20, , 40 , There are a bar, a grain elevator, a bank, Mom's Cafe, B & B Groceries and a hardware store, but agriculture is the main business. He was known as "the town bully", and his unsolved killing became the focus of international attention. No one called an ambulance. In Broad Daylight (source: harrymaclean.com). He would sit outside of their house in his truck for hours in the evening. However, the outcome of the conviction was a slap in the face for Bo and Lois Bowenkamp. SKIDMORE, MO Four decades after Ken Rex McElroy was gunned down on the main drag of Skidmore, Missouri, in one of Americas most infamous cold cases, the story of the notoriously brutal town bully has refused to die with him no matter how much the farmers and blue-collar workers who live in the small farming town wish it would. How could it? This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Mr. Dunbar was asked if he knew who did it. The Story of the trials, life and death of Ken Rex McElroy and the Town of Skidmore, Missouri. As the story has been told by MacLean and others, McElroy showed up at the D&G tavern and pool hall the next day toting a rifle with a bayonet a violation of his bond and threatened to finish off the Bowenkamps. Ken Rex McElroy was not a nice man. '', Mr. McElroy was widely regarded as an armed tough who stole livestock and anything else he could. Born in Overland Park, Kansas, on June 1, 1934, McElroy was the fifteenth of Tony and Mabel McElroys sixteen children. In Part II we will learn more about the incident that would make Skidmore Missouri and Ken Rex McElroy a national news story and a mystery that stills haunts the town nearly forty years later. Horton, Brown County, Kansas, USA. He relied on witness intimidation to prove his innocence, and he was a master at it. I was a witness , not a shooter we all talked & took a vow of silence , NO MATTER WHAT to our death bed. Those who witnessed the killing didnt speak of it again, not because they were part of a conspiracy, MacLean believes, but because theyre stoic by nature. His conviction was for second-degree assault and he was sentenced to just two years - for shooting someone in the neck. It was either going to be him, or somebody else., Investigators never got anyone to confess or give information about who had fired the lethal shot. SLAIN BULLY'S TOWN LOOKS BACK WITHOUT PITY, https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/11/us/slain-bully-s-town-looks-back-without-pity.html. McElroy got in his truck and drove away, leaving the farmer to whatever fate. Del was serving beer in the tavern just before the shooting). They delivered messages in code. Debbie Ann McElroy, age 54 of Conway, Missouri, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2020 at her home in Conway. She ran away back into the arms of Ken Rex McElroy. There was a problem getting your location. Submissions should outline a mystery and provide a link to a more detailed review of the case such as a Wiki article or news report. They left, but for McElroy, it wasnt over. Bo survived, McElroy was arrestedbut he got out on bail, and began harassing the officer who arrested him, Richard Stratton. On July 10, 1981, the justice system let the people of Skidmore down, and when it did, they did something that changed their own lives and the town forever. We stood up and did the right thing. Your email address will not be published. Resend Activation Email. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. By the time their second child was born, McElroy found another girlfriend, Sally, who was only thirteen, while Ken was around twenty-seven. However, there was more to Ken Rex than his size. They surrounded McElroy, shouting at him that they had had enough and that his days were numbered. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. POPULATION: ONE BAD MAN - PART I - Wagner & Lynch Law He was stalked and threatened mercilessly, only to remain vigilant, appear at trial, testify against Ken Rex, and still see him walk away without consequence. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 1. For the first time in his life, McElroy was actually convicted of a crime. Three grand jury investigations and an FBI probe resulted in no indictments and no trial. Despite his conviction, he was still the arrogant goon he had always been. 3PL . This is a carousel with slides. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Please reset your password. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. The clerk, Evelyn Sumy, was at the back of the store when the doors swung open. ''We follow new leads, but there aren't many,'' Mr. Baird said. Ken Rex fell quickly in lust with Trena. She died in 2012. How could it? No, the townspeople all would have known that the injury was attributable to an intentional act, and that Ken Rex was always the responsible party. Several patrons witnessed McElroys display at the tavern and called the prosecutor, who revoked McElroys bail. She let it be known that she had gone ''somewhere in Missouri'' because someone might try to kill her. She said her dad told her that del clement lived a rather miserable life after this happened. spur of the moment that got completely out of hand how do I know I was one of the people who witnessed the killing , or as some people say , murder all of us took an oath , the shooters & the other witnesss .it was surreal as to what happened he sat their [in his pickup truck] , just like in the movie calmly & looked in his mirror to see the crowd behind him , he knew I believed that it was the end for him & that he was about to die , no way in hell was that crowd letting him leave. Verify and try again. Everyone hopes itll make it, because its the last hope for the small town. The police would not or could not help us or Skidmore. One assumption Skidmore hasnt been able to shed is that McElroys killing was an act of vigilante justice. Thanks for your help! Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Fidelity wasnt a strong suit of Ken Rex, or of any interest to him at all for that matter. He intimidated people by driving by at night and firing a shotgun blast, putting a rattlesnake in their mailbox, etc. Ken Rex took, and the only thing he ever gave was fear. However, a new cafe opened across the street, in the old post office, in front of which the shooters were standing when they opened fire. He returned when Trenas parents were away, shot the family dog and burned down the house. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Says a Long, Silent Thank-You, Unsolved 'Vigilante' Murder in the Heartland: Missouri Town Goes Quiet After Bully Is Shot, The Unsolved Murder of Missouri Town Bully Ken Rex McElroy: 'No One Saw a Thing', Skidmore, Part Three - The Murder of Ken Rex McElroy, The Unsolved Murder of Missouri Town Bully Ken Rex McElroy: 'No One Saw a Thing'. ''No,'' he said. When you didnt know where he was, you didnt dare take the chance of not being on your guard.. Bill Everhart, mayor of the town of 440 people, says it could have been avoided had the courts cracked down on McElroy. They could finally sleep peacefully at night, especially Bo and Lois Bowenkamp and their children. It failed McElroy, too, because it failed to protect him from himself. That it was a vigilante killing is not true for a lot of reasons; if they had decided to kill him, they wouldnt have stood in the street to watch the murder unfold, he said. Had I sought out the Clements and their crowd, I would have gone to the Elks Club in Maryville on Saturday night, the scene of my almost-violent encounter with Del and his friends years ago. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Just a single name can cause a physical reaction when uttered out loud in a room filled with those in the know. He got divorced and his drinking finally killed him. But having this thug with serious rage issues breathing down their necks 24/7 meant it wasnt easy. It has been a year since Kenneth Rex McElroy, described as the town bully, was shot to death on the main street of this farming community. We had shoplifting, but a lot of people were on hard times. The mainstreet is eerily quiet in mid-morning. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Why are you doing this? Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Failed to delete memorial. Many wondered: Why didnt Baird press charges against the man Trena McElroy fingered as her husbands killer? Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Ken Rex moved her out of her parents home and into his, which he still shared with his wife Alice. When Estes and state troopers arrived back in town, the streets were empty and quiet, save the rumbling, smoking engine of McElroys truck. You just didnt do that.. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. McElroy was known to pay local kids for information about who was where in town at what time, so the Bowenkamps developed their own network of informants. This account has been disabled. The last thing he saw as he slipped into blackness was Ken Rex McElroy walking back to his truck, removing a cigarette from the pack in his shirt pocket, and light it with the same easy motion one would do if lighting a smoke after a meal. He was struck by bullets from at least two We have set your language to By this point in his life Ken Rex had become a master of escaping punishment. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Failed to report flower. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Farmers carried them to kill varmints, or for hunting displaying them in plain sight in rear window gun racks. Ken Rex McElroy was born in poor and squalid conditions. Talked to a lady who grew up close to skidmore. Many speculate that McElroy also threatened the jury. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. The older daughter paid for her items, but as they were leaving, the younger daughter grabbed some candy out of a jar and headed for the door. The Story of the trials, life and death of Ken Rex McElroy and the Town of Skidmore, Missouri. McElroy had been indicted a total of 21 times for crimes such as: child molestation, arson, cattle rustling, and stealing. Outsiders are spotted easily and watched warily. In fact, anywhere between thirty and ninety people witnessed the shooting of the 270lb brute of a man on that hot July day in 1981. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ken Rex McElroy I found on Findagrave.com. ; Julie Tia of Jensen Beach, Fla. and Tonia Goben of Springfield; five brothers, Jerome McElroy of Seattle, Wash.; Juarez McElroy and Ken McElory, both of Springfield; Reno McElroy of Pittsburg, Pa. and Derome McCloud of Lebanon, and a number of nieces and nephews.All arrangements for Debbie Ann McElroy will be private under the care and direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon. There is no denying that McElroy was a skilled criminal; his long career of breaking the law resulted in pockets permanently stuffed with $100 bills. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Database with images. After giving birth, Trena and Alice, exhausted from living in constant fear of McElroy, took their children and left the McElroy farm to live with Trenas parents. To welcome her back, McElroy had found yet another girlfriend, Trena McCloud, who was twelve years old, while McElroy would have been around thirty-five. When he caught up to the bus, Ken Rex would start honking his horn and driving up to the window where the bus driver could get a good look at him. True and tried, Ken Rexs tactics did work. Ken Rex McElroy was not a nice man. They were running away, seeking refuge away from Ken Rex. Death. That they had guns at the ready wasnt unusual. Unsurprisingly, Skidmore residents were upset by the police presence in town. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 6. We went to the police. Estes, the sheriff some tried to implicate in a conspiracy, is dead. Maryville, Missouri, lawyer David Baird, the Nodaway County prosecutor at the time, said the crime is fairly unremarkable in the context of current-day gang shootings witnessed by many, but seen by few willing to risk their safety by ratting out the crew. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. GREAT NEWS! Search above to list available cemeteries. As a result, he was no stranger to the Nodaway County Sheriffs Dept. They know the story of Ken McElroy, but they werent here when it happened. System ERP If Trena did have a choice, it would never fall to the bus driver to protect the little girl if she chose to not go with Ken Rex. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Who was Ken Rex McElroy? Calling the sheriff about his threats was risk few were willing to take not that it would have done much good, Goslee said. The older girl snatched the candy from the younger girl, threw it back in the jar, grabbed her little sisters hand and barged out the door. Skidmore townsfolk may not all have liked how he was killed it was murder, after all but when he died, most of the towns 435 residents let out a heavy sigh of relief. Our story begins when Ken Rex courting his third and final wife, Trena McCloud. He would sit outside a witnesss home, and shoot those cold blue eyes and the death that sat fixed behind them into the psyche of his target. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. As Trena told the story to reporters, a group of men followed them as they left the D&G. He accused Romaine Henry of being a dirty S.O.B. and said that Henry had been at his place in a white Pontiac. Despite the facts, the residents of Skidmore, MO, weren't so eager to talk ; six sisters, Tina Chapman of Savannah, Mo. He abused Alice verbally and physically, and when she gave birth to their son, she moved out to live with her mother and stepfather In St Joseph, the next town over from Skidmore. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Brace yourselves. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. Everyone was keeping an eye on us. 20 He went to Trenas parents home, where he viciously beat Trena and Alice, then burned the McCloud house to the ground. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Skidmore Forever the Town that Killed Ken Rex McElroy. Few residents seem to care. ''There were a couple of bangs,'' said Mr. Hartman, whose office is near the tavern, ''and at first I thought it was firecrackers. Skidmore Forever the Town that Killed Ken Rex McElroy Need help writing a will or setting up a trust? The justice system had failed them once again. He neutralized an entire criminal justice system.. The townsfolk were infuriated. He ruled with an iron fist, inciting fear and causing a persistent sense of dread amongst townsfolk. Much of his cash, however, went to Richard Gene McFadin, his lawyer. Eventually, Sharon and McElroy had two children. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. 3. When the meeting ended, the group made their way across the street to the tavern to confront McElroy. Thank you very much for the update on your recent trip. Adoption, paternity, divorce, or guardianship? 1955 or 56: Ken and Oleta McElroy move back to Missouri after Ken's accident in Colorado. Unresolved: The Town That Killed Ken McElroy She was preceded in death by her father. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. You know how he oppressed and threatened us. McElroy and Trena got into their truck. Ken Rexs cruelty was well known because he was so brazen about showing it. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Unresolved: The Town That Killed Ken McElroy McElroy pretty much got whatever he wanted, and women were no exception. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. A polite person would say that Ken Rex came from humble beginnings, but politeness doesnt fit in a story about Ken Rex McElroy or the Town of Skidmore, so we will forego any. to Kenneth and Sharon Fossinger McElroy. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Before you tell yourself the case closed, no, this case Everyone just went home. But they continued and I ducked. , . In Broad Daylight Classic Print Edition. They felt a sense of safety in numbers. Few were criticized as mightily as Baird over the lack of prosecution in McElroys murder. Former Nodaway County prosecutor David Baird, Its proceedings are secret, but in news interviews at the time, McElroys widow said she told a county grand jury who murdered her husband. In April 1980, Trena McElroy told her husband a clerk in the Bowenkamps store had accused their 4-year-old daughter of stealing penny candy. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? A hearing was scheduled, in which the witnesses would testify that they had seen McElroy in the bar in possession of a loaded weapon. POPULATION: ONE BAD MAN PART I. She was taken to a foster home in Maryville with the couples baby. I will soon post photos of my visit. Skidmore, Part Three - The Murder of Ken Rex McElroy (SECOM) It was not the kind of justice they shouldve gotten, 60-year-old Joyce Monte, the Bowenkamps daughter, told Patch in a telephone interview from her home in Oklahoma. They had to look out for themselves. McElroy tracked the women down, beat them both severely, and brought them home. Davis An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Who Killed Ken Rex McElroy: Town Keeps Its Secret For 38 Years Will people who were there start to leak information as time goes on? McElroy drove to the house and shot him in the leg through his living room window. Anyone can read what you share. The law had plenty of chances, plenty of times to lock him up., Added Monte: Justice failed everybody. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. McElroy would just sit and glower at you just stare at you and youd never know what he was thinking.. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. When he got off on a trial, it grew even bigger. He would often be spotted hunting racoons and was notorious for rustling hogs and cattle in the small farming community. McElroy slumped forward onto the steering wheel. Sorry! When either woman did raise his cheating as an issue, he simply beat them and tortured them as a reminder that they were not entitled to issues or the bringing of them up. Browse All 237,537 Images. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. When he found where Trena was staying he began relying on his old tactics of intimidation. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Faulkner wrote that The past is never dead. cemeteries found in Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Failed to report flower. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. There may never be an answer to the question of who killed Ken Rex McElroy. On July 10th, 1981 Ken Rex McElroy was shot dead in the street in broad daylight infront of 60 witnesses. Somebody was going to get killed. Yes, its against the law, but you know, the law is not the final definitive word on him. McElroy got a divorce from Sharon (or Alice, honestly Im not sure who he was married to at the time) and married Trena so that she would not be compelled to testify against him. He stalked the house where she was, brandishing his shotgun, and boring holes into the residents of the home with his steely eyes. There was a problem getting your location. This went on for months, thanks to his trial being subject to constant delays. But Skidmore is still Skidmore. The Story Of Ken McElroy, The Vicious Bully Killed By His Town The Tavern, a quonset hut set on a cement floor, stunk irredeemably of grease from all the burgers fried up in there over the years. A swarthy, physically intimidating man who carried about 270 pounds on his more than 6-foot frame, McElroy had thick black eyebrows and bushy sideburns. Copyright 2017 Wagner & Lynch | McElroy yelled to Henry when he got to the window. By the age of 15, Ken Rex had dropped out of school and established himself as a coon hunter, and thief. This is not the story of a brutal man that terrorized his family and did bad things. McElroy was arrested on assault charges, but Alices stepfather would need to testify. This is a collaborative project with FindMyPast.com. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. '', See the article in its original context from. The D&G Tavern in 1981; it has since closed. Retaliation would be severe. They killed. A lot of old timers complain that they dont know many of the other residents, a lot of whom work in surrounding communities. Its probably accurate that few outside of McElroys family shed tears over his death, but many Skidmore residents still struggle with the spectacle of a man violently and publicly killed. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. ''It doesn't make for a real talkative environment. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Richard Stratton, the only lawman in northwest Missouri ever known to stand up to McElroy, hunted McElroy down and arrested him on an attempted murder charge. Enraged by Alice leaving with his son, McElroy called the home and began threatening Alice and her family. Birth. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current, U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Blood covered the inside of the vehicle, as well as Trena, who was sitting in the passenger seat. SLAIN BULLY'S TOWN LOOKS BACK WITHOUT PITY
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