F

      Located in Honolulu. In 1940 did a good business at Mani, Honolulu and Hilo, but then began playing small communities around Honolulu and did poorly. Returned to Honolulu during the holidays, was a flop. By January 3rd most of the acts returned to the mainland. Show went to Kauai on January 6th with smaller canvas, one ring, one stage, girl show, side show and concessions. "Fan Notes," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources

J. M. French's Circus - 1870

      A Revolution in the Circus Business. - Of late years the hotel and stable bills of the showmen have run up to such enormous figures as to devour nearly all their receipts. In order to overcome this enfeebling drain, Mr. J. M. French, of New Orleans, who had to take a circus in self defense, and run it in order to get back money which he had loaned to the proprietors last season, hit upon the expedient of camping his men and horses on the ground on which they performed. This worked so well that Mr. French has gone into the business systematically, and will this season run his show independently of landlords and stable-keepers altogether.
      Mr. French has had a kitchen built eight feet wide, ten feet high and eighteen feet long, with all the modern improvements, which is mounted on wheels and in which cooking can be done for 100 men with economy and celerity. This kitchen will be a big show in itself, and the performances of the cook and his assistants will be apt to divide the interest of the country housewives with the performance under the canvas.
      Mr. French has also devised a portable canvas stable for his horses, thirty-five feet wide, eighty-five feet long, and fifteen feet high. Portable stalls, troughs and other stable gear have also been provided in abundance, and provender has been engaged at convenient points so that the horses of the concern may have all possible equine comforts. Defiance (OH) Democrat, April 16, 1870. Information should be checked with additional sources

Frost, Husted & Co. - 1836

      Great Attraction. Frost, Husted & Co's Great Gymnastic Arena, and Circus Company. The proprietors of this immense establishment, (which requires the services of upwards of 70 men and horses, to complete its operations) take this method of informing the citizens of Huron county and vicnity, that the company will perform in Norwalk on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 16th and 17th of August, when such a variety of splendid performances will take place us cannot fail to please, and they assure those who may favor them with their patronage, that nothing will be introduced that can offend the most delicate or fastidious. The following celebrated performers are attached to the establishment, viz. Mr. Rockwell, the great American Rider - Mr. Conklin, the Herculean horseman, and acknowledged to be the greatest vaulter in the United States, he having thrown 61 summersets at two trials - Mr. Langley, the celebrated Dramatic Equestrian - Mr. Walter the horseman of all works - Mr. Gilkison, the Modern Hercules - Mr. Burgess, the Comic Singer - Mr. Calender, the Pasturist - Messrs. Teets, Johnson, Williams, the two Master Dales, the Clown, Stone, and the undaunted female equestrian, Mrs. Bensel. The Band of Music, consisting of 12 members, will duly announce the arrival of the Company in town, by playing several popular airs, conveyed in a splendid Barrouche carriage, made expressly for the purpose and drawn by four horses - the whole at enormous expense. The Stud of Horses attached to the establishment are not surpassed by those of any other in he country. Doors open at one o'clock, P. M. and the performance will commence at half past one o'clock. Admittance to the Boxes 50 cents—Pit 25 cts. Children under 10 half price. Huron Reflector (Norwalk, Ohio), August 2, 1836. Information should be checked with additional sources

Fulford & Co. - 1890-1891

      Fulford and Co.’s circus are in their usual winter quarters in Topeka, Kas. Everything points to an early start and a somewhat enlarged show. New York Dramatic News, January 10, 1891.

      Fulford & Co's great show that will exhibit in Humeston on Tuesday July 22 was here 8 years ago known then as Cooper & Co. This is then [sic] 21st year on the road. Ad: The Only Big Show Coming This Year (By agreement of Showman's Pooled League). Humeston, Tuesday, July 22, '89 [sic]. Fulford & Co's United Monster Shows! London Museum and World's Menagerie. Sampson, the Monster War Elephant, covered with costliest cloth of Gold, and led by African and Indian Keepers. Huge Caravans of Camels, in charge of Arabian and Asiatic Keepers. Triple Circus Company. Admission 50 cents, children under 12, 25 cents. New Era (Humeston, IA), July 16, 1890. Information should be checked with additional sources

