Circus Historical Society
Excerpts From the New York Clipper - 1900-1909
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The New York Clipper was a weekly trade newspaper for the entertainment industry from 1853 to the 1920s, when it became Variety. Microfilms of the Clipper are available from various libraries and other sources. The Clipper contained regular news about circuses. These excerpts are interesting for the information on circuses, acts, personnel and circus life. Included here are a limited number of dates and amount of information on circuses published in the Clipper. Only a few transcriptions for any issue are complete. Note: the Clipper had typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information with a word or words underlined indicate that the transcription may not be correct. Unreadable words are indicated by ___. All information should be checked with additional sources. Transcribed by Judy Griffin.
New York Clipper, March 31, 1900, p. 99. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The following engagements have been made for the Great William Sells Shows, united with James H. Gray's New Olympian Hippodrome: The wonderful Janeau aerial marvel . . . Warren A. Patrick as treasurer. Everything is all bustle at winter quarters. Our special new paper is fast approaching completion, and will be new and of elegant design. The show will have accommodations for eating and sleeping equal to any on the road this season. There will be a fine Pullman sleeping car, two berths high, elegantly furnished and ___ fresh from the Pullman car shops at Chicago, Ill. This car will be for the performers. The laboring men will also have first class accommodations, having one sleeping car to themselves, all furnished complete, and equal to any circus on the road. There will be a dining car finely fit up for all the performers. There will also be a dining tent on the circus grounds for the laboring people, which will be very convenient.
The Zamora Family sailed March 17 for Germany to join Barnum & Bailey's Show. Little Evelyn Zamora was entertained by her friends during her saty in New York.
Oscar Brewer has signed with the Sun Bros.' World's Progressive Shows for the coming season, making his second season with the show. He will do principal clowning and introduce his pickaninny cake walkers and a burlesque giraffe act.
Van Amburg & Gallagher Notes. One of the finest equipped shows season of 1900 will be the Van Amburg & Gallagher Combined Shows, the outfit will be completely new, and is now well under way and will be completed by April 15. The outfit is being built at Buffalo, N.Y., and consists as follows: big top 120ft. with two 40ft centres; menagerie 80ft., with one 30ft. centre; ___ dressing room, three ___ horse tents, ___ cook house, and ___ kid shows. The printing will all be new and very elaborate.
Notes from the Rice & Davis Big United Shows. We are getting everything in readiness for the coming tenting season. Have just received a large shipment of show property from Peru, Ind. We expect a lot of new horses in a few days. The Rice & Davis Shows will be one of the best equipped 15 and 25c shows on the road this coming season. Chas. and Katie Boynton have signed to do their sensational aerial act.
Oscar C. Smith has signed with Harkness & Fox's ___ Circus again this season to do his rope and wire walking clown and Mexican ladder, making his fourth season with that show.
Notes from winter quarters of A. H. Reed's Circus. Frank Dempsey, our boss canvas man, has arrived and is busy getting things in shape for the opening. . . .
W. H. Harris, Chicago, Ill., has purchased from Carl Hagenbeck, through his American representative, Dr. E. D. Colvin, eight double hump Siberian working camels.
W. T. Boyer, formerly manager of the People's Theatre, St. Mary's, O., is no longer connected with the theatre, but has taken his old position with advertising car No. _, Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus.
The Australian Wonders, the five St. Leons and trained monk, Jocko, will make their first appearance in America beneath a canvas with W. H. Harris' Nickle Plate Shows, in Chicago, April 21.
Ernest De Pew, formerly of the Walter L. Main Shows, has signed with the Ringling Bros. Greatest Shows on Earth for the coming season as ticket seller.
Carlo Bros., of old time circus fame, are here to book attractions for their circus in Brazil, to open in May.
Notes from A. W. McCormick's New Silver Plate Show. We are making preparations for the fifth annual opening of the white tent season, over-hauling harness, painting wagons, and will have an entire new canvas throughout this year. We have purchased six small cross cages for menagerie. Will have the same elephant and camel with us that we had two years ago. A. W. McCormick is now sole owner of this "prize box." Our ten trained white ponies and three stallions have been carefully trained all winter by Prof. McCoy, of Toronto, Can., and are second to nine in the show business. Al. Gaston, talking and singing clown, has signed for this season. He is to take charge of dressing room. We have mostly booked, with few exceptions, the same people we had last year, and shall return to our wagons for 1900. It is more profitable, and we do not encounter so much opposition. We are contemplating going South through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri for the early winter season, catching the different crops when the folk have ready money, returning about Christmas to headquarters, Gallipolis, O., by steamboat.
Dalton and Franklin are engaged for the coming season with the John Robinson Show for the concert.
. . . and Wm. De Varlo go with the Walter J. McDonald's Colossal Shows for the season with troupe of trained dogs and ponies and leaping greyhounds, Little Inize doing a pony manage and a two pony hurdle act. De Varlo is doing his jockey and Pete Jenkins act.
The John Robinson Circus lost twelve of nineteen camels by death on shipboard while en route to this port from Calcutta, India. The ship ___ safely landed seven camels and a dwarf cow on March 22.
New York Clipper, April 7, 1900, p. 134. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Wintermute Bros.' Show Notes. Every preparation is being made at the winter quarters at Hebron, Wis., for the opening on May _. Frank Zweiger has finished painting and decorating the wagons, cages, etc. The Wintermute Bros. pin their faith to the national colors, red, white and blue, and those are the ones predominating with the New Gigantic. Thos. Wintermute has spent the winter breaking new dogs and ponies, etc. A military drill by ponies and complete dog and pony show will be strongly featured on the billing matter. The show will use a 100ft. roung top, ___ side show, with ten paintings, five cages, fifty horses and ponies. Halsey Wintermute will have charge of the advance, with two bill wagons and three assistants. Performers so far engaged: John Schneider, Wm. Weir, Arthur Near, Herman Vonquett, W. E. Lock, Ernest Coleman and a band of eight pieces. W. A. Atterbury has the privileges.
Notes from Rehn's United Shows. Our winter quarters at Danville, Kan., is now a scene of activity. Everything is being overhauled and put in readiness for the coming season. Workmen, eight in number, have charge of the different departments, and are vieing with each other to make things look more elaborate. The show promises to be one of the brightest and neatest wagon shows on the road, and manager G. W. Rehn, is sparing neither pains nor expense to bring about this result. We will open at Danville, April __, with an __ft. round top, with a 30ft. middle piece; side show __ft., with 30ft. middle piece; a new horse tent __ft., and a __ black tent for the "passion Play" in moving pictures, under the management of Sig. Harris. Our stock is in good condition, having had comfortable winter quarters and the best of care. Sixteen handsomely painted wagons will be used to transport the show, which will carry about sixty people. We are anxiously looking forward to the opening date.
Dan Rice's will was probated in Long Branch, N.J., March __. It was made in June last and was witnessed by Judge C. ___ Patterson and Lewis Slocum. The will directs that all of his personal and real estate, including the revenue from his unpublished book of his life, shall go to John H. Brown and his sister, Miss Elizabeth Brown, with whom he lived. They also are made the executors. The only conditions the ___ imposes is that they are to pay $1,000 annually to his surviving daughter, Mrs. Catherine ___, of this city, as long as she shall live. The famous circus man expected to reap a harvest from the sale of his book, which is now in the hands of the publishers. It will contain upward of seven hundred pages. It is to be illustrated, and will contain interviews with Presidents Grant, Lincoln and Johnson, in addition to many of his circus ring jokes. He left, it is declared about ten thousand acres of land in Tennessee and Texas. The land in Tennessee is said to contain coal and iron ore.
Ed. F. Davis' Show notes. The latest additions are: the La Rue Bros., Bernard Orton, Eydon and Nelson and the Welcomes. Sam MacFlinn is on the ground, and the many animal acts are being daily rehearsed.
Del Fuego has signed for the coming season with the Ringling Bros.' World's Greatest Shows as clown.
Peter W. Barlow denies a recent statement, sent to the Clipper, that he is in Cuba with a small native circus. He writes: "Whoever sent you the information sent you an untruth, as is surely no friend of mine. On the tenth day of last January I sold my hotel in Santiago de Cuba, known as the Colonial. I also sold a third interest in the Rapid Transit Bus Co., of that same city, and on Jan. 18 sailed to ___ with El Gran Circo Lowande, filling the position of bareback somersault and jocky rider, also equestrian director. I am still with El Gran Circo Lowande, Tony Lowande, sole proprietor and manager . . . Our show is the only circus making any money for the simple reason that the Cuban people are aware of the fact that Tony Lowande brings to them nothing but the very best. We close our season Aug. __, and reopen in Santiago de Cuba on or about Nov. __."
New York Clipper, April 14, 1900, p. 149. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Doings at the winter quarters of the famous B. B. & H. Circus, Dog and Pony Shows. We have leased the Fair Grounds at Antigo, Wis., where we have the show stored. We have a number of workmen overhauling and getting everything in first class shape. We are having a cage built for dogs and monkeys, and also a small ticket wagon. We will have two wagons in advance, well equipped, and loaded with paper suitable for this kind of a show. Our canvas has arrived. Prof. Burns is very busy training a number of Shetland ponies, which will be a feature. Our trick horse, "John A. Logan," is doing an act that will suprise the natives. The roster to date is as follows: Prof. Burns, manager . . . Fred Boldt, advance representative, with four assistants; J. Zimmer, in charge of privileges; Tom Scott, boss canvas man . . . Lew Williams, props; Chas. Carroll, director of band, which will be a feature; Rosena Carroll, drum major. We will have twelve musicians for the band. The performers are: Young Cyclone, J. W. Parker . . . Lewis and Lewis, with their troupe of performing dogs . . . Own Albert . . . Bernie McGraw and Zennette. We will use fourteen wagons, and carry thirty-four head of horses.
Notes from Foster & Wilkens' Great London 10 and 30 cent Shows. . . . another week will see everything in shape for one of the finest shows of ___ on the road this season. Our outfit will be new and complete in every detail. . . . The show will carry a band of fifteen musicians, which will be one of the features. Roster: . . . the Sampsons, Ed and ___; the Mannings, Dan and Ida; Bros. La PLants (or Adell Family); Prof. Claud May and his troupe of educated dogs; Mlle Loretta . . . Dave Pomroy . . .
Notes from the Rice & Davis Big United Shows. We are now making preparations for our opening, which will be at Brockwayville, Pa., April __. The show will be one of the best equipped little shows on the road this coming season. We will use thirty head of stock. Size of main tent __ft., with two 40ft. middle pieces; side show tent 40x70; horse tent ___, dresting tent ___, cook house ___. There will be sixty people with the show.
The Boyntons have signed with the Sig. Sautelle Show,and not with the Rice & Davis Shows. To do their new horizontal revolving ladder.
Leonard and Hart have signed for the coming tenting season with Sig. Sautelle's Show.
Prof. Shedman and Mlle ___ senational dogs, Chas. A. Sampson and ___ O'Brien left for Rio Janeiro, Brazil, April _, to join Carlo's Circus.
Tommy Barnett has signed with Rehn's United Shows for the season.
New York Clipper, April 21, 1900, p. 173. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Rays from Sun Bros.' World's Progressive Shows. Everybody engaged reported promptly, and the old performers could scarcely be convinced it was the same show they closed with last Fall, as everything is new from start to finish. The opening parade and performance took place in Raleigh, N.C., April _. The day was beautiful, and the business right up to the notch. The newspapers and citizen of Raleigh were profuse in their compliments on the gentlemanly behavior and progressiveness of the Sun Bros.' Shows while in the city, and many expressions of regret were heard when the shows pulled out. The first drive to Morrisville, N.C., was made without a hitch, and Sun Bros. can feel justly proud of their new layout for the season of 1900. The roster of the company is as follows: Sun Bros., proprietors; Geo. Sun, manager; O. R. Sun, treasurer; Pete Sun, advance representative . . . Louis E. Pepper, press agent; Wiley Terris, equestrian director; Prof. Chas. Coon, band leader; J. H. Rhodes, leader of orchestra; the Snyders (Jno., Edward and Harry), acrobats; Terris and Trevanion, breakaway ladder; Wiley Terris, dancing barrel; Wiley Terris Jr., baby clown; Richards Bros., statuary . . . Oscar Brewer, principal staging clown, with his troupe of pickaninnies and cake walkers; Arthur May, Fred Dexter, Fred Tryon, A. J. Ashton . . . M. V. Rector, Edward Kingsland, Prof. Gleiser and his troupe of performing dogs . . . In the annex are all the small animals . . . Percy Richards, boss property man, with six assistants; Chet Varley, chief cook in Hotel de Sun, with assistants; Harry McBride, chandelier man, and in charge of small animals; Otto Miller, night watchman. The advance staff is composed of Pete Sun, manager; Albert Moore, in charge of big wagon; Walter Epperson, in charge of No. 2 wagon . . . The show will work the tobacco section and then head directly East. Everthing points to a prosperous season for the Progressive Shows.
Notes from Dixon, Bowers & Dixon's Big Shows. Everything is in readiness for the opening of our big shows, which takes place May 1, with the following roster: Dixon, Bowers & Dixon, proprietors and managers . . . Prof. Fred. D. Fox, bandmaster, with twelve solo musicians; Prof. John White and troupe of educated horses, ponies, dogs and monkeys; the Imperial troupe of pantomimists; Annie Bart, balancing trapeze and high wire . . . Edward Clark, juggler; William Phelps and his riding dog and goat; clowns: John Lancaster, Robert Hodge and the Three McDonalds (Tom, Jim and Frank). . . . Maud Hayward, female cornet soloist, has been engaged as one of the special features of the concert, in additon to the following people: the Imperial Comedy Trio, Hodge, Hayward and Lancaster, Wilson and Allen, Carter and Green. We carry thirty-two head of horses, with Bob Stark, boss hostler, with ten assistants; Jack Backley, boss canvas man, with ten assistants. The show opens in Sydney, N.Y.
Welsh Brothers' Circus notes. We open in Lancaster, Pa., April __. This year this aggregation will be much larger and include many new features. Everything will be new, and an additional car will be added to the train, making four in all. Two weeks later a second combination will be launched, to be known as the Welsh Wagon Show. There will be thirty-three performers with the big company. Among the prominent head line acts are: the Marinellas, Miss Vera, Louis Beauvais . . . St. Alban Sisters, the La Mottes, Alfred Heintz, Mlle. Zanta, Miss Millie Dair, Max Hugo, Harry F. West, Joseph Kearney . . . Pete Watson, Prof. Harry Mohn and others. A big concert band will be made a special feature, with Herbert M. Whittier as director. J. N. Holcomb, late cornet soloist with Liberati's Band, is with this party, and M. H. and John Welsh will look after the business, and Prof. Newton will direct the performances and do the press work.
Fred Knight, the veteran animal man, has joined the Lemen Bros.' Circus, to take charge of the menagerie and the large elephant, "Raga."
The Bros. Valveno have signed with Sig. Sautelle's Big Shows for the summer tenting season.
Notes from Tuttle's Olympic Shows. Things are of the humming order around the winter quarters, carpenters, blacksmiths and painters being especially busy, making new and remodeling the old, as everything must be bright for the start. This season the show goes out bigger, better and stronger than ever before, more wagons, stock and canvas being added. Our new advance wagon, which is completed, will be quite an improvement over the one used last season. The ticket wagon is also ready to leave the shop, and the work done on it is likewise commented on. Everything will be ready for the first of May, when we take the road for another record breaking season, for such the ones preceding have been, and we will visit a goodly number of last year's towns.
Mrs. Annie Thomson, formerly Annie Picard, has signed with the John Robinson Show for the coming season, and will not join her husband, Capt. Hugh Thomson, who is now in the Philippine Islands, until next Fall.
The painting and decorating of the Rhoda Royal Shows is all done, and everything is now ready for the opening. That will take place in Geneva, O., Saturday, April __.
April showers from Sig. Sautelle. With old winter's backbone broken, the work of getting the road stock hard and in good condition now receives full attention. The horses are being driven daily, and those just received from the farm are groomed and grain fed once more. As this is the first time in the history of Homer that a circus has begun its season here, all the residents of the town and surrounding territory propose to do full honor to the event the opening day, May 11. Business blocks and other buildings will be elaborately decorated in bunting and flags, and altogether a gala time is promised. . . . The sewers employed on wardrobe have completed their labors. Everything is in readiness for the road, and the show could open tomorrow but for the weather.
Tony Richardson writes: "Having completed my municipal duties as mayor of my home city, Astabula, O., on April __, I once again return to the managerial forces, having signed with the Rhoda Royal Shows as treasurer and assistant manager. We open the season at Geneva, O., April __ . . . L. V. Strebig, manager, who is very carefully looking after every detail, while Messrs. Royal and ___ are right up to date in their departments. The scene at the winter quarters is nearly in readiness to move. Don McKenzie has charge of advance car No. 1."
Notes from Harrington's Combined Shows. The wood workers and painters are all hustling to have everything in readiness for our opening, which will be Sunday, May _, at Cook's Park, Evansville, Ind. We will put on an illuminated night parade on Sunday night, before our opening. The show will remain here for one week, making one day stands. After leaving here, touring our old route, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky. The show will be under the management of E. A. Harrington. Wm. A. Harrington will be in advance, with one assistant and two bill posters.
___ T. Dillon, manager for Otis Turner's Big Consolidated Shows, was a Clipper caller April 14. The season opens about May 21. The show will carry fifty people and twenty-five head of stock, with a completely new outfit.
New York Clipper, April 28, 1900, p. 201. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Much of the "Under the Tents" column was unreadable. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Great Van Amburg & Gallagher Combined Shows. Manager Gallagher has returned from his trip to New York, where he went to buy wardrobe and trappings for the show. The wagons are all finished, and great credit is due Mr. Schmidt, the Genesee Street wagon manufacturer, for his fine work. Williams Bros., canvas manufacturers, will have all canvas ready by April __. The printing, which is all new, is very artistic and attractive. The horses are looking fine . . . With a few finishing touches here and there the ever favorite, old fashioned, one ring circus, that will bring back fond recollections of bygone barefoot days, will inaugurate the season at Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, May 9. Among the new features signed are Mlle. Minnetta, daring outside ascensionist; the La Mont Brothers, Harry and Charlie, hand balancers and wire walkers; Dan De Land, John Anderson, Jas. R. Hill and Leon Ardell, gymnasts; the La Grandes, acrobats. Prof. Swain and William Scherer have secured the side show and candy privileges, and Prof. Swain's trained goats, chickens, dogs and monkeys will be a card. . . .
Harry Howard has signed with the Rhoda Royal Show as door talker and announcer.
Harry Rengard has closed nine week playing dates, and will join the B. B. and H. Circus May 7, for the summer season.
Waterbury [Connecticut]. George Goodheart, representing Ringling Brothers' Shows, was in town 19 in quest of a former employee of the circus, named Roy, who has been circulating about the city the past few days collecting orders for lithographs, tickets, making pretentions to taking the names and addresses of the holders, claiming to be duly authorized, etc., and further promising to mail the seat coupons with a proper door pass. It is as yet unknown how many people have suffered from his operations, but he seems to have gotten away before being detected.
New York Clipper, May 5, 1900, p. 221. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Much of the "Under the Tents" was unreadable. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Lewis & Copeland's Big 10 and 20 Cent Shows opened at Guthrie, O. T., for three days, April __, with the following people in the line up: Lewis & Copeland, proprietors; Sam Copeland, manager . . . J. Jackson, perch, single traps and webs; Wm. Franklin, high wire, slack wire and flying rings; Sam Copeland, principal clown. Ed. Johnson, balancing trapeze and juggling; Wm. Lewis, contortion; Lewis and Copeland, double trapeze and revolving ladder . . . We had our first blowdown afternoon of 24, at Iowa City, but, fortunatley, no one hurt. The show will make the Oklahoma circuit and then go into Arkansas for the rest of the season.
G. Burkhart has signed with Sig. Sautell's Circus for the season.
In Washington, D.C., the long considered and much debated question of granting permits to circuses has been settled by the adoption of the following amendment to Section 14, Article __, of the Police Regulations: "That no circus shall hereafter be located, operated, or conducted on any lot or open space without the consent of __ per cent of the ___ keeping house in the square on which it is proposed to hold the circus, and on the square confronting said circus ground." The adoption of the above amendment was recommended to the commissioners by the attorney for the district.
May flowers from Sig. Sautelle's New Big 25 Cent Shows. . . . Cortland, our second stand three miles from home, has entered into a good natured rivalry with Homer, in preparing a right royal reception for Mr. Sautelle and his shows. Our first billing brigade of twelve men started out Saturday last, and acting under orders, they are putting up as much matter as opposition circuses. Every sheet is a special design, and as attractive as mone and art can produce. The second brigade will leave during the present week, and the advertising agent next Monday. All of the musicians have arrived, and Band Master Flynn and his men are making the ___ around Homer resound with music. The performers are scheduled to report within the next few days, and all signs now indicate a most auspicious opening, Thursday, May 10. An innivation which will be heartily appreciated by patrons and performers alike is a new system of lighting. Mr. Sautelle has secured a recently patented light, and a sufficient number will be used to illuminate the big top more brilliantly than could the brightest mid-day sun. Other improvements, attending to the comfort, pleasure and convenience of patrons, have been made . . .
Frank F. La Vell has finished a series of dates, and is now taking a vacation in Syracuse, N.Y., prior to opening for the summer season with the Foster & Wilkins Circus.
Chas. Ellet, of the ___ Bros., was initiated in the B. P. O. Elks at Danville, Ill., April __, and was presented with an Elk's charm by manger J. H. La Pearl, with whom the Ellets have signed for this season, making their sixth season with that show.
Notes from the Star Circus. Everything is being put in readiness for the opening day at Rock Creek, O. Will put out about thirty people and forty head of stock. We have signed for the coming season: . . . Kittie Kimball, and others . . .
Princess Sultana has closed at the Imperial Theatre, Atlanta, Ga., and has joined the Robinson Circus for the season.
New York Clipper, May 19, 1900, pp. 265, 268, 271. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Business has been far beyond the expectations of the most sanguine, and that this show is meeting with deserved approval is made evident by the compliments paid by press and public. Opposition and unseasonable weather have had no effect, for at every performance the spacious tents have been filled. The Eddy family are continuing their popularity, and in fact every feature with the show has come in for praise. The sixty-three horse act of Prof. Berris is a winner, as is Madame Royal's menage act. The rough riders and Rhoda Royal bring forth unlimited applause. Inadvertently genial "Tony" Richardson, ex-mayor of Ashtabula and ex-treasurer of the Walter L. Main Show, but now treasurer of the Rhoda Royal Show, found himself re-christened in the Clipper last week. By mis-spelling his name his individuality was lost. "Tony" has been officially entertained in every town the show has visited this season. He is popular, both as a showman and a politician. Walter L. Main visited the show at Ashtabula, and pronounced it the most complete, clean and up to date he has ever seen. William J. Doris has added several new features to the annex. "Olga" will strengthen her snake act by adding six alligators to her den. When everything is completed Mr. Doris will have the strongest annex and concert among the tented exhibitions this season. Snow and ice made poor circus weather the latter part of last week, but the tents were comfortable. This tells the number of people that were inside. Charlie Thomas has signed as head reserved seat ticket seller.
Rays from Sun Bros.' World's Progressive Shows. We have just finished the month of April, also the State of North Carolina, and are now entering Virginia, where we expect to remain for a few weeks. The show did a splendid business despite the fact that we encountered several days of bad weather. New horses and ponies have been added. . . . Chas. Rheinsmith joined in Stoneville, N.C. Everyone who sees the show say it is the best 25 cent show they have seen. In our last letter we inadvertanly failed to mention in our roster A. J. Wayne, ring master. The weather has settled now and indication point to good weather, which means big business for the World's Progressive in Virginia. . . . The annex has been enlarged and several new people added. Mr. Bauscher is making a reputation and lots of money.
Notes from the Foster Wilkins Great London Shows. Everything is fast getting into shape at our winter quarters and our opening date, May 24, will see this show bigger and better than ever before. Our new 80ft. round top, with 40ft. middle piece, has arrived. It is made of the finest duck and has been treated to a new process, making it absolutely waterproof. Our advance brigade starts this week and will put out some of the finest paper ever used by a 10 and 20 cent show. Every stand is special lithograph work. Our band, under the leadership of Prof. Al. De Berry, will be made a feature of the show. We will carry in all thirty-five people. Roster: M. L. Foster and F. C. Wilkins, sole owners and managers; Charles Thomas, general director; Prof. Al. De Barry, band master; Prof. Claude May and his dog circus; Eddie and Josie Simpson, breakaway ladder; Frank La Vell, contortionist; Fred and Geo. La Plants, acrobats; Ella Reynolds, female clown; D. Taylor, juggler; Mable Loretta, trapeze; Dan C. and Ida Mauning, Dan Pomeroy, Wm. and Hazel Adell.
Lowery Bros.' New Olympia Show notes. Our business is like Prof. David McDade's monster balloon - big. Wherever we exhibit press and public pronounce it to be the best popular priced tented show that ever visited their city. Prof. McDade and his monster balloon ascend nightly, and prove a great card, and the mass of people that gather must come many miles to see him make his daring parachute leap while seven thousand feet from the earth, and the crowd around our tent nightly in a moving mass of humanity. Geo. B. Lowery, sole owner and director; Prof. David McDade, press agent and aeronaut; Wallace Keffer, advance, with three assistants; Prof. J. E. Burtine, equestrian director, with ponies, dogs and donkeys; band of ten people . . . Harry Lynn, contortion and rings; Chas. O'Brien, John D. Jenkins, clowns; Zellar, gymnast; W. Regina, hand balancer; the Kelleys, revolving ladder; Lydia Jenkins, slack wire and club swinger; Jack Zellars, sailor perch, and Baby Irene Kober, contortionist. The Aerialist Kobers will close on May 28 to join the Oriental State Carnival, while the Whitlarks join in Trenton, N.J. for the summer.
From Sig. Sautelle's Shows. By the time a copy of the Clipper reaches us the season's initial parade will have ended and J. E. Ogden, manager of the side show, will be exercising his oratorial powers upon the populace. The department under his supervision, like the big show, has been greatly enlarged and improved, and in front on eighteen double deck banners will be depicted everything to be found within. Equestrian director Charles Watson has the programme completed, and he states it is fille with imperial acts. Superintendent Rhodes finds enought work to keep him busy early and late. The new tents arrived last week, and superintendent of canvas Traver and his men have equipped them with needed ropes and blocks. This season our canvas covers about five acres of ground and looks the real thing. Superintendent of horses Smith has the stock in the pink of condition and fit for the summer's work. General agent Curtis is ___ a clear field ahead. He has the following named men in the first brigade: Bill posters, C. Bell, John Mahoney . . . Harry Moore, Fred Glenn, John Mooney, Fred Jacobs; banners, Oscar Johnson; lithographers, H. E. Griswold, Hal ___. The second brigade is in charge of Earle C. Peck and includes ___, Fred Thomas and Myer Johnson.
Notes from the Jas. M. Goodrich Shows, which opened the season at Western, W. Va., April 28, to packed houses afternoon and evening. Everything with the show is new from bale ring to cook house, and looks as bright as a dollar. Goodrich's stock of trained horses and ponies are in the pink of condition. . . . The band is under the leadership of Jack Hoffman, with the following men: Harry hart, G. A. Hoffman, O. Beckler, J. W. Beckler, J. W. Goldworth, F. Bonestead, R. Fagley, Fred Whitlock, Billy Smith and H. Willard. Performers: Three Rexfords, the Russells, Maude Mardo, Fred Honmer, Nierhart Bros., the Queens, Honmer Hall, Bella Goodrich, James Goodrich, Harry Marshall, Jack McDonnal. Tents and cars under the management of Bill Parker.
Notes from Moore Bros. & Co.'s Two Big Tent Shows, United. We are making Kingfisher, Okla, our winter quarters, and are going to make this our opening point. Things are assuming a business aspect, as the time for opening, May 15, draws near. Our executive staff will be as follows: W. A. Moore, general manager; A. J. Sanderback, treasurer; F. A. Moore, secretary; T. W. Moore, contractor; Fred. Moore, agent; Ed. F. Moore, in charge of advance; Harry Edwards, equestrian director. We will carry fifteen wagons, all new; thirty-eight horses, 80x120 top, and about forty people.
Lulu Mitchell joined the Great Wallace Show at Peru, Ind.
The Dixon, Bowers and Dixon Circus opened in Sidney, N.Y., on May 1, and showed to packed business. During the week we encountered two heavy snow storms, and had one blow down; still, with all our oppositions, business has been away above our expectations. Everything now is running smooth.
Myrtle Day had to cancel her engagement with the John Robinson Shows on account of a severe attack of the grip. She will play parks this summer.
Buckskin Bill's Wild West notes. This show opened May _, at Paducah, Ky. Everything connected with the outfit will be A1. Messrs. Terrell Bros. have expended a large sum of money and spared no expense in arranging details. The canvas, which is entirely new, comprises a horse tent, with an 80ft. round top and five 50ft. middle pieces; dressing tent, 50ft. round top, with 30ft. middle pieces; annex, 80ft. round top, with 50 ft. middle piece; dining tent 30x60ft. The arena will be 300ft. long and 250ft. wide. The seating capacity will include twenty-five lengths of reserved seats and thirty lengths of blues. All seats are to be covered by a waterproof canopy. This show will travel in their own special train of seventeen cars. Our stock will consist of seventy-five head of cow ponies, fifty-five head of baggage horses, with steers, burros, etc. We will also require some twenty-five wagons, all new. The cowboys are sixteen in number, bing the best men available in the Western country. Bill Foster, the noted old time cowboy rifle and revolver expert, will be a feature with the show. There is also a band of genuine vaqueros, direct from Old Mexico. The Indians are forty in number, from the Pin Ridge Agency, S.D. Other features are a band of Roosevelt's rough riders, troupe of Arabs, together with detatchments of United States cavalry, artillery, German, English and French soldiers and Irish lanclers, and Cubans, representing different branches of military service.
Chas. La Selle, late of the La Selle Brothers, acrobats, bar and trapeze performers, died in Houlton, Me., May 13, of the grip, aged fifty-nine years. Interment was mad in the family plot in Rockland, Me. He had formerly traveled with various circuses and minstrel companies, but a few years ago retired from the profession, and entered the insurance business as a traveling agent, in which line he was employed at the time of his death.
New York Clipper, May 26, 1900, p. 297. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Harrington's Combined Shows. This show opened at Cook's Park, Evansville, Ind., May _, to the capacity of the tent at the matinee and turned hundreds away at night. We gave an illuminated parade Saturday night, before the opening - the first night parade ever given in the city by a circus - which was a fine display. Roster: the Three Triplets, Vice, Della and Trip; Vernell and Axley, Al. D. Halle, Joe Ritzel, Will Switzer, Beddie and Baty Harrington, in the dressing frrom; C. O. Parmley, leader of the band; C. L. Baker, H. C. Brown, Chas. Axley, Joe Henley, J. E. Axley, Al. Weierbaucher, Bert Stone, Ted Long and Ed. Ford; W. A. Harrington, in advance with three assistants; Frank Kelzer, assistant contracting agent, and Jim Whalen and Claude Roe, billposters; Claude Vinson, boss canvas man, with three assistants; Chas. Hunnicut, in charge of lights; Dad Murray, in charge of the stock, with six assistants; E. A. Harrington, sole owner and manager.
Notes from the Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Nothing but success has thus far crowned this show, and the first small audience is yet to be catered to. Press and public are unanimous in praise, and many letter of congratulation have been received from official and leading busines. The Eddy Family, Madame Royal, Prof. Berris, M. Rhoda Royal, the Petet Family, the Rough Riders and Thompson Boys are certainly making hits in every city and town. Standing room was at a premium at every night performance last week. Opposition and disagreeable weather have had no effect upon the attendance and that the show is a winner to the fullest limit is a settled fact. Everything is running smoothly and satisfactorily, and all are in the best of spirits. Charlie Thomas has signed as head reserved ticket seller. Mr. Thomas has held a similar position with the leading circuses of the country. He was last season with the Walter L. Main Show. At Ellwood City, Clark Bros. closed their large flass works and provided all their employees with tickets to attend the show.
Notes from the Whitney Big One Ring Show. We opened April 28, at Attica, O., and have been doing good business ever since. The show is new in every detail this season. Prof. John Phillips' band makes a hit daily. Roster: A. V. Whitney, proprietor; C. A. Whitney, general manager; W. Walbourn, business representative; John S. Phillips, leader of band; C. O. Harvey, leader of orchestra; Mart Thomas, master of transportation; J. Phillips, boss canvas man, with seven assistants; E. S. Murphy, general agent; Neola, the Brobst Trio, George, Madge and Baby Stanley; Zaro, W. C. Jenkinson, Leon Whitney, the Walbournes, Will and Lola; C. V. Harvey, H. L. Howard, W. L. Welling, C. L. Prentiss, John S. Phillips, Mrs. G. L. Whitney, Nettie Smith, Martin Thomas, M. Simmons and Alfred Knapp.
The Leondor Bros. Big One Ring Shows opened their third season at Portland, Ore., May 12, for five performances, with 100ft. round top, __ft. middle piece, seventy-eight horses, eighteen wagons and sixty-five people.
Randall and Randall have joined the Rhoda Royal Show for the season, to work in concert and do singing clowns.
Bert Davis has been engaged by the Forepaugh-Sells Shows as press agent, back with the show. James De Wolfe, Frank O. Miler, Whiting Allen and J. M. ___ now consitute the editorial staff ahead of this big institution.
New York Clipper, June 2, 1900, p. 310. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Roster of the Robinson Show. Proprietor and manager, John G. Robinson; general manager of all advance, Gilbert N. Robinson; general agent, Oliver Scott; railroad contractor, Geo. W. Aiken; local contractor, H. I. Ellis; manager advance car No. 1, J. M. J. Kane; manager advance car No. 2, Wm. Dale; chief of opposition brigade, Bob Cullin; auditor, Col. Dan Dale; superintendnet, E. C. Cullin; fron door in charge of John Lowlow; assistant manager and director, Robert Stickney; equestrian director, Wm. Dutton; treasurer, Rudolph Gessley; express agent, Capt. F. B. Wilson; twenty-four hour agent, Charles Robinson; band master M. C. Rogers, with Grace Rogers, cornet soloist and thirty musicians, furnish the music. The side show is in the hands of Phil Ellsworth. Among the equestrian performers we have, of the lady riders, Miss Effie Dutton, principal trick rider; Kittie Kruger, principal rider and four horse act; Louise De Mott, menage; Blanche Hilland, four horse act; Maud Hocum, principal act, and Winnie Van, carrying act; Amy Van, horizontal bars; Mlle. Theole and Nina, revolving aerial act and rings; Maggie Leone, Roman rings and break away perch ladder; Lulu Roberts and little Eva Robers, double trapeze; Flossy Bennet, statues and juggling; Stella Kramer, Anna Tomason, Nina Farrington, race riders . . . Leons and Leona . . . Shondel, Vontello, aerialists and acrobats; Lon Moore, head of clowns, which includes Harry Greene, ___, Jack Rutherford, Scandlin, Al. Hayes, Joe Shondel and Jim Moore; Col. Woods and his educated ponies, second season; Ed. Holden, with his educated pigs. George Steele, Thomas Ambrose, Pete Smeigle, Jas. Orr and Ed. Van Skike, compose our brigade of ticket sellers; master of transportation, Chas. H. Underwood and eight assistants; the canvas is in the hands of James Caskey, with eight assistants; the side show canvas is in the hands of Rhos. Fairchild, with two assistants; Wm. Fulker, boss hostler, with two assistants; Wm. McCoy, boss property man, with three assistants; Carl Kramer, master of scenery, with two assistants; Harry Heinz, ring stock boss; Ed. Sherwood, in charge of commissary department. The rank and file of the show numbers 282 people. Our train, which is run in two sections, numbers forty-two cars. Never in the history of the Robinson Show has it been more complete than one now finds it. Our parade is commented on by press and public unanimously as without a peer in the circus business. A thirty cage menagerie, no two of which cages are alike either in design or color. All harness and trappings are absolutely new, and visiting showmen pronounce the show at the top of the list. We are carrying a complement of two hundred and forty head of horses, fifty-eight ponies, and, with the new shipment of elephants, secured by Mr. Robinson this winter, which will reach us in about ten days, we will have a herd of seven elephants. Add to this twenty-two camels, all of which we have succeeded in harnessing togehter, and which form the distinguishing feature of the parade. Business has been, up to late, more than satisfactory.
Roster of Gollmar Bros.' Two Ring Circus and Menagerie. Gollmar Bros., sole proprietors; Chas. H. Gollmar, manager; B. F. Gollmar, treasurer; Fred Gollmar, advance manager; W. A. Gollmar, equestrian manager; Frank MaCort, manager of annex; James Fitzgerald, manager of concert; Ed. Jamison, contractor. H. Sylvester, program; D. C. Hall, cook house; Ed. Maher, candy stand; George Shumway, boss butcher; Chas. Williams, boss canvas man of big top; Curly Ross, boss canvas man of menagerie; "Dutch," boss canvas man of annex; Frank Eart, boss property man; George Dicks, boss wardrobe man; Tim Buckley, boss elephant man; Jack Jordan, boss animal man; Jack Katen, boss hostler; Prof. Frank Seavey, bandmaster, with the following men: W. Huckins, H. F. Hall, E. E. Peaslee, Ed. Fowler, Chas. Heartell, W. Fink, Vic Graham, Frank Graham, Chas. ___, J. F. Marsh and J. H. Franklin. Prof. J. G. Norris, leader of band No. 2, with the following men: Harry Brandon, Wm. Willis, F. H. Golden, A. C. Golden, Frank Gilley and Chas. Goldsmith. Drum Corps, with the following men: Fred Shaw, George Vase, W. Ward and M. Larkins. Performers in big show: John Rooney, somersault rider; Willis Gollmar, somersault rider; Herr Drayton, cannon ball king; Harry Brandon and Otto Weaber, wire walkers . . . Walt Gollmar, trained pigs; Shaw Bros., double aerial act; Mrs. Harry Brandon, juggler; May Vano, juggler; Fred and Walter Shaw, single trapeze; Wm. Danzell and Madame Irene, manege acts; POsento and Weaber, balancing trapeze; Herr Drayton, foot juggler; Frank Lavo, foot juggler; John Rooney and Willis Gollmar, jockey riders; May Lano and Wm. Daizell, hurdle and four horse riders; Harry Brandon, Fred Shaw, Walter Shaw, W. Ward and George ___, clowns; Palm, the educated elephant, worked by Prof. Buckley; James Fitzgerald, Walt Gollmar, John Rooney and Willis Gollmar, ring masters. Concert people: Harry Brandon, Mrs. Harry Brandon . . . May Tano and James Fitzgerald. Annex people: Frank MaCort, Jessie MaCort, Vivian MaCort, Prof. Dan Hall, mental wonder; Madame Blandell and Jessie Hall. Outside exhibition by Harry Brandon, James Fitzgerald and Prince, high diving dog. The show has been enlarged to a considerable extent, and opened at Baraboo, Wis., to big business, which has kept up to the present writing.
Notes and roster of Reed's 25 cent European Shows. A. H. Reed, proprietor and manager; Mrs. Viola Reed, treasurer. We carry a company of thirty-eight people, using twelve wagons and thirty head of stock to transport the show. Big top 70x100 ft.; 30ft. dressing room, __ horse tent, __ dining tent. Frank Dempsey has charge of canvas, with eight assistants. Col Jim Hays has the side show and concert; Dan ___, leader of band, with the following musicians: T. Morris, G. Upchurch, Billy Lowe, E. Boyce, Pete Waite, Peggey Long and Fred Brenner. Performers with the big show: . . . Billy Lowe, talking and singing clown; Brenner and Dunhan, bars and revolving ladder . . . Rialdo, equilibrist, aerialist and knockabout clown; Mrs. Viola Ree's troupe of educated dogs and ponies. Little Lena Hays' singing and dancing is a feature in the concerts. C. H. Rigall, advance representative, with two assistants, is doing good work ahead. Out route lies through Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Business is good as can be expected at present. This is our fifth week out and the ghost walks regularly.
Reno's Oriental Show notes. We are now in the third week of phenomenal business. We have had plenty of rainy weather, but it has only had a tendency to boom our business. Our programme is far ahead of anything presented by any shows ever through this section. Our roster embraces the Famous Martinnetties' three brohter act; Kelman and Fraser, combined triple bars and casting act; Arnold and Ryan, double traps; Denny Dolan, contortionist; Little Emily, slack wire; Hibbard and Basco, revolving ladder; Arthur Humeston, principal clown; Edward Reno's trained dogs and ponies; Auline Reno, in terpsichorean specialty; C. A. Hibbard, swinging wire act; La Basco Bros., return act, and theodore Nelmonia, bounding rope. Our line of tumbling is under the supervision of Edwain Martinettie. Our band of eight is under the leadership of Prof. Stevens. Our parade is flashy and receives hearty compliments. Our stock, forty-four head, is attended by Albert ___, with six assistants. Our new special of canvas, 80x130ft., is under the supervision of Joseph Groves, with seven assistants. Chas. Arnold is boss property man, with three assistants, with Wm. Cone, chandeliers. Our cook house is presided over by Robert Dorsey, head chef, with five assistants, and is voted A No. 1. The old timer, Winfield Scott, is our night watch. We carry forty-two people, forty-four head of stock and sixteen wagons. Our advance brigade consists of W. B. Alvord and King Solman, contractors, with three wagons and four assistants.
The Merchants' American R. R. Circus opened at Corry, Pa., May 10, where three performances were given, to good business, and this has been the rule every day since. The show has two cars and spreads an 80ft. top, with 50ft. middle piece. There are fort people with the show. The principal features are Loretta's horse, Fred, whose work is marvelous, and distinctly different from that of others, and the high diving dog Dot, which climbs to the top of a 70ft. ladder and makes the dive without hesitation. Following are the other ring acts: Holman Bros., bars; Josie St. Arno, flying rings; Loretta, single traps; the Lavernes, double traps; Oscar Holman, perch; Inman, acrobatic contortion act; Bruce Clark, clown, and the whole company in leaps and ground work. The band, which consists of twelve musicians, is a cracker jack. The roster: C. F. Brown, musical director; Gus. Jacqua, R. Adams, H. C. Pfaff, N. Terwilliger, Geo. Edwards, C. Snyder, C. Mensenger, Geo. La Val, Geo. Herrick, V. McGraw and L. F. Trimble.
From Sig. Sautelle's Big 25 Cent Shows. Failure upon the part of our weather clerk to "fix" Nature resulted in a chilly atmosphere for our opening at Homer, N.Y. The initial performances had long been the sole topic of conversation all over the neighborhood, and the frigid weather in no way interfered with business, the big top being packed to the ring bank at both the afternoon and evening performances. The whole town was in holiday attire and at noon the public schools and factories were closed for the remainder of the day. A low temperature and rain have been dividing honors for several days, yet this handicap is easily beaten out by "the world's greatest," the first week's receipts of which have shattered all previous records, and Mr. Sautelle is warranted in believing the present season will prove the most prosperous he has ever known. Dave Haley is our general agent, and not Mr. Curtis, as was erroneously stated. During the next week we will hae one of three big railroad shows in opposition at one stand or another, yet we are bound to get our share of business. Our Utica date will long be remembered as Grand Army Day from the fact that both shows were visited by several hundred veterans, who had been in attendance at the State encampment. In Cortland we added a new team of blacks to our equine department, which was further increased in numbers by the purchase of a third black horse, in Norwich. Wherever we exhibit the press and public unhesitatingly pronounce our the largest, best, and most pleasing 25 cent circus extant.
New York Clipper, June 9, 1900, pp. 332, 333, 335. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Welsh Bros.' Newest Great. The fifth week of the present season has just been concluded . . . The Keystone State has been the base of our operations. Lancaster, Columbia, Lebanon, Harrisburg, Reading, Allentown, South Bethlehem and ___ furnished capacity audiences at nearly every performance. . . . The big show act that are scoring heavily are: . . . the St. Alban Sisters, dual aerial expositors; Louis Beauvais, in miraculous backward dives from a twenty foot ladder to the ground; Misses Dair, Vera and Zanta, in novelty aerial specialties; Harry Mohn's combined ponies and dogs; Berger, Bard and Ducrow, triple bar experts, and Alfred ___, upside down equilibrist. The clown sextette (Max Hugo, Harry F. West, Jos. Kearney, Jos. Ducrow, Pete Watson and Claude La Motte, the clown band, the trained giraffe "Jargo," and the vocal quartet are among the comic entrees exploited by these fun makers. The "after show" is drawing big patronage and giving first class satisfaction. Claude and Nellie La Motte, with their Hindoostan cabinet mystery, are the feature of this department. Herbert H. Whittier's musican marvels are proving to be an important factor in the success of the show; their concerts previous to the opening of the performance are always received with tumults of applause. Charles Gerlach, solo cornettist, and J. J. Barnhart, tuba soloist, are recent additions to this organization. Recent visitors to the show were Alf. T. Ringling and wife, of the Ringling Shows; Major Gordon W. Lillie, of Pawnee Bill's Show, and John H. Sparks, of the Sparks Shows, and all expressed themselves as being well pleased with our "little family" show. The coming month will find us in the state of New Jersey, our first visit through that section of the country.
Notes from Shott Bros.' Great Olympia Shows. We are now in our third week, and business is good. Roster: Shott Bros., proprietors; I. D. Shott [J. D.?], manager; Wm. Shott, treasurer; John Shott, advance No. 1, with three assistants; Henry Garrett, advance No. 2, with two assistants; E. D. Shott, in charge of privileges; La Verde Bros., bars and acrobats; Ogden Family, aerialists; W. Peters, juggler; Chas. Ogden, wire and flying trapeze; William Snead, tumbling and hand balancing; Shott Bros., revolving ladder and return act; Morello, flying rings and perch; the Lourean Sisters, double traps and breakaway ladder; Little Edna Ogden, the six year old contortionist; Joe Warden, singing and talking clown; ___, Snead and Shott, knock about clowns. Side show: Prof. Goldie and Mlle. Margurite, Joe. Gardner, Eddie Ogden, Joe and Ida Clark. Our layout is a 70ft. top with a 30ft. middle, dressing 30x50; side show, 40x60; horse tents, 30x70; cook tent, 20x30; fourteen wagons and thirty head of stock. Jerry ___, boss canvas man, with eight assistants; Charlie Kirby, boss hostler, with six assistants; Frank Webb, head cook, with three assistants. Prof. W. H. Ashdown is making balloon ascensionns and parachute jumps daily, with his mammoth balloon, the largest ever carried by a wagon show. We are featuring Prof. Elbert M. Lilly's concert band, consisting of the following musicians: Elbert M. Lilly, leader and director; Albert ___, Robt. Elliott, Edward Swann, H. J. Kelly, Billy Mann, Harry Frankfort, C. J. Ogden, Ed. De Roe, C. F. Land, Napoleon ___, A. C. Riedinger, J. E. Warden and Wm. Snead.
Bonheur Bros.' notes. The show under its new christening, "The New Golden Allied Shows," started earlier by several weeks on its tour this season than in any previous year since it was organized. Bonheur Bros.' three distinct shows under one canvas is now making a record, and a continuous stream of shining silver flows into its coffers from the time of opening the doors till the performance is on, and every one is full of praise of the excellent programmes presented. The wagons rolled out of winter quarters in a golden blaze of glory. The big top is an 80ft. with two 40ft. middle pieces; poles all painted in ___ blue. The horse tent is new and accommodates forty head of stock. Eighteen wagons carry the show, with two wagons in advance, under the management of H. G. Bonheur. Four splendid teams of mules have been added since leaving the quarters. The Black Tent is an additional attraction for afternoon and night shows. A much larger company than in any previous season has been assembled, and all are harmoniously working. Success crowns every effort of the managers. The opening show was given in Augusta, to overwhelming crowds, in spite of rain and mud. Nearly a week of rain had rendered the roads almost impassable, and on April 26 it ceased long enough to allow the show to be given, and resumed its downpour immediately after the night concert. Friday was not billed, but left out to finish arranging for the summer tour. It rained all day Friday till Saturday morning; then it cleared up bright and the tents again went up to fair skies and a big gathering of sightseers. Despite mud and mire the popular showmen were greeted with the biggest ovation Augusta ever witnessed. Roster of the show in part as follows: H. A. Bonheur, vice president; J. R. Bonheur, president; H. G. Bonheur, advance agent, sole owners and managers; Louis Westfall, secretary; E. H. Keetch, Lida Keetch, Edward Brenne, Maud Brenne, Sybil Keetch, Jack Lackore, E. N. Whitmarsh, Henry Young, Elmer Young, Roy Bickford, Eph ___, William Shannon, Oklahoma Bill, Nathan Irwin, Earl H. Saunders, Will Harper, Arch Allen, George Fuller, "Popcorn George," Chas. Britton, T. J. Dawson, ___, and Louis Westfall, son of Conductor Westfall, who was killed at Winston, Mo., by Jesse James.
George E. Elser, while giving an exhibition of his riding at Orange, N.J., May 21, accidentally fell from his horse, taking the skin completely off one side of his nose and cutting an ugly gash over his left eye, which required six stitches to close; besides, his head was cut in many places. He was unconcious two hours. Mr. Elser had just returned from the Barnum & Bailey Circus in Germany.
Roster of advance guard of Cullin Bros.' Shows: Robt. J. Mercer, contracting agent; Al Mable, official programmer; R. J. Thomas, boss bill poster, with four assistants.
Notes from the Wm. H. Gillmeyer's Show. On our opening week, in Camden, N.J., business was big. On May _, in Ardmore, Pa., the home of W. H. Gillmeyer, we were unable to show owing to a severe rainfall, continuing all day. We opened in Philadelphia May 21, for a few weeks. On our opening night there were fully 1,000 turned away unable to get in. One of the great features of the show is Madam Yucca, who drives the No. 1 band chariot, with eight handsome horses, in the street parade, which is quite a novelty. Now Mamie Forepaugh is insisting that the manager allow her to drive chariot No. 2, but wants sixteen horses on it. Manager Golt is trying to persuade her to accept twelve horses, but by the time this reaches you no doubt she will be driving the sixteen horses. Mr. Gillmeyer has purchased six handsome performing ponies, which he has added to the show this week. Willie Lowanda and his trained dog and pony; Miss Wilson, trapeze artist . . . Mr. Whittaker is making a great success with his jockey act. E. J. Holland, the principal clown singer, has made good with his songs. The show intendes to visit the large cities only this season.
Notes from Tony Lowande's Show. We closed a prosperous winter season in ___ de Cuba, May _, and organized an entire new company. We are now in the Vueta Abaja, the great tobacco country of Cuba, where the name "Lowande" has reigned supreme for years. Business is tremendous. The prices of admission are as follows: general admission, $1; reserved chairs, $1 eatra; boxes, with four chairs, $5 extra; children 50c. The company: Tony Lowande, proprietor and manager; Josie Lowande, equestrienne; Lillie Meers, equestrienne; Marie Luisa, impersonating Cuban negro dances; Mlle. Rita, sensational aerialist; Juanita Reyes, flying rings; Mlle. Eva, contortionist; the Great Tatali, contortion rings; Archie O'Brien, jockey and mule hurdle rider; Rita and Humberto, equilibrist; Pedro Forres, clown swing and negro comedian; Aurello Reyes, clown; Magil Romero, Cuban clown; Daniel Titoe, leader of band; Rafael Argote, agent No. 1; Isadore Ortega, agent No. 2.
Charles Stewart McFetridge died at Birmingham, Ala., May 21, from the effects of a pistol shot fired by R. S. Alden, in that city, May 4. The shooting grew out of an alleged assault upon Allen by McFetridge, who was said to be insanely jealous of his wife, Mlle. A. Louisa. He was with the Bostock Carnival Co., in 1899, as boss canvas man, and has acted in the same capacity for Franklin Robinson, Sells and Jno. Robinson's Shows. His home is in Trenton, N.J. He was thirty-three years old and has three brothers, William, at Cambridge, Mass; Tom, who is a potter, at Cincinnati, and Joe, a baker, in the same city. He was shot last Fall, at the State Fair at Birmigham, in the German Village on the Midway, and although badly wounded recovered after a long seige in the hospital. His wife, Mlle. Louisa, has at different times done bareback riding, wire walking, ballooning and Spanish dancing.
Roster of advance No. 1, Walter J. McDonald's Combined Colossal Shows. Harry Busenbark, agent; Fred Jones, Harry Bradley, Wm. Budy, Spot Sickles and Frank Cahn, billposters; Chas. Harris, lithographer; Jack Smith, programmer.
Frank F. La Vell and De Forest F. Taylor, after a separation of two years, have again joined hands, and are with Foster & Wilkins' London Circus, touring New York State.
