1906

Variety, December 23, 1905, p. 5. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    After an absence of about four years, Paul Cinquevalli appeared for the first time Christmas afternoon at Proctor's Twenty-third Street. He is the juggler par excellence. The juggling with the billiard balls has been used around the vaudeville houses by many since Cinquevalli introduced it, while Spadoni and Conchas have utilized the cannon balls to a greater extent, but no one approaches Cinquevalli. His confidence is sublime, so much so in fact that in dropping the billiard cue over the head of the orchestra leader, catching it up with two other cues, and in allowing a cannon ball to apparently slip towards the other players, he takes a chance on over-confidence, with a possible accident resulting. The comedy is wll brought out by an assistant, with a face which bespeaks humor in itself. The slips made are for the purposes of aiding the comedy only. One of the best things Cinquevalli does is to hold up with his teeth a chair with his assistant on it, together with a table. Previously this has been done on the chin.

    Hippodrome Bookings
    Jan. 22, the Bonhair Gregory troupe in a risely act, claimed to be the greatest ever. Salary, estimated, $350 weekly.
    Jan. 29, Mlle. Leris and a horse. Plays musical instruments while seated on a chair on a horse's back. Very thrilling. Salary, estimated, $150 weekly.
    Feb. 5, Woodward's sea lions. Well known here. Although Mr. Woodward died in Paris since leaving America, name still retained. An amusing act. Salary, estimated, $350 weekly, including food for the animals.

Variety, February 10, 1906, p. 4. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    [New Acts] Rhoda Royal, Statue Horse, Proctor's Fifth-eighth. A circus act, the horse is just becoming used to the stage. It is worked on the lines of Chester's dog, though the animal has not been trained to absolute rigidity of pose. The poses are shown in the arch of a black cloth. The pedestal is set so far back of this opening that those in the boxes and at the sides of the house see but half of the horse. With a better setting the act should prove a serviceable attraction. What it needs now is stage showmanship.

Variety, April 7, 1906, pp. 2, 7. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Carl Hagenbeck, the foreign animal dealer and trainer, will put a circus on the road this season, and has secured the enmity of all the other big shows for that reason. As an animal dealer, Mr. Hagenbeck enjoyed the patronage of the American circus managers when in need of jungle beasts, and it has been determined that Hagenbeck's presumptuousness in attempting to enter this country as opposition to his customers needs a severe check.
    That will be given in the first place by a boycott on the animal industry, and in the second by the larger shows sending their opposition cars ahead of the Hagenbeck aggregation, securing all available display space in the towns and cities. An option on the most desireable locations will also be taken for the season, and with such well knowns circus names as Barnum-Bailey, Ringling, Forepaugh-Sells, it is believed by the larger owners that Mr. Hagenbeck will experience considerable difficulty in impressing on the country populace the fact that he is Hagenbeck, and if that is successful, further troubles will be encountered in securing a suitable site to prove it.

    Cincinnati, April 6. The first performances of the Carl Hagenbeck Greater Shows were given this week to very enthusiastic audiences. The performance is without doubt among the very best and will establish a reputation as one of the leading circuses. Moto, the motoring monkey, is one. A large monkey acts as chauffeur of a 20 horse power automobile, and races the machine around the arena at break-neck speed. Moto has learned to handle the speed gears, brakes, lever and steering apparatus to such a degree as to make the race with a horse very thrilling and exciting. The entire performance consists of one hunderd and seventy-five acts, in which over four hundred performers take part, which are indepedent of the trained animal acts. Three rings and two elevated stages are required to give the performance.

Variety, April 21, 1906, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Governor John F. Robinson, who has been reported dead so many times, and who a few months ago was buried in a Cincinnati street car wreck, and held up a car until he could be extricated, is out with the spring time and looks good for 100 years. He is the ideal anti-trust fighter, and on the anti-trust platform last season scored heavily - financially and otherwise. The trust wants to do away with the street parade. George Aiken Robinson's traffic manager stole a march on other shows and secured "shut out" contracts on several railroad systems. A "shut out" forced Forepaugh-Sells Bros. to a fight at Portsmouth, Ohio, one of the strongest of Robinson strongholds, and not only this, it forced them to a round about way out of the territory - to play Wellston in the coal strike district and Chillicothe after the Hagenbeck outfit. Robinson's advance men bought up all the billboards and poles and overhead wires in Portsmouth, and the Forepaugh-Sells people were compelled to tack canvass up on side walls and paste their paper on it. The newspapers wrote this up as a new wrinkle, and Robinson, not to be outdone, shipped live elephants to Portsmouth adn used them for billboards. With bills all over them they were stationed at prominent corners. The school children were permitted to ride the elephants free. This is the very latest wrinkle in advertising. Robinson's circus opens April 28 at Lancaster, Ohio. April 30th it will show Zanesville, Ohio; May 1st, Circleville; May 2d, Portsmouth; May 3d, Ironton; May 4th, Huntington, W. Va. The Robinsons this year have a number of big foreign acts. These European actors have extravagant names. Pronounced quickly they sound like the finishe of a bicycle race, and looked at sideways they seem to be a skirmish between a Russian and a bulldog. The owners of these names must have waded into the alphabet with a dip net and kept all the letters they caught. Doc. Waddell.

Variety, May 12, 1906, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Evansville, Ind. Forepaugh & Sells Circus, 2, drew well, as did Seibel Bros. Circus, 3 and 4. Sun Brothers' Circus is billed for the 19.

Variety, May 19, 1906, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Seibel Brothers' Dog and Pony Shows commenced a week's engagement at Cincinnati. There are something like 200 dogs and pony actors who have been trained to a high degree of excellence.

Variety, June 9, 1906, p. 7. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Orrin Bros. Circus Closed. After twenty-five years as circus managers in Mexico the Orrin Bros. closed their show last Saturday in Mexico City and will retire, worth, it is estimated, $1,000,000. Fred Hogdon, the booking agent for the circus, will go to Maine for a long rest. There is a possibility that the favorite clown of the show, Bell, will carry it on, although the reasons causing the Orrins to retire may act as a damper upon the future prospects.

    Circus Stranded. Des Moines, Ia., June 8. The Great Cooke & Barrett Circus stranded at Allison, Ia., May 17. The show had been playing to poor business for three or four weeks in Northern Iowa. Many of the performers and workingmen had not received wages and decided to leave. William P. Hall, the horseman, is a stockholder, and no doubt will assist the organization, which was shipped directly to Mr. Hall's home at Lancaster, Mo. The Cooke & Barrett show was the remains of what was known as the Famous W. H. Harris Nickel Plate Show and consisted of sixteen cars.

    The Sells-Floto Shows are making some very long jumps this season. They opened at Whichita Falls, Tex., April 6, played Ft. Worth, Dallas, Houston, Galveston and many other Texas towns, then jumped into Kansas, and on May 7 showed at Kansas City, Mo., North through Des Moines, Ia., St. Paul, Minn., and are billed for Duluth May 28. This constitutes one of the longest trips ever made by a circus in such a short time from Mexico to Canada.

    One of the Texana Sisters, expert rifle shots with Yankee Robinson Shows, was accidently shot and wounded at Cumberland, Ia., last week.

Variety, June 16, 1906, p. 7. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The circus season is proverbially indicative of what is to follow to the theatrical managers the succeeding fall and winter. This year, the tent shows have been doing enormous business in all parts of the country. The returns thus far have averaged about thirty per cent larger than last season, and the managerial deduction from all this is that the next theatrical season will be exceptionally good. The only one of the big shows that is experiencing any difficulty is Hagenbeck's, which is now owned by Havlin, Tate and Gil Robinson. Efforts were made this spring to induce E. D. Stair to purchase an interest in the show, and negotiations went so far that Stair and his brother-in-law and general manager, George H. Nicolai, made a short tour with the organization. The head of the popular-price circuit finally concluded that circus life was a bit too strenuous for him - particularly when the circus syndicate is known to be camping on the trail of the Hagenbeck show. So much is the case that the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers' outfit, owned by the Ringling Brothers and the Bailey estate, are using that organization for what is known in the tent world as a "fight show."

Variety, July 28, 1906, p. 6. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Nothing in the annals of circus history can equal the business done by practically all the tent shows this season.
    Barnum & Bailey's Western trip is far in excess of anything done in the section of the country in which they are playing.
    The Forepaugh-Sells show, which is traveling through the West in a haphazard way, being used as a battering ram for Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings, making huge jumps in order to get ahead of opposition attractions, is on the right side of the ledger. It is described by the other organzations as "the trust battering ram."
    Hagenbeck started out in April when the ground was fill of frost and had a month of hard uphill work. Originally the show itself was not good, but it has been whipped into shape and as soon as the warm weather set in began and is still doing splendid business.
    Pawnee Bill, who started out a couple of seasons ago on a shoe-string, is now the sole proprietor of an organization that plays to average receipts of close to $15,000 a week. They opened at Brighton Beach this spring under a ten weeks' contract guaranteeing them $8,000 a week, with two weeks notice clause. They stayed only six weeks, the attraction giving notice, as they felt that they could fare much better en tour. William A. Brady was satisfied to have them remain, as they were just about breaking even. He ignored the notice given by Pawnee Bill's management, thinking that they could not get away. On the day preceding their closing Brady notified them that they must leave the following night and then wagered that they would remain through the ten weeks booking. He was not aware that half the paraphernalia of the show had already been carted to Jersey City, where they were billed to open the following Monday. On Saturday night the Wild West people began packing up as they proceeded with the performance, just as they do when playing one-night stands and at the conclusion of th entertainment they departed on trumpet signal, leaving not a vestige of their outfit to be discerned on Sunday morning. With the settlement the Brady management presented bills for a quality of "extras," which Pawnee Bill's manager declined to pay and this resulted in a strenuous wrangle.
    Frank Robbins, who started out two years ago, was able at the conclusion of last summer to pay off every dollar of indebtedness with the exception of some $3,000, leaving him absolute owner of his enterprise. At this time he does not owe a dollar and is about $22,000 to the good.
    Cummins' Wild West opened its season with Charles W. Cummins, Walter L. Main and Sig. Sautelle as the proprietors. Sautelle got cold feet early in the game and withdrew.
    The Floto show is the only one that is not entirely successful, and this condition is due not to the amount of business done, but to a disagreement in the firm. It is owned by Mr. Tammen, of the Denver "Post," and "Willie" Sells. They are constantly at loggerheads as to the methods of conduction the business, to the show's loss.

    Madison, Wis., July 27. Charles Bliss, the original "human fly" in America, is dead at his home in this city at the age of eighty years. Death was due to paralysis. He retired from the circus business twenty years ago and has since made Madison his home. He leaves a considerable fortune. Bliss ran away from home in Boston when a lad and joined a circus. He became on of the best acrobats in America and for years was the head of the famous Bliss family of seven members, all his children.

    Des Moines, Iowa. The Cooke & Barrett Shows which stranded in Iowa some weeks ago reopened their season July 21 at the Leintz & Roberson Circus at Lancaster, Mo.

Variety, August 11, 1906, p. 2. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Walter L. Main, for a long time indentified with the circus business, is about to retire from the field of the canvas. He has offered for sale his interest in Col. F. T. Cummins' Wild West Show.

Variety, October 6, 1906, p. 6. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The winter quarters of the Cummins' Wild West Shows at Geneva, Ohio, near Cleveland, were destroyed by fire Tuesday. One man was burned to death and a large number of animals were incinerated. Walter L. Main, the circus man, was the chief owner of the show and the loss, estimated at about $40,000, will fall for the most part upon him.

    Owning to the great damage done by strom in the South it is probable that the Barnum & Bailey show will close its season October 25, two weeks earlier than was intended. The show has been a heavy loser because of weather conditions in the South.

Variety, October 13, 1906, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Dallas, Texas. Hagenbeck's Circus showed here 1. Many came away very much dissatisfied with the show and seating arrangements. If this circus would give more time to securing more good acts and competent ushers and less time to fighting other circuses the people would be better satisfied and it would do more business.

Variety, November 24, 1906, pp. 3, 4. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Eight circuses are playing at present in Texas, erecting their canvases in every burg and tank town available. They are Barnum & Bailey, Wallace, Sells & Floto, Pawnee Bill, the Nickel Plate, Robinson and Hagenbeck. The latter is the only one of the eight that is meeting with any measure of financial success - much to everybody's amazement.

    Jonesboro, Ark., Nov. 23. The Ringling Bros.' circus closed its season here this week. The last thing Ollie Young, of Ollie Young and Brother, did before leaving town was to term the show a "matrimonial agency." To support the allegation Mr. Young read off the list of marriages which have taken place during the tour. Ben Mowatt, of the Six Mowatts, is now the husband of May Davenport, the rider; William Colini, of the Four Colinis, married Eleanor Wise, and Orrin Davenport and Victoria Bedini also became one.

Variety, December 22, 1906, pp. 8, 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The coming season will probably witness the biggest fight in the history of the circus world, with Barnum & Bailey and the Buffalo Bill shows on one side and the Ringling Brothers' Circus, augmented by their acquisitions, the Forepaugh and Hagenbeck shows, on the other. So bitter is the contest for supremacy that the Ringlings are moving everything to secure the services of "Tody" Hamilton, one of the pillars of the Barnum & Bailey outfit. This more than ordinary feeling of bitterness is caused by the present Barnum & Bailey management refusing to take territory in rotation as has heretofore been the custom. In the past there has been a so-called "gentlemen's agreement" by which it was understood that when Barnum & Bailey and Buffalo Bill went West the Ringlings travelled East, reversing the plan yearly. This coming summer the Barnum & Bailey management desires to become a free lance.

    All of the tent shows will suffer from a dearth of novelties next season. For the past six months agents have been scouring Europe in an effort to secure new features of the so-called "dangerous" variety. The search has thus far failed to unearth anything new of a startling electrical or other mechanical nature. There has been no invention of a sensational kind since the "Dip of Death," unless it be the running over of a man by an automobile, and the edge has been taken off this feature for American by the appearance of Marino at Hammerstein's Theatre in New York.
    This perplexing condition was bound to manifest itself. It has been foreseen for some years, and while the end may not be reached this season, that time will come for ultra-sensational features. The Barnum show inaugurated the era of "death-defying" spectacles, and the public has grown to expect some such feature with the big show. It must be given, but must first be had, and human ingenuity is being tested to capacity to devise a satisfying act for the spectators' morbid appetite. That has been whetted season by season until the ultimatum will probably be that an ambulance be called at each performance. With the large circuses in active competition this craving for the realistic in hazardous feats may even go so far as to carry a large life insurance for the performer who will have the hardihood to attempt what the management lays out.

    In one quarter, however, it is expected that the new Cole regime will encounter a snag of huge proportions, namely, the replacing of the draft horses by autos. Circus lots, particularly in wet weather, are notoriously muddy and no automatic wagon has yet been devised that can drag a wagon that has sunk to its hub in mud. On the street parade question, however, Mr. Cole is firm in his conviction. He believes they are essential to draw country folks from the surrounding towns.

    The modern kaleidoscopic circus, designed to fill the eye and impress the spectators with the enormity of the tent offering, will next season give way to the old-fashioned ring presentments, with nothing between the circles to detract from the big features themselves.

    The Ferraris, a dancing act, have been booked for a circus in Cuba to open in January. They have been waiting since December 6 for their fares and advance money promised, but thus far without receiving anything tangible.

    The Barnum & Bailey show opens at the Madison Square Garden in March. For the first time in several years the Buffalo Bill aggregation will also play in that commodious amphitheatre the coming spring, following the Barnum show and remaining two weeks. Johnny Baker, the ex-sharpshooter who managed the "Bill" troupe last season, is expected to have the managerial position during the coming tour.

    By a deal just concluded in Minneapolis M. W. Savage, the millionaire owner of the International Stock Food Company of that city, becomes the proprietor of the two Gentry Brothers' dog and pony circuses and has place "Ike" C. Speers, manager of the Odeon Theatre, Marshalltown, Ia., in charge of their tours as general manager. Savage's acquisition of the property in which the Gentrys have accumulated over a million dollars is purely as an investment. He will have no hand in the management further than to draw down possible profits. Speers carried the deal through.

    Barnum & Bailey will restore their street parades, which were recently cut out. They will be given next summer more elaborately than ever, all cages being mounted on auto trucks. When W. W. Cole assumed charge this was the first thing he insisted upon. The coming of Mr. Cole into the field will, it is expected, revolutionize the business conduct of the Barnum & Bailey shows. He is making strenuous efforts to restore peace and harmony in the internal direction of the working force. Joseph T. McCaddon, who is the brother of Mrs. James A. Bailey, representing her interests (said to be more than one-half the B. & B. stock), is declared to have been altogether too antagonistic to those with whom he was associated.

    It seems to be generally understood that Thompson & Dundy and the Ringlings have formed themselves into a general corporation, pooling issues.

    B. E. Wallace is desirous of retiring from busniess. William Franklin, general manager for the Wallace shows, in conjunction with Mr. Talbot, endeavored to form a company to take over the business, but nothing tangible has appeared from that quarter and unless it does very soon Wallace will once more take to the road, for another season at least.

    John Robinson's circus is making active preparations for the eighty-fifth season, opening as usual in Cincinnati in the spring. It will be under the direction of John Robinson, 3d, nephew of the present John Robinson.

    Australia. Melbourne, October 29. Wirth's Circus opened here last Saturday. Its star attraction is the Five Herberts, from Barnum & Baileys. Another "draw" is the clever riding of Miss Phillipina, "America's greatest horsewoman."

Variety, December 29, 1906, p. 4. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Cincinnati, Dec. 28. William Dutton, known in his day as one of the best circus riders in the country, died at his apartment in the Galt House last Monday. Mr. Dutton's death was brought about through injuries received in a murderous assault made upon him some two months ago. He was removed to a hospital at the time, but Johnny Wilson had Dutton transferred to the hotel. Dutton was a Canadian, sixty-three years of age, having been born in Toronto. He entered the circus business as a general utility man in 1860 at Wood's Theatre in this city. For the past seven years Mr. Dutton was connected with the Robinson shows.

Top

1907

Variety, January 5, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    John Ringling sailed last Wednesday on the Oceanic for Europe on his annual quest for novelties. He was in town the week before Christmas and while here had a conference with W. W. Cole, at which Cole calmly informed him that the verbal agreement between the Ringlings and Barnum & Bailey ceased with the death of James A. Bailey. That although the terms of the understanding gave the Ringlings the Eastern territory for the coming season, Cole proposed to book Buffalo Bill in the East, but was perfectly willing to split this portion of the country with the Ringlings. John Ringling is alleged to have replied that if the restrictions had been removed from one party to the agreement they would necessarily cease to be binding on the other and that in the future he would consider his attractions as free lances.

    Before Mr. Ringling returns from abroad, which will be in about six weeks, some important circus news may develop. John Ringling is looked upon as the coming head of the circus world. Last season the Ringling Bros.' shows are reported to have cleared $800,000. The Barnum circus cleaned up about $100,000. This poor showing, so shortly after the death of James A. Bailey, frightened the English stockholders literally out of their shoes. This was one reason why Mrs. Bailey went over to attend the stockholders' meeting.

    While on the other side Mr. Ringling will probably meet Mrs. Bailey, Jos. T. McCaddon, her brother, who is now with her, and the English stockholders. An arrangement may be arrived at whereby the Ringlings will buy up the capital stock of the Barnum-Bailey shows, between $2,500,000 and $3,000,000, and place themselves as the sole arbiters of the circus business of the world.

    The Barnum-Bailey corporation has a surplus of between $700,000 and $1,000,000. The Englishmen want this money. With the comparatively small margin of profit from last season the foreigners can not see the business sense of placing the show in another war with almost certain loss to follow. This is the point which Mr. Ringling will press. He will point out that his shows made money; that they will do it again, and that he has enough and can secure all the capital required to maintain a killing fight.

    The Ringlings are worth from three to four millions, and John Ringling has the respect of his adversaries. Mr. Ringling is extremely friendly with Max C. Anderson, one of the managers of the New York Hippodrome. Anderson is a partner of Henry M. Ziegler, who is interested slightly in the Hagenbeck show. Mr. Ziegler sent out "Feasts and Furies" last season, losing a considerable sum of money, but he is anxious to be in the circus business and is a great believer in the financial profits to be derived. Any deal that John Ringling might make Messrs. Anderson and Ziegler would unquestionably like to be declared in on; Ziegler for the money and Anderson as a sort of protection to his New York Hippodrome. If Ringling secures the Barnum shows that would carry with it the lease of the Madison Square Garden, but the "Hip" would give another place for a circus entertainment in New York. In any event it is quite possible that the Hippodrome will yet have a full-fledged circus withing its walls.

    A new Lochinvar will have to be reckoned with in the future. It is none other than the firm of Thompson & Dundy, who are quietly making preparations to project themselves into the tent show business a year from the coming summer. Plans are already drawn for a sort of travelling Luna Park and Hippodrome combined, including all the electrical and other effects which have been regarded heretofore as impossible of transportation. Further details are necessarily lacking so far ahead. Thompson has served his apprenticeship in the circus world under such men as James A. Bailey, the Ringlings, etc., since a boy and has always promised to return to it. When he does it is safe to say that he will be "in the running."

    Much has been said and written about the real reason for the retirement of George O. Starr from the position of managing director of the Barnum Show and replacing him with W. W. Cole. Discussing the matter the other day, one of the "know-alls" said: "J. T. McCaddon, as everybody knows, is the brother of Mrs. James A. Bailey, who is the princiapl owner of the Barnum & Bailey interests. When McCaddon organized a circus on his own account to tour Europe, Starr, who was in charge of the Buffalo Bill show, followed up McCaddon relentlessly, using every weapon at his disposal to break him. That he succeeded is now history, and that McCaddon did not forget may be readily imagined. So that, at the death of James A. Bailey, McCaddon saw to it that Starr was dropped at the first opportunity."

    Owing to the overwhelming disaster which befel him in Europe McCaddon could not even now appear as the real head of the Barnum & Bailey enterprises and W. W. Cole is acting for him. Cole is a wealthy man and had practically retired from active work. He is merely acting now in an advisory capacity and will never take to the road again.

    The Wallace Show is still on the market. Ben Wallace has about thirty-three cars and would charge about $150,000 for the outfit. He is not nerved up to attempt the road again, and it is probable that unless a buyer comes along the layout may be disposed of at auction. Last season removed the wind from Wallace's sails.

    It has been definitely settled that Buffalo Bill will never return to Europe with his show. The attraction has visited practically every available spot and has exhauseted itself as a novelty there. Further than this, foreigners display no interest in the organization.

    Walter K. Hill, New York representative for "The Billboard," retires from his position on Saturday night and will be succeeded by James Hoff, vice-president of the Billboard Company, who comes on from the home office in Cincinnati. Hill will travel in advance of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show the coming summer.

    Rumors are still afloat to the effect that "Tody" Hamilton has been corralled by the Ringlings, but this Hamilton denies. He says that he has served his time and does not propose to do any more traveling. He will not devote his entire time to any enterprise and will accept special commissions to prepare press matter for any attraction willing to pay his price. He does this simply to keep himself occupied.

    There is considerable confusion and speculation as to the future of the circus business - at least the immediate future. Withing the past year many changes have taken place. For instance, James A. Bailey is dead; W. W. Cole is back in harness once more; Ben Wallace wants to retire; the Ringlings have bought out the Forepaugh-Sells Show; Sells Brothers are out of the game; Walter Main and Cummings' Wild West doubled up last season and were an absolute frost, etc. These things have a tendency to change the entire circus map.

    The Ringlings have permitted their opposition on the Hagenbeck show to expire. It had been proposed to consolidate the Ringling, Hagenbeck and Forepaugh-Sells shows into a holding corporation, each of them to be appraised and taken in at a fixed valuation. Each show was to come in free and clear of any indebtedness. When it came to a "showdown" the Ringlings wanted so much more for their outfit in valuation than they were willing to allow the Hagenbeck people that it was claimed the Ringlings would have a decided advantage over the others in the distribution of the earnings. John Havlin will become the active head of the Hagenbecks. Mr. Havilin is making preparations for the coming season and announces that no show in the world will be as complete in every detail as the new Hagenbeck show. Mr. Havlin also announces that a greater portion will be entirely new to the American circus-going public.

    Mrs. James A. Bailey receives $125,000 a year from the Barnum & Bailey corporation for the use of the title to the show. This is exclusive of her stock interest in the Buffalo Bill and Barnum & Bailey organizations.

    The billposters' association has had several pow-wows looking to the curtailing of their income from circuess by the use of banners from which they derive no revenue. They will probably refurse to assist the tent shows with their posting unless banners are tabooed.

Variety, January 12, 1907, p. 8. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The opening of the Barnum-Bailey circus at the Garden will likely occur during the week of March 11.

    Mrs. James A. Bailey and her brother, Joseph T. McCaddon, returned on the Celtic yesterday morining from London, where they had attended the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Barnum & Bailey show. Mr. McCaddon, chairman of the board of directors and trestee of the James A. Bailey estate, will, with Mr. W. W. Cole, managing director, set the machinery of the great show in active motion at once preparatory to the opening of the coming season. It is likely that there will be much done of interest to the show world in the immediate future.

    One thing that seems to be settled is that the Carl Hagenbeck show is going to have hard doeing the coming year. Hagenbeck will have the hand of every circus man in the country against him. The show closed at Diaz, Mexico, last Wednesday night, after a disastrous season and its stock was shipped Friday morning to the winter quarters in New Orleans, by way of Eagle Pass, Texas. The American circus men are considerably incensed at Hagenbeck's efforts to place a show in the United States in competition with them, particularly so because they are at a loss to understand his motives. He is independently wealthy and, they say, could scarecely be actuated by a desire to increase his income. In any event they believe that with a disastrous season behind and the prospects of a still worse one before him he will be frozen out of the business next year by the weight of a combined attack.

    John H. Havelin, who owns a large interest in the Hagenbeck outfit, returned from New York to Cincinnati this week and confirmed the report that the deal with the Ringlings had fallen through. Mr. Havelin said: "We thought it would be to our advantage to have the Ringlings interested, but we could not agree upon terms. Carl Hagenbeck is now in Europe after the best attractions and we intend to make the show the best in the field." The route and dates of the Hagenbeck organization have been pretty well laid out for next season. It will play Cincinnati early in the spring, working into that city from its winter quarters and continuing northward. It is understoond in Cincinnati that Mr. Havelin will give all the personal attention required to the show from now on.

    If John Ringling expects to dominate the circus world he will by no means have everything his own way. There are others in the tent world who also see visions of monopoly. Jos. T. McCaddon is one. With the prestige of the Barnum & Bailey money and standing behind him he would make no mean rival to Ringling. The John Robinson people likewise declare that they can command large sums of money sufficient to swing a big circus deal, and declare that they are by no means inclined to sit quietly aside and see themselves left out by the formation of a huge monopoly.

    The Bostock show playing at the newly opened Coliseum in Toledo closed on the 5th. Poor business caused the suspension. The Coliseum will probably remain closed for the remainder of the season.

    Several of the English officers and directors of the Barnum & Bailey corporation came over with Joseph T. McCaddon "incognito" to look over the situation in America and to pass upon the future plans in the interest of the English stockholders.

    As an indication of the amount of labor put forward in the preparation of a tent show for a season it may be stated that Barnum & Bailey are now making ready over two hundred different kinds of printing and lithographs and more than a score of publications.

    "Eddie" Arlington, for seven years the general traffice agent for Barnum & Bailey's circus, has broken away from his old connection and next season will hold the same position with the Pawnee Bill Wild West. He is the son of George Arlington, who was for a number of years the general manager of the Barnum & Bailey show under James A. Bailey. No explanation of his change of employment is given, but circus people hint that dissatisfaction with the management under the direction of Bailey's widow is the cause.

    Another story that gives credence to the statement that the James A. Bailey estate circus interests are not for sale is the report that the passing of last year's dividend and the apparently poor showing to the public is due to expert bookkeeping, with the idea of "bearing" the stock in order that it might be bought in at a greatly reduced figure. It is stated that "Al" Stewart, of the Strobridge Lithographing Company, a close friend and business associate of the Baileys, has been quietly buying all the Barnum & Bailey stock in London that he could secure.

    After peddling his outfit (Wallace Shows) around for $100,000, which is regarded as more than cheap for the plant, Ben Wallace has formed it into a stock company, taking in his heads of departments, Messrs. Corey, Talbot and Franklin. The show will go out again next season. Al. W. Martin, who controls the "privileges" with the show, will sell tickets as usual. He's a permanent fixture with the organization. Martin's "rake off" from the tent show business is said to be in the neighborhood of $30,000 a season.

    The Sells-Floto show has jumped from Mexico to Los Angeles where it will winter in order to take advantage of an early spring tour through California.

Variety, January 19, 1907, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    One of the men connected with the business department of the Barnum & Bailey attractions offers a correction on a recent paragraph in Variety relating to Edward Arlington. He says: "Mr. Arlington simply was not re-engaged; neither was his father, George Arlington. Neither resigned, therefore they could not have left on account of dissatisfaction with the present management. Ed Arlington is a capable man and good wishes follow him on the part of his old associates in his venture with Pawnee Bill."
    "May I also set you right," continued the Barnum & Bailey representative, "about John Ringling and J. T. McCaddon. There is no antagonism between these men. John Ringling cannot hope 'to dominate the circus world,' because he is only one of five brothers, all equal partners in the Ringling show. He has exactly the same interest in the show as each of his brothers and no more and he has no show interests outside of those in which the five brothers are associated." The question of the division of territory is still open. The Ringlings continue to demand the entire East by right of rotation and insist that if it is not accorded them it will mean open warfare.

    Fresh impetus has been given the work of preparation for the "greatest show on earth' for the season of 1907 with the return of Joseph T. McCaddon and D. A. Holmes on the Celtic on January 12. The show is now being thoroughly refitted. The present board of directors, as confirmed at the annual meeting held in London on December 31, consists of W. W. Cole, J. T. McCaddon, Fred B. Hutchinson, C. R. Hutchinson, D. A. Holmes and A. J. Greenip. Mr. Greenop is an English solicitor (one of the London stockholders mentioned in last week's Variety as coming over to America "incognito") and will represent the European stockholders in the corporation.

    In the eyes of the tent folk the important development of the week has been the amalgamation of the Hagenbeck and Wallace shows. Some such defensive alliance it has long been foreseen was inevitable. The Hagenbeck people faced a season-long fight with the big circus people (Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings) and it is considered a stroke of diplomacy that in their struggle against the "big fellows" they have annexed an ally.
    The stockholders of the Hagenbeck show held a meeting at the Grand Opera House, Cincinnati, a few days ago, and re-elected the old board of directors. The directors authorized John H. Havlin, president, to enter into an agreement with Benjamin E. Wallace on behalf of the Wallace's shows whereby Hagenbeck's circus and the Wallace circus merge under one name and consist of 85 cars, starting from Peru, Indiana, on the last Saturday in April. For the present it was decided to call the shows "The Hagenbeck Allied Shows." The new owners of the shows are Benjamin E. Wallace, Peru, Ind.; Jere Musgavin [sic], Cincinnati, O.; John H. Havlin, Cincinnati, O.; Frank R. Tate, St. Louis, Mo.; and John Talbot, Denver, Colo. Benjamin E. Wallace will be the managing director. The other owners will accompany the shows as will also Charles Corey, who has been appointed assistant managing director.
    The combination of the Wallace and Hagenbeck people represents really formidable opposition to the established circus aggregations in whatever territory they choose to fight. Both the latter organizations have suffered somewhat during the year just past, but there is no doubt but that they have the ammunition for a big fight left in their coffers.

    In a few weeks the circus campaign will have started. It is believed that the "paper" contest will begin with a skirmish for control of the billposter contractors throughout the disputed territory. It is five years since the last big circus fight between Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings, which resulted in the territorial agreement upon which both have dwelt in content and amity since. There are many who affect to believe that the coming fight will result in a three-cornered agreement by Barnum & Bailey (with the Buffalo Bill show), Ringlings (associated with the Forepaugh show) and the Hagenbeck-Wallace aggregations.
    Considerable mystery pervades the present local offices of Barnum & Bailey. This is directly contrary to the methods pursued when James A. Bailey was alive. His plan was to transport almost everything in the open. He usually had one huge loft filled with desks at which sat the heads of his various departments and they were always accessible to all who chose to call. His own office door was open except when a conference was being held. Nowadays every department head has his own room; one must send in his card and about half the time is informed that "Mr. So-and-So is too busy to see anyone today."
    The Ringlings endeavored to lease the big feature of the Hagenbeck show for their circus. This is the cage in which repose in amity lions, tigers, sheep,dogs, etc. The offer was refused, as the Hagenbecks naturally regard it as their piece de resistance.

    Gil Robinson leaves next month for a sixty days trip through South America. Periodically "Pop" Gil gets the traveling fever and abandons everything else for his recreation. He usually takes a couple of boon companions along as his guests.

    W. R. McDonald, secretary to the board of directors of the Barnum & Bailey corporation, has returned to his desk after an illness of several days.

    It will certainly require an herculean effort on the part of the contestants to the will of the late James A. Bailey to prove that the wizard of the tent show business was insane.

Variety, January 26, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    John Ringling, who left for abroad January 2, is expected home within the next ten days. As stated in Variety immediately following Mr. Ringling's departure, the chief object of his trip was to ascertain the sentiment of the English stockholders in the Barnum-Bailey corporation, with a view to securing a controlling interest by the purchase of stock. What results have been achieved by Mr. Ringling are not known over here and probably will not be until his return.

    A curious state of affairs exists in the Barnum & Bailey headquarters, according to the statement of a circus booking agent. This agent declares that he called at the circus office and learned in conversation with the executives that no final arrangements would be made looking to the contracting with acts until after the return from England of John Ringling. It is perhaps due to this that there has arisen within the week an impression that John Ringling carries with him on his trans-Atlantic trip some sort of tentative agreement with Joseph McCaddon which needed but the acquiescensce of the English syndicate to make it operative. In support of this it is pointed out that immediately after the close of the circus season Ringling and McCaddon were in conference in New York. This was in December, just before McCaddon and Mrs. James A. Bailey sailed for London.
    Another thing which is vouched for by the same agent is that in the matter of booking W. W. Cole and George O. Starr are the people to be seen. McCaddon's function in the corporation seems to be to look after the interests of his sister, Mrs. Bailey, and not to concern himself with the direction of the show except when such a course seems to him necessary in conserving his sister's interests. In this way his capacity for the most part is an advisory one.

    Oscar Babcock, of "Loop" fame, has two new features which he wishes to place with circuses.

    The Three Olivers have booked with Cole Brothers' Circus for next season. The trio leaves to fill foreign engagements on January 1, '08.

    Van Cleve, Wentworth and "Pete" are negotiating for a tent tour the coming summer.

    Circus people in the United States are wondering what has become of the Tony Lowande show, which, according to all information obtainable, was playing Kingston, Jamaica, when the earthquake struck the island. No word has been heard from Lowande since the day of the quake, either by his representatives in New York or by his family. His brother, Alexander Lowande, of 285 West Forty-first street, said he had tried to secure information of his brother but had so far failed.
    Circus booking agents declare that there was no other tent show playing Kingston last week, so it is believed that the one mentioned in the newspaper dispatches as being turned into an asylum for the homeless of the stricken city was probably that of the Lowande show. The circus was a one-ring affair carrying about thirty-five people and left the United States about the first of December.

    The statement in last week's Variety by a Barnum & Bailey representative that John Ringling "could not hope to dominate the circus world," as he was only one of five brothers, all having an equal interest in the Ringling enterprises, caused a general snicker among the circus people this week. On the theory of the Barnum-Bailey reasoning, Mr. Ringling is forever debarred from attempting any venture on his individual account.

    Following the sale of the Gentry Brothers' two shows, all the acts booked for them for the coming season have been cancelled and a new booking arrangement is to be made with the present owners, a Western syndicate.

    The Ricardo Bell show is now in Yucatan. They opened in Merida, that country, just after the harvesting and market ing of the hemp crop. The country is said to be buried three feet deep in real money due to a good crop. The Bell show did $5,700 on the opening date. This, of course, represents only half that amount in American money, but is not considered bad at that.

    C. Lee Williams is now located at Peru, Ind., looking after the Hagenbeck interests in the new merger with the Wallace show. It is not generally known that Williams owns absolutely the right to the Hagenbeck name for circus purposes in the United States, but is is reasonably certain that Williams is aware of its value and has no intention of parting with this valuable asset. He feels that the other partners in the Hagenbeck-Wallace enterprise might not evince that overwhelming desire to retain his services as treasurer if he were not so thoroughly "heeled."

    Jerry Mugivan's tent show, which has been absorbed by the Hagenbeck-Wallace merger, will be started out again next summer as an individual attraction, but be under the direction of the "home office."

    Rose Wentworth has received an offer to join the Barnum & Bailey show for the coming season, but will probably sign with Thompson & Dundy for Luna Park.

    John F. Robinson, Sr., known to the circus world as "John II," to identify him from his late father and his living nephew, is in town this week attending the directors' meetings of the United States Printing Company, of which he is one of the founders and a heavy stockholder. Mr. Robinson refuses absolutely to talk circus news during his Eastern stay.

    Chas. Thompson, last season general manager of the Hagenbeck show, was in town on Wednesday "looking around." He has not yet signed for the coming season.

    Johnny Purvis, the veteran clown and pantomimist, will be back with the Sells-Floto show this season in his old position of equestrian director.

    Otto Floto, with the attributes of a born showman, seized the opportunity on Wednesday night to send a telegram setting forth in glowing language the good wishes of the citizens of Denver for Terry McGovern and signed by himself. Of course the wire was read to the big audience from the stage of Madison Square Garden during the benefit performance.

    The bookings of the Circo Bell in Mexico City, which organization is a revised edition of the former Orrin Bros.' circus, recently sold, have been transferred from Harry Allen, the former agent, to Charles L. Sasse, the circus agent in East Fourteenth street. Charles L. Sasse is organizing an eight-act show for Palatina Park, Havana, Cuba.

    The Cole Brothers, proprietors of an eighteen-car circus, have not yet contracted for their big feature acts for the coming season, but are in negotiations with Charles L. Sasse, the Fourteenth street circus agent, for the features on the coming tour. The personnel will be arranged within a few weeks.

    The newly formed Hagenbeck-Wallace alliance will start out probably the best equipped organization en tour next summer. Every cage will be so constructed or reconstructed as to fit every car. The combined menagerie and circus equipment makes a particularly felicitous combination. Each of the shows was put in at at figure that permitted a capitalization of the new corporation at $300,000 and the cash expenditures incidental to starting the show on the road will be borne by John Havlin, Frank Tate and Ben Wallace. The other directors will be simply working partners who will participate in the profits. It is definitely decided that the new combination will travel in Eastern territory the coming summer.

    John G. Robinson, of the John Robinson Circus, accompanied by Sol Stephens, superintendent of the Cincinnati Zoo and American agent for Carl Hagenbeck in the sale of his animals in the United States, arrived in New York on Friday. They sail today on the Victoria, joining young Hagenbeck in London. The trio will proceed to Paris and other Continental points in search of novelties, winding up at the Hagenbeck farm in Hamburg, where a number of animals will be purchased for the Robinson circus.

    A coterie of newspaper men in Jacksonville, Fla., which successfully engineered a week's circus carnival in that city last summer propose the coming fall to make a touring organization of the same enterprise, much after the manner of the "Feasts and Furies" show given by the Cincinnati Carnival Association last summer.

    No word has come East from the Rowe & Morris [sic] show, now wintering in Santa Cruz, Cal. It is supposed from this that no purchaser has appeared, the organization having been on the market for over a month now, and the agents are beginning to make diplomatic representations looking to the securing of the show's bookings next season.

    The impression in New York is the new Hagenbeck-Wallace combination will be known as "The Hagenbeck-Wallace Allied Shows" rather than the title printed last week in which "Wallace" did not appear.

    The Flying Jordans' show opened in Porto Rico December 29. Only "dumb" acts are carried. Record attendance is reported, the show having "caught on" largely. It is now at San Juan (second week). The ten Flying Jordans, Seekey, Wilkes and company, Blyck's Seals, the Moxleys and Prof. Gauss and wife make up the performance.

    The circus people have argued it out among themselves that instead of the Buffalo Bill show covering the territory laid out for it in the East lately it will be held back as a sort of reserve force, ready to go out after the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus if that organization attempts to butt into Eastern territory. This they regard as a likely compromise of the situation in which the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling people find themselves and which promises rather a lively fight somewhere along the Atlantic seaboard. The idea seems to be to crush the rising pretensions of the Hagenbeck-Wallace combination to a place longside the big fellows of the canvas world. The attempt will be made to drive Hagenbeck out of the East into the middle West or far West, where it is figured they will find their hands full with opposition against the innumerable smaller shows.

    Al. Ringling is doing some tentative bookings for the coming season. He is in negotiation for the act called "The Somersaulting Automobile," which was put out late last season in several summer parks and fairs by Harry Allen.

    The Hagenbeck show has now gone into the Wallace winter quarters at Peru and will start out from there in the spring. The new combine flamboyantly announce that they will travel next summer with seventy-two cars, but in all probability forty will be a much closer estimate of the "line-up."

Variety, February 2, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Everybody connected with the dissemination of news and rumors of the big circus enterprises is busily engaged just now in an endeavor to circulate stories of a clash of interests between the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling Brothers, at the same time protesting that both sides are clamoring for peace and harmony. It is intimiated that with the arrival of John Ringling from Europe negotiations between the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling shows for an equitable division of territory will be taken up and closed satisfactorily to both managements.

    To those in a position to discuss authoritatively the question as to why there should ever have been a clash, if there really is one, the answer is in effect about as follows: There never was any written agreement between the two managements on any point. A "gentlemen's agreement" for a perior of two years was arranged between James A. Bailey and the Ringlings as to the division of territory, which has expired and has not yet been renewed. The whole idea of the agreement was not to fight other shows, control salaries or shut other organizations out of railroads. Its only purpose was to keep the big shows from going into the same towns on or about the same dates. Even under the verbal agreement the Ringlings could play the same towns either eight weeks before or after Barnum & Bailey. In all circus wars it means the distribution of extra quantities of free tickets and the advance men use twice as much space on the boards, etc. This was one of the strongest points in the coming together of the big magnates. Beyond that there was never really anything approaching a trust.
    Just why those in the inner circle should protest against the trust bugaboo can only be surmised when from the lips of one of the biggest men in the directorate of the Barnum & Bailey corporation the information has been imparted that an agreement with the Ringlings has already been arrived at. Can it be that the giants of the circus world fear an investigation of their operations at the hands of the federal authorities on a allegation that they are doing business contrary to the Interstate Commerce law? Or is is possible that the continued rumors of an impending clash will serve to incite public interest in circus news and encourage publicity and free advertising in the daily press?

    H. S. Rowe, of the Rowe & Norris circus wintering in Santa Cruz, has notified his New York booking agent that the one-half interest in the show which was for sale has been disposed of. He does not furnish any further details, but says that bookings will be made soon for the coming season.

    W. C. Thompson, of the New York Herald staff, formerly press agent of the New York Hippodrome for Thompson & Dundy, has signed to travel in advance of the Pawnee Bill show the coming summer, having arranged with Edward Arlington.

    Frank A. Robbins' show, wintering at Jersey City, will open its season the latter part of April. It had a good deal of bad luck last year, but the show has been entirely refitted and is going out again under excellent auspices, with extensive backing of outside investors. Edward Arlington has sold out his interest in the enterprise, but Fred Beckman will continue as the general agent.

    The Hagenbeck show closed its season $220,000 behind. Of this amount $100,000 was sunk in the six weeks Mexican tour.

    All the circus managers are straining their efforst in the direction of a practical flying machine, having exhausted all other fields of research. Barnum & Bailey's offer of $10,000 for an aerial ship without balloon attachment has brought many propositions, but nothing practical has been unearthed.

    The "big show" claims to have discovered a baboon that will create as much of a sensation as the incomparable Jumbo. They will play it up as the big feature of the menagerie portion of the outfit. The ring sensation is still a mystery.

    Frank Brown, lately interested in the Coliseo Argentino, Buenos Ayres, South America, and who severed his connection with that amusement restort, as printed in Variety some time ago, is on his way to the Pacific Coast with a troupe containing twenty-four acts and a ballet of sixteen dancers. Brown will show along the California strip for about four months, returning to South America in May. He sailed from Montevideo on the 15th. It will be practically the same circus shown at the Coliseo before the split, behind which there is a story.

    Zeno, Jordan and Zeno, the aerial act, returned recently from a tent show touring South Africa. They say business was good, and in support of that assertion display an adult bank roll.

    The Cancie Bros.' Union Shows will open the season May 1. The circus will be thoroughly equipped, carrying a large menagerie; using five cars. The winter quarters are at Cranston, R. I. Frank E. Tracy is general agent. Twelve men will go ahead and they are expected to make some "noise."

    Charlie Sanders has taken charge of the stock of the Sells-Floto shows in place of Col. Shumate, and "Slivers" Holland will have the canvas in place of Harry Sells. Col. Robinson will have charge of the front door and also act as adjuster. Robinson has been with the show three years and will be a sort of assistant manager. John Carroll will be equestrian director again. John was with the show when it was a dog and pony affair, but last season went to "White City," Chicago. Herman Q. Smith will be contracting agent.

Variety, February 9, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    John Ringling arrived in New York from Europe on Tuesday, accompanied by W. W. ("Doc") Freeman, and went immediately to Baraboo, to pay his respects to the remains of his mother, to whom he was devotedly attached. Freeman, who recently sold out his amusement enterprise in Chicago and went to Europe to recuperate, will probably be connected with the Ringling show the coming season. While abroad Ringling engaged two or three acts for the circus, among them the Mirza-Golems, an acrobatic troupe of Arabians who do stunts on the backs of camels. The troupe numbers eight or nine people and the act was duplicated by the Todd-Judge Family with the Barnum & Bailey show last season, the Americans, however, taking no credit for its origination.

    It is whispered around the tent show headquarters that the respective routes of the Buffalo Bill and Ringling Brothers shows have already been laid out to the satisfaction of both managements. In the early spring, according to the rumor, Buffalo Bill is to take the territory east of Boston and the Ringlings will show west of that point. At the end of thirty days the organizations will alternate, thus avoiding any conflict in the matter of billing against each other. This applies also to the Barnum & Bailey circus, which crosses the other two mentioned at only one point in the routing.

    The Barnum & Bailey management is confronted with a problem which is giving them no little concern. Several alluring features have been presented to them, but of such magnitude that it is impossible to transport them when they go on tour. The New York papers, of course, give much space to the features and when the show visits other cities the local papers set up a howl that the performance has been cut. It is likely, therefore, that such novelties as have been selected will be capable of transportation.

    The heads of department of the Barnum & Bailey enterprises have many things to mourn with the death of James A. Bailey, but none more tangible than the daily invitation to lunch. Promptly at twelve o'clock it was the daily habit of Mr. Bailey to invite all his staff to go to lunch. When the Barnum & Bailey offices were located at 112 West Forty-second street Burns' Restaurant was the usual midday place for refreshing the inner man. From 25 West Thirty-fourth street nothing less than the Waldorf-Astoria cafe was good enough for the crowd. And even when the show was playing the Garden here all hands adjourned for luncheon to the Victoria Hotel, always at the personal invitation of Mr. Bailey. This has all been changed. Some of the staff send out for sandwiches, others scurry around to Child's, and still others do not have either the time or inclination to eat at noontime at all.

    It was the late Bill Gardner, general manager for the Hagenbeck show, who started the trust cry against the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling interests. Gardner in a newspaper interview professed to believe that the Barnum & Bailey and Buffalo Bill shows on one hand and the Ringling Brothers and Forepaugh-Sells on the other were banded together to drive out all the other tent organizations of any magnitude, leaving the entire country to be divided between them.

    A well-known circus man in a position to speak authoritatively said: "Ten years ago when the Ringlings were playing the same territory with Buffalo Bill and preceded the Wild West in a town their business was poor and in every instance where they followed Colonel Cody they did a big business. The conclusion was finally arrived at that after having witnessed the Wild West the public were hungry for an old-fashioned circus entertainment." If this statement be true it must be known to both Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings, and there would be no necessity for a protest on the part of the Ringlings at the proposed invasion of New England by the Buffalo Bill management. There's a "biscuit" hidden away somewhere.

    For the past few seasons it has been the fashion for all acrobatic acts to work in full dress, that is swallowtail coats for the males and evening gowns for the females. A reaction has set in now against this method of dress and the tendency is to return to the free exhibition of shapely limbs. While handsome costuming will still prevail, there will be a considerably larger exhibition of physical development than in recent years.

    A great many evil things have been said of circus folks, the more evil because they are true. The trust allegation may or may not be true. An absolute confirmation is almost impossible. But desparate diseases notoriously require remedies of the same character, and the best way to fight fire is with fire. To be more explicit, a trust is being formed to combat the quartet of ten tshows alleged to be banded together. The new combination is to take in Pawnee Bill's Wild West, John Robinson's Show, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and the Sells-Floto Show. It is proposed to bring these four big shows together for an offensive and defensive alliance. Curiously enough, the line-up consists of three circuses and a Wild West show, just as the other quartet. It will also be found that the new combine would show favorably any way one might seek a comparative inventory. They carry more cars and other paraphernalia, and when it comes to stacking bank rolls the Pawnee Bill-Wallace-Hagenbeck-Sells-Floto-Robinson people's combined capital would overtop by a considerable margin that of the Bailey-Ringling exchequer. Pawnee Bill (Major Gordon W. Lillie) is president of the bigget bank in Oklahoma and an extensive land owner; John Robinson is said to have at his command as much money as the Bailey Estate; Ben Wallace is conceded to be very wealthy; John H. Havlin is a rich man, and Mr. Tannen [sic Tammen], owner of the Sells-Floto Show, is proprietor of the Denver "News," which has earned for him an independent fortune. Such an avalanche of strenght hurled against Barnum and Ringling, with the sympathetic assistance of the minor tent shows, might make an interesting battle.

    Josie DeMott, the well-known somersault rider who was hurt during a performance of the Barnum & Bailey show last spring and who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis, is now practically recovered and it is officially announced that she will appear with "the big show" at its premiere.

    Al. W. Martin, who has been for a number of years ticket seller with the Wallace show, has been shifted by the directors of the new Hagenbeck-Wallace combination to their smaller enterprise, the Van Amburgh circus, where he will occupy a similar position. Martin enjoys the reputation of being the smoothest "pasteboard shover" in the business.

    One of the recent engagements for the Barnum & Bailey circus is the Royal Troupe of menage horses, some twenty-two in number.

    Despite all reports to the contrary, Edward Arlington has no love for the present management of the Barnum & Bailey enterprises. It may be safely presumed that the feeling is reciprocated.

    "The Carl Hagenbeck and The Great Wallace Shows Combined" is to be the billing of the newly amalgamated Hagenbeck and Wallace tent organizations.

    There is a live probability that when the Karoly troupe of four equestrians reports at the Hippodrome on February 18 an effort will be made to prevent their working. Charles L. Sasse alleges that he imported the troupe under a contract which place them under his exclusive management while they remained here. Mr. Sasse place the act with the Hagenbeck show last season, and declares that Chas. M. Thompson, manager of that concern, disregarded his claim in re-engaging them for the coming season. No provision was made of the payment of commissions to Sasse, as he claims is due under his agreement. A contract with the Hagenbeck show for 1908 is also in the controversy.

    The Clark Onians, the riding act which opened the Hippodrome in its first season, closes with the Pubillones Show in Cuba next week. They return to the United States immediately to prepare for the coming season with the Ringling show. In the search for a riding act to replace the Clark Onians by Harry Allen it was discovered that pretty much all the circus horses and riders are tied up for the approaching tour of the big tent organizations.

    The Tony Lowande Show, which was in Kingston, Jamaica, at the time of the earthquake, has at last been heard from. They remained on the ground only until they could look around for a suitable place to jump to. The first purpose was to go into Cuba, but an agent who had been in that territory reported that crops had been bad and the political situation rather confused. Accordingly the show moved over to Panama, where circus conditions are much better. It is now in the Central American republic and reported to be doing fairly well.

    The Eight Cornallas, who are playing vaudeville at present, have been signed again for next summer for the Forepaugh-Sells show.

    The Mirza-Golen Troupe of Persian acrobats, eight in number, a foreign act, has been booked for the Ringling shows for the coming season through H. B. Marinelli.

    Jack Wolff returned from the Bell circus playing in Yucatan. He declares that at the opening in Merida, that country, the matinee alone played to $5,700, and not the whole day as Variety had it. The night performance brought the total up to almost $16,000. This was in the bull ring, over which a canvas top had been placed.

    The Jordan show moved last week from Porto Rico to Port au Prince, British West Indies. The show has been very successful, the police in San Juan having stopped the sale of tickets. The head of the show, Frank Jordan, wrote to Harry Allen: "Doing good business and working hard. I'm stage manager, boss canvasman, chandelier man, boss carpenter and treasurer. Thank heaven we carry no animals, or I'd be working a currycomb besides."

    Charles P. Lark, one of the advance agents of Sparks' circus, was caught between two cars on the Atlantic Coast Line tracks in Ybor City, Fla., Jan. 27 and crushed to death.

    The Van Amburgh show, formerly owned by Jerry Mugivan, who is now one of the proprietors of the Hagenbeck-Wallace enterprise, is being fitted out for an early opening in the spring, having been allied with the Hagenbeck-Wallace corporation. The general directorate of the new corporation will send the Van Amburgh show through the small towns away from the big tent shows as far as possible.

Variety, February 16, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The big tent shows are still carefully concealing their feature attractions, alleging that they have arrived a nothing definite in the way of novelties.

    Charles Thompson, last season general manager for the Hagenbeck show, left last week for his home in Florida, without having located for the coming season.

    "Si" Seamon, one of the real old contract agents, and last year with the Hagenbeck show, has been engaged in a like position with the Buffalo Bill attraction.

    Frank Hyatt, superintendent of the Barnum & Bailey show, who has been wintering at his home in Ohio, is in Bridgeport overseeing the final preparations for the road tour.

    Maurice Garanger's somersaulting automobile has been signed as one of the big features of the Ringling Brothers' show for the coming season. The rider will be Yvonne D'Arcy. This act was put on only late last summer.

    Sol Stephan, the representative of the Hagenbeck Allied Shows, has started on a European trip with John Robinson, Jr. The stockholders of the Hagenbeck show placed a commission with Mr. Stephan to secure any and all European novelty acts.

    The opening of the Ringling Brothers' show has been announced as the Coliseum, Chicago, April 4. None of the later stands have been permitted to leak out and the circus world is about as wise as before as to the season's routing of the show.

    Variety is in a position to state positively that William Sells is no longer connected with the Sells-Floto Circus and that, up to the present writing, has made no arrangements for next season. Sells retired when Frank Tammen, owner of the Denver Times and backer of the Sells show, installed his brother as general manager. Sells promptly declined to serve under the new executive head.

    The Nine Nelson Family ("Risely" and acrobatics). Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dio (trained dogs and menage) and Albertina, "the talking clown," have just joined Trevino's circus, the tent show which is now touring Mexico in active opposition to the Bell circus. The show was playing Durango, Mexico, when last heard from and reports indicate that they have been putting up a good fight against the Bell organization.

    One of the numerous "diplomatic" methods pursued by the big tent shows in a position to exact such concessions is to arrange with the trunk line railroads to enter into an exclusive contract not to carry any other circus in a stated territory within a period of sixty or ninethy days prior to or succeeding the period in which the show making such agreement patronizes the road. The trick is a well-known one, but for the coming summer still another method of "spiking" has gone into effect. It consists of making similar exclusive or "shut-out" contracts with the lithograph companies. None of the printing houses will of course admit such an agreement, giving as an excuse for refusing business that the recent strike of the lithographers has thrown them back so far that it will be impossible for them to contract for future delivery until next fall.

    The smaller shows operating in large numbers throughout the country are holding back their routing arrangements. Before committing themselves to any arrangement they want to know where the big shows are going to travel the coming season. If the mammoths of the tent world fight each other the smaller enterprises have only the desire to get out of the battle zone and keep out. They figure there ought to be room enough in this free and enlightened land for everybody and they have no desire to buck the bigger organizations. The big fellows show no disposition to fix their routes. The Ringlings have had nothing to say this past week. Work in preparation for the coming season has been considerably delayed by the death of Mrs. August Ringling, mother of the Ringling Brothers, and nothing has developed in the Ringling camp.

    The statement appearing in Variety a couple of weeks ago that the Hagenbeck circus lost $220,000 last season brought forth a strenuous denial from John H. Havlin, president of the Hagenbeck shows. Mr. Havlin says the report is false and malicious, and whosoever gave it out did so for the purpose of injuring the Hagenbecks. Mr. Havlin further says the Hagenbeck shows did not lose one dollar last season. Shrinkages in values by reason of use of equipment and wreck caused some small loss, but otherwise the circus made money. It cost $20,000 weekly to operate, and the gross receipts were slightly in excess of that figure. The six weeks Mexican trip entailed a total expense of $67,382 and the takings left a profitable net balance. It was reported at the same time that the tour in Mexico cost the Hagenbeck shows $100,000. Mr. Havlin feels hurt at the reported loss; not so much from the possible harm that could accrue, but from the deliberate contravention of facts.

Variety, February 23, 1907, pp. 7, 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    All the circuses still invest their feature acts in what is intended to be impenetravle mystery, in order to keep the opposition shows from encroaching on their thunder. Barnum and Bailey are still in a quandry as to just which of several features to play up as the main attraction this coming season, and the chances are that the one selected will be an automobile that does a double somersault in an amplified "loop-the-gap" apparatus. Verification at this time is lacking as all concerned are pledged to secrecy. But it's a reasonable certainty that this "sensation" will be handed out very shortly to the daily press.

    "Hey" Mayer will travel ahead of the Buffalo Bill Show in the interests of the program department.

    Mr. Nicodemus, last year superintendent with Pawnee Bill, takes charge of the "cook house" with the Forepaugh-Sells Show this Summer.

    Karoly Brothers, who opened a six weeks' engagement at the Hippodrome on Monday and who had a three-year contract with the Hagenbeck Show, declare that owing to the combination with Wallace their contract is void, and that they have cancelled. It is the brothers' intention to return to Europe.

    Fred. Beckman, part owner of the Robbins' Show, who has been ahead of Lew Dockstader for the Winter, is now devoting a considerable portion of his time to circus business while the minstrel company is in this vicinity.

    John Ringling is due in town today for a conference with various interests and to make his contracting arrangements with the big railroad officials for transporting his organization through New England.

    Charles Mercer, secretary to Fred. Hutchinson, together with five other employees of the Buffalo Bill Show, arrived on the "St. Louis" last Sunday and commenced arranging details for the American tour.

    Charles Newman, formerly general agent of the Gentry Brothers' Shows, goes with the Hagenbeck-Wallace organization as railroad contractor.

    Walter K. Hill started in last Monday on his duties as general press and contract agent with the Buffalo Bill Show.

    Joseph Mayer, who has the Barnum and Bailey and Buffalo Bill program privilege, closed with the Forepaugh-Sells show to take over their programs also and is now in negotiation with the Wallace-Hagenbeck combination for a similar concession.

    "Punch" Wheeler, last season with Sells-Floto, is in town. He has not signed for the coming season.

    A divorce was granted in Chicago last week to Mrs. Lew Graham, whose husband is manager of the side show with the Ringling Circus.

    Marino, the big German, who permitted an automobile to run over him on the stage at Hammerstein's a few months ago, is haunting the circuses in search of an engagement for the tent show season.

    The Four Merkel Sisters were offered time with the Ringling Circus, but refused it.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Allied Shows will use forty-two cars this Summer, although they announced that they would carry eighty-eight, comprising the forty-four used by Hagenbeck last season and the forty used by Wallace. They have, however, been offering for sale a number of animals.
    The frame-up of the other big shows is about as follows: Barnum and Bailey, 72 cars; Ringlings, between 65 and 70 cars; John Robinson Show, 46 cars, and Pawnee Bill, 35 cars.

    The John Robinson Show makes its annual trip through the South next September, where it is particularly strong. So popular has it been in that locality for many years that when they clashed with Barnum & Bailey one season, Robinson's had all the best of it.

    "Young Bob" Stickney, hurdle rider, and son of "Old Bob" Stickney, and for the past two seasons equestrian director with the Wallace Show, has signed with Barnum & Bailey for the summer. His wife, Josie DeMott, who does the high school act, will also be with the same organization.

    Franz Reed, a member of the former circus team of the Reed Brothers, who has been running a winter circus in the South, returned last week and has started to mobilize a new show which he will take out for the coming regular season.

    The Norris & Rowe Circus, which has been wintering in California, is due to start upon its regular summer season at Santa Cruz, March 10. Since the close of last season an interest in the organization has been sold. The show will tour during the summer in the Pacific slope territory.

    Wilkes Lloyd, the equestrian rider, has been booked by Harry Allen for the Pubillone circus playing Mexico. His wife will presently leave this country for an extensive tour of the Moss-Stoll English houses. Mrs. Lloyd was with the Barnum & Bailey show last season.

    The Bill Circus opened in Merida, Yucatan, January 20, with an entirely new company. This organization will play six weeks, to be replace Easter Sunday by the third company of the season. The company now playing the territory is made up of Mme. Schell's lions, the Zaretzky Troupe of Russian dancers, the Albos, aerial bar act; Lavelle's dogs, the Matzumoto Japanese Troupe and the Three Alabullah Brothers.

    Fred. Hutchinson, manager of the Buffalo Bill show and nephew of Mrs. James A. Bailey, left last week for a short vacation at his home in Parkersburg, Va.

    H. H. Tammen, co-proprietor of the Denver "Post" and treasurer of the Sells-Floto shows, is just now in the throes of an inquisition. It developed in a law suit now being conducted against him that Tammen rented from the Rocky Mountain Paper Company in his individual name, a piece of property which he used as a sort of Winter quarters for his circus. Stored in the place was a quantity of paper belonging to the company and in the suit it is endeavored to show that Tammen annexed some $132,000 worth of this paper for use in the circulation department of his daily.

    Johnny Baker, "champion rifle shot of the world," arrived in New York last week from Cody, Wyoming. Baker, who in addition to his shooting specialty is the equestrian director with the Buffalo Bill show, has been in the West purchasing Indian ponies for the coming summer's tour.

    The Rowland Troupe, tally-ho tumblers, last season with Barnum and Bailey, and now playing at the Hippodrome, have been engaged for the Hagenbeck-Wallace show the coming Summer.

    The Flying Jordans, who conduct a tent show of their own in South America, Panama and the little islands in that vicinity every Winter, have signed with the Ringlings for the coming Summer.

    I. M. Southern has signed contracts under which he will control the program privilege for the coming season with the Pawnee Bill, Hagenbeck-Wallace and John Robinson shows.

    Ed Cullen, last year assistant manager with Hagenbeck and year before manager of the organization, has signed with the John Robinson Show as assistant manager for the coming season.

    Through the kindness of the Ringlings, the Dunedia troupe of cyclists has been permitted to accept other engagements.

Variety, March 2, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A very serious complication has arisen in the plans of the Wallace-Hagenbeck consolidation that may compel a renaming of the organization. Under the contract permitting his name to be used in connection with an animal exhibition Carl Hagenbeck never sanctioned its use for circus purposes and will take immediate steps to prevent what he regards as an unauthorized and unwarranted liberty. This action on the part of Hagenbeck is undoubtedly caused by the objection of the big circuses who have dealt with him for years, paying him millions of dollars for wild animals. They regard the use of the Hagenbeck name in connection with a circus as an invasion of their sacred precincts.

    John Ringling arrived in town on Tuesday to arrange some railroad contracts, and left Thursday morning for Boston, for a similar purpose. He is due to return to New York today. Pressed as to the truth of a rumor that he had entered into an agreement with the Barnum and Bailey people as to a division of territory, Mr. Ringling said he preferred to say nothing on the subject.
    From another source, however, it is claimed that Barnum and Bailey, Buffalo Bill, the Ringling show and Pawnee Bill will be in the East at about the same time.
    Incidentally it is understood that wherever a clash of dates arises the first three will work together in harmony against Pawnee Bill, whom they regard as an "outsider." The Barnum and Bailey clique are particularly desirous of "doing" Major Lillie in order to squeeze Eddie Arlington. In later years Arlington was very close to James A. Bailey. With the death of Mr. Bailey Arlington was immediately placed outside the breastworks.

    The Pawnee Bill Show opens its Southern season in Nashville early in September.

    While abroad John Robinson, Jr., purchased a number of animals for the Robinson Circus, among them a female hippopotamus, the most expensive animal in captivity.

    "Slivers" Oakley, who made one of the biggest hits ever known in London, at the Hippodrome, with his football pantomime, sails shortly for America, to join the Barnum and Bailey Show.

    Fred Zobedie, the Four Nevarros and the Eight Cornallas are three of the acts engaged for the Forepaugh-Sells Show for the coming season, which opens about April 10 at Columubus, Ohio.

    According to present plans the Wallace-Hagenbeck show won't come any farther East this Summer than Williamsport. In their efforts to secure Decoration Day in Altoona they discovered that the Barnum show goes into that town ahead of that date and are preparing for a bill-posting war there.

    Jno. G. Robinson, Jr., arrived from Europe on the Kiaserin Augusta Victoria on Tuesday, and left for Cincinnati on Wednesday. Sol. Stephen, his companion on the voyage, stopped over in Philadelphia to visit the Zoo there for a couple of days and then followed Robinson on the Western trail.

    By an agreement between Colonel Frederick T. Cummins and the Cummins Wild West Exhibition Company, for which the latter, through action of Cummins, a receiver was appointed last week, the receiver was discharged February 22 at Ashtabula, O., and the custody of the company's property turned over to Walter L. Main, the principal stockholder, who is to see all debts liquidated.

    One of the reasons for the alleged enimity of the Barnum and Bailey folks for Pawnee Bill, outside the ordinary similarity of the attraction to their Buffalo Bill organization, is the announcement that Pawnee Bill has entered into an agreement with Arthur Voegtlin, owner of the copyright to the title "The Great Train Robbery," by which he is given the exclusive use of the name for open air attractions.

    There has been a change of plans of the Barnum and Bailey directorate with regard to the double somersaulting automobile. The novelty was controlled by Ben Thompson, late of the Wallace management, but was never absolutely perfected. Thompson financed the idea and after killing one man and burning up a lot of money, Thompson remarked to a friend that he wished he had never seen the thing.
    Barnum and Bailey have, however, imported from France a mechanical device that permits an auto to leap through space in a manner calculted to thrill the most jaded spectator.

    "Uncle John" Rivers, the veteran circus clown, is dead in San Antonio, Tex., after 40 years of life as a circus performer. "Uncle John" came to this country in '56 from London, England, and was said to be the dean of the circus fun-makers in point of service and age. He was eighty years old at the time of his death, and served his apprenticeship with the traveling organizations in the time when trooping under canvas was a good deal rougher life than it is now. He retired to San Antonio several years ago and was self-supporting as long as his health remained. In his last illness the old man was cared for by local artists and friends.

Variety, March 9, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    By a court order the receiver in charge of the assets of the Cummins Wild West Exhibition has been discharged, and Walter L. Main, the present proprietor of that show, has assumed the liabilities of the concern, including certain claims of Col. Frederick T. Cummins and the Indians who travelled with the organization last season. Both sides agreed upon these terms. Judge Roberts handed down the decision. Under this arrangement the claims, mostly notes of the Cummins company, will be taken up by other notes, endorsed and guaranteed by Walter L. Main, to whom all the assets of the company are turned over.

    Barnum & Bailey will take possession of the Garden next Thursday and immediately set to work to make preparatoins for the opening a week later. On Saturday three train loads of caged animals, etc., will arrive from Bridgeport. By the time they arrive all the stalls, aerial rigging and hippodrome track will have been installed, giving three or four days for individual rehearsals.

    George Aiken, general agent for the John Robinson circus, was in town for a few days this week, arranging to send the show through New England. He spent one day in Boston perfecting arrangements and endeavoring to locate some of the dates of the other tent shows that are routed in the East. Aiken still stops at the old Astor House when he comes to town. Upper Broadway is too gay for him.

    Sol Stephan, who represents Carl Hagenbeck in the sale of animals in America, has reported to his principal that the use of the Hagenbeck name in connection with circus property was ruining his business here.

    A number of acts have declined engagements with the Sells-Floto show, owing to the refusal of the circus people to pay any part of the transportation to Venice, Cal. They never did pay transportation, but when the opening date was in Denver most of the artists were willing to pay their own fares that far. With the show moved to the Pacific slope, however, they have balked. It opens at Venice, April 6.

    Franz Reid, who has operated a two-ring wagon show through the South during the winter season, has sold out his property to the Hargreaves Circus. The Reid organization will be added to the Hargreaves outfit and Mr. Reid will accept an executive position with the new concern. He returned from his Southern tour only a week or two ago and the change of ownership was completed last week. Reid had already made arrangements to take the show out for a summer season. This would have been his first summer tour.

    Dewar, the dog trainer, who recently came here from Mexico, sailed this week for London. Dewar received word from the other side that the embargo upon the importation of dogs into the British Isles had been raised. Formerly all canines were held for a six months' quarantine, which practically made the country impossible for animal acts of this sort. The bill which changes this regulation passed two weeks ago.

    Edward Arlington is desirous of disposing of his interest in the Frank A. Robbins Show in order that he may devote his entire time to the preparations for the coming season of Pawnee Bill.

    The Five Cliftons, European equilibrists, have been booked for the Hippodrome beginning April 1, through the Marinelli agency. The Schrank-Margelli troupe of five acrobats is booked for the same time and place. The newly imported Hassan Ben Ali troupe of 24 Arabs opened at the Hippodrome Monday, replacing The Rowlands.

    Charles Cory, general agent of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, will arrive in New York March 14, when he will close his booking arrangements. The circus is already practically booked up, but a few more attractions may be used. Cory comes on principally to see the Barnum & Bailey opening at Madison Square Garden.

    The Kaufman troupe of bicyclists has been reinforced by the importation of a new foreign "girl act" which increases the roll call of the organization. The augmented act will travel under canvas this summer with the Ringling Circus, giving two specialties.

    The Palm Garden of the Hotel Sturtevant on West Thirty-fifth street has been engaged by Barnum and Bailey for their bill room for this season's engagement in the metropolis.

Variety, March 16, 1907, pp. 7, 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Next Thursday is the opening night of the Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Garden and many new offerings are announced. Among the arenic features are Captain Karl Howelsen, a Norwegian ski-jumper; the Novellos, an imported company of acrobats, who do their feats in conjunction with animals; "The Dip of Death," the Boller Brothers, bicycle sensationalists; the Siergrist-Solbor troupe of aerialists; Carmen troupe of high wire performers; the Castrillion and Grunatho acrobatic troupes; Steve's aerial tremplin with seven high-air gymnasts; Josie DeMott, the only woman somersault rider, and a score of other equestrians; forty clowns, headed by "Slivers" Oakley, Denny Ryan, Spader Johnson, the Kennard Brothers; the riding Rooneys; Winton's Seals introducing a sea lion riding a horse, the war elephants, Rhoda Royal and his high school horses; Manuel Herzog and his horses; Kitamura's Japanese and other acts.

    Some kind of deal has been made between Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings as to the disposition of the routes of their respective attractions. John Ringling makes his headquarters at the Bailey building when in New York and from this alone it may be inferred that the tomahawk has been buried. It is further stated that Barnum & Bailey will not play in Brooklyn this summer and that Ringlings' show will go there thirty days after the Buffalo Bill outfit. If this be so, it is safe to say that the Ringlings will engaged a number of extra features for that occasion just to show the Brooklynites the kind of a tent show that has been kept out of that bailiwick for so many years.

    Johnny Carroll has left Norris & Rowe to resume his old position as equestrian direct. The Sells-Floto show opens at Los Angeles April 6 adn will play the coast until July when it comes East.

    There is a notable absence of activity in booking by the agents of the various circuses and report has it that all the shows are booked up. Charles Cory, of the Wallace-Hagenbeck combination, has declared that his date books are filled to overflowing and the same is said to be true of Robinson's circus, Barnum & Bailey, the Ringling show and the Sells-Floto organization. Charles L. Sasse, booking for several of these concerns, last week forwarded transportation for a number of German acts due to sail for this side presently.

    The Bell circus is now on its way to Mexico City, having played Vera Cruz and several of the towns leading to the capital. They left Merida Feb. 1 after a five weeks' stay in the bull ring. They played to 15,000 at the opening and Dick Bell is said to have "cleaned up" in the neighborhood of $30,000 on the stand.

    B. E. Wallace, who was quite ill last week, has sufficiently recovered to be about again.

    Edgar Temple, stage manager at the Hippodrome, has been engaged to put on "The Train Robbery" for the Buffalo Bill Show the coming season.

    Fred. Walters, the "blue man," will be one of the new attractions in the curio hall at the Garden when the "greatest show on earth" opens on the 21st. Another freak will be Libbera, who has a peculiar growth like the former Laloo. Libbera arrived in New York this week. He was born in Buenos Ayres, but has been recently appearing at Turin, Italy. Geo. H. Huber, the museum man, was after him at one time.

    Lee Williams will represent the Tate-Havlin interest in the Wallace-Hagenbeck show this Summer.

    James J. Brady, Charles A. White, Thomas Namack and Guy F. Steeley will comprise the press department for the Ringling Brothers Show the coming season.

    The Norris & Rowe circus opens at Vera Cruz March 20. They are paying transportation to the first stand. The organization will play the season out along the Pacific slope, confining their operations to the coast towns.

    Some wonder is expressed as to just how much combining there is going to be in the amalgamation of the Hagenbeck and Wallace shows. That the full equipment of both organizations will go to make up the new concern is not considered. Together the shows carried upward of 200 canvas men last year and used 110 cars. Were the entire shows combined the result would be an organization so unwieldy as to be impossible to move. Just where the cutting down is going to come is a matter of considerable interest.

    Colonel Cody arrived on Monday from his ranch in Wyoming and is preparing his show for presentment at the Garden, to follow Barnum & Bailey.

    The frame-up of the Barnum & Bailey organization is probably larger than ever before in its history. Last season 1,026 people were fed daily on the lot and the number this year is at least as big. This year when they go en tour the show will carry eighty-six cars and four advance cars.

    The Sells-Floto Circus opens early in April at Columbus, O.

    There is no record of the suit to be instituted by Carl Hagenbeck to restrain the new Wallace-Hagenbeck allied shows from using his name in connection with a circus, nor is there likely to be until the show opens, when an injunction will probably be asked for.

    The lawyers for Barnum & Bailey have notified Ringling Brothers that they will be enjoined should they attempt to use the leaping automobile with their circus, claiming it as an infringement on the Auto-Bolide patents which they contro. Another act controlled by Edward Arlington along the same lines is also claimed to be an infringement and is to be similarly treated.

Variety, March 23, 1907, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Circus people in town this week were amazed to learn that the Barnum & Bailey circus proposes to jump from New York to Reading, Pa., April 20, at the close of the engagement here. This eliminates the week in Brooklyn, and the week of short stands into Philadelphia, including Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, New Brunswick, etc., which has been considered one of the most profitable in the season with good weather. This is the first time the show has passed up this time time, and there is a good deal of wonderment as to its significance. The wiseacres figure it out two ways. One explanation is that this arrangement is a detail of a compromise agreement with the Ringling show which will be given this rich time undisturbed by opposition in payment for some unknown concession on its part obviating the necessity of an expensive billing and advertising fight. Those who figure it out this way are not altogether satisfied with their own conclusions. The Barnum & Bailey people have not been in the habit of compromising their fights and circus folk refuse to believe that they are about to begin. Another view of the situation is that the routing of the circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West is a skillful lining up of forces with which to carry on an energetic war against the Ringlings. The Cody Show, a Barnum & Bailey property, follows the circus into New York immediately upon its closing here and goes into Philadelphia by way of the New Jersey towns. The Wild West, which comes fresh and new from its travels abroad, will stay East, while the Barnum & Bailey outfit will jump West to grab the best of time there early. In that way it is prophesied Barnum & Bailey properties will flank Ringling on both sides ready to join issue in a fight should the necessity at any time arise.

    On last Wednesday evening at the Madison Square Garden was given the full dress rehearsal of the Barnum & Bailey show, which opened to the public Thursday matinee, although the night was considered the "opening." At the rehearsal, starting at 7 p.m., everything moved along like clockwork. The "Dip of Death," the closing feature, was over at 9:35. Last Saturday, the circus folk and paraphernalia commenced to roll into the Garden. During the week the old-timers remarked that while they missed the presence of the late James A. Bailey, former head of the organization, the systematic management by Charles Hutchinson carried things along as well as ever. As a matter of fact, although Mr. Hutchinson nominally occupied the position of treasurer during the latter years of Mr. Bailey's life, Hutchinson was practically the manager of the circus, and its success or failure in a large measure depended upon him. Mr. Hutchinson has a large circle of staunch friends who are "rooting" for a successful season in his first year of acknowledged managership.

    James DeWolfe, for many years connected with the big circus attractions, and last season with the Hagenbeck show, will be the contracting press agent with Barnum & Bailey this summer.

    On Thursday next, March 28, at the matinee, will be given the 1,000th performance at the New York Hippodrome of Power's elephants.

    Carl Hagenbeck has received a shipment of four African elephants - the first in twenty-two years. Previous to that time African elephants were more common than either the Indian or Asiatic specimens, but so scarce are they now that there are but one or two specimens in America.

    Harry Earl will have charge of the press department for the Wallace-Hagenbeck show this Summer.

    The understanding among New York circus men is that William Sells, of the Sells-Floto show, has not severed his connection with that enterprise altogether but will travel ahead making railroad contracts and attending to the billing campaign, while H. H. Tammen remains with the show as general manager.

    Among the clowns with the laughter department of the Barnum & Bailey circus are Frank (Slivers) Oakely, Johnson, Borella, Ryan, Sorella, Jenkins, Forresto, Kennard, Wertz, Bennett, the Three Jeromes, Roberts, Miaco and Miaco, Bell, the Three Marvelles and Brown.

    There will arrive today from Europe bound for a season's engagement with the Ringling show, the Mirza-Golem Troupe and Floretta Grigolatti's flying ballet. Just how the Ringlings can make use of a flying ballet under canvas is not known to the uninitiated, but it may be safely presumed that John Ringling, who made the contract through H. B. Marinelli in Paris, has the solution.

    Major Gordon W. Lillie (Pawnee Bill) came to town Wednesday morning and departed the same night for the West. His general manager, Edward Arlington, has taken offices in the Knickerbocker Theatre Building and is hard at it preparing for the coming season. Pressed as to whether he looked for a fight with the opposition, Major Lillie remarked that it couldn't be any worse than some of the things he encountered in Europe. In Antwerp, for instance, they "showed" on a lot facing a block of two-story buildings, the owners of which erected a huge grandstand on their roofs and sold seats commanding a perfect view of the entertainment for one-third the prices charged at the legitimate box office. When the organization left town their stuff was hauled to the cars under contract. All of it came along with the exception of the final load, which was traced to the stable of the truckman who contracted for the haul. It had not been removed from the wagon and when pressed for haste, the circus people were informed that on receipt of twice the price agreed upon for the haul, their property might be recovered. On still another occasion they showed on an island that had to be reached over a short bridge, the owner of which graciously consented to its use without compensation. But when they attempted to return a toll of sixty dollars was exacted.

    Besides omitting the visit to Brooklyn this season, Barnum and Bailey will not play Jersey City. They have, however, billed that city for the metropolis engagement, and advertised the fact that those of the natives who desire to see the circus this year must come to New York.

    Gil Robinson was an interested spectator on the opening of the big show at the Garden on Thursday night and laughlingly remarked that he guessed the directors must regard him as a back number inasmuch as the box placed at his disposal was "twenty-three." "Pop Gil" hasn't missed a Barnum and Bailey premiere in New York for the past thirty years - though the show didn't always bear its present name.

    Tony Transfield, a son of T. G. Transfield, the English circus proprietor, arrived in this country Saturday. He will travel this summer in an equestrian act with the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit.

    Among the features which have been booked for the Ringling show the coming tour are the Marnella-Marnits, Patty Brothers, Herzog, Cameron Troupe, equilibrists; the Clarkonians, riders and gymansts; the Jordans, wire and aerial; Three Livingstons, comedy bar; the somersaulting automobile and the Bedinis (4).

    There is a prospect of the Wallace-Hagenbeck circus becoming involved in the expected circus war in the East. The general understanding is that the combined outfit will open in Peru, Ind., where it has been wintering, April 30, working East to play some time in this territory, which is expected to be the zone of hostility between Buffalo Bill and the Ringlings.

    The Karolys, an equestrian troupe, playing the Hippodrome, threaten to sue Messrs. Tate and Havlin of Hagenbeck circus to recover for a season's contract with that show for the coming summer, which was cancelled. On the other hand the Hagenbeck people declare that they have a claim against the Karolys sufficient to offset their demand and threaten, if necessary, to seize the troupe's horses. Another suit in which the Karolys may become involved is in the matter of the payment of commisssions to Charles L. Sasse, the circus agent. Sasse says that he brought the Karolys over here under an exclusive contract, covering the term of their appearance in this country. He alleges that they signed with Hagenbeck without regarding this instrument and paid him no commission either on this engagement or at the Hippodrome, and for a summer appearance at Luna Park, which he says he has reason to believe they have contracted for. The matter is in the hands of Sasse's lawyer, Charles L. Brown, of No. 280 Broadway.

    The Dick Bell show in Mexico City closes tonight for a week in deference to the religious beliefs in the Latin country which oppose amusements during Holy Week. The acts which have made up the show since the beginning of the year close tonight and a new company opens Easter Sunday. They will remain in Mexico City two weeks and then go on tour. It is said that a distinctly lower scale of wages prevails under the management of Dick Bell than under the Orrin Brothers, who controlled the property up to last spring. Bell will run the tour through the summer this season, and his representative in New York this week signed 30 weeks with artists. This argues a continuous tour until nearly Christmas.

    The Jordans, the casting act which backed a circus tour through the West Indies since the beginning of the year, arrived home Monday. They touched the Barbados and the neighboring islands and report good business throughout the trip, in which they played in theatres and under canvas as occasion required. The Jordans go with the Ringling show this summer, but declare they will tour the islands again next winter. With this plan in view they left their tents and equipment behind.

    The "Great Fashion Plate Shows" will open its season on April 27. It is now in winter quarters at Geneva, O. This circus was formerly Walter L. Main's and after the destruction of the Main quarters by fire last year, the North Central Amusement Company was organized, and took over the Main show. Chas. Ettinger, a jeweler, in Cleveland, O., is president of the corporation, and other Cleveland business men are directors. Mr. Ettinger has never had any experience with traveling troupes, circuses in particular, and the investment is more in the nature of a speculation. The staff is W. F. Ferguson, general agent; Darwin C. Hawn, general superintendent; A. D. Moreland, superintendent privileges; O. W. Doud, "secretary with show and superintendent of parade;" Morris Goren, superintendent refreshment stands; Howard Damon, superintendent camp; Frank Howard, superintendent canvas; Eugene Woodward, superintendent mechanics, and it is understood that W. W. Power, of Power's elephants, will have charge of the railroad contracts. The circus will carry eighteen cars, with two cars ahead.

    According to the testimony of one who claims to have seen the railroad contracts, the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit will be cut to 42 cars the coming season. The shows separately figure among the profession as being worth about $4,000 a day gross. As a joint organization they should be worth something in excess of that and the equipment has been pared down to a point where the balance sheet should not show a deficit on the season.
    Francis Reed, who recently sold out his circus to Hargreaves' show, has been engaged to travel with the organization as equestrian director and manager. The season opens April 20 at Chester, Pa., where the outfit winters.

Variety, October 15, 1907, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    When the Ringlings take to "the road" they will carry eighty-three cars, which is eight more than will be used by Barnum and Bailey.

    No claims for record-breaking business are being made for the Barnum-Bailey circus thus far this year, but the takings up to now are better than last spring.

    The John Robinson Circus opens it season in Cincinnati April 25, and Barnum and Bailey are scheduled to show there May 12. There is a possibility, if not a likelihood, of a clash in the billing. The two shows are but a few days apart.

    Burch and Reiss, the carnival promoters, have organized a pony and dog circus which will go out the coming season under the firm's name and management. It opens in Seattle, Wash., May 6. A number of circus acts are being booked for the show by Charles L. Sasse. It will play 30 weeks in the far West.

    The Frank A. Robbins circus (18 cars) which has been in winter quarters near Newark, N. J., has been burnished up and is now ready to take the road. Frank A. Robbins, as usual, will be the general manager and chief executive of the outfit. Jack Cousins will be equestrian director.

    Mrs. Horace Baggs fell twenty-five feet at Fulton, N. Y., last week, and was badly bruised and shocked, the fall leaving her in a semi-paralyzed condition. Mrs. Baggs was to have joined the Ringling show with her husband, who is an acrobat. The couple were practicing in their home "gym" when the accident happened.

    Carlos' dogs will travel with the Ringling show this season.

    After the Ringling Bros.' circus, which opens its season at the Chicago Coliseum April 4, concludes its engagement in the Windy City, it will come direct East, coverning very much the same territory as that of the Buffalo Bill show, but not playing the same towns. The routes of the two shows have been so laid out that they will alternate all through New England without clashing.

    A large company of circus performers left town Wednesday of this week to join the Ringling show in Chicago. The Borsinis (4) arrived from Havana Tuesday and left the following day. The Alvarezers, aerialists, arrived from Germany, and Horton and Linder, comedy bar gymnasts, arrived from London. The last two make their first American appearance this season.

    At the premiere of the Barnum & Bailey show at the Garden last week "Slivers" Oakley, the chief clown, "walked off" in the middle of the performance. Questioned regarding this proceeding Slivers said: "I attempted to do some quiet pantomime work several times, but on each occasion attention was diverted from my efforts by the passing of a number of other clowns with slapstick comedy. This, of course, rendered my efforts void and there was nothing left for me to do but retire. I explained my position to the management and they saw the reasonableness of my attitude. Matter were immediately adjusted and I am now working at every performance in perfect harmony with the others."

    The Buffalo Bill show opens at Madison Square Garden on April 23. It is about four years since it played around here, having traveled over pretty much of Europe in that interval. Several new features are prepared for this season's showing. One is an animal act, with "high school" bronchos. It is said that it is the first time a broncho will be seen giving a public exhibiton of this character. Ray Thompson trained the Western horses during the winter, and will put them through their paces with the show. "The Battle of Summitt Springs" is also new. This will be a mock war between Indians and whites. In "The Train Holdup," another feature, nearly the entire company will take part.

    Harry Allen's office in 28th street on Monday morning looked like the stage at a chorus rehearsal. A score of more girls appeared in answer to an advertisement in the morning papers for a rider of the somersaulting automobile that is to be the feature of the Ringling show. It was a mixed company. Two of the applicants were dressmakers, three were stenographers. One girl, who presided at the shirtwaist counter of a local department store, said she knew she could hold down the job because she never got sick on the scenic railway or the "loop the loop" at Coney Island. Two experienced circus performers were cit out of the herd and selected to fill the auto seat. The apparatus and riders were started on Wednesday to Chicago, the show's opening stand.

Variety, April 6, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    John Havlin, of Stair & Havlin, and the largest individual stockholder in the corporation owning the Wallace-Hagenbeck Combined Shows, arrived in the city on Wednesday, and will remain here until about the middle of next week. Mr. Havlin was seen by a Variety representative and asked regarding the Wallace-Hagenbeck's plans for the coming season. Mr. Havlin said: "The circus opens at Peru, Ind., on April 27, and will work East. I do not know the route, as Mr. B. F. Wallace has entire charge of the show."
    The inability of either Mr. Havlin or Frank Tate, who is also interested, to give his personal attention to the Hagenbeck Circus last season is attributed by Mr. Havlin as the principal reason why a consolidation was affected with the Wallace Circus. "Circus business is peculiar," remarked Mr. Havlin. "Some one directly interested should be in charge, and it was impossible for either Mr. Tate or myself to do so, as much as I would have liked the position."
    Mr. Havlin stated emphatically that all reports regarding any alleged financial losses by the Hagenbeck organization last season were untrue, and he asked that it be strongly denied that Carl Hagenbeck contemplated any legal proceedings to restrain the use of the Hagenbeck name in connection with the present Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, or that any controversy with the animal dealer and his American partners had arisen thereby. "That statement was ridiculous," said Mr. Havlin, "and given out to injure our show. We have an agreement with Mr. Hagenbeck in perpetuity, covering the entire Western Hemisphere, allowing the use of his name for show purposes, and Mr. Hagenbeck holds an interest in the present corporation. We first organized under the laws of Missouri; afterward reincorporated under the Ohio laws, and at all times Hagenbeck has held an interest. There is no possibility of any legal question arising regarding the Hagenbeck name or title; our right to it is absolute, in law and otherwise."
    Another error which has crept into print, added Mr. Havlin, was the number of cars Wallace-Hagenbeck would travel with this season. Sixty-two or three is correct, according to Mr. Havlin. The main tent will be a 165-foot round top, with three 50s and two 40s. The menagerie will be a 100-foot round top, with five 40s.
    Mr. Havlin was not certain whether the circus would travel South in the fall or not. He made a statement, not for publication, which clearly indicated his faith in and fondness for the circus business. Mr. Havlin also said, by way of comment on some of last season's reports, that his show went into winter quarters with exactly the same "bosses" it started out with, excepting "Scotty," the boss hostler, who died.

    Bright and early Monday following the review of the Barnum & Bailey circus in Variety last Saturday, came a message from the circus people to discontinue the Barnum-Bailey advertisement. The conclusion was reached that the review had not pleased the Barnum-Bailey management. Variety doesn't know positively, and Variety doesn't care, but it is a matter of news that the "Big Show," "Greatest on Earth," with three rings, two platforms, seventy-five acts and a new set of canvas each year, has not grown in size sufficiently since the death of the James A. Bailey to accept a criticism from a paper it advertises in unless the article says that the Barnum-Bailey circus this year is a "great" show - which it is not. Variety doesn't pretend to say that the Barnum-Bailey circus advertised to secure a "good notice." What Variety may say will not affect the gate receipts, but when Barnum & Bailey believe they have "bought" the paper through the advertising columns it is just as well to have dispelled that illusion.
    Rumors of a big fight in the circus world this season have bobbed up blightsomely from time to time and been smothered by stories of compromise between Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings. Another peace rumor is to the fore just now. It was born when several agents learned that John Ringling was in the city last week. They wanted to see the circus man, and in telephoning to his friends for his address learned that that information could be secured from the Barnum & Bailey headquarters. Mr. Ringling was in town a few days only, but in that time was in evidence aroung the B.-B. offices. The understanding of the compromise was made a practical certaintly by the announcement that the Ringling show is to play Brooklyn following the engagement there of the Buffalo Bill outfit. The routing of these two shows for the coming season gives further evidence that they are operating under a working agreement. Both shows play New England at the same time alternating in different cities in such manner to avoid conflict.

    The entire draft stock of the Hagenbeck and Wallace street parade will be entirely of dapple-gray horses. B. E. Wallace personally selected the stock.

    Prof. Dewar, the dog trainer, returned from London this week, and the nature of his mission across the sea, which had been fraught with more or less mystery, was disclosed. For as he stepped from the steamer Mrs. Dewar clung to his arm. The bride is a circus performer of some note, having been a member of the Onri Family.

    The Three Alvas returned from the Circo Bell, in Mexico this week, and will finish the season with park dates. On the day of their arrival Barney Gallagher and Prof. Burton, the dog trainer, sailed for Mexico to play thirty weeks with the Dick Bell outfit.

    The Department of Publicity of the Carl Hagenbeck and Great Wallace Shows is in charge of W. E. Franklin.

    Alf Miaco, one of the principal clowns with the Ringling Brothers' show this season is the oldest engaged actively in the ring. Mr. Miaco is father of Steve, at present a principal funmaker in the Barnum-Bailey aggregation. "Miaco" has been a standard circus name for years. There was a "Tom Miaco" years ago, who was a clown, and lived in Cortland N. Y. The history of the Miacos in the show business if compiled would fill a large volume. Everyone up 'York State believes Tom to have been the original clown of that name.

    Les Rowlandes, a foreign horse act, will be with the Carl Hagenbeck and Great Wallace Shows this season.

    One of the people who mourns the decision of W. W. Cole to return to the old-fashioned idea of a circus and the elimination of spectacles is Bolossy Kiralfy, whose productions during the past few years with the Barnum & Bailey show yield him about $5,000 for a few weeks labor each spring.

    The John Robinson Shows open in Cincinnati April 23d, on a lot opposite Eden Park. John Robinson, who recently returned from Europe, contracted with the Kratzen Sisters, aerial teeth whirling; the Duttons, equestrian act; the Tossing Lavelloes (6), acrobatics, and the Holloway Troupe (6), equestrian act. Mr. Robinson also contracted with J. W. King, of Ranch 101, for a Wild West Show and he brings with him six of the best cowboys in the Western country, as well as three cowgirls, and many head of horses. There are also a cavalry company, Indians and 14 bucking horses. Rehearsals are now going on and in two weeks' time the show will be in good working order.

    The trained wild beast exhibition with Hagenbeck and Wallace shows will be augmented with five brand new feature tricks this season.

    Josephine Abshire, a bareback rider, formerly with Barnum & Bailey's, appealed to the Overseer of the Poor in Covington, Ky., for aid. She said her mother was ill with dropsy, and that her father, Henry Abshire had been killed in a railroad accident some months ago.

