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      The roster of Wallace & Co.'s Great World's Railroad Show, Menagerie, Museum and Circus is as follows: Fifteen cars, 22 cages, 120 horses, giant camel, white camel (five in all), one elephant, three tableaux-cars, caliope, racing-chariots, etc. Tents — Circus, 120 ft. round top, 60 ft. middle-piece; menagerie, 100 ft. top, two 60 ft. middle-pieces ; two sideshows. Robt. Donnelly, master of transportation ; Curly Platner, boss-canvasman; Frank Smith, assistant, with 30 men. Privileges are owned by the show. Harry Amler is manager. Circus: One ring; Alf. G. Fields, equestrian-director; Felix MacDonald, ringmaster; Sig. Don, Sam Dickey, Alf. Fields and old Col. Chas. Seeley, clowns; three bands and orchestra; Wm. Goetz, leader of No. 1 (17 pieces); Louis Kerr, soloist; John Shay, leader No. 2 (10 pieces); Louis Robinson, leader No. 3 (9 pieces). Performers: Mlle. Elise, Sig. Clio Hernandez, Lizzie Russell, Misses Minetta, Annie Vinton, Dollie Crosby and Natiline (Hindoo snake-charmer), Chas. Ewers, Sig. Don Molitano, Sweeney and McLain, Whitney and Farrell, Bulger and Jenkins, D'Arly Bros., the Carlisles, the four Waltons, Petit and McVey, Lowando and Strong, Pritchard and Clifton, Alonzo and Kand, Dan Leon, Prof. Harry C. Taylor and troupe of dogs, Martell and educated donkeys. Sideshows — Wm. Corcoran, manager. Concert — Jas. Whitney, manager. Advance, Matt Leland, general-director; two brigades — P. K. Wilson and 12 men car No. 1; John G. Runnells and 18 men car No. 2.

Wallace & Co.'s Circus - 1891

      Wallace and Co.’s Circus, while exhibiting in Mahanoy City, Pa., last Wednesday evening, had a disagreeable encounter with roughs. During the performance many people crawled under the tent and interfered with the performers. The audience was dismissed and the concert began. The roughs again attempted to crawl under the canvas, but were repulsed. The circus men admitted the disturbing element through the regular entrance, thinking this method would preserve order. The roughs insulted the performers, and went so far as to grab one of the women, who was dragged off the platform and pulled around the ring. This was too much for the employees, who then took a hand and with shot-guns began an onslaught on the offenders. Stakes were pulled up and a hand-to-hand encounter ensued. The circus men retreated toward their cars, being pelted with stones, bricks, etc. Finally the circus men reached their train and entered the cars. The mob surrounded the train after the showmen had entered it, and attempted to follow into the cars, but were confronted with Winchesters, and turned and fled. After a few minutes the train pulled out and journeyed to the next town. A number of the rioters were hurt, and the circus employees did not get away without marks of the affray. . . . New York Dramatic News, June 6, 1891.

      C. W. Wallace & Co.'s Great World's 50 Cage Menagerie, Roman Hippodrome and International Three Ring Circus . . . Sublime and Superior to Similitude, the acme of possible Acquisition. . . . Scenic, Gladitorial and processional productions to delight the Senses. Aviary of Birds of brightest plumage from the isles of Balm. Aquarium Curiosities from Cerulean Depths of Indian Seas. Three rings with wonderous Companies of Performers of exhalted fame, who dazzle comprehension with Miraculous feats of superhuman intrepidity or more than terrestial grace. Most stupendous of railroad shows . . . Weekly Tribune (Hornellsville, NY), June 19, 1891.

J. C. Warble & Co.'s Circus - 1886

      J. C. Warble & Co.'s Circus is thus organized: J. C. Warble & Co., proprietors; J. J. Dowling, manager; Joe Matthews, treasurer; Charles A. Thorpe, advance-agent; Girard Leon, equestrian-manager. The performers include Albert Millette and Edwin Du Bois, principal brother-act; Wm. De Ivy, Japanese-slide; Austin Bros., horizontal-bars; Wm. Huddy, contortionist; De Ivy Bros., double-traps; Martinetti, Austin and De Ivy, ladders; Madame Jeffries, dancing-rope; Girard Leon with his educated donkeys and his performing elephant Ko-Ko; Dan Lester, principal singing and talking clown. The band is under the leadership of Wm. Houschild. New York Clipper, May 22, 1886.

