The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-24
(CONCLUDED IRON FIRsf PAGEl

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
Dech standing at L and Fourteenth streets
shortly before O'Clock. The stranger wore
a long black coat and black Derby hat.
THEORY OF POLICE.
The theory of the police formed from
these stories, coupled with the letter, is
this: Miss Schafer had met the man. evil
IDENTIFY a stranger in Bedford, probably a
week before the murder. Bevond a dnnht
he is the stranger she was seen talking
with in the pOstoffice on Monday. He had
called at the house and had forced his at
tentions after she had vigorously refused
them
Against this story is the one told by Mrs.
Smith, who declares that the only callers
were people she was acquainted with. The
plausible clew now is that the man met her
as she was returning from her boarding
house and as she passed the corner at
Fourteenth and L streets The two then,
it is thought, evidently renewing an old
quarrel or he again pressing his attentions.
walked to the next corner. where they were
seen by Dech 1t is thought they
traced their steps to the corner, and, in
passing the alley at Cooks. in mad des-
peration, the lover muffied his victim and
dragged her down the alley. Doctors say it
is probable Miss Schafer tainted and that
fear of discovery led the man to drag her
to the alley. Finding the low doors of the
cabshed he opened them. In the shed was
the real struggle. Fought Off by the girl,
the man, it is believed, dealt blow after
blow with the brick until life.was almost
gone. Leaving her for dead he ran. The
screams. it is thought. were heard by the
Elliotts after the murderer had made his
escape An accurate description is in the
hands of the detectives.
Another bit of evidence 10 verify the
story of the call at the Smith home is the
story told by Miss Cad Friedley, the teach
er OF mathematics in the Bedford High
School. She says that one morning Miss
Schafer entered the schoolroom appearing
downcast Asked what was the matter, she
told in part of the visit of the night be-
FORE Miss Friedley understood the mans
home was in Bedford. Only few words
were exchanged.
The man arrested at Crothersville to-day
at first gave Bedford as his home. There
was a picture of girl in his pocket which
IL was thought resembled a newspaper
portrait Of Miss Schafer. The Crothersville
authorities asked for a description OF the
man wanted and the sheriff described
rather large, stoutly-built man, with
long, dark red mustache, this being the
theoretical murderer for whom the author
tiles are looking at the present time. The
CrothersviTle officers replied that their man
answered the description exactly. Sheriff
Smith told them to hold the man to await
further developments. The officers are pay
ing but little attention to the story.
The police hold to the belief that the
murderer is the writer of the anonymous
letters received by Miss Schafer,a month
ago. telling her to avert any harm Detailing
her by changing her boarding place to
nearer her rooms. The letters still seem
significant in view of the fact that the muir
der was committed between the room and
Mrs. Johnson's boarding house. Several
people declared to-day that the letters were
written by Disconnected patrons of the
school, who believed Miss Schafer worked
an influence over their children. Little
stock is placed in this. Mrs. DR.. d. d.
Nicholson, who read the letters, refused to
discuss them to-day.
COURT OF INQUIRY.
! The court Of inquiry began its session
! at an early hour to-day. Two tramps ar
rested during the night were released after
| explaining their whereabouts the night of
the murder. At least twenty-five unimpor-
| tant witnesses were examined by Mayor
| Smiths court and Justice Fletcher's court.
! All were bad characters or persons known
to be in the neighborhood of the Cook
/ house Thursday night.
/ Preparations were all made at one time
| tc take into custody a man suspicion.
Later it was learned he was not in the
| city the night of the murder. The man
was employed in a Bedford blacksmith
| shop. Even an arrest on suspicion would
be dangerous thing tonight. so intense
] is the feeling in the community. Another
suspect, man with a criminal record, tes-
| titled and was released. Both the. men
answered the earlier descriptions of the
] assailant furnished
/ The new theory strengthens the story OF
the nervous man rushing into the Office of
| Dr.. Mcdonald and asking for a stimulant.
| 1t is not believed the murderer is the man
seen by Cabman Lucas on the Monon station
| platform Friday night walking up and down
nervously.
FUNERAL SERVICES.
Milton Schafer and Ed Schafer. brother
and uncle OF Miss Schafer. arrived here
early this morning from Elkhart. Ind. and
left at o'clock over the Monon for their
home with the body OF the murdered teach
er. Miss Arda Knox and Miss Clara Fried
ley, of the High School. and Prof. ". +.
| Alexander accompanied the body TO Elkhart
/ 10 attend the funeral Short services were
| held at the Smith house over the body early
this morning by the Rev. Wilson Whitney,
I Elder J. W. Newland following with a pray
er. The coffin was covered with a bank of
white flowers. bearing in red flowers the
letters "B. III. S." furnished by the entire
school. The Bedford schools. which were
dismissed Friday morning on account of the
murder OF Miss Schafer. will resume next
week. the grades on Monday and the High
school on Tuesday. The short services at
the Smith home were most impressive.
Those present were the funeral party and
the members OF Mrs. Smiths family. The
members of the school board accompanied
the body TO the train. The most pathetic
sight was the little group OF girl and boy
students. who crowded close TO the coffin
! as IL was raised to the baggage car. Many