Van Horn and the West Texas Connection

[Francesca Akhtar]

I seem to remember a TV programme in America from a few years back that talked about some of Larry Howard's research into a place called Van Horn in Texas. In the desert, he came across some kind of radio / hi tech surveillance equipment.Seemed to be some sort of ultra secret 'listening post' or something. I think it was suggested this place might have some connection to the JFK case but I can't remember the exact details, plus I only ever saw part of this programme.

I've never heard anything else about it since and was wondering if anything further was discovered or if anyone else knew anything about it?

An internet search doesn't turn up much.

Thanks

[Wim Dankbaar]

Interesting. I remember a screenplay for "Charles Harrelson shoots his Corvette at Van Horn" I conversed with the writer, but damned, I have trouble finding it. Like Jim Marrs says: If I had a secretary, I would be dangerous!

[John Geraghty]

Francesca,

Ask Ian about it, he told me a few things about it a while back.

I tried to contact the Van Horn local newspaper about it, they don't know anything.

John

[Jack White]

I have only a vague remembrance of what Larry Howard (or Gary Shaw or Daryl Howard)

told me not long before he died:

As director of the JFK-AIC, he received lots of leads. One lead

concerned a ranch in Van Horn TX where the gunmen allegedly

trained. Larry had a red sports car, as I recall, and he drove

to Van Horn from Dallas (quite a long drive), where he met with

a FORMER FBI AGENT. At the rendezvous, Larry parked and locked

his car, and he and the agent drove to the ranch IN THE PICKUP

TRUCK OF THE FBI MAN. After returning to Van Horn hours later,

Larry discovered that his car was unlocked and the entire car

HAD BEEN DUSTED FOR FINGERPRINTS. Nothing was taken

as far as known.

Just one of the many strange events surrounding the case.

Jack

[Wim Dankbaar]

Ah yes I found it in my email archives:

This is from January 2005:

Molly,

Thanks for answering. What I want to know is how Scott came to the idea of a script called: "Charles Harrelson shoots his corvette someher near Van Horn"

Did he write this script in 1984? What was his source or inspiration to write a script with this title? I guess you have herad that that Charles Harrelson was involved in the Kennedy assassination? That he was one of the infamous "three tramps" photographed in Dealey Plaza?

http://jfkmurdersolved.com/lois1.htm

Did you know that Ricky White, son of Roscoe White another suspect in the assassination, recalled practice shoothing at an automobile near the McVay ranch in Van Horn?

Can you get me in touch with Scott Mathews?

Wim

Wim -

I wrote Charles Harrelson in Nov. 1983 and

we performed (the first time) in Dec. 1993.

It was re-staged again in May 1984 with a couple of

different performers. The Dec. 1983 performance was

the definitive version. It's more performance art than play.

I was the original drummer in the punk band the "Butthole Surfers"

and while I was in the surfers we lived in San Antonio, TX.

During this time Charles Harrelson murdered a federal judge in

San Antonio - Judge Woods. This was when I became aware of him.

I subsequently did some research and found out he was involved in

all sorts of nefarious activities, including the Kennedy assassination.

In 1983 I was doing a lot of performance art in Dallas and kicking

around ideas for my next show. Charles Harrelson and hit men and the

absurdity of it all struck me as an intriguing idea for a show.

I'd traveled through west Texas and always thought Van Horn was a

cool name. I figured Harrelson shot everything else that moved, why

not his car. So I put it all together and there you have it.

Just curious? Why do you want to know? And how did you hear about me

and this show in Holland?

Scott

[Francesca Akhtar]

Thanks everyone for the information! Interesting.....did not know the story of Larry's car being fingerprinted but it doesn't surprise me.

John G - I think ~Ian said that this place was thought to besome ultra secret CIA place that was so secret it didn't sppear on any maps, even ones certain people had of known 'secret' places. If that makes any sense.....

Apparently rounds of fired ammunition was found there and other related 'stuff', suggesting people had practised target firing there.

It makes me wonder if thats where the idea for that scene in Executive Action comes from, when the shooters are practising in the desert.

(Btw, how was your stay in the U.S.? Are you back yet?)

[John Geraghty]

Hi Francesca,

My stay was great, I've been back about 6 weeks now, it was excellent.

I believe I will be seeing you in London during October some time so I can fill you in fully on the goings on over there (lots of good stuff that can't be written online!)

John

[J. William King]

Ah yes I found it in my email archives:

This is from January 2005:

Molly,

Thanks for answering. What I want to know is how Scott came to the idea of a script called: "Charles Harrelson shoots his corvette someher near Van Horn"

Did he write this script in 1984? What was his source or inspiration to write a script with this title? I guess you have herad that that Charles Harrelson was involved in the Kennedy assassination? That he was one of the infamous "three tramps" photographed in Dealey Plaza?

http://jfkmurdersolved.com/lois1.htm

Did you know that Ricky White, son of Roscoe White another suspect in the assassination, recalled practice shoothing at an automobile near the McVay ranch in Van Horn?

Can you get me in touch with Scott Mathews?

Wim

Wim -

I wrote Charles Harrelson in Nov. 1983 and

we performed (the first time) in Dec. 1993.

It was re-staged again in May 1984 with a couple of

different performers. The Dec. 1983 performance was

the definitive version. It's more performance art than play.

I was the original drummer in the punk band the "Butthole Surfers"

and while I was in the surfers we lived in San Antonio, TX.

During this time Charles Harrelson murdered a federal judge in

San Antonio - Judge Woods. This was when I became aware of him.

I subsequently did some research and found out he was involved in

all sorts of nefarious activities, including the Kennedy assassination.

In 1983 I was doing a lot of performance art in Dallas and kicking

around ideas for my next show. Charles Harrelson and hit men and the

absurdity of it all struck me as an intriguing idea for a show.

I'd traveled through west Texas and always thought Van Horn was a

cool name. I figured Harrelson shot everything else that moved, why

not his car. So I put it all together and there you have it.

Just curious? Why do you want to know? And how did you hear about me

and this show in Holland?

Scott

I noticed the name of the band, "Butthole Surfers", and thought it sounded familiar. Another member of that band is Gibby Haynes who's father, Jerry Haynes, is a local Dallas entertainment celibrity....and a witness to the JFK assassination on 11/22/63. He was interviewed on WFAA's coverage that day, and worked for WFAA at the time as kid's show host "Mr. Peppermint".

Just another meaningless tidbit.

JWK

[Francesca Akhtar]

Hi Francesca,

My stay was great, I've been back about 6 weeks now, it was excellent.

I believe I will be seeing you in London during October some time so I can fill you in fully on the goings on over there (lots of good stuff that can't be written online!)

John

Hi John,

glad you had a good time! Sorry couldn't make London last week wasn't too well but we ae going to be having an informal meetup (i.e in a pub!) in London on the wekend of the conference in Dallas for those of us that can't make it over this year. It is going to be the 18th November, so if you can make it over by any chance then it'd be good to see you.