Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-05-25
THE MCDONALD TRIAL.
Bloody Clothing Of Murdered Girl Put
in Evidence.


Bedford, Ind, May 19.-In the trial
OF James Mcdonald, accused OF the
murder OF Sarah Schafer here. Capt
j. w. Cook. in whose cab shed the
dead body of Miss Schafer was found.
and who was the first to discover II,
testified Wednesday morning as to the
condition in which the shed was left,
and his discovery Of the body the next
morning when he went to look after
his cab preparatory to it's use
John c. Schafer and G.. NJ Schafer.
of Elkhart, father and brother of the
murdered girl, and Jacob Schafer an
uncle, OF Decatur, were in the court
room Wednesday. The father was
called to the stand. His testimony
covered the last visit Of his daughter
to their home in Elkhart, during the
holidays. When asked by Attorney
Lowe II she was OF a happy disposition
he replied: Indeed she was"
He said the family had no opinion
as to McDonald's guilt or innocence.
q. NJ. Schafer testified that his sister
had never shown evidence of sorrow
or trouble of any kind
Bedford. Ind. May 20.-The bloody
and mud-soaked clothing of the muir
dered girl was introduced in evidence
while Sheriff Smith was on the stand.
While 1t was in evidence the father
and brother OF Miss Schafer left the
court room. The outer garments were
matted with cinders and blood, the
underwear torn and the stockings cak-
ed with mud along the front from the
shoes to the knees. showing she had
been on her knees and had been drag.
ged during the struggle
Drs. Freeland, Short and Ferry. who
performed the autopsy, stated posi-
lively that there were no marks on
the body to indicate an attempt to
commit assault
George Ikerd told of walking on the
street with Mcdonald after the muir
der and relating the circumstances OF
the murder. Ikerd testified that when
he said that he believed the murderer
was Bedford man and if caught he
would like to help hang him, Mcdonald
seemed confused
Mayor Smith was recalled and told
OF visiting the cabshed after the muir
der and of being present when Nc
Donald was arrested and when the
plaster cast of the foot print in the
alley was made. He also told of &C
company Detective Reed and Melon
aid to the alley when the latter was
asked to place his foot in the foot.
print McDonald's shoe and the
plaster cast were introduced as evil
dence.
Bedford, Ind, May 21--John Stout,
plumber, at one time McDonalds
employer, said the latter had often
had opportunities Of seeing Miss
Schafer. Deputy Sheriff Thrasher,
of Monroe county, testified that Nc.
Donald, while in Jail at Bloomington,
had told him that he knew who killed
Miss Schafer, and that he believed
it was Lawrence Cosner Peter
Thrasher, sheriff of Monroe county,
testified that Mcdonald had told him
he believed Lawrence Cosner killed
Miss Schafer.
Detective Smith, Of Chicago. who as
sisted Detective Reed in the early
investigation of the mystery, was call.
ed to the stand and testified concern,
ing the arrest of Mcdonald and tho
comparison of McDonald's shoes with
the footprint in the alley.
Sheriff Smith related the incidents
following the discovery of the muir
der. of McDonald's arrest, and of tax
ing the prisoner to the Jeffersonville
Jail. but said he could remember little
of his conversation with Mcdonald. At
this point he was asked concerning
statement made by Mcdonald and re-
corded by Detective Reed The de-
Tense entered an objection, which was
sustained.
II was rumored in the courtroom
that this statement, which had been
in Sheriff Smiths custody, had disap-
peared from his desk and could not
be found.
Detective Reeds testimony up to
the time of adjournment covered mere
ly the incidents following the finding
OF the body and the deliberations of
the board of inquiry.