Re: Helter Skelter Barker Ranch

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Posted by Cat Scan on May 18, 2004 at 10:18:46:

In Reply to: Helter Skelter Barker Ranch posted by Rhen on May 17, 2004 at 18:29:07:

Well, depending on your sources of info regarding the raids, the types of vehicles used by authorities varied.

However, on our trip to Panamint City in 1978, one of the young miners/caretakers living there told us that a CHP Officer drove his cruiser up to Panamint City during one of the raids. So would it be possible to drive a cruiser up Goler at that time?

By the way, these young folks at Panamint City had encountered the family a few times and definitely did not like them.

In 1984 or 1985, my wife and I had an interesting conversation with the Bartender at Furnace Creek Inn. They are always a good source of local lore.

He gave us details regarding the various vehicles and officials involved in the raids as well as the multiple routes driven to the Ranch. And he stated that regular sedans were utilized along with 4 wheel drive vehicles. Supposedly the sedans were driven on the better route in to the area.

Neither movie confirmed the Bartender's version that authorities stopped at one point on the route out of the area for the purposes of holding Charlie over a very deep shaft, threatening to drop him if he did not quiet down. He was apparently ranting on. Imagine that?

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