William C. "Silver Bill" Voges was a born showman who ran away from home at age 12 to join a Buffalo Bill Show.

Proprietor of the Linden Valley Dude Ranch outside of Port Washington, he once owned the largest collection of silver saddles in the world and a number of national champion horses. During World War II, he toured the U.S. with his wife and daughter in a rodeo that he organized.

But his life came to a tragic end in a street fight in Canton in 1948.

More Hooked on History:Zeisberger's pen paints picture of Tuscarawas Valley in 1770s

Voges was born April 18, 1895, and grew up in Stark County. A World War I veteran, he operated the first metered taxicabs in Canton. Around 1930, he moved to Dennison, where he ran a trucking business and operated a bar in the Dennison Hotel.

For a while in the 1930s, he lived in California, where he acquired a string of thoroughbred horses and expensive silver-trimmed riding equipment used in Hollywood westerns. It was around this time that he picked up the nickname of "Silver Bill."

He came back to Ohio around 1937 and opened the Linden Valley Dude Ranch in Port Washington. He also owned a garage and restaurant in that town.

In 1941, the Coshocton Tribune reported that Voges had in his possession a saddle once owned by Tom Mix, a star of western films in the silent era. The saddle was valued at $5,000 ($105,000 in 2022 dollars).

"Ornate with sterling silver trimmings, the hand-tooled leather saddle weighs 80 pounds and is a treat to the eye," the Tribune said. "At present, it is at the Curtiss jewelry store at Newcomerstown, where a new nameplate is being engraved. Mr. Curtiss vouched for the genuineness of the silver on the saddle and pronounced the workmanship on the leather and silver about the best he has seen."

Voges seems to have had something of a wanderlust. In 1944, he auctioned off livestock and other possessions at the dude ranch in one of the largest auctions every held in Tuscarawas County so he could tour the country with a rodeo show.

"With a cast of 70 performers which includes Hollywood stuntmen, movie cowboy stars, his wife, Patsy, and daughter, Jackie, Mr. Voges will open his show at Jackson, Mich., May 15th," the New Philadelphia Daily Times reported.

The rodeo was going to visit Army camps and hospitals.

More Hooked on History:Multiple factors led to decline of Twin City clay industry

"Although he has engaged in many enterprises, one can tell his heart is in the show business and he is his own publicity agent," the paper said.

The Daily Times noted that Voges owned a house in North Hollywood, California, a farm near Tipton, Indiana, and a ranch in Montana, "but they still consider Linden Valley Dude Ranch, Port Washington, and Dennison their home, they said."

It is unclear how long Silver Bill and his rodeo toured the United States, but he was back in Tuscarawas County by 1945.

On March 27, 1948, a fire at the Linden Valley bunkhouse caused $40,000 (nearly $500,000 in 2022 dollars) in damage. According to the Daily Times, the loss included a cowboy wardrobe valued at $10,000 and three silver-mounted saddles worth $8,000.

Voges had started a fire in a kerosene stove at the bunkhouse before the arrival of an employee. He noticed the fire as he was about to drive away. It was believed the stove exploded shortly after he left.

That summer, an old friend of Voges, James F. Burns, 50, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, arrived for a visit at the dude ranch. They had known each other for 30 years. They discussed Voges' plan to attend the Circle M rodeo at the Stark County Fairgrounds to sell a trailer and look over stock at the show. Burns operated a concession at the show.

Voges and his housekeeper, Rosalie Thurston, 32, an expert horse trainer and rider, arrived at the fairgrounds around 1 p.m. July 3, according to Burns. Voges had been drinking heavily, so Burns and Thurston placed Voges in his car "to sleep it off."

Later, Burns suggested they go to his room at 3400 W. Tuscarawas St. to wash up. Burns told police that while he was in the bathroom, he could hear Voges and Thurston argue. When he came out of the bathroom, Thurston showed him where Voges had cut her on the leg with a knife.

More Hooked on History:GAR represented interests of Civil War veterans locally and nationally

Burns went to get some towels. When he returned, Thurston was laying on the floor unresponsive, he told police. He and Voges then began to argue. They went outside, and Burns attempted to put Voges into his convertible coupe, which was parked on Bellflower Avenue.

"The argument continued and Burns said he struck Voges with his open hand after Voges had made several passes at him with an open penknife," the Daily Times reported. "Burns said he struck Voges again and that he fell backwards against the car and onto the pavement.

"Burns said he disarmed Voges and threw the knife across the street, police later finding the weapon where Burns said he had thrown it."

Stark County Coroner E.C. Reno ruled that Voges died from a cerebral concussion caused by a blow to the head. He was buried at West Lawn Cemetery in Canton.

Burns was charged with first-degree manslaughter in Voges' death. A Stark County grand jury failed to indict him on any charge.

The Linden Valley Dude Ranch was sold at auction on Jan. 15, 1949, by M.R. Moody, administrator of Voges' estate, and it continued to operate for several years under new ownership.

Jon Baker is a reporter for The Times-Reporter and can be reached at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.