The plans are set, I am going back the weekend of the 5th. b) They later had a child together. Want more true crime? The sheriff was chagrined to admit that the official files were not in his office. In 2002 I convinced him to take a road trip with me for the day and headed to Skidmore. We do what we want, when we want, and how we want. glad to know her life had a happy ending so to speak. I cant seem to find much information on the Internet. Interesting take on Ken and the town. Whether it was in the heat of the moment or putting him down like a mad dog, I cannot say. Decades later, who killed Skidmore town bully still secret | The Kansas d) He soon became bored and moved on to another underage girl. He was the Skidmore bully. I dont agree with murder and at the end of the day, it was murder. You may email me if you do not want to post it publicly. The people in Skidmore were by and large very hostile to her. Yea he stole hogs, but no ones perfect. I watched the TV Movie In Broad Daylight, Iast night. But all I need is an address and I would gladly show up unarmed.pussy. 1) There was nothing Alpha about Ken or you,look what happened to Ken. You or your crew. McElroy got what was coming to him plain & simple , thats sad to say but its true . Trena divorced her husband, and Ive been told lives in Columbia. Someone who was loved. The Unsolved Vigilante Murder of Ken McElroy - The Lineup Ive heard and seen trailers of Without Mercy, but have not seen it. I later heard that there were suspicions that he had been driven off of the road. Maybe his hunting area was that additional mile. Actually, I think Del Clements act was totally impulsive. I read the shell casings found in the street were from a .22 mag and a 8 mm German or Swedish Mauser. WE ALL DID TILL DEATH . Theres what appears to be a formerly occupied lot on the south side of Delta, just before the second sharp curve. Ive seen diagrams of plans to shoot McElroy on the backroads of Nodaway County; Intersections where he would have to stop on his way home, with a gunman or gunmen in the trees or behind the bushes. as we paid for our items he followed us out the door & watched us get into our car & leave. Google earth doesnt recognize a Valley Rd. Even an expert at anything past reading distance would not be able to tell the difference between the two. I never saw a time when he was anything but pleasant to be around. in July 1981. I have a great affection for the place, have from the first day I walked into the coffee shop almost 25 years ago. He didnt deserve any better. After reading the brief and not so informative posting on Facebook, I then Google Kens name and began reading more about it and finally one of the links brought me to your comment thread here! This makes it EASY for Thugs to dispose of peoples property out of state. She hesitated to bad mouth him, however, for the sake of the kids. Im sure theyre out there somewhere in cyberspace. The few times I saw him he was drunk, once so badly he could barely stand. but the shooters are dead now and wives. It seems more sensational in a Rural Setting. In the middle of the second curve on Valley Road. Still, thanks for writing there are two sides to every story. The third person with the shotgun was always a theory, but never proven. I read the book, the epilogue, and the Making of(thanks Kindle store!). I noticed earlier today while doing some reading that both Q. Goslee and Lois BowenKamp have passed away. He planted many evil seeds and when he reaped them they all sprang up at once. ive had nightmares ever since that day off & on . i wonder why a group of ppl didnt grab him and beat him half to death way b4 the shooting. It is so BAD, I CANNOT leave this property unattended. Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card Ken Tex McElroy had it coming. She was always a heavy smoker, and I heard that it was from lung cancer, although I dont knwo for sure. Chris: We just published an e-book entitled The Story Behind In Broad Daylight. Available on Amazon. He made me think he was McElroy. Its extremely difficult nowadays to operate any kind of small business in such sparsely populated areas like these having to rely on the locals to keep it afloat whether its a local bar, gas station, or corner grocery. thanks-nicole. March 10, 2023 . I worked with a guy in the 80s that said he had met Ken a couple at times and that he come across as a real a-hole. You can find it on YouTube, starring Brian Denehey. Most things are closed down. Your take on him is a common one, although he has his defenders. R.I.P Kenrex. Thoughts? I agree that Ken McElroy haunts the town, and always will. Yes it was 2 men they were relations to eachother but the one who shot him was visiting at the time.He is dead now of prostate cancer about 10 years or more. This was before I knew my first husband. But when it comes to killing, there are very few fair fights. AND INTO ADULTHOOD. a man who left a legacy of terror & hatred. Was he mentally disturbed? I remember when this happened. I keep going back to the though of if he knew it was the end for him. Jones Memorial Chapel, 703 N.. dude eventually got arrested & while in police custody he hung himself. You steal, and think that makes you a man? He abused Alice