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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 1976)
Memories remain By Debbie Palmer Wind whistles forlornly through Bennet streets, whipping dust into swirls and forcing grime into every crack. The streets are barren, except for sun-baked children, who stare at people in cars as they speed by. "Welcome to our town. Make it yours" is the sign along Highway 2 that encourages travelers to take the two-mile jaunt along Route 43 into Bennet, about 15 miles southeast of Lincoln. Route 43 is the only paved street in town, and if you are doing the speed limit, you can make it through Bennet in about a minute. Townspeople on the quiet streets do their business in the general store, post office or gas station. Everyone knows everyone else, and a stranger to the town of 490 persons is noticed immediately. The streets were not always so quiet. Eighteen years ago, on a bitter cold January night, hundreds of strangers, including police, reporters and many who were just curious, jammed the streets. The bodies of August Meyer, 70, Robert Jensen, 17, and Carol King, 16, had been found on Meyer's farm about two miles east of Bennet. The three had been shot to death. Their names were added to the list of what has been called the most shocking series of murders in Nebraska's history. Marion Bartlett, 57; his wife Velda, 36; their daughter Betty Jean, 2; C. Lauer Ward, 48; his wife Clara, 46, and their maid, Lillian Fencl, 51, were killed in Lincoln, during the 1958 murder spree. Merle Collison, 37, the last victim, was killed in Douglas, Wyo. Found guilty Red-haired, bow-legged Charles Starkweather, 19, was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Robert Jensen, 17, and was sentenced to die in the electric chair at midnight, June 25, 1958. He also confessed to the other killings. No motive was established. His companion throughout the spree, Caril Ann Fugate, 14, was found guilty of the murder of Robert Jensen in the perpetration of robbery. She was sentenced to life imprisonment. Eighteen years have passed since Starkweather and Fugate terrorized Nebraska. Time has changed many things-many officials connected with the trials have taken other positions, some have died. Houses where bodies were found have been torn down. Perhaps the final chapter of the murder story was written June 8. It was on that day that Caril Ann Fugate, 32, having spent more than half her life in prison, was granted parole from the Nebraska Center for Women. In an unexpected development, no opposition to parole for Fugate cropped up at her hearing. Although letters opposing her release were received, no one appeared to testify, against her. When Fugate's case for . clemency , first came before the Nebraska Parole Board in 1973, considerable . opposition was voiced by those whose memory of what happened 18 years ago was still vivid. Some still grieve Not even 18 years will erase the scars left behind on the families and friends of the victims of Charles Starkweather. Memories of a 16-year-old daughter, 17-year-old son, brother, if. ler, mother or father remain alive in the minds of those who lost them. - Mrs. Mabel Swale, who has remarried since the death of her daughter, Carol King, refused to be interviewed because, "She (Fugate) has been paroled, and I think I should stay out of it." One can tell the impact of the memories on even the voice over the telephone as the subject is introduced. From a friendly, warm and grandmotherly "Hello," the voice turns wary and suspecting of those who would intrude upon her privacy. This was evident in a telephone reservation with Dewey Jensen, a professor at Northern Arizona . University and brother of the slain I . . . . . . . . . ; . asked if he would mind discussing the subject. Even the mention of a mutual friend could not repair the damage done by bringing back the memories of his brother. Jensen also asked that his parents not be contacted. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jensen of Bennet have been vocal in their opposition to parole for n .av W' ,f. r ' i hi .,7 T August Meyer home near Bennet, Neb. Fugate. They were not contacted, in accordance with their son's request and also because of reports that the elder Jensen was visibly upset when the subject was brought up- by a photographer. Presence felt Jensen runs the general store in Bennet, where his son, Robert, used to work after school and on weekends before his death. Robert's presence can still be felt-an 8 by 10 inch picture of him sits atop the mantle of his father's wooden, roll-top desk in the rear of the store. A small photo of Carol King is stuck in the left-hand corner. Ruby Pump, Bennet postmistress, says the death of Carol King and Robert Jensen is still "a tender spot" which "has hurt this community." She said she still remembers