One of Cecil County’s most colorful personalities, Rodeo Earl Smith, “a gun-slingin’, troublemakin’ goat-keepin’ bachelor,” lived at the King Ranch on Route 40 outside Perryville for decades. Labeling himself Cecil County’s most famous resident, he also described himself as the “cussin’est, kissin’est cowboy who ever lived,” Robin Brown reported in the Morning News on May 4, 1980.
A rodeo rider, Hollywood stuntman, boxing and wrestling promoter, television and radio personality, amusement park owner and who knows what else, he began his entertainment career as a young man in the earliest years of the 20th century, performing as an expert rider and roper in Wild West Shows.
“As movies became popular, he started performing stunts in the early Hollywood shows. For 20 years, he operated the Morton Park Pool in Delaware County, an amusement park outside Philadelphia, and when he retired around 1952, he purchased the 200-acre Silver King Ranch on U.S. Route 40 in Perryville.”
Wherever the aging Earl Smith went as he traveled around the county, people he met knew they were in for a special treat as he shared his exciting tales of the old west, early Hollywood days, the famous people he worked with, and his adventures.
He was known for toting pistols as he went about his day. In the Middletown Centennial Parade in 1961, on a mule-drawn covered wagon, he had his six shooters pointed up in the air as performed along the route. Everyone thought the bullets were blanks until one shot downed a live power line, and the startled Earl inadvertently pulled off another shot as he looked down to see what was happening. According to Charlie Biggs, a local barber, that last shot nicked one of the mules pulling the wagon, and it tumbled down the street.
A couple of years later, President Kennedy came to town to dedicate I-95. Old Earl was there, but the Secret Service ensured he wasn’t carrying his Colt 45 pistols that day in 1963, and they kept an eye on the “old range rider” during the president’s appearance on the state line.
As he aged, he couldn’t stay at home quietly with his memories and mementos. He traveled about the county with his goats and dogs, looking to rope passersby into a conversation as he never tired of talking about himself. One summer around 1970, Governor Marvin Mandel was whisked through the county on a campaign tour. While the governor visited the county commissioners, he roped Mandel into listening to him praise the county commissioners, the Nixon Administration. At the same time, he also shared often told tales of his exploits. “A campaign aide eventually intervened to Mandel’s apparent relief,” the News Journal reported.
He was a great friend of local law enforcement and newspaper reporters. Whenever he came in the front door at the Cecil Whig, Editor Don Herring recalled there was often a rush to get out the back door for the young reporter that Earl caught up with would have to listen to stories for hours.
In the late 1960s, Elkton’s AM Radio Station, WSER, started a midday news and talk show. Whenever the DJ hosting the show heard that familiar voice on the line, he knew he wouldn’t have to worry about filling the broadcast hour. Earl used that as his platform to talk about politics, what needed to be done in the nation, the fading memories of the old west, and his accomplishments.
“On the eve of his 86th Birthday, the Cecil Whig said he was a “hale and hearty octogenarian” who once earned a “living by physical strength, daring skill, a flair for entertaining, and plenty of good old American guts.” When the feisty old cowboy with the goatee and handlebar mustache died in 1980 at the age of 89, the newspaper said: “One of Cecil County’s most colorful personalities” has passed away. Born January 17, 1891, he was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.” He had been born in Stoughton, Mass on Jan. 17, 1891.
I sure do remember the name ..never knew the history of him.
Very interesting!
Cecil County had many interesting Characters and he sure was one of the top ones, Monica. Thanks for reading a Window on Cecil County’s Past.
I remember my Dad telling me the story of rodeo Earl shooting an electrical line in two by accident in North East. He was a great man
My mom worked for Earl at the Morton Pool. She said he always was trying to kiss her. We traveled Rt 40 a good bit back in the 60s and she pointed out his ranch with everything painted silver! I’ve read that his house had no heat or electricity and that he rarely took a bath in his wooden tub. What a character!
Richard, he was a character. Thanks for sharing your story.