verbally and physically, and when she gave birth to their son, she moved out to live with her mother and stepfather In St Joseph, the next town over from Skidmore. Harry. People would leave when they heard McElroy was in town. So the debris pile falls at the 2 mile point. But we exchanged some small talk, and I left. didnt like him at all , had a feeling he thought we were all country bumpkins . And you need to learn how to spell: strait is straight. Ken McElroy terrorized his town for years. off of RT. 1. He was friendly and gave me directions to the cemetery. And all honor & thanks to he/ they that executed him. i lived 14 miles from town and there were 20now nothing!! Shot a man in the stomach with a shot gun! In your first edition on page 293 you refer to three men with guns a shotgun, 30-30, and a .22; Were you referring to specific individuals or taking poetic license? In the movie they show the 1st person grabbing what could be a .22 or 22 mag, 2nd person grabs a 30-30 and the 3 person grabs a shotgun from the trunk of a car. The posts didnt sound like it. My point on his courage was, that I doubt he would have done it if he had been face to face with McElroy. ZZ. I think it is Delta Road. Waving a shotgun around and shooting old unarmed men doesnt make him look so brave to me. The day I stopped through even the bar was closed..do you know if the bar is even open anymore? He ended up having six children and many grandchildren. For decades, the man held the town of Skidmore virtually hostage. The movie was shot in Elgin, Texas, which youll note bears no resemblance to Skidmore. The driver, whom I knew, with a gut like Ken Rex McElroy told the LAPD. Hi Harry I loved reading the book I have a question I know there was a made for TV movie made, have you been approached on making a newer version of a movie? 3. the gun could be in a glass case with lights downing on it . Only hard core criminals laugh in court. Why dont you get your facts strait. The govt built a new post office on the east end of town. Ask yourself: who smiles instantly after beating the criminal rap in court? and to your footnote I was born close this town but have since move. I will obviously drive through the town, and more than likely take some pictures along the way, and of course stop by the bar, if it is open. I tried to give the towns point of view, but to also be fair to the other people and institutions involved. The rifle was probably mis-identified by witnesses (perhaps on purpose) as a 30-30. Ken was 18 and Oleta was 16. . My first encounter with the Skidmore story began when I first saw the TV episode of City Confidential some years ago. Deputy was there talking to my dad as he was stealing it. I should have stated that years ago I was introduced to one of the alleged gunmen. I put it together mainly because the book was out of print other than on Kindleand I felt that a real book should always be available. Doesnt Ken have a daughter in law named Tonya? Del, a short man with a chip on his shoulder and a hot temper, wore a cowboy hat and drank heavily. It brings the story and characters up to date. The likelihood that a serious offer was made and accepted seems highly unlikely, given McElroys reputation and his many friends in the area. I hope thats not true, but it wouldnt surprise me if it was. It has happened forever. His problems, but who dont? If anyone has information on Treena family I would love to know what happened to them all . Maybe if the District Attorney would offer immunity to anyone who witnessed or was involved in McElroys death the rest of the story could be told and the case closed. BB. You care for the sheep but hate the sheepdog. On July 10, 1981, Ken Rex McElroy would be shot dead in the street in broad daylight, amongst as many as 60 witnesses. The witch might be dead.. and you should just go your way. Theres a big difference between a .22 and a .22 mag. They made him move. I used to visit a town (Ransom, Illinois) which is very similar in size and population and it is experiencing a similar decline which I believe is more due to economics and changing times than anything else. Alice died a few years ago. What they were afraid of was prosecution. Compelling read. No one saw a thing is a piece of junk. He died of electricution when he made contact with a high voltage line while stepping out of the car. There were other incidents as well but my memory of them has faded. Ken Rex McElroy's Lost Son | Harry N. MacLean Other accounts say an 8 mm. Yet, it was in fact the very same legal system that allowed Ken McElroy to get away with what he did for all those years, also failed to bring his killers to justice. Slowly twords which he still shared with Sharon and their two kids. I have to wonder also if the town had turned in the killers, if it would have fared better than it has? They probably had bad dreams over it and Ken Rex won because he still haunts them and the town of Skidmore. I was their that day I was watching from the old gas station on the corner I know who fired the first shot & no I WONT TELL , I TOOK THE OATH TOO. There is no benefit I can see to having it in the public arena. You wouldnt find one, it didnt exist. t was Mr Sumy. Are there any Pics of the Aftermath.. Morgue pics of