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Bandwagon, March-April 1958
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Bandwagon, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1958. Note: Only some articles are included in this online edition. Not all illustrations are 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.
"It MUST be a hard life," one often hears people remark, when speaking of the performers in spangleland. "No leisure, no sleep, no real family ties."
This might have been true in the days of the old time wagon shows, but it is an entirely erroneous idea now.
There is not a great amount of leisure with the circus, it is true, but performers find their schedule of working hours as pleasant as do most salaried people on the outside. They wake in the morning in their staterooms or wide, comfortable berths in the circus train sleepers and take breakfast in the city restaurants and cafes or ride to the show grounds for a wholesome, hot breakfast in the dining tent. In the olden days they paraded at 11 a.m., unless they were stars, who are released from this duty. Between the afternoon and the night performance, they shop in the city, rest or enjoy sociable hours among their fellows with the Circus. The children attend the circus school at this period of the day, so that they may go on with their classes in their home cities during winter months. After the night show, the performers enjoy a late supper on their way to the show cars, and retire at their own convenience. Many of them are sound asleep by 10:30, and they may sleep right on through until 9 or 10 a.m. if they desire. Families are always together, and the parents are far greater chums of their children than is the case in the world beyond the "Big Tops." It is a nomadic life - yes, but it is not a hard life.
Elk and Buffalo Tableau Wagon, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in early 1920s. P. M. McClintock photo.
In my column last issue it was stated that the Carl Hagenbeck Elephant Tableau wagon was built in the winter of 1904-05 and first appeared on the Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show in 1905. Since that time it has been brought to my attention that I was exactly a year early on this particular wagon and that it was not built until the winter of 1905-06 and it made its first appearance in 1906. Dick Conover first brought this to my attention and then Bill Woodcock forwarded to me for my perusal a copy of a letter dated Dec. 19, 1905 from C. Lee Williams to Frank R. Tate, both being part owners of the Carl Hagenbeck along with John H. Havlin and Lorenz Hagenbeck, in which both the Elephant Tableau and another tableau wagon (which is one of the two we are discussing in this column) are quite well documented. A portion of the letter which is quite lengthy and detailed is extracted as follows:
"Bode was just in and submitted the two sketches of the India Tableau wagons which I think are very pretty and will make two very swell wagons and in which we will have a world of room for the costumes of the show, as these wagons are to be 16 feet clear on the inside. The one wagon with the elephant on it is to be all carving, while the other one is to be carving where I have marked and moulding where I have marked, and painting where I have marked, and two panels of pictures of the tiger and the men and the zebu wagon are to be done in fancy painting. The wagons are to be the same as all other stuff, first class in every way. Bode brought his figures down on these wagons and the way he has it marked out, the carved wagon will cost him to build it and turn it out in first class manner is $1650.00 and the other wagon will cost him over $1100. I told him our limit was $2500 on the two and he said, well, if you want these wagons, the very best I can do is $3000 for the two, otherwise I will have to pass them up for I am surely entitled to some profit on them. The wagons will cost me to build not a cent less than $2700 as these have to be made extra in the bodies to carry the weight that will be in them as the costumes run into weight when you get a lot of them as you will have, and they will all have to go in boxes and these boxes weigh also. I told him that I would send them to you and you could decide as to how you felt on the matter of the price of them and advise me on the return of the sketches. Please do, Frank, as soon as you get them so John can see them and he can get the work in the shop, for he only takes the work on this condition as he has his shop filled with work up to June."
From this letter between the owners which was written in December 1905, we can say with authority that these two tab wagons did not appear on the show until 1906. Both were built of course and although fans are not flooded with photos of them there are still ample views showing the wagons over a period of some few years. These additional wagons being added to the show for the 1906 season verifies information contained in the recent Hagenbeck book to effect that the show was enlarged during the second season.
The bandwagon shown in our first photo is one of the two referred to above, and according to the letter was called the India Tableau and was used to carry the shows wardrobe. The illustrative photo was taken on the Carl Hagenbeck show in 1906 and is from the J. W. Beggs collection.
In the winter of 1906-07 the Hagenbeck show was purchased by B. E. Wallace, owner of the Great Wallace Shows, and in 1907 he put on the road the combined Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. This "India" wagon was used as a bandwagon for many years. Just how long it remained on the Hagenbeck-Wallace show I can't say for sure. The last positive date I have for it is the 1916 season. It is shown on the lot that year in Ralph Miller's fine set of photos he took in 1916. I have another photo showing the wagon with a band riding it and the unverified date is 1917 or 18, but I have no evidence one way or the other to substantiate this. My guess is that the wagon lasted until about 1920 and although it possibly may have been on the show longer it does not appear in the many photos I have seen of Hagenbeck-Wallace parade vehicles in the early 1920's. Just what finally happened to the wagon I am unable to say. I feel certain it never was sent to any other show and most probably was either dismantled or rebuilt into an unrecognizable baggage wagon.
