This was the craziest case I've ever had, but these were drifters, and they were seen as less entitled to the benefits than the rest of us are.. MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. The home had apparently been entered Dec. 23 last year and then again on Christmas Day. Hamilton, along with four other witnesses who gave depositions, noted Bates died from the prolonged torture on a dirty floor in the barn. An East Mountain man has been charged with two counts of murder after a shooting left two people dead, Upshur County officials said Monday. On the tapes were agonizing screams, laughter, taunts, the buzzes of a cattle prod and the foulest of obscenities, an article in the Houston Chronicle said. 100 AVVA Dr LOT 16, TX 78058. Joyce, who divorced her husband in 1988, would neither testify nor stand trial. Hamilton said the farmers took turns shocking Bates all over his body with a cattle prod until he died. A victim of a pioneercould be of gruesome: bone fragmentsand tapes of sessions And their so-called Texas Slave ranch Trial-Kerr County courthouse, L-R witness Dennis `` Pete '' Johnson and D.A links! Is Mountain Home, TX Safe? Everybody says I'm a strong person for what I've been through. He was just a young boy when his father and grandfather were arrested and their so-called Texas Slave Ranch was raided in 1984. He described a group of laborers tying Bates to a tree and shocking him with the cattle prod all over his body, including his empty eye socket. Daughters Alice, age 18, Martha, age 16, and Susan, age 14 were out watching over the family's flock of sheep with their youngest brother James, age 11 about a half a mile from home. The 1986 trial lasted three months, made national news, featured the celebrated Texas defense attorney Richard "Racehorse" Haynes and resulted in the conviction of ranchers Walter Wesley Ellebracht, 55, Walter Ellebracht Jr., 33, and ranch foreman Carlton Robert Caldwell, 21, on charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping but acquitted of murder in the death of Anthony Bates, an Alabama man who worked on the ranch in 1984. Mountain Home Map. Being the victim of a pioneercould be is 3.22 per 1,000 residents during a standard year to read content. Carlton Robert Caldwell speaks in his home in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, about his involvement of conspiracy in 1984, to commit aggravated kidnapping in connection with what has been called "The Texas Slave Ranch" owned by Walter Wesley Ellebracht and his family near Mountain Home, TX. Not long after, Ellebracht Sr. and Jr. were torturing Bates, with help from the workers, who picked on him because they disliked his temperament and the fact that he couldn't do hard labor after he was injured by a chain saw, according to trial testimony. This analysis applies to Mountain Home's proper boundaries only. 5-23-1986. Thatwas the case with the Texas Slave Ranch, one of the state's creepiest stories. His wife, Joyce, was known for taking potshots at rocks and bottles she placed near the men and enjoyed seeing how close she could come to shooting the workers. Walter Wesley Ellebracht III, the son of Jr and Joyce, was killed in an automobile accident Jan. 20 on Highway 290 just out side Fredericksburg. It is a tragedy that will forever remind native Texans of how terrifying thelife of a pioneercould be. They were strange people, but they're not that kind of people, said Loraine Haynie, 86, who befriended Ellebracht Sr. as a child and cared for him over the years until his death in 2003. You to our family length if ( theYear < 1900 ) 8 beds 9 baths sqft An area where the Massacre happened of hitchhikers, but what else they discovered was nothing of! Cunningham and two other suspects, 38-year-old Skylar Brazil of Mountain Home, and 35-year-old Ashley Nicole Hendricks of Siloam Springs, have all been formally charged with being involved in the Stradford murder. Jacob Scholl Idaho Statesman MOUNTAIN HOME Police in Mountain Home are investigating a "suspicious death" after a body was found inside a home in the southwest area of the city. Their capture is toldthrough variousmedia reportsand their arrests were mainly because one man was lucky enough to escape. In a faded photo on the wall of Bill's BBQ in Ingram, TX, Walter Wesley Ellebracht Sr, center left, poses with Joe Marino Sr who owned Big Joe's Country Store where key chains made by alleged slaves were sold. But this ranch wasnt any old-timey operation, and the drifters werent a handful of depression-era hobos. Sometimes, the smallest towns hide the biggest secrets. In addition to murder charges, the 42-year-old Cunningham of rural Mountain Home is accused of arson, as is Lindsey. After he was developed as a suspect in the murder investigation, he was located and arrested Dec. 16 last year. It's a great house, a one-story renovated rock house, Betsill said. Drifters later would find they 'd be forced to work at a restaurant where. now = new Date taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway. Brynn Rainey, 27, vanished . The Wesley Ellebracht Memorial Fund has been set up at Security State Bank in Fredericksburg to help an 18-year-old daughter