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    1888: The latest engagements with the Walter L. Main Circus for 1888 are: Giles Pullman, general agent; Dwight Clapp, contracting agent; Ernest Houghton, boss hostler; Curley Platner, boss canvasman; W. H. Snekley, boss property man; Billie Wiley, head cook; Williard A. DAmon, treasurer; Signor Down, knowckabout clown; W. Reanik, grotesque clown; Wm. Lucifer, controtionist. The show will open about April 28, and will go East again. Much of the stuff will be new. New York Clipper, February 18, 1888, p. 784.

    1894: Notes from the Walter L. Main's Shows. - The latest engagements are Albert Davenport, somersault rider; Jim Kincade, leaper; and Mrs. Evans, in charge of wardrobe. The advance cars Nos. 2 and 3, have gone, and the box brigade is forming and will go three days ahead of the show. Tom Fay and a large force of men are busy making all the tents water proof. . . . an emu and a cage of monkeys and birds are the latest additions to the menagerie. The big top will be erected Saturday, and all the people will be here April 16 for rehearsals. Manager Doc Colvin(?) arrived here from Chicago . . . Judd Webb and cars arrived from Philadelphia. The opening takes place April 21 at Geneva, N. Y. New York Clipper, April 21, 1894, p. 102. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or the persons.

Main & Sargeant - 1891

    Following is the roster of Wm. Main & Co.’s Shows: Main & Sargeant, sole proprietors; C. W. Kidder, general advance agent; Dick New?on, excursion agent; Geo. Rowe, chief lithographer; Geo. Stevens, master of canvas; Ernest Holten, boss hostler; Prof. Sackith, leader of band, and Andy Spear, equestrian director. Performers: Mr. and Mrs. Andy Spear, Andy Burtch, Albert Meredith, Marguerite Meredith, Clarence Burton, Louis Burton, Charles Burton, James Fitzgerald, James King, Mlle. Lalo, Mons. La Gerald, James Carroll, Tony Bebines, Sig. Florenzi, Charles Valanti, Geo. Genover, F. R. Lardoia, Wm. Mains and his educated dogs, horses, ponies and mules, J. Fay, Fanny Fay, Laura La Rose and Fitzgerald and King. The show opened at Parkersburg, W. Va. . . . New York Clipper, June 13, 1891. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Mansfield's Great Eastern Shows - 1906

    Notes from Mansfield's Great Eastern Shows. - We will open our second season at ???, Pa., May 3, and show over our last season's route. Most of the people have been engaged. Following is the roster: Mansfield Bros., proprietors; W. J. Mansfield, manager; Tom Allen, agent, with two men; Geo. Parento, equestrian director; Frank Hanlon, band master; John Ofrion, boss canvas man, with six men; the Three Harlow Bros.; Ed. Long, talking and singing clown, with his two trained donkeys; Geo. Parento, high ladder and single trapeze act; Joe Wiliton, wire walker, contortion and juggling; W. J. Mansfield's troupe of trained dogs, and Billy Curtiss, knockabout clown. The show will travel by wagon, using a sixty foot round top, with a thirty foot middle piece; a five pole horse tent, a 20x30 cook tent, a thirty foot round top dressing tent. New York Clipper, March 17, 1906, p. 114. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Mardell & Co.'s Railroad Shows - 1889

    Following is the roster of Mardell & Co.’s Railroad Shows: Mardell & Co., proprietors and managers; Thos. Wieman, treasurer; . . . D. L. Nichols, equestrian director; . . . Dan Rice, . . . Mons. Beck, L. Miller, Sig. Garner, Arthur and Bessie Kherns, Bell Eatman, Anna Shafer, Etta Ford, Prof. Geiss’ Military Band, Frank Melville, propertyman, with four assistants; Wm. Smith, boss canvasman with fifteen assistants. The show was organized at Natchez, Miss. March 19, and report good business. They carry a 100 ft. top with a 40 ft. middle piece, and an 80 ft. top with two 30 ft. middle pieces, the latter for museum and menagerie. New York Clipper, April 27, 1889. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Markowit - 1889, 1891

      White & Markowit’s United Railroad Shows opens its season May 2 at Pittsburg, Pa. The roster: Tony White (manager), Dave Markowits (treasurer), C. W. Park (general agent), G. E. Austin, Rixford Bros, Falke and Semons, Mille Ollive(?), Wright and Burns, Stinson and Lynch, Olive Stirk Oate(?) (late of the Stirk Family), Ed. Moran, the Lavennes, Paul Markwood, . . . Richard Miller, F. Fallen and others. The troupe will travel by rail and carry a 100 ft. round top tent with 50 ft. middle piece. New York Clipper, April 27, 1889.

      The Big Show is Coming. Will Exhibit at the Circus Ground, Aug. 26, 27 and 28. David L. Markowit’s Big 10 cent Show, Larger, Greater, Grander Than Ever. 60 European Artists, 6 Funny Clowns. Seating Capacity for 6,000 People. A 50 cent Show for 10 cents! Sandusky (OH) Daily Register, August 28, 1889.

