Excerpts From Billboard - 1907-1910
Billboard, January 5, 1907, pp. 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. Most of the circus news was unreadable. Only selected items were transcribed.
Marriage. H. Windecker and Miss Flora Stephens, with the Sells-Floto Shows this past season, Dec. 15 at El Paso, Tex.
A newspaper report says: Jerry Mugivan, proprietor of the Van Amburg Circus, W. E. Franklin, B. E. Wallace's advance agent, and J. O. Talbott, of Denver, Col., are at Peru, Ind., for the purpose of buying the Great Wallace Shows. It is understood that these three men propose to take over the circus, leaving Col. Wallace a part owner, thus giving them the opportunity to use his name for the prestige it will given. It is also understood that if the shows are bought by these men, the Van Amburg circus will be taken to Peru to winter hereafter.
There was a large crowd in the Fitgerald Circus Building in Melbourne, Aus., at the recent sale of the Bostock & Wombwell Circus. A big of ___ pounds for the entire show was rejected, and the property was sold piece by piece. The heaviest buyers were the Wirth Brothers and W. Anderson of Syndey. __ Bostock will retire from the show business in Australia.
Billboard, January 19, 1907, pp. 16, 24, 25. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Aimee Austin, the well-known performer known as The Human Fly, died Jan. 14, at Pittsburg, Pa., at the age of thirty-six. In private life she was Mrs. Phil D. Greene. She was born in London, England, and became a performer at age nine. In 1882 she came to this country with the W. W. Cole Circus from Berlin, and she never recrossed the Atlantic. For many years she was the principal half of the Austin Sisters, aerialists, her ceiling walking stunt winning for her the title above mentioned. For the past four years Mrs. Greene had been quite frequently overtaken with illness so that her professional career was greatly interrupted. Her last illness extended over a period of six months, during which time she was constantly confined to her apartment. Interment was had at Allegheny Cemetery, Jan. __. Mrs. Greene leaves a host of friends to share her husband's sorrow.
John D. Carey will not be with the Pawnee Bills Shows this season. He has signed a contract with the Cole Brothers, and will be assistant to general agent Ed C. Knupp.
Harry Clark has signed with the Cole Brothers' Show as principal clown for next season. During the winter Mr. Clark is clowning with the Shriner's Yankee Circus in Egypt, in Grand Rapids and other northern cities. With him are Jimmy Spriggs, Arthur Jarvis, Henry Stantz and David Clark.
Wm. Toombs (Blackey), formerly an eight-horse driver with the Buffalo Bill Show, has the contract for boarding and lodging the Hippodrome Indians.
Fred and Julia Griffin made good with the Hagenbeck Shows in Mexico.
Kennedy's Indian Congress and Wild West opened at Park Palestine, Havana, Cuba, Jan. __.
The dressing rooms and animal tents of the Jones Enormous Shows were damaged by fire during the engagement in Tampa, Fal.
Billie Page, formerly of the Forepaugh-Sells Show, is spending the winter with his parents at Weatherford, Tex.
Sim Stough, formerly general agent of the Rice and Conley Minstrels, has signed with the Ringling Brothers for next season.
The merger of the Hagenbeck and Wallace Shows at Peru, Ind., was consummated last week. The deal has been made between B. E. Wallace, proprietor of the Great Wallace Shows, John H. Havlin, of Cincinnati, and Frank R. Tate, of St. Louis, owners of the Hagenbeck Show; John O. Talbott, of Denver, Col., a former associate of Mr. Wallace, and Jerry Mugivan, formerly owner of the Van Amburg Show. Mr. Havlin is the millionaire theatrical man of Cincinnati. Mr. Tate is prominent in theatrical matters in St. Louis and has been president of the Carl Hagenbeck Shows since they organized. Mr. Wallace will be managing director of the new combination and will have the assistance of Messrs. Mugivan and Talbott. C. E. Cory, who has been with Mr. Wallace for several years, will remain with the show in the same capacity, and W. E. Franklin, Wallace's general agent, who has invested in the new enterprises, will serve as advance manager of the shows. Messrs. Havlin and Tate, while retaining an interest in the show, will not be actively identified with its management. The aggregation will travel on eighty-five cars. The shows will maintain offices in Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, New York and Hamburg, Germany.
Billboard, January 26, 1907, pp. 26, 27, 28. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Tom J. Myers, theatrical and circus press agent, last season with the Norris & Rowe Show, took a wife Jan. 5. The bride, Miss Ethel Adams, also with the Norris & Rowe Show last season, closed her vaudeville engagement at Shea's, Toronto, and hurried to Oakland, Cal., where they were married at the Hall of Records.
The Sun Brothers' Show closed its season Saturday night, Jan. 12, at Tifton, Ga. The tour embraced forty weeks and included cities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The show traveled 10,720 miles. After the evening performance the show pulled into Macon, its new winter quarters.
W. W. Scott, boss hostler, died in Chicago, Jan. 17. Mr. Scott was with the Wallace Show for twelve years, two season ago he was with the Main Show, and last season did work with the Hagenbeck Show. The funeral services were held at Sheldon's undertaking rooms, Chicago, Saturday morning, Jan. 19, under the auspices of the Chicago Lodge of Elks. Interment was had at Mout Greenwood Cemetery. W. W. Scott was born at Belvidere, Ill., and was 56 years of age.
Washburn's Trained Animal Show will travel in seven cars this coming season. The property is being put into shape at winter quarters at Bound Brook, N. J., and several trainers are there breaking in new animals. Takazawa's Troupe of Japs will be one of the features of the performance. __ Annith's Band will be heard in the big top. J. W. Brownlee will have charge of the privileges; Fred Corey will have charge of the stock; J. Gallagher will have charge of the elephants; J. H. Roman will be boss canvasman, and G. H. Irving will be in the side show.
Bayne's Dog and Pony Show is in winter quarters at Altus, Okla., having closed its eighth season at Mangum, last week. Six wagons were added since the opening at Mangum, April 21. This show has an enviable reputation in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado, and next season will be spent largely in this territory. Eight new wagons will be added, and when the band plays on April 20, the natives will witness a brand new show.
The M. L. Clark & Sons Show closes its season next week at Alexandria, La., where it completes the forty-fourth week of its tour. The show has traveled about 3,500 miles this season, and has visited seven states. It will remain in winter quarters at Alexandria about four weeks.
Col. W. J. Uden hopes to make a hit this coming season with the new animal act that he will feature with his wild west show. The act will consist of a bull, mule, donkey, goat, dog, sheep and two ponies.
The Norris & Rowe Circus will not be sold. Manager R. S. Rowe is authority for the statement. He says that the shows will continue under the same proprietorship for next season. All contracts hold good.
Brunswick Jack has been with the Sells Show for ten seasons and his is going out with them again this year. He is wintering in New Brunswick, Conn., where Thos. Murphy of the Buffalo Bill Show is also domiciled.
W. S. Griffith, aerial bar performer and pantomime and singing and talking clown with the Gollmar Brothers' Show last season, is at his home in Zanesville, Ohio, breaking in a giraffe.
Prof. H. V. Siedenberg, the magician, will be with the Kemp Sisters Wild West again next season.
After three seasons with the John Sparks Show, Prof. Nemo is spending a few weeks with his people in Brockton, Mass.
Lola (Topsy) Mitchell, with the Sells-Floto Shows this past season, mourns the loss of her daughter, who died last week.
Felix Henderson will be with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show this coming season.
Everything is in readiness for the grand opening of the Castello Show in May. It will be one of the finest railroad shows in the country.
Billboard, February 9, 1907, pp. 22, 23, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
A year and a half ago The Billboard alluded to the fact that the Trolley Car Circus was bound to come, and it is shown by the recent announcement in the Eastern press that Herbert Barnum Seeley, grandson of the late P. T. Barnum and heir to a large share of his fortune, is about to organize this type of a circus. Mr. Seeley already has plans on foot for two circuses, to be transported by trolley and to exhibit in parks maintained by trolly companies throughout New England, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The rolling stock of these circuses will consist exclusively of trolley chariots, trolley baggage wagons, trolley stock cars, trolley sleeping cars and trolley cages. Mr. Seeley has thoroughly canvassed the region in which he intends to exhibit, and park managers have hailed his project with enthusiasm, offering as an inducement free transportation, light, advertising, license, and lots. Side shows and all the usual complements of a circus will be carried, and two day and weeks stands will be made in the large cities.
Great Cole Brothers' Show. Five new cars have been added to the train and twelve new cages to the menagerie. Mr. Downs has ordered twenty-eight head of additional ring stock and forty-two head of draft horses. Prof. Joseph Berris is breaking in an elaborate horse act.
C. H. Sweeney, equestrian director of the Wallace Shows last season, will again be with the Wallace people.
Oscar Lowande's Indoor Circus at Reading, Mass., has reached the acme of success. With it are Mrs. Lowande, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Cole, Harry Bennett, Frank J. St. Lohn, Wm. LaRue, and John Lancaster and Maude Hayward, pianist. They have a large building, well lighted and heated, and seating 800 people. Admission prices are 10, 20, 30 and 40 cents. They have been running six weeks and business has been big.
Cancie Brothers' Union Shows, now being equipped in Cranston, near Providence, R. I., will open with all new property May 1. Frank E. Tracy has been engaged as general agent. There will be an advance brigade of twelve under the direction of John E. Garvey, now advertising agent of the Academy of Music, Fall River, Mass.
Joe LaFleur, acrobat with the Hagenbeck Show in Mexico, arrive in New York last week on the steamer from New Orleans. Joe is tickled because his pet dog gave birth to three pups on board the steamer. He goes out with the Forepaugh-Sells Show in April, making his tenth year under the Ringling Brohters' management.
Alfred Witzenhausen, for ten years down-town ticket representative for the Ringling Brothers' Shows, will resume his duties with the Ringling Brothers' Circus the week preceding the opening of the season at the Coliseum, Chicago, next April.
Frank P. Folsom will again have car No. 1 with the Hargreave Show and will attend to the billing and the press work. Mrs. Folsom, otherwise known to the boys as "Mother," will accompany her husband as usual.
Jos. N. Callis, who has been with the annex of the Great Wallace Show, has been engaged as manager of the Cole Brothers' side show for 1907. C. W. Gordon will assist Mr. Callis in front of the show.
Edward Arlington authorizes the announcement that he has acquired an interest in the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show. He has engaged W. C. Thompson as general press representative.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Ashborn are at their home in Waterbury, Conn., after a season with the Sun Brothers' World's Progressive Shows. Mr. Ashborn will return to winter quarters in Macon, Ga., in about two weeks to teach the animals a few new stunts.
Martin Downs and Harry Potter of the Great Cole Brothers' Shows left for St. Louis Thursday to buy some animals and then to Kansas City to negotiate for circus equipment.
The papers of Troy, N. C. state that Mr. Shaberdly, of the Sparks Show, was given eighteen months by Judge Fred Moore last week for his alleged assault Dec. 3 upon the conductor of the Aberdeen & Ashton R. R., who was thought by the showmen to have been the cause of the wreck of the Sparks' Show train.
Zech and Zech, aerialists, have been engaged for their fourth consecutive season with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows.
Wm. S. Jackson, billposter with the Wallace Show last year, was married Jan. 20 to Miss Della Babb, a young lady of Charleston, Mo., "Jack's" home town. He has accepted a position in a department store there and will not go out this coming season.
Wile the Hagenbeck Show train was going through Winona, Miss., on the night of Jan. 16, Edwarde Scarberry, of Bloomington, Ill., fell from the car and received injuries which necessitated the amputation of his right arm, and may result in death.
Herman Q. Smith writes: I wrote you a letter last week, asking you to announce that I was engaged by the Gentry Shows; since that writing, I have decided to go back with the Sells-Floto Circus, and will be with them the coming season.
The Tybell Sisters and Julian TyBell are resting in Chicago; the sisters will shortly open in vaudeville and play until April when they join the Sells-Floto Shows to be featured.
Andrew (Sandy) Mabie is re-engaged as boss animal man with the Al. F. Wheeler's Show, making his fourth season in this capacity.
Ed. C. Paul, of Newark, Col., will have charge of the picture show with the Barnum & Bailey Circus this season.
Geo. W. Ross will be legal adjuster with the Frank A. Robbins Show again this season.
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Sweyegert have signed with Uden's Wild West for next season.
Billboard, February 23, 1907, pp. 13, 26, 27. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Marriage. Arthur Herrman, clown for the past two seasons with the John Robinson Show, and Miss Emily Reno, slack wire artist, announce their marriage Dec. 11 by the pastor of the First M. E. Church, Chicago. They are appearing in vaudeville.
Willie F. Washburn, the showman, died at the home of his sister in Fredonia, Kan., recently at the age of sixty-five. Some fifty years ago the deceased entered the show business with E. S. Washburn's (a relative) Circus and Indian Amphitheatre, and the following year managed the Washburn Last Sensation Vaudeville Co. About forty years ago the deceased formed a partnership with Leon W. Washburn, now proprietor of Washburn's Uncle Tom's Cabin, and they did a gymnastic and acrobatic turn. Of recent years Mr. Washburn resided with his sister. Shortly after entering vaudeville, Mr. Washburn was married to Nevskalecta, an Indian princess who now resides at Centerport, L. I., with her daughter, Lillian, one of the Washburn Sisters.
The Main-Cummins Suit. An echo of the troubles and internecine strife with which the Cummins Wild West was torn last season, was heard in Geneva, O., last week when Col. Fred Cummins, accompanied by his attorneys, appeared in the historic show town and announced his intention of bringing suit against Walter L. Main for $160,000 for breach of contract. He also appeared in the Common Plea Court with a petition to have a receiver appointed for the Col. Cummins Wild West Exhibition Co. Walter Woodbury was accordingly appointed receiver under a bond of $25,000. The stockholders named as defendants are W. L. Main, W. W. Powers, P. W. Tuttle, K. E. Gibbs, F. H. Hawes, Owen Doud, the first National Bank of Geneva, Union National Bank and the Bank of Commerce of Cleveland. Col. Cummins has retained Geneva lawyers in addition to his Chicago attorneys and will press his claim vigorously. Neither Main nor Cummins will talk for publication.
The petition which placed the show into the hands of the receiver contains some poignant assertations. It alleges that Walter L. Main illegally executed a bill of sale of the assets of the corporation in anticipation of insolvency; that the assets of the company are $45,ooo and the debts $50,000; that the directors have been dominated by Mr. Main; that the show, after leaving Geneva, made large profits from the beginning; that to his knowledge $29,600 had been realized and with other funds had been misappropriated by the defendant; that while on the road, Mr. Main took absolute possession of the show and billed the same as the W. L. Main Show instead of the Cummins Wild West Co.; that Mr. Cummins and Mr. Main had agreed to take the show on a southern tour, after playing the northern states, but that the defendant brought the show to Geneva, dismantled it and neglected to have the property insured, which failure caused a loss of $15,000 by fire on the night of October 2. Another charge in the petition is that while the plaintiff was in Chicago, the defendant so influenced the stockholders that Cummins was unlawfully ousted from the office of secretary and Owen Doud put in his place. The petition also alleges that of 1,500 shares of stock, Mr. Main owned only 388 shares.
Norris & Rowe will commemorate the 20th year of the co-partnership. To celebrate, the tour will be known as the "Jubilee Souvenir Season." To everyone attending, a beautiful souvenir, appropriately inscribed, will be given. Tom J. Myers has been re-engaged as press representative, making his fifth season with the firm. Frank and Dolly Miller, Edna and Irene Maretta, the Hocums, Whitey O'Brien and John Carroll, the equestrian director, are busily engaged in breaking in new acts and stock. The Leffell Trio will soon report and they promise two sensational numbers. The Avalons Troupe of expert and trick cyclists will include Pat McDonald and wife and child; the Misses Ethel Myers, Lilian Roberts and Messrs. Keno and Bob Roberts. They are working every day at quarters. The business staff will be about the same as last season. C. I. Norris will be the traffic manager; H. S. Rowe, general manager; Ed C. Warner, general agent; Jas. C. Stuart, contracting agent; Jos. Geisler, treasurer; G. S. Roddy will have charge of car No. 1, and Tony Crandall will have charge on car No. 2. The Four Flying Banvards and The Melnottes, aerial wire act, are recent engagements. The Messrs. Keno, Tote Ducrow, Lawson and Gary Vanderbilt will be among the clowns.
The following people have been engaged with the Sells-Floto Show for the season of 1907: John Carroll, equestrian director; Robert Zierke, musical director; Chas. "Slivers" Holland, boss canvasman; Chas. Sanders, superintendent of stock; Chas. Brady, boss property man; Thomas During, train master; Col. Frank J. Long, superintendent of animals; James A. Morrow, in charge of side show; W. R. Musgat, general agent; Herman Q. Smith, contracting agent; H. L. Massie, manager car No. 1; Fred McMann, manager car No. 3; James McElroy, 24-hour man, and "Punch" Wheeler, press agent. Among the performers engaged are John Corriea Family, riders; Four Dorre Sisters, Herbert, the Frogman; Frank Maynard, John Albion, Sassaria Troupe, Six Peerless Potters, Four Olifans, the Two Tybells, Harry Dio and wife, Del Fuego, Phil Darling, C. P. Watson, Blondin, and Clara Ruel. A new sensational act will be announced later, and topping it all, is promised a flying machine that actually flies out of the top of the circus tent and around the lot. H. H. Tammen will be general manager. The season will open at Santa, Cal., the last of March.
The Flying Jordans are doing well in Porto Rico with their show. They left New York City Dec. 22, arriving in Porto Rico six days later and since that time have played all the larger towns on the island. Their stand in Curazac Feb. 2 was marked by large audiences. The show opened in Panama the middle of this month. They will be back in New York by April 1. The roster of this show includes the Ten Flying Jordans, Prof. Vilyck's Troupe of Seals, Seeker-Wilkes & Co., the Moxleys, Nicikoff's Russian Troupe, the Four Arrogans, and Prof. Smith's Band and Orchestra.
The Great Hargreaves Railroad Shows, at Chester, Penn., executive offices located in the Arcade Hotel, and there every day in the week manager Thomas Hargreaves, J. Henry Rice, general agent; Josh Bailey, business manager, and Sam J. Banks, general press representative, may be found working from 9 a.m. until 5 o'clock in the afternoon. It has been decided to utilize two advance cars this year and four seventy foot cars have been added to the train. Under the supervision of director Fred Locke, George Colby and other equestrians are perfecting several new acts.
Recent engagements with the Norris & Rowe Circus include the Four Flying Banvards; the Banvard Sisters, double trapeze; the Seven Avallons Troupe of trick and fancy bicyclists; Stirk and Keno, comedy acrobats and barrel jumping; Edna Maretta, bareback somersaults; Frank B. Miller and his dog, "Vic," in a hurricane hurdle jockety act; John Carroll and his horse "Rinaldo;" Ed V. Hocum, somersault bareback; Ben Lucier, Jackley drops; "Giggling Gary" Vanderbilt, clown; the Leffell [Leiffeil?] Trio, comedy trampoline bars and aerial bars; Irene Maretta, flying ladder; Hugh and Howard Melnotte, high wire and unsupported ladder; Frank O'Brien, mule hurdle; "Tote" Ducrow, "Fat" Lawson, Harry Clemings and Wm. Tafe, clowns, and George Holland and Rose Dockrill, principal riding numbers.
"California Frank" Schramm writes: I would like to call the attention of theatrical and other managers in the show world, that I alone am entitled to the name of "California Frank." I have been in the show business for many years, and traveled eleven years with the principal circuses, doing my riding and roping act, and my work is well known. At the present time there is a crack shot who is following up wild west shows who has been using my name ever since the Pan-American Exposition, and I have just learned that he is in Norfolk for the Jamestown Exposition period. I have not given up the show business yet and I want managers to know that I alone am entitled to that name, and will demand recognition as such.
With the John Robinson side show this season will be Cal Towers, manager; Prof. Harnmann, lecturer and magician; Chas. W. Rasie and Harry Nesielbush, ticket sellers; Capt. Ringman Mach, Australian artist; Pietro and Rasie Donatella, knife throwers; Frank, the broom king; Miss Blaser, snake charmer; Mlle. Amy, sword swallower; Zello, and Mrs. Zello, strong people; Mme. Davenport, mind reader; Harry Reed, lion tamer; Wm. H. Ried's [sic?] colored band of fifteen people, and Geo. R. Murray, boss canvasman. It will be an eighty foot top with two thirty foot middle pieces. Fine double deck paintings will enliven interest. Mr. Towers is now resting at his home in Muscatine, Ia.
J. E. Henry's Wagon Shows open at Stonewell, I. T., on March 9, with Jas. V. Stevens in advance. Mr. Henry has signed O. E. Adams, comedian; Mac McHenry, slack wire; Edw. C. Conklin, magician; O. S. Wear, ventriloquist; Miss Bertha Henry, contortionist; Arthur Henry, clown; Mabel Henry and her dogs; Fossen Rooker, boss canvasman; Dick Rogers, superintendent of stock, and Grover Robinson, boss hostler. Mr. Henry will again act as ringmaster. The show will travel in fifteen wagons and show under a sixty foot round top with thirty and forty foot middle pieces. It will carry a band of eight pieces and a small menagerie.
Geo. W. Rollins' Zoological Congress opens March 17 at Macon, Ga., with the following roster: Geo. W. Rollins, owner and manager; Mrs. Rollins, secretary and treasurer; Lem Streetman, representative; Dick Richards, superintendent; Oliver Mills and Ben Holden, talkers; Joe Hall, bandmaster, and Dare Devil Kenyon, Moss Glenn, Rose Reynolds, Daisy Hall, and Prof. Bristol, animal trainers, and Princess Awatha, Gypsy snake charmer. Mr. Rollins has ordered six leopards from Rhye of New York. He will not play Riverview Park, Chicago, this summer.
Thomas McAvoy, boss canvasman, has signed with Ringling Brothers' Show and will join that combination April 1 at Baraboo, Wis. Mr. McAvoy will act in the capacity of first assistant to boss canvasman James Whalen.
Alfred Sears, formerly a clown with the Barnum & Bailey Show, was killed instantly last week at Sheepshead Bay while coupling cars on the Culver Line for the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co. He had been working three years for the company, and death was the cause, it is said, of an error on the part of his fellow trainmen. Sears lived at West Sixteenth street and Neptune avenue. He was twenty-four years of age.
Madam Eulalie [Eulalle?] Lascells will handle the big lion act with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows the coming season. She is at present at the Wheeler winter quarters, Oxford, Pa., getting the act in shape, also breaking several new horse and pony acts. The New Model will carry a nine cage menagerie this summer.
John R. Agee closed with the Hagenbeck Show in Mexico with his rough riding act. John will be identified with the Ringling Bros.' Circus this season.
Geo. Clare, for five years with the Forepaugh-Sells Show, and now advertising manager for the Empire and Arcade Theatres in Toledo, O., was recently married to a young lady of that city.
"Doc" Riley, elephant trainer, who put in the early part of last season with the Barnum Show and later went to take Tim Buckley's place with the Robinson Show, has signed for the coming season with the M. L. Clark Show.
Nature is aiding the Cole Brothers menagerie this winter. Four cub lions, six Shetland ponies and a camel have been born at winter quarters in Harbor Creek, Mich. Mr. Downs has also purchased five female elk and one male.
O'Neil and Feidler, bag punchers and revolving ladder artists, touring with their own company in Illinois, have signed with the Van Amburg Shows. The Flying Wards, wintering at Bloomington, Ill., have also signed with that show.
Rhoda Royal's Horses, a menage act, has been signed by the Barnum & Bailey Shows. There are twenty-two horses in the act and they have just arrived from Mexico to get into training.
The Col. M. L. Clark Shows have gone into winter quarters at Alexandria, La.
The Musical Bergers, one of the attractions with the Hagenbeck side show this past season, will play parks this summer. The boys have taken their sister in the act, making a trio.
Harry Overton, well-known manager of Findlay, O., has signed again for the coming season as superintendent of Riggs' Wild West Show.
Thos. Anderson, Claude Morris and Wm. E. Burkhart, of Local No. 26, Sioux City, have signed with the Wallace-Hagenbeck Show.
Claude M. Roode will do his wire act with the Ringling Brothers' Show this coming season.
Harry Mann and Harvey Bell, Alliance members, will go with the John Robinson Show this summer.
Alex Stitt, of Newcastle, Pa., has signed with Cole Brothers' opposition brigade for the coming season.
Billboard, March 9, 1907, pp. 26, 27, 28. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Winter quarter notes of the Norris & Rowe Show. Jack Pfeiffenberger will be boss canvasman for the show the coming season. Pat McDonald, wife and apprentice, will report at winter quarters next week. They will join Bob and Lillian Montrose, Ethel Myers and Chas. Keno and the practice of the "Seven Avallon Troupe of Bicyclists" will begin in earnest. Signor Peralta returned to quarters the 20th. He has charge of the painting. Herbert Rumley, superintendent of stock, returned to quarters 21. Rumley is among the "old-timers," having been with the show for fifteen seasons. Joseph Geisler, formerly equestrian director, but now acting as treasurer, is another of the "chaps that stay the season," having been "with it" for twelve years. "Eddie" Warner, general agent, will enter upon his tenth season, Nick Mannigan joined twelve years ago and has not missed a season. Jas. C. Sturat, contracting agent, will enter upon his fourteenth season. Andrew Norris, founder of the Norris & Rowe Circus, is occupying his new home, two blocks from winter quarters. Andrew devotes his time to raising poultry that wins prizes at poultry shows.
Quite a number of circus people are wintering in Texarkana, Texas, awaiting the first cheer of spring. Jules Wiggins has been re-engaged with the Ringling Brothers' Show and will have charge of the black top again. Wm. Heing, of the Van Amburg Show, will go to the Jamestown Exposition. Jim Babock, formerly with the Main and Hall Shows, has signed with the Mollie Bailey Show.
Although old "Pop" George DeArley is pretty close on to seventy years, he is running a prosperous hotel and concert hall at Youngstown, O. "Pop" was once the partner of John O'Brien, now of the Campbell Brothers' Show. Will C. Peppard, formerly with the Robinson Show, is now a whisky salesman.
Charles Hayes, of the Barnum & Bailey Shows, who was married to Miss Helen Johnson of LaFayette, Ind., two years ago, was the central figure in a divorce suit filed by Mrs. Johnson recently. The wife was granted a divorce by Judge Vinton in the Superior Court at LaFayette on Feb. 26.
The Great Barlow Show opens in South Milford, Ind., the last Saturday in April with the biggest outfit the show has ever carried. There will be twenty-four people, twenty-three head of stock besides twenty dogs, six performing Shetland ponies and four performing goats.
Woolley and Piers, triple horizontal bars, have signed with the Gollmar Brothers' Show for this season.
James Brown will not go with the Van Amburg Show this season.
The press department of the Ringling Brothers' Show will, this season, be in charge of James J. Brady, Charles A. White, Guy F. Steeley and Thomas Namack.
Lampe and Lampe will be with Joyce's Old-Time Country Circus again this season. Fred Lampe as general manager. The show opens May 28 at Greenwich, N. Y.
Tom Barton, who has the outside tickets with the Frank A. Robbins Show, visited relatives in Chicago last week.
Kennedy's Wild West Show left Havana, Cuba, Feb. 25, for the winter quarters in Perry, Okla. This show opens at the Point of Pines, Boston, May 25.
John White, who will have his animal acts with the Cancie Brothers' Show this season, is working on a new comedy animal act that he will put in vaudeville this fall.
Edward Johnson, the comedian who has appeared with the Miles Orton Show the past three seasons, has signed to clown with the Sun Brothers' Shows the season of 1907.
Reid and Falls are at their winter home in Fernandina, Fla., preparing to open the season with the Sparks Show.
The Arcaris Trio will be on the Ringling Brothers' program this season.
The John Sparks Show played an engagement at Fernandina, Fla., Feb. 26, and remained in that town a few days to make repairs and improvements. They gave an afternoon and evening performance Feb. 26 for the benefit of the public library. Bert Cole did some splendid work in advertising the show in Fernandian. The show is now headed toward Central Florida.
Lew Graham and Ellen Graham were granted a divorce by Judge Frost of the Superior Court, Cook County, Ill., on statutory grounds, Feb. 7, 1907.
Fred Martine, late of Bud and Buddie, late of the John Robinson Ten Big Shows, died in Chicago Thursday morning, Feb. 28, at one o'clock, from consumption. He left the Robinson Circus last August to go to Phoenix, Ariz., for treatment. He remained in Phoenix from Sept. 12 to Nov. 6, 1906. Finding no relief in the Arizona climate, he returned to Chicago and remained there until his death at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Lillian Hart, East Ohio street. For eighteen years Mr. Martine was an aerial artist and traveled with many of the leading shows, including Walter L. Main, B. E. Wallace and the Robinson Shows. He appeared in vaudeville during the winter months for a number of years. When he departed for Phoenix last fall, the Robinson Show people made him up a purse of $100. He was a member of the Omaha, Neb., Aerie F. O. E. He was buried by the Eagles Sunday, March 3, in the family lot at South Haven, Mich. One sister survives him. He was unmarried.
W. C. Dean, professionally known as Delletta, is reported to have been killed at Birmingham, Ala., last week by parties who wished to secure his money which amounted to something like $2,000. Among the effects on his person was a Billboard date book showing that Dean had been with the Cole Brothers Show, probably in Chas. Tinney's band. There was also a young lady's photo, bearing the name of Bessie Lee. Anyone knowning the whereabouts of Dean's people should communicate with Ed DeVavo, Birmingham.
Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Tuttle write that they are in no way connected with the Geo. W. London Olympic Shows of Greensville, Pa., having sold the Olympic Show to Mr. London last season. This season they will manage a tent show for Ed. Thardo and Henele Tuttle Thardo. They will have all new property and the show will be up to the standard they have maintained during the past eighteen years. The show is in winter quarters at Linesville, Pa., and this season will play Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
The Aballon Troupe of seven performers have signed to do their acrobatic cycle act with the Norris & Rowe Show this season. The Kenno-Montrose Troupe of grotesque acrobats have been engaged with Norris & Rowe for the season of 1907.
Billboard, March 16, 1907, pp. 35, 50, 58, 76, 77. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
M. O'Dale, bareback rider of former days, is a door keeper at the Bijou Theatre in Chicago.
Jim Winterburn, show printer, Chicago, for many of his earler years an advance agent in the "Hall Show business," tackled a circus venture last season. His concern was a continuation of the Harris Nickel Plate, paying Chas. Wilson $50 a week royalty for the use of the title. While it was in existence, the show did a good business.
Andy Mackay's big tent shows will open their season in Chicago on May 6, 1907, continuing on all the prominent lots in that metropolis for eight weeks or more.
Antonio R. Pubillones began his career some sixteen years ago with his uncle, the late Don Santiago Pubillones. Since the death of his uncle about three and a half years ago, the handling of the Pubillones estated has been under his supervision. This season Antonio Pubillones is running the strongest show that ever visited Cuba or any of the South or Central American countries. The show travels in twelve cars - three sleeping cars, one dining car, three stock cars, one car of elephants, two baggage cars and two flat cars. The coming season will see Mr. Pubillones with a twenty-four car show with two rings.
Robert Lee Killian, detective with the Hagenbeck Show last season, was killed at St. Louis, Mo., last week. Among the honorary pallbearers were Frank R. Tate and John Sheehy.
Henry Gilbertson, who last season had the privileges with the Pawnee Bill Show, will be with the Campbell Brothers this year.
L. Nicedemus, who was lot superintendent with Pawnee Bill Shows last year, will be superintendent of the Forepaugh-Sells cook tent this season.
Wenona and Frank will not go out with Pawnee Bill this year. They will be with 101 Ranch at the Jamestown Exposition.
Mlle. Ada Summerville, and her menage horse, who were featured with the Pawnee Bill Show last year, will be at the Jamestown Exposition.
The four hybrid tigers lately born in the winter quarters of the Great Cole Brothers' Show, will be a strong attraction on the road this year. Four large dens and eight cross cages have been added to the Great Cole Brothers' menagerie outfit. They were all built in winter quarters.
Though much valuable property of the Hargreaves Show was destroyed in the burning of the Arcade Hotel, Chester, Pa., Sunday, March 3, the opening of that show will not be interfered with as orders were given at once for a duplication of all the material in the stock room where the property was stored. The office has been removed to the winter quarters at Eddystone, Pa., and order has been brought from chaos by John Henry Rice and his corps of assistants. Mr. Hargreaves owned the Arcade Hotel, a theatrical hostelry.
The Sun Brothers are congratulating themselves for having chosen Central City Park, Macon, Ga., as their winter quarters. Mons LaPerie Jilian and Henri Benson, chefs, preside over the culinary department. Equestrian director William O'Dale is training a group of English stallions. Sir Walter Ashburn, the English animal trainer, has arrived at winter quarters with his somersault lion. In addition to the old performers, the following have been engaged: Four Graceful Grohs, equilibrists; the Zemoo Zemoo Troupe, triple wire; Boyle Brothers, hoop rollers; and Geo. and Winnie O'Dole, novelty unsupported ladder. The side show annex will have D. H. Gillespie as director. Dave, as he is known, says his Big Supplementary Shows, Fashionable Adjunct and International Freak Bazaar, will be greater than ever. The advance department is complete as follows: Peter Sun, general agent; C. S. Clark, contracting agent; Chas. W. Gilder, manager advertising car No. 1; Chas. Mosier, special agent, and Albert W. Moore, superintendent of billposters.
The DeOnzo & Hammond Big Pavilion No. 1 will be enlarged before it goes out in May. The following will be with the show: Geo. Hammond, treasurer; Wm. DeOnzo, business manager; Frank Morrison, advance agent; Robt. H. Harris, principal comedian and stage manager; Prof. Harry Coffman, band leader; Mrs. Geo. Hammond, queen of the air; Dalton Brothers, singers and bounding rope; Martille Sisters, globe dancers; Frank Stewart, aerialist; Stanley, rollers; Wm. DeOnzo, trick jumper; Geraldine Stanton, trick roller skater; Harry Rubrican, boss canvasman; "Jack" Ford, in the culinary department; Smith's Educated Dogs and Ponies will also be a feature.
Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows will open early in April in Pennsylvania. The outfit has been increased to twenty-seven wagons, and sixty-three head of stock will be used to transport it. Among the recent engagements are Maj. Cailiouette, unicycle wire act; Zech and Zech, aerialists; James Greer, contortionist; Marion the Great, hand balancing; Miss Lascells and Herbert W. C. Gilgore, equestrians; Grant Allmon, Jim Greer, Frank Clark and Al. F. Wheeler Jr., clowns, and Madame Eulalie, lion tamer. Adam Gillespie will have the big show band of fourteen pieces and the Gorman Juvenile Band will be featured in the parade and concert.
Lon B. Williams has been re-engaged as general agent of the Gentry Brothers' No. 1 Show under the Savage regime. Mr. Williams has been connected with the show for several years.
Lucius Foster, boss canvasman of Tony Lowandy's [sic] Circus, writes that the show is playing to fine business in Panama, where it opened Feb. 10. Albert Sadler, animal trainer, and Eddie Rivers joined the show at Panama. Nick Labelas and family, high wire artists, are with the show.
Colonel J. C. O'Brien is framing up a side show for the Campbell Brothers.
"Wash" Duggins will have the privileges with the Great Lugar Shows the coming season. Riley Brown has signed as assistant superintendent. Jack Finnegan will have charge of the canvas.
"Kid" Koster writes that he will go in advance of the Great Wallace-Hagenbeck Show as special opposition agent.
D. W. Winslow is with the Silverton Trio in their tight wire act. Mr. Winslow goes with the Forepaugh-Sells Show this season.
Frank "Blackey" Howard, boss canvasman, has arrived in Geneva, Ohio, to arrange for fitting out the Great Fashion Plate Show. Mrs. Howard will be wardrobe lady.
The Two Lafayettes are preparing to open the season with the Col. Uden Wild West.
The Great Bancroft, female impersonator and double voiced vocalist, has been engaged with the Pawnee Bill Wild West for the season of 1907.
Fred Salmon, musical comedian and clown, has signed with the Jones Enormous Shows, which opened in Birmingham, Ala., March 12.
The Martinos have signed with French's New Sensation Co., for the season of 1907, making their second season with this show.
Darwin C. Hawn will be with the executive staff of the Great Fashion Plate Show this season.
Grant Allmon has signed for the coming season with the Al. F. Wheeler Show as principal clown.
Del Fuego has been re-engaged with the Sells-Floto Show.
W. O. Tarkington has been engaged as general agent of the Gentry Brothers' No. 2 Show.
W. H. Thomas will play tuba with the Barnum & Bailey Show this season.
J. W. Hettler has not signed witht he Siebel Brothers' Show this season.
Billboard, March 23, 1907, pp. 30, 31, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Pride of the West, as the Norris & Rowe Circus has been named by more than one newspaper on the Pacific Coast, will begin its spring tour with two exhibitions at Santa Cruz, Cal., Saturday, March 30. This is nearly a month later than usual. It had been determined to open two weeks earlier, but the continued March storms precluded all idea of an earlier opening. The riding contingent under contract numbers such people as George Holland, Rose Dockrill, Edward V. Hocum, Maude Hocum, Edna Maretta, Frank and Dolly Miller, Herbert Rumley, Frank O'Brien and Harry Dutton. The novelty acts include the Newskyoff Troupe of Russian singers, dancers and acrobats; the Leffel Trio, aerial bars; the Banvard Troupe, casting and flying return act; the Silbon Sisters, double trapeze; the Avallon-McDonald Troupe of bicyclists; Irene Maretta, swinging ladder; Ben Lucier, Jackley drops; the Montrose-Keno Troupe of acrobats; Hugh and Howard Melnotte, high wire; the Odessa Troupe, aerial horizontal bars; Mlle. Celeste and the Sisters Hawthorne, contortion act; Ethel Reno, revolving trap, and the Brothers Rexos, unsupported ladder.
C. I. Norris has broken in an odd animal act, consisting of a big black bear, two monkeys, a zebu, and a llama. George Settler has taught the elephants a number of new tricks, and they will be worked in both rings. Settler has two troupes of trained dogs and will feature his loop the loop dog; Mlle. Rita will work in a cage containing a lion, tiger, leopard, puma and hyena; six camels and dromedaris have been broken to a menage act; seven Shetland ponies will compose the two troupes that will drill in the rings, and the usual hippodrome and long leaping tournament will be given. Walter Shannon will have the side show. He has a colored band of twenty-two pieces, and under the kid show top will be found the novelties, freaks of nature and curiosities. Mr. Shannon will have all the privileges. His car, Thelma, has been redecorated, painted and refurnished througout. William Bradford, who has been with Walter Shannon for a dozen years past, will again be chief assistant to him.
The show will go out with all new canvas. The big top is 150 with three 50 ft. middle pieces. Among the week's arrivals was George Holland, Rose Dockrill, Hugh and Howard Melnotte, and Edna and Irene Maretta. Mr. Holland shipped six horses from Delavan, Wis. V. F. Peralta and a corps of assistants have completed painting the train. It will consist of twenty-four cars and three advance cars. The cars have been painted white and lettered in red and black. Arthur, known as "Pat" McDonald, with his wife and apprentice, came in from Chicago last week. McDonald has merged his act with Bob Montrose, Lillian Montrose, Bert Keno and Ethel Myers, and the act will be known as the Avallon-McDonald Troupe of trick bicyclists.
Nat. Behrens, the showman, was in America some seven years ago. Mons. Behrens is now part owner with Prof. Norton B. Smith in a twenty-four car show that will tour Austria and Germany this season, opening at Freiburg, Baden. He is director of the performance. He writes: The performance this season has been enlarged by the horses, ponies, zebras, dogs and other trained animals from the Cirque Hollandais, which does not travel this summer. My partner, Prof. Smith, is the emperor of trainers. Several new wagons have been added and and extra force of canvasmen engaged, as we shall have to travel a la American, showing every day and not losing any time. The Circus Wulff went into bankruptcy two weeks ago at Wien. . . .
The Great Fashion Plate Shows are being prepared at the Walter L. Main winter quarters in Geneva, O., to open the season April 27. This show will consist of three rings and a stage and will travel in its own train of twenty-five cars. The grand spectacle to be featured will be called The Return of the Egyptians. The superintendents and bosses now on the ground are A. D. Moreland, privilege manager; D. C. Hawn, superintendent; Frank Howard, boss canvasman and Howard W. Damon, superintendent of dining camp. Walter L. Main has consented to direct this organization and will travel with it for a few weeks only after which he will return home to complete the book he is writing on circus life. The winter quarter offices are at Geneva, and the general offices No. 721 Rose Building, Cleveland, O., with W. D. McDonald in charge. Col. W. E. Ferguson, general agent, will handle the advance which will consist of two cars. Owen W. Dowd [sic Doud?] will handle the press.
The big feature at the Jamestown Exposition will be the 101 Ranch Wild West Show from Bliss, Oklahoma. Over five hundred Indians, cowboys, cowgirls and Mexicans will be brought east for this production, which will be a wild west entertainment. The Jamestown Exposition Co. have granted C. W. Rex Co. for this venture, the largest grant of land given to any concession, on which has been erected a grand stand with seating for 15,000 people under cover. The arena will measure 400 by 400 feet with a scenically arranged background. The equipment will include a herd of fifty long horn Texas steers, thirty-eight buffaloes and three hundred and fifty head of riding stock.
The Herring-Glasscock Shows will travel in five cars this season. The roster to date is: Alex Glasscock, manager; Mike Glasscock, treasurer; Donley Glasscock, railroad contractor; Harry Hobson, general agent; Jack Baird, equestrian director; the DeMoss Family, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Glasscock, Mrs. Etta Glasscock, the Bairds, Jim Rose, Bert Groff, May Rense, Rose Ney, Roy Billings and Prof. Riley, performers; Dan Leon is breaking the elephants; Mono Cayo is leader of band; James Roff, leader of band No. 2; "Elephant Bill" has the animals; Will Smith has the top; John Lester, the stock; and Mr. Herring the side show. Ed Dyke is press agent.
Prof. Wm. McConkey has signed his trained dogs, ponies and monkeys with Kettrow's O. K. Show. Mr. Ketrow has engaged Walter Vandeevener as assistant manager; Jerry Burton as band leader; Millie Burton, contortionist; Theo. Kent, buck and wing dancer. In the band will be, besides others, Fred Mercer, slide trombone; Ed. Knafp, cornet; Leroy Egan, trap drums, and D. R. Miller, clarinet.
Andrew Pipenbrink, old-time circus billposter, and of late manager of the Norther Indiana Billposting Co. at Garrett, Ind., died March 4 of pneumonia. He was with Robinson part of last season. Mr. Piepenbrink was an Eagle and an Elk. Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery at the deceased's home in Huntington, Ind., March 6.
"Bud" Horn is preparing to open his fourth season as calliope player with the Pawnee Bill Wild West. He will have a new chime of thirty-two nickel-plated whistles.
William Campbell, who had the reserved seat and concert tickets with the Hargreaves Big R. R. Shows last season, will act in the same capacity with that show this year. Mr. Campbell is at his home in Philadelphia after a winter season with one of the big carnival companies in the south.
Prof. A. M. Hering, the past two seasons with the Ringling Brothers' Show, is touring the south with his big electric novelty company. He is preparing to manage one of the feature shows with the Great Patterson Carnival Co. this season.
H. G. Wilson, manager of the privileges with the Pawnee Bill Show and Fred W. Biddle, who has the candy and lemonade privilege with that show for the coming season, are en route to Nashville to join the show.
Miss Isabel Loraine, doing the Somersault of Death in an automobile last season with the Hagenbeck Shows, has been operated on in Chicago because of her injuries received while doing her act. She is now on the road to recovery.
M. S. Bodkin, formerly on the staff of the Barnum & Bailey Shows and with circuses for many years, is now purchasing and sales agent for three of the largest railway car and equipment companies in Chicago.
George W. Rollins has returned to Macon, Ga., after a trip north. His animal show opens at Luna Park, Pittsburg, Pa., May 4, and remains there all summer.
Paul Gore, the past five seasons with the Sells & Downs and the Great Floto Shows, has signed as bandmaster with the Consolidated Campbell Brothers' Shows for the season of 1907. He has engaged thirty musicians.
Lano's Dog and Monkey Show is doing remarkable business in Florida. They carry eight people. Lano has cancelled his circus contracts and will stay out all summer.
Horace B. Coleman, first clarionetist with the Ringling Brothers' Band last season, reports in Chicago March 25 for his second season with that show. Coleman is with relatives at Austin, Minn.
Ralph W. Peckham, general excursion manager for the Ringling Brothers' Show, arrived in Chicago last week and assumed his duties, after a winter season with his family on their Oakland, Cal. ranch.
Alfredo and Cerita are spending the winter in Southern California for LaBelle Cerita's health. James Morrow has engaged them for the coming season with the Sells-Floto Show.
Franks and Franks have engaged to do their novelty bag punching act with the Robinson show this season.
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Murphy, of the Smith Greater Shows, are planning a trip to their old home in Spain. Jack Cullen, who was recently married, will accompany them.
Ora Cecil, the leopard queen, with her troupe of performing leopards, panthers and cougars, has signed to open with Mackay's European Circus at Chicago.
Jesse Teats, clarionetist, who has been with Lamont Brothers' Circus for several seasons, has signed with the Hagenbeck-Wallace combination for the coming season.
Marcella Wallace, wife of Bernie Wallace, showman, died Feb. 9. Mrs. Wallace was formerly one of the De Rea Sisters, performers in vaudeville and circus, but her during the past five years had been seeking health in California and Michigan. She died of heart failure.
Chas. Hilderra will do the traps and loop contortion with the Lowery Brothers' Show this summer. Hilderra and James Canfield have dissolved partnerships.
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Davis will be with the Wallace-Hagenbeck Show this season, to do their rube act that make a hit last season with the Hagenbeck Show.
Col. M. L. Clark has ordered a lot of new paraphernalia for his shows now in winter quarters at Alexandria, La.
Miss Grace Clark, snake enchantress, will be identified with W. H. McFarland's Hagenbeck-Wallace side show this season.
The Great Beno has not joined hands with anybody. He will go with the Van Amburg Shows this season, his fourth year with this circus.
Charles C. Clark goes out with the Cole Brothers' Show this season. He is at home in Augusta, Ga.
G. Elwood Towns will hand out a new line of magic with the Gollmar Brothers' Show this season.
R. Collins, aerialist, has engaged with the Ketrow O. K. Show for the season of 1907.
The LeVards have signed with the Fashion Plate Shows for concert and side show work.
Hulburd's Wild West will open in April with about twenty cars.
Fred Lasere, contortionist, has signed with the Yankee Robinson Show.
The Lowery Brothers' Show opens about April 20, at Shenandoah, Pa.
Samuel Davies, of Local No. 4, Philadelphia, well known to theatrical and circus people, died there March 10, after a lingering attack of tuberculosis and cancer of the stomach. Mr. Davies went to Denver for his health and the change gave him much relief, but he was recalled to the bedside of his dying wife and the shock was so severe a blow that he did not survive it. During his twenty years with the Forepaugh, Buffalo Bill, and Barnum & Bailey Shows, Mr. Davies was known as "Red." The funeral services were held March 12.
Billboard, April 6, 1907, pp. 38, 39, 40. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The following is the roster of the Yankee Robinson Shows: Fred Buchanan, proprietor; C. W. Buchanan, manager; Everett Hays, business manager; Geo. L. Wright, legal adjuster; W. W. Quintette, general agent; Frank Green, advance representative, with eight assistants; Archie Webb, leader of band; Al Bishop, equestrian director; Dan Spayd, steward; Jersey Carr, superintendent of canvas, with twelve assistants; Tom Gill, boss canvasman of side show; Ross Ashcroft, superintendent of stock; Charles Bartlow, assistant boss hostler, with thirty assistants; Geo. Terry, twenty-four hour; and Shanty Oelwein, chandelier man. The following people will consitute the big show: the Bishop Family of acrobats and aerialists; the Bells, aerialists and ground tumblers; Billy DeVan, principal equestrian; George Goble, mule rider; Fred Lassere, aerialist and ground contortionist; the Lindermans, novelty act; George McPerson, Happy Hooligan juggler; Peter, the Great, in loop-the-loop in an automobile; Tom Tom, the largest performing elephant, and Trixie, the smallest trained pony. The side show will be in charge of E. W. DeVere. In the annex are Madame Devere, bearded woman; Poli, magic and punch; Mlle. Bell, snake charmer; Mlle. Florine's South African man eaters, and a bevy of Oriental dancers. The show opens at Maxwell, Ia., May 4.
Bert Banvard, of the Six Flying Banvards, writes from Cuba, where they are playing with the Circo El Ticket. The show is financed and managed by Alba and Misa, of Havana, and is playing one and three night stands. There is much opposition because of other circuses.
The report that William Sells will have charge of the advance of the Sells-Floto Show the coming season is without foundation. Mr. Sells' connection with the above show are absolutely severed, and he will be in no way connected with that organization. H. H. Tammen will be the general manager in charge, and W. R. Musgat will have absolute charge of the advance. The show opened Thursday in Santa Monica, California.
Josephine Abshire, former bareback rider with the Barnum & Bailey Show and now living in Covington, Ky., is in an impoverished condition and needs the assistance of her friends. She has been compelled to appeal to the Overseer of the Poor, because her mother is ill with dropsy, and her father, Henry Abshire, also of the circus, was recently killed in a railroad wreck.
Leo Monterey, who has been at his home in Toledo, O., leaves for New York to report for work as special agent in advance of Buffalo Bill's Wild West the coming season. Mr. Monterey was in advance of both the Barnum & Bailey and Buffalo Bill forces during the recent tour of these shows in foreign lands.
The Sun Brothers' World's Progressive Shows opened their season Wednesday, April 2-4, at Macon, Ga., under the auspices of the Macon Police Relief Association. The local police force will participate in the opening street parade which will be given only on this occasion. Seven thousand tickets were sold in advance.
F. Louis Danforth, who has been advance representative for the Al. G. Barnes Society Animal Circus, has closed with that company to join the A. S. Lewis shows as general representative.
Hy Nichols has recovered from his injuries received three years ago with the Buckskin Wild West Show, and he will this season put out his own Indian Congress in the eastern parks.
R. M. Allien will have the program advertising with the Pawnee Bill Show this season. The elder Allien is again handling the program advertising with the Barnum & Bailey Show.
Harry F. Wertz, assistant equestrian director of the Gollmar Brothers' Shows, spent the winter months on his ranch near Burlington, Colorado. His is now at the Gollmar winter quarters, Baraboo, Wis.
Walter L. Main will be active in the field again this season with the Fashion Plate Shows.
Scott Ruth will do his trapeze work this season with the Rippel Shows.
The John Robinson Shows open April 23 at Cincinnati, O., also playing there on the 24th and 25th.
After closing a season of eight months with the Jas. Adams New Century Shows, Chas. S. Arnold, aerialist and clown, has signed contracts with the Great Fashion Plate Show.
The DeForest Brothers have signed with the Great Lugar Shows for the coming season to do their acrobatic and barrel jumping act. The Lugar Shows open at Eaton, O., May 1.
Phil Castang, with the Hagenbeck Show last season, will work in the big group and act as boss animal man with the Wallace-Hagenbeck combination this season.
Mrs. Wm. and Master Frankie Ketrow will be with the Ketrow O. K. Show in a double wire act this season. Art Holloway will play tuba in the band.
Zeke Mawhood, of Coldwater, Mich., has signed the Gollmar Brothers' advance.
W. N. Merrick and an augmented band of musicians will comprise the musical department of the Hagenbeck and Wallace Circus.
