Voices In The Waters

I hear voices in the waters
a tragic tale they tell
of lovely, talented Grace McHugh
whose horse stumbled and fell

so many times she cheated death
with courage she would ride
doing her own tricks and stunts
up to the day she died

          those early days of silent films
          before Hollywood was queen
          out in Canon City
          they were shooting Western scenes
living out their dreams

those movies have now turned to dust
but I can hear their voices now
anguished cries from those ashore
"oh, how could God allow?"

dreams swept away on the Arkansas
with the snowmelt running high
the river took her far from us
in the early part of July

those early days of silent films
          before Hollywood was queen
          out in Canon City
          they were shooting Western scenes
living out their dreams

I hear voices in the waters
Tom Mix and all the crew
everyone loved and mourned
lovely Grace McHugh

Headquarters of The Colorado Motion Picture Company in 1913. This is located where the Southwest corner of 3rd and Main is today in Canon City, Colorado. The boss of this outfit was Otis Thayer, standing on the running board of the vehicle.

Grace McHugh was the female counterpart of Tom Mix, acting and doing all of her own stunt work. Destined for greatness until the tragic event depicted in this song.

A'still' from Grace McHugh's last film Across The Border. She is up in the wagon. The film did not survive, but thankfully a few still shots like this, did.

Here is a last parting shot of our heroine, who ironically drowned in the river shown here. Canon City people will be able to visualize how she fell in near the confluence with Grape Creek, and she was found some days later near the 4th street bridge.

SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ABOUT 2 INCREDIBLE BOOKS ON THIS SUBJECT. BOTH BOOKS TELL THIS, AND OTHER, INTERESTING AND COLORFUL STORIES.

HOLLYWOOD, COLORADO by David Emrich

HOLLYWOOD IN THE ROCKIES by Michael Spencer

Here is a look at the Arkansas River today. The stream emptying into the river is Grape Creek, the spot where Grace fell in. It's hard to picture such a tragedy happening there.