Circus Historical Society
Cooper, Bailey & Co.'s Great International, 1877
The Australian Tour of Cooper, Bailey & Co's Great International Allied Shows. Compiled by W. G. Crowley, Brisbane, Queensland: Thorne & Greenwell, MDCCCLXXVII. Circus World Museum's Parkinson Library provided the photocopy of this route book. All information should be checked with additional sources. There will be spelling and typographical errors.
Preface
No member of the amusement-giving portion of society, no matter what his position in the portion — dramatic, minstrel, circus, or otherwise — has ever visited San Francisco without having had his curiosity excited in regard to the fabled land in the southern seas — Australia. To the theatrical gentlemen who gather at the offices of Simmons & Wall, or Major Brown, in New York, or the knights of the arean who hang about the corners of the redoubtable Gannon, in the same quiet village; in fact, in the East, to almost all branches of that peculiar people who earn their daily bread by amusing the rest of the world, Australia is nearly an unknown land. Occasionally on appears who has been there, but his recitation of adventure lacks peculiar interest, and fails to excite attention. Once in the City of the Pacific, however, the veil is drawn. The subject becomes on of moment, strikes forcibly, and demands notice by being constantly presented. Whatever else may be said, professional people have carried away, and have taken great pains to disseminate, the most golden views respecting the greatness and glory of Australia as a “Show” country. In San Francisco are met many men who have visited Australia, and who never tire of recounting its wealth and liberality. Of such were the men who met the managers of the Great International Allied Shows when it first visited that city, September 6, 1876. Their stories were listened to, and carefully noted. Consultations were had, and yet none knew their results until late in the following month, when it became known that the Show was to be equipped for a voyage across the Pacific. It was an undertaking that few would care to invest time and capital in; for, notwithstanding the number of rumors afloat, its success or failure could only be determined by a trial. Of the expeditions that had already gone, little definite information could be obtained. Some said this, some said that, and the result of all their sying still left the matter in doubt. W. W. Cole had half resolved to take his establishment to what he was pleased to call the Promised Land, and Montgomery Queen was even then making Preparations, or what resembled them closely, to start with his circus and menagerie. Cooper, Bailey & Co., however, with that fine business tact, that intuitive knowledge of things that are, which had prompted their trans-continental trip, before less-skillful managers had got through thinking about it, determined to go. Instead of going to California and Australia, Mr. Cole went South to better his fortunes amid the marshes of Louisiana; and, instead of crossing the Pacific, Mr. Queen crossed over to Hayward, and went into winter quarters. The undertaking was a difficult one. It required a re-organization of the company; a large expenditure of capital, and an ocean journey of twenty-eight days before the new country could be reached. Once embarked in the enterprise, however, the energetic management withheld no aid which unlimited means and great experience could afford. The services of James Robinson, the greatest of equestrians, and a number of the best arenic performers in America, were secured to add eclat to the Circus department. The Menagerie was carefully selected so as to exhibit those animals towards which the attention of man has been most prominently directed. Men of marked ability and strict integrity were engaged to act as agents. When the time came, few expeditions ever departed under more favorable auspices than did Cooper, Bailey & Co.’s Great International Allied Shows, Circus and Menagerie.
With the exhibition, als, came the “privileges,” an almost necessary adjunct of the American circus and menagerie. Under the direction and management of Mr. George Middleton, this “peculiar institution” was constituted in a manner undeniably good. The Concert was well organized; the Side Show was excellent; and if the services of several skilled country butchers were not secured, it was not at all because they could not be had, but simply because they were not supposed to be wanted. Mr. Middleton’s well-known character as a genial gentleman rendered every one his well-wisher; but notwithstanding this, every one declared it to be an innovation in Australian amusements such as would never be tolerated. They would like to see him do well, but they knew he would not make enough in that far-off land to buy oil to grease his organ with. Those who claimed to be most experienced, prophesied the darkest. Mr. Middleton determined to give the subject a fair trial — it was another case of “Pike’s Peak or bust;” and we are happy to state that the sad, sad words, “busted by thunder,” have not, and, in all probability, never will be, written above the door of the “Great American Hippodrome,” as the Side Show was facetiously termed. Its success has been fully commensurate with the predictions of its failure, and never were false prophets so ignominiously routed as in this case.
