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Jean Baptiste Paul

Jean Baptiste Paul (1896 – November 23, 1966)[1] was a Canadian wrestler from the Tsartlip First Nation, who is better known by his ring name, Chief Thunderbird.

Early life and education edit

Paul was born into the Tsartlip Nation in Brentwood, Vancouver Island. His father was Tommy Paul, and his grandfather was Ben Paul; both men were chiefs, and Jean Baptiste Paul was also a hereditary chief. He grew up in Saanich, British Columbia.[1] Although his family wanted him to become a medicine man, Paul was uninterested. He ran away from home and attended a residential school on Kuper Island.[1] Following this, he attended the Cushman School in Tacoma, Washington where he competed in baseball, basketball, boxing, football, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, and wrestling.[1]

Wrestling career edit

Paul debuted in 1933 as Chief Thunderbird.[1] He wore "regalia" for his matches (more stereotypical than true Tsartlip regalia),[2] and he is cited as being one of several wrestlers to popularize "stereotyped ring characters".[3] His signature move was the "Saanich Snap", which was similar to an "Indian Deathgrip", but he used his arms.[1] His career took him both across North America, to locations such as Hawaii,[2] Salt Lake City,[4][5] and to Australia and New Zealand.[2] He also continued to compete in Canada.[6]

In one 1935 match against Babe Smallinski, Chief Thunderbird's tackle knocked out both men, but Chief Thunderbird recovered first and was able to win the match.[3]

In the early 1940s Paul took time off from wrestling, although he returned to the sport in the late 1940s.[1]

In the 1950s, Chief Thunderbird competed in the United Kingdom, where he found popularity during his tours in 1951-1952 and 1954–1955.[7][8]

In 1955 he toured India.[1]

He retired in 1955 following an injury where he broke his leg in two places; he had previously said he planned to wrestle until he turned sixty.[1]

Post-wrestling life and death edit

In February 1957 Paul spoke out against the proposed transfer of 700 acres of Tsartlip-controlled property near Goldstream to the Provincial government.[9] Paul enjoyed gardening, playing instruments, and dancing in his retirement.[1]

Paul died in November 1966 after two weeks in St. Joseph's Hospital, Saanich, British Columbia.[1]

Personal life edit

Paul and his wife Julia had six children, three sons and three daughters - all of whom survived Paul; at the time of his death, he also had 29 grandchildren.[1]

Legacy edit

Following his death in 1966, a totem pole, designed by his nephew, Benjamin Paul, was erected in the elder Paul's honour. It was unveiled in August 1969.[1]

In 1978, the headdress Paul wore for his wrestling matches in the 1940s was donated to the BC Sports Hall of Fame.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Oliver, Greg (August 9, 2006). "Chief Thunderbird: Canadian legend". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  2. ^ a b c d Rud, Jeff (17 February 2008). "Island sports legend's trademark on display". Times Colonist. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b Perry, Douglas (2017-06-29). "Portland has a glorious history of women wrestling spectacles". oregonlive. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  4. ^ "DETTON SCORES IN 18:22; Pins Chief Thunderbird in Bout at Hippodrome". The New York Times. 1938-03-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  5. ^ Jenson, Harold H (March 10, 1945). "Longson Battles Down Thunderbird". Deseret News. p. 8. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Al Mills Takes Measures of Chief Thunderbird Before Fair Crowd Saturday Night". Hanna Herald. June 22, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  7. ^ Johnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg; Mooneyham, Mike (2013-01-11). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-77090-269-5.
  8. ^ "WRESTLING—THE RED INDIAN WAY". Dundee Courier. 28 March 1951. p. 5.
  9. ^ "This Time 66 Years Ago - February 1957". W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. Retrieved 2023-06-05.

