Circus Historical Society
P. T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, 1885
(Barnum & London)
Route Book of P. T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth and The Great London Circus Consolidation 1885. Compiled by Alvaro Betnacourt [A. B. Stewart]. Circus World Museum's Parkinson Library provided the photocopy of this route book. Some information is not included in this online transcription. All information should be checked with additional sources. There will be spelling and typographical errors.
Board and Officers
J. A. Bailey, General Manager.
J. L. Hutchinson, Financier.
Frank Hyatt, Assistant Manager.
L. M. Hedges, Superintendent.
Merritt Young, Treasurer.
Benjamin Fish, Secretary.
J. T. McCaddon, Assistant Treasurer.
F. L. Perley, Press Agent.
Henry Barnum, Superintendent and Router of Parade.
Byron V. Rose, Superintendent of Transportation.
R. H. King, Thos. Kelly, Layers out and Forage Agents.
Wm. Ducrow, Equestrian Director.
J. Chas. Davis, Descriptive Lecturer and Ring Master.
Wm. Beecher, Outside Ticket Manager.
Harry Merriam, Ticket Counter.
E. F. Enos, Chief Door Keeper.
C. W. Barnard, Chief Usher.
Prof. James S. Robinson, Musical Director.
Charles McLean, Master of Canvas. L. D. Putnam, Albert Cole, Wm. Wilson, Assistants.
James A. Fuqua, Master of Stable. T. Lynch, Assistant.
Wm. Smith, Master of Ring Stock.
Peter Halstead, Master of Repairs.
Geo. W. Johnson, Master of Menagerie.
Geo. Arstingstall, Trainer of Elephants. Wm. Newman, Assistant.
Mathew Scott, Jumbo’s Keeper.
Chas. White, Superintendent of Sacred Elephant.
H. Engelke, Company’s Representative at Cook Tent.
A. B. Stewart, Mail and Programme Agent.
F. E. Davis, Concert Programme Agent.
John Cooper, Special Officer of Pinkerton’s Agency.
Circus
Gentlemen:
Wm. Dutton, Orrin Hollis, Principal Bareback Riders.
Juan A. Caicedo, Tight Wire.
Robert C. Gilfort, Wm. Gilfort, Roman Gladiators.
John T. Crossley, Wm. Elder, Caledonian Sports.
George Schrode, John G. Schrode, Wm. C. Schrode, Henry J. Schrode, Brother Act.
Hugo Moulton, Frank Avery, Double Horizontal Bars.
Frank Morgan, Five Horse Rider.
T. Watson, Natalio Lowande, C. Romelli, J. Ledesma, Ladders.
Tatalia, Contortion Rings.
James Coyle, Willie Dorr, Perch and Brother Act.
Victor Laiscell, Act of Equiliberium.
Natalio Lowande, Joseph Ledesma, High Perch.
C. M. Ashley, E. D. Hess, Grotesque Skating and Big Policeman.
Yamamoto, Wire and Slide.
August Buislay, Double Flying Trapeze.
Joseph Ledesma, Trapeze.
Charles White, Performing Stallions.
Young Nicholas, Wire Act.
Ceballos, Perch.
Clowns:
Wm. Conrad, With Performing Elephant and Pig.
Geo. Melville, Grotesque.
Louis Snow, Ed. Fritz, Chas. Bliss, Clint Romelli, Al. Carron, Knock-Abouts.
Whitfield, the Countryman.
Tumblers and Leapers
John F. Batchelor, Principal Leaper.
| Clint Romelli | John Hunterson | George Melville | Robt. Leando | Frank Morgan |
| Chas. Bliss | Edwin Fritz | Louis Snow | Tom Watson | Tatalia |
| Geo. Schrode | Wm. Schrode | Henry Schrode | Willie Dorr | Frank Avery |
| John Crossley | Jas. Coyle | Hugo Moulton | Vie LaIscelle | Joe Ledesma |
| Al. Carron | Wm. Elder | John Schrode |
Miss Elena Jeal, Miss Linda Jeal, Principal Bareback Riders.
Nala Damajante, Hindoo Snake Charmer.
Mlle Zarah, Mid-Air Balancing Feats.
Mlle Martell, Bicycles.
Mad. Buislay, Miss Mattie Jackson, Manage Acts.
Miss Yamannto, Sword Walking.
Mrs. Orrin Hollis, Mrs. Foster, Miss Mattie Jackson, Mrs. Helene Dutton, Entree Riders.
Hippodrome
J. Chas. Davis, Judge. Wm. Ducrow, Starter. Wm. Dutton, Flagman.
Lady Jockeys: Miss Christine Stickney, Miss May Stewart, Miss Mattie Jackson, Miss Jennie Sawyer, Miss Nellie Venoa.
Chariot Drivers: Madame Watson, William Smith.
Roman Standing Race Riders: Frank Morgan, John Hunterson, Tom Watson.
Runners: John Crossley, Wm. Elder, Al. Caron.
Male Jockeys: Wm. Aspinwall, James Harrigan, James Barlow, Wm. H. Lynch.
Robinson’s Celebrated Military Band, 20 pieces.
| James S. Robinson, Conductor | Wade Buckley, Solo Bb Cornet | J. W. Jamison, 1st Bb Cornet |
| James Byron, 2nd Bb Cornet | John Wenterberger, Eb Cornet | George Cann, Eb Piccolo |
| Michael Hickey, Eb Clarionett | P. Biaselli, 1st Bb Clarionett | C. N. Bragg, 2nd Bb Clarionett |
| Ed. W. Weber, Solo Eb Alto | O. P. Perry, 1st Eb Alto | W. I. Beebe, 2nd Eb Alto |
| W. H. Fry, Solo Euphonium | W. L. March, 1st Bb Trombone | J. H. Johnson, 2nd Bb Trombone |
| G. I. Partridge, 3d Bb Trombone | L. J. Arnold, 1st Eb Tuber | W. W. Sweetland, 2nd Eb Tuber |
| H. E. Maynard, Bass Drum, Cymbols | Thomas McKenna, Small Drum, Bels, Xylophone |
Partridge’s Continental Band
| G. I. Partridge, Leader | James Bryon, Solo Cornetist | C. H. Bragg, 1st Bb Clarionett | George Cann, Solo Piccolo |
| Dennis Hartnett, 2nd Bb Clarionett | A. C. Goulden, Snare Drummer | C. H. Lindsay, Snare Drummer | Geo. H. Studley, Snare Drummer |
| John Buggay, Snare Drummer | H. I Messer, Bass Drummer |
C. A. Baker, Calliope Player.
C. W. Bernard, Bell Chimes.
James Higbee, Licensed Engineer and Organist.
Sam D. Cooper, Engineer of Calliope.
Ticket Sellers, Doorkeepers, etc.
Main Entrance: E. F. Enos, Chief Doorkeeper.
Louis Hedges, Byron Rose, W. D. Hagar, Door Keepers. Wm. Dutton, Frank Morgan, Assistants.
Reserved Seats, Door Keepers: James Higbee, Henry Barnum, C. Lindsay, A. C. Gouldon.
D. Hamilton, Dressing Room Door Keeper.
Reserved Seats, Ticket Agents: John Crossley, Edward Mott, Wm. Elder, C. A. Baker.
Outside Ticket Agents: Wm. Beecher, Manager. J. E. Lippincott, E. Stokes, Tom Rhoden, W. Bartels.
Jeff Callan, Store Ticket Agent. Joe Myers, Assistant.
Museum
Jo Jo, Russian Dog-Faced Boy. Nicholas Foster, Manager.
Native Guatemalan Musicians, Miramba Players, Guatemalan Dwarf.
Rafael Borges, Jose Lemus, Managers.
Sacred Elephant’s Retinue: Chas. White, Superintendent; Reddy, Hindoo Keeper.
Burmese Dwarf, Moung Bouk.
Burmese Ladies, Mah Hmet and Mah Khin.
Burmese Children, Thine Woon and Htoon Yohn.
Hindoo Nautch Girls, three.
High and Low Caste Hindoos (three males and one female).
A Native of the Andaman Islands.
Afghan Warriors from Afghanistan.
Todas Indians from the Nilgiri Mountains, Southern India.
Nubian Arabs from the Soudan.
| Adomna | Ali | Mahmet Ali | Mustafor |
| Mahmet Adam | Mahmet Apam | Bilal | Mahmet Ahmet |
| Mg Hps Tsar | Moung Myine | Mg Hpo Thine | Mg Htoon Lin |
| Shoa Roo | Run Htoo | Hpo Goung | Hkoay Ngyov |
Wardrobe Department
Mrs. Annie White, Costumer. Willie White, Master of Wardrobe.
Assistants: J. Stack, C. Lindsay, J. Buggay, G. Studley, D. Hartnette, H. Messer, A. Golden.
Property Men
Mike Austin, Master of Properties. Ben Hammond, Assistant.
Ring No. 1: J. Monroe, George Baker, J. Wetz, H. Church, S. Lake, C. Gall.
Stage: H. Cary, D. Kitchel, J. Hanley.
Ring No. 2: James Donovan, Wm. Malone, J. Posnette, Geo. Eisenbarth, Geo. Schaeffer.
Canvasmen
Chas. McLean, Master of Canvas. L. D. Putnam, Albert Cole, Wm. L. Wilson, R. Schultz, Assistants.
Big Top: L. D. Putnam, Al. Cole, Superintendents.
