The 1912 Villisca Axe Murders Blog

100 Year Anniversary of Villisca Axe Murders to be Commemorated in Town where Trials were held

Dr. Edgar V. Epperly holding the Moore/Stillinger murder axe. Photo courtesy
Des Moines Register.

Infamous Villisca axe will be displayed

Program includes sneak preview of “AXMAN” short documentary and Award-winning “Villisca: Living with a Mystery”

Filmmakers Kelly & Tammy Rundle and expert Dr. Edgar V. Epperly to appear

The centennial anniversary of Iowa's worst mass murder will be commemorated June 9-10, 2012 in Red Oak, Iowa.  Organized by Director David McFarland of the Montgomery County History Center, and co-sponsored by the Villisca Historical Society, the special event will include a sneak preview of AXMAN, a new short documentary by filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, and an encore showing of their award-winning film Villisca: Living with a Mystery.  Dr. Edgar Epperly, the foremost historical authority on the still-unsolved crime, will join the Rundles for Q&A following the film presentations.  An accompanying historical display will include the actual murder weapon, a long-handled axe removed from the crime scene by authorities on June 10, 1912.

In addition, the History Center will exhibit a collection of materials and photographs donated by historian Dr. Bruce Stillians.  Stillians, a former resident of Villisca with family ties to the axe murder story, researched the case for decades and amassed a huge collection of resources and photographs related to the crime.

Sometime during the night of Sunday, June 9, 1912, a person or persons unknown entered a modest house in Villisca, Iowa and bludgeoned to death Josiah B. Moore, his wife Sara, and their children Herman, Katherine, Boyd, and Paul and overnight guests Lena and Ina Stillinger.  The crime, known thereafter as the “Villisca axe murders”, is the most notorious mystery in Iowa history. The tragedy spawned nearly ten years of grand jury investigations and three sensational trials all centered around the Montgomery County Court House in Red Oak.  The case made and broke political careers and led to the establishment of the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.  The murders also split residents of the small community of Villisca, Iowa over the guilt or innocence of a local suspect, Iowa State Senator Frank Fernando Jones.

One hundred years later, the tragic unsolved murder now attracts visitors and tourists to the privately-owned Villisca Ax Murder House.  The mystery has generated books, a play, paranormal investigations, television programs, a fictional film and feature-length documentary. Kelly and Tammy Rundle’s Villisca: Living with a Mystery premiered in 2004, enjoyed a limited theatrical release in over 60 cities including Los Angeles where it qualified for the 2005 Academy Award® competition.  The film screened in Red Oak in 2004 in the courtroom where the 1916 and 1917 axe murder trials took place.  Villisca is still available nationally on DVD from online and conventional retailers and it can be rented from Netflix and Family Video.  Broadcasts continue on IPTV, WQPT and other PBS stations this anniversary year.

The critically-acclaimed documentary tells the epic true story of the Children's Day axe murders and the chaos and division that followed. The Rundles combined rare period photographs, computer animation, original art, limited re-enactments, and fascinating interviews with historians, eye-witnesses, town residents, and forensic experts to shed light on the spellbinding mystery and to dramatically reveal the face of a new suspect.

The Rundles are also offering a sneak preview of their 25-minute documentary AXMAN.  In 1955, a college student named Edgar Epperly began researching the details behind Iowa's worst mass homicide, the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders.  Now, nearly 60 years later, the retired college professor is still actively searching for a solution to the crime.  Exclusive interviews with Epperly and others close to his unique work reveal the secret reason behind his dogged devotion to America's greatest unsolved mystery.

AXMAN and Villisca: Living with a Mystery will screen 2-5 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the Montgomery County History Center, 2700 North 4th Street, Red Oak, Iowa.  The program includes Q&A with the filmmakers and Dr. Epperly.  The axe, on loan from the Villisca Historical Society and the State Historical Society of Iowa, will be included in a special historical display created by the History Center.  Tickets for the Commemorative Program and History Center exhibits are $5 per person and may be purchased in advance at the History Center, or by visiting www.villiscamovie.com/.  Seating is very limited.  This special commemoration event is sponsored by The Montgomery County History Center and the Villisca Historical Society.  Call (712) 623-2289 for ticket information.

The Rundles' award-winning feature-length documentary, Country School: One Room - One Nation will also screen at the History Center on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 2 p.m.  The film features the Pittsburg School in Red Oak, the Cramer School in Stanton, and the Goldenrod school in Clarinda.

