Legends of the Old West

Episode: [ENCORE] FRONTIER TRAGEDY Ep. 6 | Bloody Benders, Part 2
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Chris Wimmer (Black Barrel Media)

Episode Overview

This episode brings the chilling conclusion to the story of the Bloody Benders—a Kansas frontier family who became notorious for a series of gruesome murders in the early 1870s. The episode recounts the discovery of the Bender family's crimes, the search for their victims, the community's response, and the ultimate disappearance of the murderers. Through eyewitness accounts, methodical investigation, and historical sources, host Chris Wimmer explores how the Bender homestead became known as "Hell’s Half Acre" and why the Benders' fate remains one of the West’s enduring mysteries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery at the Bender Cabin (01:01–04:40)

• The Search Begins: At dawn on May 6, 1873, township trustee Leroy Dick and volunteers arrive at the abandoned Bender cabin. Three teams are dispatched to search the area.
• Grisly Evidence: Inside the cabin, a foul stench and a blood-soaked cellar suggest horrors beneath. Despite the overpowering odor of decomposition—familiar to Civil War veterans—there are initially no bodies, but blood is found saturating the soil under the cellar’s sandstone floor.
• First Grave Found: At sunset, Edward York notices disturbed earth beneath apple saplings. Probing the soil, he uncovers the first body—his missing brother, William York.

“He tried not to vomit. Many of these men, including Leroy, were Civil War veterans. They knew the smell of human decomposition and they were smelling it now.”
— Chris Wimmer (01:50)

2. Tracing the Disappearances (04:41–10:00)

• The Longcourt Family: In December 1872, George Longcourt and his infant daughter go missing after presumably stopping at the Bender cabin while traveling to Iowa. The York family becomes involved when alerted by George’s in-laws.
• Mounting Suspicion: William and Alexander York investigate with Leroy Dick, who admits to longstanding rumors—seances, missing travelers, horse theft—centering on the Benders.

3. Confrontation & Evasion (13:09–16:30)

• York’s Visit: On March 28, 1873, the York brothers visit the Bender cabin, greeted by Kate and John Gephart. Kate claims clairvoyant powers, stalling the investigators and offering to “consult with the spirits.” John diverts attention with unrelated stories.
• Tip-Off & Delays: Plans are made for a legal search of the cabin, but heavy rains stall efforts for weeks.

“The Senator was patient, but the other men weren’t…”
— Chris Wimmer (13:40)

4. The Benders Flee (16:31–18:40)

• In early May, neighbor Billy Toll discovers evidence of abandonment and neglect—starving animals, overwhelming stench, and a deserted house filled with rot. News reaches Leroy Dick, prompting him to begin official inventory and investigation. The Benders’ wagon is later found abandoned, confirming their disappearance.

5. Unearthing the Crimes (01:01–06:00 & 18:41–24:00)

• The Dreadful Inventory: Returning with volunteers, Dick finds blood, hidden hammers (potential murder weapons), and no trace of the family. A search of the property reveals multiple burial sites.
• Victim List Grows: Bodies unearthed include William York, Henry Mackenzie, William McCrady, Benjamin Brown, Johnny Broyle, George Longcourt, and his infant daughter Mary Ann—many showing similar fatal blows to the head and cut throats.
• Modus Operandi: Victims were lured by seances or hospitality, seated at the table, and murdered from behind the curtain; valuables were stolen.

“Kate had advertised herself to the community as a spiritualist who communicated with the dead… Then Pa Bender or John Gephardt, or both, would sneak up… hit the victims in the head with a hammer.”
— Chris Wimmer (24:56)

6. Community & Media Frenzy (24:00–27:30)

• Aftermath: Over 3,000 visit the crime scene—now called “Hell’s Half Acre”—within days. The papers sensationalize the Bender atrocities, and massive rewards are posted for information.
• Rumors and Red Herrings: Locals are arrested and accused as potential accomplices, but these turn out to be false leads.

7. The Vanishing (27:30–29:30)

• Flight from Justice: Tracking the Benders’ escape, investigators find they split up via train after reaching Thayer. Despite numerous tips over 15 years, the family is never conclusively found.
• 1889 Court Case: Two women are tried as Ma and Kate Bender, prompting controversy and mistaken identity—but they are ultimately acquitted.

8. Legacy of Horror and Unanswered Questions (29:31–34:45)

• No Closure: The Bender fate remains unknown. Their homestead is stripped for souvenirs, and current efforts to identify the true location of the cabin continue. History immortalizes them as figures of terror.

“Maybe one day a tip or a family diary will explain exactly where the Benders fled to and what became of them. Until that day... the Benders vanished from history, only to reappear in nightmares.”
— Chris Wimmer (34:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the horrors in the cellar:
  “The soil was drenched with human blood, both new and old. There were no bodies, but there certainly had been at some point.”
  — Chris Wimmer (02:55)

• On the depravity of the murders:
  “The doctor found no marks on her [Mary Ann’s] body and no signs of strangulation or cut cutting. He was left with the heartbreaking conclusion that she had been buried alive.”
  — Chris Wimmer (24:45)

• On the fevered aftermath:
  “On May 15 alone, more than 3,000 people visited the scene of The Cherryvale Horror… The papers dubbed the scene Hell's Half Acre.”
  — Chris Wimmer (25:20)

• On the unsolved mystery:
  “The precise route of the old Osage trail is still debated, which makes it hard to find the exact location of the Bender cabin and its orchard. Maybe one day a tip or a family diary will explain exactly where the Benders fled to and what became of them.”
  — Chris Wimmer (34:20)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 01:01 — Searchers begin investigation at Bender cabin; discovery of blood and missing bodies.
• 04:41 — Background on George Longcourt’s disappearance and the York family’s involvement.
• 13:09 — York brothers’ visit to the Bender home and encounter with Kate Bender.
• 18:41 — The Benders’ flight becomes evident; neighbors discover deserted property.
• 24:08 — Main discoveries of graves and victim accounts; breakdown of Bender modus operandi.
• 25:20 — The crime scene draws media and public frenzy; search for the Benders intensifies.
• 29:31 — Ongoing search, subsequent false leads, and court case in 1889.
• 34:30 — Episode closes with reflection on the Benders’ legacy and enduring mystery.

Tone & Style

The episode mixes historical narrative with a chilling, investigative tone. Chris Wimmer’s storytelling balances grim detail with the emotional weight of the victims and the lasting effects on the community, using language that is evocative but measured.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a gripping and thorough account of one of the West’s darkest folklore chapters. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the Benders, the structure and narration make the bizarre and horrifying story accessible and absorbing. The questions surrounding their fate—and the enduring terror they inspired—leave a lasting impression.

Next episode: The story of Buffalo Bill Cody—legendary scout, frontiersman, and showman.