Top

G

      Opened in April. Rehersals started February 1st with Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Henry and Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Conners, performers, in charge. Breaking in the animal acts were Verne Brewer, Portis Sims and Jimmy Odell. Program director was A. Morton Smith, secretary G. D. Bell. "Gainsville Circus to Open in April," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 9. Information should be checked with additional sources

Gollmar Bros. - 1900

      Roster of Gollmar Bros. two ring circus and menagerie. Gollmar Brothers, proprietors; C. H. Gollmar, manager; B. F. Gollmar, treasurer; F. C.Gollmar, advance manager; W. S. Gollmar, equestrian manager; E. Jamison, contractor; Frank McCort, manager of annex; H. Sylvester, program privilege; D. C. Hall, cook house privilege; Ed Maller [Malier?], candy stand; George Shumway, boss butcher; Chas. Williams boss canvasman on big top; Curly Maine, boss canvasman, menagerie top; Frank Ford(?), boss property man; George Dicks, boss wardrobe man; Tim Buckley, boss elephant man; Jack Jordan, boss animal man; Jack Katen, boss hostler; Frank Leavey, leader of band No. 1; J. G. Norris, leader of band No. 2. Performers: John Rooney and Willis Gollmar, somersault riders; Herr Drayton, cannon ball; Harry Brandon and Otto Weaver, wire walkers; George Parento, high ladder and pyramids; Walt. Gollmar, trained pigs; Shaw Brothers, double aerial act; Mrs. Harry Brandon and May Lano, jugglers; Fred. and Walter Shaw, single trapeze; Parento and Weaver, balancing trapeze; Drayton and Lano, foot juggling; Rooney and Willis Gollmar, jockey riders; May Lano and Wm. Danzell, hurdle and four-horse riders; Barndown, Shaw, W. R. Ward and George Vase, clowns; Walt. Gollmar, James Fitzgerald, John Rooney and Willis Gollmar, ring masters; Prof. Buckley, educated elephant "Palm." In the annex are Frank, Jessie and Vivian McCort, Madam Mandell and Prof. Dan C. Hall. Opened at Baraboo, Wis., May 5. Billboard, June 2, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources

G. G. Grady's - 1870

      G. G. Grady's Old-fashioned American Circus. Mad. Marie Macarte, from the Cirque Napoleon, Paris. The pride of the Haute Ecole of Europe. Mrs. G. G. Grady with her Arabian steed, Wild Fire. Mlle. Blanch Macarte, recently from Ashley's Amphitheatre, London. The Miller Brothers, renowned Trapeze Performers, Tumblers and Leapers. Belmont Brothers, from the Hippodrome der Koenig, Berlin, Prussia, champion Tumblers of the world. Chas. Covelli, character equestrian as wild Comanche Indian, shipwrecked Sailor, Old Spivins, Pete Jenkins. Frank Morgan, tumbler and acrobat. Geo. Andrews, contortionist, or India Rubber Boy. Don Pedro Martinez, champion juggler of America. 4 Great Clowns, G. G. Grady, Charles Covelli, Charles Grady and Lew Ginger. Defiance (OH) Democrat, August 6, 1870. Information should be checked with additional sources

Great Eastern Circus

      List of some of the well known and wonderful performers now with the Great Eastern Circus: Ramalo Brothers, the celebrated and daring acrobats; Charles Lane, the modern Hercules; Harry Helmes, the Japanese Juggler, Tony Mason and Willie Chase, two of the most noted and comical clowns in existence. Madame McDonald, the equestrianne, Felix McDonald, the bold and fearless bare back rider; Saint Arno, the Egyptian wire walker, who has no equal in the world; the Saint Belmas in their wonderful leap for life, through a hoop of fire; Cunningham, the contortionist, who is conceded to be one of the most complete in his line at the present day, and a host of others, too numerous to mention. The above aggregation is known as the Barnum of all one ring circus, which is due to the fact that whenever it has appeared the press and public have been unanimous in its praise, in pronouncing it equal to the best, for its fine ring performance. [Note: show was in Appleton July 20, 1889.] Appleton Crescent (Appleton, WI), July 20, 1889. Information should be checked with additional sources