Seat Men:
| H. McCracken | C. Mallory | T. Fullerton | H. Hartman | J. Fenton |
| J. Hughes | Frank Wilshire | E. W. Lafflin | D. Hamilton | J. Barret |
| J. Hemming | D. Wilshire |
Ring and Track Men
E. Lacy, Frank Peets, Bosses.
| H. Myers | C. Algers | P. Crosby | N. Anderson | F. Zipp |
| J. Nolan | W. Ennis | C. Hicks | Job Gordon | W. Wilson |
| W. Murphy | Elm Hanscum | W. Harris | O. Bradley | J. Miller |
| S. Nelson | O. Clare | S. McCrackin | E. Ray | J. Rohn |
| S. T. Tompkins | J. Turner | W. Tobin | C. Murphy | C. Smith |
| E. Fuller | E. Shanahan | E. Buckley | F. Schecker | A. Thomas |
| C. Fredricks | T. Conners | W. Dunnigan | F. Hissick | W. Adair |
| G. Wilson | G. Hill | J. Williams | W. Coyle | J. Boyle |
| W. Moore | E. Sandford | F. Kelly | A. Rowell | E. Leighton |
| F. Stiegler | T. English | F. Walsh |
| C. Chorman | F. Keirnan | F. Long | J. McKinzey | W. Shearing |
| J. Austin | J. Kelley | W. Smith | J. Tennison | F. Walton |
| C. Montague | H. Green | G. White | W. Flynn | R. J. Smith |
| John Ward | J. Maben | E. Dayton |
R. Shultz, Superintendent.
E. Eiltsie, J. McGee, T. Hubbell, J. McGraw, John McLaughlin.
Ring Stock
Wm. Smith, Master Ring Stock.
Robt. Howman, Wash Smith, Jake Wile, Pony Drivers.
Wm. Hill, Mr. Hutchinson’s Groom.
| Hnery Vogt | Wm. Gray | F. Ball | Hugo Bochdam | J. S. Williams |
| Fred Heller | Chas. Williams | Wm. Laughlin | Joe Casmier | Chas. Westcott |
| George Vaughn | John Chappman | Dave Fry | Ed Smith |
Railway
Byron V. Rose, Supt. of Transportation.
Geo. Sholders, Car Inspector.
John McLaughlin, Watchman 1st Baggage Train.
Andrew Murty, Watchman 2d Baggage Train.
Samuel Cooper, Watchman Cage Train.
Train Men
| Wesley Blair | Geo. Beya | Ben Given | Jacob Chowning | Wm. Kingery |
| John Young | John Adams | Thos. McGrath | Alex. Racine | John Fox |
| D. W. Knowlton | William Porter | Pearce Cope | Henry Travis |
| Paul Beven, Porter Car No. 50 | Frank Hoffman, Porter Car No. 51 | George Byrnes, Porter Car No. 53 |
| C. J. Jans, Porter Car No. 54 | Charles Carroll, Porter Car No. 55 | Billy Austin, Porter Cars No. 58 & 59 |
Department of Stables
James A. Fuqua, Master of Stables. Thomas Lynch, Assistant.
Eight Horse Drivers:
D. B. Woods, Band Chariot No. 1. Dave Denio, Band Chariot No. 2.
A. Marshall, Globe Tableaux. Joe Hannah, Elephant Tableaux.
Helpers: Fred Bowen, George Fisher, George S. Howard, N. M. Lord.
Six Horse Drivers:
A. J. Beegle, Hamilton Spence. Joe Benedict, Helper.
John Taylor, Marshall Tripp. George Brown, Helper.
Fred Prentiss, James Thomas. P. Mallory, Helper.
James Woods.
Four Horse Drivers:
| John Ballette | John Fisher | John Woods | Lloyd Humphreys | Chas. Huble |
| Jas. Doyle | Chas. F. Smith | Jas. Taylor | Wm. Bascom | Ed. Wade |
| Wm. Stillman | Wm. Simmons | Cobb DuBois | Ed. Gardner | Thos. Roney |
| Frank Webster | Thos. Abbott | Luke Graham |
D. G. Tripp, Water Wagon No. 1. George Shea, Water Wagon No. 2.
Dr. Charles Butler, Veterinary Surgeon. Dr. P. Marshall, Assistant.
Menagerie
George W. Johnson, Superintendent.
W. H. Winner, Tiger Den. W. H. Blackburne, Lion Den.
C. H. Schumacher, Panther and Leopard Den.
J. T. McCabe, Bear Den.
Cage Men: Yocum Delin, J. Cutis, G. W. Saltzgiver, F. Bushey.
S. V. Kock, Zebras.
Camel Men: S. C. Lee, J. M. Woods, D. C. Ragan, C. R. Reilly, T. M. Brown.
Elephant Men:
George Arstingstall, Trainer and Superintendent. William Newman, Assistant.
M. Scott, Jumbo’s Keeper.
George Holten, C. W. Roy, H. H. Main, C. F. Callahan, D. A. Watson, T. Doyle, G. Bates.
Chandelier Department: G. W. Austin, Superintendent. Chas. Stock, H. Curley, Cornelius Murphy.
Reparing Department: P. S. Halstead, Superintendent.
Wm. Carson, Clarence Teater, Blacksmiths and Horseshoers.
F. J. Porter, Wagon Repairer.
J. Harty, Harness Maker.
L. Loucks, Wagon Oiler.
Privileges
Under the management of Wm. D. Hagar, W. T. Campbell, Wm. Henshaw.
Side Show
Wm. Henshaw, Manager.
Harry Everett, Lecturer and Prestidigator.
Richard Elliott, Outside Lecturer and Ticket Seller.
Charles Sutherland, Door Keeper.
Sutherland Sisters, 7, Long Haired Wonders. Naomi, Sarah, Victoria, Gracie, Mary, Dora, Isabella.
Mlle Etta, High Wire Ascension.
Miss Annie Jones, Bearded Lady.
Miss Ida Jeffries, Circassian and Snake Charmer.
Madame Southwick, Living Phantom.
Charles B. Tripp, Armless Marvel.
Two Aztecs (Max and Bartolo), Mrs. Nellie Marsh, Matron.
John Darrington, Living Skeleton.
James Maurice, Elastic Skin Wonder.
Giacomo Galleti, Performing Birds.
H. Everett, Punch and Judy.
Military Band
| Anthony Cameroni, Leader | Joseph Cameroni, Trombone | G. A. Cianiaglini, Bb Cornet | Alfonso Labbinto, Bb Cornet |
| Angelo Calandro, Eb Clarionette | Francesco Coppla, Alto | John Munch, Trombone | Custode Renzi, Eb Bass |
| Achille Falconi, Snare Drum | Michell Scioli, Bass Drum |
Concert Co.
W. D. Hagar, Manger.
Whitfield, Man of Many Faces.
Harry Rogers, Change Artist.
Flynn & O’Brien, Ethiopian Comedians.
Helene Smith, Song and Dance.
Eva Bennett, Serio Comic.
Hindoo Nautch Dancing Girls (3).
Concert Band:
| James S. Robinson, First Violin | E. W. Weber, Second Violin | W. J. Beebe, Viola | George Cann, Flute |
| Michael Hickey, Clarionett | John A. Johnson, Trombone | L. J. Arnold, Bass | Thomas McKenna, Drums, &c. |
Confectionary
W. T. Campbell, manager.
Wm. L. Breen, Superintendent.
Main Stands: L. A. Wright, Harry Abbott, James E. Fay, C. W. Waters, Eddie Ward, James Cook.
Side Show Stand: C. G. Dukes.
Outside Stand: John Flandreau, Harry Merrick.
John Gordon, Fred Coughlin, Animal Books and Life of P. T. Barnum.
Advance Corps
W. H. Gardner, General Advertising Agent.
Andrew Haight, General Railroad Contractor.
Chas. Stow, R. F. Hamilton, F. L. Perley, Press Agents.
J. V. Striebig, Excursion Agent.
R. F. Ball, O. J. Boyd, Contracting Agent.
Harry Montague, J. B. Gaylord, Foreign Agents.
Ira Ensminger, John Angevine, B. H. Grover, Special Agents.
Car No. 1: H. C. Hedges, Manager.
| Tom Dailey | D. Holbrok | D. Doyle | Geo. Frasier | Chas. Venable |
| C. Betts | George Collier | G. Donahue | W. H. Brown | John Runnells |
| J. Wickner | C. Foulk | Geo. Beckley | W. L. Burton |
| Jos. Currie | Geo. Cummings | Geo. Baldwin | Geo. Mitchell | Wm. H. West |
| Wm. Murphy | Wm. Vandenburgh | Chas. Waldron | Gus Van Tyle | John Ryan |
| John W. Ishan | R. E. McNiffe | Ed Metz | H. J. Steele |
| James McKeag | Chas. Reynolds | Brine Link | Thos. Dransfield | Ed. Tilford |
| Andy Strobel | John Nugent | Will Alvathen | Will P. Fay | Joe Vron |
| Charles Ross | Chas. P. Casgrain |
| E. M. Loure | Chas. Dutcher | W. Dumont | B. Conn | E. R. Coogan |
| R. G. Thompson | D. M. Buckley | Ed. Burke | W. H. Isham | S. J. McClosky |
Hotel De Barnum
J. E. Robbins, Proprietor and Manager.
Fred Sutherland, Steward.
Joe Anderson, Boss Canvasman.
Harry Sawyer, Head Waiter.
Joseph Rabello, Pastry Cook.
