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2413. Bisbee or Busbee circus, 01 May 2008 - Has anyone heard of the Bisbee (Busbee?) circus that traveled to small towns in the early to mid 1950's? Bobby Baker, bakerjb@ken-tennwireless.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 02 May 2008 - Bisbee's Comedians wasn't a circus but an under-canvas dramatic company, generally called a repertory or "rep" show. Many people also referred to this type entertainment as a Toby show for reasons I'll explain. The show was originally owned by Jess Bisbee and after his death in the early 1950s by Billy Choate. They generally stayed in a town for several days and presented different plays every night with vaudeville acts or "olios" between the acts.
Many of the plays would feature a rustic comic character named "Toby." The first time I saw Bisbee's, Toby was played by Lawrence Lamar "Boob" Brasfield (brother of Rod) but in later years Choate became the show's Toby.
Jess Bisbee was a magician and even after he performed as such the show almost always had a magician in the company. The great Harry Willard ("Willard the Wizard"), hands down the best magician I ever saw, was with Bisbee's in 1962.
Bisbee's was last out in 1966 in which year they attempted to make the season by setting up at a resort in Kentucky for the summer. Billy later wrote a fascinating book of his life called "Born in a Trunk." - Ole Whitey
Reply: 02 May 2008 - Quoting the Robert Parkinson book "Directory of American Circuses 1793 - 2000" he lists a Busby Bros. Circus from 1902 to 1904 and another J.M. Busby Shows from 1909 to 1911. That's all the book lists. There is not a Bisby listing. The book, while it is an extensive collection of show titles and owners, is not 100% complete however. Do you know where the show was calling home or even a town it might have played? If you have one of those pieces of information, you can try the Historical Society of the town it called home to see if they have anything or the local library of where it might have been to look in the newspapers which are usually on microfilm. Robert Parkinson was with the Circus World Museum for over 25 years heading up the Library collections and archives. It is possible that someone has given a collection to the Museum since Mr. Parkinson's book stopped in 2000 that would add some new information to this. Erin Foley is the archivist there now and has what they call yellow cards with just very brief references to names and titles that she can look at over the phone. The Ringling Museums in Sarasota, Fl. have just built a massive Research and Archives facility. They have the Howard Tibbals collection as well as all they already had now being digitized for public access and thorough sorting out. If you have a good idea of what year, the entertainment weekly called the Billboard, always had a section on Circus news that you could search through. Again this is found on microfilm now and is available through interlibrary loans. You can also try looking on newspaperARCHIVE.com which has about 80 million newspaper pages and a search engine. I hope this helps you a little bit. Bob Cline
Reply: 03 May 2008 - Great answer, Dave. That explained some things I had heard about before. Bob Cline
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2412. Walt King, Jr, 28 Apr 2008 - Anyone know if Walt King, Jr (King's Performing Elephants - once based in Richmond, MI) is still alive and if so, how to get in contact with him? In 1967, Walt bought Queenie, the asian elephant that was in my family since 1953. Walt later sold her to Circus Gatti in 1981. I would love to be able to find out more about Queenie's life when she was with Walt. Any help that anyone can give will be most appreciated. Thanks, Liz (Green) Dane, Concord, NH, egdane@comcast.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 08 May 2008 - I saw Walt King Jr., alive and well on the Circus Sarasota lot this past Feb. Send me an e-mail (Circus4Youth@earthlink.net ), I might have Walt's e-mail address that I can give you. Jimmy Cole
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2411. Florence Samuel Ganoung, 28 Apr 2008 - I am searching for my husband's grandfather. He ran away to join the circus as so many young men did. We believe it was in the late 1800s perhaps 1880s as he was an established business man in the early 1900s. His name was Florence Samuel Ganoung, but may have gone by the name of F.S. Ganoung or F. Samuel Ganoung. It may have been the Ringling Brothers and/or Barnum & Bailey. He was an acrobat and we think tight rope was his specialty. He later joined the vaudeville and married Maude who also was a vaudeville performer. Thank you, Doreen Ganoung. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2410. Jack Connor, fat man, 28 Apr 2008 - Do you have information on Jack Connor from Charlotte,NC who was the Fat Man in the circus? He was around prob 50's! I thank anyone for reply. Mary Duchesney, maryfd@aol.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2409. Lee and Marshall circus, 26 Apr 2008 - Dear Folks! I’m so glad to have discovered your wonderful site. I am publishing the memoir of a man, who, as a young Swedish court musician, along with five of his cronies, answered an ad in 1850 to form a ship’s band in exchange for passage around the Horn to San Francisco at the height of the Gold Rush. His name was August Wetterman, and he became the most the most important musician, composer and contractor in San Francisco, Sacramento and the gold country through the turn of the century. In the 1850s he led the band on a number of tours with the Lee and Marshall [National] Circus. I have discovered Ms. Phelan’s work, but would like to find some pictures of posters or even photos that I might get permission to use in my book. Following are a couple of excerpts from the Journal:
In April, 1855, I was offered a position as leader of the band of Lee and Marshall’s circus. This gave me an opportunity to see most of the mining towns and camps as we went over the route twice during the season. Although we had a most excellent wagon, the band men preferred to walk rather than ride in the wagon during the hottest time and take in the dust. As soon as breakfast was over, we would start out on trails and take short cuts through the country. That gave us a chance to see a good deal of California’s beautiful scenery.
[1858] Lee and Marshall’s circus had been playing in Sacramento and was going to the state fair at Marysville. The Forest theatre in Sacramento, where I had been playing, had stopped for renovation. The circus band, some members of which belonged to the Sacramento Union Brass Band, said, "Wetterman, take your instrument and some music and come with us in the band wagon to the fair."
I would appreciate anything your brain trust can offer up. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Sincerely, kenneth brungess. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Apr 2008 - Mr. Brungess - I have Lee & Marshall ads for each year 1852 to 1859. The Wetterman name does not appear in any of them. Many artists used false names. Is there any chance that is the case here? Stuart Thayer.
Reply: 28 Apr 2008 - Kenneth Brungess - Henry Charles Lee (1815 - 1885) came to the US in 1848. Formed Lee family act with Lavater Lee. With three apprentices and John R. Marshall framed National Circus (Lee & Co.) in March 1852. By June 3 in San Fransisco in 1852 the title was Lee & Marshall (John R. Marshall, banjo player). Lee & Marshall was the title through 1856, when it became Lee & Bennett (H. M.
Bennett). The title was H. C. Lee for 1858 and 1859. Stuart Thayer.