Gregory Bros. - 1884

      Gregory Bros’ New Metropolitan Allied Shows. Officers: C. J. Gregory, sole proprietor and manger; William Gregory, assistant manager; Frank C. Cooper, general agent; A. J. Faust, assistant agent; John Skelton, boss billposter; William Nunn, leader of brass band and orchestra, 12 in number; master of canvas, H. Journo; master of properties, W. Carpenter; candy privileges, A. H. Donahue; manager sideshow, Signor Sautelle; concert owner and manager, C. J. Gregory. Clowns - C. J. Gregory, Tommy Nichols and F. Avalo. Company - Gymnasts, acrobats and leapers, Gregory Bros., Malcolm and Belfored, Avalo Bros., Roland and King, William Martin, T. J. Nichols, Delia Gregory, Raymond Sisters and Jennie Rose. Any Sweeney, modern Hercules and cannon-ball performer. Number of tents, 2; circus tent 100 ft. round top; museum tent 75 x 100 ft. oblong; Winter quarters, Royal Oak, Mich.; cars, 6 (5 baggage and one passenger). New York Clipper, May 3, 1884. Information should be checked with additional sources

Gregory, Merritt & Co. - 1886

      C. J. Gregory has taken Frank Merritt into partnership, and their sow will be styled the Gregory, Merritt & Co. Corcus. They carry a 100 ft. canvas, with a 50 ft. middle piece, and new band and other wagons, traveling by railroad and playing week stands. The people so far engaged are Geo. Gregory, James Gregory, John Flynn, Tom Haley, Nilsoni, Delia Gregory, Bessie Gregory, Didy Dows, C. J. Gregory and Frank Merritt. They open May 1. Mr. Merritt was one of the gentlemen who ran the museum at Detroit, Mich., last season. New York Clipper, April 3, 1886, p. 36. Information should be checked with additional sources

Gregory & D'Alma - 1889

      Following is the roster of Gregory & D’Alma’s Great International Circus and Museum: Gregory & D’Alma, proprietors; John D’Alma, business manager; C. J. Gregory, general director; Frank C. Cooper, general agent; George Baird, treasurer; John N. Russell, equestrian director; Chas. Chardella, boss canvasman, and fifteen assistants; Milton Barger, boss hostler and twelve assistants; Jos. Hunter, advertising agent and six bill posters. Company - C. J. Gregory, Geo. Gregory, Harry D’Alma, Blair Livingstone, Lorado, Avalo Bros., Fred Sewell, Chas. Malcolm, Bruce Clark, Kennedy and Barton, Maud D’Alma, Delia Gregory, Lottie D’Alma, Emma Barger, Bessie D’Alma, Mlle. Anna and Little Kitty, Maud D’Alma, principal bareback rider; Chas. Livingstone, Bessie D’Alma, John N. Russell, principal clown; Fred Sewell, John D’Alma and Chas. J. Gregory, clowns; Lottie D’Alma, school of educated ponies and dogs; Chardella and her educated donkeys, and John D’Alma’s clown trick pigs. Concert - John N. Russell, Maude and Bessie D’Alma, Fred Sewell, John Barton, Avalo Bros. and Delia Gregory and Lottie Newton. Outfit - Forty head of horses and mules. Canvas- 90 ft. round top with a 40 ft. middle piece. Museum - 40 ft. round top with a 30 ft. middle piece. Dressing room top - 50 ft. round top and two horse tents. All the privileges are owned and controlled by the management. New York Clipper, August 3, 1889.

      More About the Flood at Parkersburg. A press dispatch from Parkersburg, W.Va., says: "Further details of the disastrous flood in Wirt county have been received. . . . A circus was showing on Tucker creek when the cloudburst struck that section. The flood struck the show just after the performance began and tore the canvas to shreds, utterly wrecking and ruining the whole concern, carrying off horses, wagons and tents. Miss D'Alma, who performed on the trapeze was drowned. It is reported that some employees also lost their lives, but the whole section of country where the misfortune occurred is still in such a state of confusion that it is impossible to get full particulars. Saulsbury, on the Big Tygart river, is virtually wiped out of existence. The News (Fredrick, Maryland), July 29, 1889. Information should be checked with additional sources

Top

H

      . . . The Carl Hagenbeck circus is a new circus, . . . The Carl Hagenbeck greater shows offer a three ring circus with two elevated stages, an aerial enclave and a big steel arena in which the wild beasts perform. Five acts are shown in continual operation in each display, and twenty displays are given in which over 800 performers, animal and human, take part. . . . The Hagenbeck trained wild beasts are known the world over, and many of them are even more clever than their human brothers. . . . The Hagenbeck family has supplied every zoo, circus and menagerie for many past generations. Daily Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, PA), May 3, 1906.

