Bandwagon, March 1953

Bandwagon, March, 1953. Note: Only some articles are included in this online edition. Illustrations are not included. The Circus Historical Society does not guarantee the accuracy of information contained in the information in these online articles. Information should always be checked with additional sources.

Rufus Welch's Enterprises

The recent discovery of the Welch, Delavan and Nathans advertisement reproduced on the cover of this Bandwagon has prompted the author to delve further into the activities of "General" Rufus Welch.

The source of material for this article has been the Xenia, Ohio, "Torchlight," issues subsequent to 1844; the Dayton Journal and Advertiser between the years 1840 and 1853; the New York Clipper issue of March 1883; and Glenroy's "Ins and Outs of Circus Life."

The advertisement in itself is of particular interest to wagon historians as it, in so for as the woodcut and description can be relied upon, portrays the appearance of one of the earliest wagons built for parade purposes. It also lists the name and address of the wagon builder which to the writer's knowledge is the earliest definite information of this type.

Welch was born in Chenango County, New York, in 1801. He apparently entered show business in some indefinite capacity, perhaps as a manager of a small show as early as 1818. By ten years later he had acquired an interest in Purdy, Welch and Company, an association that existed more or less continuously for a decade.

Colonel Sturtevant has a copy of an advertisement for Purdy, Welch, and Macomber and Company, featuring Isaac Van Amburgh, the wild animal trainer, that appeared in the 12 May 1837 issue of the Albany, New York, "Argus." This is one of the largest of early circus advertisements, measuring three columns in width by a full page in length, and profusely illustrated with four woodcuts.

In 1839, he and Jonas Bartlett bought the defunct Bacon and Derious Circus and this year undertook the transportation of one of the three giraffes that Welch had recently imported, an experiment that cost the owners their investment while the giraffe lost nothing but its life.

According to the Ohio papers, a western company was formed on or before 1845, and the management of this concern delegated to William Delavan while the eastern company continued under the direction of Welch, Mann, and others.

His method of operation in the east would be the envy of all would-be efficient managers of later years. For several years his circuses ran almost continuously, utilizing such permanent places as Cooke's Amphitheatre and the National and Walnut Street Theatres in Philadelphia; Bowery Amphitheatre and the Park and Broadway Theatre in New York; and the Lion Theatre in Boston for the winter seasons, while the traveling tent shows operated during the summer. The latter, for the most part, confined their itinerary to the New England states, eastern New York and Pennslvania, northern Virginia, and the other seaboard states in that vicinity.

The winter circus produced many historical spectacles including "Battle of Monterrey" in 1847, "Mad Anthony Wayne" in 1845, "Isreal Putman in '76" in 1844, and "Battle of Waterloo" and "Napoleon Crossing the Alpo" in 1840. The latter was produced in New Orleans.

In 1843, Welch took a company abroad to the Mediterranean ports, while his partner, Mann, toured the West Indies with another troupe. These tours lasted for approximately one year. In the early fifties, he again went to Europe, an unsuccessful venture. Upon return in 1853, he launched his Parisian Hippodrome, a gigantic affair which, according to the advertisement, seated 6000, required 200 horses to transport, was illuminated with gas lights, and carried an elaborate parade. This company toured Ohio and ended up in New Orleans minus most of its assets.

From then until his death in 1856, Welch's fortunes did not rise again. In his late years he was in partnership with L. B. Lent in Philadelphia Theatre and boat show enterprises.

Welch was six feet in stature and was believed to have never married. John Glenroy referred to him as the most generous and considerate employer he ever worked for.

This advertisement and another for the previous year serve to substantiate the authenticity of Glenroy's book. Many of those who have had an opportunity to study this work either marvel at or deem incredible the detail with which he, entirely from memory in later life, relates the routes and performers of the shows with which he was associated. Glenroy worked for Welch for a number of years, terminating in 1847. All of the performers he lists for the 1847 show appear in the advertisement for that year and nine of these appear in this 1848 edition.

