Circus Historical Society
Sporting and Theatrical Journal, 1884
The Sporting and Theatrical Journal was published in Chicago in the 1880s, editor Charles C. Corbett. It included brief information on circuses and their staff, performers, routes, etc., and at times museum notes. Some articles are not complete.
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Sporting and Theatrical Journal, August 2, 1884, pp. 179, 180. Note: This publication has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.
Sells Bros, are doing a good business.
The Rocky Mountain Show has gone up.
Cordona does a very swell menage act.
Coup's Dr. Carver show is making money.
The Purvis Sisters are a great feature of the show.
Mons. Josephs is to put a show on the road for fairs.
Charley Day says he guesses its bestrto be a guest of Dangers.
Many a supposed-to-be student in natural history, had hard work to tell the zebra from the giraffe.
James Robinson isn't so young as he used to be, but he can ride a bare-back with the best of them.
Mr. Whiting Allen, of the Sells' Show, took good care of the newspaper boys. Mr. Allen used to work on the Chicago Times.
The ladies of Barnum's Circus recently presented Miss Sally Price, one of Barnum's best hippodrome riders, with an elegant jewelry set, the occasion being her twenty-first birthday.
A short time since Miss Mattie Jackson, one of Barnum's riders, while in the horse-cars, lost $20. An hour later, while performing her wonderful menage act, the amount was made good by the managers.
Gregory Bros, circus is due in Pinconing, Mich., Aug. 2; West Branch, 4; Roscommon, 5; Grayling, 6; Cheyboygan, 7. The circus now includes three Gregory Bros., Geo. Fsalando, juggler; Dews Sisters, Harry Brandon, Tommy J. Nichols, Aralo Bros., Geo. Barlow, Delia Gregory, Frank Rowland, M'lle Lotta, Prof. White's trained horses, Prof. Clark's challenge dog circus. J. W. Chastaway, musical director.
In Memoriam. "Peek-a-Boo" Club No. 1, Forepaugh's Show. Resolutions relative to the death of Bro. Ben Lusbie. Meeting held at the Aborn House, Des Moines, Iowa, Sunday, July 20, 1884:
WHEREAS, By the imperative and inscrutable laws of Nature, Ben Lusbie, our late brother, has been removed from among us, and passed from his labors to reward; therefore, be it
Resolved, That in this sad event our association loses a valuable member, the profession a sociable and steadfast friend, and the poor a liberal and generous heart, his family an affectionate husband and father, and his parents a fond and doting son.
Resolved, That we sincerely deplore his untimely demise, and hereby extend our heartfeld sympathy to the afflicted family, and lament with his old associates in the loss sustained.
Resolved, That in toke of our esteem and regard for his memory and merits, the Secretary is hereby instructed to record these resolutions upon a page of our records, and furnish a copy of the same to his bereaved family, and that they be furnished to the Chicago Sporting Journal, Atchinson Champion, New York Clipper, Dramatic News, New York Mercury, and New York Dramatic Times for publication. - S. H. Semon, F. Morris, Com.
Sells Bros. Circus. The lake front since Monday, has been the objective point where old and young have assembled afternoon and evening by the thousands, to witness one of the best appointed and most attractive menageries and circus now on the road. It was the old-time show of long ago, and it was the modern show combined. The most fastidious could find no fault, and the most exacting were more than satisfied. The programme offered in the two rings and upon the platform was excellent, from start to finish. Jim Robinson, the world's champion, upon the flying steed, Frank Gardner, the great somersault leaper, the Stirk family, Harry Long, the Russian athletes, Whitney and Ryder, were among the corps of performers, each selected for their prominence before the amusement-going public. Bicycling, skating, balancing, wire-walking, tumbling, aerial-flying, in fact everything requiring strength, grace, daring, and to create wonder and a sensation was found beneath the canvas top of the broad area occupied. The meagerie was a school of instruction, and parents indulged the opportunity of showing the children practical, living illustrations of the wild beasts of the desert and jungles of Africa. Sells Bros., without a doubt, scored a great hit, and further established their reputation for giving the public just what they advertise, and a little bit more. Larger and more pretentious shows might pattern after Sells Bros. circus to advantage.
The Jackleys have been laying off the past few weeks.
Dr. Carver's Wild West showed to good business at Indianapolis, Ind.
