An Inquiry and Invitation for Input from Those who were There

In 1973, as a boy of eight, I met Cowboy Mike a weaselly neighbor whose front door was just three hundred feet from our own, who later confessed to Sheriff's Captain Clark that he'd murdered nine young women from around the region of Idyllwild California where I was growing up, quickly. He and his accomplice, the late Kenny Johnson, attempted to kidnap my second eldest sister Julie Roberta Clark as their next victim, but she bit, clawed and scratched her way free. The serial killer's actual name was John Michael Hale and though he was arrested after this late night confession, he later 'walked' on an "inconclusive" polygraph. He'd also been the primary suspect in the killing of a family of five in Texas I recently learned from Linda Dunn, Senior Deputy D.A. with Riverside County.

Laura Louise Escamillo left behind a daughter when "Cowboy Mike" shot her in the head in Blythe that summer. My goal is to assist with the return of her soul to the light, along with those of the countless other women whose bodies populate the "Bone Yard" of Jack Rabbit trail in the desert region. Hers is a cold case I alone brought forth and later learned, form D.A. Dunn, is an unsolved crime and has now, I'm happy to say, been brought under re-investigation. I believe the late Hale did it.

During that same summer three young girls attending ISOMATA (The Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, an extension of USC) were sexually assaulted by "black men." John Clifford Perry was arrested for the crime though he was a mulatto and well into his 40's (an age by which few men commit rape.) Perry was also working at The Carriage Inn entertaining on piano that evening during the time of the assaults, a fact which didn't save him from being imprisoned, where he later died. In the fall of 2007 I learned, from a man named Reid who had dated Julie then, that a trio of black singers visiting the summer camp to perform were more likely the perpetrators. I wonder where they are now; and if they ever think of what they've done, and if it's possible to get them imprisoned for their crimes, with the statute of limitations...

I would like to speak to those three victims now, and learn what they remember of the trial and their testimony.

The purpose of this blog is to gather information from those individuals who might have lived or visited Idyllwild in the summer of 1973 and seen, heard or known anything relevant to these tragic events. Idyllwild remains a resort town with a long party history and the early 70's remains a peak period; from a dramatic shoot-out, murders, drug dealing, Hells Angels, crooked sheriffs, racists, fundamentalists, vigilantes and one railroaded mulatto.

My interests also include those of the legend of Tahquitz and the rituals of the Cahuilla Indians who knew of the crazed Shaman Tahquitz who took captive one if not many young maidens to his cave. There too a legendary visionary by the name of Sammy Ferris who'd visited this cave before his demise and spoke of its phosphorescent interior. I want to find that cave, and film in it.

From your responses I hope to connect details to enhance the script I've nearly completed as of today. Any tidbit of information or more would be greatly appreciated.

This blog's content is entirely true and my script will be completed soon and I envision it going to the big screen.

The Rustic Theater has invited me to screen it there.

Much love,


Adrian