A - M

N

Neario Troupe (Nevarro, Nearie?), wire walkers, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1911. Lima (OH) Lima (OH) Daily News, May 28, 1911; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, May 29, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Mr. Nederweld, German dog and monkey act with Barnum & Bailey, 1911. Logansport (IN) Reporter, May 27, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Nell Sisters, high wire, Wallace Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 16, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Della Nelson, wire evolutions, Wallace Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 16, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Robert Nelson, Nelson Family, acrobats, tumblers, Great Wallace Circus, 1900; 1903: Robert Nelson, head of the Nelson Family of acrobats. Owns property in Mt. Clemens, Michigan; Nelsons, nine in number, Walter L. Main, 1904; Flying Nelsons, aerial, Gollmar Bros, 1908; Nelson Family, acrobats, Sells-Floto, 1909; Flying Nelsons, ten in number, acrobatic company, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1911. Billboard, August 18, 1900; Ottumwa (IA) Daily Courier, July 27, 1903; Elyria (OH) Reporter, April 26, 1904; Sheboygan (WI) Daily Press, July 15, 1908; Yuma (AZ) Examiner, April 16 & 17, 1909; Lima (OH) Daily News, May 28, 1911; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, May 29, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Sara Warren Nelson. When Mrs. Sara Warren Nelson, widow of the late Arthur Nelson, retired from the realm of sawdust and spangles to her home in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, in 1936, she had rounded out half a century on the stage and under the big tops. But unlike many retired stars of the circus, Mrs. Nelson had little time for leafing through scrapbooks or reflecting on her long career in show business. For Mrs. Nelson has children and grandchildren carrying on the Nelson family name and traditions, keeping her in close contact with the circus world. Furthermore, the transition from a member of an acrobatic act to the relative quiet of home life, was facilitated by the fact that the Nelsons had maintained their home in Mt. Clemens between seasons for the past 25 years, during which Mrs. Nelson and her husband reared a family of six beautiful daughters and a handsome son, who for years composed "The Nelson Family, Premier Acrobats of the World." And when little granddaughter, Mary Lou Burkhart, made her debut in the act in the traditional manner - popping out of a carpet bag brought into the ring by the equestrian director - she was of the third generation to make her entry in that manner. Now Mary Lou is the mother of Richard Mader, Jr., which makes Mrs. Nelson a great-grandmother.
          Mrs. Nelson was born in London, England, in 1879, and made her first appearance on the stage at the age of six years in an English pantomime. None of her family had been in show business, but Sara Warren progressed to cycling and skating acts, and when she was 17, she came to this country with a troupe of pantomimists. Her future husband, Arthur Nelson, was the son of Robert Nelson, Sr., a native of London, who with three associates, formed the acrobatic act known as the Original Nelson family, which came to America in 1866.
          A few years later Nelson, Sr. and his two small sons, Robert, Jr. and Arthur, appeared in a risley act in which the family was to become famous. The try-out was in Vancouver, British Columbia, and so well known did the act become known that they were invited to New York City in 1871, where they signed a contract to appear with the Dan Rice circus, with which they were associated for the next four years. A risley act is a type of acrobatic skill in which somersaulting acrobats are propelled, caught and balanced on the feet of other performers lying on their backs on pads.
          For the next several years, Arthur Nelson, his brother and father, traveled extensively in South America and Europe, and returned to the States in 1881 to play for Barnum & London Circus. They went to India and back to Europe before coming to the United States to remain permanently in 1886. In 1895 and 1896, they were with Ringling Brothers Circus, the act then consisting of nine persons. In the latter year, Arthur Nelson met newly arrived Sara Warren, and they were married on July 9, 1896 at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
          Mrs. Arthur Nelson teamed with Mrs. Robert Nelson, Jr. in a tight wire act and later joined the family acrobatic troupe, as well as doing individual acts. From 1897 to 1901, the Nelsons were with the Great Wallace Circus, again with Ringling Brothers in 1902 and 1903, and with Walter L. Main Circus in 1904. The troupe left the circus in 1905 and 1906 to play fairs and amusement parks, but were back under the big top with Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in 1907. The Sells-Floto show featured the Nelsons from 1908 to 1910, when the elder Nelson retired to Mt. Clemens, where he and his wife had owned a home since 1889.
          Arthur Nelson and his wife then took over the act and brought their seven children up in the troupe. The children included six daughters, Rosina, Oneida, Theol, Estrella, Hilda and Carmencita, and son, Paul, youngest member of the family. The act was with Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in 1911 and 1912, went to Australia with Wirth's circus in 1913, was back in the States with John Robinson from 1914 through 1916, and again in 1921 and 1922. Featured by Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1924 and subsequent years, fairs and vaudeville engagements were played in 1927 and 1928. Theol Nelson, one of the daughters, left the family act to remain with the Ringling show in which she was featured performing a series of backward flip-flaps on the hippodrome track for several years, and she is still with the Ringling show as a performer, as is her daughter, Sally Marlowe. From 1929 through 1931 the Nelsons were featured in the Sparks circus and were with Sells-Floto in 1932, when Zack Terrell was manager. Estrella, Carmencita and Paul Nelson were featured in the Standard Oil Company circus, managed by Terrell at the Chicago World's Fair in 1934. When Mr. Terrell and Jess Adkins organized Cole Brothers Circus in 1935, the Nelson family was reunited to present their featured risley act for their last season.
          Since then, Mrs. Nelson has lived at Mount Clemens, where one daughter, Rosena, now Mrs. George Brown, has lived since her marriage and retirement from the circus. Just as Mrs. Nelson met her husband on the Ringling Brothers Circus, so have three of her daughters and a granddaughter met and were married to men associated with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Combined circus in later years. The daughters are Hilda, who is Mrs. Noyelles Burkhart, wife of a legal adjuster of the Ringling show; Theol, who is the wife of Ray Marlowe, for years in charge of reserved seat ticket sales for the show; and Estrella, wife of Zack Terrell, who managed the Sells-Floto Circus for the Ringling interests for years before he owned his own show. The granddaughter is Mary Lou Burkhart, who was married to Richard Mader, while he was associated with the Ringling show. Mr. Nelson and two daughters, Oneida and Carmencita, have passed away since the breaking up of the family act. The son, Paul Nelson, headed an acrobatic act billed as The Nelson family on Cole Brothers Circus, for several years after the family retired, and later was principal horse trainer for the show, owned by his brother-in-law. When Mr. Terrell sold the circus two years ago, and retired to the Terrell farm home at Owensboro, Kentucky, Paul Nelson went to the Dailey Brothers Circus, where he is equestrian director.
          Thus, Mrs. Nelson, on her visits among her children and grandchildren, and as hostess to them in her own home, has never been out of earshot of show business shop talk, and she maintains a lively interest in the profession which she enjoyed for five decades. Strangers in Mount Clemens, would scarcely associate the trim white-haired matron, whose dark eyes flash from rimless spectacles, with a circus career. But not so, the home town folks of Mt. Clemens. There are some people there who have known five generations of the Nelson family during the past 60 years. And most of the Mt. Clemens citizens are acquainted with Nelson's exceptional career under the big tops, and the unique accomplishments in their chosen field of endeavor by the lively, acrobatic Nelsons. A. Morton Smith, "Circus Stars of Yesteryears, IV. Sara Warren Nelson" Hobbies, October 1950, pp. 24-25. Information should be checked with additional sources

William Nelson, the rotund knight of the bass drum of the side-show band, is a resident of Vinton, Iowa. His genial nature has made him a general favorite on Ringling Bros. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Flying Nevilles, John H. Spark's Shows, 1908. Titusville (PA) Morning Herald, July 4, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

H. C. Newman, advance, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1910. Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, June 20, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

William Newman, "Bath, Dec. 30 - The death of William Newman occurred suddenly this morning at at the State Soldiers' Home, death resulting from heart disease. Mr. Newman was familiarly known as 'Jumbo Bill.' He was for years connected with the Barnum & Bailey circus. . . . famous elephant Jumbo, and for years served as the animal's trainer and exhibitor. He was 72 years old." Syracuse (NY) Herald, December 30, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hal Newport, clown, John Robinson's, 1911. Laurel (Mississippi) Chronicle, May 19, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

L. F. Nicodemus, advertising program, Pawnee Bill Shows, 1900. Resides Chicago, Illinois. Billboard, May 1, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Clyde V. Noble, see Clyde V. Fisher.

Andrew C. Norris (Andrew Crosby Cozad) was born January 1, 1863 in Ohio and died in Santa Cruz, California. His father was D. A. Cozad and his mother's maiden name was Crosby. Andrew and his brother, Clarence, were proprietors of dog and pony shows. They owned the Norris & Rowe Circus with Hutton S. Rowe in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Bandwagon, Vol. 16, No. 1 (Jan-Feb), 1972, pp. 4-14. Information should be checked with additional sources

Clarence I. Norris (Clarence Cozad), brother of Andrew Norris, was born in Ohio. See Andrew C. Norris.

