Well, I'm sure I do not know who he is, or I wouldn't have asked ...
OK,
Wesley ... Here's the story the way it was told to me:
(My apologies, Damo, for "thread-jacking" your topic.)The "Stranger's" name was Samuel Thomas Ranger. However he was only known by his initials ST Ranger. Hence ... "Stranger".
Not much was known about his father. "Stranger's" father was either a diplomat or missionary to China. His mother was Chinese. And, that's about all anyone appears to have known.
When "Stranger" was very young his parents were murdered by a band of Chinese bandits. A Shaolin monk found "Stranger" wandering alone down a desolate dirt road. The Monk brought the young lad to the Shaolin monastery where he raised him as his own son.
The young "Stranger" was an excellent student and became proficient in all the teachings of the Buddist monks. His adopted father was sure that the young "Stranger" learned English as well as Chinese and several other languages for he knew that the day would come when "Stranger" would leave the monastery.
When "Stranger" turned eighteen he did indeed leave the monastery and began his trek to England. On the way he saved the daughter of the Pasha (Bashaw) of Tripoli from some renegade Barbary Pirates. The Pasha showed his never ending gratitude by presenting "Stranger" with a very unusual silver/steel alloy curved sword.
Our picture was taken when "Stranger" was in his mid-forties. At the time, his travels were taking him through the American old west.
There are many stories about "Stranger". Perhaps, some day we'll show them here as "photo stories" ...
