Kate Bender: The Bloody Benders' Matriarch
Background
Kate Bender was a central figure in the infamous "Bloody Benders," a family of serial killers who operated in Labette County, Kansas, between 1871 and 1873. The family consisted of John Bender Sr., his wife Elvira (also known as Almira), their son John Jr., and daughter Kate. They ran a small inn and general store that catered to travelers along the Great Osage Trail. Kate, the most sociable member, advertised herself as a healer and spiritualist, offering séances and lectures on spiritualism, which drew many visitors to their establishment.
Modus Operandi
The Benders' method of operation was both cunning and gruesome. They would invite travelers to dine with them, seating guests at a place of honor near a canvas partition. While the guest was distracted, typically by Kate's engaging conversations, one of the male family members would strike the victim on the head from behind the curtain with a hammer. The body would then be dropped through a trap door into the cellar, where it was stripped of valuables and later buried in the family's orchard or garden.
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