THE RAGE OF CONCERNED CITIZENS

10/7/2019

In a previous article we compared a postcard from the Symbionese Liberation Army 'Hearnap' FBI files threatening the daughter of President Richard Nixon, to the Citizen Card purportedly mailed by the Zodiac Killer. The composition of the Citizen Card, expressing consternation and concern at the running of advertisements for the Badlands movie and signing off with "A citizen", was compared to the Richard Nixon Postcard with respect to "A concerned citizen". This, coupled with similarities between the February 3rd 1974 SLA Letter and a communication dated February 10th 1974 from the Symbionese Liberation Army, led to the conclusion that neither the Citizen Card or SLA Letter were penned by the Zodiac Killer. This has been questioned, leading to speculation that the Zodiac Killer may in fact have been responsible for both the Richard Nixon Postcard mailed on May 23rd 1974 and the Citizen Card mailed on May 8th 1974.

Just prior to these two communications the Symbionese Liberation mailed a similar threat to Randolph Hearst stating "It now appears to SLA that he would rather sacrifice his daughters life than to print the truth to the American people". The message finished with "We wish C.B.S, A.B.C. or N.B.C. would dedicate one hour of national network time to the founder of C.C.S.D. so the man could deliver a message to the people that could save the nation from political disaster and economical destruction". The man they wanted to be given air time was Roland L. Hayes from the corporation of Concerned Citizens for Social Development (C.C.S.D) - and included his writings. This man clearly inspired the Symbionese Liberation Army with his message of fighting for the people against corporate greed and the likes of Randolph Hearst. Is it therefore surprising that several weeks later, a postcard was mailed to President Richard Nixon invoking a threat on his daughter and signing off with "A concerned citizen for freedom"? As can be seen in the excerpts below the SLA directive, Roland L. Hayes titled many of his sections "concerned citizens for social development" and subtitled one "The President", detailing President Richard Nixon on more than one occasion.

When we look at the wording on the Richard Nixon Postcard "Dear King, We know where Patty Hearst is. But wait till we get your daughter. A concerned citizen for freedom", the comparisons can be noted. With the Citizen Card sandwiched in between the Dear Mr. Chancellor Letter and the "Dear King" Richard Nixon Postcard, we have more cause for concern about the validity of the May 8th 1974 communication as a Zodiac Killer offering. It was directing its consternation at the running of ads by the San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner - two newspapers previously highlighted with ire by the Symbionese Liberation Army because of their connection to Randolph Hearst.

To view the entire FBI documents on this matter, visit page 400 of the Hearnap files, part 36 of 42.

Here is another interesting feature, discovered by investigators written on the apartment wall of a previously occupied Symbionese Liberation Army residence. The discovery would have been prior to the July 8th 1974 Red Phantom Letter, signing off with "the Red Phantom (red with rage)". The message scrawled on the wall began "Every day my rage grows fonder of the poison I pack into the heads of my bullets". But did this rage last until July 8th 1974?

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 07:15:23 am

Fascinating material on display,Richard,with much to examine.

I do wonder if,all official directives and demands,from the SLA,were always typed.Surely,the FBI must have had a greater grasp,retrospectively,on which SLA letters were genuine,and which,from hoaxers.....such as the Zodiac.

With ex-SLA members,having helped LE ''with their enquiries'',in return for lighter sentences etc.

It just seems to me,that anything handwritten,is potentially by a kook,regardless of whether the Zodiac,or not [?].

On the matter of the ''Nixon'' postcard....and reading ''downwards'',on the right-hand side....it reads :

Rich White Pen Wash

A possible ''cheeky'' allusion,to the Dripping Pen Card,perhaps [?].

Richard

10/7/2019 07:46:44 am

The SLA tended to type long drawn out manifestos, but also (as you know} used pasted messages, cassette tapes, phone calls, and various handwritten letters with numerous different styles, many of which were deliberately disguised. Whether a third person or entity, other than the Symbionese Liberation Army were responsible for a few in the entire Hearnap files, is certainly possibly. It is important to combine the possible sightings of SLA members on the east coast with the Dear Mr. Chancellor Letter and the "Dear King" Richard Nixon Postcard, as well as the Badlands Letter, before any conclusion is drawn. This Roland L. Hayes connection binds them nicely and conforms to the narrative.

