Murder & Mayhem More than a Genealogist Could Asked For

I can understand finding maybe one murder victim in a tree but I have found several in not only mine but my X- husband's as well.
Let's start with his. First we have a gentleman who was a Miller, see definition below photo.



Millers are responsible for the processing of different types of grain, particularly wheat and maize.

Wellington Frederick was Born 25 Feb 1828 in Canada most likely Ontario. He moved to Willow Creek, Gallatin, MT and on 18 of Sep 1879, Mr. Michael Foley watched as Mr Frederick went to the barn to milk the cows, and entered the house and pulled a gun on Mrs. Frederick said he was going to killer her but first wanted all the money in the house. A young boy ran out to the barn to get Wellington and when he entered the house Mr Foley shot him in the side. They had a altercation and Mr. Foley received a gash on his head. Mr Frederick told his wife to save herself because he knew he was done in. Mr. Foley escaped. 

I attached the newspaper articles so you can read the whole story.












Some pretty interesting reading, I wonder if that sheriff was re-elected? Hope not. Mr. Foley had made several threats to other towns people.


Our next story starts in St. Louis, Missouri in 1935 with a 17 year old who either couldn't stay out of trouble or the local police had it out for him. He was arrested 33 times with no convictions.

Ross Henderson was born on 7 Oct 1917 to John E Henderson and his wife Hazel B McKague. 


Hazel B McKague

John E Henderson


The Henderson's lost 2 baby's one on 30th March 1911 and one on 20th Aug 1915


They had a son Russell in 1914 and Then Ross was born 1917 and then  3 daughter's Sylvia, Velma, Delores. Total of 7 children were born to this marriage that we know.



On March 19th or 15th of  1935  (Newspapers couldn't get the  date right). Ross Henderson and a friend of his stole a car for a joyride and saw the police and got nervous so they ran from them and wrecked the car, in a foot chase the police officer claims to have fired one shot in the air and two at 17 year old Ross one striking him in the back, he died in the hospital a few days later and re-fused to give a statement or name the person with him in the stolen car.

During this time his father was a widower and an unemployed fireman with the 2 boys Ross and Russell and three daughters ages 13, 9 and 6. His wife died of  pneumonia 1 Jan 1934 not even a year before his son is taken.

So this poor man has already buried his wife 2 babies and has a son age 17 to bury. Below are the newspaper clipping I found.


Ross Henderson Death Certificate 








After burying his son on the 9th of March 1937 His daughter  Sylvia was struck and killed by a passenger train.

John E Henderson died 24 Dec 1958 in St Louis, O at the age of 71.
I could not find any further information on the remaining children, Russell, Velma & Delores. Below is Sylvia's, John's and Hazel's death certificates. 










I am hoping that John and the rest of his children saw better days and that he grew old with grandchildren bouncing on his knee and listening to him tell the stories of when he was young.

John did re-marry to a nurse named Clara Marie Dorack, I do not know the date they Married but she died 16 Apr 1965 and they are buried together at  Saint Peter Cemetery  Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA


I will continue to look for them and hopefully one day I will add a happy ending to this sad tale.

Rest in peace, you are not for gotten.

If you would like to leave flowers on his Virtual grave on Find A Grave his MEMORIAL ID 37294409




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