoso department the de sired place was , and ale slipped into his hand a goodly roll of bank bills , and in answer to Iho young man's protest iigainst Inking the money , he quietly ro- mnrked : "When you are as old as I am yon can pass the money along to some oilier struggling young man. " Ho also told Ihe lawyer lo stav at a certain hotel while in Albany. The young lawyer wont to Albany and presented his letter , and was received like an ambassador from King Charlemagne. Ho was intro duced all around as the friend of Gover nor Seymour , and honors were showered upon Him. When ho went to pay his bill he was informed that Governor Seymour had telegraphed that tlio bill was to bo sent lo him. A fuw weeks tigo the law yer became llio father of a bouncing boy , whom ho promptly named Horatio Sey mour , and ho wrote the governor , albeit he supposed the old gentleman had for gotten him. Iu return he received a lei- lor which I now" hold in my hand. It contained a check for a round sum. In the letter the governor speaks feelingly of his own age and approaching death , and adds bomo lines for the boy which , when ho is old enough to read , .should and doubtless will inllnonee nil his afterlife lifo for good Possibly this little story of what the old governor did for a poor un known young man may cast a ray of light upon his unequaled popularity. A Prosperous Savings Bank. Philadelphia Ledger : The small sav ings of a thrifty community inako a large aggregate The "Old Saving Fund , " .is it is called , at the southwest corner of Seventh and Walnut streets , contains nearly $20,000,000 that are the savings of over 105,000 persons. At least half of thcso people are women , and nearly - ' ! - ! , - 000 ii'sw accounts wore ojiunod Insl year. This venerable institutum , which enjoys so largely the conlidRiico of the communi ty , has been over seventy years growing to its present condition , und has nil thu timu been increasing tlio surplus hold for the prolectlon of the depositors , its assets upon January 1 having heon fS''T.JWO.OSS , or $1,11.7.1,177 In oxcuss of the aggregate deposits , $35,407lfiO. Of this largo sum it hold $ l-ltOri'5-l ! in cash ready for draft nnd | 3b01,035 iu temporary loans capa ble of immediate convention into cash , Its invested assets are in the United States , state und city loans and solid railway mortgages , and are carried in mosl instances - stances at figures much below the market vnluo , * o that if realised upon the surplus would be largely increased. Nothiii } ' is carried at a valuation above par , and many itenn ant at lower figures so that it the imiguilieenl list of $ lui0- ; 228 of government , utatu , oily nnd other bondi wore converted into cafch nt pres ent prices Hut surplus of Iho saving fund would far exceed $1,000,000. It can 1m said without exaggeration that no siiiu- liar Institution in the world can oxcucd its fallowing of a iots , its margin of safety for depositor.or ) thu unquestioning trust inipoicd so properly in it by faiiuli a larsro number of people. The "Old .Sav ing Fund" keeps thomonoy of oim-iiightli the entire population of I'nilndclphin.nnd were it not for thu rigid rule reotnotmg each one's annual deposit to $200 tlio : ur- Kre"ito ! would probably Ixi doubled , Of fliulldnlt population of this community we think fully ono third luivo at times been represented among its depositors Before- buying your outfit of Crockery , and Glasiwnro. bo sure and gel price * at Moody'.s China Store , 0i NVlGth St. ' , BRISTLING WITH ACTIVITY , Wheat Buoyant at tlio Opening and Duo- Half Gout Above Saturday , PORK SLIDES DOWN 3BC A BARREL Corn nutl On s Hrcnk , In Sympathy With Wheat Trailing In 1'ro- vision * Active Iilvo Btook mill General. CHICAGO Git A IN MAHKKT. CmcAoo , March 15. [ Special Telegram. ] \VIIUAT Tlio leading speculatUe market * were nil bristling with activity this morning , and wheat was very buoyant nttho opening , starting sales for future delivery being at a full halt cent nbovo Sntuulay's closing ptlco. The under lead wns pork , ami everything In the list took the downwnul tinck , mid the general break that followed caused the most Intense excitement for n time. I'ork slid down S5c per barrel so easily that It fnlrly took the breath away Iroiu the bulls , and before - fore 12 o'clock the May option touched SO. 10. Lots of 10,000 barrels were freely offered by n prominent Irnder nl 89.75 , but buyers did not appear In largo numbers on those terms. The day was full of surprises to everybody and the markets were all ner vous and unsettled. Speculative trndlng In the aggregate reached a larger amount than for n long tlmo post Doth Liverpool ami London cables came In very strong this morning , with wheat reported n turn dcaicr In nil positions , and Cnllfoinla sorts were ro- poitodOdhigher. Private cnbies