Missouri’s First Serial Killer Was an Unrepentant Axe Murderer?

There is no such thing as a good serial killer, but I would argue that one of Missouri's first was possibly one of the worst in history as he was a blatantly unrepentant axe murderer who met his end with no regrets.

I was unaware of this horrific man and I'm guessing you might be also. Yet, his evil deeds are virtually unmatched in Missouri history. Wikipedia tells the story of Edward Bates Soper. He began his existence in Kearney, Missouri on February 7, 1855.

It all started going wrong for Edward Bates Soper when he was just 20 years old. History says he stole a horse and sold it, but that would be the least of his sins. For some reason, Edward hated his father and devised a plot to end him. In January of 1880, he started a literary society and invited his father to be a part of it. As his dad approached the place where the literary society was meeting, he shot him from cover and then hurried back into the building as if nothing was wrong. Another man was convicted of the crime due to circumstantial evidence.

Edward Bates Soper was not done with his dastardly deeds. Not even close.

He would eventually marry 35-year-old Ardela Hunt who had two children from a previous marriage. He became enraged after his wife decided to join a Christian church which led him to a horrific act on April 21, 1891. While his wife and her two children were sleeping, he grabbed an axe and bludgeoned them all to death. 

Edward Bates Soper would fake his own death and flee to Oregon where he killed again. This time it was the son of a new wife who he threw in a river to drown and then dragged him out of the river and buried the body.

After being caught by the long arm of the law, Soper was extradited back to Missouri where he stood trial for the murders there. He pled insanity, but would be found guilty and sentenced to death. On March 30, 1899, he ate what was described as a "hearty meal" and refused any religious counsel. When asked if he had any last words, he expressed absolutely no regret saying only "All is done". He was hanged in front of 40 witnesses in Harrisonville, Missouri.