Today, Smalley descendants continue to live in the Neodosha and Cherryvale area. 215 East 4th Street With the victim's back to the curtain, Kate would distract the guest while John Bender or his son came from behind the curtain and struck the guest on the right side of the skull with a hammer. The diggers were astounded to find what would become known as one of Americas first mass murder burial grounds as body after body was uncovered. Colonel A.M. York, leading a contingency of some 50 men, began questioning every traveler along the trail and stopping at the area homesteads. The "Bloody Benders" were a German family of four that settled a claim in southeastern Kansas in Labette County. [1][2][3], The area was already widely known for "horse thieves and villains, and vigilance committees often "arrested" some for the disappearances, only for them to be later released by the authorities. Graves of the many who the Benders killed. 1315) December 1872: Various body parts. (AP) - A man already in prison . In addition to the museum, southeast Kansas may be the only place where a state historical marker celebrates mass murder. Legends of America founder Kathy Weiser-Alexander hams it up for Discovery Channel producers for the show Evil Kin, episode 2, season 2, The Bloody Benders, original air date August 12. The captive makes a run for it, and Omie shoots him dead and drags his body out of sight. The search of the cabin resulted in the recovery of three hammers: a shoe hammer, a claw hammer, and a sledgehammer that appeared to match indentations in some of the skulls. Kansas Muskmelon, 2 g. $2.75 Out of Stock Item #52106 (Orange flesh) 90 days. When attempts were made to relocate the museum it became a point of controversy, some locals objecting to the town being known for the Bender murders. According to contemporary newspapers, Elvira was born Almira Hill Mark (often misreported as "Meik") in the Adirondack Mountains; she married Simon Mark, with whom she claimed to have had 12 children. Yep the Abberdeens are very clearly based on the Benders, specifically Kate and John Jr. Calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and copper are especially concentrated in sunflower seeds. It first seems like Rabbi might escape, but ultimately he raises his hands in surrender and flies up into the clouds. While popular retelling of the story holds that John Jr. and Kate were siblings, contemporary newspapers reported . In honor of the Kansas state-wide Centennial Celebration, an exact replica of the Bender cabin was built that housed antiques and household items. The body would then be buried in the garden behind the house during the night. The family, John and Elvira and their two children John Jr. and Kate, ultimately settled down near Cherryvale city on a 160-acre property, intending to run an inn. Look for these with their cute sunflowers. Body found in Drum Creek with a crushed skull and throat cut. Hunza Guides is Pakistan's top mountain destination management company offering full board tours, trekking and expeditions services in Pakistan. All of the bizarre characters in the house sit around the table, except the hospital man and his companion, and the table (like the whole house) is split into two meals, two styles of dcor and two serving staffs in accordance with the sisters feud. In retaliation, the vigilantes killed all of the members of the Bender family, buried them where they died, and took the wagon to town, where they left it. Ransom, the trains conductor, said that John, Jr., and Kate disembarked at Chanute and took the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad train south to the Red River country near Dennison, Texas, which was then the terminus of the railroad. A message requesting positive identification was sent to Cherryvale, but the suspect severed his foot to escape his leg irons and bled to death. After bearing him a dozen children, including Kate, Mr. Griffith suddenly died; some said of a bad place on his head, resembling a dent that might be made with a hammer. Next to their room is a hospital man, an obese white man with bandages all over him and some kind of skin condition that makes him look monstrous to the passing child. The Benders used the smaller room at the rear for living quarters, while the front room was converted into a "general store" where a few dry goods were sold. After the third hanging, they released him and he staggered home "as one who was drunken or deranged. [5][18] [2] The elder Benders did not leave the train at Humboldt, but instead continued north to Kansas City, where it is believed they purchased tickets for St. Louis, Missouri.