seeing Carol King the morning before she was killed and telling a companion, "You know, that girl has the stride and beauty to be a model someday." Townspeople in Bennet say the Starkweather slayings are not discussed with the families any more and even rarely among others, in town, although one citizen remarked, "The families remember it and they remember it well." The August Meyer farm, about two miles east of Bennet, looks much as it did in 1958. It is near a stream in a wooded area. Brush, trees protect The house sitting atop a hill, is overgrown with trees, which also line the long dirt lane leading to timamht JiirauJ af the house where Meyer was killed. The brush and noticing the distinctive lines of the building, its structure and well-kept lawn and shrubbery. The house is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Phil Sidles, sister and brother-in-law of Mrs. Clara Ward, the seventh Starkweather victim. - Phil Sidles, president of Provident Savings and Loan Association, said the death of his sister-in-law is "not one of those things you forget about soon." He added that although the subject is never mentioned in his home and "it happened a long time ago," it is "still fresh in our minds." The Sidles family has included Michael Ward, son of the slain couple, since their death 18 years ago, Sidles said. Their son is my son," he said. Sidles said he has "mixed emotions" concerning Caril Fugate. "Still a murderer" He said she was convicted of murder and she "is still a murderer to me." On the other hand, Sidles said he feels he must "take a Christian look" and consider Fugate to be rehabilitated after 1 8 years in prison. There is no longer a 924 Belmont Ave., the home of Caril Fugate, where her mother, stepfather and younger sister were killed. The house, along with about 15 others, was destroyed in 1965 to make way for the Belmont Shopping Plaza. The spot where the house once stood is now a vacant, grassy lot. Two red and white Salvation Army boxes stand in a parking lot across the street to the south. There is a grassy field to the west and for about a block to the north, where trees and a residential area begin. As long as there are those who remember the terror created by the murder spree controversy will surround Caril Ann Fugate. Was she a willing companion or a hostage, threatened with the death of her family if she did not go along with Starkweather (unaware that they were already dead)? ; Only Caril knows Only Caril Ann Fugate holds the answer to that question. She has professed innocence since the day .the police took her into custody, but after the evidence was presented, her jury decided otherwise. Fugate is unlikely to discuss the matter any further, since a stipulation in her parole agreement (requested by Fugate) is that she would hold no press conference and grant no interviews without permission of the parole board and the Michigan agency supervising her. It seems only those who were involved on a professional level are able to discuss Starkweather and Fugate without hesitation. ' Gement T. Gaughan was appointed by the court to defend Starkweather. Heavy-set, gruff and with deep, penetrating eyes, he looks the part of his position since 1971 -Lancaster County public defender. I Have the Feef&s.Sie Via Ttl2zz &a TrctY n i ngat3 lello Deputy SI13 W&a Ilea CASPER, ttyo - At tpct : u toad catch up fork- md oul aa U kaak rok&ary Avar lea . . r.i -.k - - UMIi MU II I.I Ann rugate. t. .atched the !a .Ahl, . r,. t.Jl rTuTS T W wmmiry f what Kontr nil W all t aiurdars frirnd CHarWarkMUr. -h g.rl tnJd him , torn tat. atrna Deputy County Sheriff I. She told m the had at-' - Bad IT f J -S told mr that at had an K&raa- f th "ffiB dtda tsssf t fc faart pttywtatty. C2r tat CsS trrlii tSamH aa fer?3&ssa x& &t LsJ kt ar fcsms o tsy e7. "A I mlznPzss& ft fe &i la trees seem to protect the house (now with different inhabitants) and the storm cellar where Carol King and Robert Jensen were found from the eyes of the curious. Wheat sways with the breeze around the farmhouse. Much of the conservation in town today concerns the wheat and other crops-when it will be ready to harvest, the expected yield and the going price. It takes about 20 minutes to travel along Highway 2 from Bennet to 2843 S. 24th St., former home of the Ward family. This harne.aho is surrounded by trees, althsvii.ccs canrot helpOv Remembering Starkweather as an "onery little nobody," Gaughan said he was reluctant to take the case because it "seemed impossible and it was impossible." Gaughan said he believed Starkweather was insane and that the jury believed it also, but "they thought he should die anyway." He cited Starkweather's numerous confessions and the apparent contradictions each contained, especially concerning Fugate, as proof of his HJsanity. it - a m. . . .... . urchin conicssionyne neld ner nestle,