The other wagon shown in the illustrative photo is commonly called the Elk & Buffalo Tableau wagon. It was also built by the Bode Wagon Works of Cincinnati for the Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show, and it is my firm belief this one was built in the winter of 1904-05 and was on the show for its first season of 1905. Whereas the motif for the other two Carl Hagenbeck wagons we have discussed was Oriental, this one was most definitely of the North American West. The carvings feature an Indian's head in center circle and elk and American bison on either side. On the top scroll are the words "Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show Co." Perhaps this wagon too was referred to by same name as C. Lee Williams called the other two wagons, the India Tableau wagons, but if so I have never heard it. Fans usually call it the Elk & Buffalo Tab just for identification purposes. The wagon as you can see was not very long, just about 14 feet, and had outside type sunburst wheels and on the show was used for a properties wagon, and in parade was used as a tableau with costumed performers usually riding it along the route of march.
The wagon remained on the Hagenbeck show for the 1905 and 1906 seasons, and then of course it went to the combined Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus of 1907 and succeeding seasons. I feel certain this one remained on the show longer than did either of the two India wagons, and have every reason to believe it was there through the 1925 season, which was the last one for street parades. It possibly may have been carried on the show a few years after 1925 for baggage wagon purposes but I have never seen any photos of it during those years. There are several photos floating around showing it resting in the wagon graveyard at Peru in late 20's and early 30's. Certainly it was in no shape to make parades and be placed on Hagenbeck-Wallace in 1934 as was so many of the old parade wagons. In one photo dated 1933 the Elk & Buffalo wagon stands with a bunch of old cages and the deterioration is quite evident. Part of the carving was missing.
In 1935 the wagon was dismantled but the sides with the carvings were kept intact and removed to the Miami County Museum in Peru, Ind., along with the sides of the old Hagenbeck-Wallace steam calliope and another wagon called the India or Jardiner wagon. Some nice art work was done on the wagon panels prior to their being put in the museum, and when I visited there in 1950 they still looked very good. One side is with the rest of the museum properties on the top floor of the courthouse in Peru, and the other side, which even though some of the carvings are missing is still most attractive, is located on the wall of the library annex, a few blocks away.
A visit to see these old parade wagon panels should be a must for every fan visiting the Peru area. Strangely enough not too much publicity has ever come out concerning this fine display. In fact before I visited there in 1950 I was unable to find anyone who could tell me just what was located in the museum, so I had to make the trip myself to find out.
Just to keep the record straight in last issue I made the statement that 1903 was the first season for Sells & Downs Circus. That is in error. It should have read the second season, because the title of Sells & Downs was first used for the 1902 season. I would again like to urge all of Bandwagon's readers to please let me know if you find any errors in any of these articles or if you can add any additional information concerning any of the wagons mentioned. All comments will be freely aired and discussed.
The Billboard of April 1, 1916 had this to say of the seasons opening of the Al G. Barnes Circus at Santa Monica, California on March 11th. "Barnes is stepping this season into the big-show class." With 6 sleepers, 13 flats, and 7 stock cars with 2 cars ahead it was 4 cars bigger than 1915. Two large steel arenas and 2 regulation rings justify the much advertised claim of being the only 4 ring animal show in existance.
The winter quarters at Venice, California under superintendent Charles Cook, must have been quite a busy place the winter of 1915-16. That winter he is given credit for designing the 2 steel arenas. They were elevated some four feet, arranged in sections to pack in one wagon which when set up helped to support the arenas. He also built 5 auto trucks into dens, the air calliope, and the principle band wagon pictured above about which the review said "The most unique feature of the parade was the use of 5 auto trucks, some of which were dens. The priciple Bandwagon is a huge, truly magnificently carved creation, mounted on an Alco chassis, so designed as to hide all mechanical parts, even the driver being invisible except when viewed directly from the front.
This is the Electric Bandwagon about which in some thirty-five years of circus going and viewing of collectors' photos programs, etc., I have found so little information. I have written this article hoping that we may someday have the whole history. From Ed Woeckener, bandmaster for some ten years on the Barnes show and whose bandmen rode this wagon all the years from 1916 to 1922, I was able to get only the information that it was easier on the band than a springless horse drawn wagon and that it was quite a novelty and mystery to the children especially as the means of motivation could not be seen. It is from Mr. Woeckener that I received this photograph shortly before he passed away.
In making inquiry from people on the west coast particularly, I have just this much information. The Alco chassis was evidently one of those battery driven, snub nosed trucks popular in the early days of the auto. In building the wagon Mr. Cook left nothing uncovered except the four truck wheels which were solid rubber tired. The driver being inside looked out through a screen, and here was the one big drawback to this wagon which Mr. Cook evidently overlooked. The driver couldn't see out the sides, therefore in close turns, someone had to go ahead of the wagon and guide him around these turns. Being battery driven gave the wagon its name, "The Electric Bandwagon."
