2019.03.28 Throw Back Thursday
THROW BACK THURSDAY - EPISODE 4, MURDER IN HILLCREST plus Class News
Blood on the Piano...
Murder In the Insane Asylum’s Shadows
Episode 4
Dennis Mills, who later became a prominent mortgage banker in the Little Rock community, was the son of Arthur Mills who had a storefront insurance agency on Kavanaugh Boulevard in Hillcrest. By May of 1958, his brother Ronnie had talked his way out of piano lessons with Mrs. Kirke Killian; but for some reason, Dennis was less persuasive, and he still was taking part in her lessons and recitals, despite his wishes to be out on the ball fields with buddies after school.
On May 14, 1958, he dutifully headed to the Tudor bungalow Mrs. Killian had purchased, where she could keep her eye on the State insane asylum from her kitchen window. Her son George had stayed behind those barred windows for parts of his lifetime. The terrain at the 304 South Cedar home of Mrs. Killian was hilly, and the small front porch lay 11 steep concrete steps above the front yard. That day, Dennis climbed the steps and let himself into Mrs. Killian’s house as she so instructed her 20 piano students. He saw a student already sitting next to Mrs. Killian at her upright mahogany piano in her small living room. He also spotted another familiar and friendly face, twelve year old Joey Grabher, standing in the house, also waiting for his lesson. Joey looked younger than his age, skinny and wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Dennis and Joey spoke a few quick and friendly words, and Mrs. Killian was soon saying goodbye to her student and was ready for Dennis to show her the results of his practice.
Dennis rarely practiced. His mind was outside, with his buddies, as he sat down with Mrs. Killian, going through the motions of trying to make music on those ivory keys. Finally his time was up and he scampered out of the house, jumping and running down the steep front steps... which would be blood stained in only minutes. Dennis was the last person to see Joey Grabher and their piano teacher, both alive.
News of her killing spread fast. Dennis and his father drove to the home as soon as they heard of the tragedy, perplexed and horrified. They saw crowds of people and pools of blood on those steps, where Dennis had scampered only a short time before.
The stabbing of Mrs. Killian was front page news. One article was headlined “Neighbor Describes Horror of Watching Fatal Knifing.” Mrs. Killian’s neighbor, Mrs. Bernard Kelso, recalled for the press, “I was washing dishes and my son Ronnie (10), my daughter Kathie (7) and I heard screams and we ran out on the porch. When I got there Mrs. Killian was plunging off her porch about half way down the steps. I hollered ‘boy stop that’ and he looked up and stabbed her some more. I pushed my children in the house and called an ambulance.”
The Grabher home, only blocks away at 620 South Pine Street, was visited by detectives soon after the killing and the investigation began. A twelve-year-old altar boy involved in a brutal stabbing of an elderly piano teacher? The Hillcrest community was shocked and in no mood to turn on their new TV’s and laugh at the antics of the red-headed ‘I Love Lucy’ and her bongo playing husband, that spring evening. Doors were locked for one of the few times some families could remember.
next episode: Joey and the justice system
CLASS NEWS
George Hebing has a new e-mail address. Well, really it's an old one he's using again. If you would like to stay in touch with him, please let me know and I'll IM everything to you. I had a nice visit with George when I was getting this info and I must say he sounds great!
Sandra Henley also has a new email address. Like many of us, her sweet daughter is keeping an eye out for all these emails from our Classmates, so IM me and I'll also send you Lisa's email address so you can stay in touch with Sandra. Oh, and she would also LOVE to have a call from you! She says she misses seeing everyone.
Jane Johnston has a fairly new e-mail address. I don't think I posted that before. If I did - sorry. If I didn't - good, I finally remembered! Let me know if you would like to have it.
Farris Spann must have been talking back to his wife because somehow he fell and poor guy broke his leg. He is home now. Give him a call or send him a card. I have his up-to-date info if you need it. It's the same as in our 2016 directory.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to CIL BASS and KAY HOLLOWAY! Today is their actual birthday!
TIGERFEST SPONSORS!!! Thanks so much to John Len Burnett, Judy Callaway, Gary Frederick, Bill Hedges and Jim Wallis (and Kenda Harris Treadway, '55). As in the past two years, the Class of '56 will have reserved tables and I'm betting right now that again we will surpass all the other Classes in number of Classmates attending and number of Sponsors!!! It's not too late to sponsor if you're interested. WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 9, 6:00pWHERE: WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM, Main Concourse. Easy parking right at the front door.Our 50's Swing Band Reunion will again be playing the first hour. $15 buys you food, drink and entertainment. Don't know where you can top that! Plus seeing old friends. Tigerfest is for ALL Classes, so if you know of someone in another Class that you think would like to attend, let them know!!!
You can buy tickets online @ www.lrchalumni.com or just send a check to me:MADE PAYABLE TO: LRCH Alumni AssociationMY ADDRESS: 13815 Napoleon Road Little Rock, AR 72211-5599