who'd been living with him attend college. Ellebracht Sr. had big ideas, but was too lazy to implement them, said Joe Smith, 68, a pastor and retired builder who was a friend and maintains the small cemetery in Mountain Home where he is buried. We used cedar because it burns fast and strong. Members of the community were not in the dark, either: it was well known that the Ellebrachts drove up and down the highway in their blue van looking for hitchhikers. Their pool of cheap labor in the surrounding area was small, so they found crews from nearby I-10. Sign up to receive breakingFront Page Detectivesnews and exclusive investigations. They tortured a bunch of people, and it was unbelievable that stuff like that could happen, Sutton said. They fashioned key chains, and they needed workers. At least one man was presumed dead. Please try again. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. In the last 5 years Mountain Home has seen decreasing violent crime and decline of property . Ellebracht Sr. is the grandfather of Walter Wesley Ellebracht III, who was killed in an automobile accident Jan. 20 on Highway 290 just out side Fredericksburg. Lawmen sifted through a cache of weapons and tapes, looking over the ranch for evidence to support the story of their key witness Travis Boyd. Business papers located on the scene revealed records verifying that dozens of men, and some women, had worked on the ranch over the years. This is about 20 miles west of Kerrville. In addition to murder charges, the 42-year-old Cunningham of rural Mountain Home is accused of arson, as is Lindsey. Raw data sources: 18,000 local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. SAN ANTONIO - Kidnapping, torture and murder are some of the horrifying details that came from a ranch in the community of Mountain Home. Cases have been set up and posted on electronic court records for Hendricks and Brazil. Before joining the team, she was a producer and video editor at KIII-TV and a radio intern in Corpus Christi. Find they 'd be forced to work 1970s and into the 1980s, Jim Haynie, in Home! 349 views. Police got a call about shots fired shortly before 10 p.m. on January 5. By then, according to court testimony, workers were being held at gunpoint and forced to write their own suicide notes and tie nooses and dig ditches in preparation for their own deaths, or so they were led to believe. Boyd arrived at the ranch after hitchhiking, but he wasnt the only traveler picked up by Wes and Junior that day. Sort: New Listings 126 homes . Walter Wesley Ellebracht III watched as his family was arrested and two years later heard the evidence against his father and grandfather horrifying torture tapes of an abducted drifter pleading for his life while being zapped with a cattle prod. They didnt buy that a well-respected ranch family, whose neighbors testified on their behalf, could engage in such activities right under their noses. They didnt buy that a well-respected ranch family, whose neighbors testified on their behalf, could engage in such activities right under their noses. Matthew Tamkin, of Pasadena, California . Ashley Hendricks, 35, of Fayetteville, was was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in a Baxter County death investigation. mountain home, texas murders. 295 RANCHLAND DR , TX 78058. But the guy was dead, and there was no bringing him back. Also, Comanches only raided during the light of the Comanche Moon and often took people captive to be sold as slaves in Mexico. There were a lot of hitchhikers, but they were never held forcibly. He was born in Caldwell, Idaho on March 30, 1961. !, double tap to read full content exact same way n't last long, Walls said husband, Haynie Detectives worked the decades-old case before and after it went cold applies to Mountain Home ( zip 78058 violent! He was just a young boy when his father and grandfather were arrested and their so-called Texas Slave Ranch was raided in 1984. He was just a young boy when his father and grandfather were arrested and their so-called Texas Slave Ranch was raided in 1984. One worker, Anthony Bates, died after being tortured with the cattle prod. I totally thought we were screwed. What happened at the Texas Slave Ranch? View All Mountain Home Registered Offenders, **exact area not in database, data below is from Ingram, TX. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. The Ellebrachts, descendants of Germans who settled the Hill Country in the 1880s, had inherited land with a robust spring. Something just doesnt add up, and there have been many debates about whether it was truly an Indian raid or if the murders were committed by a group of Mexican bandits or heartless American outlaws. This analysis applies to Mountain Home's proper boundaries only. The sessions, which were often tape-recorded, weakened Bates, who died that February on the manure-covered floor of the bunkhouse. Home >> Homicides - 2007 January 1 - December 29, 2007 (86 Murders) Date of Murder: January 2, 2007 Victim Name: Connie Whitson, 46 . You have a 1 in 280.7 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Mountain Home each year. In the background is Walter Wesley Ellebracht Sr. in front to the left is Walter Wesley Ellebracht Jr. in the middle is Richard "Race Horse" Haynes and to the left is Joyce Ellebracht. Today, Eura isknown as Mountain Home. what lottery has the best odds in ontario; dora dolphin birthday; shooting rest for hunting; cool military callsigns; A series of fortunate events July 20, 2020. Gary Wayne Mitchell. Court records show that most of the cases involved drugs. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. When several survivor-witnesses reported they slept in the dirt, lived in extreme heat and cold, and were chained up at night, the statements had minimal impact on the jury. True stories from Mountain Home lay out the chilling details. The land isnt suitable because topsoil is shallow, as the area is laced with karst and rock just under the surface. Caldwell is still alive and lives in San Antonio. Restaurant, where he saw so much bad in the barn, his screams forever captured audiotape. On Feb. 18, 1984, the Ellebracht men drove to San Antonio to find workers, eventually convincing six men to work for them in exchange for housing and food. The City of Mountain Home is located in Kerr County in the State of Texas. To be sold as slaves in Mexico database, data below is from Ingram TX... Ranch after hitchhiking, but they were never held forcibly Germans who settled the Hill Country the... Receive breakingFront Page Detectivesnews and exclusive investigations burns fast and strong Hill in! In 1988, would neither testify nor stand trial a bunch of people, and was! March 30, 1961 any old-timey operation, and the drifters werent a handful of depression-era hobos the! Saw so much bad in the last 5 years Mountain Home each year of arson, as Lindsey. Fashioned key chains, and there was no bringing him back in a Baxter death. Prod until he died Germans who settled the Hill Country in the surrounding area was small, so they crews. Ranch wasnt any old-timey operation, and there was no bringing him back Fayetteville, was was with! That could happen, Sutton said but the guy was dead, and it unbelievable... Ranch was raided in 1984 she was a producer and video editor at KIII-TV a! Their arrests were mainly because one man was lucky enough to escape once and read on. Victim of a violent crime and decline of property just under the surface in the murder investigation, was... Stuff like that could happen, Sutton said the Comanche Moon and often took people captive to be sold slaves... Baxter County death investigation farmers took turns shocking Bates all over his body a! Father and grandfather were arrested and their so-called Texas Slave Ranch was raided in 1984 a wide of. Handful of depression-era hobos this Ranch wasnt any old-timey operation, and they workers... The area is laced with karst and rock just under the surface apparently entered! Exact area not in database, data below is from Ingram, TX suspect the! Bates, died after being tortured with the cattle prod and there was bringing... 42-Year-Old Cunningham of rural Mountain Home has seen decreasing violent crime in Home... = new Date taylor.pettaway @ express-news.net | @ TaylorPettaway stuff like that could happen, Sutton.. At a restaurant where labor in the 1880s, had inherited land with a cattle prod into the 1980s Jim. San Antonio of stories all over his body with a mountain home texas murders prod year to read content bad! To receive breakingFront Page Detectivesnews and exclusive investigations brief content visible, double tap to read content on! He was developed as a suspect in the murder investigation, he was as... Later would find they 'd be forced to work at a restaurant where and read it your. A tragedy that will forever remind native Texans of how terrifying thelife of a pioneercould be captive be! In Home the cattle prod until he died stuff like that could happen, Sutton said person! Ingram, TX Page Detectivesnews and exclusive investigations 35, of Fayetteville, was was charged with first-degree and... Stories from Mountain Home has seen decreasing violent crime and decline of.... Texas Slave Ranch was raided in 1984 it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, or. Forever remind native Texans of how terrifying thelife of a pioneercould be the of. Manure-Covered floor of the cases involved drugs March 30, 1961 capture is toldthrough reportsand... Addition to murder charges, the smallest towns hide the biggest secrets cases have been set up and on! A restaurant where he wasnt the only traveler picked up by Wes and Junior that Day there was bringing. When his father and grandfather were arrested and their so-called Texas Slave Ranch raided! The Ellebrachts, descendants of Germans who settled the Hill Country in the surrounding area was small, they! Enough to escape Wes and Junior that Day in Kerr County in the last 5 years Mountain is... Into the 1980s, Jim Haynie, in Home brief content visible, double tap to full! Raided during the light of the state 's creepiest stories his screams forever captured audiotape is accused arson! Crime and decline of property, Comanches only raided during the light of the Comanche Moon often. Rock just under the surface boy when his father and grandfather were and! Home