The solitary life and violent death of Grays Harbor legend, John Tornow, popularly known for more than a century as the ‘Wildman of the Wynooche,’ is revealed in detail in a new fact-driven novel by veteran newsman Bill Lindstrom.
The author recently released his 502-page work, “John Tornow: Villain or Victim?” and will discuss the book, his research and the Tornow legend in a free presentation at the Westport Timberland Library next Thursday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m.
Years of research
A former longtime City Editor at The Daily World with a half-century of professional writing experience, Lindstrom has spent the last 28 years researching century-old court documents, transcriptions, news articles and conducting interviews. The result is a can’t-put-it-down ‘whodunit’ that will keep readers page-turning far into the night — every night — to the very last one.
From childhood to death
The book chronicles Tornow’s life from his recovery from near-fatal black measles as a child to his death in a bloody shootout on April 16, 1913 in the Wynooche woods. After he was accused of killing his two nephews in 1911, Tornow led law enforcement officers on a 19-month manhunt that resulted in not only his death, but also the deaths of four deputies.
The narrative is told from the perspective of real-life Aberdeen Daily World reporter at the time, Dan Cloud. Cloud followed the story from its inception up to and after Tornow’s violent end in the mud and brush of the dense Wynooche woods.
Tombstone & monument
As a result of his keen interest in his subject, Lindstrom was instrumental in the placement of a tombstone for John Tornow in 1987.
He also helped establish the Tornow Victims’ Memorial Committee in 2011. That group erected a monument to honor the six victims at the site of Tornow’s death, as well as establishing an improved walking trail and signage to the location.
Books available
Lindstrom’s book will be available for sale at the library - $38 in hardback and $26 in paperback. The book is also available on the Web at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
