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3293. Circuses and Showboats, 11 Mar 2010 - I know that some circuses traveled in the form of a showboat, but I want to know how common was that. And does anybody know of any of the names of these circuses? Katie. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 12 Mar 2010 - John Polacsek has extensively researched the topic of circuses moving by water and will hopefully provide more details, but here's some quick information. "Circus boat" is encountered in the literature and it can mean different things. So does the phrase "boat show."
Quite a few circuses made jumps between river communities by steamboat, and some toured the greater part or an entire tour by river. These were overland shows, normally moving by horse and wagon, and using a tent. To move by steamboat, they eliminated most of the wagons and horses and carried the tent and apparatus on the vessel, erecting the show adjacent to the river landing. Yet, there are other instances when an overland show boarded a vessel and then unloaded from it.
These moves were popular when the steamboat trade declined in the face of competition from railroads, and vessel owners sought out other purposeful means to keep or make their craft profitable investments. Circus men who utilized steamboats included Dan Castello, John Robinson, Dan Rice, C. W. Noyes, Edward Backenstose and many more. It was also incumbent upon the circus men to figure out how to "route" their circus along the rivers, knowing where to land and when during the season. Until the river navigation was controlled with a series of locks and dams, some sections were not navigable year-round.
A few steamboats were apparently modified [presumably cabin space replaced by a large box] so that they could house "performances" of one type or another on board. The "James Raymond" was one such craft. The ability to house and present an actual circus on a self-powered vessel seems limited; most presentations, I suspect, were on a stage and not in a ring, and were largely constituted of human performers.
One must be careful to distinguish between a circus [staged in a ring, with human and animal performers] and vaudeville programs that were a common staple of floating theaters. "Circus" acts shifted between circus, vaudeville, theater and other venues, but to be a circus one needs the essential ring and the combination of humans and animals working together on the same bill.
The number of bonafide circuses utilizing an actual floating theater [people in the business didn't use "showboat"--credit that to Edna Ferber's popular novel] is very minimal. Spalding & Rogers exemplifies the genre with their 1850s "Floating Palace," towed [meaning pushed] by one steamboat and augmented with others in their "Circus Fleet." Much has been written about it, from tertiary articles to a Ph. D. dissertation. There's an engraving, a couple posters, even a poor photograph of the vessel. S&R were innovators, using three different forms of travel at various times [overland, river, railroad].
A couple outfits hired steamboats and loaded the show onto barges and moved from landing to landing to make water-borne appearances. That's the case with the 1881-1882 Cole's New Southern Circus, the 1903 Great American Water Circus, the 1915 Rice & Dore carnival, and Rice & Emerson in 1924, the latter two of which may have had a circus as a "back end" show. There may have been others.
Robert Stickney, Jr. proposed to do a "southern boat show" in 1901, but whether he actually accomplished the task I'm not sure. If he simply proposed to travel by steamboat, or use a theater on a barge wasn't stated.
Philip Graham's book, unfortunately titled "Showboats," is a readily available resource. His vessel listing includes something called "United States Aid," described as a circus boat of the 1850s. It's characterized as seating 500 and plying the Ohio River; but I think further confirmation is in order to discern the nature of this operation. The same is true of his entry for "Dan Rice's Floating Opera," reportedly built at Cairo, IL in 1886 and having a capacity of 440. Further investigation is mandated before accepting it as a bonafide entry.
There are large collections on the floating theater topic [Kent State University, Ohio Historical Society, Tulane University; Graham's holdings are not yet in the public domain, as far as I know], small collections in numerous places, plus all of the material now on line, etc. Most of the collections and the writings focus on the non-circus floating theaters, understandably so since theater and stage activity dominated their existence. Fred Dahlinger
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3292. Kelly Morris Circus, 08 Mar 2010 - Trying to find info on the Kelly Morris Circus, how much tickets are and where they are now, any help will be appreciated. laters. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3291. Elephant photos, 07 Mar 2010 - Looking for pictures of circus elephants marching from train station in Youngstown, Ohio to Meridian road to set up tents; probably in the 1950's? Bob. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 09 Mar 2010 - The obvious course of action is to contact or visit the local city and county public libraries and historical societies. Another possibility is the photo morgue of the local Youngstown newspaper; the circus rituals provided good story material and unusual visual coverage in Baby Boomer America. Casting a broader net, you might try historical societies that cover your area of Ohio as well as the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus. You might also check old CHS, CFA and CMB rosters for members in the Youngstown area; perhaps they and/or their collections survive? The RBBB routes are available on this website at: www.circushistory.org/Routes/Ringling50.htm The show played Youngstown in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955 and 1956. Knowing the dates, you can also check the local newspapers of the time for photo and descriptive coverage. Fred Dahlinger
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3290. RBBB friend, 06 Mar 2010 - Hey I have a friend who use to work canvas and is 92 still alive and looking for anyone alive who worked Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Combined Circus. He has the original Route Book for the employees from 1939 when he was 20 and worked along a guy called Red. 772-359-2597 call any info he has told some awesome stories about back then! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 10 Mar 2010 - I am looking for informatiom on my mother who did pass away in 1999 with the secret of being a performer in the circus during the 1940s. I discovered this information when settling her estate. I also discovered I was adopted by her second husband. Her first husband was a "roust-about?" named J. Churchill. My mother's name was Dolores Mae Adams, then Dolores Churchill and then Dolores M. Estes. I found a picture in Life Magazine of her and other aerialists with one of the elephants they used in their act. She was 19 in 1941; and supposely she had joined the circus when she was 14. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I know that she got a divorce in Polk County and moved to New Orleans, LA. and had me in 1953. Thank you! PS I found this site when I was looking up exhibits at Ringling Art Museum and got fascinated by your site. Stephanie Modling
Reply: 11 Mar 2010 - Stephanie, if your mother was with RBBB starting in 1938 or later, through 1956, her employment card, detailing her birth date, home address, next of kin, job position, dates of employment and rate of compensation, is in the RBBB business records filed in the Circus World Museum library. You can purchase a photocopy. Joseph T. Bradbury published a series of articles in the Circus Fans Association journal White Tops that detailed each season from 1932 to 1956. These are probably available for purchase as back copies from the organization. They would provide further understanding of your mother's employment and life with the circus. You might also find Connie Clausen's book of interest. It's the memoir of a show girl with RBBB. Fred Dahlinger
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3289. Robert Fuller Houston, 06 Mar 2010 - Hi. My name is Steve Peters and I live in St. Thomas, Ontario. I collect JUMBO stuff. Looking to contact Robert Fuller Houston. Phone or Email appreciated. Thank You. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 08 Mar 2010 - If you'll give me your contact info, I'll pass it on to Rob. He doesn't have email that I know of. Bob Cline ( 5Tigeract@gmail.com )
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3288. W. D. Broadfoot, Charles Testard, 03 Mar 2010 - I am researching W D BROADFOOT who was assistant stage manager for Andrew Ducrow at Astley’s Amphitheatre in the 1830s and early ‘40s then stage manager and later manager at Astley’s for Batty. Subsequently he became Pablo Fanque’s equestrian manager until his death in 1852. I am also trying to trace CHARLES TESTARD, the equestrian manager, who married CLARA BROADFOOT on Jan 1867. Fiz. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3287. Buffalo Ranch Real Wild West, 02 Mar 2010 - I inherited a picture of Buffalo Ranch Real Wild West. The print on the bottom says: Milwaukee Riverside Printing Co. Chicago 3319. I've been researching and researching this print that has Indians dancing around fire, Indians on horses and camels at the top! It looks like a show poster! The closest I've gotten to any info is on your website. Can you be of any further help to me? It would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you, Rosalind Howell. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 05 Mar 2010 - The Riverside/Buffalo Ranch lithos date from the Jones Bros/Thomas Wiedemann (Kit Carson) “Buffalo Ranch Wild West Show” (1910-14). There are two Riverside posters that are often seen in collections today: "Real Indian Dances” (which is the one that you have) and “Cowboys, Cowgirls, Indians, Mexicans”. As far as I have been able to determine, originals of these two posters are only found as a one-sheet “panel” (54”x20”) – itself a relatively unusual, yet standard, size. Both of these two Buffalo Ranch images have been reproduced in recent years, Check the dimensions and you will know whether your poster is an original from the early part of the 20th Century or a more recent reproduction. This poster is a great example of the lithographers skill – and original or not, the image provides a glimpse into entertainment advertising in the early part of the 20th Century. Chris Berry email: circusposters@gmail.com
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3286. Bracelets, 02 Mar 2010 - I purchased a set of colorful paper bracelets on Ebay that I was told were used as "proof" of ticket purchase (for children I believe). They have pictures of animals and flowers on them and have a snap closure. I would like to know what era these were utilized in, if any, and any other information you could supply. Thank you in advance for your help! Jennifer Harvey, Cedar Park, TX. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3285. Joe Fleming, modeler, 01 Mar 2010 - I am seeking any available information about Joe Fleming, who apparently lived in Trenton, Nebraska. I have been in long possession of one of his Circus Train Models, "Sparks and Wallace", and am interested in learning more about Joe and his models. Thanks in advance for any info. Jeff Forrest. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3284. Florence Weipert, tight rope, 01 Mar 2010 - Over the years there has been mention in my family about my grandmother once was a tight rope walker with a circus - I have nothing to document this. Here is what I have - she was born in 1894 in Jamestown, ND, ended up in Iowa and Wisc. She was married in 1913, so, if she was with the circus, it would have been before 1913. Her name was Florence M. Weipert. If anyone has any leads on a circus of that time period and area, I would greatly appreciate a reply. Thank you, Shirley, shirbusa@netscape.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3283. Civil War, 27 Feb 2010 - How did the circus fare during the Civil War? Marjoie. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 03 Mar 2010 - The broadest survey of the American circus during the Civil War is William L. Slout's book "Clowns and Cannons, The American Circus During the Civil War" (1997). On page xi, Bill wrote "If the 1860s was a decade of transition, it was also a period of survival." He also wrote "After the declaration of war, the South was closed to traveling amusements." These statements largely summarize the situation. Like most businesses, the war efforts pushed circus survival nearly to the brink in some instances. Dramatic development and expansion took place thereafter, until the Panic of 1873 put a damper on the economy. There are a variety of articles that shed light on the circus during the war, as well as memoirs, articles, etc. If you have a specific area of interest or need, clarification thereof might enable additional references to be provided for your purposes. Fred Dahlinger
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3282. Muriel Wirth, rider, 27 Feb 2010 - Hello I am trying to find history on my Great Grandmother known as Muriel Wirth (full name Annie Mida Muriel Wirth) She was supposedly a bareback rider in the circus, however, I cannot find her name in any searches. She married twice once to a Thomas Walters lived out her life in Lithgow NSW. She was petite (under 5' tall) attractive and looked European. She died in the early 60's in Lithgow Hospital. Can anyone help please? I have a beautiful picture or her with her eldest daughter Leah who is my Grandmother. Thank you, Susan. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 28 Feb 2010 - If you go to www.circushistory.org/History/BriefU.htm on the CHS website and scroll down to Wirth's Circus, I think the information on a Muriel Wirth there may be your great grandmother. If so, it appears her father was Harry Wirth, one of the showmen Wirth brothers. You'll have to read down to the bottom of the section on the Wirth's Circus to view the possible family connection. You will want to try to find a copy of The Travelling Wirth Family: a history of our ancestors as musicians, miners and Wirths' Circus including descendants, by Gayle Maree Speight; Stephanie Wirth; Margaret Wright, 2005. And the publications of Mark St. Leon who has done extensive work on the Wirth and St. Leon families. - J. Griffin.
