Showing posts with label Schaeffer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schaeffer. Show all posts

Thursday, February 02, 2017

Arthur Miller household, 1940, Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Arthur Miller household in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Arthur was Corinne's maternal great-grandfather.  His parents were Mathias Miller and Elizabeth Schaeffer.

1940 U.S. census, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, population schedule, Evansville, enumeration district (ED) 93-77, SD 8, sheet 8B, 1010 West Delaware Street, household 147, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..
At the time of the enumeration, Arthur and his wife were living in the city of Evansville. The census states that Arthur was renting his home for $18 per month.  Arthur was 33 years old and born in Indiana.  His wife, Marie, was 30 years old and born in Indiana.  In 1935, they were living in the same place.

The record shows that Arthur had completed the 7th grade and Marie had completed the 8th grade.  Arthur's occupation was listed as a laborer for the commodity district with the W.P.A. and Marie had no occupation listed.

Living in the household were their son, Arthur Jr., age 11, born in Indiana who had completed the 5th grade; son Jack, age 8, born in Indiana who had completed the 2nd grade; son Kenneth, age 6, born in Indiana; son Jerry, age 3 born in Indiana; and daughter Patricia Ann, age 1, born in Indiana.

Also living in the household was Arthur's brother, Lawrence, age 25, born in Indiana, a laborer with the W.P.A.

If you have any additional information or are connected to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Exploratory Data Analysis : Mary Victoria (Rieber) Schaeffer (1853-1883)

Mary Victoria (Reiber) Schaeffer (1853-1883) was Corinne's maternal 3rd-great grandmother.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.


1. Vital Records

     Mary was born circa 1853 in Indiana1, according to census records.  Her christening record lists her date of birth as September 3, 1853 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana2.

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          The State of Indiana did not require birth certificates until 1907, so Mary will not have a certificate.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Without an exact location or date of birth, it will be difficult to locate any mention of her birth in local newspapers.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am unaware of any surviving family Bible records of the Rieber family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               Mary was christened on September 4, 1853 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana2.  Her christening record has her name as Maria Victoria Riber.  Her father listed as Petro Riber and her mother as Elisabetha Schuhmacher.  The record gives her birth date as September 3, 1853.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

                There is no indication that Mary was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          I have not yet located a marriage record of Mary and Charles Schaeffer.  They should have been married circa 1872, likely in Evansville.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Without an exact date and location, it will be extremely difficult to locate mention of Mary and Charles' wedding in a local newspaper.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Without an exact date for their wedding, it will be difficult to locate mention of their wedding anniversary in a local newspaper.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               There is no indication that Mary and Charles were divorced.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Mary died September 16, 1883 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana3,4,5,6,7,8. According to newspaper reports, she was shot and killed by her husband, Charles. I do not yet have a copy of her death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

          I have not yet located an obituary for Mary, however, there were numerous articles written about her murder4,5,6,7,8.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Funeral home records need to be researched to see what information they might shed on Mary's final arrangements.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Mary's tombstone in the Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana has been photographed9.

               A link to her memorial page at the FindAGrave website is here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1880 Federal Census

               On June 2, 1880, Mary was enumerated in the Charley Schaeffer household in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana1, as Mary V. Schaeffer, wife, age 27, born in Indiana.  Her occupation was keeping house.  Both her father and mother were born in Germany.

          2.1.2. 1870 Federal Census

               I have been unable to locate Mary in the 1870 census.  I assume she would still be living in Evansville, as that was where her mother and other family members were living, but she was not living with the family.  Her father died in 1869, so they family may have split up.

          2.1.3. 1860 Federal Census

               On August 22, 1860, Mary was enumerated in the Peter Reber household in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana10, as Mary Reber, age 7, born in Indiana.  She had attended school within the year.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          There is no evidence that the Rieber family were anything other than city-dwellers.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Mary was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I have not located any records of military service by Mary's father or husband that would have made her eligible for these benefits.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Mary was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Vanderburgh County, Indiana to see what records might mention Mary.  Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps in Vanderburgh County, Indiana will need to be searched to see what might be relevant to my search for Mary.

