The King of Clayton PT. 2

A search for archives. This is an E-mail sent to Mr. Jim Kershner at the Spokesman Review in April of this year 2009 searching for records of 80 years ago. Hi Mr. Jim Kershner: I have no idea if you are the one to contact on this subject but I just read a very well written article you wrote about the life and times of Carl Maxey. My inquiry only refers to Carl as a Boxer and specifically his Coach Joey August. and even further back to some of Joey's and his older Brother Louie's advisory' of the 1930s or earlier. Just a word of explanation. My name is Bob Clouse. I am the Webmaster of claytondeerparkhistoricalsociety.com I am currently working of 2 web pages, Clayton King #1 and King PT 2 There were 3 King boys from Clayton involved in the fight game. One was Walt King Jr. who Graduated from Clayton High about 1930. He soon turned Pro and did quite well for himself to say the least. He later became a promoter and helped his two younger Bros. Glen & Eddie get involved in Boxing right up to their ears. These boys did marvelous and the little burg of Clayton took em all on. Deer Park, Cheney, Colville and yes even Spokane. Spokane had some tough cookies. Attached is a photo of a group of fighters dedicated to fight for Charities for kids down on their luck. In the midst of that tiny group are Walt King Jr., Glen & Eddie King, Louie August and the one and only Joey August front far right. So there sits that scrawny little runt, and what happens? He ends up by far and away the most successful of that entire group in the fight game because not only was he a winner as an Amateur and perhaps a Pro, but he became the boxing coach of Gonzaga University, Refereed the lions share of High School smokers in Spokane County including most of my bouts at Deer Park High 1946 - 1949. But put Carl Maxey in the finals of the NCAA Championship and Carl walked away Champion. I happened across Joey a couple years before he passed on. He still looked exactly as he does in this picture and smiling from ear to ear. Now after all that Sir, I am in touch with Edward Kingrey, Grandson of Walter King Sr. and Nephew of the three King boys mentioned above. He is sitting there with his Uncle Walt's scrap book crammed with undated deteriorating newspaper clippings in no particular order with mention of upcoming fights between the Glen King and Louie August and Eddie King scheduled to tangle with Joey. And there the story ends. We don't even know if the articles are from the Deer Park Union, The Chronicle or the Spokesman Review. So here's what I'm searching for. A total amateur asking a Professional news Reporter, where do I go to read the rest of the story? Would you think the Boxing records of any of these fighters mentioned would be available in your archives and how do I go about finding them? If you play your cards right I just might pick you up and take you to the Clayton Burger Drive In for lunch on a day of your choice, and I might add if you go to claytondeerparkhistoricalsociety.com in the left hand menu. Scroll down to Clayton King #1 and also King PT 2 you can pretty much read what we have gleaned to date. If you are interested there is a Story BOXING IN DEER PARK 1946 - 1949 written by yours truly and edited by our Wally Parker. Finally I should say Sir. If you are having half the fun working at the Spokesman Review as I am dinking around with this Website then you are leading a very happy life. Thank you Mr. Jim Kershner. Sincerely Robert A. Clouse

The Kings were always where the action was

Walt King, born 3-27-1912, was about 10 years younger than Leno Prestini, but the two hit it off as you can see by Leno's painting. Boxing was always a popular sport in Clayton.

Even though Walt turned pro, he by no means stole all the thunder. Eddie and Glen were both top notch amateurs.

Carmen and Dennis Hill still reside locally. Carmen is the daughter of Walt Jr. The above is a portion of a letter I wrote to her.

Somewhere in this maze of statistics Glen King was victorious. If I find otherwise I'll retract. The article below is verification.

There are two King boys in this school photograph. Walt Jr. is 3rd from the left in the back row and Glen is in the front row 5th from the left.This class photo was probably taken during Walts senior year at Clayton High School. From here he proceeded to turn professional in the boxing world. With a sterling record as an amateur he made his mark in spades.

Walt was a good enough fighter to turn professional. More material could turn up but so far we know that he did not retire undefeated but close to it. Walt opened a gym in Clayton and helped train his younger brother Glen who tangled with the likes of Louie August a Spokane fighters. Eddie fought Joey August as an amateur. The Kings had one thing in common, a powerful punch. The following news articles describe the boxing abilities and caliber of their opponents. They all found themselves battling the best in the Inland Empire. The Kings did very well indeed.