Cooks: George Lewis, Charles Kohl, James McGee, Thomas Lawrence, Thomas Mitchell.
Water Carriers: Charles Puffer, Henry Holligan.
John Hart, Laundry Superintendent.
Waiters:
| Joe Horton | Jack Gilliland | John Dunnigan | Frank McDonald | Frank Vack |
| P. J. Murphy | J. J. Murphy | Tim Stevens | Frank Spencer | Fred Clarkson |
| Ed. Mulholland | John Reiliy | John Geran | Grant Davis | A. J. Watt |
| S. F. Laurendeau | John Fay | Geo. Weed |
Advertising Programme
Charles Lloyd, Proprietor.
Caleb Underhill, Advertising Solicitor.
A. B. Stewart, Collector.
Joe Myers, Distributor of Programmes.
Balloon Privilege
Ben Davenport, Proprietor.
Agents: George Hackett, Frank Fox, Frank O’Neill, Patrick Gerrin.
Tonsorial Artist: Nelson Hadley.
John A. Fields, Valet to Wm. Hutchinson.
Interesting Statistics
From New York to Bridgeport, 8,471 miles
Length of season (exclusive of Sunday), 192 days
Number of employees, 620
Number of flat cars, 24
Number of stock cars, 11
Number of elephant cars, 5
Number of baggage cars, 1
Number of sleeping cars, 7
Number of advertising cars, 4
Number of baggage and tableaux wagons, 75
Number of animal cages, 25
Number of elephants, 30
Number of camels, 25
Number of horses and ponies, 270
Canvas:
Big Top, 488x252 feet
Menagerie, 296x136 feet
Museum, 216x136 feet
Dressing Room, 131x76 feet
Horse Tents (7), 80x40 feet
Side Show Tent, 156x116 feet
Cook Tents, 60x40 and 50x30
Circus, written for the New York Clipper, by J. Charles Davis.
Circus day – brother glad
Daughter foolish, father mad,
Circus parade through the town,
Girl at window looking down;
Actor sees her through the sash –
Looking upward, makes a mash.
Circus show on the lot.
Spivin’s family tickets got.
Daughter seated, opera glass,
Watching all the actors pass.
Circus over, one away –
Come again some other day;
Daughter missing, mother sad,
Brother crazy, father mad.
Circus comes another year,
Tights and spangles looking queer;
Spiven’s daughter with the clown,
From a wagon looking down.
Father sees her – gets a gun;
Thinks the clown will surely run;
But he don’t, bet your life!
Stays there to protect his wife.
Dad forgives them, mother glad,
Daughter happy, brother sad –
Wants to be an actor too,
So’s to capture Susan Glue.
All over.
Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson, Greatest Show on Earth!
Season of 1885
Grand inauguration of the season at the Madison Square Garden, New York City, Monday afternoon, March 16th. The usual torchlight parade took place, Saturday night, March 14th. The weather being propitious the streets were crowded and it was with the utmost difficulty the procession could pass through the surging masses. The metropolitan press unanimously endorsed the pageant as the crowning triumph of Barnum’s career.
The interior of the Garden, tastefully decorated, was arranged with three rings and a stage. One of them was curtained off and contained Museum, Menagerie, and Ethnological Congress. The programme, with slight changes, for the first four weeks ran as follows:
Programme of Acts, subject to change.
Grand Overture, under the directorship of Prof. James S. Robinson.
Clowns: Geo. Adams, Grimaldi. Wm. Conrad, Geo. Melville, Chas. Bliss, Eugene Fritz, Whitfield, George Carron, Louis Snow, Albert Carron and Major Atom.
1. Inaugural Simultaneous Classic Procession and Oriental Pageant.
1. Mrs. General Tom Thumb’s Fairy Land Levee, and Olympian Stage Reception in Wonderland. Introduction of Jumbo, Baby Elephant, &c., &c. Nala-Damajante, The Heroic and Beautiful Snake Charmer.
3. Ring 1: Performing Stallins, Prof. Chas. White.
3. Ring 3: Five Trained Trakene Stallions, Wm. Ducrow.
4. Ground and Lofty Tumbling Tournament, by Three Circus Companies.
5. Ring 1: Champion Club Swinging Act, Gus Hill. Scottish Pastimes and Caledonian Sports, Crossley & Elder. Cannon Ball Act, Herr Drayton.
5. Stage: Wonderful Illustrations of Roller Skating, Ashley & Hess.
5. Ring 2: Mounting and Descending Ladders Barefoot, upon Sword Blades, Miss Zamamoto.
5. Ring 3: Dancing Barrel, Geo. Earle. Parallel Bars, Leopold & Wentworth.
6. Principal Bareback Act, Viola Rivers.
6. Ring 2: Bareback Equestrianism, Josie DeMott.
6. Ring 3: Principal Bareback Act, Linda Jeal.
7. Ring 1: Full Dress Acrobatic Performances, Schrode Bros.
7. Stage: The Martell Family in their Original Bicycle Performaces.
7. Ring 2: Roman Gladiatorial Contests, Classic Statues and Prodigious Feats of Strength, Gilfort Bros.
7. Ring 3: High Russian Ladder Act, Fredericks Glass & Levan. Chair Pyramids, Victor Laicelle.
8. Ring 1: Mid-Air Flying Rings, M’lle Zoe.
8. Stage. High Wire Evolutions, M’lle Zuella.
8. Ring 2: Daring Lofty Balancing on Swaying Trapeze, M’lle Zarah.
8. Ring 3: Zenith Floating Ring Achievements, M’lle La Fevre.
9. Ring 1: Principal Bareback Somersault Act, Orrin Hollis.
9. Ring 2: All-World Champion Principal Bareback Act, Charles Fish.
9. Ring 3: Principal Bareback Evolutions, Wm. Dutton.
10. Ring 1: Parallel Horizontal Bars, Vanauken & Neu.
10. Stage: Swift High Wire Descent holding by the teeth along, M’lle Zarah. Also introducing her flock of Beautiful trained Doves.
10. Ring 2: Great Horizontal Bar Trio, Ashton, Leandro & Snow. Hoop perch, Coyle & Dorr.
10. Ring 3: Gutta Percha Gymnasts & Grotesque High Kickers, Caron Bros.
11. Ring 1: Steeple Chase Manage, Madam Martha.
11. Stage: Performing Goat, Chas. White.
11. Ring 2: Hurdle Manage, Josie De Mott.
11. Ring 3: The American Manage, Mattie Jackson.
12. Ring 1: Extraordinary High Japanese Slack Wire, Yamamoto. Table Pyramids, Edwards & Romelli.
12. Stage: Uproarious Fun on Rollers, Ashley & Hess.
12. Ring 2: Phenomenal Performances and Amazing Terpischorean and Somersault Feats on the High Single Wire, Juan Caicedo.
12. Ring 3: Classic Brother Act, Coyle & Dorr. Spring Platform, Leando & Snow.
13. Ring 1: Herd of Huge Educated Elephants, introduced by their trainer, Geo. Arstingstall.
13. Stage: Only Dwarf Clown Elephant, “Tom Thumb,” Wm. Conrad.
13. Ring 3: Drove of Young Performing Elephants, Wm. Newman.
14. Ring 1: English Jockey Act, Charles Fish.
14. Ring 2: French Jockey, Frank Morgan.
14. Ring 3: American Jockey Act, Orrin Hollis.
15. Ring 1: Floating Trapeze, Sig. Ledesma.
15. Stage: Flying Trapeze, August Buisley.
15. Ring 2: Trapeze Sensations, M’lle Zuela.
15. Ring 3: Prodigious Palmer, the Human Fly.
16. Ring 1: Horse Bareback Act, Frank Morgan.
16. Ring 2: Bareback Hurdle Act, Linda Jeal.
16. Ring 3: Five-Horse Bareback Act, Wm. Dutton.
17. Somersault Leaps Over Elephants, by the Champions.
Wednesday, March 18th. During the afternoon performance Ben Hammond received a kick in the arm from Dutton’s horse Blucher, causing a compound fracture. He was taken to Bellveue Hospital, and a voluntary subscription of $125.00, was raised for his benefit
Monday, March 23rd. S. S. Smith retires; J. Chas. Davis filling the position during the entire season.
April
Monday 6th. Mlle Lefevre, Earle, Gus Hill, Leando, Zuello, Jossie DeMott and Russian Athletes leave the show. The Hippodrome Races are added as follows:
Hippodrome Races
Wm. Ducrow, Judge. J. Chas. Davis, Starter.
1st Race, Jockey Race, three times around.
| Horses | Jockeys | Colors |
| Gold Dust | J. Flynn | Red and Blue |
| Lightning | J. Barlow | Red and Green |
| Gibon | J. Nelson | Green and Pink |
| Olivette | J. Ross (colored) | Blue and Yellow |
| Buckshot | B. Bishop | Purple |
| Prince | W. Aspinwall | Red and Black |
3d Race, Man against Running Horse, once around, Al Carron.
4th Race, Ladies’ Flat Race, three times around.
| Horses | Lady Jockeys | Color of Streamers |
| Kansas | Miss May Stewart | Blue and Red |
| Gazelle | Miss Jennie Sawyer | Blue and White |
| Dohlman | Miss Rosaline Stickney | Yellow and White |
| Jennie | Miss Nella Venoa | Purple and White |
| Soda | Miss Mattie Jackson | Red and White |
6th Race, Fast Foot Race, once around, Crossley and Elder.
