Bandwagon, June 1943

Bandwagon, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Jun), 1943. Note: Only some articles are included in this online edition. Illustrations are not included.

Statistics on Barnum & Bailey, Season of 1891

Stables

Baggage horses, 205
Ring and hippodrome horses, 75
Ponies, 33
Elephants, 13
Camels, 4
Dromedaries, 14
Hairless horse, 1
Giant Horse, 1
Three-horned bull, 1

Wagons

Baggage, 55
Cages, 22
Ticket Wagon, 1
Band wagons, 1
Organ, 1
Calliope, 1
Tube wagon, 1
Pony chariots, 8
Racing chariots, 4
Buggies, 2

Railroad

No. of cars used, 60
Advance cars, 4
Railroads used, 39
Longest run of year 208 miles
Shortest run, 5 miles

Statistics

Distance travelled, 7,793 miles
Length of season, 183 days
Total performances, 362
Performances not given, 0
One-day stands, 118
Two-day stands, 4
One-week stands, 3
Two-week stands, 1
Four-week stands, 1
No, towns visited, 127
Number of States, 18

Parade

Drum Corps
Mounted people, 24 ladies
Mounted people, 40 men
Cage 50 Tiger den, open
Cage 51 Lion den, open
Cage 52, Leopard den, open
Cage 53, Wolves den open
Golden band chariot (band)
Mounted people, 24 ladies
Mounted people, 40 men
Cage 54, panther den, open
Cage 55, Bear den, open
Cage 58, Hyena den, open
Cage 45, tableau chariot (band)
Cage 63, tableau cage
Cage 64, tableau cage
Cage 65, tableau cage
Cage 66, tableau cage
Cage 67, tableau cage
Cage 68, tableau cage
Chimes chariot
Lady jockeys
Men jockeys
Roman Race riders
Three 2-horse racing chariots
Three 4-horse racing chariots
Green band chariot (band)
Cage 69, tableau cage
Cage 70, tableau cage
Cage 73, tableau cage
Melechor organ
Two trapped elephants
12 led elephants
Dragon chariot, drawn by four camels
Fourteen dromedaries
Clown cart
Cage 46, tableau chariot (band)
Cinderella chariot
Sinbad-the-sailor chariot
Red-Riding-Hood chariot
Old-Woman-In-Shoe chariot
Tableau chariot (Jubilee)
Santa Claus Chariot
Mother Goose chariot
Blue Beard chariot
Steam Calliope

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Cole Bros. Circus

Show makes fine appearance, as entire spread of canvas is new also banners. Big top is blue canvas. Canopy in front of side show entrance, this over the ballyhoo stand something new. Four pole top same as other years, three rings. Fine performance that should please everyone. No wild animal acts. Some very fine horses, plenty of them well trained. Menagerie contains 16 elephants, 2 more than last year, 6 Zebra, 1 llama, 5 camels, 3 water buffalo, and ten cages. A very nice display. Saw several performers I know, some from Downie Bros., of years gone by, and John Smith horse trainer from Haag 1912 days, when I was on the show. Mr. Kellog who was with Haag as fixer was in side show. He must be past 70 years now. I also saw Zack Terrell, Manager. He had the privilege car 1914 with Robinson Famous Shows, when I was there, never dreaming that some day he would own one of the last of the big circuses. The old "Columbia" wagon is still the ticket wagon.

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Russell Bros. Circus

"I attended the afternoon performance here yesterday (San Diego, Cal., April l8th) of the "Russell Bros. Circus". They played here nine days. A very fine and clean show throughout, worthy in comparison to a good sized rail show. Had a nice visit with Jorgen Christianson, who has a fine string of eleven beautiful Liberty Horses.

"The show also carries other fine acts; like Nellie Dutton's riding Act; the Flying Valentines; extra fine trained seals; very good dog & pony numbers - tight wire; bounding rope etc., Nellie Dutton's trained Camel "Bagdad" and a fine Elephant act by Cheerful Gardner. Also Jack Joyce and animals.

"Menagerie has Leopards, Jaguar; wolf; Hyena; two sacred cattle; many ponies; 4 camels; 7 elephants; and Christiansen horses, also a few other horses belonging to acts."

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Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus

“The Gardens had two rings and two stages. All three rings and stages could not be set up because of the lack of space. Alfred Court had two arenas for his animal act. Old fashioned rings. All props in rings are red and gold.

Band is excellent with Merle Evans at the lead. Old Calliope is re-placed with an electric organ which does swell blending of a calliope with band. The parade wagons are of the old Wallace type with the carvings facing the audience and painted on the other side. Carvings are painted in gold and silver.

Small Dog and Pony Wagon. . . . This wagon is a small pony wagon that was with the original Ringling Bros., Circus dated 1884, It is painted red and the carvings are gold, sunburst wheels. It is very beautiful and in excellent condition.

All the old parade cages have the old fashioned banners and flags on the four corners".

Menagerie:

No. 71, Monkey cage, Red and gold, Corner statues.
No. 95, Bear cage. Red and silver. Carvings on corners.
No. 77, Lion cage. Red and gold. Corner statues
No. 75, Kangaroo and Gnu. Red and Gold. Carvings on corners,
No. 70, Tiger cage, Red and Silver. Carvings on corners.
No. 84, Leopards cage. Red and Gold, Carvings on corners,,
No. 74, Deer Cage. Green and Silver. Carvings on corners,
No. 73, Baby Hippo Cage. Yellow and Silver, Carvings on corners.
(Note - the cages listed above were used in the spec. All the cages had carved skyboards and baseboards).
No. 67, Ape Cage. Three Apes. White. Glass outside bars.
Gargantua and Toto cage, White,
Dog and Pony dated 1884.
2 Midget Donkeys
26 Elephants
1 Llama
16 Ponies
4 Camels, 1 baby camel
About 60 ring horses

The Old Fashioned Street Parade - this year's Spec. "HOLD-YOUR HORSES .... THE ELEPHANTS ARE COMING!"

Parade order:- Introduction; Two horse buggy with Fred. Bradna at the reins; Five riders with banners; Liberty Bandwagon, six horse hitch, with Merle Evans and his band atop; Two riders and flags; a Clown police patrol wagon; Cage No. 71 - two artists on top 4 horse hitch; Light riders, with banners; Cage No. 95 - 4 horse hitch; Elephant with howdah; Cage No, 77 - two elephant hitch; Two camels with riders; Bareback rider on white horse; Donkey and Clown, Cage No. 73 - 4 horse hitch, clown band on top; Two riders; Cage No. 75 two-elephant hitch. Four actors on top; Two-horse rider; Old Dog and Pony Wagon (1984) Four shetland Pony hitch. Cage No. 70 Two horse hitch; Two four horse chariots with riders - Old Roman type; Eight riders; Five elephants; Old Calliope (H-W).

The old clarion Chime Wagon (Bell Wagon) is not used this year. The Liberty bandwagon is a beautiful wagon and the builders have a right to be proud of this wagon. The carvings are very good and some are from old parade wagons. There is a door in the rear so that Spec. props can be stored inside. There are three floats for the second Spec. which are most colorful and outstanding. The old H.-W. Calliope is painted bright rod and silver.

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