Villicsa at 99: In memory of the Moores and the Stillingers

Shared grave of Lena Gertrude Stillinger (1900-1912) and Ina May Stillinger (1903-1912) in the Villisca, Iowa Cemetery. The monument to the Moore family is the light gray stone in the center of the three shown in the background. Photo from summer solstice 2010 by Eric Francis.

June 9-10 was the 99th anniversary of the mass murder of the Moore family and the Stillinger sisters in Villisca, Iowa. The family of six and two house guests were killed in their beds by someone who was never convicted of the crime. The perpetrator was one of the United States’ first serial killers, and this particular incident was a turning point in American consciousness. The story is the focal point of Book of Blue, a nonfiction novel I’ve been writing since 2007. I don’t believe that our society has ever fully recovered from this event, which was a massive sensation at the time, making news and spreading panic from coast to coast. Over the next year I will gradually publish my writing on this incident as the centennial approaches — beware that most of what you will read on the Internet is simply not credible. Those killed that night were Josiah B. Moore, his wife Sarah (nee Montgomery), and their four children Katherine, Herman, Boyd and Paul; and two family friends, Lena and Ina May Stillinger. Though the identity of the killer is easy to figure out, he was never tried for this crime and it technically remains America’s oldest unsolved mass murder.

5 thoughts on “Villicsa at 99: In memory of the Moores and the Stillingers”

  1. thanks for sharing that on Saturday.
    I was in the midst of a detailed reply and alas, my power went out, deep apologies.
    ah well….not meant to be,
    but just wanted to express my condolences & Love for everyone involved in that tragedy.

    I am curious to know how your story differs fr. the mainstream. should be v. interesting and dig up some interesting concepts like all of your writing.

    I wish all PW’ers some deep Peace tonight, before we totally eclipse ourselves on Wed.

  2. BTW I did not go to her expecting to find anything past life. But that is what came out. One other thought — I was not especially concerned the method that the practitioner used. I asked Marc to refer me to someone he thought could help me get to the bottom of the issue. And I went faithfully.

    I am aware that there is a particularly close relationship between my prior incarnation and my current one; close in theme, the way one life springs off of the other, and how what I am doing is about both resolving the old material and doing what I could never do previously. I am happy to be sharing the benefits.

  3. Eric, this is very intriguing. I await the writings. I am also duly impressed that you would be seeking advanced healers and end up with a chirporactor practicing applied kinesiology. While I strongly agree and consult these practitioners, there is an even better form of kinesiology to be found in order to heal. It involves THIS lifetime and the body NOW. It is called Health Kinesiology and a very worthwhile alternative. Would love the chance to introduce this to you as I am a consumer of this and recently, I became a student. This is a wonderful energetic healing system. I believe you, and everyone,could benefit from this unique work.
    I have healed and grown in leaps and bounds since finding this, as have both my children. A master teacher and practitioner is fairly close to you.

  4. are you suggesting this is a pivotal event in the dawning of the Age of Fear, the
    pandemic in our country? part of a loss of innocence or something? like that?
    how did you hook into this story?
    or maybe we’ll find out. in your next segment. yes.

    sounds eerily interesting.

  5. This is very cool, Lovey — I’ve always been fascinated by this one. I’ll look forward!

Leave a Comment