The Benders:
The Benders settled in Kansas in
1870, near the Great Osage Trail (now known as the Sante Fe Trail), in the
Labette County. The family built a
one-room house with a curtain that divided the house into two areas. The front
was a public inn and store, and in the back were the family quarters.
1870, near the Great Osage Trail (now known as the Sante Fe Trail), in the
Labette County. The family built a
one-room house with a curtain that divided the house into two areas. The front
was a public inn and store, and in the back were the family quarters.
An innumerable amount of
travelers passed through and along on the Osage Trail in search of a place to
settle in the West. Which the Benders would welcome them to refresh themselves
with a meal and resupply their wagons with all sorts of amenities.
travelers passed through and along on the Osage Trail in search of a place to
settle in the West. Which the Benders would welcome them to refresh themselves
with a meal and resupply their wagons with all sorts of amenities.
The Benders consisted of John
(who was mostly known as Pa,). He was around sixty years of age and spoke
little English. He had a thick German accent that made it hard for anyone to
really understand him. He was believed to be from Germany or the Netherlands,
and his real name was thought to be John Flickinger. The next eldest was Elvira
(known mostly as ma), she also spoke very little English and was around 55
years of age. She was described as being very unfriendly by the neighbors who
took to calling her a “She-Devil.” According to some newspapers, Elvira was
born Almira Meik in the Adirondack Mountains, where she married her first
husband named Griffith, whom she had 12 children with. She was married several
times after that and each husband, other than Pa, died of head wounds; which
she was suspected of but no proof was ever found.
(who was mostly known as Pa,). He was around sixty years of age and spoke
little English. He had a thick German accent that made it hard for anyone to
really understand him. He was believed to be from Germany or the Netherlands,
and his real name was thought to be John Flickinger. The next eldest was Elvira
(known mostly as ma), she also spoke very little English and was around 55
years of age. She was described as being very unfriendly by the neighbors who
took to calling her a “She-Devil.” According to some newspapers, Elvira was
born Almira Meik in the Adirondack Mountains, where she married her first
husband named Griffith, whom she had 12 children with. She was married several
times after that and each husband, other than Pa, died of head wounds; which
she was suspected of but no proof was ever found.
John Jr, was around 25 during
the events. He was said to be handsome with auburn hair and a mustache. He
spoke English fluently but had a prominent German accent. Due to him laughing for
no reason at all and at random occasions, he was considered a “Half Wit.” Based
on an inscription hidden in a Bible at the Bender home, it was thought that
John Jr, was born John Gebhardt – there is no other proof of his identity
existing passed that.
the events. He was said to be handsome with auburn hair and a mustache. He
spoke English fluently but had a prominent German accent. Due to him laughing for
no reason at all and at random occasions, he was considered a “Half Wit.” Based
on an inscription hidden in a Bible at the Bender home, it was thought that
John Jr, was born John Gebhardt – there is no other proof of his identity
existing passed that.
The true master mind out of the
entire family is Kate Bender, the presumed daughter. She was around the age of
23. Suspected to be Elvira’s fifth daughter and born as Eliza Griffith. She was
collecting, attractive and spoke English very well with a small accent. She was a self-proclaimed healer and psychic,
who distributed flyers to advertise her supernatural abilities including the
ability to cure illness. She conducted séances and gave lectures on
spiritualism, at which she also gained notoriety for advocating free love. Due
to her popularity, the Benders’ Inn became an attraction.
entire family is Kate Bender, the presumed daughter. She was around the age of
23. Suspected to be Elvira’s fifth daughter and born as Eliza Griffith. She was
collecting, attractive and spoke English very well with a small accent. She was a self-proclaimed healer and psychic,
who distributed flyers to advertise her supernatural abilities including the
ability to cure illness. She conducted séances and gave lectures on
spiritualism, at which she also gained notoriety for advocating free love. Due
to her popularity, the Benders’ Inn became an attraction.
Those who knew them said that
John Jr. and Kate were not brother and sister but instead husband and wife.
John Jr. and Kate were not brother and sister but instead husband and wife.
Victims:
1869: Joe Sowers. Found with a
crushed skull and throat cut. However, he was not believed to be a Bender
victim since they did not arrive in the area until 1870. His death was just
their iconic delivery.
crushed skull and throat cut. However, he was not believed to be a Bender
victim since they did not arrive in the area until 1870. His death was just
their iconic delivery.
