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Hell's Half Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, a Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier
A suspense filled tale of murder on the American frontier—shedding new light on a family of serial killers in Kansas, whose horrifying crimes gripped the attention of a nation still reeling from war.
In 1873 the people of Labette County, Kansas made a grisly discovery. Buried by a trailside cabin beneath an orchard of young apple trees were the remains of countless bodies. Below the cabin itself was a cellar stained with blood. The Benders, the family of four who once resided on the property were nowhere to be found. The discovery sent the local community and national newspapers into a frenzy that continued for decades, sparking an epic manhunt for the Benders.
The idea that a family of seemingly respectable homesteaders—one among the thousands relocating farther west in search of land and opportunity after the Civil War—were capable of operating "a human slaughter pen" appalled and fascinated the nation. But who the Benders really were, why they committed such a vicious killing spree and whether justice ever caught up to them is a mystery that remains unsolved to this day. Set against the backdrop of postbellum America, Hell’s Half-Acre explores the environment capable of allowing such horrors to take place. Drawing on extensive original archival material, Susan Jonusas introduces us to a fascinating cast of characters, many of whom have been previously missing from the story. Among them are the families of the victims, the hapless detectives who lost the trail, and the fugitives that helped the murderers escape.
Hell’s Half-Acre is a journey into the turbulent heart of nineteenth century America, a place where modernity stalks across the landscape, violently displacing existing populations and building new ones. It is a world where folklore can quickly become fact and an entire family of criminals can slip through a community’s fingers, only to reappear in the most unexpected of places.
In 1873 the people of Labette County, Kansas made a grisly discovery. Buried by a trailside cabin beneath an orchard of young apple trees were the remains of countless bodies. Below the cabin itself was a cellar stained with blood. The Benders, the family of four who once resided on the property were nowhere to be found. The discovery sent the local community and national newspapers into a frenzy that continued for decades, sparking an epic manhunt for the Benders.
The idea that a family of seemingly respectable homesteaders—one among the thousands relocating farther west in search of land and opportunity after the Civil War—were capable of operating "a human slaughter pen" appalled and fascinated the nation. But who the Benders really were, why they committed such a vicious killing spree and whether justice ever caught up to them is a mystery that remains unsolved to this day. Set against the backdrop of postbellum America, Hell’s Half-Acre explores the environment capable of allowing such horrors to take place. Drawing on extensive original archival material, Susan Jonusas introduces us to a fascinating cast of characters, many of whom have been previously missing from the story. Among them are the families of the victims, the hapless detectives who lost the trail, and the fugitives that helped the murderers escape.
Hell’s Half-Acre is a journey into the turbulent heart of nineteenth century America, a place where modernity stalks across the landscape, violently displacing existing populations and building new ones. It is a world where folklore can quickly become fact and an entire family of criminals can slip through a community’s fingers, only to reappear in the most unexpected of places.
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First published March 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 541 reviews
March 8, 2022
Did you know that in the late 1800s an ENTIRE FAMILY OF SERIAL KILLERS were just hanging out in Kansas? BECAUSE IT WAS NEWS TO ME.
Some of it was a bit dry at times, but ultimately very fascinating.
Some of it was a bit dry at times, but ultimately very fascinating.
May 4, 2022
I never heard of the Benders whose unfathomable crimes one hundred and fifty years ago shook the USA. This was one of those read which I choose to learn about people and deeds which may be stuck deep in American heritage regardless of their ethics. I want to expand my knowledge and this book did just the thing. It was not only the heinous murders of innocent people but the following two decades of pursuit that really shook me. One of the mysteries that may never be solved ...
March 4, 2022
I simply can’t believe all the glowing reviews of this book. While it’s written well, the history is deeply flawed with glaring errors from beginning to end. The invented dialog and created relationships simply add to the folklore of the Bender mystery. The author may have done a lot of primary research and traveled to Kansas once, but much of what she produced is fiction. In some instances, her characterization of individuals is unkind and unsubstantiated, while praising others who did nothing other than muddy the waters of a already bungled case. Her entire theory is based on a jailhouse confession of a violent criminal which was never vetted. Significant events and people were omitted outright. Locations are incorrect, biographies of some of the victims are laughably wrong, and other relationships/interactions are pure fiction. This book is NOT true crime, it’s historical fiction. I’m GOBSMACKED this book was not fact checked by anyone before it was published and that it’s been so highly reviewed by reviewers who know nothing about this subject.
January 29, 2024
Hell’s Half Acre by Susan Jonusas is a book about America’s first known serial killer family in 1873. The Benders. This NF book tells a harrowing tale of murders and suspects starting in SE Kansas. This spreads through Missouri and Kansas for many years. Particularly fascinating to me since I live in the heart of this area. One of the suspects eventually settled down in Joplin , Mo. Joplin is also known for Bonnie and Clyde , Meth and the 2011 E5 tornado that destroyed half of our city. (Just tossed that in there because why not) Fascinating story of The Bender family.
April 25, 2022
3.5 stars
Definitely a must-read for fans of the late 1800s Wild West era and history buffs. Not the best read for true crime fans... I was in this more for the crime story and less for the history and that definitely affected my rating.
