Viliska I Ax Murders and other unsolved murders of Lawrence Sreiger and his girl friend and the murder of Edmund Brown
AX MUURDERED MOORE FAMILY HAD LIVED IN COLOME, SOUYH DAKOTA. BROTHER IN LAW SAM MOYER WHO HAD LIVED IN COLOME WAS A SUSPECT.
MORE TRIPP COUNTY MURDERS TO COME.
LAWRENCE STEIGER AND GIRL FRIEND SHOT AND KIILLED IN WINNER , SUSPECT RELEASED BY STATES ATTORNEY AND ATTORNEY GENEERAL WITH NO PROSECUTION. STILL A COLD CASE INVESTIGATION 35 YEARS LATER.
FIRSY HAND DETAILS OF EDMUND BROWN MURDER IN WINNER SOUTH DAKOTA BY JOHN J SIMPSON ED BROWN'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY FOR 30 YEARS.
STAY TUNED- MORE TO COME
Hello: Who can add to this murder mystery and the alleged murderer who had been a preacher in Winner, South Dakota on 1914?
WHO CAN ADD TO THE UNSOVEDL STEIGER- UTHOVEN MURDERS IN WINNER, SOUTH
MORE TRIPP COUNTY MURDERS TO COME.
LAWRENCE STEIGER AND GIRL FRIEND SHOT AND KIILLED IN WINNER , SUSPECT RELEASED BY STATES ATTORNEY AND ATTORNEY GENEERAL WITH NO PROSECUTION. STILL A COLD CASE INVESTIGATION 35 YEARS LATER.
FIRSY HAND DETAILS OF EDMUND BROWN MURDER IN WINNER SOUTH DAKOTA BY JOHN J SIMPSON ED BROWN'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY FOR 30 YEARS.
STAY TUNED- MORE TO COME
Hello: Who can add to this murder mystery and the alleged murderer who had been a preacher in Winner, South Dakota on 1914?
WHO CAN ADD TO THE UNSOVEDL STEIGER- UTHOVEN MURDERS IN WINNER, SOUTH
.DAKOTA IN 1975?
Iowa axe murders and Colome and Winner, South Dakota.
(Local newspaper account of murders)
Family and Visitors Killed - All Meet Their Deaths in Bed, Murderer Makes His Escape - Robbery Was Not Committed; Motive for Crime is Unknown
Villisca, Iowa, June 10, 1912 -- Joseph Moore, a leading Villisca business man, his wife and four children and two visitors were found murdered in their beds today at the Moore home. Their heads had been crushed and a blood-stained ax was found in the house. The dead:
Joseph Moore and wife
Herman Moore, 11 years old
Catherine Moore, 9 years old
Boyd Moore, 7 years old
Paul Moore, 6 years old
Miss Edith Spillinger, 20 years old
Miss Blanche Spillinger, 18 years old.
Owing to the terrible mutilation the identity of the two women could not at first be established. They were believed to be Mrs. Van Gilder and her daughter, relatives of the Moores. Later they were positively identified as the Spillinger sisters, daughters of a wealthy farmer living a few miles from Villisca, who had been in attendance at a church entertainment here last night.
No robbery was committed and the motive for the crime is unknown. Horses neighing in the barn at the Moore home caused a woman neighbor to notice that no member of the family appeared to be up and about the house. She investigated, and after failing to effect an entrance to the front door, called her husband who also failed. The city marshal then was summoned and the doors forced.
Moore was the manager of an implement concern and a leader in business and social circles.
EXTRA - EXTRA
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Axe murdered J.B. Moore family of Viliska Iowa had lived in Colome,Tripp County, SD just 12 miles east of Winner, S.D.where Lyn George Jacklin Kelly another prime suspect had preached the gospel at a Winner Church.
Sam Moyer, brother in law of J.B. Moore, was another suspect had also lived in Colome, S.D.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
February 08, 2010
Insanity Case Begins in Winner, South Dakota
By Dr. Edgar V. Epperly
Recently I was startled to see that a winning lottery ticket had been sold in Winner, South Dakota. My surprise had nothing to do with the coincidence of names. Why not a winner from Winner? Instead the headline captivated me because Winner, South Dakota is intimately bound to the 1912 Villisca, Iowa axe murders.
In the fall of 1913, over a year after the murder, Lyn George Jacklin Kelly was preparing to enter his middle year at the Omaha, Nebraska Presbyterian Seminary. Unfortunately, storm clouds were on his horizon. Faculty and administration agreed that though he was a bright fellow, better educated than many of his farm-boy classmates, he lacked the judgment needed to become a Presbyterian preacher. Specifically he was so inept in his handling of money that his bad debts reflected negatively on the institution. Somewhat ruefully the Seminary president told him he must leave.
By Dr. Edgar V. Epperly
Recently I was startled to see that a winning lottery ticket had been sold in Winner, South Dakota. My surprise had nothing to do with the coincidence of names. Why not a winner from Winner? Instead the headline captivated me because Winner, South Dakota is intimately bound to the 1912 Villisca, Iowa axe murders.
In the fall of 1913, over a year after the murder, Lyn George Jacklin Kelly was preparing to enter his middle year at the Omaha, Nebraska Presbyterian Seminary. Unfortunately, storm clouds were on his horizon. Faculty and administration agreed that though he was a bright fellow, better educated than many of his farm-boy classmates, he lacked the judgment needed to become a Presbyterian preacher. Specifically he was so inept in his handling of money that his bad debts reflected negatively on the institution. Somewhat ruefully the Seminary president told him he must leave.
Reverend Lyn George Jacklin Kelly.
Kelly's unfulfilled but desperate sexual needs got the better of him as he shivered through a plains winter. At Christmas time he placed an advertisement in the Omaha World Herald newspaper seeking a woman to act as a personal secretary to assist in typing a novel he was writing. An innocent young girl, just out of high school in Council Bluffs, Iowa answered his ad.
The classified ad Kelly placed in the Omaha World Herald.
Kelly was delighted and lost no time in opening a correspondence with his potential employee. Early in that correspondence Kelly informed her that she would be asked to type in the nude. Jessamine was most shocked by this revelation. Turning to her pastor for guidance, she showed him the letter. He also was shocked and forwarded the letter to the county sheriff. The sheriff contacted postal authorities who proceeded to craft a phooey response to Kelly that requested additional information.
The unsuspecting preacher was gratified to respond and struck up a lively correspondence with the pseudo-Jessimine. Given encouragement, Kelly's letters became increasingly salacious. When satisfied they had their case, the postal inspectors directed his arrest for sending obscene material through the mail.
Arrested early in 1914, Kelly was convicted and sentenced to the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. But because he was so obviously mentally ill, the court ordered that he instead be sent to St. Elizabeth's National Mental Hospital in Washington, D. C. The hospital's psychiatrists diagnosed him as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
Arrested early in 1914, Kelly was convicted and sentenced to the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. But because he was so obviously mentally ill, the court ordered that he instead be sent to St. Elizabeth's National Mental Hospital in Washington, D. C. The hospital's psychiatrists diagnosed him as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
Reverend George Kelly and wife Laura in 1917.
Laura Kelly stayed behind in Winner while he spent some six months in the nation’s capital. where he was released as "cured" in the fall of 1914. She rejoined him after he came back to Iowa and their odyssey of travail continued.
This was Kelly's first arrest in America. It moved him up dramatically on the list of candidates for Villisca ax murderer, although no investigating officer was willing to call for his indictment. That official act would come two years later.
This was Kelly's first arrest in America. It moved him up dramatically on the list of candidates for Villisca ax murderer, although no investigating officer was willing to call for his indictment. That official act would come two years later.
A portion of Kelly's confession as printed in 1917.
In the long years between 1914 and 2009, I am sure that Winner, South Dakota has experienced many significant events. But for a student of the Villisca axe murders there are only two years in its history that stand out:
1914 when Preacher Kelly walked its streets, and 2009 when a local citizen hit the jackpot.
Technorati Tags: ax, Edgar Epperly, Laura Kelly, Methodist Church, Omaha World Herald, Presbyterian Seminary, Reverend Lyn George Jacklin Kelly, South Dakota, St. Elizabeth's National Mental Hospital, Villisca axe murders, Winner
1912 Murders still unsolved Winner, and Colome, South Dakota have an intriguing, if innocent, connection to a famous mass murder case in Iowa. In 1912, six members of a household and two visiting children were murdered in the middle of the night in the small town of Villisca, Iowa.
The crime received national attention (not unlike the Jon Benet Ramsey case of more cent times) and created a frenzy of theories, rumors, and suspects.
One of the more plausible suspects was the Reverend Lyn George Jacklin Kelly. This character was the focus of several investigations by several agencies for at least two years; he confessed (then recanted); he was tried twice, but never convicted. Present day researchers and Villisca enthusiasts consider him to be just one of several suspects who may have committed the murder, but his zany biography also lead many to regard him as simply a publicity-seeking crackpot.
