The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-12
UNDERTAKES
RALLY TO AID
OF CORONER
VehIing Burial Prices Were
Fair, Testimony at
Bride Trial.
DELAY PLEA IS DENIED
Holdover Until Monday Is
Refused; Defendant May
Not lake Stand.

puoIIleoo men LOQdy came 10 the aid
OF Coroner Fred w. Vehling in
criminal court as the coroner sought
to avoid convictions on a charge of
soliciting a bride.
1t was questionable. as the defense
case nears completion, whether Vehl-
Ing will take the stand in his own
defense. His attorneys, who pre-
viously stated Vehling would testify,
indicated they had not decided
definitely on this point
Vehling, if he takes the stand,
will deny he attempted to solicit
bribe from relatives of Mr.. and
Mrs. Benjamin Stickel and William
Coble, who died from gas fumes in
their home year ago.
Verbal war fared between Prose-
cutor Herbert E. Wilson and
Thoas MCGEE of the defense, as
court adjourned.
Delay Is Opposed
MCGEE asked Fred C. Cause, spe-
cial judge, that the trial be adj
iourned this afternoon, after COM
pletion of the defense case, until
Monday, when arguments would be
heard. Cause said he did not IA
vor the action and called on Will
son.
I'VE want to get this to the jury
Saturday" Wilson said. I'VE have
other cases pending and want the
arguments in the morning"
III give you plenty of arguments
today" MCGEE retorted.
Il know, you have some pretty
fiery ones at times" Wilson said.
MCGEE started toward Wilson. but
was halted by Cause.
Undertakes were asked to state
whether they believed the prices
Vehling charged for funeral and
burial were fair. With the excep-
ton of minor differences, the fu-
neral directors approved Vehling's
charge of nearly $4,000 for burial
Of the trio.
Undertakes on Stand
Herman Grinsteiner, T. j. Black
well, j. P. Ragsdale and James F..
Bailey were undertakers who testi-
fled.
Robert E. Sweeney, president of
the State Life Insurance Company,
first Of the character witnesses,
said he had known Vehling more
than twelve years, but not init
mately.
Vehling's reputation in the COM
munity was upheld by H. G. Her
sey, 1921 North Illinois street, for
mer bicycle maker, and Henry Lang
senkamp, head of the Langsen-
kamp- Wheeler Brass Company.
Harry Wolf, who is employed at
Vehling's undertaking establishment
at 702 Virginia avenue, told the
court he had talked to Vehling
after the deaths last Feb. &c.
"Vehling asked me if had a gas
heater in my house." he testified.
81 told him there was one in the
basement. He pointed to the OPP
Grating room, where the bodies
were. and saidl That's the result of
one Of them"
TeStifies as to Price
Assertion of Vehling to friends of
the StickelS that the bodies could
be moved after payment Of $3.50 for
his services, was testified to by Lyle
Gilliatt of Staunton, Ind, former
embalming student.
Il heard Mrs. Hauensteine tell
him the Stickels had been saving
up their money for good burial"
he testified. "Vehling told her the
bodies could be taken anywhere as
long as he was paid $3.50"
Gilliatt, on REORGANIZATION,
said he did not recall Vehling de-
claring the money was to be paid
in cash, not checks or notes"
Following closing arguments by
state and defense lawyers, the jury
probably will receive the case early
Saturday afternoon.
Vehling, it is charged, refused to
turn over the bodies to another I'M
dertaker, and threatened to change
verdicts from accidental death to
suicide unless he was paid inSur-
ance policies, $3.50, an automobile
and household furnishings.
States attorneys hammered at de-
tense witnesses during the Thursday
afternoon session and, in several in
stances, succeeded in breaking down
parts of their stories.
Mixed on Dates
Leslie o. Clevenger, employed at
Vehling's undertaking establish
ment, admitted, on roSs-examina-
ton, that he had been sent by
Vehlng OF coroner'S cases. He ad-
Nitted a conversation with the
widow of man killed by accident
about sending her husbands body
to Vehling's establishment for
funeral services and burial.
Although Clevenger claimed
Vehling signed the death GER
tificates in the Stickel case Feb.
26, he could not explain why they
were dated Feb. 81, when states
attorneys quizzed him.
Clevenger, however, chung to a
denial that he. at various times. had
represented himself as the coroner
of Marion county, and that Vehling
only was an undertaken, in efforts
to get business for vehling.