Bandwagon, January-February 1958

Bandwagon, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Jan-Feb), 1958. 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.

Denison W. Stone

Bandwagon, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Jan-Feb), 1958, p. 4.

"Den" Stone when he was fourteen years old ran away from his home, Burlington, Vermont. Not only was he the son of a lawyer, but he was named in compliment to a prominent Vermont lawyer, Judge Denison. Yet even these propitiatory circumstances did not incline him towards sealing-wax, tape and briefs, for he walked twenty-five miles from Bennington to Brattleboro to join Ira Cole's Zoological Institute, of which Seth B. Howes was equestrian director. The menagerie consisted of six cages of animals, and the chief performance in the arena was Elbert Howes' act of riding and driving two horses and "carrying" the new-comer. Den Stone's second season in the arena was with Nate Howes' Circus, to join which it took him three weeks to travel from New York to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by stages. It was in 1840 that, having appeared as clown under the late Joseph Foster, in the pantomine of "Mother Goose", he first took to the cap-and-balls. As a manager, between 1842 and 1875, he was prominently identified with Stone & McCollum's, Stone & Madigan's and Stone & Murray's Circus, and also with Den Stone's Circus and Central Park Menagerie. In 1855, despite a law against equestrian entertainments, which law, if enforced, would have bankrupted his company, the Stone, Rosston & Murray Circus boldly pitched tent in twenty towns and cities of Vermont, and clearing $30,000, strengthened the foundation of his fortune. After the Rebellion, his company was first to appear in many of the Southern cities. In addition to his numerous other enterprises, it is claimed for Mr. Stone that he was the first manager to put a circus on boat and railroad, and travel from point to point. Mr. Stone, during his career took two troupes of Indians to Europe. His last arenic venture was in 1878 in an endeavor to revive the high-class one-ring circus. Died, Franklin, New Jersey, April 20, 1892, age sixty-eight years.

(This biography was condensed from material written for the New York Clipper by Charles H. Day, in 1906.)

Top

The Great Lugar Shows

Nothing could have caused greater excitement in Eaton, Ohio in the year 1907, than the announcement that one of its citizens, Joseph A. Lugar, would open with a new Circus on May 1st of that year under the name of The Great Lugar Shows.

Joseph A. Lugar had been a successful whiskey salesman and had sufficient capital to place a first-class one-ring circus on the road. Assisted by Prof. Ed. Sheets, trainer and owner of horses, mules and ponies, and L. C. Zelleno, formerly with Howes Great London, Lemon Bros. and John Robinson Circuses, Lugar immediately began purchasing equipment and hiring performers. Winterquarters were open at the comer of Wadsworth and Maple Streets in Eaton.

Tents purchased for the season of 1907 included a two-pole big top that would seat around 300 people, a dressing top, horse top and a small side show top. Also purchased was a shell band wagon, tableau wagon, two cage wagons, ticket wagon, prop. wagon, canvass wagon, four farm wagons and a number of buggies. We understand that many of these wagons were built at Eaton or by Talbert Bros. Wagon Works at nearby West Elkton. Baggage and Ring stock included 20 work horses, three ring horses, two mules, three ponies and a number of well trained dogs. The circus had no menagerie. Victor Nelson was boss hostler and Mell Payne was his assistant. Staff and performers roomed and boarded at hotels as was the custom in those days.

Ample newspaper publicity was carried in the Eaton newspaper as well as other weekly and daily newspapers which stirred-up pre-opening anxiety throughout the valley. Lugar continued to employ a large number of performers and gossip at the Central House, where the staff and performers stayed prior to opening, was that the small circus was top-heavy and wouldn't last out the season, however, they under-estimated finances of Lugar, and the circus completed the season, closing Sept. 1, even though business was mostly on the light side.

