The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-03
Rufus Cantrell, a Ghou1, Aiding the
Detectives I'm Their Gruesome
Search for Cadaverse
DIR. JAMESON'S STATEMENT
A RECORD OF BODIES Is KEPT BY
INDIANA MEDICAL COLLEGE.
New Afidavits Are Filed Against Ply
Dental SchOols-Perry's Body.

The detective department is making
strong efforts to discover the whereabouts
Of the cadavers said to have been taken
away from the various medical colleges
since the arrest of Rufus Cantrell and the
other alleged ghouls. Many tips" and
clews have come to the detectives, and
quickly as received they are run down,
but so far nothing of any consequence has
materialized.
Cantrell has offered to aid the depart
ment in the search for the bodies. Yes
terday shortly before noon Cantrell, in
company with Detectives Asch and Man
ming, made a tour OF several places where
Cantrell said he thought bodies were stored.
The first visit was made to the Central
Medical College, and every nook and cor
ner was searched by CantreI and the de-
tectives. Cantrell crawled into a small
opening in the wall that led into the
street. He also crept into the furnace and
found several small bits of human bones.
This the detectives think is evidence that
the college authorities have burned the
bodies that were in their possession ten
days ago. Not finding anything at the
college. the party went to Wieses under
taking rooms on North East street. Wiese
is the county undertaken. and 1t was
thought he might have several cadavers in
his cellar. The next place to be visited
was that Of Willis, a colored undertaken
on Indiana avenue. The sight of Rufus
Cantrell walking up Indiana avenue In
company with the detectives was appre-
ciated by many colored men and boys, who
formed a procession and followed the
searching party. After leaving Willits's
place two doctors offices on Fourteenth
street, Charles Girton's stable and Willits's
stable on California street, were visited
without any result
PERRY'S BODY STOLEN.
On the way down town the party was
met by Russell B. Harrison, who is ac-
quainted with Rufus Cantrell. A CONVEX
sation was begun regarding the grave rob-
berries, and 1t turned to the stealing of
Ebenezer Perry's body last fall. Harrison
said he was retained by the Perry family
at that time In the search for the body.
He said he was sure that the body of Perry
was not in the college. but was hid some
where in the city. He said he had the
Perry family identify one of the bodies
shown them at the college. If the body
was taken away then the college author
tiles would make strong efforts to recover
the body of Perry. which was done. 1t
was found In a sack in an alley not far
from the college. Rufus was an attentive
listener to Colonel Harrison, and then
said: Yes, and while you and the men,
bers of the Perry family were looking in
that college cellar for Perry you all walked
right over the body. It was buried not
more than one foot under that dirt"
Prosecutor Collins said that he had is
sued aftidavits against DR.. David Ross,
demonstrator at the Indiana Medical Col,
lege; DR.. William F. Molt. demonstrators
at the Physio- Medical College; DR.. John B.
Long, demonstration at the Central Dental
College. and DR.. Edgar Hadley, demonstra-
tor at the Indiana Dental College alleging
that they have failed to keep records of
bodies procured for dssecting purposes.
An additional affidavit against DR.. Joseph
Alexander was filed on the same grounds
The men were not served last night with
the amdav1ts, but patrolmen were instruct
ed TO notify the various doctors charged
to be in Police Court this morning.
INDIANA MEDICAL COLLEGE.
Captain Gerber went to the Medical Col
lege of Indiana yesterday afternoon at
$3.50 o'clock and personally saw Dr. Ross,
the demonstration. regarding the records of
bodies kept for dissecting purposes Dr.
Ross opened up set of books which was a
complete record of bodies received at the
college for the years Of 1901 and 1902. With
the books DR.. Ross made affidavit that at
no time during his connection with the
college as member OF the faculty has he
known that any bodies have come to the
college Illegally. Budd Day, janitor of the
college, swore on affidavit that a record
of all bodies used for dissecting purposes
at the college had been kept. The record
shown by DR.. Ross showed that the Indiana
Medical College received unclaimed bodies
last year from the City Hospital, Julietta
Hospital. Poor Farm, Insane Hospital and
unidentified bodies turned over to the col
lege by the coroner.
DIR. Henry Jameson. dean of the Medi
cal College OF Indiana, said yesterday that
his college has known of the law recurring
medical and dental colleges to keep a rec
ord OF all bodies for dissecting purposes
and has tried to comply in every letter of
the law. He said the record is kept for
the publfc's benefit and anyone may call
and examine the books. He said that
Cantrell came to the college about one
year ago and offered to sell body to DIR.
Clark, former demonstration, and the lat
ter elected Cantrell from the Office.