It was a huge wagon, as near as I can tell, about 12 feet high and about 22 feet long, and it is too bad the colored film had not been invented as from the photograph the wagon appears to, have been very colorfully painted.
Being one of the first mechanical wagons to be specifically built as a feature attraction, I feel it has its place in circus history.
In closing I would like to hear from anyone who has any other information and photos of this wagon and also the other auto dens and calliope on the show of 1916. I also would like to thank Richard Conover and Bob Tabor for information received.
Name - Years Operated - Owners
JONES BROS. MODEL PLATE - 1904 to 1911 - ELMER H. & J. A. JONES
WEST & WELLS - 1907 - ELMER H. JONES
KING & TUCKER - 1908 to 1910 - ELMER H. JONES
COULTER & COULTER - 1909 to 1910 - ELMER H. JONES
RICE BROS. - 1909-1921-1924 - ELMER H. JONES
COLE & ROGERS - 1910-11-28-29 - ELMER H. JONES
MONTGOMERY-QUEEN - 1910 to 1912 - ELMER H. JONES
PARK'S & BANK'S - 1910 - ELMER H. JONES
COLE & COOPER - 1913 - ELMER H. JONES
STONE & MURRAY - 1914 - ELMER H. JONES
HUGO BROS. - 1915 to 1918 - ELMER H. JONES
COOPER BROS. - 1916 to 1927 - ELMER H. JONES, (Canada 1937) - ELMER H. JONES
COLE BROS. - 1921 to 1924 - ELMER H. JONES
COLE BROS. - 1918 to 1919 - ELMER H. JONES
WHEELER BROS. - 1921 - ELMER H. JONES
COLE & ROGERS - 1934 in Canada - ELMER H. JONES
Elmer H. Jones was born March 24, 1873 at Chandlers Valley, Pennsylvania. He was called "The King of two-car Circuses." One car was used for baggage and the other was a sleeper diner.
Bandwagon, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1958, p. 10.
He was born in Waddington, St. Lawrence Co., New York, May 20, 1830. At the age of seven he emigrated with his parents to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Doctor lost his mother in 1840, and his father died in the Spring of 1842, after which he was thrown upon his own resources. In 1846 he traveled with Potter's Circus as chandelier man, whale or lard oil being the illuminator at that time. The Doctor learned the trade of a tinsmith during the following Winter. Next we find him in the West driving stage for Frink & Walker at a salary of $12 a month. He joined Mabie Brothers Circus at Bardstown, Ill., as a bandwagon driver, in 1849. In 1850 he drove stage between Vincennes and Terre Haute, Ind. In 1851 he started a tinshop on his own account at Clinton, Ind. In the Spring of 1852, tiring of tin and tinkering, he joined Johnson & May's Circus as band-wagon driver. In 1853 he drove a band-wagon for Welch's Hippodrome. We next find him occupying the position of "master of horse" for Levi J. North. In the Spring of 1855 he joined Dan Rice's Great Show at Schenectady, N. Y. as boss-hostler and driver of twenty horses, and also appeared in the ring in a test of strength, pulling against a pair of horses at each performance. This position he held until the Fall of 1857, when at Dundas, Canada, with the same show, he made his debut as clown. In the Winter of 1857-58 Spaulding & Rogers starred Dr. Thayer as leading jester through the large cities of the South on board the Floating Palace, and also at the Academy of Music, New Orleans. The season of 1858, the Doctor was engaged to personify Dan Rice as clown in Rice's Show, which was accomplished so successfully that few were aware of the dual character. In 1859-60 he was leading clown with Van Amburgh & Co. In 1861 the Doctor started a small show in company with Frank Phelps of Elmira, N.Y. In 1862 the celebrated show of Thayer & Noyes had its origin, they remained together in business successfully until the Spring of 1869. The season of 1869 was a very disastrous one, the doctor losing some seventy head of horses by disease; and, his creditors becoming uneasy, the finest wagon show in America was sacrificed at Cincinnati, Ohio. The doctor was engaged in a variety of speculations when he was engaged as door-keeper to the Barnum-O'Brien "World's Fair on Wheels," and represented P. T. Barnum's interests in the show. In 1875 he was clown and assistant manager with Burr Robbins. In 1876 he was inspector of admissions at the great Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. In 1877 he started a railroad show, and sold out to the Lowandes at Columbus, Ohio. During the Winter of 1879-80 he organized Dr. Jas. L. Thayer's New Circus, and the following year toured in a business capacity under the banner of Adam Forepaugh. Died in Chicago, June 30, 1892.