Historical context: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★
True crime elements: ★★
Hell's Half-Acre tells the chilling tale of one family's murderous ways in rural Kansas in the late 1800s. The Benders, a German family that settled in Labette County, Kansas, spent years murdering men on their travels to the American West.
They weren't caught for a very long time, despite the many 'disappearances' that plagued the area throughout their stay.
This strongly narrative-based nonfiction epic captured the essence of that county during that time—all of the players involved, the town's dense history, its place in America during some tumultuous years, and more. Hell's Half-Acre is about much, much more than the Bender family's bloody property.
And frankly, that was where it went wrong for me.
Billed as the story of this family and their exploits, I wasn't ready for the extremely dense flood of information on the time period, the surrounding families, and the town's history itself. It was a DENSE read of the town and its people, and frankly the horrors of the Benders were often completely sidetracked in chapters spent discussing the side characters and climate around them. It made for a confusing and meandering reading experience, which wasn't helped by the fact that the drama/climax of the work was oddly managed given the pacing of its contents.
As mentioned above, this is definitely a read tailored for historians over true crime fans. Nothing wrong with that at all, but I think the misleading marketing is bringing some of this book's weird ratings.
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Definitely a must-read for fans of the late 1800s Wild West era and history buffs. Not the best read for true crime fans... I was in this more for the crime story and less for the history and that definitely affected my rating.
Historical context: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★
True crime elements: ★★
Hell's Half-Acre tells the chilling tale of one family's murderous ways in rural Kansas in the late 1800s. The Benders, a German family that settled in Labette County, Kansas, spent years murdering men on their travels to the American West.
They weren't caught for a very long time, despite the many 'disappearances' that plagued the area throughout their stay.
This strongly narrative-based nonfiction epic captured the essence of that county during that time—all of the players involved, the town's dense history, its place in America during some tumultuous years, and more. Hell's Half-Acre is about much, much more than the Bender family's bloody property.
And frankly, that was where it went wrong for me.
Billed as the story of this family and their exploits, I wasn't ready for the extremely dense flood of information on the time period, the surrounding families, and the town's history itself. It was a DENSE read of the town and its people, and frankly the horrors of the Benders were often completely sidetracked in chapters spent discussing the side characters and climate around them. It made for a confusing and meandering reading experience, which wasn't helped by the fact that the drama/climax of the work was oddly managed given the pacing of its contents.
As mentioned above, this is definitely a read tailored for historians over true crime fans. Nothing wrong with that at all, but I think the misleading marketing is bringing some of this book's weird ratings.
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December 14, 2022
Susan Jonusas does an exemplary job researching and sharing the story about a serial killer family in Kansas in the 1800's.
The setting is Labette County, Kansas which was established in 1867. The first reported murder in that county occurred one year later. It was a haven for those on the run or for those who lived outside the law.
In 1862, the Homestead Act provided claims to 160 acres of land for an $18 fee. People could keep the land if they worked the land and improved it over five years. The land was actually Osage Nation land but Native Americans were being squeezed out of their lands.
There continued to be disappearances of people who traveled near the Bender family residence in Labette County, KS. On May 6, 1873 shallow graves of eleven people were discovered on the Bender property. The Bender family hastily disappeared before the grisly discovery.
Five short days later, train service was created to take people to see the "Bender slaughter-pen." Over 700 people traveled by train on the first day. Many others rode horses, arrived in covered wagons, or walked to the scene.
Jonusas adroitly describes the various attempts to bring the Bender family to justice. Locating and capturing criminals in the wide expanse of prairie land and the West proved incredibly challenging.
The setting is Labette County, Kansas which was established in 1867. The first reported murder in that county occurred one year later. It was a haven for those on the run or for those who lived outside the law.
In 1862, the Homestead Act provided claims to 160 acres of land for an $18 fee. People could keep the land if they worked the land and improved it over five years. The land was actually Osage Nation land but Native Americans were being squeezed out of their lands.
There continued to be disappearances of people who traveled near the Bender family residence in Labette County, KS. On May 6, 1873 shallow graves of eleven people were discovered on the Bender property. The Bender family hastily disappeared before the grisly discovery.
Five short days later, train service was created to take people to see the "Bender slaughter-pen." Over 700 people traveled by train on the first day. Many others rode horses, arrived in covered wagons, or walked to the scene.
Jonusas adroitly describes the various attempts to bring the Bender family to justice. Locating and capturing criminals in the wide expanse of prairie land and the West proved incredibly challenging.
March 19, 2022
Hell's Half-Acre is Susan Jonusas attempt to piece together the history of the Bender family, who murdered travellers and traders in post-Civil War America before disappearing and triggering decades of speculation and theory as to the conclusion of their murderous story. Indeed, the book is heavy on speculation and assemblage of theories but frustratingly limited in substance. This isn't necessarily the fault of the author but it does call into question the wisdom of writing the book; there's not a massive amount of evidence to deconstruct and the basic crimes and motives of the Benders aren't so extreme that you just have to read about them. Jonusas does a good job with the material but there's just not enough of it to warrant a rave review.
March 3, 2022
I was unfamiliar with the story of the Bender family what a crazy story. I found the subject matter incredible, but the book was a bit off. It felt scattershot. Some aspects were excruciating in detail and some were glossed over. It didn’t have any flow. It was fine, but it just could’ve been better
May 22, 2023
This was coo coo bananas. A WHOLE FAMILY(!!!) OF SERIAL KILLERS. WHAT????
