The Kelly Family (Serial Killers)
Family of Serial Killers
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Oklahoma Panhandle, United States
TIME PERIOD
August – December 1887
VICTIMS
11 confirmed
The Kelly Family, a group of serial killers, operated between August and December 1887 in the Oklahoma Panhandle, specifically near Oak City. The family, consisting of William Kelly (55), his wife Kate, son Bill (20), and daughter Kit (18), is believed to have murdered at least 11 wealthy travelers who visited their tavern. Their crimes came to light when a traveler named S. T. Gregg discovered decomposing bodies in a hidden cellar beneath the tavern in December 1887, prompting an investigation. On January 4, 1888, a posse of vigilantes tracked down the family; William confessed to the murders before being hanged, while Kate died from a fall, and Bill and Kit were also executed by the posse. The case remains notable for its brutality and the swift justice meted out by the community.
The Kelly family is believed to have murdered 11 wealthy travelers, drawing parallels to the infamous Bloody Benders. Investigators and the public theorize that their initial facade as an ordinary working family allowed them to evade suspicion while committing their crimes. There is speculation that their motivations were driven by financial gain, as they targeted travelers who were likely to have valuables.
The Kelly Family: A Tale of Serial Murder in No Man's Land
In the tumultuous final months of 1887, the remote expanse of what was then known as "No Man's Land" in the Oklahoma Panhandle became the hunting ground for a family whose legacy would be etched in blood and infamy. The Kelly Family, hailing originally from Pennsylvania, was a seemingly ordinary clan that masked a chilling secret. Between August and December of that year, they were responsible for the brutal slayings of eleven unsuspecting travelers, their crimes bearing an eerie resemblance to the notorious Bloody Benders of a decade earlier.
Origins and Migration to Kansas
The story begins with William Kelly, aged 55, who alongside his wife Kate, son Bill (also known as 'Billy', aged 20), and daughter Kit (aged 18), left the mountainous terrains of Pennsylvania in 1869. They sought new beginnings along the southern border, eventually settling in the untamed wilderness of No Man's Land, roughly 25 miles from Beaver, Oklahoma. Initially, the family dealt in cattle but soon opened a tavern, a place that became a waypoint for cattlers and travelers. Despite their illiteracy, the Kellys were regarded as a typical working family, raising no suspicions among their neighbors or patrons.
The Grisly Discovery
The tranquility of their facade shattered in December 1887, when the family abruptly vacated their home without a word. It wasn't long before S.T. Gregg, a traveler from St. Louis and a previous visitor to the tavern, found himself drawn back to the vacant, eerie premises. Upon entering, a putrid stench led him to a gruesome discovery: three decomposing bodies hidden beneath the structure's floorboards. His investigation uncovered a trap door, and further explorations by Gregg and others revealed a macabre burial ground near the barn. Eight additional bodies, including those of two women, lay interred with one bearing a shattered skull, likely the victim of a violent axe assault. Among the deceased were Jim Coven, a cattleman; J.T. Taylor, a wealthy salesman from Chicago; and a Texas merchant named Johnson. The murder weapon, a rusty axe stained with human remains, lay nearby.
The Pursuit and Execution
As news of the atrocities spread, reports from Beaver indicated that the Kelly Family had been seen passing through town, heading towards New Mexico with several horses and a suspicious amount of money. A posse of 20 determined men quickly assembled, tracking the fugitives to Palo Duro Creek, and eventually pursuing them into Wheeler, Texas.
The chase was relentless. Kate Kelly's horse stumbled, causing her to fall and break her neck, leaving her lifeless on the ground. The posse soon closed in on Bill and Kit, capturing them after a harrowing pursuit. As they faced impending execution, Kit pleaded for mercy, only to be rebuked by her brother who reminded her of her complicity. With ropes around their necks, Kit whispered a final inquiry to Bill about confessing, to which he defiantly told the posse to discover the truth themselves. Moments later, both siblings dangled lifeless from a tree.
William Kelly, however, managed a temporary escape, his horse's distinctive trail - shod only in the front - betraying his path. The posse caught up, and after a tense confrontation and two warning shots, William surrendered. Under the watchful eyes of the vigilantes, he recounted the family's history but initially denied involvement in the killings. Dissatisfied, the posse coerced him into confession, revealing the family's murderous activities, their hidden spoils, and the full extent of their crimes. Stripped of his possessions, including a gold watch belonging to J.T. Taylor, William was left hanging as his final retribution.
