I actually spent a lot of time out there, living in Tecopa Heights just up the road for a while and I still have some friends out there. Back in 1995 I met Martha Watkins, Paul's second wife. Paul died in 1990. Martha was a remarkable woman who worked for the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shoshone. She told me that after Paul died, there was going to be a memorial with either the burying of or scattering of his ashes somewhere, perhaps at the cemetery. But Martha, was so fed up with everything around Paul's illness that she took his ashes and scattered them right there in the greenhouse at the house. Back then in the mid 90s the house was still there but abandoned. I don't know if anybody ever moved into the place after Martha moved to Pahrump. In 2007, Martha passed and I went to her memorial and their daughter Clare Vane Watkins read a dedication. She was awesome and hilarious! Check out her book of short stories; Battle Born. I also met Paul's friend whom he writes about in his autobiography; My Life with Charles Manson. Juan Flynn; the crazy and gigantic ex-Vietnam tunnel rat who was befriended by Paul Crockett along with Watkins.
Depending on the source you read, Paul Watkins was either born in Ventura, CA, or in Sidon, Lebanon, where his father was working on a pipeline. Though he did spend his early years in Lebanon. After Lebanon, His family moved to Beaumont, Texas, and then to Thousand Oaks, CA. He was a staunch Christian, until he discovered psychedelic drugs, left high school, and eventually found his way to meet Manson, though it was happenstance that he did...he knocked on the door of a house that he thought was still occupied by an old friend, and three of “Manson’s girls” opened the door and let him in. He was a musician, primarily a flautist and vocalist. He left “the family” before the state-LaBianca murders occurred in August, 1969. He learned of the murders while staying in Goldar Wash at Paul Crockett’s residence. He became a target of the family members, when it was learned that he agreed to be deposed and testify for the prosecution against Manson; he was badly burned shortly after, when the van he was sleeping in was set on fire. One family member claimed responsibility after, but that could not be proven, and Watkins conceded that the fire may have been caused by a candle that he left burning in his van, after falling asleep... Still, he remained suspicious for the remainder of his life that it was a family member, or members, who had tried to kill him by setting the van on fire. In later life, he wrote articles, and lectured on how young people could be susceptible to brainwashing, and he became adamantly anti-drugs. His book, “My Life With Charles Manson” was not written/published in the 60’s, but in 1979. Watkins died of Leukemia in 1990. The location of his grave, or of his ashes, remains undisclosed.
THANKYOU! Watkins was an interesting person who lived a fascinating life. It was neat to see where he lived. I'm not surprised he lived out in the open desert. He was a free soul. Watkins was the first to detect Charlie had gone violent, RIP Paul
He also saw the beauty in Charles Manson, and said his love was real in the early days. Manson had the anger of God, and don't be surprised if god saves Manson
@@josephesposito3499 In Watkins book He claimed to have queer sex with Charlie on many occasions, that was before He ratted on Him and was living in the caves in Shoshone. CA before moving to Tecopa Heights. Ca
@@lasvegasworldseriesofweed9908 Agreed, some of that was the prison life I believe Charlie said he prefered girls, so all the shit that happened to Charlie as a boy are mitigating factors as far as I'm concenred.
I just looked at his Wikipedia and he was born 1950 and died in 1990. Damn, how sad. I think you were very respectful and I also hope his daughters are ok with your video. I would be honored if someone remembered my family like this. This was a great tribute.
I love going to Tecopa it can be a very spiritual place, the open desert is a hard place to hide even from yourself. His daughters were very young when he passed away. His widow was a remarkable woman and a very good friend.
I don't like Paul Watkins daughter, the one who wrote a book. She implies that Watkins is of the devil because he procured wo-MEN for Manson. I DON'T AGREE. God made friends with many MEN who were rogues...King David included. I believe that Manson was a Godly MAN, who also happened to be a criminal
@@gracieg7601 no, Tex Watson is one of the people that actually killed at the Tate-Polanski house. I don't think Paul had a nickname. I saw some footage not to long ago of him playing music with another ex-Manson follower named Brooks Poston.🌻💛
Excellent video, Sarah! I had read about Paul Watkins and his stint with Manson and Barker Ranch but never knew where he moved on to. What an interesting story (and life!)
I was in high school in So Cal when the Tate-LaBianca murders occured. Before O.J., THAT was the "Trial of the Century". Didn't have "courtroom coverage" back then but everyone was glued to the T.V. for the "Film at Six" to see what kind of antics Charlie and the Family came up with that day! That 1990 calendar was, most likely, Paul's, since he passed in August of '90.
Antics...like making Leslie VanHouten's lawyer disappear. Manson pointed his finger at the lawyer ad told him that he "never wanted to see him in the courtroom again" and he didn't. 6 months later they found the lawyers body so decomposed they couldn't tell what the cause of death was. Manson was just as responsible for his death and Sharon Tates and the others. Nutty people followed Manson...dangerous, nutty freaks that would do anything and everything Charlie told them to do.
re: at 15:38 = You can re-birth warped records by putting them between 2 plates of glass (bigger than the record) and then lay it in the sun until flat. A Vietnamese friend showed me that one, works to. :)
He passed in 1990. He started the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce and was the unofficial "Mayor" of Tecopa. Also, he went back to the Family at Spahn Ranch after the trial for a while.
@@gracieg7601 Spahn Ranch was outside of L.A., up the Santa Susana Pass toward Simi Valley. There were two other ranches in the hills of Death Valley, the Meyer's Ranch and the Barker Ranch.
I used to live in Tecopa as a teen in the early 80s. I met Paul Watkins and he was pretty laid back. He and my dad were friends and he told my Dad many stories about the Manson family which I sadly didn't get to listen in on. According to Paul, Charles Manson did spend some time there (though not much) and used to walk around with a pistol strapped to his hip. The locals didn't care - 1960s Tecopa was a lot closer to the Old West than the 21st century. It odd seeing Virginia Delight's grave. My family wasn't on great terms with her though I never knew why. He used to call her "Old Leather Tit." And yes, growing up in Tecopa was pretty nice, though it could get pretty boring too. There were so few kids my age if you asked a local old enough to remember the 80s brats they could easily tell you who I was if their memories were clear.
You know I met Paul many years before when I stayed in Tecopa. He was a nice guy and he got upset when I asked him about Charlie. I didn't know anything about what he had gone through so it really makes sense to me now
Paul was a hypocrite. Charlie had his own beauty, and his own cross to bear. If you read the bible, you will know that Charles Manson had the anger of God, for those who think he's in hell...DON'T JUDGE! Remember King David killed his own general to steal his wife Bathsheba. And God forgave him!
Interesting, did he at least say, he felt compassion for Charlie for the cruel way he was brought up? Did he also say that he continued to play Manson's music, even years after he left the family?
@@ndeep45 Understood. He wanted to distance himself from the criminality, but as I've said, he still admired Charlie as a songwriter, and continued to play some of Manson's music with his 70's band desert sun or something?
@@josephesposito3499 I can't speak to what his experience was with Charlie other than what my experience was with Paul, he had helped me when I needed it
Very interesting. Just started the book last night via the link you mentioned...free. I have a friend who studied under Paul in later years...a lot of energy cleansing and thought de-programming. He mentioned staying at a Manson-related ranch and lived in Tacopa for years. He speaks of Paul with the utmost respect and fondness.
Charles "Tex" Watson is the one who went to prison and got married fathering several children during conjugal visits. I think a lot of viewers are mistaking Paul Watkins for Charles "Tex" Watson(who is still alive in prison).
Nice video Sarah! Well done, your right, it's a sad story. His girls were not very old when there dad passed if he was only in his 40's. They were probably in there 20's. And any abandoned home had at one point had memories and daily activities. Thanks for sharing!
I, like you, have done a lot of research on the whole Manson family story. That was an extremely great retelling of the story with details. Now I can’t wait to read the Paul Watkins story. Thanks for the heads up, you’re the best!
I spent the summer of 1969 in LA as a 14 year-old then flew back to TX for freshman high school year. I was in for a shock when I read about the murders. Since then I have shot my mouth off about being in LA at the same time as the Manson family even though I thankfully had nothing to do with them, which is why I am still here.
Absolutely not. There is no way that stuff survived out there for 19 years. There have probably been multiple people living there in that time. You can see that that was collapsed recently.
I was nineteen when the Tate/LaBianca murders went down. I was so disappointed at the time because the Love movement was in full swing & it seemed like the whole world was gonna join in. It was like Charles Manson undid the whole movement in one swipe. In hind sight there were a lot of bad people out there, I was so naieve.
Watkins died in 1990, his daughters are from his second wife, they were 6 and 4. They didn't know his history till they were grown. Idk how long they continued to live at the homestead.
I knew his wife and daughters as they grew up their Mother never hid who their father was he was a changed man before he died . Satan can take anyone's life for a period but Jesus through Grace can clean anyone who ask and redeems them self. Do not forget that the apostles were murderers and thief before they met Jesus it is hard to raise a man from evil who has not fallen first.
Live in NV & have seen many abandoned dwellings- Can't believe the state, or county feels no obligation to burn down/haul off stuff like this...Way interesting history, I've been to Barker Ranch & have a mad crush on Wonderhussy & her channel...but still, just crazy how much of this exist in the NV & CA deserts.
Tecopa is in California. Pretty close to Nevada...in fact. They even share a border... Wonderhussy has thee nicest ass of any celebrity to come out of the Mojave. Including Shotgun Kitty and Air force Annie!
I think George Knapp did an interview with a guy who said that Paul lured him out there in 1985 with promises of a World Championship Canasta tournament! Instead, when he got there Paul locked him in one of the rooms and made him listen the B side of that Eddy Arnold album for two weeks, with little food or water. He was only allowed out of the room once a day to watch "Wheel of Fortune". Them one day he awoke, the music was off and the house was open, no one around, his car keys on a table next to the wide open front door (along with a sack lunch consisting of two bologna sandwiches, a fruit cup and can of Tab Cola.) He beat it out of there while the getting was good and looked back only once to see Paul grinning , clapping his hands while peeking over a large mesquite bush watching him drive of his property. It didn't seem like Paul would chase after him. As he drove awhile he began to reflect on his adventure and the good times he'd had out there as Paul's guest. Hoping there may be another tournament next year. I may have fallen asleep during a commercial and dreamed part of this story because some of it seems kinda odd
Your storytelling and editing, even the way you frame yourself and shots in the picture are getting noticeably better. Not that they were bad before. Very nice job.
An absolutely fascinating account of the horrendous chapter in American life ... love your tripping and knowledgable and well-read history of these desert areas ... thank you!
I was visiting a friend in prison in San Luis Obispo on the day that Tex Watkins got married. He was indeed handsome, and he shook my hand and thanked me for "attending" the wedding. There was a flock of news reporters outside besieging visitors as they left. Thanks for the very interesting video; I didn't realize he had died (in 1990 of leukemia, per Wikipedia).
@@kathleen3177 I see that California stopped allowing conjugal visits a while back. That would have to be an odd feeling for a woman, going into a prison just for that purpose.
I’ve always been fascinated with the whole Manson scene. This is a very cool story. Looks like an awful place to live, but each has their own preferences.
Im wondering if I knew that guy with the sea fairing grave. I met an “older” dude in the alamitos bay Long Beach that had a kinda nice 35’ sailboat. I forgot his name years ago. Most of the year he lived in Parump. For exercise i paddle my surfboard around Naples island. Paddling near him up on his boat (as he was working on his sail) is when i struck up a conversation. He lived in Parump but kept a sailboat moored in front of a house on the bay he rented the slip from. Guy was a character. He lived on the small boat when he was tired of the nevada heat. People that rented out the boat slip let him have access to their shower and bathroom. He had a For Sale sign on his boat. He told me if he sold the boat before he completed repairs he wasn’t going to sail to the Philippine Islands. If he repaired the boat he was going sail. He didnt sell the boat. I wanted to buy it in the worst way, but didnt have the cash. Was a point id see him all the time, me paddling around Naples. He was in the Navy in the 60s. In the navy he’d often visited the Philippines. The dude was in love with the hundreds of islands that are part of the Philippines. Inside the boat it was a mess. He gave me a tour. Bellow, it was just cluttered. I was amused by the boxes of cereal that were strapped down. It was probably mid-late 2000s when i paddled close to his boat to see gone the For Sale sign. I ran marathons and i used paddling around Naples Island as a Cross-training day, so it was a once a week thing. I saw him up on his boat fresh from Parump me smiling big mentioning the gone for sale sign. He said nobody wanted it. I asked “Philippines?” Not only did he say yes, dude invited me to go with him. He said dont think about it too long because im leaving in a couple days. I never saw him again. I gave it a hard thought. By this time my dad was in ill health, my mom had been in ill health for a few years. I was their caregiver. I used to sale out of Newport Beach harbor often in the 2000s. I haven’t sailed since 2007. I miss it. And I barely knew the guy to be in that small of a space. But it was obvious he was a hard core sailing dude, knew what he was doing. Im wondering if that was his grave.
superb adventure Sarah,that house has definitly seen better days yet still imteresting oh and i totally know those feelings you get when venturing into an abandoned home and aomatimes feeling sad sometimes happy and onto the next well looking forward to your next adventure please stay safe and blessed!
You do get a feeling of sadness about that place or at least i did. I liked the line about how we all leave something behind when we go to wherever we go when we kick the bucket lol liked the video you take care
Thanks Wonderhussy you are terrific, I love your videos.................thanks for the historical info re Paul Watkins, I knew his brother John Watkins well, and knew that the Manson family thing was a part of John's brothers past but never knew the story.........thanks, and FWIW another commenter said that Paul hitchhiked to CA.....I know the Watkins kids did grow up at Thousand Oaks CA..............take care!
Little on Paul Watkins 1-25-1850 to 8-3-1990 Brought up normal middle class, Christian family. Met Manson Apr "68. Family member mid "68 til early "70. Testified against Manson Oct "70. AKA Little Paul. Was Manson's chief lieutenant. Cool stuff: Watkins was founder & first prez of Death Valley Chamber of Commerce. Lectured about cults & drug abuse. He appeared as himself in "73 documentary Manson He composed, performed music in the film. He also performed with Poison for awhile. Diagnosed with cancer in "89. Died "90 from leukemia. Unofficial mayor of Tecopa where he lived with 2nd wife & 2 daughters. One is writer Claire Vaye Watkins I wasn't much younger than the girls at the farm
It's funny to hear you refer to things from my youth as really old! lol It's cool to hear of the Mansons, though. I would not have read the books and was never paying attention back then. Thanks for telling the story I had missed. The news is much more interesting in your documentaries!
I found this on Find A Grave for his wife - "Martha met Paul Alan Watkins in a bar on the southenmost edge of Death Valley and they married on 28 September 1982 in Clark County, Nevada. They had two daughters, one the writer, Claire Vaye Watkins. They started a newspaper, then the Tecopa, Inyo, Nevada chamber of commerce. Paul died of leukaemia on 3 August 1990." From Gaylyn Daniels. "This is the memorial for my mother. She was married to Ronald Daniels in 1996, her remains are just west of Villa Anita in Death Valley, Ca., 35.842029, -116.217684 She is survived by three daughters, Claire Vaye Watkins, Lise Ann Watkins and Gaylyn Renee Daniels."
I lived in the Simi Hills about a 10 minute walk from Spahn. In 1969. His gang lived at the back ranch house and sold drugs and hot car parts. In early 1970 Watkins was almost killed for ratting out Manson in Inyo county. The girls threw homemade napalm ( soap & gasoline) into his van and he had terrible burns. He took off after healing. Good show. I am in Maine
Jeff Notti> Watson (Tex), Manson's chief henchman is still ALIVE! You meant to type Watkins. Easy mistake (Watson-Watkins) since Watson is far more notorious.
Really good video and very interesting. And yes you're right, reading a biography is much like getting to know the person, so in a way, you did know him. It's understandable that this explore hit a little closer to home for you.
Clark once again we bump into each other. Of course we were in high school when all this went down, and I lived just below the the top of Topanga. They were situated just north of us at Spahn in Chatsworth. My father was manager at the Simi Valley Pacific Telephone office and had visited the ranch. My neighbors were acquainted with the LaBianca's. According to Buglosi's book the killers return route brought them through Topanga Cyn. and right by my house on August 8th 1969. Loved the photos that you sent and would enjoy seeing more if there is any.
Alright, I watched this about a year or two ago. I couldn’t leave a comment. I wanted to. But, I’ve been using my moms phone. I’m still using it. But, I opened an account of my own on her phone. Tecopa looks nice. Plus Paul Watkins is a big part of the Manson Family regardless of his opinions. Tecopa reminds me of a cornucopia.💛
Living on the east coast without deserts.It looks like they really preserves things really well...Although it looks like the heat gave those records a beat down..
Paul Watkins died 8/3/1990. He became the unofficial mayor of Tecopa, after having founded the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce. I just watched an interview of him, which led to finding this video. He went on to trying to help parents and kids stay away from cults. Sad that he died at 40. He was replaced in the "the family" by Bobby Beausoleil aka "Cupid" as the "chick magnet" that Manson used to lure in the young girls. In Manson's own words, "I love them little girls!" And since Charlie was an ugly little cuss, he had to have the pretty boys around to lure them in and keep them in.
Paul was an early member but said that he left before the murders. As far as Mansons 2nd in command I heard it was Bruce Davis then Tex Watson when it came to doing his dirty work i.e. killing and murdering
I was in death valley years ago scotty's castle and we saw the manson school bus at barker ranch, there was also a swimming pool there, I was there in 70-75 that is all rough country, like your personality and your exploring curious nature,
Quite sad video. It is a pity no one saved all that stuff. Also, I don't blame Paul Watkins for living there. If I were him, I can imagine I would likely have been both, ashamed AND scared of my own relatives....
Thanks For the very informative video, WH. I hadn't heard anything about Watkins in years. I'd nearly forgotten all about him. Thanks for reminding me that there was one person at least who was persuaded to drift away from Charles Manson. Paul Crocket did good...real good.
I actually spent a lot of time out there, living in Tecopa Heights just up the road for a while and I still have some friends out there. Back in 1995 I met Martha Watkins, Paul's second wife. Paul died in 1990. Martha was a remarkable woman who worked for the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shoshone. She told me that after Paul died, there was going to be a memorial with either the burying of or scattering of his ashes somewhere, perhaps at the cemetery. But Martha, was so fed up with everything around Paul's illness that she took his ashes and scattered them right there in the greenhouse at the house. Back then in the mid 90s the house was still there but abandoned. I don't know if anybody ever moved into the place after Martha moved to Pahrump. In 2007, Martha passed and I went to her memorial and their daughter Clare Vane Watkins read a dedication. She was awesome and hilarious! Check out her book of short stories; Battle Born. I also met Paul's friend whom he writes about in his autobiography; My Life with Charles Manson. Juan Flynn; the crazy and gigantic ex-Vietnam tunnel rat who was befriended by Paul Crockett along with Watkins.
Juan Flynn the Panamanian cowboy who worked at Spahn Ranch?
Thank you taking the time to share.
Depending on the source you read, Paul Watkins was either born in Ventura, CA, or in Sidon, Lebanon, where his father was working on a pipeline. Though he did spend his early years in Lebanon.
After Lebanon, His family moved to Beaumont, Texas, and then to Thousand Oaks, CA.
He was a staunch Christian, until he discovered psychedelic drugs, left high school, and eventually found his way to meet Manson, though it was happenstance that he did...he knocked on the door of a house that he thought was still occupied by an old friend, and three of “Manson’s girls” opened the door and let him in.
He was a musician, primarily a flautist and vocalist.
He left “the family” before the state-LaBianca murders occurred in August, 1969.
He learned of the murders while staying in Goldar Wash at Paul Crockett’s residence.
He became a target of the family members, when it was learned that he agreed to be deposed and testify for the prosecution against Manson; he was badly burned shortly after, when the van he was sleeping in was set on fire.
One family member claimed responsibility after, but that could not be proven, and Watkins conceded that the fire may have been caused by a candle that he left burning in his van, after falling asleep... Still, he remained suspicious for the remainder of his life that it was a family member, or members, who had tried to kill him by setting the van on fire.
In later life, he wrote articles, and lectured on how young people could be susceptible to brainwashing, and he became adamantly anti-drugs.
His book, “My Life With Charles Manson” was not written/published in the 60’s, but in 1979.
Watkins died of Leukemia in 1990.
The location of his grave, or of his ashes, remains undisclosed.
THANKYOU! Watkins was an interesting person who lived a fascinating life. It was neat to see where he lived. I'm not surprised he lived out in the open desert. He was a free soul. Watkins was the first to detect Charlie had gone violent, RIP Paul
He also saw the beauty in Charles Manson, and said his love was real in the early days. Manson had the anger of God, and don't be surprised if god saves Manson
@@josephesposito3499 God is not angry. Man is.
@@josephesposito3499 In Watkins book He claimed to have queer sex with Charlie on many occasions, that was before He ratted on Him and was living in the caves in Shoshone. CA before moving to Tecopa Heights. Ca
@@lasvegasworldseriesofweed9908 Agreed, some of that was the prison life I believe Charlie said he prefered girls, so all the shit that happened to Charlie as a boy are mitigating factors as far as I'm concenred.
@@petermickus8688 have you read the Old Testament?
I am sure his daughters, if they are watching your videos, know how respectful you are about what you explore.
Yes, I agree. I really enjoyed this video. She spoke very kindly with caring 🙏 and ❤️ love.
I've always been fascinated by Paul Watkins life and this is great. I wish he had survived his illnesses. Handsome man and interesting person
I just looked at his Wikipedia and he was born 1950 and died in 1990. Damn, how sad. I think you were very respectful and I also hope his daughters are ok with your video. I would be honored if someone remembered my family like this. This was a great tribute.
Watching your vids beats anything on TV these day, thanks again
I love going to Tecopa it can be a very spiritual place, the open desert is a hard place to hide even from yourself. His daughters were very young when he passed away. His widow was a remarkable woman and a very good friend.
I don't like Paul Watkins daughter, the one who wrote a book. She implies that Watkins is of the devil because he procured wo-MEN for Manson. I DON'T AGREE. God made friends with many MEN who were rogues...King David included. I believe that Manson was a Godly MAN, who also happened to be a criminal
I want to go to Tecopa, California sometime. I want grab a motel room and read a book. 📖 And look into Paul Watkins' footage there.💛
When did Mac McKeen die? I knew a man with that name that used to race boats in the 70s-80s.
Didn’t Paul Watkins have a Nick name too? Like Tex Watkins?
@@gracieg7601 no, Tex Watson is one of the people that actually killed at the Tate-Polanski house. I don't think Paul had a nickname. I saw some footage not to long ago of him playing music with another ex-Manson follower named Brooks Poston.🌻💛
Excellent video, Sarah! I had read about Paul Watkins and his stint with Manson and Barker Ranch but never knew where he moved on to. What an interesting story (and life!)
I was in high school in So Cal when the Tate-LaBianca murders occured. Before O.J., THAT was the "Trial of the Century". Didn't have "courtroom coverage" back then but everyone was glued to the T.V. for the "Film at Six" to see what kind of antics Charlie and the Family came up with that day!
That 1990 calendar was, most likely, Paul's, since he passed in August of '90.
Antics...like making Leslie VanHouten's lawyer disappear. Manson pointed his finger at the lawyer ad told him that he "never wanted to see him in the courtroom again" and he didn't. 6 months later they found the lawyers body so decomposed they couldn't tell what the cause of death was. Manson was just as responsible for his death and Sharon Tates and the others. Nutty people followed Manson...dangerous, nutty freaks that would do anything and everything Charlie told them to do.
re: at 15:38 = You can re-birth warped records by putting them between 2 plates of glass (bigger than the record) and then lay it in the sun until flat. A Vietnamese friend showed me that one, works to. :)
The song "Bright Yellow" by Paul Watkins & Brook Poston is a very beautiful and thought provoking song
He passed in 1990. He started the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce and was the unofficial "Mayor" of Tecopa.
Also, he went back to the Family at Spahn Ranch after the trial for a while.
Where is the Spahn ranch? Is it the place WH is talking about in the mountains?
@@gracieg7601 Spahn Ranch was outside of L.A., up the Santa Susana Pass toward Simi Valley. There were two other ranches in the hills of Death Valley, the Meyer's Ranch and the Barker Ranch.
I used to live in Tecopa as a teen in the early 80s. I met Paul Watkins and he was pretty laid back. He and my dad were friends and he told my Dad many stories about the Manson family which I sadly didn't get to listen in on. According to Paul, Charles Manson did spend some time there (though not much) and used to walk around with a pistol strapped to his hip. The locals didn't care - 1960s Tecopa was a lot closer to the Old West than the 21st century.
It odd seeing Virginia Delight's grave. My family wasn't on great terms with her though I never knew why. He used to call her "Old Leather Tit." And yes, growing up in Tecopa was pretty nice, though it could get pretty boring too. There were so few kids my age if you asked a local old enough to remember the 80s brats they could easily tell you who I was if their memories were clear.
You know I met Paul many years before when I stayed in Tecopa. He was a nice guy and he got upset when I asked him about Charlie. I didn't know anything about what he had gone through so it really makes sense to me now
Paul was a hypocrite. Charlie had his own beauty, and his own cross to bear. If you read the bible, you will know that Charles Manson had the anger of God, for those who think he's in hell...DON'T JUDGE! Remember King David killed his own general to steal his wife Bathsheba. And God forgave him!
Interesting, did he at least say, he felt compassion for Charlie for the cruel way he was brought up? Did he also say that he continued to play Manson's music, even years after he left the family?
@@josephesposito3499 when I met Paul he wanted nothing to do with his past or Charlie, he left the ranch and didn't want to be found
@@ndeep45 Understood. He wanted to distance himself from the criminality, but as I've said, he still admired Charlie as a songwriter, and continued to play some of Manson's music with his 70's band desert sun or something?
@@josephesposito3499 I can't speak to what his experience was with Charlie other than what my experience was with Paul, he had helped me when I needed it
Wonderhussy, how did you get to be so Savvy, Brave, and sane?
Good reminder that we are all on a journey, moving closer to eternity...and the stuff left behind is worthless junk, a very sad story.
Except Charlie had more godliness than MOST Christians
Very interesting. Just started the book last night via the link you mentioned...free. I have a friend who studied under Paul in later years...a lot of energy cleansing and thought de-programming. He mentioned staying at a Manson-related ranch and lived in Tacopa for years. He speaks of Paul with the utmost respect and fondness.
Paul Watkins was a good man. He passed too soon. RIP
Charles "Tex" Watson is the one who went to prison and got married fathering several children during conjugal visits. I think a lot of viewers are mistaking Paul Watkins for Charles "Tex" Watson(who is still alive in prison).
Thanks for taking us with you
Very sweet and reflective explore Sarah, thank you!🧡
Nice video Sarah! Well done, your right, it's a sad story. His girls were not very old when there dad passed if he was only in his 40's. They were probably in there 20's. And any abandoned home had at one point had memories and daily activities. Thanks for sharing!
Krike! 3 videos in one day! Nobody can say you don't stay busy. Great videos, Sarah!
I, like you, have done a lot of research on the whole Manson family story. That was an extremely great retelling of the story with details. Now I can’t wait to read the Paul Watkins story. Thanks for the heads up, you’re the best!
Wow ! That was interesting. Thanks for sharing your knowledge :)
Beautiful job, Sara Jane. One of your best videos. Enjoyed it greatly.
Great one Wonderhussy. Thank you
Quite an interesting tale. Effective storytelling, Wonderhussy.
My brother in law works as a merchant marine chief engineer on board , never goes to the beach for fun, but to the mountains.
No he passed away in 1990. That is probably his stuff.
I spent the summer of 1969 in LA as a 14 year-old then flew back to TX for freshman high school year. I was in for a shock when I read about the murders. Since then I have shot my mouth off about being in LA at the same time as the Manson family even though I thankfully had nothing to do with them, which is why I am still here.
He died in 1990. Those are likely his things.
Absolutely not. There is no way that stuff survived out there for 19 years. There have probably been multiple people living there in that time. You can see that that was collapsed recently.
I absolutely agree. I just read an article by his daughter.
That stuff could easily survive in the desert for 30 years & a hell of a lot longer!
GREAT EXPLORE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HISTORY.
I was nineteen when the Tate/LaBianca murders went down. I was so disappointed at the time because the Love movement was in full swing & it seemed like the whole world was gonna join in. It was like Charles Manson undid the whole movement in one swipe. In hind sight there were a lot of bad people out there, I was so naieve.
Watkins died in 1990, his daughters are from his second wife, they were 6 and 4. They didn't know his history till they were grown.
Idk how long they continued to live at the homestead.
I knew his wife and daughters as they grew up their Mother never hid who their father was he was a changed man before he died . Satan can take anyone's life for a period but Jesus through Grace can clean anyone who ask and redeems them self. Do not forget that the apostles were murderers and thief before they met Jesus it is hard to raise a man from evil who has not fallen first.
Elizabeth Hartley they knew who their father was but he was not the same man that worked for Mansion when they were born.
I always learn so much from you! You are giving me quite an education! I love all this desert life stuff. Thank you Wonder Hussy!
Where are You from?
Live in NV & have seen many abandoned dwellings- Can't believe the state, or county feels no obligation to burn down/haul off stuff like this...Way interesting history, I've been to Barker Ranch & have a mad crush on Wonderhussy & her channel...but still, just crazy how much of this exist in the NV & CA deserts.
That’s what I was wondering? Why are there so many abandoned places in the Nevada desert?
Tecopa is in California. Pretty close to Nevada...in fact. They even share a border...
Wonderhussy has thee nicest ass of any celebrity to come out of the Mojave. Including Shotgun Kitty and Air force Annie!
I think George Knapp did an interview with a guy who said that Paul lured him out there in 1985 with promises of a World Championship Canasta tournament! Instead, when he got there Paul locked him in one of the rooms and made him listen the B side of that Eddy Arnold album for two weeks, with little food or water. He was only allowed out of the room once a day to watch "Wheel of Fortune". Them one day he awoke, the music was off and the house was open, no one around, his car keys on a table next to the wide open front door (along with a sack lunch consisting of two bologna sandwiches, a fruit cup and can of Tab Cola.) He beat it out of there while the getting was good and looked back only once to see Paul grinning , clapping his hands while peeking over a large mesquite bush watching him drive of his property. It didn't seem like Paul would chase after him. As he drove awhile he began to reflect on his adventure and the good times he'd had out there as Paul's guest. Hoping there may be another tournament next year. I may have fallen asleep during a commercial and dreamed part of this story because some of it seems kinda odd
Your storytelling and editing, even the way you frame yourself and shots in the picture are getting noticeably better. Not that they were bad before. Very nice job.
awesome video Sarah , keep up the sterling work ! ☼
Really good video, thank you.
An absolutely fascinating account of the horrendous chapter in American life ... love your tripping and knowledgable and well-read history of these desert areas ... thank you!
I just stumbled on your channel! I love it! You are a fabulous storyteller!
Cool video, I enjoyed all the historical information shared!
I was visiting a friend in prison in San Luis Obispo on the day that Tex Watkins got married. He was indeed handsome, and he shook my hand and thanked me for "attending" the wedding. There was a flock of news reporters outside besieging visitors as they left. Thanks for the very interesting video; I didn't realize he had died (in 1990 of leukemia, per Wikipedia).
Tex Watson was and still is incarcerated in California. Paul Watkins is a different person altogether. Watson was married while in prison.
@@rkelsey3341 yes Charles "Tex" Watson is the one in prison and has had several children during conjugal visits
@@kathleen3177 I see that California stopped allowing conjugal visits a while back. That would have to be an odd feeling for a woman, going into a prison just for that purpose.
R Kelsey - You crazy broads attracted to having Sex with MONSTERS like that are very "Odd" to be attracted to, and married to them.
Kathy Webb - With "Friends," like that....
Yes some are handsome "Devils," 👿
I’ve always been fascinated with the whole Manson scene. This is a very cool story. Looks like an awful place to live, but each has their own preferences.
Im wondering if I knew that guy with the sea fairing grave. I met an “older” dude in the alamitos bay Long Beach that had a kinda nice 35’ sailboat. I forgot his name years ago. Most of the year he lived in Parump. For exercise i paddle my surfboard around Naples island. Paddling near him up on his boat (as he was working on his sail) is when i struck up a conversation. He lived in Parump but kept a sailboat moored in front of a house on the bay he rented the slip from. Guy was a character. He lived on the small boat when he was tired of the nevada heat. People that rented out the boat slip let him have access to their shower and bathroom. He had a For Sale sign on his boat. He told me if he sold the boat before he completed repairs he wasn’t going to sail to the Philippine Islands. If he repaired the boat he was going sail. He didnt sell the boat. I wanted to buy it in the worst way, but didnt have the cash. Was a point id see him all the time, me paddling around Naples. He was in the Navy in the 60s. In the navy he’d often visited the Philippines. The dude was in love with the hundreds of islands that are part of the Philippines. Inside the boat it was a mess. He gave me a tour. Bellow, it was just cluttered. I was amused by the boxes of cereal that were strapped down. It was probably mid-late 2000s when i paddled close to his boat to see gone the For Sale sign. I ran marathons and i used paddling around Naples Island as a Cross-training day, so it was a once a week thing. I saw him up on his boat fresh from Parump me smiling big mentioning the gone for sale sign. He said nobody wanted it. I asked “Philippines?” Not only did he say yes, dude invited me to go with him. He said dont think about it too long because im leaving in a couple days. I never saw him again. I gave it a hard thought. By this time my dad was in ill health, my mom had been in ill health for a few years. I was their caregiver. I used to sale out of Newport Beach harbor often in the 2000s. I haven’t sailed since 2007. I miss it. And I barely knew the guy to be in that small of a space. But it was obvious he was a hard core sailing dude, knew what he was doing. Im wondering if that was his grave.
superb adventure Sarah,that house has definitly seen better days yet still imteresting oh and i totally know those feelings you get when venturing into an abandoned home and aomatimes feeling sad sometimes happy and onto the next well looking forward to your next adventure please stay safe and blessed!
Really interesting. I enjoyed the adventure. TFS 👍
Very respectful , Sarah Jane! Great video!
You do get a feeling of sadness about that place or at least i did. I liked the line about how we all leave something behind when we go to wherever we go when we kick the bucket lol liked the video you take care
Quite touching...Thanks.
Excellent video, one of your best.
Nice work might be one of my favorite videos yet.👍🏽
I love the way you told his story very nice thank you for sharing it was interesting 👍
Thanks Wonderhussy you are terrific, I love your videos.................thanks for the historical info re Paul Watkins, I knew his brother John Watkins well, and knew that the Manson family thing was a part of John's brothers past but never knew the story.........thanks, and FWIW another commenter said that Paul hitchhiked to CA.....I know the Watkins kids did grow up at Thousand Oaks CA..............take care!
That was hellova interesting- great video!!!
Little on Paul Watkins
1-25-1850 to 8-3-1990
Brought up normal middle class, Christian family.
Met Manson Apr "68. Family member mid "68 til early "70. Testified against Manson Oct "70. AKA Little Paul. Was Manson's chief lieutenant.
Cool stuff: Watkins was founder & first prez of Death Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Lectured about cults & drug abuse.
He appeared as himself in "73 documentary Manson He composed, performed music in the film. He also performed with Poison for awhile.
Diagnosed with cancer in "89. Died "90 from leukemia.
Unofficial mayor of Tecopa where he lived with 2nd wife & 2 daughters. One is writer Claire Vaye Watkins
I wasn't much younger than the girls at the farm
Paul died in August 1990. I know someone who lived in Tecopa when Paul did. He knew Paul and also Brooks Poston.
I think it is obvious from this and in fact all your videos the extent of your empathy. Great job WH!
First time viewer and appreciate all the details....xxxx
Probably your most touching video! Very Very cool and you so good at doing your homework,,Stay well Safe travels
Fascinating!
It's funny to hear you refer to things from my youth as really old! lol It's cool to hear of the Mansons, though. I would not have read the books and was never paying attention back then. Thanks for telling the story I had missed. The news is much more interesting in your documentaries!
