1904

Billboard, January 2, 1904, p. 9, 10. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.

    For years Walter L. Main has provided a Christmas Day dinner to the men employed in and around the show's winter quarters at Geneva, O. This fact is known to all the laborers with the show, and not a few of them make arrangements to be on hand at the winter reunion. Christmas this year was no exception, and, in fact, the dinner provided exceeded by far all the Governor's efforts in this direction. In the neighborhood of one hundred men sat down to the tables in the long dining room at winter quarters, and what they did to turkeys, chickens, vegetables, plum pudding and pumpkin pies would have made a dyspeptic envious. Smiling Ed C. Knapp, the general agent of the show, acted as master of ceremonies, and his jokes and stories aided very materially in assisting digestion. After cigars had been smoked the men adjourned to the reading room, where each one was presented with two suits of underwear, two pairs of heavy socks, a pair of rubber boots and mittens. The village quartette and banjo club furnished a pleasing entertainment.

    Miles Orton, the veteran showman and erstwile famous circus rider, died at Key West, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 22, of appolexy, in the midst of a very successful season. The show will be conducted by Myron and Norman, who will retain the name of Miles Orton to perpetuate their father's memory.

    Tom Fay has signed again to take the canvas with the Wallace Shows.

    C. S. Primrose has signed for advance of Forepaugh-Sells Shows for 1904.

    Norris & Rowe have two new seals to add to their school, which will then number six.

    Al. L. Salvail will manager the side show for J. C. O'Brien with Campbell Brothers Circus next season.

    Jas. Brooks, wire walker and trapeze performer, closed his fourth season with Jones Model Plate Shows Christmas Day at Blacksburg, S. C.

    Benjamin Bartlett, advertising agent for Gentry Brothers' Dog and Pony Show, died from the effects of malarial fever at Hot Springs, Ark., Dec. 12.

    Art Burtoft, wardrobe man of the Norris & Rowe Shows last season, is visiting his mother at Guild, Ohio. He will sign with the show again for next season.

    Thomas During, of the Sells & Downs Show last season, is working for the Frisco System at Danville, Ill. He now resides at 117 Washington Ave., that city.

    Albert Aldridge, formerly boss canvasman of the Main Show, is conducting a hotel and cafe opposite the Norris & Rowe winter quarters at San Jose.

    The Fraziers, late of the Gollmar Brothers R. R. Shows, are at Peoria, Ill., practicing a new aerial act for the coming season. They will also fill a little time in vaudeville.

    Diavolo Looping the Loop, formerly with Ringling Bros., and Mrs. Clark Schaar, the fancy cycle rider, were married at Chicago, Dec. 21. John Ruel is Diavolo's real name.

    Samuel C. Hammond, known to showmen as Long Sam, died in Syracuse recently at the age of 61. He was one of the old line circus men, and many years ago drove an eight horse team for Barnum.

    Thomas W. Ryan, manager of the side show last season with Norris & Rowe Shows, will again manage the side show the coming season. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are spending the winter with Mr. Ryan's folks at Stockton, Cal.

    The Bartine Shows for the season of 1904 will be new and complete throughout, and will be under the exclusive ownership and management of Charles Bartine.

    Marvelous Melville has discovered on his arrival home in Sheldrak, N. Y., that he lost his mysterious revolving ball, which was a feature of the Forepaugh-Sells Show last season. As Melville has the ball patented since 1895, it will not be possible for anyone else to use the act next season.

    B. E. Wallace, the well known circus proprietor, is at the head of the Wabash Valley Trust Company, just organized at Peru, Ind., with a capital of $200,000. Mr. Wallace is president of the institution, but his duties in this capacity will in no wise interfere with his management of the show.

    The City Council of Indianapolis, Ind., have passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of the street for parades between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Funeral processions is the only exemption made. Local and insignificant as the action may seem, it yet marks a step towards the inevitable relegation of the circus pageant to history.

    The St. Leon Family, five, opened at the Olympis Theatre, Chicago, Ill., Nov. 16, and met with success over the Kohl & Castle Circuit. They intend playing vaudeville dates till the end of January, after which they go to the winter quarters of the Floto Shows to prepare for the coming season, having signed contracts with that show last October, to arrive at their winter quarters Feb. 1.

    Major Philo C. Kerwin died at the age of 94 years in Brookfield, Conn., Dec. 24. He was a partner in Turner, Bailey & Company's circus, which finally became the Barnum Show. Afterward as a railroad capitalist he bought the right of way of the Boston, Hartford, and Erie railroad, now the Highland Division of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, from Waterbury to the New York State line. Mr. Kerwin was a member of the State Legislature in 1863-64.

    Notes from Alex. Glasscock's Big Combined Shows. We are now in winter quarters at Longview, Texas, after having the most successful season in our history. When we took the road we had a 65 foot round top and a 30 foot side show top, carried about twenty people and had ten wagons. We closed using an 85 foot round top with two 40 foot middle pieces, a side show top 30x70 feet, carrying over fifty people and thirty wagons, including five cages. Our arrangements for next season are fully laid out and rapidly maturing.

    Everything around the winter quarters of the Walter L. Main Show is hustle and activity now. The men start work every morning at eight o'clock and work until five in the afternoon, laying off an hour at noon for dinner. Veteran Dan Taylor is fitting the show out, and everything is systematized to perfection. As the show will be almost entirely new when it takes to the road in the spring, there is less repairing, but more building. Madame Taylor and Werntz have thirty seamstresses under them working on the new parade and tournament costumes.

    An apt illustration of the good will and affiliation that exists among showmen and of their proverbial magnaminity toward their unfortuate brothers was given in the instance of the reception extended by the Norris & Rowe Show at El Paso, Texas, to Charles L. Davis, at one time general agent of the Forepaugh Show and likewise of Sells Brothers' Show. Davis has been sojourning at El Paso some years for the benefit of his health, he being afflicted with tuberculosis. A good fat purse was made up for him after he had been given a most enjoyable day.

    Notes from Augustus Jones' Model Plate Railroad Shows. We closed a successful season of 35 weeks Christmas Day at Blacksburg, S. C., and shipped direct to the new winter quarters - Clifton Forge, Va., Augustus Jones, manager; E. H. Jones, general agent. Performers in the big show: Bob Peasley and wife, Emma Snyder, Carrie Franklin, Dick Murry, Three Baldwyns, Billy Lee, E. H. Sartwell, James Brooks, Lew Hershell, with his big troupe of educated dogs; Alex Jones' troupe of ponies; Arthur Dickeson, leader of band with the following musicians: Frank Poutey, Jerome Potter, Joe Rose, R. Powers, John Vanance, Marion Abbott, John Reynolds, P. J. Irwin, A. J. Anderson, manager side show: M. C. Lane and Clarence Erickson, door talkers; Salonna and Ella Nelson, Turkish dancers; Neita Levigue, snake lady; Big Elmo, fat boy; Bihus, snake eater; William Miller, magician; San Toy, smallest pony in the world; Ed. McVaw and the big lion act.

Billboard, January 9, 1904, p. 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.

    Amusement circles have been much exercised for some little time back with various rumors concerning an impending negotiation involving a change of interest in the Buffalo Bill Wild West. These speculations were set at rest by the conclusion of a new and important deal last week between two of the most conspicuous and best known gentlemen in the amusement business in the world - J. A. Bailey, sole owner of the Barnum & Bailey Show, and Col. W. F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill." The death of Nate Salsbury, a year ago, made imperative a change in the management and proprietorship of the Wild West, and this change involved the purchase of the Salsbury interest by Col. W. F. Cody before the expiration of the present year and the beginning of the next season, because the widow, Mrs. Salsbury, could not take the active part in the control of the business her late husband was supposed to have exercised. This necessitated a new deal all aroung; therefor, the old agreement hitherto in force was dissolved, by consent of all concerned, and a new equal partnership formed between Cody and Bailey, by and through which these two gentlemen become the owners of all the rights, title and interest. The new firm will henceforth be known as Cody & Bailey and the Wild West exhibition will be continued on the same general lines and methods which have resulted so satisfactorily to all the parties in interest for many years past. At present the Wild West is in winter quarters in England, which country it will tour again next summer, and the year after, most likely, the field of its activities will be transferred to the Continent of Europe.

    Mile Coyle and Fred Hutchinson sail for Europe Jan. 20.

    Bob Stickney Jr. is enroute to join Orrin Brothers' Circus, City of Mexico.

    The Fukino Japanese troupe has signed for next season with the M. L. Clark's shwos.

    Over fifty men are working steadily in the winter quarters of the Main enormous shows.

    George Bradenburgh, of the 9th & Arch Museum, will be a fashion plater next season.

    Ed Lykens, boss hostler with Hargreaves' Show last season, is at liberty for next season.

    There are thirty men at the Norris & Rowe winter quarters turning out work in a la jig time.

    B. E. Wallace has placed orders for his printing matter for the coming season with a Cincinnati firm.

    Howes Great London Shows closed at Palatkatld, Ga., Dec. 15, and went into winter quarters at Macon. Ed Waldem, an old-time circus man, has been wintering in Galesburg, Ill. He has signed with Campbell Brothers' Show as local contractor for the coming season.

    It is rumored that Bill Ingert ("Smithy"), formerly boss canvasman with the Sells-Downs Show, will go as assistant with Tom Fay, of the Wallace Show, next season.

    Virg Campbell, of the Campbell Bros. Shows, was recently married to a non-professional at Fairbury, Neb., the winter quarters of the show and the home of the Campbell Bros.

    The Original Renzettas, formerly of the Robinson's Ten Big Shows, joined The Way of the Transgressor at St. Louis, Dec. 14, and have been one of the featurs of the show ever since.

    Dashington Brothers closed a very good season in October and went into winter quarters at Danville, Ill., which they will make their winter quarters for five years at least. The show opens May 15.

    Word comes from Fort Worth, Texas, that Herbert Moody, formerly of the Ringling Show, will manage the Floto Show the coming season, which is wintering at Fort Worth, and that the show is to be greatly enlarged.

    West Baden Springs, Ind., will have quite a gathering of circus folk this week. Col. Hugh Harrison and wife, James Jordan and J. D. Harrison are already quartered in parlors at the New West Baden for a stay of some length.

    The recent deal brought about between Messrs. Bailey and Cody was negotiated successfully by Louis E. Cooke, through whose instrumentality and good offices every import and detail was settled and the agreement reached and signed.

    The Norris & Rowe canvas will be enlarged for next season to a 130 foot round top, with two fifties and a thirty, with two rows of quarter poles. The menagerie tent will have a seventy with four thirties. Thompson & Vandiveer are getting out the work.

    Will S. Rydon and Harry McDonald were in Cincinnati last week buying paper for next season. McDonald Brothers' Show will open at Huntington, W. Va., in April. They want an agent capable of going in advance of a wagon show and also performers of all kinds.

    Walter L. Main has issued a call for his executive staff to meet in consultation with him at the show's winter quarters at Geneva, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 4. At this meeting all plans of the season of 1904 will be perfected and the initial steps toward organization taken.

    The winter quarters at Peru, Ind., of the Wallace Show are lighted by electricity, heated by natural gas and water furnished by the turn of a faucet in every department. There are 14 continguous farms connected with the winter quarters, from which feed is supplied to man and beast.

    Dion De Marbelle is critically ill at the Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Ill. Yankee Dan, as he was familiarly known, is one of the oldest living clowns, making his last tour with Ringling's Circus some fifteen years ago. He is about 85. He is the composer of a number of patriotic song.

    The World's Fair has endorsed the Ferari Bros., who are now running the zoo at St. Louis, Mo., as to the splendid specimens of animals, and are using the lions and tigers as models for the animal statuary at the World's Fair grounds. Certainly this is a high compliment for them.

    The H. C. Long Palace Shows will open at Okolona, Miss., Feb. 15. They will have three cars, a 90 foot with two 40 foot middle pieces. Geo. W. Kline is now in winter quarters breaking a herd of ponies for the coming season. Everything will be brand new. Prof. E. Red Parkman will have charge of band.

    At Valdosta, Ga., Dec. 19 last, a monument was unveiled by the people with the Harris Nickel Plate Shows over the grave of John Rourke, the elephant keeper, who was killed by the elephant Gypsy, at Valdosta a year ago. The entire circus force, accompanied by the bands, went to the cemetery, and with fitting ceremony uncovered the handsome stone.

    A winter circus will be opened at the Auditorium, 3200 Olive street, St. Louis, Mo. A 42 foot ring and a 30 foot platform will be provided together with ample stabling accommodations in the building itself. The seating capacity of the Auditorium is about 2,500. Dressing rooms for the performers are attached.

    A correspondent writes that "Leon" W. Washburn, of Uncle Tom's Cabin fame, was in Hornellsville, N. Y., with his show lately. He is getting all kinds of money this season, and while he admits he still cherishes a love for the circus, he thinks he will steer clear from another venture in that direction. As he wisely puts it himself: "I will leave well enough alone."

    Lucky Bill's Show, after a successful season, has returned to winter quarters at Queneio [sic Quenemo], Kan. Lucky Bill has purchased a very fine residence and property in the town and a good many of the performers are also making Queneio their home. A number of contracts have been signed for next season, but Lucky Bill would be pleased to hear from first-class performers.

    The Barnum & Bailey offices issued a unique New Year's card representing a Christmas tree, each bough of which bears the portrait of one of the Barnum & Bailey staff with the Buffalo Bill Wild West. Those so represented are: G. O. Starr, F. B. Hutchinson, C. L. Dean, H. L. Watkins, A. D. Starr, C. S. Wells, H. H. Cunning, F. Coyle, E. Mitchell and C. B. Meredith, who take a novel way of extending greetings.

    Notes from Captain Stewart's Show. The show will open in Ft. Wayne, Ind., the last week in April. James Beatty's show and the Captain's may consolidate, as there is some talk to that effect. Oscar Gulliver is in the Woolf Bros. clothing store in Fort Wayne, Ind.; Jennie De Weese is with the Breezy Time Co. for the winter; Chas. Axley is at his ome at Duquoin, Ill. An 18 foot snake died last week at Jas. Beatty's winter quarters.

    If circuses decide to abolish parades, "Tom shows" and minstrels will certainly become more conspicuous than ever. Probably circuses will resort to sending the band down town, and then it will be the circus with the largest band will be the best circus. How would this sound in an ad: "Wanted - circus people in all branches. Aerial people, riders, male and female; tumblers, clowns, jugglers, jockeys and concert people. All must double in brass." Who can tell but what it may be in the future the proper wording.

    W. F. Cody has purchased the Nate Saulsbury [sic] interest in the Wild West show from the Saulsbury estate, and has formed a partnership in that show with J. A. Bailey, owner of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, under the firm name of Cody & Bailey. Mr. Bailey's interest in the partnership is equal to that of Mr. Cody. It is stated officially that the three tented shows in which Mr. Bailey is an owner are not associated in any way except that he holds a half interest in the Wild Wet, an interest in the Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Show, and is the sole manager of the Barnum & Bailey Show. Perhaps one of the most important bits of show news of the current season is the recent del whereby J. A. Bailey purchased outright a full half interest in the Buffalo Bil Wild West exhibition, thus becoming a partner with Colonel W. F. Cody in the operation of that valuable property in all parts of the world. The transaction was manipulated by Louis E. Cook [sic Cooke], who seems to have the happy faculty of "pulling off more big things" than any other man in the show business, and nearly every circus event of note within the last twenty years has found its basic principal in his ever ready fund of expansion and improvement.

    Notes from the Snyder Bros. Big Vaudeville Shows. After a five year tour without closing in the Sunny South, the show has at last been snugly stowed away in winter quarters at Brighton, Ill. The show had a very successful season of 1903, turning people away in some of the larger towns. The show will open about April 1 at Brighton, Ill., with everything brand new and a much larger show, under the name of Snyder Bros. and Dowker's Wild West Circus and Museum. The show will still travel by wagon, carrying 60 head of stock and 40 people. The management is busy signing people for the season of 1904.

    Notes from Haag's Mighty Shows. The Haag Shows will close on Jan. 11, after a season of 43 weeks. Many of the people who opened with the show are closing with it, a good sign for Haag. The Irwins, De Iveys, Ed Murphy and others think the warm sunshine of Shreveport is preferrable to the weather of the lake regions and will winter in Shreveport. Little Tex (Barnard Keyes) is breaking a bunch of elephants which have only been in this country a few weeks, being a special order filled for Haag. The people with the show are all healthy, and the show will start out this spring bright, clean and well polished. The past season has been good, but Mr. Haag does not think the coming one will be so good.

    Our correspondent at Evansville, Ind., writes: There is enough circus talent in Evansville these days to float and handle anything that needs a white cover. Punch Wheeler, Billy Dale and Chas. Davis, of the John Robinson Shows, are burning up Evansville with announcements of the big vaudeville features they are to present at the Peoples Theatre for a run. C. A. Whit, of Ringling Bros., is also there managing the Grace Hayward Company, and it is said when these four meet it's canvas talk from start to finish. White and Davis sent Local Manager Pedley a healthy-looking goat of the "Bill" gender, bearing a car which read: "Compliments of Punch Wheeler." Pedley swears that he will get even and Punch refuses to be interviewed.

    While the Putnam House, New York, has no "Amen corner," it certainly has a "that-reminds-me corner." Ever since the passing away of the Revere House the Putnam has been the New York rendezvous for the "bosses," many side show talkers and all kinds of wise candy butchers. When a New York space writer is pushed for copy he runs up to the Putnam and is soon in possession of material for a two or three column special. Not only are things of the past rehearsed, but those of the future foretold. One of the latest given out this week by a wise acre was that Pawnee Bill would follow the Barnum & Bailey Shows into Madison Square Garden next spring. It was no cook-house flunky who cracked that either. It was a conservative old-timer, who has a faculty of finding out how the wind blows.

Billboard, January 16, 1904, p. 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses.

    Stoke on Trent, Eng., Dec. 23, 1903. The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show is comfortably housed in its commodious winter quarters at Stoke on Trent, England, and just at the present the "Trent" is a big thing, as it has been raining four days steady. Manager F. B. Hutchinson has sailed for America, to be gone for six weeks. Chas. B. Meridith is in charge of the office, with Ben Powell (Blondy) as stenographer. Peter Halstead, in charge of the mechanical department has his work well under way. Jake Platt, with his able assistant, John Eberle, has his seats finished and nicely put away, waiting to be loaded in the wagons when the spring rolls around. Master of transportation R. P. Murphy is working with a large force of men rebuilding his train of sixty-four cars. Jake Posey has the horses out at Keele Park, where they have one thousand acres of elegant grass to roam about in. New and elegant stables have been erected on the estate especially for these horses. It is on this estate that the heir to the Russian throne resides in the magnificent Keele Hall. Tom Clare is in charge of the quarters at night, with twenty-two assistants. Smithy has charge of the paint shop, and is turning out some very nice work. D. Ballard ("Hop") is the eaterer, and there are none better. Preston Schaeffer is in the harness shop, with Frank Shearer assisting. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Tigers, founded Dec. 10, 1898, was reorganized Dec. 9, 1903, with 89 charter members. Nominations of officers for the ensuing year takes place tonight (Dec. 23) at the Sneyd Arms. The light for the quarters is furnished by the Buffalo Bill portable engines which also furnish the light on the road. Washington Smith remains in charge of buildings while the show is on tour. There is quite a bunch of Yankees over here. Among them are Butch Widmeyer, Larry Kane, Larry Sullivan (John, the Baptist), "Shorty" Chambers, Dave Van Cleave, "Pony" Miller, "Shoey" Wm. Toombs (Blackey), Frank Aults, Del Tripp, Chas. Corder, Thos. Tune, Joe Hannah, Spike Sullivan, Johnny Muck. All are well and enjoying themselves. There are two theatres and one music hall in the town. We have one or more American turns on at the music hall each week. We have been visited by the Royal Italian Circus, and have now the World's Fair and Circus., composed of continental artists. - R. U. Next.

    Mr. Robinson is expecting from Europe a rhinoceros, also a hippopotamus.

    I. C. Shipley will have charge of the side show with the Great Floto Shows.

    J. D. Harrison is spending a couple of weeks at West Baden, Ind., the guest of his brother Hugh.

    Frank Leopold, of Norristown, Pa., is preparing a one-ring circus to take the road the first of May.

    S. J. Dulaney's Famous Shows are in winter quarters on the fair grounds at New Martinsville, W. Va.

    Ralph W. Peckham has invested considerable money on the Pacific Coast, which promises exceedingly well.

    Julius M. Rainey, a veteran circus man of Wonsocket, R. I., left Jan. 6 for a visit through the West.

    Billy C. Lane, assistant treasurer of the Jones Railroad Shows, is wintering at his home in Hagerstown, Md.

    The Teets Bros. Shows are working overland in Florida, the cars being left behind at Jacksonville on Jan. 3.

    Rev. Wm. Sheak is wintering at his home in Peru, Ind., after a season with the John Robinson Show as a lecturer.

    Frank A. Robbins Jr., and Chas. A. Robbins will jointly manage the privileges with Welsh Bros. Shows next season.

    Wm. P. Hope, last season with the Sautelle Shows, is wintering at Norfolk, Va., breaking monkeys for the coming season.

    Girard Leon has signed with Andrew Downie's wagon show for next season. Downie's property, horses and paraphernalia look fine.

    John Ringling has purchased some features and engaged some people that are going to create a sensation on this side next season.

    Dick Coll, of McAdoo, Pa., has signed for season of 1904 with the Lowery Bros. Show to act as steward in the cook house and double in band on drums.

    Uncle Joe Gorman, of the Cole Younger and Frank James Show, is wintering at Fort Worth, Tex. All the troopers know they can eat wherever Uncle Joe is.

    Ed C. Knapp, general agent for the Walter L. Main Shows, is established in his new office at winter quarters, Genevea, O. He is in the harness again after a little rest.

    Prof. Chas. E. Rice is busy at this quarters in New Albany, Ind., framing up some strong acts for his trained animal show. His outfit will be enlarged for the coming season.

    H. H. Gunning has sent us a half tone reproduction showing a few of Buffalo Bill's advertising scouts in Great Britain with advertising car No. 1 in the background. W. S. Dunnington writes that he is not engaged as manager of advertising car No. 1, Pawnee Bill Wild West for next season, as stated in "The Billboard" some time ago.

    Reno & Alvord's Southern Show closed Dec. 29 at Stonewall, Miss., to big business. Stonewall, Miss., will be their winter quarters. The next season will be opened about March 10.

    John Robinson, of the John Robinson Show, has just purchased a three hundred acre farm just opposite his big park at Terrace Park, Ohio. A large part of this farm is solid forest.

    It must be remembered that the passing of the street parade not only effects the show people and patrons but it is the abolition of an attraction dear to the hearts of every American boy of all ages.

    Circuses fitting out now are paying more than usual attention to their menageries. Owners are beginning to realize that a well selected collection of animals counts for a great deal of a show's magnitude.

    Grimslely's New London Shows, of Pittsburg, Pa., will carry about thirty-five people and play around that city nearly all next season. James Grimsley is manager and W. E. Hibbs treasurer. They will both be one-ring shows.

    W. E. Sands, of circus fame, is thinking seriously of enlisting with the Forepaugh & Sells Brothers for next season. Mr. Sands expectes to get a car with the aforesaid and if so he will likely desert the "Wild West" gridiron forever.

    Major Charles Gantz closed his show at Ralston, O. T., Dec. 11, after a very successful season of eight months. He spent two weeks on a visit to a brother and sister in Nebraska and is now at home with his father and mother at Fairfield, Iowa.

    Walter L. Main has volunteered to subscribe $1,000 to start a stock company to build a theatre in his home town. He thinks there are not enough of theatrical attractions in Geneva and possibly too many lodges and a sufficient number of dances and social functions.

    Passengers on the Lake Shore road passing through Geneva, O., don't ask the conductor any more "what villiage is that?" when they see the Main Show winter quarters. A large white flag with "Walter L. Main Enormous Show Winter Quarters" in blue lettters tells them.

    W. H. Davis, for the past two seasons in advance of the Great Wallace Shows, has signed for the coming season with J. C. O'Brien's side show of the Campbell Bros. Show. Mr. Davis is at present managing the tour of the Great Vandora, the ragtime wizard, through Oklahoma and Kansas.

    Frank D. Berst, last season bandmaster with the Luella Forepaugh-Fish Wild West, was married at Stillwater, Minn., to Miss Frances Kallberg, non-professional, a leading young society woman. He is spending his winter at that place and getting his band ready for one of the large shows for the coming season.

    Al F. Wheeler, who was at one time a partner of Sam Dock and later manager of Wheeler Bros. Show, but who for several years past has been retired from the show business, will again be in the field next season, and is now busy putting together a wagon show at Schenectady, N. Y., which will take the road early in May.

    Maurice DeCastro, Punch, magic and marionette performer, last season with the Miles Orton Show, is in Savannah, Ga., and has not as yet signed for next season, although he has had several offers. Last winter he was with the James Shelby Show, and this summer and winter he has been with the Gregory Show, closing Dec. 10.

    Col. W. J. Uden, of Flanagan, Ill., is organizing a overland Wild West show of eight wagons, 25 people and 30 horses. Ollie Toole is back from Iowa and has engaged with the Colonel for his fourth season. Otto Wiedeman, who has been with the show two seasons, is wintering in Kansas City, Mo. Cy Collins is training a couple of steers to be featured with the show.

    Notes from the Showman's Club, St. Louis, Mo. John White (Slivers), Harry Martin (Forepaugh) and G. Rohabeck are in town stopping at the Cherokee Hotel. The boys just come up from Hot Springs and look prosperous. They tell us that the "ponies" didn't run so bad as might be. Len Blackenbury, and eight-horse driver from Bucyrus, O., last season with Ringling Bros., writes us he intends trooping another season. The proceeds from the Club's Christmas festival were beyond our expectations, and treasurer Jacobs will make a full report at our next meeting.

    The following people have been engaged for Rippel's Show for the season of 1904: Prof. Snearley and band of 7 pieces; Prof. Mello, Punch, magic and ventriloquist; Lorello, foot juggler, clown juggler and bell traps; Barnard and Ratcliff, brother act and horizontal bars; Al. Radcliff, clown and Happy Hooligan; Bobby Rippel, boy clown; Charlie Rippel Jr., contortionist and flying rings; Miss Leon, perch, slack wire and web; Brad Davis, privileges; Link Baugh, boss canvasman; Vivian Snodgrass, contortionist; Dr. Snodgrass, boss hostler; Will Moore, advance agent, and Ella Mack, in charge of cookhouse.

    A letter from Chas. E. Griffin from Paris reads: Frank Bostock's Animal Arena is doing immense at the Hippodrome, Paris. Bonairtas' twenty-seven lions, Mlle. Morrellis' leopards, Chas. Miller's tigers, Mlle. Auroras' polar bears and H. Weedon's mixed numbers are features. Octavia, snake charmer; Griffin, who swallows swords in a den of lions, and Giovanni's performing cockatoos are recent additions to the program. Consul Bostock's man monkey is now at the Hippodrome, London. Weather fine; health excellent.

    Dion De Marbelle died recently in Elgin, Ill. He was Bailey's first clown. Later he had a circus of his own, which was burned in Canada at a loss of $20.00. He was a partner of Buffalo Bill in organizing his shows, and when a few years ago the famous scout found his old friend in Elgin, in want, sick and without money, Buffalo Bill took him to his hotel and when they parted, pressed a good roll of bills into his old friend's hands. One of his songs which became popular was Twenty Years Ago.

    Notes from Mollie Bailey Show Co. The show has just arrived in winter quarters at Houston, Tex., 1215 Oak Street, and has certainly coined the money this year in its own home State, Texas. Mrs. Mollie Bailey says she has 125 horses and 34 wagons, not including the private wagons and special rigs. Her birthday has just passed, 62 years of age. Her boys and girls are her band men and performers and are all first class artists in their line of business. Mrs. Bailey was in the service of the Southern Army as a hospital nurse, and her show is very popular. She has added to her features Charles Dryden, the world renowned juggler. Her tents were destroyed by fire at Morgan, Tex., on the 17 of March by the burning of the depot. Her tents now are all new, made by Thompson & Vandiveer. Mrs. Bailey owns two large ranches at Blum, Tex., besides several others. She would be pleased to welcome visitors to her home or winter quarters in Houston, Tex.

    The "Elmira Telegram" is responsible for the following touching information: Sig Sautelle, proprietor of Sautelle's Railroad Shows, who has been in New York for the past few days in preparation for starting his circus in the spring, has returned to his quarters in Cortland, N. Y., and reports that while in New York he was relieved of a $500 diamond shirt stud and a pocketbook containing several hundred dollars by an unknown person. Mr. Sautelle says he stopped at the Morton House, corner of Broadway and Fourteenth Streets, and on Tuesday night he retired to his room about 1 o'clock with the articles in his possession, but that on arising early in the morning they were missing. The lock on the door leading into the next room had been worked upon, and it is Mr. Sautelle's opinion that the thief made his entrance through that door. Detectives are working on the case, and Mr. Sautelle is confident that the articles will be located. It is to be hoped that it is not Sig's diamond horse that always adorned his shirt front, for it that is the case, he stands a very good chance of contracting pneumonia during the winter in the town that David Harum made famous.

    Notes from the Great Wood Show. We are now playing the Cane country to good business, in spite of bad weather. Our roster reads: Wood Bros., proprietors; Ray Wood, manager; Al. Wood, treasurer; W. B. Wood, advance agent, with two assistants; John Tensley, in charge of side show; the Four Flying Allens, return act; James Family, acrobats; Little Irene, single trapeze and wire; L. Marks, juggling and barrel kicking; Minnie Leo, webs and rings; Clarence Tensely, rebounding rope; Anna Woods, contortionist and hand balancer; Prof. Tensley's Pony, Dog and Monkey Circus makes good everywhere. Our fun makers, headed by Ray Wood, have some good stunts for the French country that makes them go wild. Our band, under Prof. James, is a winner. E. R. James, cornet; Al. Woods, cornet; Al. Cornell, tuba; Lee Huston, trombone; Ray and Geo. Wood, altos; L. James, baritone; H. Smith, trap drummer. Our canvas is under our old-timer, Slim Tibbitts, with five assistants. Our stock, thirty-nine head, under Pony Charlie. Show consists of fourteen wagons; 70 ft., with 30 ft. middle, big top; 30 ft. dressing room; 40 ft. with a 20 ft. middle side show will be twice the size this spring.

    Notes from Hulburd's Shows. The following people and acts have signed with the Great Hulburd Incorporated Shows for season of 1904: Robert Taylor as general agent; Everett S. Bulger as press agent. Manager Hulburd has landed a notable array of circus artists, among them the world famous Five Flying Banvards, the Cooper Troupe of Cyclists, Hagen's Death Trap, Loop the Loop, Henry Ross, Perpendicular Cycle Wall. Nebraska Bill and wife, George Hooker and wife, Earl V. Stoehr. Willaim Langill, the celebrated wire artist; the La Places, Mons and May, and a hundred others too numerous to mention. This show the coming season will also introduce many nivelties in the way of Wild West features, the foremost of which will be the historical military spectacle, Custer's Last Fight, a graphic description of the terrible massacre, the battle of the Big Horn, vividly displayed, also featuring the Dusky Demon of Texas. Manager Hulburd will leave nothing undone to make this show the best that will tour the country next season. Special paper for every act is on the press, and with the coming of spring and our early opening (which, by the way, is eagerly looked forward to by all around winter quarters), we predict a successful and prosperous season in 1904. The show will open in Texas early in April. Manager Hulburd and Everett S. Bulger will remain in the East until Feb. 15, then they will be found at winter quarters west of Waco, Tex., on the Santa Fe Railroad. Manager Hulburd has arranged to have all business transacted in Waco. He has leased one of the finest residences in the city of Waco, where he and his family, Everett S. Bulger and other members of the staff will be found until the opening of the Hulburd Shows.

Billboard, January 23, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, January 30, 1904, pp. 7, 8, 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Text was cut off on page 9 regarding competition in the circus field, and Walter L. Main's letter on opposition and the parade, and on "Circus Gossip" on page seven.

    George Lockhart, the well known elephant trainer and circus proprietor, was accidently crushed to death by an elephant in London, Eng., Jan. 24

    The follow letter explains itself: Kankakee, Ill., Jan. 19, 1904. Mr. B. E. Wallace. Dear Sir - At a meeting of the city council, held Monday, Jan. 18, 1904, and by the request of members of The Liquor Dealer's Protective Association and retail merchants, the license fee for circuses and menageries was reduced from $100 to $50 per day. Would be pleased to have you consider this city in your routing for season of 1904. Very respectfully, John J. Bott, Secretary.

    J. D. Miller has signed with the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.

    W. E. Sands is conducting a large, stylish restaurant in Hagerstown, Md.

    The Nichols Trio have signed for the season of 1904 with the Robinson Show.

    It is said that the Floto Shows will open early and make a bee-line for California.

    Garsinette Brothers, of the Sells Show, are taking life easy at Hot Springs, Ark.

    Jack Pfeiffenberger, assistant boss canvasman, is at home, 915 Main St., Cincinnati.

    C. Francis Kane is spending his vacation among the West Virginia hills at Parkersburg.

    Jack Kent, master of transportation with Wallace's Show, is in St. Louis, Mo., buying horses.

    "Billy" Bachelor, an old-time circus tumbler, is seriously ill at St. Francis Hospital, Cincinnati.

    Wm. Andrews has been re-engaged as legal adjuster with the Barnum & Bailey Show for the season of 1904.

    W. W. Scott and wife go with the Main Show next season. They can be addressed at 201 W. 6th St., Cincinnati.

    Edward Van Wyck, the Cincinnati sporting goods manufacturer, is making a special rolling globe for Ferari Bros., to be used in their Zoo at St. Louis, Mo.

    The following are wintering at their homes in Hagerstown, Md.: Robert Sands, Billy C. Lane, W. E. Sands and Andrew Zinkands.

    Dick A. Fulton will troop with his own show next season, The American Beauties, hence he will not go out with Ringling Bros.

    It is rumored that Allen Sells will enter into partnership with William Sells, and that the two will put out a 28-car show, opening early in May.

    Billy C. Lane goes as a ticket seller with Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show the coming season. Billy is at Cooney Wagner's headquarters, Hagerstown, Md.

    Julius Romney, manager of the Haag Park Summer Theatre in Woonsocket, R. I., has returned from Cleveland, O., where he was visiting some old circus friends.

    A. L. Hill and Valecita sailed from New York with their performing lions, leopards and panters for Havana, Cuba, to join Pubillone's Circus. They sailed on Jan. 14.

    Gus Ryan, trick cyclist and "rube," closed his second season with the Katherine Rober Company in Bath, Me., on Christmas Eve, and is now at the Hargreaves winter quarters, Chester, Pa. Last season he was doing the "rube" act in the parade with Hargreaves.

    Born to Mr. and Mrs. Bert Clipman, Jan. 21, a ten-pound boy. Mr. and Mrs. Clipman were for four seasons with Temen Bros. Great Pan-American Shows, and last season with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows. Mr. Clipman is now established at Lincoln, Neb., as a contracting plumber.

    The Benevolent Order of American Tigers, Jungle No. 1, held its regular meeting Sunday evening, Jan. 17, in Emett's Hall, Bridgeport, Conn., with President Stock presiding. Thirty-six members were present. The regular business was attended to. Two new members were initiated and several applications for membership were received.

    Sam Wilson has contracted with B. E. Wallace for coming season as superintendent of wardrobe and storekeeper, which position he has held for nine years. He opened a cigar store and book exchange in St. Louis, and sells a good many "Billboards." He is a member of the Billposter's Union of St. Louis and of No. __ Stage Mechanics.

    In the Iowa courts, T. A. Weems, who was formerly elephant man with Ringling Brothers Shows, has sued the management of that organization for $15,000. Weems claims that when leaving Tacoma, Wash., in August, 1902, he was thrown from a train and sustained an injury to one of his hips and serious injuries on the head. He claims he will be a cripple for life. The case will be heard in Polk county.

    Howe's Great London Shows have shipped all their show property to Kansas City, Mo., from Macon, Ga. Alex. Glasscock, of Longview, Texas, bought all the animals, cages and two cars and shipped same to his winter quarters. Col. M. L. Clark, of Alexandria, La., purchased three cars, all the performing ponies, one elephant and a lot of other stock. Mr. Smith having retired from the show business, will make his home in Kansas City, Mo.

    Notes and roster of performers with the John H. Sparks Shows: Kadell Sisters, double trapeze; Chas. Ellet, triple bars; Perreno, lion act; Andy Burch, ladder drops; Hines-Kimball Trio, brother act and carrying perch; Prof. Hoon, trained horses; Wm. La Rue, clown; Lizzie Ellet, aerial artist; Della Toyt, flying rings; D. H. Gillespie has the side show. We are now touring Florida to good business. Burt Cole, of the Wallace Shows, is putting in the winter with us. He has been re-engaged with the Wallace Shows, making his fourth season with them.

    Notes from the winter quarters of C. _. Knight's Mammoth Twenty-five Cent Circus. Everything is looking fine for the opening of the show, which will be about May 1. This no doubt will be one of the largest and best wagon shows that will travel through Ohio, Michigan and Indiana the season of 1904. This show puts up a fine parade, as we carry about twenty-five head of fine horses and some fine parade wagons, good band and plenty of people. The work is going on, painting wagons, filling up horses, making banners, getting a nice lot of stakes, etc. We just added a new team of five-year-old grays to the list, which makes a nice improvement to the horse barn.

Billboard, February 6, 1904, pp. 9, 10. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related.

    At the Hotel Brennan, 9th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., the troupers have been associated together for the past seven weeks, and the club is called the Real Troupers, and no one but a real trouper is acceptable for membership, not the boys who fail to hear the band play Home, Sweet Home, but real troupers are welcome. The rooms are very cosy and it is a real home. "The Billboard" is on file and the next week's copy is always waited for. The following can be addressed at the club rooms: President, Frank Morris; vice-president, Jim Jordan; treasurer, Geo. Bradenburg; general manager, Mark Monroe; John Young, Bill Campbell, Frank Zepp, Whity Oldknow, Phila Dutch, Chas. Bell, Bob Hill, Phil Turney, Walter Levan, Jack Rettenbock, Tim Delaney, Old Kennedy, Bob Mack, Billy Lane, Bob Lane, James Brennan, Pat McGlinchy, Chas. Bradenburg, Big Murphy, Joe Enochs, Fred Biddle, Frank Wolf, Kid Burke, Pat Castor, Ed Stone, Red Kelly, Jim Williams, Jim Keenan, Kid Foulknar, Jim Brown, Dr. Taggert and Dr. Ogden.

    Hippodrome, Paris, Dec. 26, 1903. Editor Billboard: The gay French capitol is now decked in gala attire. The boulevards are lined with booths for the sale of holiday goods and at the intersection of principal thoroughfares numerous portable "show shops" are erected, giving it the appearance of a tremendous street fair. The best advertised and most talked-of amusement enterprise in Paris today is Bostock's Hippodrome, the L'Hippo-Palais, rechristened by mr. Bostock the Hippodrome, was erected in 1890,but until the advent of its present lessee it has been a failure financially, although it is one of the handsomest and best appointed temples of amusement in the world. The arena measurers 125x250 feet and the seating capacity is some 9,000. The steam heat and the electric lighting plants are the finest in Paris. The front is particularly attractive, facing Clichy Place, and is a perfect blaze of electric lights. Bostock's Animal Arena opened here to tremendous business at the beginning of November, and it has continued up to the top notch until the present time, thousands of people being turned away on Sunday and fete days. At the beginning Mr. Bostock had trouble about the heating arrangements as the proprietor refused to heat the building only during exhibition hours, but that problem was soon solved by the management deciding to give a Promenoir Concert at Soiree Zoologique in the Jardin des Nouveautes from 2 to 6 p.m., with a general admission of one franc (20 cents), at which time an interesting program is presented by the following artistes. Neapolitan Orchestra, Prof. Giovannis' Monkey Theatre, Mme. De Magnelone, mind reader, and Charles Eldredge Griffin, American illusionist, ventriloquist and mimic. In addition to this, the public have an opportunity of inspecting the animal actors that appear in the evening performance, riding the elephants and camels or sliding down the American toboggan. During the holidays Mr. Bostock had a gigantic Christmas tree erected in the Jardin, loaded with toys for the children to the value of 20,000 francs, the grand prix being a baby lion three months old. The evening program embraces: Mlle. Aurora's performing polar bears; Charles Miller's sensational group of Royal Bengal Tigers; Mlle. Octavia, snake charmer; Herman Weedon's lions, tigers, leopards, pumas, hyenas, and Great Dane dogs; Mlle. Morrell's well trained leopards and jaguars; C. A. Giovannis' twenty-five Australian cockatoos; Le Cholot's pigs, dogs and monkeys, and as a fitting climax, Captain Bonavita's sensational performance with twenty-seven trained lions, all in the huge steel arena at one time. Comic interludes by Tic Tac and Ping Pong, English clowns; Bostock's Band of thirty musicians discourse excellent music throughout the lengthy program. Geo. O. Starr, Harvey Watkins and John Ringling were recent visitors. On Christmas Day we exchanged greetings by cable with Bostock's Philadelphia contingent. Business staff: Frank C. Bostock, proprietor; Robt. J. Aginton, manager; Harr Souplis, supt. department of publicity; Joe Villemont, secretary; M. Johnson, arenic director, and Ralph Hicks, master mechanic.
    Frank C. Bostock is a showman in the best and broadest sense of the word. I only wish the show world had more like him. Born in the business, at the age of 26 he found old England, his native country, too small for his progressive ideas. Accordingly, in the year 1892, he went to America for elbow room. Here he found space to expand, and after conquering the largest cities in the Western Hemisphere, it is but proper that he should tackle the effite East and have the fashion capitol of the world do him homage. Long live Bostock, the Animal King. Charles Eldridge Griffin, Hippodrome, Paris, France, Dec. 26, 1903.

    George Lockhart, known all over the world as a trainer of elephants, was crushed so badly by one of his elephants near London, Eng., that he died soon after the injuries were received, Jan. 24. Lockhart was unloading the elephant at the __ Street Railroad Station, when one of the animals suddenly swerved and fell on him. Help came quickly, but Lockhart was almost dead when taken from beneath the elephant.
    Lockhart, in addition to being a trainer of elephants, was also a proprietor of a circus. Of all the men known for their peculiar ability in the education of animals, Lockhart easily occupied the first place. It was he who introduced new methods in the training of elephants, and his successes were so pronounced that his system of teaching was adopted by every animal trainer of note who came after him. Lockhart grew up in the atmosphere of a circus. The life of the mat, the sawdust and the ring seemed instilled in his veins. He rose from an obscure tumbler to the position of circus proprietor, and in hisday owned animals whose aggreate worth figured in the hundreds of thousands.
    Lockhart was a fine, handsome physical specimen and his courage was cast in the same mold. His father had owned a circus before him. As a boy Lockhart was turning flip-flaps, vaulting over horses, camels and elephants with the precision and the skill of old-time acrobats. After he grew up he made a hit as a circus clown, and on the Continent was one of the headliners in the then famous circuses. Monarchs who were amused by the antics of the young acrobat decorated him with medals and more substantial honors.
    Lockhart's elephants were almost human in their intelligence. They seemed to act without a prompting from their trainer. They waltzed, ate at a table, gave a one-act comedy in which each played a sustained part. The old tricks of riding tricycles, see-sawing and picking up various articles called for were too simple performances for Lockhart's animals. They did tricks that were out of the ordinary.
    In 1895 Lockhart came to America from Scotland, where he was born. His trained elephants were then the marvel of the town. Column after column was written about them and their trainer at the time. Lockhart then told of his system of training. He trusted more to kindness in handling elephants than to severity. He always gained the confidence of the beasts at first, sometimes spending months in gaining their good will. After he and the elephants were in accord the teaching process began. It was a noteworthy point that never in his long career did an animal turn upon him after he began to instruct them in trick performance. More than that, his elephants were always sure of themselvees and needed no coaxing to do what their master told them.

    Troupers' Home, Cleveland, O. It is now five years since the Troupers' Home was started and is still in the able hands of Jas. Fleming. The following showmen stopping here at present are: Jack Barnum, John Weaver, an old time boss canvasman, Jake Popkey, Sherwood Hoyt, better known as Junior, the monkey expert, at present employed at Wade Park monkey house; Pete McKenna, waiter; Jos.Y. Crane, known as Erie, the chef; Lon Ross, a sledge hammer expert; Chas. McGinn, a candy butcher; Pete Wallace, a car porter; J. W. Enoch, known as Buffalo, a driver; Joe Roche, sledge hammer expert, and Joe Eberly, Fisheye Joe; Jas. Fleming, an old cook house flunkie, and Jack Doyle, side show boss canvasman. All of the above people can be engaged for next season, through the booking agency of the Troupers Home and the old reliable, "The Billboard."

    Sells-Downs Circus will not be sold.

    Allen England joined Floto's Shows Feb. 2 as car manager.

    The Ringling Bros. will make the Pacific Coast again next season.

    Sun Bros. are searching for railroad cars. They will soon be on rail.

    Forepaugh-Sells Show is booking New England for the coming season.

    J. D. Harrison is already working the press for the Walter L. Main Show.

    Thomas During, 117 Washington avenue, Danville, Ill., wants to hear from Nobby Clark.

    Del Fuego has signed with Campbell Bros. as clown and Lulu Del Fuego for side show.

    George H. Wymans, German knockabout clown, has signed with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows.

    McKason's Park on the lake shore front, will likely be the tenting grounds in Cleveland, O., this season.

    The Luella Forepaugh-Fish claims came up for argument in the circuit court at Janesville, Wis., Jan. 21.

    The Milletts have not signed as yet for the coming season. They were with the Harris Circus last season.

    Charlie Shepp, the dog trainer, is at his home in Louisville, Ky., for a few days, spending his time with his parents.

    Floyd Bernard goes with Campbell Bros.' Show next season. It will make Bernard's second season with that show.

    J. Frank Longbotham, treasurer of Hargreaves' Big Railroad Shows, was a caller at "The Billboard" office Jan. 27.

    The Floto Shows will have 12 cars with the show and one ahead. Mr. Tammen is evidently not afraid of the hoodoo thirteen.

    Geo.J. Choffin, special agent with Ringling Bros., is acting as special advertising man for the Grand Opera House at Canton, O.

    The 1903 route book of the Walter L. Main Show will be issued in March. The book is a little late owing to a delay in the printing.

    Ed M. Burk and T. J. Foley have formed a partnership for the purpose of putting out a carnival company to tour the Pacific Coast.

    Zazell & Vernon, the acrobats, are doing some very fine work this season with their show. Their act would make a fine circus feature.

    Sig. Cannon, of dog and pony show fame, is spending the winter at Natchez, Miss., after a successful season with a carnival company.

    Edna M. Gardner was married Dec. 18 at Germantown, Tenn., to Mr. J. W. Hopkins, a non-professional. She will retire to private life.

    Joseph Berris has been re-engaged by the Sells-Downs Shows for the coming season. This makes his third consecutive season with the show.

    The marriage of Miss Laura Durand and Burt Busby, of Busby Bros. Circus, took place Sunday, Jan. 24, at Pana, Ill., at the Catholic Church.

    Murble Cullen, of Logansport, Ind., for two years with the Wallace Show, has joined the Dowling-Cullen Minstrel Troupe, to play trombone in the band.

    Otte and Groul are adding some new and novel features to their roman ring act. They are at present practicing at the Valley City Athletic Club at Grand Rapids, Mich.

    Roy M. Feltus, for the past several years connected with the advance of Gentry Brothers' Shows, has been engaged as 24-hour man with Ringling Brothers' Shows for season of 1904.

    Mr. Scott, contracting agent for Pawnee Bill last season, will follow the white tents again the coming season. He is now ahead of the Si Plunkard Company.

    Dentzel & Sons, the caroussel [sic] manufactureres, of Philadelphia, Pa., are just completing a magnificent street organ for the Pawnee Bill Wild West. Some of the finest carving ever placed on a parade wagon will be on this one when completed.

    J. R. Wilson, the owner of Coco, the large orang outang, reports that Coco is enjoying good health and his California trip has been a prosperous one. Mr. Wilson has just added a large chimpanzee to his large and rare collection of little people.

    Shipp's Indoor Circus was in a wreck near Cedar Rapids, Ia., 23. The company and equipment was en route to Cedar Rapids from Rock Island. The members of the company were badly shaken up, but escaped serious injuries. Several of the trainmen were badly injured.

    Fred A. Morgan and wife are now at their home in Vicksburg, Mich., having just returned from an eight weeks' visit in Pueblo, Colo. Mr. Morgan will remain there and await the opening of the Wallace Shows, with which he is engaged for the coming season as local contractor. This is his fourth season under Mr. Franklin.

    Notes from the winter quarters of the George W. Hall Jr. Circus. Everything at winter quarters are in good shape. The animals are wintering fine, with the exception of one camel, which we lost several weeks ago. Arrangements are being made to open early in May. It will be a railroad show the coming season. Several of the people from last season have re-signed for 1904.

    Notes from McDonald Brothers New United Shows. Everything is progressing nicely at winter quarters. We have about all of our outift completed ready for the paint shop, and the McDonald Brothers will have the best show on the road the coming season. We will open at Huntington, W. Va., early in April. Our privileges are all sold and we will have an up-to-date show.

    Notes from the headquarters of Floto's Greatest Shows at Denver, Colo. Our headquarters is the busiest corner in Denver. H. H. Tammen, manager of the quarters, is head over heels in work. Chas. Sanders left for the winter quarters and friend Bill will stay here until the middle of February. Joe Huston is expected daily. Season opens March 14 at Dallas, Texas. Full roster will be sent later.

    Notes from Welsh Bros.' winter quarters. We are very busy getting ready for an early opening (weather conditions being favorable). We will have an almost entirely new outfit to replace the one burnt out last fall a few days after closing, and will add two more cars. We have signed almost all of the staff and performers, among the latte are quite a number of new people and acts (to be announced later) and will have the best circus in our experience.

    It is reported that General Nelson A. Miles is the president of the huge $3,500,000 syndicate formed by Col. Cody for the purpose of promoting important industries and large enterprises in the State of Wyoming. Associated with General Miles and Col. Cody are several titled Englishmen, whose names are withheld. It is the intention of the syndicate to push the work to completion on the large canal, which it is said the Government has taken over. It is claimed that this will be one of the most immense enterprises in the West.

    The extremely cold weather (35 below zero) interfered with the moving of the Hagenbeck Animal Show from St. Paul, Minn., to Minneapolis, and incidentally gave the press agent "good stuff." The elephant's cars and body were frost bitten and it gave him an ugly mood, requiring a couple of hours to get him on board the cars. During the loading he broke three of the ribs of his trainer, Conrad Kastens, who is now at St. Paul Hospital. One of the polar seals had a flipper frozen, and Miss Annie Gilki lost one of her most valuable birds, which was frozen to death.

    At Samwell's Dog, Pony and Monkey Circus headquarters, ___ Harrisburg Road, Houston, Tex., a dinner was given on Jan. 21 by Tom, or "Pop" Samwell and Mrs. Samwell, at which the following were present: Major Tom Hurd and Mrs. Hurd and children, Bootsie and Hoadie, B. _. or "Red" McIntyre, Grace Baillager, Uncle Jim Harrington, Deacon Delmore and Mrs. Delmore and son. Mr. and Mrs. Samwell have a beautiful home, and a good time was had. Mr. Samwell has a grand winter quarters for his stock. He starts our the coming season with everything brand new.