were con- ilrmntory of an improved condition of affairs abroad , and on this news the market hero wont up nt the opening. May property quickly sold to 8c ( ! , nnd considerable long wheat came out nt over SGe The close of business last Satuidny doubtless found the local crowd pretty well loaded up. Trading nt Sflifc was light , however , nnd at thnt point there wns n s.udden reaction that can-led prices down to > } { c without scarcely a stop. The principal cause of the bicak was a shaip downward turn In piovlslons. In addition to this the Now York mnikct wns otf nearly We Expoit dealings were higher than expected , and the estimated decrease In ( ho visible supply dur ing the past week proved smaller than was generally expected. There wns but n feeble reaction during the latter pnrt of the mornIng - Ing session , and nt 1 o'clock 85-tfo was bid , Jf c under Saturday's closing figures. Tliero was a fair run of outside buying orders early , and Wall .stieetsold considerable wheat hero , it wns said , thiough their Chicago repiosen- tatives. Lester , Eveilnghnm nnd tlioEUIrldgo crowd were Ireo buyers , with Ciidahy , Kent , Kailey and Ilobbs named ns nmong the largest sellers. The general feeling of weak ness to-day was intensified by a decline In St. Paul stock. Mixoit OKAINS Corn broke } c in sym pathy with wheat and provisions , and under tlio hammering of ono or two local houses , Failey & Cm tor being prominent nnd heavy sellers , May sold off to 39c by 1 o'clock. Trading was larger than tor some tlmo past. Oats were also more active but lower , closing J < fc off at 1 o'clock. PROVISIONS There was nn nctlvc trade In provisions , wholly on speculative account , nnd prices were weak , pork falling off 30c per barrel from Saturday's prices and lard 5c per 100 pounds , nnd while there wns some reaction , the fnlling oil wns mthor heavy. Largo Hues of pork were offered by prom inent houses known to bo long , nnd it wns rumored that the syndicates were letting go. This latter , however , was not verified up to the elose of the morning ses sion. It is estimated that at least 75,000 baircls of pork changed hands. Lard was the least weak , though offered freely , wlnlo ribs wcie haid to sell. The receipts of hogs were up to expectation , and prices wore a nickel lower. AFTKKXOON BOAJID On the afternoon board there wns n moderate amount of activ ity in wheat , with the bears tbo strongest men In the pit By rigorous hammering May wheat wns crowded down to 84 @ & iCi clobing nt 85c. May com was > c lower , nnd oats were n shade easier. Pork lost 6c per ban el. Laid was steady. 2:45 : p. m.-Puts on May wheat , 84 } @Slc ; calls. S5Kc bid. Chnmllor-nroivn CO.'B Report. Thn following report of Chicago's specula.- live maikets Is furnished the UIK : by W. P. Peck , Omaha representative of. Chandler- Brown Co. , of Chicago and Milwaukee : Wheat opened nnn. Cables quoted Kngllsh markets btrong nnd In good demand. Call * lornia nnd spring Oil higher. Now York dla- patchcs were nlso strong , but owing to an es timated decrease In the visible supply of 6nly half a million bushels wheat broke off , Fialoy and Cudahaj being heavy sellers. Now Yoik reported live loads taken for export up to 12 o'clock. liecoipts of primary markets , 225,000 bush els ; shipments , 43,000 bushels. Car let i ecel pts at Chinitro 72 wheat , ' ! . ' ! ? com. May wheat opened at bO' ' c , sold to SO c and giadually declined to Kc , where It closed nt 1 p. m. Coin and oats easy at JfWu'c off. Piovlblons weak. Pork selling Me off , lard 5c , ribs lOc. 'J0 : ! ! p. m. Wheat , % c lower : 25 lends lepoited taken lor oxpoit at Now'Yolk. Coi n weak anil > c off. Pork ! 5c lower. CHICAGO IJVIO STOCK. CHICAGO , March 15. [ Special Telegram. ] UATTI.I : The top prlco for shipping eattlo was about S5..00 , and du.s-icd beet men paid SS.'i.'j ' for a few good to choice cattle. Ilcccipts to-day weio nothuge , bul tliero was an ex tremely dull feeling In the market for some reason , liidseie HXfjyOc lower than on Kilday , nnd there was a veiy slow movement. KowYoik'and l.lvcipool weio steady , mid Bnluiuien could bee no icason for making the concussions which uuyeis wnntcd , and t-.o lridinu | was very slow , fi.des aveingcd about lOC't-iOi ! lower than the clo-dui ; pilce * of lust week , with Isolated cases where thu decline was much inuio. Koinu 1,400 Ib meal-fed cattle , for which only Sc was bid , wuro held over. Homuhow buyers H'eiaed ijulte Indllfeiiiut. .Somo 1,107 Ib corn-fed Colorado eattlo bold at 8.iK. ) aud fiouiu 1,1-14 Ib uold at Vi.M. They weio out ot thu same lot which avi-r- HBi'd 1.1VJ His , , and sold Friday at 3'J.75. fcblpplug blcerrf , 1KO ! to'l.MX ) Ibs , gl.S u > 5.GV , l.OOtofH501bs , 5l.70@5.10ji)00to ) 1,203 Jbs , .hoji ? market was nhoduJl nut ! l iu I6wi-r , I'ackeisaienot trilling to m