The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-10
Attorneys Gronninger and McCray in
Attempt to Clear Client Cause
Action to Be Taken.
RUCKELSHAUs IS INDIGNANT
PROSECUTION SAYS CANTRELL MAY
ESCAPE JUST PUNISHMENT.
DR.. Alexander's Attorneys Say There
Is No Ulterior Motive - GhOul
Pleased at Turn Of Affairs.

Rufus Cantrell, the liking Of the ghouls,"
as ne styles himself. the man who has
made possible the trial OF one man, Dr.
Joseph C. Alexander, for aiding in the op-
erations of ghouls, and the negro who, con-
fined in the county jail for several months,
has told so many gruesome tales Of his
prowess as grave-robber and substan-
tiated them. in part. at least, by showing
the detective that the bodies he claimed
were stolen from cemeteries were gone
from their graves, will be tried by an in
sanity commission this morning in the
county clerks office. in an effort to discover
if he is insane or a moral monster" as
he was named in the trial of DR.. Alex
ander The attorneys for Cantrell. Taylor
Gronninser and Frank McCray, in an effort
to clear their client, have caused him to
be brought before the commission. Cass
Connaway, Cantrell's legal adviser, and
the man who has worked with the detec-
tives and wrung from CantreI most of the
confessions that were valuable to the DO
lice and grand jury. was not consulted be-
fore the action was taken. and last night
expressed his indignation at the procedure.
and said he knew nothing of it,
The affdavit of insanity against Cantrell
was sworn to yesterday before Justice of
the Peace Enrich, of Emrichsville. who
will designate the two physicians to assist
him in the examination and who will meet
to be introduced In support of the
theory that Cantrell is insane will consist
of the statements of medical men, who
with their knowledge of brain and nervous
diseases as a speciality. will examine Can
trell and with their answers TO hypothetical
questions covering his actions, testify as
TO his mental condition. Others who know
him to be of parentage of more or less in
sanity, men who have discovered that his
conduct before being arrested was cratic
and men who have known him as sufferer
from epilepsy Will testify in the case also
DISCHARGE FROM ARMY.
The chief evidence, which it Is thought
will prove the insanity of the prisoner con-
clusively. is the discharge from the United
States army for confessional and emotional
insanity followed by homicidal and sui
cidal mania.' which was given Cantrell at
the Montana infantry post where he served
several months The disease as described
on the surgeons certificate of disability on
which he was discharged, as well as the
record of the examination of the physicians
who adjudged him insane, will be included
in hypothetical questions to be addressed
medical experts as to whether such brain
disease as he was discharged on is cur
able
The insanity of Cantrell will be ques-
toned by Prosecutor Ruckelshaus. Charles
Benedict his deputy, and William T.
Brown, the privately employed attorney
who is assisting in the prosecution of DR.
Joseph c. Alexander, DR.. William Molt and
DIR. Frank Wright the three physical ms
| accused of completely with Cantrell and his
| band In grave robbing. Ruckelshaus yes
| terday issued subpoenas for Superir tend
| ent Taffe. Captain Gerber, Captain Kruger
| Sheriff Metzger and several policemen, de-
| tectiyes, deputy Sheriffs and iailers and
newspaper reporters who know Cantrell
| and have talked to him during his con-
| finement. These men will be asked their
| opinion as to his sanity based on his
actions and conversations while associated
| with them
| II Cantrell is declared insane much Of the
| evidence against DR.. Alexander viii be
gone. Cantrei was the main witness In