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available for research on Mary include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

Sources:

1. Charley Schaeffer household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, ED 87, SD 1, page 6, dwelling 57, family 68; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 317, page 452B.
2. "Indiana, Births and Christenings, 1773-1933," index,(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V2XY-Z27 : accessed 19 Apr 2014), Maria Victoria Riber, 04 Sep 1853; Christening, citing Holy Trinity, Evansville, Vanderburgh, Indiana; FHL microfilm 1433351.
3. Ray Bland, "Matthias and Elizabeth Schaeffer Miller," email message from Ray Bland to Travis LeMaster, 7 August 2010.
4. A Husband Shots His Wife article, Evansville Courier, Evansville, Indiana, USA, September 16, 1883.
5. The Tragedy article, Evansville Journal, Evansville, Indiana, USA, September 17, 1883, page 4, column 6.
6. Another Sunday Murder article, Evansville Courier[?], Evansville, Indiana, USA, n.d.
7. The Wife Murder article, Evansville Courier[?], Evansville, Indiana, USA, n.d.
8. The Schaeffer Murder article, Evansville Courier, Evansville, Indiana, USA, September 19, 1883.
9. FindAGrave Inc., FindAGrave (www.findagrave.com : accessed 25 April 2014), Maria Rieber Schaeffer tombstone.
10. 1860 U.S. census, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, population schedule, Evansville, page 165, dwelling 1225, family 1249, digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 April 2014); National Archives, Washington, D.C.

This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Exploratory Data Analysis : Charles Schaeffer (c1853-????)

Charles Schaeffer (c1853-????) was Corinne's materIal 3rd-great grandfather.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.

1. Vital Records

     Charles was born circa 1853 in Louisiana1, according to census records.  I believe that he was born in New Orleans to an emigrant German family.

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Without his parents' names and an exact date of birth, it will be difficult to locate any record of his birth.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

                Without an exact location or date of birth, it will be impossible to locate mention of his birth in a local newspaper.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am unaware of any surviving family Bible record for the Schaeffer family. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one can be located.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               Without an exact location or a date of birth, it will be difficult to locate any baptismal record for Charles.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

                There is no indication that Charles was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Charles married Mary Victoria Rieber before 1872, possibly in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  I have not yet located a copy of their marriage record.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Once I have an exact date of their marriage, will search out contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of their nuptials.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Both Charles and Mary were deceased before their 25th wedding anniversary.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               There is no indication that Charles and Mary were divorced, though a thorough search of the court records in Vanderburgh County, Indiana needs to be completed. 

     1.3. Death Certificate

          The exact date of Charles' death is unknown, as is his whereabouts after the 1883 murder of his wife.  One possibility was that he remarried and died in Louisville, Kentucky.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

               Without an exact date of death, I am unable to search for an obituary for Charles.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Once I have an exact date of death, will search to see if there are funeral home records of his funeral available.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

                Once I have located Charles' final resting place, will attempt to obtain a photograph of his tombstone.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1880 Federal Census

               On June 2, 1880, Charles was enumerated as the head of household in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana1, as Charley Schaeffer, age 27, born in Louisiana. His occupation was listed as a varnisher.  Both his father and mother were born in Germany.

          2.1.2. 1870 Federal Census

               On June 17, 1870, Charles was enumerated in the Peter Schaeffer household in the 8th Ward of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio2, as Charles Schaeffer, age 17, born in Louisiana.  His occupation was listed as a varnisher.  Both his father and mother were of foreign birth.

          2.1.3. 1860 Federal Census

               On June 26, 1860, Charles was enumerated in the Peter Schaeffer household in the 11th Ward of New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana3, as Charles Schaeffer, age 7, born in Louisiana.  He had attended school within the year.

     2.2. State Census Records

         The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

          No state census records in Ohio are known to exist.

          There are no state census records in Louisiana during the period they lived there.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          There is no evidence that the Schaeffer family were anything but city dwellers.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          I have not located any records indicating military service for Charles.

     3.2. Pension Records

          Not applicable.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Vanderburgh County, Indiana to see what records might mention Charles.  Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps in Vanderburgh County, Indiana will need to be searched to see what might be relevant to my search for Charles.