May 1871: Mr. Jones. His body was
found in Drum Creek with a crushed skull and throat cut. Because of where his
body was found, people suspected it was the owner of Drum Creek who killed him
but it was never proven so he was let off the hook.
found in Drum Creek with a crushed skull and throat cut. Because of where his
body was found, people suspected it was the owner of Drum Creek who killed him
but it was never proven so he was let off the hook.
February 1872: Two unidentified
men were found on the prairie with their skulls crushed and throats cut.
men were found on the prairie with their skulls crushed and throats cut.
1872: Ben Brown from Howard
County, Kansas went missing. He was found buried in the apple orchard.
County, Kansas went missing. He was found buried in the apple orchard.
1872: W.F. McCrotty. Co. D. 123rd
Ill. Infantry and his wagon with a team of horses went missing.
Ill. Infantry and his wagon with a team of horses went missing.
December
1872: Henry McKenzie was relocation to Independence from Hamilton County,
Indiana when he and a matched team of horses went missing.
1872: Henry McKenzie was relocation to Independence from Hamilton County,
Indiana when he and a matched team of horses went missing.
December
1872: Johnny Boyle from Howard County, Kansas, and his pacing mare, and saddle
went missing. He was found in the Benders’ Well.
1872: Johnny Boyle from Howard County, Kansas, and his pacing mare, and saddle
went missing. He was found in the Benders’ Well.
December
1872: George Newton Longcor and his 18-month-old daughter, Mary Ann, went
missing. According to the 1870 census,
George and his wife, Mary Jane, were
neighbors of Charles Ingalls and family in Independence. After the death of his
infant son, and his wife, George was returning home to his parents. George
purchased a team of horses from his neighbor, Dr. William Henry (whose name
will sound familiar soon). George was murdered as per usual, and the daughter
was thought to have been buried alive but there was no proof of this. No
injuries were found on her body, and she was fully clothed. Both were buried
together in the apple orchard.
1872: George Newton Longcor and his 18-month-old daughter, Mary Ann, went
missing. According to the 1870 census,
George and his wife, Mary Jane, were
neighbors of Charles Ingalls and family in Independence. After the death of his
infant son, and his wife, George was returning home to his parents. George
purchased a team of horses from his neighbor, Dr. William Henry (whose name
will sound familiar soon). George was murdered as per usual, and the daughter
was thought to have been buried alive but there was no proof of this. No
injuries were found on her body, and she was fully clothed. Both were buried
together in the apple orchard.
May
1873: Dr. William York goes missing. Found buried in the apple orchard.
1873: Dr. William York goes missing. Found buried in the apple orchard.
Unknown:
John Greary, found in the apple orchard.
John Greary, found in the apple orchard.
Unknown:
Unidentified male, found in the apple orchard.
Unidentified male, found in the apple orchard.
Unknown:
Unidentified female, found in the apple orchard.
Unidentified female, found in the apple orchard.
Unknown:
Various body parts that did not belong to any of the other victims were found
and believed to belong to at least three additional victims.
Various body parts that did not belong to any of the other victims were found
and believed to belong to at least three additional victims.
1873:
During the search, the bodies of four more unidentified males were found in
Drum Creek and the surroundings. All four had their skulls crushed and throats
slashed. One might have been Jack Bogart, whose horse was purchased from a
friend of the Benders after he went missing in 1872,
During the search, the bodies of four more unidentified males were found in
Drum Creek and the surroundings. All four had their skulls crushed and throats
slashed. One might have been Jack Bogart, whose horse was purchased from a
friend of the Benders after he went missing in 1872,
There
were many recovered body parts after several days and weeks of searching that
did not match other bodies found, this speculated that there were more than 20
victims.
were many recovered body parts after several days and weeks of searching that
did not match other bodies found, this speculated that there were more than 20
victims.
Their Fall
After
George and his daughter, Mary Ann, went missing in the winter of 1872, come
spring of 1873, Longcors former neighbor Dr. William Henry York went looking
for them. He questioned homesteaders along the trail, where he’d come to Fort
Scott and continued his journey to Independence on March 9th but he
never arrived.
George and his daughter, Mary Ann, went missing in the winter of 1872, come
spring of 1873, Longcors former neighbor Dr. William Henry York went looking
for them. He questioned homesteaders along the trail, where he’d come to Fort
Scott and continued his journey to Independence on March 9th but he
never arrived.
