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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