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From: Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’ Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1891, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1891. Compiled by H. D. Barretta., Lists of staff in all departments, performers, program, and detailed day-by-day route. Permission to place the information from this route book on the Circus Historical Society website has been provided by Feld Entertainment, Inc.™, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey™. 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.
Car No. 1.
A. G. Ringling, Manager
Bill Posters: Jno. White, Chas. Brown, E. J. Loucks, M. D. Selby, A. Newman, Wm. Haight, T. Titus, Jno. Kennedy, Root. Dame, Wm. Kline, H. Swift, Walter Scott, M. L. Worthington, Chas. Livingston, Joe. Howard, H. Floss, Chas. Brooks, Jno. Brode.
Car N. 3
Chas. Ellis, Manager
Bill Posters: W. Kane, W. Jennings, Robt. Frye, Chas. Murray, G. B. Bixford, L. Patterson, J. C. Sinclair, E. J. Green, M. Boylon, B. Sales, M. Fagan, Lew Harrison, Will E. Hopkins, F. Otto.
Reserved Seat Door Tenders: Lester Howard, Frank Brown.
Reserved Seat Ushers: Jno. Harper, Joe. Hogan, Geo. Brooks.
Ring No. 1.: H. R. Kellog, Geo. Lawson, May Buck, Jacob Gannor, Geo. Woolaey, Geo. Marshall.
Stage: Harry Brown, Geo. Cole, Jno. Nolan, Art Boyd.
Ring No. 2: Jno. Murphy, Jerry Ward, Wm. Hurd, Chas. Wright, Mike Kirby.
Wardrobe Department: R. W. Mullen, Superintendent. Chas. Most, Jes Holmes, Rob. Davis, A. Gill.
Assistants: Ed. A. Kennedy, Jno. M. Pf, Geo. Staples.
Big Top Men: Lew. Gable, C. Hartin, Harry Southards, H. L. Kenneday, Mike Smith, Ed. Russell, Jno. Bone, Joe. Hogan, Geo. Lewis, Geo. Brooks, Frank Rielly, Wm. Mahoney, Jno. M. Olpp, Ed. Kane, Pat O'Day, Rob't Hamblin, Tom Martin, Joe. Smith, Dan. Simpson, Wm. Evans, Jno. Harper, All. Gilson, Ed. Brown, Lew. Bingham, J. Jeffers, Jno. Davis, Geo. Babitt, Fulton Gray, P. J. Bolan, Alf. Stevens, Jas. Wardell, Ed. Pickell, Chas. Thompson, Geo. Kane, Chas. Edwards, Jno. Kelly, Frank White, Wm. Bush, Chas. Saunders, Pat. Clark, Geo. Williams, Frank Crooafft, Jno. Hogan, Jno. Dolan, Geo. Brown, Steve. Dunn, A. W. Mayhone, Burt Thurman, Ed. Biddings, Ben. Burton, Frank Croft, Joe. Brown, Jno. Pratt, A. C. Cunningham, Ed. Smith, Jno. Arlington, Tom. Ashton, Jno. Platt, Moy. McGuyer, Sam. Halsburry, Chas. Stout, Dennis Powars, J. Jeffers, Wm. Arnold, Walter Cromley, Harry O'Brien, Jno. McQuade, Wm. Norton, Wm. Meyers, Wm. Jones, Frank Robbins, Ed. Wilson.
Big Top Stake and Chain Wagon Hugh L. Kennedy.
Menagerie Stake and Chain Wagon William Evins.
Chas. McMahon, Jockey and Hurdle Rider
Chas. Watson, Hurdle and 4-Horse Rider
Mike Rooney, Somersault Rider
Chas. O'Dell, 5-Horse Tandem and 4-Horse Rider
Chas. Howitt, Barrel and Table
Brazil & Alton, Perch and Brother Act
Ashton Bros., Bars and Brother Act
Adair Bros., Brother Act
Andrew Gaffney, Cannon Ball Performer
La Role Bros., Return Act
Doc Miller, Chair Pyramid
Mons. Natalie, Chair Pyramid and Spanish Rings
Jno. Moncayo, Contortionist
O. K. Kurtz, Juggler
Jules Tonour, Juggler
Jas. Irwin, Head Balancing Trapeze
H. D. Barretta, Contortionist and Spanish Rings
Ed. Billings, High Stilts
Danny O'Brien, Principal Leaper
Bob Memhard, Bar Performer
Wm. Devan, Ladder Perch
Claude La Vern, Leaper
Jno. Shaffer, German Emigrant
Harry Goetschins, Broadway Swell
Fred. Watson, Performing Dogs
Frisco Guiral, Flying Trapeze
Lady Performers
Miss Lottie Aymar, Principal Rider and Balancing Trapeze
Miss Lottie Watson, Manege Rider
Miss Dora Irwin, Balancing Trapeze
Miss Ida La Rue, Manege
Nettie Corlyn, Slack Wire
Emma Dorr, Jockey Rider
Eva De Van, Gymnast
Jessie Cathcart, Jockey Rider
Clowns
Chas. Howitt, Mons. Natalie, Jules Tonour, Leaps, Bob Memhard, Dan. O'Brien, Harry Goetschins, Shaffer.
Head Balancers
Jas. Irwin, Trapeze
Bob Memhard, On the Bars
Ashton Bros., Head to Head
Brazil & Alton, On the Perch
Doc Miller, On a Bottle
Willie Adair, Head Balancer
Chris. La Role, On his Trunk
Four-Horse Chariot Drivers: Lottie Watson, Rhoda Royal.
Two-Horse Chariot Drivers: Emma Dorr, Ed. Beattie.
Lady Jockeys: Mexis, Emma Door, Jossie Kennedy, Jessie Cathcart.
Male Jockeys: Jno. Foley, Felix Smith, Jno. Engel, Frank Leonard. Comanche Charley, Mexican Rider.
Roman Standing Race Riders: Chas. O'Dell, Henry Browning. Chas. Watson.