[1] On May 20th 1974, three days prior to the Richard Nixon White House threat, FBI received an anonymous phone call from a male stating that he had observed two individuals that closely resembled William T. Harris and his wife, Emily Harris (two SLA members) in a white Ford panel truck by 5400 block of Mac Arthur Boulevard, Washington D.C. 5400 block on Mac Arthur Boulevard is only 5 miles from the White House lawn. At its most eastern edge, Mac Arthur Boulevard is only 2.2 miles from the White House (as the crow flies). I normally wouldn't pay much attention to anonymous calls, but bearing in mind that threatening Nixon letter only three days after the sighting of SLA members on the verge of the White House lawn,

[2] May 27th 1974: A man while fishing observed one white male and two white females fishing on Crooked Creek, near Chppewa Bay, off Route 12, near Alexander Bay, New York State. He said they were sort of suspicious as they kept to themselves, but he had not thought much about it until he went home and read an article on the SLA. He felt the male he previously observed with the two women resembled Harris, as he had a moustache. Additionally, one of the females had short blond hair and generally fit the description of Hearst. They were fishing in an army coloured boat.

[3] May 29th 1974: A person while purchasing gas at a service station in Chesapeake, Va. observed an individual whom he thought was Patricia Hearst. He advised that the female was travelling with another white male and white female in a dark coloured automobile bearing Pennsylvania license plate. Described one male with moustache. Service Station attendant interviewed and recalled two w/f and two w/m who stated they were enroute home after camping at Nags Head North Carolina. He furnished the same description as the other guy, and recalled a vague resemblance to Patty Hearst and one of the white men to William Harris.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 07:29:04 am

The first speech given by Richard Nixon,acknowledging accusations made against his administration,with respect to Watergate,was on April 30th 1973...and included the now famous line :

'' There can be no whitewash at the White House.''

Rich White Pen Wash

Richard

10/7/2019 07:56:39 am

The problem with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th "Zodiac" communications of 1974, only one gives direct reference to the SLA, with the other two rather nondescript ramblings against newspapers and columnists, both of which could be argued as targets of the Symbionese Liberation Army or Zodiac. The only reason I haven't tried to link to Nixon Card to Zodiac, is I have yet to see anything compelling to do so. But the door is always ajar.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 08:32:00 am

Zodiac did seem to be ''spurred into action'' by an event,in keeping with a compulsive writer,and [ordinarily] fairly harmless hoaxer.

It's just that,from 1969 on,the stakes seemed to be higher,for the Zodiac.

I wonder if the May 18th 1974 SLA shootout with the FBI,had any bearing on the writing of the Nixon Postcard,Richard [?].

Just 5 days later.

After the shootout,Patty,Bill and Emily Harris,moved to a farm,in South Canaan,Pennsylvania.Then in November 1974,moved to Sacramento,CA.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 08:59:30 am

I think that,a possible inference,with the date of the Nixon postcard is,that a ''kook'' combined thoughts on the SLA/FBI shootout,with Nixon's plight in the Watergate scandal....with the press and public,having recently had access to some of the tapes,for the first time.

Nixon,out of any one individual,could have stopped the shootout,from taking place.

I think it is persuading,that the writer of the postcard was a ''kook'',whether the Zodiac or not.

Richard

10/7/2019 09:04:31 am

Yes, I believe the shootout had everything to do with not only that "rage" writing on the apartment wall, as they stated in the writing of the "loss of comrades" on May 17th, but the Richard Nixon Postcard also. They had lost six comrades in the LA shootout due in part to their robberies, murder and kidnapping. The natural reaction is to lash out - and going big, by threatening Richard Nixon, they may have deemed a proportional response. I don't believe the four eyewitnesses all mistook the Harris' and Hearst on the east coast of America. After the shootout, the remaining members like Emily and Bill Harris, with Hearst in tow, probably felt the heat and got as far away as possible. Washington DC is about as far away from Los Angeles as you can get. Whether they were there to send an additional message to Richard Nixon from his doorstep we can only conjecture. They also mailed confirmed communications from New York. And South Canaan,Pennsylvania is at the heart of all the sightings listed above. We can create a timeline of events, but it's difficult from the Hearnap files because they are not always chronological, making it an eye-glazing affair.

Richard

10/7/2019 09:11:32 am

Of course, any communication is open to be devoid of Zodiac or SLA involvement, and open to have been written by a third party, but I see parallels in the Nixon Card to the "concerned citizen" communications that preceded it. These communications would not have been made public, so a kook would have to have accidentally guessed the correct signature.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 09:53:02 am

Yes...no real proof established,granted.

With the shootout,all of America witnessed 500 ''armed to the teeth'' FBI agents converge on a few ''tin-pot'' despots.Even hard-line conservatives,must have been in shock [?]....even if they didn't show it.