Reply: 01 Mar 2010 - I don't know how to thank you! It's my birthday today and this information is invaluable Annie Milda Muriel Wirth is the same as in the article link you sent me. She is the daughter of Harry all the history I have been researching revolved around Phillip no wonder I couldn't find her. Her second husband was W Lewis known as Bill and their farm was in Bowenfels I remember it well. My mother has many pictures from those days.I have four daughters I will pass the information on to. It explains my love and success with horses and my daughters' talent with music.Thank you thank you thank you. Susan
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3281. Steam calliope film, 26 Feb 2010 - Does anyone with your organization now the whereabouts of a 16mm film called The Mighty Steam Calliope. It is supposed to explain the last surviving steam calliope in Southern Ontario, Canada. Is the film available on VHS tape or DVD disk? If so, please get back to Mr. John Archer Slobodin at john.slobodin@yahoo.com. Also, is the film available for interlibrary loan? Thank-you. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Feb 2010 - The calliope film is controlled by the National Film Board of Canada. Their website will be found in a Google search and then you can search their site for the information you desire. Fred Dahlinger
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3280. Hinerman Sisters, 26 Feb 2010 - Does anybody remember the Hinerman Sisters from Ringling Bros. back in the 50s? I think they were known as the Hines Sisters? FCastig. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3279. Patrick McManus, 21 Feb 2010 - Hello, I am trying to trace a family member that reportedly spent time with an American circus before 1870. Possibly 1862 – 1868? His name was Patrick Mc Manus and he would have been a horse man or who knows what! Bye for now, Catriona. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3278. Mills Bros., 21 Feb 2010 - Hi Everyone,I was with Mills Bros. in 1963. Started from Jefferson and left show in Mass. Willie was the one that brought me on board. I worked for Harry, and operated the cotton candy stand and Willie oper. the snow cones. Came back after the army in spring of 1966. Willie had married Olive (from england/show girl) worked the ropes and balls etc. along with her sister. Whitety or anyone interested in contacting Jeff or Willie can e-mail jpizel@aol.com, say Mills Bros. in the subject so I don't think its garbage. I live in Ashtabula now. 2001 my 1st wife died, we had been married since 1967 and lived in her home town of Jefferson for all those yrs between. There is another man in the area from the 60s with Mills Bros. His name is Doug. He worked around the horses, and we get together now and then. Anyone from then wants to talk, just use above e-mail. My best wishes for ONE and ALL. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3277. Al G. Barnes, M. L. Clark, 20 Feb 2010 - I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about AL G Barnes and or ML Clark and Sons Circus. I know that AL G Barnes operated from 1906-1938 and ML Clark and Sons operated from 1883-1930 then again in 1943 and then again from 1945-1946. I have two posters I am trying to get history on they are stamped and very unique. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am having such a difficult time on finding any history on these two names of circus. I have only found a few things but nothing with any significance. I also know that at least one was printed from a company call the Riverside Printing Co in Milwaukee, WI. The one poster with AL G Barnes has a huge panther in it, I don’t know if that holds any significance or not. AL G Barnes also says on the poster wild animal. I think the most unique part about them is they are done on wood and the wood is like a picture frame carved and everything. It’s as if they were hand painted but I don’t think so for the fact that is has Riverside Printing CO on it. Again, any help on the direction I need to take would be so appreciated. Thank you in advance, Sincerely, Dalene Dube. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 21 Feb 2010 - While our website does not allow the posting of photos or images, If you'll email these photos to me, I can at least see them and perhaps ask some other historians far more knowledgeable than myself. Bob Cline fivetiger@shtc.net
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3276. Midway games 1890-1920, 20 Feb 2010 - I am seeking information on games played on the midways of early circuses and carnivals, most specifically of the years 1890-1920. Any information about the types of games, manufacturers (or whether games were not constructed by companies), and popularity of such is most appreciated, as are any links to additional sources. I am also seeking information about the types of prizes awarded at such events. This information is for program enhancement for a special event at a major living history museum. Thank you, A.N., Michigan. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 03 Mar 2010 - The back end shows were colorful, but the front end boys raised it up a few more levels. Many of the early games found on the North American fairground and the circus lot were carryovers from England and Europe. If you look in French fairground books of the late 19th century you will see drawings of games like the "swinger" that became popular, alibi joints in 1950-'60's midways were also here. The popularity of a game can go up and down and many have seen several revivals at different times.
Grifters or operators of rigged or controlled games around the
circus favored small gaming equipment that could easily pocketed away -
hence three card monte, the pea under the shells or nuts. The best
players could work them on top of a held newspaper or the top of an
umbrella. The first "New York Clipper" ad I saw for a controlled wheel
for operation in a sideshow was in the 1870's. By this time wheels,
drop cases and other self-built gambling or gaming devices were common
on the show grounds. The later were also in use on the fairgrounds.
The gaming business didn't really take off until the early part of the
20th century, when numerous companies started manufacturing specific
prizes for the games, bingo stands, etc. The manufacture of prizes in
huge quantities allowed for reasonable priced stock. An assortment and
variety of prizes made of cloth, felt, plaster, composites were cheaply
priced by the dozen and usually sold by the case load - or gross. The
type and style of prizes followed popular events, patriotic ideas, and
fun subjects. I don't know exactly the year that plaster figures of
human characters and animals came onto the show grounds but it was
around the first world war. They became the dominant prizes along with
pillows, blankets, and food baskets, boxes of chocolates and cigarettes
and cigars. These items dominated the prize selection into post World
War Two.
The famed kewpie doll was first a plaster figure. Boxes of chocolates were big give always and in the 1930's; chocolate manufacturers worked hard to come up with a formula to keep chocolates from melting quickly in the heat.
Not only were there big manufacturers of prizes, but also several well
known manufacturers of gambling and gaming devices. E.C. Evans in
Chicago was the premier company that issued catalogues and supplied
showmen with various gaming devices for decades. Usually the gaffs were
so clever and so simple that most players never knew what was going on
when a game was controlled by the operator. Besides a half dozen game
equipment manufacturers there were numerous showmen in the industry
that had a small cottage industry in building carnival games to order.
For years, one Coney Island showman specialized in "cat racks." A
friend of mine made short range buckets and controlled wheels.
In the teens and 1920's merchandise and paddle wheels dominated the
concession business. Whole wheel joints were full of one particular
stock item and wheelmen threw out tons of stock. Some shows would have
a dozen wheel joints with each one throwing out a different piece of
stock. You could only win that particular prize by playing that game.
Midway operators would give concessionaires the exclusive to certain
prizes. The gaming business became a big money making proposition as
long as operators keep throwing out good quality stock.
By the mid 1920's controlled games were the way to go for many
concessionaire and for many carnival show owners. Despite numerous
attempts at certain times to clean up the concessions the flat stores
and alibi joints had a field day alongside hanky panks and straight
sales stands well into the early 1970's. Some of the best midways had a
first class concession department with numerous controlled games. Some
argue that the flats and alibis finally killed the gaming industry, but
it was a combination of social factors, local gaming regulations, and
the fact you could buy plush anywhere. At one time you only found plush
toys at carnivals and amusement parks. Once the variety of games were
restricted by rules and legislation the row of midway games became a
somewhat boring proposition for the average midway trotter. Fewer
people carried cash and that killed the flats and alibis.
Today you rarely see anyone over forty playing a joint. The decline in the
quality of prizes (now called slum) given out to everyone on hanky
panks and group games lowered the expectations of the game player to
the point that many just keep walking past the games. New hot stock
items mostly based on T.V. or movie characters come out every few
seasons but they are not exclusive to the carnival game business.
Now, Bart Simpson plush figures are not only found on carnival games
but at every souvenir and gift shop, dollar store, tourist trap, and
gas station in the nation. When people know they can buy the same thing
for fifteen dollars it is pretty hard to get the game player past that
point on the midway.
Today few carnival owners have a concession department or even know how to properly run one. Shows rely on booked in independent concessionaires to fill the front end lot footage. The carnival game is still about selling space on either a percentage or flat fee basis. Al Stencell
Reply: 06 Mar 2010 - When a circus let the privilege on
the lot such as games of chance, that type of information did not show up
in the regular documentation of the shows. What was documented in the 1890
-1920 route books were the sales of concessions such as balloons, whips,
etc. show. The June 19,1897 New York Clipper did carry an ad for Coe,
Yonge & Co., a firm that was the headquarters for cutlery, canes, toy
balloon, jewelry, notions, & novelties for streetmen, auctioneers &
agents. Cane racks and knife stands a speciality. They could be reached at
700 Washington Ave. St. Louis. Another advertisement that year noted
spindles, wheels, knife boards, cane racks, dice games and sporting goods
of every description could be obtained from the Kernan Mfg. Co, 792 W.
Madison, Chicago. Possibly catalogues from these companies would help. One
of the other ways to document midway games if through photographs. I am
aware of one midway stand from c1910 that may have been on the Buffalo
Bill Wild West Show or other similar show. It is available in the circus
file of the Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collection.
It shows a young man with a crooked stick and on the stick are a number
of wooden rings. He is standing in front of a knife board about 8 feet
across with a slanted back. On it are a variety of awls & punches, table
knives, and at least four different types of pocket knives. Some of the
knives are prizes. In one case a large knife has a small pistol hanging
from the handle.The awls are stuck in the board and have tags that read
10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents and one dollar. So if you ring that
particular awl or punch you get the value of the prize. I do not think
that the idea of winning a pocket knife with a cork screw, a large knife
with a 12 inch blade, or even a pistol would be suitable prizes in todays
world. You could substitute prizes and come up with other items to toss a
ring over such as a pop bottle, etc. John Polacsek, Detroit, Michigan
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3275. Pete & Florence Mardo, 18 Feb 2010 - Interested in biographical information about Peter Guckeyson (Pete Mardo), acrobat and clown with Ringling Bros., and his wife Florence Harris, whom he married in 1910. They lived in Akron and Columbus, Ohio. Dave Davisson, Columbus, Ohio. (Davisson.12@osu.edu) Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3274. Pinder’s Circus, Keswick, 18 Feb 2010 - I am researching the subject of evacuees in Keswick (then Cumberland) during World War 2. I have an image of Roedean School girls with a very large poster for Pinder’s New International Zoo Circus on a building end. The only detail I can see are the numbers 30 and 31 – presumably dates in Keswick. The image gives only the date as 1940’s. Can you refer me to someone who could tell me when Pinder’s Circus came to Keswick and where they performed? Sincerely, Brian Wilkinson. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Feb 2010 - Pinders New Internatinol Circus was run by my grandfather William Ord Pinder. Keswick would have been visited almost yearly until 1962-3. They stopped touring in WW2 from about 1941 until 1945 when they started again. The site would most likely have been a farmers field (not always the same one). If I can find anymore info I will post it for you. Pinders circus will commence its 2010 tour in England on March 11. George Pinder
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3273. Cole Bros. 2010, 16 Feb 2010 - Is the Cole Brothers Circus still in operation? What is it schedule for 2010 if it still in business? WVP. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 21 Feb 2010 - If you will go to their website at www.colebroscircus.com/schedule.htm you will find their route updated throughout the year. Bob Cline
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3272. Jim Murphy, giant, 16 Feb 2010 - I am looking for any information on a possible Ringling performer named Jim Murphy. He was a “Giant”, 7’8” tall. Late 19th or more likely early 20th century. Bob K. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 21 Feb 2010 - The following obituary was published in March 1875: - Tom
THE DEAD GIANT. [From the Baltimore Sun] - Mr. James Murphy, Jr. a giant who has been keeping a restaurant at 151 South Chester street, on Fell's Point, in this city, for a year or so past, died early yesterday morning of a bronchial affection or consumption. Mr. Murphy was born at Waterford, Ireland, and was therefore a full blooded Irish giant, and a large one, standing near eight feet in his stockings. He was 33 years of age and unmarried. Some months ago, when he was in comparatively good health, he weighed 351 pounds. He had weighed more when his health was better. He had been in this country twenty four years, having been brought here by his father and mother, who still live at the house on Chester street. The giant traveled three years with Barnum as one of the great living curiosities of the world. In his professional career he visited every part of the country, from Maine to California and the extreme South. After terminating his engagement with Barnum, the giant traveled with a circus, where he contracted the bronchial disease which finally ended his life. When in good health he had a fresh, pleasant face and like all large men, and particularly all giants, except those of the story books and nursery tales, was as amiable as he was great in stature. He had a very youthful expression of countenance, coal-black hair, and his hands were so large that one of them could cover the head of an ordinary man, just as an ordinary hand would cover an orange. His feet were not so large proportionately as the hands, but beside an ordinary shoe one of his shoes would seem to be a sufficient habitation for "the old woman" of the story book, who "had so many children she did not know what to do." When the undertaker came to measure the dead giant for his coffin it was found that the deceased was full eight feet long. Surely the measure of man is correctly known when he is dead. The coffin will be nearly 8 1/2 feet long. The body was visited by hundreds of people yesterday, the giant being well know on Fell's Point, where he was justly esteemed for his amiability, especially by the children, who, after the first shrinkage, generally liked to be taken in his arms and celebrated so far above the heads of their parents as he could conveniently hold them. Some of the little boys in the neighborhood knew him only by the name of "the Gi'nt." The body lay in a small room about twelve feet square, against the south wall, feet towards the west, stretching almost across the apartment from side to side. Candles were burning at the head and foot and sides of the corpse which was covered with a black pall, with a large white cross on the breast, and crosses in the corners of the cloth. The father of the giant who is 65 years of age, probably older, is a large man. When at his best, he stood over six feet in his stockings, though he is now a little bent. The mother is not a large woman, being not above the medium size for the sex. She is nearly her husbands age. Both the old people are in good health, and seem vigorous for their years. Including the giant, they have had born to them five sons and three daughters. One son only is alive. Some of the children were undersized. Only one, a son, attained to the size of the father, except the giant, who exceeded the growth of the parent by nearly two feet.
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3271. Poster history needed, 16 Feb 2010 - I have two posters that we have inherited, my wife's family had two different circus/troupes an we need to find out any history if possible. The first one is: Dressen and Morris Circus varieties this one is a poster for Madisonville, Ky. Seceond one is: Bob and Mae Morris Troupe. Thanks, Ron Wyatt. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3270. What circus, 1890s, 15 Feb 2010 - My great grandfather left home and joined the circus when he was 14, around the year 1890. He toured with the circus in places like Chatanooga, TN. He said in his autobiography that anyone could join the circus and they would be given room and board, but no pay. Here are some things he said:
And about all they showed you at the show grounds was a tight wire walker and a woman holding a snake, a tattooed boy all covered with ink and a pug nose dog call the "The Missing Link". And believe me the groups of people on the street never failed to follow this parade right into the show grounds.
