Episode 33: Found in a Cave
One summer day in 1979, a family in Idaho decided to explore Buffalo Cave in a search for arrowheads. Instead, they found something no one wants to find—a headless torso inside an old burlap sack. Twelve years later, a girl would find a hand. Who was this person? That question would be answered in 2019 with the help of the DNA Doe Project. The body was that of Joseph Henry Loveless, a prison escapee from 1916 who had been accused of murdering his wife.
In this episode. listen as we discuss the events leading to his disappearance, including the murder of his wife, Agnes Octavia Caldwell Loveless. Our guest this week, Julie Dixon Jackson, genetic genealogist and podcast host of Cut-Off Genes, helps us understand how Loveless was identified using forensic genealogy. Then, of course, Denise discusses Loveless’s family history, tied to the history of the Mormon church, and what happened to his children after his disappearance.
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Episode 33: Found in a Cave
Composite image of deceased Joseph Henry Loveless (1870-1916), or as he was known, Henry, created by forensic genealogist Anthony Lukas Redgrave
Henry’s father, Joseph Jackson Loveless (1831-1882)
Henry’s mother, Sarah Jane Scriggins Loveless (1839-1926) outlived all 10 of her children as well as her husband.
First wife of Joseph “Henry” Loveless, Harriet Jane “Hattie” Savage (1878-1924)
The divorce would be granted in May 1904.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 October 1903
One of the many articles detailing the murder of Agnes Loveless by her husband Henry, although officials only knew his alias.
Source: The Bingham County News, 25 May 1916
Henry’s second wife, the woman he murdered, Agnes Octavia Caldwell Loveless (1880-1916)
John Jasper Loveless (1807-1880), Henry’s grandfather, discovered Mormonism in 1831 and became a lifelong member as well as fully embracing polygamy with his four wives: Rachel Mahala Anderson, Mrs. Sarah Elmer Swett, Rhodah Sanford, and Mary Pippard Gange.
Rachel Mahala Anderson Loveless (1804-1891), grandmother of Joseph Henry Loveless, first wife of John Jasper Loveless.
Thelma Lovina Loveless Purcell Wing (1901-1972) was Henry’s daughter with his first wife Hattie Savage.
Thelma Loveless’s first husband, Royal Loi “Roy” Purcell (1889-1932)
Source: Brigham Young University Yearbook, 1913
Five of the six of Thelma’s children with Roy Purcell. From left to right: Farrell Larmar, Roy Wesley, Luana Jane, Iven Ross “Lucky”, and Kline Malalia.
Son of Thelma Lovina Loveless and her first husband Royal “Roy” Purcell, Kline Purcell. According to Kline, he learned to box from legendary boxer Jack Dempsey.
Source: Eureka Humboldt Standard, 20 November 1962
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
DISCLOSURE: Murderous Roots is listener-supported. Some of the links below include Amazon affiliate links that may bring us a small commission to help support the podcast, at no additional cost to you.
Recommended Reading
Mormonism—A Life Under False Pretenses by Lee B. Baker
Mormon Polygamy: A History by Richard S. Van Wagoner
The Mormon Trail: The History and Legacy of the Trail that Brought the Mormons to Utah by Charles River Editors
Massacre at Mountain Meadows by Ronald W. Walker
SOURCES
Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons
”Cave Man” Identified 103 Years After Death as Idaho Outlaw Loveless
DNA Evidence Identifies Headless Corpse in Cave as 1916 Axe Murderer by Katherine J. Wu
Quorum of Seventy
LDS Church History Biographical Database
John Robert Bruce I: Find A Grave
Autobiography of John Jasper Loveless
Wikipedia
We use a multitude of resources when researching a family tree up to an including census records from 1800-1940, marriage records in various states, draft registration cards, newspaper articles, and more. If you would like more specific details on where information was obtained, please email us and we’ll respond in a timely manner.