1840s

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

1846

    At a fight a few days since at Johnson's Creek, N. Y., between some of Sand's Circus Company and the citizens, one of the belligerents was picked up for dead, covered with blood. On washing the dead man, it was found that he had been knocked over by a cherry pie, and the juice was the blood - it is supposed he will recover. Tri Weekly Courier (Zanesville, OH), July 25, 1846, n.p.n.

    A splendid Circus, after the model of the old Roman amphitheatres, is being built in Baltimore, by Mr. Titus, agent for the extensive equestrian proprietors, Messrs. Sands, Lent & Co. It is to be of brick, covered with an oval tin roof, with a small coupla on the apex. The interior is to be decorated and finished in the most magnificent style. Newport Daily News (RI), October 8, 1846, n.p.n.

1847

    The North American, printed in the city of Mexico, gives the following as some of the amusements in that city: . . . Bensley's Circus has been augmented by a ballet and pantomime corps. It is a pleasant place of passing the evening. . . . Defiance Democrat (OH), December 16, 1847, n.p.n.

1848

    Another calamitous fire occurred in New York on Tuesday afternoon, by which the extensive stables of Messrs. Bebec, Brown & Crane, were destroyed together with fourteen horses - three of them valuable circus horses, belonging to Messrs. Gardiner & Williams. Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, PA), March 20, 1848, n.p.n.

    The American Circus Company, which left this country some five months ago, for the purpose of exhibiting in South America, incurred the hatred of the mob at Pernambuco. The large tent was assailed with stones and other heavy missiles, and preparations were being made to fire it, when the police interfered, and by vigorous efforts dispersed the rioters. Weekly Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI), July 5, 1848, n.p.n.

    M'Farland, the celebrated vaulter, accomplished the herculean feat of throwing seventy two sommersets, without resting, on Saturday week, at the Broadway Circus, New York. This is the greatest number ever known any where. The average height of each sommerset was over ten feet from the ground clear. The "Forty Sommerset Man" of England will have to change his title. Adams Sentinel and General Advertiser (Gettysburg, PA), December 18, 1848, n.p.n.

1849

    Huge Musical Machine. A letter from New York says: "A curious affair on wheels, constructed by Mr. Henry ___, the organ builder, and intended for the circus of Spaulding & Rogers, now in Ohio, passed through our streets today. It is nearly as high as a two story house, and is intended as a substitute for a whole band of musicians. The noise it makes is horrible - a mixture of gong, bag pipe and the feline falsetto." Wisconsin Standard (Geneva, WI), June 2, 1849, n.p.n.

    Juggernaut Appollonicon. The infatuated Hindoos prostrate themselves beneath the car of Juggernaut - a huge tower of wood, built on wheels, filled with idols, and enlivened with the music of horns and gongs. Singular infatuation! - but then the Hindoo admires the Juggernaut - to death. We suppose the same impulse actuated a large hog to get under the wheels of the forty horse band-organ, which came into town yesterday with the circus. He heard the sounds in wonder and amazement and excited to a frenzy, madly rushed beneath the advancing wheels - a musical martyr. This, then, was the hog's juggernaut, and like the Hindoo, the hog probably admired the music. One thing is certain - nobody else did. - Springfield Republic Zanesville Courier (OH), June 7, 1849, n.p.n.

    The Niagara Suspension Bridge. Grand and beautiful sight. The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser of Monday says: On Friday morning last, the extensive Circus and equestrian troupe of Col. Mann, crossed the suspension bridge, en route to Canada. The company occupied twenty-two horse teams, headed by the large four horse band wagon, together with their baggaged and paraphernalia. As little delay occurred as at any ordinary bridge, and the men and horses appeared quite at home. Weekly Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI), July 18, 1849, n.p.n.

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1850s

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

1850

    Herr Driesbach. We were, yesterday, indepted to the politeness of Herr Driesbach, for the pleasure of witnessing one of his extraordinary meetings with the animals which he has under his especial charge, and which form a part of Raymond & Co.'s Menagerie, that has been kept here during the past winter. The animals, contained in the Menagerie, are all in a fine, healthy, and good-looking condition. We especially noticed that the bears, the pumas, and the rhinocerous looked very well; in fact, the whole collection, birds and quadrupeds, are in the best health and appearance. But the principal portion of the pleasure which we received in the visit alluded to, was derived from seeing Mr. Driesbach enter the cages of the animals, which, furious as they are, he has under complete control.
    As soon as Mr. Driesbach approached the cages, the tigers, leopards, and lions evidently showed that they knew him. Entering the cages, with nothing but a small riding whip in his hand, Driesbach made the lions and leopards perform every movement which he commanded them to do. Mr. Driesbach has been so often noticed, in all parts of the country. Zanesville Courier (OH), March 16, 1850, n.p.n.

