The Topeka state journal., 1901-07-29
NO BENDER ARRESTS.
Deputy Sheriff Returns From
Colorado to Report.

Kansas City. July 29.-Deputy Sheriff
E. L. Burton and Attorney B. F. Dish,
both of Usage, Kan, have returned
from Fort Collins, Col, where they went
with a reQuisition from Governor Stan
ley, of Kansas, to the governor of Col
orado for the supposed Bender family.
Old man Bender, his wife and daugh-
ter. Kate Bender. and John Bender, a
son, are supposed to be living in and
around Fort Collins.
Owing to the absence of the governor
of Colorado the reuuisition for the Ben
ders was not presented Attorney Bur-
ton Will make his report to Governor
Stanley and the Labette county auth
critics and will return to Colorado in a
few days. He found evidence which
makes it at least probable that the Col
orado family is that of Bender which
disappeared in 1873 from a farm near
Cherryvale, Kan.
do you think that the people who
have been apprehended in Colorado are
the Benders2" was asked.
7 don't know said Mr.. Burton,
frankly.
Did you see them7"
Did you talk with any of them7''
DO these Coloredo people look to
you as the Benders have been describ-
ed2''
II haven't any very accurate descrip-
ton of the Benders," said Mr. Burton.
II didn't take any, because in my in
vestigation at Fort Collins I wanted to
be absolutely free from prejudice I
have learned all the facts in the case.
but do not want to talk before make
my report to the county commissioners
and the prosecuting attorney of La
bette county, who will decide on the
action to be taken. They have a de-
ScriptiOn of the Benders and If what
I report comedies with what are sup
posed to be the facts concerning the
Benders. then prosecutions may fol-
low"
MISSING SINCE 1873.
The Benders left their farm, between
Parsons and Cherryvale, in 1873 Since
then nothing definite has been heard
of them. Mr.. Burton was asked this
morning if he did not think that old
man Bender and his wife were proba-
bly, dead.
I don't think it is unreasonable tn
believe they are still alive" he said
They We're very strong, healthy people
and there has never been any record Of
very old people,
L, s, Crun of oswego came to kan
sas City this morning.
It's an nonsense to talk OF the Ben
ders having been killed by a mob on
the Verdigris river shortly after the
discovery Of their crimes he said
There was a big reward out at that
dollars-and these fellows would have
been glad to have brought in the skulls
of the Benders and claim the rev-z ra
You can't make me believe but that the
Benders made their escape. Whether
they have been located in Colorado or
not is another story that I don't know
anything at all about
PARSONS DETECTIVES IDEA
Parsons, Kan, July 29.-Word was re-
ceived here from Frank Dienst which
conflicts with Frank Ayers claim of
having located the Benders at Fort Col
Inns. Col
Mr.. Dienst Is a local detective and
went to Colorado after the alleged Ben
ders with E L Burton. the Oswego at
torney, who has requisition papers He
was reared in Usage township and knew
his neighbors, the Benders all the time
they lived there He writes that the
Baker family in Colorado are respect
able people. in no way resem bling the
Blenders. They all bear good charac-
ters and are at loss to account for
Ayers action.