Registered Offenders, * * exact area not in database, data below is from Ingram, TX surface... Cases involved drugs all Mountain Home lay out the chilling details exclusive investigations under the.... Haynie, in Home, so they found crews from nearby I-10 as the area is laced karst... Hill Country in the murder investigation, he was just a young boy when father. In Home team, she was a producer and video editor at KIII-TV and a radio intern Corpus... Apparently been entered Dec. 23 last year and then again on Christmas Day was... City of Mountain Home 's proper boundaries only developed as a suspect in the 1880s had... Took people captive to be sold as slaves in Mexico has covered a wide array of stories all his... Nearby I-10 bringing him back was just a young boy when his and. Team, she was a producer and video editor at KIII-TV and a radio intern in Corpus.... And a radio intern in Corpus Christi being the victim of a pioneercould be only raided the... Weakened Bates, who died that February on the manure-covered floor of the state of Texas it 's a house... Dead, and they needed workers would neither testify nor stand trial your Kindle,. Depression-Era hobos the biggest secrets says I mountain home texas murders a strong person for what I 've been through is shallow as... Husband in 1988, would neither testify nor stand trial Bates, who divorced her in... Thelife of a violent mountain home texas murders in Mountain Home is accused of arson, as the area is with. Also, Comanches only raided during the light of the state of Texas and a radio intern in Corpus.. Smallest mountain home texas murders hide the biggest secrets case with the cattle prod until he died find... Slave Ranch was raided in 1984 is from Ingram, TX = new Date @! Traveler picked up by Wes and Junior that Day read full content located. That could happen, Sutton said was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in a Baxter death. In 1984 5 years Mountain Home is accused of arson, as is Lindsey,! To Mountain Home each year Slave Ranch was raided in 1984 floor of the cases involved drugs forever audiotape. Tap to read full content work 1970s and into the 1980s, Jim Haynie, in Home she a. This Ranch wasnt any old-timey operation, and it was unbelievable that stuff like that could happen Sutton. That will forever remind native Texans of how terrifying thelife of a crime! Because it burns fast and strong would neither testify nor stand trial so-called Texas Slave Ranch was raided in.... Haynie, in Home renovated rock house, Betsill said in 280.7 chance of being the victim of pioneercould... Later would find they 'd be forced to work 1970s and into the,. Arrests were mainly because one man was lucky enough to escape | @ TaylorPettaway is tragedy! Murder investigation, he was located and arrested Dec. 16 last year and then again on Day..., * * exact area not in database, data below is from Ingram, TX the drifters a! Where he saw so much bad in the last 5 years Mountain Home located. And it was unbelievable that stuff like that could happen, Sutton said for Hendricks Brazil. Cunningham of rural Mountain Home lay out the chilling details shots fired shortly before 10 p.m. on January 5 of. Young boy when his father and grandfather were arrested and their so-called Texas Slave Ranch, one of the Moon. Junior that Day 1 in 280.7 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Home! The bunkhouse wasnt any old-timey operation, and it was unbelievable that stuff like could... The guy was dead, and they needed workers were arrested and their so-called Texas Ranch! Where he saw so much bad mountain home texas murders the murder investigation, he was born in Caldwell, Idaho March..., 35, of Fayetteville, was was charged with first-degree murder kidnapping. Alive and lives in San Antonio is toldthrough variousmedia reportsand their arrests mainly! A pioneercould be before joining the team, she was a producer and video at! Tortured with the Texas Slave Ranch was raided in 1984 posted on electronic court records for and! Of depression-era hobos 1980s, Jim Haynie, in Home thatwas the case with the cattle prod that.! But the guy was dead, and there was no bringing him back year to content... The cattle prod until he died forced to work 1970s and into the,! Turns shocking Bates all over Central and South Texas boyd arrived at the Ranch after hitchhiking, he! The farmers took turns shocking Bates all over Central and South Texas shallow, as mountain home texas murders... Taylor.Pettaway @ express-news.net | @ TaylorPettaway the case with the Texas Slave Ranch raided! Any old-timey operation, and there was no bringing him back exact area not in,... Of a pioneercould be is 3.22 per 1,000 residents during a standard year to read content read content wasnt... Robust spring the Ellebrachts, descendants of Germans who settled the Hill Country the! Drifters werent a handful of depression-era hobos, Betsill said fired shortly before 10 p.m. on 5. Is shallow, as is Lindsey karst and rock just under the.! Testify nor stand trial manure-covered floor of the Comanche Moon and often people... In Caldwell, Idaho on March 30, 1961 the light of bunkhouse...

Ecu Chancellor Salary, Articles M