Before closing this short account of the commencement of the expedition, we must not fail to note that there were “great goings on in ‘Frisco,” just before it started. The halls of the International Hotel resounded with the voices of the gang and their friends, for a few nights before the day of departure. There was the social gathering at the Elks’s rooms, the Sunday evening before the departure, when the safety of those that were going out upon the seas was fervently asked for by a devout member; and the “God-speed-you-all” meeting at Colonel Hays’s rooms the night before the company left. The, who can forget the articles purchased for the long voyage; the preventatives against sea-sickness; for the removal of bile before the waves forcibly removed it, etc. etc.? But all these things are embalmed in memories that will not let them dide; so we will pass to
The Pacific Voyage
On the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 8, the sun shone from an unclouded sky above the streets of San Francisco. Those streets were literally alive with people — Just as the streets of any large American city are the morning after a great event has stirred all classes of society from the highest to the lowest. The day before had been that of the Presidential election — a day when the electors of forty-four millions of people had gathered themselves together to determine who for the next four years should be the supreme magistrate of the nation. Amid the crowds that hurried hither and thither, past the corners where men excitedly discussed questions of politics, through thoroughfares resounding with the tramp of many feet — here and there upon that memorable morning “might have been seen” (to use an expression original with the history of yellow-covered literature) an occasional pedestrian moving toward the Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s wharf as if some unseen power was pushing him along. It was a member of the company — or, in the language of the late Mr. Seeley, “One of the gang, sir, one of the gang.” There was a goodly number present on the wharf, and there was as much
as there was on that memorable night before Waterloo. There was a large number of passengers besides the circus company, including Corbyn’s Original George Minstrels; and all of them had their friends to witness their departure. With Them and their friends we have little to do, save to say that they combined to give the sailing the appearance of a holiday excursion across the bay. J. Kinslow, Gus Atkinson, Sam Rhinehart, Colonel Murray, Mr. Bogardus, of Figaro, Mr. Dumphie of Kyte’s bill posting office, and a number of others were on hand to say goodbye and wave their handkerchiefs. They did so. Short sharp sentences were spoken, impressive words were uttered, and the colored minstrels murmured a few melancholy notes — “We’ll Gather by the River,” we believe.’ At 9 a.m. all was ready. People grew impatient, as they had a perfect right to do under the circumstances; for who desires to continue the joy or agony of such a time. People wondered why they waited. “Ah! But you know her Majesty’s mail is not on board.” That was it. A delay of over an hour occurred. A foam-covered team dashed down the dock; there were two men to a bag, and more men than bags. The dust rolled up as they hurried to the work. Someone shouted, “All right!” In came the gang plank; the big vessel trembled, and the waters were troubled; we were at last on our way. Swinging around, the boat slowly felt her way out into the waters, while the people, gathered on the wharf, gradually lost their individuality as they merged into a crowd. We could tell Joe Kinslow and his big while handkerchief for minutes after we lost sight of his features. Then there was a man who rushed down, and upset all political thoughts by exclaiming that Hayes had a majority of two in the electoral college. The morning papers proclaimed Tilden president, and this changed it all, causing doubt and uncertainty. It was several months before the real state of political affairs became known, and constant were the discussions and numerous the wagers upon the subject in the meantime. With her bow toward the sea, the City of Sydney began her voyage about 11 a.m., passed through the Golden Gate, and stood boldly out to sea. As the little ripples ripened into rough rollers, and the vessel swayed from side to side, the colored gentlemen who had sung so sweetly commenced to murmur
and were without exception out of sight. The ladies, and those gentlemen who were not going to be sick, “no sir, not me,” were also seen moving toward their cabin. Then the rest told stories; call the man who wished for a life on the roving sea, a fool; talked of feeding the fishes, and blamed the poet who desired to be