Top

O

John O’Brien was born of poor, hard working parents, at Frankford, a suburb of Philadelphia, on the 29th day of January, 1836. His father [Michael O'Brien], who was a stone mason, was the first workingman who spread plaster on Girard College, Philadelphia. John was ever a restless, roving boy, starting for school bright and early on Monday morning, with his books under his arm, and often returning late on Saturday night, minus his books, hat, shoes, and sometimes bringing home an elegant black eye - the effect of arguments he often entered into with other boys. His father at last concluded that John was not intended for a great scholar, and so the boy was set at work mixing plaster. He diligently mixed the sand and lime, when, one day, a big boy threw the core of an apple at our hero. Here was an opportunity not to be lost, and in less than a minute a grand "clem" began, and was soon finished. John came off with flying colors, only to receive an inglorious defeat at the hands of his father, who administered a highly refined thrashing unto his son. This was too much for the lad, so he stepped around the corner, out of his father’s sight, and remained there about four years. One day the old gentleman stepped into a stage to go to Philadelphia - there were no cars between the two places in those days - and greatly to his surprise, found his son John driving. Here O’Brien remained some six years, driving stage and buying horses, the animals he dealt in being high bred and usually costing from five to fifteen dollars.
       But horses became a drug, as it were, and seeking "fields fresh and pastures new," he went to Washington, where, as Lew Simmons says, the greatest collection of wild animals in the world may be seen - when Congress is in session. O’Brien again drove stage from the capital to Alexandria, and, making some money, finally became interested in the line of stages. He had on hand a large number of very fine horses, and becoming acquainted with a certain well known showman, rented him a lot of horses to pull a show through the country. The experiment proving highly satisfactory, he determined to go into the show business himself, so in the spring of 1862 John O’Brien first stepped upon the carpet as a showman, being owner of Mrs. Charles Warner’s Circus. The show made money, but from all I have heard regarding the concern, it must have been a very "light waisted" affair. Parties have told me that when it started it had three performers, four musicians, four canvassmen, and everything else in proportion. Be this as it may, the concern made money, and if I understand rightly, during the next season Adam Forpaugh became Mr. O’Brien’s partner. They did well, but for some reason sold the show to Stone and Rosston. In 1865 Jeremiah Mabie, who was the proprietor of a very fine menagerie, finding his health failing, concluded to sell his animals, and Forepaugh and O’Brien bought the whole establishment, paying a large figure for it. Poor Mabie! He lived but a year or two after, and sleeps his last sleep far away in the west.
       In the spring of 1866 Forepaugh and O’Brien dissolved partnership, divided the menagerie, and ran separate shows, both meeting with much success. In 1867 Mr. O’Brien rented a menagerie to "Yankee" Robinson, and, after supplying De Mott and Ward with a menagerie, and stock to haul the show, ran another show under the title of Whitby & Co.’s Circus and Menagerie. In 1868 he placed a show on the road for the first time under his own name - "John O’Brien’s Grand Menagerie and Circus." He ran it in 1869, and also another one under the name of . . . Campbell, of Frankford. It was called "Campbell’s Zoological and Equestrian Institute," and it met with uniform succes from the opening until the closing day of its season. For this show he secured the able services of Hyatt Frost, to whose efficient management much of its success was due. In 1870 these two shows again took the road - the Campbell show under the management of Jas. De Mott, but the circus was dispensed with in his big show, and the menagerie alone was exhibited. In 1872 he startled everybody by placing four shows on the road, two of which met with great success, while the other two did but a moderate business. Mr. O’Brien formerly resided at Twenty-first street and Ridge avenue, in Philadelphia, but a year or two ago he purchased an elegant mansion at No. 28 Harrison st., Frankford, Pa., the place of his birth, and now resides there. Two squares away stand his animal buildings, covering an acre of ground. On these premises in the month of March, 1871, I saw forty-nine cages of animals, five elephants, four beautiful chariots and several camels, and was told by Mr. O’Brien that he had five hundred head of stock on his farm, twelve miles away. The baggage wagons, tents, seats, and other circus paraphernalia, were piled up in utter confusion under sheds covering another acres of ground, and it was altogether too much mixed up to be enumerated here. Much of Mr. O’Brien’s success is due, not alone to his own great abilities, but to the excellent appointments he makes. He has had in his employ some of the ablest and most efficient managers and agents in the country, among whom were Hyatt Frost, James De Mott and John Sears as managers, and Charley Castle, J. E. Warner, Billy Gardner and others as agents. All of these gentlemen, in their own departments, have won reputations as being among the very best in the business and these positions Mr. O’Brien always fills with the best men money can procure. He is a plainly dressed man, short of stature and somewhat stout; he has a round, full face; his is free with everybody - a king or a canvassman would be all the same to him. Once in a while - on stated occasions, so to speak - he "comes out," and then he is resplendent with diamonds. A velvet vest, every button of which is set with diamonds, a watch chain with a big diamond in every link, a large solitaire on his bosom, and a big ring of diamonds on his fingers, make him sparkle all over, and on beholding him, one is most tempted to go into the show business on the spot. Occasionally he visits one of his shows, and selecting his man, will lavish the poor fellow with "kids" sufficient to sink a vessel; "kidding" is O’Brien’s element; here he is always at home, and he will lay back on the seats and laugh until it would seem he would explode with laughter. As a matter of course, when the "main guy" laughs, everybody else must join in, and so it is a general laugh all around. He is always in good humor, and his fund of anecdotes never gives out. Some fo them are reserved for a future article. On one occasion, while in New York, he entered a restaurant, and the bill of fare, printed in French, was placed before him. He wished to get some mushrooms, but not understanding the language, he asked for a sheet of paper and a pencil and sketched a mushroom. The waiter understood him promptly, disappeared, and in a moment returned with a beautiful - umbrella. John O’Brien is still a young man, and the knowledge of the show business he has displayed is very remarkable. Wherever he is known his word is equivalent to his note. But thirty-four years of age, in excellent health, with ample wealth, and with an interesting family about him, he has all that can make a man happy in this world. [Died 1889] New York Clipper, January 33, 1872. Information should be checked with additional sources
      John O’Brien’s first connection with the circus business was in 1861, when he rented horses and harness to (Dan) Gardner & Hemmings to haul their show over the country, Mr. O’Brien acting as boss-ostler of the whole establishment. In 1862 he purchased a third interest in the show, and was the assistant manager. In 1863 he disposed of the same to J. E. Cooper, an organized a company traveling under the title of Bryan’s & Mrs. Dan Rice. He sold out in the Fall, and put on the road in 1864 Tom King’s Excelsior Circus, disposed of it at the end of the season to Palmer, and joined Forepaugh in the purchase of Mabie’s Menagerie and christened the show Dan Rice’s Circus and Menagerie. The partnership having been dissolved and the animals divided, he rented his portion to "Yankee" Robinson on percentage. In 1867 he fitted out a show under the name of Whitby & Co., and again leased the animals to "Yankee" Robinson. In 1868 he organized the De Mott & Ward Show, and also ran Bryan’s Circus and Menagerie. In 1860 he organized the Campbell Circus and Menagerie, Hyatt Frost manager, and at the same time owned Bryan’s Circus and Menagerie. In 1870 he kept upon the road the same two, De Mott assuming the management of the Campbell show. In 1871 he had four shows, viz., Sheldenberger’s Circus and Menagerie, O’Brien’s Menagerie (without circus), J. E. Warner & Co.’s Circus and Menagerie, and Handenberger & Co.’s Circus and Menagerie. In 1872 he merged the quartet into the following three: O’Brien’s Circus and Menagerie, J. E. Warner & Co.’s and Kleckner & Co.’s. In 1873 he ran O’Brien’s Big Twenty-five-cent Show, and was interested with Dr. Spaulding and Patrick Ryan in the Dan Rice Circus and Menagerie. In 1874 he managed P. T. Barnum’s World’s Fair on Wheels, and was a partner in Maginley & Co.’s Show. In 1875 he continued to manage the Barnum wagon show, and organized the Rothchild & Co.’s, De Mott managing the latter. In 1876 he ran O’Brien’s Six Shows Consolidated, and the Rothchild & Co.; in 1877 O’Brien’s Six Shows, and in 1878 the Campbell Show, from which date up to the present time he has continued in active management. The past season he was "the man at the wheel" in directing the affairs of an extensive circus and menagerie. [Died 1889] New York Clipper, December 3, 1881. Information should be checked with additional sources

O'Brien Troupe, acrobats, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

O'Briens, seven in number, riders, Forepaugh-Sells, 1905. Galveston (TX) Daily News, November 6, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Clarence W. Ocobock, cornet, is another student of the famous cornet soloist, Chas. Petit, whose instruction he ably displays in his work on that instrument. His home is Muskegon, Michigan. Ringling Bros. 1893. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Frank J. O'Donnell, general press agent, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1900. Billboard, July 7, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Gladstone O'Keefe, commissary, Gollmar Bros., returned home and re-entered high school. Stevens Point (WI) Daily Journal, November 3, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Lugardo Olague, dwarf from Guadalajara, Norris & Rowe, 1905. Brownsville (TX) Daily Herald, November 23, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Marceline Orbes, clown, born Marcelino Orbes in Saragossa, Spain, died 1927. Marceline performed with a trained goose, he was age 28 in 1906, New York Hippodrome, 1906.(1) New York Times, April 11, 1906. Barnum & Bailey 1907, performed as an 'August,' ". . . a performer who wears evening dress, a top hat of any color and who is licensed to wear a red nose . . ."(2) Marceline, earth's funniest man, Hippodrome, 1908.(3) Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1915: ". . . There are six French clowns, headed by Marceline St. Varain. . . ."(4) Marceline St. Varian was with Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1913, 1915.(5) Barnum & Bailey, 1918: ". . . Well, there is Marceline, the clown, for instance. Marceline is a little chap with the softest voice and the kindest brown eyes in the world. And he left the circus business three years ago, after having been in it thirty-eight years - ever since he was six - to run a restaurant in New York. 'And now,' says Marceline in a recent interview: 'I am back in the circus, where I know what I am doing. When I was running the restaurant I never knew when a delivery man was shoving five or six pounds of fresh butter under his blouse. I went broke quick. I can sell laughs much better than I can sell table d' hotes. Believe me, any man, a circus man or anyone else, should know what he is doing before he does it - or, at least, puts his money in it.' "(6) With Sells-Floto, 1920.(7) Information should be checked with additional sources

1. New York Times, April 11, 1906.
2. Daily Review (Decatur, IL) May 31, 1907; Anaconda (MT) Standard, May 26, 1907.
3. Ad. New York Times, January 26, 1908.
4. Eau Claire (WI) Leader, June 12, 1915.
5. Newark (OH) Advocate, April 16, 1913; Chillicothe (MO) Constitution, July 8, 1915.
6. Lowell (MA) Sun, June 4, 1918.
7. Lowell (MA) Sun, June 9, 1920.

Ortaney Sisters, Forepaugh-Sells, 1911. Charleroi (PA) Mail, May 4, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Al Orton, bareback rider, Harris' Nickel Plate Shows, 1900. Billboard, May 21, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Bernard Orton, Ed. F. Davis Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 9, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Gorden Orton, equestrian, John Robinson's Ten Big Shows, 1909. Tyrone (PA) Herald, June 10, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ike Orton, clown, the fat policeman, Norris & Rowe 1908. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 20, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Iva Orton, perch, Iva and Norman, carrying act, Frank A. Robbins, 1907. Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, p. 33.; Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907. Information should be checked with additional sources

Myron Orton, comedy wire act, trapeze, Frank A. Robbins, 1907. Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, p. 33; Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907. Information should be checked with additional sources

Harry R. Overton, advance, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1909. Alton (IL) Evening Telegraph, August 10, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

James Owen, horse trainer, Ringling Bros., 1908. Marion (OH) Weekly Star, August 15, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Shepard Owen, bicycle death trap loop, Forepaugh-Sells 1904. Resided Waterloo, Iowa. Waterloo (IA) Times-Tribune, May 3, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Cal Owens, properties, 1941. "Los Angeles Shrine Had One Night Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 4. Information should be checked with additional sources

Top

P

1. Daily Review (Decatur, IL), January 6, 1905.
2. Lowell (MA) Sun, June 2, 1908; Oakland (CA) Tribune, August 25, 1909.
3. Evening Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), December 5, 1914.