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2408. P.T. Barnum Circus 1963, 26 Apr 2008 - We have recently come across a letter from March 25, 1963 addressed to Mr. George Barnum of the P.T. Barnum Circus General Office and Winter Quarters P.O. Box 343 Louisville, Kentucky from the J. Walter Thompson Company in Detroit. The letter is talking about a phone conversation that they had about some sort of promotion with the Ford Division. The envelope also includes several original pictures. They are pictures of parades with Giant balloons. The head of the Thompson agency was retutning these photos to Barnum because they did not consummate the promotion. Please email me at adriansmommie@yahoo.com if you have any information. Thank you! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2407. Circus periodicals, 26 Apr 2008 - Does anyone have used circus periodicals for sale - Planet Circus, Kingpole, Zeitung, Spectacle, etc.? Thanks, Cheryl Jones, Big Apple Circus. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2406. Hoxie Bros., 24 Apr 2008 - I'm trying to find out when the Hoxie Bros. Gigantic 3-Ring Circus closed down. I believe it was later known as the Great American Circus. Is it still in operation, and if not, when did it close down? Thank you, Rebecca Lescaze, Senior Editor, National Geographic Books, e-mail: blescaze@ngs.org. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 25 Apr 2008 - Quoting out of the Robert Parkinson book "Directory of American Circuses, 1793 to 2000", Hoxie Tucker formed the Hoxie-Bardex Circus with David L. Bartok in 1962 and then the Hoxie Bros. Circus existed under the ownership of L. B. "Hoxie" Tucker from 1963 until 1984. He also started a second show during these years called Hoxie's Great American Circus. It was in business from 1976 until 1982. He then partnered with Allan C. Hill on Hoxie's Great American Circus in 1983 and 1984. Allan C. Hill became sole owner in 1985 and now called it the Great American Circus, keeping it on the road until 1994. By the way, the book is available at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. It is a wealth of historical data on circuses and owners. Bob Cline
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2405. Flying D’spas, 24 Apr 2008 - Anyone have any information on a group called The Flying D’spas? Not sure about spelling. Around 1910 to 1915? Thank you. Mooney, Robbie RX1715@att.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2404. Museum Show, 23 Apr 2008 - I am the Deputy Director here at the Southern Ohio Museum. We are currently in the process of putting together a circus exhibition to begin in the fall of 2009. I have used your site extensively in the process of conducting historical research and appreciate all you have done to make this information accessible. I was wondering if anyone there could provide me with contact information for Robert Sugarman? I will likely be in touch again with more questions, but for the time being, this is my most pressing issue. Thanks so much, Lily Richards, lily@somacc.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2403. Barbara Seal accident, 23 Apr 2008 - About 1970 Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus was performing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A trapeze artist by the name of Barbara Seal was performing a high fall act to land on an air mattress from a height of about 35 feet; when she left the platform there were mechanical problems with the fans blowing air in the mattress and she hit the mat with very little air in it and was severely injured. Do you have any newspaper articles, etc. on the accident and event? Thanks, Chuck Vasek, Chuck.Vasek@shell.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Apr 2008 - Found on newspaperarchives.com: "Circus Girl, 19, Hurt in 50-Foot Fall. MILWAUKEE (UPI) - A 19-year old circus performer was hospitalized Saturday after suffering injuries during her 50-foot free fall act. Authorities said Barbara Seal, a member of the Sponge Girls act of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus, suffered back, neck, and ankle injuries
in the fall. She was listed in satisfactory condition. Another girl in the act was not injured in her fall. Authorities said an air mattress used in the act was not fully inflated when Miss Seal leaped off her 50-foot high platform at the Milwaukee Arena." Wisconsin State Journal, October 18, 1971. - J. Griffin
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2402. Bullen, 22 Apr 2008 - My name is Marlene. My mother was the daughter of Perce Bullen. I am the first grandchild of Pop Bullen, then Mark Bullen was the next grandchild. I now live on the gold coast Qld as do many other old circus people. I have many photos of my family in the circus & of course of myself in the circus. As like my mother I was a trapeze artist. Being of the Bullen family you leant many things & many acts. I will be 65yrs old this year & now live in a over 50s resort in Omeau, not far from one of the best lion tamers of the world Fritz Schulz, my email is mgardhouse@bigpond.com. Regards Marlene Gardhouse [Miss Natisha]. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2401. Daisy Hall, 21 Apr 2008 - I'm trying to find information on a Daisy Hall who was an Equestrian on Ringling Bros Circus in the late 1800s Could you give me any info on this matter? Thank you, Bonnie Bale - Seidon. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 22 Apr 2008 - Hello Bonnie, By clicking the Tab on the upper left titled "History", I examined the Olympians of the Sawdust, NY Clipper biographies, 1910 list of performers, and finally the 1890 Ringling route book. She is not listed anywhere in any of these. You could try calling Erin Foley at the Circus World Museum Library in Baraboo, Wi. She has a quick reference file she calls the yellow cards. If there is anything of note in the Library about her, It is supposed to be referenced on these cards. While she won't have time to do any research on the phone, if she has anything, she'll tell you how to place a request for information and you would then be added to the list of emails to get in line. The Howard Tibbals collection is at the Ringling Museums. They just built a huge new Research Center. Fred Dahlinger is their Historian on staff and might be able to help you. Do you know what town she resided in? It is possible that the local newspapers covered her in an article or snippet of news from time to time. Those newspapers are usually found on microfilm at the local Library. If you are close enough you could read them yourself. Most were just a weekly newspaper back then. If not, you could try contacting the Library staff to see if they could look for you, but most Libraries are not staffed to assist in a project that will take any kind of time. I hope this helps. Kindest regards to you and Adam. Bob Cline
Reply: 23 Apr 2008 - Dear Bob, Thank you very much for the information I think I have a long hard search ahead of me. If I do find anything out I'll let you know! Here is my e-mail address to stay in touch, singringm@aol.com. Thanks, Bonnie Bale-Hill
Reply: 24 Apr 2008 - A "Daisy Hall" is mentioned in conjunction with Cecil B. DeMille's production of the "Greatest Show on Earth" in David Hammarstrom's book "Big Top Boss." That time frame is much later than late 1800s. Her employment card, giving name, home address, next of kin, position, years of employment, wages, etc., is in the RBBB business records in the CWM library.