    The Novellos, giving their combination animal act at Madison Square Garden, with the Barnum-Bailey circus, are under contract with the former Keith Booking Office, now merged into the United Booking Offices, for a term after their present contract with the circus expires. The Keith agreement calls for a certain number of weeks at a salary of $650 weekly, which does not include transportation. With the Novellos this is an important item, amounting to probably not less than $125 for an ordinary "jump." H. H. Feiber, the United foreign agent, booked the act some time ago, and the United now claims it is playing with the circus through courtesy only. The contract with the Barnum-Bailey show calls for a "season's" engagement, and it is claimed that the circus people may determine when the "season" shall end. A contest is apt to develop for possession of The Novellos, as they are much in demand for vaudeville. All the members of the troupe belong to one family.

    W. N. Merricks the well-known band master, will be the musical director of the Carl Hagenbeck and Great Wallace Shows this summer.

    The Cottrell-Powell act has been booked to play "Luna Park" this coming summer. Mr. Cottrell has permission to play other dates during the engagement, returning to the Coney Island Park upon completing outside bookings. The act returned this week from Washington Court House, O., where it took part for three days in a horse show. The newspapers of the city pronounced it "marvelous" in their reviews. The transportation for the act both ways was $480.

    Marguerit Powell is appearing in a single riding act, using a horse and pony.

    The Van Amburg show, which has been wintering in Texas, is due to open in that state today.

Variety, April 13, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Managers of the smaller shows are much interested in an experiment the past winter by Oscar Lowande, owner of a small circus, by which the latter paid all his wintering costs and in addition laid away a neat profit. Lowande has winter quarters at Reading, Mass., a suburb of Boston, where he makes his home. Last fall he put up a permanent theatre seating 750 and billed the surrounding towns for tri-weekly performances. Within a ten mile radius the cold weather circus drew from a population of 60,000 and from the outset the venture was a success, some weeks showing a net profit of $500. This besides keeping his regular people employed at regular salaries and holding the stock in training. As a further experiment the plan of playing a regular circuit of theatres was tried, the Julius Cahn houses in New England being used. With a circut of four theatres, the show worked nearly a month late in the spring. It is declared that box office receipts and the expense account just balances. Ten acts made up the traveling show.

    More than one hundred circuses start from Chicago every year, and only a few are heard of. The small shows invariably cover the territory of railroad maps, spreading their tents wherever good fortune leads them in the "wild-catting."

    Rhoda Royal with her troupe of trained horses retires from the Barnum & Bailey circus at the end of its New York engagement, having been engaged to finishe the season with the Wallace-Hagenbeck show. Bell and Henry who were to have remained for a short time have been prevailed upon to stay for the whole season. The Meers Sisters have changed from their carriage act to a straight jockey turn.

    Warren Lincoln Travis and Maximus the stron gmen were to have engaged in a competitive test at the Garden Tuesday of this week. Several other strong men had announced their intention of entering the tournament, but at the last minute the two mentioned were the only ones who appeared, and Maximus did not give his exhibition. Travis has been engaged to tour with the Barnum & Bailey show.

    Ed. E. Daley, the press agent, for several seasons with the Gentry Shows and who is now located in the same capacity at the Park Theatre and Grand Opera House, Indianapolis, may be connected with the publicity bureau of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show the coming summer.

    A careful inventory of the tent shows to be launched this Summer reveals the following: Barnum & Bailey, Ringling Bros., Buffalo Bill, Wallace-Hagenbeck, Sells-Forepaugh, John Robinson, Sells-Floto, Cole Bros., Pawnee Bill's Wild West, Norris & Rowe, Frank A. Robbins, Sun Bros., Bonheur Bros., Kemp Sisters' Wild West, Silver Family Shows, Smith's Colossal Shows, Freed & Perrine, Lucky Bill's Show, American Pavilion Show, Buck's Uncle Tom's Cabin Co., Spark's Shows, Thos. Hargreaves Circus, Gentry's Famous Shows, the Original Gentry Shows, Great American Hippodrome, Great Fashion Plate Show, the Van Amburg Show, Gollmar Bros., Campbell Bros., Welsh Bros., Lemon Bros., the Pan American Show, Millie E. Bailey, and M. L. Clark.

    Barnum & Bailey's show ends its engagement at the Garden April 20, jumping from there direct to Reading, Pa., for the following Monday and Tuesday. The route for the remainder of the week is Norristown, Lancaster, York and Harrisburg, one day each, after which it goes to Philadelphia for one week.

    There will be two Gentry shows on the road this Summer, the new one starting out from Bloomington, Ind., the home town of the Gentrys. The original Gentry Shows is under the management of Ike Speer, while the second will be called "Gentry's Famous Shows" and will be under the direction of J. B. Austin, who was formerly in the Gentry employ.

    The Didd Duo, bicycle act, playing until lately with the Circo Bell in Mexico has bought in a share of the Papino Circus, playing that country and joined it. The show carries 26 acts and with its opposition, the Trevino show, divides the country with Dick Bell. Newell and Shevett with Mlle. Richards who have been with the Trevino outfit arrived in the city this week. They will lay off here five weeks and return to the same circus, with which they have been working a year.

    Chas. H. Thompson, the well known adjuster and circus man, has disposed of his theatre, The Palace in Montreal, Can., at a good figure to local parties. Mr. Thompson will go to Norfolk for the summer.

    The Aerial Smiths, who were to have made a European tour this year, have postponed their foreign time to commence July 1, '08 instead. A re-engagement with the Ringling show was the cause of the postponement.

Variety, April 20, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    According to a circular letter issued by the Barnum & Bailey directorate, there has been some rather coarse work in the bookkeeping department of the Big Show. When James A. Bailey died the board of directors was reorganized and following the change the accounts were turned over to Haskin & Sells, auditors, of London. They showed that in addition to a deficit of $97,000, a mistake in the report of 1906 placed the profits for last year at $106,000 instead of $9,500, the net gain. Both of these items went to decrease the surplus. In 1903, 1904 and 1905 the corporation paid dividends of 10, 6 and 7 1/2 per cent, respectively. The actual net receipts for that period were $216,000, whereas dividend payments amounted to $313,000. Hence the deficit. While the profit last season given out by the show was considered small, attributed to the disastrous closing weeks when the circus played South, encountering unfavorable weather conditions, the corrected statement that less than $10,000 was realized during the entire season will be surprising.

    There is considerable talk in London, according to reports from there, pointing to a demand for an investigation of the conducting of the auditing department of the Barnum & Bailey corporation. Commenting on the last Barnum & Bailey circular the London "Financial News" ends a long article as follows: "The position is eminently unsatisfactory and the shareholders should insist on the publication of the fullest possible particulars as to how such an extraordinary system of accounting should have been adopted and followed year after year. That they lived in a fool's paradise for the period appears to be only too certain; but that is no reason why, having discovered the fact, they should not probe as deeply as possible into the recent history of the undertaking, so as to ascertain for whose benefit they were so systematically befooled." Another item which the English stockholders seem to be in the dark about is the $150,000 paid during the year past to Mrs. James A. Bailey, and which went to shrink the profits of the corporation.

    Jay Rial is special press representative for the Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers' shows, which open at Columbus, O., April 20, under canvas.

    James J. Brady and Guy F. Steeley are the general press representatives for the Ringlings' shows. The abundance of literature circulated throughout Chicago is an evidence of their energy.

    Lancaster, Howard and Lancaster joined the Forepaugh-Sells show Monday. This makes their fifth season with the same organization.

    "Pawnee Bill's Historic Wild West and Great Far East" opened its season in Nashville, Tenn., April 17. The show has departed in many ways from the old tented show routine. Edward Arlington is the best-known of a number of new-comers to the executive staff of the organization, assuming the position of general agent. "The Great Train Robbery" is the feature. It is the spectacular drama conceived by Arthur Voegtlin, of the New York Hippodrome, and which made a successful inaugural in "Luna Park," Coney Island, New York City, last Summer. Other departments of the show are more comprehensive than Pawnee Bill has ever before attempted. The Pawnee Bill show passed the Winter in Cumberland Park, Nashville, Tenn. Its newly opened general headquarters are in the Knickerbocker Theatre Building New York City. Its season's route may extend as far West as San Francisco. W. C. Thompson is the general press representative. Mr. Thompson formerly occupied the same position with the Thompson & Dundy enterprises.

    The Kitamura Troupe of Japanese acrobats will travel with the Buffalo Bill show this season, having played their last vaudeville engagement prior to the opening.

    Albert Crandall, who was incapacitated while touring with the Ringling show last season, has entirely recovered, and has signed for the coming season with the Sells-Forepaugh show.

    Mrs. Webb, wife of Horace Webb, will not travel with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show this season for which she was engaged. It will require the summer for Mrs. Webb to recover from injuries sustained in their gymnasium at Fulton, N. Y. Mr. Webb will join the circus at its opening.

    D'Alma's Trained Animal Show opend at Corona, L. I., April 25. It remains there two days. Features with the show are a "loop-the-loop" automobile with a monkey, Lottie and her menage act, a troupe of baby elephants (including "Fargo, smallest elephant on earth"), trained dogs, Billy "the talking pony," a 37-pound pony and a high diving contest between monkey and pony. Two shows at 2 and 8 and a street parade are given.

    George O. Starr has the European continental rights to "Fighting the Flames" and is organizing an English corporation to finance the building and operation of a series of these spectacles.

    Gil Robinson leaves town today for Cincinnati, where he will be present at the opening of the John Robinson circus Monday. He will move up to Peru, Ind., in time to witness the opening of the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit there Saturday, returning to the city early the following week.

    The Ringling Brothers' circus goes to St. Louis April 29, opening at Hanlon's Park. Pawnee Bill's Wild West follows them on May 5.

    Robinson's Circus inaugurates its eighty-fourth year Monday at Cincinnati, with the following performers: the Holloways, the Hollands, the Duttons, Winnie Van, and a Parisian act of fifteen young women from the Paris Hippodrome, Mlle. Jordan, high school rider and side-saddle expert, Abe Johnson and mule, Besping and Farmer mule and carriage act, Dentola Sisters, "The Whirling Butterflies," the Tossing Lavolians, Marvelous Melville, the Davolian Brothers, Capt. J. C. King, Capt. French, Chief High Eagle, the Killian Family, the Schroder Sisters, the Leffells, casting act, the Dutonians, high wire, and Geneva Morgan Ettino.

    The big giraffe owned by Ringling Brothers died in the animal hospital at the Coliseum, Chicago, last week. The animal broke its leg and fever is said to have caused death. The remaining giraffe is nearly twenty feet tall. Business at the Coliseum is large and the engagement this year will surpass all previous ones in receipts.

    The Pubillones circus, touring Cuba, is in process of reorganization. The tent show is about to take to the wild-cat provinces away from the larger railroad lines, and is lightening itself for the siege of jungle travel. This is witnessed by the arrival in the States this week of Barlaw's elephant troupe, which has been with the show twenty-six weeks; the Three Humans and Wilkes Lloyd's horses.

    Contrary to recent reports there will be three Gentry shows instead of two. The original Gentry Shows, No. 1 and No. 2, are under the management of Ike Speer, being owned by William Savage, the Indianapolis Stock Farm owner, who also owns Cresceus, Dan Patch and Directum, three world famous harness stars. The third show will be called "Gentry's Famous Shows" being under the management of J. B. Austin and owned by J. W. Gentry, who has not been in the original Gentry firm for three years.

    The first advertising car of the Forepaugh-Sells Show, with thirty-three men under the charge of Harry B. Graham, arrived in Philadelphia last Sunday and already the show's paper is being put up on all sides of the town. Cars No. 2 and No. 3 will follow one week apart, and 56,000 sheets of paper will be used in Philadelphia, while $3,500 will be spent with the newspapers. The show opens its season at Columbus, Ohio, April 22, the new title being "The Great Adame Forepaugh and Sells Brothers Biggest Show on Earth." It is said that $200,000 has been spent in making it practically a new show. The "Fighting the Flames" spectacle will be the feature. The show plays Philadelphia week of May 6 and then plays Atlantic City for one week. Charles C. Wilson, railroad contractor, and Samuel McCracken, contracting agent, have been in Philadelphia all week.

    Tom Hargreaves' Circus, now in winter quarters at Chester, Pa., opens the season at Chester today.

    Walter L. Main's Show opens its season April 27, at Geneva.

    Andy Mackay's "Big European Circus" will play around and in the vicinity of Chicago for two months commencing this week. Hugh Coyle, the manager of the show, will donate forty per cent of the gross receipts toward the establishment and maintenance of a fund to be known as "Chicago's Permanent Dependent Children's Fund." Its purpose is to furnish amusement to the charity children of Chicago. The Chicago "Journal" is supporting the cause.

    Lowery Bros.' New Olympia Shows will open its road season at Shenandoah, Pa., Monday. G. A. Michaels, of Philadelphia, will be in charge of the advance work.

    The Buffalo Bill Wild West, opening at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night, April 23, will have 100 horses, and all will cavort around an arena for the first time, excepting the evening previous, when a dress rehearsal will be held. The effect of the lights and music upon the "green" stock will be noted with interest and some trepidation by the working force of the show within reach of their heels.

    The press department of the Barnum-Bailey show last Saturday "pulled off" a publicity-seeking scheme with its clowns, which brought forth comment in the dailies not relished by the funny men. A large auto carried the entire force of clowns to the Consolidated Stock Exchange on lower Broadway, where they disembarked. All excepting Steve Miaco and Bell, of Bell and Henry, proceeded to the gallery, but these two marched in the pit to be marched out again almost immediately after some rought handling by the brokers who did not consider the intrusion comical.

    Walter K. Hill, who has charge of the Buffalo Bill press department, is speaking in the Indian language since associating with the red men of the show. Last Sunday, Mr. Hill met a delegation of "he's" and "she's" at Weehawken. Since then he has had to even engage an interpreter when talking to himself.

    Eddie Silbon, the leading member of the Silbon-Siegrist aerial act with the Barnum & Bailey circus, was taken ill last week and forced to retire temporarily from the show. The troupe played one man short. Another temporary retirement was that of Dallie Julian, one of the jockey riders and wife of Fred Ledgett, who was taken sick. The Tekla-Wahlund troupe is scheduled to leave the show at the end of its New York engagement.

    Pawnee Bill's Wild West opened Wednesday at Memphis, Tenn. Tuesday night a big torchlight procession was helf and a $5,000 fireworks display was given.

Variety, April 27, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Reading, April 24. The Barnum-Bailey circus opened its road season here the 22d, playing to big business and pleasing large audiences. This was repeated on the 23rd, the show remaining in town two days. For so early in the season, a remarkably good showing was made, both in the performance and attendance. Wednesday evening a severe storm arose causing considerable damage and delayed the movements of the show which got away in time to make the following stand however.

    Charles L. Sasse, the circus agent, will close up his year's business this week, and after placing a padlock on his East 14th street office, will sail for London May 21. He had secured some fair contracts, but turned these over to others in order to fill commissions for several circuses. Mr. Sasse sails with his instructions for '08 foreign bookings.

    A deal is pending whereby four of the Western shows may establish a combined headquarters in New York with a manager in charge to attend to the local business of all. They have no permanent New York offices, although all do some of their booking through a local agent.

    Henry H. Thorpe, a veteran circus showman, and for twenty-five years with the Sells-Forepaugh Circus, died in Columbus this week. Tuberculosis caused his death. He retired from active business seven years ago after a streuous career, having been in the thick of most of the big circus fights that enlivened the seasons a score of years ago.

    Polly King and Charles Maynard, who arrived in Cincinnati on horseback from Oklahoma, to join the Wild West department of the John Robinson show, were married April 17 at the show's winter quarters in that city. The Rev. J. Stanley, who travels with the outfit, performed the marriage service.

    The Carl Hagenbeck Circus and Show Company has entered suit against the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company in Cincinnati for damages in the sum of $14,215. The cause of the action grows out of a wreck occurring on the railroad last October.

    W. D. Coxey, representing the Barnum & Bailey Circus, is in Cincinnati directing billing the city. The Barnum & Bailey show plays there May 6 and 7.

Variety, May 4, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Forepaugh-Sells show opened its season at Columbus, April 20, and comes East on the B. & O.

    C. W. Finney, the adjuster, is still with the famous Gentry shows, of which J. B. Austin is the general agent.

    Ringling Brothers opened to good business in St. Louis Monday night in spite of a severe wind and rain storm.

    The John Robinson Show opened fire in Cincinnati and they do say the "Sept. 1" organization is better than it has ever been.

    Forepaugh and Sells Brothers United Shows are reported to have played capacity April 29 and 30 at the circus grounds, Washington.

    J. D. Newman, for fifteen years with the Gentry shows as general agent, it now traffic manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus.

    E. E. Meredith, editor of "The Missouri Breeze," is one of Harry Earl's staff of press agents this season with the Combined Hagenbeck & Wallace Shows.

    The route of the John Robinson's Big Shows for the coming week is: Warren, 6; Ashtabula, 7; Painesville, 8; Elyria, 9; Norwalk, 10; Bellevue, 11, all in Ohio.

    The Sparks' Virginia shows were to have played West Virginia this month, but got into the snow storm at Bellington. The show canceled much of its route and turned South.

    The Forepaugh-Sells Show is coming East as far as the Hudson and will then "beat it" back West. They get into Jersey in about three weeks, following a week in Philadelphia.

    The Ringling Show will have a clean sweep at Wheeling early this month. At Altoona, the next best circus town in that section, it is rumored that Ringling will have opposition.

    Zack Walskey, advertising agent of the Majestic Theatre, in Washington has signed with the Barnum & Bailey Circus to be general advertising agent with advertising car No. 1.

    Charley White is once again contracting ahead of the first advance car for the Ringling show and shaking hands with friends at every point keeps him as busy as a Presidential candidate.

    The Ringling Bros. and the Barnum & Bailey Show have Pawnee Bill sandwiched in between them at St. Louis and Major Lillie is going to have his own troubles to get out with a whole skin.

    Pawnee Bill's Wild West opened the local circus season 29, at Evansville, Ind. Many were turned away. "The Great Train Robbery" was a strong attraction. Barnum & Bailey are billed in Evansville for May 22.

    The Arlington-Guise Amusement Company has been incorporated under the New York laws to carry on a general business in amusement promoting. The "Arlington" member is Edward Arlington, general manager of the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show.

    Harry Earl, general press representative for Hagenbeck-Wallace, is in Toledo, where the combination will exhibit May 6. Barnum-Bailey follows May 9. Mr. Earl has three assistants to look after the publicity end, which will be conducted on a liberal plan.

    The Buffalo Bill show will leave the Garden next Saturday, removing to Brooklyn for a week. After that the Wild West plays a week of day stands in New England, returning to New Jersey for another week, when Philadelphia will follow.

    News has reached the States of the death in Mexico of Alfred Bannack, an old-time clown and circus pantomimist, in Mexico, where he was playing with the Dick Bell Circus. Bannack was well on in years but was active until the time of his death, caused by consumption.

    George Scott, one of the billers with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, was taken ill at Dayton, owing to exposure during the extreme cold weather, and is very sick at Monticello, Ind., where he has relatives. "Scotty" is one of the best known billers in the country.

    Willard D. Coxey, the "strong man" for the Barnum & Bailey Show, is said to be in poor health. It is possbile that he may not finish out the season without at least a few weeks lay-off. While the show played the Garden, it is learned, he collapsed once and was continually ailing.

    The opposition brigade of the Cole Brothers' show lines up as follows: Bob Simmons, manager; "Kid" Wilkes, O. Robinson, A. Markey, G. Miller, B. Burns, F. McCormick, G. Latour, M. Connors and E. Montgomery. M. J. Downs is owner and manager and Ed C. Knupp, "director in advance."

    No word has come out of Mexico City since the earthquake and inquiries at the agents' offices for artists with the Bell show have been many. Every effort to sent private messages through have failed, and the families of several artists with the Circo Bell show are still in the dark as to the fate of the outfit. Mrs. Burton, whose husband, the trainer of an animal act, is with the circus, has been among th einquireres.

    New England is going to have as many tent shows this Summer as it has repertoire shows in the theatrical season. Buffalo Bill's No. 1 Car has made a circuit of Connecticut and Massachusetts towns providing for Col. Cody's first week after Brooklyn. The Hargreaves Show is playing Massachusetts towns with a nice little outfit. They finished out the week ending May 4 at Springfield. Frank A. Robbins' is working East through Connecticut's small towns with good business attending.

    The last mail out of Mexico City before the earthquake announced the marriage at San Lorenzo Church there of Albert Bell to Gertrude Cheibil, of St. Louis, and Edward Bell and Nellie Lewis, of Trenton, Mo. Albert and Edward are sons of Dick Bell, the present owner and manager of the old Orrin Bros. Circus, and both brides are musical artistes in that organization, now known as the Circo Bell. Miss Cheibil was a member of Bolossy Kiralfy's spectacle during the St. Louis Exposition. A wedding breakfast and reception followed the double ceremony at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bell.

    Doc Waddell is responsible for a unique advertising idea that has won wide circulation and brought no little attention to the Jamestown Exposition. The scheme is a revival of the "Order of Buffalos" which was manufactured at the Pan-American Expo and made the country laugh. The new order is called "The Settlers," with "Doc" as its father. Penalty for infraction of the rules is the suffering of the Stinging Rebuke, which consists of an enthusiastic application of boots and shoes in the region of the coat tails. After the kicking process the victim is required "to buy." Female members are immune from the Stinging Rebuke. The propaganda of the new order has been spread broadcast in the mails for the furtherance of exposition publicity.

    Jeff Callan, who has charge of the Barnum & Bailey offices, and is the only "stay at home" on the staff of the circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West, is likely to spend the dull summer afternoons in writing letters to every person whom he knows, for last week Col. Wm. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) presented Jeff with a gold mounted fountain pen upon which is inscribed "From Col. Cody to Jeff." For almost a quarter of a century Jeff has been an attache of the Barnum & Bailey enterprises, first as a lightning "hard" ticket seller and latterly as the guardian of the business offices the year 'round. As he used to sell tickets with both hands it is likely that he will use a lead pencil at the same time he flourishes Col. Cody's gift, thus entitling him to the distinction of being the only ambidextrous emanuenses on the Barnum & Bailey payroll. Certain it is that Buffalo Bill is sure to receive all his mail and telegrams promptly, for by this thoughtful action Col. Cody has won Jeff's allegiance to the last ounce.

    The Carl Hagenbeck and the Great Wallace Shows, combined, opened the season at Peru, Ind., April 27, playing to the capacity of the big tents at the two performances. Showmen from all parts of the country were present, and were extravagant in praise of the immense combine, and especially of the manner in which it was conducted. There was not a single hitch at the opening performance, everything running as smoothly as if the circus had been on the road for weeks. Contrary to predictions from various sources about the number of cars, the tremendous quantity of paraphernalia required five heavily laden trains to remove it to Marion on Sunday. General manager B. E. Wallace, hale and hearty, was much in evidence and his numerous lieutenants including Charles E. Corey, Jerry Mugavin, John Talbot, Lee Williams and numerous other good fellows in and about the big show, wore pleasant smiles and new spring suits. Bernie Wallace's familiar face beamed forth at the big ticket wagon and his familiar voice quickly became hoarse crying "How many?"
    The imported acts were well received, the Les Rowlandes making a great hit. The familiar and this season feature animal acts called forth loud "bravos" and "Floppie," one of the new animal stunts (a sea lion which juggled a football while mounted on a running horse) simply astounded the big audiences. Merrick and his augmented band formed a very brilliant musical feature. The parade during the morning was lengthy, brilliant and exceptionally fine; Benjamin Wallace again demonstrating his ability in selecting horses. The entire parade paraphernalia was drawn by dapple grey horses which resembled a monster streak of silver running throughout the immense pageant.

    The big circuses are making an early play for the ready cash in the prosperous iron and coal district of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The Barnum & Bailey show played in New Castle 2; the John Robinson show is billed in Warren, O., 6; the Ringling Brothers in Youngstown 16 and the Walter L. Main show in Sharon, Pa., on the 16.

    The Frankliln show, a tented vaudeville and circus combination, is rehearsing in Youngstown, O. It is owned and managed by Frank Evans, formerly of the Evans Brothers blackface comedians.

Variety, May 11, 1907, pp. 2, 8, 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Double-Somersaulting Automobile. The New York office of H. B. Marinelli makes claim to the only genuine no-slip-up-will-surely-show double-somersaulting automobile. This exhibition will be given in the West, commencing May 27, according to the Marinelli office, which has booked the act through the Western Vaudeville Association. A great deal of conversation in debate has been expended during the past season whether the feat is possible of accomplishment. A single somersaulter is being carried by the Barnum-Bailey circus, and this show expected to have a "double" this season, but it failed to materialize.

    The first jar between the rival circus organizations has occurred. It happened in Dayton, O. The Hagenbeck-Wallace combination played there last Monday, and despite that the "Big Show's" agents had leased all billboards and available circus grounds in advance, the Hagenbeck circus did big business at both performances, showing on a lot several miles from Dayton. Almost immediately after the Hagenbeck people secured the land, the Barnum people offered to lease it for five years. The "Big Show" follows into Dayton. John Havlin, the principal owner of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, was on the ground, and will come East with his show, remaining within easy call all season. Both routes are being carefully concealed.

    William Cole, of the Barnum & Bailey show, dropped in on the show in Pittsburg early this week and stays with the organization until tomorrow. No changes have been announced in the make-up of the show.

    Barnum & Bailey's route for next week is as follows: May 13, Louisville, Ky.; 14th, Columbus, Ind.; 15th, Indianapolis; 16th, Terre Haute; 17th, Evansville, Ind., and 18th, Vincennes, Ind.

    As evidence of the importance which Barnum & Bailey attach to next week's stand in St. Louis, it is worthy of mention that L. E. Cook, the show's general manager, was on the ground seven days ahead of time, and that George Degnon, the excursion agent, was busy all week in the Missouri city to tap the surrounding country and extend the territory from which his circus is to draw.

    E. H. Woods, manager of car No. 1, Buffalo Bill show; Dan Debaugh, manager of car No. 2, and Walter Ford, manager of car No. 3, left Bridgeport, Conn., late last week and early this week. The cars are supposed to be a week apart, and the two last will drop back a little at a time until the schedule has been arranged.

    Youngstown, O., is to have a swarm of the "white tents" during the week of May 13. Ringling Brothers' show is billed for Thursday, 16th; a society circus, with ten professional acts and fifty amateurs, 13th and 14th, and the Franklin circus and vaudeville combination for the entire week. Phillip's "Tom" show, under canvas, May 11.

    Tom Daly, with car 2 of Ringling Bros.' circus, was hustling with the country brigade in Buffalo May 6. Manager Daly is one of the old boys, having been with the Ringling Brothers sixteen years. The show is having big business, and will go through the centre of New York State - Buffalo, May 20; Rochester, 21st; Syracuse, 22d; Utica, 23d; Schenectady, 24th; Troy, 25th, and Boston, May 27.

    Reports from the road indicate there has been some dissatisfaction expressed by the Barnum-Bailey show folk and mechanical workers over the change in the system of conduction the commissary department. It has been the habit of the show to let out its mess table to a regular contractor, who supplied food at 35 cents a meal for the performers, 25 for the bosses, and 18 for the workers. The show is now conducting its own cook house.

    Miller Brothers "Wild West" Show, with real Indians, cowboys, horses and wild and wooley equipage opened a two weeks' engagement at the Coliseum, Chicago. The show is new to that city, and came from Bliss, Oklahoma, on its way to the Jamestown Exposition, where it will be a feature during the summer. The organization is known and hearlded as the "101 Ranch." The entertainment is varied, illustrating the life on the ranges in the far West. Stage coach attacke, Indian dances, buffalo hunting and wild horse riding are some of the features. George Elser and Eddie Botsford, sensational saddle riders, and Bill Pickett, colored, in the daring leaps from a running horse to the back of a steer, stirred. The show as a whole is unique and portrays ranch life with panoramic accuracy, full of excitement, daring and is sensationsl. While not stupendous it is a big show and worth seeing several times.

    In the recent earthquake in Mexico City the Bell show escaped with only trifling damage. The outfit was just preparing to leave the town, and the equipment had been packed up for moving. A team of horses was killed in the disaster and an automobile wrecked. Following Mexico the show started for the coast towns, playing to the biggest receipts on record in Guadalajara.

    The Buffalo Bill Wild West closes its engagement at the Garden tonight. The show has done a phenomenal business for an indoor entertainment at this season of the year, going ahead in the box office receipts of the Barnum-Bailey circus which preceded it at the same place. The "Big Show" had the advantage of Easter week also. While the matinees of the Wild West have been light owing to the weather and school, the night attendance caused a capacity condition throughout the show's stay.

    Amusement promoters are shaking their heads sceptically over the idea just advanced by Charles Bornhaupt for an automobile which does a double somersault from an incline. The feature is calle Mlle. De Chilon, and is booked to open at Rensselaer Park, Troy, June 4. Bornhaupt declares that it has been demonstrated as being practiable, and promises that it will be a sensation, but other agents declare that the scheme is not possible, and has not been perfected by a long way. It was made in Philadelphia, according to an agent, although Bornhaupt asserts it was imported from Paris.

    The Franklin circus and vaudeville combination, which opens its season in Youngstown, O., May 13, has the following act: Al and Maggie Meredith, impalement act and double traps; Prof. McFall, with his educated canines; boxing dogs; Fred Martin, "American Jap," juggler and ring contortionist; the Hudsons, hand-to-hand balancers; Arthur Rarey, comedy head balancer, and the Three Mysterious Tellanos, trick cabinet act. Franklin L. Evans, formerly of the Evans Brothers, vaudeville artists, is proprietor and manager; Al. Meredith, equestrian director; William Lynch, bandmaster, and Charles Sager, advance representative.

    The Barnum-Bailey Circus showed in Cincinnati for two days this week and did a fair business. The parade was abandoned on account of rain.

    John Robinson's show has started West from St. Louis, following its Cincinnati opening. The organization will get as far West as the coast territory, avoiding the crowded Eastern states. The show has gone to the limit and a little beyond in securing a feature for its finish. They employ the cowboys in a lynching episode, which, according to the reports, "makes 'em sit up." A negro, who seems carless about his personal safety, has the main job. He plays the part of the horse thief whom the cow punchers chase, drag down with a lariat, and finally lynch. This process involves the dragging of the man about the arena at the end of a rope attached to a saddle and is said to be sensational to the spectators in the grand stand, who do not know that the supposed victim is protected by a complicated harness of leather under his clothing.

    "Who's going to get burned in St. Louis?" is the question circus sharps are asking themselves. The Missouri town is undoubtedly having its fill of the tent organizations. Last week the Ringlings took away a fat total of St. Louis money. This week Pawnee Bill is holding forth in the same town and Barnum & Bailey follow the Wild West aggregation in.

    The Yankee Robinson circus left Des Moines, Ia., a few days ago for the road. Shortly before leaving a monster boa constrictor belonging to the show escaped, and was absent for some time.

    James E. Cooke died recently in Jersey City. Mr. Cooke was an old-time circus man and had filled about every position under the tents. In his younger days he had a jockey act.

    A comparison of the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling's routing for the rest of the month shows both circuses in widely different territory. This arrangement of stands seems to put conclusively at rest the story that both outfits were treading on the brink of a billing war. The more convincing opinion is that Eddie Arlington, general manager of Pawnee Bill, and a former executive of the Barnum & Bailey office, is up against his first fight against his old show. There are those who declare that the circumstance of the Pawnee Bill outfit being sandwiched in between the Ringlings and Barnum & Bailey in St. Louis this week is far from a fortuitous happening. Arlington left the Barnum & Bailey corporation last year. No one has yet said why, but the general supposition was that the salary arrangements under the new management were not satisfactory to the young man. It is whispered that his temerity in quitting his old connection is the cause of his present uncomfortable position in Missouri, with a prospect of more of the same thing to follow. Last week there was no very apparent effort in St. Louis to boost the coming of the Barnum & Bailey show, presumably because of some sort of billing agreement, but with the arrival of the Pawnee Bill Wild West paper in town Barnum & Bailey's opposition brigade were "one the job," and there was a good deal of covering up of the Wild West bills. The whole arrangement of having Pawnee Bill come into St. Louis between the two big circuses is said to have been cooked up months ago, and it is further suspected that the purpose of the scheme was to teach Arlington a lesson and warn him that he must be good for the remainder of the season - an ultimatum, as it were.

    The ticket speculators outside the Madison Square Garden during the stay of the Barnum-Bailey Circus contributed a fair sized little nest egg to the treasury of the show. $5,000 is understood to be the amount paid by David Marks for the scalping privilege during the New York run. For this figure, he was allowed two men inside the lobby of the Garden. Those outside were unlimited. Few if any of the local speculators other than those in the employ of Marks gave the circus crowds any attention.

Variety, May 18, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Following their run across Pennsylvania the Wallace-Hagenbeck show jumps into Elizabeth, N. J., June 8, then moves over to open in Brooklyn for a week stand beginning June 10. The Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit follows the Sells-Forepaugh people into several towns in New Jersey and have already begun to bill ahead of them.

    If any assurance were needed that Barnum & Bailey are "out after" Eddie Arlington, general manager of the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show, a comparison of routes should carry conviction. Barnum & Bailey paper covered St. Louis pretty thoroughly last week when Pawnee Bill played there. The big show goes in Monday. Last Monday and Tuesday Pawnee Bill played Belleville and Murphysboro, Ill. Barnum & Bailey paper was out there announcing that the big organization was coming on the 27th and 28th. Next week Pawnee Bill stops a day each in Danville and Bloomington where Barnum & Bailey are scheduled to show June 5 and 6. The Colonel Lilly outfit goes into Chicago the end of this week. The route is obtainable only until the 25th, but report has it that the Wild West will remain in the Windy City two weeks. Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch," a Wild West show, which is to hold forth at the Jamestown Exposition, is in Chicago now, but leaves at the end of this week.

    The robbery of the Forepaugh-Sells circus in North Carolina of $30,000 last season had an after climax in Columbus, O., last week when William T. Spaeth, who was arrested and accused of the theft at the time, filed a suit against Sheriff George Karb and Louis Sells for $100,000 damages. Spaeth was arrested by the officer in Cleveland, but extradition to North Carolina was refused from Ohio as no proof could be furnished that Spaeth had any actual knowledge of the crime, and had never been indicted for it. The damage suit has been brought in the United States Court.

    The Sells-Floto Shows are traveling towards the goldfields, being booked for the Nevada mining country. W. H. Tammen is general manager, Frank Tammen assistant manager. Some of the clowns are Frank Maynard, Del Fuego, Phil Darling, John Albion, Old Brutus Smith and Harry Koplin. The Peerless Potters are a feature and also Herr Schmidt, strong man. Herbert, the Frogman, is with the circus, and John Carroll, Blondin, Mlle. Hilda, Tybell Sisters, the Correllas, Cecil Lowande, Dorre Troupe, Alpine Family, Four Olifans and Mlle. Arline are on the roster besides many others.

    What has become of the 30-day agreement between Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings? Here is the B.-B. outfit following Ringling into St. Louis at an interval of only 14 days, and the Ringlings come into Boston only 10 days after Buffalo Bill's Wild West (a Barnum & Bailey property) pulls out.

    No one considers seriously the printed assertion that the Sells-Forepaugh show is booked to play Madison Square Garden this summer. The show is in New Jersey this week.

    Next week is the sixth of the season for Pawnee Bill's. The exhibiton is playing through Illinois. Next week's route is Danville, 20; Bloomington, 21; Kankakee, 22; Chicago, 23, 24, 25.

    The route of the Sells-Floto Shows for the coming week is: Provo, Utah, 20; Bingham Junction, 21; Salt Lake, 22; Odgen, 23; Twin Falls, Idaho, 25; Nampa, 28.

    Jas. R. Adams, "the acrobatic stilt clown," now at the Hippodrome, New York, will close his season there on the 25, and has been engaged by Geo. W. Kingsbury to take full charge of the circus and vaudeville performances to be given at the New Vanity Fair Park, Providence, R. I., this summer. Mr. Adams has a business letter head which is a novelty, and he should forward a copy to Tony Pastor.

    While a "society" circus was in progress in Youngstown, O., night May 13, five sections of reserved seats collapsed and 300 people were precipitated to the ground. By the rarest of good fortune only a few were hurt and none seriously. Although booked for two more performances, the show closed after the accident.

    Mlle. Rawon, doing a "slide for life" act, joined the Pawnee Bill Show in St. Louis last week, making her first appearance Friday. Before the opening performance Col. Lilly drew up papers in which he was absorbed from all claim for damages in case of accident. The novelty of the exhibition consists in the fact that in her slide down an inclined steel rope she is supported only by her braided hair. The start was made from a building 75 feet high, across the street from the lot. The trip took six seconds.

    Several of the New England papers make light of the Hargreaves Circus, an independent railroad show. Complaint was made that a lot of the equipment was struck and on the road before the evening audience was seated, and the performance sadly cut in consequence. Sixteen canvas men quit their jobs in one town owing to dissatisfaction with their positions and were herded into the local police station for want of other lodging and through the fear of the police that they would get into mischief.

Variety, May 25, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Franklin (Franklin L. Evans) Show played in Youngstown, O., to capacity business. The show opened there last week with the following acts: Ashton Family, gymnasts; Fred Martin, contortionist; the American Jan, juggler; William Ashton, singing and talking clown; Lazarre Brothers, Roman rings; the Two Hudsons, acrobats, and Frances Wilson, trapeze. The roster has been somewhat changed since the opening of the show.

    "Golden Rule," an educated high-school horse in the John Robinson stables, dropped dead last week in Toledo. Veterinaries said tobacco had caused a heart affection. The horse had been taught to chew tobacco by hostlers. It was valued at $5,000.

    Earl C. May, press agent for the Orpheum, Minneapolis, goes with the Gentry Show No. 1.

    Canere Brothers' circus disbanded in Woonsocket, R. I., 11. They were billed to show three days in Fall River this week, but did not appear.

    John Havlin, one of the owners of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, will visit the Jamestown Exposition shortly, and if report be true it is with the intent of looking over the Wild West aggregation called "Ranch 101." This show played Chicago recently, and all reports on it were excellent. Mr. Havlin may decide to attach the outfit to his own circus. Another rumor had it that Mr. Havlin's object in visiting Jamestown would be to consider the prospects for permanently locating the circus there for the rest of season, commencing about July 1. This is denied semi-officially, although that Mr. Havlin has had this idea in mind is quite certain.

    The Barnum & Bailey show has cancelled a number of Michigan dates, setting them back several weeks in order to devote its time to fighting the Pawnee Bill outfit. B. & B. were due to show in Kalamazoo June 17, but have switched to late next month. Meanwhile, it is said, they will go out after the Col. Lilly organization, slipping in ahead of their rival wherever billed. Pawnee Bill show was scheduled to invade Michigan next month, and the change of plan on the part of Barnum & Bailey is supposed to be designed to scare it away.

    A crowd of Purdue College students fared sadly at the hands of the John Robinson Circus attaches during a general rough-house at Lafayette, Ind., last week. The boys started things in the sideshow, where they took possession, kicked down the platform and yelled like a band of Indians. The top was finally lowered. The students then made a rush for the big tent. Detective Harry Exley gave the old circus battle cry of "Hey Rube" and the college boys were confronted by a solid rank of husky canvasmen armed with stakes. The two bodies came together in a cloud of dust and wild noise. The show crowd emerged victorious and half a dozen of the students were carried off the battlefield by their companions to receive much-needed medical care. The rest were driven off the lot. None was seriously injured.

    Owing to delays in reaching the stand the Pawnee Bill's Wild West missed the matinee in Mount Vernon, Ill., Thursday afternoon, last week. The night show was given.

    Buffalo, May 24. The Ringling Brothers' shows gave two capacity performances in Buffalo 20. A good deal of the strength that the circus has developed is attributed to the splendid parade that it puts up. Buffalo has seen no such circus pageant in years. Alf Ringling has rung the bill on a great circus. Cole Brothers is headed this way for June 10 and Buffalo Bill's Wild West is being billed as "coming," no date given.

    Walter Murphy, contracting agent for the John Robinson shows, was in Waterloo, Ia., May 20 and arranged for an exhibition June 12. This circus made its last visit to Waterloo twenty-five years ago.

    E. W. Nixon, advance agent for Hargreave's American Circus, arrived in St. John, N. B., May 17, and was successful in securing the license and suitable grounds for the show billed for June 5. In addition to showing here the circus intends making two stops between St. John and Sydney, working its way along the North Shore into Quebec. It is also rumored in St. John that Buffalo Bill and Ringling Bros. will visit the city later in the season.

    Ringling Brothers have billed Boston thoroughly for their show, which comes for a week beginning May 27. Buffalo Bill's Wild West is booked for the week of June 17, but has not as yet started billing.

    Terre Haute, Ind., May 24. Barnum & Bailey showed here May 16 to two capacity performances. The clowns are best, the rest of the show being rather light weight. There were long waits between numbers, and the band was not handled smoothly to fill in at these times and during other slips that occurred.

    Easton, Pa., May 24. Forepaugh & Sells Brothers crowded the tent at two performances May 22. The menagerie and "Fighting the Flames" were enjoyable features. The advance for the Wallace-Hagenbeck combined shows reached Easton this week. Show comes June 19.

    W. W. Cole, director of the Barnum & Bailey interests; Louis Cook, Gil Robinson, Col. Jack Holmes and pretty much all the circus people in this neighborhood witnessed the performance of the Forepaugh-Sells show at Newark, N. J., Monday. John Ringling was in the city a few days at the end of last week and was to have joined the inspection party, but was suddenly called West.

    While the John Robinson Show was going on under the big top at Lafayette, Ind., and the Marvellous Melville was making his flight through the air, a child was born in the dressing room. The parents are Mr. and Mrs. James DeCamp, of the Wild West department. They come from the same section of the State in which George Ade was born, and the little newcomer was named George Ade DeCamp.

    The Chicago opening of Andrew Mackay's Circus has been postponed on account of the unsettled weather. The show will spread its canvas on the Lake Front the last week of May for an indefinite engagement. Hugh Coyle, general press representative, says the advance sale has been unusually large. Many prominent charitable organizations are taking active interest in the success of the circus as forty per cent of the gross receipts will be turned over to the "Journal's Children's Fund."

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows have a decided advantage this season over the Barnum-Bailey outfit through their street parade. This salient feature of a circus has been discarded by the "Big Show," and while the billboards may read "Greatest Show on Earth," the Barnum-Bailey circus carries no attraction for the youngster of the country without its free morning exhibition. The parade question is much more vital to the drawing powers of a circus than is usually credited. It acts on the country folk much like a county fair. Many a father has said to his hopeful, referring to Barnum-Bailey, "Never mind this circus, it has no parade. I'll take you to the next one; that has a great big parade." Where the farmer lives ten miles from the town and doesn't relish the trip he must make if his children are to be pacified, this excuse goes a long way. The children bring their elders, and the Hagenbeck-Wallace parade is returning to the management many uncounted dollars. The Ringling Show has the benefit of a parade also, but the "Big Show" is "modern," and losing money thereby.

    A "Flying Squadron" has been organized by the Hagenbeck-Wallace combination. The show is running in three sections of cars. The first leaves the stand at 9 p.m, taking along all the loose trimmings of the circus. In the morning, when the other sections arrive at the next stand, the preliminaries have been gone through with, most of the stakes driven, the cook tent up, and the big top is thrown over in no time. On a long jump, the time thus gained is of immense importance.

    There is a disposition on the part of the circus sharps to blame the "Trust" heads for their poor generalship in leaving Brooklyn open for the invasion of the Wallace-Hagenbeck show June 10. Barnum-Bailey, Forepaugh-Sells or the Ringling show might have slipped in there at any time before the middle of next month and made the entrance of the "outlaw" impracticable. In this connection it is recalled that the Wallace-Hagenbeck show dropped into Chicago several years ago under about the same conditions. They gave the first show under canvas that the Windy City had seen in years and turned away crowds.

    The Pawnee Bill and Buffalo Bill managers are in a rather curious position toward each other. Last winter Col. Lillie entered into an arrangement with Arthur Vogelin, of the New York Hippodrome, whereby he (the Colonel) was to pay $3,000 for the exclusive rights in the United States of "The Great Train Robbery," Vogelin's copyrighted property, which was shown at Luna Park, Coney Island, last summer. The contract excepted New York and "White City," Chicago, where the rights had already been sold. Now comes along Col. Cody and puts together a similar spectacle, calling it "The Great Holdup," and as far as the Lilie forces have been able to find out there is no way to stop the showing of this spectacle. At least that is the assumption, Lillie having made no effort as yet to prevent it. Neither has any action been started by Vogelin. General manager Fred Hutchinson of the Buffalo Bill show denies that his exhibition is a copy of the Vogelin property.

    An action brought by Carter Coulurier, a former advertising agent for Col. William F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill"), against George C. Tilyou to recover a salary of $50 a week for the summer of 1903, was decided for the plaintiff by Justice Dayton in the Supreme Court in this county last week. House, Grossman & Vorhaus represented Mr. Coulurier. The suit arose out of the engagement at Tilyou's Steeplechase Park, Coney Island, of Col. Cummins' Wild West in 1903. At that time, it was brought out in court, Mr. Tilyou handed over the entire management of the Wild West show to Col. Cummins. The latter employed the advertising agent to act in that capacity for the show. Tilyou reputidated the obliganton and refused to pay his salary.

    Harry Earl, general press representative for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, is expected in New York Monday, the 27.

    The despatch from Pittsburg printed in one of the local papers this week that there would be a combination between the big tented shows, including the Hagenbeck-Wallace, had no foundation in fact, and was based upon the rumor that the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows would play New York City befroe sixty days have passed. This they intend to do, although it can not be ascertained the exact location for the circus. Mysterious nods are passed when the Madison Square Garden is mentioned, even though the Barnum-Bailey agreement with the Garden management is spoken of in connection therewith. After the Hagenbeck-Wallace plays Brooklyn early in June, the Hippodrome will be closed, and if possible of utilization, could be the scene. It is declared positively, however, that the combined circus will play New York City.

Variety, June 1, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    That the wires are being pulled for a stringent circus envelopment of the opposition by the Barnum-Bailey executives is generally accepted. The Hagenbeck-Wallace circus and the Pawnee Bill show are the prey that the combination intends crowding to the wall if possible. This will be attempted by sending the Forepaugh-Sells circus after the combined show, while the Ringling Brothers will head west to catch Pawnee Bill in a pocket, flanked on the other side by either the "Big Show" or Buffalo Bill's, presumable the first-named. The Forepaugh-Sells is claimed to be the best of the three circuses in the amalgamation, and for this reason has been selected to seek the hide of the Hagenbeck-Wallace organization. Operations should soon be in order.

    Chicago, May 31. The Buffalo Bill show emphatically objected to the invasion of Chicago by Pawnee Bill. The latter started a campaign of the South, West and North Sides two months ahead of the "Bill Show," which is announced in Chicago for July 22. The action of the Col. Cody forces in sending advertising crews to Chicago eight weeks before the show is scheduled to open is regarded by the most conservative as the first indication of what will ultimately result in a circus revolution. It is said that the Buffalo Bill people had to buy the rights to billboards from other advertisers, owing to the sudden arrival of the show's advertising corps and their eagerness to plaster all the dead walls with announcements of the opening date during the engagement of the Pawnee Bill aggregation. Ten thousand more sheets than Pawnee Bill used are here for the opposition. On nearly every wall or stand where Pawnee Bill is announced appears a large lithograph of Buffalo Bill. John Ringling is friendly with the Hagenbeck-Wallace combination, which, it is said, will come to Chicago late this summer, and will be threatened with the Forepaugh-Sells or the Barnum & Bailey show if an attempt is made to exhibit here this year. John Ringling's asserted intention of refusing to affiliate with the "trust" next year will benefit the "outlaws" in the territory covered by the others. Mr. Ringling was the last to sign the agreement with the "trust," and it is said he did so reluctantly.

    Boston, May 31. The circus condition in Boston at the present moment is peculiar. Ringling Brothers are playing in the city, and although it is known that Buffalo Bill's Wild West is coming to town within three weeks at the very most, no billing has been placed, nor has a "Bill" car appeared. Not even an advance man has put in an appearance yet. It is believed that Buffalo Bill plays Boston week June 17. Some newspaper men talking over the situation yesterday developed that the "Big Four" have an agreement that no one of the combine crosses the others in notices, billing or otherwise. In consequence, if this statement is true, the Buffalo Bill organization is now permitted by the agreement to breathe aloud its name here until Ringling Brothers shall have terminated their Boston date. It is expected that the billboards will be alive on Monday with "Bill" posters.

    Nothing leaked out this week regarding the prospective location for the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus if it plays New York City. It will be a sensational surprise if the combined show goes into Madison Square Garden, which is practically disposed of already by the Garden being converted into a skating rink for the summer season. A vague conjecture of the site, other than the Hippodrome, if the show plays in Manhattan Borough proper, is the Polo Grounds, where the baseball fans assemble during the Giants' tenancy of the lot. During this month the ball players will be on their first Western trip, leaving the field free. The diamond is in the pink of condition, and it is questionable whether any scheme could be hatched up to prevent the destruction a circus would cause. This possibility will be the greatest bar to the leasing of the grounds for a tent show. The reported intention of the Hagenbeck-Wallace to play New York this summer is causing any amount of talk and discussion.

    Mendota, Ill., May 31. Three are dead and many injured here as a result of a general riot with the canvasmen and followers of the John Robinson Shows last Friday night. The trouble commenced while the men were loading the canvas on the train. Beginning with a trifling quarrel, a number of citizens were drawn into the row until is assumed the proportions of a serious riot. The circus people bested the local police and locked them in the waiting room of the depot. The canvasmen were pretty generally drunk, according to witnesses, and the fight with the citizens continued until a local man drew a revolver and opened fire. Four men dropped before his "gun" was emptied. The trouble stopped there, the circus people retiring with their wounded. Two of the men died on the train while being rushed to the hospital at Dixon. The dead are Emory McIntyre, John Falkner and George Sown, all showmen. Another version of of the affair is that one of the show managers took a Mendota girl to supper and later became engaged in a fist fight in which the show people joine.

    Gil Robinson was suddenly summoned to join his brother's circus, the John Robinson Shows, in upper Illinois late last week, to take the helm of management. John Robinson ("The Governor") has the year delegated the general management of the outfit to his eldest son, John, Jr., who was taken seriously ill in Dixon, Ill., with an attack of blood poisoning. The management devolved then upon E. C. Cullen, the assistant general manager, and things moved well enough until the latter in turn was stricken with pneumonia. It was then that Gil Robinson was called upon to take up the family succession. He may be on the road with the show several weeks.

    Cincinnati, May 31. The whole John Robinson family unites in denying that John A. Robinson was injured in the circus fight at Mendota, Ill., a week ago. He arrived here Wednesday night, very ill with blood poisoning. It is asserted at the Robinson home that he was lying ill in his car when the brawl occurred. John G. Robinson ("The Governor") left his Terrace Park home Sunday night to join the show, where his brother Gil, hastily summoned from New York, was in charge.

    Cincinnati, May 31. W. C. Peppard, who was with the John Robinson Circus at the opening of the season, met with an accident recently. His arm was broken and still gives him not a little trouble, but he is arranging to take out two shows in spite of the injury.

    The Barnum & Bailey and Ringling secret service is having its own troubles this week in a constant effort to keep track of advance agent William A. Franklin, of the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit. Franklin has done some smooth work in covering up his tracks and getting his billing brigade into towns unobserved. Saturday they billed Brooklyn from the Bridge to Jamaica Bay, announcing the coming June 10, and it was Tuesday before the other show managers learned that Jersey City and Newark had been artistically decorated with the lithographed announcements that the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit would play those towns June 17 and 18. Under the Barnum & Bailey-Ringling agreement it was understood that these towns were to be left undisturbed to Ringling, but now the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit will play there first. In this connection is is generally reported that the Wallace-Hagenbeck management does not contemplate a long stay in the Eastern territory, preferring to slip into the best towns, get the money and then jump back West. It is said the show will travel back West after the New Jersey week.

    It is reported this week that the Barnum & Bailey directorate has offered the Buffalo Bill show for sale, having made prominent managers, including Klaw & Erlanger, a proposition to purchase. The offer was universally declined, according to the same report. Rumor says that the last year the "Bill" show spent abroad was an expensive one. Between two and three hundred thousand dollars is the amount set down as the loss. At the rate business is now pouring into the Wild West's tents, there will be no further cause for alarm over the financial prospects of the exhibition at the end of the season. From all sides it is said that Buffalo Bill has never drawn larger crowds than so far on the present trip.

    Ed E. Daly was especially engaged by J. Ben Austin, general agent of the Famous Gentry Shows, to handle the press work for the show in Dayton, Springfield and Columbus, O. This show follows the Hagenbeck-Wallace in these towns and has a clear field. In addition to this work Mr. Daly will continue to handle the Park Theatre at Indianapolis, which does not close until June 22.

    Fairmont, W. Va., seems to be a hoodoo town for tent shows. The Barnum & Bailey show entered upon its season of hard luck there September 13 of last season, and a terrific storm May 18 made it impossible for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show to give a night performance.

    The Fashion Plate Show, a thirteen-car enterprise, is now appearing in Pennsylvania. The "paper" prominently displays a line "under the direction of Walter L. Main."

    All the big shows are featuring trained animals in their press stuff, which might prove the Hagenbeck trained wild beasts are a big circus attraction.

    Warren Patrick is no longer Chicago representative of a Cincinnati paper, and it is said his "write up" of the Ringing opening in Chicago is the reason.

    Guy F. Steely, press representative back with the Ringling Show, is responsible for the newspapers giving the performance more than the customary amount of space.

Variety, June 8, 1907, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Florence Sutton, of the Van Diemon Troupe, with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, who fell at Johnstown, Pa., while performing her revolving teeth act, has fully recovered, and is again working with her companions. Miss Sutton had a very narrow escape from serious injury.

    The management of the Gentry Bros. Famous Shows and Mayor J. R. Rector, of Waterloo, Ia., got into a clash May 29 over the license fee. After the circus paraphernalia was unloaded, Ike Speers sought a license and was informed a charge of $100 is made for tented exhibitions to which the admission fee is fifty cents. Objection was raised, and the circus management was ready to seek a location outside the city limits or to cancel the date. The city council was called together in special session and arrangements were made for a rebate from the $100 fee. The show played to 7,000 people, and Tom North, the general press agent, says it was the biggest audience that visited the circus in years. Hundreds were turned away.

    The John Robinson circus is billed for Waterloo, Ia., June 12, and Barnum & Bailey shows will exhibit there August 28.

    The John Robinson show has had only six clear days in the last five weeks, and the performers, managers and working force are badly used up in consequence.

    Charley Siegrist, the young member of the Silbon-Siegrist troupe, aerial, has left the Barnum & Bailey show and will return to New York.

    Barnum & Bailey are already beginning to bill around Detroit, where they show June 17.

    1907 will be a banner circus year. From all reports this is a "circus season." The big shows are playing to large business, in most cases capacity at every performances.

    The Forepaugh-Sells Show is drawing big money everywhere. When it comes to "names" that combination is a real asset.

    None of the big shows is billing as far ahead as in former years, and the excursion routes are given less attention than ever before.

    "The Somersaulting Automobile" which started the season as a feature of the Ringling Show has been assigned as a strengthener for the Forepaugh-Sells organization.

    Mlle. Omega, wire walker, played her first American engagement in this country at "Vanity Fair," Providence, R. I., this week. Mlle. Omega came over recently as the bride of Dewar, the animal trainer.

    Eddie Arlington, general manager of the Pawnee Bill show, lost his second round in the battle between his own and the Buffalo Bill concern. Arlington went into Chicago with the intention of holding forth there two and a half weeks. The Cody billing brigade was into town on his heels. The whole "Windy City" was heavily billed with Buffalo Bill paper announcing the coming in July. Arlington cut short his stay there, moving out Saturday night, although the official route listed Pawnee Bill to remain until June 6. This move brought Pawnee Bill into Elgin, Ill., nearly a week ahead of time. Tuesday the show played Joliet. This was the last date in the Pawnee Bill published route list. The advance work is being done secretly now as far as possible, and it is predicted that Arlington will shift his time pretty generally.

    George Rowland, head of the Rowland Family, coach act, which played at the New York Hippodrome recently, was run down by a fast express at Huntingdon, Pa., Saturday night while traveling with the Wallace-Hagenbeck show and instantly killed. His body was brought to New York Monday by his widow and buried from an undertaker's establishment in West 23d street. Rowland started from the circus lot Saturday night to walk along the railroad tracks to the sleeper attached to the circus train. It was raining and blowing violently, and the rider walked some distance in advance of the party, protecting himself with an umbrella. His friends called a warning to him as the railroad train came up from behind, but he did not hear. He was thrown a long distance and picked up with both legs and back broken. He was buried in Evergreen cemetery beside a brother, who met his death under almost idential circumstances. Rowland was 39 years old and leaves a widow. Three children are at school in England. The four other members of the act remained behind with the show, but did not play. Mrs. Rowland has not yet decided upon her plans for the future. The loss of the Rowlands makes the Wallace-Hagenbeck show short three acts in which the family took part. Rowland made his will only two days before the fatal accident.

    A letter from Cuba announces the wedding of Antonio B. Pubillones, the circus proprietor, who plays that territory, and Geraldine Leopold, an American trapeze artist, known here under the professional name of "The Beautiful Geraldine."

    It appears from later information that the reports which came into the Eastern newspapers of the circus riot in which the Robinson show became involved in Mendota, Ill., recently were grossly exaggerated. The first story had it that citizens of the town had killed three of the show people, and the newspapers of Cincinnati, the show's home town, gave the matter much space and lurid headlines. As a matter of fact there were no fatalities, although there were broken heads on both sides, and a dozen or so were injured. John F. Robinson was not injured in the trouble, being sick in his car. The trouble started with the canvasmen, who had just been paid off, and were idle for the day, the performance being cut out on account of rain. The fight lasted several hours, until the show people were routed from the depot by streams of water from the local fire engines.

    Gil Robinson, who was called suddenly from New York to Illinois to take charge of his brother's circus, the John Robinson Shows, returned home late last week. John G. Robinson, who had been ill in Cincinnati with a severe attack of blood poisoning, relieved him of the command. Young Robinson is far from well, but with "The Governor" (John F. Robinson) down with pneumonia, and E. C. Cullen practically helpless from the same cause, he was forced to take up the reins of management. "The Governor" has returned to Cincinnati, but Cullen remains with the show. He is unable to leave his car and attends to almost no business, but has steadfastly refused to retire from work.

    H. A. Shallcross, formerly with Barnum & Bailey, Walter Main and Sells Bros.' shows, is in charge of the Andrew Mackay side show, which opens in Chicago June 15. Arthur G. Thomas, brother of the late Theodore Thomas, recently business manager for "The District Leader" company, has been assigned to a similar capacity with the circus.

    The Sells-Forepaugh Circus must have had a controversy with the local press in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The show played there on Decoration Day to the usual holiday crowds, but not a paper in town mentioned the entertainment the day following. Choppin and his brigade have the same city extensively and beautifully decorated for the coming of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show June 22.

    While the John Robinson Shows played at Eau Claire, Wis., last week, Louis Dailey, one of the clowns, stopped a runaway team during the street parade at the risk of his life. He snatched a tiny baby from under the horse's hoofs, tossing it to a policeman standing by. Mr. Dailey was badly bruised.

Variety, June 15, 1907, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Pawnee Bill Wild West Show is still "soft-shoeing" about the country, No official route is published, but as far ahead as can be learned the route includes Rochester, Ia., 16; Minneapolis, 17; Faribault, Minn., 19; Mankato, Minn., 20; Worthington, Minn., 21; Sioux Falls, 22.

    Peter Conklin, Jr., a son of the well-known clown and pantomimist, and now a contracting agent with the Barnum & Bailey outfit, was suddenly stricken with appendicitis in Bloomington, Ill., last last week and removed to the Brokaw Hospital there for an operation. It was immediatly performed, and the last report indicated the patient doing nicely. The elder Conklin is a large holder of stick in the "Loop-the-Loop" device at Coney Island, and some time ago retired from the circus ring.

    The bad weather caused Henri McGill's "World Famous" Show to change its route. It has been doing the southern tier of small towns and rolled into the Balck Rock station at Buffalo June 8 with the intention of showing southern Ontario, but was delayed on account of customs for a day or two. The outfit consits of a tent, two bareback riders, a "sacred" white bull, two clowns, one the boss canvasman, a snake charger and one ventriloquist. A special train of one horse car and a flat of a bright yellow color attached to the tail end of a freight train makes up the rolling stock. All required now is a little sunshine.

    During the parade of the Cole Brothers' Circus here 10, a small boy spectator was killed by one of the elephants. The big animal (Ruth), the largest of the herd, had been sulky, and as she passed the shouting youngster in the street, caught him with her trunk and dashed him lifeless to the pavement. The parade was an attractive pageant and probably accounted in a large degree for the good business.

    A society circus was given in aid of the Flushing Hospital, Flushing, L. I., last week, at which experiments were made with a new tent lighting device. The scheme employs gasoline for illuminating purposes, and is said to be a success. A number of New York showmen went out to look the plant over. The benefit realized $21,000 gross in seven performances.

    The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show jumped from Hoboken, N. J., to Newburg, N. Y., Tuesday evening. When it came time to move out it was found that the mechanical department was short handed and extra laborers had to be employed. This is a trouble that has visited most of the shows the present season owing to the weather conditions. The "Bill" show found it out early in the game. The management accordingly sent to Virginia and brought North sixty negroes. The blacks became dissatisfied with being wet through daily and rebelled, and the white men in the mechanical department further complicated the situation by refusing to travel in the same car with their black co-workers. An extra car was attached to the train during the New England tour.

    The Colz Trio left the Forepaugh-Sells Circus in Geneva June 10. The act was replace by the Four Borsinis from the Ringling Show.

    There is a case on the calendar of one of the local courts wherein John G. Robinson has been sued by Charles Davis for $1,000. Davis had charge of the cook tent last season with the Robinson shows, and young Robinson was his partner in the venture. When the season terminated and an accounting was demanded by Davis for the proceeds of the circus tour he was confronted with an itemized account charging him with an equal share of about 30,000 pounds of meat fed the menagerie during the trip. Davis repudiated the item on the ground that he was called upon to provide food for the circus people but could not be expected to feed the animals at his own expense, or even one-half. Denis & Buhler, of 140 Nassau street, New York, are the attorneys for Davis.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace show opened in Brooklyn Monday on the same lot where earlier this season the Buffalo Bill show played. The Monday night performance was rather light. The big parade was given in the afternoon. The show was floated over from Jersey City Monday morning, all the show people being forced to get up and leave their sleepers owing to some interstate commerce regulaltion. They crossed by ferry. The floating of the cars across the bay is said to have cost upwards of $1,000.

    Hiram Davis, known as "Hy," an old-time circus man, died in Boston last week.

    A number of New York ticket speculators took advantage of the big business being done by Buffalo Bill in Newark, N. J., last week, and as a result a new ticket selling arrangement was made when the show came to Jersey City. The red ticket wagon was taken off altogether, and the ticket sellers stood at the gate. The incoming crowd got its seats and passed directly into the tent so there was no chance to resell the coupons.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus will not play New York City this summer. The attempt to secure the Polo Grounds bore no result, probably for the reason previously outlined in Variety. After today, when the Brooklyn week closes, the show will travel Westward, playing through Pennsylvania and Ohio. John Havlin, who has been with the circus considerably recently, will remain behind in New York, C. L. Williams going along to represent the Hagenbeck-Havlin interest. Mr. Williams will travel merely as representative, not interfering in any way with B. F. Wallace, who is the absolute manager of the entire circus.

Variety, June 22, 1907, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Pawnee Bill's Wild West played to big business in Iowa.

    The Circo Bell played Monterey, Mexico, the first week in June. It is reported to have done large business in spite of the extreme heat.

    A report from St. John, N. B., says that the Hargreaves' one ring circus gave two shows on June 5 to capacity houses in that city, but the performance was far below standard.

    The Borsinnis have taken the place of the Goetz Trope with the Ringling Circus. The latter act closed with the show after a reduction of $50 weekly in salary was threatened.

    The Rhoda Royal animal act now with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus was originally engaged for that show, but "loaned" early in the season to Barnum & Bailey, where it played for a short time.

    Buffalo Bill's Wild West spent the week in Boston, doing an enormous business. The hot weather struck Boston and drove the people into the cool tent. This is the first time in five years that Bostonians have seen Buffalo Bill.

    The Great Fashion Plate show under the direction of Walter L. Main is playing to big business among the coal lands of Pennsylvania. At Shenandoah the attendance was stupendous, leaving all records in the neighborhood behind.

    During one week the Barnum & Bailey show found the weather so exceedingly bad at several of their stands that they did not even attempt to unpack the show. The force rested for the day and passed on to the next stand without waiting.

    Doc Waddell, the press representative for the John Robinson Shows, has been going at the country editors this season with a brand new line of talk. "Doc" sends up his card, and it reads "The Word Athlete." Waddell has the yokel scribblers backed up against the wall before he hits the office.

    W. C. Thompson, who is handling the publicity end of the Pawnee Bill campaign, is ruthlessly "injuring" and "maiming" the people of the show for press purposes. He sent out a thrilling yarn, setting forth with lurid detail how Lulu Parr, the cowgirl, was thrown from her horse and seriously injured.

    When the Sells-Floto shows played Goldfield, Nev., the gross receipts amounted to $9,418. It was the first circus to play in the gold fields. Admission was one dollar, with a charge of two and three dollars for reserved seats. Lemonade was twenty-five cents a glass, plain drinking water ten cents. It cost 50 cents to go in the side show and an equal amount to remain over for the concert.

    Des Moines, June 21. Effie Minerva, one of two sisters doing a revolving aerial act with the John Robinson Shows, is in the hospital, having been severely injured Tuesday while the show was here. Through the failure of her partner to get a proper grip with her teeth on the apparatus, she was dashed to the ring from a point close to the big top. Her ankle was broken, her back strained and the right side badly cut and bruised. The artiste's real name is Mrs. William Davis, and her home is in Freeport, Ill.

    Eddie Arlington, manager of the Pawnee Bill outfit, is not the only one who has come under the displeasure of the Barnum & Bailey management. The John Robinson shows blew into an Illinois city Wednesday of last week only to find that they had been industriously billed by the big circus which is due to play the same burg. All over the place was Barnum & Bailey paper, the streamers announcing the coming of Barnum & Bailey September 2. This is the most advance billing that has come to the attention of show people this season.

    W. E. Cook, general advance agent for the Barnum & Bailey and Buffalo Bill shows, came into New York for a few hours Monday. This is probably the last time he will visit the metropolis until well along in August. Mr. Cook will spend the intervening time in the West, alternating between the Wild West aggregation and the Big Show. His secretary, George Degnon, is located permanently in Chicago. Joseph McCaddon went on from New York to Boston this week to visit the Buffalo Bill show playing that city. He returned the latter part of the week.

    The pursuit of the Pawnee Bill show by the Barnum & Bailey forces is not yet over by any means. The Arlington outfit is headed West, being billed to show South Dakota. In this territory they are routed so as to cross the path of Barnum & Bailey at half a dozen points. In Chicago the Buffalo Bill show billed over Pawnee Bill, 10,000 extra sheets of Cody paper being put up. In the towns pretty well along the line of Arlington's future dates Barnum & Bailey are quite as heavily advertised. Car No. 3 of the B. & B. advance forces has been assigned to emergency work as opposition car under the management of Oliver Lester. R. M. Harvey, contracting agent, is likewise sticking pretty closely to the same car. The Barnum & Bailey management is making every effort to secure information of the Lillie route, and B. & B. paper is scattered over the West in cities where Pawnee is billed to play as far ahead as the first week in August.

    Circus wiseacres express the belief that the consistent hammering of the independents through opposition billing by the Barnum & Bailey people is not actuated merely by a desire to frighten them off the B. & B. trail this season, but rather to lay the foundation for a general amalgamation of the whole American circus field by the opening of next season. W. W. Cole, the present managing director of the Barnum & Bailey enterprises, is said to have in mind the control of this country as to its tent show industry. He hopes to bring the present independents - Pawnee Bill, Hagenbeck-Wallace and John Robinson Shows - under the wing of the "trust" by some sort of working agreement and territorial allotment. To give color to their belief, they quote a case which happened last week. The Robinson Shows played an inconsequential town in Iowa, only to find upon arriving that they had been out-billed by Barnum & Bailey. The big organization does not show in this place until September, but they had taken the trouble even this far ahead, to oppose the smaller show. Such a procedure cannot be accounted for, say the circus people, by a mere desire to warn the Cincinnati show off the Barnum & Bailey preserves, but presages a move to scare the others into the fold next year.

    Pretty much all the circus managers are physically in bad trim, following their siege of rigorous weather. The Robinson shows are practically without a head, "The Gov." being down with pneumonia and "Johnny" Robinson, now in charge, being ill with blood poisoning. The latest circus manager to succumb is "Charley" Cory, manager of the Carl Hagenbeck and Wallace Shows, now playing in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Cory has been in bad shape these several weeks back. The show has a record of packing thirty-eight wet canvases out of a total of thirty-nine stands and the strain was too much for the head of the organization. He was taken to a Brooklyn hospital Monday afternoon suffering from pneumonia. Nine acts were placed with the circus for its Brooklyn engagement, and pending the recovery of the chief executive of the concern no one knows whether they are to be continued as part of the organization or let go after the close of the Brooklyn stand. Many of these acts are booked elsewhere for next week and the uncertainly is working a great hardship upon them. It is hoped that with medical attention and care Cory will be able to join the show by the early part of next week, but meanwhile no one seems to be in a position to take the responsibility of booking up the extra acts or notifying them that their uselessfulness ends tonight.

    Of the ten acts added to the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus last week for strengtheners in the Brooklyn stand, all were notified Saturday night that there would be no further use for their services. The illness of Charles Cory, who is in a Brooklyn hospital recovering from a threatened attack of pneumonia, is assigned as the reason for the action. Cory handles the engaging of attractions, and during his illness no one would act. A number of other matters are also waiting upon the general manager's recovery. It is generaly conceded that the Brooklyn stand was not entirely satisfactory in the regard of receipts. The attendance picked up considerably toward the middle of the week, but Saturday matinee and evening performances were not well patronized. This result is assigned partly to the fact that the management failed to advertise in the New York daily newspapers and did not bill Brooklyn very heavily. It was also commented upon during and before the circus' engagement that while Brooklyn was as near New York as the Hagenbeck-Wallace show could come this year, no effort was made to impress that fact upon the New York City billboards. A liberal display of paper in Manhattan Borough would have attracted attention, at least, and might have drawn sufficient patrons, who would have crossed the bridge out of curiosity, to have paid for the outlay. The absence of this, in a measure, was ascribed to the futile hope of the management to secure an available lot in New York City.

Variety, June 29, 1907, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Schenk-Marvelli Troupe of acrobats, late of the New York Hippodrome, has been engaged with the Ringling sho for the remainder of the season.

    Car No. 1 of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows billed Elkhart, Ind., and the neighboring towns for July 20. The Barnum & Bailey No. 2 car stopped over in the local yards Sunday on its journey West.

    J. D. Newman, general traffic manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, and J. Ben Austin, general agent for the Gentry show, spent Sunday, June 23d, at Mr. Newman's beautiful home in Indianapolis.

    Car No. 1, in charge of Foster Burns, was in Cleveland this week, billing the town for the Hagenbeck-Wallace show's appearance there July 8. The town is well covered.

    The clowns of the Barnum & Bailey circus have the baseball fever and have organized a team. Several matches have been played with local nines in towns on the Barnum & Bailey route.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace circus arrived in Scranton June 21 too late to give the parade, but played to ring bank audiences at two performances. They repeated the big business 22 at Wilkes-Barre, where the Sells-Forepaugh show played only two weeks before.

    W. E. Franklin is the general agent of the Wallace-Hagenbeck combination. Mr. Franklin is credited with the reputation of the best "router" in the tented field. Jake D. Newman, the railroad contractor, with the circus, has brought himself to the front this season through the excellence of his work.

    Arnold Graves, the boss property man with the Barnum-Bailey show, had a severe accident at Flint, Mich., when the "Big Show" played the town on June 18. Mr. Graves, who is known at "Mickey," was struck by a ladder during the performance. It tore his scalp entirely from his head. He is in critical condition, and supposedly in Flint, although the dispatch does not give his present whereabouts.

    The John Robinson Shows are keeping to the Middle Western territory. They play Topeka, Kan., Monday. There is some feeling among the Robinsons against Barnum & Bailey, who have billed in ahead in a number of Iowa towns. Not only does the B. & B. opposition swamp the Robinson paper, but it is claimed the "Big Show" people are using the exaggerated newspaper reports of the Robinson show's trouble in Mendota, Ill., recently, to affect public sentiment.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace show had its own troubles in making the short jump from Jersey City to Newark, N. J., last week. They went by train, although the distance might have easily been driven. One of the wagons broke down in Newark and caused a delay of several hours in getting the whole outfit to the grounds. It was one o'clock before the parade reached the centre of the city, where it was due at ten, and a whole mile of the route was cut out. The parade took forty minutes to pass a given point and was much admired.

    The legal procedure threatened for one time in the matter of the different "riding seals" has apparently been abandoned. Capt. Chas. Judge has an animal act with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, and there is Winston's with Barnum-Bailey show. It appears that Capt. Judge applied for a copyright on the billing "Riding Seal," and started legal proceedings against Winston to restrain the latter from adopting the title. The case fell through, and there are now two seals bearing the same descriptive matter touring the country under canvas.

    Albert Sutherland is bringing to this country the De Verne Sisters, high-wire performers. These girls are famed in Europe, not only for their great daring, but because of their unusual beauty. They do the double and single feats on the wire, and finish in the highest jump ever done by women. The leap is from a platform eighty feet from the ground. The girls are wrapped in cotton which is saturated with benzine and ignited. They then leap into a water tank. The Sisters are young but have been in the circus business all their lives, having been trained for this trick by their father, who has protected it with patents.

    It is currently reported about that the Novellos, the foreign animal act now with the Barnum-Bailey show, have been requested by the International Artisten Loge of Germany to fulfill the contract entered into with the United Booking Officese. Several alluring offers from the opposition vaudeville faction were received by the Novellos, until H. H. Feiber, the foreign representative of the United, felt called upon to appeal to the lodge, of which the head of the act is a member. There was a demand for the act for next season by the vaudeville people, after the circus played the Madison Square Garden, but Keith held it under contract made before the "Big Show" secured the attraction.

    Since Charley Siegrist has been away from the Silbon-Siegrist Troupe, with the B.-B. aggregation, much ill-fortune has fallen upon them. Toto Siegrist received a serious injury to his hand, making it impossible for him to work. Young Charley Siegrist has also been confined to his bed for several days, thus materially weakening the strength of the big show's star aerial act. At Toledo the lot was a veritable sea of mud, and no show was given at Adrian, Mich., the trains going right through to Jackson. Here a complimentary show was given between performances for the benefit of the inmates of the county jail. This is done each time the Barnum show visits Jackson. At Toledo the boys entertained some of the old one, who visited the show. Among them were Sam Watson, Gus Sun, Billy Voight, Dan Fishell, Sidney Wire, Harry Gunning, Mrs. Watson, La Belle Veola and others. Charles Siegrist, who left the show, is playing a summer engagement at "White City," Indianapolis. It is said he plans to work next season in vaudeville with Frank ("Slivers") Oakley, the Barnum & Bailey clown, in a vaudeville act, although his friends declare that his intention has been given up.

Variety, July 6, 1907, p. 8. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    In the big billing campaign in Chicago recently it is alleged that Si Semon personally superintended the work and even wielded a brush himself when the work became hottest.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace show crossed Pennsylvania and New York this week and goes into Cleveland Monday. From there the advance billing shows the circus on its way into Indiana, after playing Ohio time.

    As a further evidence that the Buffalo Bill show is delegated to oppose Hagenbeck-Wallace it may be noticed in the route sheet that Col. Cody's organization follows the combined circus into Cleveland with only nine days intervening.

    The Andy Mackay Circus, which is exhibiting on the South side, Chicago, was attached by Adolph Marks through a claim made by the LeBrettos for back salary amounting to $260. The case was set down to be argued in the Municipal Court July 3.

    In this matter of rival billing the Pawnee Bill opposition brigade is jubilant over its success. It is asserted that the Pawnee Bill crowd "trimmed" its opposition so badly in Dubuque that Carl Hickman, assistant to manager Riel, threw up his job in chagrin.

    The Forepaugh-Sells show made every effort to get into Morristown, N. J., for a stand this month, but found that the railroad companies passing through that city did not want the show there. Charles Wilson, railroad contractor, went so far as to secure the signatures of local citizens in favor of the visit, but the railroad was obdurate.

    It seems that Pawnee Bill intended to play only eleven days in Chicago instead of the two weeks which were announced as his engagement there. This assumption is strengthened by the fact that he reached St. Paul and Minneapolis ahead of any of the big shows. Pawnee Bill played a turnaway performance there. The Gentry Brothers' show, which occupied a lot three blocks away, profited by the overflow.

    The Glassford Show, a small tented organization, is closed. It was travelling in central New York. Internal dissensions among the management caused the termination of the tour. The circus ws reported to be doing a good business, a condition that all the small canvas shows this season outside the very largest cities are encountering.

    Eddie Arlington, managing director of the Pawnee Bill show, declares that, far from having been "squeezed" by the Barnum & Bailey opposition in the matter of advance billing, he has beaten his big rival into sixteen consecutive stands with a brigade and in numerous instances slipped his "No. 1" advance car in before the Barnum & Bailey forces got his trail. Arlington adds that no one ever got a car in on him when he railroaded the Barnum & Bailey outfit.

    The accident which happened to one of the Minerva Sisters with the John Robinson's Shows, at Des Moines, Ia., injured the girl internally. They were doing an aerial act, with one "sister" holding the other by her teeth. Her teeth gave way, allowing the under girl to fall from the height of the tent to the ground. The injured one's name is Mrs. William Davis. Her husband has charge of the commissary department with the same circus. Their home is in Freeport, Ill.

    Pawnee Bill played Watertown, Minn., recently in spite of what is declared to have been an effort on the part of J. P. Fagin, Barnum & Bailey's railroad contractor, to prevent that show reaching the stand. Eddie Arlington goes so far as to declare that Fagin threatened to cancel his railroad contract with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad if the Wild West organization were permitted to travel over its lines to Watertown. The railroad men listened to Fagin's complaint, but apparently paid no attention, letting Arlington through and scooping up both contracts.

    Dick Cameron, who travelled all over Europe with the Barnum & Bailey circus and was one of its best eight-horse team drivers, lies in serious condition in Bellevue Hospital, New York. Cameron worked at the New York Hippodrome nearly all winter. In May he was taken ill with a heart affection. He has been in the hospital two months and the doctors declare that another month will be necessary to bring him around. He is practically without funds, although "Jeff," of the Barnum & Bailey home office, is looking after his immediate wants.

    Col. Stanley Shurtley Lewis (whose original advertising "stunts" with John Kernell and Frank Bush in the old Davis-Keogh days are still remembered) dashed into Broadway Tuesday in his new motor car, called on Variety and disappeared in a cloud of dust Connecticut-ward. The Colonel has charge of the advertising with Cole Bros.' circus during the hot weather and found time to sign a contract for the theatrical season with a big Western drama while here. As the Colonel invariably wears the full uniform of his rank and carries his car while in the wilds the natives in the territory covered by his attraction will certainly know that the show is headed their way.

    Following the employment of a considerable number of negroes as canvasmen with the Barnum & Bailey show the management has found a pretty steady succession of cutting and shooting affairs on its hands. The whites employed in the mechanical department were likewise dissatisfied with the situation which forced them to work alongside the negroes and it was found necessary last week to drop the colored battalion from the payroll entirely. The whites had threatened to quit and notified the directors of their intention. One hundred men were rushed from Chicago to fill up the mechanical department to its full quota. The negroes were paid to the end of their month. There are a number of negroes with the Pawnee Bill show also and several are said to have been impressed as drivers.

    Nearly all of the big circuses have been using printing from the non-union Courier Lithographing Company of Buffalo and the Erie and Walker plants at Erie, Pa., and the Typographical Union has been waging a hard fight. It has been particularly stong in Ohio and the following telegram sent to the president of the International Typographical Union by Louis E. Cooke, general agent of the Barnum and Buffalo Bill shows, explains the stand he will take in the future:
    "James M. Lynch, President International Typographical Union, Indianapolis, Ind.: I am instructed by the Board of Directors of the Barnum & Bailey Company to say that future contracts for printing will require that union labels be used, and we have so notified the Buffalo Courier Printing Company. This we will confirm by mail. Please advise all your correspondents accordingly. (signed) Louis E. Cooke, general agent."

    Since the beginning of the season the Ringling Brothers have had the same trouble. Columns of interviews have appeared in the press, the circus people attempting to "square" themselves by claiming the contracts were made before they knew the plant was "unfair." The Forepaugh-Sells Show, owned by the same people, has many lithos from the Courier. Cole Brothers, Hargreaves, Gollmar Brothers, Sparks and Campbell Brothers all use Erie and Walker printing and are having the same trouble. Pawnee Bill had contracted for Erie stuff, but at the last minute cancelled the contracts with the exception of a few bills. In Decatur, Ill., recently several batches of printing weighing more than fifty pound were sent back to New York by local printers, having been gathered from windows and walls. Local Union, No. 215, of that city, voted to fine any printer who attended the Barnum show $3.

    The John D'Alma one-ring circus, at present showing in the Bronx (New York) ran into the United States Court this week. James E. Armstrong, the "boss" truckman with the show, filed a petition in bankruptcy against D'Alma on an alleged claim of $1,197. Armstrong claimed this amount was still due on his account for transportation, he having furnished the horses which conveyed the circus around the country. The price stipulated for this labor was $70 daily. D'Alma says there is only $100 due and he felt aggrieved because Armstrong had deserted him at Hartford some weeks ago and great annoyance followed before the truckman could be induced to return with his horses. Attorny Clifford Tappan, formerly an Assistant United States District Attorney, was appointed receiver on last Monday for the circus by Judge Chatfield. Mr. Tappan immediately took hold and ordered a performance given. He made himself conversant with the details of circus management, but when the clowns came around and informed the lawyer one of his duties as director was to furnish them with new "gags," Mr. Tappan threw up his hands, calling D'Alma and Armstrong together for a consultation. Another meeting was held on Tuesday and it is believed an amicable understanding will be had between the men. Business has been good and apparently there is more feeling in the court proceedings than financial alarm.

Variety, July 11, 1907, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    It is reported that the Hagenbeck-Wallace show is figuring on playing Chicago this season.

    McKay's circus came to grief in Chicago last week and the outfit is now in the hands of the creditors.

    The first advance car of the Buffalo Bill Wild West show, in charge of Capt. E. H. Wood, has secured a good showing for the Chicago engagement, which begins July 22.

    A. Gruenatho, manager of the Gruenatho Troupe, with the Barnum-Bailey circus, has recovered the use of his arm, broken in a fall recently. Mr. Gruenatho does not work in the act, but received his injuries while with the show.

    News has reached here that Charles P. Watson, a one-time circus rider of note, was drowned at Venice, Cal., June 13. Watson was 38 years old. He recently joined the life-saving corps at Venice, and it was during practice that his boat overturned.

    "Bud" Salon, advance man for Cole Bros.' circus, was taken ill at the Waldo House, Worcester, Mass., last week. He is now in St. Vincent's Hospital. The doctors pronounce his condition critical. Salon is about 24 years old. He contracted pneumonia.

    When the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus played Warren, Pa., it rained continuously from 2 p.m. until 3:30 the following morning. It required 24 horses and two elephants to move the stock wagons from the lot. The matinee at Oil City the following day was missed through the delay.

    The Marvellous Dunhams, a combination flying trapeze and casting act, have returned to this country after an absence of three years. The act is composed of Ben Dunham and his wife. Mr. Dunham was formerly of Marlo and Dunham. Alf T. Wilton is arranging vaudeville engagements for them.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace circus did big business at Youngstown, O., and pleased July 5. H. E. Rodepouch, an aerial performer with the show, who recently was injured in a fall, underwent treatment there at the hands of "Bonesetter" Rees, a local celebrity. Rodenpouch is said to be on the road to speedy recovery.

    The territory immediately adjacent to the south shore of Lake Erie is being pretty thoroughly worked by the circuses. During the first 15 days of July the Hagenbeck-Wallace, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, Sun Bros., Gentry Bros. and one or two other tented organizations will have played the northern part of Ohio and Indiana.

    The Lukens Hippodrome and Carnival Company, a carnival concern engineered by Harry Lukens, of the Four Lukens, casting act, is touring. The show is made up of the Lukens act, an animal circus with bears, ponies and dogs, also owend by Harry Lukens, and several minor attractions. It reports good business nearly all along the line. It is in the West.

    Dave McKay, formerly "boss" hostler with the Barnum & Bailey show, was in town this week. He has not been with the Barnum people for several years now, being employed as a buyer for a firm of Minneapolis horse dealers. His trip East was for the purpose of buying stock.

    Duluth, Minn., is seeing the bitterness between the Pawnee Bill and Barnum-Bailey shows, before they play the city. The first named is billed for the 17th, and Barnum-Bailey for the 27th. Both have the towns plastered with paper. Eddie Arlington, R. M. Harvey and H. I. Ellis were in the city together. Mr. Harvey appeared before the City Council, and was instrumental in having the license reduced from five hundred dollars, the former figure, to just one half.

    "Pete" Conklin, Jr., the Barnum & Bailey contracting agent, who was taken ill in Bloomington, Ill., a month ago, is still in the Brokaw Hospital in that place. He was operated upon for appendicitis, but complication developed after the operations. Since he has been in the hospital the surgeons have found it necessary to operate three times, and the patient is suffering greatly. It will be another month, the doctors say, before he will be able to leave the institution, although in no immediate danger.

    The Sells-Forepaugh circus has returned to the States after a seventeen-day tour through Canada. Report has it that the trip was a consistent money loser. The Hargreaves circus went through Canada recently, and brought a good profit back. The difference is explained this way. The Hargreaves outfit was a smaller show, and its expenses were correspondingly low. It played the smaller towns where there has not been a circus in eight or nine years. The Sells-Forepaugh went into the big show towns which were visited only last year by Barnum & Bailey.

    According to present plans Eddie Arlington will take the Pawnee Bill show through Michigan, at least so the opposition figures out his intention. It looks as though the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit is headed toward the same territory. If the latter goes in it is probable that Arlington will shift his route. In such a case, this would be the second time Arlington has turned away from Michigan. Early in the season news reached the Barnum & Bailey headquarters that Arlington proposed to play Michigan time. The big show's route was immediately shifted in order that it might beat the Wild West into that state.

    The United States District Court of Appeals sitting in Cincinnati last week affirmed the judgment of a lower court in a matter affecting circus people, and distinctly placed the responsibility in a case brought against a railroad company for damages resulting from injuries. George Clough, while employed by a circus, was riding in the circus train on the Grand Trunk. Following an accident in which he was injured, Mr. Clough sued the railroad. The lower court held that, although the circus train was traveling under the supervision of the railroad in all but the cars, any suit for damage must be brought against his employers, the transportation company being exempt from liability. This was affirmed by the higher court, and sets a precedent.

Variety, July 20, 1907, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Forepaugh-Sells show is billed in Port Huron, Mich., for Aug. 19, and Bay City for Aug. 22.

    Walter L. Main, whose show is playing the Jersey coast resorts, was in the city last week, buying wardrobe and new equipment.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace show may go to Chicago about the middle of August. They were to have played the Windy City beginning July 15, but at the last minute the plan was given up.

    The Barnum-Bailey Show is billed to play Des Moines, Ia., September 2 (Labor Day). The labor unions of the town are putting forth every effort to keep the circus from showing on that date, but the advance men say that the circus will surely appear.

    It is reported that the Hagenbeck-Wallace show will make Indianapolis August 5, and will be followed by the Buffalo Bill Wild West August 26. It does not appear that there will be much opposition in the Indiana town, as both shows have a clean field and the natives are circus hungry.

    The circus reports which reach the East credit Eddie Arlington with brilliant generalship in laying out his dates in such a manner that the opposition is kept entirely in the dark. In many places, Arlington has slipped his billing brigade and contractors into towns before the railroad contracts were closed.

    The John Robinson show did a turnaway performance in Coffeeville, Kan., July 11. While the show played there W. H. Curtis, boss canvasman, received an order to equip the Sells-Floto shows with his patent truss system of seat arrangement. He is prepared to ship the outfit at once. The Robinson show is already equipped with the device.

    Fred Beck, of the John R. Robbins show, was in New York early this week looking over the field with the purpose of bringing his show down the Atlantic seaboard along the chain of summer watering places. When he learned that the "Great Fashion Plate" show was billed for next week around Long Island, he gave up the scheme.

    The Ringling circus, it is reported, has decided to travel to the Pacific coast before the end of the season. The Barnum & Bailey will probably not go beyond the Middle West. Earlier in the season there was an impression that Major Lillie would take the Pawnee Bill outfit to the coast. This impression was caused largely by his booking into the Dakotas. It is now denied that he will do this.

    "Johnnie" Robinson, now handling the John Robinson shows in the West, wrote his brother the other day and asked him to come on and manage the show for a week or two while he took a vacation. Gil handled the outfit for a while earlier in the season. It was his first circus road work in a good many years, and the memory of the discomforts of the experience is still with him. He has not replied to "Johnnie's" request, and has no violent enthusiasm for the job.

    Harry Earl and E. E. Meredith, press agents of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus took advantage of a splendid opportunity to boost their show July 4. On the holiday, the waters around Belle Isle were thronged with canoeists. Earl and Meredith dressed a canoe in flaming banners announcing the date and location of the show, while a puma lion decked out in printed cloth bearing the place of honor. The float attracted much attention and the local newspapers devoted a generous allotment of space to the novelty.

    While the Barnum & Bailey circus was playing Watertown, S. D., Saturday, a violent cyclone came up. The afternoon performance was just over, and few people were under the big top. The wind hit the tent with the characteristic suddenness of the Western cyclone, and in the wink of an eye flattened it out like a house of cards. Warning had been given just in time, and the show folk managed to reach places of safety. None was seriously injured, although slight hurts were reported. The evening performance was lost. By hard work the show made the next stand, Sioux Falls, on Monday.

    Many Americans will be sorry to hear of the sudden death of Bob Hanlon, of the Hanlon Volta aerial troupe that years ago traveled with Forepaugh, and of which the Voltas, Ted and Taff, now well known London agents, were members. Bob lately went with a Hanlon troupe to South Africa, but failing health afterwards laid him up for six months, when he was removed to Middlesex Hospital (England) and pending an operation died. He was 47 years of age, a prominent V. A. F.

    Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lowande, of the Forepaugh-Sells shows, entertained several members at their home in Reading, Mass., last Sunday. The show "Sundayed" at Portsmouth, N. H., and early in the morning the Lowande party took a train for Reading. The visitors were driven to the Lowande home. They inspected the winter quarters where the great rider trains his horses and conditions his acts for the circus season. Among the guests, many of whom are well known in the show world, were Edward Shipp and wife, the St. Leon Family, Fred Zobedie and Morris Garanger. Mr. Zobedie was so smitten with Reading that he bought property directly opposite the Lowande homestead. Early Monday morning the party returned to Portsmouth.

Variety, July 27, 1907, pp. 10, 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    "Kid" St. Clair did some splendid opposition work for Forepaugh-Sells at Bay City, Mich., where the circus shows August 22. The Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit played the town July 16 and did large business. The Forepaugh billing, however, was a prominent decoration, and doubtless cost the independent show something in patronage.

    The Buffalo Bill show goes down through Illinois after playing Chicago and into Indianapolis. Thereafter it will go over to Pittsburg by a series of short jumps.

    Walter Kettlewood, of the Barnum & Bailey forces, who was held up and robbed recently, joined the Buffalo Bill concern, but is now taking a vacation.

    The Gentry Circus, owned by Maddy & Gentry, is receiving good returns from its tour of Indiana and Michigan. Reports from the towns it has played declare that it is really the old Seible show under a thin disguise.

    Tom North, for a time general press agent with the Gentry show, will pilot "At the Old Cross Roads" in its wanderings next season.

    Daniel Fallon, or "Bud" Solon as he was sometime known, died at St. Vincent's Hospital, Worcester, Mass., July 18. The deceased was advance man for Cole Bros.' circus and 29 years old, coming from Richmond, Ind. He contracted pneumonia a few weeks ago and was in a critical condition up to the time of his death. He was buried in Richmond.

    The Sun Brothers' circus is following in Barnum & Bailey's footsteps in eliminating the street parade. The show is doing a large business in Michigan.

    London, July 18. Many old-time circus folk attended the funeral a day or two ago of Bob Hanlon, the acrobat. He was placed in the same grave as his brother, William Hanlon, who met his death in practicing his trapeze act while a member of the Forepaugh show in Clinton, Ia., during the early '90s. Among those who stood by the grave when the casket was lowered were the Wartenberg Brothers and Paul Cinquevalli. "Bob" Hanlon, Jr., will continue to hold up the name of the famous family. He is already the head of a fine gymnastic act. Hanlon died very suddenly in the Middlesex Hospital following an operation. He was one of the last of the famous old-time showmen, and a contemporary of such notables of Risley, Leotard and Blondin. The Hanlons played in Chicago as far back as '65. At this time they were persuaded to do a pantomimic specialty with another visiting European act headed by the versatile Agoust. With him they went to Paris and there produced with considerable success "The Villiage Barber" and "Le Voyage En Suisse." The troupe later became the Hanlon-Lees and afterward the Hanlon-Voltas, a thrilling aerial act with the Great Forepaugh show. Ted and Taff Volta are now esteemed London agents.

    A section of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train was wrecked yesterday at Pere Marquette, Mich., while the show was en route from Muskegon. Six cars were ditched. One camel and half a dozen horses were killed.

