The Official Site of the Villisca Axe Murders
The Villisca Axe Murders of 1912
On a quiet residential street in this small town sits an old white frame house. On a dark evening, the absence of lights and sounds are the first indication to visitors that this house is different from the other homes that surround her.
Upon closer inspection, you'll notice her doors and windows are tightly closed and covered. An outhouse in the backyard suggests that this house does not occupy a place in the 21st century but somehow belongs in another era or another story.
A weather-beaten sign leaning against the decrepit front porch warns rather than welcomes. "J.B Moore Family Home, site of the Villisca Axe Murders."
She is the "Murder House"
Her walls still protect the identity of the murderer or murderers who bludgeoned to death the entire family of Josiah Moore and two overnight guests on June 10, 1912 and over ninety-four years later, her secret continues to draw many visitors to her door.
To some, she seems to be speaking.
Visits by paranormal investigators have provided audio, video and photographic proof of paranormal activity. Tours have been cut short by children's voices, falling lamps, moving ladders and flying objects. Psychics have confirmed the presence of spirits dwelling in the home and many have actually communicated with them.
If you ask Darwin Linn, owner of the Villisca Axe Murder House, however, if he believes in ghosts, he'll tell you that although he's never personally seen one, "there's something in that house". And then... he'll tell you about the plant.
The plant that grew unexpectedly in the side yard of the Villisca Axe Murder House. The plant that bloomed for two years during the renovations that returned the home to it's original condition at the time of the murders. The plant called "Love Lies Bleeding". The plant that has not bloomed again.
He'll tell you about the Disc Jockey from Des Moines, Iowa who stayed in the house and woke to the voices of children who didn't exist. He'll tell you why his nephew couldn't finish the wallpaper border in the room in which two young girls were murdered. He'll tell you about the closet door that will open and close on demand.
He'll tell you the stories other visitors have passed on to him.
And then...he'll invite you in for a visit. Many have been brave enough to accept his invitation. We've featured their stories, links, photographs, videos and audio clips on these pages. Feel free to take a look around - or email us to arrange a tour-All we ask is that you do so with an open mind and then let us know what you think.
Is the Villisca Axe Murder House haunted?
You tell us.
Your belief may be the key that unlocks the door to the "Villisca Axe Murder Mystery."
A FRIEND IN NEED
We are sad to say that we were recently notified that a very good friend of all of us here at Villiscaiowa.com, Joe Pate, has been diagnosed with Leukemia. Joe was the force behind the dvd, The Untold Story, and has been very involved with the Villisca House and it's promotion over the last few years.
According to Joe's wife, Stacy, he's doing well but as with all serious illness, we're confident that the Pate's could use a little help. We're happy to announce that we are holding a raffle to help offset some of the expenses the Pate's may be faced with over the coming months.
Raffle tickets will be on sale beginning Aug. 1st, 2008 and will be sold until the end of September. Raffle winners will be notified on Oct. 1st. Raffle tickets are $5.00 each or 6 for $25.00. Names will be drawn at random by Darwin and Martha Linn.
1st prize - An overnight visit to the Villisca Axe Murder House for you and up to 9 of your friends. You pick the date. Value $600.00
2nd prize - A Three Day, 2 Night vacation for two adults at a resort of your choice. Choose from over 400 locations. Value $400.00
3rd prize - A lamplit tour of the Villisca Axe Murder House for you and up to 10 of your friends. You pick the date. Value $250.00
4th Prize - A copy of the dvd, "Villisca, The Untold Story." Produced by Joe Pate and Movie Memories. Value $25.00
5th Prize - A signed copy of the Roy Marshall book "Villisca, the only true account of the mass murder that stunned the nation. Value $22.95
Buy your tickets today - send your payment via paypal to dmlinn@frontiernet.net. Please include a contact number as well as the number of tickets you'd like to purchase. You will receive an email confirmation for your entry.
You can also mail a check to:
Darwin Linn
c/o The Olson Linn Museum
323 E 4th Street
Villisca, Iowa 50864
Checks must be received by August 31st, 2008.
Filmed on location at the Villisca Axe Murder House
Crowds flock to Rialto Premiere of Haunting Villisca!
The Iowa premiere of the AriesWorks Entertainment movie Haunting Villisca brought a sell-out crowd to a pre-movie dinner at the Historic Bank building in downtown Villisca on Saturday, March 29th. Over 70 people enjoyed entertainment by Bowman and Brown and a delicious buffet dinner hosted by owners of the Villisca Axe Murder House, Martha and Darwin Linn. Approximately 200 people attended the screening of the movie as well as the screening of A Ghost of A Chance, the making of the movie documentary. The house was open for free tours during the day. Thanks to all of you who came out to support Iowa Independent Filmmakers!