Vintage motor tour visiting Iowa?s infamous crime scenes

Crime Scene Iowa is the theme for the June 13-17 MotorMemories vintage vehicle tour.

Open to 1987 and older vehicles, nearly 40 cars are already registered from 25 different Iowa communities. Motoring through western Iowa, the tour takes a closer look at some of the better, as well as lesser known crime stories in the Hawkeye state.

First stop is Villisca, 100 years to the week after six members of the Josiah B. Moore family and two young houseguests were found bludgeoned to death with the Moore?s own axe. The murder spawned nearly 10 years of investigations, repeated grand jury hearings, a spectacular slander suit, and murder trial. It made and broke political careers. Legislation was written in response to the murder, including the establishment of the predecessor agency to the current State Bureau of Criminal Investigation. But after all that, and a century later, the murders remain unsolved.

Prior to visiting the murder site, Dr. Edgar Epperly, retired professor of education from Luther College will present a lecture on the crime. Epperly has devoted more than 50 years to meticulous research and qualifies as the foremost authority on the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders.

The next stop is Templeton in Carroll County. During the Prohibition Era, these west central Iowa farmers cooked whiskey in their barns and machine sheds to supplement their income in the harsh times. The finished product was much sought-after and sold as Templeton Rye or ?The Good Stuff? to those in the know. It was of such a high quality that it quickly made its way to speakeasies in Chicago, Kansas City and Omaha through gangster Al Capone. For almost 80 years the product was considered illegal until it was introduced in 2006 as a legal brand of top-shelf liquor.

Those on the tour will learn about Fort Dodge native Bill Tilghman. He spent 51 years in law enforcement, was the last of the old-time sheriffs and his career went well into the 20th century. His friend and fellow lawman Bat Masterson referred to him as ?the greatest of us all?; and Teddy Roosevelt said ?Tilghman would charge hell with a bucket.?

After retiring as a marshal in 1910, Tilghman was elected to the State Senate. However, he missed life as a lawman and in 1911 became chief of police of Oklahoma City. He also worked as an adviser on the motion picture, ?The Passing of Oklahoma City Outlaws? (1915). In this role, Tilghman attempted to persuade the director not to represent the outlaws as heroes as this might gain them the admiration of young boys.

In 1924, Tilghman aged 70, was appointed marshal of Cromwell, Okla. Nov. 1, 1924, Tilghman was killed while trying to arrest a corrupt prohibition officer.

Other stops will tell the story of Jesse James in Adair and the world?s first train robbery, Bonnie and Clyde robbing the bank in Stuart and the Dexfield Park shoot-out near Dexter where Clyde?s brother Buck was mortally wounded. Along the way local historians tell tales of other crimes, some with hilarious endings.

The tour begins June 13, with presenting sponsor CWG Insurance hosting an evening event on their West Des Moines campus. Area car clubs are invited to join the gala opening.

The June 14 route is from West Des Moines to Red Oak, with stops in Prescott, lunch in Corning and an afternoon pit stop in Villisca

The June 15 route is from Red Oak to Denison, with stops Elkhorn/Kimballton and Templeton.

The June 16 route is from Denison to Perry, with stops in Carroll and Coon Rapids

June 17 is a drive on the White Pole Road, including stops in Stuart and Adel.

The White Pole Road was one of Iowa?s earliest highways; participants will learn some of its lore from a local historian, visit sites where Bonnie and Clyde robbed banks and a surprising connection to Iowa?s revered football hero Nile Kinnick.

The MotorMemories tours had their beginnings as the MotorIoway 1000, an Iowa Sesquicentennial celebration in 1996. It became an annual event and has now evolved into multiple vintage vehicle tours each year.

?ShineTimes,? where this ?traveling museum? is on display for the public take place at each formal stop.

Tours are open to any licensed, insured motor vehicle manufactured in 1987 and before. Additional tour information and registration details can be found at www.motormemories.com.