Numerous media outlets — including Route 66 News — have reported that Galena’s Murder Bordello in Galena, Kan., served as the headquarters of a murderous madam, Ma Staffleback, during the 1890s when she and other accomplices may have killed dozens of clients.
However, records unearthed by two members of an area historical society have cast doubts whether Staffleback owned or operated in that house at all.
What’s not in dispute is the Staffleback case itself. During the 1890s, Staffleback and three accomplices killed and robbed up to 50 clients at a house of prostitution in Galena. She, two sons, and her husband were charged in 1897 with murdering Frank Galbraith, a miner, and dumping his body into a nearby mine shaft. All were convicted of various charges stemming from the killing. Staffleback, who became known as “Galena’s Bloody Madam,” died in a Kansas prison in 1909.
The house at Front and Main streets in Galena had sat vacant when, several years ago, a local group acquired a nearby Kan-O-Tex gas station, renovated it, and rechristened it into a popular Route 66 destination, 4 Women on the Route. At the time, the principals wanted to acquire the house across the road and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast.
Apparently the home was rumored to have been where Staffleback and her clan committed the murders. The first reference to that in the media surfaced in August, when Galena Mayor Dale Oglesby said he wanted to save the decaying house from the wrecking ball. Citing a book titled “Bedside Book of Bad Girls,” the Joplin Globe newspaper referred to the home’s alleged link with Staffleback. In later stories, the Cherokee County News-Advocate in nearby Baxter Springs and other outlets told about the house’s purportedly sordid past.
In January, Russ Keeler of After Midnight Paranormal Investigations in Siloam Springs, Ark., persuaded the home’s co-owners to spend thousands of dollars to shore up the structure and install period furniture. The allegedly haunted home opened for tours a few weeks ago and, with a nod to the Galena’s notorious murders more than a century ago, was dubbed Galena’s Murder Bordello.
But in recent weeks two members of the Cherokee County Genealogical-Historical Society have refuted the link between the house and Staffleback. Marilyn Schmitt, president of the group, wrote a letter to the Cherokee County newspaper, saying Oglesby wrote her he was “convinced” the home was not the original Staffleback house.
Also, Schmitt wrote:
We have a notebook in our genealogy library of all the newspaper articles that appeared in the Galena and Columbus newspapers from 1897-1901, that includes information the Stafflebacks lived in a three room shanty on the west edge of Galena on Owl Creek. That shanty was burned down after the Stafflebacks were sent to prison and anything left was carted off as souvenirs.
Also, another historical society member, Carolyn McLean, wrote to the Joplin Globe to refute the home’s alleged link to Staffleback and urged a retraction of the story.
An independent online search also bolsters McLean’s and Schmitt’s findings:
- An archived newspaper clipping from 1897 reports the Staffleback house was burned to the ground.
- An 1897 Chicago Tribune article said the Staffleback crimes were committed in “a four-room log cabin” — not close to the description of the ornate home that stands.
- An online scan of the book “Missouri’s Wicked 66: Gangsters and Outlaws on the Mother Road” says the Staffleback crimes occurred in a “long-abandoned shanty.”
Other 1890s newspaper reports of the Staffleback crimes also have been posted online, and support the notion the murders didn’t take place at the house at Front and Main streets.
Contacted by email, Keeler said:
I personally have not claimed at any time that this is for a fact the Staffelbacks house, we know where that is, the house is being restored for the benefit of bringing more tourism to Galena. could the Staffelbacks ran a bordello in here, possibly. There is no clear history on this house, we know it is old enough to have been, and it is haunted.
Indeed, much of Keeler’s copy on the house’s website and Facebook page is careful to not make a direct claim to Staffleback. In a Facebook message, Keeler said the property is being restored as “a historical location to comemorate (sic) the Staffelbacks”.
However, an online description of the property for a recent event there seemed less ambiguous:
“Galenas Murder Bordello” Built in 1890 this old Bordello was ran by a family of murders, The Staffelbacks, said to have murdered more than 30 miners that were seeking a night of entertainment then dumping their bodies in the area mines, one of which is located on the property.
Also, the house being called Galena’s Murder Bordello — and its logo — imply that homicides were committed there.
Keeler also produced the copy of an email purportedly from a distant great-grandson of Staffleback. It said, in part:
I recall somewhere in my early research that the cabin where they lived was expanded by Ed, George and Mike. That was where they lived. The bordello was a short distance away, and I don’t believe it was destroyed. It was their house that was destroyed. I cannot find the article or source offhand, but when you said you were working on the bordello, that really had me thinking. […] The good news is that the bordello very well might still exist.
So it’s possible, if the recollection is correct, the Staffleback clan lived in the cabin but operated the bordello at another location.
Even so, it seems the two women from the historical society hold a lot more data supporting their arguments.
Personally, I’m glad Keeler took an interest in the house and restored it. Had the long-neglected property sat for a few more years, it probably wouldn’t have been salvageable Now, it’s a tourist attraction that can work in tandem with the nearby Cars on the Route, formerly 4 Women on the Route.
The house had been rumored a bordello long before Keeler arrived on the scene. So this is yet another case on Route 66 where a site had become more legend than fact. Yet this episode should serve as a cautionary tale to those who play fast and loose with history — especially during an Internet era where facts are a lot more easily verifiable.
UPDATE 6/15/2013: It appears the Joplin Globe — and the Associated Press — have picked up on the controversy.
Thank you Route 66 Okla…..If you will look on “Galena’s Murder Bordello” & “After Midnight Paranormal”… You will see what Russ Keeler is “claiming” and has since “He made up the story in 2010″…….Or Call or e-mail “Kansas Legends”…(The only time that they met Russ was to pick up the picture of the house and the “NEW” story..
This must be stopped….
Hi Carolyn,
I was friends with Merl. This is a big lie. I too haven’t ever heard anything from my mother, grandfather or great grandmother about the place being haunted. Only stories that it was a whore house back in the mining days. They are embellishing on the story a bit too much.
Lisa Martin, author, is calling the house on Front Street:
“Staffleback Bordello Axe Murder House”
To the Morning Sun…
Re: .. Lisa Martin has the Stafflebacks killing 50 people….
The Stafflebacks were convicted in 1897 of killing “ONE” person.. They were suspected of killing one in Joplin and another one in Galena; not 50…
Re: Lisa Martin: 30,000.(galena Population)..There was never any more than 10,000….
As far as her coming to S.E. Kansas and doing a “True Story” on the Stafflebacks..We have historians here that “will not” put up with her fiction of our town.. Now Joe G. (Staffleback Family member) got his information from Marilyn at the Historical Soc. at Columbus last August ….
Marilyn told him that the “Stafflebacks’ never lived in that house and sent him 50 plus pages of news articles from 1987… Joe told me that the family “knew” that the Staffleback house was “burned to the ground” in 1897 and sent me his story and 30 plus pages of drawings.. For my information, I use, the historical soc. info and the news articles from 1897.. And his drawings..which he gave me permission to use..
