I believe that the blog is right and the book wrong. During his 20s, McElroy became famous among his coon-hunting buddies for his eye for what he called "young meat"adolescent girls. In all, there were 46 potential witnesses to the shooting, including Trena McElroy, who was in the truck with her husband when he was shot. When you grow up like that you can become an absolute mental slave to someone who makes you feel like you matter to them, particularly if they sink their teeth into you when you are a teenager and your frontal lobes havent fully developed. The people of Skidmore had every right to defend their lives, their children, and their town from McElroy when the law was impotent to do so. https://www.laclederecord.com/stories/debbie-ann-mcelroy,8800, https://www.maryvilleforum.com/gallery-2021-skidmore-punkin-show/collection_14ebd20e-f5fa-11eb-8cdc-c35d90891f9e.html#1, In Broad Daylight Classic Print Edition. McElroy fathered more than 10 children with different women. That poor child could not stand up for herself against that man. I belive that my half brother is the grandson of ken rex McElroy my brother is the son of derome McElroy. Background. Just a matter of a fact type situation. Ive tried to leave her pretty much alone the last few years, let her see if she can find a normal life to live. She didnt have the guts/strength to stand up to McElroy. Trena was his accomplice, not his victim, by the time of his death. Sadly,like in many place,these folks were probably considered poor white trash and the law looked the other way. I couldnt capture that in the book. Honestly the person I have the biggest problem with is the defense attorney for McElroy. I wish I was able to go to Skidmore & to Kensgrave to visit. Jeffrey knew the story. The one and only time McElroy was convicted of a crime, he shot local grocer Bo in the neck after one of his young daughters was accused of shoplifting some candy from the man's store. Ive been amazed at the messages Ive gotten since the post. My mom bought the book back in the 80s when I was a kid, and I read it for the first time in high school. Just look at any blog comment list. He refused several requests for an interview. The bottom line is, without witnesses (which McElroy threatened and intimidated so that they wouldnt testify), any conviction was unlikely. The few legal papers they located mentioned McElroys name. Jeffrey hopes that some good will come out of all this, but hes not sure what it might be. Wife says one of 60 vigilantes killed husband - UPI Archives McElroy divorced Alice and married Trena in order to escape charges of statutory rape, to which she was the only witness. Unsolved claims that, throughout his life, McElroy was indicted on at least 21 charges, sometimes being brought up on felony charges as frequently as three different times a year, ranging from theft and cattle rustling to harassment, assault, arson, statutory rape, and even shooting two people. Very interesting. The lady had nothing but a criminal mind to sue the town. Not surprising at all. She did what she had to do to survive.the law sure didnt help her . Ken Rex McElroy was born Jun 16 1934 [1], the fifteenth of sixteen children born to a poor, migrant tenant-farming couple named Tony and Mabel (ne Lister) McElroy, who had moved between Kansas and the Ozarks before settling outside of Skidmore. I totally agree! It was about the FBI investigation that took place in Skidmore, Missouri after Ken Rex McElroy was shot to death. Thanks! Much to consider and assess here, even after so many years. Flipping television channels I ran across the old film Road House. Tony Im your aunt your dad is my brother . I just want to say to those people who are hard on Trena, as an ex-abused woman, Im telling you, you do exactly what you are told and you do NOT steer from his demands or you pay for it in the end. Interesting. he might get the point & stop being a dumbass, I recently have seen the tv show called city confidential. 1952: Ken McElroy marries his first wife Oleta. you reference). I live in Lawrence, Kansas which is about 90 miles from Skidmore, Missouri. And I am sure if this man shot, bullied, stole from, and terrorized you, you would be singing a different tune. She had to of been a strong woman to endure what she did and come out okay! A town having inadequate policing. So similar to Skidmore. Do you know where abouts? I really enjoyed this book so much so, that I just read it a 2nd time! Thank you! I knew your grandmother and her family and yes she was a beautiful normal girl that is until Ken decided she belong to him I remember the last time I seen her she was pregnant setting in the swing talking to my sister crying , I remember him stalking her as she was with her family visiting mine , I remember her families house being burned to the ground, 40 + years and I still