Edmund J. Gardner, trap drummer, died May 18, at the home of his mother, Mrs. Nett M. Gardner, In Pulaski, N.Y., after a bried illness, aged thirty-three years. The remains were taken to Watertown, where the funeral was conducted, 20, by the Improved Order of Red Men, of which organization deceased was a member. He had traveled with the Al. G. Field Minstrels, Sig. Sautelle's Circus, Stone's "U.T.C.," and various other companies. His last engagement was at Henderson's New Music Hall, Coney Island.
Rialdo is now in his eighth week with Reed's European Shows. Frank Harrison, cornet player, and Ed Basquill, slide trombone player, joined May __.
Notes from Rice & Davis Big United Shows. We began our season April __, at Brockwayville, Pa., to packed houses, and since the opening have done exceptionally good business. We are touring through Western Pennsylvania, and played day and date with the Elton Bros. Show at Tarr, Pa., and both shows did good business. We also had opposition at Mt. Pleasant, with the Parks Show, under canvas, playing on the same lot, and notwithstanding the rainy weather, both of us did fair business. J. A. Jone, our manager, handles everything, and does it with a will.
New York Clipper, June 16, 1900, p. 357. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Elton Bros.' Show. We are on our seventh week of good business. The advance brigade includes H. O. Cunningham, with two assistants. Roster: Sig. Elton and Delbert Yance, proprietors; Sig. Elton, manager; Delbert Yance, treasurer; Prof. G. Irving and Madame Labelle, Arthur Crawford, Chas. Arthur, J. M. Kelly . . . Sig. Elton and Prof. Geo. Clark's troupe of canines. Concert people: J. M. Kelly, Arthur Crawford . . . Our band is under the direction of Prof. C. E. Valentie, with ten musicians: Arthur Early, Frank Fogg . . . Frank Drenne, H. Folk, G. Hanly and W. Boyle. Our big top is 80ft. round top with 40ft. middle piece, twenty lengths of seats. Our horse tents, two, __ft., with forty head of stock. Boss hostler ___ Sackett, with fourteen assistants; boss canvasman, W. Norman, with ten assistants; boss props, John Hickel, with two assistants.
Advance brigade of William Sells & Gray's Circus, season 1900: E. L. Brannan, general agent and railroad contractor; Fred McMann, manager car No. 1; Geo. Combs, local contractor; H. Gordon, press agent; James Jenkins, boss bill poster; H. Theale, B. E. Fitchey . . . F. M. Cappo, James Rodgers, Geo. Arment, Frank Moon and D. R. Davidson, bill posters; Toney Crandall, lithographer; Geo. B. Cook, official programmer. Second advertising brigade: . . . Jno. Warner, boss bill poster; Frank Howard, programmer . . .
Through an oversight the name of Basil McHenry, advance and contracting agent, was omitted from the roster of the Gollmer Bros.' Shows.
Frank Le Roy writes: "I had a very bad accident at St. Thomas with the Lemen Bros. Circus. After the show I went to thecars, and while walking down the railroad track I fell down a trestle twelve feet and broke one of my ribs and suffered internal injuries. I had three doctors to attend me, and was confined to my bed, but after eight days I want to work again, and I am getting along nicely. My female clowning is quite a hit in parade and concert."
New York Clipper, June 23, 1900, p. 377. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
John D. Carey, press agent with the great Rhoda Royal Shows, sends the following: "Six weeks out and nothing but success to tell of. Everything to make the life of a showman unhappy has been encountered, but quickly overcome. Opposition, rain and wind have been met and vanquished. Not a performance lost, and at every turn the figures have been placed on the right side of the ledger. Papers and public alike unite in sounding the praise of this amusement enterprise, and the first complaint is yet to be heard. Everyone is well and happy, and that confidence so often lacking between employer and employee is agreeable conspicuous with the Rhoda Royal people. Our stock, under the direct supervision of Rhoda Royal, is a show in itself, and horsemen in every city and town pronounce it the finest lot of pure and sound horses ever seen together. Madame Royal, in her menage act, introducing her cake walking Arabian horses, is a feature that has won for her columns of press notices and the plaudits of thousands. Prof. Joseph Berris and is sixty-three trained horses has won out ever audience, and he has had to reappear on several occasions. The Eddy Family, now increased to six members are winning new laurels, as is Madame Peter, on the bounding wire; the Petet Family, the Thompson boys, rough riders, and, in fact, every feature with the show. William J. Doris, manager of privileges, has surrounded himself, both in the concert and side show, with features that cause no little favorable comment. Olga has received a new consignment of snakes and alligators that are the centre of attraction. Tony Richardson, treasurer, is renewing many old acquaintances through Pennsylvania. Tony was a successful politician and mayor of Ashtabula, Ohio, and his return to the show field from that political is proving a wise one. . . . Tony Richardson has organized a class to join the Elks, and twelve new members will be added to the Ashtabula Lodge. Among the visitors last week were George Aiken, Harry Dale, and representatives from the Phillips 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Show and Merchant's Railroad Circus. . . . "
The proprietors and members of the John Robinson Shows immediately after the afternoon performance at Sandusky, O., June _, headed by John ?. Robinson, E. C. Cullen, Wm. Dutton and wife, Capt. Wilson, the genial press agent; Chas. Constatine, performers and others, accompanied by the circus band, proceeded in a body to beautiful Oakland cemetery, where repose the remains of Merritt F. Young, for years treasurer of the Barnum & Bailey Shows. At the grave Ed. C. Cullen made a few remarks appropriate to the solemnity of the occasion, and the band played several dirges, after which those present deposited a most beautiful floral design on the grave . . . with the inscription, "Gone, But Not Forgotten." Many a silent tear was shed during the services, attesting the respect in which Mr. Young was held by the show fraternity, from canvas man to proprietor. Perhaps no man who was ever identified with the amusement profession had achieved so large an amount of personal friendship and esteem, and the news of his death in Jun, 1897, fell like a pall wherever it was received. As the years go by the memory of his good deeds, as well as his kind and genial nature, seems to take a firmer hold upon his old comrades. For this reason no circus company of any prominence that has visited Sandusky since his body was consigned to its last resting place has failed to visit the grave and give expression to their feelings of love and respect.
Notes from the Great Van Amburg & Gallagher Combined Shows. This is our sixth week out and business continues good. Since our opening at Buffalo we have experienced but two rain storms, one at Batavia, N.Y., June 1, and another at Avon, N.Y., 7. The Avon storm was a fierce one. It started at just 8 p.m., with the hippodrome top packed to the ring bank, and it looked very much as if it was going to put us out of business for a few days, until we could get a new canvas. But, fortunately, no damage of importance was done, with the exception of the snapping of a quarter pole and a few side guys. At 8"30 the storm had ceased, and we raised our peaks and lights and started the show. Roster: J. A. Van Amburg & J. P. Gallagher, equal owners; J. G. Hodgins, general agent; Jim Bradley, boss bill poster; Claud Yerkes, in charge of programmes and banners; W. L. Salvail, concert privilege; Miss Salvali, Belle Moroson, Flossie La Blanche, ___, Prof. Swain and wife, trained monks, cockatoos and chickens; Al. Clark, the wild Philippino, Prof. Kirsh, the Wilsons, Fred and Mabel; the Howards, Revetta, J. Dan Rice, trained pigs; Chas. Merathew, leader of band; ___, Harrington, Le Valley, ___, Thompson . . .
Roster of Whittier's Concert Band, with Welsh Bros.' Newest Great Railroad Shows: B. H. Whittier, musical director, Chas. Gerlach, Jas Flannery, ___ S. Beidini, Geo. Young, W. R. Bartham, R. A. Proctor, Clarence Wright, J. Bernhart, ___ and R. West.
Roster of Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' advance car No. 3: H. A. Mann, manager; H. A. Thorpe, boss bill poster; A. Hammell, J. R. Maloney, Geo. Mulvery, Geo. Murray, ___, A. Belfry . . . bill posters; D. C. Mann, paste maker; W. T. Boyer, banners.
Chas. H. Day's latest story is now running in Golden Hours. It is entitled "Herr Driesbach, the Lion King." The hero of the tale is the late lamented Hyatt Frost, and the action occurs at Cincinnati, O., and Connelsville, Ind., in 1866, and introduces, besides Herr Driesbach, James Raymond, the most famous circus manager of his day; his partner, Waring, and ___, their business manager; also Albert Townsend, the celebrated elephant trainer and performer, who is still living in Putman Co., New York State, at the age of eighty-two. Besides being a story of the times it possesses historical interest and accuracy.
Notes from the Walter J. McDonald Combined Colossal Shows. The rapid pace set by this show in its race for patronage from the start is being steadily maintained, and it appears from present indications that it will reach the goal of success. On May 26, that being the anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Walter J. McDonald, she was substantially remembered by members of the circus, all having something to offer individually, while jointly the company presented her with a beautiful silver service.
Jackson, Mich., sent out this press dispatch June __: "While trying to rescue a child from the river last evening, Robert E. Emmons, a young circus performer, was drowned. Emmons is well known all over the country as a trainer of circus ponies and trick dogs. Last evening he started to go fishing on the Grand River, taking along John ___, the six year old son of a neighbor. While crossing the river on the Lake Shore Railroad bridge, the boy fell in and Emmons plunged after him, but became stuck in the mud and weeds and was unable to extricate himself. Both bodies were recovered an hour later."
Notes from the Ballenger Family Pavilion Show. We opened our show on May _, this making our sixth week out. We are peacefully and triumphantly making our way through the good old State of Virginia, and can truthfully state that we have been doing a large business all along. . . . Our complete roster is as follows: Matt Ballenger, general manager; Frank Warner, superintendent; ___, assistant superintendent; Mrs. Matt Ballenger, treasurer; Verna Ballenger, leader of band . . . Performers: . . . Verna Ballenger and Master Percy, double contortion; Orman Grant and Mae Boyle, sketch, producing Dutch, Irish, and negro specialties . . . Daly and Freeman, double trapeze and flying return act; James Warner, principal taling and knockabout clown; ___ Daly, sensational cloud swing; Lizzie Ballenger, feats of strength with teeth and jaws and giant slide for life; Verna Ballenger, troupe of educated canines; Maron and Daly, acrobatic comiques . . .
Notes from Capt. W. D. Ament's Big City Show. Everything around the show is moving along nicely, and houses for the past two weeks have been record breakers. At Elgin we were obliged to turn people away by hundreds, it being utterly impossible to accommodate the crowds. The show has been greatly strengthened the past four weeks, all the bad acts being weeded out and new people taking their places, until every act is a strong feature. The performance is a pleasant surprise to the many patrons, and goes like wild fire from start to finish. The new arrivals are: Fred Welcome and Pearl Forepaugh, aerialists; Chas. Reynard, comedian; James Dashington, contortionist. Prof. Gilliam has also joined, and will break ten head of trick ponies for the show. A. J. Sharpley, advance agent, closed two weeks ago, W. W. Potts taking his place. Mr. Potts is doing some great work ahead of the show, billing it as it has never been billed before. Capt. Ament purchased a fine __ft. Pullman car a few days ago, and we will now have our own hotel. We have been playing one day stands this week at increased prices, and the experiment has been a financial winner. We are now headed north into Wisconsin, and will visit all the great lake resorts during the hot months.
New York Clipper, June 30, 1900, p. 395. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Rhoda Royal notes. Seven weeks out and only success has been meted out to the Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Since leaving winter quarters the show has been enlarged in almost every department, until now the title of "Little Show" has been entirely buried, and it is ranking with the larger ones. Opposition and the most uncircuslike weather have been encountered and overcome, and large and small towns alike conquered. On every side press and public have unanimously sounded its praise and complimented on its varied programme and clean ___. No tented exhibition on the road today carries a finer collection of horses or better conditioned. This week twelve perfectly matched dapple greys will arrive for the band wagon. They were purchased by Rhoda Royal from one of the most prominent stock breeders in Pennsylvania. This will give the show over eighty head of blooded stock. Prof. Joseph Berris is making a decided hit with his sixty-three horse act. He has his equine pupils trained to a degree of perfection that is surely wonderful. Prof. Berris is sure to bring the audience with him at every performance. Mme. Royal and her menage act is a feature that is captivating all. Her cake walking horses bring her well merited applause. The Eddy Family, both in aerial work and ground tumbling, are adding to their well established reputation. The youngest member,"Johnny-on-the-Spot," is making not only professional friends but, like the old man himself, personal ones. The Petet Family, in their aerial work, which is clowned by Tom Petet, never fails to catch on, and old and young alike insist upon an encore. The Thompson Boys, rough riders, and the score of other features all go to make up a programme that is making for the Great Rhoda Royal Shows a lasting reputation. Rhoda Royal personally gives everything his attention, and to him and Prof. Berris alone is the success of the show to be credited. Messrs Royal and Berris do not know the meaning of an idle moment, and are the first on and the last off of the lot. William T. Doris superintends all privileges, and the bare mention of his name is a guarantee that his end is well kept up. W. W. Powers, railroad contracting agent, and the only "Tony" Richardson, compete the list of those who are useful and not ornamental. "Tony" Richardson has formed a class of ten who have filed application for membership in the Elks. It is probable they will be admitted next week. Mr. I. V. Strebig, nee Ada Melrose, formerly of "A Hot Old Time" Co., who joined to do concert work, has been too ill since coming on to appear.
Notes from the Skerbeck & Co. One Ring Show. We are now in our eighth week through Wisconsin and Michigan. The show is en route to the Pacific coast. We have a 100ft. round top, with a 50ft. middle piece; a side show top of 50ft., with 30ft. middle piece; a dressing room tent, 40x60, and a horse tent, 30x60. We carry eighteen head of stock, and travel in four cars. We also carry Prof. E. Williams, with his troupe of trained horses and dogs. Roster: Frank Sherbeck, sole owner; Joe Skerbeck, manager; Mary Skerbeck, treasurer; Gus and Alice Skerbeck, Anton Skerbeck, Frankie Skerbeck, Manda Skerbeck, Pearl Skerbeck, Clara Skerbeck, Alice Clark, Myers and Ross, Tina ___, James Murphy, Steve Miller, Geo. Wilson, Geo. Scott, Johnny Fox, Mons. De Bushie, Madame Zola, London Smith. Our famous concert band included: Prof. J. A. Ritzman, leader; Chas Meyers, Robinson, Chas. Luckey, G. Thomas, Joe ___, Fritz Meyers, Joe ___, Geo. Krone, Ernest Thrams, B. Thrams, N. Thrams, James Myers, J. A. Lane, Gus Skerbeck, Geo. Hartman, J. Nelson. James Stone, boss canvas man; Emet Parmeter, boss hostler; Chas. Nelson, boss property man. Our advance is doing good work under C. Baldwin.
Roster of Sig. Sautelle's Circus advance No. 1: Harry F. Curtis, general agent; C. J. Devlin, boss bill poster; H. E. Kuhns, lithographer; Ed. Gray, banners and programmes; J. C. Mitchell, Geo. Sullivan, H. E. Griswald and J. J. Mahoney. No. 2, Earl Peck and Geo. ___.
Mannie Forepaugh writes us as follows: "I wish you would kindly contradict the statement that I wanted to drive sixteen horses in a chariot with the W. H. Gillmeyer Show. Owing to the show not having ring stock I gave two weeks' notice and closed."
Austin & Bechter have secured the privileges with Hargreaves' Big Railroad Shows. They have just added a 65ft. sleeper to the show, making it five cars. They had a bad fire on Saturday night, June 16. The cook house wagon and contents caught fire, burning everything.
Notes from Mitchell's Big Pavilion Show. West Virginia is the territory now invaded by the show, and the natives pronounce it the best twenty-five cent show they have seen. Business has been phenomenal for the past seven weeks. Everybody is happy, and the Clipper and salary day, with the man in white, make regular weekly calls. The roster now stands as follows: W. L. Mitchell, sole proprietor and manager; Boyd Mitchell, treasurer; Doc Mitchell, general superintendent; C. H. Green, boss canvas man, with ten assistants . . . H. L. Gordon, in charge of advance brigade. The horse tent is filled with the finest stock that could be procured, and is being increased. The performers are . . . Mitchell and Birmingham, double traps; the Lowder Trio, in songs and dances; Lloyd Merrill, barrel kicker; Ray Hillman, wire walker. The Sisters Lowther are pleasing with their banjo juggling. . . . Will Birmingham is meeting with big success with his aerial work and breakaway finish. . . . The Lowther Family orchestra furnishes the music under the big top, and Happy Jack Lowther heads the outside demonstration. Out of seven weeks out we have had three weeks of almost continuous rain, but have lost only one night. The weather has now turned out beautiful, and we have hard work to take care of the increase in attendance.
Notes from the J. W. Goodrich Mammoth Shows. This finds us in our second week in New Jersey, back in our old territory, playing to packed houses every performance. Everything is running smoothly with the show. Manager Goodrich added two more horses to his hack wagon, making a better display on parade. Norton and ___ have joined to do their breadaway ladders, also their double speciality in concert. Jno. Russell and Wm. Neidhart are being featured in their strong and barrell jumping act. Master Lawrence, our contortionist, has added a perch pole act, and J. W. Walters and Billy Goldsworth have joined the band forces, making our band of ten pieces one of the best on the road. The band is under the direction of J. A. Hoffman, and is being featured in concert, making a hit wherever we show. . . .
Notes from Tuttle's Olympic Circus. We opened at Linesville, Pa., May 7, to big business, and continue to play to the same every night. Our show is larger and better than ever. We now have a 75 round top, seating capacity 1,000, fourteen head of horses, seven wagons and two advance wagons. Our trained dogs are a feature. We have twenty-one street curs, that do one hundred and nine different tricks. Chas. W. McClintock joined June 8, at Bethlehem, to do the contracting. Roster of company: A. F. Tuttle, proprietor; Mrs. A. F. Tuttle, manager; Chas. W. McClintock, contracting agent; Carl Geyer, bill poster; Harry Howell, programmer; Prof. Chas. McBride, leader of orchestra; Ed. and Nellie Thardo, knife and battle axe throwers; John Jenkins, black face comedian; Harry Oberfelt, slack wire; Jack and Jennie Troy, skets; Leonzo and Troy, human pythons; Mons. Colby, juggler; George Riley, boss canvas man. Ed Thardo is making quite a hit with his trick donkey, Radix. We travel by wagon and stop at hotels. We have seven canvas men and drivers. The white man walks every Sunday . . . We have been out six weeks, and haven't had a losing night.
Roster of Gollmar Bros.' Leading Shows of the World advance: Fred C. Gollmar, general agent and manager of advance; Dick Hunter, contractor; Ed. Jamison, advertising agetn; Melvin Smith, in charge of No. 1 brigade . . . billposters, Mel. Smith, Frank Brusson, __ Holland, Smith Lee, Charles Corson, Frank Billings and Wm. Saxton; Frank Jones, lithographer; H. Sylvester, official programmer.
Roster of the Tayor Shows' advance wagon No. 1: Thos. Alton, press agent; H. H. Graham, boss bill poster; Ara Morris, D. S. Perry, ___, Otto Windell, Ray Mills, lithographers; B. W. Turk, programmer; Clarence Downey, in charge of advance; Thos. Alton and F. A. Seymour, in charge of wagon No. 2, with four men.
Dan O'Brien and wife (known as Nettie Collins) have returned from Rio Janiero, Brazil, South America, where they have been performing with Carlo's Circus.
New York Clipper, July 7, 1900, p. 417. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Van Amburg & Gallagher's Combined All Feature Shows. We are having ideal circus weather, and enjoying the beautiful climate of the central New York lakes. Manager Gallagher has returned from this two week's prospecting tour, and reports everything bright in advance. During is tour he visited seven shows, circus and "Uncle Toms." The Barkers, aerialists, joined at Naples, N.Y., June 18, and the Simpson, carrying perch, joined at Pen Yan, 22. Mr. Gallagher visited the Wallace Shows at Elmira, N.Y., June __, with a view to purchasing a performing elephant. Wallace and Van Amburg & Gallagher are a little apart in price at this writing, but before the next issue of the Clipper we will have the elephant in, which will add greatly to our already strong show. The circus will close Sept. 20, and Russell's Comedians, of which Messrs. Van Amburg & Gallagher are sole owners, will open the season.
Sells & Gray Circus notes. Our business in Kentucky and Tennessee has been good, and we have had plenty of rain. Twelve fine horses were received last week, and on July 3 we receive an elephant and two camels and a new flat car. Homer and Leslie, and St. George and Wilton, acrobats and clowns, joined June 26. Frank Leslie is doing his rube speciality in the parade.
Notes from Goodrich's Mammoth Shows. Our first season as a railroad show is proving highly successful. We are now in New Jersey, and our business is only limited by the capacity of the canvas. Very few changes have been made since the opening at Weston, W. Va. Art L. Selby, Mrs. C. A. Clymer and Edna Clymer have closed their repertory and have joined for the season, making their sixth season with the show. Mr. Selby is doing the contracting, Mrs. Clymer has the privileges and Miss Edna is featured in the concert. Mr. Selby has about finished his new electrical novelty, and, with the assistance of Miss Clymer, will produce this coming season, "Jeane De Arc." It will be something entirely new in electric and calcium effects. Master Clifton Goodrich, who was badly scalded recently, is slowly recovering. The executive staff of the company is as follows: Jas. W. Goodrich, manager; Art L. Selby, railroad contractor; Harry W. Cole, local contractor and press representative; John Hoffman, musical director; Geo. Rexford, amusement director; Mrs. C. A. Clymer, privileges, and Miss Edna W. Clymer, treasurer.
The Lewis Trio, acrobats and jumpers, will join the Robinson Circus, after playing a season of parks.
Notes from the Stewart Family Big 10 and 20 Cent Shows. We opened at Fort Wayne, Ind., April 30, to the capacity of our tents; then made four weeks in Ohio, in mud and heavy rain. Then we went back into Indiana to work the oil country, where we turned people away quite a number of times. Now we are back in Ohio again and playing to good business. We are expecting our new 60x90ft. tent in a few days, and a new set of bunting flags for the side and quarter poles. We have added two more horses and another wagon. There are twenty-two people with the show, twelve horses and five wagons. Mrs. Cap. Stewart will join the show at Chicasaw, June 30, to take charge of the ticket wagon and fix the envelopes Sunday mornings. . . .
Robt. J. Mercer closed his engagement with Cullins Bros.' Circus, as contracting agent, June 23, at Broken Bow, Neb.
New York Clipper, July 14, 1900, p. 433. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Whitney's Big One Ring Shows. We are in our tenth week out and still doing banner business. At ___ and Union City, Mich., the seats were all taken at 7:30, and at 8:15, when the show opened, performrs had to force their way from the dressing rooms to the ring, so dense was the crowd. The band gave up their stand, and our elevated stage and ring band was packed. We are carrying the best show we have had for years, and nver fail to please. Our concert band makes a daily hit with their street concerts. We hae just added a new feature, the Irvings (Geo. and Esther) to do their sensational flying return and double traps. Everybody is happy and the man in white and the old reliable perambulates every week.
Chas. W. McClintock is at his home in McKeesport, Pa., having closed as contracting agent with Tuttle's Olympic Show.
John Jenkins, Harry Oberfelt and Mons. Colby have closed with Tuttle's Olympic Show.
Chas. Hammond, who has been connected with the Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Circus the last five seasons, and was doing the lithographing checking up the last two seasons, resigned his position at Rock Island, Ill., and has gone to his home, Cambridge, O., to look after his bill posting business, in that city. John Harper, on car No. 2, took Mr. Hammond's place and is now doing the work.
Roster of car No. 1 of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Shows. ___, manager; Tom Connors, in charge of paper; Harry Johnson, D. E. Morgan, J. Downey, lithographers; ___ and B. Fallon, lithographer boards; Matt Smith, programmer; Geo. Lawson, P. Connors, Geo. Tinkham, ___, C. Hyre, J. Miller, __ Seymour, W. Perreault, John Sharp, L. C. Mason, C. Holmes, bill posters, and Peter Hurst, in charge of paste room.
Frank Zelmo is in the Southwest, making parachute jumps.
Notes from Gollmar Bros.' Show. Business is fine and the show gives great satisfaction. Wertz and Adair, acrobats, and Mlle. Adair, juggler and wire walker, joined June 23. We have two acts going all through the performance.
New York Clipper, July 21, 1900, p. 465. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The B. B. & H. Circus, Dog and Pony Show is being well received along the line. At Plymouth, Wis., we packed the tent and had much trouble in keeping the crowd out of the ring. John Zimmer had hs nose partially bitten off by a dog purchased for training purposes. The dog was shot, and Mr. Zimmer is at St. Vincent's Hospital, Green Bay, Wis. Our band, with their fine repertory of music and novel uniforms, receive much praise along the line of parade. New uniforms of white duck and gold braid for the evening serenade in front of the tent will be received in a few days. We are now carrying seventy-eight people, twelve wagons and thirty head of horses. The ghost makes his appearance every Saturday, after the evening performance. The members, with the exception of Mr.Zimmer, whom we miss much, are all well contended and are looking forward to a long and prosperous season.
Notes from Hall, Long & Eldon's Consolidated Shows. Our business through Southern Michigan has been phenomenal, and so far we have not missed a performance through rain or storm. . . .
Ferari's Anglo-American Trained Wild Animal Show opened at Corning, N.Y., Street Fair, week of June 4, to good business. It has a $10,000 electric illuminated front entrance and eight cages of wild animals, eighteen lions, six lady and gentlemen trainers, and travel on our own special railroad cars. Roster: Jos. Ferari, general manager and director; T. J. Hurd, assistant lecturer and announcer; Capt. Grant's talking horse, Joe ___, lion trainer, with his two lions, Brutus and Spitfire, in the sensational act, "The Lion Hunt, Chase and Capture"; Madame Louise, five pyramid lions; Mlle. Almetia, reptiel queen; Baby Boots, snake enchantress; Col. Woods, animal trainer; Chas. ___, head canvas man; Chas. Gordon, charge of animals; Walter Tenny, hostler; Peter ___, with his performing bear, Big Frank; Happy Hi Hubbard, the human megaphone, town crier, ticket seller and treasurer.
Brown's Grand Sensation and Indoor Circus notes. C. C. Brown, proprietor; A. P. Le Craft, business manager; Fred T. Humes, managers; Burton and De Almo, musical sketch; ___ Bros., horizontal bars, May Francis, song and dance; Rose Lewis, trapeze, La Clede and Raymond, "On the Links"; Prof. May's Dog Circus; Humes and Clayton, acrobats, and Mr. Humes does principal clown. We have our new band and parade wagons all finished. We play indoors, and give an opera house circus. Our band is under the leadership of Prof. Mangold, with twelve pieces.
Notes from Geo. W. Hall's Circus and Menagerie. We close our season on Aug. 1, to commence our Fall season of street fairs and carnivals. Our season so far has been financially a success, the S. R. O. sign being displayed four nights out of a week all through the lumber country in Wisconsin. . . .
Notes from the Ely's Combined Circus and Museum. We are touring the central and northern parts of Illinois, and playing to packed houses nightly. On our last Thursday stand at Shirley, July 11, the team on the lion cage got frightened and ran away, upsetting the cage on a steep embankment. The ___ lions got away. Two were soon recaptured, but one remained at large for over five hours. After doing considerable damage and creating much excitement our manager, G. S. Ely, lassoed it. The cage was soon repaired and traffic resumed.
John H. Sparks, proprietor of the Sparks Show, was at his home, East Brady, last week, on business connected with the show. Mr. Sparks will lay off at his home for a rest, the first time in many years. Chas. Sparks will look after the show.
New York Clipper, July 28, 1900, pp. 476, 478. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Mitchell Big Pavilion Show. Success unprecedented still crowns the efforts of the Mitchell Show to please the public. The glorious Fourth of July was passed at Fairview, West Va., where the lot was shared with the civic Order of Maccabees, who had a _ft. round top pitched within a few feet of our fine spread of canvas, the entire combined showing presenting an appearance that would cause one to think it was the outfit of one of the "big shows." Thousands of people were in town, and of course we turned 'em away. The attractions presented by the Order of Maccabees and our show worked in such good harmony that, upon the night of the fifth, our closing night, the Maccabees attended in a body, and a special program was arranged for the occasion. Business continues at high water mar, and speaking of high water brings to mind an incident that came very near proving a serious thing in a recent trip from Piney Fork to Pine Grove. The heavy rain of the two days before had swollen the streams to the danger point, and we were warned not to attempt to ford the river. Still, being anxious to make the next stand, we pushed on. At a ford where two creeks meet was encountered the most danger. All got over without accident until the arrival of the carriage containing Chic Kehoe, Ida Rainer and Will Birmingham. They had nearly crossed when they struck a "quicksand" hole, and the team began to sink. In an instant the water was over the seats of the carriage and the people in water knee deep. By much persuasion from the driver the team made an extra efford, and, though being carried down stream, managed to effect a landing, with no damage done outside of that caused by the performers clothing getting wet. Still the experience and narrow escape is one they do not care to repeat. Everyone with the show is well, and all have commenced banking the "long green," which comes regularly, and they are all trying to decide whether to invest in oil wells, farms or mining stock. . . .
Tony Richardson writes from the Rhoda Royal Shows as follows: "Business on the season has been a winner, and many times the canvas has been taxed to its capacity. At Hastings, Pa., last week, our tableaux wagon and the snake den were ditched, owing to a defective frog switch, which caused the downfall of those wagons. The railroad ordered them sent to Altoona shops for repairs. Kennedy and Williams joined for concert work last week. Mike Welch of Welch Bros.' Circus, was our guest Saturday. I was called home from Ebensburg, Pa., by the sudden death of my father at Ashtabula, O. Mrs. Bertis and Isabel joined us July 4."
Louis' Crescent Show. We are still in the land of the living. We did not make a "barrel" of money at the beginning, but considered ourselves fortunate to keep our heads above water and the disappointment in the band we had engaged. We are striving to leave a good impression with the public.
Ely's Combined Shows. We opened our season April _, making eleven weeks of continued success, with only one blow down, at Elkhart, Ill., when two canvas men were badly hurt. We carry in all twenty-seven, with a band of fourteen pieces, under the direction of Walter Scott. New additions: Walter Scott, Mrs. Bessie Scott, Wm. Mitchell and John Sauer. The Old Reliable reaches us every Sunday, and the man in white every Monday.
Roster of the Lemen Bros. Circus advertising car No. 1 is as follows: Chas. Ellis, manager and press agent; Chas. ___, charge of paper; Ed. Hyre, lithographer; C. Hoyt, W. R. Davis, W. Ross, C. Yelvington . . . and W. E. Brown, billposters. The show is doing a splendid business in Canada and consequently everything is "all serene."
Whitney Show notes. We are playing to good business, notwithstanding the bad rains we have had since July 3. The Irvings, aerialists, visited the show at Constantine, Mich. Our band is a drawing card with the show.
Notes from Merchant's American Railroad Shows (W. Black, manager). We are now in our twelfth week and business has been great. Our week's engagement at Point Gratiot, Dunkirk, was the best we have had; people wer turned away at every performance. A few changes have been made and the show is greatly strengthened. The advance is now in charge of Chas. Thomas, with two assistants, and judging by the crowds who are waiting at the depots to see the show pull in, he must be telling them how it happened. Gus ___ now has charge of the band. Fred, the educated horse, still continues to please everyone. We close our season about the middle of September, in order to start rehearsals for Mr. Black's big repertory company, which opens Oct. _, the feature of which will be a genuine Inidan band of fifteen pieces. Chas. Thomas, who has charge of the routing, has eighteen weeks booked in cities we have played this summer. The printing is all special. We will carry a carload of special scenery and travel in our own car.
Edna Snow informs us that her mother, Annie Carroll, whose whereabouts she seeks, was mentioned in the will of the late Mary N. Carroll, widow of Barney Carroll, who died May __, at her home in Westchester, N.Y., and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Dave Castello (Laughlin), equestrian, now in business in Henderson, N.C., was in town July __. He was called home Tuesday by the sudden illness of two of his children.
Notes from Capt. W. D. Ament's Big City Show. We have just concluded a thirty days' trip through Wisconsin, and everyone in the company is pleased to think we are out of it and back in Illinois once more. The trip was accompanied by cyclones, blow downs, runaways and accidents nearly every day. The State is suffering from a long drought, and business was the worst we ever experienced. Capt. Ament saw it was useless to continue further in the state, and expect to make money, so the agent was called back on short notice, and the stands ahead cancelled, and the show made a 250 mile jump into Illinois. At our first stand in this state we turned people away by hundreds after every inch of seating and standing room was taken. Our little show this season is the strongest it has ever been. Prof. Gilliam, who joined the show a few weeks ago, introduced two new pony acts July 18. The ponies were quite a surprise, and made a very favorable impression. Our new Pullman palace car arrived two weeks ago, and it is a thing of beauty. Capt. Ament made a flying trip home a few weeks ago to close the deal for his new opera house in Muscatine, which will be ready to open about Dec. 1. He is having winter quarters built in connection for the circus, and a beautiful suite of rooms to live in. We are now headed South, and will probably not close before Christmas. We laid over in Chicago Sunday, and everybody had a chance to see the city. We received a pleasant visit from J. H. La Pearl while playing Oshkosh, Wis. Everyone is well, and we look for a long and prosperous season.
Wm. De Mott, equestrian, sailed for Hamburg, Ger., July 21.
Chas. O'Brien, boss canvas man with Welsh Bros.' Show, will hereafter work as Prof. Carl Bryan, with Miss Medley, aeronaut.
Philip W. Rand, for six years a member of the California Trio Co., died June 20, in San Francisco, Cal., from consumption. Mr. Rand was born in Holyoke, Mass., thirty years ago. His first appearance in the show business was with the Adam Forepaugh Show. The next season he was with the Barnes Co. Show, and then he joined Sells Bros.' His last engagement was with "The Black Crook" Co., which was under the management of Strong & Welty. His wife, mother and a brother, Jack Rand, of Rand and Byron, survive him. The funeral took place June 23, and it was attended by many members of the profession in San Francisco. The floral tributes were numerous.
New York Clipper, August 11, 1900, pp. 525, 527. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The Great Rhoda Royal Show notes. We have been out thirteen weeks trhough Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Long Island. . . . "a big little show," with eighty-five head of horses and ponies (the finest stock on the road). One hundred and twenty-six people are fed daily at the "Hotel De Royal." Rhoda Royal and Joe Berris, bosses and managers; J. V. Strebig, general contracting agent; John Henry Rice, local contracting agent; Dan McKenzie, in charge of No. 1 car; Warrne Hines, programmer; W. W. Poweres, treasurer; Tony Richardson, press agent; W. J. Doris, manager of privileges; Henry Hobbles (Dutch Henry), boss canvas man; James Clows, boss hostler; W. St. Auburn, steward; Harry Anderson, assistant superintendent; L. J. Chamberlain, band master; Bud Horn, calliope player; Arthur Spencer, boss animal man; Harry Howard, side show oragot; John Keenan, outside ticket man; the Six Eddys, Petitt Family, Madam and Rhoda Royal, Serpento, Four Ashes, Thompson Boys and Joe Berris, in his sixty-three horse act. The concert, with Randall and Crandall, Ashes and Eddys, produce a pleasing entertainment. Side show: ___ and Olga, Capt. De Coursey, Fatima, ___, Pap and O'Ney, make up a list that entertains when Bill Doris "snakes" the people. John Kersell, Mr. Collier and several professionals paid us a visit at Huntington. The "Governer" is expected home the middle of August. Prof. St. John, in high wire, sets the people wild.
Notes from the Gus Sun Railroad Shows. We closed our circus season July 21, and are now in Milton, Pa., putting on the finishing touches to the big minstrel show. Our circus season only extended over a period of eight weeks, but the business was the largest ever done by a two car show. Seldom a night passed that we did not turn away from two to five hundred people, and even in the rain our top was always full. Our genial agent, Fred D. Fowler, and his corps of advance people covered everything in sight. The contracting done by Mr. Fowler was gilt edged. Next year, during the summer months, Mr. Sun will put out a five car circus, with a 90ft. round top and two 40ft. middle pieces. We will carry about seventy-five people, making the show the strongest twenty-five cent circus ever seen in America.
George W. McNutt, chief of detectives of Des Moines, Ia., for the past ten years, has taken charge of the detective department with the Great Wallace Shows.
C. A. Hibbard, swinging wire performer and novelty tramp juggler, is now in his eleventh week and is still meeting with success, with Reno's Great Allied Shows. He has introduced several new tricks in tramp juggling.
Roster of advance car No. 1 of the Great Wallace Shows. W. Musgat, manager; F. O. Rossman, in charge of paper; James Kelly, chief lithographer; Edgar Price and Harry Croll, assistants; ___ bill posters, Tim Hagerty . . . Gilsey Abrams, W. E. Clark, Jeff Caspers, Thomas Foster, H. White, Eugene Bateman, Homer Ingersoll, Chas. Stephenson, Ralph Case, Fatty Eberhardt, ___ and Walter Brown, paste maker and porter. Thos. Foster met with a very serious accident in Aurora, Ill., June 28. While doing the top deck of a platform decker he made a misstep and fell to the ground, twelve feet below, and broke both arms. Mr. Franklin was notified, and at once took charge of him, sending him to his home in Piketon, O., where he is with his wife and mother, getting along very ___, and expecting to join the show again about the middle of August.
Notes from Reno's Oriental Shows and Trained Animal Exhibition. We are now in our fourteenth week of uninterrupted sucess. We are gradually working eastward. The season so far has been a grand success, not an accident or blow down. We carry forty head of stock, eighteen wagons and forty people all told. Our roster in the dressing room embraces: the Marvelous Gliddens, the Three Martinete, Clarence Hibbard, Chas. Arnold, Dennis Dolan, Kelman and Fraser, Little Emily, Prof. Reno, Arthur Humeston, Auline ___, and La Basco and Searles.
Wm. Bennett (W. E. Julian), tumbler and acrobat, was crushed to death July 2d, at Aberdeen, S. Dak., by a circus train belonging to the Campbell Bros., of which show he was a member. He had been in the profession for several years. His wife, three adopted children (also professionals), two brothers and three sisters survive him. The remains were taken charge of by the Knights of Pythias, of Aberdeen, and sent to his home in Havana, Ill., where the interment occurred 30.
New York Clipper, August 18, 1900, p. 546. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Victoria, B. C., sent out this press dispatch Aug. 5: "According to advices brought by steamer Argyll, while the siege of Tientsin was in progress the American aggregation known as Warren's Circus was playing and drawing big crowds. The circus was at Taka when the first Russian contingent went up to Tientsin and the march was made easy for the Cossack soldiers, who piled into the band wagon and on top of the animal wagons and tableau. With the artillery and wagons of the Russians and the circus paraphernalia, the parade is described in the Eastern press as one of the most unique ever seen. The aggregation arrived at Tientsin early in June and on 14 the big tent was put up and the show began. Two days later, according to ___, a refugee who has reached Shanghai from Tientsin, the manager, Mr. Plueffer, was shot and killed. He was struck by a stray missile."
From Asa Barker's Big 10 and 20c Show: This is our tenth week and business has been good. We have had fine weather and no bad luck except at Triumph, Ill., where a heavy wind storm struck us, ripping the big top and carrying the cook tent across the lot. At the time the large tent was filled to its capacity. The show had just reached the finale when the storm came. The show is moving along smoothly, and every one is well. Albert Fischer, baritone and violinist, who recently graduated at the Notre Dame Conservatory of Music, has joined us, and has taken charge of the band and orchestra. We are still on our old favorite route.
Justice ___ gave judgement in favorite of the Lavernes, aerialists, for the some of $190 and costs against Nettie Black, proprietress of the Merchants American Railroad Show, at Greenville, Pa., Aug. _.
Leo Blondin was compelled to close with the Walter J. McDonald Shows on account of sickness.
Arthur Borelly [sic?] has signed with Sells & Gray as singing and talking clown.
New York Clipper, September 1, 1900, p. 589. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
J. J. Jay, for several years associated with the Sells Bros. Circus, committed suicide Aug. 4, by shooting himself in the right temple. He was for three seasons general agent of ___, Burke & Randall's Shows. His last engagement was with Field's & Hanson's Minstrels, as agent. He leaves a widow and one son, who live at Marion, O.
New York Clipper, September 8, 1900, p. 611. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Robinson echos. On Sunday lasat, at Wichita, Kan., the Elks Lodge gave us an open door session and banquet. John G. Robinson and his attaches, who are Elks, together with a number of others, were guests, and were royally entertained. As a return compliment Mr. Robinson invited the lodge to see our performance on Monday evening. They attended some one hundred strong, and formed a part of a turn away house. The business at both performances was enormous - standing room at a premium. Our business up to this, the seventeeth week, has been excellent, Kansas turning splendidly for us.
The Musical Brennans write: "We are this season with Bonheur Bros.' New Golden Allied Shows, doing our musical act and other specialties. . . .
Notes from the Geo. W. Ely Show. We are now playing in the northwestern part of the state of Illinois, and the weather has been fine. The result was packed houses for us every night. We will start South in a few days, and will ship from St. Louis Oct. 20 for Louisiana. The show is said by everyone to be the best and most complete wagon show on the road. Our military band of fourteen pieces is setting the natives wild, and is a feature of any show. Our leader, Prof. Adolph Shank, is highly praised for his excellent work. Our street parade is something to be proud of, as it is entirely original and novel. M. F. Ezzell, our hustling agent, is doding good work in front, with four assistants; this making Ezzell's third season with us. Mrs. Ely was agreeably surprised a few days ago by having her brother pay her a visit, as neither had seen the other for over sixteen years.
Hall, Long & Eldon's Consolidated Shows closed the season at Eaton, Ind., Aug. 18. The show will next season be known as Hall & Long's Consolidated Shows, and will be greatly enlarged, with a brand new outfit. Harris Eldon will again manage his repertory company during the winter season, and next summer will take out a dog and pony show under canvas. The Four Salvinis, English acrobats, play engagements over the Burt circuit. Harry Helms will be under the management of A. A. Jack, with his magic entertainment. Rawls, the contortionist, will rest at home before filling eastern dates. . . . Ernest Frost joins Haverly's Minstrels. Myron Frost joined Wm. Wests' Minstrels. The Fillmores will play dates. . . . Frank Long is well remembered by many of his friends in the profession, of the team of Long and Edwards, trapeze act. He will take out a hall show for the winter season. Most all of our people have been re-engaged for next season. Taking it all in all our season's business has been uniformly good.
Mitchell's Big Pavilion Show notes. We closed a season of seventeen weeks Aug. 23, at Clarksburg, W. Va. The season was the most successful the show has ever known, and it will go out next year enlarged to double the present size and with equipment entirely new in every department. Business was big everywhere. It was a rainy season, there being more rainy days than pleasant ones. The big top was blown down twice, but no one was injured. The only other accidents that occurred during the season were the narrow escape from drowning of some of the people while fording a river. A matinee performance was given at Spencer, W. Va., where one hundred and fifty of the inmates of the Spencer Insane Asylum were present in charge of attendants. The show went into winter quarters at Clarksburg. The destination of performers so far as known is as follows: . . . Will Birmingham to London; Ray Phillips, to Chicago; the Lowther Family to Bridgeport; Charlie Green, to New Orleans; the band, to St. Louis, and other to various variety houses. There was one wedding during the season, that of proprietor H. E. Mitchell to Lillie Lowther, leader of orchestra.
Notes from Reno's Oriental Shows. We are now about through with Iowa, and will commence our tour to Illinois Monday, Aug. 28. Our business through southeastern Iowa has been phenomenal. It is a well settled country and the people attend entertainments in crowds. Our tent has been too small to accommodate our audiences on several occasions recently. Our roster: Clarence Hibbard, Chas. Arnold, Kelman and Fraser, Dennis Dolan, Arthur Humeston, Little Emily and Auline, ___, Johnsons and Stokes, Edward Reno, ___ and Billy Glass. Our band is a big success everywhere and keeps every town guessing. Our stock is in excellent condition. We have received some very flattering offers to winter through this section.
Ocean spray from Sig. Sautelle's New Big Shows. The banner of big business continues to proudly wave over these shows, which have yet to make their first losing stand. Expecially profitable have been the summer resort dates, each having proved a veritable mine of weather. Best of all, the shows are establishing an enviable reputation at every stop in the new territory, and a warmly cordial welcome awaits them whenever they revisit this section. Not content with owning "the largest and best equipped circus," Mr. Sautelle is constantly adding to the attractiveness of his show property. His latest purchases have been two well matched pairs of high bred bays and a new phaeton. The latter was built expressly for the personal use of Mr. and Mrs. Sautelle, and is all that time, money and mechanical skill could make it. Several new performers, musicians and concert people have joined preparatory to our long season South. Leon W. Washburn, by whe Mr. Sautelle was once employed as manager of the Washburn side shows, was a guest Thursday, at Atlantic Highlands, of his former employee. . . .
The Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Rhoda Royal and Joseph Berris, lessees and managers; I. V. Strebig, general agent and railway contractor; W. W. Power, treasurer, and charge of ticket wagon; Harry Anderson, contracting agent . . . S. Westhall, programme advertisement solicitor; W. J. Doris, manager of privileges; Jos. Berris, charge of big door; ___, Jess Robinson, front doormen; Mrs. R. Royal, reserved seats . . . Harry Howard, ___, side show orators . . . Fred Mayfield, boss candy stand butcher, with ten assistants . . . L. L. St. John, steward of Hotel Rhoda Royal . . . Geo. Jackson, head waiter, with fourteen assistants . . . Frank Burns, charge of ponies . . . Geo. Spriggs, elephant man . . . Geo. Williams, assistant canvas man, with twenty-five assistants; Geo. Hartman, boss side show, with ten assistants; Frank Grimes, boss chandelier man, with two assistants; Mrs. C. Roberts, wardrobe lady; Tommy Jones, boss wardrobe man; W. J. King, boss property man, with ten assistanat. Performers in big show: Prof. Berris, equestrian director; Madame and Rhoda Royal, double fashionable menage act; Prof. Berris, sixty-three horse act . . . Albert and Ray thompson, burlesque riding mules; the Four Comical Ashes, grotesque acrobats; Bumps, riding pony; Serpenta, sensational contortionist . . . Eddy Family, acrobats; Alf. Thompson's singign donkey, Snowball; Mlle. Petit, bounding wire; Prof. Berris, school of trained ponies, ten in number; Madam Royal, tandem cake-walking Arabian thoroughbreds; Prof. Showers, clown band; the Four Alberts, breakaway ladders; Felix Sisters, flying traps . . . Hippodrome: lady riders - Marie Marston, Flora Mayhue, Birdie Franklin; jockeys and Roman riders - C. St. John, Oscar Fisher, ___, Wm. Harebeck, Jas. Herbert, ___; Capt. W. C. Sharp, with his detachment of Roosevelt Rough Riders, Capt. W. C. Sharp, Lieut. Harrington, Sergt. D. W. Winslow, Corporal F. Vetter; troopers: Wm. White, Leon Seaman, L. C. Leith, ___, Joseph Marshall, E. Dempsey . . . John R. Adams, Billy Elliott. Side show and concert people: Spaff Hyman, magic; Fatima, mind reader; Helena, snake enchantress; La Belle Latina, Oriental dancing girl; Prof. John King, fire king; Capt. De Coursey, tattooed man; Mlle. Alvena, trained cockatoos; Christin, fortune teller; Randall and Crandall, sketch team; McPherson and McPherson, sketch team . . . Music: Prof. Chamberlain's big show band, sixteen in number . . . calipoe, Bud Horn. The first season of the Great Rhoda Royal Shows opened in Geneva, O., April 28, and up to the present writing has enjoyed a most prosperous season. Although a new show, both in name, stock and paraphernalia, it has been most enthusiastically received, and the press and public have been unanimous in pronouncing it own of the best shows on the road. We are now enjoying the New England States, where the name Rhoda Royal is now a household word, and where business is at the top notch. Both in Northhampton and Holyoke, last week, hundreds were unable to gain admittance, and the ticket wagon was ordered closed at 8 o'clock . . .
New York Clipper, September 22, 1900, p. 663. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Jas. W. Goodrich Mammoth Wagon Shows. After laying off at the winter quarter for two weeks, reorganizing, we opened Aug. 19, at Seymour, Ct. Roster: Jas. W. Goodrich, proprietor and manager; Alf Southey, treasurer; G. Hoffman, secretary; Jack Russell, equestrian director; Joe Horner, charge of concert; Tomm Jerome, reserved seats; J. J. Jerome, ring master . . . Performers: Two Brothers Jerome, acrobats and perch; Wilson and ___, triple bars; Joe Horner, principal talking and singing clown; John Russell, trained giraffe; Mons. Merrill, contortionist and rings; Paul Merrill, single trapes . . . Jas. W. Goodrich, manege horse Dan and talking pony ___; Horner, Russell and Merrill, clowns.
Mrs. Alex A. Lowande writes from her house in this city: "A fire took place in our apartments while my husband is in the hospital, and half of our things were lost, including all of our clothing."
New York Clipper, October 6, 1900, pp. 703, 717. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Frank Marlo, the well known bar performer, died Feb. 12, in the Campbell Hospital, Calcutta, India, from smallpox. The deceased, who was about thirty-two years of age, was born in the United States, and as a young man became an expert on the horizontal bar. He first came into prominence as a member of the team of Marlo and Dunham, who first appeared in this city [New York] season of 1893-94, at Koster & Bial's Music Hall. Their success was immediate and they soon became the leading team in their line in America. They played in the leading vaudeville houses throughout the country and also appeared abroad with like success. In 1896(?), the team separated, Mr. Marlo going abroad with Harry Van Auken as a partner. Later Marlo and Dunham were renuited, and with a third partner formed the Marlo-Dunham Trio, doing an aerial bar act. They again separated, and with another partner Mr. Marlo formed the team of Marlo and Marlo. Hen then took out a troupe, known as Marlo's Circus, playing South Africa, India and the Orient. About a year ago, with Richard ___, Mr. Marlo organized the American Globe Trotters, with the intention of touring the world. They went to South Africa, where they met with great success until the outbreak of the ___-Boer trouble, when they left for India. At one time Mr. Marlo was considered one of the most proficient and graceful bar performers before the public, in the Spring of ___, he married Virginia Aragon, a noted high wire performer. New York Clipper, March 24, 1900, p. 87. Comanche Charlie (Charles Brunning), a cowboy, died March 12 [1900], at Chicago, Ill. The deceased, who was about thirty-eight years of age, was born in Canada, but came to the United States as a young man, and settling in the West, became a cowboy. He was at various times with the Buffalo Bill Show, the Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Old John Robinson Circus. Last summer he had his own show on the road, which was known as Comanche Charlie's Hippodrome and Horse Fair Exhibit, playing parks and fairs. The remains were placed in a receiving vault, awaiting orders from his relatives. New York Clipper, March 24, 1900, p. 87.
New York Clipper, March 31, 1900, p. 99. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The following engagements have been made for the Great William Sells Shows, united with James H. Gray's New Olympian Hippodrome: The wonderful Janeau aerial marvel . . . Warren A. Patrick as treasurer. Everything is all bustle at winter quarters. Our special new paper is fast approaching completion, and will be new and of elegant design. The show will have accommodations for eating and sleeping equal to any on the road this season. There will be a fine Pullman sleeping car, two berths high, elegantly furnished and ___ fresh from the Pullman car shops at Chicago, Ill. This car will be for the performers. The laboring men will also have first class accommodations, having one sleeping car to themselves, all furnished complete, and equal to any circus on the road. There will be a dining car finely fit up for all the performers. There will also be a dining tent on the circus grounds for the laboring people, which will be very convenient.
The Zamora Family sailed March 17 for Germany to join Barnum & Bailey's Show. Little Evelyn Zamora was entertained by her friends during her saty in New York.
Oscar Brewer has signed with the Sun Bros.' World's Progressive Shows for the coming season, making his second season with the show. He will do principal clowning and introduce his pickaninny cake walkers and a burlesque giraffe act.
Van Amburg & Gallagher Notes. One of the finest equipped shows season of 1900 will be the Van Amburg & Gallagher Combined Shows, the outfit will be completely new, and is now well under way and will be completed by April 15. The outfit is being built at Buffalo, N.Y., and consists as follows: big top 120ft. with two 40ft centres; menagerie 80ft., with one 30ft. centre; ___ dressing room, three ___ horse tents, ___ cook house, and ___ kid shows. The printing will all be new and very elaborate.
Notes from the Rice & Davis Big United Shows. We are getting everything in readiness for the coming tenting season. Have just received a large shipment of show property from Peru, Ind. We expect a lot of new horses in a few days. The Rice & Davis Shows will be one of the best equipped 15 and 25c shows on the road this coming season. Chas. and Katie Boynton have signed to do their sensational aerial act.
Oscar C. Smith has signed with Harkness & Fox's ___ Circus again this season to do his rope and wire walking clown and Mexican ladder, making his fourth season with that show.
Notes from winter quarters of A. H. Reed's Circus. Frank Dempsey, our boss canvas man, has arrived and is busy getting things in shape for the opening. . . .
