As these reminiscences progress, I find myself deeply indebted to numerous friends, colleagues and fellow employes, who have either been pupils of mine or men from whom I have received most valuable lessons. Many of them - far too many - have passed over the great divide between life and eternity, but their memory is just as fresh and fragrant as when it first blossomed, and those who still remain may appreciate the fact that they have not been forgotten in the hurry and bustle of these busy days.

Among those most intimately associated with me for years were such popular and experienced circus men as W. R. Hayden, one of the best liked and most efficient railway contractors of early times when we had to depend upon regular railway company cars for transportation, with no fixed charges or uniform rates to govern movements.

"Billy" Hayden came from the old school of thespians, as am actor of some note and always a congenial fellow. He never lost his love for things theatrical, and finally gave up circus, work to become the manager of such distinguished stars as Modjeska, Tom Keene, Helen Douvera, Robinson and Crane and others.

J. B. Gaylord.

J. B. Gaylord, to whom I have frequently referred, was one of the best informed and most companionable men I ever met and his varied experience in all lands, under the most trying circumstances, made him a storehouse of knowledge. His lack of hearing, caused by a bursting shell in the Civil War, gave him the cognomen of "Deafy" Gaylord, but this affliction rather added to his good fellowship and entertaining qualities, as he was a great talker and, because of his hard hearing, it was almost impossible to interrupt his conversation. He was also a great reader and observer and in his journeys around the world or through remote parts of the world, he managed to get in close touch with the natives and easily found a direct source of information without the use of the English language or understanding theirs. I have sat with him in our room long into the night, conversing through an ear tube, and listening to his voice, which would sometimes raise to a very high pitch, disturbing the occupants in the next room, until I would have to admonish him to put on a soft pedal which he would do, with a smiling gesture, and continue the narration of his most interesting stories.

Gaylord thought no more of taking a trip to Siam, Ceylon, India or around the world than of crossing the Hudson river. He would start out on one of his long voyages, lightly equipped for traveling, and sometimes bring back a cargo of wild or curious animals on a single trip; either on commission or to be sold to various zoological gardens and big shows. It was he who gathered the famous ethnological congress which was a prime feature with the Barnum & Bailey shows for years, comprising Bedouin Arabs, Armenians, Australians, Burmese, Cossacks, Dahomians, Egyptians, Esquimaux, Japanese, Klings, Malays, Nepaulese, Sikhs, Singhalese, Siamese and Soudanese, all of whom appeared in native costumes and presented sports and pastimes of their native land. As I have stated, he was the man who purchased and brought the so-called white elephant to this country.

Merritt F. Young.

Merritt F. Young, who for years and up to the time of his death, was not only one but the most intimate and business companion of James A. Bailey, deserves something more than a passing paragraph to record his many good deeds and more than ordinary friendship. "Merritt," as he was best known to all of his associates, first met Mr. Bailey while he was a clerk in the old Gibson House, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mr. Bailey made his home in the winter months. The great showman was attracted to young Merritt because of his industrious habits, gentlemanly manners and ambition to make himself useful. This friendship began when the youthful clerk took charge of the circus books in the winter time, straightened out all the accounts, adjusted the books, looked after the correspondence and made himself so agreeable that he was persuaded to give up his clerkship and join the circus as treasurer and to become Mr. Bailey's confidential representative.

When Mr. Bailey retired from the business for two years, on account of ill health, Merritt Young went with him. When he returned to the calling, "Merritt" also came back and they remained inseparable companions until he was called to his last reward in the great unknown. During all this time "Merritt" handled millions of dollars with absolute accuracy and so confident were the proprietors that no bond was ever asked or the books ever revised. It was also my good fortune to become intimately acquainted with him and together we enjoyed an enduring friendship with never so much as a misplaced figure to cause a question.

It is betraying no confidence to state that Merritt Young often assisted Mr. Bailey in a financial way at the beginning of a new enterprise, with his own cash and also with the capital of his mother and uncle, Jacob Francisco, who were always ready to back "Merritt" to the extent of their fortunes. These confidences speak a greater volume then mortal man can write.

On Tuesday morning, June 15, 1897, I received a telegram from Mr. Bailey to meet "Merritt" at the railway station in Chicago, with a good physician, as he was quite ill, and to make the best provisions possible at the Auditorium Hotel, where I was stopping. This was done, but when we saw him alight from the train it was very evident that the grim reaper had already set his seal upon the brow of his victim, and knowing ones gravely shook their heads. Every known precaution was taken and every rational remedy tried, but it was too late and that night he died, with his mother and myself at his bedside. The next day arrangements were made to take his remains to Sandusky, Ohio, to be interred beside his father, who lay in the home cemetery at that point.