And crackpot he was. His behavior while preaching in Winner, South Dakota makes for a curious and somewhat amusing adjunct to the main Villisca story.
It seems that the Reverend had a passion for naked ladies. While preaching in Winner, he decided he needed a secretary—a naked secretary. In 1913, the Reverend Kelly placed an ad in the Omaha World Herald. He received an application from a young woman living in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He replied that she certainly fit the bill, and, if she agreed to type in the nude, she was hired. The young woman notified the police, and postal authorities began a “sting” operation by sending him fake letters and leading him to believe that he was corresponding with an eager eighteen-year-old girl. His return letters became increasingly salacious and pornographic. He was arrested for sending obscene material through the mail and violating a number of Federal laws.
Years later, in 1917, the Reverend Kelly was arrested and charged with the murder in the Villisca murders. His presence in Villisca on the night of the murders and his sudden departure early the next morning made him a possible suspect in the case.
Kelly’s “confession” was an obvious attempt to create a celebrity status for himself.
He withdrew the confession before the trial began. Kelly’s first trial resulted in a hung jury and he was acquitted in the second. Tradition has it that Kelly moved to Kansas City, Connecticut, and later to New York City. The final years of his life remain a mystery
Mainstreetmoments would like to recruit some would-be detectives and history buffs and try to fill in the missing pages of this guy’s story. A lot of “snooping” can be done on line, particularly genealogy research. Also, anyone out there in Winner, South Dakota got any stories?Author: EVM STAFF on 05/31 2008
The crime received national attention (not unlike the Jon Benet Ramsey case of more cent times) and created a frenzy of theories, rumors, and suspects.
One of the more plausible suspects was the Reverend Lyn George Jacklin Kelly. This character was the focus of several investigations by several agencies for at least two years; he confessed (then recanted); he was tried twice, but never convicted. Present day researchers and Villisca enthusiasts consider him to be just one of several suspects who may have committed the murder, but his zany biography also lead many to regard him as simply a publicity-seeking crackpot.
And crackpot he was. His behavior while preaching in Winner, South Dakota makes for a curious and somewhat amusing adjunct to the main Villisca story.
It seems that the Reverend had a passion for naked ladies. While preaching in Winner, he decided he needed a secretary—a naked secretary. In 1913, the Reverend Kelly placed an ad in the Omaha World Herald. He received an application from a young woman living in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He replied that she certainly fit the bill, and, if she agreed to type in the nude, she was hired. The young woman notified the police, and postal authorities began a “sting” operation by sending him fake letters and leading him to believe that he was corresponding with an eager eighteen-year-old girl. His return letters became increasingly salacious and pornographic. He was arrested for sending obscene material through the mail and violating a number of Federal laws.
Years later, in 1917, the Reverend Kelly was arrested and charged with the murder in the Villisca murders. His presence in Villisca on the night of the murders and his sudden departure early the next morning made him a possible suspect in the case.
Kelly’s “confession” was an obvious attempt to create a celebrity status for himself.
He withdrew the confession before the trial began. Kelly’s first trial resulted in a hung jury and he was acquitted in the second. Tradition has it that Kelly moved to Kansas City, Connecticut, and later to New York City. The final years of his life remain a mystery
Mainstreetmoments would like to recruit some would-be detectives and history buffs and try to fill in the missing pages of this guy’s story. A lot of “snooping” can be done on line, particularly genealogy research. Also, anyone out there in Winner, South Dakota got any stories?Author: EVM STAFF on 05/31 2008
times
Ax murderHistory of Dakota Territory (Volume 5)
.
JAMES M. MILLER.
James M. Miller, proprietor of the Gregory County News, published at Dallas, was born
at Espy, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1879, his parents being M. R. and Ida (Hughes) Miller.
The father was in early life a mate on Joseph Stickney's private yacht and later he engaged
in boat building, developing a good business in that connection. Both he and his wife are still
living.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, James M. Miller enjoyed the
advantages offered by the public schools and by the State Normal, while later he pursued
a special law course in the University of Pennsylvania, thinking to make the practice of
law his life work. Following his graduation he opened an office at Hammond, Indiana, where
he remained in practice for two years but at the end of that time turned his attention to the newspaper business. Tliis was not entirely a new experience for him, for while going
to school and also while in the practice of law he had engaged in newspaper publication,
but after two years devoted to law practice at Hammond he concentrated his entire time
upon newspaper work and was the owner of various papers in Pennsylvania before he deter-
mined to establish a home and seelc his fortune in the west.
Mr. Miller dates his residence in South Dakota from February, 1910, at which time he
purchased the Colome Times, which he owned and edited until the 2d of April, 1915, when he
removed to Dallas and established the Gregory County News, the leading newspaper of
Gregory county. He has a very complete and modern newspaper plant with linotype machine
and the latest facilities to further the work of producing a thoroughly modern and progressive
paper. He is now preparing for the publication of the Rosebud Farmer, which will be a
monthly paper of twenty pages devoted to farming interests in the Rosebud district, the
entire second story of his building to be devoted to the agricultural journal.
On the 29th of May, 1907, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Maude Buzby, a
daughter of Jefferson P. and Ida (Ewan) Buzby, of Wildwood, New Jersey. To them have
been born two children, Rebecca and .James. Mr. Miller is of the Episcopal faith and polit-
ically he is a republican but is inclined to make the policy of his paper independent. He
recognizes what can be accomplished by a live, up-to-date newspaper in a growing community,
for such a paper is both the mirror and tlie mokler uf |niblic opinion and has marked influence
in stimulating public thought and action.)
JAMES M. MILLER.
James M. Miller, proprietor of the Gregory County News, published at Dallas, was born
at Espy, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1879, his parents being M. R. and Ida (Hughes) Miller.
The father was in early life a mate on Joseph Stickney's private yacht and later he engaged
in boat building, developing a good business in that connection. Both he and his wife are still
living.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, James M. Miller enjoyed the
advantages offered by the public schools and by the State Normal, while later he pursued
a special law course in the University of Pennsylvania, thinking to make the practice of
law his life work. Following his graduation he opened an office at Hammond, Indiana, where
he remained in practice for two years but at the end of that time turned his attention to the newspaper business. Tliis was not entirely a new experience for him, for while going
to school and also while in the practice of law he had engaged in newspaper publication,
but after two years devoted to law practice at Hammond he concentrated his entire time
upon newspaper work and was the owner of various papers in Pennsylvania before he deter-
mined to establish a home and seelc his fortune in the west.
Mr. Miller dates his residence in South Dakota from February, 1910, at which time he
purchased the Colome Times, which he owned and edited until the 2d of April, 1915, when he
removed to Dallas and established the Gregory County News, the leading newspaper of
Gregory county. He has a very complete and modern newspaper plant with linotype machine
and the latest facilities to further the work of producing a thoroughly modern and progressive
paper. He is now preparing for the publication of the Rosebud Farmer, which will be a
monthly paper of twenty pages devoted to farming interests in the Rosebud district, the
entire second story of his building to be devoted to the agricultural journal.
On the 29th of May, 1907, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Maude Buzby, a
daughter of Jefferson P. and Ida (Ewan) Buzby, of Wildwood, New Jersey. To them have
been born two children, Rebecca and .James. Mr. Miller is of the Episcopal faith and polit-
ically he is a republican but is inclined to make the policy of his paper independent. He
recognizes what can be accomplished by a live, up-to-date newspaper in a growing community,
for such a paper is both the mirror and tlie mokler uf |niblic opinion and has marked influence
in stimulating public thought and action.)
MurderedMoore family had lived in Colome, Tripp County, South Dakota.
Editor J..M. Miller wrote the following synopsis of the events preceding the brutal axe murder. The contexts of his account have been edited, but the factual accounts are those of editor, J.M. Miller of the Colome Times as published in June of 1913.
(
The many citizens of Colome and the surrounding country had very well-known J.B. Moore and his family victims (who were) axed and battered to death in their Viliska Iowa home Monday night as told in last week’s Times.
Sam Moeyr, a suspect had also lived in Colome, S.D.
(Colome citizens) were even more interested this week when it became known that that suspect of the terrible murder had been a former resident of Cologne the man was S.E.Moyer known as Sam to his Colome friends. He had worked in Colome and was formerly associated with Ralph E Hayes under the name of Hayes and Moyer contractors and builders of Colome, South Dakota.
Sam Moyer identified as suspect.
The name of Sam Moyer brother-in-law of Mr. Moore is now linked with a crime and he is being sought to throw what light on the crime if he can do so about the case. It is claimed Moyer has been about Viliska but now cannot be located. He has been living in Nebraska and is known to be a person of rather nomadic habits, and his last place of residence was either not known or at least has not been made public. A circumstance related in conjunction with the crime is that Sam Moyer who has five children (who) were members of various Moore families had recently made demand on their foster parents for his children and that the request had been politely refused by the Moore’s.