7th Race, Camel Race, once around.
8th Race, Double Team Roman Standing Race, three times around.
| Horses | Riders | Colors |
| Bill and Bird | T. Watson | Yellow |
| Silver and Dan | John Hunterson | Red |
| Gipsey and Colver | Frank Morgan | White |
10th Race, Elephant Race, to saddle, once around.
11th Race, Four Horse Roman Chariot Race, three times around.
| Four Horses Abreast | Chariotees |
| Nigger, Star, Fritz and Stocking | Madame Watson |
| Pete, Jerry, Spider and Eagle | Wm. Smith |
Tuesday, 7th. Mrs. Tom Thumb and Count Magu are married and return to the show.
Saturday, 11th. Viola Rivers and husband retire from the company.
Tuesday, 14th and Wednesday 15th. During each of the afternoon shows, a horse was seriously injured in the boys jockey race, it being necessary in both cases to kills the animal.
Saturday, 18th. Close of the best 6 weeks business ever known in New York City.
Monday, 20th, one week, Brooklyn, N. Y. Ferry, 1 mile. Tatalia is taken sick with the measles. Tuesday evening, Harry VanAucken whilst leaping dislocated his ankle and was conveyed to St. Mary’s Hospital. Francis Kennebel leaves for home with chills and fever.
Monday, 27th, one week, Philadelphia, Pa., 90 miles. Hotels: Columbia, Great Western. During the parade Hicks strikes Faust with the butt end of a whip, knocking out his eye. Little Nicolas taken ill with the measles. Thursday afternoon terrible wind storm, followed by rain. No races.
May
Saturday, 2d. Loyal and wife and child, Mrs. Stewart, also Hicks, leave the company.
Monday, 4th, Norristown, Pa., 17 miles. Hotels: Windsor, Farmers, Exchange, Hartranft.
Tuesday, 5th, Reading, Pa., 41 miles. Hotels: Keystone, Central.
Arrived late owing to a slight accident, cook tent wagon striking the roof of a tunnel, thereby causing a delay. At night performance a violent storm arose, and Mr. Hutchinson deeming it dangerous under the canvas, so notified the audience. Only half of the performance was given.
Wednesday, 6th, Lancaster, Pa., 42 miles. Hotels: City, Eagle. Rain in afternoon.
Thursday, 7th, Harrisburg, Pa., 50 miles. Hotel: United States. Rain all day. Wet weather parade.
Friday, 8th, Lebanon, Pa., 26 miles. Hotels: Lebanon Valley, United States. Rain. Melchor Organ breaks down. Clear night.
Saturday, 9th, Ashland, Pa., 90 miles. Hotels: Union, Mansion. Arrived 8:30, bad road. Very cold. Horse Invincible dies. Miss Linda Jeal is presented with a beautiful butter-dish. A birthday gift from the lady jockeys, also silver tea set from her sister Elena.
Monday, 11th, Williamsport, Pa., 78 miles. Hotels: Park, Porter. Billy dangerously ill!!!. What Billy? Billy-goat. Jack Wilson leaves for home.
Tuesday, 12th, Dansville, Pa., 52 miles. Hotels: City, Revere.
Wednesday, 13th, Scranton, Pa., 66 miles. Hotels: Wyoming, Lackawanna Valley. Egbert Hines’ Annex joins the show.
Thursday, 14th, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 20 miles. Hotel: Bristol.
Friday, 15th, Allentown, Pa., 83 miles. Hotel: Merchants.
Saturday, 16th, Easton, Pa., 17 miles. Hotels: Lee, Gerber. Showed in Phillipsburg, N. J., and in Cooper’s vernacular, “everything goes.”
Monday, 18th, Brigeton, N. J., 120 miles. Hotels: City, Davis. Arrived Sunday at 12:00 a.m. Formed a church party and visited the Salvation Army Meeting.
Tuesday, 19th, Camden, N. J., 38 miles. Hotels: West Jersey, Cooper’s Point. A delegation of the ladies visited Mll’e Turnou in Philadelphia, and presented her the purse of $200.00 raised by the entire company as a sympathetic token in her hour of affliction.
Wednesday, 20th, Trenton, N. J., 34 miles. Hotels: National and United States. Mr. Bailey leaves the show.
Thursday, 21st, Newark, N. J., 48 miles. Hotels: Park, Belvedere. Flying visit to the show from “The Loved Ones at Home.”
Friday, 22nd, Patterson, N. J., 25 miles. Hotel: Passaic. Kennebel leaves the show.
Saturday, 23d, Middletown, N. Y., 50 miles. Hotels: Commercial, Taylor, Bell. Rain in morning.
Monday, 25th, Danbury, Conn., 85 miles. Hotel: Worcester. Arrived Sunday 10:00 a.m. All the fishermen made excursion to the beautiful lake. Merritt Young, Joe McCadden and Louis Hedges receiving a plunge bath by the upsetting of their boat, but were satisfactorily compensated by a splendid dinner at the Lake Hotel.
Tuesday, 26th, Waterbury, Conn., 30 miles. Hotel: David House. Home of P. T. Barnum. Visit of the senior member of the firm to the afternoon performance. [Note: this may be the comment for Bridgeport.]
Wednesday, 27th, Bridgeport, Conn., 32 miles. Hotel: Elm.
Thursday, 28th, New Haven, Conn., 18 miles. Hotel: Union.
Friday, 29th, Hartford, Conn., 36 miles. Hotel: American. Birth of a young camel.
Saturday, 30th, Holyoke, Mass., 34 miles. Hotels: Palatine, Exchange.
June
Monday, 1st, Springfield, Mass., 8 miles. Hotels: Gilmore, Belmont, Exchange.
Tuesday, 2nd, Worcester, Mass., 54 miles. Hotels: United States, Exchange.
Wednesday, 3d, Norwich, Conn., 60 miles. Hotels: American, Union Square.
Thursday, 4th, Providence, R. I., 51 miles. Hotels: City, Freeman. Turned away thousands afternoon and evening.
Friday, 5th, Woonsocket, R. I., 30 miles. Hotels: Woonsocket, Holmes. Rain all day and very cold. Return of Mr. Bailey.
Saturday, 6th, Marlborough, Mass., 34 miles. Hotel: Windsor.
Monday, 8th, one week, Boston, Mass., 34 miles. Hotels: Creighton, Metropolitan.
Opened Monday in a terrible rain storm. Wednesday turned away many. Billy Dutton falls from his horse, striking on an iron stake and severely injures his foot and is unable to ride for several weeks. Eddie Mott leaves. Gypsie family go home. Mr. Baily goes to New York to recuperate failing health.
Monday, 15th, Brockton, Mass., 20 miles. Hotels: Holbrook, City. Showed on Fair Grounds.
Tuesday, 16th, New Bedford, Mass., 35 miles. Hotel: Mansion. The Nubians leave for their home in Central Africa.
Wednesday, 17th, Fall River, Mass., 14 miles. Hotel: Wilbur.
Thursday, 18th, Newport, R. I., 18 miles. Hotel: Park.
Clipper letter: A Thrilling Adventure. One of the “boys” with the Barnum Show writes us that at Newport, R. I., recently, “J. L. Hutchinson had quite an adventure. He went over to Narragansett Beach by the regular boat, but was so charmed with the scenery that he arrived at the pier too late for the return trip. Not caring to spend the night at the Beach, he hired an old ‘shell-back,’ with a large sailboat to convey him to Newport, distant fifteen miles. The patron of Olympian games and the representative of those who ‘go down to the sea in ships’ started on their voyage with a fair wind, but, after covering about one-half of the distance, the breeze left them out on the open sea, with only one oar to propel a very unwieldy craft. Darkness came on, and they were anything but comfortable. The only thing to do was to wait for the wind. Mr. H. retired to the cabin for forty winks, and endeavored to make himself comfortable with the ancient mariner’s oilskin coat. In the darkness of the little cabin he shifted his position frequently to avoid what he believed to be water. In this case, feeling sometimes deceives, for, when the boat arrived at the wharf, Mr. H. found that he had been spreading (by a new process) the contents of a pot of white paint! Official time of the voyage, 10 hours; expenses – one spring suit; $10 for boat-hire and an ultimate expenditure of good English and doubtful morality.”
Friday, 19th, Taunton, Mass., 34 miles. Hotel: City. Showed on Fair Grounds. In the afternoon a race took place between Frank Avery and Al. Carn, 1 mile. Avery getting one-fourth miles start, won easily. W. D. Hagar, judge. John Crossley, starter.
Saturday, 20th, Fitchburg, Mass., 69 miles. Hotels: Fitchburg, American. Increase in the Zoological Department, two cub lions, one tiger.
Monday, 22d, Lowell, Mass., 31 miles. Hotel: St. Charles. Early Sunday arrival. Usual excursions, bathing, fishing and swimming.
Tuesday, 23d, Salem, Mass., 25 miles. Hotel: Essex. Warm slight rain.
Wednesday, 24th, Lynn, Mass., 5 miles. Hotel: Sangamore.
