Monday, January 31, 2011

Amanuensis Monday: Letter from Aunt Helene (October 1972)

An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. 




Source: Letter from Helene LeMaster, 206 Bon Air Dr., Sidney, Ohio to Ord Weldon LeMaster, 214 West Monroe, Alexandria, Indiana, postmarked 26 October 1972.

October 25, '72

Dear Gloria and Ord:

It is high time that I am writing to you.  I had filled in what little I knew about the LeMasters, in the material I had ready for you, on the history of the family you wrote about.  I took a Shelby County book, recently published, and your material to the re-union in September, hoping you would be there.  When I showed the history Art had compiled the relatives there wanted to copy it.  I am wondering if they have sent it to you.  Ora LeMaster, Garth's wife has it.  She is to be sure that I have it returned to me.

The county book has some information on part of the LeMaster - Young family, from grand father Luman Walker's side.  Several LeMaster names are mentioned in it.  I'll enclose what little I have found.  I do not know the family history as I should.  Aunt Emma knew so much more than I do.  She was in the family twelve years before I was.  She passed away in Feb. 1956.  I think I mentioned in my letter to you that there was a book printed by another LeMaster with the Luman W. LeMaster family in it but not much detail.  No one seems to who got the book but Art had it.  It had the LeMaster crest in it.

We just had a shock as my brother's son Jack passed away.  He was our 'right hand' in all our affairs.  He was in Bergen Norway touring when he had a heart attack and passed away.  It took three weeks for the casket to reach Sidney.  He was more a son than a nephew to me.

I am sorry not to be of more help.  We just had a call last week from Jessie Whitacre that her brother, I think Clyde, passed away.  He lived in Findlay Ohio.  Whitacres are from Grandma LeMasters family.

The history Art & Maud Phillips compiled has more information & I hope you can get it some time.

Sorry we missed seeing you in September.  We had a nice get together.

We are still at 206 Bon Air Dr so come to see us.

Love,

Aunt Helene 

---
This letter, postmarked 26 October 1972, was written by my father's great grandaunt, Helene (GARMHAUSEN) LeMASTER, widow of Vernon Walker LeMASTER.

1. The Ora LeMaster is Ora Lee (BRADY) LeMASTER, wife of Garth Luman LeMASTER.  Garth was a son of Clarence and Ferry May (BICKEL) LeMASTER.

2. Aunt Emma is Emma (GARMHAUSEN) LeMASTER, wife of Ord Otterbein LeMASTER.  She was Helene's aunt, and married into they LeMaster family in 1907, while Helene married into it in 1917.

3. The Art LeMaster is Arthur Raymond LeMASTER, brother of Vernon and Ord LeMASTER.  He had died December 16, 1971.  He authored a family history circa 1960 along with his sister, Maud (LeMASTER) PHILLIPS.

4. The Jessie WHITACRE is the daughter of Frederic E. and Caroline Bishop (CHEW) WHITACRE.  Caroline was a sister to Mary Keziah (CHEW) LeMASTER, wife of Luman Walker LeMASTER (and mother to Vernon, Ord & Arthur, et al.)



Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Schaeffer Murder



Source: Evansville Courier, Evansville, Indiana, September 19, 1883.


The Schaeffer Murder


Coroner Carter yesterday concluded the testimony and rendered his verdict in the Schaeffer-Schaeffer murder case.  The witnesses examined were Messrs. John W. Ashby, whose testimony was similar to that published in the Sunday COURIER.  Albert Zachares, and the defendant, Chas. Schaeffer, which is as follows, and which does not tally with the statement made to a COURIER reporter the night of the deed:


"Mary V. Schaeffer was my wife; have been married 11 years; have always been on good terms with my wife and relatives, except once about a year ago, when I had a fight with my brother-in-law; we have five children living and one dead; we had family spats once in a while; the last I remember on Saturday night, my wife and I were at Zachares' saloon; from there we started home; my wife and I were both drunk; she was never drunk before; and she drank whisky; and she never drank that before; she said that she was going to drink just because I did; I did not say anything when we were going from saloon, but that we will go home and go to bed; and we were laughing and talking, but I don't recollect anything else that I said; I can't tell how I got my pistol out; I know I got it out, and she grabbed for it, and we were scuffling for it as it went off; and soon as it went off I asked her if she was shot, and she said yes; and I gave her the pistol and she throwed it into my brother-in-law's (Jake Rieber) yard; I never in my life threatened to kill her; she threatened to leave me if I did not stop drinking, and my relatives used to make fun of us because I hugged and squeezed her so much; Andy Rieber and I were always on good terms; we all lived in the same house for three years.  "Where were you when you did the shooting?" I never done the shooting, but it happened just as we stepped off the pavement into the alley; we were more in the alley than on the line of the pavement.  I didn't take my pistol out just at that time; I had the pistol out before that and we were scuffling for it and it went off right there; I stood in front of her; we were almost against each other; I had drank at least 20 or 25 glasses of beer; I was able with 20 or 25 glasses of beer in me to understand everything and to run to get the assistance of my brothers-in-law; I don't know if this is the pistol I had; I got it in the dark from Mr. Russ; I couldn't tell.


Coroner Carter, after hearing all the testimony, returned the following verdict: "That Mary Schaeffer came to her death by a pistol shot at the hands of Charles L. Schaeffer."


---
Mary V. (RIEBER) SCHAEFFER, was Corinne's paternal 3rd-great grandmother.  I have yet to discover the outcome of Charles Schaeffer.  Additional articles relating to the murder have been posted here, here and here.  This article was sent to me by a Rieber researcher, Ray Bland.

