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 bru tally murdered in their home. The killer had used an axe, likely Josiah Moore’s own, to bludgeon the victims while they slept.

Dr. Edgar V. Epperly 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. 

This joint library-Historical Society event is free and open to the public thanks to the support of West Des Moines Historical Society Members and the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation. 

All Iowa Files programs will be live streamed on the West Des Moines Historical Society’s Facebook Page and all videos will be closed captioned. They will also be uploaded to their YouTube channel after the event takes place.