P. T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, 1880

Route Book, Season of 1880, P. T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, Giving a complete list of all the towns and cities visited, number of miles traveled by railroad, names of all parties connected with the show, synopsis of business, incidents, etc. Compiled by Robert Good and J. W. Little, St. Louis: Globe-Democrat Job Printing Co., 1880. Circus World Museum's Parkinson Library provided the photocopy of this route book. All information should be checked with additional sources. There will be spelling and typographical errors.

P. T. Barnum, Proprietor.

G. F. Bailey, Manager.

A. M. Nathans, Ass’t Manager.

J. J. Nathans, Director of Amusements.

W. E. Sinclair, Treasurer.

E. B. Weeks, Ticket Agent.

Lewis June, General Manger of Advance.

George O. Starr, Assistant Manager of Advance.

F. A. Kelsh, Railroad Contractor.

F. L. Couldock, Contractor.

Charles Gaylor, General Press Agent.

D. S. Thomas, Press Agent.

Chas. B. Mitchell, Assistant Press Agent.

Robt. Fillingham, English Agent, London.

William Cross, English Agent, Liverpool.

James Myres, French Agent, Paris.

Hagenbeck Bros., German Agents, Hamburg.

Thomas Kelley, Layer-out.

R. H. King, Layer-out.

Prof. Dan Lukes, Zoological Lecturer.

Peter S. Halstead, Master of Transportation.

Charles H. McLean, Master of Canvas.

Doctor Wm. Smith, Veterinary Surgeon.

Charles B. Warren, Doorkeeper.

George Wade, Baggage Master.

Performers

Frank Whittaker, Equest’n Direc. and Ring Mas.

Madame Eliza Dockrill, Empress of the Arena.

Miss Lizzie Marcellus, Equestrienne.

Miss Emma Lake, Queen of the Side-Saddle.

Madame Martha, Menage Rider.

Zazel, High Wire and Cannon Act.

Madame Nelson, Trained Doves.

Mons. R. H. Dockrill, Stallion Performer.

Sig. Sebastian and Mast. Lewis, Bareback Carrying Act.

Orrin Hollis, Champion Pad Rider.

Herr Nyegaard, Menage Rider and Horse Train’r.

Prof. Farini, Cannoneer.

Nelson Family, Acrobats.

Leotard Bros., Acrobats.

Clowns

John Robinson, Acrobatic Clown.

Chas. McCarty, Grotesque Clown.

Will H. Stowe, Shakesperian Clown.

Leapers, Tumblers, Acrobats and Gymnasts

John Batchellor, Champ. Double Somersaulter.

Tumblers and Leapers:

William Carroll	Edwin Fritz	George Schrode	John Robinson
John Jeffrey	Harry Wertz	Chas. McCarty	James Stowe
Orrin Hollis	Albert Nolte	John Sherry	Burt Johnson

Entree Riders: Mrs. Sebastian, Mrs. Carroll.

Mrs. White, Mistress of Wardrobe.

Properties

Jos. S. Lanfear, Master.

John O’Brien, Frank Roach, C. P. Forgrave, Louis Davis, Oliver Pertell.

Reserved Seats

William Durham, Ticket Seller.

Charles Benedict, (successor to W. R. Malone), Doorkeeper.

Ushers: Robt. Goode, Alfred Goode.

Main Seat Ushers

Frank Clemons, Chief.

Barney Kelley, Hollis Rogers, Sam. Hammond, H. J. Cunningham.

Advertising Department

Fred A. Keeler, Car Conductor.

Lithographers: J. R. Hull, Louis Emelheinz, Ralph Hughes.

John Theis, Programmer.

Posters:

G. B. Bouman	J. H. Wild	A. West	Wm. White
G. W. Simmons	W. H. Perry	H. Boughton	John Coyan
Wm. Bouman	J. H. Hummill	D. Holbrook

Wither’s Silver Cornet Band

Jos. Withers, Leader.

