Lawrence, Kansas

In Cold Blood: A Legacy

In Cold Blood: A Legacy

Bonnie Clutter

Bonnie Clutter, born in 1914, was Herbert Clutter's wife. Despite Truman Capote's portrayal of her as an invalid in "In Cold Blood," family and friends say she was much more lively, volunteering with church and 4-H activities with her husband and doting on her children. All agree that family was the most important thing to her. She was Smith and Hickock's last victim.

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The Legacy, in Photos

Photo galleryAn extended, web-only collection of photos related to "In Cold Blood: A Legacy." Launch slide show | View thumbnails »

Reader Perspectives

"I was born after the incident and right before the convicted men were put to death. But I grew-up in the atmosphere of the shock in the community. My mom described the incident where trust was brought to a halt...."—Posted by charlie.

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Responses to this Series

Read a review of In Cold Blood: A Legacy from the Garden City Telegram. Go »

Timeline

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The Personalities

Herbert Clutter, born in 1911; owner of River Valley Farm in Holcomb; killed in his home by Smith and Hickock on Nov. 15, 1959.

Bonnie Clutter, born in 1914; Herbert Clutter's wife; she was Smith and Hickock's last victim.

Perry Smith, born October 27, 1928, in Elko County, Nevada; executed April 1965.

Dick Hickock, born June 6, 1931; executed April 1965.

Truman Capote, then 35, spent months in Kansas researching the Clutter murders, the subject of "In Cold Blood."

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Maps

Overview: map of Kansas

Garden City

Holcomb

Journal-World Coverage

In Cold BloodRead Journal-World stories on the Clutter murders, the investigation, and Smith and Hickock's trial, from November 1959 to March 1960. Go »

Watch The Documentary

In Cold Blood"In Cold Blood: A Legacy," the story of people hoping for decades that the world will forget, premiered on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 on Sunday, April 2, 2005. Watch online »

About This Series

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This Series in Print

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