Clipper Letter. Barnum Notes. Good business and hot weather marked the past week. At Lynn, Mass., June 24th, Linda Jeal met with an accident, falling from her horse and striking the ring-curb, quite seriously injuring her side and hip. She did not ride again until 27, at Haverhill. Mrs. James L. Hutchinson, with her two charming little sons, Louis and Guy, drover over from Magnolia (where she is spending a few weeks) to visit her husband at Gloucester 25. The Fishing Club were out in full force at Gloucester, and the catch was probably the largest ever taken with a circus company in one day. Frank Morgan and J. Tom Crossley hooked seventy-nine fine cod and flounders. John Palmer, Orrin Hollis, Jos. McCaden and Charles Baker had the next largest catch; then came George Arstingstall and George Melville, while the Gilfort Bros. brought up the rear. The fishing was done just back of the canvas. Nearly all the company witnessed the contest from the rocks. When Morgan and Crossley’s boat landed, Wm. Ducrow, our popular equestrian manager, came down on the sand, followed by nearly all the men on the lot, and as each man carried a large fish back to the canvas, the procession was a novel one. Frank L. Perley, the press agent, and the magnates of the Gloucester press came back to see the catch spread out on the grass. All the officers inspected the fish, after which they were taken away by Jason Robbins of the camp, who weighed them, the “heit” being 420 lb. Our luck caused much comment, even in the headquarters of the Gloucester fishermen. Wm. Dutton is slowly recovering from the effects of his fall in Boston. He remains in the sleeping cars and is attended by Mrs. D. (Helene Smith), who is a grand nurse. . . . Mrs. W. D. Hagar (Jennie Morgan) and her sister Annie are summering at Atlantic City, in their new cottage. . . . We leave just after the show 27 for Rockland, Me., and as our managers have decided to go into camp near Bath, Me., for nearly the whole day Sunday, the Fishing Club are making great preparations for a “try” on the coast of Maine. . . . Foot-racing and shooting have been shelved for fishing, and probably no more will be done in those lines while we are on the Atlantic Coast. . . . Charles Barnard has revised a burlesque which he intends putting on the road in the Fall. Dave Braham is writing the music for it. Barnard has invented a new fishing rod, a curious affair that will do for a walking-cane, curtain-roller or broom-stick. . . . Merritt Young, our genial treasurer, says he has calculated the weight of our fish (according to each fisherman’s account), and he finds it so greatly in excess of Jumbo’s weight that he fears to publish it.
Thursday, 25th, Gloucester, Mass., 19 miles. Hotel: Gloucester. Showed on the cliff overhanging the sea. The most beautifully wild, romantic spot of the season.
Friday, 26th, Lawrence, Mass., 36 miles. Hotel: Essex. Clear and warm.
Saturday, 27th, Haverhill, Mass., 7 miles. Hotel: Webster. Rain in torrents during afternoon show. Owing to a dangerous high wind, Mr. Hutchinson dismissed the audience before the termination of the performance.
Monday, 29th, Rockland, Me., 169 miles. Hotels: Thorndike, Nicholas. Arrived Sunday; last train 8:30 p.m. Stopped at Bath. Put up cook tents and fed, whilst cars were ferried across the river. Monday, rain all day. Sent Jack Wilson voluntary subscription of $247.
Tuesday, 30th, Bath, Me., 50 miles. Hotel: Bath. Arrived late. Rain all day. No parade. Great difficulty in getting on the lot.
July
Wednesday, 1st, Augusta, Me., 40 miles. Hotel: Corry. Rain. Wet weather parade. Bad lot.
Thursday, 2nd, Belfast, Me., 66 miles. Hotels: American, New England. Rain. Bad lot. Left town after the afternoon show. Fred Leavens goes home.
Friday, 3d, Bangor, Me., 74 miles. Hotel: Bangor. Clear weather at last. When a few miles from town the wheel of a flat car broke. The Calliope and Organ were thrown into a ditch. It was found impossible to repair them for a long time.
Clipper Letter. Barnum Notes. Uniformly good business and bad weather have been the rule for the past week. The rain commenced during the afternoon show at Haverhill, Mass., June 27, and it has not entirely ceased for over two hours at any time since. Sunday, 29, we went into camp on the bank of the Kennebec River, at 9:30 a.m., and remained there until 5 p.m. The fishing club tried all the seductive arts of Walton and his followers, but failed to entice any of the denizens of the river from their native element. We arrived at Rockland at 9 o’clock p.m., tired and hungry. The rain poured down steadily all day 29, but we gave two performances before large audiences. At Bath we only gave one show, packing up in the evening and starting for Bangor at 8 p.m., the lot being too wet to give anything like a good performance at night. The Fishing Club visited the harbor, but did not catch anything save a few flounders. At Bangor, July 3, fine weather and big business. Lewistown, July 4, big business. The night show commenced at 7 o’clock for a long run, as we are in St. Johns, N. B. On Monday we expect a long tiresome run, but will camp on Sunday. Shotguns and rifles are making their appearance in the dressing room, and probably some good shooting will be done. . . . Al. Caron has wagered Crossley that he (Caron) will kill eight straight birds, 80 yds. rise. The match will come off as soon as we are on a fair ground. . . . Gardner and Uncle Andy Height visited us during the past week. . . . Wm. Dutton has sufficiently recovered to be able to lay aside his crutches. He was able to come to the lot July 4.
Saturday, 4th, Ellsworth, Me., 30 miles. Hotel: Hancock Hall, “The Red School House on the Hill.” The worst hotel of the season.
Clipper Letter. Stakes and Chains from Barnum. Bad weather, long runs and late arrivals have been the order of the day during the past week. Business has been good, and in some cases big. Our first train met with quite a serious accident leaving Ellsworth, Me., July 4. It broke in two coming down a heavy grade, and, as the railway officials had neglected to provide a bell-cord, the engineer did not discover the break until the last part of the train came crashing into the first part, while the engine was taking water at the foot of the incline. Geo. Shoolders, the watchman, was thrown from the car, and had a large patch of the scalp torn away, and was otherwise considerably bruised. William Matthews of the camp, jumped just before the collision, and had nearly all the flesh and muscles torn away from one of his legs. Ed. Shavnesy had one of his legs broken in two pieces. Four stock cars were wrecked, and a valuable black mare was thrown down and killed. Other cars were procured, and the train proceeded, arriving in St. Johns, N. B., 6 at 8:30 a.m. Two immense houses greeted our arrival in New Brunswick. Morning of 7 Jos. McCaden, Chas. Baker, Ed. Chase, John Palmer, Nick Foster, Orrin Hollis, Robt. Gilfort and Frank Morgan, chartered a large towboat and went out after cod and halibut. The weather was thick, and the party had some difficulty in finding their way. Gilfort hooked an enormous skate, which the captain of the tug, and Orrin Hollis succeeded in landing in a rowboat that was being towed astern of the steamer. The weight of the fish is estimated by the members of the party all the way from 75 to 150 pounds. This was the only large fish hooked. As the towboat landed at the wharf, great preparations were made to transfer the marine monster to the dressing room, but the hoisting tackle proved inefficient, and the prize slid slowly down between the wharf and the boat, and was lost in its native element. The crestfallen fishermen slowly and silently wended their way to the canvas, and now decline any discussion on skates, even rollers. As the rules of the club demand that all fish shall be displayed in the dressing room, the skate is not down as a certainty on the books of the organization. . . . Billy Dutton has sufficiently recovered from the effects of his Boston fall, to walk about without the aid of crutches. . . . The men wounded in the accident 5 are doing well in the Bangor hospital. . . . Saturday 16 was the first fine day we had for a week. We run from Houlton to Waterville, Me., staring after the show this p.m. (11). . . . The capacity of the Colonial railroads has been tested by our heavy trains and large cars, and they have not stood the test well, as we have been late everywhere for a week.
Monday and Tuesday, 6th and 7th, St. John’s, N. B., 236 miles. Hotels: Central, Bangor. Rain both days.
Wednesday, 8th, Frederickton, N. B., 69 miles. Hotel: Barker. Rain. Cooper has a slight difficulty with a red-coat, and knocks him out first round.
Thursday, 9th, Calais, Me., 96 miles. Hotels: St. Croix, Exchange. Arrived first train, 11:30. Cause, broken rail. Late show. No parade.
Friday, 10th, Woodstock, N. B., 85 miles. Hotel: Gibson. Heavy rains. No parade, Death of the Zebra.
Saturday, 11th, Houlton, Me., 18 miles. Hotels: Snell, Exchange.
Monday, 13th, Waterville, Me., 222 miles. Hotel: Elmwood. Arrived Sunday, 11 p.m.