Filmmakers of Award-winning “Villisca: Living with a Mystery” Turn Their Lens on the Legacy of Midwestern One-Room Schools

 
1912 one-room school class.  Lang photo--Fourth Wall Films, All Rights Reserved.

Filmmakers Tammy and Kelly Rundle spent two years visiting over 70 one-room schools throughout the Upper Midwest for their most ambitious documentary to date, Country School: One Room – One Nation.  The film will have its world premiere at the State Historical Building in Des Moines on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 6:00 and 8:00 pm.

Over 80 hours of interviews, vistas, and historic sites shot in all four seasons in Iowa and four other states have been distilled down to a feature-length documentary that tells the dramatic true story of the life, death, and rebirth of one-room schools in the Upper Midwest.
 
“They did what they were supposed to do,” said Iowa historian Dorothy Schwieder.  “There was a time when they met the needs of society.  There was also a time when they ceased to meet the needs of society.”
 
Along with the expected nostalgia, the Rundles’ journey revealed a few surprises: guns in school, children punished for being left-handed, bullying, lunch-stealing ponies, weather disasters, a country school designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the passion former students, teachers, and preservationists have for these sometimes forgotten and neglected little schools.
 
“The mythology both demonizes and glorifies the one-room school,” said writer Bill Samuelson.  “Most people thought it was a pretty nice place to be.”
 
Country School also takes a closer look at rural schools and how they attempted to unify American immigrants during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
 
“By 1900 in Wisconsin we had over 50 ethnic groups, all of them committed to public education, and the little country school as the symbol for accomplishing it,” said writer Jerry Apps.
 
In another angle that seems ripped from today’s headlines, old lessons hold true as small town schools that once received students of consolidated one-room schools now face closure themselves.
 
“One-room schools are a page in American history that is turning, and perhaps in another generation or two, there will be no one left to tell the story,” said Samuelson.
 
Preservationist Bill Sherman of Des Moines (the man who proposed a schoolhouse for the Iowa quarter) suggested the topic of one-room schools to the Rundles at the premiere of their award-winning film “Lost Nation: The Ioway.”
 
“If we can understand the role that country schools played in our culture, then we can better understand who we are and how we evolved into the country, the state, and the communities that we are,” said Sherman.
 
Iowa is ground-zero for one-room schools and an obvious choice for the world premiere.  Just after 1900, Iowa had nearly 13,000 one-room schools—more than any other state.  Iowa still has 3,000 existing buildings and 200 restored schools—more than any other state.  Over 50 one-room schools are still in operation in Iowa and three of those are still part of a public K-12 school district.
 
Des Moines area one-room schools that appear in the film include the schoolhouse at Living History Farms and Cole School in Boone.  More theatrical bookings, film festivals, a national DVD release, and Midwestern PBS broadcasts are planned for Country School: One Room – One Nation in 2010 and 2011.

The Country School twin-premiere event will be held at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines St. on Friday, November 19, 2010, at 6pm and 8pm.  Tickets are $10 per person through www.Midwestix.com or $13 at the door.  In addition to the film, the premiere evening will feature music by Just 4 Fun Old Time Music—showcasing music from the documentary, a historical display of country school memorabilia, and Q&A with the Rundles and film participants following the screenings.  DCA’s 6th Annual “Chili for Charity” for the Food Bank of Iowa will be served from 5-8pm for $5 per person.  The premiere is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Preservation Iowa and Sierra Investment Management.
 
Additional screenings of “Country School” will continue on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2pm, 4pm and 7pm, and Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2pm.  Tickets are $8 per person at the door.

The Rundles first documentary "Villisca: Living with a Mystery", about the unsolved 1912 Villisca, Iowa axe murders, qualified for the 2005 Academy Award competition and was featured at numerous film festivals, winning several awards.  The documentary had a 14-month limited theatrical release, was distributed nationally on DVD and continues to air Midwestern PBS stations.

Country School: One Room – One Nation was funded in part by Humanities Iowa, the Kansas Humanities Council, the Wisconsin Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area.

   

Villisca Axe Murder Historian to Appear during Halloween Season Event

 
Ed Epperly at a 2008 DVD signing at Borders Books in Davenport, Iowa.

Dr. Edgar V. Epperly knows more about the facts behind the 1912 Villisca axe murder case than any other living person.  Attendees at the Marengo, Iowa Public Library's monthly Speaker Series will be able to test Epperly's acumen in person.