Sam Moyer married a sister of Mr. Moore, from whom he later became separated. She died about two years ago, and the children of the Moyers went to live with their relatives. Moyer arrested (actually kidnapped) and released. The Omaha bee of June 13 gives the following account of the arrest of Moyer at Nehawka Nebraska and of his subsequent release:
“Sam Moyer, a relative suspected of having guilty knowledge of the atrocious murder of the J.B.Moore family and two guests at Viliska Iowa Sunday night were arrested at t Nehawka, Cass County Nebraska at two o’clock yesterday afternoon. Moyer was married to one of Moore’s sisters about 25 years ago, later deserting his wife and said to have had a grudge against the family. Nehawka is about 22 miles south of Omaha. In a short time the whole County o fCass was thrown into a form of excitement, but this abated soon afterword’s when it was given out that Moyer had been released by his captors who had arrested him without any formal papers for the his arrest and literally kidnapping him.
After the arrest by Sheriff Jackson of Montgomery County Iowa and two Pinkerton detectives, the parties’ sbed with all possible haste toward the Iowa County line (at Nebraska City) a distance of four or 5 miles. In their anxiety to know whether Moyer had guilty knowledge of the crime they applied degrees of various severity, the result being that before they reached the Missouri River line they were convinced that they had the wrong man.
(The Editor, J.M. Miller continued)
Arrested Monday morning.
Moyer insisted and his assertions were borne out by responsible citizens that he had arrived at this place early Monday morning and could not possibly have reached there between the supposed time of the murder and his arrival in Cass County. Moyer declares that he came directly from South Dakota, where he had been located for some time.
The facts come from Walter Bates foster father of Charles Bates, who is Moyers real son. While conflicting stories come from different parts of Cass County, facts could not be verified during that night because of the severe of electrical storms in the County and the consequent poor telephone service. A reputable citizen declared that Walker Bates is Ian honorable citizen and that he is telling the truth about the release of the real father of his foster son. Doubt lingers in the minds of many because Moyer years ago deserted his wife, who was J.B. Moore’s sister, leaving her with several small children and declared to have a good grudge against Moore and his family. Another conflicting report that came during the night was that Moyer had been seen Monday morning at Union Cass County, where he said to have boarded a train for Omaha. He is declared by others to have been in Viliska at that time. Whatever the facts may be it is certain that the Iowa party intended to kidnap Moyer and to hustle him to Iowa before he could have time to protest this legal rights. After the release of the prisoner the party of officers seems to have completely disappeared.
Sheriff Jackson and the detectives left Viliska quietly yesterday morning without letting anyone know of their intentions and they crossed the Missouri at Nebraska city shortly after noon. Viliska is still unaware of the fact that the officers and that detectives made a trip to Nebraska to arrest Moyer.
Moyer seen in Omaha
Moyer’s story is partly borne out by a Mr. Peters a prominent citizen of Gretna who told Sheriff Felix McShane and deputy Hunger that on Tuesday evening he had met the accused man in Omaha tat the Union Depot at seven o’clock and had again seen him and spoken to him about the terrible crime. Last night Mr. Peters told the officers of his meeting with the relative of the axe murdered victims. He said he got off the train and started to walk uptown when he encountered him. Moyer had lived in Gretna several years and I knew him very well said Mr. Peters. when I saw him he greeted me first grinning as he did so. I then pulled out copies of the Omaha papers which I had and showed him the paragraphs in which it is stated that he was believed to have guilty knowledge of the crime. He laughed, and said he was going out of the State soon and that if any officers thought he had any clues they could, (contact him)and he would do all of this power to aid them. I advised him to go back to Viliska and prove his alibi, but he only smiled again and went away.
Moyer told Peters said at the time the murder is supposed to have occurred he was in Nebraska, and that he had witnesses to prove it. One particular part of Moyer’s statement to the officers if he is quoted correctly, is his whereabouts before going to an Viliska. He is quoted as saying that he went directly to an Viliska from South Dakota where he had been for some time.
This is not the case. Moyer left (Colome, S.D.) sometime last March going to Oregon where he was employed on a building by W Marley. Marley arrived here Saturday and he states that Moyer had been working for him at Oregon about three weeks ago; when he picked up his tools and belongings and left stating he was going to Salem, Oregon to work on a job there. That was the last Mr. Marley heard of him until his attention was called to his arrest at Nehawka.
Moyer, if he returned to South Dakota, could not have been in the state more than a week before the crime and he was not in Colome.
If he went to Salem Oregon he did not stay there more than a few days before starting for Viliska. About two months ago, the editor of the Times received a letter from him written in Bend Oregon and he expressed no intention of returning to this state. He received the Times at that place and the price of his subscription had been renewed up to this week. It was not generally known that Moyer had been married. This was revealed to a citizen .when his wife died. His son, C.H.Bates, to whom he had been sending the Colome Times when here asking if Moyer was located at this place and requesting that he be advised of hiswife’s death.
Moyer was of a quiet disposition keeping his own counsel there was nothing apparent in his makeup to associate him with the commission of such a crime. He made no enemies as friends believe him to have been the victim of circumstance stances in his arrest and subsequent release the developments in this case however will be viewed with eagerness to determine who in fact committed this horrible murders.
NOTE (the editor wrote) the paper was difficult to read and in some instances the corrections were made but no additions to the thought of the editor were interposed
This writer also found newspaper accounts difficult to read, but facts have not been changed. I have attached other newspaper accounts –If you think that the truth of matters may be resolved by forced interrogation-read on.
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Villisca Axe Murders, 1912
MOORE, SPILLINGER, VAN GILDER, MOYER, BATES, RICKS, BOHLAND, ROBERTS, VAN ALSTINE, MANSFIELD, WILKERSON, JONES, KELLY, KELLEY AND MANY OTHERS
Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 6/6/2006 at 23:19:12
Date: 6/6/2006 at 23:19:12
The following newspaper articles, from newspapers all over the country, detail the brutal murder of a Montgomery co. family & their houseguests in 1912, the hunt for their killers and several 'questionable' confessions. I don't believe the actual murderer was ever apprehended & brought to trial, but don't know for sure. I came across mention of the murders and found the entire case intreguing, but I have no further information. Just wanted to share what I found .....
_______________________________________________
Family and Visitors Killed - All Meet Their Deaths in Bed, Murderer Makes His Escape - Robbery Was Not Committed; Motive for Crime is Unknown
Villisca, Iowa, June 10, 1912 -- Joseph Moore, a leading Villisca business man, his wife and four children and two visitors were found murdered in their beds today at the Moore home. Their heads had been crushed and a blood-stained ax was found in the house. The dead:
Joseph Moore and wife
Herman Moore, 11 years old
Catherine Moore, 9 years old
Boyd Moore, 7 years old
Paul Moore, 6 years old
Miss Edith Spillinger, 20 years old
Miss Blanche Spillinger, 18 years old.
Villisca, Iowa, June 10, 1912 -- Joseph Moore, a leading Villisca business man, his wife and four children and two visitors were found murdered in their beds today at the Moore home. Their heads had been crushed and a blood-stained ax was found in the house. The dead:
Joseph Moore and wife
Herman Moore, 11 years old
Catherine Moore, 9 years old
Boyd Moore, 7 years old
Paul Moore, 6 years old
Miss Edith Spillinger, 20 years old
Miss Blanche Spillinger, 18 years old.
Owing to the terrible mutilation the identity of the two women could not at first be established. The were believed to be Mrs. Van Gilder and her daughter, relatives of the Moores. Later they were positiviely identified as the Spillinger sisters, daughters of a wealthy farmer living a few miles from Villisca, who had been in attendance at a church entertainment here last night.
No robbery was committed and the motive for the crime is unknown. Horses neighing in the barn at the Moore home caused a woman neighbor to notice that no member of the family appeared to be up and about the house. She investigated, and after failing to effect an entrance to the front door, called her husband who also failed. The city marshal then was summoned and the doors forced.
Moore was the manager of an implement concern and a leader in business and social circles.
--
--
Arrested At Nehawka For Iowa Murder
Nehawka, Neb., June 13, 1912 -- Sam Moyer was arrested here yesterday afternoon on suspicion of his having knowledge of the murder of his brother-in-law, J.B. Moore, and seven other members of the Moore family last Sunday night at Villisca, Ia. The arrest was made by Sheriff Jackson and a detective, both from Villisca, who are said to have traced Moyer from the scene of the murder. Moyer came here to visit at the home of his son, Charles Bates, who was adopted by Walker Bates when he was one year old. Moyer's wife died about twenty-five yeras ago shortly after the birth of her son. Mrs. Moore, one of the eight victims of the murderer, was a sister of Moyer. The latter had had a number of quarrels with his sister and brother-in-law, and it was testified to at the cornoer's inquest at Villisca that Moyer had made threats to get even with Moore.
