Duncan McCollum

Born in Berkeley Ca, in 1956 the youngest of three, Duncan spent many hours sitting around the kitchen table at his Grandparents home, listening to his Great-Uncles and Aunts reminisce about the early pioneer days of California as related by their Parents and Grandparents. He loved hearing about notorious bandits such as Black Bart, Three Finger Jack, Tiburcio Vasquez and Joaquin Murrieta and how they roamed up and down California wreaking havoc.

He recalls hearing about his Great Great Grandpa, James McDougall's journey from Scotland to America and how he ramrodded a wagon train across the plains in 1849. McDougall then became the first Marshal of Salinas only to be shot in the lung trying to stop a shootout between two disgruntled citizens. McDougall lived to the ripe old age of 84 despite his lead filled lung. The bullet ultimately did him in though, as pneumonia settled in the afflicted lung.

It is amazing to see this novel published considering Duncan grew up with severe dyslexia. He often says he did not learn to read until he was 28 years old. Thank God he listened well, for otherwise the many tales of the American West may never have been told.

Dr. Duncan McCollum has been practicing chiropractic in Santa Cruz County since 1989, and has raised three amazing children Will, Natalie and Angus with his beautiful wife Elizabeth.