He traveled all over the southern usa to St. Louis and Kansas City. Do you know what circus this was? Could you point me to where I could find more information about this circus that he was a member of? Thanks! Matt. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 16 Feb 2010 - You could greatly enhance your research efforts if you can find any town he played in with an exact date. In other words, did he play in St. Joseph, Missouri on Saturday July 19th? By having a day and date, you can pin down the exact year and then it's only a matter of finding out which circus played that town, that year. Good Luck, Bob Cline
Reply: 16 Feb 2010 - If your great-grandfather left no remnants of paper or photographic documentation relating to his show life, the possibilities to identify his employer(s) will be limited. If he mentioned no titles, proprietors or artists of note, that will also be a stumbling block in the search for identity. The description that you provided could apply to a circus side show, but could also refer to other activity including a side show that frequented county fairs. What people have termed a "circus" can indeed mean different things. The best way to identify the show(s) involved will be to extract from the memoir the exact cities and dates where he traveled. From this rudimentary itinerary you must then go to: (1) compiled circus routes; (2) trade journals like the "New York Clipper"; and (3) newspapers in the communities visited. If you're lucky, a combination of these might direct you to a conclusion. Be aware that memoirs written long after the fact usually mix dates and places, and people and events. They can sometimes prove impossible to unscramble. If there's any form of daily diary, sequential listing of show engagements, etc., you might list it herein and someone might be able to assist you directly. Fred Dahlinger
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3269. Trapeze fall, Tacoma WA, 15 Feb 2010 - Over 50 years ago (as a very young child) I witnessed a woman trapeze artist fall in a horrific accident at a circus in Tacoma, Washington. Can you find this event and information? Did she survive? I was whisked out of the tent and have always wondered what happened. David Petersen (Tacoma, Washington). Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 17 Feb 2010 - www.circopedia.org/index.php/Miss_Mara
"On March 1, a month and a half before making her U.S. debut at Madison Square Garden, Mara had given birth in Seville to her only child, Enriqueta. Mara would eventually spend six years in the U.S., but on September 11, 1953, in Tacoma, Washington, she fell again — this time with very serious consequences. She had to undergo no less than seven surgeries. Still, on March 4, 1955, she returned to Ringling with her original act unchanged." Bob
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3268. History of the circus, 13 Feb 2010 - Is there a comprehensive history of the circus? By this I mean a history from at least Roman times, or earlier I suppose, through current circuses? K Freitag. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 16 Feb 2010 - The simple answer to your question is "no." There hasn't been a general circus history published for several years, so there's nothing covering the past few years. There's also a definitional problem in that the modern circus, starting in England in the third quarter of the 18th century, doesn't have a direct connection with ancient times other than the word (which changed meaning) and in some of the types of activity seen.
Most general histories have major flaws in their content, or lack coverage of significant activity, which recent scholarship has exposed. Taken on a worldwide basis, the topic is also so extensive that a single volume could hardly do it justice.
If you can narrow your focus, it may be possible to recommend one or more texts or volumes that provide coverage. A good start is to check the articles, book titles and other material that can be found on this website, under the History, Publications and other icons on the home page. If you're seeking a single volume for a course reading, it's still awaited. Fred Dahlinger
Reply: 22 Feb 2010 - Fred of course is correct. But if you are prepared to look at more than one book, and you are looking for something more than an overview, then try the following in combination.
Circus - A World History by Robert Croft-Cooke and Peter Cotes, published in London 1976 by Paul Elek Ltd. The Astley circus doesn't begin till page 39 and the all the previous pages cover Roman and medieval developments. I've seen a French language version and would expect you should find this in the USA through one of the secondhand book search engines.
Circus by Rodney N. Mauser, published in the UK 1987 by Richford Enterprises Ltd. A good follow on from the above, full of pictures - the first 106 pages are all pictures. The text begins on page 107 - you guessed that didn't you?!!? Concentrates on the 20th century world wide.
The Golden Age of Circus by Howard Loxton (with David Jamieson, a UK authority on circus) published London 1997 by Grange Books Plc. One of those coffee table general interest books but none the worse for that. Covers the background briefly and then concentrates on the period 1900 to 1939 and again, world wide. Tony
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3267. Naomi Ruth Graham, 13 Feb 2010 - Hi, I am looking for information on a Naomi Ruth Graham born in Pittsburgh Pa in 1892 also called Buster Mack she rode as a trick rider in the 101 Ranch Wild West Shows as well as Ringling Bros Show in or around 1905. Randall. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3266. Lavinia Warren Bump, 12 Feb 2010 - I'm curious about what, exactly, Lavinia Warren Bump (Mrs. Tom Thumb) did while on her cousin's floating museum on the river. I know what her "act" consisted of while with Barnum, but cannot find any description of what she did as part of the museum when she first left home, not even in her memoir. Thank you! Melanie Hauser. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3265. Book, Great Southern Circus, 12 Feb 2010 - After many years of research, I have published a historical novel that may be of some interest to your readers. This novel chronicles the tour of Orton and Older's Great Southern Circus through the southeastern United States from 1859 through 1861. Below is a link to my book. Thank You, Nick West. "Great Southern Circus," www2.xlibris.com/books/webimages/wd/75093/index.htm. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3264. Circus history, Italy, Portugal, Spain, 12 Feb 2010 - My name is Silvia Rondoni and I found out on the internet about your society. Im looking for information about Circus History in Italy, Portugal and Spain. My great-grandfather was a clown in a circus as well as his brother. If you could give me some advice or if there is anything in your archives that could help me with my research I will be really grateful. Thanks in advance and have a nice day, Silvia Rondoni. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3263. Great Coleman's Circus, 12 Feb 2010 - Hi I have an old titles 'Great Coleman's Circus and Kit Carson Himself in Person.' Pictured on one side is Kit Carson (Photo of him with long hair) and an elaborate trapeze, on the other side are elephants, clowns, bears, the big top, etc. It measures about 10" x 27.5". The poster is in poor condition. There is significant edge wear as well as many poor tape repairs. I cant find anything about the Circus to date this. I'm from Pgh PA and my name is George. Thanks. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 17 Feb 2010 - Great Coleman Circus. The Coleman Circus was a truck show in 1929. There were a number of financial problems that season and by July the show was sold to John Pluto. He reopened it August 3 at Hudson, Michigan under the Great Coleman title. One of the new features on the show was the nephew of Kit Carson, a 75 year old gentleman who last toured 17 years earlier. Your advertisement is a herald not a poster. Ted Bowman Circus Route Collection
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3262. Ray Kaser, 12 Feb 2010 - Hi, I purchased a cache of 1940's-50's negatives of circuses (Ringling B&B, Viohl Bros., Roger Bros.) as well as sideshow banners, burlesque acts, and miniature circus setups by a Ray Kaser of Aberdeen Maryland. I can't find out much about him, and was wondering if anyone ever heard of him. LK. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3261. Bill Bailey, Circus Artist, 08 Feb 2010 - Along with Forrest Freeland, Bill Bailey was one of the 20th Century’s most prolific circus poster artists, and his designs exist on many posters for the Ringling-Barnum Circus beginning about 1943. Whether it was for specs like “Pantos Paradise” or lithos depicting Merle Evans, giraffes or rhinos – thousands of lithos using his artwork were printed and posted by Ringling-Barnum through the 40s and into the late 1950s. I am looking for background on Bill Bailey himself. I have heard that he was once a clown (perhaps with Ringling-Barnum?) but have never been able to confirm that. Does anyone have any background on Bill Bailey – circus poster artist? Chris Berry email: circusposters@gmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3260. Daniel E. Boone’s Circus, 05 Feb 2010 - I am trying to trace the travels of Boone’s Circus around the 1880’s to 1890’s and any information on their lion tamer Theodore Nissen and his partner Martha Young. Boone’s Circus may well have been touring in the UK in 1881/2. Any and all information; or where to get such information would be welcome. David Small. davidcsmall@netscape.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3259. Riggs Circus, 02 Feb 2010 - I am seeking information on the Riggs Circus. It may have originated in Monticello or Becker, MN. My father, Grover Frank Riggs, was adopted by the Riggs family in Becker MN in 1919. He was given a poster of the Riggs Circus that shows a man walking the tightrope. I am unsure of the origin of the poster because there is no information on the poster. I would love to find a reproduction of the poster or to find more info on the circus. Thanks, Lori Karnau Becker, MN. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3258. Ken Maynard, cowboy, 01 Feb 2010 - I’m looking for confirmation that cowboy western star Ken Maynard was with the Ringling-Barnum circus for a period between the end of his World War I military service and 1923. According to one biography of Maynard he was a “rider” on Ringling-Barnum during the 1923 season and while the show was playing Los Angeles in mid-September, actor Buck Jones encouraged him to audition for a silent movie. That auditin led to a contract with Fox and more than 90 films. If the story is correct, was 1923 the first season that Maynard was with Ringling Barnum? Did he appear during the main performance, or during the aftershow? Prior to his Ringling-Barnum employment did Maynard work for other shows and if so – what shows and what years? Chris Berry, circusposters@gmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 02 Feb 2010 - According to the article written by the late Gordon Carver in the March-April 1985 of the Bandwagon, Maynard was a first of May on the Great Van Amburg and Howes Great London Shows in 1914. He was in the after show and worked for W.H. McFarland,Jr, along with 12 other persons. p.j.holmes
Reply: 02 Feb 2010 - Judge Robert H. Gollmar, in his book "My Father Owned A Circus," declares on page 195 that "In 1915 Ken Maynard was officially listed as a bronco-buster for Gollmar Brothers, and in 1916 Charles "Buck" Jones was boss of the concert." I suspect that "officially" means the show route book or program. The book also includes a later, incidental photo of Maynard. Better yet, Maynard wrote Gollmar about his show experience and it fills most of the pages to 201. Therein he states he was with RBBB in 1923. The Gollmar business ledgers are in the CWM library and would possibly provide further confirmation.
It's possible that the reviews of the 1920s RBBB openers in the Garden, as printed in "Billboard," would list Maynard in the cast.
I believe that a number of years ago an article was printed in "Bandwagon" about cowboy matinee idols. There's also a Bandwagon article about the Ken Maynard Wild West of 1936. These can be found in the article index. Unfortunately, Maynard's personal and business papers, intact until the past decade or so, were sold and dispersed far and wide. Fred Dahlinger
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3257. Blondin, 01 Feb 2010 - Hello, knowledgeable people! I've been doing research on Blondin, the man who walked across the Niagara Falls and performed in circuses cooking an omelet on a high rope. I'm confused about one thing, his name! In half of the sources I've read his name is Émile Gravelet, and the other half say it is Jean Francois Gravelet. Which is it? Leslie. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 15 Feb 2010 - So far as I can tell, he was born Jean Francois Gravelet then changed it to the more English-sounding Charles Emile Gravelet. He was already using the stage name Blondin in Jun 1851 - the earliest reference to him I could find in historical American newspapers. At that time he was simply referred to as a "rope dancer." - Tom H.
Reply: 19 Feb 2010 - Thank you so much! - Leslie
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3256. Willi Hagenbach, 31 Jan 2010 - I'm looking for some information about a animal trainer that lived about 80-90 years ago and trained 60 polar bears in a steel arena outside. His name was Willi Hagenbach and he was also was a cousin of Carl Hagenbach. Would anyone have any information about him since he is mentioned in the book Tiger Tiger written by Charly Baumann. Andrew. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 02 Feb 2010 - Look for Willy Hagenbeck posters and photos www.circusmuseum.nl/eng H.Best-Otte
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3255. Lindsey, clown, 30 Jan 2010 - I was trying to locate a friend who ran away with the circus. Her name was Lindsey and I saw her in the show at Madison Square Garden. She was a clown and swung from ropes around the arena. She is a smallish blond girl. She was named Kathy and changed her name to Linsey for a stage name. I have been trying to locate her for a few years from Palo Alto, California. Any ideas? Linzy Norton. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 31 Jan 2010 - Your request doesn't provide much information. You'll need to be a little bit better with a time line and perhaps a last name to get any help at all. If you know what year for sure, you can check the Ringling programs which listed all the cast members. The Programs are easily found on eBay most of the time.
Just as a shot in the dark, I was on Circus Kirk in 1974 with a girl from California named Kathy Herb. She later went to Ringling Clown College and toured as a clown with Ringling for a few years. She would have played in the Madison Square Garden on the Ringling dates at least two times. I'm not aware that she used the name Lindsey. She has since passed away. Sorry it's not much help. Bob Cline
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3254. Canvas banner, 30 Jan 2010 - I have a 12' x10' canvass banner made by E.J Hayden & Co. Studio, 106-110 Bwdy. Bkly NY for cheating poker players, very graphic with card players & card hands. Can anyone tell me about the Hayden Co? Would like to see it go to a good home. Thanks, petekeim@comcast.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3253. Ferris wheel accident, 1930s, 29 Jan 2010 - I would like to know if there was an accident concerning a young girl falling out of a ferris wheel in the 1930’s causing her death. The incident happened at the circus ferris wheel. Kind Regards, Sofia. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 30 Jan 2010 - The pleasure wheel or rotary swing, commonly known starting in 1893 as the Ferris Wheel following the design and erection of a mammoth example at the Chicago world's fair, is among the safest of mechanical thrill rides. The simple, slowly rotating assembly of structural steel has a generally excellent safety record. Death and injury associated with the wheel is usually associated with misbehavior or fear on the part of the rider(s). The elevation and motion of the wheel can impact the emotions of some, resulting in inappropriate actions, such as standing, that may precipitate their exit, falling or spilling from the wheel seats. This has been the most frequent explanation for injury or death of riders, beyond outright horseplay or risky behavior. There may be some instances when ride owners failed to properly erect, maintain or operate a ride, or fail to clear it of riders quickly before the onset of wind, circumstances that have resulted in injury or death.
