Right and wrong WAS ON BOTH SIDES. Was McElroy harassing him or something? Alice Woods was Ken's second wife, but she has stated that she's not sure their marriage was legal because McElroy may have still been married to Sharon when they wed. Why no photos of Del ? A misanthrope that even treated his dogs, that he apparently loved, badly. The masonic building is gone, as best as I can tell. I know there were plans to combine school districts, but Im not sure if that;s happened. Was it the standard blub the names were changed to protect the innocent or another reason for not using the real names/places in your movie? She swore to the law and three grand juries that the man on the 30.30 was Del Clement, a member of a prominent ranching family. and it holds to this day. If in fact Del Clement was the shooter, I was curious as to why he would have shot McElroy. I gentleman said he used to own it. As to Del, if I mayI understand why you may feel he was a short, hot-headed drunk. thanks-nicole. I found Trena in an Obituary this year. The people commenting were not representative of the town. I noticed earlier today while doing some reading that both Q. Goslee and Lois BowenKamp have passed away. Im curious why you felt No One Saw A Thing was junk. I remember Alice and thinking she is not much older then me yet she is with this guy and Treena is having his baby, and yet she was just a child Thanks for writing. Let it rest, people. Real men dont hit women. anyway skidmore is gone , the town is dying & its sad to see. I dont condone killing such as this but fully understand how a town could have finally had ENOUGH. The property appears fenced off & unused but adjacent to a larger property containing a current and newish residence. (May 1, 1939 June 9, 2014). Or could it have been a semi-auto pistol? Still, thanks for writing there are two sides to every story. I know how people get frustrated and i realize how this happened with mcelroy! Maybe if the District Attorney would offer immunity to anyone who witnessed or was involved in McElroys death the rest of the story could be told and the case closed. She related that while McElroy had his problems he was also being harassed. They understood she had been in essence captured by McElroy as a young girl, but by the end she was riding shotgun for him and pulling weapons on people and threatening to shoot them. He picked on the weak. Is that where Kens house was? Gary N. Dowling, 75, of Mission, TX, and formerly of the Maryville and Skidmore, MO, area, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2014, at his home in Mission, where he had lived the past several years. I never actually thought Del Clement and the other shooters were cowards. I find it fascinating. Town Mute for 30 Years About a Bully's Killing - New York Times I look forward to getting your new POD paperback. Cmon people use your head. Nevertheless, they were together for 15 years, and Alice bore two sons and a daughter. Doesnt Ken have a daughter in law named Tonya? The only thing you can say for sure is that law enforcement in that part of the country was as worthless as t*ts on a boar! Del was a weasel. I dont know how I missed your book then, but so glad I have read it now. He did not die in the spring, he did not die slowly. It was a crime of opportunity he was having some beers and hearing stories about Rex over the years. Despite being shot in broad daylight in front of various witnesses, the. The same cops who ignored McElroys crimes were rousting them trying to find his killers. she had to move,didnt have a choice. Same title. Remember how young she was when he got a hold of her. For decades, the man held the town of Skidmore virtually hostage. Especially while drinking in the presence of overly curious people. Im sure the people of the town didnt care how it happened, only that it happened. You or your crew. Last I checked: Real men dont have to use guns to intimidate. Theres what appears to be a formerly occupied lot on the south side of Delta, just before the second sharp curve. He would have done well to learn that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. I had NO idea he was related and he had grown up in California, so he didnt really talk about his moms family. In your first edition on page 293 you refer to three men with guns a shotgun, 30-30, and a .22; Were you referring to specific individuals or taking poetic license? Her folks were always nice people. My husband, on the other hand, believed it but we didnt talk about it much. Over the years I spent there researching In Broad Daylight I never heard another name seriously mentioned as the rifleman. That said, I dont think youve ever lived a day where you had to risk your life for anything and as such, I dont think youre in any position to call another person a coward. Shot a man in the stomach with a shot gun! I worked with a guy in the 80s that said he had met Ken a couple at times and that he come across as a real a-hole. A family members say so alone is definitely not persuasive. Watch the new and 7th season of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime! Is the killing of Ken Rex McElroy one of the craziest