Clipper Letter. Jacks and Stringers from Barnum. We had a very tiresome run of 222 miles from Houlton, Me., to Waterville, Sunday, July 12. The trip was relieved by our going into camp beside a beautiful river at Lincoln Centre. While we were at dinner a delegation of cornstalks and mossbacks waited on Frank Hyatt and informed him that the Selectmen of the town wanted to hear Barnum’s band play, even if it was Sunday, and that they would pay liberally for the same. Perley says Maine liberality never extends beyond a glass of lemonade and a half dollar. The band didn’t play. Just before dinner Charles Tripp, the armless wonder, and Davis, the Orientalist, started to cross a creek (on a narrow plank). At the same time, somehow things became mixed in the center of the plank, and while the “freak” walked serenely over the stream the “around the world traveler” was obliged to wade through the water. As this occurred in full view of everyone, much merriment was caused. During the afternoon the company made themselves comfortable in various ways. Some of the men were soon up the river out of sight attired in the old-fashioned summer costume affected by Adam and the gods of mythology on holidays, enjoying a swim in the limpid waters of — (any Indian name that no one can pronounce will do here). The fishing club tried their seductive arts, but nothing worthy of mention was taken by anyone save Frank Morgan, who landed a fine pickerel. Rain and mud were the only objectionable things to contend with for the first half of the week, but they did not in any way seem to interfere with business. . . . Large audiences and fine, although very hot weather greeted us at Portsmouth, Manchester and Nashua 16, 17 and 18. . . . Billy Dutton rode his first act in six weeks 15. Chase Lippincott, the ticket-seller, was left behind in Lewiston, ill with fever. . . . Andy Height visited us at Portland. . . . Crossley and Elder ran an extra lap of the hippodrome track 17 to decide a wager, Crossley winning easily. . . . Since the statue craze has broken out in pugilistic circles the Gilforts sit on their trunks and muse on the decline of art. . . . Byron Rose has grown taller looking ahead for railroad accidents on colonial roads. . . . Our assistant postmaster, Fritz (Democratic appointee) creates a corner in Clippers every week by engaging them to all of the newsdealers, and supplying the boys at a slight (?) advance. . . . Bright visions of happy days in foreign lands flit thorough the minds of the fixtures here, as large packages, letters and papers bearing foreign stamps continue to arrive, and Manager Hutchinson begins to look “quite English, your know.” . . . J. Charles Davis has been confined to his room for a few days with malaria. He has been recruiting at the Hotel Windsor, Manchester, N. H., and expects to join the company at Kean 20. . . . Hagar & Campbell have been doing so well with the privileges that they are now speculating on the cost of building a new repository for freaks in some large city. . . . Nick Foster, Jo Jo’s manager, has purchased an outfit and joined the fishing club. He intends giving us a sample of Russian prowess soon, and cares naught for Afghan affairs, although the whole ethnological congress glares savagely at him every time “the papers” publish a new dispatch from Canadahar. . . . This week we are on the banks of Lake Champlain, and, no doubt, the club will give a good account of themselves, although Tom Kelly says they are the poorest lot of fishermen that ever cast a line.
Tuesday, 14th, Lewistown, Me., 48 miles. Hotel: Exchange. Rain night show. Caicedo taken sick.
Wednesday, 15th, Portland, Me., 35 miles. Hotel: United States. Billy Dutton renews work. James Higbee leaves the company.
Thursday, 16th, Portsmouth, N. H., 51 miles. Hotel: Webster.
Friday, 17th, Manchester, N. H., 41 miles. Hotel: Windsor. Very warm.
Saturday, 18th, Nashua, N. H., 17 miles. Hotel: Tremont.
Monday, 20th, Keene, N. H., 56 miles. Hotels: Cheshire, Eagle.
Tuesday, 21st, Brattleboro, Vt., 34 miles. Hotels: Brooks, American. A spark from a passing engine set fire to the bedding of a berth in Car No. 51. By the timely arrival of Frank Hoffman, the porter, serious damage was avoided.
Wednesday, 22nd, Rutland, Vt., 77 miles. Hotel: Bardwell.
Thursday, 23d, Burlington, Vt., 67 miles. Hotel: Rowes. Received the sad tidings, death of General Grant. Flags were ordered at half-mast and so remained until the funeral.
Friday, 24th, Montpelier, Vt., 41 miles. Hotels: Montpelier, American. Rain.
Saturday, 25th, St. Johnsbury, Vt., 59 miles.
Monday, 27th, St. Albans, Vt., 105 miles. Hotels: American, St. Albans, Park.
Clipper Letter. Prattle from Barnum’s. Hot! hotter!! hottest!!! The weather in the Green Mountains and Granite States has been favorable for the dispensing of red lemonade and circus fans for the past week. Big business has been the rule. . . . Many members of the show have been suffering from malaria. Lewis Snow (clown) left for home from Burlington, July 23, he being the latest victim to the fever. . . . Whitfield received tiding from home that his family circle had been augmented by the addition of a healthy nine-pound baby girl, and “Whit” now wears quite a fatherly air. . . . Mrs. James L. Hutchinson and son are on a visit to “The Greatest” . . . Much concern was felt by our timid attaches over our Sunday night run from St. Johnsbury to St. Albans, as the road was reported unsafe, but the Boston and Lowell people, who now own the road, managed our transportation without accident or incident worthy of mention; they listened to the warning voices of “Uncle Andy” and “Byron Rose,” and we came over the road in four sections. . . . At St. Albans the fishing club and many others visited Lake Champlain. Stewart, the mail agent, and Myers, who pilots the down-town ticket office sing and supplies “the boys” with Clippers, hired a horse and wagon for a drive. In an ill-advise moment, Stewart allowed Myers to handle the reins. When the police sorted them out from a heap of rubbish, and they had paid the owner of the team $6 for damages, they walked back to the hotel, and now decline offers to ride in anything smaller than a street-car.
Tuesday, 28th, Whitehall, N. Y., 123 miles. Hotel: Grand Central. Arrived at 8 and 9, morning.
Wednesday, 29th, Bennington, Vt., 80 miles. Hotels: Putnam, Stork.
Thursday, 30th, Pittsfield, Mass., 48 miles. Hotel: Burbank.
Friday, 31st, Hudson, N. Y., 40 miles. Hotel: Waldron. Flying visit of Mr. Bailey to the show.
August
Saturday, 1st, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 41 miles. Hotel: Nelson.
Clipper Letter. Sawdust from Barnum. At St. Albans, Vt., July 20, in the evening, many of the company enjoyed a fine trip over Lake Champlain as the guests of Mr. Ayer of the Springfield Bridge Works. Phenomenal business greeted us 27. One of the quickest “pack-ups” on record took place here. The time that Judge Davis tapped the bell closing the races until the last wagon was safely loaded and checked, ready for the trains to pull out, was exactly 1h. 45 m. . . . At Whitehall, Bennington and Pittsfield crowded houses were the rule. At the latter place the elephant-dog, Harry, stampeded the small herd of elephants, resulting in the total demolition of an Irish woman’s garden and fences. The damages were paid and Harry was doomed to banishment. After a tearful farewell from all the company, Harry started for Tarrytown, N. Y., where he has taken up his residence among the thoroughbred dogs of J. Chas. Davis, who is as good a judge of dogs as he is of most things in life. . . . Fred Kuller, Frank Ufner, W. C. Coup and Dockrell visited us at Poughkeepsie, Aug. 1. Dockrell is after performers for a circus to go South about five days steam from New York. He wants Orrin Hollis, Gilfort Bros. and others, but none have signed, as he refuses to tell his destination. [It was known to us more than a month ago, but we do not “tell tales out of school” - Ed. Clipper.] . . . A severe storm at Poughkeepsie interfered with the night show, but a good house assembled to witness it, even in the rain. . . . A general exodus of married men occurred 1. They all returned, however, at Albany 3. The afternoon house at Albany was big. A heavy rain set in during the afternoon, continuing until the night show and spoiling both the business and performance. During the races at night Mattie Jackson’s horse stumbled and threw her nearly over the racer’s head. Plucky little Mattie clasped the horse around the neck and held on until rescued from her perilous position by J. T. Crossley, who was on the track and who succeeded in checking the runaway.
Monday, 3rd, Albany, N. Y., 70 miles. Hotels: Dunlap, American. Rain.
Tuesday, 4th, Troy, N. Y., 6 miles. Hotels: Union, Commercial. Rain at night.
Wednesday, 5th, Saratoga, N. Y., 32 miles. Hotel: Noonan. Showers.
Thursday, 6th, Glenn’s Falls, N. Y., 23 miles. Hotels: Newhall, Fitzgerald.
Friday, 7th, Schenectady, N. Y., 45 miles. Hotels: Carley, Merchant. Mysterious visit of Mr. W. W. Cole. “Coming events cast their shadows before.”
Saturday, 8th, Gloversville, N. Y., 35 miles. Hotel: Cottage. Ice cream and cold beans for supper.
Monday, 10th, Utica, N. Y., 62 miles. Hotels: Dudley, Mansion.
Clipper Letter. Stakes and Chains from Barnum. At Troy, N. Y., Aug. 6, a crowded house greeted us in the afternoon, and in the evening, notwithstanding the fact that crowds of people went to Albany to attend the funeral services of Grant, and also that a severe storm came on just before time to open doors, we had a big house. At Saratoga the country people filled our tent in the afternoon, and the fashionables crowded the canvas in the evening. Glenn’s Falls, Schenectady and Gloversville, gave us only our usual business. . . . At Schenectady W. W. Cole paid us a visit. . . . Jas. L. Hutchinson received a telegram calling him to the bedside of his dying child and left us during the afternoon. Byron Rose, our master of transportation, received tidings of the death of Curley Homsinger, at Harrisburg, Pa., July 31. Homsinger was an old-times, he having been employed under Rose for over eleven years with the London and Barnum Shows. He had been failing for some time, and was sent home from Keene, N. H., to recruit. . . . We arrived in Utica, Sunday 9. Every one went sailing, fishing or driving. While Chace and Buchor, two ticket-sellers, were rowing on the Mohawk their attention was attracted by a man struggling in the water just back of the horse tents. They both plunged in to rescue him, but failed on account of their clothes impeding their movements. One of the grooms saw the struggle and jumping in, brought the man to the shore – not in time, however, to save life. The body was taken charge of by the authorities, and an inquest held in the evening. Deceased was a telegraph operator, named Henry Smith. . . . William Dutton and wife spent Sunday with Harry Turner, a prominent Utica sporting-man, who has a fine stud of racers and a choice collection of dogs. Billy came away richer by one thoroughbred Skye terrier, a present from his friend. . . . Mrs. Frank Perley, who has been spending a few days with her husband, leaves us today for the seaside, to await the close of the season. . . . As the season draws near a close the various members of “The Greatest” begin to arrange for the Winter. . . . Wm. Ducrow has not decided on his winter work, although he has some fine offers from New York riding-schools. F. L. Perley goes to the Ninth and Arch street Museum, Philadelphia. J. Charles Davis, as The Clipper weeks ago announced, joins Harry Miner’s forces. Crossley and Elder sail for Europe, as do Palmer, Nala Dalmajanta and Ashley and Hess. Whitfield will tour in the East. Hagar & Campbell may take a specialty show to Australia. Chas. Bernard goes out with a new burlesque. . . . Our two jockeys hurt at Saratoga have sufficiently recovered to resume their place in the Hippodrome. Harry Rogers left on account of ill-health. . . . This has been a hard season for beginners. More rain that sunshine, and plenty of mud nearly all the season.
