Killing Ken was justified and was a necessity. Death simply made him a dead bully. I do not think badly of this man and I dont know that the rest of you should either cuz I have heard some pretty good stories about him stories that shows that he has a heart. Its astonishing to think the entire population allowed it to go on. Now, DNA evidence could have convicted McElroy of statutory rape when a 16 year old gave first gave birth, supporting her testimony. Do the world a favor, end the line. Holy cow. I was raised by a law abiding yet could me an extremely violent man who feared no one big or small. I know I am really late to the party, however, I read through some of these comments. From what I have learned about this man, he was a person without morals. Am I the only one who is just as interested in the names and circumstances of judges and prosecutors as the men involved in this shooting? The citizens at the meeting decided to go to the tavern en masse; the bar soon filled completely. The kids of the farmers who were doing well, at school he was bullying them by fourth or fifth grade.". And I call he to imply there is some sort collective evil there. Im glad she got away from that life. Courts and their officers failed Dan McElroy when they didnt just keep him in jail. Not surprising at all. Then divorced, and I think remarried again. The teenagers gave birth to a total of seven of McElroy's offspring. I dont have any sympathy for Trena, however. Either way, the prosecutor and judge are the gate keepers of civil society. Jeff and I both shared a huge interest in bodybuilding and worked out together for years and years. Just like my mom. There is a serial killer in Kansas, or was, who nicknamed himself BTK. Most people dont get bail after conviction, pending appeal. But to actually drive it.knowing someone died in the seat. I agree your feelings toward Trenashe really was grabbed at a very young age, and no one really stuck up for her, certainly not her parentsbut I know others in the area arent so forgiving. The judge, as you might remember, was from a different county. I truly believe she learned from these mistakes, so forgiveness is in order, especially since she became a totally different person after he was out of her life. The town of Skidmore or maybe I should say the people that witnessed or participated in the execution, I feel may not have had too many choices. For the kids sake anyway. According to Buzzfeed's Unsolved, McElroy was said to have been seriously injured in an accident while working on a construction site, when a heavy steel beam dropped on him. Bless you and your family. 1940 living with parents in Green, Nodaway, Missouri [2] Tony Mcelroy Head Male 50 Missouri That being said, I cant sort out the wives and children of Ken. According to Judge on Criminal, he managed this by finding out where members of the jury lived and placing rattlesnakes in their mailboxes as a threat. It has since been renamed, but at the moment I cant recall it. Shame on anyone who holds the things that Ken did to others, against Trena. She was lucky the town granted her mercy. Im sorry to hear that your Grandmother was relatively young when she passed. Were they scared of this thug? McElroy was charged with assault with intent to kill. Trena (3rd wife) children; three her obituary stated she had 8 children ?? Enjoy reading these comments as well. This is something my family especially my Grandma and the 3 children she had with that monster dont want to remember or think about. Ken Rexs demise was over 40 years ago and the majority of those who lived there in 1981 are gone now. According to a Mental Floss article on McElroy, the 70-year-old Bowenkamp barely survived the violent encounter; but although McElroy was convicted of second-degree assault and sentenced to two. McElroy controlled the whole town. As far as him never being convictedwell, you cant just ignore all those indictments and the rapes! The person knew McElroy for many years and said that Ken neither had the guts nor the intestinal fortitude to face Bo in a face to face gun duel. I find it AMAZING that someone like Ken Rex McElroy could even sire such a respectable son in the first place! She was lucky that the second bullet didnt strike her. You could write a great survival book about her to help victims of domestic violence. I remember watching the movie when it came out. A town having inadequate policing. Trena did what she had to do to survive! I was born and raised in St. Joseph and my Mother who has since passed had told me that my Father (who died when I was 2) who was a St. Joe Police Officer knew Officer Stratton. The demise of Ken Rex, is one that will continue to be debated, for years to come. Good comment. 13 Things About Ken McElroy's Shooting You Need To Know Before - Bustle It will never change the ending. Cold. Hard. Scary. The face beneath the eyes was smiling and friendly. My brother and I bought a Coonhound pup from Ken less than a month before.he was shot. During the meeting, McElroy arrived at the D&G Tavern with Trena. I am sorry for all of his children (and their children), his victims and the townspeople of Skidmore. . Im not saying there isnt one, but they arent especially close being 5 or 6 counties apart from each other. Ill never forget the night of his visitation after he passed, people were lined up out the door to pay their respects . I would have shot that punkass on my own if he ever started with me..he got what he deserved for sure..I have a real problem with bullies to this day.. Everyone is a victim. Just a matter of a fact type