Editing Labette County, Kansas (section)

==History==
{{See also|History of Kansas}}

In the 1840s Labette County had a population mainly consisting of [[Osage people]], although there were also many Cherokee and Euro-Americans. Many of the Euro-Americans were merchants with Osage or Cherokee wives.<ref>[http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/labette/1901/20-26.shtml Nelson Case's history of Labette County, Kansas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707025259/http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/labette/1901/20-26.shtml |date=July 7, 2009 }}</ref>

Between 1871 and 1873, at least eleven people vanished in the vicinity of an inn and general store operated by the [[Bloody Benders|Bender family]] in Labette County. Following the disappearance of the Benders in 1873, it was discovered that they had apparently murdered a number of travellers. Between eight and eleven bodies were discovered buried on the premises. Governor [[Thomas A. Osborn]] offered a reward of $2,000 for the apprehension of the Benders, but they were never found.<ref>[http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/bender-knife/10106 "Bender Knife".]  [http://www.kshs.org/ Kansas Historical Society.]  Retrieved May 6, 2016.</ref><ref>Potter, Tim.  [http://www.kansas.com/news/article1121436.html "The Bloody Benders: 140-year-old crime scene still fascinates today".]  [http://www.kansas.com/ ''Wichita Eagle''.]  August 24, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2016.</ref>