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Message Archive: Messages 2601 - 2650
2650. John Sullivan, circus historian, 24 Oct 2008 - Hi, I would like to contact John Sullivan, whom I have been informed is a Circus Historian in New Zealand. I have immediate Circus family in New Zealand history and would like to trace back family via nz/austrialian circus - any information can be e-mailed to n.pasco@live.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2649. Buffalo Bill & 101 Ranch, 1916, 24 Oct 2008 - I’m hoping to get the exact dates that the “Buffalo Bill and 101 Ranch Combined” shows played Chicago’s “West Side Grounds” in August of 1916. Thank you. Chris Berry. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2648. Ethel LaGrange, trick rider, 24 Oct 2008 - I am looking for information about a trick rider named Ethel LaGrange who worked with the King Brothers wild west show. CK Webster, ckw@millersinteriors.com, Stanwood, WA. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2647. Ringling-Barnum, Chicago, 1950s, 23 Oct 2008 - Hello, my name is Greg Pupelis and I remember as a young child (about 4 or 5) seeing the Ringling Brothers & Barnum Bailey circus tents being erected with the help of elephants in the early 1950s in Chicago on the northwest corner of Cicero Ave. (route 50) and Roosevelt Rd (route 38). At the time I lived at 1225 S. 48th Ct. in Cicero Illinois just 1 block south of where the circus was erected. The circus came to town via train just to the north. My questions are: Do you know the exact year(s) these events took place? Also, are there any archived photos available to the public? Sincerely, Greg Pupelis. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Why join CHS? Find out here - Membership 2646. Children of the circus, 22 Oct 2008 - My name is Leah Manasseh. I work as a producer for Hot Spot Films, a production company based in Dubai, producing documentaries throughout the world. We would like to make a documentary about the life of children whose parents work in a circus. Could someone give me some guidance, or contacts? You can email me for more information regarding the project at leah@hotspotfilms.com. Thanks! Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2645. 1944 Ringling Circus poster, 21 Oct 2008 - I recently purchased a Ringling Bros circus poster dated 1944 showing a beautiful white horse head and a lovely young woman with long hair reclining in front of him. I am trying to find out who the young woman is. Was she a performer or just a show girl? The poster was done by Coplan. Can anyone help me? Klingbil@aol.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2644. Dassi family, 21 Oct 2008 - I would appreciate any information about the Dassi family, circus and otherwise. My name is Yvonne Dassi Rissolo, my father's name was Leon Edward Dassi. Yvonne, Durham, NC. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2643. Frank West's Wonder Shows, 21 Oct 2008 - Where can I find information about Frank West's Wonder Shows? I am interested to find out more about his carnival operation such as where he played and dates he was in business. I think he came from Norfolk, Virginia but I can't find much on him. Thank you, Shelley Scuse Smyrna, DE. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
West's career path included time on Walter K. Sibley's midway in the 1910s, where he conducted an athletic show and also owned and operated a Mangels Whip. His carnival started as West's Bright Light Shows and was re-titled West's World's Wonder Shows in 1924, according to an article in a 1929 edition of the Circus Magazine issued for Vanderburg Bros. Shows. It was then described as a 20-car enterprise and may have reached the 25 to 30-car class before operations ceased. Openers took place in Norfolk as early as April 1931 and as late as 1938. It's something of a tribute to West that he kept his aggregation going throughout the Depression, when many outfits succumbed to the poor economy. Frank West died at age 80 on October 2, 1968 at his home in Norfolk, VA. He was survived by his wife and a sister. Documentation on the West show is limited. There's an illustrated 1926 booklet, issued when he was personally situated in Greensboro, NC. In the winter of 1937 he resided in Hot Springs, AR. Albert Conover once sold a set of 1938 season photographs, a set of which is in the Brislin/Sporrer collection in the Circus World Museum library. A few have been published in issues of the carnival magazine "Carousel" and in various Bob Goldsack carnival books. The only assured continuum of information on the troupe will be the news columns and coverage in the weekly trade journal "Billboard," which usually revealed his winter plans, opener and on the road activity. The West routes will be found in the route columns and news coverage. To the best of my knowledge, no one has yet compiled a story about the man or his enterprise. Check with your local librarian to determine if they can arrange to borrow microfilm copies of "Billboard" to conduct a search. You might also contact the Norfolk library and any archives in that vicinity to determine if they have any records for the West operation. Fred Dahlinger