Display No. 1: Grand Spectacular Tournament; Caesar's Triumphal Entry into Rome. On the Enormous Theatrical, Hippodrome Course, introducing an entire Army of Mounted Knights, Ladies, Nobles, Gladiators, Charioteers, Barbarians, Captives, Mailed Warriors, Helmeted Musician Elephants, Camels, Wild Beasts, Pages, etc. Displaying all the Pageantry and Pomp of Rome's Victorious Legions, and introducing the unparalleled scenic and spectacular resources of the Ringling Bros.’ World's Greatest Shows.
Display No. 2: Arena No. 1. - Cannon Ball Juggling, by Andrew Gaffney. Stage. - High Pedestal Foot Jugglery, by Chas. Howitt. Arena No. 2. - Extraordinary Feats of Equilibrium, upon the Slack Wire, by Nettie Corlyn.
Display No. 3: Arena No. 1. - Dancing, Somersault, Tight Rope Exhibit, Harry La Role. Stage - Moncayo and Barretta. The Human Enigmas in their Marvelous Feats of Contortion. Arena No. 2 - Exhibition of Club Swinging, by Lillie Bement.
Display No. 4: Grand Leaping Tournament, by the Champion Athletes of the Universe, over Horses, Camels and Elephants. Led by Danny O'Brien, the Champion Double Somersault Thrower of the World.
Display No. 5: Arena No. 1. - $10,000 Troupe of Performing Thoroughbreds, performed by Chas. O'Dell. Arena No. 2. - The Little Folks Delight. School of Petite Shetland Ponies and Leaping Horse Spider. Performed by Master Rooney.
Display No. 6: Arena No. 1. - Dashing Principal Equestrienne Bareback Act. Miss Lottie Aymar. Stage. - The Clowns’ Carnival. Memhard, Howitt, Natalie, Tumour. Arena No. 2. - Principal Bareback Somersault Act. Mike Rooney.
Display No. 7: Arena No. 1. - Parlor Acrobats and Head Balancers, the Marvelous Ashton Brothers. Stage. - Double Acrobatic Performance by the Adair Brothers. Arena No. 2. - Amazing Acrobatic Innovations. Brazil and Alton.
Display No. 8: Arena No. 1.— Finished and Beautiful Manege Act. Miss Ida La Rue. Arena No. 2. - Finished and Beautiful Manege Act. Miss Lottie Watson.
Display No. 9: Arena No. 1. - Feat of Jugglery and Equilibrium. Jules Turnour. Stage. - The Children&rsqup;s Delight. Prof. Fred Watson and his Troupe of Highly Educated Dogs, including the original Somersault Jack. Arena No. 2. - The Most Astonishing Juggling Act Extant. O. H. Kurtz.
Display No. 10: Arena No. 1. - High Balancing Trapeze. Miss Lottie Aymar. Stage. - Perilous Head Balancing Trapeze, Jas. Irwin. Daring Flying Trapeze, Frisco Guiral. Arena No. 2. - High Balancing Trapeze, Miss Irwin. Startling Evolution, in the Spanish Rings, Barretta and Natalie.
Display No. 11.: Arena No. 1. - High Aerial Balancing Perch Act, concluding with Head Balance on the top of the Perch, Brazil and Alton. Stage. - Daring Horizontal Bar Exercise. Ashton Brothers. Clown Bob Menhard. Arena No. 2. - De Van’s, in their Daring, Sensational Breakaway Ladder Perch.
Display No. 12: Arena No. 1. - Startling Feats of Horsemanship, by Chas. McMahon, Hurricane Hurdle Eider. Arena No. 2. - Startling Feats of Horsemanship, by Chas. Watson, Whirlwind Hurdle Rider.
Display No. 13: Arena No. 1. - Mons. Natalie, the Grecian Equilibrist, in Dextrous Chair Pyramid. Arena No. 2. - Doc. Miller, American Equilibrist, who builds a Towering Pyramid of Bottles, Tumblers and Chairs.
Display No. 14: La Role Brothers, the Flying Men of the Air, in their Dauntless and Unequaled Return Act. Mid-air Somersaults, Dives, Lion’s Leap and Catches. Let no one go away and say he did not see them.
Display No. 15: Arena No. 1. - Mike Rooney, Ireland’s Pride, will ride and drive Four Thoroughbred Horses. Arena No. 2. - Mr. Chas. Watson, America's Pride, will Ride and Drive Four Spirited Horses.
Display No. 16.: Arena No. 1. - Ed. Billings, the King of High Stilts, in his Comical Creation, entitled “Willie Green.” Stage. - Danny O'Brien and Mons. Natalie, and their Comical Burlesque Mule. Arena No. 2. - Howitt, Memhard and La Vern, in their Ludicrous Imitations with Mardigras Heads.
Display No. 17 - The Great Roman Hippodrome Races:
First Event: Brilliant and Dashing Five-Horse Tandem Hurdle Race, over Gates and Hurdles, driven by Chas. O'Dell.
Second Event: Gentlemen Jockey Race. Three times around the Track. Jockeys, horses and colors - Jno. Engel, Rover (red and blue); Jno. Foley, Billie Boy (pink and white); Felix Smith, Fire Fly (old gold); Frank Leonard, Buell (black lavender).
Third Event: Two Horse Chariot Race. Three times around the Track. Drivers, Emma Dorr and Ed. Beattie.
Fourth Event: Elephant Race. Once around the Track.
Fifth Event: Wild and Daring Mexican Horsemanship, Comanche Charley.
Sixth Event: Lady Flat Eace. Three limes around the Track. Lady Jockeys, horses and colors - Emma Dorr, Kitty Brown (lavender); Mexis, Joe Goode (old gold); Jessie Kennedy, Phoenix (blue and pink); Jessie Cathcart, Mabel Gray (red and black).
Seventh Event: Pony Race, Monkey Riders. Twice around the Track.
Eighth Event: Roman Two-Horse Standing Race. Three times around the Track. Riders, Chas. O'Dell, Chas. Browning, Chas. Watson.
Ninth Event: Ludicrous Efforts to obtain First Place in the Comical Wheelbarrow Race.
Tenth Event: Thrilling Four-Horse Roman Chariot Race. Three times around the Track. Drivers, Lottie Watson and Rhoda Royal.