    Notes from the advance of Pawnee Bill's Wild West. The force of billposters will be enlarged this season by the addition of ten men, making a total of 50. Most of theman from last season and a number of new ones have signed with this show. The advance cars are now being painted and put through repair. Our big 70-foot silver car will, if anything, be handsomer than last year. Pawnee Bill says don't spare the expense to make it the talk of the country. Everything is moving along nicely, and when the season opens the department of publicity will be in fine shape, with a great crew of the best agents and men and the finest assortment of paper ever stuck to a window or put on the wall.

    The executive staff of the Walter L. Main Shows is as follows: Hugh Harrison, manager, Geneva, Ohio; Ed. C. Knupp, general agent, Geneva; Dr. C. M. Stull, superintendent of labor, parade and forage, Geneva; John Gill, musical director, Circleville, Ohio; Wm. Elliott, superintendent of refreshments, Evansville, Ind.; Richard Jones, superintendent of menageries, Geneva; James Whalen, superintendent of canvas, Geneva; W. W. Scott, superintendent of stock, 201 W. 6th St., Cincinnati, Ohio, until April1, then Geneva; Peter Hirtz, master of transportation, Collinsdale, Pa.; Henry Pullman, leader of parade and superintendent of annex door, 50 Goodell St., Buffalo, N. Y.; Al. Pancost, in charge of winter quarters, Geneva; A. J. Trunkey, attorney, Geneva.

    Notes from Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show. Prof. W. H. Jacobs will furnish the side show band, cake walkers and jubilee singers. He has engaged the following people: W. H. Jacobs, E-flat cornet; Joe Nelson, solo cornet; Charley Williams, first cornet; Charles Braton, alto; George Wilson, slide trombone; James Jackson, clarinet; Alex Toliver, snare drum; William Reed, bass drum; John Barr, bass tuba; Miss Ray Edwards, dong and dance artist; Mable Jacobs, tenor singer; Bessie Savoy, soprano; Della [Delia?] Turner, cakewalker. Prof. Jacobs will put on a very stong minstrel show. He is now with Nichol's Old Plantation with the U. S. Carnival Company, and will remain with them until the show opens in Fort Worth about April 1. James J. McNulty will do magic and Punch and also lecture in side show. This makes his third season with the Buckskin Bill Show.

    Notes from the James Shelby Show. The show opens the season of 1904, Feb. 3, at White Plains, Ga., with the following people: Ogden & Hardy, proprietors; Mrs. L. Ogden, treasurer; Johnny Maurice, ticket seller; W. H. Ashdown, advance, with two assistants; Billy Miller, boss canvasman, with six assistants; Tom Lawson, boss hostler; Prof. Shelby's select band of eight soloists, with the follow list of performers: the Davine Family, aerialists and pantomimists; Geo. W. Powell, contortionist and grotesque dancer; Little Edna Ogden, the child wonder aerialist and contortionist; Hardy and Ogden, horizontal bar performers; Elbert Smith, comedy juggler and bamboo perch; Edgar Morgan, Chinese table and singing clown; Edna Ogden at Little Tottie Davine, double trapeze and Spanish rings; Smith, Davine and Davis, comedy acrobats. Concert people include Chas. T. Farris, vocalist; Edna and Annie Ogden sketch artists; Prof. Cherewski's Lilliputian Theatre; Maurice De Castro, monologist and humorist; La Petite DaVene, buck and wing dancer; Black Brothers, singers and dancers. Side show: Johnny Maurice, orator and magician; Eddy Hardy's Punch and Judy and marionettes; Mrs. Francis Powell, snake enchantress and mind reader and featuring a very large serpent.

    Notes from Campbell Bros.' Shows. Everything around the commodious winter quarters of Campbell Bros.' Great Consolidated Shows is rapidly taking on the finishing touches for the coming season. The following people have been signed: Fred Barr, Tobe Beer, Edward T. Boyce, Dick Beemer, Dale Betz, J. D. Cline, John Davenport, G. L. French, W. G. Fink, Mamie Forepaugh, Del Fuego, Guy Fritts, C. A. Gerbach, Linda Julian and family, Ben Lucier, Nobe Mizune and wife, Roy Martino, Mizuno troupe of Japs, H. T. Mauzy, Chas. Morrison, Ed Morrin, Cecil Lowanda and wife, Marshall Nellis, The Ortons, Tora Ohama, Emory Proffit, C. A. Parks, Wm. H. Perry, Randall Bros., Ed Shreve, M. Samayoa, W. H. Sutton, Lewis Smith, G. M. Satterly, Ed Waldron, W. H. Wrest, Geo. Oukura, C. A. Clark, Lee Sherrill and contracts sent to several others, which have not yet returned, but undoubtedly will be. The show this year will consist of 22 cars at least. J. C. O'Brien will have the side show and A. W. Crockett the candy stand. A big acrobatic act and two big aerial acts will about complete the list of performers. Winter quarters are a scene of great activity, with a score of machinists and painters building new stuff and repairing last year's property.

Not transcribed: Notes from Carl Hagenbeck's Trained Animal Co. A few facts in reference to the Carl Hagenbeck's Trained Wild Animal Co.'s exhibit for the St. Louis World's Fair next summer. . . .

Billboard, February 13, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, February 20, 1904, pp. 7, 8. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related.

    Edward Fagan, the well-known circus rider, died in Altoona, Pa., recently of typhoid fever. Fagan's parents live at 617 Elm street, Pittsburg, having one [sic] there from Altoona. Fagan was 19 years old and was connected with Sells Bros.' Circus last year. He went to Altoona last month to sell some property for his parents and was stricken with fever. His body was taken to Pittsburg for burial.

Community of Interest. Something Likely to Occur Among Circus Proprietors. Timely Topics Discussed by Louis E. Cooke.
    That the circus proprietors are becoming more united in their relations and exercising a little good judgment in combating whatever is against their mutual interests, is manifested by the fact that certain measures have recently been adopted whereby much of the opposition that has heretofore existed will be largely eliminated.
    The next radical move in this direction seems to be the abolition of the street parade, which, if agreed upon by a few of the leading circuses, would mean some big figures in the matter of economy, and at the same time create a feeling of harmony that must ultimately lead to something more definite as to routes, licenses, railway routes and other difficult problems which now confront the average circus proprietor. A general movement of this kind has been quietly working itself out for some time and bids fair to take definite shape before the road season begins.
    Practical observation discloses the fact that street parades are more harmful than beneficial. There was a time when a circus procession was relied upon to attract the attention of the ruralites, and a very ordinary show would suffice to fill the tent, but recent experience has demonstrated that it is the excellence of the exhibition itself that induces the populace to lay down its ducats. It is also estimated that it costs the circuses of this country (and street parades are unknown elsewhere) something over $1,000,000 every year to maintain that free feature, while one-fourth of this amount properly invested in perfecting the performance and securing some extraordinary attractions for the program would double the receipts. Furthermore, there is always more or less risk attending a street display; besides it is a sort of anti-climax, and the public has come to realize that it is impossible to concentrate under canvas anything to compare in magnitude with the street parade. Again, the time occupied in giving a parade could be far better employed in getting ready for the performance and making the visitors more comfortable when they arrive. In fact, there are so many arguments against this useless expenditure for wagons, animals, trappings and additional transportation that there seems to be nothing left in the way of an excuse for it except tradition.
    The matter of routes and other advantageous plans for conducting shows of today in a business-like, gentlemanly manner is perfectly easy and simple provided the various managers will meet each other half way on the platform of reciprocity. My suggestion is to divide the competing shows into three classes or groups, which is about the proportion of their present importance. Each of these three groups could then be routed to the best advantage irrespective of the other, and in the event of close proximity, by reason of necessary routing or time of season, let it be agreed that no direct opposition work or what is termed "fighting" shall be indulged in. This would put each show on its metal to excel in point of performance and attractive features, and in time earn the best confidence of the public. There is nothing in the world so good for business as public confidence, and I know of no animal so timid. You simply have to pat it on the back and stroke its hair the right way, yet it will stampede like a herd of elephants at the sight of a nest of rabbits. Take my tip for it, if you want to succeed, keep faith with the public. Bluff and bluster won't do, and this applies as well to circus proprietors, managers as it does to paying patrons. Let them deal fair with each other. Discourage all bickering and reward good results. Don't let personalities interfere with good sense and proper business interests. It is unnecessary to talk shop all the time in order to do a fine stroke of work, and if one will just listen to what the other fellow has to say, he may get some valuable ideas. Many minds make intellectual monuments, and I am looking forward to the time when the whole circus fraternity will be governed by a community of interests. As things now stand there is no concerted action, and the "rank outsider" benefits by his knowledge of this fact, and Jack Robinson's "wolf book" should be well edited, revised and kept up to day with valuable contributions each season for every circus in the land.

    Wm. Ballinger left Denver, Feb. 12, to join Norris & Rowe's Shows.

    Schepp's Dogs will be combined with Sipe's Shows this coming season.

    Joe Hustin was in Denver last Sunday on business for the Floto Shows.

    Nobby Clark and wife will be with the Sautelle Shows this coming season.

    Ed Stair, formerly with Gollmar Bros., is visiting J. W. Hettler at Dixon, Ill.

    Lash Bros., musicians, have signed with the Great Hobson Show for season of 1904.

    Ab Johnson goes with the Wallace show this season as clown and rides comedy mule.

    Billy Dutton Jr., and Willie Van Dee go with Forepaugh & Sells show this season.

    Chas. Gordon has joined the Great Floto Shows at Dallas, Te., as car manager.

    J. W. Hettler, of Dixon, Ill., is about to sign a contract with Gollmar Bros. for next season.

    H. P. Hill, manager of Zazelle & Vernon, will go with Gentry Bros.' Show this season.

    The Two Flying Zenos have signed for the coming season with the Great Hulburd Shows.

    John G. Robinson bought the big box car from the General Amusement Company Feb. 12.

    It is said that W. E. Ferguson has been re-engaged as general agent of Pawnee Bill's Shows.

    Gentry Bros.' show cars are at the car shops in Jeffersonville, Ind., being put in good condition for next season.

    James Swetnam and Mrs. Swetnam have signed for the privileges with the La Mont Bros. Circus for the coming season.

    Although conditions do not argue well for a good circus season, there will be more shows than ever to take the road in April.

    Vincent C. Harig, talking and pantomime clown, has signed with Hargreaves Railroad Shows. This makes his fifth season.

    Allen Sells has purchased an interest in the Sells-Downs Shows. There are now four partners, all of whom are equal owners.

    Tobe Broderick, an old-time horse trainer and circus man of Chicago, died Feb. 4, at Ryburn Hospital, Ottawa, Ill., after a week's illness.

    The Great Beno, high wire equilibrist, has signed with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows for the coming season, this making his second season with the Ten Big.

    Chas. K. Lane, of Danville, Ill., has again signed with the Colorado Grant R. R. Shows as general contracting agent, making his sixth season with the above show.

    Mr. Haynes, who has been in advance of the David Harum Company this season, retires Feb. 23, to go to New York, where he goes out with the advance guard of Barnum & Bailey's shows.

    If the Floto Shows really go to California this spring, there will be a most interesting scrap out there. Norris & Rowe have declined to divide country. This means an opposition fight.

    The order for the monument to be erected over the grave of the unknown victims of the Wallace wreck at Durand, Mich., has been placed with the Barney Marble and Granite Works of Flint, Mich.

    Charles Mack, ticket seller on the annex with the Wallace Show, and who was injured by falling into the railroad turntable at Dixon, Ill., last season, is again able to be about on crutches. He will go again with the Wallace Show next season.

    The Barnum & Bailey Show has been made defendant in a damage suit for $5,000, brought by Florence Sugrue [sic?], of Ausonice, Conn., and widow of Michael Sugrne [sic?], who was run down by one of the pole wagons and instantly killed Oct. 17, last.

    Lucky Bill writes that his shows open the season March 28, and that the workmen have commenced to get everything in readiness. Climate of Quenenio is delightful, and a better place could not be found for winter quarters, and the birds, monkeys and ponies have passed a very fine winter. Some of the performers have also made Quenenio their headquarters.

    The Roberts family, acrobats, have closed their vaudeville company after a season of sixteen prosperous weeks in Wisconsin and Minnesota. They are now at home in Evansville, Wis., where they remain until the opening of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Shows, having signed with that show last August. After the coming circus season closes this fall Ed Roberts puts out a small minstrel show over his established route, with about seventeen people in the company.

    Notes from the Great Barlow Show. Harry Wintermute, of Wintermute Bros. Show, paid our winter quarters a visit recently. This season trained animals will be featured, the show will travel over Ohio and Indiana. All our stock is in fine condition, and every day is busy with the dogs, goats and ponies. Our outfit will be all newly painted and our large, new top will be shipped in March by J. C. Goss, Detroit, Mich. Howe and Decker will have charge of the dressing room, making their third season. Harry Williams will be the principal clown; Frank Girard leader of orchestra; Mrs. Edna, organist; Guy Faller, musician; Frank Shidler and Frank Dunifan, hostlers. Edna and Emma Barlow are adding to their dance. The advance will be in charge of Walt A. Andrews.

    Notes from Sells & Downs' winter quarters, Topeka, Kans. The ring barn is now open and the work is being pushed right along. C. P. Foregraves and J. L. Butler have signed as billposters on excursion car No. 2. The Santa Fe car shops at Topeka are remodeling and refinishing two excursion cars for Sells & Downs great shows and no doubt they will be two of the finest and most thoroughly equipped cars on the road when finished. Mr. McCurren, who has charge of the animals at winter quarters, is spending his entire time preparing some novel acts performed by his trained elephants. He has three young lion cubs hardly one year old and five lions cubs hardly two weeks old in his barn. The winter quarters are kept clean and neat and a most interesting place to visit. The entire crew is kept busy, as everything is to be greater, grander and more complete this season.

    Some people engaged for season of 1904 with John Robinson's Ten Big Shows are: Olion Scott, George Aiken, J. Ellis, L. H. Hickman, Wm. Dale, Cuddy Service, in the advance; Fred Fisher, George Stupf, Buggy Stupf, Wm. Curtis, Red Carroll, Wm. Marshall, Chas. Davis are heads of departments. It will be absolutely necessary for all people engaged for 1904 with the John Robinson Shows to bring a doctor's certificate that they have been vaccinated during the year 1903 or later. This is done as a safeguard both for the people and the show in general, as there is no telling when one is liable to be thrown in contact with the disease. This would be a good rule for all shows to adopt, as it may save a lot of trouble, and by attending to it now it will save a lot of unnecessary talk later on.

    W. S. Dunnington has been engaged to manager Avertising Car No. 1 of the Norris & Rowe Show. The car will leave winter quarters Feb. 17 with the following men: Harley Cunningham, boss billposter; Kid Raymond, boss lithographer; Tony Clark, banners; Vic Stout, Pete Collins, lithographers; Jack Siegrist, programmer; Harry Moshur, W. S. Simpson, Chas. Eblerey, Ernest Francis, Wm. Buffin, N. C. Webb, H. Jackman, W. F. Reid, Thos. ___, Louis Jackson, John Miller, Fred Robins, Wm. Scott and Tom Moore, billposters. Chris. O. Brown will have charge of the box brigade, with the following men: Louis Robinson, Dan Reiley, Harry Thompson, Jack Morgan, Frank Kelly and Harry Schubert. Norris & Rowe's Show will open at San Jose, Cal., Wednesday, March 2. The performance this year will be givn in two rings and an elevated stage and will include some of the strongest acts in the circus business. Ed. C. Warner will be with Norris & Rowe again next season as general agent. This will make Ed's fifth season with this show. He must be making good. Norris & Rowe have secured a new importation in the Oka Japanese Troupe. They landed at San Francisco recently, and will make their first American appearance with that progressive Western show. The Marvelous Belfords will put in a casting act in addition to their acrobatic act next season. They go with Norris & Rowe. The Flying LaVans will be with the Norris & Rowe Show the coming season. They are now practicing at the winter quarters at San Jose.

Billboard, February 27, March 5 and March 12, 1904 are online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, March 19, 1904, p. 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items not transcribed, a number of the "Circus Gossip" items that were not accurately readable; the Minnelli Brothers two tent shows; and what appear to be carnival items.

    Gus Fairbanks will close as general agent with the Miles Orton Shows April 1.

    Sullivan & Eagle shipped four more fine new baggage wagons to the Floto Shows last week.

    Barnum & Bailey received sixty-one horses from Hamburg March 6. They are to be used in a summer spectacle.

    Barney Shea has joined the John Sparks Show for the season of 1904, having been with the Nickel Plate nine seasons.

    King Cole left for Pasadena, Cal., March 2 to join the Norris & Rowe Circus, which will tour California this season.

    Montgomery Brothers have closed their Tom show and are now busy fitting up Texas Bill's Wild West. It will be a six-car show. They sold most of their Tom stuff to Lincoln's U. T. C. Company at Clinton, Iowa.

    C. S. Primrose closed his Uncle Si Haskins Company, Saturday, March 12, at Norfolk, Neb., all salaries being paid in full. Mr. Primrose has signed as railroad contractor with Gollmar Bros.' Shows, and will report in Baraboo about April 1.

    Fred Mackintosh has signed as contracting agent with La Mont Bros.' Circus. Mr. Mackintosh is now at his homein Rensselaer, Ind., recovering from a very severe illness. The La Mont Bros.' Circus opens April 30, and Mr. Mackintosh will join it on April 1.

    Campbell Brothers will have besides their two advertising cars a bugie brigade four days ahead to herald their coming. C. A. Clarke will manage No. 1 car. Al. Campbellis now in New York. Twenty-four cars will be required to transport the show this season.

    Notes from the James Shelby Shows. We are now entering our fourth week of the season of 1904 and have had a remarkable spell of fine weather and playing to a phenomenal business for such an early opening. All are well with the show. We have just purchased a new ticket wagon and two more head of stock, and the show is looking neat and clean. We are anxiously awaiting the time for our shipment Northward.

    Col. Pete Conklin writes: New York City is filled with circus people, all ready for the Barnum & Bailey opening. I will not be on the road this season, but will be located on Coney Island. I will be interested in several amusement enterprises. Everything here is lively. This season Coney Island will be greater than ever - new amusement parks are going to open and hundreds of new buildings are going up. Tom Peppers, the world-beather, is still alive. I met him on the Rialto, and he is as full of his old tricks as ever.

    Lew Nichols leaves the U. S. Carnival Company at Beaumont, Texas, to make day stands. He has a car and will carry a company of __ people, a big strong colored show, brass band and orchestra. He has been with the U. S. Carnival Company since Dec. 7, 1903, and says he never put in a more pleasant winter and has made money, and that Manager Bob ___ is a prince of good fellows. He is booked with Buckskin Bill's Wild West Shows and will play his way there for the opening, April 7. He will have a strong side show and concert with the Buckskin Bill Show this season. There will be __ people working the side show alone.

    Notes from McDonald Bros.' New United Shows. Everything is progressing nicely at the winter quarters. We have just received our new advance wagon and carryall from ___, the Cincinnati wagon manufacturer, also one canvas from Lushbaugh, the reliable tent makers. We have agout finished everything in the way of woodwork and will start painting in a few days. We have signed the Kilian Family, seven in number, for the big show and concert. James Brackman has rented all of the privileges and will put on a strong side show. The Rydon Troupe of aerialists are practicing hard on their big return and casting act and will be the feature of the big show. We are breaking a high diving dog for the concert and our outside attractions will be a 75 foot high dive by Prof. St. Elmo. We will arrive in Cincinnati about April 1 to buy our stock.

    Notes from Texas Bill's Shows. W. N. Montgomery, manager of the Great Texas Bill Wild West has purchased from Augustus Jones the Indian Bill baggage wagons all parade vehicles, also part of the rolling stock. Some of the brightest stars in this branch of the amusement field have already been signed, and everything now indicates this being one of the best equipped and organized new shows of the current season. Augustus Jones will have charge of all the privileges; I. I. Lambert has signed as geneal agent; Baker and Lockwood have the contract for furnishing all new canvas. A carload of Western bronchos will arrive from the West April 1, while our baggage stock will be the finest dapple grays money can purchase. Mr. Montgomery is no new candidate for honors in the profession, he having for the past three seasons successfully managed Montgomery Bros.' Pavilion U. T. C. Co., and prior to that time had labored in an executive capacity for 12 years with the various circuses and tent shows.

    Notes from Andrew Downie's New Big One-ring Circus. Just four weeks from date will find the new shows doing business. J. George Hudgins, general agent, with the following assistants: Wallace Show, G. C. Moyer, Louis Washburn, W. B. Russell, Robert Leister. The first day of April will find the show complete in every detail, and consists of 52 wagons, in all 125 head of stock. Everything is new throughout and will be the finest equipped wagons shows in America. Our new calliope was completed last week and is one of the finest ever turned out for circus work - 32 whistles with all the latest improvements attached. We will carry three bands and a calliope in parade and seven cages, and our novelty feature for the parade will compare with the biggest and best. All our new harness has arrived and the stock looks fine. Harry Reeves is busy night and day getting his ring stock into shape and has accomplished wonders in the short time he has been working them. The following have already signed: Bert Rutherford, assistant manager; Andrew L. Haley, in charge of big top; G. W. Christie, general superintendent in charge of stock; Edw. Corbette, in charge of side show, with the largest horse in the world as a feature, only three years old and stands 21 hands high; C. E. Chamberlain, in charge of privileges; Arthur Fordham, leader of big show band; Gibb Writt, equestrian director; Dave Ricardo, high diver; Jacobs and Wilson, Jack Hampton, J. D. Cramer, Guard Leon, with his singing and acting donkeys; George and Georgie Madden and Le May, C. S. Thorne, Marriott Brothers, Millie La Tena, Mrs. Edw. Corbette. Rhearsals will start at Medina April 25, and the show opens April 30, and will work direct East.

Billboard, March 26, 1904, pp. 8, 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Not transcribed: Barnum & Bailey opening details.

    Miss Lotta, daughter of Edw. D. Barnum, known to the circus world, was married to B. Hanford, an officer on the torpedo boat Worden at Pensacola, Fla., March 14.

    Flossie Barnell, wife of Edward Barnell, known in private life as Mrs. Lillie Pach, died March 17 of Bright's disease at New York City. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. She entered the profession in 1892, appearing with the leading circuses show in the large cities of the United States and Europe. Her specialties were juggling acts and living statuary.

    Major E. H. Gosney goes with the Campbell Bros. this season.

    Prince Mungo is with Norris & Rowe's side show this season.

    Attina, the strong man, has signed with Ringling Brothers.

    Wm. Voss is pantomime and juggling clown with Bonheur Bros. Show.

    King Cole joined Norris & Rowe's side show at Pasadena, Cal., March 7.

    Buffalo Bill's Show opens the season on April 25 for another tour of England.

    J. St. Belmo will have charge of tents with Bonheur Bros. shows this season. A flock of trained geese will be a side show feature with the Bonheur Bros. show.

    The Sells & Downs Show lost a brood of cub lions which were killed by their mother.

    D. H. Lano has been engaged to manager Augustus Jones New Empire Railroad Show.

    Clyde Riando has signed with Bonheur Bros. as singing, talking and acting principal clown.

    E. H. Jones will manage Augustus Jones' New Model Plate Railroad Show this coming season.

    Floyd Trover, general agent of the Colorado Grant Wild West Show, was in Cincinnati March 21.

    Augustus Jones has sold the Indian Bill Wild West outfit to W. U. Montgomery, of Boone, Ia. Augustus Jones has the side show and all the privileges with the Great Texas Bill Wild West, which opens at Boone, Ia.

    The Wilmarth Family, musicians and comedians, will be with the Bonheur Bros. show season 1904.

    Col. Ed Burk, who has been wintering in Oakland, Cal., has come east to join Walter L. Main's advance.

    Schiller Bros., of Kansas City, Mo., have abandoned their intention of taking out a show this summer.

    F. C. Archer has left Leipsic, Ohio, to take up his work as advance agent of Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Shows.

    Karl E. Johnson, saxophonist, now with the Wagner Duo, is engaged for the coming season with the Robinson's Ten Big Shows.

    San Kichi, one of the eight Oka Troupe with the Norris & Rowe Shows, broke his wrist at the opening performance in San Jose.

    W. H. McFarland, manager No. 2 side show, Forepaugh-Sells, was a caller on "The Billboard" on his way to join the big show.

    The Wintermute Brothers recently purchased 189 acres of land adjoining their present winter quarters at Hebron, Wis., the consideration being $10,000.

    Prof. P. J. German, season 1901 with Bonheur Bros.' 1902 with Buffalo Bill; 1903 with Barnum & Bailey, will again go on with Bonheur Bros. this year.

    Jessie Stuman, of the Stuman Family Band and Orchestra, has been working on a new musical act. She has signed with the vaudeville department of the Sun Bros. big show.

    The Stumon family band and orchestra of ten will not be with the Thos. Hargreaves Big Railroad Show the coming season. They have been engaged with Sun Bros. Big Railorad Show.

    K. Sugimoto Jr., a Japanese performer, was attacked in the hold of a steamship traveling from Havana to New Orleans by an infuriated panther. His cries for help were quickly answered, but not before he was terribly torn.

    M. L. Clark's combined shows opened March 7 at Alexandria, La., and are now playing Northern Louisiana and Mississippi. The show goes out with two elephants, two camels, ten cages, thirty-five baggage wagons and 145 head of stock.

    The popularity and strength of the Norris & Rowe Shows is demonstrated by the fact of their playing a number of towns three times in a year. A notable example of this is the Los Angeles engagement, where they opened to turn away business March 8.

    The Ringling Brothers have commenced to remove their animals from their winter dens at Baraboo to regular traveling cages, and will make the first shipment to Chicago on March 20. They will open the season in that city on March 30 at the Coliseum.

    J. S. Kritchfield, bandmaster, and C. H. Cooper, musician of the John H. Sparks Show, were initiated March 5 into the B. P. O. Elks by Lake City (Fla.) Lodge No. 893. As a favor to Tampa Lodge No. 708 Lake City Lodge attended the night performance in a body.

    Alfred J. F. Perino, the lion tamer, went insane at Jacksonville, Fla., on March 16. He is the owner of three lions and had just separated from the Sparks Show, with which he was connected for a short time, and had opened a side show in Jacksonville. He hails from London and has been in the circus business for thirty years.

    While Hannibal, the untamable lion, was being shipped from San Francisco to the winter quarters of the Norris & Rowe Shows at San Jose, he escaped from the shifting den in which he was being transported and killed a horse which was being shipped in the same car. The horse was the private property of Frank Hall, the lion tamer, who is now giving exhibitions with Hannibal with Norris & Rowe's side show.

    The Norris & Rowe Shows opening the season March 2 at San Jose, Cal. As it is the winter quarters of the show, the citizens turned out enmasse and testified their appreciation by packing the tents to the capacity at both the afternoon and evening performances. The Board of Trade, the members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Eagles and the Elks attended in a body at the evening exhibition and showed generous appreciation by liberal applause. The performance is given in two rings and upon an elevated stage, and is billed as the Norris & Rowe New and Greater Circus. The canvas is new throughout. They carry 65 head of baggage horses, 16 head of ring and hippodrome horses and 76 Shetland ponies. There are about 225 people with the show. The train consists of 15 cars. George Wormald is boss canvasman and Frank Ervin is master of transportation. Among the principal acts of the program are the marvelous Belfords, the Flying LeVans, Melnotte, LaNole and Melnotte, the Gardner Family, the Groh Family, Oka Japanese Troupe and the Fairmount Sisters. The best features of the trained animal acts have been retained and many new ones added. The show is moving south through California over the Southern Pacific Coast line, and after showing the orange growing route will return north by the Valley route to San Francisco where they will exhibit for a nine day at the Mechanics Pavilion. After the Frisco engagement the route will be up the coast to Oregon and Washington.

Billboard, April 2 and April 9, 1904 are online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, April 16, 1904, pp. 7, 10. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Not transcribed: some "Circus Gossip" items.

    "This country should have a subsidized circus," said Colonel Brady, publicity promoter of the Ringling Brothers Show, in discussin the evolution of the great American circus from the one horse affairs of past days to the modern spectacles of three rings and several side platforms. "While statesmen are debating the subsidizing of a merchant marine or this or that industry and with Andrew Carnegie calling for a national theatre, it might be well for them to consider the subsidizing of this institution, which keeps the boy and girl spirit alive in every man and woman, no matter how old they may be. The circus is the only brand of amusement which is meant for the whole family. You can see the whole breakfast table there and they will be enjoying themselves. Can you say as much for grand opera, sentimental drama, farce or tragedy? The men who do 'to take the children,'" said Colonel Brady, "are plentiful at the circus during the present engagement, and they laugh louder than the little ones."

    A wreck occurred on the Northwestern Railroad April 7, in which a party of about forty Indians en route to New York from the reservation in Nebraska under Major McCune, and who were to sail for England on the ninth to join the Buffalo Bill Show, suffered fatalities to the extent of two killed and twenty-five wounded. The wreck occurred at Austin, a suburb of Chicago. The Indians were in the rear car of the train which was struck by the locomotive of a fast train traveling in the same direction. Major McCune proceeded to New York with the uninjured.

    Rawson's Trained Animal Show goes out from Seattle, Wash., May 1.

    Frank Crowe, of the Barnum & Bailey show, is home in Richmond, Ind.

    Lou [Lon?] Taylor, formerly a stage manager, will go out with Ringling Bros.' Circus.

    E. L. Brannan and Jerry Mugwan [sic], of the Van Amburg Shows, were visitors in St. Louis last week.

    Fred Green is one of the advance corps of the Hargreaves Circus and has already started to work.

    Robert Courtney and Watson Vance, of Crawfordsville, Ind., have signed with Ringling Bros.' side show.

    The Forepaugh-Sells Circus will give a night parade in Philadelphia on April 10 of the weather permits.

    E. M. Burk, railroad contractor for the Walter L. Main Shows, saw the opening of Ringling Bros.' Shows.

    Cars number one, two and three of Barnum & Bailey's Show left Bridgeport, Conn., April 3 for Jersey City.

    Long Brothers, of Circleville, Ohio, want a first-class concert team who can also do a good turn in the big show if required.

    Messrs. Fay and Burke, with fifty canvasmen, are waterproofing new canvas for Barnum & Bailey's Shows at Bridgeport, Conn.

    Chas. T. Ogden, of the Shelby Show, writes that they had a blow down, but have avoided losing a week. He reports business good.

    Barnum & Bailey are seeking to enjoin the Ringling Brothers from exhibiting the big bicycle act, Leaping the Gulf, in the courts at Chicago.

    A grand stand for reserved seats has been erected for the Forepaugh-Sells Circus in Philadelphis, where the show opens on April 18 for two weeks.

    Pawnee Bill will play a number of the large cities this year, and it is said he will make more one week stands this year than he has ever done before.

    The vetertan John Lowlow will have charge of the magnificent exhibit that the United States Playing Card Co. is preparing for the World's Fair at St. Louis.

    Two European artists joined the Ringling Circus, having just arrived from the other side. The team, Genaro and Theol, execute some remarkable contortionist novelties.

    Frank A. Gardner, Spartanburg, S. C., will be equestrian director for Van Amburg Circus the coming season, would like to hear from all friends. Will be in Kansas City about April 4, and then made a trip through Northern Texas.

    Charles Ellis has joined the Buckskin Bill Wild West as contracting agent. The show will open at Ft. Worth, Tex., April 7, and then make a trip through Northern Texas.

    Frank Morris will have a number of novel features with the side show with Hargreaves Circus. It will be his re-entrance into the show business after a rest of five years.

    Most of the performers for Hargreaves Circus are now at the winter quarters in Chester, Pa. Rehearsals will be held week of April 11, and the show will open in Chester, Pa., April 22.

    Roy Martino has closed with the Brinton Entertainment Company and will open with Gollmar Bros.' New R. R. Shows the latter part of April to do his slack wire and trapeze act.

    Little Jim, a valuable baby elephant of Gentry Bros. Dog and Pony Show, died at their winter quarters at Bloomington, Ind. He was considered one of the best of their fourteen elephants.

    Art Hoffman, at present manager and announcer of the Swanson-Carter Carnival Co., will use his oratorical powers with Col. Hugh Harrison's staff of the Walter L. Main Fashion Plate this season.

    The Van Amburg shows purchased three lions and a pair of performing bears from Ferari's Zoo in St. Louis last week. All canvas, baggage, harness and wagons are new this year. S. P. Mattot has charge of Car No. 1.

    Lou Mincer, talking, singing and knockabout clown of the Nickel Plate Show, went through Cincinnati on April 5. Mr. Mincer left the show at Petersburg, Va., on account of sickness and will rejoin the show after recovery.

    Norris & Rowe got out a special pictorial courier for distribution in Chinatown, San Francisco. It is printed entirelly in Chinese and looks very odd. It is believed to be the first Chinese circus bill printed in America.

    Dentzel and Sons, the builders of carousels in Philadelphia, have just completed three new wagons for the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show. They are magnificently carved. One will contain a magnificent organ built by the same firm.

    Doc Campbell writes from Cleveland, O., where he is visiting his brother, that he will be identified this season with B. E. Wallace Show, making concert announcements and being generally useful. Campbell comes from Dowagiac, Mich.

    Barnum & Bailey and Ringling Bros. are having trouble over the lot at Pittsburg. W. E. Fuller for the former and Sam McCracken for Ringling Bros. are both on the ground watching each other like hawks.

    The Wallace Shows made their debut at Los Angeles, Cal., last week, opening in San Bernardino to big business. Mr. Wallace puts up a nice clean show and is looking for a good season. Carl Davis, of Jabour fame, is on the advance staff. The James Ladies' Military Band furnishes the music.

    George W. O'Dole has closed a successful season with the Southern All-Star Vaudeville Shows at Miami, Fla. He opened the season with H. C. Long's Refined Palace Show at ___, Miss., March 5, to do his acrobatic novelty and an original comedy act with George W. Kline, the old-time clown and mule hurdle rider.

    The Great Barlow Show will be ready to open April 30, with a larger and better show than ever before. Harry Williams, Howe and Decker will be with the show this season. Fahler and Girard as the leading musicians; Walt. Anders will be in the advance. Special paper has been printed, and the season promises to be a good one. It will travel through Indiana and Ohio.

    John H. Rice, the general agent of the Hargreaves Circus, has arranged quite a novelty for his show. A man will be one day ahead of the show and will get weather indications from Washington. He will post these in each city the show will play, so that every one can tell what kind of weather there will be the day the circus will arrive.

    Barnum & Bailey's advertising car No. 4, better known as the crackerjack opposition car, arrived in Jersey City on April _, and was wrecked. The boys were all in bed at thetime of the accident and were pretty well tossed about, but came around with only a few slight scratches. The car was sent to the railroad shops where repairs were made and then it departed for Pittsburg. [Remainder of text is mostly unreadable, lists roster of the advance car.]

    The following people have signed with Capt. Stewart's Big 10 and 20 cent show: the Aerial Browns, James O'Neill, Joe Hooner, Billy Weber, May Weber, Ed Hollis, Fannie Day, Ed Wagner, Sam McCarty, Al Decker, Cora Decker, Harry Decker, George McNut, Clarence Springer. Chas. Watterman will have charge of the canvas, H. I. Shepard will have charge of the advance. We expect to open in Ft. Wayne, Ind., April 30, and travel by rail, using two 74-foot cars and play all 3-day stands in Indiana.

    The following is the roster of the performers with John H. Sparks' shows: Millette Troupe, acrobats and hand balancers; Kadel Sisters, double trapeze and perch; Andy Burch, ladder drops and contortionist; Ellet Bros., triple bars and high wire; Lizzie Ellet, flying rings; Barney Shea, Wm. La Rue, John Myers, clowns; Prof. Hoon's trained horses; Mlle. Viola, balancing trapeze; Eddie Sidpave, foot juggling; and Mary, our trained elephant. Concert people are: Bert Cole, Barney Shea, Bill La Rue, Mrs. Kadel, Effie Myers and La Rue's trick house.

    Application has been made in the United States Circuit Court for an injunction restraining Walter Lowe, also known as Crazo, and Ringling Bros. from producing the bicycle "air leap" trick. Arthur T. Precott, of Englewood, N. J., the plaintiff, alleges that he owns the letter patent on the mechanism being used at the circus, having purchased the rights from the inventor, Calvin C. Eggers, of New York, in 1903. United States Deputy Marshal Wade, April 3, served the members of the Ringling Bros. Co. and Lowe with subpoenas to appear before Master in Chancery Bishop and answer the allegations.

    Notes from the Floto Shows. The show opened at Dallas, Tex., Friday, March 15, and left for Galveston on Thursday, 17. Business has been phenomenal, playing to packed houses at both matinee and evening. The show is routed through California. John Ruhl has been booked as the principal feature for the season, and his new apparatus goes up at Demming for his first ride of the season. The St. Leon family of acrobats are fast proving themselves as favorites and their work as performers is great. Alixius, of bicycle fame, is making a big hit with his act. Billy Delavan and Jules Wiggins have the side show boxes working under Ike Shipley. The new ring stock broken in by John Carroll, the equestrian, are beauties.

    Notes from the Lowery Bros. No. 1 New Olympia Shows. Everything is as bright as a silver dollar and will open in Shenandoah, Pa., April 18, Geo. B. Lowey [sic?], sole manager. Performers: Prof. Atkins, ring master and equestrian director; double traps, Mr. and Mrs. L. Henreux; horizontal bars, Schneider & Powell; high wire and Spanish web, Levolo; clowns, Chas. O'Brien, John Frey, J. Seymore; Marvelous Turner, contortionist and rings; Viola Raymond and her troupe of canine wonders and trick ponies; Mlle. La Tuna's daring slide for life. Concert people: John Frey, John Seymore, Turner and Raymond, Jas. Miller, Anna Carleton and Chas. O'Brien; big double balloon ascension and double parachute jump by Prof. Baker and wife; Will C. Sites, advance, with five men. This will be a swell looking show. Our cars are all newly painted as is everything else.

    Notes from McDonald's Bros. Shows, Huntington, W. Va. Everything is in readiness for the opening, April 21, and the indications are that it will be a grand event. The Knights of Pythias Uniform Rank and the Fraternal Order of Eagles will turn out in a body in honor of the McDonald Brothers, who are members of the above orders. The roster is as follows: McDonald Brothers (William R., Harry and Will S.), sole owners; J. W. Brackman, side show manager; S. W. Hopkins, advance agent; Caslor Jobe, billposter. Performers: the Rydon Troupe (5 in number), aerialists; the Kilian Family (7 in number), acrobats and aerialists; William Smith, barrel jumper and contortionist; Walter Fletcher, horizontal bars and clown; Frank Melrose, principal clown and concert director; Chas. Blatz, tramp acrobat; Miss Julia Rickey, concert; Miss Maggie Brackman, bag puncher and second light; Prof. C. J. Hicks, magician and announcer; Miss May, crayon artists; Little Florence, fancy dancing and paper tearing; Miss Louise, snake charmer and trained alligators; Prof. Chas. W. Edwards, band leader with 12 soloists; 15 canvasmen under Frank Stokes; James Hurley, boss hostler with 8 men; Thomas Jones, boss props with 5 men; cookhouse under the charge of Kid Fletcher, with _ assistants; 30 head of stock, 14 wagons, 70-foot round top, 40-foot middle, 40x60 side show, 30x50 horse tent, 20x40 cook tent, 30-foot dressing room, all new from front door to dressing room, making one of the best equipped wagon shows on the road.

    Mrs. Chauncey Morian (nee Annie Bell), wife of Chauncey Morian, died at New York Wednesday, March 30, after an illness of fourteen days, of diabetes. She was well known in the museum and circus world. She made her first appearance at Gregory's Museum in St. Louis, Mo., twenty years ago. Since that time she has been on exhibition in all the museums in the country and traveled with the Adam Forepaugh Circus from 1888 until 1891. She went to London in 1899 with the Barnum & Bailey Circus on their first trip to England. She was married to Chauncey Morian Nov. 30, 1892, in New York, and for seven years toured Europe with her husband as the heaviest married couple in the world. Since their return from Europe in 1900 they have resided in Indianapolis, Ind., traveling only a few weeks every fall and every spring coming to New York for a short season. She was filling a four weeks' engagement at Huber's Museum when taken sick. At the time of her death she weighed __ pounds and was six feet one inch in height. A father, mother, sister, two brothers and husband mourn her loss. The remains were taken to St. Louis, Mo. for interment.

[Not transcribed, unreadable: Roster of C. F. Brown's Concert Band with M. L. Clark's Combined Show; La Mont Bros. Shows notes.]

Billboard, April 23, 1904, p. 7. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Not transcribed: some unreadable items; Frank C. Bostock's animal show, zoo.

    Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Opening. Full Account of the Opening of the Tenting Season of One of the Largest of American Circuses. (Special dispatch to the Billboard. Philadelphia, April 18, 1904.
    The three sections of cars which transport the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Circus through the country left winter quarters in Columbus, O., on Saturday, April 9th, at noon, and made one of the quickest and best railroad runs in the history of the circus business. The route was ovre the Pennsylvania Railroad, and although the three trains remained in Altoona, Pa., all day Sunday to feed and water the animals, the first section reached Philadelphia at 4 a.m. on Monday, April 11th, and the other two sections followed a few hours after. These three trains have a record as the first train, outside of passenger trains, that have ever gone over the Allegheny Mountains without using hand ___. All the cars are equipped with ___. attachments an in consequence the trains made a rapid progress as any of the flyers for which the Pennsy is noted. Immediately upon arrival in Philadelphia the tents were erected and the preliminary work of the show was started. The lot in that city, while a very large one, cramps the show, and, in fact, the horse tents had to be erected five blocks away from the show grounds.
    The show has been placed in first class condition this winter and is now as big as the biggest show on the road and presents an exceedingly attractive appearance on the lot. Every stitch of canvas used is new and all of the decoratoins are bright and pretty. Rehearsals were started on Wednesday, April __, and continued until the opening of the show. The vim and snap with which the rehearsals were pulled off showed that the preliminary preparadtions had all been attended to and that the show this year would be the best that this aggregaton has ever given.
    Among the features of the Menagerie, this year, is an interesting Arctic exhibit. This includes every animal known to exist in the regions of snow and ice, and the special feature of the exhibit is fourteen Polar bears. In the menagerie are twenty-one elephants, twenty-six camels, including two baby elephants, fourteen lions, six tigers, the large hippopotamus that has been the feature of this show for years and numerous other animals.
    There are 740 people back with the show and 80 in advance. There are __ horses and 28 ponies. The show has a number of exclusive European features this year, including the Lucassons, who do a novel acrobatic act using a Tally-ho coach and four horses and performing many of their feats on the horses' backs and on top of the coach. A troupe of Hungarian Magyars are a novel features, and they do a strong acrobatic act. The La Carmena have a novelty in the way of a tight wire act that is done at an elevation of __ feet. Looping the Loop and Jumping the Gap are also novel features.
    The night parade in Philadelpha Saturday evening, April 16, was one of the grandest events that has been seen in that city for many years. Although the night was cool and blustery the streets were lined with people. The theatres all suffered as the people preferred to see the glittering procession to witnessing a performance. It was claimed by police officials that there was as many people along the route of the procession as were out on the day of the Peace Jubilee parade some years ago. The parade took over an hour to pass a given point. Tons of red and green fire were used and the heavens were ablaze with the lights. On every tableaux was a calcium light, whihc lit up the gilded cages in a glorious manner. All the uniforms, trappings and harness used in the parade were new, and they loomed up great under the many lights. All of the horses were decorated with parti-colored plumes and the elephants and camels were embroidered plush banners, which were extremely rich in appearance.
    The following list of the different features of the parade give but little idea of its grandeur.
Mounted police
Fife and drum band on feet
Open barouches containing local newspaper men and managers of the circus
Troop of mounted men in uniform showing the different uniforms used by U. S. Army since 1776, each man carried a flage containing the date of his uniform
Ten-horse band chariot
Two four-horse tableaux
One six-horse tableaux
One eight-horse tableaux wagon with band of Hungarian Magyars in native costume
Three four-horse tableaux
One six-horse tableaux
One eight-horse band chariot
Mounted troop of international cavalry, containing representatives of every nation on earth with flags
Three four-horse tableaux
Fast Indian procession
Eight-horse tableaux containing queen and her retinue
Nineteen elephants, with East Indian trappings, bearing men and women in rich eastern robes
Twenty camels with riders
Ten ponies drawing tableaux
Six-horse tableaux with Goddes of Liberty
Two four-horse tableaux
Ten-horse band chariot
Troop of female cavalry in gorgeous costumes
Two four-horse Roman chariots with female drivers
Four pony tableaux
Tandem team of cake walking horses drawing a dog cart, driven by a lady
Two tandem teams driven by ladies
One eight-horse tableaux
Five four-horse tableaux
Two clown carts drawn by ponies
Eight-horse tableaux containing clown band
One open den containing lions with trainer
One four-horse open den containing lions with trainer
One six-horse open den containing lions
Three six-horse open den containing the exhibit of fourteen polar bears
One six-horse tableaux
One ten-horse den containg hippopotamus
One six-horse calliope
Hay wagon with clown acrobats
Troop of mounted police
    The opening of the show occurred on Monday afternoon, April 18, and the tents were fairly well filled. The performance went off smoothly and applause was hearty for every act on the lengthy program. Old-timers say that it is one of the best and brightest of circus programs ever given. This evening the tents are jammed and the performance is giving the same satisfaction that it gave in the afternoon. On account of the lateness of the hour and the limited time no particulars can be wired now, but fuller accounts will be sent later. The show is in Philadelphia for two weeks, and from the enormous advance sale and the favor with which the show was received at the two performances today, it will be the biggest success ever known in this city.

    Pointed Pencilings by Pyramus. London, April 1, 1904. . . . The advance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, under the able direction of Clarence L. Dean, begin operations at Stoke-on-Trent April 4. Col. Cody, with the largest and most varied collection of Western burros, cow-punchers and Indians, will arrive the 9th. Rehersals begin the 18th, and the Wild West opens in all its Occidental splendor April 25th. Principal items on the program will be Col. Cody's shooting on horseback; the cowboy cyclist; leaping through space; Johnnie Baker's sensational sharp-shooting act and Custer's Last Charge. Prof. Sweeny's Cowboy Band will furnish the music, which is assurance enough of its excellence.
    C. E. Griffin, of the Annex, reports the following recent engagements for his department: Princess Chiquita II, smallest living lilliputian; Aaron Moore, Afro-American giant; Leonine, lion-faced lady, and The Diamonds, Western bowie-knife and tomahawk throwers. Alfred Smith Jr., the well-known English artist, is painting the immense landscape scene required for the Wild West. This is different from ordinary scenery, inasmuch as it has to be done in oil and flexible, so it can be folded. He is getting along nicely with it and when completed it will reflect great credit on the artist. Fred Walters, the blue man, is creating a sensation at the Lower March Hippodrome. Mr. Walters was born in London, but shortly after the accident which turned his epidermis from white to blue, he emigrated to America and was never exhibited here until last year with Buffalo Bill's Wild West.

    The Buckskin Bill Wild West and Consolidated Congress of Wonders opened at Fort Worth, Texas, April 7. It is reported that the show is splendidly organized, with Manager H. E. Allott personally directing the executive staff. Harry W. Semon is again general agent with the following subordinates: W. E. Sands, manger Car No. 2, in advance; P. W. Stinson, manager Car No. 4; Harry Combs, route rider; A. A. Wiles, 24-hour man; Chas. Ellis, special agent and master of transportation; Joe Gorman, boss canvasman; George Brown, property manager; D. V. Tantlinger, orator; Col. Harry Hamilton, main door ticket taker; Lew Nichols, manager side show; Gene Keller, treasurer.

    Ringling Brothers' Circus. Special to "The Billboard." Chicago, Ill., April 16. This popular circus, Chicago's favorite, has been packing the Coliseum at every performance and will continue to do so until the end of the engagement, April 20, judging from the immense advance sale. Every act on the program is applauded. The most wonderful riding act ever seen in Chicago is done by the Three Eldreds, who finish their performance by a simultaneous jump up from the ground to the back of a swiftly moving horse. The Three Bedinis, two ladies and a gentleman, and the champion collie dog, ___, in wonderful quadruple vaulting act; the Six Kaufmans, the greatest bicycle riders ever seen in this city; Genaro and Theol contortionists, seemingly boneless beings. Other excellent acts include Miss May Davenport and Mr. Reno McCree, double vaulting equestrian exhibition; the Hobsons, mounting and dismounting riding simultaneously upon a single horse; the Three Tasmanians and the Dallard Troupe, acrobatic feats; Fred Welcome and Miss Dell Wilton, hand blancing; the Flying Fishers, the DaComas, aerialists; the Cossack riding of Miss V. Bedini, Mr. Victor Bedini and Miss F. Bedini.
    A suit for a permanent injunction to restrain Ringling Brothers from using the feature at their circus was recently insituted by R. G. Prescott, who claimed precedence in the use of the mechanism. Judge Kohls, at the United States District Court, decided Tuesday that Walter Lowe many continue his daring "Leap the Gap," which he is now performing at the Ringling Circus. This decision gives the nervy bicyclist the right to continue risking his neck in the accomplishment of a feat which nightly thrills the large audiences. The title Ringling Brothers' World's Greatest Shows has been fully prove to be the case this season. Never has an entertainment like that given by this circus been seen in Chicago.

    The date of the opening of the Pawnee Bill Show has been changed from April 30 to April 23, at Carnegie, Pa.

    Harry Howard says he'll have another dog and pony show on the road in 1905.

    Earl Kedell left Anderson, Ind., last week to join the Forepaugh-Sells' Circus.

    Augustus Jones' New Empire R. R. Show opened at ___, Va., April 6.

    M. C. Cookston has signed with the Seibel Bros.' R. R. Show for the season.

    The Seven Eddys are one of the features of the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Circus.

    Thomas Serin, of Anderson, Ind., has signed again in advance with the Wallace Show.

    Augustus Jones' Model Plate R. R. Shows will open at Clifton Forge, Va., April 18.

    The Forepaugh-Sells Circus has twenty-four clowns this years, including six French clowns.

    The Aurora Zouaves are one of the numerous features with the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Circus.

    Johnny Gleason left Philadelphia, Pa., April __, to join the Forepaugh-Sells Show as candy butcher.

    Harry Semon is reported to have left the Buckskin Bill Show and signed with Campbell Brothers.

    Dr. Sam L. Bayless will open his show season at his home town, Crawfordsville, Ind., on April 30.

    Frank A. Rockfellow, of Local No. 22, Syracuse, N. Y., has signed with Buffalo Bill's Wild West.

    Welsh Brothers Circus opened the season successfully in Gordonville, Pa., Thursday, April 14th.

    Ed. Brennan is doing the railroads and acting as general agent both ahead of the Van Amburg Shows.

    J. S. McBride passed through Cincinnati April 16, enroute to join the Sells-Downs Circus at Topeka, Kan.

    The Rolla Fox R. R. Show announces that it has everything ready to open the season May 9, at Clinton, Ind.

    The injunction applied for by the Barnum & Bailey Shows against Ringling Brothers was dissolved last week.

    Newman's Great American Water Circus opens at Ironton, Ohio, April 27-28. They go up the Allegheny river.

    The Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Circus uses three rings, two elevated stages and a huge hippodrome track this season.

