Note Sheet No. 7, July 1943

Note Sheet, No. 7, July 15, 1943. Note: Only some articles are included in this online edition. Illustrations are not included.

The Last of the Forty-Horse Drivers

It has been my pleasure within recent months to become a friend of one, who today is a grand trouper, a man whom we can all love, and respect; for just the man that he is; loyal and always devoted to the thing we love; THE CIRCUS, The Greatest Show on Earth.

Let's just relax, and sit back in our Grand Stand seats and unfold in our minds the story of this man.

Our picture of memory will go back many years to the old familiar John Robinson Show in 1874. The Boss Hostler of this famous institution was the father of the man in our story.

Our friend was born in Cedar Grove, Franklin Co., Indiana, June 27th, 1863.

His Life unfolded to me as follows; vacation days came along, so our boy had to visit Dad, of course, as in any boy's mind, the finest Dad there ever was; the Boss Hostler of The John Robinson Circus.

Parade time came, so Dad dressed up his son in a little livery suit and plug hat, and placed him in the drivers position on a chariot, drawn by ten beautiful little ponies.

Posing as "Columbia" in this Chariot was Chrissie Stickney, sister of the famous Robt. Stickney, renowned bareback rider of those golden days. What a parade in any boy's mind including a compliment from the owner of the show, the one and only John Robinson himself.

As time rolled on our beloved character in 1880 joined up with the Van Amburg Show, driving a six horse hitch, which was only the beginning of future events and thrills.

Year after year of "Big Top" experience follows; The Bob Hunting Circus; Barnum & Bailey; Buffalo Bill Wild West; Sparks; and Al. G. Barnes; a world of pleasant incidents, and. happy memories to a man, who today reflects a picture of a gentleman - a grand trouper.

Today living within the sacred confines of a quiet little home in Baldwin Park, Calif., a beauty spot nestled at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains, there living with a life-long loyal partner, dear fellow members and Circus fans; I give to you, with pleasure Mr. Jake Posey and Mrs. Posey - "The Only Living Driver" of the Famous 40-horse Team of the Barnum & Bailey Show.

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Dailey Bros. Circus 1943

This Circus consists of the following equipment:

16 trucks, including 14 semi-trailers. (This includes a 26 ft. cage for 29 dog face Baboons).
6 elephants
1 Camel
20 horses and ponies
3 bears
1 hyena
15 monkeys
29 Baboons
2 lions
1 Zebra
1 Brahma Bull
1 mule
12 performing Spitz dogs
Big Top - 75 ft. with 3 - 40's
Side show - 60 with 3 - 30's
about 1000 seats, includ. 850 res.
8 pce Band - Joe Rossi leader (include Calliope)
3 rings
Adm. aft. 75 cents adults, 25 cents kids
Night $1.00 adults, 40 cents kids
50 cents res. seats both performances
Features
1) 12 year old Norma Davenport and her 3 dancing elephants
2) Evalini Rossi, aerial queen
8 untrained palomino horses left at quarters.

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Hunt Bros. Circus 1943

Show owned and managed by Chas. T. Hunt Sr., and Mrs. Hunt assisted by three sons, Harry, Chas. Jr., and Eddie, their wives and Mr, & Mrs. Levine. Mrs, Levine is Mr. Hunt's daughter. Show short handed, using only two of the three rings under an 80' round top with one 30' and one 40' middle piece, leaving out one 40 middle piece. No side show, but the 30 x 40' top contained 2 elephants, 1 three-eyed-three-horned Bovine Bull, 1 Llama and a former Ringling cage with gold leaf and carvings mounted on a truck chasis - in this were a Lioness and 7 monkeys. All above stock owned by the Hunts, as well as the following: 2 mules, 4 ponies and 4 dogs. Stock carried and owned by acts with the circus include 2 large monkeys, 2 ponies, 7 horses and 3 dogs, owned by the Conleys'; 7 ponies, 4 horses and 5 dogs owned by the Steeles, and 4 dogs owned by M. Drew. No band carried; George Bannister plays Hammond Electric organ, air calliope used for street bally.

Program

1. Grand entry eliminated due to lack of space on hippodrome track. 2. Ring one, 4 trained ponies, Mrs. Chas. Hunt, Jr.; Ring two, 4 trained ponies, Lou Barton. 3. Ring one, Hand balancing & acrobatics, Marcelle & Georgette; Ring two, Roller-Roller, Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Hunt (great act). 4. Ring one, Trained dogs (5), Marion Drew; Ring two, 4 trained dogs, one ridden by house cat, Mrs. Stanley 5. Ring one, Swinging ladders, Mrs. Eddie and Mrs. Chas. Hunt Jr. 6. Ring one, 2 trained ponies, Lou Barton; Ring two, 2 trained mules, Chas. Hunt Jr. 7. Ring two, perch act, Mr. & Mrs. Levine. 8. Ring one, 6 trained dogs, Rose Steele 9. Mrs. Stanley swinging by neck loop and Butterfly act. 10. 3 high school horses ridden by Mrs. Conley, Miss Steele and Mrs. Chas. Hunt, Jr. 11. Clown act. 12. Ring two, 4 Liberty horses, Buck Steele 13. Single traps, Marcelle & Georgette, Georgette concludes by walking upside down along top of tent, thrusting feet through loops suspended from peak of tent. 14. Bare back riding - the riding Conleys, 1 man, 1 clown, 1 boy, 2 girls, and lady ringmaster 3 horses. 15. Ring two, Lady clown juggler, Marion Drew. 16. 3 boys from audience learn bare-back riding with aid of mechanic. 17. Robert Stanley, drunk on slack wire (this act comparable with any on larger shows). 18. 2 ponies, 2 dogs, 2 large monkeys, in riding act; for finale one monkey does 30' dive into a net. 19. 2 elephant act put through paces by Chas. Hunt, Jr. Concert: Rose and Buck Steele in trick riding, roping, Australian whip cracking and showing training Commando dogs with 2 Australian Police dogs.

Equipment: Truck trailers No. 1 side show tent; 2 - concessions; 3 - electric light plant; 4 - cookhouse; 5 - general admission seats; 6 - res. seats; 7 - bulls. Trucks: No. 8 Cage (lioness & 7 monkeys); 9 - Buck Steel’s 4 horses and 7 ponies; 10 - Conleys 3 hourses, 2 ponies, dogs and monkeys; 11 - air calliope; 12 - props and baggage; 13 - wardrobe and equipment; 14 - big top poles and canvas; 15 - Hunt’s ponies, mules and dogs; 16 - outside lunch stand; with about 12 cars and house trailers. Spotless cookhouse in charge of Mr. & Mrs. Dan Stuart.

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