Evaluation of Facts and Summary of the Conversation
The conversation is from the “Russellville, Arkansas. Then and Now” Facebook group, a public group with 5,000 members dedicated to sharing memories of Russellville, Arkansas. The thread, initiated by Mike Goad, focuses on pinpointing the location of the Sinclair Mini Mart, a site of Ronald Gene Simmons’ 1987 murder spree, and expands into personal recollections and historical details about the event. Below is an evaluation of the facts presented and a summary of the discussion.
Evaluation of Facts
- Ronald Gene Simmons’ 1987 Murder Spree
- Fact: In December 1987, Ronald Gene Simmons attacked people at the Sinclair Mini Mart on East Main Street in Russellville, where he had worked part-time for over three years. This is stated by Mike Goad and aligns with historical records. Simmons’ spree is identified as the deadliest familicide in U.S. history (Mike Goad, Ron Hughes), a fact supported by Wikipedia and other sources referenced in the thread.
- Date: Mike Goad specifies December 28, 1987, in response to Steve Stevenson, which matches documented accounts of the event.
- Other Locations: Simmons also attacked at Peel, Eddy and Gibbons Law Firm (killing Kathy Kendrick), Taylor Oil Company (killing firefighter Jim Chaffin), and ended at Woodline Motor Freight, as confirmed by Ron Hughes, Rusty Taylor, and others. These details are consistent across comments and historical narratives.
- Analysis: The core facts about Simmons’ actions are well-established and uncontested within the thread, supported by firsthand accounts (e.g., Ron Hughes, who helped apprehend him) and external references like Zero at the Bone and a podcast.
- Location of Sinclair Mini Mart
- Mike Goad’s Initial Query: Suggests it was across Main Street from a mobile home dealership, later refining it to where an Aldi is planned, near Car-Mart and Arkansas Tire.
- Consensus Opinions:
- Steve Corbin, Cyndi Johnson, Will Banks: Place it across from Walmart, near Car-Mart.
- Rusty Taylor: Specifies 2400 East Main, with Woodline Motor Freight behind it.
- Ron Hughes, Mike Johnston, Sam Lackey, Alexis Adair Keeling: Argue it was where Whitson-Morgan (a used car lot) was, next to a small engine shop or tire shop.
- Terry Talley, Teresa Crites, Paul D Newport: Suggest it was near Car-Mart, Arkansas Tire, or Razorback Tire, with Talley noting it was previously a coin-operated gas station.
- Warren Brownlee: Claims it was across from Wonder Bread, where AutoZone is now.
- Joey McGee, Charlotte Ellis Teeter, Pam Rice Allison: Position it near the Dollar General, though Billy Churchill clarifies the Dollar General occupies the old Blue Ribbon turkey hatchery.
- Mobile Home Park Context: Beverly C Pepper, Karen Turner, Terry Talley, and Celeste Scribner confirm the Lamplighter Mobile Home Park (formerly T’berrys) was where Walmart is now, supporting the “across from Walmart” narrative.
- Analysis: The majority consensus points to the Mini Mart being near the current Car-Mart or Whitson-Morgan site, across from Walmart (formerly Lamplighter). Variations (e.g., AutoZone, Dollar General) likely reflect memory discrepancies or changes in landmarks since 1987. Rusty Taylor’s specific address (2400 East Main) and Mike Goad’s Aldi conclusion suggest a precise location, though historical maps would be needed for definitive confirmation.
- Personal Anecdotes and Additional Details
- Survivors and Victims: Cyndi Johnson and Steve Stevenson recall Roberta Woolery, a survivor shot at the Mini Mart. Sharon Cline and Ron Hughes mention Jim Chaffin, a firefighter killed at Taylor Oil. Wilma Nordin Whorton and Debby Vodrazka Harris confirm Kathy Kendrick’s death at the law firm.
- Bank Visit: Ragena Moore details Simmons visiting People’s Bank (Worthen Bank) before Christmas 1987, accessing a safe deposit box containing a letter to his daughter Loretta. His son William (Billy) worked at Hardee’s, possibly as a shift manager.
- Breakfast Incident: Ron Hughes recounts eating near Simmons at the Brown Derby Restaurant on West Main after Simmons killed his family, adding a chilling firsthand perspective.
- Prior History: Warren Brownlee notes Simmons was caught in Otero County, New Mexico (corrected by Mike Goad), for abusing his daughter, but authorities failed to act, a claim consistent with some accounts of his backstory.
- Analysis: These anecdotes enrich the narrative and are plausible given the contributors’ proximity to events. The bank name, victim identities, and New Mexico detail align with documented history, though personal memories (e.g., exact timing of encounters) are subjective and unverifiable here.
- Media and Documentation
- Book: Zero at the Bone is cited by Mike Walters, Judy Partain, and others as a key source.
- Podcast: Lloyd Hartzell references The Devil of Pope County (seven episodes), which Mike Goad is reviewing.
- Documentary: Richie Davis mentions his daughter Christie Hart’s documentary, with DVDs possibly available.
- Wikipedia: Mike Goad links to and edits Simmons’ Wikipedia page based on the thread.
- Analysis: These references bolster the conversation’s credibility, tying personal accounts to broader documentation.
Summary
The conversation begins with Mike Goad, an “All-star contributor,” asking about the precise location of the Sinclair Mini Mart on East Main, where Ronald Gene Simmons attacked in December 1987 during his infamous murder spree. Commenters debate its spot, converging on it being near Car-Mart or Whitson-Morgan, across from Walmart (once the Lamplighter Mobile Home Park), with Rusty Taylor pinpointing 2400 East Main and Mike Goad settling on the future Aldi site. Variations like AutoZone or Dollar General arise but are less supported.
The thread expands into vivid recollections: Cyndi Johnson and Jana White Olson recall Simmons’ politeness as a clerk, Ron Hughes shares apprehending him at Woodline Motor Freight after witnessing his breakfast at Brown Derby, and Ragena Moore details his bank visit. Victims like Roberta Woolery (survivor), Jim Chaffin, and Kathy Kendrick are mourned, with personal stories highlighting the tragedy’s impact. Simmons’ spree, ending on December 28, 1987, is confirmed as the U.S.’s deadliest familicide, backed by references to Zero at the Bone, a podcast, and a documentary.
The discussion blends factual location-hunting with emotional memories, reflecting a community grappling with a dark chapter. Mike Goad actively refines details for Wikipedia, showcasing collaborative historical preservation.
This evaluation and summary are based solely on the provided text, cross-referencing within the thread for consistency. The current date (March 18, 2025) is irrelevant to the historical focus.