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Forty Horse Team

A great deal has been written about the Forty Horse team. Some, very amusing, to me. The team was composed of ten units of four horses. They were bright boys, mostly Percherons. Weighing 1600 to 2000 pounds each. They were hitched military style, with the exception of one body-pole between the four horses hitched on the end of the wagon pole. The lines on the wheelers were twenty-one feet in length, and, eleven feet were added for each additional four, making the lines on the leaders one hundred and twenty feet in length. The cross checks were the same style as used on a four horse chariot race, a check to each horse bit; twenty lines on the team.

The man who made the harness, in Concord, New Hampshire, told me he cut up fifty line backs for the lines. A line back is the better part of a side of leather, three by six feet in dimension.

When turning a corner, I would take up twenty-seven feet slack on the lead lines. When the wagon was around the corner, and the team straightened out, the lines run through my fingers very fast. If there should be a twist, or kink in one of the lines, it would throw all of the lines out of my hand. Consequently, a man sat behind me and kept the lines straightened out. One magazine said, quote: "It took three men to drive the team. Posey held the reins and directed them around the corners. Which, because of the length, had to make a big sweep from curb to curb. Posey sat in the center, the man on his left took in the slack of the reins, or let it out, as they would curve from right to left. The third man had a bucket full of pebbles and would throw one at certain horses rumps if they would lagg at the pull."

The fact is, the seat on the wagon was in the shape of a shell, and, when I donned the big livery coat, I filled the seat to capacity; and common sense will tell you, it would be impossible for a man to sit at my side and handle the slack reins.

There was no bucket of pebbles. If a horse slowed up, I called his name, and he immediately responded. The third man worked the brake. I started driving the team by hitching twelve, the first time, then adding four each time until I had forty hitched.

The team was made up with one eight horse and eight four horse teams. Putting the show on, and taking it off the lot, I drove the eight horse team. The forty horse harness was carried in the band wagon and it was the duty of the train crew, or, "Razor Backs," to take it out of the wagon, place it on portable racks. The band wagon was placed as near as possible, on the side of the horse tent, where the forty horses were stabled.

After we had made our two trips, hauling wagons to the lot, we changed harness. The lines were tied in individual and separate bundles and marked with a harness punch on the end of the line. I educated my helper to assist running the lines. After I had driven the team a few times, I discovered the body-pole was useless, and shorter turns could be made without it, and I took it out.

My first parade was in Birmingham, England, April 10, 1899. I was out three hours, everything went off without incident. My arms were very tired, The next day I was promoted to assistant boss hostler and was relieved of all driving except the forty in parade. One day a wheel on the band wagon was broken and could not be repaired in time for parade. I thought I would not have to make parade. But, Mr. Bailey said, "Hitch the forty horses to the number two Band wagon." It was much lighter than the "Five Graces" and had a foot, brake. It was the hardest parade I ever made.

Mr. Bailey would not cut out the forty horse team if he could possibly avoid it. Another time, I had an attack of "Chills and Fever," the boss hostler told Mr. Bailey I was sick. Mr. Bailey came to me, asked if I could make parade, I told him I was very weak, but, would go as far as my strength would permit. He told me he would have plenty help along the line of march in case I gave out. When I came in from parade, Mr. Bailey told the bass hostler I was to do nothing in the future but drive and look after the forty.