situation. she probably had to start all over elsewhere. Kriss lives in Skidmore. BILLIONS of people on this planet are poor and they dont do what that thug did. As for Trena, when I talked to her she sounded like a 14-year-old girl, about the age when McElroy go ahold of her. He charmed the girls with dime-store gifts and rides in his truck. As I understand it, the insurance company had it repaired and sold. Stuck in my back pocket and next time I got close I yanked it out by the Rawhide and put an 8 inch gash in his head tearing his ear nearly off. Now intrigued, Jeffrey managed to locate the medical papers from a surgery he had had as child to repair the hernia. https://www.holmanhowe.com/obituaries/Trena-WilliamsLebanon-559576/. Whatever money spent to investigate his death, was just good money thrown after bad. i am happy that she did get to move on and live a happy life. Thanks for writing. It proved where her loyalties were when she sued the town after McElroys death. He met his last wife, Trena McCloud (1957-2012), when she was 12 years old and in eighth grade. They were all white trash, she was just as guilty as Ken McElroy was in terrorizing those people, although they picked the right town apparently, you can only bully people for so long, shes lucky she didnt meet the same fate. Jeffrey Even the United States has a legal system, even back then. I dont believe that vigilante violence is justifiable, but in this case it is. Weighing in at approximately 270 pounds with bushy black sideburns, McElroy held the entire . She use to ride around with Ken holding a gun, she liked all that abusive power. . I get what youre saying. Whatever dont be killing your self. He would come to a bar called Blues Brew Town carrying a gun and the bar would empty out. This guy had dark hair, and a small paunch. Mr Dalsing is a man who puts others needs before his own. Be strong willed, and let friends lien on you. And is Timmy McElroy still around? So, they stole the information. She had to do whatever he told her to to survive! Interesting story. They were of one mind, clearly, or the entire set of facts sought by the police would be known by now. I believe the townsfolk honestly had no choice. It's no secret that our culture is obsessed with true crime stories, thanks to the likes of Serial and Making A Murderer and there are few crime stories more intriguing than an unsolved murder. Trena had three kids by McElroy. Particularly when you think about how young she was when he got ahold of her. Lots of pictures of the parade. McFadin was so good at getting McElroy off that, as Unsolved claims, rumors spread that McFaden was actually a mob lawyer. Where were all these state patrol investigators when he was running loose? Why? McElroy knew this quite well and knew the only way he could duel with Bo was to shoot him while Bo was unarmed. Sounds naive I know, but I feel hope that perhaps Ken McElroy may well have found God, even if tangentially. Although Trena rode with McElroy at the end, she was victimized by him at age 12. May this sweey woman RIP, and she was to young!! They cant fight a man so they beat a woman. somebody better tell that dude about kenny & what happened to him . When you get into a situation that young its you really do NOT know what youre getting into to. While Trena may have been the only person who sought justice for McElroy's. Nobody twisted her arms to stay with the man. She had been just a girl, and McElroy was a monster. However, she had her opportunities to disappear or move on on numerous occasions and she didnt take it. He was still alive in 2007 when you did. [10] Nobody called for an ambulance. Besides the fact that he had robbed and raped for years with no law enforcement stopping him. Its been a while since I saw any new posts on this blog. Realize you have something disgusting deep within you because of those horrid pieces of shit. Sorry Harryjust to clarify, when I asked what was his/her name, I was referring to the fourth child of Sally, not mentioned in your book. l will let you know my thoughts. Not once do you hear of him going toe to toe with anyone, just threats and guns and of course beating on women, which is a classic sign of a coward. Right. why you attracted such a horrible person into your life. It seems Q Goslees family has experienced losses at an earlier age than I would have thought. Its dealing with the loss of all the work and experience it takes to raise livestock. We were teens when we met and became best friends while attending UMKC. The children had little parental supervision, and for the most part ran free around town. Half the people there in 1981 are gone now, and they arent being replaced. Hard working people who never give up. Ken was a good guy and a good friend with those he was comfortable with. Now it's a limited true crime series on SundanceTV. When you grow up like that you can become an absolute mental slave to someone who makes you feel like you matter to them, particularly if they sink their teeth into you when you are a teenager and your frontal lobes havent fully developed. Other times? 