We’ve talked about another clan…Sawney Beane’s clan. That massive 48-incestuous member family of human hunting, flesh eating, cannibal killers. But that family was located off the Galloway coast in Scotland. And, if you’ve listened to part 2 of that - then you know our feelings about that family.
So, we will move on. On to another clan. One that originated in the USofA. This family is known as America’s first family of Serial Killers. Again, not one of Brittany’s favorite topics…but I’m gonna reel her in on this one, I promise! Their story begins much like all the other families of that time period. We’re at a time in US history when the Homestead Act of 1862 just went into effect. October of 1870 - five families move to this Osage area and settle around 7 miles from where the city of Cherryvale would be established later on, in 1880. One of these families was, yup, you guessed it, the Benders. A family of 4; Ma, Pa, Jr. and Kate.
And they moved onto a 160 acre property facing the Osage Trail.
They ended up using canvas to spit their ONE ROOM cabin into two rooms. The back room remained as a sort of living quarters for the family. The front section, however, was converted into a general store, kitchen, and dining area where those who were passing through could grab a warm meal, some dry goods to take with them along their travels, or a good night’s rest. This was known as Bender Inn. But they definitely wouldn’t receive 5 stars on Yelp, that’s for sure.
To earn money…and apparently thrills…Sr. and Ma ran this crude ramshackle killer hotel of sorts, with their Jr. and Kate. Fun! A family affair! Now, although the number isn’t quite as high as the Beane clan’s numbers; there were still more than a dozen travelers who never made it out of that hotel.
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Check back tomorrow for Part 2!
Sources will be up on the website soon.