Madison, Wis., Monday, May 4th. Population 1,500. Weather very cold. Business good. This is the former home of Bob Memhard. Many of the company went fishing Sunday, and succeeded in landing several hundred pounds of the finny tribe. Hotel - Capital, good. Distance 35 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Jefferson, Wis., Tuesday, May 5th. Lot on the fair grounds. Afternoon house fair; night house fair. Hotel - Jefferson House, good. Distance 37 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Beloit, Wis., Wednesday, May 6th. Population 10,000. Lot across the state line in Illinois. Business good. Mr. and Mrs. Shipp, Adair Bros and Willie Rollins of the Holland visited. Jno. Houlahan joined. Hotel - Goodwin House. Distance 70 miles, C. M. & St. P. R. R.
Broadhead, Wis., Thursday, May 7th. Population 3,500. Business good. Hotel - Young. Weather cold. Distance 70 miles, C. M. & St. P. R. R.
Burlington, Wis., Friday, May 8th. Population 3,500. Weather cold. Afternoon house good; night house big. Hotel - Central. Distance 60 miles, C. M. & St. P. R. R.
Rockford, Ill., Saturday, May 9th. Population 20,000. Lot on the fair grounds. Opposition with the Forepaugh Show. Afternoon house good; night house big. Hotel - Wilson House, good. Distance 88 miles, C. M. & St. P. R. R.
Clinton, Ia., Monday, May 11th. Is located on the Mississippi River. Population 15,000. Long walk to lot. Afternoon house good; night house good. The Forepaugh Show had paper up. The street car which Mr. and Mrs. Al Ringling were coming from the lot on, ran away. Hotel - Windsor, good. Distance 30 miles, C. M. & St. P. R. R.
Sterling, Ill., Tuesday, May 12th. Population 8,000. Lot on the fair grounds. Afternoon house good; night house fair. Hotel - Randolph. Distance 56 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Sycamore, Ill., Wednesday, May 13th. Population 5,000. Lot near railroad. Afternoon house good; night big. Pap Mar Bell visited. Hotel - Ward House, good. Distance 50 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Elgin, Ill., Thursday, May 14th. Population 18,000. Lot mile and a half from hotel. Afternoon house big; night house big. Messrs. Otto Floto, Chas. Bell, Jno. Starr and Arnheim, the tailor, visit. Billings broke a stilt. Arnheim treats us to wine at supper. Hotel - Jennings House, good. Distance 27 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Aurora, Ill., Friday, May 15th. Population 23,000. Lot in the driving park. Afternoon house big; night house big. Bobby Beach and C. L. Kellog visit. During afternoon performance, a strong wind suddenly came up and broke off the dress-room center poles. Hotel - Evens House, good. Distance 27 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Joliet, Ill., Saturday, May 16th. Population 18,000. Lot on fair grounds. Afternoon house good; night house good. T. K. Burk visited. Long walk to the cars after the show. Hotel - St. Nicklos. Distance 70 miles,C. & N. W. R. R.
Waukegan, Ill., Monday, May 18th. Population 8,000. Afternoon house big; night house big. Mr. Jno. Avery, Manager of Kohl & Middleton’s Museum, Cincinnati, visit. Wm. Link fell from a trapeze and broke his arm. Hotel - Madison House, bum. Distance 25 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Racine, Wis., Tuesday, May 19th. Population 24,000. Fred Madison’s home. Afternoon house good; night house big. Messrs King & Fagan of the King and Franklin Show, visit. Hotel - Commercial, fair. Distance 40 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Waukesha, Wis., Wednesday, May 20th. Population 6,000. Rained at night, after the Show was out and loaded. Afternoon house good; night big. Billings broke another stilt. Hotel - American. Distance 45 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Fond du Lac, Wis., Thursday, May 21st. Population 20,000. Lot on the fair grounds. Afternoon house good; night house good. Rained at night. Hotel - European House. Distance 87 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Milwaukee, Wis., Friday & Saturday, May 22d & 23d. Population 220,000. Friday weather cold and wet. Lot on Cold Spring’s Driving Park. Late parade. Business very good considering the bad weather. Saturday, weather cleared up cold. Long parade. Business good. Sgil Murry of Cincinnati, was entertained by Ed. Billings. Hotels - Plankinton House and Grand Central. Distance 107 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Sheboygan, Wis., Monday, May 25th. Population 20,000. Lot at terminal of street car line. Weather very cold and wet. Wet weather parade. Afternoon house big; night house big. Hotel - Commercial, good. Distance 67 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Manitowoc, Wis., Tuesday, May 26th. Population 6,000. Lot three blocks from the depot. Afternoon house big; night house big. Barretta’s Brother visited. Hotels - North Western and William House, both good. Distance 43 miles, M., L. S. & W. R. R.
Appleton, Wis., Wednesday, May 27th. Population 18,000. Business good, long walk to the cars. Weather cold. Distance 81 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Menominee, Mich., Thursday, May 28th. Population 6,000. Long walk to the hotel. Paraded to Marinette, Mich. Afternoon house big; night house big. Lot across from the cars. Distance 43 miles, M., L. S. & W. R. R.
Green Bay, Wis, Friday, May 29th. Population 10,000. Lot one mile from hotel. Afternoon house good; night house good. Many of the boys came near getting left at night. Hotel - Cook House. Distance 59 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Oshkosh, Wis., Saturday, May 30th. Population 23,000. Opposition with the Forepaugh Show. Lot near the fair grounds. Afternoon house packed; night house big. Brazil blew his night-shirt in a restaurant. Hotel - Revere House. Distance 185 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Elroy, Wis.. Monday, June 1st. Population 2,000. Lot across from hotel. We came through Baraboo and many of the company stopped off to spend Sunday. Messrs. Ringling’s father and mother spent Sunday and Monday with them. Hotel R. R. Eating House. Distance 48 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
LaCrosse, Wis., Tuesday, June 2d. Population 28,000. Long way to the lot. Afternoon honse good; night house good. 4-Paw bill is here, Hotel - Fay House, bad. Distance 60 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Chatfield, Minn., Wednesday, June 3d. Population 2,000. Late parade. Afternoon house fair; night house light. Hotel - Medery House, fair. Distance 80 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Rochester, Minn., Thursday, June 4th. Population 6,500. Weather cold and cloudy. Wm. Ashton brohe the cords in his ankle during the afternoon. One of the roman standing race horses fell and broke a leg during afternoon. McAvoy & Houlahan closed. Afternoon house big; night house good. Rained at night. Distance 25 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
St. Peter. Minn., Friday, June 5th. Population 5,000. Lot four blocks from hotel. Afternoon house big; night house light. Hotel - Nicollet House, good. Distance 88 miles, C. & N. W. R. R.