--
Nehawka, Neb., June 13, 1912 -- Sam Moyer was arrested here yesterday afternoon on suspicion of his having knowledge of the murder of his brother-in-law, J.B. Moore, and seven other members of the Moore family last Sunday night at Villisca, Ia. The arrest was made by Sheriff Jackson and a detective, both from Villisca, who are said to have traced Moyer from the scene of the murder. Moyer came here to visit at the home of his son, Charles Bates, who was adopted by Walker Bates when he was one year old. Moyer's wife died about twenty-five yeras ago shortly after the birth of her son. Mrs. Moore, one of the eight victims of the murderer, was a sister of Moyer. The latter had had a number of quarrels with his sister and brother-in-law, and it was testified to at the cornoer's inquest at Villisca that Moyer had made threats to get even with Moore.
--
Niece of the Moores Assists in the Hunt
Villisca, Ia., June 15, 1912 -- On receipt of a telegram from Sheriff, W.F. Fitzpatrick, of Warren county, Illinois, County Attorney Ratcliffe left hurriedly late last night for Monmouth, Ill., accompanied by Miss Fay Van Gilder, the 16-year-old niece of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Moore, the victims of last Sunday night's octuple assassination. They went to see if Miss Van Gilder could identify the man under arrest there as a man with whom she talked on the Saturday morning preceding the murders. The young woman related that she was accosted by a stranger who inquired where the home of the Moores ws located. Later, when she told Mrs. Moore of the occurrence, the latter said a man answering the description of the stranger had been hanging about their place. The Monmouth suspect who gives the name of Joe Ricks, told the Illinois officers that he came from Clarinda, Ia., a town 15 miles from here.
--
Villisca, Ia., June 15, 1912 -- On receipt of a telegram from Sheriff, W.F. Fitzpatrick, of Warren county, Illinois, County Attorney Ratcliffe left hurriedly late last night for Monmouth, Ill., accompanied by Miss Fay Van Gilder, the 16-year-old niece of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Moore, the victims of last Sunday night's octuple assassination. They went to see if Miss Van Gilder could identify the man under arrest there as a man with whom she talked on the Saturday morning preceding the murders. The young woman related that she was accosted by a stranger who inquired where the home of the Moores ws located. Later, when she told Mrs. Moore of the occurrence, the latter said a man answering the description of the stranger had been hanging about their place. The Monmouth suspect who gives the name of Joe Ricks, told the Illinois officers that he came from Clarinda, Ia., a town 15 miles from here.
--
Traces of Fiend Fade in the Hunt
Manmouth, Ill., June 15, 1912 - Joe Ricks, held here in connection with the Moore murder at Villisca, Ia., is not the man Fay Van Gilder saw "acting in a suspicious manner," near Villisca a few days before the murder. Miss Van Gilder, who came here today with her mother, Mrs. Emma Van Gilder and District Attorney Ratcliffe, of Villisca, declared as soon as she was brought face to face with Ricks that he was not the man. Ricks has given a fairly good account of himself to the authorities. He said that the bloodstained shoes he was wearing when arrested he had obtained in a trade from a tramp.
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Manmouth, Ill., June 15, 1912 - Joe Ricks, held here in connection with the Moore murder at Villisca, Ia., is not the man Fay Van Gilder saw "acting in a suspicious manner," near Villisca a few days before the murder. Miss Van Gilder, who came here today with her mother, Mrs. Emma Van Gilder and District Attorney Ratcliffe, of Villisca, declared as soon as she was brought face to face with Ricks that he was not the man. Ricks has given a fairly good account of himself to the authorities. He said that the bloodstained shoes he was wearing when arrested he had obtained in a trade from a tramp.
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Similarity of Case To Colorado Horror
Colorado Springs, Col., June 15, 1912 -- Police officials who are in constant touch with the Villisca authorities find added parallels in the Moore and the Burnham-Wayne murders, which are difficult to explain by the theory that the same person or persons committed both crimes. In Villisca the murderer strung skirts and aprons across the windows to prevent any one from looking into the house. At the Wayne and Burnham homes bed spreads were stretched across the windows. In Villisca, he covered the heads of the victims with bed clothing, wiped the blood from his axe and removed the stains from his hands and clothing; and this, too, was the case here. Here, as in the Iowa town, the doors were locked, an unfastened rear window in each instance affording an means of entrance for the ax man.
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Colorado Springs, Col., June 15, 1912 -- Police officials who are in constant touch with the Villisca authorities find added parallels in the Moore and the Burnham-Wayne murders, which are difficult to explain by the theory that the same person or persons committed both crimes. In Villisca the murderer strung skirts and aprons across the windows to prevent any one from looking into the house. At the Wayne and Burnham homes bed spreads were stretched across the windows. In Villisca, he covered the heads of the victims with bed clothing, wiped the blood from his axe and removed the stains from his hands and clothing; and this, too, was the case here. Here, as in the Iowa town, the doors were locked, an unfastened rear window in each instance affording an means of entrance for the ax man.
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Murderer Was Concealed in Down Stairs Closet
Omaha, Neb., June 15, 1912 -- Mrs. Retta Johnson of this city, who accompanied Miss Minnie Moore, a sister of the murdered Joseph Moore, to Villisca Monday, has returned from that place. "Had Mr. Moore or Mrs. Moore looked into a closet, off from the room where the Stillinger girls slept, they would have seen the murderer, and probably have prevented the crime," said Mrs. Johnson. "Several bags of cotton batting found in the closet showed the marks of a man having sat and stood upon them." Mrs. Johnson says that the identity of the murderer may be determined by a piece of a watch chain which was found in the bed where the Stillinger girls were killed. It had been broken loose, and is believed to have been torn by the larger of the girls, who is thought to have struggled with her slayer. "No one can explain why an unoccupied bed in the front room had been made by Mrs. Moore, and yet never occupied," continued Mrs. Johnson. "One theory is that they had expected another party to stay all night with them, but friends say that is not true." Miss Moore, the sister, will return to Omaha Saturday. She attended the funeral Wednesday.
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Omaha, Neb., June 15, 1912 -- Mrs. Retta Johnson of this city, who accompanied Miss Minnie Moore, a sister of the murdered Joseph Moore, to Villisca Monday, has returned from that place. "Had Mr. Moore or Mrs. Moore looked into a closet, off from the room where the Stillinger girls slept, they would have seen the murderer, and probably have prevented the crime," said Mrs. Johnson. "Several bags of cotton batting found in the closet showed the marks of a man having sat and stood upon them." Mrs. Johnson says that the identity of the murderer may be determined by a piece of a watch chain which was found in the bed where the Stillinger girls were killed. It had been broken loose, and is believed to have been torn by the larger of the girls, who is thought to have struggled with her slayer. "No one can explain why an unoccupied bed in the front room had been made by Mrs. Moore, and yet never occupied," continued Mrs. Johnson. "One theory is that they had expected another party to stay all night with them, but friends say that is not true." Miss Moore, the sister, will return to Omaha Saturday. She attended the funeral Wednesday.
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Hold Suspect For Villisca Murders
St. Joseph, Mo. June 20, 1912 -- John Bohland of Hamburg, Ia., was arrested as he alighted from a train at union depot, on complaint of [illegible] Reed, Harlan, Burge and [illegible] Ledgerwood, who had followed him from Hamburg and who suspect of the murder of eight persons at Villisca, Ia.
St. Joseph, Mo. June 20, 1912 -- John Bohland of Hamburg, Ia., was arrested as he alighted from a train at union depot, on complaint of [illegible] Reed, Harlan, Burge and [illegible] Ledgerwood, who had followed him from Hamburg and who suspect of the murder of eight persons at Villisca, Ia.
Burge received a letter said to have been signed by Bohland, in which the latter said he had a vision in which someone was told to kill all persons who did not "have the mark of the Lord" upon them. His strange act caused the three men to follow him to St. Joseph and ask for his arrest.
At the police station, Bohland said he had never been in Villisca, though the others say they have seen him there. Bohland is a farm hand, and at one time worked for Burge in Gravity, Ia. He denies knowledge of the crime.
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Accuse Negro of Killing Eight.
Sioux City, Ia., July 5, 1912 -- Charged with the murder of the Joseph Moore family of six and two guests at Villisca, Ia., on June 10, Frank Roberts, a negro, is held here by the police. Roberts says he was at Clarinda, Ia., the night of the murder, having gone there to spend his vacation. He has lived in Sioux City since 1906, and for three years has worked as a porter in the photograph studio.
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Sioux City, Ia., July 5, 1912 -- Charged with the murder of the Joseph Moore family of six and two guests at Villisca, Ia., on June 10, Frank Roberts, a negro, is held here by the police. Roberts says he was at Clarinda, Ia., the night of the murder, having gone there to spend his vacation. He has lived in Sioux City since 1906, and for three years has worked as a porter in the photograph studio.