A Calculated Modus Operandi
The Kelly Family operated with chilling precision. When wealthy travelers visited their tavern, William, Bill, or Kit would engage them in conversation while Kate prepared their last meal. The travelers' chairs were strategically placed over a trap door. At a signal, the door would open, sending victims plummeting to their deaths or incapacitating them for later dispatch with the axe.
A Link to Infamy: The Bender Connection
A contemporary news report suggested a startling theory: an unnamed Kansas City man posited that the Kellys might actually be the notorious Benders, infamous for similar crimes. He claimed that the Benders' supposed demise was a fabrication, concocted by confederates who aided in disposing of their victims' belongings. The similarities in their methods and family dynamics lent credibility to this hypothesis, entwining the legacies of two of America's most infamous criminal families.
Sources
- "Justice Overtakes the Kellys." The Sun, January 3, 1888.
- "Crimes of the Kellys." The Memphis Appeal, December 26, 1887.
- "The Bender Horror Repeated." The Morning News, December 29, 1887.
- "The Kelly Fiends." The Butler Weekly Times, December 28, 1887.
- "A Ghastly Discovery." Alexandria Gazette, December 24, 1887.
- "A Horrible Story." Staunton Spectator, December 28, 1887.
- "The Fiends Caught." Hillsborough Recorder, January 12, 1888.
- "Are They The Benders?" St. Paul Daily Globe, January 11, 1888.
For more detailed accounts, visit the Wikipedia page: The Kelly Family (serial killers).
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Crimes Begin
The Kelly Family starts murdering wealthy travelers near their tavern.
Disappearance of Travelers
Multiple travelers go missing along the road to the Kelly tavern, raising suspicions.
Bodies Discovered
S. T. Gregg finds decomposed bodies in a hidden cellar and a trap door in the Kelly tavern.
Posse Organized
A posse is formed to track down the fleeing Kelly Family after the discovery of the bodies.
Capture of Kelly Family
The posse catches up with the Kelly Family; Kate falls and dies, while Bill and Kit are captured.
William Confesses
William Kelly confesses to the murders before being hanged by the posse.
Execution of Bill and Kit
Bill and Kit Kelly are hanged by the posse after being captured.
Case Resolution
The Kelly Family's crimes are exposed, and the case is effectively closed with their executions.
The Kelly Family, a group of serial killers, operated between August and December 1887 in the Oklahoma Panhandle, specifically near Oak City. The family, consisting of William Kelly (55), his wife Kate, son Bill (20), and daughter Kit (18), is believed to have murdered at least 11 wealthy travelers who visited their tavern. Their crimes came to light when a traveler named S. T. Gregg discovered decomposing bodies in a hidden cellar beneath the tavern in December 1887, prompting an investigation. On January 4, 1888, a posse of vigilantes tracked down the family; William confessed to the murders before being hanged, while Kate died from a fall, and Bill and Kit were also executed by the posse. The case remains notable for its brutality and the swift justice meted out by the community.
The Kelly family is believed to have murdered 11 wealthy travelers, drawing parallels to the infamous Bloody Benders. Investigators and the public theorize that their initial facade as an ordinary working family allowed them to evade suspicion while committing their crimes. There is speculation that their motivations were driven by financial gain, as they targeted travelers who were likely to have valuables.
The Kelly Family: A Tale of Serial Murder in No Man's Land
In the tumultuous final months of 1887, the remote expanse of what was then known as "No Man's Land" in the Oklahoma Panhandle became the hunting ground for a family whose legacy would be etched in blood and infamy. The Kelly Family, hailing originally from Pennsylvania, was a seemingly ordinary clan that masked a chilling secret. Between August and December of that year, they were responsible for the brutal slayings of eleven unsuspecting travelers, their crimes bearing an eerie resemblance to the notorious Bloody Benders of a decade earlier.
Origins and Migration to Kansas
The story begins with William Kelly, aged 55, who alongside his wife Kate, son Bill (also known as 'Billy', aged 20), and daughter Kit (aged 18), left the mountainous terrains of Pennsylvania in 1869. They sought new beginnings along the southern border, eventually settling in the untamed wilderness of No Man's Land, roughly 25 miles from Beaver, Oklahoma. Initially, the family dealt in cattle but soon opened a tavern, a place that became a waypoint for cattlers and travelers. Despite their illiteracy, the Kellys were regarded as a typical working family, raising no suspicions among their neighbors or patrons.
