Dr. Clark is the faculty advisor of the Sweet Memories: Research Group at Western. Rich Haskell: Well, run fordo another term as sheriff and then retire, and my wife and I are going to doshe loves genealogy. They have a lot of first-person histories of the actual event, teachers, investigators and students. . Mark Junge: And you're sheriff in Sweetwater? He knew what the community was all about. 154 of us were held hostage for almost 3 hours in a 30x32 room when the bomb actually detonated - all 154 hostages survived. I never did get to see that untilI think it was two days lateractually what they had taken as far as the paperwork was concerned. Some of them believed the assembly was about weapons; others began realizing something was seriously wrong. The two brought in a bomb attached to themselves with a lanyard. Personally I gave him 17 pages of journal notes! There are some survivors that couldn't believe how accurate much of it was. The Cokeville hostage crisis began the afternoon of May 16, 1986, David and Doris Young took 154 children and adults hostage at the Cokeville Elementary School in tiny Cokeville, Wyo. If you are interested in seeing the film, theaters are listed here. Recording and transcription by Wyoming State Archives. Hi, I am working on publicity for the film, and I will chime in if anyone needs it, or has other questions. After a two-and-a-half hour standoff, the children were becoming restless, so the teachers preoccupied the kids in the form of movies, games, prayer, and books. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Had a small pin-hole leak in it and it dripped into both containers and they both became paste. Once all the hostages were contained in the first grade classroom, David Young informed them that they were leading a revolution and distributed copies of his philosophy Zero Equals Infinity to everyone present. We figured that he had dropped down on his knee, took his pistol and shot her to put her out of her misery, because when we went out and looked at her, there was a hole up through the bottom of her chin, and it came out the top of her head. On May 16, 1986, a man and his wife with a bomb took . On May 16, 1986, David and Doris Young took 154 people hostage at the Cokeville Elementary School in tiny Cokeville, Wyo. We know for a fact that he had tried that device because he did it in Arizona and totally destroyed a school bus. Mark Junge: Do you think David or Doris would have cut it? And screaming, I can't imagine the screams that she was making. Rich Haskell: Yeah. Mark Junge: Do you think you were cut out to do this job? At least 74 people, most of them children, suffered second-degree burns when the bomb went off at about 4 P.M. at the Cokeville Elementary School. Do you think this is a historical event? Seven people in the Chicago area died after ingesting Tylenol capsules laced with potassium cyanide. I'm not saying all of 'em were bombs, but why did God cut out Cokeville and say nobody's going to get hurt in this? On May 16, 1986, David and Doris Young entered Cokeville Elementary School with a gasoline bomb, a variety of rifles and handguns, David's philosophical writings and demands for $300 million First grade teacher Janel Dayton on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School Published: November 8, 2014 Janel Dayton, Wyoming State Archives photo. When the thing went off, when the bomb exploded, they just started chuckin' people out the windows. Whether or not you believe in God or miracles, show some respect. Go to their hands and knees and crawl out. On May 16, 1986, . They had a circle of tape around the device itself and they said, "Do not come inside of this circle. The basket, the shelves. I mean, what it was supposed to do? The kids couldn't have cut it. Peterson, Carol. Why? And that's what we in this country have that these other fanatics or whatever is the family is the import factor. Here is a local story from the 20 year anniversary (we are at the 29th year now), What's your side of the story? Press J to jump to the feed. You'd had experience? I've been involved with law enforcement since 1977 in Sweetwater County. Rich Haskell: Absolutely. It brings back lots of memories but it doesn't hurt because actually it was a positive experience. Either way, right after my joke is about when David excused himself from the room. Rich Haskell: There was also ayou look through the ceiling and there was a bigger hole up there. Both hostage takers died, while 79 hostages were wounded. Doris tried numerous times to calm the children by telling them to "think of it as an adventure movie," or that they "would have a great story to tell their grandchildren." Family is the most important thing in a Mormon family. On May 16, 1986, David and Doris Young entered Cokeville Elementary School with a gasoline bomb, a variety of rifles and handguns, David's philosophical writings and demands for $300 million in ransom. She was a divorce who earned money working as a waitress and singer in a local bar. And he didn't even ask me if I wanted to do that. This all happened about 8 months after the bombing. Rich Haskell: No. He did it right. I can understand that. And they had trouble keeping people away from the building. My husband and I are looking forward to seeing the movie, as we weren't around when it happened and have just recently learned about it. I absolutely have. I can't explain it. Associated Press. The wire was cut. It was within the first few weeks that the Hartley boy was explaining his witness. Guys like you have to go and search every corner. 