I absolutely agree that saying this house is the Steffleback House is wrong. HOWEVER… as a paranormal investigator, I can verify that evidence pertaining to the Steffleback’s has been captured. Myself and many others in the paranormal community have expressed our concerns for claiming it to be where these events took place, especially when there’s no historical information saying so. We also believe that spirits can go to locations where they are sought after, even if the location has nothing to do with their story, such is the case with the Stefflebacks. The only harm being done is stating the house was where the event occurred, which is a lie. Outside of that, let it be an attraction! No harm is being done this way. It is private property, not government property. Your tax payer dollars are not funding it. Why gripe otherwise?
Kira….You have got to be kidding… Who are you and what world did you come from..No one is going to believe you!
I will be talking with the owner today and the mayor of Galena to get this straightened out.
You really need to stay out of our “Little Historic Town History”…
We are a “Town Deceived” by a stranger from Arkansas. Russ came to Galena, Kansas in February of 2010 and took some pictures of the house…and in June of 2010 called “Kansas Legends” and gave Dave & Kathy the picture of the house and the “NEW” story that he had made up.. I have an e-mail from Dave stating that fact..
Yes…Route 66 Okla checked out the facts and printed the “truth’…
I cannot believe that you would say that the Stafflebacks are haunting that house…Ridiculous!
Carolyn – you are obviously a paranormal skeptic. Those in the paranormal field who have investigated this house WITHOUT ANY OF RUSSELL’S “facts” and went in cold can verify this. I took friends from Springfield there on short notice – all they knew was what I told them – it was a bordello. Outside of that, while we were there (before it was remodeled and Russ took over and now we can’t go there anymore unless we pay), THEY KNEW NOTHING of the history you are saying Russ stole. Try getting into the paranormal field and I ask you to investigate this house while searching for the Steffleback’s there. You’ll find what I am referring to is true – spirits do go to locations where they are sought where there is no connection to their story.
What is you gruff? The fact that the house is being associated with the Steffleback story? Or is it more? I absolutely agree with you that the house is NOT the Stefflebacks. Why? Because there is no evidence historically associating it with them.
You are crazy spending all your time worrying about such trivial things. It’s an attraction no matter what the story is. Do you want an old run down house that brings nothing to your community or do you want a fully restored attraction site that only helps a small community. From what I’ve seen there are facts backing up the story but even if there weren’t, it seems to me that you are just quite jealous of someone else having an idea and acting upon it. Again, jealousy is all I am seeing.
A comment above by Mrs Mclean should be clarified. Our story of the Staffleback murders dates back to 2004, six years prior to meeting Russ. The only thing that changed in 2010 with the story was the addition of pictures of the house in question. At no time did Russ provide us with “a story”, and any mistakes we made in writing the history of the Staffleback’s are on us, and us alone. We have updated our story on Galena and the Staffleback scandal to more clearly clarify parts that are legend/alleged and have removed references to the house on Main street that is in question.
Dave lets get this right now..Lets tell the “TRUTH”
Of course “YOUR” story probably does go back to 2004… Russ Keeler found it on your webbsite in 2010….Before he called you all to come here and get the picture and “the new” story..
Per your e-mail to me:
Quote” : “The only result with us meeting with Russ in 2010 was the pictures of the house and the “NEW” story that we categorized “tale” or “legend”….
Now a legend is a story that has been passed from generation to generation… Not a made up story…
Now I do not understand “why” you continue to take up for him to the extent of saying that you “never picked up” A NEW STORY WHEN YOU ALSO HAVE COPIES OF OUR E-MAILS..
This story will end up going national if Russ Continues distorting our S.E. Kansas history…
If I were you I would try somehow to protect your creditability on “Kansas Legends”…. Taking up for and telling lie’s for Russ will not do that..
Carolyn, since our email communication I have used the “way back” machine and verified that our “story” of the murders was indeed before our meeting with Russ. We originally posted it in 2004. The only thing that changed after our meeting with Russ was to tie the story to the house in question.
Ron.. I apologize…If telling the truth is berating the comments then I apologize to everyone.. Have a nice day now and forgive a 70 year old “Historian” only wanting to keep her town Historically truthful… We spend a lifetime researching to preserve our history correctly…Again, I appreciate your truthfulness and your researching before you print.. you are doing a great job..
Thanks Dave, this story was around long before me, we were called in under the pretense that this was their house as well, we could not find any history of the house but knew the stories of the Staffelbacks, we only made claims based on what we were told by several locals. I sit back and watch all the stories being said and words put in my mouth because I am asked to. We know what we are trying to accomplish now and when skeptics come along Iam not out to disprove them only lay out the evidence and let the people decide for themselves.. I know the house is haunted, by who that I leave for the paranormal teams to decide
Ron…Guess that Russell did not read all of your site…
To: Russell Keeler…
Your fiction about our town for the past three years is over.. Everyone knows the truth.
You have disgraced our town beyond repair…
S.E. Kansas Historians…
***Lisa Martin will not come to this town and do the same thing..We will not allow it..******
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May 19, 2013
“Open Letter to the City of Galena”
Re: Russ Keeler ….April 28, 2013…Dave Alexander of “Kansas Legends” e-mailed me and said..
Quote: “The only result of our meeting with “Russ Keeler” in 2010 (June) was the “pictures” of the house and the “new” story“. Russ started “Galenas Murder Bordello” on Feb. 26, 2010 knowing it was a lie and continues to this day with the “deception“. They are selling “Galenas Murder Bordello“: T-Shirts which imply that the Stafflebacks lived there while saying “We ‘never” said the “Stafflebacks” lived there”.
Also, Russ is saying that there is a “Documentary “or “Reality” film being done June 13.. At the house..
Documentary & Reality equals “TRUTH“ right?
May 9, 2013 “Route 66 Okla“ corrected their information: (See: “Route 66 Okla”)….
“Keeler said the property is being restored as a “Historical location to “Commemorate“.(sic) the Stafflebacks“. **We were glad to ‘get rid” of them in 1897 and did not want them back**
Last Statement:
“Yet this episode should serve as a cautionary tale of those who play fast and loose with history”.
Especially during an internet era where facts are more easily verifiable.
March 20, 2013: Marilyn Schmitt, President , Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society.
“Letter to the Editor” of the Columbus Advocate:
I was disappointed to see that story in today’s News-Advocate because nothing in it is true, except there was a Staffleback family in Galena and several members did go to prison for murder in 1897.
“On Aug. 24, 2012 I wrote Dale Oglesby, Mayor of Galena, in regard to an article in the Joplin Globe
about the effort underway to save the “Staffleback Bordello”. I told him that before they get too involved
In helping to raise money to save an old house under the “impression” it was the “Staffleback Bordello”
They should get the “proof of that claim” from the group that is promoting it.