There's also "Miss Daisy," who was really Albert Hodgini [real name Hodges], dressed in drag as a rider on Ringling. His story is in "Bandwagon," XXIV, 6, pages 26-28 and XXXVII, 3, pages 4-11. A quick look at several Ringling Bros. route book rosters of the late 1890s to 1901 failed to reveal the name "Daisy Hall" in the rosters. Referencing your citation for Daisy Hall might help to provide a more complete response. Fred Dahlinger
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2400. LaHart acrobats, 20 Apr 2008 - Does anyone have information on an acrobat troupe named LaHart from the 1920's? They worked with RBBB circus. Thank you. bulldogsromeo@aol.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2399. Donna Houston, 20 Apr 2008 - I Knew Donna Houston for the past 53 years. She used to be Lolo the clown at Children's Fairyland in Oakland California. My sister Melody Anne Fontes was Queen in 1963. I have kept in contact with her over the past few years prior to her death and was working on updating the History of Fairyland. She surely missed. Princess Twinkle Fontes-Martin, Children's Fairyland 1953. My father was considered the "Godfather of Fairyland," my mother is still living at the age of 98. Out of the Den via the Gold Coach - Princess Twinkle. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2398. Fiilis Circus 1907-08, 18 Apr 2008 - I would very much appreciate to know the countries visited by Fiilis Circus on 1907 and first quarter of 1908. I'm knowing few artists have travelled from Buenos Ayres, Argentina, to Europe aboard the HMS "Clyde" on January 1908. Thanks, Ney Dantas, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2397. Hengler's Circus, 18 Apr 2008 - I hope someone can help! I am researching my family history and would like to know about one of my ancestors (Madame Sarah Hengler). She died in about 1845 in London and I believe she was also a firework display expert, she was one of the founders of Hengler's Circus. If any one has any information about her, her family, or Hengler's Circus I would love to hear about it. Many thanks. Alison Squibb. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2396. American Circus history course, 17 Apr 2008 - The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Oklahoma State University is preparing to put together a course on the American Circus to be offered in Stillwater, OK and Tulsa, OK during the Spring 2009 semester. Our volunteer instructors teach (6) 2-hour sessions. If anyone is interested in working with OSU and has an affinity for teaching "senior learners," I would appreciate visiting with you. Our course will culminate with a road trip to Hugo, Oklahoma, home of "Showman’s Stop" cemetery and the winter home of two Oklahoma-based circuses. I may be contacted at 1-800-765-8933. RuthAnn McCarthy Sirbaugh, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at OSU. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2395. Joseph Renaud, 17 Apr 2008 - I am researching my family history and it is rumored that my grandfather, Joseph Renaud, was a trapeze artist or tightrope walker that fell to his death between 1919-1930. There is nobody left in the family that knew him. Does anybody know of him? Dennis Renaud, dennisre11@msn.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2394. Circuses Ireland 1900-25, 16 Apr 2008 - Could someone provide me with the names of some of the travelling circuses touring Ireland between 1900- 1925? Many thanks, Carol. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2393. Sydney and Dora Samuelson, 16 Apr 2008 - I am looking for any information regarding Sydney and Dora Samuelson. I have been told that Sydney owned a circus in the state of Florida around the time of 1922. His wife, Dora was a trapeze artist and very petite. Thanks - infor@sondramoore.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2392. Frederick Lenhart, 16 Apr 2008 - I am looking for information on my great grandad, Frederick Lenhart, born about 1880. He was a performer with Ringling Brothers, dates uncertain. He was not a tightrope walker as perhaps imagined but wore wooden shoes and ended his act sliding down the guide wire. He also owned his own circus at sometime. I am doing our genealogy and am stumped. Is there any information you might have or help me get? If so, I would appreciate it. Greg Johnson, gallan@iowatelecom.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 22 Apr 2008 - There is no Lenhart listed as a circus owner in Parkinson's comprehensive Directory of American Circuses. However, a Fred Lenhart is listed on this website at www.circushistory.org/Bandwagon/bw-1966Sep.htm. He was with the Matrello Bros. Circus, Ham and Eggs Circus Season of 1939. May be a bit late for your Frederick? J. Griffin
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2391. Circus Monthly, 14 Apr 2008 - We were wondering if you have any information a montly magazine entitled Circus Monthly? It was published in Owensboro, Ky in 1961. We have several copies of that edition only. Thank you, Shirley Orth. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 24 Apr 2008 - There have been several "would be" circus publications and I think that "Circus Monthly" was one that lasted only a single issue. Others endured a few weeks, months and a couple years. Was the editor and publisher H. C. Ingraham? It's not a commonly encountered item. Fred Dahlinger
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2390. Reynolds and Donnegan, 13 Apr 2008 - My third cousin was Earl Reynolds and had the Reynolds and Donnegan roller skating troupe. I understand that Earl's wife died in the fire back in 1944. I am trying to research my family history and would like to know if a list of those that died then could be found.
Reynolds and Donegan - Skaters, Al Sirat Grotto Circus (1931-1958, 1971, 1975)
Cleveland, Ohio. 13th annual Grotto Circus - ends on 2-14-1942. Ringling Bros and BB Big Top burned in Hartford Connecticut (7-6-1944) this is where Earl's wife died in the fire. Thank you very much. Sylvia. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 14 Apr 2008 - There is appreciable connection between roller skating and the circus. When the first skating craze occurred in the late 19th century [1880s], there were numerous acts on various traveling shows, performed on large, square stages erected between the usual rings. The same thing happened when there was broad interest in bicycles, motorcycles and break-dancing; experts in the field were hired to appear in the circus. There have been other acts wherein skaters rolled on small circular platforms, high up in the arena. There have also been daredevil stunt acts, wherein a skater went down a steeply-inclined ramp, flying off into a net, pool of water, etc. Such an act was on Sun Bros. circus.
Earle [Adam Earl on tombstone] Reynolds was born October 28, 1868, in White [County?], Indiana]. The community of Reynolds was named for his grandfather. As an ice skater, Reynolds reportedly won seven world titles for sprints up to a mile. Having established his celebrity, he went on stage and appeared on Broadway with two well known stage stars of the era, Anna Held [in Flo Ziegfeld's production, "A Parisian Model," Reynolds as "El Rio Rey"] and Lillian Russell. Also reported was participation in the Winter Garden production with Kitty Gordon as the featured performer. Eve Golden's 2000 book "Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld's Broadway" has mention of Reynolds' presence as "The Champion Skater of the World" and also includes a photo of Held and Reynolds together. It's viewable via Google books. During one performance, Reynolds ended up in the orchestra pit ["New York Times," October 3, 1907, on-line]. A stage hand had scattered soapstone, instead of pumice stone, on the stage of the Grand Opera House. Reynolds, "the champion bicycle skater" was once arrested for going too fast at Fifty-ninth Street and Broadway in New York City. There's coverage in the "New York Times" of November 23, 1897, also viewable on-line. The judge dismissed the case as there was no pertinent law, but he admonished Reynolds to take care as some day there would be such limitations. The episode was likely a staged publicity stunt of the type that made people smile or laugh. Reynolds was also known as the "human spinning top," for his ability to make extremely fast rotations on skates, alleged to be 200 per second for two minutes. While he surely was fast, that number is unrealistic.
Nellie Donegan is reported as being born about 1870 in White [County?], Indiana. After her death, her birthplace was also given as far away Melbourne, Australia. She had a public roller skating career that started by 1903 and was advertised in national publications by 1907. Her father reportedly operated a large rink in her hometown of Rensselaer, Indiana, though the circa 1907-1910 published lists make no reference to it. It likely existed during the earlier skating craze. She appeared [1907] under the "personal direction" of Earle Reynolds, with a contact address given as 1440 Broadway, New York. That may have been a agency address or mail drop of some type. Nellie also appeared in the January 6 to 25, 1908 production of "A Parisian Model," appearing as "Henriette. A photo of her in costume, as a Ziegfeld girl, is on-line. Thereafter they did exhibition skating together, 1909-1916. In 1912 it was [Earle] Reynolds and [Nellie] Donegan and they were booked by Pat Casey of New York. "Decorative Dancing" was their roller skating forte. The second boom in roller skating had taken place about 1906-1909, and then it went into another decline. Skating exhibitions by Nellie can be found through 1912. Nellie was hired by Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, a wealthy man's wife, to present a program in her private ballroom. The couple's image as paired skaters was on the cover of the 1915 sheet music "The Skating Waltzes," published by Charles K. Harris. At the time they were performing in the Winter Garden in "The World of Pleasure." The couple is also mentioned in the book "Vaudeville, From the Honky Tonks to the Palace" as being roller and ice skaters.
