Bandwagon, June 1946

Bandwagon, June, 1946. Note: Only some articles are included in this online edition. Illustrations are not included.

Reminisces of Jake Posey

In July, 1897 I left the B. E. Wallace Circus in Pittsburgh, Pa. and went to my home in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had been there but a few days when I received a cable from Jas. A. Bailey in England. He instructed me to come on to the show, and bring all the good men I could find. Also, instructed me to call at the Strobridge Lithograph Office for instructions and funds. This was on Sat. The Ringling Bros. was showing in Indianapolis, Ind. on the following Mon. I went up to Indianapolis, Sun. morning, when I arrived on the lot, show was all up and as I approached the horse tent Deleavan the boss hostler was sitting out in front in his chair. When he saw me he called out Go back there is no one here who wants to go to Europe. I was very much surprised at the news getting to Indianapolis ahead of me as I had not told anyone of my plans. We shook hands and proceeded to talk show business and rib each other. The outcome of the trip was the men I wanted would not go, and the men who wanted to go, I would not take, so I went back to Cinn. alone. I only had 2 days before I was to depart for N.Y., but I managed to pick up 4 men whom I took over. We left N.Y. on the steam ship Brittanic, arriving in Liverpool, we took the train for London, remained over night and next day went to Southampton where we joined the show.

Dave McKay was boss hostler, Tom Lynch, assistant. I was assigned to an 8 horse team which I drove the balance of that season and all of next. In winter quarters I worked in the harness shop washing and oiling harness. One day the boss hostler came in the harness shop and told me Mr. Bailey had asked him if he had anyone who could drive a 40 horse team, he replied Posey can if any on can so Mr. Bailey told him to tell me he would see me on his next rip to Stoke-On-Trent. Mr. Bailey came up from London each Tues. and Friday. When Mr. Bailey came up he came in the harness shop and asked me how I was getting along. After looking around he called me out of the shop and said Jake what do you think about the 40 horse team idea? I replied I think it is the greatest team ever put together. Well he said what do you think about driving it? Can you drive it? I replied I can drive any team that any other man can drive. He patted me on the back and said that’s the spirit. Will you drive it? I said yes. He took me to the boss hostler and Mr. Frank Hyatt the Sup’t. and told them I was going to drive the 40 horse team the coming season and to have a wagon fixed up so I could hitch the team and get myself in shape for the coming season. They loaded the stable pole wagon with iron and when the weather permitted and I felt like it, I would take a drive thru New Castle and Stoke-On-Trent. The horses were hitched 4 abreast. I began the first day with 12 horses and added 4 each day until I had the 40 hitched. I soon became accustomed to them and at the same time hardened my arms and muscles. I practiced every time the opportunity afforded. We opened in Birmingham, England, Apr. 10, 1899. I made a 3 hour parade the first day and everything went fine. The team consisted of 40 bright bay horses weighing 1600 to 2000 lbs. each. I had 10 lines in each hand and the weight of the lines was 90 lbs.

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