We made long stands, and only one parade in each town. I had it very easy. I only had one accident of any consequence. In Kings Lynn, England, August 1, 1899, a "Bobby" became excited, took hold of my lead horses, causing them to back up and put slack in the traces. A man rode in front of the team to signal me if everything was clear when turning a short corner, as I could not see my lead horses. This man happened to be at the side of the Bandwagon talking to the musicians. I called to him to get up front and get the "Copper" from the leaders. As he rode up the team straightened up and took up the slack in the traces. One of the lead horses was astride of its trace and as the man was at the side of the horse, it let both hind legs go, struck the mans leg and broke it. A short distance ahead was a very short corner, with a "Pub" on the corner. I had no one in front of the team to see if the street was clear. The street I turned in was barely wide enough for the four horses abreast, and paved with concrete. When the leaders turned into the street, they began crowding, and I saw I was in trouble. The man at the brake became excited, and tightened up on the brake. I called to him to turn it loose, but it was too late. The right front hub caught in the door, which was in the corner of the building, and the side of the frame building came out in the street. No one was injured. The "Fixer" with the show went down, squared the damage for thirty-seven shillings, a shilling, at that time, was worth twenty-four cents, American money, which amounted to eight dollars and eighty-eight cents. The proprietor of the "Pub" was James Bailey, and when he remodeled the house, he put up a large sign, which read, "James Bailey's Forty Horse Inn." I visited Mr. Bailey a few years later, when Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show was in Kings Lynn. Mr. Bailey told me I made him a rich man. Said the tourists came to see the house that was torn down by a forty horse team.

The last parade was made in Frankfurt, A.M. Germany, October 8, 1900. But while showing Paris, France, Mardi-Gras was celebrated March 6, 1902, and Mr. Bailey was asked to be represented in the parade. He sent the forty horse team, and calliope, I was out eight hours. My arms swelled so much, had to cut sleeves out of coat to get my arms out. I received a medal from the City of Paris.

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Lewis Bros. Circus

Lewis Bros. Circus which was owned and operated by Paul M. Lewis opened the season of 1934 at Jackson Michigan on May 11, 1934 at the fair grounds where three performances were given, one in the afternoon and two straw houses at nite.

The show had been rebuilt and new stock broken during the winter and the local papers had given the show much publicity with some very nice write up's.

The performance was presented in three rings and was really quite snappy. A cat act was featured and worked by Jerome Smith who also put the Elephant Lou through her routine. The high school and high jumping horses were ridden and presented by June and Nellie Russell. The Comedy Ford presented by Slivers Johnson closed the show and always sent the natives out well pleased.

For several weeks after the opening of the show a parade was given down town at noon but this was finally called off and the Calliope played by Tommy Comstock was sent out each day until the close of the season.

A side show was operated and managed by Peg Stolz whose father, George Stolz, had the big show Band.

All of the outside stands and concessions were leased to Zimmer and Tucker this particular season.

Jim Swafford was the agent and the show was routed East into Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticutt, all stands being contracted and played under auspices.

From Jackson, the show moved to Grand Rapids for a four Day stand then moved to Defiance, Ohio, and after a short swing into Indiana, back across into Ohio and Pennsylvania. Then moved fast into some of the New England States. On July 4, 1934, they exhibited at Hyanis, Mass. The season came to close early in September that year and the show returned to Jackson where it was quartered on the farm 20 miles northwest of Jackson near a little town called Springport. Incidently the elephant, Lou herein mentioned along with Tony, a smaller Bull was killed early one morning several years later as the show was moving off a lot in Ohio to make a jump into Pennsylvania, where a fast passenger struck and demolished and killed the two elephants and their keeper.

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Size 9 (Feet) Shoe Gives Lawyer a Kick

Some people can take a circus or leave it alone. That is, some of us get a little excited when the thing is in town, but once it's gone, and we forget it until the following year.

And then there are some circus fans who wait impatiently for its arrival, regret its leaving, and long for its return next season.

Roland K. Wilde, a Milwaukee lawyer, definitely belongs in the latter group. His suppressed desire to be as much a part of the traveling troupe as possible become unsuppressed recently. So much so that he broke down and obtained an old circus wagon for his very own.

He didn't go looking for it. The deal was offered to him. A friend, and fellow member of "Circus Fans of America" (Wilde is chairman of the Wisconsin branch) wanted to purchase the old steam calliope which was recently displayed at the Wisconsin State Fair. He couldn't get it, however, without also taking two other wagons, "Mother Goose" and "The Old Lady in the Shoe."

Parked Behind Home

Wilde readily consented to the "Shoe" wagon and a man in Delafield took the "Mother Goose" one. All three were obtained in Peru, Ind., and transported here. Wilde has the wagon parked behind his home, at Wauwatosa.