    While the Buffalo Bill show was playing Cleveland, a score of persons were seriously injured by the collapse of fourteen tiers of seats. No one was killed, but several suffered broken bones. A panic was averted by the band, which played throughout the trouble and drowned the cries of the injured.

    The husband of Marietta Carriea, an act with the Sells-Floto circus, died in the hospital at Denver, Colo., July 4. The body was placed in a vault, and will be removed to a burial place in the East after the close of the season.

    J. E. Cochron has resigned from the Buffalo Bill advance and is now with the Hagenbeck-Wallace advance Car No. 2.

    The business of Miller Brothers' Wild West "101 Ranch" at the Jamestown Exposition is reported to be improved somewhat. Several weeks ago, when the show was not making enough money to pay for laundry work on the cook tent, the Western firm made an effort to buy out of its contract. The negotiations were unsuccessful at that time, but it is threatened that if business does not look up, further attempts will be made by the Millers to secure their release.

Variety, August 3, 1907, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Buffalo Bill's Wild West showed at Chicago last week for the first time in five years. It was located at Third and Drexel avenues for this week. The canvas-covered grand stand seats 15,000 people, but the attendance was so great that provision was made for 5,000 more. The show has aroused public interest. It is well advertised. Major Burke is in charge, with Louis Cook and F. W. Hall attending to the press work. This week the Wild West 4, shows on the North and South Sides, splitting the week between them.

    New Castle, Ind., Aug. 2. New Castle is having strenuous times. The John Robinson shows are to appear here August 9, and five days later, August 14, the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus will visit the city. In consequence there will be a battle royal between the two for billboard and advertising privileges. By the arrival of the first show the opposition squads will be working overtime in Henry and adjoining counties. Two "brigades" of fifteen men each, arrived in the city Monday and were busy sticking up posters on any old thing. Both circuses have contracted with B. F. Brown for a given amount of space, and billboards are going up as thick as bees. So far only the Hagenbeck-Wallace concern has contracted for newspaper space, but the Robinson press agent will be along this week, and the fight for newspaper space bids fair to be equally as warm as that for boards. New Castle likes circuses, and feels that this time she is going to have all that is coming to her, and all in a heap. The opposition crews of the two concerns had lively times throughout Henry and adjoining counties. In one instance the opposition crew of one circus put up 800 sheets of paper. The crew of the other concern went over the same territory and covered up all but twenty-one sheets.

    Shelbyville, Ind., Aug. 2. O, but this is the busy spot for the circus advance agent. Billing stands are at a tremendous premium, and householders can sell their front windows for the price to pay this year's mortgage on the farm. This condition obtains in pretty much every good show town in Indiana. The reason is that this State is going to be the battle field for four warring circus organizations withing the next sixty days. The John Robinson, Ringling Brothers, Hagenbeck-Wallace and Forepaugh-Sells outfits are all routed to play the territory within the month, all four crossing in the same towns at different times. They have all planned to play Shelbyville within thirty days, and already the fight for advertising space is waxing hot.

    The Sells-Floto show was partly wrecked in a general blow-down during its stand at Great Bend, Kans. With characteristic unexpectedness, a cyclone came up between performances. The show people were entirely unprepared when the wind struck. The big top was lifted almost entirely from its fastenings, and whipped to ribbons in a twinkling. It was a new canvas, having been in use only a few weeks. When the wind was through it was worthless, and an old one was brought out to replace it. The horse tents were likewise torn up. No one was injured, and the only damage was that done by frightened horses. The show was reported as being in working shape when it reached Denver.

    The movements of the Pawnee Bill Wild West show are still a deep, dark secret. A report was in circulation this week that in his efforts to soft-shoe about, Eddie Arlington, general manager of the show, had gone on to handle the advance work himself, and was believed to be in Texas, laying out a route for next month. This is taken as an indication that Arlington has tired of the vigorous opposition that has been handed out to him by Barnum & Bailey, and is seeking a field where he will be more or less undisturbed.

    The Arlington-Guise Amusement Company, of which Eddie Arlington, general manager of the Pawnee Bill show, was the principal member, is said to be involved in dissension. It carries on a general amusement promoting business with headquarters in the Knickerbocker Theatre building annex. Frederick Guise has threatened to leave the partnership. This comes after a losing venture in Philadelphia during the convention of the Elks. The Arlington-Guise concern put in an expensive show at Washington Park, in one of the Philadelphia suburbs. The Elks were too busy in the centre of the city to pay any attention to the park and at the end of the work the enterprise stood $3,000 loser. A lawyer named Kumfe is understood to have furnished the captial for the venture.

    Ferrair's Wild Animals and other shows are playing at Schuetzen Park, Union Hill, N. J., this week, where a carnival is being given for the benefit of a local hospital. John D'Alma's circus is showing on the same lot, as one of the attractions, having a position heading that occupied by Ferrari. There was quite some manoeuvering for the choice spot before it was settled, but D'Alma got it. Ferrari came up from Jamestown, with a deficiency in his bank account, and he has kept his brigade on the jump for business all week. It required six cars to transport the Ferrari show to Union Hill. They left Jamestown on Wednesday morning. On Friday morning, the train dispatcher at Homestead, N. J., reported the train on a siding four miles from Union Hill. It was 7 a.m. Saturday before the cars could be unloaded, it having taken 24 hours to move the train four miles. The animals were without food for three days.

    Stamford, Conn., August 2. W. M. H. Johnson, a veteran circus man, is dead here as a result of a railroad accident. Johnson was playing here with his own show Monday. In the evening he was on his way to the train in company with an employe. The two were in earnest conversation. Johnson heard the train when it was almost upon him, and delaying to drag his companion in safety, was struck. Both men were picked up unconscious. Johnson's companion died a few minutes later. Johnson was removed to the Meriden Hospital here. He did not regain consciousness, dying several hours after his arrival at the institution. His home was in Columbus, O., and he was a Mason of high degree, as well as an Elk.

Variety, August 10, 1907, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Forepaugh-Sells No. 2 car arrived in Elkhart, Ind., late Monday night last over the L. S. & M. S. Ry., from the East and was transferred to the Big Four Ry. The car was on its way to Shelbyville, Ind.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows played to 25,000 people Monday afternoon and night at Indianapolis, despite the threatening weather which prevailed. The press of the Hoosier capital spoke very highly of the performance and street pageant, which was the first to be given there this season. The Buffalo Bill show follows, coming August 26.

    E. E. Meredith, press agent of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, editor of "The Missouri Breeze," business manager of "Simple Simon Simple" and a general good fellow, has been doing some very effective work for the circus throughout Indiana, where the opposition is being met at every stand.

    James Eviston, last season with Gentry Brothers' shows, now on the opposition brigade of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, will become a real agent this fall, going in advance of "Nobody's Claim."

    A general conference was held at the Hotel English, Indianapolis, last Sunday by the staff of the Hagenbeck-Wallace shows, but as the session was behind closed doors, it was impossible to gain the facts of the meeting. The following were in attendance: B. E. Wallace, Mr. Tate and John Havlin, W. E. Frankliln, J. D. Newman, Harry Earl and several of the contracting agents.

    The Three Alvos have left the Hagenbeck-Wallace show and are a special feature with Pain's Fireworks at Manhattan Beach, L. I. The aerial bar trio were booked with the Pain show for a week by Harry Allen. At the end of that time they received contracts which will keep them there until the end of the beach season.

    Shelbyville, Ind., Aug. 9. Bill posters from the rival shows are keeping guard at night over their lithograph signs here. It is at this point that the Ringling Bros., Forepaugh-Sells, Hagenbeck-Wallace and Robinson shows cross each other's paths during the summer. This condition works to the profit of the newspapers, of which there are four. The different shows have in many instances contracted for whole pages of advertising, and made it necessary for the local papers to issue special supplements to accommodate the added business.

    Cincinnati, Aug. 9. A report which comes via Chicago revives the story that Carl Hagenbeck, the German animal dealer, is anxious to have his name removed from the billboards of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus. It was even declared that Hagenbeck had instructed his attorney to bring an action with this end in view. John Havlin, who is largely interested in the show, denied that there was anything to the story. He was here until Tuesday. "Despite all rumors to the contrary," said Mr. Havlin, "there is nothing strained in the relations between the Americans interested in the Hagenbeck-Wallace show and Mr. Hagenbeck. There is still unsettled a money disagreement involving a dispute over $18,000 between Mr. Hagenbeck and those interested in the show. Frank Tate, of St. Louis, and myself will visit Mr. Hagenbeck shortly when we sail for Europe. At that time all these small disputes will be settled to the satisfaction of everybody concerned." Nevertheless in Chicago it is pointed out that the Ringlings, although they failed last winter to absorb the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit, would not be adverse to trying for it again, and it is whispered that both the Ringlings and Hagenbeck employ the same attorney in the Windy City.

    John Havlin, of Stair & Havlin, and largely interested in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, left Cincinnati on Tuesday, bound for a six weeks' trip abroad, which will include a visit to Hamburg.

    The Cole Brothers' circuit is billed to play Toledo 14. John D. Carey, manager of Advance Car No. 1, was in that city last week.

Variety, August 17, 1907, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The circus wiseacres are a good deal puzzled at the actions lately of the Barnum & Bailey people in carrying on a rigorous billing campaign against the smaller shows. The opposition to the Pawnee Bill show is readily to be understood upon the ground of animosity against Eddie Arlington, but why the big show should bill against such concerns as the Van Amberg, John Robinson, etc., is not so easily explained. That it is a manifestation of some deliberate and carefully thought out plan is the conviction of those who are familliar with the character and business methods of "Chilly Billy" Cole, the Barnum & Bailey managing director, but just what he hopes to gain by the policy of hitting every head that shows itself is still a mystery. Can it be with the purpose of forcing an amalgamation of all American shows? Most of those now on the "outside" of the syndicate, would be glad of an opportunity to join.

    Shelbyville, Ind., Aug. 16. Ed Danshaik, special representative of the John Robinson circus, was married here Aug. 6 to Sarah Hackett, daughter of a New York dentist. Rumor says that she eloped from her home by making a rope of her bed-spring and successfully eluded the police of Chicago, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Shelbyville. After the ceremoney the circus people extended honors to the newly wedded couple.

    While in New Castle, Ind., the show attaches and managers of the Robinson circus learned of the sudden death of Dan Dale, its legal representative, which occurred in Cincinnati Aug. 8. Only the day before the deceased left the show to visit his family. Mr. Dale had been connected with the show for thirty years and was held in high esteem.

    Martin Downs, Jr., son of Martin Downs, proprietor of Cole Brothers' show, celebrated his twenty-first birthday at Mt. Clemens Aug. 12 and was promoted to the general management of the show. He is a very capable young man and possessed of sound executive ability. He received many gifts and congratulations. The circus is doing a big business and much praise is given by Mr. Downs, Sr., to the general agent, Ed. C. Knupp, and general press representative, for the able manner in which they are piloting the organization. Mr. Knupp is now in St. Louis looking over the Western territory. The circus closes in December. Next season it is to be enlarged to 60 cars.

    Bonnie Butler, formerly of the Butler Sisters, has married Lynee Hazzard and will be known professionally hereafter as Bonnie Hazzard. Mr. and Mrs. Hazzard will play in vaudeville as an act.

    Indianpolis, Aug. 16. The circus situation in Indiana at this time is a serious one, and at least two of the four big shows which are now in its boundaries are sure to lose a lot of money. It seems as if they all want the opposition, considering the size of the towns, two or three are making within a week or so of each other. The Gentry show had the State all to itself since May 15, at which time Barnum & Bailey shows made several stands, jumping into St. Louis. Since then not a big show visited the State when they had a clear field to get all the money. But following the Chicago billing of the Buffalo Bill show, the advance brigade swept down and three other shows did likewise at the same time - the Hagenbeck-Wallace, John Robinson and Forepaugh-Sells. The opposition brigade of the Buffalo Bill show slipped into Indianapolis and opened that town up, billing far in advance of their date, August 26, and about a week later along came J. D. Newman, the traffic manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, and contracted the town for August 5. There was no cause for opposition here, as the natives get the change with the weather in their favor, yet they must prefer the extra expense of billing, which both could avoid. Neither show has used much billboard space, but instead given out an excessive bunch of "paper" for banner and lithograph purposes. The small towns throughout the State are where they will suffer. In Shelbyville, a short distance from Indianapolis, three shows will visit in as many weeks, Robinson, Hagenbeck-Wallace and Forepaugh-Sells, in the order named, when one circus would have done well if they made a dollar in that town. But this is an example and there are a number of places smaller than Shelbyville even that will get from one to three circuses. - Ed. E. Daley.

Variety, August 24, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Si Seamon, contracting agent for the Barnum & Bailey circus, has closed with that organization and returned to New York last week. Seamon travelled ten or more weeks ahead of the show and his work for the season was finished the first of this month.

    The Barnum & Bailey show lost the afternoon performance in Cedar Rapids, Ia., Aug. 16, having been partly put out of commission in the previous stand, Dubuque, by a violent blow down. The big top was torn in many places, as well as injuries to the horse tents and other canvases. The afternoon of the 17th was given over to repair work, and the night show was given.

    The report is out that the Hagenbeck-Wallace show will not winter at Peru as usual, but that the show will make a winter tour of the South. The present scheme is to cut the equipment down by taking off ten cars from the show train.

    John Sparks' "Old Reliable Virginia Shows" exhibited in central Pennsylvania last week. At Ashland, despite a heavy wind storm, large crowds were in attendance. The following day, Aug. 17, the circus encountered a severe electrical storm at Mt. Carmel, which blew the smaller tents down. During the excitement the cry of fire was raised, which caused a stampede and several in the audience were injured.

Variety, August 31, 1907, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    While the Forepaugh-Sells circus was giving the afternoon performance at Burlington, Vt., one section of the seats collapsed, throwing between 500 and 600 people to the ground. The tent was pitched on a sandy lot, and this may have been the cause, although the management claimed two intoxicated men, not connected with the show, fighting beneath the seats, pulled away one of the supports. Before the circus left town in the evening seventeen legal actions had been commenced against it by the injured and damages claimed all the way from $300 to $5,000.

    Al. Martin joined the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus last week. Martin is one of the best ticket sellers in the tent world and will be employed on the wagon off the grounds. Martin started the season with the Van Amberg show, but shifted to the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit.

    The Frank A. Robbins circus for two weeks followed in the trail of the Walter L. Main "Fashion Plate Shows" through Pennsylvania and New Jersey at an interval of about three weeks. The Main outfit has worked this territory pretty steadily for a number of years back and building up a good reputation by means of a consistently excellent show. Ahead of Robbins they escaped all opposition and, thanks to the show's reputation, drew good business. But this year's offering is far below standard, according to the townspeople along the route, and people left the show with the feeling that they had been "stung." Following into a territory of this sort the edge was taken off the business of the Robbins show, although in Stroudsburg, Pa., Bangor, Pa., and Dover, N. J., where the Robbins circus showed last week, the attendance was good. Last week the Robbins show played the chain of summer resorts along the Jersey coast, where conditions are different. Main played this territory about the middle of July. At that time the resort hotels had not begun to fill up, but now they are crowded and the Robbins show drew big attendance.

    That story of a suit by Carl Hagenbeck to prevent the further use of his name in connection with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus will not down. Upon the announcement a short time ago that Lee Williams, of the Hagenbeck-Wallace forces, would travel to Hamburg shortly the inference immediatly leaped to the front that the was being sent as an emissary to the animal dealer to smooth over the threatened trouble and square matters with him for next season. Lee Williams held the exclusive rights to the name of Carl Hagenbeck and used it for several years in connection with the animal show before the consolidation with the Ben Wallace property.

    One of the Van Diemen Sisters (Mrs. Jack Sutton), playing with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, is lying ill in the hospital at Rensselaer, Ind. During the performance in that town several weeks ago of the Hagenbeck show, Mrs. Sutton fell while doing the "flying butterfly" act, a specialty resembling that of the Curzon Sisters. Her leg was broken and she suffered internal injuries. The two sisters, aided by a boy, went on with hte act, which is still working with the show.

    Johnnie Purvis, former patnomimist and equestrian director, is handling a society circus at Asbury Park this week. Next week he has another like show on his hands. The latter is to be given at Ridgewood, N. J., under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. Purvis put both shows together and rehearsed them.

    The Forepaugh-Sells circus did not make Alpena, Mich., until 10:30 on the 23d and the afternoon performance was delayed until 4 p.m. It was given without cutting, however. The delay in making the stand was caused by the breaking down of one of the engines on the first section of the circus train.

    The story is again in circulation that the Ringlings have secured enough stock to assure them control of the Barnum & Bailey show. The credulity with ___ the report is received and the extent to which it has been passed about leads to an impression that there may be some foundation for it. Mrs. James A. Bailey is said to hold a controlling interest in the show and the only way in which the balance of power could be transferred would be for her to sell out some of her holdings. Opinions are divided as to the possibility of this happening. One story had it that John Ringling was recently about the Barnum winter quarters in Bridgeport, Conn., making a noise like a proprietor, and this, after the manner of circus gossip, was taken as conclusive evidence that something was doing.

    Agnes Lake, 85 years, passed away last week at the home of Gil Robinson, her son-in-law, in Jersey City. She married William Lake, a one-time partner in the Robinson & Lake Circus. In her circus career, the deceased was famed for her bareback riding and slack-wire performance. Mr. Robinson married her only daughter, Emma. An estate of $40,000 was left.

Variety, September 7, 1907, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A seemingly authentic announcement comes from Chicago that the formation of an iron-bound circus trust with the Ringlings at its head, is an accomplished fact. The Barnum & Bailey property passes into the hands of the Ringlings by reason of their acquisition of a majority of the corporation's stock and with it goes the ownership fo the Buffalo Bill show. This can mean only one thing - that Mrs. James A. Bailey has sold outright all her circus holdings and retired from even her slight participation in the show business. The consummation of this deal makes John Ringling undisputed monarch of the tented world, a position he has been aiming at ever since the death of James A. Bailey and even before. Since that event, however, everything has played into his hands. The Barnum show has had an indifferently successful season, and it has come to be a settled opinion that he was the logical successor to the last of the great American showmen, into whose shoes he now steps. In addition to their own show, conceded to be the best organization under canvas this season, the Ringlings own the Adam Forpaugh and Sells Brothers' shows. With the possession of the Barnum and Buffalo Bill properties, the Hagenbeck-Wallace, Pawnee Bill and John Robinson outfits will be the only shows of importance in the field at all approaching opposition.

    The Gentry Brothers' Dog and Pony circus is spending a week on the show lot at 15th and V streets, Washington, D. C., ending tonight. Business is reported as excellent. The Five Jugglling Normans, Marcell and Lanett, acrobats, and the Levine Troupe of contortionists are features with the organization.

    A notice posted this week by the Barnum-Bailey show, and all the affiliated circuses playing in harmony with it, is apt to cause some talke among agents. It is to the effect that all performers desiring circus engagements for next season must be booked through W. W. Freeman, of Chicago. Mr. Freeman lately opened a booking office in that city, and immediately after commencing operations started on a trip to see the circus.

    The circus bee is still buzzing around Klaw & Erlanger, but no attention has of late been given to that branch of amusements through the opening of their vaudeville circuit. It is authentically reported, however, that when the vaudeville outlook shall have settled itself, K. & E. will give the circus end immediate and serious consideration.

    Buffalo Bill's schedule calls for the closing of the season at Richmond, Va., about the middle of October. The Frank A. Robbins show closes about the same time.

    As an intention that the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus people are serious in their intention to conduct a winter season in the South this year, it is of record that they have already signed contracts which call for their showing in the Southern coast States as late in the fall as Nov. 21.

    Waterloo, Ia., Sept. 6. The Barnum & Bailey outfit has been peculiarly unfortunate this season in being delayed in its movements from stand to stand. They reached here on the 28th so late that the afternoon show was two and a half house behind time in opening. A wreck on the Great Western at Gladbrook was the cause. The night performance drew capacity attendance.

    The John Robinson show is keeping pretty well in the neighborhood of Cincinnati.

    Buffalo Bill's Show gave three performances at Cincinnati on the 2d to capacity business.

Variety, September 14, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Trevino circus, playing Mexico as the only important opposition to the "Dick" Bell show, is reported to have shown a large profit on the season. It was up near the Texas border last week.

    Five acts closed with the Dick Bell circus in Mexico last week following the announcement that the season would be suspended through the next three weeks. The stated reason for the suspension of business was that the rainly season made it practically impossible for the circus to show. Of the acts which closed rather than lay off four are said to be en route for home by boat. Frank and Edith Raymond, who also quit the show, arrived in the city Monday, having come North by train. The others were Truman and Schaefer, jugglers; Barney Gallagher, dancer; Rizal and Fatima and Aldo and Vannerson. They are expected in New York today. All salaries were paid up to the minutes of the temporary closing, and Bell offered to extend his season three weeks into the winter in order to make up the lost time. The act, however, refused to remain, being anxious to get back to the States. These acts were members of the show booked about the end of March. They were engaged for 30 weeks, but owing to the suspension of business they felt themselves at liberty to disregard the contracts. They had played only 21 weeks of their contracted time. There was no contract jumping with the show this season. Mr. Raymond became dissatisfied several months ago and asked to be released from his engagement. The result was that as he left his hotel one evening he was loaded into a hack by a policeman and started to the jail. He agreed to remain and was released. The Bell show will resume its tour Sept. 23.

    There is talke of the Norris & Rowe circus going back into Mexico late this fall after finishing its Canadian and United States time. The Norris-Rowe people were in Mexico last season and like the rest of American circus organizations trying that territory, returned with a large dent in the bankroll. No statement has come from the Norris & Rowe people themselves, but gossip has it that they are determined to give Mexico another trial. The plan, according to the story, is to open toward the end of November and stay as long as business makes it profitable.

    Fred Matthiessen, known professionally as "Diavolo," who for many years performed a "loop-the-loop" bicycle act, is dead. Matthiessen was injured about a year ago in an accident at Frederickton, New Brunswick, and it is to these injuries indirectly that his death is attributed. The artist was badly cut up at the time. Although he seemingly recovered, he went into a decline and some time ago entered the Stetson Hospital in the Bronx, New York, to be treated for a lung affection. It was there he died. He had worked only one week between the date of his injury and his deaht. It is said of Matthiessen that he never failed to give a performance for which he had engaged, and was one of the surest riders in the business.

    The Varno-Valdore Troupe closed with the Sells-Floto shows at Fort Worth, Tex., last week, on account of the serious illness of Mr. Valdore's daughter in Chicago. The Troupe has signed with the same show for next season, opening in Los Angeles, April 2d.

    Lewis Sells, the last surviving member of the Sells Brothers, who for 30 years were prominent in the American show world, died recently in Cincinnati of Bright's disease. Mr. Sells had been in ill health for some time, but his death came as a surprise. He had been in retirement for a number of years. Lewis Sells was born in Cincinnati 65 years ago. He was an auctioneer before entering the show business and later with his brothers managed a wagon show. A widow, formerly Mary Cross, of Topeka, and a daughter survive.

    Ella Bradna and Fred Derrick will reappear in vaudeville in November, playing the United time. The equestrian act is now with the Barnum-Bailey circus, and has been re-engaged for next season, making their sixth with the same show.

    Art Adair, principal clown and pantomimic comedian with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, has signed contracts which will take him over the Western Vaudeville Association circuits following the close of the circus season. This is his third season over the same time.

    Buffalo Bill gave two capacity performances in Wheeling, W. Va., Sept. 6. So great was the demand for seats that extra chairs were placed in the aisles and arena.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace circus shows Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 20, and already the local newspapers are blooming forth with some of Harry Earl's press matter.

    Hugo, "The Roman Gladiator," now with the Dick Bell circus in Mexico, expects to show his new act in New York during the season.

Variety, September 21, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    No definite announcement has come either from the Barnum & Bailey or the Ringling people this week as to the transfer of Mrs. Bailey's interest in the Buffalo Bill properties to the Wisconsin showmen. It is pretty generally believed, however, that they will have something to say by the begining of next week. An authentic statement comes from the Barnum & Bailey side that the Ringlings were in possession of an option on Mrs. Bailey's holdings in both shows. This option is understood to have expired this week. By this time the deal has either fallen through or been closed, and nothing remains but the public announcement. The Barnum & Bailey and Buffalo Bill agents are awaiting this with a good deal of anxiety, for they fear should the shows change heads there will be a general lopping off of heads in the old management. The Ringling option was secured over a month ago, just after Al. Stewart returned from a European trip, on which he picket up all available stock in the big corporation. Since then it is supposed the Ringlings have been busy interesting capital in the venture. John W. Gates was approached, but his decision is not known. The Barnum & Bailey corporation is capitalized at $3,000,000 and the Buffalo Bill show is valued at probably less than half of that sum, although it is not formally incorporated. It would take close upon $2,000,000 to swing the deal, but circus folk believe that the task of getting the amount together is easily within the resources of the Ringlings. The opinion that the merger has been accomplished is strengthened by the fact that Alf. T. Ringling, the executive power of the family, was with the Forepaugh-Sells Show, a Ringling possession, last week and engaged a number of people for next season. It is significant that he refused to state in any instance with what show the people engaged would be used. It is curious that with all surface indications pointing to the amalgamation of the three big shows Joseph McCaddon (Mrs. Bailey's brother) is quoted as declaring about two weeks ago that there was no truth in the reports that a merger was in prospect.

    London, Sept. 11. English shareholders in Barnum & Bailey, Ltd., have received a pretty straight tip from J. T. McCaddon, chairman of the company, that there will be no dividend this year. Backward Spring weather, violent storms and finanical depression are blamed. Up to August 3 receipts were $96,000 less than for the corresponding period last year, though by rigorous economy the net losses from this unsatisfactory business only reached $28,650. As the best of the season was gone by August 3, it was not considered likely that the loss would be recouped and a dividend made possible during the ten weeks remaining. How Ringling Brothers fared under like conditions has not been told, but there is a growing suspicion that they are now the "real people" in the circus business. That James A. Bailey was also a great deal of a showman is increasingly evident here. Barnum $5 shares are now down to three shillings, nine pence (93 cents). This is rough, but the show has paid no dividend since the 7 1/2 per cent distribution of '04-05. However, the phenomenal Summer has wrecked the beach business here and that end of the Barnum plaint is understood.

    It is reported that the Hagenbeck-Wallace show will be somewhat reduced next season, and that it will send out a No. 2 show of thirty-eight cars. Upon the consolidation of the two circuses last spring the pick of the equipment was taken for the present show. It is said that there remains in the winter quarters in Peru, Ind., enough material to make up the proposed second organization. This stuff is composed, according to the story, of band wagons, animal cages and other parade material. Lee Williams and Frank Tate, who are interested in the Hagenbeck-Wallace property, will go to Hamburg, Germany, within a week or two to buy animals for the new show. The rest of the material will be secured in this country. A showman to whom the report was told voiced the opinon that the formation of a No. 2 company indicated a plan to reduce the size of the No. 1 outfit. "The original Hagenbeck-Wallace show," he said, "was purely and simply an animal exhibition. It was costing from $2,000 to $2,200 a day to run and the receipts averaged two and three hundred more than that. This showed a neat profit on the season. But the people were not satisfied with this showing. An aerial act or so was added. Then followed a couple of riding features, and so by degrees the cost mounted to $2,500, and at one time last season the daily outlay to my knowledge was upward of $3,500. With the cost growing higher and higher continually there was no proportionate increase in the receipts, and where a reasonable profit had been taken before the show got to be a heavy loser. This No. 2 outfit, then, seems to foreshadow a return to a lower schedule of operating costs."

    The John Robinson shows played in Covington, Ky., Saturday, just across the river from its home city, Cincinnati, where the Robinson family lives. Since leaving Cincinnati the last week in April the show has traveled 13,000 miles in the East, Middle West and Northwest, meeting opposition pretty much everywhere in this territory. From Covington the Robinson outfit headed South for a fall season. It will not return to winter quarters in Terrace Park until about Christmas.

Variety, September 28, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    In the absence of the expected announcement from the Ringlings relative to their reported acquisition of the Barnum & Bailey show, the circus rumor factory has been working in double shifts. A new story is in circulation to the effect that the three big shows, Ringling Brothers', Barnum & Bailey and Forepaugh-Sells, are to be incorporated in one concern with the Ringlings and W. W. Cole, representing Mrs. Bailey, in equal control. Such an arrangement would fit in with certain known condition, which have been quoted as reasons why the Ringlings could not get control of the Barnum property, but there is little else to support the rumor. Another product of the rumor factory is that the Ringlings are so certain of their position in the circus world next year that they have decided in family council that the Ringling Brothers' show will open the circus season in the East at Madison Square Garden, New York, a function that the Barnum show has performed exclusively for years. James A. Bailey was able to hold this right by reason of his large holdings of Madison Square Garden stock and his consequent influence with the corporation which controls the show place, the only house in the metropolis where a big circus could show. This reversal of circus precedent could mean only that in the transfer of the Barnum & Bailey property, Mrs. Bailey had unloaded her Madison Square stock, whose only value to her was that it gave the show control of New York. The same story credits the Ringlings with routing the Forepaugh-Sells show to open in Chicago, changing places with the big Ringling outfit, and sending the Barnum show abroad. In any even Al. Ringling this week re-engaged a number of performers for the Ringling show next year, and although he said nothing directly to that effect, he left a clear impression behind that the acts engaged might be put with the Barnum & Bailey circus. The same thing happened recently when Ringling re-engaged the acts now playing with the Forepaugh-Sells outfit.

    The Franklin show, a small vaudeville and circus combination which has been touring the middle West this summer, has gone into winter quarters at Youngstown, O. Manager Frank Evans reports a prosperous season spent in the smaller towns.

    Pete Conklin, Jr., an agent with the Barnum & Bailey circus, who has been for the past three months confined to the hospital in Bloomington, Ill., returned to his parents' home in Coney Island last week. Conklin was taken ill with appendicitis while traveling, and removed to the hospital to be operated upon. The operation was apparently successful but later complications developed, and the young man was too ill to be removed from the hospital until ten days ago.

    Reports received from the several circuses now playing in the South indicate that business is not going to be particularly good there this fall, and the season will in all probability close early. This has not been a conspicuously successful season for the "big tops," and the circus managers have no desire to prolong it any longer than necessary. The last route card from the Barnum & Bailey circus took the show up to October 17, when the stand is at Dyersburg, Tenn. It is persumed that this will mark the end of the tour. Buffalo Bill closes Oct. 19 at Lexington, Ky. It was thought that the John Robinson Shows would stay on the road up until Christmas, but unless business picks up shortly it will be back in winter quarters at Terrace Park, O., long before that.

    A man who has spent his life in the circus business, and is a careful follower of the trade, gives it as his opinion that not one of the big circus organizations that have been on tour in the United States this year has been able to show a profit with the marked exception of the Buffalo Bill Wild West. That organization has played to capacity practically everywhere it has shown, and its takings have been large. The Barnum & Bailey show is figured as being a large loser, and in the same class are the Pawnee Bill and Hagenbeck-Wallace shows, which faced "trust" opposition all season. The Forepaugh-Sells show lost money in the early part of its tour, the trip through Canada returning a large deficit.

    It is the talk among the circus people that the Pawnee Bill show, with Eddie Arlington in command, has been billed by the combine in a number of towns where the opposition had no intention of playing. In other towns where the independent wild west show was scheduled to show the "trust" circuses have run excursions for unusual distances in an effort to draw patronage away. Circus folk have little sympathy for Arlingon. He started out this season with large promises and took the initiative in boasting that he would be an aggressor to the big trust. That he called down upon his own head the revenge of the powerful organization is considered in a considerable degree his own fault.

    Henry Hopkins, an old-time circus man, is detained at Wilkinsburg, Pa. (Pittsburg), until an examination as to his sanity can be made. Hopkins is suffering from the hallucination that he is possessed of great wealth. For years he drove the 32-horse team in the Barnum-Bailey parades, and was known as a fancy driver.

    Walter L. Main's "Fashion Plate Shows" closed its season on Sept. 14 at Lancaster, N. Y. The wind-up must have come prematurely, as the circus was billed for the 17th at Franklinville, near Buffalo. Not much has been heard of the show during the summer. It is the first season under the direction of a corporation formed to run it in Cleveland last spring. Chas. L. Ettinger, a Cleveland jeweler, was foremost in the promotion.

Variety, October 5, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The report that Barnum & Bailey will, for the third successive season, pass no dividend this year, together with the rumors of a Ringling amalgamation, even through the latter do not secure control of the "Big Show" and its subsidiaries, has given rise to a rather free discussion of the Barnum-Bailey mode of financiering. The Barnum-Bailey corporation is capitalized at $2,000,000. Of this 51 per cent is held by Mrs. James A. Bailey and "the Hutchinson boys," Charles and Fred, Mrs. Bailey's nephews. Charles is in charge of the B. & B. show, while Fred directs the Buffalo Bill exhibition. The main portion of the rest of the capital stock is held by English stockholders. This is such a large amount that the Englishmen consider it necessary to have traveling representatives with the "Big Show" each season. This year there are said to be five, but there will be no dividend, according to report. The English stockholders are much disappointed over the outlook. Last year no percentage of profit was paid and the reason given was "big storms" down South at the closing of the season. The year before the excuse was a large amount mysteriously removing itself suddenly from the ticket wagon. The English financial papers are trying to excuse the Barnum show for passing its dividend by saying that this season has been a very poor one for outdoor amusements, which is partly true. The foreign press evidently has taken no cognizance of the immense profits made this season by the Buffalo Bill Show, the largest in the history of tented organizations. "The Bill Show" has given outdoor performances; it had a good exhibition and drew money. It is a general belief that the Barnum-Bailey Circus would have done the same had it been "framed up" for that purpose. The latter show is in the West now. Two weeks ago from Leavenworth, Kans., when the circus played there, the report came in that it was in "a state of decomposition." And this with representatives to watch out for the English interests travelling with it. The passing of the dividend has caused the par value of the B.-B. stock abroad to drop. It is now very low. An American investor with a knowledge of the circus business might step in at the present time with the object of picking up some of the capital stock. It could probably be secured very reasonably, even lower than the market, perhaps, for a big block. John Ringling is said to have kept in close tough with the conditions, and if the English investors are finally "frozen out" it would not be a matter of surprise to find the Ringlings in possession of their stock and in control of the Barnum-Bailey properties, with the co-operation of Mrs. Bailey or the Hutchinsons.

    Nothing has been heard lately of the announced intention of Willie Sells to take the reorganized Lemon Bros.' Circus for a winter tour through Panama and South and Central America this year. If he still holds to his promise, he will find himself opposed in Panama and the territory neighboring upon the canal republic by a new organizatoin being framed up for winter work in that section by Tote Siegrist, now with the Barnum & Bailey show as manager of the Siegrist-Silbon Troupe of aerial performers. Upon the closing of that circus Siegrist will take a troupe through Panama and South America, opening about the middle of November. His show will tour under canvas and will be made up of the Siegrist-Silbon Troupe; the Meers Sisters, principal riders; Danny Ryan; George Brown and Mme. Guiletti. Caesar Giletti, now with the Barnum outfit, will act as the general advance manager for the Siegrist venture. The show will be called the Siegrist-Silbon Circus.

    Circus wiseacres are offering even money bets that the Ringling-Barnum & Bailey merger will be an accomplished fact within a month. Al Stewart sailed for England last week with the object of making a final round up of what stock is available for purchase from the English syndicate.

    Antonio Pubillones, owner and manager of Pubillones' Circus, which annually tours the island of Cuba, is in this country engaging acts for the coming season, which opens at Havana in November. He was in New York last week in conference with his agent, J. Harry Allen, and left on Sunday with the latter to look over the acts being given as special attractions at the Brockton Fair.

    The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show lost the matinee in Louisville, Ky., Saturday owing to delay in reaching the stand. The show train was held up for several hours by the wreck of a milk train just ahead of it on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad.

    Col. Charles W. Seeley, legal adjuster with the Buffalo Bill show, left that organization when it played Hagerstown, Mr. His place was taken by Charles Meredith.

    Pain's pyrotechnical spectacle "Vesuvius" will consolidate with one of Miller Bros. "101 Ranch" shows next summer. The fireworks display will be given evenings and the Wild West exhibitons in the afternoon only, both occupying the same ground.

    Vicente Alba, proprietor of a travelling circus which covers the interior territory of Cuba, will be in New York in a few weeks. One purpose of his visit is to appear before License Commissioner John N. Bogart to explain his part in the cancellation of Marget Studdeheim, an equestrienne who lately made complaint before the License Bureau against agent Charles L. Sasse. According to Sasse, Mlle. Studdeheim was booked for the Alba Circus, but was cancelled by the manager, the cable arriving at the agent's office after the rider had sailed. Alba, says Sasse, played Mlle. Studdenheim with the circus and then cancelled her under a two weeks' clause in the contract alleging incompetence. She received two weeks' salary. Mlle. Studdeheim's complaint before the commissioner has held up the granting of an agent's license to Sasse and the latter hopes that when the commissioner hears the circus manager's story he will withdraw his objection.

Variety, October 26, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The long expected official statement comes at last that the Ringling Brothers are the owners of the Barnum & Bailey Show. Both Al. Ringling and his brother Otto were with the big show when it closed its season in Tennessee. A considerable proportion of the acts with the present organization was signed up for the season of 1908, the contracts naming the next year's show "Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth," the ("Limited") which followed the title formerly being missing. This change of contract form indicates that next season the show will be under another management. The people of the circus returned to New York this week, arriving in batches from Sunday until Wednesday, at intervals. According to stories they tell, the reports that have credited the tour with a financial failure were set in circulation for stock manipulating purposes. The performers say that the business ruled big at practically all stands. One who has been with the Barnum & Bailey show for five years stated this week that the season's business was the largest he has seen in that time. Joseph McCaddon is said to have "tipped off" the English syndicate of Barnum & Bailey stockholders that no dividend is to be declared on the fiscal year, and the annual statement in the face of the new complexion placed on the situation by this week's reports will be awaited with interest. Is is worth noting that McCaddon's alleged "tip" arrived on the other side just before Al. Stewart appeared on the scens and offered to buy up all Barnum & Bailey stock available in the English market. A dispatch from London this week says: "At an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Barnum & Bailey Show on Tuesday a resolution was adopted ratifying for the sale of the property for $410,000 to the Ringling Brothers. With the other assets this will give the shareholders $2 to $2.25 a share." When the corporation was formed in 1899 British investors were anxious to subscribe the entire capital of $2,000,000.

    The Norris & Rowe Circus will stay out on the road this year until Dec. 12, when it returns to winter quarters in California. During the present season the show has traveled over more territory, it is claimed, than any other American organization. Starting from the Pacific Coast the outfit worked east in Canada, playing as far as the Maritime provinces of the Dominion. It was within 50 miles of the coast, near Halifax. Norris & Rowe were short of funds at the opening of the season, and an effort was made to enlist additional capital. None was forthcoming, however, and the firm started out as best it could. From all accounts the issue was never in doubt, and it is declared by one who was in a position to be acquainted with the facts that on Oct. 15 the show was $75,000 to the good in clear profit. It carried 23 cars.

    It is unreasonable to expect that the half dozen great general agents of today will outlive the circus business. When tent show people get together this topic is frequently discussed and possible successors of Col. W. E. Franklin, Louis E. Cooke, and A. G. Ringlilng are picked out. Wallace Pepper thinks R. M. Harvey is the one best bet. He suggests Harvey Watkins and Harry Earl as other coming agents.

    There is some sort of an agreement between circus managers and bill posters by which the big shows pay three cents each for having the cloth banners taken down after the performance. In rare cases the bill posters collect this amount and then fail to do the work. Buffalo Bill's banners were up in McKeesport, Connellsville and Uniontown, Pa., as late as last Monday. The first city is in the province of a bill poster who was formerly in the circus business.

    It is said that the connection of "Spader" Johnson with the Barnum & Bailey Circus terminated with the present season. Johnson has been with the "Big Show" for fourteen years, but next season he will be with the Sells-Floto outfit. Another of this season's Barnum & Bailey forces to join Sells-Floto is young Charles Siegrist. The acrobat left the Barnum & Bailey show earlier in the season. He played at an Indianapolis park for several weeks, and thereafter nothing was heard of him until the circus people began to drift in from the closed shows. Now it is learned that Siegrist was with the Sells-Floto Circus for several months. He has been engaged for next season to put on a big aerial flying act, resembling in style that of the Siegrist-Silbon Troupe.

    After repeated denials, it is now admitted that the Pubillone Circus, which has hitherto played the island of Cuba will enter Mexico the coming season in opposition to the Circo Bell. It will play Merida, one of the best show towns in Central America, and then move to the City of Mexico. Harry Allen has booked the "Double Somersaulting" Automobile; Harry and Rose Wentworth's [text cut off]

    The St. Leon family of acrobats are at present one of the attractions with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus, in which they do a striking acrobatic turn, beside the principal riding act of Elsie St. Leon. Upon the close of the circus season the family will return to New York, where they have been engaged by Frederick Thompson for a new production which opens about the end of November. They will return to the Forepaugh-Sells organization next season. Miss St. Leon stands well up among female principal riders. She has a gorgeous wardrobe and her riding act is unusually graceful. She finishes with a series of clean backward somersaults on the back of a moving horse. The women are among the best acrobats in the tented world and their tumbling is an important part of the offering.

Variety, November 2, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Al Ringling left for Europe yesterday (Friday). It is stated he goes to the other side for the purpose of concluding arrangements, or looking the ground over, for the presentation of the Ringling Brothers' Circus abroad. The sale of the Barnum-Bailey show to the Ringlings, as exclusively predicted in Variety long before the actual sale occurred, gives the brothers the control of the tented field here. The Barnum-Bailey show has toured Europe as has Buffalo Bill's. The big circuses remaining controlled by the Ringlings are their own and the Forepaugh-Sells. If plans are satisfactorily made, the Ringling show will be the one to visit the other side, but if not it is not improbable that the same circus will open at Madison Square Garden next spring, laying out the better part of its season's route in the East, a territory to which it has been a stranger for continuous time. In the event of the Ringling show remaining East, the Barnum-Bailey Circus will open in the West and stay there.

    The Mirza-Golem Troupe, Risley act, which has been a feature of the Ringling Brothers' show this season, has been booked for a long engagement at the Hippodrome, beginning the third week in November. The act returns to the show for 1908. The Grunatho Sisters, acrobatic act, consisting of six girls and a man, which closed with the Barnum & Bailey circus in Tennessee, will also be a number in the circus portion of the new Hippodrome show. Both acts were brought over by H. B. Marinelli and booked for the big New York playhouse through that agency.

    Frank Williamson, who was with the Barnum & Bailey show the season just passed, will go into vaudeville shortly. Frank ("Slivers") Oakely, principal clown with the same circus, opens at the New York this month with Charles Siegrist, and now comes the announcement that Steve Miaco, who closed with the "Big Show" Oct. 17, is playing in the continuous with his partner, Dublado, in a novelty act.

    When the Barnum & Bailey Circus opened in Madison Square Garden last spring Variety ventured certain observations as to the makeup of the show which were not relished by the management. As a punitive measure orders were given to the man who handled the newspapers on the road that no Variety be brought on the lot wherever the circus played. Several performers so strongly objected to the ruling that the paper was later admitted. The exclusion order is said to have been given by Harvey Watkins. In this connection it is said that Watkins will not be with the Big Show next season. This i sone of the changes in the active management following upon the transfer of the property to the Ringlings.

    Charles Hutchinson, of the Barnum & Bailey show, and Fred Hutchinson, of Buffalo Bill's, will open a big skating rink in Bridgeport this fall. The establishment is all ready for its opening, which will take place within the next few weeks.

    Circus managers threaten reprisals upon certain towns through the country which have made a practice of holding up tent shows for unreasonable license fees. The Ringling show paid several licenses under protest the season just passed and sought relief in court, but one of the worst cases of "holdup" heard of is that which the Forepaugh-Sells show struck in Toronto. There a daily toll of $1,400 was exacted for lot rent and license. Acting under general instructions from the Ringling headquarters the fee was paid under protest, and an adjustment is understood to be still pending in the courts. The mayor of Sidney, Canada, invariably exacted the highest possible license under the local law which gave him discretionary powers in fixing the sum.

    The Hargreaves Circus closed its tour Saturday and returned to Hammond, Ind., where new winter quarters have been established. Hargreaves has been wintering in Chester, Pa. He owns a large tract of land there. This season the show played nearly the whole time in the general vicinty of Chicago, avoiding the crowded territory in the East. It played Chicago several weeks, shifting the stand to different sections of the city, and made short trips about the suburban towns. With the idea of developing this territory Hargreaves moved his winter quarters. He has taken over a lease of 15 acres belonging to the Hammond Packing Company, together with the former buildings of the plant, which has recently moved into the Chicago stockyard section. He holds an option on the property and may purchase it outright, disposing of his Pennsylvania real estate. This year's tour is understood to have shown only a small profit.

    Fred Longbotham closed with the Hargreaves Show, of which he was treasurer the season just passed, and will sail for Cuba to spend the winter season with hte Pubillones Circus in Cuba and Mexico.

Variety, November 9, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Siegrist-Silbon Circus, a newly organized outfit which plans to tour the Isthmus of Panama, sailed for the city of Panama Thursday. They carried a 100-foot round top canvas. The roster of acts makes up an imposing show for a single ring outfit. Among the number are the Melrose Troupe, wire; Meers Sisters, riders; Danny Ryan, and a troupe of leaping hounds from the Barnum-Bailey show.

    Charles Cory, general manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, will sail for Europe on Nov. 26 by the "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" to be gon a month or more. With him will go Charles Bornhaupt, American representative of the H. B. Marinelli agency, which, it is announced, has signed an agreement by which it is made the exclusive booking agent of the combined show. Messrs. Cory and Bornhaupt will first visit Hamburg, where they will confer with Carl Hagenbeck, the European animal king, who is interested in the Wallace-Hagenbeck show.

    A second denail is made with some show of feeling that the Pubillones Circus will play the Orrins' theatre in Mexico City. Mr. Orrin, who was in New York recently, is himself given as authority for the statement that the Cuban organization will not venture into the capital of the Central American republic. Pubillones will, however, cross from the island to pick up some of the rich profits that have always resulted from a circus visit to Merida, particularly just after the harvesting of the hemp crop, but it seems to be settled that no show but Orrin's will hold forth in Orrin's theatre.

    Charles L. Sasse has booked the following list of attractions to play this season with the Pubillones Circus in Cuba and Mexico: Boise Troupe, aerialists; Riva Brothers, rope act; Mlle. Turnour, trapeze; Larsen Sisters, tumblers and bar artistes; Castrillon Troupe, acrobats; Harry Dio, jockey and "singing donkey"; Celina de Dio, dogs and pony; Ferari's lion act; Three Liviers, wire acrobats, and Schaar Troupe of cyclists. He has a number of other acts pending. Mr. Sasse has instructions to ship acts every week. Fred Longbotham, the Pubillones agent, will remain in New York to look out for his principal's interests until the middle of December.

    Now that the Ringlings have taken possession of the Barnum-Bailey show much speculation is indulged in as to what Charlie Hutchinson, one of the Hutchinson Brothers, will do next season. Mr. Hutchninson was general manager of the "Big Show" during the season just passed, while Fred occupied the same position with Buffalo Bill's exhibition. Charlie, it is said, will organize a circus of his own, traveling over the country with it, but whether as an "independent" or in sympathetic bookings with the Ringlings is not known. Fred will likely again direct the "Wild West." His diplomacy in the management of that show is such that the general understanding is his services could not be well spared. The skating rink at Bridgeport which the "Hutchinson boys" took for the winter has opened, and very popular in the Connecticut town, according to report.

    The Bounding Patersons, trempolin bar artists, who have been away form America for five years, have signed contracts which will keep them going on their world's tour until 1910. They sailed from London Oct. 26 bound for Calcutta, where they are to open with Harniston Circus Nov. 30. They will remain with that organization during its tour through India, China, Japan, Java, Australia and the Philippine Islands.

Variety, November 23, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A letter from Mme. Schell, lion trainer with the Dick Bell Show in Mexico, states the present organization which has been in Central America since Easter will close Nov. 27 in Vera Cruz, Mexico. What becomes of the Bell outfit after is a matter of speculation among the American agents. The latter were invited some time since of offer acts. They did so promptly, but have heard nothing from Bell up to date. If he has booked another show to replace the one closing next week nobody knows of it.

    The season just past having been a profitable one, the Harris [sic] & Rowe people in California are in funds and large improvements in the equipment are promised for next season.

    The John Robinson circus is in its winter quarters at Terrace Park, Reading, O. The show closed a few days before the final date set, Nov. 2. A profitable season is reported, despite bad weather conditions. The circus traveled 32,627 miles on its tour, expending over $100,000 for transportation. The daily expenses averaged $5,725.

    The prolonged stay of Col. William F. Cody, of the Buffalo Bill show, in New York is being commented upon. It is said that he is still in negotiation with the Ringlings for the straightening out of certain details of the former inter-relation of the Buffalo Bill exhibition and the Barnum-Bailey property following the transfer of ownership. When James A. Bailey re-equipped the Buffalo Bill show, upon its return from the European trip several years ago, he retained the ownership of much of the rolling stock cars, show paraphernalia, etc. This property was an asset of the Barnum-Bailey corporation, and was taken over by the Ringlings together with the stock. It is believed that Col. Cody will negotiate its purchase outright. This can easily be done out of the huge profits returned on the season's tour.

    Otto Ringling, of the Ringling Brothers, is in Bridgeport, Conn., the winter home of the Barnum-Bailey circus. Reports from the New England town indicate that Mr. Ringling is making a good many changes both in the equipment of the show and in the personnel of its sub-managers. One item of interest that has been banded about is the rumor that the parade will be cut out of all the shows next season. Now that the Ringlings control almost the entire field, it is said they will feel at liberty to take this step. Last season the Barnum show gave no parade, although the Ringling circus held to the old custom. For several years the Ringlings are said to have had in mind the elimination of this expensive feature. Before the death of James A. Bailey, John Ringling and that showman held a conference upon this point.

    Last week rang down the curtain on the circus season of 1907. The Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit headed for winter quarters this week; Ringling Brothers closed at Fulton, Ky., a few days ago, and went to Baraboo, Wis., while the Forepaugh-Sells exhibition brings its season to a close at Pine Bluff, Ark., today. The Hagenbeck-Wallace show closed its season proper a week ago, but following the established custom gave two performances on Monday for the benefit of Ben Wallace. This stand, for which no salaries were paid, was made at Roanoke, Va.

    Great activity is observed about the winter quarters of the Barnum-Bailey show and Bridgeport has greeted the advent of the Ringlings to the ownership of the property with joy. The new owners are spenign considerable money in installing an up-to-date equipment, and what is more important are spending as much as possible of their money in Bridgeport. One of the much needed improvements which the Ringlings have started to build is a modern electric plant.

    A report that the Ringlings would not send out the Forepaugh-Sells show next season has been quoted pretty generally for several weeks past, but does not receive credence from the circus wiseacres.

    Al Stewart, who is Mr. Bailey's accredited representative and who conducted the negotiations for the sale of the Barnum-Bailey stock to the Ringlings, has not been seen in his usual haunts this week. Rumor has gained ground that he has gone to join Mrs. Bailey and Joseph McCaddon in London.

    It is expected that circus news will be scarce from now until Mrs. James A. Bailey and Joseph McCaddon return from London. They are expected back Dec. 15. The announcement may then be made of the sale of Mrs. Bailely's interest in the Buffalo Bill show. Mrs Bailey is said to place a high price upon this property, basing her estimate upon its immense profits of the past season. Although it has been generally known that her one-half interest was on the market, bidding has been rather slow.

    The Boise Family of acrobats and Melville, the gymnast, returned to New York last week after playing only a few days with the Pubillones Circus in Havana. Mr. Boise declares he was canceled without cause, although he held a contract for 16 weeks and was compelled to pay his own return transportation. Melville complains of substantially the same treatment. On the other hand, J. Frank Longbotham, the New York agent for Pubillones, says the Boisees left for cause, and the two weeks' cancellation clause in their contract was taken advantage of. Mr. Longbotham asserted that the Boises were given an option of playing out the two weeks, and were paid $200 for the time they worked. Melville, he said, has voluntarily retired from the engagement after a discussion as to his position on the bill.

Variety, November 30, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Up to date the Ringlings have done very little outside booking. This week, however, Al Ringling sent out a letter to the independent agents notifying them he was now back at Baraboo and would be pleased to have material submitted for next season.

    The Pawnee Bill Show closed in Dennison, Tex., and is in its new winter quarters at Pawnee, Okla. Notwithstanding the determined opposition of the "trust" shows, the Col. Lillie organization is said to show a net profit on the season of from $60,000 to $65,000. Of this Edward Arlington's share is placed at $15,000 (25 per cent). Circus gossip has it that Arlington received a guarantee of $500 a month and had a profit participating agreement on the season. In some of the big towns opposition billing cut the business to almost nothing, but the show is said to have drawn big patronage in the smaller stands. The biggest day in Denver, Col., is stated to have shown a net profit of $6,000. Reports this week made it seem that Arlington will be at the reins of the show next season.

    In one respect at least the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus has fortified itself against the "trust." "The Big Three" shows will not be able to take away any of its attractions. A clause in the Hagenbeck contract successfully chokes off competitive bidding for acts. It reads: "The employer shall have an option of renewing this agreement for the coming season of ---- and ---- upon two weeks' notice in writing being given to the artist at any time prior to the termination of this agreement." This clause, with the blank spaces being filled in with "1908" and "1909," gives the independent show a firm hold on all its acts for a term of three years. The show has availed itself of this advantage, re-booking most of the attractions from the season just closed.

    The equipment of the McDonald Brothers show had a narrow escape from destruction by fire the other day at Huntington, W. Va., where the show is wintering. The blaze started in one of the snake dens and it is thought a reptile overturned a lighted lantern.

    E. Sherman Danby, press agent of the Hagenbeck show before it combined with Wallace, is in advance of Wilton Lackaye. James Dunreith, who was with Hagenbeck at the same time, is doing special advance press work.

    Charley Siegrist, who was with the Siegrist-Silbon Troupe of acrobats with the Barnum-Bailey circus for a time this past season, will leave shortly to play with the Sells-Floto show in the Far West. Mr. Siegrist before taking on the Western engagement may spend a few weeks in vaudeville with Frank "Slivers" Oakley. Mr. Seigrist is a protege of Joe Adams, the 44th Street boniface, himself an all around artist before he retired, and Seigrist is making Adams' hotel his headquarters while in the city. The Oakley-Siegrist act makes its first appearance at the Shubert, Newark, N. J., this week.

    Louis Jordan has sailed for Trinidad, where he will open for a winter circus season with his own show. Beside the Jordan act of ten people, Teed and Lazell are with the show, and Harry Allen has instructions to ship two more acts within a few weeks. The canvas and other equipment of the Jordan show which traveled over the same territory last winter, was left in Jamaaica. It will be shipped to Trinidad. The Todd-Siegrist circus sailed on the same steamer.

    Reports from Havana, Cuba, indicate that the "Double Somersaulting" Automobile, which played circus and summer park dates here last summer, has made a regular-sized hit as the feature attraction of the Pubillones circus which opened a week or so ago in Cuba. An effort was made some months ago to send the act into South and Central America, but the managers there refused to consider the offer, declaring that the authorities would not permit it to play. It has not been molested in Cuba.

    The Brosinis, who first played over here at the Hippodrome, have been engaged for the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus next season.

    Sydney, Oct. 4. Wirth Bros., the well-known Australian circus proprietors, have completed their new hippodrome in Melbourne, near Princes Bridge. They purpose running a combination circus and variety show in the central theatre, which is beautifully fitted up with the latest improvements. The circus opens on the 19th and will make the greatest big for public patronage.

    "Dick" Bell, Jr., son of the Mexican circus proprietor, arrived in New York late last week for a ten-day stay. The present makeup of the Bell outfit is scheduled for a change after this week. Its various attractions were booked last Easter, and have played in the Latin-American republic ever since with a short "lay-off" during the bad weather.

    It will be curious if the "Dick" Bell and the Pubillones circuses do not clash in Mexico this fall. The former goes into Mexico City next week for a month's stay and the Cuban organization sailed for Merida a few days ago. The Bells have come to regard Mexico rather as their own territory. Not that they have ever taken any active measures to exclude others, but so many have attempted to invade the territory and retired beaten while the Bell property went on the even tenor of its way, that the family has come to consider itself as having an established position. The Bells have laid out their route and will not depart from it. They are not looking for trouble with Pubillones, but at the same time they are not seeking to avoid a contest.

Variety, December 7, 1907, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Some agents claim that the agreement or understanding reported existing between W. W. ("Doc") Freeman and the Ringlings, whereby the agent will receive a commission on all acts booked by the Ringling shows will not be strictly adhered to by the managers. Exceptions are said to have already been made, but the general impression is that all circus bookings for next season, where the Ringling shows are concerned, will be placed to the credit of Mr. Freeman.

    It seems to be pretty well understood that Louis E. Cook will confine himself next season to looking after the interests of the Buffalo Bill show. Last year he managed the advance of both that property and the Barnum-Bailey outfit. But the change of ownership has made it advisable to keep this department of the two shows apart, and Mr. Cook has elected to cast his fortunes with Col. Cody.

    The Common Council of Marion, Ind., has raised the circus license fee from $50 to $200 a day. This operates only against such shows as charge fifty cents or more for admission. Smaller shows will be required to pay $25 a day, and other exhitibions not classed as circuses $15.

    The Stirk Family of bicyclists closed with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus Nov. 4, two weeks before the end of the tour, owing to the sudden and serious illness of Tom Stirk's mother in Boston. Tom Stirk left the show hurriedly and hastened to his mother's sick bed in Boston, the other members of the act following the next day.

    Gentry's Famous Shows, professionally known as the "Number Three Gentry," closed a successful season and are now in winter quarters at Bloomington, Ind. The tour embraced the entire Middle West and South, lasting thirty-one weeks. The "Number Three" show will be vastly improved and augmented for next season's tour. A thorough effort will be made to not only increase the size of the exhibition but to add to the merits in every particular. One of the staff will make a trip to Europe in search of attractions for next season's tour.

    The Bell show did not close Nov. 23 as was expected. Several acts with contracts expiring at that time retired from the show and were replaced, while others extended their time for a few weeks until substitutes could be secured. Several acts were sent into Mexico by Charles L. Sasse this week and others will follow shortly.

    Following upon the retirement of John Havlin from participation in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, the announcement comes that Lee Williams, Carl Hagenbeck's former representative in this country, will leave that organization likewise. He will become a permanent attache of the Stair & Havlin forces, being now assigned to Philadelphia as the manager of that firm's Grand Theatre there.

    Charles Cory, general manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, sailed for Europe last Saturday. He will be gone a month, booking attractions and generally inspecting European conditions. Charles Bornhaupt, the American Marinelli representative, was to have gone with him, but conditions in the vaudeville field here made his presence in the city necessary at this time. Cory will do his foreign booking through the Marinelli agency.

Variety, December 14, 1907, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    It is understood that one-half interest in the Pawnee Bill Show is on the market, waiting for a purchaser. Major Lillie, proprietor of the property, is now in negotiation with the Miller Brothers, of Bliss, Okla., who last year operated two Wild West organizations under the name of "101 Ranch," one at Brighton Beach, Long Island, and the other at the Jamestown Exposition. The Pawnee Bill outfit had a profitable season last summer, returning a profit of from $60,000 to $70,000.

    The Frank A. Robbins Show, a sixteen-car organization, which for a number of years has played the Atlantic seaboard territory, is offered for sale. The show played a great part of last summer in the Middle Atlantic States. Frank A. Robbins, Fred Beckman, Louis E. Cook, of the Barnum & Bailey advance forces, and Edward Arlington, of the Pawnee Bill Show, are interested jointly in the property.

    The Golden Troupe of Russian Dancers, last season with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, has engaged for '08 with the Sells-Floto show. In the same organization will be Rhoda Royal, last year with Hagenbeck-Wallace also.

    Rhoda Royal, owner of the big equestrian act which opened with the Barnum-Baile Circus at Madison Square Garden last summer and finished out the season with Hagenbeck-Wallace, is operating a winter circus in the South. He opened in one of the Southern cities last week. Chester, the hand balancer, is a member of the troupe, as are also the Delno Troupe and the Royal act.

    Edward Shipp, late equestrian director with Barnum & Bailey, has taken a winter circus to Panama, which seems to be a popular territory just now for American show promoters.

    The Circo Bell opened this week in Merida, Yucatan, as opposition to the Pubillones Circus, which invaded that territory from Cuba this fall. Just now it looks as though the two shows were in for a clash when they arrive in Mexico City. Bell stays four weeks in Merida. From there he goes to Progresso for three days, and after a ten days' stand in Vera Cruz takes up a four or six weeks' engagement in Mexico City. Pubillones is likewise headed for the Mexican capital, having ordered a new top from a New York firm, specifying that it be delivered in Mexico City by the first of the year.

    It appears to be an almost settled conviction in some quarters that the Ringling Brothers Circus will play its first New York engagement at the Madison Square Garden next spring, instead of the Barnum-Bailey show, the latter circus always having had that place to open its season with when in this country. The purchase of "The Big Show" by the Ringlings presumably carried the Garden rights held by the late James A. Bailey with it, and New Yorkers may have an opportunity to look at what has been said to be the best tent entertainment on the road.

    The executive staff of the Buffalo Bill Wild West is now able to settle down to a comfortable winter, secure in contracts for next year, but the late Barnum-Bailey forces are uneasily awaiting some word from the Ringlings as to where they are going to stand when the warm weather awakens thoughts of the road next year. On December 1, the end of the circus year, the Barnum-Bailey staff was permitted to go without a word as to the future, and the impression grows among its members that they will have to seek for new employment next season. Most of them dropped into winter berths, but W. E. Coxey, of the press representativess, and Harvey Watkins, who was prominent in the executive management, are still parading Broadway "at liberty." Exceptions to the gloom in which the retired agents live and move are Lester Murray, of the Barnum-Bailey outfit, who is to be No. 1 car manager for the Bill show, and Victor Cook, also of the Big Show, who will handle that concern's No. 2 advance car. Louis Cook, of course, will be general manager of the Bill show as formerly, with George Degnon as first assistant in chief.

    Another thing that agitates the minds of the jobless agents is this: If the Forepaugh-Sells show doesn't go out, will not the Ringlings fill the Barnum-Bailey ranks from the advance forces of that organization?

    Walter K. Hill, who seems to have made a brilliant record in his first year with the Buffalo Bill show, will be back in his position of contracting press agent next season, travelling with Car No. 1. E. H. Woods will again be manager of No. 3 car. Fred Hall will be press agent with the show, and Major Burke, the "Ancient Friar," will act as "story man," supplying "atmosphere" and geniality in wholesale quantities as of yore.

    "Pink" Hayes, last year's contracting agent for the Barnum-Bailey Show, is now on the road with the No. 2 "Peter Pan" dramatic company as advance agent, and James De Wolf, who served as the same show's contracting press agent, is ahead of "The Dairymaids." Dexter Fellows is spending the winter at his ome in Fitchburg, Mass.

    Joe Bailey, late of the Buffalo Bill Show, sailed this week for London with his trained horses "Joe" and "Irma G., " which are to be exhibited at the Crystal Palace, now under the management of George Starr. Ray Thomposn, the rider, sailed also. She will handle the pair in the ring. "Irma G." is said to be the only mare in the world that can be put through an elaborate high school routine without a bit or bridle. The pair and Miss Thompson will return to open with the Buffalo Bill show in the Spring.

Variety, December 21, 1907, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    London, Dec. 7. After a brief stay at the Savoy, John Ringling and "Doc" Freeman, the latter the "contract fixer" of the Chicago circus agency, left for gay Paris and slippery Berlin. Asked whether the American panic would affect their operations, genial John replied that they were not a bit worried about that. Frank Brown, the old-time English circus clown, brother of Clara and Adele Purvis, and known for many circus ventures in Argentine and Chilie, landed in Lisbon, and is due here via Paris. His connection with the Coliseo Argentino, Buenos Aires, will be recalled, but this time he is booking for the Teatro San Martino of that city.

    Not a single order has been place for next year's printing of the Buffalo Bill Show, owing to the absence in London of Joseph McCaddon. By this time last year the printing companies were pretty well advanced with the Buffalo Bill and Barnum-Bailey orders, and knew about what they would have. Mrs. Bailey and McCaddon are reported to have sailed for home late last week and should be in New York by now. John Ringling is expected back shortly.

    The circus wiseacres' prophecy a year ago that Ben Wallace would be sole owner of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show seems to have come true. Mr. Wallace is now sole proprietor. At the time John Havlin retired from the partnership Lee Williams, Mugavin, Frank Tate and Talbott likewise sold out their shares in the property. Mugavin has since bought back his interest in the Van Amberg show. Talbott will be with the Wallace outfit this year as legal adjuster, but will not be otherwise interested.

    Showmen were a bit surprised this week when news leaked out that Charles Hutchinson would remain in his hold position as treasurer of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, when it goes out next season under the Ringling Brothers' management. It was supposed that he would be retired together with the rest of the old executive staff. Charles Hutchinson is a nephew of Mrs. James A. Bailey. His brother, Fred Hutchinson, was general manager last season of the Buffalo Bill Show. No annoucement of his connection for the season of 1908 has yet been made, but he will probably be in the same capacity.

Top

1908

Variety, Jaunary 4, 1908, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Ringling Circus does not play at Madison Square Garden, N. Y., this spring as has been so widely understood. Circus traditions in this respect will not be disturbed for the present. The Ringling Brothers will devote the first year of their proprietorship of the Barnum-Baiely property to putting that show back upon the same footing of excellence that obtained under the management of the late James A. Bailey. To this end the street parade will be re-established with the coming season. The Ringling show will open in Chicago as usual this season, but in 1909 Madison Square Garden may be its opening stand.

    The Pawnee Bill Wild West exhibition will not take to the road this summer. That much has been decided upon and Major Lillie has written to a number of agents expressing his desire to be booked in summer parks and like amusement places for the season of 1908 either in this country or abroad. This announcement would seem to contradict the general impression, doubtless arising from statements eminating from the Pawnee Bill staff, that the show was a financial success last year.

    Ralph Peckham, listed as chief excursion agent for the Ringling Brothers, but really exercising a much more important function in that concern, is the first of the advance guard to take up quarters in the Barnum & Bailey building in the offices recently turned over to the new owners of the Big Show by the retiring management. Mr. Peckham, who for 15 years was stationed in Chicago, is established in the private office formerly given over to W. W. Cole, who has moved his belongings to the inner office of the Buffalo Bill suite on the same floor. He is said to be engaged in laying out the printing orders for the two big shows and handling other important preliminary work. Otto Ringling runs into town frequently from winter quarters at Bridgeport.

    After all the discussion pro and con and the indignant denials of "Dick" Bell that such was to be the case, it is now announced that Circo Bell will play the Orrin Theatre in Mexico City some time in the latter part of February. This is possibly due to the fact that the Pubillones Circus preceded Bell into the capital. The Bell show has been strengthened within the last two weeks by the addition of the Melrose Troupe of acrobats, Eddie Martyne, Borsini and Winchermann's Bears. The latter act was scheduled to join the Bell outfit earlier this season, but was held in this country until two weeks ago by United Booking Office contracts. Ten more acts will joine the Bell show within the next two months, before the Mexico opening. The engagement there will run six weeks or two months.

    Oscar Krouse, general agent for the Pawnee Bill Wild West, left New York last week for Pawnee, Okla., after a two weeks' stay, during which he closed up what business was left over from the exhibition's last season. The suit brought against Major Lillie by Arthur Voeglin, the scenic artist, for the paraphernalia of "The Great Train Robbery," an attraction with the Lillie outfit, was compromised. Upon Mr. Krouse's arrival in Pawnee it is probable that Maj. Lillie will start for an Eastern trip.

    Riccabonna Horses have been booked for the Ringling Brothers' Circus next season by Richard Pitrot.

    The Aerial Lowes sailed for Cuba on Dec. 27 to join a carnival company for a tour of that country.

    "Big Mike," an African elephant, said to have been one of the largest in America, died at the Ringling headquarters in Bridgeport last week. It was part of the Forepaugh-Sells outfit, and was injured a month ago en route for the Connecticut town, when the car in which it was being transported burned down. "Mike" was one of a herd purchased in 1878, and was worth $9,000.

    Circus people are wondering what has become of the winter circus which Willie Sells announced last summer he was going to take out for a tour of South and Central America. Not a word has been heard of the enterprise since young Sells gave out his first prospectus.

    Reports from Mexico indicate that Dick Bell is having rather the best of his opposition with Pubillones. The Bell outift is doing profitable business, but it is rumored that the opposition show has not fared so well. The somersaulting automobile, Pubillones' leading feature, has attracted wide attention, and is said to be responsible for what business the show has done.

    For the first time in eighteen years Joe La Fleur says that next summer will not find him with a circus. He is now on the Orpheum Circuit.

    "Irma G." and "Joe Bailey," the performing horses with Buffalo Bill last season, opened at the Central Palace last week. They are being shown by their owner, Ray Bailey, and will be with the Wild West outfit again next season.

    Norris & Rowe have purchased the entire zoological collection from the Chutes Company, in San Francisco, which consists of elephants, camels, dromedaries, lions, tigers, jaguars, etc., comprising thirty animals in all. This addition to their already well selected menageries places the firm well to the fore among the big circus menageries of this country in equipment. The animals were transferred to the winter quarters of the circus at Santa Cruz without any mishap.

    Art Adair, principal clown last season with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, is booked solid on the Western Vaudeville Association time until March 30. His tour is directed by Jake Sternad of that circuit. Following his engagements in the continuous, he returns to the circus for the season of 1908.

    R. H. Dockrill has been engaged by Norris & Rowe as equestrian director for the coming season. There are few men in the circus world that are better known than Mr. Dockrill.

    The Peerless Potters have been engaged by Norris & Rowe for their forthcoming season.

    The work on Norris & Rowe's new big Hippodrome is being pushed rapidly. The billing of the big show will be commenced immediately. The opening date has been set for Saturday, Jan. 11. Performances will be given twice daily, and the engagement is to be indefinite. It is the intention of Norris & Rowe to keep their hippodrome running the year round and to change the acts from time to time.

    Charles Cory, general manager for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, who has been in Europe for two months in the interests of Ben Wallace, the present proprietor of the show, sailed from France last Saturday, having given up his proposed trip into Russia. He is reported to have booked few attractions during his presence on the other side.

    William Bell, an animal trainer, well known to tent men, died of heart disease at Kansas City last week.

    In a few days Lou Jordan, of the Flying Jordans, who is now playing in the Guianas, West Indies, will move over to Caracas, Venezuela, where the show will play for a month under a guarantee arrangement with the government. The outfit is traveling under its own canvas top. It is to be augmented by several acts, scheduled to sail today.

    News has reached this country that Frank Fillis, known as the "P. T. Barnum of South Africa," and for many years the proprietor of the biggest circus in that territory, has gone bankrupt. He is now traveling with a circus organization, and has assured several American creditors that he will settle up all indebtedness within a short time. He had a plan for bringing a big circus over to this country the coming season, but his friends have dissuaded him from such a project. Mr. Fillis produced the "Boer War" specatcle in this country and has a large number of friends here.

    The staff of Cole Brothers, who are wintering just outside Erie, Pa., were not forgotten by Santa Claus. Manager Martin J. Downs, general agent Ed. C. Knupp and railroad contractor Harry B. Potter were the commissioned agents of the good old benefactor. Mark Monroe had transformed the ring barn with holly and Christmas greens, and in the centre stood a big Christmas tree.
    The men, some 40 in number, gathered in the ring barn at 8 o'clock Tuesday evening and enjoyed a vaudeville programme. At 10 o'clock, when the distribution of gifts was made, every man employed in the winter quarters received a large box containing a full kit of winter clothes.

Variety, January 11, 1908, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Buffalo Bill Wild West cleared $400,000 net profit the past season.

    The Barnum-Bailey Circus, under the management of the Ringling Brothers, opens at the Madison Square Garden on March 18 for a stay of five weeks. Following the "Big Show," Buffalo Bill's will occupy the same place for two or thee weeks, each commencing its season's tour after the Garden engagment.

    Frank O'Donnell, with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus the past season, will be contracting agent with the Barnum-Bailey show the coming season.

    Ernest Cook will have charge of the Buffalo Bill show this season, it is said, instead of Fred Hutchinson, who, it was generally thouhg, would be retained as manager of the Wild West. The Hutchinson Brothers (Fred and Charlie), together with Louis E. Cooke, are planning a circus of their own for 1909, according to report.

    Walter L. Main, proprietor of "The Great Fashion Plate Shows," seems to have disposed of his future, as far as next summer is concerned. According to an authentic statement this week he has thrown his fortunes in with Frank A. Robbins, and the coming season will travel with the latter's organization. Much of the Main parade paraphernalia and the Power elephants will be added to the Robbins outfit, and Main himself will be manager of the privileges with the show. This will possibly make some difference in the territory to be played by the Robbins circus. Last summer "The Fashion Plate Shows" playled just ahead of the Robbins outfit for a month or more, and this had its effect upon busines. With the two shows together, the small Eastern towns will be free from opposition. There was some talk of Robbins attempting to develop a new territory, but under the merger scheme, this plan will in all probability be given up. Another story had it that Main was trying to buy the Robbins show.

    The Robinson Greater Shows are being extensively refitted in winter quarters at Terrace Park, Ohio. The parade equipment is being entirely regilded, the work already having progressed well toward completion. Everything is reported to be in fine shape at winter quarters. "Gov." Robinson did not send his stock "up country" for wintering this year, as has been his custom, but kept it in winter quarters.

    John T. Shannon, general privilege manager of the Norris & Rowe Circus, of Venice, Cal., is in New York making arrangements for sending circus acts to the Hippodrome, San Francisco, which Norris & Rowe are expected to open today. It seems as though the circus firm will be compelled to make some arrangements with one of the Western circuits to take acts playing Western territory, the jump from New York to the Pacific Coast being a long one even in view of the fact that a four weeks' engagement will be offered there.

    J. C. Miller, of Bliss, Oklahoma, arrived in New York Monday, and spent several days planning a road tour next summer of Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch." Mr. Miller says it is proposed to play Eastern territory, and the tour will cover a period of six months of one-day stands. Interested with the Miller Brothers in the project are some influential New York amusement people of experience and executive ability, which will be an important factor in making the enterprise a success. No pains or expense, added Mr. Miller, is to be spared to send away from Oklahoma next spring a Wild West outfit that will be second to none in size and equipment, and as Pawnee Bill's Wild West is pretty certain not to take the road this year, "101 Ranch" will enjoy the distinction of being the only rival of the Buffalo Bill combination. Eddie Arlington, Pawnee Bill's general manager last year, will pilot the Miller organization.

    The advance force for the Barnum-Bailey show for the coming season, its first under Ringling Brothers' management, has been announced in part. Harry B. Graham will be Car No. 1 manager; J. F. Benzinger, Car No. 2, and John F. Harper, Car No. 3. W. C. St. Clair has been designated as special Barnum & Bailey agent. Press agent Coxey, formerly of the Barnum-Bailey forces, has been retained. Most of the others named above were with the Forepaugh-Sells Circus. The Ringling Show advance remains practically unchanged.

    W. C. Thompson will handle the press work of the "101 Ranch" this coming season. Mr. Thompson acted in the same capacity for Pawnee Bill's show last year.

    There was a gathering of the big circus managers in New York this week. John Ringling, of the Ringling Brothers, arrived ten days ago from England, and until Tuesday afternoon held forth daily at the Barnum & Bailey offices in East 22d Street. He was visited there by a number of booking agents, but no statement was given out as to what business had been transacted. Otto Ringling came into the city from Bridgeport, Conn., where he is in charge of the Barnum & Bailey winter quarters, and was present at most of the conferences. On the same steamer which brought Mr. Ringling home traveled Charles Cory, general agent of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows. Mr. Cory remained from Friday until Tuesday afternoon at the Hotel Astor and likewise transacted business for his principals. Mr. Ringling returned to his home in Chicago. Mr. Cory left no word as to his destination when he left the hotel.

    John Fagin, railroad contractor for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows is in the city this week. His mission is unknown.

Variety, January 18, 1908, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Greater Norris & Rowe circus has been increased in size and will take the road as usual early in March.

    Ernie and Percy Clark (The Clarkonians) are at the Circus Bush, Berlin (Ger.), where they are the feature of the bill, giving two acts. On the same program are Cottrell and Cavallini, clowns.

    The Dick Bell show opened in the Orrins Building in Mexico City last Sunday. No word has come from the Pubillones outfit since it was at Vera Cruz, but it is believed that it will be in the city very shortly. Both the Bell and Pubillones shows were in Vera Cruz at the same time, the last week in December. Each declares in letters to New York agents that the other did no business. One thing is certain, neither did much in Merida, Ycatan, once the richest show town in Central America. A disastrous slump in the hemp market is given as the cause of the bad business. Products which formerly marketed for $20 are now begging for purchasers at less than $5. It is said a financial panic is imminent there. Both shows played Merida early in December.

    The publication of the amount of the fortune left by the late James A. Bailey caused great surprise in New York. The circus man's will was probated in London, and whereas it was supposed he had left at least $4,000,000, the statement of his wealth in the legal proceedings was set at about $650,000 gross. Of this $150,000 is in Europe, the remainder over here. The net value of the estated will not exceed a half-million, it is estimated.

    Pete and Eva Bell are playing for the Western Vaudeville Association. In March Mr. Bell, one of the best leapers in the tented division, will rejoin the Barnum-Bailey show. The following Fall he leaves for Europe.

Variety, February 1, 1908, pp. 13, 19. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Burr Robbins, one of the last of the old time circus owners, died at his home in Chicago, Thursday morning, in his seventy-first year. He left an estated estimated to be in the millions. A widow, a daughter, China, who is now married, and a son Burnett W., who is general manager of the American Posting Service, Chicago, survive him.
    Burr Robbins made his name a household word in the Northwest through the conduct, for many years, of a wagon show, which later was put upon the rails and toured Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois during a series of unfailingly prosperous seasons. In 1887 the show was disbanded and sold piecemeal to the various circuses of that day. Mr. Robbins, during that time, made Janesville, Wis., his home and winter quarters for his show.
    During one of the winters his show was in quarters an accident befell Mr. Robbins which nearly cut short his career, and developed into one of the most famous surgical achievements the medical fraternity has ever known. While riding in a steam launch on the Fox River at Janesville, returning to town from the show quarters, he passed under a bridge. One of the spans of the bridge knocked over the smokestack of the launch, and it fell, striking Mr. Robbins on the forehead, literally cutting the top of his head off. For months he lingered between life and death, but skillful surgery, which attracted world-wide attention, finally saved his life. During his remaining years he carried the marks, an indented forehead and impaired eyes and sight.
    Mr. Robbins was born in Union, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1837, and was educated in Baldwin University, Berea, O. His first circus experience was gained as property man with Spalding & Rogers show in 1858. After his tour with the Spalding & Rogers Show he joined C. C. Pratt in the management of the Harmonion Bard, and later, in 1859-60, he was manager of McBurwell's Panaorama. He then enlisted in the army and served throughout the civil war. He again entered the show business, after the end of the Rebellion, and managed for some time the tour of "Bill" D. T. Travis, who lectured on "The Army of the Cumberland," and conducted a panorama of Civil War scenes.

    After all the Frank A. Robbins circus will not take to the road the coming season. Eddie Arlington, who held a small interest in the property, has purchased the holdings of Frank A. Robbins, Louis E. Cooke, and Fred Beckman. The show was operated as a $40,000 corporation. The purchase price is unknown. Arlington will merge the show with "Ranch 101," which he is to handle next season. The transaction also includes Arlington's taking a half interest in the Miller property, by virtue of contributing the Robbins show to its equipment.

    Antonio Pubillones, of the Cuban circus which bears his name, will come to the States in October to secure acts for the next season show.

    Harry La Pearl and Company have signed with the Barnum & Bailey show for the coming season.

    The Norris & Rowe Hippodrome opened Jan. 11 in San Francisco under the management of the circus firm. Attendance is reported to have maintained a good standard through the first ten days of its life. The opening bill included the Porters, Herzog's Horses, Geisler's Elephants, the Honey-Mora Troupe, the Castellos, Orton Family, the McDonalds and Perry Troupe.

    The Jessie Kellar troupe of cyclists has been engaged for the Ringling circus for next season.

    George Wambold, the circus clown and acrobat, died in the City Hospital, St. Louis, last week, of consumption. Wambold had worked with nearly every American circus on the road until his health broke down about ten years ago. His pride was that he had "tumbled all around the world." Mr. Wambold was taken to the hospital last fall, and remained there until his death. He was a member of Elk and Mason lodges in Philadelphia.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace circus will open its season at Peru, Ind., on April 27. The show's winter quarters are located in the town. Among the foreign acts booked for the circus by H. B. Marinelli are the Six Argottis (all men with one masquerading as a woman while in the ring), a "Risley" act, Thalero's Ponies and Dogs and Kirsten Mariettas, equilibrists.

    The Todd Siegrist Troupe, which went into the Mexican and Central American territory last fall, has given up its independent tour, and is now a part of the Circo Bell, playing Mexico City. The business of the independent organization averaged rather poorly, and they accepted Bell's tender of employment. Walter English, who was with the troupe, returned to New York this week. Most of the Siegrist collection remains with the Bell show until time for the opening of the American circus season. The acquisition of the American outfit has considerably strengthened the Bell circus, which is expecting opposition from the Pubillones show in the city. Bell now has thirty-five turns listed in his program, and considers this the bigget organization he has ever managed in the territory.

    Harry Wentworth, a member of the Pubillones circus playing in Mexico, came to New York last week, and is booking acts for his principal. The Pubillones circus is being strengthened for its entrance into Mexico City. Rose Wentworth remained with the show, where she is doing her riding act.

    Charles Wilson, contracting railroad agent for the Ringling Brothers' show, took quarters in the Barnum & Bailey building this week.

    John Ringling is established permanently in New York. He will remain at the East 22d Street headquarters of the circus firm from now until the opening of the season. He announced this week that the Ringling show would open in Chicago about the first of April.

Variety, February 8, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Jan. 6, while both the Pubillones and Bell circuses were playing Vera Cruz, Mexico, a sudden wind storm arose and before the tops could be lowered to safety, they were knocked flat. No one was injured, and little damage was done. The next night a similar storm came up, but the tops were taken down in time. The following evening Pubillones hired the local theatre, and the show was given under a roof to a packed house. The Bell show did not attempt to play. A few days after it unexpectedly pulled stakes, and set out for Mexico City where it is now playing. During the Vera Cruz stand "Dick" Bell caused the arrest of Morok, of the "Double Somersaulting Automobile." This is the main feature of the Pubillones exhibition, and has attracted keen interest. Bell claims to have secured a contract from Morok to jump to the Bell outfit. The local magistrate refused to consider Bell's claims, and after missing a few performances, Morok continued with the Pubillones show.

    A local daily this week "fell" for the "trained frog" story. It made Willis Cobb, the former circus man, the object. This "frog" stunt has been trotted out at regular intervals ever since the time when W. Raymond Sill, in an idle hour while on the staff of the same sheet, wrote a ludicrous account of the trained frogs which would be sent out on exhibition. Then the story passed the city editor's desk, with a smile.

    Harvey Watkins, last season with the "Big Show," is reported to have made a business connection with the Keith-Proctor firm, under which he will give his attention to the moving picture end of the K.-P. enterprises.

    Edward Wolff's horse act, playing at the Hippodrome, has been booked by H. B. Marinelli to travel with the Barnum-Bailey circus this season. Mr. Wolff will join the tent show at the Garden, immediately following the closing of his engagement at "The Hip." His circus contract calls for the full season.

    The Three Leyghtons, a foreign acrobatic globe act, has been booked by B. Obermayer, the American representative for Somers & Warner, the London agents, to open with the Barnum-Bailey circus at the Madison Square Garden next month. Offical announcement has been made of the opening date of the Barnum & Bailey show for the season of 1908. The show will be first seen at Madison Square Garden on March 19 (Thursday).

    Charles Cory, general manager of the Ben Wallace outfit (Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus) will arrive in New York within the next week or so to complete his lists of booking for the coming season.

    Cincinnati, Feb. 6. James Robinson, an old-time circus performer and brother of the late John Robinson, died here at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Wright, 3520 Monteith street, Hyde Park, aged 98 years. The deceased was a man of wonderful physical strength and the original "cannon ball" performer under the white tents.

    London, Jan. 25. There are rumors that John Ringling will bring a circus to Olympia next August, presumable to open on the August Bank Holiday boom, and catch the Franco-British exhibition and Olympian games at high tide. The stadium (where these international games are held) will seat 80,000 people. This will be a live year in London later on.

    The Ringling Brothers, according to a report, offered Fannie Rice a large salary to travel with one of their shows the coming season as a clown and pantomimist. Miss Rice, who was formerly a Casino favorite, and is now doing a novelty act in vaudeville, is said to think favorably of the proposition. In this case she will be the only woman clown with the Ringling forces. The offer is for twenty-weeks' tour.

Variety, February 15, 1908, p. 9. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Jimmy Spriggs, "The Funny Cop," who was with Cole Bros. last season, goes with the Ringling Bros.

    Bud Horn, the undisputed calliope king, is spending the winter at his home in Nashville, Tenn. He has had several offers for the coming tent season, but has not decided.

    Harry Clark, formerly with the Wallace, "Bill" and Main's shows, will be principal clown with Cole Bros. this season. He also has the advertising privileges with the show.

    Mme. LaBelle Clarke, wife of "Nobby" Clarke, who was a feature of the Frank A. Robbins show last season, has been booked to open with the Barnum show when it comes to the Garden in March.

    There is a brand new principal somersault rider in the Orrin Davenport family. Mr. Davenport is now playing in the circus at the Florida State Fair at Tampa. When he arrives at his home in Chicago there is a "papa" reception awaiting him, for the newcomer is an eleven-pound boy, born last Saturday.

    Dasy [sic] Hodgini, the foreigner, now at the Hippodrome with a jockey act, will play with the Barnum-Bailey circus when it opens at Madison Square Garden next month. With the show, Mr. Hodgini will give two acts, one the "jockey" while dressed as a woman, and the other, a juggling act on horseback while dressed in his proper person. John Ringling and Max Anderson saw a private exhibition of the latter last week on the Hippodrome stage, Mr. Ringling engaging Hodgini immediately through the Marinelli New York office.

    On Tuesday last, W. W. ("Doc") Freeman returned to New York. On Friday Mr. Freeman went over to Bridgeport where the winter quarters of the Barnum-Bailey circus are located. At present the Ringling agent will remain in New York, having his address at the Barnum-Bailey offices on East Twenty-second street. Mr. Freeman, who is credited with being the sole American booking agent for all the Ringling tented enterprises, left for Europe with John Ringling last fall. Mr. Ringling was recalled by the death of his brother in New Orleans, but Mr. Freeman remained abroad, traveling over England and the continent in search of novelites. He says that there are novelties abroad but they are just as scarce as ever. Mr. Freeman would not say what acts, if any, he had booked on the other side, but he looks forward to a big circus season over here.

    If there has been a sensational feature secured for the Barnum-Bailey or any of the big circuses this season, the nature or name has not leaked out. That there will be some such feature, especially for the "Big Show," if one is available, is generally believed. On the other hand students of the circus business say they will not be surprised if the Ringlings gradually eradicate the "thrillers" from the circus ring on the theory that a well-established circus and name will carry itself, without the usual sensational exhibition, which becomes more difficult to procure each season.

    Dan Vernon, the old time circus agent, will be back with the John Robinson Show the coming season. It is twenty years since Vernon traveled with the Robinson outfit. Since then he as been engaged in general show business. During a recent visit of "Gov." Robinson to New York to attend a meeting of directors in the American Playing Card Company, he met Vernon. The two circus men got to talking of old times. "Gov" Robinson invited Vernon to come with the show next season and he accepted on the spot. It has not yet been decided in what capacity Vernon will be found.

Variety, February 22, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Daisy Hodgini, the rider now at the Hippodrome, has been booked by the Ringlings for this season and next. In the cold weather between Mr. Hodgini may play vaudeville over here.

    The Clark Family has been booked for the Circus Brown at Buenow Aires, South America, by the Marinelli office. The act sails on March 27 from Southampton, England, to commence the engagment.

    The Two Gamos have secured a contract calling for a run of 52 weeks at the Circus Worth [sic] in Australia. H. B. Marinelli engineered the contract. The act is a foreign one. While W. W. ("Doc") Freeman was on the other side, it is said he offered The Gamos a contract for two seasons with the Ringling shows, but the Australian agreement came first, and Mr. Freeman lost them.

    Orrin Hollis will be principal rider with Campbell Bros.' Show.

    Chas. E. Griffin, who for several years has been manager of privileges with Buffalo Bill's Wild West, does not return to that organization this season, but will probably be interested in the privileges at Edson Park, Sulphur Springs, Ark., having an option on moving pictures, gypsy camp, snakes and platform shows.

    Frank O'Donnell, contracting press agent of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, will arrive in New York from Chicago March 1 and then will commence the advance work for the Madison Square Garden opening engagement, March 19.

    Fire caused several hundred thousand dollars damage to the storehouse and printing plant of the Buffalo Courier in that city late last week. Some of the new paper for the Barnum & Bailey and Buffalo Bill shows was destroyed, but the bulk of the stock, amounting to moer than $50,000 worth, escaped. The fire will not interfere with the billing of either show. Such damage as was done is easily repaired, although it was feared for a time that both shows would be badly crippled for billing matter.

    William Sells, adopted son of Allen Sells, one of the pioneer circus men of America, died suddenly Sunday night in a furnished room house at No. 13 West Thirty-fifth Street. Death resulted from a hemorrhage due to gastritis. He had been in poor health for several weeks, and a doctor had been in attendance. This physician was sent for when fellow roomers in the house found Sells groaning and in great pain, but the circus man was dead before his arrival. Sells was last heard of in connection with the show business, when he sent out long press notices announcing that he had secured control of the Lemon Brothers' Circus, and would take it on a winter tour through Central and South America. Nothing ever came of this project. Sells has been in New York for some time. He told friends to address him at the Hotel Knickerbocker, but he lived at the Thirty-fifth street address. "Willie" Sells entered the circus business when he was about thirteen years old, working in the ring. By the time he was twenty he had attained some reputation as a rider. He remained with the Sells Brothers' show until about '87, when he appeared at Covent Garden, London, in a jockey act. Upon his return to this side he joined the Barnum & Bailey show and did his last riding as a member of that organization during its European tour in '89. Then he went back to the Sells Circus, which had by that time been sold to his uncles Eph, Peter and Louis. For a time William Sells managed the Otto Floto show and his own show, known as Sells & Downes Circus, and afterward as Sells and Renfew. Another of his ventures was the operation for one season of the Manhattan Theatre, New York. His son, a youth eighteen years old, the only child, is now attending school at Leavenworth, Kan. Sells married this present wife while he was active in circus life. She was a Columbus (O.) girl. They separated some years ago. Mrs. Sells now lives in Topeka. In his riding days Sells was called "The Chesterfield of the Arena" for his striking trim appearance, but in later life he took on weight. He was 43 years old. Since his death friends have come forward with statements which indicate that he may have been the victim of an accident or even foul play. William L. Lykens was in conversation with him last week. He was then in the best of health and spirits. He declared that he had $2,500 in cash on his person and displayed a large roll of maony as evidence of his prosperous condition. In view of the fact that no one was with him when he was taken with the fatal seizure and that he was able to make no statement before he died, these circumstances are regarded as ground for suspicion.

Variety, February 29, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Cincinnati, Feb. 27. John R. ("Governor") Robinson and an agent for the Barnum-Bailey show appeared at City Hall here a few days ago and sought to secure the use of the Hunt Street Park lot for their respective shows the coming season. "Gov." Robinson reached the city officials first and secured their promise of the stand upon payment of $100 for the first day and $75 for each suceeding day. The Robinson show winters in Cincinnati and the Robinson home is there. The Barnum agent offered to pay the regular city license fee and $100 a day additional for six days as a bonus. Afterward "Gov." Robinson said: "They are attempting to run me out of business by securing grounds whether they intend to use them or not. They will shut me out of a city if they can because the Robinson show is the only independent circus. Ringling Brothers offered to pay liberally for the exclusive right to the use of the property, but all indications at this time point that it will be refused and that they may have to secure the Norwood lot, seven miles distant, and in nowise as near the center of population as the Hunt Street lot. The application was referred to the Committee of the Whole and will be settled within the next few days.

    Everybody knows that Major Burke of the Buffalo Bill advance is so confirmed a bachelor that he can sew buttons on his own shirts and even thread the needle himself. That's how it happened that all Broadway was frozen with astonishment Monday night when the Major paraded down the full lenght of the alley with a young lady tucked under each arm. The Major had attended a box party at "Polly of the Circus" given by Fred Thompson, during which he won a bottle of wine from the manager by appearing in the circus scene of the play on a wager. He was escorting members of the party home. The Major calls the experience "the coming out party of a promising society bud."

    The City of Mexico is unusually well supplied with entertainment just now. There are three circuses playing the town, two under canvas and the third (the Bell show) holding forth in the Orrin Theatre. Pubillones, the Cuban circus man, is giving his exhibition on a lot in a central part of the town and within a stone's throw Trevino a native showman with a privincial organization, has pitched his tent. Everybody seems to be doing well. The Circo Bell has announced that it will continue at its present stand until April 1. Charles L. Sasse, the New York booking agent, is now organizing a new show to join the Bell outfit about the middle of March, when the present list of acts finishes their contracts. At this time the Todd Siegrist show, now a part of the Bell exhibition, will close, to join the Barnum & Bailey Circus in the States.