Only one circus ever featured a wheel. Fred Buchanan's Yankee Robinson show had one on his midway in or about 1915. A photograph records it there. That was the year in which ride builder C. W. Parker placed one of his "Carry-Us-All" merry-go-rounds on both Buchanan's outfit and also on the Sells-Floto Circus. They proved beyond doubt that the rides could be moved on a daily basis, but the action didn't stimulate ride sales to circuses. The pleasure wheel remained associated with the traveling carnival, the amusement park and the world's fair midway.
There are instances of rides or entire midways being erected adjacent to a circus show grounds, attracted by the show's ability to attract a crowd. Yet, it should be understood that all such installations were not part of the circus proper.
Thus, it was not a circus which incurred the death that you refer to in the 1930s. It may have been at another amusement site offering rides.
Probably the worst accident in pleasure wheel history took place at Clason Point Park, in the New York City borough of the Bronx in June 1922. Seven people were killed and 26 were injured when the vintage wheel located there collapsed during a surprise, heavy wind (sounds like a freak tornado) incident that went through the area. The owner, one Paul Simon, was held on a charge of homicide. The wooden towers supporting the rotation shaft bearings failed, precipitating the fall and collapse of the wheel and the resultant death and injury. There is coverage in the New York "Times" of June 12-14, 1922, and elsewhere. This items list the dead and injured:
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=
9A05E4DB1E3EEE3ABC4A52DFB0668389639EDE
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=
9504E0DF1539EF3ABC4B52DFB0668389639EDE
Emily Lawyer, a nine-year old girl, was among those who lost their lives.
Mary Louise Wilson, a 13-year old girl from Point Lookout, PA, stood up in a Ferris wheel car, causing it to invert. She died July 9, 1930. There are likely to be other such incidents in different locals through the 1930s. You can do further searching through www.newspaperarchive.com, Google, other digitized newspapers, etc. Fred Dahlinger
Reply: 30 Jan 2010 - The Ferris Wheel is a mechanical device that is not easily put up and down on a daily basis. The Carnivals utilized them extensively allowing them to saty in one place for five to ten days at a time before having to take it down and move it again. The Circus however, made a living for the most part by being mobile and moving nearly every day. The circus provided its entertainment in pomp, circumstance, pagentry and costumed regala but most importantly in hard earned skills and training. The Carnival on the other hand provides amusement devices for you to ride for your entertainment.
The most popular Ferris Wheels manufacturer is the Eli Bridge Co. out of Jacksonville, Ill. You can find out more about them at their website http://www.elibridge.com/ Although there have been other manufacturers and even different configurations such as the double ferris wheel (one turning wheel on each end of two giant arms that all revolves) the double, double ferris wheel which was two double ferris wheels side by side, the Big Eli is the most well known wheel.
Concerning the accident you are asking about, I cannot offer any assistance. I can however tell you a very similiar accident occurred in Myrtle Beach at the Pavillion a few years ago. Here's the article.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19910724
&id=P1QaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UiUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5621,4617507
Maybe this helps a little. Bob Cline
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3252. Charles Harry Groff, Ringling circa 1932, 28 Jan 2010 - I haven't been able to find much about him and any info would be great. The story is that he was a lion tamer but this is sketchy information, and I'm pretty sure he was in the circus in 1932 although his employment may have started many years prior and continued many years after that. I found one listing of a "C. Groff" as a Seat Butcher for Ringling in the 40's. What is a seat butcher anyway? If anyone can help, please send an email to randy.phelps77@yahoo.com. Thanks! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3251. Virginia City, NV mid 1800s, 27 Jan 2010 - Hello, Im not sure if you could help me or not, but I was wondering if you knew of any traveling circuses that may have traveled through the Virginia City, NV area in the mid 1800’s? If so, could you possibly let me know the name or names of them and when they did go there? I am sort of doing a history project of entertainment in the 1800’s for the Virginia City Area, beyond the gambling and drinking haha. Anyway, if you could possibly e-mail me back either at nmo51683@yahoo.com or on this e-mail, nikkio@accessfleet.com, as well I would sincerely appreciate anything you might come up with. Thank you. Nikki Olson. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 28 Jan 2010 - I don't recall the earliest circus date in Nevada, but it's likely a circus that came across the border from California. I'd suggest checking Chang Reynolds' book about California circuses, "Pioneer Circuses of the West." You'll probably not find too much before 1850, with most larger circus activity coming after the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.
Ascertain the existence of roads that reached into or crossed Nevada, those would have been navigated by the overland shows. Study the formation of the railroad network and you'll learn when and how railroad shows would have arrived and departed the state.
If no one has compiled a listing of Nevada circus dates, you can start to do so by: [1] Googling around; [2] start to scan newspapers available directly or via interlibrary loan; [3] find Nevada and other newspapers with key word searching capability that may have carried news via exchange.
1862 Nevada law governing circus appearances:
http://books.google.com/books?id=7z44AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA168&dq=
circus+nevada&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=1800&as_maxm_is=
0&as_maxy_is=1900&as_brr=0&cd=6#v=onepage&q=&f=false
You might look into the 1869 Dan Castello Circus route, which was the first circus across the transcontinental railroad. There's a somewhat detailed article about it in the CFA journal "White Tops," in 1969. [WT index on this website]
A hit for Virginia City, NV came up immediately for July 2, 1870 for the Dan Castello Circus, on this website: http://www.circushistory.org/Thayer/Thayer2k.htm
The 1872 San Francisco Circus and Roman Hippodrome was in Nevada in 1872, another hit on this website: http://www.circushistory.org/Clipper/Clipper1872-73.htm
Montgomery Queen [July 1874], James A. Bailey [Cooper & Bailey at Virgina City Aug 29-31, 1876], Adam Forepaugh [1877-Virginia City May 6-7, 1878] and W. W. Cole [1878] all took their railroad circuses across the nation to California in the 1870s on the transcontinental railroad. That means they played in Nevada; Reno, Virginia City and other communities along the railroad right of way.
Here is something about John Robinson in Reno in 1883:
http://books.google.com/books?id=keQ7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA377&dq=
circus+nevada&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=1800&as_maxm_is=
0&as_maxy_is=1900&as_brr=0&cd=1#v=onepage&q=circus%20nevada&f=false
I think that John Polacsek of Detroit recently delivered a paper before the Circus Fans Association convention in Las Vegas about the circus history of Nevada. If you contact him he may be willing to share it with you, or advise on its publication.
Bill Biggerstaff of Graphics2000 is a great and long-time circus enthusiast and collector and may have some pertinent Nevada materials. He's in Las Vegas. Fred Dahlinger
Reply: 04 Feb 2010 - There is a lithograph at the Circus World Museum of the Montgomery Queen Circus with a Virginia City date. Sid
Reply: 07 Feb 2010 - The presence of circuses in Virginia City notes that they came from the California before the northern railroad was completed in 1869. Wilson's Circus - July 1863; Lee & Ryland Circus - May 1865; Cooke, Zayara & Wilson - July 1865; Lee & Ryland - July 1866; Blaisdell & Constable's Golden State Circus - June 1868; Stickney's Circus - July 1868; Bartholomew's Great Western Circus July/August 1868; Charini's Circus - October 1868; Wilson's Great World Circus - June 1869; Dan Castello's Great Show - July 1869; Nelson's Circus - May 1870; Oriental Circus May 1870; Atlantic & Pacific Circus June 1871; Great San Francisco Circus June 1872; Conklin Brothers - September 1872; W. W. Cole's Circus - May 1873; Wilson's Circus - June 1873; Palace Amphitheatre - June 1873; Montgonery Queeen Circus - June 1874; Jackley's Circus - July 1874; Montgomery Queen Circus - June 1875; Cooper & Bailey Circus - August/September 1876; Montgomery Queen Circus - June 1877, Adam Forepaugh Circus - August 1877. Ted Bowman Circus Route Collection.
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3250. Circus industry, 26 Jan 2010 - Hello all, I am writing a case study about the circus industry for my MBA. Any assistance you could provide would be helpful. I would like to address the following:
Was there an attractiveness for new competitors to enter the industry, in the 1980’s?
What strategies exist for entering the market?
Can you tell me about competition, how they compete and with whom?
Your rapid response is appreciated, Hardy DeLay. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Jan 2010 - The quick way to answer your questions is to identify some veterans of the era you're studying and to determine if they'll reveal inside information. Another route is to read trade coverage of the time, in Amusement Business, Circus Report, White Tops, Bandwagon, etc. Work with your college or university librarian to determine the closest repository for these journals. I'd caution you to gain a firm grasp of the industry's history in the era in question before tackling the vets, or you may find yourself unable to grasp the depth and breadth of what they tell you. Asking the right questions will also prove difficult, as will ferreting out the value of conflicting stories and outright opinions. Fred Dahlinger
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3249. Tacoma, WA ca 1934-35, 26 Jan 2010 - I am looking for any information about an accident in Tacoma Wa. around 1934 or 1935. My 80 yr. old uncle seems to recall watching the "big top" being broken down when the main pole got away from the crew and fell onto someone's head killing them. Can anyone corroborate this story? Any information would be much appreciated. Sincerely, Janet Clanton. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Jan 2010 - The late Mike Sporrer extensively scanned newspapers in the State of Washington for circus activity. His research notes were donated to the Circus World Museum library. You can contact them and ask if they can locate the engagements that he found for Tacoma. His files may be organized both by circus and year, and by the city. You might also check the Tacoma library, to determine if they have a vertical file on shows; you might get lucky and learn that they have a finding aid or clipping. One can also scan the Tacoma newspapers, if you can gain access to the microfilm, directly or by interlibrary loan. Sporrer also penned an article about circus activity in Seattle, which was published in the CFA magazine "White Tops." It's in the Nov-Dec 1967 issue, starting on page 22. If a circus played Seattle it may have also routed into Tacoma. It would provide you with a working list of titles and the dates when they were in the local area. From that you could go into the Tacoma newspapers and obtain further information quite rapidly. Ralph Decker is a long-time circus enthusiast in Tacoma and you might contact him about your search. Fred Dahlinger
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3248. Andy Graves, 25 Jan 2010 - I am looking for Andy Graves born in Trenton, Tennesse about 1920. Left home to join circus at age 15. About 1935. Father's name was John. He had sister's named Ella Mae, Mary. He also had brother's named Max and John. He was the oldest. Donna. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3247. Pinito Del Oro, 24 Jan 2010 - I have not found much biographical information about Pinito Del Oro, who performed with Ringling Circus for a number of years as a trapeze artist and remembered for hanging from her hair I believe. I understand she had a serious accident accident that ended her career? Can you provide me any information about her? Thanks in advance. Terry Swindol, Tupelo, MS. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 30 Jan 2010 - Pinito Del Oro’s real name is Cristina Maria del Pino Segura. Born in Spain on November 6, 1931 she was with a number of European circuses and at the age of 18 was brought to the US where she spent the next seven seasons with the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1950-56). After Ringling-Barnum closed in July 1956 she toured as a featured act with Polack Bros indoor circus prior to returning to Europe as a headliner with Circus Schumann. Pinito Del Oro’s trapeze act is among the acts featured in the Cecil B. DeMille movie “The Greatest Show on Earth” and was memorable for her trapeze head-stand without a net. She had three very serious falls – in 1948, 1958 and 1968 and suffered many broken bones – including a fractured skull. In February of 1952 she fell during an indoor engagement with Orrin Davenport’s Shrine Circus at Detroit’s State Fair “Coliseum”, but her injuries were relatively minor (dislocated ankle and pulled ligament). She retired from performing in 1970. Chris Berry, circusposters@gmail.com
Reply: 13 Feb 2010 - Hello: Actually, Pinito del Oro never appears in the movie The Greatest Show on Earth, neither in any distant shots or close-ups. John Ringling North demanded that Cecil B. DeMille not shoot any footage of del Oro for use in the movie. North considered del Oro to be his Superstar of the era and did not want the movie-going public to see her without paying admission to the circus. North also had the desire for a relationship with del Oro outside of the ring, but apparently she was not interested. North was a major socialite of the era and was often seen out on the town with various actresses, etc. but del Oro was never interested - possibly due to her catholic upbringing or possibly because her brother, who was a wirewalker, was also on the show for the first years she was with the show. He would have had to chaperone her on any social outings as a family obligation and that would have certainly cramped North’s style. Although the Betty Hutton character is shown on a head-balancing trapeze, del Oro never doubled for her in the movie, and Hutton’s character was never shown doing any head-balancing tricks in distant shots- rather only in close-ups where a harness rigging was used to hold her upside down. All of Hutton’s distant shots show her on a regular swinging trapeze and in those shots her double was La Norma Fox. For the one-arm planges, supposedly Maryse Begary doubled for Hutton, but Begary would not appear with the Ringling show until some years later, so whether she was brought in for the shooting or not, I’ve never been able to confirm. Another head-balancing trapeze star of the era was Tiny Gallagher aka Galla Shawn, but she did not appear with the Ringling show until the early 1960’s. Galla Shawn had bleached blond hair at least, but both del Oro and Begary were Brunettes and it is doubtful that any performer could have done head-balancing trapeze wearing a wig! - Neil Cockerline
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3246. Ruthstrom Family Band, 22 Jan 2010 - Hello, just curious to see if anyone knew anything about the Ruthstrom Family Band. I have a few photos from the family of them with an un-named circus, was told they traveled in vaudeville a lot, and may have performed for the grand opening of The Jazz Man in New York. Anyone familiar with the name? Thanks much, Anne Ruthstrom. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3245. Billboard online, 21 Jan 2010 - Has anyone been using The Billboard from 1940's up? My computer crashed and I don't know how to get to the web site. They contain excellent information on the old circuses and carnivals. Any help would be appreciated. Jane. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 22 Jan 2010 - Hi! Go to google. Click on "others", click on "books". Type in "billboard". Tom H.
