After placing important family rodeo memorabilia in a storm cellar in Enid, Oklahoma, due to threatening weather including tornados the last few weeks, it was discovered last night that one suitcase of items is missing. Wayne Cornish, of Enid, discovered the theft and is grief-stricken because of the loss of the contents of the suitcase. Cecil Cornish was a rodeo celebrity, from Waukomis and Enid, and had a career as a contract performer for over 40 years. He worked with his trained horse, Smokey, and trained Brahma, Danger, that could jump an open car, and many other animals. Cecil was always a crowd favorite. Cecil was also a trick rider and a Roman rider. Wayne Cornish, his son, was a rodeo clown and Roman rider from 1950 to 1972. The items in the suitcase that were stolen were: Cecil’s medallion when he was inducted in to the Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City; his medallion and plaque when he was inducted in to the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in 2003; Wayne’s plaque given to him by Karen Vold, in honor of her father Andy Womack, a deceased former rodeo clown, for being a retired rodeo clown that was willing to go above and beyond at the 2000 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Clown Reunion. There were also two photo albums chocked full of early day rodeo photographs that can not be replaced. Anyone knowing anything about these items please contact Detective Robin Bench at the Enid Police Department at phone # 580-242-7000 or Wayne Cornish at 580-242-5456. Callers can earn up to $1,000 reward and not be required to testify or be identified. |
