Blaze

Description

Blaze and his long dead friend plan to steal a baby togain a large ransom payment to set them up for live. Because Blaze suffered a brain injury as a child, his plan does not go as he hoped, and the FBI and police are soon hot on his heels.

This is a rewrite and update of the original unpublished work by King, and it is well worth reading. It was written in 1973 and is held in Box 1010 of the Special Collections of the Raymond Fogler Library

Published

2007

Dedication

For Tommy and Lori Spruce. And thinking of James T. Farrell

People

Name	Description
? Dana	Name used by Blaze during one of the scams where George picked up a gay guy at a bar and Blaze "caught" them both in the motel room and robbed or blackmailed the other person
?, Dom	Brother in law of Billy St Pierre. He knocked over the gas store and grocery store with Blaze and Billy
?, Frank	Clerk at Hardey's department store in Lynn
?, Hank	Name used by George during one of the scams where George picked up a gay guy at a bar and Blaze "caught" them both in the motel room
?, Tansey	1/2 sister of George Rackley. Probably the daughter of Aidan O'Kellaher. Married Hankie Melcher
Beatty, Warren	Actor sometimes seen at the Nordica Theatre by Blaze
Billings, David	When Blaze and George were in Hardeys, Blaze's wallett contained the name David Billings
Black, John	Portland P.D. Sketch Artist who did a picture of Blaze based on the description by Morton Walsh, the night attendant at Oakwood
Blaisdell, Clayton Jr (Blaze)	Blaze was born very smart and excelled in school until his father threw him down the stairs 3 times because he ate Apple Jacks. He woke up 3 months later in Portland General hospital a bit "soft in the head". Because his mother had died when he was 3, he was made a ward of the state. He lived in Hetton House & was suspended from school after a fight with Glen Hardy. He beat up Martin Coslaw after the death of John Cheltzman and was sentenced to 2 years in South Portland Correctional. He was a good friend of George Rackley, and the two of them spent time running 2-man cons before the death of George some 3 months earlier. He held up Tim & Janet's Quick Pick, twice, the first time heforgot to wear a stocking over his face, but the second time he remembered. Stole a Ford from outside "The Bag" and left town. He kidnapped Joseph Gerard IV, and cared for the baby until police caught him and shot him to death. 6ft 7 and had a large dent in for forehead from the fall as a child
Blaisdell, Clayton Sr	Father of Clayton Blaisdell Jr (Blaze). He threw his son down the stairs 3 times. A heavy drinker, he worked for Superior Mills in Topsham
Blaisdell, Mrs	Mother of Clayton Blaisdell Jr (Blaze). She was killed when hit by a truck when Blaze was 3 years old
Bluenote, Douglas	Son of Harry. He helped run the blueberry farm
Bluenote, Harry	He hired Blaze and John Cheltzman to pick berries on his Blueberry farm. He hired children from reform schools and places like Hetton House to stay at the farm and pick blueberries. He took a liking to Blaze and asked him to stay on, but before he could do anything about it Harry died of a heart attack
Bowie, Hubert	Blaze left Hetton House to live with them when he was 11. Owned 40 acres & grew growing hay, hardwood & softwood. Had 28 collies
Bradstay, Anne	Picked blueberries at Harry Bluenotes farm. She was was from Pittsfield and had been charged with arson after her boyfriend, Curtis Prebble, burnt down 6 potato warehouses. She was paid $4 to have sex with Blaze, and later found out she was pregnant. She put the baby up for adoption and he was named Rufus Wyatt
Bricker, Mrs	Camp mother who looked after the girls at the Bluenotes farm during the Blueberry picking season
Burgess, John	A school teacher that was in prison for manslaughter. He gave George Rackley the idea to kidnap a young child
Cargill, Henson	Singer on WJAB, heard by Blaze
Carlton, Joseph	When Blaze was asked by the attendant at Oakwood, he said he was visiting Joseph Carlton