    We mentioned some days since the importation into Baltimore of eleven Camels from the Canary Islands. From an article in the New York Herald, we learn that they are the property of Messrs. Sands & Howes, the enterprising and well known circus proprietors of that city, who are about establishing an overland route to California. Their first caravan will leave Independence, Mo., early in June, direct for San Francisco. Messrs. S. & H. have already thirty-one of these useful animals in this country, and are daily looking for the arrival of a vessel of New Orleans, from Algiers, which has on board twenty-two more, making in all a stock of over fifty. A number of the camels have been selected with great care as brood stock. It is said that a caravan of upwards of twenty will leave each point once a month during the year. - Illinois Journal. Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review (Alton, IL), April 26, 1850, n.p.n.

1856

    It is stated that there are twenty-three circus companies in the United States, and the average expense of each, daily, in the summer season, is $350 - in all about $8,000. The cost of fixtures, horses, etc., is about $750,000, and employment is given to 2,000 men, and an equal number of horses. Daily Hawk-Eye and Telegraph (Burlington, IA), March 15, 1856, n.p.n.

1857

    James Robinson, the youthful circus rider, has been offered by a northern circus company $250 a week for three years, and to pay all his expensed in a European tour. Three-fourths of the editorial corps in the United States do not receive over one-tenth of this salary. Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, PA), March 2, 1857, n.p.n.

    New York City. A number of Indians of the tribe of Onandaga appeared at the office of the Chief of Police on Saturday. They had been rescued by the Twenty-first Ward Police from a hotel at the corner of Third avenue and Twenty-fourth street, where it appears they were detained against their will by Howe & Co., circus proprietors, with whom they had engaged to go to Europe for exhibition.
    The first notice the authorities had of the presence of the Indians in the city, or of their detention was on Friday afternoon, when one of them, named James Healy, called upon Chief of Police Marsall, and complained that eleven of his race (including his two sons), were detained as above mentioned, and that he was desirous of effecting their release, especially of his sons. Healy was sent to Capt. Speight of the Twentieth Ward Police, who dispatched Officers Relay and Connor to effect the release of Healy's two sons. In this they had no difficulty, but on their return to the Station-house they were directed by Recorder Smith (who happened to be present), to return and release the whole of the party detained. In attempting to carry out this order the police were assaulted by a large number of persons present at the hotel, and were compelled to retreat after having been pretty roughly handled. The proprietor of the hotel objected to the going of the Indians because, as he alleged, they were indebted to him for board, and the members of the circus company opposed their removal because, as they stated, they had made an engagement to go to Europe, and this engagement they should not break. During the fight with the police one of the Indians who was assisting them, was __ with a knife, though not severely, and four boys and a squaw made their escape during the excitement.
    Five of the tribe are yet detained in the hotel, but the Recorded will today effect their liberation, and take steps for the punishment of all implicated in their detention, and those who assailed the police officers. The Indians are fine looking specimens of their race, and all of them speak English, not very imperfectly. They complain bitterly of their treatment at the hands of Howe & Co. New York Daily Times (NY), March 9, 1857, p. 8.

    The Onondaga Indians, who were detained by Howe & Co., the Circus men, at a hotel in 23d street, were yesterday all released by the action of Recorder Smith, who has also taken steps for the punishment of the parties who resisted the policemen whom he first sent to effect their release. New York Daily Times (NY), March 10, 1857, p. 2.

    The Calliope. On Monday next, the Great Eastern Circus will enter this village, preceded by that musical wonder, drawn by forty horses. Think of a huge accordeon, a monstrous jewsharp, a giganitc organ, a violin manufactured from a pine tree two hundred feet high - a harp of a thousand strings, played by steam! There's fun ahead. Marshall Statesman (MI), April 22, 1857, n.p.n.

    The citizens of Indianaola, Iowa, have held an anti-circus meeting, and passed resolutions against an exhibition of the "elephant" at that place, on account of its immoral tendency. The editor of the Indianaola Visitor has also been brought to account for publishing a circus advertisement. Janesville Morning Gazette (WI), July 22, 1857, n.p.n.

1859

    Some of our readers will recollect "Dilly Fay," who last season visited our city with Spaulding & Rogers' circus. He was recognized as one of the most genteel of jesters. Having by his profession of clown accumulated a sufficiency, he has retired from the "ring," and is now in Europe studying his profession as artist. He intends remaining some years abroad. "Dilly" is a brother of Mr. De Witt Waugh, the gentlemanly leader and accomplished musician of Rock Island. Davenport Daily Leader (IA), July 12, 1859, p. 1.

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1860s

Note: the newspapers have typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related.