Miss Rose Reynolds, known as the Lady of Lions, has rejoined the Geo. W. Rollins Trained Wild Animal Show for the summer season.
Don E. Wilson will be with the Wallace-Hagenbeck Show this season, his second season with the Wallace people.
Edw. E. White has signed his Dorian Drum and Fife Corps with the Great Fashion Plate Shows for the coming season.
The Cliffords, last year with the Wallace Show, have signed with the Gollmar Brothers' Show for this season.
W. Powley Jr., of the Frank A. Robbins Show, is visiting his sister at Berlin, Ont.
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Sutton will be with the Cole Brothers' Show this season.
Billboard, April 13, 1907, pp. 38, 39. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Great Van Amburg Shows, winterint at Houston, Texas, opened their season in that city, April 4, 1907. The show is enlarged this season, having lately purchased seven flat cars, four stock cars and three Pullman sleepers, in addition to four elephants, two tigers, a pair of lions, four camels and two pumas. The show goes out with eighteen cars, viz: 7 flats, 4 coaches, 4 stock, 3 box and 2 in advance. The Yacamatos Troupe of Japs, ten in number, have been engaged. A feature with the show is the African gorilla, five feet and a half in height, and weighing one hundred and fifty pounds. The animal is of such value that the management has recently had him insured against loss by death for the sum of five thousand dollars.
Notes from the Wallace-Hagenbeck winter quarters in Peru, Ind. Frank Miller, boss painter, has finished the cages, tableau and other wagons and has commenced work on the cars. Herman Bogher has closed and Phil Castang will work the big group of animals and continue in charge of the menagerie. Perch Phillips has charge of the elephants, and is training them daily. B. F. Benjamin, for several years with the Robinson menagerie and an animal man of long experience, has been engaged to work with the elephants. It was erroneously stated in the Billboard last week that W. N. Merrick would have charge of our cook house. Mr. Merrick is our band master. James Davis will continue to have charge of the culinary department. One of the features of the menagerie is old George, the big hippopotamus formerly with the Forepaugh-Sells Show. Our menagerie has another rarity in a fine, large mandrill, the only one with a circus.
On Thursday, April 4, our Chicago offices were honored by a call from W. H. Quinnett, general agent of the Yankee Robinson Shows. Mr. Quinett has enjoyed an extended career in the show business, having been with various organizations, in all departments, for the past 39 years. At the age of 55 he is hale and hearty. For seven years he was in the advance of the J. H. LaPearl Show, and with the Campbell Brothers for a like period. He was with the Ringling Brothers' shows 21 years ago, when it was on wagons. In an early day he was identified with Chicago theatrical interests.
Joyce's Old-Time Country Circus will open its third season May 28, at Greenwich, N. Y. They will show under an eighty foot round top with two thirty foot middle pieces. They will travel in sixteen wagons, and will carry forty head of stock. Spot, the talking horse, and Zip, the baby elephant, will be featured. Fred Lampe is general manager, and Don Lobdell, with two assistants, is in advance.
A. M. Whaylen (Piano Bill) writes that he is busy at winter quarters in Reinbeck, Ia., getting his show, Whaylen's Wild West on Canvas, ready for the opening of its tenth season April 20. He will carry an automobile that will run a dynamo sufficiently large to operate his moving picture outfit. Mrs. Whaylen suffered a second stroke of paralysis, Feb. 22, and she will not be able to leave with the show.
Gus Lambrigger, of Lambrigger's Zoo, Orrville, O., was in New York on business last week. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company is building a new car for Mr. Lambrigger to take the place of the one destroyed several months ago. Mr. Lambrigger will, this season, feature a young orangoutang and a baby chimpanzee.
The roster of Clarence F. Brown's concert band with the Jones Enormous Shows: C. F. Brown, G. O. Kieffer, Chas. Atkins, M. E. Lash, Ed Harkisn, Morris Oldstein, F. C. Gathe, Lee Dunn, R. A. Simpson and Joe C. Bennett.
C. V. Lee has sold his interest in Lee's Vaudeville Circus and will return to the side show business after an absence of nine years. He goes out with the Great Fashion Plate Shows to lecture and do magic and feature his marionette show.
Delmont and his troupe of comedy skaters will be with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows this season.
Billboard, April 20, 1907, pp. 18, 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Marriage. Grover C. Ranck, known as Ranke, circus performer, of Bucyrus, O., and Miss Hazel L. Coulter, non-professional of Bucyrus, March 28, at Covington, Ky.
James Griffin, a circus billposter, died in the Philadelphia Hospital on April 1, after a short illness. He had been connected with all the big circuses. His funeral was under the direction of the local billposters' union.
Wm. Mann died at Goldfield, Nev., March 27. The past winter Mr. Mann managed the McElroy & Mann Shows, and had gone to Nevada to recuperate, being in ill health, but was not considered to be seriously affected. His wife, who is now with the Hampton Amusement Co., would be pleaed to learn all the details of his last illness. Mr. Mann was to have joined the Hampton Co. shortly. In 1903 Mr. Mann was connected with the Walter L. Main Show and in the spring of 1904 put out his own show.
Berthold Robert Gottschalk, known professionally as Omar Mirza Golem and who leads in the acrobatic turn known as the Persian Caravan, was married last week in New York to Mlle. Bertha Bordeverry, the daughter of Col. Gaston Bordeverry, the champion rifle shot. They left immediately for Chicago to report with the Ringling Show. The couple met four years ago in Stockholm, Sweden, and attempted to get married in France before coming over, but were not permitted to do so because Mlle. Bordeverry was under age.
Robet Whittaker's trained horse, Dahl, sustained injuries in Plainfield, N. J., last week that will keep him out of the business for awhile, and the misfortune may interfere with Mr. Whittaker's going with the Fashion Plate Show as equestrian director. In the latter contingency, Mr. Whittake will superintend the construction of a carnial and fair ground at Jacksonville, Fla.
F. T. Collins, proprietor of a small wagon show, known as the Village Circus, has been ill the past three weeks with scarlet fever, but is better now. He hopes to leave the hospital at Davenport, Ia., in a few days, and he says he will be on the road in a few weeks. He opens his show the latter part of May with ten people and some stock, using a 30 by 70 foot top and four wagons.
Edward Guyon, circus billposter for eighteen years, died at his mother's home in Foster, N. Y., March 20, after several months of illness. He was with the Ringling Show last season. Mr. Guyon was born at Union, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1873. He was a member of Local No. 24, Buffalo, and generally spent his winters in that city.
Hugh Coyle is endeavoring to secure the Lake front grounds, between Madison and Lake streets, Chicago, for the ten weeks' engagement of the Andrew Mackay European Circus to begin shortly.
Bill Meade has been engaged as boss canvasman of the Cancie Brothers' Union Shows.
Ned Alvord, late general agent with LaBarre Brothers' White Minstrels, at present on the editorial staff of the Danville (Ill.) Daily Democrat, has signed for the advance forces of the Carl Hagenbeck and Great Wallace Shows.
Mrs. Lovina Lindsley Cole, wife of George S. Cole, of the John Robinson Show, died at her home, 800 Market street, Potsdam, N. Y., April 2, after a year's illness. A son, Bert Cole, is with the Wallace-Hagenbeck combination.
The Adam Fetzer Show opens at Boswell, Ind., April 27. Mr. Fetzer has purchased D. S. Sprague's fine living wagon. Bert Renzo and Ed Spencer are at Boswell, preparing their new act.
Lucius Foster, boss canvasman, is not connected with the Tony Lowandy [sic] Circus in Panama. He is in the mechanical department of the United States Government there.
Tarlton and Tarlont, write that they will be with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show this season, their second season with Mr. Wallace.
Minnie Kemble, late of Dickson & Mustard's Humpty Dumpty, has signed for the season to do her flying trapeze act and play the bugle in the parade with the Great Cole Brother's Show.
Prof. H. V. Siedenberg, magician and character comedian, will this season be with the Pawnee Bill Show instead of with the Kemp Sisters' Wild West as he previously announced.
Everything is in readiness for the opening of the Castello & Co.'s Railroad Shows at Racine, Wis., May 7. Miss Maude Arnold will do a feature act on an illuminated ladder.
George Charbomeau has joined Wm. H. McCue in a head-to-head and hand balancing act, and they will appear on the program of the West & Wells Combined Show as McCue and McCue.
Prof. John J. Frisbie leaves Oswego, N. Y., April 19 to join the Barnum & Bailey Show at Reading, Pa., to make daily parachute jumps throughout the season.
Two new elephants have been added to the herd of the Cole Brothers' Show. They are working elephants, and perform with the balance of the herd.
Josephine Brown, aerialist, is with the Jones Enormous Shows this season. Her husband, Charles F. Brown has the band with that organization.
John Harper, manager of the Forepaugh-Sells advance car No. 4, left his winter home in Chattanooga, Tenn., last week to report in Columbus.
William Forquer will have charge of the stock with the Great Fashion Plate Shows, and is now in winter quarters in Geneva.
Prof. Perrino has signed with the Hunt Silver Plate Show for the season with his animal acts.
LaMarr and Siada join the Pawnee Bill Show.
Mrs. J. B. Wright has about recovered from pneumonia and has joined the Jones Enormous Shows.
Floyd and Maude Sidello, formerly of the Ringling Show, have signed with the Great Fashion Plate Show this season.
Charles Tiede, of Racine, Wis., will again be with the advance forces of the Ringling Shows the coming season.
The Famous Nichols Family have signed contracts with the Great Fashion Plate Shows for the coming season. F. D. Whetten, singing and talking clown, signed with the Fashion Plate Shows for the season.
The Sun Brothers' Show gave four performances April 5-6 at Atlanta, Ga., under the auspices of the Elks.
The opening of the Rice Brothers' Show has been changed from May 18 to May 4, at Sioux Rapids, Ia.
The Cole Brothers' Show opens April 20 at Butler, Pa.
Frank (Shorty) Maynard, clown, and his military goose, joined the Sells-Floto Show at Venice, Cal.
Ranke has signed with the Great Reed Show opening at Cincinnati, April 27, in his equilibristic act.
Dick Russell, comedy slack wire artist, has signed with the Bodkin Brothers' Show for the summer.
The Three Sensational Olivers open with the Great Cole Brothers' Show April 15 at Erie, Pa.
Old Billy Dyke has cast his fortune with the Pawnee Bill Wild West for the season.
Zento and his wife, jail breakers, have signed with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show.
Lafferty, the Frogman, has signed for the season with the Gollmar Brothers' Show.
Harry Shubert is superintendent of elephants with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show.
D'Alma's Famous Trained Animal Show opens at Carona, Long Island, April 25.
Tommy Hibbert has signed for the season with John Robinson Shows.
Harry Selliger, Alliance member, will go out with the Forepaugh and Sells Show.
The Five Altons, acrobats, have signed with the Van Amburg Shows.
The LaPasque Troupe joined the Sun Brothers' Show April 3.
Harry Clark, clown, joined the Cole Brothers' Show, April 15, at Erie, Pa. Bert Fish, the mimic, has joined hands with Mr. Clark and will make his first appearance under the white tops with Cole Brothers.
W. C. Cox ("Coxey") is supt. of lights with the Campbell Brothers' Shows.
Gerald FitzGerald has signed as press representative of the Carl Hagenbeck-Great Wallace Shows Combined.
Harry C. FitzGerald is contracting ahead of the Great Cole Brothers' Shows.
The LaMont Brothers' Show will open April 27, at Salem, Ill. This season they carry 60 head of stock, 100 people, and a band of twenty musicians.
January Jacobs, expansionist, opens with the Frank A. Robbins Show April 23 at Passaic, N. J.
Rocky Mountain Hank has signed with Kemp's Wild West.
William Morehead has signed with the Sells-Floto Shows.
Billboard, April 27, 1907, pp. 7, 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Nellie Revell, former circus press agent, a Chicago girl and in private life is Mrs. Joe Revell, is known in vaudeville as the girl who says tings and whose quick repartee and ability as a teller of humorous stories, have won her the sobriquet of The Witty Woman of the West.
On account of a late start in getting ready, it is probable, writes Owen Doud, of the Great Fashion Plate Shows, that the organization will not give its first performance at Geneva, Ohio, until May 4, instead of April 27, as first announced. Rhearsals begin April 29.
Lieutenant Byron N. Hulburd writes that L. V. Owens, who was arrested in Philadelphis, April 3, for alleged swindling was discharged because of lack of evidence against him. Mr. Hulburd is very sturdy in Owens' defense. He says: "Hulburd's Wild West is now owned by L. V. Owens as you stated. I own and control the show myself. He only worked for me. As for the fake routes and parks that you mentioned, it is all a lie, as I never published my route in any paper outside of the World's Fair year in St. Louis. Now I want you to correct this in The Billboard, stating that Owens' arrest was falso and that all contracts hold good. The show opens near Kansas City, Mo., May 4-11."
Car No. 1 of the Ringling Brothers' Shows left Chicago, April 4. Those world renowned talkers, "Kid" Wheeler and Zeke Inman, were on board. Chas. White, press representative is with them again. The roster of the car is Frank Estes, manager; Wash. Haskins, boss billposter; Chas. White, press representative; "Kid" Wheeler, W. E. Bairf, Fred Cox, Lew Taylor, C. O. Damon, H. Mercier, Fred Jones; Wm. Shea, F. J. McFarland, lithos; J. Whittmore, C. Kugler, L. D.Comestock, John May, Zeke Inman, J. Coughlin, John E. Lyons, E. F. Fancher, H. A. Blackman, J. A. Alberg, J. Cugler. John E. Lyons is steward. The dog, Rags, is the mascot.
Advertising car No. 2 of Pawnee Bill's Wild West: Al Osborn, manager; Doc Ingram, boss billposter; A. Clarkson, lithographer; J. Dee, banners; N. C. Murray, J. Judge, F. Kettler, F. Rogers, F. F. Billings, J. Fenton, J. J. Sulllivan, P. Dunn, Wm. Perrault, J. C. McCormick, P. Whalen, B. F. Ward and O. Wiley, billposters. B. Balke, paste maker.
Advance car No. 2 of the Barnum & Bailey Show: V. B. Cooke, manager; Al Riel, excursion route rider; E. P. Tice, boss billposter; E. H. Hanson, H. White, W. Corbett, J. Lyons, W. Thawley, L. Sullivan, G. Battis, C. Turner, J. Powers, W. Garrity and F. Batterson, billposters; J. P. Hyland, lithographer; M. Ipp and W. Van Dien, banner men; C. Bickerman, paste maker; W. Heller, secretary; R. Bean, porter; C. Jones, chef, and R. Ferrier, waiter.
Harry Overton, superintendent with Capt. Riggs' Wild West Exhibition, is in Indian Territory, where he has rounded up a bunch of Seminole, Cherokee and Creek Indians, who will be one of the features that will open with his company at the White city, Louisville, Ky., April 27. This attraction is being booked for one and two week stands at the big parks throughout the middle west.
The roster of advertising car No. 2 of the Gentry Brothers' Show: Bert Andrews, car manager; E. A. Robey, manager of paper; Fred Johnston, S. Stough, H. Moneysmith, R. H. Nichols, Wm. (Frosty) Brown, Ray Barnet, Bob King, Fred Snyder and Paul Jones, billposters; Frank Ballinger, charge of banners and lithographs; Bert Dunbar, charge of programs, and Richard Smith, chef.
With the No. 1 advance car of Pawnee Bill Wild West: P. W. Harrell, manager; W. Thebo, charge of billposters; Joe Compte, W. Cocharan, G. Nelson, E. Garrison, P. Lamont, M. Spicer, H. Sinnen, J. McCarthy, W. Hays and Perry Bryant, billposters; Leo Salom and J. C. McCormack, in charge of lithographers; Fred Good, cook and Joe Porter, porter.
Messrs. Bodkin Brothers are shaping their affairs for the opening of their season in Chicago early in May, for a four weeks' engagement on the lots. Then show will then will take to the road. M. S. Bodkin is handling the arrangements for the Chicago engagement. Harry La Pearl has been engaged as equestrian director and George R. Murray as boss canvasman.
Art Adair was equestrian director and principal clown at the Hippodrome Circus in Milwaukee during the four weeks' engagement which closed last week. Art is going out with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show as principal clown.
The James Shelby Show ran into Valdosta, Ga., to enlarge and improve. Will Rydon, late of McDonald & Rydon, of the McDonald Brothers' Show, has signed with the Shelby Show for the season. K. S. Wolfing has also signed his stallions and dogs with it.
Chas. W. Brasie left Portsmouth, O., April 15 to report with the Robinson Show at Cincinnati.
Frank Hill and wife left Waterbury, Conn., April 13 for Columbus, to join the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers' Show. Mr. Hill will serve in the capacity of head reserved salesman. Mrs. Hill is the slack wire performer.
The opposition brigade with the Cole Brothers' Show: Bob Simons, manager; "Kid" Mills, Gus Miller, A. Markey, O. Robinson, E. Robertson, J. Stiles, M. Montgomery, F. McCormick, N. Burns and B. Latour.
Henry Emgard, late of the Hagenbeck Shows, has signed as orator and superintendent of reserved seats with the Mighty Haag Shows.
Baker's Concert Band of sixteen men has been engaged with the Gollmar Brothers' Greatest American Shows. The roster: R. W. Baker, Carl F. Bredeson, Henry A. Doerman, L D. Johnson, R. Christensen, John F. Dusch, Emmett R. Beck, L. T. Larsen, Harry J. Knight, Pete Thordson, A. G. Morstad, Wm. Jollie, Glenn C. Loomis and James Dock.
St. Louis, through its Board of Health, has ordered public toilets to be erected on circus lots and connected to the sewer. This will require an expenditure of several hundred dollars on the part of circus men or the lot owners.
John Stevens, who has been an assistant the past season to Chas. R. Hutchinson, of the Barnum & Bailey Show, has been promoted to the position of treasurer with the show.
Antonio Oliveto, conductor of the Royal Italian Banda Roma, and his band this week began their second season with the John Robinson Shows. He was with the Bostock & Ferari Carnival Co. for eight years.
E. E. Meredith will do press work for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Combination next season.
Col. M. Schult has returned from twenty-five weeks' engagement with Pubillones Circus in Cuba. He is booked with the Hargreaves Big Railroad Shows.
The Sun Brothers' Show played to good business at Mayfield, Ky., April 24.
Wm. Van, D. W. Peewee and Chas. Bell are dividing honors doing doubles over three large elephants with the Van Amburg Show.
Charles Edger and Frank D. Phillips join the Pawnee Bill Show.
Wm. J. Hilliar, magician, joins the Forepaugh-Sells Show in Columbus.
Tom North, agent, will do press work this season with the Gentry Brothers' Dog and Pony Show.
Edward Gavin, physical culture exponent, will appear in the Great Fashion Plate side show this season.
Pawnee Bill Wild West premiere Saturday afternoon, April 20, at Cumberland Park, Nashville, Tenn. Performers: Senor Jose Barrano, Dave Wriston, White Buffalo and Jimmie Garrett, rifle and lasso work; the Gilman Brothers, Wm. Lambert; Clyde Miller, Roy Gregory and Wayne Beasley, cowboy sports and pastimes; Chas. Bennett, rifle shot; the South American Gauchos, Major Lillie and May Lillie, and others.
Harry Multon, Sioux City, Iowa, and J. E. Corcoran, St. Louis, have signed with the Buffalo Bill Wild West.
Billboard, May 4, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Chas. Geyer's Railroad Tent Shows were totally destroyed by fire at Roscoe, Texas, Saturday, April 27.
Roster of the Robinson Shows: John F. Robinson, sole owner; John G. Robinson, manager; Gil Robinson, eastern and foreign representative; Oliver Scott, general agent; George Aiken, traffic manager; Geo. S. Cole, special representative; Fred Fisher, equestrian director; Ed. Cullen, business manager; Ed Holland, lot superintendent; C. L. Spooner, contracting press agent; Wm. Curtis, boss canvasman; Harry Lamkin, superintendent privileges; Dan Dale, legal adjuster; L. H. Heckman, manager advance car No. 1; W. C. Dale, manager car No. 2; Cuddy Service, manager car No. 3; "Red" Carroll, boss property man; Harry Reed, superintendent of menagerie; Dick Jones, superintendent of elephants; Art Eldridge, boss hostler; Ed Van Skaik, superintendent reserved seats; Cloud Orton, master of trains; Clem Kingston, chief usher; Robt. Foster, Frank Hobart and Geo. C. Garretson, front door men; Cal Towers, manager side show, and Chas. Basie, assistant, Jas. Robinson, assistant manager; Harry Ekley, chief detective; Ed Hopkins, boss canvasman side show and "Doc" Waddell, story man.
John Murray, known as the "lightning ticket seller," died April 13, at his home, 315 South Front street, Columbus, O., of a complication of diseases with which he had been confined to his bed for more than three years. Colonel Murray spent most of his life with the circuses, traveling most of the time with the Forepaugh-Sells Show. He was fifty-nine years of age. Three years ago Mrs. Murray died and Mr. Murray was summoned from Reading, Pa. After the funeral he rejoined the Forepaugh-Sells Show in Bangor, Me., and two weeks later closed with it and returned to Columbus. His grief brought on sickness, which eventually caused his death. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Murray.
The Fitzgerald Brothers Circus, the big circus in Australia before the advent of the Wirth Brothers, has been reorganized. It inaugurated its season Jan. 23 at Madras, India. There is a ballet, which is new to the Australian circus. The show will tour India and China for four or five months and will then enter Australia.
Notes from Coulter & Clark's Dog and Pony Show. This organization will take the road, opening in Albany, Mo., May 11. We will carry about 150 head of ponies and over a hundred dogs. Our top is a hundred foot round top with two 40 foot middle pieces; horse tent is 80x140. A band of eighteen pieces will be carried under the leadership of Prof. Wm. F. Newlan. We will have three advance wagons with twelve billposters. The general agent is F. D. Fowler.
Roster of car No. 1 of Barnum & Bailey Show: L. W. Murray, car manager; Thos. Conners, boss billposter; Wm. Pfiffer [sic?], assistant; John Henter and Bill Coates, Wm. Jacobs, Jas. Gregg, H. Ruttler, Geo. Frazier; Richard Armstrong, steward, Fred Maner, Ed Boucher, Chas. McBean, Al Little, John Campbell, Bailey Eckman, billposters; Chas. Parks, chief lithographer, with Frank Harvey and Sam Canby; Geo. Hedges, H. Rohebach, Geo. Hedges, H. Roheback, assistants; Walter Humphreys, chief [sic], and Fred Guenther, waiter.
Franklin Evans, formerly of the team of Evans Brothers, black face comedians, has organized a one-ring circus to be known as the Franklin Show. It will give its initial performance at Youngstown, O., May 6. Some of the features engaged are the Merediths; Fred Morton, the American Jap; Fed Linksky, Pallars Brothers, Stage and Beard and others. Mr. Evans will give his personal attention to the management. He will play one-night stands in the smaller cities and week stands in the larger one. Chas. Sager, formerly advertising manager of the Park Theatre, Youngstown, has been engaged in the same capacity with the Franklin Show.
The L. W. Washburn Show winter quarters are at Bound Brook, N. J. Mr. Washburn intends to make it his permanent quarters to which end he is erecting numerous buildings. It will travel in fifteen cars with two cars in advance. They have paid special attention to the parade, and quite a large menagerie. The show will remain in New Jersey about two weeks after its opening, May 1.
The Texas Panhandle Frontier Shows will open this season, May 8, at West Mineral, Kan. The roster consists of Ralph N. (Boliver) Norwell, general agent, with two assistants; Col. E. Holiday, general manager; Charlie (Panhandle) Kertell; equestrian director; Henry Kern, leader of mounted cowboy and cowgirl band; C. C. Lee (Black Jack), trick rider, and a bunch of cowboys; Chief Summers and his band of Cheyenne Indians; Dolph Vligte, trick and fancy lariat twirler on the slack wire; Klido, tramp comedian, and Ellis Kinney, singer.
Roster of Ringling Brothers' Circus car No. 1: Frank Ester, manager; W. H. Hoskins, boss billposter; Wm. Shea, G. O. Damon, John May, Bert Wheeler, Fred Jones, Geo. Kugler, W. E. Baird, Fred Cox, Joe Kugler, H. A. Blackmore, J. F. Whitmore, Fred Pollock, E. A. Fansher, J. C. Lyons, C. E. Inman, L. D. Comstock and Lew Taylor, billposters; John Coghlin, lithographer; J. F. McFarland and H. Mercier, chef. Charles A. White, press agent, is also with car No. 1.
California Frank is making good with the Buffalo Bill Wild West. He was born in Senna, Mexico, forty-one years ago and has been in the business thirty-seven years.
The Barlow Brothers' Wagon Shows open at Benkelman, Neb., May 4. Among the people engaged are the McCoy Family, slack wire artists; the Meyer Family, contortionists; Arthur Lind, juggler and the Barlow Trio. F. H. Harris is in advance, assisted by L. Mason, C. Williams and F. Young. They will show Nebraska and Kansas exclusively.
Featured in the annex of the Norris & Rowe Show are Prince Mungo, W. P. Doss, the human telescope; Princess Numa, midget; King Cole, magician and illusionist; Mrs. Cole and her den of snakes, and the Randalls, sharp shooters.
Victor Cooke and Al Reil, sons of illustrious showmen, were Billboard callers April 23. Vic is manager of Barnum & Bailey advertising car No. 2, and Al is excursion route rider.
The Great LaPearl, female impersonator, has signed with Reed's Big Show. The Reed Brothers also signed with this show.
John Niziolek, Austrian equilibrist, and his acrobatic dog, joined the Jay Circus at its opening in Belleville, Ia., May 2.
Ed Holder's trained animal show, known as the Hoosier Circus, has been doing nice business in Indiana and Ohio.
Niles Reitemeier has resigned from the Happy Half Hour Theatre, LaFayette, Ind., to join the Lee Clark Shows.
Gentry Brothers' Show played to a packed audience at Fort Smith, Ark., afternoon and evening.
Col. Uden's Show opened with W. H. Weider's Wild West Carnival Co., April 29, at Wellston, O.
Romeo Sebastian, old-time rider, has a big pony act with the Washburn Show.
The Cliffords joined the Campbell Brothers' Show May 1 at Baraboo, Wis.
Billboard, May 11, 1907, pp. 18, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Chas. Geyer Railroad Shows were totally destroyed by fire at Roscoe, Texas, April 27. No one is able to account for the catastrophe. No fire was in or near the tent. In three minutes the big tent was a mass of flames and much of the contents were destroyed. There was no insurance. New canvas and scenery have been ordered, and Mr. Geyer plans to make his shows bigger and better than ever.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Reiniche, of Pawnee Bill's Wild West, April 25, a girl baby. Mrs. Reiniche is at her home in Paulding, O.
May 20 will mark the opening at the Jamestown Exposition of the 101 Ranch Wild West Show of Bliss, Okla. This feature attraction went into the Coliseum, Chicago, following the Ringling Show for a two weeks' engagement, and this will be the only stand played outside of the Exposition grounds. Over five hundred people are carried and forty-two cars are required for the stock alone. Prominent among the artists will be George Elser, trick rider; Lucille Mulhall and her trained horse, Governor; Pickett, who throws a steer by twisting his nose; Weona, rifle shot; California Frank; Wah-to-Wasa, the educated Indian princess; Little Hole, chief of the Poncas, and others.
Campbell Brothers Show opened the season Saturday, April 27, at Fairbury, Neb. From Fairbury the show jumped to Tobiac, twenty-three miles distant, and the parade was given during a heavy snow storm, and the same unpleasant weather greeted them the following day at Sterling.
The Riggs Wild West Shows left winter quarters at Parkin, Ark., April 19, for Louisville, Ky., for a two months' exhibition at White City. The roster: Capt. C. W. Riggs, president and manager; Harry Overton, general manager; the Feagans Family Band of ten; Glenn F. Riggs, cowboy barrel jumper; J. F. Brackenridge, trick and fancy lariat twirler; Kit Carson Jr., rifle shot on the slack wire; old Chief Black Cloud and his band of Navajo warriors; Prairie Rose and her band of cowboys; Wild Lillie, Navajo Bonita, Chiquito Belle, Mexican horse rider, and Cliff Dweller Ausie. Mr. Brackenridge has the privileges.
"Rusty" Tuit, "Pecas" Higgins, "Blond" Thompson, "Sandy" Echols, "Bill" Beasby, "Shorty" Purviance, Milt Brown, Ed Botsford, H. Compton, Homer Wilson, "Dick" Paris and A. Boden head the aggregation of cow punchers and rough riders with the 101 Ranch. George Eisler is doing his trick riding stunt, and Fred Burns, "Buffalo" Vernon, H. Wilson, Lou Seeley and other are doing trick roping. Among the expert rifle shots are Frank and Winona and Texana and Reynolds. Miss Sommerville and Miss Skipper are doing fancy riding. Z. T. Miller, mounted on Ben Hur, leads the cowboys. M. Wasser joins the show in a few days.
Roster of the advance of the Great C. T. Burch: C. T. Burch, owner; E. M. Burk, general manager; J. H. B. Fitzpatrick, general agent; William Gilson, railroad contractor; Harold Carpenter, press representative; Victor Stout, local contractor; Truck Williams, car manager; Tom Scanlon, boss billposter; Chas. Scraggs, Edward Remund, Jim Gillett, Harry Bowers, John Peters, Wm. Carpenter, Harry Williams, "Slim" Johnson, "Red" Harris, and "Bob" White, billposters; John Johnson, Wl H. Cooms, Ed Russell, Will Dixon and Chas. Birmingham, excursion men.
Al. G. and Mazie Belford are proud of their little daughter, Elizabeth, aged eleven months, who made her debut last week with them in their act at Delphi, Ind. This season Mr. and Mrs. Belford will be with the London Olympic Shows.
It is reported that a section of reserved seats collapsed while the Hargreaves Circus was giving a performance at White Plains, New York, Monday, April 29, and several people were injured.
The Great Bancroft, male soprano, writes that he was unable to open with the Pawnee Bill Wild West because of the death of his brother on April 14.
Master of transportation George Westen [Weston?], of the Cole Brothers' Show, reports three blow-downs in five days.
Floyd Trover will continue as general agent of the Cook Brothers Show this summer.
James Fleming will be with the Fashion Plate Shows this season.
Roster, Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch. Executive staff: O. J. Cathcart, president; C. W. Rex, general manager; T. B. Gordon, treasurer; Zack T. Miller, show manager; A. M. Wasser, auditor; J. C. Miller, acting manager; Newman Bartlett, general agent; G. F. Donovan, arena announcer; Jack Langtry, master of properties; Vinc Dillon, master of Indians; Walter Beatrice, head interpreter; John Schaefer, boss hostler; Charles Arnold, chief doortender; William Blake, official program; Lee Parvin, chief ticket seller; Joe Westheimer, master of transportation; Ed Botsford, director of arena.
Cowboys: Milton Brown, George Eiser [Elser?], Missouri John, George Strom, Wayne Beasly, Ed Eckers, Rusty Tulk, Pacos Higgins, Shorty Purvince, Lon Deaton, Henry Jones, Vester Pegg, Homer Wilson, Howard Compton, Lon Seely, Buffalo Vernon, Frank Wash, Jimmie Kennedy, Don Dicks, Arthur Boyden, Bill Kennedy, Lew Reynolds, Baby Mann, Dan McGill, Dick Paris, Harrison Wichway, Ollie Klintly, Bim Paris, Harrison Wichway, Ollie Klintly, Bim Paris, H. E. Starr, Ed Bottsford, Dan Sirs, Wand Sirs, Frank Smith, Tom Mix, Bev. Hunter, Curt Reynolds, Perry Kellso, Floyd Pegg, A. S. Abell, L. T. Sample, Ramon Munos, Alberto Garcia, Comenterio Enojosa, Jose Minero, Condelaria Harmandez, Jesus Miranda, Timoto Cabello, Charles Gonzales, Dionicio Hermandey, Emanuel De Tero, Dorfio Hermandez, Jose Ramirs, Manuel Arsolo, Antonio Munios and Bill Pickett.
Cowgirls: Mabel Miller, Bertha Kilpatrick, May Botsford, Miss Kennedy, Alice Wosser, Texicana Reynolds, Mabel Taylor, Lucelle Brown, Lucy Whitmore, W. N. Attebury, Georgie Attebury, Goldie Wooden, Nellis Wilson, Lona Deaton, Viola Seeley, Bertha Vernon, Edna Eckers, Minnie Mann, May Compton and Amelia Summerville.
Cowboy Band: W. M. Attebury, George Attebury, Frank Helnoski, John Paavola, George Byers, Bill Maupin, W. Barr, Harry Cole, J. T. Davenport, Bert Wells, Thomas Scott, David Stump, Shorty Rogers, J. J. Caldwell, Hugo Helander, Charles ___, George Crist, George Bushey.
Cheyenne Indians: Chief Bull Bear, wife and two children; Little Wolf, wife and child; Star Black, Russel Black, Thunder Bird, High Chief, wife and child; White Bear, Nocomiska, White Crow, Murderess, Albert Gene and Morris Medicine, Sioux Woman, Rush Harris, Tough Feathers, wife and two children; Big Bear, Pipe Woman [Weman?], Shepherd, Yellow Hawk, Eagle Feather and Chas. Debra.
Sioux Indians: Medicine Cloud and wife; James Gallige, Good Eagle, Bad Cob, Roan Horse and wife; Black Bull and wife; Eagle Horne, Yellow Bird, Standing Cloud and wife; Blue Bird, Eye Bull, Iron Elk, wife and child; Louis Iron Elk, Yellow Wolf, Pine Bird, wife and children; Jealoous of Him, wife and children; Shot in Eye, White Thunder, wife and child; Red Bear, wife and children; Little Cloud and wife, James Hold Cedar, Julius Standing Cloud, Elk Shield, Left Hand, George Two Looce.
Frank A. Robbins Show. Roster of side show: Harry Hodge, manager; L. E. Debonaire, Punch and magic; Jack Hodges, lightning sketch artist; Frank Hurley, musical comedian; the Mysterious Hilda, lady handcuff expert; Millie Tricorico, sword walker; Margaret Still, snake hypnotist; Prof. Brown, illusionist; W. H. Jacob's Colored Band and Minstrel Show; Millie Zorene, Cassalla Barotta, Ethel Delmar and Natilie Monda, oriental dancers; Herr Bolton, strong man and expansionist; Madam Trolier [Troller?], mind reader and fortune teller, and Wm. Moore, T. F. Wright and W. C. Smith, ticket sellers.
Executive roster: Frank A. Robbins, president and general manager; Fred Beckman, treasurer and general agent; Chas. W. Sprague, secretary and steward; Frank A. Robbins Jr., assistant manager; Clarence Farrel, assistant treasurer; Jos. H. Hughes, press agent; Harry Hodge, manager side show; Geo. W. Ross, legal adviser; Gus Fairbanks, twenty-four hour man; Mrs. Frank A. Robbins, manager candy stands; Chas. Elmendorf, assistant steward; B. Dooley, equestrian director; M. J. Haley, superintendent of canvas; Jack Kent, superintendent of stock; F. Marshall, boss props; Ike Smith, chandelier man; R. Fegan, side show canvas.
The Great Fashion Plate Shows opened at Geneve, O., May 4.
Roster of Aiten and Anderson Shows: Thos. Aiten and C. E. Anderson, managers; Hart and Adair, Roman rings; Stafford Sisters, bareback riders; Edith Johnson, traps and wire; Chas. Johnson, singing clown; Geo. Acton, mule hurdle rider; Dan St. James, four horse rider; Rose Ed Rose, impalement act; Millie LaToure, calliope player; Hitt and Hitt, song and dance artists; Ada Moulton, aerial bars and traps; Nellie Adams, contortionist; W. E. Walley, principal clown, with Chas. Yorke, Chas. Adams, Frank Tate, Bob Kester, Clyde Jones and Foster Williams, comedy producers; Fred James, high stilts; James and Edna Conroy, Anna Hall and Lottie Lenox, society acrobats; Clyde Anderson's troupe of dogs, mules and ponies; Woods and Harris' troupe of elephants; Dean and Ruffin, balloonists, and Sampson's Concert Band of ten pieces.
Roster of Jones Enormous Shows dressing-room: Mr. and Mrs. John B. Wright, clowns; Maud Josephine, aerial rings; Fred Salmon, talking clown; Prof. O. E. Howard, trained dogs and ponies; Geo. Parento, hand balancer; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Mell, double rings; Lillian Harrington, Japanese ladder act, and Clara Lawrence, perch and wire act. Mr. Wright has charge of the dressing room.
Billboard, May 25, 1907, pp. 22, 23, 24, 25. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows. The show has encountered rain every day for two solid weeks, the first fair day being at Huntington, W. Va., May 11. In Dayton, O., in the face of opposition, poor street car facilities, a new lot and pouring down rain, a street parade was given, and two performances to capacity business. Harry Earl is directing the press work. E. E. Meredith is doing the story work a week ahead of the show, while H. E. Butler has been delagated to entertain the "village scribes" on circus day. As far as is known, the record for hanging paper on a country route was broken last week by William Mocerf, one of the billposters of the show. Mocerf posted on a route out of Charleston, W. Va., single-handed, 906 sheets of paper and covered over thirty-nine miles in a space of twelve hours and a half. The record was formerly held by Sam Braighwaite, of Harrisonburg, Va., with 887 sheets. Reno McCree and Lulu Davenport, two of the principals of the riding contingent, were married at Peru, Ind., after the matinee performance by a Justice of the Peace. Miss Davenport was a Chicago girl. Mr. McCree hails from Toledo, O.
Col. Fisher's Big City Shows opened their season May 2, at Phillipsburg, Kan., in a blinding snow storm that continued for two days. Almeda was played May 3 under the same conditions. Col. Fisher's home town, May 4, turned out en masse. Col. Fisher has a new five-car show and plays under a 90 foot round top, seating 3,000 people. The performance is given in one ring and on a stage. The roster is Col. Bert Fisher, proprietor and manager; Ivan Fisher, treasurer; W. G. Fisher, adjuster; W. H. Woods, railroad contractor; Fenny Reno, equestrian director, and Jack McArthur, privileges. Performers include the Weber Family, acrobats; the Great Renos, comedy acrobats; the Three Kobers, trapeze artists; Prof. Woods, educated dogs and ponies; Dottie and Irene, contortionists; Martin and King, clown jugglers; Prof. Bartholomew's trained equines; the Klines, knockabouts; Count DeRobie, comedy cyclists; Adams and Pearl, balloonists; Sully and Mack, wooden shoe dancers, and McArthur and Kelly, knockabouts. The show carries twenty head of horses and ponies and a cage of lions which were broken and worked by Col. Fisher's father. The parade is a feature. The show will play the western states exclusively.
The Rice Brothers opened the season May 4 at their home, Sioux City, Iowa, to capacity business. The roster: Rice Brothers, sole owners and proprietors; Dan K. Rice, business manager and equestrian director; Geo. Rice, assistant manager; Mrs. Dan K. Rice, treasurer and Percy Buchanan boss proprietor [sic?] with two assistants. They travel in six wagons and carry sixteen head of stock. The big show consists of Geo. Rice's trained pigs, Rice Brothers' trained mules, M. B. Burke, singing and talking clown; Master Jim, comique; the Marvelous Rozalez, single traps; Signor Juan, barrel jumper and Roman rings; Leonard and Rozalez, carrying perch, and Prof. Esleck, leader of the band which consists of James Fejfer [sic?], John Hallund, Everett Barton, S. Frakes, Frank Brown and Joe Hand. In the concert are Burke and Gordon, Master James, M. B. Burke and Prof. Purcell. Geo. Rice with five assistants, has charge of the canvas.
The Barlow Show opened May 4 at Benkelman, Neb. They play under a seventy foot round top with two thirty foot middle pieces, and are using sixteen lenghts of ten tier seats. The roster: Fred Harris, advance with three men; Richard Barlow, secretary and treasurer; Alex Barlow, business manager; D. Barlow, assistant manager; Harry Whitsall, boss canvasman; Sil Edwards, boss hostler with six assistants; Raymond Barlow, steward; Henry Hamill, chef; the Meyer Family, double traps; the McCoy Family, high wire artists; Prof. Alexander's troupe of Philippine dogs; Barlow Brothers, aerialists; Burbridge and Dunn, posturing and head balancing; the Barlow Trio, unsupported ladder; Prof. Al White, musical director, and Claf, the Russian hound in a principal riding act.
Our Kenosha, Wis., correspondent, Jake J. Disch, reports the opening of the Castello & Co. R. R. Shows at Racine, Wis., May 7, where they did a large business for three days. This is a two-car show, carrying a 70 foot round top, with a 40 foot middle piece. Harry Castello is the manager and has framed up a novel program of fourteen acts. At Kenosha, Wis., on May 10, while the big top was being put up they were greeted with a snow storm, which kept up the greater part of the morning. The matinee was lost, but in the evening, with the temperature at freezing, they opened to a large-sized audience, and repeated this on the following evening. They are now headed for northern Wisconsin, which territory they expect to cover. The following are some of the people with this show: the Burns Brothers, clowns and horizontal bar artists; Sadie Wing, flying trapeze; William and Millie Lunderman, slack wire; Holman and Dalyar, contortionists; Tom Wilcox, juggler; the Howards, Roman ring; Hudpath, slack wiere, and the Great Delyarross, aerial artist. They carry a band of twelve pieces.
Major Robert O'Meere, once noted as an equestrian and more recently a ring master with several circuses, last week purchased near Brookfield, Mass., a large estate consisting of fifty acres, a mansion and stables. Major O'Meere's two daughters are equestriennes, and it is his aim to put them at the top of their profession.
While performing in front of D'Almas Pony Show in the Bronx, one day last week, John Morrissey, and old-time circus rider, fell from the back of his horse, dead. Morrisey appeared at the show grounds the night before and applied for food and shelter. Mr. D'Almas kindly gave him both. The following morning Mr. Morrissey was given a black pony. He instantly proved that he was at home on the animal's back. Suddenly he gasped, threw up one hand, and slid from the pony's back. His last performance has been completed.
The James Shelby Show is meeting with prosperity in the south. The roster of the show: Chas. R. Ogden and Edward Hardy, managers; Mrs. Lizzie Ogden, treasurer; Taylor Willis, financial secretary; Wolfing and his stallions; Will Ryden, triple bars; "Doc" Renejo, contortionist; Dare Devil Stanly, cyclist; Millie Dare, single and double traps; Joe Joy, clown, and Prof. Henry's band.
The Silver Family, under the management of Bert Silver, opened their season at their home town in Crystal, Mich. They carry thirty people and travel in eight wagons and two sleeping cars. They play west Michigan till June 4, when they play a return engagement at Crystal, after which they play the eastern part of the state for the balance of the season.
Geo. W. Rollins writes: I closed my Zoological Congress April 27, at Winston-Salem, N. C., and jumped to Pittsburg, Pa., where I opened at Luna Park, May 4. The present week I have Mme. Doclere and her seven leopards as a feature.
Robert L. Kohler has opened a little vaudeville theatre at Gibsonburg, O. Mr. Kohler was with the Cole Brothers' Show last season.
Canada Frank's Show closed at Olustee, Okla., after being out eleven months without a rest. They pulled into Kansas City where they will probably remain until the last week in June when they open again under a new top and other new properties.
While in New Orleans, W. W. Gentry issued a letter to his many friends in that city, stating that at the end of the present season he would retire from active business in thes show world.
Because of his wife's illness which necessitates her going to California, Walter Zanfrella has joined the Flying Jordans with the Ringling Show.
Thomas McAvoy writes to state that Mlle. Amy is still his lawful wife and that there has been no trouble whatever between them.
The J. Augustus Jones Show made good at Cartersville, Ga., May 11.
Billboard, June 1, 1907, pp. 24, 25, 28, 29. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Sed Deschane is managing the first car with the Fashion Plate Show and devotes his time mostly to country billing.
Ed Taylor, formerly billposter with the Barnum Show, is locatd at Clearfield, Pa., where he has a nice job and a home. He is happy as a lark until a circus car strikes that town, when he is attacked by a disease known as "Dementia Circusana."
An item in The Billboard recently, concerning the number of sheets of paper posted on a country route. It is claimed that Ed (Ching) Bluskie posted 910 sheets on a 45 mile route last season with the Wallace Show, which is the record to date.
Dan Coghlan has a splendid elephant act with the Washburn Show in which he uses four bulls. Dan is a brother of Pete Coghlan, the elephant man with the Barnum Show.
Edward T. Boyce has the souvenir postal privilege with the No. 2 advertising car of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show.
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Show exhibited at Altoona on May 30.
The papers are printing false and libelous reports concerning the Robinson Show, wires "Doc" Waddell, press agent. The telegram is as follows: Telegraphic reports from Mendota, Ill., in which it is alleged that the John Robisnon Circus employes figured, is false and grossly libelous. Mendota toughs imposed upon showman and stabbed one of them. In a cowardly manner the Mendota police interfered. Police and toughs soundly whipped. Following this plates and rocks were thrown from the depot and one shot was fired at a showman. There was no traveling man by the name of King in the affair, and no one was held up and robbed. Railroad detective Healy was not assaulted. None of the showmen were injured except the one stabbed.
The Hines-Kimball Show has turned out to be a successful little organization, and it has been playing to good business in Wisconsin. Rube Newton is doing the press work. Rube has been with all the shows, but this is his first venture as a press agent.
John White reports good business with the Great Fashion Plate Shows. His menage act, in which he is assisted by his son, is going great.
Married. Douglas Homer, late of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, and Miss Florence Argo, of Pana, Ill.
Roster of the Cole Brothers' Show: Martin J. Downs, owner and manager; Edward C. Knupp, general agent; Harry B. Potter, railroad contractor; John D. Carey, Will Mitchell and Walter Nealand, press representatives; Robert Clemens and Geb. Moyer, local agents; Robert Simons and "Dick" B. Leslie,E. N. Walters and F. J. Krause, checkers-up.
Advance car No. 2: manager, Harry F. Curtis; boss billposter, Charles Martin; billposters, Frank B. Brusso, Frank Foster, J. Towser, W. E. Brown, Walter Bazzalo, Ed Feeney, Charles Cooley, E. N. Harris, Walter J. Graab, Joe Horton, H. E. Raines, E. Malloy, Lewis Hauser, T. J. McCreary, George Singleton, Homer Hall, Louis Doty, Ollie Robinson, Fred Brown, George Coyle; lithographers and bannermen, Pat Brush, Patsy F. Plant, M. A. Edwards; stenographer, W. D. Harman; program man, Harry Riggle; porter, Harry Miller.
Advance car No. 3: Manager, Fred J. Bates; boss billposter, T. J. Hart, billposters, Levi Cole, Owen Neighbor, J. M. Hewitt, J. L. Handle, John Connors, L. W. Brown, Harry Holland, John McGuaran, Alexander Stitt, J. Horton, Harry Snyder, George Cummings, Milton Baker, Andrew Markey; lithographers and banner men, Wm. D. Ingram, Fred Mason; program man, J. C. White; porter, E. Wood.
Opposition and excursion men: Kid Mills, Wm. H. Bullen, William Buras, Carl Clark, Jack Becker, Sam B. Donges, W. H. Brownmiller and W. M. Franklin.
List of people with Sun Brothers' World's Progressive Shows, season of 1907. Big show performers: the La Pasque Troupe, the Five Graceful Grohs, William O'Dale, Walter and Minnie Ashborne, the Linsley Trio, the Zeeno Seemo Troupe, the Juggling Boyles, Vivian Dinsmore, Wilfred and Lottie, Michael (Orton) Cahill, Dan Reilly, Fred Wright, Jack Geran, Victor Peterson, Jack and Belle Young, Master George Sun Jr., Wilbur Plank, William O'Dale, principal rider and equestrian director.
Side show and annex: D. H. Gillespie, manager and director; Madame Gillespie, new century mystic marvel and lightning calculator; M. B. Silvers, comique magician; the Great Maurice, Clyo, the Four English Dasies, Miss Mendosa, Lone Star Quartette, Musical Jarvis, Prof. Gillispie's Conclave of Comedy and acting Baboons and Prof. Boekers' $5,000 orchestrion. Messrs. Young, Reilly, Silvers and Dawson are the ticket solicitors.
The concert is given by the following vaudeville talent: the Arnold Sisters, Vivian Dinsmore, Jack Geran, Fred Wright, Bob Cooke, Jack and Belle Young and the Ashbornes, comedy canines.
The big show band is composed of Howard Warluft, Charles Keller, William Hastings, John Shelly, Arthur Bryant, Raymond Sillito, O. S. Lassiter, Ed Lassiter, T. W. Whitney, Harry Gilson, Robert Cooke, John O'Brien, Senter Payne and Charles Gerlach, band master.
Bosses and chiefs of workingmen: James Cherry, master mechanic; Dick Richards and Leo Collins, boss canvasmen; W. J. Butts, trainmaster; Frank Jones, boss hostler; Dr. F. A. Smith, veterinary surgeon; William Randolph, superintendent of ring stock and forage agent; Jos. Wawick, boss property man, and John Reynolds, boss canvasman of side show top; Allen Suits, harness maker, Jack Benson, stake and chain wagon; Hugh McCullough, chef Hotel Sun; Harry Jackson, chief of privilege car; J. L. Johnson, official barber; W. C. Cherry and Adolphus Phillips, car porters, and "Red" Johnson and John Mullen, principal eight horse drivers.
The executive staff: George and Peter Sun, managing directors; George Sun, acting manager; Peter Sun, general advance manager; Clinton Newton, business manager and press agent; M. S. Cookston, special agent; Charles W. Gilder, advance car manager; C. S. Clarke, contracting agent; D. H. Gillispie, side show and privilege manager. The following also assist the business staff: Michael (Orton) Cahill, big show ticket wagon; Harry Mansfield, reserved seat ticket wagon; Col. H. H. Sylvester, Bob Cooke and Jack Young, inside reserved ticket sellers, and H. H. Sylvester controls the advertising banners and lunch car privileges.
During the visit of the John Robinson Circus, at LaFayette, Ind., Monday, May 20, an ugly clash resulted during the evening performance between two hundred students of the Purdue University and attaches of the show. The college boys started trouble in the side show by disturbing the performers. They upset one of the stands and ended a juggling act. Leaving the smaller tent, they made for the big show. They had planned to "rush on the side guards" and force their way into the show without paying admission. Before the clash came, chief detective Axley, of the circus, and local officers tried to dissuade the boys from their purpose, but to no avail. A student cut one of the guy ropes leading up to the center pole of the main tent and immediately there came the cry of "Hey, Rube." Tent stakes, guns and other weapons were used, and some of the students were severely injured. One senior had his head cut open and another was knocked senseless. A number of the Wild West participants with the show, on horseback, charged the collegians and the latter scattered pell-mell. In flying to cover, some of the students were cut and their clothes torn by running into a barbed wire fence. Several of the showmen were knocked down in the melee. The fight took place on the outside and none of the thousands under the canvas knew of the affair until the next day. The grand jury of Tippecanoe country is taking measures to procure the names of the student responsible for the rush.
Shows in Iowa. Five circuses are now going through the state of Iowa: Campbell Brothers, Gentry Brothers, Yankee Robinson, Gollmar Brothers and Melbourne's United Shows. The Gentry plays fifteen dates in the state. Gollmar's have played five, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Olewein. The Campbell Brothers will play only one town, Sioux City, May 25, going from that place direct to the Dakotas. Crop conditions are not the best and reports from Minnesota and Dakota say that the wheat crop is in very bad shape. Yankee Robinson's Show leaves the state May 26. Melbourne's will tour Iowa for twenty or thirty stands, coming into the state across the Mississippi and opening up at Garrison on May 29. Business has not been good for any of the shows in the west owing to the cold weather. The spring has been the latest known in the history of the weather department. Campbell Brothers were unfortunate in the matter of weather, playing western Nebraska in snow storms for almost a week.
