, 1880-08-01
The Fremont. Neb., Prisoner
identified as the Old Man
Bender,
And the Woman with Him Believed
g to Be the She-Dragon.
Officers in Active Search Of the Bender
. Boy and Girl.
The Bank Of Colorado Cleaned Ont by Its
Absconding Oaahisr.

OMA1IA, Neb, July 31.-The people at Ere
mont, Neb., quite generally believe that the
two prisoners, the old man and old woman
who were arrested few days ago by Sheriff
Gregg, are none other than John Bender and
wife, tie notorious murderers Of Kansas.
At least it looks very much as If the old man
was old Bender. They were travelling on
foot, and made inquiries as to whether any
thing had been discovered about the where
abouts of the Bender family, Of Kansas.
This excited suspicion, and Sheriff Gregg,
who was notified, captured them thirty
miles from Fremont When Gregg
rode up to them, he said: "Heiio,
Katev' and the woman replied, II
amt Kate Bender" Since they have been
in Jail they have made statements which
would seem to lead one to believe that the
man is Bender. He claims that he only lived
with the Bender family, and knew about the
murders; The woman says that she is not
Mrs. Bender, but that the man is Bender
To-day dispatch was received from Fre-
mont stating that all doubt as to the mans
identity had been removed. Mr.. Hooflan,
resident Of Fremont, and who was neigh
Dor Of the Bender family in Kansas,
and knows all about their old premises
and arrangements, and their murders, inter-
viewed the prisoners, and identifies them both
rs Bender's. He first called on Bender In
his cell, and Bender acknowledged Ire knew
him. Bender said his name was not Bender,
and Uoof1an said that he called himself Ben
der in Kansas at any rate. Uo0nan closely
questioned him as to lis previous statement
already published, particularly with refer
ence to the two murdered children, and wlIent
he saw that he had caught himself in lie
he finally said that he helped to put two chill
dren under ground, and then he burst out
crying and exclaimed: II don't care; G.
d. 'em, let them hang me and be damned"
When told that he must go to Kansas he
said he would kill himself rather. than go
there. Hootan showed him plan Of the
correct.
Slr. Hoohan next called On the woman, who
said she knew him. II never expected to
see you any more. DON'T want to talk with
G here We are ceptaret4h tha 1t last Ia and e a hsy
Bender, and there's no use denying that
he any fa E1nGer il that an dsas dso9 saSe 5si aa
from hanging I'll have to hang too.
start I told To- % them we we would be caught If we
came back this way on the main road We
were going back East; had hard time
among the Indians; hardly saw white per
SON." ...
She was asked where the other child was
buried, as only one was found, and She said,
after asking uooiian where one. was discov-
cred, that the other was buried in the south
east corner OF the garden. She said they had
intended to cross over the Missouri River,
and go back East. Young Kate and
young John Bender were. with q
team taking another road. They were
to meet in Iowa, and then some one Of the
party was to 60 to Kansas and dig up 500
buried on the old Bender place.
The woman claims she is. not a Bender,
but says Bender's wife was left in the Choc-
taw Nation, being unable 10 proceed further,
and that she died in 1916.
Uootlan's description Ut the Bender place
agrees with that Of other persons who have
been there. Officers are endeavoring to get
On the track Of the rest Of the party.
The matter will be thoroughly investi-
gated; ;;allu tile parties will be taken to Kal-
sas for further identification. The affair is
creating intense interest here. In 1873 State
Senator York. Of Kansas, brother of Dr..
York, mysterions!y disappeared, and upon
investigating the mystery his dead boIy'was
discovered with tell or twelve others on
Bender's place. The Bender family upon
learning tllata vigorous search was being
made for Senator Fork, fetl before the terri
BILE discovery was made, and have ever since
eluded pursuit.