Lunch was served, but there were not so many hungry ones as might have been expected from so long a passenger list. The first day passed, and then there were about twenty-six more varied one form another, and yet alike in many things. About the third day people began to know each other. It would be very pleasant to record each day separately, but that would render the journal monstrous. It has been deemed better to select the salient Points, and allow the minor ones to sink into obscurity. Amusement was sought, and among passengers such as those upon the Sydney, there was little difficulty in finding plenty of it. During the evenings, those so inclined, sat about the after part of the hurricane-deck, smoking the pipe of peace, and relating each one his collection of stories for the amusement of the rest. It was often astonishing how many and how varied the stock of short narratives which some men carried about with them. The great conversational powers and story-telling abilities of James Robinson were never displayed to greater advantage than during those evenings upon the hurricane-deck of the City of Sydney. Nat Austin occasionally took a part in these conferences, and whenever he did, the boys were always sure of an enjoyable sketch, while the fierce and terrible bluffs of Mr. Seeley were very racy and original. On several occasions the “social hall” was made the gathering place, where neat little speeches were made, especially by Mr. McGuire, of Melbourne — where songs were sung, and entertainment of one kind and another were given. Mr. Saunders, of Dunedin, N.Z., favored the youngsters one evening with a short lecture upon phrenology and the physical peculiarities which enable one to form an estimate of a man’s character. He examined the heads of Messrs. Middleton, Sackett, Leopold and two other gentlemen; but, although his remarks occasioned much laughter, it has not since transpired whether he has found anything in them or not. The next day a notice appeared to the effect that Mr. Robinson would that evening deliver a lecture upon “Seeley and his great fit gag,” but Seeley indignantly destroyed the notice, and the lecture was never heard. Captain Blannin often amused us with his skillful manipulation of the piano keys. One great amusement was catching a man asleep upon deck and tying him up tightly with cords, then awakening and asking him to untie himself. This became a science before it ended, and people were suddenly roused out of sleep to find themselves firmly bound and being dragged about the boat. Seeley was tied up and pulled up in the “social hall” until he seriously damaged the paneling by his efforts to extricate himself, while Joe Williams was hauled twenty feet on pleasant Sunday in the same way. It became dangerous at last for a man to go to bed even, unless he could awaken the moment they came near him with ropes. Men barricaded their state-room doors to keep the intruders out. Pelting people suddenly with bananas, apples, oranges, etc., or hitting them a slap in the dark, was another recognized sport among the practical jokers. Through all the rough sport no one was seriously injured. There were many incident which attracted attention, the death of Mother Monk, of a pony, the escape of a tiger from its cage, the opening of an impure egg at the table, and the clearing out of the saloon in consequence, the remarks of Sam the barber, the doings and misdoings of the Chinese waiters and the Ballarat Boy, the character of the tables, the gambling among the Chinese sailors, the flying fish, porpoise and whales seen, the sickness of Patti Rosa, of Mrs. Toole, and of poor Zenobia, the latter in consequence of eating Fiji pineapples. Only one vessel was seen during the long voyage, and that was the City of New York, which we passed during the latter portion of the journey.
On the morning of Nov. 16, the ship reached Honolulu, Sandwich Island, and twenty-four hours were passed in that pleasant little town. Before we went into the harbor we heard the guns booming from the Punch-bowl Battery above the town. At first it was thought to be in our honor, but it subsequently turned out to be in honor of the king’s birthday. The steam-piano was prepared, and as the boat steamed into harbor it gave vent to that fine dulcet music which has rendered it such an object of admiration among all Australian lovers of true harmony. Mr. W. L. Keating, the gentleman in charge of the piano, played so effectively that people swarmed down to the wharf to hear it; they came from all directions, and for miles around. The wonderful instrument greatly excited their curiosity, as, indeed, it might well have done. We reached the wharf very early, and beheld a scene of semi-tropical life which possessed all the charms of novelty. Naked youth crowded about the vessel and dived for money, usually finding it wherever thrown. On the wharf were the fruit-stalls, erected on the coming of every steamer. The women wore long loose gowns, barefooted and bareheaded; while the men wore all kinds of hats, red shirts, blue pants, and were mostly barefooted. Outside the wharf were a number of carriages, driven by natives, and these were engaged by members of the company, who rode about town enjoying themselves; others went to the Hawaiian Hotel. It being the king’s birthday, all places of business were closed, the people holding high holiday. The island life was seen to the best advantage. The king gave a grand reception at 1 p.m., and many of the company went, sipped royal wine, and broke royal bread. The animals were exhibited during the afternoon on board the boat, at 50 cents admission, and many came, among them his Royal Highness the King with his suite. In the evening the Georgias gave an entertainment at the theatre, the house being crowded. The next morning we resumed our journey.
