"Meeting The FBI & Bo Gritz"
From the time the reward was posted for a cool One Million
Dollars for the arrest of Eric Rudolph, I had wanted to go up
to the Nantahala National Forest in Western North Carolina.
Knowing those mountains were not a place to venture alone, I
needed a person I could trust and count on if the going got rough.
Throughout my weeks of preparation for the trip, I had lined up
a few friends to accompany me. As the leaving date approached,
I either didn't see them or hear from them again. Taz Morgan's
name came to mind so I called and asked him if he wanted to go.
On Wed., Aug 19, 1998, Taz and I left Concord, NC for the
close-to-five hour trip that took us on a five-day adventure
that, by its end, felt more like a two-week one.
During the months the authorities had been looking for Rudolph,
I had kept up with the news coverage on the case on TV and in
the papers. By the time we left, news coverage had dwindled to
almost no news on the case.
Following is the account of our five-day adventure from two
regular, average guys who challenged their wits, skill and
physical condition out there in the bush, adapting and
overcoming as required by the elements of nature and its
wilderness terrain.
Upon entering Andrews, we checked in with FBI headquarters
just to make them aware that the two of us were there. Taking
into account that Rudolph and I are about the same height and
have the same hair color and in my attire of camo's, I didn't want
to risk any situation of "mistaken identity." The agents proved
very cooperative in answering our questions and directing us to
their command post at the Appletree Campsite.
At the Appletree post, four guards stood at its entrance.
We were detained until a superior came out to inquire our reason
for being there. Subsequently, two more of what-we-assumed-to-be
even higher ranks drove out to talk with us. Again, these
agents were very courteous to us. While they did relay to us
that there are 480 miles of road in those mountains, that is
the ONLY information they shared with us. They did not fill us
in on where they had been, where they were going, what they
considered "hot spots" -- nothing.
Upon asking, they did point us in the general direction of the
Bo Gritz campsite about five miles away. Even the elementary
camper/hiker could have found that camp. All we had to do was
follow the trail of beer cans and whiskey bottles that led us
directly to the Gritz crew using the "Bob Allison Campsite."
Rudolph's 1977 pickup had supposedly been ditched at the rear
of this site.
There were some pickups parked at the entrance of the camp with
five or six people standing around. A ten-year old boy and some
young females were included in his crew. We were stopped and told
that that was a secure area and that they could not allow us to
enter. I asked, "Why not?" His answer was, "Because I said so."
Then I inquired, "Is it okay to get out?" He said, "No, better
stay in the truck."
I told Taz, "Back this thing up. I'm GETTING OUT" and proceeded
to do so. I asked, "Is Bo Gritz here?" The reply to that
question was, "Do you know Bo" to which I replied, "No, not yet."
That's when the remark came from one of the men at the guard
post, "Then he will not see you." Someone in the bunch
contributed their remark of, "Wise ass" too.
Taz and I had not come that far on that mission to be easily
put off by people we had no reason to fear or to have suspicion
of so I recounted, "I want to talk to him." At that point,
a young female in their crew ran from the front gate to get
him. In a matter of a minute or so, Bo Gritz appeared.
I introduced Taz and myself. We all shook hands and at that
point I explained to him that we were just arriving and not
familiar with the area. It was nearing dark and I politely
asked him if we could camp at his site for the night. His
reply to that request was "Sorry, gentleman, but I have a park
permit for this site for a capacity of 75 and we have 75 here
now." (Wonder if he had a park permit for all that beer and
whiskey littering the trail up to his site.) We took the man
at his word and went on to find our camp for the night.
Twice after we had set up our campsite, Gritz's men came to
check on us. They were easily identifiable as his men by the
signature red, white and blue hats of " Operation Cross"
and the bandanas worn around their necks.
At our site, we were parked/camped about 75 feet off a dirt road
at a turn-off which ended about 50 feet from us. In the
darkness, they did not have the vantage point of seeing that.
At first, they pulled up and then backed up. Beer cans fell
out on the ground as the passenger got out of the vehicle. They
asked us who we were. My reply was, "Who are you?" He told me
a name and said they were going fishing with a friend who lived
down the road and pointed behind us. (The road ended 50' from
there, so that seemed a "made-up" excuse to us, i.e., a lie).
However, I told them we'd move and let them by. At that point,
they said, "No, not yet. We're going to the store." (The STORE??
There's not a store within miles of that place. Another lie).
Seems to me even the most naive would agree in our conclusion
that the only reason for them being there was that they were
sent there to check out our location and to make sure there
were only the two of us in our campsite.
It was only later that a reporter who was on the Grtiz site at
the same time we had been informed us that the Gritz camp
consisted of 30 to 40 at the max on his premises. Not the
capacity 75 like he had told us. A lie.
Upon meeting Gritz, Taz was wearing shorts, sandals and a tee
shirt. I had on camo pants (the Bushland style, very conservative in
camo attire and in a pattern not commonly known to the average
camo wearer) and a black/orange/white paintball shirt.