Really interesting read, or listen, I loved the narrator. From the start I knew he was perfectly chosen to narrate this book. Now I think I want a physical copy.
Really interesting read, or listen, I loved the narrator. From the start I knew he was perfectly chosen to narrate this book. Now I think I want a physical copy.
February 16, 2022
I received a free ARC courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Having grown up relatively close to the eastern side of Kansas and given my interest in true crime, Hell's Half-Acre really appealed to me when I first spotted it. The Bender name was vaguely familiar, however, to my knowledge none of my usual podcasts have covered it. So it was fun to delve into a history of serial killing I hadn't already memorized.
Jonusas has produced a very readable narrative that is far more approachable than some others of the genre. She gives a brief overview of Bleeding Kansas (which was very helpful, why was this not in our curriculum in SW Missouri?) along with how many of the communities featured in the tale were established. The context is to the point and gives readers a really firm sense of what to expect from the inhabitants of these small towns. There's a certain sense of lawlessness that clashes with people's optimistic hopes.
Unlike many others in the genre, the murders themselves aren't wholly know. The methodology is consistent -- blunt force trauma with a hammer, then a slash to the throat -- it's unclear who in the family was doing the dirty work. And the total number of victims is difficult to pin down as well. Therefore, most of the narrative is dedicated to meeting the Benders and other major players, then pursuing the family after the bodies were discovered.
One of the aspects of Hell's Half Acre was the sheer length. At 368 pages, it's really not terribly long, but it feels like it's closer to 500 pages. Most of the book feels like it is ascending towards a climax that never comes even after Ed York finds his brother's grave in the orchard. I believe this is due to the very drawn-out build up to the discovery of the victims and the inevitably fact that the story doesn't end with a sense of closure for the reader. Seeing as the Benders were never apprehended, there are still many unanswered questions -- why did they select these particular victims? How were the Benders even related? And where did they go after Alexander York's investigation of his brother's disappearance led them to flee Kansas?
For a crime committed in the late 19th century, I was really impressed by the level of forensics applied to the case. The folks investigating were by no means trained CSIs, but the attention to detail was way more focused, especially when you compare it to similar crimes such as the Villisca Axe Murders almost 40 years later. Though, of course, there were still plenty of mistakes.
I imagine one of the most difficult aspects of researching this book would separating truth from the fiction. The tale of the Benders spread far and wide, and given the muddy ending, there's a lot of misinformation. Jonusas cuts to the facts, while still entertaining possible outcomes and addressing various snippets of folklore. Still, the ending is far from satisfactory and made even more frustrating knowing this will be one case that will likely never be fully resolved.
But that's not the author's fault! And despite the unfulfilling ending, this is a solid read. Great for history buffs, true crime fans, western readers, and probably your dad. I bet your dad would love a copy for Christmas or whatever. Dads love this kind of stuff.
4/5 stars, perfect for someone looking for a Killers of the Flower Moon readalike and your dad when you're scrambling for a last minute gift.
Having grown up relatively close to the eastern side of Kansas and given my interest in true crime, Hell's Half-Acre really appealed to me when I first spotted it. The Bender name was vaguely familiar, however, to my knowledge none of my usual podcasts have covered it. So it was fun to delve into a history of serial killing I hadn't already memorized.
Jonusas has produced a very readable narrative that is far more approachable than some others of the genre. She gives a brief overview of Bleeding Kansas (which was very helpful, why was this not in our curriculum in SW Missouri?) along with how many of the communities featured in the tale were established. The context is to the point and gives readers a really firm sense of what to expect from the inhabitants of these small towns. There's a certain sense of lawlessness that clashes with people's optimistic hopes.
Unlike many others in the genre, the murders themselves aren't wholly know. The methodology is consistent -- blunt force trauma with a hammer, then a slash to the throat -- it's unclear who in the family was doing the dirty work. And the total number of victims is difficult to pin down as well. Therefore, most of the narrative is dedicated to meeting the Benders and other major players, then pursuing the family after the bodies were discovered.
One of the aspects of Hell's Half Acre was the sheer length. At 368 pages, it's really not terribly long, but it feels like it's closer to 500 pages. Most of the book feels like it is ascending towards a climax that never comes even after Ed York finds his brother's grave in the orchard. I believe this is due to the very drawn-out build up to the discovery of the victims and the inevitably fact that the story doesn't end with a sense of closure for the reader. Seeing as the Benders were never apprehended, there are still many unanswered questions -- why did they select these particular victims? How were the Benders even related? And where did they go after Alexander York's investigation of his brother's disappearance led them to flee Kansas?
For a crime committed in the late 19th century, I was really impressed by the level of forensics applied to the case. The folks investigating were by no means trained CSIs, but the attention to detail was way more focused, especially when you compare it to similar crimes such as the Villisca Axe Murders almost 40 years later. Though, of course, there were still plenty of mistakes.
I imagine one of the most difficult aspects of researching this book would separating truth from the fiction. The tale of the Benders spread far and wide, and given the muddy ending, there's a lot of misinformation. Jonusas cuts to the facts, while still entertaining possible outcomes and addressing various snippets of folklore. Still, the ending is far from satisfactory and made even more frustrating knowing this will be one case that will likely never be fully resolved.