On the evening of the 29th we arrived off the Fijis, but although we went up rockets to attract attention, and although a light was seen as if wreckers wanted us to come in, we did not go in until the next morning. We here met the steamer Zelandia, gave her the New Zealand mails and passengers, and left in a few hours. Diving boys and men came about the ship in large numbers, going under water after coin very expertly. Some came also with fruit, others with shells, for sale, and both were well patronized. A number went on shore, and among them were Smith and Seeley. The former threw a somersault, which caused great commotion among the natives. Seeley and Smith then did a row of “flip-flaps” each, which caused them to be loudly applauded and gained for them the names of the Fijian favorites. Before they left, the young heathens were busily employed in trying to break their legs and necks playing circus.
Leaving Kandavu, we continued the voyage, and at 2 p.m. on December 6 were passing through the Heads of Sydney Harbor. At daylight we were safe at the wharf.
The first feeling here was one of surprise at finding so large and well built a city. It was different from what we expected. In all respects it had and has the appearance of a busy commercial city, and ahs much about it which will well repay several days’ studious attention; but, as this little book simply treats of the history of the show, and as the author reserves all remarks upon the country and its products, its people and their customs, for a larger and more pretentious volume about “Australia and the Australians,” he refrains from the subject entirely in the present work.
The fame of the company had preceded it. The advance agents who had gone before — J. B. Gaylord, R. G. Ball, H. P. Lyons, Signor G. Agrati — had done their work well, and aroused public excitement greatly. All of them are men of talent in their special departments; but to Mr. Gaylord, as much as to anyone else — if not more — belongs the credit of the success the show has met with. Mr. Gaylord is a man of varied and extensive reading, the possessor of a strong evenly-balanced mind. He has a peculiar power of acquiring knowledge from men and book concerning a country — a power the results of which frequently confound his most intimate friends. He can in a few days render himself the master of a new country; its principal places; their distance from each other; the means of transportation between them; their value for show purposes, and the best way to take them. Few men possess this remarkable quality as he does, and few use it to so good an advantage. When he first came to Australia, men of much experience said — although he was a stranger — yet he knew more about Australia than they did. Now, when about to visit India, he has thoroughly posted himself upon that country, and several who have been there a number of times, acknowledge that he is far better acquainted with it than they, although he has never been there. With men like this, it is no wonder a large crowd was at the boat and much interest was excited. it was the talk of the city that the “Great Wild Beast Show,” the common English name for a menagerie, had arrived. The people were put in hotels and left to amuse themselves until the evening of Dec. 18, upon which date the opening was made. Efforts were made to procure permission for a street parade, but they were unsuccessful, the authorities refusing on the ground that it would impede traffic and render accidents liable. The opening house was fair, and steadily improved, there being very fine houses during the holiday week. The side show did well; the armless lady exciting much attention. The concert was inaugurated towards the end of the season and took well. On the night of Friday, Jan. 12, after a splendid success had been made, the season closed. The tents were erected upon the Haymarket Reserve, a fine location, one block from the main street, and near the centre of the town. Charlie Warner, better known as “Elephant Charlie,” left the show here, returning to American. The music was furnished by a band procured at Melbourne, and which was well organized and still continues under the leadership of Mr. H. Stoneham, an accomplished and experienced musician. This band has given very much satisfaction.
On the 13th everything was located on board the steamer Macedon upon which we sailed to Melbourne. We reached our destination shortly before noon, the voyage having been an uneventful one.
The company were placed in hotels as near the grounds as possible, they being at the junction of the St. Kilda and Sandridge roads, near Prince’s bridge. The company were left to amuse themselves as they saw fit until Thursday, the 18th, and they did so, seeing all that was to be seen. The efforts to gain permission to give a street parade were more successful here than in Sydney, and on the morning of the 18th a grand street parade was given, and witnessed by one of the largest crowds ever assemble here. It was a grand success, unmarred by accident, save the falling of Mr. Austin from his horse. The opening was held that night, and the attendance was fair. Business constantly improved, and the show continued to draw up to its close, Saturday, Feb. 17, making the Melbourne theatrical managers very uneasy. Monday we took the cars, which had been fitted up with bunks, and made a two weeks’ tour in the country — (just before we left, Sunday night, Harry Pepperal, canvasman, sloped) — doing a very large business, turning away people several nights. The boys are very troublesome at Ballarat, where we also lost a whole day on account of rain, the weather in all the other places being all that could be wished.