    Tony Connelly and George Robbs have joined hands and will do a comedy turn with the Forepaugh-Sells' Show this season.

    Messrs. Robson and Conley of Youngstown, Ohio, have signed with the Forepaugh-Sells Show to do vaudeville and clown work.

    Warren Patrick has left the show business forever, so he says, and is a "manufacturer's agent," with offices in the Rialto Building, Chicago.

    Chas. Prevulsky, advance agent for the Western Uncle Josh Spruceby Company, will go in advance of the Forepaugh-Sells Show this season.

    Thomas Hoargreaves has arranged for a very lengthy parade, and states that no matter what the other shows do he will not cut out that feature.

    Dr. C. L. Davis, formerly with Sells Bros.' and John Robinson's shows, is at the head of a new billposting and distributing company at Richmond, Ind.

    Harry Hunt, the well-known circus man, who has been with nearly every circus of any note in this country, goes with the Van Amburg Shows this season.

    E. L. Brannan, general agent of the Van Amburg Shows, has nearly completed his roster, which now includes some of the best circus acts in the business.

    Maurice Decastro, known in private life as John A. Maurice, and Miss Annie L. M. Ogden, both of the James Shelby Shows, were married April 8 at McCormick, S. C.

    Lew Graham's announcements at the Ringling Circus are really one of its features. He is the most convincing announcer in circusdom. Porbably the reason is that Lew is notoriously honest.

    Hargreaves Circus is all ready for the opening, which takes place in Chester, Pa., April 22d. It will be the best circus that Hargreaves has ever had on the road, from all reports.

    Walter L. Main, Jack Youngs, George Florida and I. S. Potts occupied a box at the Coliseum, Chicago, one afternoon last week and pronounced the Ringling Show the best circus they ever saw.

    Newton Marks, a veteran circus and theatrical man, who went to El Paso, Texas, for his health, was found dead and badly mangled on the Rock Island railroad tracks near that city April 12.

    Gerald Fitzgerald, assistant manager and treasurer of the Uncle Tom's Cabin Company, closed with Mr. Martin in Chicago to resume his third season as press agent of the Great Wallace Shows.

    Charley Boyd, who was engaged by Manager Wm. Sells to do the press work for the Sells & Downs Show, cancelled his contract, and put a theatrical company of his own out for a tour of the summer parks.

    Harry R. Spurling, an acrobat who will travel with Robinson's Ten Big Shows this season, was recently married to Miss Pearl White at Marysville, Ohio. Mrs. Spurling will travel with her husband this summer.

    Campbell Bros.' Shows leave the winter quarters at Fairbury, Neb., April 30 for the annual tour of the west. The show has been greatly englarged and improved since last season and is the best the boys have ever put out.

    The managers of the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Circus are loud in their praise of the police arrangements in Philadelphia. They claim that they are the best they ever had. The police were under the control of Captain Taylor.

    J. Henry Rice paid a flying visit to the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Shows in Philadelphia and then went skimming away to see that the advance work for the Hargreaves Circus, of which he is the general agent, was attended to.

    Frank Miller, press representative of the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, was in Chicago last week in the interest of The Runaways at the Garrick Theatre. It is said that Frank and his associates have cleaned up over $25,000 out of this play the past winter. Mr. Miller left the company at Chicago to join the Forepaugh-Sells Show at Philadelphia.

    R. C. Carlisle, assistant manager of John Robinson's Ten Big Shows last season, is at present manager of the Laclede Hotel, Independence, Mo., having been located there since the holidays. He will make that place his headquarters the coming season, and will also manage a Wild West Show, playing parks, agricultural, State and county fairs.

    Lewie Barrett, for several years in charge of the excursion department of the Forepaugh-Sells Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West and who has been starring Harry La Ulass in New England Folks the past winter, is now promoting a scheme in Chicago whereby the small circuses exhibiting on the Chicago lots during the coming summer will be syndicated and their movements, etc., will be controlled from one office.

    Frank J. O'Donnell and James De Wolf looked after the press representatives who attended the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Shows in Philadelphia just the same as if they had been laden with good notices in advance. Notwithstanding the fact that a newspaper combination in that city had declared that no advance notices should be given, those energetic people managed to get in a number of good notices.

    The advertising car No. 1 of the Great Wallace Shows carries the following: Al. Osborn, manager; C. C. Chevorout, boss billposter; C. B. Bowers and H. A. Johnson, lithographer; C. A. Morrow and W. Graves, programmers; H. E. Shaffer, pastemaker and the following bill posters: C. Barr, H. Johnson, E. Baker, H. Graham, R. W. Ball, T. H. Hubert, J. F. Cavanaugh, H. Danaker, Ben Hasselman, F. Shick, H. Getz, J. May, L. R. Patchin, J. Aubron, C. Hammel and F. Sherman.

    John A. Maurice, known in the circus world as Maurice Decastro, and Miss Annie L. M. Ogden were married April 8 at McCormick, S. C. Both parties are members of the James Shelby Shows and will travel with the same this season.

    Harry r. Spurling, acrobat, and Miss Pearl White of Marysville, Ohio, were recently married at that place. Mr. Spurling has signed with the Robinson Show this season and his newly gotten wife will accompany him.

    Newton Marks, a veteran circus and theatrical man, was found dead on the tracks of the Rock Island Railroad Company about four miles from El Paso, Texas, April 12, whither he had gone for his health. The body was badly mangled and evidently death was due to one of the railroad's trains. Marks had been in the show business all his life, and for a long time traveled for Mayer Bros.' Lithographing Company. The body was buried at the expense of a wealthy sister in New York City.

Billboard, April 30, 1904, pp. 6, 7. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Auspicious Opening of the Robinson Show. The Parade. From the immense gatherings along the line of march of the Robinson parade, it was evident that the people of Cincinnati were eager once more to see the circus parade and to laugh at the circus clown. They were not disappointed. Saturday, April 23, was the first real spring day of the season and an ideal parade day it was! Thus, so ably aided by nature, the Robinson Circus, in itself a moving caravan of magnificence and spendor, received the highest praise from the many thousand people who witnessed the brilliant spectacle. The beauty of the gold and silver tinted and artistically designed array of decorated horses and ponies, aided by the glittering rays of the spring day sun and the music of the bands, was an inspiration well worth the price of admission to any circus. The approach of the motley array was heralded by the man upon whose shoulders rests the management of the enormous enterprise - John Robinson the Third, who heads the third generation which has fostered and cared for this circus marvel. Following were eight lady buglers and a chariot containing a band of real musicians. Lady performers were drawn in traps by beautiful Shetland ponies, as was the children's menagerie which followed. Guilded caged wagons of pelicans, wild bears and seals followed and led up the drum corps of 14 pieces which was drawn by eight beautiful white horses. More exhibits from the menagerie followed. They were buffaloes, bears and birds, all of which were highly enjoyed by the sightseers. The clown wagon was certainly quaint. There were clowns of every kind, shape and size piled on the chariot till one would think that all the clowns in circusdom were with the Robinson Show. Next came wart hogs, the elephant, Tillie, and the sacred cattle from India. Bengal tigers, leopards and antelopes were in evidence. The feature was the big band drawn by 12 beautiful matched horses all beautifully decorated in yellow. The German calliope followed and was a big feature of the parade. However, the biggest sensation was the last band, drawn by 18 beautiful Shetland ponies. Thus ended the parade. The parade made a distinct impression and gave evidence that the circus parade was yet a live thing. The new and attractive wagons, the high class selections of animals and the general appearance of the entire brigade showed that the management of the Robinson Ten Big Shows was fully capable and able to intended to give the best of satisfaction to those who visited the show during the season.
    The Performance. The morning of Monday, April 25, the opening date of the Robinson Ten Big Shows at Cincinnati, Ohio, was ushered in with a heavy rain, which foretold anything but a fair day for the initial performance of the season of 1904. As the noon hour no evidence for its clearing was exhibited; nevertheless, the cars leading to South Norwood carried crowds to the show grounds. Umbrellas were no good, so heavy was the rain, but each car that passed the ticket office was taxed to its capacity and crowds after crowds were unloaded at the entrance door. Three door-men were kept busy at the main entrance of the show. People came in cars, wagons, vehicles of all kinds and on foot. As one entered the menagerie he was struck with the newness which characterized the entire scene before him. Everything from the poles to the stakes was new. Many new exhibits had bbeen added to this part of the show, the wagons glistened with new paint and highly polished mirrors and the animals themselves appeared fresh and active. The brand new tent is an enormous one and is in strict keeping with the spirit and enthusiasm exhibited from all sides. The menagerie was pronounced the best ever seen in the Queen City. It is great. It is a complete show in itself. It shows skill and good judgement upon the part of those who had the matter in charge. It is the embodiment of years of experience and the skill of men who have given animal life a thorough and careful study.
    As one enters the main tent he feels that he has struck the real thing. The snow-white tent, mammoth in its proportions, is a masterpiece in itself, and shows that there is nothing new in the circus world. The great Robinson Show, which is now in its eightieth successive year, is about to begin. As one was pushed onward by the incoming crowds he heard nothing but praise and words of pleasure and astonishment from those who had the honor of witnessing the initial performance. At one o'clock all the reserved seat space was taken up and a goodly portion of the balance of the seats contained those eager to see or hear the first move or sound of the great performance. The grand and sublime spectacle, King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, opened the performance. This spectacle, to say the least, although by no means an entirely new one, contained features formerly unknown to the amusement world and elicited the praise of everyone in the audience. The entrance of King Solomon upon the scene was hearlded by the clash of the cymbal and the soft strains of music from the orchestra. The grand parade included chariots, buglers, courtiers, retainers, servants and all the paraphernalia of the Biblical spectacle. The bright new garments worn by the entire procession were artistically made and gave a realistic impression of the Oriental court. The spectacle moved along with perfect symmetry and was much admired by and received the applause of the entire audience. The dance by eight damsels before the court was good, as was that given by about forty pretty girls attired in yellow, blue and white. The whole spectacle moved with a quick and decisive snap and was a big feature.
    The peformance proper now opens. The educated elephants gave a unique exhibition and performed intelligently. Excellent exhibition of skill followed upon revolving, suspended ladders, and before one knew himself the show was fairly alive. The crowds laughed at and applauded heartily the quaint antics of the clowns and the skill exhibited bythose in the rings. They expressed their admiration or their pleasure freely and were willing to assist in applause. New and sensational acts too numerous to mention were now being given. The air and the ground was fairly alive. It was a real circus and Cincinnati was fairly alert to the occasion. Acrobatic exhibition next claimed the attention. Difficult physical feats, astonishing displays of strength and ludicrous positions made up a complete vaudeville entertainment which was well received. Comedy was abundant and kept the crowds in roars or laughter. The trained animals and feats of daring upon horses at full speed all came in turn, and nothing was left unapplauded. High wire artists, contortionists and specialties of all kinds made their impression. Owing to the drenching which the cycle whirl paraphernalia had received from the heavy rain, that feature was necessarily omitted, much to the displeasure of the audience. Nevertheless, as the show is booked for a week, the audience was pleased, because they were assured that the act would be given later. A new and novel act is that of Miss Edna, who came in for her share of appreciation. With grace and ease she turns a backward somersault upon the back of her pet horse, Frank, who seemed to take much delight in his little rider. The loop-the-loop, races and various equestrian exhbitions were sensational and something new. The entire two hours went by in a very short ime, indeed, so symmetrical and evenly balanced were all the acts and features. Much praise is due to the management for the decisiveness which characterized the entire performance. Although this was the first performance, the usual drag on such occasions was very noticeably absent. The show made a distinct hit. It is a big one, a new one, and a live one, and thoroughly capable. The management is perfect and showed that neither bad weather nor great distance cut any figure in the execution of a clean and down to date show. A successful season is certainly in store ofr them if energy, brains and push count for anything. The circus exhibits at Norwood two days, at Cumminsville two days and at Covington the same lenght of time. The circus will be wll attended during its week near Cincinnati, and it certainly has the best wishes of the people of the Queen City.

    Walter L. Main's Enormous Shows opened the season at Geneva, Ohio, April 23. The weather was not all that it might have been, but in spite of this the city was crowded with visitors and the tents were filled at both performances. The show is put on much better than it was last season. Col. Hugh Harrison has worked wonders in this respect. The performance is well balanced and there were very few hitches, which is remarkable for an opening performance. The features of the show this season are the Nelson Family and the Marvelous Boise Family, in a series of difficult aerial feats. The performance opens with a grand entree and tournament, introducing as, to follow the phraseology of the program, "stars of the world's brightest galaxy of talent in the equestrian class; blue-blooded horses, trained animals, spectacular features, and gorgeous costuming, whre color blends in rythmic beauty."
    In Ring No. 1 is an equestrian act designated as the garland entree, and in Ring No. 2 a similar act by equestriennes. Display No. 2 consists of a number of contortion and gyration feats, by Sig. Rignola, the Nelson Sisters and Master Allep Durant. Display No. 3 is called the ladies' and children's special number, and introduces six performing Shetlands under R. H. Dockrill, Mlle. Fogardus and her dogs and doves, and Susie, the pony clown. Display No. 4 witnesses aerial feats of strength by Inez Scott, culminating with a slide for life. The Judge Brothers, pole balancers, and the Martines, who give a wonderfully clever performance on the double trapeze.
    The performance proceeds from disply to display with a balance that admits only of a sense of surprise that the management has succeeded in collecting such a number of meritorious acts with such rare good judgment Miss Davenport's riding evokes loud and prolonged applause from her followers, while at the same time Miss Hocum in Ring No. 2 does a most skillfully beautiful riding act in long skirts. The Three ___ clowning act on suspended bars is appreciated, as is that of the Martines on the revolving ladder. One of the most pleasing features of the program is constituted in the excellent riding of Martino Lowande, known as Brazil's champion bareback somersault rider. He executes the neatest of forward and backward somersaults with an ease and grace worthy of the most favorable criticism and comparison. Nor are Albert Davenport's equestrian feats less skillful or difficult. Both are riders of the highest class. The Maysmith Duo introduces a dancing ladder act with club juggling and musical features that places them easily among the good things in the performance. The picturesque menage numbers and equestrian cake walks by Mr. Dockrill and Miss Hocum stant out prominently. The carrying acts by the Davenports and Mr. Hocum and daugher in Rings No. 1 and 2, respectively, show a finish and skill that does credit to the principals and amply sustains the high quality of the entire performance.
    The Marvelous Boise Family of aerialists command the breathless attention of the entire audience and is justly classed as one of the most sensational and novel acts in the category of aerial work. The Nelson Family, another feature, have enlarged and elaborated their acrobatic act beyond what even this, acknowledged as one of the best acts of its kind before the public, has ever attained to in the past. Mlle. Mayme Lemm's bareback riding and hurdle leaping calls forth round after round of applause, which would continue indefinitely if the little equestrienne were allowed to monopolize a much longer time than is given to her performance. Mlle. Tournour is well known throughout the circus world (and to two generations of spectators in all parts of the country) as one of the cleverest and most gracefully finished aerial artistes. Her act with the Main Show is just what even the press agents have claimed for it, one of the "most daring, gracefil and artistic balancing trapeze performance the world has ever seen." The other numbers following the introductory pageant and preceding the spectacle are of a quality that makes the performance pre-eminently the best that Mr. Main has ever offered to the public. Indeed, that experienced and respected showman has outdone all his past efforts and has associated with him a corps of assistants that have zeal, experience and fidelity to their chief to aid them in their endeavors to please him through the public's appreciation of their success.
    The spectacle, in which are retained all the more pleasing features of "Savage South Africa" and to which touches of improvement even to these have been added here and there, goes with a dash and thrilling execution that is as a fitting desert to a banquet of the best dishes in the knowledge of the showman's chef, served with a skill that only years of experience can contribute. In this spectacle is used all the artillery and martial paraphernalia which Mr. Main has so the whole spectacle is appreciated beyond measure. As to the equipment of the show, it has been materially added to and improved. Four new cars have been added and the entire spread of canvas is spotlessly new and bright. The show moves in two sections and presents a handsome appearance, both on road and lot. Mr. Louis E. Cooke, of the Barnum & Bailey Show, was a visitor at the opening in Geneva, as was also Mr. Arch M. Donaldson, of the Donaldson Lithographing Company. Both are warm in the praises of what is sure to be known as the best show Mr. Walter L. Main has put out up to this time.

    Hargreaves' Big Railroad Circus opened it season on Friday, April 22nd at Chester, Pa. Since last season this show has been materially enlarged and improved until now it is one of the big shows of the country. The train consists of twenty cars, all with standard equipments. The sleepers are all Pullmans and two of the flat cars are new. The whole train has been decorated by Fred. Locke and looks handsome. All of the cars have a background of white and are full of pictures of animals and circus acts. It is one of the neatest, yet flashiest trains that has ever gone out with a circus. The parade is a pretty one, nearly all of the trappings, flags and banners being new and bright. The stock is all new and while showing a little evidence of greeness, show that the party who purchased them knew how to pick out good horses and succeeded in getting a good lot together. The following is a list of the principal features in the procession.
Mounted couriers with bugles
Eight-horse band chariot with band of __ pieces
Fourteen mounted riders, male and female, in handsome costumes
Three two-pony tableaux
One six-horse tableaux
Two two-pony tableaux
One two-horse tableaux
Ten led ponies
Manage rider with Cake Walking horses
Mexican Rough Riders, mounted
Clown cart with donkey
Two two-horse tableaux
Two two-horse Roman chariots
One four-horse Roman chariot
Three two-horse tableaux
One four-horse tableaux
One four-horse tableaux containing Oriental Band and troupe of Oriental dancers
Two clown carts drawn by ponies
One four-horse open den, containing tigers
One four-horse tableaux
One clown cart drawn by donkey
One four-horse open den containing lions with trainer
Two four-horse tableaux
Cake walking horse, King Fire, ridden by Miss Hall
Six-horse band tableaux with 12 pieces
One clown cart
Led stock consisting of Inda bull, camels, etc.
Jumbo Second, the largest elephant in the world
    The parade made a hit on account of its originality, the pretty decorations on the cages and tableaux and the brighness of the plumes, banners, etc. All of the harness is new. The afternoon performance of the circus on Friday, April 22d was fairly well attended and at night the huge tents were crowded. The menagerie top is a very large one with three centre poles. There are a number of cages in it and the display of animals is very creditable. The circus top is 150 feet round top with two 50-foot middle pieces. There are two rings, a large elevated stage and a big hippodrome track. Robert Stickney Jr. put the show together and will direct the performances for a few weeks until is gets running in apple pie order. The programme of the circus which pleased is as follows:
Grand spectacular tournament
Prof. Barnes, with riding dog, Joe
Millie Barnes, with riding monkey, concluding with monkey on a bicycle
Jumbo Second, largest elephant in the world, trained and introduced by Miss Mabel Hall
Swinging perch, Julia Orton
Double trapeze, Lazelle brothers Nero the riding lion, introduced by Millie Barnes
Mary Lowanda, female principal act
Prof. Barnes, dogs, goats and monkeys
Lew Whittaker and herd of performing donkeys
Bernard Orton, bounding rope
Will Hartwell, bounding wire
The Four Campbells, aerial return and casting act
Prof. Barnes, educated ponies
Prof. Locke, educated stallions
Johnny Corela, America's boy somersault principal rider
Single trapeze, Nellie Leonard
The Great Florence Troup of 7 acrobats
Comic mule act, Prof. Barnes and William Felton
Educated horse, King Fire, introduced by Miss Mabel Hall
John Coreia and son in a carrying act
The Hippodrome events consists of:
Gents flat race with three horses
Clowns sulky race with three ponies
The high jumping horses, High Art and Old Brook
Ladies flat race with four entries
Roman standing race
Horse against man
Chariot race
    Clowns with the show are, Happy Bill Carroll, John De Vay, Jack Elmo, Lew Whittaker, Vierce Harrick, Rube Ryan, Harry Latell, Fred. Besso and M. Davis. The big show band is under the direction of Phillip Carrescia. The concert is made up of a dozen good acts with Wallace, the lion, as the principal feature.
    The executive staff of the circus is as follows: Thomas Hargreaves, manager; John Henry Rice, general agent; William Powley, legal adjuster; Ed. Cullen, superintendent; Harry Strauss, press representative; Fred. Locke, equestrian director; Frank Longbottom, treasurer; R. B. (Diamond) Smith in charge of refrestment privileges; Ed. Lykens, in charge of stock and Chet Baldwin, in charge of canvas.
    The side show is under the managerial direction of the good old timer Frank Morris. He has hooked up a neat and clean show that will surely win a lot of money. The tent is a fifty-foot round top with two thirty-foot middle pieces. All of the stands and platforms are new and an elevated stage occupies one end of the tent. Frank Morris makes all the openings and is assisted on the front by McClellan Wells, Joe Harman and George Weyman. The attractions in the side show are Mlle. Hall, with a den of trained leopards; Anita, mind reader; The Bachelors musical artists; Lillian Holt, with a den of snakes; Keely, ventriloquist and magician; Mlle. Cowden, sword walker; Harry Harrison, human ostrich and Mlle. May Ostrega; the Levy children; Hait & Warden, boxing act; a troupe of Oriental dancers and musicians and a chorus of girls. The side show band is under the direction of Charles Kaercher. All of the horse tents with the show are new and the cook tent is in good shape. George Forepaugh is in charge of the culinary department. Thomas Hargreaves has made rapid strides this year, and his show is fully up to the standard and will no doubt have a successful season.

    Although the weather has been very unseasonable in Philadelphia this week, the Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers' Circus has been drawing enormous crowds at every performance in that city. If the weather moderates next week there is not doubt but that the high-water mark for circus attendance will be broken. Every one who has seen the show is an advertiser for it, as they are simply wildly enthusiastic over the many features of the shows. There nver has been a circus on the road that has had more feature acts than this show has this season. To enumerate the most successful on the lengthy program would be exceedingly difficult. All the acts are strong and the American acts vie with the European inportations. Sells Brothers have never had as many European acts with their shows as they have this year, and the man who picked them out did not draw one wrong card. The crowning feature of the show and the biggest novelty of all is the Chasm Vaulting Cyclist. Prodigious Porthos is the name of the feat. He makes a dash down the incline used for the Loop-the Loop, and then at the finish of the decline soars through the air for a distance of fifty-two feet, alighting on another run on which he descends to the ground. The impetus gained by this descent makes him make a complete circle of the hippodrome track. So far he has not made one miscalculation, and the act sends a thrill through the audiences which is relieved by a might cheer when he successfully accomplishes the feat. Diavolo is also successfully looping the loop, and the act commands attention. Another daring bicycle act is that of Cyclone, who rides up the sides of a perpendicular slatted wall, 12 feet in diameter and 18 feet high. The act is billed as the Devil's Chimney and commands attention from all.

    Among the foreign acts that made big hits was that of the Seven Lecussons. They use a tallho coach with four horses. While this is being driven around the ring, acrobatic feats are performed by the different members of the family on the horses' backs and on top of the coach. Somersaults are turned from the coach to the backs of the horses and many other difficult feats. For the finish of their act five of the family ride on one horse, leaping to it from the ground. Another foreign act that made a big hit was that of the Nine Hungarian Magyars, in a series of acrobatic acts that were not only clean and clever in execution, but also decidedly novel. Mons. Hubert is another importation who made a hit. He does a daring riding act, and for the finish of his act ___ bare back of a horse while holding a pneumatic tired sulky in his hands. The Five La Carmens did a wire act at a height of twenty-five feet in the air, and as the act was performed by four people at one time it made a hit. The Martineks, French clowns and pantomimists, also pleased greatly and introduced many new novelties. The Aurora Zouaves as usual made a phenomenal hit in their military exercises. The Eddys did a series of acrobatic stunts that gain for them applause. In riding acts the show has many novelties. Foremost in this particular line is the act of Oscar Lowande. After a clever bareback act, Mr. Lowande accomplishes a feat that looks as if it was impossible. He turns a somersault from the back of one horse to the back of another running behind it in the same ring and from this horse to another, using the three horses in the one ring. Other make riders were Harry Lamkin, M. Leensson, Raymond Thompson, Robert Stickney. The female riders include Miss Julia Lowande, Ouika Meers, Emma Stickney, Lillian Lowe, Maude Hayward, Mamie Klino, Miss Milton, Adie Lovenberg and Miss Lecusson.
    Three groups of trained elephants are introduced by John H. Patterson, C. E. Smith and Bert St. John. Signor Ponsel introduces a wonderfully intelligent trained bear. Other features include leaps by the company; the Two Kellys, in revolving break-a-way ladder; the Roberts, balancing ladder; the Forest's Dog Circus; Bertha Dorian on the trapeze; Miaco and Vanderbilt, double trapeze; the Two Kings, aerial ladder; Mlle. Alnena on the revolving globe; Ryan and Zorella, automobile grotesques; the Lamonte Family, acrobats; the Roberts Family, acrobats; Miss Lovenberg, high wire; Miss Kline, high wire; Raymond Thompson's hurdling horses, and a score of clowns. The Flying Jordans, who have just arrived in this country, are doing one of the strongest acts that they have ever attempted. Every number of the program gave satisfaction.
    The side show is under the management of George Connors. The arrangement of the interior of the canvas is decidedly unique. At the extreme end is a stage with curtains and draperies. On this the leading feature of the side show, Chiquita, gives her songs and ances. Over the smaller stages, on which the people on exhibition sit, is stretched a beautiful painted proscenium arch. This brightens up the interior of the tent and impresses the visitors as soon as they get inside. All of the paintings and banners are new, the tent is fresh from the makers hands and the whole outfit very attractive. Business was very large in Philadelphia.

    The Welsh Brothers' Newest Great Railroad Shows opened their seventeenth successive season at Gordonville, Pa., April 14. A light snow in the morning of the opening date made things look dark for the opening performance, but Old Sol made his appearance and soon drove away all signs of bad weather and put the lot in excellent condition. Both performances were largely attended, as were the engagements played at Coatesville, the 15th, and Columbia, the 16th, inst. The grand opening was held at Lancaster, where the show opened for a four days' stand on the 18th, and was a decided success, the show playing to capacity business during the entire engagement, excepting the 20th, when extremely high winds prevented the erecting of the tents, the show changing lots. While the weather was not what would be desired to draw patronage to the show, it was exceptionally cool, the show played to big business and turned the audiences away delighted. The show this season is bigger, better and grander than ever. The paraphernalia with few exceptions is all new, and gives the show an attractive appearance throughout. The street parade is one of the features this season. New harness, new wardrobe, and newly painted wagons make it one of the largest and most elaborate ever offered by a popular priced show. The freshly painted wagons cause much favorable comment. They were all decorated under the personal supervision of Col. M. H. Welsh and show excellent taste in the blending of bright colors and gold leaf. The harness is all new and was made especially for the Welsh Brothers.
    The roster of the show is as follows: Col. M. H. and John T. Welsh, sole owners and proprietors; Clinton Newton, general manager; Jack Cousins, equestrian director; the Miles Orton Family, general circus specialists; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cousins, bareback riders; the Flying Valenteens, aerialists; the Brothers Melvin, acrobats; Mons. and Mlle. Demacos, Roman rings; George Colby, hurdle mule rider; Prof. Alex Rixton, trained dogs and goats; Miss Lottie Aymar, equestrienne; Madame Collette, menage act; Sisters Anderson, aerialists; "That and It," Mackey and Clark; Comical Brown; Joe Kennedy; William Fables; Joe Wilson and Prof. Gregory's Royal Marine Band; Charles Mitchell, master of transportation; Jack O'Brien, boss canvasman; Shirty Harris, 24-hour man; V. O. Woodward, in charge of the bill car, with a crew of 20 billposters, and Herbert Whittier, special agent.

    The following is the official announce roster of the Walter L. Main Show, which opened in Geneva, Ohio, Saturday, April 23: Hugh Harrison, manager; Doc. C. S. Stull, superintendent of workingmen and director of parade and feed; W. W. Power, auditor and adjuster; J. D. Harrison, press agent with show; Owen Doud, secretary; Wm. E. Vogt, treasurer; Mrs. W. E. Vogt, assistant treasurer; Harry Hodge, assistant manager of privileges; A. J. Gilligham, adjuster; Vick Hugo, manager of side show; R. H. Dockrill, equestrian director; M. Mibills [Mihills?], superintendent candy stands; Howard Damon, superintendent sleeping cars; James Whalen, boss canvasman; Chas. Kelly, assistant boss canvasman; Frank Reaves, assistant boss canvasmen; W. W. Scott, boss hostler; Peter Hirtz, master of transportation; Rich'd Jones, superintendent and trainer of elephants; Theodore Ferris, superintendent of menagerie; John Gill, leader of band; Henry Pullman, leader of parade and side show door-tender; John Horgan, boss of ring stock; R. G. Meers, superintendent of lights; Frank Daily, boss propertyman; Wm. D. Kirsch, in charge of dining car; "Music" John Abner, boss carpenter; Sam Harper, boss blacksmith; Al. Pancost, superintendent of winter quarters; Frank McCormack, special agent; Mrs. P. McCormick, superintendent of wardrobe; A. D. Moreland, manager of camp; Tom Brown, superintendent of camp; Capt. F. E. Bennett, Harry Green, superintendents of spectacle; Harry Clark, chief clown; Dr. Theodore S. Crosby, physician and surgeon.
    Advance: Ed. C. Knupp, general agent; E. M. Burk, traffic manager; A. H. Westfall, contracting press agent; John D. Carey, general press agent; Walter Murphy, in charge opposition brigade No. 1; J. W. Logan, in charge opposition brigade No. 2; Wm. K. Peck, superintendent advertising car No. 1; Fred J. Bates, superintendent advertising car No. 2; E. N. Waters, manager box brigade No. 3; George Corcoran, 24-hour agent; Joseph Gregg, excursion agent.

    Mackey's European Circus will hold forth at Handlan's Park, St. Louis, Mo., during the World's Fair. This circus is said to have for its stellar attraction, Mlle. Charmion and the Riccobono horses. Two performances will be given daily by a Military band and the Berlin Winter Water Spectacle of The Ice Witch.

    Edwin C. Cullen, formerly manager of the Robinson Circus, will be assistant manager and superintendent for the Hargreaves Big Railroad Shows this season.

    A new circus lot has been established in Cleveland, Ohio, at the corner of Woodland Hills avenue and Quincy street. The Cleveland Electric Railway will immediately extend their lines to the lot, the board of public service having already granted them this permission.

    Joe Gorman, well known to the circus world for many years, was shot in the back three ___ at Oklahoma City, O. T., April 21, by a train laborer and died instantly. His assailant, W. L. Durant, was said to be drinking at the time of the shooting, and he is now incarcerated at the jail at Oklahoma. Mr. Godman [sic?] was this season with the Buckskin Bill Wild West and was serving in the capacity of master of transportation. The cause of the deed has not been learned, but it is supposed that the victim was taken for another person.

    The Board of General Appraisers for the United States, has recently decided that performing bears imported to this country for exhibiton purposes, are subject to a duty of 20 per cent ad valorem. The case in mention is that of W. S. Wichermann, who recently imported four educated bears. Free entry was claimed on the theory that the bears were "instruments of trade, occupation or employment." The court held that the definition may apply, but that the act confines its benefit to persons "emigrating to" the United States, which implies a purpose to establish a permanent residence in this country.

    A dispatch to "The Billboard" from Brooklyn, N. Y., states that the Barnum & Bailey Show opened on the lot at Halsey and Saratoga avenue to the largest business ever done by a circus in Brooklyn. The grounds used by the show in Brooklyn last season were entirely too small for the outfit, it being necessary to arrange the horse and cook tents on separate, nearby lots. The immense spread of canvas makes a great flash on the lot this season.

    The Wallace Show opens at Peru, Ind., April 30.

    Harry Huth is with the culinary force of the Ringling Show.

    Ernest Cooke is now the manager of the Forepaugh-Sells Circus.

    Jack Pfeiffenberger will have the canvas with the Wallace Show this season.

    Hargreaves Circus played at Camden, N. J., opposite Philadelphia on April 25.

    Merle Trousdale has joined the Feibel Bros. Dog and Pony Show as ringmaster.

    Harry Parivsh has been promoted to assistant property man with the Ringling Show.

    Seibel Brothers go out on rail this season. They open at Watertown, Wis., May 5.

    Fred. Bowers, of Havre de Grace,Md., has joined the advance car of Welsh Bros. Circus.

    Col. French arrived in St. Louis last week with a large consignment of horses for his Wild West Show.

    Percy Weatherhill, who was treasurer of the Gaskill Mundy Co. last season, has joined the Walter Main Show.

    Will C. Sites has been engaged as general manager for Lowery Brothers' One-ring Circus, carrying fifty people.

    D. V. Tantlinger and his wife, the famous trap shooters, are one of the leading attractions with Buckskin Bill's Wild West this season.

    Louis E. Cooke, of the Barnum & Bailey Show, was a visitor at the opening of the Walter L. Main Show in Geneva, Ohio, April 23.

    Gentry Bros. No. 1 Show opened the season at Vincennes, Ind., April 20. The weather was bleak and cold, but both performances were well attended.

    T. Hope, the Philadelphia animal importer, was a visitor at the opening of the Hargreaves Circus and secured a large order for monkeys and snakes.

    Fred. Wagner and Gerald Fitzgerald, who have been connected with Al. W. Martin's enterprises this season, have joined the Wallace Shows at Peru, Ind.

    Joe H. Hewitt, who had the opposition car of the Pan American Shows the season of '98, at present general agent for Stater's attractions, will be with the white tops again this season.

    Barnum & Bailey's entire tenting paraphernalia and draft horses left winter quarters at Bridgeport, Conn., April 17, in two big sections enroute to Brooklyn. The newly-covered wagons were resplendent in red and gold.

    Our correspondent at Jersey City, N. J. writes: Seventy-five cars belonging to the Barnum & Bailey shows are being inspected and minor repairs are being made at the Pennsylvania railroad shops at this place.

    Notes from Frisbee Bros. R. R. Shows. Everybody is busy getting ready for our opening, Thursday, April 21 at Flint, Mich. We now carry eighty people. The side show is under the direction of "Blondie" Davison. The first car leaves here April 21.

    Chas. Bolus, of Canton, Ohio, has joined the Gollmar Shows as boss canvasman. This is Mr. Bolus' fiftieth year under canvas. Henry Hamptfuer will act as first assistant, Jacob Speilman second, David Holdinger, boss stake and chain and Frank Hall, sailmaker.

    Robert Stickney Jr. will remain with the Hargreaves Circus for two weeks and then goes to Luna Park for the summer. Many of the performers from the Forepaugh-Sells Circus went to Chester, Pa., on the opening day of the Hargreaves Circus to see the parade.

    Jack Cousins fell while doing his bounding jockey act at the opening performance of the Welsh Brothers' Shows at Gordonville, Pa., on the 14th inst., and broke the middle finger of his right hand. While the broken member causes considerable pain, it does not prevent him from doing his act.

    The night parade of the Forepaugh-Sells Circus was such a success in Philadelphia, that arrangements were made for the giving of a day parade on April 25. This was in response to requests from the people of the city who desired to see the wonders of this parade in daylight.

    Troopers of the Golden Mascot is the name of the new route book which Louis Wood, the press agent for the Bonheur Bros.' Shows, is getting out. It will be off the press in May. The book will be issued by the Kenyons, Des Moines, Iowa, for $1.00 per volume; paper, 50 cents. Both volumes are said to be lavishly illustrated.

    William McFarland, who is the owner of the building occupied by Bostock's Animal Arena in Philadelphia, is one of the proprietors of McFarland & Holders New United Shows which will open in Woodbury, N. J., early in May. Mr. McFarland is one of the largest horse dealers in Philadelphia and also owns a large stock farm in New Jersey.

    A correspondent with the Norris & Rowe Shows writes as follows, viz.: "We opened in Frisco Saturday, April 2, with a big matinee and played to capacity at night in a rain storm. Sunday it cleared up and we turned them away at both performances. Of course, it dropped down Monday, still we did a paying business, and the advance sale indicates that we will have a big day. We have over 8,000 sheets on the boards, nearly 5,000 lithos, and 70,000 heralds have been used and newspapers are treating us great."

    ___ testimonial has been erected in Philadelphia to the memory of a woman who was well known to all circus people. Elizabeth Keenan, the deceased wife of John Keenan of the Sautelle Circus, was beloved by all that knew her. Her husband has just had placed in St. Monicas Catholic Church in Philadelphia, a beautiful statue of St. Anthony. It was made in Germany at a cost of over $555, and is considered one of the finest pieces of sculpture that has been erected in Philadelphia for years. It has been much admired by all visitors to the church, and as Mr. Keenan was a regular attendant at that church, every one agrees that it is a worthy tribute to a good man.

    Roster of Advertising Department, Norris & Rowe's Two-ring Circus and Double Menagerie: Ed. C. Warner, general agent and railroad contractor; T. J. Myers, general press agent; J. C. Stuart and Tony Crandell, local contractors; W. S. Dunnington, manager advertising car No. 1, with the following assistants: H. Cunningham, boss billposter; E. N. Clarke and Joe Hyde, lithographers; Jack Law and James Moore, lithograph boards; E. B. Reilly and Fred Williams, programmers; Victor Stout, Joe Eble, S. E. Francis, Peter Collins, Joe Lillis, Nick Carter, Phil. Koster, Abe Symonds, George Gleason adn Pete Hawkins, bill posters, and Jack Berry, paste maker. C. O. Brown, manager advance car No. 2, with the following assistants: Ed. Billings, boss billposter; George Lacey, banners; Harry Mosier, lithographers; Will Lent, programmer; Ed. Ramon, Carl Schuller, Chris Reed, Oscar King, Otto Pfiefer and George Gale, billposters. Max Schuettler, manager box brigade, with Lemuel King and David Lyhan as assistants; Harry Little and Louis Simms, route riders and 24-hour men.

Billboard, May 7, 1904, pp. 8, 9, 10, 14. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some text was cut off in the copy transcribed, not all items were transcribed.

    Fred P. Sargent, who will manage the big Hagenbeck attractions along the Pike this summer at the World's Fair, began his career as a showman in 1880 when, in the month of September of that year, he walked into Austin & Stone's Museum on Tremont Row, Boston, Mass., and asked for a job. He was running away from home, and green country lad, but his personality so appealed to Col. Stone that he was given a chance to show what he could do as janitor's assistant in the musuem. In a short time he was promoted to ticket taker at one of the doors. After five or six months of service, he approached Mr. Stone one day with a new proposition. His remarkable originality had put a new idea into this head and his proposition was this: that he be allowed to place a pair of Fairbank scales in the curio hall and guess weights. If he guessed within five pounds of a person's weight he was to be paid five cents for weighing the person; otherwise the avoirdupoise of the person would be ascertained free of charge. His idea was put into application and he won the title of "Yankee Weight Guesser." Since these days of early experience, Mr. Sargent has held every position that at circus can offer, from candy butcher to a member of Mr. Bailey's personal staff. He has been connected with nearly all the large circuses of the country and has at all times displayed much business ability, connected with sound judgment and much originality. . . .

    Already skirmish forces of opposition shows have met and some lively times on the firing line well defined; but to their credit be it said everything has been clean and wholesome. R. M. Harvey, of the Barnum & Bailey Shows, first met the Ringling men at Newark, Ohio. At Wheeling, W. Va., Charles Hays and his bunch of banner busters lit in town to reinformce Captain Harvey and his men, while W. H. Horton, of the Ringling Show, followed close on the heels of their contracting agent, and thus the merry war began. Banners, boards and brushes have filled the air ever since. Louis E. Cooke, the cool and calculating veteran, loomed up on the scene at Wheeling, Newark and Cleveland, and quitely planted some full-page ads in the local dailies which looked like the broad side of a Sunday supplement, the head line of which quoted the noted divine, Bishop Potter, who declared the Barnum & Bailey Show is "the best circus I ever saw."
    The next tilt at arms came about at Cleveland, Ohio, when Ed Knupp and his yeomen of the Main Show took the initiative and led off with a fine showing of lithographs and banners; but when husky Fred Beckman, of the Barnum & Bailey forces, rolled into town with his advertising car, things began to look different, to put it mildly, and then to cap the climax, Gus Ringling entered the field by a flank movement from Youngstown, Ohio, with his No. 1 car and about thirty trusty braves, who often eat up a town before breakfast. And thus they did smite each other hip and thigh. If there is a window wall or housetop anywhere within thirty miles of the centre of Cleveland that has not got a show bill therein, or on, it is because mild persuasion, artful inducements and crafty wiles are abject failures. The Bryan billboards, which cover the greater portion of Northern Ohio, were soon exhausted. Vacant lots were fenced in, but finally Charley Bryan ran out of sheet steel with which to cover the fince posts and then the gang took to the ladders and high walls. At last accounts the city looked something like a cross between a continuous billboard and Rag Alley, with figures reaching all the way from May 9 to 23 - Main, May 9; Ringling May 12 and Barnum & Bailey, May 23.

    Col J. H. Hays and family have signed with the Monarch Carnival Company for the present season. They have been with the Reid Circus for the past three seasons, but have decided to quit the circus for the street fair business.

    The Great Wallace Show had a very auspicious opening at Peru, Indiana, Saturday, April 30. The weather was pleasant and the beautiful new canvas was packed to the doors at both the afternoon and evening performances. The parade, which preceded the inaugural performance, was given under the most favorable circumstances and was viewed by thousands of people along the line of march. It is a most pleasing spectacle and from the big band wagon down to the calliope, representative of this progressive and successful show. The performance opens with a briliant introductory pageant - a keleidoscopic [sic] panorama of regal magnificence completely filling the rings, stages and hippodrome course.
    Display No. 2 is given over to the Dellameads, presenting a huge revolving pedestal of history and art. Display No. 3, a topical song of the times by Leon Moore and his associates. Display No. 4, the Delno Garnell Trio, aerial bar experts; Okabe Sacha, slide for life; Si Kechi, Japanese slide rope. Display No. 5, three excellent trained animal acts. Display No. 6, Hotura Kawara, high wire equilibrism; La Mars Sisters in a wonderful tight wire act, which constitutes one of the features of the performance; Rose Royer in a finished act on a slender wire. Display No. 7, riding acts of the highest merit by Miss Winnie Sweeney and Miss Adele Penrose in the rings and funny doings by the clowns on the stage. Display No. 8, another feature, which is exactly what it is billed, one of "the greatest novelty acrobatic acts, direct from the Olympia, London, England." Display No. 9, posturing act by letsuwari Jap; Z. Singarilla, spiral and globe; Tora and Massi, tub juggling act. Display No. 10, Four Nelsons, comedy acrobats.
    Display No. 11, letsuwari Japs contortion act; the Allen Sisters, double contortion act; letsuwari Jap, double perch. Display No. 12, principal riding acts of merit and skill by Orrin Hollis and William Melrose in the rings, and again the clowns on the platform. Display No. 13, the Melasso Troupe of whirlwind dancers, an act imported especially for the Great Wallace Show. Display No. 14, trained animal acts under the direction of Miss Allie Jackson and Miss May Stewart, respectively. Display No. 15, Emma Donovan, flying rings; Hazel Earl, graceful and difficult feats on a swinging ladder; Minnie Pierce, single trapeze. Display No. 16, the Heras Family in a series of wonderful acrobatic feats, another feature. Display No. 17, Tom Nelson and twenty funny fellows in a South African Ostrich Hutn. Display No. 18, a feature act by the Great Polos, who execute a new and original aerial display, dazzling long distance leaps and wonderful daring somersaults and twisters across the arena. Display No. 19, William Henchey, comical mule hurdle; Archie Royer and Company, comedy skating act; Ab. Johnson, comical Dutch hurdle act on a mule. Then follow the hippodrome events, which constitute a dashing and pleasing conclusion to an excellent performance. There is really not a poor act in the entire performance. Those that are remembered as being especially good are the Heras Family, the Three Navaros, the Great Polos, the Melasso Troupe and Zingarella. The riding is good and the clowns are funny, and the entire performance moves along with a snap that reflects great credit on the equestrian director, C. H. Sweeney.

    Tom Herbert writes from Antwerp, Belgium, to the effect that he is now engaged with the Palace de Hippodrome, a new circus building with a seating capacity of 5,000 people. Using the words of the writer, he says: "The program is one of the strongest I have ever witnessed in Europe. Every act is a feature. The James A. Powells Double Jockey Numbers are superior class performances. They have had two offers from America, but their salary is too high and no satisfactory arrangement has been made. Stock & Milton, the American horizontal bar performers are doing well. All classes of gymnastic acts get big money provided they are up to date. We close our engagement April 26 and leave immediately for New York, arriving there May 6. We open at Luna Park, Coney Island, May 14 with our big aerial flying act, and will remain there all summer."

    The final settlement in the bankruptcy proceedings of the Luella Forepaugh-Fish Wild West Show was reached April 19 at Janesville, Wis. Mrs. Fish and her husband received but $1,300 out of an investment of about $40,000. Mr. Barton, the other interested partner, received practically nothing as he had only a working interest in the show. A private settlement was made by Attorney W. G. Wheeler and the law firm of Fethers, Jeffers & Mouat, who represented the parties interested. It will be remembered that this show went into bankruptcy at Janesville last July.

    A summer snow storm overtook the Harris Nickel Plate Show at Jelico, Va. The snow fell to such a depth, writes Charles Wilson, that the weight caused the canvas to collapse, breaking four center poles, ten quarter poles and damaging the canvas materially. The canvas was repaired and put up again the next day. Just subsequent to the matinee performance at Lexington, Ky., April 25, a terrific windstorm laid low the canvas of the Harris Nickel Plate Show, damaging it to the amount of about $400. The night performance was abandonded.

    The business of the Hargreaves Circus thorough New Jersey has been remarkably good.

    The Wallace Show received a large consignment of animals from Hagenbeck in Germany recently.

    Barney's Bonnie Band of Bag Pipes and Dancers, joined Ringling Bros. Show at Champaign, Ill., April 23.

    The Ringling Bros. Show gave forty-three performances during its stay in Chicago and the total admissions were 257,143.

    James Kelly, 58, with Robinson's Circus for many years as an acrobatic clown, was recently demoved [sic] from his room in East Sixth street, Cincinnati, Ohio, to the City Hospital, suffering from heart trouble.

    Cycling the Chasm has made a big hit with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus. The act of the Devil's Chimney in which a rider rides a bicycle up a perpendicular circle, was cut out of the program with this show.

    The father of Wm. Laspa, boss billposter on Car No. 1 of the Harris Nickel Plate Show, is dead in Cincinnati. The funeral will take place Tuesday, May 3.

    The Buckskin Bill Wild West closed the season at Witchitaw, Kan., April 24, and shipped to Chicago. Constant rain and consequential bad business were, no doubt, the causes for the closing of the show.

    William Charles, Hal Wright and Joseph Casey, left Janesville, Wis., last week to join the Ringling Bros. Circus for the summer months. The boys will be employed on the cook car that is attached to No. 1.

    John H. Rice, general agent for the Hargreaves Shows, is now completing the new sensational drama, The Queen of the Outlaws, in which he will star Miss Mabel Hall next season. The play will contain many novel effects.

    The menagerie top of the Wallace Show was destroyed by fire while under process of construction in the shops of Murray & Company at Chicago. The loss necessitated Messrs. Murray & Company building a new top. The loss was, however, covered by insurance.

    Thomas Hargreaves, of the Hargreaves Circus, was taken down with a severe case of rheumatism April 23 and was unable to leave with the show when it left Chester, Pa. He is now convalescing at his hotel in Chester, Pa., and will join the show in a few days.

    W. Campbell, one of the four brothers with the Hargreaves Circus, was slightly hurt during the engagement at Chester, Pa., April 23. While doing their trapeze act, the trapeze bent double and the performer was sent to the ground. The fall created quite a sensation.

    The roster of Lucky Bill's Show is as follows: Wm. Newton & Hibner, revolving ladder act; McCoy family, wire, juggling and bounding rope; Willard & Willard, wire and contortionists; Musical Grangers; Little Blonde Dunlap, song and dance artist; May Dunlap, pianist and musical director; Wm. Newton, advance man and Lucky Bill, owner and manager.

    The roster of Gentry Bros. Adv. Car No. 1 with the No. 1 show, is as follows: H. P. Hill, general agent; Eddie Jackson, contracting agent; Ralph Superior, boss bill poster in charge of paper; Harry Beltz, banners; Frank Hobbs, program; John R. Feltus, Dave Berkeley and J. E. Simpson, bill posters; John Kennedy, paste maker and porter and Thos. Moody, chef.

    Notes from Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows. Our first advance brigade, in charge of Geo. E. Pickering, will start the ball rolling April 26 and will be followed four days later by the second brigade, in charge of Chas. E. Shepherd. Our opening date will be Wednesday, May 4. We have booked some good people and our ring performance will be second to none.

    The side show of the Forepaugh-Sells Circus is under the management of George ___. The outside orators are Clyde Ingals, T. B. McIntyre and E. Maxwell. The roster of the features is as follows: Chiquita, the original Doll Queen; John McNulty, lecturer and Punch and Judy; Princess Ani, mind reader; Yukwa, Japanese juggler and magician; George Hussey, ventriliquist; Rosanna, snake enchantress; the Musical Reeds in high-grade musical act; Sibo the Wild man; J. H. Davis, Mutoscope and Photoscopes; P. G. Lowery, leader of Lowery's Band. A minstrel company of 20 people and other features. Business has been excellent since the opening and the attractiveness of the interior of the tent makes many friends for this "Kid" show.

    Notes from Seibel Bros.' New R. R. Dog and Pony Show. This show was framed up last season for a wagon show, but on account of the bad roads, the size of the show and the large amount of business done last season, Col. Seibel finds it necessary to put the show out on rail this season. The cars have all been built of uniform size with all the convenience necessary. Everything with the show will be new and painted accordingly. All the harnesses and trappins have just arrived from Chicago. We also received a car load of miniature cages and an up-to-date band chariot. Our ring barns contain 40 head of educated ponies and horses, which are getting their regular routine of work every day; also two troupes of dogs and monkeys. Each department of the show will be handled by experienced people. The Seibel Brothers have spared neither pains or money to make this show rank among the best. We open the season of 1904 at Watertown, Wis., May 5.

    Col. Frank Coleman, for many years announcer and general circus man, recently died at the Roosevelt Hospital, New York City, of pneumonia. Frank Coleman was known abroad as "Sir Roger Moore." He was a unique and versatile character. He began his career in San Francisco more than thirty years ago, when he engineered the first outdoor sword contest - between Duncan D. Ross and Capt. E. N. Jennings - ever attempted in this country. He was of impressive appearance, dressed well and was a good conversationalist. When he went East he joined the Barnum & Bailey's circus as chief announcer. After several seasons here "The Colonel" went abroad, where he assumed the name and title "Sir Roger Moore." He prospered, and on returning to New York three years ago, it was his boast that he had been presented to all the crowned heads of Europe. He was also at times connected with the Forepaugh, W. W. Cole's and other circuses as the announcer, and was well known as the "Silver tongue orator," on account of his clear deep voice. He was 55 years of age. The burial took place at Calvary, where a large party of his friends paid their last respects and covered his grave with his favorite flowers.

Billboard, May 14, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, May 21, 1904, p. 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were cut off on the copy transcribed.