jean, baptiste, paul, 1896, november, 1966, canadian, wrestler, from, tsartlip, first, nation, better, known, ring, name, chief, thunderbird, contents, early, life, education, wrestling, career, post, wrestling, life, death, personal, life, legacy, referencese. Jean Baptiste Paul 1896 November 23 1966 1 was a Canadian wrestler from the Tsartlip First Nation who is better known by his ring name Chief Thunderbird Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Wrestling career 3 Post wrestling life and death 4 Personal life 5 Legacy 6 ReferencesEarly life and education editPaul was born into the Tsartlip Nation in Brentwood Vancouver Island His father was Tommy Paul and his grandfather was Ben Paul both men were chiefs and Jean Baptiste Paul was also a hereditary chief He grew up in Saanich British Columbia 1 Although his family wanted him to become a medicine man Paul was uninterested He ran away from home and attended a residential school on Kuper Island 1 Following this he attended the Cushman School in Tacoma Washington where he competed in baseball basketball boxing football lacrosse soccer track and field and wrestling 1 Wrestling career editPaul debuted in 1933 as Chief Thunderbird 1 He wore regalia for his matches more stereotypical than true Tsartlip regalia 2 and he is cited as being one of several wrestlers to popularize stereotyped ring characters 3 His signature move was the Saanich Snap which was similar to an Indian Deathgrip but he used his arms 1 His career took him both across North America to locations such as Hawaii 2 Salt Lake City 4 5 and to Australia and New Zealand 2 He also continued to compete in Canada 6 In one 1935 match against Babe Smallinski Chief Thunderbird s tackle knocked out both men but Chief Thunderbird recovered first and was able to win the match 3 In the early 1940s Paul took time off from wrestling although he returned to the sport in the late 1940s 1 In the 1950s Chief Thunderbird competed in the United Kingdom where he found popularity during his tours in 1951 1952 and 1954 1955 7 8 In 1955 he toured India 1 He retired in 1955 following an injury where he broke his leg in two places he had previously said he planned to wrestle until he turned sixty 1 Post wrestling life and death editIn February 1957 Paul spoke out against the proposed transfer of 700 acres of Tsartlip controlled property near Goldstream to the Provincial government 9 Paul enjoyed gardening playing instruments and dancing in his retirement 1 Paul died in November 1966 after two weeks in St Joseph s Hospital Saanich British Columbia 1 Personal life editPaul and his wife Julia had six children three sons and three daughters all of whom survived Paul at the time of his death he also had 29 grandchildren 1 Legacy editFollowing his death in 1966 a totem pole designed by his nephew Benjamin Paul was erected in the elder Paul s honour It was unveiled in August 1969 1 In 1978 the headdress Paul wore for his wrestling matches in the 1940s was donated to the BC Sports Hall of Fame 2 References edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m Oliver Greg August 9 2006 Chief Thunderbird Canadian legend Slam Wrestling Retrieved 2023 06 05 a b c d Rud Jeff 17 February 2008 Island sports legend s trademark on display Times Colonist Retrieved 4 June 2023 a b Perry Douglas 2017 06 29 Portland has a glorious history of women wrestling spectacles oregonlive Retrieved 2023 06 05 DETTON SCORES IN 18 22 Pins Chief Thunderbird in Bout at Hippodrome The New York Times 1938 03 22 ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2023 06 05 Jenson Harold H March 10 1945 Longson Battles Down Thunderbird Deseret News p 8 Retrieved 4 June 2023 Al Mills Takes Measures of Chief Thunderbird Before Fair Crowd Saturday Night Hanna Herald June 22 1950 p 1 Retrieved 5 June 2023 Johnson Steven Oliver Greg Mooneyham Mike 2013 01 11 The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Heroes and Icons ECW Press ISBN 978 1 77090 269 5 WRESTLING THE RED INDIAN WAY Dundee Courier 28 March 1951 p 5 This Time 66 Years Ago February 1957 W SANEC Leadership Council Retrieved 2023 06 05 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jean Baptiste Paul amp oldid 1167261313, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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