SIGN LANGUAGE: SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE MAN IN OKLAHOMA
Text and photos by Colby Weaver
In Perry Oklahoma, there is a rancher by the name of David Nemechek, who apparently has a beef with the local government. Sometimes referred to as the "X-Files" ranch, sometimes the conspiracy house, David Nemechek's home has been turned into an ever-growing statement against the government of Noble County, it's law enforcement officers, and the city of Perry itself.

Just from reading the signs, the story seems to go like this: David Nemechek moved to Noble County with his family. After a period of time, something happened, either to get him on the bad side of the law, or to get the law on the bad side of him. That is when strange things start happening: cattle starts getting mutilated and murdered, harassing phone calls, strange drum beats in the middle of the night, threats on his family’s lives, and other things. It would seem that David did not appreciate this, so he fought back the only way he knew how: by posting signs in his front yard.

Some are small, short lines, saying simple things such as "We Are Whistleblowers" and "Stop Your Lies." Some are long, telling the complete story of what seems to be going on. Some are on wood, hand painted and painstakingly crafted. Some are on steel, with stick on letters forming the message. The signs form what looks like a giant ransom note, pieced together from various sources, all lined up along his property.

I first time I came across this place was on my way out to one of the Indian Hospitals in the state to work on their computers. It was just random luck that I happened to take the road I did, and came by Mr. Nemechek's home. It felt creepy, but I was so curious that I slowed down as much as I could to read them all. Taking the time to read them is a dangerous sport, however, as the road is highly traveled, as well as marked by the county Sheriff with signs warning against stopping on the side of the road. When I got the pictures you see here, I was taking them at 35 mph (the speed limit is 60 m.p.h. I believe) with a county sheriff tailing me the whole time. Needless to say, I was only able to get a few good shots.

Everything I have read about this place tells me that Mr. Nemechek is a nice man, who encourages people to read his signs and such. I, however, was quite creeped out by the place. Of course, like I said before, it didn't help that I was being followed by a police officer at the time of my visit. I do, however, plan on going back for more pictures.