    Doctor Edmund Baehr, a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Physicians and Surgeions, is now in his second season with the John Robinson shows, this old show was the first to realize the fact that a skilled doctor was an invaluable addition. Likewise it was the first circus to engaged and carry a regularly ordained minster of the gospel and was where the famous Prof. Sheak, the eminent zoologist gained his training. The old show has introduced more up-to-date novelties this season, the latest being a long distance telephone, of the Bell system, placed in the large new ticket wagon where "John the Third" can call up the "Governor" or any of the agents in advance, at a minutes notice. All these items are a matter of record, it is desired all showmen to remember.

    James Tracy has begun suit at Auralia, Neb., against Campbell Brothers' Great Consolidated Shows, for $10,200. The plaintiff alleges that the was employed as a pony hostler at the circus, and that when the show was at Ellensburg, Wash., on August 13, 1903, he was attacked by Venus, and elephant, and seriously injured. He was thrown down and the big brute placed a foot on him and deliberately squeezed him so that his intestines were forced out of his body. He was taken to the hospital at Tacoma and operated upon, and in December was brought to St. Joseph's hospital in Auralia, where another operation was performed. He alleges that he will be practically helpless the remainder of his days. The petition recites that the employe who had charge of the elephant was neglecting his duties. Venus was in the car on the circus train that was destroyed by fire at Falls City, recently, and she was burned to death with a number of other animals.

    A baby camel belonging to the Main Shows was christened at Cleveland, Ohio, May 12.

    Gentry Brothers packed the canvas at Kansas City, Mo., May 12-14.

    Queen, one of the lionesses with Haag's Mighty Shows, gave birth to four cubs at Monticello, Ark., May 8.

    The Flying Squadron is with the Wallace Show this season. W. C. St. Clair is managing the brigade, and the roster is as follows: Al. Foreaker, James Tucker, Foss Burns, A. G. Dow, W. W. Beams, D. T. Hammil and "Stump" Jones.

    Suit was instituted against the Lowery Brothers Show at Wilkesbarre, Pa., to the amount of $1,250 as damages by John Delaney whose son's leg was broken by the falling of some of the circus seats during the performance.

    Fred McCelellan, Thompson and Dundy's general stage manager and booking agent, has some very strong circus acts booked for the three ring open air circus at Luna Park, Coney Island, New York.

    In a letter from Toronto, Ohio, under date of May 11, Punch Wheeler writes of the Robinson Show: "Business has been good all along the line, and at several places all that the tents would accommodate."

    Notes from Lucky Bill's Show. We are meeting with grand success out here in the new oil territory. Every one has money to burn. When Lucky came into Peru, Kan., the oil company gave him the use of land leased for an oil well previous to his arrival, therefore, we struck it rich. Standing room only. Three matinees and nights. We have received great inducements for a return engagement.

    Harry Earl, who has been officiating as press representative of the Great Wallace shows, will again resume his duties as business manager with Pain's Fireworks Spectacles: Ancient Rome, and Last Days of Pompeii. Arrangements were made with W. E. Frankling, general agent, Wallace shows for Mr. Earll's release and the matter was arranged in the most amicable manner with all concerned.

    Last season Walter L. Main contracted for all the boards in New Castle, Pa., but cancelled the town and turned his contracts for billposting over to the Wallace Show which filled them and paid the price agreed upon by Mr. Main. While the Main Shows were in New Castle, recently, an attachment was sued out by the non-association billposter, J. D. Loving, for the amount already paid him by Wallace. Mr. Gensinger the associated billposter, went upon the bond of Mr. Main for $175 and hired legal counsel for the trial. Mr. Main then settled with Mr. Gensinger.

    The Royal Bengal Tiger (Baby) that made things lively around the Norris and Rowe shwo at Summit, Cal., was imported by F. A. Stuhr, of the Portland Bird Co., Portland, Oregon, when she was a kitten of three months. Mr. Stuhr sold her to J. R. Wilson who had her one year, and she was sold to Oregon Pacific & Oriental Carnival Co., and then passed into the hands of her present owners. Baby is two years and two months ole and is considered by animal experts to be one of the finest Bengal Tigers in captivity. She is spoken of as the pride of the Norris and Rowe Show.

    Week before last was the first week of the Barnum & Bailey greatest show on earth, on one day stands. After a week of phenomenal business in Brooklyn, weather considered, we moved on Saturday night, from Brooklyn, leaving the grounds at Broadway and Halsey Streets, going three miles to the new bridge and one and a half miles across the bridge, two miles across New York City, mile and a half across the Hudson River by the Desbrosses Street ferry and about two miles to the Jersey Heights. The Jersey haul was particularly hard on account of very long and steep hills. The lot was very soft and all the wagons were up to the hubs in the mushy earth. It was determined to give no parade as the weather was very threatening and the horses very weary. Everybody was surprised at the turn away business in the afternoon and the business at night was simply heart breaking, more people were turned away than got inside the enormous big top, with its seating capacity of 15,000. Paterson, next day, despite the fact that we had a three and a half mile haul to the Clifton race track, a parade was given; parade back to the lot after one o'clock when the show was opened to big business, which was repeated at night. Wednesday, at Newark, another three mile haul wearied the horses so much that they refused to eat, and the parade was abandoned. It seemed to make no difference, however, as we had to turn away people both afternoon and evening. Thursday at New Brunswick, another heavy lot and no parade, but enormous business, full in the afternoon, packed at night, very nearly a turn away. Trenton, Friday, beautiful weather, parade and big business, biggest ever done by a circus in Trenton. Saturday at Wilmington, very long haul, but gave parade and enormous turn away both afternoon and evening. Here, in Washington, Sunday at noon, we are ready to give a show and every indication that we will have a turnaway at all four performances. Thus far, there has been no sickness to speak of with the show, and very few accidents, none of them serious. Carrie Rooney had a fall while riding in the great twelve champion riding acts which laid her off two or three performances, then she went home to remain until another generation of the riders in the Rooney family had been started.
    At afternoon performance in Wilmington, Aga Mopo, a Japanese performer, fell about fifteen feet while doing the slide for life, and broke his jaw. We are giving two slides simultaneously, and another Jap will replace him in the act. The working contingent of the show has been most harmonious and the number of people who have left the circus since the season began, can be counted upon the fingers of one hand. We are using fifteen splendid Pullman sleepers and it is safe to say that circus people never traveled with as many conveniences and as much comfort as there is with the Barnum & Bailey Show this year. Among the performers, with the exception of Mrs. Rooney and the Jap, no one has been hurt since we left the Garden. Ancillotti, who loops the gap, had two or three falls early in the Garden, but has had none whatever, since we left. Although he follows Volo and begins his ride before the applause for Volo has subsided, his act is so startling that he simply redoubles the applause and the result of the act is about ten minutes of clapping and cheering. Nothing like it has ever been seen before in any show in the world. The hippodrome, this year, is the most expensive that Mr. Bailey has ever given; they have six, seven and eight riders in each of the flat races, and a total of fifteen different races run off in the hippodrome with such celerity, that the races fairly overlap one another and the audience is kept in a perfect furor with excitement and applause from the time they begin, until the finish, and in more than a quarter of a century of experience, the writer has never seen such uniform great notices given any kind of show as this show is getting this year. Thus far, we haven't had one adverse word of criticism from any paper that has come under his observation, and he has seen them all. Press agents have frequently been asked by newspaper writers what we would like to have said about the show and their reply is invariably, "Say about it whatever you think it deserves," and given, this year, the best show they have ever seen and is in a class by itself, making it impossible to compare it with any of the others. The altogether phenomenal character of the patronage of the show indicates very clearly that the public agrees with the press on that point.
    Director George O. Starr, who has been in England attending the opening of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, has been on the continent looking after new features for next season, and will be back with the show next Sunday. The Rev. W. Sheak, of Peru, Ind., chaplain of the show, is in very delicate health, and is now suffering from malaria; everybody is sympathizing with him very greatly. Should he be compelled to return home, as now seems probable, he will take with him the best wishes of the entire establishment. In addition to the two vets always carried with the show, we also have this year a doctor Ivers, of Bridgeport, Conn. He is one of the leading physicians of that city and has never had any sort of a vacation since he began to practice years ago and is beginning his first month as physician with this show for the season. He gives his attention to the audience as well as to the twelve hundred members of the company. He is indefatigable in his services and will not accept a fee from anyone. One of the most popular features of the show with the public, are the retiring rooms for both sexes and are very completely equipped and the show is complimented every day by the public and by the health authorities for this provision . . . [remainder of text cut off]

Billboard, May 28, 1904, p. 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related.

    Sam W. Hopkins and Walter Maynes, advance agents of the MacDonald Bros. Circus, were killed at Williams, W. Va., May 18. The two men were driving along a gigantic cliff on Tug River when the team became frightened and ran away, throwing the occupants and wagon into the river 80 feet below. Hopkins was taken from the stream alive, but lived only an hour or so. Mayne's body was recovered. Hopkins was married and lived at Chesire, O., and had been employed by the circus but a couple of days. Maynes was 28 years old and single. His home is at Logan, Ohio.

    The Pan American Shows opened their season at Clinton, Mo., Saturday, May 14, to two big audiences. The company carries 19 cars and two advance cars. The show is reported to be a worthy one. The side show is under the management of Bert Chipman, and Ed. Baldwin is the equestrian director.

    Buckskin Bill's Show will probably try the eastern country.

    Herman Morrison has closed with the Sparks Show.

    Gentry Bros. lost Carrollton, Mo., May __, on account of heavy rain.

    L. H. Lemon reports reports business immense with Forepaughs, everywhere, despite opposition.

    The Stickneys, the bareback riders are one of the feature acts at Luna Park in the Three Ring Mid-air Circus.

    Elroy & Drake, of Elizabeth, N. J., are putting out a two car circus, and they opened in Elizabeth, N. J., May 25.

    E. L. Phillips is with the Wallace Shows.

    Andrew Downie's one ring circus is doing a successful business.

    Phil. Harris, who for the past two years has been connected with the Miles Orton show, is now special agent for Welsh Brothers.

    A large flat car, belonging to the Campbell Bros. Show, was wrecked at Schuyler, Neb., May 10, one of the largest canvas wagons was wrecked.

    Sig. Sautelle Shows are reported to be doing fine business, and big business is awaiting them in the New Jersey towns where the show is very popular.

    J. W. Lee, who has the side show with Welsh Bros., reports business good. Mr. Lee has a very strong show, and his outfit makes a great flash on the lot.

    The Miles Orton family is making good with the Welsh Brothers. The two children do an excellent trapeze act, which is one of the features of the show.

    The Financial Committee of the city council of Nashville, Tenn., recently fixed a $10 license on parades given by ten cent shows exhibiting out of the city limits.

    Prof. Perrino, animal trainer, is confined at the Long Island State Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y.

    Notes from the Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows. Since our opening, business has been fine, the only trouble that the roads are a little heavy, but our teams are fast, and never let us miss a show. There are two wagons ahead of the show, one in charge of J. C. Picken and the other, eight days ahead, in charge of Frank Murphy. All with the outfit are well. Our free show is a concert by the band, slide for life by Curvin Zeck, and high diver dog, Daisy.

    ___ Brothers and their trained bears, also Frank Hobart, calliope player, recently joined Welsh Brothers Circus. Welsh Bros. expect to add an elephant and several animals this week.

    Geo. H. Hakes, "The Billboard's" Brooklyn, N. Y. representative, recently visited the Welsh Brothers Circus at Elizabeth, N. J. He repoarts that the show is doing very large business. People were turned away at Somerville, and Plainfield,N. J., and at Elizabeth they packed them to the ring. The show is the best the Welsh Brothers ever put out. Col. M. H. Welsh and Clinton Newton, business manager and press representative, deserve much credit for the hard work they have done in framing up this show this season.

    John Richardson, of the Gentry Dog and Pony Show, was assaulted by two men presumably foot-pads at Anderson, Ind., last week. Richardson was badly injured about the head.

    It is alleged that having been deserted by their leader, members of the band of the John Robinson Shows, left that allegation at Middletown, O. The show employed local musicians until the band could be replaced.

    John Moore, the globe-trotting poster salesman, visited the Buffalo Bill's Wild West opening at Stoke-on-Trent, Eng. Mr. Moore writes of the show: "The show was great, and opened to a packed house, giving splendid satisfaction. The company is nearly the same as last year with the addition of a troupe of Japanese Calvary which is having an ovation at every performance, showing the sentiment of the British people toward the Japanese. It is a stroke of policy on the part of the management to have engaged this feature. The official force for this season is as follows: Col. W. F. Cody, director general; John M. Burke, general manager; Johnnie Baker, arenic director; Joe Esquivel, chief of cowboys; Jule Green, business manager and treasurer; Wm. McCune, officer of the day; Wm. Sweeney, leader of the cowboy band. Press Bureau, Major John M. Burke, Charles S. Wells, Frank Small.

    Another instance of the generous consideration with which one showman views the misfortunes of another, and of the never-failing proffer of aid in untoward circumstances, goes on record in Walter L. Main's offer by telegraph, upon hearing of Campbell Brothers' loss by fire, to ship them a lot of duplicate animals, some of which were at Geneva, Ohio, and which they could pay for at their convenience. Campbell Brothers replied in a polite letter stating that substitute animals were already enroute to the show and thanking Mr. Main for his substanted interest.

    Notes from Frank Leopold's Great South American R. R. Shows. We opened the season at Norristown, Pa., May 6, giving four performances and packed them in. Everything about the show is new and bright. The roster is as follows: Lark and Burns, acrobats and barrel jumpers; Mlle. Lazell, cloud swing and flying rings; Chas. La Bird, hand balancer and juggler; Geo. Tattersley, boneless wonder; Henry Hall, baton manipulator; Madge La Retta, with her troupe of dogs and ponies; Al. Gaston, singing and talking clown; Sackey, wire and traps, featuring the Flying Zenoa's,America's foremost one-legged aerialists. Concert: Haines and Elesmere, German comedy act; Billy Harris, black face; Mrs. Rote, solo slide trombone and "Brick" Gibbons, Irish comedian. Pro. Rote's [Bote's?] Australian Band of twelve pieces. We carry a 100 foot round top, with two fiftys. Curley Wilbon, canvas man, with ten assistants. Monk Boyer, master of properties; Jimmy Faust, on the front; Jesse Wort [Wert?], reserve seats.

    Hazel Earl, the clever aerialist supreme. The former prominent arenic duo, the Earl Sisters (Maud and Hazel) at one time were among the foremost performers on the lofty trapeze and in their peculiar way, exceeded in brilliancy of execution, originality and fearlessness, numerous astonishing aerial stunts. During recent seasons, Hazel Earl, has been appearing in a single act, owing to the fact that her sister Maude resigned the circus field for the matrimonial, never to appear in the part of performer beneath the canopy of the white tops again. Hazel Earl is a talented youg woman of ability and much admired for her physical grace and beauty, as well as her athletic skill. This season she is duplicating the success of former seasons with the Great Wallace Circus, with which she has been one of the leading stars for the past seven years. Miss Earl is presenting a new seris of feats this year, and her newly constructed paraphernalia and fetching costumes are scoring another big hit for her.

    Matt D. Leslie writes: Gabriel Bros. opened their Wild West Show at Delmar Garden, St. Louis, Mo., Sunday, May 15, and gave three performances to an average attendance of 800 people. Gabriel Bros. have one of the finest Wild West shows in the business. They have 65 head of stock, including 20 bucking horses. We have two tribes of Indians, a band of Sioux and a band of Oraphoes, under Chief Running Bear. Matt D. Lesie, "Doc," makes the outside openings, and is the announcer in the arena. Barney Gabriel is in the ticket office. The prospects are for a very bright for a good season.

    The Fisbee R. R. Show is meeting with good business in Northern Michigan.

    Willard McGuire has charge of all the privileges with MacFarland & Holders United Shows.

    The Buckskin Bill's Wild West advance is moving along smoothly. It consists of two advance cars, carrying eighteen men apiece and three contracting agents. The roster of the staff is as folows: R. J. Mercer, general agent; Sed Deschane, mnager car No. 1; W. W. Potts, manager car No. 2; J. Andrews, local contracting agent; Harry Beucas, special agent.

    Fetzer Brothers' Show opened their summer season at Lee, Ill., with two big performances. The marked feature of this exhibition was the high dive made by one of the dogs from the top of a thirty-foot ladder. Big crowds attened both performances, and everybody was well pleased with the show. The animals were all well trained and their clever tricks brought forth much applause. The tricks performed by Professor Fetzer's dogs and ponies were perhaps the most enjoyed; there were many other attractive featrues.

    W. M. Mincer, died at Montpelier, Ind., May 15, of ulcer of the lungs after a short illness. He was well known to the profession. Fifteen years ago he started out with the Charles Bartine shows and since that time has been actively engaged in the show business. Last fall when he returned from a season with the Nickel Plate show he was taken ill with throat trouble, since which time he had been confined to his home in Montpelier. During his career he was with the Barine, Morariety and Nickel Plate shows, and will be remembered as a hale fellow-well-met. He was a member of the Anderson Aerie Lodge No. 175. The funeral occurs May 17, under the auspices of the local order of Eagles, No. 441. The several business houses of the city were closed in honor of his memory. He was born in Montpelier and had a host of friends.

Billboard, June 4, 1904, p. 6. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some other items were not transcribed.

    The monument which marks the resting place of the nine unidentified victims of the wreck of the Wallace Show train, at Durand, Michigan, August 6, 1903, was unveiled with impressive ceremonies in Lovejoy Cemetery, near Durand, May 30, Decoration Day. The stone was bought with a subscription fund contributed by show people, "The Billboard" acting as custodian and attending to the purchasing of the monument and subsequent details. The stone cost $450, $377 of which constitutes the contributed fund, the balance being made up by "The Billboard." A handsome cut and description of the monument was printed in our special Fair and Street Fair number of March 19, last. The entire monument is of gray American granite. The botton, base and second base are finely hammered; the third base, die and shaft are finely polished on four sides, the washes and mouldings being finely hammered. The stone is thirteen feet high. The bottom base is four feet square.

    The Hargreaves Show was struck by a miniature cyclone at Fort Plain, N. Y., May 25, during the matinee performance, and the canvas was blown down, carrying poles, seats and rigging with it. A panic ensued in which many people were more or less seriously injured.

    MacFarland and Holder's United Shows opened for the season at Woodbury, N. J., May 21, to two big houses. The show gave immense satisfaction. Ed Holder's steers and educated pigs were two of the striking features. A number of other trained animal acts were shown, and in addition, a first-class circus performance. The outfit is an extremely large one for a wagon show. It will play through New Jersey for the next few weeks.

    Norris & Rowe will add some riding acts to their program.

    A receiver has been appointed for the Buckskin Bill Wild West.

    Endgar L. Phipps, of Anderson, Ind., has joined the Wallace Shows for this season.

    Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show had a very successful week in Philadelphia, Pa.

    Norris and Rowe recently received a consignment of animals at Portland, Oregon, direct from India.

    A letter from Norton Brothers New State Shows says they did excellent business all through Oklahoma. They are now touring Kansas.

    Ward Kelly, treasurer of Norris and Rowe's Circus, was compelled to resign his position on account of bad health. Tom Meyers of the Orpheum Circuit has taken his place.

    Kid Fleming and Bill Nelson, in front of the side show with Pawnee Bill, were entertained at Willaimsport, Pa., by Chas. A. Reed and his band.

    Barnum & Bailey did such excellent business at Cleveland, Ohio, 23, that the managers intend to extend their stay next season to 4 days.

    The cages which were damaged in the wreck of Norris and Rowe's Circus at Summit, Cal., are being rebuilt at Portland, Ore. Two new dens are also being built.

    Roy Fortune, the famous one-legged slack wire artist, is now with Woods Bros.' Shows, having resigned from the Royal Amusement Company recently.

    Harry W. Semon has closed with the Campbell Bros., owing to the heavy loss incurred by them by the burning of their animal car in a recent wreck, and the continuous inclement weather. Rain, mud and wind has been a daily occurence, with but few exceptions. Campbell Bros. and Mr. Semon part on the most friendly terms.

    Welsh Brothers' Show gave a splendid performance at South Norwalk, Conn. The tents were packed to capacity at both performances in spite of the fact that Forepaugh and Sells Brothers' Show is heavily billed for June 16. This is the first time the show has been East in 17 years, and it is certainly meeting with success.

    The grand stand, erected for the Forepaugh-Sells Circus in Philadelphia, was retained for use by Pawnee Bill, and it was crowded every night. It is one of the biggest ever put up for a circus and was put ___ in a substantial manner. If it were not for the fact that this is the last season that lot can be used for tented exhibitions the stand could remain for years.

    Manager Oscar Krause of the Pawnee Bill Show is an enthusiastic shriner, and therefore, when a baby camel was born early in April he made up his mind that it would be called after the temple that he belongs to, Lulu of Philadelphia. On Thursday, May 26, nearly one thousand members of the Mystic Shrine visited the show in a body, and after novel ceremonies the baby camel was christened Lulu.

    W. E. Sands and C. A. Clarke, car managers with the Campbell Brothers' Shows, have exchanged positions. Mr. Sands is now manager of No. 1 car, while Mr. Clarke has charge of the excursions and opposition cars, with the following artists: Chas. Pailing, boss billposer; E. D. Proffitt, chief lithographer; W. H. Covert, programmer; Chas. Proffitt and Elmer Fawsett, bannermen; Toby Beers, Lewis Smith, Will Lee, Will Lake, Chas. Larkins, D. T. Morgan, Harry Small, F. H. Courtney, Robert Sampson, billposters. Dick Beemer, inspector.

    General agent W. E. Ferguson of the Pawnee Bill Show can be credited with one novelty at least. During the week that show played Philadelphia he had telephonic connection made direct with the ticket wagon and announced that seats could be ordered by telephone from any part of the city. The public took kindly to this radical novelty and the result was that the reserved seat sale of that show was very large. The telephone was also extensively used to carriage calls after the show. This is believed to be the first time that a telephone was ever used in a ticket wagon.

    In a drenching all-day rain, the John Robinson Shows gave two exhibitions at Connellsville, Pa., May 18, to the largest business the show has ever done there. It would have been three shows that day had the weather been at all favorable. The tents were pitched over the Youghoming River in New Haven and created a good deal of excitement among the rival localities. So much so that the Marietta Park Company of Connellsville, with whome the show had an optional lot contract sued out writs of attachment and tried by all manner of means to cause much trouble. John G. Robinson at once offered a cash bond when the citizens of both places, headed by Mr. John Dugan, a wealthy man took the entire matter in their own hands, offered a million dollars bond, and told Mr. Robinson he should not be imposed upon by any land corporation or single individual in the country and they would fight it for him. At last accounts the land officials were not only anxious to withdraw the suit, but the case has later developed into a regular political mix up, which can only be settled at the coming election. Mr. Robinson has only words of praise for all the officials of the river.

Billboard, June 11, 1904, p. 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items not transcribed.

    Washington Smith, supt. of Barnum & Bailey winter quarters, near London, Eng., and who has been connected with the Barnum & Bailey Shows in various capacities since 1872, died last week at Bridgeport, Conn., from the effect of kidney trouble. Mrs. Smith took passage for America several weeks ago and during the voyage was stricken with brights disease, it being necessary to removed him from the steamer to the train in a cab, and to prepare special accommodations for his transportation to Bridgeport. Mr. Smith's acquaintances among show people was very extensive and he was held in high esteem by all his friends. He joined the Barnum & Bailey Shows in 1872 as a four horse driver, advancing gradually, until he became driver of the ten horse band wagon. Being subject of periodical attacks of inflamatory rheumatism, Mr. Smith finally concluded to leave the show business, and in 1880 he accepted the place of night watchman in a Chicago bank. He finally tired of this uneventful life, and when the Barnum & Bailey Show went to Europe he went with it and was given charge of the new buildings erected near London. He remained in this capacity until a few weeks ago, when he left for a prospective voyage to America which culminated in his death. Mr. Smith was never married, and leaves two sisters, one in Bridgeport, Conn., the other in Milwaukee, Wis., to mourn his loss. He was buried in the cemetery at Bridgeport. Washington Smith was a 32d degree Mason, and at the time of his death was 56 years of age.

    The Frisbee Bros.' Show was re-organized at West Bay City, Mich., and will be known hereafter as the Frisbee and Parks R. R. Dog and Pony Shows, A. J. Parks having purchased a half interest in the same. With Alden's Vaudeville Circus, this show has taken on new life and is fully prepared to give its patrons a good show. All are reported well with the show.

    The Great Van Amburg Shows were struck by a windstorm at Lindboro, Kan., May 25, about 4:30 p.m. It is reported that the canvas was badly torn and the main top completely carried away. Poles went down, the animals were frightened, but, strange indeed, no one was hurt in the least. Several buildings about town were completely demolished and water and debris filled the streets. The evening performance was necessarily omitted and the shows packed for their next stand at Connell Grove, where they showed with only side walls. Mr. Bowers ordered a new top from Kansas City, and the show is again in running order.

    Gentry Brothers had good crowds at Milwaukee, Wis.

    The Wallace Show did good business at Leavenworth, Kansas.

    A received has been appointed for the Buckskin Bill Wild West Show.

    Fisher Bros.' Circus, which has been showing in Michigan for several weeks, disbanded at Midlan, May 22.

    Roster for the Flying Squadron of the Forepaugh and Sells Bros. Shows, manager Claude H. Long, Wm. Gillman, Leon Reever, Dan Moran, Robt. Simons, Wm. Merchant, and Andy Gogg.

    A. C. Abbott closed May 19 with the Isle of Spice Company to accept a position as contracting agent ahead of Gollmar Bros. Big new railroad shows, now playing through Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

    Robert Sands, who has been out with John Robinson's Shows, Walter L. Main's Shows and the Luella Forepaugh-Fish Wild West, is now filling an important position with the Hagerstown (Md.) Traction Co. Mr. Sands will be back in the arena next season.

    The London circus was forced to close at Chicago last week because Michael, the "missing link," who loops the loop in an automobile and the main feature of the show, was stolen. A keeper is also reported misssing and the police of Chicago are on the lookout for both man and monkey.

    A horse belonging to the boss hostler, escaped from the Wallace Shows at Emporia, Kan., and though a man was left there for a week no trace of it could be found. Joe Litchell was sent back to help in the search, and located it in a farmer's barn the next day. After a wordy discussion they took it to join the show at Atchinson.

    Gentry Brothers advance car No. 1 consists of: Eddie M. Jackson, local contractor; Ralph Superior, boss billposter; Ralph Root, bannerman; Harry Beltz, John Feltus, J. E. Simpson and Dave Barkley, billposters; Thomas Moody and Frank E. Stair, programmers; Harry Johnson, car porter, and H. P. Hill, general agent and railroad contractor.

    Will C. Sites, general agent and contractor of the Lowery Bros. Circus, writes from Penobscot, Pa., under the date of May 30: Business with this show could not be better. Dan McGrofth, formerly of Welsh Bros. Circus, gets them in all right with the big monkey dance, our leading concert feature. We carry __ people and one of the leading outside free attractions is Prof. Chas. Baker's wonderful balloon ascension. Prof. Baker went up 2,800 feet in Evardsville the other night, and the 2,000 people who saw the ascension, claimed it was the best ever seen in that city.

    The weather last week settled somewhat and an occasional glimpse of the sun was had by a few shows here and there. As a consequence an improvement in business was manifested. The improvement was very slight though, which proves conclusively that industrial conditions are bad. Hard times are on us right now. They may not get as bad as they did in 1893. It is hardly likely that they ever will reach quite as low an ebb. The fact remains though, that we have entered upon a period of depression with every indication that things will be worse before they are better. Retrenchments should be the order of the day.

    Punch Wheeler writes as follows: "It has rained so much on this show that we have all developed web feet. We discharged our weather agent long ago but it has not yet had any effect. Tournal protests to the weather bureau at Washington have only served to make matters worse. Ticket sellers are now shouting 'dry seats' and getting two bits extra on the strength of it. Please insert the following ad wanted. Two Hundred professional ___ to work on canvas. Can also use a few coast guards who can drive four and six horses, and three or four steamboat mates to make themselves generally useful. Business continues good in spite of it all."

    The following is the roster of Gollmar Bros. Show: Gollmar Bros., props.; Chas. A. Gollmar, mgr.; B. F. Gollmar, treas.; Fred C. Gollmar, advance mgr.; Walt Gollmar, train mgr.; Dr. J. E. Fitzgerald, press agt. and orator; Frank McCarthy, license adjuster; C. G. Primrose, railroad contractor; W. H. Dilly, mgr. of annex; J. Fitzgerald, mgr. of concert; Ed. Jamison, steward; Wm. Adair, mail man; Jim Nord, boss of annex top; Fred Krupper, boss of menagerie top; Geo. Holland, boss hostler; Chas. Benson, asst. boss hostler; Geo. N. Aprien and M. A. Henstan, knife stand; Chas. Henbiler, calliope player; N. H. Knight, advertising agent; John Conroy, master of transportation; Al James, chandlier man, and Emery Stiles, boss animal man. The band consists of Ben Horner, director, with the following men: Dell Smith, J. L. Barney, C. B. Roberts, Ed. Wall, Geo. Espey, Allie McIntosh, Chas. Newerf, Chas. Hertle, P. B. Harper, Bert. Cohman, Russell Hartman, J. S. Eickson, Otto Deming, Claude Halcomb, J. D. Whitney, Frank Munger, Ralph Heniershkop, C. L. Tomas, E. B. Eskert, Karl Wantosh, Geo. Harvard, Max Sloville, Benj. Jackson, and Steve Parsons.

    Harry Meister, of Dillsboro, Ind., who was connected with Reed's Circus, was killed by a B. & O. train near Cochran, Ind., last week.

Billboard, June 18, 1904, p. 6. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A Washington, D. C. correspondent writes as follows under date of June 4: "Pawnee Bill's Wild West and Great Far East Show, has just closed its engagement in this city, of two days, four performances. Maj. Lillie (Pawnee Bill) has many admirers in this city who have noted his steady rise in the show world, but, however, few were anticipating the very large aggregations which was offered them on this visit. The street parade fully equals, if not surpasses, any of its kind seen here, nor did the performance fail to compare most favorable with the parade. It would be difficult to suggest an improvement. One thing that was particularly noticeable and which deserves comment was the deference and courtesy shown the patrons by the attendants, ushers, etc."

    Flood and Hayes, novelty jumpers, have joined the Floto Shows.

    Barnum & Bailey's business in Michigan continues big. Barnum and Bailey got big business at Wheeling.

    Norris and Rowe report that business continues big.

    The Barnum and Bailey Show does not sell reserved seats under the lacings on rainy days.

    Gordon Orton has joined the "Force Society" with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows.

    The Five Flying Herberts are one of the features at Luna Park, Coney Island, N. Y.

    Walter L. Main did very big business at Yonkers, N. Y.

    Lil Kerslake writes that his animal actors consisting of six pigs are bringing down the houses at St. Louis. He is with Hagenbeck's on the Pike.

    Lamont Circus had a blow down at Moweaqua, Ill., June 3. The company found it necessary to stay over one day to make repairs.

    Gil Robinson was one of the visitors at the Walter L. Main Shows at Paterson, N. J., June 4.

    After an absence of three years, the Sells and Downs Shows are revisiting Kentucky. The natives will be surprised at the growth of the organization.

    Norris & Rowe got the largest day's business in the history of the show at Seattle, Wash., on Decoration Day and then promptly smashed the record at Vancouver, June 4.

    Edward Sieble, Doc McAdams, Albert ___ and Jess Goforth, members of Siebel Bros.' New R. R. Shows United, joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Fond du Lac, Wis.

    T. H. Guba, who had charge of Hulburd's Wild West during Mr. Hulburd's recent illness, is no longer with the show. Mr. Hulburd has fully recoverd and resumed management.

    Wm. O. Tartington, general agent for Gentry Brothers' Show, has his hands full in Chicago where the show is exhibiting for four weeks. Mr. Tratington reports excellent business in spite of inclement weather.

    Frank H. Gentry, of the Gentry Brothers' Shows, is quite sick at the Palmer House, Chicago. He is now on the road to recovery and will soon be seen on the lot looking after the details of his business.

    For an assault with a knife and stabbing B. Frank Gollmar, of the Gollmar Brothers' Shows, Edward Wilson, of Rock Island, Ill., has been sentenced to fifteen months in the Wisconsin State prison.

    The MacFarland and Holder United Shows was the first circus to visit Gloucester for ten years as that town has been considered a bad one. The tents were packed on the occasion of their visit there and the people were delighted with the show.

    W. G. Baker writes as follows from Canandaigua, N. Y.: "Hargreaves big show played here, June 1, to an immense crowd and gave satisfaction. Harry Strauss, press agent for the show, shook hands with his many friends in the city."

    Peter S. McNally, who was press agent of the Forepaugh and Sells Bros. Circus in 1902, and with the Barnum and Bailey Circus last season, has been working with the former show through New England territory for several weeks.

    The Nickel Plate Show made a five hundred mile run out of Pennsylvania last Saturday night. When the people woke up Sunday morning they were well out of the rain among the hills of Virginia. Before night they were in North Carolina.

    Ringling Bros. got their share of rain in Canada, but business held up wonderfully well. Ottawa, Kingston and belleville were all very big in the rain. At Toronto they got two pleasant days and business was immense, greatly exceeding last year's totals. Hamilton was a corker.

    Burns Show notes. We opened four weeks ago in Antigo, Wis., and have done a banner business since. Performers include the Great Helms, Robbins and Childers, Billy Barretta, John Kohl, Fred. Burns, Millie Burton, Lew Hershel, the motoline man and others. We have two cars, a troupe of ponies and dogs. Philo Meade is our business manager.

    Geo. W. Monell writes from Harrisburg, Pa.: I just dropped off here to see the Pawnee Bill Great Wild West. Every one was glad to see me in the midst of two big shows, in fact, packed houses. The show is more than twice its former size. I was connected with the show for several seasons as special ticket seller and date manager. Oscar Krause is an up-to-date manager, in fact, everyone of Major Gordon W. Lillie's staff is a gentleman. I have been in the business all my life, and the Pawnee Bill Show has a warm heart and a welcome to all.

    "Pennsylvania Grit," published at Williamsport, Pa., printed the following, May 29: "A circus is a circus," but it can be said for the Walter L. Main Shows, which exhibited in Williamsport last Tuesday, "there are new things under the sun." Main has been traveling through Pennsylvania for years and his show is regarded almost as a home production. When a thing is bad it is bad, and when it is good it is good. Main's circus was good. The thousands who attended the Main performances Tuesday afternoon and night enthusiastically declared the Main Show "the best circus ever here." While all circus performances are given on similar lines, Main seems to have mastered the faculty of introducing innovations in a manner that catches. The show is not only big and clean throughout, but all the Main attaches seem to exert every effort to insure the comfort and pleasure of the patrons. The riders were good, the acrobats decidedly clever and the menagerie of wild animals rare and choice. All in all, the Main circus takes front rant in the field of tented amusements and can count always on tremendous patronage in Williamsport. Twenty thousand people who saw the Main Shows in Williamsport are references for these statements.

    The veteran showman, J. H. McIntyre, who has served forty years with various tented organizations, has decided to return to private life in Columbus, O., and with this object in view bade goodbye to the management and his fellow employees with the Adam Forepaugh-Sells Show, at Fitchburg, Mass., June 4. Mr. McIntyre had few equals as orator and his excellent gentlemanly ways endeared him to all with whom he came in touch. "Mac," as he was familiarly known, enjoys the distinction of being a charter member of the first Lodge of Elks. He had been in the employ of Sells Bros. over fifteen years, and of him Mr. Sells said, "There never was a more loyal man than 'Mac" and none ever served me better." The whole circus fraternity wishes "Mac" a long and peaceful retirement.

    The Iowa State Record recently published the following from Eldora, Iowa: Campbell Bros., the popular farmer boys of Fairbury, Neb., all of whom are well known in Iowa, and who met with a heavy loss in the burning of their menagerie at Pawnee City, Neb., last week, have written to friends in this city that they did not miss a single performance as the result of the fire, although all of their camels, elephants, tigers, lions and bears were consumed and not a cent of insurance was realized; they quickly wired to Hagenbeck's in New York for several carloads of animals by express to supply their loss, and the order was immediately filled and the animals are now being exhibited by the circus people in Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin over the regular route traversed by the show, as already planned in advance. These six boys were farmers, living near Fairbury, Neb., a dozen years ago, and conceiving the started of a circus, the commenced in a small way until today they own one of the big shows of the country. Their aged father usually travels with his sons, and although nearly 80 years of age, he takes a great interest in his sons and their show business. They have toured to the coast a number of times, and are well known in Iowa, where they lived a part of the time a few years ago.

    Notes from the Barnum and Bailey Shows. We are starting in on our second week in Michigan at Lansing with threatening skies and low temperature and the lot two miles out of town. We had to close the ticket office this afternoon for lack of room in spite of the fact that each set of tickets printed especially for one performance includes no less than fourteen thousand two hundred or at least 40 percent more than has ever before been under a tent. What is said of Lansing may be said of all other towns so far along the route with scarcely any exception to the rule. Thus far the business this season has been almost, if not quite two hundred per cent greater than it was for the corresponding period of last year. The increase of business is particularly noticeable at the night performances. This seems to prove conclusively that the show is advertising itself and that the country is in a much more prosperous condition than the usual estimates made in presidential campaign years. The weather has been uniformly bad ever since we left the Madison Square Garden, N. Y. We found the lot at East Liverpool, Ohio, under water and did not unload there but proceeded to Wheeling where we turned away people both afternoon and night. In the pouring rain we had four turn aways at Pittsburg, Pa. We had two enormous turn aways at Cleveland, Ohio in the rain and in the smaller towns such as Akron, Canton, Newark and Mansfield, we played to the utmost capacity at least one performance and sometimes at both. Toledo gave us two splendid turn aways but the record in the number of people turned away was probably reached at Detroit, Mich. on Memorial Day, when we had a downpour of rain all day which necessitated the abandonment of the parade and it likewise stopped all the outdoor games, sports and races. Most of the theatres were closed and the whole town and surrounding country apparently flocked to the circus. Some estimated the number turned away in the afternoon as high as ten to fifteen thousand. Jefferson Street was packed with people for several blocks who came with the hope of seeing the show but could not get in; even Mr. Bailey himself, who seldom speaks of such things but takes them as a matter of course, was astounded at the magnitude of this turning away. Business for the first week in Michigan was enormous throughout the week. The Michigan press is devoting an immense amouth of personal attention to Mr. Bailey; it is his first visit to this state in nine years and the papers seem to indicate a very strong state of pride in their native son, who won so much honor and glory abroad. There are six baseball nines with the show now and whenever the weather permits, one or more games are played every afternoon between the contending nines. Within a short time the Barnum and Bailey nine will be made up from the best players of the six nines, and local clubs along the route will be challenged to play ball. The clowns have a nine, the musicians another, the ticket sellers and ushers another, the property men a nine and the bareback riders and general performers also have a nine. Some great baseball talent has been discovered and when the Barnum and Bailey nine is organized it looks as if they will be able to give a pretty good argument to almost any other nine they may come across. One of the great surprises of the season thus far has been the remarkable good health of the company. The pay roll showed ten hundred and fifty-three persons with the show last week and out of this great number there were not a half dozen cases of illness, no matter how trivial. Netty Carroll, who was left at a hospital in Washington suffering from appendicitis, returned to the show, completely restored to good health. Thus far we have not lost a horse or an animal of any kind with the exception of one llama that died in Trenton. The four giraffes are turned out of their cages every day and exhibited in a high wire enclosure and thus far there has been no occasion to send in for the reserve herd at the winter quarters at Bridgport. The last wedding with the show was that of Carlino Florenz and Hedwig Grunatho at Washington, although it looks as if there might be one or two more couples make up their minds to take the vows very soon. Our working forces remain intact just as they left New York and their loyalty and hard work in the uniformly inclement weather has aroused the pride of everyone around the establishment. The show was recently visited by one of its old time agents, Joel Warner, who became famous through bringing Jumbo to this country for Mr. Bailey. Fred Busey, for many years one of the car managers of the Forepaugh-Sells Show, was a visitor to the show with his wife recently. He is buying a large farm near Lansing, Mich., with a view of making it his home, having disposed of his farm and hotel at Champaign, Ill.

Billboard, June 25, 1904, p. 9. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed and a number were unreadable.

    Lawrence Anchor, the well-known contortinist, fell from his rigging during the performace of the Sun Brothers' Show at East Bradford, Va., and was fatally injured. He was left at a hotel and provision made for his comfort. After several days of rest Mr. Anchor boarded the train intending to join the show, but died on the train at St. Paul, Va. This was his second season with the show.

    William Karl Flemming, of the business staff of Pawnee Bill's Wild West, was married, June 6, at York, Pa., by Alderman Jacob Stager, to Miss Emma Martha Bowman, of Baltimore. The engagement was very short as acquaintances were made while the show was in Baltimore.

    Jack Sullivan has joined the Main Show.

    Gabriel Bros. may take out a wild west show next season.

    Wm. Duttan, Jean and Ella Renjo and _. R. Bacon joined the Pan-American Shows at Louisana, Mo.

    Jack Magee, formerly with Walter L. Main's Circus, joined the B. P. O. E., at Mankato, Minn., June 10.

    Gov. Backman, of Kentucky, was a distinguished visitor at Cummins' Indian Congress on the Pike at the World's Fair.

    The Hargreaves Shows blew down at Fort Plain, N. Y. Many persons were injured, but non fatally.

    Charley Ransom, night watch for Ringling Bros.' Show last summer, visited the Gollmar Bros.' Show at Groton, S. D., June 9. He reports it a fine little show.

    The Wallace Show reports rain almost daily through Nebraska and Western Iowa. They had to forego both performances at Falls City, and Lincoln, Nebraska.

    Mat. D. Leslie writes that Gabriel Bros.' Wild West at Delmar Garden, St. Louis, Mo., is having business beyond expectations. Slim Higby, bucker rider, sustained severe injuries recently and is laid up. An Indian fell and broke his ankle last week. Miss Georgia Williams recently joined the show.

    Haag's Mighty Show gave two performances at Bald Knob, Ark., to good business. It seems that all shows visit that place and the showmen never forget to show their kindness to Mrs. W. C. Clark, widow of the showman, and who traveled with her husband's show for twenty-five years.

    Bert Thornton, a clown with Sells & Downs' Circus, sustained a broken leg, June 13, at Louisville, Ky., while doing his acrobatic turn. He was taken to the City Hospital, where he will be forced to remain for several weeks. His home is at Zanesville, Wis. The audience failed to realize that an accident had happened to the painted harlequin, and cheered as he was carried from the tent by his fellow performers.

    "Punch" Wheeler writes from Bradford, Pa.: John Robinson's toure in New York State was an ovation at every point. The tents had all they could hold at Waverly, Corning and Hornellsville, while at Olean extra seats were used at both exhibitions, something unprecedented in that town. The street parade is regarded as the finest and most complete that has ever been seen, and the newspapers said, no wonder some showmen wanted to do away with this pleasing outdoor feature, for after seeing John Robinson's parade it would take other shows five years to construct the handsome cages, all architectural beauties.

    H. E. Mitchell, formerly advance agent of Texas Bill's Wild West, is now back with the show, playing basso in the cowboy band.

    Kennedy Bros.' Indian Congress closes its sixteenth annual season as special spring attraction at Sea Breeze Park, Rochester, N. Y., June 25. Fully 16,000 people witnessed the performance June 12. The roster is as follows: W. H. Kennedy, manager; James Kennedy, superintendent; Miss Bessie Kennedly, rifle and pistol shot; Eva Stickel, rough rider; May Holmes, race rider and lady roper; Geo. Steckel, Bob Holland, Walter Cooke, Wild Bill, W. B. Reed, Rube Whitney, Ben Holmes and a band of Indians. This show is playing parks till August, when it opens with fairs.

    A rumor obtained wide credence last week that the Erie Litho. Co. had attached the Buckskin Bill Shows at Bradford, Pa., and run the show into Erie. Jas. L. Mogford pointedly denies it in the following letter, viz.: Erie, Pa., June 17, 1904. The Billboard Publishing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. Gentlemen: We have your favor of the 14th in reference to the Buckskin Bill Wild West Show. We did not attach or bring this organization into Erie. They have had a little misunderstanding among themselves, the band caused them some trouble, then jumped. So they came in here to reorganize. Expect them to pick up their route Monday. Will advise you as soon as definite arrangements have been made. We reman, Yours respectfully, The Erie Litho. & Pringing Co. Jas. L. Mogford.

    The boys with Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows have formed an organization called "The Billboard Club," June 5, as the show was pulling up stakes at DeKalb, N. Y., the showmen congregated and indulged in a bit of shoptalk. A proposal to organize "The Billboard Club" met with approval. The meetings are held every Thursday, which has been named "Billboard Day" owing to the fact that "The Billboard" invariably reaches the show at that time. The officers of the organization, which is growing rapidly, are: Al. F. Wheeler, Pres.; John L. Reh, Secy.' C. Zech, Treas.' Miss Blanche Ray, Red. Secy. The members inclue Paul B. Jones, Milt. Ashley, R. Diken, Sol. S. Elederigh, Al. F. Wheeler Jr., Milt. Mack, Charles Spicer, "Pinky" Rollin, Marie McGiff and Frankie Smith.

    Notes from Ringling Brothers' World's Greatest Shows. Since the twenty-two days engagement at the Coliseum at Chicago, Ill., the eight and one half weeks of road tour have been both pleasant and profitable. The business done by this attractions having been unparallelled in the history of tented amusements which in itself is sufficient to ___ the general prosperity of the country. The first stand out was Champaign, Ill., on Friday, April 22, which opened the road tour most auspiciously. The following day at Decatur was a big one from the ticket wagon standpoint and the St. Louis engagement the week of April 25, was the largest ever played by the Ringlings in that city. Everybody in the World's Fair City appeared to fully appreciate the many additions in quality and quantity to the big circus. On Saturday, April 30, when the doors of the Exposition opened for the first time, we looked for a falling off of attendance, in this, however, an agreeable disappointment was experienced as it was a turnaway in the afternoon and a capacity night house. The next week opened at Indianapolis, Ind., Monday, May 2, with Hamilton, Dayton, Springfield, Columbus and Newark, Ohio, following. Indianapolis, which is at heart, a Ringling town, turned out gloriously, Hamilton and Springfield were as big as usual, and at Dayton and Columbus new records were established owing to the turnaway. The pretty little town of Newark closed the week with two over-flowing houses, something unusual for Newark, but the public evidently contracted the Ringling habit, although it was the first visit of the World's Greates in twelve years. The week of May 9, opened at Wheeling, W. Va. Dear old Wheeling with its island lot and its long toll bridge over which the amusement seekers and the show employes are charged at so much per head to even get a 'look in' on the show grounds. The business, however, was tremendous, both performances being turnaways. The balance of the week was filled at Steubenville, Youngstown and Cleveland, Ohio, Erie, Pa., and Buffalo, N. Y., with the same old story to tell of great big happy-go-lucky crowds who realized after the new and magnificent street parade that there was 'something doing' under the Ringling tents. At Buffalo a heavy rain storm did not appear to interfere with the attendance. Monday, May 16, Rochester, N. Y. and mud - such a mud as it was. The old driving park was the lot and on Sunday every wagon was buried to the hub. It poured incessantly all Sunday, showered Monday morning, the parade was given in rainy day costumes, and then it poured again. Every person who attended the big show was ankles deep in mud but the Ringling reputation of the year before had been planted firmly in the heart of every Rochesterite and nothing short of a cyclone could have kept them away. The remaining towns of the week were Syracuse, Utica, and Albany, N. Y., Springfield and Forcester, Mass., and we established the enviable record of the largest business ever done by a show in a week of one day stands. Syracuse and Utica were big, but at Albany, Springfield and Worcester, with the extras in at every performance, daily turnaways were experienced. Boston, the week of May 23, and such a business. After the first night it was a continual chase of turnaway and another record made, the receipts being the largest ever taken by the Ringlings in a week stand, and out of the twelve performances, nine turnaways were entered upon the books. A special grand stand was built with folding opera chairs accommodating 3,200, nearly all of which were sold daily at the downtown ticket office house before the doors opened. A long Sunday run to Plattsburg, N. Y., made via the Boston & Albany Railroad to Albany and thence over the Delaware & Hudson to Plattsburg, where we gave one performance only on Decoration Day, Monday, May 30, to a capacity testing audience, after which the show was loaded and transported to Montreal, where the Canadian tour opened on Tuesday, May 31. Two days were spent there and the business was terrific. At Ottawa on Thursday, a heavy rain storm could not keep them away and Kingston and Bellville finished the week to the regulation Ringling attendance. The week of June 6 was opened at Toronto after a delightful Sunday on a beautiful lot. Two days were allotted to Toronto, we should have stayed longer as the business has never been equaled in that city. Thousands were turned away on Monday, the entire seating capacity for 15,800 being exhausted at each show, but they all came back Tuesday to try and enter the doors of the big show and see all the wonderful things the lucky ones of Monday were talking about. Hamilton was the Wednesday stand and the weather man let loose again for the benefit of the rubber merchants, but even with the terrific downpour of rain the tents were not large enough to accommodate those who desired to witness the biggest show the world has ever seen. Berlin, London and Chatham, filled the week and concluded the Canadian tour all to bumper business. The run from Chatham to Fort Wayne, Ind., was made over the Wabaxh. The first of the five sections, the Flying Squadron, left at 10 o'clock, was ferried across the river to Detroit, inspected by the U. S. Custom Officials, made a total run of 192 miles and arrived at Fort Wayne at 6:30 on Sunday morning, which is the latest arrival this remarkable circus train has ever made. The last or sleeper section arrived at 10:30. Last week the cities visited were Fort Wayne, on Monday with South Bend, Ind., Joliet, Rockford, Kewanee, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa, following. The business was terrific, had it been better the axles of the ticket wagons would have broken while standing still from carrying the weight of lucre. Joliet, Rockford, Kewanee and Davenport were especially big. At the latter three towns afternoon turnaways and corking night houses were daily experiences. A long run was made from Rockford to Kewanne, a total of 167 miles over the C. B. & Q. It is undoubtedly the longest mid-week run ever made successfully by any a.m., and the doors opening at the time advertised, the parade leaving the lot on time at 10 . . . There are lots of new faces in Ringlingville this year and the constant harmony in which all employes work is always commented upon. Not a performance has been missed and the parades have been given daily as advertised. Much interest is taken in the electric light plant, consisting of three heavy motor wagons which furnish the night illumination. It is the only practical, movable, electric lighting outfit ever used by a circus company. The route the present week will be filled in Wisconin, in good old Ringling towns where the folks know fully what the show has been in the past, how it has grown to its present size and that it really deserves the title of the World's Greatest Shows.

Billboard, July 4, 1904, pp. 9, 15. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed and some items were unreadable.

    During a performance of London's Circus in Chicago, last week, a section of seats collapsed. About ___ people were gathered under the tent, and a panic followed, which was intensified by two performing horses plunging into the struggling crowd. It is supposed that the accident was due to the removal of the back props outside the tent by mischevious boys. The injuries consisted mainly in broken arms and legs. Six women and one man were reported seriously injured and many others are supposed to have received minor injuries.