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Slayer's Image in Eye - Photograph of Iowa Murderer is Obtained From Retina of a Girl Victim.
Council Bluffs, Ia., Aug. 21, 1912 -- C.M. Brown of Villisca, Ia., who is in this city, declares that the detectives at Villisca, working to solve the mystery in the recent murder of eight persons in Villisca have obtained a photograph of the murderer from the retina of the eye of one of the Stillinger sisters. The girl, circumstances at the time indicated, was the only one of the eight, all of whom were killed with a hatchet, who had awakened during the attack.
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Council Bluffs, Ia., Aug. 21, 1912 -- C.M. Brown of Villisca, Ia., who is in this city, declares that the detectives at Villisca, working to solve the mystery in the recent murder of eight persons in Villisca have obtained a photograph of the murderer from the retina of the eye of one of the Stillinger sisters. The girl, circumstances at the time indicated, was the only one of the eight, all of whom were killed with a hatchet, who had awakened during the attack.
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Held on Charge of Killing Six People - Iowa Farmer Believed To Be Much-Wanted Ax Man
Villisca, Iowa, Dec. 28, 1912 -- Lew Van Alstine, is held today on a warrant, charging him with the murder of the six members of the family of Joseph B. Moore and two guests in the Moore house last June. The family was killed with an ax. Van Alstine is a farmer. He is said to have had a quarrel with Moore about a year ago. It is known that detectives have been trailing him for several months. There was little excitement over the arrest as sentiment favors the prisoner. Mrs. Van Alstine says she is ready to swear that her husband was at home on the night of the murder and could not have been guilty of the crime.
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Villisca, Iowa, Dec. 28, 1912 -- Lew Van Alstine, is held today on a warrant, charging him with the murder of the six members of the family of Joseph B. Moore and two guests in the Moore house last June. The family was killed with an ax. Van Alstine is a farmer. He is said to have had a quarrel with Moore about a year ago. It is known that detectives have been trailing him for several months. There was little excitement over the arrest as sentiment favors the prisoner. Mrs. Van Alstine says she is ready to swear that her husband was at home on the night of the murder and could not have been guilty of the crime.
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Tripp Co South Dakota, Feb 6, 1914 -- Methodist Minister Arrested - Charged
by the Government with Mailing Obscene Literature -- Rev. Lynn Geo. J.
Kelly, a Methodist minister, was arrested Friday by a deputy C.S. Marshall,
upon a charge of sending obscene literature through the mail. Miss
Jessamine Hadgeon of Council Bluffs, the complaining witness was present at
the preliminary hearing before U.S. Commissioner Ziebach. The defendant was
held to the U.S. district court in the sum of $1000. In the absence of
bail he was remanded to the Federal prison at Sioux Falls to await trial.
It is said that the M.E. congregation at Winner had taken steps some time
ago to have Rev. Kelly removed because of adverse reports concerning his
previous mode of living. The minister had been assigned to Winner only
three months. It is charged that he wrote many obscene letters to young
ladies in Sioux City and Omaha, who had answered his advertisements for a
stenographer. (article contributed by Royce McDowell)
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by the Government with Mailing Obscene Literature -- Rev. Lynn Geo. J.
Kelly, a Methodist minister, was arrested Friday by a deputy C.S. Marshall,
upon a charge of sending obscene literature through the mail. Miss
Jessamine Hadgeon of Council Bluffs, the complaining witness was present at
the preliminary hearing before U.S. Commissioner Ziebach. The defendant was
held to the U.S. district court in the sum of $1000. In the absence of
bail he was remanded to the Federal prison at Sioux Falls to await trial.
It is said that the M.E. congregation at Winner had taken steps some time
ago to have Rev. Kelly removed because of adverse reports concerning his
previous mode of living. The minister had been assigned to Winner only
three months. It is charged that he wrote many obscene letters to young
ladies in Sioux City and Omaha, who had answered his advertisements for a
stenographer. (article contributed by Royce McDowell)
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Sioux Falls Press, July 17, 1914 -- Was Kelly a Murderer?
Insane Preacher, formerly of Winner, May Have Been Villisca Ax Man
Efforts are being made by Iowa authorities to connect Rev. Lynn George J.
Kelley, who is under indictment in the federal court for South Dakota for
sending obscene matter through the mails and is now in the federal hospital
for insane at Washington, D.C., with the murder of a family at Villisca,
Iowa last year. Kelley at the time was preaching at a place near Villisca
and was staying at the home of the minister in that town on the night of the
murder. Kelly now maintains that he is perfectly sane and wants to be
released from detention in the federal hospital for the Insane, but his
attorneys declare that he is undoubtedly insane, and if he was involved in
the crime at Villisca, Ia., he remembers nothing of it now, and must have
been insane at the time. (article contributed by Royce McDowell)
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Jury Probing Evidence - Case Against William Mansfield, Accused of Villisca Axe Murders, is Now Up.
Red Oak, Ia., July 15, 1916 -- the Montgomery grand jury got down to business here today, examining the evidence against William Mansfield, brought here from Kansas City, Kas., charged with the Villisca axe murders of four years ago. It is expected that there is enough evidence to keep the jury busy till Friday when Mansfield will have his preliminary hearing and be defended by his Kansas City attorney. R.H. Thorpe, a restaurant man from Shenandoah, was here today and identified Mansfield as the man he saw the morning after the murder boarding a train at Clarinda. This man said he had walked from Villisca. If this is substantiated it will break down Mansfield's alibi. Mrs. Vina Thompkins, of Marshalltown, is on her way here to testify that she heard three men in the woods plotting the murder of the Moore family a short time before the killings.
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Insane Preacher, formerly of Winner, May Have Been Villisca Ax Man
Efforts are being made by Iowa authorities to connect Rev. Lynn George J.
Kelley, who is under indictment in the federal court for South Dakota for
sending obscene matter through the mails and is now in the federal hospital
for insane at Washington, D.C., with the murder of a family at Villisca,
Iowa last year. Kelley at the time was preaching at a place near Villisca
and was staying at the home of the minister in that town on the night of the
murder. Kelly now maintains that he is perfectly sane and wants to be
released from detention in the federal hospital for the Insane, but his
attorneys declare that he is undoubtedly insane, and if he was involved in
the crime at Villisca, Ia., he remembers nothing of it now, and must have
been insane at the time. (article contributed by Royce McDowell)
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Jury Probing Evidence - Case Against William Mansfield, Accused of Villisca Axe Murders, is Now Up.
Red Oak, Ia., July 15, 1916 -- the Montgomery grand jury got down to business here today, examining the evidence against William Mansfield, brought here from Kansas City, Kas., charged with the Villisca axe murders of four years ago. It is expected that there is enough evidence to keep the jury busy till Friday when Mansfield will have his preliminary hearing and be defended by his Kansas City attorney. R.H. Thorpe, a restaurant man from Shenandoah, was here today and identified Mansfield as the man he saw the morning after the murder boarding a train at Clarinda. This man said he had walked from Villisca. If this is substantiated it will break down Mansfield's alibi. Mrs. Vina Thompkins, of Marshalltown, is on her way here to testify that she heard three men in the woods plotting the murder of the Moore family a short time before the killings.
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Released For Murder Committed In 1912
Red Oak, Iowa, July 21, 1916 -- William Mansfield was released by order of District Judge Woodruff at 3 o'clock this afternoon after a special Montgomery county grand jury refused to indict him for the Villisca axe murders four years ago. The sheriff placed him in an automobile and drove into the country, and it is supposed Mansfield will return to Kansas City, Kansas, at once.
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Red Oak, Iowa, July 21, 1916 -- William Mansfield was released by order of District Judge Woodruff at 3 o'clock this afternoon after a special Montgomery county grand jury refused to indict him for the Villisca axe murders four years ago. The sheriff placed him in an automobile and drove into the country, and it is supposed Mansfield will return to Kansas City, Kansas, at once.
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Confession In Ax Murders Alleged.
