Halloween special performance recalls historic Pike murder

Lizzie Schultz’ story highlights chamber business card exchange Milford — In keeping with the spirit of the Halloween season, the Pike County Historical Society will present a historic portrayal of Lizzie Schultz, wife of the only man ever sentenced to death by hanging in Milford. Lizzie’s story is that of despair and just plain bad luck. In the 1890’s, Lizzie left her home and husband in Brooklyn, took on an alias, and worked at a Shohola Boarding House. Her new life was not to last long. Her estranged husband, Herman Paul Schultz, found her and tried to convince the battered woman to return home. Lizzie listened to his pleas, and, more than likely gave him an answer that did not please him. She was found dead, shot in the head, the day after his arrival at High Point Farm. Schultz claimed his wife committed suicide and went back to Brooklyn. It was not the practice of law enforcement to pursue cases that would require excess time and money to resolve them, and the suicide was an accepted cause of death; until several people began commenting on the shoddy nature of the investigation. Public clamor for justice caused laws to be changed and the Commissioners of Pike County began taking on the financial responsibilities for crime investigations. Schultz was extradited and made to return to Pike for trial. Forensic evidence investigation was not the science that it is today, and when questions where raised as to the gun shot wound, it was deemed necessary to unearth Lizzy’s corpse and take another look at the wound. Time and money being scarce, rather than remove her entire body for examination, they just took the part in question ... her head. It was determined the wound was not self-inflicted, and Herman was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by hanging. The hanging took place in the old jail, now the Pike County’s Sheriff’s Office, on Dec. 7, 1897. The Milford Dispatch described the event as well attended and the town was said to have “a carnival like atmosphere at the hanging of Schultz.” Local actress Stacey Case will take on the character of Lizzie Schultz in a special performance at the Pike Chamber’s Business Card Exchange, held at the Columns Museum, on Oct. 30, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information about the Pike County Historical Society, call 570-296-8126 or visit online at www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.