[1]. When he refused to sit with his back to the canvas because of its disgusting stains, Pickering said that Kate Bender threatened him with a knife, so he fled the premises. John Bender, Jr. was a tall, slender man of about 25 who was handsome with auburn hair and a mustache. Though most of us know of Dodge Citys wicked ways, the deadly gunfight of the Daltons in Coffeyville, and the many outlaws and gunfighters who spent time in the Sunflower State, few are aware of a family of mass murderers, living a supposed quiet life near the small town of Cherryvale. Kate soon gained notoriety as a self proclaimed healer and spiritualist. Photo courtesy of the BCA. By the way, said clerk is a Colored. A pity, it has quite a few quirks. They were released after being found not guilty, but were then immediately re-arrested for the Bender murders. "[7], Word of the murders spread quickly, and more than three thousand people, including reporters from as far away as New York City and Chicago, visited the site. I remember that song. East/West is a cunningly timed bottle episode. His son chose a narrow piece of land just north of his fathers; however, he never lived on his claim nor made any improvements. A beautiful girl of about 23, she was quick to laugh and talk to strangers. One of the women would cut the victim's throat to ensure death, and the body was then dropped through the trap door. allah y hafdek traduction; markel annual meeting 2022; community action partnership appointment line; July 3, 2022 mellon mounds kansas murdersdcs vsn modsdcs vsn mods As more and more travelers disappeared, suspicion began to center on the Benders. What little he did speak was so guttural that it was usually unintelligible. One of these families was the Benders, comprised of John Bender, Sr.; his wife, Almira; son, John, Jr.; and daughter, Kate. The next morning, another eight bodies were found in seven of the nine suspected graves, while one was found in the well, along with a number of body parts. The two were known to have had a relationship, and further tales abounded that when Kate became pregnant, they would simply bash in the babys head once it was born. In 1967, three of the Bender hammers were gifted to the museum by the Dick family. [9], More than a dozen bullet holes were found in the roof and sides of the cabin. As Active Shooter incidents have increased, employers are tasked with training employees on how to escape, hide, or fight. When the vigilantegroup approached, the Benders fired on them, at which time, the judge lost part of his ear to a flying bullet. He steps out of his car, gun drawn, and discovers the filling station attendants body in a doorway. Everywhere Satchel and Rabbi appear together, someone calls out the color of Satchels skin and questions their connection. In the spring of 1873, Dr. York took it upon himself to look for the Lonchers, stopping at the homesteads along the trail to ask questions. The Bender family, more well known as the Bloody Benders, were a family of serial killers who lived and operated in Labette County, Kansas, United States, from May 1871 to December 1872. The front section also contained the kitchen and dining table, where travelers could stop for a meal or even spend the night. Colonel York, leading a company of some 50 men, questioned every traveler along the trail and visited all the area homesteads. Elvira Bender, who also allegedly spoke little English, was 55 years old and so unfriendly that her neighbors took to calling her a "she-devil.". Some say they escaped, others that the were executed by a vengeful posse. All Rights Reserved. They were not pursued, as lawmen following outlaws into this region often never returned. Rock Chalk! Then Kate would begin to charm the men with her social skills, flirting, or revealing her psychic gifts. As the men gave their full attention to the alluring Kate, Pa and John Bender, hiding behind the canvas, would strike the unsuspecting traveler in the skull with a hammer. The notorious "Bloody Benders" were a German immigrant family who owned both a general store and small inn in the early 1870s in Labette County. Though the pair were jailed, the case was dropped for lack of evidence. The Vicious Harpes First AmericanSerial Killers, The Bloody Benders With the exception of McKenzie and York,[17] who were buried in Independence; the Longcors, who were buried in Montgomery County; and McCrotty, who was buried in Parsons, Kansas, none of the other bodies were claimed, and they were reburied at the base of a small hill 1 mile (1.6km) southeast of the Benders' orchard, one of several at the location now known as "The Benders Mounds". Sunflower seeds are incredibly rich sources of many essential minerals. Rabbi has a tailor-made response for each situation, but the active reminder of reality for black Americans in 1950 definitely adds to the tension of the episode. Thomas Jefferson was one of the first to excavate into a Native American burial mound, citing the disappearance of the "noble" Indianscaused by violence and the corruption