Circuses [Routes]
Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, Buffalo, Aug. 2; Batavia, 4; Hornellsville, 5; Olean, 6; Bradford, Pa., 7; Jamestown, 8; Erie, 9; Pittsburg, 11, 12; New Castle, 13; Meadville, 14; Warren, Ohio, 15; Cleveland, 16; Sandusky, 18; Toledo, 10; Detroit, Mich., 20; Port Huron, 21; East Saginaw, 22; Bay City, 23; Muskegon, 25; Grand Rapids, 26; Lansing, 27; Jackson, 28; Kalamazoo, 29; Elkhart, 30; Chicago, Ill., Sept. 1, one week; Joliet, 8; Streator, 9; Peoria, 10; Bloomington, 11; Lincoln, 12; Springfield, 13; St. Louis, Mo., 15, one week; Moberly, 22; Chillicothe, 23; Marysville, 24; Council Bluffs, 25; Omaha, 26; Lincoln, 27; St. Joseph, 29; Atchison, Kan., 30; Leavenworth, Oct. 1; Topeka, 2; Kansas City, Mo., 3; Sedalia, 4; Mattoon, Ill., 6; Terre Haute, Ind., 7; Crawfordsville, 8, Lafayette, 9; Indianapolis, 10; Anderson, 11; Shelbyyille, 13; New Albany, 14; Louisville, Ky., 15; Frankfort, 16; Lexington, 17; Maysville, 18; Xenia, Ohio, 20; Columbus, 21; Urbana, 22; Marion, 23; Ashland, 24; Ravenna, 25.
Burr Robbing Circus, Washington, Ind., Aug. 2; Petersburg, 4; Brownville, 5; Jasper, 6; Princeton, 7; Fairfleld, Ill., 8; Mount Vernon, 9.
Cole's Circus, Eagle Rock, Ore., 31; Franklin, Aug. 1: Logan, 2; Hailey, Idaho, 4; Caldwell, 5; Shoshone, 6; Montpelier, 7; Green River, W. T., 8; Park City, Utah, 9; Elko, Nev. 11; Battle Mountain, 12; Austin, 13.
Col. Hall's Circns and Menagerie, Chicago, Ill., 28, two weeks.
Forepaugh's Circus, St. Joseph, Mo., Aug. 1; Chillicothe, 2; Hannibal, 4; Quincy, Ill., 5; Keokuk, Iowa, 6 ; Burlington, 7; [unreadable text] Peoria, Ill., 11; Lincoln, 12; Mattoon, 13; Decatur, 14; Jacksonville, 15; Spring-field, 16; Champaign, 18.
Frank A. Robbins* Circus, Halifax, N. S., 28, 29, 30; Charlottetown, P. E. I., Aug. 12; Summerside, 13; Shediac, N. 6., 14.
Sells Brothers, Chicago, 111., 28, one week.
Sporting and Theatrical Journal, August 16, 1884, pp. 211, 212. Note: This publication has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.
Circus Notes
Corn is getting ripe — cling to the pennies.
Mr. Whiting Allen has left Sells Bros.' show.
Some of the side shows will slide off to the fairs.
The veteran Derious, is lively as a cricket this summer.
Forty ladies are connected with the John Robinson circus.
The "Rev." Haight, of Barnum's Show, has arrived in Chicago.
Albelado Lowando has an interesting letter in another column.
Robinson's circus has got fifteen chariots, and three tableau cars.
As soon as the shows "lay up," all the old jokes will be revarnished.
If you lived off sweat on restaurant windows last winter, take warning.
Richard Hemmings, ex-manager, is enjoying a life of excellent leisure.
Ten elephants and thirty-six cages of animals, are with the Robinson show.
Some of the managers long for winter quarters, and sigh for larger receipts.
Quite a swarm of little circuses down East. It reminds us of the olden time.
A visitor to side show the other day remarked on seeing the fat woman, "Lard!"
Chester A. Arthur is a good judge of "peck," but he never dined in a circus camp.
Ceballos is in Mexico. He joins the Orrin Brothers in October for their fall season.
Matt Gebler, an old-time jocky, will manage a new opera house, at Shenandoah, Pa.
Billy Burke is full of work again. He reminds one of Brignoli — about the stomach.
One of Robinson's circus giraffes broke three legs traveling in the cars last week, and died.
Dorris says he will go South. Hope he will have better luck than he did in Texas last season.