Reply: 22 Jan 2010 - Google books has scanned in most of the Billboard issues from 1942 on. Just search google books for Billboard and you can browse through all thier issues. Hope that helps! - Cailee
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3244. Robert 'Buck' Steele, New Orleans (Metarie), LA, 21 Jan 2010 - Hi, Can you help me be in touch with Robert 'Buck" Steele, (trick rider - and Circus Train promoter) his wife, or any of his children (who were also show people). The Steele's and I were very close for a time, when they lived in the French Quarter. I'd like to know how he is. If he is no longer with us, I'd like to pay my respects. Thank you, Derek Sorrentino. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3243. Wagon carvers, 20 Jan 2010 - Hi, I'm researching wagon design and was wondering if anyone had any information on who the some of the carvers were, what training/background they had, and some of the techniques they used. Any info on Spanger Bros. would be especially appreciated! Thanks, Alison. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 21 Jan 2010 - The best discussion in print about the craftsmen that furnished carved, wooden artwork for circus wagons is found in Fred Fried's book "Artists In Wood." It reviews the principal New York carvers, especially Samuel A. Robb and his predecessors in New York City. Fried references two 1880s articles, one in the "New York Times" http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=
9805E0DF1239E033A25750C0A96E9C94619ED7CF and another in "Harper's Weekly," that provide background on carvers.
The Moellers in Baraboo, WI typically utilized the Milwaukee Ornamental Carving Company, the principals of which were Germans, Kuehn and Papke. They converted over to ornamental plaster work in later years. They and their firm are discussed in a "Bandwagon" article about the Ringling Bros. Bell Wagon. Sullivan & Eagle of Peru, IN had their own in-house carvers. They are covered in passing in "Bandwagon" articles about various wagons they produced. The same is true of the Beggs operation of Kansas City and Herbert L. Witt of Morristown, TN, who are covered by "Bandwagon" pieces. The carvers utilized by the Cincinnati wagon builders have yet to be determined with specific knowledge. There is some discussion of those employed directly by the Bode Wagon Company in a "Bandwagon" article about that firm. Those that furnished figures and scrolls to Henry Ohlsen and George Schmidt remain unknown at this time.
Spanjer [with a "j"] Bros. was a lettering, signage and carving supply house with sites in Newark, NJ and Chicago, IL. They were reportedly founded in Newark in 1897. The last I heard the Chicago plant had been abandoned, open to invasion. They later subcontracted lettering work, some to a Grand Rapids firm, C. G. Witvoet, starting circa 1932. http://www.cgwitvoet.com/company/history.html. One posting suggests that their founding was related to a carver who did work for Barnum and that they did work for all the principal circuses. I suspect that there's some truth in that, but it likely revolves around a commission that they received from Samuel Robb to provide some of the 1903 B&B wagon carvings.
A biography of one of the founders and owners, William Henry Spanjer, can be found on pages 243-244 of: http://books.google.com/books?id=
iY0MAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA244&dq=spanjer+bros.&lr=&cd=20#v=onepage&q=&f=false. The brother was Henry J. Spanjer.
On-line is a listing for Spanjer Signs, 189 Chrystie Street #2, New York, NY 10002, 212-473-2507. They also have a website: http://spanjersigns.com/ This appears to be a different firm, but perhaps there was a family relationship?
Their catalogue contents suggest that Spanjer was contracted to supply some of the carved work for several traveling show vehicle commissions. These works are not confirmed in references in show trade journals, suggesting that they were sub-contractors. Only three show orders can be associated with the firm; I would discount more extensive attributions by Chindahl and Plowden. Spanjer carving work was applied to: [1] the 1903 Barnum & Bailey "Two Hemispheres" Bandwagon [some or all of the national coats of arms], which was likely a sub-contract from Samuel Robb; [2] several large bandwagons and tableaus furnished for 1910 by the Leonhardt Wagon Mfg. Company of Baltimore to the Norris & Rowe circus; [3] Indian and bison head carvings for two c.1910 Miller Bros. & Arlington Wild West tableaus, builder and date unknown.
The B&B Two Hemispheres is well-known. The largest of the Norris & Rowe bandwagons is seen at the following link, but with a history that requires verification: http://bucklesw.blogspot.com/2007/03/barnum-bailey-floats-and-tableaux-9.html. A second tableau is found on one of the Spanjer catalogue pages listed below, with two leaping animals on the side. Also illustrated on the same page is one of the 101 Ranch tableaus, with the second Ranch tableau seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8313942@N07/3745871262/.
Two pages from one Spanjer catalogue were reprinted in C. P. Fox's book "Circus Parades," pages 78-79. He dated them to 1900, but they are from no earlier than 1909-1910. Spanjer printed numerous catalogues, some of which are preserved in various collections [Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt in NYC has one http://siris-libraries.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=
3100001~!539935!0#focus]. Rutgers University has 1909 and 1927 editions. http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/libs/scua/sinclair/catalogs_n.shtml#newark
These links will lead to several catalogue covers and related items posted on-line.
http://www.theletterheads.com/lhparts/spanjerbros.html
http://anonymousworks.blogspot.com/2009/09/peek-inside-catalog-of-spanjer-bros.html
http://www.handletteringforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=759
A couple Spanjer catalogues were once posted on-line, but the site that hosted them are now defunct. It's possible that you may be able to find them by contacting commentators on one of the above sites. Fred Dahlinger
Reply: 22 Jan 2010 - Wow! I can't believe how comprehensive a reply this is! Thank you SO much taking the time to list sources too! Alison
Reply: 23 Jan 2010 - Glad that the material was helpful. I neglected to mention that Spanjer Bros. made at least one much later attempt to obtain outdoor show work, from carnivals. They could supply the wood carvings for show fronts, selected ride cars and decorative trim, etc. They placed an advertisement highlighting "Wood Carving Special Woodwork" in "Billboard," January 5, 1929, page 71. There may be other similar advertisements, but it's unknown if any orders materialized from the activity. This is the only direct Spanjer advertising in a show journal that I recall. Fred Dahlinger
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3242. Harry LaMar, flyer, 20 Jan 2010 - My grandfather was a Flyer with the Lamar/LaMar Troupe, 1910, Barnum and Bailey Circus. He went by "Harry LaMar", given name, Henry R. Hatfield (1888-1966). I have a couple pictures of him then, along with many other circus pictures. Later he and my grandmother, a catcher were with the Segrist Troupe, Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey Combined Show. I would love to correspond with anyone that has some information. D.J. Baker, budblossum@aol.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 25 Jan 2010 - This history of this act is somewhat complicated, but I will try to place it in a nut shell for you. Harry La Mar (Harry Foreman) was the nephew of Edward Foreman, of Bloomington, Illinois. Ed was a flyer with the Flying Fishers, taking the professional name of Ed La Mar. The Fisher troupe was with the Ringling Brothers show for a number of years. In 1906 when Charles Noble, manager of the Flying Fishers, died Ed and Charles Waller took over the management of the act, calling it the La Mar-Fisher troupe. The following year the troupe split up. Ed formed the Troupe La Mar, Waller continued with the Flying Fishers, and Charles Noble's brother, Clyde, formed a vaudeville stage act which he also called the Flying Fishers. All three of these were flying return trapeze acts. I have also found Mr. Hatfield working with Clyde Noble's vaudeville stage act.
Harry Foreman was born in 1895, and worked with his uncle's act in the early 1900s. He was with the Imperial Vienese troupe with the Ringling show as well, among other acts, in the early 1900s. When his uncle Ed retired from trapeze work to manage a theater in Bloomington, Ed took out an act that he called the Flying La Mars. The Flying La Mars traveled to Australia twice. Harry was a talented flyer, but an even more proficient teacher. He was instrumental in working with the administration of the Bloomington YMCA to establish that venue as a major practice site for circus performance in the early 1900s, and he trained many flyers and catchers there over the years. Harry died in Florida in the 1970s.
I would like to know more about Mr. Hatfield as well. Steve Gossard
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3241. John C. Ray, 20 Jan 2010 - Hi All! I'm looking for any information on a midway designer who worked from the late 20's to the early 1960's. His name was John C. Ray but he also went by Jack Ray. I know he worked as a commercial designer in the film industry and as a consultant for the sets at Radio City Music Hall. I'm interested in learning more about his involvment in the circus/carnival industry. Any information or suggestions on where to look would really be appreciated!!
Thanks, Cailee Goulden. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3240. Spec "Cinderella," Ringling, 19 Jan 2010 - I am looking for any information on the 1916 Ringling Bros. Circus Spec, “Cinderella.” I found some information about the first couple of acts, but I am interested in the entire spec. Is there any additional information available? Thank you! Joel Schilling. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 20 Jan 2010 - Dear Mr. Schilling: Some years ago I read a paper on the Ringling “Cinderella” spec at the Circus and Circus History section of the Popular Culture Assn. annual convention. I found nearly everything I needed for my research at the Parkinson Research Center of Circus World Museum, Baraboo. WI. It had programs, couriers, posters, and some photos and clippings. Most important, though, it had a copy of the script used for performances, setting out all the action and actors in a very detailed manner. This alone will probably answer your questions, at least most of them. Erin Foley, the archivist, is very helpful and a delight to work with. I haven’t yet been able to locate the folder with the paper, but if it doesn’t come to light in the next few days I could mail you a printed copy. Michael H. Means (m-jmeans@sbcglobal.net).
Reply: 21 Jan 2010 - “Cinderella” was actually the Ringling Bros spec in both 1916 and 1917. It consisted of six scenes and opened the performance of the circus during those two seasons. It was produced under the personal direction of Charles Ringling. The story is described in the program as being a combination of many different versions of the fairy tale but focusing on the elements that were most familiar to the majority of people. Scene I was titled “The Fairyland Kingdom – The Proclamation”. Scene II was at the Home of Cinderella and titled “The Transformation”. Scene III was set in “The Streets of the Magic City” and was titled “The Departure. Scene IV took place in the Grand Ballroom and was titled “The Loss of the Slipper”. Scene V was set on The King’s Highway and titled “The Royal Command”. Scene VI was set in the Palace of the King and titled “Triumph of Cinderalla”. The entire and traditional story of Cinderella was told in pantomime. The music was arranged by JJ Richards who also conducted the Ringling band during that time, with scenery designed and painted by Sosman and Landis Co. Costumes were designed by William Crowe and executed by Henderson-Ames Co. The ballet dresses were designed and executed by F. Schoultz with the ballet and stage action under the direction of Ottokar Baktik. Chris Berry circusposters@gmail.com
Reply: 06 Feb 2010 - Thank you Michael and Chris for your replies to my questions! Joel Schilling
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3239. Circus Archie, clown, 19 Jan 2010 - Hello, Please help me learn more about Archibald Campbell, a circus clown who travelled with John Robinson's Circus in the late 1880s. He has been referred to in family genealogy as "Circus Archie". Archibald Campbell was born in 1830 and died in Redding, California in 1882. Joseph Edward Moseley wrote a book called "Disciples of Christ in Georgia" and on page 196, he discusses Archibald Campbell in this way: "During the Atlanta campaign, General George Stoneman (1822-1894) and about 700 of his Federal raiders were captured by Confederate Cavalrymen and forced to surrender. One of the raiders was Pvt. Archie Campbell, nephew of Alexander Campbell. He was imprisoned at Andersonville with other members of his 14th Illinois Cavalry. He had expected to become a preacher like his famous uncle, but in June, 1854, he left Bethany, Va. (now W. Va.), where he was born, with John Robinson's Circus. A famous clown, he received many privileges while at Andersonville from the Rebel officers with whom he was a favorite. He was released from Andersonville in an exchange of prisoners." Archibald Campbell was also mentioned in a book by Gil Robinson called Old Wagon Show Days (Cincinnati: Brockwell Co., 1925) on page 173. Any information or suggestions on how to find information about Circus Archie is appreciated. Thanks! Cathy Bredlau. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 21 Jan 2010 - There's a cameo biography of Campbell in Slout's "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle," on this website. www.circushistory.org/Olympians/OlympiansC1.htm. His obituary in the 1882 "New York Clipper" should also have further information on his career. Since he died in California, it might have been printed a couple weeks after his passing. Your local librarian may be able to obtain the "Clipper" microfilm via interlibrary loan.
