Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-08-13


II half days, but no longer"
Here the old man was closely cross
questioned, and he finally said: Il
was Mt the Bender house just six weeks.
The Blenders, don't know where they
went went to Jacksonville, ILL.,, tray
cling on foot, calling myself McGrcgor.
About four weeks after the Renders
left Kansas saw Kate Bender between
Springfield, III, and jacksonville. She
had mems clothes on She had had
her hair cut short. ! met her on the
road. knew her the minute | saw
her know Of six people killed while
was ut the house. There was one
family killed while | was there-a man,
his wife, and children, Two of the
children were buried alive. My wife
was born in Illinois Her folks moved
to Missouri Shcwas formerly married
to George Ellison. Her name was
Nancy Ellison before married her y
\ CONFESSION.
! All doubt is now removed The
original John Bender and wife are in
the grasp of the law. Further deyel-
i
and woman lately captured and now in
Jail in Fremont Ncb., show that they
nrc undoubtedly the Kansas butchers
whose crimes gave them Il worldwide
notOricty 4 fcw years ago. 4 Mr.
lIoolnn who for the past six years has
been resident Of Fremont, was for
two years prior to July ii, 1873, II
ncighbor Of the Bender family, and
| hcrdcd cattle within three-quarters of
II mile of their house ON Agreese Creek,
n few miles northeast Of Independence
and about the same distance from the
Usage Mission, ON the main thorough
fare from independence to the latter
place. He had seen the Benders quite
often in hat time and had become
quitc well acquainted Hearing of the
arrest of the old man and woman, he
went TO the jail to see them, and, if
possible, identify them. As he entered
the room in which the old man was
confined, the hitter looked ut him very
closely lIoonan showed his hat to the
back Of his head
did YOU ever see this face before 2
lloolnn asked,
Yes" replied the old man Il
know you, but can't place YOU
Don't YOU know the man that used
to herd near your place III Kansas
llooilnn inquired
The old man became excited. My
God, yes" he answered. How did
you come hcre?"
''Why, all of labette county are up
here to see YOU, the hcrder said.
The old mans voice dropped. He
furtively eyed Mr.. Hooilnn. "You know
that never done any harm i'll my
life, he said plaintivc tome.
"Wcll, if you haven't returned the
drover, they're lying terribly about
you"
The old man moistcncd his lips and
drew u long breath. "Wcll, he said,
my name is not Bender
"lour name may not be Bender"
said the hcrlcr, "hut Won told me re
pcatcdly that was your name in Kan
sas, and it, no usc for Won 70 deny il
hero"
II was there" snid the old man,
"und remember You distinctly, but
had nothing Is 10 With any Of those
murders.
Did You over see anybody murdered
there Mr. llollun asked
- saw eleven persons murdered
there, the old mum coolly replied
WAS there more than one child
murdered ~ the hcrdcr inquired.
There were two buried the old
man answered,
How do you know -
why, | saw them taken ont of the
room asleep and put into the grave. IL
Was in an out bedroom.
"Thcrc is no use saving that, there
was no bedroom IN the house. Mr..
llootlan remarked
II was in the back room, said the
old man.
You couldn't see into the peach
orchard from the back room.
But seen them III the grave the
| next day. the Old man said
GLOW could vou sce Them the
hrrdcr asked
They wore covered ny Did you
take the dirt Of them =
"rhcy were only buried six inches
under the ground, the old man re
piled.
"rhat's lie, exclaimed Mr. Shed
who was listening 10 the conversation
You can't see six inches under the
ground.
The old man then confessed that he
helped to bury them, burst out crying
and exclaimed II don't care H.;
let them hang me and be damned.
On being told he would have 10 20 Il
Kansas he sworc that he would not go
He said that he would 20 anywhere
else, and would kill himself before h1
! would SO there, llootlun showed him
Il plan of the house and surroundings
which hc acknowledged was correct.
llootlau then went and saw the No.
, man. Shc began laughing when sh,
SAM him. Mhen asked ii Size knew him
She answered, YES, | III know him
How do you do, Mr llulan9a I'LL,
namc she WAS Won't q use. never
! expected II sce you any more dom
| want IL talk u you here We are talr
turcd III last and they Mil hing rs
!, You know that. That's John Bender
4 Il.