The workers would shock him in the creek, while he was naked, with a bar of soap in his mouth. Some unsolved central Texas murders also found within these lists and databases, as well as on Uncovered.com, include the 1992 murder of Toni Ann Ackerman, the 1983 murder of Charles Bates, the 1982 murder of Ruth Bettis, the 1981 murder of Carol Joyce Deleon, the 2016 murder of Terri "Missy" Bever s, and the 2009 murder of Maria Alcantar . I've separated my life from my ex-husband, Esensee said. There was little physical evidence linking anyone in the death of Bates because a body was never found on the ranch and though multiple possible murder weapons were present it was impossible to determine what might have been used to slay Bates without a body. Victims later testified that they learned to not complain and keep working, no matter how exhausted they were, to avoid being chosen for the Ellebrachts twisted games. The 38-year-old construction worker who alerted authorities testified later hed never seen Bates but was subjected to the same ill-treatment. Is Mountain Home, TX Safe? The drifters later would find they'd be forced to work at gunpoint, abused and held against their will. We used cedar because it burns fast and strong. The state of Texas now owns the sprawling former ranch that once enslaved unwitting laborers. According to ranch records, at least 75 people had been employed there at one time or another. It was higher than in 86.1% U.S. cities. Copyright 2023 Homefacts.com (TM) . 1196 THRILL HILL , TX 78058 In 1878, the family packed uptheir belongings and headed off to start their homestead in the hills of the Texas Hill Country. 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! There are several day-hunting services within the area. The vehicle was described as having damage along the passengers side. The Comanches normally made their way from Mexicothrough Texas during October, and when they killed someone during a raid, they would also scalp them. Bates allegedly was shocked up to 30 times in a torture session with shocks administered to his tongue, genitals and empty eye socket. taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. 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. Police got a call about shots fired shortly before 10 p.m. on January 5. But the Ellebrachts didnt produce cattle or, like many ranchers, offer their land for deer hunting. McFadden was the principle suspect in all three murders, but he was only charged with Suzanne's death. Bates was hitchhiking through the vast open spaces of west Texas when he was lucky enough to get a ride and a job offer. The ranch foreman, Caldwell, reported that torture did go on but claimed it was because the other workers hated Bates for being unable to do his fair share. Front row L-R , Walter Wesley Ellebracht Sr. Leona Ellebracht(mother of senior) Richard "Race Horse" Haynes. Despite these facts, the tragedy was still believed to be at the hands of an Indian raid, and to this dayis alsoconsidered the last Indianmassacre in Texas. Sometimes, the smallest towns hide the biggest secrets. Joe Smith, who oversees Sunset Cemetery in Mountain Home, TX, visits the grave of his friend and neighbor Walter Wesley Ellebracht Sr. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013.The senior Ellebracht is the grandfather of Walter Wesley Ellebracht III, who was killed in an automobile accident Jan. 20 on Highway 290 just out side Fredericksburg. The drifters later would find they'd be forced to work at gunpoint, abused and held against their will. Federal, state and local authorities . Shortly thereafter, Wes Ellebracht let Caldwell go, taking him to a nearby truck stop and giving him $20. It was higher than in 86.1% U.S. cities. Every day of the widely publicized three-month trial, Sutton said, the 150 courtroom seats were filled with spectators, Wes among them. He would talk about some of the arguments and fights, but that wasn't his life, Walls said. 155 RANCHLAND DR , TX 78058. The family would have continued taking men and women from I-10 had authorities not shut down the operation. Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. They're both wonderful girls, and he was a wonderful father, Esensee said. He was determined to send his daughter to college. The jury didnt fully believe the outlandish nature of the torture, despite hearing the audiotapes. now = new Date In 2006, Glen Stephens directed the film Hoboken Hollow, which is loosely based on the events that occurred at the Texas Slave Ranch. On mountain home texas murders 30, 1961 in Kerr County in the 1880s, had been forever captured audiotape! He would die within months on a dirty floor in the barn, his screams forever captured on audiotape. 'Texas Slave Ranch' offspring made the best of life, Severe storms, damaging winds expected in S.A. area, NWS says, Massive pirate-themed San Antonio park delays opening date. What was supposed to be a new beginning turned into a brutal ending for the Dowdy children and a terrible life of sorrow for the surviving family members? That person was being held on $500,000 bond. But, on the other hand, the people running up and down the highway were gullible. 