Reuben Withers	Ben. Nichols	John Nichols	Chas. Blanck
Adolf Weckner	Kelley Webster	Jas. Lydon	Ike Sayers
C. Kayser	Wm. Little	John Rowe	Geo. Oscar
John Willett	Frank Withers

Main Exhibition Tent Canvasmen

Chas. H. McLean, Superintendent.

S. L. Van Wart, Assistant.

C. Hamilton, alias “Old Gafe,” Charge of Seats.

Thos. Austin, Assistant.

Elisha Barrett, Ring Maker.

Arthur J. Delaney, Carpenter.

Gus Rhein, Charge of Flags.

Canvasmen:

Amos Tripp	Harvey H. Ware	Edward Smith	Jarvis Barrett
Thos. Hughes	Dan’l Carroll	Tompkins Hubble	H. J. Cunningham
John Enders	Richard Bryan	Robt. Schultz	Thos. Casey
Peter Johnson	John Ludwig	Jas. Devereaux	Henry Myer
Dan’l Grey	Matthew Kilty	Lucius E. Vose	Ed. Gourdinier
Jacob Healm	Dan’l S. Pierce	Daniel Bausher	Frank Keyes
Franz Kreitzer	Jas. M. Bassford	Walter Marsh

Museum and Menagerie Canvasmen

Chas. H. McLean, Superintendent.

W. L. Wilson, Assistant.

Henry Curley, Charge of Flags.

Canvasmen:

Michael Austin	John Austin	Albertus Nooney	John Teller
Jere. Tompkins	C. H. West	Chas. McBride	Jas. White
John Zimmerman	Jesse Burton

Horse Canvas

Fred. Haffner, Master.

Thompson Miller, George Wilson, James Russell, James O’Brien.

Leonard Loucks, Wagon Greaser.

Chandeliers

G. W. Austin, Gas Engineer.

John Schneider, Assistant.

Animal Men

Prof. Chas. White, Superintendent.

Fred Rivers, Assistant.

Keepers:

Chas. Kreiger	Louis McGovern	John Gutwick	Joe Wagner
Sam Sherman	Geo. Smith	John Betts	Chas. Williams
Arthur Reed	James Carter	Sam. Hodge	Harry Kimm
John Murphy

Elephant Drivers

Wm. Newman, Chas. Schule, Harry Worman.

Museum

W. L. Jukes, Superintendent.

Engineers: J. R. Moore, Jas. Higbee.

Thos. Segee, Fred. Hamilton, Harry Hudson, Chas. Betts, Walter Flynn.

Linus Moores, Bohemian Glass Blowers.

Curiosities

Capt. Geo. Costentenus, Tattooed Greek.

Col Ruth Goshen, Palestine Giant.

Miss Nellie Keeler, Indiana Midget.

The Native Zulus, From Zululand, Africa.

John Hannigan, Agent for Capt. Costentenus.

Grooms and Drivers

William Smith, Superintendent of Horses. Wash Smith, Assistant.

Geo. P. Hewey	Joe Burnham	Jas. Woods	Wm. Ambler
Mell. Welling	Sam. Hammond	Ben. Urie	Barney Keliey
H. Spencer	Hollis Rogers	Sam. Sawyer	Ed. Clark
Wm. More	Jas. Burton	Dave Denio	T. W. Cottrell
Chas. Elwood	Wm. Collem	John Chapman	Clark Egbert
D. B. Wood	Ed. Buckley	Jas. Thomas	Isaac Douglas
George Howser	E. Murdock	Chas. Clark	Geo. Parker
Frank Bradley	Wm. Reed	John Keeler

Ring Stock

Wm. Loughlin	Frank Clark	Budd How	Albert Klotzar
Nils Peterson	Howard Altz	Gochin Dahn	Hewitt Smith
Ignots Abstreiter	John Harley	Wm. Welling	Adolf Stellmacher
W. R. Eldridge

Chariot Men

Silas Frank, Frank Reily, Wm. Prendergast, Charles Perry.

