The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-17
MCDONALD BEGINS FIGHT
FOR LIFE IN THE SCHAFER
MURDER TRIAL At BEDFORD
Man Accused OF Brutal Crime En-
tiers Courtroom with Air OF
Confidence.
WORK TO SECURE JURY
Special Venire of 100 Names EX-
hausted and Additional Venire
Is Drawn.
COURT ADJOURNS EARLY
Taking of Evidence Not Expected
to Begin for Two Days-Mc-
Donald to Testify.
;pecIal to the Indianapolis journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
BEDFORD, Ind, May 16.-After a rest
less night spent in pacing the narrow con-
fines of his cell in the Lawrence county
Jail. James Mcdonald charged with the
murder of Sarah Catherine Schafer. at
Bedford, on the night of Jan. q, was placed
on trial for his life to-day. Mcdonald
apparently had recovered from his ner-
vousness OF the night before and he en-
tered the crowded courtroom with a con-
fident air this morning.
The work of selecting a jury is going
to be of a more difficult nature than antici
pated. the special venire of 100 names be-
ing jury. The impaneling of jury will
probably require as much or more time
than the hearing of the evidence All but
eleven of the men of both the regular
panel and the special venire had been ex-
cused by noon and all but four of these
for cause. Most of the jurors thus excused
had formed such opinions in the case as
would require some evidence to change.
Three were opposed to capital punishment.
When the afternoon session of court was
opened Judge Wilson ordered an additional
venire of 100 names and court was ad
journed until Tuesday morning, to be
called at $50. The indications are that the
jury will not be completed before Tuesday
night and some of the attorneys are of
opinion that Thursday will be as soon
date the jury can be completed
II was agreed that the evidence of Mrs.
Hannah Fisher, mother of Mrs. Mcdonald.
should be taken at the house of the wit
ness, whose physical condition is such that
she is unable to attend court in person. Nc
Donald wife and brother-in-law were with
him in court to-day. but they were not
aware of his being brought here last night.
ARRIVAL KEPT SECRET.
But few persons knew Mcdonald was in
Bedford last night and the announcement
in the Journal this morning conveyed the
news of his arrival to many of the curious
citizens who had expected TO see him step
from the morning train. w. c. Tyree. who
was armed heavily. was the sole guard at
the jail last night and he will continue to
guard the prisoner at night.
Detective E. 5. Reed. of Chicago, who
worked up the case against Mcdonald, ar
rived here to-day While the jury was be-
eng selected, Mcdonald laughed and gos-
siped good naturedly with one of his at
torneys, +. NJ. Vance. appearing perfectly
box when court adjourned at o'clock,
but it is believed that all of that number
will not stand the final test
Detective Reed occupied a seat near Pros
ecutor Miller. He was close observer or
the proceedings, and is considered the star
witnecs for the State.
will be required to try the case, owing
to the large number of witnesses exam
iaed. Fifty-seven witnesses have already
been summoned for the State and fifty for
the defense. James Mcdonald will be the
first and principal witness put on the stand
in his defense. The attorneys for the State
have been doubtful If Mcdonald would go
on the stand, as 1t will give them an oppor-
tunity 10 make him confess, IL is said, to
perjury in making some of his statements
1t is said that the attorneys for the pros
ecution have some blood-stained clothing
that they found at the Mcdonald home
but this statement cannot be confirmed
and il will be late in the week before 1t
will be known whether such evidence is to
be presented 1t is understood, however,
that the theory of assault will be advanced
to show the motive for the crime.
The defense will try to establish an alibi
Mcdonald will deny all of the statements
he has made in which he places himself
near the murder and seeing the suspicious
characters and Miss Schafer. he has taken
the grounds that he made many of the con-
fiicting statements that now confront him
at Detective Reeds suggestion to assist
him in working up case, and that when
Reed had worked up the the detective
then preferred the charge against him. He
even charges, it is understood, that his
profession of religion was part of this
scheme. Since 1t fell through he has laid
aside his Bible.
The State claims to have positive evil
dence that Mcdonald cannot account for
his whereabouts at the time OF the muir
der That he was in the neighborhood of
the fatal alley leading back to the Cook
cab shed, in which the body was found
about the time the crime was committed,
there is no doubt. However. several people
will testify that he was in another part of
the town within such a short time after
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3, COL. 81