of the encroaching white. As Calamita advances on him, Rabbi tries to grip his gun well enough to shoot. Attempts to capture the bloodthirsty family were immediately made by both law officers and vigilantes alike. By 1873, reports of missing people who had passed through the area had become so common that travelers began to avoid the trail. She alleged that her father, "Pa Ingalls," joined in a vigilante hunt for the killers, and when he spoke of later searches for them she recalled, "At such times Pa always said in a strange tone of finality, 'They will never be found.' THE MELLON MOUNDS. The men with York were convinced the Benders and a neighboring family, the Roaches, were guilty and wanted to hang them all, but York insisted that evidence must be found. Allegedly, the pair then fled to a tough outlaw colony along the border of Texas and New Mexico. what happened to johnny rodriguez country singervice president internal student council. Shortly after theyve settled, Rabbi leaves Satchel alone with his usual goodbye of, If I dont come back, Im dead or in jail. He drives into Liberal to see about the money he left behind, only to discover that the feed store was sold at auction and has been converted to an appliance store by a pair of brothers. why i quit civil engineering; goo goo gaga family net worth; how to make homemade biscuits without baking powder; noah hester restaurant; It was reported at the time that Kate was into free love, telling fortunes, and being a little too close to her brother. Continuing, they began to dig around the cabin, especially in an area the Benders had utilized as a vegetable garden and orchard. was harry hibbs married; waterloo central railway wedding. According to a breathless Daily Mail report, nursery-school teacher Inessa Tarverdiyeva and her husband, dentist Roman Podkopayev, were behind "a six-year reign of terror including at least 30. On October 31, 1889, it was reported that a Mrs. Almira Monroe (a.k.a. 12) December 1872: Abigail Roberts. From Howard County, Kansas. He then cautiously looks through a window, where he sees Calamita standing over a wounded Omie, gun drawn. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. Near here are the Bender Mounds, named for the infamous Bender family--John, his wife, son, and daughter Kate--who settled here in 1871. the mellon mounds kansas murders Blakeslee, 75, became intrigued by Etzanoa after scholars at UC Berkeley retranslated in 2013 the often muddled Spanish accounts of their forays into what is now Kansas . [1][2][3], John Bender, Sr. was around 60 years old and spoke little English. After Colonel Yorks visit and the meeting at the Harmony Grove schoolhouse, the Bender family fled. The Mellon family is a wealthy and influential American family from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The little store carried a few supplies such as powder, shot, groceries, liquor, and tobacco, sold meals, and provided a safe overnight resting place to the strangers along the road. The Benders were widely believed to be German immigrants. [5], When York repeated the claim, Elvira became enraged, said the woman was a witch who had cursed her coffee, and ordered the men to leave her house, revealing for the first time that "her sense of the English language" was much better than was let on. Though her beauty and social skills gained popularity with the locals, her actions began to cause them to say she was satanic. It was to be this diminutive Bender family member that would take most of the blame for what was soon to be found out about this infamous family. They return to their room, where Rabbi informs Satchel that theyll be leaving that night as he counts his money. Also in residence on the east is a hero of Wounded Knee (as if there was such a thing) and his niece, a minor girl whos relationship to the old man is likely not familial. The burial site was christened Hells Half-Acre, and another brother of Dr. York, a lawyer and State Senator residing in Independence offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the Bender familys arrest. Though no one ever collected the rewards offered, rumors of several parties who had captured and killed the Benders began to fly. Eyewitness testimony was given that Mrs. Monroe was Elvira Bender. As they make their way up to the top floor, they peer in the open rooms of the other tenants. They then began to follow a wagon trail left by the Benders that took them down as far south as Tulsa, Oklahoma, before circling back into Kansas. It isnt a kill shot, though, and Calamita whips around to put Omie down. The family quickly ran away in the middle of the night never to be seen. Tole reported the fact to the township trustee, but due to inclement weather, several days lapsed before the abandonment could be investigated. For years, sightings of Ma Bender and Kate