The boys and girls at home are counting the days, and longing for the shows to break up.
The lake front will be illuminated by electric light during the stay of Barnum's Show.
But few contracts have been made for next season. Things have already been too contracted.
Uncle John Robinson is seventy-five, and has been in the circus business over sixty-two years.
Very interesting circus news from Mexico will be found in another column of the JOURNAL.
John Merritt is in Cincinnati, having just left King, Burke & Co.'s circus, now on a tour in Canada.
John A. Forepaugh, "the nephew of his uncle," will have a very handsome Dime Museum in Philadelphia.
Billy Porter, an ex-clown, who has run several taverns in Philadelphia, has at length hit the right location.
Ned Woods, an old circus actor, now a speculator in jewelry in Philadelphia, is one of the best dressed men in the city.
Dr. Carver's Wild West Show was billed to appear here Aug. 8 and 9, but were stranded at Valparaiso, Ind. — Peoria cor.
The man who put two lemons in a barrel of lemonade last week was discharged. It "was a lesson for a life time."
Frank A. Robbins caught on largely in the Lower Provinces, to L. B. Lent and "Dan" Colvin, "be all the honor and glory."
Time is trotting on pretty lively now toward the end of the season, and those who have not laid up a cent begin to realize it.
Sometimes when a manager hasn't cash enough in the box to winter his show, he goes South hoping to pull out of the hole.
Most of the shows have abandoned gambling, but once in a while a gawk hunts all over the lot, enquiring for the "gambling tent."
The other show papers are just getting hold of the fact that Durand goes with Forepaugh for the next two years. We told the story long ago.
Jim Ward, who is a man of wealth, still clowns for "Porgie" O'Brien for a small stipend, and the privilege of advertising merchants in the ring.
J. Charles Davis, late'of India, and "all over," formerly of Murray's privileges, is manager of the Marshall Sisters, magnetic girls. J. C. is rather magnetic himself.
On the afternoon of the 7th Win. Burk, the popular clown, received a telegram from New York, stating that the Burk family was enriched by the arrival of a healthy girl.
Abelardo Lowande, one of the greatest pad riders the world has ever seen, has made thirty-six consecutive somersaults, the horse going at a break-neck speed in the meanwhile.
The specialty and concert people are booking for the dime museums. Some of the ancient equestrians will be booked as Egyptian mummies. Many of them are older than the pyramids.
George B. McDaniel, the gentlemanly contracting agent of Sells Bros. Circus, spent last Wednesday in Ottawa, Kas., in the interest of the circus. George had many old friends in that city wno are always glad to welcome him.
Cole's big elephant Samson managed to break his chains at Hailey, Idaho, one day last week. After killing two horses, breaking up a lion cage, and doing a great deal of general damage to the town, he was roped in and captured. Thirty bullets were found imbedded in his hide, fired by the circus people.
Museum Notes
Managers of Museums will please send list of attractions each week for this column, and any other items of interest.
Fat women are plenty, but unless they can grow a full beard are not rated high.
J. W. Randolph is the live manager of Keith and Batcheller's Museum at Boston.
Mr. Eugene Robinson will open his museum at New Orleans early the coming season.
Manager Harris' many museum enterprises promise to be more successful than ever the coming season.
Montford's Royal Museum, King street, Toronto, will open in a few days. Some good attractions are wanted.
The State Street Museum, Chicago, continues to good business, and Mr. Francis Norton contemplates offering many novelties the coming season.
Kohl and Middleton hold age in Chicago. Their two museums will soon be open. The South Side Museum has been open to good business all summer.
Museums all over the country have accepted the JOURNAL as their especial organ the coming season, and all matters of interest will be forwarded the paper for insertion.
[Missing text]
The Baltimore Museum, owned by Harris, was formerly the Masonic Temple, a million dollar structure, and will be opened Oct. 6. Col. Geo. O. Starr, the assistant general manager, will have charge at this point.
Harris' Pittsburgh Museum has never been closed; at present the house has for its attraction the "Two Orphans," while the business is unprecedented. The well-known Prof. Chalet attends to Mr. Harris' business in the Smoky City.
Harris' Cincinnati Museum will open Aug. 30 with Worth's Fifty-Year Curiosity Collections. The human curiosities will include the principals now on exhibition, while the amusement department will embrace the best recognized talent before the public.
