New Forum & News Updates

[Shutter]

Sheridan Peterson has once again came into the light. Mr. Blevins has been making serious accusations against members of this forum, including myself of "stealing the book and publishing it" it's beginning to sound like some sort of Russian collusion hoax.

Snowmman originally bought the manuscript online prior to Peterson taking it down. he held onto it for several years and then decided to help Peterson get it published. snow apparently knows Sheridan personally and to what extent surrounding the book is still not completely understood. this is by no means anything meant to harm or give credit to anything civil or criminal. the book has been published and zero legal action has taken place against snow.

Mr. Blevins fails to go directly to the source to try and fix what he believes to be an injustice and I think I know why after speaking with someone of interest surrounding this, no it's not Snowmman. Peterson doesn't have anything pleasant to say about anyone, that includes Mr. Blevins who Sheridan believes is part of a "mob" against him. the leader or "kingpin" is also not going to be mentioned either and that also is not Snow or me or anyone you would think. the "mob" consist of four members along with the "kingpin" according to Peterson. he doesn't appear to know who I am. he spells Blevins by missing the L (Bevins) in several places his name is written. he also misspells the "kingpin's" name by one letter.

Sheridan Peterson seems to be a very angry unstable person. he drifts from topic to topic getting deep into vietnam and agent orange. he speaks about the book as a documentary he made close to 20 years ago. this is a huge can of worms to even attempt to open from what I have uncovered. Snowmman apparently mended fences with Peterson and got the book published. I'm getting reports he personally went to Peterson's home. he continue's to speak about not wanting the cover changed what so ever and spending endless hours at the library of congress. he continues to make comments of the "mob" mentioned above are simply "pawns of the CIA"

I'm sure by now you can see it's Peterson I spoke with directly. he does seem very protective of his work but rambles on about snow wanting to change things and that's what set him off. I asked, politely, a few questions to try and understand what transpired and got a huge reply basically ramblings and no real answer. he blames his actions on a "battered childhood"

I strongly believe Robert is already aware of most of this and is using it against this forum. that's why he dodges the question of contacting Peterson because he already knows he's not a fan of Robert "Bevins". it doesn't take much to set Peterson off and Blevins is well known to shoot off email after email. he also states he was competing for the documentary, but nothing about a contract!

This is not my problem between Robert, snow and Peterson....period. If Robert lost out to Snow or Snow took his thunder, that's his problem to deal with. I also find it ironic that he appears to worry more about someone else's book while allowing his own book that he knows is full of error's and should of been corrected years ago to remain and profit from....

November 2018
By the time I finally got a yes from him, you and your buddies had already screwed him. admits Sheridan agree's...

2018 followup from above post
It's okay if you want to withhold publication of your book until you decide. And it doesn't have to be Adventure Books who ends up bringing it to light...after the email from above..no longer an agreement?

Today...two years later...
 He has expressed a willingness to do this...what happened to Sheridan saying yes? a liar always forgets what he writes..drop a little truth about people and , well, you know 

[Shutter]

Sheridan seems very unstable and would be the last person I would ever consider working with. he had no idea who I was even making a comment about my email address and getting that backwards..."southbell, that's in the deep south I assume. black lives matter". he appears to be paranoid and just blurts out what he's thinking without really thinking..no real direct answer..I've heard about his personality and now know all about it...

[Bruce A. Smith]

In Memoriam

Honoring all those principals in the Norjak case who have died during my tenure as a scribe to this amazing story, 2008-present.

1.   Jack Almstad, passenger
2.   Andy Anderson, 2nd Officer, Flight 305
3.   Don Burnworth, suspect
4.   Russ Calame, SAC, Salt Lake City FBI FO
5.   Mike Cooper, passenger
6.   Earl J. Cossey, parachute expert
7.   Margaret Culp, Amboy resident
8.   Dona Elliott, Impresario of the DB Cooper Daze Festival
9.   Larry Finegold, USADA, Seattle, passenger
10.   Ralph Himmelsbach, FBI agent in Portland
11.   Ted E. Mayfield, suspect
12.   George Nuttall, author
13.   Gloria Peach, researcher
14.   Skipp Porteous, author
15.   Robert Rackstraw, suspect
16.   Bob Sailshaw, researcher

[Shutter]

Scotty?

[Bruce A. Smith]

Scotty died in 1994. I was just making up a list of those folks who have passed on since I've started writing about them - starting in 2008. It became very noticeable tonight as I have had to change the tense of so many verbs from present to past in the 3rd Edition. So, I made the list. I was surprised it was so long.

I suppose this is a list of DBC principals who have passed during most of our collective time here researching the case, except for the Old Timers, like Georger. Not sure who else is here that has been a Cooperite for longer than 12 years.

[EU]

New YouTube video.

[Bruce A. Smith]

Big News

I spoke with Tina's husband this week and he confirmed to me that he and Tina were followed by the FBI in the mid-1970s.

The hubby is a nice guy and sounded quite normal. His life has moved on far beyond Norjak. I was surprised to learn that he just found out that Tina is no longer in the convent.

More to follow. Stay tuned.

[Kermit]

Today my wife and I took a scenic drive South on 503 from I 5 by Woodland, wa. I took the turnoff to Merlin Dam which took me right past the Ariel store. I noticed 3 cars parked there and the front door was open and lots of activity inside. A Lady came out and seemed very pleasant.  However sadly the news was not good. Bryan Woodruff passed away on August 8. She was Bryan‘s Sister and she said she wasn’t sure what they were going to do with the building. She asked if I was interested in buying it which indicated to me she had little interest in fixing it up. We offered her our Condolences and told her Bryan was a big part of D B Cooper legacy. He was a good guy and the Ariel Tavern provided lots of memories to Cooperites !