When the Great Lugar Show opened on May 1st the program included the following performers; M. Samayoa, cloud swing; Hale and Hurlies, contortionists, Dildine and Hubler, barrel jumping; Vane & DeClairville (billed as formerly with Barnum & Bailey Circus); Gonada (first time in America) swinging perch; La Fayette Family, aerial artist; Oka Troup, acrobats; The Great DeCleo; DeForest Bros., acrobats; Carey, juggler; Robetta Bros., acrobats; Cleo, high diving dog. Ed Sheets was equestrian director and worked the horses and ponies. Jack LaPearl was producing clown, and George Churchill was big top announcer as well as jack-of-all-trades. LaPearl and Churchill both remember that the program was very strong for a show of this size and LaPearl relates that this was his second season as a clown and he was a "singing clown" in those days.

The big top band was under the direction of Jesse Boland and included Otto Schmidt, trumpet, Barch Hill, drummer, Herb Bowsier, bass, John Fudge, trombone, Everett Churchill, piccolo and flute, and a fellow named Hainey on clarinet. This writer knows it to be a fact that almost all of these men were top musicians. J. C. Zelleno was general manager and operated the side show which consisted mostly of magic by Zelleno and some punch and judy.

Prior to each afternoon performance the circus would present a street parade through the business and residential districts of the town. Most of the towns were under 2500 population . . . thus reason for going into residential districts. The circus used a No. 1 sheet in billing and used heavy newspaper advertising. Admission was 25 cents in 1907 and all seats were general admission.

The show did not use route cards and the route is unknown except for the first week. May 1, 2, 3 at Eaton; May 4 at Camden, Ohio; May 5, Sunday; May 6, Oxford, Ohio; May 7, New Paris, Ohio. This is as far as the route is known. The circus continued north in Ohio, then into Indiana and it is believed that the show closed on Sept. 1 while playing along the Ohio river in Indiana.

Newspaper releases during the first week lauded the performance and its appearance, however, everything was not so "rosy" when they played Oxford, Ohio, a college town, as was related in the following May 7th issue of the Hamilton, Ohio, Sun.

Oxford, Ohio - "A small sized riot, precipitated by the hoodlum element of the student body of Miami University, marked the close of the performance of Lugar's Circus here last night." (May 6, 1907)

"As a result, several students are today nursing sore heads, scalp wounds and discolored eyes, and the village authorities are preparing to issue about 30 warrants for the students who will be charged with disorderly conduct."

"Before the performance began last night, about 25 students secured seats together near the ring and at once began to make themselves obnoxious by hooting and jeering at the circus attaches and nearly everyone that entered the tent. This unseemly conduct was continued throughout the performance but the circus people stood the insults with remarkable patience."

"After the performance, when the concert was announced, the student crowd remained seated and refused to pay for concert tickets. They also started to run the entertainment. This was too much. Previous to this, Marshall Overholtz and deputies Smoots and Donnelly had exhausted every effort to maintain order. Now the circus employes took a hand. Joining with the officers the disturbers were ordered to leave the grounds and when they refused to go, a free-for-all-fight ensued."

"Those who witnessed the disgraceful scene described it as the most lively fracas that ever took place in the village. It is said that clubs, stones and fists were the weapons used. It did not last long, and there wasn't a student in sight when the affair was ended."

"One boy, named Stiles, was so severly cut about the head that he was compelled to seek a physician for repairs. Several have black eyes and swollen heads today. It was a sorry and disorderly crowd that tramped up town from the clock works field about 10:45 last night."

"The officers succeeded in securing the names of nearly all the students and Mayor King spent all of this morning hunting addresses and issuing warrants. Those whose names were on the officers' list this morning were Harsh, Leach, Radcliffe, Emerson, Shinkle, Coleman, Kyle, Elliott, Riner, Risinger, Schlenck, Black, Hicks, Robinson, Stiles, Filer, Johnson, Lloyd and Coffman."

George Churchill, retired circus banner painter, who was big top announcer, relates that one fellow with the circus had boosted how he would like to see a "Hey Rube" so he could get in a good fight. After the scrap in Oxford he couldn't be found and it was feared that he had met with foul play, but this was discounted when they found him hiding under some hay of a prop. wagon the next morning in New Paris.

As mentioned before, although the circus did not close before the end of the season, neither was it profitable and Jos. Lugar was more than willing to lease the circus to Bill Ketrow for the 1908 season.