Another Sunday Murder





Source: Evansville Courier, Evansville, Indiana, n.d. [probably Sept 16, 1883]


ANOTHER SUNDAY MURDER


Chas. Schaefer Shoots His Wife To Death


And is Afterward Stabbed by His Brother-In-Law, Andy Rieber


The sun again rises this morning on another tragedy, single so far, but which later may become a double one.  The pistol and knife were both factors in the occurence of last night, backed by unlimited quantities of whisky and beer.  The parties to the tragedy are Charles Schaefer, a German varnisher, living at 812 Second avenue, his wife and her brother - Anton Rieber.  Schaefer and Rieber work at the coffin factory.  Last night Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer started out on a drinking tour, the result of which is the death of the wife and the probable fatal cutting of the husband.  The facts which led immediately to these results are as follows: Mr. John W. Ashby, residing at 712 Second avenue, while sitting at his bed-room window, being unable to sleep, saw a man and woman pass his house, coming from toward Franklin street.  They stopped on the corner of the alley, and seemed to Mr. Ashby to be in earnest convesation.  As it was in German he could not understand it.  They had not been there but a moment, when Mr. Ashby heard a pistol shot, and looking out of the window saw the woman fall.  He dressed himself quickly as possible and started out to see what was the matter, but before reaching them the woman had gotten up and walked away, while the man run off.  A short distance further, and nearer her residence, the woman fell again and it was then that Ashby discovered the woman was shot.  At this time a number of persons attracted by the shot had arrived and took charge of the woman, while Ashby went to hunt the man that did the shooting.  Knowing who he was from knowing the woman, it was an easy matter to find him, which he soon did, with Officer Schutler, not far from the scene of the shooting.  The woman Schaeffer was taken to her home, when medical attendence was immediately had in Dr. McClurkin.  Mrs. Schaeffer was undressed and the wound probed.  The ball which was of 28 calibre, had entered her body about one and half inches from the narel [sic], ranging downward.  The ball could not be found, as it had entered the cavity of the stomach.  Schaeffer was taken by Ashby to the central station while the officer hunted for Rieber, had between the shotting and the arrest of Schaeffer been at work on the latter with a knife.  Schaeffer, when taken to the lock-up, was found to be bleeding from a wound in the right breast and a couple of cuts in the hands.  His wounds were dressed by Police Surgeon WIlton, and at the time the reporter saw him he was resting easily.


SCHAEFFER'S STATEMENT


Schaeffer gave the reporter the following statement.  He said: I work at the coffin factory, and last night my wife and her brother and I went to Zacheres saloon, on the corner of Third avenue and Franklin street.  I hadn't drank anything before for three weeks.  I was surprised at my wife wanting to go along, for I never knew of her doing anything of that kind before.  While Reiber and I drank beer she drank whisky.  After sitting there awhile we started for home.  When we got there my wife went and got a pitcher of beer, but wouldn't drink any of it.  I said to her, 'Mammy will you have a drink of whisky?  She said she would, and we started out to get it.  While she was gone for the beer Andy Rieber said to me: "She is trying to make you jealous." "I said I don't care what she does, she can't do that."  My wife and I went and got the whisky and in coming back she said that she must have another.  I said to her: "Mamy if you take another drink, we will both die together." I then pulled out my revolver for the purpose of showing it to her, I suppose, and somehow it went off.  I saw that her clothes were on fire and I took my hands, put it out.  She started to walk but fell down.  I then went to the house and told Andy.  Andy I suppose I have shot my wife."  He then started out to find her and the next thing I knew he had cut me two or three times, and pushed me down.  While he was cutting at me I grabbed his hand and held it, telling him, "Look here Andy you can't do anything of that kind with me if you have got me down, for I'm a better man than you are."  Just then I was arrested and Reiber ran off.  I said to the men, I suppose I am under arrest and I will go with you whenever you want me to.


ANTON RIEBER'S STATEMENT


Through Capt. McCutchan THE COURIER reporter heard Rieber's statement, the drinking part of which does not materially differ with that given by Schaeffer.  He says, however, that when Schaeffer and his sister left the house they were in excellent humor, laughing and talking with each other, and he cannot account for Schaeffer's murderous assualt on his sister.  Rieber admits stabbing Schaeffer, and said, God damn him; if they had let me alone I would have killed him.  Rieber was brought to the central station, but as his dying sister kept constantly calling for him, the captain concluded to let him return to her with a policeman as a guard over him.


At this hour of writing, 3:30 this morning, Mrs. Schaeffer is in dying condition, she bein pulseless.


Source: Evansville Courier, Evansville, Indiana, n.d. [probably September 17, 1883]



THE WIFE MURDER.


Schaefer Committed to Jail to Await the Action of the Coroner,


Who Was Engaged all Day Yesterday in Taking Testimony


Mrs. Schaefer, who was shot by her husband between 11 and 12 o'clock on Saturday night, lingered until Sunday evening when she died at 6 o'clock.  Schaefer, as soon as her death was known, was locked up in his cell by Captain Newitt and was yesterday transferred to the county jail to await the result of the Coroner's verdict.  The incidents of this shooting will be found in the testimony given by Mrs. Schaefer's brother and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Rieber, and are sustantially as reported in Sunday's COURIER.


Coroner Carter held a post mortem examination on the body of Mary Schaeffer yesterday and discovered that the ball (32 calibre) entered one and a half inches below the navel and to the left of the median line, and found that it had perforated the intestines six times, passing backward and downward and to the right, and finally lodged in the muscles of the hollow of the sacrum.


Anton Rieber said: I am the brother of Mary Schaeffer, to whom Chas. Schaeffer has been married about 11 years.  Schaeffer was sometimes the best of men, and then again he was as mean as he could be.  Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer have had frequent quarrels, but none lately.  He had been touchy ever since last Thursday, and has not been in a good humor with her since Friday night because she wouldn't give him a dime to get shaved with.  He has never threatened directly to kill her, but has intimated it.  Schaeffer drank a good deal.  He would get on the street about once a month.  On Saturday night my wife and I and Schaeffer and my sister were at our house, and my wife proposed getting some beer and she and my sister went after it; soon after Schaeffer wanted to go and get a drink, and his wife said, "If you go, I'll go," and they went off together.  This was about 11 o'clock; they hadn't been gone more than five minutes when I heard a pistol shot.  I started in the direction from which it came and when I got part of the way, I met my sister, and found that she had been shot by Schaeffer; I then went into Hoffman's saloon; when I got there they told me that S. had gone into the backyard; I yelled to him to come out as I wanted to see him; I then went back through the saloon and ran down Franklin street to the middle of the block; I then saw my sister and carried her home and laid her on my bed; I found her under the gas post on the corner of Michigan street and Second avenue, lying on the pavement; my wife was with her; she couldn't speak at first, but afterwards told me that Schaeffer had shot her; she said that she didn't think he would do so or she would not have gone with him by herself; she said that he shot her while in front of Ashby's; that he was standing on the left side of her and that after he shot her she wrenched the pistol from him fearing that he would shoot her again, she threw the pistol in my brother's yard, on the other side of the alley; he never owned a pistol, nor was he in the habit of carrying one; I knew he had a pistol that night, for he showed it to me two or three times and wanted me to go out and practice with it; the pistol, he said, he had taken away from a drunken friend of his, Billy Russ.