After three years' touring in Australia and the East Indies, Nicholas Chefalo, his wife and child, are at his home in Chelsea, Mass. During their engagement in Australia it will be remembered that Mr. Chefalo was featured with the Wirth Brothers in his Loop the Loop. He is now the American representative for the Wirth Brothers. E. J. Kilpatrick, general manager for the Loop while in Australia, is still at Sydney, where he is managing Wonderland, which they call in that country the Miniature Coney Island. During the last four weeks of Chefalo's stay in Australia, he put on his Loop and Mrs. Chefalo did her Fiery Chasm act.
The big Southern Shows opened their season May 20 at the old circus lot, Fifth and Philadelphia, Covington, Ky. The show is under the management of Col. W. H. Fremont. It is composed of arenic and equine features. Frank Black's educated horse, Lightfoot, it their special feature, and this animal received favorable comment, especially in the boxing match between Lightfoot and his owner. Frank La Rose, the little Hercules, gives examples of marvelous strength. DeRosa's educated dogs do a neat act. Zelda Marston give a physical culture turn. The shows remained a week in Cincinnati.
The Hippodrome Shows are doing well in Kansas, despite unfavorable weather. Their roster includes: O. B. Cahill, manager; Newton Crawford, assistant manager; Mrs. C. B. Cahill, treasurer; Frank V. Carpenter, equestrian director; Earl Hawk, master of transportation, and Joe Lightman and Jack Poise, advance men. Among the performers are the Rosards, trick house and barrel jumpers; Clara Moncayo, contortionist; Barrow and Munden, trick cyclists; Ray Jones, Herman Manden and Jack Penckle, clowns; Raymond and Rose, Roman ring; Mrs. Frank Carpenter and her educated dogs; O. B. Cahill, comedy juggler; A. C. Williams, director of band, which is composed of Roy Edwards, Edward Gertzentron, Chas. Taff, Oscar Rhodes, Newton Crawford, Walker Berlew, Will Ziegler, Frank Rowland, Earl Hawks and Yack ___; Neal McGrath, properties; "Doc" Carr, boss canvasman with five assistants.
The Adam Fetzer Show is doing nicely in Indiana, taking in the same territory it has played for the past six years. The roster: Adam Fetzer, manager and proprietor; Mrs. Fetzer, treasurer; John Sprusby, ticket seller; Frank Linden, equestrian director; Robert Laudre, the Bowles, the Great DeCleo, the Van Brothers, William Sell, Bert Renzo and others. Tony, somersault riding dogs; Mr. Fetzer's trained dogs, and Harry Lark's fourteen piece band, assist in making a splendid program.
Rocky Mountain Hank joined the Kemp Sisters' Wild West Show, May 11.
Owing to a railroad wreck, Riggs' Wild West, which was to leave Louisville, May 15, for Lexington, Ky., was delayed a day. They arrived in Lexington May 17, and opened to good business. Week of May 20 to 27 they played Xenia, O. W. F. Spencer joined the show at Xenia, with a band of Sioux Indians. Another car will soon be added and a big annex is being framed up. Feagan's Concert Band furnishes the music.
Will T. Miller has charge of the annex with the Wheeler New Model Shows again this season. Among the attractions are Madam Lascells and her lions; Cleo, snake hypnotist; Madame Belmont, impalement; La Dell, marionettes and Punch; Miller, magician and ventriloquist; Mascot, the small horse, and eleven cages of animals. Prof. Clark and his eight piece band furnish the music. Grant Allmon and Frank Harris are selling tickets.
The Kennedy Indian Congress, Wild West and Hippdrome opened its season May 30, at Pabst Park, Milwaukee, Wis., where it plays three weeks. Coney Island, Cincinnati, follows. This organization carried thirty-five head of horses, twenty Indians and twenty-five cowboys and cowgirls. During the Cincinnati engagement the show will put on for the first time the real first production of the Coffeyville, Kan., Double Bank Robbery.
The Bodkin Brothers' Show closed Chicago engagement May 25, and has begun its northern tour, showing day stands along the Lake Shore Road in Indiana and Michigan. This show gives splendid acrobatic performance which is devoid of riding features, and carry no menagerie. Their dog and pony features are splendid.
"Hank" Tyson and Chas. F. Fick, of the Great Van Amburg Shows, are engaged in the restaurant business at Frankfort, Ind. "Hank" closed April 29 at Pine Bluff, Ark., to give his personal attention to the business, but Mr. Fick continues with the show.
During the performance of the Sun Brothers Show, at Clay City, Ind., May 17, a section of the seats collapsed, the supports sinking into the soft earth. 250 people wer precipitated to the ground, and twenty people were injured, five seriously, it is reported.
Robert Weldon, one of the cowboys with Riggs' Wild West, was badly burned by the premature discharge of a pistol during the engagement at Xenia, O.
Selige Guardaladze, one of Captain Dimitir's Russian Cossack Rough Riders with the Campbell Brothers' Show, sustained a fractured ankle, May 13, at Alliance, Neb.
Al G. Belford is putting on the concert with the Tuttle Circus, and is acting as equestrian director.
Prof. H. V. Siedenberg has closed with the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show and joined Bradford's Players.
Haag's Mighty Shows played to good business at Tuscumbia and Sheffield, Ala., May 20 and 21.
The Delzaros are going well with the Harry Castello Show.
Billboard, June 8, 1907, p. 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Antonio N. Pubillones, the Cuban circus man, was married in Havana, May 25, to Miss Geraldine Leopold, the celebrated European artist. On their return from their honeymoon, Antonia Pubillones will start the summer season of ten weeks in Vuelta Abajo, Cuba.
C. J. Carroll, agent of the Mighty Haag Show, writes that they have had splendid business since their opening at Shreveport, La., March 7. The show travels in fifty-two wagons and two hundred and fourteen head of stock are carried. The street parade is a feature.
The following clowns are with the Great Van Amburg Shows: Will Henchey, principal; Billy Van Wee, Huey Doherty, Robert M. Pierce, "Doc" Grant, Lee Howard, Ed Ward and Harry Mick.
The Barnards, Floyd and Maude, are no longer with Walter L. Main's Fashion Plate Shows, but are en route with the Adams Ideal Shows.
The Bruces, Charles H. and Bertina, are in the vaudeville annex of the Great Cole Brothers' World's Toured Shows.
Gollmar Brothers' Show lost Kenosha, Wis., because of rain.
Billboard, June 15, 1907, pp. 22, 23, 24, 25. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
George A. Rowland, principal and manager of the Rowland Troupe, with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, was instantly killed at Huntingdon, Pa., Saturday evening, June 1. After the evening performance a number of performers were walking down the Chicago and St. Louis railroad track. Mr. Rowland failed to see the evening express and was struck by the engine. Death was instantaneous. The body was prepared for burial and shipped to New York City, to be kept until the close of the circus season, when it will be taken to Brighton, England, for interment. Mr. Rowland was thirty-nine years of age. He was born in Edinborough, Scotland, and served his circus riding apprenticeship with Lord George Sanger, the English showman, who was an uncle to Mr. Rowland's mother. His mother was a bareback rider, and he has a brother who is in the circus bureau at Paris, France. Les Rowlandes presented the novel tally-hot feature of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show. Mr. Rowland was the originator of the act. It was considered the greatest of its kind. It went to the New York Hippodrome for two weeks and remained twenty. The troupe will continue under the direction of Mrs. Rowland and John Swallow. Mr. Rowland is survived by his wife and four children, the latter being in England. A few days before his death, Mr. Rowland made his will.
Mrs. Jennie Kennedy, wife of W. T. Kennedy, of the Kennedy Brothers' Show, died at the Infirmary, Fort Smith, Ark., May 19, as the result of an operation.
Meadville, Crawford Co., Pa. May 25, 1907. Editor of The Billboard: Dear Sir, Will you kindly put me in communication with John Ryan, paymaster for the Hagenbeck Circus and also Whitey Hays, boss canvasman who were with the circus up to Jan. 9, 1907. The reason I am asking you for this favor is of vital importance to me; I have been accused of committing a crime in New York State, which occurred during the time I was on the pay roll of the Hagenbeck Circus, and being a stranger here I have no way of establishing my innocence except through the parties of whom I have asked you about in the above. I will say I joined the circus at New Orleans in November, went on a Mexican tour and was paid off at Diaz, Mex., Jan. 9, 1907, and the crime was committed Jan. 7, 1907 at Waverly, N. Y. Respectfully yours, A. T. McDonald.
A member of the Reno & Alvord Show writes: This is our fifth week out and though the weather has been bad, our tent has been filled at every performance. We turned them away at four stands. The show is under the personal direction of Mrs. Ed Reno and the advance is under the direction of W. B. Alvord. Prof. Reno is in Texas working chautauquas and he will join the show in July. We have fourteen wagons and thirty-four head of stock. Our roster: Arthur Heuman, principal clown; Emily Reno, wire artist; Mrs. Herrman, balancing traps; Auline Reno, rolling globe; Emma Kiester, juggler; Chas. Alderfer, Keister and Hatsu, tumblers; Little Ruth Reno, contortionist; Jacob Leyton, leader of band; Jack Leyt, manager of concert.
Since opening at Boswell, Ind., six weeks ago, the Adam Fetzer Big One-Ring Shows have been doing good business in the Hoosier State. The roster: Adam Fetzer, proprietor and manager; Mrs. Fetzer, treasurer; M. W. McQuigg, general agent; Herschel Dore, programmer; Ed. Smith, billposter. Some of the performers are: Robert Landore, Ada Merdell, Forest DeCleo, Bert Renzo and Ida McQuigg. A band of twelve and two concert teams are carried.
The roster of advertising car No. 1 of the Great Hargreaves Show: W. E. Sands, manager; Harry Ewing, boss billposter; Andy DuFrane, Joe Flynn, Wm. Mayo, Willis Rusby [Busby?], Wm. Farley and Wm. Clark, billposters; Jerry Rowlins and Carl Fletcher, lithographers; Jas. McSweeney, chef; Mike McElwee, porter; Chester McDonald and Harry Isenberg, programmers. Mrs. Sands accompanies her husband.
Two lions from the Pittsburg Zoological Gardens have been added to Rollin's European Wild Animal Show. Capt. Jos. Hamlisch, formerly of the Hagenbeck Show, has been engaged as principal trainer, and is now working on a troupe of eight lions.
Edward Flanagan, boss candy butcher, has been engaged by the Great Southern Shows to take charge of the concert, candy stands and outside and inside tickets.
Chas. Hildera, now en route with the Al. F. Wheeler Show, will at the close of the show season, join hands with Zech and Zech, aerialists, to do a novelty aerial act. They will be known as the Zech Trio. Chas. Hildera will be known as Chas. Zech.
Harry Parrish, formerly master of transportation of the Walter L. Main Show, and more recently employed with the Van Amburg Show in a similar capacity, has severed his connection with the latter show, and is at liberty.
The Delzaros are not with the Castello Shows. They are at home in Chicago.
The only "Paul Bloom" is directing tentatively the Cap. Riggs' Wild West Shows.
William Sells has purchased the entire equipment of the Lemen Brothers' Show and will open it July 4 at Topeka, Kan. C. B. Fredericks, of Wichita, will be general manager of the new Sells Circus; James McElroy, of Topeka, will be assistant manager, and Charles Coleman, of Topeka, will be advertising manager.
Billboard, June 22, 1907, pp. 20, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Walter Hughes, an employe of the Barnum & Bailey Show for many years, and whose home is in Dayton, O., was killed at Adrian, Mich., June 13, being literally cut to pieces by the wheels of the moving circus train. Hughes was a teamster and was making his way from the horse car to his sleeping car, when he slipped and fell beneath the wheels. The train was stopped at the earliest possible moment, but half of the long train passed over his body.
Sam Bennett, clown with the Barnum & Bailey Show and Miss Grace L. Miner, equestrienne with the same show, were married at Bloomington, Ill., June 5.
The Mighty Haag Show is playing to enormous business in Tennessee.
Thomas L. Wilson closed as contracting advertising agent on car No. 1 of the Fashion Plate Shows at Mt. Carmel, Pa., to accept a position on one of the local papers.
The Steele Family Show, which opened under a 40 by 70 tent near Detroit, Mich., May 20, to splendid business, reports continued success despite the weather.
Gail Boyd, principal; Bob Peasly, Mardello, Roy Fortune, "Whitey" Ashcraft, Ruth Killian and "Little Soup" are the clowns with the Mighty Haag Show.
Joe Becker and R. L. Kouns are still handling the Eiler Big Show, they report business big in the northwest.
Major Keller, juggling drum major, is meeting with success with the Buffalo Bill Show.
Ed. Westburg, of Racine, is reported to have gone in advance of the Castello & Co.'s railroad show.
Billboard, June 29, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
H. B. Keller died June 16 of heart failure at the St. Joseph Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. He was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and was well knwon throughout the country as a circus man, having been connected with French & Monroe, M. L. Clark and several others. His last one being the Van Amburg Shows. He was 59 years of age.
Frank G. Heald, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died at Chicago, Ill., May 31. He had been connected with the different circuses as band leader for several years. Interment was made at Holland, Mich. His wife, Lillian Heald, solo cornetist with the United States Ladies Band, survives him.
Advertising car No. 3 of the Sells-Floto Show: Fred McMann, car manager; Rey Yearout, secretary; Albert F. Vermette, boss billposter; George Edmonds, Al Turrell, Henry Spence, Homer Strong, Jack Mohen, Joseph Lewis and Hans Rector, billposters; Geo. Moyer and Harry Craig, programmers; Claude Cooper, paste maker, and Alex Milton, car porter. "Punch" Wheeler, general press agent also has office in this car.
William Gilman is once more ahead of the Campbell Brothers' Show, doing local contracting, his third season with that show.
Roster of Campbell Brothers' Vaudeville Annex: Col. J. C. O'Brien, lessee; Charles D. Sym, manager; Ed Vernillo, inside lecturer; ticket sellers, Ed Dannie, No. 1 box, Lou Dickinson, No. 2 bos, Fred C. Moore, No. 3 box; Punch and magic, Ed Vernillo; second sight and mind reading, Madam Inez (Mrs. Vernillo); Frederick Poole, female impersonator; Prof. Kruntz, tattooed man; the Roy Family, albinos; Tom Brockman, California giant; Zulu Chief, Bob Tanner; La Fontim, snake charmer; the Seamores, comedy sketch artists; the May Sisters; Miss Fay Geraldine, contortionist; Flossie LaBlanche, strong woman; John Sullivan (Sully), boss canvasman, and Baxter Reynolds' Alabama Minstrels.
Bert Silver, manager of the Silver Family Show, writes: "We have been out five weeks. Weather the worst we have ever experienced, but our business has been big. On June 4 we will put in another middle piece, making our tent 70 by 130."
Business is good with the Washburn Trained Animal Circus. The roster: Leon Washburn, owner; John P. Church, manager; Geo. Crabbtree, treasurer; Geo. H. Irving, manager side show; J. W. Brownlee, manager privileges; Sanetties Royal Italian Band is furnishing the music; Al McFann is ring master.
The opposition brigade of the Cole Brothers' Show: Bob Simons, manager; Bud Fallon, Jack Feltus, Mike McLaughlin, Jack Snyder, Bud Johnson, James Powers, Joe Reily, Ed Ryan and Frank Tracey.
Francis J. Boyle, of the Four Boyle Brothers, European juggling entertainers, writes that they are in their twelfth week with the Sun Brothers' Show, and are meeting with success.
It is reported that owing to a disagreement among those interested, the John D'Alma Show was tied up in Hartford, Conn. Latest reports state that they are still in Hartford.
Joe Richard, the "ding-dong" aerialist, is now connected with the DeEspas Family, doing combination bars and their casting act with the Sells-Floto Shows.
The Jones Enormous Shows stopped over at Clinton, Tenn., three days because of high water.
Mollie A. Bailey's Wagon Show had a blowdown Tuesday, June 11, followed by a big rain.
Billboard, July 6, 1907, pp. 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from the Hagenbeck-Wallace advertising car No. 1. Dave Jarrett closed with the advertising car and will go back to the show as twenty-four hour man. W. E. Burkart was elected stewart. W. S. Jackson has been appointed boss billposter. Ed Ansten is a new addition to the force. O. Connelly and E. C. Doud were released at Oleon.
W. C. Boyd, many years railroad contractor and general agent for leading circuses, is now connected with Edw. H. Wagner, the big importer of fireworkd and novelties, New York City.
F. D. Whetten writes that he and his wife have closed with the Fashion Plate Shows. They will play the parks booked by the Western Vaudeville Association.
Walter J. Ashborn, with his troupe, is now in his fourth season with the Sun Brothers' World's Progressive Shows. His somersault dog, Toledo, is turning some high ones.
The John Robinson Show left out the evening performance at York, Neb., June 24. A heavy windstorm was the cause.
Fred Morgan, contracting agent for the Forepaugh-Sells Show, recently resigned suddenly. Conditions became such with a "rep" company of which he is the proprietor, that he was compelled to join the company immediately.
Fire destroyed the stables at the fair grounds at Kingston, Ont., during the engagement of the Forepaugh-Sells Show there, June 27. The showmen lent assistance and saved the show property from harm.
Eighteen Indians joined the Riggs Wild West at Columbus, O. "Buckskin Pete," the cowboy who was recently shot during one of the performances, has returned to the show.
A. R. Strain, who had the paper on Oliver Lester's car of the Barnum & Bailey Show, is no longer with this car.
Clifford M. Tappen was last week appointed by Judge Chatfield, in the United States District Court, Brooklyn, N. Y., as receiver, under a bond of $1,000, of the John D'Alma Shows. The petition was taken on petition of James E. Armstrong.
Billboard, July 13, 1907, pp. 20, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Marriage. Arnold Graves, known as "Mickey," of the Barnum & Bailey Show, to Phoebe Fields, equestrienne with the same organization, June 30, at Milwaukee, Wis.
Harry Parrish, workman with the Ringling Show, was killed by falling from a pole in the circus tent at Albany, N. Y., June 24. His home was at Canton, O.
James Hatch, after an illness of a year and a half, died on his farm east of Decatur, Ill., July 2. For several years Mr. Hatch was advance agent for the Robinson Circus. He was born in Birmingham, Ala., and was twenty-seven years of age.
Riggs' Wild West opened Monday, June 24, at Cedar Point, Sandusky, O., to immense business. The Crawford Brothers, broncho busters of Medora, N. D., joined the show at Cedar Point.
"Punch" Wheeler joined the Great Sells Show last week in Kansas City. "Punch" says this circus will be the first real show to visit Panama, also touring Old Mexico and a month's engagement at Havana with six stands in Cuba. William Sells, general director, has quietly organized this show until now he has a complete 24 car plant. Charles B. Fredericks is general agent, and the headquarters are in Kansas City.
The Ketrow & Walters United Shows, which recently opened at Anderson, Ind., has been playing to good business in the Hoosier State. The roster: Wm. Ketrow, manager; W. Walters, secretary and treasurer; R. Collins, Wm. Peters, Mrs. Maude Ketrow, Pearl Walters, Frankie Ketrow, Prof. McConkey and his troupe of dogs and ponies, Prof. P. M. Hicks, band leader, and A. Vandevender and Eddie McFatex.
Billboard, July 20, 1907, pp. 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Dode Fisk Great Combined Shows opened at Wonewoc, Wis., May 25. A severe storm tore down all their tents at Garner, Iowa, July 3, but no one was injured and they made their next stand on time, which was Britt, Iowa, twenty miles away, where they gave three performances to capacity business. They use an eighty foot top with a forty foot middle piece and carry sixty-four head of horses and ponies, also a fine lot of dogs and monkeys. Their band is composed of fifteen pieces under the leadership of Prof. Chas. Chapel. Harry Hunt is head billposter and carries five assistants. Roster: Dode Fisk, manager and proprietor; C. M. Culver, general agent; Miss E. Bartlett, ticket taker; W. A. Sigsbee, ring master; Rube Fisk, boss canvasman with twenty assistants; T. Fish, wardrobe man; Bessie Sims, head chef with Earl Dayton, assistant; Lavinge and Jordan, comedy sketch team; H. LeRoy, hand balancer and contortionist; Miss Lillie Stewart; Bob Miller, Jew comedian; Leo Bush, song and dance artist; Russell and Smith, comedy musical act.
On July 5, members of the James Adams' Show enjoyed the commemorative of the twelfth anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Adams, and Mrs. Adams' birthday after the performance.
Campbell Bros' advance car No. 1 roster: Al Campbell, general agent; William Gilman, contracting agent; Geo. H. Allen, press agent; Al Linley, manager car No. 1 carrying fourteen men; Harry Profitt car No. 2, ten men; Frank Myers, car No. 3, eight men. Tobe Beers is the route rider and checker up, while C. C. Pettengill is twenty-four hour man.
The Mighty Haag Shows are touring the state of Kentucky for the first time and business is great. The executive staff: E. Haag, proprietor and general manager; Frank McGuyre, assistant manager and treasurer; H. Emgard, manager of all tickets; T. J. Oatman, equestrian director; King Bolt, boss canvasman of annex, and Wm. Taylor has charge of the stock. H. R. Rhodes is band master.
Roster of Pawnee Bill's advertising car No. 1: P. W. Harrell, car manager; Wilson Thebo, boss billposter; Joe Compt, second brush; Paul Lamont, H. J. Sinkins, J. McCarthy, B. R. Simpson, M. Wisehart; Wm. Funk, N. T. Spicer, A. Dettwiler and W. Upham, billposters. Leo Soloman has charge of the lithographers, assisted by J. McCormick and P. Bryan. J. Terro, paste maker; Arnold Cary, chef, and S. Hennessy, porter.
The Rippel Show has been on the road seven weeks and of that time forty-one days have been rainy, compelling them to cancel two engagements. Considering the inclement weather, they have been doing well.
Walter L. Rictor, now with Cole Brothers' Shows, will appear twelve weeks in vaudeville begining in November with Elva Grant in a singing and talking act entitled The First Quarrel.
Eugene A. Walker has just closed a season of twenty-one weeks with the James Shelby Shows, and is now at his home, Coalport, Pa.
Billboard, July 27, 1907, p. 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
A section of reserved seats of the Buffalo Bill Show gave way at Cleveland, July 17, at the afternoon performance. One hundred men, women and children were hurled to the ground. Miss Kittie Boyle suffered a broken leg. Many others were scratched and bruised. A panic was averted by the band, which played throughout the accident and calmed the people. The section which gave away was composed of 15 tiers. About six feet of the section fell.
Dickey's Combination Shows opened their regular season at Pabst Park, Milwaukee, Wis., June 30, with the following roster: Will A. Dickey, manager; Lillian Dickey, secretary; numerous cowboys and rough riders, including Texas Charlie, Buffalo Vernon, Jess Cappinger, Jack Moore, Milt Davis, Jack Weaver, Jim Ramey, Harry McIntyre, Sadie Davis, Iabell Kertell, Jennie Coleman, Lillian Dickey and Lillian Wnold [sic?].
Chas. W. Schepp recently played his Dog, Pony and Monkey Circus at Kokomo, Ind., for his former partner, Col. Geo. Sipe. Mr. Schepp writes the Colonel and his staff entertained them royally.
The Oberfield Brothers' Combined Show opened their season at Wheeling, W. Va., May 4, and since that time they have played to capacity business at nearly every stand. Their company consists of twenty-five people including the Aerial Oberfields, Johnson Family, the Flying Chambers, Murphy and Woods, Heagon, Oberfield and Conway, Oliver Sisters, Ed Woulf, Hugo Loos and Jim Sandhill, with J. B. O'Neill in advance.
Owing to ill health, Jos. A. Lugar, owner of the Great Lugar Shows, the company has pulled into its winter quarters at Eaton, O. Mr. Lugar intends spending the remainder of the summer at the springs in Indiana and next season put out his show larger than ever. Prof. Sheets and his troupe of trained dogs and ponies, which was the leading attraction with the show, will finish the season playing fair dates.
The roster of Campbell Brothers' car number one: John Grisner, press agent; Tobe Beers, boss billposter with the following assistants, Burt Arnold, Bud Rockwell, Bill Lochard, Geo. Herbolsheimer, Roy Bosen, Frank Cunningham, H. (Cheyenne) Wilson, Bert Dayer, Chas. Horton, Chas. Forelinger, Wm. Getz, Eddie Rhore, Pat Finn, Mayer Schonthall, Wm. Brown, Bun Hallem and Chas. Link.
J. H. Hewitt is no longer connected with the Fashion Plate Shows, closing on account of sickness. He is at his home, Scranton, Pa., and is on the road to recovery.
Ever since W. C. Clark's Greater Shows opened at Spiro, I. T., May 12, business has been good. They have made nearly all the mining towns of Arkansas and Indian Territory.
Tony Lowande is doing excellent business in Ecuador, South America.
E. Francis Kane, orator and amusement director, has severed his connections with the Barnum & Bailey side show and will play the state fairs this fall with his own show, Kane's Kids, and Crano, the Ostrich Necked Boy.
The Sells-Floto Shows have a fine collection of clowns this season. Those of importance are Frank Maynard, Jacobs and Sardel, Harry Clemings, Del Fuego, John Albion and Phil Darling.
J. L. Fusner, manager of the side show with Hargreaves Railroad Shows, severed his connection July 9. A disputed provision in a verbal contract is given as the cause.
The famous Nelson Family of acrobats have returned to the United States after a season in Mexico as a feature with the Great Trevini Circus of that country.
A. H. Reed, manager of the Great Reed Shows, was in Cincinnati last week buying stock for his organization. He reports good business.
Chas. (Kid) Koster has signed with the number two car in advance of the Hagenbeck & Wallace Combined Shows.
Billboard, August 3, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
"Bud" Fallow, a member of the opposition crew of Cole Brothers' Shows, died at the Worcester, Mass., Hospital last week. He was a member in good standing of the Pittsburg, Pa., N. A. B. P. A.
John Harrison died in Havana, Cuba, July 7, after receiving kind attention at the Spanish Society Hospital. He had been under the employment of the late Santiago Pubillones for over twenty years.
James Denning, one of the original Denning Brothers, candy butchers, who has traveled with all the leading circuses of this country since the late seventies, died July 11, at the City Hospital, Little Rock, Ark., of consumption. Interments was made in Calvary Cemetery. He leaves a father, mother, brother and sister to mourn his loss.
Robert F. Schiller, manager of the Oxnard Hotel in Norfolk, Neb., is considering launching a twenty-five car circus for the season of 1908. Mr. Schiller is an old-time circus man and for some weeks has been figuring on the purchase of a good sized railroad show. Geo. Schiller, the owner of the hotel, who is rated in both Dunns' and Bradstreets' at $200,000, and whose real wealth is nearer $500,000, will back this enterprise. Plans have gone so far that Mr. Schiller says the new circus will bow to the public in the season of 1908. In the event of not being able to purchase an up-to-date show as a basis for a larger circus, they are prepared to organize an entirely new show that will compare favorable with any tent show extant.
While en route from Muskegon to Big Rapids on the Pere Marquette, July 24, the first section of the Hagenbeck-Wallace combined shows train was derailed near Twin Lakes by a broken flange. Half a dozen cars were ditched. The elephant cars were top heavy and tipped over, two camels and ten horses were killed and many valuable horses injured. The elephants went through the roofs and broke for the woods, where the keepers were engaged all night in rounding them up. They were recaptured. Three cars containing camels, elephants and horses, were completely wrecked. Three circus employes, names unknown, were injured, one sustaining a broken arm and another's face was badly cut, although all will live. The cars containing the camels, elephants and horses were thrown together when they were thrown down an embankment. From ten to twenty men were sleeping on top of the cars and it is considered almost a miracle that many were not killed. The animals have all been rounded up and are grazing just outside the village of Twin Lake. The wrecking train from Muskegon has gone to the scene.
The Rag Rollers Pig Foot Club, composed of people with the Fashion Plate Shows, spent Sunday, July 21, at Greenport, L. I. Clam digging, fishing, boating, drinking milk shakes, and doing other harmless and social things. The club consists of Blacky Howard, Matt King, Slim Hill, Blacky Davis, Harry Gorman, Pancake Brown, Curly O'Rourke, Butch Higgins, Willie Haggerty, Violinist Bill, Shanty Davis, Polk Brown and Boston Tom.
The Wintermute & Black Great United Shows, formerly the Melbourn Shows, are doing good business in Minnesota, after passing some very rainy days in Iowa. Among those with the shows are Clarence Black, in advance; Geo. Smith, canvas boss; W. B. Hosli (Scotty), animal trainer, and others.
Frank A. Robbins Show had a blowdown Saturday night, July 20, at Bethel, Maine. It came right after the performance had opened and blew the big top into ribbons. There was nobody hurt. July 19 at Rumford was the biggest day of business for the show this season.
Geo. H. Irving has severed his connection as manager of the annex with the Washburn Shows. He is suffering with a severe attack of neuralgia and will rest at his home in Bradford, Mass. He reports that the show is doing a good business.
The Glasscock Show reports fine business in Colorado. Cripple Creek being the banner stand, with Ludlow a close second. The show left Colorado July 21 for Santa Fe, N. M., where two elephants and several other animals were added to the menagerie.
E. S. Medbury, known as "Baldy," an old timer, is in need of assistance. He tried to troop with the Robinson Show this season, but found it impossible. He is at the hospital in Dayton, O.
Ben Phillips, an old-time circus musician, dropped off the Haag Show at Scottsville, Ky., last week to take a few weeks' rest and recuperate. He underwent an operation at the City Hospital in Nashville.
Chas. Koster and Harry Neuman have signed with the No. 2 advance car of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, the former in charge of lithographs, the latter having charge of the banners.
Ed. Handover, principal clown with the Adam Fetzer One-Ring Show, has the misfortune to throw his arm out of place during the performance at Martinsville, Ind. It gave him no little trouble.
J. A. Norris, of the Sells-Floto Shows, writes that business with that show is above expectations. The side show and the oriental show, both managed by Mr. Morris [sic?] are doing splendidly.
Billboard, August 17, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Allen Murray McPhail, circus agent, died in Chicago, August 2. The remains were shipped to Petersburg, W. Va., and buried there. On February 26, 1906, McPhail, then general railroad contractor of the Hagenbeck Shows, while attending a theatrical performance in Pittsburg . . . McPhail's sight was finally restored, and during the winter of 1906-07 he was engaged as agent of The Royal Chef. He had been re-engaged for the same position for the coming season's tour when he again became ill and found it necessary to enter a hospital in Chicago. He was pronounced to be progressing, when a relapse came and his death was the result.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Buck, at 307 E. 26th street, New York City, a nine pound boy. They are late of the Hagenbeck and Barnum and Bailey Shows.
Cole Brothers' Show followed five of the largest into Toledo, O., and turned them away. Toledo is the home of Harry Clark, Jimmy Spriggs and Bert Fisher, three of the forty-one clowns with the show. Harry Clark entertained the entire company of funny fellows at his home, No. 445 Avondale avenue at supper. . . . When the Cole Brothers' Show spent Sunday and Monday last in Mr. Clemens, Mich., the birthday of James Downs, only son of Martin J. Downs, owner of Coold Brothers, was celebrated. James Downs is the youngest of show managers in the country. He has been his father's right-hand man for yers. Martin J. Downs will remain with the show but he management will devolve entirely upon his son.
Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West Show opened for a season of five weeks at Brighton Beach Park, Coney Island, New York, July 27. This Wild West Show is entirely distinct from the 101 Ranch Wild West Show now playing at the Jamestown Exposition. When Joe Miller, president of the 101 Ranch, at Bliss, Okla., came east at the opening of the Jamestown Exposition, he found that there was a demand at Coney Island for a genuine Wild West Show devoid of circus features. As there was no arena at Coney Island large enough to hold a show such as he contempleted, he made a contract with the Brighton Beach people to open in the arena which had been constructed for the Boer War Exhibition. It took nine days to organize and send to New York the company. There are fifteen acts on the program. In the introduction are three hundred Indians and cowboys. All of them from the 101 Ranch. The Indians comprise Sioux, Cheyenne, Ponca, Arapahoe and Apaches. The officers of the show are Joe Miller, president; A. E. Hague, secretary, and O. J. Cathcart, treasurer; Sam C. Haller, general agent, and Grant Richardson, press agent. W. H. Kennedy is the arenic director. . . .
Daniel W. Dale, veteran showman, died at his residence, Madison Road, near Cincinnati, Friday morning, August 9. Thursday evening Mr. Dale came home from Greensburg, Ind., where the circus was exhibiting, with the intention of hiring a force of laborers. Apparently in the best of health, he ate a hearty supper and shortly before midnight, and after he had retired, Mr. Dale was seized with nausea and died in the arms of his wife before a physician arrived. Heart failure caused death. For some years, and until about fifteen years ago, Mr. Dale was treasurer of the John Robinson Circus. Thirty years he was in the show business, and had worked his way from a ticket seller to the treasurship. Mr. Dale was an Ekl, a Mason, and a Knight of Pythias. He leaves a widow and two sons, Dan Dale Jr., of the Pachoud Real Estate Company, and Charles H. Dale.
Sells-Floto had two big houses in Oklahoma City. At night the police closed the ticket wagon because of the jam on the inside of the big top, and also because the menagerie had been torn down, alleging that the public could only received half for which it was paying after the menagerie was removed.
Olson Thebo, circus billposter, formerly with the Barnum & Bailey Show, and this season handling the paper on the No. 1 car of the Pawnee Bill Show, was stabbed three times by the colored chef of the car while the car was in Omaha. Thebo was hurried to the general hospital, where his wounds were found not to be serious, although some of the cuts were three inches long on the breast. The members of the Omaha Local, as well as the representatives of the wild west, gave him every attention. The negro, a fellow by the name of Cary, made his escape, and there is little prospect of his being apprehended.
Chas. A. Cross, midget comedian and talking clown with Bonheur Brothers' Show, is continually bothered with questions; so he had a card printed, which he hands to those who approach him for information. It reads: "Name - Charles A. Cross. Age - 36 years. Height - 3 feet, 10 inches. Born - Sydney, Australia. Growth - natural. Parentage - American. For any other information, call on Bonheur Brothers' Golden Mascot Shows."
Roster of Barnum & Bailey advance car No. 2: E. P. Tiel, E. Hanson, J. Lyons, H. White, G. Battis, B. Foster, B. Weeder, L. Sullivan, M. Thawley, W. Garrety, D. Murr, and J. Hill, billposters; W. Vanier, boss banner, and J. Hyland, lithos.
The following people have already been engaged for the season of 1908 for the Mighty Haag Show: Chas. Long, legal adjuster and manager of privileges, and Chas. Duncan, superintendent of animals with five assistants. Henry Emgard has been re-engaged as orator and superintendent of all tickets.
The annual outing of the Happy Glad Hand, of the John H. Sparks Show, occurred at Naples, N. Y., Sunday, Aug. 4. Early in the morning the Glad Hands departed for Viver's Lake, where fishing, boating and a clam bake were indulged in. The evening was spent in electing new officers.
H. J. Williams, for the past four years general agent of the West & Wells Show, resigned while playing in South Carolina.
Jas. A. Morrow, manager of one of the side shows with the Sells-Floto Circus, has engaged Mlle Arista and her troupeof performing leopards for the season of 1908 as a special side show feature. Mlle. Arista is at present in Spain, and will arrive in America about February 15.
Mrs. Harry Brown, known as Helen Johnson at her childhood home at Lafayette, Ind., formerly the wife of Chas. W. Hayes, of the Barnum Show, died recently at her home in Clarksburg, W. Va., after a brief illness. Interment was had at Lafayette.
Nellie McLain, traveling with the Lamont Bros.' Circus, fell from a trapeze at South Charleston, O., July 30, breaking her arm, two ribs and dislocating her hip. She is in a serious condition. Her home is at Rushville, Ind.
Bob Simons, contracting and opposition agent of the Cole Brothers' Shows, closed with that organization to accept the position of business manager of The Seminary Girls company for the coming season.
Mrs. Grace Spaeth, wife of the well-known circus man, has recovered from a serious operation and will play a part in the Ninety and Nine Co., of which her husband, W. T. Spaeth, is manager.
Robinson's Ten Big showed at Alton, Ill., August 2, to two large crowds. Doc Waddell is still with the company.
Doc Grant and Harry Mick are doing a Si and Mandy act with the Great Van Amburg Shows. They are greeted daily with roars of laughter. Joe Bell has joined the Two LaGraws, comedy acrobats, en route with the Van Amburg shows, and in the future the team will be known as the Three La Graws.
Pawnee Bill gave up its Des Moines date, the contracting agent informing interested people that the city was too expensive for that show.
B. J. Layden, manager of advance car number one of the Great Fashion Plate Circus, closed his season July 20, at Rutland, Vt.
Chas. C. Clark has closed with Cole Brothers' Shows.
Walter Humphreys is no longer the chef on Lester Murray's car of the Barnum & Bailey Show.
Billboard, August 31, 1907, pp. 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Richard Cameron, an eight-horse driver for years with Barnum & Bailey, Forepaugh & Sells, Buffalo Bill and other shows, and lately with the New York Hippodrome, died at Bellevue Hospital, New York, on Aug. 10, of heart disease. He was buried by Jeff Callan, of the Barnum & Bailey offices. Mr. Cameron is supposed to have relatives in Missouri.
Bonheur Brothers' Golden Mascot Railroad Shows are taking in all the mining camps of the western states, and playing to capacity at nearly every place. Their traveling cars have been fitted with air retainers, and they climb through the mountain passes with perfect safety. The show is going south the latter part of September and will play under tents all winter. Amos G. Bonheur, who has been ill with typhoid fever for about three weeks during the mountain tour of the Golden Mascot, left the show at Glenwood Springs, Col., and will remain with his wife, Pearl Bonheur, at the private residence of Mr. Richie, an old-time showman and personal friend of Bonheur Brothers, until his health improves so he can rejoin the shows.
Gollmar Brothers had two big houses at Benton, Ill. Their train was delayed and they did not reach town until nearly noon, nevertheless they gave a parade at 12:30 and everything was in readiness for the opening at 1 o'clock. F. E. Tryon is press agent.
Charles Stow, circus agent, died at Whitestone, N. Y., Friday, Aug. 16, of Bright's disease. The funeral services were held at Girard, Pa., on Aug. 19.
Fletcher Smith, for the past two seasons with the Frank A. Robbins Shwo, is now with Cole Brothers' Shows, telling people about the features in the annex.
Harry Parrish, formerly with the Van Amburg and several other shows, is now in the employ of the Texas & Pacific Railroad at Dallas, Tex.
Jos. Hill, of Kenosha, Wis., has joined the advertising forces of the Barnum & Bailey Shows.
Capt. H. Snider and his troupe of trained dogs has joined Alf. Wheeler's Circus.
At the home of Gil Robinson, her son-in-law, in Jersey City, N. J., Madame Agnes Lake, in her day one of the best known circus women in the country, died Aug. 21, aged 85 years. Mme. Lake, whose maiden name was Katterhorn, was born in Cincinnati, where several of her relatives still reside. In her youth she was famous as a bareback rider and slack wire performer. She married Wm. Lake, at one time a partner of Uncle John Robinson in the Robinson & Lake Circus. When her husband died she conducted a circus of her own. She leaves an estate valued at $40,000.
W. W. Freeman, in former years identified with Sells Brothers' and Ringling Brothers' shows, has established a booking agency at Suite 707 Rector Building, Chicago. Mr. Freeman was also at one time a half owner of Miller & Freeman's Circus, and he was also manager for five years of the Haymarket Vaudeville Theatre in Chicago.
Roster of the Norris & Rowe advance car No. 1: G. S. Ruddy, manager; E. W. Parker, boss billposter; Harry Anderson, Harley Cunningham, A. A. Jones, W. F. Hair, A. J. McDonough, R. R. Jones, C. H. Lee, R. Linwood, W. Murray, billposters; C. Kablitz and W. F. (Bones) Holden, lithographers; H. C. Payne, secretary; F. Thompson, programs; E. W. Lintott, chef, and J. Duffill, porter.
The heavy storm of August 15 prevented the Barnum & Bailey Show from arriving in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, until so late an hour that it was impossible to give an afternoon performance. There being a number of washouts between Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.
Billboard, September 7, 1907, p. 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from the annex, Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows. Business has been good in all departments of the New Model, but extra good in our annex and menagerie department, which is combined under one large canvas. Roster: Will T. Miller, manager, openings, magic, Punch and ventriloquist; Cleo, the Mental Problem; Madam Lenora, snake hypnotist; City of Dreams, our new illusion; Mr. Dooley, the monkey with the human brain; Capt. Snyder, untamable lion act, and eleven cages of animals.
W. S. Dunnington, past three seasons manager advertising car No. 2, the Hagenbeck Shows, is now business manager Uncle Josh Spruceby (Eastern) Co.
Billboard, September 14, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Mrs. Peter Walker, of Buffalo, N. Y., died at the Brokaw Hospital, Bloomington, Ill., Sept. 3. She was the wife of Peter Walker, superintendent of the electric light plant of the Buffalo Bill Show. Mrs. Walker was about forty-five years old.
Tiffiny, James Cook died on Sept. 1, at Providence, R. I. He was for many years an agent connected with the Barnum & Bailey Show. He has been ailing for about a year. He was forty-two years of age and comes originally from Philadelphia. He leaves a wife and step-daughter.
The Silver Family Show, Bert Silver, manager, closed the season Sept. 4, at their new headquarters, Crystal, Mich. During the season they did not cancel a single performance and their tent (60 by 90 feet) was usually too small to accomodate the crowds. They carried thirty people, eighteen horses, eight wagons and cars, and two advance rigs.
Roster of the Hagenbeck-Wallace advertising car No. 1: Foster Burns, manager; John G. Reese, advance; Gilsey Abrams, Ben Hasselman, H. O. Hoxie, Harry Vance, H. M. Ingersoll, H. S. Kerr, Clarence Grauer, Claude Morris, Wm. O'Brien, Wm. Samson, A. C. Klopman, E. N. Musser, Jas. Eniston, billposters; Ed Higler, lithographer; Edward Irwin, program boy; E. C. Yentzer, paste.
Ed. C. Knupp closed his season with Cole Brothers' Shows.
Cole Brothers' circus train met with a slight accident on the Q. & C. R. R. near Owensboro, Ky., Sept. 1. A few cages were badly shaken up and two leopards and a tiger escaped, but were caught after a long search. Nobody was injured and only slight damage was incurred.
Floyd Trover, general agent for Cook Brothers' Show, reports big business in Missouri. They received a new outfit of canvas at Bowling Green. They are headed south for the winter.
Prof. Perrino has closed with the Hurat's Shows and opened with the Walter L. Main New Fashion Plate Shows, as side show attraction with his black African lion, Prince, and his talking dog, Gipp.
A. V. Pubillones closed his circus Aug. 18 at Guaarajay, Cuba, after a successful run of ten months on the island. After touring Mexico this winter, he will leave for Europe on an extended tour.
C. S. Clarke, for the past three season contracting agent of Sun Brothers' Shows, has resigned to go in advance of Donald McGregor's Day of Judgement Company.
Billboard, September 28, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
John J. McNamara, an old-time billposter, and a member of the St. Louis (Mo.) local, died at the City Hospital, Friday morning, Sept. 13. He traveled with the Barnum & Bailey Show in Europe four years and was thirty-eight years of age at the time of his death.
Theo. Reese Barretta, for the past seven years principal clown and mule rider with the M. L. Clark & Son Shows, died at Anthony, Kan., Thursday night, Sept. 12, after an illness of five days. His remains were forwarded to his home at Indianapolis, Ind.
J. V. Schisler, known as Buffalo Vernon, holding the record as champion cowboy of America, was married last week to Miss M. Louise Lugg, at Milwaukee, Wis. Miss Lugg, for the past two season press agent at Pabst Park, Milwaukee, and has also borne a large share of the business management of an amusement resort on the north side of the city. She was born in England about twenty years ago, and later came with her parents to Racine. For several years she has been in Milwaukee, the last two years being spent a press agent for various theatrical and amusement projects. Buffalo Vernon will go with W. A. Dickey's Wild West Show, and the bride will act as press representative.
There have been very few days this season, according to report that the Fashion Plate Circus has been without rain and cold weather, but they have not missed an afternoon performance and only one night show. For the last two weeks it has rained every day, and the lot in most places hasve been flooded. Considering the bad weather, the show has been doing excellent business.
Bert Davis and wife, known as Hiram Birdseed and Aunt Lucinda, closed with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows Sept. 14.
After an absence of sixteen years, Robert Landore returned to his home in Augusta, Ga., Sept. 17. Since closing with the Adam Fetzer Shows in August, he has played a few fairs and made good with his chair pyramid and hand balancing act.
Clint Francis, general contractor of Walter L. Main's Great Fashion Plate Shows, closed his season of twenty-two weeks Sept. __. Before leaving he signed a contract for next season.
Royce Brothers, bag punchers, closed a successful season with the Hargreaves show, Saturday, Sept. 14, and returned to their home in Philadelphia for a short vacation.
Clark Bros.' Combined Shows is re-organizing in Meridian, preparatory to opening about Sept. __.
Fred DeIvey has just returned to the Mighty Haag Shows after a much needed rest, and resumed his duties as chief orator and annex ticket seller.
Thomas W. Ryan is now managing the side show and the Dancing Girl Annex with the Sells-Floto Shows. Mlle. Hilda has closed with the Sells-Floto and is appearing in vaudeville again.
Miss Teddie Arnold, wife of Chas. S. Arnold, has closed with the West & Wells Shows, and is now at her home in Texas.
Billboard, October 5, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
John H. Havlin, of Stair and Havlin, New York, and of the Grand Opera House and Havlin Hotel, Cincinnati; also one of the directors of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, was married in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 25, to Mrs. Charlotte Baldwin. Mr. Havlin's second marriage was a complete surprise. He left Cincinnati Sept. 24, when he stated that he intended taking a short vacation trip. Mr. Havlin's first wife died nearly two years ago at their Long Island summer home.
J. Faus McLeod, for many years connected with the Barnum & Bailey Show in the capacity of billposter, died Sept. 21 at the home of his parents, Circleville, O.
It is definitely announced that the Barnum & Bailey Circus will close the season at Dyersburg, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 17.
At the Oliver Theatre, Lincoln, Neb., every evening about 7 p.m., an old gentleman walks into the business office and takes a heavy iron ticket box and climbs four flights of stairs to the gallery door, and there takes tickets until the crowd is in, never missing one. This is Col. J. D. Russell, known to a few of the old-time circus men as Old Ric Russell, on March 1, 1907 was 93 years old. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was a bareback rider with the John Robinson Show. His application for enlistment was rejected because he was considered too old, but a year or so later he enlisted again and was accepted, and served until the close. He was wounded three times.
Jim H. Rutherford, equestrian director, and the Munroe Sisters, musical artists, have secured an engagement with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show for the balance of the season. They closed with the Walter L. Main Shows Sept. 13, at Medina, N. Y.
Thomas ("Dutch") During, trainmaster with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, will winter in Peru, Ind.
Billboard, October 12, 1907, pp. 20, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Harry Rodepuch, head ticket seller for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, was stricken with paralysis during the performance of the show at Chattanooga, Tenn., September 26, and died a few hours later in Erlanger Hospital. He was twenty-eight years of age and unmarried. His home was in Columbus, Ohio, and the remains were shipped to that city for interment.
Mollie A. Bailey's Great Southern Show, after traveling thirty-eight years through the southwest in wagons, was converted into a four-car railroad show on Oct. 1
Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows closed a successful season of twenty-four weeks at Pittsford, N. Y., Sept. 28, and went into winter quarters at Marion, N. Y. Captain H. Snider is in charge of the winter quarters, and will devote most of his time to breaking in new animals for next season.
Jack Pfeiffenberger, boss canvasman of the Norris & Rowe Show, paid his wife a visit in Cincinnati last week. He rejoined the show at Cherryvalle, Kan., Oct. 7. He reports big business with the show.
J. R. Bonheur, of Bonheur Brothers' Golden Mascot Shows, was entertained by Major Gordon W. Lillie while visiting the Pawnee Bill Wild West at Alamosa, Colorado, Sept. 16.
Harry Green and wife, of the Robinson Show, left that aggregation in Birmingham, Ala., and will put out their own company on the road Oct. 27.
The Frank Adams Southern Railroad Show is playing to immense business through Texas.
Gay's Circus will close its season Oct. 9 at Bellevue, Iowa.
Billboard, October 26, 1907, pp. 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Joe Litchfield, known as Joe Wallace, and Miss Sadie Conners, both of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, were married Oct. 6th.
The Greater Norris & Rowe Circus is now en route home to California, which it expects to reach about Dec. 1, after having visited the most northernly and eastern points which it is possible to reach by rail on this continent. The season was opened in Santa Cruz, Cal., in March, and nearly all of the western states have been visited, they have traveled the entire breath of the Dominion of Canada from Vancouver to Halifax, N. S., at one time being fully 4,000 miles from winter quarters. Among the acts that have been re-engaged for next season are the MacDonald Family of bicyclists; George Holland and Rose Dockrill, principal riders; the Honey-Mora Troupe of aerialists; and Ben Lucier.
Albert Ball, many years connected with Gentry Brothers' Shows in various capacities, has been appointed advertising agent for both Powers and Ramona Theatres at Grand Rapids, Mich. He has made Grand Rapids his home for several years.
Edgar Berger closed with the John H. Sparks Shows at Hanford, W. Va., Oct. 7.
J. H. (Blacky) Roman, assistant boss canvasman, has closed with the Norris & Rowe Shows, and gone to his farm in Oklahoma for the winter.
The Aherns have been engaged by the Sells-Floto Shows for the season of 1908.
Hines and Kimmel joined the John H. Sparks Shows at Hurricane, W. Va. recently.
J. P. Fagan will winter at his home in Madison, Ind.
Billboard, November 9, 1907, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Harry F. Curtis closed his second season with car No. 1 of the Great Cole Bros.' Shows at Hugo, Indian Territory, October 28. The roster of the car at the closing stand was: Charles Martin, boss billposter; F. O. Rossman, asst. billposter; Geo. Houghteling, special agent; Louis Houser, S. H. Jones, Arch Puttman, Ed Feeney, Jack Reynold, J. Magby, J. Mulverhill, J. Allburg, F. Brusso, P. Bryan, L. Morton, Harry Snyder, lithographer and John Carmon, porter.
H. L. (Buck) Massie, for thirty weeks general contracting agent of the Sells-Floto Shows, recently closed his engagement with the show and will winter with his wife, Mlle. Hilda, the contortionist (whom Buck married in New Orleans last September), at Oakland, California.
Mlle. Amy, sword swallower, arrived in New York Oct. 27, after a season with the John Robinson Shows.
Barlow Brothers closed their season at Benkelman, Nebraska, October 26. Next season they intend to tour Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado.
Wm. H. Delly, after closing his fourth season as manager of Gollmar Brothers' advertising car No. 1, has resumed his old position as advertising agent of the Crawford Theatre, Leavenworth, Kan.
The Cliffords, sword swallowers, closed with the Gollmar Brothers' Show, and will open in vaudeville November 25 at the Palace Theatre, Memphis, Tenn.
Frank Broomking and MaBelle, snake enchantress, with the John Robinson Circus, were Billboard callers October 28, enroute to their home.
Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Bonhomme closed their season with the Frank Adams Southern Railroad Shows at Rule, Texas, October 10.
Bonheur Brothers have purchased two large cars to add to the Golden Mascot Shows next season.
Hargreaves Shows have pulled into winter quarters at Hammond, Ind.
Billboard, November 16, 1907, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West closed their engagement at Jamestown, October 12. The show then went to Richmond for two days, after which they played nine days at the Georgia State Fair at Atlanta. Louisville, Ky., was their closing place, where they played a seven days' engagement, after which they returned to their ranch at Bliss, Oklahoma. California Frank and Wenona, rifle experts, and Mlle. Somerville did not return to the ranch as they intend to appear in vaudeville this winter.
Prof. James Wolfscales, manager of the Wolfscales Band and vaudeville company, on tour with Cole Brothers' World-toured Shows, closed a successful season at Hugo, I. T., November 9. The company, with two exceptions, was the original one that opened with the show April 20. He has signed a contract to appear with the same organization next season.
After closing the season at Minden, La., Kennedy's Wild West, Indian Congress and Mexican Hippodrome, shipped dirct to winter quarters at Perry, Okla. Next season will find Kennedy's Wild West in the form of a four-car show, making one day stands. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are now enjoying a hunting trip through Arizona and New Mexico.
W. T. Kennedy, of Kennedy Bros.' Shows, paid the show a visit at Hope, Ark., November 1. The show goes to Louisiana for the winter, their first date being November 15.
Dan Costello, veteran horse and pony trainer of the Bonheur Brothers' Golden Mascot Shows, is training a troupe of twelve of the smallest horses in the world, and will next year present them in an animal act with the Golden Mascot Shows.
Ernest Smith and Walter L. Ricter closed their season with Cole Brothers' Show, their last stand being Hugo, I. T., November 9. They have joined interests to appear in a novelty act in the near future.
The Great Barlow Show, Museum and Trained Animal Exhibition, closed the season at Milan, O., October 12, after being on the road since April 27, and drove to winter quarters at Milford.
Arthur Borella, clown and musical comedian, has closed his second season with the Barnum & Bailey Show, and is meeting with success in vaudeville.
The Ellet Trio is with John H. Sparks' Show, doing their aerial and triple bar act.
Kid Mills recently closed a successful season with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, is now in advance of the DeWolf Hopper Opera Company.
Charles Bartine Sr., owner of the Bartine Consolidated Shows, with headquarters at Connersville, Ind., was a Billboard caller last week.
Billboard, November 23, 1907, pp. 16, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Marriage. Pete Bell, of the team of Bell and Henry, who were with the Barnum & Bailey Circus the past season, to Miss Eva Scranton, a member of Zeno, Jordon and Zeno, at London, Ont., Canada, Nov. 6.
Martin Welch, veteran circus man, died at Bridgeport, Conn., Sunday, Nov. 10, aged fifty-two. His funeral took place Tuesday, Nov. 12. Mr. Welch was for twenty-four years in the immediate service of Frank Melville, now circus director at the Hippodrome, and served with the different shows for which Mr. Melville was circus director. Mr. Welsh [sic?] was born in Burlington, Illinois, but spent most of his early life in San Francisco. The first show he was ever with was the John Wilson Circus, which he joined at 'Frisco for a trip to the Orient, visiting India, China, Japan and the Philippines with Wilson's Circus. On his return to America he took charge of the bareback and high school horses with the old Cooper-Bailey Circus, and it was there that he first met Mr. Melville. He served as Mr. Melville's head groom with the Barnum & Bailey Circus and with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus. Two years ago, when Mr. Melville went to the Hippodrome, Mr. Welch retired from the circus business, and settled down in Bridgeport. He spoke French, German, Russian and Dutch fluently, having picked up these languages in the course of various trips to Europe with the different circuses.
Gentry's Famous Shows, known as the Number Three Gentry Show, closed a successful season on Nov. 2, and is now in winter quarters in Bloomington, Ind. The tour embraced the entire middle west and south, lasting thirty-one weeks. The personnel of the company was: J. W. Gentry, manager; H. L. Maddy, business manager; Harvey Bruner, treasurer; J. B. Austin, general agent; C. W. Finney, contracting agent; Clifford Byrd, manager advertising car; Joe Dawson, manager brigade; E. M. Riddle, press agent.
The Bartine Consolidated Shows, located at Connersville, Ind., are getting into shape for next season, and when completed be one of the finest wagon shows on the road. Mr. Bartine will present the old time one ring circus, the old talking clown, with the now almost extinct costume, striped tights. The territory covered will be Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Bartine will go West in January and buy 2 car loads of western horses, the large breed, to break for hauling the baggage.
Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Show, although greatly enlarged for the season of 1908, will continue as a wagon show. Twenty-eight wagons and about seventy head of stock will be used. Winter quarters are at Marion, N. Y.
Prof. A. W. Reynolds closed a successful season with Pawnee Bill's Wild West at Denison, Texas, November 9.
Hibbert and Rice, the past season clowns with Robinson's Ten Big Shows, are now on the McCarthy Vaudeville Circuit.
Harry DeMarlo closed his third season with the Ringling Brothers' Shows recently, and returned to vaudeville, carrying his own special scenery.
The Campbell Brothers Show closed the season Nov. 2 at Wynewood, Ind. Ter. The show will be overhauled this winter and start out next spring in improved condition.
G. D. Tarbox closed a successful engagement on Nov. 9 at Denison, Texas, with Pawnee Bill's Wild West. He will be with the New York Incubator Company for the winter.
W. E. Burkhart, W. T. O'Brien and Claude Morris have returned to Sioux City, Iowa, after a season with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows.
Billboard, November 30, 1907, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from Wiedemann's Big Kit Carson Show. Business is fair through the State of Texas, in spite of the opposition. Nearly all of the one and two car shows are playing in the Lone Star State this winter, and the failure of the crops and the money stringency will certainly cause some of us to get "stung." Henry Boggs joined recently from the Buffalo Bill Show, and his riding and roping is a feature. We carry twenty head of horses, and the following roster: Thos. F. Wiedemann, proprietor; Joe C. Donahue, manager; John Know, general agent; Fred C. Redfield, assistant; Levi Hestor, stage manager; Lorin C. Taylor, band master; Burt Jacobs, orchestra leader; Frank Millard, boss canvasman; Wm. Prievy, assistant; George Hestor, John Walker, Fred Johnson, Claude Lamborn, Walter Smith, Zeke Hackley, Felix Keller, Joe Housen, Clarence Castro, Archie Moore, Frank Levine, Jas. Coleman, Ray Morris, Chas. Perkis, Edward Norfolk, and Nelson Keene, billposters; Abe Holts, chef; Walter Jameson, boss hostler; "Shorty" Jones, assistant. The following ladies are with the show: Miss Nellie Wiedemann, Madge Keller, Hettie Hestor, Blanche Rail, Alice Oaks and Bessie Bead [Read?]. We will play Texas all winter and go to the Pacific Coast in the spring.
The Great Lucky Bill Trained Wild Animal Arena and Zoological Jungle is in winter quarters at Fremont, O., after a successful season's tour. Manager Col. Wm. E. Heberling has added a number of fine animals to his show, which will be trained this winter by Miss Pearl Koch, Capt. J. F. Briggs and Capt. Fred Newman, of the Heberling Show.
Horace B. Coleman, musician with Ringling Brothers' Circus, has accepted a position with the C. L. Barnhouse Music Publishing Company, Oskaloosa, Ia., for the winter as expert engraver.
Jim Gwyer, legal adjuster for Gentry Brothers' Famous Shows, closed his season with the organization at Chattanooga, Tenn., November 16, and will spend the winter with his parents at Huntington, W. Va.
Robert Landone finished a six weeks' engagement with Gentry Brothers' Dog and Pony Show No. 1, November 16, and immediately opened in vaudeville with his contortion act, at Macon, Ga.
A. W. Bennett and Brother, late of the John Robinson Shows, are now doing a roping and riding act with Col. W. J. Uden's Wild West, en route with the Kentucky Shows.
Gentry Brothers' Famous Shows closed a successful season at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 16 and went to winter quarters at Huntington, W. Va.
The Cevenes Novelty Light Wire Act has just closed a successful season with the Campbell Brothers' Show, and joined the J. A. Coburn Minstrels.
Charles Bartine, owner of Bartine's Circus, has just purchased the Lyon Brothers' Wagon Show, and will combine the two for next season's routing.
Frank (Blackey) Howard and wife are at their farm in Paulsboro, N. J., after a successful season with the Fashion Plate Shows.
J. W. Russell, talking and singing clown, recently closed a successful season with Ketrow & Walle's Circus, and is at his home in Wheeling, W. Va.
Billboard, December 7, 1907, pp. 20, 22, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Fred Peters, who was with the John Robinson Shows in the South during the Civil War, was killed by the cars at Aurora, Ill., November 11. He was seventy years of age.
Harrison Austin, property man with the Van Gorders Wild Animal Circus, en route with the Cosmopolitan Shows, died in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, November 14, of heart failure.
B. E. Wallace has bought the interests of John Havlin, Tate and Mugivan, of the Wallace-Hagenbeck Show. Verifying the report, Mr. Wallace writes The Billboard. "Peru, Ind., Nov. 29th, '07. The Billboard Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O. Gentlemen - I beg to advise you, as I have all others who have made inquiries regarding the report that I have purchased the Hagenbeck interests in the Carl Hagenbeck & Great Wallace Shows Combined, that same is correct, and I am now the sole owner of the entire enterprise. The purchse includes the title and good will and the show will continue to operate under the same name and along the same line. . . . Yours truly, B. E. Wallace."
Edward Starrett, the Nanette (N. Y.) showman, has just received a small fortune for saving a life ten years ago. In 1897 Mr. Starrett was producing his "Society Circus" at Upton Lake Park, near Poughkeepsie. Starrett was in the habit of diving into the lake from an eight-foot pole while tied in a sack, and one day he saved the life of Miss Mabel McDonald, then eleven years of age, who had fallen into the lake. He had forgotten the occurrence, but was reminded of it a few days ago, when he was visited by B. H. Schulz, an attorney of Philadelphis, who presented him with a check from Miss McDonald for $25,000. On becoming of age, the young lady had received a fortune from her late father, a business man of Philadelphia, and she decided to give this amount to Mr. Starrett as an evidence of her gratitude. Mr. Starrett accepted the gift, but will continue to present his "Society Circus."
Miss Anna Shaffer, late of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, who was recently injured at Vincennes, Ind., by being thrown from a bucking horse, is recovering, and will resume her work in the saddle. She is making preparations to fulfill a two months' engagement in Mexico, bucking bronchos at the various bull rings. She will be with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show again next season.
H. H. Tammen, proprietor of the Sells-Floto Show, and D. C. Webber, general council for the show, were in Cincinnati November 30. Mr. Tammen announces that Rhoda Royal, with his troupe of twenty trained horses, has been engaged for next season. Spader Johnson, the famous circus clown, who has been with the Barnum and Bailey Show a number of years, has also been engaged. W. H. McDonald will have the side show.
Joseph Berris, equestrian director and horse trainer of the Cole Brothers' Show, accompanied by his daughter, will sail from New York, December 4, on a tour of Europe. He will first visit his old home in Spain.
The Mighty Haag Shows are now touring the Alabama to record-breaking business. Since opening last spring in Shreveport, La., the organization has traveled approximately eight thousand miles through seven states. They will close the season January 11, at Vicksburg, Miss.
W. J. Riley, this season with one of the C. W. Parker Companies, and D. F. O'Brien, of the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers' Shows, have opened a restaurant in Chicago.
The Millettes, aerial artists, closed a successful season with the Ringling Brothers' Shows, are are now at their home in Greensboro, Ga. They are re-engaged for next year.
Mackay's European Circus will make its annual tour the coming season under the auspices of the Shriner, Elk and Eagle lodges. Over one hundred contracts have been signed up to this writing.
Lawrence Alberta and Lucy ___, equilibrists, closed with the Campbell Brothers' Show recently, and are now appearing in vaudeville.
A. S. Englert (Smithy), boss canvasman of the Cole Brothers' Show, is spending the winter with his parents at Wellington street, Berlin, Canada.
The Bonheur Brothers' Advanced Golden Mascot Shows played to the capacity of the tents at Bellville, Tex., November 23, with opposition.
Fred Jenks, after closing with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, joined the Widow McCarthy Company.
Thirty cars of the Forepaugh & Sells Brothers' Shows pulled into their new winter quarters at Bridgeport, Conn., November 23.
Capt. Alfred Clarke closed as second agent with the J. L. Wood's Dog and Pony Show at Latta, S. C., November20.
Archie Dunlap, chief elephant trainer of the Cole Brothers' Show, has been re-engaged for next season.
Mary Coleman, tattooed lady of the Cole Brothers' Shows is visiting friends at Conneaut Lake, Pa.
Ketrow's O. K. Show closed a successful season recently, and is now in winter quarters at Anderson, Ind.
Belmont's Bears are engaged for the tenting season of 1908 with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows.
Billboard, December 14, 1907, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Royal Indoor Circus opened its season in Louisville, Ky., on November 25, in the Horse Show Building to packed houses. The Horse Show building seats four thousand eight hundred people. Two rings, elevated stage and hippodrome track on which all the regulation circuses were run, while three big aerial acts made the building look like a full rigged ship. The Royal Circus is under the personal direction of Rhoda Royal. The riding numbers are put on by the Stickneys, the McCree-Davenports, and a score of others. The aerial numbers are the Delno troupe, late of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, the Van Diemans, and the Five Flying Nelsons. The Royal Black Horse Hussars in the equestrian novelty, Gathering the Garlands, heads the program. Others on the bill are Reno McCree, Lulu Davenport, Emma Stickney, the Suttons, the Van Diemans and Tasmanian Troupes, Delno Troupe, Flying Nelsons, Ida Miaco, Chester, the hand balancers; John Agee, trick saddle rider; Miss Carrie Norenburg, Sarah Agee, Aldine Potter, Kirland Chambers, Marie Else, the Twelve Clarks; Chesterfield, contortion horse; William Marks, Ab Johnson, Fred Delmont, W. N. Winslow, George Smith, Picard Brothers, the Savoys, Miss Amie Sutton, Capt. Jack Sutton, Henri Errol, and a host of other artists. There are sixteen displays and twelve races on the program. Charles B. Fredericks is business manager and H. E. Butler press agent.
The Norris & Rowe Show closed November 20 at Santa Cruz, Cal. Messrs. Norris and Rowe will open a winter circus in San Francisco, and the show will take the road again in March.
Thomas During ("Dutch") has the train with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show for next season, and is now at winter quarters in Peru, Ind., getting things in shape.
Geo. V. Connor of the Barnum & Bailey Show, has been engaged to manage the privileges of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show next season.
Frank Maynard, clown and mule hurdle rider of the Sells-Floto Shows, is at his home in Denver, Col.
Billboard, December 21, 1907, pp. 16, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Al Johnson and Maud Franks were married Oct. 13 at Frankfort, Ind. Both were with the John Robinson Show.
The Gentry Bros. No. 1 Show, which closed its regular season in Chattanooga, Nov. 16th, and was expected to winter in the southern city, left last week for the Gentry's home town, Bloomington, Ind. Owing to no winter quarters being available in Chattanooga, the Messrs. Gentry were compelled to winter their No. 1 in Bloomington where they have perfectly equipped winter quarters. The negotiations for the sale of all the Gentry Shows to Mr. Savage, of Minneapolis, which have been pending for some time, was a short time ago called off, and the Gentry Bros. will continue as the sole owners and directors of all the Gentry Shows. It is understood that next season all the shows will be united in two aggregations, and each one will be made larger.
Associated Press Dispatches of December 6, from Santa Cruz, Cal., stated: This afternoon at 2 o'clock, Andrew M. Casad, a half-brother of C. I. Norris, of the Norris & Rowe Circus, that has winter quarters at Garfield Park, near this city, committed suicide at the family home by placing a revolver to the right side of his head just above the ear and firing a shot through his head. Cazad has been in ill health for some years and has not been identified with the circus since the show became known as the Norris & Rowe Circus. The dead man had an operation performed about a year ago from which he never fully recovered. [remainder of text cut off]
Harry Clark has just returned to Toledo, O., after a season with Cole Brothers' Shows. Mr. Clark has been re-engaged for next season with the same company in his usual capacity of principal clown and he also handles the advertising privileges and programs. He will have with him next season hs able assistant of Walter L. Main show days, Charley Poly. He has also re-engaged Jimmy Spriggs and Burt Fish, two mirth makers. Clark reports the death of his popular trained duck "Ikey" who had his top bill bitten by a weasel, making it necessary to kill the poor creature.
Ament and Meehan's Dog Show closed their tenting season at Orangeburg, S. C. November 30. Capt. Ament will spend the winter in the East, while Prof. Meehan will play some time in the south.
The Great Duso, novelty contortionist, was last season with Van Amburg Circus and holds contracts for next season with Ringling Brothers.
George W. Rollins' Zoological Congress and Trained Wild Animal Arena has closed a successful season and is in winter quarters at Macon, Ga. Just before the close of the season they united with Buckskin Ben's organization and next year they will travel together as a four car show.
After a season through Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, the F. T. Collins' Wagon Shows are in winter quarters at Red Oak, Iowa. Next year the show will consist of eight wagons and tour Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
W. B. Hosli (Scotty), formerly keeper of Jericho, the war elephant for the Melbourne United Shows, will act as keeper of Mascot, the performing elephant for Geo. W. Hall's Shows for the season of 1908.
Billboard, December 28, 1907, p. 35. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
A deal was consummated at Huntington, W. Va., December 14, whereby Harvey Q. Shallcross, James D. Harrison and Harry McDonald became the side [sic] owners of the McDonald Brothers' Shows. Arrangements have been made to enlarge the menagerie and the building of a number of wagons and cages, the latter to be constructed at Huntington, where brick winter quarters have been secured. Work of repairing, painting, building, etc., will be commenced the first week in January under the supervision of Messrs. Harrison and McDonald, Mr. Shallcross' business interests in Philadelphia requiring his presence there. The show will open at Huntington April 18. A big side show will be a feature.
Haag's Mighty Shows will close their twelfth season at Vicksburg, Miss., January 1, after a ten month's tour in that section of the country. On the night of December 8 fire destroyed the livery barn in which the advance stock of the show was quartered, but by the work of the agent and billposters everything was saved except on wagon and harness. Several members of the company were painfully, but not seriously, burned in rescuing the stock. Immediately after the closing stand is mae, the show will be shipped to their regular winter quarters at Shreveport, La.
The Great Van Amburg Show closed the season in Quitman, Ga., December 11, after a tour of thirty-six weeks. Valdosta, Ga., was chosen for the winter quarters, an eighteen mile jump from the closing stand. The show will be enlarged to 28 cars next year, with two rings and the regulation stages. The troupe of elephants purchased last spring from the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show are to be broken in this winter for a new act by Tim Buckley, the elephant trainer, who has joined the show for the winter.
The John H. Sparks Circus arrived at Augusta, Ga., December 14 and immediately went into winter quarters at the Georgia Carolina Fair Grounds. They were booked to show here, but owing to bad weather the engagement was cancelled. The show will remain here in winter quarters until some time in March 1908.
O. J. Fowler, old-time circus performer and veteran of the Rebellion, died at his daughter's residence, 436 State street, Chicago, December 12. In early days he traveled with Dan Rice, John Robinson and Spaulding and Rogers. He leaves one daughter, Mrs. Lillie LaFollet.
William J. Gilman, formerly contracting agent of the Campbell Brothers' Circus, has accepted the position as advertising agent at the Lyric Theatre, Belleville, Ill.
John Wl. Reynolds has been at Jacksonville, Fla., after closing with the Great Van Amburg Show. His wife joined him December 14, after which they sailed for Cuba, December 16.
George Wormwald, boss canvasman for the Norris and Rowe Shows, has been spending the winter at his home in Cincinnati, will rejoin the show at Santa Cruz, California, in February.
George Pringle (Fatty), with the Barnum & Bailey Show this season, is wintering at Kansas City, Mo. He will be with the big show again next season.
It is reported in Philadelphia that Oscar Krause is to take out the Pawnee Bill Show on his own accord next season. Mr. Krause affirmed the rumor when questioned.
Mrs. George Jennier with her three sons, George Jr., Walter and Roy, late of the Van Amburg Shows, are visiting the Millettes on their farm near Greensboro, Ga.
George Hartzell, clown, has been re-engaged with Ringling Brothers.
Chas. C. Clark, spending the winter in Hinton, W. Va., will be with the Campbell Brothers' Show the coming season.
Harry Hodge, who managed the Frank A. Robbins side show the past season, will not be identified with the Robbins Show in 1908.
Harry Lewis is wintering in Jacksonville, Fla., closing a successful season with the Great Van Amburg Show.
1908
Billboard, January 4, 1908, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Norris & Rowe have purchased the entire zoological collection from the Chutes Company in San Francisco, which consists of elephants, camels, dromedaries, lions, tigers, jaguars, etc., being about thirty animals in all. R. H. Dockrill has been engaged equestrian director, and the Peerless Potters have been engaged for the coming season. The work on Norris & Rowe's new big Hippodrome in San Francisco is being pushed rapidly. The opening date has been set for Saturday, January 11. Performances will be given twice daily, and the engagement is to be indefinite. It is the intention of Norris & Rowe to keep their hippodrome running the year round and to change acts from time to time as occasion demands.
The Three Aerial Lowes have signed with the DeKreko Brothers' Circus and sailed for Santiago, Cuba, December 27, where they are booked for twenty weeks.
Mike, the largest African elephant in America, died in the circus winter quarters at Bridgeport, Conn., December 19. The cause of his death is unknown. Mike was severely burned in a train wreck last spring with the now disbanded Forepaugh-Sells Show. There are few African large-eared elephants in America and Mike was the largest, measuring ten feet four inches in height and weighing six tons. The Sells-Floto Circus of Denver, Col., recently offered $10,000 for this elephant, but the offer was refused. It was increased to $12,000 and negotiation for the sale were in progress when the elephant died.
Art Adair, principal clown with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show last season, has been re-engaged in the same capacity for the coming season.
Col. W. J. Uden's Wild West and Trained Animal Show has just closed a successful season of thirty-five weeks with the Kentucky Shows United. He recently sold his share in this show to Prof. Frank Cromwell at Canton, Miss., which was then joined by the Alabama Carnival Company. It will hereafter be known as Colorado Cotton and Prof. Cromwell's Wild West Circus.
Frank Cromwell, an aerial performer, purchased a half interest in the Col. W. J. Uden Wild West Show and in the future the organization will be known as Canadian Frank and Colorado Cotton's Combined Wild West and Circus. They are now headed for Florida and will probably spend the remainder of the winter in that section.
Col. and Mrs. W. J. Uden will return to their home at Flanagan, Ill., after the close of their season with their Wild West Show and Kentucky Shows United. Col. Uden will take out a two-car Wild West and combination in 1908.
Lewis First, late of 101 Ranch Wild West Show at Jamestown Exposition, will be at Fort Worth for the winter, associated with The Evening Telegram.
Franc Mangum, press agent of Gentry Brothers' No. 1 Show, recently became city editor of the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. He will hold this position until the Gentry Show starts out in March.
Jones Enormous Shows closed a successful season of thirty-seven weeks at Moreland, Ga., November 27. The show was shipped to Montgomery, Ala., where they went into winter quarters on the New State Fair Grounds.
West and Well's Dog and Pony Show, owned by J. Augustus Jones and managed by E. H. Jones, closed at Meridian, Miss., December 16. Their winter quarters will be at Montgomery, Ala.
Chas. A. Sweet, known as The Omaha Kid, returned to his home at Carvour, S. D., after thirty-five weeks' engagement with Col. Uden's Wild West Show.
The Ben Holmes Wild West Show opened at the Florida Ostrich Farm at Jacksonville, Fla., Christmas day, as a special free attraction.
Al Lindley, formerly with Campbell Brothers' Shows, has been engaged as one of the 24-hour men with the Sells-Floto Shows.
Geo. H. Heiser, formerly with the Ringling Brothers' show, has been engaged as general local contractor with the Sells-Floto Shows.
L. H. Heckman, for the last twelve years with the John Robinson Shows, will be manager of car number one of the Sells-Floto Shwos. Fred McMann, past two seasons with Sells-Floto, will manage car number two next season.
Billboard, January 11, 1908, pp. 12, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Marriage. Miss Mary Vaughn Rhodes, formerly with the John Robinson, B. E. Wallace and Hagenbeck Shows and with the Land of Nod Company season of 190607, and H. A. Russell, for four years manager of Armour and Company's Circus and Hotel Supply Department, St. Louis, were united in marriage at Chicago, December 22. Mr. Russell is at present connected with Armour and Company's plant in Chicago.
Barnum & Bailey, list of the bosses who will open the season with the show at Madison Square Garden, New York City, about March 18, for the usual period of nearly five weeks: John McLaughlin, in charge of trains; John H. Snellen, canvas; Thomas Lynch, baggage stock; John Eberlee, flying squadron and general assistant; Harlan Hall, side show canvas; Dan Taylor, master mechanic; Paul Damschke, lights; H. L. Kelly, cook house; Geo. Conklin, animals; H. J. Mooney, elephants; Arnold Graves, properties; S. W. Elliott, ring stock; Bert Wallace, wardrobe, and Edward Schaeffer, head porter.
Charles H. Perry, who traveled with several of the larger circuses for sixteen years as a skeleton man, was found dead in a hut in the outskirts of Providence, R. I., December 29. Death was due to natural causes. Perry was known to the public as Eugene Feralto. Although he was six feet one inch in height, he weighed only eighty pounds.
The Great James Shelby Shows, at present touring the South, spent Christmas at Turman, S. C., on December 24. The personnel of the comapn includes Chas. T. and Lizzie Ogden, Edwin Hardy, Taylor Willis, W. H. Ashdown, Chas. LaBird, Mrs. Lucy Devene, Lottie Devene, Edna Ogden, LaBird Trio, Alfton, Edwin Harry, "Red" Powell and Jimmy Devene. Mr. Longenecker, lessee of the show. The show has finished their fiftieth week having lost but two weeks this season. The weather at Savannah, Ga., where they are at present playing is ideal, although the box office receipts have been somewhat affected owing to the money stringency. Al Heintz and Hicks, late of the Sparks Show, have joined the company at Savannah. The show will move to Jacksonville, Fla. for the winter, where it wll be improved and enlarged for 1908.
The car managers for the Barnum & Bailey Show for the season of 1908: advertising car No. 1, Harry B. Graham; advertising car No. 2 (excursion car), J. F. Benzinger; advertising car No. 3, John F. Harper; special agent, W. C. St. Clair.
Frank B. Miller and wife, of the Norris & Rowe Shows, are spending the winter in Santa Cruz, Cal., opening January 11 in San Francisco. Mrs. Miller's mother, Mrs. M. Hatt, is spening the winter with her daughter.
James M. Beach, head lithographer on advertising car No. 1 of Sun Brothers' Shows, closed his season at St. Augustine, Fla., December 21, and has returned to his home at Seneca Falls, N. Y.
J. C. O'Brien will have charge of the Campbell Brothers' side show again next season.
John F. Busch, young circus band leader, is at his home at DuBois, Pa. He was accompanied by James Dock, trap drummer with Busch's Band.
Geo. V. Conner, manager of the Pringley's Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, had been in New York last week, looking after the interests of that organization.
Frank A. Goldie, late of the Cole Brothers' Shows, will spend the winter at his home in Galesburg, Ill., opening with Jones' No. 2 Show about the middle of February.
George Woods has been re-engaged as superintendent of canvas with Al. F. Wheeler's Show for next season, his fifth consecutive year with the New Model.
Texas Bud's Wild West Show has been meeting with success throughout Oklahoma. The will go to Hot Springs, Ark., for the winter.
Billboard, January 18, 1908, pp. 22, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
A business deal of importance was made here January 8, when Ed Arlington acquired an interest in Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West. Mr. Arlington piloted Pawnee Bill's Wild West on a successful tour last year. The 101 Ranch Wild West made such a hit last summer at Brighton Beach that many capitalists looked on it as a profitable venture for the road. Mr. Arlington has arranged to tour the country with the entire show this summer. It will be boomed in true circus style. Cars have been arranged for and new parade material is to be ordered at once. . . .
Wm. Va Dee (Pewee) committed suicide at the winter quarters of the Van Amburg Shows in Valdosta, Ga., January 8. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of his people will oblige by notifying them of his death. Particulars may be obtained by addressing Jerry Mugivan, in car of the Van Amburg Shows, Valdosta, Ga.
Fire broke out in the tobacco sheds of George Washington Hall, veteran showman, at Evansville, Ind., January 2, and for a time threatened his barns where his elephants, camels, sacred cows, lions and other wild animals are in winter quarters. While the fire was confined to the tobacco shed, it looked as though the adjacent building would be destroyed so the animals were liberated. After the fire was extinguished the animals were driven back to the barn and none escaped. The loss amounted to about $1,200 with no insurance.
The LaMont Brothers' Shows have been undergoing extensive repairs and improvements since arriving in winter quarters at Salem, Ill. The show will be at least one-third larger next season, many new features having been engaged. The side show will be among the additions, 24 to 30 musicians comprising the band.
The Scott and Silverlake Shows are now touring South Carolina and Georgia, playing to crowded houses. One of the features of the show is Dare Devil Dohery, Leaping the Gap of Death, and the Silverlake Family, one of the great aerial troupes. Floyd Silverlake, brother to Mr. Silverlake, one of the owners of the show, died at Orangeburg, S. C. during the gala week there.
The Bedini Family have winter quarters at Kingston, N. Y., on Hurley avenue. They have been engaged for 1908 with the Ringling Bros.' Show, their fifth season. The Bedini Family will open at the New York Hippodrome February 17. Their act will be improved, which they are working on in their winter quarters at Kingston.
After three seasons with Haag's Mighty Shows, Roy Fortune closed at Edwards, Miss., December 30, and is now playing vaudeville. He has been engaged by the Great Van Amburg Show for the season of 1908. He is said to be the only one-legged comedy wire artist and clown in the world.
J. E. Bonheur, of the Bonheur Bros.' Show, was badly burned while extinguishing a fire which partly destroyed their car. The fire originated in a pile of show bills and clothers and before it was noticed had gotten considerable headway and but for the heroic work of Mr. Bonheur the show might have entailed a great loss. Mr. Bonheur was painfully, though not seriously, burned about the hands and face.
Charles Sparks, manager of the John H. Sparks Shows, wirts that the shows, now in winter quarters at the State Fair grounds, Augusta, Ga., will open the season of 1908 at Augusta early in March.
Joseph Mayer announces that he will control the Barnum and Bailey and Buffalo Bill programs for the season of 1908, and he will also act as Eastern representative for Ringling Bros.' program. Mr. Mayer has been with the Barnum and Bailey program for twenty-five years.
Kennedy Brothers' Shows, on arriving at Rosenberg, Texas, January 4, discovered that during the night two valuable lions had smothered to death in the car. The animals were great pets, having been raised from cubs. The show closed January 4, and goes to San Antonio for the winter.
Despite the bad weather and the fact that more tent shows are now touring Texas than ever before, the Eiler Show continues to do good business. Frank A. Brown is general agent and railroad contractor, and S. Stough, manager of the box brigade.
McCarthy, the original tambourine, closed his fifth season with Van Amburg Shows on December 11, and has been re-engaged for next year.
J. W. Hoynes, "Railroad Jack," an old-time driver of the Ringling Brothers' Circus, has been engaged by Thos. Lynch to drive the new twenty-four horse team of Barnum and Bailey's this coming season.
L. H. Heckman wishes to correct the statement made in The Billboard of January 4, that he was engaged as manager of car number one of the Sells-Floto Shows. He will again be with the John Robinson Circus next season.
R. J. Stapleton, route rider with the Forepaugh-Sells Show last season, has been engaged by the Barnum & Bailey Show for next season.
Col. M. H. Welsh, of Chambersburh, Pa., is spending the winter at Atlanta, Ga., where he is organizing a show for the coming season. Mrs. Welsh is spending the winter with him in the south.
The Van Amburg Show will be called the Adam Forepaugh Show next season. H. H. Tammen has announced the intention of calling his the Forepaugh-Sells-Floto Shows.
J. T. McCaddon will manage the Buffalo Bill Wild West. Louis E. Cooke, who will be general agent, has bought part of Col. Cody's interest in the show.
Darwin C. Hawn, superintendent of the Walter Main Shows, was recently called to his home at Massena, N. Y., to attend the funeral of his fater, E. A. Hawn.
Eddie Arlington will be general agent of the Miller Bros.' 101 Ranch Wild West. George Arlington will have the privileges with the same show.
Walter Main will have the privileges with the Frank A. Robbins Shows the coming season. In exchange he furnishes his troupe of trained elephants.
Jack Coleman has been engaged to take charge of the baggage stock of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show the coming season.
"Windy" Gallagher, who has been in Chicago, left for Boston in charge of Mlle. Marguertte's educated horse.
The Pawnee Bill Wild West does not go out next season.
Billboard, January 25, 1908, pp. 12, 22, 23. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
C. A. Schiller, formerly a member of Howe's London Shows, Van Amburg and Cook & Barrett Shows, died January 4, at his home in Toronto, Canada. He was 32 years of age and single.
The Sun Brothers' Greater Progressive Shows finished their season January 7, at Adel, Georgia. Directly after the night performance the various performers, musicians and attaches were all paid off and the show shipped direct to Macon, where the entire outfit went into winter quarters at Central City Park. The season just closed consisted of 241 exhibition days, out of which only five performances were lost. The show visited various cities in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Among the people engaged for the next tour are the LaPasque Troupe, the Linsley Trio, Avallon Troupe, Francis J. Boyle and Company, Harvey and Adams, William O'Dale, Fred Kenne, Theo Arthur, Eddie Vernello, Fred Wright, Jack and Belle Young, Michael and Vivian Cahill, Walter and Minnie Ashborn and the Sisters Tanguay. D. H. Gillespie has been re-engaged to manage the annex and privileges; Chas. Gerlach as bandmaster; Clinton Newton as press agent, and J. L. Springer as special agent in advance.
The news that a deal had been made whereby Messrs. George and Ed Arlington are to handle and equip Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch, came as a surprise, as it was a well-known fact that Sam C. Haller had been for the past ten weeks working in the direction of equipping and financing the same, for the ensuing season. Mr. Haller, known as one of the most capable of managers, therefore will not be found with the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch this season and he desires to take this means of notifying the many applicants with whom he has been in correspondence that all negotiations for positions regarding the same are at an end. There was to have been a meeting at the Sherman House, Chicago, January 15, when full arrangements for the coming season were to be closed. This also was declared off.
Lee and Ella LeVant's Big Modern Shows have just closed a successful season of thirty weeks, not playing a losing stand and leaving a good reputation in every town visited. The LeVants are now at their home in Thompsonville, Mich., preparing for the coming summer season. New water-proof tents will be installed and a number of new features added to the show.
John J. Brolley, circus performer, is now able to be up and around after an illness of three years. He was formerly a member of Hargreaves' Show. He is now recuperating at Bridgeport, Conn.
W. L. Clark and Son's Shows closed a successful season at Alexandria, La., December 31, and are now in winter quarters there, after traveling Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Indian Territory, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Ed E. White, manager of the Dorian Fife and Drum and Bugle Corps, and Sameul R. Groves, treasurer of the same organization, recently closed with the Walter L. Main Fashion Plate Circus.
Geo. B. Ferguson, formerly with the Barnum & Bailey Show as assistant boss hostler, has been engaged by the Ringling Brothers' Shows to act in the same capacity for the season of 1908.
Del and Lulu Fuego have signed with the Van Amburg Show for the coming season. They are wintering at Jacksonville, Fla.
The J. H. Boyer's Famous Shows opened their season at Llano, Texas, New Year's Day, playing to S. R. O. business.
J. Augustus Jones, Clarence Erickson and Elmer Jones, of the Jones Shows, are at their home in Warren, Pa.
Billboard, February 8, 1908, pp. 22,24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Roster of the Jefferson Hotel Circus: Eugene Jaeckh and Fritz Schiele, proprietors; David Deiterick, general manager; George Murray, general agent; Ben Miller, special agent; F. C. Robson, treasurer; Albert Stephen and Julius Spangenberg, adjusters; Wm. Curtis, superintendent of canvas; Dutch Nowak, Whitie Lunt, assistants; L. Marshall, lights; Frank Wallace, superintendent of side show; Thomas Ambrose, orator; Harry Dore, Emil Schwab and Red Sheldon, ticket sellers; Charles Kinnebrew, featuring Moranzo, the girl in white; Buckskin Clark, equestrian director; Burt Carrol, properties; Miss B. S. Durham, wardrobe; James Debro, superintendent of transportation; Whitie Lykins, superintendent of stock; Harry Craig, steward; George ___, forage agent; Jack Pfeiffenberg, agent; Gus (Nosey) Schwaab, privileges; Jew Harris, department of comfort; George Wambold, Billboard agent; Charles Lumpkin, candy stand, and Dick Dickson, up-town show. Business has been good considering the inclement weather, late arrivals and other difficulties.
The O'Brien Troupe of advanced acrobats, six in number; Mme. Saldine and her troupe of eight performing lions and tigers; F. Rogers' troupe of Spitz dogs, ponies and mules; Maude Burbank, equestrian queen; Burt Wiggins, singing clown; Chas. H. Tompkins, king of cowboys; Mabel Hackney, and the Thompkins Troupe of Wild West riders are among the latest performers to sign contracts with the Hackney European Circus for the coming season, which will open early in May at Detroit, Mich. Naomi, the Human Cannon Ball, shot from a regulation brass sixteen inch cannan, will be the feature act. [Mackay European Circus?]
J. W. (Bob) Russell, talking and singing clown, has signed with the Great Reed Shows for the coming season, and will not be seen with the Great Lugar Shows, as was reported. He will also handle the banner advertising with the Reed Show, which will open early in March.
Ed C. McClure, of Beardstown, Ill., has signed with the Yankee Robinson Circus to act in the capacity of lithographers, bannerman and programmer, during the season of 1908.
Harry C. Fenton, manager of the Royal Troupe Cinghlese Dancers, has booked the troupe for the season of 1908 with the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Mr. Fenton will be seen at the front door during their engagement.
Mr. G. Ranke has signed with John Robinson's Circus for the season of 1908 to do his new artistic contortion and clowning act. Mrs. Ranke will also be seen in the ballet with the same show.
A. O. G. Goldthwait, formerly of the Hagenbeck Show, has signed with the Ringling Brothers' Show, as ticket seller and talker on side show box No. 3 for the coming season.
W. S. Cherry has been retained as general representative of the Smith Greater Shows, and will again pilot that company. Chris M. Smith, manager of the Smith Greater Shows, was presented with a pair of leopards by the attaches of the company.
James Shelby Shows, under the management of James Shelby, report business good during their tour through Southern Georgia.
Wm. Trout, equestrian and hurdle mule rider, has been re-engaged by the Al F. Wheeler's New Model Shows for the coming season.
William Hirst, clown, has signed with the Van Amburg Show for the coming season.
E. O. Ferguson will again have charge of the publicity department of the Smith Greater Shows during the coming season.
Millard Darnell, contortionist and trapeze artist, has again signed with the Campbell Brothers' Shows for next season.
101 Ranch notes. The three Miller brothers' part in the alliance entered into with Edward Arlingon, is the providing of people and animals and the producing of the arenic performances. James C. Stuart has been engaged for the position of contracting agent. Alton Osborn will be one of the car managers. Joseph Rosenthal will be emergency advance agent. . . .
Billboard, February 22, 1908, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Charles Eldridge Griffin, side show manager, does not return to the Buffalo Bill Show this season. Charlie is at present at Sulphur Springs, Ark. Mr. Griffin is writing a book, which will describe the experiendes encountered during his four years' tour with the "Bill" Show. Mrs. Griffin, known as "Octavia," and in France as "la Charmeuse de Serpents graceuse de Buffalo Bill," is with her husband and will not be on the road the coming season. Mr. Griffin will probably be interested in the privileges at Edson Park, Ark., having an option on Moving Pictures, Gypsy Camp and Snakes.
Jimmy Spriggs, the cop on the track clown, goes with the Ringling Show, as does Art Jarvis and his wife. Art is at his home in Maumee, O., breaking in a mule for his hurdle act.
Orrin Hollis rejoins the Campbell Bros.' Shows at their winter quarters in a few days.
Col. Cummings [sic Cummins?] will be in Chicago on the 13th. He has just returned from Europe, and is in America to engaged people for his Wild West and English Park Circuit.
The Greater Norris & Rowe Circus and Hippodrome concluded its San Francisco engagement at the Auditorium, Sunday night, February 2. Forty-four performances were given to good business, notwithstanding the general slump in business on the Pacific Coast.
Apropos of her engagement as a clown with Ringling's Circus next season, Fanny Rice says: "I have a little old donkey at my summer home in New Hampshire - and she is a much better comedian than some I have known. Her name is Lady. I shall ride her in the parade and do tricks with her in the ring. I am also a bareback rider and shall do some stunts that will make people sit up and look."
The Anglo-American Show will open their season at Lecompte, La., February 26. Improvements have been made and new features added, making it one of the best equipped wagon shows on the road. The staff: Alex Glasscock, sole owner; Foster Glasscock, general manager; Ruther Glasscock, secretary and treasurer; M. E. Glasscock, general agent; W. E. Guess, advance agent; H. P. Hobson, manager of side shows; Geo. A. Miller, general superintendent; James Loveridge, band master, and M. R. Smith, boss hostler.
The latest news from the winter quarters of the Frank A. Robbins Show at Jersey City, N. J., is to the effect that the show has been sold to Miller Brothers, of 101 Ranch fame. The show will shortly leave for the West, joining the big company on March 12.
Oscar Lowande's Great Bay State Shows are at work preparing for their engagement at the Boston Hippodrome during April. After playing the Hippodrome the show will start on the road and during July and August will be seen at Young's Pier at Atlantic City, followed by a tour of two month's duration. Among the performers thus far engaged: the Eight Cornellas, Mr. and Mrs. Jamerson, Mr. and Mrs. Landolf, the Sun Brothers, Leo Forel and Harry W. Caron, and many others.
The Great Patterson Circus, with winter quarters at Houston, Texas, are preparing for their spring opening which will take place shortly. The staff includes James Patterson, president and manager; Mrs. James Patterson, secretary and treasurer; Art Brainerd, manager of winter quarters; John Manning, master mechanic; Jack King, boss canvasman; Frank Lewis, boss property man; Fred Simpson, boss hostler; Carl Ralph, master of transportation, and Bill Harris.
Three attaches of the Bijou Theatre, Dubuque, Iowa, will be with various circuses the coming season. Ollie Gratz will join the Cole Brothers' Show, with which he has been for four seasons, as twenty-four hour man. Louis Brown will be with advertising car number 3, of the same show. Jack Flynn has been engaged as billposter with the Van Amburg Show.
Albert Gaston, for forty-two years under the white tents, has signed with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows as principal singing and talking clown for the coming season, his fifth year with Mr. Wheeler.
James M. Beach has been engaged with the Sun Brothers' Greater Progressive Shows in the capacity of head lithographer on advertising car number one, for the coming season. This will be Mr. Beach's second year with this organization, which will open its season at Macon, Ga., on March 25.
Jack Cullen, manager of The Colored Aristocracy, with the Smith Greater Shows, is at his home in Watkins, N. Y., prior to his return to Augusta, Ga., the winter quarters of the company. The show is booked to open about the middle of March.
Howe's Great London Shows and Wild West Show will shortly open its spring season.
D. W. Winslow, mule hurdle rider, last year with Forepaugh-Sells Show, has been engaged by the Barnum & Bailey Circus for the coming season.
Thomas During, trainmaster of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, is getting his trains into shape. Cal Wilson, who assisted During last season, has taken the Campbell Brothers' trains for the coming season.
Eugene Woodworth, master mechanic of the Fashion Plate Shows last season, spent several days last week in Geneva, O., in the interest of the Cole Brothers' World Toured Shows.
January Jacobs, expansionist, late of Barnum & Bailey Circus, is preparing his new act which he will put on with the Frank A. Robbins Show the coming season.
John Lancaster, last season with Forepaugh-Sells, goes with the Barnum & Bailey Circus this season.
E. R. (Doc) Bacon will have charge of the reserve seat tickets with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show during the coming season.
Maj. Rol Hyde's Wild West Show, now in winter quarters at Greenville, O., is preparing for an early spring movement.
J. H. Boyer's Famous Shows are still meeting with success in Texas. The company will start North about March 15.
"Slim" Rogers will have the Kid Show with the Hagenbeck-Wallace aggregation this season.
Billboard, March 21, 1908, pp. 20, 27, 28. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Will Dickey, manager of Dickey's Wild West, writes from winter quarters at Lebanon, Mo., that the following people have been engaged: Chief Bullman, first cousin to Old Sitting Bull, with 25 blanket Sioux Indians, from the Rosebud Reservation. The following cowboys as broncho busters and steer riders: Milt Davis, Fred Cox, George White, Ed Glass, Pecos Higgins, Quint Silvers, Darel Wooden and Ben Mecker. As trick and fancy riders: George Hayes, Jim Kennedy and George Hooker. Lady riders: Mrs. S. D. Wooden, Louise Vernon, Hallie Whittenhall, Lillian Dickey, Alice Silvers, and Miss Goldie Wooden, as lady bucking horse rider. Buffalo Vernon and Kergie Stollard, fancy ropers and rope spinners. Buffalo Vernon will also present his act of throwing a wild long-horned Texas steer with his teeth. Steve Wooden will have complete charge of stock. Hank Tyson, first steward, will be in charge of the cook house. The show will be organized in Lebanon, Mo., rehearse three days and show two days of the first week in May. The two weeks following will be spent at Madison Avenue Park, Burlington, Iowa, and they will open May 30 at Pabst Park, Milwaukee, Wis. for the entire park season.
W. R. Musgat, general agent of the Sells-Floto Show, dropped dead in the Windsor Hotel, Denver, Col., Thursday, March 12. Frank Robertson has been engaged to succeed him.
Miss Edith Mussellman, of Bloomington, Ill., and Chas. Waller, of Quincy, Ill., a member of the Flying Fishers, were united in marriage on March 7. Mr. Waller left Bloomington with his troupe on March 8, to join the Barnum Show.
John McAllister Robertson, well known among old time circus men, and for several seasons with the old John Robinson Show, died at his home in Peterborough, Ont., February 23, at the age of 71 years.
John McMahon, a hostler who had been with the Barnum & Bailey Circus for the past twenty-five years, died March 8, at Bridgeport, Conn. So far as known he left no relatives, and his burial was taken in charge by the employes of the show.
The Great Copeland Brothers' Shows opened their season at Seguin, Texas, on March 3. The roster includes Clare and Ed Copelan, owners; W. H. Rice, general agent with eight assistants; Kid Palmer, boss billposter; Eddie Edwards, Sim Stough, Charles Gough, Fred Simms, billposters; Harry Turner, lithographer; Jim Stratton, banners; Harry Cooper, programmer; Frank Leonard, treasurer; "Butch" Abergast, boss canvasman with twenty assistants; Charley Cross, boss property man with four assistants, and Ed Jenkins, boss hostler with twelve men.
Manager Lugar, of the Great Lugar Shows, has just returned from Chicago, where he purchased a number of horses, as well as a large troupe of ponies, dogs and monkeys. The following performers have signed with the show: the Ketrow Family, the Great DeCleo, LaFeal, Kanzig and Harris, Petros, Jerry Burton with his band of 10 pieces; J. A. Briggs, in charge of the canvas; S. E. Trover, advance agent with three billposters. The show will carry 16 wagons with 56 head of horses and ponies.
Cole Brothers' Circus will open their season at Erie, Pa., about April 25.
The Plamondons is the name adopted by Louis Plamondon for his new aerial act with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows during the season of 1908. The troupe is now practicing in the Exposition Building at the Kansas State Fair Groungs, Topeka, Kan., which has been secured for that purpose. Roy Alexander, late of the Sells-Floto Shows, will be with the act this season, taking the place of Judy Amando, whose death occured last spring.
The winter quarters of the Washburn Circus, at a short distance from Bound Brook, N. J. is a scene of activity. Mr. Washburn has purchased the strangest animal ever exhibited, known as the phororhacos. The show will open its season on May 2.
Manager Frank B. Wilson, of the Great London and Wild West Shows Combined, has returned from Amarillo, Tex., where he engaged eight cowboys and six Mexicans for the show. Among the performers engaged for next season are the Powels, Bell Brothers, Bowers, champion tight rope dancer; Frank Foy, a band of twenty-four pieces under the direction of Prof. W. S. Caylor, and Doc Aldreich.
Car No. 1 of the Van Amburg Circus: Don McKenzie, car manager; C. E. Clegg, boss billposter; Sam Grammerlin, lithos; W. S. Cardwell, W. Perry, J. Burgett, S. P. Nix, J. C. Toomey, Jim Kramer, A. Green, Chas. L. McGill, Bert Lane, Jos. Hossack, program solicitor; Pete Tuggie and Willie Jones.
Edward Harriet, formerly of Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Wallace-Hagenbeck Show, will have charge of the cook house with Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West.
The Steiner Trio, grotesque comedy bar artists, and Mamie B. DeOesch, queen of clubs and iron jaw act, have signed with the Gentry Brothers' Show No. 1, for the coming season.
The McKenney, Hunter, Kemp Wild West, Long Distance Relay Races and Hippodrome Combination is the name of a new outfit which has just been launched by Miss A. Blanche McKenney, L. M. Hunter, G. P. Kemp and the Kemp Sisters. The show will play fairs and parks during the coming season.
George Cline, formerly of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, will leave Burlington, Iowa, where he has been engaged at the Grand Theatre as advertising man, to take charge of the banners with the 101 Ranch Wild West.
The Woolley and Piers Troupe of aerialists will start for Los Angeles, Cal., on March 20, to join the Great Sells-Floto Shows at Venice.
J. W. Beattie, of the John H. Sparks Shows, was in Cincinnati recently on business pertaining to the purchase of several animals from Sol Stephans, of the Cincinnati Zoo, for the menagerie of the Sparks Show.
The winter quarters of the Elstun Brothers' Shows at Kansas City, Kansas, are assuming a busy aspect, everything being made ready for the opening date about April 15.
Walter Murphy, who for years has been general contracting agent of the John Robinson Show, has been engaged by the Gentry Brothers' Show for the coming season, to act in the same capacity.
Ben Hasselman, late of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, will leave his home in Burlington, Iowa to take charge of the paper with the opposition brigade of the Barnum & Bailey Shows.
James W. Beattie has closed his winter show to join the John H. Sparks Circus as manager of privileges, which position he has held for several seasons.
"Colonel," the golden baboon, the property of the Yankee Robinson Shows, died at the winter quarters of the show. The animal was the feature of the side show for two seasons.
Bob Mercer is at his home in Burlington, Iowa. He will be with the Cummings' Wild West Show during the coming season.
Prof. Sheet's troupe of dogs and ponies have been engaged by the Great Lugar Shows for the coming season.
Billboard, March 28, 1908, pp. 20, 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Mrs. Louie S. Keinebrew died at the home of her mother, Mrs. Hattie Olmstead, at Topeka, Kansas, March 16, aged 32 years and two months. Mrs. Keinebrew, or Louie, as she was known in the profession, had been in the show business for the past eight years, having been with Sells-Fowns and Cole Brothers' Circus, one season with John Robinson Circus, as well as with shows of her own. Three years ago she received a fall from her horses while practicing, which eventually caused her death.