Under the ownership of Bill Ketrow, who later owned the Kay Bros. Circus, the circus continued to winter at Eaton, Ohio and opened the 1908 season in that village on May 10th under the name of Ketrow O.K. Shows, formerly the Great Lugar Shows. The program was cut, however, the band was increased to eight members. Admission was reduced to 10 cents & 20 cents.

L. C. Zelleno was retained as general agent and took part in the performance. Ed. Sheets again was equestrian director and presented his horses, mules and ponies. Mrs. Jerry Burton, wife of the band director, was a contortionist and trapeze artist. Bill Ketrow and his wife took part in the program with Mrs. Ketrow being featured in her wire act. The performance lasted 90 minutes. Side Show was discontinued for 1908, but the street parade was still used.

The big top band was under the direction of Jerry Burton and included Bill Hall, small drum, George Churchill, bass drum; Pearl Pickering, tuba; Al Fletcher, trombone; Tom Deaton, baritone; Harry Starr, cornet; John Robinson, clarinet. Churchill was also announcer and on some occasions a clown.

The show continued to use same equipment and carried the same number of horses and dogs as in the previous season. James Stowe, formerly with Sells Bros., was boss canvasman and Red Stevens had been employed as advance agent and billposter. The show traveled over the same territory as in 1907 except this season it entered northern Kentucky.

In 1909, the circus was back in the hands of Jos. A. Lugar. The tents and equipment which had taken many hard knocks the previous years was again used and the program was cut to a minimum. Little is known concerning the season except that Ed. Sheets and his horses were again with the circus and that it folded early in the season. Lugar brought everything back to Eaton, sold the equipment, and never entered the entertainment business again. He passed away in September of 1938 in New York City and his ashes were placed in Mound Hill Cemetery at Eaton, Ohio. Mrs. Lugar, who died in 1948, related that all the printed material of the circus was destroyed by fire when they sold their home at Dayton, Ohio. Joseph Lugar, a son, followed the entertainment business and is now program director at Stations WLW and WLW-T in Cincinnati.

The shell bandwagon was later sold to the Heber Bros. Circus and is the last that is known of this wagon.

I wish to acknowledge assistance from Mrs. Jos. A. (Gertrude) Lugar, George Churchill, Everett Churchill, John Fudge and Harry A. Sharkey. Photograph of the bandwagon is from P. M. McClintock of Franklin, Pa. Other material from the files of the Eaton Democrat, Eaton Register, Eaton Herald, Preble County News.

Top

Circus Wagon History File

This is the final installment on our series of tableau wagons featuring elephant carvings. The cover photo shows the Carl Hagenbeck Elephant Tableau wagon. I am not sure of the date of the photo but it is in the period of about 1910. Our new president, Fred D. Pfening, Jr. kindly loaned this print, which is from a negative owned by Don Smith, founder of CHS. This is the best photo I have seen of this particular wagon, much better than other shots I have of it.

This wagon was built in the winter of 1904-05 by the Bode Wagon Works Of Cincinnati. It was one of a set of wagons ordered for the new Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show which was put on the road for the 1905 season by equal owners C. Lee Williams, Carl Hagenbeck, John H. Havlin, and Frank R. Tate. It was a huge railroad show featuring all new equipment and was managed by C. Lee Williams and Lorenz Hagenbeck. The show was on the road for the 1905 and 1906 seasons and this wagon was used as a tableau wagon.

In the winter of 1906-07 the Hagenbeck show was sold to B. E. Wallace, who had operated the Great Wallace Shows for a number of years. Wallace combined the two shows, keeping the best equipment, and selling off the surplus, and putting on the road for the 1907 season the Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animals & Great Wallace Shows Combined. Since the Hagenbeck physical equipment was newer it was predominate in the new show, the older Wallace property being scattered to Campbell Bros. and other shows. The Elephant tableau remained on Hagenbeck-Wallace for the rest of its circus life, serving under several different managements.

On June 29, 1913 B. E. Wallace sold the show to a syndicate composed of John Talbot, Jerry Mugivan, Charles Hagaman, and a Mr. Harrison. In 1915 the show was sold to Edward Ballard.

