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Sandhusker's dad has a very exciting morning

Soapweed

Well-known member
Sandhusker's dad wrote this up after his Saturday morning experience. I thought it worthy of more than local coverage, and asked Ron's permission to post this for the rest of you to read. I, Soapweed, consider Ron Schneider a hero for helping to capture an armed and dangerous man.

Grandpa's short story drug out to endurance levels

This true life story was written for the benifit of my kids, grandkids, and future grandkids. My intentions are for it to be part of our family tree so future generations will get the feel of 2007 and that things are not always refined even in this day and age.

I shall make a title page that reads something like this:




GRANDPA'S GREATEST BLUFF
by
Ronald Schneider 1943-


To add to the story the agent who interviewed me called again that night to see if I was OK. We had a nice visit and was informed that the fugitive was from Missouri and had killed a 73 year old man and stole the truck to get away. We think his name was Bruce Kale, 26 years of age.
I came up with the idea and off-handed made a comment that it looked like I wouldn't get paid for the gas and my expenses, what would be the chances of the FBI giving me the lever action rifle that the man had. It would make one hell-of-a-trophy and a family heirloom. His reply was unexpected when he said the man's father was in jail for murder and there seemed to be no other family members they could give the rifle to. The FBI didn't want it and would have to have it destroyed. "I'll talk with the group and see if they might do that for you." If the rifle is presented to me (2 chances, slim and none) my plans are to have it proudly displayed along side of the short story with pictures and title page. The completed project should be something that someone will treasure.

