The Mystery of "Kid" Swanson

This article on Jimmy "Kid" Swanson was also posted on OlyBlog in 2006.

And the mystery remains.

This is a figure in the history of McCleary, in the history of Washington State boxing, and in the history of African Americans in the Pacific Northwest who deserves to be the subject of more research.

Bear Fest Kitchen, 1959-2002

A farewell to the original community kitchen used for cooking the bear stew for the McCleary Bear Festival. From 1986 to 1994 I lived in a house where this structure was plainly visible from the living room window of my home.

McCleary: Fact or Fiction?

Here are four historical myths (of varying degrees) about McCleary, Washington.

Sine

A short history of the now extinct town of Sine, Washington. I had also posted this in 2006 on OlyBlog under the title The Brief Town of Sine, Washington.

McCleary Memories / by Orville Pearson

One of the better personal narratives I've read about McCleary, Washington's wild history.

The Jungle Buzzard and the Ghost of Al McKean

This article from the January 1937 issue of Real Detective was too good to pass up. Although I can't seem to find a copy in my files, I think I reprinted this as part of my print-on-demand series, ca. 1994-1996.

Also supplying a short bit on Fred Lomax, who is mentioned the piece.

By coincidence, not long ago while exploring a funky old tomb in Aberdeen, I found the weird little dark cove where Al McKean is laid to rest.

And finally, a phone photo of the present Union Hall in McCleary, the site where McKean was shot.

Tall Tale or Historical Fact?

After publishing this piece, I sent it to several historians in the area and even visited the government archives in Victoria, BC. Later I posted part of this on OlyBlog.

So far no one can verify there were any brothers named Chase in the area. No one can verify the area that is now McCleary, Washington ever had any Anglo structures erected as early as 1832.