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Newspaper
Elkhart Weekly Truth
Location
Elkhart, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Jan 28, 1904
Page
17
The governor rejects anticipatory demonstrations and mob violence. He urges officials to stand firm, use armed deputies to uphold law, and deploy the national guard for riot duties only after local authorities exhaust legal resources. The message questions the Perce case and notes McDonald could not use his Front Arms.
Bedford Indiana February 12 Further evidence against Jas McDonald was found yesterday The whisky bottle found at the fatal alley entrance was identified as the one McDonald had filled with brandy the afternoon before the murder The bottle was empty when found Mayor Smith Sheriff Frank Smith and detectives are at Jeffersonville hoping to obtain a confession from McDonald The trial is expected to begin among the first when the circuit court convenes next Monday
The Bedford Mail contends McDonald could not have killed Miss Schafer alone and hints he may be a scapegoat or pressured to reveal others. It notes his delayed cooperation and mirrored appearance with Alexander figures, signaling detectives seek truth or punishment.
Charles G. Melcher longtime Lake Shore West of Toledo engineer died at 1 45 this morning at his home 1112 South Main St He was aged 84 born April 3 1840 in Lancaster New Hampshire He served in the Civil War and later worked for the Lake Shore Railway Survived by wife Mrs Laura Melcher a son Harry and a daughter Jeannette also three sisters in New Hampshire Funeral services to be held Sunday afternoon at the Episcopal church with Knights Templar in charge
Mrs Arabella Hildreth died at her daughter’s home 308 Madison street last evening at 5 10 pm death due to dropsy She was born in England October 10 1888 the day Queen Victoria was crowned widow of Hosia Hildreth She is survived by sons Henry and Fredrick Dinstitt in Bristol and Mishawaka and by sisters Bessie Duffield in England and Mrs Mary Os born of Goshen Funeral set for Sunday at the M E B church in Bristol at 2 o clock
Henry Stephens received word from the superintendent at Lafayette Soldiers Home that Mrs Lavina Larson died there last night. She left a note requesting her remains be sent to an unspecified destination.
Land transfers include Chas W Yost to Chas A Yost in Osolo township for 2 dollars. Sam F Alwine and wife to John S Jackson for a New Paris lot valued at 208 dollars. Davia B Myers and wife to Wm F Starks for a Goshen lot at 300 dollars. Bonner to WM Carmen a stake in Elkhart for 200 dollars. Emma Jeanette Guipe and Bee Schubert to Elkhart land valued at 1 dollar. Simon J Strauss and wife to John M Stabler in Benton township for 10 dollars and 750 dollars.
Local officials clash over Governor Durbin after a contentious letter to a sheriff about handling suspects. Mayor J Hickson Smith condemns Durbin while Simpson B Lowe defends authority and criticizes the governor. The case centers on a brutal murder and Jeffersonville custody disputes.
Laurence Earhart, a stranger to Bedford, has been arrested on suspicion of knowing about the murder of Miss Sarah C. Schafer. Earhart, claiming St Louis origins, has lived with Jacob Wallheiser and is believed to have talked in his sleep about the crime. He will be examined, while James McDonald remains detained at Jefferson to avert mob violence as court orders and governor commands interplay.
The report notes Mr John C Schafer gave a postal letter to Police Superintendent Silvers and Miss Sarah Schafer to Mrs John Collier of Osceola. Silvers will forward the note to a man who claimed a handwriting sample could reveal the killer's identity. The missive, written by Mrs Collier’s acquaintance, was never mailed and references hired assassins and possible names Abe, Don, or Harhar.
The bedridden patient improved after 12 o clock, with the attending physician declaring her greatly better. Born December 30 1836 in Union County Pennsylvania, she leaves three children Willard J B Kurtz of this city and Mrs J H Mather of Hinghman Michigan, six stepchildren Frank John Benjamin Andrew Rowe Mrs Frank Myers of this city and Mrs James McGilled of Benton Harbor.
Mrs Sophronia Wright wife of Lester L Wright died at 9 15 last night at 1104 Cleveland Avenue She was 23 years old and survived by her husband and two children Treva B aged two and an infant daughter 12 days old Funeral will be held Monday at the Christian Church Vandalia with interment at Poe Cemetery
Sol Mier sells 109 acres to Fred Kiletz for 9100 dollars. Mamas'R Click sells 80 acres to Sol Mier for 4500 dollars. Warren J Bunger sells 40 acres to Sol Mier for 2000 dollars.
George Boyer and Naomi Detwiler wed at the Detwiler home with Rev. Yoder officiating. Sermons at Zion were postponed due to bad weather. Rural mail routes 2 and 3 from Bristol will serve farmers. Bristol Telephone Co washes in lines for farms. Mrs. William Bickel of Elkhart visits Thomas Bickel. Ladies Aid met at Mrs. Bickel’s home. Mrs. Edwin Hilbish of Lagrange visits J A Watts. Mrs. John Wells returns from Elkhart. D P Rice slowly improves after illness.
Jacob Werntz a longtime Elkhart resident died at his home 1010 South Second street at 6 am after five years of ill health from a paralytic stroke. He was 75 years, 7 months and 5 days old, lived in the city 34 years, served in the Civil War, and was a contractor and builder. Survived by wife Rebecca and three children William Werntz Three Rivers Shafer Delphi. a daughter Mary Benham predeceased. Burial arrangements pending.
The speaker claims innocence in a murder case while admitting to making false statements before the inquiry. He says he entered the situation through foolishness and wanted others to believe he knew something, and he questions why he did it.
Bedford Indiana February 11 reports excitement over the arrest of James McDonald for the murder of Bedford high school teacher Miss Sarah Schafer. Authorities say circumstantial evidence supports the arrest. McDonald is confined in Jeffersonville reformatory. He was shown crime scenes to test composure, denied guilt, and provided two differing alibis.
Witness account places James McDonald inside the Seven full pack store at 6:50 PM the night Miss Sara Schafer was killed. The from-the-scene statement notes McDonald left after 15 to 20 minutes, heading south, wearing his working clothes, with wife present during the event.
Bedford residents express strong belief that James McDonald is not the murderer. Prominent townsmen say the true culprit is elsewhere, with sentiment favoring McDonald as innocent amid local speculation.
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