    Three men were shot in a quarrel by Zach Mulhall, the stock agent of the St. Louis & San Franciso, at the World's Fair grounds June 18. Frank Reed, 50, boss hostler of Cummins' Wild West was shot in the arm and right side. Johnny Murrah, 35, cowboy, shot in the abdomen. Ernest Morgan, 18, a bystander, was also shot in the abdomen. They were cared for at the Emergency Hospital on the grounds, and doctors say Morgan will die. This is the culmination of trouble between Mulhall and Reed over a question of authority. After a bitter quarrel the day before, in which Mulhall threatened to shoot Reed, he met him at the conclusion of the Wild West performance as Reed was emerging from the tent, and while the Pike was thronged with people. Mulhall pulled his gun, and Murrah attempted to take it away. In the scuffle which followed, the weapon was discharged, wounding Murrah. Mulhall then emptied the revolver, firing point blank at Reed. Two of the shots struck Reed, the others going wild. Mulhall was locked up, and bail was refused.

    The Harris Nickel Plate Show was in a wreck at Alexandria, Va., June 20. No one was injured and the damage to the show property was slight. The outfit was delayed twelve hours in getting into Fredericksburg, opening with a night show instead of matinee.

    Frank Rose, familiarly known among the members of the profession throughout the country as "Kid" Rose, died, June 21, at the residence of his brother, Leroy H. Rose, assistant city clerk, 729 Oakwood Ave., Columbus,O., after a few weeks' illness of quick consumption. The deceased was a single man, aged about 38 years. During a period of 15 years he was employed with the Barnum and Bailey, Sells Bros., Robinson and Forepaugh shows as advance agent. During the past year and a half he had charge of the circulation of the Eagle Messenger for the states of Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 297 of Columbus, and the funeral was held under the auspices of the Eagles.

    Geo. Stumpf, trainmaster of the John Robinson Circus, was married to Miss Mertie Karnes, also a member of the circus, June 20, at Limestone, N. Y.

    Lucky Bill's show was unable to exhibit at Parsons, Kan., June 20, on account of rain.

    The Van Woellmer circus is reported to have disbanded at Fort Recovery, Ind.

    Letters from members of the Van Amburg Show report excellent business.

    Lola (Topsy) Mitchell, and her partner, Flora Stephens, are with the Van Amburg and not the Pan-American Show as previously reported.

    Ringling Bros. played to 17,000 people at two performances at Janesville, Wis., June 21. The population of Janesville is 16,000.

    Warren A. Patrick is Chicago representative of "The Billboard" now and Clay Lambert represents us in New York.

    May Stewart, recently with the Wallace Shows, has been engaged at the World's Fair with Tompkin's Exhibition of American Riders at old St. Louis Arena on the Pike.

    Ed. Cullen is in bad health and has been compelled to give up his position with the Hargreaves Shows and return to his home. He was very popular with the show and regret was general when he left.

    The week of the thirteenth, instead of a hoodoo as customary, proved the banner week thus far with Forepaugh and Sells Bros.' Show throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island, in matter of attendance, weather and opposition.

    E. L. Brannan writes from the Van Amburg Shows: "Business in Nebraska has been big. We are making some big jumps into South Dakota."

    The Knight and Smith Circus has a swell reception at Cardington, Ohio. New seats had to be placed in position after the crowd had gathered to accommodate them.

    Otome, a female Japanese rope walker, with the Gentry Bros. Show, fell from her rope to the ground, a distance of thirty-five feet, at Peoria, Ill., recently, and sustained severe bruises.

    Fred Busey, for many years a prominent agent for Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus, is enjoying a visit in New York. He has disposed of his hotel interests in Champaign, Ill. It is whispered that Fred will have charge of a "picture car" with one of the big shows next season.

    Some fool students threw firecrackers among the elephant herd during the Barnum and Bailey's parade at Ann Arbor, Mich., June 16. The keepers and attendants did heroic service in protecting the public, and the animals were recaptured after little damage had been done.

    A letter received from a member of The Snyder Brothers and Koker Wild West Show, reports good business in Illinois. While giving a parade at Eureka, a Canadian wolf escaped from her cage, and was about to attack an old man, when she was recaptured by the trainer, Prof. Hank Snyder.

    Robert E. Lively, the contortionist and hand balancer, known to the profession as one of the closest front and back benders, is with French's New Sensation Boat Show. Mr. Lively has been a leading feature with the Price Shows for the past six seasons.

    Harry Friedendall, a teamster with the Wallace Circus, was badly injured at Red Wing, Minn., by a runaway team. He was taken to St. John's Hospital in an unconscious condition. His condition is not serious as was at first thought.

    Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus gave performances at several towns near New York last week. The weather was fine and business big. Many visitors from New York saw performances at Newburgh, Middletown and Poughkeepsie.

    Clem Kerr, agent last season with the Harris Nickel Plate Show, has retired from the show business and now holds the position of city editor and business manager of the "Daily Capitol," published at Tallahassee, Florida, and of the State printing office in the same city. Mr. Kerr writes "The Billboard" as follows, "An any time I can be of service to a show by fixing the state license I will readily do so."

    Notes from Hibbard's Trans-Atlantic Shows. This is our eighth week out. The show has been doing good business considering the weather. The show consists of the following people: Prof. Seaton's band with eight people; Riese and Dunca, triple bars; Miss Flo Bennet, rings and contortion; Chas. Francis and Ed. Reynolds, double trap closed swing and sailor perch; Harry De Barr, singing and talking clown, and Bert Borks and Will Reill, casting act. We have an 80 foot top with t 30 foot middle piece and 45 head of stock.

    MacFarland and Holder's United Shows closed temporarily at Hightstown, N. J., June 21. It was found that the show was entirely too heavy to take through the country as a wagon show. Business was excellent during the time the show was out, but bad roads made the hauling of the show almost an impossibility. All the people were paid off in full and the show was shipped to winter quarters. Arrangements are now being made to send the show out as a railroad show, but in the meantime the show will play a few weeks at parks.

    Notes from Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows. This little show opened the season May 14, and while we have encountered plent of disagreeable weather and bad roads, have played to big business from the start, which is conclusive evidence that the wagon show is not a thing of the past. All of the big show acts are making good, while Jno. L. Reh's side show sends them into the big top howling. Prof. M. R. Ashley's cornet band is furnishing excellent music.

    Vola, the volitant, who does the leap through space on a bicycle with the Barnum and Bailey Show, was badly injured while attempting to give his act at Alma, Mich., on the afternoon of June 15. In striking the platform after his leap he went too far and landed at the foot. His wheel was smashed under him, throwing him headlong to the ground. No bones were broken and if he is not injured internally no serious results will follow. The injured man was taken to the Alma sanitarium, where he is still confined.

    Notes from M. L. Clark's Circus. This show is in its tenth week in Mississippi, to good business. Complete roster of this show is as follows: M. L. Clark, sole owner and proprietor; G. V. Parsons, Treas.; Theo. Rees Barretts, equestrian director; Harry Earl, ring master; Harry Edwards, charge of canvas, with 10 assistants; Albert Afton, head balancing trapeze; Jerome Abby, equilibrist; troupe of Hatsu and Shimyva; Geo. Richards, bar and single trapeze; Mrs. Hattie Richards, concert turns; Josephine, rings and ladder; Pearl Clark, equestrienne; Lee Clark, big six horse act; Charles Hess, troupe of performing elephants; Wilcot Bros., double traps; C. F. Brown, band master; Wylie Ellis, alto; James Richards, alto; R. Engress, clarinet; Frank White, picola; Dell Button, trombone; Lyman Cassell, trombone [unreadable text] Shorty Willard, trap drummer; C. E. Forrest, ahead with six billposters.

    H. Stanley Lewis and W. W. Brown, advertising manager and director of privileges, respectively, of the Norris and Rowe Shows, will inaugurate the tour of Lewis and Browns' Megatherian Ten Nights in a Bar Room, at San Jose, Cal., in December, and have three months of choice coast time booked solid. Mr. Lewis' original modernized version will be used. Prof. D. C. Smiith, for four seasons band master for Norris and Rowe, will have charge of the musical contingent of 24 pieces. The Pullman sleeper "Carrie" and the combination diner "Angelica" will be occupied by the company.

    "Punch" Wheeler writes as follows from Meadville, Pa.: "John Robinson is the first and only circus owner to secure and add to his institution an entire wild west outfit. On June 20 at Bradford, Pa., Chief Little Cloud and his band of Sioux warriors, and Chief One Feather, with fourteen Cheyenne braves, squaws and papooses, with two interpreters, create much enthusiasm, and they all think circus life is the most wonderfual proposition ever invented. Big Tree, the only Apache in the contingent, has over 200 elks' teeth sewed on a vest he wears and makes him look like be belonged to all the lodges in South Dakota. Chief Little Cloud and several of his party were actual participants in the last Indian battle at Wounded Knee. They say of old Chief Seasick, that when the Government took charge and gave the Indians clothes, insisting on their being worn, he strenuously objected until they threw him down and dressed him, after which he weakened and said he would wear them, which he did after cutting the seat out of his trousers, which made quite a hit in wigwam society."

    Notes from Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows. The past week has been delightfully spent in Wisconsin towns where the show first became famous, and where every man, woman and child is positive that the glorious anticipations of the show bills will be fully realized under the mighty tents. After a delightful Sunday on the old baseball park at Milwaukee, the show enjoyed two turnaway houses on Monday. At night the disappointed ones completely blocked the street car tracks and it was with difficulty that the trolley traffice was resumed. The lot was the easiest reached and nearest to the central portion of the city ever used by a big show in Milwaukee, being on North Avenue, at 16th St. A short run brought us to Janesville for Tuesday's exhibition, with the usual afternoon turnaway, and a capacity night house, and Oshkosh did fully as well on Wednesday. Appleton on Thursday repeated the story of an afternoon turnaway, and a big night attendance, and at Fond du Lac Friday in the rain, the crowds compelled us to stop selling tickets. At Madison on Saturday every seat was occupied, thousands seated on the hippodrome track and a big turnaway. The night house was also capacity. Over 1,000 excursionists were brought in over the Northwestern from Baraboo, the winter quarters of the show, and quite a reunion was held among our people and their wintertime friends. We have a long Sunday run over the Northwestern to Minneapolis, which will doubtless be made easily, and the two hundred and eighty-two miles jump completed by noon Sunday. One of the most interesting sights around the big show this season is the mechanical stake driving apparatus fashioned something on the order of a baby pile driver. It is operated by a four horse power engine, and both the machine and the stakes are caried upon one large wagon. Two horses, a driver, and an engineer complete the outfit, which does the work of two sledge ganag, as it strikes 65 blows to the minute, and but fifteen blows are necessary to drive a stake in the hardest ground. All of the stakes necessary for the restaurants, bake shops, and cook tents, the four horse tents, the menagerie, dressing rooms, and all of the smaller tents are driven by this machine, and it also usually drives fully one-half the stakes for the big top. At present it is operated by an old timer, who had the misfortune several years ago to lose his right arm, so one can fully appreciate that the mechanism is quite simple, when it is operated by a one armed man. The stake driver is not intended to cut down the working force of the show in the least, as it is necessary to have the full complement of men to handle the canvas; it is simply one of those labor saving inventions that have been introduced by the Ringling Brothers during their circus career. In the old days the life of a canvas man with a circus was an occupatin that few cared to follow, but now with clean, and well ventilated Pullman cars to sleep in, plenty of good food to eat, and that food always ready at the proper time, breakfast being never served later than seven o'clock, and the other two meals at the proper intervals, the life of a canvasman or other laborer around the World's Greatest, has lost all its hardships, and the men actually have considerable time to themselves, which makes the working force at all times full handed and contented. Next week will be spent for the most part in Minnesota, in Ringling territory, that has never failed to give goodly greeting to the show that is first in merit, first in size, and first in the heart of everyone.

Billboard, July 9, 1904, p. 14. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    William Delaven, known to the circus people as "Delaware," died at Wabash, Ind., June 23. Delaven had been an attachee of the Barnum and Bailey Shows for fourteen years. At the time of his death he was ring master with that organization. The man was suddenly taken ill while the show was at Wabash and the show's physician pronounced the disease to be Bright's disease and necessarily fatal. Mr. Delaven was then taken to the country informary, where he died the next day. The deceased was forty-five years old and a single man. He has a married sister living at Wilmington, Del.

    Rev. Walter Baer has resigned a good pulpit in Bluffton, Ind., to lecture on the animals in the John Robinson menagerie.

    Rev. William Sheak, for several years lecturing for Zoological exhibitions, joined the Barnum and Bailey Show at Wabash, Ind., recently.

    Thompson and Dundy's Fred Mid-Air Circus at Luna Park, New York, has made a great hit. Fred McClellan deserves much credit for the success of this open air circus.

    Alice, one of the handsome leopards in the Ringling Brothers' menagerie, died of consumption of the throat during the stay of that organization in Minneapolis, Minn. Alice was buried on the show grounds.

    France Reed, equestrian director with Sig. Sautelle's nine consolidated railroad show, has proved himself one of the most efficient managers ever placed in charge of a big show dressing room.

    Roster of the Great Sells and Downs' advertising car No. 2, is as follows: Fred McMann, car manager; Edward Norris, boss billposter; F. J. Powers, Al. Johnson, Fred Redfield, J. W. Culver, J. E. Burdick, Dusty Rhoads, C. W. Anderson and Will Davis, billposters; C. W. Parker, lithographer and J. P. Miller, banner man.

    Pete Bell, of Bell and Henry, who are with the Forepaugh and Sells Bros.' Show this season, reports that he won a $50.00 wager, by accomplishing 36 double somersaults, without a catcher, over elephants. Bell and Henry will shortly sail for England, where they open for one year on the Moss and Stall tour.

    Recently in Marion and Portland, Ind., when the Barnum & Bailey Show exhibited there, Edward Sibbon, of the world famous Siegrist and Sibbon [sic?] Troupe of aerialists, accomplished at each performance the extraordinary and marvelous feat of turning four complete somersaults into the net. He claims to be the first person to do this feat.

    No passes were issued city officials by the Ringling Brothers' management at Minneapolis, Minn., June 17, the city council having refused to reduce the daily license from $600 to $300. Heretofore the show has usually distributed about 300 passes among the municipal authorities. It is claimed the big circuses are discriminated against since they are charged $600 per day for a license and wild west shows are permitted to exhibit at $50 per day.

    A report from the Wallace Shows states that they have organized a baseball team for the season and have not lost a game so far. They are open to play all teams along the road. The line up is as follows: R. D. Launder, Capt.; C. Lumpkin, C.; R. Launder, P.; C. Hite, SS; A. Berry, 1B; C. Cohn, 2B; C. Troop, 3B; A. Dobbins, LF; E. Kelley, CF; C. Hanlon, RF. Business is good, and turned-away crowd at Racine, Wis.

    The following is the roster of Van Amburg's advance brigade No. 1: E. L. Branna, genl. agent and railroad contractor; Robert McDaniel, contracting agent; Don McKenzie, car manager; Frank Thompson, boss billposter; J. A. Jones, lithographer. Billposters: J. M. Smithe, _. M. Dent, D. Miller, Fred Worth, W. L. Lewis, W. R. Perry, E. C. Stule, Frank Rogers, L. M. Peters. Brigade No. 2: J. M. Wynns, manager; J. R. Davis, Henry Moore, H. B. Lowe, billposters; Frank Norris, banner and programes; L. A. Cardington, route rider.

    Notes from the Sig Sautelle Show. "The Billboard's" readers may be interested to learn that since the opening of the present tent season, Sig Sautelle's nine consolidated railroad shows have played but two losing stands. All others have been big winners. The menagerie exhibits have been greatly augmented the last month, there now being a herd of seven elephants, ten lions and several smaller animals. Recent births in this department include three lion cubs, a peccary and two Shetland colts. Large as it is today, Mr. Sautelle has recently signed contracts for further increasing the size of his show. Three extra large tableau wagons and a 60 foot flat car are building and will be delivered early in July. Additions are to be made to the menagerie, big top and side show, canvas and other improvements will be made.

Billboard, July 16, 1904, pp. 12, 13. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    From the Buffalo Bill Show. Pointed Pencilings by Pyramus. This show is, I believe, the first to install the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy and Manager Hutchinson can now sit in his spacious office and dictate messages to any member of the general staff in Europe or America. Ben. Powell is the chief operator at the Wild West Station. At Wells-Somersett, May 25, a man stepping in a snake hole in the entrance and broke his leg in two places. Mr. Coyle came to his assistance and at once summoned Mr. Halstead, our master mechanic, who said it was a case for a blacksmith; two iron bands were accordingly placed around the injured limb by Jack Norberry and the man went on his way rejoicing. Asst. Supt. C. C. Murphy, of Pinkerton's New York agency, has charge of the police arrangements. This is Mr. Murphy's favorite tour through Great Britain, and he has an extensive acquaintance among the police officials of England, Scotland and Wales. The "finger smiths," as pick pockets are termed over here, are giving the show a wide berth.
    At Bridgewater, May 26, The Lord John Sanger Show was with us day and date. Their outfit and methods are antiquated. In size it compares with a ten-center in the States; the performance, however, is not so good. At Neatte, Wales, May 17, we showed in a beautiful green field under the shadows of two ancient castles. This is the birth-place of Sir Henry M. Stanley, and as the great man's funeral was held at Westminster Abbey on this date our flags were at half-mast, and Col. Cody made a very feeling speech to his memory. Madam Patti and husband were interested spectators of the Wild West performance. At Penzance, May 29, Col. Cody was entertained by Lord and Lady St. Levins at their picturesque castle on Mt. St. Michael, in Penzance Bay. Religious services were held on the show ground in the evening. Among those on the platform I noticed a Cossac and a Jap sitting side by side, a verification of the Biblical words - "The lion shall lie down with the lamb." At Windsor, June 13, Richard Croker the former Tammany chieftain, visited the show. At Illford, 22, the Prince of Pisen Company came out from London to see the Wild West. The girls rode in the stage coach, frightened the Indian off by their yells and would up by kissing the Colonel. There was also a "bunch" of newspaper men from London, who were entertained by Frank Small. Lunch was served in the press tent.
    At Mansfield, June 27, James Davis Carter, "cowboy bicyclist" met with a painful, if not serious, accident in "leaping the gap." In making the descent his wheel struck one of the electric lights and although he clered the gap, he landed sideways on the apron with such force as to throw him forward on is face, which is cut quite badly, and he seems to be suffering from the shock. He is nerve to the backbone and refused to be sent to the hospital. This is the third man we have had injured this season doing this act. Mrs. Hutchinson, the wife of our general manager, has a "fad" for collecting snake skins. In fact she has the finest private collections I know of, embracing Pythosn, Boas, Anacondas, Rattles and a fine specimen of the Gila Monster - enough to decorate a large room in true serpentine style. Weather continues fine and business has been big all along the line, even repeaters from last year turning out splendidly. Jacob Posey, superintendent of stock and founder of the B. P. O. Tigers, celebrated his 41st birthday, 27. May this Posey long continue to bask in the sunshine of happiness and prosperity.

    General agent W. E. Franklin, of the Wallace show, has sprung another innovation and one that will find favor with those immediately effected. He is going to allow his agents one week's vacation at the World's Fair this month. Just how he is going to do it, is his own secret. In this connection we migh say, however, that Fred Busby ran up to Chicago from Champaign, Ill. and he and Mr. Franklin have had their heads together at the National printing office at different times during the past week. It is reported that W. E. Franklin, of the Wallace Show, let six of his billposters go at Waterloo, Iowa the other day and that thereby hangs a tale of putting up a lot of street fair paper in the country with Wallace paste, and the exchange of a bit of greasy silver between the carnival agent and the knights of the brush.

    The Great London Shows closed in Chicago at Washtenaw and Lake Street, Sunday, July 10. The reason Proprietor A. J. Bodkins closed his season at this time is said to be on account of his inablility to secure any more desirable locations. The show has been playing on lots around Chicago and from all accounts has done very well. The Brothers Arisato, who have been with the Great London Shows, have joined Paine's, The Last Days of Pompeii.

    Dan Fitzgerald, a native of California and a showman possessed of the highest type of excellence, died recently in New York City. Mr. Fitzgerald started in the show business at an early age as a candy butcher. His early days were spent with various tented organizations which toured the West and particularly California. He also traveled for awhile with the Wilson Show in Australia. For a time he was at the head of his own show. In the early '80s Mr. Fitzgerald was married in San Francisco, Cal., to Miss Carrie Armstrong. During the season of 1887 he allied himself with the Pomeroy Wild West, taking charge of the candy concession. Leaving this show the next season, Mr. Fitzgerald toured with the Van Amburg Shows for two or three seasons. In 1892 he became superintendent for the Reynold Show, in which capacity he served for two season. At the beginning of the season of 1894 the deceased joined the Walter L. Main Shows as ticket seller. He worked himself up and in the end of his ten years' service with Mr. Main, found him superintendent. However, as Mr. Main was not on the road during the season of 1900, Mr. Fitzgerald traveled that season with Barnum and Bailey in Europe. With this organization he served as assistant superintendent. Probably Mr. Fitzgerald had no equal as a popular showman. At one time, while with the Main Show, he was presented with a $500.00 solitaire diamond pin - the gift of every person connect with that aggregation as a token of the high esteem in which they held him. As an officer he was courteous - never failing to bestow a favor upon any one who might present himself. He was idolized by superiors and subordinates alike. He never failed to make friends of all those with whom he came in contact. As a showman he possessed the intelligent business judgment that ranked him in the first-class. He leaves a host of friends in all walks of life to mourn his loss.

    The Sells-Downs' Show had good business at Coshocton, Ohio.

    Harry Hodge joined the Wallace Shows as announcer and concert director at Hudson, Mich.

    W. W. Cole, of dog and pony fame, now manager of a park at Omaha, was in Chicago the past week getting attractions.

    B. E. Wallace, of the Wallace Shows, spent several days looking over farms at home last week, re-joining the show in Michigan.

    Phil Ellsworth is busy these days showing his friends with the Wallace Shows photos of the colts being produced on his Perfection Stock Farm at Nabb, Ind.

    J. S. Kirtchfield, bandmaster of the Jno. H. Sparks Shows, was given his third degree in Masonry, June 24 . . .

    William Koering, who serves at teamster of the Star Theatre, at St. Paul, Minn., during the winter, has joined the Campbell Brothers Shows.

    Charlie Boyd, the well known newspaper man, of New York, joined the Gentry Bros.' Show at Chicago, and will look after the press work for the balance of the season.

    William Herkenrath and wife, who have been at the Wallace Shows' winter quarters at Peru, Ind., since spring, perfecting a new elephant act, joined the show recently in Valparaiso, Ind., for the balance of the season.

    Walter T. Murphy, a cracker-jack circus agent, is at liberty. Anyone wanting an aggressive biller and good opposition man, will do well to write him at 1508 St. James Building, New York City.

    Gene Durand and Harry Wheeler, of the Wallace Show, spent Sunday at home in Covington, Ky. Al. Johnson visited the Robinson Show at Kendallville, Ind., and Jas. Orr visited his wife at Elyria, Ohio with the Main Show.

    Harry S. Noyer, manager of the oriental annex with the John Robinson shows during the season of 1899, and with the Ringling Bros.' show last season, has joined the Arnold and Hutchinson Mardi Gras and Carnival Company.

    A fight between the Barnum and Bailey Show and the city street car lines of Des Moines, Ia., resulted in the show management chartering special trains on a steam road to carry the crowds to another lot not adjoining the street car lines.

    The "Toledo colony" with the Wallace Show spent Sunday, July 3, at home going on the trolley from Bowling Green, Ind., where the show "Sundayed." The party, all of whose homes are in Toledo, Ohio, included the Jarvis Bros., Orrin Hollis, Wm. Henchey, Al. Singer, Sidney Shepperd and Lew Nichols.

    Pete Cornala, of the Cornala family of acrobats, and J. E. Noble, who have been conduction a small tent show, under the name of the W. M. Coleman Shows, on Chicago lots for the past couple of years, have closed the show. The Cornala Family joined a carnival company and the dogs and ponies of the show are not at Riverview Park.

    Willard D. Coxey, one of the general press agents of the Barnum and Bailey Show, has disposed of his residence at Maywood, Ill., and will hereafter reside permanently in New York City. Mr. Coxey is proprietor of the Maywood "Herald," a breezy little sheet, which he will continue to publish under the management of W. D. Gallup, who has been looking after the paper during Mr. Coxey's absence on the road. Willard is an old-time Chicago newspaper man, a splendid gentleman in all that the word implies.

    Mrs. Robert Meek, the wife of the genial "Bob," who has charge of Ringling Bros.' ring stock department, visited her husband at Madison, Wis., recently. . . . the men working in Bob's department made her a present of a handsome gold watch and chain. The presentation was made by Lew Graham, a past master of the art of making little impromptu speeches of this character.

    C. Z. Bronson's Concert band, with the Wallace Shows this season, is one of the best musical organizations of the summer. The individual members of the band are all capable musicians and under the able leadership of Mr. Bronson, they give concerts that never fail to received the warm applause of their audiences.

    The Norris and Rowe Show had the first blow down in two years at Grand Forks, B. C. The show had got in late and the extra stakes had not been driven. The gale came up suddenly, and as the lot was sandy soil the stakes pulled. As a result the afternoon performance was lost.

    July 4th, at Bowling Green, O., was celebrated on a big scale. Wallace's show packed them in at two performances and it is said that 25,000 people visited the city that day.

    "Chat," the one-month-old Shetland pony, which was missing from the Ringling Bros.' Circus at St. Paul, Minn., was found in a barn near that city. It was shipped on to the show at Mankato.

    John F. Halderman's receivership of the Hettinger-Hardy circus may soon be terminated. Some time ago Hardy sued Hettinger for an accounting of receipts of the show and had Halderman appointed receiver. Since the suit was begun the statement is made that the partners have settled their difficulties and that the receivership will be ended as soon as the court costs are paid. Messrs. Hardy and Hettinger are now out on the road with the circus and apparently the best of friends.

    Barnum and Bailey lost Wellston, O., on account of heavy rains and muddy grounds.

    The following is complete roster of Professor James Wolfscale's Colored Band and Vaudeville Company with the Great Sells and Downs' Shows: Prof. James Wolfscales, director; Wm. Lacy, solo cornet; J. Hunter, first cornet; E. Criswell, first cornet; Thomas Sulcer, b flat clarionet; James Harris, first trombone; Ben Everett, second trombone; John Taylor, baritone; Owen Dunn, tuba; Walter Rector, alto; Charles Scott, snare drum; Geo. Beckem, bass drum. The ladies are Mrs. Geo. Beckom, Miss Clara Reese and Miss Essie Williams. Prof. Wolfscales has won a reputation as well as many friends during his three seasons with the band.

    Notes from Beasleys and Dorsa's Combined Shows. We showed Pocahontas, Ia., June 27, the same date that Campbell Bros.' Shows were there. We visite them and were royally entertained. Al. Campbell acted as chaperon and, to say that they have the cleanest and most modern shows on the road is putting it mildly. We found them all to be tip-top fellows. We had our "onita" show up town. Jack O'Brien had his show up also. Neither of the shows made anything like expenses and Campbell Bros. showed that day to the smallest audience since they have been on rail, but they left a good impression with the natives, and if they should ever pay that town a visit again they will pack their immense tents to utmost capacity. . . .

    The Kendallville (Ind.) "Baldder" says: "A veritable tempest in a teapot has been aroused here because the Sioux Indians, with the John Robinson's Shows, are to have a boiled dog banquet at their camp, July 4, as they desire to celebrate the day and prefer dog meat anyway as a regular diet. Nor is the objection to this taste for canine steaks and ragouts made by the dogs, who certainly have the best right to howl. The criticism is from those sensitive people who never at dog's meat, at least consciously. If the stories of the origin of most of our civilized sausages are not all false, however, who, except a confirmed vegetarian, can say that he has not devoured his share of dog in his day and rather enjoyed it too? However, this is not an apology for the Indians depraved yearning for boiled dog. Only we have them on our hands, appetite and all, and must make the best of it. Meanwhile, if they must eat canines, our neighbor has one that howls by night that we pray they may devour speedily."

    Col. Phil Coup writes that he has joined the Snyder and Dowker Wild West Show with the Midget and has the management of the side show. The show has not lost a stand this season.

Billboard, July 23, 1904, p. 12. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Spie's [sic Sipe's?] Dog and Pony Show was greatly damaged by a storm at Pendleton and Lapel Ind., recently.

    Dick Radford sells the inside banners for the John Robinson's Shows and has been successful.

    H. W. Link was in Chicago last week. He has given up circusing and will be in advance of Al Martin's Show this season.

    W. R. Reynolds, the well-known circus man, formerly proprietor of the Reynolds Show, with winter quarters at Rockford, Ill., is now conducting a lucrative business as a florist in his home city.

    Fred Busey has become manager of the excursion car with the Wallace Show, and Fred Morgan is now contracting agent with that organization.

    Donley Glasscock will open his big show at Krum, Tex., July 24, for a fall tour of the west of Texas. He writes that the country looks very prosperous.

    Leon Walton, of Newton, Kan., was left at Coshocton, O., by the Sells and Downs Show on account of a severe attack of rheumatism. His condition is serious.

    Flood and Hayes, novelty jumpers, report that they closed with the Floto Circus, June 30 at Denver, Col., and will return to St. Louis to play dates and see the Fair.

    Nero, the big elephant star of Gentry Bros.' Show, got loose in Minneapolis, Minn., and succeeded in giving the inhabitants a good scare before he was captured.

    Following is the roster of Barnum and Bailey's advance brigade No. 1: Chas. Hayes, agent; J. Beehler, Walter Beck, J. McHaffey, B. Coones, billposters; B. Watkins, letterer.

    Rube Moss (P. T. Barnum's "Rube") is now spieler for Cora Beckwith, champion lady swimmer of the world, the leading show with the Robinson Carnival Company. Rube is as funny as ever.

    The Rippel Show reports that they are on their ninth week out and have had thirty-two nights of rain. Business is good, and Prof. Wharle and Roley Ryan, both musicians, have been added to the show.

    Hank E. Walker (Rocky Mountain Hank), featured with Buckskin Bill's Wild West this season, is now ventriloquist for Sturgis and La Sha's Volcano Show with the Robinson Carnival Company, Oil City Pa., week of July 12.

    Will C. Sites, formerly Genl. Agent of Lowery Bros.' Circus, now with Lee and Richmonds New Model Show, writes that the show opened to S. R. O. business in Quarryville, Pa., July 9. The following people made big hits: M. N. Richmond, Jack Lee, the Shields Bros., and Walter Fry. Everything is new and the show is making good.

    Nettie Carroll, the petite wire artist, of the Barnum and Bailey Show, has recovered sufficiently from the effects of an operation she recently underwent at St. Mary's Hospital, Chicago, to rejoin the show, but will not be able to take up her duties again this season. Charlie Carroll ran up to Chicago Thursday and accompanied his wife back to the show.

    Mrs. Lena Hamilton, wife of John Hamilton, of the Wallace Circus, died at Saranac Lake, N. Y., July 9 from tubercolosis of the throat. She was taken to Buffalo for burial. A husband, daughter and two sons besides a host of frients remain to mourn her loss. Mr. Hamilton will remove his family to Fultonham, Ohio, at which place he will make his future home.

    Notes from Snyder and Dowke's Shows. This show has had no falling off of business since the Fourth of July, as is usually the case. At Momence, Ill., a terrible storm struck the show just before the evening performance. All tents were blown down and considerable damage done. Zelda,the midget, started for a near-by house and was picked up by the wind and carried across the street. Everything is now in good shape and running smoothly.

    T. J. Fanning, formerly owner and manager of the Marietta Circus, has settled down on a farm about two miles and a half from Lake Zurich, Barrington, Ill. His place embraces forty acres and is a sort of summer resort. He has been entertaining some old professional friends from Chicago this summer. When the Marietta Show closed at Joplin, Mo., last fall, Mr. Fanning was a sick man, but, thanks to good country air, he has regained his health.

    Arthur P. Langan (better known to the circus profession as Artie Adair) has entered vaudeville and is appearing this week, in his sketch, Simple Sam Topkins, at Electric Park, Vincennes, Ind. He was at the Grand Theater, Joliet, Ill., last week and made a hit. Arthur took a flying trip to Chicago last Thursday and spent a few hours with his mother, who makes her residence there. As a clown he has been associated with all of the big shows during the years past, and the white tents have lost a good fellow and a clever comique.

    The roster of Barnum and Bailey's advertising car No. 1, is as follows: L. W. Murray, Mgr.' J. E. Allen, Geo. Lackas, boss billposter; Joe Fitzgerald, Joe Cunie, C. J. Robey, M. Perry, F. LeClaire, C. J. Rhodres, H. Cook, H. Douthit, W. M. Coates, L. Taylor, lithographers; E. B. Hubbard, H. P. Dukehart, J. Osher, Guy Woods, W. R. Jacobs, programs; Duke Burke, porter; C. C. Herbert, chef; Frank Cochran, waiter and Ponty the Mascot, all union.

    The extra strong billing of the Gentry Bros. during their five weeks' stay in Chicago is worthy of mention, and presents some interesting figures. For their first "lot" they put out 100 stands of paper, 600 two-sheet banners and 50,000 half-sheet heralds. They remained on the first lot one week, and the showing for this engagement was naturally stronger than for those that followed, where they exhibited for shorter periods. Altogether, the Gentry Bros. used over __ half-sheet program folders and 3,000 two-sheet banners, besides their regular line of stuff, during their stay in the Windy City.

    C. E. Forrest, agent of M. L. Clark's Show writes: "I have been in Mississippi for a little over 2 months and must confess that business has been remarkably good, especially for this time of year. I have been as far into the wilds in the past month as to get 45 miles from a railroad. To say that we aroused the natives would be putting it moderate. It is surprising to see how many people there are who never saw even an elephant. Our fourteen cage menagerie, elephants and camels made a strong attraction through the section. We go into Tennessee next, for six weeks, then South again." P>

Billboard, July 30, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, August 6, 1904, p. 17. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Here is a new wrinkle that deserves mention. Tom Daly, the old-time circus man and for awhile identified with the W. W. Cole and T. V. Day's New Dominion Dog and Pony Show and F. E. Flynn, formerly a local contracting agent for the Gentry Bros., have made arrangements with the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, to conduct a political tent show, which will open either in Galesburg or Monmouth on Monday, Sept. 12. Mr. Flynn will take charge of a box brigade ahead and Mr. Day will look after the top. They will have a 125 foot round top with three 40 foot middle pieces and calculate to seat 10,000 people. Night rallies will be held in the tent at which prominent speakers will appear. The top will be shipped to the next stand immediatley after the meeting each night, the speakers following on passenger trains the next morning, and making rear-end platform talks on the way. Outside of Chicago the tour will be made up of one night stands, but later in the campaign some ten days will be spent on Chicago lots. Mr. Flynn will have a crew of hustling billposters and will bill the political show just like a circus.

    Showmen's Permanent Burial Fund. One dollar a year entitles the donor to membership in the association for burying its members and others of the profession who may die in destitute circumstances. . . .

    The Norris and Rowe Show was damaged by a wind storm during its engagement at Red Lodge, Mont. The menagerie tent was blown down and for a time confusion reigned among visitors who were pouring into the tent just before the afternoon performance. No permanent damage was done, however.

    Mrs. Hall, widow of the late Geo. P. Hall, now an attache of Hargreaves Circus, was injured at Bayonne, N. J., recently. The lady is the principal feature of the side show. Her act consists of entering the cage of some savage leopards and putting them through a series of tricks. The animals, while sulky and hard to work, were not considered particularly dangerous. But with little or no warning, they suddenly turned on her, and before the attendants could reach her and render assistand, she was quite severely bitten.

    Frank Bernardo, formerly a well known acrobat, died July 24, at Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Bernardo, whose real name was Frank Smith, until four years ago had been connected with some of the best circuses in the country when he met with an accident which ended his career as a performer. Since that time he had been engaged in training animals and had become one of the best dog trainers in the country. Mr. Bernardo was a native of Pottstown, Pa., and at the time of his death was forty-six years of age. Funeral services were under the auspices of the Theatrical Stage Employee's union of Kansas City, of which Mr. Barnardo was a member, and a large number of friends followed his remains to the last resting place in Mount Washington cemetery.

    Edward M. Willis, superintendent of privileges for the Barnum and Bailey Circus, died of heart failure, July 23, at Kewanee, Ill. The deceased was a well known showman, having been many years with the Sells BRos., the Wallace and Walter L. Main show. For the past two seasons he was with the Barnum and Bailey show, was highly respected by all who came in contact with him and was a faithful and conscientous worker. His wife was notified of his illness and left New York at once but arrived too late to see him alive. He was buried in Pleasant View cemetery at Kewanee, Ill., July __. The masons had charge of the funeral. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Tigers. His wife, Trixie Adams, survives him.

    Kokomo, Ind., has a new ordinance increasing the circus license from $50 to $125.

    Prof. Everett James' Family Band is now in its sixth season with the Wood Bros. show.

    Frank A. Kelzer, who was with the Robinson advertising car No. 1 last year, is again with the show.

    F. J. Clark and C. S. Lint, of the Sun Brothers' Circus, were "Billboard" callers Tuesday, July 26.

    Sun Brothers' show is seventeen days in Ohio, after which it crosses the Mason and Dixon like and plays south.

    Col. Phil Coup, with his Midget, the smallest bearded woman on earth, closed with the Snyder Wild West and is now playing museums in Chicago.

    Ben Lucier writes from Eldora, Ia., that he is with Campbell Bros. this season doing ladder drops and playing calliope.

    Al. Foster, an outside ticket seller with Sig Sautelle's shows, and Lew Graves, of Cortland, N. Y., have made all preliminary arrangements for putting out a one ring overland circus next season.

    H. E. Allott is jubilant over the release of the Buckskin Bill show at Erie, Pa. "Bunk" will not dabble with circus business again this sumemr but promises to be back in the ring next season.

    The Brown Family show report that they are making the Indiana coal towns, traveling in their own palace wagon cars, with plenty of good horses. They will close the tent season at Atlanta, Ind., Nov. 25.

    M. C. Berg, phenomenal trick cyclist, reports that he is meeting with success with the John Robinson Circus. He has signed a forty weeks' contract with A Country Kid company and opens at Mt. Clemens, Mich., Aug. 15.

    It is reported that Ringling Bros. lost Falls City, Neb., on the 21st of July on account of rain. With twenty-four horses and two elephants they had difficulty in getting the cook house wagons on thelot and decided to abandon the stand.

    Notes from the Mollie Bailey show. "We have been playing to fine business all spring. We now carry fifty people and one hundred and fifteen horses. Have just purchased two fine Arabian horses. We will summer at Dallas, Tex., and all of the company will visit the World's Fair at St. Louis."

    The John H. Sparks circus showed in East Brady, Pa., their home town, July 18, to big business. On Sunday afternoon, the members of the company with many of the town people, held an appropriate service at the grave of the late John H. Sparks. A beautiful floral display was placed on the grave by members of the company and family.

    Notes from Lucky Bill's show. "Regardless of rain, bad roads, etc., we are playing to crowded tent and good business. The roster is as follows: Bessent and Bessent, McCoy Family, Lon [Lou?] Hibner, Hon. Newton Jr., James Thing, May and Blondie Dunlap, James Moore, Wm. Jackson and Ernest Rhode. Willard and Willard closed July 19."

    C. M. Connor, special and local contracting agent of the Great Wallace shows, closed at Great Bend, Kan., Saturday, July 30 and jumped to New York to join Sullivan, Harris and Woods' No. 1 Fatal Wedding company, as business manager. Mr. Connor has been connected with the Wallace shows for the past three seasons, and will enter upon his fourth season with Sullivan, Harris and Wood. Fred A. Morgan will succeed Mr. Connor with the Wallace shows.

    General agent W. E. Franklin, of the Wallace shows, has been conducting an aggressive campaign through his department of publicity, at the National headquarters, Chicago, this summer and it is fair to presume that not a little of the present success of the Wallace show is due to Mr. Franklin's novel and original mailing scheme. Under date of July 23, Mr. Wallace writes to the Chicago office, "Our Michigan business was very gratifying and better in fact than the class of towns would justify, all things considered. I think the method of advertising has worked up the people and the mailing of all that stuff from Chicago certainly has brought results."

    Notes from the Sig Sautelle Show. Jack Cousins and wife, Lottie Aymar, are once more with the show, having recently closed with Welsh Bros. A novelty sword swallower has been added to the long list of attractions in the annex. Girard Leon, the famous advertising solicitor, is now with the show and is making good. Veterinary Ramson and Wyoming Jack were slightly injured in a mix-up the other day with an angry jackass. Every one of the twenty-four musicians in No. 1 band is a member of the F. O. E. There are 100 other Eagles with the show. Miss Ruth M. Banks, of East Aurora, N. Y., visited the show at Hoosick Falls, July __.

    The New York correspondent of "The Billoard," was a recent visitor to the Hargreaves Show at Flushing, L. I. While the weather was disagreeable, cold and rainy, the business was surprisingly good. Mr. Hargreaves reports that this has been the worst season for rain that he ever experienced. The show is larger and better in every respect, as compared to last season, and give great satisfaction. While the performance is evenly balanced, Miss Mabel Hall is the feature. The young lady does a very clever menage act, and her handling of the huge elephant always earns rounds of applause. The writer is indebted to Mr. Hargreaves for courtesy shown.

    Notes of Ringling Bros.' Shows. Everybody with the big show was on the lot at Sioux Falls, on Sunday, July 17, to watch the championship ball game of our two leagues. The acrobats, who have all the other clubs in the Performers League distanced, and the canvasmen, the star nine of the Workingmen's League, were the contestants. For six innings a remarkably even game was played, but in the beginning of the seventh, the canvasmen made several errors which permitted the acrobats to score seven runs, which at the end of the ninth told heavily in the score, which was sixteen to nine in favor of the acrobats. The big show, in spite of its one lost day at Falls City, the past week, has fully enjoyed prosperity of the Middle-west. Sioux Falls on Monday, and Sioux City on Tuesday, both gave big afternoon turnaways and capacity night houses. At Sioux City the "Tribune" compiled a report that 11,846 round trip tickets had been sold by the various railroad lines centering there, and judging from the enormous crowds in the city and on the show lot, the number was not overestimated. A late arrival at Omaha on Wednesday did not appear to affect the business in the least, as the big tents were packed beyond the seating limit at both performances. Falls City, Neb., on Thursday was entirely abandoned, as the roads leading to the ground, owing to recent rains, were thoroughly impassible. No other lot was procurable and therefore no parade or exhibition was given. Falls City is the first stand of the season to be lost or abandoned, and the big show since its Chicago engagement, has enjoyed a road tour of thirteen and one-half weeks. In that time, with the exception of Falls City, of course, not even a parade has been missed, and every performance has been given as advertised. Leavenworth, Kan., on Friday was big at both peformances. Friday night two of the ten locomotives required to haul the show trains became derailed and blocked the line between Leavenworth and Topeka, consequently other engines had to be procured and the circus made the run from Leavenworth to Topeka via the Missouri Pacific to Atchison, and thence over the Santa Fe to Topeka, making a very late arrival, the last two sections pulling into the Topeka yars at 11:45. It was a two mile haul to the grounds also, but nothwithstanding the lateness of the arrival, the parade was on the streets at 1 o'clock and back on the lot at 1:45, the doors opened at 2, and the performance commenced at 2:45, which is without a doubt, the best record yet made by a big show.

Billboard, August 13, 1904, pp. 17, 18. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    J. T. McCaddon, formerly general manager of the Barnum and Bailey show, is now in England, having sailed from New York City some days hence. An interesting rumor has it that Mr. McCaddon has organized a circus company in England, with a paid-up capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which will confine its operations to European countries. It is affirmed that Mrs. James Cooper, of Philadelphia has a large interest in the company and that Mr. McCaddon has disposed of his $50,000 worth of stock in the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, and has invested the accrument of this sale in the European exploitation. From the time the Barnum and Bailey show was syndicated in London, until the opening of the present year, when he resigned, Mr. McCaddon was one of the directors, as well as the general manager of the show. It is also rumored that Mr. McCaddon has an option on the Walter L. Main show. This Mr. Main has denied, when questioned by friends, but from what can be gleaned, it is believed that Mr. McCaddon has some correspondence from Mr. Main regarding the matter. After the memorable tour of the Barnum and Bailey show in Europe, Mr. McCaddon has accumulated a great deal of valuable knowledge of the different countries and their respective requirements. He has probably no superior in the handling of executive details of big tented organizations. Under his direction the new circus factor (if this rumor is confirmed) should probe a good paying investment for its promoters.

    During the performance of Cummins Wild West show on the Pike at the World's Fair, Nebraska Bill is captured by a band of Indians and tied to a stake. Brush is then piled around the victim, ignited and the victim left to his fate. A band of cowboys rescue the prisoner at the proper time. On Aug. 1, the cowboys did not arrive on time and some of the sparks having ignited Bill's leggins, he was soon ablaze. Col. Cummins recognized the gravity of the situation and appraised the cowboys of the victim's predicament. "Slim" Higby and a dozen other attaches of the show rode to the rescue of "Nebraska." The fire was quickly stamped out and "Nebraska" Bill taken to the show's dispensary, where, after considerable difficulty he was revived. The cowboy had inhaled considerale flame and smoke and was unable to participate in the night show.

    Peter S. McNally, formerly of the press departments of the Barnum and Bailely and Forepaugh and Sells Bros.' circuses, has just been appointed traveling representative of the Boston Hearld in the circulation department. Mr. McNally has been connected with the Boston press for over 20 years. Besides his accomplishments as a journalist and press agent, he is also the champion long distance swimmer of the world and has been awarded the highest honors in America for individual rescue work, having saved upwards of 300 persons from watery graves. On July 24, 1897, McNally swam the English Channel, covering a forty-mile course in 15 hours and ten minutes.

    Circus managers and agents have been much wroght up the past week over the recent action of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad, which controls some of the best show towns in the South, issuing a notice to the effect that in the future they will make no exception in rates in favor of circus railroad equipment, and that from now on the members of all circus organizations who travel on their road will be compelled to pay the same fares that the citizens of the South are wont to do. This means a complete shut-out, so far as the N. C. & St. L. is concerned, and to one who is well posted it would certainly seem to be a case of bad judgment on the part of the railroad. Last year the circuses spent $28,000 with the road in question. There has never been a circus wreck on their system, nor any lawsuits or trouble with circus organizations of any kind, at any time. Therefore, the stringent action of the railroad management, at this time, is wholly inexplainable to circus men. The Sells and Downs Show was the last to use the road.

    Berry Johnston died recently at Eaton, O. The veteran showman was cutting grass when stricken with heart disease and the end came so suddenly that medical aid could not be obtained. Mr. Johnston was for a long time employed with the Robinson show.

    Four giraffes and a baby Zebu born at Madison Square Garden, are new features with the Barnum and Bailey show.

    A baby camel was added to the Campbell Bros.' menagerie, at Des Moines, July 28, while the show was enroute to Indianola.

    Mabel Clark, aerial artist, who has been very ill at her home in Bald Knob, Ark., is improving and will be ready for the ring Sept. 1.

    Russell Hortman, trombonist with Ben Horner's Band, enroute with Gollmar Bros.' circus, drew 160 acres of land in the Rosebud Indian Reservation.

    P. P. Craft closed with the Sells and Downs show and is resting at Atlantic City, prior of assuming the management of The Rising Generation, for the winter season.

    At a drawing at Branton, Minn. Kitty May Irwin, contortionist with the Van Amburg circus, won a diamond ring. The Irving Family joined the show five weeks ago.

    Joseph During Sr., father of Joseph During, master of transportation with the Sells-Downs' shows, has retired from the express and drayage transfer business in Cincinnati at the age of seventy years.

    It is reported that the horses of the Buckskin Bill Wild West show are being sold at private sale in Erie, Pa. The rest of the outfit has been shipped to Chicago by the present owner, Geo. Harmann.

    C. C. Peavey and Harry Winslow, late of advertising car No. 1 of Gollmar Bros.' R. R. shows, closed at Stevens Point, Wis., Aug. 2. They have gone to Lake Geneva, Wis., for a few weeks' recreation.

    The Hargreaves shows did good business on Long Island. This was the first time that the Hargreaves show visited Long Island and the show made a big impression and is sure of good business next season should it visit that territory.

    Robert Henshaw and Millie Anderson, trick cyclists, who perform feats in an eighteen foot transparent globe, are one of the hits of Thompson and Dundy's open air circus at Luna Park, Coney Island.

    The Twin Brothers Marriott, expert manipulators of hoops, baton, sword and gun spinners, are this season with Andrew Downie's shows. Their act is received everywhere with much applause and is a pronounced hit. These two clever performers are coming to the front in grand style.

    The Court at Erie, Pa., having released the Buckskin Bill show property the same has been shipped to Chicago and is now stored away there. The proprietors have not declared what disposal will be made of the stuff, and it is not certain whether the show will go on the road next season or not.

    The Sells and Downs' and Wallace shows are one day apart at Centerville, Ia., the former exhibiting there Aug. 10 and the latter the 11th. There has been some strong opposition billing and the country newspapers were all worked up. The newspaper men say the merchants might well take a few lessons from the circus advertising.

    M. S. Bodkin, who was assistant adjuster of the Barnum and Bailey shows last season, is making his headquarters in Chicago this summer. Mr. Bodkins has just returned from a trip to Yankton, South Dakota, where he is interested in a number of shows. He will have some attractions at the Sheyboygan, Wis., Carnival, which is to be held Aug. 14 to 21.

    H. P. Merkle, for many years manager of the Bryan and Company billposting plant at Dayton, O., joined the advance forces of the Wallace show last week. He reported for duty to General Agent W. E. Franklin in Chicago. By a strange co-incidence Mr. Merkle was with the King and Franklin shows fifteen years ago and after all this time comes back to his old superior officer.

    Notes from Woodford's Trained Animal Show. "The show is now playing at Woodside Park, Philadelphia, Pa. We have added six ponies and an Arabian stallion, doing a menage act. Charles Woodward will also add a llion act the last of next week and then will split the show, making a No. 1 and No. 2 shows. Mrs. Murphy, the $5,000 monkey, will still be a leading feature with show No. 1, and Mr. Dooley will do trick riding with the same show. Show No. 1 will be with the Hottest Coon in Dixie company all winter and No. 2 with H. L. Tucker in charge, will be open for winter booikings after Oct. 2.

Billboard, August 20, 1904, p. 17. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Sunday, August 7, proved an eventful one with Colonel Frederick T. Cummins, the head of Cummins' Wild West Indian Congress on the Pike. The occation was the testimonial beneft given the Indian leader by his show friends at the Exposition. To say that the affair was a huge success is putting it mildly. The biggest crowd that ever turned out to see an individual attraction was present. The universal verdict was that the entertainment was one of the most unique and pleasing that ever took place in an arena. In the grand entree, headed by Colonel Cummins, were the Hale Fighters in uniform with their apparatus; Hagenbecks performing elephants, camels, dromedaries and natives from Asia; acrobats from foreign contries; McKays Circus and Rome; dancing girls from all of the oriental shows; three bands, performing ostriches, and in fact a good portion of all the exhibitions to be ween in the Pike was in evidence. The friends of the Colonel were legion. In the boxes were many notable in the show business, including Dick Plunkett, Chief Hale, Frank Talbot, General Cronje, Mark Stone, E. Robinson, G. Akoun, G. ___, Excela, Dan Sherman, H. Hagenbeck, J. McConnell, H. Roltair and John Martell. The admissions numbered about 30,000. The visiting Shriners were in attendand in a body.