      Carl Cuqua, leader of the band with Markowits’ Circus, denies the report that the circus went to pieces at Mandfield, O. Mr. Cuqua writes: “Everyone connected with the show left on good terms with the manager, except one aerial performer, who was fined $25 for missing two matinees. Mr. Markowits was presented with a handsome gold medal by the attaches, Sept. 7 at Lima, O. He will have on the road next season a two ring circus, and has already signed with some of the same people.” New York Clipper, September 28, 1889.

      The Dave Markowitz Circus opened season last Friday in Allegheny City, Pa., . . . Prominent successes were made by Hughes and Fannon, the McGinleys, Zella, Nick Hughes, Emmerson and Acton, Marlow Sisters, the Washington Brothers and Cardonia. New York Dramatic News, June 6, 1891. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Martell & Co. - 1884

    Martell & Co.’s Consolidated Two-ring Circus and Menagerie. Officers - Martell & Co., proprietors; Jas. T. Johnson, manager; Sam Lent, first advance agent, with 8 men; M. B. Lewis, second advance agent, with 6 men; Jack Wells, master of canvas; Menton World, train master. Company - The Martells, four in number, bicyclists; the Johnson Family of five, riders and gymnasts, with trick horses and ponies; three Martinetti Bros., clowns and pantomimists; Pete Conklin, clown; the two Harrisons, men-serpents; Ed. Sylvester and son, Alf. Ruy, iron-jaw; Reynolds, fish-scale man; Terey Family, roller-skaters; Miss Levis, ascensionist. New York Clipper, May 3, 1884. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

McCormick Silver Plate Show - 1896, 1897

    1896: Notes from McCormick Bros. Silver Plate Show. All is in a hustle and hurry at headquarters at Gallipolis, O. Blacksmiths, painters, carpenters and harness makers getting things together, and, as this is our first season, everything is to be brand new. We will carry an 80ft. round top with two 30ft. middle pieces; a dressing room top, 50 head of stock, 13(?) wagons, and an elegant band wagon. Our wagons are now ready for painting. The following have signed: Edward Conklin, juggler; Holacher(?) Family (Bert, May and Fritzie); Alf. ???; Atwell(?) Yost; Prof. Everton and dogs; and Prof. McCormick and his six trained horses, and a band of eight ??? pieces. We will have two advance wagons and one wagon well stocked with paper. The show opens about the last of April, and will show in Gallipolis a wee before taking the road. We are to tour Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania. If energy and money will succeed we certainly will, as we have that with us. New York Clipper, January 11, 1896, p. 716.

    1896: Notes from McCormick Bros.' Silver Plate Show: Everything to make our show complete is now ready for the road, with paper packed in the wagon, wagons, ???, stock and tents. A. W. McCormick purchased while in Massillon a band wagon, two pole wagons and a ticket wagon, to be used in parade, also seven [unreadable text]. The Comstocks are late additions to our list. Lew Talbert, boss canvas man, has reported for work. Little Fritz Holacher(?), our five year old contortionist, is to do a balancing perch with his father. Bert has secured Nat Comstock to catch for him in his return act. . . . Prof. Lee's side show 'ad' brought in lots of answers . . . ??? Frank McCormick, our treasurer, has just brought in a ??? load of draft horses for the show, all that's needed. He also bought two chariots and a clown cart for parade use. Prof. W. M. Burdette and his ??? are rehearsing in Charleston, W. Va. Prof. Rielly(Reilly?) is teaching a dog a bareback riding act, also a goat and monkey to ride. We open May 1, or earlier. Out outfit is entirely new and well ???. Ed. Conklin, the juggler . . . We have secured Frank Vago for slide trombonist in our band. New York Clipper, March 28, 1896, p. 53.

    1897: Notes from McCormick Bros.' Nickle Plate Shows. We are now in our fourth week, playing to good business. Despite the rain we had all through the first week we filled the tent at night shows. . . . At Duquesne, Pa., the mud and water was so bad and the rain poured down so heavily that the performers had to work outside of the ring. On May 13(?) one of the canvasmen fell overboard and drowned before a yawl could get to him. Mr. Sturgis(?) has the annex with ??? and his troupe of Oriental dancing girls. This branch is run on the continuous plan, opening at 2 p.m. and giving a show every fifteen minutes until after the big show at night. New York Clipper, May 29, 1897, p. 203. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Walter J. McDonald's Circus - 1900

    Walter J. McDonald's Shows. Opening date April 21, 1900. People recently engaged: May Orrin and J. L. Davenport, riders; Signor Cereno and Family, Leo Blondin, William De Vario, Frankie Barry and her troupe of twelve poodles, Stall and Carlysle, the Johnson Trio, and Prof. Robert Kirkpatrick's concert band of fourteen pieces. New York Clipper, March 17, 1900.