were reported, and in 1889, two women were extradited from Michigan on the charge. Bender Property Digging, sketch in Harpers Weekly, June 7, 1873. The Bender family, more well known as the Bloody Benders, were a family of serial killers who lived and operated in Labette County, Kansas, United States, from May 1871 to December 1872. If you live in that town in Kansas today, oh yeah you know about it. When he pulls into the drive, he spots Calamitas empty car at the pump immediately. literally thought of red dead redemption 2 when i saw this episode, and saw that scene. The museum remained a popular tourist destination until it closed in 1978 when a fire station was built. At the site of a freshly stirred depression in the earth, they found the first body, buried head downward with its feet scarcely covered. She also conducted sances and gave lectures on spiritualism, for which she gained notoriety for advocating free love. Props to Noah Hawley for referencing a lot of forgotten crimes, from Jane Toppan, the Kansas City Massacre, and now the Bloody Benders. Because some of the travelers were carrying nothing of value, it was widely speculated that the Benders killed simply for the bloody thrill of it. [5][6], Around the same time, neighboring communities began to make accusations that the Osage community was responsible for the disappearances, and Osage township arranged a meeting in the Harmony Grove schoolhouse. Rabbi makes his way to the filling station in search of a cupcake or candy bar. Buried in the apple orchard. Cherryvale, Kansas John was prone to laughing aimlessly, which led many to consider him a "half-wit." She is fun enough. As word of the grisly murders spread, more and more travelers came forward to tell their own stories of a narrow escape, including one gentleman named William Pickering. Finally, unsolved murders in Shawnee County, Kansas, can be found among these lists. The Benders family, of German descent, was one of the families who moved to the outskirts of Kansas. Fortunately, Omie appears behind Calamita and gets him with his last bullet. They were never found and later I formed my own conclusions why. $38 (2023: $860) and a wagon with a team of horses missing. John Bender, Sr. was from either Germany, Norway, or the Netherlands and may have been born John Flickinger. Often two women traveling together were accused of being Kate Bender and her mother.[10]. The vacated land was then made available to homesteaders, who, for the most part, were a group of hard-working pioneers farming the areas softly rolling hills and windswept prairies. John Bender, Jr. was actually a man named John Gebhardt. They broke up the stone slab floor with sledgehammers, but found no bodies, and determined that the smell was from blood that had soaked into the soil. The for the guy who discovered Pluto? McCrotty, and John Geary, as well as an unidentified male and female. , Near here are the Bender Mounds, named for the infamous Bender family ~~ John, his wife, son, and daughter Kate ~~ who settled here in 1871. Of the family, Pa Bender was found to have been a man named John Flickinger, from either Germany or Holland. Yet another claimed to have killed the Benders during a gunfight and buried their bodies on the prairie. And Donald Mellon is your typical doting daddy, a clean-cut family man his girls admire and adore. The violence at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 was the watershed event which led to the creation of our current day active shooter response programs. According to the May 23, 1873 edition of The Emporia News, he was identified with the name of William Bender. But if your not from Kansas it's a fairly obscure story. 2023 Geek Girl Authority. [2], Testimony from people who had stayed at the Benders' inn and managed to escape before they could be killed appeared to support the presumed execution method of the Benders. 1) May 1871: Mr. Jones. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. Cherryvale, Kansas Museum Word of the gruesome murders spread fast, and thousands of people flocked to the site, including news reporters from as far away as New York and Chicago. He does not deliver his usual parting words to Satchel. He leaves Satchel in the car with Rabbit while hes doing this, and the boy is approached by a nervous policeman who prepares to draw his weapon as he asks Satchel to leave the car. However, as more time passed, the disappearances became more frequent, and by the spring of 1873, the region had become strife with rumors, and travelers began to avoid the trail. A Catholic priest said he fled when he saw one of the Bender men concealing a large hammer. The Lawrence Kansas Subreddit. A roadside sign now marks their murderous exploits. ASSOCIATED PRESS. That is a Kansas historical society sign.
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