P. T. Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome. Record of a trip around the U.S. and Canada in 180 days. Compiled and arranged by Phil McNutt. Wilstark, Baldwin & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, 1975. Circus World Museum's Parkinson Library provided the photocopy of this route book, which is a typed copy of an original located in the Weidener Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The typed copy was made by J. P. Grace in 1940. It seems to have an unusual amount of spelling errors, either in the original or in the typed copy. All information should be checked with additional sources. There will be spelling and typographical errors.
P. T. Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome
This Company was organized in New York City in 1874 and was first opened to the Public in that City, in the new building, 26th St. and 4th Ave., which occupied the entire block and was erected especially for this exhibition.
Here they showed to crowded houses until Aug. 1st, when the entire company, 500 in number was moved to Boston, where they remained 3 weeks, and showed to crowded houses giving 2 and 3 performances each day
From Boston, they went to Philadelphia and remained 3 weeks, which proved a great success. From there to Baltimore for 10 days. Here they met with the first mishap of the season. The canvas was blown down and received considerable damage. From Baltimore to Pittsburg for 10 days thence to Cincinnati. Here they had a novelty, in the way of a wedding, Mr. Chas. Colton and Mary Walsh being married in a balloon which was at least a mile high when the ceremony was performed.
At the expiration of the advertised time, the whole company returned to New York and again opened in the Hippodrome building doing good business all winter up to the time they left on their present trip, April 11th, 1875.
Managers
W. C. Coup, Manager
S. H. Hurd, Treasurer, Gen’l Supt.
Dan Castello, Supt. of Amusements
Frank Whitaker, Asst. Supt. of Amusements.
Frank H. Gonier, Chief Ticket Agent
Chas. M. Colton, Asst. Ticket Agent
W. F. Sommerfield, Purchasing Agent
Thos. G. Douland, Distributing Agent
A. Sellers, Secretary and Paymaster
Geo. B. Bunnell, Direcotr of Parade
D. S. Thomas, Press Agent
C. W. Fuller, Gen’l Agent
W. W. Durand, Gen’l Press Agent
Geo. Field, Adv. Press Agent
F. A. Bartlett, Excursion Agent
E. A. Tinkham, Advance Agent
Chas. Lloyd, Publisher, advertising programme
Bill Posting Brigade
C. F. Haskins, Chief Carter Contourier, Advance Herald
J. M. Fuller, Lithograph Agent
Billposters:
| George P. Davis | John Gregory | George Scott |
| F. G. H. Wilson | Dave Holbrook | Edgar Taylor |
Chief Detective, S. F. Fisk. Assistant Detective, G. Baker
Jas. L. Hutchinson, Agent for Autobiography of P. T. Barnum. H. Lloyd, Assistant
Hartman’s Silver Cornet Band
Leader, Fritz Hartman. Asst. leader, C. Lucy
| Hidanch | Schmitt | Blank | Gartland |
| Schultz | Lindler | Trueman | Gore |
| Markroft | Scranponi | Winter | Underhill |
| Lippkle | Geiger | Probst | Britton |
| Diricks | Camise | Sorlie | Borsby |
| Weber | Stinfell | A. Blank | Lamar |
| R. Trinkman | Woodell | W. Girard | Berquest |
Drum Major, Geo. W. Adams
Drummers:
| Phillip Hunker | John Canard | Wm. H. Weed | Geo. Decker |
| Adolph Bode | Chas. Maur | Conrad Goegel |
Baggage Master, Geo. Wade
Performers
Trapeze performers: Lazell, Milson and Master Lazell
Ladder Balancing Act: Satsuma and Alright
Roman riders: Dan Stevens, Frank Morgan, Lewis Whitaker
Champion Ped?, James Smith.
Chief Usher, Geo. K.Frazier
Assistants: Sam Smith, Gus Hornbrook, George Cable, Geo. Cook
Door Keepers: Chas. Warner, J. Cornish, G. Gullifer, C. Mitchell
Mail Agent: W. H. Conklin
Wig Maker, Juel Magory
Indian Life
Chief and riders, Indian riders and performers. L. Curtis, Indian Frank, Snake Squirrel, Coon Zella, Master Freddy Roberts.