Josephine Rieber said that she was the sister-in-law of Mrs. Schaeffer, and that S. for the past few days had been very cross; he had threatened to hit her and once to kill her for her saucy mouth; Schaefer was drunk a couple of weeks ago, and had drank something before he came home Saturday night; he was in a good humor then; I saw the pistol, as he showed it to all of us, and wanted Andy to go out with him in the morning to practice with it, but Andy said "no;" about 11 o'clock on Saturday night, Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer left the house by themselves; both were in a good humor, and in about five minutes I heard a pistol shot and Mrs. S. scream "Oh, my God," three times; I ran toward her and met her on the corner of Michigan street and Second avenue; she walked across the street with me, clinging to my neck.  I said, "Mary, what's the matter?" She said, "Oh, dear, Joe, I'm shot."  I asked her who shot her, and she said, "Charley shot me."  She said, "He's jealous; oh, dear me, he'll kill Andy," and she fell.  She said that she didn't think Charley would have done it; that as they were walking along, he said: "Mary, I'll go to the alley with you, and then our separation will be death."  He said that on the corner of Second avenue and Franklin street, and we walked on; I laughed at him, not thinking he was in earnest; when we reached the alley by Ashby's house, he pulled out his pistol and shot me."  Mrs. Schaeffer said that she was afraid that he would shoot Andy, and she took the pistol away from him.  She said that Charley was jealous of Andy.  She said that after being shot she wanted Charley to come and see what he had done and how she suffered."


John J. Hoffherr said: On Saturday night I was in Pregler's saloon getting a glass of beer, when I heard a pistol shot, and right afterwards a police whistle.  I went out to assist the officer who had called for assistance.  As soon as I found out what had happened I left him and went up to Schaeffer's house.  I found Mrs. Schaeffer lying on the bed speechless, but suffering very much; I rubbed her with camphor, and then Dr. McClurkin came; she then came to herself and told me that her husband and herself were going to get a drink and as they were coming back home he said to her "that was the last drink she would ever take with him."  "This was at the alley, but no hard words had passed between us; he then pulled out his pistol and stepped around and shot me."  She said that she thought jealousy was the cause of it; she didn't know what else it could be.


Fred Kroener said in his testimony: On Saturday, I went to the Apollo theater, and after, I went and got shaved and was going home.  At the corner of Franklin street, between Michigan street and Second avenue, I heard a pistol shot, and met George Gerst and a Mr. Smith; went down the street and saw a man and woman standing by they alley; they were quiet for a moment, and then the woman began to yell, "Murder! Help!"  We went toward them, and Schaeffer said: "You so-o-bs, stand back."  We went back and around the corner and then came up Franklin street, when Schaeffer passed us, running, saying to some one, "I shot her!"


George Gerst's testimony was substantially the same as Mr. Kroener's.


Will Russ, on being sworn, said: That he had known Schaeffer for the last six months; he works in the same shop that I do; I never heard him say anything about his wife or his family; the pistol that Schaeffer used was mine.  On Thursday or Friday morning Schaeffer was talking about killing his dog and I proposed to sell him my pistol; he said that he had no use for it, that he had a gun or two at home; he told me to bring it around anyhow, and he would try to sell it for me; I told him that all he could get over a $1.25 he could have; he told me to bring it up; I forgot it until Saturday night, but he reminded me about it every morning and noon, until he finally started to tie a string around my ear to make me remember it; I then told him to meet me at the Court house, Saturday night; he met me there and we went up the alley between Third and Fourth streets, back of the jail; I gave him the pistol, and then we went out through the alley to Third street; from there I went to get shaved, and he waited for me; we then went down Main street to the art store, where we met Jake Rieber, when they started home together, and that was the last I saw or heard of him, until Sunday morning.


The case will be continued to-day and a verdict reached.



---
Mary (RIEBER) SCHAEFFER was Corinne's paternal 3rd-great grandmother.  Additional articles relating to her murder can be found here and here.  These articles were provided to me by Ray Bland, a Rieber researcher.

Mrs. Schaeffer Dies And Her Husband Is Held For Murder







Source: Evansville Journal, Evansville, Indiana, September 17, 1883, page 4.


THE TRAGEDY


Mrs. Schaeffer Dies And Her Husband Is Held For Murder


His Defense to be Insanity - Rieber's Story - Suspension of Schuetler the Policeman


The tragedy of Saturday night, upon which the curtain fell at the opening of a new day before its completion, ended for the time last evening with the death of Mrs. Schaeffer a few minutes after six.  She had suffered great pain during the day, and required almost the constant attention of a physician to relieve her intense agony.  Toward the  last, however, this was ended, and she died from internal hemorrhage.  At the time of her death her husband's father, mother, brother and sister, her own mother and brother and sisters were with her, and watched the failing breath.  At the request of Andy Rieber, the brother of Mrs. Schaeffer, who tried to kill her murderer, he was allowed to remain in the house in charge of a policeman until some time after the death of his sister.


The coroner was immediately summoned, and after viewing the remains and getting a few preliminary statements, he adjourned the inquest until to-day.  This morning at 9 o'clock the post mortem examination will be made by the coroner and county physician, to determine the course of the ball.


It was thought at first there would be an unusual scarcity of witnesses and the exact time of the shooting had not been witnessed, but now the witnesses spring up, and the possibility is that each step taken by Schaeffer and his wife on the evening of the shooting can be traced from supper time until the time he left the policeman on the corner of Michigan street and Second avenue.  But the necessity of this seems vanishing, too, as the cloud of witnesses increases, for even the brother (Andy) of ther murdered woman who wished to kill the murderer, says Schaeffer was subject to epileptic fits, and whenever the moon changed he became irritable and "cranky."  At such times he was wont to drink considerably, and when full or even partially so, found a delight in picking a quarrel with any one.  A fight at such times pleased him most of all.  At such times his wife was afraid of him, and he was generally given free reign by every one.  The sprees were frequently followed by fits, when it would take four men to hold him.  Not long since, while irritable, he threatened his brother-in-law, and abused them so that the oldest jumped on to him.  They were presented in police court for fighting and were fined.