2 Recreation Board, Indigenous People in Wyoming and the West, Emergency Management Coordinator Kathy Davison on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, EMT Glenna Walker, Mother of Three Young Children, on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Lead Investigator Ron Hartley, Father of Four Student Survivors, on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Public Works Director and Fireman Kevin Walker, Father of Three Young Children, on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Secretary Tina Cook on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, First grade teacher Janel Dayton on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Second grade teacher Carol Petersen on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Third grade student Rachel Walker Hollibaugh on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Third grade student Jamie Buckley King on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Fourth grade teacher Kliss Sparks on the 1986 bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Fourth grade student LeaKae Roberts on the 1986 Bombing of Cokeville Elementary School, Green River Historic Preservation Commission, Natrona County Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board, Sublette County Historical Preservation Board, University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, Casper Chapter, Wyoming Archaeological Society, June Frison chapter, Wyoming Archeological Society. The only two fatalities were David and Doris Young. The only thing I bristle at is that TC has me suggesting that we say a prayer. In the tiny classroom, they watched movies, played games, prayed. . Of course, most children were elated by the prospects of an assembly. Twenty-five years ago on Monday, a man and his wife pushed a homemade gasoline bomb into Cokeville's sole elementary school and demanded $300 million in ransom. Rich Haskell: Were above the level of the kids, yeah. He just said just go do it. Mark Junge: Are you one of the most experienced people in the area? Where's he running? The Cokeville Elementary School was the site of a horrific hostage situation on May 16, 1986 when David and Dorris Young took a homemade bomb inside the school. His fever broke within minutes of getting it off his chest. And I think it's made me a stronger person. There's a piece of wood in there that separates the jaws of a clothespin and in that clothespin there are two metal connections that the wires were hooked to which made the electrical connection with the bomb. The detonation didn't do it, it was cut. David, who dared not risk their reporting him to the authorities, responded by holding them at gunpoint. We didn't know if the blasting caps were in therejust exactly what was in there. Mark Junge: So it would have gone upward, but would it have killed the kids? I believe a presence was entering the room at about that time. Mark Junge: You also mention in your written article in Witness to Miracles [See Note] , the book, that you found a briefcase and you had to open it remotely? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. David had also sent a copy of the manifesto to Reagan. On May the 16th , 1986, 1 was in Rock Springs at a basketball game. Well, after interviewing some of the people, what had happened, the bombDavid Young had set the bomb to have what they call a dead-man switch. Do you ever think about them? (before I see Hollywood's version). On that Friday afternoon in their quiet, rural town, a deranged couple entered the community's elementary school, took those inside hostage and detonated a bomb in a first grade classroom. Mark Junge: Did you help bring the body out? I said, "What on earth happened there?" In Cokeville, Nowhere, Wyo. But it didn't. So timelines and characters may be switched up, but the overall spirit of it and the facts are laid out true to witness testimonies. Ronald DeFeo Jr., the convicted killer whose 1974 murders spawned the "Amityville Horror" franchise, died last week while serving a 25 years-to-life prison term, officials said Monday . But we knew what our story was, and that it could help offer hope. May 16, 1986, will never be forgotten by the residents of Cokeville, Wyo. Rich? This allowed gasoline to drip into the tuna fish cans, turning the aluminum-flour mixture into paste, unable to aerosolize. It packed the brute force of twenty-five sticks of dynamite. You went back home? The bomb did detonate and fire, thick black smoke and toxi fumes filled the room. Accessed May 17, 2013, at, Wyoming Horror: A Fiery Schoolhouse Bomb., A 1986 Hostage Event at a Cokeville, Wyoming Elementary School., Jarvik, Elaine. Everyone else survived, including the injured John Miller. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The tuna fish cans with the two floury would be spread out in the air likehave you ever seen a grain elevator explosion? The jug of gasoline had a pinhole-sized leak on its bottom. I know it is real. They increasingly spoke about their memories in public with professional psychologists, church officials and community counselors. The story was also featured on Unsolved Mysteries, Unexplained Mysteries, and I Survived A movie about the incident, The Cokeville Miracle, was made by filmmaker T. C. Christensen and released on June 5, 2015. It's made me, I think, more open-minded to things and don't take so much for granted anymore. results in the deaths of perpetrators David and Doris Young; 154 hostages survive. They had written the manuscript, ready for publication, when the Walkers contacted them as family friends and said you may want to come ask our daughters some questions. For me, what has impressed me about the film is not necessarily the story of Angels (which are remarkable), but that the majority of the 154 hostages chose to see God's hand in their lives that day. So if it can happen there it can happen anywhere in the United States. So we decided to take some masking tape, and we tapedI think it was an eight-foot square in the middle of the room, right here, and he pushed the cart, the homemade bomb into this, and we told the children this was the magic square. And, then, shortly after 4 p.m., the bomb exploded. You can't think, well, maybe something could happen, because yes it could. What is the LDS population of the town and how big was your school? The miraculous events that followed have changed many people foreverespecially survivor Amy Bagaso Williams. This sub is dedicated to faithful discourse on church topics. He was dismissed, however, from this position shortly after his six-month probationary period. How much interaction did you have with the director/producers of the movie? Rich Haskell: No, I don't think it exited. And then he shot himself. I'm portrayed as the little red haired kid with glasses that asks about the AK-47. I'd like to think so. David became increasingly agitated, and decided to leave the room. Just like with a pair of pliers, pair of snips. The woman who died with her husband as they held an elementary school hostage with a gasoline bomb last week was not killed by the . You know something about bombs. One of the miracles that day was that not a single person was lost. This wasn't a pipe bomb. Mark Junge: And you know, in Sue and I's conversation with these dozen people we've talked to now, seems like they also feel the same way you do. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Mark Junge: No? Sue Castaneda: Carla said that some people were mad that we were there. It was in their Tucson home that David came up with what he considered the Biggie, a plan to get rich quick and create a Brave New World. This plan involved Davids longtime friends, Gerald Deppe and Doyle Mendenhall, who believed by investing in Davids scheme they would get rich. She was totally burned. Rich Haskell: No, it's not. They attempted to crowd 154 people into one of the two first grade classrooms, a room with a total capacity of 30 students and a teacher. That dead-man switch is a piece of string that goes around your wrist and it's hooked into a clothespin, the other end of it. Yeah, we didn't get a lot of sleep. Yeah. I guess I should say I am only speaking as a child, the adults were probably tense the entire time! Mark Junge: What were they designed to do? Mark Junge: Well, you've been blessed in a lot of ways. They just didn't let it die out. Contact us at editor@wyohistory.org for information on levels and types of available sponsorships. By Deseret News. Doris accidently triggered the bomb by motioning to her hostages with her arms. I've spent many, many hours and many days with the leaders of the Mormon church, with the Prophet of the Mormon church. David and Doris Young took 167 hostages (150 children, 17 adults and one unlucky UPS driver) at the elementary school. The timelines of some events are fuzzy Its hard to nail down what stands out the most, there were a LOT of crazy things I'd never seen before then, or since really. COKEVILLE, Wyo. Windows were opened to rid the room of gasoline fumes, and prayers were offered in small groups among the children. ", About 2 1/2 hours into the standoff, David transferred the triggering mechanism of the bomb to Doris' wrist, and went to a small bathroom that connected the first and second grade rooms. Can you describe this? One of the unique things that I noticed when I went into that room and I don't know if any of the other people have told you about it or whatever else, but when I walked into that room you could see the outline on the whiteboard of an angel. I think you should know that it can be difficult to watch - but that it has a very rewarding outcome. Mark Junge: You had some bullets in the ceiling that you had to investigate, too. Mark Junge: What do you want to do with the rest of your life? I actually have a pretty clear memory of the events that day, being 12 years old. No. The mood did not lift with the singing and teachers quickly negotiated with the hostage takers to get items from the library to help the kids get their minds off the siege,[8] and help to pass the time. You can also read about it on [Wikipedia] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cokeville_Elementary_School_hostage_crisis). Cokeville officially has only536 people in it and two LDS wards that meet in the same chapel. Both David and Doris had ties to white supremacist groups, including the Posse Comitatus and the Aryan Nations. Rich Haskell: Because of the response and because of the emails and everything that took place. And what happens if they trigger something accidently?" WyoHistory.org welcomes the support of the following sponsors. Well, you know how fine that dust is. David went to the school office, handing out a manifesto titled "ZERO EQUALS INFINITY" and announcing "This is a revolution!" He used to work in Cokeville. Mark Junge: You think when we talk to you to bring this up againI know you're emotional about itbut does it hurt you to talk about this? "We could tell that he was becoming very nervous. But I know that, well, I'll just be quite frank. I think it was still in his body. He came out of the bathroom, is what we figured. I was, and I still am, a certified bomb technician at the time, and I was, as far as I know, the only bomb technician in the southern half of the state of Wyoming. Rich Haskell: Yes. Both men were handcuffed in a van outside the school.[1]. It was perfect! I think he went in the Marine Corps because of me and served 25 years and retired. Sue Castaneda: Did you look at (unintelligible). When were you satisfied that there were no more bombs? Trauma is trauma and everyone deals with it differently. [7] The mechanism was triggered by a dead man's switch, consisting of a wooden piece separating two metal connectors within the jaws of a clothespin, forming an incomplete circuit. Throughout both baskets were chain links, gunpowder, and boxes of ammunition acting as shrapnel. Rich Haskell: Yeah, there was some people ready to just shoot him right where he was sitting. Whenever they would come to Wyoming I would be part of their security team. David Young was the only police officer in Cokeville for six months in 1979. And the bathroom was off to the side of it because it was the kindergarten class. There are several great resources out there. And he had to defuse bombs. With the explosionwhat occurred? I don't know. it is VERY LDS, and yet there are at least 3 other churches in town: Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist (and sometimes a non-denominational church).

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