cold case files Del Clement died of liver disease this last spring. The boys mostly moved to St Joe. Specifically, he says that McElroy showed up at a bar to bully some retirees out of their pension checks, and Harley was there, confronted McElroy, and knocked him on his butt with a right hook. I read one of the posts saying, if this had gone to trial, they [shooters] would have been acquitted. I truly believe that any community put under the sort of pressure McElroy put it under, and with the law failing to protect it, might well have done the same thing. In my view, the story is a story that will stand in the annals of crime in America, whether I wrote it or someone else did. I worked for his brother in Hot Springs Ar. But, I also believe so much evidence was either contaminated by bystanders or simply was taken away. 3. Perhaps you were drunk, too, I live in Independence, MO (after living in LA and Indiana) not far from SkidmoreO have read this book three times it is so goodthe entire story is one of the most intriguing incidents everYou did a GREAT job (And I am a screenwriter, myself (and actor/comedian)I hope you have other true story books, cause I want to read themAre you into screenwriting as well? I went to his gravesite a few years after he died , & took a piss on his grave, thats how much I thought of him . Another note about Del, he was not a fighter, he wouldnt have started a fight. I understand you are a tall man, so relatively he would be shorter than you, but he was not a short man with a chip on his shoulder. If an eyewitness had turned in the killers in, it would have been a spectacular trial, likely ending in an acquittal. I happened on this story a couple of years ago via the Sundance program. Ken was eventually convicted for shooting a local general store owner for accusing his daughters of shoplifting. Also those who brag on the internet are usually the opposite. Are there any Pics of the Aftermath.. Morgue pics of the Body? Not to mention that Del was of average height. Someone who has passed on from this life. .. Bully - Ken McElroy (1982) - YouTube Check out Sheriff Brady Pamplin and his son Brady Pamplin Jr. who became Sheriff as well. Rod Rex, You sure are full of your 68 350 pounds of muscle. Check google maps, street view. How many more people had to be shot and live in abject heck before the law did anything about this evil SOB? They are all over. I watched a YouTube video of you, the lawyer and family members on the talk show. I think, though I do not have any data, this is not my field but in Urban areas of high crime it is very common for people to be killed and nobody sees a thing. I hear its a cheap knockoff of the real story. You can check them out at harrymaclean.com. he was wrong for scarring folks. I was born in St. Joe; lived there until I married in mid 70s. Honestly, the story he told me about this man sounded so far-fetched. My point on his courage was, that I doubt he would have done it if he had been face to face with McElroy. The man Im thinking of, one time, was merely asked by the Los Angeles Police to move his double parked 18 wheeler. I have no intention of taking the law in to my own hands, however I had to close my Business ELEVEN YEARS Ago, to sit here and GUARD the property. I cant seem to find much information on the Internet. I heard some similar stories about McElroy being harassed by the locals, but not from a family member herself. NO one talks about it, not even to family who werent there that day.. it happened they decided what they felt they needed to do after and it was done. But looking at this case through the lens of 2021, you can see how he clearly terrorized people. we just thought he was some creepy dude, then when the story broke about him & i saw pics i was literally shocked. Can you talk a bit more about the series? And by the way, theres NO ONE as tough as Jesus, because he knew what was coming, faced it squarely, did what had to be done. If it were a person Im sure it would wonder what it had done to bring all this grief down on its head. And the girl killed for her baby, and the branson boy. I honestly dont think it matters who killed McElroy; might as well say all of Skidmore committed a justifiable homicide, in self defence. The photo was too graphic, in my mind, for a book. Yes some little crazy some very good folk. Love both your books on the subject, Harry. Its hard to live with a secret , a sin like that. Who else would shoot a man in the back of the head as he sat in his truck? Please think before you write, you are talking about someone very dear to me and many others. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8iUdp33PqTsix2sGblEQZ8m5FQycC5D Vigilante justice, or. Thanks for taking the time to write. Fascinating stuff! i wonder if the gentleman was mentally ill ? Obviously a rifle. People such as yourself who threaten other people over the Internet also tend to be cowards. This normally occurs when we are children, from our parents. The movie was shot in Elgin, Texas, which youll note bears no resemblance to Skidmore. I came from a town just like thathad 1500 people and now has 230. farmers used to go to town to buy their shoes for the kids and groceriesnow there are no farmers. THAT wasnt enough for Trena & Ken,( they should had admonished their child) but oh no, they had to make a nuisance of themselves and culminating in Ken shooting an elderly man. well he kept trying to talk to her & she told me to say something to him . But we exchanged some small talk, and I left. The classic print edition is now available at: http://tiny.cc/KeepsakeEdition I had planned to get back there this past summer, but didnt make it. There were other incidents as well but my memory of them has faded. 4. Just purchased The Story Behind . We made several trips to see them after that and while my mother would here from Ronnie and Treva from time to time we never knew where they were . My grandpa has always maintained that he was at the Albany court house awaiting ken Rex for his trial. which he still shared with Sharon and their two kids. damn right we were scared to death of him the man was a bully . This is the Home County of Kenneth McDuff, you have heard of him Im sure. Harrys book says there was a smaller house on the property, too, where the younger brother Tim lived after the killing. glad to know her life had a happy ending so to speak. I hear now and then from others that I should just let the story die, that there is no reason to keep talking about it, etc. Not after 35 years. I blogged about the death and posted her obituary. I dont think Del knew he was actually going to shoot McElroy until an instant before he reached inside the truck and grabbed his rifle. Where I live we have had a NON Stop Crime Waive since 1971. However, he had gotten away with all of them. skidmore is a town that MURDERED A MAN & got away with it. Hi Harry I loved reading the book I have a question I know there was a made for TV movie made, have you been approached on making a newer version of a movie? It was pretty gruesome. (I seem to recall he wasnt quite right) I understand one weapon used that day was an 8mm. Thank you for the reply. Thus, the debris pile I see is on the south side of the road just before the second turn at the corner at mile 2, and then on the west side of that same road after it turns southbound. He had no use for the successful or the educated. Enjoyed your book, its a fascinating case. I got a copy of one of the pictures taken during the autopsy, but chose not to use it. I never met or knew Del Clement so I cant comment on him. Harry. I found this topic intriguing because of all of the controversy and opinions surrounding it. Following driving instructions laid out in the book I attempted to find the McElroy farm. He stopped in Skidmore driving from New York to California, prior to making the movie, to check the town out. I spent many many weeks and weekends with my grandparents there. Sorry pal, Im one of those 6 180 pound guys you claim youd palm. maybe they should have the gun that killed mcelroy in a museuem or something, maybe they can build a museueum there celebrating the murder . The other weapon was a .22 mag, but was it identified as a rifle as well? It didnt have to end like this if the law did their job. Honestly, she has the townspeople to thank for that because his death was the reason she was able to move on and find her happiness with another man. Shes still alive and well living in Helena mo. He was bold, to say the least. I have a few questions. I wondered if his TX neighbors even know about his involvement in this Skidmore event. The big blow was when Wal-Mart opened in Maryville.The story of so many small towns in America. You wouldnt find one, it didnt exist. If you have, would you recommend it and/or share your thoughts? I think youd do it justice. I have read all the comments, here are some comments that I am sure most wont like, but hey, to each their own right? Anyone that has the courage to stand up to a bully and shoot him is no coward in my book. I would suggest youve had a very comfortable life not only financially but in your career. The old man let the child have the candy anyway. I was in Skidmore once and innocently asked about the shooting, I was told to mind my own business or I would wind up like Ken shot from behind. I hadnt heard the one about him selling cattle in the parking lot. I can promise you youd not roll over me. There does not need to be a reeenactment. The bullet must have been mis-identified as an 8 mm bullet; just 2 thousands of an inch different. Shot in back or front makes no difference. I, like many, I am not sorry for Ken Rex. I live about an hour away from this area still. He waited, like a coward, until the people I was with left the bar, and then came up to me and started doing his drunken short man routine, which everyone in the area is quite familiar with. I will stress again that his death was very unexpected. This year being the 40th anniversary of the killing, brought it back into focus for me. Some of the witnesses to the crime left town, and as time wore on a few of them died. Ive always wondered why he wasnt killed long before he was. These are good people who did what they had to to remedy a nightmare. Seemed like they made up a few facts as they went along. I believe