Tales of Tattoo Wars and Troublemakers
Researched & Written by Carmen Forquer Nyssen
Once upon a time in the tattoo trade, when local authorities governed more by random circumstance than regulation, tattoo artists worked under a whole different set of rules. The tattoo world was filled with all sorts of off-beat characters, whose questionable judgment, thorny ways, and at times underhanded shenanigans made running a tattoo business less than straightforward. The tale of Sailor Gus, Prof. W.M. Lyons (above photo), and Jack Julian is a case in point.
Sailor Gus
Sailor Carl Augustus “Gus” Fransen (aka Gus Franso) (1871-1919)—a bit of a drinker, but generally likeable figure—had wielded his needle in a corner of Erickson’s Saloon in Portland, Oregon for a number of years throughout the 1907-1910s era. At the height of World War I, however, he traveled south to San Diego, California and set-up shop in a small nook at 827 3rd Street.
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Prof. W.M. Lyons
Somewhere along the way, Gus met Australian tattoo artist, Walter Maurice Lyons, and his family—wife Minnie, stepdaughter Laura, and son Freddy. Lyons was an ex-seaman who had been tattooing in America (mainly on the West Coast) since the turn of the century. His usual place of business from about 1914 until 1917 was Vallejo, California.
According to an S.S. Sonoma passenger manifest, in October of 1917, Lyons left from San Francisco for Australia—with only his wife and daughter. Six-year-old Freddy, for some unfathomable reason, was left indefinitely in the care of ol’ Sailor Gus. This was a situation bound for trouble.
Jack Julian
Several months later, in March of 1918, Gus happened to purchase some tattoo equipment from fellow tattooer and West Coast supply agent, Jack Julian (1876-1969) (William F. Jackson), who then resided in San Diego. They apparently didn’t hit it off. Shortly after the transaction, Julian contacted police, and true or not, reported that Gus was mistreating Freddy.
Authorities immediately stepped in. Deeming a tattoo artist an unfit parent, they placed Freddy in the San Diego Children’s Home.
Hopping mad and ready for a fight, Gus confronted Julian at his ‘H’ Street home, where the two engaged in a quickly escalating squabble. In the heat of the moment, Julian pulled out his gun and pistol-whipped Gus, leaving a deep gash on his head.
This time it was Gus’ turn to summon authorities. Julian was arrested and later fined $10 for his offense.
The Saga Continued
Sometime after the incident, Sailor Gus was caught selling liquor to uniformed serviceman; he then headed north to San Pedro.
Later, in November, during a visit to San Diego, he kidnapped Freddy from the Children’s Home and brought him back to San Pedro, where he allegedly intended to employ him in the tattoo business. Needless to say, Gus was apprehended and Freddy was admitted to the Los Angeles Children’s Home (for several years).
As for Jack Julian, in following years, he presumably continued peddling supplies, while also tattooing in cities up and down the West Coast, such as, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
A letter written by a bothered citizen in a September 2, 1943 Los Angeles City Council File (#15670), reported his subsequent history as such:
“At 101 E. 1st St. is Jack Julian, whose true name is William Jackson, is Negro but claims to be Indian about 60 ex-circus roustabout and wild man about 5/8 175 lbs light brown skin short nose with large growth near base. This man is dangerous always carries pistol in shoulder holster and wears badge like police Claims to have killed 5 men was tried here some years ago for shooting his partner over dope selling, sold dope in San Francisco, served sentence for same, charged for murder in San Diego not convicted, insufficient evidence served time here two years ago claims Mann Act, is wanted in Seattle, I am told. This man is very abusive and flourishes pistol when mad lives in filthy back room of tattoo shop with young son, wife, also tattooer is half breed Negro has served time in Seattle for (offering) and drunk also bad character all around…..”
Walter Lyons spent the rest of his career tattooing in various Australian cities, sometimes traveling as a sideshow tattooer.
All Part of Tattoo History
It’s difficult to judge this bygone era by today’s standards. Despite all the muck, good ol’ Sailor Gus, Prof. W.M. Lyons, and Jack Julian probably each contributed to tattooing in some way.
Lest we forget, history is laced with good and bad, intrinsically tied together. Albeit an uglier side of the coin, this tooth-and-nail, rolling-in-the-dirt chicanery in tattooing’s past played a role in how the trade took shape. This less savory dynamic inevitably pushed the profession towards better regulations and over time motivated tattooers as a whole to progressively raise the bar.
Hats off to those tattoo artists who rose to the occasion and paved the way!!!
Related History:
Read Buzzworthy Tattoo History research about Sailor Gus Franso’s Portland tattooing days:
And his Chicago career at the Great Lakes Tattoo website:
Chicago Dime Museum Tattooer: Sailor Gus by Carmen Nyssen
For further related Buzzworthy Tattoo History see: Walter M. Lyons
Questions or Comments? Email:
carmennyssen@buzzworthytattoo.com
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