But that's not the author's fault! And despite the unfulfilling ending, this is a solid read. Great for history buffs, true crime fans, western readers, and probably your dad. I bet your dad would love a copy for Christmas or whatever. Dads love this kind of stuff.
4/5 stars, perfect for someone looking for a Killers of the Flower Moon readalike and your dad when you're scrambling for a last minute gift.
March 4, 2022
I had high hopes for this book but was deeply disappointed. There are so many errors I had to force myself to finish reading it because I would not feel comfortable giving a review if I had not made it all the way to the end.
The very basis of her theory, the confession, is unsubstantiated. The was so much just plain incorrect information that it's clear that the book was hastily written and information was not verified. I also felt that the book was unnecessarily cumbersome, even at times a bit abstruse, and unfortunately, I felt let down at the end, after forcing myself to plunder my way through it.
The subject of the book is captivating. The book itself leaves much to be desired.
The very basis of her theory, the confession, is unsubstantiated. The was so much just plain incorrect information that it's clear that the book was hastily written and information was not verified. I also felt that the book was unnecessarily cumbersome, even at times a bit abstruse, and unfortunately, I felt let down at the end, after forcing myself to plunder my way through it.
The subject of the book is captivating. The book itself leaves much to be desired.
June 17, 2022
What an interesting story. Because the case of the Bender family occurred so long ago, there is some speculation and supposition here, but there needs to be. Because of this, it makes for a fluid narrative. That said, I'd love to find out what eventually happened to the family.
October 9, 2024
Just finished:
Hell's Half Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, a Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier
By: Susan Jonusas
New York: Penguin Books, 2022.
I've said for years that truth is stranger than fiction (and can be just as well-written); this book encapsulates that statement. It recounts the story of the Benders, four people who lived in Labette Country Kansas who killed several people who lodged in their cabin for the night and buried the bodies in their orchard while they waited for the bodies to bleed out (in the basement, dumped through a trap door). In my mind is the biggest thing about the Benders was that they were never formally brought to justice for what they did in 1872-1873.
Would highly recommend this book.
Hell's Half Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, a Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier
By: Susan Jonusas
New York: Penguin Books, 2022.
I've said for years that truth is stranger than fiction (and can be just as well-written); this book encapsulates that statement. It recounts the story of the Benders, four people who lived in Labette Country Kansas who killed several people who lodged in their cabin for the night and buried the bodies in their orchard while they waited for the bodies to bleed out (in the basement, dumped through a trap door). In my mind is the biggest thing about the Benders was that they were never formally brought to justice for what they did in 1872-1873.
Would highly recommend this book.
April 28, 2022
I was expecting a true crime mystery when I chose this book but it reads more like that history text book from high school and is just as much of a slog to get through as those high school books. If you're expecting bloody emotional details of the murders, look elsewhere. The historic details of the towns and characters who may have come into contact with the Benders will wear you down to a nub. The mind numbing Kansas history is definitely a distraction from what the cover claims this book is about.
gave-up-on-it
December 18, 2021I'm struggling to get into this book. I'm fairly familiar with the Benders' story and this definitely has a more historical feel to it. It's also very slow going for me. I'm going to try to stick it out and finish it but no promises at this point. -12% in.
This book was provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
This book was provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
June 14, 2022
I don't know if it's from working in a prison for the last decade but reading about criminals is absolutely fascinating to me.
This book was really interesting and I didn't think it was at all dry like some nonfiction books can be. It tells the story of the "Bloody Benders". The unusual family of four disappeared in the night. Shortly after their disappearance their property was searched in hopes of locating missing travelers.
In the orchard, numerous bodies were found with grisly injuries. The cellar under their cabin was covered in blood, described as "human slaughter pen". This sparked a manhunt that lasted for decades.
The craziest part? No one knows what really happened to the Benders after escaping their homestead! The mystery of whether they resettled, were killed, or lived normal lives after their bloody spree in Kansas has never been solved.
Jonusas does a stellar job of incorporating first-hand accounts, witness testimony, stories from the victims' families, and the thoughts of the detectives who unsuccessfully worked the case.
The trial coverage in the book was fascinating. I honestly couldn't decide if I thought the defendants were innocent victims or clever villains.
Well-written, thoroughly researched, and engaging, #hellshalfacre tells a truth is stranger than fiction tale of the perils of the early American frontier. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was really interesting and I didn't think it was at all dry like some nonfiction books can be. It tells the story of the "Bloody Benders". The unusual family of four disappeared in the night. Shortly after their disappearance their property was searched in hopes of locating missing travelers.
In the orchard, numerous bodies were found with grisly injuries. The cellar under their cabin was covered in blood, described as "human slaughter pen". This sparked a manhunt that lasted for decades.
The craziest part? No one knows what really happened to the Benders after escaping their homestead! The mystery of whether they resettled, were killed, or lived normal lives after their bloody spree in Kansas has never been solved.
Jonusas does a stellar job of incorporating first-hand accounts, witness testimony, stories from the victims' families, and the thoughts of the detectives who unsuccessfully worked the case.
The trial coverage in the book was fascinating. I honestly couldn't decide if I thought the defendants were innocent victims or clever villains.