One of the children, a boy, shows that he inherits to a marked degree, this epileptic tendency, and is quite idiotic at times, and always weak in mind.


About 10 o'clock last night Andy Rieber was taken to the lockup and placed in a cell.  He gave the reporter a statement of the shooting, and his subsequent action, claiming the statement made by Schaeffer tended to make Mrs. Schaeffer appears as inclined to drink, when she was not that kind at all.  She went to the saloon as Schaeffer has told, and was there treated twice with Mrs. Andy Rieber, by John Rieber and Schaeffer.  They then went home and sent for five cents worth of beer, which was drank by Mrs. Schaeffer and Mrs. Rieber.  Schaeffer then entered the home, which was occupied in common by his own and Andy's families.  He asked his wife to go to the saloon with him, and she to humor him consented, but refused to proceed further than the alley between Michigan and Franklin streets, on Second avenue.  There the shooting took place as described yesterday.  It was witnessed by John Ashby, a man employed on Bingham's wharfboat, who lives in a cottage on the corner of the alley and Second avenue, on the Franklin street side.  It was a very few moments afterward when Andy Rieber heard of the affair, and, maddened beyond control, he started to find Schaeffer.  He saw him at the corner of Michigan near his house in company with the officer, and jumped at him with the avowed intention of killing him.  After this his mind is greatly confused and he cannot remember with any degree of certainty what happened except that after a time he was being taken away and he saw an officer had hold of his arm.  That hand held the knife and he dropped it as soon as he saw the officer who then released him, and his friends took him away.  Whether it was Schuetler who took him off or Schaeffer or not he is unable to say.


Yesterday at the morning roll call (at eleven) Capt. McCutchan, to whose watch Schuetler belonged, suspended him for cowardice, to await an investigation into his conduct, which takes place to-day.


In addition to the brothers and sisters mentioned, Mrs. Schaeffer's mother survives her and resides at 310 Virginia street.  Her father is dead.  Schaeffer's parents, who live on Babytown hill, came in early yesterday, and stayed until the death of the murdered woman.  They are quite old and past work, and lived with their daughter and her husband, Gottfried Stocker, who has a malt house in Babytown.  A son, who works for the Mechanic's furniture company as a varnisher, lives in the city.  All of the Rieber boys, but one, are varnishers, and Andy worked for the Crescent City chair works.


When the news of the woman's death was telephoned the lock-up, Capt. Newitt went in the cell house to secure the door of Schaeffer's cell, as is customary with murderers.  He asked about his wife, and was told she was dead.  He cried out, not loudly, but in a pained way, and then, in a few minutes, asked how long she had been dead.


"We have just learned of it" was the response.  "Oh," he said, and that was all.  Later, when the turnkey went in the lockup he inquired if the report was true, and an hour later was sleeping soundly and peacefully.  His wound is not serious and will hardly be worth mentioning in a day or two.  The line of his defense which has been indicated, although he has not yet secured counsel, will eventuate most probably in his confinement in an insane asylum.


Rieber is not at all exercised over his predicament, and seems confident it will all end happily.  They will be transferred to the county jail this morning - at least Schaeffer will.  Rieber will probably be admitted to bail.


---
Mary V. (RIEBER) SCHAEFFER (c1853-1883), was Corinne's paternal 3rd-great grandmother.  Additional information regarding her murder was posted previously.

Sunday's Obituary : Clara Louise (Burkey) LeMaster (1894-1985)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, October 31, 1985, page 12.



Clara LeMaster


Clara L. LeMaster, 90, 316 W. Main St., Portland, died Wednesday evening at the Portland Community Care Center East following a brief illness.


Born Dec. 16, 1894, in Jay County, she was the daughter of John and Leafie (Beebe) Burkey.  She was married in 1913 to Chesley F. LeMaster, who died Aug. 9, 1960.


Surviving are two sons, Ralph LeMaster, Elkhart, and Dale W. LeMaster, Springfield, Mass.; a daughter, Mrs. Doris M. Shaneyfelt, Portland; two sisters, Mrs. Etta Greaf, Portland, and Mrs. Clyde (Mabel) Murray, Goshen; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.


Services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Portland Chapel of the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home.  Rev. John Bellante will officiate.  Burial will be in the Salamonia Cemetery.


Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Friday.  The family will be present at the funeral home from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.



Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

How About The Interest?

Source: The Weekly Chronicle (Elyria, Ohio), July 26, 1902, page 4.



How About The Interest?


Cashier LeMaster, of the Elyria Savings bank, told the council the reason the bank was willing to give a loan to the city for nothing was to even up for the use of the $150,000 now on deposit.  Yet THE CHRONICLE told its readers the bank did not use this money, that it would be guilty of embezzlement if it did.  We wish the bank could see its way clear to apply the same reasoning to the notes now held against the city and carry the loan without interest to 'even up' for the use of other city funds. - Elyria Democrat


THE CHRONICLE did not hear Mr. LeMaster's reasons for giving the city this loan without interest, but it does desire to state that whether he said it or not, it adheres to this position that if this money is used by the depository, that the bank using it is guilty of embezzlement; that it is deposited only subject to check, and is not subject to loan, and if Mr. LeMaster stated to the council, as the Democrat says he did, that this was given to 'even up,' the bank certainly has no defense.

A Husband Shoots His Wife

Source: Evansville Journal, Evansville, Indiana, September 16, 1883.



AT LAST


The Dull Monotony Of Weeks Unbroken


A Husband Shoots His Wife and is Stabbed by his Brother-in-law - Scenes and Incidents


For weeks the city has been fearfully dull in matters of news, and with the ghoullike nature, we have longed for a break in the monotony, for a sensation of criminal nature, but an event of last night filled that longing to the uttermost, even to satiating us, for never are those finer senses dulled that the perception of the effect of so great a crime is not easily seen.