W. H. Harris, Chicago, Ill., has purchased from Carl Hagenbeck, through his American representative, Dr. E. D. Colvin, eight double hump Siberian working camels.
W. T. Boyer, formerly manager of the People's Theatre, St. Mary's, O., is no longer connected with the theatre, but has taken his old position with advertising car No. _, Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus.
The Australian Wonders, the five St. Leons and trained monk, Jocko, will make their first appearance in America beneath a canvas with W. H. Harris' Nickle Plate Shows, in Chicago, April 21.
Ernest De Pew, formerly of the Walter L. Main Shows, has signed with the Ringling Bros. Greatest Shows on Earth for the coming season as ticket seller.
Carlo Bros., of old time circus fame, are here to book attractions for their circus in Brazil, to open in May.
Notes from A. W. McCormick's New Silver Plate Show. We are making preparations for the fifth annual opening of the white tent season, over-hauling harness, painting wagons, and will have an entire new canvas throughout this year. We have purchased six small cross cages for menagerie. Will have the same elephant and camel with us that we had two years ago. A. W. McCormick is now sole owner of this "prize box." Our ten trained white ponies and three stallions have been carefully trained all winter by Prof. McCoy, of Toronto, Can., and are second to nine in the show business. Al. Gaston, talking and singing clown, has signed for this season. He is to take charge of dressing room. We have mostly booked, with few exceptions, the same people we had last year, and shall return to our wagons for 1900. It is more profitable, and we do not encounter so much opposition. We are contemplating going South through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri for the early winter season, catching the different crops when the folk have ready money, returning about Christmas to headquarters, Gallipolis, O., by steamboat.
Dalton and Franklin are engaged for the coming season with the John Robinson Show for the concert.
. . . and Wm. De Varlo go with the Walter J. McDonald's Colossal Shows for the season with troupe of trained dogs and ponies and leaping greyhounds, Little Inize doing a pony manage and a two pony hurdle act. De Varlo is doing his jockey and Pete Jenkins act.
The John Robinson Circus lost twelve of nineteen camels by death on shipboard while en route to this port from Calcutta, India. The ship ___ safely landed seven camels and a dwarf cow on March 22.
New York Clipper, April 7, 1900, p. 134. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Wintermute Bros.' Show Notes. Every preparation is being made at the winter quarters at Hebron, Wis., for the opening on May _. Frank Zweiger has finished painting and decorating the wagons, cages, etc. The Wintermute Bros. pin their faith to the national colors, red, white and blue, and those are the ones predominating with the New Gigantic. Thos. Wintermute has spent the winter breaking new dogs and ponies, etc. A military drill by ponies and complete dog and pony show will be strongly featured on the billing matter. The show will use a 100ft. roung top, ___ side show, with ten paintings, five cages, fifty horses and ponies. Halsey Wintermute will have charge of the advance, with two bill wagons and three assistants. Performers so far engaged: John Schneider, Wm. Weir, Arthur Near, Herman Vonquett, W. E. Lock, Ernest Coleman and a band of eight pieces. W. A. Atterbury has the privileges.
Notes from Rehn's United Shows. Our winter quarters at Danville, Kan., is now a scene of activity. Everything is being overhauled and put in readiness for the coming season. Workmen, eight in number, have charge of the different departments, and are vieing with each other to make things look more elaborate. The show promises to be one of the brightest and neatest wagon shows on the road, and manager G. W. Rehn, is sparing neither pains nor expense to bring about this result. We will open at Danville, April __, with an __ft. round top, with a 30ft. middle piece; side show __ft., with 30ft. middle piece; a new horse tent __ft., and a __ black tent for the "passion Play" in moving pictures, under the management of Sig. Harris. Our stock is in good condition, having had comfortable winter quarters and the best of care. Sixteen handsomely painted wagons will be used to transport the show, which will carry about sixty people. We are anxiously looking forward to the opening date.
Dan Rice's will was probated in Long Branch, N.J., March __. It was made in June last and was witnessed by Judge C. ___ Patterson and Lewis Slocum. The will directs that all of his personal and real estate, including the revenue from his unpublished book of his life, shall go to John H. Brown and his sister, Miss Elizabeth Brown, with whom he lived. They also are made the executors. The only conditions the ___ imposes is that they are to pay $1,000 annually to his surviving daughter, Mrs. Catherine ___, of this city, as long as she shall live. The famous circus man expected to reap a harvest from the sale of his book, which is now in the hands of the publishers. It will contain upward of seven hundred pages. It is to be illustrated, and will contain interviews with Presidents Grant, Lincoln and Johnson, in addition to many of his circus ring jokes. He left, it is declared about ten thousand acres of land in Tennessee and Texas. The land in Tennessee is said to contain coal and iron ore.
Ed. F. Davis' Show notes. The latest additions are: the La Rue Bros., Bernard Orton, Eydon and Nelson and the Welcomes. Sam MacFlinn is on the ground, and the many animal acts are being daily rehearsed.
Del Fuego has signed for the coming season with the Ringling Bros.' World's Greatest Shows as clown.
Peter W. Barlow denies a recent statement, sent to the Clipper, that he is in Cuba with a small native circus. He writes: "Whoever sent you the information sent you an untruth, as is surely no friend of mine. On the tenth day of last January I sold my hotel in Santiago de Cuba, known as the Colonial. I also sold a third interest in the Rapid Transit Bus Co., of that same city, and on Jan. 18 sailed to ___ with El Gran Circo Lowande, filling the position of bareback somersault and jocky rider, also equestrian director. I am still with El Gran Circo Lowande, Tony Lowande, sole proprietor and manager . . . Our show is the only circus making any money for the simple reason that the Cuban people are aware of the fact that Tony Lowande brings to them nothing but the very best. We close our season Aug. __, and reopen in Santiago de Cuba on or about Nov. __."
New York Clipper, April 14, 1900, p. 149. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Doings at the winter quarters of the famous B. B. & H. Circus, Dog and Pony Shows. We have leased the Fair Grounds at Antigo, Wis., where we have the show stored. We have a number of workmen overhauling and getting everything in first class shape. We are having a cage built for dogs and monkeys, and also a small ticket wagon. We will have two wagons in advance, well equipped, and loaded with paper suitable for this kind of a show. Our canvas has arrived. Prof. Burns is very busy training a number of Shetland ponies, which will be a feature. Our trick horse, "John A. Logan," is doing an act that will suprise the natives. The roster to date is as follows: Prof. Burns, manager . . . Fred Boldt, advance representative, with four assistants; J. Zimmer, in charge of privileges; Tom Scott, boss canvas man . . . Lew Williams, props; Chas. Carroll, director of band, which will be a feature; Rosena Carroll, drum major. We will have twelve musicians for the band. The performers are: Young Cyclone, J. W. Parker . . . Lewis and Lewis, with their troupe of performing dogs . . . Own Albert . . . Bernie McGraw and Zennette. We will use fourteen wagons, and carry thirty-four head of horses.
Notes from Foster & Wilkens' Great London 10 and 30 cent Shows. . . . another week will see everything in shape for one of the finest shows of ___ on the road this season. Our outfit will be new and complete in every detail. . . . The show will carry a band of fifteen musicians, which will be one of the features. Roster: . . . the Sampsons, Ed and ___; the Mannings, Dan and Ida; Bros. La PLants (or Adell Family); Prof. Claud May and his troupe of educated dogs; Mlle Loretta . . . Dave Pomroy . . .
Notes from the Rice & Davis Big United Shows. We are now making preparations for our opening, which will be at Brockwayville, Pa., April __. The show will be one of the best equipped little shows on the road this coming season. We will use thirty head of stock. Size of main tent __ft., with two 40ft. middle pieces; side show tent 40x70; horse tent ___, dresting tent ___, cook house ___. There will be sixty people with the show.
The Boyntons have signed with the Sig. Sautelle Show,and not with the Rice & Davis Shows. To do their new horizontal revolving ladder.
Leonard and Hart have signed for the coming tenting season with Sig. Sautelle's Show.
Prof. Shedman and Mlle ___ senational dogs, Chas. A. Sampson and ___ O'Brien left for Rio Janeiro, Brazil, April _, to join Carlo's Circus.
Tommy Barnett has signed with Rehn's United Shows for the season.
New York Clipper, April 21, 1900, p. 173. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Rays from Sun Bros.' World's Progressive Shows. Everybody engaged reported promptly, and the old performers could scarcely be convinced it was the same show they closed with last Fall, as everything is new from start to finish. The opening parade and performance took place in Raleigh, N.C., April _. The day was beautiful, and the business right up to the notch. The newspapers and citizen of Raleigh were profuse in their compliments on the gentlemanly behavior and progressiveness of the Sun Bros.' Shows while in the city, and many expressions of regret were heard when the shows pulled out. The first drive to Morrisville, N.C., was made without a hitch, and Sun Bros. can feel justly proud of their new layout for the season of 1900. The roster of the company is as follows: Sun Bros., proprietors; Geo. Sun, manager; O. R. Sun, treasurer; Pete Sun, advance representative . . . Louis E. Pepper, press agent; Wiley Terris, equestrian director; Prof. Chas. Coon, band leader; J. H. Rhodes, leader of orchestra; the Snyders (Jno., Edward and Harry), acrobats; Terris and Trevanion, breakaway ladder; Wiley Terris, dancing barrel; Wiley Terris Jr., baby clown; Richards Bros., statuary . . . Oscar Brewer, principal staging clown, with his troupe of pickaninnies and cake walkers; Arthur May, Fred Dexter, Fred Tryon, A. J. Ashton . . . M. V. Rector, Edward Kingsland, Prof. Gleiser and his troupe of performing dogs . . . In the annex are all the small animals . . . Percy Richards, boss property man, with six assistants; Chet Varley, chief cook in Hotel de Sun, with assistants; Harry McBride, chandelier man, and in charge of small animals; Otto Miller, night watchman. The advance staff is composed of Pete Sun, manager; Albert Moore, in charge of big wagon; Walter Epperson, in charge of No. 2 wagon . . . The show will work the tobacco section and then head directly East. Everthing points to a prosperous season for the Progressive Shows.
Notes from Dixon, Bowers & Dixon's Big Shows. Everything is in readiness for the opening of our big shows, which takes place May 1, with the following roster: Dixon, Bowers & Dixon, proprietors and managers . . . Prof. Fred. D. Fox, bandmaster, with twelve solo musicians; Prof. John White and troupe of educated horses, ponies, dogs and monkeys; the Imperial troupe of pantomimists; Annie Bart, balancing trapeze and high wire . . . Edward Clark, juggler; William Phelps and his riding dog and goat; clowns: John Lancaster, Robert Hodge and the Three McDonalds (Tom, Jim and Frank). . . . Maud Hayward, female cornet soloist, has been engaged as one of the special features of the concert, in additon to the following people: the Imperial Comedy Trio, Hodge, Hayward and Lancaster, Wilson and Allen, Carter and Green. We carry thirty-two head of horses, with Bob Stark, boss hostler, with ten assistants; Jack Backley, boss canvas man, with ten assistants. The show opens in Sydney, N.Y.
Welsh Brothers' Circus notes. We open in Lancaster, Pa., April __. This year this aggregation will be much larger and include many new features. Everything will be new, and an additional car will be added to the train, making four in all. Two weeks later a second combination will be launched, to be known as the Welsh Wagon Show. There will be thirty-three performers with the big company. Among the prominent head line acts are: the Marinellas, Miss Vera, Louis Beauvais . . . St. Alban Sisters, the La Mottes, Alfred Heintz, Mlle. Zanta, Miss Millie Dair, Max Hugo, Harry F. West, Joseph Kearney . . . Pete Watson, Prof. Harry Mohn and others. A big concert band will be made a special feature, with Herbert M. Whittier as director. J. N. Holcomb, late cornet soloist with Liberati's Band, is with this party, and M. H. and John Welsh will look after the business, and Prof. Newton will direct the performances and do the press work.
Fred Knight, the veteran animal man, has joined the Lemen Bros.' Circus, to take charge of the menagerie and the large elephant, "Raga."
The Bros. Valveno have signed with Sig. Sautelle's Big Shows for the summer tenting season.
Notes from Tuttle's Olympic Shows. Things are of the humming order around the winter quarters, carpenters, blacksmiths and painters being especially busy, making new and remodeling the old, as everything must be bright for the start. This season the show goes out bigger, better and stronger than ever before, more wagons, stock and canvas being added. Our new advance wagon, which is completed, will be quite an improvement over the one used last season. The ticket wagon is also ready to leave the shop, and the work done on it is likewise commented on. Everything will be ready for the first of May, when we take the road for another record breaking season, for such the ones preceding have been, and we will visit a goodly number of last year's towns.
Mrs. Annie Thomson, formerly Annie Picard, has signed with the John Robinson Show for the coming season, and will not join her husband, Capt. Hugh Thomson, who is now in the Philippine Islands, until next Fall.
The painting and decorating of the Rhoda Royal Shows is all done, and everything is now ready for the opening. That will take place in Geneva, O., Saturday, April __.
April showers from Sig. Sautelle. With old winter's backbone broken, the work of getting the road stock hard and in good condition now receives full attention. The horses are being driven daily, and those just received from the farm are groomed and grain fed once more. As this is the first time in the history of Homer that a circus has begun its season here, all the residents of the town and surrounding territory propose to do full honor to the event the opening day, May 11. Business blocks and other buildings will be elaborately decorated in bunting and flags, and altogether a gala time is promised. . . . The sewers employed on wardrobe have completed their labors. Everything is in readiness for the road, and the show could open tomorrow but for the weather.
Tony Richardson writes: "Having completed my municipal duties as mayor of my home city, Astabula, O., on April __, I once again return to the managerial forces, having signed with the Rhoda Royal Shows as treasurer and assistant manager. We open the season at Geneva, O., April __ . . . L. V. Strebig, manager, who is very carefully looking after every detail, while Messrs. Royal and ___ are right up to date in their departments. The scene at the winter quarters is nearly in readiness to move. Don McKenzie has charge of advance car No. 1."
Notes from Harrington's Combined Shows. The wood workers and painters are all hustling to have everything in readiness for our opening, which will be Sunday, May _, at Cook's Park, Evansville, Ind. We will put on an illuminated night parade on Sunday night, before our opening. The show will remain here for one week, making one day stands. After leaving here, touring our old route, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky. The show will be under the management of E. A. Harrington. Wm. A. Harrington will be in advance, with one assistant and two bill posters.
___ T. Dillon, manager for Otis Turner's Big Consolidated Shows, was a Clipper caller April 14. The season opens about May 21. The show will carry fifty people and twenty-five head of stock, with a completely new outfit.
New York Clipper, April 28, 1900, p. 201. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Notes from the Great Van Amburg & Gallagher Combined Shows. Manager Gallagher has returned from his trip to New York, where he went to buy wardrobe and trappings for the show. The wagons are all finished, and great credit is due Mr. Schmidt, the Genesee Street wagon manufacturer, for his fine work. Williams Bros., canvas manufacturers, will have all canvas ready by April __. The printing, which is all new, is very artistic and attractive. The horses are looking fine . . . With a few finishing touches here and there the ever favorite, old fashioned, one ring circus, that will bring back fond recollections of bygone barefoot days, will inaugurate the season at Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, May 9. Among the new features signed are Mlle. Minnetta, daring outside ascensionist; the La Mont Brothers, Harry and Charlie, hand balancers and wire walkers; Dan De Land, John Anderson, Jas. R. Hill and Leon Ardell, gymnasts; the La Grandes, acrobats. Prof. Swain and William Scherer have secured the side show and candy privileges, and Prof. Swain's trained goats, chickens, dogs and monkeys will be a card. . . .
Harry Howard has signed with the Rhoda Royal Show as door talker and announcer.
Harry Rengard has closed nine week playing dates, and will join the B. B. and H. Circus May 7, for the summer season.
Waterbury [Connecticut]. George Goodheart, representing Ringling Brothers' Shows, was in town 19 in quest of a former employee of the circus, named Roy, who has been circulating about the city the past few days collecting orders for lithographs, tickets, making pretentions to taking the names and addresses of the holders, claiming to be duly authorized, etc., and further promising to mail the seat coupons with a proper door pass. It is as yet unknown how many people have suffered from his operations, but he seems to have gotten away before being detected.
New York Clipper, May 5, 1900, p. 201. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Lewis & Copeland's Big 10 and 20 Cent Shows opened at Guthrie, O. T., for three days, April __, with the following people in the line up: Lewis & Copeland, proprietors; Sam Copeland, manager . . . J. Jackson, perch, single traps and webs; Wm. Franklin, high wire, slack wire and flying rings; Sam Copeland, principal clown. Ed. Johnson, balancing trapeze and juggling; Wm. Lewis, contortion; Lewis and Copeland, double trapeze and revolving ladder . . . We had our first blowdown afternoon of 24, at Iowa City, but, fortunatley, no one hurt. The show will make the Oklahoma circuit and then go into Arkansas for the rest of the season.
G. Burkhart has signed with Sig. Sautell's Circus for the season.
In Washington, D.C., the long considered and much debated question of granting permits to circuses has been settled by the adoption of the following amendment to Section 14, Article __, of the Police Regulations: "That no circus shall hereafter be located, operated, or conducted on any lot or open space without the consent of __ per cent of the ___ keeping house in the square on which it is proposed to hold the circus, and on the square confronting said circus ground." The adoption of the above amendment was recommended to the commissioners by the attorney for the district.
May flowers from Sig. Sautelle's New Big 25 Cent Shows. . . . Cortland, our second stand three miles from home, has entered into a good natured rivalry with Homer, in preparing a right royal reception for Mr. Sautelle and his shows. Our first billing brigade of twelve men started out Saturday last, and acting under orders, they are putting up as much matter as opposition circuses. Every sheet is a special design, and as attractive as mone and art can produce. The second brigade will leave during the present week, and the advertising agent next Monday. All of the musicians have arrived, and Band Master Flynn and his men are making the ___ around Homer resound with music. The performers are scheduled to report within the next few days, and all signs now indicate a most auspicious opening, Thursday, May 10. An innivation which will be heartily appreciated by patrons and performers alike is a new system of lighting. Mr. Sautelle has secured a recently patented light, and a sufficient number will be used to illuminate the big top more brilliantly than could the brightest mid-day sun. Other improvements, attending to the comfort, pleasure and convenience of patrons, have been made . . .
Frank F. La Vell has finished a series of dates, and is now taking a vacation in Syracuse, N.Y., prior to opening for the summer season with the Foster & Wilkins Circus.
Chas. Ellet, of the ___ Bros., was initiated in the B. P. O. Elks at Danville, Ill., April __, and was presented with an Elk's charm by manger J. H. La Pearl, with whom the Ellets have signed for this season, making their sixth season with that show.
Notes from the Star Circus. Everything is being put in readiness for the opening day at Rock Creek, O. Will put out about thirty people and forty head of stock. We have signed for the coming season: . . . Kittie Kimball, and others . . .
Princess Sultana has closed at the Imperial Theatre, Atlanta, Ga., and has joined the Robinson Circus for the season.
New York Clipper, May 19, 1900, pp. 265, 268. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Business has been far beyond the expectations of the most sanguine, and that this show is meeting with deserved approval is made evident by the compliments paid by press and public. Opposition and unseasonable weather have had no effect, for at every performance the spacious tents have been filled. The Eddy family are continuing their popularity, and in fact every feature with the show has come in for praise. The sixty-three horse act of Prof. Berris is a winner, as is Madame Royal's menage act. The rough riders and Rhoda Royal bring forth unlimited applause. Inadvertently genial "Tony" Richardson, ex-mayor of Ashtabula and ex-treasurer of the Walter L. Main Show, but now treasurer of the Rhoda Royal Show, found himself re-christened in the Clipper last week. By mis-spelling his name his individuality was lost. "Tony" has been officially entertained in every town the show has visited this season. He is popular, both as a showman and a politician. Walter L. Main visited the show at Ashtabula, and pronounced it the most complete, clean and up to date he has ever seen. William J. Doris has added several new features to the annex. "Olga" will strengthen her snake act by adding six alligators to her den. When everything is completed Mr. Doris will have the strongest annex and concert among the tented exhibitions this season. Snow and ice made poor circus weather the latter part of last week, but the tents were comfortable. This tells the number of people that were inside. Charlie Thomas has signed as head reserved seat ticket seller.
Rays from Sun Bros.' World's Progressive Shows. We have just finished the month of April, also the State of North Carolina, and are now entering Virginia, where we expect to remain for a few weeks. The show did a splendid business despite the fact that we encountered several days of bad weather. New horses and ponies have been added. . . . Chas. Rheinsmith joined in Stoneville, N.C. Everyone who sees the show say it is the best 25 cent show they have seen. In our last letter we inadvertanly failed to mention in our roster A. J. Wayne, ring master. The weather has settled now and indication point to good weather, which means big business for the World's Progressive in Virginia. . . . The annex has been enlarged and several new people added. Mr. Bauscher is making a reputation and lots of money.
Notes from the Foster Wilkins Great London Shows. Everything is fast getting into shape at our winter quarters and our opening date, May 24, will see this show bigger and better than ever before. Our new 80ft. round top, with 40ft. middle piece, has arrived. It is made of the finest duck and has been treated to a new process, making it absolutely waterproof. Our advance brigade starts this week and will put out some of the finest paper ever used by a 10 and 20 cent show. Every stand is special lithograph work. Our band, under the leadership of Prof. Al. De Berry, will be made a feature of the show. We will carry in all thirty-five people. Roster: M. L. Foster and F. C. Wilkins, sole owners and managers; Charles Thomas, general director; Prof. Al. De Barry, band master; Prof. Claude May and his dog circus; Eddie and Josie Simpson, breakaway ladder; Frank La Vell, contortionist; Fred and Geo. La Plants, acrobats; Ella Reynolds, female clown; D. Taylor, juggler; Mable Loretta, trapeze; Dan C. and Ida Mauning, Dan Pomeroy, Wm. and Hazel Adell.
Lowery Bros.' New Olympia Show notes. Our business is like Prof. David McDade's monster balloon - big. Wherever we exhibit press and public pronounce it to be the best popular priced tented show that ever visited their city. Prof. McDade and his monster balloon ascend nightly, and prove a great card, and the mass of people that gather must come many miles to see him make his daring parachute leap while seven thousand feet from the earth, and the crowd around our tent nightly in a moving mass of humanity. Geo. B. Lowery, sole owner and director; Prof. David McDade, press agent and aeronaut; Wallace Keffer, advance, with three assistants; Prof. J. E. Burtine, equestrian director, with ponies, dogs and donkeys; band of ten people . . . Harry Lynn, contortion and rings; Chas. O'Brien, John D. Jenkins, clowns; Zellar, gymnast; W. Regina, hand balancer; the Kelleys, revolving ladder; Lydia Jenkins, slack wire and club swinger; Jack Zellars, sailor perch, and Baby Irene Kober, contortionist. The Aerialist Kobers will close on May 28 to join the Oriental State Carnival, while the Whitlarks join in Trenton, N.J. for the summer.
From Sig. Sautelle's Shows. By the time a copy of the Clipper reaches us the season's initial parade will have ended and J. E. Ogden, manager of the side show, will be exercising his oratorial powers upon the populace. The department under his supervision, like the big show, has been greatly enlarged and improved, and in front on eighteen double deck banners will be depicted everything to be found within. Equestrian director Charles Watson has the programme completed, and he states it is fille with imperial acts. Superintendent Rhodes finds enought work to keep him busy early and late. The new tents arrived last week, and superintendent of canvas Traver and his men have equipped them with needed ropes and blocks. This season our canvas covers about five acres of ground and looks the real thing. Superintendent of horses Smith has the stock in the pink of condition and fit for the summer's work. General agent Curtis is ___ a clear field ahead. He has the following named men in the first brigade: Bill posters, C. Bell, John Mahoney . . . Harry Moore, Fred Glenn, John Mooney, Fred Jacobs; banners, Oscar Johnson; lithographers, H. E. Griswold, Hal ___. The second brigade is in charge of Earle C. Peck and includes ___, Fred Thomas and Myer Johnson.
Notes from the Jas. M. Goodrich Shows, which opened the season at Western, W. Va., April 28, to packed houses afternoon and evening. Everything with the show is new from bale ring to cook house, and looks as bright as a dollar. Goodrich's stock of trained horses and ponies are in the pink of condition. . . . The band is under the leadership of Jack Hoffman, with the following men: Harry hart, G. A. Hoffman, O. Beckler, J. W. Beckler, J. W. Goldworth, F. Bonestead, R. Fagley, Fred Whitlock, Billy Smith and H. Willard. Performers: Three Rexfords, the Russells, Maude Mardo, Fred Honmer, Nierhart Bros., the Queens, Honmer Hall, Bella Goodrich, James Goodrich, Harry Marshall, Jack McDonnal. Tents and cars under the management of Bill Parker.
Notes from Moore Bros. & Co.'s Two Big Tent Shows, United. We are making Kingfisher, Okla, our winter quarters, and are going to make this our opening point. Things are assuming a business aspect, as the time for opening, May 15, draws near. Our executive staff will be as follows: W. A. Moore, general manager; A. J. Sanderback, treasurer; F. A. Moore, secretary; T. W. Moore, contractor; Fred. Moore, agent; Ed. F. Moore, in charge of advance; Harry Edwards, equestrian director. We will carry fifteen wagons, all new; thirty-eight horses, 80x120 top, and about forty people.
Lulu Mitchell joined the Great Wallace Show at Peru, Ind.
The Dixon, Bowers and Dixon Circus opened in Sidney, N.Y., on May 1, and showed to packed business. During the week we encountered two heavy snow storms, and had one blow down; still, with all our oppositions, business has been away above our expectations. Everything now is running smooth.
Myrtle Day had to cancel her engagement with the John Robinson Shows on account of a severe attack of the grip. She will play parks this summer.
Buckskin Bill's Wild West notes. This show opened May _, at Paducah, Ky. Everything connected with the outfit will be A1. Messrs. Terrell Bros. have expended a large sum of money and spared no expense in arranging details. The canvas, which is entirely new, comprises a horse tent, with an 80ft. round top and five 50ft. middle pieces; dressing tent, 50ft. round top, with 30ft. middle pieces; annex, 80ft. round top, with 50 ft. middle piece; dining tent 30x60ft. The arena will be 300ft. long and 250ft. wide. The seating capacity will include twenty-five lengths of reserved seats and thirty lengths of blues. All seats are to be covered by a waterproof canopy. This show will travel in their own special train of seventeen cars. Our stock will consist of seventy-five head of cow ponies, fifty-five head of baggage horses, with steers, burros, etc. We will also require some twenty-five wagons, all new. The cowboys are sixteen in number, bing the best men available in the Western country. Bill Foster, the noted old time cowboy rifle and revolver expert, will be a feature with the show. There is also a band of genuine vaqueros, direct from Old Mexico. The Indians are forty in number, from the Pin Ridge Agency, S.D. Other features are a band of Roosevelt's rough riders, troupe of Arabs, together with detatchments of United States cavalry, artillery, German, English and French soldiers and Irish lanclers, and Cubans, representing different branches of military service.
Chas. La Selle, late of the La Selle Brothers, acrobats, bar and trapeze performers, died in Houlton, Me., May 13, of the grip, aged fifty-nine years. Interment was mad in the family plot in Rockland, Me. He had formerly traveled with various circuses and minstrel companies, but a few years ago retired from the profession, and entered the insurance business as a traveling agent, in which line he was employed at the time of his death.
New York Clipper, May 26, 1900, p. 297. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Harrington's Combined Shows. This show opened at Cook's Park, Evansville, Ind., May _, to the capacity of the tent at the matinee and turned hundreds away at night. We gave an illuminated parade Saturday night, before the opening - the first night parade ever given in the city by a circus - which was a fine display. Roster: the Three Triplets, Vice, Della and Trip; Vernell and Axley, Al. D. Halle, Joe Ritzel, Will Switzer, Beddie and Baty Harrington, in the dressing frrom; C. O. Parmley, leader of the band; C. L. Baker, H. C. Brown, Chas. Axley, Joe Henley, J. E. Axley, Al. Weierbaucher, Bert Stone, Ted Long and Ed. Ford; W. A. Harrington, in advance with three assistants; Frank Kelzer, assistant contracting agent, and Jim Whalen and Claude Roe, billposters; Claude Vinson, boss canvas man, with three assistants; Chas. Hunnicut, in charge of lights; Dad Murray, in charge of the stock, with six assistants; E. A. Harrington, sole owner and manager.
Notes from the Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Nothing but success has thus far crowned this show, and the first small audience is yet to be catered to. Press and public are unanimous in praise, and many letter of congratulation have been received from official and leading busines. The Eddy Family, Madame Royal, Prof. Berris, M. Rhoda Royal, the Petet Family, the Rough Riders and Thompson Boys are certainly making hits in every city and town. Standing room was at a premium at every night performance last week. Opposition and disagreeable weather have had no effect upon the attendance and that the show is a winner to the fullest limit is a settled fact. Everything is running smoothly and satisfactorily, and all are in the best of spirits. Charlie Thomas has signed as head reserved ticket seller. Mr. Thomas has held a similar position with the leading circuses of the country. He was last season with the Walter L. Main Show. At Ellwood City, Clark Bros. closed their large flass works and provided all their employees with tickets to attend the show.
Notes from the Whitney Big One Ring Show. We opened April 28, at Attica, O., and have been doing good business ever since. The show is new in every detail this season. Prof. John Phillips' band makes a hit daily. Roster: A. V. Whitney, proprietor; C. A. Whitney, general manager; W. Walbourn, business representative; John S. Phillips, leader of band; C. O. Harvey, leader of orchestra; Mart Thomas, master of transportation; J. Phillips, boss canvas man, with seven assistants; E. S. Murphy, general agent; Neola, the Brobst Trio, George, Madge and Baby Stanley; Zaro, W. C. Jenkinson, Leon Whitney, the Walbournes, Will and Lola; C. V. Harvey, H. L. Howard, W. L. Welling, C. L. Prentiss, John S. Phillips, Mrs. G. L. Whitney, Nettie Smith, Martin Thomas, M. Simmons and Alfred Knapp.
The Leondor Bros. Big One Ring Shows opened their third season at Portland, Ore., May 12, for five performances, with 100ft. round top, __ft. middle piece, seventy-eight horses, eighteen wagons and sixty-five people.
Randall and Randall have joined the Rhoda Royal Show for the season, to work in concert and do singing clowns.
Bert Davis has been engaged by the Forepaugh-Sells Shows as press agent, back with the show. James De Wolfe, Frank O. Miler, Whiting Allen and J. M. ___ now consitute the editorial staff ahead of this big institution.
New York Clipper, June 2, 1900, p. 310. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Roster of the Robinson Show. Proprietor and manager, John G. Robinson; general manager of all advance, Gilbert N. Robinson; general agent, Oliver Scott; railroad contractor, Geo. W. Aiken; local contractor, H. I. Ellis; manager advance car No. 1, J. M. J. Kane; manager advance car No. 2, Wm. Dale; chief of opposition brigade, Bob Cullin; auditor, Col. Dan Dale; superintendnet, E. C. Cullin; fron door in charge of John Lowlow; assistant manager and director, Robert Stickney; equestrian director, Wm. Dutton; treasurer, Rudolph Gessley; express agent, Capt. F. B. Wilson; twenty-four hour agent, Charles Robinson; band master M. C. Rogers, with Grace Rogers, cornet soloist and thirty musicians, furnish the music. The side show is in the hands of Phil Ellsworth. Among the equestrian performers we have, of the lady riders, Miss Effie Dutton, principal trick rider; Kittie Kruger, principal rider and four horse act; Louise De Mott, menage; Blanche Hilland, four horse act; Maud Hocum, principal act, and Winnie Van, carrying act; Amy Van, horizontal bars; Mlle. Theole and Nina, revolving aerial act and rings; Maggie Leone, Roman rings and break away perch ladder; Lulu Roberts and little Eva Robers, double trapeze; Flossy Bennet, statues and juggling; Stella Kramer, Anna Tomason, Nina Farrington, race riders . . . Leons and Leona . . . Shondel, Vontello, aerialists and acrobats; Lon Moore, head of clowns, which includes Harry Greene, ___, Jack Rutherford, Scandlin, Al. Hayes, Joe Shondel and Jim Moore; Col. Woods and his educated ponies, second season; Ed. Holden, with his educated pigs. George Steele, Thomas Ambrose, Pete Smeigle, Jas. Orr and Ed. Van Skike, compose our brigade of ticket sellers; master of transportation, Chas. H. Underwood and eight assistants; the canvas is in the hands of James Caskey, with eight assistants; the side show canvas is in the hands of Rhos. Fairchild, with two assistants; Wm. Fulker, boss hostler, with two assistants; Wm. McCoy, boss property man, with three assistants; Carl Kramer, master of scenery, with two assistants; Harry Heinz, ring stock boss; Ed. Sherwood, in charge of commissary department. The rank and file of the show numbers 282 people. Our train, which is run in two sections, numbers forty-two cars. Never in the history of the Robinson Show has it been more complete than one now finds it. Our parade is commented on by press and public unanimously as without a peer in the circus business. A thirty cage menagerie, no two of which cages are alike either in design or color. All harness and trappings are absolutely new, and visiting showmen pronounce the show at the top of the list. We are carrying a complement of two hundred and forty head of horses, fifty-eight ponies, and, with the new shipment of elephants, secured by Mr. Robinson this winter, which will reach us in about ten days, we will have a herd of seven elephants. Add to this twenty-two camels, all of which we have succeeded in harnessing togehter, and which form the distinguishing feature of the parade. Business has been, up to late, more than satisfactory.
Roster of Gollmar Bros.' Two Ring Circus and Menagerie. Gollmar Bros., sole proprietors; Chas. H. Gollmar, manager; B. F. Gollmar, treasurer; Fred Gollmar, advance manager; W. A. Gollmar, equestrian manager; Frank MaCort, manager of annex; James Fitzgerald, manager of concert; Ed. Jamison, contractor. H. Sylvester, program; D. C. Hall, cook house; Ed. Maher, candy stand; George Shumway, boss butcher; Chas. Williams, boss canvas man of big top; Curly Ross, boss canvas man of menagerie; "Dutch," boss canvas man of annex; Frank Eart, boss property man; George Dicks, boss wardrobe man; Tim Buckley, boss elephant man; Jack Jordan, boss animal man; Jack Katen, boss hostler; Prof. Frank Seavey, bandmaster, with the following men: W. Huckins, H. F. Hall, E. E. Peaslee, Ed. Fowler, Chas. Heartell, W. Fink, Vic Graham, Frank Graham, Chas. ___, J. F. Marsh and J. H. Franklin. Prof. J. G. Norris, leader of band No. 2, with the following men: Harry Brandon, Wm. Willis, F. H. Golden, A. C. Golden, Frank Gilley and Chas. Goldsmith. Drum Corps, with the following men: Fred Shaw, George Vase, W. Ward and M. Larkins. Performers in big show: John Rooney, somersault rider; Willis Gollmar, somersault rider; Herr Drayton, cannon ball king; Harry Brandon and Otto Weaber, wire walkers . . . Walt Gollmar, trained pigs; Shaw Bros., double aerial act; Mrs. Harry Brandon, juggler; May Vano, juggler; Fred and Walter Shaw, single trapeze; Wm. Danzell and Madame Irene, manege acts; POsento and Weaber, balancing trapeze; Herr Drayton, foot juggler; Frank Lavo, foot juggler; John Rooney and Willis Gollmar, jockey riders; May Lano and Wm. Daizell, hurdle and four horse riders; Harry Brandon, Fred Shaw, Walter Shaw, W. Ward and George ___, clowns; Palm, the educated elephant, worked by Prof. Buckley; James Fitzgerald, Walt Gollmar, John Rooney and Willis Gollmar, ring masters. Concert people: Harry Brandon, Mrs. Harry Brandon . . . May Tano and James Fitzgerald. Annex people: Frank MaCort, Jessie MaCort, Vivian MaCort, Prof. Dan Hall, mental wonder; Madame Blandell and Jessie Hall. Outside exhibition by Harry Brandon, James Fitzgerald and Prince, high diving dog. The show has been enlarged to a considerable extent, and opened at Baraboo, Wis., to big business, which has kept up to the present writing.
Notes and roster of Reed's 25 cent European Shows. A. H. Reed, proprietor and manager; Mrs. Viola Reed, treasurer. We carry a company of thirty-eight people, using twelve wagons and thirty head of stock to transport the show. Big top 70x100 ft.; 30ft. dressing room, __ horse tent, __ dining tent. Frank Dempsey has charge of canvas, with eight assistants. Col Jim Hays has the side show and concert; Dan ___, leader of band, with the following musicians: T. Morris, G. Upchurch, Billy Lowe, E. Boyce, Pete Waite, Peggey Long and Fred Brenner. Performers with the big show: . . . Billy Lowe, talking and singing clown; Brenner and Dunhan, bars and revolving ladder . . . Rialdo, equilibrist, aerialist and knockabout clown; Mrs. Viola Ree's troupe of educated dogs and ponies. Little Lena Hays' singing and dancing is a feature in the concerts. C. H. Rigall, advance representative, with two assistants, is doing good work ahead. Out route lies through Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Business is good as can be expected at present. This is our fifth week out and the ghost walks regularly.
Reno's Oriental Show notes. We are now in the third week of phenomenal business. We have had plenty of rainy weather, but it has only had a tendency to boom our business. Our programme is far ahead of anything presented by any shows ever through this section. Our roster embraces the Famous Martinnetties' three brohter act; Kelman and Fraser, combined triple bars and casting act; Arnold and Ryan, double traps; Denny Dolan, contortionist; Little Emily, slack wire; Hibbard and Basco, revolving ladder; Arthur Humeston, principal clown; Edward Reno's trained dogs and ponies; Auline Reno, in terpsichorean specialty; C. A. Hibbard, swinging wire act; La Basco Bros., return act, and theodore Nelmonia, bounding rope. Our line of tumbling is under the supervision of Edwain Martinettie. Our band of eight is under the leadership of Prof. Stevens. Our parade is flashy and receives hearty compliments. Our stock, forty-four head, is attended by Albert ___, with six assistants. Our new special of canvas, 80x130ft., is under the supervision of Joseph Groves, with seven assistants. Chas. Arnold is boss property man, with three assistants, with Wm. Cone, chandeliers. Our cook house is presided over by Robert Dorsey, head chef, with five assistants, and is voted A No. 1. The old timer, Winfield Scott, is our night watch. We carry forty-two people, forty-four head of stock and sixteen wagons. Our advance brigade consists of W. B. Alvord and King Solman, contractors, with three wagons and four assistants.
The Merchants' American R. R. Circus opened at Corry, Pa., May 10, where three performances were given, to good business, and this has been the rule every day since. The show has two cars and spreads an 80ft. top, with 50ft. middle piece. There are fort people with the show. The principal features are Loretta's horse, Fred, whose work is marvelous, and distinctly different from that of others, and the high diving dog Dot, which climbs to the top of a 70ft. ladder and makes the dive without hesitation. Following are the other ring acts: Holman Bros., bars; Josie St. Arno, flying rings; Loretta, single traps; the Lavernes, double traps; Oscar Holman, perch; Inman, acrobatic contortion act; Bruce Clark, clown, and the whole company in leaps and ground work. The band, which consists of twelve musicians, is a cracker jack. The roster: C. F. Brown, musical director; Gus. Jacqua, R. Adams, H. C. Pfaff, N. Terwilliger, Geo. Edwards, C. Snyder, C. Mensenger, Geo. La Val, Geo. Herrick, V. McGraw and L. F. Trimble.
From Sig. Sautelle's Big 25 Cent Shows. Failure upon the part of our weather clerk to "fix" Nature resulted in a chilly atmosphere for our opening at Homer, N.Y. The initial performances had long been the sole topic of conversation all over the neighborhood, and the frigid weather in no way interfered with business, the big top being packed to the ring bank at both the afternoon and evening performances. The whole town was in holiday attire and at noon the public schools and factories were closed for the remainder of the day. A low temperature and rain have been dividing honors for several days, yet this handicap is easily beaten out by "the world's greatest," the first week's receipts of which have shattered all previous records, and Mr. Sautelle is warranted in believing the present season will prove the most prosperous he has ever known. Dave Haley is our general agent, and not Mr. Curtis, as was erroneously stated. During the next week we will hae one of three big railroad shows in opposition at one stand or another, yet we are bound to get our share of business. Our Utica date will long be remembered as Grand Army Day from the fact that both shows were visited by several hundred veterans, who had been in attendance at the State encampment. In Cortland we added a new team of blacks to our equine department, which was further increased in numbers by the purchase of a third black horse, in Norwich. Wherever we exhibit the press and public unhesitatingly pronounce our the largest, best, and most pleasing 25 cent circus extant.
New York Clipper, June 9, 1900, pp. 332, 333. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Welsh Bros.' Newest Great. The fifth week of the present season has just been concluded . . . The Keystone State has been the base of our operations. Lancaster, Columbia, Lebanon, Harrisburg, Reading, Allentown, South Bethlehem and ___ furnished capacity audiences at nearly every performance. . . . The big show act that are scoring heavily are: . . . the St. Alban Sisters, dual aerial expositors; Louis Beauvais, in miraculous backward dives from a twenty foot ladder to the ground; Misses Dair, Vera and Zanta, in novelty aerial specialties; Harry Mohn's combined ponies and dogs; Berger, Bard and Ducrow, triple bar experts, and Alfred ___, upside down equilibrist. The clown sextette (Max Hugo, Harry F. West, Jos. Kearney, Jos. Ducrow, Pete Watson and Claude La Motte, the clown band, the trained giraffe "Jargo," and the vocal quartet are among the comic entrees exploited by these fun makers. The "after show" is drawing big patronage and giving first class satisfaction. Claude and Nellie La Motte, with their Hindoostan cabinet mystery, are the feature of this department. Herbert H. Whittier's musican marvels are proving to be an important factor in the success of the show; their concerts previous to the opening of the performance are always received with tumults of applause. Charles Gerlach, solo cornettist, and J. J. Barnhart, tuba soloist, are recent additions to this organization. Recent visitors to the show were Alf. T. Ringling and wife, of the Ringling Shows; Major Gordon W. Lillie, of Pawnee Bill's Show, and John H. Sparks, of the Sparks Shows, and all expressed themselves as being well pleased with our "little family" show. The coming month will find us in the state of New Jersey, our first visit through that section of the country.
Notes from Shott Bros.' Great Olympia Shows. We are now in our third week, and business is good. Roster: Shott Bros., proprietors; I. D. Shott [J. D.?], manager; Wm. Shott, treasurer; John Shott, advance No. 1, with three assistants; Henry Garrett, advance No. 2, with two assistants; E. D. Shott, in charge of privileges; La Verde Bros., bars and acrobats; Ogden Family, aerialists; W. Peters, juggler; Chas. Ogden, wire and flying trapeze; William Snead, tumbling and hand balancing; Shott Bros., revolving ladder and return act; Morello, flying rings and perch; the Lourean Sisters, double traps and breakaway ladder; Little Edna Ogden, the six year old contortionist; Joe Warden, singing and talking clown; ___, Snead and Shott, knock about clowns. Side show: Prof. Goldie and Mlle. Margurite, Joe. Gardner, Eddie Ogden, Joe and Ida Clark. Our layout is a 70ft. top with a 30ft. middle, dressing 30x50; side show, 40x60; horse tents, 30x70; cook tent, 20x30; fourteen wagons and thirty head of stock. Jerry ___, boss canvas man, with eight assistants; Charlie Kirby, boss hostler, with six assistants; Frank Webb, head cook, with three assistants. Prof. W. H. Ashdown is making balloon ascensionns and parachute jumps daily, with his mammoth balloon, the largest ever carried by a wagon show. We are featuring Prof. Elbert M. Lilly's concert band, consisting of the following musicians: Elbert M. Lilly, leader and director; Albert ___, Robt. Elliott, Edward Swann, H. J. Kelly, Billy Mann, Harry Frankfort, C. J. Ogden, Ed. De Roe, C. F. Land, Napoleon ___, A. C. Riedinger, J. E. Warden and Wm. Snead.
Bonheur Bros.' notes. The show under its new christening, "The New Golden Allied Shows," started earlier by several weeks on its tour this season than in any previous year since it was organized. Bonheur Bros.' three distinct shows under one canvas is now making a record, and a continuous stream of shining silver flows into its coffers from the time of opening the doors till the performance is on, and every one is full of praise of the excellent programmes presented. The wagons rolled out of winter quarters in a golden blaze of glory. The big top is an 80ft. with two 40ft. middle pieces; poles all painted in ___ blue. The horse tent is new and accommodates forty head of stock. Eighteen wagons carry the show, with two wagons in advance, under the management of H. G. Bonheur. Four splendid teams of mules have been added since leaving the quarters. The Black Tent is an additional attraction for afternoon and night shows. A much larger company than in any previous season has been assembled, and all are harmoniously working. Success crowns every effort of the managers. The opening show was given in Augusta, to overwhelming crowds, in spite of rain and mud. Nearly a week of rain had rendered the roads almost impassable, and on April 26 it ceased long enough to allow the show to be given, and resumed its downpour immediately after the night concert. Friday was not billed, but left out to finish arranging for the summer tour. It rained all day Friday till Saturday morning; then it cleared up bright and the tents again went up to fair skies and a big gathering of sightseers. Despite mud and mire the popular showmen were greeted with the biggest ovation Augusta ever witnessed. Roster of the show in part as follows: H. A. Bonheur, vice president; J. R. Bonheur, president; H. G. Bonheur, advance agent, sole owners and managers; Louis Westfall, secretary; E. H. Keetch, Lida Keetch, Edward Brenne, Maud Brenne, Sybil Keetch, Jack Lackore, E. N. Whitmarsh, Henry Young, Elmer Young, Roy Bickford, Eph ___, William Shannon, Oklahoma Bill, Nathan Irwin, Earl H. Saunders, Will Harper, Arch Allen, George Fuller, "Popcorn George," Chas. Britton, T. J. Dawson, ___, and Louis Westfall, son of Conductor Westfall, who was killed at Winston, Mo., by Jesse James.
George E. Elser, while giving an exhibition of his riding at Orange, N.J., May 21, accidentally fell from his horse, taking the skin completely off one side of his nose and cutting an ugly gash over his left eye, which required six stitches to close; besides, his head was cut in many places. He was unconcious two hours. Mr. Elser had just returned from the Barnum & Bailey Circus in Germany.
Roster of advance guard of Cullin Bros.' Shows: Robt. J. Mercer, contracting agent; Al Mable, official programmer; R. J. Thomas, boss bill poster, with four assistants.
Notes from the Wm. H. Gillmeyer's Show. On our opening week, in Camden, N.J., business was big. On May _, in Ardmore, Pa., the home of W. H. Gillmeyer, we were unable to show owing to a severe rainfall, continuing all day. We opened in Philadelphia May 21, for a few weeks. On our opening night there were fully 1,000 turned away unable to get in. One of the great features of the show is Madam Yucca, who drives the No. 1 band chariot, with eight handsome horses, in the street parade, which is quite a novelty. Now Mamie Forepaugh is insisting that the manager allow her to drive chariot No. 2, but wants sixteen horses on it. Manager Golt is trying to persuade her to accept twelve horses, but by the time this reaches you no doubt she will be driving the sixteen horses. Mr. Gillmeyer has purchased six handsome performing ponies, which he has added to the show this week. Willie Lowanda and his trained dog and pony; Miss Wilson, trapeze artist . . . Mr. Whittaker is making a great success with his jockey act. E. J. Holland, the principal clown singer, has made good with his songs. The show intendes to visit the large cities only this season.
Notes from Tony Lowande's Show. We closed a prosperous winter season in ___ de Cuba, May _, and organized an entire new company. We are now in the Vueta Abaja, the great tobacco country of Cuba, where the name "Lowande" has reigned supreme for years. Business is tremendous. The prices of admission are as follows: general admission, $1; reserved chairs, $1 eatra; boxes, with four chairs, $5 extra; children 50c. The company: Tony Lowande, proprietor and manager; Josie Lowande, equestrienne; Lillie Meers, equestrienne; Marie Luisa, impersonating Cuban negro dances; Mlle. Rita, sensational aerialist; Juanita Reyes, flying rings; Mlle. Eva, contortionist; the Great Tatali, contortion rings; Archie O'Brien, jockey and mule hurdle rider; Rita and Humberto, equilibrist; Pedro Forres, clown swing and negro comedian; Aurello Reyes, clown; Magil Romero, Cuban clown; Daniel Titoe, leader of band; Rafael Argote, agent No. 1; Isadore Ortega, agent No. 2.
Charles Stewart McFetridge died at Birmingham, Ala., May 21, from the effects of a pistol shot fired by R. S. Alden, in that city, May 4. The shooting grew out of an alleged assault upon Allen by McFetridge, who was said to be insanely jealous of his wife, Mlle. A. Louisa. He was with the Bostock Carnival Co., in 1899, as boss canvas man, and has acted in the same capacity for Franklin Robinson, Sells and Jno. Robinson's Shows. His home is in Trenton, N.J. He was thirty-three years old and has three brothers, William, at Cambridge, Mass; Tom, who is a potter, at Cincinnati, and Joe, a baker, in the same city. He was shot last Fall, at the State Fair at Birmigham, in the German Village on the Midway, and although badly wounded recovered after a long seige in the hospital. His wife, Mlle. Louisa, has at different times done bareback riding, wire walking, ballooning and Spanish dancing.
Roster of advance No. 1, Walter J. McDonald's Combined Colossal Shows. Harry Busenbark, agent; Fred Jones, Harry Bradley, Wm. Budy, Spot Sickles and Frank Cahn, billposters; Chas. Harris, lithographer; Jack Smith, programmer.
Frank F. La Vell and De Forest F. Taylor, after a separation of two years, have again joined hands, and are with Foster & Wilkins' London Circus, touring New York State.
Edmund J. Gardner, trap drummer, died May 18, at the home of his mother, Mrs. Nett M. Gardner, In Pulaski, N.Y., after a bried illness, aged thirty-three years. The remains were taken to Watertown, where the funeral was conducted, 20, by the Improved Order of Red Men, of which organization deceased was a member. He had traveled with the Al. G. Field Minstrels, Sig. Sautelle's Circus, Stone's "U.T.C.," and various other companies. His last engagement was at Henderson's New Music Hall, Coney Island.
Rialdo is now in his eighth week with Reed's European Shows. Frank Harrison, cornet player, and Ed Basquill, slide trombone player, joined May __.
Notes from Rice & Davis Big United Shows. We began our season April __, at Brockwayville, Pa., to packed houses, and since the opening have done exceptionally good business. We are touring through Western Pennsylvania, and played day and date with the Elton Bros. Show at Tarr, Pa., and both shows did good business. We also had opposition at Mt. Pleasant, with the Parks Show, under canvas, playing on the same lot, and notwithstanding the rainy weather, both of us did fair business. J. A. Jone, our manager, handles everything, and does it with a will.
New York Clipper, June 16, 1900, p. 357. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Elton Bros.' Show. We are on our seventh week of good business. The advance brigade includes H. O. Cunningham, with two assistants. Roster: Sig. Elton and Delbert Yance, proprietors; Sig. Elton, manager; Delbert Yance, treasurer; Prof. G. Irving and Madame Labelle, Arthur Crawford, Chas. Arthur, J. M. Kelly . . . Sig. Elton and Prof. Geo. Clark's troupe of canines. Concert people: J. M. Kelly, Arthur Crawford . . . Our band is under the direction of Prof. C. E. Valentie, with ten musicians: Arthur Early, Frank Fogg . . . Frank Drenne, H. Folk, G. Hanly and W. Boyle. Our big top is 80ft. round top with 40ft. middle piece, twenty lengths of seats. Our horse tents, two, __ft., with forty head of stock. Boss hostler ___ Sackett, with fourteen assistants; boss canvasman, W. Norman, with ten assistants; boss props, John Hickel, with two assistants.
Advance brigade of William Sells & Gray's Circus, season 1900: E. L. Brannan, general agent and railroad contractor; Fred McMann, manager car No. 1; Geo. Combs, local contractor; H. Gordon, press agent; James Jenkins, boss bill poster; H. Theale, B. E. Fitchey . . . F. M. Cappo, James Rodgers, Geo. Arment, Frank Moon and D. R. Davidson, bill posters; Toney Crandall, lithographer; Geo. B. Cook, official programmer. Second advertising brigade: . . . Jno. Warner, boss bill poster; Frank Howard, programmer . . .
Through an oversight the name of Basil McHenry, advance and contracting agent, was omitted from the roster of the Gollmer Bros.' Shows.
Frank Le Roy writes: "I had a very bad accident at St. Thomas with the Lemen Bros. Circus. After the show I went to thecars, and while walking down the railroad track I fell down a trestle twelve feet and broke one of my ribs and suffered internal injuries. I had three doctors to attend me, and was confined to my bed, but after eight days I want to work again, and I am getting along nicely. My female clowning is quite a hit in parade and concert."