Well-written, thoroughly researched, and engaging, #hellshalfacre tells a truth is stranger than fiction tale of the perils of the early American frontier. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 10, 2024
It started good but I lost interest somewhere along the way. It's my first try exploring true crime nonfiction though, so I'll be looking for more titles before deciding whether it's a genre for me.
April 3, 2022
As a reader of history, I found this book to be so much more than a murder mystery. Jonusas delves deeply in to the romanticized version of the American West, and gives an in depth history of the settling of the state that would become Kansas. The taking of land from the Indigenous People, forcing them in to smaller areas, even though there were treaties with the US government; the treaties were worthless, and they were forced to give up more and more of the land with no recourse.
The Benders were a killer family. Will they be caught, and pay for their crimes? With newspaper accounts, testimony, and other historical sources in state archives, the author takes the reader to Labette County, Kansas in the year of May, 1873. The Benders infamy in history begins.
“The outlaw, like its more law-abiding relative, the cowboy, is one of the most universally recognizable figures in American history. The work itself evokes non-conformity, the promise of freedom, the choice to carve out your own path against the status quo. It’s a much beloved part of country music, a stock character whose reach spans nearly all genres. But it also is a central part of the mythologization of the West, a colonial narrative that obscures the reality of life on the frontier, sacrificing the more palatable history in favor of overarching theme of progress.”
“ The foundation for this narrative was laid over several centuries but came fully in to being in the second half of the 1800’s as America grappled with its identity in the aftermath of the Civil War.”
The Benders were a killer family. Will they be caught, and pay for their crimes? With newspaper accounts, testimony, and other historical sources in state archives, the author takes the reader to Labette County, Kansas in the year of May, 1873. The Benders infamy in history begins.
“The outlaw, like its more law-abiding relative, the cowboy, is one of the most universally recognizable figures in American history. The work itself evokes non-conformity, the promise of freedom, the choice to carve out your own path against the status quo. It’s a much beloved part of country music, a stock character whose reach spans nearly all genres. But it also is a central part of the mythologization of the West, a colonial narrative that obscures the reality of life on the frontier, sacrificing the more palatable history in favor of overarching theme of progress.”
“ The foundation for this narrative was laid over several centuries but came fully in to being in the second half of the 1800’s as America grappled with its identity in the aftermath of the Civil War.”
April 4, 2022
I have no idea when I first heard of the Benders, I’ve just always known about them. Back in the times of homesteading, in Kansas, a family had a cabin on a route followed by a lot of travelers, and they took in strangers for the night, like an inn. But sometimes, they murdered them. And yes, I have also heard that Pa Ingalls may have claimed to have almost stayed with them (it’s unclear who told that story but of course, it was probably Rose who had a tenuous relationship with the truth.)
Now, 140 years later, Ms. Jonusas was able to research and find out so much more about the story, separate fact from fiction, and sadly also identify the truths that have gone to the grave. Most people today will say that the Benders just disappeared and no one knows what happened to them, but there’s documented evidence of the first few places they went after they left Kansas, and probably where they ended up. The searchers came close a couple of times, but they didn’t know that, and they didn’t have the manpower to take the Benders in (I mean, I too would be terrified to try that with just a couple of people. The Benders were frighteningly brutal and I think would most definitely have fought to the death.)
It was also nice to know a lot more about the victims. This has been a change in the last ten years or so of talking about crime–both current and historical. The victims are the people whose names we ought to know, yet often are lost to the sands of time. Ms. Jonusas brings them back to life, heartbreakingly.
Now, 140 years later, Ms. Jonusas was able to research and find out so much more about the story, separate fact from fiction, and sadly also identify the truths that have gone to the grave. Most people today will say that the Benders just disappeared and no one knows what happened to them, but there’s documented evidence of the first few places they went after they left Kansas, and probably where they ended up. The searchers came close a couple of times, but they didn’t know that, and they didn’t have the manpower to take the Benders in (I mean, I too would be terrified to try that with just a couple of people. The Benders were frighteningly brutal and I think would most definitely have fought to the death.)
It was also nice to know a lot more about the victims. This has been a change in the last ten years or so of talking about crime–both current and historical. The victims are the people whose names we ought to know, yet often are lost to the sands of time. Ms. Jonusas brings them back to life, heartbreakingly.
April 2, 2023
This was a fast read for me that was also well researched.
The story itself was quite interesting which is vital to historical crime dramas. It reminded me of Sweeney Todd. A lot of bloodletting.
The ending was unfulfilling but that is no fault of the author.
Solid 4 stars
The story itself was quite interesting which is vital to historical crime dramas. It reminded me of Sweeney Todd. A lot of bloodletting.
The ending was unfulfilling but that is no fault of the author.
Solid 4 stars
March 2, 2022
A captivating look at a rather unknown family with a thirst for blood in the late 19th century.
July 11, 2022
Probably could have been a decent 30-ish page article in the New Yorker, but the author padded it out with a ton of information that adds little to the story.
October 14, 2022
It just kept going. I had to skim the last half because I was just no longer interested. Too much time dwelling on irrelevant details.
