Gene Bicknell is by all accounts a deeply religious man--a genuine born again, fundamentalist Christian. He is, or at least was, a really rich guy. Unlike many these days he actually did start on the economic ground floor and then worked his way up. Gene Bicknell was born in Picher, Oklahoma, but his family moved to southeast Kansas--a short trip from Picher--when he was young. According to his bio he worked his way through what is now, Pittsburg State University in his adopted hometown. Depending on the source he either sold insurance locally or was a s sales rep for a couple of national concerns. What everyone can agree on is in 1962 Bicknell opened his first Pizza Hut franchise in Pittsburg.
It was the first of many. By 2006 he was the largest franchisee in the chain owning close to 800 stores spread across 26 states. In the same year he sold them all to Merrill Lynch and Associates for what has been reported to be $615 million.
Brother Bicknell had other interests besides tossing pizza dough. He wrote TV screen plays, did some part time local radio and TV sportscasting, and even scored a few acting gigs. (In 1979 he played a rival gang member in Walter Hill's, "The Warriors.") He also became involved in politics. He ran for Governor of Kansas twice, although both times he lost in republican primaries. In addition, he owned a plastic container manufacturing firm and an entertainment venue in Branson, MO known as the Mansion Theater. The company that was created to run the theater was called, Mansion Entertainment Group. Mr. Bicknell hired Larry K. Wilhite, a flockless pastor, to lead the group.
Then things began to go sideways.
Sometime during, or before 2022 Wilhite hooked up with Richard, call me Rick, Silanskas and Stephen Hedrick. Silanskas had been involved in three failed amusement/entertainment proposals in the past. Two were in the Ft. Worth, TX area and one in Muscle Shoals, AL. Hedrick, was a former design executive for Disney who one supposes was slated to be the head, "Imagineer." When things got rolling, however, he ended up being the group's front man.
In 2022 the three of them began to hit up Gene Bicknell for money--lots and lots of money--to finance a sure fire success. It would be called American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, a $2 plus billion adventure in capitalism at its most daring. They told the aging Bicknell, who at the time was 90 or so, and anyone else who would listen the planned venue would be a world class destination rivaling anything the Disney people had built. They also insisted, at least to Gene Bicknell, the project was not just divinely inspired but had been enthusiastically endorsed by the Lord God Almighty. Bicknell, who despite his riches didn't have anywhere near $2 billion, took the bait.
By 2023 Hedrick, accompanied by Vinita's Mayor and other dignitaries announced to the world the construction of American Heartland would begin soon, and the park would be open for business in 2026. As proof they pointed to a chunk of land which had been purchased that was now fenced in and accessed by a recently built gravel road, presumably for construction vehicles.
Over the next year Hedrick, Wilhite, and Silankas kept running to Bicknell for money. When he seemed reluctant, they went to places not even Nigerian internet grifters would dare go. Bicknell began receiving emails and texts from someone who claimed to be, "Sister Catherine." She told him in no uncertain terms God in heaven had decreed the park should be finished. Bicknell also got messages from a, "medium," saying in her visions the Lord had advised her the same thing.
You know where this is going, don't you. Finally, God, the Creator of Heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen, began directly messaging Gene Bicknell via electronic devices. One such message is reported to have said, "This mission will not tolerate anything but ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE and ABSOLUTE CLIFF-DIVING FAITH FROM THE HIGHEST MOUNT ABOVE THE SEA. NOW LISTEN. I AM INSTRUCTING YOU TO EMPTY THE WAREHOUSES AND ACCELERATE THIS MISSION WITHOUT DELAY. TRUST THEM COMPLETELY AND AVOID INSERTING DISTRACTIONS OR DOUBTFUL QUESTIONS."
That's some pretty heavy Old Testament shit for a 90 year old guy who is trying to repent for his sins. Sins like acting in an 80's slasher flick which featured a college aged girl getting her head cut off while she is--yes--giving head. (Hey, we all have a past.)
Needless to say, the whole scam is falling apart now. As of this year the park remains an empty plot of land. The only construction that has ever taken place is that fence and the gravel road. Bicknell, probably thanks to his family, recently filed suit in federal court seeking $60 million from his three, "partners." (At one point God had instructed him to give Hedrick, Wilhite, and Silankas complete control of the park if it ever did get built.) The suit includes allegations that while Wilhite and Silankas were forging the name of the Lord on divine messages, at the same time they were forging Bicknell's signature on checks and other paperwork.
It's doubtful Gene Bicknell will ever see a dime of that money. If those tens of millions he kicked in haven't been spent already--large portions of it paid the salaries of the three guys who supposedly were running the project--it is probably sitting in some offshore bank. Besides,a lawsuit like this can take years and it has been reported that last year, Gene Bicknell suffered a, "crippling," stroke. Combine his age with his health and it's a safe bet he doesn't have a long time left.
The Tulsa World reports Hedrick and Wilhite have left the project--possibly for an extended trip to the Cayman Islands. Meanwhile there was no word on the whereabouts of Rick Silankas. The World recently received an email purportedly from Hedrick saying that currently millions are owed to design consultants and architects who have worked on the park's plans.
If true, that revelation proves really only one thing. When you're running a con this big you have to go all the way.
Well, that and there are a lot more suckers than just one born every minute.
Sic Vita Est
8-5-25
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