In looking back, through all the shadows of the past I remember nothing more sad than the recollection of having followed one of my nearest and dearest friends to his last resting place and it was one of the most sorrowful moments that ever crept into the sunshine of many years of travel. It was my mission to be with him in the last hours of his life and close his eyes in eternal sleep. His last coherent words to me were, "Good night, Louie, I will see you in the morning," but ere the morning dawned the spirit had departed and with it the best of friends, the grandest of men, the soul of honor.

Later in the same season, the show visited Sandusky and a touching story of pathos, love and affection was told by the entire company who visited the cemetery and literally covered his grave with a mass of flowers such as that silent city had never seen before. These sweet tokens of esteem from the living were but a simple tribute to one whom they all loved so well, and the tears that moistened the flowers were but the dew drops of the heart.

George Oscar Starr.

George Oscar Starr was one of nature's noblemen, with a multiplicity of experience in this and foreign lands, of whom I have said in biography no man in the arenic world was more capable or efficient.

While writing these reminiscences I had found it necessary to turn the record of his life into an obituary as a special cable to the Billboard, of Cincinnati, Ohio announced his death at Upper Norwood, just outside the Crystal Palace, London, Eng., on September 10, 1915, and at the request of the editor of that paper I telegraphed this appreciation of his worth:

"He was born at Bethel, Conn., the birthplace of P. T. Barnum, on April 1, 1849, therefore fitting that he should long be connected with that great showman and later personally represent James A. Bailey in all of his continental tours and transactions. In 1870, at the age of twenty-one, he gained his diploma in medicine. The same year he obtained his commission as second lieutenant in the New York State National Guard, rising successively to the rank of captain, then major. In 1878 he became press agent for P. T. Barnum's Great World's Fair, the partners and managers of that institution being George F. Bailey, John B. Nathan and Lewis F. June. Later he became assistant to June, the general advance agent. For a number of years he was interested in popular-priced entertainments, light operas, museums and theaters in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Brookly.

“When Mr. Bailey returned to the Barnum Show, after a rest of two years, George Starr and I were two of the first men engaged as his special representatives. His first comission was to proceed to Europe in search of attractions. While at sea the winter quarters at Bridgeport, Conn., were destroyed by fire. On his arrival in London the news reached him by cable, with instructions to secure all the animals he could find. Quick action brought great results. Telegrams were sent to all European dealers and zoological gardens to hold such animals as might be for sale until he arrived, and this diplomatic move beat the famous Carl Hagenbeck's letters to the same parties by just a few hours. Numerous other foreign missions were entrusted to Starr, always with complete success.

“Of recent years he was general manager of the Crystal Palace, London, England, which position he occupied until the European war broke out, when those premises were taken over for government purposes, and, being in ill health, Starr did not again enter into any business engagements. Twice married, his second wife was the renowned Zazel, the human cannon ball, so long a great feature with the Barnum Show and other amusement enterprises, including the huge aquarium in London, where she reigned as a particular star for two or three years, when in the zenith of her fame.

"His career has been one full of honor. His friends number all of those with whom he came in contact, and his acquaintances were legion. His memory a monument to the man."

Many Others.

In recalling the names of many important agents, contractors, car managers and others who were with me for many years, I may mention Charles Sivalls, a veteran, who has traveled in many climes with many shows, and is still living at this writing enjoying comparative good health at nearly eighty years of age.

I. V. Strebig was also a man of great experience and was associated with me for years in various capacities.

R. C. Campbell entered the circus calling under my tutelage and accompanied me on many expeditions as a contractor, car manager and advertiser to proceed still further and become the general agent of two or three of the big shows which I formerly represented, and during the winter season often filling in the time as agent or manager for theatrical attractions.

W. C. Boyd was a man of much the same character and ability as Campbell, although his connection with tented shows dated back to the Van Amburg period.

W. H. Gardner, with whom I came in close association when I joined the Barnum & Bailey shows, was the son of Dan Gardner, clown and manager, who ran a circus under his own name in the early days. William Gardner was known to be one of the best hard-working general agents ever in the business, and during his time was connected with nearly every show of importance, traveling by wagon or rail, and was usually equal to any emergency.

Michael Coyle, whose experience is unlimited and friendship without end, dates back to the earliest days of traveling shows in this country, and has probably served under the banners of more managers and in as many different capacities as any man in the profession, having traveled with nearly all the different shows for the last forty years or more as treasurer, assistant manager, railway contractor, route agent, manager of advertising cars and local contracting. He is also known as an all round good sport, having traveled with John. C. Heenan, Jem Mace and other noted pugilists, as their manger and treasurer in his youthful days. "Mike" Coyle is probably more favorably known than almost any man in the profession as a thoroughly efficient gentlemen.

R. M. Harvey, and D. F. Lynch, both of whom are at this writing connected with the Wallace-Hagenbeck shows, as general agent and contracting agent respectively, are two of my time-tried and true assistants of whom I can say there are none better.