New York Clipper, June 23, 1900, p. 377. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
John D. Carey, press agent with the great Rhoda Royal Shows, sends the following: "Six weeks out and nothing but success to tell of. Everything to make the life of a showman unhappy has been encountered, but quickly overcome. Opposition, rain and wind have been met and vanquished. Not a performance lost, and at every turn the figures have been placed on the right side of the ledger. Papers and public alike unite in sounding the praise of this amusement enterprise, and the first complaint is yet to be heard. Everyone is well and happy, and that confidence so often lacking between employer and employee is agreeable conspicuous with the Rhoda Royal people. Our stock, under the direct supervision of Rhoda Royal, is a show in itself, and horsemen in every city and town pronounce it the finest lot of pure and sound horses ever seen together. Madame Royal, in her menage act, introducing her cake walking Arabian horses, is a feature that has won for her columns of press notices and the plaudits of thousands. Prof. Joseph Berris and is sixty-three trained horses has won out ever audience, and he has had to reappear on several occasions. The Eddy Family, now increased to six members are winning new laurels, as is Madame Peter, on the bounding wire; the Petet Family, the Thompson boys, rough riders, and, in fact, every feature with the show. William J. Doris, manager of privileges, has surrounded himself, both in the concert and side show, with features that cause no little favorable comment. Olga has received a new consignment of snakes and alligators that are the centre of attraction. Tony Richardson, treasurer, is renewing many old acquaintances through Pennsylvania. Tony was a successful politician and mayor of Ashtabula, Ohio, and his return to the show field from that political is proving a wise one. . . . Tony Richardson has organized a class to join the Elks, and twelve new members will be added to the Ashtabula Lodge. Among the visitors last week were George Aiken, Harry Dale, and representatives from the Phillips 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Show and Merchant's Railroad Circus. . . . "
The proprietors and members of the John Robinson Shows immediately after the afternoon performance at Sandusky, O., June _, headed by John ?. Robinson, E. C. Cullen, Wm. Dutton and wife, Capt. Wilson, the genial press agent; Chas. Constatine, performers and others, accompanied by the circus band, proceeded in a body to beautiful Oakland cemetery, where repose the remains of Merritt F. Young, for years treasurer of the Barnum & Bailey Shows. At the grave Ed. C. Cullen made a few remarks appropriate to the solemnity of the occasion, and the band played several dirges, after which those present deposited a most beautiful floral design on the grave . . . with the inscription, "Gone, But Not Forgotten." Many a silent tear was shed during the services, attesting the respect in which Mr. Young was held by the show fraternity, from canvas man to proprietor. Perhaps no man who was ever identified with the amusement profession had achieved so large an amount of personal friendship and esteem, and the news of his death in Jun, 1897, fell like a pall wherever it was received. As the years go by the memory of his good deeds, as well as his kind and genial nature, seems to take a firmer hold upon his old comrades. For this reason no circus company of any prominence that has visited Sandusky since his body was consigned to its last resting place has failed to visit the grave and give expression to their feelings of love and respect.
Notes from the Great Van Amburg & Gallagher Combined Shows. This is our sixth week out and business continues good. Since our opening at Buffalo we have experienced but two rain storms, one at Batavia, N.Y., June 1, and another at Avon, N.Y., 7. The Avon storm was a fierce one. It started at just 8 p.m., with the hippodrome top packed to the ring bank, and it looked very much as if it was going to put us out of business for a few days, until we could get a new canvas. But, fortunately, no damage of importance was done, with the exception of the snapping of a quarter pole and a few side guys. At 8"30 the storm had ceased, and we raised our peaks and lights and started the show. Roster: J. A. Van Amburg & J. P. Gallagher, equal owners; J. G. Hodgins, general agent; Jim Bradley, boss bill poster; Claud Yerkes, in charge of programmes and banners; W. L. Salvail, concert privilege; Miss Salvali, Belle Moroson, Flossie La Blanche, ___, Prof. Swain and wife, trained monks, cockatoos and chickens; Al. Clark, the wild Philippino, Prof. Kirsh, the Wilsons, Fred and Mabel; the Howards, Revetta, J. Dan Rice, trained pigs; Chas. Merathew, leader of band; ___, Harrington, Le Valley, ___, Thompson . . .
Roster of Whittier's Concert Band, with Welsh Bros.' Newest Great Railroad Shows: B. H. Whittier, musical director, Chas. Gerlach, Jas Flannery, ___ S. Beidini, Geo. Young, W. R. Bartham, R. A. Proctor, Clarence Wright, J. Bernhart, ___ and R. West.
Roster of Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' advance car No. 3: H. A. Mann, manager; H. A. Thorpe, boss bill poster; A. Hammell, J. R. Maloney, Geo. Mulvery, Geo. Murray, ___, A. Belfry . . . bill posters; D. C. Mann, paste maker; W. T. Boyer, banners.
Chas. H. Day's latest story is now running in Golden Hours. It is entitled "Herr Driesbach, the Lion King." The hero of the tale is the late lamented Hyatt Frost, and the action occurs at Cincinnati, O., and Connelsville, Ind., in 1866, and introduces, besides Herr Driesbach, James Raymond, the most famous circus manager of his day; his partner, Waring, and ___, their business manager; also Albert Townsend, the celebrated elephant trainer and performer, who is still living in Putman Co., New York State, at the age of eighty-two. Besides being a story of the times it possesses historical interest and accuracy.
Notes from the Walter J. McDonald Combined Colossal Shows. The rapid pace set by this show in its race for patronage from the start is being steadily maintained, and it appears from present indications that it will reach the goal of success. On May 26, that being the anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Walter J. McDonald, she was substantially remembered by members of the circus, all having something to offer individually, while jointly the company presented her with a beautiful silver service.
Jackson, Mich., sent out this press dispatch June __: "While trying to rescue a child from the river last evening, Robert E. Emmons, a young circus performer, was drowned. Emmons is well known all over the country as a trainer of circus ponies and trick dogs. Last evening he started to go fishing on the Grand River, taking along John ___, the six year old son of a neighbor. While crossing the river on the Lake Shore Railroad bridge, the boy fell in and Emmons plunged after him, but became stuck in the mud and weeds and was unable to extricate himself. Both bodies were recovered an hour later."
Notes from the Ballenger Family Pavilion Show. We opened our show on May _, this making our sixth week out. We are peacefully and triumphantly making our way through the good old State of Virginia, and can truthfully state that we have been doing a large business all along. . . . Our complete roster is as follows: Matt Ballenger, general manager; Frank Warner, superintendent; ___, assistant superintendent; Mrs. Matt Ballenger, treasurer; Verna Ballenger, leader of band . . . Performers: . . . Verna Ballenger and Master Percy, double contortion; Orman Grant and Mae Boyle, sketch, producing Dutch, Irish, and negro specialties . . . Daly and Freeman, double trapeze and flying return act; James Warner, principal taling and knockabout clown; ___ Daly, sensational cloud swing; Lizzie Ballenger, feats of strength with teeth and jaws and giant slide for life; Verna Ballenger, troupe of educated canines; Maron and Daly, acrobatic comiques . . .
Notes from Capt. W. D. Ament's Big City Show. Everything around the show is moving along nicely, and houses for the past two weeks have been record breakers. At Elgin we were obliged to turn people away by hundreds, it being utterly impossible to accommodate the crowds. The show has been greatly strengthened the past four weeks, all the bad acts being weeded out and new people taking their places, until every act is a strong feature. The performance is a pleasant surprise to the many patrons, and goes like wild fire from start to finish. The new arrivals are: Fred Welcome and Pearl Forepaugh, aerialists; Chas. Reynard, comedian; James Dashington, contortionist. Prof. Gilliam has also joined, and will break ten head of trick ponies for the show. A. J. Sharpley, advance agent, closed two weeks ago, W. W. Potts taking his place. Mr. Potts is doing some great work ahead of the show, billing it as it has never been billed before. Capt. Ament purchased a fine __ft. Pullman car a few days ago, and we will now have our own hotel. We have been playing one day stands this week at increased prices, and the experiment has been a financial winner. We are now headed north into Wisconsin, and will visit all the great lake resorts during the hot months.
New York Clipper, June 30, 1900, p. 395. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Rhoda Royal notes. Seven weeks out and only success has been meted out to the Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Since leaving winter quarters the show has been enlarged in almost every department, until now the title of "Little Show" has been entirely buried, and it is ranking with the larger ones. Opposition and the most uncircuslike weather have been encountered and overcome, and large and small towns alike conquered. On every side press and public have unanimously sounded its praise and complimented on its varied programme and clean ___. No tented exhibition on the road today carries a finer collection of horses or better conditioned. This week twelve perfectly matched dapple greys will arrive for the band wagon. They were purchased by Rhoda Royal from one of the most prominent stock breeders in Pennsylvania. This will give the show over eighty head of blooded stock. Prof. Joseph Berris is making a decided hit with his sixty-three horse act. He has his equine pupils trained to a degree of perfection that is surely wonderful. Prof. Berris is sure to bring the audience with him at every performance. Mme. Royal and her menage act is a feature that is captivating all. Her cake walking horses bring her well merited applause. The Eddy Family, both in aerial work and ground tumbling, are adding to their well established reputation. The youngest member,"Johnny-on-the-Spot," is making not only professional friends but, like the old man himself, personal ones. The Petet Family, in their aerial work, which is clowned by Tom Petet, never fails to catch on, and old and young alike insist upon an encore. The Thompson Boys, rough riders, and the score of other features all go to make up a programme that is making for the Great Rhoda Royal Shows a lasting reputation. Rhoda Royal personally gives everything his attention, and to him and Prof. Berris alone is the success of the show to be credited. Messrs Royal and Berris do not know the meaning of an idle moment, and are the first on and the last off of the lot. William T. Doris superintends all privileges, and the bare mention of his name is a guarantee that his end is well kept up. W. W. Powers, railroad contracting agent, and the only "Tony" Richardson, compete the list of those who are useful and not ornamental. "Tony" Richardson has formed a class of ten who have filed application for membership in the Elks. It is probable they will be admitted next week. Mr. I. V. Strebig, nee Ada Melrose, formerly of "A Hot Old Time" Co., who joined to do concert work, has been too ill since coming on to appear.
Notes from the Skerbeck & Co. One Ring Show. We are now in our eighth week through Wisconsin and Michigan. The show is en route to the Pacific coast. We have a 100ft. round top, with a 50ft. middle piece; a side show top of 50ft., with 30ft. middle piece; a dressing room tent, 40x60, and a horse tent, 30x60. We carry eighteen head of stock, and travel in four cars. We also carry Prof. E. Williams, with his troupe of trained horses and dogs. Roster: Frank Sherbeck, sole owner; Joe Skerbeck, manager; Mary Skerbeck, treasurer; Gus and Alice Skerbeck, Anton Skerbeck, Frankie Skerbeck, Manda Skerbeck, Pearl Skerbeck, Clara Skerbeck, Alice Clark, Myers and Ross, Tina ___, James Murphy, Steve Miller, Geo. Wilson, Geo. Scott, Johnny Fox, Mons. De Bushie, Madame Zola, London Smith. Our famous concert band included: Prof. J. A. Ritzman, leader; Chas Meyers, Robinson, Chas. Luckey, G. Thomas, Joe ___, Fritz Meyers, Joe ___, Geo. Krone, Ernest Thrams, B. Thrams, N. Thrams, James Myers, J. A. Lane, Gus Skerbeck, Geo. Hartman, J. Nelson. James Stone, boss canvas man; Emet Parmeter, boss hostler; Chas. Nelson, boss property man. Our advance is doing good work under C. Baldwin.
Roster of Sig. Sautelle's Circus advance No. 1: Harry F. Curtis, general agent; C. J. Devlin, boss bill poster; H. E. Kuhns, lithographer; Ed. Gray, banners and programmes; J. C. Mitchell, Geo. Sullivan, H. E. Griswald and J. J. Mahoney. No. 2, Earl Peck and Geo. ___.
Mannie Forepaugh writes us as follows: "I wish you would kindly contradict the statement that I wanted to drive sixteen horses in a chariot with the W. H. Gillmeyer Show. Owing to the show not having ring stock I gave two weeks' notice and closed."
Austin & Bechter have secured the privileges with Hargreaves' Big Railroad Shows. They have just added a 65ft. sleeper to the show, making it five cars. They had a bad fire on Saturday night, June 16. The cook house wagon and contents caught fire, burning everything.
Notes from Mitchell's Big Pavilion Show. West Virginia is the territory now invaded by the show, and the natives pronounce it the best twenty-five cent show they have seen. Business has been phenomenal for the past seven weeks. Everybody is happy, and the Clipper and salary day, with the man in white, make regular weekly calls. The roster now stands as follows: W. L. Mitchell, sole proprietor and manager; Boyd Mitchell, treasurer; Doc Mitchell, general superintendent; C. H. Green, boss canvas man, with ten assistants . . . H. L. Gordon, in charge of advance brigade. The horse tent is filled with the finest stock that could be procured, and is being increased. The performers are . . . Mitchell and Birmingham, double traps; the Lowder Trio, in songs and dances; Lloyd Merrill, barrel kicker; Ray Hillman, wire walker. The Sisters Lowther are pleasing with their banjo juggling. . . . Will Birmingham is meeting with big success with his aerial work and breakaway finish. . . . The Lowther Family orchestra furnishes the music under the big top, and Happy Jack Lowther heads the outside demonstration. Out of seven weeks out we have had three weeks of almost continuous rain, but have lost only one night. The weather has now turned out beautiful, and we have hard work to take care of the increase in attendance.
Notes from the J. W. Goodrich Mammoth Shows. This finds us in our second week in New Jersey, back in our old territory, playing to packed houses every performance. Everything is running smoothly with the show. Manager Goodrich added two more horses to his hack wagon, making a better display on parade. Norton and ___ have joined to do their breadaway ladders, also their double speciality in concert. Jno. Russell and Wm. Neidhart are being featured in their strong and barrell jumping act. Master Lawrence, our contortionist, has added a perch pole act, and J. W. Walters and Billy Goldsworth have joined the band forces, making our band of ten pieces one of the best on the road. The band is under the direction of J. A. Hoffman, and is being featured in concert, making a hit wherever we show. . . .
Notes from Tuttle's Olympic Circus. We opened at Linesville, Pa., May 7, to big business, and continue to play to the same every night. Our show is larger and better than ever. We now have a 75 round top, seating capacity 1,000, fourteen head of horses, seven wagons and two advance wagons. Our trained dogs are a feature. We have twenty-one street curs, that do one hundred and nine different tricks. Chas. W. McClintock joined June 8, at Bethlehem, to do the contracting. Roster of company: A. F. Tuttle, proprietor; Mrs. A. F. Tuttle, manager; Chas. W. McClintock, contracting agent; Carl Geyer, bill poster; Harry Howell, programmer; Prof. Chas. McBride, leader of orchestra; Ed. and Nellie Thardo, knife and battle axe throwers; John Jenkins, black face comedian; Harry Oberfelt, slack wire; Jack and Jennie Troy, skets; Leonzo and Troy, human pythons; Mons. Colby, juggler; George Riley, boss canvas man. Ed Thardo is making quite a hit with his trick donkey, Radix. We travel by wagon and stop at hotels. We have seven canvas men and drivers. The white man walks every Sunday . . . We have been out six weeks, and haven't had a losing night.
Roster of Gollmar Bros.' Leading Shows of the World advance: Fred C. Gollmar, general agent and manager of advance; Dick Hunter, contractor; Ed. Jamison, advertising agetn; Melvin Smith, in charge of No. 1 brigade . . . billposters, Mel. Smith, Frank Brusson, __ Holland, Smith Lee, Charles Corson, Frank Billings and Wm. Saxton; Frank Jones, lithographer; H. Sylvester, official programmer.
Roster of the Tayor Shows' advance wagon No. 1: Thos. Alton, press agent; H. H. Graham, boss bill poster; Ara Morris, D. S. Perry, ___, Otto Windell, Ray Mills, lithographers; B. W. Turk, programmer; Clarence Downey, in charge of advance; Thos. Alton and F. A. Seymour, in charge of wagon No. 2, with four men.
Dan O'Brien and wife (known as Nettie Collins) have returned from Rio Janiero, Brazil, South America, where they have been performing with Carlo's Circus.
New York Clipper, July 7, 1900, p. 417. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Van Amburg & Gallagher's Combined All Feature Shows. We are having ideal circus weather, and enjoying the beautiful climate of the central New York lakes. Manager Gallagher has returned from this two week's prospecting tour, and reports everything bright in advance. During is tour he visited seven shows, circus and "Uncle Toms." The Barkers, aerialists, joined at Naples, N.Y., June 18, and the Simpson, carrying perch, joined at Pen Yan, 22. Mr. Gallagher visited the Wallace Shows at Elmira, N.Y., June __, with a view to purchasing a performing elephant. Wallace and Van Amburg & Gallagher are a little apart in price at this writing, but before the next issue of the Clipper we will have the elephant in, which will add greatly to our already strong show. The circus will close Sept. 20, and Russell's Comedians, of which Messrs. Van Amburg & Gallagher are sole owners, will open the season.
Sells & Gray Circus notes. Our business in Kentucky and Tennessee has been good, and we have had plenty of rain. Twelve fine horses were received last week, and on July 3 we receive an elephant and two camels and a new flat car. Homer and Leslie, and St. George and Wilton, acrobats and clowns, joined June 26. Frank Leslie is doing his rube speciality in the parade.
Notes from Goodrich's Mammoth Shows. Our first season as a railroad show is proving highly successful. We are now in New Jersey, and our business is only limited by the capacity of the canvas. Very few changes have been made since the opening at Weston, W. Va. Art L. Selby, Mrs. C. A. Clymer and Edna Clymer have closed their repertory and have joined for the season, making their sixth season with the show. Mr. Selby is doing the contracting, Mrs. Clymer has the privileges and Miss Edna is featured in the concert. Mr. Selby has about finished his new electrical novelty, and, with the assistance of Miss Clymer, will produce this coming season, "Jeane De Arc." It will be something entirely new in electric and calcium effects. Master Clifton Goodrich, who was badly scalded recently, is slowly recovering. The executive staff of the company is as follows: Jas. W. Goodrich, manager; Art L. Selby, railroad contractor; Harry W. Cole, local contractor and press representative; John Hoffman, musical director; Geo. Rexford, amusement director; Mrs. C. A. Clymer, privileges, and Miss Edna W. Clymer, treasurer.
The Lewis Trio, acrobats and jumpers, will join the Robinson Circus, after playing a season of parks.
Notes from the Stewart Family Big 10 and 20 Cent Shows. We opened at Fort Wayne, Ind., April 30, to the capacity of our tents; then made four weeks in Ohio, in mud and heavy rain. Then we went back into Indiana to work the oil country, where we turned people away quite a number of times. Now we are back in Ohio again and playing to good business. We are expecting our new 60x90ft. tent in a few days, and a new set of bunting flags for the side and quarter poles. We have added two more horses and another wagon. There are twenty-two people with the show, twelve horses and five wagons. Mrs. Cap. Stewart will join the show at Chicasaw, June 30, to take charge of the ticket wagon and fix the envelopes Sunday mornings. . . .
Robt. J. Mercer closed his engagement with Cullins Bros.' Circus, as contracting agent, June 23, at Broken Bow, Neb.
New York Clipper, July 14, 1900, p. 433. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Whitney's Big One Ring Shows. We are in our tenth week out and still doing banner business. At ___ and Union City, Mich., the seats were all taken at 7:30, and at 8:15, when the show opened, performrs had to force their way from the dressing rooms to the ring, so dense was the crowd. The band gave up their stand, and our elevated stage and ring band was packed. We are carrying the best show we have had for years, and nver fail to please. Our concert band makes a daily hit with their street concerts. We hae just added a new feature, the Irvings (Geo. and Esther) to do their sensational flying return and double traps. Everybody is happy and the man in white and the old reliable perambulates every week.
Chas. W. McClintock is at his home in McKeesport, Pa., having closed as contracting agent with Tuttle's Olympic Show.
John Jenkins, Harry Oberfelt and Mons. Colby have closed with Tuttle's Olympic Show.
Chas. Hammond, who has been connected with the Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Circus the last five seasons, and was doing the lithographing checking up the last two seasons, resigned his position at Rock Island, Ill., and has gone to his home, Cambridge, O., to look after his bill posting business, in that city. John Harper, on car No. 2, took Mr. Hammond's place and is now doing the work.
Roster of car No. 1 of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Shows. ___, manager; Tom Connors, in charge of paper; Harry Johnson, D. E. Morgan, J. Downey, lithographers; ___ and B. Fallon, lithographer boards; Matt Smith, programmer; Geo. Lawson, P. Connors, Geo. Tinkham, ___, C. Hyre, J. Miller, __ Seymour, W. Perreault, John Sharp, L. C. Mason, C. Holmes, bill posters, and Peter Hurst, in charge of paste room.
Frank Zelmo is in the Southwest, making parachute jumps.
Notes from Gollmar Bros.' Show. Business is fine and the show gives great satisfaction. Wertz and Adair, acrobats, and Mlle. Adair, juggler and wire walker, joined June 23. We have two acts going all through the performance.
New York Clipper, July 21, 1900, p. 465. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The B. B. & H. Circus, Dog and Pony Show is being well received along the line. At Plymouth, Wis., we packed the tent and had much trouble in keeping the crowd out of the ring. John Zimmer had hs nose partially bitten off by a dog purchased for training purposes. The dog was shot, and Mr. Zimmer is at St. Vincent's Hospital, Green Bay, Wis. Our band, with their fine repertory of music and novel uniforms, receive much praise along the line of parade. New uniforms of white duck and gold braid for the evening serenade in front of the tent will be received in a few days. We are now carrying seventy-eight people, twelve wagons and thirty head of horses. The ghost makes his appearance every Saturday, after the evening performance. The members, with the exception of Mr.Zimmer, whom we miss much, are all well contended and are looking forward to a long and prosperous season.
Notes from Hall, Long & Eldon's Consolidated Shows. Our business through Southern Michigan has been phenomenal, and so far we have not missed a performance through rain or storm. . . .
Ferari's Anglo-American Trained Wild Animal Show opened at Corning, N.Y., Street Fair, week of June 4, to good business. It has a $10,000 electric illuminated front entrance and eight cages of wild animals, eighteen lions, six lady and gentlemen trainers, and travel on our own special railroad cars. Roster: Jos. Ferari, general manager and director; T. J. Hurd, assistant lecturer and announcer; Capt. Grant's talking horse, Joe ___, lion trainer, with his two lions, Brutus and Spitfire, in the sensational act, "The Lion Hunt, Chase and Capture"; Madame Louise, five pyramid lions; Mlle. Almetia, reptiel queen; Baby Boots, snake enchantress; Col. Woods, animal trainer; Chas. ___, head canvas man; Chas. Gordon, charge of animals; Walter Tenny, hostler; Peter ___, with his performing bear, Big Frank; Happy Hi Hubbard, the human megaphone, town crier, ticket seller and treasurer.
Brown's Grand Sensation and Indoor Circus notes. C. C. Brown, proprietor; A. P. Le Craft, business manager; Fred T. Humes, managers; Burton and De Almo, musical sketch; ___ Bros., horizontal bars, May Francis, song and dance; Rose Lewis, trapeze, La Clede and Raymond, "On the Links"; Prof. May's Dog Circus; Humes and Clayton, acrobats, and Mr. Humes does principal clown. We have our new band and parade wagons all finished. We play indoors, and give an opera house circus. Our band is under the leadership of Prof. Mangold, with twelve pieces.
Notes from Geo. W. Hall's Circus and Menagerie. We close our season on Aug. 1, to commence our Fall season of street fairs and carnivals. Our season so far has been financially a success, the S. R. O. sign being displayed four nights out of a week all through the lumber country in Wisconsin. . . .
Notes from the Ely's Combined Circus and Museum. We are touring the central and northern parts of Illinois, and playing to packed houses nightly. On our last Thursday stand at Shirley, July 11, the team on the lion cage got frightened and ran away, upsetting the cage on a steep embankment. The ___ lions got away. Two were soon recaptured, but one remained at large for over five hours. After doing considerable damage and creating much excitement our manager, G. S. Ely, lassoed it. The cage was soon repaired and traffic resumed.
John H. Sparks, proprietor of the Sparks Show, was at his home, East Brady, last week, on business connected with the show. Mr. Sparks will lay off at his home for a rest, the first time in many years. Chas. Sparks will look after the show.
New York Clipper, July 28, 1900, p. 476. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Mitchell Big Pavilion Show. Success unprecedented still crowns the efforts of the Mitchell Show to please the public. The glorious Fourth of July was passed at Fairview, West Va., where the lot was shared with the civic Order of Maccabees, who had a _ft. round top pitched within a few feet of our fine spread of canvas, the entire combined showing presenting an appearance that would cause one to think it was the outfit of one of the "big shows." Thousands of people were in town, and of course we turned 'em away. The attractions presented by the Order of Maccabees and our show worked in such good harmony that, upon the night of the fifth, our closing night, the Maccabees attended in a body, and a special program was arranged for the occasion. Business continues at high water mar, and speaking of high water brings to mind an incident that came very near proving a serious thing in a recent trip from Piney Fork to Pine Grove. The heavy rain of the two days before had swollen the streams to the danger point, and we were warned not to attempt to ford the river. Still, being anxious to make the next stand, we pushed on. At a ford where two creeks meet was encountered the most danger. All got over without accident until the arrival of the carriage containing Chic Kehoe, Ida Rainer and Will Birmingham. They had nearly crossed when they struck a "quicksand" hole, and the team began to sink. In an instant the water was over the seats of the carriage and the people in water knee deep. By much persuasion from the driver the team made an extra efford, and, though being carried down stream, managed to effect a landing, with no damage done outside of that caused by the performers clothing getting wet. Still the experience and narrow escape is one they do not care to repeat. Everyone with the show is well, and all have commenced banking the "long green," which comes regularly, and they are all trying to decide whether to invest in oil wells, farms or mining stock. . . .
Tony Richardson writes from the Rhoda Royal Shows as follows: "Business on the season has been a winner, and many times the canvas has been taxed to its capacity. At Hastings, Pa., last week, our tableaux wagon and the snake den were ditched, owing to a defective frog switch, which caused the downfall of those wagons. The railroad ordered them sent to Altoona shops for repairs. Kennedy and Williams joined for concert work last week. Mike Welch of Welch Bros.' Circus, was our guest Saturday. I was called home from Ebensburg, Pa., by the sudden death of my father at Ashtabula, O. Mrs. Bertis and Isabel joined us July 4."
Louis' Crescent Show. We are still in the land of the living. We did not make a "barrel" of money at the beginning, but considered ourselves fortunate to keep our heads above water and the disappointment in the band we had engaged. We are striving to leave a good impression with the public.
Ely's Combined Shows. We opened our season April _, making eleven weeks of continued success, with only one blow down, at Elkhart, Ill., when two canvas men were badly hurt. We carry in all twenty-seven, with a band of fourteen pieces, under the direction of Walter Scott. New additions: Walter Scott, Mrs. Bessie Scott, Wm. Mitchell and John Sauer. The Old Reliable reaches us every Sunday, and the man in white every Monday.
Roster of the Lemen Bros. Circus advertising car No. 1 is as follows: Chas. Ellis, manager and press agent; Chas. ___, charge of paper; Ed. Hyre, lithographer; C. Hoyt, W. R. Davis, W. Ross, C. Yelvington . . . and W. E. Brown, billposters. The show is doing a splendid business in Canada and consequently everything is "all serene."
Whitney Show notes. We are playing to good business, notwithstanding the bad rains we have had since July 3. The Irvings, aerialists, visited the show at Constantine, Mich. Our band is a drawing card with the show.
Notes from Merchant's American Railroad Shows (W. Black, manager). We are now in our twelfth week and business has been great. Our week's engagement at Point Gratiot, Dunkirk, was the best we have had; people wer turned away at every performance. A few changes have been made and the show is greatly strengthened. The advance is now in charge of Chas. Thomas, with two assistants, and judging by the crowds who are waiting at the depots to see the show pull in, he must be telling them how it happened. Gus ___ now has charge of the band. Fred, the educated horse, still continues to please everyone. We close our season about the middle of September, in order to start rehearsals for Mr. Black's big repertory company, which opens Oct. _, the feature of which will be a genuine Inidan band of fifteen pieces. Chas. Thomas, who has charge of the routing, has eighteen weeks booked in cities we have played this summer. The printing is all special. We will carry a carload of special scenery and travel in our own car.
Edna Snow informs us that her mother, Annie Carroll, whose whereabouts she seeks, was mentioned in the will of the late Mary N. Carroll, widow of Barney Carroll, who died May __, at her home in Westchester, N.Y., and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Dave Castello (Laughlin), equestrian, now in business in Henderson, N.C., was in town July __. He was called home Tuesday by the sudden illness of two of his children.
Notes from Capt. W. D. Ament's Big City Show. We have just concluded a thirty days' trip through Wisconsin, and everyone in the company is pleased to think we are out of it and back in Illinois once more. The trip was accompanied by cyclones, blow downs, runaways and accidents nearly every day. The State is suffering from a long drought, and business was the worst we ever experienced. Capt. Ament saw it was useless to continue further in the state, and expect to make money, so the agent was called back on short notice, and the stands ahead cancelled, and the show made a 250 mile jump into Illinois. At our first stand in this state we turned people away by hundreds after every inch of seating and standing room was taken. Our little show this season is the strongest it has ever been. Prof. Gilliam, who joined the show a few weeks ago, introduced two new pony acts July 18. The ponies were quite a surprise, and made a very favorable impression. Our new Pullman palace car arrived two weeks ago, and it is a thing of beauty. Capt. Ament made a flying trip home a few weeks ago to close the deal for his new opera house in Muscatine, which will be ready to open about Dec. 1. He is having winter quarters built in connection for the circus, and a beautiful suite of rooms to live in. We are now headed South, and will probably not close before Christmas. We laid over in Chicago Sunday, and everybody had a chance to see the city. We received a pleasant visit from J. H. La Pearl while playing Oshkosh, Wis. Everyone is well, and we look for a long and prosperous season.
Wm. De Mott, equestrian, sailed for Hamburg, Ger., July 21.
Chas. O'Brien, boss canvas man with Welsh Bros.' Show, will hereafter work as Prof. Carl Bryan, with Miss Medley, aeronaut.
Philip W. Rand, for six years a member of the California Trio Co., died June 20, in San Francisco, Cal., from consumption. Mr. Rand was born in Holyoke, Mass., thirty years ago. His first appearance in the show business was with the Adam Forepaugh Show. The next season he was with the Barnes Co. Show, and then he joined Sells Bros.' His last engagement was with "The Black Crook" Co., which was under the management of Strong & Welty. His wife, mother and a brother, Jack Rand, of Rand and Byron, survive him. The funeral took place June 23, and it was attended by many members of the profession in San Francisco. The floral tributes were numerous.
New York Clipper, August 11, 1900, pp. 525, 527. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The Great Rhoda Royal Show notes. We have been out thirteen weeks trhough Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Long Island. . . . "a big little show," with eighty-five head of horses and ponies (the finest stock on the road). One hundred and twenty-six people are fed daily at the "Hotel De Royal." Rhoda Royal and Joe Berris, bosses and managers; J. V. Strebig, general contracting agent; John Henry Rice, local contracting agent; Dan McKenzie, in charge of No. 1 car; Warrne Hines, programmer; W. W. Poweres, treasurer; Tony Richardson, press agent; W. J. Doris, manager of privileges; Henry Hobbles (Dutch Henry), boss canvas man; James Clows, boss hostler; W. St. Auburn, steward; Harry Anderson, assistant superintendent; L. J. Chamberlain, band master; Bud Horn, calliope player; Arthur Spencer, boss animal man; Harry Howard, side show oragot; John Keenan, outside ticket man; the Six Eddys, Petitt Family, Madam and Rhoda Royal, Serpento, Four Ashes, Thompson Boys and Joe Berris, in his sixty-three horse act. The concert, with Randall and Crandall, Ashes and Eddys, produce a pleasing entertainment. Side show: ___ and Olga, Capt. De Coursey, Fatima, ___, Pap and O'Ney, make up a list that entertains when Bill Doris "snakes" the people. John Kersell, Mr. Collier and several professionals paid us a visit at Huntington. The "Governer" is expected home the middle of August. Prof. St. John, in high wire, sets the people wild.
Notes from the Gus Sun Railroad Shows. We closed our circus season July 21, and are now in Milton, Pa., putting on the finishing touches to the big minstrel show. Our circus season only extended over a period of eight weeks, but the business was the largest ever done by a two car show. Seldom a night passed that we did not turn away from two to five hundred people, and even in the rain our top was always full. Our genial agent, Fred D. Fowler, and his corps of advance people covered everything in sight. The contracting done by Mr. Fowler was gilt edged. Next year, during the summer months, Mr. Sun will put out a five car circus, with a 90ft. round top and two 40ft. middle pieces. We will carry about seventy-five people, making the show the strongest twenty-five cent circus ever seen in America.
George W. McNutt, chief of detectives of Des Moines, Ia., for the past ten years, has taken charge of the detective department with the Great Wallace Shows.
C. A. Hibbard, swinging wire performer and novelty tramp juggler, is now in his eleventh week and is still meeting with success, with Reno's Great Allied Shows. He has introduced several new tricks in tramp juggling.
Roster of advance car No. 1 of the Great Wallace Shows. W. Musgat, manager; F. O. Rossman, in charge of paper; James Kelly, chief lithographer; Edgar Price and Harry Croll, assistants; ___ bill posters, Tim Hagerty . . . Gilsey Abrams, W. E. Clark, Jeff Caspers, Thomas Foster, H. White, Eugene Bateman, Homer Ingersoll, Chas. Stephenson, Ralph Case, Fatty Eberhardt, ___ and Walter Brown, paste maker and porter. Thos. Foster met with a very serious accident in Aurora, Ill., June 28. While doing the top deck of a platform decker he made a misstep and fell to the ground, twelve feet below, and broke both arms. Mr. Franklin was notified, and at once took charge of him, sending him to his home in Piketon, O., where he is with his wife and mother, getting along very ___, and expecting to join the show again about the middle of August.
Notes from Reno's Oriental Shows and Trained Animal Exhibition. We are now in our fourteenth week of uninterrupted sucess. We are gradually working eastward. The season so far has been a grand success, not an accident or blow down. We carry forty head of stock, eighteen wagons and forty people all told. Our roster in the dressing room embraces: the Marvelous Gliddens, the Three Martinete, Clarence Hibbard, Chas. Arnold, Dennis Dolan, Kelman and Fraser, Little Emily, Prof. Reno, Arthur Humeston, Auline ___, and La Basco and Searles.
Wm. Bennett (W. E. Julian), tumbler and acrobat, was crushed to death July 2d, at Aberdeen, S. Dak., by a circus train belonging to the Campbell Bros., of which show he was a member. He had been in the profession for several years. His wife, three adopted children (also professionals), two brothers and three sisters survive him. The remains were taken charge of by the Knights of Pythias, of Aberdeen, and sent to his home in Havana, Ill., where the interment occurred 30.
New York Clipper, August 18, 1900, p. 546. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Victoria, B. C., sent out this press dispatch Aug. 5: "According to advices brought by steamer Argyll, while the siege of Tientsin was in progress the American aggregation known as Warren's Circus was playing and drawing big crowds. The circus was at Taka when the first Russian contingent went up to Tientsin and the march was made easy for the Cossack soldiers, who piled into the band wagon and on top of the animal wagons and tableau. With the artillery and wagons of the Russians and the circus paraphernalia, the parade is described in the Eastern press as one of the most unique ever seen. The aggregation arrived at Tientsin early in June and on 14 the big tent was put up and the show began. Two days later, according to ___, a refugee who has reached Shanghai from Tientsin, the manager, Mr. Plueffer, was shot and killed. He was struck by a stray missile."
From Asa Barker's Big 10 and 20c Show: This is our tenth week and business has been good. We have had fine weather and no bad luck except at Triumph, Ill., where a heavy wind storm struck us, ripping the big top and carrying the cook tent across the lot. At the time the large tent was filled to its capacity. The show had just reached the finale when the storm came. The show is moving along smoothly, and every one is well. Albert Fischer, baritone and violinist, who recently graduated at the Notre Dame Conservatory of Music, has joined us, and has taken charge of the band and orchestra. We are still on our old favorite route.
Justice ___ gave judgement in favorite of the Lavernes, aerialists, for the some of $190 and costs against Nettie Black, proprietress of the Merchants American Railroad Show, at Greenville, Pa., Aug. _.
Leo Blondin was compelled to close with the Walter J. McDonald Shows on account of sickness.
Arthur Borelly [sic?] has signed with Sells & Gray as singing and talking clown.
New York Clipper, September 1, 1900, p. 589. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
J. J. Jay, for several years associated with the Sells Bros. Circus, committed suicide Aug. 4, by shooting himself in the right temple. He was for three seasons general agent of ___, Burke & Randall's Shows. His last engagement was with Field's & Hanson's Minstrels, as agent. He leaves a widow and one son, who live at Marion, O.
New York Clipper, September 8, 1900, p. 611. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Robinson echos. On Sunday lasat, at Wichita, Kan., the Elks Lodge gave us an open door session and banquet. John G. Robinson and his attaches, who are Elks, together with a number of others, were guests, and were royally entertained. As a return compliment Mr. Robinson invited the lodge to see our performance on Monday evening. They attended some one hundred strong, and formed a part of a turn away house. The business at both performances was enormous - standing room at a premium. Our business up to this, the seventeeth week, has been excellent, Kansas turning splendidly for us.
The Musical Brennans write: "We are this season with Bonheur Bros.' New Golden Allied Shows, doing our musical act and other specialties. . . .
Notes from the Geo. W. Ely Show. We are now playing in the northwestern part of the state of Illinois, and the weather has been fine. The result was packed houses for us every night. We will start South in a few days, and will ship from St. Louis Oct. 20 for Louisiana. The show is said by everyone to be the best and most complete wagon show on the road. Our military band of fourteen pieces is setting the natives wild, and is a feature of any show. Our leader, Prof. Adolph Shank, is highly praised for his excellent work. Our street parade is something to be proud of, as it is entirely original and novel. M. F. Ezzell, our hustling agent, is doding good work in front, with four assistants; this making Ezzell's third season with us. Mrs. Ely was agreeably surprised a few days ago by having her brother pay her a visit, as neither had seen the other for over sixteen years.
Hall, Long & Eldon's Consolidated Shows closed the season at Eaton, Ind., Aug. 18. The show will next season be known as Hall & Long's Consolidated Shows, and will be greatly enlarged, with a brand new outfit. Harris Eldon will again manage his repertory company during the winter season, and next summer will take out a dog and pony show under canvas. The Four Salvinis, English acrobats, play engagements over the Burt circuit. Harry Helms will be under the management of A. A. Jack, with his magic entertainment. Rawls, the contortionist, will rest at home before filling eastern dates. . . . Ernest Frost joins Haverly's Minstrels. Myron Frost joined Wm. Wests' Minstrels. The Fillmores will play dates. . . . Frank Long is well remembered by many of his friends in the profession, of the team of Long and Edwards, trapeze act. He will take out a hall show for the winter season. Most all of our people have been re-engaged for next season. Taking it all in all our season's business has been uniformly good.
Mitchell's Big Pavilion Show notes. We closed a season of seventeen weeks Aug. 23, at Clarksburg, W. Va. The season was the most successful the show has ever known, and it will go out next year enlarged to double the present size and with equipment entirely new in every department. Business was big everywhere. It was a rainy season, there being more rainy days than pleasant ones. The big top was blown down twice, but no one was injured. The only other accidents that occurred during the season were the narrow escape from drowning of some of the people while fording a river. A matinee performance was given at Spencer, W. Va., where one hundred and fifty of the inmates of the Spencer Insane Asylum were present in charge of attendants. The show went into winter quarters at Clarksburg. The destination of performers so far as known is as follows: . . . Will Birmingham to London; Ray Phillips, to Chicago; the Lowther Family to Bridgeport; Charlie Green, to New Orleans; the band, to St. Louis, and other to various variety houses. There was one wedding during the season, that of proprietor H. E. Mitchell to Lillie Lowther, leader of orchestra.
Notes from Reno's Oriental Shows. We are now about through with Iowa, and will commence our tour to Illinois Monday, Aug. 28. Our business through southeastern Iowa has been phenomenal. It is a well settled country and the people attend entertainments in crowds. Our tent has been too small to accommodate our audiences on several occasions recently. Our roster: Clarence Hibbard, Chas. Arnold, Kelman and Fraser, Dennis Dolan, Arthur Humeston, Little Emily and Auline, ___, Johnsons and Stokes, Edward Reno, ___ and Billy Glass. Our band is a big success everywhere and keeps every town guessing. Our stock is in excellent condition. We have received some very flattering offers to winter through this section.
Ocean spray from Sig. Sautelle's New Big Shows. The banner of big business continues to proudly wave over these shows, which have yet to make their first losing stand. Expecially profitable have been the summer resort dates, each having proved a veritable mine of weather. Best of all, the shows are establishing an enviable reputation at every stop in the new territory, and a warmly cordial welcome awaits them whenever they revisit this section. Not content with owning "the largest and best equipped circus," Mr. Sautelle is constantly adding to the attractiveness of his show property. His latest purchases have been two well matched pairs of high bred bays and a new phaeton. The latter was built expressly for the personal use of Mr. and Mrs. Sautelle, and is all that time, money and mechanical skill could make it. Several new performers, musicians and concert people have joined preparatory to our long season South. Leon W. Washburn, by whe Mr. Sautelle was once employed as manager of the Washburn side shows, was a guest Thursday, at Atlantic Highlands, of his former employee. . . .
The Great Rhoda Royal Shows. Rhoda Royal and Joseph Berris, lessees and managers; I. V. Strebig, general agent and railway contractor; W. W. Power, treasurer, and charge of ticket wagon; Harry Anderson, contracting agent . . . S. Westhall, programme advertisement solicitor; W. J. Doris, manager of privileges; Jos. Berris, charge of big door; ___, Jess Robinson, front doormen; Mrs. R. Royal, reserved seats . . . Harry Howard, ___, side show orators . . . Fred Mayfield, boss candy stand butcher, with ten assistants . . . L. L. St. John, steward of Hotel Rhoda Royal . . . Geo. Jackson, head waiter, with fourteen assistants . . . Frank Burns, charge of ponies . . . Geo. Spriggs, elephant man . . . Geo. Williams, assistant canvas man, with twenty-five assistants; Geo. Hartman, boss side show, with ten assistants; Frank Grimes, boss chandelier man, with two assistants; Mrs. C. Roberts, wardrobe lady; Tommy Jones, boss wardrobe man; W. J. King, boss property man, with ten assistanat. Performers in big show: Prof. Berris, equestrian director; Madame and Rhoda Royal, double fashionable menage act; Prof. Berris, sixty-three horse act . . . Albert and Ray thompson, burlesque riding mules; the Four Comical Ashes, grotesque acrobats; Bumps, riding pony; Serpenta, sensational contortionist . . . Eddy Family, acrobats; Alf. Thompson's singign donkey, Snowball; Mlle. Petit, bounding wire; Prof. Berris, school of trained ponies, ten in number; Madam Royal, tandem cake-walking Arabian thoroughbreds; Prof. Showers, clown band; the Four Alberts, breakaway ladders; Felix Sisters, flying traps . . . Hippodrome: lady riders - Marie Marston, Flora Mayhue, Birdie Franklin; jockeys and Roman riders - C. St. John, Oscar Fisher, ___, Wm. Harebeck, Jas. Herbert, ___; Capt. W. C. Sharp, with his detachment of Roosevelt Rough Riders, Capt. W. C. Sharp, Lieut. Harrington, Sergt. D. W. Winslow, Corporal F. Vetter; troopers: Wm. White, Leon Seaman, L. C. Leith, ___, Joseph Marshall, E. Dempsey . . . John R. Adams, Billy Elliott. Side show and concert people: Spaff Hyman, magic; Fatima, mind reader; Helena, snake enchantress; La Belle Latina, Oriental dancing girl; Prof. John King, fire king; Capt. De Coursey, tattooed man; Mlle. Alvena, trained cockatoos; Christin, fortune teller; Randall and Crandall, sketch team; McPherson and McPherson, sketch team . . . Music: Prof. Chamberlain's big show band, sixteen in number . . . calipoe, Bud Horn. The first season of the Great Rhoda Royal Shows opened in Geneva, O., April 28, and up to the present writing has enjoyed a most prosperous season. Although a new show, both in name, stock and paraphernalia, it has been most enthusiastically received, and the press and public have been unanimous in pronouncing it own of the best shows on the road. We are now enjoying the New England States, where the name Rhoda Royal is now a household word, and where business is at the top notch. Both in Northhampton and Holyoke, last week, hundreds were unable to gain admittance, and the ticket wagon was ordered closed at 8 o'clock . . .
New York Clipper, September 22, 1900, p. 663. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Jas. W. Goodrich Mammoth Wagon Shows. After laying off at the winter quarter for two weeks, reorganizing, we opened Aug. 19, at Seymour, Ct. Roster: Jas. W. Goodrich, proprietor and manager; Alf Southey, treasurer; G. Hoffman, secretary; Jack Russell, equestrian director; Joe Horner, charge of concert; Tomm Jerome, reserved seats; J. J. Jerome, ring master . . . Performers: Two Brothers Jerome, acrobats and perch; Wilson and ___, triple bars; Joe Horner, principal talking and singing clown; John Russell, trained giraffe; Mons. Merrill, contortionist and rings; Paul Merrill, single trapes . . . Jas. W. Goodrich, manege horse Dan and talking pony ___; Horner, Russell and Merrill, clowns.
Mrs. Alex A. Lowande writes from her house in this city: "A fire took place in our apartments while my husband is in the hospital, and half of our things were lost, including all of our clothing."
New York Clipper, October 6, 1900, p. 703. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Walter L. Main, the well and favorably known circus manager, returned from an all summer tour of Europe recently, having traveled all over Great Britain and the continent, solely on pleasure bent. . . . During his stay in New York he was chaperoned by general agent Isaac V. Strebig, of the Rhoda Royal Show, and the twain visited all points of interest in the city and vicinity. . . . Mr. Main has returned to Geneva, O., where he will enjoy a period of rest and quiet after his summer of pleasure seeking.
James H. Brown wrote from Havanna, Cuba, under the date of Sept. 18: "Peter W. Barlow, bareback somesault and jockey act rider, who was taken down with yellow fever, has recovered and is again at work on new stock for the coming season with Circo Pubiliones, which will start on or about Nov. 20. Mr. Barlow has been ___ many seasons on and off and is well liked here by show going people. Show business in Havana the past two months has been very dull."
. . . Sept. 12, Tony Lowande has closed a season of nine months in Cuba and has purchased a farm of one hundred and five acres at Calabazar, twenty minutes' ride from Havana. The necessary buildings for storing the show are complete. Thirty-five head of horses and thirty-two oxen comprises stock with the company. . . .
Circus in the Orient. W. Plueger wrote the Clipper from Shanghai, China, under date of July 27, as follows: ". . . . As manager of Warren's Circus, that has for years, and still is, annually playing India, Burmah, Ceylon, Java, Malaysia, Cochin China, the Philippines, China and Japan . . . the Far East circus - The showmen adventurous enough to hazard stock and capital of any magnitude to the vast, distant, benighted Orient have been few indeed. Wilson's, Chiarini's, Abel's, Williston's, Wirth's, Harmston's and Warren's comprise all that have so far visited in the past or present, and braved the risks and vicissitudes entailed. The list is short and their history is brief. Each could a tale unforld coincident with the other. It only varies in particulars of time and place, if, in a densely populated, compact, short distace America or England, where shows are now conducted on firm, solid, conservative business methods, it still remains the most precarious and unstable business of any, now much more precarious it is among semi-civilized nations, separated by thousands (not hundreds) of miles, must be plain to the most casual reader. Wilson's (American) Circus was the first of any pretensions to dawn on the East. It lived while luck continued to live with it. When that deserted it, it dissolved as quickly as mist. For pluck is as imperative as luck in conducting a show here. Chiarini made the next event, and, like his predecessor, soon found himself crushed by the weight of excessive expenses. Both lived only long enough to prove the fallacy of plunging too big an attraction on unknown fields without approximating its prospects and proportion expenses accordingly. Success here depends upon the accuracy of adjusting expenses to receipts, which can only be done after a long personal experience. Inexperience seals the fate here quicker, as it has with these two in the past, as it must inevitably in the future. The penalty of impetuous ventures is failure. Abel's, Williston's and Wirth's, of smaller class for that reason lived longer, to smaller failure. Finally, Harmston's, profiting by them, launched a show more cautiously, and on a wiser, sounder basis, conducted expenses consistent with earnings, and survives today, after repeated tours. However, latterly Warren's Circus, more enterprising, by good tact has outrivaled it and become the leading amusement enterprise of the Orient - an established institution, annually looked for everywhere, like a "Glorious Fourth" celebration. It owes its success as much to careful, judicious management, routing and advertising as to its admirable organization. During the most formidable reverses within the past two years the management has proved itself invincible. We opened in Manila four days before the insurgent war, within one-half mile of the first pitched battle, and had our tents perforated by bullets like a sieve, stock comandeered, and paraphernalia burnt. Within two months we reorganized in London, and, after such little incidental misfortunes as struggling through the famine in India, a destructive fire in Hindoostan, shipwreck in the Malacca Straits, and plague in Hong Kong, we contrived to reach Tientain three days before the siege, where the allied forces quickly appropirated canvas seats, props and all for firewood. Our horses (formerly known as Prof. Bristol's Equescurriculum, touring the leading theatres fourteen years) were comandeered for officers' use, cannon service, or killed for rations, while clowns went on sentry duty around the women and children's refuge, and acrobats turned nurses to the wounded, riders, aerialists and all lined up with Tommy Atkins and Uncle Sam in the face of an incessant and hellish concert of whistling bullets and shrieking shell. But we all came out smiling, with flying colors and congratulations for life, but nothing els; not the show. However, as we have prospered exceedingly, and know how to do so, even in the Orient, we are again on the easy road of prosperity. Less bolder and vigorous shows would easily succumb to discouragement and defeat for less fatalities than we have survived, for we cannot forget that show life here has its roseate advantages and pleasures that fully compensate all misfortune. It is indiscreet to parade, therefore no parades, nor anything less than week stands most for a month or more. To play in one year Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila, Saigon, Bangkok, Singapore, Soerabaya, Samarang, Batavia, Deli, Penang, Rangoon, Calcutta, Madras, Bombay and Colombo is impossible. Another consideration is that no time is lost in winter quarters. We play all the year round, knowing, after years of experience, the precise season to the week for each centre, and when to avoid it. Moreover, we generally extend performers' contracts to two, three or four years, to mutual satisfaction. Life in the Orient is so seductive, so easy and luxuriously comfortable, that performers once enjoying it are loth ever to leave it. But the way of the advance manager is harder. His has always and everywhere a battle royal. Whatever his native tact, talent, energy, enterprise and experience elsewhere, if he lack the actual experience of Oriental circus "pidgin" he might be better and more usefully employed hoeing corn. To lack this is to doom his show from the start. It is of course impossible to expect him to talk Pekinese in Shanghai, English in Hong Kong, French in Saigon, Malay in Singapore, Dutch in Java, Burmese in Rangoon, Tamilin in Calcutta, Hindustan in Madras, etc., etc. But the veteran, successful Oriental showman knows its equivalent - will know from repeated visits who's who, where to find them; what, where, and when to do the right thing at the right time in the right place. He must know how to suffer and gratify each their own national whims and idiosyncrasies, and how and when and where to reach the right calls of natives in their own vernacular. For they, not the Europeans, are the great factor of success. Not to despise the patronage of the former, the show must be one of a visible - not verbal nature. Natives in general are paupers. This makes cheap prices imperative. To attract multitudes of natives is to succeed, and the show will prosper precisely according to its drawing power for natives. They are the audience to be studied and catered to, at the same time courting the patronage of incidental European casuals and residents as far as consistent - no further. It is fatal to get a European audience at jeopardy of a native crowd. A big show demands a big income, and that big patronage, and this again doubled when prices are halved. Your manager will known, too, the landing, lighter, warfage facilities of each city - or lack of them; and how and when to govern his shipping accordingly. Similarity must he know the season, customes, licenses, lots, hotels, municipal regulations, cartage, railroading, lighting, etc., of each city as a world of its own. In these no two Eastern cities compare. It seems each is conducted on a policy and principal of government to conflict with every other - with the one just left. So diverse are they as if strenuously governed as a contradiction of the other colony. Java will welcome a show eargely on its choicest and most central lots, while it bars a show in every conceivable way from landing. Contrarily, Singapore throws open its customs wide, but bitterly resents and opposes a show anywhere but in a cow yard of a native suburb. And so on ad finitim. A manager must know all these pecularities and how to overcome them by strategy. If experienced, his strategy will prevail where the less experienced would fail altogether, or only parially succeed at great expense. A shrewd, reliable, conscientious manager spells success just as any other does certain failure. Irrespective of the show's merits, he can make or unmake it in the Orient in much less time than in the Occident. For a show here - with a manager - will succeed with amazing rapidity, or vice versa, without one, degenerate quicker."