And,this is why the writer of the postcard,called Nixon ''King''.The all powerful President,allowing something like that to happen,having already ''given up'' on regarding Patty Hearst,as an innocent victim of kidnapping.....much less,the sledgehammer,to crack a walnut analogy....and,at a time that everyone now knew that their President,was,in effect,a liar and a thief.

But yes...one must also consider that,the SLA had lost their leader and,their ''chain-of-command'' was,at least,damaged.

So...the postcard writer could have been a ''renegade'' SLA member,electing,of his own bat,to at least do something.

But,more than likely,someone like the Zodiac....just seizing an opportunity,to rub salt into an already obvious wound.

Richard

10/7/2019 10:20:21 am

Maybe they sarcastically called him King, because they knew he was falling on his own sword - the Watergate Scandal of his own making.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 10:32:41 am

Indeed,Richard....''Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.''

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 02:11:28 pm

To simply focus on the 4 claimed 1974 Zodiac letters and their plausibility,is a tough enough judgement to make.And when we see the Nixon postcard,there is at least the possibility,of more than 4.....though when it seems persuading that the FBI messed with the date of the ''SLA'' letter...then it seems equalling persuading that this ''mere note'' may not have even been the Zodiac.

The Count Marco letter isn't much more than a ''note'' either....but time and trouble has been taken.

The ''A Citizen'' letter conveys ''annoyance'' well....but looks like a ''first draft'' that the Zodiac couldn't be bothered to improve upon.

And the ''signings'' of all 4,are close to a mystery.How is it that,if they are all from the Zodiac....then the Zodiac appears careful to never mention ''Zodiac'',a single time.

And yet,LE wish to convey that history will record that the Zodiac was back,in 1974 [?].

Well....he probably was.....but,to what extent,seems a mystery [?].With the knowledge,also that ''A friend'' and ''A Citizen'' were names used by counter intelligence,against Black Extremists.

''Concerned Sister'',also.

Richard

10/7/2019 02:42:28 pm

There was no point to any of the 1974 letters really. You wait three years to write about the Exorcist movie and quote The Mikado again, write all about another group in your second letter, bleet on about murder glorification when you've thrived on it for years, and finally tell poor old Count Marco, the male chauvinist pig to go to hell. I place these communications having arrived from the pen of Zodiac at zero. I won't bleet on myself, but I'm now satisfied that all four were SLA material to a 99.99% certainty. I am going to do another Badlands article putting everything in one place - a letter containing the film tagline "In 1959 most people were killing time. Kit + Holly were killing people" and complaining that "In light of recent events, this kind of murder-glorification can only be deplorable at best". Those recent events were the Zebra murders which paralleled the Symbionese Liberation Army beginnings in 1973. There were multiple murders and attacks by Zebra in 1974, running up to this letter. This is my opinion on the 1974 letters and the quotation marks in abundance says it all. But there is so much more. My take only mind.

Richard

10/7/2019 02:45:47 pm

I probably guess that people may be bored of this topic now, so I'll move on after one final fling.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 03:04:12 pm

Never bored.....for at least some of us,that want the truth,badly enough,Richard.

And,that's what makes your site,a cut above the rest.

Personally,I have settled for the Exorcist letter,as being an admission,by the Zodiac,for having taken the role ''DB Cooper-The Extortionist'',while he had been away. [ Suicide graves,Doodle,37 ].

But the other 3....still a big ''head scratcher''.

Richard

10/7/2019 03:17:43 pm

I certainly get the analogy Rubislaw, with the plunging into the billowy wave. It's a very likely proposition that DB Cooper landed in that large river, and with cold temperatures and a brisk current, he would be toast extremely quickly. After all, some of his money was dug up alongside a river years later. So, the choice of Mikado verse would have been an apt one. I know it would be a much more interesting outcome to the one I suggested,

I hope nobody's bored, but if they are, I'm always open to a change in direction. I would like really to cover Presidio Heights again with October 11th looming, but there's little left to explore.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/7/2019 03:52:20 pm

I was wondering if you had anything planned for October 11th,Richard.

The last of the ''four'',to reach 50 years,as such.

If only ''someone'',in authority,could give us hope [?].

I will look in at your site,regardless....often,the only site,worth its salt.

I have been putting off,approaching a politician,recently....but I think now is time....and I know the one I want,for the purposes of spilling some beans.

It would be a nice thought,if ''good news'' arrived on Paul Stine's anniversary....but doubt it.

Your readers rely on you,to keep the fires burning.While still unresolved,the case has to stay ''hot''.

