Was anyone here acquainted with the Clutter family?

[raccoon]

If so, please check in.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. In Cold Blood? that family? did not know them, no.

[hlthe2b]

2. Truman Capote's "Clutter family?"

[raccoon]

3. Yes, that family. nt

[DURHAM D]

4. Yes. Why? nt

[raccoon]

5. It's a case I've been interested in since I read the book in the mid-60's.

I'd like to hear about your experience.

[DURHAM D]

8. I grew up in central Kansas in a very small town.

I was 14 at the time. We did not have school for a few days after the event. I don't remember how many. Everyone was scared to death - scared to leave home. I don't remember anyone offering theories about the motive or the perps because it was so shocking.

My father(like many) installed locks on all the doors for the first time. Our local hardware ran out of locks and my Dad, grandfather, and both my uncles drove to Great Bend to buy locks. Also, a friend loaned my Dad a shotgun to keep at our house. Once the murderers were caught he gave it back as he did not like guns in the house.

My grandfather served on a board with Herb Clutter (think it was something about wheat - could have been beef). Anyway, he was the only family member that knew anyone in the Clutter family. I have/had several relatives who live in Garden City but they did not know the family.

From the beginning everyone hated Capote. We were aware of his work/project and no one trusted him. They felt he would sensationalize the event and draw the wrong kind of attention to Kansas. Everyone who is old enough to remember that period still hates him. They never called him by his name - they referred to him as that little pervert, east coast homosexual, etc.

And, frankly, like most Kansans from the central/western part of the state - I can't tell you a damn thing about Hickock or Smith. I just called both my siblings and asked them what they remember about those two - nothing.

Edit: I read the book but have never seen the movie.

[raccoon]

12. Thanks for sharing that. I can see how KS residents would think Capote

would sensationalize the event. I expect that the surviving members of the Clutter family have strong feelings about that too.

[CTyankee]

14. The movie made it pretty clear that Capote was using the whole tragedy

to get him fame as a writer. Esp. the two murderers. The fools believed that Capote was their friend, when all along Capote knew that their executions were key to the sensationalism of his book and hence their sales and his fame and profit. The movie was brilliantly acted and made, but I'm not sure of the truth of its determination re Capote's motives. My guess is that there is a lot of truth to it...

[islandmkl]

6. six degrees of separation:

>one of my high school teachers was in church in Winfield, Kansas on that Sunday morning (while a student at Southwestern College)when someone came in and took the Clutter sister (who was attending college) out of the church to tell her the news

>a college 'frat-brother' was from Garden City, and his father was Alvin Dewey, the KBI agent who solved the crime. Truman Capote spent much time with the Dewey's, along with Harper Lee, and my college buddy displayed many mannerisms he picked up from Capote, including the bow tie.

[MountainLaurel]

15. Totally off-topic

But OMG that springer in your sig line is adorable.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. My Aunt and Uncle owned the Clutter farm after the murders.

Never could undertstand how they could do that. :scared:

[DURHAM D]

10. Wow - can not imagine.

Were they from Holcomb?

I noticed it was for sale a few years ago. Were your relatives the first owners after the Clutter daughters sold it?

[raccoon]

13. I don't think I'd want to spend the night there by myself. nt

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tuvok Obama]

11. Five of the first six respondents...

...knew immediately who the o.p. was talking about. You were the sixth.