Red Oak, March 19, 1917 -- The Rev. J.J. Burris, of Terrillton, Okla., has arrived in Red Oak with a subpoena from the Montgomery county grand jury, which, for the past ten days has been investigating the Villisca murder mystery. The minister, who is pastor of the Church of Christ in the Oklahoma city, declared that a man, whose name he was unable to recall, on his death bed confessed to him of having committed the murders which shocked the entire state, and which for four and a half years have baffled detectives and county and state officers. Mr. Burris is expected to tell his story to the grand jury. He said the confession was made to him in a hotel at Radersburg, Mont., July, 1913, about a year after the crime. "When I arrived at the bedside I saw at a glance he was at death's door. He was in torment and lived only a short time after I arrived. Death was said to have been due to delirium tremens." Mr. Burris said the man began to talk immediately upon his entering the room. "He said he had been guilty of many wrongs," continued the minister, "and wanted to make a clean breast before he died. He seemed to know that he had but a short while to live. His life was passing rapidly and it was with great difficulty that he spoke. He was physically unable to dwell much on details. The man sank back among the pillows. A great load seemed to have been lifted from his mind. In a few minutes he breathed his last." Mr. Burris said the body was buried in Radersburg. The clergyman said that the man told him that he was living in Villisca at the time of the murder and that formerly he had been engaged in the blacksmith business there. He is said to have been part owner of a blacksmith shop in Radersburg at the time of his death. "I should judge he was a man about 25 years old at the time ofhis death," said Mr. Burris. "He has relatives in Villisca, I was told that his sister in Radersburg years ago married a physician and left her home in Villisca to live in the west." Mr. Burris said he did not remember ever having seen the man before he was called to the bedside. He said the man climed to have known him when he lived in Iowa years ago. Asked if he had ever heard the story told by Mr. Burris, Albert Jones, who with his father, F.F. Jones, of Villisca, are being investigated in connection with the ax murder Saturday, declared that he had and that he did not attach much importance to it. Detective J.N. Wilkerson, who is seeking indictments against a half dozen residents of Montgomery county, declared that he had investigated the story and found that it would not stand up. Mr. Burris said he had been in communication with Attorney General Havner in regard to the story he said was told him by the dying man, and that the attorney general had the money with which to pay the expense of his trip to Red Oak. Mr. Havner is expected to arrive in Red Oak from Des Moines. F.F. Faville, who is conducting the grand jury investigation refused to comment on Burris' story.
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Red Oak, March 19, 1917 -- The Rev. J.J. Burris, of Terrillton, Okla., has arrived in Red Oak with a subpoena from the Montgomery county grand jury, which, for the past ten days has been investigating the Villisca murder mystery. The minister, who is pastor of the Church of Christ in the Oklahoma city, declared that a man, whose name he was unable to recall, on his death bed confessed to him of having committed the murders which shocked the entire state, and which for four and a half years have baffled detectives and county and state officers. Mr. Burris is expected to tell his story to the grand jury. He said the confession was made to him in a hotel at Radersburg, Mont., July, 1913, about a year after the crime. "When I arrived at the bedside I saw at a glance he was at death's door. He was in torment and lived only a short time after I arrived. Death was said to have been due to delirium tremens." Mr. Burris said the man began to talk immediately upon his entering the room. "He said he had been guilty of many wrongs," continued the minister, "and wanted to make a clean breast before he died. He seemed to know that he had but a short while to live. His life was passing rapidly and it was with great difficulty that he spoke. He was physically unable to dwell much on details. The man sank back among the pillows. A great load seemed to have been lifted from his mind. In a few minutes he breathed his last." Mr. Burris said the body was buried in Radersburg. The clergyman said that the man told him that he was living in Villisca at the time of the murder and that formerly he had been engaged in the blacksmith business there. He is said to have been part owner of a blacksmith shop in Radersburg at the time of his death. "I should judge he was a man about 25 years old at the time ofhis death," said Mr. Burris. "He has relatives in Villisca, I was told that his sister in Radersburg years ago married a physician and left her home in Villisca to live in the west." Mr. Burris said he did not remember ever having seen the man before he was called to the bedside. He said the man climed to have known him when he lived in Iowa years ago. Asked if he had ever heard the story told by Mr. Burris, Albert Jones, who with his father, F.F. Jones, of Villisca, are being investigated in connection with the ax murder Saturday, declared that he had and that he did not attach much importance to it. Detective J.N. Wilkerson, who is seeking indictments against a half dozen residents of Montgomery county, declared that he had investigated the story and found that it would not stand up. Mr. Burris said he had been in communication with Attorney General Havner in regard to the story he said was told him by the dying man, and that the attorney general had the money with which to pay the expense of his trip to Red Oak. Mr. Havner is expected to arrive in Red Oak from Des Moines. F.F. Faville, who is conducting the grand jury investigation refused to comment on Burris' story.
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Ex-Detective is Arrested in Villisca Case
Corning, June 30, 1917 -- J.N. Wilkerson, former Burns detective who has been active in the interests of the defense in the case of Rev. Lynn George J. Kelley charged with the Villisca ax murders is in jail here charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. Wilkerson was arrested at Red Oak and brought here by Sheriff G. Simpson of Adams county this morning.
Corning, June 30, 1917 -- J.N. Wilkerson, former Burns detective who has been active in the interests of the defense in the case of Rev. Lynn George J. Kelley charged with the Villisca ax murders is in jail here charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. Wilkerson was arrested at Red Oak and brought here by Sheriff G. Simpson of Adams county this morning.
His arrest followed the confession Thursday and Friday of William Walker, 28; E. Boiler, 25 and Harry Nave, 17 all of Atlantic who said Wilkerson furnished them with revolvers and automobiles to plunder the store of F.F. Jones at Red Oak last evening. Wilkerson has accused Jones, former senator, with complicity in the ax murders nad the raid on the store is alleged to have been for the purpose of securing personal letters and papers belonging to Jones. The confessions of the three men are said to have been given to County Attorney Ray Maxwell of Adams county, Sheriff Simpson and Attorney General Havner. They were released on $1000 bond.
It was also learned today that Judge Woodruff of Glenwood today issued a temporary injunction restricting him from making an advertised address at Red Oak and from intimidating witnesses, jurors and state attorneys in the trial of Kelley which trial is set for September 4. The petition makes sensational charges against Wilkerson. It is charged that after Kelley was indicted and before being apprehended, the detective visited Kelley at Alta Pass, Illinois, paid bills owed by Kelley and his wife, took them to Chicago and paid all the expenses of the trip. While at Alta Pass Wilkerson introduced himself to the railway agent of that town as F.F. Jones and shipped Kelley's goods to Kansas City, Mo., consigned to one Jackson. He is also charged with having visited Kelley at St. Louis prior to Kelley's indictment for the purpose of obstructing justice.
The petition also claims that while the grand jury was in session Wilkerson tried to intimidate witnesses and jurors and that he broke into the office of County Attorney Oscar Wenstrand and abstracted certain papers and files.
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"Slay Utterly" Is Text; Preacher Becomes Slayer
Council Bluffs, Sept 1, 1917 -- "Slay Utterly" was the text which the Rev. Lynn G.J. Kelly, traveling preacher, followed when he murdered with an ax Joe Moore, his wife and four children and the two little Stillinger girls as they lay in their beds in Villisca, Iowa, on the night of June 9, 1912, according to a confession alleged to have been made before a state agent and several attorneys Friday morning. Information regarding the confession was given out today by State Agent Risdon and J.H. Hess, an attorney representing the prosecution. Kelly had heard a sermon on the text "Slay Utterly," and, according to this alleged confession, the two words had been running through his mind for days. The night of the murder a voice told him to go to the Moore house, where he picked up an ax in the back yard. He then went into the house and committed the murders, according to the confession.
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Council Bluffs, Sept 1, 1917 -- "Slay Utterly" was the text which the Rev. Lynn G.J. Kelly, traveling preacher, followed when he murdered with an ax Joe Moore, his wife and four children and the two little Stillinger girls as they lay in their beds in Villisca, Iowa, on the night of June 9, 1912, according to a confession alleged to have been made before a state agent and several attorneys Friday morning. Information regarding the confession was given out today by State Agent Risdon and J.H. Hess, an attorney representing the prosecution. Kelly had heard a sermon on the text "Slay Utterly," and, according to this alleged confession, the two words had been running through his mind for days. The night of the murder a voice told him to go to the Moore house, where he picked up an ax in the back yard. He then went into the house and committed the murders, according to the confession.
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Alleged Murderer Of Eight Goes On Trial
Red Oak, Ia., Sept 5, 1917 -- Selections of a jury to try Lyn George J. Kelly, charged with the "axe murder" of eight persons in Villisca, in 1912, was expected to be well under way before adjournment today. A special venire of 100 has been ordered to report. Attorney General Havener refused to coment today on his indictment by the county grand jury late yesterday for "oppression in office," as a result of his conduct of the state's case. He will play as his trump card the confession he says Kelly signed, admitting the murder of Joe Moore, his wife, their four children and Lena and Ina Stillinger, at the command of a "shadow - the voice of God." The defense will repudiate the alleged confession.
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Red Oak, Ia., Sept 5, 1917 -- Selections of a jury to try Lyn George J. Kelly, charged with the "axe murder" of eight persons in Villisca, in 1912, was expected to be well under way before adjournment today. A special venire of 100 has been ordered to report. Attorney General Havener refused to coment today on his indictment by the county grand jury late yesterday for "oppression in office," as a result of his conduct of the state's case. He will play as his trump card the confession he says Kelly signed, admitting the murder of Joe Moore, his wife, their four children and Lena and Ina Stillinger, at the command of a "shadow - the voice of God." The defense will repudiate the alleged confession.