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available for research on Charles include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

Sources :

1. Charley Schaeffer household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, ED 87, SD 1, page 6, dwelling 57, family 68; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 317, page 452B.
2. Peter Schaeffer household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, 8th Ward, Cincinatti, Hamilton County, Ohio, page 77, dwelling 367, family 648; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 1211.
3. 1860 U.S. census, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Ward 11, New Orleans, page 253, dwelling 1795, family 1952; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 April 2014); National Archives, Washington, D.C.

This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

On This Day : December 16

1694 - Eliphel BUTTON born.  Eliphel was the son of Peter BUTTON and Sarah CRANDALL.

1712 - John FREEMAN born.  John was the son of John FREEMAN and Abigail WITTER.

1738 - James TAYLOR born.  James was the son of George TAYLOR and Rachel GIBSON.

1766 - Robert WRIGHT born in Scotland.  Robert was the son of Peter WRIGHT and Robena CROUSE.

1798 - William KELSO born.  William was the son of Charles KELSO and Mary McPHEETERS.

1816 - James Stiles CHEW born in New Jersey.  James was the son of Elisha Dunham CHEW and Elizabeth HERITAGE.

1818 - Joseph MAXSON died.  Joseph was the son of Jonathan MAXSON and Jemima MUMFORD.

1824 - Nathan MAXSON died.  Nathan was the son of Silvanus MAXSON and Lydia LEWIS.

1847 - Harriett Newell CAMPBELL died.  Harriett was the daughter of James McPhetters CAMPBELL and Betsey G. BROWN.

1847 - Henry ALDERMAN married Hannah J. GILBERT in Bond County, Illinois.  Henry was the son of James ALDERMAN and Catherine WARNER.

1848 - Samantha SHELLY born in Dora, Wabash County, Indiana.  Samantha was the daughter of Jacob SHELLY and Elizabeth RICKERT.  Samantha was Eileen's 2x-great grandmother.

1849 - James METZNER born in St. Louisville, Licking County, Ohio.  James was the son of William METZNER and Barbara POWELL.

1857 - Jeremiah Haines DEACON married Mary R. DEACON.  Jeremiah was the son of Joseph DEACON and Beulah HAINES.

1869 - William JACKSON died.  William was the son of John JACKSON and Phebe BEALS.

1895 - Marianne SCHAEFFER died in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Marianne was Corinne's 4x-great grandmother.

1899 - Lodosca BALDWIN married Merritt NICHOLSON in Wayne County, Indiana.  Lodosca was the daughter of Cyrus A. BALDWIN and Barbara SHERRICK.

1937 - William KING died in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.  William was the son of John Wesley KING and Mary Catherine HENDRICKS.

1971 - Arthur Raymond LeMASTER died.  Arthur was the son of Luman Walker LeMASTERS and Mary Keziah CHEW.

1995 - Olivia FRAZIER died in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  Olivia was the daughter of James WRIGHT and Clara B. HICKS.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

On This Day : September 16

1692 - Rebeckah PIERCE born.  Rebeckah was the daughter of James PIERCE and Elizabeth KENDALL.

1706 - Mary HURLBUT born in Woodbury, Connecticut.  Mary was the daughter of Joseph HURLBUT and Mary CASTLE.

1721 - William BEALS born in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  William was the son of Jacob BEALS and Mary BROOKSBY.

1722 - William BROWN born.  William was the son of Richard BROWN and Hannah REYNOLDS.

1763 - Luke MAXSON born.  Luke was the son of Matthew MAXSON and Martha POTTER.

1764 - William HEATON born in New Jersey.  William was the son of John HEATON and Abigail PAXTON.

1767 - William MAXSON married Lucy MINER.  William was the son of William MAXSON and Hannah REYNOLDS.

1771 - John ALLEN died in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  John was the son of John ALLEN.  John was my 9x-great grandfather.

1773 - Sarah PHILBRICK born.  Sarah was the daughter of John PHILBRICK and Sally JEWETT.

1787 - Asher HIGGINS born in Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  Asher was the son of Judiah H. HIGGINS and Mary HILL.

1816 - Ira MAXSON born in Freeport, Harrison County, Ohio.  Ira was the son of David MAXSON and Sarah KINSEY.