Pajara Family, gypsy riders, Forepaugh-Sells, 1910-1911. Warren (PA) Evening Mirror, April 29, 1911; Charleroi (PA) Mail, April 30, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

Emil Pallenberg, trained bears. Emil Sr. and Emil Jr. both had trained bear acts in 1942. White Tops, Vol. 15, Nos. 7-8 (Jun-Jul), 1942, p. 16. Information should be checked with additional sources

Inez Palmer, probably iron jaw, Wallace Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 16, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Henry Parker, animal trainer and in charge of the camels, African-American, Gentry Trained Animal Show, 1901. Waterloo (IA) Daily Courier, May 13, 1901. Information should be checked with additional sources

Doc Parkhurst, boss canvas man, Norris & Rowe, 1900. Billboard, May 1, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Albert Parsons, superintendent of the refreshment privileges, Ringling Bros. Mr. Parsons has held this important position for a great many years, and the manner in which he conducts it reflects great credit upon him. In looking after the interests of the refreshment stands, Mr. Parsons brings great hustling qualities into play. He is a very strict disciplinarian, and the many salesmen who handle his goods on the seats and at the different stands are held strictly accountable for the most rigidly honorable treatment of patrons, and are required to conduct themselves with the greatest courtesy and politeness. It is not so much, however, in the strictness of his rules as in the employment of thoroughly competent assistants, that Mr. Parsons accomplishes these results. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

R. E. Parsons, advance, John Robinson circus, 1905. Coshocton (OH) Daily Age, April 6, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

D. Pascatel, contortionist, press agent, Shipp's Indoor Circus, 1905. "Of course Mr. and Mrs. Pascatel as bride and groom are the interesting figures in this family just now," Shipp's Indoor Circus, 1905. Pascatel married Maude Maitland, monologist and singer, vaudeville. Daily Review (Decatur, IL), January 3, 1905, January 6, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Mr. Patterson, menagerie, head keeper, Forepaugh-Sells, 1905. Galveston (TX) Daily News, November 5, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Mrs. Charles Patterson, "Madame Segrist," aerial, died in Chicago, age 30, 1909, Barnum & Bailey, 1909. Wellsboro (PA) Gazette, April 29, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Patty Brothers (Alexander Patty, Felix Patty), walk, skip rope, dance on their heads, Ringling Bros., 1907-1908.(1) "Madison, Wis., July 31. - Just as the announcer of the Ringling circus was calling the attention of the 14,000 people of the audience at the afternoon performance to Alexander Patty, the man who walks on his head, the up side down pedestrian was making an earnest endeavor to kill his brother and companion on the road. Patty was beating his brother with a heavy hardwood club. The brother is an assistant in the act. Patty is an encentric fellow and was apparently in an insane fit. Employes rushed in and restrained the performer, the injured brother was assisted to the dressing tent and the show went on, Patty performing his feat, but in an abbreviated manner. . . . The Patty brothers are Europeans and are accompanied on the road by their father. He was terribly broken up by the occurrence and wept bitterly after the acident. It appears that the performer is not normal mentally and has been subject to outbreaks. There was absolutely on [sic] reason for his assault upon his brother. The extreme heat is assigned as the sole cause of his disturbance. Two years ago he was similarly affected, striking his brother with a cane and breaking some teeth. . . . "(2) ". . . Alexander and Felix Patty of France have reversed the natural order of things. With hands in pockets and feet in air they can use their heads with more agility than many people use their feet. By a series of peculiar head hops they walk up and down stairs, skip the rope and dance. . . ."(3) Patty Brothers in vaudeville, 1911; late of Ringling Bros., 1913.(4) Information should be checked with additional sources

1. Oakland (CA) Tribune, September 7, 1907; Evening Tribune (Marysville, OH), April 23, 1908; Eau Claire (WI) Leader, June 19, 1908; Ogden (UT) Standard, July 26, 1909.
2. Eau Claire (WI) Leader, August 1, 1908.
3. La Crosse (WI) Tribune, July 3, 1908.
4. Waterloo (IA) Evening Times-Tribune, December 16, 1911; Salt Lake (UT) Tribune, May 19, 1913.

C. E. Payne, clown, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ricardo Pearea Family, from Italy, Forepaugh-Sells, 1910. Bedford (PA) Gazette, April 29, 1910; Charleroi (PA) Mail, April 28, 1910; New Castle (PA) News, April 29, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

George Peck, sideshow, Buckskin Bill's Wild West, 1900. Billboard, May 1, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ralph Peckham, excursion agent, Ringling Bros., 1900. Billboard, June 9, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

William Peewee, John Rooney and William Peewee, riders, jockey act, Frank A. Robbins, 1907, Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, p. 33; Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907. Information should be checked with additional sources

Oscar Pepper, clown. Norris & Rowe, 1908. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 20, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Peralia Troupe (Peraita?), Norris & Rowe, 1905. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 11, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Paul Lorenzo Perkinson, "Great Lorenzo," aerial acrobat, age 40, fell to his death, July 29, 1942. Fell from a 116 foot pole during his performance at Salem, Illinois. His pole snapped and he missed grabbing the platform on which his wife Vicki was standing. White Tops, Vol. 15, Nos. 9-10 (Aug-Sep), 1942, p. 12. Information should be checked with additional sources

Alfred Perrin, lion trainer. "Alfred John Lincoln Perrin, a lion tamer, who lives in the house of Mrs. Emma Smith at 118 Lynch Street, Wllllamsburg, had his neighbors in Lynch Street, between Lee and Marcy Avenues, in a state of great excitement early yesterday morning by his strange actions on the roof of many dwellings. Perrin and his wife were known as 'The Perrinos,' lion tamers, and traveled together for years with Sparks's Circus in the South. The couple separated after a quarrel, and Perrin came North, while his wife remained with the circus. Lately Perrin had been acting queerly. He put on his old circus costume, including tights, early yesterday morning and proceeded to the roof. He ran from one house to another, dropping bricks down chimneys. His last exploit was on the roof of August Bechlott's house, at 98 Lynch Street. Bechlott was awakened by a clatter on his roof, and while he was listening a dozen bricks were dropped down to a fireplace In his room. Bechlott went up to the roof to investigate and he found Perrin in his circus outfit. The lion tamer frightened Bechlott and he summoned Policeman Schneider of the Clymer Street Station, who, hastening to the roof, arrested the lion tamer after a chase. Later Perrin was taken to the Lee Avenue Court in his circus costume, and Magistrate Tighe remanded him to have his sanity inquired into."
      "Crazed in Cage of Lions. Animal Trainer in Florida Develops Madness During Performance. Special to The New York Times. Jacksonville, Fla., March 16. - While in a cage with three lions this afternoon, Alfred J. F. Perrins, the animal tamer, suddenly became insane. Soon after he entered the cage Perrins struck one of the lion's a vicious blow and cried, 'Why don't you bow to me, I am God's agent.' Perrins then left the cage, leaving the door open and saying, 'They will not come out, as God is looking after them.' He then stood on a box and called on the spectators to come up and be healed, saying he could restore sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, and hoal any disease by a gift just received from God. The lions started to leave the cage and the spectators fled. The cage door was slammed by a policeman, who arrested Perrins. Physicians pronounced Perrins hopelessly crazed on religion. He has been in the show business thirty years, having been with Robinson, Barnum, and Sells." New York Times, May 17, 1904; New York Times, April 29, 1904. Information should be checked with additional sources

N. J. Petit, advance, Barnum & Bailey, 1909. Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette, May 15, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

W. J. Petit, contracting agent, Forepaugh-Sells, 1911. Newark (OH) Daily Advocate, March 24, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Petits, triple bar, Rhoda Royal Show, 1900. Billboard, July 7, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Marie Petrot, automobile double somersault act, Forepaugh-Sells, 1911. Newark (OH) Advocate, April 29, 1911; Charleroi (PA) Mail, April 27, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Jack Pheiffenberger, canvas, Buckskin Bill's Wild West, 1900. Billboard, May 21, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

D. P. Phillips, manager, winterquarters, Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia, Van Amburg Circus 1908; manager, Van Amburg, 1906-1909. Atlanta Constitution, November 5, 1908; Atlanta Constitution, March 18, 1906; Galveston (TX) Daily News, April 4, 1907; Atlanta Constitution, February 28, March 8, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Percy Phillips, Percy, elephants, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1908, 1912; performed elephant Queen Victoria, Animal Show, Greater Sheesley Shows, 1917. Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA), May 16, 1908; "Complete Circus Roster Season 1912", Billboard, March 23, 1912; Kingston (NY) Daily Freeman, August 7, 1917. Information should be checked with additional sources

Russell Phillips, acrobat, a local person, joins show in Cincinnati, June 5th, Sells-Forepaugh, 1911. Portsmouth (OH) Daily Times, April 22, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Picard Troupe, aerialists, Norris & Rowe, 1906, 1908. Four Picard Troupe ". . . The clean-limbed, graceful acrobats, flying through space and accomplishing seemingly incredible feats upon the elevated bars . . ." Advocate (Victoria, TX), September 22, 1906; Reno (NV) Evening Gazette, April 9, 1908; Ad, Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 17, 1908. Said to be the Brothers Picard, French Gymnasts, with Ringling Brothers in and before 1904, Louis Alexander (Alex) Picard and his brothers Fred and Phil. Information should be checked with additional sources

Pichianni, teeterboard act, Grotto Circus, 1941. "Conn. Fans Buck Snow to Attend Indoor Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources

Harry Pierce, mule act, Frank A. Robbins, 1907. Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907; Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, p. 34. Information should be checked with additional sources

Pina Troupe, acrobats, 1941. "Los Angeles Shrine Had One Night Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 4. Information should be checked with additional sources

