Bandwagon, June 1954

Bandwagon, Vol. 5, June, 1954. 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.

Dan Rice Ledger Reveals Circus Conditions In 1870

"Luxury of choking a blackguard, $5.00."

So reads a debit in the Dan Rice's personal account in the show's ledger for the season of 1870. The entry was made August 13, and the book lists the show as being at Owego, N. Y., on that date. Just what happened on that auspicious occasion that the great Dan Rice should seek personal satisfaction is a matter of conjecture. The entry, however, is silent evidence that Rice brooked no nonsense on the circus lot, and was not averse to taking matters in his own hands.

In a red leather-covered book, lettered in gold, reading "Ledger, Dan Rice's Own Circus" is contained a highly interesting and illuminating story of the show for the season of 1870.

Transportation of the show was by two river boats, the W. A. Eddy and the Will S. Hays. The steam boat W. A. Eddy was purchased that season from Jacob Wise (no address given) for a total of $1,100.00 On June 15, the ledger shows, that Rice made an initial payment of $100.00, on June 22 he paid $400.00 in cash and gave a 30-day note for $600.00, which note was paid in full on July 29. On June 4 the show was at Covington, Ky., where P. Connelly did some work on one of the boats, the entry reading: "By bill Iron Work, New Chimneys and Britching on Boat, $360.00." This was paid in full.

The show print house of Russell, Morgan & Co., Cincinnati, furnished some posters. On June 3 there was an entry "bill of printing, $685.05." On June 8, $500.00 was sent and on the 18th a sight draft was honored for $185.05. On July 8 another entry was listed in this account reading: "To cash on C.O.D. sent to Erie, Pd. by J. B. K." (These initials refer to John B. Kibler, general advance agent for the show).

A newspaper advertisement of the show for that year reads:

Dan Rice with his own Tripartite Circus, Trick Horse Ampliation and Asiatic Animal Spectacle. Re-organized and magnificently equipped for the summer campaign of 1870.

The perfection of his grand and original system of physical education and animal training, and containing the grandest number of performing trick and school horses ever seen under one tent; the most novel animals, and a group of the finest artists in the world. Every one a star!

With "Old" Dan Rice, both afternoon and evening in his old-time character of Clown. Attended by a Bevy of Belles and Monarchs of Muscle, among whom are Frederick O'Brien, Erin's Arenic Sunburst, who, though a new candidate for Northern favor, is known throughout the entire South and Southwest as a most daring and extraordinary man, whose Giant Battout Leaps and Double Somersaults are terrific demonstrations of his superiority.

MISS LIZZIE MARCELLUS, the great juvenile premiere equestrienne, and the beautiful, youthful sensation of the day, whose spirited and elegant illustrations charmingly exemplify "the poetry of motion," and captivate wherever she appears.

MADAME TREWALLA, the lovely and talented character equestrienne.

MADAME ROLLANDE, a renowned brilliant and versatile artiste.

THE IRISH BROTHERS, Professors of Calisthenics in the Dublin Gymnasium, and whose acts are unapproachable for novelty, nerve and grace.

ROBERT G. MILLER, the muscular phenomenon, in his marvelous feats of strength, appropriately entitled "The Labors of Hercules."

WILLIAM E. ROLLANDE - Dan Rice's clown second, and the Humpty Dumpty of sawdust pantomime.

WILLIAM G. MILES - The irresistible, ludicrous comic actor and acrobat.

MR. JOHN H. TREWALLA - The Master Whip and Equestrian Director.

Together with a large and efficient corps of first-class general performers.

A galaxy of equine "stars."

1st - The $100,000 Blind Marvel, Excelsior, Jr.

2nd - The magnificent and fiery Arabian trick charger, Stephen A. Douglas.

3rd - The noble passenger and messenger bred educated horse, Andy Curtin.

4th - The beautiful Lexington filly, Rebecca.