In January of 1946, Billy Myers and Doc. Ford bought a truck show from F. C. Fisher. They then purchased a top from "Silas Green" of New Orleans Minstrel, a seventy with three thirties. More seats were built and more trucks were purchased. This was all assembled at Nelsonville, Ohio, and put together by Carl Wycke, later on King Bros. Circus.
The show opened at Nelsonville on April 27th to two very good houses, but from the start the show was light on the advance.
The late Jerry Burril had the Concert and Cal and Torchy Townsend were featured in the Big Show. A pit show and Side Show were carried and a concession firm out of Kansas City had the privileges.
Meyers and Ford divided the properties, the last of June in Iowa and Meyers took the show to Michigan, and business for the balance of the season was fairly good.
In September the show was taken back to Nelsonville and sold piece meal to various showmen.
Route For Season
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April 27 - Nelsonville, Ohio
April 29 - Gallipolis, Ohio April 30 - Middleport, Ohio May 1 - Wellston, Ohio May 2 - Waverly, Ohio May 3 - Chillicothe, Ohio May 4 - Wilmington, Ohio May 6 - Hillsboro, Ohio May 7 - Miamisburg, Ohio May 8 - Eaton, Ohio May 9 - Greenville, Ohio May 10 - Union City, Ohio May 11 - Winchester, Ind. May 13 - Portland, Ind. May 14 - Decator, Ind. May 15 - Bluffton, Ind. May 16 - Huntington, Ind. May 17 - Logansport, Ind. May 18 - Monticello, Ind. May 20 - Delphi, Ind. May 21 - Attica, Ind. May 22 - Hoopeston, Ill. May 23 - Paxton, Ill. May 24 - Lexington, Ill. May 25 - Toluca, Ill. May 27 - Aledo, Ill. May 28 - Wilton Junction, Iowa May 29 - Animosa, Iowa May 30 - Central City, Iowa June 1 - Independence, Iowa June 3 - Oelwein, Iowa June 4 - Sumner, Iowa June 5 - New Hampton, Iowa June 6 - Charles City, Iowa June 7 - Decorah, Iowa June 8 - Preston, Iowa June 10 - Spring Valley, Minn. June 11 - Stewartville, Minn. June 12 - Kasson, Minn. June 13 - Waseca, Minn. June 14 - Lake Crystal, Minn. June 15 - Madelia, Minn. June 17 - St. James, Minn. June 18 - Sleepy Eye, Minn. June 19 - Stayed in Madelia 'till the 24th June 24 - Armstrong, Minn. June 25 - Forrest City, Minn. June 26 - Britt, Minn. June 27 - Belmond, Minn. June 28 - Ackley, Minn. June 29 - Parkersburg, Minn. |
July 8 - Teconsha, Mich.
July 9 - Springport, Mich. July 10 - Leslie, Mich. July 11 - Dewitt, Mich. July 12 - St. Louis, Mich. July 13 - Gladwin, Mich. July 15 - Blew Date July 16 - Vanderbelt, Mich. July 17 - Blew Date July 18 - Top in a Bee July 19 - Alanson, Mich. July 20 - Pellston, Mich. July 22 - Levering, Mich July 23 - Mackinaw City, Mich. July 24 - Moran, Mich. July 25 - Rudyard, Mich. July 26 - Drafter, Mich. July 27 - Brimley, Mich. July 29 - New Berry, Mich. July 30 - Curtis, Mich. July 31 - Germfast, Mich. Aug. 1 - Seney, Mich. Aug. 2 - Shingleton, Mich. Aug. 3 - Chatham, Mich. Aug. 5 - Trenary, Mich. Aug. 6 - Forsythe, Mich. Aug. 7 - New Swansey, Mich. Aug. 8 - Negaunee, Mich. Aug. 9 - Republic, Mich. Aug. 10 - Channing, Mich. Aug. 12 - Sagola, Mich. Aug. 13 - Crystle Falls, Mich. Aug. 14 - Florence, Wis. Aug. 15 - Loretto, Mich. Aug. 16 - Powers, Mich. Aug. 17 - Blew Date Aug. 19 - Neubinway, Mich. Aug. 20 - Blew Date, Crossed Straits Aug. 21 - Tower, Mich. Aug. 22 - Atlanta, Mich. Aug. 23 - Johannasburg, Mich. Aug. 24 - Mancelona, Mich. Aug. 26 - Fife Lake, Mich. Aug. 27 - Buckley, Mich. Aug. 28 - Thompsonville, Mich. Aug. 29 - Mesick, Mich. Aug. 30 - Lake City, Mich Aug. 31 - Evort, Mich. Sept. 2 - Farwell, Mich. Sept. 3 - Blew Date Sept. 4 - Riverdale, Mich. Sept. 5 - Ashley, Mich. Sept. 6 - Elsie, Mich. Sept. 7 - Elsie, Mich. Sept. 9 - Ononadaga, Mich. Sept. 10 - Cement City, Mich. Sept. 11 - Montgomery, Mich. (Closed the show and back to Nelsonville) |
30-Car Show, American Circus Corporation. Owned by Mugivan - Ballard Bowers
Car No. - Kind - Description
1-72' - Advance Car - Combination coach and baggage car, old No. (49).