    Following the death of Charles Fisher, owner of the troupe known as the Flying Fishers, a feature last season with the Forepaugh-Sells show, Clyde Fisher, a brother, has taken over the duties of manager. Fred Fisher is taking the position in the cradle formerly held by Charles. Mr. Ennos, of Bloomington, Ill., where the act is wintering, is being trained for the third cradle. The troupe go with the "Big Show" this season.

    The Aerial Smiths have two contracts for the coming season outstanding. One is with the Folies Marigny, Paris, made through the Marinelli New York office, while the other is held by the Ringlings. The Smiths are due abroad on July 1. The Ringling contract was entered into after the foreign one was signed. It is likely that the Ringlings will release the act. It was laid out for the opening of the Barnum show as a "center" of a number, but the Marinelli office replaced it with an attraction satisfactory.

    The Ringling Circus will open at the Coliseum, Chicago, either April 2 or 9.

    According to reports from Baraboo, Wis., the winter quarters of the Ringling shows, the Forepaugh-Sells circus has been about equally divided between Ringling's and the Barnum-Bailey show.

    The Marinelli office in Berlin has advised the New York branch of the purchase by it from Hagenbeck the animal dealer in Hamburg, of a giraffe, ten feet high, for the Circus Wirth, Australia. The price paid ws $2,350. A giraffe is a curiosity in the land of the brush. The price paid seems rather high, though the height of the animal as given is not unusual.

Variety, March 7, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A list of opening dates gleaned from various sources during the week is: Sells-Floto, Los Angeles, April 4; Norris & Rowe, Santa Cruz, April 4; Hagenbeck-Wallace, Peru, Ind., April 25; Cole Brothers, Erie, Pa., April 25, and Van Amberg, Valdosta, Ga., March 14.

    The Pubillones Circus has left Mexico City to Dick Bell. The Cuban outfit is working West toward the Pacific side of the Isthmus. From there it will play back by the northern chain of towns to the Gulf side and probably embark for Cuba from Vera Cruz some time about the first of May. It is booked up until April 25 and the plans of the proprietor are in the dark after that date. Jim Moll, of the show's principal bar act, arrived in New York this week together with the "Somersault Automobile," which was a feature of the show. Both acts play the summer season with American circuses.

    Gil Robinson, Mr. Fagin, New York correspondent of the Cincinnati "Enquirer," and a party from New York, visited the Barnum & Bailey winter quarters in Bridgeport this week.

    It is expected that the Ringlings will begin to bill New York for the Garden opening next week. James A. Bailey's old system of having the town covered by his own billposters will not be followed this year. The paper will be shipped direct from Buffalo to the billposting company which has the contract and that concern will lay the paper out. This has the result of starting the show's regular force of advance bill posters off on the season's tour a few weeks later than under the Bailey administration. The same system was followed last season.

    After all Frank A. Robbins will probably go out again this season with a railroad show. Mr. Robbins is considering the renting of cars enough to carry a small circus and taking it over his old territory on the rails. A disinclination to subject his family to the rigors of a wagon tour is the showman's reason for a change of plan. He will begin to collect the equipment for the new show immediately, the old Frank A. Robbins' paraphernalia being turned over to the Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" on March 15.

    Jerry Mugivan, who sold out his $50,000 share in the Hagenbeck-Wallace property to Ben Wallace during the winter, will manage the tour of his own show (the Van Amberg) the coming season. Ike Streebridge will be general agent as usual. The show is wintering in Georgia. Within a few hundred miles are also wintering Jones' Enormous, Jones' West & Wells Circus (State Fair Grounds, Montgomery, Ala.), the Sparks show and the Sun outfit. Preparations are going on in all these camps and all will go out as usual this or next month.

    Martin J. Downes, owner of the Cole Brothers' Circus, was in New York the week just past for a few days. Several of the acts which were booked for the show had indicated an intention to cancel and Mr. Martin came to the city to prevent them taking such a course. He returned to Erie, Pa., yesterday.

    J. Rial, who is to be one of the Barnum & Bailey "story men" this season, took up his work this week. Mr. Rial was with the Sells-Forepaugh outfit last season.

    Sam McCracken, contracting agent with the Ringling Bros. show, is quartered in the New York offices of the firm, and already at work upon the preliminaries of the coming season.

    The Leon Washburn show, now wintering at Bound Brook, N. J., goes out in wagons the coming season. It has been a railroad show up until this time. In its equipment are numbered 100 head of horses, 28 ponies and four elephants.

    Cincinnati, March 5. A meeting of the Board of Public Service rejected the application of the Ringling Brothers' Circus for the use of the Hunt Street municipal lot and granted the request of the John Robinson Shows. While no date has been set at this time the decision is such that the application of the Robinson show may be fixed at any date it sees fit to open the season with.

    Major Burke, of the Buffalo Bill press staff, this week "landed" one of the biggest publicity schemes that has been sprung in New York this long while. The major agreed to deliver to the Evening World twenty true Wild West stories of Col. William F. Cody's adventures on the frontier for publication, one at ta time, daily. The newspaper is featuring the stories, which will occupy a prominent position in the paper, running until just a few weeks before the "Bill Show" opens at the Garden.

    J. L. Carey, advertising agent of the Academy of Music at Fall River, Mass., has joined the Morrison Bros. Circus, to act in the same capacity.

Variety, March 14, 1908, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Everything is in readiness for the annual hegira of the Barnum & Bailey circus from Bridgeport to New York. During the entire winter a large force has been planning for what promises to be the greatest circus performance presented by the "Greatest Show on Earth" in many years. The show leaves Bridgeport today (March 14) in four sections, and is expected to reach Mott Haven, where the trains will be unloaded, shortly after dark. The march to Madison Square Garden will begin about 9 o'clock. By midnight or a little later it is expected that the entire show will be in the Garden.

    The response to an offer of a box at the Barnum-Bailey show for the person who submitted the best name for the Bridgeport baby elephant 600 letters have reached the Ringling office. Jay Rial, one of the show's "story men," was assigned to the task of sifting the huge volume of matter. Out of the collection a majority of writers showed a preference for "Bill Taft" as a name for the addition to the Barnum menagerie, although a number of misinformed correspondents offered such inappropriate titles as "Bridget," "Rose" and "Carrie Nation."

    Willard D. Coxey, "story man" of the Barnum-Bailey press department, resigned from the staff this week, and announced his retirement from the circus business, after eighteen years' connection with it. "I part from the Ringlings with the best of feeling on both sides," said Mr. Coxey. "I had my ideas as to the conduct of the publicity bureau. The management had quite another idea and in an entirely friendly spirit we agreed that the proper administration of the department was impossible under these conditions." Mr. Coxey has been connected with the Forepaugh, Ringling and Barnum-Bailey shows and has been in every newspaper office of any consequence in the United States. He declares that he will spend the Summer abroad, and in the Fall enter the theatrical business. Tom Namack steps into Mr. Coxey's position.

    Cole Brothers open at Erie, Pa., April 25th.

    Cincinnati, March 12. Judge Otto Pfleger named A. B. Huston as referee for the Hagenbeck Circus Company on motion of W. Austin Goodman, representing John Havlin. He announces the corporation had been dissolved, and that Mr. Havlin was the principal stockholder.

    Doc Waddell, formerly press agent of the John Robinson Circus, joins the Sells-Floto show, which opens the season at Los Angeles, Cal., April 6, for one week.

    The Barnum-Bailey Circus goes from the Garden to Brooklun this year, if the present plans of the managers are carried out. For this reason it is not probable that the Buffalo Bill outfit will visit the baby borough, although this point has not yet been definitely decided. The "Bil" managers are anxious to avoid following the circus too closely, and may jump directly from the Garden to Philadelphia.

    The Todd-Siegrist Company, which consolidated with the Bell show in Mexico this Winter, arrived from Vera Cruz last Saturday. Siegrist himself reached the city a week before, having come North by rail. He declared that during the circus fight in Mexico City, Bell had had all the best of it, the advantage of being in the Orrin Theatre being on his side, while Pubillones was under canvas. The Trevini show was playing Mexico at the same time as well as Dr. Carver's outfit. Before leaving the city, Siegrist sold his top, 100 x 150, centrepiece to Dr. Carver. Carver is working North, having left Mexico City and moving toward Texas. Mr. Siegrist said that now Bell and the Orrins had patched up their disagreement, it was probable that the Bell show would play an annual engagement in the theatre.

    The advance of The Great Yankee Robinson Shows for the coming season will be composed of W. H. Quinnett, general agent; Homer E. Davis, agent in charge of paper and bill posters; Toley Beers, assistant boss bill poster; Ed. C. McClure, in charge of lithos; and Henry Thomas, Albert Knauff, Walter Rockwell, Geo. F. Sommerville, Harry Thomas, bill posters.

    "The Red Raven Cadets," a military girl act, of which Hilda Carle is the leader, may be an attraction with the Ringling show next summer. Negotiations for the engagement are on, according to J. A. Moross, manager of the act. Sixteen girls will be used.

Variety, March 21, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Cincinnati, March 19. Suit has been commenced here to wind up the old corporation which operated the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. The applicants for a dissolution of the old stock company are John H. Havlin, Harry Rainforth, W. Austin Goodman, Frank R. Tate and C. Lee Williams, who make up the majority of the directors of the old company. The liabilities of the concern are $135,648, which losses and depreciations have made it impossible to pay. The only asset is a claim of $875 against the United States Tent Co., of Chicago. It is stated that the circus lost between $600,000 and $700,000 in its tours. Among the creditors are John H. Havlin, $81,106 for moneys advanced; Frank R. Tate, 436,011 for cash advanced; Carl Hagenbeck, $16,311 or goods sold and delivered; Albert Bode, $2,106 for goods sold and delivered, for which a note is held against the company. This makes a total of $135,687.
    The corporation was a stock company with a capital of $500,000, of which 3,300 shares of $100 each were preferred. John Havlin owned 1,543 shares of preferred, fully paid, and 297 shares of common; Harry Rainforth, one share; Albert Bode, 50 shares of preferred, paid, and 25 shares common; A. Kurynski, 20 shares of preferred, paid, and 10 shares of common; C. Lee Williams, Philadelphia, 120 shares preferred, paid, and 278 shares common; Carl Hagenbeck, 450 shares common; Lorenz Hagenbeck, 50 shares common; Frank B. Tate and C. Lee Williams, Philadelphia, 1,630 shares of common, making $494,000 paid and $3,500 owing on stock. A. B. Huston was appointed referee. He will hold a hearing June 15 to decide whether the application shall be granted.

    Peter Hirtz, for many years train master of the Barnum & Bailey Show, during its foreign tour, and who succeeded to that position after the death of Byron Rose, so well known throughout America as a popular trainmaster, has decided to resume life with the white tents, and is going out this season in charge of the Buffalo Bill Wild West train.

    Campbell Brothers' shows open at Fairbury, Neb., April 25. The circus has been greatly enlarged, overhauled, etc., and will go out stronger than ever.

    The Mizano Troupe of Japanses are concluding their vaudeville time, and will open with Campbell Brothers' shows on April 25, making their eighth consecutive season with this organization.

    Raleigh Wilson has about one of the poorest single acts in the business, and he has not met with any success at all. He can not get return dates, and has only two weeks booked between April fools' day and Christmas. Mr. Wilson says so himself. The press and public have been unanimous in roasting him. Wilson has signed with Campbell Brothers as principal clown - his third year with them.

    The Brays, Harry and Clara, have been re-engaged with Campbell Brothers' shows. They will be featured in their novelty tight-wire act.

    William R. Musgat, the general agent of the Sells-Floto Shows and one of the best known circus men in the country for the past twenty-five years, died at the Hotel Windsor, Denver, March 11. He had but shortly before returned from New York, where he attended the funeral of William Sells. His death was caused by heart failure. A moment before he suddenly toppled over he had jokingly spoken to Coleman Bell, now a police officer in Denver and at one time attached to the same circus. He leaves a widow, but no children. The widow removed the body to Fort Dodge, Ia., for burial. Mr. Musgat's first road experience was with a wagon show, Taylor's Circus. He joined the Sells-Floto Shows in 1906 as general agent, holding that position up to the time of his death.

    Buffalo Bill's Wild West will open at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday afternoon, April 21, taking possession of the arena immediately the circus departs on the preceeding Saturday night. On Monday evening there will be dress rehearsal, and the three weeks' engagement will open with the Tuesday matinee. Philadelphia will be the first big city played outside of New York, and the road tour will include, practically, the entire country. At present general agent Louis E. Cooke is completing the details of his advertising campaign. Orders for paper have long since been placed and the delivery will soon be made in order that the car agents may "lay out" their New York billing. Lester W. Murray, manager of Car No. 1, is now in the city awaiting orders; Victor Cooke, who will handle the No. 2 car, is at his home in Newark, and E. H. Wood, who will be manager of No. 3 car, will soon come in from Cincinnati, where he has been managing the bill-posting plant all winter. Walter K. Hill, contracting press agent, is preparing the newspaper advertisements and advance press work; Major John M. Burke is drawing upon his fund of knowledge for his series of "stories" to be used two weeks ahead of the show, and Fred Mordaunt Hall, who will be press agent back with the show, will remain upon the staff of the New York "Press" until a week before the Garden engagement. This is the same staff of press agents who were fortunate enough to be concerned in the record-breaking season which the Buffalo Bill Wild West enjoyed last year. "The Battle of Summit Springs," "A Holiday at T-E Ranch" and "The Great Train Hold-Up," features of last season's exhibition, which will be retained and enlarged upon for this summer. Johnny Baker is equestrian director. Col. Wm. C. Cody is enjoying the final days of his winter vacation on his ranch near Cody, Wyo. Within a fortnight he will have returned to the "confines" of the metropolis, and when rehearsals begin he will personally direct them. The Cossacks are on their way from Russia; Orapeza is bringing his band of Mexican from the land of the Aztecs, and "Billy" McCune is at Rosebud Agency taking his pick from the Indians whom the Government will "bond out" to Buffalo Bill for the season. There will be an even hundred. Ernest Cook, who managed the show for several years prior to the Wild West's trip abroad, but who of late years has been identified with the Barnum-Bailey Show, will again be found in his old position with the "Bill Show" this season.

    The New York office of H. B. Marinelli has booked Webb's Seals for the Circus Brown, Buenos Aires, South America, instead of Winston's Seals, as reported. The engagement is for six months. Winston's Seals' time at home prevented the acceptance of the proffered date.

    Ringling Circus opens at the Coliseum, Chicago, April 2, for a stay of three weeks.

    Ned Alvord, formerly with the Wallace & Hagenbeck shows, but for the past season press agent for the Jack Hoeffler Vaudeville Circuit in the West, has accepted a position with the Ringling Circus for the coming season as special agent.

    Washington, March 19. The circus grounds in Washington, which are located at Fifteenth and H Streets, Northeast, have been sold to the Union League to be used as baseball grounds the coming season. This location has been known as the circus grounds for the past ten years, is centrally located and convenient to the car lines. As this is the only desirable circus lot the circuses playing Washington this season will probably pitch their tents in the outskirts of the city.

    Cole Brothers' Circus will open the season at Youngstown, O., April 18. Arrangements have been made with the Chamber of Commerce to rehearse in the city preparatory to taking the road. The city will furnish water supply and other conveniences during rehearsals.

    The Aerial Smiths, who signed two contracts, one for the Ringling shows, and the other through the Marinelli office for Europe, will open with Ringlings' at the Coliseum, Chicago. After the Chicago engagement, the act will carry out the European engagements, the Ringlings having graciously consented to the cancellation of their agreement.

    Last week the family group of the Davenports, the American riders, at their home, 2667 Madison street, Chicago, broke up for the summer, all leaving to enter upon the season's engagements. Orrin Davenport, with his wife, Victoria, are now in New York with Barnum-Bailey; John Davenport goes with the Yankee Robinson Circus; Homer Hobson and wife return to Ringling Bros.; Stick and Norma Davenport will be with John Robinson; Reno McCree and Lulu Davenport will once again travel with Hagenbeck-Wallace in a triple jockey act, styling it "The McCree-Davenport Troupe." May Davenport is considering several offers for the tents, while Orrin Davenport, Jr., the younster who made his appearance during the Winter, has reserved a special cow for the coming season, which, his father says, will supply the boy with new fresh-laid milk daily.

Variety, March 28, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    F. E. Davis and France Reed, a grandson of Dan Rice, the veteran clown, will jointly put out a new show this year, opening in Portsmouth, Va., late in April. The show will be a one-ring affair, and will travel on the rails, arrangements having been made to contract for ten cars. It will play the Atlantic seaboard territory.

    A report has gained ground for the past ten days that the Buffalo Bill Wild West will play to the Pacific coast this season. A story comes from Bridgeport, where the equipment is being wintered, that the cars have been thoroughly overhauled, special attention being given to the air brakes, "because," one of the mechanics said, "they'll have to be in good shape over the mountainous country."

    Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" follows the Ringlings' show at the Coliseum, Chicago, for two weeks. The equipment of the "Ranch" show this year is said to be better and larger than ever. Twenty-five cars have been delivered by the Pennsylvania Railroad to Miller Brothers for use this season. The show opens in Bliss, Okla., April 18.

    According to a report from Cincinnati, John G. Robinson, Jr., will not be identified with the John Robinson show this year, but will confine himself to commercial business.

    Boston, March 26. The Hippodrome, which will open Monday, will have two 40-foot rings and a 40-foot stage. A hippodrome track will surround them. There are four tiers of seats, with a series of boxes. In the basement will be quartered the stock. In addition there will be a curio hall, and a number of side shows.

    Al Martin will have the side show privileges the coming season with the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit.

    Chicago, March 26. The heralded "thriller" of the Ringling Brothers' Show this year is an automobile somersault in midair, performed by La Belle Roche. The car makes a dash from the dome of the building down a steep incline, and turns over twice. One of the important features also will be the acrobatic act of The Three Bastiens.

    The Gentry Brothers will take their show out this season themselves. Last year they leased the property to a Mr. Sargent, but acted as his managers for the tour.

    Al Rial, who is to manage the "Ranch 101" No. 1 advance car for the Miller Brothers, reached Bliss, Okla., late last week with his force of 50 bill posters hired in New York. This force will be split up for the advance cars.

Variety, April 4, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Leamy Ladies do not go on the road with the Barnum & Bailey Circus, closing with the show at the conclusion of the Garden engagement. The impossibility of providing for the aerialists' electrical display under canvas made this course necessary. "The Balloon Horse" will also quit the show when it leaves New York.

    Lou Jordan, head of the aerial act which bears his name, opened with the Ringling Circus in Chicago. The Jordans returned recently from a tour of South America under canvas. According to members of the company the Jordans broke about even on the trip. During the greater part of their stands business was good, but the country was stricken through whole sections with yellow fever. The top was left in the South, and the Jordans will probably return for another try next season.

    The daily parade will be reinstated as a feature of the Barnum-Bailey Circus when the show takes to the road.

    The Rowland Family, whose tally-ho act was seen at the Hippodrome last season, sail from England April 11 to join the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus on this side. They have been re-engaged for the opening of the Circus Schuman in Berlin about the middle of September, having received permission from Ben Wallace to close their American circus tour in time to allow this engagement.

    The Siegrist-Silbon Troupe, the big casting act with the Barnum-Bailey show, has already been promised vaudeville time over here upon the close of the circus season if its rigging can be reduced to fit the theatre stages. In order to accomplish this, the personnel of the act will be cut down to eight. There are now ten members.

    Erie, Pa., March 26. The Cole Brother shows, wintering in Erie, Pa., will open April 18 in Youngstown, Ohio, coming to show in the home town April 25.

    E. H. Wood will soon take up his duties as special agent with Buffalo Bill's. He will operate from the No. 3 car this season.

    Ringling Brothers' shows and Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" will be in opposition to each other in St. Louis following the Chicago engagements. Both are scheduled for the same dates in the Missouri town.

    J. D. Newman is railroad contractor for Gentry Brothers' show, which opens at San Antonio, Texas, April 18. The Zoraldos and Sevain and Ostman have joined the aggregation. The "number two" Gentry show starts the season in Bloomington, Ill., April 10. The Steiner Trio and the Chameroys have signed with the latter through the Western Vaudeville Association.

    W. C. Thompson, last season press representative of the Pawnee Bill show, has been appointed publicity promoter for the "101 Ranch," with headquarters at the Ackerman-Quigley Company's offices, Kansas City.

    Walter Murphy, who was for several seasons connected with the John Robinson shows, is now contracting agent for the "number one" Gentry Brothers' show.

    Ralph W. Peckham, general excursion agent for the Ringlings, returned to Chicago from New York, and is arranging the billing for the show, which opens at the Coliseum April 2.

    "Doc" Waddell has started his season as pubilicty promoter for the Sells-Floto shows, and from now on the "stories" may be expected to drop off in large chunks along the route of the circus.

    The Jackson Family of cyclists have returned from Europe. They joined Ringling Brothers' Circus in Chicago. After the close of the circus season the act will return to foreign lands, where it is booked ahead until 1911.

    W. E. Corey, of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, came to town this week, presumably to look over the Barnum-Bailey performance at the Garden. The Hagenbeck Circus is slated to open either April 28 or May 5 at Peru, Ind., the winter quarters.

    Frank ("Slivers") Oakley has a new partner in his vaudeville act, Artie Nelson now being the other end of the team. Charley Siegrist, the acrobat, was forced to retire from the partnership in order to fill a season's engagment with the Sells-Floto Circus.

    An option has been taken by Pat Casey upon the "baby" elephant with the Barnum-Bailey circus, for exhibition purposes, commencing in December, and continuing for fifteen weeks. The animal weighs but 129 pounds. It will not grow much larger, it is said. Mr. Casey will exhibit the baby in vaudeville.

    Orrin Bickerstaff, of the Russell-Morgan Print, left for Bliss, Okla., this week, to spend a few weeks' vacation with Eddie Arlington on Bliss Brothers' "101 Ranch." The Bliss outfit has just had delivered an entirely new line of paper, including a wide variety of stands in rainbow colors. One is a fifty-six sheet.

    Harry Earl resumes the office of the general press representative for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus this season.

Variety, April 11, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Boston, April 9. After a trial of a week and a half, the Boston Hippodrome has not pulled in the crowds expected, and the prices have been cut in halves. The general feeling in town is, that the show is not worth the original prices charged. The Flying Banvards are easily the best act in the list, these people putting up something that is new in the way of aerial work. Aside from Oscar Lowande's backward somersault from one horse to another, there is nothing else in the show that hasn't been seen with every one-ring circus for the past thirty years. There are no thrillers, everything running along on an even scale, and that scale not pitched very high. The show seems very tame.

    The Hagenbeck Elephants, now at the Hippodrome, will play there two weeks longer, when they leave to join the circus (Hagenbeck's).

    The route of the Hagenbeck-Wallace cicus for the coming season, as now laid out, includes a visit at Chicago for two weeks. This stop will occur next October, and may wind up the show's trip at that time.

    The Rowlands, who were engaged abroad by C. E. Corey to join the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, are not coming over. The Bedinis have been booked to replace the act with the show.

    Thomas Franklin, former manager for Frank Fillis, the South African circus proprietor, who was recently reported as being in bankruptcy, is in New York. He said this week that Mr. Fillis has not been in bankruptcy. He was embarrased for money, and by agreement his creditors took temporary charge of the show which Fillis is operating under canvas through South Africa. The representatives of the creditors handle all funds, taking the receipts at the door, paying salaries and other charges. They retain a certain proportion of the net profits. This scheme will be continued until Fillis' obligations are satisfied. Mr. Franklin declared that the circus man would be on his feet again very shortly with a clean financial slate.

    Charles Eldridge Griffin, formerly of the Ringling Brothers and Buffalo Bill forces, will manage the side shows with the Al. F. Wheeler New Model outfit, said to be the biggest and best equipped wagon show on the road this year. Among the attractions under Griffin's care will be Capt. Snyder's Hypnotic Lion; Cleo, snake charmer; Belmont's Comedy Bears; "Comical Coco," clown ventriloquist; an imported "Punch and Judy" show; Griffin, the Yankee Yogi, and ten cages of animals. A parade will be given daily, followed by a free exhibition on the lot, a feature of which will be a blindfolded ride down a 60-foot ladder on a unicycle.

Variety, April 18, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Pacheo Troupe has signed with Ringling Brothers for the season.

    Ray Bottomley has left the aerial troupe of that name and will go with the Lukens.

    George V. Connors, manager of the Buffalo Bill privileges and side shows, arrived at headquarters this week from his winter home in Chillicothe.

    Michael Coyle, railroad contractor for the Buffalo Bill show, returned to the city Monday, after a short tip signing up the immediate future railroad contracts.

    Frank A. Ogden, who claims to be the youngest bandmaster in the circus ring, will have charge of the musicians this season with Fry's Roman Circus. It opens at Johnstown, Pa., April 24.

    Johnnie Ludlow, who has been a clown for forty years, and for fifty years connected with circuses, has assumed charge of the press department with the Robinson Shows, with which he has been associated for years.

    The Geo. Bonhair Troupe sailed from Cherbourg (France) on March 27 to join Brown's Circus in South America. The act was booked by Marinelli, taking the place of Hassen Ben Ali's Arabs, who were expected, but did not go.

    It was decided this week that the Leamy Ladies, the feature aerial act with the Barnum & Bailely Circus, would travel with the show throughout the season. The engagement was originally made for the Garden run only.

    The Dick Bell circus closed this week in the Orrin Theatre, Mexico, on account of the strict observance of the church days in that country. It will reopen Monday with a partly new show. Morrello Brothers have joined.

    London, March 28. Frank Brown sailed yesterday for Buenos Aires (S. A.) with a large company, including The Clark Family of riders, the Tiller Troupe of dancers, Doran Brothers, comedy bar and diabolo experts, etc. Mr. Brown has again taken the Teatro San Martino, after a season at which it is understood he will tour with his circus through Argentina, and Chili.

    Lester Murray began on Monday the task of billing New York for the opening of the Buffalo Bill Show at Madison Square Garden next Tuesday. Up until Thursday only special bills were put up, but on that day the Barnum & Bailey paper became "dead," and forty of the show's own bill posters were turned loose on the town to cover it up with Col. Cody lithos. A bill room was established in 21st Street.

    France Reed and Frank Davis took possession of their recent purchase in Portsmouth, Va., this week, and began getting the show in shape for opening April 23 in that town. Both promoters have declared themselves delighted with their venture, claiming one of the best one-ring outfits in the States. Davis has already started the advance work. Reed will remain with the show, which will travel on rails, holding to the Atlantic seaboard territory.

    Frank A. Robbins has again shifted his plans for the coming Summer. The new arrangement contemplates a union with Sawtelle [sic], the combined show opening in Passaic, N. J., April 26. The outfit will travel on the rails, being transported in eight cars. The corporation which formerly operated the Robbins property dissolved recently, some of the equipment being purchased by Eddie Arlington for use with the "101 Ranch" Wild West exhibition. Sawtelle [sic] has been running a wagon show.

    Several acts arrived in New York this week from Mexico City, wher they closed with the Dick Bell Circus. Among the number were the Bottomley Troupe, Holman Brothers, and Melrose, the rider. Just before their departure the show people became involved in the Mexican equivalent of a "hey Rube" row with natives and as a result Ray Bottomley, the Holmans and Melrose spent ninety-six hours languishing in a Mexican dungeon. But the time they spent wasn't a marker besides the money they spent to release themselves.

    Wilkes-Barre, April 16. A Ringling agent has visited the city, and while here signed a contract for one of the Ringling Brothers' shows to play May 25, but it has not been learned yet whether it is the firm's circus now at the Coliseum, Chicago, or the Barnum-Bailey show at the Garden, New York. The Barnum-Bailey circus is going to work westward, perhaps as far as the Coast, so that show is expected by the natives.

    Agents for Ringling Brothers' own show have been reported in other Pennsylvania points this week, indicating that the Baraboo outfit will be seen in that territory.

    The revival of the parade feature in the Barnum & Bailey Circus this season is going to be closely watched. There has been a great deal of idle discussion over this portion of a circus. For the past two seasons, acting under the instructions of the late James A. Bailey three years ago, the parade has been abandoned by the "Big Show." Mr. Bailey was looked upon as a great showman. He had studied all sides of the parade question, with years' of experience to guide him, and finally decided the additional cost the parade entailed was not equal to its drawing power. Mr. Bailey said that while the parade attracted the ruralites, with their families, after the procession they returned home without paying to see the performance. This point of view is disputed by many circusmen, who claim the parade acts as a great magnet for the country people, and once in town with their children, go to the show. However, it seems to be the opinion that with the lapse of two years without the morning trip of the glittering paraphernalia through the streets, an added impetus will be given to the B.-B. show this season from it. An impression seems to prevail that should the Ringling Brothers be satisfied with the results from it this season, they may alternate yearly with the parade, removing it next year, reinstalling it next, and so on. One difficutly with a circus parade just now is to secure good drivers. Most are steering automobiles at a lucrative salary. An objection to the parade is always set up by the artist in the circus. The artist and particularly the foreigner, more especially so if a "parade" is an unknown quantity to him, dislikes the feature of horse-back riding necessary to his appearance in the line. He is in the saddle during the parade; at the opening of both performances (in the grand march), and quite often is tickled beyond expression to find he can travel the three or four miles from the railroad yards to the lot without exercising his feet, though he must ride. Sometimes, and it is not exceptional by any means, a foreign artist never interviewed a saddle until he struck the big tent. The women of the acts take part also, and file as many objections. For the coming season, through the sudden decision of the parade's reoccurrence, with contracts out not calling for parade appearance, the Ringling Brothers have adjusted everything satisfactorily to the acts with the "Big Show," it is understood. The situation was explained to the artists, and the managers asked for a middling co-operation, which was at once met by the acts in the same spirit.

Variety, April 25, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Ringling Brothers' show is scheduled to play Easton, Pa., May 22.

    Gentry Brothers' Circus is in Indiana. It played New Castle Thursday. Perry Adams is among the advance forces.

    Cole Brothers pulled out of winter quarters last week opening in Youngstown, Ohio, April 18. They are scheduled to play the town on Decoration Day.

    There are prospects of a repetition of last year's circus clash in Indiana territory. Barnum & Bailey, Buffalo Bill and the Wallace outfit are all billed for Lafayette in June.

    Gentry Bros. circus plays New Orleans for a week's engagement, commencing April 27. Faranta's Combined Shows closed a profitable engagement in the Southern metropolis last Sunday.

    "Deacon" Delmore, who has been connected with the Family, Erie, this winter, joins the Robinson shows, opening April 25 in Cincinnati. As usual he will handle the side shows. This is his fifth consecutive season with the same circus.

    Chicago, April 23. Francisco Sanchez and several others have formed a company to erect a theatre-circus at Irapnato, Mexico. The La Constancia bull ring will be remodeled for the purpose, and work will be pushed to complete the building by September.

    The Curson Sisters, aerial act, leave the Ringling Brothers show early in May in order to sail for the other side May 12. The foreign contracts of the act have been set back twice to permit of extended engagements in this country. The sisters have played fifty weeks over here, with only one week layoff.

    At Reading, Pa., a few days ago, Mrs. William Rollins, a bareback rider, died of a severe burn received while at the training quarters of Cole Brothers' Circus at Harbor Creek, Pa. Mrs. Rollins was using a preparation of gasoline to wash her hair, when it caught fire. She suffered intense agony for a few hours in the hospital until death came.

    Large consignments of deep silence continue to reach New York regarding the plans and intentions of Walter L. Main for the coming season. Indeed, very little has been heard from the Ohio showman since he closed his tour with great suddenness last season by kidnapping all his players and running them into winter quarters in Ohio from Geneva, N. Y., while they slept.

    Frank Longbotham, one of Pubillones' lieutenants, returned to New York this week, Pubillones' Cuban circus having closed until fall. The tour on the island (a "second" organization, the main show being in Mexico) is reported to have about broke even. Longbotham was to have joined the Hargreaves Circus for the season, but that showman has decided not to go out.

    On May 1 the Barnum-Bailey office, now occupied jointly by the Ringling Brothers and Buffalo Bill's Wild West, will be given up, and neither show will have a New York headquarters over the summer. Jeff Callan, who has made himself popular with all shades and sizes of people calling at 27 East 22dn Street, on business bent, has received an offer to travel with the "Bill Show," which he may accept.

    Youngstown, O., April 23. Cole Brothers' circus opened season of 1908 here on April 18. Despite rain and mud that covered the grounds big business ruled. The opening performance ran smoothly, considering the brief time spent in rehearsals. Mike Rooney, the principal rider, executed clean-cut somersaults. A pretty carrying act that introduced several new poses and acrobatic feats is offered by The Castellos. Miss Castello also rides a principal act. A fast working and showy double wire act is that of the Five Alpines. The act entlists the services of three girls and two men. An attractive combination casting and return act is performed by The Flying De Novas - two women and two men. Jacobs and Sardelle, a comedy acrobatic and barrel jumping act, working in a feature position on the elevated stage.
    The Stirk family of bicyclists, six in number, close the circus portion of the show. The number is an interesting one with pretty poses and cleverly arranged groupings. The male members introduce some acrobatic work. The performance is given in two rings and a large stage, with room for aerial riggings between the rings and the stage. A hippodrome track is also used. Mlle. D'Izzi in a leap the gap exhibition, is a featured outside attraction. - C. A. Leedy.

Variety, May 2, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The three advertising cars of the Buffalo Bill Show left New York all together Monday. Walter K. Hill, who is contracting press agent of the show and supposed to travel with the No. 1 car, left the city Wednesday evening. He is a week and a half behind schedule time, his ordinary position in the advance scheme being three weeks ahead of the show. Col. Cody and his riders go on the road the end of next week.

    George Conklin, head animal man with the Barnum Show, a position he has held for many years, retired from that post Saturday night.

    John Eberly, superintendent of the Barnum Circus at the opening of the season, is now with the Buffalo Bill Show.

    R. M. Harvey, advance agent for the Buffalo Bill Show, was in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., making arrangements for the appearance of the outfit June 29.

    When the Cole Brothers Show played McKeesport, Pa., two accidents happened. Edith Costello, of Washington, a rider, fell in the ring and broke her leg. A flyer in one of the aerial acts missed a catch and fell. A net broke the fall and he suffered no worse injury than a severe shaking up.

    Mike Donohue, an employee of the Cole Brothers' Circus, was arrested in McKeesport while the show played there late last week. A local man, who left the show grounds very much the worse for Pennsylvania "red eye," lost $77 on his way home. Donohue had helped him to a car.

    At last some word of Walter L. Main's plans, "There will be no show out of Geneva this season," says a local paper. The Walter Main elephants have been leased to Eastern parks and fairs for the season and the horses are all sold, with the exception of a few which Mr. Main retains for his personal use. The balance of the paraphernalia not leased has been stored. Asked about his future plans, Mr. Main replied, "Wait and see."

    Johnstown, Pa., has a bright prospect of circus entertainment for the next month or so. Frey's Circus played here April 24 and 25 before starting on its long tour. Cole Brothers are due to play there May 2, and already paper is out announcing visits of the Wallace-Hagenbeck and Buffalo Bill outfits May 18 and 23, respectively.

    Dr. H. M. Frye, a Johnstown, Pa., dentist, will put out a one-ring Roman circus. It opens in Johnstown April 24, and thence goes to New Florence and other towns within a radius of 150 miles of Johnstown. Rehearsals are now in progress.

    Cleveland, April 30. The Ringling Brothers advance forces have been here billing the town for the show. The date is May 11.

Variety, May 9, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Barnum show is said to have played to 76,000 persons in four shows at Washington Monday and Tuesday.

    Owing to the difficulty of handling the apparatus of the aerial act, "The Leamy Ladies" have closed with the Barnum & Bailey Circus and returned to New York. Two of the girls are ill and even practice has been suspended.

    John Ringling joined the Barnum-Bailey Circus in Washington Monday, where the outfit had a turnaway. Business was good in Philadelphis. Burgos and Clara, an European acrobatic act, closed Saturday night in Philadelphia. The run from the latter stand to Washington was made in good order, the show arriving about noon Sunday.

    London, April 27. John Walter Bowden (professionally Delavante), an old-time circus acrobat and clown, died last week in Guy's Hospital of pneumonia, following on a broken rib recieved in falling from a tram car. At one time he piloted a circus through Spain and he had clowned for three seasons in old Drury Lane pantomime. He was 83 years old.

    Buffalo, N. Y., May 7. The signs point to "something doing" hereabouts next week. The Ringling Brothers' No. 1 advance car is due May 10 to start billing the show for May 30. The Cole Brothers' Circus have engaged the same lot for June 1, and unless the smaller organization decides to give the date up, its opposition brigade should be on the ground very shortly. If both squads get busy at the same time, there is bound to be trouble.

    The same two shwos are due for another clinch in Erie, Pa. Cole Brothers are due there Decoration Day, while the Ringling advance has begun to bill for two weeks later.

    Johnstown, Pa., May 7. The Cole Brothers played here May 2 to good business despite wretched weather. The frameup of the show is excellent, although the top is in need of repair in places. Several disturbances came to the notice of the police during the presence of the show here. George Kuntz and John Kennedy, employees of the circus, became involved in a fist fight and Kennedy was fined. Vincentio De Pietro, a laborer, was also somewhat beaten up during an argument; while at least one citizen was set upon by "razorbacks," presumable connected with the circus force.

    Chicago, May 7. The "101 Ranch," which closes its two weeks' engagement at the Coliseum Sunday, May 10, will in all probability not exhibit in the East this season. The executive staff of the organization this year is as follows: J. C. Miller, G. L. Miller, Zack T. Miller, Edward Arlington, owners; George Arlington, general manager; Fred Beckman, general agent; W. C. Thompson, general publicity promoter; R. Victor Leighton, press representative; Joe Rosenthal and P. W. Hornell, contracting agents; Chas. Hayes, manager Car No. 2; Alton Osborn, manager Car No. 1; C. H. Packard, mail agent; B. B. Bourne, excursion agent; Al Reil, special agent. Business has been good at the Coliseum, an improvement over last season. There were fewer accidents in the Chicago engagement of "101 Ranch" than anywhere the show has played. Only one Indian is laid up in a hospital in Chicago, while eight were bedridden in Kansas City.

Variety, May 16, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Dan Vernon, an old circus agent, died Sunday in Cincinnati, where he had gone to join the John Robinson Shows for the coming season. He was taken ill with tphoid fever shorty after his arrival and did not accompany the show when it left its home city. Vernon was 54 years of age and was born in Morocco, North Africa, the son of a Moroccan government official and an English woman. He came to this country twenty-five years ago and followed the stage as an opera singer, minstrel and actor. Later, he joined the John Robinson Shows and acted as advance agent of that organization for ten years. "Gov." John Robinson met Vernon in New York this spring and learning that he had no plans for this summer invited him to return to his old post.

    In Western Pennsylvania nowadays one may see nothing but circus "paper" adorning the dead walls and sides of barns. The Ringling Brothers', Cole Brothers', Hagenbeck-Wallace, Buffalo Bill's and Barnum-Bailey have their opposition brigades operating in that section just now, telling the natives all about the respective attractions.

    Meadville, Pa., May 14. This town is well billed for the Hagenbeck-Wallace and Barnum-Bailey circuses. The first will show here May 25, and "The Big Show" on July 1. Barnum-Bailey's opposition brigade has already come and gone.

    "The Leamy Ladies," which opened with the Barnum-Bailey Circus at the Madison Square Garden recently, will return to Blackpool, England, in about a week. The act could not play under canvas, owing to the nature of it. Mr. Leamy, the head of the number, is a Syracuse, N. Y., man by birth, and still has relatives in that city.

    Five hundred and ninety people are on the payroll of the "101 Ranch" show this year. The equipment, conservatively estimated, is as follows: 372 head of stock, 80 mules for draft work, 18 head of oxen for transport purpose, 80 Indians, 32 bronco riders and 12 cowgirls, 16 head of steers. Twenty-seven cars are required for travel. The canvas covers a seating capacity of 7,000. The show has a span of mules for which $1,000 has been refused.

    "101 Ranch" shows in St. Louis Monday. Already the town has been heavily billed with advance paper announcing the coming of "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" for June 18, and Monday the regular advance carful of bill posters arrives to handle further billing. "101 Ranch" has been billed for a week or more, but the Oklahoma contingent is handicapped more or less by the fact that Arlington has refused to agree to the Billposting Association's rules for this year. In Chicago this action on Arlington's part resulted in the non-appearance of a regularly posted sheet of "101" paper until the closing day of the Ringling show's engagement. It is understood that a complaint has been made on this score to the Association. "101" paper was not "cut out" in St. Louis. Up to date there has been no covering of opposition paper, Buffalo Bill holding the choice stands.

    Wheeling, W. Va., May 14. The Great Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows arrived here Sunday, and showed to two big audiences Monday. There were several hundred people turned away. This was the first circus of the season, and the independents were very lucky in getting here on the only two pleasant days in many weeks. The lot was very soft and had it rained Monday it would have been impossible to move the wagons. All their acts are very good and their trained animals are the best ever seen here. Barnum & Bailey are billed to appear here soon.

    The annual clash between the circus advance agents and local Grand Army of the Republic posts over the granting of circus licenses for Decoration Day has been fought in half a dozen cities, with the usual result. The Barnum & Bailey outfit had trouble in Bridgeport, its winter winter home. The circus men finally won the day, and the show will be given according to its route. The Buffalo Bill show is due in Akron, O., where similar difficulty was experienced. Again the showmen carried their point. The veteran soldiers protest that the presence of a big show in their town interferes with their parade services. Against the opposition of the local militiamen Buffalo Bill has been granted a license for July 4 in Springfield, Mass. The soldiers protested that the Wild West exhibition would interfere with their Independence Day parade.

Variety, May 23, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Dollar Troupe have signified their intention of leaving the Barnum-Bailey show May 30 in Boston. They will play parks and fairs.

    Frank E. Davis has left the Queen and Crescent Circus, a new show enterprise. The outfit is being conducted in the South Atlantic States by France Reed.

    W. R. McDonald, former secretary of the Barnum-Bailey corporation, is established for the coming summer as assistant manager of Dreamland, Coney Island.

    The reserved seats for the whole engagement of the Buffalo Bill show in Philadelphia were sold out last Tuesday, the last coupon being disposed of in the afternoon.

    The Ringling Brothers' two days' stay in Cincinnati was to have been divided into two stands, Cumminsville and Norwood, at opposite ends of the city. Heavy rains May 6 made the move impossible and the show played two days at Cumminsville.

    Two baseball nines have been formed among the clowns and riders in the "Big Show." At Washington the first game was played, the riders winning by 13 to 3. Fred Egener captains the clowns, and Orrin Davenport manages the riders while on the diamond.

    Austin Walsh, who has been playing with the Barnum-Bailey Circus as a clown, attached the show in Jersey City this week on an alleged claim of $500. The attachment was bonded by the management. Mr. Walsh has played in vaudeville in a "Seeing New York" act.

    James Winterburn, head of the Winterburn Show Printing Company, of Chicago, which turned out a large amount of circus paper, is dead in Chicago. He lived in Cincinnati formerly, but for the past fifteen years had made his home in Chicago. Heart disease caused his death.

    W. W. Cole, of the Buffalo Bill show, visited the Barnum-Bailey circus during the Newark, N. J., stand Monday. Col. Louis E. Cooike, whose home is in that town, accompanied him. Joe Meyer drove over from New York in his new automobile with George Degnon, the Buffalo Bill excursion agent, making the trip in thirty minutes. Monday night the circus had a turnaway, and business is said to have been phenomenal all along the route.

    Johnstown, Pa., May 18. The Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus arrived here May 17 from Indiana, Pa. At Indiana a foot and a half of water shut the show off with only the afternoon performance. The 18th was an ideal circus day, hot and bright, and the show sold out for both performances. The street pageant is of the best. All acts are well dressed and the management splendid.

    Youngstown, May 21. An old fashioned "wagon show" left this city for a tour of the smaller towns only. The owners are Frankling and William Evans. The performance will be participated in by Lafayette and Grant, acrobats; Rarery Brothers, clowns; Walter Anderson, clown; The Hudsons, hand-to-hand; Mlle. Fay, wire, trapeze, and Franklin Evans, comedian. Evan Edwards, advertising agent of the Park Theatre, will have charge of the advance brigade.

    Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" claims to be the first to put into practical service an Indian press agent. Chief Bull Bear of the Cheyenne tribes, with the show, is acting in this capacity and although he speaks no word of English, he is a distinct success through an interpreter, and cordially received by all newspaper men. The credit for the "Pat Hennessy Massacre," one of the features of the show, is given him, but he declines to discuss the affair, of which he was the instigator, according to history.

    Cash registers were used at the gate to the Buffalo Bill show for the first time in Philadelphia last week. The registers were placed at the main entrance and cashiers were provided to take the money of patrons, ringing up each amount and handing the spectators seat coupons. The scheme is designed to save the time involved in sending people to the ticket wagons. The Ringling show and several of the Western organizations have used this system before, and it is said to work perfectly.

    "101 Ranch" is the only one of the big Eastern organizations that is not a party to the agreement with the billposters. Edward Arlington declined to sign the articles. The other outsiders are the Norris & Rowe and Sells-Floto shows, playing in the Far West, and the Cole Brothers' show in the East. Failure to subscribe to the annual agreement, it is said, will work against the outsiders if they come into a billing fight with other shows. There is no "shut out" contract for billing possible where two signers of the agreement are involved, but the billposters are not bound to regard the moral rights or comfort of outsiders.

Variety, May 30, 1908, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    By a shrewd stroke of business George Aiken, railroad contractor for the John Robinson Shows, has turned many desirable dollars into "the Governor's" coffers this season. The Robinson show is playing a string of stands along the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, which have not seen a circus in five years. The L. & N. refused for that length of time to haul circus trains, and no contracts were signed for the territory. A change of policy last fall was taken advantage of by contractor Aiken and his contract was "No. I." This contract keeps the other shows off the road for a stated period.
    In Knoxville, Tenn., the show gave three performances in one day to accomodate the demand for admittance, and is said to have taken out $12,000. Two afternoon shows were also given in London, Ky. The outfit has experienced half a dozen turnaways. The Southern Railroad has also barred circus traffic until this year, and the Robinson show will be the first to travel over its lines in seven years.

    Watertown, N. Y., May 27. The City Clerk has informed the Barnum-Bailey circus that unless a parade is guaranteed when the circus shows her the license will be run up to an unheardof figure. With parade the city will charge the circus management $110 for the license. The merchants of the town insisted upon this course being taken, claiming that the parade would attract thousands who would not otherwise come into the city. No answer has yet been received from the circus people.

    The Buffalo Bill show played to big business in Washington last week. They had a turnaway Monday night. The price schedule prevailing with the Wild West exhibition has been slightly changed. The 75-cent tariff has been eliminated, there being only 50 cents and $1 seats.

    It was daylight before the Ringling show got in motion out of Easton, Pa., Saturday morning. Heavy weather had softened the lot up a good deal, and there was delay in handling a wet canvas. In Plainfield, N. J., a few days before, the afternoon show was not given until 3 o'clock. Business was indifferent in Plainfield.

    A big six-pole top has been raised on the site to be given over this summer to the Coney Island Hippodrome in that resort and the show will open tomorrow (Saturday). A big show is promised, including a band of Indians for "Wild West" features, Josie Ashton, principal rider, and the Casting Dunbars. The Nelson family of acrobats is the circus feature. They have never shown in the metropolitan district. William Ducrow, last season equestrian director for the Barnum-Bailey show, has the same position with the Coney Island venture. Bode Brothers, of Cincinnati, adn Moerlin, the brewer, are promoting the venture. Johnnie Robinson, son of the Cincinnati showman, is helping get the "hip" in running order. He will stay here a couple of weeks at least.

    The Queen & Crescent Shows, playing in the East under the management of France Reed, will be enlarged by the addition of several new acts shortly. An offer has been made to Dolly Julian and Fred Legett, who closed last Saturday at the Hippodrome. The Queen & Crescent carries a good deal of the equipment which last season belonged to the Hargreaves outfit. Frank Longbotham, formerly agent for the Pubillones Show in Mexico, is with it.

    Johnstown, Pa., May 27. Buffalo Bill's arrived on the afternoon of May 24 from Lancaster in good shape. Business Monday was immense, and the show pleased everyone. Weather perfect. The management issued a warning to the public to be on the lookout for "crooks," as there were a number in their wak and had played havoc in Lancaster. Three were arrested by the local police Monday night in the railroad yards.

    The Carroll Troupe, premier "Risley" act, closed with the Ringling show last week. They opened with the show in Chicago.

Variety, June 6, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit has introduced the circus fraternity to a brand new scheme which promises unlimited possibilities. This is nothing less than entering into compact with local charitable societies to give a show for their benefit (partly), at the same time turning over to the charitable society all responsibility for advance sale, preliminary boosting, etc.
    The Ben Wallace organization goes into Chicago either late in September or early in October for a two weeks' stand. During their stay 10 per cent of the gross receipts will be turned over to the Firemen's Benevolent Fund. But the beauty of the scheme is not in this detail, an old circus dodge playing time and again by tented circuses and carnival companies. The real inspiration is that the Fund has charge of the advance sale, and upon all sales of tickets previous to the opening performance the Fund draws down 25 per cent. Of course, nobody is required to believe it, but common report in New York has it that the sales so far amount to something like $80,000 and the stand is four months off. This scheme will appeal to circus men, inasmuch as it means that the show breezes into town with the expenses already paid and a neat profit assured before the "Grand Review" of the first performance turns into the arena. This is a good deal of a departure, the charity plan having never been developed in just this way.

    As an indication of what this season promises in the tented field, it is declared at the Buffalo Bill headquarters that the business in Philadelphia exceeded that of last year by a comfortable margin.

    Lina Maarder and her "Balloon Horse," the feature of the Barnum and Bailey's when the circus opened at the Madison Square, will leave for the other side some time this month, taking ship for Antwerp. The act is to appear in Paris at a future date.

    Johnstown, Pa., June 4. Dr. H. M. Fry, who started an overland circus from this city over a circuit of small towns, has returned to Johnstown to resume his dentistry practice. The circus has changed hands.

    Cincinnati, June 4. The opening at the Lagoon Sunday was slightly marred by the sudden cold and wet weather. Kemp Sisters "Wild West Congress and American Hippodrome" (Guy O. Fritz, manager) is the extra attraction. The circus opened with a grand entry, general introduction and stage coach exhibit. May Cody, in fancy shooting, and a fancy roping act by Victor F. Cody, were liberally applauded. "The War Dance" by Sioux Indians was one of the big features. Victor Cody, Snap Wiedeman, and Tee Stokes in "Pick Up" riding very clever. Chas. Hoffman, roping and riding steers, good. Victor Cody did some fancy shooting and a knife paneling act and wound up with "Cowboy's Pastimes," "A Chase for Bride," riding bucking horses and the "Night Attack on the Cabin."

    The Cole Brothers' and Ringling Brothers' circuses, after coming to a clinch in Buffalo and later in Pennsylvania, are scheduled to lock horns again shortly. Their routes bring them into several Western towns within a short time of each other, and already there are evidences of opposition in billing. Among the points where the two come together soon are Toledo, Grand Rapids, South Bend and Fort Wayne.

    Alec Siebert, a veteran circus performer, has established himself for the summer at Coney Island. He has a dog and pony show running near the upper trolley loop. Siebert has not working in the ring for several years, in the meantin running a ring barn on Long Island, near Coney Island.

    It is probable that several new acts will join the Barnum-Bailey show next Monday in Providence. John Ringling was in the city late last week and in company with "Doc" Freeman made a tour of the agents' offices. Lists were submitted and Mr. Ringling announced that he would make his selections this week. It is denied that any of the present features of the show will leave. The Dollar Troupe, one of the acrobatic displays with the Big Show, reconsidered its intention to retire from the circus at Boston, and is still with it.

    Misfortune pressed closely upon the "101 Ranch" show during its St. Louis stand. Bad weather affected the attendance seriously, although on the one or two brigh days business was good. During the week a dispute arose over the charges of the St. Louis Billposting Company, and the show managers refused to settle. On Saturday night the billposting people secured an attachment on the show. A sheriff seized the ticket wagon and bore away $700. This left a balance claimed of $1,100. When the case came up the attachment was raised by Joe Miller depositing his personal check for that amount, and the suit was continued under this arrangement.

Variety, June 13, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    If there is anything in the indications, there is going to be a lively billing fight between the Ringling show and "101 Ranch" very shortly. The Arlington aggregation followed the big circus into Chicago, and on the testimony of the manager, did extremely well. The routes of the two shows come together in Rockford, Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa, where the Ringling posters and the "101 Ranch" brigade are engaged in a race.

    Alec Siebert, who started a dog and pony show in Coney Island a few weeks ago, has closed.

    Reports from the John Robinson show continue to tell of big business in the south. Governor Robinson left the show and returned to Cincinnati for three days last week. When the outfit left winter quarters they were unable to secure enough draft stock and the Governor went back to fill up the equipment. He took back twenty head of fine draft horses.

    The Queen & Crescent Circus, which went out in May under the management of France Reed and Frank Davis, has laid off for reorganizing. Davis quit the show when it had been on the road only a few weeks and the loss of his services as agent handicapped the venture seriously. There was some talk early this week that the Queen & Crescent might merge with Alec Siebert's Dog and Pony Show, which closed in Coney Island last week. Mr. Reed was in conference late this week with Thomas Hargreaves, and it was said that that showman might after all send him out in charge of one of his shows. None of the Hargreaves organizations took to the road this year. Now that the other circuses have drawn such big business the Chester, Pa., manager seems to have thought better of remaining in winter quarters.

    St. Joseph, Omaha, Des Moines, St. Paul and Minneapolis are to be played this month by "101 Ranch," and the managers declare they are now negotiating to close the season with a four weeks engagement at the Madison Square Garden, New York City. Ideal weather has arrived along the route of "101 Ranch." The rain has ceased, and with a few more days of the like the country roads will be in a condition to drive upon without doing so in mud or water up to the hub.

Variety, June 20, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Reports from all along the line of travel by the Barnum-Bailey Circus so far this season concur that the parade reinserted this season as one of the attractions of the "Big Show" has proven a gold mine for the box office. The Barnum-Bailey show is breaking the records for all time, and the parade is given the credit to a great degree, as all other forms of amusements just now, indoor and outdoor, are suffering for want of patronage. Under the management of the Ringling Brothers, the parade with the Barnum-Bailey circus this season will cost $75,000 or so, but it is agreed the feature is well worth it. The extra wagons, stock, etc., necessary to the morning spectacular brings the total tonnage of the show up to 83 cars, causing a problem for transportation, but the circus is running along smoothly, though in some of the cities there are not sufficient sidings on the railroad to hold the circus trains while the show is exhibiting. Several instances have occurred where the cars have been run back by the railroad twenty-five miles from the town before sufficient space could be had. There are nearly 900 people now connected with the Barnum-Bailey Circus.

    Eph Thompson, the elephant trainer, was in New York this week, recovered from his late illness, but still somewhat weak from the effects. It is said Mr. Thompson is willing to dispose of his herd of mammoths. Leamy, who brought "The Leamy Ladies" over, is reported to have offered Thompson $15,000, Leamy acting for someone else. Eph demanded $20,000. The colored elephant trainer is reputed to be worth $250,000.

    Eight ponies in the stables of Pawnee Bill's show playing at Revere Beach, Boston, contracted glanders and had to be killed a few days ago. The disease was discovered before it had been widely communicated through the stables and it is believed that the destruction of the eight has checked the outbreak.

    Springfield, Mass., June 18. Car No. 1 of the Buffalo Bill Wild West was due to begin billing operations here last Saturday, but it did not arrive until day before yesterday (Tuesday). The skipping of Springfield was in accordance with the billing agreement between the Buffalo Bill show and Barnum & Bailey. The "Big Show" played here Monday and the Cody billing brigade could not begin to post its paper until the Ringling property had filled its engagement and got away. Accordingly the No. 1 car skipped Springfield on its scheduled time and returned here after the circus had pulled out.

    Buffalo Bill's advertising car No. 1, in charge of Lester W. Murray, is bowling along through New England, and by Monday, June 22, will have made Portland, Me., within four weeks from St. Louis. The route then turns West and leads through New Hampshire, Vermont and New York to the middle-west, where, it is presumed, the "Wild West" will spend considerable time. There are rumors of a Pacific Coast trip for "The Bill Show," but "the powers" have not, as yet, divulged the secret answer.
    Citizens of Oneonta, N. Y., were treated to the novel sight of a circus billing car running through the principal streets of the town, June 10, when manager Murray brought his car in from a twenty-five mile country run on an overhead electrical trolley line. An electric engine pulled the car to Cooperstown and back, and upon its return the down town run was made so that press agent Walter Hill could "plant" his advertising and literature in the newspaper officed direct from the car. It is safe to say that everybody within five miles of the trolley road knowns that Buffalo Bill will exhibit in Oneonta on July 1. Manager Murray believes he is the first car manager to take an advertising car on an overhead trolley spin, although the third-rail system has been worked before. While the big green car was blocking Main Street in front of the Oneonta Post Office one of the natives was heard to remark that it "looked like a steamboat hunting for water."

Variety, June 27, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Four of the big American shows are mixing it up in a widespread billing fight in the West and Northwest, and there is little prospect for peace within a month. "101 Ranch" and Hagenbeck-Wallace, the two independents, come into conflict at half a dozen points with the Barnum-Bailey and Ringling Brothers' outfits. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus seems to have a bit the better of a race through the Northwest. The independents show at Lincoln, Neb., July 3 and Denver, July 11, while the Ringling Brothers do not get into these stands until two weeks later.
    In the same way the Miller Brothers' Wild West got in ahead at St. Paul, Minneapolis and Winnipeg. The Wild West played through these towns last week, a week before in each instance. Ringling Brothers played Minneapolis on Monday and will follow the wake of the Wild West until July 1, when they play Winnipeg. "101 Ranch" also comes into conflict with the Barnum-Bailey outfit. The Wild West goes into Great Falls and Butte, Mont., July 3 and 4, while the Big Show opposition brigade is already billing the dates Aug. 3 and 4.

    London, June 15. The Ringlings have cabled an offer to Frank Bostock for his "hybrid" lion-leopard, now on exhibition at Earl's Court Jungle. The Ringlings will pay $10,000 for it; Bostock paid $7,500. Bostock is holding back his answer. Alf. T. Ringling is on this side now and will probably look the animal over. If the Ringlings secure it, they will probably make the hybrid a feature of the Barnum-Bailey Show's menagerie.

    Papers were served on Major Lillie (Pawnee Bill) at Revere Beach, Boston, last week, in a suit brought by Joe Meyers to recover $1,600 under an alleged contract. Meyers claims that he turned a large amount of advertising over to Maj. Lillie for the "Pawnee Bill" program. The program privilege was later sold to another man and Meyers asserts that he never received payment for the business he did. Meyers has the program of the Buffalo Bill Wild West.

    Boston, June 25. No further evidence of glanders has developed among the stock of Major Lillie (Pawnee Bill) playing at Revere Beach here, and the veterinaries declare the trouble over. The animals killed have been replaced with fresh ponies. Pawnee Bill gives a half-hour show in rather novel way. An opaque curtain dropped in front of the grand stand cuts off the view of the arena until the show starts. Then it is raised and in a semi-circle before the audience is shown a set scene of a cowboy and Indian camp. The setting is permanent, and the whole show is given with the pretty scene as its background. The outfit is a small one, but the material is well laid out and the show runs smoothly and swiftly. Business has been satisfactory.

    "101 Ranch" opened in Winnipeg Monday for two days. It will be in Canada for a week or more. There has been a large number of accidents to the horsemen of the outfit, and several have been left in hospitals along the route, due to the spirit of rivalry among the riders. The show management invites outsiders to bring "bad" horses into the ring, and the "busters" have had only one fall from this source. Clemanto, a Mexican, "rode his saddle down a bad horse's neck," as the expression goes, after the breaking of a cinch. The horse jumped upon him and a rib was broken. In Minneapolis one of the Cossacks was left in St. Mary's Hospital. His mount fell, breaking the rider's leg. The animal had to be shot.
    Lester Pegg and Oscar J. Rixon are both back in the saddle, after a short stay in the hospital. They were brushed out of their seats by guy ropes while riding bronchos. Rose Scott broke an arm in the same sort of accident. And finally Mrs. Miller is on the sick list. In the midst of these misfortunes the whole show seized upon the excuse for a celebration when Olive Stokes, one of the cowgirls from Bartlesville, Okla., and Neil Hart were married.

    There have been no repetitions this season of the shortage of labor that tried the patience of circus managers last year, when their mechanical forces quit, and none were available in the labor market. Commercial conditions are different this year and the laborers are sticking close to their jobs. For this reason none of the shows has been forced to go around short handed and the process of putting up and taking down the tops is easily accomplished.

    With grooms, elephants and family, Eph Thompson, the colored trainer, silently sailed away to Germany on Thursday of last week. Thompson has foreign engagements, it is reported, which he will fulfill. His return to American is not looked forward to by his intimates.

    Duluth, Minn., June 25. While playing here Monday the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus experienced a "blow down" just as the audience was seated and the show was about to start. A child was slightly injured in the panic which followed the collapse of one side of the top. More serious damage was done to the rigging of the artists than to the circus property. Several of the aerial acts had their rigging smashed and twisted, and the Delno Troupe was put out of commission by damage to its apparatus. The canvas and lights were partially repaired, however, and the show was given with only a "side wall" as protection.

    Sydney, Australia, May 3. Wirth Bros.' Big Show is doing enormous business. A live giraffe - landed this week - is receiving more press and billboard publicity than anything or anybody previously. The animal is billed as having cost $5,000, excluding expenses incurred in shipping it from Hagenbeck's in Germany. Variety of March 7 gives the amount paid as $2,350, which pans out less than half the published Australian price. When that issue was read by some of the interested parties here, one of the mane rather hotly said: "How in 'ell did that paper find it hout?"

    The Pubillones show is back in Cuba after a tour of Mexico. Many of the feature acts which played with the show in the latter territory have returned to America. The Castrillon Troupe and the herd of elephants which Pubillones some time ago purchased from the New York Hippodrome are still with the outfit and the show has started on a shot tour in the interior of the Spanish-American island. Conflicting reports have reached New York as the the financial success of Pubillones' invaskon of Mexico against Dick Bell. One has his choice of believing that the show made or did not make money. It is not so long ago, however, that a report from the show declard that Pubillones intended to stay in the Mexican territory until fa..

    An animal trainer, known to be on terms of familiarity with Walter L. Main, is authority for the statement that the circus manager has plans on foot for putting out a forty-car show next season, opening in Geneva during April. The trainer who gave this information supplemented it with the solemn statement that the new show was to be operated with Main's own money.

    Denver, June 25. The Barnum & Bailey advance car arrived in Denver June 17, and billed the town heavily, announcing the coming of the show on July 27. Two days after all the Barnum & Bailey paper disappeared. The Fire and Police Board ordered it removed. It seems the Sells-Floto Circus, which showed here on June 22 and 23 only advertised their coming through the Denver "Post." The paper's owners also own the Sells-Floto show. They used but few of the most conspicuous billboards and did not put up the amount of paper used by a medicine show. The coming of the B. & B. advance crew angered the owners of the "Post" and Sells-Floto combination, so it is said on good authority, through political influence, very strong here, caused the Fire and Police Board to threaten not to issue a license for the Big Show unless it took down the paper and kept it down until S.-F. left these parts. At any rate there is no B. & B. paper in Denver.

    The published route of the Barnum-Bailey show brings them to Niagara Falls June 27. After this, according to report, the show will move directly west. It will play Butte, Mont., early in August, and from that point will go on an almost direct line to the Pacific Coast. It was reported early this season that the Buffalo Bill show would go to the Coast, but Col. Louis E. Cooke declared this week that this had not yet been decided, no contracts having been closed for territory west of Omaha.

    Watertown, N. Y., June 25. Business with the Barnum-Bailey circus has been very big for the past ten days. In New Haven, Conn., last week John Ringling and "Doc" Freeman joined the show. Kitamura's Japs have been added to the performance, also Alma's Animals. The latter opened in Danbury, Conn., last Monday. The Ylerome Sisters, and acrobatic globe number, closed with the circus last Saturday.

    "Jimmie" DeWolf, a former Barnum-Bailey agent, is now the press agent of the West End Theatre, New York.

Variety, July 4, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Haileybury, Can., July 1. There was a strong possibility that the Cole Brothers' show might be held up at Latchford, near here, last week. A dead man was picked up along the line of the T. & N. O. Railroad shortly after the Cole Bros.' Circus had passed that point. The coroner's jury which sat upon the case recommended that the show be held here until the circumstances of his death could be looked into. From testimony adduced at the inquest it appeared that employees of the circus had received rough treatment, and the jury expressed its conviction that the unknown dead man had been killed by being thrown from the circus train. Martin Downs, and old showman, is said to be operating the circus.
    After an hour's deliberation the jury brought in this verdict: "That the said man, unknown, was found dead on the track of the T. & N. O. Railway at mileage 87 1/2 on Tuesday moring, June 23, 1908. That the said man, unknown, met his death by falling or being thrown from the Cole Bros.' Circus train. We strongly recommend that investigation be made by the provincial authorities, as evidence given by two employees of the circus gives good ground for suspicion that deceased was thron off the train. That evidence goes to show that an employee was ill-treated at Woodland Station on the T. & N. O. Railway by men in authority. That employees who asked for wages at Haileyburg were refused and were afraid to go further, fearing that they also would be ill-used.
    "That the aforesaid circus carries a commissary van, at which employees may at any time buy whiskey and other liquors. The evidence points that witness purchased liquor at said van on Sunday last near North Bay and at Haileybury. That the employees who left the circus at Haileybury had had no food from the time they left Smith's Falls on Saturday afternoon until their arrival in Haileybury on Monday morning. The above evidence warrants them recommending that Cole Bros.' Circus be detained until further investigation into the causes of the aforesaid unknown man's death be made by proper authorities."

    Before sailing from Mexico for Cuba the Pubillones Circus, which had conducted a losing tour in the Republic, settled all its obligations with artists and others. Upon the show's arrival the government had demanded the circus give bonds in $5,000 that it would meet all its obligations. Before sailing the bond was cancelled, the government being satisfied that no money was owed. The Castrillon Troupe was not paid in Mexico, but returned to Cuba with the outfit. Its contract was made in Cuba and upon reaching there the amount was paid over.

    George St. Leon, of the St. Leon Family, made his first appearance as a bareback rider on June 8 at "Luna" Park, Coney Island, where the act is appearing. Mr. St. Leon did a "flipflap and somersault" act, scoring a decided success.

    Denver, July 1. Things are looked forward to happening between the authorities and the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus, billed to show here July 13; also the Barnum-Bailey Circus due July 27. The Sells-Floto organization declined to pay the city's license fee of $500 daily while in the city June 22-23. Otto C. Floto, the sporting editor of the Denver "Post" and reputed owner of the circus, was arrested and held for trial. The other Denver papers claim a small fine will be imposed upon Floto for neglecting to produce the license fee. Though he should be fined to the law's limit, the amount would be but $700, the maximum fixed, and $300 less than the city wanted to collect for the two days' exhibition. The real owner of the circus is said to be the proprietor of the "Post." The affair is looked upon as political.

    The "101 Ranch" press department is sending out statements in an effort to correct a general impression that the Wild West show of the Kemp Sisters is a concotion of the Bliss, Okla., outfit. A visit to Brighton Beach brought out the fact that a side show is being operated there under patronage of the Miller Brothers. It is under the direction of Al. Wall and consists of a troupe of "military burros," trained buffalo and a trio of performing pigs. A small menagerie completes the equipment. The burros, 12 in number, give an entertaining show under the direction of Dan Boyington, entitled to distinction as one of the few horse trainers who works without the use of a whip. The string is likewise used for advertising purposes, being paraded up and down the board walk before every show. On their return to the lot the "ballyhoo" opens up on the crowd which invariably trails the cavalcade. Good showmanship is here displayed for the lot is at the far end of the walk and some means is necessary to attract the crowd from the amusement centre. All the stock is the property of the Miller Brothers and was used last season when "101 Ranch" played Brighton Beach. The stand is on part of the same lot, the rest of the grounds being given over to Pain's fireworks.

    Fred Hutchinson, last season general manager of Buffalo Bill's Wild West, is laying off this summer, making headquarters in Parkersburg, W. Va.

    While the Ringling Brothers' Circus was playing Dubuque, Ia., a heavy wind storm came up and before the top could be lowered the stakes were torn out and the tent flattened on the ground. There was no audience in the seats at the time. At Minneapolis, the next stand, a heavy rain fell. General report credits the show with doing only a fair business, although the Barnum show, the Ringlings' other circus property, is said to be drawing good crowds. Again at St. Paul last week the Ringling show top was flattened out by a sudden wind storm, making the third count in the hard luck series. The St. Paul accident happened at two o'clock, but no information beyond this has reached New York.

    The Ringling Brothers' Circus closes its season in Freeport, Ill., November 12, moving directly from that town to winter quarters in Baraboo, Wis.

    Michael Coyle, one of the oldest railroad contractors in the business and early this season in charge of this department with the Buffalo Bill outfit, is seriously ill with rheumatism and stomach trouble. He was compelled to retire from his place with the Wild West organization. At first it was hoped that he would recover sufficiently to rejoin the show in a few weeks, but doctors who have been treating him at his home in Weedsport, N. Y., hold out little hope that he will be able to resume active work again this season.

    In addition to the other circus clashes which are on the card to come up within the next few weeks, the situation up in the Canadian Northwest looks bright for a general row. Campbell Brothers were due in McLeod, Alberta, July 1. On the same day "Ranch 101" play in Calgary, the same province. Beside this Norris & Rowe are due in Calgary, and the Campbell Brothers and the Miller organization come together with little time intervening at Edmonton. With three circuses roaming around in this restricted territory there should surely be something doing shortly.

    Probably the longest circus excursion ever arranged will be run when the Buffalo Bill Wild West plays Bangor, Me., July 15. Excursion agent George Degnon, of the Buffalo Bill staff, has contracted with the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad to run a "special" from Caribou, Me., to Bangor, a distance of 205 miles, and return. The special will start at 4:14 a.m., arriving in Bangor at 11:20, making thirty stops. The cost of the trip, including admittance to the Wild West, has been fixed at $2.50, making the rate for travel less than half a cent per mile. During the same stand Degnon will handle another excursion tapping the country in the opposite direction, running a special train from Palais to Bangoe on the Maine Central Railroad, a distance of over 100 miles. The rate is very low for this trip as well.

    For the week of July 27 the Buffalo Bill show will follow almost the identical route up New York State travelled by the Barnum-Bailey Circus last week, including Rochester, Syracuse and Niagara Falls.

    France Reed, who started at the beginning of the season with the Queen and Crescent Circus, but later gave it up, has returned to the John Robinson show, where he is acting as equestrian director.

Variety, July 11, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Lincoln, Neb., July 9. The city authorities were compelled to interfere in a sharp fight for billboard space here between the opposition brigades of the Ringling Brothers' and the Wallace-Hagenbeck shows which were in conflict in the city. The independent outfit invaded Lincoln July 3, while the Ringling show is due July 13. The Ringling No. 1 car beat the Wallace advance into the town and started to lay out a lavish display of paper. By the time the Wallace billposters arrived pretty much all the billing space had been covered. The late-comers were forced to take to the high buildings, the Ringlings having snapped up everything available. So far had they gone that the authorities tipped them off quietly that "that would be about all." In spite of these conditions the independents secured a fairly good showing.

    The Ringling opposition brigade has its hands full these days. After a strenuous fortnight in Alberta, Canada, where there was a brush with the Wallace outfit, the Ringling Circus comes into Omaha July 13, two days after the Sells-Floto is due to pull out. The Western organization plays Omaha July 11, and for some days past the Ringling bill posters and the Sells-Floto brigade have been fighting to attract public notice to their respective shows. Not only does the Sells-Floto show play in Omaha just ahead of the Ringling show, but on the day the latter shows Omaha the Westerners are billed to appear in Council Bluffs, just across the river and easily within calling distance.

    Ben Wallace, with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, gets into Denver next week, following the National Democratic Conventoin there when it is expected a large number of convention visitors will still be in the Colorado city. Following Denver the show goes into Colorado Springs for two days (14 and 15) and heads South for Pueblo. The route then comes back on the Santa Fe, playing Hunter, Col., 17.

    The Kemp Sisters Wild West is still at Brighton Beach. The show is along the board walk, and about 20 cowboys and girls, besides eight or ten Indians line up when the spieler barks to help attract the crowds.

    Although the railroads have given out so-called "exclusive" or shut-out contracts to carry certain circuses over their lines this year, it is generally understood among the circus men that the agreement to keep opposition shows out is pretty much an unsupported promise. One circus agent declared that no railroad could refuse to do business with a show on the ground that it had agreed with another concern to haul its cars only. The decision by the Interstate Commerce Commission last year in favor of the Sells-Floto Circus as to its rights on certain Texas roads has had a good deal to do with the railroads' changed front. They know that they cannot exclude any circus without excluding all, and when they do make a "shut-out" contract it is purely bluff, and done to impress the agent of the show.

    Partly on account of business conditions the railroads have undergone a change of attitude toward the big traveling shows this season. On roads, particularly in the South, where no circus car has been hauled for half a dozen years, the traffic managers are begging the show managers to come in. This was the condition that the Robinson show took advantage of in Tennessee last month. The actual haulage of circus stock is not the business that attracts the railroads but they find the big excursions run from surrounding territory into the circus town very profitable, particularly when trade generally is so dull. Formerly it was the circus agent that went to the railroad office, but this year the railroad agent comes to the circus headquarters begging for business.

    The Yankee Robinson Show has just signed contracts amounting to $4,250 for haulage on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad. Two contracts cover twenty-five stands begining Aug. 11 and running up to September 10. The whole time is taken up in South Dakota and Nebraska. The show is carried in 11 cars.

    The John Robinson Shows, after a short excursion up in Ohio and neighboring States, has turned back into Southern territory. In the early part of the season the show played to big business along the Southern railraods. When they came back North, however, business dropped off almost immediately, and the managers decided to go back. The show is playing through Kentucky next week.

    Louis E. Cooke, general agent for the Buffalo Bill Wild West, this week left New York headquarters, from which he has directed the advance and will hereafter operate from Chicago. He may not return East except for flying trips until toward the end of the season.

    Arthur Degnon, excursion agent for the Buffalo Bill Wild West, left New York headquarters this week for Chicago. He will make his headquarters for the summer, in the Windy City. The presence of the Cody outfit in the Middle Western territory takes the excursion agent there.

Variety, July 18, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Noiset, a foreigner, who originated the act now playing as a feature with the Barnum-Bailey Circus called "Autos That Pass in the Air," is reported to be on his way to America. Noiset has claimed abroad that the Ringling Bros. "copied" his act without recompense to himself. He also alleges a claim against the circus men.

    William Gorman is equestrian director with the Ringling Bros.' circus, not Barnum-Bailey's, as erroneously reported a couple of weeks ago. Ed Shipp is the present Barnum-Bailey equestrian director.

    Violent objection is taken to the statement that Pubillones satisfied all his financial obligations for the tour of his circus organization in Mexico last winter. Morok, who travelled with the show exhibiting his double somersault automobile, claims he was forced to settle for four weeks' work by accepting two, and Harry Allen, of Allen & Marryat, New York booking agents, claims to have an unpaid account against the Cuban manager for commissions and transportation advanced to acts booked for the Mexican tour. It is said that the Mexican invasion was not a financial success. While the main Pubillones organization was in Mexico a second company toured Cuba, and the profits of the "No. 2" show but little more than balanced the losses of the big outfit.

    Rock Island, July 16. The Barnum-Bailey Circus is showing here today. Its itinerary calls for some fast travelling. On July 27 the show plays Denver, keeping in Colorado until August 1, when Cheyenne, Wyo. is the stand, and from there going through Utah into Idaho, exhibiting at Boise City August 8. The Sunday "jumps" from Kearney, Neb., to Denver, and from Cheyenne to Ogden are 373 and 484 miles, respectively. Other distances run from 100 miles up, one being 157 and another 126. Pueblo to Colorado Springs (45 miles) and Ogden to Salt Lake (37) look like street car rides in comparison.

    Nasville, Tenn., July 16. William W. ("Bud") Horn, "The Calliope King," died July 8, at his home here. He was 57 years of age. Horn was known to show people throughout the United States during his long career as the manipulator of the grand finale of a circus pageant.

Variety, July 25, 1908, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Two members of the "101 Ranch" Wild West were killed in a wreck at Dickinson, N. D., and half a dozen others were injured. Three were in a local hospital when the show train pulled out. The killed were Jack Grant of 1578 Third Avenue, New York, and Harry Nittinger of Philadelphia. Both were terribly crushed and died in the hospital next day. The accident was caused by the inefficiency of the switching crew. While switching the sleepers on to the rest of the show train the engine hauling the sleepers crashed into a dead train on one of the sidings. The sleeper "Bliss" was telescoped and another sleeper was badly crushed. The people and effects in the two wrecked sleepers were transferred to a box car and at Bismarck the Northern Pacific supplied two new sleepers for the show. Howard Compton and several others, who were slightly injured, were taken care of in the show's own hospital ward.

    Kansas City, July 19. The Barnum-Bailey show played to turnaway business here in spite of the fact that the Sells-Floto show is billed for the town August 10. The latter organization is heavily billed. The Barnum-Bailey train arrived here at 1 p.m. Sunday after a jump of 185 miles, the trip having been made in unusually fast time. Owing to heavy rainfall Thursday night no parade was given at Washington, Ia. The attendance was big nevertheless.

    No word has been heard in New York from the Cole Circus since the reports were printed of its difficulties at Haileybury, Canada, when a coroner's jury recommended that the show be held pending an investigation into the death of an unknown man who was found near the railroad tracks shortly after the circus train had passed. An advance agent who arrived in the city from the West this week, however, reported that he had heard the show had a good deal of trouble with the authorities during its early presence in the Dominion.

    The big printing companies which supply the circuses and other shows with their "paper" are far from pleased at the results of the Detroit convention of the Billposters' Association last week. The billposters went through their schedule of tariffs and in a large number of towns raised their prices for stands from 1 to 3 cents. The largest number of scale increases occurred in the fourteen and sixteen cent items which have been advanced to sixteen and eighteen cents. The printers figure that with the billposting scale increased the shows will manage to get along with fewer stands in order to keep within their apportionments, and it is clear to them their business is going to suffer accordingly.

    Frank Fillis, in a letter to a friend in this country, declares he has retired from the circus field in South Africa, where he has been a prominent figure for some years, and contemplates coming to this country, to start a riding academy and training quarters. It was reported from South Africa some time ago that Fillis had gone into bankruptcy. Since then he has been running a small circus and doing fairly well.

    George Rathburn, formerly a member of the Delno Troupe, with the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus, has left that show and is back in town. He declares the W.-H. has been doing satisfactory business in the Northwest.

    The Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" is playing in the Northwest, having recently come out of Canada, after covering the Canadian Northwest with railroad movements, which had been declared impractiable by other showmen. The two days' stand at Winnipeg was very successful. At Prince Albert, Dan Dix, one of the most daring of the "broncho busters," succeeded in subding a "bad" horse, which the champion riders of the neighborhood had vainly tried to break. The animal rolled over twice, but each time Dan was aside when it regained its feet. Local interest in the feat was keen.
    The show played Calgary on Dominion Day, in conjunction with the Dominion Fair, giving three performances. At this point Mr. and Mrs. Guy Weedeck resigned from the organization, Mr. Weedeck going into business at Calgary. At Butte there occurred an unusual incident. The Norris & Rowe show was in the town when Millers Brothers got there, rain having prevented it pulling out. When the Wild West outfit got in it was 4 p.m., the train having been delayed by high water. Norris & Rowe sent over a force of workmen and canvasmen to help the Miller people to move baggage and put up the top. Both shows have been over very much the same territory, and this extending of the helping hand from one to another is regarded as an unusual exhibition of good feeling. Both shows are independents.

    Mr. Tantlinger, who was left in the hospital at Winnipeg suffering from typhoid fever, has recovered, rejoining the "101 Ranch" Wild West. A car load of fresh stock from the Bliss (Okla.) ranch of the Miller Brothers has arrived for the "101 Ranch."

    Olive Stokes, formerly of the "101 Ranch," has joined the Dickey Wild West at Milwaukee.

Variety, August 1, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Among the routes received for future circus movements this week there are several stands by rival shows which indicate clashes. The Wallace-Hagenbeck show played Coffeyville, Kan., on Tuesday this week, just one day ahead of the Sells-Floto outfit. Ben Wallace likewise beat the Sells-Floto show into Arkansas City by six days, playing there July 22 when the town was billed for the appearance of the rival attraction for July 28. The Wallace-Hagenbeck aggregation has had more opposition this season than almost any other show on the road, and it is the opinion of showmen generally that the astute Wallace has carried off the honors in the vast majority of his railroad fights. Other conflicting points are Pittsburg, Kansas, Wallace-Hagenbeck, July 29; Sells-Floto, Aug. 5; and Kansas City, Mo., Wallace-Hagenbeck Aug. 8; Sells-Floto, Aug. 9.

    Arkansas City, Kan., July 30. The Ringling Brothers', Sells-Floto and the Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses have been working the same general territory out here for some weeks past, and the competition has been keen. Those who have followed the fight declare that the Ben Wallace organization has rather the better of the argument, in the big majority of cases being the first of the three to show. In Denver a few days ago the Hagenbeck-Wallace show turned 5,000 away. It goes into Chicago Oct. 5 for two weeks. Nellie Greer, of the McCree-Davenport act, suffered a severe injury in Pueblo. She fell during the performance of the jockey act and was unable to walk for ten days.

    A curious similarity in circus routing is shown in the movements of the C. W. Parker Shows and the Campbell Brothers' Circus. The week just past the Campbell outfit played Rapid City, S. Dak., Tuesday; Deadwood, S. Dak., Wednesday, and Crawford, Neb., yesterday. The future movements of the Parker Show include these same stands in the order named, reaching Crawford Aug. 16. The latter organization carries 21 cars, the Campbell Brothers 26.

    Washington, July 30. A decision recently handed down in the form of a new rule by the Interstate Commerce Commission may affect the present system in vogue among the big circuses of handling their excursions. It has always been the custom of the shows to employ their own excursion agents to work up traffic to the cities played from the surrounding territory. In a new ruling the Interstate Commerce Commission gives the railroads the privilege of employing its own agents to arrange excursions of all kinds and solicit business. In such cases the compensation of the agent must be based on results obtained. His payment is conditional upon his securing a specified number of passengers for the excursion.

    The Van Amberg Circus played Flushing, L. I., July 20 and is continuing on Long Island. It is a railroad show.

    Chicago, July 30. Ringling Bros.' circus will play a return engagement in Chicago, under canvas, on the North Side, at Diversey Boul. and Southport Avenue. The dates are August 1st and 2nd.
    Circus men have been wondering for some weeks at the action of the Ringling Brothers in taking their show into Chicago. The show played there for three weeks at the beginning of the season and this return is an almost unheard of thing in circus routing. Many are of the opinion that the Ringlings hope by giving Chicago another opportunity to attend the circus they can give the town all the tent show it can stand in a single season and so affect the patronage of the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit when it comes in for a two weeks' engagement in the fall. The two shows have had many billing clashes in the West since the season opened.

    It is apparent the Cole Brothers show, which became involved in a disagreeable controversy with the authorities in Canada over the finding of a dead body near the railroad tracks just after the show train had passed, has smoothed out its difficulties. Within the last few days Martin Downs has contracte for a number of stands in the United States, which indicates the way for his exit from Canada has been arranged. The show is due in Middlebury, Vt., Aug. 18, with Rutland, Bennington and White Creek, N. Y., to follow in the order named. The railroad contracts provide for the transportation of twenty-four cars, including ten flat cars, six stock cars, six coaches and two advertising cars.

    The St. Leon Family at "Luna" Park, Coney Island, has produced another circus ring rider in Ida Jennie St. Leon, who is presenting a double jockey and hurdle act with her sister Elsie. The sisters resemble each other so closely it has become necessary for each to wear a different colored ribbon in order that Alf St. Leon, the father, may distinguish the girls while they are performing, and if that is not a good press agent idea, a better one has yet to be "pulled" for one act.

    The John F. Robinson Shows and the Sun Brothers' Circus are both knocking about in rather close proximity in Tennessee and Kentucky, although their routes do not come together at any point. The Robinson show seems to be picking the larger towns.

    Louis E. Cooke, general agent for the Buffalo Bill Wild West, ran into New York Saturday for a short conference with W. W. Cole, who is routing the show. He left again for the West on Sunday. The general agent is making his headquarters at the National Printing Company, Chicago, while the show is in the West.

    The new routes for the Buffalo Bill Wild West were made public this week. They take the show up to Aug. 29, when it plays Grand Island, Neb., following Omaha. Tomorrow's jump from Niagara Falls to Detroit, 229 miles, it the longest in the list, although for the week of Aug. 24 five of the movements are well over 100 miles, making a total of 709 miles for the week.

    The route of the Ringling Circus up to Aug. 22 was made public this week. The intervening time is spent in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois.

Variety, August 8, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    On Aug. 1, the New York office of Buffalo Bill's Wild West ended its New York run of some years. Just now there is no New York headquarters. Col. Louis E. Cooke left for Chicago a few weeks ago and will from that city direct the eastern end while the show is touring the west. Jeff Callan, who has been in charge of the New York address before the "Bill" show made 24 East 22d Street the local office, has gone to Lewiston, Me., where Jeff will take charge of a moving picture house. The Ringlings upon acquiring the Barnum-Bailey show gave up their portion of the suite shortly after the "Big Show" concluded its Madison Square engagement in the Spring. The first time in many years there is no circus office in New York City - and there's no Jeff. The last is the greater regret since Mr. Callan became very popular with those fortunate enough to meet him.

    Washington, Aug. 6. According to the circus movements filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Ringling Bros. carry 79 cars; Gentry Bros.' Famous Shows, 9 cars; Campbell Bros., 26 cars; Great Cosmopolitan Circus, 11 flat, 2 box and 5 coaches; Great Parker Shows, 24 cars; Cole Bros., 22 cars; Gollmar Bros.' Shows, 32 cars; Sun Bros.' World Progressive Railroad Shows, 9 cars.

    Chicago, Aug. 6. The Yankee Robinson Shows will pay $150 for every "jump" from Sturges, S. D., on August 11 until the circus reaches Eagle Grove on September 11. In all there will be 27 movements for the train at the fixed price of $150. Two hundred dollars is the cost of transportation on August 10 from Rapid City to Belle Fourche, S. D. The Ringling Bros.' shows of 79 cars have contracted to pay the C. B. & Q. $3,600 for transportation for six days from August 20 to September 4, the circus not using that road during the entire time between those dates.

    Today the "No. 3" car of the Buffalo Bill outfit will be taken off the advance of the show, the far western territory the Wild West is to travel not calling for over two advertising crews ahead.

    The Jackson Family, now with the Ringling Brothers, have added a triple boomerang novelty to their bicycle act. After closing with the circus they will play United vaudeville time, and in 1911 have 40 weeks over the Moss-Stoll Tour in England.

    The Aherns have closed with the Sells-Floto Shows. They are booked to open at "Coney Island," Cincinnati, August 17.

    Denver, Aug. 6. Barnum and Bailey's Circus has come and gone, out of Colorado, but it had wet weather coming in, playing late performances, missing parades and other inconveniences besides standing the pounding given the show by the Denver "Post," the Otto Floto paper, which stands for the Sells-Floto outfit, first, last and in between. While the "Big Show" played her the "Post" went after it hard. In a front page display over the title line, the "Post" on the Sunday previous to the Barnum-Bailey aggregation reaching here said:
    "Barnum and Bailey's Circus enters Colorado. This is a non-union, trust, Ringling enterprise. They boast of the largest tent in the world - 550 feet long - which means if you buy a 50 cent seat ticket, you are seated at one end and see nothing, but for 50 cents extra you can get a better seat, hence $1 is your outlay. They say the folks out west are so easy, why not have a tent large enough to take them all in? In their greed they acknowledge no rights to anybody. For instance, the Buffalo Bill shows come here in August. Do they dare to announce their coming till Ringling is through? Nay, nay - the cruel cunning of Ringling would cause them trouble and expense. Having a big show and not caring to quarrel with Ringling until people wake up is the cause. This is printed so you may known the rumbling of the Ringling circus trust juggernaut is heard in the land. Let all the people take heed."

    Frank A. Robbins' "Nebraska Bill's Wild West" is an additional feature at the New Palisades Amusement Park across the Hudson River. A band of cowboys and girls, with a number of Indians are in the Wild West aggregation, which opened last Saturday.

    James Dutton and Company, the high cart riding act, have been offered vaudeville time at the conclusion of their season with Ringling Brothers.

Variety, August 15, 1908, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 13. "Johnny" Baker of the Buffalo Bill show met with a painful accident while playing Auburn, N. Y., last week. He stepped unexpectedly into a hole on an uneven piece of ground and dislocated one of the vertebrae of his spine. The jar laid him up for some time so that he was unable to do any shooting. However, he is being cared for by a charming little woman - Mrs. Baker - who, though not in the show business, enjoys traveling with her husband immensely.
    Col. Cody (Buffalo Bill) reports favorable business. Says they could not ask for better audiences than they have been having, and that fine weather has been theirs most of the time.
    When asked why the "Bill Show" did not parade, Johnny Baker said: "There are many reasons, one of which is the uncertainty of getting into a town on time which puts everything behind. It's better for the man who comes to see the show and better for the merchants, because the people who come uptown to see the parade only are the ones that don't have money to spend, and the merchant gets nothing. On the other hand, the man who spends his good money to see the show wants to get his money's worth, and he won't do it if we give a parade, for the horses and performers become tired out and therefore cannot work so well."
    Col. Cody has traveling with him this season, his nephew, Henry J. Goodman, who acts as assistant chief of the cowboys. Graceful, daring, yet modest and unassuming, he looks more the society man than a knight of the plains, which he surely is, having been born and raised in the West. The young man never saw a large city until he left his ranch home to travel this season. As a rider his uncle is very proud of him. saying he is a boy after his own heart.

    The big, mild-white horse used by Herzog and Mme. Melville at the Hippodrome recently was sold at public auction this week, and to the surprise of horsemen brought only $100. There were two animals in the lot. The white one's mate, a perfect black mount, was also put up on the block, but the bidding was so low it was withdrawn. Both animals are splendid specimens and the price of the white is regarded as a record for such a horse. In an ordinary market, horsemen say, it should easily have commanded a figure in the neighborhood of $1,000. The animals were the property of Frank Melville, equestrian director of the Hippodrome.

    Cincinnati, Aug. 13. George Motz, a clown, on his way to join the Robinson Circus, was killed in a railroad accident near here last week. He had been at his home, 623 Richmond Street, Cincinnati, resting from a nervous attack. His widow is prostrated.

    Circus men have recently learned that the circus touring in the east under the title of Howe's "Great London Shows," is none other than the outfit which was known last season as the Van Amberg Shows. The property belongs to Larry Muggivan [sic], who was associated with John Havlin and Ben Wallace in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus last year. "The Great London" is playing down the chain of seaside resorts on the Atlantic seaboard. It showed at Asbury Park Tuesday, two days ahead of Leon Washburn. The latter show was heavily billed; but there was very little "Great London" paper in sight.

    "Pop" Seamon, the veteran circus agent, arrived in the city this week. He was with the Buffalo Bill Wild West, but the elimination of the "No. 3" car from the advance of that show left him no place. It is definitely settled now that the Cody show will go to the Pacific Coast this season. The Barnum-Bailey circus is already in that territory and the Wild West will be compelled to play in the far western country just a month behind the Ringling property.

Variety, August 22, 1908, p. 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A series of railroad wrecks in which the Barnum & Bailey Circus has been involed culminated Sunday night in a fatal smash at Port Kells, B. C., in which three persons were instantly killed and seven others were terribly injured. The whole first section was badly shaken up and damaged. The show did not get in to Vancouver until 5 o'clock Monday afternoon. The night show was given. The accident happened on the Great Northern railroad during the Sunday jump from Wenatchee, Wash., to Vancouver, a distance of 261 miles. On Aug. 12 at 5 o'clock a.m., all of the fourth section, containing the ring stock, elephants and artists' sleeping cars, was ditched near Pendelton, Wash., enroute from La Grand to Walla Walla. There were no fatalities, but the section was delayed and did not make Walla Walla until 1 o'clock the following afternoon. The parade was not given until afternoon. At the next stand, Garfield, Wash., a 124 mile jump, the show trains did not arrive until 1 p.m., and by order of Otto Ringling the parade was cut out. Members of the show said business during the second week in August was rather poor, but picked up at Spokane (Aug. 14).

    Springfield, Ill., Aug. 20. One result of the reign of terror under which this city has lived for ten days or more was the enforced cancellation of the Ringling Circus' engagement here Tuesday. After various lynchings of negroes by an uncontrollable mob and the introduction of the State militia into the town, fresh riots broke out early this week. On Monday Mayor Reece, after a conference with other city authorities, declared the license revoked for both the Tuesday afternoon and evening performances. "Under the circumstances," said the Mayor, "I think it would be poor policy to permit the exhibition. It would inevitably draw a crowd and the municipal authorities are not willing to take the risk. In times like this the collecting of a large body of people, even for a legitimate and peaceful purpose, is dangerous. We propose to be on the safe side." When this view was placed before the managers of the circus, they readily agreed to the wishes of the civil authorities.

    Toledy, Aug. 20. Miller's "101 Ranch" plays here Aug. 24th. Two advance cars have already made the town, and have covered every available inch of space with very artistic paper. W. C. Thompson, the story man ahead of the show, has done some exceedingly good work. The papers are devoting columns to the new Wild West. Eddie Arlington, general agent, was here on a flying visit, and says the show is meeting with success all along the line. The "101 Ranch" is working in a Southerly direction and may remain out all winter. It is reported the show may be on its way to a foreign country before December shall have passed away.