Blue Earth City, Minn., Saturday, June 6th. Population 2,000. Business big. Nothing of any note happened. Hotel - Constan’s, good. Distance 58 miles, C., M. & St. P. R. R.
Owatonna, Minn., Monday, June 8th. Located on Strait River. Population 5,500. Lot on fair grounds. Afternoon house good; night house light. Miss Aymar received the sad news that her father was dying and she left at 5 P. M. Hotel - Merchant’s, good. Distance 101 miles, C., M. & St. P. R. R.
Albert Lea, Minn., Tuesday, June 9th. Population 5,000. Afternoon big; night good. Mr. Wm. Aymar died at Baraboo, Wis. Mr. Andrew entertained his youngest son, which he had not seen in twenty years. Hotel - National, on the Pork. Distance 55 miles, C., M, & St. P. R. R.
Austin, Minn., Wednesday, June 10th. Population 5,000. Is situated on the Red River. Business big at both performances. Hotel - Fleck House, fair. Distance 26 miles, C., M. & St. P. R. R.
Faribault, Minn., Thursday, June llth. Is located at the confluence of the Cannon and Strait Rivers. Population 7,000. Afternoon house big, night house big. Lottie Aymar arrived back from Baraboo, where she buried her father, Wednesday, June 10th. Hotel - Commercial. Distance 48 miles, C., M. & St. P. R. R.
Red Wing, Minn., Friday, June 12th. Is situated on the Mississippi River. Population 8,500. Afternoon house big; night house big. Mr. and Mrs. Link received the news that their infant son had died. Hotel - Newton House. Distance 51 miles, C. M. & St. P. R. R.
Glencoe, Minn., Saturday, June 13th. Population 3,000. Lot to the left of town, eight blocks. Afternoon house packed in the hippodrome track; night house light. Hotel - American House. Distance 102 miles, C., M. & St. P. R. R.
Litchfield, Minn., Monday, June 15th. Population 2,500. Lot on the Main Street. We turned people away in the afternoon; rained at night, but we had a fair house for the size of town. Wm. Ashton resumed work on the bars. Many of the company went fishing at Lake Ripley. Hotels - Litchfield, bum, Howard House, good. Distance 117 miles, Gt. Nor. R. R.
Willmar, Minn., Tuesday, June 16th. Population 2,000. Lot near the high school. Weather looked like rain. Prof. Andress bought a wooley horse for eight dollars. Hotel - Merchants, good. Distance 36 miles, Gt. Nor. R. R.
Wahpeton, N. D., Wednesday, June 17th. Is situated on the Red River. Population 3,000. Lot one block from hotel. Parade across the Red River into Minnesota. Afternoon house big; night house good. Hotel - Windsor. Distance 111 miles, N. P. R. R.
Fargo, N. D., Thursday, June 18th. Is located on Red River. Population 8,000. Afternoon house turned people away; night big. Fred. O’Brien, a son of Fred. O’Brien, the leaper. is farming here, the helped the boys out on the bars. Lester Howard joined. Hotel - Elliott House, good. Distance 94 miles, N. P. R. R.
Crookston, Minn., Friday, June 19th. Population 4,000. Afternoon house packed in the hippodrome track; night house big. Hotel - Commercial House, good. Distance 76 miles, N. P. R. R.
Grafton, N. D., Saturday, June 20th. Population 2,500. Afternoon house packed to the hippodrome track; night house good. The largest concert of the season up to date, at twenty five cents. Parade was caught in the rain. Natalie was thrown from his sulky in the races. Hotel - Oriental, fair. Distance 39 miles, N. P. R. R.
Grand Forks, N. D. Monday, June 22d. Population 7,500. Afternoon house packed to the hippodrome track; night house big. Temperance town, but thirty-five saloons across the river. Some of the sports were out rather late Sunday night, when his limbers got tangled up with some local dude’s, and it cost him ten the next morning. Comanche Charley got hurt. Hotel - Gordon, good. Distance, 125 miles, N. P. R. R.
Detroit City, Minn., Tuesday, June 23d. Is located on Detroit Lake, population 2,000. Although it rained hard most all day, we done a big business in the afternoon: no night performance. Budd Howe discontinued. Hotel - Minnesota House. Distance, 96 miles, N. P. R. R.
Fergus Falls, Minn., Wednesday, June 24th. Is situated on the Red River, population 6,000. Slight shower of rain in the morning, but it cleared up beautifully; afternoon house big; night fair. Hotel - Grand, good. Distance 45 miles, N. P. R. R.
Alexandria, Minn., Thursday, June 25th. Population 2,100. Afternoon house big;night house small. A lot of pickpockets from St. Paul dropped in but there was an eye of an eagle watching them. Hotel - Letson llouse. Distance 26 miles, Gt. Nor. R. R.
Sauk Centre, Minn., Friday, June 26th. Population 2,000. Afternoon house big; night house fair. We had several visitors from the Smith and Ferlando Show. Hotel - Sauk Centre House. Distance 42 miles, Gt. Nor. R. R.
St. Cloud, Minn., Saturday, June 27th. Is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, 76 miles north of St. Paul, population 7,500. We had three or four hard showers of rain during the day; business big. Oscar Eitelgeorge and W. N. Walters, musicians, closed, Hotels - Grand Central and Minnesota. Distance 175 miles, N. P. R. R.