Dick Pinkney, clown, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources

Frank E. Piper, excursion agent, Cooper & Co. Circus, 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Charles Ploepp, menagerie, from Sheboygan, Sells-Floto, 1909. Daily Press (Sheboygan, WI), August 4, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Louis Plomondon, clown, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources

Joseph Pluhacek. ". . . I trouped with Ringling Bros. in the early days when W. F. Weldon was Bandmaster and A. C. Vradenberg had charge of Second Band in Parade. I also was with Lemon Bros., Campbell Bros. and the first Gentry Bros. Dog and Pony shows, as well as with Dode Fisk and with the Walter Savage shows. My brother and I played with Ringling shows when my brother was 10 years old and I was 9. In those days it was a novelty to see such small children playing musical instruments. We both played Clarinet with the show and sure enjoyed it. I most likely would be trouping today if the shows would play 6 days per week, but at my age 74 years - 7 days per week is too much, as we all like to rest at least one day each week. . . ." Bandwagon, Vol. 1, Jan-Feb, 1956, p. 14. Information should be checked with additional sources

Frank Pollock, advertising 1909, had been in advance of Wallace, Ringlings and Buffalo Bill shows for several years. Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, January 21, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ruth Pontico, fat woman, died November 30, 1941 at Tampa, Florida, age 37. Known as "Baby Ruth," 815 pound carnival performer. Native of Kempton, Indiana. "World's Fattest Woman Is Dead," White Tops, Vol. 15, Nos. 1-2 (Dec-Jan), 1941, p. 14. Information should be checked with additional sources

Peerless Potters. Forepaugh-Sells, Madison Square Garden, 1902, " 'Peerles Potters,' led by Harry Potter - swung, leaped, dived, caught, and fell from horizontal bars suspended high in air. There were five bars and ten performers. Men made human trapezes of themselves and swung the other agile Potters through the air at a wonderous rate. The chef d'oeuvre of this act ws the double somersault of one of the women while swinging through the air from one Potter to another. . . ."(1) Ten Peerless Potters, aerial act, ten in number, Forepaugh-Sells, 1902, had Anita Stirk and Marie Silbon; Harry said he got his start in a college gymnasium, his father wanted him to be a lawyer.(2) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Sells-Floto, 1907; ". . . I am the sixth generation of performers in the Potter family. We go back more than one hundred and fifty years, an during all that time every member of my family has been a circus performer. . . ."(3) Peerless Potters, aerialists, seven in troupe, Norris & Rowe, 1908; six (or five at times) in number, four men, two women, Sells-Floto, 1908.(4) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Mrs. Roy Potter, Mrs. Harry Potter, 1909; Gentry Bros., 1928.(5) "P. H. Potter of Bensenville, and formerly one of the world's greatest and well known aerial performers, has again taken up aerial performing. For many years himself and wife, since deceased, . . . with Barnum and Bailey, also Ringling Bros., . . . Last fall, after several years away from the ropes, rigging and nets, Mr. Potter decided . . . to train another set of actors to do the many things he formerly did, and thereby leave some one to carry on his many wonderful acrobatic feats after he passed on. . . ."; he planned to take the act on the road this summer (1932), to Ohio, Montana, South Dakota, then south and east.(6) Gymnasts with Seal Bros. circus, 1934.(7) 1937: "Peru, Ind., Jan. 8 - Word has been received here that the 'Peerless Potters' aerial act that includes two Peru men. Harry Potter, a former noted aerialist, and Ralph Swisher, has had an unusual success in several weeks' engagement at the Olympia Coliseum in London, England. . . . opening performance in London on December 22."(8) Peerless Potters, gymnasts, Bud Anderson Circus, 1940.(9) "Henry P. Potter, Bensenville Circus Man, Dies. Harry P. Potter, probably unknown to most local folk as one of the greatest circus performers of his time, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Aeriel Marquette [probably Aerial], in Bensenville at the age of 70. Recognized by the critics of the circus trade as a top ranking trapeze artist at the turn of the century, Potter who was born on an Arkansas farm saw the bright lights and received the applause in the leading cities of the world, including London. Organizer of the Peerless Potters, he won fame far and wide. Although he retired in 1911 because the pace of his aerial acts became too strenuous, he never lost his enthusiasm for the show and the crowds. In 1931 at the age of 64, he came out of retirement to again make the headlines with a new act which included a half-dozen young men he had under his tutelage. A short time ago the key man of this troupe volunteered for the army when Mr. Potter, now 73, quit the field for the last time to come home to spend his remaining days in Bensenville. Mr. Potter was well known and greatly revered by many in Bensenville where he always obliged with a number or two at various occasions. At one time he was employed on the Milwaukee road. He died after a three day illness. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. E. M. Ringe. Burial was in Acacia cemetery."(10)
      Possible, 1894: "Cedar Rapids Gazette: The band leader in Reynolds' circus sued the show in the superior court here for $300 and its horses have been attached according to the following paragraph in a Creston paper: Sheriff Davenport went to Afton yesterday and levied on the horses and railroad cars of Reynolds Bros.' circus, on a writ of attachment sworn out by Harry Potter and wife for labor, in the sum of $891.05. Representatives of the circus were in the city today endeavoring to effect a settlement. Circuses seem to be having a rough time of it this year."(11) Information should be checked with additional sources

1. New York Times, April 3, 1902.
2. Lowell (MA) Sun, June 16, 1902; Racine (WI) Daily Journal, August 21, 1902.
3. San Antonio (TX) Light, September 15 & 18, 1907.
4. Reno (NV) Evening Gazette, April 10, May 12, 1908.
5. Oakland (CA) Tribune, June 6, 1909; Titusville (PA) Herald, May 28, 1928.
6. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL), July 29, 1932 (DuPage County Register).
7. Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, MN) May 29, 1934.
8. Logansport (IN) Pharos-Tribune, January 8, 1937.
9. Reporter (Emmetsburg, IA), May 2, 1940.
10. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL) April 11, 1941 (Roselle Register).
11. Waterloo (IA) Courier, July 18, 1894.

Harry Potter was a farm hand near Quincy, Illinois. In the early 1880s joined Tom Baldwin in an acrobatic act. Baldwin afterwards became world-famous as the original parachute jumper. Potter was with little wagon shows and his wife worked with him. Was with Ringling Bros., 1903. Ottumwa (IA) Daily Courier, July 27, 1903. Information should be checked with additional sources

Walter Potter. 1912: "Bridgeport, Ct., Dec. 11 - Suffering from an affliction due to constant shock received in the act in which he had become famous, Walter Potter, an acrobat for a life time, connected with the Barnum and Bailey circus died. Porter was the originator of the double somersault over elephants and the creator of the famous Melrose troupe of acrobats. The acrobat's death is ascribed to the continuous performance of his feat of catching upon herculean shoulders the uppermost man ?? a human pyramid. Repeated blows upon the head developed paralysis from which he failed to recover." Sandusky (OH) Star Journal, December 11, 1912. Information should be checked with additional sources

Potters, Three Potters, clowns, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources

Albert Powell Trio, five in number, tight wire, swinging ladder, comedy acrobats, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources

Col. Powell is doubtless one of the most remarkable productions of the human race ever placed on exhibition. There is hardly any doubt but what he is rightly styled the “tallest man in the world.” He occupies one of the stages in the museum, and the wondering crowds that daily gaze in amazement at his gigantic proportions, acknowledge his right to the above-mentioned title. Mr. Powell is a native of Texas, and it is presumed that that was the only state in the Union large enough to produce a man of his size. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Mr. Power, elephants, Howard Damon Australian Shows, 1909. Charleroi (PA) Mail, May 25, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

U. S. Park Prentiss, former Yumamite, band leader, Sells-Floto, 1910. Yuma (AZ) Examiner, April 23, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

W. F. Primrose, advance, Gollmar Bros., 1904. Racine (WI) Daily Journal, April 28, 1904. Information should be checked with additional sources

Roman Proske, animal trainer, Hamid-Morton indoor circus, 1941. "Circus Sawdust," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 14. Information should be checked with additional sources

Giles Pullman, contractor, Harrison Bros. Shows, 1900. Billboard, July 7, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Fran, L. Purcell, press agent, Sells-Floto, 1909-1910. Daily Press (Sheboygan, WI), August 4, 1909; Yuma (AZ) Examiner, April 16 & 17, 1909; Yuma (AZ) Examiner, April 23, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

Oscar Pucket, solo alto, is also a modern addition to this musical organization, this being his first season with the Ringling Bros. “World’s Greatest.” He has ably filled his position as well us his instrument, and has the heartiest and best wishes of his co-laborers. His long winter days are “ whiled away” in Winchester, Ind. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Top

Q

Top

R

Ramones, club juggling, barrel jumping. With John Robinson circus last season, will join them again the coming season, 1911. San Antonio (TX) Light and Gazette, January 15, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Rattlesnake Tom is one of the most peculiar and strange beings that have ever appeared before the public. This is not only true of his accomplishments as a subduer of poisonous snakes and reptiles, but his entire life and habits sustain this opinion. Reared in the Kickapoo hills of Wisconsin we are told by his parents that as a boy he acquired a peculiar fondness for the rattlesnakes that infest his native hills, and unbeknown to the members of the family kept a collection ot them on hand. His transition from the farm to the exhibitional stage was natural, and for several years he has astonished the public with his fearless feats as a performer with poisonous snakes. He has been in the museum of the Ringling Bros. two seasons. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ray Family, performers, Russell Bros. circus, 1940. "Fan Notes," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 9. Information should be checked with additional sources

Madam Rayal, performed smallest horse in the world and best trained. Sells-Floto, 1911. Oakland (Ca) Tribune, May 1, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

M. B. Raymond is one of the special agents of the Ringling show whose duties, while requiring considerable ability and attention, do not come under any particular heading, embracing as they do the work of contracting ahead, making special business trips and entertaining the press I back with the show as occasion may require. The greater part of the present season Mr. Raymond’s time has been occupied as an assistant contractor with Mr. Drake. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

W. H. Reany, advance, Gollmar Bros., 1911. Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, May 1, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Billy Reed, clown, Sun Bros., 1906, John H. Sparks Shows, 1909, 1919. Van Wert (OH) Daily Bulletin, June 5, 1906; Gettysburg (PA) Times, June 21, 1909; Cumberland (MD) Evening Times, May 16, 1919. Information should be checked with additional sources

