Indianapolis Graverobbing: A Syndicate of Death

by Chris Flook

Surveying the sensational newspaper accounts as events unfolded, author and historian Chris Flook recounts this grisly tale of political intrigue and conspiracy. In the fall of 1902, Indianapolis police uncovered a prolific graverobbing ring operating across the city. At the time, cemeteries across central Indiana were relieved of their dead by ghouls, as they were called, seeking fresh corpses desperately needed by the city's medical colleges. The ring was also accused of multiple murders. In Hamilton County, a former Confederate soldier named Wade West delivered stolen corpses by floating them down the White River. His counterpart in Indianapolis, Rufus Cantrell, an itinerant preacher and full-time graverobber known as the "King of the Ghouls," ransacked Indy's cemeteries for years before being caught.

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2023

Reviews

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get my hands on an ARC of this soon to be released book. While I’m not a huge history buff, but I do love myself some true crime stories. This book told a fantastic story of the life of Rufus Cantrell, his grave robbing past and those tangled in his web. I highly recommend!

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is interesting, if a bit dry. I had no idea that Indiana had an entire ring of graverobbers, but the second half of this book proved depressing because, as we all know, historical true crime ends up having disappointing, racist prosecutions.

[bookdragon_hoarder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the research they did for this book. I didn’t know Indiana had a grave robbing crime syndicate until I picked up this book. Racism was and is still a huge issue in Indiana. I love learning true history and shedding a light on the horrific beginnings of the United States. We cannot learn from our past if we hide it.

[Tom Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book only because I used to give tours at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis where two of the grave robbers and many of the doctors, lawyers, and judges involved in the case are buried. It is well-researched, mostly being a summary of the many newspaper accounts of the trials that occurred.

[LillyBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one wild and wacky tale, and it’s a true story. Burke and Hare from Scotland are famous for their graverobbing exploits, but it’s somehow more shocking when it occurred so close to one’s home. This book is meticulously researched, which is both a pro and con. Sometimes it just got too bogged down in all the details and characters. But I enjoyed learning the history.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, at times frustrating, look at the case of a group of resurrection men who supplied Indianapolis medical schools with corpses for dissection.

[Kiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little repetitive in my opinion, but still interesting.

[isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

rufus cantrell king of ghouls i am shielding you from the cruel hands of fate and time with my body and mind and lips. i won’t let them forget you

(WINDSOR ONTARIO MENTION)

[Valpopress Bookstore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enlightening and informative book, albeit a dark time in our state's history.

[Jennifer Parks-Strack · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very informative!