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Jones' To Be Drawn in Trial
Red Oak, Sept 6, 1917 -- That the defense in the trial of Rev. Lyn George J. Kelley charged with murdering eight persons at Villisca with an ax in 1912 would try to bring the name of F.F. Jones, former state senator into the trial was indicated this afternoon by the questions put to prospective jurors.
Red Oak, Sept 6, 1917 -- That the defense in the trial of Rev. Lyn George J. Kelley charged with murdering eight persons at Villisca with an ax in 1912 would try to bring the name of F.F. Jones, former state senator into the trial was indicated this afternoon by the questions put to prospective jurors.
Pearl Kluck, a farmer, drawn for jury service was asked if he had an opinion as to the "guilt or innocence of Senator JOnes" in connection with the murders. He replied that he had but was not asked to express it.
J.N. Wilkerson, the detective working for the defense has frequently charged Jones with "having criminal knowledge" of the murders.
The state is not likely to ask for the death penalty if Kelley is convicted. This was indicated thru the failure to ask prospective jurors their opinion as to capital punishment. Of the seven men examined this morning only one was accepted, bringing the total of tentative jurors to ten.
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Murder Ax Introduced in Villisca Murder Case
Red Oak, Iowa, Sept. 13, 1917 -- Five witnesses, testifying today in the trial of the Rev. Lyn George J. Kelly, charged with the Villisca ax murders, told of the manner and condition in which the bodies of the victims were found. Dr. J. Clark Cooper, Dr. W.A. Lomas, Dr. A.L. Linquist, former coroner, Dr. F.S. Williams and Marshal J.H. Horton of Villisca, the first persons summoned to the residence of J.B. Moore after the murders were committed, were the witnesses.
Red Oak, Iowa, Sept. 13, 1917 -- Five witnesses, testifying today in the trial of the Rev. Lyn George J. Kelly, charged with the Villisca ax murders, told of the manner and condition in which the bodies of the victims were found. Dr. J. Clark Cooper, Dr. W.A. Lomas, Dr. A.L. Linquist, former coroner, Dr. F.S. Williams and Marshal J.H. Horton of Villisca, the first persons summoned to the residence of J.B. Moore after the murders were committed, were the witnesses.
During the examination of former Coroner Linquist, now commander of an Omaha ambulance company, the murder ax was introduced. The blade, blunt side and part of the handle show faded splotches of blood. Dr. Linquist shaid there were no finger marks on the ax handle, which, he said, was streaked with blood. He said the body of the elder Stillinger girl apparently was the only victim moved after being slain.
Opening statements of counsel in the trial of the Rev. Lyn George J. Kelly, charged with the murder in connection with the ax slayings at Villisca, Iowa, in 1912, occupied only an hour today and the way was cleared for the introduction of testimony. Assertions by the state that it would be positively proven that Kelly killed the ax victims and has confessed his guilt, wree met by counter charges from the defense that the confession was by "inquisitional" methods for the purpose of shielding another.
"We will prove by reputable witnesses," H.M. Havner, attorney general of Iowa, opening for the state, said, "that on the morning following the murder, Kelly, while on a train between Macedonia and Hastings, Iowa, told of the fact that eight persons had been slain at Villisca. This was before seven o'clock in the morning and all evidence will show beyond question that the murder was not discovered in Villisca at that time and was not known until between 8:30 and 9 o'clock.
Mr. Havner also said the state would prove the confession Kelly is said to have made a few days before the trial opened, that it was made on the defendant's own volition, entirely without coercion. In opening for the defense Attorney W.E. Mitchell asserted that the alleged confession was worthless except as showing that the state was trying to shield someone. "Kelly was more dead than alive; more insane than sane," after making the purported confession, Mr. Mitchell said.
The courtroom was crowded during these recitals, a sprinkling of women being included. Kelly, who weighs 115 pounds and stands but one inch over five feet, watched proceedings closely and without display of emotion.
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Boasted of Eight Murders
(By United Press) Red Oak, Ia., Sept 17, 1917 -- The confession of Lyn George J. Kelly is alleged to have been made to the state agents, that he killed eight persons with an ax at Villisca in 1912, was not the first made by the itinerant unordained minister. This was brought out today when the Kelly trial was resumed here. W.C McQueen, former deputy at Sioux Falls, S.D., who arrested Kelly in 1914 on some trivial charge, testified that Kelly told him he committed the murders at Villisca. According to witnesses Kelly told other persons who came to the cell to see him that he killed the Moore family and the two Stillinger girls and asked them "how did the Iowans find out I killed them?" A man who shared a cell with Kelly at the Sioux Falls prison testified in the same line. According to this prisoner, he said he killed the eight persons and added that none would suspect him because he was a minister.
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(By United Press) Red Oak, Ia., Sept 17, 1917 -- The confession of Lyn George J. Kelly is alleged to have been made to the state agents, that he killed eight persons with an ax at Villisca in 1912, was not the first made by the itinerant unordained minister. This was brought out today when the Kelly trial was resumed here. W.C McQueen, former deputy at Sioux Falls, S.D., who arrested Kelly in 1914 on some trivial charge, testified that Kelly told him he committed the murders at Villisca. According to witnesses Kelly told other persons who came to the cell to see him that he killed the Moore family and the two Stillinger girls and asked them "how did the Iowans find out I killed them?" A man who shared a cell with Kelly at the Sioux Falls prison testified in the same line. According to this prisoner, he said he killed the eight persons and added that none would suspect him because he was a minister.
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Claim Kelley Was Insane
Red Oak, Sept. 19, 1917 -- That Lynn George J. Kelley was of unsound mind was the point of the defense was trying to impress on the jury in the Kelley murder trial here today. Witnesses called to the stand told of wild ramblings by the itinerant, unordained minister who is accused of crushing out eight lives with an axe at Villisca in 1912.
Red Oak, Sept. 19, 1917 -- That Lynn George J. Kelley was of unsound mind was the point of the defense was trying to impress on the jury in the Kelley murder trial here today. Witnesses called to the stand told of wild ramblings by the itinerant, unordained minister who is accused of crushing out eight lives with an axe at Villisca in 1912.
The defense also charges that the alleged confession presented by the state, if it had been made at all, came after the minister's mind had been weakened through grilling by the state's agents.
The state charges that Kelley in his confession admitted he slayed Joe Moore, his wife, four Moore children and Ina and Lena Stillinger because a voice from God commanded him to "slay utterly."
Witnesses said Kelley imagined he was a detective when taken through the Moore home about two weeks after the crime was committed. Persons close to the trial said today that the fate of Kelley would be in the jury's hands before the end of next week. This prediction came through the abrupt ending of the state's testimony yesterday afternoon and it was thought that the defense's witnesses probably would be all examined before next Wednesday.
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Defense Has Closed Case
Red Oak, Sept 22, 1917 - The defense in the Lynn George J. Kelley murder trial closed its case shortly before noon and adjournment was taken until Monday when the state will begin its testimony in rebuttal. This arrangement indicates that the jurors will have the fate of the itinerant, unordained minister charged with the Villisca ax murders in their hands by thursday or Friday.
Red Oak, Sept 22, 1917 - The defense in the Lynn George J. Kelley murder trial closed its case shortly before noon and adjournment was taken until Monday when the state will begin its testimony in rebuttal. This arrangement indicates that the jurors will have the fate of the itinerant, unordained minister charged with the Villisca ax murders in their hands by thursday or Friday.
Mrs. Kelley testified that her husband's mind had been weakened through overwork. She told of Kelley's arrest in Nebraska on arson charges and testified that on the night he confessed he had set the fires he was at home with her. This she said was her first knowlege that his mind was weakened. Other defense witnesses told of the various indications that the minister was weak-minded.
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October 1, 1917, Marshalltown Times-Republican -- About the only thing so far settled at Red Oak is that a murder was committed at Villisca.
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Noel Killed In Villisca Feud?
Omaha, Neb., Nov. 3, 1917 -- Detective L.W. Longnecker is inclined to believe that J.W. Noel, Villisca photographer, who was found dead at Albia, Ia. Thursday with a bullet hole in his forehead, was murdered. He had no definite theory to offer, but bases his opinion on the tense feeling in Montgomery county. "My only surprise is that there has not been a killing before this. I would not be surprised to hear of other shootings before this affair is cleared up" he said. "Noel," he continued, "testified at the Jones-Wilkerson slander suit a year ago that he overheard a conversation in Jones' machine shop in Villisca. There was supposed to have been a crack in the boards through which he claimed to have heard a conversation between Senator F.F. Jones and his son, Albert. Noel claimed the information he overheard indicated that Jones and his son were afraid of Ed Landers. At the recent Kelly trial, you will recall, Landers testified that on the evening of the murder he observed Albert Jones enter the Moore home at about [illegible] o'clock. His testimony was impeached by the prosecution. Noel and Landers were boon companions." Noel was star witness in the Jones slander suit against Detective J.N. Wilkerson, and one of the strongest supporters of Wilkerson in his fight in Montgomery county, Iowa, to bring about the acquittal of Rev. Lyn G.J. Kelly for the Villisca ax murders.
