The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-11

! On both sides of the pole are tracks made
by shoes worn by Miss Schafer or by
Mcdonald passed through the ordeal with
out uttering a word. but seemed anxious TO
get back into the cab and be taken TO the
city hall
The home of the accused man is a miser-
able little cottage on short Ninth street. 1t
|, stands on a little hill and consists of but
two rooms. In this rude cottage Mcdonald
and his wife and little boy lived. He sep
arated from his wife for several days be-
fore the murder. she returning that night.
Since that time the son has made his
home with the Fishers.
Early to-day Chief of Police Russell took
charge of the house, compelling the wife
to leave. He examined very closely every
article of mans wearing apparel for signs
of blood, but would not discuss the re-
suit of his examination. The city officials
and detectives visited the house immediate
ly on their return from Jeffersonville.
TALK WITH HEITGER
On the streets of the little city bright and
early this morning was Joseph Heitger, the
young University of Indiana student whose
name has been mentioned in connection
with the investigation. Heitger was met on
all sides with a hearty handshake and a
pat on the back Heitger received each
greeting with smile, and his manner was
the same manly one he always has main
tanned
TO the Journals representative he said:
any brutal deed and strengthened by the
knowledge that / knew no more of the
murder of Miss Schafer than other Bedford
people, l was able to stand before the ava
lanche of embarrassment and unwelcome
notoriety without fiinching. 1t was all
right with me, but my father and mother
were the ones who suffered Both of them
are in jubilant state to-day. This latest
development in the case will greatly relieve
my mother. who has almost been in a state
of nervous collapse since my name was
drawn into the affair.
Il don't believe that il would be right
for me to talk about the arrest of Nc
Donald. When think that the detectives
would not have hesitated TO take me into
custody at one time, / SILVER. / know
' VINO Mcdonald III, Is and his reputation is
he gets justice in the trial. For myself
L am only a victim of circumstances and
the little stigma that might have attached
itself to my name outside of Bedford will
soon wear off"
The news of the arrest of Mcdonald as
suspect brought relief to more than a half
dozen OF Bedfords citizens, whose names
have been dragged into the Investigation
and who have been suspected without
cause prominent man OF the city who
was unfortunate enough TO have his name
connected with the case declared to-day to
the journal that just the knowledge that
his name was on the lips of some people as
the murderer or Sarah Schafer almost
drove him wild. II could never understand
why my name was ever breathed in con-
nection with the case he said, but in
the detectives, brought by the same rurnor
questioned me. / have been SUSPICIOUS of
| lifelong friends and have kept indoors as
nuch as possible TO escape the piercing
glances of my fellow-citizens. all who had
heard the story In one way or the other"
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
If Bedford was ever in a state of intense
excitement it was to-day. Groups that num-
bered three and four the day the body of
Miss Schafer was discovered and after
wards was increased to a dozen all gathered
about newspaper, one generally reading
to the other. One paper usually passed
through dozen hands.
Not more than twenty-five people last
night knew that an arrest was pending that
number including the detectives, city Off
Gals and the newspaper correspondents
They were all pledged to secrecy BY 8
O'Clock, however, there was hardly a per-
son In the little city that did not know
James Mcdonald, the coal wagon driver.
had been arrested for the murder of the
young school teacher. Mcdonald was ia
miliar character about the streets of Bed
ford and almost every one could recall him
On the streets bold threats were made
to lynch the man If he confssses or the evil
dence Is shown to be strong enough to prove
beyond doubt his guilt. IF we only had
known last night was heard on ali sides
The city officials do not deny they feared
mob violence and would not have put the
1
immediate chance Of getting him out of the
city. They believe that by Feb. %, the date
set for his preliminary hearing the feeling
will have died down sufficiently to make n
perfectly safe to return the man to Red
ford The hearing will be before Mayor
raigned late last night.
The greatest secrecy was attached to the
movements of the officials and detectives
last night as the. they feared the impression
Mcdonald was taken from his home by De
tective Reed and Patrolman Myers and
brought TO the City Hall. as he believed, to
appear again as witness before the court
of inquiry. The officers lodged the news
paper men and the prisoner was taken up an
alley 10 the office Of S. 3. Lowe. a member
of the investigating committee. He was
kept in this office for some time and then
removed TO the City Hall. In one room
with but single person watching him and
sat from 10 o'clock until after 2. At first he
did not appear the least Disconnected but at
midnight, perhaps fearing that something
unusual was brewing, he walked the floor
nervously and paced back and forward his
eyes constantly on the door.
During TINS b,s TIME e;fo without MeD9nalds
Sherman Fisher. were driven 10 the City
Hall and examined in adjoining rooms. They
were returned TO their homes and then Nc
Donald was questioned again.
There was no scene when Detective Reed
and Sheriff Smith notified him he was a
prisoner on the charge Of murder McDon-
| Stephenson, is the nerviest man he ever
saw, was perhaps the coolest man in the
room, only throwing his head upward and
/ uttering a sigh. After that he eyed closely
every one I'm the room.
| Not a newspaper man was allowed to
| speak with the prisoner and he was kept
away from all OF them, handcuffed to
/ Sheriff Smith. Surrounded by the little
| group Of city officials and detectives he was
/ kept in the mayors office until 4:45-five
minutes before the Jefrersonville train was
due.
Early in the evening rumor cur
| rent among the small army of newspaper
| correspondents that an attempt would be
made TO remove the man TO Indianapolis
over the Monon north at 1888 The officers.
however, feared violence, and would not
risk walking through the streets at that
hour.
PLEADED NOT GUILTY.
Bedford was In q state Of intense nervous
ness tonight over report that Mcdonald.
according to the law, must be returned for
a hearing within forty-eight hours. Few
| knew that he was arraigned last night and
plead not guilty before Mayor Smith. The
talk on the streets strong against the
prisoner although the majority OF Bedford
citizens believe Mcdonald guiltless.
| The hearing given the prisoner at an
| early hour was a strange one. Closeted in
4 fhe Cifv Hall with fha dafecffvpQ and Off