      $5,000,000 CIRCUS MERGER. New Orleans, La., Nov. 6 - Frank R. Tate of St. Louis, is here in the interest of a giant circus merger, it is understood will mean a combination of all the big shows in this country, backed by a European syndicate. Carl Hagenbeck is said to be the principal figure in the consolidation. The capital of the syndicate is estimated at $5,000,000. The plan is to consolidate the Big shows of this country and Europe and guarantee 10 per cent profit on all the American shows. Mr. Tate said Carl Hagenbeck had started the movement for the organization of the syndicate, but declined to discuss the matter any further. Chillicothe (MO) Morning Constitution, November 7, 1906.

      Ringlings Buy Show. Sale of Hagenbeck Show Gives Them Control of Business. Chicago, Dec. 6. - On the purchase yesterday of Carl Hagenbeck's trained animal circus, the Ringling Bros. will be able to dominate the circus business of America. Hagenbeck's circus is now in its winter quarters at New Orleans, but the deal by which Ringling Bros. secured control of the big collection of trained animals was consummated at Baraboo, Wis., winter quarters of the Ringling Bros' show. The financial consideration was not made public but that it was large may be understood from the fact that it requires a monthly expenditure of $72,000 to maintain in winter quarters the three shows now controlled by Ringling Brothers.
      It is the intention of the new proprietors of Hagenbeck's circus to double the collection of trained animals and put the show on the road next season entirely independent of Ringling Bros.' circus, except that it will be under the same management. The same company now controls the Forepaugh-Sells circus, which has winter quarters at Columbus, Ohio.
      Under the plans proposed by the new proprietors the Hagenbeck show will next season give employment to 1,150 persons and will require eighty rail road cars to transport it through the country. . . . Iowa Recorder (Greene, IA), December 12, 1906. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hall Circus - 1886

      The Hall Circus is now on its fourth year's tour, not having closed for three years, running both Summer and Winter, and just having arrived from a four months' trip through Mexico. The following is a complete roster: G. W. De Haven, sole proprietor and manager; G. W. De Haven Jr., treasurer; Tony Ashton, equestrian-manager; D. N. Hitchcock, general-agent, with six assistants; J. J. Rosbach, manager of canvas and Hotel De Haven; W. W. McVey, assistant-canvasman, with thirty men; Frank Deno, superintendent of animals; Ed. Murray, master of properties; John Gregs, master of train; Ben Stevens, chandelier-man; Lem Sidwell, leader of band, with ten men; Chas. Gardner, manager of annex. Performers — Alton and Brazill, De Haven and Costello, Skid Wood, Bert Whiting, Frank Brice, Peter Boylan, Wood Sisters, Cornallo Bros., Madame Silvo, Tony Ashton, Jos. Donnelly, Ashton's dog-circus. Concert — Ed. Lawrence, Jos. Livingston, Chas. Bachtel, Wood and Ashton, Mlle. Zeozoneti, Maude Allen and Frank Williams. The menagerie consists of ten cages, elephant, camels and a pair of sacred cattle. The show is transported by five cars and one advance-car. New York Clipper, May 22, 1886. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hargreave's Circus - 1907

      Hargreaves Misses Stands. During the matinee performance of the Thomas Hargreaves Circus in White Plains, N.Y., on April 29, 1907, the reserved seat sections collapsed and injured a number of people. As a result the circus packed up and moved out as quickly as possible. Thus it was that the circus train of 6 flats, 3 stock cars and 5 sleepers arrived in Pittsfield, Mass., two days ahead of their advertised dates.
      The show leisurely put up their bigtop, menagerie, side show, freak top, cookhouse, dining and dressing tents. Then since all was in readiness, it was decided that the show would open the night before the advertised opening, thus allowing for three performances in this city. Each of the shows was well attended and received. Unusual animals in the show’s program included a large elephant, a musk ox, mule and a camel. Twenty-seven wagons were required to carry the show and these were all well painted and lettered. - From Don Marck’s Note Book. Bandwagon, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1962, p. 13.

