James Ellison (polygamist) - Possible Ties To The Oklahoma City Bombing

Possible Ties To The Oklahoma City Bombing

There are several claims that the April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City bombing was tied to the "New Day" teachings of Elohim City, but no proof has ever been established. Elohim City was assembled for the purpose of gathering "prophets of the New Day". Robert Millar envisioned himself to be the "Shepherd of Shepherds", traveling to numerous alternate societies such as communes. His ambition was to unite these "underground" organizations. He appeared several times at the Padanaram Settlement in southern Indiana but, contrary to reports, members of the Padanaram Settlement did not concur with the radical calling of either Millar or Ellison who made two appearances there. "The Valley" was and remains known more as a cultural hub for artists and philosophers; until roughly 2003, it operated the largest deciduous hardwood sawmill in five states. Timothy McVeigh was tied to several radical religious organizations, but McVeigh was not yet exposed to the charismatic messages of these groups in his youth and was just joining the Army at the time that a siege broke up the CSA compound.

The Oklahoma City Bombing occurred very close to the 10-year anniversary of the siege of the CSA compound. However, the most plausible link is that Richard Wayne Snell, who was executed on the day of the bombing, had planned a similar attack on the Murrah building in 1983 after becoming upset with the IRS. Snell was heard taunting jailers that something drastic would happen on the day of his execution. It is plausible that McVeigh may have been mentored by Snell since Snell frequented gun shows, a CSA practice until shortly before Snell made active contact with the group. Snell did not, however, reside on the property. CSA considered him to be a "patron". Shortly after McVeigh was released from the Army, he became very active at gun shows.

Erroneous accounts in one of Tom Clancy's books would give rise to images of CSA bank robbery. The single incident of CSA involvement to rob a pawn shop in Springfield, Missouri was led by Wayne Snell and foiled by a CSA member on the orders of Jim Ellison.

The death knell of CSA was their attempt to kill FBI agent Jack Knox and a federal judge. The judge had presided over the affair that brought about the eventual action against Gordon Kahl, a tax protester and member of The Posse Comitatus. Ellison was obsessed with assassinating both of these men, since he revered Kahl as a hero. McVeigh and Kahl were decorated American soldiers, Kahl having earned a Silver Star in the Korean War and McVeigh earning a Bronze Star in the first Gulf War.