ALSO, the victims would not even have to scream to awaken others sleeping in the same room: every account i have read mentions the gouges in the ceiling above each bed.. surely, just the forcefulness of the blows would make some noise and/or rattle the entire clapboard house. it is unbelievable the children wouldn’tve woken – let alone the wife – who, one can imagine, the force with which the axe came down on the bed she was in, as the murderer killed her husband..

Hello. Mr epperly . I have watched your documentaries and have a question for you. Were u ever able to find out what happened to the clothes the victims were wearing ? The reason I am asking is it possible if the clothes still existed could they use them for DNA testing Could the preachers body be exhumed to get DNA from him to compare? Also was there ever any direct proof as to whether or not the little preacher had been at the locations at the times of the other murders…. In Kansas City etc?

All the records are in agreement, All victims were killed in their beds just where they were found. There was no blood except in the beds and on the wall behind Joe and Sara’s bed.

Detective Wilkerson tried to make the case there were three in the house, but he had only, William Mansfield swing the axe. I don’t think multiple killers helps much. Did we have one on each floor? How did they coordinate their blows. Doctors insisted there was no evidence for drug at the scene. The one thing all officials at the scene agree on is that there was no evidence that anyone had left their beds before or after they were attacked.

Fascinating story. Minor note: the word is grisly, not grizzly which is the bear.

megan, I would love to see youre photo,i too belive Mansfield was involved as well and that everyone was awake as joe and sara was attacked first. my email is xsouthomahax at gmail