In 1919 Ballard entered into a three way partnership which later became the American Circus Corporation, with Jerry Mugivan and Bert Bowers who had put a 28 car John Robinson Circus on the road in 1918.

For years some of us were of the opinion that the Elephant tab was destroyed in a 1917 wreck which knocked out the steam calliope and other wagons, but a few years ago an old time circus musician, Harry Shell, who currently is touring the country with his steam calliope, came up with a batch of photos taken on Hagenbeck-Wallace in 1921, a year he was on that show. Clearly shown is the Elephant tableau which appears to have been used as the No. 2 bandwagon that year. This is the last photo of this wagon known to this scribe. Others may have photos taken later, if so I'd sure like to know about it. Hagenbeck-Wallace continued to parade through the 1925 season but I am unable to say whether or not this Elephant tab was used. I am almost positive it was not used after 1923 but am not completely sure. I would assume the wagon was dismantled in Peru.

The wagon reports coming in are certainly appreciated. H. D. Olstadt of Madison, Wis. writes that the Sells-Floto Elephant Tableau is at Ringling quarters in Sarasota rather than at the Museum of the American Circus. Charlie Duble, old time circus musician, remembers seeing the Sells-Floto Elephant tab on Hagenbeck-Wallace in 1937, which was the last time it toured.

Some real information concerning the early history of the Kit Carson Buffalo Ranch Wild West Show Lion Tableau which was discussed in the Sept.-Oct. issue has come to light. In the story I stated that I was not certain as to when the wagon originated, and although giving the chain of circuses leading up to Martin Down's 1906 Cole Bros. Circus, it was stated that it was doubtful if the wagon went further back than Cole Bros. It was my opinion that a Billboard reference in 1909 to a new tableau wagon coming to the show might have been this Lion tableau. Well, the other day, Hardy O'Neal of Shreveport forwarded to me for my observation some photostats of old newspaper circus advertisements that had been sent him by Troy Scruggs of the Royal American Shows and CHS member. Included was a story and advertisement concerning the April 25, 1903 stand of Sells & Downs Great United Shows at Topeka, Kansas. Clearly shown is a cut of the Lion Bandwagon. The caption said "The Big Eight Horse Band Wagon of the Sells & Downs Show", and underneath the photo read, "The band wagon which will lead the Sells & Downs Circus parade in Topeka Saturday morning is built on a new style that differs materially from the old form of "Cleopatra Barge" bandwagon. The new wagon is what is called a tableau wagon. The musicians ride on the seats on top of the wagon. The wagon is not built for show alone. It is capable of carrying several tons of baggage and inside is like a small freight car. It carries the wardrobe of the people who perform in the big tent. The driver of the wagon is named "Boley" and he can handle the 8 or 10 horses, as the case may be, with the some ease that the average person would guide two horses. The big wagon was built in Cincinnati."

I think from the above we can make further conclusions that since the wagon was built in Cincinnati, that it was probably built by the Bode Wagon Works of that city. Also we know that at least the wagon goes back to the 1903 season which was the first year of Sells & Downs. The newspaper copy speaks like the wagon was perhaps new and 1903 might well have been the first year of the wagon.

Top

Parades of the Recent Past

The Parker & Watts Circus was organized at Emporia, Kansas during the winter of 1937-38 by Charles Parker and Ira Watts. Most of the equipment came from the Bud Anderson 1937 Seal Bros. Circus, which the pair had purchased.

Rolling stock was constructed or rebuilt to resemble a railroad show. Cages, bandwagons and a tableaux were so designed so that they could be horse drawn in a street parade.

A steam calliope was purchased from E. E. Coleman, it had formerly been on the Island Queen river boat out of Cincinnati, Ohio. During the 1938 season the calliope was mounted on a semi-trailer. This truck was wrecked during the 1938 season when it went over a cliff. The instrument was saved, although the truck and trailer was demolished.

The steam calliope was remounted on a straight truck for the 1939 season parade. This steam calliope is now owned by Ben Davenport and has been used of late with the Dailey Bros., Campo Bros., Diano Bros., Wallace Bros. and the Merchants Free Circuses.

