Archive for Monday, August 2, 2004
Napoleon Crews draws on Lawrence’s history
August 2, 2004
Advertisement
Napoleon Crews is Lawrence's own "dime novelist."
His novels, based on historical figures or events in the 19th century, are "short, historical stories" or "sensational fiction" meant for an inexpensive, quick read. They're published monthly by his Fireside Novels Press.
Crews fleshes out his stories with experiences drawn from his life as a private detective, martial artist, lawyer, casino operator and cowboy. His first series of novels features the character Sam Jeans in "The Man Who Tamed Lawrence," "Last Lynching on Mount Oread" and "Eldridge House Disappearances."
In late August, Crews will introduce the character of Hunter Ivey, head of a fictional Kansas Gaming Commission, in "Flight of the Golden Eagle."
Q: Sam Jeans is drawn from Lawrence history. Can you tell us about him?
A: I didn't know that I was going to write about Sam Jeans. I didn't really know who he was, but I was doing some research and I came across a photograph of a policeman in Lawrence in 1890, and there was a Negro officer there. I looked down at his name, and it was Sam Jeans, and it said he was assistant police chief and that he later had gone on to be police chief. And I got to thinking about that; 1890 Lawrence was really prejudiced. The Negroes had a hard life here during that particular point in time, and I just couldn't imagine how Sam Jeans could work his way up to assistant chief and then on to chief, and so in thinking about that and in trying to research a little bit more on him, there wasn't very much out there on Sam Jeans, so that's when the story started to build in my head.
Q: Sam Jeans is a great detective. What does it take to be a great detective?
A: A great detective is one that doesn't make any deductions about the facts until he or she has enough facts. A good detective is one who is not afraid to go out there and dig for information. And a good detective is one who is not able to see that information clearly. A lot of times you'll have a detective who will have a piece of information and they think that it means one thing. But ability, uncanniness or whatever you want to call it sometimes gives a person a different view about evidence, and those are the people who really can solve crimes, really break through on something that hasn't been able to be solved before.
Q: Did you learn that in your private detective work?
Napoleon Crews has written three "dime novels" based on Lawrence history. Crews recently visited Borders Books Music & Cafe, 700 N.H.
A: Exactly. I did. I found that I tried conventional methods for gathering information, and you have to use those. You have to know who's involved in a particular event and you have to ferret out those facts. But when it comes down to finding out who did something or where someone is located or things of that nature, it really requires thinking out of the box.
Q: What can historical fiction such as "The Man Who Tamed Lawrence" teach us about our world today?
A: Times and circumstances may change, but the human qualities required to overcome adversity and to persevere remain constant.
Q: What does Sam Jeans teach us?
A: That no matter how tough, intelligent or resourceful you are, you cannot succeed without the help and compassion of others.
Q: Who as a writer has inspired you?
A: Langston (Hughes) provides the framework for my writing. He wrote to Negro writers to say -- and he used the term Negro from back in his day -- write the truth. If something is bad, then you call it bad. If something is good, you call it good.
He also said that you portray Negroes doing something other than what the stereotype is for them, you know. They can perform like Sam Jeans. I've done it myself. I mean it's not something out of the ordinary.
And he said write books that bring people together. And that's what I hope to accomplish with Fireside Novels. My stories talk about conflict, they talk about struggle. But in the end, the people that had conflict are pulling together in my Fireside Novels, and that's all I can say about that.
| Family: Married with eight children Born: May 25, 1950, in Pueblo, Colo. Favorite food: Chili and homemade tortillas Favorite film: "Titanic" Favorite book: "The Illustrated Sherlock Holmes Treasury" Favorite style of music: Classical, but listens to all styles except rap Favorite song: "Amarillo By Morning" by George Strait Career goal: To be a writer Most compassionate people in his life: His family Grandest hope: "That the main characters in my novels will be an inspiration to those readers who are involved in struggles of their own." Favorite Lawrence place: Spencer Research Library Advice to the Lawrence community: "Lawrence's history has been one of struggles, persistence and people helping one another. Remember Lawrence history and celebrate it because those same qualities that got Lawrence through in early times will get Lawrence through the difficult times of the future." If you know someone who would make an interesting feature, contact Greg Hurd at 832-6372 or ghurd@sunflowerbroadband.com. |
Top ads RSS
- Need KU Student for summer and school year. General office ...
- KU Information Services
- COORDINATOR University of Kansas Institute for Life Span Studies/ Bureau ...
- Wanted: Experienced home remodeled, Must have tools & transportation. Call ...
- Research Assistant KU, Chemistry Requires bachelors degree in biochemistry, chemistry, ...
Marketplace
Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation & Hospice Care 785-843-3738
Find more businesses on Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Blog: Sarah Palin: With Interest July 4, 2009 · 104 comments
- Palin to resign as Alaska governor July 3, 2009 · 126 comments
- Among All-Stars, these stand out July 4, 2009 · 2 comments
- Marines push deeper into Taliban areas July 4, 2009 · 9 comments
- Franken attorneys sway election July 3, 2009 · 65 comments
- New law: Left lane only for passing July 2, 2009 · 193 comments
- Increased government control poses threat to America July 4, 2009 · 44 comments
- Blog: What's Cooking Today? July 4, 2009 · 21 comments
- Lawrence residents could face new fees July 3, 2009 · 71 comments
- Poll: Do you consider yourself to be patriotic? July 4, 2009 · 19 comments
- Kansas football rookies adjusting July 4, 2009
- Increased government control poses threat to America July 4, 2009
- Homemade potato salad is a basic American right July 3, 2009
- Coalition to gather input on aging issues July 4, 2009
- Victims are still missing 20 years after trial July 4, 2009
- Avoid a teen party disaster May 26, 2009
- Not your average piano players July 4, 2009
- Mural paints motivational message July 4, 2009
- Sunflowers blooming in local fields August 25, 2008
- Sunflower farm shows off state icon August 18, 2007



Post a comment
Comments are disabled on this story.
Post a blog entry
You have to be logged in to blog on LJWorld.com. Please log in or sign up.
Learn more about blogging on LJWorld.com.