We have a notebook in our genealogy library of all the newspaper articles that appeared in the Galena and Columbus newspapers from 1897- 1901, that includes information the Stafflebacks lived in a three room shanty on the west edge of Galena on Owl Creek. The shanty was burned down after the Stafflebacks were sent to prison and anything left was carted off as souvenirs.
As for the “30 inspecting victims lured to their deaths” by the Stafflebacks, they were charged and convicted of only one, that of Frank Galbreath, whose body was found in a shaft near the Staffleback home.
The most population Galena ever had was around 10,000 in 1900, not 30,000 as stated in the article.
April 21, 2013 I, Carolyn McLean, wrote a letter to “Brian Jordon” who is the owner of the house:
“The Stafflebacks never lived in the 2 story house on Front Street.”
“Advertising and telling people that that house was a “Murder Bordello” when it was not is “Morally”
and “Historically” wrong.
April 29, 2013 I, Carolyn McLean, wrote a letter to Brian Jordon, Mayor Dale Oglesby, and Renee Charles, City Clerk:
Now for “Histories” sake. I would like the “Murder” and the “Stafflebacks” and hopefully “Haunted”
taken away from that house. Also Russ Keeling (Manager of the house) should be made to take the lie’s
(about our town history) from his sites: “After Midnight Paranormal” and “Galenas Murder Bordello”
April 22, 2013 “Galenas Murder Bordello”…..
Russ gave a “History Lesson” on the house to our “History Club” at school.
Quote: “We had a great time today with the “History Club” kids from Galena on a field trip. We discussed
the house history as well as the Staffleback history and then let them walk around and take pictures.
May 12, 2013 Larry Wood, author and editor of “Ozarks History” site:
“In addition to claiming the place was once a bordello where a murder took place, the owner also claims or at least strongly suggests that the place was not just any bordello but the one operated by the infamous Staffelback (aka: Staffleback) family and the one where they lived in 1897” . The owner has also suggested
that the place is haunted.
There are certain people upset because it can be demonstrably shown that the Stafflebacks did not live at the corner of Front and Main streets in 1897 but rather a half mile or so on the western edge of the town. Furthermore, there is no evidence to even to suggest that a murder ever took place on the grounds of the Main and Front streets property or its immediate envious. Also, the only people who think that the place is haunted are those people who seem to believe all old houses are haunted, and it’s not absolutely known that the place was ever even a bordello.
The people upset by the new business don’t like someone “perverting” the town’s “history” in order to try to make a profit from it.
Meanwhile some people “on the other side” argue that it makes little difference whether the restored house is actually the “Staffleback” house. As long as the business man is bringing in tourism and shoppers to Galena and helping to revitalize the downtown., he should be left to do his thing. (I, Carolyn, was told the same thing by Renee Charles, Galena City Clerk and Patti Street at the Archival Library)
I tend to side with the purist who object to the location at Front and Main Street being identified, even by implication, as the house where the Stafflebacks lived at the time they murdered Galbreath. If there were any doubt whatsoever, it might be different, but there is ample proof in the form of contemporaneous newspaper articles and other documents to show beyond doubt that the family did not live there.
********
As Historians, we work very hard to preserve our “History”, most of the time for free, like Marilyn and the Ladies at the Historical Society at Columbus and all historians. I, myself, have a truckload of Empire City and Union Chapel School/Community “true” history . (We do not “pick” a house and “pick” a story for it)
A lot of people are “very angry” at me for “telling the truth” but it is important to me, that my Children and Grandchildren, know that I tell the truth “no matter what” and they have respect for me. What does this tell our Children and Grandchildren… Is it Ok to lie if you can make money off it… I think not!
Thank “God” for people like Marilyn Schmitt and Larry Wood who will not ‘lay down and play dead” nor will I. The house is a beautiful “Grand Grand Old Lady” sitting there proud and tall.. Reputation Ruined…
Carolyn H. McLean
Member: Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical-Historical Society, Inc.
President: Cherokee County Country School Association, Inc.
Owns: “Memory Lane Photo Gallery”
Re-building “Union Chapel School” for a “Historical Research Library”.
**Supporting Documents:
30 plus drawings of the Stafflebacks from the 1897 Newspapers from CA – NY.
I have two notebooks full of information.. Way to much to list….
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To the Morning Sun…
Re: Lisa Martin article in your paper.. The Stafflebacks “never” lived in that house on Main Street Galena.
Re: 50 people killed….The Stafflebacks were convicted in 1897 of killing “ONE” person.. They were suspected of killing one in Joplin and another one in Galena by the name of McGuirk that equals 3 not 50…
Re: 30,000 population…There was never any more than 10,000…. (Russ Keeler all over again)
As far as her coming to S.E. Kansas and doing a “True Story” on the Stafflebacks..She, from this article hasn’t a clue as to what is “true”…..We have historians here that “will not” put up with her fiction of our town for money.
Now Joe G. (Staffleback Family member) got his information from Marilyn at the Historical Soc. at Columbus last August ….Marilyn told him that the “Stafflebacks’ never lived in that house and sent him 50 plus pages of news articles from 1987… Joe told me that the family “knew” that the Staffleback house was burned to the ground in 1897 and sent me his story and 30 plus pages of drawings.. For my information, I use, the historical society info and the news articles from 1897.. And his drawings..which he gave me permission to use..
As an Historian..I am tired of all of the lie’s on the History of my hometown and will be writing a “true” story on the Stafflebacks in 1897…
“Larry Wood’ has agreed to do the editing and helping me with it…. He knows the “true” story of the Stafflebacks.
He is a very well known author of Non-fiction books like: Wicked Springfield Missouri: The Seamy Side of the Queen City, Wicked Joplin, The Civil War of the the lower Kansas-Missouri Border, and Showdown at Baxter Springs.. I am honored to have his help…
I also have the back-up of the Ladies at the Cherokee County Kansas Genealogy-Historical Society at Columbus.
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Dave Alexander you put right on here that Russell Keeler had you come to Galena to get the “picture” of the house…which you added to the Staffleback story on your “Kansas Legends” How much more clear can it be that Russell Keeler started this house of deceit in 2010..
Michael Wallis… .
I have got to tell you that I am so surprised and disappointed that he is, along with Brian Jordon, and the city of Galena standing behind Russell Keeler in his Deceiving the public for profit…..
Joplin Globe reporter told me that he is coming to Galena next week to help with the filming.. Seems like “FRAUD” to me..
.. The Klinge Brothers have know this since May 6th…and they continue to stand behind Russ in his lie’s..
I do not think the Disney Channel will be very happy with you doing this film..
Even if you do it a non fiction…This will reflect on the car’s movies.. I will get in touch with Disney..
*************************************
I finally found out the information on the filming…You all know that I stopped one filming company from coming to Galena by telling them the truth..Hope this happens this time…Keep your fingers crossed:
From what I understand you are coming to Galena, Kansas to film on the 10th. of June…
The Murderous “Staffleback” family never lived in the house, 206 N.Main Street, in 1897…
Russell Keeler made up the story in 2010..I have it documented.