The little Parker & Watts pony cage wagon remained on a farm near Ft. Smith, Arkansas for a number of years following the closing of the show on October 5, 1939 at Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Parade Order
Parker & Watts Circus 1939
Fort Smith, Arkansas

From April-May issue of White Top of that year.

2 women flagbearers - mounted
No. 1 bandwagon, 6 horses
Dog wagon, 2 ponies
No. 66 wagon, bandwagon
Cage - tigers - 4 ponies - 6 men up
Electrical chimes wagon
Cage, monkeys and birds, 2 ponies
Cage No. 22 - 4 women up
Clown cart pulled by mule
Cage of leopards
2 mounted women
No. 42 wagon, Side Show band (8 pce.)
No. 24 cage, 4 women up
2 horsemen
No. 33 elephant truck
Cage, monkeys, 4 ponies
Lion cage, 4 people up
Tank truck
Wild West, 4 mounted people
Sinclair-Dinosauer exhibit
2 camels
6 elephants
Calliope

Passing time - 17 minutes.

Top

Terrell M. Jacobs Dies at Home in Indiana

Terrell M. Jacobs, acknowledged one of the worlds greatest wild animal trainers of all time, and an early member of the Circus Historical Society, passed away at his home in Twelve Mile, Indiana on December 24, 1957. Death was attributed to a heart attack, and was without any warning whatever. He had been appearing in and around Houston, Texas with his act at super markets, but came back to Indiana to be with his family for the Christmas holidays. On the morning before Christmas, he had arisen and was around the house as usual giving much attention to his boys, Derrell age 4, and Dawes, age two. Suddenly at 9:05 a.m., he was stricken and passed away within a few minutes. He was 54 years of age, and had been training animals since he was thirteen and had his own Wild Animal act on the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus when he was only fifteen.

Among the circuses who featured Terrell Jacob's Lions and Tigers for over Forty years were Al G. Barnes, Sells-Floto, Christy Bros., Lee Bros., Robbins Bros., John Robinson, Gentry Bros., Howes Great London, Gilbert Bros., Holland Classical Circus, Austin Bros., Arthur Bros., Barnes Bros., Cole Bros., and the Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus. Jacobs had also been featured attraction on America's largest railroad carnivals including Royal American Shows, World of Mirth, Strates Shows, and the Conklin Shows, and Sullivan Worlds Greatest Shows in Canada where he was always popular. In other years, he had operated his own Wild Animal Circus, and appeared at Shrine Circuses all over America. Terrell probably reached the peak of his Circus career during the season of 1938 and 1939 when he appeared with Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, presenting the largest group of Lions, Tigers, and Leopards ever shown in the arena at one time. 52 of these mixed cats were in the cage with Terrell during the above season, and numbered more than four times as many as the largest cat act before the public today. In addition, Jacobs had broken several performing Bear acts, and toured the country with the only act of its kind, performing rare Black Leopards. In 1940 his act was featured at the San Francisco World Fair.

Terrell M. Jacobs and the writer had been very good friends for over thirty years and had visited at each others homes and on lots all over the country during that time. When the Circus Historical Society was in the founding stages, Terrell was one of our most sincere and active supporters, and he was probably the first and only Circus man at that time to believe that the old time Circus Parade wagon should be preserved for posterity. This was his burning desire and we discussed it on numerous occasions, as he went about the country gathering up what he could of the old-time show equipment which even then was fast disappearing from the scene. For his efforts in this direction, Terrell Jacobs was made the first Honorary Member of the CHS, the presentation being made by Walter W. Tyson, our second president, while Terrell insisted on being active and paying regular dues for several years.