So
why is Dr. William Henry York so memorable? Other than being one of the few who
truly tried to search for his friends; he had two brothers as well. Colonel Ed
York who lived in Fort Scott and Alexander M. York, a member o the Kansas State
Senate in Independence; both of whom knew of William’s travel plans and when he
failed to return home – an all out search began for the missing doctor.
why is Dr. William Henry York so memorable? Other than being one of the few who
truly tried to search for his friends; he had two brothers as well. Colonel Ed
York who lived in Fort Scott and Alexander M. York, a member o the Kansas State
Senate in Independence; both of whom knew of William’s travel plans and when he
failed to return home – an all out search began for the missing doctor.
The
head of the search was Colonel York, and he lead a company of fifty some men,
they questioned every traveler along the trail and visited all the homesteads
in the area. On March 28th, 1873, Colonel York arrived at the
Benders inn, he explained to them that his brother had gone missing and asked
if they’d seen him. They admitted that Dr. York did stay with them but he left,
suggesting the possibility that he had run into trouble with the Indians.
head of the search was Colonel York, and he lead a company of fifty some men,
they questioned every traveler along the trail and visited all the homesteads
in the area. On March 28th, 1873, Colonel York arrived at the
Benders inn, he explained to them that his brother had gone missing and asked
if they’d seen him. They admitted that Dr. York did stay with them but he left,
suggesting the possibility that he had run into trouble with the Indians.
On
April 3rd, Colonel York would return to the Inn with armed men after
having been informed by a local woman, that she was threatened by Ma Bender
with a knife. The younger Benders denied the accusation but when Colonel York
repeated the claim, Ma became enraged and said, “The woman was a witch who had
cursed my coffee.” She then ordered the men to leave her house. This was the
first time that revealed that “her sense of the English language,” was better
than let on.
April 3rd, Colonel York would return to the Inn with armed men after
having been informed by a local woman, that she was threatened by Ma Bender
with a knife. The younger Benders denied the accusation but when Colonel York
repeated the claim, Ma became enraged and said, “The woman was a witch who had
cursed my coffee.” She then ordered the men to leave her house. This was the
first time that revealed that “her sense of the English language,” was better
than let on.
Before
they’d left, Kate asked Colonel York to return alone the following Friday night
so she could use her clairvoyant abilities to help him find his brothers.
However, the men with York were convinced the Benders and the neighboring
family, the Roaches, were guilty wanted them all hanged. Colonel York insisted
on evidence first – this will later be his downfall as well.
they’d left, Kate asked Colonel York to return alone the following Friday night
so she could use her clairvoyant abilities to help him find his brothers.
However, the men with York were convinced the Benders and the neighboring
family, the Roaches, were guilty wanted them all hanged. Colonel York insisted
on evidence first – this will later be his downfall as well.
The
township held a meeting at the Harmony Grove schoolhouse, there, it was decided
that every homestead would be searched for evidence of the murders. Pa and John
Jr, had attended that meeting.
township held a meeting at the Harmony Grove schoolhouse, there, it was decided
that every homestead would be searched for evidence of the murders. Pa and John
Jr, had attended that meeting.
The
weather had turned bad and several days went by before any search could start; meanwhile
a neighbor noticed that the inn was empty. The Benders were gone.
weather had turned bad and several days went by before any search could start; meanwhile
a neighbor noticed that the inn was empty. The Benders were gone.
Another
couple of days later, with the weather cleared, several hundred volunteers
arrived for a search, including Colonel York. At the Benders’ inn the wagon was
gone and so was the food and clothing; but what they found was the most
disturbing site they’d ever seen.
couple of days later, with the weather cleared, several hundred volunteers
arrived for a search, including Colonel York. At the Benders’ inn the wagon was
gone and so was the food and clothing; but what they found was the most
disturbing site they’d ever seen.
A
terrible odor could be smelled the second one would walk into the inn, the
smell traced to a trap door beneath a bed. The trap door led to an empty room
that was 6 feet deep and 7 feet square. The cellar door was drenched with
blood, as were the walls of the cellar. The room was empty of any bodies so the
men physically lifted the cabin and moved it to the side so they could dig
under but no bodies were found there either. The investigation turned to the
garden, which was freshly plowed and had plenty of disturbed spots in the
ground. They began to probe the ground with metal rods where the soil was
disturbed and began finding body after body.
terrible odor could be smelled the second one would walk into the inn, the
smell traced to a trap door beneath a bed. The trap door led to an empty room
that was 6 feet deep and 7 feet square. The cellar door was drenched with
blood, as were the walls of the cellar. The room was empty of any bodies so the
men physically lifted the cabin and moved it to the side so they could dig
under but no bodies were found there either. The investigation turned to the
garden, which was freshly plowed and had plenty of disturbed spots in the
ground. They began to probe the ground with metal rods where the soil was
disturbed and began finding body after body.
