Poundmaker & Barclay

My latest book, Barclay of the Mounted, is a young man's memoir of his life in the North-West Mounted Police in the latter half of the 19th century.

One of the real-life characters Barclay encounters is Plains Cree chief Pihtokahanapiwiyin also known as Poundmaker (1842-1886).

Poundmaker was described as "tall and good looking, slightly built with an intelligent face, in which a large Roman nose was prominent; his bearing was so eminently dignified and his speech so well adapted to the occasion, as to impress every hearer with the earnestness of his views."

Poundmaker was arrested and imprisoned for participating in the 1885 Rebellion. He was tried and sentenced to prison. In poor health he was released after one year, Four months laterPoundmaker died of  a lung hemorrhage.

Barclay of the Mounted can be found on Amazon!

Barclay & Boxing

 My latest release is the historical detective book, Barclay of the Mounted. 

In the chapter entitled 'Battling' Barclay, we see Henry Barclay competing for the title of the boxing champ of the North-West Mounted Police. 

We also see real-life boxing champ George 'Little Chocolate' Dixon of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dixon, a Featherweight and Bantamweight, stood  5ft 3 1/2 inches (1613cm) and began his career weighing about 87 lbs (39 kg). 

George Dixon won the Bantamweight title in 1888, and in 1890 he was officially considered the champion after knocking out Nunc Wallace of England.

Dixon is credited by some for developing shadow boxing, was named a National Historic Person by the Government of Canada, became the first-ever black athlete to win a championship in any sport, and was the first Canadian-born boxing champ.

Barclay of the Mounted can be found on Amazon!

Pulp Boxing Stories

 One cannot talk about pulp magazines without mentioning the subject of boxing. During the 20s and 30s young and old could be thrilled with tales of the ring in such publications as Fight Stories, Argosy, and The Ring. 

Those who followed the sport knew the names Dempsey, Tunney, and Schmeling, so naturally, there was a market for these stories. 

In Barclay of the Mounted, there is a chapter where Barclay is competing for the 1888 boxing title in the North-West Mounted Police. Here is the opening paragraph of 'Battling' Barclay.

MALONEY’S RIGHT UPPERCUT caught me squarely under the chin and sent me back on my heels. The roar of the crowd—half cheering the other half awestruck—sounded muffled to my ears as if from far away across the prairie. I recovered quickly, shaking my head to clear it. Through bleary eyes, I looked across at my opponent. Maloney grimaced. He obviously thought that last blow should have had me down and out, but it did not. He waded in slowly and carefully. He was a brawler, with little scientific skill in the art of boxing, but that made him no less dangerous in the ring. I jabbed at him with my left to keep him at bay. It had no effect, and Maloney moved in. I read the bloodlust in his eyes. He swung his huge right fist in a deadly sweeping arc at my head. I ducked just beneath it and delivered two strong blows to his side. It felt like hitting ribbed stone. He bellowed in rage and brought his left around. It whistled past my ear. If that blow had landed, it would have been the end of the match. Maloney now had me in the corner and there was nowhere to go. He began to deliver punches, most of which I avoided, but I knew I could not avoid them much longer.

Barclay of the Mounted can be found on Amazon!