The Klinge Brother’s had asked another company to film, Frank P, and when, Frank P. asked me for the “truth” on the house and I told him about Russ Keeler and the house he backed out..
This house is just a “plain” house nothing else plain & Simple…No Stafflebacks.. No Murders!
It was a brothel in the 1930’s and we have never, all of us older ones, ever heard of anyone that ever said the place was haunted. My Grandfather had the service station in the 1950’s and I would have heard if it had been haunted.. MoSo Paranormal out of Joplin, MO found nothing…
Russ Keeler has it all over the internet that it is the Staffleback Murder Bordello and is ripping off the “unsuspecting” Public”…He charges $450/night/7 people for a house that the Stafflebacks never lived in..No Murders…
I can back up what I am saying with tons of documents…
Now… We are trying to get the “Con Artist” out of our town and he has been turned into the Attorney General of Kansas…File #:CP-13-0001729..
The city is going along with Russ Keeler’s lie’s for the money it will bring the town..
He is taking Ghost Hunts thru our “Oak Hill Cemetery”.. He is giving History lessons to our Galena Children on his fake Staffleback house. Him and the owner have put a naked woman stained glass in the bordello window for all of our mothers an children to see..
If you look on his “Galenas Murder Bordello you will find the “real” “Grungy Little Log Cabin Brother” drawing from 1897 and the picture of the shanty that they lived in.
The story was nationwide in 1897 and I have all off our area newspapers and over 30 drawings from that time..Easy to check out..See Route 66 Okla.
Now if Russell is telling you that house is the house of the Stafflebacks..then he is using you for profit..
Look for the article in the Joplin Globe tomorrow or the next day..
Most of us do not want you all to come here and there will be picketing if you do….I do not think it would be good for your image, if you all are honest to come to Galena, Kansas and help Russell Keeler to deceive the public one more time.. Carolyn h. McLean Historian 417-438-9771 carolynfromkansas43@yahoo.com I can furnish you with ton’s of documents.
Please send this message to” chip Coffey filming & Studio Lychee out of Austin, Texas..
Moral of this story being….”Don’t mess with an Historian” Don’t come to our town and with your “Made Up” stories..
I’m confused. Who CARES what it was originally. Disneyland was orchards at one time.
If he can tell a good story, and even more importantly SELL a good story, and it brings more people to Galena….
What’s the downside?
You KNOW the truth, and if someone asks, tell them the truth (after all, no one tries to convince an adult Disneyland is “real”), but otherwise…?
Historians Care….Larry Wood Author Cares…
Now you can make up all of the stories that you want to if “you” feel that is “ethical” (If the Historians of the town will let you get away with it)….
What you are saying makes no sense what-so-ever..
What has “Walt Disney” got to do with anything??? Walt Disney “DID NOT” have to “TELL” lie’s to get people to come there.. He was “TRUTHFUL” man that was very much respected… Is that what you all are telling your children…It is alright to lie so you can make money…
Who are you? What have you done to preserve your town for future generations..Are you from Galena…
All right, Carolyn, you’ve made your point. Stop berating the commenters who have no direct involvement with this story.
Ms. McLean,
You have managed to completely miss the point.
Walt Disney didn’t tell lies? Snow White is real? Dumbo? REAL?
Walt didn’t tell lies. He sold stories.
That is all this Murder Bordello is. A story. And if it brings money in, and helps the town, I admit I am still at a loss.
It’s no more history than any other “Haunted House”.
It is a Bordello, nothing less nothing more.. No Murders…No Stafflebacks… See Above…
No ghosts… Per the “Bible”…..
For anyone interested in the Galena Bordello, 206 N. Main Street, or Galena History..Please go to facebook….
“Galena’s Gay Ninety’s Bordello/Galena History” and check it out..
Kira Pfeife.. I will put some places in Galena on there for you that Galena people say are really haunted..Sorry if I was short with you earlier..Like the “Elks Basement”..
What credible evidence exists to substantiate the claim that the subject structure being “shored up” was ever a bordello? Except for:
1) A vague recollection by a great-grandson of the Staffleback family (a bit suspect considering the promoter offered it up) or
2) The fact the current Mayor of Galena has for many years referred to the house as “the brothel”,
what other proof is there that this building was even BUILT in 1890, never mind used as a bordello, as claimed by the promoter? Seems kind of central to the discussion if you ask this Galena resident.
Without the smoke and mirrors, it just another (yawn) “haunted house” on Route 66. Can’t be more than a couple of thousand just like it on the Route from Chicago to L.A. Of course those don’t come with a fictionalized history or real ghosts to bolster their credibility.
I’m not going to let facts get in the way of the truth – I believe!
Dan
I have got to tell you that I “appreciate’ your “honesty” very much. My family came here in a covered wagon in 1878. I have spent many year’s researching, the community & school of “Union Chapel”, for my for a “Union Chapel School/Community” book.. Last couple of years I have also added “Empire City”…
My Grandfather, Ernest Hayes, had a junk yard abt. 2 blocks west of 7th. & Main Street.and then in the 1950’s he ran the station across from the house.
I think that there are about 5 people that remember it being called a hoar house by their parents.. So that most likely is true.
But when a Promoter that has “After Midnight paranormal” comes to Galena and puts a picture of an old house on Route 66 and add’s his own or “NEW” story… See above… Isn’t that “Fraud” Big Time? Look at the “Murder Bordello” site $450/night -7-people/12 hrs. -or- $90 bucks for one dinner and a ghost hunt…Back in the old days we would have called that “Highway Robbery”…
Words like: (Should be taken away from that beautiful house)
“Staffleback”..:
No one in Galena. I am sure, ever remember hearing the name: It was 1897 for gosh sakes .
“Haunted” No one in Galena has ever heard that the house was haunted…(Rumors of old) there were none.. Do you know that now some of the “Paranormal” sites are now saying that those “Staffleback” Ghosts are coming from behind the Museum to that house….
“Murder” there was one murder in that house..like you said it is just a “HOUSE”..
“The Crows”…The house is beautifully redone.. I have much respect for Brian Jordon for all that he has done for Galena….
But those (Murder) “Crows take away from the beauty of the house”… They should be put on the north side of the west side of the parking lot of the museum (The Stafflebacks lived a few rods away from there about 50 feet)
Ok: “My Last Problem”…
The “City Clerk” says that “they” have never put “out” that the house was the “Staffleback” house…..”Russ is bringing money to our town”…..
I know the owner, who is a very prominent business man (and I think a nice man although I have not met him).. Is not aware to the full “extent and lie’s this man has gone to to promote this house..
The Lady at the Geni library said “What harm is Russ doing”.. “He is bringing money to our town”…
Hasn’t “Galena” made enough off the tornado?