the Body? The same cops who ignored McElroys crimes were rousting them trying to find his killers. I really have no quarrel with what happened to McELroy. He probably thought it would make him a bigger man in the eyes of the townfolk something he always wanted. The Life of Ken Rex McElroy - Ashley Blackmon Introduction I was a witness , not a shooter . Cheryl has been married a few times, but never as far as I know to the mayor or sheriff. I read the Playboy version, wasnt real impressed with it. Dont hate cuz even cops are corrupt. All the towns mentioned were familiar to me. The scum-bag lawyer and family members were genuinely angry that the killers had not been brought to justice. I have been a marine and completed 2 tours of duty and travel armed at all times with a crew, so I highly doubt you are going to kick my ass these are just facts, besides the fact that this is just a message board on the internet and I cant be bothered to get into a childish flaming war with some old dude who was tormented by either Ken Rex, my comments, or both. Bear, I loved Skidmore in late 70s and early 80s. McElroy was hit by a car in the middle of the day while driving his vehicle McElroy was riding his big vehicle with his spouse, Trena, the day he died. This story, and the book, will far outlive me, and anyone else alive today, Ive come to believe. and im not affraid to say yes del was the main shooter. You should go to Piedmont Alabama and research the Ronnie Chandler story. However, in his book, former professional Harley Race (who is from Quitman, MO) says that he had a confrontation with McElroy. Figures. Is that where Kens house was? The locals had a lot of fun with the Playboy author, feeding him all sorts of bullshit, then seeing him run it down or put it in his article. I have found this whole drama so very intriguing for quite a while. The story would have gone on forever, regardless. I dont see a valley road..maybe it was renamed? Watch the new and 7th season of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime! But as long as you are armed, Im sure you feel like big man on campus. That sounds like a threat at the end of your comment. did ANYONE try to have a freindship with him ? Instead of writing some kind of relevant answer on the issue, you took your time to harass someone who was nice enough to give a deeper insight from first hand witnessing. Are thye still in the area? He was the fifteenth of sixteen children born to a poor, migrant tenant farming family. They reminded me of another family I once met who also blamed everyone else for the troubles they created for themselves. At far right is McElroy's former wife Alice Woods. She is a person of great personal integrity and not prone to exaggeration or gossip. Ive read these posts and seems you have taken inventory of the participants but given the protagonist a bit more recognition. Although I do understand why some of the locals wish it would just go away. I was 10 years old and saw the whole thing. Hi Im looking into this case as part of my Extended Project Qualification and would like to know whether or not you believe that McElroys murder was justifiable? Ken Rex was an alpha male, much like myself. i told this guy ( didnt know his reputation at the time) to back off he gave me an icy cold stare , he did in fact have an imitadation factor about him. I truly believe that any community put under the sort of pressure McElroy put it under, and with the law failing to protect it, might well have done the same thing. The Story Of Ken McElroy, The Vicious Bully Killed By His Town (for one thing, murdering a human being isnt easy for most of us). There is also a bit of the Stockholm Syndrome, where the captive begins to identify with captor, liked Patty Hearst. Del Clement died without a word about who shot Ken McElroy. Her parents abandoned her to his clutches. I remember Alice and thinking she is not much older then me yet she is with this guy and Treena is having his baby, and yet she was just a child 4. I was 13 when my father myself and my two sisters. They TRIED EVERYTHING, it did not work. this town is declining at a rapid pace , soon , skidmore will be a ghost town with nothing but mcelroys ghost roaming the streets & empty buildings. I dont believe my grandfather would have and thats why it bothered him so much. Do you believe that Baird agreed to allow you access tot he files because he already knew they were gone? He may be a lot f things, but hes not a coward in this one instance. When you keep pushing people around, eventually they get fed up. if i was a true crime writer this is a story i wouldve liked to write. well he kept trying to talk to her & she told me to say something to him . They get away with crimes so much they begin to think they are INVINCIBLE. I grew up there. the whole story about skidmore is sad & shameful, from what he did & the murder by the towns people . Thats how Ken McElroy felt. Im a retired peace officer, as such Ive seen the inside of quite a few jails and prisons. Alice M. McElroy, 62, of Kansas City, Kan., passed away November 18, 2006, at Medicalodge Post Acute Care Center. Unfortunately, NBC owns the rights, and they would have to agree to sell them, which they are apparently not likely to do.