The Man Who Created Savage Arms

[308Mike]

Here's part of the story from American Rifleman magazine:

Arthur William Savage was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on May 13, 1857. He received an excellent education in the United States and in England, which was probably designed to have him follow in his father’s footsteps and become a government bureaucrat. But Savage longed for adventure, so as soon as he completed college he headed for Australia to look for black opals.

At some point he was captured by aborigines and held captive for a year. One version of the story says that his captors demanded a ransom, but his family refused to pay. The historian was unable to provide details as to why, but I suspect that Christmas dinners at his house were a bit tense after his escape. Savage explored the wild Australian interior in a covered wagon. Later he became the owner of the largest cattle ranch “down under.” While there, he married Annie Bryant and eventually had four sons and four daughters. After 11 years in Australia, at the age of 34 Savage returned to Jamaica to grow coffee.

More...............