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2642. Frederick R. Lenhart, 21 Oct 2008 - My Great grandfather, above, b 1874 d 1948, was a performer on the tightrope (aerial?) as a young man. Then, during the thirties he owned a Circus. While members of our family remember him and attended his circus no one can recall it's name or give any further information. Other possible spelling of Lenhart is Leinhardt, Lynheart, Leonhard + many more combinations. Does anyone have any information at all about him? His family would great appreciate anything you might remember. Thank you. Myelationship would be Fred, his daughter, Juanita who married Wayne Caulkins. Their daughter, Virginia, married Lyle Johnston and had me. Fred was a 'traveling man' and was divorced from Cora Selby Lenhart and married a Margey I Hanus. He passed away in Palm Springs in 1948 and is buried in Forrest Lawn Mausoleum. He had many inventions which proved useful, a couple of which were White Rain Shampoo and Standard Springs (for Wagons). If anyone has any information, please contact me. Greg Johnston. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2641. John Marion, artist, 20 Oct 2008 - In the early 1950s, my folks and I went to Lyndenhurst, Long Island, New york to visit John Marion. He was an artist who painted the larger than life paintings of the fat lady and the sword swallower etc. My parents have died, I have a number of his paintings, as well as photos of our visit. I would like to document these items so that when I die, my children will have some information about this talented man. His name as I remember was John Marion Bulsterbaum Main. His wife's name was Annie Donald (for whom I am named). Don Hill. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2640. Allen Brother's Wild West Show, 19 Oct 2008 - Is there anyone out there with info on Charlie & Mert Allen (or their Mother Kate)? I am writing a book about my Uncle who was a child trick rider for the Allen's Brother's Wild West Show. Please contact me at TIMT13@CTS.COM. Thanks, Jane Williams. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2639. T. K. Burk, 19 Oct 2008 - I have tried to find T. L. Burk's full name without success. Sometimes found as T. K. Burke. I've tried the online newspapers (newspaperarchive.com and similar), the Draper index and yellow tickets at Circus World Museum library, and searching genealogy websites. The only thing I could find is a 1860 census that lists him as Kelley Burk when he was age 7. According to Slout's Olympians, he died August 24, 1893 in Peru, Indiana. I'd like confirmation of his death date and place before contacting sources in Peru. I have not yet checked the Clipper for that month. I have also been unable to find the full name of Burk's partner, W. E. Franklin. Judy Griffin. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2638. Flying Hartzells, 18 Oct 2008 - I am researching some information pertaining to circus history. Do you know the answers to the following questions or know of a site I could try to search for the answers? What television show were the Flying Hartzell's on and who was the ringmaster of the show? Thanks for any help you may be able to offer! JoAnne. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2637. Atterbury circus, 18 Oct 2008 - Where can I find a poster of the Robert L. Atterbury circus. He was my gr grandmothers 2nd cousin. Many thanks. D. H. Giblin. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2636. Cirque Fanni, 18 Oct 2008 - I am looking for information on the Cirque Fanni, that toured Europe in in the early 20th c. I would love any sort of information on this circus - how long did it run, what was it best known for, etc. If you have any links to any relevant primary source documents that would be extremely helpful as well, as this is for a research project. Any information you have is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much - meladsit@rcn.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2635a. Rene Lunsford, 17 Oct 2008 - I am looking for any information on Rene Lunsford Wild West trick rider. I recently purchased a trick saddle with her name tooled into the cantle. Saddle is not for sale. Thank you, Jud Morriss, Rigby, Idaho. Email, morhavenfarms@hotmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2635. Burling Bros, 16 Oct 2008 - Does anyone have any data about the purchase of Burling Bros Circus by Henry Vonderheid? How long had the Burling show been out prior to this? What was Mr Burlingame's circus history and what did he do after the sale? Thanks, Ole Whitey. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2634. Merritt Belew, 16 Oct 2008 - Hello. I am researching my family history and recently ran across the fact that my Great Grand Aunt Tennessee Belew had 2 sons. Merritt Lynn Belew and Ray Belew. I have found many interesting articles about the circus and Merritt Belew in Bandwagon and sent for them. Unfortunately there was only a few photos of Merritt and none of his wives. An absolutely wonderful article on him in the Nov. Dec. 2004 issue done by John Draper. My question is - does anyone have any photos they would be willing to share with me of Merritt Belew, his wives and were there children? One of the programs notes "the Misses Belew." I appreciate any help you could give me and extend my thanks in advance for your time. Wenderella@comcast.net, Sincerely, Wendy Deakins. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2633. Circus tent, 1880s, 15 Oct 2008 - Hello: I am researching the life of a 19th century evangelist who purchased a circus tent in 1883 in Philadelphia for use in his revival meetings. It belonged to an Australian Circus which folded that year. I am interested in:
1) Any images of a typical circus tent that of that era which could be used as an illustration. If there is some standard history or reference book that would have such images, I’d appreciate the bibliographical information.