remember the fear. Abuse wears you down to the point you cannot think for yourself. For some reason, the Ken McElroy shooting popped into my mind and I wondered what happened to Trena and Ken's children. Why does Tim work in a pizza parlor ? During the meeting, McElroy arrived at the D&G Tavern with Trena. This all happened over three decades before he was even born. No one is to blame. Agreed as well. Sorry Harryjust to clarify, when I asked what was his/her name, I was referring to the fourth child of Sally, not mentioned in your book. No sympathy for KM or his wife. I watched the Sundance Now film No one saw a thing the story of Ken McElroy. I believe the engine in the truck seized up because Mr. McElroys foot was on the accelerator and no one moved his foot or even shut off the engine. If the filmmaker was from the US and over 40, he would know that. Ken obviously was mentally ill and never got help. Its amazing that she was able to recover and lead full life. Jesus. I seriously doubt that his father being ken rex mcelroy has anything to do with who he is today after all he did not even know the man. Now, DNA evidence could have convicted McElroy of statutory rape when a 16 year old gave first gave birth, supporting her testimony. One of them, Jeffy, had a hernia problem. No one who was around when this coward terrorized them will ever talk. She , at least did eventually find normality and happiness. Good and evil are not social constructs. ken was shoot on my forth birthday. As one of over a dozen children raised under modest financial means in and around Kansas and the. In a place where he doesnt know EVERYTHING about EVERYONE, they take it down a notch. :)Lee. Trena . Still hard to believe it happened in 1981 rather than 1891. Damien would not know anything about his grandpa except hear say as he was not even a live than. Ken was my grandfather derome was my father Im deromes oldest my mother is trace I wish I could of meet my grandfather. Did she give the money back? He also said that the prosecuting attorney in the case was inexperienced and simply lost the case to McFaden and his slick talk. Youve got it right. Cell phones taking photographs, calling police would have made a big difference back then. I just re-read In Broad Daylight and would like to visit Skidmore (I live in KCMO), and also would like to see a pic of Trena that wasnt with Ken. So, they stole the information. She had been just a girl, and McElroy was a monster. And yes, they all knew about McElroy & I didnt hear of anyone saying that his death was a pity. How about the guy Red that ran the bar when Ken was shot? She was trash, like her bully husband. They only wanted to control through violence. This led to several patrons deciding to see what they could legally do to prevent McElroy from harming anyone else. I only know of Juarez, Ken Jr, tony and Jeff , such an amazing story, I am Juarez McElroys son Damien and i think your storys a lil.well..i guess not fully informed on the whole lifestyle of my Grandpa. McElroy was accused of raping two young women, as young as 12 years old, both of whom he was said to have "married" to keep them from testifying against him. And, Im sorry for this too, but as a former English teacher, did she ever get educated so she learned proper grammar. Ive followed the story since the killing of Ken Rex, watched 60 minutes, read the book, and watched and read everything else including the latest 6 part series about Ken and Skidmore. God bless her families, that they my know Him and their lives will be full of blessings. By fearing him and and letting him frighten him the empowered him. It is said that he could shoot doves and quail in midflight with those .45s and light matchsticks on a fence post at 25 yards away. Mouse was a good looking teenager but he had a violent streak. But as long as McElroy kept paying him (in cash, no less! McElroy is believed to be the inspiration for the character Brad Wesley the main antagonist of the 1989 film Road House portrayed by Ben Gazzara. [4], McElroy fathered more than 10 children with different women. i knew some of his family and the people in the book. She was a wonderful, amazing, caring woman. The word snitch is a word mostly used by the criminal elements of our world. I have spoken to him in the past about this situation and he allowed me to borrow the book In Broad Daylight It was an amazing book, and more interesting because I know Jeff. Though Ken McElroy was killed in broad daylight and in front of at least 30 witnesses, subsequent criminal investigations failed to identify any suspects. Its always been one of my favorite scenes in the book, but few others mention it. She use to ride around with Ken holding a gun, she liked all that abusive power. To many people make excuses for bad people.

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