Ferleman Brothers, for many years connected with the Barnum & Bailey Circus, have decided to embark in the business for themselves, and within a short time they will start on the road with a dog show. They have secured a number of canines from the East and have had them in trained at Walkerville, Ind., a suburb of Shelbyville, for the past three months. Besides giving an animal show, they will also have a number of performers. The circus will travle overland and will visit a number of cities in Indiana and Illinois. August and Frank, the owners of the show, expect to open some time next month.
J. E. Allen, general manager of the program and advertising privileges of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, John Robinson's Ten big, Miller Bros.' 101 Ranch Wild West and the Great Van Amburg Shows, was in Cincinnati last week and reported excellent business. Mr. Allen is the oldest circus program man in the business, having worked on P. T. Barnum's advance courier in 1872.
Peter Hirtz, for many years trainmaster of the Barnum & Bailey Show during its foreign tour, has decided to resume life with the white tents, and is going out this season in charge of the Buffalo Bill Wild West train.
Charles Stock, who has had charge of the lights with the Barnum & Bailey Show for the past twenty-eight years, and who has the distinction of being the oldest superintendent of lights in the circus business, has accepted a position with Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West Show, and will operate the Bolte & Weyer lights during the coming season.
The Bartine Show will not go out on so large a scale this season as was intended, owing to the depressed financial conditions. The show will open its season at Connersville, Ind., in May and will play the smaller towns and county seats of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.
Ned Alvord, formerly with the Wallace Shows, for the past season press agent and assistant manager for Jack Hoeffer's vaudeville houses at Terre Haute, Ind., has signed with the advance forces of the Ringling Brothers' Shows, and will join that aggregation in Chicago, March 30.
The business staff of the Heber Brothers' Greater Tent Shows: Reginald C. Heber, business manager and treasurer; Rollo F. Heber, secretary; A. Henderson, musical director; Benjamin C. Heber, advance agent; Buck Morey, boss canvasman.
Rube Newton, formerly connected with the Robinson, Ringling Brothers and other big shows, has signed with the Cummings' [sic] Wild West for two seasons. He has just returned from Tampa, Fla., where he had been appearing at Barnes' Hippodrome.
Renzo and Milva, comedy gymnasts and equilibrists, have signed with the Fetzer Society Circus for the season of 1908, their third consecutive season with that organization.
Reno McCree and Lulu Davenport will present their triple jockey act with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show the coming season.
Hugh Valon has signed with the John Robinson's Show to do his bounding wire and bounding jockey act the coming season.
Walter Thomas, formerly of the Flying LaVans, will work with the Ellet Troupe in their novelty aerial bar act this season.
The Yankee Doodle Elephant, born at the Barnum & Bailey Show in Bridgeport, has been named Abe Lincoln.
The DeVawter Trio have signed with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows for the season of 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Hobson will return to the Ringling Brothers' Show for the season of 1908.
The Melzar Brothers, aerialists, have signed with the Silver Family Shows as a feature act.
Stick and Norma Davenport have been engaged by the John Robinson Ten Big Shows.
John Davenport will be with the Yankee Robinson Show during the coming season.
Shannon Brothers' Tent Show will open their season at Ludington, Mich., on May 25.
Roster of the Great Lugar Shows: Jos. A. Lugar, manager; Dude Trover, general agent; Wm. Ketron, asst. manager and general superintendent; George Churchill, annex; Frank Peters, privileges; W. Peters, equestrian director; Wm. Kanzig Jr., commissary; N. Victor, boss hostler with seven assistants; J. Whitey, boss canvasman with ten assistants; J. McDonald, lights; Prof. Hicks' band of twelve pieces; the Ketron Family, aerial bicyclists, wire and revolving ladder; the Great DeCleo, aerial novelty and juggling; Prof. Sheet's high school horses and ponies; Lugar's monkeys, dogs and cats; Ola Burton, physical culture and contortionist; Okomo Troupe, acrobats; Jack LaPearl, principal clown, and Frankie Ketron and his donkey. Sixty horses, eighteen wagons and an new spread of canvas. One-ring show, will open at Eaton, O., May 2.
Al. F. Wheeler has purchased the entire outfit of the James E. Joyce One-Ring Circus, at Greenwich, N. Y., and the same has been shipped to the winter quarters of the Wheeler Show, at Marion, N. Y., to be added to the New Model, making it one of the largest wagon shows on the road the coming season.
Guy Weadick, known as "Cheyenne Bill," formerly with Billy the Kid Company, has signed with Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West Show and not with the Great Train Robbery as was reported. Florence LaDue has also signed with Miller Brothers.
Harvey Bell has cancelled his contract with the John Robinson Shows to take up a position with the Fort Worth, Texas, fire department.
The Sparks Show will open their season at Augusta, Ga., on March 20-21, playing under the auspices of the Augusta Lodge of Elks.
Art Gardner has closed the winter season and is now preparing for the opening of his Wild West Show.
Bessie Skidmore has closed her season at the Olympic Theatre, Springfield, Ill., to join the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows.
Billboard, April 18, 1908, pp. 20, 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Miss Daisy Burton and Harry J. Wallace, of the Wallace Brothers' Shows, were married at St. Marys, O., March 30.
The Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows open the season at Marion, N. Y., Saturday, May 2. The purchase of the Joyce Circus, a new band wagon, four new cages, and several new baggage wagons have been added, togther with the necessary draught horses to transport the same. To the performance has been added as headline acts Reynard Comedy Cyclist, Prof. Snyder's trained bears, and the Hamilton Family concert band. Of the previous season's featurs are retained Zech and Zech, aerialists; Maj. Octave Caillouette, unicycle wire artist; Wm. Trout, hurdle mule rider; Wheeler's dancing horses; Ethel Billings, novelty ring artist; while Albert Gaston and Al. F. Wheeler Jr., the oldest and youngest clowns, will present a budget of fun. Adam Gillespie's New Model concert band will discourse the latest popular and classic music. Capt. H. Snider, with the lion, "Spitfire," will be a side show feature. O. A. Berry will again be in charge of the commissary department. For a free outside thrille, the "Great Reynard" will ride blindfolded down a 100 foot ladder on a unicycle. Wheeler's educated horses have been drilled in new stunts, and as an opening feature the arenic spectacle, Queen of Nations will dazzle the eye. The parade will be the largest ever seen with a wagon show. F. J. Frink, general agent, will again pilot the tour.
A long-felt want in the amusement world is about to be realized in the closing of a contract by the Coney Island Hippodrome Company, with the Bode Co., of Cincinnati, O., to furnish complete all the necessary paraphernalia for the operation of the largest permanent tent circus in the world. The tent will be 430 feet long and 180 feet wide. The Bode Company, a few years ago, built from tent stakes to flag poles, the entire Hagenbeck European Circus Company's outfit in three months. The contract involved the expenditure of over $100,000, and included everything necessary to set up, start and operate a first class show. The big top will be located at Surf avenue between Twentieth and Twenty-first streets and opens Decoration Day.
John Niziolek, a member of the Three Nickelsons, acrobats, will be with the John Robinson Shows this season in his comedy hand balancing act.
Roster of the Jones Enormous Shows: the Kennedy Trio, revolving trapeze; Mr. and Mrs. John B. Wright, singing and talking team; James Brooks, high rope; DeForest Brothers, hand balancing; George Springer's trained ponies; Fred Salmon, talking clown; the Devello Sisters, tight wire; Miss Clara Lawrence and Company, carrying perch; Joe Taylor, Wesley Cannon's trained elephants; Miss Rita Sheridan, flying rings and trapeze; the Stumon Family band and orchestra of twelve pieces; Van Austin and Walter Beaty, property men, and John B. Wright in charge of dressing rooms. The show opened its season on March 7.
C. F. Rhodes has signed a contract for two years with Col. F. T. Cummins' Wild West as orator and special announcer. Mr. Rhodes has traveled with some of the largest tented organizations in the country and has been with Col. Cummins for four years.
Billy Nelson will manage the Down-Town Wagon Show with Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West, featuring Eugene Berry and Kilo, the human fish. The free attraction will be Andy Murray, who dives thirty-four feet into a tank of boiling water.
The Silver Family Show will open their season about May 10. The company will include thirty people and will travel by wagon. The roster includes the Silver Family of eight musicians; Chas. Stone, casting act and bounding wire; Melzer Brothers, novelty aerialists and gymnasts; Burns Trio, ground tumbling and triple bars; J. E. Dickinson, singing and dancing comedian; DeGolda, principal clown; Leota, contortionist; Silver Brothers, jugglers; Harry F. Silver, baritone soloist; Silver Family, owners; Bert Silver, manager; G. Earl Sliver, assistant manager, and J. F. Merrill, advance.
Advertising car No. 1 of the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West Show: Al. Osborn, manager; Ernest Packard, secretary; J. Jacobi, program solicitor; Dos Ingram, boss billposter, with William Perrault, Neil Murray, Pete Dunn, N. T. Spicer, Nick Tindell, H. M. Groves, P. N. Branson, Ben Balke, F. L. Northup and Pete Schnack, billposters; J. McCormick and Al Clarkson, lithographers, and B. Warner, chef.
Major D. Ortello has signed contracts with the Rippel New United Shows to do his novelty baton juggling and clown act.
Col. Frederick T. Cummins will sail from Philadelphia May 2, with his Wild West which will be one of the feature attractions at Brighton, England.
Paul H. Steiner and wife, Mamie B. DeOesch, are visiting the former's mother in Detroit, Mich., prior to opening with the Gentry Show No. 1 at Bloomington, Ind., April 18.
"Spat" Hadley, captain of the Uhrichsville (O.) Polo Team, of the Ohio State League, has joined the Van Amburg Shows as assistant treasurer.
John C. Coleman, formerly connected with Bennett's Theatre, and J. A. Small, of Toronto, Can., in the capacity of advertising manager, have joined the advance forces of the Hagenbeck Show.
J. F. Klido left Chicago on April 9 to join the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show to do his comedy tramp acrobatic and contortion act.
The Hamilton Family Band, featuring Miss Martha Hamilton, trombone soloist, have been engaged by the Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows for the coming season.
W. T. Lokey, formerly connected with the Davis Opera House at Huntington, W. Va., has signed with the George S. Ely's Circus as advance man.
The LaFearl Trio have signed with the Skerbeck One-Ring Circus for the season of 1908 to do their novelty acrobatic act.
Prof. F. A. Ogden and his band of fifteen musicians will be the special feature with Fry's Roman Circus this season.
Frank Loring, property man at the Beverly Theatre, Staunton, Va., has joined the Cole Brothers' Circus.
Billboard, May 16, 1908, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Dickey's Circle D. Ranch Wild West and Indian Congress, under the personal management of Will A. Dickey, opened their season at White City Park, Springfield, Mo., April 30. The roster as it opened in Springfield: Burney St. Clair, king of the cowboys, and the following bucking horse and steer riders: Hilt Davis, Fred Cox, Arthur Long, Jim Clark, Ben Leeder, Curgie Atallard, George Hayes, trick and fancy rider and rope spinner; Darrel Wooden, trick roper; Miss Goldie Wooden, lady bucking horse rider, and the cowgirls, Lillian Dickey, Hallie Wittenhall, Katie Wooden, Minnie Tyson and Louise Vernon. The feature is Bill Pickett, known as the Dusky Demon, the originator of the Texas steer act. Pickett also presents a Portugese bull fight. Hank Tyson is the steward in charge of the cook house, with Al Morgan as chef. L. Vernon is press representative. C. E. Baner, the cowboy cornet virtuoso and his twelve piece cowboy band from the Circle D Ranch. The show carries thirty-five head of saddle horses, fifteen long horned Texas steers, and ten head of bad bucking horses. A tribe of Sioux Indians, from the Pine Ridge agency, containing twenty-six members, headed by Chief Bullman, grandson of old Sitting Bull, is another feature.
Roster of Campbell Brothers' advertising car No. 1: Jack L. Bledsoe, manager; Frank Ray, boss billposter; Ed Laughlin, lithographer; Will Laughlin, bannerman; Eddie Corely, programmer; Will Lockard, Henry Woellner, Roy Leonard, Charley Strong, Will McReynolds, James Cox, Will McGluck and Phil Anderson, country routes. Clyde Elsworth, chef, and Charles Gregory, waiter.
Elstun Brothers' Shows opened their season at Kansas City, Mo., April 11, to big business. The company will remain at Kansas City until May 9, when they open their road tour of twenty-eight weeks, playing the large cities in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.
Clarence McComb, the well-known aerialist, at present with the Grand Opera House Co., of Robinson, Ill., will this spring superintend the building of several summer theatres for that company.
Guy Weadick and wife, Florence LaDue, are with Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West Sohw this season doing their riding and roping act.
Leon Washburn's Show opened at Bound Brook, N. J., May 2, playing to good business considering the bad weather.
Billboard, May 23, 1908, pp. 18, 19, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Norris & Rowe Circus. The program is under the direction of R. H. Dockrill, and among the performers are the Peerless Potters, the Honey-Mora Troupe, the Astral St. Leons, the Suigomoto Family, the McDonald Troupe, the Waldorf Family, the Orton Family, Rose Dockrill, Ada Castello, Frank Miller, Horace Webb, Ben Lucier, John Deere, Mickie Keeley, Geo. Setler, Bud Merritt, Toto Ducro [sic], Fat Lawson, Lew Berg, Fogg and Agler [Agier?], Silver Smith, Herbert Rumley, Harry Hickey, Tony Cobb, Doc Miller and a band of twenty-sic under the direction of Professor Betz.
The side show is under the management of Walter A. Shannon, and among the wonders are "Pop" Adams' Georgia Minstrels, sixteen in number; Zip, the missing link; Bill Boss, human telescope; South Sea Island Joe, and his wife Beno, the spotted or leopard family; Chief Debro and wife; Montana Jack and wife, impalement act; John Massie, lecturer and Punch; Professor Hermann, magician; Celeste, snake charmer, and Capt. White, door tender, and Al Webb, boss canvasman.
The business staff: H. S. Rowe, general manager; C. I. Norris, chancellor of the exchequer; Ed C. Warner, general agent; Joseph Geisler, treasurer; J. H. B. Fitzpatrick, everything; Bob Clements, local contractor; Josh Billings, special agent; J. C. Stuart, manager advertising car No. 1; Herman Q. Smith, manager advertising car No. 3; Geo Wormald, boss canvasman; George (Cupid) Dynan, twenty-four hour man; Charles G. Henry, inspector general and in charge of opposition brigade; C. W. Williams, train master; Al Henderson, boss propertyman; E. D. Lee, boss hostler; Herbert Rumley, superintendent of menagerie; Geo. Dibben, steward; Jas. Morrison, superintendent of privileges and Curtis Ruckert, superintendent of lights.
Cole Brothers' World Toured Shows opened the regular circus season in Pittsburg, Pa., May 4. The Flying DeNovas, the Stirk Family, the Seven Delamends, the Ellets, the Alpine Family, and Jacobs and Sardelle are among the sixty-one feature acts. Mike Rooney leads the riding contingent, with Robinson and Hill. Miss Costello, Miss Irma Welland, Prof. Berris Robbins and W. J. Sawyer close seconds. They are assisted by ten more hurdlers, somersault riders and menage riders.
Mlle. Ritchie, contortionist; the Franks, head balancers; Bryan and Bryan, sailor swing; Lillian Burke, Roman aerial ladder; Miss Edna Wentworth, iron jaw act; the Two Lavos, aerial artists; the Four Devans, bounding wire; Le Suro, contortionist; Alferro, Will Bond, Grace Drew, Sarah Suly, trapeze acts; Collins and Collins, breakaway ladder act; Stirk Family, bicyclists; DeNovas, return and casting act; the Ellets, aerial bars; Alpine Family, invisible wire act; Jacobs and Sardelle, barrel jumpers are the stellar attractions. A clown congress of forty-one merry-makers is headed by Harry Clarke, who this year introduces fourteen original conceits. Willaim Griffiths, Jack Alden, Roy Baker, Charles Bryce and Le Salbina, a French woman, are his chief lieutenants. The parade is another feature.
Miller Bros.' 101 Ranch Wild West Show. Struck rain at Rockford, Ill., May 11, did good business. Killed a buffalo valued at five hundred dollars and gave all the Indians with the show and others who desired, a "Buffalo feast." Miller Brothers are the first to put into practical service an Indian press agent. Chief Bull Bear, of the Cheyenne tribes, with the show, is acting in this capacity and although he speaks no world of English, he is a success through an interperter.
The LaPasque Troupe and Ashborn's Comedy Dogs closed a three years' engagement with Sun Brothers' Greater Shows at Chattanooga, Tenn., recently. The new arrivals to take their places are the Charles Ellet Company of triple bar performers, and Mendoza and Williams, comic clowns. William Conners is also doing a new hurdle mule act.
The Charles Bartine Shows are now in readiness for the opeing at Connersville, Ind., June 4. The following have recently signed: Ollie Smith, leader of band; Albert Davis, Johnny Keeler, Lowado Brothers, Newton Hall and the Ireland Sisters.
F. J. Rogers' Model Shows opened the season May 1 at Fredonia, Kan. The roster: F. J. Rogers, proprietor and manager; Mme. Rogers, equestrienne; the Rialdos, acrobats; Raleigh Dent, announcements and an eight piece band.
Roster of car No. 3 of the John Robinson Shows: W. M. Dole, car manager; Frank A. Kelzr, boss billposter; Benny Miller, litho.; M. Fagin, T. Saunders, J. White, Chas. Stogdon, Jess Nolen, Chas. South, Johnny Fiester, W. Morief, and Ed Kinlley, billposter; W. D. (Dewey) Rogers, stewart, and Clarence Kuns, paste maker.
Walter E. Ashborn and wife, with their troupe of acrobatic dogs and educated pony, severed their connection with the Sun Brothers' Shows after four consecutive seasons, and are now at home in Waterbury, Conn.
Sun Brothers' Progressive Shows played Georgetown, Ky., May 11.
A. O. Goldthwait, of the Ringling Show, resigned at Springfield, O., to go into business with his father at St. Louis.
Gollmar Brothers' Shows and Fighting the Flames opened their season at Baraboo, Wis., May 2.
Carl Calvert, two seasons with the Great Wallace Shows, is now located in Meridan, Miss.
The Original Jimmy Rose has joined the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West Show for the season.
Otto Waves and wife, of Decatur, Ill., joined the Campbell Brothers' Shows April 28.
Ned Perry and Hugh Anderson will join the John Robinson Shows at Anniston, Ala., May 18.
Billboard, June 6, 1908, pp. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Gentry Brothers No. 2. Storms and floods in the South were a hindrance to money making in the early part of the season, and we were unable to leave the train, at one time, for six days. At Flora, Ill., we were compelled to cut out the night show on account of jumping next to Springfield, a distance of 110 miles. During parade at Springfield, a sudden heavy wind storm broke upon us and it looked for a while like an elephant stampede would result, but careful work prevented it. A furious storm struck us at Henderson, Ky., but did slight damage. Our staff now includes: W. W. Gentry, owner; C. W. Finney, manager; W. E. Wells, trainer; W. Rink Weaver, equestrian director; Prof. W. E. Jones, bandmaster; W. D. Neff, treasurer; W. Carpenter, boss hostler and veterinarian, and W. H. Coy, boss canvasman. Mr. Dwyer has the concessions, and the Zeralda and Marselles and Leonard are feature acts.
W. H. Bryson, late manager of Murphy and Gibson's Minstrels, has signed as general contracting agent and business manager of Brown Brothers' Big Railroad Show, which opens its season in Hamilton, O., June 8. The company will play one week and three night stands and will tour Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Robert Woods, late of Millian's Mammoth Minstrels and Cole Brothers' Circus, and Arthur Mills, formerly with Sells-Floto Show are in New York City organizing a two car minstrel show.
W. E. Hewitt, special opposition agent with the Norris & Rowe Shows, mourns the loss of his mother, Mrs. A. E. Hewitt, who died at Philadelphia, Pa.
Billboard, June 13, 1908, pp. 10, 11, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Lem L. Scott, popularly known as Scotty, one of the best known band leaders in the country, died at the Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, May 18, of tuberculosis, after an illness of one year. Mr. Scott was born in Fairfield, Ill., June 2, 1866, and during his career has been connected with Burr Robbins, John Robinson, Al. G. Fields, Cleveland's Minstrels, and other well known organizations. He was at one time director of the Michigan State Band and verious other musican aggregations throughout the West. He is survived by a wife and two children who reside at Rochester, New York. The burial took place at Fairfield, Ill., May 21.
The Coney Island Hippodrome Circus, which opened on May 30, suspended operations after being open two day. Business was very bad on the opening day and there were ugly rumors that the promoter who had gotten up the enterprise had not utilized the funds in a proper manner. Albert H. Bode, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who furnished the outfit was here to collect a claim, and as he could not see any money in sight, he closed the show. The chances are that the show will be reorganized and reopened. Samuel Friede, who was the originator of the Globe Tower Company, an unsuccessful venture, was the head of the syndicate that opened the circus and kept it going just two days.
The Coney Island Hippodrome and Circus, which opened May 30 in a tent said to be the largest in the world, at West Twenty-first street, between Surf ave. and the ocean, closed June 3. According to Albert Bode, president of Bode Wagon Company, the show, if it ever does reopen, will be under his management, or that of his associates. He declared last night that the lease of the property had been turned over to him by the officers of the company. Mr. Bode built the tent for the company. It is 400 feet long and 210 feet wide, and he declares that he has been paid only about one-half of the $20,000 for which he contracted to build the structure. According to Mr. Bode, the receipts of the show were $171.75 on Saturday, $400 on Sunday, and only $11 on Monday. He says it will take $2,000 a day to run the show at a profit and pay the salaries of the 325 performers who were engaged.
Campbell Bros.' Shows. Tuesday, May 26, at Hibbing, Minn., the weather was as threatening as ever. The parade was late and much difficulty was experienced in getting the wagons on the lot. Wednesday, May 22, at Virginia, Minnesota, splendid business in spite of bad weather. The menagerie was enlarged today by the addition of a wagon load of monks and one of parrots and cockatoos. The monks, however, could not stand the weather, and died. Thursday, May 28th, at Eveleth, Minn., weather was as usual. Coe Mizuno, manager of the Japanese troupe is wearing the liar's medal today. He said the sun was out for about four minutes at yesterday's town. Friday, May 29, at Biwabik, Minn. Things are more dismal than ever. The streets are almost impassable, so only the mounted people and the band were sent out in the parade. Business was poor. Saturday, May 30, at Ely, Minn. Sunday, May 31, at Two Harbors, Minn. Things all around the show are being righted, wardrobes being cleaned and pressed, and an effort to make three new property men scrub the big top with sapolio and white lime. Monday, June 1, business all O. K. Mrs. O'Dole, of George and Althea O'Dole, has been confined to the cars under physician's care, and Maurice Lamy, of the Four Lamy Bros., along with Claude F. Coley, announcer on the side show, have been laid up with throat trouble. Dr. Crosby has been busy fighting sickness around the show during the past week.
Fall of the Hippodrome Circus. This enterprise had been extensively advertised as the World's Greatest Show, and the promoters had gotten together an outfit that compared favorablly with many of the large road combinations. The organization was under the direction of Albert Bode, the well known circus wagon manufacturer of Cincinnati, who had surrounded himself with an efficient executive staff. The the venture was not a financial success and was forced to suspend operations was not caused by incompetent management, but the result of an unfortunate combination of which manager Bode and his well meaning Western business associates are unwilling victims. To begin with the location of the show lot is too far away from Coney's amusement center to admit of very meuch of a chance of box office prosperity. Then it was also demonstrated that a two hour and a half show at prices ranging from fifty cents to a dollar and a half is not practical at a resort where there is such an immense diversity of amusement.
The enterprise might have enjoyed a longer life had it not been the manager Bode and his Cincinnati colleagues began to discredit the New York crowd that were interested financially in the enterprise. When the project was first conceived some three months ago to Samuel Friedel of 27 William street, New York City, whose Globe Tower scheme at Coney had been a "frost," negotiations were opened with Mr. Bode who is said to have been interested chiefly because he believed he saw the opportunity to use to advantage the old Hagenbeck top which was in his possession. Mr. Friede acting in the capacity of promoter, soon formed a company which was duly incorporated and interested with him on the New York end was Edward A. Langan, and inspector in the Building Departement of the City of Brookly, and J. J. Madden, an expert accountant of the Wall street district of Manhattan.
A deal was made whereby the Bode faction, which, by the way, represented to a large extent the Moerlein Brewing Company interests of Cincinnati, was to organize a show and bring the outfit to Coney for the opening date on May 30 at which time the company would pay to said Bode the sum of $20,000. The latter carried out his part of the contract to the letter, but when he called on his Eastern Associates to make good after a financially disastrous experience of three days on the sands of Coney, he was met with a reception that aroused his suspicions. What followed is now pretty much a matter of history. Bode not only refused to allow another performance until a settlement was made, but insituted legal proceedings which resulted in his complete possession of the outfit and the freezing out of the Friede contingent.
Over 300 men and women employed in and about the show, including a number of well-known performers of national reputation, were thrown out of employment as a result of the Hippodrome and Circus fiasco, but be it said to the credit of manager Bode, those who have remained on the lot in anticipation of a resumption of business have been well fed and otherwise comfortably cared for. There has been considerable talk of the possibility of a section of the tent being taken out and a smaller and shorter exhibition given to the visiting public at prices more popular than those originally charged. That such a movement has been on foot is admitted by those who are close to manager Bode, but at present the matter is strictly statue quo. The maintance cost of a circus organization behind closed doors is an expensive proposition and the probabilities are that unless the management can see its way clear to resume operation at a very early date, Coney Islanders will soon be treated to the sight of a vacant show lot. - Harry Bonnell.
Notes from Wiedemann's Big American Shows. The shows opened the season at Omaha, Neb., Saturday, May 2, to capacity business, to which they have been playing at nearly every stand since, the only drawback the inclement weather. The roster: Thos. F. Wiedemann, sole owner; John J. Knorr, business manager; Ed Vaught, press agent; Joe C. Donahue, contracting agent; Fred C. Redfield, boss billposter with six assistants; Bud Jacobs, band master; Henry Boggs, arena boss; Levi Hester, equestrian director; Frank Millard, boss canvasman; "Whitey" Murphy, assistant; Jack Malone, boss hostler with five assistants. Some of the chief performers are Colorado Cotton, Walter Sytz, Frank Cromwell, John Walker, Eddie Moore, Leroy Hester, Jimmie Gilges, Fred A. Johnson, Joe Jacobs, Claude Lamborn, O. P. Lanhan, Virgil Sutton, George Vickers, Francis Conklin, Nellie Wiedeman, Gertie Smith, Maude Cromwell, Willie Bender, Hettie Hester and the Aerial Cromwells.
Notes from Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Show. At last some ideal weather. The rain has ceased, and with a few more days of the like the country roads will be in a condition to drive upon without doing so in mud or water up to the hub. Mrs. Zack Miller is at home for a few days, rejoining the show at Coffeyville, at which point George Miller will also join for a stay of several days. Two of the Miller Brothers appear with the attraction daily, while George Miller attends to the business of the ranch. The success of Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Show, last season, at Brighton Beach, and this season on tour, has led a couple of small so-called Wild West attractions and the management of the former resort into deep water. We note that they are advertising 101 Ranch Show as their summer attractions. The Kemp Sisters' Wild West go to Brighton Beach for an indefinite stay I believe, and they have no connection whatever with this show nor the Miller Bros. Neither have they any members or ex-memebers of the Miller Bros. Show, unless some act not strong enough for this attraction or some "sawdust ring" cowboy, who failed to make good when put to real wild west work.
Roster of the Great Reed Shows: Reed Brothers, managers; John W. Teets, side show orator; Jack Walters, band leader; Bob Russell, equestrian director and principal clown; Mrs. Viola Reed, trained dogs and ponies; James Jonas, bounding rope and bars; Lillie Teets, flying rings, Edgar Day, trapeze; Mlle Delia Jones, contortionist; Louis Brooks, aerialist, and John W. Teets, wire act. The side show consists of four cages of animals, a den of snakes, controlled by Miss Lillie Teets; Professor Nelson, magician; Miss May George, song and dance, and the old-time Punch and Judy. Ed Davison is superintendent of canvas with ten assistants; "Jim" Brown, boss hostler, and Al Pulley, property man.
Gollmar Bros.' car No. One: Wm. H. Delly, manager; John Carr, boss billposter; Fred K. Harris, lithographer; Thos. Gaveney, programs, and the following billposters: John Sanders, Zeek Mahood, Frank Samon, Heigh Howard, George Ferrell, Fred Wilson, Bill Martin, Verne Godfried, Harry Winslow, Edward Chapman, Kid Hart and Thomas Kelley.
The Great Barlow Show, under the direction of Ed Barlow, is playing to fair business throughout the Central States. The roster: E. P. Barlow, sole owner and manager; Edna Barlow, rolling globe; Erma Barlow, slack wire; the Great Delzar, feats of strength; Guy Fallor, flying rings and single traps; __ Carele, hand balancer; Fredericks and Arome, clown comiques; Johnny Faut, juggler; Howe and Fallor [Failor?], double trapeze; F. W. Decker, clown and comedy juggler; Frank Yockey, boss canvasman with five assistants, and James Wiley in charge of stock with four assistants.
Kennedy's Wild West opened their season at Forest Park, Kansas City, Mo., May 3, for a three weeks' engagement, encountering nothing but bad weather with the exception of a few days, which resulted in the show receiving but fair patronage. The company is now at Electric Park, Baltimore, Md., where they will remain until the latter part of July.
Following is the roster of the trainmen with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows: Bert Scott, trainmaster; C. J. (Whitney) Butts, assistants; Ben Patterson, run boss; Fred Klimper, Tom Lee and Frank Goggins, watchmen; Jim Woods, M. F. Howard, Lawrence Wirth and Chas. Waters, polers; Geo. Woodward, H. Boyer, Joe Harbor, Bob Carroll, Ed Hall, Jim Newman, Jesse Brumfield, Perru Hall, Louis Wilson, "Dutch" Negent, "Dutch" McKillem and Geo. Pringle.
Mons. LaPlace, veteran showman, will not go out with any tented organization this summer, he having purchased the exclusive ice cream privileges at Buckeye Lake Park at Buckeye Lake, O. He states that next season he will launch an old-time one-ring circus giving all the old circus acts.
George Steele, late of Forepaugh-Sells Shows and other tented organizations, will not be connected with the white tops this season, but will remain at his home in Decatur, Ill.
G. C. Van Anden, well-known showman, last season with Sells-Floto, is now operating the Navajo Hotel and managing the new rink at Alburquerque, N. M.
Walter T. Murphy, circus man, recently closed with the Gentry Brothers Shows.
M. A. Spalding, band director, has joined the F. J. Rogers' Model Shows for the season.
Charles C. Clark is again en route with the Campbell Brothers Show this season.
Billboard, June 27, 1908, pp. 30, 41, 42. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
John Robinson Ten Big Shows. Only fair business in our visit to Mt. Carmel, Ill., Friday, June 12. The next day at Mt. Vernon, Ill, the 13th, the hoodoo day. It started to rain hard during the parade, and everybody was thoroughly drenched before they got back to the lot. A windstorm blew up about twelve o'clock, and with the heavy downpour of rain, did not add any gaiety to the scene. The wind kept increasing in velocity, and the side show was blown down. Charles Brassie, official announcer, was knocked unconscious and badly bruised. Marie Lill, fat woman, was hit a glancing blow on the head, but she escaped with a bad scalp wound, her right wrist was also broken. Loretta White, snake charmber, was re-arranging her pets when the blow-off came, and one of her biggest reptiles was killed, but none of the others escaped. Mlle. Amy, sword swallower, was in the midst of the falling poles, and was badly bruised. The Armers were the luckiest, only getting a few scratches. The main dining tent went next, and before blowing down the wind had whipped the canvas into ribbons. The menagerie and circus tents were saved through the efforts of Fred Fisher, manager, and his assistant, Ed Holland, not overlooking the services of Jim Casky, boss canvasman and his assistants. Bert Scott, master of transportation, who has been ailing for some time, had to give up and early in the week left for his hom in Kansas City. . . .
Charles Rench, well-known clown, formerly of Rench and Kennedy, and aslo of the Sterick Family, and who toured the country with Barnum & Bailey, Sells Brothers and Downs Circus, is seriously ill; in fact absolutely helpless at the home of his sister in Columbus, and would be pleased to hear from his friends. He can be addressed in care of Kattee Deaven, 276 S. Front street, Columbus, Ohio.
Hagenbeck-Wallace notes. Tony DeKockes was knocked off one of the parade wagons by an electric wire at Green Bay, Wis., June 16, but has recovered from the slight injuries he received. Miss Mabel Vernon, who was left behind in a hospital at Escanaba, Mich., is expected to join any time now. Albert Murray was called to Alton, Ill., recently by the illness of his wife. The friends of H. E. Butler are pleased to learn that he is still in the land of the living; that the report of his death was erroneous. Mr. Butler was formerly press agent of this show.
The Dode Fiske Great Railroad Dog, Pony and Trained Wild Animal Shows opened their season at Wonewoc, Wis., May 16. The show is traveling by rail using seven cars. The roster: Dode Fiske, owner and general manager; C. M. Culver, general agent; Eddie Culver, manager advertising car No. 1; R. H. Fiske, superintendent working department; C. Leiser, assistant boss canvasman; Al F. Brown, boss hostler; W. H. Sigsbee, equestrian director; Mrs. Rhoda Fiske, treasurer; Miss Bessie Simes, caterer; Ray Smith, boss property man; Guy Repas, band master; and C. E. Bartlett, privilege department.
Gay's Shows opened their season at Bellevue, Ia., May 9, and so far has enjoyed good business despite the rainy weather. Roster: Gay Billings, manager; Essa Billings, treasurer; J. O. Zaneta, advance; E. Cash and wife, in charge of cook house; Slim Gallagan, boss canvasman; Perry [Percy?] Gamon, boss hostler; Pat Cahall, boss property man; Prof. Clark's trained ponies and dogs; Tex Baker and wife, rifle shots; Harvey Van Bard, comedy juggling; Ed DeForrest and wife, Spanish rings; Gay Billings, principal clown; DeForreon and Van Bard, casting act; ___, bars; H. Foritana, contortionist; and ___ band of ten pieces.
Billboard, July 4, 1908, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Bernie St. Clair and Miss Goldie Wooden, members of Will A. Dickey's Circle D Wild West Company, were married at Milwaukee, Wis., recently.
Capt. Geo. G. Brazee, formerly with Barnum & Bailey Show in the capacity of advertising agent, died at Auburn, N. Y., June 14.
Notes from the Leon Washburn Trained Animal Shows. We are in our eighth week. At Bridgeport, Conn., Prof. Leonard joined the show with his feat of looping-the-gap as an extra attraction. Mr. Washburn is traveling with the show.
The Three Altons, junior members of Alton's Country Circus act, closed with Snyder's Shows at Springfield, Ill., and were engaged by manager Flynn, of White City, Springfield, to appear as the free attraction at that resort.
Earl Hawk, the Sunflowers Kid, is doing his single singing and talking specialty with the Todd Brother' Famous Shows. At the close of the season he will join hands with Frank Gise and they will present a musical act in vaudeville.
Geo. Parento, high ladder and table performer, for the past four years the principal feature with the Jones Enormous Shows, is en route to join the M. L. Clark Show at Beattyville, Ky., June 18.
James J. Brown, legal adjuster of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, closed with the show at Green Bay, Wisconsin, June 15th.
Ed Westburg, last season general agent with Costello's Railroad Shows, has charge of W. C. Tiede's Billposting plant at Kenosha, Wis. this season.
Col. Riggs' Wild West and Frontier Shows gave two performances to good business in Columbus, Kan., last week.
The Rivards, aerialists, have joined the James Adams Railroad Shows doing their double trapeze and revolving ladder.
The James Shelby Shows are enjoying splendid patronage on their tour through Florida.
Billboard, July 11, 1908, pp. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from Gollmar Bros. side show. Our season opened May 2, in Baraboo, Wis., and the rain, mud, blow-down and wrecks have been prevalent. Our last and almost fatal wreck occurred at Medina, N. D., on a Sunday run at 3:30 a.m., owing to a head collision, which killed outright twenty-one head of baggage stock and maimed nine others so badly that they were left behind. We are gradually replacing our stock. In this wreck, no human lives were lost, only three men slightly injured. Gollmar Brothers annex: Lew Aronson, side show manager, with three assistant ticket sellers, Dave Pollock, Fred Seymour and Doc Chapman; Albert Gollmar, superintendent of side show door, with Jack Gee and Shorty Dutch as assistants. We have a sixty foot round top with two thirty foot middle pieces. A band of nine pieces under the direction of Bennett M. Gaskill, and the following musicians: Robert Ashenbach, solo cornetist; John Ousky, baritone; Albert Heitman, slide trombone; Edgar Hall, E-flat clarinetist; Joe Weber, B-flat clarinetist; Harry Kennicutt, alto; Donald Fraser, bass; Will Hughes, trap drummer. James Morris, inside program director; Harry Moulton and J. C. Polo, inside lecturers. Harry Maxey, needle king, originator of needle-eating act; Harry Moulton, ventriloquist and his wooden-headed family; Master Andrew Stuertz, youngest tattooed person; James Morris, elastic skin man; Mademoiselle Clifford, sword swallower; J. C. Polo, magician; Rowena LaMee, singing soubrette; Mademoiselle Maratona, snake enchantress.
A freight train crashed into the second section of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show train at St. Paul, Minn., early in the morning of June 25, and it was fortunate that there was no loss of life. Several men in the bosses' end of sleeping car No. 22 were slightly injured, and three were left in a hospital in that city. The train was standing at a point where two tracks crossed. A heavy freight, also in the block, came tearing down the incline. The engineer of the show train saw the freight coming and realized that a collision could not be averted. As his train was standing the oncoming engine would strike the sleepers. To avoid he backed his train until two flat cars were in advance of sleeper No. 22. The flats stood the brunt of the collision. The band wagon and several of the cook house wagons were on the flats and were totally demolished. The sleeper was lifted off its trucks and on to the flat car, but did not overturn. The bosses' end of the car was smashed in, and how the men escaped death can not be figured out. The injured are: George Davis, superintendent of the No. 2 dining room, taken to a hospital at St. Paul. John McKenzie, a camp fire man, also taken to the hospital. E. F. Sutton, a greaser, also taken to the hospital. Lee Craig, boss canvasman, slightly injured. Tom Dunn, master chandelier man, slightly injured. Charles Young, first assistant boss canvasman, slightly injured. The circus men were thrown from their bunks. To add to the awfulness, fire broke out, and the St. Paul fired department had to be called out. The fire was quickly extinguished. By six o'clock in the morning the wreck was cleared away, and the show arrived at Mankato at noon. Although the cook house wagons were completely demolished, dinner was served on the lot at four o'clock. Only one performance was missed as a result of the wreck. At night the show went on at Mankato as though nothing had happened.
Leon Washburn's Show. Saybrook, Conn., June 22. Business, no one is heard boasting about the afternoon and evening receipts. Stringer wagons overturned and wrecked at midnight, thanks to a sleepy driver. Have arranged for the 50 foot ferryboat to keep on operation all night to carry the shows across the river. Niantic, June 23. Twelve miles of deep sand and steep hills delayed the arrival of the baggage train until 10:30 a.m. Parade left the lot at little before 12:30, returning just in time to escape a heavy shower. Non-arrival of the stringers forced us to borrow from a nearby yard all the logs in sight. These were rolled into the big top and utilized as rests for the reserved and blue seat plank. The stringer wagon and a new vehicle arrived from Saybrook about 4 p.m., and our full complement of seats were in for the night show. New London, June 24. Lot level and roomy, but away out in the suburbs. Afternoon business big, and a packed house would have been ours tonight but for a heavy rain storm at 7 p.m. Norwich, June 25. Arrived here late after ditching a couple of wagons along the heavy road during the night. Grounds in town, and with plenty of juvenile help tents were up and work all ended by the usual hour. Jewett City, June 26. The uptown wagon has a musical specialist for a free attraction. George Clarke, of Bayonne, N. J., arrived today to assume charge of the elephant and camel banner advertising privilege. When the newly ordered middle pieces arrive for the big top and menagerie, the former will have three and the latter five center poles.
Geyer tent show notes. At Lincoln, Nebraska, June 26, the tail end of a cyclone put our canvas flat, and out of business. After two days' sewing and patching we were able to use it again. On the following day the winde and the storm came back, but did no damage, as we were already flat on the ground. This show has been out this season so far fourteen weeks, and we have seen nothing but rain in all that time, and still pouring down. We left Lexington, Mo., our winter quarters, and started south; went through Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, and low lands were flooded. We have lost a great many stands; business if fair but not good. Every show and carnival we have met reports very bad business. Several shows have closed and more will close soon. We have added an extra baggage car as it cost no more to carry it. We have thirty-six people with the show. Sam M. Lloyd, W. H. Tibbils, in advance; carry the same big band, directed by mr. Masek; the orchestra, under leadership of Gus Rudolphson, his fourth year here. We will go into Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota soon. We have the following people now with the show: W. H. Tobor, trombone; Bob Fenton, trombone; H. B. Marshall, trombone; Will Butts, alto; Wm. Dinnas, alto; Fred White, tuba; Joe Smith, baritone; Fred Austin, clarinet; Gus Rudolphson, clarinet; H. Masek, cornet; Jack North, cornet; John Anglo, cornet; Frank Michalson, snare drummer; Geo. Arnd, bass drummer; Sam M. Lloyd, first advance; W. H. Tibbills, second advance; Henry Moist, third advance; Geo. Vern, billposter with two men; H. B. Marshall, stage director; Miss Mamie Wentworth, Miss Agnes Geyer, Mrs. Chas. Geyer, Chas. Geyer, Bob Campbell, fourth year; Bob Speer, canvas boss; Sam Walton, third year; Harry Feiner, fourth year; Jess Graustaff; Joe Lasalle, third year; Ed Terrell, seat manager; Jack Lane, light man; Charles Geyer, general manager.
John D. Carey, manager of Cole Brothers' car No. 2, visited St. John, N. B., June 22, and billed the city and vicinity within a radius of twenty miles. The Cole Brothers' Circus will show in St. Johns at the Shamrock Athletic Grounds July 6.
Prof. C. H. Clarks' colored band and minstrel company are in their seventh week with Campbell Brothers' Circus. W. H. Gant and Billy Johnson are the comedians, while Prof. C. H. Clark is as funny as ever.
The roster of the advance of Eiler's Trained Wild Animal Show: Frank A. Bowen, general agent; Sim Stough, manager of brigade with the following men, Ralph Richardson, Paul Jones and Kid Smith, billposters; Lee Bowen, banner man; W. J. ___, programmer, and Edward F. Bailey, opposition agent.
The Chas. Bartine Shows played to big business during the week of June 22. Ed Long joined the show at Middletown, O., recently, and the Werntzs joined at Arcanum, O., June 27.
Billy Nelson left the 101 Ranch Wild West at Regina, Sask., to play Northwest Canada fairs, featuring the Big Foot Boy.
Billboard, July 18, 1908, pp. 10, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Charles Rench, old-time circus performer, and whose antics as a clown have made million laugh, died from burns received in a fire which partially destroyed his home at 276 South Front street, Columbus, O., June 24.
Notes from Norris & Rowe. We had it "handed to us" in original packages in Butte. July 3 we encountered big parades in celebration of the "ever glorious," but business was poor. The time was so short that we could not "wild cat" the day. Consequently we were compelled to remain in Butte. Miller Bros. 101 Ranch was billed to exhibit on the 4th in Butte, consequently we were compelled to change lots. The business was very poor. Miller Bros. did not arrive until late in the afternoon, but got up in time for a night show, and they turned them away. Monday, July 6, we exhibited in Lewiston, Montana. The business was great, at $1 prices for general admission. On the day we took in about $8,000.
Adam Fetzer's One Ring Circus is touring the Central States and playing to big business. The roster: Adam Fetzer, owner and manager; Mrs. Fetzer, treasurer; Wm. McCurdy, advance agent; Renzo and Milva, grotesque gymnasts and equilibrists; Rita Sisters, wire artists; Jack Vamper, contortionist and rings; Ray Milva, balancing traps; the Three Craigs, acrobats; Harry Sidell, comedy juggler and flying perch; Bert Renzo and Ray Milva, double traps; Mle. Marietta, snake enchantress; Wm. Anderson's trained Esquimo dogs; Al W. Fish and Wm. Knight, clowns, and Fetzer's ponies, dogs and goats.
Roster of car No. 1 of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show: Lester W. Murray, car manager; W. K. Hill, press agent; Thos. Kip Connors, boss billposter; Medrick Perry, Fred Maurer Stewart, Edward Boncher, Fred Butler, Chas. McBean, John Hester, Jas. Gregg, Wm. Jacobs, Frank Pollock, Chas. Chubb, Jack McCaugh, Mike Hyland and Leo Porteau, billposters; Chas. Park Jr., boss lithographer; Frank Harvey and Geo. Hedges, lithographers, and James Burns, official programmer.
The Rippel New United Shows are back in Indiana after touring Michigan, and are still doing big business in spite of the bad weather and other difficulties encountered. The roster: C. A. Rippel Jr., contortionist and Roman rings; Roscoe Clawson, comedy cyclist and talking clown; Master Roy Cheorie, youngest clown in the business; Scott Ruth, flying trapeze; Oscar Cast, ticket man and Mr. Kramer, seat man.
Notes from Hunt's Circus. "Several changes have been made since the opening of the season in our roster. Addie Forepaugh has joined us as stock superintendent at Langdon, N. Y. Frank L. Gilbert joined the advance as billposter at Red Hook. Business on July 4 at Wappinger's Falls was big. C. E. Elliott is the general contracting agent and route rider."
Guy Weadick and wife (Florence LaDue), riders and ropers, closed their engagement with Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show July 2, at Lethbridge, Alta., Can. Mr. Weadlock is interested in some stock in that part of the country and will stay there for some time.
John Niziolek closed with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows at Newark, O., July 4, due to an injury to his hand a few weeks ago. He will go to Chicago for a few weeks' rest and will then put on a new comedy act known as the Three Nickelsons.
"Coco" Heibert, clown, for years with Barnum & Bailey, has joined the Morgan and Anderson Dog and Pony Circus. This is his first engagement under the tents since the death of his wife some time ago.
Mrs. Bert Scott and daughter have closed with the John Robinson Circus and returned to their home in Kansas City, owing to the ill health of Mr. Scott. They will be in vaudeville again next season.
Col. W. J. Uden's Trained Animal Circus has been playing Peoria, Ill., the past four weeks. They played Houghton's Lake Park at Bloomington, Ill., week of July 6.
The Aerial LaMarrs have joined Riess and Walter's Society Circus as the feature aerial act and to direct the aerial acts with the show.
Billboard, July 25, 1908, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Buckskin Ben Wild West and Dog and Pony Show has concluded an engagement of five weeks at White City, Cleveland, and opened for two weeks at Luna Park, at Cleveland. The show is booked solid with the exception of two weeks in August. The band of fifteen pieces, under the direction of Prof. Harry Houshour, is a feature. They carry ten head of stock and a troupe of twenty performing dogs and monkeys. In the roster of the show are included twenty-five people.
The Yankee Robinson Famous Shows, for many years as one of the largest wagon shows in the country, has changed to a twenty-car railroad show. The show is now touring the Northern States and playing to capacity business.
Floyd Trover, general manager of the J. H. Boyer Famous Shows, is spending two weeks at his home in Beaver Falls, Pa., He will rejoin his company in Iowa, July 15.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Howe, of the Great Barlow Show, are spending a few weeks at their home in St. Joseph, Mo. They will hereafter be known at the Two Delzars.
Bobby Launder, of Zanesville, O., has joined the John Robinson Circus.
Billboard, Augut 1, 1908, p. 25. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Howard Damon, who has been connected with several of the leading circuses, will embark in the show business for himself, opening at Geneva, O., August 15. The cars, wagons, harness, tents, etc., are all nearly new and the young showman will give a straight one-ring circus, exhibiting from two to four days each week at the fairs and making one day stands the intervening time. This new show will go South and endeavor to make an extensive season. Mr. Damon had intended to begin operations last spring, but on account of the money stringency he accepted the mercantile business instead. He has now disposed of his interests and will make his start as above stated.
Roster of advance car No. 1 of the John Robinson Shows: L. H. Heckman, manager; E. R. Rockwell, offical program solicitor; F. W. Adams, boss billposter; R. McCurry, lithographer; Geo. Bummaker, programs; M. Pierce, porter and paste maker; O. Fitchey, A. Anderson, W. Spradley, A. McDonough, W. Bernhardt, C. Abbott, H. King, F. Burger, R. Fogelson, E. Perkins and W. Ray, billposters.
The Nichols Wild West, of which Hi Nichols, former Indian agent of Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Show, is manager, a show designed for parks and fairs and the present season finds the organization play many important engagements. An invasion of Old Mexico will be made next winter.
The James Shelby Shows recently closed an extended tour through the state of Florida and from now until Christmas they will work small towns in the states of Alabama and Tennessee. The show consists of thirty-two people, forty-six head of stock and seventeen wagons.
Jack Newman, who was general representative for the No. 1 show of the Gentry Brothers, has been made general director of both shows for the Gentry Brothers at a special meeting held by the proprietors in Indianapolis, July 6.
Carl Terrell, tattooist, closed the season with the Chas. Geyer Show, and is now doing tattooing in Kansas City.
M. G. Milligan, formerly with the Hagenbeck-Wallace car No. 1, has joined the Sells-Floto advance forces.
Mlle. Jeannette has left the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, and is resting at her home in Cincinnati.
Billboard, August 8, 1908, p. 25. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The eighteenth annual session of the Welsh Brothers will be inaugurated next spring in Pennsylvania on new and novel lines. It will be an entirely new show and will be conducted and owned exclusively by John and S. Col. M. H. Welsh. The coterie of the old time employes will be with the show. Superintendent Frank McCormick is in Philadelphia with John Welsh, getting things into shape. Mrs. John Welsh and Mrs. Frank McCormick are designing costumes for the handsomest equipped tournament that ever graced a circus ring. Col. Michael Welsh is quietly slipping over the country picking up novelties for the ring and looking over nice horses. The Welsh Brothers' Gigantic World Shows will be a contestant for honors in the circus world next season. The permanent address is 703 North Eighth St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Howe's Great London Shows visited Steelton, Pa., a suburb of Harrisburg, July 22, and gave two performances on a new lot just broken in by the show. W. A. Rhoadessinis, press representative, and Jack Aug, the assistant adjuster, entertained their guests hospitably. The Hines-Kimball Troupe, Effie Dutton, the rider, The Powells, the Kishinka Troupe of Japs, Katie Bowers and Bertie Martin were all clever performers. Professor Wheeler has a fine band. Tim Buckley, elephant trainer, has a herd of five bulls.
Sun Brothers Shows, playing Huntington, W. Va., July 22, attracted two good sized audiences. The show was pronounced by the local papers as the best one-ring show that ever made the town. The show had fine weather and used the old driving park grounds.
Mrs. Johnella Gay arrived in St. Louis, Mo., July 24, from Windsor, N. S., after a long tour with Prof. Wolfscale's Georgia Minstrels, now playing with the Great Cole Brothers Circus. Mrs. Gay was called to her home on account of illness.
James Irwin, known as the champion mid-air head balancer, has joined the Sun Brothers Greater Progressive Shows for the balance of the season.
