crazy man in burried house

[Jaclyn]

When I lived in Nampa during the 1980's, there was a man that all of children were afraid of and it was rumored that he was an alien. Of course this was just a child's horror stories, but at the time, we were terrified. This man wore blue overalls, had a shaved head and walked all over town carrying empty milk cartons without ever talking to anyone. He lived in an ordinary neighborhood, but his house was burried up to the roof and had barbed wire all around the yard. I would like to know if anyone knows what ever happened to this man and what his story was. Does anyone else remember him? What became of him? Please tell me, I have wondered since I was 10 years old.

[Victor B]

I can give you a few details. The gentleman's name was Morris Stanke, and while he was definitely eccentric, he was neither an alien or a monster. Inside his "compound', with the barbed wire strung all over to keep people out, he said that he had various molds growing as part of his efforts to moderate and control the weather. He slept inside a station wagon that was parked inside the fence, next to the metal building that contained his experiments. At one time, he worked for the PFE shops or a railroad connected job. He died some years ago, and the lot was cleared for new construction. He had been interviewed on several TV programs, and had been the subject of newspaper articles.

[Jaclyn]

Thank you Victor B for responding to my questions. It is sad that after all of these years I remember only the unusual details about Mr. Stanke. Thanks to you I can now see that our childhood tales were nothing but make believe that unfortunately may have contributed to his status as an outcast. I can only hope that he lived a happy life.

[Robert Fields]

I remember the guy. He used to show at the IGA Supercenter thats now a PAUL'S.

[Angie]

Me and my brother Billy lived right across the street from Morris Stanke. He was always very nice to us and we would bring him plates of food during Thanksgiving and Christmas for many years. That was over 20 years ago. I was telling my kids about him and they didn't believe me.
We heard all sorts of rumors, finally when we got in out teens we would actually have conversations with him.

[les gennette]

I used to know Richard P. Stanke in Bruneau, Idaho as a child (about 45 yrs ago). He was originally from Nampa I know and he had some type of clerk job in the military. He used to sit on a hill top above my small town of Bruneau serenading us with his saxophone. He had almost a photographic memory for dates, was very eccentric. He worked at BSU as a janitor/yards keeper. Also worked at Titan Missile base in the Bruneau desert. Any info on what happened to him?

[andy]

i remember he drove a orange and white scout,i thought he lived on south powerline rd.

[Brenda]

I grew up In Nampa and we always would see him running in slow motion down 12th ave road and driving his truck. We would always drive by his house late at night for a good scare! And we would see him hiding behide his fence looking out at everybody. People in Nampa called him the "MOON MAN" And I think he lived just off of 12 ave rd on Florida by Mercy Medical. And they found him in his Car frozen one winter day.

[JDR]

What Street was his house one. Tried to find his house tonight and I am not sure it is still there

[Shannon P]

No, his house was flatened long ago. I can't remember the exact location now, everything has changed so much. SOmewhere near McDonald's on 12th. The kids who lived across the street from him would know what street it was on. And talk about "urban legends", who remembers the old barn out on 12th avenue that supposedly was a haunt of the local "Devil-worshippers" years ago? Supposedley there was blood all over inside from sacrifeces, rumored to be human. Oh and lets not forget the "Lady of the Lake" out at Gott's point. Anyone ever see her? I have.

[Angel]

haha these stories are great...love them..I'm a native and it's cool i didn't know any of this, my mom lives in nampa.

[Shannon P]

You should hear some of the stories about the State Mental Institute, oh and the 4th floor at Mercy Hopsital? HAuNTED!!!

[JDR]

Could you tell me what street this was on? Was it Maple?

[marty]

I remember the moon man. he use to live nxt door to my friend .I use to think that he was spooky untill i became a teenage and hung out nxt door all the time. Then i just thought he was a loner.