27-70' - Stock Car - 12 bulls, 4 camels and 1 saddle horse used by Supt. of Bulls.
21-72' - Stock Car - 34 Ring stock, 7 Dapple Grey of Davenport troupe.
22-72 - Stock Car - 38 Ring stock, 2 mules, 6 hybrids 1/2 Jackass and 1/2 Zebra.
23 -72' - Stock Car - 32 baggage horses.
24-70' - Stock Car - 32 baggage horses.
25-72' - Stock Car - 32 baggage horses.
26-70' - Stock Car - 30 baggage horses.
Car No. 27-72' - Flat Car:
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
37 - Stable wagon, harness, horse tent poles - 16'9"
40 - Water wagon - 12'
36 - Stake driver - 14'
34 - Cookhouse tents, dishes, tables, poles - 13'
33 - Steam wagon - 14' 9"
Car No. 28-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
32 - Cookhouse wagon, groceries, refrigerator - 16' 7"
39 - Menagerie spool wagon, canvas, poles - 26'
21 - Menagerie wardrobe, tab in parade - 13'
41 - Ticket wagon - 12'
Car No. 29-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
20 - Parade & tournam’t wardrobe, tab in parade - 17'
14 - Refreshment stand, boxes, jacks, tents - 13' 6"
26 - Performers dressing trunks, tab in parade - 19'
38 - Sideshow canvas, poles, stages - 20'
Car No. 30-72' - Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
51 - Big top seat wagon - 30'
35 - Water wagon - 12'
53 - Big top spool wagon with canvas - 26' 6'
Car No. 31-72' - Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
54 - Big top spool wagon with canvas - 26' 6"
25 - Performers dressing trunks - 19'
42 - Big show prop wagon - 20' 10"
Small buggy
Car No. 32-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
1 - Tractor truck, used to pull wagons - 15' 9"
Dodge automobile - 19'
55 - Stake and chain - 12' 6"
27 - Sideshow performers trunks - 19'
Car No. 33-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
56 - Big top poles - 40'
Tractor truck - 15' 9"
52 - Props, seats - 14' 6"
Car No. 34-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
103 - Light plant - 17'
104 - Light plant - 17'
22 - Light globes, cables, tab in parade - 17'
43 - Big show props and steel arena - 14' 6"
Car No. 35-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
23 - Harness trappings - 18'
10 - Steam calliope - 20'
9 - Hippo cage - 18' 6"
7 - Monkey cage, (36) monkeys - 14'
Car No. 36-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
19 - Llamas cage (2) - 16' 6"
12 - Sea lions cage (4) - 9' 6"
6 - Cage, (1) lion, (3) pumas - 15' 6"
2 - Cage, (3) leopards, (4) pumas - 17'
11 - Cage, (3)-tigers - 13'
Car No. 37-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
8 - Cage, (6) bears - 16' 6"
5 - Cage, (5) kangaroos - 15'
18 - Cage, (3) lions - 14' 6"
16 - Cage, (1) lion, (2) tigers - 14' 6"
31 - Air Calliope - 10'
Car No. 38-72'-F1at Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
1 - Cage, (4) zebras - 16' 6"
45 - Big top seats - 30'
46 - Big top seats - 20'
Car No. 39-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
47 - Big top seats - 30'
48 - Big top seats - 20'
50 - Big-top-seats - 20'
Car No. 40-72'-Flat Car
Wagon No. - Description - Wagon Length
49 - Big top seats - 30'
44 - Big top seats - 20'
17 - Cage, (3) lions - 15'
Car No. - Description
41 - Sleeping car
42 - Combination sleeper & dining car
43 - Sleeping car
44 - Combination sleeping & dining car
45 - Sleeping car
46 - Sleeping car
47 - Sleeping car
48 - Sleeping car
Capt. Curtis, on the show, and canvas spool and seats were his invention. This accounts for no plank or stringer wagons on the show. Canvas was rolled on spool-short job, but too hard on the canvas, so was discontinued.
Bulls on the show in 1922 - Tess, Nellie, Eve, Babe, Pinto, Joskey, Jennie, Diamond, Trilby, Louis, Mama and Topsy.
This is an exact copy from winter-quarters file, copied by J. A. Havirland.
Bandwagon, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1958, p. 13.
SEASON OPENS
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April 29 - Glenwood, Mo.
