Tom Mix …the Cowboy and Circus Man
Posted By thecircusblog on July 20, 2009
Tom Mix was a cowboy hero of the silver screen and radio. He even became a circus owner. In 1933 he created the Tom Mix Circus and Wild West Show. Going back in history, Thomas Hezikah Mix was born on January 6, 1880 in a rural area called Mix Run, Cameron County, Pa. His parents were Edwin and Elizabeth Mix. In 1898 he enlisted into the army. After serving in the military a short while he deserted and went to Oklahoma and worked as a hand with Zack Miller’s 101 ranch but only for a short time. In 1911 he served as a Marshal in Dewey, Oklahoma, but that did not last to long either. There was something else in his destiny. He met Mr.William Selig of Selig Studios and his movie career started. He was under contract with other studios as well and during his 26 years of motion picture work he made over 300 features. When his movie fame started to slow down in 1933 he came out with the Tom Mix Circus and Wild West Show. That too only lasted a few seasons but it lead him into his Ralston Radio show. Oddly enough he was not an actor on the radio show ….someone else impersonated him, They just used his powerful name. Today, the famous cowboy Tom Mix is almost forgotten …but for myself and a few others who remember and write his legacy. Tom Mix died Oct 12, 1940 in a desert wash between Oracle Junction and Florence, Arizona. His car ran off the narrow road and some say he had been drinking while others say he fell asleep at the wheel and others he was speeding he came a construction site causing him to leave the road while he was on his way from Tucson. The accident site is not too far from where I live and when I take a trip to Tucson I take the old road. There is small plack along side the road where he died I sometimes stop and say “howdy” to a cowboy and a circus man. ……..Read the comment from Don Adams.
Source www.oldtime.com/mix.htm
About the author
thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
4 Responses to “Tom Mix …the Cowboy and Circus Man”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
I recently found my father whom I never met in my life. I am 41 now. My father was deceased and his daughters, my sisters( whom I just met last year), tell me that Tom Mix was my great great uncle. Would you know a way for me to find out the truth? My Grandmothers maiden name was Ruth Mix married to Lewis Myers. Oddly enough I grew up in Arizona and recently moved from Tucson to Vermont. I lived in Tucson for 10 yrs. I wish I would have known this info then, including your info on him. I have often driven the roads between Oracle Junc. and Florence. My fathers family was from Pennsylvania. I kind of think that I resemble Tom Mix a little. Any info. on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Rob Ray
When i was a small boy I saw TOM MIX and his circus in Lancaster PA.
I always remember he shot out light bulbs at the top of the tent.
I also was a Tom Mix straight shooter and had one or two of his box top rings.
I can’t remember if it whistled or had a secret compartment
But it was a great memory from the past I’m 78 now and i guess Ive always tried to be a straigh shooter in my life Don Adams
As a small boy,I watched a Tom Mix western at a little store in Grace ,Mississippi in the late 40s. It cost a dime to watch it and a cartoon.
Tom Mix I have just found out was my great grandfathers cousin! he also looks like my great grandfather and im glad to have found out that im related to a great part of history!