The Unsolved Villisca Ax Murders

Revisiting one of Iowa’s most shocking homicides a century later

More commonly known as the “Villisca Ax Murder House”. A local tourist attraction made famous by the homicide of the entire Moore family which occurred here on June 10th, 1912. Photo courtesy of Jason McLaren, Wikimedia Commons

The Moore Family of Villisca, Iowa

Josiah Moore and his wife Sarah, were a fortunate couple. They had a modest house at 508 E. 2nd Street in the sleepy community of Villisca, Iowa. They were well-liked and felt safe. They had four healthy, beautiful, and kind children who made their house a home. Namely, Herman Montgomery — age 12, Mary Katherine — age 10, Arthur Boyd — age 7, and Paul Vernon — who was just 5.

The Moore family attended Presbyterian Church faithfully. On June 9, 1912, they took their children to an end of year Sunday school program, the Children’s Day Service, that Sarah co-directed. Each of the Moore children participated in the production. The entire family stayed after for a social, including neighbor children Lena and Ina Stillinger — ages 12 and 8, respectively.

Josiah, Sara, Herman, Mary, Arthur, and Boyd Moore with Ina and Lena Stillinger, Public Domain Photos

After a church social, the Moore family walked home with the Stillinger girls who they had invited to spend the night. They left around 9:30 PM, and the church was just three blocks from their house on 2nd street. The children had cookies…