Johnson & Jeannette's Common Opponents

It appears that Sam McVea and his parents were from Gonzales County, Texas, where there were a number of white and black McVeas were living during 1870 and 1880 with no variation in the spelling of the family last name. But it appears to have been a different story for Sam and his immediate family in California. When Sam was fighting in California, his last name was spelled as "McVey" in the newspapers. But when Sam was fighting in Europe and Australia, his last name was often spelled as "McVea."

- Chuck Johnston