6. I feel some pity for this woman,but none for the criminal who got his just deserts. as its been told , did indeed act as a lookout , carried a gun & so forth . Did you learn about your grandfather as a kid? Thats just like in 1991 movie titled In Broad Daylight, the part of Ken Rex McElroy was given the fictional name of Len Rowan. Although Trena was young when she got with that demon, its clear she enjoyed bullying people too. Trena was a liar, she said he was a good man, he did nothing wrong,. The family appeared not to be given any help at all. Are they aware of their father and the history about him? It is my pleasure to interact with Jeffery on a daily basis and I truely feel he helps keep me grounded. Thank you for updating this story. Small towns should pass laws to protect themselves from such harassment, and people stick together to prevent future problems. Among the many facts known about the Ken McElroy shooting, the one thing that's not known is who actually pulled the trigger. Where was the law when Trenas parents needed them, where was the law when Romain Henry was shot and Ken Rex paying witnesses to lie and paying jurors to sway a Not Guilty vote. And so it goes. Hug them! He taught me a lot about life and how being true to yourself makes a difference in your life and the lives of others. Where was the law when KR was intimidating everyone including the law and their family and most importantly, where was the law for Trena? Plain and simple, Trena was a victim here she was 12 years old when Ken Rex got his hands on her. Everybody? She lived in Conway, Missouri, and apparently died of cancer. Im not justifying what happened, but there were a lot of contributing factors and I believe people were legitimately scared and felt they had to do something since the law and the legal system failed them so abysmally. Good and evil are not social constructs. He found all the loopholes. No sympathy for KM or his wife. Trena did not profit from the movie. McElroy managed to escape conviction on all but one of these charges by intimidating witnesses and through the efforts of his accomplished attorney, Richard McFadin. So until you have walked in her shoes, do not judge her! It was amazing the town folk found the restraint not to grant her Kens fate. Their rights were ignored completely. People can change, and she proved this. I live in Lawrence, Kansas which is about 90 miles from Skidmore, Missouri. On occasion, such people will be prosecuted and even imprisoned or disbarred. I have some questions. Trena Louise Williams, daughter of Ronald and Treva Peters McNeeley, was born January 24, 1957, in Horton, Kansas. Thanks for the answer to my question, Jeffrey. His murder is still technically unsolved. You have never been an abused woman!!! While it is sad the people of Skidmore had to resort to shooting, fear can be a very strong force. I havent followed the Branson case that closely, but I know the crime hasnt been solved. I couldnt help but think about the tradgedies , this small town has endured, and how many lives were changed, or ruined, due to them. They were poor, they had come from Kansas, he kind of grew up resenting those he considered to be more successful. Does no one stand up to him? I think, after a few beers, he just snapped. We shared summers and girls and lots of laughs, some of the best years I spent with Jeff. They will be laughing hysterically and then flip the finger at the town as they drive off in a fire engulfed truck and disappear. As for the question on where her children live, esp the one in Pennsylvania? Just a fascinating story. They left the night McElroy was shot. He was defended by Gene McFadin, who defended Ken. Ken Rex beat her into submission, yet he was the one who protected her and put food on the table. Therefore, it was as though she were sending out the wrong message about her involvement with him by filing that lawsuit. What do you say? Whatever happened to the children of ken McElroy? he was a sociopathnot psychotic. While she contributed to whatever Ken did, she posed no threat individually. Karmic: WRONG. Your book may give me a different perception, we will see. Trena . But I also decided to not live my life even for a minute being afraid of another man. I always hoped she would find happiness once she got away. Why not just say that in your comment. Understand. Harry, You talked to my father (who has passed away) in the research for your book. I am glad she went on to live a relatively happy life. Very little was done to protect women. That might have been the St. Joe case, where he pulled a gun on a couple, and right before trial they backed out. It was about the FBI investigation that took place in Skidmore, Missouri after Ken Rex McElroy was shot to death. He got what he had coming why keep talking about it its over done, I believe that anyone that wants a vigilante tried for murdering the scum of the earth, is the reason the world is in the sad state of affairs that its in today. I read on the web that the monster had a steel plate in his head from a prior head injury. Red died several years ago, and Steve Peters and his wife divorced and Steve moved to St. Joe, where he is working for an engineering company. Cant blame the kids for the fathers sins. With Sharon pregnant, McElroy began romancing a 13-year-old named Sally. One of the kids I thinkbut Im not sureis in Philly. Actually,this took place in Skidmore,, Missouri,not in Kansas. The sleeziest lawyer can only do so much for a thug if the judges and prosecutors are doing hat they should. She was drunk and angry. Im not sure if Ken physically abused her but I wouldnt be a bit surprised to learn that he did. I also knew Faye Copeland of Ray and Faye Copeland fame, was the very next tenant in an apartment in St. Joe from which a young woman had disappeared and was later found murdered, and know a woman named Angela (Angie) who was kidnapped by the same guy suspected of killing Crystal Kipper-John Williams. McElroy's appeal hearing was again delayed. To this day my source informs me the townsfolk still