Robey Memorial Library to host presentation Feb. 24 on the Villisca Axe Murders of 1912
Dr. Edgar Epperly...
As part of its Live & Learn: enriching lives through monthly learning series, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is offering a presentation on the Villisca Axe Murders of 1912 with Dr. Edgar Epperly Thursday, February 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the library’s lower level Community Room.
Sometime during the dark early morning of June 10, 1912, a person or persons unknown bludgeoned to death Josiah B. Moore, his wife, Sara, their children, Herman, Katherine, Boyd and Paul, and two overnight guests, Lena and Ina Stillinger. The sensational crime led to nearly ten years of investigations and trials and the formation of the Iowa Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Dr. Epperly, the foremost authority on Iowa’s worst mass murder, spent over 60 years interviewing eyewitnesses and key figures in the Villisca murder case in addition to examining historical records connected to the crime. He began his research in 1955 as a student in Cedar Falls.
Dr. Epperly has written dozens of articles and blog entries, and appeared on CourtTV and other television and radio programs. He is a popular guest speaker at colleges, universities, historical societies, museums, libraries and book stores. He resides in Decorah, and his research journey was the subject of the award-winning short documentary film “AXMAN”.
Copies of Dr. Epperly’s book, “Fiend incarnate: Villisca Axe Murders of 1912”, will be available at the event. The book is also available on Amazon in book or ebook form.
Contact Robey Memorial Library with questions at robeymemorial@waukon.lib.ia.us or 563-568-4424.
