700 Arenic Marvels -- September 26, 2023

Lincoln, Nebraska State Journal, 09-September-1948

In September 1923, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth, played for one night only in Lincoln, Nebraska. I don't think I have seen the word "arenic" before.

Terrific New 1948 Edition -- August 26, 2023

San Francisco Examiner, 31-August-1948

In August 1948, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. the Greatest Show on Earth, played its San Francisco shows across the line in Daly City, at the enormous Cow Palace, which had opened in 1941. I remember people talking about the animals parading from the Southern Pacific yards up Geneva Avenue to the Cow Palace. My parents took us to see the circus at the Cow Palace several times. 

The Circus Immaculate -- September 28, 2022

Smyrna Times, 30-September-1922

I don't know much about the Sparks Circus, but I like this ad for a visit to Smyrna, Georgia. "The Circus Immaculate" is an unusual motto.

Tusko -- A Foot Taller/Ton and a Half Heavier Than Jumbo -- August 26, 2022

Chambersburg Public Opinion/u>, 09-September-1921

The Al G. Barnes Circus featured the elephant Tusko. He turned up in the newspapers back in May, 1922. "Alice in Jungleland" sounds like fun.

New York Evening World, 17-May-1922

Terrible Tusko;

Huge Elephant,

On Big Rampage

Tosses Keeper 30 Feet 

Knocks Over Autos, 

Pushes Down Barn and What Not 

TACOMA, Wash., May 17. -- "Tusko," described as the largest elephant in captivity, is reported in a special despatch to the Ledger to-day as peacefully consuming his fodder with a circus at Bellingham Wash., after an afternoon, night and morning of rampage that stretched for thirty miles from Sedro Wooley, Wash.

Tusko hurled his keeper, H. Hendrickson, thirty feet in the air. Several of Hendrickson's ribs were broken. Tusko proceeded through the streets of Sedro Wooley, capsizing three automobiles and turning a dance into a riot. Then he headed for the hills.

Flattened fences and orchards and calls from excited farmers and loggers betrayed Tusko's line of flight to several hundred men and boys in pursuit. At one logging camp Tusko uprooted three telephone poles. A farmer, looking out of an upper story window, gazed upon the elephant's mighty back, hunched in an unsuccessful effort to overturn the house.

A barn proved less stanch and after breaking in Tusko ate his fill and then proceeded onward.

At dark, Monday, the several hundred pursuers made camp in the woods, taking up the trail at daybreak yesterday.

It was in a valley known as "The Garden of Eden" that Tusko apparently returned to normalcy, as calmly and as suddenly as the spirit of rampage had possessed him. Sauntering up to two other elephants that had been included among, his pursuers, Tusko meekly permitted his recapture.

The Greatest Clown Rider on Earth -- August 11, 2022

Ogden Standard-Examiner, 27-August-1922

100 years ago this month, the Sells-Floto Circus and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show came to Ogden, Utah. Poodles Hanneford, "The Greatest Clown Rider on Earth." In 1923, he began appearing in short comedies. He played bit parts and cameos in sound films and television programs until the early 1960s.

Original! Brilliant! Diversified! -- September 23, 2018

Alta California, 11-May-1857

Henry Charles Lee and HM Bennett offered their Great North American Circus in San Francisco and Northern California in 1856 and 1857.  The Abbot company of Concord, New Hampshire, built the famous Concord stagecoaches for Wells Fargo.

LEE and BENNETT'S

GREAT NORTH AMERICAN CIRCUS.

SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW !

Original ! Brilliant ! Diversified !

THIS GREAT COMPANY, BY FAR THE MOST COMPLETE IN THE UNITED STATES, will open in San Francisco, on the Vacant Lot next to the International Hotel, on

WEDNESDAY EVENING, May 13, 1857.

The FAME of the Artists, Male and Female, precludes the necessity of a specification of their Genius and Attainments, as they ARE KNOWN.

THE RING DEPARTMENT comprises the greatest force of Male and Female Equestrians, Gymnasts, Vaulters, Clowns, Acrobats, Posture Masters, Equilibrists, Contortionists, Jugglers, Rope Performers, Tumblers, etc., ever concentrated in one establishment; together with the most superb stud of HIGHLY TRAINED PERPORMING HORSES and educated Ponies in the world, enabling the management to present displays of Dashing Horsemanship and extraordinary Athletic Exercises, in infinite variety, and of the most wonderful character.