Harris' Louisville Museum will open Aug. 25, under the management of Mr. H. L Leach. This museum, last season, was known as the Louisville Opera House, owned by the Library association. Harris' Operatic Company will initiate the advent, and hold the boards an even month.
Circus [Routes]
Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, Meadville, Aug. 14; Warren, Ohio, 15; Cleveland, 16; Sandusky, 18; Toledo, 19; Detroit, Mich., 20; Port Huron, 21; East Saginaw, 22; Bay City, 23; Muskegon, 25; Grand Rapids, 26; Lansing, 27; Jackson, 28; Kalamazoo, 29; Elkhart, 30; Chicago, Ill., Sept. 1, one week; Joliet, 8; Streator, 9; Peoria, 10; Bloomington, 11; Lincoln, 12; Springfield, 13; St. Louis, Mo., 15, one week; Moberly, 22; Chillicothe, 23; Marysville, 24; Council Bluffs, 25; Omaha, 26; Lincoln, 27; St. Joseph, 29; Atchison, Kan., 30; Leavenworth, Oct. 1; Topeka, 2; Kansas City, Mo., 3; Sedalia, 4; Mattoon, Ill., 6; Terra Haute, Ind., 7; Crawfordsville, 8, Lafayette, 9; Indianapolis, 10; Anderson, 11; Shelbyville, 13; New Albany, 14; Louisville, Ky., 15; Frankfort, 16; Lexington, 17; Maysville, 18; Xenia, Ohio, 20; Columbus, 21; Urbana, 22; Marion, 23; Ashland, 24; Ravenna, 25.
Cole's Circus, Reno, Nevada, 15; Carson City, 16; Nevada City, Cal., 18; Auburn, 19; Marysville, 20; Orcville, 21; Chico, 22; Red Bluff, 23; Redding, 25; Willows, 26; Woodland, 27; Sacramento, 28; Elmira, 29; St. Helena, 30; Napa, Sept. 1; Vallejo, 2; Mertinez, S; Oakland, 4; San Francisco, 6, one week.
Doris' Circus, Elmwood, Mo., 14; Wyoming, 15; Mendota, 16; Lasalle, 18; Pontiac, 19; Kankakee, 20; Tuscola, 21; Effingham, 22; Centralia, 23; Fulton, Ky. 25.
Frank A. Robbins' Circus, Shediac, N. B., 14; Moncton, 15; Richilbucto, 16; Chatham, 18; Newcastle, 19; Bathurst, 20; Campbrllton, 21; Rimouski, 22.
O'Brien's Circns, Milford, Mass., 21.
Robinson's Circns, Frederick, Md., 13; Hagerstown, 14; Berryville, Va., 15; Front Royal, 16.
Sells Brothers, Louisiana, Mo., 14; Fulton, 16; Marshall, 16; Boonville, 18; Sedalia, 19; Clinton, 20; Lexington, 21; Warrensburg, 22; Paola,Kan., 23; Ottawa, 25; Harrisson, Mo., 26; Rich Hill, Mo., 27; Carthage, 29; Fort Scott, Kan., 30.
S. H. Barrett & Co.'s Shows, Ackley, Iowa, 14; Independence, 15; Manchester, 16; Webster City, 18; Storm Lake, 19.
Burr Robins, Vienna, 14; Cairo, 15.
Washburn & Bunting [sic], Norridgewock, 13; New Sharon, 14.
Sporting and Theatrical Journal, August 23, 1884, n.p.n. Note: This publication has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.
Circus Notes
Barrett want a side-show chinner.
Al Richards has gone back to Cole.
Donaldson & Co. want bill posters.
Cole will winter in St. Louis again.
M'me. Dubsky has sprained her ankle.
D. R. Hawley wants to sell a round top.
Barnum did two days big business at Pittsburg.
W. C. Coup talks of taking an attraction to Australia.
Chas. A. Vincent has closed with Older, Crane & Co.'s Circus.
"Little All Right" restored to health, has rejoined Forepaugh.
The Quinett Children are doing a wonderful act this season.
Billy Durand says good-bye to the Barnum show this season.
Sells Brothers take in Arkansas and Texas. "Oh land of poor grub!"
Billy Durand is in Chicago having a set to with the "ad" departments of the daily papers. Billy knows the difference between agate and nonpariel.
Jagendorfer goes with Silbon's hall show. "Gif me another dinner."