Tuesday, 11th, Binghamton, N. Y., 95 miles. Hotel: Exchange. Received news of the future retirement of Mr. Bailey from the management and the entry of Mr. W. W. Cole into the firm. Apropos we have the following from the “Noblest Roman of them all.”
Still On Deck. To the Editor of the World: It is interesting to read one’s own obituary, but it is not true that I am retiring from the show business. My partner James A. Bailey, has overworked his brain and been thus obliged to sell his interest. I consented that W. W. Cole should buy it, and now the contract between Cole, J. L. Hutchinson and myself runs until 1899, “dead or alive.” We go West and probably to California next season – at least the show does – and it is expected to go to Australia, Britain, Germany, Austria, France, Italy and Europe generally on the way. Jumbo speaks all languages and so indeed does the big show. But we expect to back in the “home of the brave” in a few years. P. T. Barnum, Waldemere, Bridgeport, Conn., Aug. 25.
Wednesday, 12th, Towanda, Pa., 60 miles. Hotel: Seeley. One of the best houses of the season, turned away thousands.
Thursday, 13th, Corning, N. Y., 53 miles. Hotel: American. Rain.
Friday, 14th, Olean, N. Y., 104 miles. Hotel: Moore. Mrs. White’s birthday is celebrated by the presentation of many costly gifts by the ladies of the company.
Saturday, 15th, Bradford, Pa., 25 miles.
Monday, 17th, Hornellsville, N. Y., 87 miles. Hotels: Nichols, Delavan.
Tuesday, 18th, Elmira, N. Y., 58 miles. Hotel: Wyckoff. Owing to high winds, followed by heavy rain, the public were dismissed before the termination of the performance, Mr. Hutchinson judiciously warning them of the dangerous risk of remaining under the canvas.
Wednesday, 19th, Penn Yan, N. Y., 45 miles. Hotel: Benham.
Thursday, 20th, Rochester, N. Y., 53 miles. Hotel: Brackett. Small lot. Only put up one menagerie.
Friday, 21st, Auburn, N. Y., 77 miles. Hotels: Nichols, Peacock. Rain.
Saturday, 22d, Syracuse, N. Y., 17 miles. Hotel: Canee. Whitfield and Laiscelle leave.
Monday, 24th, Oswego, N. Y., 35 miles. Hotels: Doolittle, Lake Shore. Rain all day.
Tuesday, 25th, Watertown, N. Y., 60 miles. Hotel: Kirby. Yamamoto and wife go home.
Wednesday, 26th, Ogdensburgh, N. Y., 70 miles. Hotel: Windsor. Very cold.
Thursday, 27th, Pottsdam, N. Y., 38 miles. Hotel: Albion. Very cold.
Friday, 28th, Malone, N. Y., 42 miles. Hotel: Ferguson. Cold.
Saturday, 29th, Plattsburgh, N. Y., 66 miles. Hotel: Cumberland.
September
Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1, Quebec, Canada, 245 miles. Hotel: Albion. Made one of the best runs, arriving at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Clipper Letter. Later Barnum Sparks. Cold weather has been the rule during the past week, and the dressing room of the “great moral” has presented the appearance of a refrigerator. . . . Montreal has been canceled, and in its place the show will lose Sep. 3 and exhibit in Ottawa, Ont., 4, 5. . . . Geo. Melville left the show, Aug. 29, to join a dramatic combination. . . . Orrin Hollis met with a serious accident Sunday 23. A box of matches was accidentally ignited in his satchel, and falling on the bed, they set fire to the sheet. Mr. H., in his endeavor to suppress the flames, burnt his hands and feet very badly, so that he has been unable to ride for several days, but expects to resume work shortly. . . . Several important deals and some leading engagements have been made for Barnum, Cole & Hutchinson’s show next year. Innovations are promised. . . . Jas. E. Cooper, the well-known circus proprietor, came to the show at Plattsburgh, N. Y., and remains as the guest of Mr. Hutchinson. Accompanying his was the ever-radiant, ubiquitous and hopeful Andrew Height, the show’s skillful railroad contractor. . . . There is no doubt now that the privileges for next year with the Barnum Show will continue under the management of Hagar, Campbell & Henshaw. . . . Rapid disposition is being made by the management of the freaks, strange people, etc., to the various amusement enterprises. Nearly every performer has a scheme which contemplates the starting of places of business this Fall. . . . Should they succeed, what would the circus do? . . . Johnny Batcheller the leaper, and the snare-drummer of Prof. Robinson’s Band, have left and “doubled up” in an act, presenting athletic and musical novelties.
Barnum Notes. Flynn and O’Brien of the concert took a fine reception from their Elmira, N. Y. friends, Aug. 18. Elmira is the home of these boys. . . . Crossley won another foot-race (for coin) at Rochester 20. Wm. Mette, a competitor, fell and broke his arm. He has left the show for repairs. . . . Mr. Hutchinson ran into New York 22 to visit his family. . . . Madame Watson was tendered a reception 20 at Rochester, her birthplace.
Wednesday, 2d, Three Rivers, Canada, 77 miles. Hotel: Dufresne. Miserably poor town. Light business.
Thursday, 3rd, No Show. En-route to Ottawa.
Friday, 4th and Saturday, 5th, Ottawa, Canada, 212 miles. Hotels: Grand Central, Albion, Club. Parade each day.
Monday, 7th, Kingston, Ont., 216 miles. Hotels: British American, Burnett. Celebration of Mrs. Hollis’ birthday and reception of beautiful gifts from her associates.
Tuesday, 8th, Belleville, Ont., 48 miles. Hotel: Dafoe. Rain.
Wednesday, 9th, Coburg, Ont., 44 miles. Hotels: Denham, Horton. Rain all day. One performance only. Left town 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10th, Toronto, Ont., 69 miles. Hotel: American.
Clipper Letter. Barnum Brevities. Eighteen hours from Plattsburg, N. Y. to Quebec, Can., was the quick run of Barnum’s heavy train Sunday, Aug. 30. The fortifications of Quebec were inspected by the different members of the show. During the four performances here John C. Eno, the New York defaulter, was present at each one with a party of friends, as were several other “skippers” who were pointed out to your correspondent. Each performance was patronized by a drenching rain. At Three Rivers, Can., Sept. 2, the performers were wrestling in dead earnest with a mongrel gibberish the called “French,” and at present writing every person around the show imagines himself a linguist. Three Rivers was voted the performers’ home, as good houses rent for a dollar and month, and other necessaries are correspondingly cheap. All along the line our people would like to pay more for things than they cost in the States out of respect I presume for the tradition that goods in Canada are cheaper; but they have been deterred by a notice from the show that “any purchase, however insignificant will be cause for instant dismissal.” The show lost by a run from Three Rivers to Ottawa. The holiday was so unusual that everyone involuntarily wore a I-want-to-be-an-angel countenance, and could scarcely be convinced it was not Sunday. Although Ottawa was exhibited a day before advertised, owing to the cancellation of Montreal, business was large. Afternoon of 5th, at Ottawa the Governor-General, his wife and suite attended in a body. A special stand handsomely decorated was erected for them. After the show they visited the menagerie and museum under the escort of Press Agent Perley. . . . The Clipper letters from the Barnum Show are to be one of the leading features of Mr. Stewart’s new route book. This publication will be issued about October 1, and will contain the complete history of every season of the Barnum-London Shows since their consolidation. Our correspondence, just as it appeared in the Clipper, will be incorporated in this valuable book, and this fact alone has brought many new subscribers. . . . Alexander Jacques, special agent of Doris’s Show, was our guest at Ottawa. This is the native home of William Dutton and many pleasant calls have been made by his friends. . . . A parade was made in Ottawa each day, being the first occasion of the kind this season. . . . . J. E. Cooper, one of the ex-proprietors of the London Show, still remains as Mr. Hutchinson’s guest. . . . The shooting mania has succeeded the running craze, and the dressing room smells of gunpowder. Crossley, leader of the agitators, and many others have purchased rifles and the manner in which the targets escape the bullets of these sawdust sharpshooters would make the average gallery blush. . . . The weather continues to get colder, and the dressing-room-stove-stock is booming. . . . From North to South America, none but Cupid could span so great a distance; but this tiresome agent of love has sent his dart simultaneously to the hearts of Linda Jeal of California and Natalio Lowande of Montevideo, S. A., both holding leading places on the roster of our artists. The engagement was formally made in Ottawa 5, and the presentation of the engagement ring was celebrated by the groom-elect. The match is in every way desirable. . . . J. T. McCaddon is to care for the cash account of Brandenburgh & Co.’s Museum, Philadelphia, during this season. Young Nicolas presented by the ladies of the company with a watch and chain on his 11th birthday.
