First Photograph of Young Bill Hart -- February 11, 2023

Washington Times, 20-February-1923

William S Hart and his wife, Winifred Westover, had a son, William S Hart, Jr, in September, 1922. Sadly, Bill Sr had thrown his pregnant wife out of the house some time before. They went on to divorce. He set up a trust fund to support their child. 

Seattle Star, 28-February-1923

Bill Hart of Movie Fame Fights Death -- October 8, 2022

Ogden Standard-Examiner, 08-October-1922

William S Hart, cowboy star, was later diagnosed with typhoid fever. He survived. 

BILL HART OF

MOVIE FAME

FIGHTS DEATH

International News Service

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7. -- William S. Hart, notorious "two-gun man" of the silver screen, is reported tonight fighting a desperate battle with death in his home in Hollywood. He was stricken five days ago, with a mysterious malady which doctors in attendance on him cannot diagnose, and late tonight relapsed into a coma.

The physicians, after a long consultation tonight, said that they could not determine the malady which threatens the life of the noted actor. They believe it might be typhoid fever, they said, but are not certain.

The first symptom of Hart's illness came Monday when he complained of a cold. He took to bed at his doctor's orders, but gradually grew worse until he relapsed tonight into unconsciousness. In his delirium he struggled with the doctors and nurses in attendance on him and it took their combined efforts to restrain him.

Miss Mary Hart, his sister, is in constant attendance upon him. Mrs. Winifred Westover Hart, his wife, has not visited him. The couple became estranged several weeks ago, shortly before their son was born.

Casper Daily Tribune, 09-October-1922

Hart Improving

From Typhoid

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7. -- Continued improvement was announced in the condition of William S. ("Bill") Hart, film star, who has been critically ill of typhoid fever and complications. Hart's strong constitution and remarkable vitality have played an important role in his fight against death, and unless new complications develop there is little further danger. Dr. Leon J. Roth, who is attending Hart, announced today.

William S Hart -- Red Blood and Blue Blazes! -- September10, 2022

Richmond Palladium and Sun-Telegram, 09-September-1922

Ironically, William S Hart played in Travelin' On after he kicked Winifred Westover, his pregnant wife, out of the house. 

Austin American Statesman, 29-September-1922

San Francisco Examiner, 15-September-1905

Some sources expressed hope that the birth of William S Hart, Jr might lead to a reconciliation, but Mrs Hart went ahead and filed for divorce.

Alaska Daily Empire, 02-September-1922

"'The Whistle' is a William S Hart production of tremendous dramatic power."

Moving Picture World, 02-September-1922

When I saw Neal Hart's name, I assumed he was one of many actors who changed their last names to match famous stars, but Neal Hart was this gentleman's real name, and he was said to be a distant cousin of William S Hart.

Hays Not Concerned in Hart's Affair -- August 6, 2022

Amarillo Daily News, 20-August-1922

Back in December, we saw that cowboy star William S Hart had married actress Winifred Westover:

Big V Riot Squad: Bill Hart in Arms -- December 9, 2021

By August, 1922, they had been separated for some time and she was preparing to file for divorce. Some sources said that Will Hays tried to get them to reconcile. Hays said that he did not. 

William S Hart -- He Had Neither Names Nor Friends -- March 11, 2022

Exhibitors Herald, 18-March-1922

Bill Hart wrote the story and Lambert Hillyer directed Travelin' On in 1922.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, 19-March-1922

I like the image of Hart riding on Fritz. 

Motion Picture Magazine, March, 1922

Visitors may recall that Hart married actress Winifred Westover on 07-December-1921. 

Moving Picture World, 18-March-1922

Winifred Westover would not be billed as "Mrs William S Hart," but exhibitors were allowed to exploit her marriage by other means. 

Bill Hart in Arms -- December 9, 2021

Perth Amboy Evening News, 16-December-1921

On 07-December-1921, cowboy star William S Hart married Winifred Westover, who had  starred with him in 1919 in John Petticoats. She was a native of San Francisco. Hart threw her out of the house, pregnant, after six months of marriage. They divorced in 1927.

Albuquerque Morning Journal, 18-December-1921

"Hart is more than twice the age of his pretty young bride, who is twenty-two." He was fifty-seven. 

Moving Picture World, 03-December-1921

Lambert Hillyer directed Hart in White Oak, where he played a character named Oak Miller. 

Indiana Daily Times, 03-December-1921

The bill at the Isis Theater in Indianapolis included a short film in the "Adventures of Bill and Bob" series, directed by Robert N Bradbury and starring his sons Bob, Jr and Bill.

Clovis News, 08-December-1921

Hart played three parts in Three Word Brand which was  directed by Lambert Hillyer.

Cordova, Alaska Daily Times, 16-December-1921

Sand was a 1920 production, also directed by Lambert Hillyer. 

Pueblo Chieftan, 18-December-1921

Hart and his pony Fritz went over a cliff in Sand. 

Klamath Falls Evening Herald, 28-December-1921

The Aryan, a 1916 film (with an unfortunate title) produced by Thomas Ince, was back in release. 

Motion Picture News, 10-December-1921

When I saw Neal Hart's name, I assumed he was one of many actors who changed their last names to match famous stars, but Neal Hart was this gentleman's real name and he was said to be a distant cousin of William S Hart.

Motion Picture News, 10-December-1921