Henry Saalwachter

 

Submitted by Herman R "Buck" Seibert Jr. March 22, 2012

 

Cincinnati Enquirer, July 27, 1919, page 3

WITNESSES SUMMONED

 

Henry Saalwachter held at the Newport jail on a charge of having disinterred the body of Clara Fischer from its grave at St Stephens Cemetery has failed to give bond.   Attorney Frank Spitzelberger, for the defense, yesterday summoned 21 witnesses for the preliminary hearing at 10 o'clock, at the city building, Ft Thomas by Squire E R Brandes, while County Attorney Blaine McLaughlin, for the defese, has summoned 16 witnesses.

This indicates that the prisoner intends to find for his dismissal rather than waive examination and be bound over to the October term of the grand jury.   Officers investigating the case said a piece of satin ribbon found in Saalwachter's room could not be connected with the Fischer case.  They declared the ribbon might have been placed on any funeral bouquet and might have been in Saalwachter's room for a long time.
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GHOUL MYSTERY UNSOLVED

The June Campbell Cunty Grand Jury yesterday dismissed the case of Henry Saalwachter, who was charged with having opened the grave of Clara Fischer, 15 eyars old, daughter of Anton Fischer, 605 East Third street, Newport Ky. July 18 last.

Fred Thye, sexton of St Stephens Cemetery, near Ft Thomas, found the grave had been opened and evidence later was obtained that the body of the girl had been removed from the coffin and then replaced.  After several days investigation by operatives of the Cal Crim Detective Agency Cincinnati, Saalwachter, a former grave digger, who lived near Ft Thomas, was detained.  He was bound over to the grand jury by Magistrate E R Brandes.  Three grand juries which investigated the case failed to return an indictment.
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SUSPECT TO BE ARRAIGNED

Henry Saalwachter, former Ft Thomas grave digger, who is accused of disinterring the body of Clara Fischer's at St Stephens Cemetery, is to be arraigned before Magistrate E R Brandes at Ft Thomas Monday morning at 10 o'clock.

When the case was called by Magistrate Brandes yesterday morning this brief continuance was agreed upon by attorney Frank Spitzelberger, who will defend the accused. And county attorney Blaine McLaughlin, who aided operatives of the Cal Crim Detective Bureau in working up the case and who will represent the state at the hearing.  By consent the amount of the bond, $3000 was not changed.  Saalwachter has not been able to furnish bond.

County Attorney McLaughlin said yesterday: "There is one point I wish to emphasize, that the mysterious woman in black that was seen by Sexton Blye in the cemetery last Thursday night has no connection to the case. The investigation has developed that there is but one person to be place on trial for the outrage, and I am reasonable certain that we have that person in custody.  I am satisfied that the people of Campbell County are willing to let the law take its course and await the outcome of the court proceedings."

Attorney Frank Spitzelberger defending Saalwachter said, "I was never so convinced of a mans innocence in my life.  I spoke to Saalwachter four hours and I went away convinced that he is not the man who committed the crime. There are many broken links in the chain of circumstantial evidence."

A nephew of Saalwachter, Andrew Saalwachter, whom the defendant was alleged to have shot about six years ago when a resident of Alexandria Ky. visited the prisoner at the Newport jail yesterday.  Saalwachter was acquitted of this charge.  The nephew said yesterday he was afraid to testify against his uncle at the time.  A sister of the accused also visited him yesterday as did former Sexton Fred Thoeny of St Stephens Cemetery, who will try to arrange bond for Saalwachter.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, October 10, 1919, page 14

NEWPORT JURY INVESTIGATES GHOUL CASE

Yesterday session of the grand jury was devoted to an investigation of the opening and desecration of the grave of Clara Fischer at St Stephens Cemetery, on the night of July 17 last.  Henry Saalwachter, a former grave digger, is charged with the crime.  The grand jury heard Fred Bly, sexton of the cemetery, William Schoultheis, detective, who investigated the case and other witnesses, including Mrs. A C Jansen, a relative of Clara Fischer.  The evidence against Saalwachter is circumstantial only.  The investigation will be continued today.

 

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