R. C. Ball and S. H. Semon were also two of the best general contracting agents I ever had in my employ. They have both gone to their reward after having fulfilled a life of usefulness and left uncounted friends along the way.

P. J. Fagan, now departed, was a railway contractor of great ability and enjoyed the reputation of having as wide a personal acquaintance among railway men and showmen as any man that ever filled such a position. He, too, was In my employ for a number of years.

George W. Aiken is likewise a railway contractor of wide repute and his son Edward Aiken, who was at one time my private secretary, is now the assistant general passenger agent of the Queen & Crescent Railway with headquarters at Cincinnati, Ohio. I well remember when the elder Aiken and myself frequently came in contact with each other as opposition agents, fighting the battles to a finish for our principals, but always on the best of terms, as between ourselves. We afterwards worked together for the same shows in most perfect harmony.

W. E. Franklin, of whom it may be said there is no one in the circus line that has had a greater personal experience or handled shows with better success. Mr, Franklin came to the Barnum & Bailey shows to take charge of the railway contracting while I was the general agent, and brought with him the experience of years in directing the tours of the King & Franklin shows, a small concern which accumulated a great deal of money and was abandoned only on account of the death of his partner, Mr. King. In more recent years Franklin became the advance and general manager of the Walter L. Main, Old John Robinson, Wallace-Hagenback, and the Sells-Floto shows and conducted all of these exhibitions with credit and profit to all concerned. He is now in retirement at his home in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Edward V. Giroux,, Charles Hayes, Lester Murray and Fred Busey are all graduates from my school of advertising and circus celebrities. "Ed" Giroux is at present general manager for the John Court attractions with offices in New York.

Charles W. Hayes is the general representative of the Selwyn theatrical enterprises, directing their tours, looking after the business and bookings.

Lester Murray, the son of John H. Murray, of early circus fame, was at last accounts treasurer for Harry Lauder. While he was in my employ during the summer season for a number of years, as car manager and contracting press agent, he usually filled in the winter season with theatrical attractions where he was in great demand.

Fred Busey was also a man of great versatility and has filled important positions with many theatrical and musical attractions, besides acting as advertising car manager for the Buffalo Bill and Sells Brothers shows, with whom he remained for a number of years.

Sam Feidler and H. H. Gunning are two more boys who filled positions of importance and trust as contracting and car managers with several of our shows and when the Barnum & Bailey show made its long tour in Great Britain and on the continent, Mr. Gunning was practically its advertising agent, handling the advertising cars and looking after all the details in that connection, winning the admiration and compliments of the managers at all times. Mr. Feidler was also sent abroad, not only because of his conversational powers - speaking the English and German languages fluently - but because of his ability as a general contractor and his understanding of the customs many countries, he having originally hailed from far-off Australia.

Ralph Peckham was likewise one of my reliable, favorite contracting agents. He only left my employ to accept an important position with the Ringling Bros. and has for years held his seat in the general offices of the Ringlings in Chicago, Ill., in a most active, trustworthy manner which only proves his worth as a valuable assistant.

Edward Arlington.

Among the several me who have acted as my private secretaries, and rise to positions of trust and distinction, I will mention, with more than ordinary emphasis, Mr. Edward Arlington, who began with me as my secretary and excursion agent for the Barnum & Bailey shows, and then added to his work and obligation, the same duties for the Forepaugh-Sells shows in the same season, doing all this work in a most efficient manner. A few years later, while the Barnum & Bailey show was abroad, and as I was still acting as their representative in this country, I was requested to send them an experienced man to handle the railways and look after the excursion business on the continent, and, while I regretted to lose the services of "Eddie" Arlington, I concluded to send him to take up that line of work, which he did in such a satisfactory manner as to create a most favorable impression upon Mr. Bailey, personally. He was advanced in salary and position until the return of the show to America, when he continued in the same capacity, creating a wide acquaintance with railway men and managers until he finally concluded to enter the show business on his own account, and became an equal owner in the famous 101 Ranch Wild West, which he built up to its present high standing in the amusement world.

Lewis S. Barrett (the son of S. H. Barrett of circus fame, a brother-in-law of the Sells brothers, with whom he was directly connected for years) came to me as a boy in the capacity of stenographer and excursion agent, and was as bright and active a young man as one could wish for. He, too, acted as excursion agent for both the Buffalo Bill and the Forepaugh-Sells shows under my immediate direction.

W. H. Creighton was another young man who came to me in Chicago and acted as my secretary and assistant in several capacities, including those of excursion agent, car manager and accountant for several years until he was sent to England with the Buffalo Bill Wild West, where he remained until an accident occurred, which incapacitated him for work for a period. He then retired from the road and accepted a very desirable position with a mining company in the West. He is now located at Oakland, California.