Reynolds and Donegan trained many skaters in a "garage gym" in Rensselaer. A Reynolds Donegan Company did exhibition skating on fairgrounds, in vaudeville, etc., in 1918, 1919, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1930 and 1939 and presumably other years. It would seem that their base was in Indiana, from which they traveled around the country doing exhibition work. If their birth years are accurate, they were still on skates when approaching 70 years of age, quite an achievement.
Nellie appeared as a ballet girl in the Ringling circus spectacle "Jerusalem and the Crusades," definitely in 1903, possibly also in 1904, the second year of the production. It was apparently at that time that she came to know Edith [Mrs. Charles] Ringling, who later arranged to have her son, Robert Ringling, hire Reynolds and Donegan for Ringling-Barnum. Donegan and Reynolds were with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in 1943-1944 as skaters. Nellie gained some incidental fame as a steam calliope player between 1943 and 1945. She's the only Ziegfeld girl to have played the calliope, as far as I know. Donegan and Reynolds also managed an act as early as 1941 called "Six Pyramid Girls." They were later booked on RBBB, comprised largely girls from Rensselaer. A problem was that they were all pretty and had to be replaced when they found a beau and got married.
Reynolds and Donegan were married at White [County?], Indiana on August 12, 1913 [also given as 1908]. [Family Search website] They had twin daughters, or step-daughters, Helen and Maude, who were also skaters. Maudie had a daughter, Patricia, who was also taught skating. Nellie died in October 1945 [interred October 31], more than a year and a half after the 1944 disaster. Earle Reynolds died October 1, 1954, age 85, at Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana [interred October 4]. They're both buried at the Weston Cemetery in Rensselaer, Indiana. http://www.lanewood.com/weston.pdf. Obituaries were printed for both of them in "Billboard," November 10, 1945, page 42 and October 9, 1954, page 80. There was surely coverage in the local newspapers on their passing as few in Rensselaer likely had such illustrious careers performing before the public. Reynolds' obituary relates that he had two step-daughters, Mrs. Francis Le Maire of New York and Mrs. Helen King of Rensselaer, and grandchildren.
I'm sure that you'll find more mentions of Reynolds and Donegan with additional searching at various newspaper websites, including www.newspaperarchive.com [several hundred hits there] and other reference resources. Their family story seems to be a bit mixed up and suggests that research in primary documents will provide a more complete and accurate account. There is also a museum and archive of roller skating history in Lincoln, Nebraska that may have information on the couple, who were well known in the skating world. Here's the link: http://www.rollerskatingmuseum.com/. Fred Dahlinger
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2389. Paul Caldwel's collection, 13 Apr 2008 - I am trying to find out what happened to Paul Caldwels collection when he died. The collection was in Roanoke Va. He was hit in the head with a log by a guy he had been trying to help in 80's. I worked with him in the 70's set up the collection in Roanoke. I helped out at the parties he had when the Ringling Bros show would come to town. He had Rudy Bundys Railroad car also. Please let me know where it went to. I was told that his wife got the collection to someone in the circus world. Richard Eanes. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 14 Apr 2008 - Bundys Railroad car is at the Circus World Museum in one of the storage barns but not on public view. NedCircus@aol.com
Reply: 14 Apr 2008 - The Paul Caldwell collection was acquired, at least in large part, by Earl and Betty Schmid of Pittsburgh. By pre-arrangement between the Schmids and Bob Parkinson, then CWM's librarian, most of the choicest materials went to Circus World Museum. The Schmids then sold off the remainder of the holdings. Their daughter may still be selling parts on ebay.
I wasn't aware that Caldwell had ever owned RB66, the Rudy Bundy car [ex-U. S. Army hospital car]. Bundy had it 1960-1985 and then it ended up in the hands of Hank Fraser, Ruston, LA, who sold it to CWM in 2000. It is in storage. The story of the car is covered in Bob MacDougall's exhaustive history of this fleet of cars in "Bandwagon." Fred Dahlinger
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2388. Charles Eldridge Griffin, 12 Apr 2008 - I am researching Charles Eldridge Griffin (1859 to 1914). He was a magician, vent, fire eater, sword swallower, author, publisher, magic/show props dealer, and sideshow manager. According to one of his letterheads he was with the Hillard & Demott’s Circus, Paris Pavilion Shows, Pullman & Mack’s Circus, Sells Bros. Circus, Hunting’s New York Circus, Frank A. Robbin’s Circus, Ringling Brothers, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. In most cases he was a lecture and managed the sideshows. He is now best know for writing Four Years in Europe with Buffalo Bill.
I am looking for photographs, publicity materials, letters and any information on his career. Also looking for information on his wife, Olivia "The White Witch" (a snake handler). My goal is to write a biography of Charles and a bibliography of his publications. Any information on the small pamphlets he wrote or published or the catalogs he issued would be wonderful. He usually used the name Chas. E. Griffin. Thanks for any help. Gary Hunt, Editor Emeritus, Magical Past-Times: The On-Line Journal of Magic History. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 13 Apr 2008 - Dear Friend: Going through my extensive notes on the Frank A. Robbins Circus I find that there was a Ollie Griffin, mind reader, in the side show during the 1905 season. Same person perhaps? Nothing in 1906, 07. 1908 we have a Olivia Griffin, mind reader the 1905 Ollie Griffin perhaps. 1909,10,11, 12, 13, 14 and the final year 1915 nothing. Please note that there were no listiing of the Griffins during the earlier show years 1881-1891. Sorry I could not be of more help. Best, Robert F
Reply: 18 Apr 2008 - Dear Gary: A number of years ago I was in Las Vegas visiting the editor of the Circus Report, and he introduced me to the editor of a magic magazine. During our conversation I discovered that other than one or two noted magicians, very few listed 'circus or sideshow performer' in their biographies. So I have been working on the history of a number of magicians, among which is Charles E. Griffin. On October 20, 1906 when the steamer Lucania arrived in New York from Liverpool among the passengers were Charles E. Griffin, age 47 and his wife Octavia D. Griffin age 24. They had finished their work with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in Europe and were returning home. Prior to that in 1886 (which would have made Octavia 4 years old) the Dundee N.Y. Advertiser noted that "The sideshow, too, was above the average, and those who never saw a witch before met with a pleasant disappointment in Olivia. She didn't have a hump on her back nor ride a broomstick through the air, but was a beautiful young lady with pink eyes and snow-white hair, who gave a wonderful exhibition." The Lockhaven, Pa., Evening Express that the "sideshow was also above the average, the special features exhibited being "Olivia" the "White Witch", who performs with snakes and reads the inmost thoughts of the mind." So it looks like Charles Griffin had two wives. The Hilliard & Demott title was out in 1880-1881 while the Pullman & Mack title was used in 1884-1885. However the Paris Pavilion title was out in 1871 & 1872. The only show title that would fit the time frame is the Parisian Exposition which was on the road in 1881 & 1882. The route book does not give much information on the performers of show, and I have not been able to confirm that Griffin was on this show. So this is the best guess I have as to what show Griffin was on between the 1880 Hilliard and the 1884 Pullman shows. If all goes well I may give a paper on Charles Griffin at the CHS Convention this fall. John Polacsek
