In a horrible chapter in Missouri history – and an eerie hint at tragic bombings to come – all 45 crew and passengers on a Continental 707 bound from O’Hare to Kansas City perished on this day in 1962.

The aircraft crashed in a clover field near Unionville, in Putnam County. The investigation determined the cause of the crash was a suicide bombing committed as insurance fraud by Thomas Doty of Merriam.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.