Through
the night, the volunteer unearth body after body, the first being that of Dr.
York. Seven more bodies were found that night and onto the next day. They all
had their throats cut and skulls bashed in, with the exception of Mary Ann,,
the infant daughter of George. One of the bodies was that of an eight year old
girl whose body was badly mutilated. Ten bodies were found at the Bender farm
but with 21 murders altogether in the surrounding area were attributed to the
family.
the night, the volunteer unearth body after body, the first being that of Dr.
York. Seven more bodies were found that night and onto the next day. They all
had their throats cut and skulls bashed in, with the exception of Mary Ann,,
the infant daughter of George. One of the bodies was that of an eight year old
girl whose body was badly mutilated. Ten bodies were found at the Bender farm
but with 21 murders altogether in the surrounding area were attributed to the
family.
How
they did it
they did it
A
guest would arrive at the Benders’ either to eat or sleep; the hosts would give
the guest a seat of honor at the table which was positioned over a trap door
that led into the cellar. With the victim’s back to a curtain that separated
them from the family quarters where the trap door was hidden, Kate would start
to distract the visitor. She’d ask all sorts of questions, such as “Why the
move”, “What they did for a living” all to see how much money they may have on
them at the time. Kate would then give a nod, and out would come John Bender or
son, to strike the guest over the head with a hammer. They would then cut the
victim’s throat to ensure death, after the body would be dropped through the
trap door where the body would be then stripped of their clothes and items and
later buried somewhere on the property.
guest would arrive at the Benders’ either to eat or sleep; the hosts would give
the guest a seat of honor at the table which was positioned over a trap door
that led into the cellar. With the victim’s back to a curtain that separated
them from the family quarters where the trap door was hidden, Kate would start
to distract the visitor. She’d ask all sorts of questions, such as “Why the
move”, “What they did for a living” all to see how much money they may have on
them at the time. Kate would then give a nod, and out would come John Bender or
son, to strike the guest over the head with a hammer. They would then cut the
victim’s throat to ensure death, after the body would be dropped through the
trap door where the body would be then stripped of their clothes and items and
later buried somewhere on the property.
There
was a mix of wealthy and no so wealthy victims, inclining that the Benders
would kill for the sheer thrill.
was a mix of wealthy and no so wealthy victims, inclining that the Benders
would kill for the sheer thrill.
On
the Run
the Run
The
Benders’ wagon was eventually found 12 miles away from their Inn just outside
the city limits of Thayer. In Thayer they bought tickets on the Leavenworth,
Lawrence & Galveston Railroad for Humboldt. At one point they separated,
Kate and John Jr managed to travel to an outlaw colony which is thought to be
on the border region between Texas and New Mexico.
Benders’ wagon was eventually found 12 miles away from their Inn just outside
the city limits of Thayer. In Thayer they bought tickets on the Leavenworth,
Lawrence & Galveston Railroad for Humboldt. At one point they separated,
Kate and John Jr managed to travel to an outlaw colony which is thought to be
on the border region between Texas and New Mexico.
The
rest are rumors or unconfirmed accounts.
rest are rumors or unconfirmed accounts.
A
detective claimed that he traced the pair to the border, where he had found
that John Jr. had died of apoplexy.
detective claimed that he traced the pair to the border, where he had found
that John Jr. had died of apoplexy.
A
vigilante group said that caught the Benders and shot all of them but Kate, who
they burned alive. Another group alleged that they caught the Benders and
lynched them before throwing their bodies into the Verdigris River. And yet
another told that they killed the Benders during a gunfight and buried their
bodies in the prairie.
vigilante group said that caught the Benders and shot all of them but Kate, who
they burned alive. Another group alleged that they caught the Benders and
lynched them before throwing their bodies into the Verdigris River. And yet
another told that they killed the Benders during a gunfight and buried their
bodies in the prairie.