Cole's elephant, Samson, got on a rampage in Idaho and killed two horses.
Mart Campbell is rnnning a tent-medicine Indian show at Camden, N. J.
The most successful of the dime museum managers are all old-time circus folks.
J. Charles Davis and Hugh Coyle have the Marshall Sisters, electric ladies, in charge.
Geo. Wambold has joined out with Burr Bobbins for the balance of the season.
Shaw's Silver Plated Circus "busted" in Salt Lake city. Probably needs re-plating.
"Cucumber" is kept busy giving the address of Kline to lady inquirers and admirers.
Harry Montague is advertising in London for people for the Barnum Show for next season.
Santiago PubilJones, Cuban Circus proprietor, has arrived. Jingo, there s a name for you.
Barnum had a sleeping car burned at Jamestown, N. Y. Chang and his agent were heavy losers.
F. C. Huffman, treasurer of Washburn and Bunting [sic], has "hitched on." Nellie Lewis is the happy woman.
Mr. W. H. Quinett is at present the principal clown with the Nickleplate Circus, now playing in Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Garland, of Sells Brothers' Circus, are in Pittsbnrg, on a visit, having closed with Sells Brothers.
Frank Robbins is working up into Canada from the lower provinces, taking in the unfrequently visited French country.
Charlie Brooks, of the Forepaugh Show, goes back to the box-office of the Chestnut Street Theatre at the end of the tenting season.
Mark Quinland, who used to "go up" in Ritchell's flying machine, is now a manufacturer of ladies' underwear in Philadelphia.
[Missing text]
An eighteen-year old boy in Washington Territory, blew his brains out because he could not raise money enough to go to Cole's Circus.
Tony Burk has been in Philadelphia looking up a site for a dime museum. It is said that Wm. Dorris will be associated with him in the event of securing a proper location. The old Masonic Temple on Chestnut street is talked of.
Samuel Watson, for four years equestrian director and foreign agent of the Forepaugh Show, has terminated his connection abruptly, and will at once open an equestrian agency in London. He will also hunt up freaks for American dime museums.
Barnum has got nearly every bill board and window in Michigan, and it behooves agents to steer clear of that part of the country until after he has passed. An agent in Lansing could not get up a three-sheet poster without hiring barn doors.
The Older, Crane & Co. show went to pieces in Lime Springs July 30. Harry Larkin, Mlle Clorinda, Ben Snow, Farnum Bros., Four La Rues, Mlle Julia Lowanda, Edward Skipp [sic Shipp], Elviro, Chas. Vincent, Pet Cummings, Wm. Young and Doc Palmer's side show were the attaches.
The Russell Morgan Company are the largest lithographic company in America. Their floor space covers two and a half acres, while they have forty-two presses running constantly. Mr. E. C. Nede has charge of the circus department which is the largest in the world.
During the early days of uncle John Robinson's circus he was pestered to death with the country clergy preaching against his line of business. The town of --- was billed in all the grandeur a plow boy could wish for, and when the day of the show arrived the town was full of people, and the tent pitched within speaking distance of the village church. The afternoon performance was very light. The village preacher had set the day apart for a test case, knowing the circus would gather in more shekels in one show than he could in years by talk. The circus was represented to the people as a stepping stone to hell. Uncle John did not have audience enough to couter-balance his employes in the afternoon, but had gafted himself for the evening's performance. The preacher had got the church filled to overflowing when the old war-horse went to the leader of the band and told him to play some meetin' house songs, and selectred fifty of his men to "vamp" in with voices. "Nearer my God to Thee" was played and sang with a will, when the people were carried away with the melody, and came flocking in the tent, leaving only a few people in the church. It was about this time that uncle John was riding in his great four-horse act, and as he halted near the window, he peeped in at the solitary preacher, and sang out: "By the ---- ---- ---- ---- you had them this afternoon, but I've got them to-night."
