Cobweb Express

Murder on the Prairie
by Mel McFarland

Nothing like a mystery to liven up things. In March of 1875 Fountain was in the news. The quiet little village was somewhat awakened when two sets of bones were found east of town. The remains of two people were found covered with snow along the road to the Perkins Ranch on Squirrel Creek. The bodies seemed to have been dumped in tall grass, and were not visible until the grass was down and snow melted.
     A team traveled out to look over the scene. All that was left of the bodies were the bones, which had not been scattered. It was clear it was a man and a woman. No identification or valuables were found, so it was assumed robbery was the motive. The man was reported to have had a good set of teeth, and used tobacco. The man wore heavy pants and a vest. The woman wore a calico dress and a striped blouse. No shoes or boots were seen, but a small pencil and part of a 44 cartridge was found in a vest pocket. It was thought that the two were probably on their way into the west when they were set upon.
     The remains were taken to the Ames General Store on Main Street where people could examine them. Perhaps someone might remember seeing them. The identification was written up in letterform and mailed to the major newspapers in Kansas. Perhaps someone there might carry the story to someone with some information, the clothing and the bones were displayed at the store for several days. A series of the curious came in to have a look. The clothes were put into a glass case with what information they had and the bones were kept in a box out of view. Several of the local church groups offered to take care of the bones, and after a months time had gone by no further information was received.
     A few leads were returned, but did not match. The newspaper stories about the pair eventually stopped. I do not know what else happened, but only assume that eventually the bones were buried and the clothes thrown away or burned. In the 1870’s there were probably dozens of stories like this one. It is not the only curious murder in our community, but this might be the oldest.

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