November 7, 2022
I'd never heard of the Benders and the 11 murders in Kansas in the early 1870s for which the family was most likely responsible so I was eager to read this one. Given how crimes were investigated and justice meted out in those days, especially in the Wild West, it's not surprising that the family apparently got away with murder, making them most likely the nation's first serial killer family. Relying on material in the Kansas Historical Society State Archives and various other primary documents, the author uses imagined dialogue on the part of some of her characters to tell this story of how a family of homesteaders laid claim to land in Labette County at a crossroads for various destinations. But the farm was only a cover for what actually went on in the Bender house. Travelers who stopped by for food and shelter often disappeared, leaving scarcely a trace. Eventually, investigators found several bodies--the missing individuals--buried in the family's orchard. That discovery was quite grisly, and is described here in stomach-churning detail. The killings seemed so unnecessary, given that the profit from the deaths was so small, and unfortunately, the Benders were never caught and brought to trial. Although the narrative jumps around a bit too much, making it challenging for readers to keep all the facts and characters straight, the blend of true crime in a most unlikely place and American history makes this book interesting and readers curious to learn more. Hardly is one victim introduced and then dispatched before another one bites the dust, causing some disorientation. There are archival photos included as well as several pages of source notes and references.
October 30, 2022
I hover between 2 and 3 stars for this one - mostly because I'm not sure how many I want to dock for its poor scholarship.
Once upon a time, the Bender family were among the most notorious serial killers in America. In the Wild West of 1870s Kansas, they murdered weary travelers who stopped by for shelter on the empty plains. It was a deadly breach of hospitality in a harsh land where the elements and outlaws could kill you as you traveled across the open landscape.
Jonusas provides insightful context into the time and place and writes in a way to make the history come alive. Unfortunately, she does so by adopting the Truman Capote style of narrative nonfiction. The primary sources are often sensationalist enough on their own (she rightfully points out in her introduction that "nineteenth-century newspapers can be unreliable" and the memoirs can be self-serving). It's imperative that the historian examine sources with a critical eye and not take them at face value, as Jonusas acknowledges ("It is always necessary to look at source in conjunction with one another, to understand who they were created by and for what purpose..."). And yet Jonusas relies on a single, unreliable source for her adamant assertions on what "really" happened to the Benders. The Benders snuck out of Kansas in the dead of night to avoid the hangman's noose they surely knew was coming and they were never heard from again. No one knows their fates. But Jonusas writes as if she does, relying on statements from Sam Merrick, a prisoner who told tales to fellow inmates bragging that he knew the Benders and caught the attention of officials who gave some credence to his story. But nothing came of it and it was never corroborated. It would be one thing if Jonusas acknowledged in the text that this was one possible theory about what happened to the Benders, but she writes as if it was gospel that this really happened. The reader has to dig into the Notes section (this book is not properly footnoted, which is its own problem) to realize that all these supposed true details are coming from one source. The Bender family saga is full of false accusations that ruined lives (people jailed for being suspected accomplices and even jailed in a clear case of mistaken identity as being the actual Bender women in disguise, as Jonusas does a good job of describing in this book), so to put forth a new theory over a hundred years later with the fanaticism of these early accusers is, at the least, ironic. Especially in today's world where misinformation is causing havoc, it is irresponsible for a writer and publisher to not make clear what is true and what is pure speculation.
Jonusas not only overrelies on an unreliable source, she also makes up dialogue and details out of whole cloth. There are several places where it is clear that she is projecting feelings or thoughts onto historical personages when there is no way that she has any source for it (i.e., a victim after they set out for their final fated journey to the Benders, when no one hears from them again and they didn't leave any writing behind; or dialogue between the Bender family members when there was no one there to hear it and Jonusas states plainly that the Benders did not leave any surviving writings behind). She also appears to take the primary source and then use creative license on what she suspects the emotions, conversations, and actions of the people were. Here is a comparison of the source Jonusas quotes and how she puts it in her book -
Source from the Notes section (statement of Samuel Merrick): "Kate dressed like a man most of the time. She was complaining how poor they were and how they had to live. John said they would always be worth at least a thousand dollars apiece no matter how poor they got."
Book: Kate was pleased to have a new person to complain to. "I hate living like a prairie dog," she hissed to Merrick. "No bed, no dresses," she spat, "And no money to fix up even a little bit."
"No matter how poor we get, Katie, we'll always be worth a thousand dollars apiece," John teased, then laughed at his own joke. Kate curled her lip and moved away from him. "Shame we can't see none of it."
I understand the urge to make a book more exciting. It is hard when you have dry text. I am seeing this sort of creative license more and more often in popular history books. If the authors would just be very clear and honest about what is real and what is fake, that would be one thing. But it is disguised as historical accuracy, and most people do not check the footnotes or think critically about sources or what the author is likely making up. They are just there to enjoy the book and learn something. Which they should be able to do, in the trust that the author is being clear and honest. Jonusas did write an interesting, readable book, but at what cost?
Once upon a time, the Bender family were among the most notorious serial killers in America. In the Wild West of 1870s Kansas, they murdered weary travelers who stopped by for shelter on the empty plains. It was a deadly breach of hospitality in a harsh land where the elements and outlaws could kill you as you traveled across the open landscape.