Miss Blanche Reed is a native of St. Louis, Mo., and one of the famous Reed Sisters. Though she is not yet nineteen years of age, she enjoys a most creditable distinction among the great lady riders that have appeared in this country. Her professional career has been spent to a great extent in Europe, where, in conjunction with the other members of the Reed Family, she has rode in the principal amphitheatres and circuses of that continent. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Blanche Reed, equestrienne, Wallace Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 16, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Charles Reed is a native of Kentucky and comes from the early school of circus riders. He is said to be the only apprentice of the famous Dan Rice still doing a riding act. He was billed with the veteran clown’s show in 1856 as “Master Charlie Reed, the Famous Boy Rider.” Mr. Reed subsequently married the daughter of his famous employer. Until three years ago, and for ten years preceding, his professional career,together with different members of his family, has been spent in Europe. Mr. Reed, in conjunction with his son Francis, does a very finished carrying act with the Ringling Bros. Francis also does a principal riding act, and the rare grace and finish of his work reflects the able training given him by his famous progenitor. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Francis Reed, rider, Forepaugh-Sells, 1900. Fitchburg (MA) Sentinel, June 1, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Harry Reed, animal keeper, John Robinson's circus, 1905. Daily Telegram (Eau Claire, WI), October 3, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

May Reed is the elder of the two famous Reed Sisters, and whose riding with the Ringling Bros.’ Show during the past two seasons has made them so widely and favorably known to the people of the United States. Miss May Reed invariably rides her graceful acts with a vim and dash that fairly carries the audience away with enthusiasm. Both she and her sister are, aside from their professional acquirements, highly accomplished young ladies and speak four or five languages fluently. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Miss Olgy Reed, bareback rider, Wallace Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 16, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

The Reiche Brothers, the death of the younger of whom The Times announced yesterday, were devoted to each other. Charles died two years ago in Germany. It is coincidence that two between whom there was so strong a bond socially and professionally should have been carried off by the same disease - diabetes. In their animal trade they for many years enjoyed virtually a monopoly of this country, Hagenbach, of Germany, alone interfering with them at times in stocking our circuses. Barnum bought largely of the Reiches, and Forepaugh’s books will show that his purchases from them during the past 20 years footed up more than $300,000 worth. The firm stood well with their patrons besides. Henry Reiche was also a moneyed partner in a number of amusement schemes, the last of note being his backing and directing of the Van Amburgh Circus and Menagerie, which started from Amenia, N.Y., the home of its manager, Hyatt Frost, in the Spring of 1885. It traveled through New England, and then worked West. Charles H. Day was its press agent, and its motto was that it gave no quarter, but took it from everybody - a reference to its admission fee, which had been lowered to the olden time figure, 25 cents. The idea of the show was to establish Henry’s son Herman in a business that would take him out of a sedentary life and put him in the open air. It made money in the East, but there was no great profit to the season in the West. The veteran Den Stone, now creeping along toward 70 years of age, was with the party, which is a reminder that in the Spring of 1879 the Reiches sent him to Germany with a band of 11 American Indians. The project was successful; but the idea was new only as to Germany, the father of McKee Rankin, the actor, having taken a troupe of Indians to England away back in the "forties." It was Henry Reiche’s money that, in the Summer of 1877, fitted up the Aquarium, this city, which was opened in the ensuing Fall. It was where Harrigan’s Park Theatre now stands. The venture cost Mr. Reiche but little short of $90,000. It there is one amusement area that, more than another, will miss him, it is Coney Island. Much of his stock of birds, reptiles, and beasts went year after year to make West Brighton lively. New York Times, June 18, 1887, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources

Allen Reiss, showman, died August 13, 1900 at Cleveland, Ohio, age 42. Had been connected at various times with the T. K. Bush Circus, Tony Lowande's Circus and the Walter L. Main Circus. Billboard, September 1, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Renello (probably Fred Renello), the Marvelous Renello, somersault on a bicycle while leaping the gap, Campbell Bros. Consolidated Shows, 1909-1911; Fred Renello and sister, Ringling Bros., 1911; Fred and sister, vaudeville, 'Leaping the Loop,' 1913. Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada) Morning Free Press, June 5, 1909; Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), May 15, 1910; Grand Rapids (WI) Tribune, August 10, 1910; Grand Rapids (WI) Tribune, August 3, 1910; Brownsville (TX) Herald, November 22, 1911; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, February 3, 1912; Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA), May 5, 1913; Indianapolis (IN) Star, June 8, 1913. Information should be checked with additional sources

Guy Repasz, solo cornet, began his professional career in 1889 with the Wilson Theatre Company. Since then he has advanced rapidly to the front, the past two seasons being passed with the Ringling Bros. “World’s Greatest.” His geniality and generous nature have won for him many friends among the “gang.” Leisure hours are spent in Baraboo, Wis. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Jay Rial, press agent, Forepaugh-Sells, 1905. Galveston (TX) Daily News, November 8, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Betty Rich, high traps, 1941. "Los Angeles Shrine Had One Night Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 4. Information should be checked with additional sources

Marilyn Rich, aerial act, casts her body over her shoulder 175 times, 1941. "Los Angeles Shrine Had One Night Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 4. Information should be checked with additional sources

John J. Richards, bandmaster, Ringling 1912 to 1918. "Wallenda Tent of Madison, Wisconsin Honors Former Circus Bandmasters," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 10. Information should be checked with additional sources

John Bill Ricketts, the acknowledged father of the American Circus, began his circus career with Hughe's Royal Circus in London in the 1780's. There is no record of his birth or death. All that is known is that he was supposed to be a Scotsman and was reported lost at sea in the 1800's. John Bill Ricketts built a circus building in Philadelphia in the fall of 1792 in which he conducted a riding school. After training a stud of Pennsylvania horses, he began, on April 3, 1793, a series of exhibitions two and three times a week. He combined instruction and exhibition for the next seven years in Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, Charleston, South Carolina, Boston, Hartford, Albany, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Montreal. His advertisements referred to the Equestrian Exhibitions at Ricketts Circus. Performances included not only equestrian exhibitions, but clowns and music and later rope walkers were added. Each stand lasted from three or four days to several months and for each one he built temporary buildings. In December of 1799 his Philadelphia Amphitheatre burned and he retired from the circus business. His name is enshrined in recognition of his circus pioneering in the United States and his earned title of "Father of the American Circus." "Elected to Circus Hall of Fame," Bandwagon, Vol. 5, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1961, p. 21. Information should be checked with additional sources

Frederick William Riccobono, 77, a world-famous horse trainer and circus and vaudeville figure at the turn of the century, died last night after a long illness. Mr. Riccobono, who earned international fame as director of the famous Riccobono Equine Comedy Company, is survived by his brother and partner, Ottilio Riccobono, with whom he had resided for the past several years. Born in Hungary in 1869, the son of Italian circus people, Mr. Riccobono grew up in his profession and went on to achieve renown as a horse trainer. He organized an equine comedy company that performed in the leading showplaces of Europe and the United States.
       He came to America in 1907 at the request of the original Oscar Hammerstein and the novelty stunts of his trained horses created a sensation in New York theatrical circles. Later he served as horse trainer and performer for Barnum and Bailey and Ringling Brothers. Mr. Riccobono came to Kingston upon his retirement from active circus work about 37 years ago and settled down with his brother. He maintained a keen interest in equestrian pursuits and continued to train horses for various theatrical and circus groups.
       He was renowned in circus and vaudeville circles as a trainer who never used the whip on a horse. He cajoled the horses with sugar and carrots and achieved remarkable success through these methods. His comedy acts reflecting the almost human reaction of horses have never been equalled in the circus world.
       In one particular act three horses, three men and a dog took part. One of the horses would lie down, then get into bed, and one of the men, who took the part of the clown and furnished the comedy relief, would pull the bed clothes part way over the horse and then the animal would cover himself completely with bed clothes. Another horse would get up on a stool and pose. Later the animal got on a revolving table and a rope was placed in its mouth. The dog hung by the rope and the clown grabbed the tail and hung onto the dog and the three kept spinning around. The horses then played football and kept time with music, and also created a stir by chasing the men. This so-called "Good Night" act was the Riccobono trademark the world over. The "Horse From Ireland" act, when introduced, was hailed as the most intelligent horse act in the history of vaudeville. The highly trained horse appeared to the public walking on her hind legs, wearing an elegant Irish girls' costume. She made a courteous bow to the public and followed with an Irish dance. At the close of the dance, in response to the applause, she made several graceful bows, so perfectly executed that a skilled ballet dancer could hardly improve on. Kingston Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY), April 30, 1946. With Ringling Bros., 1907-1908, said to have come from St. Petersburg, Russia. Hamilton (OH) Daily Republican-News, April 17, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Fanny Rice, vaudeville comedienne, signed contract with Ringling Bros. as a clown, 1908. Fort Wayne News (IN), February 7, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

J. H. Rice, advance agent, Frank A. Robbins, 1908. News (Frederick, MD), September 21, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Joe Rice (Prairie Joe). 1917: "At liberty - For the circus season, for wagon or railroad show, Joe Rice, better known as Prairie Joe, formerly a U. S. Cavalry and ex-jockey man, Boss Hostler, Ring Stock Boss, Twent-Four-Hour Man, Official Announcer or General Lot Superintendent. Strictly temperate, positively no cigarette or dope fiend, no agitator or would-be front door manager, but attend strictly to business. American born, in good health; age 37. Wire ticket; will make use of it. Willing to troupe anywhere, rain or shine. Not afraid of muddy lots. I am not worn out. This is my professional livlihood. Address care The Billboard, New York." Billboard, March 24, 1917, p. 142. Information should be checked with additional sources

Mike Rice, clown, John Robinson's, 1909. Tyrone (PA) Daily Herald, May 29, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Rigos, from Italy, Forepaugh-Sells, 1910. Bedford (PA) Gazette, April 29, 1910; Charleroi (PA) Mail, April 28, 1910; New Castle (PA) News, April 29, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

Richards Sisters, butterfly dance 1910, Forepaugh-Sells, 1910-1911. Portsmouth (NH) Herald, July 1, 1910; Charleroi (PA) Mail, May 4, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

"Tony" Richardson, treasurer, Rhoda Royal Shows, 1900. Had been treasurer of Walter Main Circus. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Dr. Riley, physician, Ringling Bros., 1909. New York Times, March 29, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

A. G. Ringling, ". . . fills a most important position on the advance of the “World’s Greatest.” The amount of real advertising done from Car No. 1 is astonishing in its immensity, and, although a number of other cars follow his, to a casunl observer it would seem that after Car No. 1 has left a town nothing could possibly remain to be done. In the management of this vital and far-reaching part of the advertising, Mr. A. G. Ringling brings into play great natural abilities, and above all a systematic and methodical supervision of the affairs in his department that facilitates the work of advertising the big show throughout its many branches. The forces of bill-posters, programmers, lithographer, etc., employed on the different cars are engaged by Mr. A. G. Ringling, and the uniform efficiency of the men speaks volumes for his excellent judgment of their various capabilities. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Henry Ringling, of whom the this is an excellent portrait, in addition to his many other managerial duties, has complete charge of the main entrance of the Ringling Bros.’ World’s Greatest Show. With four assistants and a special police force, he keeps the thousands of visitors in a steady stream, good-naturedly pouring through the several passageways. The able executive ability required in this highly important business department of the show can only be appreciated by those familiar with its details. Without the most systematic operation of things the show would here be daily imposed upon in many ways. That Mr. Henry Ringling rigidly carries out certain necessary and important rules with his characteristic firmness and decisiveness can best be seen by watching the work of his department for a short time. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

John Leslie Riordan, see John Leslie.