Chief in charge: William Kennedy
Mexican riders & Mazeppa: Thos. Manning, William Car, Indian Deerfoot
Lady Performers: Miss M. Lewis, Mrs. Grady, Mrs. Woodhill, Madame DeAtley
Lady Riders:
| Miss M. Jackson | Miss Phillips | A. Jackson | Mrs. Milson |
| J. Sawyer | Mrs. Roberts | Annie Yates | Aggie DeAtley |
| Miss M. Oswald | Miss M. Taylor | Mrs. D. Satsuma |
Mrs. A. Donovan
Assistants:
| Annie Clifford | Mrs. Baker | Katie Steel |
| Mary Bowers | Mrs. Martin |
Charge of dressing room, Mrs. Frank Whitaker
Prop Managers
Joe Baker, Fred Hamilton
Assistants:
| H. H. Ware | J. Bradley | J. Wohr | J. Perfoskie |
| J. P. Oliver | D. T. Garrett | W. Patton | J. Kennedy |
| C. Winters | J. Deebee | J. Rabb |
Master of Supernumaries, Charles Roberts
Assistants: Meehan Bros. R. Smith, J. Woods
Carpenters: A P. Martin, J. Crissye
Master of Repair, Alonzo Briggs
Master of Chariots, Samuel Madden. Assistant, A. Gardner
Paddler, John Woodward. Assistant, W. Flowler
Master of ???, J. E. Smith. Assistant, Zella.
Gas Engine, Geo. Waterman. 1st Assistant, A. Hellar.
Lighting: T. Crane, C. Stone, T. Joyce, J. Allerman, W. Morrisey
Harness Department, P. J. McNulty, H. Coddy
Zoological Department
This department is in charge of Prof. Chas. Warner or better known as “Alligator.”
Assistants:
| Wm.Thom | Joseph Kelley | Geo. Thornley |
| Jos. Conley | Thos. Gilmartin | Antione |
Sailmakers & Flagmen, in charge of Edw. Ray. Assistants, C. Seymour, H. Brown, S. Knapp
Side Show or Palace of Wonders
Proprietors, Bunnell Bros.
Manager, William Henshaw
Stage Manager, Chas. Yale
Master Mechanic and Senior Artist, Dan Black
This is not one of the things usually seen traveling with a show company, but is one vast tent as large as an ordinary circus, containing 12 cages of animals, 4 elephants, 5 camels and a number of curiosities. The performance lasts one hour and the managers have secured the following talent.
Ladies:
| Mr. & Mrs. Murray | Carlton Sisters | Mrs. E. Grady | Miss C. Danvarges | |
| Mrs. Marshall | Miss V. Ferrand | Miss M. Heining | Mrs. Simpson and daughter |
| S. S. Smith | Wm. Kennedy | Sargent Burke | Chas. Yale |
| Chris Mathews | Master Whittaker | Dick Marshall | Kit. Carson |
| H. Williams |
| Jas. Daley | John Barney | Chas. Wake | Moses Loomes |
| Frank Howard | Gil. Martin | James Antonell |
Proprietor, G. W. Coup
Manager, Bob Westendorf
Assistants:
| Sam. Eclis | C. Barker | Dan. Hertzog | J. H. Steere |
| John McGee | Bob Gill | Jas. McGee | F. McGuire |
| Shell Hange | F. Dele | Ed. Masters | Jas. McIntyre |
Proprietors, L. S. Edgerly & Zack Coup
Chief cook, Oscar Johnson. Assistants: Wm. Smith, Jack Woods.