1826 - Isaiah M. FAULKNER born.  Isaiah was the son of Solomon FAULKNER and Ruth BEALS.

1826 - Elizabeth SCHUHMACHER born.  Elizabeth was Corinne's 4x-great grandmother.

1828 - Susannah PEFLEY born in Virginia.  Susannah was the daughter of Solomon PEFLEY and Frances ROOF.

1829 - Melford Joseph MAXON born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  Melford was the son of Joel MAXON and Hannah FIELDS.

1829 - Hannah RAINS died.  Hannah was the daughter of Anthony RAINS and Nancy GRAHAM.

1830 - Isabella GRIMES married George O. STROUFE in Shelby County, Ohio.  Isabella was the daughter of Benjamin GRIMES and Catherine HAYNES.

1852 - John P. McCOOL married Lucinda R. KELLEY in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. John was the son of Thomas McCOOL and Catherine HARPOLE.

1877 - Levi COFFIN died.  Levi was the son of Levi COFFIN and Prudence WILLIAMS.

1878 - Austin SWAFFORD born in Ray County, Missouri.  Austin was the son of James SWAFFORD and Rebecca Ann BALLARD.

1879 - Franklin MILLHOUS married Almira Park BURDG in Jennings County, Indiana.  Franklin was the son of Joshua Vickers MILLHOUS and Elizabeth Price GRIFFITH.

1879 - Pearl YOUNG born.  Pearl was the daughter of Norton YOUNG and Delilah BRUNTHAVER.

1883 - Mary Victoria SCHAEFFER died in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Mary was the daughter of Petrus Theodore RIEBER and Elizabeth SCHUHMACHER.  Mary was Corinne's 3x-great grandmother.

1892 - Nellie LEE born.  Nellie was the daughter of William Burrell LEE and Margaret Jane SWAFFORD.

1902 - Walter Harold MAXON born in Mt. Morris, Greene County, Pennsylvania. Walter was the son of John Winfield MAXON and Pleasant Jane BAREMORE.

1933 - Ellen W. MENGLE died in Jackson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. Ellen was the daughter of John LAMBERTSON and Sarah A. WILLSON.

1971 - William Harrison SWAFFORD died in Pikeville, Tennessee.  William was the son of James Aaron SWAFFORD and Nancy Alice SHERRIL.

1972 - George Bennie CRAWFORD died in Yuma, Yuma County, Arizona.  George was the son of George Newton CRAWFORD and Mary Elizabeth BIRDWELL.

Sunday, April 01, 2012

On This Day : April 1

1710 - Mary Ann BEALS married Richard HARROLD in Nottingham, Chester County, Pennsylvnia.  Mary Ann was the daughter of John BEALS and Mary CLAYTON.


1725 - Jonathan H. HIGGINS born.  Jonathan was the son of Jediah H. HIGGINS and Hannah STOUT.


1747 - Jacob BEALS born in York County, Pennsylvania.  Jacob was the son of Jacob BEALS and Elizabeth GRIEST.


1756 - Martha ROGERS died.  Martha was the daughter of John DAVIS and Elizabeth MAXSON.


1751 - John MAXSON born.  John was the son of John MAXSON and Tacy ROGERS.


1760 - John Griest BEALS born.  John was the son of Jacob BEALS and Elizabeth GRIEST.


1767 - Sarah HUNT married John UNTHANK in Guilford County, North Carolina. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas HUNT and Ann BEALS.


1770 - Joseph DAVIS born.  Joseph was the son of Nathan DAVIS and Ann GIFFORD.


1787 - Polly BAILEY born in West Greenwich, Rhode Island.  Polly was the daughter of Silas BAILEY and Amy STILLMAN.


1841 - Jacob WEHRLY married Rebecca HAWK in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Jacob was the son of Heinrich WEHRLY and Christina SAUBEL.


1851 - Thomas BIGLEY born in Indiana.  Thomas was the son of Edward BIGLEY and Amelia FISHER.


1873 - Nancy Lucinda KING died.  Nancy was the daughter of John Wesley KING and Mary Catherine HENDRICKS.


1874 - Martha Angie LEE born.  Martha was the daughter of Burrell Russell LEE and Elizabeth W. NAIL.