Duluth, Minn., Monday, June 29th. Population 60,000. Weather cold and cloudy, with showers at intervals; business big. Wm. Ashton worked on the bars the first time in four weeks. A four-horse team ran away with one of the big baggage wagons after parade. Lot at the terminus of street car line. The Cathcarts joined. Prof. Dobson, who has been on the sick list, went ahead to Ashland. Hotel - Merchants. Distance 4 miles, N. P. R. R.
West Superior, Wis., Tuesday, June 30th. Population 20,000. Weather cold and cloudy; late parade; business big afternoon and evening; bad lot and the dressing-room set out in the street with two streams of water running it. Lew Parker joined. Indian Bill broke his arm. Hotel - Commercial. Distance 67 miles, N. P. R. R.
Ashland, Wis., Wednesday, July 1st. Population 15,000. Weather cold and cloudy; business good. All the ladies visited Prof. Dobson at the hospital. Mike Rooney ran away from the show for some unknown reason. Hotel - Colby, good. Distance 108 miles, C., St. P., M. & O. R. H.
Rice Lake, Wis., Thursday, July 2d. Population 3,500. Rained some during parade; lot near cars; business fair. Otto Ringling and Chas. O’Dell caught a pickpocket in the side show. Distance 127 miles, C., St. P., M. & O. R. R.
Rhinelander, Wis., Friday, July 3d. Population 4,000. Lot out in the woods. Pfeiffenburger cleans a pickpocket off the lot. Late parade; bad haul to the lot; Mrs. Watson joined; business fair. Hotel - Fuller House. Distance 49 miles, C., St. P., M. & O. R. R.
Merrill, Wis., Saturday, July 4th. Population 4,000. Business big. Jno. Snellen had the canvas thoroughly decorated with flags and streamers in honor of the 4th. Frer. Watson joined; Jno. Ringling pays us a flying visit; Link's Closed. Hotel - Lincoln House, good. Distance 180 miles, M., St. P. & S. Ste. M. R. R.
Gladstone, Mich., Monday, July 6th. Population 1,200. Business fair at advanced prices; no night performance; worst lot of the season. Kennedy and family joined. This is the flrst circus that has exhibited here. Hotel - Pacific. Distance 151 miles. M., St. P. & S. Ste. M. R. R.
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Tuesday, July 7th. Population 8,000. Business Good. Many of the Company went sightseeing around the Locks and the Rapids. Hotel - McOvoy, Rink. Distance 90 miles, D. S. S. & A. R. R.
St. Ignace, Mich., Wednesday, July 8th. Population 2,500. Business light. We ferried across the Straits to Mackinaw City. Otto Ringling left the Show on a week’s vacation. Hotel - Russell House, good. Distance 42 miles, G. R. & I. R. R.
Petoskey, Mich., Thursday, July 9th. Derives its name from an Indian Chief. Population 5,500. Business big. Late Parade. A strange horse fell dead from fright at seeing the elephants. One of our horses was found dead in the car. Distance 93 miles, G. R & I. R. R.
Cadillac, Mich., Friday, July 10th. Population 5,000. Lot in the Ball Park. Late Parade. Afternoon house big; night house good. Hotel - Cadillac, in the pan. Distance 60 miles, G. R. & I. R. R.
Traverse City, Mich., Saturday, July 11th. Population 4,000. Afternoon house packed to the ring bank; night house good. Doc Miller and Miss Lottie Aymar were quietly married and it did not leak out until a week later. Hotel - Boardman House. Distance 60 miles, M. & N. E. R. R.
Manistee, Mich., Monday, July 13th. Population 13,000. Rained during afternoon performance. Business good. Eddie Day joined. Hotel - Dunham, good. Distance 42 miles, F. P. & M. Ry.
Ludington, Mich., Tuesday, July 14th. Population 7,000. Lot near Fair Grounds. Afternoon house big; night house big. Hotel - Gladstone, fair. Distance 60 miles, F. P. & M. R. R.
Everet, Mich., Wednesday, July 15th. Population 1,800. Lot on the Fair Grounds. Business good. Hotel - Everet House. Distance 51 miles, F. P. & M. R. R.
Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Thursday, July 16th. Population 3,000. Afternoon house packed; night house big. Mr. Otto Ringling returned after a short visit unto the Forepangh Show. Mr. and Mrs. Ringling visit the Robinson Show. Hotel - Bennett House, good. Distance 87 miles. F. P. & M. R. R.
Caro, Mich., Friday, July 17th. Population 2,500. Afternoon house big; night house big. We just heard Doc Miller and Lottie Aymar’s marriage. Hotel - Caro, good. Distance 40 miles, M. C. R. R.
Lapeer, Mich., Saturday, July 18th. Population 3,500. Lot one block from Hotel. Afternoon house good; night house big. Rained hard during afternoon’s performance. Jno. Ringling pays us a visit. Jno. Rudolf, of The Courier Company, was a guest of Jno. Ringling. A side show canvas man fell off the train shortly after leaving Detroit. Hotel - Abrain. Distance 180 miles, M. C. R. R.
Battle Creek, Mich. Monday, July 20th. Population 16,000. Long walk to lot. Afternoon house packed in the Hippodrome Track; night house good. Chas. Howith spent in Kalamazoo. Art. Brazil entertained his brother Milt. Furnas, who proves to be a jolly good fellow. Patrick McMahon dropped over to see Charley, his brother. Chas. Watson and visit. Alexander beat Chas. McMahon in a hundred yards foot-race. The Kennedy’s closed. Hotel - Bidwell, good. Distance 107 miles. M. C. R. R.
Hastings, Mich. Tuesday, July 21st. Population 2,800. Afternoon house big; night house big. Hotel - Ford House. Distance 27 miles, M. C. R. R.
Charlotte, Mich., Wednesday, July 22d. Population 4,000. Business big at both performances. Lot on the Fair Grounds, and a tin-star official tried to charge the farmers twenty-five cents to drive on the lot. Chas. Watson joined. Hotel - Sherman House. Distance 88 miles, M. C. R. R.
Owosso, Mich., Thursday, July 23d. Population 7,000. Business big afternoon and night. Prof. Andress entertained his brothers. Lot across the bridge. Hotel - Merrill House. Distance 20 miles, D., G. H. & M.