GRANDPA'S GREATEST BLUFF
March 24th 2007: Daybreak came upon a late sunrise as the time change was early that year. Temperature was mild with little or no frost. Winds were weak and begged for time off. Yes, just another spring morning, no different than those directly before or after that day, yet this day was to be different. Ron went to work at his usual time of 6:45 AM. Ron and Dave opened the day and the usual customers came and left often leaving orders and jobs to be done. This was Sat and often Saturdays are slow and laid back as the area residence finish their week and prepare for the next day off. The usual cribbage players arrive and games are began and finished, that day Ron lost all three games played with his friend, Forrest, and prepared to help Dave in the back shop repair a tire while Lody activated the pumps to fill up a white 4 door chev.pickup. Lody was left to watch the station pumps and do the daily books. Shortly after arriving in the shop Lody came running out to tell Ron that the white truck had driven off without paying for about $63.00 worth of gasoline. Drive a-ways are seldom but they do occur even in Cody. In the past the party was chased, stopped and fees collected as it was either mistakenly to have been paid by another member in the party or perhaps a game to see if they could get away with a free tank of gas. Whatever the reason, normally no hostilities are encountered and collection is routine. Today will be different.
This day Ron has driven his 1989 Buick Park Ave. to work which is his work car. It is sitting there with 3/4 tank of gasoline and ready for action. The time-8:15 AM and Ron is accelerating east in the direction the truck as vanished. Knowing the truck as several minutes time advantage he knows that he needs to push the 89 hard to catch up and pull this guy over. (Ron had glanced out the window when the truck pulled up and noticed lumber in the box) This old car has been used for short drives and hasn't been limbered up for "top end" endurance for several years and he is not certain what she can do. Let's just call her Ole Blue and Ron rode heavy on the throttle and the car surged into action and the chase began. He left Cody outskirts well above the 45MPH posted limits and continued acceleration until the speed-o-meter was pegged well pasted 85 and climbing. Five miles out of town a vehicle was spotted a mile or so in front but within minutes the distance was overcome and it was not the truck so the throttle was set to max and Ole Blue flew east stopping only when the overspeed chip was reached and electronics would not allow for more speed which was already in excess of 100MPH. Ron flew over the first hill east of Nenzel and when it was crested he could see the target truck several hills in front and so speed was maintained until the truck was caught. Ron pulled up along side the speeding truck and motioned for the driver to pull to the shoulder. With a side glance out the window the young man floored the truck and accelerated in front of Ole Blue allowing time for Ron to look the truck over for something to identify it if it got away. Nothing notable was seen except that the left rear tire was slightly low on air. No license plate was displayed and no dealer signs were visible.
At this time Ron was overtaken by bull-dog insticts or perhaps just the stubborn Schneider drive to win at all cost and the decision was made to not let this guy get away although he had nothing to defend himself or other means of persuation when this race reached its climax. (Ron was not aware that Lody had called the local law enforcement and units were dispatched to aid in his attempt to collect.) This guy would swirve all over the road to keep Ole Blue behind and not letting her get in front of him. Slowing down at Kilgore and in the left hand lane we took north towards St. Francis. The truck melted rubber gaining speed and Ole Blue, not to be out done, did the same. Several miles north of Kilgore Ole Blue made another attempt to pass and was granted the right. Pulling in front and centering the road he was forced to stop but Ole Blue was 100 feet or so in front so reverse was used to shorten the distance. When Ole Blue started backwards the truck accelerated and went onto the shoulder and around and once more the chase was on. Several miles north of the NE-SD state line Ole Blue made another pass and gained the lead to once more set the same scene but this time Ole Blue is Jacked sideways to the road and does one fine job of blocking both lanes and leaving only the steep ditches unprotected. Yup, if Ole Blue would have been 20 foot longer we would have gotten the job done but everything being as it was the truck accellerated into the ditch and came around Ole Blue and up onto the road to continue the flight onto the reservation. Ron realized that road blocks were becoming a game to the truck so he settled into dogging the truck from a short distance and noticed at that time the low tire had lost more air and would soon become a factor in this race. This truck realized that he could not out-run or out drive Ole Blue so he became perhaps a little nervous when Ole Blue held back about 500 Yards and just followed wherever the truck led. Several miles south of St. Francis the truck took a left turn towards Spring Creek and Ole Blue and Ron just settled into their trailing mode and did not make any attempt to approach. (Ron at this time had made up his mind to follow the truck into his home driveway and at least find out who he is and perhaps get paid. By this time it is not the money but the principle of the thing that motivates him.) The truck takes a left turn off the narrow asphalt and the trail is over dusty roads that are not designed for neither speed or for that matter, travel. After several miles the truck takes a right turn onto a lesser traveled road and after about a mile the road seems to dead-end at an Indian residence. Not wanting to be cornered the truck launches off the road and into a prairie dog town which is not a preferred plan for Ron and Ole Blue but being this far into the chase Ole Blue shoots out into the sod and the dogged "follow and block" routine are continued with Ole Blue staying behind and between the truck and the road for escape. Ole Blue took this truck several rounds around the 1/4 section dog town and did not give an inch and took no quarters. On one pass around the town the truck hits rough areas and the bounce unloads several of the 4X4's and it is noted that if nothing else we'll pick them up as partial pay and a trophy. Now keep in mind that the dog town is bordered by fences on 2 sides, the road on the third, with a dam and shallow canyon on the 4th. The truck elects to take the canyon with hopes of gaining access to the other side and perhaps that Buick would give up the chase. The stratagy was good as Ole Blue came to rest short of the canyon awaiting the truck to emerge from the other side, the chase was over as we decided that no $60.00 was worth all this as the point was made that drive-aways are not always 100% profit. Several minutes passed and no truck. Ron decides that perhaps we need to look over the edge and see what has happened. When Ron and Ole Blue park on a ridge overlooking the spot where the truck disappeared he spots the truck stuck in the sand at the bottom of the canyon a mere 30 yards away. The driver, a 30 or so year old guy, is out of the truck and in front of the stranded vehicle. Ron steps out of the Buick and the conversation goes something like this:
Ron: What the devil were you thinking to drive away without paying for your gas?
Guy: I didn't have a choice.
Ron: What do you mean you didn't have a choice?
Guy: I didn't have any money and there was nothing else to do.
Ron: You could have come in and talked to me. We could have worked something out.
Guy: I didn't have a choice.
Ron: What's wrong, did you steel the truck?
Guy: Yes
At this time he opens the right front door on the truck and removes a back pack and puts it on. He then reaches back into
the truck and pulls out a lever action rifle and makes it plainly visable but he makes no attempt to be hostile. He stands in front of the truck and our conversation continues
Ron: You have to turn yourself in.
guy: I won't do that.