    The Walter J. McDonald's Circus is now doing it s seventh week, and by the liberal patronage bestowed upon it up to this writing, it seems as if this show is destined to become a prominent factor among the bidders for public approval. . . . we have had no accidents. Geo. Le Non. Bilboard, June 23, 1900, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Sam McFlinn's - 1887-1888, 1903

1887: Sam McFlinn's Circus (April) McFlinn's Circus has been drawing only fair afternoon houses, but the night ones make up the loss as the tent is well filled. His riding monkey is a big card. Fort Scott, Kansas. New York Clipper, April 23, 1887, p. 85.
    Evansville, Ind., July 26. Sam McFlinn's Circus has a packed tent last night. The show will stay all the week. New York Clipper, July 30, 1887, p. 306.
    Sam McFlinn's Ten cent Circus closed a week's engagement to good business October 8. Waco, Texas. New York Clipper, October 22, 1887, p. 504.

1888: Sam McFlinn's Dime Circus did a good business July 16 and(?) week. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. New York Clipper, July 28, 1888, p. 314.
    Sam McFlinn's Circus comes August 15-17. Sells Bros. Circus came 9-11. Lincoln, Nebraska. New York Clipper, August 18, 1888, p. 363.
    Sam McFlinn's Dime Show opens November 19 for a week. Houston, Texas. New York Clipper, November 24, 1888, p. 594.

1903: Show property. Have two sixty-five foot cars - one sleeper and diner, one combination flat and stock, one combination band and ticket wagon, two baggage wagons, January wagon, one tr?p for parade, complete side show outfit, twenty lengths eight tier seats, complete set poles and stakes for eighty foot top, with two(?) shows going South for the Winter, or will take partner with money, for a Two Car Show. Sam McFlinn, Chicago, Ill. New York Clipper, September 12, 1903, p. 684.

    Advertisement. "Old Hard Luck." The crown prince of the sawdust circus. Sam McFlinn, principal ???, grotesque and leaper, songs, gags and business new. Three trick acts for the ring. At liberty. Last three seasons with the Great Eastern Circus. Sam McFlinn, Danville, Illinois. New York Clipper, February 6, 1875, p. 355. G. W. MacFlinn, father of Sam MacFlinn, died at Burlington, Ia., March 12(?), aged seventy-three years. New York Clipper, April 2, 1892, p. 50. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

McMahon's - 1891

      Following is the full roster of McMahon’s International Hippodrome, Circus and Menagerie: John S. McMahon, proprietor; Joseph B. McMahon, manager; John Prendergast, treasurer; George Costello, general agent; Frank R. Clifton, press agent; T. J. Brown, contracting agent; C. H. Hawbaker, manager advertising car; George Finkham, boss bill poster with fourteen assistants; Mike Cohen, calcium lights and stereopticon; Professor John Talbot, caliope player; John S. McMahon, four horse rider; Toto Siegrist, bareback and principal somersault rider; James Kincade, bareback trick rider; Bam Bennett hurdle rider; William O’Dell, scene rider . . . New York Dramatic News, March 28, 1891.

      Nothwithstanding the disagreeable weather experience by McMahon’s Circus since their opening in Oregon and Washington, business is reported to be entirely satisfactory . . . New York Clipper, May 16, 1891.

      McMahon's New Rail Road Shows. Circus, Wild Animal Exposition and Grand Anthropological Museum. Jo-Jo Europe's Greatest Wonder, the autocrat of the curiosity world, engaged at a salary of $1,00 per week. Queen Jumbo and Romeo, the ??? moving mountains. The Standard (Ogden, UT), September 13, 1891. Ad.

      The Coming Show. The Cincinnati (O.) Enquirer says: McMahon's Circus . . . The keen-eyed emissary of the Czar who accompanies Jo-Jo, on being questioned as to Jo-Jo's salary, says he receives $1,000 per week. Not the least attractive feature of the great show is the monster pachyderm, Queen Jumbo, the largest elephant in the world. The performance of Jumbo and mate Romeo . . . Evening Gazette (Reno, NV), September 20, 1891.

    The Circus. The Chicago Times says that "McMahon's show . . . Having traveled all over the world and being familiar with everything in the arenic line, . . . While in Russia with his circus troupe on hearing that Barnum had secured the largest elephant in the world for exhibition from the zoological gardens, London, Mc said he knew of a larger animal and on his return brought Romeo and mate, the two largest and heaviest animals ever seen, and now with Jo-Jo, all Europe's greatest wonder, the autocrat of the curiosity world, a trio never equaled as attractions. . . ." [McMahon's Circus at Reno, Sept. 26th.] Evening Gazette (Reno, NV), September 24, 1891. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