Chas. Schaeffer, who lived at 812 Second avenue, has for several months worked in Knox's coffin factory, on outer Main, as a varnisher.  He is a painter, but, having no work took to varnishing.  His wife was formerly a Miss Rieber, and he married her in this city about eleven years ago.  He has never been a man of much industry, but has managed pretty well to support his wife and the children who have come to them at intervals of two years since their marriage.  There are five children living and one dead, the eldest child is 10 years old and the youngest three months.


Last night Schaeffer went out with his brothers-in-law, John and Andy Rieber, to Zachres' saloon on the corner of Third avenue and Franklin street.  There they drank considerably and sang.  Schaeffer in a statement made to the reporter last night said they were having a very pleasant time when he saw his wife peeping in the door.  He finished a song he was singing and went out to her followed by her brother John who treated Mrs. Schaeffer, and his wife and his brothers wife who were with her, Mrs. S. taking whiskey while the other women drank beer.  They then went back to the saloon leaving the women outside and sang again.  The women still lingered and this time, he (Schaeffer) treated them, Mrs. S. still taking whisky.  After that she went home with her sisters-in-law, and he presently followed.  She and her sister were in the house and they sent for some beer.  He assisted her in drinking this and went with her to a saloon for more.  As they were making a second trip for the same purpose he remonstrated in a playful way "for her a-making such a bum of herself, an' she said, ef you drink I'm a-going to drink. An' I said ef you drink eny more I'll kill you.  I pulled my pistol out'n my pocket to show it to her, jest in fun, an' it went off. 'Fore God, sir, I didn't 'tend to shoot her.  I didn't 'tend to shoot her - it jest went off.  I tell you it did;" and in his endeavor to justify his action and impress his statement with truth, he became strangely excited.


His statement continued after the recital of the main tragedy.  After the shooting he ran to Zachres' saloon and told John Rieber to take him in charge, stating that he had shot his wife.  John told him he did not want to have anything to do with him and then Policeman Schuetler appeared on the scene.  The policeman took him in charge on the representations he made, and at his request was taking him up to the house to see how badly his wife was hurt, when at the corner of Michigan street they were met by Andy Rieber, who had heard of the tragedy and was looking for Schaeffer.  Seeing him in the policeman's charge he ran to him and easily throwing the dull witted officer aside, he dealt Schaeffer a severe blow to the left side, about two inches from the left nipple.  It penetrated to the lung substance and was done with a long blade of a pocket knife.  Schaeffer caught the arm of his antagonist and held it, until he was assisted, in a terrible grip, knowing his life depended upon it.  In getting his hold he was slightly cut about the fingers of his left hand.  He was then taken to headquarters though apparently not by Schuetter.  Schaeffer says a citizen arrested him and no policeman's name appeared on the slate in that connection.


This was his direct statement, but afterward he said he had reason to doubt his wife's faithfulness though he had never known of her drinking as she did last night.  He said he had not been drunk before since July 5th and his wife had no reason to complain of his drinking habit, though he admitted he did take a glass when he thought "it would do him good."


He has lived in the city for about 13 years, and came from Cincinnati to this city with his parents, who now live on Babytown hill.  He was born in New Albany, and is 31 years of age.  When taken to the lockup Surgeon Wilton was sent for and his wound attended to.  It was not necessarily dangerous, and was cared for so that it was not painful.  He was very drunk when taken to the lockup, and only realized the magnitude of his crime and position as a drunken man might.


Another story of the shooting was obtained near the residence of the wounded woman from various persons.  When the reporter arrived she was unable to speak, had been undressed and put to bed in the front room of the lower floor, occupied by herself and family.  Dr. McClurkin was in attendance.  The ball had entered the abdomen about an inch and a half below the navel, and to the left of the median line.  It ranged downward and probably lodged against the skin at the back.  She was very low indeed, and the doctor had only the hope of possibility for her recovery.  At one point she was sinking rapidly, and it was thought she would be dead in a few minutes, but she rallied and was suffering and moaning when the reporter left - nearly three o'clock this morning.


Directly after the shooting, before being put to bed, she made a statement of the shooting.  She said she had started out that night with the intention of drinking if her husband did, but soon repented the notion.  After her return from the saloon Schaeffer came home then, and after drainking all the beer left from the amount they had sent for, asked her to go and get some more with him.  She refused to do this, and he asked her to go walking with him in a very affectionate (drunken) way.  She acceded, and when they got on the block between Michigan and Franklin on Second avenue, he renewed his request for her to go for beer.  She refused, and they quarreled in a violent way.  As they were quarreling, two men (Fred. Kroener and George Gerst) passed.  Schaeffer said, "You will go with me or I'll kill you;" and again she refused, whereupon he drew his pistol and fired.


The men, Kroener and Gerst, had gotten but a little way from them when they heard the shot, and having noticed the quarrel as they passed, they ran back to see what had happened.  Mrs. Schaeffer passed them as they ran, and said simply "Im shot."  They paid no attention to this, but went on to where Schaeffer was standing.  "Come on," he said, "and I'll blow your brains out."  They didn't "come on," and he turned and went towards Franklin street.  Mrs. Schaeffer fell at the corner of Michigan and Second avenue.  She was picked by neighbors and taken to her home and the physician called.


Statements as to the time of this occurence were very vague indeed, but the physician was not called until about a quarter after twelve, thoough the man Schaefer was slated at the lockup as arrested at eleven.  The shooting probably occurred later, as the earliest time given was half past eleven.


An effort was made to get a statement from Andy Rieber, but he would not talk.  Scheutler, who was ordered to remain in charge of Rieber and keep him at his sister's house until her death and then report with him at the headquarters, was met on Second avenue as he was coming back from having a drink with Rieber and his friends.  He was asked for his version of the cutitng scrape but admonished by a nudge from some member of the crowd to say nothing, he said, "I'll see you to-morrow."  So the public has to take the story unembellished by any of Mr. Schuetler's latent stores of knowledge.  The whole neighborhood was excited over this tragedy and not a soul on the blocks adjacent thought of sleep, all watching eagerly at the doors and windows for the first sign of the approach of death.  A priest was sent for as it was thought she would die soon and he came hurriedly.  He had prayers with the family and waited in readiness to perform those rites peculiar to the dying.  The scene was especially terrible to one of ordinary sensitiveness, the poor children waiting anxiously watching with the many relatives and friends, the dimly lighting candle before the crucifix, the kneeling priest and people, the watching physician and the moaning form on the bed, while without the crowd, was watching.