No weapons were visible and impossible for anyone to know if we
even had weapons. The same reporter also informed us later that on
our leaving Gritz remarked to him that he had just turned away two
"heavily armed bounty hunters." Another lie. Guess that just
looked and sounded good to Gritz because it was an out and out
bold-faced lie.
News coverage from Bo's first participation reported that his
crew only had ONE weapon for protection against animals and
that none of them would wear camo. Another lie. Most
were armed and several were dressed in camo. Bottom line --
outsiders were not welcome in his camp -- PERIOD.
Now, if we, as John Q. Public can rely on our news media for
truth in reporting, this writer will now relay his thinking
on certain facts as they were reported. One report stated that
there was a suspected bounty hunter within the Gritz team and
that he had that person under surveillance. Press releases
also indicated that each member of his team had been required
to sign a waiver for the reward money to go to Rudolph's mother
or whoever she designated for his defense. Another of his
"Intelligence Coordinator" press releases states that Gritz
knows four lawyers who would defend Rudolph for FREE. (GET THE
DIRECT QUOTE and the NAME OF NEwSPAPER).
As I look at the FACTS that I know, that Taz and I experienced
first-hand and in consideration of the unfriendly, unwelcoming
greeting given to us, our conclusion follows. The conclusions
are based on our encounter there with Gritz and the ensuing lies
that followed and press coverage. First of all, for absolutely
NO reason, Gritz first lied to us about the number in his camp,
was unwelcoming to the max and later referred to us as "heavily
armed bounty hunters." Afterwards, two of his men most
assuredly came to our camp on some sort of "checking" mission
with absolutely no provocation for doing so. Taz and I are
middle America, just the average guys, not out seeking to
hassle or to receive hassle from anyone. No reason for anyone
to be suspicious of us or our being there at all. We went
there, first checking with the FBI camp and then with the
Gritz camp, with no reason or nothing to hide from anyone.
Now, these facts alone bring forth the following questions
to us. We wonder from our experience and from news coverage
reports the following:
1) If he has four lawyers to defend Rudolph FREE, why would
he say the reward money is waivered to rudolph's mother
for his defense?
2) If there is a suspected bounty hunter under surveillance
within his ranks, in the case that rudolph is captured,
could whatever person who captures him not then be
tagged as the "bounty hunter" and receive the reward?
(He has lawyers to defend him for free).
3) Could that reward money then not go into some fund
for whatever is their collective "cause?"
4) In a camp consisting of a ten year old and females,
why would they not want our help too? I am a Viet Nam
veteran Marine Infantry Sgt., also a veteran Army Sgt
Leadership Instructor, in decent shape, better than most
seen in his camp and so is Taz. They did not bother to ask.
They just did not want our "outsiders" presence there and
did not allow us even the basic courtesy of one camper
helping another by allowing us to make our night's
camp with them that late in unfamiliar terrain.
Why?
5) In view of Gritz' interaction and assocation with
certain right-wing groups, could he and his team
have been there on a mission other than the one
he stated?
6) Did Taz and I come closer to Rudolph than we
actually realized at the time?
7) Could Gritz and Rudolph be working for the same cause?
At one point during our trek in the woods, we came across
a note on a tree in the woods that read, "God wants
you to come in." I don't know about you or the rest
of the world or Rudolph, but when I think of God, Bo
Gritz is NOT who comes to my mind. I added my own
notation to that message by writing, "So does Stryker."
(that's me).
8) Was the Montana reporter who spent one night with us
and who was on the Gritz site premises at the same time
we were part of the Bo Gritz press corps and "planted"
at our site?
Please note that I do not profess these questions as fact
and am not intending to make any accusations here. These are
merely points of, what seems to me, reasonable suspicion under
the circumstances.
"The Area"
For those of you who have never been to Murphy or Andrews
before, they are the kinds of small towns where everyone knows
everyone. Taz and I can tell you for a fact they do not want
and do not welcome outsiders at all. Talk about unfriendly,
these locals are a step below unfriendly. If you're not
a native son there, you can hang up any kind of cordiality
or politeness. The answer to any question asked them was,
"I don't know" or some completely 180 out wrong answer. I
guess under the circumstances that attitude is understandable,
but I, for one, don't care to add my good money to the
coffers of such rude people. Personally, I learned a long time
ago, you just don't treat people that way, and I am a business
owner as well. On my worst day, I have more sense than to
treat even my most disagreeable customer with anything other
than common courtesy and civility.
I read a write-in comment in their local newspaper where one
reader stated that everyone wants to kill Rudolph. That
person apparently does not understand the premise that
one cannot arrest a dead man. That reward is not out for
Rudolph's capture dead or alive. It is for Rudolph's LIVE
capture or for tips leading to his arrest. But, that is how the
locals there think. All you hear is, "That boy is not up here."