Thank you! Rev. Joe DiPaolo, Wayne United Methodist Church (PA). Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
There are cameo biographies of both Stewart and Stevens also on this website. Go to the history icon again, then to William L. Slout's "Olympians of the Sawdust Circle." A second Stevens biography is at: www.circushistory.org/History/Bios2.htm. By the way, neither was Australian, except in title and by virtue of some travels. Stevens was British by birth, but had journeyed to Australia at one time. There were likely other reasons for the choice of the title adjective. Stevens was married to Linda Jeal and her biography by Dan Draper in "Bandwagon," May-June 1987, pages 30-38, contains references to the Stevens Australian troupe. The issue may be available for purchase as a back copy. There are also several 1883 extracts from Clipper on the CHS website about the Stevens circus. Go to: www.circushistory.org/Clipper/Clipper1880s.htm As for a typical photograph, there are views from 1864, 1865, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873 and so on into the 1880s, as well as generic engravings of a variety of tent types, from circus to fair installations and more. To be accurate in selection, however, you need to establish if the troupe in question was a one, two or three ring operation, as that will define the size of the tent. It's even possible that the tent purchased by the evangelist wasn't a big top, but a menagerie top, a side show top, museum top or even a dressing room or horse top [padroom]. A big top was usually a circle [one ring] or an oval, [two or more rings, known as round end tents, oblong round end roped tents, etc.]. The menagerie, side show, museum, dressing or horse tents could have been a round, oval or a rectangle [known as oblong square end roped tents, square hip roof tent, etc.]. All styles were applied as "gospel tents," as illustrated in tent manufacturers' catalogs. Other users were Chautauquas, dramatic outfits and rep shows. Thus, a bit more research might be required in the above mentioned resources to ascertain the representative image. Often shows being sold out were inventoried and the chattel listed in a sale advertisement in the Clipper. These ads were frequently mentioned in the circus and allied news columns. Charles Finney (1792-1875) employed the use of a tent for revival meetings as early as the mid-1830s. A representation of his tent can be found in Geoffrey Blodgett, “Father Finney’s Church,” Timeline, Jan-Feb 1997, pages 21-33. When the first circus tent might have been pressed into service for evangelical purposes remains to be determined. There are several times when circus tops were also used for political meeting purposes [article in Bandwagon, May-June 1999]. You may not be aware that there was much anti-circus crusading from the pulpit in the US, readily documented by 1815 and continuing for decades thereafter. There was apparently no conflict in using the same edifice for both a show and a religious meeting. Fred Dahlinger
2632. el Gran Circo Keller, 15 Oct 2008 - I am looking for information about circuses that toured South America in the early 1900s. Tony Lowanda’s circus shows up in records from Puerto Rico in that time frame. The circus I am trying to research is el Gran Circo Keller. I have found bits and pieces in South American newspaper articles on the web. I know they toured throughout that area and they are referred to as though everyone should know them, just as we would say Barnum and Bailey. Does anyone know of a source I can contact? Jennifer Wolcott, Northfield, MN, Jennifer@wolcottart.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2631. Frank Thompson, high wire, 15 Oct 2008 - I am looking for some information on my Great Uncle Frank Thompson who did a high wire act in San Francisco between 1900 and 1920. Thompson, Terry, Terry.Thompson@mtsallstream.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2630. 1938 route Ringling-Barnum, 14 Oct 2008 - I am looking for the published ORIGINAL 1938 route of the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus for the weeks after the show closed in Scranton June 22 and prior to joining Barnes Sells-Floto in Redfield, SD on July 11. For example, the show was billed (yet never played) at least a week of performances (Paterson, NJ June 25 – Hartford, CT June 28, etc). How far out was the original route published after Scranton? What were the cities and dates on that last original Ringling-Barnum Route Card? Specifically was Binghamton New York originally scheduled to be played on July 11? After Redfield did the show use a Ringling-Barnum route card or one from Barnes Sells-Floto? Finally – at what point after Scranton did the Ringling-Barnum bill car stop posting paper for the show that wasn’t coming? Were the billers also told to stand down on June 23? Was that car sent to Quarters – or did it head west and go ahead of the “Barnes Sells Floto Presenting Ringling-Barnum” show? If so, what happened to the Barnes Sells-Floto car and crew? Chris Berry, circusposters@gmail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
The # 16 1938 route Card of the Al G. Barnes and Sells-Floto Combined Circus shows the Redfield, S.D. July 11 date. I would guess that the RB&BB bill car headed west as your Gargantua poster at the Big E with the two cross lines on the date tail noted the Decatur, Ill. date tag of July 22. This date was part of the original Barnes/Sells-Floto route as it shows on Card #16 before the route cards started to list three weeks instead of two. So they changed the tail to add combined show info and a new place. The only change in the Barnes/Sells-Floto cards was that #16 was for two weeks and issued by Eddie Woeckner, Mail Agent. No agent was mentioned on Card #17 and it was issued for three weeks, #18 for three weeks, #19 has the bottom two weeks cut off, must have been a change, and the rest of the season with the combined shows had three weeks on each card. Ted Bowman Circus Route Collection