Thayer's "Annals of the American Circus" will trace him from the beginning of his career through 1860. Stuart also wrote about the first camp outfits employed by circuses and you might find it illuminating for Campbell's last show occupation, www.circushistory.org/Thayer/Thayer1d.htm You'll learn a limited amount about Campbell, but you can learn a lot about his times, his peers and other documentation that will establish context and meaning for his life.
You'll find further information by Googling his name variations, in quotation marks, with the additional words, like circus and clown, to separate out more recent people of the same name.
There is a large collection of John Robinson circus material in the Cincinnati Historical Society collections. You would likely need to visit there to peruse the holdings for Campbell references. Various digitized newspaper files can be accessed on-line for further information. You might check with local libraries and historical societies, perhaps they can facilitate economical access?
His career will be largely marked by newspaper ads and reviews, perhaps an interview or two, heralds, couriers and other circus ephemera. Trade cards, cdv images and such things might exist. You might try some older established theatrical collections for his image [NYPL, NYHS, Harvard, etc.]
There was a lot in common between the preacher in the pulpit and the talking and singing clown in the circus ring. Each had a captive audience, present by personal choice, and wanted to hear what was said by the speaker. They needed to hold the crowd's attention. Both likely spoke against evil in different forms, but on different levels. They may have also offered praise, earthly and ecclesiastical. Learn more about the clown role in Dave Carlyon's biography of Dan Rice. Fred Dahlinger
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3238. Southern Sawdust, 18 Jan 2010 - Does anyone know who has the rights to the old Southern Sawdust magazines? I'm asking for acquaintances across the seas. Bob Cline. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 19 Jan 2010 - Hi Bob, Wilson Poarch was a dear friend and wonderful circus fan. I have been trying to find out for the past two years! Regards, Tom Sandow
Reply: 19 Jan 2010 - Unless L. Wilson Poarch, Jr., the editor/publisher of "Southern Sawdust," or his inheritors sold, assigned or gave the copyrights to "Southern Sawdust" to others, they would be part of his estate, given his legal status as "creator." Typically, the rights endure for "the life of the creator," meaning until the date of their death, plus 75 years thereafter. For example, if Poarch passed away in 2005, his rights would endure to 2080. Thus, you would need to seek out his survivors, learn who inherited his copyrights, etc., if you wanted to secure formal approval for major reprinting, etc.
A start would be to establish his date of death location [Sarasota, FL?], find an obituary, learn the names of the next of kin, etc. The photography utilized in the magazine came from many different sources. Each one would represent the interests of the image creator, and perhaps the subject of the photograph, if it is a real person. It can become a very tricky and difficult issue to secure formal approval; the result is that much material in libraries and archives has fallen into legal limbo, or represents a risk to the possessor or user if it is published. "Southern Sawdust was published and issued when "intellectual rights" were not yet developed as a legal growth area.
The entire copyright issue became more complex as a result of Disney's Mickey Mouse persona copyright coming close to falling into the public domain in the recent past. Through the Congressional work of Sonny Bono and others, they were able to push out the envelope of protection for many more years and made clearance almost beyond comprehension to the layman. "Simplified copyright law" fills a ten pound book. Fortunately, there are some exceptions, such as the ability of libraries to make photocopies of a limited number of pages for educational use.
This posting can also serve as "free advice" to the "creators of writings, photography, art work, etc. Consider the enduring value of your works and if they represent meaningful value you should take proper steps to include them in your estate planning. With proper protection, you can both protect your interests and also enable your survivors to deal with them in a proper way that will assure your works don't go into legal limbo, but become accessible in a responsible way in the future. Fred Dahlinger
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3237. Mr Mistin, 18 Jan 2010 - Many probably remember Mr Mistin, xylophonist on Ringling in 53. He seemed to have disappeared, but another child star, Ralph Heid, worked til a few years ago with the same act. Heid has since passed away and told someone he was not Mistin. I tend to think they were one and the same. Heid had emailed me years back and was interested in a Mistin poster I had and did not deny he was Mistin. So what is the story? Heid made the theme for Circus Renz famous. Thanks, Bob Good. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3236. Sarasota winter quarters, 18 Jan 2010 - Hello, I'm doing research for a novel I'm writing, set in Sarasota, Florida during the late 1950s. I grew up there at that time, and the Ringling Bros. winter quarters was still there - this figures into my novel. My friend and I used to take riding lessons with Captain William Heyer, whose place was adjacent to the winter quarters - we remember elephants watching us ride from across the street. Anyway, my friend remembers trail riding in that area with her father, next to a large field which she thought was circus property. Horses were turned out there to graze, and also there were discarded carousel horses in the field, along with large, grass-covered mounds. My friend remembers her father telling her that these mounds were the burial sites of elephants. Does anyone know if this would be true? Would the circus have buried dead elephants, and possibly other animals, in a field near the winter quarters? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Kay Frydenborg. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 19 Jan 2010 - RBBB never owned a carousel. It's a common misconception to associate the ride with a circus. The only season-long affiliation between a carousel operator and major circuses took place in 1915. It was not uncommon for a local carousel operator to erect his ride near a circus lot and to take advantage of the crowd gathered for the ring show. There are also instances wherein an entire carnival was set up for a week-long stand adjacent to the one-day presence of the circus. The idea was the same, take advantage of the thousands of people assembled to see the circus.
No railroad or motorized carnival that owned one ever met its demise at the Sarasota winter quarters of the circus. Whatever the items that your friend saw amidst the other mounds, they were not merry-go-round figures. One could see the remnants of wooden wagon wheels and axle assemblies strewn about the wagon graveyard.
Carousels and such could have been abandoned in Tampa, Orlando and Gibsonton, and elsewhere in Florida, which were the locations of carnival winter homes. Conversely, these cities were not known as railroad circus winter quarters.
Joe Bradbury penned an excellent tribute to the Sarasota quarters in a 1961 issue of the CFA magazine "White Tops," "How Dear to My Heart Are the Memories of Sarasota." [Vol. XXXIV, 2, pages 3, 5-11, 23-26] It was based upon his many annual winter visits to the site and was composed with great nostalgia for all that it represented. I would encourage you to seek it out. Joe published a long series in "White Tops" about RBBB covering 1938 to 1956 inclusive, and you'll find much additional information about the quarters therein. There are many other accounts of the quarters, as well as innumerable photographs.
Tom Duncan's finely crafted circus novel, "Gus The Great," also includes a visitation to a former circus winter quarters that you might find of interest. It was based upon his visitation of Fred Buchanan's place in Granger, Iowa. If you haven't read it, RBBB veterinarian Dr. J. Y. Henderson's memoir would also be an excellent read for your work. Good luck with your novel. Fred Dahlinger
Reply: 09 Feb 2010 - Thanks for the information! I just now am finding it, sorry to be late to respond. This is very helpful. Perhaps it's as you say, and the discarded carousel horses my friend remembers were from some carnival that had set up in the area of the winter quarters; I have no idea and didn't see these discarded horses for myself. What about the question of whether elephants or other animals would have been buried there? This seems unlikely to me, but I don't know the answer. Thanks again! I am hoping to track down the articles you mentioned, and have ordered a copy of "Gus the Great." I do have a copy of Dr. Henderson's memoir. Kay Frydenborg
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3235. Circus canvas man, 17 Jan 2010 - I am looking to contact any relative of a Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers canvas man named Phil Hill. Bob Koch. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 10 Feb 2010 - If you mean Bill Hill perhaps I can help you he is my Uncle. E-mail me direct at: HD15218BUD@webtv.net
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3234. Terrell Jacobs, Clyde Beatty, 17 Jan 2010 - My Name is Andrew Wightman and I'm from Charlottetown PEI Canada and I'm a really big fan of the circus. But my question is did Terrell Jacobs who trained more than 50 Big cats for the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey train the big cats the same way as Clyde Beatty or did he do it like the Hagenbachs did? Andrew. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 18 Jan 2010 - Good Afternoon, It is very safe to say that the animals back then were not trained in the style of the Alfred Court type trainers that followed. All these animals were captured in the jungle as medium to full grown cats that had never seen a human being face to face before. Terrell Jacobs did in fact train a great many lions to work together in the arena, but having four or five out of 50 do anything isn't much of a training process. The majority of the act consisted of getting that many animals in the arena, seated, a fight or two in the process and then getting them all out the arena again. Clyde Beatty was much better at getting lions and tigers working together and they did perform a better variety of behaviors. Where as Terrell Jacobs had large groups to work with and an amazing amount of guts to do what he did, Clyde Beatty was an incomparable showman, far and beyond that of Mr. Jacobs.
It should also be remembered that the Ringling show wanted Terrell Jacobs to throw together the Black leopard act and got all these full grown animals straight from the jungles. Terrell "failed" to produce a completed act for several reasons, including not enough time ( In all fairness, he worked hard at trying to train them ) not understanding that leopards and lions don't respond or behave the same ways and the leopards were much more aggressive and lightning quick. Frankly, when you look back on it all, its a wonder he even survived.
Having never seen the Hagenbeck methods of the 1920's and 1930's that you are referring to myself, I can only express my opinion that NO, they were not trained the same. Bob Cline
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3233. For Tom Sandow, 15 Jan 2010 - To Tom Sandow, my uncle is Howell Cavanagh and his dad was Mickey the clown. I have told him that I read the information on the board and he would be pleased to be in touch with you. If you would like to have his contact phone number please email me on jpcsbartlett@aol.com, Jackie Bartlett. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 16 Jan 2010 - This is wonderful news Jackie and thank you so much. Please give my regards to Hawell. I will e-mail to you. Besy Best, Tom
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3232. E. J. Hayden Co., 15 Jan 2010 - Would really appreciate any info.(when in business etc) on E. J. Hayden Co. I have a large 10' x 12' banner for poker cheats, on canvass, illustrated. Thanks, petekeim@comcast.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3231. John M. Burke, 14 Jan 2010 - Can anyone help Mr. Campbell across the seas in learning about the Buffalo Bill tour there? He is specifically looking for info on these past emails:
I've been doing a bit of research could you find me any info on John M. Burke as he may be the person my aunt Agnes married thanks.
And this email: It was Scotland in the early 20th century Agnes McDermott my great aunt I believe John M. Burke was Buffalo Bill's manager for thirty years and he was in Scotland. All I would like to know was my aunt Agnes married to him as we where told. She visit my grandfather her brother in an open carriage with four circus horses drawing it. All the neighborhood turned out to see them, and my mother who was a child said she had to tilt her head to walk up the entrance to my grandfathers flat as her hat feathers were so big. My mother always told us she married Buffalo Bill's manager. Many Thanks, Bob Cline. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 19 Jan 2010 - Bob Cline: In my 16 years of research of Buffalo Bill, I have only come across one article talking about Major Burke and a potential marriage. In the Omaha Daily Bee, March 18, 1894, Page 17 col 7 the following is printed:
Quote. Major Burke Engaged. New York, March 17 – Major John E. Burke, who has helped to make Buffalo Bill famous and rich, is to marry. The lady is said to be Mlle. Corrine Le Cauer, who was in charge of the French Exhibit in the Manufactures building at the World’s fair. The ceremony will take place some time in early summer. End quote. I have never run across any information that in fact Burke ever did marry. Richard Georgian
Reply: 19 Jan 2010 - The search for Burke's story is difficult, as his life and death were both in the shadow cast by his hero, Buffalo Bill, and he apparently left no substantial personal papers. Burke's death followed shortly after that of his beloved friend and boss, William F. Cody. Cody died on January 10, 1917 and Burke passed away on April 12, 1917, per the Philadelphia (PA) "Evening News." The 1916 date given in some accounts is incorrect. This hometown newspaper did not note any next of kin, but one might check other Philly papers for alternative coverage. One can also check the obituaries in "Variety," "Billboard" and "New York Clipper" for Burke, perhaps they mention family.
If a wife and children didn't survive him, or if they split earlier, a search for a spouse might be most expeditiously found via genealogical and biographical search methods, such as www.ancestry.com. The site does include British and American marriage documentation. If the person isn't a subscriber, they might be able to gain access via a local library or genealogical support group. Fred Dahlinger
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3230. Bond Bros. Circus, 14 Jan 2010 - Family lore of circus performers, someone died and they didn’t perform anymore. I once connected with a circus history site who said that a childin audience had been hurt and suggested I contact the newspaper. Needless to say lost the info. Today fund info in the Bond Bros Circus and don’t’ know if same. Could be performers were named Bond. Thanks in advance. Lea. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3229. Delno brothers, 12 Jan 2010 - My name is Dayle Gray and my great grandfather, Nathaniel Popham (went by Eddie), ran away from medical school to join the circus - I would guess sometime between 1910-1915. He did high wire and tapped, and was in an act called the Delno brothers, with someone else who he was not related to, but looked like. I am not sure what circus this was. I know that by 1915 he had left the circus. He was originally from Missouri and ended up in Alberta, Canada. Any information you might have about this would be appreciated. Thanks! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3228. Circus memorabilia help, 11 Jan 2010 - From time to time this message board receives inquires regarding circus memorabilia people have. This is a topic not permitted on our message board. These are people who have no knowledge regarding how to assess the items they have. Can you assist me in providing some basic information for people who have no experience in this aspect? How they might go about obtaining information on evaluating the memorabilia they have? Judy Griffin, CHS webmaster. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 15 Jan 2010 - There are several possibilities to help you. To start with, eBay has the largest online listing of Circus related items anywhere. You might actually find what you are looking for. Some very nice circus memorabilia has appeared here over the years. In all fairness, the best price is always found in the completed items ( after the auction has ended ) as so many items are bid on at the very last second. EBay has also "Cheapened" the collecting of circus memorabilia by allowing anyone and everyone to offer anything they find for sale. As a result many people get someone's lifelong collection and plunder it in lots and groups with no knowledge of what they have, using incorrect dates and names in their sale descriptions just to make some money.
