Iowa Files; Villisca: Living With a Mystery

On the morning of June 10, 1912, the peaceful town of Villisca, Iowa awoke to horror. Josiah and Sarah Moore, along with their four children (Herman, Katherine, Boyd, and Paul), and two young overnight guests (Lena and Ina Stillinger), were all found brutally murdered in their home. The killer had used an axe, likely Josiah Moore’s own, to bludgeon the victims while they slept.

One of the most chilling unsolved mysteries in the United States, the tragedy has been extensively researched by Dr. Edgar V. Epperly. He has written dozens of articles and blog entries, and appeared on CourtTV and other radio and television programs. He will be joined by filmmakers Kelly & Tammy Rundle, whose 2004 documentary explores the crime's aftermath in a small town.

You may also like the following events from West Des Moines Historical Society:

• Next Monday, 11th August, 09:00 am, Hands on History Camp in West Des Moines
• This month, 19th August, 10:30 am, Schoolhouse Storytime: Party Time! in West Des Moines
• This month, 21st August, 07:00 pm, Step Back in Time Book Group: The Edelweiss Sisters in West Des Moines