[Shutter]

Thanx for the report Kermit...very sad news to hear..I had a feeling it wasn't good since his last email was about having cancer. he tried to continue his mothers dream but was cut short in life...

[Shutter]

Bryan Lynn Woodruff, age 60, of Ariel, WA passed away Saturday, August 8, 2020 at All Comfort Care in Vancouver, WA from lung cancer.
Bryan was born in Longview, WA to Jack Woodruff and Dona (Woodruff) Elliott on November 5, 1959. Bryan grew up in Castle Rock, WA where he attended school through the 10th grade. He received his GED from Clark College and an Assistant Accountant degree at Chase Business College.
As a child, Bryan enjoyed pitching and playing little league baseball, where he earned the nickname "Smiley" As an adult he was passionate about writing poems; researching and documenting family genealogy; playing pool with Elmer Kramer, family, friends, and his pool league team; playing Bunco and having potlucks with family and friends; and he loved his numerous dogs.

Bryan enjoyed working a variety of jobs. A few of his favorites including being an OSHA Certified forklift operator for Angeles Metal Systems and James River Corporation where he earned a 1,000 hour safety pin award. He was a powder coater for Fabtech West, a sheet metal fabricator for R and S Manufacturing, produced knives for Leatherman, cooked and cleaned with his sister at a remote hydroelectric camp near Juneau, AK; and bartended, cooked, cleaned, and served food with and for his mother at Ariel Store.
Bryan was an avid DB Cooper fan and has even wrote his own story on who he believes is the infamous hijacker. Bryan's dream was to carry on his mother's legacy. Bryan was preceded in death by his mother, Dona Elliott, his oldest brother, Dolph Woodruff, his Aunt Bobbie Dameill, his uncle Ron O'Neill, and his grandparents Harold and Gladys Thomson and JB and Evaline Woodruff.
Bryan is survived by his father, Jack (Bobbie) Woodruff of Castle Rock, WA, sister Jonna (Curt) Kautz of Wrangell, AK, his brothers Gary Woodruff of Tukwila, WA, Jeff Woodruff of Ballard, WA, Jack Elliott of Amboy, WA, and Chuck Elliott of Battle Ground, WA, his Uncle Bill (Shirley) Woodruff of Kelso, WA, and Uncle Bob (Cathy) Woodruff of Castle Rock, WA, nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins, and friends.

The family of Bryan wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Akmal & Dr. Malik and their team at Peace Health South West Medical Center, Daniela and Nicole, and their teammates, Hospice, Gabriela and her team at All Comfort Care, friends Tina and Amanda, Sara, Elizabeth, and her team with Davies Cremation, and all who helped provide care in Bryan's final days.

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[Shutter]

I made this video in remembrance of his mother. I think it's appropriate for us to watch and remember what his family meant to the Cooper community and the world...

Bryan sent me and Bruce a email on March 26, 2020 the last paragraph reads as follows..

 Unfortunately due to my own health problems with a diagnosis of Stage 4 LungCancer having moved to the brain as well I've had to accept that my goal of re-opening the store in honor of her life and legacy may be but a passing dream, but I remain hopeful, staying positive and strong, and fully believe God's healing hands will help me KICK CANCER'S ASS as my life is in His hands now.

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[georger]

Bryan Lynn Woodruff, age 60, of Ariel, WA passed away Saturday, August 8, 2020 at All Comfort Care in Vancouver, WA from lung cancer. Bryan was born in Longview, WA to Jack Woodruff and Dona (Woodruff) Elliott on November 5, 1959. Bryan grew up in Castle Rock, WA where he attended school through the 10th grade. He received his GED from Clark College and an Assistant Accountant degree at Chase Business College. As a child, Bryan enjoyed pitching and playing little league baseball, where he earned the nickname "Smiley" As an adult he was passionate about writing poems; researching and documenting family genealogy; playing pool with Elmer...

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sorry to hear this - may he rest in peace. Shutter you were a good friend to Bryan. 

[EU]

Man I'm very sorry to hear about this. 60 years is simply too young. Bryan was definitely passionate about his DB Cooper beliefs. I love the thought that now he actually knows the truth of it all.

This definitely brings home the reality that life moves on. After nearly 50 years things are inevitably changing. And the change will continue.

My dream would be to buy the land on Tena Bar where the money was found and use it to mark the event, but not in some macabre way. Rather, it should provide an opportunity for people to have fun and celebrate the legend.

All the best Bryan. Cheers!

[Shutter]

Perhaps people could take a few moments and sign the guestbook on the site above..I remember how he reacted seeing the video I made. I was honored to do it. I'll miss his updates and poems he wrote along the way. I should have contacted him when he spoke of the illness back in January and then in March. I sent emails but he never replied. I knew it was getting the best of him. I will reserve a spot for him and his mother on the website....

Shutter

[Shutter]

Man I'm very sorry to hear about this. 60 years is simply too young. Bryan was definitely passionate about his DB Cooper beliefs. I love the thought that now he actually knows the truth of it all.

I have a lot of cards and things he claims to be from Cooper..even stating a birthday card sent to him..I think the best thing out of it all is his joining his mother and finding peace...