The shoe, resembling a work shoe, rests on a hay-rack-type wagon, and the whole works is about nine feet high. There is room in the ankle of the shoe for one person to sit down, and 21 babies are carved into its outside. They are all rather cherubic with the exception of one, which Mrs. Wilde describes as "the sassy little thing." It thumbs its nose at people.

He's Repairing It

The shoe part is rather weatherbeaten, and Wilde is presently at work caulking the numerous cracks. After that he intends to paint it. It will have to stay outside, with only a canvas shelter, because he doesn't have room for it indoors.

Wilde has been digging around for information on the history of his wagon, but has found nothing definite. As for as he knows, it was constructed in 1888, and traveled to Europe with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. On its return it was sold to the Cole Bros. Circus, and obtained from them by Wilde.

Wife In The Dark

The purchase price of the "shoe" has not been revealed by Wilde, although his wife has quizzed him repeatedly. She also would like to know what his future plans are for it, after he gets it all fixed up. He claims not to know. He supposes he will give it to some museum (they're talking of starting one in Baraboo), but his wife thinks he just wants to keep it. All for his very own.

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A Tribute to William B. Antes

On Lincoln's birthday in the Methodist Church of Evansville, Wisconsin, a simple and solemn funeral service was held for an old and dear friend of ours and one of the best friends fans had in the circus world, William B. Antes.

On a blustery December night in 1931 we made the first overture of friendship to the late and greatly beloved Dr. Thomas W. Tormey when we overtook him on the street near his home. The rich rewards that were ours have been recorded in these pages in other years.

On a brilliantly sunshiny afternoon of the first of January, 1935 we responded to a rap on our door and were greeted by Bill and Edna Antes. We had met Bill in a casual way the previous summer and he had now brought his wife to meet us, - his overture of friendship. There followed one of those happy hours when four individuals discover they speak a common tongue. In a world of many and diverse languages this is always an exhilerating experience. In the years that have intervened Bill and Edna have given to us some of the happiest hours we have known. The memories we have garnered along the road we have traveled with them are among our most cherished.

Fortunately for us, Bill and Edna continued to live in Evansville, only thirty-five miles away, during most of the next five years, thus allowing our friendship to be nurtured and brought to flower.

Bill was ever a man of seemingly inexhaustible energies, and in those first years of our acquaintanceship, when our mutual friendship was budding, he edited the Evansville Review, was active in the management of the Antes Print Shop, and operated The Evansville Theater. Many a Saturday night we two drove to Evansville in time to enjoy the last show at the theater, after which we invariably went with Bill and Edna to their inviting home there to partake of food for both body and spirit. Laughter was riot in that big kitchen as Edna prepared a great kettle of chop-suey as only she could make that delectable dish.

Bill's was a spirit that soared for beyond the narrow confines of the typical small town that was his home in those years. The amusement world held a lure for him that "would not down". However earnestly Bill might strive to conform to the standards set by some of the town's more conventionally minded citizens, he never could brush from his eyes the stars born of his dreams of that freer world beyond. Some of the pranks Bill conceived and executed in those years when he was conscious of the restrictions of small town life would make excellent material for a sequel to Tom Sawyer. His recital of these on a winter's night in that big, savory Antes kitchen afforded to his hearers many a rollicking hour. Those were the days when Bill organized, rehearsed, booked, and presented his little road shows, comprised of home-town talent augumented by members of the Kehl School of Dance here in Madison and students from the University of Wisconsin. What gay, happy experiences these afforded Bill. He often regaled us with amusing stories of these week end holiday ventures into the world of vaudeville and night club. They enabled his spirit to escape the commonplace of a small town print shop into the world of footlights and grease paint, and for Bill Antes these were at opposite ends of Life's rainbow.

Then his good friend and neighbor, Mrs. Walter Gollmar, widow and daughter of famous Wisconsin circus owners, opened the gates to Bill's Elysian fields, - SPANGLELAND! In the spring of 1936 Bill and Edna "joined out" with the Russell Bros. Circus for two glorious years. They returned to Evansville for two years in 1938, much to the delight of his family and friends. But Bill could not resist the lure of tanbark trails, and in 1940 he and his wife rejoined the Russell Bros. organization and never again deserted their beloved Spangleland.

