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The letters in this file pertain to matters related to the Bender Case. The Bender family, John Sr., John Jr., and wife and daughter both named Kate were serial killers from 1871-1873. The family lived near the town of Cherryvale, where they had run a small inn and grocery store. It is recorded that they killed at least eleven people. A letter on May 14, 1877, from T. L. Golden of Salem, Oregon, requests a description of the Bender family and states that he has seen a family that lives in the mountains, who have plenty of money but doesn't send nor receive any letters. A telegraph on April 8, 1877, from Arkansas Governor W. R. Miller, states they have arrested a party as Bender alias Kiefer family and asks to have them returned home free of charge if found innocent. A letter on February 30, 1878, from Henry Lash of Albany, Oregon, informs that he has discovered Kate Bender and requests Governor Anthony to send requisition for her arrest and appoint him as an agent. Additional documents in this file pertain to similar matters such as requests for descriptions of the Bender's and correspondence stating they have found the Bender's hideout. To date, it is unknown what happened to the Bender family.
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1877-1879: Anthony)
Date: 1877- 1878
Item Number: 454068
Call Number: Governor's Office, Governor George Tobey Anthony, Correspondence Files, Subject Files, Box 3 Folder 15
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 454068
Collections - State Archives - Governor's Records - Anthony, George Tobey
Date - 1870s - 1877
Date - 1870s - 1878
Government and Politics - Crime and Punishment - Crime - Murder
Government and Politics - State Government - Governors - Anthony, George Tobey
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Correspondence
People - Criminals - Bender Family
People - Notable Kansans - Anthony, George Tobey, 1824-1896
Places - Other States - Oregon
Thematic Time Period - Immigration and Settlement, 1854 - 1890
Type of Material - Unpublished documents - Government records - Correspondence
https://www.kansasmemory.gov/item/454068