Are they so desperate for money that they need to bring someone like Russ Keeler into town to
“Change our Little Mining Town History”.. I do not think so..
Aren’t they or the owner responsible for this man’s actions??
“One Last Comment”:
Russ Keeler says they were fixing up the house to “COMMEMORATE” the Stafflebacks…..
Signed: “One Mad Historian”
Ron…I thought this was one of those paranormal sights.. I have tried to remove my comments but it won’t let me.. Please do not be mad at me because I cannot take it today.. It has been 23 years since my son’s accident which was on my husbands birthday.. So please delete it and do not send me a message..I know I made a mistake..But it is all the truth..
So in the absence of any real historical evidence, this is all nothing more than the structure at Front and Main Streets, its history and the history of the City of Galena being “remuddled” to suit and enrich a developer and promoter (and somehow, the City of Galena)?
I may (or may not) need to do more research (evidence of any activity in Galena is pretty sparce for this time period), but I THINK George Washington once slept in the house I own in Galena. All I need now is a Facebook page and a reservations calendar to “bring more money tp the City of Galena”.
This is gonna be too easy…
Dan
I started the “Galena’s Gay Nineties Bordello/Galena History” to get some truth into the bad situation..I know the 1930’s Bordello information is the truth because so many of our folks, like mine, have been here forever (1878)….and we remember what our folks told us.. “My opinion”…The way the house was built it could have been a bordello in the 1890’s.
Never ever heard a rumor of any “Ghosts” from any of the old timers here..
What upsets me a lot of Galena people think that it is Ok for the promoter to “Lie” and distort our “History” as long as it brings in money..
Now your house in Galena… Jesse James or Cole Younger or Bonnie & Clyde may have stayed there…lol I think George was back east….:)
ou need to come to my town for a story….
Hi! My name is Carolyn H. McLean and I am an Historian for “Union Chapel School/Community, Empire City, and Galena..
Any of you that have been keeping up with the “controversy” over the “Staffleback Mansion Axe Murder Bordello” at 206 N. Main Street, Galena, Kansas..
Russ Keeler, Promoter/Manager since March; I think it was, came to Galena on Route 66 on February 10, 2010. Took some pictures of the house and on February 26, 2010..He started “Galena’s Murder Bordello”… In June of 2010, he called “Kansas Legends” and had them come to Galena, KS and pick up the picture of the house and the “NEW” story… “Staffleback” Murderer’s…..
For the past three years he has told the “Staffleback” story (THAT HE MADE UP) over over and over in the newspapers, T.V., Radio Stations, paranormal sights…Hundred’s of places…..
“Did you all see the Galena Sentinel today”
I guess if you have a ton of money you can say or do anything that you want..
Picture with the caption.. “Murder Bordello”
Brian Jordon says the house “was named” after a flock of crow’s = Murder…
(The crow tree came a couple of months ago)
He said that crow’s had been living at that house and he would go by and see them. (He lives in Joplin)
Funny no one that lives in Galena ever saw the crow’s.
Has anyone in Galena ever seen any crow’s at that house? I think not!
‘This “COVERUP”, by the owner, will never work:
**Russell Keeler has had the “Staffleback Murder Mansion” in newspapers, on the radio, all over the internet, all over the paranormal sites everywhere, “Galenas Murder Bordello”, “After Midnight Paranormal”, etc. etc. etc. ..
Can you believe Mr. Jordon said that after Russell Keeler has called it “The Murder Bordello” (The Stafflebacks) for three years..
**The real “CROW”, Russell Keeler, came there years ago to “MURDER” our town History**
Russell Keeler advertised the house as the Staffleback Murder Bordello….Talked the “Klinge Brothers of Ghost Lab and they came here and there was a dinner and ghost hunt that cost 95/person..
They charge $450/12 hr./7 people at a “”PLAIN” house, No murders, no Stafflebacks.. How they keep from being sued is beyond me..
Anyone who would like to “know” more about this please go to “Galena’s House of Deceit: Staffleback Murder Mansion” on face book or e-mail me at carolynfromkansas$3@yahoo.com
If what is going on makes you angry..Please help me get a petition, film or whatever it takes to correct the History of my hometown…
The Morning Sun:…Please the retraction….
Hi! My name is Carolyn H. McLean and I am an Historian for “Union Chapel School/Community, Empire City, and Galena..
Any of you that have been keeping up with the “controversy” over the “Staffleback Mansion Axe Murder Bordello” at 206 N. Main Street, Galena, Kansas..
Russ Keeler, Promoter/Manager since March; I think it was, came to Galena on Route 66 on February 10, 2010. Took some pictures of the house and on February 26, 2010..He started “Galena’s Murder Bordello”… In June of 2010, he called “Kansas Legends” and had them come to Galena, KS and pick up the picture of the house and the “NEW” story… “Staffleback” Murderer’s…..
For the past three years he has told the “Staffleback” story (THAT HE MADE UP) over over and over in the newspapers, T.V., Radio Stations, paranormal sights…Hundred’s of places…..
“Did you all see the Galena Sentinel today”
I guess if you have a ton of money you can say or do anything that you want..
Picture with the caption.. “Murder Bordello”
Brian Jordon says the house “was named” after a flock of crow’s = Murder…
(The crow tree came a couple of months ago)
He said that crow’s had been living at that house and he would go by and see them. (He lives in Joplin)
Funny no one that lives in Galena ever saw the crow’s.
Has anyone in Galena ever seen any crow’s at that house? I think not!
‘This “COVERUP”, by the owner, will never work:
**Russell Keeler has had the “Staffleback Murder Mansion” in newspapers, on the radio, all over the internet, all over the paranormal sites everywhere, “Galenas Murder Bordello”, “After Midnight Paranormal”, etc. etc. etc. ..
Can you believe Mr. Jordon said that after Russell Keeler has called it “The Murder Bordello” (The Stafflebacks) for three years..
**The real “CROW”, Russell Keeler, came there years ago to “MURDER” our town History**
Russell Keeler advertised the house as the Staffleback Murder Bordello….Talked the “Klinge Brothers of Ghost Lab and they came here and there was a dinner and ghost hunt that cost 95/person..
They charge $450/12 hr./7 people at a “”PLAIN” house, No murders, no Stafflebacks.. How they keep from being sued is beyond me..
Anyone who would like to “know” more about this please go to “Galena’s House of Deceit: Staffleback Murder Mansion” on face book or e-mail me at carolynfromkansas43@yahoo.com
If what is going on makes you angry..Please help me get a petition, film or whatever it takes to correct the History of my hometown…
Dave from “Kansas Legends” just called me and we had a nice long conversation..
He met “Russell Keeler” at a Route #66 Festival in June 2010 at the Casino south of town.
Russell Keeler invited him and his wife Kathy to look at the house, at 206 North Main Street in Galena, and told them that it “was’ the “Staffleback house”.
Kathy was very excited about getting a picture to go with her Staffleback story.