Waiters:
| Jas. Dunigan | John McCullough | Wm. Kenton | G. Kelly |
| Joe Ward | John Costello | Robert Jones | Chas. Walters |
| Chas. Desmond | John Maloney | E. Riley | Fred Stiner |
| Jas. Drew | Jas. Calligan | P. Furman | O. Zimour |
Boss Canvasman, E. Carey. Assistants, Chas. P. Murray, H. Clifford
2nd Asst., L. Putnam
3rd Asst., P. Walsh
And 200 canvasmen
Canvasmen:
| B. Cochlin | H. Green | P. Reddy | J. H. Reily |
| A. M. Reid | S. C. Hill | R. Moody | J. Collins |
| M. Augustin(?) | G. Hufman | G. Logan | A. J. Whitman |
| H. Parsons | G. Miller | D. Coots | E. Cullen |
| W. Boswell | J. Lewis | F. Odon | Wm. Bradley |
| C. Goodwine | J. Cahoon | J. Miller | M. McLoughlin |
| J. Emery | J. Grady | D. Waterman | J. Keller |
| J. Miller | C. Davis | C. Keeler | W. Pomeroy |
| C. Hiber | F. Mamroue | O. P. Holland | J. Underwood |
| R. Bryan | N. Conway | J. Irving | J. Taffe |
| M. Reddy | J. Fenton | J. Whalen | T. Murray |
| F. Wells | C. Goodal | G. M. Gardner | W. Lynch |
| T. Austin | T. Casey | J. Riney | T. Werring |
| J. Bean | W. Davis | J. Davis | D. Dougherty |
| J. McCarty | M. Quinn | J. Koppy | J. Hewes |
| Wm. Crane | K. O’Brien | D. Kanin | F. Harrison |
| W. H. Short | J. Reed | W. Newman | H. Henley |
| G. Bursam | M. Shaw | W. Hurbert | F. Brown |
| F. Hadnot | John the Baptist | W. Shinton | J. Reed |
| J. Brady | E. Hufman | E. Rogers | J. Allen |
| A. Good | W. Dunn | R. Good | W. Rieby |
| J. Sullivan | H. Brown | W. Duffey | T. Wilkinson |
| J. Baldwin | T. Lee | J. Smith | C. Fox |
| J. Brown | W. Kelly | J. McLaughlin | R. Hartman |
| W. Carroll | G. Kopp |
J. Edmond, S. Rose, C. Brown, F. Hafner, Joe Steele, T. Brumbour
Veterinary Surgeon & Master of the Horse Department, Dr. W. W. Mitchell
Assistants: William Smith, John Strickland
Drivers:
| J. Ward | D. McCarty | Joe Bursham | W. Doran |
| W. Ray | C. Crossgrove | D. Maley | T. Erd |
| C. Tobin | F. Phillips | E. Murdoc | W. Boozan |
| C. Wilbur | J. Chapman | G. English | J. Murphy |
| A. L. Page | A. Willmouts | S. Chauncy | J. Tanner |
| A. L. Chase(?) | P. McCormick | E. S. Hall |
Race stock, 70 in number. Supt. David McKay
Grooms:
| R. Reiley | E. Jones | L. Aults | J. Miller |
| P. Clancey | W. Gorman | H. Butcher | W. Smith |
| T. King | Tom Gray | W. Race |
| W. Ennes | W. Bishop | J. Kelly | J. Henry |
| J. Clay | Ben. Wright | A. Fitsximons(?) | Jim Johnson |
Transportation
Master of Railroad Transportation, P. S. Halstead. Assistant, Jas. Halstead
| D. Morris | M. Farrell | G. Leonard | J. B. Alexander |
| A. Bartholemew | J. Compton | L. Carbungels | J. Byers |
| R. McFarland | R. Baker | R. Murphy | M. Mercy |
| J. Carroll | A. Graser | R. Williams | J. Short |
| Geo. Abbott | I. H. More | Mr. Pishon | J. Denswood |
| P. Gabin | T. Garlin | C. Waters | C. McGuire |
| E. Fox | A. Roberts | E. Merritt | J. Mulkorn |
| J. Lansing | A. Brady | J. Collett | F. McGuire |
| L. Wessen | P. Murphy | C. Cole | J. Hamilton |
| A. Lence | G. Reenburg | W. L. Eaton | W. East |
| G. Dickerson | T. Comar | W. Smith | M. Jones |
Car Inspector, J. Remington
Sleeping Car Conductor, Oscar Burns
The transcribed route book does not provide the name of the city for the dates. Click here for the route with cities. Opens in a new window or tab.
