The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-14
Lured to Courthouse a Witness, He
Is Pointed Out by CantreIl as
BOdy-Snatcher.
GHOULS IN A PITCHED BATTLE
WHITE AND BLACK FOUGHT FOR
CHASTITY PLUMBER.
West and Momt Beat on CantrelIs
Gang and Secured the BOdy-A
Days Developments.

While sitting in the grand jury room yes
terday afternoon, waiting to testify as
witness in grave-robbing cases. Hampton
West, an old, gray-bearded man, living in
Delaware township, in Hamilton county,
was arrested by Detectives Asch and Man
ming and w. T. Long on the charge of
disturbing graves.
West arose in a rage and cursed the de-
tectives. He was not allowed to testify,
but was taken to the detectives Office,
where he was asked a number of questions.
He would neither affirm nor deny the ac-
cusations of the detectives and Rufus
Cantrell He was so angry that he con-
tinued cursing and his foul words could be
heard outside the office. When taken up
stairs and slated, he continued his profani-
ty. His bond was placed at $500. and he
remained all night in the police station.
The detectives obtained knowledge of
Vests alleged grave robhing at the time
Cantrell and the others were arrested.
West is a farmer in Hamilton county, is
married and has six grown children. 1t
was decided to use strategy to get the
old man to Indianapolis. When Cantrell
implicated West in several grave robberies
the detectives at once thought of sub
poenaing West to testify before the grand
jury.
The old man came into the court yester-
day afternoon. He remained in the ante
room for long time, chatting with others.
Detectives Asch. Manning and w. T. Long,
with Rufus Cantrell, walked over to the
courthouse. Asch and Manning, in order
to test the truth of the statement made by
Cantrell as to the identity of West, first
walked over to another gray-haired man,
whom they addressed as West After they
had talked for a while and told Cantrell
he had probably made a mistake. he
laughed and said they had talked to the
wrong man. West was then pointed out
and taken into the corridor. Cantrell
walked forward and offered to shake hands
with West; but the old man was so en-
ragged that he cursed everyone in sight.
GHOULS IN BATTLE.
After taking West to the office Of the de-
tectives, Asch and Manning allowed Cam
trell TO talk privately with him.
1t was said by Cantrell that he and West
at one time were enemies on account of
the two wanting a certain corpse that had
been buried in the West Liberty Cemetery
Cantrell said that he and Martin went to
the cemetery one night and were digging
into the grave for the body OF a woman,
when they were suddenly Tounced upon by
West and Moffit. The two white men de-
manded that the body be turned over to
them. Cantrell refused and fight resulted.
The men separated and after the negroes
had started toward the road the white
ghouls fired on them. The negroes re-
turned the fire and FOR fifteen minutes a
pitched battle was carried on in the ceme-
terry, Cantrell said. The white ghouls Sc
cured the body.
Cantrell also said that West had attend
ed every funeral in the vicinity of his
home. He had the reputation among the
Hamilton county farmers of being ghoul
Cantrell said that one day, while he was
attending a funeral held in the West Lib
erty Cemetery, he saw West standing at
the side OF the grave. Several of the
farmers who were standing about ordered
West away from the grave before the cof-
fin was lowered.
West. when asked about his reputation
and the fact that he was at one time or
dered away from a grave, acknowledged
that such was the case. He said that every
farmer In Hamilton county looked on him
as a ghoul. but none had the courage to
openly accuse him of such deeds. He said