Reply: 27 Apr 2008 - John and Robert, Thanks so much for the information. Would love to hear more of what you found out about Charles. He led a fascinating life and I am trying to figure out how he found anytime to sleep, much less have a family. The best (actually only one until John’s paper comes out) source of information is from: H. Roger Grant, "An Iowan with Buffalo Bill: Charles Eldridge Griffin in Europe 1903 to 1906", Palimpsest, State Historical Society of Iowa, Vol 54 No 1 Jan/Feb 1973. This is mostly from Griffin’s book on Buffalo Bill, but does contain information his nephew. Unfortunately the author no longer has his research notes nor knows what happened to the family records. One of Griffin’s scrapbooks is in the New York Public Library, as are other records. The information on Olivia is great, had no idea that he married a second time. I am very interesting in his publishing career, especially the small booklets he produced. Let me know if you ran across any, working on a bibliography. They are a great read and almost makes one want to join a sideshow! Gary Hunt, Editor Emeritus, Magical Past-Times: The On-Line Journal of Magic History, www.miraclefactory.net/mpt/, garyhunt@mindspring.com
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2387. Zoological and Equestrian Institute, 12 Apr 2008 - I have a letter written by Joseph Kennedy from North Adams Mass. written on 5/2/1869 to his mother. It is on stationery printed with "Campbell's NY and Philadelphia". Below that it says "Zoological and Equestrian Institute." Any further info? patrick purcell, ppurcell1@nycap.rr.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 13 Apr 2008 - I can tell you it was owned by John "Pogey" O'Brien, a man well known in the circus business and one who would remain in the circus for most of his life, generally in an ownership capacity. I know they carried one female African elephant with them. Bob Cline
Reply: 14 Apr 2008 - Patrick Purcell - Campbell's Z&E was owned by Pogey O'Brien and managed by Hyatt Frost. Your man Kennedy must have been in the advance as the show didn't play North Adams until June 4. Stuart Thayer.
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2386. Flying Sullivans, 10 Apr 2008 - Would anyone be able to tell me about the Flying Sullivan’s. What years they performed? Who the performers were? Where they performed? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Chris Hetrick. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2385. Ringmaster's song, 10 Apr 2008 - I am looking for a "song" sung by the Ringmaster of the Ringling Bros. Circus at Madison Square Garden sometime in the 1950's, probably between 1952 and 1956. The song contained the words, "open up and let the sun in". Please notify me if you can locate it, or know how I can find it. Thank you. Marilyn Hardy, marilynhardy@cybermesa.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2384. Circuses, India 1920-30s, 10 Apr 2008 - Please can you help me locate any information on a Circus that would have travelled through India during the late 1920's to the early 1930's, possibly as late as 1939. My grandfather - Arnold Joseph Greenhill was a clown in this circus, and we are not certain, but my grandmother Kathleen Elizabeth Earl (or if they were already married she may have been Greenhill too.) - she may have been a Trapese artist. This is family rumour and as they both died many years ago, we have no way of finding out. The family history has conflicting stories, one that Joseph or Arnold (he used both) came from England, the other that he came from Texas. Kathleen was born in India to Scottish/English parents. Do you know of any circus that travelled India in those times? & if so is there anyway of finding out if they were part of it, or even getting pictures of their acts? I would appreciate any help or advice you can give me. All suggestions would be greatfully accepted as we are at a loss to find out any more information. Many thanks, Kim. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2383. Burgess, Royal Tar, 09 Apr 2008 - I think I am to understand from S.T.'s answer to the question about the menagerie touring Upper Canada in 1834 that this is not the same Burgess collection that did not survive the burning and sinking of their steamer "Royal Tar" somewhere out of port from New St. John, NB Oct.1836? I'd be very interested if anyone knows. Judi. [this may refer to message no. 400 - J. Griffin, webmaster] Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 10 Apr 2008 - Joshuah Burgess is in three menageries in my files. In 1827 he was a partner in Angevine, Titus & Burgess. In 1832 he was proprietor of the Burgess Menagerie, which became the American Menagerie under Raymond & Weeks. In 1836 he was with Macomber & Welch in the Zoological Institute show which sank with the Royal Tar. Burgess was one of the few survivors. Stuart Thayer
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2382. Detroit Shrine Circus, 08 Apr 2008 - Does anyone know the lineup - performers - at the Detroit Shrine Circus in 1958, 59, 60 and 61? Many thanks. Rick Liblong, liblong@erols.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2381. Albert Harrison, 07 Apr 2008 - Does any one have any info on Albert Harrison funny man. He toured with Robert Fosset, Rosaire circus, Cliff Berzac circus,(unsure of spelling), Harry Codys circus, Beriesford's circus and Miller Bros circus. From 1933 he had his family touring with him. Richard Fosset was his son's Edward (Eddie) god father. I believe they moved from one circus to another, to who ever paid more money. He also had ponies. He toured with the circus from the 1920's to abt 1946/8. During the winter months Albert did pantomimes with Randolph Sutton. Dorothy, UK. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2380. Ella Mills, fat lady, 06 Apr 2008 - Ella "Mills" (Grahn Millbauer) circus fat lady from 1956 until 1962. Ella was my aunt, I was very young when she died but remember her quite well. I am the family historian of Aunt Ella and am now doing research to write a book about her life. She started with the RB/BB circus in 1956 after Alice from Dallas died. She was the last fat lady in the RB/BB side show just before they closed it. She went on to another Circus and retired in 1962. I would welcome any information or memories regarding my aunt or other circus fat ladies. I have found that Aunt Ella joined the circus due to her wonderful childhood memories of the circus. The circus was a colorful spot in an otherwise dull life of a farm girl. Does anyone have memories like this? I am willing to share all information and photos that I have. Thank you, Pat Grahn, Winneconne, WI at patgrahn@charter.net.Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2379. Circus song, lyrics, 06 Apr 2008 - My mother, who has passed on, used to me sing me a song as a child. I hoping somone has the correct lyrics. Those I remember, go something like:
There's an honest truly circus and it comes to town today
It starts exact three o'clock and thats not far away
It's got Tony with the big ballons walking up and down
He's got a pretty redish one, the pretiest one in town
He really has, he really has,
Town dee dee, town dee dee .....
They have elephants, tigers, and kangaroos that jump
They even have camels with the funniest looking humps,
Dee dee humps, dee dee humps, ....
????
