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      Older, Crane & Co.’s New York Circus, Museum and Congress of Trained Animals. Officers - Older, Crane & Co. sole proprietors; P. A. Older, manager; George J. Crane, general director; A. Leshler, treasurer; John La Rue, equestrian director; Will A. Innes, general agent; Sumner Burroughts, assistant agent; Glen White, lithographer; Lew Coleman, Al. Weston, Edward Granger, Wm. Tucker and John Roberts, billposters; C. T. Henderson, master of canvas; George Blake, assistant master of canvas; . . . P. C. Walker, master of transportation; Rufus Chapin, manager of privileges; James Palmer, manager sideshow; Prof. Cummings, descriptive lecturer; leader first band, Prof. Charles Bliss, with 15 men; leader second band, Prof. Graves, with 10 colored juveniles. Clowns - George J. Crane, Ben Snow, Wm. Maurittus, John La Rue, Willie La Rue. Company - Riders: Clarinda Lampkin, Julia Lowande, Mlle. Elsie, Edward Shipp, Charles Young. Gymnasts: The La Rue Family, four in number; Philip Farnum, Dick Farnum, Wm. Maurittus. Aerial artists: St. Clair Bros., Charles F. Orville; Floyd St. Clair, principal leaper; Frelando, juggler; Rich Dialo, fire-king. Specialists: Mlle. Elsie’s two performing white stallions, Prof. Charles Young’s performing horses, ponies and riding goats; Ben Snow’s performing and riding dogs and leaping grayhounds; Senorita Alba Winta, wire ascensionist; Harry G. Lampkin, equilibrist. Sideshow people - Augusta Livingston, tattooed lady; Miss Owens, long-haired lady; Mme. King, fat woman; Irene, midget; Welsh’s Punch-and-Judy; Prof Cummings’ “Rhoda” and “Mythia.” New York Clipper, May 3, 1884.

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      Roster of Phillips & Scott's New United Railroad Shows: Thos. G. Scott, general manager; C. H. Phillips, contracting agent; J. M. Blakslee, advance; Joseph Becker, advertising agent, programmer and privileges. Performers: Ducrow Family, the Martinetti Bros., Willie Martell, Geo. W. Wiedell, J. C. Sullivan, Harry Demonio, Littlie Scott, Mary Phillips, Lena Scott, Minnie Davenport, Andy Amann, equestrian director. Concert: Prof. Chas. N. and Mme. Steen, Josie Amann, Fletcher and Wall, Prof. Jas. A. Quigley and his sideshow, assisted by Prof. W. R. Jones. Prof. R. W. Davenport, leader of band; SAm P. Levi, candy privilege; Allen Black, transportation; Peter Rogers, boss canvasman, with ten assistants; Joe Wolf, boss hostler, with two assistants. The show will travel by rail, and will open in Vandalia, Ill., April 26. New York Clipper, February 18, 1888, p. 784.

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      Another showman has come to grief, in spite of the attractions of his elephant, hippopotamus and kangaroos. Montgomery Queen, proprietor of the California circus, well-known in the west and south, has file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy. His liabilities are over $160,000, and his total assets are about a score of animals, worth, perhaps, $30,000. Daily Constitution (Atlanta, GA), February 14, 1878.

      Following is the roster of Queen’s Circus and Menagerie: Polly & Austin, proprietors; J. A. Polly, treasurer; M. Austin, business and advance agent; Louis Angels, equestrian manager; Manning and Young, the Lingards, James Cameron, Three Yost Brothers, Gayler Sisters, Prof. Hern and trained dogs, Barnell (juggler), O’Brien, P. Harrington, Geo. Clark and William Litten. New York Clipper, July 23, 1887.

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      The complete company of Reese, Levis & Dolphin’s Circus is as follows: D. B. Levis, manager; Frank A. Reese, treasurer; T. G. Dolphin, advance, with four billposters; Chas. Austin knock-about clown and troupe of performing dogs; Mlle. Austin, slack wire and hair slide; Prof. Kane, balancing trapeze, bamboo perch and outside ascension; Downie Bros., brother act and high tight-wire; Little Eddie, contortionist; Mott and Durand, double trapeze and bars; four performing ponies and mules; Prof. Guilo and eight pieces. Evans and Coyne, Miss Leoni and Eddie Watts are the concert people. John Bradley, late of the Wild West Show, has the candy stands. New York Clipper, August 1, 1885.