      The advertising car of the Hargreave circus was in town Saturday. The spectacle of bill posters hanging paper for a tent show in the midst of a blinding snow storm, as was the case Saturday, was something of a novelty. Daily Kennebec (Maine) Journal, May 13, 1907. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hart, France & Co. - 1888

      Hart, France & Co.’s circus opened at Greencastle, Ind., to a packed canvas, notwithstanding a heavy rain storm struck it at the opening. . . . Cameo and Tipp have just added a fine double trapeze act, which made quite an impression. The band played for the G.A.R. parade free at Greencastle, Ind. on decoration Day. The spectre in white appears regularly, consequently the boys are happy. New York Clipper, June 9, 1888. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hengler’s Circus

      Writing from London, Eng., under date of Feb. 26, Charles W. Fish says: “Yesterday an event took place of great interest to the equestrian world. Queen Victoria, for the first time since 1859, witnessed a circus performance; in fact, I am told it was the first time she has witnessed an entertainment by professionals of any kind since the death of the Prince Consort. What is still more notable is that this performance was given by command of Her Majesty at Windsor Castle, a ring having been made in London and set up in the riding-school of the Castle. This is the first entertainment ever given by command at the Castle or any other place. You can readily understand how much honored the circus profession should feel, and that an incentive to elevate the standard of our profession should by rights follow. Everything passed off in good shape. It was a very ceremonious affair. Not a word was spoken. The clowns were not allowed to open their mouths. All the riders rode in on their horses, and, in leaving, they backed to the curtains, bowing slowly as they did so. No applause was given, except by a few of the under-servants. The company, by invitation of the Queen, partook of lunch in one of the smaller dining rooms of the castle, at 1 o’clock. The performance took place at 3. All who participated are now entitled to add the word ‘royal’ to their special line of business. A special train conveyed our company to and from Windsor. No performance was given at night. To-day and to-morrow are the last of the London season. Hengler goes from here to Birmingham, opening in Curzon Hall for a season of about seven weeks. Dublin, for the Summer season, is to follow. I go from here to Madrid, Spain, for the Summer with the Circo Price. Since writing the above those who took part in yesterday’s performance have received, by the Queen’s order, the royal favor - a royal blue button - to be worn in the buttonhole of the coat collar. This also confers the right to wear the royal coat-of-arms. This is the first time the honor has ever been conferred on circus performers, or, as we are termed here, artists. Consequently, I am somewhat proud of my blue button. I forgot to mention another mark of the queen’s favor and interest in the performance. She had ordered her carriage at four o’clock for a drive. It was ready, as you may suppose. I was riding at the time, but, so great was her interest that she dismissed her carriage and remained to the end of the programme. She afterwards ordered the horses to be brought out for her inspection.” I may be added that Hengler’s is the circus to which Mr. Fish refers. The Queen commanded the performance because she wished to please the little Princess Alice of Albany, the three year old daughter of the late Duke of Albany. The audience included the members of the Royal house-hold and the Castle servants and their friends, and numbered in all about 300 person. “Circus and Sideshow,” New York Clipper, April, 20, 1886. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hobby's (probable) - 1839

      Circus and Giraffe Exhibition United. The proprietors of the Giraffe and New York Circus and Arena company have entered into arrangements to travel and exhibit together under a pavilion large enough to hold both exhibitions, and accommodate 3,000 spectators. The Circus exhibition - the scene in the circle will present a variety of new and interesting feats of horsemanship, and other varied scenes of amusements. The Giraffe or Camelopard - tallest of all known creatures.
      Hours of exhibition - from one to five o'clock in the afternoon, from half past seven to half past ten in the evening. Admission 50 cts, children half price. Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, PA), August 5, 1839. Information should be checked with additional sources

Huffman's Dime Circus - 1885

      The make-up of Huffman's Dime Circus now in the South is: Manager, Frank Huffman; agent, James Tribble; equestrian director, Sam Dickey; performers, Miles Orton and family - Menhard (clowns), James Gardnier, James Bensley, Nellie Lewis, Alive Rivers, and Prof. F. M. Williams' silver cornet band of eight pieces. Wm. Gay is manager of the concert and reserved seats; Jack Fitzgerald, boss canvasman, with five assistants. Canvas, 110 foot round top, with 30 foot middle. New York Clipper, December 12, 1885.