May 1 - Moulton, Iowa May 2 - Albia, Iowa May 3 - Hedrick, Iowa May 4 - New Sharon, Iowa May 5 - Montezuma, Iowa May 6 - Ackley, Iowa May 8 - Northwood, Iowa May 9 - Waseca, Minn. May 10 - Morgan, Minn. May 11 - Vesta, Minn. May 12 - Lamberton, Minn. May 13 - Ivanhoe, Minn. May 15 - Elkton, S. D. May 16 - Castlewood, S. D. May 17 - Arlington, S. D. May 18 - Carthage, S. D. May 19 - Iroquois, S. D. May 20 - Wolsey, S. D. May 22 - Highmore, S. D. May 23 - Blunt, S. D. May 24 - Gettysburg, S. D. May 25 - Faulkton, S. D. May 26 - Deland, S. D. May 27 - Conde, S. D. May 29 - Bristol, S. D. May 30 - Ortonville, Minn. May 31 - Olivia, Minn. |
June 1 - Farmington, Minn.
June 2 - Lake City, Minn. June 3 - West Salem, Wis. June 5 - New Lisbon, Wis. June 6 - Columbus, Wis. June 7 - Hartland, Wis. June 8 - Cedarburg, Wis. June 9 - Plymouth, Wis. June 10 - Kiel, Wis. June 12 - Chilton, Wis. June 13 - De Pree, Wis. June 14 - Iron Mountain, Mich. June 15 - Iron River, Mich. June 16 - Crystal Falls, Mich. June 17 - Ontonagon, Mich. June 19 - Greenland, Mich. June 20 - South Range, Mich. June 21 - Calumet-Laurium, Mich. June 22 - Calumet-Laurium, Mich. June 23 - Lake Linden, Mich. June 24 - Hancock, Mich. June 26 - Baraga, Mich. June 27 - Bessemer, Mich. June 28 - Iron River, Wis. June 29 - Sandstone, Minn. June 30 - Milaca, Minn. July 1 - Elk River, Minn. July 3 - No Show July 4 - Mora, Minn. SEASON CLOSED |
Mismanagement, bad weather, no business, did not have a winning day - shipped back to Lancaster, Missouri.
Advertising Car No. 1 - 4 Sleepers - 6 Flats - 3 Stock Cars
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March 21 - Shreveport, La.
March 22 - Stamps, Ark. March 23 - Camden, Ark. March 25 - Fordyce, Ark. March 26 - Banks, Ark. March 27 - Warren, Ark. March 28 - Dermott, Ark. March 29 - Marvell, Ark. March 30 - Marianna, Ark. April 1 - Humboldt, Tenn. April 2 - Clarksville, Tenn. April 3 - Ashland City, Tenn. April 4 - Lebanon, Tenn. April 5 - Watertown, Tenn. April 6 - Cookeville, Tenn. April 8 - Algood, Tenn. April 9 - Monterey, Tenn. April 10 - Harriman, Tenn. April 11 - Oliver Springs, Tenn. April 12 - Lafollette, Tenn. Apri1 13 - Jellico, Tenn. April 15 - Williamsburg, Ky. April 16 - London, Ky. April 17 - Pineville, Ky. April 18 - Middlesboro, Ky. April 19 - Pennington, Va. April 20 - Norton, Va. April 22 - St. Paul, Va. April 23 - Cleveland, Va. April 24 - Tazewell, Va. April 25 - Graham, Va. April 26 - Mullens, W. Va April 27 - Lester, W. Va. April 29 - Page, W.Va. April 30 - Smithers, W. Va. May 1 - Red House Shoals, W. Va May 2 - Gallipolis, Ohio May 3 - Nelsonville, Ohio May 4 - New Straitsville, Ohio May 6 - Wellston, Ohio May 7 - Greenfield, Ohio May 8 - Hillsboro, Ohio May 9 - Wilmington, Ohio May 10 - Wash. Court House, Ohio May 11 - Circleville, Ohio May 13 - New Lexington, Ohio May 14 - Dresden, Ohio May 15 - New Comerstown, Ohio May 16 - Caldwell, Ohio May 17 - Cambridge, Ohio May 18 - Barnesville, Ohio May 20 - Flushing, Ohio May 21 - Canal Dover, Ohio May 22 - Massillon, Ohio May 23 - Wooster, Ohio May 24 - Ashland, Ohio May 25 - Wadsworth, Ohio May 27 - Greenville, Pa. May 28 - Meadville, Pa. May 29 - Corry, Pa. May 30 - Gowanda, N. Y. May 31 - North Tonawanda, N.Y. June 1 - Niagara Falls, N.Y. June 3 - Port Colborne, Ont., Can. June 4 - St. Catharines, Ont., Can. June 5 - Galt, Ont., Can. June 6 - Stratford, Ont., Can. June 7 - Listowel, Ont., Can. June 8 - Owen Sound, Ont., Can. June 10 - Hanover, Ont., Can. June 11 - Guelph, Ont., Can. June 12 - Barrie, Ont., Can. June 13 - Midland, Ont., Can. June 14 - Bracebridge, Ont., Can. June 