True Heroes

No, not the heroes in my books.
These are real heroes that I came upon as I researched two novels.

William Francis Butler and William Henry Brewer -- the first Irish-born, the second American -- were as dissimilar as any two men could be. Yet there were things they had in common, some trivial, some more important: they share the same first name, both died in 1910, both showed compassion for the animals that pulled or carried them on their treks -- Butler for sled dogs and horses, Brewer for mules -- in an age where service animals were often treated brutally by their masters. And both had work -- albeit very different -- to do and did it courageously despite undergoing terrible physical hardships.

William Francis Butler October 31, 1838 – June 7, 1910)

Though Irish and Catholic, he is best known as a British Army officer, writer, and adventurer.
His exciting life in the army brought him to western Canada several times, one of his missions for the Canadian government to report on the state of the fur trade, the Indians and to investigate the need for troops in the west. Largely due to his report, the Canadian government formed the North West Mounted Police, which evolved into the RCMP.

Army commissions took him all over the world to posts in places such as India, Canada, West Africa, South Africa, Sudan... He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General, opposed the Boer war, for which he was criticized, even branded a maverick by the War Office, supported Home Rule for Ireland.

In 1872 Butler published "The Great Lone Land" the story of his four thousand mile journey through the Canadian west, an epic adventure that details the undertaking in such a way that reveals as much about his humanity and integrity as it does about the beauty and dangers of the land he traverses.

William Henry Brewer September 14, 1828 -- November 2, 1910

American scientist, botanist, teacher, born New York, attended Yale, then studied natural science, organic chemistry, and chemistry in Europe. During the years 1860-1864, Brewer was the chief botanist of the California Geological Survey, a comprehensive survey of the geology of California and the Pacific Coast. His journals and letters from that time were published 1930 as Up and Down California in 1860-1864.

He and his stalwart party zigzagged through California, charting many previously unexplored areas, veering from blistering desert heat to bitter high mountain cold. These often punishing treks, from

Mount Brewer, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, is named after him.

His recommendations about Alaska led to its purchase by the United States in 1867.

Brewer was known for his extensive work in public service.

– Cat




Did you ever read the memoirs Of a person who’s long dead, Survived famine, flood, and major wars And now is messing with your head?