1863

    Sale of Government Camels (from the St. Louis Union, 16th) At ten o'clock a.m. Saturday, about one hundred persons collected within the Government corral, at the junction of Grand and Franklin avenues, to witness the sale of the celebrated camels that were imported from the Arabic sands at such a cost to Uncle Sam. The storeship Supply having been sent to Smyra for the express purpose of bringing these animals to Texas, for the use of the Government. After being used for transportation to Texas for some time, they were captured by the rebels and taken to Arkansas. In Arkansas they were recaptured by Gen. Curtis, and sent to his farm in Iowa. From there they were sent, by order of Quartermaster General Meigs, to this city and sold to the highest bidder.
    Mr. John Robinson, the celebrated circus manager, came here from Cincinnati to attend the sale. Mr. Mabie, proprietor of the grand menagerie, that will exhibit in our city on Monday, was present. The balance of the crowd consisted of persons drawn thither by curiosity.
    The first camel presented was "Old Moses," the patriarch of the trio. In commencint the sale Capt. Ford stated that the animals had been imported at an immense expense to the Government, but that as Uncle Sam could not now afford such luxuries, they were offered for sale by order of Quartermaster General. The first bid was made by Mr. Mabie, of $50. Charles M. Elleard, Esq., thinking that one of the would be a nice addition to his collection of buffalo and elk now in pasture, bid $100. Bidding then became quite spirited between Messrs. Older, Mabie, Robinson and Finn, until "Old Moses" was knocked down to P. A. Older for $190.
    Young "Ader Ali" was then trotted out, and an attache of the yard made him kneel, and mounted the hump. "Ader Ali" then started off on a shuffling pace and his rider had some difficulty in holding on is high seat. He was then brought up to the water trough, and bids commenced. Fifty dollars was first offered, then $55 and $60. Mr. Elleard then bid $100. Mr. Robinson bid $105. The bids ran up to $205, and Mr. John Robinson was declared the purchser. This was the finest camel of the lot. He expressed his displeasure at being exposed for sale, by snapping at the bystanders, and by making a guttural sound, like pulling a box over a gravelled road.
    Miss Cleopatra was then trotted out. The female charmer was said to be with foal. She looked very lively, and sported a fine set of teeth. Bids started at $50 and run up to $115, when she was sold to P. A. Older, for $115. These animals cost the Government about $10,000 each, and were bought when Jeff. Davis was Secretary of War. Whitewater Register (WI), August 21, 1863, n.p.n.

1867

    The managers of the pubic schools in Springfield, Massachusetts have brought the people about their ears, by whipping or expelling pupils who attended a circus. If the pupil attended with his parents assent he was expelled; if he went without their consent he was whipped. The school committee, like a great many other wise-acres, will probably have an opportunity in the future to "mind their own business." Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye (IA), May 26, 1867, p. 1.

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1870s

1870

Note: the newspapers have typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related.

    At present there are thirty-two circuses and menageries in the United States. Of this number, ten are circus and menageries combined, three menageries without the circus, and nineteen circuses without menageries. These establishments give direct employment to over seven thousand men and horses, requiring nine hundred vehicles for their transportation, and representing a capital of two million dollars. Some idea may be formed of the enormous expenses of these concerns, when it is known that over five thousand dollars is spent annually for pictorial, newspaper and other printing. The receipts of each company average about eight hundred and fifty dollars per day, while their expenditures amount to seven hundred. From this it is readily seen that for the amount of money invested the gains are not large, proving the old adage "that all is not gold that glitters." The following is a list of the names of the various concerns:
    Van Amburg's Great Golden Menagerie; the European Circus and Trained Animals; Geo. F. Bailey & Co.'s Circus and Menagerie; French's Oriental Circus and Performing Animals; Lent's New York Circus; Van Amburg & Co.'s Circus and Menagerie; Forepaugh's Circus and Zoological Aggregation; Bryan's Menagerie; John Robinson's Circus and Menagerie; Charley Noyes' Crescent City Circus; Yankee Robinson's Circus and Menagerie; Campbell's Circus and Menagerie; Gardner & Forepaugh's Circus and Menagerie; Stone & Murray's Circus; DeHaven's Circus; T. T. Ames' New Orleans Circus and Menagerie; Alex Robinson's Circus; Older's Circus and Menagerie; the Metropolitan Circus; Dan Rice's Circus; Dr. James Thayer's Circus; Ward's Star Circus and Trained Animals; Hemmings, Cooper & Whitby's Circus and Menagerie; Grady's Circus; John Stowe's Circus; Wilson's California Circus; Reynolds' Menagerie; Jas. T. Johnson's Circus and Trained Animals; Wheeler & Cushing's Circus; Stow & Orton's Circus; Smith's Crescent City Circus; Orton Bros. Southern Circus, and a number of others of less note. Galveston Daily News (TX), April 6, 1870, n.p.n.

1873

Note: the newspapers have typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___. Some items may not be circuses or circus-related.

    Rhode Island. The New England circus "bust up" in Newport on Wednesday. A large number of the employes went on board the steamer for Providence in an intoxicated state, and a difficulty arose between them and the officers and employes of the boat before the boat started, which soon became a general row, terminating in a victory for the boat hands, and the drunkards were put ashore, while those that were sober were allowed to come here. Boston Globe (MA), July 5, 1873, p. 2.

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