Ritter, clown, Frank A. Robbins, 1907. Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907; Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, p. 33. Information should be checked with additional sources

Harry Rittley, clown, Grotto Circus, 1941. "Conn. Fans Buck Snow to Attend Indoor Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources

Burr Robbins was born in Union, Broome County, New York, August 13, 1837. His people gave him a university education, partially complete, and when they wanted to make a minister of the gospel of him by sending him to the Western Reserve College, there’s where he and his parents differentiated, and the said young man, thinking that a younger head was better than an older one, he ran away to Cleveland, the home of the Standard Oil kings.
       He was sixteen years of age, using the language of Mr. Robbins to the writer of this article, "a slim youngster and without a cent. then, becoming hungry, and with nothing in sight, I shipped as a waiter on a west-bound boat and landed in Milwaukee. Looking for work, I wandered through Wisconsin, up by Geneva Lake, and then back to Racine. Stowing myself away in a lumber boat, I was brought back to Chicago. This was in 1855. Staying around Chicago for awhile, I drifted back to Cleveland, Ohio."
       In this city he became a member of the Atheneaum Theatrical Stock Company, in a general utility and walking gent part. In those days stock companies such as this one sustained the traveling stars, and among all the number that he played with were none who impressed this young man more than that great artist of The Cricket On the Hearth fame - Maggie Mitchell. Right here, Mr. Robbins stated to the writer, that an entire change of mind came immediately to him, and made the turning point in his life. He here determined to become a theatrical manager, and devote himself and his future to the business of public entertainment.
       He was a good singer, his voice being strong, melodious and sweet, and in his boyhood days had become a proficient musician on the guitar, which instrument he played frequently ever since and up to his passing away, for his own and family’s entertainment.
       In 1858 he joined Spaulding & Rogers’ North American Circus, in St. Louis, Mo., at fifteen dollars a month and expenses, as a property man.
       This was considered a big show at the time, but it had only one center pole and quarter poles. "The use of quarter poles was originated with this show," which was the first that had them in those days, a few seasons prior to 1858.
       There was no concert in the big ring after the show like there is to-day, but in a side show with a portable stage on a wagon, was given minstrel and concert features.
       At the end of the season he had one hundred and seventy dollars saved up, and with that amount he financed a concert company of his own consisting of five persons. Prof. C. C. Pratt was the manager and his partner. He put up the experience and Robbins the cash.
       Their troupe was called Harmonium Bards. Like many another experience of like character they had a frosty time and landed up against a Mr. Gay, proprietor of the principal hotel in Bloomington, Ill., who kept all their trunks (a is present day hotel tactics), allowing them some small hand baggage to go as far as Lexington to give a show to get some money. "Don’t this experience sound natural to many an old trooper to-day?"
       But the people of that burg could not have been musically inclined, as they left Prof. Pratt’s Harmonium Bards to struggle along with their presentation to empty benches. They (the Professor and Robbins) slept together, and on the following morning were up at daybreak. Walking through the town they figured how much cash there was left. Pratt had $1.35 and Robbins had nothing. Pratt proposed that they divide the $1.35 and escape. Burr Robbins refused to do so, telling the Professor to keep the entire amount of money and go, which he did, leaving Robbins to face the landlord alone, and he certainly did give the young man a great talking to for daring to invade his premises without either money or baggage. Burr Robbins told him that he would pay him every cent, which he did later. Robbins then told the three members of the company that they must shift for themselves after they arrived at Bloomington, and he would get their baggage out, which he did, telling Mr. Gay to hold the baggage of Prof. Pratt and himself until he paid his bill.
       Robbins went to work, immediately, at harvesting, at $2.50 per day, and as the amounts in each place, Bloomington and Lexington, were small, he soon had both bills paid and his baggage released.
       Not being burdened with dissipating habits of any character, which generally absorbs the resources of the majority of young men, no matter in what their walk of station of life may be, he was always more inclined to saving, and like Adam Forepaugh and Uncle John Robinson, accumulated, with the object always in view of investing the same in show property, of which he had a taste with the Harmonius Bards.
       During the fall of 1859, when all true circus men are trying to learn where they can use some of the surplus cash accumulated during the summer season, he bought McBullwell’s Panorama of the Revolutionary War, which was then traveling in the neighborhood and doing a good business.
       On the 19th of April, 1861, three days after the late and lamented President martyr, Abraham Lincoln, made his call for seventy-five thousand volunteer soldiers, for three months’ service to suppress the rebellion of the Southern States, he enlisted, and after that service became a wagon boss with General George B. McClellan’s brigade, serving throughout the entire war and mustered out at its close a superintendent of transportation of the Twenty-third Army Corps.
       In 1866 and ‘67, with the money he had accumulated in the service, Robbins established two theatres in the oil country, one at Pit Hole and the other at Oleopolis, continuing there until the bottom completely dropped out at these two points.
       A young lady daughter of the late Isaac Blake, who was also at that time a well-known cross-road circus proprietor, alternated at these two theatres as one of Robbin’s leading features, making a tremendous hit in the famous song of the day, entitled If your Foot is Pretty, Show It.
       During parts of 1868, ‘69, he was in the boot and show business at South Haven, Mich., having acquired that business through a real estate transaction. In the winter of 1869 he bought an interest in William D. T. Travis’ painting of the Army of the Cumberland, who, with his brother, was struggling along through the country with mediocre receipts. He laid up his first investment, the McBullwell Panorama, and never used it afterwards.
       He was fortunate in making a partner of Mr. Travis, who was the well-known war artist of Harper’s Weekly on the field during the war, and as the paintings made were historical, Congress absolved him from paying the two per cent tax on gross receipts which every show had to pay then, so they were partners of the United States Government.
       During the summer of 1870, he bought the side show of James McKiver, and offered the Travis brothers to take them in as partners with this show, which Robbins ran at the different county and state fairs in 1871, but they refused. He then picked up the remnants of the then "busted" John Stowe Circus later in 1871, and then formed the Burr Robbins & Company Circus and Menagerie, John Stowe being the company.
       In 1873 they split partnership. John Stowe took all his old stuff and started out the John Stowe again. Robbins then built up an entire new show by buying more or less of the famous old European Show paraphernalia of Smith, June & Nathans, of New York City.
       His last season of the Burr Robbins Show and Menagerie was in 1888. During 1899 and 1890 he held the controlling interest in the French & Compnay Circus and Menagerie.
       At one time he employed the entire Marks Family. Hiram, Sr. was the ring master; Madam Marks and Miss Minnie Marks, principal riders; William and George Marks, riders, leapers and tumblers. They were all good, and pleased wherever they exhibited.
       Peter Conklin was also one of his famous talking and singing clowns, and although somewhat fleshy, made the crowds roar with laughter, the same as his slim competitors of other circus companies.
       While with the James McKiver Show, Robbins had two wagons, five horses and one buggy. He bought at Kempler’s near Madison street bridge, Chicago, Ill., a spotted wild cat that caused considerable question, as he had named it an American leopard. His sacred fowls from India were white hens stained with vermilion a bright red. The animal man sold the eggs of those hens for a dollar apiece throughout the territory they showed, and the amount did not supply the demand.
       One of the greatest curiosities, however that Mr. Robbins owned in his show life experience was a deformed mule, who head was as broad as two ordinary mules and whose nose turned up like a cup in front. He paid $10 for this mule, and billed him extensively as the "Moorish Magi."
       It was Mr. Adam Forepaugh that gave Robbins the advice to increase his canvases and expenses as that would also increase the business of the concern. The larger the canvas Mr. Forepaugh said the more important the show becomes in the minds of the country people, and he was proven correct. From Billboard, November 26, 1910, p. 20. Information should be checked with additional sources

T. Robbins, band, Ely's Combined Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ethel Roberts, bareback rider, Sells-Floto, 1911. Evening Standard (Ogden City, UT), May 24, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Helen Roberts, bicyclist, carrying act, Frank A. Robbins, 1907. Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907; Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, pp. 33-34. Information should be checked with additional sources

Dan R. Robinson, general agent, Buckskin Bill's Wild West, 1900. Billboard, May 1, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

G. E. Robinson, advance, Gollmar Bros., 1910. Daily Huronite, (Huron, SD), June 1, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

