We’ve had
plaster casts of bare footprints left after a chase on Orcas Island. We’ve had
his mom trying to sell a confidential list of crime victims eligible for
restitution. We’ve even had former prison mates of Colton’s selling letters
written to him by his mom…
The latest
offering of Colton Harris-Memorabilia, however, is something different: It’s of
proven, police-sworn provenance showing that it’s legit; it’s famously tied to his spree and was covered in every newspaper, book, and TV story; and the money earned from its sale is going to a great cause.
This new framed
collection of Barefoot Bandit souvenirs is now up on Ebay, listed under “Historical
Memorabilia/Gangsters & Criminals.”
Inside the
frame you’ll find the $100 Colton left at the Vetter Animal Hospital in
Raymond, Washington once he left Orcas Island and began his cross-country road trip
that ended with the flight to the Bahamas on the 4th of July.
It was universally
reported at the time that Colton left a $100 bill, but we discover that no, it
was a collection of bills including $20s, $10s, $5s, $1s and even three $2s. Along with the
fanned bills are the police report, evidence bag, and the Washington State
Patrol Crime Lab report stating they recovered Harris-Moore’s fingerprints on
one of the bills and on the famous note that read:
“Drove by, had
some extra cash. Please use this money for the care of animals”
The original
note was written on a page torn from the owner’s manual of a car Colton had
stolen. So that was returned to its owner. The frame does, however, include a
copy of the note.
The bids have already topped $1,000. According to Vetter’s, all proceeds of the sale will benefit
the Harbor Association of Volunteers of Animals, which is an animal welfare
group in Raymond involved with only no-kill shelters.
One of the
coolest and most valuable things about this piece of history is that it speaks
directly to one of the most interesting discussions about Colton and some of his
actions, our reactions to it all, and fame—including both the seeking and reverence
of it.
Colton always
professed a love of animals and an interest in animal welfare, so it’s
certainly in character that he would leave a donation with an animal hospital. Some
folks, however, might wonder where he got the cash to make the donation.
That then
leads to the Robin Hood debate: that he stole from the rich to give to the poor
dogs. When I talk about this in my book, though, I have to remind readers that
many of the crime victims were not rich, and most of what he stole (during the
time after he fled the halfway house) went to support himself while he was on
the run. Still, he made the gesture… And around we go.
What’s even
more interesting about this episode, though, is that Colton repeatedly insisted
during and after his run that he didn’t want the attention, that he didn’t
understand why people were making a bid deal over him, about how silly the
people following on his Facebook groups were. And, of course, how he hatred the
press who covered him, all of whom he called “paparazzi.”
So why then instead
of leaving the money anonymously—since, after all, anything he did during these
months made the news—did he sign the note he left at Vetter’s:
“Colton
Harris-Moore (AKA “The Barefoot Bandit” Camano Island)”?
That, to me,
makes this the coolest piece of Barefoot Bandit memorabilia we’ve seen. Hang it up and start the debate: Was Colton a hypocrite? Just naive? Or was he brilliant enough to realize that he could multiply his donation to the animals more than tenfold by signing it with his real name then becoming more famous by stealing another plane, getting arrested after a shootout in the Bahamas and going to prison, knowing all along that the evidence would be returned to the animal hospital so they could auction it off?
It's the ultimate conversation piece--and it's a hell of a lot easier to display in your living room than a broken airplane.
And to top it
off, the money goes to a great cause!
I hope the
bids go sky high.