Richard

10/7/2019 04:18:22 pm

I won't do a Badlans article after all, but here is a little connection. I said before the SLA were mocking Randolph Hearst by telling the Chronicle & Examiner to "cut the ads" for the Badlands movie. This parroted Randolph Hearst in 1941, when he demanded that his papers "cut the ads" for Orson Welles Citizen Kane, and another little connection with "A citizen" at the foot of the letter.

After catching a preview screening of the unfinished Citizen Kane on January 3, 1941, the influential gossip columnist Hedda Hopper wasted no time in passing along the news to Hearst and his associates. Her rival and Hearst’s chief movie columnist, Louella Parsons, was incensed about the film and its portrait of Charles Foster Kane, the Hearst-like character embodied in typically grandiose style by Welles himself. Even more loathsome to Hearst and his allies was the portrayal of Kane’s second wife, a young alcoholic singer with strong parallels to Hearst’s mistress, the showgirl-turned-actress Marion Davies. Hearst was said to have reacted to this aspect of the film more strongly than any other, and Welles himself later called the Davies-based character a “dirty trick” that he expected would provoke the mogul’s anger.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/william-randolph-hearst-stops-citizen-kane-ads

On February 11th 1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army had addressed Randolph Hearst stating "No, we are not religious nuts, but we hate you for your father's part in starting the Spanish-American War, and also for his later, cheap liason with the trollop Marion Davies. Our male ancestors were killed in your father's war and their wives were left with pensions of $25 to $50 a month for life. We wonder how you can hold up your heads in decent society, and why your contemporaries can stomach your presence. Our once proud families were destroyed by your father's war.....which he started to boost his circulation. Before we release your daughter Patricia, you must show proper humility by acknowledging the guilt of William Randolph Hearst (in regard to starting yellow journalism and instigating the Spanish-American War. You must publicly beg the forgiveness of your country. This must be done on ALL media and must be expressed in terms of abject humility".

Not only did the Los Angeles release date of Citizen Kane match the date of the Badlands Letter, but the Citizen Kane film featured the Spanish Galleons off Jersey Coast, and the male lead playing Randolph Hearst is challenged for his Yellow Journalism, just like the SLA February 11th letter did to Hearst, while mentioning the Spanish-American war. Couple this with the date coincidence and "cutting the ads" parallel, and you can see that the SLA become intertwined with the Badlands Letter.

Richard

10/7/2019 04:20:11 pm

Here is the video clip of the Spanish war part from Citizen Kane.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OUZNicTGU

Richard

10/7/2019 04:22:44 pm

Oh, and the SLA mentioned Marion Davies in the February 11th 1974 communication as well.

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-news/the-hearst-family-connection-pt2

Richard

10/7/2019 04:30:27 pm

Yellow journalism or the yellow press is a type of journalism that does not report much real news with facts. It uses shocking headlines that catch people's attention to sell more newspapers. Yellow journalism might include exaggerating facts or spreading rumors.

Enter Count Marco.

Richard

10/8/2019 02:44:31 am

Just as a curious sidenote Rubislaw and not to be given too much credence, is the Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane. Rosebud Indian reservation of the Sioux is in Rosebud, South Dakota. Ironical then, regarding the 1974 Donna Lass Christmas card mailed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota referring to "guardians of the pines".

Richard

10/8/2019 02:47:15 am

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Lakota: Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke), also called Pine Ridge Agency, is an Oglala Lakota Native American reservation located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Originally included within the territory of the Great Sioux Reservation, Pine Ridge was created by the Act of March 2, 1889, 25 Stat. 888. in the southwest corner of South Dakota on the Nebraska border. Today it consists of 3,468.85 sq mi (8,984.3 km2) of land area and is one of the largest reservations in the United States, larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined

Richard

10/8/2019 02:57:15 am

Remember: The Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOONs) was a private paramilitary group active on the Oglala Sioux Pine Ridge Indian Reservation during the early 1970s.

Joseph Remiro's commitment to fighting the United States government led him to the Wounded Knee, South Dakota battleground on the Sioux reservation in April 1973. While there he assisted by running ammunition from bunker to bunker during firefights. He also became a member of Venceremos, a Maoist action oriented Bay Area organization which had a tremendous influence upon the future SLA.

https://escholarship.org/content/qt8tw2935x/qt8tw2935x.pdf

Rubislaw 32 link

10/8/2019 05:21:06 am

Thanks for the extra,Richard,I must have a closer look at the whole ''phenomenon'' of ''Citizen Kane'' as a ''parable'',and how it might have influenced the Zodiac's thinking.