Cheltzman, John	Friend of Blaze's from Hetton House. A skinny, ugly & gangling boy filled with hate. He helped Blaze with his homework and in return Blaze stopped the bulleys picking on him. They spent a few days in Boston when they found $248 in the Nordica Theatre. He had his glasses broken when Blaze was away at the Bowies. He collapsed on his return from Boston, but was incorrectly diagnosed as having a cold. He died 2 years later of Rhumatic Fever
Cheney, Mrs	Teacher at the Cumberland District A School when Blaze was with the Bowies. Taught reading, writing and history
Clutterbuck, Gerald	Owner of Castle Rock Gerald Clutterbuck Realty. There was a sign on Hetton House stating "For Sale or Lease" and to contact the Realtor
Corliss, ?	State Police officerwith Bruce Granger when he broke his leg on the way into Hetton House. He kept approaching Hetton House, but was seen by Blaze and hit in the head. When Blaze left him he was still alive, but when Bradley and Franklin found him he was dead
Coslaw, Martin	Headmaster at Hetton House when Blaze was there. He was called "The Law". Taught arithmetic, and loved to use the strap or paddle on the children as punishment. Blaze blamed him for the death of John Cheltzman, so after Johns funeral Blaze severely beat Coslaw. 5ft 6 and 170 pounds
Crosby, Bill	George Rackley was likened to a white Bill Crosby
Crowell, Gary	Reverend in a scam. This was played by George Rackley, and the Reverend miraculously raises a crippled man (Blaze) from his wheelchair to walk once again. Blaze was caught during one of these scams, but the Reverend got away in time. Arlene Merrill called the police and they arrived before Blaze left. The reason Blaze did not run away when the police arrived was that Reverend Crowell (Rackley) had not yet "cured" him
Cullum, Jimmy	When Blaze was hitching a ride with a man in a truck he said that Jimmy Cullum had moved to New Hampshire for work
Dickey, James	Author enjoyed by Rufus Wyatt
Disney, Walt	Joseph Gerard IV's crib had Walt Disney characters on it
Donahue, Dan	Name of one man conned by Blaze and George. He was married to Sally
Donahue, Sally	Wife of Dan
Eastwood, Clint	Actor sometimes seen at the Nordica Theatre by Blaze
F, R K	The initials R K F were stamped on a wallet found at the Nordica Theatre by John Cheltzman. It contained $248 which John and Blaze spent on a trip to Boston
Foster, Mrs	Teacher onplayground duty during the fight between Blaze and Glen Hardy
Frankton, ?	Agent involved in the raid on Hetton House looking for Blaze
Gerard, Joseph	80 year old from Ocoma Heights. He made his money in Shipping, and George said he could put away "a Pint of Jack" a day
Gerard, Joseph II	Son of Mr & Mrs Joseph Gerard
Gerard, Joseph III	25 Year old son of Joseph Gerard II
Gerard, Joseph IV	Baby son of Joseph Gerard III. He was kidnapped by Blaze, and cared for until Blaze was cornered by the police and shot to death
Gerard, Mrs	Wife of Joseph Gerard
Gerard, Mrs	Wife of Joseph Gerard II
Gerard, Mrs	Wife of Joseph Gerard III. Said to have dark skin & be a Narmenian
Gerard, Norma	Sister of Joseph Gerard, in her mid 70's. She saw Blaze as he was leaving the house with the baby so he hit her before she could scream. She survived a few days, but died at the Maine Medical Centre during an operation. Before she died she gave a description of Blaze that included the dent in his forehead
Gilette, Henry	Picked blueberries at Harry Bluenotes farm. He had a fight with one of the other boys while working at the farm
Goldwater, Barry	mentioned by George Rackley
Granger, Bruce	Partner of Albert Sterling. He fell and broke his leg in the woods when walking into Hetton House. He saw Blaze sneak back into the cave and shot in there hoping to hit Blaze. Because the baby was injured Blaze ran out and choked Granger. While it is not specifically stated, it is assumed that Granger died
Green, Jerry	From Gorham. After Blaze posted the ransom letter he stole Jerry Green's 1970 Mustang
