Buck Jones and Silver
Posted on 11/25/2025 6:56:44 PM PST by massmike
"KING OF THE COWBOYS"-about a dozen Western movie stars have borne that title since 1903. But, in my opinion, only three really stand out: William S. Hart, Tom Mix and Buck Jones.
Of this trio only Buck Jones was an authentic cowboy. Perhaps his name may not mean much to this generation, yet there was a time when practically every boy in the United- States would rather have been Buck Jones than President.
Unlike Tom Mix, off screen Buck was a quiet, studious person. He rarely wore cowboy clothes in public because he felt it looked as if he were showing off. He lived quietly on his ranch in the San Fernando Valley and was devoted to his wife and daughter. To millions of kids everywhere Buck Jones was the personification of the hero. So great was his popularity that when he organized the Buck Jones Rangers, the world-wide membership soon exceeded three million.
The hero-worship they extended to him meant a great deal. When a small boy named Joe Collins fell from an apartment window in the Bronx, and severely injured himself,he amazed his doctors by stating, "I'm not going to cry. Buck Jones wouldn't cry."
Buck was so touched that he arranged for the presentation of a radio to the boy and personally flew to New York to see him. In fact, the presence of his idol contributed much to the boy's recovery.
Youngsters from all over the United States and overseas fashioned their lives on Buck Jones. Some even ran away from home and went to Hollywood convinced that Buck would put them on the road to fame. Usually the screen star was able to convince them of the pitfalls ahead and put them on the road home to a more normal life.
The entry of America into World War II meant a busy time for Buck Jones. Along with other movie stars,he combined his numerous radio and personal appearances with bond-selling tours to aid the war effort.
"He sold millions of dollars' worth and autographed every bond he sold," Mrs. Jones recalled.
On November 15,1942,he left Hollywood and went East on another bond-selling tour. At Philadelphia,on November 26,he was made Grand Marshal of Uncle Wips' Toyland Parade.
"Uncle Wip” was a children's radio personality on a Philadelphia radio station owned by the Gimbel Brothers, with studios above the Gimbels department store at Ninth and Market Street.
Every year,the parade would end at the department store,where Santa Claus would scale a fire truck ladder to the eighth floor of the building which, of course, housed Gimbels’ “Toyland.”
Following the parade,Jones was off to Boston.
During the afternoon of Saturday,November 28,Buck visited a children's hospital. This was an unscheduled stop as he had originally intended to go to New York prior to returning home. But he was asked if he would visit the hospital,and immediately agreed. Later in the evening he was the guest of honor at a dinner held at the Cocoanut Grove night club. The place was crowded with people,many of them youngsters celebrating the result of a college football game.
Suddenly the place was filled with smoke and flames. Someone,later alleged to be a fifteen-year-old boy, had brushed a cigarette against one of the palm leaves which surrounded the walls and it burst into flames. As panic spread and exits became jammed,many were trampled,burned,or suffocated. Buck Jones got out unharmed,but immediately fought his way back to help the injured and became a victim himself.
Some 491 people died that night and Buck Jones was one of the 181 critically burned victims taken to the city hospital. For two days doctors fought to save his life,but on the afternoon of Nvember 30,Buck Jones was dead. The tragedy was to shock not only Hollywood,but his fans all over the world.
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Buck Jones and Silver
Buck Jones was also one of the Four Horsemen of Hollywood: the others were Tom Mix, Buck Jones, Ken Maynard.
A good question when playing Trivia: Name the Four Horsemen of Hollywood.
So Buck Jones was two of the four?
Yes, I believe so. I have only seen a couple of references to the Four Horsemen and Buck Jones is included among the four.
How were they the four horsemen if there were only three and Jones was two of them?
Fame is fleeting.
I was born in the 50s and have never heard of him.
Thanks for posting.
As I remember from many years ago, an article mentioned the Four Horsemen of Hollywood: Tom Mix, Buck Jones, Hoot Gibson and Ken Maynard. That is four!
I only know of him because my father -who was 10-years-old at the time- was at that Thanksgiving parade in Philly. He was convinced that he jinxed Buck Jones by waving to him as he rode by.
Buck Jones was also one of the Four Horsemen of Hollywood: the others were Tom Mix, Buck Jones, Ken Maynard.
so I was having a little fun with it. I see now you added Hoot Gibson so now it makes sense.
Regards
IIRC-—BEN JOHNSON ALSO WAS A REAL RANCH HAND.
HE WAS “DISCOVERED” WHEN HE DELIVERED A TRAILER LOAD OF HORSES FOR A MOVIE.
Ben Johnson was a fine actor. His performance as the owner of the LA Angels, in “Angels in the Outfield” was excellent.
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