Arsonists destroy Pinky Burns cabin

[jaybird]

from The Anniston Star: (http://www.annistonstar.com)

Arsonists destroy Pinky Burns' cabin; 3 suspects arrested for burning down Rabbittown landmark
By Mike Faulk
Staff Writer
03-12-2009
 
Sheriff's tape encircles the remains of the Pinky Burns' cabin on the Pinhoti Trail. Photo: Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star

Pinky Burns' cabin, a Rabbittown landmark since the late 1800s, burned to the ground Tuesday night and the three suspected to be responsible for it are being held at the Calhoun County Jail, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Officers responded to a call about the fire on Rabbittown Road around 11 Tuesday evening, but the entire cabin was engulfed in flames by the time a sheriff's deputy arrived.

Three suspects in a silver Ford Mustang were seen leaving the scene near the cabin and were intercepted by another sheriff's deputy shortly after, according to a statement from the Sheriff's Office. Bottles, torn rags and lighter fluid — the makings of Molotov cocktails — were found in the car.

Jody Kyle Maples, 20, of Lineville, Grover Shannon Newell, 18, of Anniston, and Jennifer Megan Brooks, 18, of Anniston are charged with second-degree arson and are in jail on $250,000 bond each. Their court date is set for May 14.
Chief Deputy Matt Wade said second-degree arson is a Class B felony, carrying with it a sentence of 2 to 20 years in prison.

Wade said the three suspects could also face federal charges because the cabin was on U.S. Forest Service land.
"I don't know if they were going to burn other places or not, but the evidence in the car might have suggested they weren't done," he said.

The log cabin's two chimneys are all that remain of the building, which belonged to Pinky Burns, a locally famous trapper, hunter and storyteller who lived there until his death in 1999 at the age of 81. Local wisdom was that the best way to extract stories from the old man was to ply him with banana Moon pies and soft drinks.
There had been efforts over the last decade to turn the cabin, originally a one-room schoolhouse, into an official historical site or museum. The property had already been turned into a trailhead for the Dugger Mountain Wilderness, as well as a connector to the Pinhoti Trail.
 
The 1800s cabin had been made part of the Talladega National Forest. Photo: The Anniston Star file photo
The cabin was also used as an outdoor classroom for hundreds of Calhoun County students over the years learning everything from conservation to cultural heritage, said Renee Morrison, director of Jacksonville State University's field schools.

Morrison, 40, was a family friend of Burns and said she has memories of the cabin dating back to when she was 4 years old. She said she felt Burns' death stronger on Wednesday after going to see the cabin's charred ruins.
"When you pass by there and see that porch, I still felt like he was sitting there waving at us," she said. "I felt like it was kind of his resting place."

County Commissioner Robert Downing had been working with other officials to continue using the site to promote ecotourism in the county, and said those efforts should continue despite the loss of the cabin.
"We should build something there to promote the (Pinhoti) trail," Downing said. "That was our intent and I hope the Forest Service will have the same attitude."

There are other original outbuildings on the property that remain standing. Regardless of the loss of the cabin, Morrison said the site will still be used for education.

"It was a tribute to everything that was old and good and strong about the frontier," she said.

Reprinted from The Anniston Star. Used with permission from Consolidated Publishing Co. Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

[Joshua Szulecki]

D-bags.

[Chris]

BS like this really pisses me off. You would think by the time someone turns 18 they would possess the common sense or discipline not to do something like this. I hope they get locked up for a good long time. They would have probably moved on to bigger things if they weren't caught. Why is it so many people do not value things like this and instead choose to destroy them?

[JC785]

Thats ridiculous, what was the purpose of doing that. I wish people would just stop, think, and actually have a conscious.

[Firedog]

Also on the table for the young fire bugs. According to a friend of mine that was on scene with the FD. He said that the Feds are now involved. Seems that Pinky's old cabin and property that was donated to the NFS, was on the national register of historic places and it's destruction constitutes an act of terrorism with stiff minimum penalties. Sad way to start out life as an adult.

[Nalgene Ninja]

I know it's $5000 and/or up to 6-months for vandalism, but this is probably a much higher crime. Destroyinh Federal Property?

Also on the table for the young fire bugs. According to a friend of mine that was on scene with the FD. He said that the Feds are now involved. Seems that Pinky's old cabin and property that was donated to the NFS, was on the national register of historic places and it's destruction constitutes an act of terrorism with stiff minimum penalties. Sad way to start out life as an adult.

I wasn't there, man.   

