Local history buff Dave Town continues pursuing his passion as evidenced by the release of his 20th book.
The Black Swamp Gang tells a true story from 150 years ago.
“A gang of roughnecks from Oro Township terrorized north Simcoe County,” Town explained. “They carried out a 10-year campaign of robbing farms and brawling in taverns all over the area.”
When farmers would contact police to investigate the Black Swamp Gang, led by Sandy McDuff, they would find their barns burned or their dogs killed.
“They intimidated the farmers with violence,” Town said. “If they did try to call the police, bad things would happen, so they wouldn’t say anything.”
About 30 armed farmers resorted to hiring vigilantes who would assist in hunting down the Black Swamp Gang members.
“It’s quite a story in the history of our area,” Town said. “This has taken me two years to research. It’s been really sketchy trying to put all of this together, but I was able to find all kinds of sources.”
Town is often researching, writing, and looking for local stories that catch his eye.
“Orillia has a phenomenal history,” he said. “There are so many fascinating things that have happened here.”
It amazes Town that he has yet to run out of ideas to write about. There is always something to learn.
“When I’m researching something, I come across something else while going through old newspapers,” he explained. “I tuck it away for future reference and come back to it, which leads me to the next topic.”
He is already researching two stories for his next two books.
Carving out a career as an author may be surprising to those who went to school with Town in Orillia.
“I’m not someone who got great marks in English or high school,” he said. “I never dreamt I could be a writer.”
In 1997, he began researching the history of Orillia’s YMCA, which held a special place in the heart and history of his family. He spent 10 years pulling information together and found many stories he wanted to share with the community.
“People say ... they pick up my books and they don’t want to put them down until they finish them,” he said. “I had no idea I knew how to put words on paper, but people seem to enjoy the way I write.”
He hopes readers can use the stories of the past and apply them to the present.
“When you study society, you see patterns,” he said. “You see things that happened in the past, how people responded to them, and you can apply that to today.”
The Black Swamp Gang is available at Manticore Books for $15.
