19th Century Family of Killers Opened B&B to Lure Victims | Heinous History

In the 1870's, travelers started disappearing off the Osage Trail in Kansas. It would take 3 years, but the local and the world would finally crack the case. And they would discover a house of horrors.

Chapters:
Intro 0:00
Toon Blast 1:00
The Bender's 2:54

Sources:

[BrianMills-bi]

My 2x great granddad stayed there when he was traveling. He had settled in Chataqua County Kansas and had to haul lumber to build his house because there were no trees in the area he settled then. He was also a Marshal. He had a strange feeling about them and wouldn’t eat at their table. He left with his wagon in the very earthly morning. I still own his homestead.

[mirrage]

There is a Laura Ingalls Wilder connection to this story. In 1937, at a Detroit book fair, she told of her family passing by the Bender place and that Kate Bender was standing in the doorway. The Ingalls couldn’t afford to pay for lodging so went on their way. After the bodies were found she related how a neighbor came by and, out of her and her sister’s hearing, spoke “earnestly” with Pa, (Charles Ingalls). He then took his gun down, and loaded it, telling his family “The vigilantes are called out”. He did not return until the next morning. When asked what happened to the Benders, he said, “with a strange tone of finality” that “They will never be found.”

[QUVO]

That must be where Rob Zombie got his inspiration from for House of 1000 Corpses. I couldn't imagine running into not one but an entire family of serial killers like what are the odds. Wild.

[jill]

The older cases are my favorite because I've never heard of them before. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend

[shaestewart]

The surname Bender is the Americanized version of the the German surname Fassbender along with several other German variations ending in “bender”. So it’s very likely the Benders did emigrate from Germany. That said, and just as Sommar noted, it’s also very possible the Benders were not actually blood relatives and more of a chosen family. This was fairly common back then when folks often died fairly young leaving their younger family members to live with family friends or distant relatives (frequently so distant that the relatives were essentially strangers). Also, if people wanted to try their luck in America, but they couldn’t convince family to move with them, people would join up with other travelers for safety and companionship.

In the case of the Bloody Benders, I have often wondered if Kate was some sort of beautiful and charismatic spiritualist/tea leaf reader/psychic-medium who was basically a kind of cult leader. Perhaps she convinced the various “family members” of her value as a leader by first impressing them with her spiritualist parlor tricks. Perhaps she used cold readings (and other “psychic” trickery) to convince them she could talk to their dead loved ones or something similar. Then, once they were convinced enough to elevate her as their chosen one (or whatever they called her), Kate had them all move west; initially they went to take advantage of the cheap land. Then, once they settled in Kansas, Kate had them use their cover story of hardworking and trustworthy homesteaders who also run a little inn for travelers in order to get her money making scam up and profiting for them.

They were such a strange group with very few similarities to distinguish them as blood relatives. I definitely feel something else was going on.

Great work, Sommar!

[HAL-ynzj]

I think I heard of a similar case, I think it was on buzzfeed unsolved about a man and woman that were married that kill travelers and dump their bodies threw a trap door into the cellar. You might want to check it out, maybe it was 2 of the same people years later, cause how common would it be to kill travelers and have a trap door for their bodies? They were eventually hung for their crimes but the lady said that they would never hang a married lady, so they hung the husband first, so she wasn't married anymore, then they hung her. She even wore her wedding dress to her own hanging.

[dennismitchell]

This is one of the best coverages of this I've heard . Another youtuber covered this case and said that the Ingalls ( Little House On The Prairie ) Family had stopped here for an overnight stay but because they didn't have enough money to stay inside they had to sleep in their wagon instead (talk about dodging a bullet or rather a hammer ) . I love these old cases Sommer, your channel rocks ! . 👍👍

[mikehat]

Girl how did you know I was looking for something to listen to during computer work right now? No one tells an engaging story with respect to victims and survivors like Summer

[vickiewallace]

Still would love to see you do a deep dive on the Fred Tokars case in Atlanta back in the 90’s… it’s got everything from strippers and nightclubs to high-powered attorneys having their wives murdered in front of their children. It was awful.

[southrnlvingsc]

This case is strikingly similar to the case out of Charleston, SC from the early 1800's, about Lavinia Fisher, who was called "the first female serial killer in the United States." She and her husband had a little roadside inn and they did the same thing the Binders did. She was considered to be strikingly beautiful and very charming and she would use this to lure unwitting victims to their deaths. The Lavinia Fisher story would be a great one for your channel!

[jamiejam]

Horses often chew/eat wood when they’re bored, lacking nutrients (less common), or cribbing (kind of like horse OCD)! I don’t doubt that the Bender’s horses were abandoned for quite a while, but it’s just an interesting fun fact that horses sometimes choose to eat wood, even when they’re fully fed and cared for! However, it’s definitely bad for the horse.

Thank you for yet another fascinating heinous history case! You always do a great job covering these. Keep up the good work and congrats on 100k! ❤️

[liyah]

I think you would be super fascinated in the history of the crescent hotel located in Eureka Springs AR. There's the most famous case of the quack doctor "treating" patients for cancer, but the hotel has a whole history in itself. The entire town really. I went on a ghost tour when I stayed there with a friend and the basement right beyond the spa and housekeeping area is still set up as a morgue. It's so good and I really think you'd love covering it!

[vickiewallace]

No matter how often I hit the bell it NEVER tells me when you post! I got lucky today! Thanks for another amazing video… it is very obvious how much effort and research you put in to your contact! Thank you so much

[tatywyatt]

this was right on time! i had to braid down my hair for my wig 😂 and this got me through it . i love these old cases ! and as always you did an amazing job telling the story. i’m also very grateful im in a time where forensic science has grown🥴 can you tell the case of Will and William West….the ‘birth’ of fingerprinting? they were inmates with similar names and body measurements in the same prison and it kicked off fingerprinting.

[biancarodriguez]

By far my favorite YouTuber on true crime ! No one does cults and history like you ! Happy Friday !

[transatlanticsilkcottonfabrics]

It’s amazing how you managed to get around the words blatant genocide of indigenous people, stolen land, a whole war fought over “I want slaves” and “slavery is bad”.
You’re great ❤

[juliuswilliams]

Thanks! CRAZY STORY!!! Love Your Videos. More Old Cases Please.

[lacievanatta]

Sitting here waiting for my husband to get off work. Perfect timing! I've never heard of this case and I can't wait to hear your story. You're awesome! As always, sending love ❤️

[scottbiddle]

34:47 Sommer some of the other commenters have said it perfectly. It's not just the work that you put into each story. It's the manner that you tell it. Very pleasantly spoken, with appropriate warnings when needed. You are very pretty also your background & lighting are great. Always a very interesting storyline. This is why we love your channel. As always, i only click on your like button and comment for each episode. I agree with one of the other comments. I would like to hear more about the Ant Hill Kids. If you get the chance to research them. I was greatful to see a Friday show. Please keep up the great work. I hope you have a great weekend!😊🎉

[xitsmedianax]

Heartbreaking to hear the baby being buried alive next to her father 💔