The Grisly Discovery
The tranquility of their facade shattered in December 1887, when the family abruptly vacated their home without a word. It wasn't long before S.T. Gregg, a traveler from St. Louis and a previous visitor to the tavern, found himself drawn back to the vacant, eerie premises. Upon entering, a putrid stench led him to a gruesome discovery: three decomposing bodies hidden beneath the structure's floorboards. His investigation uncovered a trap door, and further explorations by Gregg and others revealed a macabre burial ground near the barn. Eight additional bodies, including those of two women, lay interred with one bearing a shattered skull, likely the victim of a violent axe assault. Among the deceased were Jim Coven, a cattleman; J.T. Taylor, a wealthy salesman from Chicago; and a Texas merchant named Johnson. The murder weapon, a rusty axe stained with human remains, lay nearby.
The Pursuit and Execution
As news of the atrocities spread, reports from Beaver indicated that the Kelly Family had been seen passing through town, heading towards New Mexico with several horses and a suspicious amount of money. A posse of 20 determined men quickly assembled, tracking the fugitives to Palo Duro Creek, and eventually pursuing them into Wheeler, Texas.
The chase was relentless. Kate Kelly's horse stumbled, causing her to fall and break her neck, leaving her lifeless on the ground. The posse soon closed in on Bill and Kit, capturing them after a harrowing pursuit. As they faced impending execution, Kit pleaded for mercy, only to be rebuked by her brother who reminded her of her complicity. With ropes around their necks, Kit whispered a final inquiry to Bill about confessing, to which he defiantly told the posse to discover the truth themselves. Moments later, both siblings dangled lifeless from a tree.
William Kelly, however, managed a temporary escape, his horse's distinctive trail - shod only in the front - betraying his path. The posse caught up, and after a tense confrontation and two warning shots, William surrendered. Under the watchful eyes of the vigilantes, he recounted the family's history but initially denied involvement in the killings. Dissatisfied, the posse coerced him into confession, revealing the family's murderous activities, their hidden spoils, and the full extent of their crimes. Stripped of his possessions, including a gold watch belonging to J.T. Taylor, William was left hanging as his final retribution.
A Calculated Modus Operandi
The Kelly Family operated with chilling precision. When wealthy travelers visited their tavern, William, Bill, or Kit would engage them in conversation while Kate prepared their last meal. The travelers' chairs were strategically placed over a trap door. At a signal, the door would open, sending victims plummeting to their deaths or incapacitating them for later dispatch with the axe.
A Link to Infamy: The Bender Connection
A contemporary news report suggested a startling theory: an unnamed Kansas City man posited that the Kellys might actually be the notorious Benders, infamous for similar crimes. He claimed that the Benders' supposed demise was a fabrication, concocted by confederates who aided in disposing of their victims' belongings. The similarities in their methods and family dynamics lent credibility to this hypothesis, entwining the legacies of two of America's most infamous criminal families.
Sources
- "Justice Overtakes the Kellys." The Sun, January 3, 1888.
- "Crimes of the Kellys." The Memphis Appeal, December 26, 1887.
- "The Bender Horror Repeated." The Morning News, December 29, 1887.
- "The Kelly Fiends." The Butler Weekly Times, December 28, 1887.
- "A Ghastly Discovery." Alexandria Gazette, December 24, 1887.
- "A Horrible Story." Staunton Spectator, December 28, 1887.
- "The Fiends Caught." Hillsborough Recorder, January 12, 1888.
- "Are They The Benders?" St. Paul Daily Globe, January 11, 1888.
For more detailed accounts, visit the Wikipedia page: The Kelly Family (serial killers).
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Crimes Begin
The Kelly Family starts murdering wealthy travelers near their tavern.
Disappearance of Travelers
Multiple travelers go missing along the road to the Kelly tavern, raising suspicions.
Bodies Discovered
S. T. Gregg finds decomposed bodies in a hidden cellar and a trap door in the Kelly tavern.
Posse Organized
A posse is formed to track down the fleeing Kelly Family after the discovery of the bodies.
Capture of Kelly Family
The posse catches up with the Kelly Family; Kate falls and dies, while Bill and Kit are captured.
William Confesses
William Kelly confesses to the murders before being hanged by the posse.
Execution of Bill and Kit
Bill and Kit Kelly are hanged by the posse after being captured.
Case Resolution
The Kelly Family's crimes are exposed, and the case is effectively closed with their executions.