New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-01
DOCTOR AND UNDERTAKEN
HELD IN KNABE MURDER
Indictment Declares Veterinary
College Head Killed Woman;
Other Accused as Accessory.
URGED HIM TO WED HER
Relations of Victim with Alleged
Slayer and Bloody Kimono
Spurred Sleuths Hired by
Women of indianapolis.

Spurred SleuthS Hired by
Women of Indianapolis.
Craig, president of veterinary college
and AloLzo VI. Ragsdale. an undertaken.
were indicted by the Marion County grand
jury to-day i'm connection with the murder
Of DR.. Helene Knabe on october %, 1911.
DR. Craig appeared i'm the Criminal Court
late to-day and was released under $4,000
bond. Ragsdale was i'm Columbus Ind,
conducting a funeral. but probably will
appear in court tomorrow and give Sc
curty. Craig was indicted for murder
and Ragsdale AS an accessory after the
fact in having made away with evidence
after the murder was committed.
II was learned in the evidence sub
mitted 10 the grand jury that Dr. Knabe
had insisted upon DR.. Craig marrying her
just night or two before the woman was
found dead. The two had been friends
for many years and were often together
but seldom We're seen together IN public
places. DR.. Craig often took her riding
in his automobile, according 10 the testi-
mony. and IL was shown that Or. Knabe
enjoyed his society
The indictments follow an Investigation
of the mysterious case made by private
detective agency, which was hired by a
group Of women OF the city, and which
made a report to the grand jury. The
police, after a lengthy investigation at the
time of her murder, reported that DR..
Knabe died by her own hand and dropped
the case.
However, Coroner Durham. who exam
med many witnesses at his inquest. re-
turned "A verdict that the woman was
murdered by persons unknown. Women
of indianapolis. led by Or. Amelia Keller.
an associate of DR. Knabe. raised a fund
of s2.5oo as a reward for the conviction
of Dr. Knabes murderer.
Had Denied Connection with Crime.
Dr. Craig long has been mentioned in
connection with the ease. and during the
meeting Of the grand jury last April he
was called before that body and exam
inod for several hours. At that time. it
was rumored that an indictment would
be returned against him, and he made
statement denying any connection with
the crime.
Ragsdale's indictment came as sur
prise. His name was not used In the case
until a short time ago. when he was or
dered by the grand jury To produce be-
fore il A silk kimono which II was known
Or. Knabc had beer accustomed 10 wear
when answering professional calls AT her
door late at night \ piece was cut from
the hem OF the garment. and IL is declared
that chemical analysis showed it to have
been utained by human blood, and that
II had been washed in strong chemical
solution.
Ragsdale who was administrator If
pr Knabe's estate. explained that the
kiuono was found in her fat and left IN
his shop. along with several other things
Of Or. Knabcs which We're OF little or no
value Tie detectives report declared
that the sworn statements Of Augusta
Knabc. tine doctors sister; Miss kathe-
rluo Mcpherson. the Office girl. and COR
amer Durham showed that the kimono
WAS not I'm the room when the body wa
found
DIR. Knabe's BODY was found about
O'Clock on the morning of October e. I'LL
bv Miss Mcpherson when she came 10
work. The police were not notified lot
more than an hour by the girl. who cdlied
tho doctor's sister and other associates 70
the fiat DR.. Knabe lived alone In an
apartmcnt house. When found she was
strctcl ed across the bed. with her HIBh'-
dress rolled mp under her arms.
The detective in his report to the grai'
iurv goes into details OF the IKE OF the
CHI
doctor. and especially that part after she
becatne acquainted with Or. Craig. years
ago. i'm the state Laboratories, where she
WAS employed as Il pathologist she re-
signed. and In 1909 Or. Craig gave her
Mace as lecturer in the veterinary col
lege Of which he is the head. Later
trouble occurred at the college and the
lectures ceased for a time but were re-
sumed and continued until just before the
woman was killed.
DIR Knabe was a persistent visitor at
the home OF Or. Craig for two weeks just
prior TO her death. it is said in the de
tective's report
The statements credited to Mrs. Ten
nant. DR.. Craig's housekeeper. regarding
"A visit To the home by Or. Knabe are
produced in the report as coming from
Dr. Eva b. Templeton, Il friend of Dr.
Knabe. whose services were obtained by
the detective in interviewing Mrs Ten
nant The detective did not wish to make
himself known to Mrs. Tenant.
Marriage Was Discussed
The report states that Dr. knabe ar
rived at the craig home while the family
was at supper and was asked To eat. She
declined saying she was not hungry.
After the meal Dr.. Knabe and erals
talked in another room and a quarrel
arose. in which their proposed marriage
WAS discussed. Mrs. Tenant is quoted
as saying that Or. Knabe burst into tears,
exclaiining you can continue to prac-
tice and can continue to practice Dr.
Crais took her by the arm. it is said. and
replied. ill have none OF this" He
took her an the house to his auto
mobile the report states, and did not re-
turn until late. presumably having spent
the intervening house at DR.. Knabe's
Hat.
on the night of her death. 1t Is also
stated i'm the report Dr. Knabe went TO
the Craig home 10 return book she had
borrowed She and Marion, DR.. Craig's
daughter, talked long time. Mrs. Ten
nant is said to have told Or. Templeton.
DIR. craig was not at home.
Harry w. Haskell. VINO has charge OF
billiard hall. said that he identified DR..
craig AS the man whom he had met on
the night OF the murder after picking
III