Griffin, Martin	John Cheltzman told a police officer at a bus stationthat Blaze's name was Martin Griffin
Guthrie, Woody	Mentioned by George Rackley
Haggard, Merle	Singer heard by Blaze
Hardy, Glen	Student at the Cumberland District A School when Blaze was with the Bowies. He hit Marjorie Thurlow in the arm soon after receiving her immunisation, causing her to cry. He was a huge 8th grader, and hit Blaze a few times, but then was knocked to the ground by Blaze
Hauptmann, Bruno	The kidnapper of Charles Augustus Lindbergh was thought to be Hopeman or Hoppmann, but was really Bruno Hauptmann. Although he is not named, it is remembered that he was electrocuited for his crime
Henderson, George	On the school board for the Cumberland District A School when Blaze was with the Bowies. Hubert Bowie rung him to check that he did not have to pay for the immunisation shots for Blaze
Hetton, Mary	Hetton House was named after her
Hitler, Adolf	Mentioned by a man in Tim & Janet's Quick Pick when Blaze robbed it
Hogan, Peter	He picked up a wallet in Hardeys that was dropped by Blaze. While Blaze abused the "Thief" George Rackley robbed the tills
Holloway, Frank	Assistant DA in charge of Blaze's interrogation
Hough, Donald	Doctor at Hetton House who diagnosed John Cheltzman's Rheumatic Fever as just a bad dose of the flu
Husky, Ferlin	Heard on the radio singing "Wings of a dove"
Jesus Christ	Mentioned in passing
Jolison, Sarah	Teacher when Blaze went to school
Keats, ?	Author enjoyed by Rufus Wyatt
Kellahar, John D	Castle County Sheriff when Blaze took Joseph Gerard IV
King, King	George called Blaze Kong
Kingsbury, ?	Son of Georgia. He initially commented about the hole in Blaze's head at the laundromat and then recognised the identikit picture of Blaze in the paper
Kingsbury, Georgia	Saw Blaze in the Laundromat. Later her son saw the identikit image of Blaze in the paper and asked why the picture did not show the damage to his forehead.She called the police and identified Blaze from a photograph
Lavoie, Pater	Student at the Cumberland District A School when Blaze was with the Bowies. He told Blaze that Glen Hardy had hit Marjorie Thurlow in the arm soon after receiving her immunisation, causing her to cry. He was sent to get the first aid kit by Mrs Foster after he fight between Blaze and Glen Hardy
Lincoln, Abraham	There was a picture of him in room 7 on the 3rd floor of Hetton House
Lindbergh, Charles Augustus Jr	Baby kidnapped. The kidnapper's name was thought to be Hopeman or Hoppmann, but was really Bruno Hauptmann, although he is not named
Lynn, Loretta	Country music singer liked by Blaze
MacDonald, John D	Author quoted at the start of the book
Marstellar, Franklin	Owned a bull where Hubert Bowie used to get one of his cows serviced each year
McCafferty, Beatrice	She spoke against Harry Bluenotes blueberry farm at a town meeting because of what the children might be getting up to at nights
Mears, James T	Wrote a newspaper article about the kidnapping of Joseph Gerard IV for the "Evening Express"
Melcher, Hankie	Introduced Blaze to George Rackley. He was George's brother in law, married to Tansy
Melcher, Tansey	Married name of Tansey ? (Probably Tansey O'Kellaher)
Merrill, Arlene	80year old woman who called the police when she realised she was being scammed by Reverend Gary Crowell and Blaze. The police caught Blaze still in her house
Mike	Cat at the Gerard house. Norma Gerard thought the noises she heard were caused my Mike, but when she went looking she discovered Blaze trying to kidnap the baby
Moldow, Nancy	Owner of "The Baby Shoppe" where Blaze bought the equipment prior to kidnapping Joseph Gerard IV.Even though Blaze paid cash, she knew his name as she saw his drivers licence and remembered his name. 5ft 4
Monahan, Daniel J	The man working at Lindy's Steak House said to Blaze and John Cheltzman that a man sitting at another table was Detective Daniel J Monahan
Moochie	Owned Moochie's where George Rackley met Blaze
Nason, Harry	Night man at Tim & Janet's Quick Pick when Blaze robbed the place