John Robinson, the original, whose name is familiar on every continent, was the progenitor of two characters, whose standing in the circus business ranks with that of any of the old-times. The head of the Robinson family was born on July 6, 1804, at Little Falls, N.Y., and died on August 4, 1888. In his younger days he gained an enviable reputation as an equestrian. Later he joined hands with Gilbert N. Eldredge Great Southern, thereby founding the Robinson & Eldredge Great Southern Circus. Particularly in southern climes was this aggregation successful, and for many years after their first invasion into Dixie was their reputation sustained. And at the present time the name John Robinson is considered a synonym for success. In 1856, Mr. Robinson retired, but the call of the ring being too great to go unheeded, he re-engaged in his former pursuit in 1857, by purchasing the Flagg & Aymar outfit which was re-named the Robinson Show. During the season of 1858, "Bill" Lake, the clown, and Mr. Robinson formed a partnership which lasted four years, or until 1862. He made an alliance with his brother Alexander for two ensuing seasons. Until the beginning of 1871, Mr. Robinson was the sole proprietor of the "Old" John Robinson’s Show. To him belongs the credit of first conceiving the dirt ring or bank of earth, as previous to 1852, all tent shows used wooden curb-rings. He also had the distinction of being the first to show a circus in many American towns. A biographer, in commenting upon the character of Robinson, said: "The first of the Robinsons was a ‘diamond in the rough,’ blunt, laconic and very out-spoken. His heart was in the right place and the memory of the famous pioneer circus man will long be fondly cherished by his contemporaries." "John Robinson," Billboard, August 8, 1910, p. 20. Information should be checked with additional sources

William Robinson. "Story of a Man with a Varied Career. Wm. Robinson, who has been confined for some time in the county jail is a man with a strange history. His name originally is believed to have been Wm. Stevenson, since then he has had several aliases, two of which are known to have been Robinson and Roberts. Twenty years ago Stevenson was agent for the celebrated Barlowe’s Circus while it was traveling through the colonies. After this he traveled widely as the manager of Chang, the Chinese giant. He is now nothing but a shrewd, sharp sneak. He has already served three terms in San Quentin. He seems to have a mania for stealing overcoats. He has stolen three in Modesto, one in Watsonville, one from Hollister, one from Gilroy, two from San Jose and no one knows how many from other places. He was released from jail here on Monday, after serving a forty day’s sentence. Deputy Marshal B.M. Horr, of Modesto, was waiting for him with a warrant of arrest, and immediately took him in and proceeded with him to Modesto, where he will be apt to become pretty familiar with the appearance of the interior of the Stanislaus county jail. Hollister Free Lance (Hollister, CA), March 22, 1889. Information should be checked with additional sources

William Curtis Robinson, from Grinnell, Iowa, invented and manufactured monoplane, was engaged at Grinnell, Iowa on Saturday (1910). John Robinson's, 1910. Iowa City (IA) Daily Press, June 20, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

Yankee Robinson

Yankee Robinson, Fayette Lodavick Robinson, the famous circus and show manager, died September 4, at 3: 15 o'clock p.m., at Jefferson, Ia., so a dispatch from Silas Robinson informs us. Yankee Robinson was a lineal descendant of the Dr. Robinson, divine, who came from England in the Mayflower. He was born near Avon Mineral Spring, Livingston Co., N.Y., May 2, 1818, and at fourteen years of age began work as a shoemaker with his father in West Richmond, N.Y. His first "appearance" with a circus was a peculiar one. Old Sickles' Show was visiting West Richmond. The troupe were to make a stand next day, and not having teams enough to get through the muddy woods, Yankee was hired as a boy to ride a horse put on the "lead" of a team. At the end of his journey he was paid a shilling for his work. He made his first appearance on any stage at a school exhibition in his native town, playing Jonathan Doolittle in "A Yankee in England." In 1837 he went to Medina, Mich., and started a shoemaker's shop. At the end of a year he returned home, and was married, but his wife died a few months later. Later on he again embarked in the shoe business, this time at Danville, N.Y., where he did fairly well, though all the time he was anxious to make a start in the circus business. The opportunity soon came to him, and he initiated his career in the show business at Dansville in August, 1845, exhibiting two oil paintings by S. C. Jones, about 12 x 15 feet, representing "The Raising of Lazarus" and "The Baptism of Christ." A small drop curtain was used, which had been purchased at the sale of a lot of scenery of a defunct theatrical company of which Wesly Barmore and Dave Oakes were members. The drop represented the usual ancient Grecian ruin. A one-horse vehicle was built to transport the wonders of art, and with a single companion - one Rasselas Fairchild, a typo - Mr. Robinson set out to make his fortune. Arrived at chicago, he exhibited two weeks at Judge Fuller's Museum, then at the corner of Randolph and Dearborn streets. The fortnight's percentage amounted to $9.
      In St. Louis, Mo., in December, 1845, he volunteered to play Ratcliff in "Richard III." The theatre was located in the third story of a block at the corner of Third and Pine streets. Normon Adous(?) was the manager. Mr. Robinson's recollection of his own efforts - his first and only appearance in tragedy - was that "it was the worst attempt at acting ever made." In February, 1846, he organized the Olympic Serenaders, a party of twelve, presenting minstrelsy and variety with a tight-rope exhibition. Robinson did Lucy Long, and made a hit in burnt-cork, which he wore professionally for the next eight years. In August, 1846, at Galena, Ill., he joined June and Turner's Circus, remaining with them two seasons, playing the intermediate Winter with Henry Rockwell's Circus, in Cincinnati, O. In 1848 he again embarked in business on his own hook, starting from Eaton, O., with a two-horse wagon. The company consisted of himself, his second wife and a musician - a versatile performer, one Charles Gilson, formerly of Cazenovia, N.Y. Yankee closed a successful season at New Albany, Ind., late in the Fall of '48, and left team and traps for the Winter. He then engaged with Mr. Lennox (father of Walter Lennox) to appear on a floating theatre, and performed at the various towns en route to Memphis and the South. At Memphis the debts against the company had accumulated to such an extent that the Sheriff possessed himself of the steamer's throttle-valve, in behalf of the creditors. The scenery and properties being clandestinely removed, a theatre was set up in an abandoned church, and a successful season continued until April, 1849. Star engagements were played by the elder Booth, Eliza Logan and father, and Mulholland appeared in "The Old Guard." Miss Canton was the leading lady, and Mrs. Robinson (a novice) played seconds. Old Dan Emmett led the orchestra. Yankee Robinson appeared for fifty-four nights as comic singer. The following Spring, he started out with a two-horse team, playeing "Box and Cox," etc. In the Fall he had a fine four-horse carriage made in Michigan, and enlarged the company so as to present petite comedies and moral dramas like "The Drunkard," and he continued this enterprise until 1851. At Quincy, Ill., he began his first tent exhibitions, employing fourteen horses and giving dramatic performances. He closed the season at Rock Island and prepared a new outfit, hiring thirteen horses in addition to his own band-team and a one-horse buggy. A. S. Burt was in advance, Chas H. Wilson, principal comedian, and the scenery was by H. W. Waugh, who afterwards clowned as Dilly Fay. The season was prosperous, and terminated at Eaton, O.
      In the Winter of 1852-3 Mr. Robinson leased Frank's museum in Cincinnati, where he first prefaced his name by the title "Yankee." He opened the following Spring season at Dayton, O., in a large tent, playing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Sam Patch." R. J. Miller and Ad. Bierce were his comedians, and he employed thirty head of horses. Business proving good, he bought horses and wagons during the Summer, and closed at Indianapolis, Ind. During the Winter he managed a theatre there and at Dayton. In the company were R. J. Miller and his wife (leading), Mary McWilliams (juvenile), Mrs. Robinson (soubrette), Frank Tannehill (juvenile), J. R. Spackman (old man), Tom Jackson (utility), Ad. Bierce (comedian) and DeWitt Waugh (leader). He tented during the season of 1854, playing "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and closed at Indianapolis, Ind., possessed of forty odd horses and ponies.
      During the Winter season of 1855-6 he trained stock with the assistance of O. W. Dodge, and opened in a stable in Indianapolis in February, 1856, giving circus performances twice a week. In the Spring of 1856 he began his first regular circus season under a new tent with fifty head of horses at Dayton, O. In the company were "Dilly Fay" (clown), O. W. Dodge, Tom Shields and A. S. Burt (agent). It ended a splendid season at Chicago. The season of 1857 was successful up to Sept. 1, when the failure of the Ohio Life & Trust Co. threw the West into a panic, and business dropped from an average of $600 a day to less than $100. The season was brought to an end at Noblesville, Ind.
      During his managerial career Mr. Robinson gave no heed to the "whim of the dark ages" in regard to Jonahs, but employed as many of the so-called as possible, and in many instances at very small salaries, thereby increasing his profits and giving employment to a "proscribed people."
      In 1858 he put out two shows. One was Burt & Robinson's Old-fashioned Circus - A. S. Burt, manager; Walter Aymar, equestrian director; and J. J. Justice, agent. Among the performers were Jerry Booker, clown, and Harry Everett (afterwards the well-known actor and manager) as wench dancer and general performer. This show is believed to the the first that ever "camped the entire trick." The Burt & Robinson Co. came well nigh to being annihilated by the small-pox. The other show was a double one, consisting of a circus and theatre under the same tent. Its first trip was to New York State. William June was agent, and William Pastor principal performer in the circus. At Norwalk, O., the two shows met on the same day in deadly opposition (?), each having purposely shipped to that point, one being en route East, the other West. A compromise was arranged, and the two shows combined under one large tent. They traveled on the same route for several days, and again combined at Columbus, O., the two bands and two companies alternating throughout the programme. Sending the Burt & Robinson Co. to Noblesville, Ind., Robinson went South with the circus and theatre.
      In the season of 1859 he started from Charleston S.C. headed north, with "an augmented company of Jonahs" and sixty horses. He turned back at St. Lawrence, N. Y., and when at Raleigh, N. C., whether from the malign influence of Jonahs or not, John Brown raided Harper's Ferry. From that day out the season was a failure. Wm. June, the agent, was mobbed at Grahamville, S. C., by a vigilance committee, and came within one vote of being whipped "forty lashes save one on the bare back covered with tar and cotton and sent back to Charleston." The single vote which saved June and his assistant from indignity was that of a brother Mason. When the news reached Charleston, a "committee" started for Robinson, having evil designs on his person; but Yankee took to his heels, being apprised of his danger by friends, and ran twelve miles into the woods. Sending back word from his hiding place to learn whether he was more scared than hurt, he was advised to "skeddadle," which he did, thereby losing the savings of a busy life, and never recovering so much as a wheel or a hoop. His second wife died during this year at Columbia, S. C. In 1860 he organized at Elmira, N. Y., hiring of the late Daniel Scott (who was afterwards his partner) thirteen horses, and commenced a dramatic tour under canvas, closing the season at De Ruyter, N. Y., with thirty-two horses.
      In 1861 Daniel Scott became a partner, as "Johnnie was off to the war." They made a living, and nothing more, closing at Hornellsville, and starting out from that point in 1862, with the same character of entertainment. Dan Shelby was the principal comedian. They ran thirty-four horses, and traveled the entire season in New York. In 1863 he started out with a new outfit of scenery, employed forty horses and traveled West, terminating a highly successful season at Peoria, Ill. That of 1864 was another dramatic season with Dan Shelby as principal comedian, and was brought to a successful ending at Rock Island, Ill. In 1865 he purchased James Melville and Jerry Mabies' Australian Circus, and ran a forty-horse team and one hundred and twenty-five head of horses, with P. A. Older as manager and Geo. S. Cole, treasurer. In the company were Ed. Perry and family, Snow Brothers and Charley Parker, clown. They closed the season at Decatur, Ill., and started therefrom in the Spring of 1866, with about the same company of performers and John O'Brien's animals. Robinson, we believe, paid O'Brien a percentage amounting to $23,000, proving a big season. He closed at Chicago, and erected Yankee Robinson's Coliseum and Zoological Garden at State and Washington streets.
      He traveled in 1867, making the "Wallapus" the strong card. In 1868, M. Smith of Philadelphia invested $60,000 in the show. W. C. Coup was the assistant manager. The street-procession was described as a "stream of gold and glitter a mile long." It carried everything before it, and its success was prodigious. Among the company were James Melville and family Howard Dorr and A. S. Burt (agent in advance). With the same show in 1869 Madame Sanyeah, female gymnast, was the sensation attraction, the show taking perhaps more money than any previous tent-show in the country. Coup was the assistant-manager, and J. M. Chandler and W. O. Crum were advance-agents; number of horses, 220.
      For the season of 1870 he divided the show, taking a ninety-eight horse "trick" into Canada, and closing at Portsmouth, O., while he rented the show to Enochs & Everett who "petered out" in twenty-one days. In 1871 he first took to rail and boat. In 1872 his circus started from Marshall, Mich., traveling by rail and boat, and closing at San Francisco. In 1873 he combined with John Wilson in California. In 1874 he was general superintendent of the Soulier Hippodrome. In 1875, in company with Dan Scott, he organized a hippodrome, menagerie and circus, with stage. Scott's death, June 28, closed the the season. In 1876 he acted as agent at-large with W. W. Cole. The season of 1877 he devoted to staring in dramatic plays, as had been his custom every Winter except one from 1862. In 1879 he tried his old plan of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" under canvas, and found it successful. In 1880 he starred in a play from the pen of Mrs. Robinson, called "F. F. V.'s." Since then he had been engaged in but few enterprises. As an advertiser and originator of features of street-processions Yankee Robinson was particularly successful. Where he has led hundreds have followed and profited by his own peculiar conceptions.
      The first wife of deceased was a daughter of Silas Nye of Pittsford, N. Y.; and Silas Robinson, issue of that marriage, was at one time in the show business, but is now editor of The Worsaw (Ill.) Democrat. Yankee's second wife was a daughter of Capt. Drake of revolutionary fame and his third was a daughter of Dea. Babcock of Chillicothe, O. This season he had been running Yankee Robinson & Ringling Brothers' Double Show, which started out from Baraboo, Wis., May 1, and which, on account of Mr. R.'s failing health, was to close its season Oct. 8. He had been ill in New Jefferson, Ia, three or four days before his death, which was ascribed to Bright's disease. His remains were taken in charge by the Masons of that place, and were to have been transferred to South Bend., Ind., for interment. New York Clipper, September 13, 1884. Information should be checked with additional sources
      Silas Robinson writes to correct one or two errors as to family matters in our recent obituary notice of his father, Yankee Robinson. Deceased's first wife's maiden name, Silas says, was Nye, and she and her child were buried in the same grave. His second wife, Elizabeth drake of Dansville, N.Y., was Silas' mother, and he was named after the first child, as above. His mother died Nov. 14, 1859, and was buried in Columbia, S.C. Another child by the second marriage is now Mrs. Bulla of South Bend, Ind., who was born in 1853. Silas was the editor of The Warsaw (Ill.) Democrat in 1880, but was forced back into the show business, and is now with Jennie Bowen Co. on tour in the West. New York Clipper, October 4, 1884. Information should be checked with additional sources