New York Clipper, October 27, 1900, p. 767. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Gollmar Bros.' Circus and Menagerie noes. We closed our season Oct. 6, at Stoughton, Wis., and it proved to be by far the best season the show has ever had. In all probability this will be our last season on wagons. Performers and musicians have departed to the following points: Wertz and Adair play the Atlantic, Ia., Street Fair; Vic Graham goes to Chicago; Frank Seavey and ___ join the "Si Perkins" Co.; James Fitzgerald and George Parento join the Dan C. Hall Repertory Co., Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brandon go to La Crosse, Wis.; J. G. Norris, Viroqua, Wis. . . . John Rooney and Willis Gollmar go to Baraboo; Otto Weaver to Decatur, Ill. . . . Dick Hunter to Chicago, Basil McHenry to Chicago . . . H. Sylvester goes to New York City . . . Mlle. Adair to Springfield, Ill. Herr Drayton to Chicago . . .
New York Clipper, November 3, 1900, p. 788. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The advance of the Gollmar Bros.' Shows closed Sept. 22, a season of five months. Ed. Jamison goes to Baraboo, Wis.; William Saxton to Lansing, Mich.; Melvin Smith to Baraboo; Clifford Black to Rushville, Ill.; Otto Windale to Creston, Ia.; Chas. Windom to North Platte, Minn.; Frank Brusso to New York City, Ed Melvin to Baraboo, and H. Sylvester to New York City. This has been a very good season; not much rain, but big winds in Nebraska and Minnesota, but on the whole a good season.
The Brobst Trio write: "We closed the season at Imlay City, Oct. 4, with Whitney Circus. Master Stanley was presented with a gold watch and chain by members of the company at Clinton, Mich., Sept. 8, the occasion being his sixth birthday. We are now resting at our home, Pottsville, Pa."
The Hargreaves Show, owned and managed by Thos. Hargreaves, manager of the Grand Opera House, Chester, Pa., closed its season in Philadelphia, Oct. 13. Although the first season of this enterprise, the tour was eminently successful. The roster of the show during the tour was as follows: Thos. Hargreaves, proprietor and manager; C. J. Gregory, general manager; A. L. Selsby, general agent, with eight assistants; Gregory and La Velle, managers of privileges. Performers: the Three Valentines, return act; Three Herbert Bros., brother act and high stilts; Leonard Sisters, aerialists; the Three Nolas, aerialists and Roman ladders; Marvelous Melville, aerialist and leaper; Three Rossi Bros., grotesque act and leapers; Albert Sylvester, contortionist and ring act; St. Julian Bros., horizontal bars, and Gregory and Durell, foot balancers. The trained animal features were specially strong, and included: Prof. Maguire's educated horses, mules and donkeys; Prof. La Velle's school of educated dogs, including three high diving dogs; Dan Rice and his trained pigs and donkeys. La Velle, Ducrow and Chas. Valentine were the principal clowns. The concert was given by Terrill and Senina, musical act; Bessie Durell, balladist; Ed. and Lottie Dwyre, sketch; Edna Clymer, songs and dances; and Chas. Rench and his trick giraffe. Size of canvases: big top, 100ft., with two 50ft. middle pieces; dressing top, 60x30; cook tent, 30x60; horse tent, 30x40. Next season the show will be increased to twice its present size.
The Great Wallace Shows closed a very successful season at Circleville, O., on Tuesday, Oct. 16. Between shows Tuesday evening Capt. B. L. Bowman, side show manager, was presented with a handsome silk umbrella and a solid silver shaving mug. The following inscriptions: "Presented to Capt. B. L. Bowman by side show employes Great Wallace Shows, season 1900." Capt. Bowman acknowledged his appreciation of the gifts in a few well chosen words. The following is a complete roster of the side show: Capt. B. L. Bowman, manager and principal orator; Jack Manley, first assistant; Chas. W. Brasie, second assistant; C. E. Hardwick, third assistant; "Fatty" Marshall, ticket taker and superintendent of door; Prof. Schwab, leader of band, with eight musicians: Prof. Schwab, Frank Herron, C. A. Beattle, Frank Doherty, Jos. Ryan, "Slivers" Kline, Chas. Rote, Harry Gladstone Wilson. The performers: Steven Peters and Martin Zoryea, Turkish musicians; Princess Garmenia and La Belle Trixanna, Oriental dancers; Nena Delmato, snake charmer; Agnes, mind reader; Flo. Roach, living pictures; Emma Meley and Ivy Kelly, descriptive songs; "Topsy" Mitchell, banjo soloist; Julia Alphonzo, fire queen; J. H. Payne, armless wonder; Master Wader Cochran, mental wonder; Lieut. Allen, ventriloquist and Punch; Hommann, magician; Clarence McDowell, "The Sculptor's Dream"; J. J. Rogers, boss canvas man, with seven assistants.
From Walter J. McDonald's Combined Colossal Shows. The show finished its first season Oct. 3, closing at Abilene, Kan., the same town we made our opening, April 21, the same performers closing with the show, with two exceptions, that opened with it. The show did remarkably well, considering the weather, as this was a very wet season in the Western country and the opposition was exceptionally strong, as all the big shows in the country were out here after the wheat money. We added twenty head of stock this summer, making sixty-five head with the show. Our ten horse dapple gray band team was the feature of the parade. The management has purchased all of the late Joe McMahon Show baggage wagons, tableaux, dens, etc., and will the coming season transport the show by rail, using about twelve cars. The show will winter at Abilene, Kan.
Orton Family Show notes. The show is in winter quarters here at Ortonville. A new round house will son be commenced. As soon as completed a routine of practice will be commenced. The show will be quite extensively improved this winter. The show will exhibit undr a 50ft. round top, with one 30ft. middle piece; 30ft. dressing room, 12x16 cook tent, 32x40 horse tent, with twelve head of horses, four shetland ponies, six performing dogs, with about fourteen people all told.
In Lebanon, O., a company has been organized and will put on the road next spring a ten wagon circus. It is to be managed by Capt. C. E. Sausser and will be known as the Four S Syndicate Show, with Sausser, Smithers, Snook & Stewart, proprietors.
The Sig. Sautelle Circus advance closed their season of six months at Goochland, Va., Oct. 20, seven days ahead of the show, with but very few changes. Roster: D. H. Haley, general agent; Tom Burke, boss bill poster; Ed. Troy, Sam C. Whitelaw and Sam Flynn, assistants; John F. Kelley, boss lithographer; Billy Hart, assistant; F. A. Robbins Jr., banner man; Joe Kane, programmer. After the last stand general agent Haley gave the boys a fine spread, and after fixing things together for the show the boys started for their several homes: D. H. Haley for Norwich, N.Y>; Tom Burke for Manchester, N.H.; Sam C. Whitelaw to Akron, O.; Ed. Troy to Bridgeport, Ct. to go into the grocery business for the winer; F. A. Robbins Jr. to New York; Billy Hart to Boston; Jone Kane to Fall River; and Jno. F. Kelley to Pawtucket, R.I. until after election, when he goes as business manager of the Criterion Comedy Co. All the boys pronounced it a pleasant and sociable season, and all departed with best wishes.
Horace Webb closed a successful season Oct. 16, with the Great Wallace Show. He sails Nov. 10 to Havana, Cuba, to fill an engagement with Circo Pubillones.
The members of the Forepaugh & Sells Bros.' Side Show presented their manager, Geo. V. Connor, and his wife with a complete silver service, consisting of fifty pieces, as a token of their appreciation for his efforts to please one and all during the season just closed.
Bell and Albion sail Nov. 3 for Germany to joine the Barnum & Bailey Show, to do their acrobatic comedy act.
Notes from Asa Barker's Big 10 and 20 Cent Shows. We have closed with a season of twenty-one weeks, and from the opening to closing we have had but one accident and that was a small cyclone. The boys all smiled when they saw the agent coming back to the show. On our closing night, although being very cold, we played to a packed house, and after the show we all enjoyed an oyster supper. We will organize here in Redmond, Ill., in the spring, with a big show. Mr. and Mrs. Barker will return to their former home, Terre Haute, Ind., where they will rest up for a couple of weeks, and then will start out with their winter show.
Bonheur Bros.' Show notes. The yellow leaf gleaming here and there in the fading green of the forests fringing the streams of the browning plains warns the yellow wagon troupers of the approaching end to the tenting season of 1900. For the most part the season has been an agreeable one to all. An accident occurred at Ness City Oct. 12, in which Nathan L. Irwin nearly lost his life. He started from the show ground with a hugh cosmorama wagon pulled by a big span of greys to go to the fair ground, where the cosmorama was to be exhibited. In passing down the main street, which was crowded with carriages at all the horse racks, the wheels bounded over a crossing and threw Irwin out of the front door of the cosmorama. He fell between the horses, caught hold of the wagon tongue and lost one of the lines in attempting to cling on, while the horses, frightened at the struggling man, broke into a mad run down the street. The man, in a frantic endeavor to stop the team, slipped down partly under the wheels, the front wheel running over the heel of his foot. In pulling on the line that remained in his hand he turned the team toward the long row of vehicles lined up at the horse racks, into which they plunged with a crash, breaking up the carriages and flattening them out like they were made of pasteboard. Back in the cosmorama wagon was Little Sybil Casey Shumway and one of the managers of the show. The latter sprang out over the near horse and caught him by the reins and got mixed up in the general assortment of torn up carriages and snorting and rearing horses, and with assistance that immediately came further disaster was averted. The owners of the broken up carriages were promptly settled with, and the cosmorama moved on. "Shorty" Irwin was badly injured and put under the doctor's care, but he is still with the show and is able to drive a team. "Shorty" went out with the show at the beginning and will go into quarters with it. The Brennans, Maude and Edward, are still making good with their musical specialties, to which they added in July aluminum musical chimes. Their sleigh bell pugilistic encounters elicit encores at every performance. The Keetch Family, E. H., Lyda and "Little Sybil" are favorites everywhere, and their versatile performances take their mead of praise wherever they appear. Littly Sybil has a picture privilege, and the numerous photos of her several acts are greatly in demand. All the minor performances are strictly of the best class. The Bonheur picture machine, carrying 1,000ft. of film for a single scene, enraptures the entire audience with its revelations a-field and a-far. J. R. Bonheur is engaged on his new lecture and marvelous scenic exposition of the late Chinese war, which will have animated reproductions of the naval battles in which Americans took part, and is having new ideas embodied in mechanical novelties that will again surprise the innumerable hosts that always flock to the Bonheur Bros.' famous exhibitions under roof or canvas. Roster of the show, in part, as follows: E. H. Keetch, Lyda Keetch, Little Sybil, Nels Keetch, Edward Brennan, Maude Brennan, Jack Lackore, Frank S. Head, Wm. H. Lake, C. L. McBee, W. E. Smithers, Edward Shumway, Nathan L. Erwin, Geo. E. Tathan, Dell Jack, Merie Jukes, Tom Reynolds. A heavy storm struck the show at Sterling, Kan., and rain fell all night long and nearly all day Sunday. The Kempton Komedy Kompany arrived at 9 a.m. Sunday morning for a week stand at Sterling, and the managers of the yellow wagon shows spent a pleasant evening with L. A. Kempton in interesting talk on show matters generally. . . . The weather is now turing quite cold since the rain has abated.
New York Clipper, November 24, 1900, p. 868. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Frank Adams' Wagon Show. Business for the past ten days has been wonderful. We have turned people away every night. At Elba, Ala., half the crowd could not get in. We then held over for another night and the result was another packed house. The show will undergo repairs and prepare to be on the road all winter.
Prof. R. C. Carlisle, the original Wichita Jack, a clever lasso thrower, expert rifle shot, fancy trick and rough rider, is touring Germany with Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth, and has re-engaged for the winter season 1901 in Vienna, Austria.
Notes from A. H. Reed's Circus. We closed our tenting season of twenty-seven weeks at Vernon, Ind., Oct. 29, and everything is neatly stored in winter quarters. We have had the best season in the history of the show. The show will be enlarged in every department next season and it will be made one of the most complete wagon shows on the road.
Chas. Lee's Great London Shows will open about May 1, at Wilkesbarre, Pa., as a railroad show. Mr. Lee having sold right and title to Fred N. Price and C. M. Honeywell, of Wilkesbarre, Pa. It will take ten cars to transport the show, with two bill cars ahead. The show will carry three band wagons and fifteen baggage wagons, one sleeper, one privilege car, two stock cars and six sixty foot flat cars, and employ about one hundred people, forty head of horses and ten Shetland ponies. The winter quarters will be at Wilkesbarre; home office, Canton, Pa., Mr. Lee's old winter quarters. Mr. Lee will be in charge of the home office and attend to the organizing, while Mr. Price and Honeywell will attend to the stock cars and painting and lettering of wagons and general paraphernalia of the show.
The Wintermute Bros.' Show closed a season of twenty-one weeks Oct. 1, and are wintering at Hebron, Wis., where they recently purchased a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres joining their winter quarters. Harry Wintermute has just returned from a two weeks' visit among Eastern relatives. Already preparations are beginning to be made for the coming season.
Bonheur Bros.' Show notes. The yellow wagon shows opened at its home town April 26, for the season of 1900, reconstructed, enlarged and rechristened the New Golden Allied Shows for the Twentieth Century, to splendid business. It returned Nov. __, amid cold winds and a biting frost, with new and much larger tents and additional attractions, after a most prosperous season, resulting from many years of reputation builidng and repeated visits over its beaten ___, to be greeted by friends and their substantial welcome heartily shown by all ___ of coin of the realm, and every blue seat and R. S. chair packed, and the S. R. O. sign brought into requisition at the marquee entrance long before the performance opened. The season was prosperous beyond past records. All surplus stock will be sold and preparations immediatley begun under the personal supervision of the Messrs. Bonheur to completely remodel the entire outfit. All the performers who left winter quarters with Bonheur Bros. came back with the show to home quarters, and the Brenans, Edward and Maude, left for their home on a visit the following day. The Keetches, ___, Lydia, "Little Syl" and Nels, remain at the quarters a few days before starting on a tour of their own. The rest of the company left for their various homes at the close of the last entertainment under the tents for the season of 1900, well satisfied with the business accomplished, and pleasant termination of the tour. W. H. Tibbals closed his engagement with the advance under A. G. Bonheur, and returned to his home in Coffeyville, Kansas. Mr. Tibbals owns the entire bill boards and bill posting about Coffeyville.
New York Clipper, December 15, 1900, p. 936. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Del Fuego (Frank Foignet or Poignet) and Agnes Kramer were married Nov. 21, in Cincinnati.
Sarah Hughes, bareback rider, and George B. Walker (non-professional) were married Nov. 21, in Cincinnati.
Hugh F. Hoffman, press representative of Prof. Gentry's Dog and Pony Show, No. 1, was a Clipper caller Dec. 10. The show closed a very successful season of forty-three weeks at Dublin, Ga., Dec. 1, and is in winter quarters at Macon, Ga. Mr. Hoffman will again be with the show next season.
New York Clipper, December 22, 1900, pp. 953, 955. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Sun Brothers' World Progressive Shows. We ended the season at Lawrenceville, Va., Nov. 24, making over two hundred stands during the year. We opened in Raleigh, N.C., April 5, and the season was one of the most successful in the history of the show. We worked in eight different States. Very few changes were made during the season. The show lost a few days in the spring, and did a light business during the harvest season, being in a strictly harvest community. Outside of that business was immense, and many days we were unable to accommodate the crowds that wished to attend. The company included: Sun Brothers, George and Pete, proprietors; George Sun, manager; Pete Sun, manager in charge of advance; O. R. Stener, treasurer; Otto Gleiser, superintendent of canvas; Harry McBride, chandaliers; Otto Muller, detective and night watch; Sam Morris, steward; Milton Marledge, chief cook; Joseph Malone, blacksmith; Jim Thomas, animal man; John Reynolds, veterinary surgeon; Jack Benson, boss property man; Bert Moore, in charge of paper in advance; Prof. Chass, colored band master; Jules Rhodes, leader of orchestra; Wiley Ferris, equestrian director; Jules Van, manager musuem and annex; James Irwin, Wiley Ferris, Edward Snyder, Geo. Sun, Oscar Brewer and his troupe of cake walkers; Joe Hill and Commodore. Besides these we had Mlle. Trevanion, Arthur May, A. J. Wayne, the Hills, Leo Collins, Fred Teyon, Will H. Whiteside, J. S. Ashton, W. Miles, John Parker, Walter Brown, Dave Mitchel, Silas Johnson, Massie Brown, Albert Jones, John Stewart, Will Gaddes, Barry Crowley, Will Crowley, Joe Davis, Clyde Weatherspoon, Edward Fritzinger, Henry Humphry, Ed. Dickerson, John Call, Will Saunders, Geo. Nels, Edward Davis, Arthur Cherry, Robert Cherry, C. L. Topping, Andrew Gruber, Watson McNally, Ollie Draine, John Shaffer, Joseph Gilbert, and others, all of whom sat down in Sun Bros.' dining tent and ate their farewell supper on Nov. 24, at Lawrenceville, Va. As special guests we had the judge and sheriff of that town. Speeches were made and toasts given. Salaries were paid in full to every one, the workingmen all drawing a big portion on account of leaving it stand until the end. Everyone was happy and all wished the Sun Bros. much luck for 1901. Sun Bros. are quartered this winter in Norfolk, Va., where preparations have already begun for the coming season. The show will be improved in many ways and promises to be in line with the tent shows.
Geneva, O., sent out this press dispatch Dec. 3: "Walter L. Main, who retired from the circus business last fall, today closed a contract with the American Bicycle Company of New York, leasing the large plant formerly occupied by the Geneva 'Cycle Company, for winter quarters. Main announces that he will come out next year with a thirty car show, with which he will tour America."
Lew Graham has been retained as side show manager for 1901, by Ringling Bros. and is organizing a strong "Annex" to the "World's Greatest Shows."
The Stall Trio write: "Since closing with the Campbell Bros.' Railroad Shows we have been working on several new acts, which we will put on during the coming season. They will be acts suitable for ring or stage. They will consist of Herculean, balancing and arial acts, and will be new and up to date in every particular."
Peter Hertz, master of transportation of the Barnum & Bailey Show, returned to New York and Philadelphia last week. His stay in America will be of short duration, inasmuch as he will be required to return to Vienna after the holidays to get the rolling stock in readiness for the summer tour.
The Benevolent Protective Order of Tigers, by which name the social and beneficial order connected with the Barnum & Bailey "Greatest Show on Earth" is known, gave its farewell banquet for the traveling season of 1900 at ___, Germany, week before last. A large assembly hall was engaged for the purpose, and the catering under the direction of Charles Kohl, was all that could be wished for. The pleasure of the evening was added to greatly by musical selections, songs, etc., contributed by members of the concert company. President Jake Posey made a speech detailing the aims of the society, and stated that its membership roll numbered over two hundred, that the finances of the society were in a splendid condition, and the utmost harmony prevailed. The B. O. T. have done some noble things during the past year, and the organization has been the means of binding the various departments of the show in closer friendship than ever before existed. The order has been established as a permanent institution. Regular elections are held twice yearly.
Geo. Irwing will have charge of the side show with Chas. Lee's Great London Shows, Fred Price and Col. C. M. Honeywell, sole owners. Sixteen double deckers will constitute the front. Four Oriental dancing girls have been engaged, also Doc Morris, light and heavy balancer; ___, Indian juggler; Prof. Hays, Punch and Judy; Signor La Cardo, magician and ventriloquist; Mme. Irwing, mind reader; Mlle. Adno and her den of snakes; ___ and Keno, snake eaters; Lulu Day, Circassian beauty; Four Jubilee Singers; Bullock Craven, Fellows and Whitman, and a band of six pieces. The tent is a sixty-five foot top, with two thirty foot middle pieces and three door talkers. Irwin, Morris and Grander, on the stands.
Col. Chas. B. Hicks, writing from Singapore, under date of Nov. 10, objects to several statements made in a letter from W. Plinger, published in the Clipper some weeks ago. He further writes as follows: "Harmston's Circus has been specially engaged, by order of the King of Siam, for the carnival commencing Nov. 20, for six performances at the Palace, receiving 60,000 zecalls, and fares to Bankok and return to Singapore, and allowed to afterwards appear two weeks for the public. His majesty having seen the performance during a visit to Soruybaya, Java, expressed a wish for them to visit Bankok, but manager Love would only go on a guarantee."
Arthur O. May has just closed a thirty-five week's engagement with the Sun Bros.' Show, and has gone to his home in St. Louis. He will be there until after the holidays.
J. A. Bailey left Vienna for London, where he attended the annual meeting of the Barnum & Bailey, Ltd.; from there he left for New York, sailing from Liverpool Dec. 8.
Notes from Louis Crescent Shows. We closed at ___, Pa., after a season of six months, and shipped to our winter quarters at Trumbull, O. Business for the season was beyond our expectations. We sold at public auction a number of horses and wagons, which we will replace with new ones next season, which begins May 20. Mr. Louis has gone to Cuba as a member of E. C. Maginley's Circo America.
New York Clipper, December 29, 1900, pp. 970, 980. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Chas. B. Hicks. For ten years the general representative of Harmston's Grand Circus and Menagerie, the largest and best tented exhibition touring the Orient, having been the recipient of the Order of Chrysanthemum in Japan, and the Grand Order and Crown from H. H. the Sultan, containing his monogram set in diamonds and rubies and having handsome tokesn from India. He is the originator of the Georgia and Hicks-Sawyer Minstrels, and visited the Australian colonies with them. He is a native of Baltimore, Me.
Notes from Colorado Grant's winter quarters. We closed our season at Bartlett, Kan., Nov. 14, and arrived at our winter quarters in Oswego the following day. A wonderful transformation scene has taken place since our arrival here. Painters, woodworkers, blacksmiths, etc., are busy from morning until night. Most of the wagons and cages are receiving their finishing touches, and without a doubt when they are finished they will be the most handsome wagons ever seen in a parade with a wagon show. Mr. Grant is also having a handsome new band wagon and ticket wagon built. Last week we received our new big top from Kansas City. Our parade this season will be a thing of beauty and a joy forever to those who will be fortunate enough to see it. It will have a brass band of fourteen musicians in our new band wagon, drawn by eight beautiful black stallions. Our No. 2 band will be mounted on ten spotted Arabian horses. Ten four horse animal cages, three pony carts and two clown carts. Mr. Grant is breaking in some fine new ponies and horses for the ring, while Mrs. Grant, with a half dozen assistants, is kept busy making new wardrobe and parade banners. Among the last season's company that are putting in the winter at the winter quarters are: Geo. Oliver, ___, Geo. Ellis, ___, Charlie Chapman . . . Ed Moore, Charlie Sweet . . .
C. J. Carroll has just closed a twenty-eight weeks' season with the advance of the Rhoda Royal Circus, and is now resting in his home in Gouverneur, N.Y. Next season Mr. Carroll will come out with a vaudeville company and will play the principal resorts and parks during the summer.
James A. Bailey is in America, making preparations to organize an entirely new Barnum & Bailey Show for tours of this country, opening March __, 1902, at Madison Square Garden.
1901
New York Clipper, January 19, 1901, p. 1046. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Circo Cubana, now touring the Island of Cuba. We opened our traveling season at Matanzas, Cuba, Dec. 14, showing there one week to crowded tents. We turned many away Saturday evening, and matinee and night Sunday. Tito Ruenes is sole proprietor and manager. Mr. Ruens is a big favorite among the natives, owing to the fact he being a major in the late Cuban-Spanish war, being help a prisoner for more than two years by the Spaniards. Tomas Quevede is advance agent, Florencio Romero, treasurer; Julio Ruenes, secretary; Antonio ___, press agent; Ysodor Radaga, general agent; Santiago Perex, transportation master; Ed. Y. Kuniely, assistant manager. We carry a 100ft. round top, with a 50ft. middle piece; a 40ft. round top dressing tent, 40ft. square horse tent. We carry twenty-eight head of horses. Chas. H. Bailey is in charge, with five assistants. Andrew Lopez is superintendent of canvas, with eight assistants; Pedro Madrzo in charge of lights, Luis Suarez, boss props. We carry a native band of eight pieces. Nickolas Ceballos is our equestrian director. Peter Barlow, principal somersault and jockey rider; Mr. Maguire, with a troupe of eight performing horses and his trained mule; Lew Sunlin, and his performing bull; George Gilbert, and his troupe of performing goats; Prof. Kreisel, with his dogs, cats and monkeys; Yamada's Troupe of Japs, six in number; Joe Belmont, principal leaper; Miss Avon, Spanish rings and trapeze performer . . . Nola and Ducrow, revolving ladder and clowns; Lorbey Bros., horizontal bars; Lyons and Craig, comic acrobats; John Carrie, equilibrist; Barons and Chachito, native dancers; Dan Ducrow, Spanish talking clown. We will show all the principal towns in Cuba, the season running until July. . . .
Carl Clair, bandmaster of the Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, at Rotunda, Vienna, Austria, received a cablegram from London, Eng., Dec. 8, announcing the arrival of a ten pound daughter. Mother and daughter are both doing well.
Albert Gaston, the veteran clown, is visiting his home, Columbus, Ind., having closed a ten months' season with M. L. Clark's show in Texas.
The Walter L. Main Show will take the road again next season, opening in Geneva, O., the last of May.
Jacko, the largest and oldest rhinoceros in captivity, died Jan. 3, at the Philadelphia Zoo, of heart trouble and infirmities incident to old age. He weighed three tons.
Roster of the New York Circus Co., now touring Porto Rico and the West India Islands: T. S. Chapman, proprietor; James Donavan, manager; Emma Stickney, Stick Davenport, the Kenyons, Morello Bros., Emma Donovan, Tote Ducrow, May Davenport, Mlle. Novello, Chas. Rench, Reno McCree, Chas. Anzo, De Garmo Bros., Robert Stickney and Ike Goldsmith.
Albert Orton has been engaged to do his riding acts with the W. H. Harris Nickel Plate Show.
Sells & Gray notes. After a successful season of thirty-four weeks the Wm. Sells and Jas. H. Gray's United Shows are now comfortably housed in commodious winter quarters at Savannah, Ga. The show closed at Miami, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 27. One of the pleasant incidents of the last day was the presentation of a diamond ring to Warren A. Patrick, treasurer, the members of the entire show having a share in showing this mark of appreciation. The trip to Key West was fraught with never to be forgotten memories, and one can readily image the volume of business when it is known that the inhabitants of the island had never before seen an elephant on their shores. Active preparations for the coming season have commenced at the winter quarters, and the show will be brand new all the way through when the band plays for the first time next Spring. . . . Among those booked are: the Earl Sisters, Miss Edna, lady equestrienne; Delavoye and Fritz, ___, Partick B. Kelly, Holmen Bros. and the Milvos.
The Bros. Royer, of "Next Door" fame, are very busy fitting up a new wagon show. Archie Royer and Geo. W. Belford, of the old time Belford Show, are the owners and managers. Mr. Royer has had women working on banners all winter. He has also purchased a lot of wagons and paraphernalia of Mr. Reynold and several beautiful wagons of Albert Wetter, and intends building his show up from year to year. He will open his tenting season, May 11, at Pottstown, Pa.
New York Clipper, February 2, 1901, p. 1090. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
. . . Walter L. Main Show. William J. Doris, so long and favorably known as a privilege man, has leased of Main the side show, concert, candy stands, and in fact, all privileges for the ensuing year. Mr. Doris will manage everything except the big show and reserved seats. The concert will be made a special feature and will be entirely different from anything heretofore given under a tent. Scenery will be used and the best vaudeville engaged, and it is especially stipulated in Mr. Doris' contract that he is to allow no noise or confusion or venders on the seats during the vaudeville performance, and that the after entertainment will be strictly first class and a novel entertainment. Doris will use a three pole side show canvas and own all privilege property. It will be entirely new and in keeping with everything with the big show. He will have a first class Wagner sleeper, with accommodations the very best for all in his department. F. J. Chamberlain has been engaged to arrange for the several bands. Dan Fitzgerald, who has been superintendent of the Barnum & Bailey Shows, just returned from Vienna, Austria, has been engaged as general superintendent. Mr. Fitzgerald will also especially look after the comfort and interest of the workingmen; also purchase all the raw material that will be bought for the new show. The workingmen, as well as the performers and musicians, will sleep this year with the main show in a Pullman. Robert Abrams, better known as "Bud," who was with the Main show so many years, is engaged as boss hostler. R. H. Dockrill, so well and favorably known as a circus equestrian director, will soon leave for Geneva, where he will commence breaking ring horses. As the Main enterprise will be new in 1901 from A to Z, it will no doubt be the handsomest equipped show ever built in America, and neatness and cleanliness will be one of its features, and, as it will be known as Main's all New "Fashion Plate," Main expects to have everything correspond with the title. The manager will arrange in the new Pullman sleepers wardrobes for the care and safe keeping of the performers, musicians and business people's clothing. The show will use two trains of cars, and expects to open at Geneva, O., winter quarters, Saturday, April 27. During the summer of 1900 Main traversed Europe and foreign countries in search of novelties which he has acquired and will produce with the new big show.
Notes from Geo. S. Ely's Two Big Show, is in New York, superintending the for the season of 1901. All the wagons (twelve in number) are receiving their last coat of paint. Our new band wagon, which will be drawn by four white ponies, will be the feature of our parade. The show will have thirty-two head of stock all told, eight people in band and six people in the dressing room. The show will make a western tour. All our people around the barn are kept busy, and everything will be in readiness for the opening day, which will be April 1.
Wm. Rawls, contortionist, is booked with the Hall & Long's Big Shows for the coming season.
John Baker, of the Rhoda Royal Show, is in New York, superintending the purchase of new cars and animals. The circus is now traveling through Florida, with eight cars. Millie Forepaugh, the trapeze performer, joined in Tampa, Fla., and Frank A. Robbins is a recent acquisition. J. A. W. Jones has the side show. A new sixty-three horse pedestal act has been broken in, and eminent satisfaction has been given by this feature. The show is doing well and will stay out all winter.
People signed for Chas. Lee's Great London Shows: Wm. Sloman, general agent; Frank Burns, local agent in charge of car No. 1; Harry Freeman, lithographer and banners; John T. Fenton, lithographer and programmer; ___, bill poster, with . . . Charles Francis, Tom Wilson, James White, Bill Wind, Joseph Tuttle, Sandy Rogers, Hugh McKinney, assistants; Charles Todd, car porter. The show opens May 1, at Wilkesbarre.
James Fitzgerald has signed with Gollmar Bros.' Circus for the coming season, making his tenth with the show.
E. O. Ferguson has signed as general agent of Geo. W. Hall's Jr. Circus and Menagerie, making his second season.
Notes from the Sun Brothers World's Progressive Shows. We have signed for our band the following people: Prof. Chas. Coons, bandmaster (second season), Edward Kingsland (third season), J. S. Ashton (second season), Leon Ardel, Hamlin Smith, ___, and Geo. Raymond. Oscar Brewer signed as principal clown. The show is being put in the best of condition, and Sun Bros. can feel proud of their layout for the season of 1901.
New York Clipper, February 16, 1901, p. 1133. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
News from the Williams & Co.'s Great Northern R. R. Shows: Prof. Williams is breaking a troupe of fifteen performing dogs at our winter quarters. The show will be new throughout. Baker, of Kansas City, is making a 70ft. round top, with two 30ft. middle pieces. We will have all special paper. The following people have signed: Zad Zing and Carlotta, knife throwers and athletes; Myers and Ross, aerialists and jugglers; ___ troupe of Arabs; the Owens, Fred and Kittie . . . Prof. Williams has a school of small educated ponies. Everything is progresssing nicely and the show will be as good as the ___ when we open at Milwaukee, Wis., about April __.
The Cullins Bros.' Shows, of Concordia, Kan., will not go out this season. Lew F. Cullins, manager for the Cullins Bros., is now connected with the Royal Railroad Dog and Pony Circus, which will open in ___, Neb., early in May.
Wm. Irwin and wife have signed with A. H. Reed's Circus; also Frank Dempsey, boss canvas man, making his third season.
Bell and Richards have signed with the Great Wallace Shows for the coming season.
La Fleur is in his sixth week with Orrin Bros.' Circus. The show exhibited four weeks in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, and a week in ___, two days in Vera Cruz, and opened in Mexico City Jan. 26, for a run of six weeks.
New York Clipper, March 2, 1901, p. 14. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Colorado Grant's World's Greatest Wagon Shows. . . . The show has been enlarged considerably from last season. We now have thirty-six wagons. Besides building a lot of new wagons and cages, all of our old wagons have been overhauled and repainted. This season we will have only four and six and horse teams. Our new band wagon and ticket wagons were turned out of the paint show last Thursday. Mr. Grant has purchased twenty head of beautiful Osage Indian ponies and a car load of fine draught horses. The following performers, who have traveled with the shwos in the past, have signed contract for the coming season: Johnny Le Vere, contortionist (third season); Clyde Rialto, hand balancer (third season); Billy Lee, singing and talking clown (second season); Whiting and Stokes, double trapeze and revolving ladder (second season); Prof. A. C. Reddinger, leader of band; Robt. Chosman, alto and first violin (third season). Other musicians and performers have signed as follows: John Van Saut, E. B. Nugent, H. A. Molesworth, Fred Harper, Otto Johnson, A. L. Holton, C. C. Rowley, Owen J. Burns, O. C. Dutton, Princess Kahaji (Japanese juggler), Layton Sisters (Edna and Bessie), aerialists; Ed. L. Moore, general agent (second season); Geo. Oliver, boss hostler (second season); Bert (Fatty) Saunders, blacksmith (second season); Walter Revelee, boss property man (second season); Chas. H. Lane will have charge of the Hotel de Grant, his third season; Samuel C. Standfield, master of transportation and purchasing agent, third season. C. E. Coleman has signed for the exclusive advertising privilege. W. H. Tibbils, Frank Jackson and Tony Hickman will be with the advance as bill posters and lithographers. Senor F. C. Moncayo, the only Mexican juggler in America. Besides our array of performers, our horses and ponies, which consist of one hundred and sixty head, are as fine as the finest, and will command admiration from all that see them. We are receiving daily shipments of special paper from the leading show printing houses of the East.
Notes from the Whitney One Ring Circus. Everything is in repair for the season of 1901. Everybody has signed for this season, and we are looking forth to a prosperous season. We open April 27 at our headquarters, Imlay City, Mich. Jack Phillip and wife were here to spend a few days with us last week. Mr. Whitney is building three new wagons this season, and a new white top, 90x40, will float in the air. We will carry thirty people.
W. H. Harris' Nickel Plate Shows with be continued by Mrs. Harris and Chas. C. Wilson on the same careful lines as laid down by the late Mr. Harris.
Lulu Mitchell, who was with the Great Wallace Show last season, has been re-engaged by manager Bowman for the coming season.
Notes from the Bonheur Bros.' Shows. Louis Wood writes the Clipper that everything is on the hustle for another successful season with the Bonheur Bros.' New Allied Golden Shows. On account of the town being moved two miles East of its old site, to rebuild on the line of the New Southwestern Railway line to Fort Stillwell, on the Pacific, the show quarters had not been enlarged sufficiently for the work of building wagons, etc., and the result was that space was somewhat cramped. Work outdoors is now going on in earnest, and everyone indoors and out is busy with brush, hammer and saw. Long racks of blue tent poles reflect the benign smile of the blue skies overhead. The new tent that was purchased last Fall a few weeks before the close of the season, and newer ones that have been lately added, will make one of the handsomest layouts of canvas imaginable. In fact, everything will be new from flagstaffs to guy stakes and from guy stakes to toe pins. A six passenger automobile from Burlington, Ia., has been ordered to be ready for shipment by June 1. The company has nearly all been made up, with the exception of a few people to strengthen, and J. R. Bonheur's new animated picture machine, made to order from his own designs, has been rebuilt (at the quarters) with added improvements. The Bonheur Bros. investments in the old town were failures here on account of the change in the grade of the new railroad. They lost heavily. Lots that were worth $500 went down to $15 in the old town. They owned quite a number of these lots. Owing to the news of the sudden rapid advancement recently made by the projectors of the new Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway, an impetus was given to the work of completing all show property to be in readiness for an early opening. The laying of the steel will begin at Anthony, Kan., and it is conjectured that over a mile of steel rails per day will be laid, which will bring the road to this point some time in April.
Bert Chipman, side show talker, and wife, Cleo, Oriental danseuse, have signed with Lemen Bros., making their second season with that show.
C. G. Phillips' winter quarters, Cortland, O., was visited by a destructive fire on Feb. 7. The paint building and the scenic building were totally destroyed, along with a large stock of paints and decorative fixtures for the show wagons. By the able assistance of the fire department and a crowd of five hundred spectators and main storage building, which is 120ft. long and 70ft. wide, containing thirty-five wagons and chariots, tents, poles, etc., and adjoining barn, containing sixty-eight head of fine horses, were saved. It wook some hard work, as the paint shop and scenic buildings were only 40ft. away from the main buildings, but the wind was favorable, and, with plenty of water and willing hands, the fire was soon under control. As soon as it was put out men were into the woods on one of Mr. Phillips' farms cutting timbers for new foundations, and as soon as the streams ceased to play on the ruins there was another force of men at work clearing away the debris for the new buildings, which will go up in a hurry. There has been a force of fifteen people, working around winter quarters all winter, but now the force will be doubled, in order to have all ready for the opening. Mr. Phillips sends out three shows this season - two wagon shows and one railroad show. In January he purchased H. J. Ewing's entire circus, hippodrome and Wild West Show. It has just lately arrived and was stored away with the other two shows. Had the fire got into the main buildings the loss would have mounted into many thousands.
The Roberts Family, acrobats, are engaged with the Great John Robinson Shows for the coming season, making their second season with this show.
John D. Carey has signed for the coming season with Walter L. Main's New Fashion Plate Shows. This will be Mr. Carey's sixth season with Main. Last season he successfully acted as press agent for the Rhoda Royal Shows. Mr. Carey is a graduate from New York newspapers, and at home in every department of the large railroad shows.
The Hocums have been engaged with Gollmar Bros. & Schuman's Combined Shows for next season. At present Mr. Hocum is busy breaking stock for the above aggregation.
Notes from Rigall Bros.' Shows. It is a busy scene around the winter quarters at Grayville, Ill. Wagon makers, blacksmiths, painters and scenic artists are all being rushed that everything may be in readiness for the coming season. All wagons are new and painted snow white, trimmed in gold and royal purple. The show will be new from stake to bale ring, and will be one of the swellest equipped overland shows in America. We will carry forty people and forty-five head of stock. H. C. Rigall, general manager; F. E. Rigall, treasurer; J. O. Rigall, superintendent of privileges; J. D. Rigall, charge of the advance, with three assistants; Jack Stoddard, boss canvas man, and Curley Henessy, boss hostler.
Cooper & Co.'s Circus staff: E. L. Brannan, general agent; M. C. Cookston, manager in advance; F. E. Lewis, contractor; Jas. Sewell, boss bill poster; Frank Marshall, Paul Comes, Jack Huntley, Will Adams, bill posters; Frank Carrie, lithographer.
People with Tony Lowande's Circus, touring the Island of Cuba; Tony Lowande and wife, four horse principal and carrying acts; the Moulier Sisters, bar act; Philips and Naynon, tropical birds; Two Gerome Bros., acrobats; Pearl Forepaugh and Fred Welcome, aerialists and hand balancers; Martino Lowande Jr., principal somersault act; Rudolph and carola, double traps and rings; Harry Higgins, mule hurdle; Carl Michaels, strong man; Delphinoes, musical clowns; Eddie Rivers, bounding rope; Gonzales, Spanish clown. Bert Johnson is equestrian director.
From Chas. Lee's Great London Railroad Shows, Price & Honeywell, sole owners and managers. The following people have signed: Chas. and Jenney Ewers, riders, with their four ring horses and eight performing ponies; Thomas Madden and Nellie Murro, A. Y. Barlow and Nellie Barlow, Lenord and Hart, Handdig, Albert Sylvester, Emle Goryth, Morgan Sisters, Geo. Irving and wife, L. E. Granger and wife, Doc Morris, Sig. Balosco, Bob Harris, A. J. Anderson, Prof. Hill's band of twelve pieces, ___ Basso Band of eight pieces, Henry Gunther, tattooed woman; Kelanka, snake charmer; Wm. Sloman, general agent; Frank Burns, local agent in charge of car, with ten bill posters. The show will open the latter part of April at Wilkesbarre, Pa. Price & Honeywell will have an entire new train of cars built at Berwick, Pa.
John Griffin has been engaged as adjuster for the Walter L. Main Fashion Plate Shows.
Lambert and Maynard have signed for the coming season with Walter L. Main's Fashion Plate Shows.
Lew Nichols writes: "I will be manager of the side show with Campbell Bros.' Great Consolidated Shows season of 1901. It will be new from lay out pin to centre pole. Twelve double deck paintings and card to the public will be the front. The following people are engaged: W. J. Anderson, Harrie Pierce and N. Peping, door talkers; Madame Leland, mind reader; Lulu Fuego, tattooed lady; Dell Fuego, fire king; Prince Mungo, Zulu; Prof. Goldie, magician; Prof. Leoati, Punch and ventriloquism; Dot Rousk, Circassian and troupe of performing monkeys and birds; C. A. Boney, albino, and white band of eight pieces. . . .
Katie M. Robinson, oldest daughter of John F. Robinson, of the John Robinson Shows, was married in Terrace Park, O., on Feb. 14, to John C. Crone.
Briggs & Holland's Summer Festival will go out next season new in every particular, and many new and novel acts have been secured. We have just purchased a new 90ft. round top, with two 30ft. middle pieces, also twelve wagons, painted in white, red, and gold bronze. Our band wagon is a dream, finished in the same colors, with five French plate glass mirrors. All harness are heavily mounted with brass. Our principal features will consist of Billy Briggs, aerial trick 'cyclist; Chauncey Holland, singing and comedian and monologist; Earnest Inman and his troupe of trained elephants; the Flying Halpins; Harvey Moore, comedian and dancer; William Booth, leaper; Holland & Bowman, musical act; W. Halpin, principal rider, and the Three Adrians, in their new trick cabin act. Our band will be under the leadership of Prof. Palmer Bowman. The show will open June _, at Brazil, Ind., and our tour will embrace Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. Briggs and Holland are at present with Harry Ward's Minstrels, where they will remain until the opening of the circus season.
Frank Burns, manager of the Dewey Burlesques, has signed with the Chas. Lee London Shows for the summer.
New York Clipper, March 16, 1901, pp. 57, 58. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Welsh Brothers' Newest Great Railroad Shows are scheduled to open their fourteenth consecutive tented tour early in April, at Lancaster. The show for the coming season has been slightly enlarged and will be the most pretentious exhibition every handled by the management of the "Newest Great." It will require a train of ten cars to transport the paraphernalia, with one car and a second brigade in advance. The tents will all be new and of the latest designs. On account of several states prohibiting the use of gasoline for illuminating public places of amusement, the show will be lighted by electricity, a complete small portable plant being carried by the show. It will be featured heavily. The Messrs. Welsh Bros. claim that they are the first "popular priced" managers in many years to introduce this innovation. The arenic menu will be furnished by Prof. Chas. E. Rice's dog and pony show. Takezawn's Royal Court Japanese Circus Co., Mlle. Yucca, the Great Del Sabos, troupe of French aerialists, Max Hugo, comique juggler; Peasley and Schnorr, comedy acrobats; the Brooks-Danver Troupe of Statuary Posturers, Mlle. Rice, menage act; Frank and Ida McCormick, lightning gun drillists; Lee and Lenore, revolving ladder; Bob Rodney, hurdle mule rider; Grimaldi Brooks and Bob Peasley, singing and talking clowns, and May Brooks, novelty aerialits. The annex is under the direction of Prof. J. W. Lee, the band and orchestra under the guidance of Herbert H. Whittier (fifth season), H. Stanley Lewis is general advertising manager and publisher of programme. M. H. Welsh will be general manager, John Welsh, general agent; V. O. Woodward, local agent, with ten bill posters; Chas. O'Bryan, superintendent of lot, and Jack Forepaugh, director of equine department.
Notes from Long Bros.' Palace Shows, now wintering at Natchez, Miss. Roster: H. C. Long, sole proprietor and manager; Ernest Pasliman, band master, with eight musicians; Bob White, Chas. Johnson, Geo. Kline, Harry Earle, Mme. Earle, the de Arms, Three Le Brandons, SAnbro, La Moyne, the Hills, Fred and Clio Simons, Lute Ferguson. In the side show: a fine lot of birds, monkeys and small animals; Prof. Hill, in magic and Hindoo mystery; "Senta" and her den of snakes; James Hughes, in charge of canvas, with eight assistants; Martin Goff, boss hostler, with ten assistants; Wm. Simmons, side show, with four assistants. Everything has been put in first class shape for the opening, which takes place in this city March 7, continuing three dasy. The advance is in charge of R. J. Mercer, general agent; Wm. Wimberly, boss bill poster, with five assistants; two four horse bill wagons and two single wagons. The show goes out this season one of the best wagon shows in the South, consisting of twenty-one wagons, six cages, seventy head of draft stock and fifteen ponies. The big top is 70ft. with 30ft. and 40ft. middle pieces. The side show tent is 40ft., with 30ft. middle piece. Horse tent, 40x90ft., and cook tent, 20x40ft. The show will carry fifty people, all told, and will make its old territory, where it is well and favorably known.
The Rowennas, upside down jugglers and head balancers, have signed for the coming season with the John Robinson Show, this making their third season with that show. They are at present featured with the Clarke Mortimer Co.
Mrs. Lew Graham will sail for England April, __, to spend the summer with relatives.
Notes from Walter J. McDonald's Shows. Everybody is busy painting and fixing up for our opening. We receive a shipment of animals this month, consisting of one elephant, seven African lions, two of which perform; one mountain lion and ocelot, which, added to our eight cages, will make a nice collection. Some of our late engagements are: the Hardell Brothers, Copeland and Lewis, Ben Lucier and the Davenports. A baby Shetland pony was born in quarters last week; it is about the size of a jack rabbit.
Notes from the Williams & Co. Great Northern R. R. Shows. The following people have been engaged by manager C. S. Baldwin for this co.: Myers and Ross, jugglers and aerialists; the Ervings, double traps; Burgess and Rice, brother act and comiques; Eugene V. Ward, novelty ladder and equilibrist, and Zat Zings' troupe of Mexican knife throwers and acrobats. Prof. E. Williams will introduce his highly educated troupe of horses, ponies, donkeys and dogs at each performance. For the side show Malmed Bejaminis, the ring man and human pin cushion; Prof. Zat, magician and box mystery; ___ Zaleta, snake charmer; Migetene, the small horse, and a den of performing lions have been secured. We open our season April __, at Milwaukee.
Madame Scott, wife of W. W. Scott, will appear with the Great Wallace Show the coming season, which will be her fourth season with that show.
Robert Mercer joined the Long Bros.' Circus in Natchez, Miss., on Feb. 25, as general agent.
Roster of Rippel's Big 10 and 20 Cent Shows. C. A. Rippel, proprietor; Louis Goldstein, agent, with two assistants; Prof. Wm. Tess Berry, band leader, with band of seven; Gertie Rippel, slack wire and Indian clubs; Zolla, aerialist, traps and ring; Master Chas. Rippel, contortion and bars; Master Jack Rippel, acrobatic song and dance; Harry Leon, juggler and equilibrist; Master Robert Rippel, human encyclopedia and child clown; ___ Leon, plastique posturings . . . Mr. Rippel has bought a piece of ground half a mile from Muncie, Ind., where he will erect winter quarters.
Ed. Jamison will put on a Winter circus next season, playing one and two night stands, with a company of twenty people. He will carry a brass band and orchestra and travel in a special car.
The following people have been engaged for the advance of Gollmar Bros.' & Shuman's Shows: Wm. St. Auburn, contractor; Ed. H. Jamison, in charge of paper and all advance wagons; Bert Noyes, boss bill poster; Wm. Saxton, Lou ___, Ben Hasselman, Frank White, Wm. Ward, Geo. Baldwin, Chester Douthet, Al. Hurst and B. J. Snyder, bill posters . . . The show is greatly enlarged using all special paper and plenty of it. They have four wagons and ten horses in the advance. Fred C. Gollmar is the general agent, and will route the show.
New York Clipper, March 23, 1901, p. 79. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Williams & Co.'s Great Northern Shows. Greves Litho. Co. is getting out all special paper for us. Everybody is busy painting and fixing up for our opening. Our new car has just arrived from the Pullman shops, and it is one of the best combination sleeper and dining cars ever sent out for show purposes. Some of our late engagements are: Fred and Kitty Owens, John Miller, contortionist, and Chas. H. Helmer, contracting agent. Fred Owens will have charge of the concert. The show will play through the Northwest during the summer, with many new features and an entirely new outfit. Williams & Co. are the proprietors, and C. S. Baldwin is manager.
Notes of the Royal R. R. Shows, which opens at Omaha, Neb. Everything is on the move around our winter quarters, and we are getting the show in shape and everything will be as fine as money can make it. People now booked are: the Skerbecks, the Wrights, Chas. La Verna, the Einhaus Family, five in number; Three Gaithner Bros., S. L. Duckworth, W. H. Quinnett, agent; C. C. Walker, Sam Evans, W. A. Buckner, Rex Gaithner, leader of band; Johnson and McDonald, side show, with ten people; Kadel and Smith, candy stand and song book privileges. The show will open early in May and will tour Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Harry Thurston writes that he has closed the Winter Garden, Cortland, N.Y. He will take the side show with the Goodrich, Huffman & Southey Shows, featuring the half man, half horse; Prince Mungo, African prince; Mlle. De Alma, snakes; Del Buego, fire king; Major Page, midget; Madam Meueto, a troupe of glass blowers and others.
Al. Armer met with a serious accident while clowning in the parade at Cheneville, La., with Haag's Show. The mule that he was driving to the January cart became frightened at a bicycle and ran down an embankment, throwing Mr. Armer out on his head and shoulders, breaking the collar bone. He was sent back to Lecompte, La., and is now resting well with friends.
Notes from Walter J. McDonald's Colossal R. R. Shows. Our new printing has arrived from the Erie Printing Co., with all special new bills, and it will surely open the natives' eyes. We have at present twenty-five workingmen in winter quarters, divided off in different gangs of painters, blacksmiths, hostlers, etc., and everything will be in tip top shape for our opening April 27. All wardrobe will be new and bright. The show will consist of nine cars and advertising car. Canvas: big top 120ft. round top, with two 50ft. middle pieces; menagerie top, 80ft. with two 40ft. middle pieces; side show 50 by 110ft.; 73 head of stock, 150 people. Advance roster, car No. 1: Geo. Castello, general agent; J. A. Cassell, contracting agent; Harry Busenbark, car manager; D. A. Ransom, in charge brigade No. 2; sixteen bill posters on the car and five with brigade.
Archie S. Robbins has signed with the Walter L. Main Show for the coming season. He will furnish his Punch and Judy and will lecture in the side show.
Harry E. Knowlton, formerly manager of the Erie, Pa., Lyceum, and the Buffalo Wonderland, has signed with Walter L. Main's New Fashion Plate Shows, to act as press representative the coming season.
New York Clipper, March 30, 1901, p. 107. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Del Fuego, the fire eater, writes us a request to correct a statement which appeared in our last issue to the effect that he has signed with Harry Thurston for side show.
Notes from the winter quarters of Geo. W. Hall Jr.'s Circus and Menagerie. Things will be very busy around the winter quarters now until our opening day, which will be early in May. We have closed contracts with E. D. Colvin, agent of Carl Hagenback, for an elephant, which well arrive here by April 1. The show will carry two camels and elephant and five cages of animals, including two dens of lions and sixteen wagons. E. O. Ferguson will have charge of the advance, with three assistants. The roster so far is: . . . Lem Drake, T. F. Kenney, ___, Chester Roy, Neolia, Frank F. Dryden, Julius Jepson, J. W. Anderson, J. C. Whitemeyer, ___, Ann Turner and Frank Hall and his school of trained dog, hounds, ponies, pigs and mules. Jim Cherry will have charge of the canvas, and Billy Williams will be in charge of stock.