Ron: You can't get away, turn yourself in. You're still young, set things straight and you might have to do a little time.
Guy: I won't do that.
Ron: Your not mean or anything. You could have taken me out of the chase at any time and you didn't. Give yourself up. So you
have to spend a couple of years in jail. Your young you've got the rest of your life.
Guy: It'd be a lot more than a couple years. I won't go back.
Ron: Turn your self in you can't get away out here. They (The Law) will catch you. you have no place to go out here. They'll catch
you.
Guy: I can't turn myself in. I won't go back.
Ron: Come up here and let's talk this thing out. Tell me who owns the truck and we can return that and make that right.
Guy: I can't do that. It wouldn't work.
Ron: Just come up here and I'll take you either to Rosebud or Nebraska to turn yourself in. You can't get away.
Guy: I won't do that.
They exchange conversation for several more minutes and he finely say's "I won't go back and I'll live out here by myself" at
which time he turns his back to Ron and walks over the small ridge down into the creek bottom and disappears from his view. Ron sets on the ridge for several minutes to see what direction he may have gone but he does not reappear and the realization finely hits Ron that no one anywhere knows where this chase has taken him. Ron decides to go to the nearest house to call the police and report what has happened and that the individual is wearing a back pack and carrying a lever action rifle of unknown caliber. The only information he had was that the white chev. 4 door truck had a front license plate from Missouri. Ron had no pen or pencil in the car so he couldn't write down the license number and wasn't surprised that by the time a phone was found that those numbers had disappeared somewhere in the cobwebs of his mind. A 911 call was made and the call was answered by a lone police officer from St. Francis. Ron escorted the officer to the truck which was completely out of sight from the road and he expertly cleared the area from any potential danger and called in the complete license number from his unit. Within minutes a reply was transmitted and Ron was instructed to come to the police unit and at that time he was informed that the Missouri truck was involved in a homicide and robbery. "Would you go back to the road and direct any other units out to the area where he was?" Suddenly it occurred to Ron that that did not sound like a bad idea and off he went. Shortly thereafter the responding officer races back to the road and informs Ron that he could see the man on foot about 3/4 mile from the scene and to direct any back-up to the other side of the canyon. Ron finely remembers his family back in Cody has not heard anything from him since the chase started and the land line is once again used to contact the station. Lody answered the phone but hearing his voice said I'm to nervous, tell it to Dave. Dave was informed that Ron was ok and that the truck was stuck in the sand and the driver was on foot, armed and perhaps dangerous. One comment Ron remembers making to Dave was "I don't know where they came from, but today I had balls of steel." After the phone call was made Ron suggests to the lady of the house that perhaps she should call the neighbors and inform them that a dangerous fugitive was loose in the area and to use extreme caution.
Ron returns to his post at the road and it seems that within minutes, area residents are driving up and down the road craining their necks to try to get in on the action. One of the neighbors is on his roof with field glasses trying to see the chain of events unwapping about a mile and a half away. Police units with lights flashing and sirens shreeking are invading the area where the man was last seen. Many stop to ask for information and what was his name. At that time no one knew. One of the Neb. deputies arrives at the area that Ron has been posted and this conversation goes something like this'
Deputy: *&(()&&^%^&$%##()* Ron what were you thinking?
Deputy: ***))(%%$^^&* Ron why did you do it?
Deputy: ***&^*%$))*$### Ron you had a gardian angle with you today.
Ron: It was suppose to be a simple chase and collection. When resistance was shown it just developed into this.
Deputy: Ron didn't you know he was wanted for murder and robbery?
Ron: Not at that time. I just figured he was a harmless individual that had made some very bad judgements and was trying to not
get caught.
Deputy: Ron Don't you know he could have killed you? You put yourself into a very dangerous position?
Ron: Yes, now I know but while I talked to him I din't know that.
Deputy: YOU TALKED WITH HIM?
Ron: Well yes, I tried to convence him to give himself up, that he had no chance to excape.
Deputy: Oh my God Ron, I can't believe he didn't kill you. You know that he would not surrender and when a Canine unit was sent in he attempted to use his weapon and was shot dead.
Ron: No, I hadn't heard. It's so sad.
At about this time the FBI unit arrived to take a statement and when Ron entered the FBI's unit the officer taking the
statement said, "If you were my dad I'd kick your butt. This sounds like something he'd get involved in." I need to take a
statement from you and then I'm going to give you a good tongue lashing. Ron's only reply was "don't get too rough, my wife will give me another when I get home." He answers, "she should."
After the complete statement was taken the agent told Ron that his GUARDIAN ANGEL was definely on his shoulders and he was very lucky to come out without getting shot. His next comment was touching but held much truth. He said that "you were a fool for what you did but I am glad that you did it. This man was capable of doing anything and it ended without any innocent people getting hurt. Somewhere down the road he could have done anything. It's bad to end this way but it was really better in the long run.
At the end of the interview Ron informs the agent that he has just returned from Mayo Clinic yesterday and has a weak heart. He told the agent "I don't really need this. You know where to get in touch with me. Can I go home? I need a nap." At that time the Ne. Deputy says he is going to follow Ron home and the episode in SD ends for Ron as he returns to Cody. He returns to friends and family wanting all details but little is offered because Ron's first comment was "Is dinner ready?" The time of his return is at about 12:15 PM. Only 4 hours have elapsed in a lifetime of adventure. As Ron enjoys a big hug from Luci he then is served with a lunch while question upon question were all answered in good time. The reallity of the situation in SD continues to soak in and finely the nerves and shakes are part of the picture. One of Ron's comments were that "if this was a hand of poker I pulled the biggest bluff of my life and got away with it."
Many comments continued to be part of the conversations which sounded something like this. I'm going to pay for this, really. "Don't come after me, I'll pay." "You can get away with murder in other parts of the country but don't try to steel gas from Ron."
"Only leave a gallon of gas in the Buick and maybe chain it to a tree." All was in good fun and a little laughter was needed by the family to ease the tension. They all appreciate their friends and the joy that they have given them.
I believe this ends chapter one on my tale. If I live for many years I hope that chapter two never happens.
Ron Schneider
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
I generally go to my aunt's ranch on Saturdays and stopped at the station about a half hour after Dad took off. His help told me what happened and I kind of shrugged it off. I figured he'd get paid or get outran so I went on out the the place. Even though I never would of known they went North of Kilgore, I would of felt terrible had something bad happened while I made the decision to go corn the cows!
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Sandhusker said:
I generally go to my aunt's ranch on Saturdays and stopped at the station about a half hour after Dad took off. His help told me what happened and I kind of shrugged it off. I figured he'd get paid or get outran so I went on out the the place. Even though I never would of known they went North of Kilgore, I would of felt terrible had something bad happened while I made the decision to go corn the cows!

