Kaweah Drifter
About My Moniker
The name Kaweah has its origin with the Yokuts tribe called the Gawea who lived in an area upstream from Visalia. Eventually, the name became Kaweah and is connected to so many things, including a mountain peak, basin, gap, hospital, and probably it is most recognized as a river. Today, the word Kaweah refers to a generalized geographic area in and around the Kaweah River in Tulare County. So Kaweah (Gawea), generally defines the area in which I write about - a region that roughly translates to " crow cry people" referring to the abundance of these black birds that lived in the watery area.
The term drifter means a person who moves from place to place, and that is exactly what my writing does. I cover a wide array of historical topics all with the intent to explain, share, and entertain.
About Me
I was born in Minnesota and spent my first 10 years of life on the family farm. For health reasons my father had to leave farming and our family moved to the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne. Shortly after high school graduation in 1965, I enlisted in the U. S. Army. For nearly 3 years I served in the military police corps in overseas and stateside assignments as a military policeman.
After military service and higher education, I began my career as a police officer with Manhattan Beach. Then in 1972 my wife and I moved to Visalia where I continued my law enforcement career with the Visalia Police Department, retiring in 1997.
Educationally, I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Long Beach State University and a Master’s from Chapman University. I am a graduate of the California Police Command College and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
I enjoy learning about the old west, especially Tulare County’s part in creating it. For over three decades I have studied Tulare County history and have written about a broad range of history subjects, but as a career lawman, I must admit I have a special interest in the early peace officers and the badmen they pursued.
I have written hundreds of local history columns and articles for newspapers including the Visalia Times-Delta, Fresno Bee and Valley Voice. I have written for Direct Magazine and I am currently a regular contributor to Lifestyle and The Good Life magazines. In addition, I have authored 4 books and for several years I wrote and published a blog called “Historic Happenings” which remains online today www.visaliahistory.blogspot.com.
I am a member of several history organizations including Visalia Heritage, Inc., the Tulare County Historical Society (TCHS), and the Wild West History Association (WWHA).
Laraine, or Lari as she is known, has been my wife of over 50 years, and is always at my side with creative and technical support. I am so lucky to have her. We have one daughter, Lyndsay, who created this website and has repaired many old photographs that were badly damaged. Her keen eye and technical ability free up my time for more writing. Chad, our son-in-law has extensive experience in media, especially television and social media. He generously shares his talent and contacts when I ask for his help on historical projects. Our grandchildren, Maggie and Lars, have added so much joy and happiness to our lives. They are two very special children.