15 - Burk's Falls, Ont., Can. June 17 - So. Porcupine, Ont., Can. June 18 - Englehart, Ont., Can. June 19 - No. Cobalt, Ont., Can. June 20 - No. Bay, Ont., Can. June 21 - Sturgeon Falls, Ont., Can. June 22 - Sudbury, Ont., Can. June 24 - Perry Sound, Ont., Can. June 25 - Orillia, Ont., Can. June 26 - Lindsay, Ont., Can. June 27 - Port Hope, Ont., Can. June 28 - Brighton, Ont., Can. June 29 - Wellington, Ont., Can. July 1 - Napanee, Ont. Can. July 2 - Brockville, Ont., Can. July 3 - Cornwall, Ont., Can. July 4 - Valleyfield, Que. , Can. July 5 - St. Remi, Que., Can. July 6 - St. Hyacinthe, Que., Can. July 8 - Victoriaville, Que., Can. July 9 - Levis, Que., Can. July 10 - Montmagny, Que., Can. July 11 - Ste. Anne, Que., Can. July 12 - Riviera Du Loup, Que., Can. July 13 - Rimouski, Que., Can. July 15 - Cambellton, N. B., Can. July 16 - New Castle, N. B., Can. July 17 - Bathurst, N. B., Can. July 18 - Petitcodiac, N. B., Can. July 19 - Amherst, N. S., Can. July 20 - Truro, N. S., Can. July 22 - Kentville, N. S., Can. July 23 - Windsor, N. S., Can. July 24 - Halifax, N. S., Can. July 25 - New Glasgow, N. S., Can. July 26 - Oxford, N. S., Can. July 27 - Dorchester, N. S., Can. July 29 - Summerside, P.E. I., Can. July 30 - Alberton, P. E. I., Can. July 31 - Charlottetown, P. E. I., Can. |
Aug. 1 - Charlottetown, P. E. I., Can.
Aug. 2 - Montague, P.E. I., Can. Aug. 3 - Souris, P. E. I., Can. Aug. 5 - Moncton, N. B., Can. Aug. 6 - Richbucto, N. B., Can. Aug. 7 - Chatham, N. B., Can. Aug. 8 - Doacktown, N. B., Can. Aug. 9 - Fredericton, N. B., Can. Aug. 10 - Bristol, N. B., Can. Aug. 12 - Edmundston, N. B., Can. Aug. 13 - Grand Falls, N. B., Can. Aug. 14 - Woodstock, N. B., Can. Aug. 15 - St. Andrews, N. B., Can. Aug. 16 - McAdams, N. B., Can. Aug. 17 - Danforth, Maine Aug. 19 - Cookshire, Que., Can. Aug. 20 - Farnham Que., Can. Aug. 21 - Rouses Point, N. Y. Aug. 22 - Malone, N. Y. Aug. 23 - Potsdam, N. Y. Aug. 24 - Clayton, N. Y, Aug. 26 - Pulaski, N. Y. Aug. 27 - Oswego, N. Y. Aug. 28 - Sodus Point, N. Y. Aug. 29 - Batavia, N. Y. Aug. 30 - Lancaster, N. Y. Aug. 31 - Cattaraugus, N. Y, Sept. 2 - Jamestown, N. Y. Sept. 3 - Cambridge Springs, Pa. Sept. 4 - Oil City, Pa. Sept. 5 - Sharon, Pa. Sept. 6 - Leetonia, Ohio Sept. 7 - Orrville, Ohio Sept. 9 - Millersburg, Ohio Sept. 10 - Coshocton, Ohio Sept. 11 - Lancaster, Ohio Sept. 12 - Logan, Ohio Sept. 13 - Athens, Ohio Sept. 14 - Parkersburg, W. Va. Sept. 16 - Spencer, W. Va. Sept. 17 - Ravenswood, W. Va. Sept. 18 - Ripley, W. Va. Sept. 19 - Point Pleasant, W. Va. Sept. 20 - Huntington, W. Va. Sept. 21 - Greenup, Ky. Sept. 23 - Vanceburg, Ky. Sept. 24 - Maysville, Ky. Sept. 25 - Flemingsburg, Ky. Sept. 26 - Carlisle, Ky. Sept. 27 - Winchester, Ky. Sept. 28 - Stanford, Ky. Sept. 30 - Campbellsville, Ky. Oct. 1 - Munfordsville, Ky. Oct. 2 - Glasgow, Ky. Oct. 3 - Franklin, Ky. Oct. 4 - Gallatin, Tenn. Oct. 5 - Franklin, Tenn. Oct. 7 - Mount Pleasant, Tenn. Oct. 8 - Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Oct. 9 - Sheffield, Ala. Oct. 10 - Haleyville, Ala. Oct. 11 - Red Bay, Ala. Oct. 12 - Corinth, Miss. Oct. 14 - Moscow, Tenn. Oct. 15 - New Augusta, Ark. Oct. 16 - Judsonia, Ark. Oct. 17 - Bebee, Ark. Oct. 18 - Benton, Ark. Oct. 19 - Malvern, Ark. Oct. 21 - Wombee, Ark. Oct. 22 - Amity, Ark. Oct. 23 - Gurdon, Ark. Oct. 24 - Prescott, Ark. Oct. 25 - De Kalb, Texas Oct. 26 - Blossom, Texas Oct. 28 - Honey Grove, Texas Oct. 29 - Wolfe City, Texas Oct. 30 - Farmersville, Texas Oct. 31 - Emory, Texas Nov. 1 - Mineola, Texas Nov. 2 - Jacksonville, Texas Nov. 4 - Crockett, Texas Nov. 5 - Henderson, Texas Nov. 