The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-05
While Quarreling with Rufus Cam
trell at the Jail the Detectives
Caught Him.
CHARGES MADE BY CANTRELL
HE ALLEGES THAT COFFELT TRIED
TO SELL HIS OWN CHILD.
AllusiOns Made by Chief of the Ghouls
to Past Events-COfeIt Re-
fuses to Talk.

William A. Coffelt. a white man. living
at 1915 North Arsenal avenue, was arrested
at the jail yesterday by Detectives Asch,
Manning, Kurtz and Lancaster, charged
with disturbing graves and concealing
human bodies. Coffelt is also known as
Michael Foley. He is a machnist by trade
and had been working at the Dean pump
works. Since the investigation of grave
robberies has been going on the detectives
have been looking for a man Cantrell al
luded to as Michael Foley. Cantrel gave
the detectives the mans description, but
it was not known where he lived. Coffelt
has been wanted, and it is said he repre-
sents another gang of ghouls. When ar
rested yesterday he refused to commit him
self regarding any of the accusations made
against him by Cantrell.
Coffelt was arrested in the Office of the
Jail, where he had come to see Cantrell.
He called there last Sunday night, but
Cantrell refused to talk with him, telling
him to remain away from the prison or he
would soon be locked up. For several days
during the past week Captain Gerber and
several of the other attaches of police
headquarters have seen a strange man
walking around the jail, as III trying TO
talk with some one near the barred win
dows. When Coffelt called at the jail last
Sunday night the detectives were later
told that the man called Michael Foley, -
whom they wanted, had been there. Can
trell at the time said the man would re-
turn on the following Sunday. Yesterday
the detectives went TO the Jail and waited
in one of the side Offices for the return of
Coffelt. Wh.n he came in he told the
taller he wanted to see Cantrell regarding
the body of his aunt which had been stolen.
TIFF WITH CANTRELL.
The man was admitted and allowed to
stand in front of the little grating which
separates the Offices from the prison.
Cantrell was called from his room above
stairs When he saw Coffelt he told him
to leave or he would be arrested. Coffelt
became angry and called Cantrell vile
names. The latter then told Coffelt that he
had gone far enough in his talk. Coffelt
asked Cantrell what he meant and Can
trell replied that he would turn Coffelt
over to the detectives on the charge of
the conversation reached that point the
detectives entered the main Office and stood
behind Coffelt. Cantrell opened the big
door and, turning to Detectives Asch and
Manning. said: Here is the man you
have been looking for Coffelt became
furious, and again assailed Cantrell with
oaths Coffelt and Cantrell were then
taken to the Office of the detectives. where
a rigid examination was carried on. Can
trel. i'm the presence of Coffelt charged
him with stealing the bodies of Jonas
Fertig from Eagle Creek Cemetery, Mrs.
Cossell and John Harding from a ceme-
terry west of Indianapolis, and a body from
Fairview Cemetery, near the Belt road, on
the Pendleton pike.
Coffelt would not admit stealing the
bodies merely replying that when the time
came for him to talk he would do so and
clear himself. Cantrell jumped from his
chair and then asked Coffelt what had be-
come of Billy Gray. "Is Billy Gray in Vir-
ginia or is he in heaven?' Cantrell asked
Coffelt. The latter during the recital OF
the question hung his head. but when Can
trell finished Coffelt raised his head and
gave mean look toward Cantrell The
latter continued: "You know who / mean
what about those bricks falling in the
water one night after we left certain
cemetery?" Coffelt still refused to talk
and Cantrell laughed and shook his head
| by asking such question of the man Can
trell said il the body of Billy Gray could
be obtained more serious charge against
| Coffelt might be placed.
TRIED TO SELL HIS SON.
Cantrell also said that Coffelt came to
| him three years ago and tried to sell him
the body of his eight-year-old son, who had
| died from burns he received while playing
with fire. Cantrell said he was appalled,
| at the action OF the man and would not
buy the body for any college.
Detectives Asch and Manning said that In
| the arrest OF Co.Telt or Foley a new turn
| of the investigation had been made. Coffelt
| they said. represents another faction in the
| ghouls. and Cantrell has supplied the names
| of other men who will be arrested as soor
CONTINUED ON AGE 4. COL 4)