April
Monday, 12th. Business bad; weather cold and disagreeable.
Tuesday, 13th. Weather continued cold, with sleet and snow storm. At 7 p.m. it commenced snowing hard and at 6 a.m. the canvas fell down from the lot of snow. No damage except to the canvas.
Wednesday, 14th. 50 sail makers were put to work repairing damages.
Thursday, 15th. The managers telegraphed for Higgins of New York and his full force, 60 in number. They arrived at 1 p.m. and immediately went to work and completed it on Thursday night at 2 a.m.
Friday, 16th. Canvas was . . . fair house in the afternoon but at 6 p.m. it again commenced snowing and spoiled the night business.
Saturday, 17th. Sun shone out early in the AM and the day promised to be fine but at 12K the weather changed and became very cold. Business, fair.
Sunday, 18th. Storm continued. It snowed for 24 hours. McLean was alert and lowered his top.
Monday, 19th. Weather continued cold and changeable. Business fair.
Tuesday, 20th. Business dull and weather cold.
Wednesday, 21st. Business dull owing to the severity of the weather.
Friday, 23rd. Business fair, weather stormy
Saturday, 24th. Weather continued stormy. The canvas was crowded to the utmost capacity. At 7 p.m. it commenced snowing and at 9 p.m. the canvas fell from the weight of the snow.
Sunday, 25th. Started for Brooklyn to remain 6 days.
Monday, 26th. Business bad.
Tuesday, 27th. Weather continued cold. Prof. Donaldson made an ascension with the press delegation present and landed 30 miles north of the city.
Thursday, 29th. Business fair. Weather moderating.
Friday, 30th. Business fair, weather fair.
May
Saturday, 1st. Weather continues fair. Business good. Prof. Donaldson with press delegation made an ascension and landed 20 M from the city.
Sunday, 2nd. Left New York for Bridgeport, Conn. 58 miles.
Monday, 3rd. Weather fair. Business good.
Tuesday, 4th. New Haven, Conn. 18 miles. Business good. Rained hard.
Wednesday, 5th, Business good. Prof. Donaldson attempted an ascension in a gale, struck a tree and burst his balloon.
Thursday, 6th. Arrive at Hartford at 7 a.m. to remain two days. Distance 28 miles. Business good, weather cloudy and rainy.
Friday, 7th. Weather cloudy and in consequence of the track being in bad condition, we had to abandon it and proceed to Springfield.
Saturday, 8th. Springfield, Mass.
Monday, 10th and 11th. Worcester, Mass. 2 days.
Wednesday, 12th, 13th, 14th. Three days. Providence, R. I.
Thursday, 15th. Taunton, Mass.
Friday, 16th. Sunday, arrived Boston, Mass. and stayed 10 days.
Friday, 28th and 29th. Lynn, Mass.
Sunday, 30th. Started for Portland, Me.
Monday, 31st. Portland, Me.
June
Tuesday, 1st. Lawrence, Mass.
Wednesday, 2nd. Manchester, N. H.
Thursday, 3rd. Concord, N. H.
Friday, 4th. Lowell, Mass.
Saturday, 5th. Fitchburg, Mass.
Sunday 6th. Started for Pittsfield.
Monday, 7th. Pittsfield, Mass.
Tuesday, 8th. Albany, N. Y.
Wednesday, 9th. Troy, N. Y.
Thursday, 10th. Utica, N. Y.
Friday, 11th, 12th. Syracuse, N. Y. 2 days.
Monday, 14th -17th. Rochester, N. Y. 4 days.
Friday, 18th. St. Catharine, Ont.
Saturday, 19th. Brantford, Ont.
Monday, 21st. Hamilton, Ont.
Tuesday, 22nd, 23rd. Toronto, Ont.
Thursday, 24th. Guelph, Ont.
Friday, 25th. Stratford, Ont.
Saturday, 26th. London, Ont.
Sunday, 27th. Arrived at 8 a.m.
