1. Arthemus Ward "Art" Acord was an American silent film actor and rodeo champion.
17 Facts About Art Acord
1. 2.
The Art Acord family descends from a Prussian mercenary soldier of the American Revolutionary War whose name was Eckert.
3.
Art Acord's paternal grandmother was a descendant of Frances Latham, an early settler of New England who has been called the "Mother of Governors" and the "Mother of Champion Cowboys".
4.
Acord's mother, who was of Danish descent, died when Art was just 19 months old while the family was living in the Stillwater, Oklahoma area.
5.
The Acord family had moved there for the mother's health and took part in the September 28,1891 Oklahoma Land Run.
6.
Art Acord died a few weeks later on November 28,1891.
7.
Art Acord was one of the few cowboys to have ridden the acclaimed bucking horse Steamboat for a qualified ride and championship.
8.
Art Acord was sometimes called the "Mormon cowboy" and has been noted as the first real cowboy to become a Hollywood cowboy.
9.
Art Acord went on to become a noted actor in silent Western films.
10.
Art Acord made over 100 film shorts, most of which are now considered lost.
11.
Art Acord enlisted in the United States Army in World War I and served overseas.
12.
Art Acord was awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery.
13.
In March 1928 Art Acord was seriously burned in an explosion at his home; the loss of his sight was feared.
14.
On January 4,1931, Art Acord died in a Chihuahua, Mexico hospital shortly after taking cyanide in a local hotel room.
15.
Art Acord was depressed and told the doctor who treated him shortly before he died that he had intentionally taken poison because he wanted to die.
16.
Art Acord's body was sent back to California by train.
17.
Art Acord was given a military funeral with full honors and was buried in the Vale of Memory section in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.