Thank You, James Sennett, Canoga Park, Ca. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2378. 4 Paw booklet, 06 Apr 2008 - I have a string bound 9" by 11" color booklet (6 pages) titled "Great 4 Paw Show" that has been handed down in the family. It is in very good shape and I have had it professionally framed to maintain its condition. The cover is a color image with circus tents in the background. There is a clown in the front with an elephant behind carrying a man and a woman and the elephant guide. Behind the elephant is another turbaned guide followed by two giraffe and two camels. Additionally, there are three children in late 1800s clothing watching the elephant in front of the tents. I assume that this is tied to the Adam Forepaugh circus activity. Does anyone have any more information about this booklet? Regards, Bob Goodman, bgoodman53617@msn.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2377. The Zooloffs, 05 Apr 2008 - I am looking for information on an Oklahoma group "The Zooloffs." I'm not sure of the spelling. I think they were a side show maybe of the Wild West Show near Ponca City. The Pawnee Bill Wild West has no knowledge. My grandmother worked with them around 1920's we had a picture of her in uniform. Please respond if anyone has any information. Thank you, Tena Ruggia. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 06 Apr 2008 - You are likely seeking the "Zouaves." Stuart Thayer wrote a nice, summary article about them in the CHS journal "Bandwagon," Nov-Dec 1976, pages 43-45. Different Zouave groups were part of traveling Wild West history for many years. Searching under the correct name will likely yield a lot of documentation. Fred Dahlinger
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2376. Showmen's Rests, 05 Apr 2008 - Hi, I am back again. I do research on graveyards, headstones, burial customs etc. and am still looking for Showmen's Rests or another large burial of circus personnel. I am trying to get an accurate count of the various cemeteries that contain Showmen's Rests (other than the famous ones in Forest Park Cemetery, Ill. and Mt. Olivet in Hugo, OK). I would be ever so grateful for any information anyone could give me. Thank you so much for your time. Kelley Logan, Kelly.logan@swosu.edu. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 07 Apr 2008 - If you type the Dutch words "graven" en "begrafenis"( =funeral) in the search area of www.circusmuseum.nl/eng one at the time you will get images of funerals, tombstones etc. of European circus directors (K. Strassburger) and artists. Use Google Translate I've you do not understand Dutch. You can order copies of the photo's if you like. Herman Voogd, hvoogd@teylersmuseum.nl
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2375. John June, 04 Apr 2008 - Can anyone help me find any photos, information, articles of John June and also any copies of posters when he owned the June, Titus & Angevine Menagerie Circus? My family just purchased the June Farms in Salem Westchester which was owned by John June and his wife and where he had the animals from the circus live. We just uncovered his tombstone while digging and we want to find as much information. Photos or any posters of his Circus. Thank you for your help. Rob Stone. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 08 Apr 2008 - Basic information about John June will be found in Slout's "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle," on this website. Local newspapers in your community or the state library should have further information relevant to June and his show activities.
The most readily available items relating to him and his shows would be newspaper ads. There are on-line dealers for original copies, as well as digitized material on other sites. The items that you seek may not be immediately available. www.newspaper.com, ProQuest and many other sites have newspapers that might contain June advertisements, which can be printed.
Handbills/heralds and posters will be very hard if not impossible to locate unless you have patience. There are very few circus posters surviving from before the 1850s and early handbills/heralds rarely come up for sale. You might check some of the older eastern collections [NY Public Library; NY Historical Society; Harvard University theater collection, Library Company-Philadelphia, Athenaeum-Boston, Somers Historical Society, etc.] to determine if they have any holdings relating to June. There may be a very large bill or two relating to one of the menagerie firms with which he was involved. They would be on the order of those found in the Durant book, pages 27 and 31. These are often several feet wide high and wide, made in several sections. They would not be for sale, but a reproduction might be possible.
Stuart Thayer's "Annals of the American Circus, 1793-1860" provides the most comprehensive look at his activities. They're still in print and available from the author. His "Traveling Showmen" and "The Performers" volumes are also recommended as essential to understanding the era. Additional articles relevant to the period can be found on the CHS website. Fred Dahlinger
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2374. Oriol, Caira, trapeze, 04 Apr 2008 - I'm brazilian, 69 years old, looking for a european couple of trapezists Maria Caïra and Joseph Oriol and daughter Marie Lucie Szennyes Oriol wich had a contact with Fillis Circus about 1904. Do you have any file or register about them? I would appreciate. Best regards, Ney Dantas, ndantas@globo.com, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brasil. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2373. Pocket watch, 04 Apr 2008 - I have a pocket watch with 6 elephants on the outside of the case. They surround the inscription E F Mc C. The watch works have an inscription Birk's Broker. Does anyone have any information on such a watch? Gail. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2372. Circus grounds, South Bend IN, 03 Apr 2008 - We are trying to find the location of the circus grounds in South Bend Indiana at 2 different times – one in the early 1900s – and the other in the 1930s. Can you help? Nan. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 05 Apr 2008 - Hi Nan, Circuses usually played on the local Fair Ground. If no Fair Ground was available, a farmers field would be rented. I would check with the cities' Chamber of Commerce or log into that City's news paper "morgue". Good luck. Erny Karoly
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2371. Montgomery Queen circus, 02 Apr 2008 - I am looking for information about a historical figure who claims to have worked with the Montgomery Queen Circus. This would have been between 1871-1874. Her maiden name was Mary L. Helms and she married a man named Amos Davis. She says they both performed as trapeze artists. However, she also performed as a bareback rider and was billed as "The Woman with the Iron Jaw." She claims that there were posters made with her name and her picture, and that her "chair trick" was "one of the big cards on the programme." I am in the process of writing an historical novel about this character and would appreciate any information anyone could provide about the Montgomery Queen Circus during that time period, especially, of course, about this particular woman. Thanks! Anna, Plymouth, IN. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 03 Apr 2008 - Fred D. Pfening Jr. wrote and published an article about the Montgomery Queen Circus in "Bandwagon" within the past few years. You can locate the article in the issue index on this website and it can be ordered as a back-copy. You can garner a feel for circuses of the era by scanning the news columns of the weekly trade journal "New York Clipper." Unfortunately, neither artist that you mention is noted in Slout's "Olympians," on this website. They may have been with the Queen outfit for a brief period, or performed under ring aliases. They may also have been part of the stage troupes of the era. There are several memoirs, such as those by George Conklin and Gil Robinson, that provide insights on the 1870s circus business. More recent works by Thayer and Slout, even those that close out in 1860 and the Civil War, provide worthwhile information and context about the existence of overland shows in the early 1870s. The technology and practices didn't change that drastically, except in the mode of travel [change to railroads] and the tremendous growth in advertising. Fred Dahlinger
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2370. Artist T. Helen, 02 Apr 2008 - I am looking for artist information about T Helen who has painted clowns oil art work. Born in 1934, this seems to be the only information that we have. Other information that the artist parents performed in a European Circus. The W. T. Burger Co sold the art work that I have in my possession. Thank you! Richard A. Harris, richard.harris@dchstx.org. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2369. Sherman Brothers, 02 Apr 2008 - Hello fellow historians,
I am looking for programs, photos, stories, recounts, and folks who worked with "The Sherman Brothers," Chester Sherman & Joey Vani at any time during their career. They were known to troop with the Polack shows. bozo_history@yahoo.com Thank you, Tom. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 16 Apr 2008 - If you will go to Pat Cashin's clown blog greatcircusclownsofthepast.blogspot.com you should find some recently published photos. Bob Cline
Reply: 28 Apr 2008 - Our dear Joe Vani Sherman & Chester Sherman have received famous status on Find-A-Grave! Here are their links:
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26194488
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26193790
Please visit, and leave a message/tribute/condolence & flowers now! (It will only take you a minute!) If you aren't a member of Find-A-Grave, please sign up. It costs you nothing, and your private information is 100% completely safe with them. Let's let the world know (and the whole world checks Find-A-Grave daily!) that these two were really famous circus stars! Joe & Chester would no doubt appreciate it, and I will be eternally grateful to you. - Verne Langdon. P.S. If you know of anyone who would be interested in visiting Joe & Chester's sites and more importantly leaving a message/sentiment/condolence, please forward this email to them!