I would doubt the possibility that the management was "scrambling" dates, exchanging July 11 for June 21 for Binghamton, for example. Re-scheduling like that was a huge undertaking and unlikely to have been considered, if for no other reason that the additional expense that would have been incurred. What you are seeking are the "contracted" dates, which would go beyond the "billed" engagements. The best place to look for that listing, if one exists, would be the RBBB business records covering the 1938-1956 era at the Circus World Museum library. The entire route, as such, was usually not "published" until such time as the annual "route sheet" was issued. You'd have to search a file of RBBB ephemera holdings to discern the practice for such sheets during the Gumpertz and early North years. Route books had been discontinued for some time before they were re-instituted as an annual practice. The individual route cards had a short term life and maybe just one or two were distributed that had dates after Scranton, if they were being issued in 1938. Some billed dates may have been announced in the route listings in "Billboard" and others can be found in advance newspaper ads in local newspapers. Bradbury's raw notes for his articles, including copies from "Billboard," correspondence with old troupers, etc., are also in the library and would short-circuit having to scan much of the trade coverage. The printing and distribution of date tags, which seems to be the issue you're trying to clarify, might be something that an expert like Dave Price could comment upon. These were printed and drop shipped to the city being billed, or maybe somewhat in advance. Whether they would have been present, in conjunction with the arrival of the bill car and crew, to be pasted to lithos for contracted dates some nineteen days in advance of the Scranton date isn't clear. The question relates to just how far in advance the bill car traveled ahead of the show, a practice that varied through time and with different troupes. The Fox & Parkinson circus trains book states RBBB used two ad cars in most seasons 1927 through 1940. Bradbury, in covering the Barnes show after the mid-season conjunction, says that there were just two ad cars ahead of the reformatted circus. This would mean that one was dropped, out of the two RBBB cars and one Barnes car. Bradbury's analysis, based on RBBB documents, indicates that after the merging into Barnes was conceived and implemented only one of the two RBBB ad cars went to the Midwest. The management took advantage of the Barnes car already being ahead of the show and thereby saved on shipping it elsewhere, as well as the cost to ship a second RBBB car north. The single Barnes bill car was ancient by comparison to the newer RBBB cars. It was built in the 1880s. It ultimately went to Sarasota at the end of 1938, served on RBBB as the "Texas," as a laundry car, and was then selected for preservation in 1959. Today, it is the oldest circus railroad car in existence, in terms of the date of construction. Though Bradbury is likely accurate, I would advise some caution on this analysis, however, as a photo exists depicting the car numbered "No. 3" in 1938. That may simply have been the assigned number at the beginning of the tour, though Barnes did not have three ad cars out in 1938. Fred Dahlinger
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2629. Nathan Jackley (Acrobat) & the Hirsch Family, 14 Oct 2008 - Does anyone have any knowledge of my Gt Grandfather, Nathan Jackley's, family who were actually called Hirsch and came from Alsace Lorraine in Germany? I have read that his father had 24 children and I believe he worked as a clown but, as there were many family members in their acrobatic troupe, I am hoping to discover more of their circus careers. Nathan finally settled in London, England and many of his decendants here work in the entertainment business. I have a photo and poster of him performing as the "Jackley Wonders". Thanks in anticipation. Lisa Dawes, lisadawes7@googlemail.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2628. Cages '54 Where Are You?, 14 Oct 2008 - Some time ago I had requested assistance in locating photos of the 1954 RBBB menagerie cages that were painted in a "Haitian primitive" style by Bill Ballantine. Several members graciously sent some images, yet a complete documentation of these wagons is proving particularly elusive. Since the wagons were painted this style only in 1954 and since the artwork would only have been revealed inside the dark big top, I am not surprised that the number of photos is so sparse. Nevertheless it seems a shame to lose this unusual bit of circus history. Has anyone ever seen color photos of the wagons or have a recollection of what colors Ballantine may have used predominately? From the black and white images I have seen, the artwork was very unique and special to say the least. He used several themes on the wagons and treated certain species of animals differently. For example, the big hippo cage had an African motif; some of the monkey wagons had clown faces; tiger cage had images from India; gorialla cage had very different scroll work from any other season, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated as always!! Rick Faber, CHS, rfaber@schlitterbahn.com. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2627. Train wreck, MN 1800s, 13 Oct 2008 - My sister lives in Pine City MN. We have heard stories of a 1800's Circus train wreck. The trail tracks run along a lake and I believe the story may be true. Its said a circus train derailed into Devils lake in Pine City, Minnesota. Devils Lake is 90 feet deep and the Circus train is at the bottom. Do you have any information that may help solve this mystery? Thank you, Christine. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2626. Puzzle, 13 Oct 2008 - Hi, I'm Jenifer, I'm trying to find out if a 10-mile bridge can hold only 300 pounds at a time (more weight at a time will make it collapse), how would a man who works in a circus and weighs 298 pounds carry 3 bars of gold that each weighs a pound from one end of the bridge to the other end of the bridge? Can you help me with problem? Thanks. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2625. Maybell or Baybell circus, 12 Oct 2008 - Was there ever a Maybell or Baybell circus? Or an owner named Jesse Maybell? According to Beerntsen's biographical information on George W. "Popcorn" Hall (Bandwagon, Vol. 14, No. 1 (Jan-Feb), 1970, p. 16), Hall was with a Baybell show and was with a Jesse Maybell. Probably before early 1880s. I have not been able to find either a Maybell or Baybell show. Judy Griffin. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2624. Circus, Ceylon 1930s, 12 Oct 2008 - I am trying to trace my mother-in-law's family. She was born in Sri Lanka in 1934 and was adopted as a baby. All she knows is that her parents Maurice Crosse (Anglo-Indian?) and Lizzie (nee Martin) were in a travelling circus visiting Sri Lanka - then Ceylon. Does anyone know about travelling circuses that visited Ceylon in the 1930s? Tania.j, tania.j@tiscali.co.uk. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2623. Ringling Bros at Chico CA, 10 Oct 2008 - Can anyone tell me, or point me to the appropriate archives so that I might discover, when Ringling Bros, under tent, last showed in Chico, CA? I believe that it was sometime in the fifties. Regards, Terry. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2622. Virginia Caplinger, 10 Oct 2008 - My great-Aunt Virginia (Ginger) Caplinger traveled and performed with the Hagenbeck Wallace Circus in the late 1930's or early 1940s. She was from Ohio, and danced & performed as the lady frozen in a block of ice. I am seeking any info. or photos that may be out there someplace. She was friends with many of the side-show folks and the elephant lady was one of her closest friends. Also, my Aunt Kitty (Katherine) Caplinger/Brown was a dancer with the same circus. Any info. would be so neat to know. Thank you! J. Hanson. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
There's a good chance that your great aunt was in the side show, though she might have been a general performer in big top specs and production numbers. The above referenced articles will provide you with a very good flavor for the era and the shows. If they intrigue you more, it's always possible to start research in primary documentation. Fred Dahlinger Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2621. Nancy Kay Elliott, 09 Oct 2008 - I am looking for a Roman Horse Back Rider named Nancy Kay Elliott. She lived at 1516 N. Swan Road, in Tucson, Arizona, and performed in the early 1960's in the E.K. Fernandez Three Ring Circus, in Honolulu, Hawaii. We became good friends, but lost touch after high school. Thank You, Mauli Olds Aspelund. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2620. Frederick Tischue, Doletta Boykin, 09 Oct 2008 - My grandfather traveled with Sidonia and Nicu after her first husband passed away. He has been referred to as an Indian Medicine Man, a Long Haired Cherokee Buck, a/k/a Frederick Valentine Tischue and other alias. Does anyone have any pictures or more information? I know that he went on to meet Dolletta Boykin who had two children already. I also know that Dolletta was billed as the smallest mother and that she knew Sidonia and her Hungarian husband as well as Sidonia's son Nicu, prior to my grandfather marrying Dolletta and having a child with Dolletta. Thanks for any information. Dolletta Adams-Blalock. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Sophia divorced Frederick and was living in Cleveland, OH in 1910 with her two sons and a boarder named Charles Russell who would become Sophia's second husband. Valentine is 19 and works as a teamster doing odd jobs. He ends up in Oklahoma during WWI and registers for the draft there. By then he is married to Sidonia de Barcsy and has added the 8 years to his age. Sophia Denner Tischer Russell had a granddaughter Ceilia from her son August. This was my husband's aunt and I corresponded with her for years before her death. She told me that as a child, she accompanied her grandmother to the circus whenever it was in town. Sophia would visit with the performers to get information about her son Valentine from the circus "grapevine". Aunt Ceil told me about the legend of "Uncle Fritz", as she called him. She said he had married the bearded lady from the circus and gave me a metal badge with Sidonia's picture on one side and a mirror on the other; probably a circus souvenir. She told me that he also married a midget and had two normal sized children. I have since learned that he had only one child with Dolletta, but that she had two children when he met her. She told me that he changed his name to Cherokee Buck and impersonated an Indian in his theatrical career. No one knew what happened to him or didn't remember. His mother died in 1946. The family story was that he went to South America and disappeared among the Amazons. Apparently he died in Texas in 1951, though I am still looking for solid proof of this. Valentine used many names: Valentine (as a child), Fritz, Fred or Frederick in his early theatrical exploits and eventually C. H. or Cherokee Buck in his later years. He was an actor, escape artist, cowboy, did rope tricks and impersonated a Native American. He once drove a covered wagon from Indiana, PA to San Francisco, CA as a publicity stunt for a $2000 wager. He supposedly was in a rope trick contest with Will Rogers and won. I have only Aunt Ceil's word for that. What I do have as concrete evidence are pictures, given to me by Aunt Ceil and my husband's uncle, William Tischer. I have a picture of Valentine before he got into show business; pictures of him in belts and locks as an escape artist; dressed in cowboy clothes; sitting on a steer as it's being branded; in front of the covered wagon touting the cross-country trip; doing a rope trick and with his hair half-way down his back looking very sterotypically Indian. I also have a photocopy of an envelope addressed to his mother that has a picture of him on a horse. Underneath the picture it says "Fred Tischer Oklahoma City, Okla. Also, one of the pictures is a postcard and he writes on the back and signs his name and the place, Dewey, Okla. I would love to correspond with you and send you copies of the pictures if you like. Sincerely, Shirley J. Tischer Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2619. Animals in the RBB&B Big Top, 07 Oct 2008 - Joel Lowery a CHS member requested information on the mid-1950s big top via the U.S.Mail. "I saw the show here is Lansing in 1950, and in Jackson in 1952. In both cases the show