McMahon & Clifton's - 1885

    John S. McMahon and Frank R. Clifton, proprietors of McMahon & Clifton's Circus, arrived April ?? on the Principia(?) from Yucatan, Mexico. They closed season there and Clifton joins King, Burke & Co., second season, and McMahon goes to Burr Robbins. John S. McMahon, the skillful hurdle-rider, who has had fourteen years' experience in the circus business, is one of the strongest attractions with the Burr Robbins Show. New York Clipper, May 2, 1885, p. 104; July 25, 1885, p. 296. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

John S. McMahon's - 1891-1892

    1891: Roster of McMahon's International Hippodrome, Circus and Menagerie. John S. McMahon, proprietor; Joseph B. McMahon, manager; Geo. Castello, general agent; Frank R. ???, press agent; T. J. Brown, contracting agent; C. H. H?wbaker, manager of advertising car, Geo. Tinkham, boss bill poster, with fourteen assistants; Mike Cohen, calcium lights and stereopticon. Equestrians - John S. McMahon, Toto Siegrist, James Kincade, Sam Bennett, Wm. O'Dell and Wm. Devan. Gymnasts, acrobats, aerialists, etc. - Three Devan(?) Bros., John Quigley, William Romell(?), Thomas Romel?, John Ruth (Roth?), Julien Bennett, Mason and Zazel, Mlle Alma, the Lannesta troupe of Spanish acrobats, . . . the Arab vaulters. The performing elephants, Romeo and Queen; the trick horses, . . . and the leaping horse Pomona. Clowns - Harry Emmerson, Chas. Mor?co and Erastus Washington Lincoln. Bosses of departments - James Sullivan, master of canvas; Frank Rose, master of transportation; Jerry Washburn. Menagerie - Sam L???, master of horse tents, and F. A. Garland, steward dining car. Sideshow - Harry Heike, director; Will Salvina, ?? Henry, Frank Delaney, Mlle. Ada, A. Henderson, Garland, M. Feely, Ten Zeneganibian Serenaders and Three Headed Illusion, etc. Features - Two large performing elephants, Jo Jo, U?zie, a living Japanese Salamander, and Prof. Ray's military band of twenty-two pieces. A new advance car, one ??ft. elephant car, and a palace Pullman sleeper have been added to the organization. A 110ft. round top, with a 50ft. middle piece, a 60ft. menagerie top with a 30 ft. middle piece, and a sidshow top 50x?? will be used. New York Clipper, March 28, 1891, p. 49.

    1892: John G. Davenport Jr. left Chicago Feb. 12, to join John S. McMahon's Circus, at San Francisco. New York Clipper, February 27, 1892, p. 813.
    John S. McMahon's Circus opened at Oakland, Cal., March ?. The roster: John S. McMahon, Jo Jo Seigrist, Archie O'Brien, Samuel Bennett and wife, John Quigler, Harry A. Emerson, Seigrist and Silbon, Melrose, Leandor Bros. . . . Trillie(?) De Van, Captain Beach, Lou Worley, Chas. Williams, Lottie Me??ds, Gracie Bennett, Ha??? Myers, Blanch Rose, Phil Ellsworth and J. P. Sullivan. New York Clipper, April 2, 1892, p. 50.
    John S. McMahon's New York Circus and Menagerie closed their season at Portland, Ore., Nov. 1?, and shipped the cars and complete ??? to Chicago, into Winter quarters. John S. McMahon died while en route, near Helena, Mont., 17. The following people closed at Portland: Chas. McMahon, Archie O'Brien, John Davenport Jr, Mason and Zazel, Hugh Barretta, Chas. Albion and Wilson, Wm. Clifford, Jean Durand, Meranda and Little Fannie, and Paul and W. R. Ashe. New York Clipper, December 3, 1892, p. 624.
    For sale, the entire outfit of the late John S. McMahon's Circus, consisting of 1 fine 62 ft. Pullman sleeping car, 1 specially built elephant car, 1 stock car, 1 flat car, 1 advertising car, . . . trained elephants, 4 principal horses, 2 four horse act teams, jockey horses, hurdle horses 1 fine trick horse, 4 baggage horses. The ring stock are all fine looking and thoroughly trained. 2 100 ft. round tops (1 almost new), 50 ft. middle pieces. Menagerie, side show, dressing room, cook, horse and horse tents, semis, poles, etc. Band wagon, uniforms, fine wardrobe, all in good condition, and everything necessar to complete a first class 5 car show will be sold all together or separate. Chas. H. McMahon, Chicago, Ill. Winter quarters, 18 Emerson Avenue. New York Clipper, December 3, 1892, p. 629. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

McMahon & Costello - 1892

    Ra?an and Bennett have been engaged for the McMahon & Costello Shows. New York Clipper, April 2, 1892, p. 50. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Great Melbourne Shows - 1900

    Roster of the advance: Lew Cole, advertising agen; Bert Eades, boss bill poster; Frank Miller, bill poster; Lewis Comstock, lithographer and programer. The Great Melbourn opened this season at Palmyra, Wis., May 5. Billboard, July 7, 1900, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Miller & Freeman - 1888

    . . . Miller & Freeman Circus and Menagerie . . . Mr. James Murray is the most brilliant in the ring . . . The perilous parachute decent of Professor Ned Hathaway was witnessed by thousands . . . Daily Advocate (Newark, OH), April 5, 1888.

