Meeks Murder

One of Browning, Missouri's, most famous incidents is known as the Meeks Murder case.  On May 18, 1894, the entire family of Gus Meeks (except a little girl, Nellie, who escaped) was murdered near Jenkins Cemetery, about three miles northwest of the current Linn R-1 School in Linn County.  The murdered were Gus Meeks, 33; his wife, Delora, 30; Hattie, 4; and Mary 1 1/2.

   The tragedy revolved around a cattle rustling scheme that Mr. Meeks' employers, the Taylor brothers of nearby Milan, Mo., had been involved in around Linn County.  What followed was a decades-long mystery which included an infamous trial, escape, hanging, and futile search for one of the Taylor brothers.  Songs were written about it; tickets were sold to the hanging in Carrollton, Mo.  To this day, the guilt or innocence of those involved is still debated.