Jonusas provides insightful context into the time and place and writes in a way to make the history come alive. Unfortunately, she does so by adopting the Truman Capote style of narrative nonfiction. The primary sources are often sensationalist enough on their own (she rightfully points out in her introduction that "nineteenth-century newspapers can be unreliable" and the memoirs can be self-serving). It's imperative that the historian examine sources with a critical eye and not take them at face value, as Jonusas acknowledges ("It is always necessary to look at source in conjunction with one another, to understand who they were created by and for what purpose..."). And yet Jonusas relies on a single, unreliable source for her adamant assertions on what "really" happened to the Benders. The Benders snuck out of Kansas in the dead of night to avoid the hangman's noose they surely knew was coming and they were never heard from again. No one knows their fates. But Jonusas writes as if she does, relying on statements from Sam Merrick, a prisoner who told tales to fellow inmates bragging that he knew the Benders and caught the attention of officials who gave some credence to his story. But nothing came of it and it was never corroborated. It would be one thing if Jonusas acknowledged in the text that this was one possible theory about what happened to the Benders, but she writes as if it was gospel that this really happened. The reader has to dig into the Notes section (this book is not properly footnoted, which is its own problem) to realize that all these supposed true details are coming from one source. The Bender family saga is full of false accusations that ruined lives (people jailed for being suspected accomplices and even jailed in a clear case of mistaken identity as being the actual Bender women in disguise, as Jonusas does a good job of describing in this book), so to put forth a new theory over a hundred years later with the fanaticism of these early accusers is, at the least, ironic. Especially in today's world where misinformation is causing havoc, it is irresponsible for a writer and publisher to not make clear what is true and what is pure speculation.
Jonusas not only overrelies on an unreliable source, she also makes up dialogue and details out of whole cloth. There are several places where it is clear that she is projecting feelings or thoughts onto historical personages when there is no way that she has any source for it (i.e., a victim after they set out for their final fated journey to the Benders, when no one hears from them again and they didn't leave any writing behind; or dialogue between the Bender family members when there was no one there to hear it and Jonusas states plainly that the Benders did not leave any surviving writings behind). She also appears to take the primary source and then use creative license on what she suspects the emotions, conversations, and actions of the people were. Here is a comparison of the source Jonusas quotes and how she puts it in her book -
Source from the Notes section (statement of Samuel Merrick): "Kate dressed like a man most of the time. She was complaining how poor they were and how they had to live. John said they would always be worth at least a thousand dollars apiece no matter how poor they got."
Book: Kate was pleased to have a new person to complain to. "I hate living like a prairie dog," she hissed to Merrick. "No bed, no dresses," she spat, "And no money to fix up even a little bit."
"No matter how poor we get, Katie, we'll always be worth a thousand dollars apiece," John teased, then laughed at his own joke. Kate curled her lip and moved away from him. "Shame we can't see none of it."
I understand the urge to make a book more exciting. It is hard when you have dry text. I am seeing this sort of creative license more and more often in popular history books. If the authors would just be very clear and honest about what is real and what is fake, that would be one thing. But it is disguised as historical accuracy, and most people do not check the footnotes or think critically about sources or what the author is likely making up. They are just there to enjoy the book and learn something. Which they should be able to do, in the trust that the author is being clear and honest. Jonusas did write an interesting, readable book, but at what cost?
April 20, 2024
As a fellow Bender, these are some BAD BENDERS
August 28, 2024
So this is another book on another old timey case. I first heard about this case through some true crime podcasts, and it is super interesting. I enjoyed the history that was a big part of this book (even if I did skim some of it) and I also appreciated the fact that this author continually reminded the reader of the Indigenous people and Black people who were pushed out, segregated, lynched, and kept in poverty for white settlers to be able to live “peacefully” in Kansas, land that was never theirs to take in the first placed.
What is frustrating with this case, as with all old timey cases, is that we just don’t have enough information. Obviously they didn’t have the technology that we have today for crime scenes, or the ability to track a family across the western United States, so what we know is pretty limited, especially about what happens to the Benders after they escape. This author does her best to try and recreate what might have happened to them, based on the most solid evidence she could find, but throughout the last 3rd of the book, was kind of like “meh” because we just don’t know. What I did like and appreciate however is the detail and care given to the victims and their families throughout this book.
As with true crime today, people are often insensitive assholes who treat true crime like a 24/7 Halloween party with no respect for the victims or their families. I barely knew anything about the victims families from this case. Especially with older cases, because they feel so far removed, I feel like even less respect is given to the victims, one of which in this case was a 18 month old baby girl who was thrown into the same grave as her father to die of exposure and suffocation. I felt better learning about the victims and their families, what happened to their loved ones after they figured out what had happened to their loved one. I think this book is important because it gives back some dignity and respect to these people who have been lost in the drama and made up stories and mythos surrounding this case. It also discuses the people who were falsely accused of being benders or being a part of the bender crimes, and how those people (generally poor people who were different in some way) suffered because of these accusations.
To the benders, I would say, was it worth it? Was it worth murdering people for the very little they carried with them, and then having to run off into the west and live out the rest of your days on the run and impoverished? Like, what was even the point, especially after running away they would have had to use up all the money and stuff they had saved up? We don’t know for sure what happened to them, but i believe in my humble opinion that however their miserable lives ended, I’m sure it was in poverty and discomfort.