[McDowra]

from The Anniston Star:



Jody Kyle Maples, 20, of Lineville, Grover Shannon Newell, 18, of Anniston, and Jennifer Megan Brooks, 18, of Anniston are charged with second-degree arson and are in jail on $250,000 bond each. Their court date is set for May 14.
Chief Deputy Matt Wade said second-degree arson is a Class B felony, carrying with it a sentence of 2 to 20 years in prison.

20 years for each of them should make them productive nonmembers of society. It makes them a shining beacon to all others not to be a idiot

[lawnmowwer]

 Maybe they should make them rebuild it by hand the old way. Before they get to sit in jail and think about it or a long time. A good old fashioned chain gang. Strips shackles and all. I would take a day off work for a broad axe demo and a nice sit down and watch. I could even be coaxed to getting out and repair, sharpen, and set one of my old cross cut saw.

[McDowra]

Maybe they should make them rebuild it by hand the old way. Before they get to sit in jail and think about it or a long time. A good old fashioned chain gang. Strips shackles and all. I would take a day off work for a broad axe demo and a nice sit down and watch. I could even be coaxed to getting out and repair, sharpen, and set one of my old cross cut saw.

I like the way you think 

[Joshua Szulecki]

Maybe they should make them rebuild it by hand the old way. Before they get to sit in jail and think about it or a long time. A good old fashioned chain gang. Strips shackles and all. I would take a day off work for a broad axe demo and a nice sit down and watch. I could even be coaxed to getting out and repair, sharpen, and set one of my old cross cut saw.

I haven't seen a cross-cut saw since some friends and I tried to cut an opening in a massive maple than landed near our tree fort after a tornado hit our neighborhood in 1996, so probably 1997. We gave up. I think that would be a wonderful punishment.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Anybody got a picture of the cabin?

Note: I split the thread to move the discussion of the use of the Anniston Star material to a new off-topic thread, as Jay got permission from the newspaper. Please see: http://www.alatrails.com/...sg8972/boardseen.html#new

[jaybird]

Here is a picture of the cabin taken last weekend 3/7/09 by two Pinhoti Challenge hikers (Becki Leon and husband) who were making up the Dugger Mountain section.  It is quite possibly the last picture ever taken of the Pinky Burns cabin.

Arsonists destroy Pinky Burns cabin

[Firedog]

Here are some pics of Pinky's place. If you notice the right side of the house was a log cabin. It was added onto later and used for a church. The original log section was built (I was told) around 1800-1810. Sad to see it gone.

[jedbear]

Its so sad when loose such wonderful links to our past and the souls who dwelled there.

           jed

[jaybird]

Well said jedbear.  I couldn't agree more.  I've truly had a knot in my stomach since learning of the cabin's demise.  We've lost something special on the Pinhoti trail that cannot be replaced.  I found a quote from my favorite author Rick Bass that sort of mirrors how I'm feeling about the situation.  In talking about the value of a place, he says, “We take in a manner that does not replenish.  We search out the last corners to do injury to them as if we have become confused – as if forgetting that we cannot live, cannot survive without grace and magic.”

For me, the Pinky Burns cabin represented all that was graceful and magic.  A place representing a past that may've been harder, but the troubles were so much simpler.  A big hole just closed up to that past.  I am in mourning.

[Old Hickory]

I was there the second week in February. It was my first time to visit the cabin and to hike that section of trail.

I am truly stunned that it's been destroyed. I have a five year old boy. The criminals who did this have stolen from him. With each passing day our traditions, our reminder of who we were, what we accomplished and how we used to live is being destroyed by immoral, lost souls.

[dreamweaver]

I lived in the Rabbittown area in my mid to late teenage years.  This cabin was a honored place to visit.  It had been there such a long time and seemed to possess the spirit of the area.  I truly agree with Jaybird that it is a time to mourn its loss.  This is also a wakeup call for those of us who love Alabama trails and history of the tremendous calling we have to preserve sites like this and the wilderness areas of Alabama for the 5 year olds.  What a shame that my future grandchildren and great-grandchildren will never experience the charm of this cabin for themselves.  My children were raised in a disposable society where video games give the impression that something can be destroyed and then return immediately for another game.  So very sad that real life is so finite.  Let us take the death of this wonderful site and use it as a challenge to do more to preserve historical sites and educate on the value they possess.

[spectator111]

I knew Shannon Newell and Jody Maples closely and was aquainted with Jennifer for quite some time.  Jody is a good man, however a follower.  I will honestly say he has admitted that he was sorry for the act but he took no part in it, he was a bystandard.  Having known the two 18 year olds, Jennifer and Shannon are well-known for their mischievious acts.  Knowing them, they had no clue of the historical significance of Pinky Burns' cabin and most likely did not know that it was a reserve.