Outside Ticket Agents

Egbert C. Howes, Proprietor Ticket Privilege.

John Flandrau	Barney Fagin	Frank Woodruff	Thos. Dorland
Wally Henion	Frank Webb

Railroad Men

Peter S. Halstead, Master of Transportation.

James Halstead, Assistant.

B. H. Freer, Day Watchman.

Night Watchmen: G. W. Townsend, G. H. Hyatt.

E. Erwin, Car Inspector.

J. Hitchcock, Carpenter.

Chambermaids: George Reed, Hiram Hull.

J. Ferguson	M. Jones	Jas. Kennedy	G. E. Peterson
H. Wilson	T. Morris	E. Eastwood	J. W. Still
J. E. King	J. Robinson	T. B. Ferguson	S. D. Cooper
J. Walsh	T. Wilson

History and Photograph Department

R. T. Westendorf, Manager.

Col. Goshen, Wm. Daalrymple, Agent.

Miss Nellie Keeler, John Delanty, Agent.

Programme

R. T. Westendorf, Proprietor.

E. T. Underhill, Solicitor.

Confectionary Department

R. T. Westendorf, Proprietor and Manager.

E. F. Albee, Assistant Manager.

John Delanty	Burt Pulker	Wm. McElroy	Wm. Albee
Ed. Frazee	Sam’l Ellis	Harry Fisher	Chas. Wright

Barnum’s Hotel

W. L. Jukes, Proprietor.

D. K. Black, Manager.

G. De W. Davis, Contractor.

G. W. Hawley, Chief Cook.

P. Sindsley, Asst. Cook.

Jacob Ockerman, Steward.

Isaac Hall, Head Waiter.

Waiters:

Thos. Quinn	Peter Morrison	Doc Murry	Thos. Gleason
Wm. Pine	J. C. Youngblood	Thos. Campbell	John Drody
John Harvey

Bunnell’s Great Annex and Palace of Wonders

Geo. B. Bunnell, Proprietor.

Wm. Henshaw, Manager.

Frank Townsend, Treasurer and Doorkeeper.

J. W. Whiston, Stage Manager.

Harry Evarts, Lecturer.

Performers

Dick Sands, Irish Comedian and Dancer.

Miss Helen Courtland, The Queen of Song.

Geo. Kurtz and Nellie Brooks, Sketch Artists.

Carroll and Hollis, Acrobatic Song and Dance.

Dan. Luke, Irish Comedian.

W. H. Stowe, Electric Changes.

J. C. Carroll, Ventriloquist.

Master Nelton, Juggler.

J. W. Whiston, Humorist.

Harry Evarts, Magician.

Charles Betts, Pianist.

Orchestra

Reuben Withers, Leader.

Ben. Nichols, John Nichols, Ike Sayers, Kelley Webster, Adolf Weckner.

Curiosities

Mlle. Iboina, The White Moor.

Mlle. Antoinette, Long-Haired Lady.

Zip, The What Is It.

Ashbury Benjamin, The Leopard Boy.

Tommy Prescott, The Talking Bird.

Edison’s Electric Letter-Writer, Operated by J. H. Davis.

Charles Shipley, Charge of Curiosities.

The Canvas

John Barry, Master.

George Haggerty, Thos. Ahern, John Taylor, George C. Dayton, W. P. Vaughan.

W. L. Kelly, Gas Engineer.

Secret Service

R. T. Westendorf, Chief Detective.

Assistants: Michael Austin, John Teller.

For the 1880 route, click here. Opens in new window or tab.