The primary historical consultant for the documentary feature film Villisca: Living with a Mystery will present the 1912 Villisca, Iowa axe murder story at 6:00 pm on Monday, October 19, 2009.  He will present the basic facts of the case, colorful side-stories, and at least three compelling theories in the still-unsolved murder mystery.

Time for discussion and Q & A with the crowd will be provided and DVD copies of Villisca: Living with a Mystery will be available for sale.  Don't forget to ask Ed to sign your copy!

Arrive early.  While Dr. Epperly's ability to spin a spine-tingling true crime tale is boundless, seating in the Marengo Public library is limited.

Marengo Public Library
235 East Hilton Street
Marengo, Iowa
319.741.3825
WEBSITE

Villisca's Struggle with Town's Image in Wake of Murders the Focus of Iowa History Forum Event

A crowd gathers for a 2008 Villisca murders presentation at DMACC.

Join us on Friday, April 3, 2009 at the DMACC Ankeny Campus for three Iowa History Forum presentations:

Heritage and Homicide: Living with the Axe Murder Mystery
Villisca, Iowa isn’t known as the birthplace of a president.  Instead, history handed it the Iowa’s worst mass murder.  How does a community define itself in the wake of a tragedy?  Documentary filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle discuss the town’s efforts to both avoid and acknowledge the axe murders of 1912.

The Forgotten Nation: Rediscovering the Story of the Ioway
172 years after their forced removal, the Ioway Tribe and their dramatic story have returned to the state that bears their name.  This journey through a forgotten chapter of Iowa's Native American history is explored through documentary filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle’s experiences in making and distributing Lost Nation: The Ioway.

Preserving the Past: One Hour Documentary Film School
Award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle use examples from their own historical documentary films to describe the filmmaking process.  This “one-hour film school” will show you how to get your Iowa history story from an idea to the silver screen.

Part of a day-long series of over 30 Iowa history presentations, the sessions are free to students and $25 (all-day pass) for others.  The event has been organized by Dr. Lisa Ossian.

The link below leads to a Des Moines Register article:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090331/NEWS/90330041/1025/COMM01&community=Ankeny

Marengo, Iowa Library will Feature 1912 Villisca Axe Murder Presentation

Edgar Epperly reviews a portion of an early edit of "Villisca: Living with a Mystery" in Los Angeles.

Villisca axe murder historian Dr. Edgar V. Epperly is scheduled to appear at the Marengo, Iowa public library on October 19, 2009 to do a special presentation.

Details will be posted as they develop, but mark your calendar now!  Ed is a real stem-winder. : )

Ed has researched the still-unsolve true-crime since 1955 and is the foremost historical authority on Iowa's worst mass-murder.

Buy Villisca: Living with a Mystery on DVD here: www.VilliscaMovie.com

http://www.VilliscaMovie.com/dvd.htm

Axe Murder Book Authors and Film Producers Pose for Photo at Ames, Iowa Event

 

Edgar V. Epperly (left), Kimberly Porter, Patricia L. Bryan, Thomas Wolf, Tammy Rundle, and Kelly Rundle pose for a photo following their January 2008 "DoubleTalks" axe murder true crime presentation at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ames, Iowa.

Bryan and Wolf discussed their fascinating book Midnight Assassin: A Murder in America's Heartland, the story of the December 1900 axe murder of John Hossack.  The Rundles and Epperly presented the 1912 Villisca ax murder story via a talk and PowerPoint presentation.

"Villisca" and "Ioway" DVD Signing at Borders Books in Davenport, Iowa

 

Join us at Borders Books in Davenport, Iowa as we sign copies of our Villisca: Living with a Mystery DVD.  We will be joined by Villisca axe murder mystery historian Dr. Edgar V. Epperly.  The film is based on Ed's 50+ years of research and investigation into America's greatest unsolved mystery.

We will also be signing copies of our newly released Lost Nation: The Ioway Native American historical documentary DVD.

Sunday, October 26, 2008
2:00-4:00 pm
Borders Books
4000 E. 53rd St.
Davenport, IA 52807
Phone: 563.359.7830

If you can't make in on Sunday, the DVDs will be available for sale at Borders in Davenport on an ongoing basis, or visit IowayMovie.com and/or VilliscaMovie.com to order home and institutional copies of the Ioway DVD.

Give the gift of history and mystery!

We hope to see you there!

