Governor George Anthony compiled this series of correspondence on crime and criminals, specifically the Bender case, from letters received while in office from 1877-1879. The Bender family operated a remote road house near Cherryvale, Kansas. When several travelers disappeared, local residents became suspicious of the Benders. A search of the property revealed eleven bodies buried in the yard, all of them dead from severe blows to the head. The Bender family members escaped and were never found. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.
Kansas Memory
Kansas Historical Society
Governor George Anthony crime and criminals received correspondence, Bender case - 11