A-hunting I will go, a-hunting I will go…

…hi-ho, the merry-o, a-hunting I will go!

Wow. I have been really out there finding those GeoCaches now. Having a GPS makes ALL the difference in the world. I was only at 9 when I got home on the 29th of August. Now I’ve hidden 2 and found 44. I’m loving this!

Today, I found 4 separate caches and the last one, here in Kansas, was the most interesting by far. It tells a story of the Bender family and their exploits. Here is a picture of the sign that this virtual cache took me to:

In case you cannot read it, this is what is says:

The Bloody Benders

Near here are the Bender mounds, named for the infamous Bender family – – John, his wife, son, and daughter Kate – – who settled here in 1871. Kate soon gained notoriety as a self-proclaimed healer and spiritualist. Secretly, the four made their living through murder and robbery.
Located on the main road, the Benders sold meal and supplies to travelers. Their murders were carried out by using a canvas curtain that divided the house into two rooms. When a traveler was seated at the table, his head was outlined against the curtain. The victim was then dispatched from behind with a hammer, and the body dropped into a basement pit, later to be buried in an orchard.
As more and more travelers disappeared, suspicion began to center on the Benders. They disappeared in the spring of 1873, shortly before inquisitive neighbors discovered the victims’ bodies. The Benders are believed to have killed about a dozen people, including one child.
Although stories abound, the ultimate fate of the murderous Bender family is uncertain. Some say they escaped, other that they were executed by a vengeful posse. Their story is unresolved and remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of the old West.

I thought it shareable because I would’ve never thought to walk over and read the historical marker at all…until I was pointed in the direction of it because of GeoCaching. I must say that it’s paying off for me already in learned knowledge.

My weekend visit with my mother, grandparents and aunt was great. My aunt has taken to GeoCaching with the same fervor that I have. She and her husband have ordered their GPS and it’s due in next week sometime from what I’m told. They both have to have surgery before getting out there on a continual basis though. Phil, her husband and my somewhat uncle, is going for knee surgery next week (I believe) and Sally is going in for a hip replacement, but I’m not sure when. I think after all of that happens, they will be out here putting in some GeoCaching themselves.

Here are a couple of pictures that were taken of a Travel Bug that was taken to Union City and posed for these pictures.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the Travel Bug doll.

Till Next Time,
Blessings!

Kyle
Riverwolf
The Trucking Geek