This Magnificent, New and Costly Outfit, has cost a princely fortune. It was gotten up, regardless of expense, by our Agent Mr. FRANK RIVERS, who has spent the last year in the Atlantic states and Europe. The magnificent Carriages and Baggage Vans are from the hands of the, celebrated manufacturers, Messrs. J. S. and E. A. ABBOT, of Concord, New Hampshire. The gorgeous Band Wagon and Advertising Wagon are from the Premium Manufacturers, Messrs. FIELDING BROTHERS, New York. The Harness, which is the most costly that has ever been manufactured in the United Stales -- the mountings and minarettes of bells being of pure silver -- are from the well-known manufacturers, J. KELSH and SON, Philadelphia.

THE BAND HARNESS and the BEAUTIFUL CHIMES OF SILVER BELLS, must be seen to b« appreciated, as they will baffle all description.

The GORGEOUS WARDROBE, by far outstripping all Pageants on either side of the Atlantic, was manufactured by Miss FLORENCE NEEDHAM, of New York.

The MAMMOTH WATER-PROOF PAVILION -- manufactured by CHAS. AMORY, Esq., of San Francisco -- will be brilliantly illuminated with gas, which must be acknowledged to be a decided improvement over all former styles of lighting.

THE BAND is made up of the best Musical Talent in California, and will comprise a Brass and String Band, being under the direction of J. R. PARSONS,  the best Cornet player in California.

Among the distinguished Artists selected from the Atlantic states and Europe, will be found --
MISS MARY ANN WHITTAKER;
MISS LOUISE MELVILLE -- Her First Appearance In San Francisco;
MISS JEANETTE ANNEREAU;
MISS SOPHIA WORELL -- Her First Appearance in California;
MISS IRENE WORRELL -- Her First Appearance in California;
LA PETIT JENNIE WORRELL -- Her First Appearance in California;
MR. FRANK WHITTAKER;
MR.JAMES MELVILLE,
MR. GEORGE RYLAND,
MR. HARVEY ADAMS,
MR. WM. FRANKLIN;
YOUNG RAPHAEL;
Master J. ARMSTRONG;
Master EUGENE LEE;
Master EDGAR DUCROW,
Young WALTER LEROY,
Master HERNANDEZ.

The Managers take pleasure in being able to announce that they have effected an engagement with tbe BEST CLOWN in the United States, viz:

Wm. Worrell,

(Late of Gen. WELCH'S Great National Circus,) with his Juvenile Graces, Sophia, Irene and La Petit Jennie. His name will be a sufficient guaranty that Wit, without coarseness. Fun without vulgarity and Mirth without end, will characterize the comic department of the Exhibition -- his First Appearance in California.
MONS. ROCHETTE -- The Pioneer Clown and Herculean Performer.

The Distinguished features of this huge establishment are --
1st -- It is the largest Circus ever in this State.
2d -- Every Act put in the Ring is better than has ever before been witnessed here.
3d -- lt is the most Extensively Equipped Circus ever in the State.
4th -- The Band is the best ever attached to any Circus.
5th -- Many of the best Performers were never before in this State.
6th -- Many of the Arts are entirely new here, have never before been witnessed in this State, and could not be executed by all the Circuses in America combined.
7th -- It is not -- as is customary of late -- a small part of a Circus, with very large bills -- but it is an old fashioned Circus, with all the modern improvements.
8th -- lt is the only Company that furnishes good cushioned seats to every lady visitor.
Lastly -- lt is the only Circus Establishment that performs everything as represented in the Bills and Advertisements.

PRICES OF ADMISSION:
Box .......... $1 00|Pit .......... $00 50
There will be a separate entrance for Ladies.
The doors will open at 7 o'clock, P. M. The Entertainment will commence at 8 o'clock.
There will be attentive ushers to wait upon Ladies and Family Parties to seats.
The Police Department will be under the supervision of efficient officers.
FRANK RIVERS,
General Agent.

Howe's Great London Circus -- August 29, 2018

Richmond Palladium and Sun Telegram, 30-July-1921

I can't find much about Howe's Great London Circus, but I like their ad.  "Wonders Never Before Assembled."

Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus -- July 27, 2018

Fergus Falls Ugeblad, 03-July-1918

100 years ago this month, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was playing in Minnesota, as reported in the Fergus Falls Ugeblad, 03-July-1918.

Sells Brotherrs' Circus -- April 17, 2018

Daily Alta California, 25-September-1886

The Sells Brothers Circus appeared at San Francisco's Central Park, near 8th and Market Streets. The Sells Brothers Circus was based in Columbus. Ohio.  I like the part about Mrs Sells taking care of the kindergarten kids.

Madame Lasalle -- November 19, 2017

From Theatrical and Circus Life, by John Joseph Jennings, 1883.