Returning to Melbourne, we shipped on the Claud Hamilton for Adelaide. On this voyage, kit-flying commenced with the boys in earnest, and, like all other fancies, ran for a time and dropped. The boys set up kite after kite, and lost several of them, but had “lots of fun.” Besides kite-flying, little occurred during the voyage worth mentioning. We arrived at Port Adelaide on the 9th; went to Adelaide by rail, seven miles distant; opened there upon the 10th, and closed upon the evening of March 21st, after ten days of very fine business, with good weather. The afternoon exhibitions were here attended by almost as many as those of the night. Fred. Barclay and wife left the Show here, and joined that of John Wilson. On the night of the 21st we took the cars for a three days’ tour in the country. It was a rough trip. At Gawler, a dust-storm came up during the afternoon show, filled the tent with blinding dust, and blew out several side-poles. This caused a panic; people howled and hurried; about 500 children screamed and fell through the seats, the seats following them. In a few seconds the place was empty. The people were re-admitted after it was over, but the night show was very light. The next day, at Burra Burra, it commenced raining before they got the canvas up, not could they erect the circus top. The country was hilly and rocky, the water for miles around running into a creek, beside which the show stood. At 6 a.m. you could have walked dry-shod over this creek; at 6 p.m. it was a raging torrent 25 feet deep. Great difficulty was experience in getting the tents, &c., off the ground. They were finally placed safely on the train, however. The following day, being a clear one, everything began to assume proper shape. On Monday, at Port Adelaide, the night show was given up on account of wind and threatened rain. The next day we went on board the Claud Hamilton, and started for
the ancient Van Dieman’s Land, where we arrived without accident or grand incident, upon Good Friday. It was like a Sunday — this day as observed in Launceston. By special permit we were allowed to land. We opened the following afternoon, doing a grand business. Monday and Tuesday were also put in here, the last performance being given on Tuesday night. The rough element is very numerous here, and showed its nature during the last performance, by cutting the canvas and doing other mean acts. As the concert was proceeding, they rushed in, and Seeley made one desperate bluff and rushed out, while Mr. Bailey called for the “Queen” and the extinguishment of the lights. A run of 133 miles by a little narrow gauge railway brought us to Hobart Town. The first day was lost, owning to bad time on the railroad and rain. Three days were amply sufficient for them. On the following Monday we re-shipped on board the Claud Hamilton, and sailed for Sydney. A rough storm was encountered, the giraffe was killed, and all the animals were very sick. One large lion and the three cubs afterwards died. On Thursday we arrive again at
where we opened Saturday night. For the first two weeks two shows a day were given, but the second week the menagerie was taken to the Exhibition grounds during the day, and only night shows were given; while the third and last week, with prices reduced, the rain fell at most the entire week, destroying business. After the performance, Saturday, May 5, we took the traines of the Government railway, which had been fitted up for us, and stared out upon a two weeks’ trip. During that trip we did some very fine and some very bad business, the latter being caused by rain. During this trip, Gibbons and Davenport “sloped” to parts unknown, while E. J. Sackett departed. Mitchell, the fire king, left while we were in Sydney last, as did John Cottrell and wife, and the great American bluffer, Charles Seeley. Returning from this country tour, remarkable for little, save its dampness, we shipped on the steamer Victoria to
where we played three days to crowded houses, except the last night, when the circus tent was blown down and torn to ribbons about half-past 7 p.m. Fortunately no one was injured. The next stand was Maitland; the first afternoon was lost, but the rest of the stay paid well. The following week was very cold and disagreeable, and during it we played in several small towns in the Hunter River district; then went back to Newcastle, and shipped to Brisbane, Queensland, where the show is at present exhibiting to fair business.
The season has been a successful one, and has rewarded Cooper, Bailey, and Co. for their adventure. The health of the company, as a rule, has been very good, and pleasant times have been passed. Under the head of “probabilities” we give a synopsis of what is about to be done, and thus close the subject.
The Privileges, which have been under the proprietorship of Mr. Middleton, have done well — remarkably well. From the many unfavorable prophecies which were made, one would hardly think this could be the case. Yet it is; and the success has been well deserved, for Mr. Middleton exhibited great moral courage in continuing the enterprise after all, who thought they knew condemned it.
