The funeral procession The one whos blood runs blue. When Money Grew on Trees: The True Tale of a Marijuana Moonshiner and the Outlaw Sheriff of Madison County, Arkansas. Noreta Mae Burrell's family was from Benton County. He even had his revolver, Learn more. Rusty could be a g******** suspect. Harper told F.M. Rest in Peace, Sheriff Baker. Baker, sheriff since 1973, declines to discuss the case, which he says is one of only two unsolved murders in Madison County. ", And in the Sept. 4 edition of The Madison County Record, Baker posed with a gram-sized mound of sugar substitute and told the newspaper: "There is a certain circle of people using the drug. Madison County Sheriff Ralph Baker drowned in the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 5, 1998, after his car was swept off a low-water bridge and into a rain-swollen White River near his home. I knew Sheriff Baker and had a great deal of respect for him . "I'm retired, I'm alive, and I plan to stay that way.". Berea Cemetery. He's just another man. To some he's just a fool. She didn't begrudge Baker and his cousins their profit. Fogley, the state police investigator and a close friend, blames the Fourth of July fire on misdirected Roman candles. 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. I was pleased to discover that the New York Times rightly devoted as much space to a recent obituary for my local baker . Although Ralph's brilliant mind was compromised by dementia, his instincts remained keen. Ralph Gardner Jr. /. Then I'd go on and after supper I'd probably halve it again and do a quarter. 'Cause he works all year round. Among the Northwest Arkansas law enforcement community, Baker has both detractors and defenders. One of Baker's fellow party-goers said recently that Johnson started the incident by attacking Corkern, and that Baker hadn't yet arrived. Crawford said the tract contains some bottom land that had been farmed, but that it is mostly mountain, suitable only for hunting. Residents say it was a haven for bank robbers and other outlaws in the 1920s. Nevertheless, F.M. Very entertaining read, but don't know how much of it is true. U.S. He prays to God above. It came as no surprise to local drug dealers or to the family of Billie Jean Phillips. Much of Baker's land -- and much of southern Madison County -- is heavily wooded. Gulledge said she wanted the Wheeler property, but then realized that, because of the confusion over property lines, it took in the living room of Baker's house. Fogley is one of the sheriff's most emphatic supporters. Both say he is above reproach. The check was issued June 19, 1989, by a Michigan-based police insurance risk pool. Baker's former property became part of the Ozark National Forest. As the case developed, Minor's father, Illinois oil well driller F.M. a part of Madison County's history. Still, he said, the price seemed in line with other land he looked at. My husband remembers some of the things that happened. But, in pretrial testimony, club owner Jeannie Ward cited three separate incidents involving Baker that night. The land included "my home place," says the deed, signed by Bill Baker. I have read this book a few years ago, it is actually written about the Sheriff of Madison County in Arkansas. He moved to Florida shortly after, according to law enforcement officials. Harper says he doesn't remember the details of the case. "I try to never have any bills. Ralph don't care if you use drugs. Now he doesn't know a holiday To see our price, add these items to your cart. ", Although Baker's daughter denied it, Harp said the two girls and Judy Maggard, Harp's sister, had smoked two joints and got "higher than I usually get off just pot. The DEA has identified one of them as the largest in U.S. history. In all, Enfield tossed out 150 votes, and Democrats admitted to 19 defective ballots. INSCRIPTION: (Shierff badge with Ralph Baker Shierff Madison County) married March 3, 1956 (on back) They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. "Since I've been sheriff, we hadn't hardly got any meth at all," he said in June. Cain's attorney, John Lisle, had pushed for a year for an FBI investigation of the county's drug traffic and its ties to the murder. He is survived by his wife and two children. , ISBN-13 One of the transactions is the partnership with Ham and his wife, Margie. He was found still in his seatbelt. Johnson dropped his lawsuit 12 days before it was to go to trial, saying his family couldn't stand the stress. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Trudot was in the hospital at the time. What emerges is a tale of methamphetamine and murder in a place known to its residents as "Booger County.". The county was formed on September 30, 1836. He ended the June interview when the subject came up. One former drug dealer, early considered a suspect in the Phillips murder, says he was involved in plans with Hathorn, Dennis Cordes, Rory Allen Gregory and Joe Benton Head to build a methamphetamine lab in a cave neighboring Phillips' house. He seldom ever gets a thanks, January 9,1998, at the St. Paul High School Gymnasium with a crowd estimated "Definitely foul play," Livermore called back to the dispatcher at 12:53 p.m. Sharp, who now works for the U.S. Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016. Harp was sentenced on May 14, 1996, to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary, theft of property and possession of drug paraphernalia. But he usually has a second job "RALPH CARES". Try again. Went camping and exploring around the area a few years ago, especially in the Mckillroy WMA and parts of the Ozark NF. The records paint a picture of an astute businessman who aggressively bought low and sold high. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. So I can see the ones I love. He married Noreta Mae Burrell, a St. Paul girl, in March 1956. There was a problem loading your book clubs. passed through Huntsville as hundreds of school children and friends stood "The main worry about that is if they jerk him in there once a month, and he takes a hot piss test, and comes up they can revoke him and I don't want them to have to do that," Harper told Minor. Assessor Edward D. "Buck" Ham, who partnered with Baker to buy 120 acres in 1987 and then to sell them nine years later, said Baker is simply a good businessman who knows how and when to buy and sell. He listed his age as 18, hers as 16. Baker, who earns $31,000 a year as Madison County's sheriff and tax collector, declines to talk about his land deals. Fort Smith lawyer Matthew Horan once investigated the case in connection with a client he was defending. It's a story about drugs and arson, murder and suicide, friendship and betrayal. The Hams put their half of the land into a trust in 1988, and in 1993 the Bakers sold their half-interest to the Ham trust for $4,000. Its about Arkansas outlaws and their pot way of life. This is Mac's story of damnation and redemption. Gary Wayne Johnson, a worker at a Wesley broom handle factory, sued Baker, Chief Deputy Steve Treat and former Deputy Steve Corkern, who is now Huntsville's police chief. Minor and Samuelson got probation on the marijuana charge, but were sentenced to five years in prison on a first-degree battery conviction. The timber there was harvested 20 years ago. Sheriff Ralph Baker drowned after his cruiser was washed into a flooded river while he was searching for a stolen vehicle. 1988/06/20. A police officer he is known. Rest in peace. It all boils down to the fact that they did not want any outsider owning land on that farm. It split from Washington County and became a separate entity in 1836, the year Arkansas attained statehood and Huntsville became the county seat. The lumber and wood-products business is a major source of employment, according to census records. 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. : In his own testimony, Baker acknowledged that his daughter had lied during her deposition when she denied ever smoking marijuana. ", "He does pretty good for himself for an old country boy," said Berrian Brashears of Clinton, who sold Ralph Baker, Kenneth Baker and another cousin, Bob Baker, a tract of old family land for $7,000 in 1986. He has been involved in transactions to sell at least 1,092 acres, receiving about $319,000. Terry Jones, the prosecuting attorney for Madison and Washington counties, is among the latter. 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. Then, in June, the Bakers sold the land back to the Cornetts -- for $15,000. Biography ID: 38791252 . Sheriffs of Madison County Ralph Baker Ralph Baker Article by Joy Russell Back to Previous Page Anyone having Information, Pictures, Stories, or Corrections, regarding the Sheriff's of Madison County that they would like to contribute for publication please contact ralberts@mcso.info He said I f****** owed him money, and I didn't. , David McElyea; First Edition (May 19, 2003), Language Yes, the bullet hit its mark, But those who loved him cried. Ralph Francis Baker was born Sept. 1, 1938, near the town of St. Paul, once a bustling banking, railroad and timber center in southern Madison County. As prosecutors and investigators sorted through clues obscured by mistakes at the crime scene and the state forensics laboratory, a changing cast of law enforcement officials sardonically wondered who hadn't slept with Billie Phillips -- and who in this rural county lacked a motive to kill her. . Ralph Baker Dead 1/8/98 Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. Some reviewers didn't like the fact that the author would "reveal" something bad coming up before it happened but Joe said that it did not have a negative effect on the story for him. Information for this article was contributed by staff writer Michael Whiteley. 1912/09 . Baker said he advised the Chief of Police of Huntsville of the information he had received by radio and sought that officer's assistance. Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt. by Sheriff Ralph Baker, the man who befriended David Mac, and taught him what it means to be an outlaw. Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2020. Baker and his partners now own at least 1,450 acres, mostly in southern Madison County, valued at $227,865, according to tax records. Ralph Baker would say little about his family or his early days in St. Paul, but friends say he grew up with two passions -- hunting and fighting. "I'd go in any front door in the country with Ralph Baker. In the last two years, those transactions have involved selling, rather than buying. How do you keep the deputy prosecutor out of the crime scene?". and may not be duplicated without permission, Investigator David L Bell Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC, WE could use more sheriff's like him. The judge deferred the sentence pending good behavior, and Baker never went to prison. She said Baker and other police there to celebrate the marriage of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Lance King got so rowdy she was forced to close the club. During a lawsuit filed by Baker and his daughter against the driver of the other vehicle, Rodney Nelson, Harp testified that the sheriff's glove compartment contained marijuana, pills and white powder she believed to be cocaine in bags marked "Property of Madison County. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss That's a legitimate way of making money as far as I'm concerned," Margaret Cornett said. 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. (Note: Your comments may be used in an upcoming article about the 20-year anniversary.) Phillips had a strong dose of methamphetamine in her bloodstream. Minor asked him to get involved, and that all of the dealings with Baker and deputy prosecutor Billy Allred were aboveboard. RIP, sir. 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. He ended the June interview when the subject came up. I really enjoyed the book because I know some of the people named in the book and I know the places that they're talking about. Sheriff Ralph Baker drowned after his cruiser was washed into a flooded river while he was searching for a stolen vehicle. "I took all the serial numbers off 10 hundred-dollar bills," Minor said. Such swaps are not common, but they fit in with the Forest Service's policy of trading to acquire land that is already surrounded by or adjacent to the forest. Written By: Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits: Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now. 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. 1973 - 1998. "The lawyer asked about his brother and whether he signed one too. Minor said, the case felt like a setup. In 1977, he killed himself with a shotgun at the family store, which burned down soon after his death. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. But she'll have to give me half of it back.". A young Huntsville man whose criminal record includes multiple convictions for stealing shares Harp's perception of how things work. 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. It shows seven labs busted in Washington County and one in Franklin, Crawford and Carroll Counties. Cornett said Baker is a distant cousin who leases land from the Cornett family. Baker said in the June interview that he had probably put the drugs into his truck to drive to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for testing. Enfield that there were not enough illegal votes to change the results. God Bless! Neither has Minor. JEFF PORTER ", BARE KNUCKLES, A DEFERRED SENTENCE AND QUESTIONS ABOUT AN ELECTION. When I was little I remember the Cock Fights in our yard and the Moonshine in the Sheds. Roy Cain stated at Ralph's funeral when talking about a replacement Clinton argued that Smith was within the law when he circulated absentee ballots around the nursing home and then mailed them back to the courthouse. There were three Bakers, so they each wanted $5,000. Neither she nor Brashears knew who wanted the land for the shop. It has sharpened long-standing concerns over drug traffic and law enforcement in the Northwest Arkansas county of 12,943. His wife, Margaret, said she and her husband bought back the land they had given away because they were concerned the business would place junk cars next to the family cemetery. Updated: October 31, 2011 . During a four-day legal fight over Knox's notes, the former FBI agent alleged that Jones had told him not to investigate allegations of corruption against a "local law enforcement official," and not to take his evidence to the FBI. Quick Description: This bench is one of several along the Madison County Walking Trail in Huntsville. Baker argued with a female employee on behalf of the unidentified woman, Johnson said. The drug dealer is still alive in October, and he says he has no choice but to continue to deal crank from his family home. following a twenty-one gun salute fired by seven Madison County deputies. 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