St. John’s, Mich., Friday, July 24th. Population 4,000. Afternoon house packed to the track; night house big. Shaffer and Clark joined. Harry Ashton was presented with a white mug with a cover to it. Hotel - Steele House. Distance 88 miles. D., G. H. & M. R. R.
Pontiac, Mich., Saturday, July 25th. Population 7,000. Lot on the Fair Grounds. Afternoon house big; night house big. Brazil dropped his umbrella on a bridge just as we pulled out and he jumped off and got it. Hotel - Hodges. Distance 88 miles, D., G. H. & M. and D., L. & N. Rys.
Howell, Mich., Monday, July 27th. Population 2,500. Afternoon house packed to the Hippodrome Track; night house big. The six Jolly Tars had an outing at Long Lake, which consisted of boating, fishing and bathing. They had all the necessaries for a good time. Myron McPherson, musician, joined. Hotel - Commercial. Distance 92 miles, D., L. & N. R. R.
Greenville, Mich., Tuesday, July 28th. Population 3,500. Afternoon house packed in the track; night house good. Lee Melville is living here, and was glad to see some old friends. Hotel - Webster House. Distance 64 miles, D., L. & N. R. R.
St. Louis, Mich., Wednesday, July 29th. Population 4,000. Afternoon house big; night house big. Mike Rooney beat Eddie Day in a hundred yards foot race, quite a lot of money changed hands over it. Hotel - Harrington, good. Distance 100 miles, D., L. & N. R. R.
Newaygo, Mich., Thursday, July 30th. Population 2,000. Lot two miles from town, on the hill. Afternoon good; did not give a night show. Prof. Andress beat Henry Ringling in a 50 yards foot race; Jno. Foley, Jockey Rider, fell from his horse and broke his thumb. Hotel - Hart. Distance 85 miles, C. & W. M. R. R.
Allegan, Mich., Friday, July 31st. Population 4,000. Lot near the river. Afternoon house big; night house good. Hotel - Allegan. Distance 84 miles, C. & W. M. R. R.
Benton Harbor, Mich., Saturday, August 1st. Population 5,000. It is situated one mile from St. Joe, which has a population of 5,000. Afternoon house packed into the hippodrome track; night house big. We were extensively billed in Chicago, and there was a thousand people from there who came to see the great modern show, among them was Burr Robbins and wife, and Otto, W. L. Donaldson and a great many other well known show people. Jules Turnour’s family also paid him a visit. Distance 172 miles, C. & W. M. R. R.
Streator, Ill., Monday, August 3d. Population, 19,000. Afternoon house good; night house big. A great many of the company spent Sunday in the WINDY CITY. Mr. Al. Ringling visited the King & Franklin Show. Sam. Cohn, Merchant Tailor, of Chicago, visits and receives several thousand dollats’ worth of orders from the boys for winter clothes. Budd Hawes rejoins; Lester Howard is compelled to rest a few weeks on account of sickness; Frank Preddy and Ed. Langdon close. Hotel - Plum House, good. Distance 40 miles, A., T. & S. F. R. R.
Chlllicothe, Ill., Tuesday, August 4th. Population 2,500. Afternoon house fair; night house fair. Claude La Verne, better known as “Leap,” joins. Hotel - Midland, good. Distance, 48 miles, A., T. & S. F. R. R.
Galesburg, Ill., Wednesday, August 5th. Population 17,000 Lot in the ball park; business good. Chas. Swan joins. The Roman Standing Race team, which Comanche rides, fell with him, but he came out without a scratch. Hotel - Brown, in it. Distance 55 miles, A., T. & S. F. R. R.
Fort Madison, Iowa, Thursday, August 6th. Population 10,000. Lot at the end of the street car line; business big. Sam. McFlynn, Col. Hunt and Col. Wood spent a day with us. Hotel - Antlers. Distance 115 miles, A., T. & S. F. R. R.
Marceline, Mo., Friday, August 7th. Population 3,000. Afternoon house packed in the track; night house good. This is the first circus ever in the burg. Hotel - Palace. Distance 39 miles, A., T. & S. F.R. R.
Carrollton, Mo., Saturday, August 8th. Population 6,000. Business good; weather very warm. James Hamilton, agent of the Wallace Show visits us. The wives of Jerry Alton and Harry LaRole visit. Hotel - Jacobs. Distance 30 miles, A., T. & S. F. R. R.
Richmond, Mo. Monday, August 10th. Population 3,500. Business very large. Many of the company spent Sunday in Kansas City. Mr. Gaylor visits; Charles and Albert dropped in and shook hands with a lot of old friends. Hotel - Wauson. Distance 77 miles, C., R.I. & P. R. R.
Gallinton, Mo., Tuesday, August 11th. Population 2,500. We arrived here very late; show commenced at 4 P.M.; rained all morning; business light; no races or concert in afternoon. Hotel - Windsor. Distance 27 miles, C. R. I. & P. R. R.
Trenton, Mo., Wednesday, August 12th. Population 6,000. Afternoon house big; night house big. The first band wagon got stuck in a soft place, and it took eight horses and three elephants half an hour to get it out. Hotel - Perry. Distance 40 miles, C., R. I. & P. R. R.
Princeton, Mo., Thursday, August 13th. Population 1,600. Afternoon house big: night house light. Hotel - Buren. Distance 116 miles., C., R. I. & P. R. R.
Fairfield, Iowa, Friday. August 14th. Population 4,000. Business fair. Messrs. Charles and Al. Ringling went on business trip to St. Louis. Hotel - Chester, a kind of chestnut. Distance 81 miles, C.. R. I. & P. R. R.
Oskaloosa, Iowa, Saturday, August 15th. Population 8,000. Afternoon house good; night house good. The Wallace Show is billed for September 9th. J. B. Carpenter, musician, closed; Delevan blowed the train at night; it might be all right with the Oriental, Dell. Hotel - Asher House, Rinks. Distance 143 miles, C., R. I. & P. R. R.