You can talk to fellow circus collectors and try to find out what they feel something is worth. That's not an exact science but many people will remember what they paid for a certain item when they got theirs. In some rare instances, there are only a couple of that item in existence that anyone knows about such as a rare route book or poster perhaps. Actual filled out and signed contracts and checks are especially nice to find and the older they are they higher the value.
If you feel you have a genuinely rare item, you might want to consider an antique appraiser who will do the leg work for you for a fine fee, I'm sure but you'll get a written appraisal that most insurance companies will accept when it comes to insuring the valuables in your home. Most insurance companies will require a rider at an additional premium since you are specifically insuring certain collectibles.
Last but not least is the worth of anything is only measured by what someone is willing to pay for it. You might think it is worth a fortune and someone else wouldn't give you a nickel for it. This might not be the perfect answers but it will hopefully get you started in a direction or two of learning. Good Luck, Bob Cline
Reply: 18 Jan 2010 - The sale of the William Brinley collection on Feb 16, 2008 is still in the archives of Proxibid. There are 23 pages with 552 lots listed with photos and prices. Three or four things to remember is that these prices do not include the buyer's fee and the shipping. Another factor is that with the stock market problems, all of this material is soft since this sale. You also had antique dealers who bid and purchased this material for resale on E-bay. This drove some of the prices higher as they did not know what they were purchasing. Granted the rare items still bring a lot of money, but the average material has dropped in price. You will see original Strobrige lithographs offered on E-bay that don't have any bids on them, and only 2 or 3 years ago they wouldn't have any problem selling. But this problem is across the board in the antique market, were the really nice material (top 5% to 10%) still brings all the money, but the average item can be a real bargain. P.J. Holmes
Reply: 15 Jan 2010 - Could they not try the Circus Fans Association (America) who must have knowledge about the value of circus items? Tom
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3227. Jean Baptiste Breschard, 11 Jan 2010 - I have recently published on my blog information which refutes the current National Gallery of Art identification of a portrait by Gilbert Stuart. Identified as being John Bill Ricketts, who brought the circus to the USA, current evidence and the earliest identification, 1879, indicate that the portrait is of Jean Baptiste Breschard, a partner in the Circus of Pepin and Breschard, 1807-1815. Anyone interested can visit my blog where the misidentification is explained in detail and informational links are supplied. Peter Breschard. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Jan 2010 - Among the earliest of photographic portraits of circus people are several images of animal presenter Jacob Driesbach. A long-time collector that owned one of them saw fit to bestow an identification of Isaac A. Van Amburgh upon it, having no knowledge of the actual sitter other than his general notoriety. There is no evidence at hand to confirm that Van Amburgh ever sat for a photographer.
The late Stuart Thayer had descriptions of both Driesbach and Van Amburgh. He even found a newspaper reference for the session when and where Driesbach was photographed. Thayer advanced a strong case for his Driesbach identification. Despite overwhelming evidence, others interested in photographic materials refused to accept his findings for fear of alienating the collector.
Thus, the earliest prominent portrait of an American circus owner, as well as some of the earliest photographic portraits of a circus performer are both challenged in their identification. Even with a sound argument at hand, it is often impossible to alter an entrenched mentality until a generational change takes place. Truth falls victim to allegiance, for a variety of reasons, especially in the public eye. Good luck with your establishment of the Breschard identity for the Gilbert Stuart portrait. Fred Dahlinger
Reply: 13 Feb 2010 - Mr. Dahlinger, The best any of can do is present the most compelling evidence that can currently be found, as well as point out any factual inaccuracies that we stumble upon. I am extremely grateful for the academic tools we now have at hand which were non-existent fifteen or twenty years ago. Google books is most certainly a researchers delight and it has illuminated cross-discipline connections in my research that were certainly beyond my own imagination. Peter Breschard
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3226. Thomas Buchanan, 11 Jan 2010 - Does any one know of a Thomas Kenneth Buchanan, who traveled in the thirties-fifties, with the Clyde Brothers Circus. He was my Aunt's father, born around 1900.She lost connections with him and now is trying to find out her family history. He carried a business card that said "Lawyer". He died in Louisiana, she thinks. email any known data to bachamb1218@aol.com thanks, Bobbie Chambers. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3225. Charlie Rushworth, midget, 10 Jan 2010 - Hi! I'm looking for any details of Charlie Rushworth, a midget and my wife's uncle, who was reported to be a clown in a circus for many years (I guess in the 40's and 50's) with Great Yarmouth having been mentioned regularly. Any information would be very welcome indeed. Thanks in anticipation. Doug Adams. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3224. J. T. McCaddon's circus, France, 09 Jan 2010 - I would be grateful for any information about J.T. McCaddon's circus when it was in France in 1905. Thank you! Sincerely. Pierre. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 14 Jan 2010 - John F. Polacsek published an article about the McCaddon International Circus of 1905 in the Sept-Oct 1982 issue of Bandwagon, pages 13-20. The issue cover includes an image of the program cover, the name spelled MacCaddon in that piece. The issue is available for purchase from the CHS. Fred Dahlinger
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3223. Marion, NY, 09 Jan 2010 - Does anyone have any old Circus pictures that were taken in Marion, NY? Please contact Ray at: searchrat@aol.com. Sincerely, Ray Tokaya. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3222. Cullen family, acrobats, 09 Jan 2010 - Does anyone know anything about a family named Cullen who worked as acrobats in the early 1900's? Their names were: Abon Hassan Cullen, her husband Walter Edward Cullen and their sons Edward and Walter H. Walter Edward Cullen was born in England circa 1870. At the age of 16 he was named "Champion Boy Acrobat of the World" & given a gold medal. He was the first person to do a head to head balance forward double somersault & back double somersault on shoulders. He wrote a number of articles on his travels, the training of acrobats & circus life for different magazines & newspapers. When he wasn't travelling he spent much of his life in the States, living in Cleveland, Ohio. Later went into vaudeville, used the name of Frank Gillette or Gillett. He died in 1902. His wife Abon Hassan, worked as an acrobat. She was born in England circa 1870. Also known by the name of Dell Lincoln, when she worked in the music halls. After the death of her first husband Walter Edward Cullen she married Dr. Melville Daniels. Daniels at one time had ran a theatrical touring company and worked as a acting teacher. He was previously married to an actress named Phyllis Griffin, whom he had a daughter by. The daughter was also an actress. As I understand it, both of the Cullen children worked in the circus too. I'd like to find out more on the Cullen sons and what they were doing in their later life. They both changed their surname to Daniels after their mother remarried. What happened to them? Anyone know? Tina M. DeSoto, tmdesoto@verizon.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3221. Barbeau's Performing Huskies, 08 Jan 2010 - In the 1930's my dad, Eddie Barbeau worked for Russell Bros. and met my mom, Katherine M Callaway who was working for Russell Bros. She worked with elephants and I have some pictures of her and the elephant and a clown also. I also have their correspondance with Russell Bros after they married in 1937. If any one has any info or would like copies of anything I have please reply. Thank you, Vicki Barbeau. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3220. O C Buck Shows, 07 Jan 2010 - This great site stirred great memories. I was looking for O C Buck Shows when I saw Ann’s posting looking for her father who might have worked for that carnival. The O C Buck Shows was a carnival that came by truck to Keene, NH, my home town, every year in the 1940’s, during the 4th of July week. How much earlier and how much later, I don’t know. It would locate on lower Marlboro St. in an open field that had been used by light airplanes at one time as a landing strip. I can remember a building and a windsock. Today, that is the location of American Optical and MPB (Miniature Precision Bearing).We kids would watch the trucks roll in and the gang erecting the rides. Those included a Merry-Go-Round, a Whip, a Ferris Wheel, a Bullet, a Swing, another whose name I don’t know but is was on a slant with cars connected and ran at a good clip. There were rides for small kids – cars – and more I’m sure but my old memory has let them slip.
In addition, the Show had a round Motorcycledrome featuring cyclists circling and riding up the vertical wall with enough speed to hold them by centrifugal force. They put on a good show that included, midway through, a plea for donations because they could not get life insurance because of the great danger (yeah sure!). Customers would throw down nickels, dimes and quarters to the floor – hey! this was the 1940’s, minimum wage – fifty cents! Two cyclists would pick up coins and say, “Thank you.” for each coin. There was a center pole with two kerosene lamps lit in case of power failure during a performance to allow safe descent from the wall. Out front a platform held two motorcycles chained and riding on rollers that the cyclists would mount and gun the motors between shows to run the sirens and draw in the crowd – Wheee!, Wheee!, Whee! The customers stood around the top of the ‘drome looking down. The first time I saw the show I has scared as Hell that they would come over the top and take my head off!
The O C Buck Show also included a Side Show with attractions like the Alligator Lady, Sword Swallower, Fire Eater (and blower), a Magic Man and other. Large, garish paintings on canvas advertised the show. They were better than the show. Another regular feature was a girlie show – Nope, never saw it. I was too young then and too old now. There were food concessions, sugar candy and pitch shows – “Knock over three kitties with the baseball and win the big, stuffed Kewpie Doll.” Good luck! I’m not sure but I think it included a Bingo Game.
Every year the Show formed a large, hollow oval. Rides and Side Shows, Motorcycledrome, Girlie show and large concessions formed the outer ring; the middle of the oval held smaller food concessions, the Whip. The Merry-Go-Round, the noisy generator trailer and Mr O C Buck’s headquarters.
The Show was sponsored by the Keene American Legion whose Ladies Auxiliary would staff the Ticket Booths for the rides. The other features had their own leather, lunged barkers – “For the next ten minutes only I’m goin’ to put away the Adult Tickets and let every one in on a kid’s ticket!” Yep, same pitch every show, every day, every year – that roll of Adult Tickets must have lasted the entire life of the O C Buck Show. You had to pay to get into that Magic Oval – twenty-five cents, if memory serves. Once in, we kids would walk around for hours – even after our paper-route money ran out. It was the highlight of our Summer!.
O C Buck put on the Fourth of July Fireworks display – pretty puny by today fantastic pyrotechnic displays – but we were kids, it was the middle of WWII, so what if it took five minutes (or so it seemed) between aerial shots. The ground display always included Niagara Falls and the American Flag. One final and loud boom announced the end of the fireworks – loud enough to be heard in West Keene and by Residents of various local cemeteries.
After Keene, O C Buck Show always traveled to Claremont, NH, where it almost got stuck during the War and gas rationing when the local Gas Board was feeling tight and Scroogy. A cousin of mine who ran a filling station and dispensed, occasionally, Black Marked Gas, for favored customers, of course, on the QT of course, came to the rescue of O C and his Show, thus preventing it having to take up permanent residence in that small, N H town.
Thank you Ann for your query. [message 2302] I can’t help you much. The only man I can remember well was a strong and heavy set man with dark complexion who erected and operated the Whip every year I attended. His name I know not. Oh yes, the Show continuously played records (loudly – very!) Sousa Marches over and over and over –I can hear them still. I must look for that Carnival Book and find out the the “C” in O C Buck stood for. Good luck and good memories to all! John Nolin. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 27 Jan 2010 - An ebay dealer with the identity circusman1940 has been selling reproduction photographs of the O. C. Buck midway. You can contact the dealer via provisions in the website. Fred Dahlinger
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3219. Rose Killian Circus, 07 Jan 2010 - Dear Sirs, Could you advise me where the Rose Killian Circus was based out of the city & state. My grandfather was a musician with them along with other circuses, and an associate of Karl King. Any help really appreciated. Thanks, Wade Parker. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 08 Jan 2010 - While preparing a segment about the Rose Kilian Shows for inclusion in an article about wagon builder Herbert L. Witt [Bandwagon, Nov-Dec 2001, pages 4-11], I did not find any mention of a home base, winter quarters, or even an extended layover location. I don't have many of them, but the available annual winter quarters lists published in Billboard, Clipper and Show World don't list the Kilian show. There are several posted on this website, under the "History" page, accessible on the home page. I don't recall that anyone had compiled routes for the Kilian circus that would reveal a pattern of annual end dates and the locations thereof.
Having just three or four decorated wagons and a troupe that consisted mostly of family and a corps of long-time dependable friends and associates, there was no real need to take a sustained, winter-long break to rebuild, develop new features, train acts, etc. Repairs could be done along the route, and performers and workingmen came and went. The show traveled throughout the southeast. The Kilian outfit was formed at Monticello, Kentucky in 1905, after the family left the Mighty Haag. In December 1910, Rose Kilian used Dudley, Georgia as a contact point for prospective employees. When the Witt wagons were completed they were shipped to Decatur, Alabama.
