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Sarah Catherine “Kate” <I>King</I> Head

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Sarah Catherine “Kate” King Head

Birth
USA
Death
9 Jan 1930 (aged 84–85)
USA
Burial
Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, USA GPS-Latitude: 39.0598787, Longitude: -94.6661456
Plot
Grave 6, Lot 63, Block 5.
Memorial ID
View Source
Child Bride of William Clarke Quantrill. Born Sarah Katherine (Catherine?) King, she was the daughter of Robert and Malinda King whose farm near Blue Springs, Missouri war near that of Morgan Walker. Known as Kate, she met William Clarke Quantrill when he and about 100 of his men were camped nearby the King farm, and Quantrill was speaking to her father. Strongly attracted to him, she soon married William Quantrill, and spent most of their three and a half year marriage living in tents with him. At the time she used the name Kate Clarke, which was Quantrill's middle name. When Quantrill was shot and paralyzed in Kentucky he gave his name as William Clarke fearing reprisal if his true name were known. When he later died of his injuries, she was at his deathbed, 17 years old at the time. Married 5 times, she married her last husband at age 74. He also stayed at the Jackson County Home for the Aged (aka the poorhouse), his last name evidently being Head, his first name isn't mentioned. The Kansas City Star published a lengthy account of her life with Quantrill on May 23, 1926. When she died, the Kansas City papers had no obituary for her, nor were funeral services held at the time, because of trouble locating family members. An lengthy article in the Kansas City Times on February 5, 1930 states that relatives had recently been located and arrangements were being made. An article in the Kansas City Times on February 7, 1930 states she was buried the day before with just a few friends present. Her grave is marked: Kate King, Wife of William C. Quantrill.She was born Sarah Catherine King.

Siblings were:
Nancy A King (b abt1840 - d ?)
William Jasper King ( 1840 - 1919)
Martha Jane King (unk)
Francis Marion King (unk)
* Sarah Catherine King
Samuel R King (1852 - 1921)

I'll edit as I find the info

Kate was a free spirit. It was said that she could ride better than most men. Her father raised saddle horses so that is not surprising. Her life showed her to be strong willed and not afraid to go against convention for her own gain. And that she was not intimidated by men or local governments. She was much ahead of her time.

Wife of William Quantrill of Civil War fame. William has a very colorful history that carried over to his burial. His history shows that he may have portions of his body interred at three locations. See all three of his memorials #4422 #5556 & #5557. Kate was his only wife however she went on and remarried three more times after his death.

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There is a memorial stone placed for her in Slaughter Cemetery.
Child Bride of William Clarke Quantrill. Born Sarah Katherine (Catherine?) King, she was the daughter of Robert and Malinda King whose farm near Blue Springs, Missouri war near that of Morgan Walker. Known as Kate, she met William Clarke Quantrill when he and about 100 of his men were camped nearby the King farm, and Quantrill was speaking to her father. Strongly attracted to him, she soon married William Quantrill, and spent most of their three and a half year marriage living in tents with him. At the time she used the name Kate Clarke, which was Quantrill's middle name. When Quantrill was shot and paralyzed in Kentucky he gave his name as William Clarke fearing reprisal if his true name were known. When he later died of his injuries, she was at his deathbed, 17 years old at the time. Married 5 times, she married her last husband at age 74. He also stayed at the Jackson County Home for the Aged (aka the poorhouse), his last name evidently being Head, his first name isn't mentioned. The Kansas City Star published a lengthy account of her life with Quantrill on May 23, 1926. When she died, the Kansas City papers had no obituary for her, nor were funeral services held at the time, because of trouble locating family members. An lengthy article in the Kansas City Times on February 5, 1930 states that relatives had recently been located and arrangements were being made. An article in the Kansas City Times on February 7, 1930 states she was buried the day before with just a few friends present. Her grave is marked: Kate King, Wife of William C. Quantrill.She was born Sarah Catherine King.

Siblings were:
Nancy A King (b abt1840 - d ?)
William Jasper King ( 1840 - 1919)
Martha Jane King (unk)
Francis Marion King (unk)
* Sarah Catherine King
Samuel R King (1852 - 1921)

I'll edit as I find the info

Kate was a free spirit. It was said that she could ride better than most men. Her father raised saddle horses so that is not surprising. Her life showed her to be strong willed and not afraid to go against convention for her own gain. And that she was not intimidated by men or local governments. She was much ahead of her time.

Wife of William Quantrill of Civil War fame. William has a very colorful history that carried over to his burial. His history shows that he may have portions of his body interred at three locations. See all three of his memorials #4422 #5556 & #5557. Kate was his only wife however she went on and remarried three more times after his death.

---

There is a memorial stone placed for her in Slaughter Cemetery.

Bio by: Bill Walker


Inscription

wife of William Quantrill

Gravesite Details

Sara was married four times. There are as yet no memorials I am aware of for Mr Evans or Mr Baston



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  • Created by: Bob Mead
  • Added: Apr 29, 2001
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5399477/sarah_catherine-head: accessed ), memorial page for Sarah Catherine “Kate” King Head (1845–9 Jan 1930), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5399477, citing Maple Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, USA; Maintained by Bob Mead (contributor 37789417).