Tragedy amidst normality

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Chapter

[The murders] “stimulated fires of mistrust” and “many old neighbours viewed each other strangely, and as strangers.”

1

Mr Helm would testify “that... was the last I seen them... nothing out of the ordinary.”

1

“The only sure thing is every one of them has got to go.”

1

“Strangers, ignorant of the local disaster—were startled by what they saw as they crossed the prairie and passed through Holcomb: windows ablaze, almost every window in almost every house, and, in the brightly lit rooms, fully clothed people, even entire families, who sat the whole night wide awake, watchful, listening.”

2

“The head of each [of the Clutter’s bodies] was completely encased in cotton... [and] twinkled like Christmas-tree snow.”

2

“For the majority of Holcomb’s population, having lived for seven weeks amid unwholesome rumours, general mistrust, and suspicion, appeared to feel disappointed at being told that the murderer was not someone among themselves.”

3