---
This article was provided to me by fellow researcher Ray Bland.  It is believed to be from the Evansville Journal.  Mary V. (RIEBER) SCHAEFFER was Corinne's 3rd-great grandmother.  There is much more research to be done on this family to sort out the details of this tragedy.

Climbing The Family Tree: Research Updates

There have been a few successes this week:



  • FindAGrave volunteer located the tombstone of Ralph Morgan LeMaster (1902-1977).  Ralph is the son of William Clifford and Lella Edith (LEWIS) LeMASTER.
  • Received an email from the Pike's Peak Library District, the research was negative regarding a fire at the Victor Opera House.  Newspapers check were from Sep. 27th through Sep. 30th, 1920.  They suggested I contact the Cripple Creek District Museum for more information.
  • Discovered I have connections with a fellow GeneaBlogger, Heather Rojo of Nutfield Genealogy blog.  We connect with our Woodbury and Philbrick lines - there are probably more early New England connections.  That's one of the benefits of reading other bloggers posts, you have the opportunity to discover connections.
I have enjoyed looking at the stats for my blog, noting which posts are popular, and what search terms are bringing visitors to the blog.  The 'most popular posts' widget on the right side of the blog has now been updated to only show for the past 30 days versus 'all-time'.  That should increase the variety of the posts displayed.

Interesting search terms that have brought visits to the blog this month:

  • "mary west" + "nathaniel chew" - my paternal 4th great grandparents.  Would love to have more information on them.  Please contact me!
  • history pics of portland indiana - I do have a few old postcards of Portland on the blog, and so many of my ancestors were from this area.
  • "sebastian haley" + lydia ann - my paternal 3rd great granduncle and aunt.  Another individual I would like to know more about.  He was active in founding the Mt. Zion church in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana
  • armscamp speedway - this was a speedway in Alexandria, Indiana.  I've been told that my grandfather helped test cars there, but haven't verified it yet
  • johann wilhem leymeister - The German immigrant, whose descendants have become Lemaster over time.  No known connection with my family
  • snappy turtle cookies - I have the recipe right here.
  • levi wardlow ohio - Would love to talk to this person, and help me sort out the Wardlow/Wardlaws in SE Ohio
  • phillip young patriot dar - my paternal 4th great grandfather.  Philip was a War of 1812 veteran, his father, Charles, was the Rev. War veteran.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Advertisement : J.W. Wehrly, Jeweler

Source: Complete Directory of Jay County, M. & M. Directory Co., Portland, Ind., 1907, p. 96

This advertisement for my paternal great granduncle, John W. WEHRLY's Jewelery business appeared in the 1907 Directory of Jay County, Indiana.  The South Bend Watches advertised were relatively new at the time.

John William WEHRLY (1870-1954) was the son of William P. and Olive Jane (SMITH) WEHRLY, and the younger brother of my great grandmother, Barbara.

A Happy Banker

Source: The Weekly Chronicle (Elyria, Ohio), July 5, 1902, page 5.

A happy banker was stepping high Monday afternoon.  A little son came to the home of W.C. LeMaster and wife.


---
This is the birth announcement of Ralph Morgan LeMaster (1902-1977), son of William Clifford and Lella Edith (LEWIS) LeMASTER.


A photo of Ralph in his Marine uniform was posted earlier.

Liar!

Turn of the century newspapers always provide a more colorful reading than today's fare.  This particular article concerns matters before the city council of Elyria, Ohio in 1902, where my paternal great-granduncle, W.C. LeMaster was a councilman.


Source : The Weekly Chronicle (Elyria, Ohio), April 5, 1902, page 7.



LIAR! 


Yells Grundy - The Mayor Brings out Complaint Against Grundy


The tragic moment of Tues. night's council meeting was reached when the mayor arose in a very deliberate manner and stated that it was his painful duty to notify the council of certain irregularities of the senior councilman from the Second ward.


He stated that complaints had reached his ears that this councilman had been giving city property to certain people in his ward, namely, that stone owned by the city had been given to individuals and hauled at the city's expense on order from the senior councilman from the Second ward.  He stated that he had investigated it and found that such was the case.


President Smith asked who this man was and Grundy jumped to his feet, stating, "I'm the gentleman."


He said that a stone and a half had been taken out of a cross walk and a citizen had asked for it.  Grundy said he consulted with others on the street committee who agreed it would be all right if the party would be willing to pay for it if it was of value.  Grundy then called the mayor a liar and a scoundrel and was proceeding to say that this act was done at this time for political effect when the chairman requested that he confine himself to courteous language.  Grundy wanted to know why they had kept quiet four months and spring it at this time.


Eady said such things as alleged were done often and he thought that no great harm had been committed.


LeMaster emphasized in a general way what Grundy had said, and said Grundy had always done his duty.


The mayor then said that it was his duty to call attention to such matters and he would do so whether it were LeMaster or Grundy.  He said that three stone had been hauled from the stone yard by the city teams for Mr. Monroe, and that cinders had been placed on walks at certain points on Lake avenue at the city's expense.


Mr. LeMaster moved that the matter be referred to the street committee.  Lersch suggested that inasmuch as these complaints were against one of this committee that it appeared a little ridiculous to refer the question to them.  The matter was referred.

Candidate for Fourth Ward, Elyria, Ohio (1902)

Source: The Weekly Chronicle (Elyria, Ohio), April 5, 1902, page 4.

This snippet listing the candidates for 4th Ward of the City of Elyria, Ohio in 1902 lists my paternal great-granduncle, William Clifford LeMASTER (1871-1922) as a candidate.  He was successful in the election.

I have enjoyed scouring through the newspaper collections of Elyria at Ancestry.com, obtaining tidbits of information about his life.

William was born in Darke County, Ohio, grew up in Jay County, Indiana and moved to Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio shortly after his marriage in 1892.  He lived there until 1904, when he moved west to Colorado.

SNGF : The Date You Were Born

Randy Seaver at Genealogy Musings has issued another one of his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenges:
1) What day of the week were you born? Tell us how you found out.