What is frustrating with this case, as with all old timey cases, is that we just don’t have enough information. Obviously they didn’t have the technology that we have today for crime scenes, or the ability to track a family across the western United States, so what we know is pretty limited, especially about what happens to the Benders after they escape. This author does her best to try and recreate what might have happened to them, based on the most solid evidence she could find, but throughout the last 3rd of the book, was kind of like “meh” because we just don’t know. What I did like and appreciate however is the detail and care given to the victims and their families throughout this book.
As with true crime today, people are often insensitive assholes who treat true crime like a 24/7 Halloween party with no respect for the victims or their families. I barely knew anything about the victims families from this case. Especially with older cases, because they feel so far removed, I feel like even less respect is given to the victims, one of which in this case was a 18 month old baby girl who was thrown into the same grave as her father to die of exposure and suffocation. I felt better learning about the victims and their families, what happened to their loved ones after they figured out what had happened to their loved one. I think this book is important because it gives back some dignity and respect to these people who have been lost in the drama and made up stories and mythos surrounding this case. It also discuses the people who were falsely accused of being benders or being a part of the bender crimes, and how those people (generally poor people who were different in some way) suffered because of these accusations.
To the benders, I would say, was it worth it? Was it worth murdering people for the very little they carried with them, and then having to run off into the west and live out the rest of your days on the run and impoverished? Like, what was even the point, especially after running away they would have had to use up all the money and stuff they had saved up? We don’t know for sure what happened to them, but i believe in my humble opinion that however their miserable lives ended, I’m sure it was in poverty and discomfort.
May 18, 2023
You probably know the story of the Bloody Benders: a family comes to claim land in a small Kansas town, sets up a grocery store slash kind of place for people to sleep if they like sharing a room with some crazies. Lots of people go missing, and it eventually turns out that gasp, what, the mysterious and creepy family who have recently moved to town and who are always attempting to murder people ACTUALLY MURDERED PEOPLE. An angry mob is assembled, but the family gets away.
I was always vaguely spooked by the idea of this clever family evading the law for decades, but now I learn from this book that it was decades of incompetence, lying, and straight up corruption that allowed the Benders to basically keep living their lives like half a day away from where they'd committed the murders. Real life is so frustrating. Real criminals are so dumb and obvious but we're all trained to be polite so we pretend we don't see it. #fuckpoliteness
This book does a spectacular job of explaining the historical context of these crimes, why they went unnoticed for so long, and why it became so difficult to arrest the Benders even though many people knew exactly where they were. It's not dry at all. The only problem I have is that the straight chronological timeline makes the ending feel weak. A flashback would have given the ending more balance.
I was always vaguely spooked by the idea of this clever family evading the law for decades, but now I learn from this book that it was decades of incompetence, lying, and straight up corruption that allowed the Benders to basically keep living their lives like half a day away from where they'd committed the murders. Real life is so frustrating. Real criminals are so dumb and obvious but we're all trained to be polite so we pretend we don't see it. #fuckpoliteness
This book does a spectacular job of explaining the historical context of these crimes, why they went unnoticed for so long, and why it became so difficult to arrest the Benders even though many people knew exactly where they were. It's not dry at all. The only problem I have is that the straight chronological timeline makes the ending feel weak. A flashback would have given the ending more balance.
March 13, 2022
A creepy account of the gruesome frontier murders in the early American West that I had often heard mention of but knew nothing about. Jonusas is an (I believe) English writer whose fascination with early America (her grandmother had photo albums with images of America) began in childhood. Her true crime debut reads like a novel, about a sinister "family" called the Benders (Kate, John, Ma, and Pa) who settled on a Kansas homestead in the early 1870s and proceeded to lure people to their cabin for provisions, a meal, and a bed, then murder them and dispose of their bodies. Eleven bodies were exhumed from their property but by then, they had fled. Jonusas relies on impressive sources from the Kansas Historical Society State Archives, newspaper articles, books, and publications about the history of the area of southeast Kansas. Suspenseful, poignant, and filled with an atmosphere of foreboding and evil, this is recommended for all fans of true crime.
April 16, 2022
Choosing a rating for this is hard.
-Wonderful, engaging writing: Five stars
-Making up information out of whole cloth, including private conversations among the Benders, themselves, when no one could’ve heard them: Zero stars (we in the know call this “fiction”)
-Useless “references” that are just narrative lists of citations not connected in any way to the text they supposedly support so that anyone who wanted to follow up would have to track down and read a dozen or more primary sources to find the origin of a single fact or quote: Zero stars
-Asserting that settlers to Kansas territory were met with “plentiful forests” (p. 5): Negative a million stars; she claims to have actually visited Kansas. I can only assume that this is also fiction.
-Wonderful, engaging writing: Five stars
-Making up information out of whole cloth, including private conversations among the Benders, themselves, when no one could’ve heard them: Zero stars (we in the know call this “fiction”)
-Useless “references” that are just narrative lists of citations not connected in any way to the text they supposedly support so that anyone who wanted to follow up would have to track down and read a dozen or more primary sources to find the origin of a single fact or quote: Zero stars
-Asserting that settlers to Kansas territory were met with “plentiful forests” (p. 5): Negative a million stars; she claims to have actually visited Kansas. I can only assume that this is also fiction.
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