    Hannibal, the untamable lion with the Norris and Rowe Shows, escaped from his cage at Fort Dodge, Ia., during the evening performance. Capt. Frank Hall, the lion tamer, had just completed his performance and while emerging from the cage the door refused to close and the lion bounded through the audiende and escaped. After severely attacking two horses which were hitched near the show grounds, the lion escaped to the wood and was not captured until two hours later. That no one in the audience was killed or injured is a miracle as the tents were crowded with spectators.

    A double wedding took place with the Van Amburg Shows at Estherville, Ia., July 8,when Glenn V. Wagner, musician, and Miss Lillie Canfield, a lion tamer, were united in marriage, followd by G. A. Lamont, balloonist, and Miss Carrie Kandell, a performer, being made one.

    The Spencer Wild West Show is reported to have closed at Pittsburg, Kan.

    Ben Beno, high wire equilibrist and balancing traps, is with the Great Van Amburg Show this season.

    The Harris Nickel Plate Show is for sale. If purchased before August 29, it can be had as a going concern.

    Chas. Smith, musician, last season with the John Robinson Shows, joined the band of Sells Bros.' at Streator,Ill, Aug. 6.

    The Busby Brothers' one-ring circus was re-organized at Pittsburg, Kan. The show carries about fifty people and a band.

    William Todt Jr., infant son of Mr. and Mrs. William Todt, of Todt Famous Show, died at their home at Snow Hill, Md., Aug. 3.

    W. B. Marks and T. L. Tresler, late of the Sells and Downs' Show, joined the Barnum and Bailey Show at Indianapolis, Ind., recently.

    A panther escaped from La Mont Bros.' wagon show at Logansport, Ind., during the recent performance at that place. The animal was captured some days later.

    Col. Phil Coup has secured Lalacoola and his dog-eating Iggorrotes from the Phillipines and will exhibit them in connection with his midget. Col. Coup is now playing fairs.

    Notes from the Welsh Bros.' Shows. "The show played Red Band, N. J., 6, and Long Branch, 8, to good business and every body well pleased. John Welsh has gone down down Delaware to look the ground over."

    Notes from Hulburd's Combined R. R. Shows. Only a few more weeks in the North, then through Illinois on the ___ into the South for the winter. This has been one of the best seasons the Hulburd shows has ever had.

    Harry Sanger, of the Campbell Bros.' Show, writes that Mrs. Harry Sanger was taken sick at Blair, Neb., July 9. Doctors claimed it was German measles and wired him to return. He did so and they later decided that it was smallpox. He states he had to give up his work and he and his wife have been in quarantine ever since, but same will be raised Aug. 15.

    Notes from McDonald Bros.' New United Show. We have had rain for several weeks, but the show has done well, nevertheless. The side show closed Aug. 1, at Hillsville, Va. All are well and happy and the ghost walks regularly. Geo. B. Stallings has taken charge of the advance and the show will reorganize for a long season South. Walter Fletcher has taken charge of privileges and has ordered two fine monkeys,a box of snakes and an armadillo.

    Notes from Sells and Downs' Shows. "D. W. Winslow is with the show doing his famous mule act, clowing and driving chariots. This is his third season. Nola Winslow is riding a menage act and flat and Roman Standing races. Park B. Prentiss and his concert band are receiving comment everywhere as a high-class musical organization. Joseph Berris is equestrian director. The James Wolfscale's Band and Vaudeville company is one of the featurers of the side show and they give a high-class performance. The vaudeville contingent is composed of the following people: John Hunter, Owen Dunn, Walter Rector, Miss Clara Reese, Miss ___ Williams and Mrs. Geo. Beck."

    The side show closed with McDonald Bros.' New United Shows at Hillsville, Va., Aug. 2, and went to Allison, where they built stage, seats, etc., and opened, Aug. 6, to good business. The new outfit was named Jim Brackman's Famous Show. the roster of the show is as follows: Jim Brackman, owner and bag puncher; Mrs. Brackman, lady bag puncher; Master Howard, clown, rings and traps; Baby Louise, paper tearing and song; Musical Ten Cycks in sketches, double dancing and musical acts; Wm. Smith, barrel jumping and contortion; Prof. C. J. Hicks, magic and also making all openings and doing advance work, and Lawrence Milley, prop.

    It is reported that Eddie Botsford, a cowboy with Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show, proved himself a hero recently in Newport, R. I., and received a substantial reward in the shape of a $500 check. During the street parade a pair of horses attached to the carriage of Mrs. Darling, a member of the summer colony, took fright and dashed down a side street. Mrs. Darling, a daughter and a young lady visiter her were in the carriage. Botsvord broke out of the parade and gave chase. He shortly overhauled and stopped the team. The women were profuse in their thanks, but the rancher put spurs to his broncho and rattled away to join the parade. In Middletown, Conn., Botsford received a letter in which was a check for $500 from Mrs. Darling; also intimations that a handsome saddle had been sent him by Miss Darling.

    Notes from La Mont Bros.' Circus. "We have been playing to fine business during the past six weeks in Indiana. The show is much larger than last season, as we carry fifty people, forty-five head of stock and an eighty foot big top with forty foot middle, and a forty by sixty for side show. The side show is under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Porterfield and has been more than hilding its own. It is no common occurrence to see it crowded three times a day. The big show is winning press regards as well as making the money, and is sometimes strengthened by Chas. La Mont in his aerial and slack wire act. Mr. La Mont has been with all the big ones and whenever he decides to make his appearance in the ring he holds the people spellbound. Our band is the best we ever carried and is under the direction of Lawrence McMackin. At Remington, Ind., July 8, one of the lionesses gave birth to two baby lions. They are drawing much attention in the side show. At Monticello, Ind., a cage containing a panther and a leopard was in a runaway and the cage was wrecked. The panther is making things lively in that part of the country as it is still at large. The show is being well advertised over the affair. We will not pull in winter quarters until the first of November."

Billboard, August 27, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, September 3, 1904, pp. 7, 12, 18. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Fred Kramer, a musician with Ringling Bros.' Circus band, died in Omaha, Neb., last week. The remains were brought to Logansport, Ind., for interment. He was well known in Logansport, which was his home. A large number of friends attended the funeral.

    The entire circus world will learn with surprise and deep regret that Peter Sells, of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Shows, suffered a stroke of paralysis on the morning of August 26. It seemed slight at first but soon affected his speech. He grew steadily worse and by the afternoon failed to recognize his daughter or the other members of the household. His physicians regard his condition as critical. He is 57 years old. Mr. Sells has not had the best of health for some two years. He has suffered froma complication of kidney and nervous troubles, which while not serious, sapped his vitality and impaired his strength.
    Latest Re Peter Sells. Writing under date of August 29, Mr. Spahr, of Columbus, O., says: "Replying to your telegram of yesterday. I am pleased to say that while Mr. Sells' condition has not changed materially for a couple of days past, he is doing very nicely, and his doctor thinks he will be about again in good shape after a couple of weeks' rest. Only his left arm and leg are much affected. His mind is perfectly clear, his face not in the least distorted and his speech only slightly affected."

    As an example of the saying among circus people regarding the innumerable "shake downs" to which they are subject, namely: "Its not what they can do, but what they will do." A case in point arose, Aug. 19, at Flushing, Long Island, where the Gentry Brothers' Show was billed to give two performances. After the parade, Detective Kelly, accompanied by six police, demanded Mr. Gentry's license. Manager Gentry promptly presented what is known as a common license, signed by Samuel Brock, clerk, and duly obtained from the Bureau fo Licenses in the City of New York, of which Flushing forms a part. The document stated that "the Gentry Bros. were duly licensed for one year from August 2, 1904, to give common shows in the city of New York." Notwithstanding this, the detective declared that this was not the proper license; that what was needed was the full circus license of $150. Mr. Gentry stated that he had already given performances under his license - in fact had given two the day previous in Rockaway, and did not propose to procure any other. When the time came to open the box-office, Mr. Gentry prepared to sell tickets. W. T. Ballinger, manager of the show, tendered fifty cents and got one. Detective Kelly refused to act on that sale, whereupon Mr. Gentry asked him to buy one. The detective put down his money and received a ticket. Thereupon he arrested Gentry, took him to the patrol wagon, ordered the prisoner taken to the Flushing station and the reserves and mounted men went back to their stations. The show was packed up and departed for the next stand, Jamaica.

    Smith Farming, aerialist, joined the Pan-American Shows at Graysville, Ill., Aug. 23.

    Sells and Downs cancelled their dates on Long Island and did not go east as expected.

    Dan S. Fishel has succeeded Whiting Allen as press agent of the Barnum and Bailey Shows.

    Fred Busby, who was with the Wallace Show this summer, is now the advance agent of Dealers in White Women.

    Ed Van Skaik, for the past nine seasons with the John Robinson Show, has entirely recovered from his illness of last winter.

    The Three Tasmanians, lady acrobats, now with the Ringling Bros.' Shows, will enter vaudeville at the close of the present season.

    Thomas W. Ryan reports that the business with the Norris and Rowe Show was bigger at Charles City than any other place in Iowa.

    H. B. Gentry, of Gentry Bros., came on from Bloomington, Ind., and joined one of the Gentry Bros.' shows at Brooklyn, N. Y., last week. W. O. Tarkington is doing some clever work ahead of Gentry Bros.

    The Nickel Plate Shows closed the season at Sebree, Ky., August 29, and are now stored temporarily on the L. & N. tracks at Evansville, Ind.

    Frank Miller, press agent for Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Show, has resigned from that organizaton and will take out a company of his own next season.

    John Ponsol, late with the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Shows, is still in the hospital in New York City. He lost one of his legs, while with the circus, July 25.

    Harry R. Moore writes that he has closed with the Cash Carnival Company, to make arrangements for season of 1905 for the Harry R. Moore Greatest One Ring Show on Earth.

    Chas. Bartine Sr., will fit out an entirely new show which will take the road early in 1905. Mr. Bartine writes that he has had a very good season at Elmhurst Park, Connersville, Pa.

    Gentry Bros. will open in Philadelphia for three weeks, Sept. 5. Three stands will be played each of a week duration. The lots secured will not conflict with those played by the Hargreaves Shows.

    Roster of Gollmar Bros. No. 2 advertising car. Manager George F. Cable, boss billposter; Fred Perkins, Ed. Marsden, Ed. Colvin, J. Moore, I. Erickson, Lew Comstock, Wm. Lane, Frank Dickson, William Johnson.

    Chas. Ellis, agent Pan-American Shows, writes that he secured the boards at Newport, Ark., although Sells-Downs had a man on the ground. The Pan-American makes Newport, Sept. 1. Ellis says Sells-Downs come Oct. 15.

    Mrs. A. Sutcliff of the Scottish acrobats with the Barnum and Bailey Circus, who underwent an operation for appendicitus at St. Vincent's hospital, Milwaukee, Wis., is rapidly recovering, and will rejoin the circus in a few weeks.

    Edward Shipp will open his indoor circus about December 15, playing mostly large opera houses through the west and middle-west. Pascatel will look after the press work with the Shipp show. A number of the leading performers of several of the traveling circuses have been engaged for the winter tour.

    The following is the roster of the concert of Sells and Downs' United Shows: Rentz and Dougherty, song and dance; Cecelia Fortuna, soubrette; Conklin and Clark, musical makers; Uland Earl, serpentine dance; Jay Polland and Billie Winslow, comedians; the Kinnebrews, sketch artists; Geo. Atkinson, monologue and stage manager.

    W. O. Tarkington, general agent of Gentry Bros.' Shows, has been in Philadelphia for a week. He not only made all the arrangements for the three weeks' stand in that town, but squared the newspapers and numerous other minor details. He also laid out the route for the rest of the season and made all of his railroad contracts.

    Frank J. O'Donnell, who has been doing the press work with the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, will go ahead for the balance of the season to do the press contracting. Mr. O'Donnell has succeeded in getting numerous good stories in the papers this season, while back with the show, and if he gets an opportunity will spring new ones while ahead of the show.

    Gentry Brothers Shows played twelve stands on Long Island, to very large business. The show experienced two days of rain, and no show was given at Flushing, N. Y. The show is now playing a two weeks' engagement in Brooklyn, N. Y. The show will open in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 14, for two weeks. Gentry Brothers have been playing the larger cities all this season, to big business.

    While Harris' Nickel Plate shows were giving an exhibition at Clarksville, Tenn., August 24, one of the clowns was burlesqing President Roosevelt. This gave offense to some of Teddy's negro supporters in the crowd and two of the darkies took the matter up. A fight ensued between two of the clowns and two negros during which T. Martin, colored, was badly beaten about the head. The four men were arrested.

    The Hargreaves Shows will open a season of a month in Philadelphia, Sept. 5. Three day stands will be played and the show will move from lot to lot by wagon. The train will be side-tracked until the Philadelphia season is over. It is expected that the financial returns will be good as the show acquired some reputation there a few years ago. John H. Rice, the general agent, arranged all the details for this series of dates.

    Notes from Al. F. Wheeler's Show. "Since our opening, May 4, we have only had two losers and the show at present is twice the size it was when it left winter quarters. The big show band has been strengthened by Prof. Cormont and Walter Philips coronet and Provost, solo trombone. The big show has added Mack and Hogan, double traps. The side show, under the management of John Reh, has added the big snake, Frank, and a cage of monkeys."

    At Bedford City, Va., on Aug. 17, John Robinson gave only one afternoon exhibition to an immense attendance. The beautiful National Home of the B. P. O. E. is at this place and all were invited to participate in the day's festivities. After the show the showmen visited the home where they were courteously received and the seventy-two Elks with the John Robinson Shows were particularly delighted and surprised at the magnitude and excellence of this splendid home for worthy members of the grand order.

    The cas of Frank H. Gentry, accused of violating Sections 1472 and 1473 of the city charter in attempting to give a circus without a license, was heard before Magistrate Smith in the Flushing police court, August 22. The prosecution was conducted by District Attorney George A. Gregg. Gentry had no counsel and refused to make any statement. He was held in $50 bail for the Court of Special Sessions. The bond was furnished by Thomas De Alma of Corona. After the hearing Gentry told the Eagle representative that since leaving Flushing he has given performances at Jamaica and at Brooklyn and was not molested.

    J. H. Beehan, a former employe of the Cummins Wild West Show on the Pike at the World's Fair, is reported to have been arrested last week for assault with intent to kill upon Frank Reed, one of the cowboys. Reed was standing at the entrance of the show recently when Beehan approached, it is said, and struck him over the head with a cane, knocking him down. Beehan then drew a revolver and was about to shoot the prostrate man when he was disarmed and arrested by Patrolmen McFarland, McCarthy and Callahan. Reed is one of the witnesses to the shooting of three men some weeks ago by Zack Mulhall.

    John Parker, a cook employed with Gentry Bros.' Shows, was assaulted by a canvasman, August 20, while the show was enroute between Huntington, W. Va., and Kenova, and then thrown from the rapidly moving train. His escape from death was little less than miraculous. The men were drinking and this led up to the trouble. The fall from the train rendered him unconscious, and he lay beside the railroad track for several hours before he recoverd consciousness and was able to make his way to Kenova, where his injuries were treated. There were fourteen cuts about his head and his entire body was badly bruised. He went to Portsmouth from Kenova, Aug. 19, and sought a warrant for the man who assaulted him, but for some reason it was refused. Parker then left for Columbus, where his home is located.

Billboard, September 10, 1904, pp. 12, 17. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Just before the night show had started, at Iowa City, September 1, a terrific wind storm struck the tents of Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth and blew them down. The famous "danger drill" of the employes was called for the first time this season and every man responded with the promptness of a fireman and the precision of a soldier. They did splendid work. The audience was rescued. No animals escaped, and the fire (originating from the lights) was extinguished before any one was injured. The big top was pretty badly burned, but the losses and damages as given in the press dispatches were greatly exaggerated. The audience escaped without a scratch.

    A reunion of the descendants and relatives of the late P. T. Barnum, of Bridgeport, Conn., was held, Aug. 26, at the birthplace of the famous showman in that place. Fifty members of the family participated in the reunion, among them the Barnums from New York City, Detroit, Chicago and from many places in Connecticut.

    The Barnum and Bailey Show turned people away both at Waterloo and Mason City, Iowa.

    W. C. Boyd experiences some trouble in getting the railroad lot at Pittsburg, but finally closed the contract, Aug. 31.

    Peter Sells is improving rapidly. He can move the affected limbs without trouble and will soon be up and about.

    Colonel Hugh Harrison has changed his plans and will not sever his connection with the Walter L. Main Show as was first reported.

    Robert Mershon, of the Forepaugh-Sells Show, has returned to his home in Washington C. H., O., suffering from an abcess on the kidney.

    The Smi-Letta Family, six in number, write that they are now with the Great Pan-American Show. They report good business and fine weather.

    Dennis Cunningham, of the Pawnee Bill Shows, was convicted of assault at Danbury, Conn., Aug. 23 and sentenced to ninety days in jail at Bridgeport.

    Jerome and Edwards, marvelous novelty equilibrists, now touring with Reno and Alvards Show, report that they are meeting with marked success in Kentucky after a successful tour of Illinois.

    It is reported that J. T. McCaddon has successfully incorporated and floated his circus in England. The capital stock is fifty thousand pounds sterling or $250,000. Considerable stock was sold in America.

    Roy Fortune, the one-legged slack wire artist, writes that he is in his twenty-fourth week with the Wood Bros.' Show, and is meeting with great success in his Filipino and Jap juggling on the wire. He states that he is headed South for the winter that that the show is doing big business.

    A baby camel was born in a Wells-Fargo express car on the Rock Island R. R. near Des Moines, Ia., the other day. Its mother is one of a herd of twelve that Campbell Bros., the circus men, imported from Asia, and was enroute to the western headquarters of the show when the event occurred. The baby tipped the scales at thirty-seven and a quarter pounds.

    A new kind of circus "shake down" has come to light in the nature of a "poll-tax" which the officials at Deer Lodge, Mont., recently endeavord to levy on the members of the Walter L. Main Show. It seems that the same thing was worked on the Norris and Rowe Show, sometime previous, and the management of that organization either paid the tax or compromised with the town officials in some way. When they approached Walter L. Main on the subject he informed the guardians of the law that he would pay the tax for himself but when it came to settling for the members of the show he would have to refuse. The Deer Lodge statute calls for a poll tax on $2.50 or work on the streets. Al Gillingham, the adjuster of the Main show, finall worried the tax collectiors out and the show got away without being shaken down, and Walter did not pay any poll-tax either.

    Alexius, the Danish trick bicycle rider, who has been featured with the Floto Shows this summer, died at Baker City, Ore., Aug. 9, from typhoid fever. He was taken ill while the show was at Baker City, July 19, and was left in the hospital there. Alexius was one of the best trick bicycle riders in the world. His first appearance in America was on Keith's Circuit. Following he played over the Orpheum and Proctor Circuits, and then joined the Floto Shows. He was about 24 years of age at the time of his death. He was a native of Denmark, and had appeared in all the countries of Europe before coming to America.

Billboard, September 17, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, September 24, 1904, pp. 19, 20. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The numbered days for the Forepaugh-Sells' Show under the management of the Sells Bros. brings into prominence and interest in the formation of the great show and its varied history of thirty years. The closing of the show under the management of the Sells Bros. is one of the real tragedies of the business world. It might be said that this big and wonderful enterprise is brought to a close because there is no longer a member of the Sells family who can take up the work. Mr. Peter Sells is now an old man unable to weather the storms of fierce business stife and he rightfully seeks the repose he has earned through years of labor. He has make a success in business and gave to the American people one of its most worthy institutions. The Sells and the Forepaugh Shows combined about eight years ago and since that thime have been owned by four equal partners, Lewis Sells, Peter Sells, W. Cole and James A. Bailey. When the Barnum and Bailey started across the ocean about eight years ago, Mr. Bailey was confronted with the necessity of leaving a circus in this country to help protect his richest pasture. The Forepaugh Show was then knocking about the country in somewhat unseaworthy shape and Mr. Cole and Mr. Bailey were able to get ahold of it at a bargain. They found that the Sells Bros.' Show, which had been steadily gaining ground since its ogranization, in 1872, would probably be a dangerous competitor of their Forepaugh property. They went out to Columbus, saw the Sells brothers and the outcome was the combination of their domestic show and the Columbus aggreation, making the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Circus a proposition of some magnitude. The show held the ground in this country successfully until the return of the Barnum and Bailey Show. It divided territory with the Buffalo Bill Wild West, until Barnum's Circus came back to its own and the Indians went over to London to charm the patrons of Earl's Court.
    Since then it has divided territory with the Barnum and Bailey people, taking the Middle West last year while the Barnum and Bailey kept pretty well to the east of the Appalachians. This year the two circuses reversed their positions, the Barnum Show now being in Iowa and hurrying back to Chicago to clowe its season in the Coliseum, while Forepaugh's is in the Middle West for the first time this year. Into whose hands the show will fall at the November sale is a matter of much discussion and prophecy. It has been hinted that Mr. James A. Bailey is growing old and is not likely that he will take the responsibility upon his hands. It is also reported that a stock company, composed of Columbus men, would buy the property at the sale, but whether they intended to run it as a show is a matter of conjecture.

    The Barnum and Bailey Show will open at the Coliseum, Thursday, Oct. 6, for a fourteen day's engagement, the same concluding Oct. 19. This will include two Sundays on both of which the show will give exhbitions. Last Fall the Barnum Show gave Sunday performances during their Chicago engagement. It was Mr. Bailey's original intention to open the coming Coliseum engagement, Monday, Oct. 3, but on account of the vast amount of work (much of it having to be done after the arrival of the show) to get the building in readiness, the plans were altered and the opening deferred until the 6th.

    A furious storm, consisting of the heaviest rainfall ever registered in Philadelphia with wind having a velocity of fifty-eight miles an hour, visited the Hargreave Circus while encamped at Fourth and Ritner sts., Philadelpia, Pa., Sept. 15, and did damage to the show property which will reach into thousands of dollars. The storm came about 2 a.m., Thursday and those who ventured out in the neighborhood of the circus say that the noise was frightful. Cages were upset and the terrorized animals in attempting to free themselves from their prisons emitted roars and cries well calculeted to frighten the bravest. It is said that a major portion of the tents was torn into ribbons and that the paraphernalia was rendered unfit for further usefulness. During the heaviest part of the storm the elephant Jumbo, broke loose and tore madly about the cages, causing, if possible, greater panice than before. The confusion was heightened by the cutting loose of 128 horses and ponies after the tent had been carried away. Arthur Beverly, the elephant trainer, finally captured the elephant by calming him sufficiently to pass chains over his tusks and under his breast. Three employes of the show were injured and had to be taken to the hospital. Seven tents were hopelessly ruined.

    Albert Grant, employed as a six horse driver with the John Robinson Show, met with a fatal accident at Glasgow, Ky., Sept. 7. The night performance was over and the paraphernalia was being loaded upon the train when the train gave a jerk and threw young Grant under the wheels. His injuries were very painful and consisted of the calf of his right leg being entirely cut off and he was otherwise bruised about the head and body. He was taken to Bowling Green, where medical aid was administered by the circus physician, Dr. Baehr. He died at noon, Sept. 8, never regaining consciousness. His remains were shipped to Chicago, his home. He was about twenty years of age.

    On Sept. 20, Geo. E. Pickering, general agent of Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows, finished his season's work, having done all the contracting for that organization up to Oct. 1. October has been selected as the date for going into winter quarters and the show will therefore retire to Schenectady, N. Y., where it will remain all winter. Mr. Wheeler writes that the season has been a very prosperous one.

    J. M. J. Kane will be a half owner in Scott's Minstrels this season.

    J. P. Fagan has signed with the Great Wallace Shows for the season of 1905.

    Jim Logan has closed with the Main Shows and joined the Fred Hewitt Exposition Company for the balance of the season.

    O. W. Courtney, tramp juggler, in his 29th week with the Campbell Bros.' Show, reports very good business in the Western country.

    C. E. Forrest, general agent for the Clark Shows, writes that they are doing nicely, being obliged to give three performances at some stands.

    The great Ellet Troupe, consisting of one lady and three gentlemen, who perform on an aerial bar, is one of the feature attractions with the Great Floto Shows.

    B. F. Webb, leader of band with Texas Bill's Wild West, closed with that organization, Sept. 5, and returned to his home at Waterloo, Ia., and will re-organize his famous Beloit Band for the dancing season.

    The city council of the city of Dallas, Tex., has passed an ordinance prohibition circuses from performing in that city during the month of October. The new ordinance is intended to restrain the circuses from competing with the State Fair and other festivities.

    We wish to correct the statement in a recent issue of "The Billboad" to the effect that Walter Stanton Jr., has instituted suit against the Gentry Bros.' Shows. It was Walter Standon Sr., as guardian for Walter Stanton Jr., who instituted the suit.

    W. P. Hall, who lately bought the Harris Nickel Plate show property, intends to put out a forty car circus next spring. He did not purchase the title with the Harris property and has not announced the name he will give to his new show. Some idea of the extensive operations of W. P. Hall can be gleaned when it is stated that Mr. Hall furnished the 400 horses now being used in the Boer War spectacle on the Pike, at the World's Fair.

    Colonel H. E. Allen (Bunk) has opened one of the finest hotels in Chicago. The New Alhambra, at the corner of 18 and State sts., has ben newly furnished from top to bottom and will undoubtedly become the favorite headquarters for professionals playing the South Side. It will be convenient for circus people, it being only a five-minute walk from the hotel to the Coliseum.

Billboard, October 1, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, October 8, 1904, pp. 11, 12, 19, 20. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Born to Prof. R. C. Carlisle, manager of the Carlisle Wild West show, and his wife, formerly Miss Lily Bartlett, of the Bartlett Sisters, at Independence, Mo., September 9, a nine pound boy.

    Miss Nora Braddon, the electric tattooed woman, and Frank Layfield, boss canvasman of Sig. Sautelle's side show, were married September 11, in Arcade, N. Y. After the ceremony the bridal party and a few friends repaired to a local hotel where refreshments were served.

    Wallace Sykes, one of the famous acrobats of the Sykes Bros., with C. H. Knight's Show, and Miss Elizabeth Jenkins, of Leipsic, O., were married at Dunkirk, O., during the street fair which was held there recently.

    Harry J. Cogdon, a circus rider, and Miss Nellie Thomas were married in Philadelphia, Pa., recently. The young couple eloped from Glasgow, Scotland, where Mr. Congdon was performing with a circus.

    Louis Semon and Minnie Robinson, circus performers of New York City, were granted a license to marry in Newport, Ky., September 23, and were married in Covington.

    W. H. Tabor, press agent of the Ringling Bros.' Show in conjunction with Mr. Brady, died September 22 at the Portland Hotel, Portland, Ore. Mr. Tabor had recently contracted a cold which ran into pneumonia. Complication set in, and the physicians pronounced his death as caused by typhoid fever. He was left at Portland in care of his mother and a life-long friend, R. M. Feltus. The news of his death was cause for intense grief among the people with the Ringling show. Mr. Tabor was in the employ of Gentry Bros. for many years, until last season when he joined Ringling Bros.' Show. During winter seasons he had been connected with many theatrical companies as agent and manager. He was very popular and enjoyed a wide reputation as a congenial and promising young man.

    John F. Ryan, with the Pan American Show, and known among the employes as "Stake and Chain Dad," died at Atkins, Ark., Sept. 24, from malarial fever. He joined show Aug. 7.

    Harlow S. Northrup, a former lion tamer for Barnum & Bailey, died at Waterbury, Conn., Sept. 25, of brain trouble, the result of a collision on a trolley car about a year ago.

    T. J. Cannon, was born in the State of Kentucky in 1872. He received a common school education and joined the John Robinson Show in 1890. He has since followed up the business and was employed with Sells Bros., Adam Forepaugh Jr., G. W. Hall, Forepaugh-Sells, Lemen Bros. and McMahan. The last years of his life he has devoted principally to carnivals. Last year he was general agent for the Wright Carnival Company and served in the same capacity with the Farari Bros.' Company this season. Just at the present time Mr. Cannon is organizing his own company which he has styled the Delta Carnival Company. [photo on p. 19]

    Siebel Bros.' Dog and Pony Show closed at Iowa Falls, Sept. 27, and left for headquarters at Watertown, Wis., where the show will be reorganized and taken South for a fall tour.

    Thomas Conners, formerly with the advance of Barnum and Bailey Circus, arrived in Philadelphia, Sept. 26, after a prosperous season. He at once secured a position with the Billposting Sign Company.

    Charles Barnes, clown and gymnast, closed with the Great Melbourne Circus at Aniwa, Wis., Sept. 19. He has several offers under consideration and in the meantime is spending a few days in Chicago.

    James A. Morrow has completed arrangements for taking out a repertoire company at the close of his contract as manager of Sig Sautelle's annex.

    John D. Carey is making good as a car agent and press agent of the Walter L. Main Show. He attends to all the newspapers and keeps the car on time too.

    The Miles Orton Southern Show will open at Suffolk, Va., Oct. 10, and will remain out all winter. Frank Robins Jr. has the candy stands. Phil Harris is general agent and railroad contractor.

    A cablegram from Hamburg, Ger., was recently received at Hagenbeck's, on the Pike at the World's Fair, and a mamoth three-ring circus will be formed from the Hagenbeck Show, after the close of the Fair.

    The Campbell Bros.' Show which is showing and Downs Show have been engaged in a big billposting fight down in Arkansaw, the advance car forces being kept busy in many towns in covering up each other's paper.

    Frank B. Miller, the well-known equestrian, is at Lancaster, Pa., organizing a big winter indoor circus. Mr. Miller has secured much gilt-edge time in the large cities. Clinton Newton will be press agent for the enterprise.

    Fred Beckman, who has this season been opposition agent for the Barnum and Bailey Show, has gone out ahead of the Elinore Sisters. Mr. Beckman will next season put out a small circus of his own.

    The Pan-American Shows closed their season Sept. __, at Nowata, I. T. General agent Chas. McKee will rest in Kansas City. Chas Ellis will take a trip to Chicago. P. S. Mattox is in Brooklyn and the show will go into winter quarters at Dolson, Mo.

    Otto C. Floto, sporting editor of the "Post," Denver, promoter of boxing, part owner of the Floto Circus, and dispenser of liquid refreshments in the Colorado metropolis, was in Chicago, Wednesday, Sept. 28, stopping over a few trains there enroute to the St. Louis Exposition.

    The Great Barlow Shows are in winter quarters. Manager E. P. Barlow reports that 1904 was the best season financially in the history of the show. He will enlarge it materially for next season. Howe and Decker have been re-engaged for next season as has also Guy Fahlor.

    Jos. Meyers contradicts the report that the has purchased an interest in the Sig Sautelle Show. Mr. Meyers has been negotiating for an interest in the show, but the issue failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion and all negotiations are now off. It is quite probably not declared his intentions of doing so.

    The Welsh Bros.' Newest Great Railroad Shows closed their season at Quarryville, Pa., Sept. 28. Big crowds were in attendance at both performances. The entire show was shipped to Lancaster, where it will winter again, using McGrann's Park for the purpose. The next season the show will open early in April, 1905.

    On September 10, at Suffolk, Va., Lew Nichols opens as manager of the side show with the Miles Orton Show. He has a new 40-80 Thomson & Vandiveer top and a Taylor front. The roster of the side show is as follows: Colored Minstrels (ladies and gentlemen) first part; Mrs. Lovil, snake charmer; Madam Leland, mind reader; Jack Kubns, tattooed man; Dick Hapman's troupe of glass blowers; Prof. Nickolini, magician, and Robell Brothers' performing bears.

    Colonel Sam Dawson, formerly press agent for the Pawnee Bill Show, but now manager of the Monumental Theatre in Baltimore, Md., was in Philadelphia, Sept. 29 and 30, to attend the funeral of his sister, Miss Ella S. Dawson . . .

    George W. Rollins now uses five cars in transporting his European Trained Wild Animal Shows. He carries six different acts besides some small menagerie stuff. The following is the roster of the show: Geo. W. Owens, general manager; Doc Brennan, boss animal man; Edward Partridge, general agent; Capt. Jack Maitland, press representative; Joseph Boclere, lion trainer; Madame Olivant, lady lion trainer; Lulu Weaver, Antoinette, Swessaine, Nick Roach, Deovino and Geo. Roger, band master.

    The roster of the Texas Bill Wild West Show is as follows: W. C. Lane, manager; Clyde Wolfe and Frank Cool, ticket sellers; W. H. Godfrey, adjuster of privileges; Pearl Hazelton, snake enchantress; Zim Williams, musical artist; Grace Hazelton; Big Elmo, fat boy; Math. Mora Troupe of Trained Alligators; Geo. Smith, tattooed man; Shiko, man-eating gorilla; Prof. C. W. Mack, lecture and punch; La Belle Lucy, Lillian Harrington and Mable Hayes, dancing girls; Arabian Band of seven pieces. Free outside attractions: Lone Star May, fancy shooting; Clinton Wyler, high dive; Jim Burton, boss canvasman; Chick Carter, assistant, with six men.

    The roster of the Mollie Bailey's Great Texas Show is as follows: Mollie A. Bailey, proprietoress; Eugene Bailey, manager; Willie Bailey, band leader; Prof. Albert Cook, leader of orchestra; Chas. Dickens, agent, with two assistants; Alf Hardesty, boss canvasman, with six assistants; Bennie Hatcher, boss hostler, with nine assistants; Dock Bailey, privileges. Performers: Allie Bailey, cloud swing and wire bars; Brad Bailey, contortionist, concert and revolving ladder; Mrs. Dicken's troupe of dogs and canaries; Miss Bessie Bailey, song and dance; Miss Alice Bailey, skirt dance and illustrated songs; Miss Birdie Bailey, serpentine dance; Chas. Dryden, foot and hand juggler. We are in our thirty-seventh week and business continues good. We have not had a losing week so far this season and will close about Dec. 15.

    The City Council of Dallas, Tex., passed an ordinance, Sept. 6, prohibiting circuses from exhibiting in Dallas during the month of October. This is to prevent competition with local attractions during the Fall Festival season. The representatives of two circuses were one the ground and are inclined to fight the ordinance on the ground that the State law permits circuses to exhibit in Texas any month and the new ordinance conflicts with the State Law. The Mayor of the city claims the City Charter gives the Dallas authorities power to prohibit circuses in the city absolutely if the city sees fit to do so. The circus representatives are considering the plan of giving exhibitions in October just outside of the city limits. The ordinance as passed repeals all former ordinances providing for heavy circus licenses, and in order to obtain any revenues from circuses, the city will be compelled to enact special ordinances after October.

    Allen E. Sells, formerly assistant manager of the Forepaugh-Sells Show and the only son of Ephriam Sells, passed away at his home, 119 Hubbard av., Columbus, O., Sept. 27. Mr. Sells had been in ill health for over a year and for the past three weeks had been confined to his bed. About a year ago he retired from active service as assistant manager of the show and went to his home in Columbus, O. On Sunday night Mr. Sells' condition became worse, but his physicians were hopeful of his recovery. However he gradually grew worse and his friends were summoned. Death came quietly. He apparently did not suffer and was conscious to the last. Heart failure was pronounced as the cause of his death. Mr. Sells was born Aug. 26, 1862, at Cleveland, O. As a young boy he joined the show controlled by his father and continued with the same until about a year ago. Mr. Sells was married about eleven years ago to Miss Nellie Gilliam, of Columbus. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Anna and Alice, aged four and ten years, respectively.

    The Sparks Shows were badly wrecked in a collision at Manticoke, Pa., early Sunday morning, Oct. 2. Telegraphic advices state the elephant was badly hurt, four employees seriously injured and every cage smashed to pieces. The accident was due to carelessness of the part of the railroad. Manager Chas. Sparks immediately took steps to make the necessary repairs and will expedite matters with all possible dispatch.

    The Armers, Al. and Rose, are back with the Wallace Shows.

    H. W. (Buck Massie) is now manager of the No. 2 Gentry Show.

    The Great Wallace Shows gave two performances at Columbia, Tenn., Sept. 24, to capacity.

    E. M. Burk has signed with Col. Hugh Harrison for the balance of the season at the World's Fair.

    The Campbell Bros.' Show omitted parade the southwest, will close the season early in November.

    John Robinson's Ten Big Shows have one performance at Winchester, Tenn., Sept. 14, to immense business.

    Moreland's Wild West Show opened at Colorado Springs, Col., Sept. 23 and is headed South for the winter.

    John Durham handled the Sells-Downs Shows splendidly during the recent absence of Mr. Martin Downs in Toronto.

    Chas. Andress has been re-engaged with the Barnum and Bailey Shows for the season of 1905 at a handsome increase in salary.

    The Great Ed Barlow Show closed its season Sept. 24, at South Milford, Mass. He will enlarge his show before next season.

    L. C. Mason has retired from the advance forces of the No. 2 Gentry Show, being succeeded by C. W. Finney as local contractor.

    The Walter L. Main Circus showed at Shelbyville, Ill., Sept. 23, to splendid audiences both afternoon and evening, and gave universal satisfaction.

    Mamie Forepaugh, equestrial and gymnast, closed with Campbell Bros.' Show, Sept. 24, and joined Sells and Downs' Show at Las Vegas, N. M.

    The Millettes have signed with M. L. Clark's Shows for the balance of the season after closing their third season with the Harris Nickel Plate Shows.

    Chas. Beck, formerly with Cummings' Wild West on the Pike at the World's Fair, has charge of the No. 2 side show box with the Pawnee Bill's Wild West.

    A. G. Lowande is more than making good with the Gollmar Show this season; his somersault riding is good and his odd antics on the trick mule are wonderful.

Billboard, October 15, 1904, pp. 19, 20. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    After an illness lingering for several weeks, Peter Sells, the celebrated showman, died at his home in East Long Street, Columbus, O., October 5. About six weeks ago Mr. Sells was stricken with apoplexy, and exhibited all signs of recovery. The relapse, however, which followed, proved fatal. The end came at 6:30 p.m. and was not expected. His physician, Dr. Charles Hamilton, had given up hope of his recovery. At his deathbed were Miss Florence and Lewis Sells, daughter and brother, respectively, of the deceased showman; and six sisters, Mrs. Willis Cobb and Mrs Minnie Holt, of Cleveland; Mrs. S. H. Barrett, Mrs. B. F. Greene, Mrs. Hannah West and Mrs. Rachel Colby, of Columbus.
    Peter Sells was born at Columbus, O., in 1849. He was the youngest of four brothers, the remaining three being Ephriam, Allen and Lewis. Peter was educated at the Grammar schools in Columbus. He was attracted to the oil fields of Pennsylvania in his early days where he journied only, however, to meet his first and only business failure. He started out as a contractor for the hauling of drilling materials on the various leases. A protracted sickness caused him to sell his teams and he returned to his native state, first being engaged as a conductor on the Cleveland Street Railway and afterward as manager of the circulation department of the Cleveland "Leader." He afterwards became attached to the ___ staff of that paper. In 1866 Peter followed his brothers Allen and Lewis to Birmingham, Ia., where they had established themselves as auctioneers. He joined them and soon afterward conducted an auction wagon which traveled with the old Hemmings and Cooper show. But the time was not ripe for him to embark into the business which brought him so much fame and wealth and he returned in 1868 to Columbus, where he and his brother Lewis opened an auction store at Gay and High Streets.
    In 1872 the four brothers formed a combination and established the Sells Bros.' show. It was a wagon show and carried a menagerie consisting of nine cages of animals and two camels. From the wagon show was soon converted into a railroad show and the enormous aggregation now traveling the country in special trains was built up gradually as the brothers prospered. In 1881 Allen retired from the company and settled in Topeka, Kan., where he died in 1894. Ephriam died four years later. Peter was really at the head of the enormous enterprise and possessed a memory that was truly wonderful. He booked his own show and took an active interest in the details of the business. His wonderful memory remained with him until the last and even a few weeks before his death he could name every town in which his circus had exhibited from its foundation. The Sells Bros.' show was consolidated with the Adam Forepaugh show in 1897 and has since, most of the time under Mr. Sells management, been a great success.
    In 1879 Peter Sells was married to Miss Mayme Luker, of Canton, Mo. One child was born to the union which, however, proved to be a most unhappy one and resulted in the famous divorce case of 1890, in which the showman was the defendant. The decree was rendered in his favor together wil a voluntary statement from the court that never had a man been so viciously ___ and never a man came forth from such a trial with honor so untarnished and reputation so unsullied. His only child, Florence, now grown up, has been constantly at his side. The strain of the trial left him almost a physical wreck, but for the last few years of his life, Mr. Sells had always exhibited fine spirits and strenuously conducted his big show. Intellectually, Peter Sells was a giant. Magazines eagerly sought articles from his pen. He was a man of deep conviction, wide experience and a scholarly attainments. All four of the brothers were self made men. Their career is one that should inspire every person in the business to renewed activity. Peter Sells was one of the best known men in the business. He was genial, pleasant and every ready to help the indigent or to lend a helping hand to the beginner. His name will remain as a hallowed memory of the rise of the tented aggregation and stories of his life and struggle will rebound and regale the arena for generations to come. The funeral services were under the direction of the Knights Templars of which organization the deceased was a member. The services were held at 2 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, Oct. 8. A large number of friends and relatives came to pay their last respects to the deceased showman. Among the visitors were Messrs. W. W. Cole, Joe Mayer, W. H. Gardner, George Bleistine, and Nelson Storbridge of the Strobridge Lithograph Company, and others.

    Dan S. Fishell has been re-engaged as press representative back with the Barnum show for next season. Mr. Fishell has made many friends with the show, as well as thoroughly demonstrating his ability in handling the press.

    Texas Bill's Wild West Show closed its season Sept. 30 at Neola, Ia. W. C. Lane has signed as side show manager for the Texas Bill Wild West next season.

    C. J. Boylan, formerly with Ringling's advance, has settled down in the laundry business at Bloomington, Ill.

    Messrs. Tom Corby, Mark Wisehart and Will Uphan closed with the Pawnee Bills Wild West at Circleville, O., Oct. 1.

    The Siberts have been one of the sensations of the Great Gollmar R. R. Shows this season. Their aerial work is splendid.

    Chas. E. Darling, contracting agent for Al. Wheeler's Show the past season, will winter at his home in North Adams, Mass.

    Harry F. Curtis and Gerald Fitzgerald, of the Wallace Shows, will take out The Great Grove and his players this winter, beginning Dec. 7.

    The Two Arnolds have closed a very successful season with the Reno & Alvord Combined Shows, and have joined the Barkout Carnival Co. for the winter.

    One of the big elephants with the John Robinson Circus escaped at Wilmington, N. C., after the performance, and was recaptured with much difficulty.

    The Norris and Rowe Shows were waterbound at Norman, Okla., and lost two stands, Paul's Valley and Ardmore. The picked up their paper again at Gainesville on the 8th.

    Prof. Paul B. Jones writes from Reynoldsville, Pa., that he closed with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Show last July and he has been laid up with typhoid fever. He is now well again.

    The Al.G. Barnes Pony, Dog and Monkey Circus, closes a twenty-six weeks' contract, October 15, without losing a performance. It looks like the people want to see Mr. Barnes' attraction.

    H. Percy Hill closed the contract by which the Gentry Brothers were engaged by the city of Albuquerque, N. M., for their gala week, Oct. 10 to 15. Gentry Brothers received a guarantee of $10,000, free lot and license.

    The Great Ellet Troupe is one of the features with the Great Floto Shows. Their aerial bar act is new and is said to be away from any bar act in the country. They open with the show at Dallas, Texas, March 15, and will close on or about November 25.

    Word comes from the East of another elopement in the family circus of "Governor" John F. Robinson, veteran circus owner of Robinson Station, near Terrace Park, O. It is stated that Minnie Robinson, daughter of Charles Robinson and niece of "Governor" Robinson, married over the objections of her father, now a business man in New York, T. Hugh Senron, a ring performer at Luna Park, Coney Island. The latter is said to be a clever artist. This is Minnie Robinson's second romance. Some years ago she eloped to Newport, Ky., and wedded J. M. J. Kane, well known as a theatrical advance man. She sued him for divorce last January and received her decree in June.

    J. M. J. Kane, in advance of the Forepaugh-Sells' Show, and M. C. Service, in advance of the John Robinson Show, figured in an affair at the depot at New Bern, N. C., Oct. 3, which is said to have almost amounted to a tragedy. The advance interests of the circuses had greatly aroused the gentlemen against each other. Mr. Kane had checked his baggage to Wilmington, Del., and Mr. Service happened to be at the depot on business for his show. The two men engaged in an altercation and scarcely before the bystanders had been attracted Mr. Kane was stabbed below the heart with a small pen knife. He was taken to his hotel where medical aid was summoned. Mr. Service was apprehended. He was taken before a justice and gave bond for his appearance. Mr. Kane is not in a serious condition, and is improving. He is making an effort to have the case against Service dismissed. The affair is one that should not have happened, but was undoubtedly brought about through the excitement and jealousy attendant upon strong opposition fighting. Both gentlemen are well and favorably known as zealous advance men.

    Charles Valentin Pease, formerly director of the curiosity department of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, graduated from Tufts College Medical School, Massachusetts, last June with high honors, and a fortnight ago passed the examination of the Medical Board of Registraion admitting him to the practice of medicine in the Bay State. Dr. Pease joined the Barnum and Bailey Circus at Boston in June of last year as a property man to earn the money necessary to complete his medical studies. He handled props and fought canvas to the satisfaction of his superiors and earned a promotion in a short time. George Arlington discovered that Pease was a young man of more than ordinary ability, a fluent talker with excellent voice and in an emergency, he gave him a trial as an announcer. He proved a genuine surprise and was at once appointed lecturer in the curiosity department and a short time thereafter given general charge at a salary larger weekly than his salary had been monthly when he joined the show. The doctor saved enough money to pursue his studies at the close of the season and a few days ago put out his "shingle" as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Pease was very popular with his fellows of the circus who unite in wishing him the success and prosperity which he so richly deserves.

    Closing notes from Andrew Downie's New Big Show. October 1 was our closing day and it was bright and warm. The new show has made a record to be proud of during a season of twenty-four weeks, with nearly twenty-two [missing text] James O'Connell, treasurer [missing text] At Waynesburg, Pa., we turned them away at both performances and it proved to be the banner day of the season. Over one thousand people were unable to gain admittance at night. Our side show with Jumbo, the largest horse in the world as a feature also had the banner day of the season. We played Carmichael, Pa., the second day of their fair and business was excellent. We have been five weeks in the hills and mountains of West Virginia and Pennsylvania and some towns the fourth and fifth tent show this season, but business has been fine. We closed at Beallsville, Pa., and shipped by special train of twelve cars to Medina, N. Y., over the Pennsylvania R. R. Preparations are already under way for the season of 1905. The show will be enlarged to twice its present size. One hundred and eighty head of stock, a menagerie of ten cages, two elephants and two camels will be added. Manager Downie will send two shows to the coast this winter. His private cars are now at Buffalo and will leave for St. Paul, Oct. 15.

Billboard, October 22, 1904, pp. 19, 20. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The will of the late Peter Sells has been admitted to probate and frm the instrument the estate appears to be worth about $200,000. According to the terms of the will, Mr. Sells bequeathed to each of his three sisters, Anna West, Rachael Colby and Amelia Holt, $5,000, to be paid within 18 months after his death. He provides that his show business shall be closed up, if practicable, at the end of the present season or at the end of any existing contract. He directs that all the property held in common with his brother, Lewis Sells, shall be partitioned and that his part shall be sold by his executors. He appoints his brother Lewis, by codicil, and J. E. Sater as executors. Bernard Green is appointed as substitute. If they should not serve he appoints his daughter Florence McCune Sells, as administrator for the will annexed, without bond. He desired that the estate be fully settled if practicable, within 18 months after his death and gives his executors sweeping power to do so. They are given the right to sell all property if necessary, collect rents and turn over to his daughter for her support, collect outstanding debts and renew all mortgages. On the settlement of his estate his entire estate less the $15,000 given to his three sisters is to be turned over to J. E. Sater as trustee for his daughter, Florence McCune Sells. He directs that the estate be placed in such condition that it will be productive and he authorizes the sale of any portion of the property that may be necessary to improve the residue. The will directs that the daughter shall have the power to directing and suggesting the control of his estate.

    The night performance of the Wallace Shows at Gulfport, Miss., October 7, was cancelled at the last moment on account of the damage done by a severe windstorm. The circus tent was blown down and the gasoline lights, which were just being lit for the evening performance, set fire to the tents in several places. But for quick action of the attendants the entire show would have been swept by fire. Dirt was thrown on the burning places and the fires gotten under control. No one was injured, though if the accident had happened an hour later a stampede could not have been averted.

    For many years the stronget man in the world, Peter Gottlieb, is now in the City Hospital at St. Louis, Mo., and may become a chronic invalid. Accustomed to life a platform with sixteen men on it when he was with Barnum's Circus, Gottlieb now suffers from stomach trouble, which he thinks was caused by his exertions. Gottlieb was for many years the only man in the world to tear a pack of playing cards in two with his thumb and first finger. To bend a dollar with one hand was an easy feat for him, he says, for it was more of a knack than strength that is required. All of the feats of the latter day "Sampson," Gottlieb declares, were easy for him. Nerves, he says, are more important than muscles in feats of strength, only one must have both nerves and muscles. Gottlieb's arm and chest muscles are still large and hard. He is short, scarcely five feet four inches in height, but he weighs one hundred and eighty pounds, nearly every ounce of which is muscle. Five years ago he left the stage and took up the work of an optician. As a strong man he earned $100 a week in salary and from the sale of works on physical culture, while now he finds it hard to make a living selling spectacles.

    The Great Wallace Shows gave two performances at Hattiesburg, Miss., October 8, to splendid business.

    Hargreaves Big R. R. Shows will close in Philadelphia, October 19, and will at once ship to winter quarters at Chester, Pa.

    Ben and Mae Holmes, Wild West riders and rope spinners, have closed with the Kennedy Bros.' Wild West Show, and are now playing fair dates.

    W. C. Lane has closed with Texas Bill's Wild West and is in Hagerstown, Md., for the winter. He reports good business, and a profitable season.

    Chas. Sparks spent last week in Hagerstown, Md. John Sparks' Circus was to have played there, but cancelled on account of the Hagerstown Fair.

    The Walter L. Main Shows close the season of 1904 at Charlestown, Jefferson Co., W. Va., Tuesday, October 18, and ship to winter quarters at Geneva, O.

    Homer Deane, Clarence Shaw and Joseph Meehan have closed their season at Delmar Gardens, Oklahoma City, O. T., and are now en route with the Norris & Rowe Show.

    John J. Sullivan, formerly with the Walter L. Main Shows, is doing advance work for Sam T. Jack's Burlesque company.

    William C. Clement, better known as Val, the chandelier man, last two seasons with the Floto Show, has located in Dallas, Ore.

    The Forepaugh and Sells Circus was compelled to do away with the street parade at Vicksburg, Miss., October 6, on account of a low trussell on the A. & V. R. R., which they had to go under to reach the city.

    Messrs. Jessie J. Goforth and J. W. Hettler [Hettier?] have just closed a very successrul season with Seibel Bros.' Dog and Pony Show and have returned to their homes in Bloomington and Dixon, Ill., respectively.

    The following members of the Sells & Downs Show joined the Eagles at El Reno, O. T.: Pete Griffin; Will Silverton, of the Silverton Trio; F. Wallace, boss of side show, and Shanty, boss chandlier man.

    The Ellets, Chas. and Lizzie, are resting at their home at Grand Rapids, Mich., having closed a successful season with the John Sparks' Circus. They will soon produce a novel aerial act, using five people.