2) What has happened in recorded history on your birth date (day and month)? Tell us how you found out, and list five events.


3)  What famous people have been born on your birth date?  Tell us how you found out, and list five of them.

4)  Put your responses in your own blog post, in a comment on this blog post, or in a status or comment on Facebook.

1. I was born on a Tuesday, November 5th.  I found out it was a Tuesday because my mother told me so, and I've since verified it.


2.  I was born the day that Richard Milhous Nixon (7th cousin 3 times removed) became the 37th President of the United States.  He defeated Vice President Humphrey and George Wallace.


Also on this date, pitcher Denny McLain became the American League MVP after posting a 31-6 record.


It was pretty much downhill for both McLain and Nixon after this point....


3. Famous people who share a birthday with me include:



    Birthdays
  • 1963 Tatum O'Neal (actress)
  • 1959 Bryan Adams (singer, songwriter)
  • 1958 Jon-Erik Hexum (actor)
  • 1947 Peter 'Herman' Noone (singer, musician)
  • 1946 Gram Parsons (Cecil Connor) (singer, songwriter)
  • 1943 Sam Shepard (Sam Shepard Rogers) (actor, playwright)
  • 1942 Elke Sommer (Schletz) (actress)
  • 1941 Art Garfunkel (songwriter, singer, musician)
  • 1941 Barry Sadler (songwriter, singer)
  • 1936 Billy Sherrill (songwriter, musician)
  • 1931 Ike Turner (musician, singer)
  • 1913 John McGiver (actor)
  • 1913 Vivien Leigh (Hartley) (actress)
  • 1912 Natalie Schafer (actress)
  • 1912 Roy Rogers (Leonard Slye) (actor)
  • 1905 Joel McCrea (actor)
  • 1893 Raymond Loewy (inventor, engineer, industrial designing)
  • 1885 Will Durant (author)


Evangelical Messenger Obituary Index

The Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana has an obituary index to the Evangelical Messenger.


From the library's website:
The Evangelical Association was founded in 1800 by Jacob Albright (1759-1808). There was a split in this denomination from 1891-1922, when the dissenting group formed The United Evangelical Church. Its periodical was titled The Evangelical. When the two bodies reunited, the name became The Evangelical Church. Those not wishing to reunite formed the Evangelical Congregational Church. 
The Evangelical Church merged with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1946 and became the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) denomination. In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethren denomination merged with the Methodist Church and became the United Methodist Church. 
Der Christliche Botschafter was the German-language denominational periodical of the Evangelical Association, and was published from 1836-1947. In 1967 Evelyn Zehnder Seder had translated to English, then published, abstracts of Der Christliche Botschafter obituaries, 1836-1866. 
The English-language, weekly denominational publication was The Evangelical Messenger, which was published from 1848-1946. Both periodicals had separate editors and different content; both published obituaries, but not necessarily the same ones.
Photocopies of obituaries may be ordered via email to genealogy@acpl.info. Requests should include the patron's name and mailing address, decedent's name and the date the obituary appears. Patrons will be billed $2.50 for each obituary and should allow up to six weeks for processing. 
It is imperative that the entire obituary be viewed to learn the personal characteristics of the decedent, number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and other information that is not included in the index. The entire run of the Evangelical Messenger is on microfilm in cabinet 100-B-7 at The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library.
Members of my paternal ancestry, including the HALEY and METZNER families, were members of this religious affiliation.  With Ft. Wayne being so close, these items will be on my agenda for my next research trip.


DatePageDecedent or
Spouse
AgeMaiden NameSpouse or DecedentLocaleLocation
(Event)
Place of Death or
Last Known Residence/Notes
10/17/191721DOTY, Fern*20METZNERDOTY, Clifford F.ININ: Elkhart (d Sep 4, 1917); b Sep 3, 1897, dau of Rev. J. W.; died 1 day after 20th birthday, lay in casket on 2nd wedding anniversary; memb Elkhart First Ch., pianist there 6 yrs; husb remains; dau died 4 mos ago
5/6/190824HARTWEG, Magdalena*57METZNERHARTWEG, JohnILGER: Alsace: Sundhausen (b)IL: Hooppole (d)
6/13/1900379HUESTON, Caroline H.*49METZNERHUESTON, -----WIIN: Portland area (b)WI: Oakfield (died visiting sister)
03/08/1892155JAQUET, Elizabeth*77METZNERJAQUET, ChristopherILGERMANY: Sant Hansen (b)IL: Hoop Pole area (d); to AMER 1842; md age 31 yrs; he d abt 33 yrs ago; 4 chren, 1 bro remain; 2 chren dead
01/22/189559KILE, Katie*21METZNERKILE, -----ININ: Jay Co. (b)IN: Portland (d)
7/25/1900475MEISEL, Kunigunda*75METZNERMEISEL, -----PABAVARIA: Kreis Oberfranken: Burgwindheim (b)PA: Lehighton (d)
07/12/1899443METZNER, AdamMOULTON, Clara*
6/13/1900379METZNER, Caroline H.*49HUESTON, -----WIIN: Portland area (b)WI: Oakfield (died visiting sister)
01/24/188859METZNER, CatharineMETZNER, John*
7/6/191027METZNER, Catharine*90YOUNGMETZNER, JohnINFRANCE (b)IN: Rome City (d); md Newark, Licking Co., OH, 1839
07/12/1899443METZNER, Clara*55MOULTONMETZNER, AdamININ: Portland (d); md 1864
03/08/1892155METZNER, Elizabeth*77JAQUET, ChristopherILGERMANY: Sant Hansen (b)IL: Hoop Pole area (d); to AMER 1842; md age 31 yrs; he d abt 33 yrs ago; 4 chren, 1 bro remain; 2 chren dead
10/17/191721METZNER, Fern*20DOTY, Clifford F.ININ: Elkhart (d Sep 4, 1917); b Sep 3, 1897, dau of Rev. J. W.; died 1 day after 20th birthday, lay in casket on 2nd wedding anniversary; memb Elkhart First Ch., pianist there 6 yrs; husb remains; dau died 4 mos ago
08/26/1875267METZNER, George*62OHGERMANY (b)OH: Belmore area (d Jun 19, 1875 age 62y, 2m, 17d); to AMER ca age 28; widow, 6 chren remain. "His house was ever open to the weary itinerant while traveling through the forests of the north west."
7/6/191027METZNER, JohnYOUNG, Catharine*
01/24/188859METZNER, John*82YOUNG, CatharineINGERMANY (b)IN: Jay Co. (res); to AMER 1837 to Licking Co., OH; md Nov 3, 1839; to Jay Co. 1850; 4 sons, 4 daus remain; 2 sons, 1 dau dead [line through place of birth, but believe it to be Germany]
01/22/189559METZNER, Katie*21KILE, -----ININ: Jay Co. (b)IN: Portland (d)
7/25/1900475METZNER, Kunigunda*75MEISEL, -----PABAVARIA: Kreis Oberfranken: Burgwindheim (b)PA: Lehighton (d)
5/6/190824METZNER, Magdalena*57HARTWEG, JohnILGER: Alsace: Sundhausen (b)IL: Hooppole (d)