Hurlburt & Hunting's - 1885

      Hurlburt & Hunting’s Consolidated Shows open their season in Corning, N.Y., May 2, and will travel by wagon. The show will have the following people: Hurlburt & Hunting, proprietors; D. P. Hurlburt, manager; Robert Hunting, equestrian director; O. S. Cary, advance manager; J. R. Tucker, contracting agent; Geo. W. Wallaker, master of paper, with six billposters; D. P. Hurlburt’s educated horses and dog circus; Clarice Hunting, female gymnast; Lulu Austin, outside ascension and revolving globe; Mattie Tucker, high wire, bicycle and balancing trapeze; Romello and Leroux, horizontal bar and brother act; The Huntings (Clarice and Robert), flying trapeze; Al. Meredith, contortionist; W. G. Wren, general performer; Crawford Bros., Russell and Horner, Bob Hunting (principal clown), Jack Russell (second clown), W. G. Wren (knockabout clown), Prof. Howard’s silver cornet band and orchestra of eight pieces; Lee Beachey, boss canvasman, with eight assistants; Dick Martin, boss hostler, and ten men. Number of horses, 38, Show controls all its own privileges, except sideshow. See also Washburn & Hunting’s. New York Clipper, April 25, 1885. Information should be checked with additional sources

Hurlburt & Leftwich - 1891

      The Hurlburt & Leftwich Combined Shows gave a dress rehearsal to a number of invited guests at Norfolk, Va., April 24. During the evening it was noticed that one of the gasoline lamps was leaking badly around a set screw that regulates the supply of fluid to the burners. Charley Wilson attempted to stop the leakage, but, failing, wrapped and handkerchief around the break, and left it. Not satisfied that this would stop the leak, Prof. Hurlburt made a second attempt to stop the leak, through which the dangerous fluid was dropping steadily. He stood beneath the lamp and the gasoline from the pipe fell upon his clothing as he worked. Finally, in a desperate effort to tighten it, the threads of the set screw broke and the gasoline spurted out. In an instant the clothing of the professor was in a blaze. He ripped off his coat and ran to the entrance, where he picked up a large canvas and wrapped it around himself, but it, too, caught fire, and failed to extinguish the flames that were roasting him to death. Quick as a flash, he was out of the canvas into the open air. He ran into the sideshow tent and out again in a vain endeavor to extinguish the flames. His movements were so rapid up to that time that nobody could get near him. As he came out of the smaller tent, he was caught and thrown to the ground. A carpet was thrown upon him, and after a hard struggle the flames were extinguished. The professor was taken to the Hotel Reno, where physicians dressed his wounds, relieving him as much as possible from suffering. Mr. Leftwich’s clothing also caught fire, but the lames were quickly extinguished, and he suffered but little injury. Several others had their hands badly burned in their endeavor to save Prof. Hurlburt. Some one had presence of mind enough to cut the rope that held the blazing lamp, and thus undoubtedly saved the tent and show property from destruction. The fire department responded promptly to an alarm that was sent in, but their services were not necessary. Notwithstanding the deplorable accident that came so near being a costly one in so many ways, the show gave its initial performance afternoon of 25. Although Prof. Hurlburt was not present to do his part, he had an excellent substitute, and hopes to be back to duty in a short time. R. R. Leftwich writes under date of May 1: Prof. Hurlburt died April 29, from the effects of the burns. The remains were embalmed and taken to Corning, N.Y., May 1, accompanied by Mrs. D. P. Hurlburt and her brother. The show will continue under the same name, Mrs. Hurlburt taking her husband’s place in the firm, under the management of R. R. Leftwich. New York Clipper, May 9, 1891. Information should be checked with additional sources

Top