I was just reading the excellent article in the Wabaunsee County Historical Society’s Newsletter about Rufus “Rufe” King. It was written a number of years ago for one of Roderick Turnbull’s two books about Maple Hill. I sure remember my grandparents and great grandparents talking about their fear of King.

My paternal great-grandfather was Lee “Deacon” Jones, who was Maple Hill’s town marshall when the King murders were discovered. I also remember my grandfather, Jim Clark, talking about them as well as my step-great grandfather, Fred Banta. They all slept with pistols under their pillows as long as Rufe King was alive because he had threatened that if he ever got out of prison, he would come back to Maple Hill and kill anyone who had anything to do with putting him away. He died in the Kansas State penitentiary however.

He owned the Maple Hill Livery Stable, where all the crimes were committed and at least two of the bodies buried. The livery stable was the second building built on the new Maple Hill Townsite, by the Romick Brothers in 1887. The first was the George Fowler Elevator at the south end of town.

Here’s a couple of photos of the livery stable. Thanks to Allan Winkler (also with many Maple Hill connections) for including the story in the WCHS’s newsletter.