The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-03
Rather Slow Progress IL Made In
the Selection Of q Jury to
Hear the Case.
CROWD IN THE COURTROOM
DOCTORS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS
EVINCE INTEREST.
The Trial Will Not he Under Way
Until Some Time TO-MOrrOw-
Defense's Motion Denied.

The trial of DR.. Joseph c. Alexander, on
the charge of taking. concealng and buying
a human corpse, was begun in the Criminal
Court yesterday morning before Special
Judge John NJ. Bailey, appointed to try
the case by Judge Fremont Afford, who
granted the change of venue asked by the
Alexander has been long delayed by con-
tinuances, first granted the defense because
of lack Of time for the establishment of a
proper defense; secondly. because of the
filing of an additional count to the indict-
ment; thirdly, because of the serious ILL
ness with typhoid fever of the accused
physician. and, lastly. by the indisposition
of Special Judge Bailey.
The charges against Alexander are many,
but the specific case upon which the State
expects to secure his conviction, and the
first of series of convictions of physicians
and others accused of conspiracy with
ghouls working i'm Marion county, and also
of ghoulish acts personally committed, is
for the theft. concealment and barter of
the body of Rose Neidlinger. on July Is.
1902 The body of Mrs. Neidlinger was
stolen from it's grave in the cemetery at
New Augusta. The theft was not discov-
cred until the outcry against ghouls
prompted the friends of the dead woman
found to be missing. Later 1t was found
i'm the basement of the Central College of
Physicians and Surgeons, and positively
identified by her husband.
EXCITES MUCH INTEREST.
The trial of Alexander has excited as
much interest as former important criminal
cases which have been disposed OF in
Marion county courts.
Dr. Alexander, pale and evidently not
enjoying the best of health appeared in
court shortly before the case was called
at 10 o'clock. and seated himself with his
attorneys. John o. Spahr, Martin Hugg and
Henry NJ Spaan. Opposite these attor-
neys and for the State were Prosecuting
Attorney John c. Ruckelshaus, Deputy
Charles Benedict and William T. Brown.
a privately employed attorney who will act
as assistant counsel in all of the ghoul
trials. With the States attorneys was WILL
lam Long, a man who has devoted much
of his time and interest to the several
cases, the detectives and several other per-
sons who have been identified with the
police and grand jury investigation of the
methods of securing human cadavers for
dissection purposes.
teresting. The regular panel Of twelve
jurymen of the Criminal Court. as we'll as
the special venire of seventy men were
present and ready for their call to the
Jury box. During the day about fifteen
Jurors were questioned by the attorneys
and when the court adjourned at 5
O o'clock the following jurors were being
examined:
w. L. Tibbetts. 2221 Ashland avenue in
surance agent.
LANES ID. White. 13 West Market street,
formerly a cigar dealer.
s E. Tilford. 2706 Bellefontaine street
insurance agent.
William III. Mock. % North Alabama
street, bartender
George W. Crouch. 1907 woodlawn ave.
nue.. plasterer.
Perry ST. Clair. Washington township,
farmer.