      Miller & Freeman's circus shows today in this city. The train did not arrive in the city until 10:30, making it too late for the procession to take place. . . . Admission 25 cents. Prof. Colby leaped from a balloon at a distance of about 1,000 feet this afternoon. Daily Advocate (Newark, OH), May 3, 1888.

      A Land Slide Causes a Circus Train to Be Wrecked Near Steubenville. Steubenville, O., May 7. - A land slide on the Cleveland & Pittsburg railroad near this place was run into Sunday by Miller & Freeman's circus train. The accident happened in a deep cut known as the "Backbone," where a watchman is stationed every day except Sunday. The engine and five cars left the track. The cars are so badly wrecked as to be utterly worthless. . . . Elmer Ellsworth, of Cincinnati, the colored cook attached to the circus, was instantly killed. None of the sleeping cars containing the performers, or the stock cars loaded with horses, left the track. The cars that were wrecked contained the canvas wagons and baggage trucks, and the circus will lose over $3,000. They were on their way from Zanesville, O., to Newcastle, Pa. . . . Daily Advocate (Newark, OH), May 7, 1888.

      Miller & Freeman's circus is having a great deal of hard luck this year. The press dispatches report of another wrecking of their train, this time between Springfield and Rockville on the New England road. Several employees were severely injured but none fatally. Weekly Tribune (Harnellsville, NY), June 8, 1888.

      While Miller & Freeman’s train was making the run, June 3, from Springfield, Mass. to Willimantic, Ct., on the Springfield division of the New England Railroad, the low truck of one of the cars struck a switch frog at East Long Meadow and threw the canvas car and one other down an embankment and badly injured the following: Jacob Meyers, James A. Jackson, Chas. Cryne, Richard Orman, Jasckson Morse, John Meagin, Harry Kiernan and Edward Locksley. The injured men were carried to the hospital. James A. Jackson was hurt the worst, the canvas wagon rolling upon him. New York Clipper, June 9, 1888.

      Miller-Freeman circus . . . Prof. Charles Colby, the second aeronaut, while performing the parachute jump from the balloon at Marlboro on Thursday, fell upon the roof of a house, broke his leg and will be disabled about four weeks. Fitchburg (MA) Sentinel, June 22, 1888. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Miller Bros. & Arlington 101 Ranch - 1915

   Sideshow: Al Mastiff, Punch & Judy; Hans Schneider, Gretchen Schneider, midgets; Mme. A. Schulti, giant; Steve Brown & Hilda, handcuffs; Geo. Devere, tattooed man; Homer Herrick, juggler; Feltona, bag puncher. Six-in-One show: May-Joe, three legged child; Capt. Claude, midget Samson; Jolly Amelia, fat lady; Kokomo Twins. Circus Report, December 4, 1972, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Mitchell's Big Pavilion Show - 1898, 1899, 1900, 1904

Listed as a circus in Sturtevant's, not listed in Parkinson's Directory of American Circuses. Appears to be a traveling tent show with circus acts, sometimes listed in the Miscellaneous column, sometimes in the Circus column in the Clipper. The show may have toured primarily in West Virginia. Thanks to Linda Westfall, grandaughter of owner Harvey L. Mitchell, whose inquiry about this show prompted the gathering of the information below. - Judy Griffin. Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

1898: "Notes from Mitchell's Big Pavilion Show. - We are in our eighth week, and business has been first class. We have packed the tent since our opening day. We turned people away at Smithfield and Stringtown. Roster: Harvey Mitchell, owner and manager; Wm. Gorden, treasurer; H. O. Cunningham, advance agent; John Lowthe(?), leader of orchestra; Lowther Family, five in number, specialty people, song and dance and comedians; Burmingham and Stone, double traps, break-away ladders, clown comic and brother act; Wm. Burmingham, song and dance and singing clown; Chas. Stone, balancing, traps and slack wire." New York Clipper, July 16, 1898, p. 324.
    Miscellaneous. "Notes From Mitchell's Pavilion Shows. - We are in our twelfth(?) week, and business has been good for the weather we have had. It has rained for the last two weeks. We were water bound on Aug. 10 at Drenning's Sulphur Springs, in Nicholls Co., W. Va. so we could not move one way or the oather. The Lowther Family and Stone and Burmingham are still making their regular winning through Western Virginia. We have not decided our closing day yet, but will run as long as the weather permits it. Everybody with the show is well and still reads the Clipper." New York Clipper, August 27, 1898, p. 425. "Mitchell's Pavilion Theatre Co. closed the season at D???, W. Va., Sept. 24, and is in Winter quarters, Clarksburg, W. Va." New York Clipper, October 8, 1898, p. 537. Photo, Mitchell's Pavilion Show, 1898 courtesy of Linda Westfall, grandaughter of owner Harvey L. Mitchell.

