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]
- ^ 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". W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. Retrieved 2023-06-05.