Bob Abrams, horseman and veterinary, is with the Sun Brothers Shows this season.
Bartine's Circus, owned by Chas. Bartine, of Connersville, Ind., an old-time circus man, was stranded at Rockford, O., a short time ago. Bad bookings are said to be the cause.
C. S. Clarke has rejoined the Sun Brothers Shows as local contractor, his fourth season with that organization.
Billboard, August 15, 1908, pp. 16, 24, 25. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
James Prenkly, of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., 24 years of age, employed by Howe's Circus, while en route from Babylon to Riverhead, L. I., July 31, fell from one of the cars and was instantly killed. Prenkly recently joined the circus at Stockdale, Pa. He was unmarried.
The Yankee Robinson Show has accomplished one feat never attempted before in the annals of circusdom. The show changed from a wagon to a railroad show in one day, without losing a performance. The show is now carried on fourteen cars. We have been in South Dakota the past two weeks. The only trouble experienced was at Platte, where we had a bad blow down. The new menagerie top, new dressing room, and another big middle for the big top, together with double the old seating capacity makes the show look much larger now. A pair of lions and a llama were added to the menagerie at Avon, S. D. Louis Ruhe has an order for three elephants, which he expects to fill in a few days. He bought one elephant of the show, which is expected to arrive at some stand in the Black Hills. The new private car, the "Mary Jane," purchased from the Pullman Company. We now have three sleepers with the show. Geddes, 26, we packed them in in this little town. Wagner, 27, was another repeater, and what a business. The Indians from the reservations were quarantined on account of smallpox, but that made no difference. They broke it and ran for the big tepee. Vermillion, 28, train arrived at 8:30 a.m., the lot was a long way from the runs, with a bad hill to pull up. However the show got up before eleven o'clock and paraded out on time. Hawarden, 29, we had opposition with the Gentry Show. The Yankee Show packed them in in the afternoon. Gentry had good business here too.
Billboard, August 22 1908, p. 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
George Motz, who has been principal clown with the Robinson Ten Big Shows for the past three years, was killed in a railroad accident at Roanoke, Va., August 3. Interment was made at the Vine Street Hill Cemetery, Cincinnati, August 9, under the auspices of the Woodmen of the World. Motz entered the show business in 1888 with Billy Single Clifford in the Miles Orton Show. He was later with the Cooper Show, under the management of Col. Hennessy, and was afterwards with the Harris Nickel Plate Show for eight years. He escaped uninjured from the wreck at Durand, Mich., in which twenty-three members of the Harris Show Nickel Plate Show were killed outright and many injured. After leaving the Nickel Plate Show, Motz was with the Ringling Brothers' Show for four years, and the Wallace Show three years ago, but in June last, was taken ill and returning to his home in Cincinnati, was confined there until August 2, when he left for Roanoke to rejoin the show. March 8th, last, Motz was 42 years old. He had been married ten years and leaves a wife in Cincinnati to mourn his loss. . . . At this writing the details of the accident are very meager. Mrs. Motz knowing nothing further than the fact that he was killed outright and that his body was horribly mangled.
Billboard, August 29, 1908, pp. 22, 23, 25. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from Sun Bros. Shows. We Sundayed, July 26, at Mt. Olive, Ky., where it rained all day and we had but a small restaurant to while our time away. The town was played on Monday to a good afternoon, small night house. Tuesday, 28th, in Salt Lick, two fine houses and more rain, with temperature at 90 in the shade, and about 190 under the big top. Wednesday, at Winchester, two fair houses, in opposition to big political celebration. Thursday, in Clay City, a real frost, as one attendance at both shows would not make a good opening for the Kid show. Business at Jackson was good, at Cannel City, big crowds. Jas. Irwin and his son Jimmie are the latest additions to the big show. Mr. Irwin in his head-balancing on a swinging trapeze, while Jimmie is a valuable addition to our strong joey line, besides being a comedy juggler. Fred Kenno, our principal clown, is still producing new clown stuff.
Yankee Robinson Show notes. Recent additions to the menagerie include another camel and a den of animals, also a genuine ostrich farm. The concert band, under direction of John Hazelwood, has been strengthened by Edward Hayes, clarionet and Lois Larson, alto. The big show performance is now given by the following: Wm. F. Wallet, principal jockey rider; Linda Jeal, equestrienne; Fred Lasere, equilibristic contortionist; P. B. Kelly, ladders; Clyde Phillips, novelty wire; La Tell Sisters, aerialists; Caro, single trapeze; Hatsu, Japanese foot juggler and equilibrist; Vernon's Canine Wonders; Bartella Family, acrobats; James Rossi and his trained and trick mules and ponies; the Yankee Robinson herd of Tom-Tom elephants; ___ and Avon, revolving ladder; Le Freres ___, comedy skatorial artists and horizontal bars; James Rossi (of the Rossi Bros.), Joe Marvello and Billy Arno, assisted by six other merry monarchs of Momus. Paul Vernon is equestrian director.
Side show: A. L. Salvail, lecturer; Madam DeVere, Kentucky bearded lady; Baby Page and den of snakes; London, Punch and Judy; Vernon, ventriloquist; Captain DeVere, ticket seller and manager; "Con" Hogan and three assistants on canvas; Ross Ashcroft, ticket taker. The concert consists of Charlie Bartlow, den of lions; Wally Mack, Irish comedian; Winkie ___, comedienne; Joseph Marvello, black-face comique; and the "Yankee" Troubadours. W. C. Buchanan is manager for the Buchanan Brothers. W. O. Tarkington has succeeded H. P. ___, who has been assisting the Buchanans in the general reorganization of the show. F. McCart is legal adjuster; Lucius Foster, boss canvasman, with Tom Gill, assistant and fifteen others; Arthur Eldredge, boss hostler and twelve assistants; Charles Bertlow, in charge of menagerie; F. E. Goldman, in charge of herd of Tom-Tom elephants, Burt Mead in charge of cook house. Besides the advertising car with fifteen men, in charge of Homer Davis, fourteen days ahead, a box brigade of six men is seven day ahead of the show. The Yankee Robinson Show will be a fifteen car concern next season.
Charles Eldridge Griffin, who represented The Billboard with Buffalo Bill during their four years' tour of Europe, writes as follows: "My parents, J. W. H. and Fannie Griffin, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at Albia, Iowa, June 24. Ten children resulted from this union, vis., Chas. Eldridge, now with the Al. F. Wheeler Model Shows; Wm. B., sheriff of Monroe County, Ia.; Lina M. Lowe, Itasca, Texas; Lucia B., elocutionist and magazine writer; Nell, who died in infancy; Frank S., formerly of Bob Hunting's, John Robinson's, Ringling Brothers' and Buffalo Bill's Shows; Harry A., train dispatcher of the New Moffet Road; Fred I., of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows; Dr. John M., formerly with Bob Hunting's Show, but now located at Sulphur Springs, Ark., and Anna L. Jones, of Ft. Collins, Col. They have twelve grandchildren."
F. C. Leslie, one of the old-time showmen, writes that he closed with the Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows at Fayette City, Pa., August 13, to take charge of the front door of the Bijou Stock Company for the coming season. Mr. Leslie has been engaged for next season as veterinary in charge.
Roster of car No. 2 of the Norris and Rowe Circus: Josh Billings, car manager; Bert (Kid) Wheeler, secretary; Walter Nissen, special agent; Geo. Tinkham, programs; Pete Dunn, porter; Ben Deschane, boss billposter; Gus Jenkins, Phil McKim, J. Alveter, Punch Kinnon, Frank (Kid) Raymond, Lew Taylor and Kid Eadigan, billposters; Chas. Webster, in charge of banners; Jerome Deagon and George Lawson, assistants; Ollie Harnois, in charge of lithos; Wm. Corbett, Glory Miller and Chas. Duffy, assistants.
Car No. 1 of the Barnum and Bailey Show roster: Harry Graham, manager; Roy Patchin, boss billposter; Gus Gustafson, assistant boss billposter; Wm. Smith, boss lithographer; Chas. North and Geo. Bateman, assistants; Dan Scanlon, Pete Scanlon, C. M. Geiger, Wm. Wareham, E. Hanford, Joe Heniety, Wm. Johnson, Joe Horton and W. Thebo, billposters; Peter Hurst, poster, and John Coughlin, programs/
Roster of the Mollie Bailey Show: Mollie A. Bailey, owner; Eugene Bailey, manager; Wm. Bailey, leader of band; Allie Bailey, equestrian director; Brad Bailey, side show; Chas. Dryden, foot juggler; Allie Bailey, slack wire and loops; Brad and Allie Bailey, perch and contortion; Birdie Bailey, serpentine dance; Eugene Bailey, principal clown, and a band of eight pieces.
Smith Brothers Shows are now in the Hocking Valley coal regions of Ohio. Frank Kotaro joined the show at Nelsonville, July 25. Manager Roy Smith was given a dinner July 25, his twenty-fifth birthday.
Roster of Gentry Bros. Show car No. 2: F. Harris, car manager; F. Stern, boss billposter; Ray Barnett, F. Stennett, C. Brown, R. Nichols and W. Scott, billposters; R. N. Paul, banners, and G. Keaney, chef.
Col. M. Henry Welsh is laying out the route for his gigantic European Circus for next season, and will introduce the innovation of playing certain large cities two days. In each instance the feature will be the changing of lots each day.
William Gillman, contracting agent for the Campbell Brothers Shows for the past four seasons, will close his engagement with that aggregation at St. Joseph, Mo., August 19, and will go to Portland, Ore., for the winter season.
John Burget joined car No. 2 of the Sun Brothers Circus at Louisville, Ky.
Billboard, September 5, 1908, p. XIV. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from F. W. Hall's United Shows. We are touring Nebraska with a 60 ft. round top and two 30 ft. middles. The roster includes the Three Fontinelles, Robt. Boyd, the Glenn Family, Baby Nina and the Lucases. Prof. White is general contracting agent, with two billposters. Prof. Morris has the band with twelve musicians. Geo. L. Evans, late of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, has joined us with the concert and reserved tickets, and has charge of the candy stands.
In the spring of 1909 the Luken Brothers, of Reading, Pa., will launch their trained animal show and carnival of gymnastic exhibitions. Included in the aggregation will be the Luken Brothers, who will do their casting act. A dog and pony troupe, which the Lukens control, will also be one of the features. The show will be patterend after the Col. Daniel Boone trick of some years ago. The first performance will be in Reading, an admission price of fifteen and twenty-five cents. The show will make three day stands in good towns, changing lots whenever practicable. Jake, the lion trainer, will have charge of the menagerie.
The Hardells, gymnastic bar troupe; Mlle. Josephine, aerialist; Elmer Lazone, eccentric clown and impersonator; Cole and Bailey, Irish comedians, and Les Barrolas, equilibrists, are new additions to the "big show" programs of the Sun Brothers Greater Progressive Shows for their annual Southern tour which has just opened. The show will make an extended tour of the Southern States, closing sometime in January next. The show will again winter at Central City Park, Macon, Ga.
Advertising car No. 2 of the Dode Fisk Show: E. M. Culver, car manager; G. M. Culver, contracting agent; G. J. Harris, advertising agent; L. P. Follette, boss billposter; Fred Hillstrom, H. Motzke, F. R. Blake, O. E. Stitzer, Clem Klugkerg, E. Eccles and R. Holmes, billposters. Car No. 2 carries a printing press with them, doing their advertising work from time to time as needed.
Owing to the race war in Springfield, Ill., the Ringling Brothers Circus was compelled to cancel their date, August 18 in that city, the authorities deeming it unwise to allow them to show as the city was undre martial low. They came to Bloomington, Ill., early in the morning of the 18th, and gave their people a holiday. They will fill their date, August 19, in Bloomington.
W. O. Tarkington has succeeded H. P. Hill with the Yankee Robinson Shows, Mr. Hill retiring to accept a position as business manager of Pixley and Luder's musical success, The Burgomaster.
Ted Galbraith, ministrel publicity promoter, is this season one of Peter Sun's special lieutenants, doing work in advance with the newspapers and special contracts for the Sun Bros. Shows.
W. O. Tarrington, late of the Gentry Brothers Shows, has joined the Yankee Robinson aggregation in a business capacity.
Hoop Rolling Moppin is with the Norris & Rowe Circus.
Martin G. Milligan, agent, has closed his season with the Sells-Floto Shows.
Billboard, September 12, 1908, pp. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
John Robinson's Circus apppeared in Salisbury, August 31, left for Concord September 1, where it closed a series of eleven stands in North Carolina. The show opened in that state at Durham, where it did enormous business. Jack Warren, press agent, stated that 23,812 paid admissions were sold at Durham. At Greensboro, three days later, paid admissions reached over 16,000. The show did a big business at Winston-Salem in the rain, it was completely rained out at Lexington. The shows were hard hit by the storms at other places in North Carolina, at Hickory and Marion, where business was poor. Over 20,000 people witnessed three performances in Salisbury. The shows go to South Carolina for a number of stands, after which it will return to North Carolia for two engagements at Hendersonville and Asheville.
Howard Damon's Show opened as scheduled at the Jeffrson, O., Fair, August 18. Wednesday, the big day of the fair, he did a tremendous business, other days the attendance was good. The day stands have all been fair. There is no standing room with this show. When no more can be seated the doors are closed. Mr. Damon has a complete train of his own cars, one advance car and a box brigade. He carries a menagerie, and a long parade.
Roster of Gollmar Brothers advance car No. 1: Wm. H. Delly, car manager; John Carr, boss billposter; Frank Sammon, lithographer; Jas. Rose, programmer; W. H. Martin, H. Howard, W. H. Holmes, Z. Mawhood, R. L. Dame, John Sanders, Jas. McGratt, Geo. Farrell and Jas. Ward, billposters, and "Paste" the mascot dog.
Roster of Gollmar Brothers advance car No. 2: Chas. W. Gilder, car manager; Chas. Warner, boss billposter; Sam Hinckey, assistant boss billposter; Frank Ballinger, B. B. Corbett, Wm. Oxholm, Orin Delivan and T. S. James, billposters.
Charles A. Koster, opposition and contracting agent, will not be connected with the Cole Brothers Shows next season, but will go in advance of the Ringling Brothers Show.
The Great Lugar Shows will be enlarged and will feature a complete Wild West in addition to the circus during the season of 1909. A number of feature acts have been engaged.
The James Shelby Show is doing nicely in Alabama. They will soon put up all new canvas and augment their stock with a few horses, etc.
Billboard, September 19, 1908, pp. 14, 16. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Campbell Brothers Shows. Monday, August 24 at Mankato, Kan., the town council tried to hold up the show and make them pay an additional amount for parading the main thoroughfares. The showfolks fooled them, by showing down near the depot, outside of the city limits, and parading around the lot. The show did as much business as it would have if the lot uptown had been taken. Just after the afternoon performance opened, an awful downpour of rain occurred, but it wasn't of long duration. The farmers here and the merchanst of the town were indignant that the show couldn't be allowed to proceed on its regular day schedule, and several different men perched themselves on street corners and spoke at lenght on the show's right to parade without paying a license of which nothing had been said heretofore. Phillipsburg, Kan., August 25, was good in spite of threatening weather. Afternoon house to capacity, night house was fair. Smith Center, August 26, was better than ever. Otto Weaver his still doing his hand balancing act. Norton, Kan., August 27, the show folks had a vacation. It was a big day at the county fair. The show arrived early, paraded at 9 a.m., gave the afternoon show in the morning, laid off in the afternoon, and showed again at night. Goodland, Kan., August 28, was good. Colby, Kan., August 29, business was the poorest of the week, on account of a terrifice wind blowing continually all day.
Cole Bros. car No. 3 roster: car manager, Chas. R. Coleman, general press agent, J. F. Donalson; special agent, John R. Feltus; advertising agent; Charles S. Pohly, boss billposter, Thomas J. Hart; steward, C. A. Averill; billposters, William Perrault, E. A. Prosser, E. E. Emerson, A. W. Foster, William Venard, John Stewart, John Gilroy, E. A. Spradley, Tony Henring, Charles Mason; banner men, L. C. Lowder, Chester A. Larkin; lithographers, Edward Lampe, William Bradley, "Kid" Cunningham; M. M. Morgan, porter.
Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows are doing a prosperous business through Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Zech Family of aerialists closed September 5, to fulfill fair engagements. The Frazer Troupe and J. H. Fisher are recent acquisitions to our program.
Notes from Antonio V. Pubillones Circus. This circus proprietor has had two shows opne all season of 1908-08. His circus No. 1 began last November at the Payet Theatre, Havana, doing good business. Afterwards he went to Merida and Mexico. From there to Vera Cruz, Mexico City, Orizaba, Juebla, Oaxaca, Morella, Pachuca, Zalape, Cozacoaloc and Salina Cruz, and did good business. The season ended in Cordoba, June 7. No 2 circus began November 15 in Regia, Cuba, and continued on the island until April 1. It began again in Pinar del Rio, South of Cuba, June 24, and will keep open until the 15th of October, business being good. No. 1 circus will start the winter season in November at the Grand Nacional Theatre, Havana, and will continue for thirty weeks on the island of Cuba. No. 2 circus will open at Regia, Cuba, and afterward go to Puerto Rico, West India Islands, Panama and Costa Rica.
Kemmerer, Wyo., Sept. 1, 1908. Editor The Billboard. Dear Sir: I read the article in The Billboard issued August 22 by Sydney Wire, and I would like to correct one statement he made regarding the McCaddon International Circus. Mr. Wire says that since the show closed in Grenoble, France, that all salaries have been paid in full. Evidently Mr. Wire thought he was right in making this assertion, but he was not, as there is still $1,300 salary owing to me. And that is not all. I also lost a net and apparatus, worth $200, which was attached with circus property stored in Lille. Yours truly, Harry Potter, manager of the Peerless Potters.
Col. Cummins is arranging to take his Wild West Show to Brussles for a season of six week at the Brussels Exposition in September, returning to London [England] the latter part of October and may remain in London till the early spring. The American cowboy, Jack Joyce, who recently had his skull fractured, is now with Commins' Wild West at New Brighton. Miss Lulu B. Parr, bucking horse rider ahd a finger broken recently but is still in the bill.
Howard Stitt, formerly with the Wallace-Hagenbeck Show and the 101 Ranch, has accepted a position at the Olympic Buffet, 49 S. Clark street, Chicago.
After spending the summer on his farm in Paulsboro, N. J., Blackey Howard, veteran boss canvasman, announces his intention of returning to the white tops next season. Mrs. Howard will be with him.
John P. Fagan has finished the railroads for the 1907-08 season with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, and returned to his home at Madison, Ind. He has been re-engaged for next season.
R. M. Harvey will next season succeed W. E. Franklin as general agent of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show.
Chas. Reed, late of the John Robinson Shows, arrived at his home in McKeesport, Pa., August 31.
Billboard, September 16, 1908, pp. 16, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Chas. Barnett and Miss Mona McDhu, both of the Campbell Brothers Shows, were united in marriage at Beloit, Kan., August 21.
William Gardner, better known as "Fatty," died September 10 at the Harrisburg (Pa.) Hospital. He was formerly connected with various large circuses as a billposter. He retired several years ago from circus life and engaged in the produce business. He was forty-six years of age and is survived by a wife and many relatives.
Notes from the Wheeler Show. Mr. Wheeler's latest acquisition is the opera house at Oxford, Pa., which he is having remodeled, and will operate as a first-class combination house. This will not interfere with any of Mr. Wheeler's other enterprises. The business staff is Al. F. Wheeler, owner and manger; Adam Gillespie, assistant manager, T. J. Frink, general agent; Adam Gillespie, leader of band; Albert Gaston, equestrian director; Chas. E. Griffin, manager of privileges; Pat Murray, superintendent of canvas; Frank Smith, assistant master of canvas; Fred Wirebaugh, master of stock; Fred Quarters, superintendent of perry stock; Capt. H. Suycho, superintendent of menagerie; Gus Berry, chef; Cornelious Flynn, assistant; Ed Bell, superintendent Bolte & Weyer lights; Tom Kelly and Charlie Bates, property men. The show is preparing for a long season South.
Albert Knauff, a billposter with car No. 1 of the Yankee Robinson Show, was killed at Dayton, Iowa, August 28. W. H. Quinett, general agent of the show, gives the following account of the accident: "On the night of the 28th, Knauff, with five or six other billposters, was sitting on the rails of the main line track of the Milwaukee R. R., talking and telling stories. With the rest I make my headquarters in the car. When I got up and went to the car to retire, the others followed with the exception of Knauff, who laid down with his coat under his head on the rail of the main line track. His bunk-mate, Rud Rockwell, called to him to retire, Knauff answering that he would join him soon. That was the last seen of him until 4:45 the following morning when Bud Rockwell came running to me saying that Knauff had been killed. Upon going out and examining him, we found that he was still alive and a physician was hurriedly summoned, who found that he had been struck by a train. He lived for an hour after he had been discovered on the tracks. I wired his uncle at Farmington, Iowa, but received no reply. A corner's inquest was held. The verdict read that he came to his death by accident, having been struck by a train at 11 p.m. Knauff was a sober man as no drunkard is connected with our advance car."
S. H. Semon, agent of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, having concluded an early season with that show, on returning to his home in New Rochelle, N. Y., and finding there was no celebration of any kind in that city on Labor Day, he immediately laid plans for a big demonstration, and secured Dillon Park Exposition Grounds for a carnival consisting of various kinds of sports, ball game and a balloon ascension. Mr. Semon billed the affair like a circus in New Rochelle and all the surrounding towns, using more than 1,000 sheets of paper on the billboards, 500 window lithos, and cards and 10,000 heralds. The result was the celebration was a success and a handsome dividend for himself and his associates.
Coulter and Clark's Dog and Pony Show opened their season May 1, and since then business has been good, in spite of the rain and bad weather. Jack Zwickey has charge of the band and the musical program, the big features with the show. The company will stay out until December 1, when Messrs. Coulter and Clark will send out an Uncle Tom's Cabin Company for the winter season.
Jack W. King, manager of the Texas Wild West, which was with the John Robinson Circus during the season of 1907-08, is now arranging to show again under their own name with their own company. Mr. King is now in Cincinnati getting things together, a he promises a show larger and better than ever before. They will open their season at Coal Creek, Tenn., September 17, followed by a week's engagement at Morristown, Pa. The company will play fair dates for the balance of the season and go out as a fifteen wagon show for the winter.
George Hooker, the cowboy who was recently injured by his horse falling on him at a performance of Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, at Howell, Mich., some few weeks ago, is now sufficiently recovered to take his place in the arens. He is not yet able to perform his specialty of fast riding and picking up objects while going at full speed, but is well enough to ride in the entrees and go in parade.
Martin Steffan Jr., circus barber and old-time contortionist, whose wife, Pameyl Steffan, was lady equestrian director with various circuses, and lecturer and announcer with the Hagenbeck Circus, mourns the death of his father, who died suddenly at his home in Memphis, Mo., aged 76 yers. Mrs. Archie Royer, of circus and vaudeville fame, is a grand-daughter.
The Barlow Show has toured Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa this season and has had good business. The show has been out twenty-two weeks and will make a long season South. They travel by wagon, using thirty head of horses and twelve wagons to transport the outfit. Ed Barlow is managing the show with M. C. Cookston in charge of the advance.
Texas Tex, a Mexican cowboy, who went to Europe with Pawnee Bill in 1894, is still playing throughout continental Europe, never having returned to this country. He owns several head of excellent stock and carries four people. He plays such circuses as Oscar Carre, Circus Busch, Cirque Pinder, Wollf, Schumann, De Koch, Renz, Beckitow, Sanger, etc.
Billboard, October 3, 1908, pp. 16, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Patrick Burke (Duke), who was for a number of years porter with No. 1 car of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, died at Bridgeport, Conn., September 13, after a lingering illness with tuberculosis. He is survived by a brother, Timothy Burke, clerk in the Lafayette Hotel at Bridgeport.
From usher with the Sautelle Show to treasurer of one of the largest wagon shows on earth is the story of a dozen years in thelife of the rising young showman, C. J. Carroll. For the past eight years that Mr. Carroll has been connected with the Haag Shows he had not seen his native town until a couple of weeks ago when a business trip to New York made it possible for him to visit his parent in Gouverneur, N. Y. Mr. Carroll left his show in Kentucky and will rejoin them at winter quarters in Shreveport, La.
Wiedemann's Big American Shows, Cosmopolitan Rough Riders and Indian Congress, introducing the dramatic spectacle, Custer's Last Charge, are having good business through Kansas. Jimmie Richardson, clarinet soloist, and Chas. Elwin, baritone are the recent additions to the band. Billy Rock, broncho buster, also joined recently. The company is now headed for the South and will remain out all winter. The show will be enlarged to a ten car outfit next spring, and will invade Eastern territory.
Ralph C. Carlisle (Wichita Jack), for several seasons with the Barnum & Bailey Shows, and for the past few seasons owner and manager of Carlisle's Congress of Plainsmen, just closed the season with his wild west outfit and has joined a road show for the winter season. Mr. Carlisle with his wife and two people are the feature of the olio with The Follies of the Day Company. At the close of the season Jack will return to the white tops with his own show.
Cole Brothers Show have established their Southern headquarters in the new home of the Burton System, Richmond, Va. An entire floor has been fitted up and divided into various departments, all under the direct supervision of general agent Ed C. Knupp. Excursion agent Workman has three assistants and in the mailing department eight people are employed. Dave Haley and Punch Wheeler are among the many who have registered in general agent Knupp's office.
Ed P. Barlow's Dog, Pony and Vaudeville Show is doing a good business through Illinois on their way South for the winter. The show now carries twenty people and twenty-two head of stock. Wm. Anderson, old-time dog trainer, joined at New Bedford, Ill. Sam Copeland, singing and talking clown, has returned to his home owing to illness, but expects to rejoin the show in the near future.
Roster of the Gentry Brothers' advance car No. 2: A. E. Diggs, car manager; F. E. Green, boss billposter; Fred Trips, lithographer; Howard Mead, bannerman; Perry Adams, Harry Leslie, Alex Stitt, John Benfield and Parker Cobbs, billposters; Frank Robertson, chef.
Delno Fritz, sword swallower, with the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, will return to Europe at the close of the present season. He has made arrangements to furnish an attraction for the Waverly Market Annual Winter Fair at Edinborough, Scotland.
Timothy Buckley, an employe of Howe's Great London Shows, is seriously ill in a hospital at Cumberland, Md., from having been trod upon by a large elephant belonging to the show.
Harry Leonard, formerly in charge of programs with the Buffalo Bill Show, is now with Miller Brothers 101 Ranch. He has the cane rack and Jeu de Couteau privilege.
Howard Deitz, of the Mellnott Trio, with the Norris & Rowe Shows, is at his home in Cumberland, Md., nursing an injured ankle.
Jack R. Harris, all around handy man of the Sells-Floto Shows, is taking life easy at Hot Springs, Ark. for awhile.
Earl J. Swisher has returned from Europe and is now en route with the John H. Sparks Shows.
Billboard, October 10, 1908, pp. 16, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Mrs. Thos. Stirk, of the Famous Stirk Family of Bicyclists, died at her home in Boston, Mass., September 14, of pleurisy of the heart. The deceased was the wife of Prof. Stirk, manager of the Stirk Family. The family was brought to this country in 1881 by the late Tony Pastor for a two weeks' engagement. They were then engaged by the Barnum Show under a five year contract, which was followed by an engagement of thirteen years with the Sells Brothers' Circus and eight years with the Wallace Shows, playing for but three shows in twenty-six years. The Stirk Family is said to be the first troupe of bicycle riders in this country, and have often been termed the Washingtons of American wheel acts. Mrs. Stirk was a native of Birmingham, England, where she married Prof. Thos. Stirk, thirty-five years ago. The deceased was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Boston, Mass., September 17.
John A. McNulty, ventriloquist, died at Bellingham, Wash., recently, while en route with the Buffalo Bill Show. Mr. McNulty was 44 years of age and had been connected for the past twenty-five years with the leading circuses of the country, including the Adam Forepaugh, Sells and Forepaugh and Buffalo Bill Show. The burial took place from his late home in Chicago. A widow, daughter, son and brother survive him.
The Rhodus Whiteley-Shows close their season October 17. The season has been very prosperous. We have only lost two matinees and one night performance this season. We have played losing stands on account of terrific storms, but if we had a chance we always put on the show if there was not more than half a dozen people in the house. Rhodus and Whiteley, this winter, will put out a big vaudeville show, carrying Sparkle Jr., the educated poney, four drilling ponies and a few of their dogs, together with several vaudeville acts. This show will be under the direction of Omer J. Kenyon, who is now general agent for our show. Arthur C. Cunningham will put out his latest scenic success. The Hobo King, with band and orchestra. We expect to enlarge our show next year and have one of the neatest little dog and pony shows on the road.
Gentry Brothers Dog and Pony Show was at Hot Springs, Ark., September 15, and turned people away. W. W. Gentry reports good business for the show through Oklahoma and Arkansas. The following attractions have just joined the show: Neotzill Family, wire artists; Marcelle and Leonard, comedy bar act, and Dalton Family, barrel jumpers and acrobats. C. W. Tenney is business manager of the show, and W. D. Neff is treasurer. J. D. Newman, general agent, spent a day with the show at Little Rock.
Buckskin Ben's Wild West closed their park season August 29, at Cleveland, O., and opened their road season at the Michigan State Fair, Detroit, September 3.
Dawson Brothers' Wild West Show report good business since the opening of the show on April 16. The roster: James Dawson, proprietor and manager; Elmore and Wallace, double riders; Chas. Wallace, Master Peter Voltz, Earl Derby, Bertha Derby, Loretta Derby and Master John Mason. The show will close its season October 10 at Carrollton, Ky., and the outfit will be shipped to the winter quarters at Connersville, Ind.
Advance car No. 1 of the Howe's Great London Shows is now in the Carolinas. The roster: Don McKenzie, car manager; C. E. Clegg, boss billposter; Joe Hossack, program solicitor; Bert Lano, lithos; W. H. Perry, Chas. L. McGill, Wm. Caldwell, Willie Green, Jack Myers, W. E. Butler, E. Sims and Jack Hooner, billposters; E. C. Elmore, chef, and Roy Clegg, paste maker and porter.
James Conners, veteran driver, who has acted in that capacity with many of the leading circus and wild west aggregations in the country, and this season connected with the Buffalo Bill Show, was thrown from the seat of his wagon while crossing a gutter to the show grounds in Chehalis, Wash., September 24, and was instantly killed. Mr. Conners' home was in Philadelphia.
One dead, two seriously, and a half dozen slightyly injured is the result of an electrical and windstorm upon the tent of the Sells-Floto Show, at Holdenville, Okla., September 22. The dead man was a Japenese performer of the show. The performance was nearing an end and the side tents were all down when the storm stuck it, blowing down the big tent.
Roster of car No. 2 of the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show: V. B. Cook, manager; H. White, secretary; J. L. Lyons, boss billposter; T. Turner, G. Battis, J. Hyland, H. Mason, J. Brett, J. Rearden, W. Winn, W. Van Dein, D. Muir, R. Cody, J. Morrison and R. Lasher.
King Brothers' Texas Wild West Show opened its season at Coal Creek, Tenn., September 16, to packed houses. Six performances were given that day.
Mr. and Mrs. R. G. (Blacky) Sheridan, well-known in the circus world, can be addressed at Boone, N. C., where Mrs. Sheridan is slowly recovering from a serious illness.
The James Adams' Big Show is doing a gratifying business through the Carolinas.
Billboard, October 17, 1908, pp. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Looking Forward to 1909, by Pyramus. Next season promises to be one of unusual activity in the tented field. Here is a list of the new shows already projected for 1909: Hutchinson Bros.' Circus and Menagerie, Walter L. Main's Circus and Menagerie, Earl Burgess' Circus and Menagerie, Castello and Carver's Wild West.
Sells-Floto Shows have purchased new winter quarters in Denver, and are putting up an entirely new set of buildings. The new quarters are to be located in North Denver. The Sells-Floto Shows will close at Dalhart, Texas, October 20.
Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows will close a successful season Saturday, October 17, at Federealsburg, Md., and go into winter quarters at Oxford, Pa.
John Hiley, ammunition man with Miller Bros. 101 Ranch, who in that capacity with nearly all the leading Wild West Shows during his career gained the sobriquet of "Ammunition John," was painfully and perhaps seriously hurt in an explosion at Dalton, Ga., on Oct. 8. The ammunition wagon, which contained 125 pounds of powder was completely demolished, and "Ammunition John" was terribly mangled. He was sent to the Grady hospital at Atlanta, Ga.
The Great Lugar Shows and Alexander's Wild West Combined are now in winter quarters at the fair grounds, Eaton, O. A number of big acts will be in rehearsal during the winter at Eaton. Several of the past season's performers and musicians have been re-engaged for next year. Jos. A. Lugar will be manager of the combined shows.
The J. E. Henry Wagon Show encountered a heavy wind and rainstorm at Hooker, Okla., last week, which tore the canvas of the tent into shreds. The storm occurred just before the evening performance, when the tent was filled, but fortunately no one was injured. A new tent has been received and the show has continued its tour.
A few minutes after the close of the performance of Robbins' Circus, Woodstock, Va., September 28, a severe wind and rainstorm blew the tent down, doing considerable damage. No one was injured.
Ed Allen, this season one of the leading clowns with the Campbell Brothers Shows, has closed his engagement and will soon enter vaudeville with his Merry Widow stunt.
Jim H. Rutherford, clown with Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, has been re-engaged for the season of 1909. He is now booking winter dates in vaudeville.
The Billie Boughton's Overland Show closed a successful season and is now in winter quarters at Ambia, Ind., where Mr. Boughton will manage the Palace Theatre for the winter.
The Gentry Brothers Show made a successful stand at Cleburne, Texas, last week. Tom North, press representative, reports good business all along the route.
London and Tuttle's Tent Show closed its season at Greenville, Pa., October 6. The show will winter at Greenville, which is the home of George London, one of the proprietors.
John Murray, veteran showman of Cleveland, O., accompanied by his son, Edward, is in McKeesport, Pa., where they have the candy concessions at all the theatres.
The Molly Bailey Show continues to have good business.
The Fred Locke Show closed its season at Milledgeville, O., October 8, and has gone into winter quarters at Pancoastburg, O.
Wasmund and Fields are successfully presenting their Roman ring act with Robertson and Barrett's Shows.
Billboard, October 24, 1908, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from the Rhodus Whiteley Shows. Bethany, Mo., Oct. 8, 1908. Business last week from a financial standpoint was not much of a success, although the show did not lose anything on the stand. Saturday, at Lineville, Iowa, we turned them away at both performances. September 28, at Pleasanton, winter hit us proper, and only small crowds were in attendance at both performances. September 29, at Davis City, was a repeater of the day before. Everyone feeling glum. September 30, at Lamont, was a fairly good day. No rain but cold. Good crowds at the matinee performance and fair attendance at night. October 1, at Kellerton, made the bunch cheer up. Weather warmer and good attendance at both performances. October 2, at Grant City, we had one of the banner days of the season. Large crowds at matinee and turned them away at night. We close our season October 17. Our general agent, Omer J. Kenyon, will leave next week for Denver, Col., for a few days' rest before taking up the management of Rhodus Whiteley's All-Star Vaudeville Show.
After suffering from burns received in the explosion of powder at Dalton, Ga., October 8, John Heilig, member of Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show, died at the Grady Hospital, Newman, Ga., Wednesday morning, October 14. The remains were sent to relatives in Brooklyn by the Miller Brothers.
While John Robinson's Circus was giving a performance Wednesday afternoon, October 14, a storm blew down the main tent and the 3,000 spectators were caught in the wreckage. George Jeunifer, an acrobat of Cincinnati, was the only performer seriously injured, and it is feared that he may die. Jeunifer was on the high trapeze when the tent was wrecked, and he was hurled over 60 feet to the ground and both of his ankles crushed. Jeunifer was hurried to Birmingham for treatment. Even if he recovers, his career as an acrobat is ended, as he will probably lose both feet. The tent caught fire in several places after the collapse, but the flames were extinguished by the circus employes.
Roster of No. 1 Gentry Show: F. H. Gentry, manager; J. B. Austin, business manager; Roy Rush, equestrian director; Alva Randle, treasurer; H. L. Kelly, steward; Beverly White, press agent, and R. G. Toomer, band master. The following acts are given in addition to the trained animal performance: the Three Wilers, comedy acrobats; Mamie Deosch, aerial artist; Steiner Brothers, comedy bar act,a nd the Arzuma Family, five in number, gymnasts. The No. 1 show has been on the road for 26 weeks. The show will close the season the latter part of November and go into winter quarters at Bloomington, Ind.
J. Cunningham, who traveled with the Anglo-American Circus under the name of John Devon, was seriously injured by a fall while exhibiting at the Travis County Fair. He was taken to the City Hospital at Austin, Tex., where other complications set in and his death resulted on Saturday night, October 10. His mother was telegraphed for, but did not reach his bedside until five hours after death. The body was shipped to St. Joseph, Mo., accompanies by Mr. Cunningham's mother, October 12.
The London and Tuttle Show closed a successful season at Greenville, Pa., October 10. The company opened May 4, at Gaax, Va. The show will be enlarged next season and known as the Geo. W. London Greater Shows.
Canada Frank's Show, after a continuous tour of four years, closed October 1, at ___, Iowa. Manager Myers has opened an electric theatre in Tipton, Iowa, which he will manage during the winter months.
Henry Thomas, billposter with Yankee Robinson Shows, is very ill at his home in Cedar Falls, Iowa, suffering from blood poison.
Heber Brothers' Greater Tent Show arrived in winter quarters at Columbus, O., October 15, after a successful season. The show had been out since May 1.
Chas. O. Sipe, offical barber with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, is at his home in Columbus, O., confined to his bed with typhoid fever.
Billboard, October 31, 1908, pp. 17, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Show underwent an experience in Gulfport, Miss., Saturday, October 24th. Trouble was had with lawless whites and drunken negroes occured all day and after dark. Gulfport police were entirely unable to cope with the situation. Assaults and insults were continued during the entire show and the crowd of ruffians followed to the loading of the train. Lon Seeler, famous as a steer thrower, was singled out as a particular victim. Gulfporters informed him repeatedly that they would "get him." After the cowboy had loaded his horses, as he made his way toward his sleeping quarters, he was stopped by a man who thrust a pistol in his face. Seeler thinking an attempt was being made on his life drew his own weapon and fired. The stranger retaliated in kind, and both men fell dead in their tracks. It developed that the man was an un-uniformed policeman. For two hours enraged towns-people threatened riot, but the coolness of Edward Arlington and Joseph and Hack [sic?] Miller avoided further trouble. Joseph C. Miller lured the crowd to a hastily called Coroner's inquest, and in their absence Arlington moved the train out of Gulfport for New Orleans. George Hooker, a Mexican rider, was arrested in New Orleans on complaint of Gulfport officials, charged with the murder of the policeman. A complete alibi was established at once, for Hooker was on the show grounds at the time of the shooting. He is now held without bail, in New Orleans, but release is expected this week. Gulfport officials are making every effort to secure his immediate return to Gulfport, where threats are being made that the Mexican will be lynched. All manner of wild report are spread throughout the south regarding the trouble, but Billboard's information is based on private reliable sources. Many well known show men flocked to New Orleans to lend any aid required. Among them Louis E. Cooke, general agent Buffalo Bill, William Horton, Ringling Bros., Chas. Hutchinson, Barnum & Bailey, Frank Gentry of Gentry Brothers, Lon Williams, Dode Fisk, R. M. Harvey, general agent Wallace Shows, and M. Mann, general agent Sparks Shows.
James S. Burch, well-known showman, passed away at his home, 204 E. Southgate street, Newport, Ky., October 7, aged 44. Mr. Burch was last connected with the Wallace Shows in the capacity of advance agent.
The Wheeler Show closed at Hemlock, Md., October 17, after a season of twenty-four weeks, and has gone into winter quarters at Oxford, Pa.
Wm. F. Mason, chief musician with the Gentry Brothers' Show, succumbed to an attack of pneumonia, at Macon, Ga., October 15. He was thirty years of age.
Advertising car No. 1, Campbell Bros. Shows, closed its season at Clyde, Kan., Tuesday, October 20. The car this season was under the management of F. Walter McIntosh, with the following men: W. L. McReynolds, Chas. Strong, Ray Leonard, Harry Hamlet, James Laughlin, Jas. R. Cox, Ben Finn, Fred Walters, Jas. Harper, Parker Campbell, special agent. Mr. McIntosh went to Fairbury, Neb. with the car where he will open a 10c picture house. W. L. McReynolds to Iola, Kan.; Srong and Leonard to Hoopston, Ill.; Laughlin to Fairbury; Finn to Portal, N. D.; Cox to Junction City, Kan.; Walters to Chicago; Jas. Harper to Fairbury.
Roster of the Great Wilke's Shows: August Wilke, owner; Henry Wilke, lessee; W. E. Holmes, manager; T. J. O'Brien, general agent; James Savage, assistant; Mrs. A. Wilke, treasurer; A. E. Howard, equestrian director; Frank Harris, boss animal man with three assistants; Jack Bridgewarer [Bridgewater?], boss hostler with four assistants; Joe Quinlan, superintendent canvs with 16 men; May Howard, wardrobe with one assistant; Murray Clemens, chef with two assistants; Wm. Johnson, porter; A. E. Howard's Performing animals; Ed Hanover, principal clown; the Zenos, Miss Lizzie Hartwell, the Dernbars, Thos. Levere, John Levere, Mrs. Levere, Leota Holmes and Mlle. Mazie Mable. Members of the band: Clarence F. Brown, bandmaster; Darrell Dunn, Walter Jones, James Adams, Silas Glober, L. D. Wheeler, George Groves, Wallace Jones, Harry Powers, Ben Walsavers, Wm. Elsey, Richard Lee and Joe Arnold.
Wm. D. Ingram has been stage manager of the Monessen (Pa.) Opera House since leaving the Hagenbeck-Wallace billposting brigade.
Mr. and Mrs. E. Porterfield closed their fifth season with LaMont Brothers' Shows, and have gone to their home in Port Jervis, N. Y.
Billboard, November 7, 1908, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The LaMont Bros. Shows closed their seventh season at Dix, Ill. They opened May 2 at Salem, Ill., touring Northern and Central Illinois, Missouri and Southern Illinois. With the exception of the first week, when we were waterbound in Carlyse, Ill. this has been our banner season. Business in Missouri was S. R. O. at almost every stand. Owing to the financial panic preceding the opening, we did not enlarge our menagerie as extensively as contemplated. Next season we will carry about thirty musicians, comprising Big Show and Kid Show bands, and three parade bands. Roster of the show at closing date: Five Silverlakes, aerial casting act; Fostelle Brothers, Roman ring and traps; the Randolphs, double traps and aerial bars; Antonio Fararril, slide for life and barrel jumper; the Six Ruissoes [Rulssoes?], acrobats, head and foot jugglers; the Porterfields, rings; E. Porterfield, manager, annex; C. Randolph, working animals and stock; John Anderston, boss canvasman; Omar Eddings, animals; "Michigan Slim," boss props; Mordecai Greenstone, wardrobe; Chas. Baker, privileges; Jack Gladstone, advertising agent and steward; Duke Daring, chef with four assistants.
The Sibley Show is now in its last days of the season. The management has concluded booking the show over the Northwest Circuit of Fairs for next season. The show plays three or four more fairs and will then go into winter quarters at Paterson, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Sibley will journey to California, where Mr. Sibley has business interests.
The Rippel New United Shows are still en route. The following is the roster: C. A. Rippel, owner and manager; Franklin Wallace, advance agent; Chas. Rippel Jr., rings and contortion; Scott Ruth, traps and perch; Johnny Fourt, comedy juggler; Lewis Smith, traps and comedy acrobat; Roscoe Clawson, comedy cyclist and clown; Gertie Rippel, wire and sketches; Chas. Thatcher, in charge of dining tent. The show consists of fourteen people, and carries 12 wagons and 27 head of stock.
Joe Egan, who recently left the Cole Brothers' Show, has joined hands with his partner of former years, Gus Miller, and are now in vaudeville doing their old-time act entitled Henry's Visit.
Tony Lowande is in Paris, accompanied by Mrs. Lowande. He writes that he is engaging artists and purchasing an electric plant outfit for his circus. From Paris Mr. and Mrs. Lowande will go to Hamburg and London to buy animals.
Geo. Churchill, treasurer of the Great Lugar Shows the past season, has opened a little moving picture theatre calle the Bijou Dream in Easton, O., his home. Mr. Churchill will be with the Lugar Show again next season.
The Elstun Brothers United Shows close a successful season and are now in winter quarters at Kansas City, Kansas. Next year they will go out with a bigger and better show than ever.
Wesley LaPearle, female impersonator in the annex of Miller Brothers 101 Ranch will, return to his home in Bethlehem, Pa., after the close of the season.
The Shelby Show is doing a fine business this fall and will stay out all winter playing Mississippi and Florida.
The Ty-Bell Sisters will be with the Sells-Floto Shows again next season, having been re-engaged.
Chas. C. Clark and wife, of the Campbell Brothers Show, will spend the winter in Kansas City.
Billboard, November 14, 1908, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Greater Norris & Rowe Circus will close the present season at Salinas, Cal., Saturday, November 7, and ship at once to its winter quarters at Santa Cruz. Contrary to the usual custom of crossing the entire continent each year, the route the past season has been confined to the West, and but few stands were made east of the Mississippi River. After an engagement of three weeks in the Auditorium, San Francisco, the road tour opened at Santa Cruz, March 18. The route was through California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, British Columbia, Montana, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the extreme Western part of Ontario, Minnesota, North Dakota, returning to Montana and Idaho, then through Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and returning home through Southern California. Four towns in Old Mexico were also visited. During the absence of the show from its winter home the numerous buildings have been newly painted and a new animal house is now under construction. A private railway siding has been built into the grounds for the storage of the train.
The Yankee Robinson Circus will shortly close its season and return to Des Moines to spend the winter. Seven states have been covered, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. The Yankee Robinson Show became a railroad show only this year, having for years been the largest wagon show in the Middle West. It has 118 people on its payroll, carried fifty-two horses, has a special train of fifteen cars, a well stocked menagerie and took in over $200,000 this season. The animals will be quartered at Ingersoll Park for the winter.
Col. W. E. Franklin has accepted the management of the Sells-Floto Show for next season.
Burk's Big Railroad Show closed the 1908 season November 7, at Guthrie, Okla., and the outfit is in winter quarters at Guthrie. The present season extended over a period of thirty-five weeks, and was the twelfth successful one for the Burk Show. The 1909 season will open at Guthrie, March 15. The same staff will have charge of the show: C. E. Beyerle, proprietor; Fred R. Pilcher, manager, and Miles Berry, general agent.
The Silver Family Circus closed its tenth season September 5, making eighteen weeks of banner business. After closing at Crystal, Mich., the family played fair engagements with their band and orchestra. Manager Bert Silver states that next season the show will carry about thirty people, twelve wagons and cars, and play the same route in Michigan.
The entire outfit of the Dawson Brothers' Wild West is now in winter quarters at Connersville, Ind. James Dawson stated that the show will open May 1 at Connersville, and will travel north. He has re-engaged the same people with his this year for next season, but the show's equipemnt will be almost entirely new.
Woody's Combined Shows are now in winter quarters at Afton, I. T., after a season of twenty-three weeks. The show closed at Grove, Okla., after playing through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.
George and Althea O'Dole have just closed a very successful season of twenty-seven weeks with Campbell Brothers Circus, as one of the principal features, and are now at their home in Havana, Ill.
Ketrows' O. K. Show closed its fourth successful season and is now in winter quarters at Anderson, Ind. Manager Wm. Ketrow announces that he has already signed several people for the 1909 season.
Harry L. Scott has closed a successful season with the Gollmar Brothers' Shows, and has returned to the winter quarters at Baraboo, Wis., for the winter.
The Melnotte Trio are at their home in Cumberland, Md., for a few weeks following a successful season with Sells-Floto Shows.
C. J. Sassaira and wife have closed a successful season with the Sells-Floto Show, and are now resting at Glen Campbell, Pa.
Billboard, November 21, 1908, pp. 17, 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
George Hull, showman, died at St. Marys, O., October 25, from heart trouble. Cheveril E. Garner was his name in private life and he was forty-three years of age. He was for sixteen years with Barnum & Bailey, as ticket seller and advance man, and at one time was acting superintendent at the Olympic, London, England. It was then that he met Mary Giles, professionally known as Marie DeWolf, female drum major and heading the Carl Clair Band with Barnum & Bailey Show. They were married later, returning to America, and traveled with different carnival companies. Mr. Garner has been in poor health for several years. Four years ago he fell from a step-ladder and for two years had to walk on crutches on account of a broken ankle. He was born in Azalia, Ind., August 21, 1854. His wife and two brothers, E. E. Garner and Wm. Garner, and a sister, Mrs. Jessie Rodgers of Indianapolis, survive. The funeral services were held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Interment was at Cedar Grove Cemetery, South Bend, Ind., October 28.
Frank A. Robbins closed his season October 17, and is packed away in winter quarters at Jersey City.
R. M. Harvey has signed as general agent of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show for next season.
The biggest one-ring show on the road is Oscar Lowande's Great Bay State Show. This was its first season on the road and it met with nothing but success since its first day of opening on April 27. It is the only one-ring show on the road that gives as many riding acts as a big one, consisting of Oscar Lowande's principal somersault act, finishing with a somersault from the back of one horse to that of another while running at random. Mrs. Mamie Lowande, in lady principal act; Wm. Jameson, in bouding jockey act; two-horse carrying act, followed by a comedy carrying act, using a mechanic, the only act of its kind on the road. Last is the great tally-ho act, using four horses and eight people. Then there are also aerial acts, comedy acrobatic acts, tumbling and wire walking acts, etc.
The show opened the road tour with Power's elephants for six weeks and did turnaway business. Our road tour was then closed at Mr. Lowande signed contracts to show at Paragon Park, Nantasket Beach, Mass., for 12 weeks. From there we went to the New York Hippodrome for 12 weeks more, closing November 28. Mr. Lowande has work for the rest of the winter months, bringing us home about four weeks before time to start out for the 1909 season. Our show will not be any larger than this season. Our top will be a new 80 foot round top with 45 foot middle pieces. We intend staying out for about 24 or 26 weeks, making a long season. The show travels by wagon. The roster: Oscar Lowande, owner and manager; Mrs. Mamie Lowande, treasurer; Wm. Jameson, assistant manager; Mrs. Wm. Jameson, Eddie Simms, Wm. Simms, Leo Fero, Harry Jordan, Harry Carson, Fred Stelling, George Jackson, with six working mena nd three grooms and a nine piece band.
Geo. W. Rollins has closed the season and has secured winter quarters at Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Ga. He has leased his acts and animals for all of the season of 1909 to one of the largest tented organizations en route. Mr. Rollins states that the season just closed was a hard one, but it was a financial success.
Notes from Snyder Brothers Wild West Show. "We have just closed after our banner week at the Calhoun County Fair, Hardin, Ill., making a season of twenty-seven weeks. The show is now stored away in our new winter quarters at Pearl, Ill. We have been playing carnivals and fair dates this season, but during the winter the show will be enlarged and willbe put into shape for one day stands in 1909."
Roster of the advance wagons of Cole and Cooper's Enormous Shows: Chas. Holton, general agent; D. D. LaRue, contracting agent; Matt Benson, press agent; Wm. J. Whitten, boss billposter; Harry Cady, lithographer and banner; Sam Evans, programmer; J. M. Robinson, in charge of bill wagon; Harry Lane, in charge of advance stock; James Smith, Ed White, Joe Black, W. P. Evers, Joe Baker, Skike Savage, billposters. The show will remain out all winter.