Yankee Robinson Token, courtesy of Carl.

La Belle Roche, automobile double somersault, Ringling 1908. Evening Tribune (Marysville, OH), April 23, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Miss Rolland (probably Mrs. William Rollins below), equestrienne, Cole Bros., 1908. Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, May 19, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

William Rollins, rider, Cole Bros., 1909. 1908: "Mrs. William Rollins, one of the leading bareback riders of the Cole Brothers' shows, wintering at Harbor Creek near Erie, was the victim of a terrible accident last night, and was fatally injured. The woman and a companion had washed their hair, using gasoline for the purpose. In the room they occupied was an open stove, and the gas arising from the volatile fluid ignited, and in a moment the unfortunate woman was enveloped in flames from head to foot. The interior of the room was in an instant a mass of flames, and Mrs. Rollin's companion jumped from a window to the ground, a distance of 20 feet. Showmen in the vicinity rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire enveloping the woman, but she was so badly burned that she cannot live." Daily Independent (Monessen, PA), April 28, 1909; Warren Evening Monitor (Warren, PA), April 14, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Annie Rooney (Katie?), rider, Sells-Floto, 1909. Oakland (CA) Tribune, April 29, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources

Carrie Rooney, equestrienne, Barnum & Bailey, 1907; Sells-Floto, 1909; Forepaugh-Sells, 1910-1911. Racine (WI) Daily Journal, July 9, 1907; Ogden (UT) Standard, June 19, 1909; Portsmouth (NH) Daily Herald, June 30, 1910; Newark (OH) Advocate, May 1, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Charles Rooney, "Baraboo - Charles Rooney, 59, for many years a 'boss hostler' with Ringling Bros. circus, dropped dead at Peru, Ind., Saturday and will be buried here today, this city being the family home. Mr. Rooney had been in ill health for the past year. At the time of his death he was superintendent of stock for the Hagenbeck-Wallace shows, owned by the Ringling corporation. A service for his friends of the circus was held at Peru Monday, and services here Wednesday at 2:30 p. m. will be in the Advent Christian church. He is survived by his wife; one son, Gerald; three daughters, the Misses Marabeth and Esther, Baraboo, and Mrs. Irving Carbino, Massena, New York; two grandchildren: and one brother, Frank Rooney, Long Beach, Cal." Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI) January 31, 1934. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hugh Rooney, age 90 died October 17, 1941 at Baraboo, Wisconsin. Children, Edward, Minnie (Minnie Ethridge) and daughter Mrs. Carl Romig are performers. Burial at Baraboo. "Hugh Rooney Dies Oct. 17th at Leiser Home," White Tops, Vol. 14, No. 12 (Oct-Nov), 1941, p. 14. Information should be checked with additional sources

Johnnie Rooney, though only 14 years of age, started in the business of a performer in 188p with Ringling Bros.’ Show. He is a remarkably bright little fellow, and his winning and graceful style never fails to inspire the audience with enthusiasm during his act of driving 21 Shetland ponies at one time on the hippodrome track. He is also an expert Roman chariot driver, and with his four little ponies wins his share of the laurels in the races. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources

Lizzie Rooney, bareback rider, Great Floto Shows, 1905; rider, Cole Bros., 1909. Daily Independent (Monessen, PA), April 28, 1909; Galveston (TX) Daily News, March 28, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Mike Rooney, equestrian, Cole Bros., 1908-1909.(1) 1909: "Circus Rider Attempts Suicide at Home Near Erie. Erie, Pa. June 11 — Michael Rooney, veteran trainer and daredevil bareback rider for years with Cole Brothers' Circus, slashed his throat with a penknife at the home of his father-in-law in Harbor Creek yesterday morning. Failing with the knife he sawed at his jugular vein with a comb until he fell weakened by loss of blood. He was discovered shortly afterward and hurried to Hamot Hospital this city, where he is in a precarious condition. His windpipe was cut through. He came home a few weeks ago on account of ill health."(2) 1910 census, Wonewoc, Juneau County, Wisconsin. Mike Rooney, age 36, single, circus rider, born Missouri. Information should be checked with additional sources

1. Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, May 19, 1908; Daily Independent (Monessen, PA), April 28, 1909; Ad. Iowa City (IA) Citizen, June 28, 1909.
2. Evening Times (Cumberland, MD), June 17, 1909.

Ralph Root, advertising agent, Gentry Bros., 1908. Waterloo (IA) Daily Courier, June 9, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Edith Rose, ballet, Great Floto Shows, 1905. Galveston (TX) Daily News, March 28, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ben Rosenthal. “Big Ben” Rosenthal, who was widely known among theatrical people, died recently in Chicago. He was manager of the Studebaker Theatre, Chicago, at one time, and also was manager for Sarah Bernhardt. Of late years he as been associated with vaudeville and outdoor bookings. From a clipping pasted into the 1903 Pan-American Shows Route Book, undated, no source. Ben Rosenthal was a Special Agent with the Pan-American. Note: Ben Rosenthal of Kansas City was to be general manager for the William Sells owned Lemon Bros. circus, said to have opened in Kansas City on July 3, 1907. Lemon Bros. wintered on the Lemon estate, near Dodson, Missouri. Waterloo (Iowa) Daily Courier, June 13, 1907. Information should be checked with additional sources

Joe Rosenthal, contracting agent, Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West, 1908. Moberly (MO) Weekly Monitor, May 1, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

George W. Ross, of Vanceboro, Maine, legal adjuster, Frank A. Robbins, 1908. Daily Kennebeck Journal (Augusta, ME), May 2, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources

Peter Ross, steward, John Robinson's, 1910. Evening Tribune (Marysville, OH), April 21, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources

Louis Roth, animal trainer 1941, lions and tigers in a steel arena. "Los Angeles Shrine Had One Night Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 4. Information should be checked with additional sources

George W. Roueche, bill poster, advertising, department, Sells-Downs, 1905, committed suicide at Covington, Ga., October 30, 1905. Atlanta Constitution, October 31 & November 1, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources

Mrs. Round, high school act, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Ed Rounds, producing clown, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hutton S. Rowe was born April 1, 1866. He entered show business as a balloon ascensionist and tight rope walker. He was a staff member and later a partner with the Norris brothers and their Norris & Rowe Circus. See Andrew C. Norris.