    Sturtevant's List of Circuses, 1899, Mitchell's Pavilion Circus

    1900: Listed in circus column. "Notes from the Mitchell Big Pavilion Show. Success still crowns the efforts of the Mitchell Show to please the public. The glorious fourth of July was passed at Fairview, West Va., where the lot was shared with the civic Order of Maccabees, who had a ??? round top pitched within a few feet of our fine spread of canvas, the entire combined showing presenting an appearance that would ??? one to think it was the visit of one of the "big shows." Thousands of people were in town, and of course we turned 'em away. The attractions presented by the Order of Maccabees, and our show worked in such good harmony that, upon the night of the ??, our closing night, the Maccabees attended in a body, and a special program was arranged for the occasion. Business continues at high water mark, and speaking of high water brings to mind an incident that came very near proving a serious thing in a recent trip from Piney Fork to Pine Grove. The heavy rain of the two days before had swollen the streams to the danger point, and we were warned not to attempt to ford the river. Still, being anxious to make the next stand, we pushed on. At a ford where two creeks meet was encountered the most danger. All got over without accident until the arrival of the carriage containing Chick Kekoe(?), Ida Rainer and Will Birmingham. They had nearly crossed when they struck a 'quicksand' hole, the the team began to sink. In an instant the water was over the seats of the carriage and the people in water knee deep. By much persuasion from the driver the team made an extra effort, and, though being carried down stream, managed to effect a landing, with no damage done outside of that caused by the performers clothing getting wet. Still the experience and narrow escape is one they do not care to repeat. Everyone with the show is well, and all have commenced banking the 'long(?) green,' which comes regularly, and they are all trying to decide whether to invest in oil wells, farms or mining stock. One indication of the satisfaction given the public by our show is the press notices received everywhere." New York Clipper, July 28, 1900, p. 476.
    "Mitchell's Big Pavilion Show Notes: We closed a season of seventeen weeks Aug. 23 at Clarksburg, W. Va. The season was the most successful the show has ever known, and it will go out next year enlarged to double the present size and with an equipment entirely new in every department. Business was big everywhere. It was a rainy season, there being more rainy days than pleasant ones. The big top was blown down twice, but one one was injured. The only other accidents that occurred during the season were the narrow escape from dorwning of some of the people while fording a river. A matinee performance was given at Spencer, W. Va., where one hundred and ??? of the inmates of the Spencer Insane Asylum were present in charge of ?????. The show went into Winter quarters at Clarksburg. The destination of performers so far as known is as follows: Kehoe(?) and Rainer go to the new Dewey Theatre, Clarksburg; ?. Danola(?) to the Auditorium Theatre, Norfolk; Will B?rmingham to Loudon; Ray(?) Phillips to Chicago; The Lowther Family to Bridgeport; Charlie Green to New Orleans; the band, to St. Louis, and others to various variety houses. There was one wedding during the season, that of Proprietor H. E. Mitchell to L????e Lowther, leader of orchestra." New York Clipper, September 8, 1900, p. 611.

    1904: Advertisement. "Wanted quick, for Mitchell's Big Pavilion Wagon Show, three good song and dance sketch teams. Other useful people write. Address. H. L. Mitchell's Show, Clarksburg, W. Va." New York Clipper, May 14, 1904 p. 281. All information should be checked with additional sources

    As noted above, Harvey L. Mitchell did marry Lieu Lettie Lowther on July 12, 1900, in Barbour County, West Virginia. Dodd, Jordan, comp., West Virginia Marriage Records, 1863-1900. Lettie's birth record lists her name as Lettie Loy Lowther. Harvey was listed as a showman in the 1900 census for Harrison County, West Virginia. He MAY have given up on show business by 1910. In the 1910 census Harvey was working as a watchman in a brickyard where his brother, Walter, was superintendent. By 1918 Harvey was a laborer for the Harrison County Court at Clarksburg, West Virginia, born January 9, 1873, wife Lettie Mitchell (World War I Draft Card).

    The Lowther Family seem to have been entertainers during this time period. Lettie's father, the orchestra leader listed above, was John D. S. Lowther, her mother, Ida E. Kelley (birth record).

