The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-09
BY LOU WEDEMAR
Times staff Writer.

"A
w left Columbia university in the
summer of 1881 to get material for
her Phi. D. thesis on anthropology
and ethnology, she had no fear OF
the primitive country to which she
was bound.
She knew that the White river
Indian agency, ninety miles from
Globe, Ariz., was in the country of
Geronimo, the fierce Apache Indian
chief who, in 1872, massacred SOL
diers and scouts. But in 1881, she
felt, there was no danger.
To learn what she wanted to
know, she believed she had to live as
an Indian.
She went to the East Fork Indian
settlement, constructed brush
wikiup for herself and made friends
with the Indians,
She had been there only a few
days when tall, bronze skinned
man came to her He was Jack
Keys, sub-chief of the White river
Apaches.
You are not safe here" he said.
There is an abandoned cottage
down the road a bit. 1t is only half
a mile from the white farmers place.
You would be happier there and you
would not cause us so much worry"
Miss Schmerler was reluctant, but
finally agreed to move.
1t was from the cottage she wrote
to her sister, Mrs. Edward T. Wilks
in Manhattan
Il am progressing very nicely. The
Indians are friendly and help me all
they can. They call me White Lady
Stay Up Late
Il explore by myself and have
only had one unpleasant experience.
Then Mr.. Warner, a painter, helped
me-"
Later she wrote:
The Apaches are like Spartans.
They are hard to know. The women
are especially strange But I have
friends among the men.
"On the Fourth of July 1 attended
a devil dance and tried to take some
pictures of the dancers and their
masks. Dogs barked at me, and
they found me hiding in the bushes
with my shoes in my hands. But
they were very nice-invited me to
breakfast.
T AM getting ready for another
Il dance and have asked an In
dian named Claude Gilbert to take
me. From Mary Valesquez, a half
breed, 1 got wonderful squaws
costume which I will wear.
incidentally, am learning many
interesting things. I found out
about a certain tribal custom, in
Guiding secret ritual.
At White River, Jack Keyes was
disturbed at the White Lady's in
siStence on becoming an Indian. -
On Monday, July 20, he realized ne
had not seen her since Saturday
Her cottage was unoccupied.
A search got under way. On
Thursday searchers found her body
in Muddy Draw. She lay fiat on
her back, with one arm extended
above her head, her clothes partly
torn from her body, and an impro-
vised wooden cross made of heavy
sticks across her chest. She wore a
red and white squaw dress decorated
with beads.
An examination of the body re-
vealed deep knife wound in the
neck. Keys found signs of a strug-
gle
Intense feeling against her muir
derer swept the reservation. The
government bent every energy to
solve the mystery. Special agents
of the Bureau of Investigation cues
toned Miss Schmerler's friends and
relatives in New York.
Special Agent J-39 was rushed to
White River, disguised as an Indian
trader and entered upon an intri-
cate investigation, the details of
which are here told for the first
time.
Her references to Mr.. Warner"
and Claude Gilbert caused their
questioning at once. Seven Indians
were taken into custody.
J-39 visited the scene and was
told about the pieces of wood found
on the victims chest. From it J-39
deduced his first clew to the muir
derer-that he was Unfortunately SUI
perstitious, even for an Indian.
THE investigation began on two
theories-that Indian squaws,
jealous of the White Lady, had
killed her, or that she had been
killed by braves because they feared
she would disclose a tribal secret.
J-39 interviewed the suspects and
talked also with Taupai Bill Maui
pin, Reservation officer, who had
identified the body: Mary Velasquez,
Jesus Velasquez, Keys. and others.
The first apparently tangible de-
velopment came while they were
questioning Warner.
An Indian came to the Reserva-
ton office, making signs to indicate
he had something TO tell He was a
deaf mute, but another Indian tran
slated his message.
Il say paint-man put body of
White Lady in his automobile" the
deaf mute related.