Cause of death--Kamuela Searle?

[Sir_Rhosis]

It has long been reported that Kamuela Searle died as a result of injuries suffered when an elephant slammed him to the ground during the filming of “The Son of Tarzan” (192?). I found a fragment on a Tarzan site once reporting that for many years Searle’s brother tried unsuccessfully to refute this, sating that Kamuela died of cancer. Alas, I can no longer find the site. Anyone know the definitive answewr, or perhaps could point me in the right direction?

Sir

[bibliophage]

The Son of Tarzan was released as a 15-chapter serial in 1921, and it was another huge hit. The realistic scene of Searle’s near fatal accident remained in the picture and proved an irresistible draw. For years it has been reported that Searle was killed during the making of this film, but this myth was debunked in the Burroughs Bulletin after Searle’s brother wrote a letter to the editor explaining that Kamuela had been diagnosed with cancer in 1919 and died of it on February 14, 1924, in a Los Angeles hospital. source: http://www.classicimages.com/1997/june/five_tar.html

Some people seem to think the incident with the elephant was a plan by the director of the film to kill Searle and make it look like an accident. Apparently Searle and the director were both in love with the same woman. See http://www.sstar.com/treasure/dvo-21.htm

[bibliophage]

I should point out that IMDb (generally a reputable source) repeats the story that he was killed by an elephant.

[Sir_Rhosis]

Again. You either da man or da woman.

Sir