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Excerpts From the New York Clipper - 1883, 1887
1860s
1870-71
1872-73
1874-76
1877-79
1880s
New York Clipper, January 6, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Abelarde and Josephine Lowande and Hattie Austin were to have arrived in Havana, Cuba, Dec. 25. Maud Oswald fell while climbing up to her rings, and fractured her left arm above the wrist. Five minutes after she had been carried out of the ring she walked in and bowed to the public. Business continues satisfactory.
Whiting Allen, late press agent of the Forepaugh Show, and Miss Nellie A. Gibbons, sister of Captain Edward Gibbons of the National Steamship Line, were married in the Church of the Advent by Rev. Dr. J. F. Powers in Philadelphia Dec. 20.
Robert Filkins has reported at the headquarters of the Forepaugh Show . . . Wm. Halloway, clown, is engaged.
Harry Oliver, contracting agent for Batcheller & Doris last season, goes with John B. Doris’ Show in the same capacity in 1883. He has been treasurer of the Arch street Opera house, Philadelphia, during the present season.
George Furzman has secured the privileges with the Nathans & Colvin Show.
John Nathans, an old-time circus proprietor, is seriously ill at his residence in this city.
Millard Cooper, son of James E. Cooper, late of the London Show, died of diphtheria in Philadelphia Jan. 1., New Year’s day.
The Oder, which arrived from Hamburg Dec. 30, brought Adam Forepaugh three elephants, one antelope, one cassowary, two white bears and one monkey.
New York Clipper, January 20, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Three Hundred Lives Lost. - A cablegram dated St. Petersburg, Jan. 14, says: “During the performance yesterday at a circus in Berditscheff, in Russian Poland, a fire broke out in the building, and before the spectators could escape the whole structure was ablaze. Three hundred persons perished in the flames.” Later, Jan. 15 - The loss of life by the burning of the circus in Berditscheff on Saturday last was not so great as at first reported, but it is believed that over 150 persons perished in the flames. The fire broke out towards the end of the performance, and was caused by the careless handling of fireworks on the stage. The curtain became ignited, and the flames quickly spread to the walls and roof. The members of the orchestra were the first victims. The audience, numbering 300 persons, rushed to the front door, but it opened inward, and as the crowd pressed forward it was rendered useless. A rush was then made to the two side doors, both of which were nailed up, thus compelling the people to take to the windows, from which many sprang into the street with their clothes a sheet of flame. The fire brigade arrived within half and hour, but it was impossible to extinguish the flames, and the water in the tanks was frozen. The fire lasted two hours. Eye witnesses say that when the doors were finally opened a mass of burning persons were visible within. The horses and properties of the circus were all destroyed. London, Jan 16. - A dispatch from Vienna to the Daily News says it is stated that 400 persons were suffocated, crushed or burned to death in the circus at Berditscheff. The horses, running about wildly, increased the confusion. The circus was a wooden structure. It is estimated that 90 men, 120 women and 60 children lost their lives. The victims include the Colonel of Police and the Vice-president of the Berditscheff Bourse. The audience consisted mainly of Jews. Another account says that the fire was caused by a groom having thrown a lighted cigarette on straw in the stables, setting it on fire. Another groom tried to stamp out the fire, but a strong draught fanned the flames and caused them to spread. The author of the fire perished; also two clowns, who are believed to have been Englishmen. . . .
New York Clipper, February 24, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The father of John B. Willett, who was snare drummer with Forepaugh’s Circus last season, died recently in Meriden, Ct.
For the Orton Shows the coming season the following have been engaged: Col. Chas. Whitney, general agent and manager in advance; T. Sannelle, contracting agent; R. E. Sheeran, press agent; West Stetzinger, chief of past brigade No. 1; Lon Remington, brigade No. 2. For the ring: Abbert Bernard, Alfred G. Field, Dan Lean, Leanti Cardello Van Auken, Monroe and La Rue, Jas. Whitney, Chas. Rivers, Ed Lake, Mlle. Alberta, S. Dan, the three Walton Brothers, Chas. Hollis, Mlle. Minnetta, Kitty Shafter, Master Claude, J. Cline, Anton Huff and Signor Dawn. Chas. Braning is leader of band No. 1, having in charge the Seventh regiment Band of Bloomington, Ill. Curt Sawage is leader of band No. 2. Jesse Cline plays the calliope, and S. Ramsey plays the chimes in the street parade. The show will travel by rail. The fine double-humped camels just imported by Conklin of the Central Park, New York, have been secured; also a white camel.
