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.


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

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.


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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.

Schaeffer and Rieber Families: Evansville, Indiana

I was contacted awhile back by Ray Bland, who is doing research on the SCHAEFFER family of Evansville, Indiana and believes that he's found connections with Corinne's paternal 2nd-great grandmother, Elizabeth "Lillie" (SCHAEFFER) MILLER (1873-1937).  Ray believes that Lillie is the daughter of Charles and Mary (RIEBER) SCHAEFFER of Evansville.


I've previously posted Lillie MILLER's obituary, which states that among others, she was survived by a brother, John SCHAEFER.


The Browning Genealogy Obituary database contains the following obituary card for a Peter SCHAEFER.

So, now we have possibly two brothers for "Lillie"; Peter and John.  Even though Peter's obit card refers to her as Lillian, and spells Schaeffer with only one "F", I still believe we have the same family.  In the 1900 census of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Lillie is listed as Elizabeth MILLER, age 27, white female, born March 1873 born in Indiana.  In the 1910 and 1920 census, she is listed as Lizzie MILLER.  Her obit card in the Browning Genealogy Obituary database lists here as Mrs. Lillie MILLER:

Looking for Lillie in the 1880 census, we find the family of Charles and Mary (RIEBER) SCHAEFFER in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. 

Charley SCHAEFFER, a 27 year old varnisher, was living at 812 Second Avenue in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  He was born in Louisiana and both parents were from Germany.  His wife, Mary, was also 27, born in Indiana with both parents born in Germany.  Children were listed as : Lilly, aged 7; Peter, aged 5; John, aged 3; and Katie, aged 9 months; all born in Indiana.

According to Ray Bland, he's found evidence that Charles shot and killed his wife, Mary, on September 16, 1883.  There is a memorial for Maria Eva (RIEBER) SCHAEFFER on the Find A Grave website, buried in St. Joseph Catholic  Cemetery in Evansville. Maria was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (SCHUHMACHER) RIEBER.

More research needs to be done, and it looks like I have a few new leads to check out.