"One of the most beautiful and at the same time dangerous, of the performances that the small shows offer to their audiences is that of Madame Lasalle, who places her little eight-year-old daughter in a wheelbarrow filled with flowers, and on a rope thirty feet above the ground without net beneath and with nothing but hard ground to receive both in case of a fall, trundles the barrow over a long rope while the people below look up in breathless fear lest the barrow tip and a dreadful accident result before the feat is accomplished. Tight-rope walking, however, is not nearly so difficult as it appears to be. The performer needs steady nerves, a cool eye, firm limbs and a balance-pole, the last-named article being the most essential. Training is required, of course, but it is not of the rigorous and protracted kind that other feats demand."

Jumbo -- October 15, 2017

Theatrical and Circus Life by John Joseph Jennings, 1883

Jumbo was an African elephant, born in Sudan and displayed in France and Britain.  PT Barnum brought him to America in 1882 to appear in the Barnum and Bailey circus.  Jumbo was popular everywhere he went.  In 1885, Jumbo was being walked through a train yard in Toronto when he tripped and fell on his tusk, which killed him.  Shortly after, a locomotive ran him over.  Barnum had sections of him preserved so he could show them at different places. 

The Big Show of the World! -- September 19, 2017

San Francisco Call, 05-September-1896

The Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers Circus appeared at San Francisco's Central Park, near 8th and Market Streets.  Adam Forepaugh was a pioneering American circus owner.    

Sells-Floto Now the Greatest Circus in the World -- August 21, 2017

Variety, 13-April-1923

The Sells-Floto Circus visited Chicago in April, 1923.  I would like to see The Great Schubert, "The Aerial Enigma." 

Chariots and Charioteers -- July 19, 2017

I'm still in shock about the conclusion of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus last month.  One of its major components was the Ringling Brothers circus. My parents had a reprint of this poster on the basement wall.  It was in a program from the circus that celebrated some anniversary. 

Marvelous Foot-Ball Dogs -- June 19, 2017

I'm still in shock about the conclusion of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus last month.  One of its major components, and the source of its famous motto, the Greatest Show on Earth, was the Barnum and Bailey circus. 

Ringling Brothers, RIP -- May 21, 2017

Tonight the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. the Greatest Show on Earth, will hold its final performance at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York. My parents took me and my sister every year to see the circus at the Cow Palace. I can still smell it. 

Sells-Floto Circus Special -- April 19, 2017

San Francisco Call, 28-April-1912

The Sells-Floto Circus visited San Francisco in May, 1912.  It purchased a full-page ad in the San Francisco Call.  "If Laughing Makes You Sick, Take a Doctor With You."  Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version. 

Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth -- March 15, 2017

This year, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is calling it quits after about 147 years. PT Barnum's Great Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Hippodrome was formed by Dan Castello in 1875, using Barnum's name and money. Later Castello and his partner William C Coup adopted the tagline "Greatest Show on Earth."The Ringling Brothers purchased the show in 1907 and combined it with their own circus in 1919. 

Ringling Bros' World's Greatest Shows -- January 18, 2017

San Francisco Call, 09-September-1900

Over the weekend, I was saddened to learn that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was calling it quits after about 147 years.  In September, 1900, the "Ringling Bros.' World's Greatest Shows, The Invincible Monarch of Amusements and Beyond All Dispute or Doubt the Greatest Show on Earth" paid its first visit to San Francisco.  They purchased the Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1905.  My parents took me and my sister every year at the Cow Palace. I can still smell it. 

Be sure to click on the ad, which is very large, to see the details. 

Vicious Elephant is Hanged -- September 12, 2016

Columbia, Tennessee Herald, 22-September-1916

On 12-Septemer-1916, Mary the Elephant, who was an attraction with the John H Sparks circus, killed her untrained handler Walter Eldridge.  Forced to kill the creature, the circus hanged her with chains from a railway crane.  A necropsy determined that she had a painful infected tooth.  The story is from the Mexico, Missouri Message, 22-September-1916.  I doubt that she killed eight people. 

VICIOUS ELEPHANT IS HANGED
"Murderous Mary," Killer of Eight, Executed With a Steam Derrick

Bristol, Tenn. Condemned as having forfeited her right to live under the laws of Tennessee, "Murderous Mary," the big female elephant with a circus, was put to death at Erwin, Tenn., the state authorities requiring it. She was valued at $8,000.  Having none of the quick poisons at hand, the showmen chose to hang the beast. A derrick car was used.  Heavy chains were looped about the elephant's neck and the steam-operated crane lifted the massive form into the air.

The showmen said Mary had killed her eighth man, her last victim being Walter Eldridge, a Virginian, who was gored to death at Kingsport recently.