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Omaha, Neb., Nov. 3, 1917 -- Detective L.W. Longnecker is inclined to believe that J.W. Noel, Villisca photographer, who was found dead at Albia, Ia. Thursday with a bullet hole in his forehead, was murdered. He had no definite theory to offer, but bases his opinion on the tense feeling in Montgomery county. "My only surprise is that there has not been a killing before this. I would not be surprised to hear of other shootings before this affair is cleared up" he said. "Noel," he continued, "testified at the Jones-Wilkerson slander suit a year ago that he overheard a conversation in Jones' machine shop in Villisca. There was supposed to have been a crack in the boards through which he claimed to have heard a conversation between Senator F.F. Jones and his son, Albert. Noel claimed the information he overheard indicated that Jones and his son were afraid of Ed Landers. At the recent Kelly trial, you will recall, Landers testified that on the evening of the murder he observed Albert Jones enter the Moore home at about [illegible] o'clock. His testimony was impeached by the prosecution. Noel and Landers were boon companions." Noel was star witness in the Jones slander suit against Detective J.N. Wilkerson, and one of the strongest supporters of Wilkerson in his fight in Montgomery county, Iowa, to bring about the acquittal of Rev. Lyn G.J. Kelly for the Villisca ax murders.
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Kelley May be Retried for the Other Seven Deaths
Des Moines, Nov. 26, 1917 -- Lynn George J. Kelley acquitted Saturday night of the murder of Lena Stillinger, one of the eight Villisca ax murder victims, can be indicted and retried for the other seven deaths, Attorney General Havner announced today when he returned from Red Oak. He said that each of the deaths in the Villisca murders constitute a separate crime for which Kelley can be indicted. He did not say, however, whether he would push the case further.
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Des Moines, Nov. 26, 1917 -- Lynn George J. Kelley acquitted Saturday night of the murder of Lena Stillinger, one of the eight Villisca ax murder victims, can be indicted and retried for the other seven deaths, Attorney General Havner announced today when he returned from Red Oak. He said that each of the deaths in the Villisca murders constitute a separate crime for which Kelley can be indicted. He did not say, however, whether he would push the case further.
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Detective Falls in Bad
Omaha, June 18, 1918 -- J.N. Wilkerson, private detective, who gained considerable prominence thru his connection with the Red Oak trial of Rev. Lyn G.J. Kelly during the Villisca ax murder case, has been arrested at Ottumwa, Ia., with Mrs. J.W. Noel, widow of a Villisca photographer. It is charged that the detective registered as L.R. Johnson of Centerville and that he registered his companion as Mrs. N. Norton and baby of Albia, Ia. Wilkerson, admitting the false registrations, obtained bail for himself and Mrs. Noel. He asserted that he and the woman were on business in connection with insurance claims in connection with the death of J.W. Noel at Albia. Wilderson and Mrs. Noel will be tried in justice court at Ottumwa next Wednesday. Noel, Villisca photographer, who was found dead last fall in the railroad yards at Albia, was one of the principal Wilkerson-Kelly supporters at Red Oak. His death was surrounded by mystery, but the indications were that he shot himself. The detective who is in trouble at Ottumwa was nominated a few weeks ago for county attorney of Montgomery county, of which Red Oak is the county seat. His name was written on the ballots.
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Omaha, June 18, 1918 -- J.N. Wilkerson, private detective, who gained considerable prominence thru his connection with the Red Oak trial of Rev. Lyn G.J. Kelly during the Villisca ax murder case, has been arrested at Ottumwa, Ia., with Mrs. J.W. Noel, widow of a Villisca photographer. It is charged that the detective registered as L.R. Johnson of Centerville and that he registered his companion as Mrs. N. Norton and baby of Albia, Ia. Wilkerson, admitting the false registrations, obtained bail for himself and Mrs. Noel. He asserted that he and the woman were on business in connection with insurance claims in connection with the death of J.W. Noel at Albia. Wilderson and Mrs. Noel will be tried in justice court at Ottumwa next Wednesday. Noel, Villisca photographer, who was found dead last fall in the railroad yards at Albia, was one of the principal Wilkerson-Kelly supporters at Red Oak. His death was surrounded by mystery, but the indications were that he shot himself. The detective who is in trouble at Ottumwa was nominated a few weeks ago for county attorney of Montgomery county, of which Red Oak is the county seat. His name was written on the ballots.
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Detroit Prisoner Says He Slew Minister, Wife, and Four Children in 1912
Detroit, March 28, 1931 -- George Meyers, 48, prisoner in county jail here awaiting sentence for burglary, has confessed to the axe murder of six persons - a man, his wife and their four children - in Villisca, Iowa, 18 years ago, it was learned here tonight. Meyers' alleged confession came after five hours of grilling by detectives Max Richman and Earl Anderson who had received an anonymous tip by letter to check up on the prisoner. Finger prints of Meyers, sent to the sheriff of Montgomery co., Iowa, are said to have checked with fingerprints found at the scene of the crime. The victims were Rev. and Mrs. JOseph Moore and their four children. Meyers said he did not know the minister nor the business man who promised to pay him $5,000 to kill the family. The offer, he said, came thru an underworld acquaintance whom he met in Kansas City. The acquaintance took him to Villisca, Iowa, about 65 miles southeast of Omaha, Neb., where they met the man who wanted the job done. "I never knew what the man's name was" the alleged confession reads. "He pointed out the house of this family he wanted wiped out. I demanded part of my money from him before I did the job. He gave me $2,000 and said he would give me the rest afterwards. I got an axe and entered the house about midnight. I killed them all, th eman his wife and their four children. They were all asleep. A little while after, I again met this man who had hired me and told him the job was done. I wanted the rest of my money. He said I'd have to wait." When the business man refused to pay him the rest of the money until he was sure the family had been killed, Meyers said he fled the town before daybreak and never returned.
Detroit, March 28, 1931 -- George Meyers, 48, prisoner in county jail here awaiting sentence for burglary, has confessed to the axe murder of six persons - a man, his wife and their four children - in Villisca, Iowa, 18 years ago, it was learned here tonight. Meyers' alleged confession came after five hours of grilling by detectives Max Richman and Earl Anderson who had received an anonymous tip by letter to check up on the prisoner. Finger prints of Meyers, sent to the sheriff of Montgomery co., Iowa, are said to have checked with fingerprints found at the scene of the crime. The victims were Rev. and Mrs. JOseph Moore and their four children. Meyers said he did not know the minister nor the business man who promised to pay him $5,000 to kill the family. The offer, he said, came thru an underworld acquaintance whom he met in Kansas City. The acquaintance took him to Villisca, Iowa, about 65 miles southeast of Omaha, Neb., where they met the man who wanted the job done. "I never knew what the man's name was" the alleged confession reads. "He pointed out the house of this family he wanted wiped out. I demanded part of my money from him before I did the job. He gave me $2,000 and said he would give me the rest afterwards. I got an axe and entered the house about midnight. I killed them all, th eman his wife and their four children. They were all asleep. A little while after, I again met this man who had hired me and told him the job was done. I wanted the rest of my money. He said I'd have to wait." When the business man refused to pay him the rest of the money until he was sure the family had been killed, Meyers said he fled the town before daybreak and never returned.
Red Oak, Iowa, March 26, 1931 -- Authorities tonight were checking the confession of George Meyers in Detroit, Mich, to the axe murder eighteen years ago of Joseph Moore, his wife, four children and two girls at Villisca twenty miles southeast of here. The brutal slaying of the eight victims on the night of June 9, 1912, aroused the country and resulted in the arrest of many suspects. At the time it was believed the same murderer killed an entire family in Colorado Springs only a few months before, another family in Kansas and a third in [line missing & text appears to be mixed up a bit], the most prominent citizen of eastern Iowa. The Villisca victims were Moore, 42, the town, his wife: Herman 11, Catherine, 9, Floyd, 7, and Paul, 6, their children, and Edith Stillings, 12, and her sister, Blanche, 9, who were visiting at the Moore home.
Detroit, March 28, 1931 -- This afternoon the detectives said Meyers admitted killing the Moore family but denied killing the two Stillinger girls.
Detroit, March 30, 1931 -- Leroy Robinson, alias George Meyers, who Saturday confessed the slaying of six persons in Iowa in 1912, and who yesterday was said to have headed a plot of 10 prisoners to break out of the county jail, was sentenced to from 14 1/2 to 15 years in the Michigan state prison at Jackson today. Robinson's confession that he killed six persons at Villisca, Ia., does not tally with the reocrd of the crime, officers said. Eight persons were killed, Robinson's confession accounted for only six.
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