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2368. Circus photos 1930-40s, 02 Apr 2008 - I am looking for some outdoor photos of the circus taken in the 1930s and/or 1940s. I would prefer digital images (at least 300dpi). We would like to use them in our Library’s newsletter. Can anyone help? Thank you! Valerie Stern, vstern@eapl.org. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2367. Leandre Robichaud, 30 Mar 2008 - I am doing some research about a man named Leandre Robichaud who was French Canadian and from New Brunswick. He may have been known as 'Leon'. When he was young he worked on a ship called the Morningstar and because of his duties, was not afraid of heights. He received a tattoo that showed that he belonged to the crew of this ship. He ran away and joined up with a circus (Barnum and Bailey, I think), worked as a cook's helper, and then worked as a trapeze artist, I think. He was also an amazing artist - he liked to make wood carvings and paint - he may have done some work for the circus in this regard. I believe he continued to be with Barnum and Bailey when they joined up with Ringling Brothers until the late 1920s or early 1930s. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about him. Thanks very much from Heather Vos. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2366. Dexter's Locomotive Museum, 30 Mar 2008 - I am looking for information on exactly what Dexter's Locomotive Museum was that travelled with Burgesses Collection of Serpents and Birds. I believe it was some sort of mechanical device from Germany. It was lost with Menagerie Unit #10 out of Boston in the burning and sinking of the Royal Tar in Maine in 1836. Many thanks, Mark,
email: hwander@midcoast.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2365. Pawnee Bill 1905-07, Buffalo Bill-Pawnee Bill 1908-13, 29 Mar 2008 - Does anyone know of a Historian amongst us who is knowledgeable about the Pawnee Bill Wild West show in the 1905 to 1907 and the Buffalo Bill/Pawnee Bill shows from 1908 to 1913? I am trying to sort out pieces of information in relation to the Campbell Bros. Circus. I have the book entitled Pawnee Bill's Historic Wild West by Allen L. Farnum. His book stops where my research is beginning. I have already sent a letter to the Aldor Enterprises listed at the back of this book. Thanks. Bob Cline. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 30 Mar 2008 - Bob: I have extensive research materials on Pawnee Bill, Pawnee Bill & Buffalo Bill, and Campbell Bros. during the period you are interested in. My collection centered on the “Russian Cossack” riders in each of these shows, but I have collected hundreds of articles on the three shows. You can contact me at rgeorgian@embarqmail.com. Richard Georgian
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2364. Circus history Florida, 28 Mar 2008 - I am involved with a circus here in San Francisco and have a free trip to Florida coming up. I will be in Orlando and Daytona and am bringing a circus photographer with me. I was thinking, "What am I going to do in Florida?". I was reminded that this is where clowns go to retire and that Florida has been the wintering grounds for circuses past. I am trying to pick the days for my trip, mid May or early June. Can you give me some direction on some circus history I can find while I am there? It would be so greatly appreciated. I am so excited now for my trip! HonK! Thank you! Holly Harrison, La Zenorita, San Fancisco, CA. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 05 Apr 2008 - Hi Holly, The town where "clowns retire" that you are referring to most likely is "Gibsonton" Some show folk refer to it as "Gibtown". It is located on US 41 just a few miles south of Tampa. There are many Carnival and Circus people who winter there and have retired there. You could contact the Ringling Museum in Sarasota (941)359-5700 or (941) 351-1660. Show Folks of Sarasota, a club consisting of Circus people and other show people. (941)359-2542. If you are traveling with a "circus photographer", perhaps he has some information for you. Good Luck. Erny Karoly Jamestown, NC.
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2363. Joe Cooke, 28 Mar 2008 - I am researching my grand-father Joe Cooke (Josef Kokes) who toured with the Barnum Bailey circus New York (dates unsure 1900 onwards) as a musical novelty act (balancing and playing the saxaphone) and from the Orpheum tour USA (date unknown) 1900 onwards! As a musical and
acrobatic novelty - also Paris Alhambra Olympia Cirque Medrano, Berlin Cirkus Bush Wintergrden Cirkus Schumann. Stage names: Joe Cooke, Cooke, Les Cooke. Can anyone help? With regards, Natalie (nee Kokes). Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2362. Elephant, Chambersburg PA, 28 Mar 2008 - In the 1940's an elephant that was out of control had to be put down while the circus was in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Will. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 29 Mar 2008 - The elephant was named NEMO. He was destroyed on June 12, 1947. The Circus was Dailey Bros. Circus. Any other information can most certainly be found in the local newspapers which are usually on microfilm at the local Library. Bob Cline
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2361. Chief Joseph, 25 Mar 2008 - Does anyone have information on a Chief Joseph who performed with the Clyde Beatty Cole Bro's circus and probably others? Kauth, Nancy Marie, nmkauth@ilstu.edu. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 30 Mar 2008 - Chief Joseph was actually Bob Hofmeister, who did a beautiful Appaloosa Liberty Horse Act, which he presented wearing a Native American themed costume. When Bob retired hs sold the act to Circus Vargas where it was presented by Billy Baker. Bob was also the father of Joanne Anderson, who with her husband Don own the "Texas White Horse Ranch" & toured for years with their Texas White Horse Troupe, presenting Liberty Acts, Roman Riding, & Chariot Races. The family tradition is still being carried on by the Anderson's son Austin, & daughter Staci Anderson Diaz, who each have successful traveling horse shows. Bill Strong
CHS Convention, September 21-24, 2008 Information
2360. Orwell, Ohio - circus town?, 25 Mar 2008 - I am looking for information about the possibility of Orwell, Ohio (not Orville) possibly being a circus town in 1870-1880. Thank you! Melanie Granger Mecca, Ohio. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Mar 2008 - In his pamphlet "Half Century Circus Reviews" Charles Bernard wrote "Elwood Hamilton and his four brothers of Stark City, Ohio exhibited "Sir Henry," a trained horse in the years just after the Civil War. Freeman and Milo Skinner, brothers and farmers from Windsor, Ohio bought a half-interest in the horse, thus forming a show called Hamilton & Skinner. There is a
monument in "Sir Henry" in a public park in Windsor, Ohio. Hamilton & Pullman had a sideshow on Adam Forepaugh in 1873. Stuart Thayer
Reply: 29 Mar 2008 - I was in the CWM library one day when Billy Rodgers,(who is from Orwell), asked Bob Parkinson about a circus Wintering there many years ago. Bob said, and I quote, "the name of the show was Hilyard & Main, Main being the father of Walter L. Main, & Hilyard being the father, or grandfather of Harriet Hilyard, who we know as Harriet Nelson,(Ozzie & Harriet). I was amazed at the fact that Bob came up with the answer without one second hesitation, he was an encyclopedia. This may also explain David Nelson's fascination for circus. Bill Strong.