    Gollmar Brothers closed a most successful season, October 10, at Popular Bluffs, Mo. The show will be greatly enlarged for next season, in fact to such an extent that it will require several more cars for its transportation.

    The Miles Orton Show opened at Suffolk, Va., October 15, for its southern tour. The cars have all been repainted and lettered and the Orton Brothers have spared neither money nor time to make this the best show ever put out by them. Phil Harris is general agent of the show. Chas. Lovell and Capt. Latlip have the tickets. Capt. Jack Kuhns, the tattooed man, is in the side show. Gus Fairbanks is the adjuster. Matt Morris is leader of the side show and band of eight pieces.

Billboard, October 29, 1904, pp. 12, 19. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Word comes by wire that J. T. McCaddon has purchased the Sig Sautelle Show at Ardmore, Pa., October 22. Mr. McCaddon was formerly associated with the Barnum and Bailey, Ltd., during their five years in Europe. The show will be at Atlantic City, N. J., October 28 and will close at Hammonton, N. J., October 29. It is probable that Mr. McCaddon will take the show to Europe for the coming season.

    Harry D. Barnum, the veteran twenty-four hour man, will be with the Barnum show again next year, it making his third season in that capacity. Mr. Barnum's career covers a period of thirty-five years, during which time he has been identified with the following aggregations: the Rothschild show, Batchelor and Doris, John O'Brien, Adam Forepaugh, Sells Bros., W. W. Cole, Buffalo Bill, McCaddon and Anderson and Barnum and Bailey. Harry will spend the winter at his home in Pottsdam, Pa.

    The Florenz troupe of acrobats are re-engaged with the Barnum show for next season. They will open at Follies Bergeres, Paris, France, December 1, for six weeks, and later appear at the New Coliseum, London, and in Manchester and Liverpool.

    Albert Crandall will open at the Hippodrome, London, Dec. 19, for eight weeks. He has signed with the Ringling Bros. for next season.

    Spader Johnson will lead the rube band with Henry W. Savage's production, Common Sense Bracket. Spader returns to the Barnum show next spring.

    The Siegrist-Silbon troupe of aerialists open with Albert Schumann's Circus, Berlin, December 1, for a two months' engagement. They are re-engaged with the Barnum Show for season of 1905.

    Charles and Nettie Carroll will be identified with Edward Shipp's Indoor circus during the winter tour.

    Ella Bradna, the equestrian, is booked to appear in all of the prominent American vaudeville houses this winter. She has signed with the Barnum Show for next season.

    The Pawnee Bill show closed a successful season at Circleville, Ohio, October 15, and the show was shipped to the winter quarters at Carnegie, Pa. All of the horses excepting three six-horse teams, were shipped to Beverly, Ohio, where they will be turned out to pasture in charge of Mexican Joe. The Eighteenth Annual Farewell Banquet took place at Circleville and genial Joe Lynd, the caterer with the show, fairly outdid himself in providing the good things.

    A severe storm caused Gentry Bros.' No. 1 Show to lose Trinidad, Col., recently.

    Frank Smith, head balancer, is now a feature with the Wood Brothers' Show.

    Oscar J. Krause, general manager of the Pawnee Bill Show, will winter at Carnegie, Pa.

    E. M. Burk writes that business with Cummin's Wild West is good and growing better every day.

    Sig Sautelle's Show will be at Atlantic City, N. J., Octover 28. They close at Hammonton, N. Y., October 29.

    Frank Allen and wife are now with the Wood Brothers' Show after a four months' engagement with the Hobson Shows.

    Herbert, the Frogman, writes that he closed a very successful season with the Main Show, October 18, and is booked solid for the winter. He opened at the Pastime Theatre, Ogden, Utah, Oct. 31.

    It is reported in Chicago that J. T. McCaddon has purchased forty head of cavalry horses from the Leavenworth, Kansas, United States army post, for the foreign tour of his Great American Circus.

    Chas. E. Griffin has been re-engaged as manager of the Buffalo Bill Wild West for the season of 1905, which opens at Paris, Frankce, April 1.

    James Brooks, wire walker and trapeze performer, writes from Stanton, Ala. that he is in his fifth season with the Jones Model Plate Show.

    Fred Ledgett and his wife, Dallie Julian, have been re-engaged by the Barnum Show for next season, as have the Wentworth Trio and Sam Watson, the English clown.

    Gerald Fitzgerald, press agent with the Great Wallace Shows, will go with the Royer Brothers in Next Door after December 10. He will be at the front of the house.

    Chas. Bolus, boss canvasman with the Gollmar Bros.' Show the past season has returned to his home in Canton, Ohio. This completes his fiftieth year with the tents.

    C. S. Primrose finished his season on October 8 as railroad contractor for Gollmar Brothers Show and is visiting at LaCrosse, Wis. Mr. Primrose will put out his Uncle Si Haskins after election for a season of twenty weeks.

    Albert Crandall, who has been featured with the Barnum and Bailey Show this season, in his novelty bare back mule act, has been engaged by the Ringling Bros. for the tour of 1905. Crandall will go to England for the winter months.

    Bud Horn, the Calliope King, was a Billboard caller October 17. He had just closed a pleasant season with the Pawnee Bill Show and was enroute to his home at Nashville, Tenn., where he will join the advertising force of the Vendome Theatre, for the winter.

    Dave Watt, the famous ex-circus treasurer billed by Adam Forepaugh as "the lightning ticket seller of the world," now in the real estate business at Janesville, Wis., was in Chicago Friday, 14, and renewed old acquaintances with the Barnum and Bailey Show.

    The Captain Stewart Big City Show closed its season at Angola, Ind., October 15 and shipped to winter quarters at Fort Wayne, Ind. Next season the show will go out in wagons. They will put out a vaudeville show this winter, beginning after the election.

    Employees of John Robinson's Show claim that business South is from 50 to 100 per cent better than the show ever got in the same towns before. The increase is chiefly in the night business, which in former years varied from poor to light, is now running all the way from fair to big.

    H. Stanley Lewis was born near Olean, N. Y., in 1874, and entered the profession in 1893, as lecturer and announcer with the Great Wallace Shows. The following year he held the same position with the John Robinson Show. He spent 1875 as advertising manager of Sun Brothers' Shows; '96 with Scribner & Smith; '97 with Leon Washburn, and from '98 to 1903 with the Welsh Brothers, with the exception of the year 1900, when he was adv. manager and principal announcer with Pawnee Bill's Wild West. This season Mr. Lewis is officiating as advertising manager with Norris & Rowe Shows. During the winter seasons Mr. Lewis has always had remunerative employment with the theatrical companies. Last season he successfully managed his own attraction, A Foxy Tramp, with success. With W. W. Brown, Mr. Lewis will have on tour this season The Engineer's Daughter, The Banks of the Yalu, A Foxy Tramp and Mr. Lewis' version of Ten Nights in a Bar Room. Mr. Lewis' headquarters are at San Jose, Cal.

    Captain John White, who for so many years was on the front door of the Ringling Bros.' Shows, and who has been acting as superintendent of the main entrance with the Gollmar Bros.' Circus the past season, was in Chicago last week making arrangements to take out a hall show. Captain John is one of the most unique figures in circus business, the soul of politeness and ever ready with a helping hand in any emergency which may arise.

    W. Montgomery, of Texas Bill's Wild West Show, writes: "The Texas Bill Wild West which closed its season September 30, is now housed away for the winter at Boone, Iowa. The show was out twenty-one weeks and enjoyed a prosperous season. Preparations have already been commenced for next season, when over eighty horses will be carried, thirty Indians and a new spectacular feature will be added. We expect to take third place in the Wild West field in 1905."

    Notes from Alex Glasscock's Mammoth Railroad Show. "The show is doing good business touring Texas. The show carries an average of fifty people and has some of the best acrobats in the circus business. Foster Glasscock, general railroad contractor; M. T. Everton, advance agent; J. H. Holland, M. L. Brown, billposters; Shirly Morton, master of transportation; F. S. Moncay, leader of band; Donly Glasscock, business manager and Alex Glasscock, proprietor."

    Last week we published an advertisement of the Great Floto Shows in quest of sensational features for the tenting season of 1905. The Floto Shows traveled close on to twenty thousand miles during the past season, opening March 14 at Dallas, and closing Thanksgiving Day at Mexico. They have made two trips to the coast, going over the southern routes and returning over the Canadian Pacific. The show is now an established institution in the West, where they hold a warm spot in the people's hearts. It will be enlarged and added to for the coming season and the aim of the management will be to sustain its reputation as the most beautiful circus ever exhibited under canvas. The show will winter in Denver in their new quarters, which are built entirely of brick and steam heated. The arena alone to be used exclusively for practice is 144 feet long, 65 feet wide and 35 feet high. It contains two rings and all kinds of aerial rigging. Showmen visiting Denver are always welcome and a uniformed attendant will be pleased to show them about the quarters.

Billboard, November 5, 1904, pp. 11, 12, 20. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Harry Exley, chief of the police force of Robinson's circus, was struck on the head with a brick from the hands of a negro, Oct. 16, at Brunswick, Ga., and is now in a critical condition. The circus physician states that the young man will hardly recover from the wound. Exley was keeping negroes out of the menagerie tent and the negro, whose name cannot be ascertained, kept crawling under the canvas. When forced out by the officer the negro picked up a brick and landed it heavily on Exley's temple. Exley was carried to Waycross and placed in a hospital, accompanied by a physician.

    John Robinson's Show had turnaway business at Savannah, Ga.

    Norris & Rowe and Gentry "mixed up" down in Arizona last week.

    The Boer War will winter at Frank P. Hall's farm, near Lancaster, Mo. Frank P. Hall, of Lancaster, Mo., will back the tenting tour of The Boer War for the season of 1905, so rumor has it.

    It is said that Hugh Harrison has bought all the property of the Buckskin Bill Wild West.

    Leon Washburn will put out a small dog and pony show, opening at Paterson, N. J., next April.

    Welsh Brothers will take out a circus to play opera houses this winter. The opening date is Nov. 7.

    Emma and Robt. Stickney sail for Europe in December to open in Berlin, Germany, January 1, with Circus Albert Schumann.

    J. T. McCaddon will sell off the cars and such other property of the Sautelle Shows, as he cannot make available in Europe.

    Norris and Rowe mad Cananea, Guaymas, Hermocillo and Magdalena, all in Old Mexico. They got $2 a throw (Mex.) in all of them.

    The Millettes, Ed and Maud, and their little son, Ira, visited the World's Fair in St. Louis after the closing of the Harris Nickel Plate Show.

    Reid and Johnson are in their twenty-fifth week with Sun Brothers' Railroad Shows. They are clowning and doing their black face act in concert.

    Henry Widmeyer, of the Buffalo Bill's Wild West, died October 6, at Bolton, England, of a hemorrhage. While working about the show two days before he strained or broke an artery near his heart. He was taken to the Bolton Hospital where everything was done to save his life. However, the physicians were unable to do him good. "Butch," as he was known, lived in Cincinnati while in this country. His health had not been good for the past year. "Butch" was well liked and for a number of years was connected with the Barnum and Bailey Show. He leaves a widow on Stoke on Trent where the interment took place October 10. The Tigers had charge of the funeral services.

    Havlin, Tate and Williams are negotiating with J. T. McCaddon for the railroad equipment of the Sautelle Shows, which Mr. McCaddon recently purchased.

    Campbell Bros.' Shows close a successful season at Hennessey, O. T., Nov. 5, returning from that point to Fairbury, Neb., the winter headquarters of the show.

    Norris and Rowe will not discontinue the dog and pony show. The circus will in no wise interfere with it. Mr. Norris will manage it and it will cover the usual territory.

    Col. George (Popcorn George) Hall, an old showman, spent a month with his wife and daughter, who were with the Hargreaves Circus. He will return to his farm for the winter.

    J. Henry Rice, general agent of the Hargreaves Circus, closed in Philadelphia the night the show closed. He went to New York at once to prepare for a road tour of a melodrama he has purchased.

    Sig. Sautelle's Circus played Ardmore, Pa., Oct. 22, and Woodbury, N. J., Oct. 24, to good business. Both these places are close to Philadelphia and a large number of professionals from that city attended the performance.

    Dr. Edward W. Baehr, physician for the John Robinson Show, was shot by a negro named Reid Riley at Bainbridge, Ga., Oct. 29. The negro is in jail. Both barrels of a shot gun were emptied into Baehr's right leg just above the knee. The doctor was taken to the nearest hotel and it is feared that amputation will be necessary. Dr. Oliver P. Coe, a classmate of Dr. Baehr, was summoned from Cincinnati.

Billboard, November 12, 1904, pp. 10, 16, 17. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Miss Jessie M. Smith, of Louisville, Ky., and Arnold J. Acker, of New York, were quietly married recently at the rectory of St. Martin's Catholic Church, Baltimore, by Rev. Father Wheeler. Miss Smith, who is a beautiful brunette, 18 years of age, was a soubrette in the Gaskill Carnival company. Mr. Acker, who is a man of splendid physique, was a hippodrome racer in Barnaum and Bailey's Circus. Two years ago the couple met. Friendship soon ripened into love and this summer both decided to wed, and Baltimore was selected because of relatives of Miss Smith, who lived there. When her troupe disbanded she went at once to her aunt, Mrs. J. T. ___, 613 Mount Street. As soon as the Barnum and Bailey closed their season in Chicago, Mr. Acker hurried to Baltimore as fast as steam could bring him. The bride's uncle secured a license waiting, and the happy pair were soon one.

    Prof. Chas. Nichols, an old-time musician and employed with the Teets Brothers' Shows, met with a fatal accident, October 24, while the show was making a run from Eautawville, S. C., to Cameron. Mr. Nichols was thrown between the cars by a sudden jerk and had his right hand cut off. He was taken to Sumpter and placed in an infirmary where he died October 27. The remains were laid to rest in Sumpter. The deceased was about 55 years of age.

    The Bell Brothers, Chas. and Joe, acrobats with the great Van Amburg Show, report great success through Texas.

    C. A. Rippel writes that his show lost but three stands during the season. Nearly all have signed again for next season.

    Chas. Johnson, bounding tight wire artist with the Wallace Shows, will spend the winter at his home in New Orleans, and practice at Denier's Park.

    Seibel Brothers will have a sale at Watertown, Wis., Nov. 16, at which time a lot of show stuff will be sold.

    After making Greendale, Miss., Nov. 17, the Ringling Show goes into winter quarters. Reports from New Orleans say that the city is completely billed for 14 and 15.

    After ten years of activity as press agent for the Forepaugh-Sells Show, James D. DeWolfe will take a good long rest in a Southern resting place. He will do magazine work.

    Tom Powers, formerly master of transportation with the Harris Nickel Plate Shows, has lately accepted the position of building foreman under Superintendent Hall, of the Coliseum, at Chicago.

    Frank O'Donnell, advance press representative of the Forepaugh-Sells Circus, is at his home in Philadelphia for a few weeks' rest. He is undecided as to his winter's work, but will most likely go in advance of a hall show.

    The Roberts Family, acrobats, closed with Forepaugh-Sells' Show at Charlotte, N. C., Nov. 2, on account of serious illness of Mrs. Roberts. They will go to their home at Saginaw, Mich., as soon as Mrs. Roberts is able to travel.

    Dr. Baeher, physician with the John Robinson shows, is reported to be resting easy. The attending physicians think that the foot can be saved. No expense will be spared to get the doctor through at the earliest possible moment.

    John Conroy, master of transportation with the Gollmar Brothers' show the past season, has gone to Freeport, Ill., to take a position with the Illinois Central R. R. this winter. He wll be back with the show in the spring.

    M. McGrew, of Kansas City, Mo., last week purchased Harris' Nickel Plate Shows from Frank P. Hall, of Lancaster, Mo. Mr. McGrew purchased the show for Schiller Bros., of Kansas City, who will fit it up at Lancaster this winter and put it out next spring.

    Col. W. McGuth, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., writes that he intends to put out the finest wagon show that money can build. The Colonel has recently fallen heir to some forty thousand dollars and will now be able to gratify the ambitions of a life time. His title will be Yankee Robinson Old Fashion Show.

    Wenona and Frank, "the world's champion rifle shots," have closed a very successful season of twenty-five weeks with Pawnee Bill's Wild West. While at New Britain, Conn., Mr. Wenona was presented with a complete set of rigging for his pretty black and white horse and a set of spurs. Wenona and Frank will be at Allegheny, Pa., 100 W. Stockton Ave., for three weeks.

    The roster of Ringling Bros.' advance car No. 3: Geo. Goodhart, manager; Town Goodhart, boss billposter; Doc Bostwick, lithographer; Chas. Weber, J. Hart and M. Edwards, banners; Dave Condon, Chas. Knox, Chas. Penny, Ed. Beard, J. Diel, Gus Jenkins, H. Mohler, W. Kimphill, billposters; J. Stall, W. Miller, programs.

    Chas. R. Coleman writes that he has just completed his third year as general contracting agent with the Sells and Downs Show. The season closed in Chickasha, I. T., Nov. 7, and the show was immediately taken to winter quarters at Topeka.

    Tom V. Day, the old-time circus man, long identified with W. W. Cole and T. V. Day's New Dominion Dog and Pony Show, is confined to his bed with a severe attack of stomach trouble, at his home, __ North Ashland Avenue, Chicago. Mr. Day has been very ill for over a month.

    The Colorado Grant Show is playing to good business in Arkansas and will not close until after holidays. Grant has added to the outfit of the show six wagons, eight draft horses and four ponies. He is breaking in an 8-pony drill for ring No. 2, and has added a number of new acts to the show. The show leaves a good impression wherever it goes.

    Frank A. Gardner, equestrian director of the Van Amburg Shows the past season, and Frank M. ___, have entered into a partnership agreement to run a circus in South and Central America and the West Indian islands. Mr. Gardner has traveled with shows in these countries for the past twenty-two years and is quite well known as the Barnum of the South.

    On October __ at Ardmore, Pa., J. T. McCaddon bought the Sig Sautelle Shows. It is said that a number of other people are interested with Mr. McCaddon in the purchase of these shows and that it will be put out in this country next season in a massive manner. The transfer took place October __ at Hammonton, N. J., where the shows close close after their season. The show was at once shipped to Jersey City, N. J., where it was turned over to the new proprietors. The show will be wintered in that city until part of it is shipped to Europe. It is rumored that Sig Sautelle will have charge of the privileges with the Welsh Bros.' Circus next season and will place a large menagerie with that show.

    The Forepaugh-Sells Shows are meeting with big success throughout the South. At Macon, Ga., they did an enormous business. Contracting agent S. H. Semon arranged with the State Fair Association to place the show at the fair. During the afternoon the tents were packed and at night with free open gates hundreds were turned away. "Pop" Semon concluded the deal with the Association to pay licenses and ground rent free. The result was a big financial success for both the Forepaugh-Sells Shows and the State Fair Association.

    A number of showmen, who closed with the Main Circus, have found positions with Cummins' Wild West, among them are: Art. Hoffman, T. V. McIntyre, Keller Moreland, Mrs. Johnnie Herrigan, George Baldwin, Chas. Hoyt, Mrs. Laura Baldwin, etc. Sam Carter is ably filling the position of purchasing agent; Dr. C. M. Stull, supt. of the working forces, and the genial E. M. Burk is acquitting himself proudly as a hustler in the special service line. Spencer Fenno, formerly of the Little Rock Nat'l. Bank and Walter B. Cogdon are the efficient executives in the booking and stenographic department.

    The Cummins' Wild West brass band, under the able leadership of Prof. George Attebery, is the talk of the Pike, W. L. Kennedy, clarinet, and J. T. Davenport, trombone, are making a record for themselves. T. V. McIntyre, ticket sellers, is handing out the pasteboards early and late. Jolly Dan Lester entertains the vast throngs that pass along the Wild West concession avenue, admirably. Supt. of dining tents, Wm. Langan and his able assistant, John Rice, are feeding the show in first-class style. Billy Clemens, chef, and Harry Pope, Billy's assistant, are establishing a reputation in the cooking department worthy of mention.

    Notes from the Miles Orton Show. "We opened our winter season very auspiciously at Suffolk, Va., Oct. 15, greatly enlarged and improved. Though meeting with much opposition in the way of other attractions we have been enjoying big business. The roster of the show is as follows: Mrs. Miles Orton, sole proprietor; Norman Orton, general manager; Myron Orton, business manager; Gus Fairbanks, railroad contractor; Philip Harris, general agent; the Great Norman, high bicycle wire; the Orton Children, child aerialists; Jacobs and McCue, comedy acrobats and barrel jumpers; Petite Iva, two pony riding act; Michael Cahill, cloud swing; Ed. Brennan, Ed. Johnson and Master Clarence, clowns; Martin Singer is leader of band No. 1 with twelve men and Prof. J. West is leader of band No. 2 with nine pieces. The concert is composed of the following, viz." the Musical Brennans, comedy musical act; Edw. Johnson, black face comedian; Nina, novelty dancer; Ed. Brennan, eccentrique act, and rogal Bros.' wrestling bear. Col. Dick Richards is supt. of canvas; Curly Devlin, supt. of properties; Peter Dupres, supt. of stock, and Tom Hawahay is chandelier man. The Annex and Congress of Novelties is under the management of Lew H. Nichols and is proving a potent attraction. The performers with this attraction are Capt. David Latlip, high diver; the original Alabama Minstrels, eight in number; Capt. Jack Kuhns, tattooed man; Madame Leland, second sight; Prof. Nickoli, magician; Mlle. Lovella, snake enchantress, and Nona and her troupe of glass blowers. Ticket sellers are Chas. Lovell and Dave Latlip.

    The Great Wallace Shows were recently invited to show Okolona, Miss., and offered the following inducements, viz.: free grounds, free water, free city license and free billboards, the manager of the opera house donating the latter. The liberal tendency is growing more and more manifest in the South. As Dixie grows in prosperity the necessity of holding up the stranger within her gates by means of exhorbitant licenses, high prices, ets., diminishes and her people naturally hospitable, favor the open door expecially to showmen and thespians.

    Thomas Hargreaves Big Railroad Shows are now safely stored away in the winter quarters at Chester, Pa. All of the draught stock have had their shoes taken off and are turned out to grass at a farm six miles below Chester. The animals are in the new animal house erected during the summer, and the ring stock is at Mr. Hargreaves' private stable. Work has already started on the shows for their next season's tour. Encouraged by his success last season, Mr. Hargreaves will make the show bigger and better next year. A force of workmen under the direction of Fred Locke will overhaul all the wagons and cars and repaint and regild them during the winter. Many new tableau wagons will be constructed. William Powley, formerly with this show, will take out a Wild Goose Chase this winter using one one the sleeping cars that was with the show this summer. Colonel George (Popcorn George) Hall is still at the winter quarters, but will return to his farm in a few weeks. Al. G. Barnes, who was with this show all season, has had fourteen engagements offered him, but is resting in Chester for a few weeks.

Billboard, November 19, 1904, pp. 10, 17. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Birch S. Maine, long famous as a trapeze and flying ladder performer in Barnum's Circus, died last week at Fall River, Mass. He is survived by his wife, who was also a well known gymnast.

    . . . advertisement in this issue of The Billboard, officially announcing the organization of the Frank A. Robbins Only New Great Feature Show, which in its inception is already the theme of much comment and speculation in the amusement world. Frank A. Robbins is to be the active arenic manager as well as the president of the company, and a host of friends in every section of the land will heartily wish him success. Fred Beckman is vice-president of the company, and will act as general agent of the aggregation. Mr. Beckman, while comparatively young in years, is old in advance experience and ranks A 1 as an energetic, ambitious and courteous representative. The plans of the show include among other essentials, the already assigned contract for the construction of a twenty-five car circus train. The Tribunal of Nations, which is to be featured, promises to unforld a spectacle of pageantry and historic interest. The stock holders in the new show are to be congratulated upon such a thorough, practical organization and in having their interests intrusted to high-class, honorable and sagacious men who know such word as fail.

    Geo. H. Heiser, contracting agent for the Ringling Bros.' Shows, has perfected arrangements to place upon the market a mechanical stake-driving machine, which he has invented and lately patented. One of Mr. Heiser's machines has been in active operation with the Ringling Bros.' Circus all this season and has given great satisfaction. It is estimated the machine will do the work of fifteen or twenty men. Mr. Heiser's apparatus is very simple in construction, and is operated by a gasoline engine. It is fair to presume that this stake-driving machine will, in time, be in use with every circus in the country. It will certainly fill a long-felt want, and in the event of late arrivals it would appear to be of invaluable service to circus proprietors.

    Ab. Scott (so it is said) will be ahead of the John Robinson Shows next season.

    George Kratz, the calliope man of Evansville, Ind., is building a very large calliope for Barnum and Bailey.

    Wm. Burkart, this season with Forepaugh-Sells, is now advertising agent for the Grand Opera House at Rochester, Pa.

    Fred R. Castle has stored his calliope in Chicago and returned to his ranch at Clayton, Kansas, where he will stay for the winter.

    The Silverton Trio have just closed a very successful season with the Sells and Downs Show and have been engaged for next season.

    R. W. Sanger, who died recently in London, left a fortune of almost ___. Al Hayman and Richard W. Freedman were named as executors.

    Dan S. Fishell has accepted the management of the Empire Theatre, San Antonio, Texas. He joins the Barnum-Bailey Show again in March.

    Harry De Alvin has signed for next season with the Campbell Brothers' Show. The Ocroas, Japanese foot balancers and jugglers, have also signed for next season.

    Contracting agent George H. Heiser and wife were in Chicago for a day or two last week. Mr. Heiser is now enjoying a much needed rest at his Dayton, Ohio home.

    W. H. Davis writes that he has just closed a very pleasant season with the Campbell Brothers' Show as private secretary, book-keeper and treasurer for J. C. O'Brien.

    Five elephant belonging to the Wallace Show escaped from their winter quarters at Peru, Ind., Nov. 10 just after the show had arrived in the city and created intense excitement among the natives.

    Prof. Will H. Mead writes that he has joined hands with Col. M. Schult, owner and trainer of the troupe of German war dogs, and that the shows would hereafter be known as Schult and Mead's Great Dog and Pony Show.

    Chas. Nichols, white musician with Teet Brothers' Show, fell from a train at Parlors, S. C., on October 24 and had his right arm cut off. He was removed to hospital at Sumter, S. C., and died on 27. Was buried at Sumter.

    W. F. Kennedy, aerial performer with the Hobson shows, has not recovered from the injuries received from a fall at Eglantine, Ark., September 27, and is not likely to be able to resume work again this season on account of a fractured shoulder.

    The Wallace Shows played Hot Springs to two packed houses. "Hank" Wakefield was a visitor and spent the day with his friend John Talbott. Mrs. Talbott also arrived from Denver to see her better half. They will go to West Baden after the show closes, and then to the World's Fair. They will winter in Denver, at the Talbott Flats. It is rumored around the white tents that Hank Wakefield will be the official representative of the Floto Shows next season.

    Items from the Cummins' Wild West and Indian Congress, World's Fair. John Horrigan joined last week as boss hostler and James Wilson as custodian of properties. A magnificent buffalo was purchased last week by Col. Harrison, who turned the animal over to trainer Albert Stadler. F. E. Bennett, rifel show, is a big feature in the Wild West performance. Geo. A. Fay and C. L. Ramsey, managers of privileges, have evinced their ability to please the Wild West patrons. Two of the first persons on the Pike to read The Billboard are Mr. Rose of Peggy From Paris, and the ever popular H. B. Potter, boss property man; C. R. Hutchinson and superintendent Dr. C. M. Stull, are entitled to creit for the many ground and arena improvements ordered by Col. Harrison. The Wild West Concession is by far the largest on the Pike, covering ten acres of ground. Col. F. T. Cummins overcame all obstacles in securing the location which at first seemed worthless. Since the Wild West passed into the hands of Col. Harrison, many innovations ahve been introduced and circus precision and generalship is employed in every department. With Col. Cummins' personally directing the performances and Mr. Harrison's general management the big show runs as smooth as glass. The Wild West is the first show to open in the morning and the last to close, rain or shine. Speculations are rife as to what the new firm of Cummins and Harrison will do with the Wild West when the World's Fair terminates. That there will be a big new tented amusement in the field in 1905 is a cinch, but no definite plans have been announced as yet by the management. Commins' Wild West is the recognized headquarters for all circus folks visiting the Fari. Treasurer J. D. Harrison, "Sunny Jim," who eats, sleeps and labors inside the Wild West grounds, has fitted up several desks, gotten a stenographer, and show folks are welcome. The Billboard is conspiciously filed and oftne consulted. Both Messrs. Cummins and Harrison are more than pleased with the correct and polite manner in which the vast throngs are admitted into the Wild West grounds by James Jordan. . . .

Billboard, November 26, 1904, p. 17. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Bert Cole goes with Wallace again next season.

    The Floto Shows had turnaway crowds at Laredo, Tex.

    Frank Stuart, of William Uden's show, will winter with his parents in Akron, O.

    Louis Schmidt is mail man with the Pawnee Bill show in winter quarters at Carnegie, Pa. Ed. Springer has charge of the winter quarters.

    Milton Gans, alto with the Sig. Sautelle Band, has returned to his home in Chambersburg, Pa.

    G. R. Pittner says he is going out with William J. Uden's show next season as fancy and trick rider.

    It is reported that Lon Moore and Archie Royer, both of the Wallace shows, will put out a circus next season.

    Dutch Durning, trainmaster with Sells & Downs show the past four season, has gone to his home in Danville, Ill.

    Dan F. Cline goes with Shipp's Indoor Circus, Dec. 1, as advance. This is Mr. Cline's fifth winter with this company.

    Chas. R. Coleman has closed his third season with the Sells & Downs show, as general contracting agent and business manager.

    A. S. Englebert (Smithy), boss canvasman of the Sells & Downs Show, is spending the winter with his parents at Berlin, Ont., Can.

    Dan Bodder, after a pleasant and profitable season with the Walter L. Main show as trap drummer, has returned to his home in Chambersburg, Pa.

    Henry Gilberton, who was interested in the privileges with the Pawnee Bill Show the past season, now has the candy stands at the Clark St. Museum, Chicago.

    Fred K. Huffer, baritone, closed a very successful season with Gentry Bros. No. 2 show at Jefferson, Tex., November 12, and is visiting friends at Vincennes, Ind.

    It is announced that the Columbus, O., business men who had planned to purchase the Forepaugh-Sells Show, have decided not to make the purchase. The prime movers in the undertaking were Eli M. West, George Chennell, O. M. Evans, Walter B. Beebe and Al. G. Field.

    The Cliffords, featured for years in the prodigy department of the Barnum & Bailey Show, passed through Chicago Wednesday 16, en route to Butte, Mont., where they open for an extended tour of the Pacific Coast.

    It is said that five big shows will refuse to recognize the Billposter's Alliance this coming season. Rumor has it that the managers and agents of the shows concerned, have reached a perfect understanding and will co-operate.

    Mannie Forepaugh, gymnast and rider, is at home in Philadelphia, Pa., after a season with the Sells & Downs Show. She has been re-engaged for next season with the same organization. She will play vaudeville dates this winter.

    Shipp's Indoor Circus opens at Petersburg, Ill., Dec. 2 for one week, and the show is booked for thirteen weeks thereafter. The show will carry a band of eleven piecees, seven property men, twenty-seven performers and nine head of stock.

    E. J. Gosney, in advance of the Van Amburg shows, reports a very prosperous season. The show has covered Nebraska, Missoui, the Territories, Arkansas, Texas, Louisana, and touched other western states. The season closed at Dumas, Ark., November 19. The Van Amburg Show has gone into winter quarters at Kansas City, Mo. A. R. Wheeler takes his band and joins the Delta Carnival Co. at Indianoa, Miss. The Valentines, Bell Bros. and the Sereno Family also go with the Delta Carnival Co.

    Wellington, the baby lion with the Campbell Bros.' Shows, who was raised on a bottle by Mother Campbell at Fairbury, Neb., has at the age of eight months become so large and strong that he was not considered safe for a pet and was taken to the animal room and caged with the other lions.

    Lucky Bill writes that his show has closed a most successful season, and are snugly in winter quarters at Quenemo, Kan. Preparations have begun for next season when he intends to send out one of the largest and best wagon shows on the road. He has already booked some good performers.

    The Rose Wentworth Trio, equestrians, late of Barnum & Bailey Circus, are now playing vaudeville houses. The are engaged for the season of 1905 with Barnum & Bailey.

    While being transferred from the train to their winter quarters at Terrace Park, near Cincinnati, three large African lions, belonging to the Robinson show, escaped. William Johnson, a keeper was injured. The lions were captured after a chase with dogs and a large gang of circus employees and citizens.

    Owing to the breaking of one of his trapeze ropes, Herbert, The Frogman, fell twelve feet to the stage while playing the Family Theatre at Butte, Mont., last week. His injuries were all confined to his right side, but though painful, were not serious. He was able to finish his engagement.

    By the overturning of the wagon he was driving to the depot, Jim Howard, driver for Robinson's circus band wagon, was fatally hurt at Rome, Ga., Nov. 12. In addition to breaking four ribs he was injured internally. He was removed to Mrs. Willingham's boarding house on Fourth avenue. He can not recover.

    The Gabriel Brothers' Wild West Show reports a successful season of twenty weeks at Delmar Gardnes, St. Louis. This was the first season for Gabriel Brothers, but they were with Col. Cody for ten seasons, and are well up in the business. Their entertainment, given in the forum of the World's Fair, was attended by eleven thousand people, including President Francis.

    The great Van Amburg shows gave two performances at Florence, La., Sunday, Nov. 18. Some of the citizens did not loke the idea of introducing Sunday shows into the community and engaged attorneys to prevent the show playing on that day; but as the circus people had complied with the State License Laws there was no way to prevent their showing as advertised. After the show had arrived and the tents were erected, the sight was too much and a number of citizens, who were prominent in the movement to prevent the show coming, went with the children - "just to look at the animals."

    Notes from Cummins' Wild West. Possibly no amusement attraction at the World's Fair has enjoyed the patronage of so many distinguished personages as Cummins' Wild West and Indian Congress. Among the many in attendance of late were Mrs. Ella Wheeler Wilcox and Congressman William Randolph Hearst. The former is known among the Sioux Indian tribes as "Princess White Wings," the noted lady authoress having be so adoped and titled by Chief Red Shirt, the Indian General Grant thought so much of, and who is now a member of the Wild West. Hearst, too, had the great Indian honor of being adopted and christened by the same chief and his aides, as "White-Chief-Speaks-to-The-World." The ceremony was as impressive as it was unique, and the adoption taking place in the big arena at the conclusion of the Wild West performance, was witnessed by thousands. Vice-President elect Fairbanks was a hurried World's Fair visitor Wednesday. Pat Fagan and son, Mr. and Mrs. Al. Martin and brother, were also Wild West visitors. Chas. Corry, manager Wallace's Circus, was a pleasant caller last week. The genial Marx Gumberts, President of the World's Fair excursion boats, enjoyed the Indian congress performance one day druing the week. Several Chicago showmen visited the Fair Wednesday, as they informed the management, for the sole purpose of seeing a copy of The Billboard which is on file in the Wild West office. Charlie Rhodes, who so long made the ballyhoos for the Wild West, and who is regarded as the most productive talker at the fair, resigned his position with the Wild West last week and has taken charge and an interest in a concession department connected with the Moorish Palace. Messrs. Hugo, ___ and Hoffman are now doing the ballyhoos. Mrs. Warren A. Patrick, the handsome wife of the Chicago editor of The Billboard, was a pleasant visitor last week. Sam Scovil is making a great reputation as a bucking horse rider. Wm. Brandow was a Wild West spectator Friday and was loud in his praise of the performance. Gov. Jack F. Robinson did the Fair last week. Railroad contractor E. Burk how becomes a Wild West Stetson, presented by Col. Cummins. The success the show has made of late has been an incentive to bring forth numerous offers and propositions form various capitalistic sources to Messrs. Cummins & Harrison, but up-to-date no one knows "which is which," or, in the language of book-keeper Fenno, "something will be doing soon."

Billboard, December 3, 1904, pp. 10, 20. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    We were informed by Chas. L. Sasse, representative of the Antonio V. Pubilones Enterprises in Cuba, that the season opened at the Payret Theater, Havana, Saturday, Nov. 5. The business has been something phenomenal, and on Sundays the people can not all be accomodated, so that many are turned away. Mr. Pubillones has also leased the Teatro Ncional, and Mr. Sasse is authorized to book spectacular shows beginning Dec. 19. Here are a few of the attractions now appearing at the Circo Pubillones, Havana: Clarke family of riders; the Clarkonians, greatest of all aerial acts; Escamilli Bros., European tight wire; Les Trois Poiriers, French ring artists; Bertina, the contortionist; Florence Brockway in looping-the-loop; Jack Cousins, principal act; Jolly and Velia, French dancers and pantomimists; Ostrado and Miss Caprice Lewis, aerial combination act; Alfred Bannack and Son, musical eccentrics and clowns; Castrillon family of acrobats, etc. Artists will be sent to Havana every week. Mr. Pubilones has already organized a show to go on the road and a No. 2 show will be sent out within a weeks' time.

    C. W. Thompson, who has been business manager of the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers' Shows for several years past is in New York organizing a stock company to take over the big show. He has met with much success and his friends confidently predict that the deal will be perfected within two weeks.

    The Cretos are figuring on taking out a six car railroad circus next season.

    The Floto Shows closed at Dennis, Tex., Nov. 26. Their business in Texas has been good.

    Bert and Mabel Chapman have signed with the J. T. McCaddon Show for next season.

    John Sherwood, of the Floto Shows, is organizing a repertoire company at Ft. Worth, Tex.

    The Wallace Circus and the Parker Carnival Co. made things lively in Camden, Ark., Nov. 4.

    The Savoys, with the Ringling Show this season, have signed with the Wallace Show for season of 1905.

    Chas. P. Helton, general agent of the Hall & Sample Show, writes that the show closed at Coyville, Kan., after a very successful season of 28 weeks.

    Frank Caldwell and wife, tattooed people, with the Floto Shows this season, have signed with McCaddon's Shows and go to Europe next season.

    The Millettes are putting in the balance of the season with the M. L. Clark Show. After closing of the season they will rest awhile at their home in Greensboro, Ga.

    The Wallace Circus did a record-breaking business in Arkansas the last week out, Hot Springs, Arkadelphia, Nashville, Camden and El Dorado being especially good.

    W. H. McFarland, manager of No. 2 side show with the Forepaugh-Sells Show, has been engaged for next season as manager of the Wallace Nos. 1 and 2 side shows.

    Through the kindness of Mose Goldsmith, Herbert, the Frogman, is playing a special engagement of four weeks for Dick Sutton. He resumes his contract with Mr. Goldsmith Dec. 5.

    Nichols Trio, tight wire artists, have gone to their home in Canton, O., after an absence of five years where they will rest for a time. They are adding new stunts, wardrobe and apparatus.

    The winter quarters of the Barlow Shows in South Milford, Ind., have been enlarged two acres and the new pony barn in completed. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage January 14.

    The Great Ellet Troupe (four people) closed season with the Floto Shows, Nov. 26 and is now home in Grand Rapids, Mich., where they will remain this winter and practice a new aerial act that promises to be startling.

    J. B. Morton writes that after eight years of constant trouping he is visiting his old home in Knoxville, Tenn., where his parents are located. He says he will put out a one-ring circus from that point next season.

    Frank Hyatt, general superintendent of Barnum & Bailey's Show, together with his wife, is visiting his home in Connersville, Ind. They will remain until the latter part of February, when he will resume activity with the show.

    Pascatel will act as press agent back with the Shipp Indoor Circus. Dan F. Cline will go ahead of the show. The Pacheco Family, Chas. and Nettie Carroll, Lew Sunlin and wife, Art Adair and wife and Anita Stirk are booked with the show.

    There will be a new amusement enterprise in Canada next summer in the way of a six or seven car railroad show. New trappings, wagons, canvas, in fact, everything from the ticket wagon to seat planks will be made this winter. It will tour Canada exclusively.

    Chas. Gordon, manager of the Floto Show advertising car, was presented with a handsome gold watch by his men at Gonzales, Tex., Nov. 17. Al Holland, of Local No. 6, Denver, made the presenting speech. The roster of the car is as follows: B. F. Miller, boss billposter; Al. Holland, Henry Mosier, Frank Krause, Frank Berger Wm. Houtz, C. W. Jordan and James McKenna.

Billboard, December 10, 1904 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, December 17, 1904, pp. 3, 17. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    J. L. Lamberto, the cyclist, juggler and slack wire artist, has met with phenomenal success in every section of this country. Mr. Lamberto was one of the first performers to introduce the bicycle on slack wire in America. At the present time his acxt is considered one of the best of its kind before the public. For the past season Mr. Lamberto has held the position as treasurer of the Sun Bros.' Circus.

    Ed. Cullen has been engaged by Lee Williams to act as business manager next season for the Hagenbeck Show, which will go on tour. Mr. Cullen is well known to showmen, having been connected with the John Robinson attractions for many years.

    The Mighty Haag Shows had good business in Lecompte, La.

    Frank Miller and wife will ride with the Norris & Rowe Show next season.

    The Marvelous Belfords will be with the Norris & Rowe Show again next season.

    Geo. Whitby, of Lancaster, Pa., has signed with the McCaddon Show for next season.

    Melnotte, LaNole and Melnotte, the comedy wire trio, have been re-engaged for next season with the Norris & Rowe Show. Joseph F. Geisler will again direct the performances of the Greater Norris & Rowe next season.

    The M. L. Clark Show will winter in Lecompte, La.

    Wm. F. Melrose, somersault equestrian, closed his fourth season with the Wallace Shows last month. He has signed with Barnum & Bailey for next season.

    George Holland and Rose Dockrill, who joined the Norris & Rowe Show at Monterey, Cal., to finish out the season, have been re-engaged for next season.

    Dan Bodder, of the Walter L. Main Show the past season, after spending two weeks at his home in Chambersburg, Pa., has joined the band of The Waif of the Sierras Co.

    W. S. Dunnington arrived in Chicago Dec. 3, where he will spend the winter. He has had a very successful season as manager of advertising car No. 1 of the Norris & Rowe Show.

    Dan Keating, of Keating and Goodwin, who have just closed their sixth successful season with the Ringling Bros.' Shows, was among the callers at the Chicago office of The Billboard last week.

    I. C. Shipley, manager of the annex for the Floto Shows the past season, was a recent caller at the Chicago office of The Billboard. He reports a most successful season for the Floto privileges.

    Al. Steel writes that next season he will take out a wagon show instead of his Uncle Tom's Cabin, which he had out the past season. He has already engaged quite a few novelties. Sam Dock is busily engaged in training ponies, dogs and monkeys.

    Harry Bonnell, of the Newark, N. J., Evening and Sunday News' reportorial staff, has signed with Hulburd's Wild West for next season. He will join in February at Laredo, Tex., and will do the press work for the advance as well as back with the show.

    Col. M. Schult, of the Schult & Mead Dog and Pony Show, celebrated his sixty-fifth birthday Sunday, Dec. 4, at New Orleans, La. After the performance Lieut. Mead, on behalf of the employes, presented the Colonel with a handsome gold-headed cane. An elaborate supper was afterward served.

Billboard, December 24, 1904, pp. 14, 21, 22. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Fred Haines, who was with the Great Van Amburg Shows last summer and was on the side show door, died at the South Omaha (Neb.) Hospital Dec. 15, 1904, of typhoid fever, contracted while with the show in the southern states.

    Chandy Marshall will have the lights with the Hagenbeck Shows.

    Thos. L. Finn will run the side show with Downie's Circus the coming season.

    J. T. Decorum has disposed of this dog and pony show and is now at Hot Springs, Ark.

    Big Buck Terry, formerly with the Wallace Shows, is now on the police force in Peru, Ind.

    Master L. H. Mundy, with L. H. Morgan's Circus the past season, is resting in Denver, Col.

    Andrews, magician and orator, formerly with the Buffalo Bill Wild West, goes with Frank A. Robbins next season.

    Frederick Egener, principal clown with the Floto Shows the past two seasons, is at his home in Brazil, Ind., for the winter.

    Emmett Littleton, manager of Littleton's Circus, is spending the winter to advance of Old Farmer Hopkins.

    V. O. Woodward, for several seasons car manager with the Welsh Bros., is now treasurer of the Fulton Opera House at Lancaster, Pa.

    Ollie Webb, steward of the Ringling Bros.' Show, has purchased a home in Chicago and hereafter will make his residence in the Windy City.

    The Two Coles, fashion plate gymnasts, have signed with Barnum & Bailey for next season. In the meantime they will play Proctor's Circuit.

    Messrs. Henry Emgard and Harry Burton are in their thirty-third week with Sun Brothers' Railroad Shows. They report fine weather and business.

    The Three Powells closed a very successful season with the Van Amburg Shows, Nov. 19, and opened with the Delta Carnival Co. at Indianola, Miss., the 24th.

    Saad Dahduh writes that he has had a very successful season with the Campbell Brothers' Show this season.

    Daisy Leroy (Mrs. J. H. Andrews), last season with the Buffalo Bill Wild West, is doing her blindfolded paper-tearing act at Bradenburg's Museum, Philadelphia.

    J. D. Miller will have the canvas with the Hagenbeck Shows. It is said to be a 175 ft. round top, with four 60 ft. middle pieces. This show is building in Cincinnati.

    C. N. Thompson, for the past five years the asst. general manager of the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, has signed in the same capacity with the Wallace Shows for next season.

    C. W. Finney, of the Gentry Brothers, has taken out a Humpty Dumpty Co. and reports good business. He has signed with the Gentry Brothers' Show for next season.

    Charles W. Thompson, business manager of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Shows for several years, has organized a stock company in New York for the purchase of the big circus.

    The Caldwells, of Mexican implement act fame, have closed with the Floto Shows and will spend the winter at their home in Kansas City, Mo. They do not go with J. T. McCaddon's European Circus as previously reported.

    Charles Tripp, the armless wonder, for years with Barnum & Bailey, has been visiting friends and relatives in Olney, Ill. Charles Tripp was born in Canada, but from infancy until the time he started with the circus lived in Olney.

    Floto's Circus arrived in Denver last week and went into winter quarters at Manchester, one of the suburbs of Denver. Everything and everyone was in good condition, and the management is looking forward to a prosperous time next season.

    Fred P. Sargent, who recently closed his contract with the Hagenbeck Show at the World's Fair, has gone to Hot Springs, Ark., to take a much-needed and well-deserved rest. Mr. Sargent has signed to go with the Barnum & Bailey Show next season.

    Howe and Decker, novelty jugglers and aerial gymnasts, for the past three seasons with the Great Barlow Shows, are now meeting with usual success on the coast circuit. They have lost only four weeks in three years. Next season they will be with the Barlow Shows.

    The wagons, horses and part of the stock of the McFarland & Holder Shows were sold at public auction in Philadelphia, Dec. 15. This show only stayed out a few weeks last summer and the losses were great. It was a wagon show with a good lay-out, and had brilliant prospects.

    The new elegant barn, constructed for Buchanan Bros.' Circus, at Ingersoll Park, near Des Moines, Ia., is attracting much attention, as it is the only barn heated by electric heaters, which keeps an even temperature. Four big heaters have been installed, and as the experiment has proven a success Buchanan Bros. will install electric heating plants in all their animal barns.

    Horace Webb, clown and gymnast with the Ringling Show, informs us that he was married Thanksgiving day to a non-professional of Fulton, N. Y., by the name of Miss Ella A. Kline. Mrs. Webb will accompany her husband with Shipp's Indoor Circus this winter. He is re-engaged for next season with the Ringling Show.

    John H. Rice has been engaged as general agent of the Tom Hargreaves Railroad Shows for the coming season. These shows will go out in better shape than ever, next season. A new ring barn has been built at the winter quarters in Chester, Pa., and a small army of mechanics is busy getting out new tableaux, wagons and other material.

    Frank A. Robbins has engaged the following people for the department heads of his show for next season: John Lewis, equestrian director; Lucius Foster, master of canvas; H. B. Craig, master of transportation; Arthur Eldridge, superintendent of horses; Fred Merkle, superintendent of sleeping cars, and Wm. Burke, superintendent of lights.

    A remarkable record is shown by the John Robinson Shows for the past season. Not a wreck or blowdown was experiences. The tour, beginning at Cincinnati, embraced 12,196 miles. The number performances given was 323; twenty-five performances were lost. The show was out 174 days, and fifteen states were visited. The number of clear days was 106, while sixty-eight were rainy.

    F. W. Hall, of the Hall & Sample Shows, writes that he has purchased the interest of Mr. Sample and will hereafter be sole owner and manager of the show, which will be known as F. W. Hall's United Wagon Shows. They closed a very successful season at Corryville, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 12. It is now in winter quarters at Corryville, where it will open next season on Saturday, April 1. The show will be enlarged and improved. It will carry a new seventy foot big top with two thirty-foot middle pieces, a forty by sixty museum and thirty head of horses.

    Notes from the Sells & Downs' winter quarters. The Sells & Downs' Show reached home Nov. 9, after a prosperous season and went into winter quarters at the fair grounds, where the show has wintered for the last three seasons. The horses have been sent to Mr. Sells' farm and the animals requiring warmer quarters are housed on Quincy street. James McElray has charge of the stock, and Mr. Blackey has charge of the animals. The show will be greatly enlarged in every department for next season. Mr. Perry, who has charge of the quarters, is pushing the work on new stuff. Mr. Rowlings is wintering at Kansas City; also Mr. and Mrs. Crane.

    The Hagenbeck Animal Show on the Pike at the World's Fair has just closed contracts with the Bothe [Bode?] Wagon Co., of Cincinnati, for the construction of forty-eight wagons for next season. Thirty-two wagons will be used for parade and are to be the finest ever constructed, costing $38,000. A forty car show is arranged for. The show will winter in St. Louis and will occupy the building on Leonard and Olive streets, formerly occupied by the Ferari Bros. Zoo. It is now being remodeled and extended to accomodate the show. That they will make money this winter is an assured fact. Mr. Tate and Lee Williams are managers. Between sixty and seventy thousand dollars will be made on the World's Fair season.

    One of the biggest hits of the Hagenbeck's Animal Show on the Pike is that of Kerslake and his pigs. This is one of the cleverest of acts and people never leave the performance until after his turn has come on. While the act with the pigs is exceptional and first class, the has another that is still greater, that of his donkeys. They are three in number and the cleverest ever exhibited: Louisiana, height 22 1/2 inches, weight 26 pounds and but six months old; Skeeter, 28 inches high and Buster, 32 inches high. This act, first put on Nov. 1st, was a pronounced hit from the start. His entry with Buster in the shaft of the wagon and the other donkeys and pigs piled up in the wagon, is a sight both comical and lasting. His donkeys and pigs each wear pants, coats and vests, and a more clever, interesting, amusing and lasting performance is seldom seen. Mr. Kerslake is to be commended in the highest terms for his successful and clever training of these animals.