there was a third gun, but whether it fired or not is another question. None broke stride, or looked at me, but i am sure they new i was a stranger, in town. Hi Harry, I would like to know which books you have on the case of Ken McElroy of Skidmore aka the town bully. My first encounter with the Skidmore story began when I first saw the TV episode of City Confidential some years ago. She hesitated to bad mouth him, however, for the sake of the kids. In Broad Daylight Classic Print Edition. Where can one read your interview with Trena when she no longer defended Ken Rex ? I agree that Ken McElroy haunts the town, and always will. I think he had a few beers in the tavern and, hothead that he was, went out the back door with mayhem on his mind. the gun could be in a glass case with lights downing on it . Google THE TOWN BULLY OF TOULON , just like rex mcelroy , the guy liked to intimidate people & they were scared to death of this guy so instead of confronting him people went outta their way to avoid him . But if you read the 2007 version of In Broad Daylight, which contains an epilogue bringing the case up to date, youll get some interesting information on who were on the other two guns. I dont like people taking the Law in their own hands, but in THIS CASE I see nothing else they could do. I think when the last person involved in KRMcs killing dies, then the truth will be told. Timeline | McElroy del would never be man enough to face any one face to face. Nothing will ever come to light. Sad but true. More likely, it was an impulsive act. I have seen similar areas in my youth. period. Cheryl Brown was always the force behind the Punkin Show and the Festival, and I guess she finally had enough. Looked at your bio. Two additional questions Harry, I have heard that the post office in Skidmore has been closed and the high school was also closed and tore down. 2) Planned or not a real man could have dealt with it..when your a bully you had better be readycause its always comin, 3) Del was the main shooter but he would have gladly been the ONLY shooter. McElroy had four wives and more than 10 children. Thank you. I commented on how nice the station was, and asked if they worked on cars, as i noticed what looked to be an attached garage. they could have very easily put a bullet in the back of her head too. What is also fascinating to me is how McElroy was able to defy the men who were actually hired to kill him. 3. If it was spontaneous there would have been at least one person who wouldnt have known to keep their mouth shut. Would love to see the picture you have. Is hostile.. Cruel people . On Del, Ive discussed the notion that he might have been a coward because he shot Ken in the back. I went to school at NWMSU at the time of Ken Rex. If I may ask, just suppose for a moment you were able to speak with him. But I cant help but notice that this comment thread is over two years old and still running, on a 25 year old book. Trena, McElroys wife, even told the story that a man showed up at the McElroy farm outside Skidmore to kill McElroy for money, but that McElroy talked him out of it. The law had utterly failed to protect Skidmore or the surrounding communities. I doubt he really was afraid for his life. My first teaching job ended up being in Skidmore. That summer1981I met my future husband, KRMs nephew, at my summer job. 2. Then the shooter and his cousin ran to there truck pulled there rifles out then my mom grabed me by the wrist pulled me inside and heard a few shots sounded like a few from a 22 caliber then one big really loud shot id say a hunting rifle from my shooting experience. He stared death in the face and took it like a real man. Without justice, people *will* resort to extra-legal violence to right wrongs and settle scores. She is a person of great personal integrity and not prone to exaggeration or gossip. 3. I just came across Harrys description of the location of the McElroy house. Well then it appears Ken Rex was done in by a fellow coward. I thought Judgment Day was pretty much of a joke, but you could understand my bias. Im not going to comment on Mcelroys death, but all the small towns in America! It has made a pauper out of me. He had closed up the bar and was coming home when he ran off the road. What if these also failed me? I would love to read your writings about this town and man! Screw the law and the rest of you people who have no back bone to do anything about it. Well said. I know how hard it is for loved ones to take an honest look at a member of their family. why did she leave skidmore ? McElroy moved out of his family home to be with Alice, but this relationship was no different from his previous ones. they showed her some mercy by letting her walk away.it was ken who they wanted to get rid of, he pushed them just a little too far & it cost him his life. He told you to get your facts straight but didnt offer the facts that he claims were genuine. You care for the sheep but hate the sheepdog. Pausing to milk it a little too long. Ia dikenal sebagai "tukang rusuh kota". Real men dont have to take little girls, they can get real women.
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