1886 - Henry WARDLAW died in Brown County, Ohio.  Henry was the son of Samuel WARDLAW and Elisabeth NESBIT.


1903 - Peter SCHAEFFER died in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.   Peter was Corinne's 4x great-grandfather.


1909 - Ralph Arthur WILDT born in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Ralph was the son of Arthur WILDT and Anna Magdalena DAMM.


1942 - Inez May PLANK died in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.  Inez was the daughter of John Hunt BABCOCK and Jemima LIPPENCOTT.


1965 - John A. RYBOLT died in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  John was the son of Silas S. RYBOLT and Cecile M. JOHNSON.


1978 - Lester H. WILDT died in Martinsville, Martin County, Indiana.  Lester was the son of Clarence Valentine WILD and Marie Antoniette REIF.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Surname Saturday : Rieber

The RIEBER surname is in Corinne's maternal line.  The origins of the surname are Germanic.

Ahnentafel # 51: Mary Victoria Rieber (c1853-1883).  Mary was born circa 1853 in Indiana.  She married Charles Schaeffer (c1853-     ).  Charles was born circa 1853 in Louisiana.  They raised 6 children in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Mary was murdered September 16, 1883 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  She is buried in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 102: Petrus Theodore Rieber (1826-1869).  Petrus was born August 3, 1826.  He married Elizabeth Schuhmacher (1826-1916) in 1848 in Louisiana.  Elizabeth was born September 16, 1826.  They raised 10 children.  Petrus died August 14, 1869 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Elizabeth died March 9, 1916 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Surname Saturday : Schaeffer

The SCHAEFFER line is in Corinne's maternal line.  The origins of the surname are Germanic.


Stories and history: 


Ahnentafel # 25: Elizabeth Schaeffer (1873-1937).  Elizabeth was born March 1873 in Indiana.  She married Mathias 'Mat' Miller (1861-1936) in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Mathias was born October 20, 1861 in Indiana.  They raised 10 children in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Mathias died  September 15, 1936 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Elizabeth died July 28, 1937 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.


Ahnetafel # 50: Charles Schaeffer (aft1853-aft1880).  Charles was born circa 1853 in Louisiana, according to the census.  He married Mary Victoria Rieber (c1853-1883).  Mary was born circa 1853 in Indiana.  They had 6 children born in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Mary died September 16, 1883 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 100: Peter Schaeffer (c1811-1930).  Peter was born circa 1811 in Bavaria.  He married Marianne Grossmann (c1816-1895).  Marianne was born circa 1816 in Bavaria.  Peter was a saloon keeper in Cincinnati, Ohio and Evansville, Indiana.  They had at least 3 children.  Marianne died December 16, 1895 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Peter died April 1, 1903 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.


Related blog posts:



Saturday, December 24, 2011

Surname Saturday : Recap of Corinne's Lines

This post is a recap of Surname Saturday posts of Corinne's family lines.  Taking a six-generation view of her pedigree chart, these are the families in her line.



  • MILLER Vanderburgh County, IN>Posey County, IN>Hesse-Darmstadt
  • SCHAFER Vanderburgh County, IN>Hesse-Darmstadt
  • SCHAEFFER Vanderburgh County, IN>Louisiana>Bavaria
  • RIEBER Vanderburgh County, IN>Louisiana>Germany
  • BOYER/BORROR Warrick County, IN>Franklin County, OH>Hardy County, VA>Germany
  • FOLLOWAY Warrick County, IN>Kentucky
  • WILLIAMS Warrick County, IN
  • WILD/WILDT Vanderburgh County, IN>Jefferson County, KY>Hesse-Darmstadt
  • DEUTSCH Vanderburgh County, IN>Saxony
  • DAMM Vanderburgh County, IN>Wabash County, IL>Bavaria
  • SCHNIEDER Vanderburgh County, IN
  • MIGUET Vanderburgh County, IN>Buchanan County, IA>France
  • JARRETT Buchanan County, IA>Koscuisko County, IN>Virginia
  • SAUER Vanderburgh County, IN>Pennsylvania
  • RITT Vanderburgh County, IN>Baden
Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

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."


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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.



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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.


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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.