Sawdust and tanbark were as native to Bill Antes as bluegrass and horses are to Kentucky. He had found that which he so long had sought, and never again did the stars in his eyes lose their luster, not even during those long weeks in the hospital, first in Rochester, Minnesota, and later here in Madison when he made his futile but gallant fight for his life.

Bill was in the Press and Radio Department of the Russell Bros. Circus. He and Edna quickly made many friends among both the executive staff and the performing personnel. They become the friends and confidantes of Pauline and Claude Webb who recognized that in Bill and Edna Antes they had found ability, integrity, loyalty, and honor.

Bill remained with the Press and Radio Department of this organization after it was sold to Arthur Concello and Clyde Beatty. The Antes silver "airplane" trailer always had the welcome pennant flying, and many a gay party of circus folk and friends savored Edna's cooking and Bill's stories as the circus wended its way from coast to coast.

In 1948 Mr. Concello become the general manager of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Bill Antes was given charge of the newly created department of Radio Publicity. It was fitting that a Wisconsin-born man should pioneer this field for the Wisconsin-born "Greatest Show on Earth". He brought to his work the wealth of knowledge he had gleaned during his four years in the School of Journalism at the University of Wisconsin, from which he graduated in 1927, as editor of the Park Falls (Wisconsin) Herald (1927-29), as editor of the Evansville Review, as Manager of the Evansville Theater, and member of the Press and Radio Department of the several motorized circuses between 1936 and 1948. He had learned how to approach important executives in the fields of radio and television. Top flight executives of the various radio net works became his friends. Leading directors, script writers, designers, camera men, and artists of Hollywood frequented the Antes Hollywood home and remained their friends after Sarasota, Florida become their home.

There is no doubt that these people respected Bill's ability, but we like to think that the element in Bill's character that won him their friendship was his genuiness. Bill Antes never lost contact with the little folk in this world. Affection and artificiality never characterized him. He was genuinely delighted to meet a friend of Evansville days as he was to be greeted by one from Hollywood, Radio City, or Sarasota. He accepted invitations to join many organizations, among them the Pacific Coast Showmen's League, the Elks Club, the Variety Clubs International, and the Harry Atwell Luncheon Club of Chicago and was always happy when he could attend their functions, and none was given a heartier welcome. The C.F.A. of Austin, Texas erected the Bill and Edna Antes Tent, and the Governor of Texas in 1952 made Bill an "honorary citizen" of that state. Delighted with every honor thus conferred upon him, Bill remained his own genuine self, the small town "boy" with the ready smile and the worm handclasp. His wife was his constant companion and he freely acknowledged his dependence upon her encouragement and support.

Circus folks and friends have lost a real friend in the passing of Bill Antes, and circus days will not be quite the some without his warm smile and unfailing courtesies. (February 14, 1953).

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An Era of Famous Circus Names

It was in the early spring of 1904 that a young hustling showman who had been operating privileges with a circus heard that there was circus equipment for sale in Kansas City, Mo., that could be had for a reasonable figure; the cars, wagons, and other property of a circus that had been on the road. The showman made a trip to Kansas City and inspected the property. He had another close friend, his partner, who had been connected with him operating privileges. These two mens names both become famous in circus history. Fame and fortune followed them and they operated successfully five prominent circuses. The man who went to look this equipment over was Jerry Mugivan, and the partner he interested was Bert Bowers. The 10-car show was put in shape and they opened the season late in April at Centropolis, Mo., as the GREAT VAN AMBURG SHOWS. This was their first circus venture and it was never dreamed in those days that this would eventually lead up to the powerful American Circus Corporation some years later. The writer saw the Great Van Amburg Shows May 18, 1907, when it played Jeffersonville, Ind. (Gentry Bros. Show was there also two days later). I walked to the cars after the performance that night with Allan R. Wheeler, Jerry Mugivan's first band leader who remained with the show six years. He later served a term as Mayor of his home town, Caldwell, Ohio. Winterquarters were at Valdosta, Ga. The title "Great Van Amburg Shows" was used up to March, 1908 when the name was changed to Howes Great London Shows and continued up to 1915. In January, 1911 they bought the Dode Fisk Great Combined Shows and re-named it Sanger's European Shows which was on the road 1911 and 1912. Late in 1913 they bought the Robinson Famous Shows (Dan Robinson) and gave that name to the Sanger show for 1914. The show was enlarged to 20 cars, opening the season at Montgomery, Ala., April 15, 1914 and during the tour played fifty-nine stands in Eastern Canada, as far away as Sydney, and North Sydney, N.S. Closing stand was Chattanooga, Tenn., November 4. Bert Bowers was General Manager and the writer was with same the entire season. This show also was on the road the following year.