refer to Bo as the Clint Eastwood of Skidmore Missouri and all the surrounding area. He was represented by defense attorney Richard Gene McFadin of Gallatin, Missouri. Alice (2nd wife) children; son (Jaurez), daughter (Tonya/Toni), son (Ken Jr./Mouse) Ken married first name McElroy. I am not saying that she was right in some of her actions, but, when people are really backed up in a corner and afraid, they do things to survive and to keep the people they love (ie her family and children) safe! Dont you think that she might have been terrified??? His farm was about 20 miles west of Kirksville. And I call BS to imply there is some sort collective evil there. Im glad I was able to find out this information. But it was an easy thing for them to do, to raise their hands and lie under oath.". As far as Trena, it is awful to think that her own mother just gave up on her so easily I just cannot imagine. The ones still living can be found listed in obituaries of some of the siblings. Juarez was a menace. She just knew him mostly as her dad and not all the other stuff. Im pretty sure many are long dead, but to me THIS is the story. I pictured Del Clement and the other men as middle aged while reading the book, but then realized that Del was only a few years older than Trena when Ken was shot. Quick question.., what reason did Sheriff Estes give for leaving Skidmore directly after the meeting even though he knew Ken Rex was coming into town? My grandparents farmhouse mysteriously burnt down while they were away in the early 80s. http://www.holmanhowe.com/sitemaker/sites/Holman1/obit.cgi?user=559576WilliamsLebanon#.TyhZNgTT0J0.facebook. As as child victim myself I really tried to feel sympathy for Trena, but try as I might I can not comprehend defending your abuser. TM & 2015 Turner Entertainment Networks, Inc. A Time Warner Company. I would also like to ask, When did Alice Wood passed away? If you are a decent human being there is no way you can condone his actions! I believe grace & mercy of God she met a good man and had 5 more children is more than enough to realize she was blessed later for her life that was stolen from her. On July 27, 1976, Skidmore farmer Romaine Henry said McElroy shot him twice with a shotgun after Henry challenged him for shooting weapons on Henry's property. All of them are aware of who their father was. Trena was my grandmother, she died on January 24th, her 55th birthday, not the 28th. No, as a matter of fact I dont think Ive heard the name before. facts known about the Ken McElroy shooting. That would add a significant twist to the story. I would guess that if someone was saying and doing things that McElroy agreed with, theyd get along ok. Ken was a lazy theif , rapist, hild molester, he got what he deserved/ this type needs dealt with this wAy more to show the criminals that they they cant hide behind the law because we will get you / thats whats wrong with this country nobody wants to work just take what they want and blame it on you because they dont have what youve got. But as years went on, Trena chose to harass the people of Skidmore along with her husband. I remember visiting the bar/diner in Skidmore back in 2000. you reference). There is a photo of Trena with Alice in the book, and an obituary photo of Trena in an earlier post on this blog. Hello, I do not wish to reveal my identity, but I would like to point some things out. I researched every aspect of the family as thoroughly as I could and tried to be as fair as possible. Vigilante justice ended up being the last resort for the townspeople. Harry. This was Jeffrey. She said the house didnt burn down and in that same sentence she said faulty wiring. He has not the slightest feel of violence about him. Many family members would not speak to me. We have one. The law never punished him nor did he abide by the law i be live he would not want the law to interfere with his much needed death. Roadhouse looks like this in its basic plot and conclusion. I understand that was probably the case. I mean, come on, think for yourselves! He hit only twice, once by a centerfire rifle and once by a .22 rimfire rifle. I am glad she was not harmed in the shooting of Ken. Ken Rex McElroy's Lost Son | Harry N. MacLean Bless the rave souls who had the guts to put that man to death. Jeffrey hopes that some good will come out of all this, but hes not sure what it might be. The aforementioned lawsuit, her bullying the town along with KRM, her defense of a man that raped and abused her, NO and NO! Everyone owes a huge debt of gratitude to special education teachers, the unsung heroes of the schools. Sixteen days after Trena gave birth, both she and Alice fled to Trena's parents' house. Did she give the money back? He never rasises his voice. She tried to get away from him more then once , t so true .she will answer 4 her deeds on judgement day 4 what she did 2 the townspeople but if they say she turned her life around thats good heaven ..HERESSSSSSSSS TRENA, Mp? Well Im watching the Sundance series. Ken Rex McElroy was born Jun 16 1934 [1], the fifteenth of sixteen children born to a poor, migrant tenant-farming couple named Tony and Mabel (ne Lister) McElroy, who had moved between Kansas and the Ozarks before settling outside of Skidmore. He is a positive man with a great personality and has a charming demeanor about himself. My dad sat on the jury in one of Kens many hearings. i lived in mound city from 1978 to 1996. i heard about the story when i was old enough to understand. Jesus. I have their pictures in The Story Behind In Broad Daylight. Shocked that trena