    La Fayette, Ind., Aug. 20. Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" is following pretty close upon the heels of the Ringling Brothers' show. The Wild West outfit is due to exhibit here August 31. The Ringling show played August 15 to good business. At the last minute local merchants tried to induce the circus people to pitch their tip on the regular downtown site, offering them lot and license free of cost. The request, however, came too late. The circus played on a lot situated in the outskirts of the town, possibly in deference to the wishes of the trolley car company.

    The Cole Brothers' Circus is practically the only tented organization listed which is playing in the East, while on the other side of the Mississippi there are close upon a score spread out from Indiana to the Pacific Coast. The Cole show is on its way into Pennsylvania by way of N. Y. State.

    The Sells-Floto Circus will spend the greater part of September in Oklahoma. September 19 they play in Oklahoma City. The Gentry Brothers' show is billed to appear in town August 26 (next Wednesday).

    R. M. Harvey, the present contracting agent for the Buffalo Bill Wild West, has been signed for next season by Ben Wallace to act as general agent for the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit.

    Cincinnati, Aug. 20. Three thousand five hundred pounds of canvas, valued at $400, were recovered by the police after having been stolen and sold to a couple of junk dealers for $11. The canvas was taken from the winter quarters of the John Robinson shows at Forrest Park. Harry Reece, the foreman of the quarters during the absence of the circus on the road, was arrested. It is alleged that Reece sold the property to the junk dealers who were alos placed in custody.

Variety, August 29, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    There is a seemingly authentic story afloat that next season Major Lillie ("Pawnee Bill") and his outfit will be part of the Buffalo Bill Wild West when it takes to the road. It is believed that Major Lillie has disposed of his property to the Col. Cody show, and that he will be a part of the big exhibition. "Pawnee Bill" is playing this summer at Revere Beach, Boston, and is said to have exceeded his guarantee practically every week since early in July.
    This is the gist of the latest report, although in one way or another it has been the subject of circus gossip for more than a month past. Who Major Lillie made his arrangements with is a question. The current understanding of conditions is in the Cody show is that its affairs are pretty largely dictated by the Ringlings. This comes from the fact that the Barnum-Bailey corporation, from which the Ringlings bought the big circus property, were believed to control a half-interest in the Buffalo Bill property. When they took over the circus corporation the presumption was that they likewise took over the Bailey hald of the Wild West known then as the Bailey-Cody Company.
    It ahs been known that John Ringling and W. W. Cole were in frequent conference over the routing of the Wild West, and thence grew the belief that Mr. Ringling was the dictator in the matter of routing. It would seem that some such condition must obtain, for the routing of the Wild West to follow the Barnum-Bailey outfit in far Western territory at an interval of only a month could hardly be the unprejudiced choice of the Mrs. Bailey-Cody party. Rather it would appear to have place by the Ringlings, who in some way were able to dictate routes. While there may be no definite ground to base the presumption upon, an impression has gained strength that if there is any Major Lillie-Col. Cody coalition, it must be because the Ringlings have brought it about. In any event, all the circus people who know of the proposed joining of forces are very much puzzled, and no authoritative word has been spoken by any of the parties concerned to clear the matter up.

    Further details of the Barnum-Bailey Circus wreck Aug. 16, in Washington, show that the ditched section of the train was devoted to the cook outfit. There were 200 men on the train, but no women. The cars carrying the caged animals were not injured, but they remained without food and water during a journey of 250 miles.

    Joe Miller, of the Miler Brothers ("101 Ranch") left New York to return to the show this week, after a visit of a few days. The purpose of the journey was to purchase new stock. It is said that the Miller show has been doing excellent business the last few weeks. At Traverse City, Mich., Aug. 17, the takings on two performances are reported as $3,400. The Ringling show which played there some time before was said by townsmen to have taken $4,000.

    For the first time since the Ringling-Barnum & Bailey merger, talk lately has centered around a possibility of a deal between the Ringlings and Ben Wallace. While Wallace has undoubtedly made money this season, his victory over the powerful Ringling forces has caused him a good deal of mental anxiety for the big showmen have pursued him closely and the battle has been a bitter one. Nobody believes for a minute that the Ringlings will remain satisfied to have a too successful rival in the field, and it would surprise no one if the Ringlings and Ben Wallace get together upon a territorial agreement, if nothing more, during the coming winter.

Variety, September 5, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    During October the Ringling Brothers Shows will visit the South. Contracts are said already to have been signed taking the organization as far as Charlotte. Beyond that point no time has been contracted for. The stands are mostly along the Southern Railroad. The John Robinson show has just traversed this country and before the Ringlings get there the Cole Brothers Shows will have been through. The latter outfit is due to get on the Southern Railroad series of stands about the middle of the month.
    Martin Downs, proprietor of the Cole Brothers' show is quoted as admitting that the trip through Canada early last month and during July was rather unprosperous. The Cole Show got one of its advertising cars into the Southern Railroad's territory by using another line which crossed the Southern's at Salem, N. C. They billed against the Robinson show there, in spite of that show's "shut-out" contract with the Southern.

    Week before last the John Robinson Shows piled up one of the largest weekly gross receipts in the history of the show. The organization was operating through North Carolina in a district which had not seen a circus since Buffalo Bill was there six years ago. At a number of stands it rained hard but notwithstanding the lot was a morass of mud the show played to capacity and several times turned people away, a circumtance very rare if not unprecedented in circus annals. On the week in question the show took in $40,000. At Burlington, N. C., the lot was almost knee-deep in mud and water, but applicants were so persistent the hippodrome track events were given up because of the slippery condition of the ground during the heavy rains, and seats were put up there. At this stand $1,000 was taken in for the reserved seats along. It rained during the entire day. A ten-cent side show took in $900. At Winston and Salem, N. C., where the show played two years ago, nearly every seat was taken, although it poured incessantly.

Variety, September 12, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    What promises to be the most sensational circus clash of the season is due in Nashville on Oct. 2 when both the Ringling Brothers Circus and Miller Brothers "101 Ranch" play the same town. At this writing the Wild West outfit seems to have taken the first trick. The Miller crowd have secured the Baseball Park which is within a few minutes of the business centre of Nashville, while the Ringlings are scheduled to raise their big top on a lot some twenty minutes further out.
    This is only one Southern stand in which the two routes cross each other. They come together again later in Louisville where already the opposition billing brigades of both organizations have been very busy. "101 Ranch" also plays Atlanta and Knoxville, both on the Southern Railroad, as well as some towns on the Louisville and Norfolk. This despite the report that the Ringlings had secured a 30-day "shut-out" contract with those roads to follow a similar agreement recently played by the John Robinson shows.
    It is a curious circumstance according to showmen, that George Aiken was able to grab off a "shut-out" contract from the Southern and L. & N., which none of the other railroad agents were able to break, while Eddie Arlington somehow managed to beat out the Ringling agreement. The latter contract was secured by John Ringling himself. He went into the Southern territory on his private car some weeks ago and canvassed the ground thoroughly.
    The Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus is scheduled to travel over the Southern during September or October. Late this month the Cole Brothers are due to be in the same neighborhood, while a report has it that the Buffalo Bill Wild West will end its season in one of the South Atlantic States about the middle of November.

    Sacramento, Sept. 3. Yesterday afternoon while James Silbon of the Siegrist-Silbon Troupe with the Barnum-Baile Circus was about to start his single trapeze act without a net beneath him, one of the guy-ropes broke, throwing Silbon from a height of thirty feet to the ground. The acrobat's nose, jaw and right arm were broken by the fall. Internal injuries at first feared have not developed, and Silbon is slowly improving. It was reported in New York this week that the aerial act had closed and that Todd Siegrist was on his way East.

    The Al. J. Wheeler New Model Show, a fifty-horse wagon outfit, Cole Brothers, a railroad organization, and Howe's London Shows have been carrying on a three-cornered fight for business in the East and New England, the first-named circus got rather the best of it, its 25-cent admission fee offsetting its handicap in size. In Smithburg, Me., Fletcher Smith left the Wheeler outfit to go with the Cole Brothers, Sept. 3. Two days later Mrs. Wheeler was called away to her home city, Troy, by the news that her father was dangerously ill. She took her youngest son Leland with her. The show will go into the South where the season will be extended at least through November.

    San Francisco, Sept. 10. The Barnum-Bailey Circus, opening here yesterday, will travel South after this engagement which closes on Sunday next. The season will wind up on Nov. 14, at some stand in Mississippi likely. Rumors the "The Big Show" will not play next season are ridiculous. It is more probable that the Barnum-Bailey Circus during the summer of 1909 will remain in the Middle West and Western territory altogether.

    There is a real circus canvas boss, "Cyclone" Cavanagh, in charge of the top which is set up during the performance at the Hippdrome stage. He arrived early this week, and after a few rehearsals by Frank Melville, took charge of the work at the opening Thursday night. "Cyclone" had previously been part of the Ringling Brothers' mechanical forces traveling with the Barnum-Bailey show, but was "loaned" to M. C. Anderson for the Hippodrome performance. He has bossed the raising and packing of the Barnum-Bailey top for twenty years or more, and is one of the best-known experts in the circus world. Cavanagh got his nickname some years ago when the Barnum-Bailey circus was playing through Texas. Late one afternoon a wind storm arose. Cavanagh ordered his men to the guy ropes in the hope of bracing things enough to prevent a blowdown. When the storm let up enough to permit breathing there was nothing left on the lot but Cavanagh and the guy rope he himself was gripping.

    Eph Thompson, who is at the Wintergarten, Berlin, this month, is anxious to dispose of his herd of elephants. The colored trainer is not a well man yet. He never expects to visit America again.

Variety, September 19, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    As the presidential campaign gets under way the traveling circuses are said to be suffering somewhat in their receipts. Night parades and mass meetings of political organizations contribute to this result. There is no sign, nevertheless, of any of the tented organizations curtailing their tours. Cole Brothers this week registered railroad contracts totalling nearly $7,000 and bringing their season up to Oct. 20. Most of this time is in Southern territory. The Norris & Rowe outfit will be in the Southwest until early October.

    It is reported that the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus, the most important of the independent tented organizations, will close its season in Chicago on Oct. 18, going from there to winter quarters. The show plays Chicago for two weeks in conjunction with a local firemen's benefit beginning Oct. 5.

    Buffalo Bill's Wild West reaches its furthest point West Sept. 25 when it plays Portland, Ore.

    Chicago, Sept. 17. Cancer killed Hugh Coyle at the age of 65. He died last Saturday at the County Hospital. Hugh Coyle was a walking encyclopedia on the circus, and was generally credited with having been the first "advance." About a year ago or so Coyle ran a tent outfit of his own. During the Civil War the deceased served as a drummer boy and telegraph operator, drifting into the ring life at the conclusion of hostilities, remaining there ever since.

    Circus folk are awaiting with a good deal of interest the announcement of the Ringlings winter quarters for 1908-09. The shipping of the discarded "No. 3" car of the Buffalo Bill advance to Baraboo has started talk that the Barnum & Bailey and Cody outfits will be stored in Baraboo while the Ringling Brothers' Show will lay up in Bridgeport. If the Ringlings follow this schedule it will mean that the Ringling Circus will open the spring season in New York instead of the Barnum Show, thus breaking a long-established custom. The Ringlings have not yet spoken, although they have signed a railroad contract for transporting the Ringling Show to its old winter quarters in Baraboo.

    The Gollmar Brothers' Circus closes its season Nov. 15, and will then go into winter quarters in Nebraska.

    George Degnon, secretary to Col. Louis E. Cooke, general agent for the Buffalo Bill Wild West, has left Chicago and is working ahead of the show as excursion agent. Degnon makes his headquarters in the Francis Valentine Printing Company, San Francisco, and covers his territory from that central point.

Variety, September 26, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Oklahoma, I. T., Sept. 18. The Ringling Brothers and the Sells-Floto people have locked horns in this territory, and the fight which has up to now taken the form of opposition billing promises to get before the Interstate Commerce Commission. J. N. Tammen, of the Sells-Floto Circus, declares that he will bring a complaint before that body charging that the railroads of the South are discriminating against independent circus men and in favor of the Ringlings. The two shows played Oklahoma on the same day, Sept. 21. The Sells-Floto show reduced its prices to twenty-five cents, as a result turned people away at two performances. Immediatly after this stand the Sells-Floto route was changed with the intention of getting into the Ringling towns two days in advance of the opposition. At the same time application was made to the Railroad Commission of Texas for the issuing of "emergency orders" directing certain railroads in that territory to carry the Sells-Floto outfit. It was asserted that the Ringlings were enjoying a "shut-out" on these roads.
    Speaking of the affair Mr. Tammen said: "We are in it now for a fight to the finish. Our Mr. Webber will be despatched to Washington, and we have presented our case to influential Senators and Representatives from Colorado. Backed by these men we propose to go before the Interstated Commerce Commission and have this matter of railroad discrimination in favor of the 'circus trust' thoroughly threshed out. We are asking no quarter and giving none. Next year the Sells-Floto show will be increased to a forty-car organization, and we will then be more than willing to hook up against the Ringling people for a finish fight." During the stand here the Sells-Floto show distributed big handbills headed in big black line "CIRCUC WAR, $1,000,000 will be spent to force a square deal - The Public Gets the Benefit."

    When the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus commences its two weeks' engagement at Chicago, Oct. 5, there will be added to the roster temporarily The Seven Merodias, bicycle; Jesse Keller Family, bicycle; Ten Kuduras, Japs; Kramer Trio, aerial, and the Stublenfield Trio. After Chicago, the circus will travel south, closing its season about Nov. 15. H. B. Marinelli booked the additional acts for Chicago. The Japs follow the engagement with another at the New Hippodrome, procured through the same agency.

    Chicago, Sept. 24. W. W. Freeman, of the Ringling Brothers' forces, returned here after an absence of one year. Mr. Freeman will remain in the city until next month, when John Ringling is expected from the Coast with the Barnum & Bailey show.

Variety, October 3, 1908, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A vaudebill bill will be arranged by Jake Sternad for the "Chicago Day" celebration, in conjunction with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show at the Dexter Park Amphitheater for the benefit of the Chicago Fire Department. Geo. M. Cohan and others will participate.

    John Ringling, who left for Europe on the Cecelia Tuesday, will book any novelties which may strike his fancy abroad for the Ringling Brothers' circuses next season. Attractions for the "Big Shows" engagement at the Madison Square Garden are especially sought.

    Denver, Oct. 1. H. H. Tammen, of the Sells-Floto Circus, which is engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with the Ringling Brothers in Southwestern territory, promises a pretty rate-cutting fight next season in the circus field, if he carries out the plans announced in an interview this week.
    "You will remember," he said, "that we had quite a little circus war with the Ringlings in Texas last season. It involved the Sells-Floto, Forepaugh-Sells and the Ringlings. Well, this year we are going to have the same thing over again, except that the battle will be waged with much more bitterness. Sells-Floto plays Fort Worth, Oct. 5. Barnum-Bailey follows one day later and from that point the Sells-Floto show will be from one to three days ahead of the 'trust' outfit in Dallas, Waco, Houston, Austin, Clebourne, Temple, Sherman and Denison."
    As intimated last week in Variety, the Sells-Floto people will take as their most aggressive move the reduction of their admission price from 50 to 25 cents. Beside this the managers of the independent organization will "go the limit" on newspaper advertising, billing, license and the other campaigns that make circus wars expensive. The dailies in the Texas towns have already begun to blossom with the announcements, charges and recriminations of the opposing interests. Thus, the Barnum-Bailey press department (or so one may presume) inspired this item in the Fort Worth Record:
    "There is a fierceness about the rivalry in the circus game that but few outside the home circle of the circus understand and it is only the fittest that survive. Every spring breeds a new crop of circuses. But few survive to the nipped by the frosts of the fall, as most of them wither and shrivel, burn up and blow away before Jack Frost gets a whack at them. And it is well in many instances, that withering process is quick to manifest itself, for while there may be some methods of entertainment more popular than a real circus, there are some cheap imitations that are as rasping as a saw on the nerves."
    The independents tested the reduced price in Oklahoma City when the rivals played there two days apart (Ringling, Sept. 23; Sells-Floto, Sept. 21). Mr. Tammen states that they had a big matinee and a turnaway at night as a result of the reduced admission. Upon this result of their policy the Sells-Floto people have based the belief that they can maintian the same standard of business through all the Texas stands, and will continue the scheme. If it proves to be feasible, Mr. Tammen declares, the Sells-Floto show will be routed next season, if necessary, to go over the territory contracted by either the Ringling or Barnum-Bailey show, playing, if possible, a day or two ahead of their rivals, and holding their prices down to the 25 cent basis.

    Cincinnati, Oct. 1. Suit has been started against the John Robinson Shows by the Sun Brothers' Circus for $5,000. The papers were served on the Robinson people at Humboldt, Tenn., last Monday. The Sun circus played Humboldt Sept. 19, billing the town and vicinity two weeks previously. It is alleged the Robinson show, which followed the Sun outfit into Humboldt, covered up all the latter's paper on the country roads outside the Tennessee town. The suit is based on this in a claim for damages.

    Joseph V. Sherry, the clown, has been re-engaged for the season of 1909 with the Sells-Floto Circus. During the winter he will be a member of Royal's Indoor Circus touring the South.

    Among the feature acts of the Barnum-Bailey show which have been re-engaged for next season are the Dollar Troupe, Siegrist-Silbon Troupe, Fassios, Orrin and Victoria Davenport, The Jardys, and the Fischers.

Variety, October 10, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Little credence is given the report that "Gov." John Robinson will winter the John Robinson show in New Orleans this winter. It is possible that he himself will remain in the South, but the show train will head back for Terrace Park, Cincinnati, at the close of the season. The "Governor" has spent several winters in the South, remaining in his private car and moving from place to place according to his fancy. His recent marriage and the family disagreement may decide him to repeat this.

    Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 8. Miller Bros. "101 Ranch" and Ringling Bros.' Circus both played here Oct. 2, the Wild West aggregation having rather the better of the divided patronage. Miller Bros. played to capacity at both performances, while the two big audiences witnessed the circus. The Millers occupied the Athletic Baseball Park, having an advantage in location over the opposition. Both shows gave parades, Miller's starting at 10 and the circus an hour later. The Ringling parade took thirty minutes to pass a given point.

    Fort Worth, Tex., Oct. 8. The Sells-Floto showed here Oct. 5; Barnum-Bailey the day following. The Sells circus reduced its prices to 25 and 50 cents, having a fair attendance at both shows. The cut prices did not seem to affect the patronage for the Barnum-Bailey show which followed in the day after. It did a big business. There was no billing trouble.

    The statement of a well informed person this week gives added weight to the belief that the Ringling Brothers do not contemplate disturbin circus traditions by opening at the Garden next season with the Ringling show. The Barnum-Bailey show closes in Clarksdale, Miss., November 5, and from there goes direct to Bridgeport, while the Ringling outfit closes November 11 in Macon, Miss., proceeding to Baraboo.

Variety, October 17, 1908, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Rumors that the "Two Bills" ("Buffalo" and "Pawnee") with their Wild Wests, had gotten together and the exhibiton would make a joint appearance at Madison Square Garden, New York, next Spring, again asserted themselves this week. It is said that J. T. McCaddon is now in control of the combined performance to be seen for the first time next season, and that his directorship of the duo is an outcome of the Ringling Brothers-Barnum-Bailey deal through which the Brothers acquired the "Big Show." Major Lillie is "Pawnee Bill," reputed to be the sole owner of his own organization. Col. William F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill") is said to have contributed only the skelton of his "Wild West," McCaddon owning the trimmings.

    San Antonio, Tex., Oct. 15. The Sells-Floto show has decided to pass this stand, at least for the present, on account of the San Antonio Fair, which monopolized local attention last week. So it happened that the promised billing fight between Sells-Floto and Barnum-Bailey did not come off. "The Big Show" advance agent arrived here two days before the Westerneers' forerunner and signed contracts with the San Antonio Billposting Company. Sells-Floto is playing adjacent towns and may come into this place later. Barnum-Bailey show played here Oct. 10 to the largest audience that has ever gathered under a big top in this city. Excursions at reduced rates were run from all towns within 100 miles of San Antonio. Thomas Mamac, of the press department, declared that business all over Texas had been good. He refused to comment on the billing opposition of the Sells-Floto show.

    The winter quarters of the Sells-Floto Circus will be in Denver this year. The circus company has purchased a large tract of land in the suburba and buildings have already been erected and fitted for the reception of the stock and winter force. All the quarters are steam heated and lighted by electricity. The show formerly wintered in California, but the home office has always been in Denver, where H. H. Tammen has his residence and large business interests, the Denver Post being one of his properties.

    Edward Shipp, equestrian director of the Barnum-Bailey show, has made known his intention of taking a show into Panama, Central America the coming winter. He knowns the country thoroughly, having been there before. The show sails from New Orleans, Dec. 22.

    Chicago, Oct. 15. The Hagenbeck-Wallace show will return to the winter quarters at Peru, Ind., after this week. This show is said to be the first to close this season. An official stated that this year the actual receipts were larger than any season the show has been on the road.

    Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 15. Ringling Brothers' Circus played two well-attended performances here Oct. 8. It made the fourth circus outfit to make a stand here this season. The only ones that did a really satisfactory business were the Ringlings, who gave a big parade, and Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch," which visited here Sept. 28.

    Chicago, Oct. 8. "Candy butchers" are having a hard time nowadays with some of the circuses. One show, always counted a good berth for the boys, now drives away the butcher who is inclined to "gyp" the public in anyway. By paying $25 a week to the "adjuster," some of the clever hung on for a time, but are seeking other jobs. It is now generally known that a candy butcher with a circus has more ways of making money than through a percentage on sales. Grafting of all kinds is growing less popular each year with the managers of tented exhibitions. It may be cut out altogether withing the next five years, which is more possible than probable since it has endured for nearly half a century.

    Columbiana, Ala., Oct. 15. During the afternoon performance here yesterday (Wednesday) of the John Robinson Circus the big top collapsed under the strain of a severe wind strom and many spectators were injured in the panic which followed. The only member of the organization to receive serious injuries was George Jeunifer, and aerial acrobat. He was working on a high trapeze when the wind struck. He lost his hold and dropped sixty feet to the arena floor. Jeunifer landed on his feet and both ankles were crushed by the force of the fall. Doctors could not determine the extent of his internal hurts. The canvas was practically wrecked. After the collapse it caught fire in several places, but the mechanical force formed a bucket brigade and managed to keep the blaze under control. Further damage was done among the horse tents and side shows.

    New Orleans, Oct. 15. While Frank O'Donnell in advance of the Barnum-Bailey Circus was in New Orleans he said this season will be one of the best in the history of the show. "Presidential years," stated Mr. O'Donnell, "have always been a bugbear to the circus people, but the present campaign has not affected our business the least bit." "The Big Show" exhibits here Nov. 2. Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" comes in a week ahead of that date. Nearly all the large circuses are hovering about this section just now.

    The Tony Lowande Circus, containing acts from the Pubillones and Tatalli shows in Cuba, which lately closed, is due to conclued its South American tour in February. Through Chili and Brazil where the outfit traveled business was rather light, but is said to be better in Argentina. Many American acts are in the Lowande show. Tatalli was the opposition in Cuba of the No. 2 Pubillones show last spring and summer. It had indifferent success.

    W. N. Merrick's concert band, one of the features with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, has been re-engaged for next season. Mr. Merrick has led circus bands for thirty-one years, and is recognized as the oldest and most capable band leader in the field. Al Merrick, his son, is manager of the band, an organization of thirty pieces. Lottie Rutherford, solo saxophonist, is an admirable acquisition, and her selections with the band during the Chicago engagement of the show have been loudly applauded.

    The weather conditions weakended Barnum-Bailey's business in Fort Worth, Tex., Oct. 6. There was a thunder storm during the parade, but it cleared up after 12 o'clock. From all accounts the "Big Show" has been getting rather the best of its close opposition fight with the Sells-Floto show.

Variety, October 24, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Houston, Tex., Oct. 22. Buffalo Bill's Wild West wants to play Houston Nov. 9, and the No-Tau-Oh Association, a local organization, is objecting to the engagement. A funny ordinance here provides that there shall be no attraction licensed in the city during twenty days in November, when the association holds its annual carnival. There is another important reason, according to the people here, why Buffalo Bill should not play Houston on Nov. 9. It really should be made into an act and sent over the Inter-State Circuit. The humorous reason is that for several years this lovely but dead and buried town has been aching for a football game between the A. and M. College and the University of Texas. It is nearly settled the contest will come off Nov. 9, but if Buffalo Bill shows there will be no attendance,and ain't that sad? Then again, if both the football game and the Bill show play here there are not enough street cars to accommodate both crowds. Ain't that sadder? The residents have been requested to refuse billing space for the Wild West, and if the show attempts to come in, a fight is expected to follow. That will be awful sad - for Houston.

    San Francisco, Oct. 22. The Norris & Rowe show walked into a strike at Globe, Ariz., Oct. 13. About 150 of the workers about the circus went on strike through failure of the management to settle for salary. They received from $2 to $8 weekly. C. F. Norris, H. F. Rowe and W. A. Shannon, the managers, declare the license of $110 for the county and $100 for the city put a large crimp in the bank roll and prevented the men being paid off, although the circus showed to two large audiences. The circus management tried to induce the cooks, candy butchers, etc., to fill in the strikers' places, with no success. At night the strikers grew boisterous and cut loose the circus train which was standing on a long grade. Much damage was done and several people injured before the train could be stopped.

    Beaumont, Tex., Oct. 22. Beaumont will see neither the Barnum-Bailey nor Sells-Floto circuses. Both have been following one another in Texas. The reason they scratched Beaumont off the route was that the license here was too high. All over Texas the influx of the circuses this late in the season has been a large source of revenue. The usual price has been $1,000 per day, it is understood. Some years ago a "show" set up a yell if the tax was around $200, and it wasn't such an infrequent occurrence to hear a circus had gone out on a "squarer" of $7 or $8 with the main officials.

    Little doubt seems now to exist that the Barnum-Bailey Circus will open its season at the Madison Square Garden next March, as usual.

    Denver, Oct. 15. The Sells-Floto Circus is meeting with opposition from the residents of Highlands, the ultra-fashionable section of North Denver, where the circus has purchased a site for the establishment of its winter quarters in this city hereafter. The residents claim the quarters would be a nuisance, and an indignation meeting has been held to protest against the Sells-Floto move.
    At at meeting H. H. Tammen, the owner of the circus, was present and cheerfull answered all questions. D. V. Healy, one of the objectors, inquired of the circus man: "How much did you pay for the lots?" "Three thousand seven hundred dollars for the lots and $4,000 for the building, answered Tammen. "I could have bought the building for $1,500," replied Healy. "You paid too much." "Well, no one ever had any trouble getting money out of me," returned Tammen.
    A committee has been appointed by the residents around the site of the proposed quarters at West 27th Street and Hazel Court; and something further in the protesting line is expected. The Sells-Floto Circus will close its season at Delhart, Tex., Oct. 20. It will immediately come here to pass the winter. The impending growth will increase the circus to a 40-car aggregation for next season. The engagements for then have been made, although the management says there is always room for a "feature" act.

    Whoever is in charge of the Barnum-Bailey Circus has outdone himself in magnanimity with the artists who will close with that show at Clarkesdale, Miss., on Nov. 5. In view of the fact that the "Big Show" closes its season at a point from which it costs $27.50 in railroad fare to reach New York, the circus management has agreed that those who will assist in "packing up" the show for its homeward journey may have a special excursion ticket for $25, a "special rate" to be paid by artists only. For the difference two or three days of gratis labor is expected. The Ringling Brothers' other circus (Ringling Brothers) will close at a Southern point about $24 in transportation away from New York. Both the Ringling circuses oblige the artists to bear the expense of homeward travel. The Buffalo Bill Wild West, which will close in New Orleans, transports its members northward without charge.

    Chicago, Oct. 22. The revival of the former bill in Chancery in connection with the application for a restraining order to prevent the use of the name of Carl Hagenbeck by Ben Wallace in the billing for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was started last week when papers were again filed in the Cook County courts for the same purpose. The applicant this time is "The Carl Hagenbeck Co.," a Missouri corporation with the main office stated to be at Cincinnati. A peculiar complexion is place upon this latest action through E. A. Post, the general counsel for Ringling Brothers, appearing as the attorney for the Hagenbeck Company. The Ringling circuses and the Hagenbeck-Wallace combination have been opposing each other for the past two or three seasons. There are those who did place their fingers alongside their noses when the latest suit leaked out, and murmured that the Ringlings had "got to" somebody.

    Denver, Oct. 22. Inquiry into the reported combination of the Sells-Floto and Norris & Rowe circuses into one organization under the Sells-Floto management brought out this terse statement from H. H. Tammen here this week: "We have never discussed or in any manner though of consolidating with Norris & Rowe." It is said the Norris & Rowe property has changed hands, being taken over by the Donaldsons of Louisville for a printing bill and money advanced before and since the opening of the present season.

    The Seven Merodias have been rebooked for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus for next season by the Marinelli office.

Variety, October 31, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The guardian of Charlie Siegrist, the remarkable acrobat with the Sells-Floto Circus, is Joe Adams, the boniface of West 44th street. This week Mr. Adams received a letter from his protege saying that he (Siegrist) was attempting to perform "a backward and foreward in a swing." This acrobatic feat, elucidated, is for a performer from a series of flip flaps to take a backward somersault and before touching the ground reverse by means of a half-twister into a forward somersault, alighting upon his feet.
    Mr. Adams, mentioning this contemplated trick of Siegrist's, aroused a discussion whether it was possible. Mr. Adams claims that it could be accomplished, although there is no record of anyone having ever done so. Siegrist says he is trying for it and hopes to yet show the feat in public. He is doing an unassisted "double from the ground," an acrobatic trick claimed to have been performed by several two or three admittingly having done so. Another argument in acrobatics is whether a back somersault may be accomplished with the performer having his hands in his pockets, making the complete turn without removing either hand. No one present could recall that this had been don, although it was thought probable by the experts present it could be.
    One acrobat this week declared his confidence in the possibility of the "backward-forward" trick. He said he had even seen a feat almost like it accomplished on the Pacific Coast ten years ago by Billy Karl, of Karl Bros. and Baldwin. Karl's feat consisted of a half forward twister and a one-and-a-half back, all in a swing. Karl, however, did it from a leaping board and the acrobat did not believe that it could be accomplished from the ground. The feat of turning a somersault with the hands in the pockets he said was a common one, naming several tumblers who had done it, among them being Frank Seymour (Seymour & Hill) and Eddie Prevost.

    New Orleans, La., Oct. 29. Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" Wild West played here Monday. The outfit got in Sunday, bringing the story of a double tragedy at their last stand, Gulfport, Miss. While the show was packing up after the evening performance one of the rough riders, Lon Seely, got into an altercation with a mounted policeman. Suddenly he wheeled and galloped off, the policeman following, and the pair were soon lost in a cloud of dust. Later both their bodies were found by the roadside. Cowboy and policeman had died of a bullet wound and a single chamber was empty in both revolvers.

    St. Louis, Oct. 29. Peter W. Barlow, of "Barlow's Marvelous Ponies," claims to have the only dog in show history which rides absolutely barefooted on a bareback horse or pony. This Mr. Barlow says he has accomplished after much training with "Paddy Barlow," the name given to the animal. For three months Mr. Barlow has been working patiently to train the dog to sit up and turn somersaults while riding a pony, the latter having neither pad nor sweat cloth on his back.

    It is reported that the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus will open April 25 next at Peru, Ind. Most of the artists who were with the outfit this season returned to New York last week. One declared the show had not much more than broken even on the tour, although the two weeks' engagement in Chicago on a guarantee returned Ben Wallace a handsome profit. A few of this year's features which have been signed for next season are the Tasmanian-Van Diemans, Borsini Troupe, Thalero's Dogs and DeKock Trio. New Orleans, Oct. 29. Last Friday, while the Gentry Bros.' Show was exhibiting at Biloxi, Miss., Mayme Deosch (Mrs. Steiner), a trapeze performer, while being pulled to the top of the tent holding on by her teeth, fell to the ground, and was knocked unconscious. It is feared she may die as a result of her injuries. The band commenced to play immediatley, and the performance continued.

    The story of a fight between natives and Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" sent out from here is a "pipe." The story placed the riot up the State. It amounts to nothing more than the trouble which occurred between a cowboy and an officer last week. Geo. Hooker, a cowboy with the show who had been held here by the police since Saturday, was released yesterday.

Variety, November 7, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, Nov. 5. W. E. Franklin, who for several years was with the Wallace circus interests, has assumed the general management of the Sells-Floto Shows. Mr. Franklin is also financially interested. He will have full charge of everything pertaining to the organization for next season, when it will be considerably enlarged for the purpose of coping with any circus on the road. Messrs. Bonfils and Tammen retain their proprietorship practically, but have turned over all business affairs to Franklin. A representative will soon be sent to Europe for novelties. The application for an injunction against Sells-Floto installing winter quarters upon the north side of Denver was dismissed last week upon argument. The Sells-Floto Circus will locate in the old Pittsburg foundry at West 26th Street and Hazel Court.

    Robledillo, the wire walker, is playing in vaudeville outside New York City. He was restrained by the Ringling Brothers from appearing here. Robledillo joins one of the Ringling circuses next season.

    The John Robinson Shows close their 1908 tour Nov. 17 in southern Mississippi. The show will return immediately to winter quarters in Cincinnati. "Gov." Robinson has not announced his personal plans, but will probably return at once to Cincinnati. Gil Robinson, brothers of the "Governor," who was traveling with the organization for ten days, returned to New York this week.

    Buffalo Bill's Wild West will end its season November 19 in Memphis, Tenn. Four towns will be played after its New Orleans engagement Nov. 13-15. The cars and show property will be shipped to Ringling Bros.' quarters in Bridgeport along with the Barnum & Bailey Show. The season of the "Bill" show has been remarkably prosperous, all things considered, and in many towns all records have been broken for tented organizations in the way of enthusiasm, money takings and public satisfaction.

    Erie, Pa., Nov. 3. The first car of the Cole Bros.' shows arrived in Harbor Creek yesterday. General press representative John D. Carey was in charge. The run was made through from Franklin, Tenn., at which place the circus will close the season. The same executive staff will be in charge next season.

    The route of "101 Ranch" up to Nov. 13 has just been given out. The show will be in Louisiana and Mississippi up until that time, playing in the smaller towns. Nov. 13 will find them in Monroe, La., where they will play two days. At that place the show will have traveled 13,041 miles since their opening.

    The Sells-Floto Circus did not continue its opposition fight against the Barnum-Bailey show. On Oct. 21 the outfit closed up shop and returned to Denver from Sixela, N. M.

    New Orleans, Nov. 2. The Barnum-Bailey Circus closes its season at Clarksdale, Miss., on the 5th. Fred Bradna has engaged a special train over the B. & O. to transport the artists to New York City. They should arrive there Nov. 7. The fare is $25. The workingmen of the circus will be carried back to Bridgeport by the management. The circus people say the story about "Gets a Special Rate" which appeared a couple of weeks ago is not so. None of the artists will assist in "packing up."

    San Antonio, Tex., Nov. 5. When the "Buffalo Bill Wild West" reaches here November 7, there will be a huge welcome for Col. William F. Cody. The "No. 1" car, with Lester W. Murray in charge, was in town this week, when Walter K. Hill, also of the advance forces, signed the advertising contracts. Already the school children have been organized into a reception committee to greet the veteran "Buffalo Bill" when he enters the arena. "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" showed here for the first time just 33 years ago. There were no railroads through Texas in those days, and the show was transported across the State in wagons.

    Portland, Ore., Nov. 5. Jas. A. Morrow, formerly of Barnum and Bailey's Circus, has secured the Oriental Building at the Fair Grounds for the cold weather quarters of Al G. Barnes' Wild Animal Circus, and will give daily performances all winter.

    The acrobatic problem propounded last week by Variety has aroused a good deal of comment among circus people and acrobats generally. The only man, however, who claimed to have witnessed the successful try for a "half-back, twister and forward in a swing" was "Bob" Moll, a circus acrobat now of Bowen, Linda and Moll. According to this authority Albert Geyer, a famous tumbler, since retired, did the feat from the ground, the only instance as far as known. Barlowe, the animal trainer, likewise declares that he say Geyer do the trick in Australia. The Busch Brothers, now with a Western Burlesque show, are said to perform the feat in the trempoline as part of their present routine.

    A report was abroad this week that the Sells-Forepaugh circus, which was laid on the shelf the season just passing, would go out next summer. No definite information could be secured, but it was unofficially stated that the show would be under the personal direction of Al Ringling.

    The "Buffalo Bill Wild West" has finally given up its office in East 22d Street. The office was closed last August, but the rooms were not surrendered until a few days ago, the furniture being left in the place until then. All business for the Cody organization is now transacted from the office of Jos. McCaddon in the same building, where W. W. Cole has removed his desk.

    The Florence Troupe (American) has been re-engaged for the Barnum-Bailey show for next season.

    The Marinelli office has signed the Kiersten-Amriettas with the Barnum-Bailey Circus for next season.

Variety, November 14, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    H. H. ("Doc") Freeman, who was a booking agent and general utility man last season for the Ringling Brothers' Circus, is no longer interested with that show. He is reported to be casting about for something to occupy his attention until circus activity re-opens next Spring, when he may return to the Ringling service.

    The artists with the Barnum-Bailey circus arrived in New York last Saturday. Among them was Jimmy Silbon, of the Silbon aerial act. Shortly before the show closed young Silbon had a forty-foot fall without sustaining any injury. Earlier in the season, he was laid up through a similar accident, but the second time Silbon alighted upon a grassy plot without harm, narrowling missing two stakes set in the ground about two inches away. Bradna and Derrick were among those who arrived, and will probably play in vaudeville. The act has been re-engaged by Ringling Brothers for next year, which will be their seventh season with the circus.

    Col. Seeley has not been heard of much recently in respect to circus affairs, but now he comes to the fore again as general agent for the Oscar Lowande's Bay State Circus. The Colonel has taken Lowande under his special charge. The rider is at present a feature of the New York Hippodrome show. He will spend part of the winter in Cuba, then play vaudeville for eight weeks. Then his annual circus tour will be inaugurated. Col. Seeley, besides engineering the tour, was instrumental in securing the vaudeville bookings. The Colonel is also deeply interested in the moving picture end of the entertainment business, and if anyone wants to catch his enthusiastic attention one need be only pointed out that a promising site for a cinematographic exhibition where opposition is not too strong and plenty of people pass is available.

    Edward Shipp, equestrian director of "The Big Show," has organized a circus for a tour of Central American and South American territory the coming winter. Most of the acts engaged are from the roster of the circus which disbanded Nov. 7. The show will assemble in New Orleans Dec. 10, and embark for Panama on Dec. 12. Roy Feltus, of the Barnum-Bailey forces, will act as advance agent for the tour, also contracting ahead.

    Fred B. Hutchinson, last season general manager of the Buffalo Bill Show, has passed up the traveling show game for good, or at least for the present, and is comfortably established in Parkersburg, W. Va., where he is running a highly successful moving picture exhibition.

    The Ringling Bros. Circus closed Wednesday of this week in Macon, Miss., instead of last week, as erroneously reported.

    It was rumored about town this week that the representatives of Col. William F. Cody and Major Lillie ("Pawnee Bill") had met on Tuesday and Wednesday in the offices of Jos. J. McCaddon, 121 West 22d Street, and settled the matter of an amalgamation of those showmen for next season. Mr. McCaddon was not accessible to a Variety representative, and no authoritative statement could be secured, but is was the unanimous belief of the circus people that the scheme had gone through and that next season would see the two veterans of the arena together.

    American friends of Whimsical Walker, who toured the United States with various circuses as an acrobatic clown in the early '80s, and later conducted a tour of the pantomime "The Three Wishes," have received news that the veteran contemplates leaving his home in England, where he has been for twenty years, and coming over here to re-engage in American theatricals. Walker is said to have been the first man to introduce the "singing donkey" to the circus ring in this country. He is close upon seventy years of age, and has been in retirement for some time. He was for a while with the Barnum-Bailey Circus.

    On Thursday there sailed for Havanna, to join the Pubillones' Circus, which opens Nov. 17 in the Cuban capital, the Brassely Sisters, Oscar Lowande, the Carl Diemann Troupe and Tamagato. The acts were booked by Chas. Sasse and the Marinelli agency.

    Not since the old days of the St. Charles Hotel on Broadway has there been a recognized headquarters in New York where circus folks wintering in the metropolis could gather and meet their kind. But this year is to be different. Toto Siegrist, of the Silbon-Siegrist Troupe, and "Bob" Bigsby, a former Barnum-Bailey superintendent, have bought Ross Cafe, 46 West 22d Street, and propose of keep "open house" to their fellows of the "ring and platform." The place will have an official opening Thanksgiving night, although it has been running under the new management for several weeks, and already the returning circus artists are making it a sort of central exchange. The name will be changed from Ross' Cafe to "The Aerial Inn," although "The Ground and Lofty" has been suggested as an appropriate title.

    The Marinelli office received a lenghty cable this week stating that John Ringling had engaged Schumann's (Schumann Circus, Berlin) Sixteen Horses, said to be the best trained animal act on the other side. It will be placed with one of the Ringling shows, probably Barnum-Bailey's, and the horses may be divided up into smaller numbers. Ed Woolf will likely work the act or arrange it for ring purposes.

    Tony Lowande is in Europe booking a new circus organization which is scheduled to open for a Central and South American tour some time in January. Artists and animals will leave England Dec. 14. At the same time a big top, horse and dressing tents, etc., will be shipped from New York by M. R. Kunkley. The second show will be under the management of Charles E. Ditzel. Mr. and Mrs. Lowande will continue their trip through Europe, returning to New York from Spain after a long tour. The "No. 1" Lowande outfit, which was reported to have met with indifferent business, is still on tour in Chili, and according to Mr. Lowande, is doing the biggest business and charging the highest admission of any organization which has toured in that territory. The show is made up entirely of European and South American numbers.

    Harry Earl, W. E. Franklin's former assistant and press agent of the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus, will be the general agent of the Sells-Floto shows next season. R. M. Harvey, the local contract agent with the Hagenbeck show the past season, will be with the Sells-Floot also next year. The changes were brought about by Mr. Frankllin.

    J. Rial, press agent for the Barnum-Bailey Circus, scarcely stopped in New York after the breaking up of the show, in his haste to arrive in California, where Mr. Rial purchased a farm during the trip of the circus through that contry. Returning members declare it is a lemon farm, which you may take as fact or reject as jealous gossip, as you like. Rial isn't here to speak for himself.

Variety, November 21, 1908, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Norris & Rowe Greater Shows are back in quarters at Venice, Cal., after a rather disastrous season, according to all accounts. Artists returning to New York this week declare that after the circus left Pacific Coast territory it lost money steadily, although the season had opened well. In Globe, Ariz., it is said, the mechanical force threatened a strike unless salary claims were settled immediately. The Donaldsons are said to have settled a $30,000 printing bill at a big discount, and the Shannon Company, which supplied part of the equipment, was another pressing creditor. One act declared that the show still owed it the last four weeks' salary.

    Erie, Pa., Nov. 19. Cole Brothers' show got into winter quarters at Harbor Creek Sunday. The closing stand was Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 12. The two circus trains made fast time in. Ed. C. Knupp will be general agent next season, and manager Martin J. Downs will be in charge, back with the show. Everything will be thoroughly overhauld.

    The tour of the Buffalo Bill Wild West which closed this week has been the longest in the history of the organization. The show was out 31 weeks and covered a mileage of upwards of 15,000 miles. This immense total was piled up by the show returning from St. Louis to Maine, and starting their journey to the Pacific Coast from that extreme eastern point.

    Michael Coyle, who retired from the post of contracting agent with the Buffalo Bill Wild West during June, because of ill health, and who it was supposed would never return to active circus life, arrived in New York this week completely restored after several months in a New England health resort. He has declared his intention of taking to the road again next season.

    W. E. Cory, general manager of the Ben Wallace circus, was expected in New York this week on a booking expedition.

    Artists returning from the Ringling Brothers' Circus had an interesting story to tell this week about the incidents of the closing in Macon, Miss., October 11. Both the Baltimore & Ohio and the "Big 4" railroads had their agents on the ground bidding for the business of carrying the artists home. It was finally decided to submit the choice to a voting contest. Accordingly polling places were set up in the ticket wagon after the afternoon show (only one performance was given) and the electioneering commenced. The railroad agents worked like a couple of candidates for office, getting their voters in and displaying generalship like old primary workers. George Hartzelle represented the B. & O. and F. C. Weaver the Big 4. Al Miaco was one of the last to vote and both agents claimed him as an adherent. Finally he went over to the Big 4 side. The latter road won the day by a vote of: B. & O., 26; Big 4, 62. A special train was sent out over the Mobile and Ohio to St. Louis, Big 4 to Cleveland, Lake Shore & Michigan Central to Buffalo and New York Central to New York, a distance of 1,443 miles.

    Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" is working through Texas back toward Bliss, Okla., the regular winter quarters. It is reported about among circus people that the Brothers plan a tour through Mexico this winter. In all probability the show will be lightened when it gets to winter quarters and a small outfit of about a dozen cars will be sent South from Bliss to spend the winter in Mexico. Wallace-Hagenbeck and several other American circus organizations have tried the Central American republic with disastrous results, but it is conceded the main difficulty was they carried an expensive and unwieldy organization. Many showmen believe a small compact show will bring returns.

    The Sun Bros.' Circus is extending its season beyond most of the other tented shows. It is playing through the South and has signed railroad contracts which will keep it moving until Dec. 10 at least. Nine cars make up the equipment.

    Horace Webb, the clown, has re-engaged with Barnum-Bailey for next season. He joined that circus at Sacramento Sept. 3, having opened the season with the Norris-Rowe shows.

    Art Adair, the clown, the past season with Hagenbeck-Wallace, announces he has retired permanently from the sawdust and will take up vaudeville permanently.

    The Flying Jordans, this season with the Ringling show, have gone temporarily into winter quarters at Bridgeport, Conn., where under the direction of Lou Jordon they will practice for a partly new aerial casting act.

    The Marinelli New York office booked the Braselli Sisters for a winter tour with the Pubillones Circus in Cuba last week, but when it came time for the boat to leave for Havana the pair became frightened at going so far away from home and retired from the engagement.

Variety, November 28, 1908, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    On Tuesday W. E. Cory, general manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, with his friend, Dr. Tindolff (Cory's "Dr. Watson") sailed from New York for Paris, Mr. Cory will remain abroad until about the end of December, engaging numbers for the circus next season. It has been rumored without confirmation that the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit may come east again next summer. This is not looked upon as probable. Since the disastrous visit that show made to Brooklyn in '07 there has been no hankering for a return engagement. Among show people, the mismanagement of the Brooklyn engagements will never be forgotten.

    While his brother George was working on the New York Hippodrome stage Monday evening, Frank Melville was stricken with an attack of organic heart disease in the office of Wells Hawks, the Hippodrome press agent, and expired immediately. The news was withheld from the younger brother until after the performance, in which he was substituting, Frank having been ill for several days. Melville had gone to Hawks' office to look up steamship arrivals, having arranged to meet a party of European circus acts which arrived Tuesday on the Georgic to replace the present circus part in the Hippodrome show. While he was talking to Mr. Hawks, Melville suddenly pitched forward and before physicians could be summoned, was dead. He had suffered from mild seizures several times beford.
    Frank Melville was 59 years old and belonged to one of the oldest and best known families in the circus field. He was among the first to accomplish the feat of a somersault on a moving horse, having learned the trick from his father, also Frank Melville. With his father, a sister and two brothers, he was a member of the Barnum-Bailey show for several years. He was later ringmaster with the same organization and left that position to become equestrian director of the Hippodrome. Melville leaves a widow, Rose Melville, formerly a bareback rider.

    The Flying Potters, an aerial casting act including ten people, have arranged to tak out a regular circus next season. The Potters were this season with the Norris & Rowe Circus, and it is said they left that outfit short in their payroll account. During the early spring, according to the plan, they will assemble a show in some middle western town. It will be transported in six cars or so and will hold to the Pacific Coast during the entire season.

    The Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" is working across Texas on its way to the Mexican border. The show is due to arrive in Mexico City Dec. 8. In their travels through the Central American republic the showmen from the States are quite likely to encounter opposition with "Dick" Bell, who has a strong following among the natives.

    According to a story which was going the rounds this week the Norris & Rowe Circus property will shortly be place on the market and sold to the highest bidder. The best information obtainable in New York is to the effect that William M. Donaldson, the Newport (Ky.) printing concern, has taken over the outfit, and is wintering it in California, the proprietors of the show turning over the property as payment on a printing account as well as for certain money advanced by Donaldson early in the season. The show carried twenty-five cars during the tour last summer. The amount of Donaldson's claim against it is unknown.

    The deal whereby Maj. Lillie ("Pawnee Bill") and Col William F. Cody are to travel as joint start with the Buffalo Bill Wild West exhibition next season has been closed. No announcement has come from the Cody headquarters as to the terms of the transaction, but among circus people supposed to be "in the know" it is the understanding that Maj. Lillie has bought out what is known as the "McCaddon interest." This is the property of Mrs. James A. Bailey, and is said to represent half the value of the show. Col. Cody will continue with the Wild West, but will appear only for the opening ensemble, Maj. Lillie taking up the star's position for the rest of the performance and also taking over the executive duties which formerly belonged to Col. Cody.

    Dewar, the animal trainer, has conceived the idea of working through the West Indies, Mexico and South America with a 10-act tent show during the coming winter. Several important circus acts which have not yet accepted vaudeville contracts express their willingness to venture in the project. These acts will go through the tour, the circus working on a co-operative basis. Harry Clark has been approached with an offer to act as the general agent.

    John F. Adams, secretary to Antonio Pubillones, the Cuban circus manager, has booked for his principal through the office of Charles L. Sasse the following attractions: Fredianis, Ernesto Sisters, Tamagata Japs, Carl Damman, Keller Troupe of cyclists, Bowen, Lina and Moll and Ferari Performing Animals and Menagerie.

Variety, December 5, 1908, pp. 11, 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    It is the purpose of the Miller Brothers to extend their tour up to within six weeks of the regular opening of the 1908-'09 season. Most of the time between now and the middle of February they will remain in Mexico and other southern country. They will arrive in Mexico City Dec. 12 or thereabouts, during a carnival season and will remain two weeks, the time of the fete. After touring the Latin-American country they will return to the States. It is probable that they will do their refitting in Kansas City, arriving there about Feb. 15, and after a rest of a month start out again.

    The late Frank Melville has been succeeded by his brother George D., as ringmaster at the New York Hippodrome. Mr. Melville has been in the circus business for many years. At 22 years of age he was the director of the ring at the Circus Carre, Amsterdam.

    The Eph Thompson troupe of elephants has changed hands. The new owner of the property is Paul Cottrell, the horse trainer. No information has reached this side as to what disposition is to be made of the act by Cottrell, except that it has already been booked for the Ringling Bros.' circus for the season of 1910. No definite price has been named in the transaction either, although it is estimated that the elephants were worth about $24,000.
    There have been rumors about New York for the past week that Thompson lately died in Berlin. The last authoritative information that reached New York was contained in a dispatch to Varitey, to the effect that Thompson had been sent to Egypt in hope of restored health. Speculation on this side, in the event of Thompson's death, chiefly concerns itself with what provision would be made of his considerable fortune, particularly in relation to his widow.

    San Francisco, Dec. 3. The creditors of the Norris & Rowe Circus have entered a petition in bankruptcy against the firm. Donaldson, the lithographer, will take the show next season.

    Evansville, Ind., Dec. 3. The George W. Hall Wild Animal Shows and Menagerie will refit this winter, according to the proprietor, and go on tour in the west next spring as a circus outfit, probably running five or six cars. The show gave up its southern tour a week or so ago, and went back home. The move was decided upon suddenly, business being rather light.

    Contrary to the general understanding among circus folk the combination of Major Lillie and Col. Cody (the "Two Bills") who are to tour jointly next season was not clinched until late this week. Up until Thursday, the actual papers had not been signed, although all details were agreed upon. At the Holland House on that day Col. Cody announced that he would have a full announcement to make this afternoon (Saturday). Major Lillie and Col. Louis E. Cooke, he said, had been engaged in clearing up the business of the season just passed and deciding upon what moves were to be made for 1909 including the selection of agents.
    This was the first assurance that has come from the Buffalo Bill headquarters that Col. Cooke would travel with the organization next year, although it was accepted as a fair certainty that he would. Col. Cody leaves New York for Cody, Wyo., tomorrow morning (Sunday) and will remain there all winter unless important business calls him east. He admitted that this was scarcely likely, since Maj. Lillie would take full charge of the administrative department of the Wild West outfit.

    There is a rather complicated situation existing in Mexico just now. Dick Bell, who is acknowledged to be the big ring manager of the Republic, is for the first time working 'way out in the west coast, while his traditional opposition, the Trevino show, is playing around in the east and interior. Trevino is so sure of himself this season that he has even dared to frame up a route which brings him along after the Bell outfit through the western territory.
    Performers returning from that country declare that Trevino bases his hopes upon the attraction of a "double-somersaulting" automobile, the feature of his organization. It is said that this act was framed up by an advance agent, formerly with Antono Pubillones, who saw Morok's "double somersaulter" with that organization last season when it toured Mexico. This man, however, is reported to have declared that he holds patents from the Mexican government which protect him in the exclusive ownership of the rigging and apparatus from an opposition somersaulting device, and further threatens to stop anyone else who tries to show it in Mexico without his permission.

    St. Louis, Dec. 3. The "diving horses" and stock of California Frank's "Wild West" have arrived here to winter. Frank's "Wild West" closed in Omaha. California Frank will return to St. Louis next March, when he will arrange to put out an all-feature Western exhibition for next season.

    Ed Holland, equestrian director of the John Robinson show, has come to New York to make his permanent home here. He has been spoken of as a possible successor to the late Frank Melville as equestrial director of the New York Hippodrome, but no definite arrangement has been made. George Melville, the dead man's brother, will probably handle the stage for the present.

    Charles Hutchinson, treasurer of the Barnum-Bailey Circus, will spend the coming winter in Bridgeport, as a sort of general superintendent of the plant. He was in New York Monday, his first visit to the metropolis since the opening of the circus tour.

Variety, December 12, 1908, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Before his departure for the West Sunday, Col. William F. Cody in a conference with his advisers and Major Lillie made the final arrangement which are to govern next season's tour of the Buffalo Bill Wild West. To a Variety representative Col. Cody said: "The season of 1909 will see the first tour of the Buffalo Bill Wild West under the management of 'The Two Bills.' Pawnee Bill and myself have entered into a full partnership and we will share jointly in the property. However, I should like to have you make it emphatic that this arrangement will by no means eliminate Buffalo Bill from active participation. Major Lillie takes full charge of the administrative department of the show, but he will not be a feature in the arenic display. According to our present plans, the major will not take part in the show at all, but confine himself soley to the business conduct of the exhibition. Any talk of may possible retirement is altogether nonsense. On the contrary, I shall have more to do with the next year's show than ever before. The season just passed I was concerned in six arenic displays. Next year I shall ride in two more numbers, making eight in all." The Wild West will commence its tour at Madison Square Garden, opening there April 20.

    Chicago, Dec. 9. The Ringling Bros. are already beginning to plan for the opening of the Ringling show in Madison Square Garden late next March. That the Ringling outfit will supplant the Barnum-Bailey show in the Garden next season there appears to be no further doubt. The Ringlings are quoted as saying that they will open the circus season in New York next year with the biggest show the Garden ever saw. The reason for shipping the Ringling show to Baraboo and the Barnum-Bailey to Bridgeport is still a matter of speculation and several reasons are given.

    Merida, which has always been considered one of the best show towns of Central America, has been passed up by Dick Bell this season, according to reports which come up from Mexico. It was there last season that Bell and Antonio Pubillones, the Cuban showman, locked horns on their long tour of hand-to-hand opposition. Now comes word that, while Bell was off in the Mexican interior, Pubillones slipped across from Havana and contracted for the bull ring at Merida. This may have something to do with Bell's reported determination to skip that town.

    Cincinnati, Dec. 9. Word was received here this week of the death in Huntsville, O., Dec. 5, of Judge H. P. Ingalls, who has been called the oldest living showman. Judge Ingalls was 82 years old, and during his active career in the theatrical and circus business was the intimate friend and companion of P. T. Barnum, Tony Pastor, Van Amberg and Forepaugh of circus fame. He exhibited the Siamese Twins, Viola Scotia Giants, Two-headed girl and Mlle. Christine in their first American tours. His last enterprise was the management of the Cincinnati Zoo in 1872. Among his proudest possessions was a token given him by Queen Victoria.

Variety, December 19, 1908, p. 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, Dec. 17. Discussing a report which emanated from New York to the effect that H. H. Tammen, owner of the Sells-Floto Circus, was considering an agreement with the Ringlings as against Ben Wallace of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, the Denver man said yesterday: "We have not made any alliance with the Ringlings. We are talking a proposition with John W. Gates, the Chicago steel magnate, but beyond that have no sort of combination in mind. On the contrary we are preparing to go before the Interstate Commerce Commission with our case against the Eastern railroads which we think discriminated in favor the the 'Circus Trust' in the matter of preferential treatment. You can make it as strong as you like that we propose to get fair treatment and will push our war against the Trust to the limit of our ability."

    There were widespread rumors about New York this week that next season would see a contest between the Sells-Floto and Hagenbeck-Wallace people, and it was intimated in the latter camp that the Denver crowd might yoke up with Ringlings to make their position stronger. The above statement of H. H. Tammen, however, effectually disposes of such possibility. The rumors probably were inspired by the knowledge that R. H. Franklin retired from the management of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show at the end of the last season and took over the general agency for the Denver outfit. It is to be doubted that any personal feeling between Franklin and Wallace would take the form of a business wrangle.

    Quite some surprise was expressed this week when it became known that negotiations were under way to secure Schmergel's Musical Elephants, now at the Hippodrome, for the Buffalo Bill Wild West next season. These negotiations coming so closely after the return of John Ringling to New York, and with the knowledge that the animal act was booked by Max Anderson on the other side while accompanying the circus man, has caused the impression to gain groung that the Ringlings are to have a decided hand in the operation of the "Bill Show" next season. It has been persistently rumored the Ringlings were financially interested in it.
    The rather unique sight of an elephant act in a "Wild West" tends to confirm the direction of John Ringling, who evidently believes that even a "Wild West" should change its complexion somewhat, and may have concluded to give the western exhibition a sawdust flavor. No information could be obtained whether the "circus" policy for the Wild West would include more features of this character. There is said to be a very fair chance of the elephant act being signed.

    It is claimed by Lew Thompson that Eph Thompson the elephant trainer, is not dead, but at present at Helouan, Egypt. The manager of Schmergel's Elephants at the Hippodrome stated upon his arrival in New York that Eph had died in Berlin two weeks before.

    Chicago, Dec. 17. They still take that John W. Gates story seriously here. The yarn is to the effect that Gates has secured the "101 Ranch" property, and proposes to send out the biggest aggregation ever under canvas. It is solemnly alleged that $2,000,000 has been subscribed for the enterprise and that the corporation has bought up 100,000 acres of land near Bliss, Okla., where the Miller headquarters are located. The story of John W. Gates mixing up with the circus ring has spread all over the country. The Journal prints a specail despatch from St. Louis saying a corporation will be formed with a capital of $2,000,000. The same report says that the new organization in which Gates will be interested will control the Sells-Floto, Bostock's Animals, Miller Bros. "101 Ranch" and the Rhoda Royal animals, the Royal circus to be made up playing, perhaps, under the title of "The Rhoda Royal Shows." A great deal of detail has been sent out in reference to this forthcoming opposition to the "Circus Trust."

Top

1909

Variety, January 2, 1909, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Dec. 30. Authentic information is at hand that pretty much all the important circus magnates in America will come together in this city about Jan. 10, at the Windsor-Clifton in a general meeting to go over routings for next season and close important deals now pending. Ben Wallace will attend and it is the general opinion that he will be taken into the "combination." That a meeting of some sorty will be held is understood, but the conferees are not certain. The best information obtainable names the Ringlings, Major Gordon W. Lillie, Walter Main, Martin Downs, and Ed. C. Knupp and Al Stuart.
    This has of course led to a good deal of conjecture. One of the conferees said this week that "something was coming off," the meaning of which was accepted as indicating that a movement was on to bring about a combination of interests, including the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit and the others in the conference. There are no facts obtainable to support this. John and Otto Ringling have been in Chicago all this week. Among circus people here it is accepted as a fact that the rumored Sells-Floto-Rhoda Royal-Miller deal is all off, if it ever had any real foundation. Variety's first surmise that the whole Gates-Miller story was a "pipe" by Billy Thompson of the Miller press department is the accepted version.

    Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" closed Saturday night in Mexico City and went directly to winter quarters in Bliss, Okla. It was in the Latin-American Republic a little over two weeks. Business started well, but fell off during the middle of the week in Mexico City. Capacity audiences were the rul during the Thursday, Saturday and Sunday shows, but for the rest of the week the attendance was almost nothing. The outfit was to have played several more stands before leaving Mexico, but after the advance agent had looked them over and reported upon conditions, it was decided to cancel the engagement in the capital.

    Chicago, Dec. 30. The Norris & Rowe Circus, a Pacific Coast organization, which was recently in financial difficulties, will go out again next season, with H. S. Norris as general manager. The equipment will be increased from twenty-eight to thirty-six cars. The Donaldson people, printers, of Louisville, Ky., who were reported to be heavy creditors of the show the season just past, will be interested in the tour. The show will open as usual at Santa Cruz, March 5, moving thence as far east as Indiana, if present plans are not changed. Bob Clemons, now manager of the Trocadero (Eastern Burlesque Wheel) will be assistant manager.

    According to contracts already closed the Buffalo Bill Wild West will jump directly from Madison Square Garden to Chicago at the end of its New York engagement. After that it will play in territory west of the Windy City.

    Chicago, Dec. 30. Denials and assertions continue to pile up aroung the report the John W. Gates is about to back an independent circus. The newest light to be thrown on the matter comes in the shape of a seemingly authentic report that Gates' whole connection with the circus business is the fact that while in Texas recently he signed a lease on certain properties belonging to the Miller Brothers at Bliss, Okla. Traces of oil have been found on "Ranch 101) there, and Gates has taken leases on these lands with the idea of developing their supposed resources. So much for the Miller Brothers' connection. There remains only the talk of a deal with the Sells-Floto people which has been admitted as pending by H. H. Tammen.

    Preliminary work has already started in the winter quarters of the Frank A. Robbins outfit in Jersey City (Communipaw Avenue) for next season. The equipment is being repainted and repaired. Robbins will again go out on rails with a show of ten cars or so.

    The Two Plamondons, the ladder act, have signed with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus for next season.

Variety, January 9, 1909, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Tom North, lately with the Norris & Rowe Circus, will travel the coming season as contracting press agent with the No. 1 car of the Barnum-Bailey show. He replaces in that position Frank O'Donnell, who has been the contracting press man for several years with the "Big Show."

    At the New York headquarters of "The Two Bills" show Major Lillie ("Pawnee Bill") is attending to the booking of the circus numbers for the combined "Wild West" next season, which is going to travel as "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East." The exhibition will be considerably enlarged.

    Columbus, Jan. 7. James Reilly, a well-known animal trainer and circus man, died here a few days ago at St. Francis Hospital. He was 38 years old and had traveled all over the world. He was last with the Sells-Forepaugh Circus.

    Schmergel's Musical Elephants are reported signed for the "Bill Show."

    Frank, Jr., and Charley Robbins, sons of Frank A. Robbins, will not be with their fathers's circus next season. During the latter end of last season Young Frank got together a wild west outfit, featuring Nebraska Bill, and played with profit a series of Southern fair dates. Next season he and Charley will augment the organization and route it over a tour of the smaller towns in the East.

Variety, January 16, 1909, p. 18. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Cincinnati, Jan. 14. Announcement was made by the Robinson family this week that John G. Robinson, son of "Governor" Robinson, had taken over the proprietorship of the famous circus, which has passed from father to son for several generations. Young "Johnny" said that there was equipment in winter quarters now for a fifty-car show. The terms of the sale are withheld, but gossip around town has it that "The Governor" received $100,000 as a cash consideration and will draw $10,000 a year as royalty. It is probable that a number of changes will be made in the execution of the show, although the new owner would not speak of this. "Johnny" went out to Terrace Park Monday and took personal charge of the winter quarters. The consummation of the deal will put an end to the litigation between father and son. Several suits are now pending in the Ohio courts. These will be withdrawn immediately. Young "Johnny" is the third Robinson to own the show. He has a son, John G., Jr., who will eventually operate it. The Robinson Circus was organized in 1824 by the granfather of the present owner. The tour of 1909 will start from Cincinnati late in April or early in May.

    K. E. Grigsby, for the past two years with the Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and Miss Sarah D. Conklin, of Columbus, Ohio, were united in marriage at Niagara Falls, N. Y., on Nov. 22, 1908.

    Eddie Arlington returned to New York this week. After the close of "101 Ranch" in Mexico he journeyed to Bliss, Okla., to superintend the packing away of the show for the winter. George Arlington, who returned from Mexico in poor health, has almost entirely recovered. He is putting up at the Marlboro Hotel, New York, for the winter and this week was out visiting his friends.

    The paper (lithographs, etc.) for next season's tour of the "Buffalo Bill Wild West and Pawnee Bill Far East," was laid out and ordered this week. All the material will be printed by the Strobridge Company as was the case last season. Before then the Buffalo Bill paper was made by the Buffalo Courier plant, a non-union institution. There were troubles through the country with union organizations and the show finally signed a stipulation to have all its printing thereafter done in a union shop. Al Stewart, a connection of the Baielys' is a director in the Strobridge Company. There is very little paper left over from last year's tour of either the Buffalo Bill or Pawnee Bill outfits, and all the new matter will be printed from fresh designs.

    Final arrangement were entered into this week by which the Musical Elephants, now playing at the New York Hippodrome, will be part of the Buffalo Bill Wild West next season. The booking was settled this week between Maj. Lillie and the Shuberts and Max Anderson. The elephants were broken and trained by Alfredo Rossi, a brother of Rossi, who exhibite a "musical horse" in vaudeville here not so long ago. For some unexplained reason the act has become known on this side as "Schmergel's Elephants," although Schmergel is the man who merely works the act, the property belonging to Rossi. In connection with their tour in the Wild West, Maj. Burke desires it to be said that the mammoths are not a "circus act," but rather a dramatization of a circus performance, and the Wild West therefore still has a clean slate as a purely educational institution instead of a circus performance.

    Charley Thompson, last season legal adjuster of the Buffalo Bill Show, will go out at the opening of the 1909 tour as assistant manager, working under Major Gordon W. Lillie, who will have general charge of the exhibition. Before his connection with the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Thompson was legal adjuster with the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit and later a manager of that circus. The introduction of Maj. Lillie into the Buffalo Bill property puts Ernest Cooke out of place. He will not be in his old post of general manager. His plans are unknown. Cooke is a nephew of W. W. Cole.

    Bill Curtis, for many seasons boss canvasman with the John Robinson Circus, has signed for next season with the Sells-Floto people. James Van Schaik, also an old Robinson attache and general handy man with the outfit, will go with the Denver organization.

    Cap Vassar, formerly with the Cummins Show, has retired from under the circus tent. Cap, who is seven feet two tall, has married and will settle down in Chicago.

    Delmore and Delmore and the Merodi Troupe have joined the Circo Bell, now playing Mexico City. They opened Jan. 2.

    France Reed has signed with Howe's Greater London Shows for next season. He will be equestrian director.

    H. G. Wilson, privilege manager for "101 Ranch" until it went into Mexico last month, has signed to act in the same capacity for the Buffalo Bill show next season. He has offices in the Buffalo Bill headquarters.

    The Pubillones Circus is said to be doing well in Havana under canvas after a four weeks' run in the National Theatre there. The Jessie Keller Troupe of bicyclists are still with the show, their original engagement of four weeks having been extended to six. This is the act's second Cuban tour.

Variety, January 23, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Jan. 21. It is said among Chicago showmen that the routing and billing agreement which is on the tapis between Ben Wallace and the Ringling people is being held in abeyance pending the recovery of Mr. Wallace, who is ill in Peru, Ind. The physicians have promised that the independent showman will be able to get about withing a few weeks, and the understanding is that one of his first active business consens will be a meeting with the Ringlings in Chicago.

    The Circo Bell opened at the Orrin Theatre, Mexico City, Jan. 3, with an almost entirely new program, booked by Charles L. Sasse in New York. Among the new numbers were: Alvares Due, aerial; Wahlund Tekla Trio, athletes; Delmar and Delmar, equilibrists; Merodia Family, cyclists; O'Haney Family (6), wire, contortion, globe and comedy; Nelson Family (9), "Risley" acrobats; Lavelle's Dogs; the Jeunets, balancers; Cadieux, bounding wire; Polo Elton Aldo Four, casting act; Orsinau Trio, comedy acrobats; Mora and Garres, comedy bars; Amelia Feeley, bareback rider, and the Bell Family. This arrangement of features will continue until Easter when a new bill will be booked in.

    Charles Scott, for many years general advance agent for the John Robinson Shows, will continue with that show under the management of "Young Johnny."

    By Feb. 1 the Ringling Brothers will have opened headquarters in New York. John Ringling, who is putting up at the Waldorf-Astoria, spent the early part of this week in house hunting. He had not yet found a suitable location when a Variety representative talked with him Tuesday, but said that the Brothers would have headquarters here in a few days. The New York offices will handle the main business of the show in the east, headquarters being shifted from Bridgeport in this respect. John Ringling will remain in the city for two weeks more.

Variety, January 30, 1909, p. 17. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Maj. Gordon W. Lillie, manager of the Two Bills' Wild West, goes to Bridgeport shortly to superintend the refitting of the show there. He will make the Connecticut town his headquarters, running into New York only once or twice a week. There is said to have been some dissatisfaction last season with the way in which the Ringling people turned the Buffalo Bill stock out of winter quarters. Some time ago, the report says, the "Bill's" offered a new arrangement. They were to do their own refitting, taking from the Ringlings, who own the stock, the amount of money they spent last season in getting the equipment ready for the tour. It could not be learned at the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill headquarters this week whether that plan had been adopted. Maj. Lillie will take his secretary, George Connors, with him to Bridgeport, "to ride the typewriter" as Connors calls it.

    A large proportion of the acts for the Barnum show have been engaged. The duty of signing contracts, formerly vested in Alf. T. Ringling, seems to have passed to Otto Ringling, for most of the engagements were fixed through him. John Ringling, who is in New York, declared this week that almost full lists of next season's show would be ready for publication in a week or two.

    Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 30. The sheriff seized everything in sight when last week he levied on the effects of Depamlas Indoor Circus here. The show has been touring the south. Attachments were sued out by local hotel and restaurant people.

    Sam Fiedler has been appointed general contracting agent for the Buffalo Bill Wild West and Pawnee Bill Far East for the coming season. Fiedler was the "twenty-four-man" with the Wild West last season.

    Harry J. Piel will again be with the Buffalo Bill show next season as reserved seat ticket seller.

    Walter K. Hill, the Two Bills' contracting press agent, is putting in a preliminary month or so as managing editor of Joe Mayer's publications, before taking up his post with the Wild West.

    A large contingent of horses passed through New York last week en route from Europe to Bridgeport, where they are to be wintered until the circus season opens. Then they are to be a part of the Ringling show. Among the drove was a freak pony with an abnormally long body and ridiculously short legs.

    The Pubillones Circus is now on the road in Cuba after a successful engagement under canvas in Havana. The top was pitched on the Prado one block from Central Park. The "No. 2" show, owned jointly by Josef Ferari, and featuring Ferari's Wild Animals, is also on tour in the island.

    Contracts have been entered into for the transportation of circus paraphernalia from Pawnee, Okla., to Shreveport, La. The shipment consists mostly of several camels and a number of empty show wagons, owned by Major Gordon W. Lillie (Pawnee Bill) and recently sold to the Haag Circus, now touring the South.

Variety, February 6, 1909, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Washington, Feb. 4. The first circus contract for the season of 1909 to be filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission here calls for the transportation of the Cole Bros. show from Harbor Creek, Pa., to Thornton Junction, Pa., on April 20. Twenty-five cars are provided for in the contract. The show's next recorded run is from Ashtabula, O., to Loraine, O., June 20. Other movements contracted for are Lorain to Bellevue, O. (June 12), and Bellevue to Fostoria, O. (June 22).

    Announcement is said to have been given out to performers booked for the Ringling shows that the Barnum-Bailey Circus will open at the Coliseum, Chicago, April 1. The Ringling Bros.' Show is due to begin its tour at Madison Square Garden, March 18.
    The Buffalo Bill Show will open at the same place April 26, immediately following the Ringling engagement. The "Two Bills" outfit will retain the "football game on horseback," which was the big feature last year. Oriental features will be supplied by a troupe of Arabs, Rossi's Musical Elephants, and groups of Far Eastern horsemen. "The Battle of Summit Springs" will be the big Indian scene and among the incidental numbers will be Ray Thompson's Trained Horses.

    Cincinnati, Feb. 4. On Wednesday of last week papers were filed here conveying the Robinson "Ten Big Combined" Shows, from John R. (Gov.) to John Gilbert Robinson ("Young Johnny"). The consideration named was one dollar. While John, Jr., has withdrawn his suit against "The Governor" for an accounting as trusteee, it is said that his daughters and the Stevens branch of the family are not entirely satisfied with the deal, and that their suits are to be continued. "Gov." Robinson's failure to attend an important directors' meeting in New York last week may have had something to do with this, the Stevenses living in that city. Oliver Scott will continue as general agent of the Robinson show under the new regime, and George Aiken will be contractor as formerly.

    Charles W. ("Pink") Hayes, who is now out with "The Thief," this week signed to go with the "101 Ranch" Wild West in the capacity of assistant to Eddie Arlington, the general agent for the outfit.

    Toledo, Feb. 4. The White & Edison Winter Circus organized in this city and left last Saturday to open the following day (Sunday) at Saginaw, to be followed by a weeks' stay in the Light Guard Armory, Detroit. The show will generally play under the auspices of some local society or order, returning to Toledo at the Valentine under the patronage of the Elks. It will travel through Michigan mostly.

    It is reported that the Leon Washburn Circus may not go out of winter quarters at Bound Brook, N. U., this summer. Recently Washburn sold his four elephants. This was a disappointment to Frank A. Robbins, who hoped to rent the elephants the coming summer. Robbins will go on tour during April, increasing the show from ten to fifteen cars. The Robbins outfit is said to have come home from last season's travel with a good balance on the profit side.

    Fred Morgan will be general contractor of the Gollmar Brothers' Shows the coming season.

    Oscar Lowande and Family, who gave a "tally-ho" act in the metropolitan vaudeville a short time ago, sailed last week for Havana. They will become a part of the Pubillones Circus, playing through Cuba. The show may go over into Mexico later in the season. Marinelli arranged the bookings.

    The marriage is announced of Charles ("Chick") Bell, manager of the confectionery department of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows and Miss Reed, who, with her sister, Frances Reed, does an equestrian act in the same circus.

    Ed. Hollander, formerly of the John Robinson shows, goes with the Frank A. Robinson Circus as manager the coming season.

Variety, February 13, 1909, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    It was with a good deal of surprise that the acts engaged for the Barnum-Bailey show learned recently that "Mother" White would not be in her old place as wardrobe mistress with the organization this season. For twenty-five years Mrs. White has held that position. Under the Bailey regime her word was law and she held a high place in the estimate of the owner. She handled the making of all costumes for the big spectacles and looked after that part of the show on tour. "Mother's" authority in the dressing tent was very real and she exercised it rigidly as many a careless supernumerary learned to her discomfiture.

    Paris, Feb. 1. Hagenbeck has brought his famous menagerie and circus to Paris, and opened at the Cirque de Paris, Avenue de la Motte Piquet, Jan. 30. The Cirque Rancy has continued its tour in the provinces, and the popular building first christened the Cirque Metropole will for a time be known as "Hagenbeck's Circus."

    One of the features of the Ringling show at the Garden next month will be a European importation. From the description which can be gathered at this time, the act is a "thriller" in which a performer hangs head down, high in the air, above an inclined slide thirty feet below. At the highest point the slide is almost perpendicular, but curves down and outward. The "start" drops in a diving position, strikes the board in the position of a small boy coasting down hill on a sled, and continues through a half-loop at the ground end of the slide, ending with a somersault into a net. The feat has been successfully accomplished in France, and is said to a real, sure-enough "thriller."

    The Delphin & Deltorelli Circus, traveling through Central America republics under canvas is now in Panama. The tour so far is said to have turned a profit. The program is made up of acts from the Barnum-Bailey Circus of last season. In the list are the Five Delphines, casting act; Fred Sterling, comedy dogs; the Wards, double traps; the Burtons, casting; Bros. Robinson, hat throwing; Miss Jane (formerly of the Jordons), the Deltorellis, Pacheco, the Great, and Buckley's Dogs.

    Since John G. Robinson (the younger) took charge of the Robinson Combined Shows, it has become noised abroad that there will be a shake-up in the staff. This will include only the minor officials, the principal men of the show remaining in their old places.

    Macon, Ga., Feb. 11. All is activity in the winter camp of the Sun Bros. Circus here. The outfit is being repainted and the top will be replaced. Announcement is made of the following engagements for the 1909 season: Five Walton Bros., acrobats; William O'Dale, jockey and horse acts; Miss Bedina, principal lady rider; Boyle Bros., club and hoop juggling; Walter Guice Troupe (4), aerial bars; Three Cevennes, triple wire; the Demacos, the Weavers, Wenzel Sisters, June Smith and wife, Billy Reid and wife, D. H. Gillispie and wifre, William Connors, bounding wire; Fred Kenno, principal clown, with ten assistants, including Nat Goetz, D. McAllister and Milliard Darnell.
    The executive staff will include George Sun, manager; Pete Sun, general agent; Peter Klotz, railroad contractor, and C. S. Clark, local contractor. Among the heads of departments signed for the coming tour are: Clinton Newton, press agent; J. C. Herry, superintendent; Charles Gerlach, band master; Ernie A. Houghton, boss hostler; T. S. Tucker, boss canvasman; William Randolph, charge of ring stock; John Reynolds, assistant boss canvasman; Thomas Farley, boss propertyman; Arthur Webber, charge of lights; L. B. Neil, harnessmaker, and Charles Heberle, boss blacksmith. The show's season closed at Chauncey, Ga., Dec. 21. The next opening date has not been announced.

    Washington, Feb. 10. Several small circus movements were registered this week before the Interstate Commerce Commission. Contracts were filed with that body for the transportation of six cars from Bridgeport, Conn., to Brewster, N. Y. The Great Patterson Shows shipped one car from St. Louis to Houston, Tex., while J. H. Garrett's Circus of three cars moved from Brewster, N. Y., to St. Louis.

    Bob Bigsby is no longer interested in the cafe at 46 West 22d Street with Toto Siegrist. The place has become a popular resort for circus people. Siegrist will continue as sole proprietor. He has announced a gala opening Monday evening, with dancing and supper for the visitors.

Variety, February 20, 1909, p. 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    San Francisco, Feb. 18. The western opposition in the tent line seems to have wavered a few points in favor of the Norris & Rowe Show through the latter having secured a "shut-out" contract with the Southern Pacific under which that circus is given thirty days' protection on the S. P. lines. No other circus will be transported by the railroad until Norris & Rowe are out of the terriorty.
    It is generally talked about out here that after the Sells-Floto Circus opens at Denver on March 28, it will strike out for these parts. With the "shut-out" on the Southern Pacific, the Norris-Rowe outfit has a big advantage, but the knowledge of it in advance may enable W. E. Franklin, the general agent for the Sells-Floto Circus, to re-route, instead of walking into an expensive opposition at the outset. It is reported that Messrs. Bonfils and Tammen, owners of the Sells-Floto, have given Mr. Franklin a free hand after the show leaves Butte, Mont., Mr. Franklin having notified the proprietors he would assume no responsibility for the route in the west up to that point.
    H. S. Rowe, of the Norris & Rowe Show, can now testify to the value of a good name for business integrity. Although it was known his show was deeply involved (owing more than $50,000) his personal friends who had advanced him money not only preferred to allow his obligations to stand, but offered to lend him more. It was finally decided best to have the indebtedness confined to mostly one way. Consequently the Donaldson Lithograph Co., of Newport, Ky., bought in most of the claims and when the show was put upon the block Archie Donaldson bought it in and he in turn re-sold to Mr. Rowe. The latter has lost many of the old lieutenants, but new men are being engaged and the circus will go out well organized, and apparently capable of protecting its immediate territory from invasion. Archie Donaldson, who has been out around here for fourteen weeks, has returned to Cincinnati.
    The Sells Floto Show will open its season March 28 under the auspices of the local Mystic Shriners of Denver. The engagement there will be for ten days or so. After that it is settled that the show will jump into southern territory to escape the cold weather. It is regarded as possible that if the Denver outfit works along the Southern Pacific it will be under some sort of billing agreement with the Norris & Rowe people.

    Orders have been issued that all members of the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill advance wear wide-brimmed soft hats this season. The theory is that the western headgear serves as an advertisement of the coming show. The orders go even for the spruce Arthur Degnon, Louis E. Cooke's secretary and excursion agent, as well as Walter K. Hill whose tastes run to the derby of the effete east.

    George S. Cole, for twelve years connected with the John Robinson Combined Shows, has signed for the coming summer tour with the Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch." He will carry the advertising banner for the wild west outfit. Mr. Cole is one of the oldest circus men in the field. His son, Bert Cole, is eastern representative of the Hagenbeck-Wallace interests.

    Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 18. The Lemen [sic] Brothers Circus has been purchased by Smith Brothers, of Norfolk, Neb., and A. O. Perry, a ranchman of Atkinson. The circus will be transferred to Norfolk in winter quarters until the season opens, when it will go out as "The Perry & Smith Consolidated Railroad Shows." Perry, one of the buyers, was formerly of Perry & Leftwich, succeeding in the firm Doc Hurlburt, who was burned to death in Norfolk twenty years ago. The show formerly quartered there.

    Cincinnati, Feb. 18. James Robinson, a grandson of "Gov." John F. Robinson, the veteran showman, will shortly organize a two ring circus, to tour the inland waterways, moving from place to place on barges. Several barges will be towed from stand to stand. Sleeping and eating quarters will be provided on board. Some years ago the Robinson Combined Shows traveled in this way. The equipment was loaded in the boats and unloaded by means of a thirty-foot gangplank which was lowered to the river bank. Loading and unloading was accomplished more expeditiously than to or from a train. Eight-horse teams even were driven directly from the lot to the proper place on the boats.

    Notice has been drawn to the fact that although the opening date of the Ringling Brothers' circus is now only about a month off, the New York newspapers have not so far carried a single reference to the firm. Under the management of James A. Bailey the Barnum-Bailey name was worked into occasional mention in the metropolis news during the entire winter.

Variety, February 27, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    In twelve performances played in Kansas City the Rhoda Royal Indoor Circus under the auspices of local Shriners drew $21,000. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights people were turned away from Convention Hall. Part of the week a heavy storm interfered with the attendance, but the engagement averaged 3,000 persons to a performance. Contracts have already been closed for a return engagement next winter. It is probable that Mr. Royal will spend next winter exclusively in playing dates under the auspices of the Shriners. Contracts have already passed for St. Louis, St. Paul, Kansas City and Memphis, Tenn. All are return engagements. On the next indoor tour cities visited will be Philadelphia, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Baltimore and, if it can be arranged, Chicago and New York. The show's tour of 1908-09 closed Feb. 19 in St. Joseph.

    John Ringling this week (in New York) stated that the Ringling Bros.' Circus would open at the Madison Square Garden March 25. The Barnum-Bailey show first plays the Coliseum, Chicago, April 1. At the Garden, the Curzon Sisters in their aerial act will be one of the features of the engagement. At Chicago, "The Leamy Ladies" will act in the same capacity for the other Ringling circus. J. W. Curzon claims that "Pop" Leamy has taken his act in the remodeling of his own.

    The Orrin Theatre, Mexico City, is being torn down. The work of demolition was commenced last week. The old building stood on public ground. The site was claimed by the city authorities for public improvements. Ned Orrin interposed no protest. He has retired entirely from the show business and is now an influential banker in the Mexican capital. Last season and this the Dick Bell show held forth in the Orrin theatre, the old feud between Bell and Orrin having been patched up. Bell will hereafter exhibit under canvas. He opens in the city immediately after Easter. A new top will be shipped from New York for the engagement.

    Charles Mercer, formerly assistant to Fred Hutchinson of the Buffalo Bill Wild West, arrived in New York this week from London. He is now secretary for Miss Andrews, the European agent for Charles Frohman.

    Ray Thompson, the horseman, arrived in New York this week to attend to preliminaries for this season with the Buffalo Bill show. He has been following the Southern turf circuits this winer with a string of thoroughbreds.

Variety, March 6, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The preliminaries for the opening of the Ringling Bros. Circus were commenced this week, when three of the Ringling firm came to New York. Alf. T. Ringling started the publicity department to work. In the New York headquarters, a fenced off corner of Joe Mayer's offices in the Bailey Building, Guy Steeley, contracting press agent, Mr. Ringling himself and James J. Brady, general press representative for all the Ringling enterprises, were all hard at work Monday. Charles Horton was in charge of the billposters for the New York work. The assignment of the advance for the coming tour will be about as follows: Ringling shows as above; Barnum-Bailey Show, Roy Feltus, contracting press agent; J. Rial, Dexter Fellows and Tom Namack, relay of story men.
    The system of press agent work tried out by the Ringlings for the first time last summer, will be continued. Instead of having three publicity men arranged three and two weeks in advance and with the show, the Ringling representatives work in rotation. Each of the three relay story men jumps three weeks in advance, takes up a group of towns - for example, two small stands and a large one - and remains to work them until the arrival of the show. When the show departs into the territory handled by the next agent ahead, the man with the show again jumps ahead of the other tow relays. J. Rial left for Chicago this week, to start the press campaign for the opening at the Coliseum there of the Barnum show.

    Dr. R. M. Ivers, who traveled for many years with the Barnum-Bailey Circus as a physician, is in a sanitarium, said to be suffering from a nervous and mental disorder. Dr. Ivers was at one time city physician in Bridgeport, Conn. He resigned that post to tour with the circus. Last year he gave up the connection and, returning to Bridgeport, Conn., resumed his practice. His removal to the sanitarium occurred only recently.

    The Famous Jackson Family of trick cyclists have postponed all European time for 1909 in order to accept an engagement to travel with the Ringling Brothers' Circus. The troupe will be increased from eight to sixteen members, said to be the largest troupe ever formed. Leo Jackson, of the act, has perfected himself in a sensational feat, that of a triple spin around the handle bars. In the turn the troupe will use twenty-eight bicycles of different styles, including unicycles, tandems, "giraffes," etc. A clause in their circus contract forbids the appearance of the turn in New York previous to the opening of the Ringling organization at Madison Square Garden.

    Cleveland, March 4. Harry Daniels, of the Hippodrome, has advertised in the local newspapers for "grafters" and card sharpers. He says he wants to employ several real professional gamesters to work the "three shell" and "monte" games as part of the indoor circus which will open at the Hippodrome in April.

    Petrof's Animals will be with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus this summer. Last year the act played with Ringlings.

    I. M. Southern, head of I. M. Southern & Co. left for California this week to attend the opening of the Norris & Rowe Circus at Santa Cruz, March 11. The firm is handling the program privilege of the show. Other tent organizations for which the same firm is furnishing programs are the Hagenbeck-Wallace, Sells-Floto, Miller Bros. "101 Ranch," John Robinson Big Shows, Frank A. Robbins Show, Campbell Bros., and Gollmar Bros. George Clarke will be solicitor ahead of the Norris & Rowe show. Fred Farrar will travel in advance of the Wallace outfit, and the Sells-Floto program will be attended to by Gene Carpeles. Joseph Hossock will be in advance for the "101 Ranch" Wild West.

    Joe Mayer has appointed his agents to travel with the three shows for which he is program man, Barnum-Bailey, Ringling and Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill exhibitions. Here is the list: Barnum-Bailey, Arthur Hirschler (advance), William Baker (with the show); Buffalo Bill, Heyman Mayer (ahead), Thomas Burke (with show); Ringling, Louis Kusel (ahead). The man ahead travels with the No. 1 car of the show to which he is assigned, acting as solicitor. The man with the show does the collecting on the advance man's contracts and also attends to the sale of the programs. Mae Barry will remain in charge of the New York offices during the summer.

    Marie Meers, formerly one of the Meers Sisters, the principal riding act with the Barnum-Bailey Circus last season, left for Denver this week with her husband, George Brown. Miss Meers rides in the Sells-Floto show this year. Mr. Brown will do his clown act. The sisters separated at the end of the 1908 tour.

    Ed. Burke, who has been engaged as one of the contractors for the Barnum-Bailey Circus, has been given permission by the Ringlings to work for the Norris & Rowe show closing up California towns, as he can accomplish this work before time to report at Chicago for his regular assignment.

    The Ringling Circus plays Brooklyn this year immediately after the close of the Madison Square Garden engagement. The Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill outfit will follow the circus into the Baby Borough. This will be the first showing of the Ringling outfit across the East River.

Variety, March 13, 1909, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Washington, March 11. One of the most costly single circus hauls on record has just been recorded with the Interstate Commerce Commission here. A contract has been entered into between the Ringling Brothers and the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad by which the latter moves the Ringling Circus of 84 cars from Chicago to New York for $2,840. The contract became operative yesterday.

    Colorado Springs, Col., March 11. Thos. J. Myers, who has been spending the winter as publicity promoter of the Majestic, this city, left this week for Santa Cruz, Cal., to join the Norris & Rowe Circus as general auditor and special story writer. The show opened the season today. Mr. Myers was in the Norris & Rowe wagon for five seasons, but last year was with the Sells-Floto Shows. Harry Moore, who was also in the wagon of the Sells-Floto Shows last season, and treasurer of the Majestic during the winter, joins the Norris & Rowe Shows in an executive capacity. He left for the Coast with Mr. Myers.

    It is unlikely that the "Two Bills" show will winter in Bridgeport, Conn., after this season. The original Barnum & Bailey lease on the present site of winter quarters, taken over by the Ringling Bros., is about to expire. As far as is known, neither the Cody-Lillie nor the Ringling people have fixed upon a new location, although the Ringlings were reported to have negotiated for a site in South Jersey, near the Atlantic seaboard. They made a bid upon a parcel of land in that territory, but the impossibility of getting a large enough tracte blocked the deal.

    The "autos that pass in the air" will be a feature of the Barnum show this season. The "double somersaulting auto" will travel with the Ringling Brothers' Circus. As far as known these are the only "thrillers" engaged. "The Balloon Horse" will again figure in the Big Show.

    The Lorch Family, ten "Risley" acrobats, arrived in New York a few days ago. They went on to Chicago. They will open there with the Barnum-Bailey show. This is their first visit to America.

    Dexter Fellowes, of the Barnum-Bailey press staff, arrived in New York this week en route from Fitchburg, Mass., to Chicago. Winter time Fellowes is the leading pharmacist of the New England town, and by virture of his circus connection, its foremost hero.

    George Wombell died in England recently at the age of 90. He was well known some time ago as a showman, when he held a one-half interest in Wombell's Great Menagerie.

Variety, March 20, 1909, p. 10. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A feature of the Ringling Show, which opens at the Garden next Thursday, will be a collection of "freaks." The Ringlings cut this feature out of the Barnum & Bailey equipment last season. No work has leaked as to what will be offered in the "curio hall."

    Washington, D. C., March 18. According to contracts filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission her the Ringlings will ship 81 cars to Chicago to transport the Barnum-Bailey Circus. The charges on the New York Central from Brewster, N. Y., to Chicago are fixed at $2,728. The rate from Bridgeport to Brewster is not given. The cost of bringing the Ringling show from Baraboo to New York is estimated at about $3,500. Of this amount $2,840 is for the haul from Chicago to New York.

    The Miller Brothers will send an outfit from their "101 Ranch" to exhibit the coming summer at the Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle. This will be a "second" show, the main organization going on tour. In 1907 the Millers sent a show to the Jamestown (Va.) Exposition. It fared indifferently, as did all the other concessions at that unfortunate venture.

    The Cole Brothers, owned and run by Larry Muggivan [sic], opens March 25 at Atlanta, Ga., the same date as the Ringling premier in New York. The Cole outfit will remain in Southern territory until the weather becomes mild.

    With the approach of the circus season park and fair men are already searching around with indifferent success for aerial acts for open air use. The shortage of this class of act is unusually severe this year, according to the agents, and those at liberty are expected to be at a premium.

    The Circus Brown of Buenos Ayres, South America, is in want badly of "riding acts," but there is a scarcity reported of this class on both sides of the ocean, the supply being especially limited on the European continent.

    The Greater Norris & Rowe Circus is now on tour, having opened in Santa Cruz March 11, under the auspices of the local Elks. The afternoon performance was given before an audience that all but filled the big top. The night show was given to a capacity crowd. Among the visitors at the 1909 premier was I. M. Southern, of New York. Among the displays are elephants under the care of M. Glasscock and Antonio; Rose Dockrill, Miss Castello, Kelly Troupe, Orton Troupe, The aHalloways, The Delavants, M. Belene, Nelson Brothers, Mack, Sylvester and Mack, George Holland, Dave Castello, Bronson's Living Statues, Tazana Sisters, Sisters French, Peerless Banvards, The Baker Troupe, Mr. Dooley, the Schencks, and the Golden Troupe of Russian Dancers. From Santa Cruz the show went to Watsonville, Monterey and Ventura, playing one day in each town.