Speaking with Jody's sister, he did nothing more than watch and not only was upset being in prison but apologetic for not being able to stop his so-called friends.  Hopefully this will be his wake-up call to avoid contact with Mr. Newell and Ms. Brooks completely.  Give him some pity, I ask you.

However the other two, meaning G. Shannon and Jennifer, they usually are bored in a no-where town and are well aware the crimes they commit.  It's all fun and games to them and they deserve to pay for their actions.

As for the cabin, I couldn't image how they would think of doing such a crime because their vandalism usually has a motive.  Those two haven't grown out of their childish pranks and I feel greatly for those who've spent walks along the paths.  I cannot replace the memories but we can build new ones.  I do agree that a memorial of some sort should be made in its place or in his honor at the least.



My greatest respects,
    Karen

[Magic City Matt]

Speaking with Jody's sister, he did nothing more than watch and not only was upset being in prison but apologetic for not being able to stop his so-called friends.  Hopefully this will be his wake-up call to avoid contact with Mr. Newell and Ms. Brooks completely.  Give him some pity, I ask you.

Unfortunately this poor soul was in the wrong place at the wrong time and made some really bad decisions, however, pity will not change the outcome of this situation. It is sad for everyone. it is sad that 3 peoples lives are most likely ruined over what looks like teenage angst. But it is even more sad that generations to come will never know what this place was like before it was only a chimney.
All of these people need to see what they can do to turn this situation around. They need to try and provide justice for not just the act, but the situation. If it were me and I were them I would seriously consider offering up myself for trail maintenance and protecting the forest that they scarred as part of my plea to the court. I don't believe Jail time alone is worthwhile in situations like this. That does nobody any good at all.

M

[spectator111]

All of these people need to see what they can do to turn this situation around. They need to try and provide justice for not just the act, but the situation. If it were me and I were them I would seriously consider offering up myself for trail maintenance and protecting the forest that they scarred as part of my plea to the court. I don't believe Jail time alone is worthwhile in situations like this. That does nobody any good at all.

M

Oh believe me, they're all idiots.  I completely agree.  But knowing Shannon and Jenn, they'll just fool around and not have any respect for the wild.  They need some tough love, my vote jail.  I think Jody's getting off because he didn't do anything 90% sure of that... But community service or something would be a + with parole or something-or-other. However, this is no where near in our hands.

[jaybird]

Matthew,

Would it be appropriate to start a fund of some kind for a Pinky Burns memorial on Alatrails? I'm sure the FS would be happy to work with whatever we come up with. If nothing else, a little clean-up of the burn site wouldn't hurt. I just feel like I need to be doing something. I'll start us off with $100.

[lawnmowwer]

 I'm with you on this one jaybird, and ask if it so pleases the admin. to check in to this one.

[dreamweaver]

I will make a donation also.  Please inform where to send.  Clean- up fund and maybe one day a memorial with pictures of how it looked before and after burn- lest we forget!!!!

[Firedog]

What if someone knew someone that owned an old log cabin that might donate it to be moved. To replace Pinky's cabin. I know it wouldn't be the same but we might could use any donations to have it replaced in honor and remembrance of his family and their contribution.

[Magic City Matt]

Jay I think your idea is great but I really hate handling money as a proxy. Does anyone have any ideas about how to put the money into a secure place for the forest service so no one individual is responsible for it?

[Firedog]

I saw a 2009 calendar yesterday distributed by the Calhoun County EMA and the photo for the month of March is of Pinky Burn's Cabin complete with a Description and some history written by his sister. I thought, how ironic that this was published at the end of last year and it was featured for the month of March. The same month that it was destroyed by vandals. I'll try to get a copy and post it. Carl W.

[toph]

I thought, how ironic that this was published at the end of last year and it was featured for the month of March. The same month that it was destroyed by vandals. I'll try to get a copy and post it. Carl W.

Perhaps the calendar is what keyed the arsonist in on the cabin's existence and it's not so ironic!

[Firedog]

We may never know.

[jaybird]

I have a contact for donations. Send them to:

Pinky Burns Trailhead Fund
c/o Lesley Hodge, District Ranger
Shoal Creek Ranger District
Talladega National Forest
45 Hwy 281
Heflin, AL 36264

[Nalgene Ninja]

Thanks Jay.

[lawnmowwer]

 Thanks Jay. I will be getting a donation in soon.