LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On October 12, 1940, Hollywood lost one of its most iconic cowboy movie stars, Tom Mix, in a tragic accident near Florence, Arizona.
Mix, who was 60 years old at the time, lost control of his speeding Cord Phaeton convertible, which rolled into a dry wash.
The location of this accident, now known as the Tom Mix Wash, serves as a lasting memorial to the legendary cowboy.
Tom Mix - From real cowboy to silver screen hero
Tom Mix's journey to fame was as remarkable as the roles he portrayed on the silver screen. Born in Driftwood, Pennsylvania, Mix was a genuine cowboy with a remarkable past.
Mix had served in the Spanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Boer War. He took on the responsibilities of a sheriff in Kansas, a US marshal in Oklahoma, and even served as a Texas Ranger.
Interestingly, his Hollywood story began while he was a drum major in the Oklahoma Territorial Cavalry band back in 1909.
Tom Mix was a silent film superstar
Despite the unconventional path to Hollywood, Mix's star shone brightly. His remarkable career saw him star in 370 full-length Westerns, often alongside his famous horse, Tony.
During the zenith of his fame, Mix was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, earning a staggering $17,500 per week, equivalent to approximately $218,000 today.
Tom Mix's transition to talkies
However, the advent of talking pictures presented a unique challenge for Mix and Tony.
Some attribute their difficulties in the transition to Mix's high-pitched voice, which seemed at odds with his macho cowboy image.
Others suggest that the introduction of dialogue-heavy films clashed with Mix's preference for action-packed sequences over heartfelt conversations.
Tom Mix's tragic end
On a fateful day in 1940, as Mix was driving north from Tucson in his beloved bright-yellow Cord Phaeton sports car, he met with a tragedy.
Ignoring or failing to notice warning signs of a missing bridge ahead, Mix's car veered into a gully.
In the backseat, heavy aluminum suitcases turned into projectiles, and one struck him in the back of the head, resulting in a fatal neck injury.
Tom Mix's haunting legacy
Today, the 'Suitcase of Death' remains a poignant artifact at the Tom Mix Museum in Dewey, Oklahoma.
This museum keeps alive the memory of a cowboy star who, despite the dramatic ups and downs in his life and career, left an indelible mark on Hollywood and the Western film genre.
Tom Mix's legacy as a Hollywood cowboy icon endures, reminding us of the triumphs and tragedies of a bygone era in cinema.
From his silent film triumphs to his untimely demise, Mix's life story continues to captivate and fascinate those who appreciate the magic of the silver screen.
