#villisca

On this day in 1912, eight people were murdered with an axe in their home in Villisca, Iowa. Josiah Moore and his wife Sarah, along with their four children and two neighbor children, were killed in their beds by a person who has never been identified. And I mean never—the internet doesn’t even have a favorite suspect.

I used to live in Iowa, and I have actually been to the “Villisca Axe Murder House,” now a museum and historical site, and a frequent host to ghost tours. Visitors are free to leave their mark on the rafters in the barn, writing messages which range from the usual names and dates to oddly creepy warnings like “Don’t stand on your head in the kids’ room.” On my visit I was struck by how little has changed, though Iowa has traveled more than a century into the future: at the end of our tour, we were discussing suspects and expressing sympathy for the victims, exactly as people have been doing outside that house for over 100 years.

Check out the blog post for the whole story and some creepy writing prompts, such as:

Midwestern serial. My personal favorite Villisca suspect is a serial killer riding the rails, as posited in the book The Man From the Train by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James. This is because there were a lot of similar axe murders at the time, all over the country, and even internationally. You could write a story about several killers with the same M.O., or one really prolific murderer who likes to travel. On the paranormal side, you could have someone killing in a pattern to cast a spell or harness a demon. You could even have a ghost train that carries your phantom killer on a never-ending mission.

Seth Borden x Reader

Sam, Colby, Nate, Seth and Reader are doing an investigation. What happens when the Reader faints by Seth?

Content: established relationship between Reader and Seth, mentions of murder, evil beings, harm to people, sickly but mostly fluff for Seth.

If any of these things mentioned above makes you feel bad or something along those lines, please click away

The Villisca Axe murders.

Josiah B. Moore, aged 43, and his wife Sarah, aged 39, were the parents of four children: Herman Montgomery (11), Mary Katherine (10), Arthur Boyd (7), and Paul Vernon (5). The Moores were a respected and prosperous family who were highly regarded in their community. On June 9, 1912, Mary Katherine invited her friends Ina Mae (8) and Lena Gertrude Stillinger (12) to spend the night at their home.

On June 10 at 7 A.M., Mary Peckham, the Moores' neighbor, grew worried when they didn't emerge for their morning chores. After unsuccessful attempts to reach them, she enlisted Ross Moore's help. Ross found the door locked but gained entry with a spare key. Inside, they discovered the bodies of the Moore family and the Stillinger girls, all bludgeoned to death. The murder weapon, Josiah's axe, was found nearby.

Doctors determined the murders happened between midnight and 5 A.M. Cigarettes found in the attic suggested the killer(s) waited there until the victims were asleep. The attack began in the master bedroom, where Josiah and Sarah Moore were sleeping. The killer(s) used the blade of the axe on Sarah and the blunt end on the others. Lena Stillinger showed signs of attempting to defend herself, leading to speculation about possible sexual assault, later disproven.

Numerous suspects were considered in the investigation, including Reverend George Kelly, Frank F. Jones, William Mansfield, Loving Mitchell, Paul Mueller, and Henry Lee Moore (unrelated). Reverend Kelly faced two trials, with the first resulting in a hung jury and the second in acquittal. Other suspects were also cleared of involvement during the investigation.

The case remains unsolved.

Follow @mecthology for more horrors and lores.

Welcome to Day 28 of our eerie expedition. Today, we traverse into the heartland of Iowa to the small town of Villisca, home to a quaint, yet sinister dwelling known as the Villisca Axe Murder House. Prepare to delve into the chilling lore that shrouds this ominous abode.

Historical Background

On the eerie night of June 9, 1912, the quaint town of Villisca, Iowa, became the scene of a ghastly crime. Within the walls of a modest three-bedroom farmhouse at 508 East 2nd Street, eight souls were brutally murdered, their lives snuffed out by the unforgiving blade of an axe . The victims included six members of the Moore family and two young guests, their lives tragically ended, leaving a scar on the tranquil community.

Haunting Tales

• The Unseen Murderer: The sinister specter of the unseen murderer is believed to haunt the halls, the chilling echoes of that fateful night reverberating through the eerie silence.

• Ghastly Apparitions: Visitors and paranormal investigators frequently report witnessing ghostly apparitions and experiencing unexplained phenomena, a testament to the restless spirits believed to inhabit the dwelling.

• The Cries of the Innocent: The ghostly cries of the children are said to permeate the chilling night air, a haunting reminder of the innocence lost within these ominous walls.

Exploring The Murder House

The Villisca Axe Murder House now stands as a grim attraction for those enthralled by the paranormal. The house opens its creaking doors to brave souls keen on exploring the sinister past that clings to the ancient timbers. Guided tours and overnight stays offer a chilling glimpse into the eerie occurrences that frequently transpire, inviting visitors to confront the haunting reality of the dark history that pervades this forsaken abode.

Conclusion

As we conclude Day 28, the Villisca Axe Murder House stands as a haunting testament to the grim reality of human malevolence. The sinister lore that envelops this dwelling beckons the brave to delve into the eerie unknown, to confront the haunting echoes of a bygone era of terror. Venture into the heart of darkness that resides within the Villisca Axe Murder House - if you dare.

VILLISCA AXE MURDER HOUSE

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508 E 2nd Street Villisca, IA 50864

The house where 8 were brutally murdered with an axe

Many visitors of the house, including paranormal investigators have claimed it is haunted.

In 1912, eight people were found murdered here, six of whom were children. They were bludgeoned with an axe, and nobody ever found the killer. The murders remain a mystery to this day, which may explain why so many people have reported various sightings and encounters with ghosts. Maybe the ghost can not rest until the murderer is identified. You can rent out the house for the night.

In 2014, a ghost hunter who rented the house ended up stabbing himself in the chest after spending the night here.