    "Young Dick" Bell, son of the Mexican circus owner, was expected in New York this week. He comes to book features for the Latin-Amerian organization. It is said the Bell show will not open at Easter in Mexico City this season, owing to the destruction of the Orrin Brothers' Theatre there. It will probably come into the capital under canvas later on.

    Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" Wild West has established a New York address in the offices of I. M. Southern, 1442 Broadway.

Variety, March 27, 1909, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Cincinnati, March 25. A chattel mortgage for $37,750 has been given by H. S. Rowe to the Donaldson Lithographing Co., of this city, covering all the stock and property connected with The Greater Norris & Rowe Circus. That show opened at Santa Cruz March 11. Towards the end of last season there were some financial complications, and Donaldson at that time was said to have saved the Norris-Rowe outfit from attachment proceedings, which might have resulted in an auction of the show.
    Later on H. S. Rowe assumed the charge and direction for this season, sending out press matter stating all creditors had given him time for settlement, particularly mentioning Donaldson, who had told Mr. Rowe to "go ahead and pay when you can." The press matter summed up Donaldson as "one grand, good man" even if he does run a lithographing plant among other enterprises, and has gone through the same thing many times. That chattel mortgage, though, is giving Mr. Donaldson's-through-Row "grand goodness" an awful wallop, but the lien is not surprising anyone nor was it unexpected. Everybody hopes Mr. Rowe will have a good season.

    Greenville, Pa., March 25. Councilman Edward W. Kramer has purchased an interest in the Loudon & Tuttle Circus which has winter quarters here, and will travel with the show, claimed to be the largest wagon show on the road.

    Cincinnati, March 25. R. M. Harvey, general agent of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, has been in Cincinnati looking over the town for a possible stand while ordering paper form local lithographers. It is taken from this that the "opposition" circus is contemplating invading the southwest early in the season, perhaps just after the opening at Peru, where the winter quarters are. Mr. Harvey said the prospects for a good tent season looked very bright at present, although they were quite discouraging a month or so ago. Mr. Harvey qualified this statement, however, by stating a good season depended upon the weather to a great degree for out-of-door entertainment.
    While here Mr. Harvey talked to a representative of the Cincinnati Enquirer. What he may have said on the side does not appear, but this is one thing that The Enquirer printed in a circus story: "The fame of this circus (Hagenbeck-Wallace), which is the only one of any size not controlled by the circus trust," etc. What that "only one of any size" will do to W. E. Franklin, general manager of the Sells-Floto Circus, and H. H. Tammen, the owner of that other large "opposition" circus, is simply too awful to think of.

    Geneva, O., March 25. A woman will be engaged for the newspaper contracting ahead of the Howard Damon Circus this season. The show opens here the last of April. Other features to be used in connection with the advance car will be a miniature calliope and a moving picture of "Traveling With a Circus." Wes. F. Pike is the treasurer for the season; Frank B. Miller, the equestrian director. Doc Mintorn will handle the press work back with the show. The circus will be under the personal direction of Col. M. H. Welsh.

    It appears that the Ringling Brothers' Circus will follow out the accustomed route of the Barnum-Bailey show. From the Garden it goes to Brooklyn, probably also playing the old series of stands into Philadelphia. The circus plays Atlantic City May 15, coming from Wilmington and closing the week in Trenton. These towns have already been contracted.

    Pacheta, who ran a circus organization in Panama this winter, has returned to the United States. He goes with the Barnum show again this season. Toward the latter end of the winter business is said to have fallen off in the canal strip. Pacheta, however, has announced his intention of going south next winter with a show.

    Charles A. Pheeney, former manager of Solida Opera House, Solida, Col., and present manager of the Murray and Mack Co., has contracted to tour with the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus. He will join the advance under general agent R. M. Harvey.

Variety, April 3, 1909, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Washington, April 1. Business among the big tops is now in full swing from the indications here. A large number of railroad contracts have been filed within the last ten days. In the number are the following: Norris & Rowe Circus, 22 cars from Los Angeles to San Diego (movement accomplished); thence to Santa Anna, Cal. For the same show three elephants and trainer from Lake Charles, La., to Santa Cruz.
    Sells-Floto, 30 cars from Denver to Las Vegas, N. M., thence to Santa Fe, thence to Albuquerque, thence to Socorro, thence to Las Cruces and thence to El Paso. The movement commences April 3 and continues with one stand daily until April 10.
    Campbell Bros. Circus, 28 cars from Clinton, Okla., to Carmen, thence to Wichita, Kan. These stands will be covered between April 15 and May 12.
    John H. Sparks Shows, 7 carss from Weldon, N. C., to Warren Plains, thence to Louisburg, thence to Oxford, thence to Durham.
    John H. Sparks Shows from Cordele, Ga., to Wilmington, Del., and intermediate points.
    In all these contracts represent about $6,000 in transportation charges.

    Ringling Bros. have purchased outright the act known as the Schumann Horses which is a featrue with the Ringling Bros. Circus. It was originally brought over here under a contract which called for their services for this season only.

    Col. William F. Cody arrived in New York Wednesday and registered at his old headquarters, The Hoffman House. The Colonel said that with Maj. Gordon W. Lillie and Johnny Baker he would be active from now until the opening in getting the show in shape for the tour.

    Austin, Tex., April 1. The Ringlings have established a Texas headquarters at Austin for the purpose of circularizing the state with a view to arousing opposition against the present high license demanded for the entry of circuses. J. E. McRacken, who represents himself as acting for the Ringlings, has addressed letters to various towns requesting the business men to take this question up. Petitions are recommended to be signed by the prominent people of each town. The plan is not meeting with the general approval of Texans. At Orange, for instance, the business men have declared a circus would take more money out of the town it would bring in. It is unlikely many signatures will be placed on the petition there. The license is admittedly high, but towns in the Orange class all seem to view the situation the same way.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus opens its tour at Peru, Ind., April 24.

    The opening of the Howard Damon Shows has been set for Geneva, O., April 24. Among the acts signed for the outfit are LeRoy and Hayes, aerialists; Ardinger and Rowland, clowns, Mr. and Mrs. La Porch, gymnasts; H. Miller, talking clown; La Reve Brothers, acrobats; Edwin Gavin, contortionist; Charles L. Grove, handcuff escape; Walter Barrell, bag-punching dogs. Mat King will be boss canvasman and John R. Pepperdine will have the privilege car and candy concession. The winter quarters are in Geneva.

    Charles Bornhaupt, the manager of the H. B. Marinelli New York office, has given out the list of acts the agency he represents has placed to open early this month for the Circus Frank Brown in South America. The acts are Morris Vincent and Mariani, clowns; Lecusson Family; Hegelmanns, aerial; Caicedo, wire; Little Walter, clown; Le Pages, jumpers; The Bristons, comedy bicycle; Igor Petschkoff Russian Troupe; The Cleirs, ring act, and Felix de Marce, monkey-jockey.
    The Marinelli office has booked a great number of the feature acts with the Ringling Brothers', Barnum-Bailey and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses for this season.

    The last of the acts for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was signed this week when contracts were delivered to the Ploetz-Larelle Sisters, acrobats. The engagement was entered into through the Marinelli office in Paris. The girls sail for this side next week.

    Now that it's all over there seems to have been no foundation for the idea that the Ringlings intended to shift some of the equipment from one to the other of their big shows. As far as can be learned only four cars have been brought to New York from Bridgeport. They came to New York the same day the Ringling Show arrived from Chicago, and were returned to Bridgeport two days later.

    The transportation charges for the Barnum & Bailey movement from Bridgeport, Conn., to Brewster, N. Y., were $672, making the entire bill for the jump from Bridgeport to Chicago $3,590. It cost about the same to bring the Ringling Shows from Baraboo to New York.

Variety, April 10, 1909, pp. 12, 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" show will exhibit in South America next season, if there is any truth in reports which are circulating in New York. These rumors have it that everything has been arranged to take the Wild West to Buenos Ayres, Chili, on a guarantee for three weeks. All transportation charges from America to the South American city have been provided for, and a stipulated sum in declared to have been guaranteed to the outfit during its stay in Chili. The same report indicates that other dates have been arranged by which the Wild West exhibition will be able to work back north without taking chances, all the dates being on monetary guarantee.

    "Young Johnny" Robinson was in New York last week for three days, receiving incoming acts from Europe. Mr. Robinson talked freely of the coming season's prospects. "My own opinion, said he, "is that the circus which plays for the rural communities this season is going to be the winner. The manufacturing towns do not look very good to me. The laying off of a large percentage of employees in the steel industries and a general depression in the same line of properties lead me to believe that the factory towns are going to be a tought proposition. But the farmers have money - plenty of it, and then some. A route based on these calculations is quite likely to involve a large expenditure in the paper account, but in the long run I believe it will turn out to be the right circus 'dope' for 1909. Anyhow, I am working on that idea."

    St. Louis, April 8. A new circus to be known as the Rice Brothers' Shows will be launched here by the Missouri Amusement Company, which has just been incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000. The incorporators are James Babcock, W. H. Pomeroy and Bernard Greensfelder. The show will begin its season in St. Louis April 17.

    Alasco C. White (better known to the circus profession as "Charley" White) died in New York late last week. Few trainers of wild animals have had the success of White. In his younger days he was one of the principal "breakers" for the Barnum-Bailley circus; also one of James A. Bailey's favorites. While he was connected with that organization, his wife, known to all circus performers as "Mother" White, was wardrobe mistress for the same show.
    White began his career as an animal trainer in 1853. For many years he was accounted the best breaker and handler of wild animals in the circus business. Toward the latter end of his career he turned to the training of smaller animals and had turned out a large number of dog and pony turns. At his death he was 77 years old. It was "Charley" White who went to Europe at the instruction of James A. Bailley to bring back to the United States the famous "White" elephant which was for several seasons one of the big attractions with the Barnum-Bailey Circus. The widow was recently said to have lost most of her small competence in speculation, but reports this week indicate that she is fairly well provided for. White was buried from the Stephen Merritt chapel in West 23d Street, New York. The deceased was a Civil War veteran and members of his G. A. R. Post attended the funeral services.

    Howe's Greater London Show, which started its season recently in Atlanta, is reported as having met rather unsatisfactory business in the south. The show is in the unenviable position of playing through the same territory in which the Buffalo Bill, the Robinson and the Ringling Shows played last season. The big organizations having played the same country, the small outfit of the Jerry Mugivan plant found it hard followinging.

    A national organization is being organized by the circus clowns of the country. The first step was a meeting of the Hippodrome funmakers, under the leadership of Marceline, held in the Hippodrome dressing rooms a few days ago. The purpose of the association is now protection, but social. The following committee was appointed to carry the movement further: Marceline, George Holland, James R. Adams, Clyde Powers and Frank Hansen, of the Hippodrome; Al Miaco and George Hartzell, of the Ringling Bros.' Circus, and Spader Johnson and Fred De Voe, of the Barnum-Bailey organization. Wells Hawks, the public disseminator of "The Hip," furnishes the information.

    Denver, April 8. The Sells-Floto Shows opened for the season last week in Denver, with a performance under the auspices of local societies. The circus looks good. Denver is its home town. The Post, H. H. Tammen's paper, gave his circus a bully good send off. The Sells-Floto goes to Las Vegas, Albuquerque, El Paso and then into the principal cities of California. The circus has been much enlarged in personnel, cars and wagons. Everything about is bright. W. E. Franklin is general manager; Harry Earl, general agent. Mr. Earl's address for the next few weeks will be Roslyn Hotel, Los Angeles. He will make headquarters there.

    Cincinnati, April 8. According to a local paper the Robinson Show after its regular season will start on an all-winter trip, including Cuba and the country down to Panama, with a South American invasion to follow.

    Some circus dates not yet published are: Yankee Robinson, Des Moines, April 17; Campbell Bros.', Kansas City, April 17. The last named show will play a week's stand under the auspices of the local Zoological Society. The engagement is understood to be on a guarantee, with a percentage scheme on the side.

    The Howard Damon Circus will open at Geneva, O., on April 26. The No. 1 Advance Car will leave Geneva April 15.

Variety, April 17, 1909, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Des Moines, Ia., April 15. The Yankee Robinson Shows will open in Des Moines April 29. The "big top" is 120 feet with three 50-foot middle pieces. The menagerie tent is 70 with four 30-foot middles. The side show is a 60 with two 40's. The No. 1 advertising car left April 18, for Panora, the first stand out of Des Moines. The circus will have 400 people, 150 head of horses and is one of the best eqipped in the west. The advance of the show is W. O. Tarkington, railroad contractor; Ralph Root, local contractor and press agent; W. H. Quinette, advertising manager in charge of two cars with twenty billers.
    The business staff is Fred Buchanan, owner; C. W. Buchanan, manager; A. E. Root, treasurer; Frank Macart, legal adjuster; W. J. Segal, press agent; A. L. Salvail, manager of side show; A. W. Crockett, manager privileges; Joe Kelly, manager up-town wagon and privilege car. The working staff is governed by H. L. Kelly, steward; Lew Foster, superintendent of canvas; Art Eldridge, superintendent of stock; John Boyd, trainmaster; Orville Speer, chandelier boss; Con Hogan, boss canvasman side show; Bart Kelly, charge of stable canvas; George Jones, charge of car porters. Archie Webb is bandmaster.

    Denver, April 15. The advance for the Sells-Floto Circus is being followed by an advance billing crew of the Ringling Brothers, who are opposed by the Sells-Floto people in the circus field. The Ringling crew bill alongside the Sells-Floto paper whenever it is put up, proclaiming the coming of a Ringling show, although several months later on.

    The Sells-Floto show is routed up into California in the near future. The Norris & Rowe aggregation is now playing that territory, and the stands of both organizations on the Santa Fe Railroad are likely to bring them within opposition distance of each other. The latter circus has been reported as holding a 30-day "shut-out" contract on the Southern Pacific. Both are so-called independent shows, and even if they do get within the distance limit of conflict it is not considered positive that they will join battle.

    The Circo Bell, the Mexican organization, for the first time since the veteran clown and pantomimist has owned it, did not open Easter Monday in the City of Mexico. The show always closed on the road before Holy Week, reopening the day after Easter in the capital. Dick (Jr.) and Albert Bell are both in New York now looking for acts for the spring season, and the date of resuming the tour has not been decided upon. The reason advanced for this delay is that the destruction of the Orrin Theatre in the city made the opening there on the usual date impractical. The younger Bells have not made public the names of the acts they have selected for the coming season. They are registered at the Hotel Continental, New York, and are busy inspecting the circus offerings in the local vaudeville houses. They do not yet known the day of their departure for home. It is settled that the show will open out of Mexico City this year, and it is most unlikely that they will return to the town during the season.

    A circus organization, put together by J. Harry Allen, will shortly sail for South America for a season of eight weeks on the southern continent. Thirty people will make up the show, consisting of eleven or twelve acts. The circus goes immediately to Caracas, Venezuela, playing there for three or four weeks. Other time will be arranged in South America to make up a two months' tour. The enterprise is promoted by Carlos Guar, and the transportation to and from the Caracas stand is guaranteed by the Venequelan Government. The show will give its exhibitions in the local bull rings.

    The Barnum & Bailey Circus goes from the Coliseum, Chicago, into a week stand at St. Louis under canvas. The St. Louis engagement starts April 26. The jump from Chicago to the latter city will be divided in two single day stands, of which one will be Champaign.

    The Ringling Bros. are drawing a considerable amount of business to Madison Square Garden by a new dodge of their press department. The lower east side of the city, where there is a large foreign-spending population, has been thoroughly canvassed with the handbills and dodgers printed in all the foreign tongues.

    Tom North, who was with the Ringling Bros.' Circus as one of the "relay story men," is now attached to "The Newly Weds." The show closes tonight, and North will leave New York immediately to take up the work of press man for the Gentry Shows, joining in Ohio. Frank O. Miller takes the place on the Ringling press staff made vacant by the retirement of North. Miller was with the Shuberts last winter, and for a while, lately, manager of the Colonial, Cleveland. Mr. Miller goes to work with the circus organizaton May 1. He has been with the Ringlings before.

    The Sells-Floto Show has issued a "Special Invitation" pass for 1909, which allows the holder to visit all departments of the cicus, including the big ring entertainment and side shows. If the guest is the least bit hoggish he may travel all season with the show on the invitation. It also includes free meals at the cook tent, free peanuts, lemonade, and in the language of the pass itself, "to make yourself at home without any cost whatsoever to you."

    Miller Brothers are contracting with the railroads for their "101 Ranch," making provision for 21 cars. The outfit is now touring Kansas. It is in Arkansas City, Kan., today.

    It has been definitely decided by the Ringlings that the Forepaugh-Sells circus will again appear under that name next season.

    Breaking a long-established custom the John Robinson Shows Combined will open the season this year outside of its home city of Cincinnati. The initial 1909 performance will be given in Circleville, O., April 26. In all likelihood the show will return to play Cincinnati later in the season. That town, from present indications, is going to be a circus storm centre within a few weeks. It is reported that "101 Ranch" has contracted to show there some time during the first two weeks of May. Later the Wallace-Hagenbeck outfit is due to arrive, and the same lot has been taken for the Barnum-Bailey show. Whether the Wallace and Barnum shows come in close together is not a matter of outside information, but it is the understanding that both will play the Ohio town. The old Cincinnati circus lot is no longer available. It has been taken over by the city and made into a public park. Instead the shows will play out in Cumminsville, a suburb. This new stand is said to be unsatisfactory, particularly during the spring freshets of a nearby stream.

    Denver, April 15. H. H. Tammen's paper, The Denver Post, announced on Tuesday that John W. Gates had allied himself with the Sells-Floto Circus interests, and is now the principal financial backer of the show. Mr. Tammen is heavily concerned in the Sells-Floto Shows.

Variety, April 24, 1909, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, April 22. The first wreck of the circus season happened Tuesday near Perry, Okla., on the Santa Fe. Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" was being moved when a broken beam derailed five cars. Several people were injured. Full particulars are not at hand.

    Tucson, Ariz., April 22. A regularly organized "opposition brigade" of five bill posters has been organized by the Ringling Bros. to do nothing but follow up the Sells-Floto billers and paste "Coming Soon" Ringling announcements close by all the paper displays of the independent. The Sells-Floto show was here April 14. Their paper had scarcely been up when Ringlings' "shadowing committee" arrived in town and posted announcements that "Ringlings will be here soon." It is not likely that either of the "trust" shows will reach here before fall.
    This was the first skirmish in what is likely to be a running fight all season between the Ringlings and the independent circuses. That it will be a hard-fought battle is assured by the gameness of H. H. Tammen of the Sells-Floto outfit, who, himself a man of ample fortune, is backed up by John W. Gates, a notorious plunger, whose resources are practically unlimited. Sells-Floto show is now in California, and it is said one of the Ringling shows is scheduled for the same territory. They may come into close opposition in the middle west during the summer.

    Col. Charles Seeley's Great Bay State Circus, in which Oscar Lowande is interested and in which his whole family works, opens at Reading, Mass., May 10. The outfit is a wagon show and will play over a 16-week route without going outside of Massachusetts. The Lowande Family recently returned from Mexico, where it was a feature with the Pubillones Circus.

    Buffalo, April 22. There will be no lack of outdoor entertainment in Buffalo between June 19 and July 4. The Buffalo mid-summer exhibition will run during that period and at the same time Kennedy Bros.' Wild West and Holstiar & Songster's (two-ring) Circus will hold forth in the city.

    R. C. Carlisle, a well-known circus agent, and a member of the Barnum & Bailey organization during its European tour, will be amusement director at Palisades Park, Fort Lee, N. J., the coming summer.

    The engagement of Desperado for the Wild West exhibition caused some comment on Broadway this week. The circus people who have been resting under the impression the Ringling Brothers were interested to some extend in the show of the Two Bills were surprised to learn that this act, similar to that now being performed by Gadbin in the Barnum-Bailey circus, at Chicago, was accepted for the Madison Square Garden. Sub-rosa stories say that John Ringling was not overjoyed at the booking. He intended to show Gadbin in New York next spring when one of the Ringling circuses opened. Desperado will spoil that plan, and oblige the Ringlings to seek a new feature. The sum and subtance of the talk during the past few days was that the Ringlings were hardly noticeable in the management of the Bills' show, if they could be observed in it at all.

    The Howard Damon New Australian Shows, booked for two performances May 3 at Youngstown, O., will be the first circus of the season in that town.

    Cole Bros.' circus, which opens its season at New Castle, Pa., today, reached Youngstown, O., a week in advance for rehearsals.

    James DeWolf, the present general press representative for Keith-Proctor, signed this week to act as one of the three "realy story men" of the Ringling Brothers' Circus. He takes up his duties on Monday. DeWolf fills the vacancy caused by the retirement of Tom North from the press staff. Frank Miller was slated for the place, but could not secure a release from the Shuberts.

    Despite the excellent bill that is being offered, business at the Barnum-Bailey show (Chicago) is indifferently good. It is declared the Ringlings will be glad to take the circus out of the Coliseum and on the road.

    The wife of Charley Siegrist (formerly of Slivers and Siegrist and the Siegrist-Silbon Troupe) died Wednesday morning in Chicago of pneumonia. Young Siegrist is now manager of the Neapolitans, aerial act.

    Jack Sutton and the Tasmanian-Van Dieman Troupe closed sixteen weeks on the Sullivan-Considine circuit and open with the Gollmar Bros. Circus at Baraboo, Wis., May 8.

    Dan Ducro [sic Ducrow?] has sailed for Central America in charge of a small circus organization. One of the Lowande family is with the show as well as a dozen acts or so. They will play in the canal zone during the summer.

    Dick and Albert Bell were scheduled to sail for Mexico Thursday of this week with the twelve acts they have booked to travel with the Circo Bell. The circus opens May 5 out of Mexico City and may not get into the capital during this tour. American acts were booked for twelve weeks, the circus men taking in each case an option upon a like period after the expiration of the original contract.

Variety, May 1, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Logansport, Ind., April 29. The Barnum-Bailey Circus is billed in Logansport without any date of appearance in the city mentioned on the paper. It is supposed the move is directed against the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, due in town shortly. The H.-W. combination is a strong Indiana favorite. When the first billing of "The Big Show" started, town people did not accept it as serious, believing it was done only for the purpose of annoying the opposition. Lately, however, the activity of the Barnum-Bailey billers has convinced Logansport the Big Show is really coming. The Hagenbeck-Wallace people had some trouble here securing the show grounds. Several lots, each owned by a different person, were required for the necessary space. Most of the consents were obtained by a "pass or two."

    Los Angeles, April 29. A week ago today the police raided the Sells-Floto "privilege car." Six patrol wagons were necessary to remove the liquor found in it. The circus left town dry, the authorities holding the wet goods for evidence. F. J. Worrell, assistant manager of the circus, admitted to liquor was sold in the car, but to no one not connected with the show. L. Groth and W. E. Daudell, propritors of the Log Cabin Cafe in Denver, the police were informed, ran the "privilege car," with the Sells-Floto people interested.

    Dick Bell, Jr., and his brother, Albert, who came to New York about a month ago looking for acts for the Circo Bell in Mexico, left the city without having engaged a single number. Dick Bell, Sr., filled up his show from the acts closing in Havana, Cuba, with the Pubillones organization last Saturday. The Bell show opens Monday and will tour all summer. A new show will be organized December 1 next and will open in Merida, Yucatan, Central America. The acts transferred from the Pubillones to the Bell Circus are: Ortaney Family (6), Mme. Dio, Castrillions (10) and Delmar and Delmar, aerial teeth act. The Bell family, and a troupe of Japs complete the show.

    During the presence in New York this week of Eddie Arlington, general agent for Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch," the report got abroad that the Wild West outfit might make an excursion into the east this season. Mr. Arlington did not vouch for the truth of the report, but it was persistent among circus people. Mr. Arlington returned to the show on Tuesday evening. He will be in the city again in tendays or so.

    The Ringling Bros.' Circus opened fairly well under canvas at Brooklyn Monday. The closing days at the Madison Square Garden were not entirely satisfactory to the management. During the engagement the evening crowds far exceeded those at the matinee.

    Columbus, O., April 29. Lively times portend here. Between April 30 and May 20 four circuses are due to play this town. The Wallace-Hagenbeck people lead the procession. The town is fairly plastered with their paper announcing performances on May 5. Barnum & Bailey Circus are almost as elaborately billed for May 20. Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" will be here May 13, although they have not found very much space to hang their announcements. The fourth organization is Lambrigger's Wild Animals, which arrive tomorrow.

    Santa Cruz, April 29. While he was here recently with his show "The Norris Bros.' Trained Animal Show," C. I. Norris gave out a statement to the effect that he was no longer connected in any way with the old Norris & Rowe Circus. "The Norris & Rowe Circus," he said, "is using my name and lithos, and I am not with it. I have absolutely no interest either with the circus or with H. S. Rowe."

    One of the most popular circus men known in the advertising department of that world, Miley A. Edwards, died of pneumonia at St. Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis, April 17. For the past five summers Miley Edwards has been ahead of the Ringling Bros. shows, traveling with "Car No. 3." For one year he was with Cole Bros.' Circus. He is survived by his two brothers, William, manager of the Northern Display Ad. Co., and Harry, the advertising agent of the Minnepolis Orpheum.

    The show booked by J. Harry Allen for a South American tour, sailed Saturday last for Caracas. It included Alfreno Swartz Family, wire act; Vida Sisters, aerial; Hewers, perch; Le Centre and La Rue, comedy musical; Les Jundta, equilibrists; Three D'Estelle Sisters, singing and dancing; Capt. Webb's Seals, Two Nelson Brothers, Two Youmans and Amora and Co., illusionists. The show will paly eight weeks, four of the in Caracas.

Variety, May 8, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Wheeling, W. Va., April 6. Extravagant billing is being done in Wheeling this week by three rival circuses, all due to play here withing a week. Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" show opens May 15. Hagenbeck-Wallace are announced for the 17th, and the Barnum-Bailey Circus the 22d. This is the biggest and closest sample of circus opposition that has occurred so far this season.

    Washington, May 6. A curious set of routings keeps the "Two Bills' Wild West and Far East" following close upon the heels of the Ringling Circus until well into June. New contracts, just filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission, show that both organizations play Paterson, N. J., and Newburgh, N. Y., within ten days of each other, the Ringling outfit getting in first.

    The New Marinelli office this week received notice by cable from Paris of the death in Alexandria, Egypt, of Eph Thompson, the colored elephant trainer. Thompson has been in the Orient for a year in search of health. The body has been shipped to Paris, according to the Marinelli advices, and will arrive there May 6. Interment will be made in the French capital.

    Youngstown, O., May 6. With the Howard Damon circus W. W. Power is rehearsing a new act which he will call "Power's Hippodrome Elephants with 'Roosevelt in Africa.'" "Teddy" will be shown on an animal hunt, and the beasts will be impersonated by acrobats. After Teddy subjugates the wild animals the natives will hearld him as king of the jungle, and a fete will be given for his entertainment. In the exhibition, tumblers, dressed as monkeys, will do leaps down a run, and all of the "animals" will cut up capers. The act will finish with Teddy carrying back all of the "specimens" on the backs of the elephants.

    Youngstown, O., May 6. The Howard Damon Circus had its real season's opening here Monday. A couple of small towns were played last week, but only for a warming up gallop. The circus looks good, and pleased. There is a free attraction, Jack London, who jumps a gap on Norwegian skis, long pointed boards clamped to the feet something like snowshoes. The circus people addressed Walter L. Main as "Governor," while Main was here, during the performances. The outfit is a part of the Main circus, and the "Governor" probably has a financial interest in it. The Powers Elephants, Frank Miller, Estella and Cordova are among those with the show. Steve Miaco leads the clowns. A number of well-known circus people came on to see the opening.

    St. Louis, May 6. Barnum & Bailey opened Monday to two big crowds. The show ran well, despite the hardship of the circus in opening its tent season last week under discouraging conditions. The first showing under canvas for "The Big Show" occurred at Champaign, Ill., April 27. The weather was the coldest experience by even the seasoned circus artists, and continued all week.

    Bad weather last week was the cause of a great deal of discomfort to circus people. It caused a large loss to the Ringlings in Brooklyn. Campbell Bros. did not play Enid, Okla., according to schedule, and the Yankee Robinson Circus gave a performance in Des Moines in the midst of a snow and hail storm. This was their season's opening.

    The Gollmar Bros. open today (Saturday) in Baraboo, Wis. Much of their show is made up of Ringling property, the Gollmars being a family connection of the big circus magnates.

    "The Two Bills" show will travel as far as the Dakotas this season, closing the trip in the south.

Variety, May 15, 1909, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Buffalo, N. Y., May 13. The advance forces of Ringling Brothers have made their appearance in the city. "Buffalo surrounded." Great slaughter in paste by the advancing forces and scouts. Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch Wild West" go into the fray May 29. It is said that the sharpshooters of Kemp's Wild West Show will deploy at Niagara Falls, May 18, and that all the exposed positions within the city will be occupied by the knights of the paste of Cole Brothers' Circus May 31. Several skirmishes expected while the society circus is intrenched at the Stadium, June 22.

    Evansville, Ind., May 13. The Barnum-Bailey Circus is exhibiting here today. The act known as "Autos That Pass in the Air" has not shown since the "Big Show" left St. Louis. Al Ringling and his wife joined the circus at Danville on Tuesday. They will remain a few days with it. Since leaving St. Louis the business has been the biggest for this season the Barnum-Bailey people have experienced in years. At a couple of stands it had to follow in opposition circuses, Hagenbeck-Wallace and Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch," playing to turnaways, nevertheless.

    Edward Arlington was back in New York this week. He has been arranging a tour through New England for the Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" Wild West. The outfit is in Ohio this week, playing Cincinnati Monday. They travel east almost immediately and go through the New England States. The Ringling Circus will be in the same territory about the same time as the Wild West. The Buffalo Bill show played through there last season.

    The Andrew Mackay Circus is being organized in Detroit and will open in that city some time during the early part of June. According to artists engaged in New York this week, the plan is to play week stands under canvas. Alba's Bears, Ouika Meers and Rose Wentworth have been signed among other features. Andrew Mackay is the husband of Rose Melville, who won a good deal of prominence in vaudeville with a "Sis Hopkins" act. He has been in the circus business for a number of years.

    Columbus, O., May 13. While the "101 Ranch" Wild West is playing here today, its advertising car is traveling under the custody of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The car was attached when it was here last week by William M. Goodwin on a claim of $229 alleged to be due him for labor. The railroad company was given custody of the car until the case is tried here.

    Youngstown, O., May 13. At Salem, O., last Friday, while the Cole Brothers' Circus was exhibiting, a couple of "shell game" men fleeced an old Quaker resident out of $550 in one of the side shows. Three boxes and a needle were used instead of the old but customary "shells." A local attorney, with the Quaker and the chief of police, went to the circus grounds. The "con" men were there and followed the little crowd around in the hope they could separate their victim from the bunch for another "trimming." The police officers called upon the management and threatened unless the old man was reimbursed they would tie up the show in Salem. The circus people gave the Quaker $225 of the $550 he had stolen from him. It was a hard "give up" for the circus. They claimed they had no knowledge of any "grafters" following the show, and only "gave up" to save trouble.

    Columbus, May 13. In pursuit of the nimble dimes a side show proprietor connected with the Wallace-Hagenbeck Circus took up a position on one of the main streets while that show was in town last week, and attracted a crowd to see a pair of Aztec children. A policeman demanded to see his license. "That's all right," said the announcer. "It was all attended to at City Hall with the other licenses." The side show held forth for three hours unmolested, and took in a cash drawer full of change. It was not until the show had gotten out of town that the alert policeman learned the exhibit had beaten the community out of $25. "101 Ranch" is playing here today and the Barnum-Bailey Circus is due next Thursday. It is safre to foretell that all license fees will be paid strictly in advance by these shows.

Variety, May 22, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Seattle, May 20. The opposition circuses in these parts are getting together on their routes. The Sells-Floto Circus came in today and remains until Saturday. The Norris & Rowe's Shows open May 31, staying over until June 1, the day when the Alaska-Yukon Exposition opens.

    Martin J. Downs, the general manager of the Cole Bros. Circus, the general manager of the Cole Bros.' Circus, is seriously ill in Erie, Pa. The doctors are unwilling to set the date when he will be able to resume his duties under the big top. He was not on the ground when the circus suffered a violent blowdown at Corry, Pa. It is said that since the circus people were obliged to make good a portion of the money fleeced from an old Quaker by "con" men following the Cole Bros.' show, the smooth gentry have remained in hiding. The "trimming" "came off" at an Ohio stand.

    Philadelphia, May 22. As the evening performance was about to commence at Corry, Pa., last Saturday night, a wind storm came up, tearing down the main tent, breaking up the supports for the seats, causing them to collapse, and severely injuring four people. Many others were hurt. Only the big tent blew down.

    George Conklin, lion trainer, wild animal expert and one of the oldest sawdust arena veterans, has retired permanently from the big top. Conklin this week took possession of an eight-acre farm near Lebanon, N. J. Here he will settle down to the peaceful pursuit of raising chickens, squab and fancy fruit for the market. The only wild animals around the place will be a couple of milch goats, unless Conklin gets himself some Bengal tigers to make the farm seem more homelike. Conklin was for many years manager of the Barnum-Bailey Circus menagerie.

    Steve Miaco has left the Howard Damon Circus to return to his vaudeville act. Mr. Miaco engaged with the show only to put on the comedy portion.

    The John Robinson Ten Combined Shows are working down into the south through West Virginia. The southern States seem to be the undisputed property of the Robinson family.

    Buffalo is fairly flaming with circus announcements. "101 Ranch" leads the procession through the lake town, showing there June 29. Cole Bros. follow two days later and the Ringling Circus trails along July 2. All the shows are represented on the billboards and every available space is take up with "Coming" announcements.

    Miller Bros. have signed railroad contracts for the shipment of their twenty-two cars from Corning, N. Y., to Waverly, N. Y. The contracts are not dated according to the filings with the Interstate Commerce Commission. Other contracts call for movement between Youngstown, O., and East Buffalo, N. Y., and from Elmira to Waverly. The jump out of Youngstown costs $1,012.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus played to two capacity performances in Wheeling, W. Va., May 17. The show is reported to be in excellent shape.

    The "Two Bills" show moved from Madison Square Garden to Brooklyn Saturday night. The scenic setting used in the Garden was put in storage, and a less expensive equipment put in commission for road use. The Garden setting cost $7,000. In Brooklyn Johnny Baker's shooting act was placed in the show, as well as "The Great Train Robbery." Baker's exhibition was left out of the Garden show to save the scenery.

Variety, May 29, 1909, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Philadelphia, May 27. Col. William F. Cody and Major Gordon W. Lillie this week became joint owners of the Buffalo Bill Wild West and Pawnee Bill Far East Combined, by the purchase of the one-third interest in the property held by Mrs. James A. Bailey. A representative of the Bailey estate came on here from New York to arrange the transfer. The public statement is to the effect that Mrs. Bailey wished to rid herself of the cares of her interest, but it is rumored there that the transaction was brought about by the recent clashes between Major Lillie and Mrs. Bailey's representatives with the show, Jos. McCaddon and Al. Stewart. During the Brooklyn week Major Lillie is said to have "had it out" with McCaddon and Stewart and both, it is understood, have agreed to interfere with the conduct of the show no longer. Major Lillie went into the enterprise with the understanding that the management of the show was to be his undivided province.

    Lincoln, Neb., May 27. The Campbell Bros.' Circus, which has hitherto escaped the payment of show license on the ground that it is a Nebraska organization, was held up here this week and forced to pay the fee. Ordinarily a two-ring circus is taxed $200, but the Campbell outfit escaped with a charge of $75 for the big top and $15 each for the side shows. Another show, not connected with the Campbell circus, opened up in another section of the town. The police immediately descended upon it and demanded a license. The proprietor closed up. W. P. Campbell said that the show had prospered so far this season. In many towns the afternoon attendance had been rather light but the night shows made up for it. The outfit went from here to Omaha and Sioux City. From there it tours through Dakota and Montana and moves up later into Canada. Five hundred persons are fed in the cook tent, according to Mr. Campbell.

    Boston, May 27. It will cost the Ringling Bros.' Circus $10,000 to show in Boston next week. The circus is billed to open Monday on the site of the old Providence depot. The show people had to pay $5,000 to secure the lease of the property, it costing $4,000 to clear the land of the ruins. The city slipped in a bill for another $1,000 before the license was issued.

    A two-ring organization with a semi-weekly change of features will be an attraction at 29th and Columbia Streets, Philadelphia this summer. The show starts Monday under the name of the Philadelphia Hippodrome. Rose Wentworth will be one of the riders, and a large program of circus features has been engaged. Acts are being offered two weeks.

    Pittsburg, May 27. The Barnum-Bailey circus did not give a parade here Tuesday. The long run from East Liberty made it inadvisable to do so. The night show attracted a huge audience and resulted in a turnaway. The parade was likewise abandoned in Cleveland. When the show arrived there the lot was so soft that Tom Lynch had the time of his life getting the wagons into position. Business is reported to have been big in Cleveland also. From here on the show will get no further east than Easton, Pa. From that point it moves north. It is already billed for Milwaukee, June 21.

    The Cole Brothers', Robinson Combined and Hagenbeck-Wallace Circuses are playing against each other through West Virginia and Ohio, splitting the business three ways. All three are independent concerns.

    Allen & Marriat have been commissioned to ship a ten-act circus outfit to open in the Exposition Grounds near Rio Janeiro August 1 for a stay of eight weeks. Beside the circus display free outdoor attractions will accompany the troupe. A local railway concern is financing the enterprise. The acts will sail from New York July 3, arriving in Rio July 23.

    Buffalo, May 27. War to the knife, but a bloodless one, is now taking place in this city. Dead walls are at a premium, with two circuses trying to out-bill each other, Cole Bros.' circus comes May 31, and Ringling Bros.' is due July 2. The Cole show was here first in the field. The Ringling people finding a large building in the center of trade covered with its rival's highly colored paper, without the consent of the owners, raised the red flag. The fight was on, and within an hour after a corps of the Ringling billing crew was tearing down the Cole Bros.' stand. Another building where the Cole posters are in evidence bears the date of their rival's appearance. The "101 Ranch Wild West" is doing as well.

Variety, June 5, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Frienzo or Desperado, the fellow from the other side who ventured his life twice daily with the Buffalo Bill show at Madison Square Garden, has not yet received his salary for the ten days or so spent with the exhibition. On Tuesday of the second New York week, Desperado (renamed "Frienzo" by the Marinelli agency) slightly injured himself in making the long dive from near the roof to an inclined slide, on which he struck on his padded chest, gliding to the ground. A day or so afterwards, Desperado quit the thrilling attempt and the show. Later on, when calling for his salary, the venturesome foreigner was told he had no contract with the Buffalo Bill show; that his manager, H. B. Marinelli, had signed him to appear. Inasmuch as his manager had failed to fulfil his contract through his (Desperado) having given up performing, the fellow who had risked his life twice daily was informed the Wild West management construed such action as a breach of contract. In pursuit of this belief, Desperado learned the "Bill Show" was holding onto his salary as partial damages.
    The claim has been placed with Denis F. O'Brien, who was given to understand by Desperado he had no knowledge that Marinelli was his manager until informed by the show people. Desperado said he had engaged Marinelli as his agent. The agency brought him over here after having first imported "Gadbin, the Second" in a similar act, for the Barnum-Bailey Circus. Since Desperado left the Wild West, a Jap has been given the hair-raising feat from an improvised apparatus.

    Phildelphia, June 3. During the last week when the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill show exhibited here, there were many stories going about of discontented mutterings in the personnel of the organization. Even the purchase of Mrs. James A. Bailey's one-third interest by her former partners (Buffalo Bill and Major Lillie), and the ousting of Jos. McCaddon and Al Stewart (who represented Mrs. Bailey with the show) did not stop to talk. It was said that since Major Lillie (Pawnee Bill) assumed the business direction of the Wild West exhibition, he or members of his staff have clashed often with those on what is known as the "Buffalo Bill side."
    The friction between the Lillie management and Mrs. Bailey's representatives which culminated in an open conflict during the Brooklyn week of the show, is supposed to have brought about the purchase of Mrs. Bailey's share. Those employes who have been for a long time with the Buffalo Bill Wild West are becoming anxious of a general house-cleaning of the staff. They fear that Maj. Lillie, the new general manager, will replace a large portionof the staff next year if not before. Joe Harper, the former treasurer, was replaced Saturday night in Philadelphia by Charles Meagus, a former treasurer with the Pawnee Bill Show.

    It was said about New York this week that Pawnee Bill (Major Lillie) alone had purchased Mrs. Bailey's one-third interest in the show, giving the Major a two-thirds vote in the organization.

    Butte, Mont., June 3. It is on the card that there will be lively doings in Butte between now and the middle of July. The Sells-Floto Circus and the Ringling Brothers' show are both due to appear here withing two weeks of each other. The managers of the two organizations are bitter enemies. It has been stated that the Sells-Floto advance billers are followed by a permanent opposition brigade from the Baraboo magnates. The Sells-Floto paper had scarcely been posted announcing arrival July 16, when another set of billers swooped through the town hearlding to the public the coming of the Ringling show August 6. The warm enmity between the two shows promises plenty of "covering up" and even personal clashes between the two billing gangs.

    Boston, June 3. The Ringling Bros.' Circus is showing here this week. Notwithstanding the heavy preliminary expenses of opening in Boston, through the cost of securing the lot the show is on, the brothers ought to leave town with a lot of money in the surplus bag. There never has been a circus billed over the village like this one. It is said here the Ringlings were taught a lesson at the Madison Square Garden, New York, through the lateness and the meagreness of their "paper" in the metropolis for that engagement, which the combined family has taken to heart for "the road."

    Stockholders in the old Barnum & Bailey, Inc., were delighted this week to receive the last dividend on their stocks. The total payments reached nearly 10 shillings. When the concern first started upon the liquidation process (following its purchase by the Ringlings) it was estimated that the stock would return about 8 shillings. The stockholders say that the excellent returns received were due to the expert handling of the affair by Jos. McCaddon, who conducted the liquidation.
    When the Barnum & Bailey Co. was organized James A. Bailey gave to a number of his lieutenants large blocks of stock with the idea of perpetuating the staff. Dividends received for the first three years returned 55 per cent on the par value. The proceeds of the liquidation brought the sum up to about par value. Barnum & Bailey, Inc., at one time sold as high as 35 shillings. Those who bought then and held their stock recovered only about a quarter of the investment. But there has been a good deal of manipulation, and the stock in most cases passed through a great many hands. Some was bought as low as 7 shillings, and these purchasers made a profit on the final clearing up of the concern.

    Cincinnati, June 3. John G. Robinson, owner of the Robinson Ten Combined Shows, has purchased the Mundy Circus Company, owned and operated by Col. P. J. Mundy. The consideration was $20,000. The sale took place at Troy, Ohio. Col. Mundy, one of the oldest circus men in America, announced this week that he had retired permanently from the big top field, and would devote his time to the handling of his big farm at Jacksonville, Fla. The sale had been for some time in negotiation. By this transaction the Robinson Amusement Co., takes over all the equipment, menagerie and stock of the Munday organization and acquires the right to use the name. It has not yet been decided whether to handle the new property under its old name or bill it as a Robinson property.

    Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch" Wild West took Buffalo, N. Y., with a rush last week. This is the most easterly point the outfit has appeared in, although future bookings will bring it to the New England Coast. It has been declared that the Ponco City organization will enter Boston, which was passed by by the Buffalo Bill show. The Miller show is likely to get withing trolley car distance of New York.

    Philadelphia, June 3. The first permanent open-air exhibition this city has had in many years opened here last Monday. It is called the Hippodrome, and shows at the old American League baseball grounds. Although this city is tied up fast in the throes of the biggest street car strike in history, a crowd which filled every one of the 6,000 seats was on hand for the opening day and several hundred more clamored for admission. The performance started at 8:15 and moved rapidly with an excellent bill. There was a roomy stage for the vaudeville acts and a ring for the equestrians and clowns. Every act appeared to make good and the immense audience seemed delighted with all it saw. The bill included Rose Wentworth, bareback rider; Handy's "Dancing Dolls"; Marvelous Barlows; Five Musical Banyards; Toki Kitchies, Japanese Troupe; Mme. La Rosa, high school act, and Fred Bennett's troupe of clowns. The special feature was The Diving Nords.

    Buffalo, June 3. Just as Cole Brothers' circus train was pulling into the train yards here May 28 a mascot joined the menagerie in the shape of an infant camel. With an eye to local sentiment, press agent Corey announced that the newcomer would be christened "Buffalo," although that name is likely to confuse the superintendent of menagerie. The circus played to two good shows Saturday, the night performance witnessing a turnaway.

    The Sells-Floto Circus had two turnaways during four performances in Portland, Ore., last week. The newspapers speak with enthusiasm of the exhibition.

Variety, June 12, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    According to a story in circulation about New York this week, Maj. Gordon W. Lillie holds a pretty thorough control of the "Two Bills' Show." One who is in a position to know declares that Maj. Lillie, in addition to holding somewhat more than a half interest in the property, purchased from the Ringling Bros. while the show was at the Garden all the stock and equipment in the show. This included the cars and all the draught horses. These holdings are said to give Maj. Lillie a commanding interest in the show.

    Among the stands signed for by Eddie Arlington, contracting agent for Miller Bros. "101 Ranch" Wild West during the eastern trip appear in Rochester, Syracuse, Little Falls, Amsterdam and Troy, N. Y. Going into New England the show plays Pittsfield, North Adams, Springfield and Boston, Mass., returning thereafter to exhibit at Port Morris, White Plains, Yonkers, Peekskill and Schenectady. These stands between June 1 and August 1.

    The Ringling Circus is understood to have spent a profitable week in Boston. This was the first circus to show on the Franklin Square Depot ground, which had been converted into a circus lot at a cost reported at $10,000. Friday of the Boston week brought bad weather and the attendance was poor on that day of last week.

    Sydney, Australia, April 22. The recently returned St. Leon acrobatic troupe opened their big canvas last week at Liverpool, N. S. W. Honey and Cherry, American bar performers, are also with the show. Given a fair amount of luck, the new venture should prove, after a time, to be a worthy rival to Wirth's organization. The latter is now practically the only circus of note in Australia. An efficient opposition would be a great boon to frequenters of the tented field. Wirth Bros.' show leaves that city next week, and will inveigle the dollars from the country folk during the next four months. The new outfit will be minus all the European acts engaged some fifteen months ago. The circus will carry several of the old favorites, working new acts.

    Cape Town, South Africa, May 15. In Bloemfontein, Orange River Colony, South Africa, there is an open-air exhibition running under the billing of "Pawnee Bill's Wild West." The show paper declares that the performance faithfully depicts "life out west." This will probably be news to Maj. Gordon W. Lillie, the American Wild West showman.

    Both the Cole Brothers and the Ringling shows are billed for Utica, N. Y. The Cole outfit shows June 21 and the Ringlings June 29. Gollmar Brothers are in Butte, Mont., June 14, and the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show is there June 28.

    Springfield, Mass., June 10. Both Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" Wild West and the Ringling Bros.' Circus are billed for an appearance in this place. Preliminary announcements just printed give the Ringling date as June 21. The Miller show comes in June 11. Both have billed the city plentifully and are keeping pace in the amount of newspaper advertising. The Miller people make their strong advertising feature the statement that the show is a genuine Western organization, and its riders number 550. The Ringling press matter sets forth that the show carries 1,286 people and 650 horses.

    Milwaukee, Wis., June 11. Six hundred Elks here have made themselves into a committee to dispose of tickets for the coming Elks' Circus. The performance will be given by the Mackay European Circus, a Detroit organization, which opened there this week. The Detroit Elks sold 25,000 tickets in an advance sale. Milwaukee's lodgement will try to equal this record. The circus people are said to have agreed to come here on a contract which permits of cancellation after the first show.

    Cincinnati, June 10. Edward Cullen, veteran circus man, died here Sunday evening. For thirty-five years Cullen traveled with circuses in the United States. He recently retired from the big tops and was interested here in a transportation company. His last request was for Col. Jack Wilson, the bareback rider, for many years his intimate friend.

    Atlantic City, N. J., June 10. The law suit against the Buffalo Bill Wild West which, through the defense introduced by Major John Burke, resulted in the courts of Texas classifying the show as an education exhibition rather than a circus, saved the organization $250 in license fees here last Saturday. The City Council in May raised the circus license from $100 to $300. When the Ringling Circus arrived the management was able to show that it had signed contracts for the lot before the tax was advances and so were charged only the old fee. Upon the advent of the "Two Bills" aggregation the authorities demanded $300. Major Burke flashed the opinion of the Texas Solons and the show got off with at charge of $50. No parade was given.

    The Cole Bros.' Circus has just closed railroad contracts calling for the expenditure of $3,141 for a series of railway jumps in New York State. According to the contracts filed in Washington the several jumps must be made between June 1 and July 1. The stops include LeRoy, N. Y., East Buffalo, Auburn, Amsterdam, Pittsfield, Mass., Hudson, Herkimer, Watertown, Oswego, Medina and North Towanda.

Variety, June 19, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    One of the most complicated circus conditions of the season exists in Butte, Mont. In that big mining camp no less than four of the biggest tented organizations are billed for an appearance. Circus paper covers everything except the horizon. The list is: Gollmar Bros., June 14; Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, 28; Sells-Floto, July 18, and Ringling Bros., Aug. 6. In the east, besides an opposition fight in Buffalo, N. Y., among Cole Bros., Ringling and "101 Ranch," and the Miller and Ringling forces in Utica, both those outfits are due to play Fall River, Mass., Ringlings' June 17 and "101 Ranch" June 28.

    W. W. Powers is making his temporary headquarters in New York while contracting railroads for the Howard Damon Shows. He proposes to take out a winter circus at the end of this tour, using the Powers' elephants, now a feature of the Damon organization, as one of the attractions. "The show," said Mr. Powers this week, "will be a sort of society circus, playing, of course, indoors. I have already entered into negotiations for the lease of eight cars from Walter L. Main. The circus will be transported in these. Parades will be given daily in the various sections of the towns where the show makes a stand for a week or so. The parade wagons, band wagons and animal cages will be fitted with runners, so they may be readily transformed into sleds. There is no getting away from the fact that the circus parade is the feature that draws the people in. If the ordinary summer parade works as an advertising feature, surely the novelty of a parade in the show should be a big winner. In a tentative way I have laid out a complete season and a large number of stands have already been booked. The show will be billed exactly as a summer show, and the displays will be arranged with ring, platform and aerial features."

    Word has been received here that Walter L. Main, the circus man, has recently taken unto himself a bride. She is Louise Katherine Schneider, of Pittsburg, a member of a wealthy family. Mr. Main is closely upon fifty years old. The new Mrs. Main has seen 28 birthday anniversaries. W. W. Powers, the elephant trainer, for many years in the employ of the Main circus, acted as the best man at the wedding. The couple are now traveling in the east. After the honeymoon they will take up residence in Geneva, O., where the circus man has a fine home. Walter L. Main has not taken a circus on the road in two years, and in the newspaper reports of the wedding he was described as "the retired circus millionaire."

    Detroit, June 17. "Doc" Waddell, general agent for the Lambrigger Wild Animal Show, is the father of a new circus wrinkle this season. The outfit is playing an extended engagement here in the building of the Casino Amusement Co., a permanent structure, and the management proposes to fill in its time each year until the warm weather sets in in earnest playing this way.
    "Instead of opening under canvas," said Mr. Waddell, "we started our spring season this year indoors at Columbus. We played three weeks there to good business, coming to Detroit the last week in May for a month. This method makes it possible to avoid the bad spring weather which has caused the circuses of the country to lose large amounts of money in the last two years. The scheme has worked out so satisfactorily with us," continued the general manager, "that other circus managers have been attracted to it. I should not be at all surprised to see many of them adopt it next season, and several have intimated to me that they will try it out after their regular canvas season, playing hippodrome buildings and permanent 'halls' until well into the winter.
    "In a number of towns the moving picture men have been forced to assume leases upon amusement places in order to defeat possible competition. These buildings a large part of the time during the spring and fall are without attractions. The lessees welcome the advent of a circus organization to keep them occupied. In Detroit another tented organization has contracted to show in the Casino Co.'s place, and thus a new circus industry is under way."

Variety, June 26, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    It is reported by acts arriving from South African territory that Alec Clark and the Arizona Troupe, which took an American show down there, are now working with an entirely new organization, the original troupe having disbanded ans scattered after a disagreement.

    Several of the acts engaged with the circus and carnival taken out about a month ago by Ernest Cooke and M. R. Kunkely have retired from the engagement following the unsatisfactory business done by the show. Kunkely took over his 110-foot top in South Norwalk last week and a temporary outfit was secured from the Livingstons there. The show opened about a month ago in Arlington, N. J.

    Five of the cowboy riders with the Two Bills' Show are more or less indisposed as a result of sessions with the bucking bronchos. The show is now along the St. Lawrence River towns of Canada.

    Half a dozen big American circus acts have been engaged for the annual fair and circus at the Exposition grounds in Rio Janeiro. The show opens there Aug. 1 and will continue for eight weeks under the auspices of the local railroad company. A number of the acts booked for the show have also signed contracts giving the agents for the exposition an option upon eight further weeks of their time.

    The Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill shows will be the attraction at Riverview Exposition, Chicago, for four days commencing July 14.

Variety, July 3, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, July 1. An application by representatives of Carl Hagenbeck to restrain Ben Wallace from the use of his name in the billing of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, was refused in the Superior Court of Cook county this week. The court held that there was no occasion for a temporary injunction pending the trial of a damage suit. It was pointed out that Wallace was amply able to meet any verdict for damages, and inasmuch as he had been using the Hagenbeck name for two years, this was a late day to demand an emergency court order. The suit has been commenced and is expected to come to trial during the fall term.

    Washington, July 1. Railroad contracts filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission will bring the Trevino Circus into the southern States. This is the outfit which supplies Mexico with opposition against the Circo Bell, of which Dick Bell is the proprietor. Bell has pretty complete possession of the larger towns in the Central American republic, but Trevino is said to do very well in the smaller communities. The show seldom gets out of Mexico. This year it is routed for El Paso and half a dozen other towns in Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. The contracts call for the transportation of six cars.

    St. Louis, July 1. Arguments were heard Wednesday in the United States District Court on restraining order issued to stop the sale of Rice Brothers' circus. W. H. Pomeroy, an East St. Louis stock man, attached the show for $10,500. The sale to satisfy his claim was set for June 29. Another alleged creditor, a lithographing company, seeks, besides an injunction, to throw the circus into bankruptcy. Rice Bros.' was the first circus here this season and never got further than the East Side.

    Chicago, July 1. C. C. Wilson, railroad contractor for the Ringling Circus, left Chicago this week to be present at the auction of the Rice Brothers' Circus in St. Louis. He is commissioned to prevent the sale of the elephants with the Rice outfit as well as the animal dens. These parts of equipment were sold to the Rice and have not yet, it is declared, been payed for. Wilson will tie the property up in litigation if necessary.

    Chicago, July 1. Agents from several of the big shows are in town and report excellent business from their headquarters. Among the number are "Pink" Hayes, contractor of Miller Bros. "101 Ranch"; Ed. C. Warner, railroad contractor for the Sells-Floto show; Mike Nagee, general agent of the Barnum-Bailey forces; J. D. Newman, general agent for the "No. 2" Gentry outfit; Fred Gollmar, general agent for Gollmar Bros., and W. A. Tarkington, general agent for the Yankee Robinson Show.
    The inside gossip of the circus men, however, indicates that the season is not running as smoothly as it might for "Young" Johnny Robinson. The Robinson Ten Combined Shows has struck a good deal of rain in Pennsylvania. Beside the absence of "The Governor" his fine strategy is missing in the routine department, that having been handled this season by "Young Johnny," who has taken over the handling of the show.

    Chicago, July 1. Campbell Bros. have made a sudden change of route and turned away from Canadian territory. During their visit to the Dominion the Campbell Bros. were in hot competition with the Cole Bros. Circus and the continued fight of bill posters and advance forces decided them upon a change of country. The Cole outfit waged determined warfare on their opposition, sending out a strong opposition brigade to plaster "coming soon" paper in all the Campbell stands.

    Chicago, July 1. W. E. Franklin, general manager of the Sells-Floto Circus, is expected to arrive here on a business trip next week. The Sells-Floto outfit has contracted railroads for a southern trip this fall, commencing at Columbus, O., Sept. 6. At this point the circus touches upon the Norfolk & Western Railroad and it will continue toward the south along that line.

    Chicago, July 1. Edward C. Knupp, general agent of the Cole Bros. Circus, and Harry B. Potter, the acting general manager, left Chicago this week for Minneapolis. From there, if they follow present plans, they will move up to Winnipeg.

    For some unexpected reason the big circuses have dodged Maine this season. None of the larger organizations has attempted to invade the prohibition State. Frank A. Robbins, however, got into the State several weeks ago, and is said to have cleaned up a handome profit on the undisturbed territory.

Variety, July 10, 1909, pp. 12, 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    St. Louis, July 8. Whether enough can be saved to enable Rice Bros.' circus to resume is not known here. When the arguments on the restraing order in the United States District Court were heard last Wednesday, the point was raised that a circus is exempt from bankruptcy proceedings. Whether the point was well taken will remain in doubt, as the Federal court case was withdrawn and a private sale agreed upon. C. C. Wilson attached and took away two elephants, a tiger, two lions and other animals belonging to Ringling Brothers. The animals were loaned by the Ringlings, of whom Wilson is a representative. Most of the rest of the menageries was bought by W. P. Hall, Lancaster, Mo., and these together with the sale of other effects satisfied creditors.

    Chicago, July 8. Fred Buchanan is authority for the announcement that the Yankee Robinson Shows will be increased to a twenty-two car circus next season. New winter quarters for the circus are now being erected at Des Moines, Ia.

    Cincinnati, July 8. Last Friday at Milford, Joseph A. Lugar filed a petition in bankruptcy, stating his debts to be about $4,500 and assets $3,000. Lugar's action was brought about by the employees of a circus claimed to be owned by him attaching for salary due.

    On Wednesday of this week John Purvis, one of the oldest, if not actuall the oldest of circus clowns, celebrated his sixty-eighth birthday anniversary. Johnny, according to his own reckoning, has been an active "sawdust comedian" longer than any other performer in America. He started at the age of six years as an apprentice to Mme. Macart, mother of Fred Macart, the well-known animal trainer, clowning in the Macart & Clark show in England. His father was William Purvis, a scenic artist in London, and an uncle, "Billy" Purvis, was an immensely popular clown, particulary in the north of England. The family for several generations had been identified with the sawdust. Johnny played about in the tented shows in England gaining special fame as a "leaper." That was during the old days when the "leaps" were a strong feature of circuses. Elephants were not in use at that time and the custom was to line up a row of horses for the clowns and acrobats to jump over. Bob Stickney, father of the rider of that name, was playing in England then.
    Johnny came to this country in 1881, engaged as clown with the Adame Forepaugh Circus. Beside his clown turn he brought over a pair of trained donkeys, said to be among the first that appeared before American audiences. He remained with that organization for ten years, later becoming equestrian director. "I can think of no other circus clown now living," said Johnny, "who has been in active service as long as I have, unless, perhaps, it be Pete Conklin. Pete, however, was pretty well along as a youth when he entered the field. Besides that he has some time since retired,and is now interested in the 'Loop-the-Loop' enterprise in Coney Island. I think that my career has been longer than his." Johnny is still an active member of the profession. A week or so ago he appeared in the ring at the Flushing Society Circus in clown makeup and led the corps of amateur funmakers. Although close upon the "three score and ten" age he is a capable animal trainer and only recently broke a horse in for the use of one of the Jordan family in a "high-school" act.

    Chicago, July 8. The business of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus in the west did not over favorably compare with that the show did in the east, according to reports coming in. The two days the circus played Spokane, June28-29, were larger earners than the two days spent at Denver, but still the report says that on the second day of the Spokane stop, the Hagenback-Wallace tent was but two-thirds full.

    Huntington, W. Va., July 8. "Cherokee Ed," Baumeister's Wild West Show was held up here late last week almost smothered under a rain of attachment suits. Baumeister is a Louisville, Ky., man. In that city his wealth is estimated to reach a million dollars. His attorneys arrived here Saturday and the complication was straightened out.

    Chicago, July 8. If the "Two Bills" show has a successful engagement under canvas at Riverview Park during the four days the "Wild West" exhibition will play there, commencing July 14, it will undoubtedly lead to many tented organizations making the venture. It is an innovation in park management for a show of the Bill size, which carries 48 cars, to become a concession in an open air amusement resort, and the outcome of the Riverview stop is going to be looked forward to with much interest by showmen.
    For the four days previous to the 14th, the Bill show will hoist its tents opposite "White City." Under an agreement probably entered into with the "White City" management, the performance under canvas will run to but ten o'clock each evening in order that the park people can have a fling at the crowds the Bill troupe is expected to draw daily. The stand opposite "White City" commences Saturday, and upon the termination of the four days' stay, the "educational entertainment" will immediately transfer itself inside Riverside.

    The Four Londons, aerial act, promise that they will shortly have a sensational feat to show in their routine. At the practice quarters in Reading, Pa., they have successfully accomplished a "loop-the-loop," ending in a throw of the flyer to the opposite bearer, the flyer doing a "half-twister" in his course to the second catch. In practice the acrobats have worked "in the ropes." They declare, however, that they will be in shape to perform the feat without mechanical protection against accident by fall. The trick has never been attempted before an audience, according to a member of the Londons.

    Pittsburg, July 8. Last week, while the John Robinson Shows played Greenville, this State, about twenty men were discharged for drunkenness and incompetency. They had shortly before been taken on trial but fell down. A dispute as to the amount due following the discharge nearly led to a riot, but through the local administrator of justice the show produced $20 which liquidated the claims. On Friday at Warren, a rough rider named McKenzie, with the circus, was accidently shot in the side by a revolver in the wild west performance. McKenzie is in the Warren City Hospital. It is thought the will recover.

    Chicago, July 8. While the Cole Bros.' circus, carrying twenty-two cars back, and two in advance, was passing through Chicago last Sunday en route to Morris, Ill., a drawhead pulled out on one of the passenger coaches, necessitating the removal of the car to the shop. In the car were the outer clothing of all the artists, and when the circus arrived in Morris amid a downpour of rain, everyone was unprotected against the dampness. Although the business done by the circus in Morris on Monday was small, it was considered good in face of the storm.
    "The lucky boys," who follow up the Cole Bros.' show, did not operate at Morris Monday afternoon, although the apparatus was set up. It seems from reports that in Grace Park the other easy money men who held similar privileges, entered an objection against the "con men" with the circus working in the town on their preserves. This "holler" called everything off for the day, but the rain would have kept real money from showing anyway. Martin Downs, owner of the circus, is still ill. He is in a Toronto hospital now. Down's son, James, is handling the circus during his father's enforced vacation.

    Chicago, July 8. It is reported that the Norris-Rowe circus was in a wreck on Sunday last, with two or three people injured. No definite particulars have been received. The accident occurred in the northwest somewhere, probably in one of the Dakotas.

    Iowa City, Ia., July 8. This city has given free license and grounds to the Barnum-Bailey Circus, billed to appear July 23. The reason for the liberality may have been the opposition of the Cole Brothers' here, although the exact cause of the giveaway is unknown.

    Winnipeg, July 8. The town is still "sore" over the Barnum-Bailey Circus which played here Dominion Day. A local law forbids circuses appearing within ten days of an exposition. The circus agents persuaded the authorities to issue a license nevertheless, and the "Big Show" came in on the holiday, July 1. It looked so good to the tented management that prices were "boosted," and at that, the show hadn a turnaway. The newspapers went into hysterics over the affair, especially since the authorities were "conned" for the permit, and now it is advocated that a strict ordinance be passed to control the prices of all entertainments under canvas to be given here in the future.

    The Barnum-Bailey Circus returned to American soil late last week after a trip through Canada. On Dominion Day at Winnipeg the largest crowd ever assembled under the top was registered, with prices advanced to $1 for general admission, and $1.25 and $1.50 for the reserved seats. It is reported about the show that the route will lead back into Canada in September, the show playing Toronto and other stands. The Canadian tour is said to have turned out satisfactorily. On the way to Winnipeg only one performace (matinee) was given at Tamah, Little Falls and Devil's Lake.

Variety, July 17, 1909, pp. 12, 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, July 15. A one hundred and twenty foot top was ordered last week for the Dode Fiske show. It is using a hundred foot at present. Although in reality a circus, the Dode Fiske aggregation bill themselves as a "dog and pony show." Dode Fiske, who is here, reports good business.

    Des Moines, Ia., July 15. The Barnum-Bailey Circus arrived here this morning from Atlantic, after having experienced a "blow-down" in that town. A big wind storm arose at 9 o'clock last evening and struck the tented city with scanty warning. The big top withstood the pressure, but the artists' dressing room tent gave way and was blown flat. The wardrobe of the artists was in a great many cases entirely ruined, but none of the occupants of the enclosure was injured.

    Chicago, July 15. The Andy Mackay European Circus, organized to play for the Elks, Milwaukee, this week, opened in Detroit, June 29, and closed at the end of that week. The organization showed lack of funds on hand. It carried ten cars of stuff from W. P. Hall of Lancaster, Mo. The Elks had a tremendous advance sale, and at the last moment arranged with the Norris & Rowe outfit, showing in Milwaukee this week.

    Chicago, July 15. W. P. Hall, of Missouri, is quoted as saying that he has bought enough material from defunct shows to start a circus. Those in circusdom are under the impression that Hall will carry out the threat.

    Denver, July 15. The Fire and Police Board on Tuesday refused to issue license permitting the Ringling Brothers' circus to show in Denver on July 26, the date already billed. The reason given by the Board for this refusal was that the Ringling Brothers had ignored the orders of the Board by "covering the paper" of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus that had a previous date, but there may have been other reasons also.
    Following the decision of the Board, H. H. Tammen of the Denver Post and one of the owners of the Sells-Floto shows, an "opposition" circus to Ringling's, endorsed the action in these terms: "The Ringling Brothers' Circus is a great business organization; the "Standard Oil" of the tented show business. I have just bee reading an article explaining the very complete way in which the Ringlings have built their show as a money making concern, starting with the absorption of the Barnum-Bailey concern. They followed by taking Forepaugh-Sells, and they have continued that process until only two considerable shows now remain outside their trust, the Wallace-Hagenbeck and the Sells-Floto, in which latter I, my partner, F. G. Bonfisl and some other representative men of Colorado are stockholders. But in their anxiety to make money the Ringlings have lost control of the merely human end of the show business, and their advance agents of the road have discovered a thousand different varieties to a trick of covering a competitor's paper, for which they have been ruled out of Denver by the Fire and Police Board.
    "I know, because I have had to meet these methods myself. I met them first eight years ago, when I started the dog and pony show, from which the Sells-Floto Circus has developed. The Ringlings had a big concern, and my dog and pony show was a small concern, but they looked upon me as a competitor; they covered my paper; they would tell a farmer whose barn I had hired for advertising that I had 'busted,' so that they might stick their bills over mine, and in their gree for money and monopoly there was no trick that they wouldn't stoop to. But they can have all that," continued Mr. Tammen, "and, as a matter of circus business we can meet them and fight them. The interesting thing and the humorous thing about it to me is that the Ringlings in their greed for money, in their ambition for more bigness, have created an organization that they cannot control. These brothers are a band of moral young men; everybody knows that, because they themselves have admitted it. Their financial machinery is as exact as a cash register, but they go about the country with an aggregation of twelve hundred people and after twelve hundred follow a band of camp followers that the police of our cities are unable to take car of.
    "For instance, in Lynn, Mass., the Ringlings showed on June 7. Next day seven criminal offenses had been reported to the police of that town; of course, the Ringling Brothers don't want those things to happen. They want them not to happen. They want the moral atomosphere of the show to be as nickelplated as its financial machinery, but they cannot deliver the goods. The job has gotten beyond them. Their agents bribe municipalities, evade the payment of 75 per cent of their proper license fees, cover the paper of other shows in defiance of police orders, as they did in Denver, and after their agents and the circus is the gang of criminals and toughs. I am sorry for the Ringlings," said Mr. Tammen; "they are nice young men, moral young men, ambitious young men, so greedy for money and monopoly that they cannot see anything else in the world; but the job has gotten away from them, and Denver is not the only western city that will refuse them a license.
    "And now it has come to this: It's not competition I fear, but the record they leave behind them that the Ringlings deplore but can't prevent, which is injuring the advance arrangements of the only two independent circuses in the country. The Ringlings will be stopped from giving a show as well in other western cities, among them Seattle and Spokane, and I'm the man responsible for it all." A representative of the Ringlings in the city says the matter will be taken to the courts, and that the barred circus proprietors will go the limit to secure an entrance there.

    From all indications the Barnum-Bailey Circus is to shortly head back to Chicago, where it opened its season to indifferent business. According to contracts recently filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission, the show gets into Chicago about Aug. 1. The contracts on the Chicago & Northwestern name eleven stops between Aberdeen, S. D., July 5, and Elgin, July 31. This route is pieced out with a list of movements on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, within the same period. Besides the fact that the Barnum-Bailey outfit has played Chicago this season, the Buffalo Bill Wild West has appeared since its departure. The Big Show got into Des Moines July 15, preceding the Two Bills' by about a month. The Ringling property also plays Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in advance of the Cody-Lillie outfit. At the opening of the circus season the frequency with which the Wild West followed the Ringling show in the east caused a good deal of comment among circus people, recalling the unhappy trip along the Pacific Coast last season, when both shows paraded through the territory, and the Ringlings just in advance of the Wild West.

    J. D. Newman, general agent of the No. 2 Gentry Show, according to rumor, will be associated with the Ringlings next season.

    Washington, July 15. Contracts with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad to transport six empty cars from the Ringling Circus to Baraboo, recently filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington, have aroused the suspicion that the circus magnates are cutting down their equipment. In the consignment are two box cars, one passenger car and three flats.

    Chicago, July 15. W. L. Clark has given up the railroad for his show and has returned to wagons. The show is now in the west.

    Des Moines, Ia., July 15. Sylow, the clown with the Barnum-Bailey Circus left the show at Aberdeen, N. D., following an attempt by the management to cut his salary for the remainder of the tour. Sylow refused to accept a reduction. The stand at Sioux City was skipped by the circus, a cloudburst having flooded the town. The previous stand at Sheldon, Ia., had a heavy thunderstorm after the matinee, leaving the grounds in poor condition for the night show. The last wagon did not leave Sheldon lot until eight o'clock the next morning. The jump from Sheldon was made direct to Lincoln, Neb., following the eclipse of Sioux City. The train did not make Lincoln until late Sunday night.

    The Howard Damon Shows are this year taking the recognized circus lane coming north from Pennsylvania towns and including the Atlantic Coast seaside resorts and other Jersey summer recreation places. They change from the C. R. R. of N. J. to the West Shore, floating around from Jersey City to Weehawken.

Variety, July 24, 1909, pp. 12, 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, July 22. The Tammen-Ringling Bros. dispute over the entrance of the Ringling Circus into Denver will be threshed out in the United States Circuit Court tomorrow (Friday), when argument will be heard on the Ringling Bros.' application for an injunction restraining the mayor from further interference with the Ringling Show's appearance here. The circus magnates aver that Tammen and the Mayor are in unlawful collusion to lock the Ringling show out of Denver, their relations in this matter amounting, so the application alleges, to a conspiracy. The entire city is aroused over the refusal of license to Ringling Bros.' circus to show here July 26.
    The Ringlings' attorney, John Kelley, of Chicago, arrived here to handle the legal end of the controversy. He says that the show will pitch its tents and will show as advertised. A writ of mandamus restraining the city from interfering with the performance has been applied for. Never in the history of the city has so much newspaper space been devoted to a circus. They are betting ten to one in the poolrooms that the circus will be given on its scheduled date, in spite of The Denver Post and Tammen & Bonfils, owner of that paper and the Sells-Floto Shows, the Ringling opposition.

    The Howard Damon Shows, according to performers who were with the organizaton, and who returned to New York this week, has given up its tour. The show stopped at Allentown, Pa., one day last week, and the managers informed the artists with the outfit that unless they wanted to accompany the train to Geneva, O., wither it was headed without stop, they might as well get off and pack up their property in the train yard. It is said that several of the acts accepted this invitation, and after the train moved on found themselves stranded many miles from Broadway and without sufficient funds to reach home.
    Powers' Elephants made one of the displays in the Damon Shows. It is common circus knowledge that these elephants are the property of Walter L. Main, the Ohio circus operator, and there are not a few who believe that the Damon outfit was a Main property sent out under a new name. Other circus men declare that Main had nothing to do with the show outside of renting it a certain amount of paraphernalia and equipment.

    There is a fine spirited race on between the Ringlings and Hagenbeck circuses to get into the good western cities first. So far honors seem to be with the Easterners. The Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit is billed to appear in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 26, while the "trust" (Ringling Bros.'s) circus goes in Aug. 2. Both shows are doing lavish billing in the home of the Mormons.

    Circus people in New York are watching the route sheets of the big circuses with a good deal of interest just now. Their deductions ("deductions" are the best the New York crowd get these summer days) are all to the effect that the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit is working into a position from which it can make a quick sally into Texas and the southwest in advance of the Ringling Shows. There is some fine chess work going on, it is said, between the general managers of both shows. Each wants to remain in a position to beat the other into the south and southwest at the first indication of a move in that direction by the opposition. At the same time both managers want to play profitable territory until the instant when a jump south seems expedient.
    Looking over the routes the "wise" circus people in New York give the advantage so far to the independent show, which this season has scored more than one victory against its powerful opponent, of give-and-take as played in the west this summer is that the enmity between W. E. Franklin and R. M. Harvey (the emnity being, of course, purely of a business nature) has been lost in the common fight of the two indepent circuses (Hagenbeck-Wallace and Sells-Floto) against their mutual enemy, the Ringling Bros., all three having been in more or less close opposition in the northwest within the past few weeks.
    Franklin, it will be remembered, dropped the post of general manager with the Sells-Floto show to take up a similar position with the Ben Wallace outfit, Harvey taking up the vacancy. This exchanege stimulated a wholesome rivalry between the two independent general managers. Left to a fight between themselves there would have been a pretty row in the far western country which both have recently visited, but when the Ringlings entered as a third party to a family feud, the two locked arms and worked together against the mutual enemy.

Variety, July 31, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, July 29. The application made on behalf of the Ringling Brothers in the U. S. Court last Friday to prohibit the city from interfering with the exhibition the Ringlings intended giving here on Monday was dismissed, the court saying it had no juristiction. Barred from within the limits of Denver, the Ringling circus showed at Englewood, about seven miles from the city. The street car service is 36 minutes. There was no local population to draw from. In the morning the circus attempted to send a band through the city in a street car, but the police prevented. Nothing else of importance happened around the city or at the lot as far as has been learned. The first section of the circus reached Petersburg Sunday night at seven, with a mile and a half haul over hard roads to the stand.
    The circus did a record-breaking business in spite of the fact that it rained a few hours before the show. Never before in the local history of the circus business has such crowds visited a lot in this city. The unprecedented amount of free advertising received by the circus on account of the city not issuing a license caused thousands of people who never attended a circus to emigrate to Englewood. Shortly after the afternoon performance the evening crowd started to gather, and long before the doors opened the lot was crowded with people. The car service was inadequate. Somehow the news leaked out that there would not be sufficient cars to carry the crowds to the grounds, and vehicles of every description were called into service, bakery wagons, express carts and moving vans being in predominance. Taxi cabs and automobiles by the hundreds wended their way to the grounds, and for the seven miles from the heart of the city to the grounds there was a stream. It looked like a big parade.
    Every car carrying passengers was crowded to suffocation, and dozens of men and boys sat on top of the cars. Thousands of people lined the sidewalks watching the mobs. The afternoon performance was given to a packed tent. Denver doesn't often get to see an attraction that has had as much notoriety given it as has the Ringling show, and it will be a long time before they forget the sensation caused by the advent of the circus.

    Chicago, July 29. Showmen now in Chicago - and it must be remembered that that classes pretty much all the showmen not actively engaged at this season - regard the rumor of Ben Wallace's retirement from the show business with suppressed laughter. It is common knowledge here that he has signed contracts re-engaging R. M. Harvey as his general agent for two years more. Beside that J. P. Fagan's contract with the show was for two years, and has another year to run. That, according to the wiseacres, settles the show for another year at least. Quite outside of these arrangements the idea of Wallace, one of the shrewdest showmen in the big top business, in which he has amassed a fortune, retiring is hailed with loud noises expressing disbelief.

    Late last week it was reported that Joe Miller had left the "101 Ranch" after the Portchester (N. Y.) stand, and had started back to Ponco City, Okla., with the intention of picking up 50 more bronchos from the big ranch and bringing them east with a corps of riders. The idea seems to be that the Miller Bros. are so thoroughly pleased with the showing they have made in New England and North Atlantic territory that they are willing to spend more money this season. "Zack" Miller, one of the managers, is reported to have declared that the "101 Ranch" outfit was so thoroughly satisfied with its eastern trip that the same country would be covered next season, and (this with a reservation as to possibilities of getting in) if there was any way to do it, the "101 Ranch" organization would come into New York City next year.
    It was the opinion of expert showmen that if they tried this experiment they would have to content themselves with a stand in the Bronx or some point north, it being accepted by circus operators that a tented outfit will not be permitted to come into Manhattan Island by the fire department and Mayor's office. The "101 Ranch" plant is said to have made money during the Boston stand of a week. After leaving the Hub they drew satisfactory audiences in almost all their stands. In Portchester, N. Y., the grandstand overflowed and spectators were seated in the arena. The report is supplemented by the rumor that one of the Brothers is contemplating a trip to Europe next November. What the purpose of this journey is has not yet been made plain, but the circus folk in New York have a keen suspicion either that the Millers will bring over an important feature or that they are looking the field over as the ground for possible invasion. The addition of a "Congress of Rough Riders" is not at all unlikely; it is surmised.

    Grand Forks, N. D., July 29. The Grand Forks Herald printed a story to the effect that Fred Buchanan, proprietor of the Yankee Robinson Show, has made a demand upon that paper for a retraction of the charge that there had been trouble while the circus played Westhope, caused by the "grafting" games which accompanied the circus, it was claimed. The Herald says Buchanan denies absolutely that there is any grafting adjunct to his circus, and points to the fact that his show is transported by the Great Northern R. R. as proof, that road carrying no fraudulent concerns. Buchanan says but one show was billed for Westhope and that in the afternoon, so there was no cancellation of the evening performance as the Herald article stated. The Herald says it will fully investigate the source of the information received by it on the Westhope affair, which came in through usual news channels, and publish the result, regretting if an injustice had been done by it to the circus or management.

    Chicago, July 29. One of the most interesting items of circus gossip in Chicago this week was the report that Oliver Scott, general agent, and George Aiken, railroad contractor, and both old-time adherents of "Gov." Robinson, had abandoned their advance work long enough to go back to the show and demand of "Young Johnny" Robinson, who has taken over the "Ten Combined," assurances as to certain particulars in the handling of the show, declaring that unless they were satisfied they would abandon their posts. "Young Johnny" is said to have met with the dissatisfied agents and shown them the figures proving that the independent concern had not up until a few days ago shown a profit.

    Seattle, July 29. Though an attempt had been made through the Chamber of Commerce and the Exposition to have the city authorities refuse a license for the Ringling Brothers Circus to exhibit here Aug. 19-20, one was issued by the Comptroller last Saturday. The circus paid $600 for two days, besides $40 for two side shows. A $500 bond was filed with the Health Department. It is claimed that the tent will hurt the Exposition badly while it remains in town.

    Chicago, July 29. The Yankee Robinson Circus has on its staff a "manager of Car No. 2" in the person of F. M. S. Ridge. The Yankee Robinson has no such institution as "Car No. 2," nor has it any advance brigade which could be classified under such a head. What the Y. Robinson concern actually has is the possession of an advance car once operatied by the Lemon Bros. Show. However, a "No. 2" car is now lying up in the Des Moines freight yards, and it would occasion no surprise if it started out shortly with Ridge in charge.

    Chicago, July 29. The Sells-Floto Circus did very well in Duluth Monday, following the Barnum-Bailey show into that town. Circus people are wondering how it happened that the independent organization got into the lake town just after the Big Show without resorting to "opposition billing." The Sells-Floto scheme of no opposition billing seems to work satisfactorily, for the show is reported to have played to more than $5,000 on the day in Duluth. The Tammen aggregation gave up the plan of playing Milwaukee upon learning that the Norris-Rowe outfit had made the town for a week. Tammen's forces will, however, play a number of cities around Chicago, including Waukegan, Gary, Chicago Heights and Hammond.

Variety, August 7, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Ill., Aug. 5. The sensation of the year in circusdom is the "opposition" which has recently developed between the Buffalor Bill and Pawnee Bill show and the Barnum and Bailey circus. For several years there has been a working agreement between the Ringling Brothers and Buffalo Bill. When Maj. Lillie took the management of the "Two Bills" show there was no intimation that the same arrangement would not remain in effect. The "Bill show" "followed" the Ringling circus in the east and while there was a disposition to keep abreast of the times, there was no indication of a break with what is known as the "circus trust" until the "Wild West" reached Chicago.
    The innovation sprung by Louis E. Cooke, who put the "Bill show" into Riverview Exposition was not looked upon favorably by the Ringlings, if rumor is right, and other matters led to a break which has been evidenced in different ways. When "Kid" St. Clair's opposition brigade was jumped from the Northwest to Kansas, circus agents asked who was to feel the iron hand of the trust, and when inquiry showed that Buffalo Bill was ahead of the Barnum show in that territory the secret was out. Col. Cooke is on the road, though he maintains an office at the National Show Print here. When his representative was asked concerning the "split," he replied: "You are trying to pump me, eh?" Riverview is announcing the "ads" that another surprise can be expected. It is believed that a circus will exhibit there within a few weeks.

    Chicago, Aug. 5. An ambitious young man named Becket tried his hand at contracting for the Sells-Floto show recently. He "made" Bloomington, Ind., and somehow contracted the town for Aug. 14 instead of Aug. 16. This ended his career as a contractor. The Sell-Floto organization exhbits at Bloomington Aug. 16, and the Hagenbeck-Wallace show will be there Aug. 31. These two circuses also have opposition at Brazil, Ind. A newspaper which commented upon the fight stated that W. E. Franklin "learned the business under Ben Wallace." Mr. Franklin would not admit as much, and other showmen do not allege such a thing.

    The plans for launching the Forepaugh-Sells show are being held up just now. The Ringling forces find their time occupied with other matters.

    Superior, Aug. 5. The Sells-Floto show did $2,900 here, considered good for this town. Hagenbeck-Wallace did less than $2,000 last season.

    Chicago, Aug. 5. The Ringling Brothers lost Laramie, Wyo. July 30, being held up at the Wyoming State line by officers, who inspected all of the stock in accordance with the State law.

    Col. Charles Seeley, joint owner and general manager of the "Great Bay State Circus," a wagon show playing through Massachusetts, is in New York, registered at the Hotel Avon. It is understood that the Bay State organization has disbanded. Oscar Lowande was interested in the property, which had a whole summer's bookings in Massachusetts. For the greater part of the season Lowande remained back with the show while Col. Seeley worked the advance. Disagreements arose between the joint owners and they agreed to give up the tour. It is said that the outfit will be sold.

    Chicago, Aug. 5. In spite of rainy weather the Norris & Rowe tour of eastern Canada opened with every indication of success. Arch Donaldson, of the Donaldson Lithographing Company, recently exhibited three notes of $750 each which the show has paid since Milwaukee, and a new edition of paper has been commenced upon, which is taken to mean that paper bills were paid before an attempt was made to lift the notes.

    During his visit to New York last week Joe Miller, of the Miller Bros., declared that the "101 Ranch" Wild West was returning toward home after its first invasion of Atlantic coast territory with a substantial profit. His way of expressing it was "We have made enough money in the east to burn a wet mule.

    Chicago, Aug. 5. The Gollmar Brothers' exhibit at Waukegan, Ill., shortly and having a "shut-out" with the Northwestern were surprised when the Sells-Floto show arranged with the Belt Line to make that town five days in advance of the Gollmar date. On top of this the Association has forbidden the Waukegan bill poster from posting the Gollmar paper because that show failed to sign the agreement this spring.

Variety, August 14, 1909, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    John Ringling hit the highway of New York on Tuesday. To a Variety representative Mr. Ringling said the reports of any differences between Ringling Brothers and the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill Wild West were wrong. He attributed the routing which might have caused the report to the conditions in which the Wild West found itself opposed by the opposition western outfit traveling about, and said that in some towns where the Ringlings had their paper first posted, the Bill show had to remain off. Asked about the business for the season, Mr. Ringling replied: "This will be the best circus season we have ever had. The country is wealthy, and money is flowing freely. The shows during the winter should make a lot of money." On Wednesday Mr. Ringling left for Toronto. From that point he goes to Seattle, where the Ringling Brothers' circus shows Aug. 19-20.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. The fight between the "The Two Bills" and the Barnum show is the principal topic of conversation among circus people. It is learned that the "Bills" will reach many of the larger towns of the southeast in advance of the Barnum show. This is interesting inasmuch as the Ringling and Barnum shows have had the preference in the routing for several years past, and Buffalo Bill also always found that where two of the shows made the same point he must follow the circus.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. The circus season of 1910 promises to be the best enjoyed by tented enterprises in a decade. Although there were some discouraging reports in the early spring the business done in May, June and July warrented the conclusion that the year will be a very profitable one for circus managers, despite the summer parks not prospering to a great extent, and other branches of the amusement business not showing those healthy signs which encourages the investment of additional capital.
    The Ringling Brothers have had a uniformly big business on the road. The Barnum show has had a remarkably big season. The Hagenbeck-Wallace show did big early in the year and has had a fine business in the larger towns far west, although the small cities have not given the enterprise big money. "Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill" did exceptionally well at many points in the east and poor at some places, but the small cities of the middle west are proving profitable. The Sells-Floto show brags that business has been big where the people were, which leads to the inference that the small towns have been disappointing. Other shows have prospered with the exception of the John Robinson, Campbell Brothers and the Sun Brothers. While business has not been so very bad with these enterprises it has not been "big" according to the best reports which reach Chicago.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. When the Sells-Floto show exhibited at Waukegan Friday a number of circus people witnessed the performance for the first time. The Sells-Floto show being new in this section and having figured largely in the circus news of the last few weeks showmen were anxious to pass upon its merits. C. C. Wilson, of the Ringling Brothers, said such a representative crowd of agents had never before been on a lot at one time to his knowledge.
    Those present were: Ed Knupp, general agent of Cole Brothers; John Ringling and C. C. Wilson, of the Ringling and Barnum shows; Fred Gollmar, Fred Morgan and C. D. McIntire, of the Gollmar Brothers; W. O. Tarkington, general agent of the Yankee Robinson show; J. D. Newman, general agent of the Gentry Brothers, and Herbert S. Maddy, of the Rhoda Royal winter circus. W. E. Franklin, general manager of the Sells-Floto show, entertained the visitors. H. H. Tammen was one of the reception committee.

    Toledo, Aug. 12. J. D. Newman, general agent of the Gentry Show No. 2, was here recently in conference with H. B. Gentry, and the rumor is that Newman will not be connected with the Gentry enterprises next season. He is reported to have several splendid offers. It is said "Jake" Newman has been selected for general agent with the "Two Bills" Wild West next season. Mr. Newman was with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus as railroad contractor for one season. Last year he attempted to handle both the "No. 1" and "No. 2" Gentry shows. This season he was assigned to the "No. 2" Gentry circus.

    Howe's Great London show is playing three weeks in Vermont to big business. The circus has the territory exclusively as none of the larger shows touched that State.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. The hottest circus opposition of years is now on in Oklahoma. Four big shows play Shawnee and McAlester in that little State within three weeks. "101 Ranch" got its opposition forces there first, with the Barnum-Bailey circus second. Hagenbeck-Wallace followed, and "The Two Bills" struck the storm centre of the season last. There has been so much opposition to the Barnum-Bailey outfit that Kid St. Clair is now five days behind his wires to move. "101 Ranch" followed "The Two Bills" into Detroit Monday and Tuesday, but showed on a different lot. Business with them was big.

    The "Two Bills" show will make its winter headquarters for '09-'10 at Trenton, N. J., according to a report this week.

    Kansas City, Aug. 12. F. M. Bonfils, part owner of the Sells-Floto circus, is negotiating for the purchase of the Hippodrome. Bonfils has extensive interests here, and is said to be among the heaviest tax payers.

    Denver, Aug. 12. Mayor Crittenden of Kansas City has signed an ordinance passed by the City Council denying Barnum and Bailey the right to show in or parade there on Labor Day, a date the circus is billed at Kansas City for. Samuel McCracken for the circus appeared before the Council and the Mayor in vain. The ordinance was introduced and passed at the behest of the local labor organization.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. W. P. Hall, who has been buying a great deal of circus property of late, will organize and send a tent show south this fall. It will probably be named "The Pan American," as "paper" bearing that title is obtainable. The circus will be organized at Lancaster, Mo. E. L. Brennen will be general agent.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. Rhoda Royal was here Sunday conferring with his agents C. B. Fredericks and Herbert S. Maddy. The indoors circus will open at Memphis, Tenn., under the auspices of Al Chymia Temple Shrine, where the season began last winter. W. O. Tarkington, general agent of the Yankee Robinson show, and Bert Loveridge, manager of "Car No. 3" of the Ringling Brothers, will be with the Rhoda Royal advance this winter. All of the agents will be Shriners, as the circus plays the most of the season under these auspices.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. The John Robinson show goes into Oklahoma on Friday of this week. It is believed the circus arrives there too early to have big business outside of the oil towns, which are good at any time.

    Chicago, Aug. 12. The Cole Brothers ended a very successful Canadian tour yesterday and re-enters the States, exhibiting at Kenmare, N. D., today. Business was exceptionally large at a few stands in Canada.

Variety, August 21, 1909, p. 18. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Following a series of disasters culminating in the escape of a tiger into the bull ring at Monterey, Mexico, Trevino has given up his show in that country where he is Dick Bell's principal opposition. Trevino himself has left the outfit, after telling the artists that they might have the equipment and run the show on the commonwealth plan if they chose. The tiger escape, according to a member of the show, was a most senstional affair. . . . The scare ruined the night performance and Trevino decided to close. Unless the acts decide to take the show on the commonwealth plan, the top and equipment will go into storage at Monterey. Last week was a hard one for the show. First the bull got away, then the tiger, and finally a boy wire-walker fell and fractured his skull. This was the night performance following the tiger escape. Many of the people with the show remain unpaid and at the time of mailing the last letter from Monterey to New York, Trevino could not be found.

    Chicago, Aug. 19. The Hagenbeck-Wallace and Sells-Floto shows had opposition at three Indiana stands. George Choffin got into Brazil first and the Sells-Floto had the best of it. Honors were about even at Bloomington, but Hagenbeck-Wallace won out at Vincennes. The men on Dave Jarrett's car have done some good work in Indiana. "Pop" Wright, the boss bill poster (who has been with W. E. Franklin for fifteen years), has been reporting from 2,000 to 3,000 sheets of paper daily. Mr. Jarrett is a near-press agent now. He calls on the newspapers and gets a "boost" for the car and the Armour horses.

    Chicago, Aug. 19. E. P. Brennan, general agent of W. P. Hall's Pan-American Circus, stole a march on the Gollmar Brothers, for his first official act, contracting some towns in Kansas on the Santa Fe that the other show intended to make. A check for the transportation was made out as it is the custom when a unknown show takes the road.

    The first of the acts playing for the Ringling Brothers' circuses this season to be re-engaged for next year is Cliffe Berzac. Berzac has two acts with the Barnum-Bailey show, both comedy numbers with an "unridable" mule. Mrs. Berzac works one; her husband the other. John Ringling made the engagement direct through the Marinelli office, that agency having also placed Berzac for the winter season over the United time.

    A denial comes from Geneva, O., that Walter L. Main has any intention of entering into a partnership with Jones or W. P. Hall to conduct a circus. "Mr. Main," so runs the denial, "is retired at his ome here. He has his farm and home to look after, and is extensively engaged in the buying and selling of show property. If Mr. Main ever does start a circus it will be under the Main banner and name, and he will be the sole proprietor. This has been his custom since 1886."

    Chicago, Aug. 19. Edward Arlington, general agent and part owner of the "101 Ranch Wild West," has cut out Ottawa, Ill., for Aug. 23, and will exhibit at Morris, instead. The mayor of Ottawa demanded a license fee of $75 and 25 tickets, or else $25 and 75 reserved seat tickets. Mr. Arlington viewing this extortion, changed towns. Cole Brothers played Morris on July 4, but it was a rainy day and the country people could not come in. The only other shows of any size which have ever made the town are the Great Wallace (before it was Hagenbeck-Wallace) and Gollmar Brothers.

    Chicago, Aug. 19. Many of the circuses are short of workingmen. Cole Brothers and the John Robinson show have suffered particularly on this account. Property men and drivers have been "coming and going," according to a report from the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, and the enterprise is said to be short about ten property men at present.

    Chicago, Aug. 19. John and Al Ringling have gone so far as to engaged at least one act for the Forepaugh-Sells show next season. Contracts have been signed, according to an authority which carries weight.

    A report reached New York this week that Collier's Dog and Pony Circus which has for some time been traveling through the maritime provinces of Canada, had given up the ghost. The show was in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.

    Several acts have returned to New York after having traveled to Detroit to open there with the Meyer Circus for a week's engagement for the local Elks. They claim that although they were given contracts for six weeks, the show never got beyond Detroit and that the acts were not paid for that week. One of the victims was Alba's Polar bears.

