The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-05-22
THE KANSAS BUTCHRRY.
Farther Particulars of the Cher
ryvale HORROR.
"A SoIceress who Advertises TO Cure All
Sorts OF Diseases,

Especial Dispatch to the Kansas City Tines.1
CoFFEYvILLE, Kansas, May 9.-One
of the darkest or lines in the somewhat
eventfnl history of Kansas has just
been unveiled in the north western
part of Labeue county. Those who
have read the papers lately are famil-
lar with the report of the mysterious
disappearance of DR.. York, of Inde-
pendence, as well as number of other
parties The whole county, as well
as all portions of the State, has been
in
FEVER OF EXCITEMENT
Over this mysterious affair for some
time. The other day the untiring
energy of those who have never ceas-
ed york in hopes of ferreting out the
matter was rewarded with develop
ments which need only be known 10
cause ones blood to curdle in their
veins. l have learned the following
particulars of the matter from Mr..
John Keefer, who lives three miles
west of Coffeeville, and who, in COM
pany with Mr.. John M. Csoweil, spe-
cial Agent OF the Postoffice Depart
ment, was at the scene of horror.
1t seems that family of German
people, named Bender, who pretended
to be Spiritualists, were the perpetra-
tors of a series of the
MOST DAMNABLE CRIMES yv
On record. Mr.. Keefers says the
scene of the horrible tragedy is one
mile east and two miles south OF
Morehead station, and six miles north
east of Cherry Vale. The house is
situated in a beautiful valley, sur
rounded on the southeast and north
by range of low hills, and in fair
view of the L. L. s. G.. Railroad, and
many farm-houses, though not nearer
than half mile to any one. The house
is about sixteen by twenty. shingle
roof, and neither ceiled nor plastered.
THE BENDER FAMILY 7i4
Consisted of four persons, father,
mother, son and daughter. The age
of the father was sixty-three years,
the mother sixty, son twenty-seven,
and daughter twenty-four. The son
is described as strong, muscular
man. The family are professed Spir-
itualists, and the daughter claims
SUPERNATURAL POWERS.
sight to the blind, and also that she
COulQ give EOD-
berries, murders, &c. b; -,L
The following is copy of Miss Ben
der advertisement: ss .Hs... a4oaI
PROF. MISS KATIE BENDER 3
Can heal all sorts of diseases; can
cure blindness, fits, deaf and dumb
ness Residence fourteen miles east
of Indepence, on the road from In
dependence toOsage Mission, and one
and one-half mile southeast of More
head Station. KATIE BENDER.
June Is, 1872.
This "Katie" was red faced Young
woman of exceedingly bad repnta-
ton.
The following is partial list of the
victims of this mysterious family
The last of them was DR.. Y York, of In
dependence, highly respected citi-
zen, whose mysterious disappearance
created SO much feeling that large
parties went in search of him. He
was traced to Bender's house, where
they said he took dinner and then left
for Independence, but no suspicion
rested upon them. But
THE WEIGHT OF GUILT a4
Was heavy, and the large number in
search alarmed the family and they
left the house without removing any
thing, drove their team to Thayer and
left, where it was taken few days af-
ter by the Sheriff OF that county. 1t
was about the 9TH of April when
they disappeared. They took the
northward bound train at Thayer.-
There being no suspicion resting upon
these quiet, unobtrusive Germans, and
they not having been very sociable,
and having but few visitors, it was
not known that they had abandoned
their home for nearly four weeks,
and when the discovery was made, it
was found that their calves and hogs
were
STARVED TO DEATH
In the lots. These discoveries at once
awakened suspicion, and search was
commenced in small orchard, one
hundred and fifty feet south of the
house. The surface had been careful
ly plowed by the Benders before their
departure but the body of Mr.. York
had been buried so recently that the