Friday, 11th, Guelph, Ont., 48 miles. Hotel: City.
Saturday, 12th, Brantford, Ont., 35 miles. Hotel: Kirby.
Monday, 14th, Chatham, Ont. 124 miles. Hotel: Garner.
Tuesday, 15th, St. Thomas, Ont., 61 miles. Hotel: Grand Central.
The death of Jumbo. Shortly after 8'oclock in the evening the elephants accompanied by their keepers started for the cars located only a few hundred yards from the lot. The road bed was narrow with only two tracks, on occupied by the show train and the other, the main track, in use. Byron Rose, master of transportation, mad himself certain by information from the railroad authorities that no train was due until 9:30. But unfortunately this proved incorrect as at the moment the elephants were gathered together on the track an extra freight train came rushing down at a terrific speed. The head light was plainly visible and orders were promptly given to flag the train but too late. A hasty retreat with the elephants was attempted and all were got safely out of the way excepting Jumbo and the Dwarf. The former seeing the coming engine became unmanageable and instead of following down the embankment where Scott vainly attempted to lead him madly flew down the track at lightning speed. Quicker than it takes to tell it the train rushed upon the huge beast, throwing him to the ground and crushing him against the standing train. The Dwarf was also hurled in the air, sustaining a fracture of the leg. The engine was badly wrecked and thrown completely off the track. Jumbo lived by a few minutes; his skull was found to have been badly broken and several internal injuries sustained. All hands were called and with heavy hawsers quickly dragged his body from the wreck. A guard composed of Henry Barnum, John Stacks, and Mathew Scott, the old keeper, were left in charge until the disposal of the remains was decided upon by consultation with the absent partners. The show then left town mourning the irreparable loss of the greatest attraction ever known in show business.
Wednesday, 16th, London, Ont., 16 miles.
Thursday, 17th, Woodstock, Ont., 28 miles.
Friday, 18th, Hamilton, Ont., 48 miles.
Saturday, 19th, Buffalo, N. Y., 75 miles. Hotel: Continental.
Monday, 21st, Cory, Pa., 95 miles.
Tuesday, 22d, Titusville, Pa., 28 miles.
Wednesday, 23d, Oil City, Pa., 18 miles.
Thursday, 24th, Sharon, Pa., 83 miles.
Friday, 25th, Beaver Falls, Pa., 39 miles.
Saturday, 26th, Butler, Pa., 79 miles.
Monday, 28th and Tuesday, 29th, Pittsburgh, Pa. 50 miles.
Wednesday, 30th, Wheeling, W. Va., 71 miles.
October
Thursday, 1st, Washington, Pa., 32 miles.
Friday, 2d, McKeesport, Pa., 43 miles.
Saturday, 3d, Connellsville, Pa., 42 miles.
Monday, 5th, Indiana C. H., Pa., 66 miles.
Tuesday, 6th, Altoona, Pa., 82 miles.
Wednesday, 7th, Phillipsburg, Pa., 38 miles.
Thursday, 8th, Huntingdon, Pa., 44 miles.
Friday, 9th, Lewiston, Pa., 37 miles.
Saturday, 10th, Columbia, Pa., 92 miles.
Monday, 12th, Wilmington, Del., 77 miles.
Tuesday, 13th, Dover, Del., 48 miles.
Wednesday, 14th, Chester, Pa., 62 miles.
Thursday, 15th, Mt. Holly, N. J., 69 miles.
Friday, 16th, Elizabeth, N. J., 65 miles.
Saturday, 17th, Jersey City, N. J., 14 miles. Joined in matrimony, Mr. Natalio Lowande to Miss Linda Jeal. Grand reception at Taylor’s Hotel. Felicitations by the entire company.
Monday, 19th, Morristown, N. J., 31 miles.
Tuesday, 20th, Newtown, N. J., 37 miles.
Wednesday, 21st, Honesdale, N. J., 109 miles.
Thursday, 22d, Port Jervis, N. Y., 48 miles.
Friday, 23d, Kingston, N. Y., 85 miles.
Saturday, 24th, Newburg, N. Y., 32 miles.
Home, Sweet Home. Winter Quarters, Bridgeport, Conn. 77 miles.
The following were received too late for proper classification:
Concert Company: Dick Sands, Champion Jig and Irish Character.
Grooms: J. F. Dalgliesh, James King, Timothy McCool.
Ring Stock: Christopher Williams, Jim Bell.
Canvas Men: Charles Stewart, John Cahill, Walter Griffin, Robert McDonald, Rile H. Allen, George Wilkes, William Baird.
Cook Tent: John White, Wm. O’Grady, Wm. McCarthy.
1885, Supra.
A fitting ending to this little volume that briefly sums up the career of the Greatest Amusement Enterprise the world has ever seen, is a brief biography of the one to whom belongs no small share of the credit of success. We quote from the New York Clipper of Aug. 29, 1885:
James A. Bailey’s retirement will be sincerely regretted, though none will deny that he has fairly and honorably earned the rest he now proposes to enjoy. As is well known by this time, Mr. Bailey leaves the Barnum Show to be succeeded by W. W. Cole. It is a coincidence of some note that both Bailey and Cole made their first “big money” in the same country – Australia. Bailey started in the business twenty-five years ago, and worked himself up from the very bottom of the ladder. His life is at once a study and a moral for young circus men. It was in June, 1860, that he began his career. Robinson & Lake’s circus was the show, and he joined them in a very humble capacity – that of a programmer. During the seasons of 1861 and 1862 he was a member of the paste brigade with the same show. In the Fall of ‘62 Lake withdrew from the firm, and young Bailey continued with the Robinson Brothers the next year (‘63). At the end of that season – we man add en parenthese, that thus far he had worked for his board and clothes – he found himself the happy possessor of $40, all but four of which sum he invested in a suit of clothes for the then approaching Winter. During 1863-4 he was with Duffield & Flynn, theatrical managers in Nashville, Tenn., for whom he programmed and ushered at $15 per week. That $15 was a big salary to him at that time; today he is probably worth at least a million dollars. One evening while the young usher was attending to his duties, an army sutler named A. H. Green entered the theatre, and the house being crowded, he offered Bailey $5 for a seat. The usher refused the $5, but procured a good seat for his would-be patron. The action so pleased Green that he offered the conscientious young man a situation as clerk at $50 a month and expenses, and during the subsequent employment by the sutler, Mr. Bailey witnessed all the battles from Missionary Ridge to Atlanta. In the Spring of 1866 he entered the employ of William Lake as assistant agent and boss billposter of the “Hippo Olympiad,” of which B. M. Stevens was the general agent. Mr. Bailey’s salary was $50 a month, and he continued in the same position during the season of 1867. Twice during that period the entire business of the show devolved on him. In 1868 he engaged as general agent of the same circus, at a salary of $200 per month, and remained during 1869, in which year Lake was murdered. In 1870 he became half-owner of the concert attached to the Hemmings, Cooper & Whitby Show; in ‘71, general agent of Hemmings & Cooper’s Circus; in ‘72, proprietor of the privileges with the same show, in partnership with George Middleton; in ‘73 he became partner of his first circus proper – the Cooper & Bailey Circus and Sanger’s Royal British Menagerie. They traveled by wagon at first, during ‘73, ‘74 and ‘75, but in ‘76 took to rail, and, crossing the plains, exhibited with remarkable success in California, their receipts sometimes reaching as high as $6,100 per day, and at no time falling below $3,500. He now resolved upon a bold move – a trip to Australia – for which purpose he chartered the steamship City of Sidney at an expense of (we have heard) $17,000 in gold. The show taken on board numbered sixty-five people, fifteen horses, six elephants, one giraffe, one hippopotamus and nine cages of animals. Previous to this, we believe, only one elephant had been exhibited in Australia – a very small specimen of the species seen at Melbourne, and the property of the Duke of Edinburgh, to whom it had been presented in India. En route the animals were exhibited (on shipboard) at the Sandwich Islands. At Sidney several unforseen obstacles were thrown in the way of the plucky manager; the proposed parade was prohibited and the erection of bill boards was forbidden. In spite of this, however, they exhibited three weeks at Sidney and four weeks and three days at Melbourne, the receipts in the last named city figuring £ 9 more on the closing day than the opening. The first season in Australia lasted seven months, and a profit of well nigh $100,000 was the result. After the first tour of Australia and Tasmania, a portion of the establishment was taken by George Middleton to Java and India. Mr. Bailey’s second season in Australia (‘78) was also very successful, and at its completion he paid $32,000 for a vessel charter to Callao, Peru, which port he reached after fifty-two days’ sail. He went through South America and then returned to New York, reaching here Dec. 10, 1879, having traveled 76,000 miles during his absence. Then, with Cooper, he purchased the London Show and combined it with the International, running the consolidation during 1880 and 1881 as Cooper & Bailey’s London Circus. After the close of the season of ‘81, Cooper withdrew with a competence (he is now a resident of Philadelphia, where he pays plenty of taxes and looks after a fine stable of trotters), and Bailey formed a partnership with P. T. Barnum, a third party entering the transaction in the person of J. L. Hutchinson, who had long been connected with the Cooper and Bailey Show. The firm of Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson the put on the road the circus that has since borne their names, and the last season of which, as such, will close with the dropping of the Autumn leaves.
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Last modified March 2010.