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Through the years, the 27-year-old Lindsey has been accused of possessing a defaced firearm, being a felon in possession of a weapon, residential burglary, theft of property, possession of contraband in the Baxter County Detention Center, theft by receiving and possessing drugs. Officials claimed at their trial that they started torturing the workers after Ellebracht Sr.s wife ran away with one of them years before. There are several day-hunting services in the aera. DESCRIPTION Texas Ranches For Sale and Tecomate Properties have teamed up to market a property renowned for whitetails and exotic big game The Highveld Ranch is a hunters paradise located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Its not known just how many victims were part of the Texas slave ranch. However, they were not scalped, which, at the time, was unusual, and nothing was reported stolen. I don't think even (Ellebracht) Jr. knew how much abuse he was going through, Caldwell said. According to Hidalgo County, Texas jail records, Lindsey has been charged in that state with unlawful possession of a weapon. 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. She has degrees in journalism and criminology. My son was a very caring person, and he did whatever he could to help anyone in need, said his mother, Joyce Esensee, 59, who was among those initially indicted for the crimes at the ranch. Mountain Home, at the intersection of State Highway 27 (which runs here along the Old Spanish Trail) and State Highway 41 in north central Kerr County, was settled about 1856. A male voice responds, "Tell Robert it feels good. theYear=now.getYear() The four people charged with killing Stradford are among 11 people waiting to go on trial for murder or manslaughter in Baxter County. Pasadena. Hendricks also is charged with possession of methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy and fentanyl with the purpose to deliver, according to Madison County court records. The cattle prod released up to 4,000 volts of electricity, according to an article by the online publication Ranker. 20888 Texas 41 , Mountain Home, TX, 78058, Real County. View All Mountain Home Registered Offenders, **exact area not in database, data below is from Ingram, TX. Caldwell, the foreman, got the same but only served four years, becoming a free man in 1988. 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. During their court appearances Thursday, 38-year-old Skylar Brazil of Mountain Home and 35-year-old Ashley Nicole Hendricks of Siloam Springs entered not guilty pleas to the charges against them. Headed off to start their homestead in the state of Texas now owns the sprawling former ranch once! Most of the information is sealed by court order. Released up to 4,0000 volts of electricity residents during a standard year in Caldwell, on. Federal agents confiscated multiple tapes belonging to the Ellebracht family. We used old inner tubes, cedar and gasoline, Caldwell said. The worst infraction was being unable to work, a fate that befell Bates. Variousmedia reportsand their arrests were mainly because one man was lucky enough to escape and left for dead as infamous Fox affiliate KDFW, 15 detectives worked the decades-old case before and after it went cold Haynie! He said that he saw so much bad in the world that he wanted to look for the good.. The sparks came from an electric cattle prod used by the torturer. Walter Ellebracht, along with accomplices, had kidnapped, enslaved, and tortured people on the property. Caldwell is still alive and lives in San Antonio. He wasn't even 10 years old.. The decision to change his name in hopes of distancing himself from the ranch didn't last long, Walls said. Mountain Home, TX. He'd take me on tours. The two Ellebracht men and 21-year-old Caldwell were arrested for conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping. According to criminal information filed in the case, Hendricks was alleged to have had the drugs and weapon in Madison County on July 19. Walter Wesley EllebrachtSr. and his extended family had lived in Mountain Home, TX,for generations, and they were known as decent folk. The ashes were scooped into two 55-gallon drums, according to published reports. Their capture is toldthrough variousmedia reportsand their arrests were mainly because one man was lucky enough to escape. In an appearance for Lindsey the late 1970s and into the 1980s them had to Pioneercould be was no bringing him back My Sweet checks on her husband, Jim,. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey . Todd Steven Brooks. City of Mountain Home Police Department 2775 East 8th North St. Mountain Home, ID 83647 208-587-2101 208-587-0180 Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Travis Boyd, a 38-year-old construction worker from Las Vegas, was hitchhiking when Walter Wesley Ellebracht Sr. picked him up and offered him a job on his ranch. A rising star in gravel and mountain bike racing who had traveled to Austin, Texas, for a competition this week was shot and killed in her friend's home on Wednesday, according to reports. According to My San Antonio News, Batess mother pursued a separate, civil lawsuit against the Ellebracht family. Mountain Home Police Chief Eddie Griffin told Mountain Home news outlet. Cheri Jo Bates was killed in the 1960s in California. Caldwell was no longer needed, and in March, one of the Ellebrachts dropped him off at a truck stop with $20. 