New York Clipper, April 6, 1901, p. 119. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Harry R Vickers, business representative of Hargreaves' Big Show, writes: "The Hargraves Big Show for its second season will be bright and new in all its appointments. This season it will be a wagon show, consisting of ninety head of stock, which will include twenty-five magnificent Shetland ponies. The canvs will be 110ft. round top, with two 50ft. middle pieces, and everything connected with the organization will be new. Mr. Hargraves has just signed Fred Locke and his performing horses; the St. Julians, aerial people; ___; Nellie Leonard, the Flying Valenties, Prof. Pieriot, with twenty-five performing ponies, and Valentine-Vince and Harry Wyble, principal clowns. The box brigade will be under the supervision of Harry C. Vickers, with seven assistants. From front to back the show will employ a working corps of one hundred and two people, and manager Hargraves has in this attraction for the coming season all the elements to make this one of the recognized 10 and 20c circuses in the field. All papter is new and novel, and our first shipment has just been received from the Erie Show Print. The season will open about May 9."
Walter J. McDonald writes: "We have already enlarged the show one car, making ten cars instead of nine, as originally intended, they not being sufficient for the extra horses and animals that have lately been bought."
Notes from the Great Rhoda Royal Shows. After spending a delightful winter among the orange groves of Florida and the turpentine and lumber camps of Georgia, we are once more headed northward. While the winter season has not been a record breaker financially, we have managed to hold our own, which is an unusual thing for a show of this size in the winter. Now, however, that Spring has commenced in this section, and we are getting real circus weather, the country people are beginning to come in larger numbers, the amount of silver in the ticket wagon is increasing daily and everything points to a prosperous season. We reorganize in Augusta next week, and will go out with everything bright, clean and in first class shape. Harry Allen, the well known privilege man, has been engaged as license adjuster and manager of privileges. John E. Ogden is superintendent of the side show and will have an exhibition second to none. Among the people so far engaged are: Lizette, mind reader; Prof. Bradshaw, magic and ventriloquism; Chas. Boynton, Punch and Judy; Mlle. Boynton, snake charmer; Joe Cramer, human giraffe; a company of Turkish musicians and dancing girls, and a colored band of eight pieces.
Notes from Chas. Lee's London Shows. Things are beginning to assume tangible shape around our winter quarters, and every one is busy in anticipation of our opening, which will be May 1. Our talent has all been engaged and the canvas is nearly all new. We will travel on our own train of ten all new cars, and will carry fifty head of as fine horses as the country affords, and they will be a feature of the show. The staff consists of: Col. C. M. Honeywell, director general; L. E. Granger, assistant manager; Fred. H. Price, treasurer; D. J. Robson, assistant treasurer; Geo. B. Irving, annex manager; Wm. Sloman, general agent; Chas. Ewers, equestrian director; Harry Rogers, in charge of canvas, and Mike Condon, in charge of stock.
H. Stanley Lewis and wife have rejoined the Welsh Bros.' Shows, making their fifth season with that firm. Mr. Lewis will resume his position as advertising manager. Mrs. Lewis having charge of the reserved seat department.
The Shields Bros., acrobats and equilibrists, have signed with the Wixom Bros.' R. R. Shows for the coming season.
Notes from Cambell Bros.' Shows. At this writing everything is receiving the finishing touches, and will be in fine shape for the opening day, April 27. All the cars and wagons have been rebuilt and the parade will be a decided feature. J. W. Kelly, who has charge of the canvas, made a hit with the bys when he had the canvs spread for his inspection. The show will be enlarged this year, as it has become necessary to add more cars to transport the horses, wagons and animals that have been added. John Rooney and Willie Atkins occupy the training ring most of the time, and are doing some fine riding. W. H. Quinnett and ___ Burns have been re-engaged on the advance force.
Hoarce Webb, novelty gymnast, goes with the Great Wallace Show, this making his second season with it.
Chas. Lee's Great London Shows are almost ready for the road, with everything new from stake to railing. J. E. Granger, assistant manager, is at the quarters having just returned from the West. The show opens in the latter part of April and carries ten cars, all new. Staff: Fred H. Rice, treasurer; Col. C. M. Honeywell, manager; L. E. Granger, assistant manager; Wm. Sloman, general agent.
Notes from the Great Syndicate Show. Everybody is busy at winter quarters at Centropolis getting things in shape for the Spring. Charles Huggins is superintending all departments, and Centropolis is a busy place just at present. We will have everything new in shape of canvas. The big top will be 120ft. with two __ft. middle pieces; menagerie 80ft. with 40ft. middle piece; the side show is 70ft. with __ft. middle piece; dressing room, tents, cook and horse tents will all be new, and all made by C. ?. Baker, of Kansas City. The blacksmith shop, paint shop, carpenter ship, harness ship and all other departments are humming with busy workmen, and the Great Syndicate will go out looking brighter than ever. Col. J. F. Smith, proprietor, met with an accident recently, spraining his ankle, and is laid up for the present, but his partner, W. F. Smith, has taken the helm and everything moves as could be desired. Roster of advance: T. W. Howard, general agent; C. W. West, local contractor; W. S. Dunington, manager car No. 1, with twelve assistants; J. A. Holland, excursion agent; Harry Graham, in charge of brigade with eight assistants. The show will open in Kansas City and go South, touring Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia and the Carolinas. W. G. Kelsey, the treasurer, who has been in Denver for several months for his health, has returned very much improved.
Chas. Ewers and wife, with their four head of ring stock and eight performing ponies, are hard at work in Chas. Lee's ring barn at Canton, Pa. Wm. Delmore and wife, Young Madden and wife, Bob Harris, A. Y. Barlow and wife . . . Albert Sylvester, Lenora and Hart, A. J. Anderson, ___, Doc Morris, Geo. H. Irving and wife, Lon Grangers, wife and child . . . Prof. Floyd Barnard, ___ band of fourteen pieces; W. L. Rogers, superintendent, have signed with Price & Honeywell, sole owners and managers of Chas. Lee's Great London Circus. The show will open on April 29, at Wilkesbarre, Pa., and dress rehearsal will be held on April 26, at Luzerne Boro, the winter quarters, suburb of the city of Wilkesbarre. Chas. Lee will remain at the home office at Canton, Pa., as his health will not permit his going on the road. The show will be an eight car one, with a bill car. The main tent is a 100ft., with three __ft. middle pieces . . . Thirty-eight head of stock . . .
W. H. Quinnett has signed as contracting agent with the Campbell Bros.' Circus and Menagerie, with which show he has been connected during the past two seasons.
New York Clipper, April 13, 1901, p. 144. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Burdick & Scott's Big Shows. Things on the move in and around the winter quarters. Everything is being built brand new. All the band and tableaux wagons are painted with white running gears, while the bodies are scarlet, and scrolls are laid in gold leaf. The baggage wasgons have white gears, with dark green bodies. Al. Scott has selected sixty as fine horses as one would wish to see and which will be a credit to the show, while Eph. Burdick is busy training his ponies and mules. E. E. Pettengill, our general agent, will have four assistants, and is now busy with the printing offices, getting things in shape for the start on April 25. Our band, under the leadership of Max Weil, will consist of eight mouth pieces and two drums. Among the performers already engaged are: the Thompson Sisters, Hollowada Bros., Prof. Dave and wife, Chas. Conklin, Harry Meade and Stelly Day.
Bonheur Bros.' Show notes. J. German, the Livingstons, Oliver Tyson, Lena Deroe, G. J. Warren, Joe Campbell, Chas. Kerner, Claude West and others have signed for 1901. The new combination kinodrome machine has been greatly improved. J. R. Bonheur has recently invented and will have patented a condenser dissolver for the machine, that promises to create a revolution in projecting machines. The trained dogs, goats and ponies make a pleasing feature. The printing has been entirely changed, and is of a kind that will truthfully represent the show to the people to the very smallest degree. The date of opening is May 1, at Augusta, Okla.
Notes from Long Bros.' Palace Shows. We opened at Natchez, Miss., March 7, and have been doing an exceedingly good business for the time of year. The show is in first class shape, carrying eighty head of stock, twenty-five wagons. Big top, 70ft., with a 40ft. dressing room, 50ft. round top; side show, 50ft., with a 30ft. horse tent, 50 by 110. Everybody is well.
George H. Wymann, comedian with the Barlow Show for a number of seasons, has again signed with it as general contracting agent.
Garmena, who is filling an engagement at the New Market Theatre, Toledo, O., goes to Peru, Ind., on April 25, to join the Great Wallace Shows.
The Brobst Trio has signed with the Whitney Circus for the coming season.
Prince Wentworth, trick violinist and contortionist, and Chas. A. Clayton, strong man, have signed with Sig. Sautelle's Circus. Mr. Claton also has charge of the side show.
Earl Sisters, Hazel and Maud; ___, and the Six Eddys, left for Savannah, Ga., to join the Great Sells & Gray Circus.
Rosa Naynon is now nearing her fifth month with the Tony Lowande Circus in Cuba, and has been re-engaged for the remainder of the season, which will probably run up in the first of September.
Johnson and McDonald have the side show with the Royal Railroad Show, which opens in Omaha. The following people have signed with the side show: ___, Mme. Celstial, M. L. L. E. Omega, Lew H. Morris, Mme. Morris, Metis, the snake charmer.
Carl Hagenbeck will soon arrive in America for a tour of inspection of the zoological gardens.
New York Clipper, April 27, 1901, p. 184. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Gus Sun Railroad Shows. The Gus Sun American Minstrels will close a very prosperous season of forty weeks on May 4, having covered thirty-one states and territories, and Mr. Sun will open his railroad shows on May 25, carrying three cars, which are now undergoing thorough repairs at winter quarters. Our private sleeper, "Nellie," has just received its finishing coat of varnish. This show will go out better equipped than ever before, including a brand new top for big show, 80ft. round top, 40ft. middle piece, marqueet, etc.; side show top, 60ft. round tope; dressing room top, 30ft.; dining tent 20x30; horse tent, 40x60. We will carry about seventy-five people. Fred D. Fowler, general director, with ten men, in advance; Gus Sun, sole owner and manager; Mrs. Gus Sun, treasurer; E. W. Chipman, business manager; Harry Clair, director of band, which will include twelve solo musicians; eighteen performers, with Sam Horner, equestrian director; Mrs. E. W. Chipman, in charge of candy stand; Gustave Klotz, in charge of ticket wagon; Gus Sun and E. W. Chipman, chief doorkeepers; Chas. Smith, boss canvas man, and ten men; Ed. Jackson, chef and three assistants; Thomas McCreary, porter, in charge of cars; "Kid" Hart, boss property man, and five assistants; Chas. Bliss, wardrobe man; John Lewis, in charge of stock. Performers: Gus Sun, Mrs. Gus Sun, Louise Sun, Sadie E. Chipman, the Quillins, Loren and Ethel; Enhaus Family, James Whiting, Korvalla Bros., Sam Horner, Geo. Rialto, Jimmy Nugent, Sanders and Wolf, E. W. Chipman's troupe of trained dogs and ponies. Musicians: Harry Clair, John Bernhard, Frank Boyer, Emil Behr, Geo. Raver, Marion Abbott, Wilson N. Miller, John Link, Jules Hanson, Ed. Johnson and Mark E. Bess. Our paper is now ready, every sheet of which is special length.
The following items were sesnt from the Parque Porfiro Diaz, Mexico, under date of April 2: The Gentry Show people are so well pleased with the success here that they intend staying over Holy Week before making other interior cities. F. B. Gentry is already negotiating with John D. Bauman, the general manager of the Parque Porfiro Diaz to return in the Fall of the year with his show. The S. R. O. sign has frequently been displayed since the show has come to town, and all the peones are now trying to train their curs to do circus tricks. Frank Gentry has made many warm friends among the best people of the city, and on his return will no doubt be warmly welcomed. Mr. Gentry made a present of a beautiful trained pony to President Diaz last week, and the said pony is now the pride of the presidential stables. H. B. Gentry, Frank H. Gentry and John D. Baumann were guests of Jose Landa y Escandon at the Jockey Club the other night and were warmly received by the elite of the City of Mexico.
Buffalo Bill Wild West roster of advertising car No. 1: H. C. Hedges, car manager; F. J. O'Donell, press agent; Oliver Lester, boss bill poster; Ed. Hanson, bill poster's assistant; lithographers, Ked Wheeler, Ben Deschance, ___, F. Ward, Geo. Fraser, Ed. Boggs, C. Inman, P. Sleight, C. Lackis, P. Lawto, ?. Perrault, D. Lefever, W. Hope, S. Dwyer, J. Powers, J. Dee, J. W. Long, Ed. Byrant, chef; L. Lever, waiter; B. E. Casey, porter; Kid Werbe, programmer.
H. Percy Hill has signed as general agent and railroad contractor with Gentry's Trained Animal Show, No. 3.
The Ellet Trio, Chas., Lizzie and Della, have signed with the Great Wallace Shows, to do their aerial act. Frank Ellet goes with the John Robinson Show, to do aerial bars.
The following people are engaged for Lee Bros.' One Ring Show: Lee Bros., sole owners; Harry Young, treasurer; Owen Murray, press representative; J. A. Siegfried, superintendent of canvas; Orrin Hollis, equestrian director; Will Dexter, boss mechanic; William H. Glidden, boss hostler. Performers: Orrin Hollis and Rena McCree, Harry Higgins, Jack and Jessie Troy, Gerome Bros., ___ and Martell, Felix ___, and Berry Family, Less, Lena and Robert. The concert people are: Herbert Swift and wife, Bob Cook and Ray Gilmore. A solo concert band of ten pieces, under the directions of M. Casselli, will be carried. The show opens at Warren, R.I., May 7.
Chas. Lee's Great London Shows have been consolidated with the Price & Honeywell Shows, at Wilkesbarre, Pa. Price & Honeywell will manage the two combined shows, which require ten cars to transport. The opening is April 29, for one week, at popular prices, twenty-five cents, at the West Side Park, Wilkesbarre.
Notes from Long Bros.' Palace Shows. Business continues good, and everything is going on nicely. We added four more dapple gray mules this week. Also received a large collection of birds and animals from our agent, Walter Ralston, who is in British Honduras, C. A., collecting birds, monkeys, snakes, etc. for the show.
L. F. Sunlin and Maria Sunlin arrived in America last week. They will produce a big animal act.
Harry R. Vickers, general agent of Hargraves' Big Show, writes: "Everything is moving along nicely at the quarters of this show, and the middle of May will see manager Hargraves with as strong and as pretty an equipped wagon show as ever went out. Manager Hargraves has just engaged the Volnoirs, aerial act, five in number; Roscoe and Max, gladiators and battle axe jugglers; ___ and her performing dogs, and ___ and Frantz, comedy bars; the Yeddos, a Japanese Troupe of acrobats; ___, Roman gladiators; Wort and Kenyon, bar and perch performers, and Mlle. Franco's trained dogs and monkeys are recent additions. The paper used by this attraction has never been hung, and is novel and attractive. Geo. w. Jackson, of the Grand Opera House, Wilmington, Del., is boss bill poster, with two assistants. The advance will consist of seven men."
Magee and Dale have signed with Walter L. Main, and open April 27, at Geneva, O.
Notes from the R. Z. Orton Show. Everything is progressing nicely at winter quarters. All the stock is running fine, and the crack of the ring whip can be heard from 9 to 4 most of the time. The ground and aerial acts that have been taught during the winter are ready for the opening, which will be about the last of May. Our canvas is ready to put up and the wagons will soon be ready to receive the paint.
New York Clipper, May 4, 1901, p. 217. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Spring buds from J. C. Banks, business manager for Sig. Sautelle. Mr. Sautelle has everything new for the grand opening, in Homer, Friday, May 10. Every piece of wardrobe is of 1901 design, and in material and workmanship the finest that money can buy. Never before has the show entered upon a new campaign so well equipped. The rolling stock has come from the ships, and every piece, from the heaviest tableau wagon down to the smallest pony chariot, is a work of credit to the designer, the builder and the decorator. General agent Haley is at winter quarters, and busy getting things in readiness for sending out the first brigade of eight men the latter part of the month. The second crew of four men will leave a few days later, and the opposition force of three men will depart three days in advance of the show. No limit will be placed on the amount of paper to be used, and everything in sight will be covered with posters herald the coming. Boss hostler Smith has brought the stock from the farm, and promises to have each animal in perfect condition long before the required time. Superintendent Griffin is up early and late, and all is life and activity in this town. . . . With everything moving so smoothly, Mr. Sautelle finds the time to take a day's trout fishing now and again. As he is an expert with rod and line, he never returns without a goodly number of the speckled beauties.
Wilton, the hand balancer, is laid up with a broken rib, sustained in a fall while practicing. He has been compelled to cancel his engagement with the Forepaugh-Sells Show, with which he has been connected for the past two seasons.
The Gus Sun R. R. Shows will open May 25, near Duluth, Minn. E. W. Chipman, Harry Clair, Emil Buhr, Geo. Rialto, William Wedge Jr., Mark S. Thorne, W. Oscar Bayer, Quinlin Bros., ___ troupe of acrobats and many others have signed. Fred D. Fowler, with eight assistants, will again pilot the enterprise. The show will carry five cars and consist of about seventy-five people. Gus Sun will direct the tour.
The advance force of the Walter J. McDonald Colossal Railroad Shows is as follows: Geo. Costello, general agent; J. Cassell, local contracting agent; Harry ___, manager advance car No. 1; C. A. Clarke, special agent; ?. R. Girard, route rider; Ned Stoughton, official programmer; C. A. Snyder, boss bill poster; ___, C. A. Barker, Wm. Davis, H. D. Wright, Will Bundy, Charles Bickler, Joe Marks, ___, R. K. Billings, Rob. West, bill posters; box brigade, Henry Miller. W. Rogers, Frank Robbins, Frank Miller, Geo. Mayfield, ___ Snyder.
Richard & Co.'s Unique Show notes. We left Donaldsonville, La., our winter quarters, on March 28, for the upper country. The show has been out now four weeks, and everything is running smoothly. Jackson, La., was our banner town, and we showed within one block of the insane asylum. The doctors turned out four hundred and eighty-two of their patients for the matinee, and that night the citizens of the town packed the tent. Everyone was well pleased and gave us a rousing welcome. The roster: Mrs. Hattie Richard, owner; Joe Richard, manager; J. B. Morton, equestrian director; Dan Allen, manager side show; W. L. Brown, advance agent; J. T. Meldon, band master; John Moore, cornet; Frank Ashton, clarionet; Ted Osborn, trombone; Harry Williams, baritone; Cornell Legendria, alto; Bert Snow, tuba; Emile Stein, double drummer. Performers: Faber, Fred Le Moin, Joe Richard, Tom Moss, McDewitt, Billie St. Clair, Grace St. Clair, J. C. Smith. Performers eat and sleep at hotels, and the ghost walks every Sunday, rain or shine.
Clay Lambert, formerly correspondent for the Clipper, and at present railroad contractor for Ringling Bros.' Circus, was a recent caller at this office.
W. W. Scott (V. S.) and wife, Mme. Scott, are with the Great Wallace Show.
Harry and Ruth Orville have just completed a nine weeks' engagement over the Ohio and West Virginia circuits, and open at Clarksburg, W. Va., May 4, with the Mitchell Circus. Mr. Orville has charge of the side show and concert.
Chas. E. Griffin closed his glass show, and with his wife, Octavia, joined Ringling Bros.' Show at ___, O., April 29.
Roster of advance car No. 1, Pan-American Circus: D. S. Ward, car manager; J. Cathcart, in charge of paper; Phil McKim, lithographer; A. R. Thompson, programmer, and the following bill posters: R. Harlow, S. R. Victor, ___, A. Wilson, W. S. Jackson, C. T. Wilson, W. S. Cannon, E. E. Williams and C. W. Berry.
Notes from Harry B. Vickers, of Hargraves' Big Show. The quarters of manager Hargraves' big wagon show at present are in a hustle, as we will open May 10, with as strong a popular priced tented aggregation as ever. Jack Cousins and wife, bareback riders; Leno and Roberts, trick horse and comedy bar performers; ___, ring and perch act, are our latest additions to the show. We will open at or near Wilmington, making two and three day stands, and, judging by the manner in which manager Hargraves has his show equipped this season, there is no reason why it should not be a big winner.
"Big Charley," the huge elephant belonging to the Wallace Circus, killed Henry Hoffman, his keeper, April 25, at the headquarters of the show at Peru, Ind. . . .
Robert J. Mercer, general agent of the Royal Railroad Circus, is in Chicago, making preparations for the opening of the season, on May 1. He is making his headquarters at the Riverside Show Printing Co.
A baby camel, the first ever born in the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Show, made its advent April 28, in Madison Square Garden, New York.
E. D. Colvin has just landed a nine foot giraffe for the Ringling Bros. Circus. It is the first one to land in America in years.
Roster of Teets Bros.' R. R. Shows. Teets Bros., owners and managers; Jos. Rossella, treasurer. Performers: Teets Bros., Wm. Kyley, wire 'cyclists; Trover Bros., triple bars; Gen. W. Powell, contortionist; Jess Brown, clown; Jim Payne, pistol and ride shooting and impalement act; Mr. and Mrs. Brown, concert; the Great Minnie Sisters, aerialists. Band: J. Shelly, leader; W. H. Wheeler, cornettist; C. Barnes, cornettist; Harry Smith, baritone; Geo. J. Sousa, trombone; Geo. Eulich, alto; Jno. Teets, alto; S. Ferguson, tuba; Wilbur W. Plank, trap drummer; S. W. Hopkins, agent, with two assistants; Chas. Cooper, boss canvas man, with twelve men; Ed. Davidson, boss props, with three men; F. Myers, boss hostler; Jess Brown and wife will put on the side show; Geo. Sousa will make balloon ascensions and parachute jumps daily. Will travel in our own train of cars. Everything is new and finely painted and decorated. We have a new 80ft. top, with two 40ft. middle pieces; 30ft. dressing room; 50ft. side show tent, eight banners. The show will run the year 'round. We have just received a new marka from Thompson & Vanderveer. This makes the sixty-seventh year of this show on the road. It is not the largest, but one of the best of its size traveling. Everybody is busy around winter quarters getting ready for our opening on April 30, at Grayson, Ky. We will use special paper made by the Donaldson Litho. Co.
Roster of Barlow's Refined Show. We will open the season at Syracuse, Ind., May 4. Ed. P. Barlow, sole owner; George H. Wymans, general contracting agent. Performers: Jessie Saners and wife, bars, contortionists, baton spinning; W. D. McIntyre, knockabout clown; Malcom Anderson, juggler; William Lorella, balancing traps, wire barrel and cross foot juggler; Billie Weaver, all around comedian; Alvin Storer, marionettes and ventriloquist; Frank Parrett, magician; the Barlow Sisters, in comic and sentimental songs. The show will be stronger than ever.
New York Clipper, May 11, 1901, p. 232. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The Campbell Bros.' Great Consolidated Show notes. We opened our season at Fairbury, Neb., April 27. The weather was fair and the show did a great business, the capacity of the tent being tested afternoon and night. The performance was highly appreciated, and went like clock work under the capable direction of Lee Greer, the equestrian director. Dock Campbell, the business manager of the show, was particularly busy. The parade was a glittering pageant from the band wagon to the caliope, with was played by Bud Horn. Al. Campbell's dogs and ponies won great applause, as did almost every act that went in the ring. Among the principal performers are: ___ Family of oriental acrobats, Rydon and Nelson, troupe of four aerialists and bar performers; Smith, the head balancer; the Brandons, Del Fuego and a number of other clowns kept the audience in uproar. The riding of Alex Lowande and John Rooney was of the best, and highly appreciated. J. C. O'Brien is license adjuster, and also has a number of privileges. Lew Nichols is manager of the side show, and Abe Crocket has the candy stands.
Russell's Big Vaudeville Circus notes. We opened at ___, Wash., April 22, to a packed tent, notwithstanding the heavy rain. We carry thirty-two people, all told, with band of twelve pieces, under the leadership of Prof. C. R. A. Hohmaun. Following are the performers: the Four Princes . . . the Great Atlas, Whitmore and Lozell, La Meer Bros., De La Mar Sisters, ___ Russell, Baby Gladice, Perry Davidson, J. F. Walch. We are playing along the Columbia River by steamboats. Wiil catch our train of cars at South Bend, Wash., May 1. We carry a 70ft. round top, with 30ft. middle piece. Our route is through Puget Sound to British Columbia, Eastern Wash., Idaho and Oregon. Everything about the show is entirely new. Business staff: E. S. Russell, proprietor and manager; Will C. Sterling, general agent.
The camp this season with the Walter L. Main Shows will be first class in every respect, we are informed. Everything will be new, neat and modern. The new Pullman sleepers have arrived and everybody is pleased with the comfortable quarters they will have with this show. The opening day was May 4.
Notes from Ring Bros.' Shows. We have just secured Van Amburg & Gallagher's Wagon Show, which we intend to consolidate with our own, the Ring Bros. We will then have one of the largest and finest wagon shows on the road this season. Show will open at Hoosick Falls, N.Y., May 16, which is Van Amburg & Gallagher's winter quarters.
Buffalo Bill's Wild West roster of car No. 2: alf. Riel, car manager; Tom Dranfield, superintendent of excursion; W. Shea, boss bill poster; excursion agents, H. A. Morrison, Geo. Houghialing, Rube Dranfield, Kid Goodwin, G. Lamont, F. Bruso, Terry McGovern, F. Warren, Geo. Nelson; town men, R. Ryley, G. Albert, ___; banner, J. Gothhold, J. Costello; lithographers, G. Green and F. Martin; C. Ross, car porter.
Notes from the W. H. Scott's Big Shows. Everything is rapidly nearing completion at winter quarters. Mr. Scott has severed his connection with Mr. Burdick and puts the show out alone. He has enlarged the show, having purchased the entire outfit of the Louis Crescent Shows. The latest features added are: the Two Mardos, the Three ___, and the Brodys (James and Kitty). All are anxiously looking for the opening date, May 11, at Madison, O.
New York Clipper, May 18, 1901, p. 255. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Williams Great Northern Show. We opened at Milwaukee, April __, for one week, to great business. We are now making ___ night stands. This is one of the swellest five car shows on the road. It is headed by Prof. E. Williams, animal trainer, with his troupe of horses, dogs, ponies, mules, monkeys and bears. The performers with the company are: Myeres and Rosa, the Irvings, Ward, Burgess and Rice, ___, Johnny Fox. Our school of merry makers and clowns includes: ___, Burgess, Joseph, Rockwell, headed by the well known Irish clown and Shakesperean jester, James Murphy. The feature in the great museum department is the Davis Family of spotted people. Prof. Williams, sole owner; Rhoda Williams, treasurer; ___, manager; Fred J. Owens, privileges.
Harry Potter, of the Potter Family, is the happy father of a baby girl born to his wife May 3, at their home in this city. Mother and daughter are doing well.
The advance for Chas. Lee's Great London Show is as follows: Wm. Sloman, general agent; Frank Burns, car manager; Frederick Behrens, local contractor; ___, special agent; Paul Hubbard, ___ rider; ___, official programmer; Bob Dean, boss bill poster; James Johnson, W. R. Nobles, John Haley, William Porter, Geo. S. White, ___, James Flynn, lithographers; Chas. Barlow, R. Drainger, William Allen, banner men; Max Jordan, Walter Welch, box brigade . . .
New York Clipper, May 25, 1901, pp. 279, 281. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Goodrich Shows. We opened our season in Bridgeport, Ct., April __, to the capacity of the canvas, and, while the show has encountered plenty of rainly weather, the business has been such that it will leave a considerable amount on the right side of the ledger. This season the show is featuring the hippodrome races, and the various participants enter into the sport with a dash and vim that imparts to the races an enjoyable excitement. The show is new from marquee to dressing room, carries ninety people, and has seventy head of stock and ten cages of animals. The roster: Jas. W. Goodrich, manager; A. G. Southey, treasurer; Louis Hoffman, press; Chas. Watson, jockey act and equestrian director; Nicholas Caballos, high wire; Mrs. Caballos, single traps; Pearl Foster, principal riding act; Alice Bradley, menage act; Al. ___, head balancing trapeze; ___, contortionist; Mr. Goodwin, talking and singing clown; Homer ___, Shakespearean jester; Joe Horner, cloud swing; Kendrick Bros., aerial bars; Haines Bros., return act. Manager Goodrich is introducing his trained ponies and dogs to good results. Al. Merriew has charge of the band of fourteen musicians. William Parker has charge of the canvas. T. Clark, charge of the stock. Paul Heinrick has charge of the culinary department. Harry ___ has the side show and is featuring the half man and half horse.
Notes from the Rippel Family Shows. We opened at Gaston, Ind., April 29, to good business. At Matthews, Ind., we were unable to accommodate the crowds, and we did fair business at Eaton and Red Key. The show met with its first "blow down" at Red Key, which came in time to spoil the evening performance, and at Ridgeville a gasoline tank exploded, seriously burning Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Rippel, which closed the show for week of May 14. Masters Charlie and Jack Rippel have been doing good work. Gertie Leon, high wire performer, is winning new friends. Miss Gardner is leading the orchestra, it being her first season out. W. Odell is doing a couple of good acts, besides holding down the ticket wagon. The show is carrying sixteen people and will make the northern part of Indiana for the season, closing with a week stand in Muncie.
Notes from Bowman's Big Vaudeville Circus. We opened our summer season under canvas at Jeannette, Pa., on May 11, in a drenching rain, just after the parade, to the capacity of the top. The following is the complete roster: Harry Bowman, proprietor and manager; Chas. Cribbs, advance, with two bill posters; Frank Carey, slack wire and traps; Edgar ___, slack wire and traps; Bert Bacon, club swinger; Hay Breining, talking and singing clown; Jas. Flowers, buck and wing dancer; Prof. Staley's troupe of educated horses; Jacob Bowman, Clyde Bowman, Mike Casper, Milt Spangler, Bert George and Prof. Smouse's band of the following musicians: T. Edgar Smouse . . . Dock Flowers, Chas. Arnold, Eddie Vance, ___, and Will Murry.
Joseph La Fleur joined the Ringling Bros.' Shows at Wilkesbarre, Pa., May 13. This is his sixth consecutive season with that show.
Harry R. Vickers, general agent Hargreave's Big Show, writes: This attraction opened its second season at Salem, N.J., May 14, to packed tents. The opening night's performance ran smoothly and positive hits were made by Fred Locke and his troupe of performing horses, Jack Cousins and his wife, Lottie Aymar, the Valentines, the St. Julians, Nellie Leonard, the Great Tessie, and others of this organization. The side show, under the direction of manager Uptergraph, is an excellent one, consisting of seven good specialty acts. Ninety head of stock and eighty-eight people make up this outfit, with a brigade of seven people equipped with fine paper. Our parade is a feature. Everything is new and bright, with stock in good condition, and manager Hargreaves is happy. The advance brigade has a handsome turnout in the form of a tally ho, drawn by three spotted horses.
Gillmore's Great American Circus roster: Bert Gillmore, proprietor and manager; James Gillmore, treasurer and ticket seller; Ed. Horan, equestrian director. Performers: Gillmore Trio, Frank Vincent, Lottie Gillmore, Matt Aldine, Frank and Lena Keyes, Arthur Silverlake and Bert Gillmore. Sam Cohen, superintendent of privileges; Red Hanson, superintendent of canvas, and ten assistants. The show opened May 11, at Oak Harbor, O., to packed tents, and gave excellent satisfaction. The principal feature is the balloon ascension . . .
The Gus Sun R. R. Shows will open the last of May, at Ashland, Wis. We are advised that the Elks of that place have purchased the opening performance of Mr. Sun, and it is their intention to make the show on that date the occasion of their annual spring carnival. The body has already sent out their committee with two thousand tickets.
Bay State Frank and Marion Lynch, of Chas. Lee's Circus, are at their home for the summer.
Spring notes from Capt. W. D. Ament's Circus. We opened at Muscatine, Ia., April 17, to phenomenal business. We have had some ideal circus weather the past two weeks. At Clinton, Ia., Geo. Childs, a retired farmer, tried to get the mayor to refuse us a license, but the mayor stood by the circus. At Dixon, Ill., we opened to a record breaker and at Rockford we had to close the doors at eight o'clock. We have had several accidents, but fortunately no one has been seriously hurt. Dan Rice's trick mule ran away with Charlie Potts, our advance agent, and dragged him feet first one hundred yards, but beyond a good scare Mr. Potts was uninjured. Harry Koster fell headlong from his trapeze at Rock Island, but was uninjured. At Freeport, Litle Fay Duffy threw her arm out of joint by turning hand springs, but will be OK in a few days. Fred Adkins, who has lately taken charge of the band, is putting up the best music ever heard with the Ament Show. The show is running very smoothly now, and every act is making a success. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Casad, and Mattie Meehan and her dogs join next week.
W. J. Carter, brother of Belle Carter, is successful as general agent for the Skerbeck Show.
Lucky Bill's notes. We opened our eighth season in Lewiston, Minn., May 4, with everything brand new. The show is much larger than last season. The business staff is: Wm. Newton (Lucky Bill), sole proprietor; A. J. Wayne, business manager; Mrs. Newton, treasurer; Jim Gibson, stage manger; ___ Raymond, band master; Mrs. Newton, musical director; Bert ___, chandalier man . . . Performers: . . . Flo Gibson and Jim Nash . . . Frank Riley, Capt. Horton and wife, ___ and her troupe of trained monkeys, Shetland ponies and high diving dog; Delbert and wife, Lettle Master Gibson, Baby Newton, The Delbert Children, the Waynes. Our route is through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska.
New York Clipper, June 1, 1901, p. 297. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Hall & Long's Big City Show notes. We opened at Portland, __, April 29, for three nights. The show is first class in all respects and is making good all along the line. . . . We play all three day and week stands, and the business always get larger at the close of the engagement. This is a railroad show and is transported in two cars, a combination dining and sleeping car and a baggage car. . . . The performers with the show: F. C. Hall, balancing, traps and hat spinning . . . Frank Christopher, man of mystery; William Rawls, contortionist, clown and monologue; Owen Albert, slack wire; Jessie Hall, ___ songs; Long and Killmar, living pictures and statuary; Prof. Martell and troupe of dogs. Our concert consists of illustrated trips of travel, art and motion pictures, in charge of F. C. Hall.
Roster of Harper Bros.' Great Amercian Shows, Circus and Menagerie. P. N. Harper, sole owner; Ed. Garvie, manager; Frank Tracey, contracting agent; Abe Hoffman, in charge of first brigade; Steve Morey, second brigade, with six men; Geo. Lundgreen, treasurer; Frank McNulty, boss canvas man, with ten men . . . thirty head of stock. Performers: ___, acrobats; Prof. Bristol's school of trained horses and mules; the Lundgreens, revolving ladder and slack wire . . . Mons. Martell, rings; Bristol's dogs and leaping greyhounds; Prof. H. Swift's concert band of twelve pieces. Concert: . . . Lillian Lee, Swift and Zola, ___, La Grande Sisters, Felix Langway . . . The show is touring New England.
Notes from Russell's Big Vaudeville Circus, playing through the Northwest. This is our fifth week under canvas. We carry twenty-six people all told . . . we travel by rail, and have a new 70ft. combination car, just out of the Pullman ships. Our roster: E. S. Russell, proprietor and manager; Will W. Sterling, advance agent; Prof. Holman, leader of band . . . The Four Princes left us to join the Midway and Oriental Carnival Company, May 8, at Portland, Ore. We play to S. R. O. about four or five days a week.
Roster of advance of the Royal Railroad Shows. ___ Mercer, general agent; Doc Johnson, boss billposter, with five assistants; ___, lithographer; J. C. Walker, programmer.
Notes from Skerbeck's Great R. R. Show. We opened May __, at Medford, Wis., and although the weather was cold and stormy, the attendance was large, and business has been good ever since. The show is larger than ever, having new features, and traveling in our train of ___cars. Anton Skerbeck's troupe of educated ponies and dogs, and Prof. Burns' troupe of trick horses are carried. People are: Frank Halloway, Mrs. F. Halloway, Prof. H. Payne, Mrs. H. Payne, Robbins and Childers, Fred Meier, Otis Miller, Ed. Danbruch, A. Robinson, ___, P. Bradford, F. W. Brooks, ___, Col A. Phillips, Prof. F. Burns . . . R. W. Herrick . . . H. De Forest.
The Orvilles, equilibrists and aerialists, joined Ringling Bros. May 27, at Worcester, Mass. This will be their second season with that show.
New York Clipper, June 8, 1901, pp. 315, 323, 328. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes of Reno's Oriental Shows. We opened at Kankakee, Ill., May 10. Everything has been coming our way, and the weather has been ideal. We are packing them in at every stand, and have struck good roads and no opposition. We feature our band, under the leadership of Gene Stevens. We will take a trip through Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Our roster: De Haven, horizontal bars and revolving ladder; Cahs. Alderfer, head balancing; Al. Vade, swinging perch and juggling act; Chas. Stone, single traps and high wire; Herman Voquet, contortion and drum major; Emily Reno, slack wire, breakaway ladder; Prof. Reno, magic, trained dogs and mules. Our concert has been a winner, the feature act being the club swinging of Cora Loftus. . . . The Walter L. Main New Fashion Plate Show notes. We have been doing a phenomenal business. At Gloversville, N.Y., it proved a turn away, while at Cohoes and North Adams they were crowded to the ring bank. The new press sheet just issued contains notices from thirty-four newspapers, representing the eighteen cities played to that date, and all are enthusiastic. The show is certainly giving excellent satisfaction. Arthur Borrelly is still at the Lackawana Hospital, but reports from him state that his rheumatism is on the improve. "Billy" Harrington, the rough rider, joined the show last week. Four new baby cub lions were born on Decoration Day, and are doing nicely. A beautiful dun colored horse, valued at $325, dropped dead during the parade at Watertown. Manager of advance, Edw. C. Knupp, visited the show at North Adams. Al Ringling was a guest of Prof. Dockrill, at Cohoes, on Decoration Day.
Notes from Geo. W. Hall's Shows, enroute through Illinois. We have had very few real circus days so far, but, notwithstanding the cold weather, we have done a good business, and at several towns have sold standing room. Our baby elephant, Pearl, has proved a great attraction. . . .
Del Fuego was recently tendered a banquet by the K. of P. Lodge, while he was at Deadwood, So. Dak., with the Campbell Bros.' Show, and turned people away both evening and night of that day, we are informed. The clown band, which is headed by Del Fuego, as Sou Sou, is a big success.
Notes from Long Bros.' Refined Palace Shows. At Poplarville, Miss., on May 29, manager Long tendered a large reception dinner to the members of the company, numbering eighty, in honor of the second anniversary of his show. The dinner was a fine one, and our efficient steward, Robte White, and cook, Wm. Black, deserve much credit for the excellent style in which it was served. The show is doing a good business.
Lula Mitchell has joined hands with Myra Deane, and they are with the Great Wallace Show. They are having a new sketch written for next season.
Notes from Barlow's Refined Show. Our business, considering weather, has been good. We are now making Indiana and will close our season in Ohio. Our winter quarters at South Milford, Ind., is being arranged in a complete manner. We have a training room, paint room and wood workers' shop, and room for twelve head of horses and wagons.
Arthur Borelly [sic Borella?] was compelled to close with Walter L. Main's Show at Scranton Pa., on account of a severe attack of rheumatism. He has been confined to the Lackawanna Hospital, that city, for the past two weeks.
New York Clipper, June 15, 1901, pp. 341, 345, 347. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Roster of Rigall Bros.' Circus, Vaudeville and Congress of Trained Animals. Rigall Bros., proprietors and managers; Harry Castello, equestrian director; Prof. E. J. Anderson's Concert Band of sixteen pieces; Prof. Patton, leader of orchestra. Performers: Bros. Dashington, Sully and Mack, Deonzo, Boss Harrison, Virginia Rankin, Le Vette Sisters, Snidre and Cope, Castello and Boen, Eaton Bros., Jerry Dashington, Willie Dashington, J. P. Mack, J. C. Sully, Ed. Carothers, Wm. Carothers. Musicians: Prof. E. J. Anderson, Nick Roberts, Lote Patten, E. J. Harrison, James Palmer, Wm. Morris, H. Gardner, J. Mann, Wm. Smith, F. Burt, C. George, H. C. Peppl, C. Jones, H. Robinson, ?. Howard, J. Lenna. We carry an 80ft. round top, with two 40ft. middle pieces; one __ft. dressing room, two __ft. horse tents; side show 50x30. Jack Palmer, boss canvas man, with twelve assistants; Lightning ___, boss property man, with four assistants; J. D. Rigall, charge of advance with four assistants; R. H Frizzell, lithographer; Slim Evans, boss bill poster; Chas. McCombs, chef; Dan Perrin, boss hostler, with six assistants. We re touring Indiana to good business. We are on our third week, with phenomenal business. Started from Grayville, Ill., and have had some bad weather, but have not missed a show.
Roster of the excursion car of John Robinson's Ten Big Shows, under the direction of Wm. M. Dale: Cuddy Service, superintendent of decorations, with his subordinates, Edward C. Jones, Robert Eldridge, Charles Stogdon, Frank Fay Smith, Wm. Hicks, Eugene Goslyn, ___, Geo. K. O'Brien, W. J. Slattery, John E. Wise, Morgan Johnson, Otto Post, GeorgeFiester, ___, J. H. Fitchie, Mark Wiggins and Walter South. It is the pleasant duty of Jeremiah Donovan to humor the natives for the use of their spacious windows, and the handiwork of the above mentioned indisputable live one, after their departure from the numerous outlying hamlets that are fortunate enough to occupy space on local R. R. schedules, is praisworthy in the extreme.
Roster of the Sam Dock Shows. Sam Dock, proprietor and manager; John F. Shavers, press agent, with show; K. E. Iseminger, general agent; Jas. Musselman, superintendent; Wm. Gross, boss hostler; H. Kline, chief cook. Performers: Ammon Musselman, Claira Dock, Jno. Norman, Sadie Dock, Frank Mason and Sam Dock and his trained ponies, donkeys and dogs. Musicians: Chas. Byers, H. Sites, John Shearer, John Norman . . .
Bonheur Bros.' Show notes. The show is doing a fine business, better, in fact, than in any former season. Everything is new and several fine horses have been added. A matched pair of milk white Arabian mares, cross between Shetland and white Arabs, were purchased for ring stock and will be trained for riding act. They are beauties. At Caldwell, Kan., the night crowd was large.
Notes from Whitney's Big One Ring Show. Business with us has been big since the opening, May 4, despite the rainy weather, and things with the big show go humming. Our new big top, which we expect to be delivered about July 1, will be 80x120, and we will start the "dry" season with a brand new outfit. Complete roster: A. V. Whitney, proprietor; C. A. Whitney, general manager; W. Walbourn, business manager; Al. Martin, musical director; Frank Stapleton, master of transportation; E. S. Murphy, general agent in charge of advance brigade; L. P. Whitney, privileges; C. R. Simmons, boss canvas man, with five assistants; the Two Geyers, juggling, rolling globe and acrobats; Brobst Trio, singers and dancers; the Walbourns, statuary; Darnello, flying traps and rings; Thomas, chair pyramid; the Zaros, head balancing, contortion, perch and grotesque comedy; Whitney and Thomas, revolving ladder; Prof. Al. Martin's Silver Band, Al Martin. H. L. Howard, Fred Martin, A. Charron, Burt Mitchell, Geo. F. Brobst, W. Ingley, Bert Newman and L. P. Whitney. Lee Whitney is our hustling mail agent.
Notes from the Walter L. Main Show. It is the same story of phenomenal success with Walter L. Main's New Fashion Plate Shows, and at every stand the business has been beyond all expectations. At Waltham, Mass., and exceedingly heavy rain storm, which lasted all night, failed to dampen the ardor of enthusiasts, and when the grand entree took place fully nine thousand people were there to applaud the different acts. It was without doubt the most appreciative audience ever gathered within our tent, and it would be a difficult matter to determine which act carried off the laurels, as each performer was given a reception that amounted to an ovation. The Congregational Church of Haverhill have asked the use of the big top for a revival meeting Sunday, which request was granted.
In advance of the Goodrich Show, the Goodrich, Hoffman & Southey Show Co., owners. Roster: A. G. Southey, contractor; J. J. Brolly, assistant contractor; Jos. Fitzgerald, boss bill poster. First bill posting wagon: bill posters - George Mather, George Caron, Walter Jones, Henry Redding, Wm. Hardwick, James McIntyre, Walter McAuley, boss lithographer; Frank Millwood and George Penway, assistants. Second wagon - Edward Tyron, in charge; Milton Jackson and Horace Hemingway, bill posters. Third wagon: couriers - Frank Merrill, in charge; Louis Peck and Richard McLaughlin assistants. We have been on the road six weeks, and it has been a very wet season so far, but we have no reason for complaint. The pay day comes every two weeks and with it comes the pay. We are putting out about twelve hundred sheets of paper daily.
Woods and Lincoln joined the Great Wallace Circus at Cleveland, O., on Decoration Day, for the remainder of the season.
Skerbeck's Great One Ring R. R. Show, which, during the last twenty years has become popular throughout the Northwest, informs us that they are breaking all their previous records this season.
Notes from W. D. Ament's Big City Show. In spite of rain, cold and opposition, business with us is simply phenomenal. For two weeks we have not been able to paste any paper on account of opposition shows, but it has made no difference in the box office receipts. Dan Rice's mules and pigs closed June 3. The Beahan Trio and Mattie Meahan's school of trained dogs filling the place. At present writing our show is exceptionally strong. Mrs. Ament, our treasurer, has gone home with Capt. Ament's little son, Harold, who is very ill with rheumatism and spinal trouble. Mrs. Ament is greatly missed about the show, and the extra work falls hard on the captain. Decoration Day was a big day for the show at increased prices. We are just entering the cream of our territory, and prospects are very encouraging. We had a very pleasant visit with the Pawnee Bill Show at Elgin.
Roster advance car No. 1, John Robinson's Ten Big Shows: ?. I. Ellis, manger; C. S. Cooley, boss bill poster; W. H. Bullen, lithographer; Joe Donasin, paste maker. Following is a list of bill posters: R. E. Parsons, Fred. Jones, Tom Foster, Walter RAy, Doc. Ingram, F. N. Stevens, Dusty Miller, Harry Bell, G. W. Skitler, James Anderson, Floyd Turner, Ben Cullen, __ Wilson, Joe Gilford.
Notes from the side show with the Great Pan-American Shows. Business has been something phenomenal in this department this season. B. J. Chipman, manager and orator; W. F. Palmer and Joe Lacey, ticket sellers; Henry Noyes, ticket seller and concert announcer; "Skinny" Rosenthal, lecturer, with the following people: La Belle Sitts and troupe of Oriental dancers, five in number, with Shiek Haja's band of Turkish musicians and sword fighters, four in number; ___, Circassian; Joe Lacaey, Albino; Mons. ___, human ostrich; Mlle. Leola, snakes; the Dalys, second sight; Karoo, Zulu chief; S. Rosenthal, Punch and Judy; Mlle. Carlotta, three headed illusion; Prof. Carlson's white band of eight; Jack Austin, boss canvas man with seven assistants.
Mrs. Philip Diefenbach, widow of the well known circus manager of that name, died June 8, at her home in Hamilton, O., aged fifty-six years. In former years Mrs. Diefenbach was wardrobe woman with the Old Dan Rice and John Robinson Circuses, when she was known as Maggie Roe. She leaves a daughter.
New York Clipper, June 22, 1901, pp. 364, 367. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Teets Bros. R. R. Shows notes. We are meeting with success through the southern states, notwithstanding plenty of opposition and bad weather. Upon coming into the West Virginia coal fields on June 6, we passed three tent shows on a run of seventeen miles. Two of them were wrecked, having been caught in the storm the night before. Our large canvas, however, withstood the wind and rain, and we packed them to the ring bank at Vivian, W. Va., on May 5, although we had the worst storm of the season. There have been no changes in our roster since the opening, with the exception of Jim Francis, juggler, who joined us June _. The last week of May was the largest week's business that this show ever had in its sixty-five years of prosperity. Everybody is enjoying good health, and the boys are all accumulating blue papers. Jess Brow's big snake died on May 28. He has replace it with one three feet longer. Our performance runs like clock work, and gives universal satisfaction. Joe Rosella and Floyd Trover are having great sport fishing, and are supplying the table with the finny tribe.
The Blair Sisters, Lizzie and Maggie, are en route with the Great Wallace Circus, doing their boxing act.
H. Bonheur, of the Bonheur Bros.' Show, writes: "A cyclone struck us at Beaumont, Kan., Friday night, June 7. The cook wagon was damaged by being thrown on its side. No one was hurt. Much damage was done to farm houses in the country north of the town. A field of eighty acres of flax was cut level with the ground by the hail that followed the cyclone."
Roster of Richard & Co.'s Unique Shows: Joe and Hattie Richard, owners; J. B. Morton, manager; W. L. Brown, general agent and contractor; Frank Miller, in charge of first brigade, with two assistants; Chas. Lantry, second; Shirley Martin, boss canvas man, with ten men; Jap Bastro, in charge of forty head of stock, with five men. Mrs. Richard just purchased a large team of horses for her sleeping wagon. The show has __ft. top, with 30ft. middle, 40x56 side show top, dressing room and horse tent combined. Performers: La Le Moines, brother act; Joe Richard's trained ponies; the Richards, aerialists; Tom Moss, juggler and slack wire; Ed. Faber, ground, pyramid and aerial contortionist; Shirley Bourgoygne, flying rings and trapeze; the Osbornes, clowns; Prof. T. J. Weldon's band of nine pieces. Concert: Faber and Stein, Smith, Osborne, Lantry and Davis, Bertie Brown. The show is touring southern Arkansas, with very good success.
Notes from Ament & Edwin's Circus. Wet weather and cyclones do not seem to check the business we have been doing for the past two weeks. The show is giving the best of satisfaction. At Streator, Ill., last week, we played to 5,000 paid admissions in three days. T. K. Edwins, of Elwood,Ind., has lately bought an interest in the show and is proving a valuable aid to Capt. Ament, whose health was fast breaking down with over work. Things are moving along very smoothly now and the show will be greatly improved and more live stock will be added.
Notes from the Geo. W. Hall Jr. Circus and Menagerie. We are having real circus weather now, and it is a common thing to play to the capacity of the tent.
Skerbeck's Great One Ring Railroad Show inform us that they are doing phenomenal business. W. J. Carter is general agent in advance.
Notes from Frank Adams' Southern Railroad Show. The show laid up at Orange, Va., for two weeks to rest the members and paint up. Mr. Adams purchased the two sleeping cars from the Rhoda Royal Show known as Esther and Washington. At present, however, we are only using the one sleeper, having leased the other car for three months. Business is fair, but the weather has been extremely hot. The show will not close before Feb. 10, and then only two weeks for rest and fresh paint.
New York Clipper, June 29, 1901, pp. 385, 387. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Colonel Hicks writes from Singapore [Harmston's]: "We have just returned from a far East trip through China, where we arrived Jan. 10, and played a seven weeks' engagement at Hong Kong and finished up with a nine week's stay at Manila, where our season was even a greater success, although Manila was at that time having plenty of excitement. We were there when Aguinalod was captured, and we renewed many pleasant friendships. The Lucifers, who played two seasons through Java, India and Burmah, were playing the Alhambra, and have been a strong card for seven months. Our new company arrived at Hong Kong and made their first appearance in Manila. The Jansons, Mlle. Leisa and Carlo Venturini are German artists; the Alton Trio, acrobats; Charles Burch, equestrian; Cusco, clown, and the quartette of acrobatic ladies, all made a success, while Charles Weatherby, the man of music, was a great hit. Mrs. Harmston Love's two children, Nellie and Willie, are good riders and perform a high wire act. This week were are celebrating our eleventh year without a break in the East, at our headquarters at Langon, Kaluny, the seaside home of Mr. and Mrs. Love, five miles from Singapore. During the time since leaving San Francisco on the steamship Alarneday, for Australia, the only resting spell has been on shipboard, and we still retain some of the original members of the company. We leave here for a season of four months in Java, opening in Batavia, Java, June 4. Among the Javanese and Dutch residents we are always sure of a welcome. Chas. H. Bruce is still band master and is the proud father of a boy. Manager Love purchased several fine Kentucky thoroughbreds at Manila, so with our American, English, Australian and Arab horses, we have one of the finest studs ever seen in the far East. Gus Burns, formerly of Sells Bros., has charge of the performing animals."
C. S. Baldwin has resigned as manager of Williams & Co.'s Great Northern Shows and joined Sturgis' Cincinnati Carnival Co., at Port Huron, Mich.
Notes from the New Rutter Show. We opened at Lancaster, Pa., where we held a seven days' engagment, to turn away business at each performance. And history repeated itself each week with us until we were obliged to add a new middle piece to our already large top. At Elizabethtown, Pa., we were givn a royal reception by our landlord, J. C. Shafer and his wife. Mr. Shafer is an ex-professional, and as a landlord is simply immense. Following is roster: Martin Rutter, manager; Newton Rutter, advance; Geo. E. May, equestrian director; Harry Armstrong, leader of band and orchestra, with twelve solo concert musicians; the famous Armstrong Family, Swiss bell ringers, five in number; W. Craig, Shields and Goldey, J. Zeller, Joe Kearney, John Warner, Fred Whitlock, John Shanke, W. Wilson, Don Hugo. The little show is a money getter.
