The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-05
A W0MAN'S STRANGE DEATH.
Her Husbands Conduct Gives Rise to Sus
picions of Foul Play.

Last night at IL o'clock q half-dozen men and
women. IN a scantily furnished room in the top
| floor Of the brick block at the northeast corner
| of Tennessee and Garden streets, stood around
| the dead body of Lizzie Shafer wife of Edward
Shafer, who had died two hours before, alone,
without light or fire. The circumstances of the
death are very suspicious. Although the block
is inhabited by several families, no one knew Of
the woman's sickness until about o'clock last
night She was seen about her room early in
the forenoon, and apparently in good health.
At o'clock Laura Davidson. who occupies
room adjoining Mrs. Shafer's noticed that
there was light in Mrs. Skaters
room, and on going to the door heard groans on
the inside. She went in and found Mrs. Shafer
in q semi-unconscious condition. and suffering
from frequent spells of violent choking. She
did what she could for the woman and left the
An hour later she heard Mr.. Shafer
making a noise again, and upon going in she
the room were found several whisky bottles.
which had been emptisd. The only thing Mrs.
Shafer said to the Davidson girl while she was
in the room was that her husband had struck
her and had threatened to kill her.
suspicious feature of the death is the disap-
pearance of the husband. He is employed at
the Sarven wheel-works, but has not been work.
ing this week. He left his wife yesterday morn
ing at o'clock, and on his way down stairs met
the Davidson girl to whom be remarked, II
have given the old woman three bottles of
whisky. She's got her skates on. and I think
she is fixed. I wish you would kind keep an
eye on her, and will pay you well for it. +" Moth
ing more was seen of Shafer during the day.
and although it was his custom 10 return home
for supper he had not put in an appearance at II
o'clock last night.
The roomers in the block say that he and his
wife have been ouarreling continually for sew
eral weeks, and that he greatly abnsed her. and
frequently threatened to take her life. Shafer
is known trough" among tho police, and
only few weeks ago was released from the
work house, where he served term for a mis-
demeanor. He and his wife came to the city
two years ago. Mrs Shafer, according to what
she had told her associates in the block, was
born in England. and has no relatives in Amer
lea. She twenty-seven years Of age.
The coroner was notified of the strange death,
and Deputy Mitchell had the body sent to I'm
dertaker Kregelo's morgue. Au Investigation
will be made to-day.
Shafer returned home at o'clock this morn
ing in . half sober condition. His first remark
to the people living in the house was that
somebody must have given Lizzie
something" On being shown into the room
where his wife lay he manifested
some surprise, but was not much
erieved. He acknowledged that they had quar-
rels, but claimed that he never struck her. He
said he had given her three drinks Of whisky in
the morning. He disclaimed all knowledge of a
severe bruise on his wife's forehead, but contra
dicted himself SO many times that his story was
unsatisfactory.