The overall population of the area mocks the FBI and law
enforcement officials there trying to do their jobs. There are
bumper stickers and tee shirts with slogans like, "Rudolph eats
here" and the menus in some places include Rudolph Burgers.
Upon meeting them, instead of "Hi" you get, "You with the FBI,
a bounty hunter or a newsperson?" I guess one could say that
Rudolph has probably helped their economy too. I'd bet their
businesses have never done so well. Then, they complain about
it. (From the trail leading to Bo's camp, some liquor store
somewhere enjoyed some good sales).
We had one guy tell us that the FBI was killing deer and bear
and anything else that moves. I cannot confirm or deny this,
but I sure as heck do not believe it. I doubt they have even
fired a shot, but with stories like that going around combined
with Randy Weaver's and Bo Gritz's known opinion of them, the FBI
is not "Big Brother" there. They're the "Wicked, Red-Haired
Step-Child." My five days there leads me to emphathize with
them as they try to do their jobs in the face of the
prevailing local attitude and in that wilderness terrain.
One Einstein County boy told us outright that he was taking
carcusses and dumping them into streams in case the feds want
to drink from it. I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg
as far as what the FBI has had and continues to contend with
there.
That guy is really doing a grand
service for ecology and for his area's own wildlife population
and wilderness by deliberately polluting its streams just *in
case* some FBI agent happens to have an empty canteen and needs
a sip of water. I would say that locale's prime attraction lies
in its wildlife and wilderness. So, that one incident of
interaction with a local there tells me the general area's
locals are doing much to their own detriment in all this too.
While some of their gripes might be legitimate ones, they might
be well served to stand back and look at the big picture
objectively.
As a woodsman, I could not help but notice certain things in
the woods area too. As we were approaching the Bob Allison
Campsite, there was a directional sign leading to it. The
next day, the sign was gone. We found out that it was inside
the GUARDED campsite of Bo Gritz. They either took it with
them as a souvenir or used it for their campfire because
when they left, the sign was still absent from its post.
A little momento of their trip I guess. I believe that's
government property and that taking it was against the law.
Shows no respect for man's use of a natural area. I sure hope
they catch that thief.
Their littering of beer cans and whiskey bottles showed little
respect to me too. Aside from the obvious marring of the cosmetic appearance of the
natural area, there is a leadership factor involved too. To me,
it shows little respect or regard for the area, its other campers
or for any rules that might prevail (as do in most camping areas)
regarding littering. (Even my 9 year old knows not to litter).
In all my training and experience in the woods, which is
little by comparison to Bo Gritz, I know better than to allow
alcohol and firearms present in any camp of which I was leader.
Any amateur knows the two don't mix. I would've thought Bo, of
all people, would be very aware of that by now. I also notice
there was no showing of that in any news coverage I saw.
"The Terrain"
The mountainous region we hiked are some of, if not THE,
toughest I have ever experienced including the bush of Nam.
The lay of the land was either straight up or straight down
with barriers of trees, vines and other foliage. We trekked
up to the "Gorge" which is known as the toughest part of the
terrain. And, believe me, it is TOUGH. Without rope to
assist us both up and down the embankment, it would have
proved almost impossible to accomplish. We didn't find
anything up there but thought the trip was worth it to
satisfy our curiosity. We crossed
streams and made our way in the "Gorge's" dense overgrowth.
The next day, we found out a local's thoughts on where he would
hide if he were Rudolph. "If I were Rudolph, I'd be in the
gorge. That's the roughest part of the country." We can
vouch for that. It sure was by our standards.
We did come upon an abandoned house at the end of Little Choga
Road. Its location is behind the initial search area. The
house's locks had all been knocked off and someone had entered
it. On its search, we found nothing other than those signs of
entry and tracks leading up to its rear from the woods. We
followed the tracks into the woods and then lost them. One
could hear a car coming from half a mile away on those roads
and it really is not safe to park a vehicle and walk up there
at night, so there was no use in our going back there. I'm sure
the Georgia Task Force has it on their
hotlist.
We had applied strategy enough that we had a plan formulated.
The reporter who stayed the night with us had been in both the
camps of the FBI and Gritz. He relayed to us that it was the
BEST plan he had heard or seen. If Rudolph had been around,
it is very likely that it would have worked, but no such luck.
But, there's always a next time and there will be a next time.
Count on it.
During our five day adventure, along with meeting the FBI there,
Bo Gritz, his crew and a few locals, we also came close to
nature again, moving daily and adapting
to the elements as called for. We also met up with two
copperheads, came within smelling distance of a bear and
experienced a darkness in those woods unlike any darkness
either of us have ever known. Considering all we went through,
to end up with only a few scratches and scrapes and one bee
sting, the trip was well worth all the effort that went into it.
Joe Keller
Come back for Part 2 Leaving to go again on Monday 9-26-98 wish me luck :)