DatePageDecedent or
Spouse
AgeMaiden NameSpouse or DecedentLocaleLocation
(Event)
Place of Death or
Last Known Residence/Note

4/15/190823EASTERDAY, Barbara Helen*72HALEYEASTERDAY, ChristianINOH: Hardin Co.: Goshen (b)IN: Portland (d)
6/13/190624FALK, Margaret*66HALEYFALK, Sylvanus S.OHOH: Fairfield Co. (b)OH: Hancock Co.: Mt. Cory (d)
09/13/1899587HALDEMAN, Susan Jane*55HALEYHALDEMAN, AlfredOHOH: Fairfield Co. (b)OH: Morrow Co. (d)
12/25/190724HALEY, -----RADER, Lydia*
05/31/1887347HALEY, -----LONGBRAKE, Rebecca*
07/23/191326HALEY, Arthur Paul*17ININ: Jay Co. (b)IN: submitting minister: W. I. Weyant of Portland Circuit
4/15/190823HALEY, Barbara Helen*72EASTERDAY, ChristianINOH: Hardin Co.: Goshen (b)IN: Portland (d)
09/05/1893571HALEY, Charles W.*21INOH: Wayne Co. (b)IN: Jay Co. (d); mother, 3 bros, 3 sis remain
12/23/190824HALEY, DelilahHALEY, Frederick*
05/18/1898315HALEY, ElizabethHALEY, Frederick*
05/16/191720HALEY, ElizabethMARQUARDT, Adam*
2/26/190824HALEY, Elizabeth*59HOLZHAUER, AdamOHOH: Fairfield Co. (b)OH: Erie Co.: Huron (res)
05/12/1897299HALEY, Elizabeth*72HALEY, Fred.--OH: Fairfield Co. (b)--: Minister: SNYDER, F. L.; md 1843
05/12/1897299HALEY, Fred.-----, Elizabeth*
12/23/190824HALEY, Frederick*49FERNER, DelilahINOH: Fairfield (b)IN: Portland (d)
05/18/1898315HALEY, Frederick*78BERGMAN, ElizabethINOH: Fairfield Co. (b)IN: Portland (d); md 1843
03/13/1888173HALEY, Geo. J. (Rev.)*76GARY, Rachel H.OHSWITZERLAND: Canton Basel (b)OH: Erie Co.: Huron (d); to AMER 1816 to Fairfield Co., OH; md 1835; widow, all 10 chren remain [very detailed list of OH pastorates]
12/08/1897779HALEY, George J. (Rev.)GARY, Rachel*
12/20/1892811HALEY, George W.*52SHERRICK, Mary JaneINOH: Harden [sic] Co. (b)IN: Jay Co. (d); md 30 yrs ago; wife, 4 boys, 3 girls, mother, 5 sis, 4 bros remain
1/15/190243HALEY, John*51MYERS, SusanINOH: Fairfield Co. (b)IN: submitting minister of Portland, IN, at this time
9/5/1900571HALEY, LydiaHALEY, Sebastian*
12/25/190724HALEY, Lydia*81RADERINOH (b)IN: Portland area (d)
6/13/190624HALEY, Margaret*66FALK, Sylvanus S.OHOH: Fairfield Co. (b)OH: Hancock Co.: Mt. Cory (d)
12/5/190625HALEY, Margaret*78HENSEL, SamuelOHOH: Fairfield Co.: Basil (d)
12/20/1892811HALEY, Mary JaneHALEY, George W.*
01/25/189959HALEY, Melissa Jane*57HALEY, Stephen N.OHOH: Beach City (d); md 1870
03/13/1888173HALEY, Rachel H.HALEY, Geo. J. (Rev.)*
12/08/1897779HALEY, Rachel*81GARYHALEY, George J. (Rev.)OHOH: Fairfield Co.: Liberty (b)OH: Huron area (died at home of son Frank)
1/9/190127HALEY, Rebecca*36PATTERSON, LeviOHOH: submitting minister of Fort Recovery, Mercer Co., OH, at this time
05/31/1887347HALEY, Rebecca*66LONGBRAKEHALEY, ---------: Minister: STOOPS, J. E.: husb, 8 chren remain; 2 chren dead; originally had 5 sons, 5 daus
12/5/1900779HALEY, Sarah*38LEONARD, C.--
9/5/1900571HALEY, Sebastian*77RADER, LydiaINOH: Fairfield Co. (b)IN: Jay Co. (d)
01/25/189959HALEY, Stephen N.-----, Melissa Jane*
1/15/190243HALEY, SusanHALEY, John*
03/28/191721HALEY, Susan J.HALDEMAN, Alfred*
09/13/1899587HALEY, Susan Jane*55HALDEMAN, AlfredOHOH: Fairfield Co. (b)OH: Morrow Co. (d)
12/5/190625HENSEL, Margaret*78HALEYHENSEL, SamuelOHOH: Fairfield Co.: Basil (d)
2/26/190824HOLZHAUER, Elizabeth*59HALEYHOLZHAUER, AdamOHOH: Fairfield Co. (b)OH: Erie Co.: Huron (res)
12/5/1900779LEONARD, Sarah*38HALEYLEONARD, C.--
1/9/190127PATTERSON, Rebecca*36HALEYPATTERSON, LeviOHOH: submitting minister of Fort Recovery, Mercer Co., OH, at this time