Kelly & Tammy Rundle - Documentary Filmmakers

Mahaska County "Reads" Montgomery County Villisca Axe Murder Tragedy

"Nancy Jones, Oskaloosa Public Library assistant, holds the same ax, make, model and date of manufacture* that was used to murder eight people in Villisca in 1912. The original ax was taken from the crime scene is at the State Historical Society building in Des Moines. "Mahaska County Reads, 2008," is now in its fifth year. Last year the book, "Timeline," by Michael Crichton, was the featured read.
Herald photo by Michael Schaffer / The Oskaloosa Herald"

Read the rest of the article regarding this 1912 Villisca axe murder event in The Oskaloosa Herald HERE.

We are very pleased to be the final event in this unique "Mahaska County Reads" Iowa library program in Oskaloosa.

Our moment comes at 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 25, 2008 on the second floor of the library when we screen our historical documentary feature film Villisca: Living with a Mystery.

Take a second look at this review of our film.  Or, this one.  Then call in your reservation for an event that we anticipate will be at or near capacity.  More HERE.  Call the library today to reserve your seats!

641.673.0441

Dr. Edgar Epperly, the foremost historical authority on the Iowa ax murder story, will join us following the screening for a spirited discussion and Q & A.  The documentary was based on Epperly's research and he is featured throughout.

As always, we will present a factual account of this enduring unsolved mystery and its lasting effects on a small rural community.  While folklore may be part of the discussion, it will not be substituted for history.  Truth is stranger than fiction in the Villisca axe murder case.

Be sure to explore our movie website and this blog for more information on America's greatest unsolved mystery.

We look forward to seeing you at the Oskaloosa Public Library screening of Villisca: Living with a Mystery on October 25, 2008!

*NOTE: We provided the "prop" ax pictured above to the library for display purposes.  While it is very similar to the actual murder weapon, it is not the "same make, model and date of manufacture."  There is also a mention in the article about a "catered lunch in the old bank building of one of the murder victims."  It was actually a suspect, State Senator Frank Jones, who was associated with a different bank in Villisca. The Bank in Villisca does serve a fine catered lunch, though.  : )

Villisca 2008 Heritage Days & Axe Murder Book Reading

Armchair sleuths and mystery aficionados gathered in the Rialto Theater in Villisca, Iowa for a reading of portions of a forthcoming non-fiction book on the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders.  The event was sponsored by the Villisca Historical Society, Inc. (VHSI) and was part of the town's sesquicentennial celebration.

We want to thank Dr. Mary Hansen, Rev. Sandy Wainwright-Rossander, and others for making this event possible.  A special thanks to Ed and Joyce Epperly for joining us in Villisca.  We always enjoy our visits to Villisca. 

On loan from the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Villisca axe also made a rare appearance in the Rialto inner lobby.

Store windows and the high school gym featured a number of historical displays and Saturday began with a parade followed by food and fun on the town square.

The book reading, portions of a detailed time line project, and Dr. Edgar Epperly's reflections on the murder mystery in the context of the community's history were well-received.  We may post samples of the two soon-to-be-published works in a future blog entry.

In addition to the ax murder presentation, a showing of our Native American historical documentary Lost Nation: The Ioway drew nearly 100 people and prompted a good post-screening discussion.

Reading from New Villisca 1912 Axe Murder True Crime Book to Follow Screening of "Ioway" Native American Film

Judy Schroeder (left), Villisca Review Publisher-Carolyn Cole Gage, Villisca Mayor-Susie Enarson, and Historian-Edgar V. Epperly pose with the murder weapon in front of the Josiah B. Moore house (a.k.a the Villisca Axe Murder House) during Villisca's first Heritage Days weekend in 1987. (Minneapolis Star and Tribune photo by Joey McLeister)

The Original Villisca Axe to be Displayed During History & Mystery Program

Join us for a program on the history surrounding the 1912 Villisca Ax Murder case during Villisca, Iowa's upcoming sesquicentennial weekend.  The programs will include a preview of both a forthcoming and comprehensive new true crime book based on the 1912 ax murders and a peek at a detailed time-line research project that will also be published.  In addition, Dr. Edgar V. Epperly will talk on the meaning of the murders in the context of Villisca's history.

The Villisca program will follow a showing of our award-winning Native American historical documentary Lost Nation: The Ioway.  Here are the program details:

Rialto Theater
422 S. 3rd Avenue
Villisca, Iowa 50864
712.826.4270
Saturday, July 5, 2008
2:00-3:20 pm (Ioway showing), 3:30-4:15 pm (Villisca Mystery Book, etc.)
$5.00/per person

Ticket sales benefit the Villisca Historical Society and the Villisca axe will be on display in the theater lobby along with other items related to the Ioway film and the Villisca mystery.