Ned Alvord, circus agent, has closed with the Ringling Show, to go in advance of one of Francis Greene's enerprises. When the tenting season opens, Mr. Alvord will, in company with Mr. Green, put out the Green and Alvord Shows Amalgamated. The show will have three cars and play the northwestern territory, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Montana.
Capt. DeVere and Mme. DeVere have closed their second season with the Yankee Robinson Shows, and have been engaged for next year.
Mamie B. DeOesch is back to work again after a week's lay off, due to a fall while doing her aerial act with the Gentry Bros. Show. The accident was caused by the breaking of a rope. The Steiner Trio and Miss DeOesch have had a successful season with the Gentry Show and have been engaged for next season.
Billy L. Rice and Bobby Clark, of the Ringling Show, are in Cincinnati for a few days. Rice goes with an indoor circus this winter, while Clark will play in vaudeville with the Prosit Trio. Both will return to the Ringling Show in the spring.
Zallee Dell has closed a season with the Snyder Greater Shows United, and has joined the Coffree Amusement Co. for the Southern tour. He is presenting his clown juggling act as the free attraction.
Myron MacPherson and family left Baraboo, Wis., last week for Bridgeport, Conn., to spend the winter. Mr. MacPherson will have charge of the decorating of the Barnum & Bailey Show wagons for Ringling Brothers.
Col. W. J. Uden closed his animal attraction at Nashville, Tenn., November 17, and will join the Raydon Indoor Circus at Springfield, Ill., November 24.
The Adam Fetzer Combined Shows are now in the South, doing good business. At Brookland and Harrisburg, Ark., S. R. O. business was recorded.
James Dutton and Company sail for Europe, November 19, returning to American in the spring to open with the Ringling Bros. Circus.
Shorty Maynard, the clown, has signed with the Sells-Floto Shows for the coming season.
Billboard, November 19, 1908, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
H. A. Mann, general agent of the John H. Sparks Shows, passed through Cincinnati after a short visit at his home in Oberlin, O. Mr. Mann reports that the business in the South is satisfactory and that the show will remain out all winter. The Sparks Show opened the season March 18, at Augusta, Ga., with an entire new outfit, including six specially built cars.
Capt. Demitri has closed a season of twenty-seven weeks with the Campbell Brothers Great Consolidated Shows, and is now engaged in booking Capt. Demitri's Troupe of Genuine Russian Singers and Dancers.
Keller Brothers will open their Colossal Circus for the season of 1909 at Funkstown, Md., the latter part of April. The outfit will be new, with a 70 foot round top and 40 foot middle piece. The Hess Mfg. Co., of Hagerstown, Md., have the contract for the building of wagons, etc.
Ben Holmes has closed his Diamond Bar Ranch Wild West Show and has stored the outfit in winter quarters at Evansville, Ind. He has taken out the Ben Holmes Vaudeville Company for the winter season.
King Brothers Texas Wild West Show is still playing to good business, according to manager Jack Kink.
After closing his fifth season as manager of advertising car No. 1, Gollmar Brothers Circus, Wm. H. Delly is again at his old stand in Leavenworth, Kan.
J. Alex Brock closed with the John Robinson's Ten Big Shows, and is now at his home, 1107 Third avenue, Huntington, W. Va.
Wm. Sullivan, of the Frank A. Robbins Shows, is located at Quincy, Mass. for the winter.
Billboard, December 12, 1908, pp. 17, 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Calvin J. Rhoads and Miss Annie L. Herzog were quietly married in Harrisburg, Pa., recently. Mr. Fhoads is billposter at the Majestic Theatre, Harrisburg, and was formerly with Barnum and Bailey, Buffalo Bill and other circuses. Miss Herzog is a retired professional.
Wm. N. Davene, on of the once celebrated French Family Devenes, acrobats and gymnasts, died after a short illness of typhoid pneumonia, at the Protestant Hospital, Norfolk, Va., November 20. Mr. Davene was born in the city of London in 1844 and with his family toured with the leading circuses and performed in the principal theatres of the world. He came to America with his family in 1879 to join the Barnum Show. He leaves a wife and two children. Interment was made in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Norfolk, November 23.
John W. Teets, of the once well known Teets Brothers Shows, died suddenly in Washington, D. C., November 9. He was 36 years of age. Interment took place at Falls Church, Virginia, November 12. He leaves a wife, two sisters and a brother.
Edward Shipp's Great American Circus, or Gran Circo Shipp, as it is known in the Spanish speaking countries in which it travels, will sail from New Orleans on its second annual tour of the tropical countries on December 12. Last winter Mr. Shipp took a big company on an extended tour through Panama, Costa Rica and Jamaica and met with success. This season's trip, which will include about twelve weeks. Roy Feltus, who is business manager, will direct the tour. The United States Government has appointed an amusement committee in the Canal Zone, and they will co-operate with Gran Circo Shipp in its tour of Panama. The opening will be in Colon, C. Z., on December 19, continuing there for five days, after which the company will move by special train for the city of Panama, opening there on Christmas day. The business staff of the show includes Shipp and Gibbs, owners; Edward Shipp, manager; T. C. Gibbs, treasurer, and Roy Feltus, business manager.
Hans Wagner, of Carnegie, Pa., a member of the Pittsburg National League Baseball Club, will, with several of his brothers, put out a circus next season, to be known as Wagner Brothers' Circus. Mr. Wagner has the backing of a Pittsburg capitalist and the firm was incorporated at Jersey City, N. J., last week, with a capital stock of $100,000. It is to be a railroad show and will leave Carnegie early in May for a tour of the Central States.
The Rippel New Shows are still on the road doing a good business. We closed the tenting season on November 28 at Wolford and are now playing opera houses under the name of Rippel's New Indoor Circus. The roster of the circus: C. A. Rippel, owner and manager; Mrs. Gertie Rippel, Queen of the wire; Master Lewis W. Smith, traps and clown; Roscoe Clawson, cyclist and clown; Johnny Fant, the clown with the glue; Master C. A. Rippel Jr., rings and contortions and black-face; Scott Ruth, perch, traps and clown; and Lewis Kramer, leader of the clown band. Thomas Thacker has the dummy department. Members of the "Rippelonian" Clown Band: Lewis Kramer, Johnny Fant, James Dale, C. A. Rippel Jr., Scott Ruth, Roscoe Clawson and Lewis Smith.
Notes from Ed. P. Barlow's Wagon Show: "We opened April 29 and the wheels are still rolling in Mississippi. Business during our recent tour through Arkansas was good. We gave our first show in Mississippi on November 26, and it seems as though we will spend the entire winter on the road. Frank Decker, who has been unable to work for the past year and a half, is well again and joined the show. Nenon Deal has also joined for the winter."
The complete and correct roster of the advance of the Cole and Cooper's Enormous Shows: D. D. LaRue, agent, contracting and press, and in charge of advance; James Robinson, in charge of bill wagon and paper; Wm. Whitton, Harry Cady, Fred Kettler and E. R. Sims, billposters. D. D. LaRue, the agent, joined at Saluda, N. C., September 3, and has done all contracting and press work since that date.
E. G. Smith has sold the entire outfit of Smith's Colossal Shows and Trained Animal Exposition, except the name and title, to various parties, and has permanently retired from active circus life after a career under the white tops extending over a period of 23 years. He is now located at Atwater, O., devoting his time to his business interests there.
A pleasant event in the Buckskin Ben's Wild West Show occurred on Thanksgiving day, when Mrs. Benj. Stalker, professionally known as Mrs. Buckskin Ben, celebrated her forty-seventh birthday.
Guy Weadick and wife, Florence LaDue, closed a thirty-one weeks' engagement with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show at Shreveport, La., November 14, and opened at the Palace Theatre, Shreveport, November 23, doing their fancy and trick lassoing and rope spinning act.
The Great Van Amburg and Howe's Great London Shows United will close their season at Cochran, Ga., December 1, after a season of thirty-seven and a half weeks. The shows will winter in Atlanta, Ga.
J. H. Boyer's Famous Shows have been doing good business in the South. The show will play along the coast during the winter months, starting North about March 15, and reaching St. Louis about May 1, where they will inaugurate their summer tour. The roster of the show: J. H. Boyer, owner; Floyd Trover, manager; Max Boyer, treasurer; Prof. Ring, bandmaster; Ben Glavin, piano and calliope; Ike Williams, in charge of top; Pete Shellborn, Frank Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Orr, Guy Snifer, Chas. Livingston, Louis Morefield, Al Ott, Elsie Andonette, Cal Davenport, Z. Goza, Pete Kennedy, Sam Shellborn, S. E. Trover and V. M. Austin.
The Rhoda Royal Two-Ring Circus, Hippodrome and Wild West Shows concluded a week's engagement at the Memphis (Tenn.) Auditorium, November 28.
Harry J. Piel has just closed a season of thirty-one weeks with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show as ticket seller in charge of reserved seats.
The Cole and Cooper Shows will close their season on Christmas day, after a season of forty-one weeks. The winter quarters will be at Thomasville, Ga.
Billboard, December 19, 1908, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The creditors of the Norris & Rowe Show filed a petition in bankruptcy, December 1, asking that the firm of Clarence I. Norris and Hutton S. Rowe, be declared bankrupts. The petition states that on November 27, H. S. Rowe, in writing, acknowledged the inability of the firm to pay its debts and its willingness to adjuged a bankrupt. The total amount of liabilities will exceed $50,000. The show is now in winter quarters at Santa Cruz, Cal.
Adam Norris and Harry P. Moore ahve consolicatd their interests and announce that next season they will opne in St. Louis with the greatest one-ring show on earth. They will carry ten cars.
Prof. A. L. Salvail, noted card manipulator and side show manager for the Yankee Robinson Shows, entertained friends and newspaper men at the home of his parents in Nashua, N. H., December 6. Prof. Salvail has signed a contract to appear on one of the vaudeville circuits in the East. He will return to the Yankee Robinson Shows next season.
Jack W. King, manager of King Brothers Texas Wild West reports success during its recent three weeks' engagement at Jacksonville, Fla. Miss Pearl King, cowgirl, who has been in the hospital for five weeks as a result of injuries sustained while attempting to ride a bad broncho horse, will join the show in the near future. The King aggregation will remain out all winter.
Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Wheeler and Frank Wheeler were en route to their home in Caldwell, O., from Cochran, Ga., where they closed their season with the Van Amburg Shows. Mr. Wheeler will be with the show as band master again next season, his eighth successive year with the Van Amburg organization.
Geo. W. Rollins leased his animals for the winter and states that he will spend most of his time buying property and arranging for an eight car circus in company with a well-known circus manager.
Heber Brothers are now improving their tent show for next season, which will mark the twenty-sixth annual tour of the Heber Brothers Shows.
Carl E. Neel, band leader with the Jas. Shelby Shows, was thrown from the band wagon recently and suffered two broken legs. He is in Colla, Miss., in serious condition.
W. C. St. Clair, special agent with the Barnum & Bailey Shows, has been re-engaged by the Ringing Brothers for next season.
Mrs. Etta Orton, with the John Robinson Ten Big Shows this season, is ill at her home in Lockland, O.
Frank X. Mack, slack wire artist and juggler, has just closed a season with the Adam Fetzer Shows.
The following Associated Press dispatch was sent out from Oklahoma City, Okla., last week: John W. Gates and associates, consisting of prominent Eastern capitalists, have bought the famous "101 Ranch," in the Osage Nation, Bliss, Okla., including the mammoth Wild West show property. The company intends to organize each circus, representing an investment of over $2,000. The deal carries with it thousands of acres of land near Bliss, which will be transferred to the purchasers. It is understood that the winter quarters of the show will not be moved. A telegram to H. H. Tammen, one of the proprietors of the Sells-Floto Shwo, querying the report that the Sells-Flotos Show, Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show, and others would from a combination in opposition to the Ringlign Brothers and Barnum and Bailey show, was answered as follows: Editor The Billboard. Cincinnati, O. My understanding that my partner, F. G. Bonfils and Franklin are now discussing arrangements as dispatches print with a chance for consummation with the intention of making a circus war as the Sells-Floto Circus, will do of its own accord. H. H. Tammen.
The executive staff of Cole Bros. Shows were called together by manager M. J. Downs, in the show's general offices, at Erie, Pa., last week. Among those present were manager M. J. Downs, general agent Ed C. Knupp, legal advisor Harry C. Potter, claim adjuster Harry Allen, superintendent James Downs, general press representative John D. Carey, superintendent of quarters Goodell, press representative William Mitchell, superintendent of privileges Albert Tobin, general representative William Forbes, special representative Edward Stephens, and agents Waters, Martin, Willis, Kurtz and Burgard. Plans for the coming season were discussed and a general plan of campaign formulated. Superintendent James Downs, who has just returned from a foreign commission, did so with contracts closed with every feature for which he went abroad. The plans for enlarging the winter quarters were submitted by architect Dowling, and accepted by manager Dowsn. Work has already commenced on the new buildings. . . .
Foster Burns will have the No. 1 car with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, and Alton Osborn the second car.
Billboard, December 26, 1908, pp. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Al. F. Wheeler has sold his old winter quarters at Schenectady, N. Y., and established a permanent winter home for the New Model Shows at Oxford, Pa. Capt. H. Snider in charge of the winter quarters. Capt. Snider has been engaged for 1909 season.
Great Lugar Shows and Wild West Combined. Prof. Harry Sack's mounted band of fourteen pieces has been engaged. "Oregon Red" and Francis Oakley will be seen in fancy riding and shooting act. Andrew Kenzig Jr. will be one of the "Joeys." Sid DeClairville has signed to do his new act. A big troupe of Japs and a number of other riders and performers have been engaged. The shows will open early in April in the Southern states.
The Cliffords, sword swallowers, have been engaged with the Gollmar Brothers Circus for season of 1909, their third year with that show.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Lowande and their four month old son, Virgil Kay Lowande, will spend the winter in Panama.
Robert Jamison died at his home in Nobelsville, Ind., December 18, from sciatic rheumatism, aged 29 years. He was formerly with the Great Wallace, the Forepaugh-Sells Shows, and had been with the Ringling Brothers for the past three years. He leaves a father, mother, three brothers and four sisters to mourn his death.
1909
Billboard, January 2, 1909, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The failure of the Norris & Rowe Circus was announced last week, when an application was made to declare the firm an involuntary bankrupt. Norris & Rowe filed a schedule tody showing liabilities of $57,873, of which $5,555 is for wages, $29,987 secured debts and the balance unsecured. The assets are as follows: two advertising cars, $4,000; three sleepers, $6,500; one elephant car, $800; four stock cars, $3,300; three tableau band wagons, $1,800; one steam calliope, $1,000; twelve animal cages, $2,400; forty-one baggage horses, $4,100; thirty-two Shetland ponies, $3,200; three Shetland colts, $150; wardrobe, including band uniforms, tournament and entire [entree?] costumes, trappings for elephants, camels, etc., $1,000; four elephants, $6,000; four lions, $1,500; one lioness, $500; pair tigers, $1,500; eight camels, $2,600; ten performing dogs, $500; and one trick mule, $50. The entire circus is valued at $60,725. The principal creditors are R. A. Shannon, $10,000; Donaldson Lithograph Co., $19,978; McStay Supply Co., $2,000; McDonald Family, $1,065; Shrade Brothers, $1,635. The entire outfit will be sold at auction by Referee Green, of the Bankruptcy Court.
Sun Brothers Show finished its season at Chauncey, Ga., Monday, December 21. We had two nice weeks in Florida. Tampa, Ocala, St. Augustine and Jacksonville accorded the show good business and the minor towns were also satisfactory. During the season just finished the show traversed Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio and Florida. The mileage was 10,560. The show is now at Central City Park, Macon, Ga., all placed away for the winter layoff. The following people that were with the 1908 troupe will again be with the show next season: Francis J. Boyle and Company, the Avalon Troupe, William Connors, William O'Dale, equestrian and rider; Nate Goetz, Elmer Lazone, Miss Clo Wenzell, Miss Josie Brown, Fred Kenno and Joe McAllister. Some of the newcomers will include the Walter Guice Troupe of aerialists and triple bar performers; Miss Bedini, principal equestrienne; the De Macos, European ring performers, and Otto and Jessie Weaver. Charles Gerlach will again be the big show bandmaster, and D. H. Gillispie will also again guide the anne shows and the privileges.
Rhoda Royal's Circus Hippodrome was such a success at the Coliseum, St. Louis, the week of December 14, that the Shriners booked the show for a second week. A big feature during the second week was Dare Devile Ruel in his looping the loop without a loop.
Jas. J. Brown, legal adjuster with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show the past season, leaves January 1 for California, where he will be interested in the show business. He states that he will not be with the white tops during the season of 1909.
Geo. (Fatty) Pringle, with the John Robinson Shows this season, will shortly open a moving picture and vaudeville theatre at Frankfort, Ky.
The Original She, dancer, is at the Empire Theatre, Springfield, Ill., after a season with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, with which organization she has been engaged for 1909.
Chas. H. Tinney, bandmaster with Cole Brothers Show, is at his home in Memphis, Mo.
Clarence Erickson, treasurer of Cole & Cooper's Shows, is enroute to his home in Warren, Pa.
Billboard, January 9, 1909, pp. 13, 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Carl E. Grigsby, late of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and Miss Sarah D. Conklin, were united in marriage at Niagara Falls, N. Y., November 22.
Fred Castello, of the Castello Family of riders, and Miss Bessie Bell Gregroy, of the Gregory Family of acrobats, were united in marriage at Detroit, Mich., December 22.
King's Texas Wild West Show notes. Fifty-six weeks for ours this season. At present playing Florida. We have five very bad bucking horses and twenty-five head of fine horses. The front or main entrance is six painted banners 10 1/2 by 18 feet each. We claim to be the original for our front with Mart "Kid" McCormack as "talker" and business manager, and a band of Sioux Indians headed by Old Chief Oglogifire. - Jack W. King.
J. H. Boyer Shows. The show is meeting will success all through Florida. Our No. 2 show goes out from St. Louis April 15. Joe Becker will have charge of the advance, and Jack Walker will have the best equipped show of the kind on the road. It will tour the Northwest. No. 1 will tour the West. We are on our fifth year and never missed a salary day.
Buckskin Bill and his family left December 24 for their home at Cambridge City, Ind., where the show will be overhauled. The show will be enlarged and will no doubt put in the summer playing parks exclusively. George Litt, manager for Buckskin Ben, spent the holidays with his family at Dayton, O. Frank S. Reed, assistant manager and press representative, will stay in Orangeburg, S. C. and manage the new Electric Theatre.
W. F. Mardell, veteran circus man, with Barnum and others for over forty years, died at his home in Memphis, Tenn., December 28.
The Rhodus-Whiteley Shows are wintering this year close to Bethany, Mo., on a large farm owned by Mr. Whiteley. Mr. Whitely is preparing a new act this season to be called The Tableau of all Nations, which will be used to open the performance. The management will follow the policy of last season by carrying two circus acts in addition to the regular dog and pony show.
The Great Wagner Show has closed its season and is in winter quarters at Milwaukee. This show was formerly owned by the Wagner Brothers, and was purchased two seasons ago by Jolly Jenaro, the clown, who is now sole owner and manager of the show. Mr. Jenaro has in the past been connected with the leading circuses for fifteen years, and has been successful with his own show. They will cover the same territory next season, playing through Wisconsin and Illinois.
According to reports from Mexico City, Mex., the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show was enthusiastically received in that country. The show played a two weeks' engagement there, December 12 to 26.
Capt. Snyder, who has charge of the menagerie of the Al. F. Wheeler's Shows at the winter quarters in Oxford, Pa., is training two bears to ride horseback. Capt. Snyder is also breaking in several animal acts which will be seen with the Wheeler Show next season.
Dispatches this week note that Mollie Hildman, who for fifty years up to 1880 appeared over this country and Europe as one of the foremost female circus performers, died at Greenfield, Pa. It may be of some interest to the profession to know that the woman died in the poor house.
Geo. Kugler, for three seasons with Ringling Brothers' advertising car No. 1, has accepted the position of stage manager at the Appleton Theatre, Appleton, Wis. Joe Kugler, also of the Ringling Show, is property man at the same house.
Jas. Adams' two shows, No. 1 and 2, went into winter quarters at Charlotte, N. C., November 23. Mr. Adams has retained his entire working staff during the winter months and preparations are under way for rebuilding the outfit for the coming season.
The Cole and Cooper Show closed a successful season of thirty-five weeks on December 22, and is now in winter quarters in Hope, Ark.
Fred Salmon, clown and musical comedian, closed with the Cole and Cooper Shows, and has joined the King and Tucker's Big City Shows.
Thos. Allen, formerly with the Great Wallace and the Forepaugh and Sells Shows, is now business manager of Culhane's Comedians.
The Valentinos have returned to their home in Cincinnati after a successful season with the John H. Sparks Shows.
Bert Kenney has been engaged as arenic director of the Diamond Bar Ranch Wild West Show for the season of 1909.
Prof. Wurster and Sons are fitting up a small dog and pony show at their winter quarters in Philadelphia, Pa.
George Wormald, boss canvasman, has signed with Gollmar Brothers Circus for next season.
Billboard, January 16, 1909, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
John Robinson Ten Big Shows. The show will go out as usual, and the staff will remain practically the same: James F. Robinson, treasurer; Ed Cullen, assistant manager; Fred Fisher, equestrian manager; Jack Warren, general press agent; Will Davis, superintendent of dining service; John Kingston, superintendent of trainers; George S. Cole, special representative, and George Fisher, 24-hour man. Bill Davis was perfectly happy until his wife signed up with the Rhoda Royal Indoor Circus and left for St. Louis, where she made a big hit and left poor Bill alone. Denny Lynch was our contracting agent last season, but next season has signed up with Sells-Floto Shows. . . .
Cole Brothers Show have had added 2,860 feet of new siding to their car trackage. This does not include the spur built so as to give them direct access to both the Lake Shore and Nickel Plate main lines. The clerical force is now established in the new suite of offices in the City of Erie. It was necessary to establish offices in Erie on account of the improvements being made in the winter quarters at Harbour Creek, eight miles distant. The trolley line makes half-hour trips between Erie and Harbour Creek. Manager M. J. Downs purchased a speedy automobile and it is in constant use between the office and quarters. In the new offices the heads of the various departments have their private rooms, all connected by electric call bells and telephone with the office of manager Downs. Joe Berris, equestrian director, and William Rolland are perfecting twelve menage horses for a feature menage act.
The Findlay, O., Morning Republican for Jan. 4, printed the following: Negotiations are practically closed whereby Al Chanel and his son, Edward, have leased the Sun Bros. Circus now in winter quarters at Macon, Georgia. All that remains to be done is signing the contracts. The Findlay men will control the circus under its present name. Mr. Chanel and his son will start in the circuit early in the Spring, using the present name of the circus. A brother of the circus owners is at the head of the Gus Sun Vaudeville circuit. Both Mr. Chanel and his son have had wide experience with amusement institutions. The former was a circus man the greater part of his early life, having been among the most highly salaried acrobats on the road at that time. Besides being a performer, he was at different times connected with business ends of circus. He started out in 1871, with G. G. Hardy, of McCutchensville, but remained with him only one year. Other circuses with which Mr. Chanel was connected were J. E. Warner & Company, John Robinson, the Great Australian Circus Company and Montgomery & Green. Mr. Chanel's son, Edward, has been principally identified with theatrical concerns. The Sun Bros. Circus carries sixteen cars and the present lessees expect to add to this. The new lessees have obtained Joe Thompson who will be the twenty-four hour man. Lew Whitmore will have charge of the advance car. They expect to operate principally in the South and also West of the Mississippi river in the territories where recent settlements have been marked with prosperity.
Molly Hillman, for fifty years up to 1880 appeared all over this country and Europe as one of the foremost circus performers, died December 22 in the poor house at Greenfield, Pa. She was ninety-two years old. In her day she was one of the most famous equestriennes, being a star in the Barnum and Forepaugh circuses. She was married four times, each husband met a violent death. She was the daughter of William Cook, a blacksmith of Newark, N. J., and her mother was a great-granddaughter of a chief of the Oneida tribe of Indians.
W. F. Mardell is dead; Sunday, December 27, 1908, at Memphis, Tenn. W. F. Mardell was closely associated with every phase of development and rose from a humble position to that of advance agent for the Ringling Brothers Shows. His wife, Millie Annette, at one time one of the greatest bareback riders, and one son, Gordon, survive him. At the time of his death he was representative of the Metropolitan Shows. The remains were buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis.
[Advertisement] For sale, Riggs Wild West Shows. Neatest two car outfit on the road. Two cars 65 ft. each, horses, canvas, seats, guns, saddles, costumes, wagons, complete from end to end. Sell at a bargain; separate or together. C. W. Riggs, St. Louis, Mo.
The following performers have just signed with the New Bartine Shows for the season of 1909: Rollman Sisters, Pearl and Mae, aerialists and contortionists; Aerial Stones, Wm. A. Reno and Begar and family of five people. The Bartine Shows will be enlarged by the addition of five more baggage wagons and a new eight passenger carry-us-all.
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Wright closed a season of forty-two weeks with the Cole and Cooper Shows at Thomasville, Ga., December 23, and opened at the Idle Hour Theatre, Atlanta, Ga.
The Greater Baltimore Hippodrome, built and equipped for circus, wild west, trained animal shows, carnivals and similar exhibitions, will be opened for the season about January 10. The Hippodrome is owned by J. E. Kirby and managed by Col. M. H. Welsh.
Fred Schone has closed his season with Cole and Cooper's Shows, and has joined hands with his old partner, Earl Derrill, and together will play vaudeville for the winter.
Zanton Brothers, ring gymnasts and hand balancers, late of Van Amburg Shows, have signed with the Gollmar Brothers Shows for the season of 1909.
James S. Brooks, wire performer, who has been connected with J. Augustus Jones' enterprises for the past nine years, is taking a rest at the home of his mother in Mt. Orab, O.
Ruel and Tossell with their Loop the Loop without a loop, is one of the features with the Rhoda Royal Indoor Circus.
Honest Bill's Show is organizing at Quenemo, Kan., for a tour next season. The show will be managed by Wm. Newton Jr.
The Great DeCleo, aerial gymnast and baton spinner, has signed for the coming season with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows.
Harry Maxey has signed with Gollmar Brothers Shows for the coming season as a feature in the annex.
Billboard, January 30, 1909, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The regular monthly meeting of the directors and managers of the Hans Wagner & Bros. Circus and Congress of Athletes (Incorporated) was held at their offices January 21. [Hans Wagner] stated that his many business enterprises were of so exacting character that he could not give his time and attention to the presidency of this organization and with regrest was forced to hand in his resignation. [unreadable text] General agent J. H. DeWolff reported that the first automobile or truck of the publicity department would arrive in Carnegie on or about February 1 and that work on all the remaining motor trucks for the transportation of this aggregation was fast assuming a practical shape. Specifications are now being drawn up for ten motor trucks and eight trailers, the work in the hands of the Oscar Lear Automobile Company of Springfield, O.
Rhodus-Whiteley notes. Everything around the winter quarters of the Rhodus-Whiteley Shows, at Bethany, Mo., is going along speedily and systematically. Prof. Whiteley is conducting the training of new acts for next season; general agent Omer J. Kenyon is making plans for next season's route; carpenters and painters are getting wagons, chariots, etc., ready. Mr. Whiteley attended the auction of the Coulter and Clark Show, buying some wagons for use next season. The organization of the advance and opposition brigade will be under the direction of Mr. Kenyon. The executive staff of the show will remain practially the same. The reports recently circulated that Rhodus-Whiteley would dissolve partnership are without foundation. The Flying Hawk, engaged again for next season, is in town. - Arthur R. Cunningham.
George Jennier, who had both ankles broken in the blowdown with the John Robinson Shows last fall, while doing his act in Columbia, Ala., was discharged from St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., December 1. Mr. Jennier states that he has been doing as well as can be expecterd. He arrived in Cincinnati January 23, and will remain here the rest of the winter. Lugar Show notes. E. O. Ferguson has signed as general agent of the Great Lugar Shows and Wild West Combined for the season of 1909. The Two LaFayettes and the Okomo Troupe will also be with the Lugar Shows this season. The show's red wagons are all in shape for the road tour, and the coming season will see the Lugar Shows a real wagon show.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Welsh entertained a number of friends at their home, 703 N. 8th street, Philadelphia, January 13. Among those present were Michael Welsh, George Welsh, Will M. Tait, Clinton Newton and John Jacobs. John Welsh announced plans for his circus, which will tour the country this season. Clinton Newton will be director general. A fine collection of animal acts will be on the program.
G. H. Garrett, one of the proprietors of a new railroad show to be operated out of St. Louis this season, states that the nw show will have equipment second to none on the road. They had intended to call the show Norris & Rowe, but since the old title Norris & Rowe will be in use, they have decided to adopt another name. They announce that they will not tolerate graft, stating that if they cannot live without that side issue, that they will be satisfied with the first season.
Thomas ("Dutch") During has closed with the 101 Ranch Wild West and is back again with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show. He is now at the winter quarters, Peru, Ind., getting his train ready for the coming season.
H. D. Dunlop, for the past two years with the Buffalo Bill Wild West, has signed with J. T. Manley, manager of the Sells-Floto side show, to sell tickets and make second openings and concert announcements.
T. A. Smith, of Beaver Falls, Pa., has accepted an offer from the Buffalo Bill Wild West and Pawnee Bill Far East Combines, to act as superintendent of stock during the season of 1909.
Wm. H. Delly has been re-engaged for the coming season to manage advertising car No. 1 of the Gollmar Bros. Circus.
Col. Adam Gillespie is re-engaged for the coming season as assistant manager with Al. F. Wheeler's Shows, his fifth consecutive season in this capacity with the New Model.
A. B. Bennett, for several seasons with the Wallace Shows, has signed a five year contract with the new management of a park at Vincennes, Ind.
W. F. Melrose, rider, who has been with Barnum & Bailey for several seasons, will go out with the Sells-Floto Shows the coming season.
Archie Dunlap, boss animal man with Cole Brothers Show, has returned to the winter quarters of the show at Harbour Creek, Pa. Peter H. Alvin, society gymnast, has signed with Cole Brothers Circus for the coming season to do his combination aerial act.
Harry J. Feltus, of Bloomington, Ind., a brother of Roy Feltus, has signed to go with the Gentry Show with Mr. Newman.
Billboard, February 6, 1909, pp. 17, 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Frank A. Robbins notes. The 29th annual tour of the Frank A. Robbins Shows will revive some features that have proved popular in the past, also inaugurate some new one. Special attention will be given to the aviary, aquarium and museum departments. The three last named will be shown in a spearate tent from the menagerie, but no extra charge will be made. The circus will be given in a four center pole tent; two rings and a stage will be used. The menagerie tent will also be a four center pole one. The menagerie has been augmented by the purchase of a pair of forest-bred Barbara lions, a hugh royal Bengal tiger, three African leopards, a herd of performing elephants and the largest camel and dromediary ever in this country. The aviary, aquarium and museum will also occupy a four center pole tent. In the aquarium department, in addition to the sea lions, seals, sea anemones and corals, will be exhibited a new novel aquatic act by a lady and a sub-marien [sic] diving exhibit without a parallel. The feature of the museum is the largest and most complete collection of burglars' tools ever exhibited, as well as curios, etc., hundreds in number. At the winter quarters there is being built a large telescope cage that will be filled with all kinds of beautifully colored birds. This will be a feature, as well as a cage of cassowary, a pair of emus, and an ostrich and a pair of rhea. The water fowl will be shown in a fountain in the center of the tent. A competent lecturer will have charge of this department. The aviary, aquarium and museum was one of the drawing cards at the American Institute, New York City, where the Frank A. Robbins Shows played a longer engagement than any other circus has ever done before or since.
Chas. E. Whitney and Miss "Bess" Dooley were married at Rulo, Neb., January 19. Mr. Whitney is well known among circus people, having been connected with Campbell Brothers Show as treasurer for seven years, and is at present manager of his own show, The Clifton Remedy Company. Miss Dooley is a vaudeville performer.
The White and Edson All-Professional Winter Circus has completed all arrangements and will play the following dates: Saginaw, Mich., February 7-13; Detroit, Mich., February 14-21; Toledo, O., February 22-28; Port Huron, Mich., March 1-7. It has the following artists: Prof. Chas. Carlos and his troupe of trained dogs and ponies; the McCree-Davenport troupe of bareback riders, introducing Reno McCree, Miss Lulu Davenport and Miss Nettie Greer, in their acts of horsemanship, and their dog, "Shep"; the Douglas Troupe of English acrobats, in their Roman ladder act; Miss Florence Harris and Col. D. H. Harris, in a double high-school menage act, introducing Chief Geronimo and Sun Flower, in their automatic pedestal act; the Alpine Family of parallel wire walkers, five in number; the Raschetta Trio of equilibrists, head balancers and barrel jumpers; Maude Burbank and her horse, Dynamite; the Millettes, the Two Franks, the Two Stanleys, Sawyer and DeLinas, and the following clowns: Lon Moore, Billy Rice, James Spriggs, H. Stantz, Harry Clark and Albert Powell.
The executive staff: White and Edson, sole proprietors and owners; John S. White, general director; Chas. M. Edson, secretary and treasurer; James E. Kirby, general agent; Bert Carroll, manager; Chas. S. Pohly, press representative; W. H. Wingert, leader of band and orchestra; D. Jarvis, master mechanic; John Doyle, master of properties; Albert Powell, master of wardrobe, and Wm. Burke, in charge of stock.
Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West is in winter quarters not far distant from ranch headquarters, ten miles from Ponca City, Oklahoma. Edward Arlington, associate owner, is at his home in Brooklyn, New York, planning his advance and publicity campaign. Messrs. Joseph C. and Zach T. Miler are bending every effort to make the coming season a record breaking one. Fred Beckman, general agent, is spending the winter with the Millers in an advisory capacity. The 101 Ranch Wild West Show will remain a real product of the western prairie, without recourse to vaudeville, circus or theatrics. Zach T. Miller will be an individual arenic star. He has reached a state of proficiency in marksmanship, after months of practice. Mabel Miller whose horsemanship will also likely be a conspicuous performer. Ed Lacey, boss canvasman, is ensconced in a cozy cottage with several of his assistants, superintending the improvements on cars, wagons and other paraphernalia. Al Riel, manager of car No. 2, is a member of the winter coterie. Max Butler has opened a restaurant in the neighboring town of Ponca City. The Millers have given employment among their herds of cattle to nearly all the cowboys who spent the summer with the show. Dan Dix, Jimmy Kinney, Frank Mash and Geo. Sunders bled themselves away to a dug-out on the Bar L Division of the 101 Ranch and are making a profitable venture of hunting wildcats, coons and coyotes, whose skins are valuable. Vester Pegg and half a dozen comrades are breaking wild horses which run the Millers' range, for service with the show. Among the cowgirls who are keeping "bachelor" homes in the 101 Ranch cottages are Dollie Roberts, Dot Vernon, Julia Allen and Miss Goodrich. Under Zach Miller's tuition they are becoming veritable magicians with the lariat and are learning tricks a-horse. The show will begin its regular season in Ponca City on Saturday, April 17th.
Messrs. Frank Tammen, brother of H. H. Tammen, of the Denver Post, and De Witt C. Webber, attorney of Denver, have secured a long lease of the Majestic Theatre, Colorado Springs. Frank Tammen has been manager of the Sells-Floto Shows for the past seven seasons and Mr. Webber has been general counsel and traffic manager for the same period. Several former Sells-Floto men have positions in the theatre. Harry Moore, last season treasurer, has the same position at the Majestic; Chas. Brady, last season boss property man, is stage manager, and Thos. J. Myers, last season special story writer and auditor, has charge of the publicity department.
The Norris and Moore Shows have combined with Rice, and the show will be known next summer as the Rice Brothers Shows. The headquarters of the show at St. Louis is a busy place, as most of the acts are now in rehearsal.
Through the efforst of Walter L. Main, Joe Cole, charged with shooting with intent to wound, was acquitted at his trial in Cleveland, O., January 21, after the jury had deliberated but forty minutes. Cole immediately went to Geneva, O., where the winter quarters of the Main Show is located, and assumed his duties.
Walter Murphy, contracting agent of many years' experience, has signed with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows for the coming season. Mr. Harvey has secured two contractors, the other being Harry Overton, of Findlay, O., where he is presently manager of the Majestic Theatre.
Gus Craft, last season with the Barnum and Bailey Shows, doing his comedy mule riding act, will be with the same show again this season.
J. H. Garry, representing Norris & Moore Shows, has secured from Ringling Bros. surplus stock at Bridgeport, Conn., comprising three seventy foot flat cars and fifteen baggage and parade wagons, which left of destination January 25.
E. J. Kelly, formerly with the Cole Brothers Shows, will manage the side show with the Howe's Great London Shows the coming season. His wife, Madam Amoza, will join him in a sword swallowing act and other features.
Chas. (Red) Carroll writes that Shipp's Winter Circus has closed its season at Gargona, Canal Zone, and will open at San Juan, Porto Rico, February 1.
The Maginleys, Eddie and Lotta, aerialists, are engaged for the coming season with Al. F. Wheeler's New Model Shows.
C. J. Sassaria, the funny old clown, has been engaged by John G. Robinson for the Ten Big Shows for 1909.
John Talbot, of Denver, denies the report that he is to be connected with the Sells-Floto Show next season.
Billboard, February 20, 1909, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Sun Brothers Shows. The 1909 executive staff will include George and Pete Sun, managing directors; Pete Sun, general agent; Peter Klotz, railroad contractor; C. S. Clarke, local contractor; Clinton Newton, press agent; Bert Moore, again in charge of paper on No. 1 advance car, which will carry twelve men, with M. E. Hidebrand as chef. The big show program will consist in part of Wm. O'Dale, Miss Bedini and Eileen Sun, a trio of equestric stars; Walton Brothers, five acrobats; Frances J. Boyle and Company, hoop and club jugglers, four people; the Walter Guice Troupe of four, aerial bar act; Three Cevenes, triple wire act; the Two Demacos, butterfly iron jaw act; the Two Weavers, aerialists; the Wenzel Sisters, aerialists; June Smith and wife, menage riders; Wm. Connors, bounding wire; Nat Goetz, physical culture; J. H. Daplin, magician; Fred Kenno, principal clown with ten assistants includeing Billy Reid, Wm. Grant, Joe McAllister, M. Darnell, Sam Morris, John Park and Connie Boyle. D. H. Gillispie will have charge of our annex or family theatre. Prof. Chas. Gerlach will be bandmaster with sixteen men, including John Shelly, W. S. Yates, Thomas Finley, J. J. Blank, J. C. Longnecker, G. W. Muller, L. F. White, C. E. Tuttle, Wm. J. Hastings and others. Among the heads of departments: J. C. Cherry, master mechanic; Ernie A. Houghton, boss hostler; T. S. Tucker, boss canvasman; Wm. Randolph, forage agent; Arthur Webber, chandelier man; John Reynolds, side show canvas; Thomas Farley, front door man; B. L. Neel, harness maker; Chas. Harberle, boss blacksmith with two assistants; Frank J. Shea, assistant to chandelier man; Jack Benson, boss of stake and chain gang.
Roster, Shipp's American Circus: Shipp and Gibbs, owners; Edward Shipp, manager; T. C. Gibbs, treasurer; Roy Feltus, business manager; Harry McGowan, bandmaster with ten musicians; Chas. (Red) Carroll, boss canvasman with twelve men; Alfred Hurst, in charge of lights; George Tuck, boss hostler. The following performers are with the company: Edward Shipp, equestrian director; Miss Julia Lowande, principal and double jockey act; Martino Lowande, Spanish ring master and double jockey; Cecil Lowande, principal and Indian hurdle act; the Jardys, equilibrists, hand-to-hand balancing and Japanese perch; Alex Lowande, bounding rope and comedy mule riding; Miss Carrie Kemp, rolling globe; Hines-Kimball troupe of acrobats; Kimball Sisters, double trapeze; Guy Hines and Mamie Kimball, wire; John and Guy Hines, balancing break-away ladder; Gus Legert, hand balancing and Spanish rings; Dan Ducrow and Jack ___, Spanish and English clowns.
Notes from Al. G. Barnes Show. The winter quarters at Portland, Ore., presents a lively scene. April 17 will find us on the road. The program will consist of fourteen trained wild animal acts and twelve acts by artists of ability, a total of twenty-six numbers on the bill. The tent will be a 100 foot round top with three forty foot middles; a fifty foot with one thirty middle for the side show; a thirty by sixty foot cook house; a thirty by eighty foot horse tent, and a forty foot round top dressing tent. There will be two platform shows, one uptown and one on the lot, both built on wagons and require but twenty minutes to prepare for business. A steel portable arena will occupy the space between the two center poles, and two thirty-six foot curb rings respectively on each side. Proprietor and Mrs. A. G. Barnes are busy looking after details at quarters, and manager Jas. A. Morrow is away on business.
Reports from the winter quarters of the Howard Damon Show are to the effect that manager Howard Damon is yet undecided whether the Damon Circus will open in Geneva April 24, or ship South and open Saturday, April 17. This aggregation will use 18 cars with the show and two in advance. There will be no parade given, but two big, free exhibitions, one for afternoon and one for evening. The property Mr. Damon has acquired is as new as any in the business and it will be known as the Gilt Edge Show of America. As it has only been recently decided to tak this outfit on the road, there are not many people engaged at present. However, Joe Cole will be boss hostler and Jim Wilson wil have charge of the trappings and dressing room. They are now in winter quarters at Geneva. Al Pancost, having had charge of the winter quarters at Geneva for the last eight years, will probably take charge of the train, as Pancost has had previous railroad experience.
One-half interest in the Louden & Tuttle Olympic Show has been purchased by E. Warren and it will be known as the Louden & Warren Combined Shows. Mr. Warren has had considerable experience in the show business. The show is being enlarged to 12 wagons.
H. S. Rowe is now sole owner of the Norris & Rowe Show, which was sold at auction at the winter quarters, Santa Cruz, Cal. January 30. The show will continue under the old firm name.
The Two Lafayettes closed with the Empire Indoor Circus at Little Rock, Ark. They will be with the Great Lugar Shows during the tenting season.
The following people have signed with the Great Reed Shows: Robert M. Pierce, equestrian director and clown; Edgar Day, aerialist; Tom Nelson, contortionist; Jack Lafearl [sic LaPearl?], clown, and J. Milton Robinson, general agent.
Fred A. Morgan, who has been with the Wallace and Ringling Shows for the past nine seasons as local contracting agent, will be with the Gollmar Brothers this season as assistant traffic manager and general agent.
A. A. Reeves has been re-engaged with the Barnum and Bailey Show for the coming season as lithographer inspector. Mr. Reeves is at his home, 1524 N. Park avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.
On January 25, James Dutton and Co., with the Circus Schuman, Berlin, appeared by command before the Emperor and Empress of Germany.
Berre and Hicks will again be one of the special features with the Campbell Brothers' Consolidated Shows, their second season. The Whirling LaMora Sisters have signed contracts with Campbell Brothers.
Wm. Gilman, the well-known contracting agent, will be with the Norris and Rowe Shows the coming season.
"Punch" Wheeler has been engaged as press representative for the Robinson Ten Big Shows.
Billboard, February 27, 1909, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Welsh Brothers Newest Great Shows (Inc.) will open their new season during the latter part of April, at Camden, N. J. The show is being placed into shape at their winter quarters, Beech and Fairmount avenue, Philadelphia. The Welsh Show has been in retirement for the past three seasons. All city time will be played, with three day and week stands predominating. "Big show" acts have been booked and include: Prof. John White's Trained Animal Conclave, Manchester's Musical and Acrobatic Ponies; the Three De Homan Brothers, the Two Werntzs, the Aerial Leons, John Whie [sic?] Jr., comedy equestrian; bounding George Whittie, John Silbrick Jr.; Vincent Harig, Bert Howe, Miss Clo Farland, Miss Adele Hart, Misses Burton and Primrose, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Foster, Horace Laird, William Thumson, Herbert Platt and Chick Ashton. Chas. A. Manchester will conduct the side show and privileges, with George H. Irvin as director.
The staff and working bosses include George B. Beckley, Sam Dock, J. P. McCormick, Geo. Lawrence, Clinton Newton, C. E. Shreiner, Howard Martin, George A. Welsh and H. H. Bancroft. John T. Welsh is the general manager. Prof. Philip Carresica's Royal Messina Concert Band is the musical organization and will furnish the harmony for the "big show" program. The show has abandoned the street parade feature, and will present instead a bunch of outside attractions twice daily. Mlle. Zazaro, Human Catapult, and Dare Devil Benton, are among the acts engaged for this department.
The Henry Circus is showing Southwest Texas. Mr. Henry has just returned from Houston, where he purchased another large elephant from Mr. Patterson; also two cages of lions, making our menagerie one of the largest carried by a wagon show. The following compose the executive staff: J. E. Henry, manager; Jesse Brown, manager side show; Chas. Sweeney, advance; Chas. Melvin, ticket wagon; Frank McGough, boss canvasman; Shorty Scott, boss animal man; Frank Gentry, boss hostler, and Prof. Wm. Mitchell, leader of band.
Uden and Brydon's Indoor Circus opened at the Coliseum, Flanagan, Ill., February 13. The show consists of Col. Uden's Ponies, Brydon's Troupe of Dogs; Chas. Sweet, rider; Paul Galee and wife, jugglers; Chas. Knox, rope spinner; Happy Jack's Trained Goats and Donkey; Fred Sallee and five clowns. The show travels in two Pullman cars, and is booked solid for twelve weeks.
Charley Siegrist and his troupe known as the Napoleons of the Air, are now on their last week's engagement with the Rhoda Royal Winter Circus, which closes in St. Joseph, Mo., February 27. The troupe will go to Chicago after their engagement to put in a few weeks' practice before opening with the Barnum and Bailey Show at the Chicago Coliseum.
The Chas. Bartine Show will open about the middle of May at St. Marys, O.
Herbert Swift has signed as band leader with the Great Reed Show for next season.
Miss Berdi Martino was granted an absolute divorce from her husband, R. L. Martino, on February 5, in Tipton, Ia., and was given her maiden name, Odell. Miss Martino was with Howe's London Shows last season.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Holmes have concluded a four weeks' vaudeville engagement and returned to the Diamond Bar Ranch, where their Wild West Show will open March 15.
George S. Cole, for the last 12 years with John Robinson's Shows, the coming season handle the advertising banners with the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West.
Warren B. Irons has taken over all the privileges and will go with the John Robinson Shows this season in his old capacity of legal representative and license adjuster.
Robert Abrams, veteran boss hostler, and wife, will be with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows the coming season.
The Aerial McLains have signed contracts for the coming season with the LaMont Brothers Shows, their fourth year with that organization.
White and Edson's Indoor Circus opened at the Auditorium in Saginaw, Mich., February 8, and showed to capacity business there for a week.
Will H. Salisbury has been engaged as ticket seller for the season of 1909 by J. T. Manley, manager side shows, with the Sells-Floto Shows.
B. L. Bowman leaves Cincinnati February 27 to take the management of the Norris and Rowe side show for the season.
E. Kirke Adams & Co. have signed with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows for the coming season.
I. N. Bullington will return to his old love, the Gentry Shows, this season.
Billboard, March 6, 1909, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Geo. T. Smith, formerly with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, and with the Bauscher Big United Shows, and Miss Ida Lee Rambo, non-professional, of St. Joseph, Mo., were married at Pelahatchie, Miss., February 5.
Dolly Hallman, formerly well known as a bareback rider, who appeared with Barnum and Bailey and the Adam Forepaugh Shows, died in Greenfield, Pa., last week.
Chas. Ewers, well-known bareback rider, died February 16, at his late residence, 1230 Pennsylvania avenue, Columbus, O., aged 54 years. Mr. Ewers had been in the circus business for thirty years, starting at the age of 18 with the Sells Brothers Circus, when they first engaged in the business. He was in their employ continuously for thirteen years, and after leaving them he became connected with the Ben Wallace Shows for several years, going from there to Ringling Brothers, and in later years with the Sig. Sautelle Show, from which show he closed his circus connections to engage in business at Columbus, O. Owing to bad health he was compelled to give up his business and moved to Albuquerque, N. M., but after four years' residence in that city he returned to Columbus. He was a Knight Templar and Shriner, the first named order having charge of the burial, which took place February 18, at two o'clock, interment at Union Cemetery, Columbus. He leaves a wife, three brothers, five sisters.
A word from the King's I. X. L. Ranch Wild West Show at the Tampa Fair. The latest to join the show is Geo. Burk and his team of Arabian horses. Diamond Bill and his wife May, are making a hit in their roping act with his trained pinto pony, who stands up on his rear legs while Bill ties him up with half hitches.
James Ramsey, last season with the 101 Ranch Wild West Shows as drummer in Eastman's Band, and signed with the same enterprise for this season, died at the headquarters of Woody's Combined Shows, Afton, Okla., February 20. He was for two seasons with the Parker Shows.
Lieut. Hulburd's Rough Riders will open their season at Fort Worth, Texas, about April 3, instead of Mean, Ark., as previously stated. The show will carry fifty head of stock and about seventy-five people. Byron N. Hulburd Jr. will make his headquarters in Fort Worth, after March 15.
Tom Bisping, bareback rider of the John Robinson Circus, was hurt at the New York Hippodrome by a horse falling on him in the race scene, breaking two ribs and hurting his neck. He was picked up unconscious on the stage.
Howard Damon has leased the Walter L. Main winter quarters at Geneva, O., for the winter. M. K. Weil will be director of the advance this season and is at winter quarters in Geneva. The show will open April 17.
Frank (Blackey) Howard will handle the white tops for the Hargreaves Show this coming season and will shortly leave for Hammond, Ind., accompanied by his wife.
Walter Van Dein, Wilbur Winn, Jas. Lyons, F. C. Turner, Henry Mason and Larry Sullivan will be with the advance of the Buffalo Bill Show the coming season.
William Trout, hurdle mule rider and clown, is re-engaged with the Al. F Wheeler Shows, his third season with the New Model. The Kotaro Japanese Troupe has been engaged for the coming season with Al. F. Wheeler's Shows.
Billboard, March 13, 1909, pp. 19, 40. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Tom J. Myers, press agent, returns to his first love, the Greater Norris and Rowe Circus, as general auditor and special story man. Mr. Myers spent five seasons in the Norris and Rowe wagon, but last season was with the Sells-Floto Show. Harry Moore, who was also in the Sells-Floto wagon last season, will be on the executive staff of the Norris and Rowe Circus.
Roster of the John Robinson side show of season of 1909: Cal Towers, manager; Harry F. Nounan, ticket seller; Sig G. Arcaris and Rosie, knife throwers; Mlle. Amy, sword swallower; Mrs. O. K. White, den of snakes; Bert and Annie Thomposn, tattooed people; Harry Scott, strong man; Joe and Sarah Brown, handcuff act; John A. McNulty, Punch and Judy; Prince Mungo, Alex A. Berry's Colored Band and Concert Co., of eighteen people, and Jack Pfeiffenburger, boss canvasman.
Work around the winter quarters of the Great Reed Shows at Herndon, Va., is progressing. The following people have recently signed: Wiley Ferris and Son, Walter H. Miller, Cora Dickerson and Frank Maynard.
It has been decided that on account of the fact that a great many people engaged with the Howard Damon Shows for the season have engagements at the Cleveland Hippodrome, April 12-24, not to open the Howard Damon Circus until April 26.
