Only A Few Remain Of Manson Hippie ‘Family’

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 10

Only A Few Remain Of Manson Hippie ‘Family’

clined to discuss their' lives with outsiders sunless there is money involved. The going rate for a newspaper interview is $2OO and recently a British television crew paid $5OO to film the ranch and its occupants. Occasionally, several of the women will come into the city and to the hall of justice to sit for a few hours at the Manson trial. Sometimes, when it is in running order, they drive into town in their battered car. Most times however, they hitch-hike. Because of the throng of reporters covering the trial, it is difficult for them to get into the court-room. Some days they just stay in the corridors and then head back to the ranch. When they do manage to get into'the court-room, however, there is no doubt of the affection that passes between them and the defendants. There are smiles and excited half whispers that halt only when the bailiff seats the defendants with their backs to the spectators. It seems clear to those who watch that Manson is really all these girls have to treasure, along with the bond that has grown among them for each other. “He’s the only one who cares,” one of the girls said recently. “When he is free, we’U all live together again.”