Dan Rice's - 1881

      Wm. H. Stowe, Dan Rice and J. C. Oates have formed a partnership for the purpose of conducting a circus business. A New Orleans, La., correspondent, writing on Jan. 26, says: "They are now organizing under the name of 'Dan Rice's New Greatest and Best of all Great Shows, Circus, Museum, Menagerie and Cosmopolitian Allied Exhibition.' The show will travel by special railway trains. Dan Rice will reappear as clown for the first time in several years. Miss Lizzie Marcellus, a beautiful brunette, will be chief equestrian. Wm. H. Stowe leaves 27 for New York City, and while there will purchase tents, animals, etc., and engage performers and specialists. They have warerooms [sic?] and stables on Rampart street, and have a force of painters and workmen overhauling the paraphernalia of the late Thornton Circus. J. C. Oates is in Memphis negotiating for the purchase of Stickney's Circus and when the organization is complete the show will be first-class in every particular. Their first performance will be given here Feb. 20. New York Clipper, February 5, 1881.
      Dan Rice's new show will be officered as follows: Dan Rice, general manager; B. F. Tatum, treasurer; Major G. W. Morris, general and rail road agent; Wm. Stowe, equestrian manager; Chem Davis, contracting and press agent. They have just purchased the De Haven Circus at Aberdeen, Miss. The De Haven Circus was organized by De Haven in Chicago, Ill. about two years ago, a Mr. Dutton furnishing the money and De Haven the brains. Their failure was caused by weather. New York Clipper, February 26, 1881.
      While Miss Lizzie Marcellus was giving her equestrian act in Dan Rice's Circus in New Orleans, La., the night of March 11, the bale-ring of the circus tent broke, precipitating the canvas almost to the ground, taking with it, says our correspondent, "the tank containing thirty gallons of gasoline, which supplies the ring chandeliers. The tank broke, the oil ignited, and flames spread over the greater part of the ring, causing a panic among the audience. Marcellus, although thrown with great force from her hose and carried out of the ring, returned, and while her horse (Selim) was frantic with rage, and all others dared not approach him, she did so, and succeeded in rescuing the animal from the flames. Wm. H. Stowe quited the audience, and with employes of teh show succeeded in smothering the flames. The result might have been disastrous had not the canvas been so thoroughly saturated by the late heavy rains. They pulled stakes night of 12, and left same night by Morgan's Railroad for the lower Red River country." New York Clipper, March 26, 1881.

Ringling Bros. - 1886

      Ringling Bros.' Double Shows, Museum, Caravan and Congress of Animals open at Baraboo, Wis., May 15, and travel with wagons and their own stock. The people are: Al. Ringling, W. H. Ringling, Alf. Ringling, Chas. Ringling, John Ringling, Mrs. Al. Ringling, Prof. Rich, Dialo, Hercules, Walt McCafferty, Chas. W. Meyers, Dan Malcolm and Mlle. Loretti, Chas. and Mme. Covelli, Zola Zulanda, Prof. Shafer and Family, P. J. Nichols, Fred Madison, A. A. Rush, W. D. Latham, W. H. Van Cleve, J. S. Whitsell, Frank E. Leadow and the Moeller Bros., German gymnasts. The executive staff consists of Ringling Bros., proprietors and managers; Dick Hunter, general-agent, with a corps of billposters, lithographers, etc.; Frank Dempsey, boss-canvasman; John Hamilton, boss-hostler; and Fred Workman, master of properties. The show is transported by sixty horses, and has six cages and eighteen wagons. New York Clipper,