Washburn & Hunting's

      Washburn & Hunting’s Circus, Museum and Menagerie. Officers: L. W. Washburn and Robert Hunting, proprietors; Dewight Clapp, general agent; George Stone, press agent; Harry Thomas, contracting agent; Denis Buckley, lithographer, two assistant lithographers and 12 billposters; William Sanders, equestrian director; Denis Cowen, boss hostler, and 18 men; Chas. Disco, boss canvasman, and 16 men; All. Crossley, boss animal man, and 4 men; George Roach, boss property man and 3 assistants; chandeliers, Jones and Bisby; Fred More, leader of band of 9 pieces; Harry Smith, boss canvasman, and 3 assistants; Godfrey Filiatreault, leader of white band; Harry Clark, leader of colored band. Company - Roemer and Leroux, Lizzie Keyes, Robert Whittaker, the Huntings, Miss Irene, George Kelly, Willie Harbeck, Lewanda, Carrie Stone, Lillie Montague, Mrs. Emma Steele, Len Bishop, the Jackson Bros., the Leontas, Frank Bushby. Sideshow - George Peck, manager; Harry Root, assistant manager. People - Miss Barnes, mammoth giant lady; Rose Westerly, midget; Miss Lillie Leslie, Circassian; Miss Mansfield, electric lady; Prof Glenfield, magician and ventriloquist; Charles Dunbar, man with iron jaw; Billy Edwards, Punch-and-Judy and door talker.

Washburn & Arlington - 1891

      Notes from Washburn & Arlington’s Circus. The Leonhardt Family (4) have joined. G. G. Walters, treasurer, received an ovation at his home, Bethlehem, Pa. He runs the Opera House there. Dave B. Levis has been fighting the grip. A. E. Harvey has taken J. C. Cox’s place at the uptown ticket office. Mme. Irene Washburn’s calliope solos are a feature. Business has been good. New York Clipper, May 9, 1891.

      From Washburn and Arlington’s Circus: . . . The O’Brien Brothers joined in Providence, and Cleo Mendoza joined in Pittsfield. Collins and Mason, Earle and wife and Mollie Baldwin are the new concert people. Barney Baldwin, broken necked man, is now one of the sideshow stars. Little Gracie, the ladies’ pet, in her pony menage act; the Wild East, Wild West and Hippodrome races are very strong features. . . . The band, under the leadership of Professor G. W. McDonald, has been increased to fifteen pieces, and the price still remains twenty-five cents. New York Dramatic News, June 6, 1891.

Welsh Brothers - 1900

     The Welsh Brothers, proprietors of the big Welsh Brothers Circus, have started a second enterprise, to be known as the Welsh Wagon Show. Billboard, May 1, 1900.

Williams & Co. - 1891, 1893 [Eph Williams, Ephraim Williams 1860-1930]

      Prof. Williams & Co.’s American and German R. R. Shows opened their season at Medford, Wis., May 4. This organization starts out under favorable auspices, and is fully equipped in every department. The head of the enterprise is well and favorable known through the West, and has been connected with several successful business undertakings of this order. Following is the roster: Prof. Williams, manager; C. T. Kimball, general agent, with ten bill posters; Robert Whittaker, equestrian director; Frank R. Skerback, treasurer; Chas. Morrison, boss canvasman, with twenty men; Prof. W. L. Vinton, leader of the band, with ten pieces; James Cranahan, boss hostler, with twenty-five men, and ninety head of stock. Performers: Robert Whittaker and Mme. Cordelia (bare back riders), Mme. Williams (manege rider), Frank Siecrott and wife, Three Darb Bros., M. Fitzgerald, Three All Rights, Prof. Thompson, O’Brien and Batchelder, Thorp and La Braza, Mlle. Lawrence and the Skerback Family, eight in number. New York Clipper, May 9, 1891.

      Prof. Williams & Co.'s circus gave two performances in this city on Wednesday . . . Prof. Williams started in the business about five years ago with a very small show and without any means. He stuck to it and kept increasing his stock and general paraphernalia and today he has five cars, nineteen horses, five or six wagons . . . He resides at Medford, where he owns a farm and winters his stock. . . . Stevens Point (WI) Journal, May 9, 1891.

      Prof. Williams' circus will exhibit in this city on May 28th. This is decidedly a northern Wisconsin institution, and as such is beginning to attract considerable attention. Williams, the proprietor and manager, having graduated as porter in a Pullman palace sleeping car, bought a finely blooded horse, and during his spare moments he devoted himself to learning this horse all the tricks that horses were ever known to perform. Finally the idea of starting a "one horse circus" entered his mind, and a partnership was formed with that end in view. Misfortune overtook the first venture, and the concern would up its short career at the little town of Medford, in Taylor county. Having rid himself of his first unfortunate alliance, the people of Medford gave Prof. Williams such support and encouragement that he was enabled to start out on his own hook. He has gradually added to his attractions, and it now requires six cars to transport his paraphernalia. He has fifty horses, gives a street parade, and a very good performance. His winter quarters are at Medford, where he gave his initial performance this year on the 8th inst., which was greeted by a large attendance. Centralia (WI) Enterprise, May 23, 1891.

      Havoc Caused By a Storm. When the circus tent was blown down by the wind storm at Washburn, Wis., on Saturday week, Prof. Williams was exhibiting his trained horses. The animals dashed through the crowd of spectators, tramping many children under foot. One more of the victims died Sunday. The tent of the circus was carried fully a mile into the woods. All of the animals which escaped were recaptured on Sunday after an exciting chase except the Bengal tigers and an anaconda, which are still at large. A large bear was caught behind a restaurant eating peanut shells. Two bisons were captured and led back like pet dogs. One of the elephants became mired in a bog and was badly injured. The total damage is estimated at about $30,000. Gettysburg (PA) Compiler, August 18, 1891.