In
1884, there was an unconfirmed report that John Flickinger (Pa) had committed
suicide on Lake Michigan, but of that same year, an elderly man matching Pa
Benders’ description was arrested in Montana for a murder committed near
Salmon, Idaho; where the victim had been killed with a hammer blow to the head.
A message requesting positive identification was sent to Cherryvale but the
suspect severed his foot to escape his leg irons and bled to death. By the time
a deputy from Cherryvale arrived, identification was impossible due to
decomposition. Despite this, they kept the man’s skull and displayed it as “Pa
Bender” in a Salmon saloon until the prohibition forced its closure in 1920
where after the skull disappeared.
1884, there was an unconfirmed report that John Flickinger (Pa) had committed
suicide on Lake Michigan, but of that same year, an elderly man matching Pa
Benders’ description was arrested in Montana for a murder committed near
Salmon, Idaho; where the victim had been killed with a hammer blow to the head.
A message requesting positive identification was sent to Cherryvale but the
suspect severed his foot to escape his leg irons and bled to death. By the time
a deputy from Cherryvale arrived, identification was impossible due to
decomposition. Despite this, they kept the man’s skull and displayed it as “Pa
Bender” in a Salmon saloon until the prohibition forced its closure in 1920
where after the skull disappeared.
Through
all the tales, no one came up with evidence or proof of the events and no one
came for the reward on the Benders. The reward was $1,000 offered by Senator
York, and another $2,000 from the Governor.
all the tales, no one came up with evidence or proof of the events and no one
came for the reward on the Benders. The reward was $1,000 offered by Senator
York, and another $2,000 from the Governor.
Arrest
Several
weeks after the discovery of the bodies, a total of twelve men were arrested.
Addison Roach and his son-in-law William Buxton were arrested as accessories.
All the rest, including a man named Brockman, were arrested for disposing of
the victims’ stolen goods. Brockman was later arrested 24 years later for the
rape and murder of his own 18-year-old daughter.
weeks after the discovery of the bodies, a total of twelve men were arrested.
Addison Roach and his son-in-law William Buxton were arrested as accessories.
All the rest, including a man named Brockman, were arrested for disposing of
the victims’ stolen goods. Brockman was later arrested 24 years later for the
rape and murder of his own 18-year-old daughter.
In
the years following the crimes several women were arrested out of assumption
that they were Ma or Kate, but none were positively identified by evidence.
the years following the crimes several women were arrested out of assumption
that they were Ma or Kate, but none were positively identified by evidence.
To
be seen oddities:
be seen oddities:
Word
of the murders spread and more than three thousand people from all over, even
at the distances of New York City and Chicago, visited the Inn and when they
did they took souvenirs. Soon the Bender Inn was destroyed by collectors as
they took everything including the bricks that lined the cellar and stones from
the well.
of the murders spread and more than three thousand people from all over, even
at the distances of New York City and Chicago, visited the Inn and when they
did they took souvenirs. Soon the Bender Inn was destroyed by collectors as
they took everything including the bricks that lined the cellar and stones from
the well.
Apparently
what is left of the property, which is mostly just the land, belongs to the
ghosts of the victims. Anyone who wanders the site was often frightened off by
glowing apparitions that would moan or make frightful noises from the darkness.
There are still reports of the area being haunted till today even with the fact
that no one truly knows where the house used to stand. Except, probably for the
locals. One of the ghosts, some say, is Kate Bender herself. Doomed to roam the
earth for her terrible crimes – of course there is no proof of this, yet.
what is left of the property, which is mostly just the land, belongs to the
ghosts of the victims. Anyone who wanders the site was often frightened off by
glowing apparitions that would moan or make frightful noises from the darkness.
There are still reports of the area being haunted till today even with the fact
that no one truly knows where the house used to stand. Except, probably for the
locals. One of the ghosts, some say, is Kate Bender herself. Doomed to roam the
earth for her terrible crimes – of course there is no proof of this, yet.
Some
of the bodies, especially those whose bodies were named, were reburied in
Independence, Montgomery Counties and Parsons, Kansas. The rest that weren’t
claimed were reburied at the base of a small hill 1 mile southeast of the
Benders orchard, one of the several locations that is now known as “The Benders
Mounds.”
of the bodies, especially those whose bodies were named, were reburied in
Independence, Montgomery Counties and Parsons, Kansas. The rest that weren’t
claimed were reburied at the base of a small hill 1 mile southeast of the
Benders orchard, one of the several locations that is now known as “The Benders
Mounds.”