passed on, her updated pic shows ahappy woman, you mentioned some of the kids are in Pa? Did he run around there? If they dont need to or dont KNOW they can beat everyone, they act right. Ken may have done wrong is quite an understatement. When she was at her worst it is clear to any thinking person that she was possessed by that human demon through relentless abuse. One of them, Jeffy, had a hernia problem. Why did she not publish some more introspective personal responsibility later. According to a Mental Floss article on McElroy, the 70-year-old Bowenkamp barely survived the violent encounter; but although McElroy was convicted of second-degree assault and sentenced to two years in prison, he immediately appealed the conviction and was released on bond. I belive that my half brother is the grandson of ken rex McElroy my brother is the son of derome McElroy. She should have thanked them instead of blaming & suing them. Btw Who do they think kidnapped Branson? People are fully entitled to talk about a thug whether he is DEAD or NOT. Very well said. Those things happened because the criminal in a case like this is an animal, and his/her subsequent crimes only took place because of the evil inside of that person. Youre saying a 12 year old was at fault for being raped and forced into marriage by a grown man? stubbornly in the dark. Damien, Thats nonsense. She was a grade-a bozo and victim-blamed everyone that was every assaulted by her bumpkin husband, including the children and young women that he sexually assaulted. And you do not involve anyones family or friends EVER. The law fails. They terrorized an entire down. He has been alive and living. ), he was going to defend him. Think about this Between 30 and 46 law abiding, normally peaceful people have NEVER had an attack of conscience over 40 years and said a word. I couldnt capture that in the book. You are in no position to talk :). For those not familiar with the environment in which we work I can only add that a person who lacks confidence and empathy is short lived in this career field. Besides,from what I have read,even lawmen were scared of Ken Rex. Ive never allowed anyone to threaten me face to face and I have never once worried about a man that tells you what hes going to do to you because hes all talk. Thank you for your service in the special needs field. Abuse wears you down to the point you cannot think for yourself. Skidmore, Part Three - The Murder of Ken Rex McElroy they couldve easily put a bullet in the back of her head but they didnt , it was Ken they hated & despised with a venom only known in hell . Ill buy the first edition. I would love to hear from you . The legal system failed them and they had taken all they could. From the impression I got, the law enforcement officers, with exception of Corporal Stratton of the State Patrol, seemed to back down to Ken out of fear the same as the townspeople did for a while. You know what would be really interesting would be both you and him meeting in July like we talked about. Over the course of his life, McElroy was accused of dozens of felonies, including assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, animal cruelty, hog and cattle rustling, and burglary. It would be worth something to day. [3] McElroy was acquitted. Say what you will, but not only was Ken Rex an obvious monster, but so was his brainless wife, Trena McElroy. Dec. 15, 2010. Neither am I. I havent seen you since you was 2 . [1] McElroy successfully appealed the conviction and was released on bond, after which he engaged in an ongoing harassment campaign against Bowenkamp and others who were sympathetic to Bowenkamp, including the town's Church of Christ minister. Let them rot. Now 47, he is the same age McELroy was when he was shot to death on the main street of Skidmore Missouri. It was a credible threat as he had already shot 2 innocent people. [11] Only Trena claimed to identify a gunman; every other witness was either unable to name an assailant or claimed not to have seen who fired the fatal shots. In all, McElroy was indicted 21 times and managed to escape conviction every time. If she later realized how brainwashed she was, did she apologize to the town and the people she sued? All Rights Reserved, Slender Man stabbing, Waukesha, Wisconsin, Update: Police Release Dead Serial Killers Account of Murder of Samantha Koenig. Before then he just knew he had been adopted. City Confidential pissed me off because all of the info in the show came from my book and they failed to credit it. who testified in No One Saw a Thing, Ken Rex McElroy was considered to be the "town bully." Before McElroy died, he had threatened a number of people at gunpoint, shot a few people, and sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl, Trena McCloud, before marrying her to evade statutory rape charges. Even the worst people can sometimes act pleasantly. The T O W N failed to protect the 12 year old? Without him around to protect her, she wilted back down to reality. Absolutely true Jack. Wife says one of 60 vigilantes killed husband - UPI Archives Ive never come across Charlie again. I always wondered how far from town he lived, not that I would ever go there, just wondered if its on google maps. He has resolved some of the most embattled conflicts students have engaged in while maintaining a never ending sense of humor. He refused several requests for an interview. No one who was around when this coward terrorized them will ever talk. Bless the people who had to put up with these two monsters.
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