B. F. Ford, sideshow solicitor, etc., and wife (Frankie Barry) wire-walker, concert performer, etc. . . .
Circuses, New York Clipper, March 10, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
A monster illuminated circus poster is now being produced by the Strowbridge Lithographic Co. of Cincinnati for W. W. Cole, the well known circus proprietor. Louis E. Cooke, press agent for Mr. Cole, suggested this mammoth pictorial, which, we are informed, comprises one hundred sheets of paper, lithographed in six colors, and when posted will measure one hundred feet in length by twelve feet in height. Over 1,500 characters are represented, and the general design present an interior view of a circus tent. It is stated that the contract price for 1,000 copies is $10,000. It will take 100,000 sheets of paper and 600,000 impressions to complete the order. H. A. Odgen of this city sketched the design from ideas furnished by Mr. Cole and his agent.
Forepaugh Items. . . . One hundred and twenty stands have been posted with advance printing, and thirteen hundred newspapers have chronicled the coming of the Aggregation. . . .
Opening the Season. The Barnum and London Shows will inaugurate the season in Madison-square Garden, this city; John Robinson in Cincinnati; Adam Forepaugh, also John B. Doris, in Philadelphia; W. W. Cole, St. Louis; Burr Robbins, Janesville, Wis.; King, Burk & Co., Valparaiso, Ind.; Van Amburgh, Connersville, Ind.; Nathans & Co., Geneva, N.Y.; Sells Brothers, Columbus, O.; and Miles Orton, Huntsville, Ala.
The Hobson brothers’ Lone Star and Sunset Show, which is to travel by wagon, beginning in May, . . . C. D. Hobson advertises . . .
Frank A. Robbins Show. Giles Pullman has been engaged as general agent and manager of the advance. Henry W. Mann is to be the contracting agent. The second brigade will be in charge of Asa J. Robbins. Frank Charvat, John Foster, Felix McDonald and wife, Wm. Gaylord, Alice Maurice, Andrew Gaffney and Robt. Whittaker have been engaged.
Nathans & Co.’s Items. Harry Cardova goes in advance again this season, and has charge of the advertising department. John Rixford, Mlle. Zael and Waran Soto have been engaged . . . E. D. Colvin, one of the proprietors returns to Geneva this week, in the interest of the show.
New York Clipper, March 17, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The Colvin interest in the Nathans & Co. Show has been sold, it is understood, to Mr. St. Clair, formerly treasurer of the Barnum Show, and R. H. Dockrill.
Harry Kimm goes with Wambold’s Circus and Menagerie as boss animal man; Wm. Scott is to be the boss canvasman, John Keating owner of privileges, Geo. Peck has the sideshow privilege, Harry Orton leader of band, W. I. Bradley leader of the orchestra, Henry Rice balloonist, and L. W. Washburn manager.
New York Clipper, May 5, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Accident. A telegram dated Pottsville, Pa., April 28, says: “In leaping a hurdle at Forepaugh’s Circus this evening the horse ridden by Mrs. Cooke, and equestrienne, stumbled and fell upon the rider, breaking her ribs and injuring her internally. She is not expected to live through the night.”
James Robinson, bareback rider, who recently sold his Audrian County farm to Wm. L. Block, the St. Louis cotton broker, has taken the latter gentleman’s place on the Hall’s Ferry Road, about two miles north of the city limits. The new place includes sixty acres of ground, and the buildings are in good condition. Mr. Robinson will erect a ring-house in which to train and exercise his horses in Winter, and intends to reside there when he quits the circus business.
Circuses, New York Clipper, June 23, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Married. Charles Shields of the sideshow with the Hobson Bros. Circus and Maggie Berger of New Orleans were married in Decatur, Mich., June 3.
Married. Robert Stickney, the well known equestrian, and Miss Minnie Walf of Cincinnati, O., were married in Kansas City, Mo., June 13.
W. O. Dale Stevens’ Australian Circus in Park Square, Boston, Mass. . . . A new bill announced this week, introducing Charles W. Fish; Miss Jeal, hurdle-rider; W. B. Aymar, pantomimic scene-rider; Se-Wa-No, Indian hurdle-rider; . . . Mart Laselle, Mexican equilibrist; Prof. White and his educated steers; and Prof. Myers and a flock of performing goats. Mr. Stevens has transferred the band lately here to his Philadelphia circus permanency, and has replaced it by another fairly good one. Mr. Stevens is to make weekly exchanges of his performers between Boston and Philadelphia during the summer.