Geneseo, Ill., Monday, August 17th. Population 4,000. Business good; weather cloudy and warm. Tom and Jerry called for a red shirt and done a little slugging, but neither one was burried in the ring bank. Hotel - Geneseo, in it. Distance 87 miles, C., R. I. & P. R. R.
Morris, Ill., Tuesday, August 18. Population 5,000. Afternoon house big; night house big. While unloading the elephants, a local team of horses ran away, throwing the driver out and breaking his leg. Mrs. Shaffer and Natalie visit. Hotel - Commercial. Distance 37 miles, C., R. I. & P. R. R.
LaSalle, Ill., Wednesday, August 19th. Population 12,500. Lot near the driving park; afternoon house good; night house big. The first band came near tipping over in parade. Hotels - LaSalle, kind of a roast, the same as the weather. Harrison House, good. Distance 52 miles, I. C. R. R.
Pontiac, Ill., Thursday, August 20th. Population 4,000. Business good; rained afternoon show. Hyatt Frost of Van Amburgh fame visits. Hotel - Phoenix. Distance 120 miles, I. C. R. R.
Monticello, Ill., Friday, August 20th. Population 2,500. We did not arrive until 10:30 P. M.; performance commenced late: afternoon house poor; night house fair. This is the closing day of the fair. We all had the pleasure of witnessing the ascension of an air ship. Messrs. Al. and Henry Ringling attended the races. Hotel - Fremont. Distance 43 miles, I. C. R. R.
Tuscola, Ill., Saturday, August 22nd. Population 3,000. Business. Brazil entertained his brother for a few days. Fred Busey, Agent of Sells Show, visits. Hotels - Beach House, kind of cook tent. Hotel Cook. Distance 45 miles, I. C. R. R.
Shelbyville, Ill., Monday, August 24th. Population 4,000. Afternoon house big; night house big. Rained a little in the morning. This is the home of Harry West and Sid Lautz. Joe West, a brother of Harry West, is buried here, and the Band went to the Cemetery Sunday in u body and played a dirge over his last resting place on earth; after which Mr. Van Cleve made some very appropriate remarks. A great many new animals arrived from St. Louis. A camel died. Hotel - Cook House, good. It is managed by Ellsworth Cook, of Minstrel fame. Distance 34 miles, I. & St. L. R. R.
Charleston, Ill., Tuesday, August 25th. Population 5,000. Business good. John Foley, jockey, was thrown from his horse during the afternoon show. During Miss Aymar's riding act, her trapeze crane suddenly fell from some unknown cause. Hotel - Maple House. Distance 27 miles, I. & St. L. R. R.
Paris, Ill., Wednesday, August 26th. Population 6,500. Business good. Hotel - Paris. Distance 44 miles, C. V. & C. R. R.
Robinson, Ill., Thursday, August 27th. Population 3,000. Business fair; rained in the morning. A large barn and sixty tons of hay was consumed by fire near our cars at night. Hotel - Robinson House. Distance 45 miles, C., C., C. & St. L. R. R.
Mt. Carmel, Ill., Friday, August 28th. Population 5,000. Business big. A farmer’s team ran away during parade. Harry Goetschins visits but gets the fever and joins out. Moncayo entertains his mother and several aunts. Ed. Billings departed for Louisville. Ky., to be united in the Holy Bonds of Wedlock. Hotel - Grand Central. Distance 45 miles. C. V. & C. R. R.
Olney, Ill., Saturday, August 29th. Population 5,000. Business big. Al. Ringling got back from Chicago. Danny O’Brien and wife join. Chas. Swan closed. J. L. Dean, of Cincinnati, visits O’Dell. Mrs. Al. Ringling on the sick list. Hotel - Arlington. Distance 138 miles, C. & A. R. R.
Edwardsville, Ill., Monday, August 31st. Population 4,000. Afternoon house packed; night house big. A great many of the Company spent Sunday in St. Louis. Mrs. Al. Ringling and Harry Ashton were compelled to stop here on account of a severe spell of sickness. Hotel - St. James and Restaurant. Mrs. West departs for home after a week’s visit. Had Photo of the Show taken. Distance 110 miles, J. & S. E. R. R.
Carrollton, Ill., Tuesday, September 1st. Population 2,500. Business good. Jno. Davenport visits and rides at the afternoon performance. Hotel - Pierson. Distance 57 miles. J. & S. E. R. R.
Virden, Ill., Wednesday, September 2d. Population 2,000. Business fair. A caboose struck one of the sleepers and damaged it slightly. Billings got back from Louisville a very much married man. Hotel - Buckels. Distance 71 miles, J. & S. E. and Wabash R. R.
Mt. Sterling, Ill., Thursday, September 3d. Population 4,000. Wenther cold and cloudy; business good. Money Mad tried to commit suicide on the leaping board. Distance 44 miles, Wabash R. R.
Pittsfield, Ill., Friday, September 4th. Population 5,000. Business big. Mrs. Dorr fell from her horse in the entree. Temperance town, but Billings found a barrel of German in honor of his marriage. Distance 41 miles, Wabash R. R.
Jacksonville, Ill., Saturday, September 5th. Population 15,000. Business good, although it was a day after the fair. E. O. Rogers of the circus of that name visits us; John Ringling also drops in on us: Mrs. Watson is on the sick list. Hotel - Park. Distance 59 miles, C. & A. R. R.
Louisiana, Mo., Monday, September 7th. Population 10,000. Weather clear; business big. We had the pleasure of witnessing the E. O. Rogers wagon ferry across the river. The Devans join. Hotel - Merchants. Distance 75 miles, C. & A. R. R.
Fulton, Ill., Tuesday, September 8th. Population 5,000. Closed the ticket wagon at the afternoon show; night house good. Hotel - Grand. Distance 25 miles, C. & A. R. R.
Mexico, Mo., Wednesday, September 9th. Population 6,000 Business fair. Jas. Robinson, the equestrian, is spending a few weeks at his former home, which is here, and he was pleased to see so many people whom he knew. Hotel - Ringo. Distance 59 miles, Wabash R. R.
