2021—BOOK NOW AVAILABLE “Who Murdered Sarah Schafer” includes 1904 pictures and records that have never before been made public.

Years after the murder, Prosecutor Robert G. Miller created a scrapbook from his 1904 records on the investigation and suspect James McDonald’s trial. The 1904 pictures and records found in his scrapbook have never before been made public and can be seen and read for the first time. Readers can follow the news coverage of the murder and learn what investigators were thinking.

The book also includes then-Deputy Prosecutor Eli B. Stephenson’s recorded thoughts in which he suggests who the murderer may have been. This comprehensive book includes photos, personal notes, evidence, suspects, confessions, memories, rumors and theories.

Available in the museum gift shop or museum’s online gift shop site.

Who Killed Sarah Schafer?

An Oct. 28, 2011, re-enactment tracing Schafer's footsteps on the night of the Jan. 22, 1904 murder.

Cast of Characters:

Captain Alexander played by Larry King;
Harry Behr played by Matt Miller;
William Cook, who found Sarah's body, played by Greg Baker;
Dr. J.B. Duncan played by Jim Buher;
Joe Heitger, one of the accused, was played by Aaron Baker;
Mrs. Johnson played by Lisa French;
Eva Love played by Jessica Stewart;
Simpson Lowe played by Charlie Titche;
James McDonald played by Drew Stewart;
Mrs. Addie Smith, played by Annette Taylor;
Eli Stephenson, deputy prosecutor, played by Lewis Maudlin

A news account.

The rooming house on 13th and M Streets in Bedford was owned by Mrs. Addie Smith and is where Schafer and her roommate, Eva Love, lived in 1904. Smith is portrayed by Annette Taylor.

Schafer took her meals at a boarding house located at 1411 L St. which was run by Mrs. Johnson. Johnson was portryed by Lisa French.

Larry King portrayed Capt. John Alexander, the man who roomed at 1403 L St. (The Windstanley house) and who talked with Schafer that night as each walked after dinner from the nearby boarding house. Alexander is thought to have been the last person (except the murderer)to see her alive that evening.

Jim Buher portrayed Dr. Duncan. Schafer called on Dr. Duncan at 1401 L St. for treatment of a minor illness.

The alley between 13th and 14th where Sarah Schafer's body was found by William Cook on the morning of Jan. 22, 1904. She had been on her way home after having dinner at a nearby boarding house. The part of Cook was played by Greg Baker.

Lewis Maudlin played the part of Deputy Prosecutor Eli Stephenson.

Eva Love was portrayed by Jessica Stewart

Eva Love's friend, the prosecutor, Simpson Lowe was portrayed by Charlie Titche

Drew Stewart portrayed James McDonald, alias William Parsons. McDonald went on trial, but was not convicted.

The part of Joe Heitger was played by Aaron Baker. Heitger had been an a student at Indiana University and was from a prominent local family. Heitger was a briefly a person of interest in the Schafer case.