The extortionist,with hate for the Kennedys [ Ted Kennedy FBI Files ],had it in for Joseph Kennedy's mistress....drawing possible parallels with Hearst's Marion Davies.

And,on to the Donna Lass Christmas card...with possible greater significance recently....the writing is certainly ''similar'' to the stalker of Kimberly Lawrence.[ Refer Lafferty's book,Page 251].

10/8/2019 10:03:22 pm

I've only had a chance to skim the article and comments, so I'm sure I'm missing a lot here, but absolutely fascinating connection to Citizen Kane. Not getting ahead of myself, just a big if...if the guardian of the pines card had an SLA connection, that could very well change all notions regarding the Lass disappearance.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/9/2019 01:55:13 am

Well...a link with ''any other'' potential aspect,might be ''useful'',JD.

And,I certainly don't mean that,flippantly.

At the moment,''we'' are clasping at straws,a bit.....though I see that Apple Florez,is still ''pushing'' the photograph.

I would just like to know,if the photograph,emanates from Powers...''or'' the South Lake Tahoe Police.If the latter,then real grounds for believing,at least,that the South Lake Tahoe Police,may have a bone to pick,with the FBI,over the claimed disappearance of Donna Lass.

An interesting suggestion,I think,is that the Christmas card,is from Donna Lass,herself....to her sister,as way of ''thank you'',for her sister's assistance.

It would be nice to think that Ms.Florez might offer up more information [?].But,so far,nothing more of any consequence,has been forthcoming,from Ms.Florez....apart from keeping that picture,of a claimed middle-age Donna Lass....in the public's conscience.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/9/2019 03:28:56 am

If anyone knows the circumstances of how the Christmas card emerged into the public domain,that would be appreciated information.

It is possible,for instance,that the South Lake Tahoe Police,''leaked'' the card....which didn't ''twig'' with the public.Then saw Phillip Powers,as a means to ''piggy back ride'' the photograph,as a follow up.

Alternatively,it is possible that the FBI leaked the Christmas card,to falsely ''re-enforce'' the notion,that the Zodiac sent it to Donna's sister,Mary.

Ms.Florez may just be a ''messenger'',and not really understand the full implications,of her actions.

I would only appeal to Ms.Florez,to be fully transparent,about what she does or doesn't know.At present,her ''role'' or position,does her no favours,in the long run.

10/10/2019 01:46:09 am

It's always possible that Donna Lass, due to a reason known only to her, disappeared of her own free will. The card could certainly be her way of saying "don't worry about me, I'm fine," with perhaps a clue her sister would recognize. It certainly wouldn't be the first time someone chose to disappear, whether it is due to some lack of satisfaction with the way life is going, or feeling extremely threatened by someone. Of course, she would have to have had a male companion she could trust to make the phone call.

Or, if the card was meant to taunt, it could very well have been sent by Zodiac, or SLA, or someone else who had either harmed her, or was looking to harm her if she was on the run. She could have been a victim of Joseph Holt, or someone like him. Holt might not have been a resident until 1974, but more often than not, people tend to migrate to areas they are familiar with, perhaps years in advance.

She could have suffered the same amnesia condition that struck Ansel Bourne in 1887, but the phone call from the male wouldn't figure in with that scenario.

I'm not sure how the card to the sister was first made public. I know the police immediately believed there was a connection to the Lass disappearance and the "Peek through the Pines" card. They recognized the references to the Incline Village project and believed Claire Tappan Lodge was the location for the Sierra Club. Within days of receiving the card they had conducted a search, focused on Squaw Valley and Mt Rose, and other area locations.

To me, the card is generic to an extent. While being from Zodiac, the true meaning behind the card might not be related to Donna Lass, but something else entirely. It's like the desktop poem. I would have never thought to connect the desktop poem to a murder investigation. The first thing I thought when reading it was "female expressing her suicidal fantasies." But, then again, I'm not all that familiar with the circumstances regarding the receipt of the card, whether there were other mailings that have been withheld from the public...or that I'm just not familiar with.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/10/2019 05:51:35 am

You have outlined some good points,JD.

Probably worth a look at Richard's last article,concerned with this topic,called ''The Donna Lass mystery'' [?].

Just because I brought up a number of points,in the comments section,doesn't necessarily make those points pertinent.

I think,as you have inferred,the Pines Christmas card,is more likely to have come from the Zodiac,as a form of protest,in defiance of being set up,by the FBI,with the assistance of the SF Chronicle,for having been responsible for the disappearance of Donna Lass.