5th - The Spanish bred Andalusian school mare, Julia.

6th - The jumping pony, Wildcat.

The notorious clown mules, Pete and Barney.

TIMOUR - The monster giant Yak of Turkey.

A heard of Sacred Cattle - sole imported type of their worshipped race, and in size and perfect beauty royal specimens of the Hindu Mild-Eyed Gods.

RICHARD CLARK, the great juvenile hurdle rider.

ALBERT RICHARDS, the renowned double somersault turner, leaper and gymnast.

R. J. JAYNES, the Mercury of the horizontal bar.

Twin Sacred Calves, male and female, born March 5th, 1870, at Star Plantation, St. Charles Parish, La.

A flock of Palestine sheep.

Don't fail to be on time to witness Dan Rice's greatest and latest novelty - 8-Horse Ballet, or, The Vision of the Centaurs - with which each program will be inaugurated.

The arrival of the Great Tripartite Circus and Ampliation and Spectacle will be heralded by a parade on horseback of Edgar Mentor's admirable Silver Cornet Band - but no street swindle or so-called Grand Parade will be given at the expense of those who pay to see a circus and not a bedizened and "loud" outside advertisement on wheels. Dan Rice's motto is: "Inside Performance without outside display, instead of Outside Display without inside performance."

A spacious and brilliantly lighted tent and ample room - comfortable seats for all.

Special Note: The horses of this magnificent establishment are exempted from the distressing and ruinous toll of the road, and retain unimpaired that nobility of presence, power of action and fiery spirit absolutely necessary to a perfect and thrilling equestrian representation.

Admission 50c; Children under 10 - 25c.

The newspaper ad fails to mention one of the attractions that season, A. Segrist, the Velocipede Man. The ledger shows that Segrist joined the show at Oil City, Pa., July 11, while the circus was playing in that oil metropolis. His ledger page makes interesting reading for it shows that Dan Rice blew nobody's horn but his own - if he had to pay the bill. Segrist was paid $25.00 a week for his act, which was considered a good price if the salaries paid the other performers are accepted as a criterion, for Robert Miller, the strong man, received a salary of only $10.00 per week.

On the day Segrist joined the show he was advanced $15.90 for express charges; $3.50 to pay B. Smith for carpenter work, and $41.75 for 600 velocipede bills and express charges on the same. In August the Velocipede Man evidently felt the need of more publicity for on August 11 another debit of $41.75 for bills is made.

The show boat boosted a bar where the thirsty circus folk could slake their thirst, but pity the poor circus hand whose love for "the cup that cheers" was so great that his bar bill would exceed 50 percent of his salary, for Rice made short shrift of such individuals. Here is an example:

A man named Ira, a groom, at a salary of $20 a month. He joined April 15 at Friars Point, Miss. On the 24th his bar bill totaled $4.50, and was so entered in the book. On the 25th he was advanced $1.00 in cash, and the following day an entry of a bar bill for $2.25 was made. He was given $2.50 in cash and that ended his connection with the show. He had earned $10.00 and had spent $6.50 for liquor.

A. E. Mentor's Band was with the show that season, as it had been for many years previously. Mr. Mentor received $30 a week for his services. Peter Bahl, Edward Costello, William Fetzer, Charles L. Griffin, Fred Hoffmeister, C. Seborn, Robert Trinkman each received $18 a week for their services as musicians; Oscar Fredericks received $75 a month; Benjamin F. Phillips, $40 a month; Herman Rottkay, $16 weekly; Joseph Williams, $70 a month; while Hiram Hymes, snare drummer, received only $20 a month for his services.

Bill posters were paid at the rate of $20 per month, and those listed in this category are Spencer Lecky, C. C. Northrup, Reece C. Petty.

Advance agents were John B. Kibler, no salary mentioned; and Sid F. Stevens, who received $50 a month. Charles Stowe was listed as publicity agent, but no mention made as to his salary. (Author's note: Stowe also was editor of Rice's weekly newspaper in Girard, The Cosmopolite, during the winter season).