Del King was a cousin to the Clayton Kings and fought in the same time frame out of Spokane Washington. Amateur boxing in the 1920s and 1930s was widespread and not limited by divisions, Smokers were between clubs. Therefore Clayton would take on Spokane or Colville or Otis Orchards. This meant that a Clayton King could very well tangle with a Spokane King and very often did.

Sprinkled throughout these young men are Walt King Jr., Eddie King. Glen King and Louie August. At the far right front row is Joey August.

Del King had a promising future in boxing even though he was only seventeen. He was formidable with both a hard punching combination and a skillful boxer.

The above news article is rare indeed. Both King boys were fighting as amateurs as they are on the same card. Probably very early on..

Lorraine King, sister of Del King was a professional singer during the later days of the roaring twenties and the days of vaudville. She was a star.

Results of a Smoker with both Kings winning by knockouts.

With his buding career in full swing, an impressive record amid high caliber competition fate intervened. Death came from an infection not a boxing injury. A devestating development in a family involved in the excitement of the boxing world.

With regulairity Glen & Eddie took comand in a prize fight and as the two matured their bouts rarely went the distance.

Del's father, Earl of Spokane, Washington was the brother of Walter King Sr. of Clayton.

Another clipping from Walt King Jr. scrap book. He kept a running record of every article about his younger Brothers adventures but rarely his own exploits.

Two distinguished King boxers vanish from the boxing scene within 5 months. One can only dream what might have been. But the records, the wins, the losses pale in comparison.

This very short, well written article just about covers it all. Except, 80 years later doesn't seem to ease the pain.

This very impressive young man is none other than Louie August, older brother of Joey August. He held several boxing titles. He was an outstanding champion. Will his record be revealed? Perhaps, stay tuned!

The curtain lowered on this gallant fighter but the show must go on it did. The Kings had just begun to fight.

Edward Kingrey states, "Louie August won this fight but lost in a previous bout." Even Louie August did not go undefeated. Please note that articles like this keep cropping up with both the late Eddie and Del King mentioned. there are probably more to be uncovered as we dig deeper into the archives of Inland Empire boxing history.

Capt. Mabbutt had all the bases covered in the fight game. He took the our local boys to the highest levels of amatuer boxing. Some came home champions, others came home knowing you don't go to the Olympics if you are not a champion.

Although this young man's record has proven elusive to document, he came home with an Olympic Gold Medal. He was indeed a champion.

A service photograph of Capt. Mabbutt, from a veteran on the battle field to taking his team into boxing ring battles. He realized the value of standing on your own two feet and fighting your own battles.

Eddie, Glen and Walt Jr. were in a class all their own. They won many and lost a few. They did battle in the days when punching power was much more prevelant than what became the "art of self defense". The competition was keen and their coaches and fans were very proud of them.

A rare photo including Eddie King (standing 2nd from the right in the back row) next to his baseball coach at about the age of 17. This picture was taken about a year prior to his death.

The dark side of Eddie & Darling Mari. They go salmon fishing when its pitch black. Sure is a magnificent scene.

The results of some of Walt King Jrs. exploits still grace the streets of Clayton and Deer Park to this day. Edward Kingrey with Marlene King Berry on the right. Marlene is the daughter of Jean Porter King (on the left) and Walter King Jr. Jean Porter was beautiful when young and remained so her entire life. Ed Kingrey states, she was very kind to him in time of need.

In 1956 this young man set out to make his mark in the world. He had a head start because of his ancestry and the family name of KING. He only made the King name more respected through his character, ethics and diligence. Highly successful in several careers, he obtained love, life, and the pursuit of happiness. Ed tells the story of the WALTER KING FAMILY through words and images. CDPHS is proud to know him, thanks Eddie Kingrey!

To date this is the one and only picture we have of Joey August. He and his older brother Louie were major competitors of the King brothers. Joey went from novice to major contender to champion before becomming to Gonzaga University's boxing coach. If he was asked what was the highlight of his career I have a hunch it would be the boxer pictured below.

The King brothers must have watched the rise in stature of their nemises Joey August. and followed his coaching career at Gonzaga. they must have been fans of the greatest amateur boxer ever in Spkane history, NCAA CHAMP, CARL MAXEY.