Salisbury, Mo., Thursday, September 10th. Population 2,500. Weather very warm. Afternoon house packed in the track; night house good. Andrew Gaffney was visited by his sister. Hotel - Commercial. Distance 85 miles, Wabash R. R.
Montgomery City, Mo., Friday, September 11th. Population 3,000. Afternoon house packed in the hippodrome track; night big for the size of town. Otto Ringling handed out the paste boards and filled the house in half an hour. Distance 61 miles, Wabash R. R.
St. Charles, Mo., Saturday, September 12th. Population 8,000. Weather warm and cloudy. Lot on the hill. Business fair. Maurice Cathcart closed. Comanche got hurt in his pick-up act at night performance. Hotel - Gault House. Distance 197 miles, Wabash and C. & A. R. R’s.
Higginsville, Mo., Monday, September 14th. Population 2,500. Weather clear. Business fair. Barretta is on the sick list. Hotel - Merchants. Distance 45 miles, C. & A. R. R.
Independence, Mo., Tuesday, September 15th. Population 9,000. Lot a mile from hotel. Business fair. Messrs. Wallace & Hamilton, of the Wallace Show, visit. Hotel - Merchants. Distance 55 miles, K. C. & S. R. R.
Harrisonville, Mo., Wednesday, September 16th. Population 2,000. Business fair. Ed. Billings closed. Chas. O’Dell was taken suddenly ill, and could not work. Hotel - Higgin’s House. Distance 66 miles, K. C. & S. R. R.
Osceolo, Mo., Thursday, September 17th. Population 2,000. Lot across the bridge. Bad streets for parade. Business for size of town fair. Hotel - Commercial. Distance 59 miles, K. C. & S. and M. K. & T. R. R’s.
Appleton City, Mo., Friday, September 18th. Population 2,000. Weather clear and warm. Business good. Bob Memhard with new clothes caused great merriment among the boys. Bismarck, the dog rejoined. Miss Lottie fell from her horse, and injured herself badly. Hotels - M. K. & T. House and City Hotel. Distance 22 miles, M. K. & T. R. R.
Nevada, Mo., Saturday, September 19th. Population 10,000. Weather very warm. Business big afternoon and night. Adair Bros, and Frisco Guiral joined. Hotel - Mousir House. Distance 25 miles, M. P. R R.
Lamar, Mo., Monday, September 21st. Population 4,000. Business big. Mr. Ringling, Sr. visits. One of Natalie’s pigs died, for why, he was Greek. Hotel - Lamar House, in it. Distance 22 miles, M. P. R. R.
Carthage, Mo., Tuesday, September 22d. Population 6,000. Weather warm. Business big. Had to take the cars to Joplin, a distance of 35 miles to change roads. Hotel - Harrington House, in it. Distance 60 miles, St. L. & San. Frisco R. R.
Neosho, Mo., Wednesday, September 23d. Population 3,000. Distance 41 miles, St. L. & San. Frisco R. R.
Aurora, Mo., Thursday, Sept. 24th. Population 7,500. Distance 41 miles, St. L. & San. Frisco R. R.
Lebanon, Mo., Friday, September 25th. Population 4,000. Distance 87 miles, St. L. & San. Frisco R. R.
Bolivar, Mo., Saturday, September 26th. Population 2,500. Distance 95 miles, St. L. & San. Frisco R. R.
Bentonville, Ark., Monday, September 28th. Population 2,500. Distance 138 miles, St. L. & San. Frisco and Bentonville R. R’s.
Fayetteville, Ark., Tuesday, September 29th. Population 3,500. Distance 26 miles, Bentonville and St. L. & San. Frisco R. R’s.
Ft. Smith, Ark., Wednesday, September 30th. Population 13,000. Distance 62 miles, St. L. & San. Frisco R. R.
Morrillton, Ark., Thursday, October 1st. Population 3,000. Distance 115 miles, L. R. & Ft. S. R. R.
Little Rock, Ark., Friday, October 2d. Population 36,000. Distance 51 miles, L. R. & Ft. S. R. R.
Pine Bluff, Ark., Saturday, October 3d. Population 1,400. Distance 43 miles, St. L., I. M. & L. R. R.
Memphis, Tenn., Monday, October 5th. Population 85,000. Distance 140 miles, St. L., S. W. and L. R. & M. R’ys.
Dyersville, Tenn., Tuesday, October 6th. Population 2,500. Distance 76 miles, N. News & Miss. V. R. R.
Fulton, Ky., Wednesday, October 7th. Population 4,000. Distance 45 miles, N. News & Miss. V. R. R.
Mayfield, Ky., Thursday, October 8th. Population 4,000. Distance 25 miles, N. News & Miss. V. R. R.
Paducah, Ky., Friday, October 9th. Population 20,000. Distance 24 miles, N. News & Miss. V. R. R.
Marion, Ill., Saturday, October 10th. Population 2,000. Distance 56 miles, St. L., A. & T. H. R. R.
Benton, Ill., Monday, October 12th. Population 3,000. Distance 78 miles, St. L., A. & T. H. R. R.
Duquoin, Ill., Tuesday, October 13th. Population 5,000. Distance 19 miles, St. L., A. & T. H. R, R. And the band played “How can I leave you.”
Railroad
Number of cars used to transport show, 26
Number of advance cars, 3
Longest run of the season
Shortest run of the season, 4
Stables
Total number of baggage horses, 180
Total number of ring horses, 50
Total number of ponies, 18
Total number of elephants, 4
Total number of camels, 8
Wagons
Baggage wagons, 24
Number of cages, 21
Ticket wagon, 1
Pony chariots, 2
Racing chariots, 4
Sulkies, 2
Band wagons, 3
Canvas
Size of big top, 180 foot round top, 4 fifty foot middle pieces.
Size Menagerie, 80 foot round top, 5 forty foot middle pieces.
Side Show, 70 foot round top, and one forty foot middle piece.
Dressing Room, 60 feet round top, 1 forty foot middle piece.
Six Horse Tents.
Two Cook Tents.
[Not included here is the brief route list with city to city mileage and railroads used.]
CHS webmaster J. Griffin, last modified March 2008.
