SAC Kansas City to SAC Seattle re subject Bill Bayne Baldridge, Kansas investigation
Document date 22 June 1973
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Id: Cooper-Part-116:216-220
Subject: Cooper Files: Cooper-Part-116:216-220 Document: Memo SAC Kansas City to SAC Seattle re subject Bill Bayne Baldridge, Kansas investigation Id: Cooper-Part-116:216-220 Page: https://cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-116%3A216-220 What is wrong (title, date, type, which pages belong together, copies)? What does the scan show?
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FBI 164-81, Vault Part 116 pp. 216–220 (DB Cooper-53233–53237), Memo, dated 22 Jun 1973 — cooper.theunsolved.net/documents/Cooper-Part-116%3A216-220
SAC, SEATTLE (164-81) 6/22/73
SAC, KANSAS CITY (164-80) -P-
NORJAK Sub 652
OO: Seattle
RE: SUB BILL BAYNE BALDRIDGE.
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The following investigation was conducted by SA ROBERT E. HICKAM:
AT FORT SCOTT, KANSAS:
On 4/18/73, [REDACTED], b6 [REDACTED], (Protect Identity), furnished the b7C following information: b7D
They both advised that they had absolutely no first hand information regarding any airplane hijacking, and stated that the information they were furnishing was based upon information [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Mrs. OTTO MEYER, Coffeyville, Kansas.
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[REDACTED] stated that Mr. and Mrs. OTTO b6 MEYER are an elderly, retired couple, who live in the b7C country near Coffeyville, Kansas. [REDACTED] advised b7D that the MEYERs have expressed to her that they have been somewhat concerned about the [REDACTED]
[REDACTED] after the hijacking of a Northwest Airlines airplane in November 1971, which they heard about at the time through the news media.
According to Mrs. MEYER, [REDACTED] [REDACTED], very unfriendly, whose activities were entirely unknown to other individuals in the community. Mr. MEYER recalled that on at least one occasion BALDRIDGE had identified himself as a retired Navy pilot. [REDACTED]
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2 - Seattle 3 - Kansas City KAL:jb (5)
164-fi- [illegible] SEARCHED... ...........INDEXED ......... SERIALIZED...&[illegible] FILED.... [checkmark] JUN 3 0 1973 FBI - SEATTLE
DB COOPER-53233
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Sub 652
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Sub C.S.2
KC 164-80
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advised that [REDACTED] described BALDRIDGE as approximately 50 years of age and resembling DURWOOD KIRBY, the television personality. [REDACTED] stated that her sister and brother- in-law also informed her that BALDRIDGE had indicated an intention to move to Australia, or possibly Honduras. BALDRIDGE had also commented in the past that he might purchase an airplane. Mr. MEYER further reportedly stated on one occasion BALDRIDGE and he were talking about the Oregon and Washington State area, and BALDRIDGE indicated that he "knew all about that part of the country".
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[REDACTED] stated that the above information [REDACTED] is the reason why she [REDACTED] thought BALDRIDGE might possibly know something about the Northwest Airlines hijacking. She advised [REDACTED] never suggested that to her, however, and she therefore did not want them to know she had contacted the FBI. She stated that [REDACTED] [REDACTED] had never given her any information indicating [REDACTED] might be wanted by law enforcement agencies, or that they had caused any trouble in the area, but she did know [REDACTED] was "concerned" about [REDACTED]
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[REDACTED] further noted that [REDACTED] apparently had money, as they were reportedly paying [REDACTED] the small farm from a realtor in Coffey- ville, name unknown, and the house did not appear to be worth more [REDACTED]. She pointed out that the farm rented by BALDRIDGE is located in a wooded, secluded area, hidden from view almost until one drives directly up to the place.
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The following investigation was conducted by SA KEITH A. LEWALLEN:
AT COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS:
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On 4/26/73, [REDACTED] advised [REDACTED] Coffeyville, beginning in January 1972. [REDACTED] advised that BALDRIDGE moved from the farm about 4/1/73, and told him he was going to Australia. [REDACTED] stated he has not heard from BALDRIDGE since he left the farm.
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DB COOPER-53234
KC 164-80
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[REDACTED] advised that he had not known BALDRIDGE prior to the time [REDACTED] He said that he knew very little about him, and that BALDRIDGE impressed him as a "loner". He said that [REDACTED] was actually arranged through the Coffeyville Realty Company, 1901 West 4th.
[REDACTED] advised that BALDRIDGE paid his rent with checks drawn on the Peoples State Bank of Cherryvale, Kansas, at least some of which bore the name Baldridge Cattle Company. [REDACTED] stated he did not know whether such a company existed. He recalled that he observed some type of form from the Realty Company when BALDRIDGE first contacted him, and that the form indicated BALDRIDGE had a monthly income of approximately $3,000.
