Near Cherryvale in Montgomery County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Bloody Benders
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 18, 2011
1. The Bloody Benders Marker
Near here are the Bender Mounds, named for the infamous Bender family ~~ John, his wife, son, and daughter Kate ~~ who settled here in 1871. Kate soon gained notoriety as a self proclaimed healer and spiritualist. Secretly, the four made a living through murder and robbery.
Located on a main road, the Benders sold meals and supplies to travelers. Their murders were carried out by use of a canvas curtain that divided the house into two rooms. When a traveler was seated at the table, his head was outlined against the curtain. The victim was then dispatched from behind with a hammer, and the body was dropped into a basement pit, later to be buried in an orchard.
As more and more travelers disappeared, suspicion began to center on the Benders. They disappeared in the spring of 1873, shortly before inquisitive neighbors discovered the victims' bodies. The Benders are believed to have killed about a dozen people, including one child.
Although stories abound, the ultimate fate of the murderous Bender family is uncertain. Some say they escaped, others that the were executed by a vengeful posse. Their story is unresolved, and remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of the old West.
Erected by Kansas State Historical Society and Kansas Department of Transportation
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 20.932′ N, 95° 31.668′ W. Marker was near Cherryvale, Kansas, in Montgomery County. It could be reached from Route 169 north of U.S. 400, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the grounds of the rest area located northeast of the intersection of US Highways 189 and 400, about three miles south of Morehead. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 67335 US-169, Cherryvale KS 67335, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Eastern Kansas. It was also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Cherryvale War Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Carnegie Free Library (approx. 5.7 miles away); Frank E. Bellamy (approx. 6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 6 miles away);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 18, 2011
2. The Bloody Benders Marker
Rest area comfort station in background
More about this marker. Spoke with the volunteer at the Cherryvale museum and she doesnt know why the sign is gone.
Also see . . .
1. Kate Bender. Kansapedia website entry (Submitted on February 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Bender Knife. Kansapedia website entry (Submitted on February 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Additional keywords. Outlaws, spiritualism
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 17,188 times since then and 723 times this year. Last updated on June 13, 2025, by J.R. Frederick of Casey, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