The Great Lugar Shows, Circus and Wild West Combined, will be one of the best wagon shows this season. C. R.Culbertson will be in charge of the annex. Among the circus acts signed are the Two LaFayettes, Seldon and Nichols, Sid DeClairville, O'Kamo Troupe and Andrew Kanzig Jr. Prof. Harry Sark's Military Band of fourteen pieces will be a feature. The shows open at Eaton, O., early in May.
Pat Chrisman and wife will be with the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show this season, consequently the Harris Diamond H. Wild West Show, of which they are the owners, will not be on the road this season.
Chas. Bartine has just purchased three mules which he will break with the one he has, for a four act. Master Willie Bartine will ride the act.
Fred Hutchinson, in former years with the Barnum and Bailey and Buffalo Bill Shows, will be a member of the official staff with the Sells-Floto Shows this season.
George H. Weymann will be principal clown with the Dode Fisk's Combined Railroad Shows the coming season.
Doc Bacon will have the reserved seat tickets with the Haag Might Shows the coming season.
Lafferty, the Frog Man, has signed with the Cole Brothers Shows for the season of 1909.
Billboard, April 3, 1909, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from the Howard Damon Shows. John R. Pepperdine has just leased the candy stands and the lunch car privilege for the summer season of 1909. Mat. King will handle the canvas for the aggreation. The latest engagements are: LaRoy and Hayes, aerialists; Ardinger and Rowland, rubes; Laporch and wife, gymnasts;H. Miller, talking clown, etc.; LaReve Brothers, acrobats; Tim Delaney, side show door tender and leader of parade. Following are the latest additions to the side show: Physical culture and strong act, Edward Gavin, back contortion, etc.; Chas. L Grover, wife and boy, handcuff act, water barrel. The opening date will be April 24 at Geneva, O.
Rice Bros. Colossal R. R. Shows, Circus and Menagerie. The Rice Bros. Shows was organized in 1859, fifty years. Among the performers engaged are as follows: Art DaComa Troupe of Aerialists, two in number; Alton Troupe, society acrobats; Albion Troupe of Aerialists; Lohse and Sterling, trapeze and rings; Two Chesters, hand balancing; Six Ortons, wire and tumbling; Copeland and Doran, acrobats and clowns; Mlle. Uane Deoma, lady principal; Samuel Bennett, principal and carrying act; John McMasters, superintendent of rough riders. Besides this there will be three lady menage riders and eight chorus girls.
Heads of departments: Martin T. Rice, general manager; Dan Rice Jr., treasurer; Harry R. Moore, general agent; James Babcock, boss hostler; Eugene Knowlton, superintendent of animals; Samuel Bennett, equestrian director; Cash. Wray, musical director; R. L. Atterbury, privileges; Mr. Radcliffe, manager side show, and W. Casey, boss canvasman; O. R. Laughlin, contracting agent; U. R. Wright, press agent; O. K. Rice, manager advance car No. 1; Jas. Long, boss billposter, and Joe Mack, twenty-four hour man. The show will carry four flat cars, sixty feet; three sixty foot stock cars, on sixty-five foot combination, three sixty foot sleepers, and one advance car, fifty head of horses and ponies will be carried. Thirty lengths of blues with foot rests and 1,024 folding back reserves, a total seating capacity of 3,400. The menagerie tent is seventy feet with a fifty middle. The side show is sixty feet, with a fifty middle. Winter quarters are located in St. Louis, Mo.
Notes from the Great Wagner Shows. George E. Wagner, known as Jolly Jenaro, clown juggler, owner of the Great Wagner Show, has sold his home and winter quarters of the show in Milwaukee, Wis., and will, after May 1, be locatd in his new home and quarters at Germantown, O. On May 1 the entire outfit will be shipped to Ohio, where the 1909 season will open.
Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows. Captain H. Snider will again have charge of the menagerie, which has been enlarged to a twelve cage affair. Roster of heads of departments: Al. F. Wheeler, owner and manager; Adam Gillespie, assistant manager; Captain H. Snider, superintendent and in charge of the menagerie; Garrett E. Johnson, secretary; Will T. Miller, superintendent of the annex; D. Q. Miller, boss hostler and master of transportation; N. H. Walker, assistant; Fred Qualters, ring and hotel stock; John Lewis, ponies; Frank Hood, superintendent of canvas; Guy Rogers, assistant; Frank Kelly, boss property man; Ed H. Bell, lessee of privileges; Gus Berry, chef in charge of "New Model" hotel. Advance department: F. J. Frink, general agent; J. E. Pettit, in charge of second brigade; Fred E. Ranken, special agent; E. H. Hayden, boss bill poster with six billposters. Our season will open at Oxford, Pa., early in April.
Buckskin Ben's Wild West Shows. The winter quarters are at Cambridge City, Ind. In addition to his residence there, Ben has a large barn with the comforts of a home for his dogs, ponies and other livestock. Two new wagons are being built to be used in transporting the show to and from the cars, saving considerable time which has heretofore been wasted in hunting up transportation in the towns visited. These will both be knock down wagons and can be loaded in the car with the other stuff.
Notes from Elstun Brothers United Shows. The winter quarters in Kansas City, Kan., is the scene of much activity. General agent B. E. Benson has his advance and opposition brigade under way. The opening date takes place in Kansas City, some time in April.
George Wormald will be boss canvasman and C. W. Williams trainmaster with Gollmar Brothers Circus this season.
Harold R. Cushman, German comedian, has joined the Diamond Bar Ranch Wild West Show for the season. Mr. Cushman is to do principal "joy."
John H. Pearson has been engaged for the coming season with Tiger Bill's Wild West to do his novelty shooting act.
Jack Barnell, en route to Kansas City to join the Campbell Brothers Show at the Hippodrome there.
Carl M. Johnson will be connected with the working staff of the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Show this season.
Otto Weaver and wife left their home at Decatur, Ill. March 26, to join the Sun Brothers Circus at Macon, Ga.
Billboard, April 17, 1909, pp. 17, 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Notes from the Oscar Lowande Troupe. After playing four weeks' engagement with the Pubillone Circus at Havana, Cuba, Mr. Lowande has taken out his own show. The show is making one and two day stands, carrying a band of eight pieces. List of performers: Oscar Lowande, somersault act; Mrs. Oscar Lowande, principal rider; Two Devenes, equilibrists; Jordan Bros., revolving ladder; Leo Tero, swinging perch; Dammann Troupe, acrobats; Sims Bros., hand balancing; Yamagata Troupe of six people; Gen Mora, bar act, assisted by Clown Kukuko; Miss America Robledillo, flying trapeze; Nico, Roman rings and contortion; Harry Jordan, wire act; the Four Chorizos, Cuban acrobat and casting act; Kukuko, Sims Sugranes and the Lano Brothers, clowns. When this Cuban time has been finished, Mr. Lowande will sail for the States, getting ready for Oscar Lowande's Great Bay State Show, which will open May 10, at Reading, Mass.
Margaret O'Brian [sic O'Brien], wife of J. C. O'Brian, side show manager of the Campbell Brothers Circus, died at the family home in Chicago at 3 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 1909, of spinal meningitis, aged 47 years. She had been taken ill a few weeks ago on her return from Hot Springs, but had been in a serious condition for only four days preceding her death. She is survived by a husband, mother, brother and three sisters, all of whom were at her bedside when the end came. Before her marriage she was Miss Margaret Collins, of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brian had been married for thirty-one years. For fifteen years past she had charge of uptown ticket wagons with tented enterprises, and for ten years the couple had been with Campbell Brothers. The funeral took place Monday and the remains were laid to rest in Chicago.
Mont Mrinzo, old-time circus man, died at Hot Springs, Ark., last week of rheumatism of the heart. He leaves a wife and two small children.
Ethel Stalker Hyde, second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Stalker (Buckskin Ben) of Cambridge City, Ind., died suddenly at her home in Greenville, O., on Monday, April 4. Mrs. Hyde was the wife of Rolla Hyde of the Greenville Opera House.
Norris & Rowe Circus. The opening date was Thursday, March 11, at Santa Cruz. The program is under the direction of R. H. Dockrill. For riders, there are George Holland, Rose Dockrill, Dave and Ada Castello, Geo. Holland Sr. and his five boys, the Prince Luca troupe of Cossacks, the Ortons, Jessica Cahill, Grace Kalb and Ethel Myers. Aerial features: Six Peerless Potters; the Three Nevadas, trapeze and descensions on the aerial webbing; the French Sisters, aerial iron jaw; the Dumonds, triple traps; the Miller Trio, aerial bars and casting; the Veronas, flying act; double traps by the Ortons, and a score of single trap perch and ladder acts. For novelty and acrobatic numbers are the Volten-Schenk Troupe; Ben Lucier, jackely drops; Foster Glasscock and wife; the Ten Baker troupe of expert trick and fancy bicyclists; Merritt Belew, Melnotte and LaNole and their wire act; R. A. Dooley, bounding rope; the Kelly Troupe, the Holloways, the Delevats, Mack, Sylvester and Mack; the Nelson Bros., Bronson's Living Statues, etc. The principal clowns are William Crooks, Sam R. Nelson, Jack DeVan and Ben Leroy. The animal acts include Alex Glasscock and his troupe of elephants; John Isell and his six elephants; Dooley Orton and his trio of elephants.
Z. L. Bronson has charge of the No. 1 big band, and William Prewcott the second band. Ben Bowman has charge of the side show. Alonzo Turner has the side show band. The performers in the annex include the Musical Smiths, South Sea Island Joe and wife Beno, Montana Jack and Maritana, Liza Davis and her pickininnies, Hornman, magician; La Belle Carmen, Mlle. Agnes, mind reading; Jennie Leclair, Gertrude Coghlan, Jennie Carlisle, and Evie Stetson, dancers. W. J. Long (Shanty) has the train; Max French the canvas; Lou Weick the side show canvas; John Isell [Iseli?] the menagerie; Arthur Davis, the cook house. Thos. H. Ryan is lot superintendent and Walter Shannon has the privileges. Harry Moore and Ralph Hayward are in the big show ticket wagon and Tom J. Myers looks after the press back with the show and acts as auditor and accountant. Agents in advance: E. L. Brennan, Steve Woods, Sam Haller, William Gilliam, and E. P. Norwood. Harry Graham has the one car and Geo. S. Roddy the second car.
Buckskin Ben's Famous Wild West Shows will open their 23d season at Cincinnati's resort, Chester Park, May 7. The show will carry about thirty people, twenty-four head of stock, and travel in their own special cars. This attraction will play the parks until about September, and will put in the rest of the season at the State Fairs.
Howard Damon Circus opens the circus season at Geneva, O., April 26.
Alasco White died in New York late Friday night. He was an old animal trainer with the Barnum and Bailey Show and was seventy-seven years old when he died. "Mother" White, his wife, used to be wardrobe mistress with the Barnum and Bailey show.
There is a hum around winter quarters of Tanner's Dog and Pony Show. The roster: Dr. B. Tanner and Thos. Pemberton, sole owners; Archie Boyer, general agent; Bert Show, band leader which consists of twelve pieces. The following performers have been engaged: Rozena, contortionist; Will Beach, clown; Ben and Rose Tanner, double traps and flying rings; Pemberton's educated ponies; Chas. Huffman, high wire; and Miss Zengilla and her poodles. The show will travel by rail, and have five cars.
S. B. Dill, resident manager of the Harris Grand Theatre, Bloomington, Ind. for the last two seasons, has resigned and will go out this season with Gentry Bros. Shows as auditor of the No. 2 Show.
Albert Gaston, singing and talking clown, has signed with Coulter and Coulter's Dog and Pony Show for the coming season.
T. A. Smith, of Beaver Falls, Pa., will be superintendent of stock with Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill Combined Shows this season.
C. A. (Charley) Clarke, contracting and special agent of Campbell Bros., Sells & Downs, and other tented organizations in the past, has been afflicted with locomotor ataxia for the past two years, is regaining his health under treatment at Sulphur Springs, Okla.
The Marvelous Kurello has arrived at his home in Newark, O. He has signed with Gollmar Bros. Shows for the coming season.
Clowns with Howe's Great London Shows: Robert M. Pierce, John Crossett, Lue Roberts, Frank Rhyan, Doc Grant, Huey Doberty, Lester Howard and Fred Schone.
H. M. Fretag will be connected with the advertising department of the Barnum and Bailey Circus this season.
Prof. Hanahan and his trained goats have a few more weeks on the vaudeville circuit, after which Prof. Hanahan will return to Ogden, Ill., taking out his three car circus.
I. N. Bullington has been engaged to assist J. D. Newman, general agent of the Gentry Shows this season.
Chas. Holton has signed contracts with the Great Lugar Shows and Wild West for the coming season as general agent.
La Porsch and Richards have not signed with the Howard Damon Shows, but will play parks and fairs this summer.
Cole Bros. Show will open their season April 22, at New Castle, Pa.
Frank A. Robbins Show will open its season April 24, at Jersey City, N. J.
Carlin Bros. New Modern Shows. Everything is in readiness for the opening date, May 8. One of the features of our parade this season will be a decorated sixty horse-power touring automobile. In addition it will also be used to carry the executive staff over the road. The roster: Carlin Brothers, equal owners; F. M. Carlin, general manager; R. F. Carlin, treasurer; Cortland R. Harris, general agent; Chas. Harris, superintendent of stock; Ed Hopkins, superintendent of canvas; Peter King, asst. supt. of canvas; Prof. John E. Burtine, equestrian director; Prof. H. J. ___, director of music; Horace Gross, steward, and W. J. Gilmore, manager of annex. The latest bookings for the big show: Prof. Lyman H. Dunn's Congress of Trained Animals; the Cowden Trio, aerialists; Chas. Hilderra, contortion and Roman rings; Fleur and Floreate, breakaway ladder and bars; Horace Laird, clown; Mlle. Clenette, menage act; Dunn and Hart, comedy wire and clowns; Joe Barrett, juggling and perch; and the Four Flying Flowers.
Billboard, April 24, 1909, pp. 17, 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Ernest J. Lister, advance agent and circus billposter, died at his home in Weston, W. Va., April 9, of stomach trouble. Mr. Lister's last engagement was with the Carroll Comedy Company, with whom he had been for five seasons, but was compelled to close with the company over a year ago on account of ill health. At various times he was connected with John Robinson's Circus, Sparks Shows, Wallace Shows, James Goodrich and Gentry Brothers Shows. He was also a member of the N. A. B. B. A. No. 11, of Cincinnati. The interment was at Weston, W. Va., April 11.
Ray Williams, last season with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Shwo, lost his life in a railroad accident at Athens, O., April 16. Williams was attempting to board a train to go to Parkersburgl, but in some manner slipped under the wheels, sustaining injuries which caused his death a few hours later. Williams held contracts with the Gollmar Brothers Show for this season.
Notes from Cole Brothers. The crew on the first car this year is John D. Carey, manager; Charles Martin, boss billposter; Eugene Goslyn, Earl Scott, Harry Snyder, Gus Miller, Floyd Snyder, John Toomey, Charles Massie, Worley Matthews, William Brownmiller, Frank Krause, Bert Wheeler, Frank Danaker, Dick Deringer, John Feltus, George Singleton, Edward Conroy, William Witts, Ed Oliver, Frank Sullivan, Ben Fink, James Lowell and Ed Murry, billposters; Vic Stout, Patsey Brush, Charlie Goodell, lithographers; "Bill" Backnell, Joe Detweiler and Harry Howard, banner men; L. F. Garner, porter; Elmer Bergen, paste maker. The first advance car is a picture. It is painted a bright red and lettered in silver. "Bob" Simons joined the advance in New Castle. Two opposition brigades of twelve men each are out this year to protect the shows, paper and showings.
Louden and Warren notes. Sixteen head of horses and four new wagons have been added to the outfit, also a new main tent, dressing room top and horse tent. The following people have signed: the Aerial Wentzels, the Taggart Family, five in number, acrobats; Elasto, contortion; David Hilsizer, wire act; Mlle. and Mons. LaVere, triple bar and foot juggling; Mrs. Loudon's troupe of Italian greyhounds; Alexander, juggler and hoop roller; Frank Oskins, clown; A. Paul, song and dance comedian. A band of eight pieces will be carried. Ed Warren, general agent, will be assisted by Harry Germaine, two agents and three billposters. The show will open at Fredonia, Pa., May 1.
W. H. "Skip" Startzel, of Mansfield, O., will be connected with the Buffalo Bill-Pawnee Bill Combined Shows this season. He will have charge of the reserved seat section. Mr. Startzel will have under his management the three-legged child, born to Mr. and Mrs. Ester Eihinger, of Haynesville, Ashland County, O.
C. F. Hafley, California Frank, has gone to Henryetta, Okla. with Zack Miller to secure Crazy Snake, Indian Chief, who has caused the Government so much trouble in recent years, for the Miller Bros 101 Ranch Wild West Show. Mr. Hafley was recently manager of Princess Wenona, Mlle. Sommerville and Mamie Francis.
It was inadvertently stated in the issue of the Billboard, April 10, that the dining tent of the Bartine One-ring Circus was 6x16, and that they would have a twelve-horse advance wagon. The dimensions of the dining tent should have read 16x30, and that they would carry a two-horse bill wagon. Chas. Bartine intends to open his season at St. Marys, O., May 15.
The Rose Edyth Ballet Troupe has been engaged with Frank A. Robbins Show, season 1909. They will present The Directoire Ballet, The Golden March and The Eight French Dolls.
Woodford and Elzor's Combined Shows will open their season at Falconer, N. Y., week of May 3, under the auspices of the Falconer Fire Department. This outfit is composed of Frank Melvin's midget animal circus, Albert's musical dogs and pony, Frank's $2,000 statue dog, King, Smith's $1.00-a-minute mule, and other acts.
The Anderson Dog and Pony Show opened their season at their winter quarters, Modoc, Ill., on April 19.
Miss Neola Floyd, contortionist, of the Floyd Sisters, has joined Woody's Combined Shows for the season 1909. Baby Willie Woody, four years old, will do his trapeze and Spanish ring work. Simmerson and Lee, clowns and aerial ladder are the latest additions to the show. Joe Edwards is getting everything in shape for the side show. Ralph Norman will have the candy privilege with the show.
Billboard, May 1, 1909, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Silver Family Shows, composed of twelve wagons, will open their season at their winter quarters in Crystal, Mich., May 8. The roster: Eight Silvers, musicians and performers; Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Copeland, aerialist and gymnast; Burns Brothers' Trio, acrobats and equilibrists; Jess Sellers, slack wire and juggler; Ray Melva, trapeze and rings; E. A. Scheich, contortionist and equilibrist; F. D. Brown, Fred Burns and Billy Milligan, clowns; J. Frank Merrill, advance agent. The concert will be given by the Silver Family, Swiss bell ringers. They will play over their same route in Michigan as last season.
Snyder Bros. Wild West. The show will open the season at Roodhouse, Ill., May 1. C. L. Wilkinson will again lead the band of twelve pieces. Broncho Charley, Texas Wonder, Jack Hammond, Chuck Warner, Oregon Red, Oklahoma Jonah, Montana Al, Prairie Nell, Onneta, Babe Loretta and Oklahoma Gladys will do the riding this season, with a bunch of Sioux Indians to back them up, headed by Tiger Bill. The Derbys, aerial act, and Harry Martillow, human freak and strong man, will also be with this enterprise. Tom Keating will be boss canvasman, while Wm. C. Smith will handle the advance, with Happy Beam a second man.
John Robinson "10 Big" Shows will not open this year in Norwood, O., as has been the custom. The first stand will be made a Circleville, O., May 1, and Norwood will not see the show until June. John G. Robinson, grandson of the founder of the great shows, is now the sole owner and manager.
Columbia, Tenn. enjoyed having two circuses on the same day. Gentry Bros. No. 2 Show arrived in Columbia on April 15, pitched their tents, rehearsed the show and opened their season on the 17th. Sun Bros. showed afternoon and night of the 16th on the lot adjoining the one occupied by Gentry's. There was no exhibition of rivalry between the two shows.
Billboard, May 15, 1909, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Rippel Bros. Shows. The executive staff consists of Gus Rippel, manager publicity department; John Rippel, treasurer and manager; Chas. Rippel, assistant manager and equestrian director, and Robert Rippel, manager privileges. The following performers have been engaged: ___ Alderfer, Prof. McCune, Silver, aerialist; ___, Roscoe Clawson, Chas. Devere, ___ and Brown. The side show contains Prof. Frank Ruffner, ___ Comstock, Wm. Fondell, and others. The musicians are Henry Overton, Lee ___, Roy McCarthy, J. E. Cusick, Roy ___, John Qusky, Jason Adlerson and Ed Overton. Mike Kilgore will be boss canvasman; Dad Chandler, boss hostler; and Jake Raltwo, chandelier man. The outfit will consist of twenty-five wagons, and will have a big top 90 with two 40 ft. middles; side show, and horse top, 30x50.
It is reported that the Cooper & Robinson circus, which opened the season at Watertown, Wis., May 3, went to pieces after one day's experience. It is said that parties backing the venture lost in the neighborhood of $7,000. It is to the credit of the circus men that they stood pat and saw that all the bills were paid up to the extent of the money derived from the advance sales. The report has not been verified.
Henry George, head programmer for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, dropped dead of heart failure, at the show grounds, Portsmouth, O., May 6.
The Hargreaves Big Railroad Shows, now in winter quarters at Hammond, Ind., will take the road the latter part of May, opening in or near Chicago. Mr. Hargreaves is at present at his Grand Opera House, in Chester, Pa.
Roster of Barnum and Bailey advertising car No. 1: Frank Estes, car manager; R. M. Feltus, press agent; Joe Kugler, boss lithographer; S. Stough, assistant; Perry (Punk) Ellington, car porter; L. O. Spellman, programer; W. H. Hoskins, boss billposter, with the following assistants - Wm. Shea, Oscar Whiley, J. P. Miller, C. T. Griffin, P. J. Schanlan, Jas. Gregg, C. M. Geiger, Gus Gusterson, Jack Carnes, L. R. Patchen, E. Hanford, Geo. Steinberg, W. J. Bair, T. More and A. T. Applegate.
The following performers have been engaged with the Chas. Bartine Shows for the coming season: the Aerial Stones, casting act; Rowland Sisters, double trapeze and flying rings; Jessie Weaver, swinging ladder and wire act; Willie Bartine, mule riding act; Glenn Riggs, barrel jumper and acrobat; Wm. J. Perry, talking and singing clown; Col. W. J. Uden's troupe of trained ponies; Ed Long's dog circus and H. W. Wingest's Military band, consisting of fourteen musicians.
Advertising car No. 1, Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West: P. W. Harrel, manager; Bert Layden, boss billposter; with the following assistants: Paul Lamont, J. Jackson, C. Smith, T. ___, H. Read, J. Robinson, B. Babcock, C. G. Smith, H. Hoover, G. Blodgett, A. Hightower, H. Phillpott and E. Lewilleng, lithos; W. Wakefield, cook; G. Smith, paste maker; J. Handley, second cook, and A. Clarkson, secretary.
Hagenbeck-Wallace advertising car No. 2: Alton Osborn, manager; George Murray, boss billposter; Harry Newman, Jno. Forman and H. Hall, lithographers; Jas. McCormick paste maker; Horace DeGrush, programs; J. C. Burgess, H. B. Hall, L. H. Egan, Geo. Heath, W. Bloom, C. N. Munson, J. Schoonbeck, O. Lindholm, F. H. Burton, W. Clifford, Wm. Norton, D. Abrams and Jno. Pardee.
Roster car No. 2 of Barnum and Bailey Show: J. F. Benzinger, manager; F. S. Campbell, boss billposter; T. Lyons, lithographer; Chas. McClerg, banners and H. Taylor, programmer. The billposters are L. A. Weddle, Al Powell, Geo. Bronsdon, Chas. Stavers, Chas. Malin, John Carr, Howard Johnson, M. M. Weiner, Chas. Parker, H. Rexroat, Shorty Haughn, J. Herrity, Jerry Benam, H. M. Freetag and Topsy, the mascot.
Harry Clark, clown, left Toledo, O., April 24 with a drayload of clown paraphernalia, to join the Robinson Shows, with which he will be principal clown for the coming season. Clark was accompanied by Floyd Williams and a little English comedian, Harry Grey, who is making his first appearance in this country.
The Three Corellis left New York City April 24, at the conclusion of the New York engagement of Ringling Bros. Circus to join the Barnum and Bailey Show in Chicago, at the Coliseum.
Executive staff of the Chas. Bartine Shows: Chas. Bartine, proprietor and manager; James Dawson, general agent; Ed Rowman, advertising agent with four billposters; H. W. Wingert, musical director with a band of twelve pieces; Chas. Stone, equestrian director; Wm. Aglie Stuard and Geo. Heyman, in charge of stables.
Roster of concert band with the Mighty Haag R. R. Shows: Harry (Shorty) Rhodes, director; Frank Boone, A. Cubbison, Bob Dammann, Carl Sparks, Thos. Gilbert, F. S. Hayden, L. McElroy, Wm. Zohl, L. Cox, T. P. Martin, R. Gates, T. C. Lash, M. E. Lash, W. Elsey, L. S. Voelcker and Henry Young.
The Fred Locke Show will open at Pancoastburg, O., May 8. Ward Richardson has been transferred from the ticket wagon to the advance as general agent. Harry Green will be contracting agent. The Payne Family and Clarence Halliday and Sister, are the latest added attractions.
Owing to an accident, Ira L. Millard, one of the Muscular Millards, is unable to work. Earl Millard, the other member of the team, has joined Elstun Brothers United Shows, working single.
Gene R. Milton, of the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill Show, will travel with the show this season in the side show department.
George and Althea O'Doie joined the Yankee Robinson Shows at Des Moines, Ia., April 29.
Jos. Sherry is with the John Sparks Show, doing his acrobatic clown novelty, Oxizide.
Frank A. Robbins Show opened it twenty-ninth season at Jersey City, N. J., Wednesday afternoon, April 28. The second day the snow fell with the fury of a winter blizzard, charcoal fires were lighted in the side show, dressing room and big top. The Governor sat in the front door with his winter coat turned up, and Mrs. Frank A. Robbins sat at his side with a new spring basket hat and furs. . . .
Billboard, June 5, 1909, pp. 20, 22, 23, 24. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Lee H. Holland, well known showman, died at Hot Springs, Ark., May 2, of stomach trouble. Mr. Holland had traveled with many of the leading circuses as privilege man, and last season was with the Glasscock Shows. The remains were shipped to Elvins, Mo. He leaves a mother and two brothers.
Rippel Bros. Shows opened their season at Frankfort, Ind., May 14, to good business. A new outfit is carried this season, including moving pictures and vaudeville. The performers are: Chas. Aldarfer, aerial head balancer; Silver, traps and rube; Chas. Rippel, flying rings; Devava, frogman; Rippel and Clawson, clowns; McCune, ladder act and slack wire; Clawson Donny, comedy bicycle act. The band includes the following musicians: Foraker Farrel, Jason Alderson, Jack Winters, Ray Deremiah, Roy McCarthy, Chas. Rippel. Mike Kilgore, late of Sells-Floto Show, handles the big top. The show is playing over the same route as last season, and are headed toward Michigan.
Buckskin Ben's Famous Wild West and Dog and Pony Show closed a three weeks' engagement at Chester Park, Cincinnati, O., Friday evening, May 28.
Billie Boughton's Overland Show opened the season at Ambia, Ind., May 12, with a four night stand. Many new acts have been added this season, including trained dogs, pigs and monkeys. The roster: Billie Boughton, manager; Amy Boughton, treasurer; Helen Boughton, rings, traps and tight wire; Crawford and Berry, revolving ladder; Chas. Tilton, clown; the Boughtons singing, dancing and musical acts; Amy St. Cyr, magic, serpentine dance and poses; Prof. Dumo, marionettes; Roy Mack, boss canvasman; Lester Robertson, boss hostler; Wesley Tilton, in charge of cook tent; Harrison White, musical director.
Mr. Johnson, of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, had his skull crushed by a pole falling on his head while removing one of the tents at Columbus, O., May 20. He was taken to the Protestant Hospital, where he died Friday morning, May 21.
Col. M. Henry Welsh has been making a tour of the East in quest of novelties for his Great American Circus.
Mrs. Ella Orton, equestrian performer with the John Robinson Show, died at Cincinnati, O., May 11. Interment was made at Reading, O., May 14. Mrs. Orton leaves a husband, mother and sister.
Roster of J. H. Van's Dog and Pony Show: J. H. Van, owner; J. R. ___, manager and treasurer; L. Maples, general agent; Jack Nampner, special agent; Happy Shea, manager advance car No. 1 with ten assistants; Pug Wiggins, manager advance car No. 2 with eight assistants. Al Reeber has charge of the opposition, consisting of six men. The show carries one hundred and fifty people, thirty head of stock, and Prof. Corsior's [Corslor's?] Italian Band, consisting of sixteen pieces. They opened at Scott, O., May 26.
King's Wild West is playing to good business through West Virginia. The following performers and acts are with the show: Prof. Burk's high school horses; Thomas King, rope spinning and lariat throwing; May Silver, riding act; Ruben, the farmer, with his educated pigs; Master Fred Flannery, bucking broncho rough riding; Prof. Martine, Little Dutch Funtain and May, vaudeville sketch. J. J. Dunworth is the advance agent.
Roster of Barnum and Bailey advertising car No. 3: J. F. Benzinger, manager; F. S. Campbell, boss billposter; Tom Lyons, lithos; Chas. McClurg, banners; C. A. Taylor, programs; Al. Powell, Chas. R. Staver, Jerry Benane, Chas. W. Parker, C. A. Main, Jas. Herrity, H. Johnson, H. M. Fretag, M. M. Weiner, J. Carr, W. G. Hahn, Howard Rexroat, Geo. E. Brondson, J. P. Illington, Chas. Holmes and James Dee, billposters.
Roster of advance car No. 2 of Buffalo Bill-Pawnee Bill Combined Shows: Victor B. Cooke, manager; Thomas Connors, F. C. Turner, James Lyons, John Reardon, Wilbur Winn, Henry Mason, Larry Sullivan, Henry Sinken, G. H. Pritcher, Stanley Baker, Wm. Butler, Geo. Dawson, billposters; Walter Van Dein, Roy Cady and Howard Perry, banner men. "Duke" Curtis is the porter and paste maker.
The Bonheur Brothers Show arrived at winter quarters, Carmen, Okla., May 6, after a successful tour of the South by wagons, and are crowding the two seasons to go on the road again.
Jos. V. Sherry, clown, writes that the tract of land, which he purchased two years ago in West Virginia, while with the Barnum & Bailey Show, has developed into one of the finest coal fields. Parties interested write Mr. Sherry per route John H. Sparks Show.
E. Clayton Hall is now a clown with the Sparks Show.
A car belonging to the Chas. Geyer Show was badly wrecked at Wamego, Kan., May 21, due to a collision with a freight train. W. J. Hunt, the only person in the car at the time, was injured, and the railroad company settled his case to the amount of $1,000.
W. W. Dillingham, Texas cowboy, who went to England as chief of cowboys for the Cummins' Wild West, has returned to this country and purchased a dairy at Shrevepot, La.
The Luckey Bill Show is touring Nebraska. Luckey has installed a dynamo, and the show is lit up by electric lights. Moving pictures and illustrated songs are offered in the concert.
James Perndergass is at home in Harrisburg, Pa., nursing a badly injured foot. Several weeks ago while taking care of some horses for the Gollmar Show, he was trampled by one of the animals being taken to the show.
The Ed P. Barlow Show has returned from the South, and commence playing Illinois territory about June 1. They have now been on the road fourteen months, and expect to close their season in Indiana about the first of October.
Captain H. Snider, superintendent and equestrian director of the Al. F. Wheeler Show, has the following acts with the show, Spitfire, the untamed lion, dog and bear act, and Rine Emo, the talking horse.
Lea Monterey, advertising agent of the Park Theatre, Youngstown, O., has joined Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West, with the advertising department.
Cooper Bros. Circus, wintering in Forest Park, Gulfport, Miss., gave their initial performance in Gulfport, May 20, to good business.
The Three DeHomans, acrobats, and Vincent Harig, principal clown, are with the Welsh Brothers Show this season.
The Rhodus-Whiteley Shows opened their season at Bethany, Mo., May 15 to capacity business.
Crandell Brothers are with Campbell Bros. Show, presenting their comedy acrobatic act.
Homer B. Day has signed as general agent with Col. M. H. Welsh's One-ring Circus.
The Blondin Show is now in Nebraska, playing to good business.
Ed. Jenkins, of Ft. Worth, Tex., is en route with the Ringling Bros. Circus.
James Duval, clown, is with Campbell Bros. Show.
Billboard, June 12, 1909, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
The Pan-American Circus was recently purchased at Council Bluffs, Iowa, by Wm. P. Hall, and the entire show, consisting of 21 cars, was shipped direct to Lancaster, Mo., where it will be re-organized and again put out. The show has only been out a short time, but met with very bad business.
LaMont Bros. Circus opened their season at Salem, Ill., May 8. A severe rain storm lasting all day made it very disagreeable to all. This did not seem to have any effect on business, as capacity ruled. LaMont Bros. have encountered may difficulties since the opening, such as rains, overflows and bridges being washed away. Despite these obstacles, the show has lost but one performance, the afternoon show at Trenton, Ill., May 13. This outfit started its road tour ten years ago, consisting of three wagons, five horses and nine people. They now carry twenty-eight wagons, sixty-two head of baggage stock, five head of ring stock, and twenty ponies. They have an eighty foot round top, with two forty foot middle pieces, and eight cage menagerie, a side show and a band, consisting of fourteen pieces.
The executive staff includes C. R. and H. C. LaMont, sole owners; C. R. Randolf, superintendent of lots; Abe Aronhart, equestrian director; Fred Haywood and Jesse Rainey, advance with two assistants; Geo. Stanley (Yorkie) Freed, manager of side show; Bob Williams, director of band; F. Lee Gravies, banner privileges; C. Baker, candy privileges; E. W. Lane, superintendent of stock with twenty-eight assistants; Frank Coy, chief steward with five assistants; Wm. Martin, properties with five assistants; Tom Lynch has charge of the ponies with six assistants; Heine Macum has charge of the animals with four assistants; Leo Barber, wardrobe; Ora Johnson, boss canvasman with eight assistants.
The performers in the big show are the Aerial McLains; Otis Johnson, trick mule; Vivian LaVern, slack wire and rings; Ray Dick, contortionist; Earl Johnson, single trapeze; Harry LaMont, bars; Prof. McClain's Trained Dogs; Charlie Baker, clown; Madame LaVere, aerial act; Chas. LaMont's Trained Ponies; Richard Buck, bicycle whirl; Dick Edwards and Frank Morris, Roman standing races. The side show consists of Madame LaFrance's snakes, Capt. Tims, armless wonder; Freed, the mysterious in magic; Annie Talkington's trained pigs.
Miss Clara Ruel, menage rider with the Sells-Floto Show, and Hugh Milnot, tight wire performer with the Norris and Rowe Show, were married last week. The wedding took place at Vancouver, Wash., and the other members of the show did not learn of the incident until a few days later. Miss Ruel has been with the Sells-Floto Show for the past eight years, while Mr. Milnot has at times appeared in vaudeville and with The Devil's Auction Company. Mr. Milnot left his wife at Vancouver, Wash., to again join the Norris and Rowe Show.
At Frankfort, Ky., June 3, John Maxey, a negro, while attempting to crawl into Howe's London Circus, under a flap, was intercepted by B. C. Bowers, an employe of the show, and in the altercation which ensued, Bowers was shot, and is believed to be fatally injured. During the removal of the negro to the jail an unsuccessful attempt to lynch him was made. The next morning a mob assembled and the culprit was taken from the jail and lynched. Mr. Bower's home is in Valdosta, Ga.
Roster of Sells-Floto advertising car No. 1: L. H. Heckman, car superintendent; Walter Ray, boss billposter; Robt. McCurry, litho; Geo. Burbaker, programmer; H. C. Adams, official program solicitor; A. W. McKenney, excursion agent; Ed Thomas, paste maker; F. A. Kelzer, steward; C. Abbott, Jesse White, Al Turrell, H. E. Huber, C. O. Tinsley, Allan J. McDonough, West Bernhardt, Wm. J. Whittar, J. F. Dotson, Elmo Perkins, A. Anderson, billposters. Frisco Bob is the mascot.
Willie Clark, foot juggler and high stilt walker, and Little Pearl Clark, flying ladder and concert specialties, are with Sun Brothers Railroad Shows this season. Mr. Clark is also presenting his two novelty specialties in the big show.
George W. Rollins, with his trained wild animals, is with Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West this season. Capt. Tom Wilmouth, Lydia Kelly, Wm. Desdrach and Otto Fischer are the trainers.
Lone Bill's Wild West and Indian Congress, under management of C. F. Rhodes, is playing to good business at Al Fresco Park, Peoria, Ill.
Deacon Delmore, manager Cole Bros. Shows this season, announcing the acts in the big show. Deacon's home is in Erie, Pa.
Although raining all day and evening at Stafford Springs, Conn., May 28, the Al. F. Wheeler New Model Shows had good business in both the big and side shows.
Wm. Carroll is with Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West, with a midway attraction. He has one of the smallest horses in the world.
Gollmar Brothers Circus gave two performances at Taylorville, Ill., May 26. F. E. Tryon is the press representative.
Col. M. H. Welsh's Great American One-Ring Circus will open at Pittsburg, Pa., June 10, for an indefinite engagement.
The contract of Hy Nichols, artist with the Buffalo Bill-Pawnee Bill Combined Shows, expired June 1. He was an Indian agent plenipotentiary at the Bannock Reserve.
Otto W. Lampe, after a few weeks' rest at his Absecon, N. J. home, has signed for the season with Washburn's Circus.
W. C. Lane has signed with Col. M. H. Welsh's Great American Shows, to manage the side show and candy stands. Mlle. Ada, with her den of monster pythons, will be seen with the Col. M. H. Welsh's Great American Shows this season.
Kennedy's X. I. T. Wild West Show played to good business at both performances at Hutchinson, Kan., May 29.
H. R. Moore has signed as general agent with Rice Bros. Shows.
Billboard, June 19, 1909, pp. 19, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Walter L. Main, circusman of Geneva, Ohio, was married in Pittsburg, Pa., June 9, to Miss Louise Katherine Schneider.
Tiger Bill's Wild West and Trained Animal Shows No. 1, under the management of D. W. Perrine, opened their season at Eaton Rapids, Mich., May 15, where they experienced one of the worst wind and rain storms in their experience of twenty years. This being an overland show, no parade is given. Floyd J. Pike has gotten together a splendid ten piece band. As a free act this year, a balloon ascension and parachute drop by Miss Carrie Mae Wood is being featured. The show carries forty head of riding stock and sixteen Shetland ponies, also Prof. Perrine's troupe of educated dogs and monkeys. Among the members of the Wild West Show are Colorado Cal, expert lariat thrower and rope spinner; Montana Jack, glass ball breaker and fancy rifle shot; Mexican Bill and his congress of cowboys and rough riders; Madam Mamie Cadotte and her cowgirls and broncho busters; a tribe of Sioux Indians, headed by Tiger Bill in person, and Harry Carpenter and his bunch of funny clowns. The business since opening has been good. Elmer White is in charge of the advance brigade.
The complete roster: Tiger Bill, Fred Bush, A. H. Roody, Harry Cornish, H. L. Carpenter, G. O. Edmonds, Howard Hall, Geo. Hunt, C. W. Knapp, Mexican Bill, Art Montgomery, Geo. Marsh, Chas. Marsh, Elmer McCracken, Geo. Martin, J. H. Pearson, Montana Jack, F. J. Pike, W. F. Pike, D. W. Perrine, Geo. Sischo, B. A. Tannahill, Col. Valliet, Colorado Cal, Bill Williams, Rollo B. Williams, Harry E. Thoren, Louis Wilson, Miss Germaine, Mrs. Grace Perrine, Miss Olive Perrine and Miss Diana Montgomery.
During the engagement of Ringling Brothers Circus in Jersey City, N. J., May 20, Mrs. Beatrice Valentine, a member of the Jackson Family troupe of acrobats and circus riders, was taken ill with pneumonia. She was taken to the St. Francis Hospital, where she died May 26. The deceased was twenty-three years of age and married. Her husband and sister, who are also members of the Jackson Family troupe, were with her when she died. Mrs. Valentine played engagements with the Barnum and Bailey, Sells Brothers, and Forepaugh Circuses. Her maiden name was Galvin. She was a native of Boston, Mass.
On June 8, at Verona, Pa., winter quarters of Col. M. H. Welsh's Great American Circus, one of the bears broke his chain and started on a rampage. Bruin succeeded in putting to flight Harry S. Greene, chef, and his subordiantes, in a highly ludicrous manner. The Grove Family, equestrians, have signed for the season with Col. Welsh. Max Hugo will be producing clown with the show. Doc Parkhurst will act as superintendent and boss canvasman. The Comedy Acrobatic Hills will also be seen with this outfit.
The three weeks' engagement of the W. K. Sibley Shows at San Francisco, Cal., was a successful one. Owing to a contract with the management of "The Oakes," Portland, Ore., they were compelled to close when business was top notch. They opened at Oakes Park for a four weeks' engagement on May 29, in a pouring rain. While in San Francisco, Mr. Sibley purchased a $1,750 military band organ. His new auto also arrived from the factory during their engagement in that city.
No. 1 car of the John Robinson Show: W. M. Dale, manager; Frank Adams, charge of paper; Ben Miller, lithographer; Jas. Sullivan, banner man; Chas. Kunkle, programmer; C. Kerns, paste maker; Wm. Marsh, Wm. Brown, Jess Nolan, Chas. Cooley, Chas. Veinerder, Willard Chaplin, J. St. Clair and Martin Acton, billposters.
Roster of Gollmar Brothers advance car No. 1: Wm. H. Delly, manger; F. C. Harris, lithographer; Geo. I. Reid, program solicitor; Wm. Hitchcock, programer; Geo. Becker, boss billposter; Wm. (Gib) Martin, Zeak Mawhood, R. M. Morris, F. L. Burt, Walter Jensen, T. Gaveny, Geo. Ferrell, John Sanders, F. Sammon, L. J. Hart, Jas. Ward, J. M. Hartman and H. Johnson, billposters.
Roster of Betz's band, with the Blondin Show: J. E. Betz, Leo Blondin, Clair Balding, C. A. Curtis, C. A. Edwards, Jack Harvey, S. Z. Herb, F. L. Kirsch, R. D. Knight, Frank H. Lamb, Ira Moses, Si Jamison, Ralph B. Peterson, E. N. Pound, R. E. Thompson, Ferris Taylor and Don Vandeveer.
Wm. and Rose DeMott have signed for the season 1909 with Mackay's European Circus, which opens in Detroit, Mich., June 28, under the auspices of the B. P. O. E., No. 34. The DeMotts will be seen in a two horse carrying and hurdle act. Mr. DeMott will be equestrian director, and have charge of the dressing room.
Harry Clemings, clown, witht he Barnum and Bailey Show, was united in marriage to Miss Alice Gessner, in Allentown, Pa., June 4. Miss Gessner is one of the Sisters Laraque, who rode in the passing automobiles with the Forepaugh-Sells and the Barnum and Bailey shows.
John Rippel, of Rippel Bros. United Shows, has sold his half interest in the show to his father and two brothers, Charles and Robert Rippel. He is at present taking a rest at Wichita, Kan. Mr. Rippel will shortly re-enter vaudeville.
Col. M. Henry Welsh opened his Great American Circus at Verona, Pa., June 17. He is assisted by William Lane, well known trooper, as assistant manager. The show will go East, in the territory where the Welsh name is a household word.
Dr. J. E. Fitzgerald, formerly press agent with Gollmar Bros. Circus, has located at Dreamland Park, Decatur, Ill. He is in charge of the Electric Theatre.
Leon Reeves, formerly of the Barnum and Bailey Show, has been secured by R. M. Harvey as special agent for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show.
F. W. Hall's Overland Shows are now in Verdigris, Neb., arranging matters for the road tour, which will commence in two or three weeks.
Ketrow's O. K. Show is touring the State of Indiana. A band and several new performers have been added.
Joe Earl has signed with Cole Bros. Show for the season.
Sparks Circus roster of peformers is composed of the Aerial St. Elmos, Kadell Sisters, Du Rell-Mendoza Troupe, Van, the human cannon, and a large array of trained elephants, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Charley Sparks are in charge.
Billboard, June 26, 1909, p. 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
William A. Woodward, cook with Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Show, died of paralysis at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, June 6. He was 46 years old and a native of Lincoln, Neb. His body was shipped to his home town for burial, accompanied by a brother, who came on to Boston from Chicago. Mr. Woodward had been with the big show since the spring of 1908.
Oscar Lowande's Bay State Show opened their season at Reading, Mass., Saturday, May 8, to capacity business, it being the home of the shows. Col. Seeley and Oscar Lowande, equal owners.
Rice Brothers Colossal Railroad Shows are to be auctioned off to the highest bidder at the National Stock Yards in East St. Louis, June 29.
The Melbourne United Shows, Wintermute Bros., owners and managers, encountered four continuous days of rain, commencing at East Dubuque, Ill., June 7. Ten wagons, twenty-five people and a band of eight pieces are carried. Their route is through Northeastern Iowa, into Minnesota and North Dakota, returning to winter quarters at Whitewater, Wis.
Billboard, July 10, 1909, pp. 18, 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. Only selected items were transcribed.
Col. M. H. Welsh's Great American Shows opened the season at Verona, Pa., June 10, and will play the leading lots of Pittsburg and surrounding towns before beginning their regular road tour. This is an eighteen car show, with two cars in advance. It is Col. Welsh's intention to make a long southern tour. Executive staff: Col. M. H. Welsh, sole owner and manager; Homer B. Day, general agent; Thos. Aiton [Alton?], railroad contractor; E. M. Langford, local contractor; Tom Allen, special agent; Will C. Smith, excursion agent; James Nelson, checker-up; Harry Wilson, twenty-four hour man; I. R. Davis, press agent; R. C. Hanks and N. J. Kelly, ticket sellers; Harry Green, manager of dining tents; Shanty Ross, boss canvasman; Fred Ludke, boss canvasman of side show; M. W. Graves, train master; James S. Bass, superintendent; W. C. Lane, side show manager.
Advance car No. 1. J. C. Andrews, manager; S. J. McAllister, boss billposter with the following assistants: John Parns, Chas. O'Bryan, V. S. Russell, M. L. Watkins, Bob Lynn, W. Cl Black, M. T. Case, Sydney Warren, Charlie Stafford, John Hickory, O. T. Fallen, S. Hannaner and F. Paturel; Curley Moore, S. H. Weston and H. A. Todd, lithographers and bannermen; E. C. Flint, programmer; E. O. Erickson, paste maker and porter. E. M. Osgood, cook.
Advance car No. 2: Jack C. Kendall, manager; Roxie Doan, boss billposter; J. Fred Johnson, Will Kerr, P. W. McHaley, N. S. Proper, D. Persing, M. H. Jacobs, A. W. Hanan, Jack Wallace and Geo. Pitch, billposters; E. I. Jury and S. H. Pell, lithographers and banner man; E. C. Stephens, programmer; Robert M. Thompson, paste maker and porter; Ned Johnson, cook.
Side show: W. C. Lane, manager; Dick Allen and Fred Frscher, ticket sellers; the Great Burkhart, lecturer and magician; Prof. Aiken's troupe of performing bears; Miss Aide, snake charmer; Miss LaRose, mind reader; Mitachel Sisters, singers, dancers and instrumentalists; Miss Arlington, bag puncher; Mons. Goroux, sword swallower; Lonilon, punch and judy show.
Performers in the big show: the LeRoys, aerial artists; Madam Ettevelio [Ettevello?], roman rings; the Great Grant, contortionist; Geo. Devere, swinging ladder; LaFayette, burlesque artist; Stafford Sisters, barebeck riders; Madam DeVere, traps and bounding wire; the Great Hill Family of society acrobats; Prof. Wilson's trained goat, dog and pony circus; Mons. Aiken's trained bears; Rose and Rose, impalement act; Hitt and Hitt, song and dance; Ada Molton, aerial bars and traps; Nelson, James and Nelson, acrobats and stilt walkers; Madam Leona, cloud swings; Mrs. M. H. Welsh, high school menage act; Nellie Adams, contortionist; Anderson's trained cockatoos; Hall and Woods' performing elephant troupe; Geo. Acton, mule hurdle rider; Dan S. James, four horse rider; Max Hugo, principal clown with the following assistants: Bob Kester, Chas. Yorke, Dick Adams, Frank Tate, Fred Rose, Tom Tipton, H. F. Kauffman; a white band of fourteen pieces with Burny Hanks as leader. A colored band of eight pieces for the side show is under the direction of Roy A. Temple.
The Sparks Circus made a favorable impression in Steelton, Pa., Monday, June 18. The show is transported in eight cars which includes the private car of Mr. and Mrs. Charley Sparks. The performers include Alfred Heintz, upside down marvel; Mike Orton, the famous Pettit family of acrobats, the Valentines, the Elliotts, Lillian Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Mayo, and Paul Jacobs who works with the elephants. Sherry and Rich are two clever clowns.
To satisfy a mortgage held by W. H. Pomeroy, the menagerie and effects of the Rice Bros. Circus were put on sale at the National Stockyards in East St. Louis, July 1. At first it was the intention to auction the animals and red wagons, but this was prevented by a Federal Court injunction and an agreement was reached by which the property was to be disposed of at private sale. W. P. Hall of Lancaster, Mo., acting as agent for several road shows and carnival companies, took two elephants off the hands of the stranded circus men and picked out two lions which he thinks he can use in his business. The amount paid for the animals was not made public.
Complete roster of Mackay's European Circus: Andrew Mackay, manger; Jack M. Stirling and Arthur Lane, treasurers; special agents and promoters, Col. Wm. H. Sherwood, J. W. Fritz, M. L. Williams, I. W. Potts and C. Wilson; equestrian director, Wm. DeMott; superintendent of menagerie and animals, "Doc" Bradbury; superintendent of stock, A. W. Mayo; master of properties, Frank Gang with twenty assistants; superintendent of animals, E. E. Payton with sixteen assistants; Guy Bemis, calliope; master of canvas, Carl Watson and E. Hopkins with fifty assistants; master of trains, F. W. Wats with ten assistants; lights, Al Bugard with six assistants; privileges, M. Goran and Cleveland Concession Company; annex superintendents, F. S. Ross and "Doc" Minton; menagerie, twenty-five cages of animals; Mr. Alber and his ten polar bears.
Performers and acts: the Art Dacoma Troupe, aerialists; Ten Castrillions, Abadallah Troupe, Orliff Family, the Brantellis, Walberti Troupe, principal bareback riders; Albert and Verona Davenport, Wm. and Rose DeMott, Mabel Hackney, Burbank Sisters and Dynamo, Ben Hur racing stable and jockeys, Quintard's Roman racing, chariot and standing; Ranch "Bar Z" wild west, including thirty people; Hill Family; Slicker Family, Ardell Brothers, Fraser Family, King Brothers, Rodell Trio, Hall's Elephants, Steve Miaco, Spader Johnson, Marvlle, Nat Harris, Warren Sheppard, Alton Brothers, and Reno, clowns; Sandor's Russian dancers, Ranch "Bar Z" brass band, real tuscarora Indians, Lewis Military Band, herd of sacred Brahamin performing cattle, drove of elks, camels and buffalo. In the annex are Martin, handcuff king; Frozo, mec