used the five pole top with animals at one end. During the teardown in Lansing I remember the racket with the teardown of the animal end during the beginning of the night show...I did read that the show went back to the separate animal tent because of the smell and the teardown racket. What gives?? The 1954 RBBB route book noted "It has already been decided that next season will see a newly designed Big Top with vastly enlarged seating capacity, and that there will be a much larger menagerie housed in its own separate quarters on the lot." The 1954 Big Top had 5 - 62 foot Center Poles, 25 - 47 foot Quarter poles, 36 - 37 foot Quarter poles, 120 - 17 foot Side Poles and required 640 tent and prop stakes. The 1955 Route Book notes that the new Big Top, menagerie, sideshow and many other units of the RBB&B tented city was set up at Baltimore for the first performance of 1955 under canvas. The Big Top was 386 feet in length and 206 feet in width with 4 center poles. The menagerie tent was 242 feet in length by 91 feet in width with 5 center poles. "John Ringling North put the menagerie in its own separate quarters instead of it one end of the Big Top as he had done previously, giving more room for spectators to wander at leisure before each performance." - John Polacsek. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2618. The Ruins, London, 07 Oct 2008 - I'm doing research for a novel set in the 19th century and read (among other things) Edmond de Goncourt's Les Freres Zemganno. In it the author describes an area in London known as "The Ruins" where performers trained. It was an abandoned section in the city. Does anyone know if this place actually existed or if it was the author's imagination. I know that the author did a great deal of extensive research for the book. Thanks! carla cantrelle, NY NY. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2617. Circus Venezuela, 07 Oct 2008 - My Grandfather was part of a traveling circus back in Venezuela (maybe Caribbean, South America). What is name and history of this circus? Name Matos that all I have. Back 1920-1940 maybe. Margarita. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2615. George Fogg, high dive, 06 Oct 2008 - My son, Caelin, is reseaching family history for a school project. We are looking for information about my husband's great uncle George Fogg born in 1906. He ran away from the Knowles School for Boys in Winnipeg at age 15 to join the circus. His parents were Alfred and Jessie (nee Garnett) Fogg. We think he changed his name to Garry O'Brien. We think he was a high diver with a circus in the United States. We think he missed the water once and broke many of his bones. Thank you for your help. Corinne Geoff Sandhurst. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2614. Atlanta 1980s aerial death, 06 Oct 2008 - When I was a little girl, I attended a circus that came to Atlanta during the early to mid-1980’s where an aerial performer died. For whatever reason, I can vividly remember this young lady however I do not know her name and I was looking for more information about her and her life. If anyone knows where I can find this information, I would greatly appreciate it. My email address is kdlee1023@yahoo.com. Please enter “CIRCUS HISTORY” in the subject line. Thanks. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2613. Income, circus troupe, 05 Oct 2008 - We just saw a Cole Brothers Circus and were wondering what an average troup makes such as trapeze artists. We are great fans of circus's and dearly loved the Great Wallendas as children when we saw them in the 50's! The salary question has always come up. They are worth a lot! Carol Penny, if anyone answers I would be so grateful. cbpGill@cox.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2612. Brenner, performer, 05 Oct 2008 - I am looking for a bit of help in trying to find a family member. We are being told he worked with a carnival or circus and we know it was in 1955. I am wondering if anyone here may have a list of the Ringling Bros performers names OR a list of Carnivals and Circus events in the Pennsylvania area. Probably Erie, Or Erie County towns. Towns by the name of Union City, Wattsburg, Waterford Etc. His last name is Brenner and we are not sure of the first name. It was either Robert or Michael. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I tried looking for circus routes but couldnt find where they were in that particual year. Thanks, Michelle. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2611. Frank H. Emery, 05 Oct 2008 - I'm trying to find info on my Great Great Uncle Frank H. Emery. According to his obit he was a Circus Entertainer with the Texas Rangers. Was the "Texas Rangers" the name of the circus or an act? He probably would have been with the circus bet. 1900-1930. Any info will be greatly appreciated! Diane Loso, sinbadsparrow@comcast.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2610. Announcement, new book, 05 Oct 2008 - "Storia Del Circo, Dagli acrobati egizi al Cirque du Soleil" (History of the circus. From acrobats to the Egyptians Cirque du Soleil), Raffaele De Ritis, 2008. 580 pages – More than 300 b/w illustrations - 36 colour plates. Chronological tables – index of 1400 performers and circuses. Hundreds of notes and bibliographical guide. Text is in Italian. Detailed existing study on the world circus history. From the oriental traditions to the Renaissance fairs; from the early equestrian pioneers to the golden age of the circus buildings; from the cultural influence of the American circus to the great European big tops; from the origins of the Soviet circus to Cirque du Soleil and the avant-gardes. After five years of research, considers all the major circus studies of the recent years and from the past, attempting a complete survey of "the greatest show on earth". Book considers the artistic and social aspects; details the developments of the circus techniques; the birth of the great circuses around the world; the economic and industrial issues; the development of the space, from the circus building to the modern big top; details, the intricacy of the legendary dynasties; the relationship of the circus with the other art forms throrough the centuries. eetailed with hundreds of bibliographical notes from international resources, books and magazine. Even for the foreign reader, a reference book and a valuable instrument of research in circus history. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2609. Mark David Pilger, 03 Oct 2008 - "Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - After a long-standing illness, Mark passed out of this life . . . Mark was a trapeze aerialist with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus for two seasons and traveled the world performing his famous "Flying Heel Catch" with many other circuses. Although Mark loved traveling and entertaining throughout the world, he loved to come back home to his beloved Baraboo, and the Circus World Museum, where he got his start. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, in the Hippodrome building. . . ." Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI), October 2, 2008. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2608. Cesare Togni, 1924-2008, 02 Oct 2008 - Cesare Togni, one of European greatest and beloved circus directors, passed away on 0ctober 1. He was the oldest living in the large Togni dynasty, son of Ugo Togni. Former acrobat, leaper, trainer, he reached his best as a performer in the flying trapeze: in 1956 he was the first to accomplish a triple return pirouette, starring in his family flying troupe. In the mid-50s he founded his own circus with his brother Oscar: formerly called Circo Massimo (the largest 3 rings operation seen in Italy) this finally became the famous Circo Cesare Togni, for decades an Italian home for some of the world's finest acts, especially trapeze legends as Tony Steele, Enzo Cardona, the Palacios or the Jimenez. Is in this circus that David Larible had the opportunity to do his first steps as clown. This classy big top toured all around Europe. In 1983 Cesare set once more a fine three-ring circus, travelling completely on containers; he later went back to the classic one-ring format. Cesare trained his sons (Elvio, Alex, Italo, Viviana) in all the classic equestrian and acrobatic specialties, as well in elephant training. His circus was dismissed in the early 90s, even if in the recent years the name was sometimes revived in association with other italian families. Cesare was spending his last years at Circo Americano (led by his cousin Enis), supervising his sons' acts with horse pyramids and elephants. raffaele de ritis. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2607. Clarke Graham, Peg Leg, 02 Oct 2008 - I am looking for information on a circus performer named Clarke Graham, his performing name was "peg leg" or peg leg graham, he use to jump out of airplanes. The circus performed in Canada and possibly Michigan back in the 1920s or 30s. His wife Rose Graham was also part of the circus. Please contact Pamela (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) at niombe1124@sbcglobal.net. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2606. Fredrich Bowen, Barnum-Bailey, 02 Oct 2008 - Does anyone know anything about a Fredrich Bowen who was an equestrian performer with Barnum and Bailey's circus circa 1800's early 1900's? Else. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2605. Nils Karlsson, 02 Oct 2008 - I´m a swedish author and film director. Right now I conduct interviews and making a film about a Swedish 84 years old man. In the year of 1949 he was working in the Hamid Morton circus as an artist. His name is Nils Karlsson and he was a member of the "5 Eriksons". Mr. Karlsson has told me that there exists a film from the performances he participated in. It shoud be of greatest importance to me if I could find a copy of that film. Where can I get a copy of that film? Are there any circus museum in New York? Yours sincerely, Martin Holmström, Uppsala, Sweden. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender. Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2604. Announcement, 01 Oct 2008 - The upcoming "Chico, Circus Town" exhibition opens on October 18, 2008, and runs through June 21, 2009, at the Chico Museum (Chico, California). "This exhibit of an amazing array of circus items from the Arvel & Grace Allread collection will give you and Chico residents the opportunity to see circus life from the perspective of those who made the whole experience possible." Following is a calendar of events Rotating Features and Opening Dates:
Oct. 18, 2008 - The Allreads & Circus in Chico
More information: www.farwestheritage.org. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2603. Alvarado Wonders, 30 Sep 2008 - I am doing research on the Alvarado Wonders founded by my grandfather Antonio Alvarado. It is believed that it was sold around the 1950's. We have picture, cloths, posters, log books, etc. If know anything or know where I can find additional information please let me know. Thanks, Sara D Elkins Anderson, Michigan City, IN. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
Monticello, Indiana. "Newcomers to Monticello are Mr. and Mrs. Tonio Alvarado and their family. Mr. Alvarado is the owner-manager of the Alvarado Wonder Circus. Nationally known as a circus performer and tight wire artist, Mr. Alvarado has appeared several times on television's "Super Circus." The Alvarados are making their temporary residence on South Maple street here. They have two daughters, Carmen, 1 1/2, Linda Maria, 3, and a son Tonio nine months. Tonio Alvarada is of Spanish descent is an engineering graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Being an engineer, Mr. Alvarado supervises all the building of his circus equipment. He is already busy building floats and cages for the 1954 summer tour of his circus. The Alvarados are planning a circus appearance in Monticello at a later date this spring under the sponsorship of the Women's Civic League. All the profits from the circus will go to the White County Hospital fund. Mr. Alvarado has also consented to have the pop corn machine, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Himes, to be a part of his circus on tour this summer with all proceeds from the machine to go directly to the White County Hospital fund." Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, IN), January 14, 1954, p. 2. "Motorists on Route 45 driving south of Frankfort are often startled when in the distace they see what appears to be someone tightrope walking on a washline behind a small farm-house. Arriving on the scene, they find they're right; only it's not a mischievous boy harrassing his mother; it's either pretty Mary Alvardo getting in her daily two-hour practice on the tight wire or it may be her agile husband, Tonio, owner and manager of their family circus of trapeze artists and aerialists. It is unlikely that Green Garden township should be considered an ideal spot for winter headquarters for a circus, but that's where the Alvarados set up their trailer home, which has been sandwiched between two brilliant red circus "wagons" for the past two years. The troupe travels about during the summer and fall filling engagements at fairs, homecomings and various events in the Middle West and as far north as Canada. 'We like it here very much,' they said, 'and find it perfect for our requirements. Once in a while it gets pretty windy in these open spaces, but that's the way we prefer it for practicing - it gives us greater confidence.' The Alvarados have two little daughters, Carmen, three months old, and Linda Marie, who at 21 months is already walking alone on a wire one foot from the ground, but enjoys most being on the high wire with Mommy and Daddy. Their marriage was the culmination of a romance 'under the big top' where they met four years ago at Evansville, Ind., Mrs. Alvarado's home. Trim and pretty and walking the wire again eight weeks after Carmen's birth, Mrs. Alvarado joined the circus at Evansville, where she got her start during high school vacation time. 'In school I was active in athletics and the circus has always appealed to me,' she said. She does both high wire and trapeze work. Tonio, soft spoken and modest about his career, holds a degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He builds all his equipment and explained that the high wire has a tension of one and one-half tons. During the winter her plans and designes trailer homes for a firm in Niles, Ill. A native of Senora, Mexico, Mr. Alvarado said he was 'bitten by the circus bug' when just a tiny boy. 'It gets in your blood,' he said, 'and is an urge that is hard to suppress.' Tonio started when he was 12 years old and practiced faithfully for five years before he became a professional dancer and performer. While at the univeristy he did a great deal of entertaining for fraternities and sororities. He handles his own bookings and occasionally augments the family act with a small animal show or amusing clowns. Making their home with the Alvarados are Mary's two brothers, Kenneth and Donald Pasco, 14 and 11, who do high wire work Donald, who can hang by his toes, and Kenneth, who walks the wire blindfolded, are two of the most popular students at Green Garden units school. Mary's sister Betty performs at the dizzy height of 110 feet and occasionally joins the troupe, billed as the 'Fearless Falcons.' A new recruit is James Mulligan, 14, of Matteson, who learned to walk the wire during visits with the performers. He has made several professional appearances with the troupe. Kenneth and Donald are now practicing to ride a bicycle across the wire. 'Free shows' on Route 45 will soon be ended when the Alvardos begin their summer trek next week." Chicago Heights Star (published by Star Publications, Chicago, IL), June 27, 1952 [possibly pages 8, 10, section 2]. There are two photographs with the article. "Entertainment at the South Chicago Heights volunteer firemen's annual homecoming celebration . . . Donnie and Kenny Pasco, aged 10 and 13 respectively, are members of the famous Pasco family of circus performers. Their older sisters will also be seen performing high up on the trapeze. Little Donnie, in his second season as a professional, spends his summer vacations with the circus. Kenny perfomrs with the 'Fearless Falcons,' a high wire act, with also includes Mary Rose Alvarado and Jimmy Milligan, both 14. . . ." Chicago Heights Star (published by Star Publications, Chicago, IL), July 4, 1952. "Fort Wayne, Dec. 18 - Tonio D. Alvarado has a 120 pound lion, two black bears, two golden pheasants and a red fox for sale. The price is $200. Alvarado, a bankrupt Mexican . . . Tonio, operator of a small circus which folded recently . . . Alvarado, a high wire acrobat whose circus troupe of about seven performers pulled up stakes last spring, also he had trouble with the law. He was cleared of charges of obtaining money under false pretenses at Ligonier, but he was jailed in Noble county this month because his 13-year-old brother-in-law quit school and worked as an under-age trapeze artist hanging by his head. The boy, Donald Pasco, told his school principal the circus was pulling out, so he wouldn't be in class anymore. When Donald's sister, Betty Lindeman, Kankakee, Ill., got wind of that, she filed charges against Alvarado, who was jailed when he couldn't pay the $15 fine. Alvarado said he was 'desperate.' He was broke and the animals must be sold." Vidette-Messenger (Valparaiso, IN), December 18, 1954, p. 4. Antonio died on September 18, 2008, age 83. His obituary is here: http://chestertontribune.com/Obituaries%202008/antonio_alvarado_dies_at_83.htm Keep the heritage of the circus alive, join CHS today! Membership 2602. Evan Evans, 29 Sep 2008 - Seeking to find if there was Evan Evans in circus in late 1890 to 1960 in USA. He was born 25 May 1874 Carno Wales and ran away from home at 17 years old to join the circus. [probably in 1891 in Washington State] Anyone having information on this man it would be highly appreciated if you contacted me, Darlene at ldbest@persona.ca. Thank you. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
2601. Cherry pie, 29 Sep 2008 - Could you please forward to me information regarding obtaining a copy of an old circus contract which stated: "To make yourself generally useful" and cherry pie (over time) pay. Any information that you could please provide would be greatly appreciated. I thank you so very much. Bobb, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Reply to this message, replies go to this board, not to the message sender.
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