Ep 157: The Ax Murder House in Villisca Part 2
Above photo of the Moore family home in Villisca, IA, courtesy of author Troy Taylor, All Rights Reserved
“This is the most terrible and deadly menace with which society has ever had to deal. Heaven only knows where these fanatics may strike next. It may be my family, it may be yours.”
– Montgomery County Sheriff Oren Jackson quoted from Page 79 of Troy Taylor’s book, Murdered In Their Beds from the book series, Dead Men Do Tell Tales. Whitechapel Press.
Background:
What is at the heart of our fears? We may be afraid to encounter a supernatural specter or a creature from beyond our reality and understanding, or an agent of evil from a more earthly realm, but in either case, what we actually fear is the potential for harm to come to us or our loved ones. The deadly violence that visits randomly and one we are powerless to stop. Ironically, our tendency as humans is also to become fascinated by what scares us. We seek to glimpse into the darkness not only as a vicarious thrill but also as a means of coping. It is why we find fun in traditions like Halloween and for some, indulging our curiosity in the exploits of serial killers. As we put to bed the story of the Villisca ax murders, we find that it is a story that contains all the elements of our primal dread. Acts so horrible they left scars and echoes in the worlds of the living and the dead. Our guest tonight, author Troy Taylor, helps us piece together the facts and makes a strong case that the killer who committed the shocking murders in Villisca quite likely left a trail of death throughout the Midwest with as many as 30 victims or more. In the end, what we learn is that there is more to fear from a monster made of flesh and blood. This was a monster that randomly and wantonly tore flesh and spilled blood, one who was all too real, and one that was never caught.
Location:
508 East 2nd Street, Villisca, Iowa. The former home of Josiah and Sarah Moore and their family, now known as the “Villisca Ax Murder House” which is open for tours and investigations.
Reference Links:
Thought to be America’s first serials killers, the Harpe brothers
villiscaiowa.com – The Official Website for the Villisca Ax Murder House
Virtual 360º Tour of the Villisca House from the official website
The American Hauntings Podcast, hosted by Troy Taylor and Cody Beck, with their series on Villisca
“Murdered in Their Beds” the book on the Villisca case by Troy Taylor from his website
The Coroner’s Inquest from the villiscamovie.com website, from June 11 & 18, 1912
“CSI Iowa w/ guest Dr. Ed Epperly - The Villisca Axe Murders” interview on YouTube
The ghost hunting TV show Kindred Spirits covers the Villisca House
The Man from the Train by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James
Suggested Reading:
Suggested Listening:
The American Hauntings podcast with Troy Taylor with their special series on the Villisca case.
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CREDITS:
Episode 157: The Ax Murder House in Villisca Part Two. Produced by Scott Philbrook & Forrest Burgess; Audio Editing by Sarah Vorhees Wendel; Sound Design by Ryan McCullough; Tess Pfeifle, Producer and Lead Researcher; Research Support from the astonishing League of Astonishing Researchers, a.k.a. The Astonishing Research Corps, or "A.R.C." for short. Copyright 2019 Astonishing Legends Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved.