From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library
Webb City Area Genealogical Society
King Jack Park was opened and dedicated in July 1969 during a celebration sponsored by the Community Betterment Committee.
Part of the fun was at the expense of Mayor Robert J. Baker and Councilman Dick DeMier, who were arrested for bad behavior. All was in great fun, of course, and the Sentinel reported on the bogus arrest:
WEBB CITY, MO. – The grand opening of Webb City’s King Jack Municipal Park was “marred” Saturday afternoon with the “arrest” of two long-sought “desperate thugs.”
Webb City police reported that at 3:22 o’clock Saturday afternoon they “arrested” two men, charging one with “mashing and operating a clip joint, interfering with a police office, and operating the same clip joint.
Despite repeated claims by the two that they were the mayor of Webb City and a city councilman, the two men were handcuffed to the door post of the squad car and brought to the city jail.
One of the men, who identified himself as R.J. Baker, and who claimed to be the mayor of Webb City, reportedly was accused of mashing by a Mrs. R.J. Baker, who told police the man had the nerve to call her “sweetheart.” The incident occurred within the confines of King Jack Park in view of hundreds of witnesses.
Police officers George Hancock and Larry Parrill, who were credited with the “arrest,” said the other man, who claimed to be Richard DeMier and identified himself as a city councilman, asked that famous trial lawyer Perry Mason be called in on the case. Hancock said he attempted to locate Mason, but was unable to make contact. He said Baker kept asking for some attorney named Judd (reference to the 1967 TV series “Judd for the Defense”).
The two men were released from custody on $5,000 bond each, Hancock said. He said that police were maintaining a constant survey on the two, who were released to the custody of their wives.
Of course, the two “desperate criminals” were Mayor Baker and Councilman DeMier, who were adding their share to the spirit of fun that prevailed during the opening of the park Saturday.