Beyond this....there are certainly a number of explanations,the offering of which,can't be dismissed,out of hand.

I would just hate to think that,a case so steeped in history....might be walked into folklore,merely to protect the anonymity of Donna Lass.If Ms.Lass was,in some way,part of a witness protection scheme....at the excluded knowledge of the South Lake Tahoe Police....then,at this late stage...and the advanced age of Ms.Lass,if she is still alive....simply is not worth the ''trade-off''.

In this possible scenario,it would have to be said that,it would have been unlikely that Ms.Lass would have acted,''as pure as the driven snow'',to have sought the need of protection,in the first place.

Contoversial of me,perhaps [?].

But...for goodness sake ''Ms.Florez'',come clean on what you actually do,or do not know.

Kenneth Lester German never was,or is never likely to have been the Zodiac.

That seems to have been a ''red herring'' all along,in the recent ''disclosures''....despite what Phillip powers believes,himself.

It's this ''wretched'' covert nature to the FBI,that seems to spoil justice for those whom those covert agencies are supposed to be serving....time,and time again.

Richard

10/10/2019 06:21:22 am

If we try to strip everything back to basics Rubislaw, without any predetermined view on whether it was Zodiac, the SLA, Donna Lass herself or another third party, what we have is a Christmas card and the wording "Best Wishes, St Donna & Guardian of the Pines". Was the time of year relevant to the message and can we find the origin and meaning of the phrase, or as near as possible. Unless the author of the Christmas card was swinging from the trees with a banana sticking out of their ear, the phrase must have an origin, or be something relevant to the author - even if we just remove the "Donna" element. The author may have just substituted "Donna" into place for this particular purpose.

"Guardians of the Oglala Nation" is one such example, but I am unsure of a good reason why the SLA would write such a card to Donna's sister. It doesn't really tie in with their other material despite some connections. Understand the message and the author may follow. Take a look at the Christmas card Rubislaw - do you think it is "Guardians of the Pines" or "Guardian of the Pines". I cannot reconcile whether that is a tailed off "n" or "s".

Richard

10/10/2019 06:47:16 am

We wrote about the Pines Card with respect to condominiums and vacation properties at Incline Village from the advertisements in the papers. If this card was about Donna Lass, then three years later we have another card stating "Guardian of the Pines". The Home Guardian Company ran many adverisements for "Fire Island Pines", advertising bungalow sites for vacation pleasures. They were effectively the Guardian of the Pines. Unfortunately in New York.
http://www.pineshistory.org/history/1950s-a-community-called-fire-island-pines/1950s-community-called-fire-island-pines-begins/

Fire Island Pines derives its name from the scrub pine trees in the area, which, according to legend, started growing after a ship with "Christmas trees" and holly foundered off its coast in the late 19th century.

Former model John B. Whyte encouraged its reputation as a gay destination after buying the rebuilt Botel Pines and Dunes Yacht Club in the 1960s (Cherry Grove was already a gay destination when Whyte developed the Pines). Whyte bought the property after a May 31, 1959 fire destroyed the entire complex. The Botel, which was known as The Hotel Ciel from 2004–2012, is still the central landmark and only hotel in the Pines.

Richard

10/10/2019 07:28:03 am

The Sierra Club promotes the conservation of the natural environment by influencing public policy decisions and is committed "to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the Earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the Earth's resources and ecosystems; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives

https://content.sierraclub.org/grassrootsnetwork/sites/content.sierraclub.org.activistnetwork/files/teams/documents/A%20Brief%20History%20of%20Sierra%20Club%20by%20Bonnie%20Gisel.pdf

The Sierra Clubs were all about conservation, and committed to being guardians of the environment.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/10/2019 08:56:28 am

Thanks for ''back-up'' information,Richard.

I will go back to forums,with regard to this Christmas Card,I have a feeling,that it was Ms.Debora de Silva,that first introduced it [?].

I think that Ms.Florez is being manipulated,to an extent.She seems a nice person,but I believe that she is pushing the photograph,as a favour to Phillip Powers.Powers suddenly had possession of the photograph,or so it would seem,3 months after he had a ''press break'',on his ''Kenneth Lester German'' theory....with German being his grandfather.

That ''3 month'' delay could point to the notion that,Powers was fed the photograph,and by Detective Herminghaus of the South Lake Tahoe Police.

Indeed,a number of scenarios and solutions to this conundrum are possible.