Monday, 28th, 29th. Detroit, Mich. 2 days.
Wednesday, 30th. Toledo, Ohio.
July
Thursday, 1st. Adrian, Mich.
Friday, 2nd. Jackson, Mich.
Saturday, 3rd. Lansing, Mich.
Monday, 5th. Grand Rapids, Mich.
Tuesday, 6th. Kalamazoo, Mich.
Wednesday, 7th. Fort Wayne, Ind.
Thursday, 8th. Logansport, Ind.
Friday, 9th. Lafayette, Ind.
Saturday, 10th. Danville, Ills.
Monday, 12th to Saturday 17th. Chicago, Ills.
Monday, 19th to 24th. St. Louis, Mo.
Monday, 26th. Jacksonville, Ill.
Tuesday, 27th. Springfield, Ill.
Wednesday, 28th. Decatur, Ill.
Thursday, 29th. Bloomington, Ill.
Friday, 30th. Peoria, Ill.
Saturday, 31st. Galesburg, Ill.
August
Sunday, 1st. W. Steel drowned at Quincy.
Monday, 2nd. Quincy, Ill.
Tuesday, 3rd. Keokuk, Iowa.
Wednesday, 4th. Burlington, Iowa.
Thursday, 5th. Ottumwa, Iowa.
Friday, 6th. Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Saturday, 7th. Des Moines, Iowa.
Monday, 9th. Iowa City, Iowa.
Tuesday, 10th. Davenport, Iowa.
Wednesday, 11th. Rock Island, Ill.
Thursday, 12th. Freeport, Ill.
Friday, 13th. Dubuque, Iowa.
Saturday, 14th. Waterloo, Iowa.
Sunday 15th. Enroute to Minneapolis, Minn.
Monday, 16th, 17th. Minneapolis, Minn. 2 days.
Wednesday, 18th. St. Paul, Minn.
Thursday, 19th. Red Wing, Minn.
Friday, 20th. Winona, Minn.
Saturday, 21st. Lacrosse, Wis.
Monday, 23rd. Madison, Wis.
Tuesday, 24th. Janesville, Wis.
Wednesday, 25th. Fond du Lac, Wis.
Thursday, 26th. Oshkosh, Wis.
Friday, 27th, 28th. Milwaukee, Wis. 2 days.
Sunday, 29th. Arrived in Rockford.
Monday, 30th. Rockford, Ills.
Tuesday, 31st. Dixon, Ills.
September
Wednesday, 1st. Clinton, Iowa.
Thursday, 2nd. Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Friday, 3rd. Marshalltown, Iowa.
Saturday, 4th. Boone, Iowa.
Sunday, 5th. Laid over in Grand Jct account break in roads.
Tuesday, 7th. Started for Omaha 7 a.m. and got as far as Dunlapand, detained there several hours. Reached Gordon, a village of 200 and had to remain all night. Had breakfast at 7 a.m. Omaha, 6th, and Council Bluffs, 7th lost. Arrived at St. Joseph 7 a.m. 9th, losing the 8th. Distance 132 miles. Business good.
Friday, 10th. Kansas City, Mo.
Saturday, 11th. Moberly, Mo. Detained 4 hours account freight off track.
Sunday, 12th. Enroute to St. Louis for 3 days.
Monday, 13th, 14th, 15th. St. Louis, Mo.
Thursday, 16th. Belleville, Ills.
Friday, 17th. Carmi, Ills.
Saturday, 18th. Evansville, Ind.
Monday, 20th. Vincennes, Ind.
Tuesday, 21st. Terre Haute, Ind.
Wednesday, 22nd. Indianapolis, Ind. 2 days.
Friday, 24th. Louisville, Ky. 2 days.
Monday, 27th. Cincinnati, Ohio. 4 days.
October
Friday, 1st. Richmond, Ind.
Saturday, 2nd. Dayton, Ohio.
Monday, 4th. Columbus, Ohio.
Tuesday, 5th. Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Wednesday, 6th. Akron, Ohio.
Thursday, 7th, 8th, 9th. Cleveland, Ohio.
Closed.
Last modified March 2010.