Ringling Bros. - 1900

      Wheeling, W. VA. April 19 [1900] The parade proved bright and interesting, A new feature introduced by Fred Lamont found fine favor. It might be defined as a "Rube" acrobatic act on a hay wagon. It finishes the parade, and provoked storms of laughter all along the route. Every stitch of the canvas was new, and the show looked beautiful on the lot. It was finely flagged. The big top had four poles up and the menagerie had six. There are thirty-two carges in the menagerie, twenty-three elephants and eleven camels, besides minor led stock. Despite the fact that only two rehersals were had, the performance gave great satisfaction. It was the first time Messrs. Ringling Bros. had ever showed Wheeling. The used the lot on the island. Kerry Meagher is in the wagon. Chas. Andress is claim adjuster. Lou Nichols is side show manager.
      Ringling Bros. astonishing jump from Baraboo to Wheeling to open (seven hundred and eighty-five miles) had not sooner been announced than their contracting agents appeared in Jersey City at the very gates of New York. This remarkable manouver was succeeded by another equally surprising when Winstead, Conn. was announced as the next town on the list. Billboard, May 1, 1900.

Burr Robbins Circus - 1885

      The following people go with Burr Robbins’ New Consolidated Railroad Shows this season: Geo. Holland, Sam McFlynn, Wm. Ashton, Wm. Francis, Jno. S. McMahon, Jno. L. Davenport, Master John Davenport, Master Albert Davenport, Jno. H. Coyle, W. Fred Aymar, A. Marquez, three Brothers De Van, Malville and Malcolm, Rob. A. Hewlette, Geo. Chareste, Prince Satsuma, Lewis Jordan, Thomas Romalo, Wm. Van Vleck, Willie Le Beau, Burt Stowe, Hugh Harrison, Jno. Scott, Geo. W. Lewis, Howard N. Stone, Harry McFlynn, Mose Lovery, W. H. Streeter, Kate Holloway, Ida McFlynn, Mlle. La Vern, Stella Bertram, Minnie Bertram, Prof. Jno. M. Smith, leader, with 16 men. Sideshow - J. C. Shipley, Hattie Shipley, Geo. Connors, Madam Carver, Gen. Carver, Lulu Ritter, Sig. Francis, tattooed man, Maori chief, Albino lady, White Moore, long-haired lady, cannibal Fan child, giant skeleton and a colored band of ten pieces. The show opens May 1. Burr Robbins will control all privileges. J. C. Shipley will manage the sideshow and outside privileges and Jno. A. Scott the inside privileges.
      Following is the roster of the advance brigades of Burr Robbins’ New Consolidated Railroad Shows: George K. Steele, general advance director; C. T. Kimball, railroad contractor; Harry Murray, contracting agent; Edward Buckley, press agent; A. B. Bennett, agent in charge advance coach No. 2; Morris Connor, chief billposter; J. P. Manley, lithographer; W. S. Cleveland, J. E. McCarty, A. A. McDonald, George Kramer, Otto Kastner, T. B. Reed, C. S. Ahern, Chas. Henry, Frank Whitney, advance coach No. 1; Ed. C. Wade, chief billposter; Chas. A. Bernard, Horace D. Newman, Michael Burke, Newton Fox, Elmer May, Chas. Harriman, Arthur Wellington, Frank A. Spear, advance coach No. 2. New York Clipper, May 2, 1885.

Burr Robbins New Consolidated Railroad Shows - 1886

      The Burr Robbins New Consolidated Railroad Shows opened at Beloit, Wis., May 6, to well-filled tents. Following is the list of the principals: Albert and Jno. Davenport, riders; Sig. Murdelle, high-wire; Three Albions, brother-act and Roman-ladders; the Musdelles, double-trapeze; Elnino Eddie, tight-rope; Gay and Levanion, Spanish-rings; Valvo, Japanese-perch; Victor Jerome, contortionist; Mlle. Angelo, Indian-clubs; Franc Martinez, Jules Trollop, Fritz Steinschmit, clowns. The annex is managed by Geo. Connor, and contains Madam and Gen. Carver, mighty and mite; Frank De Burdy, tattooed; Zobediah Zoleda, Circassian; Prof. Harrington and Miss Harrington, trained-birds, and the Peters colored band. New York Clipper, May 15, 1886, p. 136.