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    Nelson World Show. Wanted, circus people in all branches of the business that do two or more acts, and a first class clown, canvas men, drivers, chandelier man, boss canvas man . . . good circus agent. . . . Robert Nelson Jr., Mt. Clemens, Mich. New York Clipper, March 10, 1894, p. 12.
    Notes from Nelson's World's Show. Everything is busy at the Winter quarters of this show at Mount Clemens, Mich. Bob Nelson's elegant new ring barn seeing life itself from the work going on within. The wagons for the road were all delivered recently, and are marvels of workmanship. The wagons have red bodies, white running gears, blue stripings, and are elaborately lettered. Eighty horses will be used. The new band chariot, white and gold, will arrive next week from Indianapolis. All the people are engaged and reporting for practice every day. The staff of officials is as follows: Robert Nelson Jr., proprietor and manager; Robert Nelson, equestrian director; Ed. Willis, treasurer; Jno. Willis Jr., assistant treasurer; John Marks; John Keeler, boss hostler, and twenty assistants; Jas. Moore, master of canvas; Charles Adams, assisstant, and ten canvas men, with 110ft.(?) round top and 60ft. middle piece. Jacob Ziener, chandelier man, and two assistants; Dalbert(?) Woodhouse, master of properties, and two assistants; Mrs. Maize, wardrobe mistress; Chas. Keeler, harness maker. The advance brigade consists of Doc. J. H. Laine, general agent; George Costello, press agent; George Scott, excursion agent; Harry Capito, boss bill poster, and four assistants; Wm. ?allert, lithographer, and one assistant, and Wm. Capeley, programmer. One large four horse bill wagon, one large two horse paste wagon, one one horse scout wagon, one one horse programme wagon, and the general agent's buggy with two horses, the lettering being very handsome. The performers are: The Nelsons, six in number, premiere acrobats, etc.; La Belle Adele, lady principal equestrienne; Charles Mayo, principal equestrian; . . . pony hurdle rider; Mons. Chirini, ladders; Les Freres Ob??es, three comics; Mlle. Bogardus, and her school of trained dogs and doves; the Sisters Vlad??? (Alice and Elize, contortionists; Leopold and ???, flying trapeze; Mlle. Sebastian, cloud rings; Frank Christie and Dave Cunningham, clowns; the three performing ponies, Fanny, May and Grace, broken and performed by Robert Nelson Jr.; the two Sisters L???, high wires (doing their act on double wires side by side). The leaping dogs, Bruno and ???, will be a new feature, and Prof. Mallett and fourteen musicians, the band being a feature in their musical car, the Temple of St. Cece???. New York Clipper, April 14, 1894, p. 85. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

New York Circus Co. - 1901

    Roster of the New York Circus Co., now touring Porto [sic] Rico and the West India Islands: T. S. Chapman, proprietor; James Donavan, manager; Emma Stickney, Stick Davenport, the Kenyons, Morello Bros., Emma Donavan, Tote Ducrow, May Davenport, Mlle. Novello, Chas. Rench, Reno McCree, Chas. Anzo, De Garmo Bros., Robert Stickney and Ike Goldsmith. New York Clipper, January 19, 1901, p. 1046. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Nichol's - 1838

    Victory Arena, or Nichols' Extensive Circus. The entertainments will commence with a superb cavalcade and allegorical representations of the four quarters of the globe, America, Europe, Asia and Africa, showing a succession of intricate manoevers; with eight beautiful and highly trained horses, and actually performing the difficult mazes of the Waltz and Star Dance, with various other difficult feats. Mr. S. Miller, the celebrated equilibrist. Miss C. Devine & Master W. Nichols, mounted on the unparallelled twin ponies, Kanko and Osceola, go through their celebrated Allemand. Positionist and Pro??? artists, transformations and contortions. Mr. Nichols will introduce his niece, Miss Elizabeth Devine, who will ride a single horse, and represent many beautiful, daring, and classical attitudes never before attempted by one of her age, being only 12 years old. Clown to the whole performance Mr. G. Knapp. Master Aymar, as young Nimrod, on his beautiful horse, Mazeppa, will introduce a variety of feats. Mr. Howes will introduce the Learned Water Poodle Dog Monk. Master W. Nichols will perform many astonishing feats, riding on his head &c. and will go through the scene of his Flat Head Warrior, or armed Horseman of the Missouri, and portray the manners and customs of the Aborigines. Comic songs and other performances. Star and Republican (Gettysburg, PA), August 14, 1838. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Nixon & Kemp

      The veteran, but keenly observant and reminiscent, Mons. La Thorne writes as follows to the Clipper from his retirement in this city:
      Reading in your obituary columns two weeks ago of the death of William H. Kemp, the old time clown, I observed several discrepancies; and, as the Clipper is usually accurate on all subjects, I will try and set it right on this. Mr. Kemp came to this country in the Winter of 1846 and opened at the Bowery Amphitheatre, this city, under the management of John Tryon. The clowns there at the time were Sig. Felix Curlo and Sam Thrift. John Gossin was not a member of the company. Mr. Kemp’s performance consisted in walking a barrel, and carrying another one in his hands. He afterwards had a globe made, and used to carry Master Geo. Nixon on his shoulders up and down an incline run. When the circus closed, in the Spring, he went to work at his trade (gold beater). In the following Fall he was again at the Amphitheatre. This time he produced an old English pantomime, which was very successful. He next started with Mr. Nixon in the traveling circus of Nixon & Kemp. This flourished for some years. Then he settled down, and disappeared entirely from the show business. He launched out extensively in the gold beating business, and, as his material was considered the best in the market, he rapidly accumulated a fortune. He was not a good talking clown, as his cockney dialect did not suit the boys. He was a trick and pantomime clown. Mme. Mccarty was not the wife of Mr. Kemp, nor any relation to him. She came to this country a year before he did, and opened at Seth B. Howes’ Circus, then performing at Palmo’s Opera House. She was the first lady equestrienne in the country to jump over banners, through balloons, etc. "White Tents," New York Clipper, May 9, 1891.