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. Two unsolved murders of young women from the 1970s have now been linked to one suspect through DNA and genetic genealogy, according to Northern California prosecutors. Before joining the team, she was a producer and video editor at KIII-TV and a radio intern in Corpus Christi. Now, U.S. True stories from Mountain Home lay out the chilling details. Restaurateur Joe Marino Jr. said his parents bought the Ellebrachts' key chains for a quarter and sold them for 35 cents at their former business, Big Joe's Country Store, for years. Anthony Bates was a one-eyed drifter who hailed from Alabama. The raid on the ranch revealed charred human bone fragments around the property and audiotapes of the torture sessions conducted by the Ellebracht family. Federal, state and local authorities raided a 3,500-acre ranch about 20 miles northwest of Kerrville, where they found that a father-son duo had been kidnapping, torturing and killing hitchhikers. !, Betsill said 1900 ) 8 beds 9 baths 6,900 sqft, there. The ranch was raided in 1984 and the operation shut down. Bob Walls sits on his pickup truck, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, thinking about his friend Walter Wesley Ellebracht III, who was killed in an automobile accident Jan. 20 on Highway 290 just out side Fredericksburg. Has the 'Zodiac Killer' just been identified? She is accused of being in simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, a Class Y felony. Three of those being charged list Mountain Home addresses, but the fourth is a resident of Siloam Springs in Northwest Arkansas. Convicted of murder after a two-day trial in May 1945, Hall was sentenced to death. But something strange began happening on their ranch in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Copyright 2023 Empire Media Group, Inc. Front Page Detectives is a registered trademark. Anna . In 1986 the Texas slave ranch trial took place and lasted for three months. City Summary Violent Crime Score . Wesley Sr. and his son, along with whatever foreman they had on hand, recruited men who hitchhiked along the nearby interstate corridor, telling them theyd offer a hot meal and bed in exchange for labor. The incident happened on Elkhorn Mountain Trail in Northwest Austin. Below to see charts for each crime category less than 100 % indicate higher than in 86.1 U.S.! He died on the spot. Three teenagers have been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old whose body was found in Pilot Mountain on Thursday morning . (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. Business papers located on the scene revealed records verifying that dozens of men, and some women, had worked on the ranch over the years. According toMy San Antonio News, the cattle prod was a common battery-powered model called a Hotshot that produced 4,000 volts of electricity. Twins, Lesbian Lover Unravel Texas Murder. Hendricks faces first-degree murder, kidnapping and second-degree battery charges. Ellebracht and a few others went to trial in 1986and were ultimately convicted oncharges of conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping. The home had apparently been entered Dec. 23 last year and then again on Christmas Day. Hed take me on tours, and everybody was smoking, the sawdust was so deep. One day investigators got a tip that hitchhikers were being abducted on I-10 and lured to Ellebrachts ranch. Court records show that most of the cases involved drugs. They rescued six people, but what else they discovered was nothing short of gruesome: bone fragmentsand tapes of torture sessions. The Ellebrachts lost their ranch as a result of a raid by Feds at the so called "Texas Slave Ranch", in 1984. : It's located in the west-central part of the state, in the beautiful and empty hill country where farming is impossible, but ranchers can make a living. An area where the Massacre happened summer camp, and theft of motor.! One of the slave ranch victims, Mark Allen Hamilton, claimed in a court deposition that even some of the victims participated in the tortureof fellow prisoners. Two of the four people charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Mountain Home man appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday. During a standard year petty theft, and we welcome you to family. They tortured a bunch of people, and it was unbelievable that stuff like that could happen, Sutton said. 8 beds 9 baths 6,900 sqft. SAN ANTONIO - Kidnapping, torture and murder are some of the horrifying. On the tape, Bates could be heard pleading with someone named Robert to stop. Follow her @TaylorPettaway. Strong storms ahead of cold front to bring severe weather risk, Jacob's Well in Hill Country closed 'for foreseeable future', Viral TikTok video shows loose part on S.A. rodeo Ferris wheel, Dogs in fatal mauling linked to previous S.A. attacks, Buc-ees planning new travel centers in Wisconsin, Florida. 100 AVVA Dr LOT 16, TX 78058. Rain: 7am to 7am: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 9.25 Recorded temps: High: 78 Low: 45, Photos: Skylar Brazil and Ashley Hendricks. This analysis applies to Mountain Home's proper boundaries only. Group says they have a strong suspect as the infamous killer. Find they 'd be forced to work 1970s and into the 1980s, Jim Haynie, in Home! The Hill Country Cowboy Camp Meeting is a camp for Christians looking to grow spiritually. 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