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[REDACTED] stated that he knew very little of BALDRIDGE's background, but did recall BALDRIDGE indicating that he had attended Junior College at either Coffeyville or Independence, Kansas. He also remembered at least one occasion on which BALDRIDGE talked of having "flown planes in the war". [REDACTED] stated he knew of no one closely acquainted with BALDRIDGE.
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[REDACTED] described BALDRIDGE as a white male in his late 30s or early 40s, at least 6 feet tall, 190 to 200 pounds, with blond wavy hair.
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On 4/26/73, inquiry at the United States Post Office, Coffeyville, Kansas, determined that BALDRIDGE did not receive mail through that Post Office, and left no forwarding address.
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AT CHERRYVALE, KANSAS:
On 5/17/73, CHARLES THOMPSON, President, Peoples State Bank of Cherryvale, advised that B. BAYNE BALDRIDGE has "skipped" on a $2,000. loan made him by the bank. THOMPSON stated he did not know BALDRIDGE's whereabouts, but had heard that he had gone to Australia, after leaving his last known address near Coffeyville, Kansas.
THOMPSON stated he did not personally know BALDRIDGE, and did not know a great deal concerning his background. He
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-3-
DB COOPER-53235
KC 164-80
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mentioned however that in 1969 BALDRIDGE opened a checking account at the bank with almost $1,900.00. At that time, he listed his employment as Agpro, Inc., Petaluma, California.
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THOMPSON stated that it was early 1971 when BALDRIDGE first made application for the above mentioned loan. At that time, he listed his address as 412 West Maple, Independence, Kansas, and indicated he was Managing Director of the Baldridge Cattle Company. The former address was listed as 24 California Street, San Francisco, California, telephone number - 415-392-3485. On the application BALDRIDGE listed his age as 49, indicated he was married, with no children. His application indicated [REDACTED] Kansas. [REDACTED] was listed as [REDACTED] Ohio.
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THOMPSON advised that when BALDRIDGE applied for the loan, he exhibited some sort of card indicating his employment as Feed Lot and Management Consultant with the National Molasses Company, Overland Park, Kansas. He also indicated he had been employed with the Australian Beef Industry for four years, returning to the United States in 1964.
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AT COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS:
On 5/30/73, [REDACTED] Coffeyville Junior College, advised that Junior College records reflect that B. B. BALDRIDGE, 412 West Maple, Independence, Kansas, entered the Junior College on 1/26/42. His date and place of birth were listed as August 28, 1922, at Independence, Kansas. His religious affiliation was indicated to be Christian Science. His Coffeyville, Kansas, address was reflected as 402 West 9th. His record reveals that he graduated from Independence, Kansas, High School, on 5/24/40. [REDACTED] stated that BALDRIDGE completed less than a year at Coffeyville Junior College. She advised that on 9/16/52, a transcript of his grades was forwarded to Chico State College, Chico, California. She said that in 1965 a transcript was sent to San Francisco State College.
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DB COOPER-53236
KC 164-80
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On 5/30/73, [redacted] Coffeyville Realty Company, 1901 West 4th, advised that RICHARD LIVINGSTON, the broker in charge of that office, who would be the person there with the most information concerning BALDRIDGE, was presently hospitalized. [redacted] stated that LIVINGSTON hired BALDRIDGE as a real estate salesman for a short time beginning about January 1972. [redacted] recalled BALDRIDGE having worked there, but stated he never became closely acquainted with him. He did state that he did not feel BALDRIDGE knew much about the real estate business, and had some questions about whether or not BALDRIDGE was dealing honestly with his clients. It was [redacted] recollection that BALDRIDGE had been licensed at some real estate agency in Independence, Kansas, before coming to Coffeyville, though he could furnish no details in that regard. [redacted] stated that on 7/18/72, which was sometime after BALDRIDGE had left the Coffeyville Realty Company, LIVINGSTON took action to have BALDRIDGE's license cancelled. [redacted] informed that BALDRIDGE should have a real estate application on file at Topeka, Kansas, in the Office of the Real Estate Commission.
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LEADS:
KANSAS CITY
At Topeka, Kansas:
Will contact the Office of the Kansas Real Estate Commission and review the application for a real estate license on the part of B. BAYNE BALDRIDGE for any information which would aid in establishing his whereabouts on November 24, 1971. Will obtain other descriptive and background infor- mation.
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At Independence, Kansas:
Will conduct investigation at 412 West Maple, and will contact other logical sources, to obtain further background information regarding BALDRIDGE, and information to establish his whereabouts on 11/24/71.
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DB COOPER-53237
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b6 b7c