    The Alexander Glasscock Mammoth Railroad Shows start out the first of next month with six new cars and the following people: Alex Glasscock, owner and manager; D. W. Glasscock, railroad contractor; Foster Glasscock, treasurer; Mike Glasscock, supt. of construction; M. McCarty, general announcer; Red Middleton, boss animal man; Big Tom, canvas man; Mr. Montcayo, leader of band; Willie Wayatt, Sam Fisher, G. Fisher, Will Gettsfore, Harry Hoffmaster, B. Muller, "Dutchie" Cuff, J. Joist, W. Tibbett, Geo. Turner, Bill Smith, Walter Lee, Preston Willison, Dr. M. T. Everton, agent; W. P. Cuff, boss billposter; Will Perry, Harmon Eyest, Mike McDougal and Eugene Harding. The performers are as follows: Tom Samuels, Foster Glasscock, Sweedie Glasscock, Gus Glasscock, Will Samuels, Ruth Glasscock, Loney Glasscock, Toby Glasscock, Eli Lozano, Rose Lozano, Harry Hoffmaster, Charles LaMay, Harry Motto and Burt Myers. C. M. Carson is supt. of privileges.

Billboard, December 31, 1904, pp. 17, 19. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    George H. Wymann has signed with the Gollmar Brothers' Show for next season.

    Fred Haines, with the Van Amburg Show the past season, died in South Omaha, Neb., Dec. 18, from typhoid fever.

    It is reported that Skyler Clark will be identified with the J. T. McCaddon Show. Sky is now in Paris.

    Samuel F. Harrison, a brother of Hugh and Jim Harrison, the well-known circus men, died at the Union Printers' Home in Colorado Spring, Col., Dec. 24.

    Floyd Bernard, for the past two seasons with Campbell Brothers' Show, goes out next season with Ringling Brothers.

    Fred DeCarlo, horizontal bar expert, writes that he has had a very successful season of thirty-seven weeks with the Floto Shows. He has signed with the same for next season.

    Frank A. Goldie, announcer and ticket seller of the Sells-Downs' Shows, is wintering at his old home, Galesburg, Ill., and will be with the same next season, making his fourth year.

    Prof. Clarence F. Brown, who for several seasons has had the band with the M. L. Clark Circus, in the South, willhave charge of the band with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows the coming season.

    The winter quarters of the Great Floto Shows are undoubtedly the finest in the land. Fred Beckman well expressed it the other day when he said: "Why, they are big enough to winter all the shows in America, and then leave elbow room." Everything is in working order and every wagon and horse and animal is under cover. Charles Sander is busy breaking a new elephant act. He will have to begin all over again, as the Floto Shows bought all the costumes, camels and elephants used at Luna Park, Coney Island, during the past summer in the big spectacle, The Durbar of Delhi. This will give the Great Floto fourteen camels and ten elephants, making quite a feature in the parade. Fred Beckman, James J. Jeffries, "Punch" Wheeler, Lew Dockstader, Arthur Dunn, the Fortunes, Sam Mott, John Talbot and Hank Wakefield were visitors during the past week. The big elephant, Mama, grabbed and threw Mr. Floto twenty feet against a stone wall last week. Luckily Mr. Floto escaped injury. Joseph H. Huston, who has been in New York closing the deal for the Luna Park animals, returned to headquarters last Sunday. Johnny Carroll, who has been on a visit to his old home at Baraboo, Wis., since the closing day of the Floto Shows, will be in Denver Christmas day, ready to assume his duties at winter quarters. Four massive tableaux are building at winter quarters to carry the wardrobe and to go in the parade the coming season. The show will carry one hundred draft horses, and will require twenty-four cars to transport the big thing. Arthur Hill is breaking a new animal act that requires twenty animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, and other animals of the feline genus.

Top

1905

Billboard, January 7, 1905, pp. 17, 20. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Pat Kelley, who was with McDonald Brothers' Circus the past season, has joined Wallace's Comedy Co.

    John Zouboulakis, the novelty musician and comic-o-plastic artist, has signed with the Floto Shows for 1905.

    Jones' Railroad Show, Augustus Jones, manager, report that they are now playing the orange belt of Florida to good business.

    Col. J. C. O'Brien was born at Iron, Ohio in 1852, and at the age of fifteen entered the show business, joining the Adam Forepaugh Circus. Since that time he has been connected in an official capacity with a number of the most prominent tented organizations. For the past two years Col. O'Brien has been adjuster and manager of privileges with the Campbell Brothers' Shows, with which organization he will be identified next season.

    W. E. Ferguson has signed as general agent of the Carl Hagenbeck Shows, and will report at St. Louis the latter part of January.

    Geo. S. Burton, in the ticket wagon of the Ringling Brothers the past season, is putting in the winter as treasurer of the Gayety Theatre, Springfield, Ill.

    Dr. H. W. Turner, who has been veterinarian to the Barnum & Bailey Show for the past two years, has resigned his position and will take up another branch of his profession.

    John Lowlow, the famous clown, who had charge of the exhibit of the United States Playing Card Co. at the World's Fair, reached Cincinnati in time to be home for the holidays.

    Catalogues of the great auction sale to be held at Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 10, 11, 12, on which occasion the property of the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers' Shows will be disposed of, are now ready.

    Harry Sells and wife, write that they are spending the winter at Logan, Ohio. They will sail for Paris, March 1, having been engaged to do a high-wire act with the McCaddon European Show.

    W. B. Menefee, the faithful route rider of the Wallace Show for a number of seasons, will again be with the advance of that show next season. He is now working in the paint shops at the winter quarters, Peru, Ind.

    M. L. Clark's combined shows cloed their season Jan. 10, and will winter in New Orleans, La.

    The report that Bert and Mabel Chipman had signed with the J. T. McCaddon Show for next season is denied. On the contrary they are at liberty for next season. They are spending the winter in Kansas City, Mo.

    Florida is getting her share of shows. The following are now playing the state: Jones' Railroad Shows, Sun Brothers Shows, Sparks Shows, Orton Shows, and the Teets Brothers Shows. Strangely enough they are all reporting to be doing fairly well.

    Harry L. Carrier reports that he has just closed a very successful season of ___ weeks as drum and calliope player with the Mighty Haag Shows, and is now spending his vacation with his parents at Marshall, __.

    Eddie Jackson, local contractor for Gentry Brothers (No. 1) Show, writes that he closed his third season with that firm Dec. 1, at Alexandria, La., and left immediately for Oconomowoc, Wis., where he opened with the Uncle Si Haskins Co.

    Friends of Edward Hirner will be ___ to learn that he has signed with the Barnum & Bailey Show for next season. Mr. Hirner is now resting in Chicago. He has been with Buffalo Bill's Show for six straight seasons, and with the Ringling Brothers one season.

    On Dec. 28 the employes of the Hargreaves Show were summoned from winter quarters in Chester, Pa., to fight a fierce fire which was raging in the center of Chester, and which threatened to reach the hotel owned by Tom Hargreaves. They all did valiant work in assisting the firemen.

    Members of the McDonald Brothers' New United enjoyed a Christmas tree and dinner quite unique. While en route from ___ to Stillmore, Ga., in their wagons, the McDonald Brothers called a halt and informed the showmen that they could prepare for a Christmas dinner. Fires were started, and Will and Harry began to prepare a tree for the McDonald children. There was much fun for the little ones and old folks as well. After a big dinner the show packed up and continued its journey to Stillmore.

    Following is the roster of performers with the Frank Adams Southern Show: Frank Adams, sole owner; Agnes Adams, who does her iron jaw act and always makes a hit; the ___ Irwins, and Teddie, who do a novelty contortion and clown act that makes good. The show has just received its new seventy-foot top with a forty-foot middle piece from Baker & Lockwood. They travel in two cars and carry six head of ring stock. The show is now touring the southwestern portion of Texas, where the weather is warm and business good.

Billboard, January 14, 1905, pp. 17, 18. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Members of the circus world at large will be surprised to learn that W. E. Fuller, general contracting agent of the Barnum & Bailey Show, has resigned his position with that organization. Mr. Fuller's immediate friends and associates, however, have rather anticipated this step on his part for some time back, in that it was visibly apparent Mr. Fuller's business interests were fast assuming proportions that would ultimately require his personal and individual attention. After much thought and consideration, Mr. Fuller decided to annul his circus connections, both as a protection to his own interests and in justice to the Barnum & Bailey management. Mr. Fuller leaves the circus field after an extended career . . .

    Al. G. Barnes, with his trained Animal Show, sailed Jan. 5 for Havana, Cuba, where he will play a twelve weeks' engagement with Pubillones Circus. In order to accept this engagement Mr. Barnes had to cancel a number of dates in vaudeville houses which he had contracted for. Week Dec. 25 he played at the Garrick Theatre, Wilmington, Del., and the newspapers were glowing in their description and praise of the novel act introduced. Mr. Barnes has signed for the tented season with one of the big shows and will return from Cuba in time to open with the show.

    Fred Busey takes a car with the Barnum & Bailey Shows.

    Chick Bell is to have the candy stands with the Wallace Show next season.

    Dave G. Pollock is ticket seller and makes the announcements with the Schult & Mead Show.

    A. H. McPhail will be a member of the advance force of the Barnum & Bailey Shows for the season of 1905.

    Rocky Mountain Hank (H. E. Walker) has signed with Hulburd's Wild West to work in the arena and double in concert.

    John H. Rice is mapping out his territory for next summer. John will act as general agent for the Hargreaves Railroad Shows.

    Mlle. Amy, sword swallower, formerly of the Forepaugh-Sells Show, has signed with the J. T. McCaddon Show for the European tour.

    Prof. Hank Snider writes that he opened his Winter Circus Pavilion, Dec. 22, to packed house. He has booked some good attractions.

    The Petit Family have signed for their third season with the Gollmar Shows. They will appear in a new act besides their acrobatic work.

    Sam McCracken, general contractor for the Ringling Brothers' Shows, spent the holidays with his relatives on his farm near Kansas City, Mo.

    W. E. Deacon will have charge of the cook tents with the Wallace Show next season. "Deac" made a great record with the Forepaugh-Sells Show.

    Jas. M. Robinson, formerly agent of the Hobson Show, writes that he is now located at Lecompte, La., where he has erected a billposting plant.

    Wm. Althers will open a dog and pony circus in north St. Louis about Feb. 1. Forty dogs and thirty ponies comprise the show. The prospects look bright.

    Chester White, manager of Ringling Brothers' black top, who makes his home in Baraboo, spent the holidays in Chicago, as did Sid Rubian, steward of the Ringling lunch car.

    Nick Petit, the twenty-four hour man of the Ringling Brothers' Shows, who heretofore has made his home in Minneapolis, has taken up his residence on the north side, Chicago.

    W. C. St. Clair, the past two seasons opposition agent with the Great Wallace Shows, writes that he has been engaged to manage the advertising car with the Gentry Brothers' (No. 2) Show.

    Herbert, the Frogman, writes that he has not lost a week since the Main Show closed and is meeting with success in the northwest. He has signed with the Wallace Show for next season.

    Walter A. Shannon has the privileges with Norris & Rowe next season. He has just bought a seventy-foot Pullman from C. N. Thompson, and is in Columbus looking for other circus property.

    Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gore, of the Sells-Downs Shows for the past three seasons, are with Trousdale Brothers' Joshua Simpkins Co. Mrs. Gore is playing soubrette parts and doing her character dances.

    Col. M. L. Clark, of Clark's Combined Show, will rebuild his winter quarters near Alexandria, La., which were burned a few weeks ago. Contracts are let and work will be commenced at once.

    A new ring barn, built for the Hargreaves Shows, at Chester, Pa., is a commodious and inviting structure and is now being used by a number of well-known performers for breaking in stock.

    Robt. E. Kane, the well-known show talker, has closed a very prosperous season and is now resting at Hot Springs, Ark. He will place his show with one of the large circuses for the coming season.

    Contracts aggregating $3,000 have been awarded McRae and Bursey, of Bridgeport, Conn., for repainting Barnum & Bailey's cars. The tableaux and wagons are being done by Barnum & Bailey's own mechanics.

    Col. H. E. Allott is figuring on making some extensive additions to his New Alhambra hotel, Chicago. A first-class Turkish bath parlor will be one of the acquisitions. The New Alhambra is proving a veritable gold mine for Bunk.

    Bob Taylor, master of transportation of the Ringling Brothers, is a very busy man at Baraboo these days, working on some new cars for the circus. The Ringling Brothers are the first circus organization to build their own cars on the premises of the show.

    Rolla Fox writes that after selling out h8is one ring circus he opened a vaudeville and moving picture show and is playing through Wisconsin to big business, making one and three day stands, carrying seven people. In the spring he will open a vaudeville company under canvas.

    The roster of the annex department of Jones' Railroad Shows is as follows: D. H. Lano, manager and license adjuster; E. S. Ardell, tickets; Mrs. E. S. Ardell, snakes; Mrs. Doc Lano, monkeys and birds; Cudjo, half man and half animal; Tazewell, untamable lion. There are two cages of animals and Lano's London Punch and Judy Show.

    Notes from the Great Floto Shows. Sig Robert Zierke, bandmaster of the Great Floto Show band, is in Denver for the winter, and is gaining many friends by introducing a budget of cornet and trumpet solos. He is signing musicians for the coming season, and will have one of the finest concert orchestras carried by any tented organization. Ted Garvell, late of the Ringling Brothers; E. G. Bricey, of the Forepaugh-Sells; Frank Russomanne, of Ellery's Royal Italian Band and many other artists selected from the best musical organizations in America have been secured. The band will consist of thirty members.

Billboard, January 21, 1905, pp. 17, 18. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    James A. Bailey bought the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Show at Columbus, Jan. 10, for $150,000. The consideration was cash. He immediately sold a half interest in the venture to Ringling Brothers, and the work of refitting it was started at once in order that the show may take the road in April. An immense crowd of showmen was present. In this respect it was the most notable gathering that ever took place. Many of them had hoped to buy odd lots and were disappointed when the show was sold as a whole; but they took the matter philosophically and gathered at the Hotel Chittenden, after the sale for a good time. Among those present were James A. Bailey, Otto Ringling, W. W. Cole, Lewis Sells, B. E. Wallace, W. E. Franklin, C. N. Thompson, John G. Robinson, Geo. Arlington, Al. Stewart, H. H. Tammen, F. C. Archer, Geo. Chenelle, Phil. Oliver, Gil Robinson, C. E. Corey, J. P. Fagan, Ernest Haag, Geo. Sun, Walter Shannon, Wm. P. Hall, Col. Fred Cummins, Frank A. Robbins, Mike Welsh, Phil. Ellsworth, Chas. Wilson, Francis Ferari, Dan Robinson, Wm. Sells, Rud Hynika, Judge Mike Mueler, Adolph Seeman, R. E. Markle, Arch Donaldson, John P. Church, Fred Clark, John Rudolph, Wm. Bartels, O. M. Murray, C. O. Campbell, Edwin Arlington, Wm. E. Clark and Chas. Arnold. Otto Ringling conducted the negotiations for the Ringling Brothers. In spite of all rumors to the contrary, Mr. Bailey did not finally make up his mind to big the show in until about an hour before the sale on Tuesday morning. It was conceded that the price paid was more than the show would have brought piecemeal.

    Taking advantage of the attendance of many managers at the Forepaugh-Sells sale a meeting was held at the Hotel Chittenden at which a preliminary organization was formed, embracing practically every tent show in America. It was provided, furthermore, that those shows not represented could become members upon application. The idea is that the proposed organization will crystalize into a strong protective association. J. T. McCaddon was chosen as chairman, and a committee consisting of Chas. Ringling, Frank A. Robbins and C. C. Wilson was appointed to perfect the organization, draw up a constitution and by-laws, etc., etc. With Barnum & Bailey working in harmony under a five years' agreement with Ringling Brothers, and the bond further strengthened by equal ownership in the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, the prospects for the long looked for association seem bright.

    An associated press dispatch sent out from Geneva, Ohio, Jan. 12, details the sale of the Main Shows as follows: "Geneva, Ohio, Jan. 12. A deal was closed here Thursday evening whereby W. P. Hall, of Lancaster, Mo., became the owner of the Walter L. Main Circus. Consideration given as $120,000. The deal includes all show property, except winter quarters buildings here. Hall is the owner of a large stock farm in Missouri, and has for years imported fine steeds for circuses. Main has been in the business for 22 years, but will spend the coming season at home."
    Negotiations between Messrs. Main and Hall began at Columbus, Jan. 10, and they left for Geneva together, Jan. 11, to look the property over. Hall is a bold, quick buyer, and the story of the purchase is probably true with the exception of the consideration, which is probably overstated. Mr. Hall bought the Harris Nickel Plate Shows last fall from C. C. Wilson, took the outfit to his home at Lancaster and sold it again, all in less than two weeks.

    The partnership existing between John T. Welsh and Col. M. H. Welsh, owners and proprietors of Welsh Brothers' Newest Great Railroad Shows, was dissolved by mutual consent Dec. 24, 1904. Col. M. H. Welsh retiring from the firm. The show will continue to be known as the Welsh Brothers Newest Great Railroad shows, but under the ownership and management of John T. Welsh. The same liberal and progressive policy in vogue for the past eighteen years will be maintained. The show is comfortably quartered at McGranns Park, Lancaster, Pa., where it will open the season early in April. Clinton Newton will be general manager.

    Jack Albion has signed as principal clown for the W. P. Hall Shows.

    W. W. Cole is once more entirely out of the circus business.

    John Hamilton and family are once more living at their old home in Fultonham, Ohio.

    Col. Hugh Harrison has signed as manager of privileges with the Forepaugh-Sells Shows.

    Lash Brothers, musicians, have signed for the season of 1905 with Capt. W. D. Hobson's Shows.

    Mollie Bailey Sons are expecting to go en tour early in March. They have permanent quarters at Houston, Tex.

    Roy Purcell has been engaged as manager of the box brigade with Gentry Brothers (No. 1) Show, season 1905.

    Phil. Harris, with the Miles Orton Shows, will be contracting agent with the Welsh Brothers Newest Great Shows.

    Cecil Lowanda, the somersault rider with Shipp's Indoor Circus, spent New Year's day at his home in Petersburg, Ill.

    Girard Leon, the well-known eccentric clown and novelty advertiser, goes with the Welsh Brothers Shows this season.

    Arthur Adair, the musical clown, is making a great hit in the comedy end of Ed. Shipp's Indoor Circus.

    Park Prentiss, formerly bandmaster with the Sells & Downs Shows, has signed as musical director for the W. P. Hall Shows, season 1905. John Talbott will have the privilege car with the W. P. Hall Shows, and Phil Ellsworth will have the side shows and the candy stands.

    Mr. Burns, who was identified with the Barnum & Bailey Show, season of 1903, has been engaged as general contractor for the Hagenbeck Shows.

    Wm. Sells and a syndicate consisting of Rud Hyniks, Judge Muller and Chas. Arnold, are said to have bid $125,000 for the Forepaugh-Sells Shows.

    Charles Carroll, a caller at The Billboard office, Jan. 11, states that he has been engaged as boss propertyman with the Norris & Rowe Shows.

    Harry Lambkin, with Forepaugh & Sells' Show last seasson, after spending several weeks in Cincinnati, arrived home in Petersburg, Ill., New Year's day.

    E. W. Marsh writes that the has signed as first trombone with Ringling Brothers' Concert Band. Last season he played first trombone with the Carl Clairs' Band.

    Oscar Lowande offered Mr. Bailey #1,000 for Gypsy, one of the ring horses with the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, but was told that the mare could not be had for $2,000.

    Frank and Albright (Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Blasser), the past two years with the Walter L. Main Circus, are spending the holidays at their home in Lawrence, Mass.

    The Ty-Bell Sisters write that they have been engaged for the Hippodrome, New York City. They have also signed for the season of 1905 with the Great Wallace Shows.

    Fred Hutchinson, of the Buffalo Bill Shows, left Columbus immediately after the sale, catching the Luciania at New York, Jan. 14. He expects to reach winter quarters at Stoke-on-Trent, Jan. 21.

    Dan S. Fishell, late of Barnum & Bailey Shows, has accepted the office of business agent of the Royal Chef Co., now playing the Garrick Theatre, St. Louis. He rejoins Barnum & Bailey in the spring.

    The Elzors, Fred and Winnie, a duo of remarkable equilibrists who have just finished a successful season over the Stoll Circuit, England, have signed with the Welsh Brothers Newest Great Shows for the coming season.

    James H. Gray, formerly of the circus firm of Sells & Gray, is now identified with the real estate business in Santa Rosa, Cal., where it is reported Mr. Gray has accumulated a considerable fortune in the laying out of resident subdivisions.

    The James Shelby Show will leave Albany, Ga., Jan. 15, for the season of 1905, and will be enlarged as spring approaches. The show has been in Albany three weeks repainting and inproving, and will work southern Georgia and Alabama until spring. They did a splendid business in the Carolinas and Georgia all last season.

    W. N. Merrick, of Shipp's Indoor Circus, claims to be the oldest circus leader in point of continuous active service in the country. He led the band with Sells, then Forepaugh & Sells, for over twenty-five years, and was with the old Van Amburg Circus and J. H. Haverly Minstrels. He will sail in March for Europe with the J. T. McCaddon European Circus.

Billboard, January 28, 1905, pp. 12, 20, 21. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chas. Lee, the veteran showman, died at his home in Canton, Pa., Sunday, Jan. 8, after an illness extending over some nine years. Mr. Lee's immediate was heart disease. In 1896 he suffered three strokes of appoplexy, and from that time has almost been an invalid, with the exception of being able to get out a few months during the summer. As a showman Mr. Lee's experience covered a period of over thirty years. In 1870 he toured the country with the Barnum and Adam Forepaugh Shows. For a number of years he appeared under the name of LaCardo, the magician. In 1884 he embarked in the circus business, with Sam A. Scribner for a partner. Three years later Mr. Lee started his own show, which he called Lee's Great London Shows. It gradually grew to be the largest wagons show on the road. In 1888 the outfit wintered in Canton, where he purchased property and wintered every year until 1896, when he was stricken with appoplexy. Mr. Lee was sixty years old July 1, 1904. He married Miss Elma Rogers in 1882, who has been a faithfull and loving wife, and who now mourns his loss. Besides a widow he leaves a brother, three half-brothers, three half-sisters, and an adopted son. The funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Lee was a member. The Rev. J. W. Martin officiated. The G. A. R. attended in a body. Mr. Lee was very popular and well known among the profession.

    Joseph P. Quaid died in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 17, from the result of an accident. He went from New York to his home in Philadelphia to spend the holidays, and on Jan. 3 slipped on the ice and fractured his leg. He was taken to the Pennsylvania hospital and was getting along nicely when pneumonia set in, which was the direct cause of his death. Mr. Quaid was well known in theatrical and circus circles, not only for his geniality but also for his business abilities. He was for a number of years treasurer of the Standard and Trocadero theatres, Philadelphia. From 1890 to 1894 he was in charge of the ticket wagon of the Adam Forepaugh Circus. In 1905 [sic] he went to England to instruct the ticket sellers for the first tour of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and then returned to this country. For the next seven years he hel an important managerial position with Buffalo Bill's Wild West. For two years he was assistant treasurer of Weber & Fields' Music Hall, New York, and afterwards was manager of their road company. In 1903 he was manager of the West-end Theatre, New York, and last season managed the English Daisy Company. This season he had been New York representative for several companies. He was a member of Brooklyn Lodge of Elks. The intermnet took place at Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Jan. 21, and was attended by a large delegation of theatrical and circus people. Many came from New York, Boston and Buffalo, and numerous floral emblems were sent from all parts of the country. At the time of his death Mr. Quaid was thirty-six years of age.

    Samuel B. Dezarn, attache of Sun Brothers' Circus, was killed by a northbound freight train near Dade City, Florida, Jan. 12. The body was crushed to a pulp and it was only by some papers that the body was identified. Mr. Sun arranged for a burial at his own expense.

    Benjamin Miller, horse trainer, who had charge of Silver King, with Ringling's Show for two seasons, and had the pony stables with several different shows, died at Dixon, Ill., Jan. 16, of heart failure.

    Diavolo, otherwise known as Dr. Clark, is reported to have been fatally injured at Clenfuegos, Cuba, Jan. 14, while leaping the gap on a bicycle.

    William P. Hall of Lancaster, Mo., who recently purchased the Walter L. Main Show, announces that he will combine his new purchase with his own show, and make of them one of the finest thirty-car shows on the road. The entire equipment will be overhauled, and paint and gold leaf will be spread galore. In the future act, which has not yet been announced, Mr. Hall promises a revelation. Phil. Ellsworth has been engaged as director general and headquarters will be at Geneva, Ohio.

    Gus and Marion Kohl have signed with the Great Wallace Shows for next season.

    C. J. Sassaria and W. M. Day have signed with the Robinson Show for next season.

    The Austin Sisters, flying return act, have been engaged by the Wallace Shows season 1905.

    J. B. Swafford has signed as general agent with the Andrew Downie Show for the coming season.

    W. P. Hall, of Lancaster, Mo., has purchased from Andrew Downie a thirty-two whistle calliope.

    The Stumon Family Band and Orchestra closed its forty weeks' engagement with Sun Brothers Jan. 28.

    Shipp's Indoor Circus will disband March 21 so the performers can join the Barnum & Bailey and other shows.

    Harry Rentz has signed for next season with the Frank A. Robbins Circus, to do his riding act with his mule, Maud.

    Vic O. Woodward will again have charge of advance car No. 1 of the Welsh Brothers Newest Great Shows this season.

    Mr. and Mrs. Nate Wilson, of Joplin, Mo., are enjoying a pleasant visit to their son, C. C. Wilson and family, at their Chicago home.

    Miss Eva Howard, for the past four seasons with the John Robinson Shows, is suffering with tonsilitis at her home 814 Main stret, Cincinnati.

    Frank F. Lavell has signed for next season with the John Robinson Show. He has been out eighteen weeks with the Newman Entertainers.

    E. L. Brannan, general agent of the Van Amburg Shows, was in St. Louis last week. He purchased a number of animals from the Hagenbeck Zoo.

    Peter Fink, well-known showman of Peru, Ind., will shortly move to Denver, Col. He has been with the Great Wallace Show, has signed contracts for the coming season.

    Anita Faber has closed with Shipp's Indoor Circus and is now at her home in Columbus, Ohio. She has signed with the Wallace Show for next season.

    Jumbo, said to be the largest horse in the world and a feature of the Andrew Downie side show last season, died last week at Medina, N. Y., from blood poisoning.

    J. J. Blanck is erecting at Verona, six miles from Pittsburg, Pa., several large storage buildings for the purpose of wintering circuses and theatrical outfits.

    Paul Spearing (Cincy), assistant trainmaster with Forepaugh-Sells Show last season, goes with Buffalo Bill next season. He leaves New York Feb. 12 to join the show.

    Max Hugo, principal clown and comique juggler, and Prof. J. A. Kelly, aeronaut and parachute leaper, are among the recent bookings for the Welsh Brothers Newest Great Shows.

    Chas. P. Helon writes that he has signed as general agent for the F. W. Hall United Wagon Shows for next season. He will leave Coryville, Kan., March 20, with the advance brigade.

    Berndt Spahr, the clever clown and rider of Canal Dover, Ohio, who has been with John Robinson's Show for the past two years, will be back in the same position duirng the coming season.

    George Holland and wife (Rose Dockrill) and Frank Miller and wife will be the principal riders with the Norris & Rowe Shows this season. They are now breaking stock and practicing at the San Jose, Cal., winter quarters.

    Signor Robert Zeirka, bandmaster with the Otto Floto Shows, is spending a month or two at Cripple Creek, Col. Signor Zeirka informs The Billboard's correspondent that he will have about thirty choice members in his band next season.

    W. A. Schaar, formerly featured with the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Shows, has closed contracts with the Great Wallace Shows to furnish a family bicycle act, Devil's Chimney and other attractions.

    George Gallagher has signed as general agent for McCaddon's European Circus and will sail for France early in March. Mr. Gallagher has been one of Chas. H. ___'s best agents for the past five years, and is well known as a great business producer for any show he goes ahead of.

    Tom Hargreaves is completing arrangements to make his railroad shows better, bigger and grander than ever. He will have a corterie of clowns this season that will be a startling feature. Superintendent Bailey has the winter quarters in fine shape, and employs a small army of mechanics on new wagons and cars.

    W. A. Shannon, general manager of privileges with the Norris & Rowe Shows, passed through Chicago Friday, 20, on his way from Columbus, Ohio, to San Jose, Cal., with his privilege car, Thelma, which he purchased from C. N. Thompson. Mr. Shannon called at the Chicago office of The Billboard. He will have all of the privileges with Norris & Rowe this season.

    Everything is hustle and bustle around the winter quarters of the Campbell Brothers' Show. Fannie, the lioness, gave birth to a litter of cub lions and they are doing fine.

    D. H. Lano closed as side show manager and adjuster with the Jones Railroad Show, Jan. 14, at Frenandina, Fla., selling his animals and the freak, Cudjo, to Mr. Jones. Mr. Lano is now resting at Jacksonville, Fla., and will direct the tour of his wife, who has out her troupe of boxing dogs and monkeys. Mr. and Mrs. Lano have been engaged for next season with the Wallace Show.

    Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cousins, equestrians, have signed with Welsh Brothers Newest Great Shows for the coming season. In addition to their equestrian displays, Mrs. Cousins will present a unique carriage menage act, employing two beautiful Arabian horses and six fox hounds. Mr. Cousins will also fill the position of equestrian director, making his third season in this capacity.

    Norris & Rowe will have twenty-two cars with their show this season. Eighteen cars comprised their equipment last year. Joe Geisher will be equestrian director; Pop Smith, musical director; George Warmwold [sic?] superintendent of canvas, and Jim Low, boss hostler. The big top will be one hundred and forty feet with four forty-foot middle pieces; menagerie top eighty feet with three thirties. Leonhardt is turning out a new band wagon of magnificent proportions for the show.

    A new claimant of public patronage will appear in the tented field the coming season to be known as Washburn and DeAlma's Famous Trained Animal Shows, of which Leon W. Washburn and John DeAlma are proprietors. The winter quarters at Corona, Long Island, have presented a busy appearance for many weeks past. Fifty ponies and one hundred dogs, besides to elephants, are at school in the winter quarters. Four cars will be required to transport the show. The printing will be of new designs. The show will open the last week of April.

    Items from the Great Texas Bill Wild West. Many marked improvements are being made to the show for this season. Nearly a hundred head of horses will be carried. Two new band wagons, several cages and a new ticket wagon have been ordered. The following people have already signed: Harry Knight, arena director; W. C. Lane, side show manager; Sam Moore, boss hostler; F. C. Sylvan, rube; Lone Star May, champion wing shot; Frank Cool, reserved seat tickets; W. W. Jeffers, treasurer and assistant manager. There will be a tribe of twenty Sioux Indians from the Rosebud Agency. It is manager Montgomery's intention to give the public this season a strictly first-class Wild West performance, together with the installation of several ideas new to the wild west field.

    Notes from the Canada Frank Shows. This is our thirty-seventh week under canvas. We have toured Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Indian Territory, Texas and Louisiana. Business has been better than any previous season in the show's history. The roster is as follows: F. M. Myers, owner and manager; Mrs. F. M. Myers, ticket taker; Miss Winifred Myers, reserved seats; Walton Brothers, double traps; Edwin Curtis, slack wire; Oscar Hilbert, single traps; Prof. Chas. Dryden, barrel kicking; Jack Maloney, clown; Bert Myers adn Maloney, revolving ladder; Miss Manda Myers, sourbrette; Myrtle Myers, songs; Bert Redd, master of properties; Henry Kline, boss canvasman; "Slim" Andrews, chandelier man; Willie Loftus, carboy, and Edward Hobart, leader of band. The show will run about three weeks longer under canvas and will then play opera houses until March 10, closing at Tipton, Ia.

    Shipp's Indoor Circus, now in its sixth week, is eclipsing all previous efforts. Mr. Shipp's idea of producing a circus on a stage is not only practical but satisfies the demand of the theatregoers, who are continually crying for something new. To further substantiate this Mr. Shipp has a tempting offer from a prominent syndicate to give up his regular summer circus engagement and devote his entire time to an indoor circus. The company includes some of the best known performers in America, and a glance a the roster will reveal many familiar names to those conversant with circus folks. Art and Dot Adair, head balancing act; Carrie Kemp, rolling globe; Miss Julia Lowande, principal bareback act; Prof. Sunlin, presenting his trained bull; Fred Ledgett and Dollie Julian, jockey riders; Arthur Adair and George Hartzell, principal clowns; Peerless Anita, aerialist; Delavoye and Fritz, trick-house act; Horace Webb, revolving ___; Madame Marei, with her educated horse, Mizpah; Cecil Lowande, principal somersault equestrian; Pascatel, the man with a hundred forms; Nettie Carroll, high wire act; the Marvelous Pacheco Family of acrobats and Alec G. Lowande, with his comic riding on a mule. The Shipp circus season is to close March 11, at Convention Hall, Kansas City, where the show is well known. W. N. Merrick has a band of eleven people, which has been one of the contributing factors to the success of the enterprise.

Billboard, February 4, February 11, and February 18, 1905 are online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, February 25, 1905, pp. 10, 11. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Among recent acquisitions of the Norris & Rowe Show at its winter quarters in San Jose, Cal., is a handsome new sixty-foot Pullman car, just from the shops and fitted throughout in a style that fairly rivals the private property of many a railroad president. When the employes of the show became appraised of the fact that the new car would be in the side-track in an hour, the whole force assembled at the tracks and much speculation was engaged in as to the appearance and name of the new Pullman. As the car came in, richly painted, handsomely finished and as bright as a silver dollar, a cheer went up from the delighted crowd as they read the name which Messrs. Norris & Rowe had palced upon the sides of the car in an artistic design - The Billboard. The management of the show at once became the object of much praise in their selection of the name. Every member of the Norris & Rowe Show is proud of its new possession, and The Billboard is proud of its namesake.

    The Miles Orton Show, which has been playing with such pronounced success in Florida, is visiting the Bahama Islands. The show left Miami, arriving in Nassau where the opening performance was given to a packed tent Feb. 8. The Nassau papers speak well of the show, giving it the highest praise.

    Campbell Brothers will stay exclusively in the west this season.

    Ellis Cregmile has signed with the Forepaugh-Sells Show for next season.

    Ward Kelly has been appointed treasurer of the Norris & Rowe Show. The Flying Victorellas were recently engaged for Norris & Rowe.

    C. D. McIntyre has been engaged as contracting agent for the Gollmar Bros. Shows.

    Frank Ellett, of the Ellett Troupe, has been visiting his family in McKees Rocks, Pa.

    Williams and McComb, aerialists, have signed for the season of 1905 with the Great Pan-American Shows.

    Charles Hayes, business manager of the David Harum Co., has signed with Barnum & Bailey for the coming season.

    Chas. F. Mack has again signed as ticket seller with the Wallace Show, making his fourth season in that capacity.

    Will Tarkington, in writing to a friend, states that he will not be identified with the Gentry Bros. Shows this season.

    C. I. Norris is doing fine work with his foot juggling bear, one of the many new features to be introduced by Norris & Rowe this season.

    George Holland has recenlty purchased a new horse for a principal act, and is breaking him at the Norris & Rowe winter quarters.

    Edward Herner, late of Barnum & Bailey, will be head chef in charge of the kitchen of the Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Shows next season.

    Jerry Mugivan, general manager of the Van Amburg Shows, purchased some cars in Chicago last week and registered at The Billboard office Wednesday, 15.

    B. F. Loveridge, who has been spending the winter at Pennoyer Sanitarium, Kenosha, Wis., has signed as route rider with Forepaugh-Sells Show for the coming season.

    The Elstun Brothers Dog and Pony Show is being shaped up nicely for the season. The show will carry twenty-one ponies, fifty dogs and goats and the disrobing horse, Senator.

    Miss Belle Clark, novelty menage artiste, and Miss Nellie Braddon, wild west equestrienne, are engaged to go with the Sig. Sautelle & Welsh Brothers Combined Shows for 1905.

    L. J. Chamberlain's crack circus band of eighteen first-class musicians will furnish the music for the Sig. Sautelle & Welsh Brothers Combined Shows during the coming season.

    Wm. DeMott, equestrian, has signed with the Robinson Shows. He says that Mrs. Gertrude Davis, under his instruction, gives promise of becoming an equestrienne of high degree.

    Curvin Zeck, aerial performer, writes that he has joined with Nellie Billings, aerialist, and hereafter the team will be known as The Billings. They go with Al. Steel's Show this season.

    James Stuart, contracting agent; Walter Dynan, chief steward, and George Wormwold, boss canvasman, were recently arrivals at winter quarters of the Norris & Rowe Show in San Jose, Cal.

    Lew Barrella has taken the side show management of the Campbell Brothers this season. It will be a sixty with two thirties. Fourteen different attractions will be carried in this department.

    H. P. Matlack, associate manager of privileges with the Hagenbeck Shows, transacted business in the interests of that organization in Chicago last week, making his headquarters at The Billboard office.

    Great LaFleur's sensational acrobatic and ladder act was a big hit at the Mid-winter Exposition recently held in Topeka, Kan. Great LaFleur has been engaged for the season with the Forepaugh & Sells Brothers' Show.

    It is reported to The Billboard by reliable authority that a number of Cairo, Ill., capitalists have agreed and arranged to put out a circus the coming season. Paddy Smith, the ex-pugilist, is scheduled as manager of this new one which, it is said, will be a thirty-car show.

    Herb Rumley will work the seals and sea lions with the Norris & Rowe Shows this summer. Albert King is breaking a lay-down entry for two rings and a driving elk, which will be anovelty for the street parade. A troop of trained dogs are receiving the finishing touches of their education under the master hand of Joe Geysler.

    Lieut. Byron N. Hulburd of Philadelphia has returned from a trip to Texas, where he went to arrange for the opening of Hulburd's Wild West April 15, at San Antonia. He writes that he will go to the Pacific coast this season, and that he has closed a contract with the Southern Pacific R. R. Co. for the transportation of the outfit.

    John A. Barton returned to Chicago Thursday, 16, after a conference with Sig. Sautelle at Homer, N. Y. Mr. Barton is enthusiastic over the progress being made at winter quarters, and declares that the general equipment of the Sig. Sautelle & Welsh Bros. Consolidated Shows will be of the best throughout all departments. The show will consist of fifteen cars.

    Lee Williams was a Cincinnati visitor last week, having run over from St. Louis to look after the wagons and effects being built for the Hagenbeck Show. He left Wednesday for northern Ohio, where he goes to meet Walter L. Main and close up a deal he has on hand with that gentleman. Mr. Williams is sure of a prosperous season for the Hagenbeck Show this year.

    Notes from LaMont Brothers' Show. We are very comfortably located in our winter quarters at Salem, Ill. The shops are kept busy and will be so until the show leaves Salem. C. D. Randolph is very busy breaking a team of trick mules, which he says will be one of the best acts of its kind ever placed before the public. Mr. Ferguson, of the Ferguson Show Print Co., of Logan, Ia., spent a very pleasant week with us recently.

    Fred Beckmann, associated with Frank A. Robbins with his new show and who will handle the advance, was in New York last week and conferred with his car managers and contractor Haley as to next season's campaign. Mr. Beckman will be foot loose and will use a flying squadron box brigade to the best advantage in billing the extreme advance for extra billing purposes as occasion may require. W. M. Goodman will have charge of the first car and a Beckman protege will handle the excursion car. As their printing is divided among four lithographic houses there will be an unusually fine assortment of poster for the show.

    The organization of the Adam Forepaugh & Sells Brothers Shows Combined is now practically complete. Henry Ringling will be the manager and A. G. Ringling the general agent. The equipment will be new from the smallest stake to the widest canvas. The area of canvas will be enormous, because the menagerie will be enlarged. The men for the working departments are steeped in experience, and known for effective work. Besides the new sleepers and cars added this year the cars heretofore used have been rebuilt and painted by the Pennsylvania R. R. Co. at its shops in Columbus, Ohio, and is the largest contract ever given to a carbuilding company by a circus. James A. Bailey and the Ringling Brothers will give the employes of the new aggregation the greatest possible comfort, and no expense has been spared to develop this idea to the highest standard the name and fame of its present owners enjoy. George Stumpf will be superintendent of stock; Frank Wingate will have charge of the ring stock; John Devinney, superintendent of canvas; "Buggy" Stumpf, superintendent of transportation; Harry Sells, superintendent of properties; Thomas Dunn, superintendent of lights; Peter Heinz, superintendent of mechanics; Fred Schaefer, superintendent of wardrobe, and John Patterson, superintendent of animals and elephants. Hugh Harrison is to have charge of the side shows, and the culinary department will be in charge of A. D. Moreland. Edward Shipp will be equestrian director.

Billboard, March 4 and March 11, 1905 are online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, March 18, 1905, pp. 28, 30, 32. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Harry Stevenson, musician, late of Gentry Brothers' (No. 2) Show, died recently of tuberculosis at his home in Chandlerville, Ill.

    The train bearing the Great Floto Shows leaves Denver March 19 for Fort Worth, Tex., where the season begins, 22. After Dallas, Waco, Galveston, Houston, Austin and San Antonia, only six stands will be made to California. Floto's agents are now scattered from Dallas to Victoria, B. C. No enterprise of this class will go out better equipped, for it has Pullman train service from the advance cars to the last train, and everything is brand new in every department. The growth of the Floto shows has occasioned much comment and praise from visiting showmen.
    Frank Tammen is the general manager; Joseph H. Huston, general agent; Mell A. Faris, contracting agent; Arthur E. Diggs, manager advance car; "Punch" Wheeler, press agent; Arthur L. Hill, manager outside attractions; James Ross, concert manager; Harry Evans, treasurer; John Carroll, equestrian director; Chris Seitz, superintendent of menagerie; Ed. Jenks, boss hostler; "Slivers" Holland, boss canvasman; W. C. Clements, property man; Dr. Rowland Curtis, surgeon; Prof. John H. Andrews, lecturer; John Kent, master of transportation, and Sig. R. Zierke, bandmaster, with fifty musicians.
    The circus program includes the Ellet troupe, aerialists; Varin and Turenne, battle axe manipulators; Sugimoto Japanese troupe, the Three Hocums, principal riders; William DeVan and Lizzie Rooney, principal riders; the Four Avenas, trapeze; Clara Ruel, menage rider; Campbell and Johnson, comedy bicycle act; the Rose-edyth ballet, premiers, secundos and coryphees; the Marvelous Chester Brothers' performing elephants; two comic mule riding acts and twenty clowns headed by Frank Milton, George LaMar, Frank Ellet, Joe Smith and Will Koplin. The side show: Great Vallecita and her performing lions; Pan-American Minstrels; Windecker, the Great; International Congress of Dancing Girls; Al. Armer and wife, impalement act; DeLong Sisters, musical act; DuBarry Trio of singers and dancers; Zouboulakis, the great wonder; and Fantano, the mystery. Annex brass band of twelve men.

    Charles L. Kennedy, the well-known showman and formerly a partner in the Kennedy Brothers Wild West, died March 3, in Hannibal, Mo. The remains were shipped to Lexington, Mo., for interment in the Porteus Cemetery. Of recent years Mr. Kennedy conducted a milk business in Bloomington, Ill. He leaves a wife and two small children besides a wife and two small children besides his mother, two brothers and four sisters.

    The Norris & Rowe Show opened its season of 1905 at San Francisco, Cal., Saturday, March 4, with a matinee, the receipts of which exceeded those of last year by something like $200. Saturday night every reserved seat was sold and the gallery was crowded at 25 cents. Sunday matinee was a corker, to use the expression of H. S. Rowe, and Sunday night witnessed a capacity tent. The big illuminated parade of Friday night before the opening day was a big success, if large crowds count for anything. The streets were crowded all along the line of march.

    Thomas During has charge of the train with the Wallace Shows.

    Burns and Burns have sigend with the W. P. Hall Shows for the coming season.

    Olga Read will be one of the principal riders for the Wallace Shows the coming season.

    The Kennedy Brothers' Indian Congress and Wild West Show will open June 15 at Paragon Park, Boston.

    The menagerie of the John Robinson Show was increased March 9 by the birth of a baby Ansa antelope.

    The Great Wagner, the "flexible" clown, has signed to go with the Campbell Brothers Show this season.

    George Wood will have charge of the canvas with the Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows the coming season.

    A baby camel was born at the Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show winter quarters in St. Louis, Mo., March 6.

    Niler Lewis, for three years with the Floto Shows, has joined the Coast Artillery and is stationed at Ft. Dade, Egmont, Fla.

    A. S. Engiert [Englert?], "Smithy," left Berlin, Ont., March 15, for Topeka, Kan., to take charge of the canvas with the Sells & Downs Show.

    Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gore closed with the Joshua Simpkins Co. (western) at Moline, Ill., March 4, to join the Great Floto Shows at Denver.

    David E. Imler (Shorty) is said to have left the Wallace Show winter quarters for Denver, to take the cook house with the Floto Show.

    George Gallagher with a corps of advertising men started for Europe on March 15. Mr. Gallagher will be general agent of the McCaddon Shows.

    Frank J. O'Donnell will close with Hanlon's Superba on March 27, and at once assume the duties of press agent with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus.

    The Morris Family Band, Matthew Morris, last season leader of the Miles Orton's Shows, has booked with the Welsh Brothers shows for the coming season.

    Our correspondent at Whitewright, Tex., writes that James McKenna, bannerman for Floto's Circus Beautiful, left there this week to join the car at Fort Worth.

    W. H. Bullen, agent of Murray and Mack, was a Billboard caller March 9. He will be a member of the John Robinson advance force next season.

    John H. Rice, general agent of the Hargreaves Shows, has started to work after a winter's studying of maps and railroad guides. He states that an entire new advance car will be used this summer.

    Lamarr and Siada [Slada?], who have been wintering in Chicago since Christmas, will not take out the Chinese Palace this season, and will go with Sells & Downs Circus.

    W. H. ("Bones") Holden, last season with Gentry Brothers No. 1 advance and now advertising agent at the Broadway Theatre, St. Louis, Mo., will be with Sells & Downs Show this season.

    James Duval, at one time accounted one of America's greatest contortionists, but who has forsaken acrobatic work and embraced the comedy field, has signed as a funmaker with the John Robinson Shows.

    Willard McGuire, of the Casino Theatre, Philadelphia, made a hurried trip to Washington during the inauguration and engatged a number of Seth Bullock's Rough Riders for the Pawnee Bill Wild West.

    Hargreaves Shows will have an amusing burlesque on a national subject as part of their clown frolics. Their new 20-sheet clown stand, by Donaldson, is one of the fetchiest pieces of paper ever printed.

    P. A. Dutch, cowboy electrical tattoographist, now at the Clark Street Musuem, Chicago, has signed with manger of annex, James H. Morrow of Sig. Sautelle's & Welsh Brothers Combined Shows for season 1905.

    Mr. VanWyck, manufacturer of apparatus and juggling outfits, Cincinnati, is making some handsome apparatus for Gentry Brothers' monkeys.

    S. Schlup, our former correspondent at New Philadelphia, Ohio, writes that he joined Sun Brothers' Circus as lithographer, March 11.

    Otis Kiefer of Bloomington, Ill., has been making preparations for some time to go on the road again - this season with the Wallace Circus. He does a baton swinging turn in the big show and in the concert. He will join the show at Indianapolis the latter part of March.

    The Flying Fisher Family have been working at Bloomington, Ill., preparatory to taking the road with the Ringling Brothers Shows. The troupe consists of Charles Noble, Edward Foreman, Clyde VanNovle, Henry Franz and Fred Johnson. They leave March 20, to join the show at Chicago.

    Notes from Canada Frank's Vaudeville Circus. Everything in winter quarters is putting on an appearance as though there wes going to be something doing this season. The show will have a larger tent than last season, the old one proving too small at many stands. The show opens the first week in May.

    Frank A. Robbins has purchased several animals from Louis Rhue, among which is a giant camel, the largest and finest specimen ever imported to this country. The giant camel is to the dromedary species as large as Jumbo was in the elephant class. Mr. Robbins intends makingit one of the features of his menagerie.

    Nathan Davis, who has been connected with the Barnum & Bailey Show, the Buffalo Bill Wild West on both sides of the water and others for many years, and whose travels have extended over most of North America, writes that he has retired from the show business and opened a cigar store at 107 North Ninth street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Billboard, March 25, 1905 is online on this website, click on   Billboard.

Billboard, April 1, 1905, pp. 18, 26. Note: Billboard has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Judson C. Webb, formerly transportation and concession manager with the Barnum & Forepaugh Shows, died last week at the Swedish Hospital, Omaha, Neb. Remains were shipped to Fremont, Neb.

    Lillian Harrington has joined the W. P. Hall Shows as dancer.

    Al. G. Barnes' Animals are touring Cuba with the Circo Pubillones.

    Norris & Rowe had good business at both performances at San Diego, Cal., March 20.

    The Gentry Brothers Show No. 2 opens at Greenville, Miss., April 8.

    The Garcinetti Family is said to be a big hit down in Cuba with the Circo Pubillones.

    E. M. Jackson is doing the local contracting again this season for the Gentry Show No. 1.

    E. M. Washburn has signed as master of transportation for Gentry Brothers Show No. 2.

    Harry Bonnell will be back with the Hulburd Wild West Show this season, doing press work.

    The Three D'Enpas, horizontal bar performers and acrobats, go with the Campbell Brothers this season.

    Ed Adams, a canvasman with the Barnum & Bailey Show, is recovering from his injuries received lately.

    R. A. Thompson's troupe of trained horses have arrived in Peru, Ind., from Dallas, Tex., to join the Wallace Show.

    Geo. Parento, sensational ladder and trapeze performer, is now in is thirty-fifth week with Jones' Model Plate Show.

    William L. Carr, advance agent for the Vernon Stock Co., has been engaged to go in advance of Car No. 2 of Hargreaves' Circus.

    The Stumon Family have re-engaged with the Sun Brothers Shows for the season. Edwin Dutch will be a member of the family.

    W. E. Sands will manager advertising car No. 1 of the Campbell Brothers Shows this season, which will be his second year with the show.

    The eighty head of work horses formerly used by the Walter L. Main Shows have been sold to the Hagenbeck Trained Animal Exhibit.

    F. C. Archer, last season excursion agent with the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, is managing the No. 1 advance car with the Norris & Rowe Big Shows.

    Wm. C. Lane, of Hagerstown, Md., is preparing to open with the Texas Bill Wild West, with which organization he will have charge of the side show.

    Geo. Claire, advertising agent of the Grand Opera House of Rochester, Pa., writes that he has signed to go in advance of the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers Show.

    The John Sparks Circus suffered a blowdown at Corinth, Miss., March 18, in which it is said that the main tent was completely ruined. Luckily no one was injured.

    Thomas During (Dutch), for the past five years trainmaster with the Sells & Downs Circus, has signed with the Wallace Show for the coming season.

    Fred Maurer, Ed. Bucher and Bert Reiss, billposters of Canal Dover, Ohio, left last week for New York, where they joined Barnum & Bailey's advertising car No. 1.

    John R. Feltus writes that he has signed with the Ringling Brothers' excursion car for the coming season. He was with car No. 1 of the Walter L. Main Show last season.

    Beja (Mrs. Prosser), contortionist, and W. M. Prosser, who have been spending the winter at their home in Bay City, Mich., have signed with the Sells & Downs Shows for the season.

    Martin Milligan has closed his season as agent of the Margaret Neville Co., and is at present resting in Akron, Ohio, arranging to manage advance car No. 2 this season with the Lemen Brothers World's Best Shows.

    MacVay and Seabright, novelty acrobatic rope jumpers, have signed with the John Robinson Show for the season. MacVay, the male member of the team, has added the unique novelty of jumping the rope while standing on his head.

    Col. Frederick T. Cummins reports things are rapidly shaping up for the road tour of Cummins' Wild West