When Money Grew on Trees
The True Tale of a Marijuana Moonshiner and the Outlaw Sheriff of Madison County, Arkansas
By
David Mac
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Imagine breaking the law without fear. Imagine piles of money that literally grew on trees. Those dreams became reality for David Mac after the young man from Michigan settled in Madison County, Arkansas. This is his tale about life as a marijuana moonshiner in the Ozark Mountains, and the corrupt sheriff who made it all possible. It's a story about drugs and arson, murder and suicide, friendship and betrayal. Most importantly, this book reveals one of Arkansas' darkest secrets, and demystifies one of its greatest legends: Sheriff Ralph Baker, the man who befriended David Mac, and taught him what it means to be an outlaw. This is Mac's story of damnation and redemption. From the first marijuana seed he planted, to the Devil's bargain Mac struck with Sheriff Baker, this book explores their harrowing journey on the twisted outlaw trail. Along the way, the unlikely duo of lawman and outlaw discover that greed ruins even the best-laid plans, and the Devil always gets His due. Although the hills and hollows echoed with whispers after the sheriff's alleged suicide, no one dared to reveal the hidden truth behind his double life. Until now. |
| A True outlaw Tale of :
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Corruption - Arson and Payoffs - Friendship and Betrayal - Murder and Suicide
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Sheriff Baker's close friend and political ally, former President Bill Clinton, depicted in a 1986 photograph taken at St. Paul Pioneer Days. |
Arkansas' outlaw sheriff, Ralph Baker. |
On Outlaws
"Yes, and I love the trite mythos of the outlaw. I love the self-conscious romanticism of the outlaw. I love the black wardrobe of the outlaw. I love the fey smile of the outlaw. I love the tequila of the outlaw and the beans of the outlaw. I love the way respectable men sneer and say ‘outlaw.’ I love the way young women palpitate and say ‘outlaw.’ The outlaw boat sails against the flow, and I love it. Outlaws toilet where badgers toilet, and I love it. All outlaws are photogenic, and I love that. ‘When freedom is outlawed, only outlaws will be free’: that’s a graffito seen in Anacortes, and I love that. There are outlaw maps that lead to outlaw treasures, and I love those maps especially. Unwilling to wait for mankind to improve, the outlaw lives as if that day were here, and I love that most of all."
—Tom Robbins, author, Still Life With Woodpecker
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Copyright © 2003 WMGOT LLC.
Last modified:
06/08/2006