MARK KOERNKE

HE WAS A BOY WHO LIKED TO JUMP OUT OF THE WOODS AND SCARE PEOPLE, A NEIGHBOR REMEMBERS OF MARK KOERNKE. EVERY DAY, FAITHFULLY, HE'D PLAY ARMY. HE WOULD RUN THROUGH THE WOODS OF THE SEMI-RURAL MICHIGAN ISLAND THEY ALL LIVED ON, CARRYING GUNS MADE OF UNPAINTED WOOD. THE BOY CLAIMED TO HAVE A SECRET FORT GUARDED WIT

In the Five Mile Road branch of Livonia, Michigan's, public library, they are waiting. The hall has been filled for at least half an hour -- a sea of farmers mixed with auto workers mixed with men dressed in camouflage. But they wait gladly, since they know why Mark Koernke is late. Newspapers all over the country covered his appearance yesterday in Palm Springs, California. Tonight's audience, which was here for him back when he was just a radio voice identifying himself as "Mark from Michigan," is proud of him.

Suddenly he appears, shadowed by a bodyguard with a cobra stenciled...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!