By all reports, the number of children that insisted their parents take them out to Belle Isle on that Sunday afternoon in July was at least 10,000 (some have written 100,000). Most had one thing on their minds—actually seeing the mysterious masked man who’s voice they listened to in the evenings. But they were in for a slight deception.
Earle Graser had taken over the role of the Lone Ranger from George Seaton that spring. Even though the broadcast voice of the Ranger at that time, Graser was no horseman nor considered to “look” the role physically. WXYZ station manager Brace Beemer, on the other hand, stood six feet three inches tall, had been around horses all his life, and was an experienced marksman. Pressed into service, Brace was given a western costume complete with mask and a white horse of dubious origin to ride.
What happened next was completely unexpected.