Reply: 31 Mar 2008 - Correct the spelling to Hilliard. There's an entry for M. M. Hilliard in Slout's "Olympians," on this website, as well as William Main and Giles Pullman, all of whom were the apparent proprietors based on tertiary entries. The "New York Clipper" would be the place to check for further data on the circus and proprietors. Charles Bernard's "Half Century Circus Reviews" has further mention of Orville and the fair that was staged there on pages 8-12. His columns in "Billboard" issues of the 1930s might also contain further mentions of the community. Fred Dahlinger
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2359. Museums of Circus, Artists and Showmen, 25 Mar 2008 - A circus interested Danish librarian Dan Roneklint Sorensen made some years ago a survey of museums of Circus, Artists and Showmen. So far the survey has only be available as a paper based document. However, after a recent update I have assisted Dan by making the survey available at the internet at the address www.cirkus-dk.dk/cirkusmuseer/. The language is Danish, German and English. The survey introduces a lot of museums all over the world. Dan Roneklint Sorensen will be very grateful for corrections, amendments and comments on his survey.
Kind regards, Ole Simonsen, osim@post11.tele.dk. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 26 Mar 2008 - Look for photos - posters etc. about circus www.circusmuseum.nl.eng. H.Best-Otte NL
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2358. John Hengler, 24 Mar 2008 - My name is Kathy and I am researching a book on Birkenhead Theatres, Music Halls and places of entertainment between 1840 and 1940. Birkenhead is across the River Mersey from Liverpool. I came across one reference to a J. M. Hengler opening an entertainment venue called 'Cirque Variete' in Hamilton Street, Birkenhead. Unfortunately this is all I know at the moment (I have only just started researching). There appears to be a number of Hengler's connected with Circus, in Glasgow and London but this is the only J. Henger I have found so far. Regards, Kathy. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2357. Walla Leonard, 24 Mar 2008 - Somehow I got involved with researching a man named Walla Leonard, or Walla Leonhardt. He also had a brother named Romeo. Both were aerialists in the 1870s, and parallel bar users too, and maybe also on the tight rope. And Walla had a daughter in the business (dancing/acting/highwire) named Mildred Flora or 'Flora Leonard.' He probably worked in Philly, Indiana, and NYC. Maybe also for Forepaugh's. Maybe born in 1842, died of heart disease. In 1875, he was involved with training one or two (child) apprentices named "Prince Leo." He got into trouble over that. Does anyone have anything on him? This is the only entry I found in the wonderful Online Olympian Bio's by Slout:
LEONARD, WALLA and ELEANOR. Acrobats, Joel E. Warner's Circus, 1876; equestrian director (Walla), Holland & Gormley, 1889.
LEONARD, WALTER. Trapeze artist, Alexander Robinson’s, 1870. (Walter = Walla?)
LEONHARDT BROTHERS. Donaldson & Rich, 1885. (w/ Romeo?)
LEONHART, NELLIE. Aerialist, Ringling Bros.', 1890. (not sure Nellie is connected)
Thanks! Allen Koenigsberg, Brooklyn. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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2356. Apollo Trio, 24 Mar 2008 - I am working on a filmography concerning the Film and Ancient Greece. I found a Poster for a Film which showed the "Trio Apollo," filmed in the "Procédé Parolini" a Projection "en Relief", a Kind of 3D.
As I found a similar on this website: Some Performers and Acts with
Circuses - 1910, the Apollo Trio, they seem to have performed at the Barnum & Bailey, I am wondering if it could be the same group. I would be very greatful if someone could identify them. I can email a scan of the poster. Please email me at wollmann@argutezza.ch to view the poster of the Apollo Trio. Therese Wollmann. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 29 Mar 2008 - I too have been intrigued by the Apollo Trio and the very nice lithograph that Strobridge executed for the act and Barnum & Bailey in 1910. I haven’t done a lot of research into the troupe, yet what I have learned provides an object lesson about the tremendous resources that were devoted to circus marketing near the turn of the 20th Century. The Barnum & Bailey circus of 1910 was enormous. Three rings and two stages, and a show that provided more continuous action than most observers had ever seen in one place. The Apollo Trio of 1910 was a microcosm of The Greatest Show on Earth. The Troupe – which was a "living statue" acrobatic act – was a very small part of the show, coming as part of "Display 12". I describe it as a "small" part because "Display 12" consisted almost entirely of feats on the tight wire. In the Center Ring was "La Belle Victoria" performing her wire act. In Ring One the Four Ekeid Sisters performed on the tight wire, and Ring Three found "The Nette Carroll Trio" also on the wire. It was only on one of the stages (Stage Two) that you would find "The Apollo Trio" described in the program as "The golden gymnasts in an entirely new act. The perfect gymnasts". (Another acrobatic act – "The La Faille Troupe" was on Stage One). Despite the fact that "The Apollo Trio" was a small portion of the big show – with only a few minutes performing on a stage between Ring One and Three – a lithograph was produced to promote this "living statue" act. So a couple of questions arise about this poster. Since it was not a FEATURE of the big show, was it perhaps just an opportunity to show a little skin? While "The Apollo Trio" evidently wore golden costumes, if the poster is to be believed, their arms and legs were apparently bare and painted with a bronze makeup, allowing the Victorian audience to catch a glimpse of a little more skin than they were accustomed to seeing in public. Incidentally, although another researcher may be able to provide the names of those who made up "The Apollo Trio" I suspect the threesome probably appeared elsewhere in the circus as a different act, as it would seem unlikely that these three would travel with the show for only that one small contribution to the show. As for the poster itself – is it possible that this is actually a stock design produced by Strobridge with Barnum & Bailey added as a title? While Ringling-Barnum did use some stock paper (mostly multiple sheets) did Barnum & Bailey ever use "stock paper – or was it ALL custom designed? Chris Berry
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2355. Magyars, acrobatic troupe, 23 Mar 2008 - I have a color poster that reads "Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus" It has an image of a beautifully costumed,nine person act that is introduced on the poster as:
The World-Famous MAGYARS, Europe's Greatest Acrobatic Troupe, Presented for the first time in America. The poster is mounted on wood, with a hole drilled hole in each corner. It was printed by the Erie Litho & Ptg Co. No. 41-448-5.
1. Do you know anything about the Magyars?
2. When would they have joined the circus?
3. What purpose would there be to mounting the poster on wood with the four
drilled holes?
My children ask me about this piece and I'd love to be able to share the
circus history of it. Thanks for any information you have. - Julie Olian
Chicago, IL. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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