You
can see the Benders artifacts in two different Museums. At the Cherryvale
Museum in Kansas you can see the shoe hammer, a claw hammer and the
sledgehammer that were used during the crimes, in their very own wall mounted
display cases. In the Kansas Museum of History you can request to see the
four-inch tapered blade that was reportedly found in a mantel clock; it was
suspected to have been parts of the murders due to reddish-brown stains that
are still on the blade.
can see the Benders artifacts in two different Museums. At the Cherryvale
Museum in Kansas you can see the shoe hammer, a claw hammer and the
sledgehammer that were used during the crimes, in their very own wall mounted
display cases. In the Kansas Museum of History you can request to see the
four-inch tapered blade that was reportedly found in a mantel clock; it was
suspected to have been parts of the murders due to reddish-brown stains that
are still on the blade.
Due
to there not being an exact spot indicating where the house is now; though
locals probably know where it is – a historical marker describing the Benders’
crimes located at the rest area at the junction of U.S. Route 400 and U.S.
Route 169 north of Cherryvale.
to there not being an exact spot indicating where the house is now; though
locals probably know where it is – a historical marker describing the Benders’
crimes located at the rest area at the junction of U.S. Route 400 and U.S.
Route 169 north of Cherryvale.
Has
the mystery been solved?
the mystery been solved?
No one truly knows whether or
not the rumors are true. Were they found and killed by vigilantes? Did they
truly escape to live the lives they choose after their life of crime? Did they
kill anyone else?
not the rumors are true. Were they found and killed by vigilantes? Did they
truly escape to live the lives they choose after their life of crime? Did they
kill anyone else?
1902, a Mrs. W Peters died at
Rio Vista. She was living alone and had very few friends, but over 10 years
before she passed she confessed to General John Collins that she was in fact,
Kate Bender. She admitted to her part in the horrors was to lure men to the
Bender tavern. She said after the families crimes were discovered she escaped
the Kansas town, went to Chicago and then to the Atlantic seaboard where she
sailed San Francisco.
Rio Vista. She was living alone and had very few friends, but over 10 years
before she passed she confessed to General John Collins that she was in fact,
Kate Bender. She admitted to her part in the horrors was to lure men to the
Bender tavern. She said after the families crimes were discovered she escaped
the Kansas town, went to Chicago and then to the Atlantic seaboard where she
sailed San Francisco.
She was at the Rio Vista for
about 30 years working as a nurse. She married Captain John Gavin, a whaler and
arctic sealer, but eventually separated from him and resumed the name Peters,
which she said was her maiden name.
about 30 years working as a nurse. She married Captain John Gavin, a whaler and
arctic sealer, but eventually separated from him and resumed the name Peters,
which she said was her maiden name.
Mrs. Peters was indeed about the
age that Kate Bender would have been if she lived.
age that Kate Bender would have been if she lived.
That is all that is known of
that statement, except for the attorney who denies that dead woman’s claims.
that statement, except for the attorney who denies that dead woman’s claims.
J.T. James, a local attorney
though I don’t know where he’s local too, declared that the entire Bender
family was killed by vigilantes – one of the many rumors that were spread. He
bases his statement on the deathbed confession of George Evans Downer, who when
he realized he was about to die, admitted that he, with a number of others had
done justice to the Benders in the
prairie near the state line between Kansas and Indian territory.
though I don’t know where he’s local too, declared that the entire Bender
family was killed by vigilantes – one of the many rumors that were spread. He
bases his statement on the deathbed confession of George Evans Downer, who when
he realized he was about to die, admitted that he, with a number of others had
done justice to the Benders in the
prairie near the state line between Kansas and Indian territory.
Now here are my opinions. I
honestly can’t throw a stone far enough with the bouts of lies that can come
out of a lawyers ass. So let’s think of this steady ground. During the 1800s,
the Wild West was known for their drunkards, cheats, killers and liars. Word to
Word heroic slanders were not uncommon – especially amongst men wanting
justice. I simply wouldn’t be surprised if these groups of vigilantes were just
some guys making up stories in order to get a rise out of the people who were
desperate for justice. To defeat a group of four who’ve killed more than 20
would be a deed worthy of a God – or the justice system.
honestly can’t throw a stone far enough with the bouts of lies that can come
out of a lawyers ass. So let’s think of this steady ground. During the 1800s,
the Wild West was known for their drunkards, cheats, killers and liars. Word to
Word heroic slanders were not uncommon – especially amongst men wanting
justice. I simply wouldn’t be surprised if these groups of vigilantes were just
some guys making up stories in order to get a rise out of the people who were
desperate for justice. To defeat a group of four who’ve killed more than 20
would be a deed worthy of a God – or the justice system.
