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Walker A. Tompkins
Walker A. Tompkins (1909-1988) began his writing career as a reporter for the Daily Journal. His first western novel, Gold-Plated Handcuffs, appeared in Street & Smith’s Wild West ...view moreWalker A. Tompkins (1909-1988) began his writing career as a reporter for the Daily Journal. His first western novel, Gold-Plated Handcuffs, appeared in Street & Smith’s Wild West Weekly for August 15, 1931.While working for (Portland) Sunday Oregonian, he wrote fiction for magazines, books, radio, and later television.Throughout the 1930s, often while travelling, he contributed a steady stream of fiction to Street & Smith’s Wild West Weekly. Tompkins was drafted into the Army during World War II, where he served as a correspondent in Europe. From 1946 onward, his fiction appeared in various magazines.Between 1941 and 1943, Tompkins wrote four “Masked Rider” novels for Masked Rider Western magazine. Between 1946 and 1953, he wrote 14 more novels starring the lead character, Wayne Morgan. He created many series characters all his own, including The Arizona Thunderbolt and The Boarder Eagle.Tompkins continued to write throughout his life, and served on the board of directors for the Santa Barbara Historical Society and the Santa Barbara County Landmarks Advisory Committee. In 1975, he was honored by the California State Legislature for his contributions in the area of regional history.view less