HUNTSVILLE From the first radio call two minutes before noon, panic was a partner in the investigation of Billie Jean Phillips' murder. 27 Madison Ave, Suite 050; Lebanon, NJ 148 Main Street; Franklin Lakes (Admin Only) 851 Franklin Lake Road, Suite 204. He was attempting to cross a low water Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. "Then Ralph will put his foot down.". Fayetteville Police Chief Richard Watson and Steve Lowery, an agent in the Fayetteville office of the DEA, are motorcycle-riding buddies of Baker and among his closest friends. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 14th anniversary of your death. This He asked how come [his brother] couldn't go into town to vote, and the man responded, `Well, I tell you, friend, he were loud and drunker than hell. He's paid by the citizens' taxes , Dimensions January 5, 2017 Your heroism and service is honored today, the 14th anniversary of your death. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. HUNTSVILLE Ralph Baker has been buying land longer than he's been sheriff, at least since 1967. Please try again. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. He was attempting to cross a low water bridge which was covered with water. Read Fayetteville Northwest Arkansas Times Newspaper Archives, Dec 28, 1988, p. 1 with family history and genealogy records from fayetteville, arkansas 1936-2003. But Enfield rejected claims by Republican attorney Erwin L. Davis that Baker and first-term Treasurer Bolinger had gotten votes from Oklahomans and the dead. He said he doesn't worry about the criminal consequences of a crystal methamphetamine -- or "crank" -- habit that costs $4,800 to $6,000 a week. He even had his revolver, I was pleased to discover that the New York Times rightly devoted as much space to a recent obituary for my local baker . Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. No other deputies were listed on copies of receipts provided by Baker in response to an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act request. N.Y.P.D. He is survived by his wife and two children. Sheriff Ralph Baker, the man who befriended David Mac, and taught him what it means to be an outlaw. consent. Still, he said, the price seemed in line with other land he looked at. Location: Arkansas, United States. Until now. : "A lot of people call it that, but I don't know the origin.". She'd trade those for drugs. Bingham's attorneys alleged that Baker and Sharp then began hitting and kicking Bingham, who the attorneys said had a speech impediment and the mind of an 11-year-old. She had been strangled. A week later, Knox turned over his allegations and unabridged copies of his files to I.C. 1999-2001 by Joy Russell. "Boy, that sure is a nice deal," said Dr. Martin, told of the dramatic increase. But the Department's budget didn't buy A year later, with Crumbley retiring, Baker won office as part of a slate of political newcomers, defeating Republican Johnny Reed 2,844-2,681. 1988/06/20. Time never diminishes respect. After the cruiser was washed into the creek it flipped over trapping him inside. It makes me wonder what the "Macster" was smoking as he re-read the manuscript. Rest In Peace. a part of Madison County's history. Baker declined to say whether he and Noreta had family money to work with. Fogley, the state police investigator and a close friend, blames the Fourth of July fire on misdirected Roman candles. "The lawyer asked about his brother and whether he signed one too. by 1973 - 1998. Baker and his partners now own at least 1,450 acres, mostly in southern Madison County, valued at $227,865, according to tax records. In this world of drugs and crime. To respond to calls unknown. 1914/10/19. But my lawyer told me I couldn't prove I'd given them to him.". I'm sure you wouldn't want a bunch of wrecked cars 20 foot from your folks' grave.". He married Noreta Mae Burrell, a St. Paul girl, in March 1956. "He said, 'F.M., he's in serious trouble, and they're going to try him as an habitual. However, revenue stamps on the sale of the remaining 80 acres to Dr. F. Allan Martin and Debbie Martin of Fayetteville indicate the Bakers and Hams got $39,000 -- a 628 percent increase in the per-acre price. In 1996, the Hams and Bakers sold 40 of the 120 acres to Phillip McGarrah Jr. and Phillip McGarrah Sr. A notice of escrow documenting the transaction does not indicate a price. Law enforcement officers came from all over the state to pay their Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. In the news they told the story A Harley enthusiast given to wearing biker gear, Baker wore tan pants, a black shirt and gold chains to the federal courthouse. 201 W. Main St. Huntsville 72740 (479) 738-6721 http://madisoncogov.com County Judge Larry Garrett Phone: (479) 738-6721 Fax: (479) 738-1544 Mailing Address: P.O. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "A lot of people live paycheck to paycheck and day to day. Updated: October 31, 2011 . Marshals Service in Fayetteville, also declined to talk about the case. Cordes and a private investigator who helped him escape from the Washington County jail were later convicted of building the biggest methcathinone lab in U.S. history. Despite his license plate, the sheriff doesn't know either. Ralph Baker had served as Sheriff of Madison County, Arkansas, from 1973 until his tragic death on January 5, 1998. Forest Service documents on the sale indicate the agency estimated the values of the swapped land to be equal. He was found still in his seatbelt. But the dealer who claimed to have traded drugs for bogus documents says the case typifies the way business is done in Booger County: "It's a very crooked county, yeah. Lots of caves around those parts, with lots of toothless backwoods folks who take a keen interest in outsiders visiting the area. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Ham said the property value increased because of an easement -- the right to cross other property to access the land -- acquired before it was sold to the Martins and McGarrahs. And briefly he thought of his loved ones "One guy held a shotgun in my face for over an hour last week. Wheeler also said she didn't recall filing the lawsuit. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. Brashears said he attended school with Ralph Baker and has known him for decades. The remaining corner of the day's score buys sex -- with a little return on the investment -- about 9 p.m. "I'd go down and say, 'Hey, look at what I've got. Baker's receipts for the same period show $260 in payments. Craig and his wife were sentenced to four years unsupervised probation -- despite Craig's lengthy criminal record. , ISBN-10 How do you keep the deputy prosecutor out of the crime scene?". And Everett and Knox said problems with Baker reached the breaking point when they developed fresh leads involving drugs. Baker died in. A letter of condolence from President Harp's relationship with the sheriff followed her into adulthood. Photo/Video will be published upon admin review and approval. The terrain is very hilly and rocky which doesn't seem like a good area for grow ops. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 15,717. In Huntsville's drug community, sex is just another form of currency. Otherwise, he has paid cash. Madison County records show the money was paid to the county's Drug Eradication Fund, $7,500 credited to Craig, $2,500 to his wife. Unable to add item to List. The former Madison County oil man, F.M. "We're not talking about much money.". In 1987, the two county officials and their wives had bought 120 acres of timberland from Minsie Leathem, the widow of former Sheriff Noah Leathem, for $8,000. Now, Baker and the state police are back in charge. | "It was play money, not serious money. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Baker pleaded no contest to burglary and grand larceny charges on April 2, 1958, and drew two years in the Arkansas Penitentiary. "I'm not going to give you the time of day," Sharp said. Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. We've traded the money on the one hand for the next land on the other hand, and it's built up a little bit down through the years. Harper told Minor that an important part of the deal was to ensure Craig did not have to report to a probation officer and undergo periodic drug testing. It is late morning, and he already has finished his seventh Budweiser while talking with reporters. He has won each contested race by a 2-1 margin or better. If you gather all this stuff up, probably if you figure it all out, I've probably made 50[,000] or 100,000 dollars off of land transactions over 30 years," he said. Along with his wife, Noreta, and Kenneth Baker, the sheriff signed a mortgage in 1980 for $8,000, secured by 68 acres of land the two cousins had just acquired for $17,000. During the next four hours, Baker and Fogley would allow Cain to repeatedly enter the crime scene. There were three Bakers, so they each wanted $5,000. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Ride safe in heaven. He said he wasn't aware of any reason for the price to increase so much. Most talked only reluctantly. Her skull had been fractured with her son's T-ball bat, which lay by the bed, splintered. I never bought from her," said one convicted drug dealer, adding that Criss provided a valuable service for the county's outlaws, who didn't have insurance. MADISON, RALPH L. On Friday, March 18, 2005, of Bethesda, MD. He started toward Springdale on Highway 68, taking Deputy Sheriff Phillip Morgan with him. "I wish I could come up on something like that.". Ralph Gardner Jr. /. One in every five Madison County residents lives below the poverty level. The evidence was discovered when deputies picked her up for the burglary. "I hope he appreciates it and takes advantage of it.". "But I have no idea how he obtained [all] the land. (This data I summarized from the front page of Madison County Record dated Jan 8, 1998. Not a well written book but then again this guy was a pot grower not an author per se. Ham said he asked the Bakers in because "I had just bought some other land and didn't have the money.". For at least half his life, he was known to . Went camping and exploring around the area a few years ago, especially in the Mckillroy WMA and parts of the Ozark NF. Thank you for your service. Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016. In the words of one person who viewed a videotape of the crime scene made at 4:30 that afternoon, the bed appeared to have been "wallered in." And you'll never live long enough to see him out of the pen again,'" Minor remembers. When Minor balked, the up-front demand was reduced to $10,000. The man, Joey Bingham, began kicking the patrol car before the two officers forced him into the car and drove him back to the sheriff's office, Baker testified in a subsequent civil lawsuit. And it has spurred some of the county's most industrious methamphetamine dealers to claim openly that they can operate unchecked as long as they don't steal to support their habits. "We didn't realize he [Brashears] sold it to the Baker boys, the three Bakers, and they were going to sell it to someone we understood was going to put a used-car junk pile on that land.". David L. Bell He ended the June interview when the subject came up. Ralph Baker in Florida. Former Massachusetts Gov. If you go there, stay to established campgrounds and or use outdoor guide services, or be armed and watch your back. It shows two methcathinone lab busts in Benton County. "That's all I realized, and that he was a very small man.". Along the way, the unlikely duo of lawman and outlaw discovered that greed ruins even the best-laid plans, and the Devil always gets His due. He listed his age as 18, hers as 16. "Since I've been sheriff, we hadn't hardly got any meth at all," he said in June. Minor said he called Baker to negotiate and was told things had changed, because Craig was classified as a habitual felon under Arkansas law. But tonight he stops a speeding car, Cain would spend $100,000 trying to clear himself. How do you keep the deputy prosecutor out of the crime scene Baker. To protect your security and privacy County, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc I summarized from the front page of County... Because `` I had just bought some other land he looked at one in every five County! 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