Steve Groppe's Reflections
On the Barker Ranch 2007 Search
Website Note:
When Sgt. Paul Dostie contacted me in January 2007
about searching Barker Ranch, I suggested Steve Groppe as a guide. I knew
that Steve had made numerous trips to Barker, was extremely informed on the
Manson story, and knew much history related to Death Valley. Following are
some of Steve's memories as related to me in January 2008.
First, thanks for getting those guys in touch with me. I have a
feeling they would have been lost if I was not there. I was getting phone calls
from people wanting to know where to stay. Panamint Springs filled up real fast.
As usual, I had them stay in Ridgecrest. Lone Pine is REAL expensive with very
little there.
I met some dog handlers about 5 AM, they stayed at the Best Western, me at Econo
Lodge. These folks were from LA. Filled up in Trona, got to Ballarat about 6. We
spent about an hour there, were given Police Radios and met each other. There
were dogs/handlers from all over Calif. Big dogs and little dogs. Emmett Harder,
some park rangers (in a Hummer), CHP officer in a 4wd, and the film crew from
Discovery Channel (in a RENTED Hummer) were there. They took all the dogs to the
Ballarat Cemetery and they got excited and alerted on all the graves. I remember
one dog sitting on a grave and refused to get up!
The rangers and CHP took off to Golar like Bats out of Hell!! Maybe I would have
done the same if I was driving a state/Gov vehicle! I led the caravan of about
15 vehicles, slowly. Emmett and I were answering all the questions over the
radio, like “What’s that?” as we drove by the Briggs mine. When I was almost at
the base of the wash, the Discovery crew flew by me (not too smart), stopped,
and had me take the camera man up to the top so he could film them going up. I
stopped at the Newman Mine where he filmed them. Of course, since they passed
by, nobody knew where to go. Emmett and I talked them up a ways until I got
ahead of them. Short time later, someone had a flat. Street tires do not cut
it!! I was prepared with some fix-a-flat. A short break at the Lotus mine. After
passing the “Welcome to Death Valley” sign, I had the camper pull over. There
was no way that would have made it any further. Passengers and dogs transferred
to other vehicles. About 10 minutes later, we were at the Ranch.
Park Rangers gave a safety briefing. Emmett and I showed them where Myers Ranch
was, I took them to the two “garbage dumps”. What was funny is that the Rangers
didn’t even know about the dump with all the cars and trucks in it!
The leader of the team, Paul, had really
done his homework on the case. He asked me about something he read that said,
“Charlie and Tex walked up a draw towards Myers with a boy and a girl. They
returned alone.” I showed him where I suspect they went. Within minutes I heard
on the radio that a dog alerted down that way. Over the period of about three
hours, they took each dog down that way, always alone with no other dogs
present. From what I recall, every dog alerted on the same spot. I know they
took dirt samples of the spot. I was filmed making the holes for the samples.
GPS coordinates were taken.
The whole time we were there, Emmett just told stories to anyone who wanted to
listen.
I kind of felt useless, and was walking with a real nice girl with an accent. I
think her name was E___ (deleted by website for privacy). She had a real small
dog who just loved climbing on the junk cars.
FUNNY THINGS:
The Discovery crew was climbing on the roof of the rented Hummer to take
pictures. They tried to use the passenger side mirror for a step, and it snapped
off.
I was interviewed and they were shocked when I told them I feel the Tate/LaBianca
murders were both contract hits. They never heard of Frank Carbo or knew
anything about his gambling debts.
Some of the female handlers were a little shocked when there was no real
restroom, just the outside toilet. But they had to go, and did not hesitate
using it! (Of course I was prepared with a roll of TP!)
Some people passing by were smoking weed at the ranch. It didn’t take long for
the CHP officer and Park Rangers to arrest them. I think (not sure) that they
were either ticketed or just given a warning because they were still there when
we left.
The drive back to Ballarat was pretty uneventful, except when we got back to the
wash, two trucks turned right instead of left. At the falls, I had a Lexus SUV
riding my bumper going down. That is not a safe thing to do on those slippery
rocks! NOTE: Paul collected the radios before we left the Ranch. We had no way
of communicating with the knuckleheads!
After a short stop at Ballarat, we decided to eat dinner at Panamint Springs.
Remember, these were all police officers - I was about ¾ of the way back in the
pack, and I was doing 105 mph just to keep up with them!!
After a great meal, we said our goodbyes. I’m driving back
to Ridgecrest doing about 80 or so, and Emmett flew by me doing at least 100!!
I was asleep by 9 PM!!
CONCLUSION:
A very professional operation. Being a witness to the dogs all
alerting on the same spot, not coached in anyway, I firmly believe some remains
are buried there. Of course it could be ancient Indian remains.
The condition of Barker Ranch is going down real fast. It is a shame.
Myer’s was rebuilt after that fire a few years back. It is beautiful!! Emmett is
still in touch with the Myer’s family. I told him, “Tell them if they have a
generator and satellite TV, I’ll be the caretaker for free!”
Steve Groppe
For the main story on the Barker Ranch search,
click here.
For an interview with Sgt. Paul Dostie,
click here.
For photos of the February 24, 2007 search,
click here.
