Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/b7uzv9/Episode_30abul2.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadIn this episode, we discuss the Dick Shikat double-cross
Who is the greatest legitimate professional wrestler to wrestle in the United States? How do
Rarely does one fundamentally alter their profession but Stanislaus Zbyszko did just that on April
Tom Hyer won the American Bare Knuckle Prizefighting Championship in 1841. Like most prizefighting champions
St. Louis Chief of Detectives William Desmond would be primarily responsible for the security of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Prior to the fair opening in April 1904, Desmond played a critical role in St. Louis’ boodling investigation. During his boodling investigation, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Joseph “Holy Joe” Folk indicted City Councilman Charles Kratz for taking bribes or
In this post, which was previously a podcast, we will discuss the epic sixty-one round draw between James J. Corbett and Peter Jackson in 1891. This bout prepared Corbett for his successful challenge of John L. Sullivan in 1892. Main Content – On March 21, 1891, the most serious contender for the inactive John L. Sullivan’s world championship broke the color
A question I’m often asked during classes and seminars is “Can I become invincible by learning self-defense?” The short answer is “No” but they are asking the wrong questions. Better questions would be: “What can I do to make myself a less desirable target?” “How can I get in better shape to successfully repel an attack?” “What techniques should
Marie H. “Babe” Johannpeter was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 17, 1903. “Babe” was the second child and first daughter born to my second great-uncle Julius “Uncle Jules” Johannpeter and his wife Bertha Johannpeter nee Horst. My grandfather Gilbert Ellis spent a lot of his time with Uncle Jules family, while he was growing up. Grandpa Ellis’ father
In 1904, St. Louis hosted the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition better known as the 1904 St. Louis’ Worlds Fair. While the Fair brought lots of tourists to town, criminals also made their way to the Gateway City. The man tasked with taking care of the security at the Fair and dealing with the increased criminal element in town was St. Louis’
On April 27, 2015, I had the honor of promoting my sons to Black Ranks in our system of self-defense. I promoted my oldest son Kenneth to 2nd Degree Black Rank. Kenneth was the first student I promoted to Black Rank on April 27, 2013. Over the past year and a half, Kenneth and I have been working on a
The Thirteenth Guest (1932) is the film version of an Armitage Trail story. Monogram Pictures released the early “B” film (affiliate link) starring Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot. Ginger Rogers was only 21 at the time but would go on to great stardom as Fred Astaire’s most regular dance partner. Lyle Talbot made a living through most of the late
On September 21, 1897, Joseph Bloomfield Jackson attempted to sneak into the White House armed with a loaded revolver. Jackson had boasted of plans to attack a high government official for days. Jackson was arrested before he could carry out his plans to attack President McKinley. Police quickly realized Jackson was mentally disturbed. They sent him to a Washington asylum
Roland V. West directed fourteen films in his career. Critics consider three of his films to be excellent. West directed the silent thriller The Bat in 1926. West directed his most acclaimed film, Alibi (1929), which resulted in an Oscar nomination for his friend Chester Morris. In 1930, West and Morris again collaborated on his last classic, The Bat Whispers,
On September 9, 1893, Frisco line brakeman James Pennock boarded the Frisco Line at Tower Grove in St. Louis. At the Cheltenham stop, Frisco brakeman Sam Robertson and former brakeman Muncie Ray also boarded. The men boarded the train with the intent of robbing the train at Sandy Cut, two miles east of Pacific, MO. When the train got close