Dave and Kathy took pictures of the house an put it on their “Kansas Legends” site.
Dave said that even though it was a “Legends” site that he wanted it to be true to the real history of the Stafflebacks.. When they found out they gave Russel Keeler a week to respond with documents and when he did not then they, immediately, took the Picture from their site.
Now they have went one step further and are correcting the Staffleback information to the actual story.. Kathy cannot remember where she got the story to begin with.
They have corrected the site and removed, also, anything about it being haunted..
Dave has asked me to look at the site and make sure the information if correct..
My hat is off to Dave and Kathy Alexander….Should anyone want to contact them to verify this..please call: (913) 708-5119
For clarity, the reason and results of the phone conversation are as follows:
* There was never a “story” given to us by Russ Keeler. The only thing related to our meeting with Russ in 2010 was the house in question, of which we took a picture and added to an article we had published in 2004. Mr. Keeler never conspired with us to concoct a story about the house.
* Upon further review of our article on the Stafflebacks we found that our source(s) had mixed in portions of history from another murderous family, the Bloody Benders, from nearby Cherryvale, Ks. Historical newspaper accounts compared the two separate families, and there were early allegations of multiple murders by the Stafflebacks that were eventually found to be false. For the sake of putting this to rest, we have removed the entire article of the Stafflebacks from our website until we have a chance to review and decide whether or not to re-write the article. I stated that we could not readily remember the exact source(s) since in 2004 we included all sources on a separate page. This ‘could’ be researched further and source(s) provided, but at this time we consider this matter closed and would prefer not to subject anyone else to this dispute.
* We have no issues with Russ Keeler, and as history buffs appreciate greatly the work that has been done to the house in question to save it. We wish him all the best in his endeavors to help promote Galena as a great stop along Historic Route 66.
This will serve as our ‘final’ comment on this dispute.
Dave;
What part of this conversation are you denying….
It was you or Russ that put the picture with your story…
So which one of you was it..????
*******************************************
Dave from “Kansas Legends” just called me (yesterday) and we had a nice long conversation..
He met “Russell Keeler” at a Route #66 Festival in June 2010 at the Casino south of town.
Russell Keeler invited him and his wife Kathy to look at the house, at 206 North Main Street in Galena, and told them that it “was’ the “Staffleback house”.
Kathy was very excited about getting a picture to go with her Staffleback story.
Dave and Kathy took pictures of the house an put it on their “Kansas Legends” site.
Dave said that even though it was a “Legends” site that he wanted it to be true to the real history of the Stafflebacks.. When they found out they gave Russel Keeler a week to respond with documents and when he did not then they, immediately, took the Picture from their site.
Now they have went one step further and are correcting the Staffleback information to the actual story.. Kathy cannot remember where she got the story to begin with.
They have corrected the site and removed, also, anything about it being haunted..
Dave has asked me to look at the site and make sure the information if correct..
My hat is off to Dave and Kathy Alexander….Should anyone want to contact them to verify this..please call: (913) 708-5119
Lighten up folks. It’s in the grand tradition of Route 66 to exaggerate things a bit in the interest of attracting tourists. Jesse James was never at Meramec Caverns but it is part of the fun. What’s the harm? Life is too short folks.
A few summers ago I had the chance to visit the town of Galena and, with no disrespect to anyone, I remember it mostly as the typical economically challenged Route 66 town.
I was very impressed and fortunate to meet Melba and the rest of the gang across the street at “The Women on the Route” location. An attraction, to a certain extent, also built around and perpetuated by the make believe fantasy movie called “Cars”. I see nothing wrong with aggressively marketing a venture in a town with obvious challenges. I am curious as to the number of local residents that were employed by the new Murder Bordello owners.
So in conclusion and in my humble opinion, history will not preserve and or guaranty the future of Galena, Kansas for future inhabitants. But thinking outside the box and creative ventures such as this will…
So, Keith – when are you moving to Galena to help us preserve and guarantee the future of our economically challenged Route 66 town?
As to the number of local residents employed by the new owners of the so-called bordello, that would be ZERO.
Dan
Never, but thank you…
I was given to understand that the the so-called murder bordello has EVERYTHING to do with what the collection of carved wooden crows south of the building is called, i.e., a group of crows is called a “murder” and NOTHING to do with the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.
This story is getting stretched p-r-e-t-t-y thin.
Also love overhearing the explanations to the kids by Mom and Dad explaing what a “bordello” is – as they visit the family-friendly gas station attraction, literally across the street! Priceless.
Looks like something very similar has happened before, just a good stretch of the legs, down the road from Galena, Kansas.
The Cherryvale, Kansas Bender Murder Museum opened in May of 1961 and was operated until 1978. The museum building was a reconstruction of the clapboard Bender homestead. The museum was located in Cherryvale, Kansas seven miles southwest from the original 1871 Bender southeast Kansas frontier “store and inn”.
The house/museum was a reconstruction, most of the articles inside the museum were period pieces not Bender family artifacts and strangely enough some of the townspeople also objected to the town being known as a place of such tragic happenings…
https://www.leatherockhotel.com/BloodyBenders.htm
Interesting…
I’m glad someone brought this up. It is being pushed off as the Staffleback house and there is no proof that it is. Thank you for bringing the truth to light. Galena was wide open at the time, she could have run her bordello from the basement of the city hall for all we know. 😉
Thank you John for the comment about the basement of the city hall. My father said he did not think they should have built it there as there is a mine tunnel under it. He knew.
Dad showed me the old bar and hotel, but bordello was not part of our language. Dad was born in 1913 in Galena. His father was born there in 1887, and his grandmother was born in Tennessee Prarie district south of town in 1871. I think we might know the history of the town. I am questioning how old the “bordello” actually is. Dad seemed to think it was older than the 1890’s. Is there an actual date for the building, or is the date for the first time the property was sold and the building documented? Dad heard stories when he was young of the James Gang staying in Galena. He said their names were carved into the side of the now closed cave in the park south of town. Boys of his age used to get into much trouble from their parents for venturing into that cave, which used to be much larger than today. This is a family story. Galena does have a good history, and probably a few ghosts as well.
Rose…I agree with your Dad and think it was older than that too.. I have reams of evidence on the real Staffleback location..
We are doing a book on the controversy that has happened here in Galena. My family has been here since 1878.. Kirby Robinson, Eye of the Paranormal Blog and Radio show out of CA, and I are doing an e-book:
The Unmurder Bordello:
“How fake Para-Celebrates Tricked Galena, Kansas” He is doing the first part about the fake paranormal stuff and I am doing the History of Galena and the Stafflebacks..
We may know each other, Mom’s family are the Hayes Family… Would love some Galena History from you..
Carolynfromkansas43@yahoo.com or see “Galenas House of Deceit: Staffleback Murder Bordello”.
Ron I hope you leave this one on here it is important to get the truth out!!!!!