D. A. Keyes was listed as an advertiser. On August 29, there is an entry reading "To cash to avert. Philadelphia, $25.00." On September 2 another entry reads: "To cash expenses to Philadelphia &c $35.00."

Salaries paid some of the performers that season make interesting reading: Charles F. Reed, bareback rider, $100 a week; his wife, Elizabeth, a daughter of Dan Rice, received $25 a week for a menage act. William Rollande, horseman and second clown, received $40, while his wife as an equestrienne, received $10. John Trewalla, equestrian, $25, his wife for a pony act received but $10. Fred O'Brien, leaper and acrobat, received $40 weekly.

Lizzie Marcellus, a pupil of Dan Rice, who in later years won the acclaim of the public as a graceful and skillful rider, was with the show that season. The ledger shows several debits in her account such as parasol, washing, sewing, rubbers and meng. shoes, dentistry, stockings, but there is no inkling as to her salary - if any.

Grooms were paid at the rate of $20 per month, but Fred Brindle was $5 the best every three months, for he received $5 a week for taking care of the Yak.

William L. Cotton, a groom, was no doubt quite a ladies' man, for on various dates he was charged 50c for tickets to the show. He was probably also a fighter for on June 9 an entry reads: "To Cash, Fine & Costs, Newport, $5.00." On Sept. 16 he was charged $2.00 for "1 lantern."

Dennis Jacobs, third cook, was charged 75c for losing a bucket; William Kelly, groom, was charged $4.00 for losing a horse blanket; Joe Nich was more fortunate, for on May 23 he was paid $3.00 for finding center pole ring, yet on the 28th he was charged 50c for a show ticket.

David Cappel, props, and Charles Sizer, circus hand, must have "'missed the boat" on October 9, for on that date both were charged with $1.50 wagon fare, each $1 for a banner stick, and Cappel an additional 50c for key to ticket wagon.

A circus hand named Tom joined May 15. An entry made on the 25th reads: "Got drunk today and left, leaving Bar Bill $4.33."

The show opened at Friars Point, Miss., April 15 and closed at Rochester, Pa., October 8, having showed in 12 states and played 140 stands, which with three exceptions were all one day stands.

At Cleveland, Ohio, on July 21, the license was only taken out for the velocipede show, but on the following two days the complete circus showed, one day in the East Side and the following day on the West Side.

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Circus Chronology, 1953

JUNE

ELEANOR PELIKAN, mother of the late Lillian Leitzel, died at Milwaukee.

RINGLING-BARNUM, at Philadelphia, keystoned the greatest aggregation of outdoor show property of all time, with Strates, Penn Premier and John H. Marks carnivals, a Kiddieland, two blocks of independent concessions and other attractions arrayed around the Big One. Layout included 10 Ferris Wheels.

WASHINGTON, D. C., business was off for Ringling. Earlier, Hunt had shown a decrease around the capital city.

KING-CRISTIANI entered Canada in time to cash in on Coronation Day festivities. Wallace & Clark and Hagan-Wallace were heading for Western Canada.

COLE & WALTERS business was poor in Iowa.

HAGAN BROS. was doing well around Chicago.

POLACK'S WEST COAST business was holding high. Light crowds turned out for Rogers Bros.

EARL SHIPLEY resigned as outdoor rep for AGVA.

VICE-PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON was fall guy for the Circus Saints and Sinners and entered an arena with Terrell Jacobs' lions.

BUSINESS FOR MOST SHOWS scored some improvements, with King-Cristiani's big takes in Canada pacing the trade.

BRITISH AFRICA ZOO, operated by Howard Y. Bary, was doing okay in Canada.

PAUL M. LEWIS, former show owner, died at Ann Arbor, Mich.

HONEST BILL NEWTON, veteran show owner, died at Fairview, Okla.

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