New York Clipper, July 6, 1901, p. 407. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes on the Walter L. Main All New Big Fashion Plate Shows. Everything is running smoothly. We have added about twenty head of stock and four cars, and will have two more in a few days. The show at its opening did not appear to be the proper size, and we have had stuff built and shipped on just as fast as it could be made, while the seating capacity was not large enough to hold the throngs that gathered to see us. Although we met cold, rain and opposition almost daily for the past five weeks, the business has been most satisfactory, with scarcely any poor days, and since the weather has cleared the business has been something phenomenal. Never in the history of the Main Show has it done such an enormous business as it has done in the past two weeks. Letters from Geneva inform us that the new triple side track on Main's farm, a mile west of town, has been completed by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern people, and that the new winter quarters are now well under way. They will all be of brick and iron. The main building, now about half completed, will be two stories high, 120x240ft., of brick and iron. Other buildings will be begun as soon as this is completed. The contracts call for the entire quarters to be completed by Oct. 1. The old quarters in the village have been turned into a manufacturing plant. Main's beautiful Trumbull farm, seven miles south of Geneva, will be retained for the baggage stock, but everything else will be kept at the new winter quarters, just sixty minutes' ride from Ohio's largest city. Both the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Nickel Plate roads go through this farm, and the electric road from Ashtabula to Cleveland will pass within one minute's walk of the main building at the new winter quarters. The strength of the Main Show was demonstrated in Wilkesbarre and Scranton. The latest addition in the way of performers are: the Martell Family of bicyclists, Dan O'Brien and wife, Dan O'Brien, principal leaper; Joe Judge and sons, acrobats; several new clowns and five genuine military rough riders. Mme. Marautette bought at Lexington, Ky., a $700 menage horse, which was shipped to the show by express, and has just arrived. One noticeable feature of the Main Show this year is the harmony in which all the heads of departments and bosses are working. Therefore, we are on time every day, have not lost a performance and have not been later than 12 o'clock with a parade. Everyon is highly pleased with the camp and sleeping accommodations.
J. B. Clarke, bill poser for Ringling Bros.' Show, is very ill at Peoria, Ill., in the hotel.
Notes from the Great London Shows, en route through Michigan. This show is everywhere giving satisfaction. At Lansing, Mich., the home of managers Robson and Granger, were tendered a large reception and supper after the evening performance. Our roster: Robson and Granger, managers; M. Williams, general agent; L. Frank Morrison, treasurer; Harry Steiner, lithographer; Geo. Collins, programmer; Lew Harvey and Bert Warner, bill posters; the Three Wintermert Brothers, Harry Barani, John Camer, A. W. Carle, D. J. Robson, L. E. Grander, Edw. Conway, Earle Van, Henry Berbeck, C. A. Hamilton, Emil Hass, M. L. Stalford, Nat Ellis, S. W. Webster, F. E. Newton, Geo. Drummond, Tony Murphy, John C. Well, Frank Whittier, John Frohman, Fritz and Williams, Sisters Vardena, Fannie Veile, Mertie and Vanie Russell, Merle Drummons, Geo. and Mea Drummons, Arthur and Nellie Barlow, and L. Frank Morrison.
Richards & Co.'s Unique Shows played Fulton, Ark., June 7, to big business, and moved on next day to the next stand. They have played every day since the opening.
The Walter L. Main Show is now touring the eastern cities and towns of the state of Maine. After July 4, when they play Cornish, the company leaves Maine for New Hampshire, having been in Maine since June 15.
Three employees of Ringling Bros.' Circus were sleeping under an emplty car, when the shunting engine struck the car. Barney Murphy, of Buffalo, had a leg taken off; Edward Clerkin, of Ogdensburg, __, lost a big toe, and Charles Taylor, of Montreal, escaped injury.
Ringling Bros.' Circus ended its Canadian tour at Chatham, June 26, entering the United States by way of Port Huron. . . . Eighteen cities were played, and on the next trip it is likely one month will be put in Canadian territory.
[London, Canada] Ringling Bros.' Circus drew packed tents June 24. They put in a Sunday here, and services were held on the show grounds by Wm. Marks, a clown who intends entering the ministry at the close of the season. The license was reduced from $200 to $50 for the circus.
New York Clipper, July 13, 1901, pp. 421, 425. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
A severe wind storm swept over Grand Island, Neb., July 4, injuring a number of people and doing a great deal of damage. Most of the damage in that city was done at the Gentry Show, which was blown away. The cages were overturned and many valuable animals killed. The tents were ripped to pieces, and the circus property scattered over a space of twenty miles by two miles wide. When the tent was ripped to pieces the crowd attempted to escape from the tangle of ropes and wires, and then the seats collapsed. The high wind was followed almost immediately by a torrent of rain, and this added to the confusion. The injured could not be relieved for an hour, so fierce was the wind and rain. It is not at present known whether any professionals with the show were killed or injured.
Immediately after the afternoon performance given by Wallace's Circus, at Eau Claire, Wis., June 28, the worst electric storm ever known in that city swept over it, working much havoc. Wallace's trick elephant, "Ella," valued at $3,000, was killed outright, while several employees and many of the animals were stunned. The high wind that prevailed tore the main and side tents in such an extent that the evening performance had to be abandonded. . . . damage to the circus management is estimated at fully $10,000. . . .
Harry Knowlton, press agent of the Walter L. Main Show, writes: "In honor of the Fourth all performers and animals will be decked with the national colors. We will also wake up the town of ___ with quite an elaborate display of daylight fireworks. . . .
Art Adair, the clown and character comedian with Ringling Bros.' Circus, has introduced a new version of the clown band by putting all the clowns on stilts, forming a staircase effect. Art and Dot Adair are preparing a new specialty for vaudeville for the winter.
Complete roster of Walter L. Main's Big Show: Cecil Lowande, principal and hurdle rider; Francis Reed, principal and jockey rider; Reno McCree, jockey and carrying act; May Davenport, jockey and carrying act; the Four Silvinis, Australian acrobats; Judge Bros., ladder act; Lambert and Maynard, comedy acrobats; the Three Barnells, statuary and juggling acts; Will Connors, bounding wire; Mrs. Petit, bounding wire; the Three Petits, aerial bars; the Two Judges, posturing act; Genaro and Theol, contortioniests; the Martell Family, bicycle act; ___; Sig. Peri and eight Amazons, in drill; Arthur Borrella, principal clown; ___, Latour, Lancaster, Hidge, Daily, Sawyer, Shien, clowns; Capt. Sharp and six rough riders; Dan O'Brien, principal leaper; Mme. Marantelle, high jumping horses, and Prof. Dockrill, equestrian director.
Rippel Show notes. Our show has been making good everywhere. Our route has been changed because of the burning of the show, May 8, at Ridgeville, Ind. But everything is once more on wheels, and everybody is happy. We have the same company as before. We have had to change our route on account of small pox, three towns refusing to grant licenses.
New York Clipper, July 20, 1901, p. 444. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
With the Skerbeck One Ring Show. This show gave its initial performance at Medford, Wis., May 11, to a fair afternoon house and a good night house. The following day a heavy snow fell nearly all day. After that the weather was splendid until we struck Minnesota; then we had storms continuously for three weeks. We did an excellent business through the lumber and iron country. Our first blow down occurred May __, at Twin Valleys, Minn., and we lost the night show, but were in running order next day. The saddest of all was the death of manager Skerbeck's brother, Antonio, who fell dead in the ring while doing his turn in knockabout clown makeup. This cast a gloom over all the troupe. He was a jolly, noble hearted boy, and was beloved by all and is sincerely mourned by the company. The third accident occurred at Cloquet, Minn., June 23. A citizen had a shooting gallery near the grounds, and as Col. Phil. Coup, the veteran soldier and showman, was passing in the lot, a drunken man discharged a target gun; the ball struck Mr. Coup over the left eye and lodged against the bridge of the nose, making a painful, but not dangerous wound. At West Superior we lost a valuable trick pony. The ledger balances on the right side, hence the gentleman in white promptly appears every Sunday, making the troupe happy. We are now in our ninth week, and our young manager (by the way, we believe he is the youngest circus proprietor in America) is highly elated over the business the show has done thus far, and he looks forward to continuous good business in the Lake Superior copper country. The side show is managed by Frank Holloway; reserved seats and lot under the supervision of Col. Phil. Coup, and the candy stand privilege is run by Fred Brooks.
Frank Oakley Slivers and Jas. West, at the close of the tenting season of the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, sail for Europe for the winter.
Facts from the Gus Sun R. R. Shows. We opened our season May 25 at Ashland, Wis., and at present are touring the larger cities along the crest of Washington, Oregon and California. Our business has been better than we anticipated. Thus far we have had all kinds of opposition, including the Campbell Bros., Norris & Rowe's, Gentry's, Sells & Gray's and Jarbeau's Oriental Circus and Midway to contend with. However, our excellent advance brigade, under the direction of Fred D. Fowler, has taken good care that none of the above get any the best of us on advertising space, and ever since we left Butte, Mont., it has been a "battle royal," but as usual we always appear on the surface at the finish. The wiseacres said that we would starve to death through Montana and Idaho, but they reckoned without their host, for our business through both these states was phenomenal. At Billings, Logan, Butte, Anaconda, Missoula and Wallace we actually turned people away at both performances. We haven't made a change since we opened, and the show is giving the best of satisfaction along the line. The Einhaus Family, six in number, continue to please, as does also the Three Cerenos and Cancanto. Our clown comics, arranged by Sam Horner, keeps the audience in a continual uproar. We close about Sept. 10 to prepare for Gus Sun's American Minstrels, which will be one of the best minstrel attractions on the road next season. Mrs. E. W. Chipman rejoined the show at Billings, after passing through a very successful operation on her eyes at Bismark, N.D. Hospital. She is feeling and looking much better than when she left us.
Georgie Carson, better known as "Little Dead Shot," has left the Buckskin Bill Wild West owing to a broken ankle, caused by a fall from a sleeping car on July 4. She is now with friends at Detroit, Mich.
Pawnee Bill has purchased the Allord herd of buffalos in Montana, thirty-eight in number, and preparations are now being made to move them from Montana to his ranch in Oklahoma. Pawnee Bill is now having built a stockade corrall containing one hundred and twenty acres of buffalo grass. . . .
New York Clipper, July 27, 1901, pp. 466, 467. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Welsh Bros.' Shows. Business remains undiminished throughout western Pennsylvania. M. H. Welsh is away for a brief sojourn, and John Welsh has temporarily relinquished the cares of the advance, to assume the managerial reins, his place ahead being filled for the nonce by Herbert Whittier. Mr. and Mrs. H. Stanley Lewis are away for a week's visit at the Pan-American, and will rejoin us at New Castle. Among the more recent additions to our roster are: Mr. and Mrs. Rhoda Royal and their trained stock, which are among the chief features of our performance. The business staff at present comprises: John & M. H. Welsh, sole owners and managers; V. O. Woodward, car manager, with eighteen assistants; Clinton M. Newton, equestrian director; H. Stanley Lewis, advertising manager; Geo. ("Punch") Irving, director of annex; H. H. Whittier, bandmaster. The heads of departments include: Chas. O'Brien, boss canvas man; Jack Forepaugh, boss hostler; James Reagan, master of transportation; Jack Robinson, boss chandelier man; Howard Martin, steward dressing room. The Takezana Japanese Troupe (Kanezana, Kinpiro, Uneski and Kiku); the Great Sylvester, Rhoda Royal, Mme. Royal, Peasley and Schnorr, Max Hugo, Prof. John White and his trained stock, the McCormicks, the Del Sabos, Mme. Yucca and a host of others. The show carries ten cars this season, eighty head of stick and over two hundred people in all departments.
The Buckskin Bill Wild West closed July 20, at La Porte, Ind., on account of a misunderstanding with the firm. All employees received their salary in full, and the show will reorganize at Paducah, Ky., in a couple of weeks.
Prof. J. W. Cliffe resigned his position as bandmaster of the Sautelle Circus last Saturday. Prof. Cliffe sustained a severe injury, owning to a fall from the band wagon, and will rest at his summer home, in Stanford, Ct., until fall, when he will take on a concert band for a tour of the West.
Dan Gordon reports success in his new bicycle act with Capt. Ament's Circus. Eff Long, with his tuba playing is also ___ with great favor.
The George Jabour Oriental Carnival Circus and Menagerie was launched July 4, at Missoula, Mont., where the golden spike was driven to the rail that joined the Eastern and Western divisions of the Northern Pacific railway some years ago. This aggregation, consisting of ten separate and distinct shows, carries one hundred and twenty-five performers, and did a splendid business and repeated this success at Great Falls and Butte, where Mr. Jabour played in conjunction with mammoth and well ordered street fairs. Mr. Jabour goes next to Vancouver, Tacoma, Spokane, Salt Lake, Denver and other cities of prominence. In a short time manager Geo. L. Hutchin will assist Mr. Jabour in transforming this big Midway into a stupendous circus and menagerie, and play the southern cities during the winter season.
New York Clipper, August 3, 1901, pp. 485, 488. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Walter L. Main Fashion Plate Shows. We have concluded another highly successful week since writing you last. The intense heat had a tendency to hurt the matinee attendance, but the tents were invariably very comfortably filled while at night at every stand we were crowded to the doors. A slight wreck was caused when entering the freight yards at Mount Vernon, N.Y>, by the engine and two cars running off a switch. Two cages were badly damaged. The claims were promptly adjusted by the railroad company. Edw. C. Knupp, general manager of advance, was back with the show three days last week. Frank Daniels was a spectator at Port Chester, while H. Primrose and a party of friends attended at Mount bernon. A regular exodus of performers took place Sunday from Mount Vernon, most of them spending the day in the metropolis. Supt. D. J. Fitzgerald was unfortunate enough to stand too close one of the horses, which stepped on his foot, making a painful, but not serious bruise. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. B. Doris were favored with a two days' visit from their little daughter Ethel last week. D. H. Harris, manager of Mme. Marantette's high jumping horses, is suffering from poison ivy. Mr. Main is absent from the show on a visit to his wife, and incidentally to inspect the progress of his new steel and iron winter quarters, which are in course of construction at Geneva, O. When completed the new quarters will be the finest in the country. The Martelle Family of bicyclists are again members of the show.
Campbell Bros.' advertising roster: Al. Campbell, general agent; W. H. Quinnett, local contractor; Harry Busenback, excursion agent. Roster car No. 1: ___ Burns, car manager; S. S. Bryant, boss bill poster; W. M. McCreary, lithos and banners; R. S. Martell, programmer; Roy Snyder, paste maker and porter. Bill posters: "Peg" Buckner, Al. Lindley, A. E. McPherson, Wm. McDowell, W. M. Fishback, Jack Davis, Burt Bud, Harry Langden, Joe Dowd. Roster box brigade: W. W. Lowry, manager of box; Thomas Kirk and Fred. Morgan, bill posters.
Will C. Millard, original Dutch bicyclists, is in his fourteenth week with the Great Wallace Shows. He intends joining his brother about November. . . .
Notes from Richards & Co.'s Unique Shows. We have been playing to good business in Texas. We had a blow down in Detroit, that State. The tent was packed, it was the banner house of the season, and the show had just started when a big wind storm blew everything to the ground. There was no rain and no money was given back, so the people remained on the lot, and the centre poles were raised without any top or side walls. The tent was not damaged much. Presence of mind of Mrs. Hattie Richards, however, save the whole show from being burned up. Two lamps caught fire,and Mrs. Richards ran to her sleeper wagon and got two quilts, dipped them in the lemonade tub, and threw them on the lamps. Nobody was hurt, and the show went on and gave the best of satisfaction.
New York Clipper, August 10, 1901, p. 511. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Lee Bros.' Big One Ring Shows and Trained Animals. We opened our season July 22, in Providence, R.I., to big business for the week, changing locations in different sections of the city, and giving great satisfaction. We have a 100ft. round top, with a 40ft. middle piece. We carry forty-five head of horses, with eight head of fine grays for our tally-ho coach. Everything is in fine shape for a prosperous season. Our complete roster is: Frank, Thos. & Chas. Lee, sole proprietors; John Kelly, general manager; Owen Murray, treasurer; Chas. Davis, general agent; Ed. ___, director; Thos. Brown, agent, with eight men in advance. Performers: Herbert Swift and wife, Gertie Zola, Hanson and Newell, Eldura and Livingston, Garard Bros., the La ___, Kempton, Doherty, Murphy and Dufrenes, clowns; the La Joies, the Jardines, Prof. Ed. Musliner's educated sheep and pigs, La Jore Bros. Band: Prof. Swift, director; Bert Davies, __ Shaw, Frank Gagnon, Chas. Cacon, Geo. Vogel, Frank Smith, Brown Bros. Our concert: Gertie Zola, Leah La Joie, the Dufrenes, Ed. Murphy, Harry Kelley and Joe Doherty. The canvas is in charge of Harry Davis and fourteen assistants. It is our intention to cover the North East territory the rest of the season. Everything is new in the outfit, and we receive great praise for the performance at the prices we are playing.
Roster advertising car No. 1, Walter L. Main's Fashion Plate Shows: Frank ___, car manager; E. C. Laird, boss bill poster; Ed. Troy, R. E. Demmick, John ___, Harry Lauch, John McDonnough, Al. Powell, Fred Bates, Frank Willoughby, L. S. Thompson, Jos. Howard and Henry Newman, billposters; Oscar Keineman, Frank Tracy, lithos; Fred Green, litho boards, and Wm. Gillman, banners.
Notes from the C. A. Bogardus Golden Rule Shows. We opened the season at Arkansas City, Kan., July 20, with a 100ft. round top and a __ft. middle piece. Roster: C. A. Bogardus, proprietor and manager; Walt McCafferty, assistant manager; Jack ___, advance representative; J. Woods, equestrian director; C. Johnson, bounding rope and juggling; the ___, athletes, rolling golobe and flying perch; Elvino, contortionist; Gus Balsiger, imitations . . . G. A. Knowles, revolving ladder . . . The side show, under the management of G. A. Knowles, is making good with Mrs. G. A. Knowles, human pin cushion; Prof. Stall, strong man; ___, snake charmer; G. A. Knowles, magician; mermaids, libing head and half lady illusions. Our band, under Prof. Don. Essig, with the following musicians: Frank Clements, Earl ___, O. Douglas, Joe ___, Ike Bell, Herb. Turner, S. T. Brandon, C. W. Fogle, Gus Baisiger and Gus ___. For our concert we carry an elevated stage, scenery, wings, etc. The concert is in charge of J. Woods. The big top is in charge of Chas. Rhodes, with fifteen assistants, and is waterproof throughout, as are also our horse tents, which are presided over by Chas. Hobson. We carry fifty head of stock, and no show on the road has any finer stock. . . . C. A. Bogardus, in his rifle shooting act, receives round after round of applause.
Notes from Frank Adams' Southern Railway Show. the show has been meeting with the same ill luck and having opposition on all sides. On last Sunday, as the show was moving out of a branch, two flats in front of our cars left the track and were thrown across a creek that was near the track, but fortunately our cars kept the track and no serious damage was done.
Notes from the Rippel Shows. We are on our fourteenth week of prosperity and with a grip full of the best press notices and well pleased crowds, we ought to be happy. The only thing we have to contend with is dry weather. It is hard on rolling stock and harness. Everything is burned up around Indiana, but business hits us just the same.
List of official of Walter L. Main's New Fashion Plate Shows: Walter L. Main, sole proprietor and manager; D. J. Fitzgerald, superintendent; R. H. Dockrill, equestrian director; Edward C. Knupp, general manager of advance; Wm. M. Power, treasurer; Owen Doud, stenographer; Donald McKenzie, auditor; Harry E. Knowlton, press agent; John Griffin, adjuster; John ___, purchasing agent; Wm. B. Doris, manager of annex and concert; Fred Mayfield, manager of stand privileges; Harry Howard, offical announcer; Fred Dempsey, master of properties, with eleven helpers; Edward Kennedy, boss canvas man; Jas. Whallen, John Pfeifenberger and Chas. Williams, assistants, with forty-nine helpers; Dan Taylor, master mechanic, with six herlpers; Jack Kent, master of transportation, with thirteen helpers; Wm. Winner, boss animal man, with eleven helpers; Bob Abrams, boss hostler; Henry ___, assistant, with forty-one helpers; Abner Moreland, in charge dining tent, with twenty-one helpers; "Frenchy" Lavander, boss chandelier man, with three helpers; John Dair, train watchman; Chas. Thomas, in charge of ticket sellers; Prof. L. J. Chamerlain, band master, with sixteen men; and Frank Butler and Mark Monroe on front door. Booked solid till 1902.
Teets Bros. R. R. Show is still meeting with success through the South and playing to the capacity of the tents. The Miles Orton Family, seven in number, with trained horses, mules and dogs, are late additions to the show, which is now one of the strongest 25c shows on the road. They write that they are giving the best satisfaction everywhere. Everybod is well, and they expect to make a long season through the Southern states.
C. S. Gillette writes: "I am now at my home, Lapeer, Mich., taking a much needed vacation of a few weeks, having rendered a service of nearly five years as agent of Sparks' R. R. Circus. ___ Clements, of Pittsburg, is filling my position during my absence. I closed at Du Bois, Pa., and stopped off at Buffalo for a few days, to view the Pan-American. This is my home, and also the home of my father, who is the bill poster here."
Chas. Sparks, of the Sparks Circus, has been at his home, East Brady, Pa., for a couple of weeks, having been compelled to leave the show because of an attack of malaria. He is now much better and will shortly rejoin the show. He writes that the show is doing a phenomenal business through Pennsylvania.
New York Clipper, August 24, 1901, pp. 552, 553. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes of the Ballenger Family Show. We are now in our fifteenth week and business is still at top notch, considering the weather we have had. The staff is as follows: Matt Ballenger, sole owner and manager; Frank Warner, superintendent; Fred C. Bowers, advance representative, with two assistants; Tom Mills, boss canvas man, with ten assistants; Walter Perkens, boss property man, with four assistants; Peter Getrel, boss hostler, in charge of thirty head of stock, with twelve assistants; Homer Huff, chandelier man, with one assistant. We are carrying a 90ft. round top, with two 40ft. middle pieces. Our dress top is a 50ft. round; our stock top is a 50x80, and cook tent 30x50. Our performers are: the Daly bros., bar experts; Wm. J. Yaeger, stilt wire performer; Rue Bros., acrobats; Applegate and Ballenger, contortionists; Lizzie Ballenger, iron jawed wonder; Lewis and ___, aerialists; Willie Gilbert, principal clown, and Prof. Leon, with his troupe of trained dogs, ponies and goats. Our concert includes: Watt Colston, singing and dancing comedian; Applegate and Rue, in a singing specialty; Wm. J. Yeager, Dutch comedian; the musical Trio, Balenger, Kluenter and Ballenger, and a novelty trick house. Verna Ballenger, leader of band, and G. A. Kluenter, leader of orchestra. Everybody is well and happy.
Cooper & Co.'s Circus notes. We closed at Memphis, Tenn., May 29, after being on the road for sixteen months without a stop. We are spending the heated term in a beautiful woodlawn near Memphis city limits. We have kept men painting and repairing all summer. We have added two more cars, a beautiful sleeper and dining car. We are loth to depart from our present pleasant surroundings, having formed many pleasant acquaintances, as Memphis is one of our favorite cities, but our people and citizens are anxiously awaiting the date of our Fall opening here, which will be Sept.2. The show will be much larger than heretofore. Many new attractions and special features have been added, and it will be fully equipped with new canvas from the front door to the stable tents. The show will travel exclusively in the Southern states, where it has received the kind of approval of its patrons, and has justly earned the title given it, "The Family Show of the South."
Harry E. Knowlton, press agent, writes: "Everything seems to favor Walter L. Main's New Fashion Plate Shows - at least the weather seems to be made to order, while the phenomenal big business has not diminished a particle. With the exception of a few horses which are recovering from a slight attack of epezoodic, the people, the animals and the stock are enjoying the best of health. D. J. Fitzgerald, our popular superintendent, however, is still on furlough, but is reported on the high road to recovery. He will report for duty soon. Four large cars of cages have been added to the menagerie. Part of the consignment of animals were recently received from Herr Hagenbeck, while Wm. Bartles' emporium was entirely depopulated in order to fill the balance of the new cages. This department, with it baby emu, baby monkeys, baby elephant and the four baby cub lions, which were born May 30, is now decidedly popular with the visitors. Reports from Mr. Main's extensive new winter quarters at Geneva, O., state that work is progressing rapidly. An enjoyable feature of the Long Island tour was the entertainment of an unusually large number of professional people. The veteran showman, John B. Doris, took the sawdust fever and lengthened an intended one day's visit into one week's trip, and seemed to enjoy it immensely. At Flushing, L.I., a large party, most of whom are spending the summer at Elmhurst, attended in a body,under the care of Fred Hallen and his popular wife, Mollie Fuller. Among the prominent professionals were Tony Pastor and wife, Edgar Smith and wife, Donald Burns, Harry Kelly and wife, M. R. Conkley, John F. Kelly and wife, Jerome Sykes and wife, Joe Miron and family, Miss Chester, Mrs. Walters, Geo. Walters, Frank Kelly, Sam Devere and wife, Sam Collins and wife, and Master Sam Rosenbaum. The Todd Judge Trio were interested spectators at Flushing, and also Julius P. Witmark. Junie McCree paid a flying visit to his brothers, Reno McCree, last week. Col. Harrison paid a two day's visit to the show last week."
Notes from the Tony Lowande Circus. We have just returned from the Vuelta Abajo, and opened a summer season July 27 at Cuarto Caminos, in the city of Havana, to packed houses. Roster of show: Tony Lowande, sole owner and manager; Jose Aguilera, assistant manager; Isadoro Rabago, general agent; Isadoro Otega, assistant general agent; Julian Martinez, ticket agent; Manuel Ferrandiz, equestrian director; Martinho Lowande Jr., principal bareback somersault rider; Josie Lowande, principal lady rider; Senorita Jovina, lady hurdle rider; Harry Higgins, mule hurdle act; Johnny Fernandiz, principal clown; Emilio Girarde, grotesque; Three Carreteritos, acrobats; Marie Lusia, trapezes; ___ Marie, wire artist; Marco Egenio, contortionist; Chachito and Victor, negro comedians. Stock consists of eighteen head of ring horses, fifteen saddle horses, three lions, three bears, one elk, two four horned sheep, one monkey and one dromedary.
Notes from Motter, Mack & Campbell's Circus. Since our opening we have been doing an excellent business, notwithstanding the poor weather and bitter opposition. Since we entered this section of Ohio ring bank houses have been the rule. We carry twenty-one people, band and orchestra. Everyone is happy and contented. The roster is as follows: Perry Motter, manager; Nello J. Campbell, business manager; John McAllister, general agent, ___ Motter, treasurer; Prof. Melville Hayes, bandmaster; Clinton Jones, equestrian director; the Motter Trio, revolving ladder, bounding rope, flying traps and rings; ___, strong woman, Mack and Campbell, triple bars, tumbling and contortion; Harry Miller, single traps, head, hand and pedestal balancing; ___ Orland, trained dogs, ponies and pigs; Johnnie Mack, singing and talking clown; Baby Mabel, rag time dancing and melodies.
Notes from Reno's Allied Shows. Still touring southern Illinois, to the capacity of the big tent. Business still keeps up to the top notch and no opposition. We are in the drought district, and crops are badly burned, having passed several large fields of oats which were only about a foot high and burned brown. Corn is a complete failure. All our performers have felt the heat more or less, and we are like the natives, almost praying for rain. We are justly proud of our band, as we feature it, and they make good. Gene Stevens, leader; Bob Macosky, clarionet; Chas. Terry, second cornet; clarence Burrows, tuba; Sam Daniels, slide trombone; Lou Smith, baritone; Harry Mansey, alto; Duke Warren, snare drummer. Arthur Humiston does all he can to keep the audience in a good humor, and he is very successful. Our roster of performers is the same as when we started out.
Chas. G. Collins, a bill poster, died Aug. 4, at Waco, Tex. He was about forty-eight years old, and had been during the winter and spring of 1900 with Bryan Bill Posting Co., at Toledo, O., and joined the advance of Sparks' Circus, car No. 1, at Perrysburg, O., June 30, 1900. At the time of his death he was with the Waco Bill Posting Co., at Waco, Tex.
Jerry D. Dashington writes: "We had to leave the circus July 27 on account of illness - typhoid fever. Master Willie has been very low since July 27, but we are gaining a little now."
E. D. Colvin shipped a large number of people, as well as horses and ponies, to Bremen, Germany, for the Barnum & Bailey Show, Aug. 20.
Wm. and Mlle. Irwin left the J. C. Banks Circus, and will rest at their home in Buffalo.
G. Burkhart returned from the Buckskin Bill Wild West Show and joined the Sig. Sautelle Circus Aug. 6, at Barre, Mass., for the balance of the season.
Notes from Capt. W. D. Ament's Big City Show. We were obliged to suddenly close the season Aug. 7, as Capt. Ament received a telegram that his little boy was dying. The little fellow had been sick all season with rheumatism of the heart and Mrs. Ament was obliged to leave the show two months ago to care for him. As he has been treasurer of the show for eight years the extra work and worry has nearly broken Capt. Ament down. He has decided to retire from the circus field and sell the entire show. He will organize a small family show this Fall, as soon as circumstances will permit, and play fair dates.
The Cooper & Co. Show closed in Memphis, Tenn., after a tour of sixteen months. They have been refitting the show while resting, and have added two new cars - a sleeper and dining car. The company is reorganizing, and will open in Memphis Sept. 2. The show will be much larger than heretofore, having added many new attractions. It has always been a favorite in the South, and will travel exclusively in the southern States.
George Takleberry, a ticket seller formerly in the employ of the Sautelle Circus, was shot and instantly killed by Joseph C. Banks, manager of the show, at the circus grounds in Saratoga, N.Y., on Aug. __. A quarrel resulted in the tragedy, and some of those who witnessed the shooting stated that Takleberry drew the revolver, and that Banks wrenched it from his hands and then shot him.
New York Clipper, September 21, 1901, p. 641. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from Frank Adams' Great Southern R. R. Shows. We are bound homeward for our successful season in the South, for we never close. We have had to contend with a little illness in the company during the past week, but all is O.K. now and the show is running smoothly, to good business. Roster: Frank Adames, proprietor and managers; the Giffords, the Three Bonhommes, Frank Adams, Mrs. Agnes Adams and troupe of dogs, Master Frank Adams.
Notes from Reno's Allied Shows. Indiana is now our stamping ground, and thus far it has been a bonanza. Linton, Ind., being the banner house of the season; the people were packed to the ring bank, and although crowded like sardines they were a good natured and jolly crowd. Everyone is well at present. The hot weather during July and the fore part of August knocked out some of the people, but cool weather prevails, and we are all in harness once more. The show is very strong, and compliments pour in. Mr. Reno is winning laurels for himself and company, and we leave a good name everywhere. Our route will be through Indiana indefinitely.
New York Clipper, September 28, 1901, p. 666. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
At the conclusion of the performance at Tully, N.Y., Sept. 28, the last performance of Sig. Sautelle's Big Wagon Show will be given. Next season Mr. Sautelle will have a big railroad show, requiring twenty-five sixty foot cars for its transportation. While business all season has been the heaviest every enjoyed by the Sautelle show, Mr. Sautelle has decided to take to the rails and will add a complete menagerie of fourteen cages and four elephants, with two cars in advance. F. C. Cooper, general agent; B. H. Mills, contracting agent; C. J. Carroll, advertising agent, closed at Tully, N.Y., Sept. 16.
Carl Hagenbeck and Walter L. Main met at the Palace Hotel, Cincinnati, Sept. 16, and Mr. Main purchased of Mr. Hagenbeck two large Indian female elephants that have been used to catch wild elephants in India. Mr. Main will introduce a new act on hippodrome track, showing the mode of capturing wild animals in the jungle. He also purchased a female African elephant, hippopotamus, three Siberian camels, East India deer and several other hay eating animals; aslo a pair of lion slayers - the only ones known to be in America.
Lute C. Gillette, after a six week's vacation at the home of his father in Lapeer, Mich., has returned to the advance car of John Sparks' Railroad Circus, and assumed the duties of general agent. Bob Clemens, who filled his position during his absence, has returned to his home in Pittsburg.
The Four Miltons have joined Ringling's Circus for the remainder of the season.
Eddie E. Gifford left for Hamburg on Sept. 12, to fulfill a six months' engagement with the Circus Busch, in Berlin. Mr. Gifford is to make a dive with his bicycle into a tank of water.
The Walter L. Main Fashion Plate Show notes. We concluded our tour of the New England states at Torrington, Ct., on Sept. 18, after having been in that section since May 31, playing to the largest business in the history of the aggregation. A few stands will now be made in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. President McKinley's funeral day was fittingly observed by the Fashion Plate Shows, while at Millerton, N.Y.
Notes from Gus Sun's R. R. Shows. We closed our regular circus season at Rawlins, Wyo., Sept. 7. During the sixteen weeks we were out we covered Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, and did not have a losing week on the entire tour. In fact the business was the best Mr. Sun has ever seen in the fifteen years of his show life. At many towns in Nevada people came eighty miles to see the show, and paid $1.50 to witness the performance. At the conclusion of our performance at Rawlins the layout was hastily packed away in our new winter quarters to remain until next Spring. The rolling stock, consisting of five cars, was sent to the U. P. shops at Omaha, for repairs and paint. Mr. Sun, accompanied by Mrs. Sun, Louise and baby Sun, Fred D. Fowler, E. W. Chipman and wife, Sam ___, Prof. Chas. Parreaut and Jos. Nugent left the following day in the private car, Nellie, for Council Bluffs, Ia., where the initial performance will be given for this season of the Gus Sun American Minstrels.
Whitney Family happenings. We have no reason to complain of the season of 1901, as our business has been excellent. We all mourned the death of our beloved President. We showed at Green Springs, O., Thursday, Sept. 19, and Chas. Whitney, our general manager, had the extreme pleasure of furnishing the music for the entire day's memorial services, Mr. Whitney leading the band to the reviewing stand. We will close the season in about four weeks, and the show will winter at Attica, O. It will be enlarged to twice its size for next season.
Notes from the R. Z. Orton Family Show. We are having rain, rain almost every day in northern Iowa. We expect to close Oct. 1 at our winter quarters at Ortonville, Ia. The season has been a success, and we have been preparing for next season, and plans are under headway to put out a better show than ever next Spring. We have nineteen head of stock secured for next Spring and expect to go out with twenty-five head of horses, ponies and mules. We are enjoying the best of health.
The Bonheur Bros. Show canceled their date on Sept. 19, at Garden City, Kan., in order to fittingly observe Memorial Day.
New York Clipper, October 5, 1901, p. 679. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the William Sells & James H. Gray's United Shows. We opened at Savannah, Ga., April 1, and will have completed at the conclusion of the present season one of the longest tours in this country on record, from ocean to ocean and from the Gulf of Mexico to Puget Sound, then back again to the sunny East and South. Many incidents of note have occurred, and the show has gradually increased in size from time to time. We are now Eastward bound, after two months of phenomenal business on the Pacific coast, and a pleasant tour it has been. Recently at Great Falls, Mont., the labor unions (on Labor Day) joined the circus in making it a grand holiday, the show giving a morning and evening performance only, the unions furnishing the afternoon programme, assisted by the several circus bands, under the able leadership of Prof. Carl Neal. It was a great success. Spokane, Wash., Butte, Anaconda, Helena, Bozeman and Billings, Mont., gave us immense houses. At Crow Agency, Mont., between performances, many visited the memorable Custer battlefield, a mile distant. . . . two days more elapsed when news reached us of the assassination of our beloved President, and today, as I pen this letter, all our bands in one are leading the funeral procession of five thousand people to the memorial services at the Opera House. Jo Berris' new sixty-five horse act is about to be presented. It will be the largest act of its kind (65) ever undertaken. Rose Maretta, who recently suffered from the Pullman coach fire, has about recovered and is again at work. The Nimrods and disciples of Issak Walton, with the show, have had a huge time lately. J. C. Clark holds the medal among the fishermen, having taken with rod and reel, with grasshopper bait, a brook trout weighing three pounds and eleven ounces, while G. H. Hollis is first among the hunters. He recently, after a half day's hunt, came in with one dead teal duck, a crippled snipe and a blind coyote. We often wonder if all tented aggregations are as fortunate as are the people of Sells & Gray's Shows, in having with them a wealthy physician. We have, and like the "good Samaritan," he serves all alike, without money or price. I refer to generous William Eddy, of the Eddy family of famous acrobats, who has administered all season to the sick and injured with our show and will not accept remuneration. At Lead City, S.D., ten miles up the steep mountain side (Sept. 16) above Deadwood, Sells & Gray's were the first to ever appear at that city of wondrous thrift and wealth with the big show. And to add to the novelty, it didn't rain, it snowed. What was still more surprising, the tents, in spite of the falling snow, were literally packed at both performances. The Deadwood Pioneer Times, in commenting upon it the next morning, remarked that it was understood that "the show was to play a return date at Lead on Christmas Day." I cannot call to mind, nor do I think can any Clipper reader, of any circus heretofore having experienced the novelty of giving two complete performances to packed tents actually up in the clouds and during a snow storm.
Walter L. Main notes. The success of the Fashion Plate Shows continues unabated, and, despite the cool evenings, the business has been phenomenal at every stand. The enlarging of the show still goes on, and it was found necessary to add another long flat car at Jersey City. Leontine, the three legged boy, and Madame Fatima, the mind reader, have been added to the annex features, while Madame Yucca, the champion strong woman, is now prominent on the circus programme. Several other novelties will also be added at Slattington Monday. The Four Silvinis are now presenting their new pedestal acrobatic act in full evening dress and meeting with success. Messrs. Gill Robinson and Jack Holmes were interested spectators at Jersey City. On Sept. 21 Mr. Main purchased from Wm. J. Doris the entire annex outfit and also his privilege rights for the concert. Mr. Doris is no longer connected with the aggregation, and James W. Beattie has been secured to manage both the concert and the annex for the rest of the season. Charles Bernard, formerly treasurer of the Walter Main Shows, but now secretary to the bill posting association and located at Savannah, Ga., paid the show a pleasant visit, accompanied by his wife, at Bayonne, N.J. On Sept. 25, at Somerville, N.J., Joseph Hendricson, one of the blacksmiths connected with the shows, was accidently run down and killed by a train on the C. R. R. of N. J. tracks while walking from the grounds to the circus sleepers. The remains were shipped to Elmira, N.Y., where his wife and one child reside. He was a member in good standing of the Order of Red Men. At Bayonne, N.J., Wm. Bartella delivered another consignment of animals to the Fashion Plate Menagerie, including an East Indian deer, a monster black panther, two while fallow deer, several large tropical birds and a dozen monkeys. On Oct. 4 there will arrive in New York direct from Hagenbeck's Hamburg Animal Emporium, two young dromedaries and two India elephants. The latter two animals have been used in the far East jungles by the natives to capture and imprison other mammoth pachyderms for the animal market. These two intelligent beasts will be assigned prominent parts in the realistic "Animal Hunt" which will hereafter form an important number in the hippodrome programme.
New York Clipper, October 12, 1901, p. 714. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from J. Augustus Jones' New R. R. Shows. We are now in our twenty-fifth week, and business still continues big. This show has not had any turnaways, but we have played to a good, steady business all season. J. Augustus Jones, manager; Elick Jones, privileges; Dave Lowe, treasurer; Elmer H. Jones, general agent, with three men ahead of show. Big show performers: Silverlake Bros., James Brooks, Joe Horner and wife, Harry Philips, Julia Brooks, the Leanos, three in number; Edward Hilton, J. H. McGraw, J. M. Martin and following musicians: L. A. Scurry, Con Acker, Frank Wolf, F. H. Way, Punk Whalen, Joe Leclare, Archie Silverlake, Chas. Gilbert, Jim Robinson. Dock Leno, manager of the side show, with the following people: May Leno, Little Ollie Leno, Alo ha Nuba, Sam Burg, Oddo, Fannie Nelson, Ed. Carter; Jim ___, superintendent of canvas, with fourteen men; M. D. Lewis, boss hostler, with six men.
Tony Lowande will arrive in New York from Cuba about Oct. 25.
Reno McCree and May Davenport, riders with the Walter L. Main Show, were married on Sept. 22, in Jersey City, N.J.
E. D. Gardner, a watchman with the Ringling Bros.' Circus, was shot and instantly killed in Phoenix, Ariz., about midnight of Sept. 23, by George McDonald. The shooting was done by McDonald in cold blood, so the circus employees state, and Ringling Bros. will make every effort to have the prisoner convicted of murder. It appears that a former employee of the show attempted to board the first section of the circus train, which was leaving for Tucson. He was ordered off, and finally forcibly ejected by Gardner. He then went to McDonald, who was that evening deputized as constable, and who immediately searched for Gardner, and, upon finding him, drew his revolver, it is stated, and shot him dead.
Gollmar Bros. & Schuman's Circus notes. We closed Oct. 5 at Waupun, Wis. Although the show has played in new territory the greater part of the season, business has been big. We toured Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. The people go to the following destinations: Gollmar Bros. and Schumann, Jas. Fitzgerald, the Hocums, the Marahas, and Chas. Smith go to Baraboo, Wis.; Harry Wertz, Leon and Dougherty, Fred Dananburg, Ed. Wallace and Floyd Pike go to Chicago; the Adairs to Springfield, Ill.; the Simpsons to Buffalo, N.Y.; the Barlows to Waverly, Pa.; Geo. Parento to Tidioute, Pa.; Arthur Rueter to Peru, Ind.; James Beano plays the Carlinville, Ill. fair, week of Oct. 7; Max Hollaway, Frank Macart to Evansville, Wis.; Prof. Frank Seavey joins the "Si Perkins" Co.; W. Fink to Freeport, Ill.; H. C. Hall to Augusta, Wis.; Burnhardt (Tubs) to South Bend, Ind.; Shellhouse and Viquesney to Kansas City; Doc Parkhurst, boss canvas man, to Columbus, O.
J. W. Roscoe is contracting agent for the Sells & Gray Circus. He writes: "We are on our way South, after a wonderfully successful trip to the Northwest coast and back. In Seattle the business was so large that we had to give two shows in one night."
Notes from the Bonheur Bros.' Shows. Johnnie Crosset's engagement was ended at Horace, Sept. 14. He left at midnight, after the close of the concert, and took train to Scott City, to join Henry Bros.' Green Wagon Show. The Morgans came on at 2:30 p.m. following morning and joined us. The success of the show was immense at Holby, Col., where we showed to capacity, at an advance in admission prices. The Morgans are making the success of their lives and are very popular with the people. Walt Morgan is truly a great clown. His old man and Dutchman in concert specialites are fine. Bob Ward was compelled to give up his engagement to return to his Oklahoma claim. Many people were turned away at Garden City, 20. We canceled 19 because of Mr. McKinley's funeral.
New York Clipper, October 19, 1901, p. 727. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The Lucky Bill Co. notes. We are playing return dates through the cities and larger towns of Minnesota and South Dakota. Mr. Newton has added many new features to his show, and is putting up a very interesting parade daily. He has secured the efficient services of a genuine Western cowboy from the wilds of the Yellowstone Valley, named Arthur L. Runyan, with his five bucking bronchos. He rides two at a time (standing), making leaps from one bucking horse to another while riding through the streets at great speed. Mr. Runyan has signed for next season with the Lucky Bill aggregation.
New York Clipper, November 2, 1901, p. 771. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
A note from Annapolis, Md., purporting to be from Reno McCree, recently stated that Mr. McCree and May Davenport had been married. As same was signed, apparently, but Mr. McCree, the note of marriage was published. It appears, however, that it was a forgery, as Mr. McCree has written us __ its contradiction.
Jack Cousins and Lottie Aymar have closed a two weeks' engagement at Corn Carnival, Peoria, Ill., where they were features in their riding acts.
Notes from La Mont Bros.' Circus. We have just closed a season of twenty weeks and have pulled into winter quarters at Salem, Ill. The season has been remarkably good, considering that it was the first season for the show. We opened at Vail, Ia., and got through to southern Illinois with but one misfortune. A cyclone struck us a Cambridge, Ia., July 1, and caused considerable damage throughout that part of the country. Our big top was carried one hundred feet from the show grounds, and our trick mule, Jocko, was almost killed by one of the large tableau wagons falling on him. Otherwise we suffered very little. The show next season will be three times as large as it was this season, and there will be a menagerie and a side show added. There are now at winter quarters three men building new cages, wagons, etc.
Notes from Asa Barker Big 10 and 20 Cent Show. We have just closed for the winter season, and have had one of the best seasons we have had in the history of the show. We will make Terre Haute, Ind., our winter quarters, and will open a dog's circus here for street fair. The show will be re-enlarged for the coming season.
The Jabour Oriental Carnival, Circus and Menagerie notes. We are playing to big business down in Texas and throughout the Southwest, after a most successful season on the coast. The aggregation has been engaged by the San Antonio International Fair Association to play a special engagement there, from Oct. 19 to 30. After a brief engagement in New Orleans, the company will appear at Houston, Old Mexico, El Paso and southern California. Manager C. L. Hutchin has piloted us through a phenomenally sucessful season.
Notes from E. G. Smith's Dog and Pony Circus. We closed our season under canvas with great success, having done a land office business through western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. Our tents have been packed to overflowing at each performance nearly every day this season, Indiana and Johnstown being our banner towns.
Cap. Stewart's 10 and 20 cent vaudeville Winter indoor circus took to the road Oct. 24 under the management of Chas. Hilton. It will play opera houses and travel by R. R., making all week stands.
Notes from the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. We close at Danville, Va., Oct. 29. Business for about six weeks was only fair, but last week was very large. Col. Cody will make a trip to the Big Horn Basin. Johnnie Baker will go to New York, while Annie Oakley will visit friends in Buffalo and take a much needed rest, after which she will return to her home at Nutley, N.J. The Wild West stock will winter at Coatesville, Pa., while the Barnum & Bailey part of the show will winter at Bridgeport, Conn. Fred. Hutchinson, treasurer of the Barnum & Bailey part of the show, will make a bridal trip to Paris.
The Stewart Family Big 10 and 20 Cent Circus notes. We closed our tenting season at Waterloo, Ind., Oct. 12, and drove to Fort Wayne, Ind., 13. We put everything away in our winter quarters, and on 24 the show goes out for the winter. Capt. Stewart remains at home, looking after the building of a new 50x80ft. barn, several sheds and several new wagons.
New York Clipper, November 9, 1901, pp. 801, 804. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
The train bearing the Forepaugh & Sells Circus was in collision with a freight train near Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 29. Three men were seriously hurt. A number of elephants got away, and, after a chase, were driven into Baton Rouge and corraled. None of the other animals escaped, although four cars loaded with cages were wrecked.
Fred. A. Hodgson, representative of the Orrin Bros.' Circus, is making his headquarters in the Clipper building during his stay in New York, and can be seen here personall every day.
Pancho Parez, assistant treasurer of the Orrin Bros.' Circus, who recently celebrated his eighty-fourth birthday, has been actively engaged in the circus business for sixty-five years.
Mrs. Mary Colvin, widow of the late E. D. Colvin, desires to tender her thanks through the medium of the New York Clipper to the numerous friends who deluged her with telegrams and letters of sympathy and condolence, and to those who in the hour of need and trouble assisted her in the last sad rites over her husband.
Notes from Bonheur Bros.' Show. The yellow wagon show did a land office business in Colorado. The prices for tickets were advanced one third in Colorado towns, and the show was strengthened before leaving Horace, Kan. A big crowd greeted the show at Holly, Col., and the audience was well pleased with the performance. Business continued at high water mark from that on to the close at Augusta, Okla., the wagons pulling into winter quarters on Oct. 24. One of the largest crowds of the season packed the tent to its utmost capacity and voted it the best show that had ever happened in the town. The show then moved two miles from quartres and showed at Carmen, recently so named, but better known as New Augusta, where another big crowd assembled to witness the real close of the show for the tenting season. With characteristic dispatch the changes for a winter tenting trip was accomplished in two days and the following Wednesday found the show in its reorganized condition, completely equipped and on the road for a Southern tour, indefinite.
Louis Ravelle, clown and fire king, having spent the last year with different circuses in Cuba, has just returned to New York.
One hundred and ten of the ring horses of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show were crushed to death in a railroad wreck at Linwood, between Charlotte, N.C., and Danville, Va. Among the horses killed was "Old Pap," Col. Cody's favorite saddle horse. "Old Eagle," the star ring horse, was killed and his mangled body fell on top of one of the wrecked engines. The mules that drew the Deadwood coach were killed. Col. Cody states that his loss is $60,000. The accident was the result of a head on collision between a fast south bound freight train and the second section of the show train, and was due to a misunderstanding of orders. Several train hands were injured, but no one was killed. Next to the engine of the show train were two large stock cars containing the horses, and this is where the slaughter occurred. The cars were smashed into a huge distorted heap of debris, and only two horses escaped alive. Col. Cody's engagement at Danville was cancelled.
Rialdo and Hogue, aerialist and Dutch clown, are making good. They have signed for the winter season South, with Van Vranken's Trained Animal Show.
Walter and Edna Lyons, Jennie DeWeese and Laray ___ joined Capt. Stewart's Vaudeville Circus, under the management of Chas. P. Hilton, on Oct. 18. This is Mr. Lyons' eleventh season with the show.
New York Clipper, November 23, 1901, pp. 850, 853. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Prof. Walberti writes: "The J. W. Gorman Indoor Circus, under the charge of the Gorman Amusement Company, of Boston, opened a week's engagement at the Auditorium, Portland, Monday, Nov. 11. The novelty of the attraction for the winter season in eastern New England presaged a successful engagment, which was fully borne out by the splendid attendance. The roster of the company is: R. L. Gorman, general manager; Prof. Walberti, equestrian director; Lowande and Wilson, double trapeze act; John Cousins, bounding jockey act; Three Herbert Brothers, Roman ladder act; Bernard Orton, bounding rope somersaults; Spaulding Bros., acrobats; Funny Frank Kenebel and company; Lottie Aymar, principal bareback act; Burto, juggler; the Moretlos, comedy acrobats; Bros. La Nole, comedy aerial gymnasts; Walberti and his trained horse Dahl; the Jerome Family, comic stilt act; Jackson Sextet, bicycle riders; Burto, Lowande and Wilson's Miniature Circus, introducing Joe the trick pony, and Dewey the riding dog. The side show features include: Blondell, the human calcium light; the Dierkes, in up to date magic; Chasm, handcuff act; Wohena, Eagle Eye, tattooed woman, and the Cecilia Quartet."
Joseph C. Banks, of Seneca Falls, was on Nov. 14, at Ballston, N.Y., acquitted on the charge of murder in the first degree. Banks was tried for shooting Herbert Tacksberry, of Ottawa, Canada, at Saratoga, on Aug. 16 last. Banks was the manager of Sautelle's Circus, and Tacksberry was a discharged employee. Banks contended that he shot in self defence.
Jack Cousins and Lottie Aymar are with manager J. W. Gorman's Indoor Circus, which opened in Portland, Me., Nov. 11. The entire company has given great satisfaction, and every act is a feature.
Myra Deane is resting at her home in New York City, after a very successful and prosperous season with the Great Wallace Shows.
Rays from Sun Bros.' World's Progressive Shows. We are still showing twice daily and are now in Tennessee. We opened our season April 10, in North Carolina, and played through Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Long Island and New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and back through Virginia into Tennessee. Very few changes have been made since our opening. Roster: Sun Bros., Geo. and Pete, proprietors; O. R. Steuer, treasurer; Geo. W. Belford, equestrian director; Chas. Coons, band master; Sam. Morris, steward; Otto Gleiser, superintendent; Wm. Randolph, boss hostler; Ed. Kain, trained stock; Vanderbuildt Height, boss properties; Johnny Parker, wardrobe; John Malone, blacksmith; Peter McWilliams, harness maker; S. P. Bowman, side show manager; Davis Bros., privileges; John Sterk, night watch; Louis Topting, chandeliers. A few of our feature acts are: the Three Bros. Belfords, acrobats; Wiley Ferris, dancing barrel and table; Geo. Sun, juggler; Ferris and Trevanion, Geo. Gardner, Leo Collins and others. Ed. Fox, principal clown, Wiley Ferris Jr., eight year old clown; Baby Sun, three and a half year old clown; Comodore, rope walking mule; a fine troupe of trained horses; Prof. Gleiser's troupe of dogs and others. In our annex we have Bowman, the wizard; Madam Bowman, the lady potterer; Sylvia, the snake enchantress, Punch and Judy, Rosa Laretta, Oriental dancer, and three cages of animals. We also have Ed. Kingland, Jules Unger, Bert R. Moore, F. Davis, J. H. Leonard, E. H. Banskie, Lyman, M. Vinai, Fred Morris, Larry De Bar. Our season has been very satisfactory. We leave the wagons at Chattanooga, Tenn., and go on our own private cars for the winter season. Everybody with the show has a bundle of the long green and all expect to eat Thanksgiving dinner under the white tops.