Carolyn, the truth has been out for months. The horse is still dead; no sense in continuing to punch it.
Through Google I have found many sites and articles about this Galena Murder Bordello. The history of what life for people during the mining days was like is quite fascinating. What is NOT fascinating is the nut case of an old historian getting her knickers up in a knot and commenting hundreds of times on EVERY SINGLE WEBSITE that merely mentions the bordello. She has posted threats and called names and made very out of context bible references to people, even saying some would not make it to Heaven. She is deceitful and slanderous and in my own personal PROFESSIONAL opinion she is the only thing harming the poor little town of Galena and it’s reputation. Sad really, that the real thing to fear in a town that’s barely still around is a bitter and angry woman who obviously has ill feelings toward any outsiders. (per her comments all over the Internet) No wonder the towns wasted away under her obvious over and incorrect usage of “Quotation marks!” How would Galena have ever made it this far without her? Professionalism and courtesy go much further than what she has displayed during my google search.
Now, to visit the beautiful bordello.
I agree, which is why I’ve throttled back the comments by this individual.
Ron… Why do you allow this to continue when I e-mailed you about the school and told you know it is over…
To make fun of an historian and continue to make fun of her is horrible. For you to allow this to continue, when it is over, is worse.
You know that Brian Jordon, the owner, and I are friends now and I do not believe that he would like for you to continue on with this.. IT IS OVER AND YOU ARE KEEPING IT GOING. YOU CONTINUING ON WITH THIS AND MAKING FUN OF ME ALSO IS BAD FOR OUR TOWN, BAD FOR ROUTE 66..PLEASE STOP!
Brian gave me a tour of the house and it is beautiful. I have a site called: Galena and Empire City History 1877-1977. Elizabeth (or Sandra L.) what have you done for the history of Galena except to make fun of the person telling the truth.
It may be over, Carolyn, but the fact remains that you put all of those comments — some which were accurate, some which were dubious, some that were intemperate — all over the Internet.
Once they’re online, it’s nearly impossible to take them back. That’s why commenters need to measure their words carefully.
Secondly, it wasn’t clear to me in the email that you and the bordello owner had patched things up. The bordello had gone through some changes in recent months, and I wasn’t aware Brian was part of it.
Ron…
It is very true that I was relentless on this but it was out of love for my hometown history. My Grandmother came here in a covered wagon in 1878 and went to school in Empire City in the early 1800’s.
I have spent ten years continuously researching and documenting our history and then for a stranger to come to town in 2010 and distort the history would upset any area historian.. I wasn’t the only historian upset by this as you know.
I made an effort of friendship toward you and feel that this is a slap in the face.
I know the woman that did this and she needs to stop. This is the 3rd. time and she uses the same words… She is a very unhappy and vindictive person.
Help us put a STOP to this by deleting the negative comments should you get any more. Not good for your site either.
That is why I wanted you to put something on your site about the school. Something positive! That would probably stop people from putting negative things on your site…
Answer them with the truth….”It is over”..
Once you get the deal worked out, I’ll be happy to post a story about the school.
I will be giving Brian Jordon a copy of this!
The only negative comments I encountered last night while researching the bordello were the hundreds of negative, hateful, spiteful, accusatory and threatening comments of Ms. Carolyn Historian. Many times the comments were downright abusive and the woman who cares so much about her community and history is putting alot of stuff on the internet for the entire world to see and this is the opinion we are gathering of Galena. There are no other historians or any one else for that matter commenting as such. In fact everyone seemed to respond politely and in good taste while you continued. I only stated what is obvious to any one who merely googles Galena Haunted Bordello and sees the vile hatefulness spewing forth from the local historian.
And wow, for you to insult and accuse me of commenting before several times, and you know who I am? This is the difference between a historian and a journalist. Journalists do not state speculation as fact unless they HAVE the facts. I have never commented on or participated in any of these pages or websites due to the fact I just looked up the bordello last night due to curiosity. I wanted to take my husband to see it sometime as we like to visit historical places in the area.
And Ron, you seem to be a man of integrity, honesty, and an excellent writer. I will continue to read your blog.
Elizabeth, I took out one line of your comment because it went a tad too far.
I think Carolyn is merely overzealous and trolled too aggressively on the Internet. Now that she’s on the receiving end of criticism, she’s realizing it’s not a fun place to be.
Ron!
Who are you to judge me? For your information I have been made fun of for six months for “telling the truth” . And you know this! Doesn’t anyone ever read the first of this column where “YOU” tell the truth about the bordello?
If you and your friend want to prolong this damage to my hometown, when you don’t even live here or do not know me, then that is your prerogative. But you all need to drop it and find someone or something else to talk about.
We do not want any negative comments about the school, the house, or anything in Galena. The owner of the house and my partner, have settled this matter once and for all. We have both been hurt over this and would like stuff like this to be stopped. We found that we have the same desires and interest for our town!
And we both will be working to make this even a more wonderful town than it is. The school is going to be a wonderful asset to our town.
We have a beautiful historic town here and intend on keeping it that way with love and compromise from everyone in the town. We intend on keeping our history correct and are working on it.
You are welcome to call Russell at the Bordello and he will tell you the same thing! It is Over! Russell has e-mailed me several times and will be making some changes so he says.
So everyone here is very happy!
You can be a part or not be a part….your choice!
Hey Ron, this is Russ from the Bordello, I get the updates on my e-mail from any comments issued about this subject, I would like to go on record on behalf of myself and the Bordello,
Although there has been lots of stuff said no matter what context it was stated Iam glad to say that all of us have reconciled our difference of opinions and are now meeting in the middle in an effort to move on for the better of the community. Mrs McClean and I have talked and are working in a manner to promote the entire Town and to preserve its history. Iam not sure who is still dragging out the negativity but we need to look to the future and not keep digging up the past if we are to grow. Everyone that is still commenting on this subject lets please move on and not keep up the bashing, we all have an agenda here and would like to see it be of benefit. If Carolyn and I can shake hands over this and move forward we all can… Glad to be a part of it still and Don`t forget we are celebrating new years at the Liberty Hall with a dinner and tours to the Bordello, to include lots of prize drawings and a champagne toast at midnight, also including a psychic medium doing readings at Liberty Hall.. Anyone wanting to join us it is only $30 per person.. Thanks everyone and lets move on.. Russ
Ron,
I will be talking to Brian soon and will let you know what is going on with the school if that is OK with him.
You have a nice rest of the day now.
Carolyn
Ron… Could you please erase the #20 Comment where I speculated who was doing this to me.. I could not do it. Thank you!
Russ…Thank you for setting the matter straight..
You are quite welcome.
Ron…..
One more thing. I never once in any of my comments, or on any of the sites, ever cussed or called anyone nasty names.
Never “made fun” of anyone that had less education than I did or made fun of their punctuation etc.
Nor did I ever put anything “anywhere” that was not the truth!