      According to his marriage record, William H. Kemp was born in England, the son of Thomas Kemp and Maria Eganton. He married Martha M. Stanley Tye on October 3, 1866 in Manhattan, New York. In the censuses from 1850 to 1880, William’s wife was listed as Martha or Martha M. Martha was born in England. Her parents were John H. Stanley and Martha Brooks. From: Extracted marriage record, Family History Library, Batch No.: M005678. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

Norris & Rowe - 1900, 1910

      1900: Norris & Rowe Shows cleard $10,800 in fifteen days at the Mechanic's Pavilion in San Francisco. This is no pipe story, either, but the result of heavy billing and faithful conscientious house-to-hourse program. They put up 10,000 sheets of wall work, 900 window lithos and distributed 65,000 couriers. Carrying a ten-car show on six cars, the biggest six cars of stuff ever handled. Billboard, May 1, 1900, p. 6.

    1900: Norris & Rowe added Major Mite to their concert, and he draws big. the seas lions are improving daily. They showed in six inches of snow at Truckee, California, and at Reno, Nevada, experienced their first blow down. A canvasman's jaw was broken. He was sent to a San Francisco hospital. Billboard, May 28, 1900, p. 5.

    1900: Over 3,000 people saw a unique performance of Norris & Rowe's Animal Circus at Portland, Oregan, May 14. Every seat in the big tent was occupied, and many had to content themselves with seats on straw which had been placed on the ground in fromt of the vast amphitheater, and hundreds were refused admission. . . . "It is strange that illusion, as we call it, doesn't fool animals," said Professor Norris. "I have seen that proved over and over again. A frew years ago I took one of my educated dogs into a mystic maze at the Nashville Exposition. It was simply a room with mirrors so arranged that you seemed to be in a narrow corridor filled with turns. It was very puzzling, and I used to get lost in the place myself, but it would never bother my dog for a moment. He would run through it fgrom end to end at full speed, and never bump against a mirror. The elder Hermann told me that animals were never deceived by false table legs built up with looking glasses and used in his stage tricks. They always passed around on the other side. I guess they must see better, somehow, than human beings." Billboard, June 2, 1900, p. 5.

    1900: H. Fitzpatrick and W. W. Brown have returned to their homes on account of sickness in their families. Hannaford has taken position as treasurer with the show. Dr. Parkhoust has returned from a home visit in Columbus, O. Major Mite will leave the show in three weeks to join Gus Hill's Liliputians. Dr. Milles, who has the privileges of the show has gone to New Haven, Conn. on a visit. Mr. Norris and wife will go to the Paris Exposition as soon as Fitzpatrick and Brown return. Report business very good for the week in Detroit. Added to the show this week fourteen monkeys and four ponies. I note with pleasure that Mr. Rowe still has his diamonds, nothwithstanding his late frost in the Dakotas. M. L. Levine, Detroit, Mich., Aug. 6. Billboard, August 11, 1900, p. 5.

    1900: Norris & Rowe Shows had a bad headon collision going into Hamilton, Ont., Aug 10. One man was badly hurt and they lost the afternoon show at Hamilton. Business is big in Ontario. Billboard, August 25, 1900.

    1910: The only premature closing was that of the Norris & Rowe Show which was taken over by the creditors at Newport, Kentucky, on May 9, and transferred to the Hagenbeck-Wallace winterquarters at Peru, Indiana, where the show was sold at auction to satisfy the claims against it. A peculiar incident of the sale was the purchase of a larger part of the outfit by one of its former proprietors, Walter Shannon, who was backed up by H. E. Brotherton, of Ashtabula, O. At the end of the time allotted by the court for the purchase money to be paid over, Mr. Shannon acknowledged his inability to raise the necessary funds, thereby forfeiting the $3,000 guarantee which he had put up as a deposit.
    At the second sale, Mr. Shannon again appeared as a bidder, and was announced as the purchaser of the outfit for the sum of $15,000 plus the $3,000 guarantee which he had deposited. But the court ruled against this sale and Messrs. Shannon and Brotherton were in a good way to lose a large part of the $18,000. But the subsequent and final sale of the property brought a sufficient sum to pay off the debts incurred in quartering the show during the time it has been held in abeyance to the actions of the purchaser and the decisions of the court, and to satisfy the chief creditors. As the case stands, Messrs. Shannon and Brotherton are reputed to have lost in the neighborhood of $6,000(?) on the transaction. "The World of White Tops," Billboard, Xmas Number, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Do you have more information on this show? Email your documented information for the show or persons.

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