A reference in 1923 stated the show had been operating for seventeen years, without closing. This was a common practice for field shows in the middle 19th century. There was no justifiable reason to enter a wintering phase, which incurred expenses without generating revenue. As an overland troupe playing the hinterlands, Kilian may simply have stopped traveling at an opportune moment in a convenient and welcoming community, taken a short break of a few days, or a week or two, and then moved on again.
There are photos of the Kilian outfit in the Witt article, and also in Bandwagon issues of March-April 1958, page 3, and July-August 1968, page 18. Rose Kilian was a hard-working, honest woman, raised a large family, successfully operated a traveling show in rough country and faced adversity with a smile. Her story, were it possible to document, would probably prove quite heroic, showing grit, savvy and determination of the first order. As a female proprietor, she should be in the ranks with the celebrated Mollie Bailey.
If your grandfather was associated with Karl King during his circus years, perhaps it was during his tenure with Sells-Floto or Barnum & Bailey, after which he withdrew from field shows. The Braathen collection at Illinois State University-Bloomington includes band rosters and also compilations by musician's names. Your grandfather might be listed therein. Fred Dahlinger
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3218. Carlos Fanola, 07 Jan 2010 - Hi, Has anybody heard of a man named Carlos Fanola who died in a circus fire in the late 1800's. I believe he owned the circus and was the husband of my great-grandmother Aguste and the father of my grandmother Bettina Fanola. I believe he was from Brazil and possibly a gypsy. Any help or leads would be great. Thank you, Jim Genzel. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3217. Ringling circus, 06 Jan 2010 - Will David Larible ever come back to Ringing Bros. Circus? We need now we do not have a star clown. Ringing Bros. needs lions back. Who is the best ringmaster? I wish Ringing Bros. had Billy Martin and or John Kennedy Kane as a ringmaster. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3216. Clifford Monnett, 05 Jan 2010 - I am trying to find out any information on Clifford Monnett from Greencastle, IN. He owned or operated a circus and/or rodeos. I am his granddaughter (Marcia Monnett Campbell is my mother) and would like any information. I also saw a post from Betty Lunsford Olive. Did she had an elephant act? Linda Campbell Quertermous, Fairfield, CA. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3215. James Evans, 04 Jan 2010 - I am an in-law grand niece of the late James Evans and would like to know if there are any pictures of posters you may have on his foot juggling career with the circus? His relatives and my grandchildren would love to have this documentation. He talked about owning his own circus and arriving in Mexico only to have it snow and he went into ruin due to this. Is there any record of this? He married May Lyons who's brother or sister was my mother-in-laws aunt. I would be happy to purchase issues where he appears. I am doing genealogy on our family and did a search for is name and came upon this site. Barbara Greck. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3214. Showmens Club, Hugo, 04 Jan 2010 - Hi, Take a look at our website! The Circus City Showmens Club, Hugo, Oklahoma can be found here: http://familylobby.com/circuscityshowmensclub. Terry. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3213. Nick Cravat, Burt Lancaster, 04 Jan 2010 - Hello, I am a great nephew of Nick Cravat. My mom is married to Burt Lancaster's son. I have been searching for pics of Nick, and Burt from the days of Kay Bros Circus. My grandmother had a collection, but has since passed, and we can not find any. Do you have any suggestions where to find pics of those days in the circus? Please let me know when you can. Thank you, Johnny "Q" Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 05 Jan 2010 - You can find an image on this website at: www.circushistory.org/Bandwagon/bw-1966Mar.htm. The original article, as published in the journal, had additional illustrations. You might also search the bibliographies of Lancaster biographies for source materials [Gary Fishgall, Kate Buford]. Cravat's daughter, Tina Cuccia, has a website with an image taken on Kay Bros. of Lancaster and Cravat: http://tinacuccia.com/nickcravat.html. Perhaps contact with her would yield additional images? I'm sure that if you do some further Googling [web, images, video] that more images and information will be found. You can also enjoy six different Kay Bros. posters in the on-line collections of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art website:
http://emuseum.ringling.org/emuseum/view/objects/asimages/search$0040?t:
state:flow=92432ea4-06cc-425a-b05f-a779c8b79e39
Also check queries 1354 and 2912 on this website. Buckles Woodcock's blog has some Kay Bros. photographs, posted on November 9, 2008. Fred Dahlinger
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3212. James Harden, 04 Jan 2010 - My name is Kathleen Westmoreland
and I was wondering if you can give me any info on a James Harden. He was my grandpa on my dad's side of the family. He was in the circus hall of fame in Wisconsin for being a elephant handler. Thank you, Kathy. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 08 Jan 2010 - James Harden isn't listed in Slout's "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle," or "Badger State Showmen," Dean Jensen's book, Gordon Yadon's compilation of circus greats in Delavan, Wisconsin, etc. Can you provide any specific points of information that might serve to initiate a search for him? Fred Dahlinger
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3211. Dorothy Herbert book, 31 Dec 2009 - Does anyone know of a book review of Dorothy Herbert's book: Dorothy Herbert Riding Sensation of the Age? Fr. Dick Notter. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 01 Jan 2009 - Sorry, I don't have an exact answer, but you might check with Evelyn Riker. She and Dale, who recently passed away, were responsible for the Herbert manuscript being published. Knowing their comprehensive ways, they might have clipped and held a folder of relevant papers, including reviews. You might also check issues of "White Tops" and "Circus Report" in 2005 and shortly thereafter. Fred Dahlinger
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3210. Trapeze, 31 Dec 2009 - I am trying to find information and photos on trapeze artist who performed with the Barnum Bailey, Hunt Bros., Cole Bros., Shrine Circus and Polack Bros. circus between 1949 and 1953. Her name is Fay Benson she also went by the name Francine Faye. She did a performance Nov. 10-26, 1953 with the Polack Bros Circus (Eastern) in Philadelphia, Pa. Would you have more information or photos on this performance also? Also, could you tell me if you know of an act "The Flying Jacksons" within the same time frame with any information regarding performer George Benson. Thank you very much. Patricia, carmel1198@verizon.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
CHS Convention, July 21-24, 2010 Information
3209. Duncan Summers - Barnum & Bailey, 31 Dec 2009 - I am seeking to learn anything about my g.g.grandfather, Duncan Summers/Somers. According to family lore, he was a band leader for the Barnum and Bailey Circus (or maybe any other circus) from the 1880's to early 20th century. I do have a photo that I believe may have been him. The photo was taken in Creston, Iowa. Any help would be greatly appreciated. wellsbrook. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 08 Jan 2010 - The Barnum & London (1881-1887) and Barnum & Bailey (1888-1918) bandleaders are well documented and I don't believe that Mr. Summers/Somers has a place in their ranks. He may have been a musician with the circus, or perhaps a bandleader with another traveling troupe. The Braathen collection at Illinois State University-Bloomington has extensive compilations of bandleaders and musicians and he may be listed therein.
Creston, Iowa is a city associated with the circus operations of the Taylor family. You can read about them in Joe Bradbury's article in Bandwagon, May-June 1963, pages 3-13. The version that would seem to connect with your great-great-grandfather would be the one operated by F. J. Taylor, Sr. ( -1917), commencing in 1886 and continuing with some infrequency through about 1902. One version was sold to Perry and Matthews in 1897. The Taylor operation was also accorded some coverage in the writings of Orin Copple King, via publication in Bandwagon [issues in 1993-1994] and possibly in a book he published privately. Armond Fields' book about Fred Stone, available partially on-line, also contains some Taylor material.
Creston, Iowa was also the original location of the Beggs family of wagon builders. Their story is in Bandwagon, May-June 2004. Fred Dahlinger
Reply: 28 Jan 2010 - An inquiry re # 3209 was made on 31 Dec 2009 regarding Duncan Summers aka Duncan Somers, who may have worked for Barnum & Bailey in the 1880 to 1900 time frame. The Rare Book and Special Collections Department, Princeton University, One Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, telephone #1-609-258-3184 has ephemera regarding Somers and Clark’s Minstrels in their Box #2 Folder #31. This may or may not refer to Duncan Summers aka Duncan Somers. glencar
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3208. Goldie, circus brat, 28 Dec 2009 - Does anyone remember in the early 1920's, a little girl (real name, Alyce) called "Goldie, the circus brat", who was raised in an orphanage, then ran away with her brother to be with the Barnum and Bailey Circus; cared for by August the clown and was supposed to have worked with the elephants, and rode the motorcycles around the spheres in the show. Later, did USO shows with Bob Hope. I heard there was a book written about her, but cannot locate it. Glencat22. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3207. Circus detectives, 27 Dec 2009 - There are many references to circus detectives in historical documents. I am trying to find out if circuses still employ detectives or security officers to travel with them. If not, when did they stop hiring detectives? Looking for firsthand information, links, or other reference titles that talk more about this aspect of circus life. Thank you! Sincerely, T.E. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3206. Flying Behees, 24 Dec 2009 - Um, Hey my name is Jessica, & I have a best friends who's name is Lexi Behee, and she got me very interested in this. But I was wondering, could anyone give me any information about the third flying Behee that either died, or just quit, because it says that there was a Rose Behee, & a Bobby Behee, & a Clayton Behee, which one died? And does anybody know how, or any other information on him? Thanks! Plz Post ur Replies! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 24 Dec 2009 - According to Jan-Feb 1992 Bandwagon, Robert Behee died in 1991. No more information. Judy Griffin.
Reply: 14 Jan 2010 - Clayton Beehee ending up working as a phone promoter for Bill English in the late sixties and seventies. I would run into him as the billposter for the Hanneford Circus that Bill had put on the road to play arenas under service club, police, sponsorship using phone promotions. We became friends and stayed in touch. Clayton met a lady in Guelph, Ontario and pretty well stayed in the city and ran a permanent phone room year round promoting circuses, magic shows, etc. Clayton died there in the late 1980's. He was a very small man in size, a great twinkle in his eye, and in his old age in a great deal of physical pain from his flying days. His preferred medication was whiskey. Al Stencell
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3205. Jim James, Ruby, 23 Dec 2009 - Does anyone remember Ruby & Jim James who were in the circus in TX & possibly other states? Ruby played the fat lady & Jim was the ugly man. I'm trying to find anyone who may have known them because Ruby was my mothers cousin. Lilly. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3204. Frank Meeker, CHS, 19 Dec 2009 - Francis L. Meeker, 89, died on November 26, 2009 at Troy, New York. He was a long-time member of the Circus Historical Society (#483) and a member of Circus Model Builders. He and his wife Ruth were lifetime members of Circus Fans of America for more than fifty years, being charter members of the Felix Morales Tent No. 85 of Albany, New York. He also served as the New York State Chairman for CFA. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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3203. Rogers Bros. circus, 18 Dec 2009 - As a young man, fresh out of high school, I worked for several months touring Florida with the Rogers Brothers Circus in 1950, joining the circus in St.Petersburg, Fla., as a roust-about, and later as a animal handler. I would be grateful for any information about this circus, when it was first established, if it is still in existance. My name is William and I live in Cedar Grove, NJ. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 22 Dec 2009 - Dear William: Rogers Bros. Circus was owned and operated by Si Ruebens from 1947 - 1953. As you know, it was a truck show operating primarily in the mid-west. Meaningful articles on the specifics of the Show can be found as follows: 1948 - White Tops (WT) Jul/Aug 48, 1949 - WT Sept 49, 1950 WT Sept 50, 1951 - WT May 1951, 1952 WT May 1952 and 1953 WT Jul 1953. You may have the WT's in your collection. I can scan the 1950 article for you should you not have that issue. Of course, the Billboard Magazine of those years will have frequent weekly inputs. On a personal note, I lived in nearby Franklin Lakes for a number of years, perhaps only 20 miles from you. Best, Robert f Sabia
Reply: 24 Dec 2009 - I'm obliged to Robert Sabia for his swift and informative reply to my message 3203 inquiring about the Roger Brothers Circus. I thank him in advance for his offer to scan the 1950 White Tops article on the circus and wonder if he can provide info on gaining access to the other articles he mentioned. I'm not a circus historian, rather a retired journalist anxious to include in a memoir I'm preparing my experience as a young roust-a-bout and animal handler with Roger Bros in Florida in 1950. Thanks again Bob. Yours, William Gordon of Cedar Grove, NJ. (wmgordon@optonline.net).
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3202. Ron Perry, 17 Dec 2009 - Does anyone out there know Ron Perry who worked in Australia around 1985? I’ve just watched a video I shot of he and his partner, Pam, at that time and am not sure I ever gave them a copy. Neil Barrett, neil@box311.biz. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Reply: 14 Jan 2010 - Ron perry is living happily in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Al Stencell
CHS Convention, July 21-24, 2010 Information
3201. Bert & Marie Pettus and family, 17 Dec 2009 - I found your site (and 'Buckles') by accident and it brought back memories of our knowing Bert and Marie Pettus and their family. I did, in fact, find the beautiful memorial to Marie that is posted. I would be interested in contacting any of the family if it is possible. I appreciate that you could not give me contact information but, you now have my email and you may feel free to pass it on. Since we are talking th 1950s and early 60s, It would be their children that might remember me. I thank you in advance for your consideration, David Bowers, agwheels1@aol.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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