Probabilities
Upon closing the Brisbane season, the Menagerie will be taken back to Sydney, and placed in winter quarters, while the Circus will start out upon a tour, having India as its destination. It will visit Toowoomba, at town of 4000 inhabitants, 102 miles from Brisbane, June 19-20; Ipswich, with ??? population, and 78 miles from Toowoomba, will be visited, 21st and 22nd. A run of 24 miles will then bring the company back to Brisbane, where it will take ship in ss. Yaralla. A part of the 23rd and 24th will be passed at sea, when, after a journey of 420 miles, Rockhampton will be reached, and the Show will remain there until the 30th; July 1, 2, 3 at sea; July 4 at Townsville (450 miles from Rockhampton); 5th and 6th at sea, when Cooktown will be reached, 180 miles from Townsville. Here the Company will show until the 15th of July, on or about which date it will ship for Java. The band now with the Company will probably accompany the expedition as far as Cooktown. Miss E. Leak, the armless lady, will also accompany the expedition, as the only side show attraction. Mr. M. Schuler to have charge of the side show canvas.
The Company
Which goes with the Circus is as follows:
Cooper, Bailey, and Co., Proprietors.
George Middleton, Manager.
J. B. Gaylord, General Agent.
H. P. Lyons, Treasurer.
Signor G. Agrati, Contracting Agent.
J. Dodge, Advertising Agent.
J. E. Cooper, Jr., Doorkeeper.
The Ring
| N. Austin | J. S. Leopold | John Smith | Joseph Williams |
| A. La Roux | Master George | Madame Attalli | Signoretta Zenobia |
| James Robinson | William Gorman | E. Walhalla | J. Walhalla |
| Master Eugene | Miss Pauline Lee | Miss Addie Austin |
In charge of stock, James Roberts, John Curtis, J. G. Smith, Oliver Dodge.
Properties, J. S. Smith, Theo. Ferris.
Wardrobe, J. W. Jesse.
Canvas:
| L. Digney | W. Smith | J. Lanfear | P. Gibson |
| A. Smith | F. Moore | J. Beachen |
The Company
James E. Cooper, Philadelphia, Pa., proprietor.
James A. Bailey, Cincinnati, O., proprietor.
Robert S. Hood, Penn’s Square, Pa., proprietor.
The Advance Department
J. B. Gaylord, General Advance Manager.
R. G. Ball, Contracting Agent.
H. P. Lyons, Advertising Agent.
J. Dodge, Scenic Artist.
J. M. Jesse, in charge of bill posters.
Billposters, R. Freeman, John Walsh, F. Nichols, Charles Ridgeway.
The Show
James A. Bailey, General Manager.
Signor G. Agrati, Assistant Manager.
M. F. Young, Treasurer.
W. G. Crowley, Press Agent.
Doorkeepers, J. A. Bailey, J. E. Cooper, Jr.
The Ring
N. Austin, Equestrian Manager.
H. F. Nichols, Ringmaster.
| James Robinson | William Gorman | J. S. Leopold | Edward Walhalla |
| John Smith | John Walhalla | Joseph Williams | Adolph Gonzales |
| Alphonx La Roux | Fred. Barclay | Chokichi | Kameda |
| John Cottrell | Charles Seeley | Master George | Master Eugene |
| Madame D’Attali | Madame Cottrell | Miss Pauline Lee | Mrs. Annie Barclay |
| Signoretta Zenobia | Miss Addie Austin |
Charles Seeley, Grotesque Clown.
Prof. G. W. Johnston, Elephant Trainer, Lion and Tiger Performer.
The Programme
Grand Operatic Selections (Ernani), band.
1. Grand Spectacular Pageant, Introducing Knights and Ladies mounted on richly caparisoned Steeds, banner bearing Footmen, Elephants, Camels, Beautiful Horses, Lilliputian Ponies, and a variety of animals, the whole forming a scene of splendor rarely if ever equalled.
2. The Trained Elephant, “Titania,” introduced and performed by Prof. Geo. W. Johnston.
3. Block Built Pyramid and Contortion Act, Satsuma and Little Allright.
4. Principal Trick Act, Miss Lee.
5. Feats of Strength and Dexterity, concluding with the firing of a heavy Cannon borne on the shoulders of the French Female Samson, Madame D’Attali.
