The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-25
VIEWS OF THE FAMILY;
OPINIONS OF TEACHERS
eciaI to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
ELKHART, Ind. Jan. 24.-Members of the
family of Sarah Schafer, who muir
dered at Bedford, say the worst crime
against woman was frustrated by the girl.
This assurance was brought back from Bed
ford by Miss Schafer's brother and uncle.
Evidence on the point, they say is indis-
putable.
The Bedford teachers who accompanied
the victims body to Elkhart, think she was
mistaken for another. They state that be-
fore the body had been identified as that of
Miss Schafer, the remains had been de-
clared to be those of Mrs. James Morrison,
of Oolitic, some miles from Bedford. They
further say they understand that Morrison
and his wife were seen quarreling block or
so from the scene of the murder earlier in
the evening. The women resemble each
other in general appearance, and are said to
have worn outer garments of similar style.
The family as we'll as the Bedford teach
ers, and Elkhart intimates, scout the idea
of love affair as q contributing cause
The relatives are utterly at sea to suggest
a possible clew involving any man. They
refer to Councilman Ira Church and to
Bert Albert, travelling salesman, as young
VI the III NHOul lney nave
confidence. According to the admissions of
the Bedford teachers there is no doubt
that Miss Schafer permitted them to think
that Mr.. Church was a sweetheart in whom
she was much interested and whose letters
were eagerly anticipated. but Church de-
MES there was other than a platonic friend
ship, and asserts that letters passed hardly
oftener than twice month and none from
her Indicated she regarded him as a lover.
The Bedford teachers say Miss Schafer
went to her room daily at the noon hour
admittedly to get letter, and she is said
to have acknowledged when twitted that
she wrote two letters a day, explaining
that one was to her mother, leaving the
inference that the other was to Church
whom she described as to- occupation and
political position, but never named. They
cOncede a suspicion that these remarks
were intended to imply she was not with
out a special admirer.
The two anonymous letters mentioned in
dispatches are satisfactorily explained by
the Bedford teachers. The first was re-
ceived after Miss Schafer had rather
sharply told her class they should be bet
ter in Latin. Some one evidently misin-
terpreted this to be reflection on her pre-
deceSsor and wrote an unsigned letter
whose most significant expression was
your own success is not yet assured"
The second began, IF you desire to change
rooms apply at giving the address of the
woman who is supposed to have written
the note.
The story of the refusal to make, by
telephone. an engagement for an evening
call by Bert, relates TO the fact that when
Mr.. Albert, above referred TO. stopped in
Bedford on Jan. 13. he called her by tele-
phone and saluted her with peculiar remarks
as 10 her attractive appearance. She
thought the speaker was a Bedford young
man who had given offense by a trifiing
breach of cOnventionalities, and angrily
hung up the receiver.
Albert then rang again, revealing his iden-
tity, and was cordially invited to call. the
incident of the offense being related in apol-
ogetic explanation.
Albert has been here since Tuesday and
Church has not been farther away than
Goshen for weeks.
says was from a young woman whom she
knew at Terre Haute.
Miss Schafer's funeral will be held on
Tuesday afternoon.