Join us for the Finale @ the Historic Hoosier Theatre, December 3rd @ 4pm.
Please text Brack a picture all your keys and bring them on the 3rd.

Ken Maynard usually gets top billing when talking about famous Hollywood stars from Vevay, Indiana. In the early part of the 20th century Ken was one of the most prolific trick riders and stuntmen in Hollywood. Many would also say he was the original "Singing Cowboy", ahead of Gene Autry. It was his younger brother Kermit, though, who went to Hollywood and made it out with his family intact and his gentleman's reputation.

Kermit Maynard, born in Vevay, Indiana was a 3 sport athlete at IU.
(Courtesy of Ernie Andres, Executive Secretary of the Indiana University Men's Association) Kermit Roosevelt Maynard was born September 20, 1897. He was one of 5 siblings born to William and Emma Maynard of 505 Liberty St, Vevay, Indiana. In 1904 the Maynard family moved to Columbus, Indiana.

Kermit graduated from Columbus High School in 1916 and after a small stint as a laborer for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, he enlisting in the service in 1917.

He was a star athlete during his time at Indiana University.

On February 23, 1924 Kermit married Edith in Minneapolis where he worked for the meat packing company, Hormel. While in Minnesota, Kermit also dabbled in semi-pro baseball and basketball.

Ken Maynard made it to Hollywood first, and at his persuasion, encouraged Kermit and his wife, Edith to move to California in 1926.

(Old Corral collection) "Kerm", as many in the industry came to call him, signed for his first series of silent films and was given the name Tex to differentiate himself from his brother. In the early 30's he started doing stunts for other stars including his brother.

His horsemanship was good enough to land him a job as a circus performer where he was billed as "The World's Champion Trick and Fancy Rider."

During the silent film days, Kermit doubled not only for his brother, but for other famous actors at the time like Tom Tyler, Victor McLaglen, Jack Hoxie and Tom Keene.

In 1934 he got a chance with Ambassador Films as a Northwest Mounted Police.

(lobby card from Old Corral collection)

"The difference between Ken and Kermit was comparing night to day. Kermit always the gentleman, excellent horseman and real pleasure to work with. Never an unkind word for anyone and above all my friend."
His friend and colleague, Buster Crabbe

By 1971, Kermit had mentioned to a reporter that it had been years since he and his brother had spoken. Kermit kept tabs enough on his older brother, though, to know an address where he might be found and the way into his house was through a bottle of "Four Roses." You see, his older brother had been living in a run down part of California, had been married and divorced numerous times. This is not to dog on Ken, by an means, but it leads me to the question... Why have we propped up one Maynard, who may have been more famous, while mostly ignoring the one we probably could be telling our kids about?

Kermit Maynard died of heart attack on Jan 16, 1971. His career is credited with having participated in 300 sound films or talkies, 262 were westerns and 22 serials. Maybe his greatest success, though, can be mentioned as his persistent ability to not get caught up in the drama of Hollywood. He remained married to his wife up to his death, she living another 18 years past him.

"Kerm consumed bottle after bottle of soda pop and loved ice cream and Wheaties. He also was a prolific (and near par) golfer."
His wife Edith

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