Nicholson, Jack	Actor sometimes seen at the Nordica Theatre by Blaze
O'Kellaher, Aidan (Pisser)	Grey-faced pimp who lived with George Rackley's mother. He had bad kidneys and was nicknamed Pisser. He was killed by the mob
O'Shea, Billy	George Rackley said to take any money they thought was marked to Billy O'Shea. A mobster who was going prematurely grey
Prebble, Curtis	Boyfriend of Anne Bradstay. He was sentenced to 6 years in Shawshank Prison for his part in burning down 6 potato warehouses
Pritchett, Charles Victor	Drifter picked up by the police in connection with the kidnapping, but he was released soon after
Quarles, Janet	Owner of Tim & Janet's Quick Pick. Wife of Tim Quarles
Quarles, Tim	Owner of Tim & Janet's Quick Pick. Husband of Janet Quarles
Rackley, George Thomas	Deceased friend of Blaze. He always sounded like he had a cold. Scar on his adams apple from an accident as a child. He died 3 months before in a Crap game in a warehouse when he was stabbed by Ryder. The "dead" George continued to tell Blaze some of the things he needed to know in order to successfully kidnap the child. He told Blaze that if he was caught he would go to Shawshank prison and work in the laundry
Randy	11 year old dog of the Bowies. Had a milky eye. He attacked Blaze, so Blaze hit and killed him
Reagan, Ronald	His name was seen on a bumper sticker
Robichaux, Sally Ann	Picked blueberries at Harry Bluenotes farm. She shared her Winston Cigarettes with the other pickers
Romano, Bryant	Salesman in The Baby Shoppe where Blaze bought the baby gear. Spoke to the police about Blaze . He worked for Nancy Moldow
Ross, Stevie	Delivered papers on a paper route. After John Cheltzman found the wallett in the Nordica's toilets, he bought a copy of the Portland Press Herald from Stevie Ross to see if anyone had reported it missing
Ryder	Lost $40 to George Rackley when playing craps. He was said to be 1/2 Penobscot Indian. He stabbed and killed George
Selig	Blaze's 5th grade teacher
Shelly, ?	Author enjoyed by Rufus Wyatt
Smith, Bill	Fake name used by some of the marks hustled by George and Blaze. One of the marks was named Dan Donahue
Sonny	Small black man who worked at Harry Bluenotes farm. Henever spoke
St Pierre, Billy	From South Portland Correctional. He met Blaze after his release and they robbed a liquor store where Blaze got $17. They then robbed a Gas store in Danvers and a loan agency a month later
Sterling, Albert	Partner of Bruce Granger. Discovered the identity of the kidnapper after receiving an initial call from Nancy Moldow about what Blaze had bought at the Baby Shoppe. Tracked Blaze to Hatton House and then shot Blaze to death once the child was safe
Tanner, Frankland ???	At the raid on Hetton House to find Blaze and the baby
Therriault, Frank	Chief custodian at Hetton House. Paid Blaze $1.60 an hour for help doing odd jobs around Hetton House. Blaze should have got 3 times that amount, but Frank pocketed the other $60 a week for himself
Thurlow, Marjorie	7th grader at the Cumberland District A school. Blaze fell in love with her. Glen Hardy had hit her in the arm soon after receiving her immunisation, causing her to cry. Blaze subsequently punched Glen to the ground
Truman, Harry S	Mentioned in passing
Walsh, Morton	Night attendant at Oakwood when Blaze entered tokidnap Joseph Gerard IV, He helped the police draw an identikit picture of Blaze that was put in the paper. The image did not include the damage to his forehead
Washington, George	There was a picture of him in room 7 on the 3rd floor of Hetton House
Waslewski, Mrs	Teacher at the Cumberland District A School when Blaze was with the Bowies. Called Blaze "St Francis of the little people"
Whitman, Walt	Mentioned in passing
Wick, Brian	Picked blueberries at Harry Bluenotes farm. From South Portland
Wyatt, Rufus	Son of Anne Bradstay who was adopted out. His father was probably Blaze. He enjoyed literature
Wyeth, N C	Harry Bluenote had some N C Wyeth pictures on the wall of his house
Yorga, Igor	Count in the movie "Second Coming"