      Prof. Williams in Trouble. Arrested at Eagle River for Larceny but is Discharged. A well known gentleman of this city who has been working at Eagle River for some time, but has returned lately, says that Prof. Williams of Medford, the colored circus proprietor, who was recently married to Miss Rhoda Black of this city, got into serious trouble at Eagle River recently. His circus was showing at Eagle River last summer, and while there a doctor named Haddy lost an overcoat. In December the circus proprietor stepped into the drug store where Haddy had his headquarters, wearing the identical coat which had been lost. In conversation the doctor told Williams that he had lost a coat very much like the one he, Williams, had on, and also said that he was of the opinion that some person with the circus had taken it, and cautioned Williams to be on the lookout for the thief. As the conversation went on Dr. Haddy noticed his private mark on the coat and told Williams that he was wearing a garment which was not his own. Williams was immediately arrested, but at the trial last Wednesday at Eagle River he was discharged, after which he told the court how he came by the coat. He says that when the circus was showing at Eagle River one of the showmen was ill and Dr. Haddy was called in and hung the coat up in the car where the sick man lay. The doctor forgot his coat and it hung there until the company broke up when he, Williams, thinking it was too good to throw away, put it on and wore it. The gentleman who was present at the trial last week says that without doubt Williams was not guilty, and the story of Williams is believed by everyone in the vicinity of Eagle River, for they think if the man had any intention of stealing the coat he would not have worn it in a store where he knew it would be recognized. Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, WI), February 2, 1893. [In 1887, Ephriam Williams was boarding at Briggs House, Appleton, WI, occupation Saloon (Appleton, Wi Directory, 1887). In the 1910 census Ephriam Williams listed himself as a showman, in the 1920 census, he was living in Winter Park, Florida, a widower with three daughters.]

Whitney Family New Enterprise Circus - 1887

      Whitney Family New Enterprise Circus notes. - The roster of the show is: G. L. Whitney, proprietor and manager; N. E. Whitney, treasurer and financial manager; Byron Killmar, charge of dressing room and equestrian manager; Floyd Whitney, leader of band with ten men; Ray S. Leach, boss canvasman with eight assistants; Jerome Messinger, boss hostler, with six assistants; John Nehman, master of properties, with three assistants; Col. M. Gillette, general agent with six assistants. Circus people - J. T. Carrier, Hardy and McFee, Mons. Capolo, George Scott, Josie Whitney, the Leander Bros., three in number, have lately joined; Tom Cone, clown; Bell Twins, D. S. Helmer, D. Rock Hunt. The side show and all privileges are run and controlled by C. A. Whitney. Mr. Whitney has recently added a fifty foot middle piece and more seats. The show travels by wagon and has thirty head of horses. New York Clipper, May 28, 1887.

Wixom's Show - 1885

      Mat. Wixom’s Great Tent Show opens season at Newberg, Mich., May 5. The people engaged are the Clevelands (Joe and Bessie), fancy rifle shots; Barkley Bros., horizontal bar performers; Joe Douglas, contortionist;; Thomas J. Nichols, acrobatic song-and-dance and general performer; J. A. Sunlin, Dutch dialect comedian; J. G. McDowell, song-and-dance and clog; John Rowe, knock-about clown and pedestal clog; Fuller and Dowell, Irish comedians; J. Todd, serio-comic and song-and-dance; Joe L. Todd’s Cornet Band of eight pieces. This show travels by wagons. The wagons are built in car shape, and all the people eat and sleep in them. New York Clipper, May 2, 1885.

Undocumented information: “Matt” Wixom, real name Martin Van Buren Wixom, was born on Jan. 14, 1843 in Farmington, Oakland, Michigan and died on Nov. 2, 1907 in Bancroft, Shiawassee, Michigan. He was a merchant tailor until 1870 in Oakland, MI. Son of Issac Wixom and Martha Ryal. Married Celia A. Bradley, Dec. 27, 1863. Children were: Franklin I., Russell Percival, Almeria, Ernest Bradley and Martin Van Buren, Jr. Matt Wixom started a circus 1874 and continued in the business until 1907. Matt's children and grandchildren carried on this business. His son, Franklin I., was born in 1864 in Livingston, MI and died Mar. 1943 in Saginaw, MI. He owned a circus with his father. In 1893 he had 9 cages of animals and 110 performers and traveled the country. Eventually sold the circus for $25,000. He owned 17,600 acres in Wyoming. He also owned a glockenspiel player in 1885 in Oakland MI. He sold his business in 1905. Owned a 274 mile refinery railroad in Wyoming. He was the organizer of the Tittabawasee Power Company between 1906 and 1928 in Edenville, Midland, MI. Also the organizer of the Wolverine Power Company in 1923 in Midland, MI. Franklin named one of his sons Barnum Bailey Wixom. From: www.theharmons.us/harmon_t/tharmon.htm and Rootsweb NYFingerLakes mailing list, July 1999.

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