Now look at it this way, say
that one of these groups – or all – truly went after the Benders and killed a
family of four people – whose to say that these groups were for sure, knew
exactly what the Benders’ looked like? Two women were arrested in assumption
that they were Kate and Ma, they were brought to Cherryvale where the locals
knew the family, and half said they were Kate and Ma and the other weren’t
sure. Of course, the two women were let loose due to no evidence.
that one of these groups – or all – truly went after the Benders and killed a
family of four people – whose to say that these groups were for sure, knew
exactly what the Benders’ looked like? Two women were arrested in assumption
that they were Kate and Ma, they were brought to Cherryvale where the locals
knew the family, and half said they were Kate and Ma and the other weren’t
sure. Of course, the two women were let loose due to no evidence.
So how is anyone sure, these
vigilantes, who may have not even lived in the same town, caught the real
people and not just an innocent family and killed them, in hopes they were the
real deal? And if they did kill anyone, saying that they really didn’t and what
they say were just slanders, why didn’t they claim the reward. Three thousand dollars
back then is more than 17,000 now.
vigilantes, who may have not even lived in the same town, caught the real
people and not just an innocent family and killed them, in hopes they were the
real deal? And if they did kill anyone, saying that they really didn’t and what
they say were just slanders, why didn’t they claim the reward. Three thousand dollars
back then is more than 17,000 now.
I am not 100% sure how I feel
about Mrs. Peters story. There isn’t much information on it other than the
short newspaper clippings I found, but I know very few people, who admitted
claims of crimes before death. Such spouts of clarity could be as simple as
dementia, alcheimerzers, schizophrenia or other hallucinated disorders – but
she made this claim 10 years before her death. For all I know she could have
been a little old lady with a disorder that made her think she was some
terrible, evil woman who lured people to their deaths. Either she was from the
town and knew about Kate Bender, and that’s why in her old age she claimed to
be her, mixing reality with fantasy or….she was Kate Bender.
about Mrs. Peters story. There isn’t much information on it other than the
short newspaper clippings I found, but I know very few people, who admitted
claims of crimes before death. Such spouts of clarity could be as simple as
dementia, alcheimerzers, schizophrenia or other hallucinated disorders – but
she made this claim 10 years before her death. For all I know she could have
been a little old lady with a disorder that made her think she was some
terrible, evil woman who lured people to their deaths. Either she was from the
town and knew about Kate Bender, and that’s why in her old age she claimed to
be her, mixing reality with fantasy or….she was Kate Bender.
Another thing I will like to
point out about the vigilante groups possibly making things up; detectives and
officers claimed they were able to track the family to the train station before
the family separated – but that’s all they could find. So how did these
vigilantes end up finding them together again, as a family unit?
point out about the vigilante groups possibly making things up; detectives and
officers claimed they were able to track the family to the train station before
the family separated – but that’s all they could find. So how did these
vigilantes end up finding them together again, as a family unit?
It just doesn’t add up to me.
I believe they got away, possibly died some
other way – I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate Bender, the charismatic genius of
the group, found her way elsewhere.
other way – I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate Bender, the charismatic genius of
the group, found her way elsewhere.
Do you believe Mrs. Peters was
Kate Bender? Or do you believe the vigilantes got justice for more than 20
victims? Maybe I just play too much Red Dead Redemption. Tell me your thoughts
in the comments below.
Kate Bender? Or do you believe the vigilantes got justice for more than 20
victims? Maybe I just play too much Red Dead Redemption. Tell me your thoughts
in the comments below.
I would like to thank my Patreon
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creepy.
follower for supporting me in my journey to bring you all the bizarre, dark and
creepy.
Due
to Youtube demonetizing videos like mine, please check out my Patreon page
listed below to help support me in my journey to bring you all that is
mysterious, creepy, bizarre and unusual.
to Youtube demonetizing videos like mine, please check out my Patreon page
listed below to help support me in my journey to bring you all that is
mysterious, creepy, bizarre and unusual.