To Reorganize. A private telegram received in this city June 15 and shown to us states that the Hobson Bros.’ Circus and Menagerie is to cease traveling 19 to reorganize.
Accident. Zazel, while performing at Stevens’ Australian Circus in Boston, Mass., received injuries, as we are informed, which may lead to serious results. While doing her “50 ft. dive,” the poles supporting the net were not firmly secured, causing her to fall and to receive injuries to her spine. She was brought to this city and is now cared for by friends.
Circuses, New York Clipper, August 4, 1883. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
John B. Doris has purchased of G. H. Jones of Oxford, Me., two fine Knox colts that can trot down among the thirties, and during the coming Winter Mr. Doris expects to “take the slack” out of some of his professional friends who make a point of handling the lines over fast horseflesh.
A Circus on Fire. Nathans & Co.’s Show exhibited in Portsmouth, Va., July 24, and at the night exhibition between four and five thousand men, women and children were present. Shortly after the commencement of the performance the wind began to blow strongly, and a rent was made in the canvas, which swayed heavily. A horse was brought in for the use of one of the bareback performers, and his rider mounted and attempted to go on with the performance; but the horse seemed to be aware of the impending danger, and refused to stay in the ring. Then the wind struck the tent with great violence, tearing the canvas from the centre-pole to the side, and causing some of the poles to fall. The crowd became panic-stricken and began to rush for the entrance in a wild endeavor to escape. Then the cry of “Fire!” was heard, and the panic-stricken crowd became almost delirious with terror. The lamps over the ring had set the canvas on fire, and it was burning furiously; but a deluge of rain commenced falling, and it extinguished the flames after the tent was about half destroyed. A few men proved equal to the occasion, and stood bravely fighting the flames and assisting the women and children out from among the debris by tearing or cutting the canvas. All who emerged on one side of the tent were suddenly precipitated into a ditch about five feet deep, fully grown up with briars. Here ladies, children and men were piled in inextricable confusion. To add to the confusion, the fire bells commenced to ring and the steam whistles to signal alarms, throwing the city into great excitement and turning out great numbers of citizens. A great many people were badly hurt and had limbs broken, but no one was killed outright.
The Great Eastern Show, George W. De Haven, manager, a correspondent writes, “was transferred recently to Sam Stickney and Alf. Gilett (contortionist) for money due them. The show collapsed in Hancock, Mich., July 13.”
New York Clipper, May 28, 1887. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Whitney Family New Enterprise Circus Notes. The roster of the show is: G. L. Whitney, proprietor and manager; Byron Killmar, charge of dressing room and equestrian manager; Floyd Whitney, leader of band, with ten men; Ray S. Leach, boss-canvasman, with eight assistants; Jerome Messinger, boss-hostler, with six assistants; John Nehman, master of properties, with three assistants; Col. M. Gillette, general agent with six assistants. Circus people - J. T. Carrier, Hardy and McFee, Mons. Capolo, George Scott, Josie Whitney, the Leander Bros., three in number have lately joined; Tom Cone, clown; Bell Twins, D. S. Helmer, D. Rock Hunt. The sideshow and all privileges are run and controlled by C. A. Whitney. Sideshow people - Amy Cone, Charles Laccells, Addie Whitney, Clark Cogswell, Leon Whitney. Mr. Whitney has recently added a fifty foot middle piece and more seats. The show travels by wagon, and has thirty head of horses.
Circus and Sideshow, New York Clipper, July 23, 1887. Not complete. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Forepaugh’s general agent, Louis E. Cooke, is now putting up the largest circus poster ever printed. The mammoth pictorial is from the presses of The Courier Co., Buffalo, N.Y., and contains 128 sheets of paper. It illustrates the great thirty-one horse act as done by Adam Forepaugh Jr., and it is undoubtedly the largest publication ever hung on the walls. Mr. Cooke, who is a great genius in the way of advertising, some years ago designed and worked out a one hundred sheet lithograph for Cole’s Circus, but Forepaugh now leads the procession in the way of big bills.
Adam Forepaugh has decided to abandon the use of window lithographs during the remainder of his season. The money thus saved (over $75 a day) will be put into newspaper advertising.
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Last modified October 2005