Author: Lawrence County Museum of History and Edward L. Hutton Research Library

Publisher:

Published: 2021-09

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9780578969480

The brutal killing on Jan. 21, 1904, gained nationwide attention. Newspaper correspondents thronged into Bedford, Ind. The murder was covered widely and wildly in national newspapers. Large rewards were offered. Bedford was overrun with amateur detectives, and professional Pinkerton agency detectives became involved. Read the news coverage and learn what investigators were thinking. Discover evidence, suspects, confessions, rumors and theories.It was a dark, raw and rainy Thursday night, January 21, 1904, when the pretty young woman, a high school Latin teacher who roomed at Addie Smith's house during the school term left her room and walked to Martha Johnson's boarding house to have supper with friends.Her name-Miss Sarah Catherine Schafer from Elkhart, Ind.As was her routine, she anticipated going back to her rooming house after eating the evening meal. It is thought that on the way to supper, she called on Dr. J. B. Duncan, who lived at the corner of 14th and L Streets. They talked about a personal matter Sarah was experiencing and discussed Eva Love, Sarah's roommate, who was temporarily at Indianapolis.After the meal, Capt. John D. Alexander accompanied her north to the Winstandley house where he roomed. Sarah was singing. After saying goodbye to Capt. Alexander, she continued walking north on L St. using her umbrella to shield herself from the weather and making her way back toward her rooming house. She didn't get far. About a block away, an attacker struck. She was dragged nearly 76 feet along the alley into a cab shed where she was bludgeoned to death. Capt. William J. Cook, found her body the following morning. Some people remembered seeing a tall man in a long overcoat the night before.The comprehensive book includes the photos, news coverage and personal notes that Prosecuting Attorney Robert G. Miller recorded from his 1904 files. Deputy Prosecutor Eli B. Stephenson also recorded his thoughts on the case and suggested who he thought the murderer might be.The case remains unsolved.