Burying Bloody Bill No respect for Anderson’s remains

Bloody Bill Anderson got little respect in death.  The Confederate guerilla died in battle on October 26, 1864.  Union troops set his body up for public viewing and photos at the Richmond, Missouri courthouse.  He was buried in a nearby field—after a soldier cut off one of his fingers to steal a ring.  There, the grave was virtually forgotten.  In 1908, an old comrade in arms moved the remains to the Richmond Old Pioneer Cemetery.  Cole Younger wanted to do justice to a man considered by some to be the “bloodiest man in America.”