Frank A. Robbins' Circus

      Frank A. Robbins’ Circus, Museum and Menagerie includes, in the advance department: O. J. Ferguson, manager of all advertising and railroad contractor; Henry W. Mann, contracting agent; Harry Hapgood, press agent; J. A. Reed, superintendent car No. 1, with sixteen billposters; F. W. Hodges, superintendent car No. 2, with twelve billposters; W. H. Sylvester, manager of Stereopticon Exhibition and superintendent of bugle brigade, with six buglers; Ora J. Robbins, advertising programme with the show; Frank A. Robbins, proprietor and manager; Wm. Loper, assistant manager; Warren Bouton, treasurer; Jas. E. Cooke, equestrian director; Chas W. Fish, somersault bareback equestrian; Chas. Lowry, hurdle rider; Jas. E. Cooke; four horse equestrian; Mme. Dubsky, equestrienne; Mme. McDonald, equestrienne; Col. John Foster, clown; Ringford Bros. (John and Connie), Metle Bros. (Rudolph and Louis), Annetta (snake charmer), DeComa Family (three in number), Andy Gaffney, Cuponti, Jacket Chy’s Royal Japs, Mlle. Alma, Wm. Harbeck, Felix McDonald, Ali Berber’s Troupe of Bedouin Arabs, Leopold and Wentworth, Leonard Ayres, John Wilcox, Francis Palmer (human cannon ball), Prof. Oscar Perry and band of sixteen people, Mme. Agnes Hall’s brass and reed band of twelve lady musicians. Geo. W. Cole is manager of the concert, and the people are Phil. Gibbons, Billy Milligan, Geo. McConnell, Leo Grant, Thos. Haley, Lillie Ellis, Maud Chatwood and Mlle. Julia Hulskamp. John Fulton is manager of the sideshow, with these curios: Mlle. Estell, long haired lady; Mlle. Aimee, tatooed lady; German Rose, queen midget; Mme. Etta, Albino; Zuleika, Circassian princess; Wm. Russell, fat boy; George and Henry, Zulus; Prof. Reynolds’ performing birds; Alex. Wilson, ventriloquist; Walter Broma, magician and Punch-and-Judy; Willis Jackson’s colored band and jubilee singers, and eight-footed horse, snakes, giant ox, etc. Geo. S. Cole, Cuponti, Walter Broma and Charles Corbin are the solicitors. The candy stands and reserved seats include Wm. Buxton, Jas. Dains, Tony Burke, Wm. McIntyre, James Casey, Thos. Eagan, Jos. Lynch, Ed. Crowley, Peter McLoughlin, Hugh Kelley and Timothy O’Donnell. Lucius Foster is master of canvas, with 40 assistants. Size of circus canvas, 130 ft. round top, with 3 fifty foot middle pieces; dressing room top, 80 ft. round top and five forty foot middle piece; menagerie top, 80 ft. round top and five forty foot middle piece. No. of horse tents, 4; No. of cook tents, 3. Wm. Randolph is master of horse, with 45 assistants. No. of horses, mules, ponies and donkeys, 185. Felix McDonald is superintendent of menagerie, with 20 assistants. No. of elephants, 10; No. of camels, 4; No. of cages, 50. John Kent is master of transportation, with 10 assistants. Total number of people employed, 320. New York Clipper, April 11, 1885.

Comprising the advance of the Frank A. Robbins' Show, which closed its season October 12, were Frank A. Robbins, railroad contractor; J. Henry Rice, general agent; Chas. A. Chapman, manager Car No. 1; C. D. Daley, manager Car No. 2, with sixteen billposters; H. E. Wallace, opposition agent; Ralph E. Allen, local contractor; Earl Conner, excursion agent; J. E. Gordon, press agent. Billboard, October 22, 1910.