George H. Degnon, a Newark boy who still resides in this city, next came into the position of private secretary and for years proved a most useful representative in many ways, as he immediately assumed the duties of excursion agent for both the Barnum & Bailey and the Buffalo Bill shows, which I represented as general advance manager, often doing the railway contracting all at the same time. Mr. Degnon proved himself equal to any emergency, remaining with me long after the death of Mr. Bailey and until such time as he found it to his advantage to become associated with Edward Arlington, in practically the same position that he had filled with me. Of all the young men who have been in my employ, none ever gave better satisfaction or service.

The number of advertising car managers, billers and special agents who have been in my employ would read like a professional directory, but I must give due credit to such men as Clay Lambert, Alf Riel, M. Coyle, W. E. Fuller, Henry Hedges, Dave Jarret and Fred Beckman, than whom there were never any better. Each particularly good in his line of work and always ready for any emergency.

Victor R. Cooke.

In passing I must not overlook the excellent work of my own son, Victor B. Cooke. He took to the advance work naturally, as in his boyhood days I allowed him to spend his school vacations on the road in the few summer months, traveling on one of the advertising cars in care of a trusted agent, as a part of his schooling and an opportunity "to see the country," for which every young man seems to have a common desire. During these trips Victor was taught to make himself useful and obliged to obey all rules and regulations governing the car with which he traveled, as to hours for sleep, work and recreation. Being a close observer, and working in the office with the car managers, he soon became acquainted with all the different methods of operation, and after three or four of these practical tours it so happened that the car manager, with whom he was traveling, desired to depart in the middle of the season and, as there was no other practical man available at the moment, I took a chance in turning the management of the car over to him until such time as I might be able to find someone of greater experience.

But in the course of a few days, I found that he was entirely competent to handle the car and men and allowed him to finish the season, which he did greatly to his credit, and from that time on he became one of the very best excursion car managers ever in my employ, thoroughly understanding our system of operation, keeping his books and reports up to the minute and giving most complete satisfaction to all concerned.

Apropos of the many managers, agents and others whom I have cited as having received their early tuition in the circus business, and later on in life joined the theatrical world, I would mention such distinguished people as B. F. Keath, E. F. Albee, and F. F. Proctor, all of whom made conspicuous records in the vaudeville line. It is a well established fact that Mr. Proctor, originally known as Fred Levantine of the brothers of that name, did feats of equilibrium or balancing, and both Mr. Keith and Mr. Albee served their apprenticeship as "purveyors to the public" in handling the privileges with different shows.

Graduates from the Circus.

C. E. Kohl, George Middleton and George Castle, founders of the Western circuit of vaudeville and amusement managers, were all followers of the "white tops" in their early days and achieved successes and notoriety by their advanced methods of operation and thorough knowledge of handling the public or dealing with concert and side show attractions. All of them became rich and famous in the management of their magnificent theaters and organizing booking agencies to control the majority talent employed in vaudeville circuits.

Mr. M. B. Leavitt, universally known as the originator of burlesque shows and one of the foremost managers of our time, in his very interesting book, entitled "Fifty Years of Managerial Life," which seems to cover everything in musical, theatrical and circus work during that period, relates that his first experience in the amusement world was as a circus clown, and appears to be proud of the fact. He goes on to point out that such men as Harry Miner, George Batcheller, Sam Scribner, Max Anderson, W. H. Harris, Tony Pastor, Gus Hill, Montgomery & Stone, Frank McKee, Clay Lambert, Frank L. Perley, J. H. Havlin, Charles Yale, Primrose & West, Charlie Ross and others, many of whom are still prominent in the theatrical field, were connected with the circus in their early days, and I might continue this list almost indefinitely and still be unable to complete the roll of noted individuals who have transferred their affections from their first love, the circus, over to their present fascinating enterprises.

I also recollect that in years gone by, many of my agents at the termination of the circus season would apply for positions in advance of traveling theatrical companies and in one year no less than five of these ambitious hustlers secured engagements with Charles and Gus Frohman, and they gave such satisfaction during their term of service, that Mr. Frohman, upon meeting me in the West, stated that they would be glad to make arrangements for me to turn over all of my agents to them at the close of every season as they found them wide awake and possessed of the necessary experience.

But since that time things have materially changed in the advance work of theatrical, or what is known as hall-show enterprises, as the bookings are now done from the office of the big syndicates. It is not infrequent that whole routes are laid out, transportation secured over the various railways and most of the business done by correspondence for the entire season, thus eliminating the service and use of the business agent, who generally traveled in advance and arranged all these details as he went along.

It has often been a question in my mind whether the new order of things is a good plan or not, as I have always believed that it was absolutely necessary to have a practical, experienced man on the ground in every city, not only to look after the advertising, but to court the acquaintance of the newspaper men and bring his personal influence to bear upon everything that might work up the business or familiarize the local public with his attraction before it arrives in town.

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