    Last week while the Sparks circus was showing at Glen Cove, Long Island, a tent caught fire during the afternoon performance. One of the lion cages was tipped over in the ensuing excitement. Although the crowd became very panicky, no one was injured, and the damage was slight.

    The Lindemans will not be in vaudeville the coming winter but will devote the time between circus seasons to working up a big "return" act.

    Chicago, Aug. 19. The Gollmar Brothers' show is back up in Wisconsin after doubling around so that it made several stands near Chicago. Business at Waukegan, where it followed the Sells-Floto show, was about the same as its opposition's, but Fred Gollmar says he played the town to $800 less expense than the Denver show. Gollmar Brothers had no billing in town except banners and newspapers. At Belvidere last Thursday afternoon the tent was comfortably filled and the performance remarkably good. Gollmar Brothers have a 22-car show. The program is so well arranged that it is worthy of attention from rival managers, especially when the daily expense is considered. . . .

Variety, August 28, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, Aug. 26. H. H. Tammen, part owner of the Sells-Floto Circus, declared this week that if the Ringling Bros. sent out the Forepaugh-Sells show again, he would institute legal proceedings to prevent the name of Sells appearing in the billing. Said Mr. Tammen: "We have just gotten out a new 28-sheet bill. This features the Sells Bros. and the Sells Family. The facts in the case are that we won the Sells' title. It came into our possession through a legal instrument of conveyance.
    "The Ringling Bros., with their own show and the Barnum-Bailey property, as the circus world is fully aware, are doing their level best to make opposition and the operation of a circus as disagreeable as possible for us. We have for seven years gone on in our peaceful way and have grown quite satisfactorily, but their opposition has become so unfair, as we believe it, that we propose to protect ourselves. Recent announcements made are to the effect that they propose to put the Forepaugh-Sells show on the road as a special circus in opposition to us, and that they intend to emphasize the Sells name. If they do we propose legally to contest their rights to use the Sells title in any form, and this poster is our beginning to emphasize that we not only own the name, but we intend to use it and prevent them from doing so through the intervention of the courts."

    The circus men in New York are wondering whether the Ringling Brothers will deplete their two present big shows to form the revived Forepaugh-Sells circus next season. The principal theory upon which the circus people seem to hazard this line of reasoning is that the railroads are commencing to object to the size of the larger circus trains as too unwieldy to handle. The transportation companies are said to have asked the Ringlings to consider this point in their make-up of the Barnum-Bailey and Ringling Brothers' shows for next season. What more likely, say old circus men, than that the Ringlings with the complaint of the railroad men in their ears, and a keen insight into the economical side of the proposition should tabulate the resources of the two circuses, building up the third equipment without impairing the efficiency for general approval, of the present large organization?

    The opposition which gave promise of developing in the southwest between Barnum & Bailey, "101 Ranch" and the "Two Bills" shows bears early fruition. Commencing Labor Day, Sept. 6, matters will tighten up and in preparation for the inevitable the three shows are slinging paper with all possible haste throughout Kansas and Oklahoma.

    When the Barnum & Bailey Show was legislated out of Kansas City by the local government they switched their St. Joseph and Kansas City dates and will play St. Joe on Labor Day. Previous to this move "101 Ranch" had slated St. Joe for its Labor Day stand, but the "Big Show" agents cinched the most available lot so the Miller Brothers decided to slip across the State line to Leavenworth. For the first time since Buffalo Bill has been home from his last European trip and for the first time since "101 Ranch" has been upon the road, direct and town-for-town opposition will center in Leavenworth, for the "Two Bills" play there Sept. 11.
    But Buffalo Bill is sure to put it pretty well over the Oklahoma show, for it was out of Leavenworth that he began operations upon the plains when, in his "teens," he started carving his name upon the tablets of notoriety. The "Two Bills" strike Kansas City a week after the Barnum & Bailey Show and in Topeka and Salina they are in opposition with the Ringling Brothers' newest piece of circus property. On down through Oklahoma, as well as a few more towns in Kansas, the "Two Bills," "101" and the Barnum Shows will spend the greater part of September in vigorous opposition.

    Louis E. Cooke, general agent for the "Two Bills," has practically given up his desk room with the National Pringing Co. in Chicago, from whence he has directed the advance forces of the "Wild West and Far East" practically all summer. He will move into closer touch with the scene of opposition action at the front, and, as is his usual custom, adopt a central town in the south as his headquarters during the remainder of the tour of the "Two Bills."

    The Great Bay State Shows instead of utterly abandoning its tour of the R. F. D. towns of New England simply hesitated, it seems. Now it is located at Wonderland Park, Boston, peacefully and placidly whiling away the declining season while its more pretentious rivals are getting into the thick of opposition down in Dixie. Col. Seeley is in New York, willing to meet anybody more than halfway with a proposition to buy out his share, while Oscar Lowande reigns supreme in Boston.

    Chicago, Aug. 16. Circuses were forced to pay $25 a ton for hay when in the northwest. Hay can be bought here for $10 a ton. It was a dispute concerning the price of hay which led to Harry Curtis quitting the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, of which he was 24 hour man. He is now assistant to W. E. Ferguson, general agent of the Norris and Rowe show.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. Late reports from Oklahoma are that the State doesn't look good. This is disappointing, especially as nearly all of the circuses had planned to make it this fall.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. W. P. Hall paid a visit to the Hagenbeck-Wallace show down in Missouri recently, "swapped" some horses with B. E. Wallace, and stated that the rumor that he would send a show south was well founded.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. It was impossible to see John W. Gates, who was in Chicago this week, but a business associate when asked if there was any likelihood of Gates putting money into a circus, laughed at the idea. "It is press work," was the explanation vouchsafed for various rumors circulated recently.

    It has been decided that the Barnum & Bailey Circus will be sent to Madison Square Garden next Spring to open the circus season in the east. The Ringling show will probably open in Chicago. Both will winter in Bridgeport. The Ringling Circus played the Garden last May, upsetting all circus traditions. It is understood that the shift of properties by the Ringling Bros. was not successful financially.

    Joseph B. Harper, who was a strong factor in the ticket wagon during the time the Bailey estated owned an interest in the Buffalo Bill Show, and who went abroad as treasurer of the McCaddon show on its ill-fated voyage through France, has retired to Wall street, deserting ticket wagons and the mathematics of expense books for good and all. Through his uncle, Joseph T. McCaddon, he has lined up most advantageously with a representative firm in the financial district and is going to learn the arts and sciences of stocks and bonds from the ground up.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. The Barnum & Bailey show will play St. Joseph, Mo., on Labor Day. It was originally intended to exhibit at Kansas City, but opposition on the part of labor organizations caused the date to be switched.
    The Sells-Floto circus exhibits at Columbus, O., Aug. 30 instead of on Labor Day, as at first planned. The show plays Bluefield, W. Va., Labor Day.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. When the Barnum & Bailey circus exhibited at Fremont, O., it ruined forty feet of cement walk through the heavy traffic of the circus teams. The residents remained out of bed until past midnight before a settlement was made. All damages were arranged satisfactorily.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. All records were broken for a one-trin show in routine territory when the "101 Ranch" made $12,000 profit in one week in Michigan, and this in opposition with the Barnum & Bailey show. Some novel arrangements with newspapers contributed towards the big business. At Flint, The Journal man had access to the books and worked on the front door. This is taken to mean that there was some kind of percentage deal.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. Joseph C. Miller, of the Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch," has offered $75,000 as a purse for the Johnson-Jeffries fight, which he thinks can be held in Oklahoma.

    Chicago, Aug. 26. In the recent opposition between Barnum & Bailey and Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch," the latter used a type bill reading "I love my circus, but O, you 101 Ranch."

Variety, September 4, 1909, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Sept. 2. The Norris & Rowe show is rushing back from Canada and will go south this fall with the rest of them.

    For the first time in its career the Sells-Floto show comes into the east this fall. It makes a tour of the southeastern section and the Carolinas in October. Before reaching there, the show will run through Virginia and West Virginia, playing Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. While that may not be considered strictly "in the east," it will be the closest to it the show has ever been. The bookings for this season make it a "coast to coast" show. It was on the Pacific coast early in the season. The Sells-Floto railroad contracts provide for thirty cars.

    Chicago, Sept. 2. The Hagenbeck-Wallace show is having big business in Illinois and Indiana, and the only complaint is the warm weather. The show is short of workingmen in all departments and is just now short of riders, although it is rumored that The Hobsons will join the show this week.

    Chicago, Sept. 2. Lester W. Murray is now filling the dual capacity of manager of the "No. 1" car and contracting press agent with the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill show combined.

    Chicago, Sept. 2. E. L. Brennan is not with the Pan American Circus. Instead he is railroad contractor of the Yankee Robinson show. That is verified on all sides. Whether this means that the W. P. Hall show doesn't go out, or whether it was a sudden change in plans for Brennan is not known.

Variety, September 11, 1909, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Sept. 9. Since the knowledge became general that the "gentleman's agreement" as to the billing and routing between the Ringlings and the "Two Bills" is all off, circus folk are busy figuring out what next season will bring forth. It is probably due to this condition that tentative negotiations have been opened up at long distance between the Ringlings and the "101 Ranch" (Wild West show) looking toward a mutual agreement between these two, with the Cody-Lillie outfit as the intended outsiders. The Ringlings, so runs the general opinion, feel that they cannot oppose the Wild West organization with a circus. They learned this in 1908, when the Buffalo Bill Show followed the Barnum-Bailey Circus almost from Denver to New Orleans, including an entire tour of the Pacific Coast, getting as close to the preceding opposition as eighteen days. Notwithstanding, the Wild West came home with a fat profit.
    Now that war has been declared, according to all the indications, the Ringlings would like to attach a wild west organization to their allies. The Miller property showed definitely this year in its invasion of the east that it is a healthy money maker, and the Baraboo family would like to win its co-operation. Beyond the suspicion that some deal is on foot, there is no information at hand, but with the approaching close of the circus season everyone interested in "big top" movements is awaiting a "flash."

    Chicago, Sept. 9. B. E. Wallace is signing up circus acts for next season and it looks as though he meant to have an even better performance than given this year. It is generally agreed that this season's circus performance exceeded anything he had previously offered, although the animal acts are not up to what they were when the Hagenbeck show was on the road.

    Chicago, Sept. 9. It is reported that the Forepaugh-Sells show and the Gollmar Brothers show will be combined next season under the management of John and Al Ringling and Fred and Charles Gollmar. It will be a forty-car show. Every one is very mysterious regarding the plans. No definite information can be obtained at the Ringling office in this city.

    The Barnum-Bailey circus jumped into Kansas City to play Saturday, shifting its date to Sept. 4 instead of Sept. 6. In the preceding town, Clarinda, Mo., only one performance was given (afternoon) owing to the long jump into Kansas City. In Creston, Ia., the parade was abandoned owing to the muddy lot. This was the first rain after four weeks of extreme heat. Owing to the absence of Cliffe Berzac, who is in England, Fred Bradna is working the comedy circus.

    The Sunday "jump" of the "101 Ranch" was 336 miles, from Boone, Ia., to Leavenworth, Kan., for Labor Day.

Variety, September 18, 1909, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    H. H. Tammen, of Denver, owner of the Denver Post, visited his Sells-Floto Circus south last week and took the opportunity to run into New York for a few days, his first view of the metropolis in three years. In conversation with a Variey representative he declared that he had no intention of retiring from his fight against the Ringling Bros., whom he proposed to give as much trouble to as they had caused him.
    "When either of the Ringling shows opens in New York next spring," said Mr. Tammen, "I will be here and something will happen. I will not say what it will be, but you may take my word for it, there will be sensational doings. Watch out, also, for Oct. 2. On that date the Ringlings are due to enter Texas at El Paso. There are large license fees exacted in Texas and I propose to see that the Ringlings pay them there as I was compelled to pay them when the Sells-Floto Circus went through the same territory last year."
    Mr. Tammen said he had not abandoned his plan of bringing up before the Interstate Commerce Commission in the matter of discriminatory rates on the Texas railroads, of which he complained last season. "It appears that circus paraphernalia is exempted from all fixed rates in the interstate schedules. I at first had the idea of going before the commission and having a rate declared, but in talk among the smaller circus men I found that they were adverse to such a plan. It would have the effect of almost ruining them, so I passed it up." The Sells-Floto show, said Mr. Tammen, would close about the middle of November.

    Chicago, Sept. 16. Reports from the South are discouraging. The John Robinson show found Oklahoma bad and the States further south are in no better way according to reports which reach general agents of tented enterprises. The Cole Brothers' show is said to have abandoned the idea of going South because of the lack of available territory. Many agents are moving by wire and it is believed that several smaller organizatons are still uncertain as to route this fall. The John Robinson show is said to have a "shut out" clause with the N. C. & St. L. and some show has the L. & N. tied up.

    Chicago, Sept. 16. The Hagenbeck-Wallace show will make Texas this fall and will have five stands in opposition to the Ringling show. Walter Murphy is now in that State in charge of an opposition brigade. Wallace was not anxious to make the Lone Star State, but a shortage of territory almost compelled it.

    Chicago, Sept. 16. The Barnum & Bailey show had small business at Salina, Kan., on Wednesday of last week, due to the heavy rain the night before the circus struck the town. Straw was spread over the mud. The folk attending got out fairly well in the afternoon, but at night it was dark, many running into the mud knee deep in some places. Two performances were given, and considering the circumstances they were remarkable good. Spangled fairies had to wade around a muddly arena in rubber boots and female riders in pink tights had to struggle with their overshoes until they reached a point where they could abandon them and find a dry spot on the back of a horse.

    Chicago, Sept. 16. The Ringlings have been offering musicians contracts for the next season with the understanding that they will go to England if required. This gives further color to a well defined rumor that there will be something doing in the circus line on the other side.

    Chicago, Sept. 16. W. S. Freed, formerly a circusman, who has been at Niles, Mich., for several weeks past, went to Dallas, Tex., last week on a mysterious mission. It is not known whether he is on circus business or not.

    Chicago, Sept. 16. According to railroad contracts made here the Cole Brothers' show will close its season at Elizabethtown, Ky., Nov. 6. The circus makes several stands in southern Illinois on the Big Four, and contracts for these jumps were entered last week. Rumor has it the Hagenbeck-Wallace season will end at Dyersburg, Tenn., Nov. 8. Campbell Bros.' circus will close in about ten days. The "No. 1" car is now at winter quarters at Fairbury, Neb. The season has not been a good one for the Campbell show, though it is claimed no money had been lost. From the present outlook the Norris & Rowe show will close early.

    Despite the general belief that Pawnee Bill would keep the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill shows on the road very late, the tour will end even earlier than it did last season. The "No. 1" car is running four weeks ahead of the show, and will, consequently, come off the rails Oct. 9. The "No. 2" and "No. 3" cars are running on time; two weeks and one week ahead of the show. Ringling Bros. will keep the Barnum & Bailey Circus on the road until Nov. 20 and will close the Ringling Bros. Show on the same date.

    It is reported that the Norris & Rowe show will winter at Carthage, Mo., in the Driving Park.

Variety, September 25, 1909, p. 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    A letter received from an artist with the Barnum-Bailey Circus in New York, indicates that a dispute arose last week over payment of salaries for three days this season when performances were missed. Otto Ringling, who is handling the show, announced early last week that this amount would be deducted. The artists in the show demurred and finally offered to leave the controversy in the hands of Harry Mountford, secretary to the White Rats Board of Directors. Mr. Ringling was at first unwilling to make this concession but finally acquiesced. Mr. Mountford visited the show in Joplin, Mo., and after the questiona had been gone over the show agreed to make good the whole salary which it had threatened to withhold. Mr. Mountford upon returning to the city refused to discuss the matter. "The artists with the show," he said, "received all they asked for, so the matter is closed. I cannot comment upon it further."
    Inquiry among circus people familiar with the situation indicates that the Barnum-Bailey management contracts have always carried clauses covering this point, one calling upon the artists to engaged in Sunday and extra performances upon the demand of the management, and the other setting forth that no salary should be demanded for shows which for any reason were not played. Under the proprietorship of James A. Bailey these clauses were never rigidly enforced. Full salaries were always pain to artists for performances missed because of wet lots, bad weather or late arrival or any other circumstances beyond the control of the players. Is is recorded that in one season forty shows were missed for one reason or another, but every act received full salary.
    No discussion ever occurred as to extra performances, for the people of the show were willing to work them without compensation as a return for the money they received without working. One season the show played several Sundays during a run at the Chicago Coliseum without pay, and during the European trip seven days made a week at regular salaries. It was James A. Bailey's boast that the show had never failed to pay off every week on the set day. On one occasion the lot was so bad after a storm that artists could not get to the ticket wagon. The wagon was accordingly dragged off the lot to dry ground and the payroll settled.

    Chicago, Sept. 23. Edward Arlington is trying to corner all the money in the world. Not content with an interest in the "101 Ranch" he has sent out a society problem play, "The World and a Woman" in which his wife, Nettie Bourne, is featured.

    Chicago, Sept. 23. It is reported that the 101 Ranch will end the season the middle of next month.

    Chicago, Sept. 23. Reliable information comes from the "Two Bills" show that in keeping with the proposed policy of further retrenchment for next season neither Johnny Baker nor William Sweeney will be with the organization. This is particularly surprising when it is remembered that Baker is "Buffalo Bill's" foster son, and that Sweeney has led the cowboy band ever since it was first organized, over twenty-five years ago. No greater tribute of loyalty could be paid by Col. Cody to his new partner and manager, "Pawnee Bill," than the countenancing of the elimination of these two old stand-bys from the entertainment. It is further declared that in the event that Louis E. Cooke is not retained as general agent, a face which is not as yet assured, the entire personnel of the advance brigade will be changed, with the sole exception of Maj. John M. Burke.

    Ringling Bros. Show played to the poorest business any tented organizaton of its size ever received on the Pacific Coast, according to reports which are now straggling in from San Francisco. Last year the Baraboo Brothers sent their Barnum & Bailey Show to the coast, with Buffalo Bill a close runner-up. Business was remarkable good in all towns until 'Frisco was reached and there the turnaways were few. This year there were no turnaways at all in the Pacific metropolis. In the other towns which the Ringling Show made, business was not at all up to expectations.

    Chicago, Sept. 23. The newspaper advertisement used by the Yankee Robinson show for the date at Wymore, Neb., yesterday is interesting to circusmen. It has a picture of a showman in the center who greatly resembles the late P. T. Barnum. Above it in big letters are the words, "Yankee Robinson, Greatest Show on Earth." Another line reads "Actual Investment $1,000,000" and balancing it is a line "Actual Daily Expense $4,300." At one side is a picture of an airship, and played up prominently is the announcement: "Sensatoin of the hour! Marvel of the age" The Airship is Coming! Watch and wait for it! Positively appears each day with Yankee Robinson! A sight Never to be Forgotten."
    The adapter of this advertisement had no synonym book handy for there is still another phrase - "Don't Miss This Rare Sight!" If information around Chicago is correct this airship has not been in working order at a single stand this summer. It was built by the canvasmen before the opening of the season under the direction of Fred Buchanan and is not a success as far as sailing goes. The workmen often get it out upon arrival in the exhibition town and work on it for hours but, if the reports here are reliable, it has not made an ascension yet. In a small line at the botton the show advertises "Hagenbach's trained elephants." It is known that one big crowd is all a circus can expect in the country that show is now making. They advertise 5,000 seats. Figuring half reserved they could play to but $3,750 while the daily expense (according to the "ad") is $4,300.

    Santa Barbara, Cal., Sept. 23. The Shuman Horses, thirty in number when the act started out the season as a feature of the Ringling Bros. Circus, have been reduced by accident and sickness to twelve. The losses among draught stock have been likewise very heavy, although the full complement has been kept up to the standard.

Variety, October 2, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The prospects are that the circus world will not have to wait until the season of 1910 to see a new circus war. Already there have beenskirmishes through the south and war clouds hung heavy over Norfolk, Va., preceding the entrance of the Sells-Floto Circus into that city on Sept. 26. On that day the Sells-Floto circus exhibited in Norfolk, billing the city, country and rairoads in the usual way. About four days before this date there appeared on billboards in and around Norfolk quarter sheets notifying the public that the "Forepaugh and Sells Bros. Show would not play Norfolk until 1910," the purpose being, according to H. H. Tammen, of the Sells-Floto Show, to deceive the people by establishing the belief that the Sells-Floto Show was not coming on the date advertised. In the quarter sheet it is announced that the Forepaugh and Sells show will play at Madison Square Garden for eight consecutive weeks, inaugurating then its regular season. This, according to a statement from Mr. Tammen, is not true.
    "In fact the whole circular," says Mr. Tammen in a letter, "is a cheap method of fighting the Sells-Floto Show and is put in such shape that there is no signature toit, thus preventing anyone from entering court proceedings against the Ringling Bros., although they are then responsible parties. The quarter sheet designates no one and out of the lawsuits that have been entered against the Ringling Bros. by the Sells-Floto people one or two have been dropped because of want of proper service - in other words, when notice was argued that there was no responsibility as they had no interest.
    "The Sells-Floto business in Norfolk was the fourth largest we have had this season, recording one turnaway and capacity in the afternoon. The Barnum & Bailey show is billing us everywhere in the south with 'coming soon.' The Ringling Show began its opposition billing April 2 at El Paso, Tex.," continues Mr. Tammen, "announcing they were coming soon when as a matter of fact they show there this Thursday, Sept. 30. All of this seems to prove that the circus war between the Sells-Floto and these three other circuses is only just beginning. The public may be assured that in its own way the Sells-Floto show will continue this season and next season to make a tour and will be enlarged to a size that will astonish the whole circus world.
    "Furthermore, the threat of the Forepaugh outfit to go on the road next year, and it assumed the idea is to follow the Sells-Floto and be in direct opposition to it,is very gratifying to the proprietors of the Sells-Floto, because they have made up their minds to establish a circus much larger than their present aggregation, and make the general admission 25 cents and 25 cents extra for reserved seats instead of the general admission of 50 cents, charging 50 cents and $1 additional for reserved seats as the Ringling and Barnum & Bailey shows are now doing.
    "We believe that the public will respond where they get two for one against the present method, and will do so os strongly that the results will be equally as profitable as it is at the present time at the 50-cent price. It may not be out of place to state that court proceedings will be invoked by the Sells-Floto Circus Company as soon as it is possible to get service upon the owners of the three shows, viz." Ringling brothers, as individuals or co-partners, and, therefore, a merry and possibly a hot time in the show business may be expected e'er this season of 1909 is over and certainly without any question during the season of 1910."

    Amarillo, Tex., Sept. 29. The United States Circuit Court for the Northern District of Texas has handed down a decision in favor of the Sells-Floto Show in the action brought by Joe Huston who attached the circus here last fall, claiming an interest. H. H. Tammen, Otto Floto and V. Ray Hampton were present looking after their interests. Immediatly after the decision Mr. Tammen left for Austin, Tex., where suit will be brought in the name of the State, through Tammen's efforts, against the Ringling Brothers for back license moneys due. The Ringling circus exhibits at El Paso tomorrow. John Bottom, Sells-Floto's general counsel, goes there to assist Tax Collector McDonald. The fight between Sells-Floto and Ringlings in this section promises lively times for a while.

    Chicago, Sept. 30. W. P. Hall did not put a show on the road when he found out the scarcity of southern territory. His arrangements went so far that he advertised for people.

    Chicago, Sept. 30. W. E. Franklin is planning to buy some additional elephants for the Sells-Floto show next season. He has several chances to secure herds on salary, but prefers to purchase.

    Chicago. Sept. 30. The Yankee Robinson show has received a 37-whistle calliope, a beauty. Reports from Nebraska are to the effect that Harry Kelly is making some music. Ten head of stock were added to the show last week and the outfit is gradually growing in all departments. The show is doing a nice business in Nebraska.

    Ringling Bros.' Circus will close in Clarksdale, Miss., Nov. 13. The Barnum & Bailey show swings back into the south after coming as far north as Virginia and will close Nov. 20 at Okolona, Miss. This is the latest date the Barnum & Bailey show has closed in several seasons. On Nov. 6, at Richmond, Va., the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill show will end its tour. Last year Buffalo Bill stayed out ten days longer than this.

    Chicago, Sept. 30. The Norris & Rowe show has been doing a remarkable business in southern Illinois and breaks over into Iowa this week for two stands, after which it goes into Missouri, playing all virgin territory passed up by other tented shows. At Beardstown, Ill., last week,the show arrived late and a wagon broke down, which resulted in the doors not opening until four o'clock. In spite of this the afternoon business was fair and the night crowd big. The wagons and equipment of the show have had a coat of paint recently and those who saw the show in Canada would hardly recognize it now.

    Ed. G. Holland completed last week his fifty-fourth year under the tops, when the Frank A. Robbins Circus closed in Jersey City. His father was a famous English pantomimist, and from the time he could walk the canvas top has been the summer home of Ed. G. He was with the John Robinson shows for 32 years in different capacities and has worked for many other circuses in this country.

    The Frank A. Robbins Circus, an eight-car organization which has been playing the Atlantic Seaboard territory this summer, went into winter headquarters Saturday night. It had been out twenty-two weeks and is reported to have shown a satisfactory profit on the tour. Its best earnings were recorded in Maine and through New England. Next season, according to a member of the staff, the show will go out in extended form, being increased to a fifteen car organization.

Variety, October 9, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Oct. 7. From present indications there will be developments in the circus world from Dec. 1 until the season of 1910 opens of sufficient interest to hold the attention of everyone directly or indirectly connected with tented enterprises. In the event that the Ringling Brothers are unable to establish their supremacy beyond a doubt by the time the season opens, this same interest will continue throughout the season of 1910. There is no denying that the "Independents" have made great headway during '09. Recent developments in Virginia prove that this gaining of strength is not unnoticed by the Ringlings. The Ringling policy is to "ignore" and when the bars are let down it is conclusive proof to the circus world that it is their belief the situation is alarming.
    That the Ringlings will have three shows on the road the coming season is no longer a question of doubt. Whether the Gollmar Brothers will work alone of be combined in the triplicity arrangement mentioned in these columns a few weeks ago (Forepaugh-Sells-Gollmar Brothers) is of course known only to those directly concerned in the future of what are conceded to be the greatest tented interests ever under one management. The field of endeavor is so large that the secret workings commencing Dec. 1 will embrace every State in the Union and innumerable strings will be pulled.
    Circus people are inclined to be partisan. Billposters, car managers, agents, managers of departments and in many instances the artists themselves are lining up with one side or the other. It is not unlikely that the adherents of either faction will be more or less prejudiced in behalf of those with whom they have pledged alliance. As a result there will be many a discussion in bill room, office and in theater concerning the future of the circus business and the possible results to those who earn their daily bread in summer and winter comfort by allying themselves with tented enterprises. It is impossible at this time to forecast the transactions which will hold the center of the stage with the closing of the present season. It is certain that circus managers will be on the alert at all times and that moves and countermoves will be of daily occurrence.

    Dallas, Tex., Oct. 7. When the Ringling Circus played here Monday State Revenue Agent W. J. McDonald attached the show bringing a suit for $12,000 claimed to be due the state for arrears of license fees. This was the climax of a whole series of legal entanglements, of which the show has been a victim. On Sept. 30 when it exhibited in El Paso they paid a total license of $315 for the state and county, and a city license of $55. In the next stand, Abilene, the tax was $200 for the state and $100 each for the county and town. Included in McDonald's suits is one to recover the difference between the state license paid in El Paso and Abilene and the fixed rate of $1,000 a day.

    Chicago, Oct. 7. The Cole Brothers' circus ends its season Saturday at Danville, Ill., finishing a month earlier than was planned. The early closing is due to the cold weather. The show was to have closed Nov. 6 in Kentucky and paper and dates were ordered for the stands. The cold weather, however, led to a change of plans. John D. Carey, who was in charge of the first car went to Buffalo, N. Y., Fred Bates, who had charge of the second car, will go out in advance of some hall show. The second car billers arrived in Chicago last Saturday and say it was growing so cold it was uncomfortable to sleep on the road.

    Contracts have been made with railroads which will keep the Howe Greater London Shows on the road until Dec. 18. The circus is now in North Carolina and remains in the south until the end of its bookings. Alabama and Florida are listed in the bookings. The latest recorded contract brings the show to Sanford, Fla.

    News was received in New York this week of the death, Sept. 25, of William Ducrow, for two years equestrian director of the Barnum-Bailey Circus. He passed away at the Elks' Home, Bedford, Va. Ducrow's name was William Johnson, but upon being apprenticed to L. B. Lent he adopted the name of "Ducrow," by which he was later known to hundreds of artists. Under Lent Ducrow did a slack rope act and rode hurdle races. Later he was with the Lent & French circus and went to Europe with Jos. McCaddon on the latter's ill-starred circus venture. When equestrian director Dockrill broke his arm two years ago Ducrow replaced him with the Barnum-Bailey Circus. He had not been connected with a "big top" enterprise for more than a year.

    St. Louis, Oct. 7. The "101 Ranch Wild West Show" has changed its winter quarters from Bliss, Okla., to East St. Louis, Ill. Grounds and a large building, 58 x 175 feet, situated on the Southern Railway and the Terminal tracks have been leased from the National Iron Works by Edward Arlington, part owner of the show. The lease was made last week. The show will close Oct. 30, "Taft Day," at Cape Girardeau, Mo., when it will reopen in St. Louis next spring at eithers the Coliseum or Handlan's park, sometime in April, it is announced.

    On Nov. 1, the Pubillones Circus will commence to exhibit at the National Theatre, Havana, Cuba, remaining in that house during November and December, thence repairing to the American side, playing in Vera Cruz, and eventually reaching Mexico. Pubillones was in New York this week looking for a female strong act at the Marinelli office. Among the engagements made for the circus is Alfred Clarke and Family, an English act. The National Havana seats 4,000 and is said to be one of the largest theatres in existence. Before and after the circus engagement, regular vaudeville will be offered.

    Denver, Oct. 7. "The attacks of the Barnum-Bailey management against the Sells-Floto continues to be vicious," said H. H. Tammen here this week. "Both shows are in South Carolina. We are meeting the opposition at every tun and giving blow for blow."

Variety, October 16, 1909, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, Oct. 14. Incorporated in the complaint filed in the United States Court by the Ringlings' attorney occurs this accusation: "The said defendants, Tammen and Bonfils, have in conjunction with and as part of the operation of their said circus, under the name of the Sells-Floto Circus maintained continuously and knowingly unlawful games of chance, graft and various undesirable practices, all of which bring the name of Sells into disrepute before the public and to the damage and reputation of the name of the Sells and Forepaugh shows as owned and controlled by the Ringling Bros." This point is advanced in support also of an application for a permanent injunction restraining Tammen and Bonfils from using the Sells name.
    The Ringling Brothers entered a suit in equity yesterday in the United States Court here before Judge Lewis, presiding justice, against H. H. Tammen and F. G. Bonfils, owners of the Sells-Floto Circus, alleging damages for the use of the name "Sells" in connection with the billing of the show, also that the proprietors of the Ringlings' opposition tent aggregation have no legal right to employ that name or to advertise "the big Sells Shows." The Ringlings take special exception, it appears, to the 28-shet containing the five "Sells" heads and that of Otto Floto. The preliminary hearing in the action is set down for tomorrow (Friday).

    Dallas, Oct. 14. Capt. "Bill" McDonald, state revenue agent for Texas, has blood in his eye and is after the Ringling Bros. They have been avoiding the excessive licenses in Texas but squaring the county collectors and allowing the State fees to go by default. McDonald is hot on their trail and proposes to make the Ringlings "come across" to the full extent. It is no secret that what tips he may require or any information from Harry Tammen, one of the owners of the Sells-Floto Show. McDonald has found that $500 for both Abilene and Weatherford are due from 1906 and 1907, and has taken out attachments on these grounds. In Waxahatchie, this year, the Ringling Show tried to get away with one payment on the grounds of a "continuous performance." They kept the band playing between the afternoon and night shows, but the benches were empty and McDonald could not see the exhibition in the light of a "performace." Collection was therefore made for the second show.

    Chicago, Oct. 14. The Sells-Floto show published a newspaper article down in Georgetown, S. C., which bore the headline: "You Lie - the Sells-Floto Show IS Coming to Georgetown." This was in way or reply to the Ringling Brothers' posters announcing that the Forepaugh-Sells show would not appear in that section until 1910. Among showmen it is agreed that the Ringlings have the rights to the Sells Brothers name, but H. H. Tammen, leading spirit of the Sells-Floto show, plays no game by any set rules.

    Erie, Pa., Oct. 14. Fire which totally destroyed the winter quarters of Cole Bros. Circus at Harbor Creek, near Erie, Pa., Oct. 9, caused a property loss of about $15,000, and rendered the show temporarily homeless. The loss it partly covered by insurance. It is said that the work of erecting new and more commodious quarters will begin at once. General agent Ed Knupp is on the ground and during the absence of the owner, Martin Downs, still confined to a Toronto hospital, will superintend the work of reconstruction.
    The fire originated in a kettle of tar which, boiling over, was ignited by the flames under the kettle and spread with great rapidity. Workmen were tarring the roof of the animal barn and the kettle was located in the middle of the floor of that building. The apparatus for fighting fire was inadequate to cope with the fast spreading flames. Within a short time the whole building was destroyed. It seems that one large building consituted the winter quarters of the show. This was place in jeopardy by the workmen boiling the tar under its rood instead of outside the building. All the contents, including many show and farm wagons and tools, also a great quantity of feed and straw which had been housed in anticipation of the arrival of the show were destroyed, the loss on this will be total. The building itself was covered by insurance, nearly to the extent of its value. The show came in from the road before the embers of the fire had ceased smouldering, and found itself homeless.

    Denver, Oct. 14. In a communication to H. H. Tammen, of the Sells-Floto Show, claims to the American and European patents for "Autos That Pass in the Air" are made by C. S. Salsbury, of Paris. Salsbury asserts he worked out and patented the act with a Mr. Ravel, inventor of the "somersault" automobile. When taking out their European patents, they were protected for a year by American law, but neglected to protect themselves further in this country. The Ringling Bros. wanted the act, and arranged with one Garanger, so Salsbury says, to build the apparatus in America. Salsbury and Ravel offered their "Autos That Pass in the Air" to the Ringlings in 1907, soon afterward receiving a visit from John Ringling in Paris. They worked the appartus for him several times, but upon asking $7,000 for the patent, Ringling thought it too much money, declining to purchase.
    Mr. Salsbury states that Mr. Ringling assured him he would never have cause to complain as to the Ringling's treatment of the matter. Eight days after his visit to Salisbury and Ravel, Mr. Ringling closed with Garanger to build the apparatus for use with the Ringling Bros. Show. Garanger patented the apparatus in America. On May 16, 1908, when Salsbury and Ravel entered their patent in Washington they were opposed by Garanger. To this opposition Salsbury and Ravel entered their original European patent dated May 17, 1907. As European patents carry one year's protection in American, Salsbury and Ravel are looking for a clear title to their patent in America when the case comes up for final decision in Washington, Oct. 19. In the event, as Salsbury anticipates, that he and Ravel shall establish their rights over Garanger in America, suits for damages and back royalties will at once be instituted by them against the Ringling Bros. for the time they have used the act with their circuses.

    Since Variety printed the information that "Young Dick" Bell would operate a circus the coming winter in the north of Mexico, American showmen have been wondering whether there has been a split in the famous family or whether the original "Dick" has retired from the tented field, leaving the enterprise and name to his oldest son. In the latter case, say the "wise ones," "Young Dick" will have all kinds of trouble in doing business without the almost magical name of his father. It is an accepted truism among performers who have traveled in Mexico that no one man stands higher in popular regard in the republic than "Dick" Bell, unless it be the President.

    Chicago, Oct. 14. The Hagenbeck-Wallace show will end the season at Dyersburg, Tenn., Nov. 8. The circus will come to winter quarters at Peru, Ind., on the Illinois Central and L. E. & W. The "101 Ranch" will likely close the season at Cape Girardeau, Mo. Ringling Brothers' close at Corinth, Miss.

Variety, October 23, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, Oct. 21. Briefs have been filed in United States Federal Court in the suit of the Ringling Bros. to restrain Tammen & Bonfils from using the Sells pictures and the Sells name in advertising their circus. Both sides have submitted their case in the form of briefs and depositions and the decision of the Court is now awaited with considerable interest.
    It seems to be the general opinion that the Ringling Brothers are making the Sells-Floto Show prominent through their attacks in Court and their methods of opposition in the South. Harry Tammen is too good a newspaper man not to realize the benefits of publicity, and he is using the warfare which the Ringling's are waging as a means to keep the name of his show prominently before the public. In the south where the Forepaugh-Sells Show has been advertised against him, he has made use of the opportunity to lay stress on what he styles "Trust methods," and is gaining the sympathy of many people who would otherwise take no interest in the matter. As a method of reprisal Tammen is giving the State of Texas all the aid he can in pressing the collection of license fees from the Ringling Bros.' Show in the Lone Star State.

    It has been definitely settled that Louis E. Cooke will continue as the general agent of the Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill Wild West next year. Reports have been widely circulated that another man would be substituted after the close of the season, but there is abundant evidence that Mr. Cooke will continue to pilot the "Two Bills" for another season, at least. He is now making his headquarters in Atlanta, from whence he is directing one of the hottest opposition campaigns the South has known for many autumns.

    Dallas, Tex., Oct. 21. The Ringling Brothers' show was attached at Paris, by the State of Texas for $650 back city taxes; $1,700 for back State taxes, and $800 for this year's taxes. The trouble was repeated in Greenville Tuesday, and the same trouble occurred in Terrell yesterday. R. V. Davidson, attorney general, on Oct. 11, answering questions for the State revenue agent as to mode of procedure against the Ringling Brothers, issued a general letter defining the law. On the strength of this a letter was issued to all tax collectors by State Revenue Agent McDonald, who is personally attending the prosecution in each city they show on behalf of the State and county and city that they are playing in, as well as other towns in that county to which they owe back taxes for former years. On Oct. 14 a general letter was issued to each County Attorney and Commissioner's Court to examine the records for back taxes due, so revenue agents can enforce an appearance and bond by attachment in each county when they exhibit.

    In the fight which the Ringling Brothers have been conducting against the Sells-Floto Shows, through the medium of the Forepaugh-Sells Show, the general passenger agent of the Georgetown & Western Railroad felt called upon to take a hand. A circular letter addressed to all ticket agents of the line advised that in spite of the announcements, the "Adam Forepaugh & Sells" Circus was distributing, stating that the show would not appear in Georgetown until 1910, the Sells-Floto Show would positively appear, as it did, Oct. 9, in Georgetown. Agents were advised that as wide publicity as possible should be given to the fact that the Denver show should not be confused with the circus the Ringlings were advertising through the South a year ahead of time.

    When the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Show ends its tour in Richmond, Va., Nov. 6, it will run to Trenton, N. J., where winter quarters will be established on the State Fair Grounds. Heretofore the Buffalo Bill Show has sent its cars, tents and properties to the Barnum & Bailey winter quarters in Bridgeport, and its horses to Coatesville, Pa., to winter; but this year the entire show will be quartered in Trenton, the Bridgeport quarters being occupied by the Ringlings.

    Charles Ringling, the general executive man of the Ringling Brothers, has already begun the preliminary frame up for the Forepaugh-Sells Show which will surely take the road next season. The Ringling Show will start at the Coliseum, Chicago, and the Barnum & Bailey Show, to fulfill contracts, will open at Madison Square Garden.

    Chicago, Oct. 21. The circuses are playing many Sunday stands this season. Hagenbeck-Wallace exhibited at Opelousas last Sunday and plays New Orleans the coming Sunday. The Ringling Brothers follow at New Orleans and exhibit there the following Sunday.

Variety, October 30, 1909, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The decision having been arrived at to put out the Forepaugh-Sells Circus next season, showmen are wondering what the Ringlings are going to do with it. Regardless of their evident determination to hamper the Sells-Floto management as much as possible no one is willing to believe that the Baraboo Brothers would invest the amount necessary to rehabilitate the Forepaugh-Sells Show soley for the purpose of throwing it into an opposition campaign directed against the Denver show. With the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling Brothers' shows so thoroughly organized, it is simply necessary each year to switch the routes and send one over the route the other followed the previous season. But in spite of the vast amount of territory the two shows are able to cover in this manner there are hundreds of towns throughout the country which it is impossible for either to play. In Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and the other densely populated States in the middle west as well as in the east there is room for the third Ringling circus to find abundant territory.
    A man who has spent much of his life in the circus business and knows it, also the Ringling Brothers' pretty well, said this week" "I take no stock in the rumors that the Ringlings are going to send one of their shows abroad next season. The expense of touring England and the Continent is enormous. Although they have three shows to route and manage in America they are sure of big profits at home without taking any chances abroad. The real reason for putting out the Forepaugh-Sells Show is, in my belief, to give Al Ringling a circus all to himself. For several years the other brothers have been usurping his former perogative of engaging people and producing the actual circus performance. When the Barnum & Bailey property was purchased one of the Ringlings proposed the establishment of a booking agency of their own for the purpose of employing all performers and deducting commisssions.
    "This move was strenuously opposed by Al Ringling, who saw the finishe of his usefulness as the Ringling whose department it was to hire the people and produce the show. The office was finally established in Chicago, with "Doc" Freeman in charge, but Al made such objections to the maintenance that it was finally abandoned before the scheme ever really received a fair trial. From that time on, however, Al Ringling ceased to be the employing brother. John and Alf T. took the booking of acts in hand, and for the past two seasons have employed all the artists who have appeared with both show. They are even now in Europe engaging people. Al has not even been permitted to exercise his former exclusive right of producing the shows after the acts have been hired. When they had but one show he had the hiring and producing department all to himself, and Ringling Bros.' Circus was always a model performance. It has been said of Al times without number that he could and still can get more out of an act than any equestrian director the circus world has ever seen.
    "Eliminated from his favorite share in the firm's business Al has never taken kindly to the managerial end. He stays away from the shows for months at a time, shifting for himself in any manner he may choose, but always, of course, coming in for his share of the handson profits the two circuses roll up. Otto and John have been sponsors for the Barnum & Bailey Shows (it has been said on good authority that Al opposed the purchase of this show) and Charles and Alf T. have managed and directed the Ringling Show. Al finally declared himself, it is said, and the result of his stand was the determination to reorganize the Forepaugh-Sells Show and give it to Al as his own to operate as he saw fit. The routing and contracting for three shows may be done as easily as for two. It will require only a few additions to the office and general staff, and above all the Ringling Brothers as a group will have a third support to their ambition to be recognized as "The Circus Kings."

    "Next year Barnum & Bailey will go to the Coast, after opening, as per contract, in Madison Square Garden. The Ringling Show will open at the Coliseum, Chicago, and will remain in the east and middle west. The Forepaugh-Sells Show will probably have Philadelphia as its biggest town, for the name is strong in the Quaker City and the show held the attendance record until Buffalo Bill bowled it over the first season after he came back from Europe the last time. Otherwise the new show will stick to the tall grass and general opposition to the Sells-Floto and Hagenbeck-Wallace shows. Just paste these predictions in the lid of your trunk and see if they don't all work out."

    Kansas City, Oct. 28. H. H. Tammen, owner of the Denver Post, has been here negotiating for the K. C. Post. The paper may have passed to the possession of the Denver people by this time. At least it is reported that the sale will go through.

    Chicago, Oct. 28. Side show business has been very good the past season, according to J. E. Ogden, who had the annex with the Cole Brothers, and who has been in touch with the managers of other side shows. In spite of the conclusions that the old-fashioned side show was a thing of the past, the annexes with all of the leading tented enterprises are reported to have shown a profit in 1909, which will assure a continuance of this circus feature.

    It is possible that the Cole Bros.' Show will be incorporated during the winter, the shares of stock being limited to members of the late Martin Downs' family, and perhaps a few employees who have been with the circus for some time. James Downs, who practically managed the show during the enforced absence of his father all summer, will be the manager; Ed Knupp will be retained as general agent and most of the executive staff for the past season will continue under the new plan.
    It will soon be settled whether the show will build at Corry, Pa., where it is now in quarters for the winter, or rebuild the plant which was recently destroyed by fire at Haror Springs, near Erie, Pa. Then definite plans for the future will be mapped out. Men who have been with the show in recent years unite in saying that Young Jimmy was the apple of his father's eye, and when they get down to facts are willing to agree that the parent had reason to feel proud of the youngster. The will of the late circus chief will be read this week.

    During the afternoon performance of the Norris & Rowe Circus in Princeton, Ind., last Saturday, a heavy storm came up. The tent was blown flat, and it is reported that more than 100 persons received injuries more or less serious from blows of the collapsing poles and rigging. Twelve hundred persons were in the tent when the crash came. All were caught under the folds. Men drew knives and the tent was cut to pieces in the wild effort to escape. A fire broke out in the menagerie hay supply, but was extinguished before it had made any progress. It did cause several elephants and a few other animals to stampede. They were found and brought back shortly after. The performance was just over, and citizens say that the ropes by which the tent was guyed off had been loosened in the preparation to get on the train, leaving the top at the mercy of the wind.

    Chicago, Oct. 28. Alex. Glasscock opened a wagon show in Hamilton, Texas, Oct. 20, and will spend the winter in the small towns of the South.

    Circuses, big and little, are on the final month of their season, as the John Robinson and possibly the Norris & Rowe Shows, which will stay out the latest, will end their tours Thanksgiving Day. The Sells-Floto Shows will close Oct. 30, in New Albany, Miss., and pull to quarters in Denver. At Cairo, Ill., 101 Ranch Wild West will close Nov. 1, and run to the Miller Bros.' ranch at Bliss, Okla., for the winter. Buffalo and Pawnee Bill will end the season at Richmond, Nov. 6, going to new winter quarters on the State Fair Grounds in Trenton, N. J.
    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows close Nov. 8 at Dyersburg, Tenn., going to Peru, Ind., for the winter. On the same date, at Birmingham, Ala., Gentry Bros.' "No. 1" and "No. 2" Shows will combine for one day, and then run to quarters in Bloomington, Ind. The Ringling Bros. Show will end its tour at Clarksdale, Miss., Nov. 13, and pull to Baraboo, Wis., for the winter. The Barnum & Bailey Shows will close in Okalopa, Miss., Nov. 20, going to Bridgeport for quarters. The Dode Fisk show will end the season at Coffeyville, Kan., next Saturday and will go into winter quarters at Wonemoc, Wis. The Fisk show is said to have had a very successful season.

Variety, November 6, 1909, p. 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Nov. 4. The Sells-Floto show closed the season at New Albany, Miss., last Saturday. Only one performance was given in the afternoon and the season of 1910 ended with everyone in the jolliest mood imaginable. The show train went to Denver with the exception of the Armour car, which came to Chicago. About 25 people arrived with the Armour outfit, among them Doc. Elliott and wife, Mable Vernon, Walter Guise, and the Aerial Nelsons. A number of musicians came in and will join the Windecker magical show now organizing.

    There has been a story around New York since H. H. Tammen was last in the city that the Denver man knows just who will have the privilege to exhibit a circus in Madison Square Garden after the termination of the present lease secured by the late James A. Bailey. That will be with the spring of next year, according to the information. When the show closed the haul was made direct to Denver where the circus will, as usual, winter. When the tour ended none of the executive staff, not even General Agent William E. Franklin, had been engaged for next season and only a few artists were under contract. It is intimated that Tammen & Bonfils will take their time in hooking up the next show in preparation for an extended tour, including an invasion of the east next season.

    The season of the Norris & Rowe Show closed Oct. 28 at Boonville, Ill. The haul was made to the Tri-State Fair Grounds in Terre Haute, Ind., where the show will winter. It has developed that W. A. Shannon, who has had the privileges for some years, has purchased from Mr. Rowe a half interest in the property and will have an equal say in the management hereafter.

    Pine Bluff, Ark., Nov. 4. The special train on the Cotton Belt Railroad bearing the Yankee Robinson Circus was held up on its way to this stand and the ticket wagon was robbed of over $6,000. Information is meager for the management seems unwilling to divulge the details, but it is known that Treasurer Root was robbed of two or three days' receipts.

    I. M. Southern, the circus program publisher, returned to New York Tuesday from a swing through the south where he visited all of the shows for which he prints programs and renewed contracts with each for next season. Southern had bid for the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill and the three Ringling Bros.' programs. Joseph Mayer has published the last four mentioned programs for several years and also has bids in for next season.

    The Pubillones Circus is preparing for its winter season, which opens in Havana this month.

    Dallas, Tex., Nov. 4. The State of Texas is still pursuing the Ringlings. Suits for $13,000 back taxes were filed against the circus people in Austin, when the show played there last Friday. The two performances on that day cost the management $1,000. Of this the State collected $500 and the city and county $250 each.

    Ringling Bros. will open the Forepaugh-Sells Shows at Columbus, O., about April 12. Al Ringling, as Variety predicted last week, will have the show all to himself and is now engaging acts. Charles Ringling has for some time been at work on the actual preparation of the show property and the winter quarters of the original Sells and Forepaugh shows in Columbus are being prepared for the activities of a winter's work in completing the show. There is a rumor in effect that the Ringlings are negotiating for the Sells-Downs property, now in winter quarters at Corry, Pa., for the purpose of making it the nucleus of the third show.

    St. Louis, Nov. 4. The "101 Ranch" show after a successful season closed this week in East St. Louis and will go into winter quarters here. A large tract of ground and building was secured in the railroad district to take the place of the 100,000 acre ranch near Bliss, Okla., where the show has wintered before. The show came in overstocked with mules, and this week a number were sold.

    When the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Show is organized for next season, Col. Wm. F. Cody will produce the Wild West features unhampered by any interference from Maj. Gordon W. Lillie, the active manager of the show. Last spring Maj. Lillie selected the Indians and had most to say in the equiping and producing departments, Johnnie Baker, the actual equestrian director, coming under Pawnee Bill's direction almost exclusively.
    The result has been most disagreeable in the department of Indians, for the redmen this year in very few instances remained the season out, causing a constant disorganization in that particular department of the exhibition. There have been constant changes, entailing frequent rehearsals, and at a considerable amount of damage at times, to the performance itself. Matters will go back to the entire control of Col. Cody next spring. He will arrange for the Indians and will no doubt employ the same ones who traveled with him before the advent of Pawnee Bill. The cowboys will also be engaged by Col. Cody, and in all departments, save the "Far East" section, Col. Cody will be supreme in the arena.

    Edward Arlington, who is in partnership with the Miller Bros. in the ownership and management of "101 Ranch Wild West" is arranging to make up a smaller show for the winter months, taking it into the South as "I X L Ranch Wild West." The outfit will comprise about ten cars, playing the smaller towns where the big circuses and "Wild Wests" do not show during the regular fall campaign in Dixieland. Some of the "101 Ranch" equipment may be used in "hooking up" the small outfit, which Arlington proposes to carry.

    Chicago, Oct. 4. George Schoffin, opposition agent of the Sells-Floto Show, passed through Chicago last week, en route to his home in Canton, O. Mr. Schoffin stated that he had a strenuous season, having encountered opposition all along the line. Recently in the South he opposed Buffalo Bill-Pawnee Bill, Barnum & Bailey, Ringling Brothers, Hagenbeck-Wallace and the Mighty Haag. The latter has been billing just as though one of the big ones. Schoffin has signed at act in the same capacity for the Sells-Floto Show during the season of 1910.

    Chicago, Nov. 4. After a more or less profitable season of twenty-nine weeks, the Campbell Brothers' Show will end its 1909 tour at White City, Kan., Nov. 6. From there it will go into Winter quarters at Fairbury, Neb. The tour covered eleven States and four of the Canadian provinces. The distance traveled was 11,643 miles. Texas proved the best State for the Campbell Brothers this season, with South Dakota a close second. The show will be enlarged for next season, it is promised, and the season of 1910 will probably open at Convention Hall in Kansas City. Many of the artists have signed with the show for next season.

    Chicago, Nov. 4. The Glasscock wagon show now in the south is doing a nice business. There are 18 wagons all told, including the advance. H. P. Hobson is general agent of the show with two bill posters. Foster Glasscock is manager, Louie Rothbauer leads the band, Bill Smith has charge of canvas and Herbert Rumbly has charge of menagerie and stock. Five cages constitute the menagerie.

Variety, November 13, 1909, pp. 16, 17. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, Col., Nov. 11. Justice Lewis in the United States Circuit Court has granted a temporary injunction to the Ringling Bros. forbidding the use by the Sells-Floto Shows for advertising purposes "pictorial representations of Ephraim Sells, Allen Sells, Peter Sells or Lewis Sells until the further order of this court." The Ringlings were required to file a bond in the sum of $1,000. The Ringling application in its other points was denied.
    Commenting on the decision, Harry H. Tammen, part owner of the Sells-Floto property, said this week: "I am pleased beyond measure that the court took notice of this case by granting the injunction, at least that part of it which has to do with the use of the Sells family pictures. If the decision had been otherwise, practically the whole case would have been dropped. As it now stands it becomes a case in equity, and I am assuming that the court will take jurisdiction of the entire matter. A ruling out of the United States tribunal will definitely settle the point how far the Ringlings may go in their guerilla warfare against the Big Sells-Floto Shows."
    The Sells-Floto people look upon the result of the litigation as a substanial victory inasmuch as the court recognizes their title to the name of "Sells," which they purchased from William Sells. In addition to contracts of sale from the Sells Bros. and James A. Bailey in line to the Ringlings, the applicants filed a number of affidavits obtained recently in the southern States in which persons swore that when they saw paper bearing the likenesses of the Sells brothers, although the bills were marked in large type "Sells-Floto Circus," they believed that it was the "Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers Combined Shows" advertised as coming. The defendants claim that this point is of no vital importance, since their show has now gone into winter quarters.
    Tammen & Bonfils have filed a cross bill claiming damages that run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. As soon as the Ringlings have pleaded to this bill the "opposition" will commence taking testimony along the route of the Sells-Floto Shows during the 1909 season. This extends from El Paso, Tex., through California and the Pacific States to Vancouver and from there to Norfolk.
    It is estimated that the expense of each side in preparing for trial will total $10,000. The Sells-Floto people claim that the Ringlings never missed a day during the entire season to have their men circulate false reports about the Sells-Floto Shows. Since Sept. 20, declare the Denver men, the Ringlings have billed Sells-Floto stands with hand bills four or five days ahead of the circus' arrival. This practice compelled the Sells-Floto people to have their men follow up the opposition with other bills to counteract the effect. In this way a large amount of evidence has been gathered. In order to place it before the court properly as part of the damage suit, it will be necessary to have all this evidence taken before United States Commissioners. Between now and the time of the argument on the temporary injunction the Sells-Floto people propose to take depositions in the southern States to offset those offered by the Ringlings as to the alleged confusion caused by the Sells-Floto "paper."

    The engagement of the "Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Shows" at Madison Square Garden next spring will mark the last appearances in New York of Buffalo Bill. The contract made by the late James A. Bailey will then expire. Col. Cody and Major Lillie have decided not to renew it. The presumed prestige of a New York engagement is not considered by Major Lillie to be of sufficient importance to warrant standing the heavy loss which the Garden engagements uniformly entail; there never was a big show able to get away from New York anywhere near even on its Garden engagement, excepting, possibly, the old Barnum-Bailey Circus.
    The Ringlings last spring paid dearly for their experiment in trying to introduce their show to New Yorkers through the medium of a few stands of bills which showed their heads and gave no idea of what the performance included; nearly $75,000 was lost before the Baraboo Brothers finished with New York and Brooklyn.
    Buffalo Bill has had enough of the Garden. It remains to be seen whether the Ringlings will renew the contract which has been an expensive luxury to them since they became the "Circus Kings." Furthermore it is declared that Col. Cody will not alone say farewell to New York next season, but it is reported that he will retire completely from public view after next year. There are many, however, who doubt the likelihood of such a move, for Col. Cody has been so active in the twenty-seven years his exhibition has been traveling that no one seems to think he will be willing to retire at this late day.

    Chicago, Nov. 11. The tour of the Sun Bros.' Circus has been extended so that it will include the winter months, at least as far as the middle of January. The outfit is now in Alabama.

    Most pretentious advancement in the circus business next season will be made by the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show. As its only "trust" rivals are as large as they can profitably be made, it is expected by all who know B. E. Wallace that he will not be content until he finally has a show equal to any the world ever saw in magnitude and merit. The season 1910 will see him making rapid strides toward the realization of that aim.
    One of the results of the persistent fight of the "circus trust" shows upon Mr. Wallace has been a change of disposition on his part, until now he is resolved to equal and eventually excel anything in the circus line that the "trust" presents. That such reports are not idle talk is indicated by the plans now being executed preparatory to the enlargement of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows for next season. The spread of canvas will be very materially enlarged, the big top being six-poled, as large as any now in use. A grand stand with opera chairs will be installed, and a second ticket wagon will be used on the downtown streets. The menagerie will be considerably increased, there being planned several novelties in the arrangement of this department that will astonish the oldest circus managers. Another train of cars will be added for the transportation of the new cages, equipment, extra horses and increased number of employes.
    Mr. Wallace plans for the construction of probably the most completely appointed private car ever seen in America, the contract calling for its completion in time for the first of next season. In addition to superintending the work of reconstruction of a part of the old equipment, Mr. Wallace will personally look after the building of all of the new cars, cages and equipment, all of the work being done at his farms near Peru, Ind. C. E. Cory will spend several weeks this winter in Europe, where he goes with explicit orders from Mr. Wallace to secure the most novel and sensational acts obtainable. It is the intention to rearrange the entire circus program, many new acts being introduced with these shows for the first time. The Hagenbeck animal features will continue to occupy a foremost place on the program.
    Many people have often heard Mr. Wallace declare that he made the most money in "opposition stands," and from reports obtainable that rule was more than an agreeable fact the past season. Mr. Wallace declares that his books will show it to have been the most profitable year he ever had. The announcement of the enlargement of these shows comes as a surprise, in view of the fact that the Hoosier showman has repeatedly declared that he would never try to own the biggest show; all he wanted was to be allowed to conduct a moderate sized show and be left along. The attacks of the competing "circus trust" shows have served to arouse Mr. Wallace to do things in the circus business that he never desired to do, but since he has the necessary fortune and is able to secure the services of capable and loyal lieutenants, he has now resolved to own a circus second to none. His orders will be for 1910 as for the past season, not to run away from opposition.

    Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill's Shows were safely housed in winter quarters at the State Fair Grounds, Trenton, N. J., by last Sunday night. The new quarters are particularly well adapted for handling the cars so far as trackage goes, but there will be no shelter unless sheds are built for the purpose of painting and restoring the rolling stock. Col. Cody spent most of the week in New York, finally leaving for his ranch in Cody, Wyo. Major Lillie will go to Oklahoma in a few days, returning later in the Fall to Trenton, where he will spend most of his time until the show opens at the Garden next spring. Geo. W. Connors, is secretary, will be at Trenton constantly, living in Major Lillie's private car and directing the winter's work. Johnny Baker, Major John M. Burke, Billy Sweeny, Fred M. Hall adn other principals of the staff, are in New York for the winter. When spring comes the Fair Grounds in Trenton will afford ample space for the rehearsals of the "Wild West and Far East" out in the open. The show will pull into the Garden at about its accustomed date in April to begin its last New York engagement.

    Chicago, Nov. 11. Groups of pictures used to advertise the Rhoda Royal show turn out to be photographs of scenes adn artists of the Sells-Floto circus, taken during the past season. Some of the troupes advertised, according to information, will not be with his circus this winter.

    Erie, Pa., Nov. 11. H. B. Potter, of the Cole Bros. Circus, stated to a Variety representative before leaving for Toronto, that there have been several offers for the circus the late Martin J. Downs piloted so long. One came from Ringling Brothers. There is also a proposition pending to form a company to operate the show next season from amongst the men who have been heretofore prominent in the direction of the circus. Mr. Potter went to Toronto to be present at the settlement of the Downs estate. The future of the Cole Brothers' will be decided upon this week in the Canadian city at a meeting. If the Ringlings secure it, the equipment will probably be added to the Forepaugh-Sells outfit, the Baraboo Brothers allowing the Cole name to die.

    Denver, Nov. 11. Tammen & Bonfils, owners of the Denver Post, have completed the purchase of the Kansas City Post. An almost new equipment will be installed in the Kansas City plant about Christmas Day. Among the many new presses purchased is the largest in the world; a double sextuple with full color complement.

    I. M. Southern has not bid for the Ringling Bros. programs (three shows) as stated last week. He has, however, bid for the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill program, but the contract has not been, as yet, closed.

    The Campbell Brothers' show closed at Pond Creek, Okla., Nov. 5, going to winter quarters at Fairbury, Neb., one day earlier than planned.

Variety, November 20, 1909, p. 16. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Martin Lowande is gathering a circus outfit in New Orleans. It will shortly sail for a South American tour, taking in the best of the West Indian ports. Most of the outfit will be made up of American turns.

    According to people with the show there is a likelihood that Howe's Greater London Shows will winter in the south this winter. The outfit has already been routed well up past the middle of December. It is said to be the plan of Jerry Mugivan, the proprietor, to make his quarters for south during the cold months and get an early start in the spring.

    Erie, Pa., Nov. 18. The future of the Cole Bros.' Circus was decided on Thursday, when it became known that the property was to be incorporated under the management of James Downs, son of the late Martin Downs, who owned the enterprise. James Downs is to be president of the new concern; E. C. Knupp, vice-president; H. B. Potter, secretary, and as Board of Directors, those already named and in addition George E. Robinson, Louis Hinneman, Sol. Waxelbaum and Jack Austin. Mr. Knupp has been acting this season as general agent for the Cole Bros.' circus, and several of the others in the new directorate are members of the staff which operated under Martin Downs. It is announced that the equipment of the circus will be considerably enlarged before the 1910 opening, orders having been placed already for new material. The winter quarters at Corry will be maintained indefinitely.

    The John Robinson Show will stay out as late as Nov. 27 and perhaps longer. Next season the equipment will be increased to forty cars; two in advance and thirty-eight back with the show.

    Lester W. Murray, Victor B. Cooke and H. E. Butler, car managers with the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Shows during the past season, have been re-engaged in like capacities for next year.

    Russell Davis, "24-hour man" with Hagenbeck-Wallace during the latter part of the season has been engaged for next season. He is in Chicago for a short stay.

    The John Robinson Shows will end the season Nov. 26 at Artesia, Miss., and run at once to winter quarters in Terrace Park, O.

Variety, November 27, 1909, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Nov. 25. Various rumors to the effect that there was a delay in re-engaging the executive staff for the Sells-Floto Show next season do not seem to be well founded, for word comes from Denver that a part of the executive staff has opened headquarters at the New Auditorium Hotel, a new hostelry which promises to be much frequented by circus people. W. E. Franklin, general manager; Ed C. Warner, traffic manager; Fred Wagner, superintendent; Fred B. Hutchinson, treasurer; Henry Gilbertson, manager of concession, and Buster Cronin, manager of sleeping cars are there now. W. B. Menefee, who will have entire charge of the repainting of the Sells-Floto outfit this winter, is located a block from the winter quarters, where he has added facilities which he did not enjoy last winter. Menefee was formerly checker-up with Hagenbeck-Wallace.

    Walter Shannon, who recently purchased a half interest in the Norris & Rowe Show, spent part of the week in New York, going to Baltimore, where wagons and other equipment are being built to enlarge the show for next season. There will be twenty-four cars, with two in advance. Winter quarters have been established on the Tri-State Fair Grounds, Evansville, Ind. The work of preparing for next season has already started. Most of the last season's artists will be held over. The Tacoma Family, Albions, "Stick" Davenport and wife, Clara Ruhl, the Baker Troupe and Crook Brothers have already signed.
    The outfit narrowly escaped destruction by fire after it settled in quarters a fortnight ago. The dry weeds and dead grass which surrounded the stables and animal house in some manner caught fire. It needed the united efforts of the circus crew and the local firemen to prevent the destruction of all the property on the [missing text]

    Havana, Cuba, Nov. 17. The circus business at the Payret, where Pubillones is giving an indoor show, has proven so good that the circus manager dislikes the idea of leaving the theatre about Jan. 1, when his time expires. The house management has planned to place opera in there then, postponing the opening of the vaudeville season until Feb. 1. Pubillones will likely make an effort to remain in the city; otherwise he must go across the water to Mexico or one of the Central American countries.

    Reports have reached New York that the yellow fever has broken out in Yucatan. Four cases are reported in Merida, one of the largest cities of the Central American republic, and a highly profitable stand in the circus route of the Isthmain territory. Merida, when the hemp crop is good, has yielded immense profits to the visiting circuses. Dick Bell has played to record receipts there, and so satisfactory were his returns that a few months ago Pubillones hurried into the town in a effort to beat the Mexican showman to the grounds.

    The Barnum & Bailey show closed last Saturday, Nov. 20, in Okolono, Miss., and ran to East St. Louis, via Mobile & Ohio R. R., coming East from there by the Pennsylvania. The show is now quartered in Bridgeport, where it will winter and prepare for its Madison Square engagement next spring.
    The John Robinson "Ten Big" closed yesterday (Friday) in Artesia, Ala., running via the M. & O. and Pennsylvania to Terrace Park, near Cincinnati, Ohio, the regular winter quarters.
    This leaves but one circus on the road; Howe's Great London Show which will tour Florida until late in December and then go into quarters at Miami. The show will start out in March to catch the early season down South.

    Dave Jarrett has been engaged as a car manager with Two Bills for next season. He was with Sells-Floto the past season.

    The John H. Sparks Shows which will play the south as long as it can are now in Texas. To save on the license money the aerial and riding acts have been cut out and nothing but ground acts will be shown while the circus plays the State. With these acts cut out, the show comes under an exhibition license, which means the saving of about $900 per day for every stand in Texas.

    It is reported that Victor B. Cooke, who has for many years been car agent under his father, Louis E. Cooke, at present general agent of the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Shows, will next season manage the "No. 2" Car with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows under R. M. Harvey.

    Campbell Brothers' Circus is in winter quarters in Fairbury, Neb., after a long season in the west and south. Rumor has reached Broadway that during the last week of the show (running home) it disposed of the billposters by distributing them one by one at various stations along the line in "red-light" fashion. Most of these men had been with the show all season, working on the customary scale of wage which provided for a "hold-back." This amounts to a considerable sum in the course of an ordinary circus season, provided the "bill-stickers" stay the season out and it is said that the Campbell Bros. disliked to see so much money leave their treasury. The plan of leaving the men behind at various towns was adopted as an unequalled method.
    What the Billposters' Union will do about it remains to be disclosed. The International Alliance of Billposters and Billers of America meets in annual session in Indianapolis Dec. 8, when the matter of signing the "scale" between the billers and circus managers will come up. As a matter of course the Campbell Bros. affair will be discussed. It is for protection against such treatment that the Alliance was primarily organized. It is said that unless Campbell Bros. right all grievances, the Alliance will not "sing up" with them for next season. In that event the Campbells would have to employ non-union men and invite trouble all season.

    Bert Cole and wife are in New York, having came on from the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, where he has been for nine seasons as special representative and official announcer. He is engaged for next season.

    Performers and attractions from the John Robinson Shows, which have just reached Terrace Park, O., for the winter, appeared Thanksgiving Day under the auspices of the Turners of Cincinnati. Turner Hall was the scene, and animals from the Zoo and the circus were hauled in to form the menagerie. There was the regulation parade, side shows and circus performance.

    Al. Real, who during the past season has been manager of the "No. 2" car with "Ranch 101 Wild West," has been engaged by general manager Edward Arlington to be excursion agent next season with the same show.

Variety, December 4, 1909, p. 17. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    There are rosy prospects that Walter L. Main will again become an active factor in circus business. It has been known that for some time he has wanted to re-enter the game again and now comes a story from Corry, Pa., where the Cole show is wintering, that he is pretty close to buying that outfit. It is known that when Main left Corry for a trip to New York last Tuesday he left behind an agent with pretty close to $100,000 in Government bonds to cinch the deal if the estate of Martin W. Downs came to his terms during his absence. With Main to New York came a representative of the Cole show which makes it all the more probable that the deal is pretty close to consummation. The Geneva showman, if he "comes back," will do so on a larger scale than he ever has operated before, and there is no doubt but that he will be a prominent factor in next season's festivities if his present plans go through satisfactorily. The Walter L. Main name is strong in the middle west and south particularly and it is in that section where the shows of those owners who are opposed to the Ringling Bros. will operate most extensively next season.
    The Martin Downs estate is valued at $100,448, of which $37,000 is on deposit in Toronto banks. Main has made an offer for the property, which, according to all reports, Martin Down's son is satisfied to accept. Out of the estate the widow receives $15,000 and the rest, excepting a few obligations and bequests, goes to the son, James Downs. It is generally accepted in New York that Main will acquire the property, only a few details remaining to be completed before the transfer is actually accomplished.
    Circus people recall that Main was married in Pittsburg to a very rich bride last June and shortly after that event he began preparations to return to the circus end, having had a representative visit the Cole Show and give it a thorough looking over during the summer. Main has in winter quarters in Geneva enough circus property to outfit a twenty-car show, and with the Cole Show property added he could put a forty-car equipment on the road next spring without any effort. Although he has not been active for two or three seasons, Main has retained the principal part of his original show, leasing horses and such other property as he could to other circuses.

    Dolph Pacheco is on his way south from New Orleans, from which city he sailed with a circus. The outfit carries a 100-foot round top and two 50-foot center pieces. The show is made up of a number of acts with the Barnum-Bailey Circus. It was taken into the same South American territory by Pacheco in partnership with Deltorelli last year. The latter is not interested in the present enterprise. The circus will be on the road all winter.

    Reading, Pa., Dec. 2. Harry Luken has purchased the animal show of Gascow's now wintering in Memphis, Tenn. The aggregation will be transferred to Mr. Lukens' winter quarters in this city. Fifty-six animals are in the collection. With nine animal acts now traveling and Mr. Lukens' latest purchase he has more trained wild animals in his possession than any one man in America.

    Charles E. Corey, general manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, will be married in Lafayette, Ind., Dec. 9, leaving at once for Europe to secure attractions for next season with the circus.

    Max Dillae and Geo. Searcy have signed with the Forepaugh-Sells Show for next season.

    There is a report that Charley Thompson, last season adjuster and assistant manager with the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Shows, will be with the Forepaugh-Sells Shows in a similar capacity next season.

    James H. Gray, formerly part owner of the Sells-Gray Shows, is now serving the last months of a two years' term as mayor of Santa Rosa, Cal. He has been negotiating with a view to returning to circus life if the right opportunity affords.

    The Sells-Floto Show has place an order with a New York animal dealer for a giraffe and a hippopotamus, which is taken as an indication that its menagerie will be further enlarged for next season.

    George Heckman, who was manager of the Sells-Floto No. 1 Car, has been engaged by the John Robinson Show as press agent for next season.

Variety, December 18, 1909, p. 18. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Dec. 15. The International Alliance of Billposters and Billers held a convention at Indianapolis last week and the circus agreement for 1910 and 1911 was arranged. It is practically the same as in effect in 1909 with the exception that the billers received a $5 a month raise. The agreement was signed by representatives of the Ringling, Barnum & Bailey, Forepaugh-Sells, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Sells-Floto, John Robinson, and Louis E. Cooke, representing the Two Bills, sent word that he would do what the rest did. . . . During the past season the relations of billers and circuses were very pleasant. Only two complaints were made against the circuses. Three billposters from St. Louis had a bill for $2,100 against Sells-Floto, claiming they were not called to come with the show. This was so ridiculous that the grievance committee threw it out. John Hester, of Cincinnati, had a bill of $418 against Hagenbeck-Wallace, which was also thrown out.

    Chicago, Dec. 15. "Grafters" are worried a little about next season and are afraid they won't find any place to "drop," as most of the circuses in 1910 promise to be "clean." The "business" has not been a very profitable one in recent years.

    Chicago, Dec. 15. The Ringlings have purchased a number of animals for the Ringling and Forepaugh-Sells menageries next season. They are expected to reach Baraboo, Wis., some time next month. For the Forepaugh-Sells show there is in this collection a herd of performing elephants which works with a troupe of ten trained dogs, eight Siberian camels, two zebras, a gnu, a white-tailed gnu, a tapir, a pair of Indian llamas, a pair of blossbuck, a water buck, three leopards, two spotted hyenas, a giraffe, three Russian bears, two striped hyenas, three dozen monkeys and apes.
    For the Ringling circus there will be in the collection two giraffes, two spotted hyenas, two striped hyenas, two zebras, a female lucoryx, three dozen cage monkeys. These animals come from Carl Hagenbeck, at Hamburg, Germany. The two pair of spotted hyenas will be the only ones in this country. The zebras for the Ringling show are of a kind not exhibited here with the exception of a pair with the Barnum & Bailey show.

    Evansville, Dec. 15. The Norris & Rowe Shows, in winter quarters here, have lost their big elephant, "Princess," who died Monday at an estimated age of more than 100 years. The elephant was once the property of the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling Bros. Shows, and was at one time in the Philadelphia Zoo.

    The firm of I. M. Sothern & Co. will publish the program for the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Wild West next season. This privilege has been held by Joseph Mayer for several seasons, but now that Maj. Gordon W. Lillie is in command he has shifted to Mr. Sothern, who formerly published the program for the old Pawnee Bill Wild West. Sothern will also publish the programs for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch," the John Robinson, Norris & Rowe and the Gollmar Bros.' Circuses. Mae Barry, who was formerly Joe Mayer's stenographer, has gone with Sothern in a like capacity.

    The Ringling Brothers have re-engaged most of the heads of departments who held over with them from the old James A. Bailey days, for the next Barnum & Bailey season. John McLaughlin, train master; Dan Taylor, master mechanic; Tom Lynch, boss hostler, and Arthur Graves, boss property man, are among the old timers who have been able to conform to the Ringling methods with entire satisfaction. Such was not the case with Geo. Conklin, boss animal man, and "Doc" Elliott, superintendent of ring stock, who failed to last out their first season under the Ringling way of doing things.

Variety, December 25, 1909, p. 17. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    It is said that Ringling Bros. have applied to the management of Madison Square Garden for a renewal of the five year contract which expires next April. The Garden management evidenced no anxiety to renew the lease and it has not as yet been consummated. The contract was made by James A. Bailey in 1905, the winter before he died. It was to run for five years, expiring next April, and included eight weeks of every spring to be devoted to the Barnum & Bailey show and Buffalo Bill's "Wild West." Since that time the Ringlings have come into ownership of the Barnum Show and Maj. Gordon W. Lillie has one-half the "Wild West." The Garden management, it is reported, receives $5,000 per week from the shows, although others who occupy the Garden are obliged to pay $1,000 each day. The annual appearance of circuses and the Wild West seem to have taken the edge off the business, and it is asserted that Maj. Gordon W. Lillie would like to get away from the one engagement which remains for the Buffalo Bill end of the existing contract.

    The drug store in Fitchburg, Mass., for many years the winter refuge of Dexter Fellowes, has been sold. Now Dexter will of necessity devote his entire attention to press work. He goes back again to the Barnum & Bailey Show next season, and with Jay Rial will constitute the principal press battery of the "big show" when it comes to the Garden - unless "Tody" Hamilton again is in the running. But the engagement of "Tody" is problematical and will only be for New York City in any event.

    Chicago, Dec. 22. Charles Sweeney will once more be equestrian director of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show. After holding that position for almost a quarter of a century, Sweeney went with the John Robinson circus the last season and was succeeded with Hagenbeck-Wallace by Robert Stickney, Jr. A few weeks ago Mr. Sweeney arrived in Peru, Ind., for the winter and constant contact with Mr. Wallace led to a mutual understanding.

    Chicago, Dec. 22. The Jerry Mugivan show closed at Jacksonville, Fla., after being out forty-three weeks and traveling 8,000 miles.

    "Opposition" stories are coming in from Texas, where the Ringling Bros.', "101 Ranch" and the Sells-Floto Shows were in a clinch last fall. The best one is from Beaumont via Edward Arlington. The "101 Ranch Wild West" was playing Beaumont, and the Ringling show has used only banners in the opposition work, neglecting the billboards entirely. On the morning of the show day Mr. Arlington heard a couple of "kids" conversing on the all absorbing topic of whether to go to the "Wild West" or wait for the circus to follow. One boy was undecided. The other converted him to the "Wild West" by saying: "I'm not going to wait for that circus; it only has one tiger and five men in the show." This is a reminder of what a youthful New Yorker said last spring when the Ringling Bros. brought their circus to the Garden. They used the "five heads" almost to the exclusion of any other form of out-door advertising, and after the youngster in question had seen the posters for several days when they were first displayed, he asked his father to "bring home some of that chewing-gum those five men were selling."

    George Stumpf goes with the Forepaugh-Sells show next season. "Chick" Bell will be with the same circus next summer.

    Paul Harold will again run the "No. 1" Car with Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" next season.

    "Danny" Lynch will be the local contractor for the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill "Wild West" next season. He filled this same position two years ago with the Buffalo Bill Show under the same general agent, Louis E. Cooke.

    Guy Steely, one of the relay press agents of last season's Barnum & Bailey Show, is spending the winter in New York. He has been re-engaged for his old position next season, along with Jay Rial and Dexter Fellowes of last year's press staff.

    Edward Arlington, general manager of Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" has made most of his selections of subordinates in the advance department for the coming season. W. C. Thompson, his head press man, will come to New York directly after New Years to start work upon his advance material. Mr. Thompson was called to his home in Norwich, Conn., the other day by the death of his father, and is now engaged in closing up the family affairs.
    Sam Feidler is local contractor for the show, and already "on the job" in a preliminary way. Paul Harold will again manage the "No. 1" Car, and for the coming season a third car will be added to the advance with Al. Rial as its manager. The "No. 2" Car will be in charge of John D. Carey, who will also do the newspaper contracting. "Buzzy" Bainbridge will be press agent back with the show. Leo Monteray will be "checker up," and Chas. A. McClintock an assistant contractor. Mr. McClintock thus becomes a circus agent for the first time, having been previously connected with theatricals as an advance man. Joe Rosenthal will again be "opposition agent." The show is in quarters at East St. Louis, Ill., from where Mr. Arling recently returned after starting the preliminary work of preparation. The stock is all on "101 Ranch," which the Miller Bros. own, near Bliss, Okla., and where the brothers are wintering.

    Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 22. The Rhoda Royal Indoor Circus appeared here last week under local auspices and surprised by its size. The opinion was it is too large to play indoors with financial success. The Daily Times appeared to think the Rhoda Royal horses are the principal feature and gives second prominence to Ida Miaco, speaking of her as "an importation of Gay Paree."

Top

1910

Variety, January 1, 1910, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Dec. 29. Tom North will be general press agent of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show next season. He is now in advance of "The Newly Weds."

    Chicago, Dec. 29. William Gollmar, one of the Gollmar brothers, but not a member of the firm operating a circus under that name, died at Baraboo, Wis., last week.

    Chicago, Dec. 29. Lon Williams will be general agent of both the Gentry shows next season.

    California Frank's "Wild West" closed at Augusta, Ga., and went into winter quarters there. The company, excepting the Indians, will shortly play vaudeville under Frank's management. Next season C. F. Hafley ("California Frank") will have a much larger organization, although the strength of his troupe this season has proven to him, he says, that the public prefers quality to quantity.

    James H. Morrow is at Spokane, Wash., the winter quarters of Al G. Barnes' Animal Circus, directing the work of preparation for next season. E. E. Garner has been engaged as railroad contractor. The outfit will comprise twelve cars and the season will open in Spokane April 5.

    Harry D. Wilson made such a splendid success of the privileges with the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Shows during the past season, that Maj. Lillie has contracted with him for next season on what are believed to be better terms. Mr. Wilson will winter at his home in Philadelphia, making a weekly trip to the "Two Bills" quarters in Trenton.

    A committee representing the Associated Billposters (the men who own the bill-posting plants throughout the country) will meet a committee of circus men in Chicago Jan. 10 for the purpose of "signing up" for the ensuing season. Chas. Ringling, R. M. Harvey, Louis E. Cooke, Edward Arlington and other prominent circus agents and managers, will consult with a committee from the billposters comprising R. C. Campbell (a retired general agent of circuses), Chas. Bryan, P. J. Mcaliney, Barney Link, and J. F. O'Melia. At this meeting an agreement will be reached as to the rate per sheet for posting bills in cities of various sizes, together with the number of tickets each posting firm shall receive, the compensation for removing banners after the shows have left town and a general understanding as to the business which is usually transacted between billposters and circuses.
    The meeting is an annual occurrence. This year there is likely to be considerable friction over the situation here in New York, the only town where there is any real opposition to the posting combine. The opposition plant is owned by the C. J. Sullivan Advertising Co. Through supposed influence with Tammany Hall the Sullivan plant is able to gather in all the choice locations, and has proven a formidable opposition to the Association plant, controlled by Barney Link and others. Circus men in signing the Association agreement bind themselves to use only Association boards throughout the country. Last spring the Ringling Brothers expressed great dissatisfaction because, under their agreement they could not avail themselves of the numerous excellent locations throughout the city which the Sullivans control. The "Two Bills" were likewise situated, and will again this spring be similarly handicapped unless a compromise is effected with Link and his associates at the forthcoming committee meeting.
    It seems certain that Chas. Ringling, in particular, will make a stand for the privilege of going on the Sullivan boards with the Barnum & Bailey bills next spring. Louis E. Cooke, general agent of the "Two Bills," will probably be guided by Chas. Ringling's action. There is every indication of a lively session when the clans gather at the Auditorium. In December, the working billposters held their convention, a peaceful one, at which an agreement was quickly reached between the billers and the circuses.

Variety, January 8, 1910, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Erie, Pa., Jan. 5. The will of the late Martin Downs, owner of Cole Bros. circus, was probated at the Court House here this week, and Geo. M. Mason, attorney was appointed administrator. Everything is now in shape to dispose of the property for the best offer. The options of Ringling Bros., Walter L. Main and Wm. P. Hall have all expired without any definite action being taken, and Frank A. Robbins, of New Jersey, who was in Corry, Pa., and looked over the property last Friday, said it was too big a proposition finanacially for him to handle. It is more than probable that the show will go out under a stock company composed of the former executive heads of the circus and business men of the two cities. James Downs passed through here with his attorney last Friday on his way to Toronto, and is expected back in Erie soon. The final disposition of the show will be made upon his arrival.

    Somewhere in Mexico or Cuba there is a circus proprietor named Antonio Pubillones with a fine collection of draught stock, a big top and all the other appurtenances of a tented show - except the artists to give a performance. Practially the whole show quit the outfit at Vera Cruz, bringing a long list of accusations against the proprietor. They sailed from that Mexican port and arrived in New York Saturday, all highly indignant at the treatment they claim to have received. In the party were the Yoscarys, Le Vine Trio, Rappo Sisters, Rostow, Lafayette's Dogs, Scott Brothers, Marguerite and Hanley, and the O'Brien Troupe. The Arthur Clark Family and another act remained behind.
    The artists declared that they received only a part of the salary contracted for, the rest being deducted on different pretences, as failure to give performances on rainy days and the like. Also they were promised four week each in Havana and Merida, while only one week was played in each town. They were headed back to Havana and would have been forced to undergo a six-day quarantine in that port involving a further loss had they remained with the circus. Two independent agents in New York, Charles L. Sasse and J. Harry Allen, have refused to book attractions with Pubillones, and claim unpaid accounts to the total of $1,500. The show which quit was largely booked in by Richard Pitrot. Several of the newly returned acts declare that a Pubillones representative offered them a document for signature before they sailed, in which they were to agree to receive their payment in New York. Many refused to sign the instrument.

    In Karnes City, Tex., on New Year's Day, the John Sparks Show closed its season and went into winter quarters on the spot. This is the last of all the circuses, big and little, to end the season. The Sparks Show is always early afield and stays as late as on the road as anybody. Sun Bros. Circus is touring in Florida, showing at Lake Butler, Jan. 5.

    Chicago, Jan. 5. The artists with the Rhoda Royal Winter Circus pay their own fares and as they play Richmond, Va., this week and jump to Buffalo, N. Y., next week, it is a sorry looking crowd, according to advices which are wafted to Chicago.

    Maj. Gordon W. Lillie ("Pawnee Bill") having finished his winter vacation at his home in Pawnee City, Okla., arrived in New York last week, and will stay in the east until the "Two Bills" opens at the Garden in April. During the next few weeks he will spend most of his time at winter quarters in Trenton, later coming to New York to open an office. Temporarily he will make his local headquarters with I. M. Sothern, who will print the show's program next season. Col. Wm. F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill") reached New York Monday for his annual mid-winter visit to the East. He spent most of the week at the Hoffman House, making one or two trips to Trenton for conferences with Maj. Lillie. The "Old Rialto" on 14th Street again assumed its "Wild West" appearance with the return of Maj. John M. Burke Monday from a visit to friends in Washington. It is expected that the "Two Bills" shows will have its permanent New York office in the Long Acre Building very shortly.

    Denver, Jan. 5. In the United States Federal Court on Dec. 30 the case of the Ringling Brothers vs. the Sells-Floto Shows again came up with the Ringlings represented this time by a Denver firm of lawyers, Patterson, Richardson & Hawkins, in place of the Chicago attorneys who previously appeared for them. This is interesting in that Senator Patterson of the latest frim of lawyers, owns the Rocky Mountain News and the Evening Times, newspapers in violent opposition to the Denver Post, owned by Harry H. Tammen, one of the proprietors of the Sells-Floto Shows.
    In the most recent court proceedings the request was made by the Sells-Floto people to have a temporary injunction so modified that they might place upon their bills the words, "This is not the Adame Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Show," and to carry at the same time the "four Sells heads." The restraining order had applied to the use of the four heads, but not to the title "Sells." The court took under advertisement the latest application.
    Another question that arose was against the Ringling complaint to prevent Sells-Floto from using the four heads. This cross bill further complicates the legal status of the case and leaves the whole matter still to be passed upon by the court. If a favorable decision is rendered Sells-Floto will be permitted, before a Chancery Court, located in different parts of the country, to take evidence on the Sells-Floto contentions as to unfair opposition on the part of the Ringlings and the resulting damages. More briefs must be submitted and the case is thus further removed from a final decision.

Variety, January 15, 1910, p. 17. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The future of Cole Bros. Show has at last been definitely settled. The property has been purchased as a whole by Fiss, Doerr & Carroll, extensive dealers in horses, with auction barns in New York. They will auction it off in lots, at the winter quarters in Corry, Pa., Jan. 28. There has been much speculation as to what would become of the show. Walter L. Main, Geo. Hall, J. Augustus Jones and Frank A. Robbins have all held options at various times, but allowed them to expire. Hall figured on selling the live stock and animals to Ringling Bros., and then disposing of the paraphernalia in lots; Walter L. Main failed to make good with the money involved in the transaction; Jones was never taken seriously, and Frank A. Robbins confessed, when he looked the property over, that the deal was too big for him.
    The stepmother of James Downs and the other executors of the estate have undoubtedly closed with Fiss, Doerr & Carroll at terms most advantageous to the horse dealers, for it has been known that there were strong family objections to young James taking the show on the road under his management. He will not reach his majority until next August.

    The grouch that Joe and Zack Miller and the other Millers have been nursing against the republic of Mexico, since the "101 Ranch" outfit was "clemmed" in the Mexico City bull ring last fall, has broken out in a lurid rash. This has manifested itself in a proclamation signed by Joe Miller, in which he agrees to post $1,000 for a contest in riding and roping between five picked men of the "101 Ranch" brand and the best experts Mexico can put up. To show his sporting spirit Joe agrees to have the clash come off in the city bull ring where the "clem" aforesaid happened, on which occasion the generous populace bombarded the Americans with empty bottles and like missles, because a half-breed was proceeding to abuse one of the ferocious bulls with only his hands as weapons.
    The mainfesto has been sent to the Mexican papers and posted in various public places. The date set for the contest is the last week in February. Meanwhile there is a speculative advance in funeral trapping in and around Mexico City. The "101 Ranch" show starts on its 1910 tour at Bliss, Okla., about the middle of April

    Chicago, Jan. 12. George Choffin, one of the best of the opposition agents, has been secured for the Forepaugh-Sells show the coming season. He was 24-hour man with Ringlings up to a few years ago, when he left to take the opposition with Hagenbeck-Wallace. Last season he was with the Sells-Floto show and did the most strenuous work in the history of the show.

    Chicago, Jan. 12. Foster Burns' luck turned when he got married. He drifted out to Kansas City to do some posting for the Kansas City Post, which fell into the Bonfils-Tammen control, and they gave him a yearly contract as advertising agent for that paper.

    Dick Bell, the Mexican circus proprietor, and his family are expected shortly in the States. Business in Mexico has not been profitable for the tented organization and the famous pantomimic clown plans to invade vaudeville here with his old musical act. About 1900 when Bell and his numerous children were in New York, the act with nine Bells, big and little, was put on at Koster & Bial's for the Sunday performance, more as an experiment than with any idea of seeking employment. There are fourteen members in the family now, including mother and father and grandchildren and relations-by-marriage swell the list to almost twice that number. What the makeup of the act for America will be has not been announced. The tour of the circus in Mexico will be cut short to allow of the American invasion. The act will open in Havana before coming north.

    The Circo Bell is on the road in Mexico, but business is reported as being unsatisfactory. It has just become known in New York that Mrs. Dick Bell (wife of Dick, Sr.) and her two daughters are no longer with the organization. They remained back in Mexico City, where they purchased a hotel. The three women are running the enterprise. It is said that they became tired of the constant moving about of circus life and decided to settle permanently, but another story is to the effect that since the sons have taken over the executive handling of the tour, dissensions have arisen in the family, and this has had a good deal to do with the decision of Mrs. Bell and her daughters to retire from the circus.

    During the forthcoming tented season I. M. Sothern will print the advertising programs for the following shows: Buffalo and Pawnee Bill, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch," John Robinson, Norris & Rowe, Gollmar Bros. and Howe's Great London. Solicitors and collectors have been engaged as follows: J. E. Allein and Mark Hirschfield, with the "Two Bills"; Joseph Hossick and E. M. Watkins, with "101 Ranch"; A. Farrer and Will Yenny, with Hagenbeck-Wallace; H. C. Adams and Fred Isler, with Norris & Rowe. H. E. Grace will be solicitor with the John Robinson Show and A. A. Murdock with Howe's Great London.

    Fred Wagner, in all probability, will not be with the Sells-Floto Shows next season. It is reported that an agreement cannot be reached as to what position Mr. Wagner shall have with the show.

Variety, January 22, 1910, p. 18. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The interest of circus people is centered in the forthcoming auction sale be Fiss, Doerr & Carroll, of the property of Cole Brothers' Show at Corry, Pa., Jan. 28. It is understood that the auctioneers, who bought the property outright, paid $30,000 for the property. There are 125 horses with the show, enough being of sound and good grade to bring, it is estimated, $10,000. The remainder of the baggage stock is expected to bring another $10,000. From the rest of the property, including animals and cages, cars, tents and general paraphernalia, it is estimated that the speculators will turn a nice profit on their investment. The sale is promised by Fiss, Doerr & Carroll, to be absolutely on the level, and it is expected that there will be a big attendance of circus men as bidders.

    Chicago, Jan. 19. John O. Talbott will not be with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus next season. His place as legal adjuster will be filled by Charles Hageman, late of the Howe's Great London Shows (Jerry Mugivan's). Mr. Talbott has seriously considered retiring from the circus field for a year or two and made up his mind at last. He will engage in the theatrical business in the West. Hageman is an old Wallace man. Hageman and Fred Wagner will have Mr. Talbott's interests with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show. Wagner was formerly local contractor for Wallace and was last year business manager of the Sells-Floto show. Wagner was united in marriage Dec. 22 to Pearl Matlock, a Denver young woman. Mr. And Mrs. Wagner are now in Chicago and will remain here until the season opens.

    Chicago, Jan. 19. It looks as though the Gollmar Brothers would not sign up the agreement with the Affiliated Billposters. The show has gotten along in the past without signing, and, although opposed at some points, manages to get along. The John Robinson show and the Two Bills were not represented at the meeting held in Chicago last week, but they will sign. The shows which have signed are: Barnum & Bailey, by M. F. Nagle; Ringling Brothers by William Horton; Forepaugh-Sells by J. D. Newman; Sells-Floto by W. E. Franklin; Hagenbeck-Wallace by R. M. Harvey; "101 Ranch" by Fred Beckman; Campbell Brothers by Al. Campbell. Charles Ringling wanted to use the opposition billposting plant in New York for the Barnum show, and all the circuses were willing to stand by him. The committee representing the billposters would not agree. Rather than have a break in a harmonious meeting the matter was passed.

    Chicago, Jan. 19. The Bonfils-Tammen financial interests, which control newspapers in Denver and Kansas City and the Sells-Floto Show, have bought into The Show World, a Chicago publication, and while not having the controlling stock Warren A. Patrick, the general director, states that Tammen will be the guiding spirit from now on, stating the "would take orders."
    The Show World has been having hard times recently. An arrangement made with Rhoda Royal for advertising the Rhoda Royal Show did not turn out as Mr. Patrick expected and another arrangement made with J. J. Murdock came to an end through the International moving picture concern, which, while still in existence, now has little prominence in the picture world.

    Chicago, Jan. 19. Ringling Brothers will probably make the first stand out of Chicago at Danville, Ill. The show will play an engagement at the Coliseum and then lose a day before playing Danville.

    Frank Fillis, the South African showman, who is also well known in England and America, is again out with a circus in the Transvaal. Following his bankruptcy proceedings, still in court, a number of his friends formed a stock company and equipped a show for him, appointing him general manager. It is this organization he is traveling. One of the featurs of the show is an elaborate production of "Dick Turpin," in three scenes.