John Robinson - 1910

      Cincinnati is to be credited with putting out the first real winter circus. That is a full-fledged winter circus that will use a special train of its own cars to transport it through the country. It will be the John Robinson Winter Circus and will take to the road the first of the year. Arrangements have been made for the appearance of this new enterprise in a number of the leading cities in the East and middle West. The John Robinson Circus has been most favorably known for the past eighty-seven years and the new winter circus will be the very cream of the big show with a number of new attractions added. It will be billed just as the big show has always been and there is no reason why it should not get money.
      The executive staff has already been selected and while it will carry the names of many of the staff of the Ten Big, there are many new ones that will be identified with the winter circus only. The riding acts, aerial acts and ground acts will be selected from the bery best obtainable and the aggregation of trained animals will be particularly interesting.
      In connection with the regular circus performance there will be a perfectly organized and historically exact wild west exhibition. This will be made a feature of. To conform with the best of circuses a street parade will be given in each town and this is considered by the showmen as getting a winter circus as near the summer event as possible. The Robinson large herd of elephants will form part of the exhibition and it will be the only herd that any winter circus carries. The policy of the circus will be to make the indoor circus as near the big summer show as possible and nothing will be left undone to attain this. The winter circus train will be made up of twenty cars and will be run in one or two sections as the occasion may require.
      Mr. John Robinson will be the manager, Ed. C. Knupp will take care of the railroads. Fred(?) Mattie will promote. Col. Heckman will have full charge of the advertising. John D. Carey will be general press agent with two assistants and several minor offices are yet to be filled. Thus far the advance arrangements have been highly satisfactory and the winter circus is billed solid until the opening of the summer season for the Ten Big.
Ring Barn Gossip
      Opposition between winter circuses will soon be in order and then may the good weather dispenser have pity on the tack spitters. Ed. C. Knupp, of the John Robinson Winter Circus, was in Buffalo last week, looking after the interests of the big indoor show. The John Robinson Winter Circus will carry 150 head of horses for draft purposes. These, of course, will figure in the street parade but besides these there will be twenty-five ring horses and those to be used in the big menage acts. The John Robinson winter circus will carry a band of twenty pieces and will be featured in the concert preceding each performance. When the John Robinson Winter Circus hits the town and gets busy with its billing there is certainly going to be some rustling among the theatre publicity givers. This same John Robinson has long had a reputation for billing and the line of paper has always been regarded as some paper. Robinson to Put out Winter Circus. [1911] Billboard, December 3, 1910, p. 21.

Robinson's - 1891 [John F. Robinson]

      Notes From Robinson’s Circus. The elements favored the Robinson Show April 27, when, for the first time in many years, they opened their season at Cincinnati amid a burst of sunshine. The street display took place 25, and was voted a success in every way. . . . The great spectacle, “Solomon and the Queen of Sheba,” began the performance, and it can safely be said to be Rettig’s masterpiece. The costumes are elegant, the ballet well trained, and show the able work of Constantine, the master. Over six hundred people take part in this performance. The hippodrome races, the bareback riding of the De Motts - Willie, Josie and Louisa - the daring feats of George Hollond [sic Holland], Young John Hollis and others made hits. Josie De Mott never rode so well, and was applauded to the echo. Emma Lake (Mrs. Gil. Robinson) was called upon at short notice to make her appearance with the show in place of Mrs. George Holland, who was suddenly taken ill. Little Cad Robinson, manager John’s six year old daughter, did a pretty manege act upon her pretty little spotted pony. John Lowlow looked after the rings, and was as busy as a bee. Dan Dale is handling the tickets in the wagon, as usual. The Robinson boys have the finest show they ever had, and one they can feel proud of. The Robinson show is just about half as big again as it was one year ago. Then it required a train of thirty cars to carry their paraphernalia; now two trains are required and forty-five cars. “The Queen of Sheba” is the Biblical story, gorgeously illustrated in the beginning. It takes the place of the time honored grand entree, and when the Queen arrives to greet King Solomon that incident in the lives of those characters of olden times gives an opportunity for a pageant of dazzling brilliance. The scenery is simply grand. It could not be otherwise, for it was designed by John Rettig, who fathered all the spectacular successes of the “Order of Cincinnatus,” “Rome Under Nero,” “The Fall of Babylon,” etc. The spectacle is presented under the general direction of Charles Constantine, and three hundred people participate. There are one hundred girls in the ballet. As usual, there are three rings, and the bareback act of Josie De Mott was one of the greatest on the programme. There are jugglers, acrobats, tight rope walkers and trapeze artists in plenty. One feature, which will take with the little people, is an act from the life of Humpty Dumpty. There are a dozen races at the wind up. This is the show’s business roster: Sole proprietor, John F. Robinson; managers, Cil N. [?] and John G. Robinson; assistant manager, E. C. Cullen; treasurer, Charles M. Robinson; Assistant treasurer, Dan Dale; general agent, Oliver Scott; advertising agent, Sam Joseph; assistant advertising agents, Nick Roberts and De Witt Forrest Davis; press agent, Will E. Owens; programme agent, J. M. J. Kane; John Rategan, W. F. Adams and Ben Cook, managers of cars Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively; equestrian director, John Lowlow; director of hippodrome, John Wilson; manager of privileges, Dennis F. Lynch. The performers include Josie De Mott, Louise De Mott, Mabel Reed, Millie Leon and Mme. Forepaugh, Mille De Mott, George Holland, Orrin Hollis, Dan Leon and Master Willie Forepaugh, the Lamont Bros., William Forepaugh, Frank Cook, Walter Kirley and wife, William and J. Batcheller, the Forepaugh Family, De Commas, the Morrisons, the Seymours, the Reeds, the Fisher Family. In the museum are Shields and his giant wife, Cad and Clara Claire, Zolala, Lilly Wray, Mr. and Mrs. Cornoms, Felix Wurlep, Daniel McKenzie and Madame Barmo. The second stand was made at Covington, Ky., May 4, and the third at Newport 5. New York Clipper, May 9, 1891.