Early in 1946 when plans were announced for the first National Convention of CHS, Terrell expressed a desire to sponsor the meet at his Quarters near Peru, Indiana and no one worked harder than he to insure its success. His new Bull Barn had just been completed on what is now known as the Paul Kelly Farm, although no bulls had occupied the structure as yet. This building was turned over to us for our meetings and display of Circusiana, and never have a more glorious four days been spent than at the First and Greatest Convention. All of Terrell's wagons were spotted in photogenic spots about the quarters and were freshly painted for the approaching date in Chicago. Terrell personally saw to it that everyone present obtained all the photos they desired of his equipment and his animals, and on one afternoon he spent over four hours in an outdoor arena with his star performer, the lioness "Sheba" for the benefit of all members who wanted their pictures taken in the big cage. On the last day of the convention, a complete circus performance was given at the quarters, and none who were present will ever forget the precision with which Terrell's cats worked that afternoon, as he calmly worked, them in shirt-sleeves and vest, calling each animal by name and explaining their act as he went along. Then as if for an extra finale, two huge Tigers jumped at Sheba as she left her perch, and a battle royal ensued for nearly ten minutes. Through it all, Terrell remained in the cage first pleading, then prodding the beasts until they separated and headed for their runway. Sheba won but received two deep scars which she displayed for the rest of her long life.

The convention was held in early April but there had been a warm spring in Indiana and the orchard on Terrell's farm was a fairyland of blossoms. For our banquet at Veaches Inn, Terrell personally cut huge branches of the blossoms and with Walter Pieschman and Bob Green helped to decorate the big dining room. Then he insisted on flowers for all ladies, and cigars for the gentlemen, and I'll never forget how we waited in the greenhouse for those Carnations to open under special light-rays, for there were not enough at first to go around. But Terrell got them. He that way. Terrell had faults and had enemies - otherwise he would noy be human. But most of his faults were good ones, and he was his own worst enemy in his generous disposition. He never turned down a friend. I am proud to have known him and worked with him over the years.

Funeral services were held at the Cain Funeral Home near Denver, Indiana and several hundred friends paid last respects, including a generous showing from the Circus Historical Society and the Circus Model Builders and Own Association, and numerous Circus Peformers from the Peru area. Among present were noted Mr. and Mrs. Chalmer Condon, Mr. and Mrs. Don F. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Weber, Bob King, George Piercy, Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Miller, Warren Harding, Herbie Head, Bob Helvie, Dick Kelly, Jules Jacot, Ruby Haag, Eva Mae Lewis, Mickey King, Grace McIntosh, Charles Ballard, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jennier, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Solt, Mr. and Mrs. Jess Murden and others. The pall-bearers were Walter Jennier, Roland Weber, Herb Howard, Warren Harding, Dr. Sam Ferrara, and Dr. Don Ferrara. Our deepest sympathies are extended to Mrs. Jean Jacobs and to the family,

Top

1938 Wagon List Al. G. Barnes-Sells-Floto Circus (Combined)

No. - Wagon

A - Cookhouse - 18' (Drop Frame) (Refrigerator Compartment)
B - Cookhouse - 16' (Drop Frame) (Canvas, Poles & Tables)
C - Boiler Wagon - 14'x6' (High wheels on rear)
24 - Commissary - 12'x7' (Very high)
1 - Mack tractor (Water tank body)
2 - Mack tractor (Water tank body)
3 - Mack tractor (Water tank body) (Fire Department)
85 - Candy stands - 16'x8'
183 - White ticket wagon (Octagon back) (Carries Side Show trunks)
184 - Red ticket wagon (Office) (Carved sides)
200 - Garage for Packard Sedan
17 - Stake driver (Three way)
79 - Blacksmith shop - 16'x6'
76 - Pad Room and Dressing tent
11 - Stake & Chain 18'x6' (Drop frame)
25 - Water wagon (Square with racks above tank)
109 - Light plant 16'x6'
110 - Light plant 16'x6'
111 - Light Dept. (Cables, P.A. System, etc., 14'x 8')
112 - Light plant 14'x8'
73 - Trunk Wagon (Mable Starks Dressing Room)
180 - Wardrobe Wagon
181 - Elephant props
48 - Clown props
49 - Big show props
88 - Band instruments and air calliope
99 - Big show props
92 - Big top pole wagon 32'x6' (carries side show & menage. center poles also)
82 - Big top canvas 14'x8'
84 - Big top canvas 14'x8'
83 - Big top sidewall & rigging 14'
81 - Stringer wagon 32'x6'
39 - Jack wagon 12'x8' (Slatted sides)
40 - Jack wagon 14'x8' (Slotted sides)
91 - Seat planks - 14' (Front door gates loaded on outside)
100 - Seat planks 14' (Ring curbs loaded on outside)
101 - Seat planks 14' (Ring curbs loaded on outside)
102 - Seat planks 14' (Ring curbs loaded on outside)
34 - Chair wagon 14'
36 - Chair wagon 14' (Chairs were used on Front side & Starbacks on backside)
72 - Side Show baggage 18' (Drop frame) (Poles loaded on sides)
45 - Menagerie baggage 18'x6' (Drop frame) (Poles loaded on sides) (Baggage wagons were Painted red with yellow undergear)
86 - Dog Wagon (Kennels)
14 - Monkey and Chimpanzee den (Orange or Yellow)
90 - Hippo den (Lotus) 20'x8'6" (Green)
95 - Lion cage (Red)
105 - Lion & Tiger den (Red)
106 - Bird den (Green) (Formerly a cat den)
107 - Tiger den (Red)
118 - Lion den (Red or Orange)
126 - Bear den (White)
140 - Tiger den (Orange) (Corner figures)
141 - Lion den (Yellow)
178 - Tiger den (Yellow)
179 - Seal den (Light Green)