Bonheur Bros.' Show notes. On Saturday night, Nov. 2, after the show started, a wind storm, accompanied by rain and sleet, struck the tents. The cook tent was completely ruined, the whole roof of the scenarama wagon was torn off and blown away, and, with difficulty, the big top was saved from being torn to pieces. A panic ensued, and the audience fled for safety to the nearest hotels. The day had been quite warm and rainy. The change of temperature was sudden and complete, as if Indian Summer had made a lightning change and put on the garb of Winter. The show is doing its usual fine business on this southern tour, but if the weather continues bad it will soon slip back to winter quarters.
Jim and Lottie Rutherford closed their season with the Robinson Shows on Oct. 21, in order to play a number of dates through the East.
Ernest Cooke, manager of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, was a Clipper caller Nov. 9. He intends going to Europe the latter part of this month on a visit to his family. The Wild West Show next season will be larger and better than ever. Col. Cody's agents are now hunting up novelties in all parts of the world. The season will as usual begin at Madison Square Garden.
Mary A. F. Rees, wife of Wm. Rees, and daughter of the late John O'Brien, died at Frankford, Philadelphia, on Nov. 10, aged thirty-one years, and was buried at Mt. Peace Cemetery. She is survived by three children and her husband, Wm. Rees, who was formerly an elephant trainer.
Martinho Lowande Jr. has signed with Forepaugh & Sells Bros.' Circus for the coming season.
Oscar Lowande has signed with Orrin Bros.' Circus for ten weeks, and he will sail for Mexico Nov. 27. He also signed with the Forepaugh & Sells Bros.' Circus for next season, which will be his fourth with that show.
Sig. Sautelle, accompanied by Frank A. Robbins, who is now manager of the Sautelle Show, paid a very pleasant call upon the Clipper last week. Their reports upon the show season so recently closed were glowing ones, and Mr. Robbins stated that the Sautelle Show next season would travel in cars instead of the wagons they formerly used. The winter quarters of the show are at Homer, N.Y.
New York Clipper, December 14, 1901, pp. 909, 912. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Main's Circus notes. We close our seventeenth season at Tennille, Ga., Saturday, Dec. 7, making a tour of thirty-one weeks and not losing a single afternoon performance and only four night performances, and those on account of towns being too small to make a night show profitable in the South. Everything has run very smoothly since the opening at Geneva, O., winter quarters, May 4, and almost without a hitch. The show has eight car loads of show property more than it had at its opening. While the Southern trip has not been much profit, on account of small prices for cotton and small crops, we are pleased to say there has been no loss South, and we have broken in a great deal of new territory that the Fashion Plate has never visited in former years, which will be of great value in future visits. We played the eastern states solid for five consecutive months, and the business on Main's old stamping ground, where he has showed some towns as high as thirteen or fourteen times, was one continual boom, which convinces us of the good standing of the Old Reliabel 'Way Down East. We have had opposition with every show of any importance this season with most satisfactory results. In one New England town we came in contact with two of the greatest American shows in a friendly opposition. This town our people will long remember as North Adams, and curious as it may seem, six weeks after the three big shows in North Adams, we appeared again at another town twenty miles from there and closed the doors in the afternoon. Next Spring our season will open about April 15, so we will not be in winter quarters over four months. Our brand new brick and iron winter home is now all completed and ready to receive us, one mile west of the beautiful village of Geneva, on Ohio's greatest railroad, the ___. Travelers on that great road, looking on the north side of the tracks in the future, can readily see our commodious quarters. The following heads of departments have been re-engaged: E. C. ___, general agent; R. H. Dockrill, equestrian manager. Mr. Dockrill will also engage all performers. Dan Fitzgerald will make his future home in Geneva and will superintend the winter quarters, purchase all raw materials, and in fact fit out the entire show. Hugh Harrison, who got his first lessons in side show managing and was so many years with the Main Show in different positions, will come back to his old home and will not run his minstrel show any more. He will manage all the privileges from A to Z with the big concern for 1902, and in fact will look after everything excepting the big show and reserved seats. Mr. Main will not travel with the show next summer except to route ___, if he can secure a capable man to take his own place. He will no doubt spend two or three months in Los Angeles, Cal., this winter, with his family. The Main Show will be several cars larger next season.
Bonheur Bros.' Best Big 25 Cent Shows notes. We went into our own new winter quarters at Augusta, Okla., after closing late in November, to big business, at ____, just six miles out, where we showed to the full capacity of the tents. The very next day the weather turned extremely cold, and the show people were not a bit sorry to gt into the good warm quarters. The canvas men, under the direction of Ollie Parvell, got to work with hearty good will, and the bulky tents were soon thoroughly dried and stored away in the canvas room, a safe deposit chamber, where penetrating fumes of hartshorn and the moth killing properties of odorless blue vitriol render it unpleasant for rats and mice. Nothing terrifies a burglarious rodent like the nose piercing smell of hartshorn, and it serves equally as well in arresting mildew and moth, which are deadlier enemies to the canvas. Bonheur Bros. are more than ever determined to sustain the high moral standard of their wagon shows. The show was established under tented canopies at Jessup, Iowa, in the Spring of 1893, the World's Fair year, when shows all over the United States were feeling the effect of the great exposition in Chicago; but it steadily gained from the start and became established as a safe and clean exhibition, which ___ the church people as its friends and patrons, because of its strict morality and honest business methods. That its loyalty to these principles was rewarded by the public is attested by the fact that an "angel's visit" is unknown to the management, and the "man in white" always walks on salary day. The Bonheur Bros. insist that laugh producing "ginger" can be separated and free from the slightest gesture, word or look suggesting indecency, otherwise it is unfit for their ring or stage. A new dog and goat wagon and a capacious monkey cage are building, and another fine palace wagon is under construction at winter quarters. Some lady singer will have the use of the latter for the season of 1902, and the lucky one will find it fitted up with every convenience that an up to date prima donna could wish for in a private car. Performers from the East must not think that they are coming to the wild and wooly West when they join out with this show. Oklahoma has double the population of some of the States. The people are law abiding, and you seldom see nowadays a man with his trousers tucked in his boot tops and jingling spurs ornamenting his heels. Civility to strangers is the rule, and the dominating belief that this is a sparsely settled land, overrun with free booters and Indians is quickly dispelled, when one visits the country.
John Corriea and family have signed with Tony Lowande's Circus, now touring the Island of Cuba. They sailed Dec. 7.
Alexander A. Lowande has recovered from his injuries received while doing his act with the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Show, Sept. _.
George E. Holland and Rosa Dockrill were married Nov. 11, at Savannah, Ga.
The great success of "The Country Circus," recently at manager Blaney's Theatre, in Newark, shows that a parlor circus on the stage, as produced by Mr. Blaney and cleverly handled by his corps of able assistants, is a comparatively new, novel and pleasing show, and a winner at popular price houses. At the conclusion of the dramatic portion of the entertainment, and after the parade, the circus begins, and includes the following people: Ernest Melvelle, equestrian director; Josie Ashton Melvelle, lady rider; Johnny Purvis, clown; the Herberts, acrobats; the Starkeys, triple bars; ___, ladders, and the Marzellos, comedy stilts.
John D. Carey, press agent of the Walter L. Main Show, sends the Clipper a newspaper account of a test case in tax license. He states that he is advised that all the excessive licenses in the Southern States are unconstitutional, and can be reduced if circus owners combined to make a test case. It appears that when the Main Show played Palatka, Fla., on Nov. 27, it refused to pay the state tax of $200, as the show management claimed that it had paid it in Duval County, and that one State tax covered every county. The case was taken to court, and Judge Bullock rules that one State tax covered every county.
Chas. A. Bostwick, this season with advertising car No. 3, of Ringling Bros.' Shows, is seriously ill with appendicitis, at his home in Circleville, O.
The J. W. Gorman Indoor Circus has closed for a few weeks. It will open again in January, for a season of ten weeks. On the closing night, at Bangor, Me., Nov. __, R. L. Gorman was presented with a diamond pin, and Prof. Walberti, the equestrian director, was given a very handsome bridle, mounted with silver. The Bangor Lodge of Elks, 244, gave them an entertainment.
After the close of a successful season of promotion for street fairs, George L. Hutchin is at home in Portland, Ore., projecting a mammoth mid-Winter circus and menagerie for that city. He has leased the Mechanics' Pavilion and the Exposition, and will endeavor to make it one of the most popular amusement resorts on the coast, neither money nor pains being spared. The season will open just prior to the holidays and will continue for three months.
. . . Capt W. D. Ament has sold his Big City Show outfit to Murray & Co.
New York Clipper, December 21, 1901, pp. 922, 929. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Capt. Marion Fenner, high diver, who was last season connected with the Sautelle Show, writes that he will put out a forty horse show next season. Mr. Fenner has procured excellent backing and has bought a plot of ground on South Street, Glens Falls, N.Y., where he is having a building 100x150ft. built for a winter quarters. He has already bought eight horses, six of which he has now working at the International Paper Co.'s plant. The show will travel by wagon and tour a number of the eastern states. It will be known as Capt. Marion Fenner's New United Shows.
Twenty-five members of Walter L. Main's Circus, who were in a car on a switch at Macon, Ga., on Dec. 8, were considerably shaken up, and several were injured in a wreck. A train from Savannah crashed into their car, which had been side tracked with the switch left open. No one of the circus people is believed to have been seriously hurt, although one man on the other train was killed and many were wounded.
Jas. G. Wesson, professionally known as Jas. G. West, of Forepaugh & Sells Bros.' Circus, was married to Katherine A. Vail, a non professional, by Father Coulton, pastor of St. Stephens Catholic Church, New York City, on Dec. 12.
Chas. H. Day, the well known circus man, was married to Gertrude H. Garvey in New York City on Nov. 29. The marriage has only just been announced. Mr. Day is fifty-nine and his bride is twenty-three years old.
New York Clipper, December 28, 1901, p. 943. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Walter L. Main Show notes. Our large new winter quarters at Geneva, O., were formally opened Tuesday, Dec. 17. True, the show went into winter quarters Thursay, Dec. 12, but Mr. Main waited until every piece of show paraphernalia had been securely housed before christening the new home and turning each department over to the different "bosses." Over two hundred guests accepted the invitations, and a right joly assemblage they were when gathered around the table in the dining hall of the quarters, after a tour had been made of the new buildings. . . . The new quarters are delightfully situated, just on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Geneva, and cover an area of twenty acres, just on the borders of the Lake Shore Railroad. The building is entirely of brick, heated with steam and lighted by electricity. While our quarters are all under one roof, they are perfect in division and each department is separate in itself, but whole as a winter quarters. The West section, or repair shop, is the first section that one enters after crossing the front grounds. This section is 130x170; next, the paint room, ___. The animal room, the pride of the quarters, is the most perfect that architects can furnish. It extends along the north side of the building 140ft., and is 100ft. in width. Here the cages are built stationary and are much larger than those used during the tenting season. The general storage room extends from the animal room to the south wall, and is 100x120ft. From that is the harness room, 75ft. square. The ring barn is south of the harness room and is 100ft. square, and is in itself an up to date gymnasium. The stable is at the east end of the quarters, and is 199x170ft. On either side are commodious stalls for the stabling of 160 head of horses. Here only will be kept the ring stock, while the draught horses will winter at Mr. Main's farm at Trumbull. Between the stable and animal quarters, and off of the ring barn, is the granery. Here is stored the hay and feed for winter use, and to keep which replenished almost the entire crop of Ashtabula county has been contracted for. West of the quarters proper is the workingmen's quarters, under the supervision of ___. Here the workingmen and ___ eat and sleep. The former have a large dining hall down stairs, and the latter a dining room upstairs. Apart from the living quarters is recreation hall, where the men can lounge, smoke, read and tell reminiscenses of their summer trips. This Mr. Main considers as essential as any other department. All the leading papers are on file, but the most conspicuous one is marked "Clipper." Four separate sidings run into the quarters from the main line of the Lake Shore Railroad, and the terminals of all these sidings are under roomy sheds, and here are stored the cars. All those who have inspected the new quarters pronounce them the most modern and perfect in use. Hugh Harrison will have charge of the side show, concert, candy stand and all privileges; R. H. Dockrill will handle all performers; Dan Fitzgerald, superintendent of MainShow, attends to all horses and workingmen, and Mr. Main looks after the executive staff only.
Welsh Bros.' (Circus Depot) notes. The work in our new a palatial winter quarters at Lancaster is rapidly progressing. As the show will be practically all new this coming season, a larger force of workmen than usual is required to complete the outfit. The new tents have arrived at the depot and are marvels of first class workmanship. The "big show" canvas will consist of a 120ft. round top, with three 50ft. middle pieces. The dressing tent will be a 60ft. top, with one 30ft. middle piece. The menagerie canvas, 80ft. top, with two 40ft. middle pieces. The side show canvas, __ft. top, with one 40ft. middle piece. The rolling stock will include ten cars with the show and two cars in advance, all elegantly equipped, the appointments in the two new Pullman sleepers being especially fine. The zoologic department will be made a special feature of, and will include fifteen cages of rare wild beasts, birds and animals. There will also be a herd of all kinds of hay animals, two elephants, four camels, sacred cattle, etc. As in past seasons, the same high standard of merit and excellence will pervade the "big show" exhibition. The personnel of performers will be all new and the acts radically different from any heretofore presented by the "Newest Great." Many of the best performers procurable have been signed, and only one ring will be used to exploit the various acts, although two acts will be presented in the majority of displays. One hundred horses and thirty ponies will be quartered in the equine stables, and these horses have been carefully selected and will compare favorably with many carried by the larger shows. A particularly interesting feature of the show will be the continuance of a first class culinary department. This branch of the show will be under the supervision of W. Howard Martin (tenth season). The bills of fare presented by this eminent chef always bring forth exclamations of great delight by the "troupers" - the "best ever" they all unite in saying The chief bosses of the different departments will include: Charles O'Brien, superintendent of lot; Herbert H. Whittier, bandmaster; V. Woodward, general advertising manager and director of car No. 1; Prof. John White, animal trainer, and Clinton Newton, director of amusements and general press agent (fifteenth season). The other positions will be filled by men of marked ability. The past season, which terminated Oct. 10, was a brilliant financial success, and the show was received everywhere with great enthusiasm by the newspapers and the public. With the new equipments and performances, the show should make a better impression, and will no doubt duplicate the great success it achieved the past season. Col. M. H. Welsh will be director general with the show; John T. Welsh, general advance manager, and Geo. A. Welsh, treasurer. . . .
Dashington Bros.' Show has gone into winter quarters at Danville, Ill. The show will open its season on April 15, with a 60ft. round top, two 30ft. middle pieces; horse tent 20x40, dressing room 30ft. round top, and cook tent 30x40ft., twenty head of horses and ten wagons, and two advance wagons.
Mrs. Sallie A. Carlisle, of Kansas City, Mo., sailed from New York City Nov. 13, and arrived in Paris, France, Nov. 21. She will spend the winter with her son, Prof. R. C. Carlisle (Wichita Jack), who is now general superintendent of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The Ty-Bells, Julian, Villette and Edith, go with the Ringling Bros.' Show next season. They will spend the holidays at their home in Chicago.
1902
New York Clipper, January 4, 1902, pp. 976, 985, 987. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Teets Bros.' R. R. Show notes. We are at present resting for the holidays at Mobile, Ala., after thirty-four weeks of fine business through the southern States. They will open again early in the new year, with most of the people retained for another season of thirty-four weeks. There will be several new features added for the coming season, both to the big show and side show. Several members of the company paid a visit to their homes for the holidays. Others will spend time hunting and fishing around Mobile. The carpenters and painters are busy getting ready for the opening.
Fred La Mont writes: "We are at home hard at work on a four wire act, for the Forepaugh & Sells Bros.' Shows. This act will be a combination of wire work and acrobatics, and we will be known as the Carmen Troupe, as the principal member will be La Belle Carmen."
The Leon Sisters are booked for the coming season with the Ringling Brothers' Circus, to open in Chicago, April _.
Floyd Trover, of the Trover Bros., closed with Teets Bros.' Show, and is spending the holidays at his home in Beaver Falls, Pa.
Sun Bros.' Show notes. The weather the last two weeks has been very cold for a tent show. Last week the water froze in the car, and we had to build wood fires in the dressing room, but still the people come in overcoats and sit on seats and freeze. The weather is warmer now. We are working straight South.
Harry C. Harris has signed as general contracing agent of the Capt. Marion Circus for season of 1902, with a corps of six assistants.
The Pan American Circus and European Menagerie are in winter quarters at Tacoma, Wash.
The Fisher Family, three in number, arrived in this city Dec. 27. Anita Stirk arrived 29, and Marie Silbon will be here Jan. _. These will complete the ten people gathered together by Harry Potter for his big act, which will be known as the Potter Family. The troupe will be the leading feature with the Forepaugh Sells Brothers' Circus, for the tenting season of 1902.
Notes from the Whitney Big One Ring Shows. Everything is comfortably stowed away in winter quarters on the spacious fair grounds at Attica, O., and preparations are well under way for next season. 1902 will find the Whitney's to the front with one of the biggest and best attractions they have ever launched. The canvas will all be new, big top, horse tents, etc. . . . All special paper, from Donaldson Litho. Co., will be used by the two advance brigades. E. S. Murphy will again handle the contracting and first advance corps, while John Peach will attend to the skirmish and opposition forces. The band this season will be a special feature, and is in the hands of Prof. John S. Phillips, his fifth season in this capacity. Among the big features already engaged for the "inside" are the Three Marvelous Brownes, the Rhodes Family and the De Leons.
Del Fuego, proprietor of Richard & Co.'s Unique Side Show, has the following people: Lulu Del Fuego, tattooed lady; Frank Goldie, magician; Zara, snake enchantress; ___, Zulu; ___, mind readers; Prof. Bryon, Punch and Judy, and the original Del Fuego. Shorty Gallagher, boss canvas man, with two assistants; a __ft. round top and ten paintings.
New York Clipper, January 18, 1902, p. 1032. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Notes from the Walter L. Main winter quarters. Everything is hustle and bustle, but with all discipline around winter quarters. Over one hundred men are busy daily, and Mr. Main seems determined to verify his statement that the Fashion Plate Show will go out in 1902 larger and better than ever. The buzz of the saw, click of the hammer and swish of the paint brush is merry music to his ears, as he notes the transformation that results. Every department is in full working order, and the system inaugurated and supervised by superintendent "Danny" Fitzgerald is perfect. In the blacksmith shop twelve new lot wagons are in the course of construction, and all the wagons and cages of last season are being overhauled. "Bob" Frozler, as boss painter and "Lew" Wright, its decorator, are as busy as the traditional bee in the paint shop, while William H. Winner, animal man, has a well attended school daily. Mr. Winner is breaking a new animal act for next season that promises to eclipse any before attempted. In it he is using no less than twenty-two cat animals, three elephants, two horses and a pair of bloodhounds. Winner's reputation as an animal breaker is well known, and he generally succeeds in all he undertakes. Eight head of draught horses were recently purchased by "Bob" Abrams and added to the stable. Prof. R. H. Dockrill has registered in winter quarters, and the snap of his whip resounds daily in the ring barn. Santa Claus did not overlook the stockings of the show men. In winter quarters a beautiful turkey dinner was served, and every workingman received a suit of heavy underwear and a pair of rubber boots. Ed. C. Knupp got a ___ roller top desk; "Danny" Fitzgerald received a swell turn out, a speedy four year old mare and runabout; W. W. Powers a set of Scotch bagpipes. In fact all the attaches of the quarters and office were subtantially remembered. Weather permitting the Fashion Plate Show will go out earlier than ususal in 1902, enlarged, better equipped with more special features than ever before. The executive staff will be made up of the same gentlemen who have so long been associated with the "governor."
Welsh Bros.' Newest Great notes. The yuletide holiday at the winter depot was spent in a most pleasant manner. The attaches were the recipients of many handsome and useful gifts from the Messrs Welsh. At the new residence of the proprietors, which is adjacent to the quarters, a big old fashioned Christmas dinner was served at noon, which was participated in by many visiting showmen, local newspaper scribes, and all of the attaches. The affair was hugely enjoyed by all present. . . . The newly constructed ring barn is presided over by Prof. John White, who is busily engaged in breaking new equine acts, including the big sixty horse display. The vehicle department has been augumented by the addition of a new steam calliope, musical chimes, car and ticket wagon. All are of modern and ornate build and present an imposing appearance. Among the latest engagements for the "dressing room circle" are: the Welcome 4-Paw company of aerialists, the La Rue troupe of star acrobats, Katamara Royal Court Japanese Troupe, George Colby, grotesque hurdle mule rider; Madame Collett's cake walking and dancing horses, Mlle Zanta, novelty aerialist, and Rey Ali's congress of Arabian whirlwind acrobats; these people will also introduce for the first time in this country the cake walking camels, accompanied by music upon native instruments. The comedy contingent will comprise: Wm. La Rue, principal clown; Harry F. West, German clown; Finning and Crawford, musical clowns; "Rube" Adams, rural grotesque, and Grimaldi Herbert, high stilt performer. The Great Marinetta, muscular ring expositor, has also been engaged as a special "billing" feature. H. Stanley Lewis will be advertising manager with the show (fourth season). The side show and vaudeville annex will be conducted upon high class lines and will contain a multiplicity of lot clearing magnets. The opening of the season is carded for the early part of April.
Theo. Ferris, boss animal man, is still with the Great Wallace Shows at Peru, Ind.
Notes from Hough & Huston's High Class Circus. We started from Marion, Ind., early in April. Mr. Huston was the well known general business manager of Gentry Bros.' Trained Animal Shows for the last three years, and is a successful showman of ability and hustling qualities. He should pilot the show to sure success. Mr. Hough, his partner, is a hustling business man of Marion, and one of the best known and best liked men in the city. He is a man of business, and owns large interests in the gas and oil fields in the surrounding counties. Mr. Hough and Mr. Huston have been fast friends from childhood. The amusement going people may expect one of the best shows ever witnessed under canvas this coming year, as these gentlemen will have the best that money can procure. The show will consist of trained animals and high class circus acts and the parade will be made a feature. We will carry twenty musicians in the band, and many novelties will be seen in the parade. Work has commenced at the quarters, and we expect to be in readiness for the opening early in April. The show ill put in a long season South.
Art Adair, of Art and Dot Adair, writes from Paris, France: "We are successfully fillng a winter's engagement with the Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Gallerie de Machines, Paris, France, after which we have a contract with 4 Paw-Sells Bros.' Circus for the coming tenting season, 1902. . . . "
Peter S. McNally has been appointed press representative of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus, season of 1902. Mr. McNally has been connected with the Boston press for almost twenty years, and for the pst ten years has been a valued member of the repertorial staff of the Boston Globe. He has a wide reputation as an athlete. His is a brother of John J. McNally, the well known playwright.
The Potter Family and the Carmen Troupe will be among the strong attractions of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus the coming season.
Notes from Barlow's Refined Shows. We commenced overhauling our wagons and fixtures Jan. 1. We are still at work in the training room on our dogs, ponies, goats and monkeys. So far we have booked Geo. Wymann, as contracting agent. This is the fifth season for Mr. Wymann with the Barlow Show. Newman Deal has signed, his second season. C. H. Zaro and Arthur Howe have also signed. We expect to have our stock and fixtures in first class condition, and will take the road April 26. . . .
Notes from the Great Marallo Show. We are now arranging to open in April,and will have a high class one ring circus and travel by rail, three cars, 80ft. top, two 40ft. middles, dressing tent 40x60. Kid show top 50x80, with a front of double deck paintings. Will carry about sixteen head of stock and forty people. The following people have been engaged: the Three Bellmonts, Snead and Collins, ___, La Verds, Russell and 4 Paw, and Roseline Stickney, with her dog circus. Frank Carpenter, contracting agent, with six assistants, who will fill the country with bright, new and attractive paper.
The following musicians have signed with Welsh Bros.' Circus for season of 1902: D. E. Dickson, Jas. Finning, D. Waldo, __ Snyder, H. H. Grim, Geo. La Val . . . J. Negro, ?. H. Brown, Ross Knight, Geo. Taft, W. J. Newmyer, J. L. Parsons, J. Bernhart, E. Griswold, C. Wright, and ?. H. Whittier, director.
Elfie De Rock will go with the Wallace Show next season. For her Christmas she received many articles of wearing apparel, a lovely locket, set in diamonds, and a proposal of marriage.
Harry C. Harris, general agent of Capt. Marion Fenner's Circus, is laying off at Meriden, Ct., preparing the route for season of 1902, which will be a tour of the eastern States. Capt. Fenner is trying to make his new enterprise one of the largest and best one ring circuses on the road. Business at winter quarters is very brisk, and the show is preparing for a long season. Wm. Hayes has signed as lithographer and programmer.
Business manager C. Thompson, of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus, is spending the winter months at his beautiful plantation in Braidentown [sic], Fla., where he devotes most of his leisure time to the culture of rare plants and the development of his orange groves.
The Haag Show closed in Le Compte, La., on Dec. 30, and is now in winter quarters. The show will reopen about Feb. 20.
New York Clipper, February 1, 1902, pp. 1062, 1068. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Welsh Brothers' Show Notes. The big Annex and Combined Vaudeville Theatre which during the coming season will be one of the feature adjuncts with the Welsh Bros.' Railroad Shows, will have the following people to deliver the goods: Prof. Victor Hugo, manager; Mme. Hugo, Chas. Mellivan, Major Little Finger and wife, Mlle. Petrowsky, Prof. and Mme. Del Kano, Carter Sisters, Jackson's Jubilee Singers and cake walkers, and Prof. Elmer Parkinson, with his trained seals and sea lions. One of the special drawing cards will be the latest big city sensation, the 'cycle whirl, introducing three bicycle riders in sensational exhibitions. A brass band of eight pieces and a monster novelty orchestra will furnish the music. Captain W. White, late of the Detroit, Mich., fire department, has been engaged to give his remarkable high dive from a 100ft. ladder into a net below as a free outside exhibition. Another outside display will be the double balloon ascension and parachute jumps by Prof. J. D. Ericson and son. These gratuitous shows will be given twice daily in the various towns and cities that will be visited.
Johnnie Johnson and Edward Anderson have signed with the Geo. W. Hall Jr. Circus and Menagerie for the tenting season of 1902.
Prof. R. C. Carlisle, formerly manager of Carlisle's Historical Wild West, and for several months forage agent and assistant general agent with Barnum & Bailey's Circus, has been re-engaged for the winte season as general superintendent during the absence of Frank Hyatt, who sailed for America Dec. 1.
Hall & Long Big City Show notes. . . . We will open in Muncie, about April 28. We are busy remodeling and enlarging our show, and think we will have the finest little two car show on the road. Many of our last season's people will be with us again this season. Wilbur Fisher, cornet soloist, enters his third season; Lang and Kilmar, acrobats and bars, their fourth season; Capt. and Miss Morgan, their second season. We will use a 70ft. roung top, with two 40ft. middle pieces, and a 40ft. dressing tent. Everything will be new and in fine shape. Our sleeping and dining car has been remodeled, and, with a new 60ft. baggage car, the show will be complete.
Horace Webb, who was for the past two seasons with the Great Wallace Show, goes the coming season with John Robinson's Ten Big Shows, to do his novelty aerial act and clowning.
Joe Cousins and Pearl Lillian Kalar (non-professional) were married Jan. 9 at the home of the bride in Jackson, Miss., Bishop Galloway, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating.
Chas. W. Beasie (door talker) has singed for 1902 with Great Wallace Shows, making his third season with the show.
Smith's Imperial Circus notes. We have arrived in Buckstown, Pa., where the show is quartered for the winter. Mr. Smith will personally oversee to the repairing and refitting of the outfit. The show will open April 21, and the coming Spring will inaugurate the fifth season with the show better in every way than ever before.
Mrs. Grace Mohring, widow of Arthur Mohring, who was killed in the leaps with the Barnum & Bailey Show, at Paris, France, on Dec. 6 last, on behalf of herself and her little daughter, expresses her deep gratitude to Mr. Bailey for his kindness in shipping her husband's body to his home in Dubuque, Ia., and also thanks to Mr. McCadden and her late husband's friends. The late Arthur Mohring is survived by his wife and a baby, one brother, three sisters and his parents.
Albert Orton has been re-engaged for next season with the W. H. Harris Nickel Plate Shows.
The Petet Family of acrobats and aerial bar performers will be with the Ringling Bros.' Circus next season. Wm. Vennerson will be one of the bar number.
Jas. A. Morrow, orator and side show talker, and his wife, Evadean Morrow, female bag puncher, closed a successful season of thirty-four weeks with the Sells & Gray Circus and joined Hagenbach's Trained Wild Animal Show.
The Sells-Gray Circus, which came to grief a few weeks ago, was sold recently at sheriff's sale at Algeria, La., just outside of New Orleans, bringing $7,625. The stock of ring horses and trick mules was bought by Martin J. Downs, and the balance of the horses by local dealers, altogether bringing $2,600. The Donaldson Lithographing Co. bought the rest of the show, paying $5,025.
Rays from the Sun Bros.' Shows. We are actively getting ready for our opening, early in April, in Atlanta, Ga. Blacksmith John Malone and his assistants are busy getting all wagons in shape and repairing them. Peter McWilliams is busy in the harness room looking over harness and parade trappings. W. S. Randolph, boss hostler, has the stock looking in the pink of condition, except a few head, which are to be sold and replaced by others. Sun Bros. will have one of the biggest and best wagon shows on the road next season. George Sun is in Florida with our winter show, and reports very good business. Pete Sun and Otto Steuer are in winter quarters looking after affairs and pushing the work along.
Chas. H. Tinney, cornettist, after spending a few weeks at his home, joined the Jno. H. Sparks Show at Jackson, Miss., on Jan. 12. The present roster of the band with the Sparks show, under the leadership of J. S. Kritchfield, is as follows: Al. Kadel, Dave Poland, J. S. Kritchfield, Chas. H. Tinney, T. W. Ballinger, Ernest Jones, Paul de Condo, Geo. Lowery, Jno. Ebersbach, Wm. E. Wheeler, Jno. Henry Jr. and Marion Abbott.
Otto Gleiser closed his third season with Sun Bros. Show at Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 1, and is now at his home in Raleigh, N.C., for the winter.
Mrs. D. J. Fitzgerald, wife of the superintendent of Walter L. Main's Circus, died in Geneva, O., on Jan. 14. Paralysis was thought to have been the cause of death. She was thirty-eight years of age. The funeral services were held at the home on West Main Street last Thursday afternoon, and the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery there.
Fred Frank will remain with the Tony Lowande Circus in Cuba.
Pawnee Bill has engaged Sheik M. Bark Ben Basha's troupe of Arabian riders and acrobats, who will arrive in time to open with his Wild West show. The troupe is under the sole direction of Sheik M. Bark, who will be in Chester, Pa., at the winter quarters, prior to their opening.
Annie Oakley has left the Buffalo Bill Wild West Co., after seventeen years with that show, during which time she never lost a performance on her own account. At present she is resting at her Nutley, N.J. home, but she will be seen later on at the head of a show in Europe.
King E. Ziemer's Royal American R. R. Show notes. We will open our season on or about April 23. We have taken advantage of the fine weather and have done some repairing and retouching. This show will not be enlarged for the coming season, but we will have a brand new canvas, which for workmanship, fit and material cannot be excelled. The Beaumonts, Laverne, ___, and the Great Pitcher have signed.
New York Clipper, February 8, 1902, p. 1096. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
Wm. Lucifer writes from Vladivostock, Siberia, under date of Dec. 3: "The above is the Russian calendar date; in America it is Dec. 16. So we are fourteen days behind here for our Xmas festivities. Since my last letter to the Clipper, from Java, some fourteen months ago, our route has been pretty well as follows: We closed one of the must successful, as well as pleasant, eighteen months' engagments with Harmston's Circus we ever played. Our farewell speaks for itself, as our presents were many and valuable. Leaving Singapore, S. S., Oct. 3, 1900, I, with my family and Tom Queen, made a tour of the ___ and Barneo Islands, arriving at Manila Nov. 14, 1900, and opened at the Alhambra Theatre, under the management of Whaley & Johnson, five days later, where, with the exception of a short tour to the Island of Luzon, we performed for ten months, without losing a night. Sailing from Manila July 14, our object point being San Francisco, by mere chance we landed at Yokohama, Japan, on the same date as the Flying Jordans' Co. Their offer was too tempting, so we joined them and played every principal city for Tokin to Nagasaka. In many of the cities the natives had never seen a white showman, nor big twelve-sheet circus pictorial poster and white tents. When any of our company appeared on the streets you would immediatly see that street blockaded from one end to the other with a crowd of curious, fantastically dressed, wooden shod natives. The same curiosity brought them around the big tent by thousands each evening, but on learning the price their curiosity would receive a severe shock. The majority contented themselves with remaining on the outside, staring at the tent and listening to the band play until the lights went out. In Japan is where the continuous is carried out, as their circus performances commence at eight o'clock in the morning and continue equally late in the evening. Mr. Jordan disbanded his company at Nagasaki, and the Flying Jordans, Forest Seabury (high diver), and Lucifers sailed for the far away Siberian port under two months per cent contract to Borosky's Royal St. Petersburg Circus, and our sucess has been far beyond our expectations. To fully describe Vladivostock and its oddly mixed population would require too much space. It is the sea port terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow across Russia and Siberia (just recently completed), eight thousand miles across, and is Russia's stronghold for all Chinese and Eastern possessions, also ticket of leave men; has a population of about ___, boasts an opera house that would be a credit to Broadway, where a stock company of seventy-five or eighty people alternate in putting on the latest operatic and dramatic pieces. Two Cafe Chantants, or music halls, of the go as you please order (very much Texas), two Chinese, one Japanese and one Corean theatre, and Borosky's Amphitheatre Circus building, seating about two thousand and built for the purpose of wintering here and giving performances during the time until Spring, and then return over his route through Siberia into Russia. He has decided to defer any further winter season here, and a special chartered steamer sailing from this port Dec. 18 will carry the entire Borosky Circus, including forty-two head of the finest trained horses and fifty-two performers and a ballet of thirty girls, direct to Manila. We will sail with them as far as that port, but will only remain a week or two until we can catch steamer for Japan, where we will spend four or five weeks at the hot springs, and then sail for dear old America, after an absence of six years. The Jordans and Seabury will remain with the circus."
Edw. Roberts, of the Roberts Troupe, writes: "At Bloomington, Ill., Jan. 20, there was quite a large gathering of circus people. The Royer Bros.' 'Next Door' Co. held the boards at the Grand Opera House. With their show are Archie Royer and the Roberts troupe of acrobats. At the Coliseum Edw. Shipp's Indoor Circus opened for a four day engagement. The roster includes: Edw. Shipp and wife, Ty Bell Sistesrs and J. Tybell, the Hobsons, Welcome and Forpaw, Vannerson and Garnell, the Siverton Trio, Alex. Lowande, Carlosa, Frank Smith, Frank (Slivers) Oakley, Wm. Seagrist, Lon Moore, Sam Bennett, Major Peanuts, Geo. Yammereit, and Geo. Kline, agent. The Flying La Vans are wintering at Bloomington, and it is also the home of the Fisher Family."
T. B. McIntyre, well known in the circus business, is very ill with congestion of the brain at his home in Columbus, O. Mr. McIntyre has many friends in England, Ireland and Scotland, as well as in America. He is a member of the New York Lodge, No. 1, Elks, and also a thirty-second degree member of the Order of Free Masons, belonging to the Mount Vernon Commandery, of Columbus.
The Shaws (Walt. and Rose), midair acrobats, played weeks of Jan. 12-19 at the Trocadero Theatre, New Orleans, La., with great success, and are now on tour with Teets Bros.' Railroad Shows through the southern States.
Notes from the Haag Show. Manager Haag has just returned from the East and North, where he purchased a royal Bengal tiger, two hyenas, and the lion cub Leo from Lincoln Park. He has also ordered from Sullivan & Eagle, Peru, Ind., four new cages, tableau, ticket and band wagons, which makes in all thirty-four wagons with the show. There will be eighteen cages and wagons in parade. Mr. Haag intends featuring the parade this season, amking it exceptionally grand, gorgeous costuming and wardrobe being entirely new. There are one hundred and twenty-five baggage stock and twenty-four Shetland ponies with the show. Show will have entirely new canvas, using a 90ft., with two 40ft. middle pieces; managerie a 70ft., with two 30ft. middle pieces; side show __, with a 30ft. middle piece; two horse tents, cook house and dressing room. Jas. M. Robinson will be the advance agent, making his third season with the show, with three bill wagons and six bill posters. Our old friend, director Harry Rhodes, who has been leading the band since 1895, has been re-engaged for next season, and will have twelve musicians. There will be twelve performers in the dressing room, in charge of Red Barker [Harker?], equestrian director, who at present is very busily engaged training ponies and dogs. Side show will be in charge of Frank Rosenthal (late of the Lemon Bros.). He will make openings and announcements. Side show consists of two ticket sellers, colored band of eight pieces, Mlle. Cleo's den of snakes, Mlle. Zarlick, Circassian princess; Pow Bwo, Zulu warrior; Frank Howe, fat boy; Major Getz, midget; Francis Wilson, George electric lady; George coon shouters, six in number; Prof. Rose, Punch and magic; a cage of monkeys, birds and crocodiles. Show goes out this season first class in every respect, grander, larger and better than ever. Will open last of February.
News from John L. Davenport's Ring Barn. The ring horses are running fine. Johnny Davenport Jr. is doing some exceptionally fine riding, doing somersaults from one horse to the other and twisting forward somersault from horse to horse. Stick Davenport is hard at work doing his principal champion bareback act, introducing backward back and backward forwards for the coming season. He and his wife are engaged with the Ringling Bros.' Show, also his sister, May Davenport and Reno McCree, to do their champion double jockey act. They also have a few new ones for the coming season. Orrin Davenport is hard at work on his horse May.
Notes from Richards' Unique Shows. We have been on the road ten months, playing to good business most of the time. We had two weeks of bad weather in December, but we never lost a stand. Our show looks much larger now since we absorbed the Campbell Brothers' Side Show. We had eight wagons when we left Donaldsonville, Ia., last March, and now we have fifteen. Joe and Hattie Richard, owners and managers; Shirly Morton, assistant manager; Del Fuego, manager of side show; George Vincent, advance agent; Tom Welson, band master; Shortie Baliger, boss canvs man; Blackey Gracie, boss hostler; King ___, boss properties. The show will stay out all winter, and lay up one week in March to repair the wagons for spring and summer.
Walter L. Main Show notes. Prof. Carl Neal, of the Royal Music Hall, Savannah, Ga., will direct a band of forty pieces with the show during the coming season. Ernie Houghton will have full charge of the stock with the show.
W. H. Quinnett has signed as contracting agent with the Campbell Bros.' Shows for the season of 1902, making his third season with that show.
W. J. Carter has signed with the Skerbeck's Great One Ring R. R. Show as general contracting agent, this making his secons season with that show.
New York Clipper, February 15, 1902, p. 1121. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
News and notes from Lucky Bill's Wagon Shows. Everything about the work shops at the winter quarters of this show is looking gay and bright, but the four busy painters who have been employed the last few weeks have informed Lucky Bill that it will be at least four weeks yet before that line of work will be completed. The ten carpenters who have just finished one month's work have received their pay in full and gone on their way rejoicing. Five new wagons have been added to this year's outfit, also a baby camel, and six baby monkeys have opened their eyes to the light of day at Stockton, Minn., the winter quarters of this show. Four more Shetland ponies have been added, which now makes ten in all. Lucky Bill has engaged Lew Herschel, with his troupe of performing dogs and goats, as one of the special features for the concert. He has also signed contracts with almost all big performers. The season will open about April 28, at Stockton, Minn., and the show will travel westward through Colorado. Ruby Atkinson has signed as secretary for the above show. . . .
New York Clipper, February 22, 1902, p. 1136. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
From the Forepaugh-Sells Show. The whirr of industry resounds throughout Sellsville, the winter quarters of the great Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus, at Columbus, Ohio, and in every department, from dawn till dark, there is the greatest activity in making preparations for the opening of the approaching season. Almost everybody connected with the mechanical department of "The Great Twentieth Century Colossus" has reported for duty, and the small army of artisans and skilled laborers are working assiduously to get everything in shipshape condition for this year's tour. Carpenters, painters, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, harness makers, electricians, canvas men, baggage grooms, chandeliers, sail makers, heads of culinary departments, railway men,car builders and other are laboring with untirting energy and zeal, and with a spirit of most friendly rivalry to complete the multiplicty of details that are required of an organization of the magnitude of this show. All the rolling stock is being thoroughly overhauled and repaired, wagons, chariots and cars. Great casks of paints and varnishes are being consumes; hundreds of book of gold leaf are being utilized in brightening up the chariots; hundreds of thousands of feet of lumber are replenishing a shortage of new materials; new seats are being constructed, stakes ovehauled, all kinds of defect remedied; tons of cordage being utilitzed in making new falls, stays and running gear; baggage grooms cleaning and repairing; costumers and wardrobe women manufacturing brilliantly attractive trappings; armorers cleaning and polishing everything in their department; car builders, contructing mammoth new cars; riggers splicing wire and hempen rope, and a variety of other occupations going on, too numerous to mention. A visit to Sellsville now is like a visit to a great naval plant when the preparations for the late Spanish-American war were at their height. Visitors are always welcom at Sellsville, and hundreds avail themselves daily of a sightseeing trip to this most interesting and instructive village. The Messrs Lewis and Peter Sells are on hand daily supervising the work, and while they are as busy as two queen bees they are eve courteous and affable to visitors. As employers they are held in the highest esteem by everybody connected with their vast enterprise, and from the heads of their departments down to the water boys they are always greeted with unmistakable evidence of good will. And they reciprocate this regard and watch over their employees with a real interest in their welfare. The Forepaugh-Sells Circus will enter upon the season of 1902 a greater organization than ever, and features are promised that will excel anything before presented. The street pageant will be one of unusual magnificence, and the menagerie will take rank with the best permanently established zoos in the world. The opening performance will be given at Madison Square Garden, New York, early in April.
Notes from the W. H. Harris World Famous Nickel Plate Shows. We open our twentieth annual tour at Birmingham, Ala., March 20, under the auspices of the local lodge of Elks. Mr. Wilson sends the roster complete for 1902: C. D. McIntyre, general agent; Amos W. McKinney, special agent; Clem Kerr, press agent; Henry ___, adjuster; Lew White, manager side show; Frank Shafer, manager candy stands; Jas. Keenan, manager tickets; Al. Armer, equestrian director; J. C. Burba, musical director; Matt Tobin, boss canvas man; Claude Orton, boss hostler; Chas. Trexler, trainmaster; Geo. Staples, chandelier man, and the following performers: Emma La Tour, Three Armens, Three Millettes, Seven Miles Orton Troupe, Tom Powers, Geo. Jennier, Hermon, Otto Weaver, Claude Orton, Albert Orton, and the Great Norman, Myron Michael troupe of acrobats and aerialists. The Nickel Plate Shows have engaged J. C. Burba's uniformed band and orchestra, composed of the following well known musicians: Bert King, solo cornet; Olande Gilson, cornet; Burt Patter, solo clarionet; J. Antoine, clarionet; Fred Johnson, solo alto; Emmet Lowery, alto; Chas. Mowry, solo trombone; Jas. Wilson, solo trombone; J. C. Burba, baritone; Tom Morris, tuba, and Fred W. Green, trap drummer.
Geo. Le Noir and wife have been engaged by Phil. Ellsworth to present their Marionette Theatre with the Great Wallace Show during the coming season.
Sam M. Dawson has been re-engaged to manage advertising car No. 1 of the Pawnee Bill Show.
Master James Brooks, the boy wire walker, is confined at his home, at Portsmouth, O., with a severe illness. He will not do his outside ascensions this season.
Notes from Bailey's Big 10 and 20 Cent Circus. Ralph Bailey, proprietor and manager. Everything is progressing nicely at the headquarters and all will be in readiness to open about May 1, at Marion, Ind. The show will be one of the neatest, best and largest of all small shows. We will have fifteen performers and a troupe of dogs and monkeys, with a fine band of twenty-four musicians, with will give daily concerts. We have a 90ft. top, two 40ft. m. p., and travel in our own special cars.
Welsh Bros.' midwinter notes. Since our last contribution to these columns the major portion of the coming season's preparations have been finished. The cages, dens, chariots, tableau cars and band wagons have received the final touches of the embellishers and decorators, and are a most gorgeous sight to behold, "all blazoned in crimsona and gold." The street parade this season will be exactly as the show posters read, "a megatberian processional amazement." General agent John Welsh has completed his roster for the advance with the following people: car No. 1 - V. O. Woodward, manager; E. E. Meredith, press agent; Chas. Moore, boss bill poster; M. E. Hall, George Corby, Sam Bearley, Frank McDonald, Jack Porter, Ed Ruth and Sam Gibbons, bill posters; Harry [or Barry] Starr and Frank Kane, lithographers; Geo. Wilson, banners, and ___, programer. Car No. 2 - Jack Scott, manager; Ed. Wilson, boss bill poster; Frank Call, George Johnson, Ed. Whitney, Ed. Long and George Hall, billposters; Dick Fordney, lithographer,and Harry Clay, programmer; Nick Nary, twenty-four hour agent, and Prof. Wm. Lansdowne, stereoptican exhibition. For the various other departments of the show the following have recently signed: Mannie Forepaugh, Prisian menage performer; King Cole, mimic and vertriloquist; John K. Trewits, musical performer; W. C. Lane, side show orator, and Misses Rose, Williams and Ricardo, bicyclists, for the 'cycle whirl act. Car manager Woodward, supt. O'Bryan and director of amusements Newton are now domiciled in our business offices at the Winter depot, looking after the interests of their different department. Both of the "Governors," the Messrs. Welsh, are away upon an extended trip pertaining to equine and railway matters. They are expected home during the latter part of February. Although the weather is extremely cold here at present, we have had plenty of notable circus and theatrical visitors at the quarters during the past few weeks . . .
Doc Morris, light and heavy balancer and clown, who was taken ill while traveling with Robt. Stickney's Circus through the South, is much better and is resting at his home in Hamilton, O.
Young Cyclone has just returned from Paris, where he played with the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and had a very successful season. He has a new sensational bicycle act, which he is now breaking in for the coming tenting season.
Lewis Wilkins, who was professionally known as "The Kentucky Giant," and who stands 8ft. 2in. high, recently returned to this country, and has announced his retirement from professional life.
John Foster, the once popular clown, and pantomimist, is confined to his home __ Greenwich Avenue, New York, with rheumatism.
The Richards have met with such success through Mexico with the Orrin Bros.' Circus that they have been re-engaged for an indefinite period.
G. Albert Schmitt, late flutist of Bronson's Concert Band, has been engaged by W. N. Merrick, for his band with the Forepaugh-Sells Show.
A. C. Orcutt and Chas. H. Mitchell have formed a partnership for the coming season and will take out a big vaudeville circus, which is said to be a new idea of Mr. Orcutt's. They are having built a new 60ft. r.t., 40ft. m. p., and will carry a band of twelve, also a troupe of trained ponies, dogs and goats. Week stands will be played in cities and big towns. Roscoe Pringle is business manager and Bessie Taylor is treasurer.
New York Clipper, March 8, 1902, pp. 23, 33. Note: the Clipper has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources.
At Paducah, Ky., on Feb. 14, the well known showmen, H. E. Allott & Company, purchased from the Terrell Bros. the entire plant of Buckskin Bill's Wild West Shows, consisting of a magnificent railroad train, two hotel cars, two sleeping cars, six 70ft. flat cars, six stock cars, two 60ft. baggage cars, two handsome advance cars, canvas, seats, lights artillery and implements of war, stage coaches, band and baggage wagons, tableau floats, 200 head of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, etc. All of this paraphernalia will be newly painted and greatly enlarged in every department. When the show opens this Spring the entire spread of canvas will be brand new. Every department will be under the supervision of competent showmen, and the parade will be exceptionally grand, the gorgeous costuming and wardrobes being entirely new. The familiar face and figure of Colonel J. C. O'Brien, the general director, can be seen daily about the show's winter quarters, and his will be the guiding hand of the show during the coming season. A feature of Buckskinn Bill's Wild West Shows this season will be the absence of gambling, games of chance, or any unlawful devices. The management has decided to strictly enforce this resolution. Harry W. Semon, the well known circus agent, has been engaged as general agent. He will have the entire charge of the advance and will be assisted by a score of trustworthy agents, and an army of billposters, lithographers, programmers and banner men.
Notes from the Berkell Show. The roster is nearly complete and everything will be hustle and bustle around winter quarters in a few days. Mr. Berkell will close his hall show about March __, and will then jump to Neola, Ia., where the show opens May 3. Everything will be new. We will use an 80ft., with two 40ft. middle pieces, 60ft. menagerie top and __ft. dressing room. The people already signed are: Prof. Chas. E. Rice, with his dogs, ponies, mules and monkeys, as one of the special features; the St. Albans Sisters, on the double trapeze; Mlle. ___, flying perch and loop walking; Lamertine and __ Fore, comedy rings and grotesque tumbling; Mlle. Dair, featured in her wonderful atc, the cloud swing, for outside attraction; the marvelous Rauf, twentieth century wire performer. Another feature will be our clowns, which will be headed by Frank O'Neill and Harry West. Our band will be as strong as the best, led by C. O. Parmley, and costumed will be something to talk about. We will make a strong feature of our concert, having a first class orchestra, led by D. Loomis, and we have engaged special people for same, among whom are Lena Kline, coon singer and dancer. C. C. Matthews and Mrs. Berkell will have charge of the front door; Prof. Chas. Rice, equestrian director; Chas. Chandler will have charge of canvas, with seven assistants. We think we will laud a winner the coming season.
Jack Cousins, the well known jockey rider, has just returned to his home after finishing as equestrian manager of the "Barnum & Bailey Society Circus" in Boston. He will open with the Brooklyn Riding Club Circus, which began on Feb. 19.
Roster of the business staff of Sig. Sautelle's Circus: Sig. Sautelle, proprietor and manager; Frank A. Robbins, general manager; David Haley, contracting agent; Burt K. ___, superintendent No. 1 advertising car; Chas. Ewers, equestrian director; J. F. Ogdne, manager of annex; John Kent, master of transportation; Frank Smith, superintendent of stock.
Harris' Circus notes, wintering at Birmingham, Ala. We will open the coming tenting season here Thursday, March __, for three days, giving an Elk's burlesque circus. Everything in winter quarters is all in readiness for the opening. The present weather is good for circuses or outdoor amusements. Miles Orton, late of the Miles Orton Circus, has joined the show as equestrian director. Mrs. Harris has fully recovered from her recent illness. Manager Chas. C. Wilson and wife have returned from an extended visit through Florida.
Prof. R. C. Carlisle was a forage agent last season with the Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was recently announced as assistant general agent, and he writes the above statement in correction of the error.
Prof. Frank Macart, and ___, snake enchantress, have signed with the Gollmar Bros.' Circus for the coming season, which will make their third season with the show. Mr. Macart will be license adjuster and side show manager.
Hough & Huston's High Class Show notes. We are fast getting in shape for the coming season, and from all indications we will have the best popular priced show on the road. We are building it in Marion, Ind., Mr. Hough's home, and are quartered in the large brick building formerly used for manufacturing purposes, which makes a very desirable circus quarters. We have bought about thirty head of ponies and large horses. The new parade wagons are being shipped in. Crystal Slipper, Blue Beard, Robinson Crusoe, Red Riding Hood and Jack the Giant Killer floats are completed and will be a feature in the children's department. Harry Howard and his troupe of ten ponies, eight baboons and twenty dogs are engaged for the season. Edward Musliner, with his trained pigs and sheep, are also engaged. Sam Bozeman [Boseman?] and his four trick donkeys will amuse the old and young. Many high class circus acts are engaged for the coming season with this show. T. A. Ogden, the well known bandmaster, formerly with Gentry Bros.' Show, is engaged to take charge of the band of twenty members. The street parade will be new and the big show will be like the old fashioned one ring and an elevated stage. The menagerie top will be an eighty, with a thirty foot middle piece. The big top will be a hundred, with two forty foot middle pieces. This show will play mostly cities, and will open in April.
Notes from the winter quarters of Buckskin Bill's Wild West, at Paducah, Ky. . . . The new and original line of special litho printing is completed and the first shipment has arrived at winter quarters. The parade this season will excell any attemp of this kind ever made. H. E. Allott & Co., will have a few surprises that will be nove