In March, 1916 the John Robinson 10 Big Shows was bought from "Gov." John F. Robinson, Cincinnati. This marked the exit of the Robinson family from the circus field. The Robinson Famous title was now discontinued and "John Robinson Circus" title used. Howes Great London show was taken off the road for 1917 and the John Robinson show opened the season in Macon, Ga. after wintering at Americus, Ga. This was the largest show Mugivan and Bowers ever had on the road, at least 40 cars. Account of war conditions in 1917 the train was side tracked at times as war equipment had the right of way on the railroads. This resulted in late arrivals in some towns, late parades and late afternoon shows. There was also a shortage of help during the summer months. The writer was with the show from the opening stand but left in July at Cambridge, Ohio. For the 1918 season the John Robinson Circus was reduced to 30 cars.

In December, 1918 the Hagenbeck-Walllace Show was purchased and Howes Great London Show put on the road again for 1920 and 1921. In December, 1920 the Sells-Floto Circus became the property of Mugivan and Bowers, it being bought from the original owners Tammen and Bonfils who also owned The Denver Post. The titles, Buffalo Bill wild west, and Yankee Robinson show were also included. The Buffalo Bill title was used for the Sells-Floto after show concert, but the Yankee Robinson title was never used. The Sparks Circus was acquired through H. B. Gentry in November, 1928, one of the best known shows on the road, and in January, 1929, the Al. G. Barnes Trained Animal Show was acquired.

The year 1922 saw the acquisition of Gollmar Bros. Show title, by lease, for five years and it was used 1922 in place of Howes Great London Show title. The American Circus Corporation was organized in 1921 to cover the legal handling of the various properties. Edward Ballard of West Baden, Ind., was now one of the firm. They were new owners of important going circuses and several valuable titles with the exception of those owned by the Ringlings and the Miller brothers 101 Ranch wild west. On September 6, 1929 the circus world was greatly surprised to read of one of the greatest deals in circusdom. John Ringling had purchased the entire holdings of the American Circus Corporation which included five circuses namely: Sells-Floto; John Robinson's; Hagenbeck-Wallace; Sparks Circus, and the Al. G. Barnes show. The following titles were included in the sale: Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show, Buffalo Bill wild west, Sanger's European show, Howes Great London show, Robinson Famous show, and the Yankee Robinson show. Also included were the Peru, Ind., vast winter quarters and other property.

Jerry Mugivan who was largely instrumental in building the Corporation passed away in January 1930. His partner Bert Bowers become interested in banking after the sale and devoted a good portion of his time to it. He passed on in January, 1936. As a closing remark let me state that those who were well posted in circus events during the career of Mugivan and Bowers, must admit that they were two shrewd circus owners.

What became of the shows after passing into other hands can be told in a few words. At close of the 1930 season the John Robinson show was retired. At close of the 1931 season the Sparks Circus was retired, and all equipment sent to Sarasota, Fla. At close of the 1932 season the Sells-Floto show was retired. The Hagenbeck-Wallace show and the Al. G. Barnes show continued on until the close of season 1938 when both were taken off the road. Great tented amusement institutions gone - but not forgotten.

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