I surely am guilty of being overprotective of my hometown and its history. Historians research, research, research like my friend “Larry Wood” who writes our true “Ozark” history.
Anyone that knows me knows that I am a “Lady”…I dress like a lady, talk like a lady, and act like a lady.
I have a facebook site:
“Galena and Empire City History 1877-1977”
I have Chapters 1 & 2 of my book on there: Galena & Empire History 1877-1977. “The Discovery of Lead”, “The Birth of Red Hot Street” etc.
I would never allow on that site what you have allowed on this one. It makes you and your “Route 66” look bad to anyone that see’s this..
Nor did I ever call anyone: Nut Case, Bitter, Angry, Vile, Hateful, or Crazy Crazy Crazy… As you allowed this woman to call me on your site. Friends to her or not this is just low class.
The owner, Russell, and I have all been hurt and none of us are perfect. But we have forgiven each other and will go on to continue to make this the best little mining town ever. We are all very proud of the wonderful progress this town has made.
Brian and I are very happy and excited to re-build “Union Chapel School” on Route 66 in Galena.. We have very much the same interest in the future and history of our town.
The school is just a building and means nothing without the history it brings with it. “Cherokee County Country Schools”, “Memory Lane Photo Gallery”, and “Pioneer History Research Library”, pioneer school lessons for the fifth graders of the area, jam sessions, GED classes, weddings, school and family reunions and much more.
Galena also has a wonderful “Mining Museum”, the “Cars on the Route” old service Station and gift shop and much more to check out. There are also some great eating places here; just about anything that you would want to eat.
We have the new medical complex and the shopping center east of town. Liberty Hall is open for banquets etc. Like Russ said they are having a New Years party there. If you are interested you may still be able to get in. Give him a call or e-mail him.
Galena is no more the sleepy little town; it is wide awake and thriving! Come see us and enjoy what we have to offer.
Ron
For everyone’s sake; wouldn’t it have been better to delete this column a long time ago. You say it is all over the internet and near impossible to stop but you could help by stopping your part of it…
“Doubts arise over history of Galena’s Murder Bordello” May 9, 2013
This is not what we need for our town, the beautiful house, the owner nor is it good for Route 66….
Like you said a long time ago to me “The horse is dead”.. Please take your own advice and delete all of this.
Lets move forward!
I don’t delete posts, Carolyn. I’m leaving it up so if people do a Google search about the house, at least they’ll get some half-verified information about it.
I saw an absolutely ridiculous commercial for this “Murder Bordello” on tv tonight and I’m glad I found this article and other sources online to confirm what I suspected. I’m sure that many others will also do a simple search and find the same information. Nothing more disheartening than a little town govt. selling out its own history for a quick buck. And on the backs some of actual human beings who died horribly, no less. It’s also very illuminating that now a few key people from Galena are calling for this article to be ignored and/or removed. What a scam.
I have fond memories of traveling there with my grandmother to church every Sunday as a kid, but now Galena’s plagued by meth addicts and city leaders more concerned with money and renown than integrity, apparently. Makes me sad. Becoming notorious for trying to profit off of an implication (i.e. lie) is no kind of way to treat a city you supposedly love.
I wish well the regular townsfolk there struggling to get by with an honest day’s work, and I’m sorry that the people running things don’t care how sleazy it makes Galena look to outsiders. I still remember the good, thoughtful people there… And they are what Galena should be known for! Not this morbid travesty designed to falsely market the town and line a few individuals’ wallets.
And again, that commercial was an abomination. If it hadn’t been so dubious and tacky, I probably never would have thought to look it up online haha.
Alicia.. I am the one that asked for the article to be removed and the reason being that people were coming on this site and calling me horrible names for telling the truth about the house. I am an historian and love our Galena History. My Great Grandmother came here in a covered wagon in 1878 and most of us have been here ever since.
I have spent the last ten years researching our history!
Galena and Empire City were probably the wildest west twin cities west of the Mississippi. Galena, Kansas & Cripple Creek Colorado were known all over the world in the late 1800’s. Cripple Creek for it’s gold rush and Galena and Empire City for the lead and zinc. Our area sold 1/4 of the lead for the entire world.
If you are interested in Galena History you can go to “Galena and Empire City History 1877-1977” and check it out. I have the first two chapters of my book on there and the sixth chapter.
The first two chapters tell about the Discovery of lead, Red Hot Street etc. The James and Younger gang hung out south of Galena on Shoal Creek and were here once to rob the Empire City bank but Jesse caught on to the snitch. The 6th. chapter tells about the history of the house in question.
Carolyn McLean carolynfromkansas43@yahoo.com
And the “Deceitful” beat just goes on and on in Galena, Kansas.
Brian Jordon offered to be my partner in the “Union Chapel School” to keep my mouth shut! That was around Thanksgiving.
Well, I stupidly accepted his offer and thought I could change his mind on the “Galena Murder Bordello”..Talk him into making it a “Victorian Hotel” which it was in 1900. Everyone in Galena hates it except the City Officials that go along with it.
Well that did not work! I gave it one more try and he refused to get rid of the lie’s.
So I will not have my school across the road from a Murder-Haunted-Bordello. The hundred’s of kids that would come to see the school and want to know what a bordello is……..
Do not need “Bordello” “Murder” or “Haunted” around little kids.
The house has been a loser from the beginning because of the lie’s, the Fake D.V.D. which was a “FLOP” and would only play on a newer computer..Russell Keeler had a New Years party and no one much came! Full of lie’s and there is an e-book coming out soon by Kirby Robinson and myself on the paranormal deceit and the real history of the house.
I also have a lot of information on “Galena & empire City History 1877-1977 for anyone that needs more information.
You can also get in touch with me at carolynfromkansas43@yahoo.com
The only conclusion, I can make, is that he is so rich and is using it as a tax deduction and does not care if it makes any money or not. We the people of Galena hate it so he is showing us that he will get his way no matter what. No matter if it hurts the town or the towns people…
Breaking News! Re: Union Chapel School:
I am offering it to the “Joplin Museum Complex” with the $8,000 worth of material that companies have donated. If they would like to build it near the complex. It would be a wonderful asset to the museum.
If they do not want it; the next choice will be Baxter and Columbus.
I wish someone to have it that will appreciate what a privilege it is to have something like that.
I am also looking for a partner that would like to make a bunch of money off Galena History. Build small Western Town that will not cost much to build.(only need 120′ frontage….. I have the true history of “Tiger Bill”, the first man killed in Empire City/Galena, Kansas in June of 1877 (The lead was discovered in April) & a Lady Saloon owner.. True stories! Cowboys, miners, horses etc
For more information: carolynfromkansas43@yahoo.com
I’ve banned Carolyn for her badgering and diatribes. She made an initial good point — that the owners of the bordello got fast and loose with the facts during the early weeks of operation. She won that point, but it’s apparent she can’t leave well enough alone.
Comments on this thread are closed.