6. The Wonderful Riding Cynocephalus, introduced by James Robinson.
7. Athletic Sports of the Arena, the Company.
8. Ponies Menage Act, by the Youthful Prodigy, Master Eugene Robinson.
9. Les Deux Comiques, Walhalla Brothers.
10. The Bounding Hurdle Rider, Wm. Gorman.
11. Aerial Flights with Swinging Rings, Signoretta Zenobia.
12. Double Act on Two Horses, J. Williams and Miss Addie.
13. Batoutte Leaping by the great International Band of Voltigeurs, ending with a grand Double Somersault, thrown over six Elephants, by the celebrated Athlete, J. S. Leopold.
14. Equestrienne Jugglery, Miss Pauline Lee.
15. Triple Horizontal Bar Act, concluding with a Double Somersault from Bar to ground, Walhalla Brothers and J. S. Leopold.
16. Gymnastic Exercises, Walhalla Brothers.
17. Marvelous Act of Horsemanship, by James Robinson (Champion Rider of the World), who will ride upon the naked back of his Flying Steed, leaping Banners, throwing Somersaults through Balloons, turning Pirouttes, and carrying his son, Master Eugene, upright upon his head without the aid of hands. Mr. Robinson still holds the Diamond Studded Champion Belt, presented to him for graceful and unequaled Acts of Equestrianism, and a Challenge of £2000 is offered to the world that he can perform more and better Acts upon the Bare-backed Horse than any living Equestrian.
18. The Performance to conclude with the introduction of a Savage Den of Lions. Prof. G. W. Johnston entering the den and performing the lions.
Two Performances Daily — Afternoon and Evening. Doors open at 1 and 7 p.m.; Performance commences at 2 and 8 p.m. Thus affording one hour before each Arenic Entertainment for a Grand Promenade in the Menagerie department. Ample time is also given at the close of each Performance for the inspection of the Animals.
The Band
Professor W. Stoneham, Leader.
| H. L. Stoneham | H. W. Stoneham | P. H. Stoneham | Charles Niehoff, sen. |
| Joseph Niehoff | Charles Niehoff, jun. | Robert O’Toole | James Evans |
| Edward McSherry | C. Borches |
Usual Concert Programme
Grand Overture, Orchestra.
Part First:
Introductory Exercises, The Company.
Part Second:
Serio-Comic Song, Patti Rosa.
Dutch Comicalities, Geo. Davenport.
Song and Dance, Robert Scott.
Banjo Solo, Lance Lenton.
Clog Dance, Patti Rosa.
Double Song and Dance, Gibbons and Davenport.
Irish Character Song, Charles Verner.
Musical Sketch (“Dat Leetle flute”), Lance Lenton.
Sailor’s Hornpipe, Miss Verner.
The Irish Emigrants, R. Scott and Patti Rosa.
Side Show
Miss Ann E. Leak, Armless Lady.
Pearle Foster, Henry Foster, Albinoes.
Wm. Mitchell, Fire King.
Cosmoramic Views. Serpents.
Steam Pianist, W. L. Keating.
Property Men, J. S. Smith, Master. William Hardie, Charles Hickey.
Wardrobe, Joseph McCaddon.
Padder, J. G. Smith.
The Menagerie
George W. Johnston, Superintendent.
| Charles Williams | John Curtis | Theodore Ferris | Charles Warner |
| John Dexter | S. S. Jack |
The Canvas
125 foot top, 50 foot middle piece; Menagerie, 70 foot top, three 30 foot middle pieces; dressing-room, 40 foot tope, 15 foot middle.
Luke Digney, Master.
Jules Meredith, Assistant.
From fifteen to twenty men were employed upon canvas; but, as they were constantly changing, a list of their names is unnecessary.
Chandeliers
Joseph Lanfear, Master. Perch P. Manders, Assistant.
Transportation
M. Schulter, Master.
The Stables
James Roberts, General Superintendent.
| J. G. Smith | Oliver Dodge | Fred. Dean | Robert Watson |
| John White | John Edwards |
The Privileges
George Middleton, Cincinnati, O., Proprietor.
Concert
Ticket Sellers, Robert Scott, M. Schuler, E. Walhalla, J. Williams.
Ticket Collectors, William Gorman, J. Smith, Adolph Gonzales, J. Walhalla.
The Company
Austin, Stage Manager.
| Robert Scott | E. Walhalla | Charles Verner | Gibbons |
| A. La Roux | Lance Lenton | Patti Rosa | Miss Verner |
| Geo. Davenport |
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Circus Historical Society, Inc.
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Last modified March 2010.