Even though the bad guy lost his life, I am betting that with the chain of events happening as it did, a lot of innocent lives were saved. This guy was bad news, and had he not been apprehended by your dad, it is very likely that he'd have robbed money, stolen more vehicles, murdered, and taken hostages before his trail of desperation was through. Besides, with him getting killed by legal means, think of all the taxpayer money that was saved. All is well that ends well. Your dad is a hero in my book.
 

Mike

Well-known member
He might save more lives than we realize in other ways also.

I have noticed older people around here are more trusting of people in general, because of old time values. Years ago there weren't any crack and meth heads running around shooting others for little or nothing. This younger generation places less value on others' lives.

If Ron has caused an alert to others to the possibility of harm by these little thugs, he has definitely done a good deed.

Get him a cell phone Sandhusker!
 

EJ

Well-known member
Now that was fun reading, kinda feel sorry about the family haveing to worry. But this script turned out right.
 

Jassy

Well-known member
I either don't get out much or news like this doesn't travel south...Thanks for posting Soapweed...great real life story...
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Murder Suspect Killed in South Dakota

March 26, 2007 02:27 PM PDT


Bruce Kale Was Shot to Death By South Dakota Police





ROSEBUD, S.D. - Livingston County murder suspect Bruce Kale was killed Saturday by South Dakota police officers.

Officers on the Rosebud Indian reservation said they spotted a stolen truck. They approached the vehicle and opened fire when Kale pointed a rifle at them.

Kale was charged last week with the murder of a 63-year-old Livingston County man.
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2007 6:21 PM

Missouri homicide suspect shot dead by police in S.D.
WHEELING, Mo. (AP) - A man wanted for killing a north-central Missouri resident last week has been shot to death by police in South Dakota.

Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox says Bruce Kale IV, 26, pointed a rifle at law officers on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Rosebud Chief of Police Charles Red Crow said police encountered Kale in a field after a truck that was reported stolen got stuck.

Kale was a suspect in the slaying last week of Carl Clevenger, 63, at his rural home near Wheeling. Last Friday Kale was charged in a warrant with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
Investigation continues into Livingston County suspicious death

WHEELING, Mo. ? The Livingston County Sheriffs' Office is continuing to investigate the suspicious death of a 63-year-old Wheeling, Mo. man.

The department is now asking for assistance from the public in locating a suspect, Bruce Shifford Kale IV. The Livingston County Associate Court has issued an arrest warrant for Kale, 26. He is charged with first degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

According to authorities, investigators were alerted to a stolen vehicle around 11:15 a.m. Friday. The stolen vehicle is a 2005 Chevrolet quad cab pickup, white in color, with a John Deere license plate on the rear of the vehicle and the front Missouri license plate is 517-643. The vehicle owner reported hearing a vehicle about 3 a.m. and discovered his pickup stolen later in the morning.

Emergency crews were called to a home on S. Sherman St. late Thursday night. It was there that officers found Clevenger's body.

Police say if you see the pickup or Kale, call law enforcement immediately. Do not approach Kale as he is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Kale has been known to hitchhike to other states and has acquaintances in Texas.

Story posted Mar. 25th 2007 05:47:06 PM EST.
 

Cal

Well-known member
Wouldn't have happened at all if it weren't for damned tainted Canadian Oil. :wink: :D :D Huh Sandhusker?!
 
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