The only consolation in ''not'' yet getting to the bottom of this is,that I believe that the South Lake Tahoe Police will be pleased that,sites such as yours,Richard,are still discussing it.

Ms.Florez,where are you ?

Rubislaw 32 link

10/10/2019 11:36:29 am

From what I can make out,so far,on the Pines Christmas card :

Mary Pilker,older sister of Donna Lass,received the card,which was mailed from Carol Stream,Illinois,on April 10th 2007.

Zodiac contributor,Howard Davis,was tipped off,and acquired the copy,that we see on the internet...which he originally posted,at his ''Manson'' site,in 2009.

Davis claims that the FBI have the original.Davis tried to dissuade Mary Pilker,from handing the original over to the FBI,but she wanted to hand it over to them.

The envelope includes 2x10 cent postage stamps.The required postage,would have only been 11 cents.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/10/2019 11:56:55 am

From what Phillip Powers claims,from his twitter site,Detective Herminghaus,of the South Lake Tahoe Police,is in possession of a money clip,belonging to his grandfather,K L German.In addition assorted photos of his grandfather.....and the photograph of a presumed Donna Lass,in the mid-1980's.

Phillip Powers does ''not'' specify the source of the photograph,of a claimed Donna Lass.

So...either the photograph's source,is Phillip Powers,''or'' Det.Herminghaus.

In order to press forward,on this matter,I would suggest that,the photograph's source,is of ''key'' importance.

Perhaps Ms Apple Florez can help us out [?].

10/10/2019 04:00:05 pm

Oh, I was assuming that the card was mailed during the 1970s. If it was mailed in 2007, it could be a sick joke by someone interested in the Zodiac case. David Fincher's film was on the big screen in late February early March of 2007. That spurred a lot of people, including me, to revisit and follow up on the case, including seeing what was on the internet at the time.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/10/2019 07:06:04 pm

Nice spot,JD.

So,we could presume that,the Christmas card,sent to Mary Pilker,was received,about 6 weeks,following the release of Fincher's film.

It increases the chances of it being a hoaxer,influenced by the case,following the film's release.

It will be interesting to see,if Ms.Florez,drops any hints,on the photograph's specific source.She is down to about one post,at zodiackiller.com ,every two weeks,now.

Just looking like ''reminders'',at the moment....but no one at that site,seems to be responding,anymore.

Richard

10/10/2019 09:21:45 pm

The Donna Lass Christmas Card was mailed and postmarked in the 1970s, believed to be December 27th 1974. Now, this card would make so much more sense if it had been mailed in December 1970, three months after Donna's disappearance - a killer playing games the same year she disappeared. What apparently transpired though, is the card being received by Mary Pilker four years later. The postmark does seemingly read 1970, but according to Tahoe27 this stamp wasn't issued until 1974. That would mean a 1970 postmark on a stamp that wasn't to be released for four years, which clearly makes little sense. Here is a picture of the postmark, followed by the issue date and the relevant forum thread.

https://i.imgur.com/fwJfzzY.png

https://www.mysticstamp.com/Products/United-States/1551/USA/

http://zodiackillersite.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=862&start=20

Richard

10/10/2019 09:43:22 pm

Issue Date: October 23, 1974

Richard

10/10/2019 11:06:17 pm

Therefore, we have to conclude it's likely December 27th 1974. I'm sure Mary Pilker would have been aware of when she received the Christmas card.

Richard

10/10/2019 11:38:52 pm

Here is the original Currier & Ives Print depicted on the stamp.

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/screenshot-2019-10-11-amazon-com-books-arts-museum-currier-ives-the-road-winter-art-print-size-12-x-15-inches-included_orig.png

Richard

10/10/2019 11:45:43 pm

Here is a much more detailed image of the print.

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/currier-ives_orig.jpg

Richard

10/11/2019 12:01:12 am

The Christmas card was mailed in San Mateo or Santa Clara County according to the 940 zip code. That would be the same location the Exorcist Letter was mailed from. The stamp was issued October 23rd 1974 in New York.

10/11/2019 12:05:45 am

Thank you for the info on the card, Richard. I've done some checking and have been unable to locate any articles between 1974 and 1980 regarding the card. I found some articles in 2000 dealing with Harvey Hines' involvement in the case, in which Mary provided an interview. She supported Harvey Hines' report as the key to solving the case. There is NO mention of the card in any of the articles that I glanced over. Interestingly, in the same article, Mike Rustigan, Criminology Professor at San Francisco State University stated police found evidence in ALA's Vallejo home linking him to the Lass case. Another example of a phantom phone call?