6 - Jennett, Texas Nov. 7 - Calvert, Texas Nov. 8 - Marlin, Texas Nov. 9 - Navasota, Texas Nov. 11 - Somerville, Texas Nov. 12 - Conroe, Texas Nov. 12 - Huntsville, Texas Nov. 14 - Trinity, Texas Nov. 15 - Groveton, Texas Nov. 16 - Lufkin, Texas Nov. 18 - Rusk, Texas Nov. 19 - Athens, Texas Nov. 20 - Kaufman, Texas Nov. 21 - Ennis, Texas Nov. 22 - Cooper, Texas Nov. 23 - Commerce, Texas Nov 25 - Mount Vernon, Texas Nov. 26 - Gilmer, Texas Nov 27 - Winnsboro, Texas Nov. 28 - Daingerfield, Texas Nov. 29 - Jefferson, Texas Nov. 30 - Atlanta, Texas Dec. 2 - Vivian, La. (End of Season) Winter Quarters. Shreveport, La. |
Golden Band Chariot; Great Pacific, Enidy's British Cornet Band. Ten black horses with silver plated English harness hitched.
Mounted Knights & Ladies, chime bells on each horse.
Elephants in silver harness.
The Silver Car of Aberon.
Open cage wagon of performing tigers.
Tab. Car of Liberty, living figures of the Army, Navy, Peace & Justice, drawn by ten white horses.
Continental Soldiers mounted.
Open cage wagon of lions.
The Golden Car of the Conqueror, drawn by team of ten camels.
Open cage wagon of hyenas.
Demonstration tab. car, drawn by twelve Shetland ponies.
Line of animal cages.
Chariots.
Clowns.
Calliope.
How the Billboard in January 1905 announced that James A. Bailey had bought the Forepaugh-Sells show for $150,000 at Columbus, Ohio, on January 10? He sold a half interest immediately to the Ringling Bros.
At Geneva, Ohio on January 12, Wm. P. Hall became owner of the Walter L. Main Circus? Consideration $120,000. In the fall of 1904 Hall had purchased the Harris Nickel Plate Shows.
The partnership existing between John T. Welsh and Colonel M. H. Welsh had been dissolved Dec. 24, 1904? The show was to continue under the manager-ship of John Walsh, with winter quarters at Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
McCaddon's Great International Shows advertised for sober, reliable experienced help?
The Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Enormous Shows United, with James A. Bailey and the Ringling Bros. as equal owners, wanted people in all branches of the circus business, for a big show enterprise of the highest magnitude, now being re-organized, re-modeled, re-built, and equipped to conform to the lofty standards of its proprietors?
John H. Sparks Shows wanted a bar act, strong acrobatic act and a feature act? The show was at Jacksonville, Fla.
W. U. Montgomery of Boone, Iowa, wanted for The Great Texas Bill Wild West, Indian Museum, Mexican Hippodrome and World's Best Rough Riders, people for the main performance, concert, and side show?
The Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show wanted novel acts for the side show? No freaks. Proposition was invited for a small down town show or block top.
Geo. W. Hall, Jr. of Evansville, Wisconsin, wanted for the Geo. W. Hall's circus and menagerie, people in all branches except riders? They advertised for sale a 45 foot baggage car that had been used on the advance.
Wm. Merric c/o Shipp's Winter Circus (indoors) wanted 50 musicians for a long season in Europe? "No Parades."
The Hobson Wagon Show advertised for musicians ($8 limit and expenses) good funny singing Clown; lady with snakes for sideshow? Capt. C. D. Hobson, Texarkana, Arkansas.
Fred Hutchinson left after the Columbus sale to return to the Buffalo Bill Show in quarters at Stoke-on-Trent, England?
The Mollie Bailey show was in quarters at Houston, Texas?
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Last modified December 2005.
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