Notes and Incidents of the Season

    Our sixteen days’ stand in New York was attended with good business. From there we moved to Brooklyn, where the canvas was already prepared for us, and done a good business throughout the entire week. The doors were closed every night at eight o’clock, and thousands of disappointed pleasure-seekers were turned away, unable to secure even standing-room. The waterproof canvas fully justified the claims of its owner, as it was subjected to severe wind and rain storms, and was thoroughly tested. While here we received news of Mr. James Cook’s death, who had been obliged to resign his position as “Equestrian Director” while in New York. His loss was a source of great grief to a host of friends, both in and out of the profession. Springfield, Mass. – Will. Malone, “Reserved Seat Doorkeeper,” had a slight altercation with a “guy,” which resulted decidedly in Will’s favor. Boston – Remarkable fine weather and full house. Buffalo – Rained heavily all morning, but cleared off in time to make the usual parade. Good business. Monroe – The guests of the cook tent were regaled with a new beverage. A dead cat was found in the well where they had obtained their drinking water. Fortunately there was no cat-astrophy. Dowagiac – Owing to the wheels becoming loose on one of the stock cars, it was left behind to be repaired. Michigan City – Very cold and disagreeable weather, with a steady rain, which continued without cessation during the run to Chicago, where a lucrative business was done. Mr. Bunnell had considerable opposition to contend with here, but it seemed in now way to affect his business.
    Peoria – Miss Emma Lake’s horse was badly injured in the car, and was left behind in the care of a veterinary surgeon to recover. Freeport – During the afternoon performance the rain descended in torrents. It was impossible to keep the people seated. They stood upon the seats, and waded out doors after the show. No night show was given, the lot being completely swamped. Racine – Received new horse tents to-day. Messrs. Dan Luke and Wally Henion visited a Dutch picnic in the suburbs of the town, and enjoyed themselves hugely. Dan’s appearance upon the stage Monday morning in the character of the “Fighting Sargeant,” made up only in the wardrobe furnished by the “picnic,” was a decided hit. He claimed a few applications of cold water upon the eyes would restore them to their normal condition. Wally came out minus a valuable gold watch, which he afterwards recovered at a cost of $25. Janesville, Mo. [WI] – Burt Robbins visited us to-day. Portage City – Hard rains in the afternoon, but business good, considering unfavorable weather. Winona – The “glorious fourth” was spend very quietly. Occasionally the “snap” of a solitary firecracker could be heard to relieve the monotony. Rochester – The canvas wagon was discovered on fire. It was quickly extinguished, and the damage found to be but trifling. Good business and fine weather in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Sioux City – The American Puma died. The largest excursion train that ever visited a circus arrived to-day. There were over forty cars. Every seat was occupied, and every bit of available space upon the top of the cars was filled with people anxious to see the circus. Dubuque – The first strike of the season occurred to-day. At first it threatened to assume formidable proportions, but was finally settled amicably. It originated in sleeping car 14. The white occupants naturally objected to sleeping with a colored gent, who had charge of the berths, etc. They had became somewhat accustomed to the presence of two imported colored gentlemen in the car, but thought any addition to the number would be “the last straw to break the camel’s back.” It was settled in their favor. Avoca – One of the inevitable quarrels between employees happened to-day. One of the performers became incensed at a canvasman, and the latter was knocked down. The canvasman collected his comrades, and, together with them, attacked the performer, and subjected him to a severe clubbing, which might have terminated quite seriously had he not made his escape. The other performers took the matter in hand, and signed a petition requesting the management to remove the Equestrian Director for not trying to use his influence in stopping the fracas. This gentleman, however, had resigned previously to the petition being sent in, and the matter was thus stettled satisfactorily.