The postmark does look like 1970. Certainly not 1974. I'm thinking it could possibly be 1976 or 1979, and due to some anomaly the printing came out looking like a full "0." Either that, or Zodiac forged the postmark. Wouldn't surprise me, someone messing with mail all the time. Wouldn't be the first time someone forged a postmark.

Also noticed that Mary Pilker was a nurse as well, working in a VA Hospital.

Richard

10/11/2019 12:19:39 am

Or it could have been incorrectly stamped by the mail centre.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/11/2019 04:11:04 am

Thanks for your clarification,Richard.

My forums ''paperchase'' led me to Howard Davis' statements on ''a'' Christmas card,to Mary Pilker,dated April 10th 2007.

There seemed to be a bit of a ''squabble'' with Mike Morford,over this.

Are ''we'' possibly hearing about a second card,that Mary Piker received,then ?

Richard

10/11/2019 04:21:56 am

Never heard of that card Rubislaw, any links where it's mentioned.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/11/2019 05:50:50 am

Just for now....for there is a lot of old forum stuff to wade through :

I started at zodiackiller site,with the thread on the Pines Christmas card,at the Donna Lass - possible victim section.This then led me to a zodiackiller.com thread,going back to 2010.

Howard Davis was very specific with this information,and a few co-contributors were thanking him.So,I presume that this second Christmas card to Mary Piker exists.

I will have to allocate more time,to wade through,all the forums inputs.And of course,it doesn't help,that the ''Manson'' site is now down,and up for sale.

$1673,if anyone is interested.But,you will need three times that amount,if you want to purchase a document,signed by Charles Manson.

Worth actually,about $75 on the open market.The signatures of serial killers don't hold up well,when compared to individuals who were a force for the good,in this world.

Most valuable of all ? William Shakespeare.There are just three,known to be in existence,and are considered ''priceless''.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/11/2019 07:33:41 am

If anyone knows Howard Davis,personally....perhaps they could ask him about this presumed ''second'' Christmas card,sent to Mary Pilker,April 10th 2007,from Carol Stream,Illinois.

Davis,now assumes membership residency at zodiackiller.com , and posts under the name '' bruce 3 ''.He has also married into the Bidou ''dynasty'',associated with the Vallejo Police Department.

As with many ''suspect led'' seasoned contributors,he still holds out for hope of a Manson connection to the identity of the Zodiac.But,like many that have pushed their theories for years,without success,their voices largely fall on deaf ears.

However,I note that he is often found,contributing to the non-Zodiac section of the site....and has recently posted a ''sparkling'' piece,on drinking Coca Cola.

To each his own.

Richard

10/11/2019 02:53:16 pm

Reminder

https://www.zodiacciphers.com/uploads/4/9/7/1/4971630/hoover7_orig.gif

Rubislaw 32 link

10/11/2019 03:59:59 pm

A ''scrap'' from this second correspondence to Mary Pilker,is its introduction,which is :

'' It's been almost 27 years...

In 2007,it had,in fact been '' 37 years ''.Therefore had made an error,at the very start.

The Zodiac,or a hoaxer,high [?].

Richard

10/11/2019 04:31:37 pm

The author of the 2007 communication was a woman and admitted sending the letter/card. Visit this link where Howard Davis outlines everything. She later apologized to Mary Pilker. Scroll down page to 2009-03-24

http://www.zodiackillerthemansonconnection.com/tzmc_website_history.html

Rubislaw 32 link

10/11/2019 04:35:58 pm

Thanks Richard....I need to move away from this topic....it's getting me down.

Rubislaw 32 link

10/11/2019 04:26:47 pm

Looking at the photograph extensively,and with all the superimposing tricks used,comparing it with the most familiar photograph of Donna Lass....seems to look pretty persuading.Bone structure,nose,mouth and eye settings...seem difficult to dismiss.

Within the context of this aspect,to the Zodiac case....I find it ''depressing''.The thought that there may be some sort of ''stand off'',or row brewing,between the South Lake Tahoe Police,and FBI,might have a real delaying affect on a resolution...if such a resolution remains a possibility.

Darla link

5/27/2020 01:27:51 pm

I've linked your article to a post on my blog. Here is a direct link to the docs that I believe were created during the same time period by Mr. Colliver. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/53j2w4ezunvgyxl/AAAFJIzkQNfmc61uYvnad3-Ja?dl=0
The handwriting is suspiciously familiar! I know we aren't supposed to base anything off that but it's hard not to with this POI. Great article Richard!

Richard

5/27/2020 01:34:50 pm

Thanks Darla.

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