Another fascinating video, not much left of that house!
I found this on Find A Grave for his wife - "Martha met Paul Alan Watkins in a bar on the southenmost edge of Death Valley and they married on 28 September 1982 in Clark County, Nevada. They had two daughters, one the writer, Claire Vaye Watkins. They started a newspaper, then the Tecopa, Inyo, Nevada chamber of commerce. Paul died of leukaemia on 3 August 1990."
From Gaylyn Daniels. "This is the memorial for my mother. She was married to Ronald Daniels in 1996, her remains are just west of Villa Anita in Death Valley, Ca., 35.842029, -116.217684
She is survived by three daughters, Claire Vaye Watkins, Lise Ann Watkins and Gaylyn Renee Daniels."
Looking at where her remains are reported to be, it's possible she stayed in the house until her death.
Yes , I'm glad too ;
Thank you , Wonder
I lived in the Simi Hills about a 10 minute walk from Spahn. In 1969. His gang lived at the back ranch house and sold drugs and hot car parts. In early 1970 Watkins was almost killed for ratting out Manson in Inyo county. The girls threw homemade napalm ( soap & gasoline) into his van and he had terrible burns. He took off after healing.
Good show. I am in Maine
Watson passed aug 3 1990..
Jeff Notti> Watson (Tex), Manson's chief henchman is still ALIVE! You meant to type Watkins. Easy mistake (Watson-Watkins) since Watson is far more notorious.
@@delstanley1349 auto spell man.... sucks.
@@jeffnotti9932 > Then again, a "son" IS a "kin."
8 days after I was born...
@@TutiFruity7103 Braaaaahaaaaahaaaahaaaa.... that explains A Lot!!!
Great video!!
good and interesting upload, thank you
I love your sentimental reactions to teddy bears and lion costumes and such. I thought of the daughters watching, too. thanks
Great story telling! I enjoyed you style! Thank you for being such a great reporter! Best wishes and stay safe on your adventures!🧧🤙🌺
Really good video and very interesting. And yes you're right, reading a biography is much like getting to know the person, so in a way, you did know him. It's understandable that this explore hit a little closer to home for you.
You ROCK !!
Always a Pleasure !
Be Safe 🌹
U r the best story teller! Love it
I used to teach at Death Valley High School in Shoshone
I could've been at Simi Valley HS at the same time as Watkins.
Clark once again we bump into each other. Of course we were in high school when all this went down, and I lived just below the the top of Topanga. They were situated just north of us at Spahn in Chatsworth. My father was manager at the Simi Valley Pacific Telephone office and had visited the ranch. My neighbors were acquainted with the LaBianca's. According to Buglosi's book the killers return route brought them through Topanga Cyn. and right by my house on August 8th 1969. Loved the photos that you sent and would enjoy seeing more if there is any.
Alright, I watched this about a year or two ago. I couldn’t leave a comment. I wanted to. But, I’ve been using my moms phone. I’m still using it. But, I opened an account of my own on her phone. Tecopa looks nice. Plus Paul Watkins is a big part of the Manson Family regardless of his opinions. Tecopa reminds me of a cornucopia.💛
Living on the east coast without deserts.It looks like they really preserves things really well...Although it looks like the heat gave those records a beat down..
Paul Watkins died 8/3/1990. He became the unofficial mayor of Tecopa, after having founded the Death Valley Chamber of Commerce. I just watched an interview of him, which led to finding this video. He went on to trying to help parents and kids stay away from cults. Sad that he died at 40. He was replaced in the "the family" by Bobby Beausoleil aka "Cupid" as the "chick magnet" that Manson used to lure in the young girls. In Manson's own words, "I love them little girls!" And since Charlie was an ugly little cuss, he had to have the pretty boys around to lure them in and keep them in.
Very informative Mahalo little Sister, Blessings
Paul was an early member but said that he left before the murders. As far as Mansons 2nd in command I heard it was Bruce Davis then Tex Watson when it came to doing his dirty work i.e. killing and murdering
Have fun..... 5 stars once again !
Interesting story !
A nice little wonder hussy adventure. Cool story and info. Rember the murders so well as reported on the 📺 news and newspapers. Be safe.
I was in death valley years ago scotty's castle and we saw the manson school bus at barker ranch, there was also a swimming pool there, I was there in 70-75 that is all rough country, like your personality and your exploring curious nature,
I looked that label up and it is in fact from the 60-70's era.
Quite sad video. It is a pity no one saved all that stuff. Also, I don't blame Paul Watkins for living there. If I were him, I can imagine I would likely have been both, ashamed AND scared of my own relatives....
The grave of the guy who liked the sea, didn't the desert use to be under the ocean?
I love how you look over your sunglasses!
Thanks For the very informative video, WH. I hadn't heard anything about Watkins in years. I'd nearly forgotten all about him. Thanks for reminding me that there was one
person at least who was persuaded to drift away from Charles Manson. Paul Crocket did good...real good.
I just found your channel I love it I go around in a tent trailer with a Subaru on mine
I Googled Verona and the clothing line still exists! Cool video! Thank you💜🙏
Really Enjoyed 💓
awesome video.
Good story telling.
Wow.
Paul Watkins died in 1990 and was the unofficial mayor of Tecopa.
You are such a wonderful hussy