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Facts about
Hardy Murphy
-- Hardy Murphy was an
internationally renown rodeo entertainer whose rise to fame began in
Houston, when he entered Buck, his Spanish palomino, in the National
Horse Show, winning every ribbon there was to win.
-- After the National Horse Show, Murphy and Buck "The Wonder
Horse" were booked into shows in the east and performed in Chicago
Stadium, Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden. The two performed in
the east for more than 10 years and returned to New York each year for
police and fireman's benefits and shows to benefit Bellevue Hospital
children's ward.
-- Buck was a Spanish palomino whose ancestors were brought from Spain
by Cortez and his explorers in their trek north from Mexico in 1500.
-- Murphy and Buck made famous in pantomime the painting "The End
of the Trail."
-- Murphy appeared for command performances before the Queen of England
and the royal family as well as royal performances in France and
Germany.
-- Murphy's horses, Buck and Silver Cloud, are buried on the fairground
by the Mercy Steam Engine.
-- Murphy was the primary organizer and sponsor of Ardmore's Birthday
Celebration for more than three decades.
-- Through his efforts, a replica of the first house built in Ardmore,
the 700 Ranch Building, was salvaged and moved to the coliseum.
-- He was the primary director on the National Cowboy Hall of Fame board
for many years.
-- He was the primary founder of the Ardmore Real Estate Board and
primary developer of the Ardmore Industrial Airpark.
-- He was involved in numerous Ardmore organizations including the
March-of-Dimes, Carter County Red Cross, Ardmore Round Up Club and
Junior Chamber of Commerce.
-- Murphy was named Ardmore's Ambassador of Goodwill in 1960 and
outstanding citizen in 1961.
-- Murphy was close friends with Gene Autry.
-- Murphy died in 1961 at age 58.
Hardy Murphy facts provided by the Ardmore Birthday Committee and
the Greater Southwest Historical Museum.
Carter
County Home
©2001-2004 Linda
Simpson
07 Sep 2004
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