    Chicago, Jan. 19. Col. B. E. Wallace recently bought a carload of draft horses for use the coming circus season. As is his custom, he bought iron grays.

    Breaking off the engagement with still another week to run, the Siegrist-Silbon Troupe has left the Pubillones Circus in Cuba and was expected in New York the middle of this week. This leaves Pubillones with only one imported act. His business in the Island is not good. The acts with the show were ordered last week to help in striking the tent. They moved to another stand, but the artists in many cases refused to stay, declaring that the top was not waterproof and was in no condition to afford shelter.

    Chicago, Jan. 19. Among the engagements announced for next season: Charles Young, formerly first assistant boss canvasman with Hagenbeck-Wallace, will be boss canvasman with Dode Fisk. Arthur Davis, last season steward with Norris & Rowe, will go with 101 Ranch in the same capacity next season. Al W. Martin, who recently visited at Peru, Ind., has made arrangements by which he will be with Norris & Rowe again next season. Harry Curtis has been engaged as 24-hour man with the Forepaugh-Sells.

    Howe's Great London Shows are in winter quarters in Jacksonville with Jerry Mugivan in charge of preparations for the forthcoming season which opens early in March, starting with a tour of Florida.

Variety, January 29, 1910, p. 17. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Corry, Pa., Jan. 26. Preparations are complete for the Fiss, Doerr & Carroll auction sale of the Cole Bros. Show. The property will be sold in lots Friday of this week, and as this is the first circus auction of any prominence which has been held in this country since the Forepaugh-Sells sale in Columbus several years ago, it is expected that circus men will congregate from near and far. The miscellaneous show property is divided into 164 lots. There are 58 ring horses, 31 animals in the menagerie, 89 baggage horses, 23 cars and 20 cages, open dens and band and tableaux wagons.

    The Estate of Martin Downs has been in a quandry since selling the Cole Show property in bulk to Fiss, Doerr & Carroll, the New York horse dealers who will set it in lots at public auction today (Friday) in Corry, Pa., where the show has been in winter quarters. The Downs Estate is said to have received $23,000 for the property; but there are many claims which will reduce the net. The Downs people tried to repurchase the show from Fiss, Doerr & Carroll, but were told that if they wanted the show they would have to bid in the different lots at public sale, exactly as any other purchaser would be compelled to do. A clear bill of sale, backed by a bond, was given to Fiss, Doerr & Carroll and that firm asserts that it has not the least concern as to the troubles which have hove in sight for the Downs family since the sale was negotiated.
    With $23,000 in hand, the Downs Estate faces a claim of the Government for $3,804 import duty on the ring and baggage stock when it came out of Canada last August, $12,000 which the Erie Printing Co. must be paid for paper contracted for and on its shelves, $500 which the business men of Corry put up to cinch the winter quarters of the show, a claim of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. for reimbursement for 800 feet of siding which was laid in the Fair Grounds, and a claim of the Fair Grounds people for alterations and money expended to make buildings and grounds conform to the requirements of the show's winter quarters.
    The Government claim concerns a trip which the show made into the Northwest Territory last August. After they had crossed into Canada on Aug. 5, the law imposing a duty on all horses brought into this country went into effect - $30 per head for all horses valued at $150 or less, and 25 per cent of value for all horses of greater worth. Aug. 12 the show crossed back into the United States, bringing a total of 128 head of horses, and paying no duty. The United States Customs officials subsequently entered a claim for a total of $3,804 duties demanded.
    The troubles of the Downs family are further multiplied by the dissatisfaction resulting from the various bequests under the late circus man's will. The father was bequathed the income on $12,500, and he will, it is said, attempt to break the will. Martin Downs' widow (who was his second wife) is also said to be dissatisfied with the terms of the will and is going to contest it.

    For several seasons Fred Buchanan, owner of the Yankee Robinson Show, has been using on the billboards and in his printed matter a likeness of P. T. Barnum as a portrait of Yankee Robinson. The Ringling Brothers, owners of all the rights to the Barnum name and pictures, have notified Mr. Buchana that this must cease. There is some question as to what attitude Buchanan will assume. A considerable quantity of old Yankee Robinson paper, bearing this Barnum likeness is on hand and the expense of getting out new material would be added to the loss sustained by throwing away the old stuff.

    The advance force of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show for the coming season will include: R. M. Harvey, general agent; J. P. Fagan, railroad contractor; M. L. (Buck) Massie, George Beck and Walter Murphy, contractors. George Murray, J. E. Eviston and Russell Davis will have opposition brigadees. Al Osborne will have one of the advertising cars.

    Jack Warren has been re-engaged as press agent back with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show.

    Kid St. Clair will have a car with the Barnum & Baile show the coming season.

Variety, February 5, 1910, p. 12, 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, Feb. 2. The much-discussed question as to who will succeed James J. Brady as the "story man" with Ringling Bros.' Circus seems to have been settled by the selection of Richard W. Little from a big list of men whom Alf T. Ringling has been considering. Little has been a special writer on the Record-Herald for some time. His work has attracted widespread attention, particularly a series of articles which he contributed last summer when the traveled with a "junketing" party from the Chicago Board of Trade upon a visit to the Seattle Exposition. His humorous style is quaint and effective, and although he is new to the "circus game" those who have followed his work are banking on him to make good.

    Jones Bros. have assumed the lease of the former Cole Bros. quarters at Corry, Pa., and will there equip and organize a twelve-car show for the coming season. Andrew Downie will also fit out his show at Corry, going out on three cars.

    Ringling Bros. received a shipment of elephants and camels at the port of New York a few days ago, coming from Carl Hagenbeck in Germany, for their Forepaugh-Sells Show. It is expected that the Ringlings will be heavy purchasere of animals and baggage stock at the auction sale of the Cole Show in Corry, as they need property for their new circus.

    If the signs are aright, "Lucky," for years assistant property man of the Barnum-Bailey Circus, will not be in his old place this summer. It came to the ears of Otto Ringling the other day that "Lucky" had framed up a copy of the "Balloon Horse" introduced in the Barnum-Bailey show and had traveled with it this winter as part of the Rhoda Royal Circus. So "Lucky" is in consequence very much persona non grata in Bridgeport.

    Joseph V. Sherry has been engaged as principal producing clown with the Norris & Rowe Circus for next season.

    The Norris & Rowe Show will hereafter advertise H. S. Rowe and Walter Shannon as equal owners and managers. Mr. Row will have charge of the advance and Mr. Shannon will manage the show.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Show will have the Flying Weavers as a feature this season. The Weavers came up from South America recently and opened for one week at the Circle Theatre, New York. The act was engaged forthwith to open this week in Boston on the Morris tiem.

    The Chicago & Northwestern's Circus Contract No. 1 calls for a movement of six cars for Ringling Bros. from Chicago to Baraboo, $150 for the movement, effective Jan. 20.

    There was a meeting of circus owners, managers and general agents in Corry, Pa., Thursday evening before the Cole Show auction, which included representatives of most of the tent shows outside of the Ringling group. Alf T. Wheeler, the wagon show magnate, presided. The purpose of the meeting was to start some concerted action in protest against the exorbitant license charges which prevail in many places. There seems to be a growing movement among cities and towns throughout the country to "hike" the license fees. Whether or not circus men will be able to do anything in the line of getting these charges reduced remains to be seen. Incidental to the meeting, Wm. E. Franklin, general manager of the Sells-Floto Show, remarked: "My people have forced the Ringling Brothers to pay $38,000 State taxes they tried to avoid and we have also raised the license on them to $1,000 in several towns. This license only affects shows of 40 cars or more; consequently the independents are not affected." It seem circus men have not lost the delilghtful art of blowing hot or cold in accordance with how their individual interests are affected.

    Discussing the much-mooted point of rights of the "Barnum head" as used by the Yankee Robinson show, an old circus man declared this week that Fred Buchanan, owner of that circus, had really grabbed the name of his show from the Ringlings. It appears that the original Yankee Robinson combined with the Ringlings many years ago, and upon his death the name passed to the possession of the Baraboo Brothers. It was permitted to expire and at that period Buchanan re-registered it. The Yankee Robinson show will probably open its 1910 season at Des Moines April 21. It will spend three days there before going on the road. Buchanan toured in wagons only two years ago. In the middle of a season he went on the rails and last year had accumulated a sixteen-car show. The coming season, report has it, the equipment will be increased to 22 cars.

    The "Two Bills" engagement at Madison Square Garden begins April 26. Barnum & Bailey will close the preceding Saturday night. April 23, and the "Two Bills" will take immediate possession. As usual Monday will be devoted to rehearsals and the regular opening will take place Tuesday evening.

    Practically the entire organization of bosses with the old Cole Bros. Show has been signed by Fred Buchanan to equip the Yankee Robinson Show for the coming season.

    Sun Bros. Show, in winter quarters at Macon, Ga., will make a March start on its coming season, opening at that point and running about forty weeks. Clinton Newton will be business manager and principal newspaper man with the show. There will be no parades given by the outfit this summer.

    Ed C. Knupp, who was general agent of the Cole Show, will be the adjuster for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show this season.

    Geo. Stumpf, who was reported to be engaged for the Forepaugh-Sells Show, will stay with the Sells-Floto people for another season.

    John Hickey has been re-engaged as superintendent of lights with Norris & Rowe and is now at winter quarters. Mrs. Maud Earl and their daughter Hazel are there also. Maud Earl will do a contortion ladder act and she and her daughter will work in the concert.

    Louis E. Plamondin is spending the winter at Topeka, Kan., his home. He will be with Hagenbeck-Wallace again next season doing his revolving ladder act and working with the Delno Troupe.

    The much advertised auction sale of Cole Bros. circus was held at Corry, Pa., Friday, Jan. 28. It was attended by the largest number of circus and carnival men ever gathered together. From far and near the showmen were present at the largest legitimate circus sale ever held. Everything was sold from the paper fans to the Pullman cars; the bidding was spirited and men who know declare that while there were some bargains secured, nearly everything brought good prices.
    Among the prominent showmen present were Alf T. and John Ringling, J. C. Miller and Edward and Geo. Arlington, of "Ranch 101, Wild West"; John G. Robinson, ("Young Johnny"), Rhoda Royal, Frank A. Robbins, H. B. Craig, Ben Wallace, Wallace Hagenbeck Shows; W. E. Franklin, Sells-Floto; Dr. Crosby, Campbell Bros.; Tom Smith, of Buffalo and Pawnee Bill; Danny Robinson, Ernest Haag, of Mighty Haag Show; Jerry Mugivan, J. Augustus Jones, of Jones Bros.; A. J. McCaffrey, of U. S. Tent & Awning Co.; Alf. T. Wheeler, Andrew Downie, Leon Washburn, Walter L. Main, Ed. Burke, Robinson Famous Shows; John Walsh, J. L. Springer, Robinson Show; J. D. Carey, of 101 Ranch; Earl Burgess, Robert Stickney, who bid for Ringling Bros.; Fred Mitchell, for Bartel Animal Co.; J. D. Carroll, general manager Fiss, Doerr & Carroll Co.; who conducted the sale; P. Pederson, Geo. Stumpf, Sells-Floto; Ed. C. Knupp, James Downs, Geo. Robinson, Wm. Forbes, A. S. Englert, W. B. Irons, H. E. Elliott, Dr. Potter, of N. Y. Hippodrome; J. R. Lowe, Erie Llitho. Co.; R. M. Bickerstaff, Fred Buchanan, of Yankee Robinson, and the newspaper men.
    Early in the morning there was some doubt about the sale, as the U. S. Government wanted the $3,780 due them for duty on the horses when the show came out of Canada. The matter was settled by Mr. Mason, the administrator for the Downs estate, who arranged not to disburse any money from the estate until the claim was settled. Mr. Mason stated to the Variety representative that the amount paid to him for the property by the Fiss, Doerr & Carroll Co. was $23,500, and original deposit of $1,500. The total sales by auction amounted to from $43,000 to $44,000. Fiss, Doerr & Carroll cleared up a profit of over $19,000 on the sale. The bidding was started at 10 o'clock in the morning in the building where the property of the show was housed. John Evans was the auctioneer for the Fiss, Doerr & Carroll Co., one of the best men in his line of business, who, at the finish, sold horses at the rate of one a minute.
    The first things disposed of were the odds and ends such as rope, stakes, sledge hammers, lights, cook house outfit and the many little things that go to make up a show. They were all bought up by the small showmen such as Jones Bros., Andrew Downie and others. Nearly all the harness was bought by John Robinson and Danny Robinson. Of course there were some of the larger show owners who could not overlook some bargains much to the discomfort of the small bidders.
    The most interest was centered in the horses and wild animals. Bartel, the animal man from New York was represented by Fred Mitchell, and offered $7,500 for the menagerie prior to sale. The Ringling Bros. were also eager to purchase cat animals to rehabilitate the Forepaugh-Sells Show which they will put on the road next season. Miller Bros. and Arlington of "Ranch 101," were prominent in buying two car loads of stock and cars, and George Arlington bought enough cars and railroad equipment to make their show one of the largest two-train shows on the road.
    The bidding was lively between the "independents" and the "syndicate" shows, Alf. and John Ringling, through their representative, Bob Stickney, bidding for ring stock and Smith for animals. The independents were out in force and made the Ringlings bid high for stock. Ring stock that ordinarily would bring 4150, brought as high as $350. Jones Bros. bought most of the wagons, and the calliope that cost $1,800 was sold to them for $775. They resold a tableaux wagon to Ed. Arlington for $100 profit. Bartel bought most of the animals, but Ringlings bought a pair of Bengal tigers for $1,500. Dr. Potter bought some of the best ring stock for the Hippodrome; the prices for the animals running from $1,350 for an elephant to as low as $65 for one of the camels. The baggage horses brought all the way from $105 to $275. John Robinson bought a camel and baby for $265. The cages and open dens nearly all went to Jones Bros., of Warren, Pa. The lithographed paper was put up to sell, but as the highest bid was $5,000, made by Sol Waxelbaum, the estated decided not to sell, as their lowest figure was $7,500. All in all, it was an entirely successful sale, from a financial point, and, as the attendance was over two hundred from out of town, from the showmen's side also.
    Warren Irons purchased the privilege car for $1,100. The biggest bargain of the sale was a complete cook-house outfit, equipped to feed 300 people which Geo. Arlington bid in for "101 Ranch" at $42. Danny Robinson and Ed. Burke were heavy purchasers on behalf of Doherty Bros., of Wabash, Ind., and the stuff they bought in will show up with the Robinson Show. Walter L. Main is authority for the statement that it was the first square circus auction he had ever attended.
    Some interesting side lights crop up as the aftermath of the sale. Walter L. Main, who had the original option on the outfit for $25,000, with liberal time (until May 5) to pay for it, spent a sleepless night figuring out Joe Carroll's profits, which are estimated at close to 100 per cent on his investment. James Downs tried to obtain a release of the property from Fiss, Doerr & Carroll, offering $1,500 bonus before the sale, in order to enter into a partnership with Edward Arlington to operated the property as a fifteen-car show; but Joe Carroll declined the offer for the reason that the sale had been advertised to go in lots with the firm name backing the announcements.
    Arlington's plan was to dispose of 40 head of horses for $10,000, and he had Joe Miller, of "101 Ranch," waiting in Washington with the money to buy them. It would have been easy, Arlington figured, to dispose of the surplus cars for $5,000, which, with an additional $5,000, to be paid by Arlington to Downs, would have given the latter $20,000 in cash and a half interest in a finely and fully equipped fifteen car show. Downs, as matters finished, realized $25,000, of which over $21,000 is due the Erie Lithographing Co., including $12,000 worth of paper which Geo. Bleistein offered to carry over for a year if Arlington agreed to operate the show.
    Previous to the sale all sorty of offers were declined by the firm of auctioneers. Joe Miller offered $16,000 cash for 80 head of draught stock in one lot. As the two carloads which were purchased averaged $205 per head the result proved that Miller is some horse trader. Smith, of Beaver Falls, acting for Jones Bros. and the "Two Bills," bid against Miller for horses.
    Jerry Mugivan came on from Jacksonville to purchase equipment for an 8-car show, but the high prices and freight charges to Florida frightened him off. Edward Arlington shipped some flat cars to the newly acquired winter quarters of "101 Ranch" - the car shops of the New Jersey Car & Equipment Co., at Lake View, N. J. Walter Shannon came to buy elephants and tableaux wagons for the Norris & Rowe Show but was unsuccessful and as a last resort tried to induce Jones Bros. to accept a $400 bonus for the calliope and band wagon, which was declined. Every circus of any prominence was represented, save Gollmar Bros., a family connection of the Ringlings.

Variety, February 12, 1910, p. 14. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    There was a rumor in circulation on Broadway, where circus men are beginning to show up, that negotiations have been opened between the Hagenbeck-Wallace, Sells-Floto and "101 Ranch" shows to enter into at least a mutual routing arrangement which will amout to, practically, a concentrated opposition to the three Ringling Brothers' shows. During the lively circus war which was waged in the south last fall, all three of these shows felt the handiwork of the Ringling opposition forces. When the smoke of battle had cleared away there was an exceedingly bitter feeling toward the Baraboo Brothers among many individuals who have a strong influence with the managements of the three shows mentioned.
    It is pointed out that by proper routing these three circuses, among the biggest of tented attractions owned outside of the Ringling family, could be so routed that while they would not come in direct opposition with the Barnum & Bailey, Ringling Brothers or Forepaugh-Sells shows, they would sap the "feeders" which contribute to the territory where the "circus kings" might be operating. In this manner the takings of a Ringling show could be seriously cut down, and by constantly bucking them all summer they would thus reduce the fighting bank roll for the clean-up in the south at the season's end.
    Add the "Two Bills" Wild West to the trinity of Independents and a quartet of pretty big circus organization would be formed. If they would get together on routing agreements and anti-opposition tactics a strong alliance would be aligned against the Ringlings.
    It is likely that the forthcoming season will have a heavy bearing upon the future conduct of circuses in general and the four big Independent shows in particular. All agreements as to billing which have previously obtained between the Ringlings and any other shows have been declared absolutely off. It will be a case of everybody fight and everybody bill exactly as their methods of conducting their business shal dictate. During the past two seasons the Ringlings openly opposed all the other shows mentioned with the exception of the "Two Bills." During the latter weeks of last season even that agreement was entirely forgotten and opposition brigades from the Ringling shows "billed" everybody in sight, regardless. Major Gordon W. Lillie, who has the sole management of the "Two Bills," is recognized as a most astute showman and it is said he knowns how to conduct a billing fight as well as anybody now in the circus game.

    The first contract in behalf of the newly organizing Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Show to be recorded called for the haul of 12 flats, 4 stock and one box car from Bridgeport to Chicago.

    For the first time in about ten years New Yorkers will have the opportunity of seeing a circus under canvas on Manhattan Island. Variety is in possession of positive information that the Ringling Bros. will bring one of their three shows into New York in June for one week, but the exact date and the name of the show cannot now be disclosed.
    Circusmen who have figured on the "dope" believe that it will not be the Barnum & Bailey Show which plays the Garden, opening in March, as that show will be well started on its way west by that time. The Ringling Show opens in Chicago this spring and would not, in the natural course of routing, be very close to New York in June. The third piece of Ringling property, the Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Shows, has been granted a license to exhibit in Philadelphia (the Barnum & Bailey Show has also been licensed for "Philly") and it seems logical that the new show will be the one which will be sent here.
    The last exhibition of any magnitude to play New York under canvas was Buffalo Bill's Wild West, which showed at 135th St. and Lenox Ave. in 1902. The last regular circus seen on a lot in the metropolis was the Barnum & Bailey Show which in the '90s exhibited at Fifth Ave. and 110th St.

    John Kuhlman, known to the circus world as Jack Coleman, who was for years assistant boss hostler for the Barnum show and traveled to Europe with it, died suddenly in Coatesville, Pa., Saturday night. He went to Coatesville in charge of the "Two Bills" stock, which is wintered there by the local farmers. For several seasons he has been with the Buffalo Bill and later Two Bills shows. Care of the horses during the wintering was his duty. During the summer tour he was boss hostler. Saturday evening, after his work was finished, he complained of severe pains. He was hurried to the local hospital and died in two hours. The doctors said peritonitis following appendicitis was the cause of death.

    Following a settlement among themselves of the differences which have existed over the will of Martin Downs, among its beneficiaries, it will be entered for probate and the wishes of the testator will be carried out. The caveate which Patrick Downs filed against his son's will has been quashed, the protest against the will being filed for probate having been withdrawn and all the legatees will submit to its terms. It is said that the elder Downs has received a cash payment.

    A total investment of $7,000 in Cole Show property will serve to considerably increase the John Robinson Shows for the coming season. "Young Johnnie" bought at the Cole sale twenty-five horses, a stock car, coach and advance car, two camels and a lion, elephant, leopard and jaguar. With this much of the Cole Show annexed to the old property Robinson would almost be entitled to change his trade mark to the "Eleven Big."

    Chas. and Harry Randolph, proprietors of the Lamont Bros.' Circus, have the show in winter quarters at Salem, Ill., and will open there late in April, traveling by wagon.

    H. E. Allot, known to circusdom as "Bunk Allen," has secured the privileges from Fred Buchanan for the Yankee Robinson shows.

Variety, February 19, 1910, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    St. Louis, Feb. 16. Within a few weeks the billboards will blazon forth the results of what promises to be the liveliest circus fight St. Louis has known in the past few seasons. The Miller Brothers are wintering their "101 Wild West" Show across the river, in East St. Louis, Ill., and on April 16 will open its season on the grounds used two years ago by Buffalo Bill. The Ringling Show is due to come down from Chicago two weeks later, exhibiting on the Hanlon Park grounds, where they always show. The "Circus Kings" are known to be adept at the "fight" game and Edward Arlington, it is said, will do his best to start the season with a boom for the Ranch Show. The matter of grounds is likely to cut a big figure, for the Hanlon people are influential in this neck of the woods and are strong boosters for the Ringlings, as the Baraboo boys always stick to the Hanlon lot. This partisanship was shown two years ago when the Buffalo Bill Show broke away from Hanlon's Park and went into the new lot. The Hanlons got busy at City Hall a little too late to accomplish their aim, but they came mighty near forcing the Wild West to camp on their grounds in spite of the showmen's wishes.

    Pittsburg, Feb. 16. There will be a lively opposition battle in this city during the last half of May and the first two weeks of June. Three tent shows of the first class will show at the East Liberty grounds within four weeks. Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" will come first, followed by the Forepaugh-Sells Circus, with the "Two Bills" "Wild West" bringing up the rear. As there is no billing agreement, it is anticipated that there will be the liveliest sort of an advertising fight between these three rivals. With the two "Wild Wests" booming things along, the Ringling Bros. will have a spirited time in holding up their end for the new show.

    Chicago, Feb. 16. It is known that the success attained by the Pawnee and Buffalo Bill Wild West within the gates of Riverview Park last summer has secured for them a contract for the coming summer, when they will show for a longer period than they did last year.

    The "Wild West" show which Mrs. Peaumont Packard framed up last fall for the purpose of putting her son, Chesmore Packard, in the show business, embarked at Buenos Ayres, Wednesday of this week and is due to land in New York early in March. Dick Radford, who was one of the executives with Miller Bros. "101 Ranch" during the past season, helped to fram the show up and is returning with the troupe. It is reported that conditions were never favorable for the show during its stay in Argentine Republic, but there was a guarantee sufficient to pay the expense of keeping the show going while it was there and to provide return transportation for the people.

    Late last week, after deciding to retire for one season at least, Chas. N. Thompson signed for the coming season with Maj. Gordon W. Lillie, to be the assistant manager and adjuster with the "Two Bills" Show, the same dual position which he held with them last year. He has gone to his home in Florida to take his final weeks of winter vacation, previous to joining the show at the Garden late in April.

    The Nelky Family of six Austrians attired as Arabs in a number carrying three camels, have been engaged for the Barnum-Bailey circus for next season. It is the Family's first visit to America.

    Harry F. Clarence has been engaged for his third season as announcer with the Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Show.

    An office has been opened by the Ringling Brothers at 37 East 28th Street, and preparations have actively begun for the opening at Madison Square Garden, March 24, of the Barnum & Bailey Show. John and Alf T. Ringling will spend much of their time at the new office hereafter. Roy Feltus is on the job, preparing the advance newspaper work, both for the road tour of the Barnum & Bailey Show and its Garden engagement. A week in Brooklyn will follow New York, with a week each in Philadelphia and Boston before the show starts for the Pacific Coast.

    Tony Lowande is exhibiting in Argentine Republic with two of the largest circuses he has ever carried in South America. He has prepared to further enlarge his circus by the addition of a menagerie as fast as he can accumulate the animals. Max Kunkeley attended the Cole Show auction in his interest and purchased $5,000 worth of animals, which will be shipped from New York today (Friday), Feb. 18.
    By the recent establishment of two steamer lines, a trip of twenty-three days has been opened between New York and Buenos Ayres. As a result Lowande will draw his supply of acts from Chas. Sasse in this city. Heretofore he has been playing European acts sent from Paris, because of the inadequate steamship facilities between the two Americas made France the more accessible. The new plans will change the character of Lowande's shows from a European circus to American outfits with street parades, menageries and the other adjuncts of a modern circus. Lowande exhibits from one to four months in a town, and plays all the big stands in South America. Sasse will send his first program of American acts to Lowande as soon as he can have returned for approval a list submitted.

    Contracts have been signed by the Ringling Bros. for the appearance of the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Show on Manhattan Field, 15th Street to 157th Street, between Eighth and the Speedway, Manhattan, for the week starting June 13, next. This will be the second of the Ringling Shows to play New York this year. The "Circus Kings" have been trying to keep the Forepaugh-Sells announcement a secret until after the Barnum & Bailey engagement at the Garden, opening next month.

    Washington, Feb. 16. John M. Kelley, attorney for the Ringling Bros., is in Washington seeking to secure a new ruling on paragraph 500 of the amended Payne Bill, under which domestic animals removed from the United States are subject to a high duty upon their return to American soil. Mr. Kelley's business is to convince the Treasury officials that something should be done to change this paragraph so that the American circuses would be enabled to play Canada and return without paying tax.
    It appears that when the new tariff schedule was being made out, paragraph 500 was closely examined. During the discussion Congressman Dolliver objected to the return to the States of animals which had been exported for breeding purposes. Paragraph 500 is the free list of the Payne bill and through an error the words "not including animals" found their way into the action. Its presence there makes it necessary for all American circusmen to pay a return duty. In the case of a big show this would amount to about $11,000, it is estimated. The Treasury experts have been asked to examine the question thoroughly in the hope that a more liberal construction may be place upon the wording. Everybody concerned disavows any intention to bar circuses from Canada or put a bar upon the foreign travel of animal trainers.

    John G. Sheahy, who has been in the ticket wagon of the Ringling Show for the past few seasons, will be transferred to a similar position with the Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Show this summer.

    "Chef" Ballard will come into the cook house privilege with the "Two Bills" Show this season, replacing Joe Lynn, who fed the people of the "Wild West" last year. Ballard had the cook house with Buffalo Bill season of 1908.

Variety, February 26, 1910, p. 12. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    There may be trouble ahead for the men who run picture shows under "black-tops" with circus and carnival companies and on fair grounds, which come within the corporate limits of municipalities. During the past winter ordinances of a most stringent nature as to the operation of moving-picture machines have been passed in scores of cities and town. Fireproof booths are in nearly all instances required, often a brick foundaton is a mandatory part of the ordinances, and in a general way the determination to lessen the danger from stampedes as well as fires has been evidenced in every State in the Union.
    It is feared that in all cases this feature of the licensing of circuses and show cannot be "fixed." A side light on the situation is causing many to wonder how the Patents Co. is going to collect its $2 weekly royalties from the traveler exhibitor, who in a majority of instances, owns his machine. And also about "lisensed" and "independent" filma. Last season the Patents Co. had not clinched its grip on the picture businss as tightly as it is supposed to have it now. There may be some surprises for the showman who travels with projecting machine and reels of pictures, licensed and unlicensed.

    Two press agents remain to be placed for the three Ringling Shows. For the Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Beverly White, formerly of the Gentry Shows, and Harry Earl, last season with the Sells-Floto Shows, have been signed as "relay story men." Harry Lindley has been added to the "relay" staff of the Barnum & Bailey Show, which also includes last season's men, Jay Rial and Dexter Fellowes. The contracting will be again entrusted to Roy Feltus. For the Ringling Show Chas. White will contract, as usual, and Guy Steeley is retained as one of the "story" men. As first told by Variety, Richard H. Little, the well-known Chicago newspaper writer, will succeed James Jay Brady as chief of the Ringling Show press staff. Guy Steeley, and not Roy Feltus, is now employed in the Ringling Bros. New York office, preparing the newspaper work for the three shows.

    Having just about finished his mid-winter circus dates, Rhoda Royal will now turn to the preparation of a sixteen-horse high-school act for Buffalo and Pawnee Bill's Wild West this season. This style of horsemanship will be a prominent feature with the "Two Bills" as an addition to the Rhoda Royal act Ray Thompson and wife will work Joe Bailey and Irma G. during the performance.

    Toledo, Feb. 23. The early birds of the circus advance forces are busy. An agent for the Ringling Circus was here a few days ago and announced that the Baraboo outfit would make Toledo its stand June 13.

    Jones Bros. will have a fourteen-car "Wild West" show on the road this season, equipped largely with property purchased at the Cole Show auction. J. Augustus Jones is now in the west securing Indians and cowboys for the exhibition which opens at Corry, Pa., where it is now being formed up, in April

    The daily papers throughout the country are carrying a story to the effect that Ringling Brothers have divided $1,000,000 as the profits made by the Ringling and Barnum & Bailey Shows last season. The Barnum & Bailey "velvet" is placed at $600,000. The report is credited by the daily papers as having started in Baraboo, where the Ringlings have their home, but the daily papers don't know the Ringlings as well as they should before publishing, with a serious face, such a statement.
    It is known by trade papers in closer touch with the circus game than are the dailies that the Ringlings will not willingly give out, for publication, the news which centers around their attraction, let alone taking the public into their confidence as to the amount of money they have made. They are too clever as showmen to herald the fact that they have cleaned up a million dollars at a time of the year when their contractors have just started out to get city, state and county licenses at as cheap a figure as talk and diplomacy can possibly accomplish. The Ringlings are not anxious for the newspapers to get this "million-dollar" impression when their advertising contractors will so soon appear in the business offices with an argument against big contracts.
    This "profit" story looks to a disinterested person as though it were the bright idea of a certain circus man who has access to the Associated Press wires and has thus "started something" in the way of trouble for the Ringlings, whom he most dearly hates, as a sort of "first gun" in a campaign of opposition and embarrassment which he threatened last year to develop this season along new lines. No man in the circus business knows better than this same rival showman how great a figure newspapers cut in embarrassing or "boosting" a show, and as he is a newspaperman he knows that "the press" has been gradually developing ideas of its own concerning the paucity of circus advertising and the plethora of advance notices. It really looks as though first blood for a new and unexpected punch must be awarded, even while snow is on the ground, to the husky circus gladiator who dwells withing the shadow of the Great Divide.

Variety, March 5, 1910, p. 18. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    One of the first complete railroad contracts recorded for the season of 1910 is by the Central Railroad of New Jersey. It provides for the haul of the Ringling Bros.' show from Allentown, Pa., to Phillipsburg, N. J., on June 2 and back to Wilkes-Barre on the day following. The railroad people engage to handle 80 cars in the outfit, comprising 14 coaches, 6 box cars, 20 stock cars and 40 flats. The contract is subject to cancellation, change or extension.

    For reasons which are not generally known, Richard Henry Little has decided to abrogate his contract with Ringling Bros. to become the "relay story man" who was to replace James J. Brady with Ringling Bros.' show. Who will succeed Brady is, therefore, still undecided. Guy Steeley will be one of the two agents who will visit the papers for the Ringling's original show, and Chas. A. White will again be contracting agent.

    Peoria, March 2. Vernon C. Seaver, owner of Al Fresco Park, Princes and Crescent Theatres, has decided to put Young Buffalo's "Wild West" on the road this season as a fourteen-car show, with two advance cars. The opening performance will be given here May 14. Fifty Indians will be numbered among the 200 people with the show. Lone Bill's "Wild West," which made a short tour last season, will be included in the outfit. Peoria will be the permanent quarters of the show.

    Chicago, March 2. Ringling Bros.' Circus will open its season at the Coliseum, Thursday, April 7, and will take the road three weeks later. The Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Show will open in some Ohio town, not yet disclosed, April 15. Columbus, the original home of the Sells Bros.' Show, will possibly be selected. Springfield is also reported to be the town.

Variety, March 12, 1910, p. 18. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Denver, March 9. A flash of exquisite humor crops out in the H. H. Tammen-Ringling Bros. circus war. The Sells-Floto people are having printed a line of screaming literature for general distribution. At the top of one of the heralds there appear two announcements, copied from printed matter used by the Ringlings when they were being hard pressed by the Barnum-Bailey people in 1896. The Ringling originals were printed in connection with that show's opening at Tattersall's, Chicago, in the year mentioned, and were meant as a challenge to a fight with the Barnum-Bailey crowd. The Tammen advertisement is an exact copy except that "Sells-Floto" is substituted for the Ringling Bros. Circus. "The same conditions exist today as between the Sells-Floto shows and the Ringlings," said Mr. Tammen, "as existed in 1896 between the Ringlings and Barnum & Bailey." Here are the statements:
    "Sells-Floto, taking the road in all its Matchless Magnificence, and thence Traversing the West and the East, the North and the South, bringing the Great Wonder-World of the Century to Every Important Section of the Union regardless of the Routes, Railings and Runways; Fears, Flights and Flounderings; Bluffs, Boasts and Bullyraggings of the Quinette, Triplets and Triumvirates that will Tear, Toss and Tumble to make room for the Independent Amusement Enterprise that has any Real Prestige of its own."
    "Sells-Floto Scorns the Vain and Fear-Begotten Boasting of Triumverating, Title-Trading Circus Trust and Howling Five-Time Terrors, Masquerading in the Tremendous Monopoly and Gloriously Magnificent Combine of other men's death masks. The Big Boy who has whipped the other boy singly, and this season will have to spank the class, is now ready for the Regular Circus Fun of 1910 and its Triumphant Tour of the United States with the Biggest Independent Show Ever Organized."
    In bold display so that it cannot be missed is printed the statement: "This Day and Date only bargain Circus Day; General Admission 25 cents." The reduction of price is one of the several schemes of the Denver outfit to draw patronage from the Ringling shows when there is close competition. All over the literature the fact that the Ringlings operate a trust and the Sells-Floto is independent, is displayed.

    The Barnum & Bailey Circus is due to take possession of Madison Square Garden March 21. The first four days of that week will be devoted to getting the big amusement place in readiness and on Thursday evening a full dress rehearsal will be given, the show opening on Friday. Up to Wednesday of this week not a strip of circus paper had made its appearance in New York. Last year the Ringling Circus started to bill ten days before the opening date, but it is said that this season the preliminary advertising will not commence until a week before the opening.

    Circus dates are commencing to leak in from the various towns where the first of the advance agents are closing contracts. This week it became known that the Ringling Bros.' property, Forepaugh-Sells Show, will tour through Maine early in July. The dates will be: July 2, Bangor; 4, Lewiston; 5, Waterville; 6, Bangor; 7, Augusta; 8, Bath.
    Last season the circuses, excepting Frank A. Robbins' and a few of the smaller wagon shows cut Maine from the routes for some unexplained reason. Robbins made a dozen of so highly profitable stands in the State and this probably led to the Ringlings' plan to get in. The Forepaugh-Sells outfit is to be in the east during June, having, as already announced in Variety, contracted for New York City under canvas for June 13. The information which comes from Maine has it that after the "down east" trip the Forepaugh-Sells show will jump into the middle-west. Matter supplied by the Ringling agent to the Maine newspapers is to the effect that the show would be "transported on nearly 100 cars." The Ringling Bros. Circus, the biggest of the shows, has only 80 cars this season.

    Dayton, O., March 9. The Two Bills' show is being contracted to exhibit here June 8. A permit for that date was taken out at the Mayor's office this week. The local circus season will open here April 27 with "101 Ranch," Eddie Arlington having beaten the Barnum-Bailey show into Dayton by three weeks. The "Big Show" is due May 19. Contracts with the local billposters indicate that the entry of the three shows within so short a period will be the occasion of a lively billing war, with the preliminary honors going to the Miller-Arlington outfit.

    Some of the employees of the old Cole Bros.' Show have placed themselves for the coming season as follows: Capt. A. S. Englehart, with Gollmar Bros.; H. B. Craig, with John Robinson and Bert Carroll and Chas. Herman, with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows. Viola Stirk and the Delmead Family will appear in the performance of the last-mentioned show.

    It transpires that Edward Arlington was in negotiation for the use of Manhattan Field either before or after the Forepaugh-Sells date, week of June 15, but concluded finally that the deadheads who could see the performance of "101 Ranch Wild West" in its open arena would number more than he could pack into his capacity.

Variety, March 19, 1910, p. 13. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, March 16. The Ringling Bros. have arranged with Rhoda Royal to furnish one of the feature acts for the opening of the Ringling Show at the Coliseum, April 7, and if it works out successfully it will go on the road with the circus. It is an "Air-ship Horse," the idea suggested by the "Balloon Horse," which has been and will continue a feature with the Barnum & Bailey Show. The aeroplane, with its paddles working and every part brilliantly illuminated by electricity for a showing in the darkened Coliseum, will form the platform upon which the horse and rider will find support when drawn high up in the dome of the building.

    By cable last week Charles Bornhaupt of the New York Marinelli office engaged a feature for the Barnum-Bailey circus to soon open at the Madison Square Garden. The feature is a new sort of style of "perch act." The Adonis Brothers, a couple of Russians, balance and perform on swinging poles near the top of the tent, the high poles being fastened to a swivel apparatus held in the air. The brothers sailed for New York Saturday.

    Bridgeport, Conn., March 16. Information comes to hand that the Ringling Bros. have not, as they announced, taken title to the property upon which stands the winter quarters of the Barnum-Bailey Circus here. The plot is owned by the P. T. Barnum estate, and was never owned by James A. Bailey. The Ringlings have merely renewed the Bailey lease upon it or have executed a new lease of their own. The winter quarters are situated on a parcel of ground closely adjacent to the residential portion of the city and could be disposed of to advantage by the owners for home building purposes.

    On April 1 Frank Winch, the present New York manager for the Billboard, will step into his new position as press representative for "The Two Bills" show. Mr. Winch has resigned from his paper, the resignation taking effect that date. Mr. Winch, one of California's popular and "Native Sons," is an active, discerning newspaper man, always "on the job" as the Billboard representative in New York. In his new position and "back with the show," as he will be, Mr. Winch will be invaluable to the "Wild West," for his is a pleasant personality through which Winch can smooth any tangle or put almost anything over.

    St. Louis, March 16. The Mystic Shriners will have a whole week's benefit at the Coliseum, starting April 18, and Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch Wild West" will open its season with a boom. The "plugging" the "Shriners" will do is figured on as an offset to the opposition billing which the Ringling Show is expected to do in hearlding its St. Louis date, May 2, a fortnight later.

    "The I. X. L. Ranch" Wild West, an American enterprise which went into South America three months ago, is on the way home. It is said the promoters realized a fair profit from the tour. Five weeks were played at Buenos Ayres, Argentine, and almost permanent structure with luxurious boxes having been built there for the stay. The outfit is made up of riders and features from several of the American Wild West shows. It sailed from Valparaiso March 10, and is due in New York about the secons week in April.
    C. H. Packard was the prime mover in the trip, and was guaranteed expenses by South American capital. After playing the five weeks in the Argentine city the show moved north by rail, playing one, two, three and even four-day stands in the various towns along the route. It was at first intended to travel along the western coast by steamship, but his project was abandoned owing to the large cost it involved. Dick Radford, who acted as agent for the show, returned to New York this week. He is a well-known American circus agent. He has not yet made his plans for the coming circus season in the States.

    Circus men who have been in the neighborhood of Madison Square Garden within the past ten days, have been struck with the amount of advertising being done by the New York Hippodrome. Most of the important stands thereabouts are plastered with Hippodrome paper, although the Barnum-Bailey Circus opens its engagement in the big amusement place next Thursday. Opinions are divided. There are some who regard the billing as a natural business move to draw attention away from the circus and to the Hippodrome, but others see it in an attempt on the part of the Hippodrome management to "get back" at the Ringling Bros. for luring away "Desperado," the diver, this winter. There was no activity in the Ringlings' billing department until this week. Paper began to appear about Tuesday. It is said that the Baraboo Brothers will inaugurate a new scheme in city advertising this year by taking contracts for a number of electric signs in and around Broadway and the downtown district.

    Fred Buchanan, manager of the Yankee Robinson Show, has engaged Frank Cooper as railroad contractor; Geo. Robinson, local contractor, and W. S. Freed as car manager. Ralph Root will handle a brigade. He will have charge of and be held responsible for the entire billing of the show.

    Lester W. Murray arrived in New York last week from his home in St. Louis, where he spent most of the winter. He soon begins operations with the "Two Bills" Show, for which he will manage the No. 1 Advance Car and contract the newspaper advertising this season.

    Robert Tyler, once known as the youngest elephant trainer in the world and wll known to circus performers, died by his own hand in New York Sunday. It is presumed, in the absence of any motive for the act, that the trainer was temporarily demented. He had just returned from the road, and his wife, Leila Romer Tyler, a muscial comedy artiste, had prepared a dinner party to celebrate his homecoming. While awaiting the guests, Tyler left the room for a moment and cut his throat. Tyler trained the Powers' elephants, for a long time at the New York Hippodrome. He started as a protege of Walter L. Main, the Erie (O.) circus man. His last work was the training of "Imogene," the "soubret" elephant in "The Circus Man." He had just left that company. Tyler was 26 years old and leaves a widow. He was a member of the T. M. A. and Actors' Fund.

    Dayton, March 16. This town will not hunger for any tent shows, but will get its fill early in the season. Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" comes April 27, Ringling Bros. May 18 and Buffalo and Pawnee Bill June 8. This string of dates will make it fine for the billposter, for there is sure to be a heavy showing of "opposition" billing.

    Wm. Delly will have the "No. 1" and Geo. Clare the "No. 2" car with the Gollmar Show. This circus did not sign the "agreement," but will pay union scale for bill posters.

    Victor B. Cooke will not be a car manager, as usual, for his father, Louis E. Cooke, general agent of the "Two Bills" this season. The "No. 2" car will be in charge of Dave Jarrett.

    Norris & Rowe's Circus will have two cars in advance. Sam Dawson will manage the "No. 1" and Fred J. Bates will be in charge of "No. 2." The season opens about the middle of April at Evansville, Ind., where the show is wintering.

    St. Louis, March 16. Acting Police Chief Gillaspy will stop the bull fight planned by Zach Mulhall as a feature of his "Wild West Show" at the Coliseum, April 7-10, if anything more than lariat throwing is put on, the police chief avers. Mulhall says there will be no cruelty. The stars of the show are his five children - Lucille, Charley, Helen, Georgia and Mildred - most of whom have been seen here before in Wild West and riding exhibition and are favorites. Indian and Mexican sports are also on the program.

    Fred Wagner, the local contractor with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows, will have the privileges with that circus this season.

    Ed Brennan will be the general agent of Young Buffalo's Wild West, which is being formed at Peoria, Ill., to go out this season as a railroad show.

    Tom North will end his season as agent of "The Newlyweds" April 20, and will immediately join the Gentry Show as press agent, which will open its season April 24 at Mitchell, Ind.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus opens April 23 at Peru, Ind.

    Three weeks of the Two Bills' tour on the road have been contracted and cleared up for the entrance of the "No. 1" car. The Ringling show is due in Harrisburg May 27 but has a man there already looking around for a place to pitch the tents. The former circus lots have been covered with dwellings and the circuses will have to secure a new location if they want to get some Harrisburg money.

    The Forepaugh-Sells Bros.' Show opens its season April 23 at Springfield, O. The show then plays Columbus, Wheeling and the B. & O. towns into Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia. A week of one-day stands will intervene before the show strikes Manhattan Field, June 13, for its New York City engagement.

Variety, March 26, 1910, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Reports from around the country continue to indicate that there is going to be something doing in the opposition billing line this season. Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch" is dated for Sunbury, Pa., May 15. No sooner had this fact been announced than it was "permitted to become known" that the Forepaugh-Sells Circus would visit that town at about the same time. No one doubts but that there will be as large a local war between the two as the sixe of the stand permits.

    The Oberfield Combined Shows, piloted by Mike and Charles Oberfield, will open the season at Sisterville, W. Va., May 1. The brothers have been in the big top game for several seasons and have an outfit with a good display and capital menagerie.

    N. J. Petit, contractor for the Ringlings, was in Allentown, Pa., a few days ago and took out a permit for the exhibition of the Ringling Circus to exhibit in that town June 2.

    It was rumored this week that the Barnum-Bailey Circus and the Two Bills' outfit had been routed originally to bring the two in conflict. The advantage of position at first rested with the "Wild West," but the Ringlings effected some changes of dates to bring them into eastern towns ahead of the Cody-Lillie organization. Circus dates for the coming tour have not "leaked" to any great extent yet, although portions of the routes have become known.
    Railroad contracts have been signed to bring the Two Bills into Allentown, Pa., on May 20, following with Phillipsburg, N. J., 21; Scranton, Pa., 23, and Wilkes-Barre, 24.
    The Barnum-Bailey show is in the same general territory according to reports from the towns named, being billed for Jamestown, N. Y., July 2 and Erie, Pa., July 4. The two shows being so close together in time and place are bound to clash, and this year it is expected that the conflict will be an open one. Both properties are subscribers to the billposting agreement.

    Fairbury, Neb., March 23. Matters around Campbell Bros.' winter quarters are livening up in anticipation of opening about April 25. The route lays west from here, and will take in the Pacific Coast territory, a section the show has not played in years. They will be in opposition with the Sells-Floto Show part of the way. A "balloon horse" is being broken at quarters as a feature act for big billing.

    George S. Cole, one of the oldest men in point of service in the circus business died of heart disease on Wednesday in Jacksonville, Fla. Word was immediately telegraphed to Sam A. Scribner, general manager of the Columbia Amusement Co., one of his firmest friends. The body was shipped to New York. Upon its arrival Mr. Scribner, who had served his theatrical apprenticeship under direction of Cole, accompanied it to Pottsdam, N. Y., where interment was made.
    George S. Cole was more than 70 years old and had spent three score years in the circus business. He was first with the Jerry Mabie Circus and since then has been actively engaged with practically every tented organization in the country. For the ten years past he has been connected with the John Robinson Ten Big Combined. He passed through New York a month or so ago from Oklahoma to Florida. He then stopped and visited Mr. Scribner and told him of his plans for regaining his threatened health. He was troubled with an effection of the heart. "Mr. Cole was one of the straightest, most honorable business men I have ever met and at the same time one of the most delightful associates. For thirty years I have counted him my best friend and it is a source of supreme satisfaction to me that he honored me with his friendship in return," said the Columbia Co.'s general manager this week.

Variety, April 2, 1910, pp. 14, 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    The Circus season opened at Madison Square Garden March 24, when the Barnum & Bailey Show renewed its old acquaintance after an absence of two years. Route and contracting agents have been out on the skirmish line for some time, and the advertising cars are ready to start on the trail and scatter the tidings of "Coming soon" throughout the land. The Barnum & Bailey gets the first start, but by making a few rapd moves the later openings will not prevent many of the other shows from getting into some good virgin territory early in the season.
    The Ringling Bros. Show, which is to openin the Coliseum, Chicago, on April 7, will continue its engagement in that city until April 27, after which it plays Danville, Decatur and Springfield, Ill., previous to opening in St. Louis for a week beginning May 2, going thence into Indianapolis, May 9, with Terre Haute, Vincennes, Evansville, Owensboro, Louisville, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Wheeling and Pittsburg in regular rotation; thence through Pennsylvania and York State, working their way back west by the way of Elmira, Hornell, Olean, Oil City, Cleveland, Lorain, Toledo and Detroit.
    The Barnum Show, after closing its engagement in Madison Square Garden, will put in one week in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, closing in the Quaker City May 7, with Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington, Trenton, and a number of New Jersey stands to follow, working westward by the way of the New York Central to Buffalo, then back to Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Troy and Albany, opening in Bosaton on Decoration Day, May 30. A prospective route down through New England country into Maine and back west through Vermont and York State will likely follow.

    "101 Ranch" Wild West is to open in St. Louis April 16, for a week. It will then make some long jumps eastward, playing Indianapolis, Richmond, Hamilton, Dayton, Columbus and Cambridge on the way to Pittsburg, where it will put in three days, divided between Allegheny and East Liberty. After that the Miller show will make a few stops between Pittsburg and Philadelphia by the way of Washington and Baltimore, just ahead of the Barnum & Bailey dates, it being understood that the "101 Ranch" is to play on the same lot in Philadephia following the Barnum Show, May 9, and from all indications the "101 Ranch" will cover a number of towns in New Jersey, exhibiting at Newark on May 21, and judging from negotiations now pending with various railroad lines they will make a very thorough tour of the territory lying east of the Hudson River, going as far down as Maine and then working their way back west through Vermont and York State, the exact dates not being given beyond Philadelphia.

    The Two Bill shows will open the annual tour at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, April 26, for the customary three weeks' engagement. It will then return to Trenton, N. J., to open the regular road season for its newly established winter quarters on Monday, May 16, and will then work its way westward very rapidly, playing Coatesville, Harrisburg, Reading, Allentown, Easton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Sunbury, Williamsport, Tyrone and Johnstown, and put in Decoration Day at Pittsburg, and thence through Ohio and western New York prior to moving westward for a large portion of the season.
    Everything in connection with the organization of the Two Bills Show for the coming season indicates that it will even surpass anything that has heretofore been presented in the arena. A number of important features are promised, expecially in the far east and equestrian departments, and the magnitude of the combination can be realized when it is known that this season the roster will include over 1,000 men, women and horses, and more than 300 people will be seen in the saddle at one time, the increased equipment necessitating the use of three railway trains to transport the many features which are intended to brighten the show.

    The newly reorganized Forepaugh-Sells Show is to open its regular season at Springfield, O., April 23, with Washington, Lancaster, Wellston, Portsmouth, Huntington, Charleston, Marietta, Parkersburg, Morgantown, Fairmount and Cumberland to follow in regular rotation, as the railway contracts have already been closed and the towns contracted. This show will then make a number of towns in Pennsylvania, playing the off-stands with the Barnum and Ringling Shows, opening in Philadelphis on Decoration Day, May 30, for one week, after which they are due to pla Camden, Atlantic City, Bridgeton, Perth Amboy, Plainfield and Elizabeth in New Jersey, and every indication now points so the fact that they will pla a number of towns in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, working westward in June and July.

    The Sells-Floto Shows, which has its winter quarters in Denver, Col., opens at Alburquerque, N. M., April 16. It will play the Pacific Coast country early in the season at the split rate of 25 cents admission, making the reduced price of admission a special feature of the show. The outfit has covered that territory every season for the last two or three years. It will then swing around and get back to Denver about July 4, after which it will cover Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri and work eastward with the prospect of an appearance in the southern territory east of the Mississippi and south of the Ohio River early in the fall.

    The Hagenbeck-Wallace Show will, as usual, begin its road tour at Peru, Ind., April 23. The management has refrained from making any railroad contracts or disclosing exact movements, as it is understood that they intend to break in on as many fresh stands as possible ahead of the other shows.

    Louis E. Cooke, general agent of Buffalo and Pawnee Bills' Wild West, has revised his advance staff, and it will stand for the season as follows: Maj. John M. Burke, Frank Winch and Lester W. Murray (manager of Car No. 1), press representatives; D. F. Lynch, contracting agent; Geo. H. Degnon, excursion agent; Victor B. Cooke, manager Car No. 2; H. E. Butler, manager car No. 3; Dave Jarrett, special agent; G. S. Van Osten, checker up.

    It becomes more and more apparent that the Ringlings and the "Two Bills" enterprises are going to have plenty of opposition the coming summer. Already, Elmira, N. Y., is billed for the arrival of the Ringling Circus June 8, while the "Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill Wild West" is scheduled for June 22, just two weeks later. It has been rumored that the Ringlings changed their route not long ago in order to beat the "Wild West" into a number of eastern stands during June. The Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill outfit plays Corning, N. Y., June 21. In Elmira, N. Y., Petit, contracting agent for the Ringligns, arranged for the use of the Maple Avenue Driving Park.
    In Sunbury, Pa., the opposition between the Forepaugh-Sells Circus (also a Ringling property) and the "Two Bills" is even closer. The circus will reach the ground May 20 (Friday) and the "Wild West" the following Thursday, May 25. Added to this they both play Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport, before and after the Sunbury date, respectively. The Sunbury situation takes added interest from the fact that Miller's "101 Ranch" beats both organizations into the town, playing the stand, according to present arrangements, May 16. It would seem that the Ringlings would try to beat both the other organizations, and it is significant that the Baraboo outfit seems to be gunning particularly for its former allies. The Bills' and Forepaugh agents contracted everything in the way of advertising space available, and it is a matter of speculation where the Bliss people are going to come in for displays.
    In this week's budget of news is included the date of the John Robinson Ten Big Shows Combined at Marysville, O., May 2, with Bellefontaine the day following. The Miller Bros.' outfit is due on the Fair Grounds, Hudson, N. Y., July 4, while the Barnum-Bailey, according to report in that town is to be in Erie on that day. It appears that the Ringlings will keep the Forepaugh-Sells outfit and Barnum-Bailey shows in the east until late in June. About that time the Forepaugh property heads west, if reports be true, and the Ringlings comes east. Among circus gossip comes the information that railroad contracts for the Robinson Show on the Ohio Central from Fostoria to New Lexington with a stop and performance in Bucyrus, O., have been cancelled. The stand was to have been made just before the middle of May.

    Frank O'Donnell starts his duties as press representative of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show at Peru, Ind., next Saturday, April 2. The show opens in its home town April 23. On that date, also, the Norris & Rowe Show opens at Evansville, Ind., and the Gentry Show opens in Mitchell, Ind.

    Ringling Bros.' Show will play Chicago for twenty consecutive days, commencing April 7. After losing a day to get out of the Coliseum and onto its first lot the show plays Danville, Ill., April 28, Champaign, Ill., 29, Mattoon, Ill., 30 and then goes to St. Louis for a week.

    It is said that the train which hauled the Barnum & Bailey Circus to New York from Bridgeport was the largest, in number of cars, that was ever made up for a circus. It contained 91 cars and the cost of the run to New York and from that point to Jersey City after the Garden engagement (including the haulage of the train back to Bridgeport during the New York run) amounts to $1,260. The classification of the cars is 28 stock, 39 flat, 5 box, 14 sleepers, 2 coaches and 3 advance cars. Whether this total will be continues when the show takes to the road is unknown.

    The acts imported from Europe for the Frank Brown circus at Buenos Aires, South America, sailed on March 25 to commence their engagement of six months down there. The turns were placed through the Marinelli offices abroad. They are the Nelky Troupe, carrying camels and bulls; 4 Poppescu, aerial bar; Arayama Troupe; See Troupe, aerial; Frank and Daughter; and Fourrauz-Manetti, a riding act which has been at the New York Hippodrome.

    Among other dates which became known this week are these for the Campbell Bros. Shows (consisting of 6 coaches, 8 stock cars, 12 flats, and 2 advance cars): Santa Ana, Cal., April 27; Oxnard, 28; Santa Barbara, 29; San Luis Obispo, 30; Salinas, May 2; Monterey,3; Santa Cruz,4; Hollister, 5; Palo Alto, 6; Alameda, 7; Point Richmond, 8; Oakland, 9; Vallejo, 10; Napa, 11; Roseville, 17; Auburn, 18; Truckee, 19; Reno, Nev., 20-12; Lovelock, 23; Winnemucca, 24; Elko, 25; Wells, 26; Ogden, Utah, 27. Cost of total movements, $5,325.
    Haag Mighty Railroad Shows (3 elephants, 1 lion, 6 camels, 1 tiger, 1 leopard; 1 hyena, 2 bears, 8 monkeys, 2 snakes, 20 horses and ponies and 1 kangaroo): From Columbus, Miss., to Fayette, Ala. This outfit goes thence to Oakland, Ala., 30; Cordova, 31; Haleyville, April 1; Russellville, 2; Sheffield, 4; Decatur 5; Huntsville, 6.

Variety, April 9, 1910, p. 18. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Never before, at the very outset of the tenting season, have the plans of so many circuses been disarranged by labor troubles. The strike of coal miners in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania is causing a great deal of worry. The Barnum & Bailey, Ringling, Forepaugh-Sells and Buffalo and Pawnee Bill Shows have routed and contracted in much of the district where trouble brews. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Show, it is known, did not make a railroad contract until it was definitely settled whether or not there was to be a strike. Two routes were laid out, and the one which steers clear of the strike belt will be played. It seems more than probable that the other shows will shift their tours as much as possible to avoid the coal region, although this cannot be altogether accomplished in getting the circuses out of the west and into the east and vice versa. With everyone shifting for themselves as against the combination of the three Ringling properties the anticipated struggles attendant upon opposition fights and hustles for profitable territory starts early to make the season of 1910 memorable in the annals of circusdom.

    Fairbury, Neb., April 6. Campbell Bros.' Circus pulled out of quarters here yesterday and shipped to El Reno, Okla., where they start the season Saturday next, April 9. The interim will be spent on the lot at El Reno whipping things into shape. W. P. Cambell was in Chicago last Thursday closing up railroad contracts and sending the last tot of performers on here to rehearsals. Within two weeks after the opening stand the show will enter California at San Bernadino, then playing the Coast for the first time in several years. With the show there will be 26 cars, two advertising cars traveling in advance. The "balloon horse" has been well broken as one of the features; other big acts with the show being the Berri-Hicks Troupe, who have been in Panama all winter; Capt. Dementre's Cossacks, the Lama Troupe, aerialists; eleven trained elephants and Peddi's spectacle and a ballet of 24 girls. Oklahoma City, 11; Ponca, 12; and Blackwell, 13, are the early stands in Oklahoma.

    Chicago, April 6. Where is the Hagenbeck-Wallace Show going? is what some circus managers would like to know. There is a persistent rumor that it is to spend four weeks in Canada, but there is no definite information that the report is true. On good authority it is stated that R. M. Harvey, general agent, intends to enforce the order that there must not be any "dirty work" in opposition unless the other fellow starts it.

    A strategic move was that of John Ringling when he switched the route of the Barnum & Bailey Show recently. The original itinerary of that show had its schedule arranged to play the towns on the New York Central on the west bound trip. The "Two Bills" Show in the meantime contracted with the same road for the same stands, getting in ahead of the Barnum & Bailey. When the other people discovered this they changed their contract and now plan to jump the Barnum & Bailey Show from Schenectady west to Buffalo, then play east over the same line again taking the larger cities and then moving west again, taking the smaller stands, thus making three trips over the same line within two weeks of the latter part of June.

    Chicago, April 6. It is known that Buffalo and Pawnne Bill will make the trip to the Pacific coast this season, going over the Northern Pacific to Seattle and then following the Southern Pacific clear through Texas into New Orleans. Two years ago Buffalo Bill made the trip as a lone star, going out vis the Union Pacific and Denver & Rio Grande-Oregon Short Line systems, and returning by the southern route to New Orleans. Ringling Bros. will send their Barnum & Bailey show to the coast, probably in advance of the "Two Bills."

    In the railroad contracts already made for the various American circuses the cars carrying the shows are variously numbered as follows: Forepaugh-Sells, 48; Ringling Bros., 85; John Sparks, 9; Campbell Bros., 28; Barnum & Bailey, 85; Sells-Floto, 30.
    In the Forepaugh-Sells line-up there are four advertising cars, the maximum number noted with any of the shows, which indicates that the outfit is equipped for a fine opposition campaign in the distribution of "paper." This is added indication that the third Ringling property is on the road to do a lot of guerrilla fighting. The Ringling show carries the same number of advertising cars as dose also the Barnum-Bailey Circus.

    Erie, Pa., April 6. Jones Bros.' "Buffalo Ranch" Wild West, is in readiness to open in Corry, Pa., April 23. It is made up of part of the Cole Bros.' property recently sold at auction. The advance car was purchased from Gentry Bros., and flats and other cars from Pawnee Bill. J. Augustus Jones recently returned from the Dakotas, where he contracted with the Federal Government for a band of Indians. He also bought up and shipped a carload of bronchos and steers.

    Evansville, Ind., April 6. Announcement comes from the winter quarters of the Norris & Rowe Circus, Evansville, Ind., that a baby camel was born there April 1. The season opens here April 15, when the outfit will commence a three-day engagement. During the tour of the show this summer one of the free attractions will be an airship flight before every performance. That "camel" and "airship" stuff isn't so poor for a start.

Variety, April 16, 1910, p. 19. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    St. Louis, April 13. Close on the Zach Mulhall Wild West Show, which played indoors (at the Coliseum) the open air season opens with the Miller Brothers' "101 Ranch Wild West," beginning Saturday, for eight days. The show wintered in East St. Louis and opens its season here. Ringling Brothers' circus follows May 1. The Mulhall show did well, so big, in fact, that H. L. Fischacher, St. Louis newspaper man and ad. writer, who handled the local publicity, was engaged to blaze the trail for the organization. The star of the organization outside of Lucille, Mildred, Georgia and Charley, the Colonel's daughters and son, is Ellison Carroll, roper. The bull fight scored pretty well at each performance. As there was no "death" or cruelty there was no police interference. Several minor accidents occurred, Charlie Mulhall and Jack Hunt, a cowboy, being injured. Hunt was gored by the bull.

    The Ringling Show has contracted for a lot in the south end of York, Pa. Several years ago it showed in the low meadow lands near Highland Park, but heavy rains occurred just before the date and the circus was nearly drowned out. Wagons became bogged, and the following date was missed.

    Busines at the Barnum-Bailey Circus at the Madison Square Garden took a sudden tumble Monday and kept it up until Tuesday night, anyway, reversing the condition of last week, when patronage was at a high flow, the Garden having two turnaways Saturday. No explanation is offered by anyone for the flop. Many believe that it proves a circus in New York plays itself out in two weeks, at the longest.

    According to contracts filed with the Inter-State Commerce Commission this week in Washington, both Campell Bros. and Sells-Floto will play Arizona dates about the middle of this month. Both shows are independent and do not get into close opposition in any of their stands, Sells-Floto using the El Paso and S. W. and the Campbells the Santa Fe. Both shows go into Arizona from New Mexico.

    Columbus, April 13. When Miller Bros.' 101 Ranch comes to town it will have some opposition, for on the same day and date and on the same lot the Hagenbeck-Wallace Shows will exhibit. The Forepaugh-Sells Show is also coming and later on Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill will be here. The local circus war will be over by the end of June.
    Edward Arlington of "101 Ranch," supposed a "shut-out" clause which he had in his contract would fully protect the Neil circus grounds, but Mr. Harvey, general agent for Hagenbeck-Wallace, possessed a contract signed by the owner of the property (resident of New York) entitling him to use a stipulated portion April 29. The two shows will face each other that day. Third Ave. being the only paved street and only street with sidewalks reaching the grounds, patrons of both shows will mingle. The lot line is the middle of the street, not even a fence intervening between the two tracts. Heretofore it was presumed that the property was owned by one man, but Harvey dug up a man who had one side of the street, and beat the "shut out" Arlington had framed up.

    Contracts for the railroad jumps, which bring the Forepaugh-Sells Circus through New Jersey to make the New York-under-canvas stand at Manhattan Field on June 13, have been filed. The show moves to Camden after the Philadelphia week, playing there May 6. Thence the route runs Atlantic City, Bridgeton, Long Branch, Perth Amboy, Elizabeth and Jersey City, arrriving at the last named point June 11. Sunday the show will be floated across the Hudson River and will open Monday, June 13, at the Harlem lot.

    Sig. Sautele, through the medium of the rural newspapers has allowed it to become known that he is contemplating the organization of an 11-car circus.

    The New York Hippodrome which started rivalry in advertising by covering the Madison Square Garden district just before the opening of the Barnum-Bailey Circus, is showing up but poorly in the later stages of the campaign, although a weak effort is apparently being made to follow the pace set by the circus. At 42d Street and Broadway the Ringlings have an electric mechanical sign showing an elephant spouting, while just under it the Hippodrome displays a "fifty-four-shhe" poster. The circus monopolizes Long Acre Square with a galloping horse shown in moving electrics, while the Hippodrome is represented by a weak illuminated stand above the Gaiety Theatre Building.
    Last Sunday's newspapers carried the display line in the advertisement for the circus "New York's Real Hippodrome," a claim that is carried out by the dictionary definition of hippodrome. Commenting on the publicity device an old circus official this week told the story of Dick Elliott, who was with the Barnum-Bailey Circus in London. He was traveling on a Strand 'bus when the guard called out "Piccadilly Circus." "Whoever heard of such a show?" queried Elliott. "It must be some sort of a local small snap."
    When the Two Bills' Wild West succeeds the Barnum-Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden April 27, several of the big electric advertising displays on Broadway will pass to the Cody-Lillie outfit. The mechanical horse sign at 46th Street and Broadway will be changed so that it will show Col. Cody in the saddle instead of the woman rider, and continued during the stay of the Wild West.

    The Ringlings in an indirect way have started what is designed as a back-fire to the movement to establish a uniform circus license scale throughout the country. Recently they sent out a circular signed by a number of agents employed by the Ringling shows, urging that no action be taken by municipalities toward adopting the license scale which H. H. Tammen through the Denver Post has agitated. This license scheme suggests the license fees be graded according to the number of cars carried by a circus and the price charged for admittance. Printed forms have been distributed through the country ready to be placed before local lawmaking bodies. The ordinance provides that where the price of admission does not exceed 25 cents and the charge of reserved seats the same and where the circus is transported on more than two cars and less than thirty-six, the tax shall be fixed at $5 per car.
    Where the circus train has more than thirty-six cars and less than 50, general admission 50 cents and reserved seats 25 cents, the charge shall be $25 per car. This amount is reduced to $12.50 when the admission fee is 25 cents and the reserved seats are the same. When the number of cars exceeds fifty and the admission charge is 50 cents or more (together with a 25 cent reserved seat) the charge is $50 per car.
    Of course, circus men understand that this move on the part of Tammen is a blow at the Ringlings for their circuses are loaded on trains carrying more than fifty cars, while the Sells-Floto has thirty. In addition, the Sells-Floto people are going after popular prices to a considerable extent, and were the regulation generally accepted, it would give the Denver outfit a tremendous advantage over its bigger competitors. The agitation is another move in the war to the knife between Tammen and the Ringlings which started last sesason over the trust's bullying opposition tactics against the Sells-Floto Circus.

Variety, April 30, 1910, p. 17. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Evansville, Ind., April 27. The Norris & Rowe Circus, which wintered here and started on the road a week ago last Sunday, has been having its own troubles in Kentucky. The outfit was tied up at Henderson, its first stand on the road, owing to the fact that the Illinois Central had not received payment of its hauling bill. Most of the first week was lost, but the show at lenght made Owensboro. Here, it is said, Samuel V. Tompkins, a local capitalist, advanced funds to take the outfit into Louisville. Two performances were given in that town Monday and Tuesday. Cold weather interferred with business, but the outfit made a good showing.
    The report is current here that a disagreement exists between Rowe and Walter Shannon, his new partner, over the payment of several personal bills entered by Rowe for personal expenses and charged against the partnership account. Shannon is understood to be well fixed financially. He formerly operated the privileges with the Norris & Rowe Circus under the original management. He advanced a good deal of money to the show and was finally obliged to buy in a half interest to protect his investments. He did this at the close of last season.
    During the winter a "hoodoo" seemed to hover over the show. Two elephants and several other animals died, including a bunch of draft horses purchased in Minneapolis this spring. An unfortunate incident marred the opening when the wardrobe mistress accidentally killed an alleged "peeping Tom." Now the show is involved in a heavy damage suit. Added to this, for a stretch of ten days just following the opening, bad weather greatly injured business.

    A "blow down" overtook Frank A. Robbins circus at Jersey City Monday night while a big wind and rain storm swept over the Coast States. One workman of the show was killed in the ruins of the menagerie tent, which was torn from its moorings, and another laborer seriously injured. The dead man was called "Mike," and the injured one, recently moved to the City Hospital, is known as "Jack." The tent was picked up by the wind and carried a block away. The workmen were struck by a supply wagon under it, which toppled over. The animals in cages startled the neighborhood for long afterwards by their frightened roars. The circus is at Ocean and Bidwell Avenues in Jersey City.

    It is said that Fred Hutchinson is the "planner-in-chief" with the Sells-Floto Circus. It was he who framed the show up for this season's tour and schemed out the opening campaign against the Ringling Bros. Moreover, circus gossip has it that H. H. Tammen has given his general boss carte blanche, and declared his willingness to back his policies to the limit. Hutchinson has been a showman from youth and knows every wrinkle in the game. It is expected that he will evolve some startlers before snow sends the white tops back to winter quarters.

    Corry, Pa., April 27. Jones Bros.' "Buffalo Ranch Wild West" opened here last Saturday. Rain had fallen for several days. Despite this handicap the parade was givne and the two performances were well attended. J. Augustus Jones is active manager of the outfit. He has been badly disappointed by the failure to secure any western Indians. This necessitated securing some Senecas from the Salamanca reservation. The tribe of Senecs cannot shoot or ride but will be used to fill in until other arrangements can be made. For a first appearance with no rehearsals everyone did well. Jones Bros.' train consists of three sleepers, five flats and two stock cars. There is one advance car.

    Denver, April 27. The Board of Supervisors and the City Council have passed the circus license ordinance as prepared by H. H. Tammen. The same form has been adopted in Kansas City. Under its terms visiting shows pay a fee by the car and according to admission prices. The highest tax is placed upon shows carrying more than 50 cars and charging more than a total of $1 for a reserved seat.

    The Two Bills and Barnum-Bailey advertising cars are within twenty-four hours of each other, covering almost identical routes laid out for the shows in Pennsylvania. Both shows are subscribers to the circus agreement, and there have been no actual clashes reported.

    Waterbury, Conn., April 27. There is some doubt whether the Barnum-Bailey Circus will show here. The schedule was arranged to bring the show here on June 22. On one had a committeee of local merchants have the tentative promise of the authorities that no circus will be permitted to show on Wednesday or Saturday nights, the merchants claiming that they keep their stores open after dark those evenings, and the presence of a show would decrease their sales; on the other hand, the feed men have been telling the city officials that if the show is not permitted to stop June 22 (Wednesday) it may not stop at all and the feed men will lose considerable business. Fred Morgan, of the Ringling advance, was in the city recently and made application for a license. The application was deferred until the whole matter could be placed before the Board of Aldermen.

    The Policemen and Firemen's Benevolent Association has contracts with the Robinson Circus to show at Chattanooga, Tenn., three days the latter part of this week. Under the arrangement the association gets 50 per cent of the receipts.

Variety, May 7, 1910, pp. 3, 18, 19, 20. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, May 4. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and Miller Bros. & Arlington's "101 Ranch Wild West" lost thosands of dollars because of the strike of street car operatives which was declared at daylight on Friday, April 29, the date of their simultaneous exhibitions in Columbus, O., on the Neil show grounds. By noon not a car-wheel was stirring, riots and disorder having marked a turbulent forenoon. Great interest had been aroused in the conflit between the two exhibitions, and from the attendance which resulted, under the conditions, it was generally believed that both shows would have had two turnaways if transportation facilities had been normal. The lot was a good twenty-minute "hike" from the business center of the city. Those who were in attendance walked to the grounds or were transported in many and various kinds of vehicles pressed into service. . . .
    In the total number of people entertained, the "Wild West" had decidedly the better of it on the two performances. As to the differences in actual money taken in the exact truth will never be known. At 2 o'clock the "blues" at 101 were almost filled, the 75's were fairly weel taken and th $1's were sparsely occupied. At the same hour the circus was light on its "blues" at both ends, its 75's were well filled and its $1's almost wholly occupied. The "Wild West" sold out all its "blues" and an overflow fringed the arena at night. Its $1's were almost filled and its 75's likewise. At 8 o'clock the circus was light on its "blues," and its 75's were fair and the $1's were almost all taken. Men who should known how to estimate a shows's capacity by counting the tiers and figuring lenghts said that the circus had a capaity about one-third larger than the "Wild West." Both shows suffered in their higher-priced seats because of the strike; and each suffered equally form the same cause in the cheaper seats.
    Both side shows were well patronized, although neither could boast an exceptionally big day. The rivalry between the two shows was carried out along dignified and gentlemanly lines. Neither camp did anything to be ashamed of and both managements are entitled to congratulations, because of the methods employed in attracting and handling the crowds. There was absolutely no rowdyism. Each of the two shows seemed to have given special instructions and gone to particular pains to put up a clean, wholesome and dignified bid for public patronage.
    The "Wild West" parade left the lot at 9:35 a.m. and was seven minutes getting straightened out and under way. It took the circus twelve minutes to get its parade off the lot, starting at 10:35. Owing to the strike the advertised route was changed by the authorities. On Fourth St. the two processions passed each other, going in opposite directions. Calliopes brought up the rear of each parade and their din echoed above the cheers of the strikers. All Columbus seemed to be standing or walking, making things unusually lively "down town."
    "Gov" John Robinson, his son, John, and Gil Robinson, came over from Circleville where the "Ten Big" was forming up to open the next day. Peter Sun was another circus owner on hand. It was not hard to find authority for parallel cases to two shows exhibiting day and date, but to get them on the same lot was a greater rarity. Only two days previously, April 28, the Sun Bros. and the Haag Shows showed, day and date, lot and lot, at Bristol, Tenn. "Gov" Robinson told about playing Peru, Ind., against the Wallace Show in its own town, day and date, but on different lots. In 1854, according to "Gov" Robinson his show, and Dan Rice's Circus played lot and lot, while Col. Brown's show was only three blocks away on the same date in Cincinnati. Miller Bros. had Ringling Bros. against them two years ago at Nashville, day and date, but opposite ends of town - and there have been, presumable, many other instances of day and date opposition; but the Columbus battle will stand for the present as the biggest of all.
    The town presented a most pictorial appearance on show day, as in addition to the rival shows then on hand there was a sea of billing in sight for Ringling Bros. May 19 and a good start had been made on billing the "Two Bills" for June 4. Almost anywhere the glance fell, circus paper of some sort was in sight.

    It became known this week that Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch Wild West," which has been running into opposition all along the line, will face the Barnum-Bailey Circus in Fitchburg, Mass., early in June, both shows being dated for the same day. The Millers seem to have the advantage of position, for they have secured the regular circus lot, while the Big Show has had to content itself with engaging the Fair Grounds outside the town proper. A curious incident of the clash is the fact that Dexter Fellowes, agent for the Barnum-Bailey Circus makes his home in Fitchburg. It remains to be seen what advantage this will give the circus. The Miller Bros. did not learn of the Barnum-Bailey date until last Friday. As soon as the opposition brigade finishes with Brooklyn and a few other pressing engagements, the billing war will commence in the Massachusetts town.

    Rockford, Ill., May 4. Gollmar Bros. began having their troubles with this, their first stand out of Baraboo. When they pulled in here Monday it was raining pitchforks. The lot was knee deep in water. An effort was made to get the tents up, but when the canvasmen went on strike, the attempt was abandoned and no performance given. When the performers were asked to help get the canvas up, they all refused except one man. Because he showed a willingness to lend a hand, he became disliked by his associates. The show finally pulled out of town with most everybody on its train of twenty-four cars.

    The Miller Bros.' opposition brigade of the "101 Ranch" jumped into Brooklyn late last week, and the paper of the Bliss, Okla., outfit commenced to fly. More of it went up this week when a number of the boards were vacated by the Barnum-Bailey people. The Millers plan to make a big showing in advance in order to offset the engagement of the Two Bills at Madison Square Garden. "101 Ranch" will be in Brooklyn May 23 to 28 and will then come over into Manhattan, showing for a week on the level lot at the corner of 145th Street and Lenox Avenue. This location is within a few hundred yards of Manhattan Field where Forepaugh-Sells Show is due June 13 and is accessible from nearly all points of the city. The elevated lines run within a block of the lot and the Subway station is directly at the entrance to the ground. The Wild West will draw from the same territory as the Forepaugh-Sells and will be on the ground two weeks in advance of the Ringling property. The Lenox Avenue lot belongs to John D. Crimmins, the millionaire New York contractor and politician. It makes an ideal location for the exhibition.
    "101 Ranch" opens in the Baby Borough just after the Two Bills leave the Garden. They will make two three-day stands across the bridge, one at the Halsey Street lot in the Williamsburg section (north), and the other on the Third Avenue lot (South Brooklyn), where the Barnum-Bailey Circus played last week. The sally into Greater New York territory is particularly daring just at this time, for the westerners invite comparison with the Two Bills' show, of standard name in New York, and admittedly this season giving the best exhibition of years.
    The Millers are now crossing Pennsylvania. Next week they open in Philadelphia, giving a parade, and treading close upon the heels of the Barnum-Bailey Circus. They will come on the lot almost before the circus leaves it. A week of one-day stands across New Jersey will bring the "Wild West" into Jersey City Saturday evening and Monday they will parade and show on the Third Avenue lot. Edward Arlington, general manager of the show, and "Billy" Thompson, its skillful press representative, have both been in New York for more than a week, with headquarters in the National Printing Co.'s suite in the Times Building.

    In New York it was reported that both shows had done good business. The day's figures for "101 Ranch" were quoted as just under $5,000. The Hagenbeck-Wallace figures did not "leak."

    The Barnum-Bailey Circus opened Monday in Philadelphia with the parade in much better shape. Last week in Brooklun, on the Third Avenue lot, was a good one financially for the Ringlings. Several nights the management put in several sections of "extras" on the Hippodrome track. There were several turnaways during the week and business was uniformly good. Last Saturday evening the Two Bills' show had a turnaway. It is said that the Barnum-Bailey Circus never traveled so light as this season. The force of property men is greatly reduced and there is no heavy paraphernalia to handle. Similarly the top has been cut from 220 to 190 feet. It will be easy for the outfit to get into a stand at 9 o'clock and yet make the parade and afternoon performance, due to the compactness of the outfit and the lack of heavy baggage. The aerial rigging is the only cumbersome material they have to handle. John Ringling was away most of the week, having jumped to Danville, Ill., to be on hand should legal complications develope following the elephants stampede of the Ringling Bros. Circus.

    Evansville, May 4. It is reported here that Walter A. Shannon has made an offer to buy outright the Norris & Rowe Circus, of which he now holds a half interest. This move is understood to be the outcome of a disagreement between Shannon and his partner, Rowe. Last week when the circus was in difficulty in Kentucky some twenty of the people with the show struck and retired from the outfit, returning to Evansville. A deal was on foot by which the circus proposed to buy the Tri-State Fair Grounds here, but folloing the troubles this was declared off.

    Circleville, O., May 4. The John Robinson Show opened its season here last Saturday for the second year in succession. The performance as given here will be added to this week by the introduction of Smalletta, who comes from the Norris & Rowe Show. Smalletta does a curved plank dive after the manner of Desperado, who is this year with Barnum & Bailey.

    Chicago, May 4. From Perry, Ia., comes the information that Fred Buchanan's Yankee Robinson Show opened its season there April 30. R. M. Harvey's town gave fine business, presumably because of the big "three column half" advertisements which appeared in Harvey's Perry Chief, the crack newspaper of interior Iowa. In this advertisement the picture of one P. T. Barnum still serves as the likeness of what is presumed to be Yankee Robinson. The Ringling Bros. declare t'aint no such thing. Buchanan says it is, and he should know, for he paid for the advertising plates. An airship is also shown encircling the Eiffel Tower. Buchanan doesn't carry the tower, but advertises that he does carry the air-boat. "Tom Tom," and eleven-foot elephant is also shown in the "ad." The show travels by rail. Its early route calls for exhibition in southern Minnesota and northern Iowas.

    Chicago, May 4. Mulhall's "Wild West" opens a ten-days' engagement at the Coliseum tomorrow (Thursday) evening at prices scaled from 25 to $1.50. Chicagoans know nothing about the Mulhall camp of Indians, cowboys and girls, bucking bronchos and "sich," but the newspaper advertisement which were run fifty lines double in last Sunday papers state the show embraces "the cream of the sage brush; the pick of the prairies."

    St. Louis, May 4. Ringling Brothers' Circus opened Monday night with bad weather. It rained Sunday before the tents could be raised, poured part of the night and it was nearly noon Monday before it cleared enough for the parade to start. Monday night it threatened again and a long distance forecast is for bad weather all week. The matinee opening, however, was big, a national convention of the Farmers' Union augmenting the crowds. President Taft is here Wednesday which will help, too.

    The Barnum-Bailey Circus is billed for June 20 in Springfield, Mass. The "101 Ranch" Wild West is there nearly two weeks ahead, playing June 8.

    The elephant herd of the Ringling Circus stampeded in Danville, Ill., late last week. Two men were injured and damage to growing crops and property to the amount of from $5,000 to $10,000 was entailed. Fences were torn up and light outhouses demolished in the path of the rioting pachyderms.

    The close of the current circus season will witness a fine race among the printing companies for contracts with the Ringling Bros. This season the circus printing is being done by the Strobridge people, but an agreement expires with the tour, and then the bidding will be open for all comers. It appears that Al Stewart exacted an agreement from Barnum-Bailey Corporation that in return for his services in negotiating the sale of the property he should receive a two-years' contract for his concern, the Strobridge Co. Previously much of the Big Show printing had been done by the Courier in Buffalo. The shift was made at the opening of last season. The printing companies' salesmen are already laying out their campaigns against the time when the Stewart arrangement expires.

Variety, May 14, 1910, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Cincinnati, May 11. It has just become known here that B. E. Wallace, owner of the Carl Hagenbeck and Great Wallace Shows Combined, has bought in the Norris & Rowe property which was held up in Newport, Ky., by the Donaldson Lithograph Co., which has a large claim upon it. "Gov." Wallace has not made his plans public, but it is understood that he will use some of the show paraphernalia and menagerie with the Hagenbeck-Wallace show this year and next year send the Norris-Rowe outfit on the road under its own title and as a separate organization.
    The Norris-Rowe organization was a twenty-two car show in good playing shape, and it is freely declared that the transaction was manipulated by Donaldson to his own advantage. The show wintered in Evansville, Ind., and has been followed by misfortune since the opening of the season. In Newport Donaldson held it up on a claim of $30,000 for printing and money advanced and "Gov." Wallace bought it in. Several elephants and horses died and half the performers left. Walter A. Shannon, a half partner in the enterprise, was the subject of criticism as to his ability to manage the show and Mr. Rowe came back to the train from the advance. The partners could not agree on policy of management and debts accumulated. Also obligations were carried over from last season and no payments were made.
    The heaviest creditors were the Donaldsons. They came to an understanding with Mr. Wallace as to the price for the show upon delivery in Peru and then took legal possession of the property. J. P. Fagan, traffic manager of the Hagenbeck-Wallace, made a quick contract with the C. C. & L. Railroad to move the Norris-Rowe show direct from Cincinnati to Peru. Mr. Wallace left his own circus at Homestead to journey to Peru for an inspection. Donaldson, of the lithograph company, claims the circus has not been sold, but will attempt to play the Kentucky dates. The show was billed for Covington yesterday. Donaldson also claims his action was taken to prevent attachments swamping the property, and to gain time to pay the show's bills.

    Newport, Ky., May 11. Andrew Donaldson, of the Donaldson Lithographing Co., has been appointed receiver of the Norris & Rowe Circus, operated by Walter Shannon and H. S. Rowe. The printing concern filed suit here against the partners, claiming $30,000 for unpaid printing bills and money advanced on notes. Immediately a number of canvasmen and other people with the show filed claims for salary and the court directed that the property go into receivership for the protection of all creditors. The claims of the workmen were paid.
    All future dates were cancelled and it was ordered that the outfit be held here subject to the further instructions of the court. The Donaldson claim is an old one. It was pretty well known in the profession that the circus was heavily indebted to the printers before the dissolution of the old Norris-Rowe firm. At the close of the 1908 season there was some trouble and it was understood that the Donaldsons advanced Rowe substantial sums to carry the property over the winter. Following a hard luck period at the opening of this season, it is said the firm declined to make further advances and the tour was continued on funds secured in other quarters.

    San Francisco, May 11. The Sells-Floto Circus closed a four-day stand here May 9. The show played to tremendous business, dropping off somewhat the last day. The "popular" admission price of twenty-five cents brought big traffic to the circus. It appears an excellent idea. The extra charge for reserve seats amply makes up any differences over former prices. The circus is slow, and requires at least six more acts. Some of the features billed by the show recently appeared around these parts in the "pop" vaudeville houses. The clown department is excellent. The performace lacked liveliness all through. Sells-Floto is without a sensational feature, something expected and much missed. At one time while the platform was being utilized, both rings were empty. The costuming of the performers is noticeably clean and of a quality apparently that goes above the average.

    The Two Bills' Show leaves the Garden tomorrow (Saturday) evening and takes to the road, starting through New Jersey toward Philadelphia. The New York engagement has brought big returns. No small part in this result is attributed to Frank Winch, the new press agent. A record of his publicity gaining exploits has been compiled. In less than two weeks of the Garden engagement the local papers printed just 418 columns about the doings of the "Wild West and Far East." This included only the matter inspired by Winch and not the usual routine "notices" for the opening. It is said that this total establishes a record for a Madison Square Garden attraction, excluding the bicycle races. Mr. Winch has been engaged for the show next year and is now drawing a larger salary than that at which he was engaged.

    Gollmar Bros.' Circus was unable to show at Rockford, Ill., on account of rain.

Variety, May 21, 1910, p. 15. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Bankruptcy for Norris & Rowe. Indianapolis, May 18. Monday, Samuel J. Adler, of Evansville, appeared with his attorney before the Federal Court in this city, Judge Anderson presiding, and petitioned to have Norris & Rowe, proprietors, forced into involuntary bankruptcy. While pleading the case, the proprietors, Walter Shannon and H. S. Rowe, after a conference with other creditors, decided to voluntarily take bankruptcy proceedings. Before the court could rule the partners admitted they were bankrupt. After several names had been suggested, Judge Anderson named the Peru Trust Co., of Peru, Ind., as receiver for the show. Interested parties explained the show was "eating its head off" at Peru; that its value was rapidly depreciating, and it was advisable that it be sold at once. The court agreed with the suggestion, and intimated that the property should be sold within a couple of weeks. Andrew Donaldson is not now the receiver, but he will remain in Peru to look after the property.
    If the show is sold as a whole, as it doubtless will be, the opinion prevails that B. E. Wallace will buy it. He wants to operate another show next season, and it is known that he has the cash with which to buy the entire outfit, the quarters to store it, and the necessary help to rebuild it to suit his own ideas. Had it not been for the appearance of numerous creditors, the show might have been in Mr. Wallace's actual possession by this time. It is now stored at his winter quarters, where it will be sold.

    Evansville, Ind., May 18. Mr. Adler, who instituted the bankruptcy proceedings at Indianapolis, had the "privilege car" with the show, and claims about $1,400, most of which was for cash advanced to help relieve the financial distress of Norris & Rowe.

    Chicago, May 18. When the performers with the Norris & Rowe Circus tumbled into their berths that Monday night at Newport, Ky., they supposed Middleton, O., would be the next stand they would wake up in. It was Peru, Ind., instead. No salaries had been paid, it is said, since the show opened. At Peru, the Baker Troupe, Crane and Crane, Buster and Buster, and Cutter and Soule gave a show Friday and Saturday at the Wallace Theatre, splitting $175, the receipts. Jack Hickey, Maude Earle, The Fergusons and Ed Nathan were taken over by Howe's London Show through Jerry Mugivan. Tickets were forwarded to Johnnie Carroll, the equestrian director, his wife and Melnotte-LaNole Trio to join the Sells-Floto Circus in Seattle. Other performers came here or went into other shows.

    Peru, Ind., May 18. The Norris & Rowe outfit is stored away in the Wallace-Hagenbeck quarters, cars, wagons, animals and all. Although Wallace is not in full possession of the property, nobody doubts but that when the time comes he will absorb it under the most expeditious terms and at the most favorable price.

    Pickpockets descended on the Barnum-Bailey Circus lot in Wilmington last week and included in their operations several of the performers with the show. An acrobat with one of the troupes was thoroughly trimmed, and one of the executives just saved himself a like fate. No arrests were made.

    Washington, May 18. The closing date of the Ringling Bros.' Circus is disclosed by the recording here of railroad contracts with the Interstate Commerce Commission. The outfit moves from Freeport, Ill., to Baraboo along the Chicago & Northwestern, Nov. 15. On the same contract, provision is made for the transportation of three cars from Chicago to winter headquarters. Scatterd dates on the same line are filed for July and August. The September and October dates are on other railroads, and the contracts have not yet been submitted to the Commission. Recorded movements are in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Eighty cars are arranged for. The Ringling Bros.' Circus is moving northwest on its way to the Pacific Coast. Early in June it moves out of Ohio into Michigan, working along the Michigan Central Railroad through Lansing, Saginaw and Jackson.

    J. Augustus Jones' "Buffalo Ranch Wild West" is due for an invasion of Maine early next month. As far as known, only one other show has selected this territory. The Jones outfit, which is equipped with paraphernalia bought at the Cole Bros.' sale, gets into Maine the first week of June and plays short jumps into New Hampshire. Among the towns contracted are Portland, Lewiston, Rumford Falls, Farmington, Brunswick, Rockland, Livermore, New Castle, Pittsfield, Old Town, Gardiner and Ellsworth. The show is due at Lancaster, N. H., June 26. All the stops are on the Maine Central Railroad. The show is now moving north out of Pennsylvania.

    The time and place of the "101 Ranch"-Barnum-Bailey day and date opposition at Fitchburg leaked this week. It will take place in Dexter Fellowes' home town June 11.

    At the last minute the stand of the Miller Bros.' "101 Ranch Wild West" on Manhattan Island was called off, owing to the inability of the show people to get the lot at 145th street and Lenox avenue. The ground is held in trust by John D. Crimmins, but the estate of which it is the property refused to give its consent to its use as a show ground. Late last week the advance forces of the Bliss, Okla., outfit was busy in Westchester County billing various dates. The prominent announcement is Yonkers, June 2. In default of the Lenox avenue stand the outfit will pitch on a location in the Bronx which is still a secret. The show plays Brooklyn May 23 to 28. Monday, May 30, it is due in Mount Vernon, Tuesday in White Plains, Wednesday on the Bronx location, and Thursday in Yonkers. From there it goes north up through New York. Eddie Arlington and William C. Thompson of the advance left New York late last week to contract the Down East towns.
    From the present frame-up of the circus map, many circus folks have conceived the notion of a territorial agreement among the independents, following, perhaps, the day and date clash of Hagenbeck-Wallace and "101 Ranch Wild West" in Columbus. Wallace is holding to the middle west, Sells-Floto to the far west, while the Millers are to buck the Barnum-Bailey show in New England, and the Buffalo Bill outfit movers west around Pennsylvania way and up to Buffalo. That the Ringlings are hard pressed for territory is indicated by the presence of both their Barnum-Bailey and Forepaugh-Sells shows in New England. It has been pointed out that they are vexed at the prosperous opposition of the Millers. The Ponco City crowd have been doing large business, and the Millers have expressed themselves as satisfied that they can follow into a town after the circuses and get away with it, thanks to their different style of entertainment.
    It seems to be a circus truism that a "wild west" has the advantage of a circus in close opposition, as proved by the repeated victories of the Buffalo Bill show over the Ringling circuses when Cody was forced to follow the big tops. That the Ringlings are timid of the "wild west" shows is indicated this week by their change of route, which gives them a long jump from Schenectady to Buffalo to beat the Cody outfit to that town, and then back trail along the New York Central to Albany. Thence the circus moves through New England to open at the Park Square location May 30. The Big Show is in Buffalo next Monday. It was in Trenton last Saturday, beating Buffalo Bill there by two days.

    Campbell Bros.' Shows, now in California, but is due to move into Nevada and Utah shortly. The first Nevada date is Reno, May 28.

    The Yankee Robinson Show will tour the Canadian northwest in June and July. General agent F. C. Cooper has crossed the line to blaze the trail.

Variety, May 28, 1910, p. 11. Note: Variety has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related. Some items were not transcribed.

    Chicago, May 25. Mulhalls' Wild West show is tied up here by writs of attachment filed by unsatisfied creditors following a three-weeks' engagement at the Coliseum, which closed Sunday night. The original engagement was for ten days. Attendance was slim and the outfit lost much money. It is said the Coliseum management played the outfit an additional week on percentage in the hope that Col. Zack Mulhall might recoup and be able to continue on his tour. The plan did not work out successfully, and the show to all purposes is out of commission. Landlord McCune of the City Hotel has filed an additional claim of $500, and it is expected that other creditors will file demands.
    Col. Zack is at the Southern Hotel. He declared to a Variety representative that he would remain in Chicago until his financial affairs were straightened out, and would then take to the road again with the outfit. Since there is no traveling equipment with the show and no exhibition tent, it is difficult to understand how the Colonel proposes to carry out this plan. Show people were amazed at the daring of the small show coming into the Coliseum shortly after the Ringling Bros.' Circus vacated the big amusement place, and it was freely prophesied that it would meet with a hard time.

    Washington, May 25. A routing system unusual for a circus is disclosed in contracts filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission here recently. The agreements call for the transportation of the Barnum-Bailey Circus from Troy (where it plays tomorrow - Saturday) straight across the New England States to open Monday next in Boston. From that stand the big organization almost doubles back along the route previously traveled, touching at Fonda, N. Y., Little Falls, Auburn, Albion and Niagara Falls. The same show was in Buffalo only a few days ago, having jumped to that point from Schenectady, to beat the Two Bills into the lake town