All wagons were on wooden wheels with steel rims except Mack trucks.

TRAIN - (30 cars) 8 coaches - 7 stock - 14 flats - 1 advance. Cars were painted Orange sides, silver roofs and Pullman Green undergear. Advertising Car No. 1, Coaches and Pie car 39-40-41-42-43-44-45-46. Stock cars 70-71-72-73-74-75-76. Flats 81-82-83-84-85-86-87-88-89-90-91-92-93-94.

STOCK - 150 head of baggage stock, 80 head of ring stock. 4 camels, 12 zebras, 4 llamas, buffalo (1 or 2), 17 elephants.

ELEPHANTS - Babe, 10625 lbs.; Jewell, 10055 lbs.; Trilby, 9655 lbs.; Josko, 9455 lbs.; Jennie, 9270 lbs.; Kass, 8140 lbs.; Tony, 7915 lbs.; Freda 7910 lbs.; Jennie, 7900, lbs.; Ruth, 7225 lbs.; Lois, 7165 lbs.; Modoc, 6725 lbs.; Minnie, 6525 lbs.; Topsy, 6270 lbs.; Dolly 6160 lbs.; Mary, 5970 lbs. (Note - 2 Jennies were listed.)

600 people were employed on show.

TENT DATA

BIG TOP - 150' round with three 50' middle pieces. Length of center poles 46'. Wall poles 12'. Number of second quarter poles 30 red and 18 blue. Main entrance Marquee 30'x30'.

MENAGERIE - 60' round with four 30' middle pieces. Length of center pole 26'. Wall poles 12'. Twenty-four quarter poles. Number of cages in menagerie (12 to 14).

SIDE SHOW - 60' round with two 30' middle pieces. Center poles 26'. Wall poles 12'. Twelve (12) platforms were used. One end of tent was used for dressing room. Marquee was 14'xl6'.

PAD ROOM - 50' round with three 30' middle pieces. Center poles 24'. Wall poles 10'. One end of the tent was curtained and used for men’s dressing room. Other end was used for women’s dressing room. Ring stock was stabled the middle.

DINING TENT - 30'x60' push pole type.

COOK HOUSE - approx. 16'x24'. Used to house ranges, etc.

BAGGAGE STOCK - Two (2) 30'x80' push pole type. 8' sides. Gable ends.

MIDWAY STANDS - Three candy stands. One was a grease joint.

SEATS - 14 tiers of chairs, 18 tiers of blues, 14 tiers of starbacks. Tallest jacks were 5'6" Jacks under stringers, Length of biblebacks 12' width 28' Blue biblebacks 12' long 8" wide. Starbacks 12' long, 12" wide. 12 backs to each section.

FEATURE ACTS - Flying Fishers, Mable Stark (Mixed group), Frank Phillips and his fighting lions, Bob Thorntons libertyy group of trained zebras. Rieffenach Family, Jack Joyce and his trained horse and seals.

Top