THE KLEEMAN AX MURDERS of 1917.

I felt stricken with sadness as you stood at the site of the home, entered the schoolhouse and looked upon the weapon. RIP to the helpless victims. I can only imagine how you felt being there. Story well presented. Thank You

I have lived mostly of my 69 years in SW Minnesota, and haven't heard of this story. Never knew that Marty Seifert wrote a book on this horrific event. You did an excellent job telling the story, Ron. Thank You. And Thanks go out to Alex and Austin, too!

How nice that Alex let you onto the land and you both got to explore. He made a a good contribution to the conversation. Thanks Ron for another great video.

Incredibly sad history. It's hard to understand him killing his entire family over HIS mistake. 😢 It was so nice of Alex to join you and show his property!

People like you and Alex keep these stories alive and heard. Things that really happened.❤❤

I really Love how You share These Older Stories that I know I might not have ever known about if You didn't share them with Us on Your Channel. You are so awesome. I hope that You continue to be successful with Your Channel and Family Life as Well.

I think the “teacher’s office” area in the school was actually the “cloak room” where the children would hang their coats and winter apparel. At least there was one like it in the country school I attended as a child. Very sad and captivating story. Thanks for sharing.

loving this. this time period is about when my grandfather would have been farming in central Indiana. similar tractors, etc. my dad still lives on that farm in our family since `1830s.

Horrific story, mass family murders are unreal. Thank you Ron. And thanks to the landowner for allowing this and meeting you. ❤

That land owner was amazing helping you out with the story. Love to see more videos like this with friendly, and helpful people.

I had family members murdered in the early 1900s in NWMO. The whole family was killed and their house was burnt down. Turns out the young man that murdered them had murdered a young mother several years before. This murder reached papers worldwide I believe. The case was tried in Saint Joseph, MO and was well covered in the media. Very sad:(

As someone who lives in Southern Minnesota. This was a pretty interesting and sad story. My Grandparents were born and raised a pretty short distance from there. Rest In Peace to the young wife and her children. Her Husband had some kind of mental break.

I am haunted by this story. Definitely in Ron's top ten. Now I want to see pictures, DNA, read the book. I am glad Alex showed u around before those artifacts disintegrate in the weeds and the wind. Such a poignant human story. Thanks again Ron for all u do.

That was quite a story! Family annihilators even existed way back then!

Another fantastic video. It sure sounds like a family annihilation motivated by the desire to spare the family shame. Ruth returning to the home from her trip indicates to me she was going to make William meet his responsibilities towards her and the child; perhaps, with the hope he’d leave his wife. Her cutting him down strikes me as poignant, as that’s not something a female non-wife/relative would normally do. Possibly speaks to her feelings for him. The timing of the murders-suicide and where William chose to hang himself, it sure looks like he wanted Ruth to find them and was a “Look at what you did.” * Much kudos to Deb for the genealogy research. What a find.

According to an article from the New Ulm Review dated March 28, 1917, William is said to have gone "insane" as he "brooded" over being in a great state of debt. Mary (who is actually named as Ruth Snyder) was said to having gone home to Mankato to see her family during that weekend and that is was William who wasn't feeling well when she left. It's so cool when u can find these gems from the archives to compare what is written to what is claimed to have happened!

Why wouldn't Ruth return to her sister's house when she found out she was pregnant? It sounds like she could have been threatening to share her secret with all involved..Which is why he went crazy,and decided to remove himself and that of his family's from the situation he was responsible in creating..Such a sad story, and I believe this was one of your best videos so far .. Thank you for sharing in such a respectful manner ..😢

The stories you share bring history to life. So many of these accounts are absolutely fascinating. This is surely one of the most engaging. Definitely also appreciated the input from the property owner and the staff at the Redwood County Museum during the course of this documentary. Thank you for all you do to bring the past to life as you honor the faces of the forgotten!

This was an intense and powerful story. Will not be easy to forget!!! Great content, views, and your narration are spectacular!!!👍🏻👏👏👏

As a Mom who has lost an infant son, I cannot. And I think that's a good thing. Who would want to think like someone who could take an axe to his own babies. Good God. I would give anything to have my son back. Ron, you did an an awesome job. True storyteller and forthright in shining a light on people otherwise lost to time.