    Omaha – Rained in the morning, but not sufficiently to deter the people from filling the canvas. Columbus – Gave but one performance. A long run to Cheyenne, followed by indifferent houses. While in Boulder several to the boys hired mustangs, and visited “Boulder Canon.” On their return to the town Mr. John Flandrau, the ticket speculator, had a little difficulty with the proverbial mustang, which succeeded in running away with him. It was here John established his enviable reputation as an equestrian. Could he have confined the gyrations, plunges, etc., of his courser into the space afforded by the arena, it would undoubtedly have proven a great feature in the show. He admits the “oscillation was a little bit too vibratory,” but he finally managed to bring his mustang to a stand-still, and, taking everything into consideration, he came out with flying colors. Denver – Mr. Jos. Richardson, Reserved Seat Ticket Agent, left us. Very warm weather, and fine business. On the run from Greeley to Kearney Junction, part of the train became detached, and, coming together again, one of the stock cars was badly wrecked, six miles from Cheyenne, where we laid over to repairs. Owing to the delay no show was given at Kearney Junction. Without doubt it would have been one of the best stands of the season. While passing through the town the streets were literally packed with excursionists; and not to be entirely deprived of their pleasure, the “cow boys” were racing their mustangs and displaying their horsemanship. Atchison – Sent one of the large elephants away.
    Kansas City – Mr. Charles Mitchell, the gentlemanly press agent joined us here. Sedalia – Light rains, but business good. Mexico – Almost immediately after the concert in the big top this afternoon, a terrible wind and rain storm struck us; and in spite of every effort made to withstand the shock, the tents were all blown down, and the canvas torn into ribbons. It was found impossible to give a night show, so everything was loaded and started en route for St. Louis. There was considerable rain in this city during the week. The first day was devoted to repairing canvas, and no performances were given. The balance of the week showed to good houses, especially nights, when many people were refused admittance. Quite a number of employees left, not wishing to go any further South. Among the number were Mr. Thomas, Press Agent, and Mr. Frank Webb, Ticket Agent. Indianapolis – The citizens of this city, unlike many others, enjoyed the opportunity of seeing Mr. P. T. Barnum, who delivered a speech in the arena, which was received with hearty applause. Evansville – A shooting match, between two angry outsiders, in the vicinity of the cook-tent, was frustrated by some of our boys, who separated the combatants and dispersed the crowd. Mr. Wally Henion, Ticket Agent, left us at Belleville to accept an engagement in New York for the winter. Newport – Rained a little in the morning, and while leading the Baby Elephant out of the dressing-room it fell down, and died in a few minutes. Little Rock – Good business. Mr. Waterman, Equestrian Director, remained behind at this point, being too unwell to travel. A few days afterwards news of his death was received by the company, who deeply regretted his loss. His familiar form will no longer be seen leading the procession, and a spirit of sadness pervades the dressing-room.
    Texarkana – One show to a full house. Denison – On our run here the elephant car jumped the track, and was ditched. The elephants sustained no injuries. These Texas railroads are the only ones we have yet traveled over where they dispense entirely with rails, and run over the ties. The sleeping cars lurched to and fro like ships in a storm; and at times it was impossible to sleep, or even stand up in the aisles with safety. Four miles an hour was good average time. Every few miles wrecked cabooses and freight cars could be seen lying in the ditches. Sherman – This evening a grand “concert” was given in car 53, that rivaled even “Bunnell’s Great Annex to Barnum.” Every act was greeted with loud and continued applause. Encore followed encore in quick succession. Everybody connected with the show was present on this occasion, and it was unanimously declared to be the best of the season. No instrumental, but plenty of first-class vocal music. Byran – Our two large Bengal Tigers – the largest in capativity – died to-day. There was quite a skirmish for “claws” among the boys, who wished them for souvenirs. Brenham – The Giraffe died. Evidently this southern climate does not agree with the animals. Mr. John Batchelor, while turning his double somersault over the elephants, alighted on the “pad” a little too far from the center, and, as nearly as could be determined by the physician who attended him, dislocated his ankle, unfitting him for at least the balance of this season. He was obliged to go home from Austin.
    Again we chronicle two more deaths, those of “Moody and Sankey,” the trained oxen, in Austin, where we done a fair business. After a long and very rough run we arrived in Houston, and showed to fair houses. Gave but one performance daily at Columbus, Flatonia and Luling. After thirteen more stands, making the last at Washington, Mo., we disband in St. Louis, and start for winter quarters in Bridgeport, Conn., finishing the longest and one of the most successful seasons ever made by “Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth.”

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