      Wounded by a Lion. Montreal, Sept. 2. - While Robinson's circus street parade was in progress here several of the lions in an open cage began fighting. Equestrian Lawler [sic] tried to quiet them, when one of the lions seized him with one of his paws and lacerated his head and face in a terrible manner. It is thought he will die. Daily Republican (Mitchell, South Dakota), September 2, 1891.

      Circus Train Wrecked. . . . Wheeling, Sept. 21, - The Robinson show train was wrecked between Steubenville and Washington, Pa., Saturday morning . . . The wife of Boss Hostler Eagles . . . was the most severely injured . . . Jack Lynch, the head cook, was also very painfully injured . . . none gravely hurt. The most serious damages is the destruction of the two cars, the wrecks of which had to be burned to clean the tracks to let the show go through on time. . . . Daily Times (Lima, OH), September 21, 1891.

      Circus Train Wrecked. Four Sleeping Cars Leave the Track and a Score of People Injured. Pittsburg, Sept. 21. - A disastrous wreck occurred . . . at an early hour. One report says that between fifteen and twenty persons were injured. One, a woman, fatally. The John Robinson circus train was running as a special and at a high rate of speed. When within 100 yards of the station four sleepers left the track. Two of the sleepers rolled down a steep embankment and were smashed to kindling wood. The other sleepers were also badly wrecked. . . . Mitchell (South Dakota) Daily Republican Mitchell, South Dakota), September 22, 1891.

Undocumented information. “Old” John Robinson was born July 22, 1802 in Albany, New York, and died on August 4, 1888 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the first of three generations of circus proprietors. His father was John Robinson, who was born in Scotland; his mother Nancy Boyd. John married Margaret Yates in 1835 in Schenectady, New York. He later marred Elizabeth Frances Bloomer on January 4, 1841. The children of John Robinson were: John Franklin, born November 4, 1843 in Linden, Alabama; Gilbert N., born July 15, 1845 in Buchanan, Virginia; James H., born February 25, 1847 in Charleston, South Carolina; Frank M., born November 28, 1849 in Alabama; Kate V., born April 5, 1851, in Virginia; and Charles Marcelus, born February 5, 1854, in Cincinnati, Ohio. John Franklin Robinson, who died on April 30, 1921 in Miami, Florida, was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery & Aboretum, Cincinnati, Ohio. John Franklin married Maud Logan, and later married Caroline Heyward on April 4, 1866. From “Frank Genealogy of New York,” Ancestry.com.

Ryan's - 1882

      Pat Ryan of Albany, New York, and old time showman, has purchased an elephant, dens, a menagerie of animals, tents, wardrobe, etc., of Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson, amounting to nearly $40,000 cash, and takes the road the present year, after several seasons of retirement and rest. J. W. Holmes has all the privileges with the Pat Ryan Show. New York Clipper, February 18, 1882.

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