Messrs. Davis and Gaylor, the gentlemen who have traveled all over the world, in the interest of Barnum, resorted to many devices to pass away the time on their long and tedious nailing voyages. Upon one occasion they found themselves upon a magnificent steamer sailing from Alexandria, Egypt. What to do to pass the time, was the question. At last they hit it. Both sat down quietly at a table, and producing a deck of cards, commenced to play poker. No one noticed them for a time, but when they heard the betting — "I'll see your fifty and raise it a hundred," — the passengers, mostly Englishmen, gathered about the table. Davis was as cool as a cucumber, and dealt the cards from the top and bottom so boldly that some of the passengers took pity on Gaylor, and taking him one side, gave him a "pointer." Gaylor let them have their say, but would not be convinced but that his partner at cards was a dead square man. "Do you know him?" they queried of Gaylor. "Never met him before in my life," was his reply, and then resuming his seat, proceeded to be robbed as openly as ever a man was, the game ending by Gaylor being $10,000 loser. When the other passengers were not about, Davis would hand the money back to Gaylor with a chuckle to think how excited the passengers had become over the game. The following day Davis was eyed suspiciously, and Gaylor pitied as the poor victim. Both Gaylor and Davis passed each other as strangers, and meeting in front of the table where they sat the night before, politely bowed, and with a wave of the hand toward the chairs, both were seated. Again did the stakes run high, and Davis kept cheating and taking in the money. The spectators became excited, and murmurs of disfavor filled the air. "Ten thousand for a call," said Gaylor. "I'll visit yon," remarked Davis, and holding np the cards, proceeded to take in the cash. Then Gaylor was again taken aside, and told how he was being literally robbed by the gamester. "I don't squeal," said Gaylor, "I can afford to lose ten thousand or so a day just for the amusement the fellow gives me. I'm out about a quarter of a million now, but that's merely a bagatelle. I'm looking for white elephants for Barnum, and these trifling incidentals don't count." It was several days before the trip was ended, and Davis was looked upon as the millionaire gambler of the world.
Circuses [Routes]
Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, East Saginaw, Mich., 22; Bay City, 23; Muskegon, 25; Grand Rapids, 26; Lansing, 27; Jackson, 28; Kalamazoo, 29; Elhart, 30; Chicago, Ill., Sept. 1, one week; Joliet, 8; Streator, 9; Peoria, 10; Bloomington, 11; Lincoln, 12; Springfield, 13; St. Louis, Mo., 15, one week; Moberly, 22; Chillicothe, 23; Marysville, 24 - Council Bluffs, 25 - Omaha, 26; Lincoln, 27; St. Joseph, 29; Atchinson, Kan., 30; Leavenworth, Oct. 1; Topeka, 2; Kansas City, Mo., 3; Sedalia, 4; Mattoon, Ill., 6; Terre Haute, Ind., 7; Crawfordsville, 8; Lafayette, 9; Indianapolis, 10; Anderson, 11; Shelbyville, 13; New Albany, 14; Louisville, Ky., 15; Frankfurt, 16; Lexington, 17; Maysville, 18; Xenia, Ohio, 20; Columbus, 21; Urbana, 22; Marion, 23; Ashland, 24; Ravenna, 25.
Cole's Circus, Redding, Nevada, 25; Willows, 26; Woodland, 27; Sacramento, 28; Elmira, 29; St. Helena, 30; Napa, Sept. 1; Vallejo, 2; Mertinez, 3; Oakland, 4; San Francisco, 6, one week.
Doris' Circus, Tuscola, Mo., 21; Effingham, 22; Centralia, 23; Fulton, Ky., 25.
Forepaugh's Circus, Vincennes, 22: Evansville, 23; Indianapolis, 25; Crawfordsville, 26; Lafayette, 27; Logansport, 28; Fort Wayne, 29; Defiance, Ohio, 30.
Frank A. Robbins' Circus, Campbellton, Can., 21; Rimouski, 22.
O'Brien's Circus, Milford, Mass., 21; Southbridge, 22; Webster, 23; Putnam, Conn., 25; New Britain, 26; Meriden, 27.
Sells Brothers, Lexington, Mo., 21; Warrensburg, 22; Paola, Kan., 23; Ottawa, 25; Harrison, Mo., 26; Rich Hill, Mo., 27; Carthage, 29; Fort Scott, Kan., 30.
S. H. Barrett & Co.'s Shows, Windom, Monkato, 23.
Frank A. Robbins showed on Prince Edward Island, Aug. 11, 12, and 13; did the biggest day's business o fthe season, closing the ticket wagon at 1:30 and 7: 30 at each performance on the 11th inst., 30 minutes before the performance was to commence. The reason of the big business was ours was the first circus that had elephants on the island. Business has been very large all through the provinces. Route as follows: Rivere Duloufe, P.Q., Aug. 25; L. Islet, 26; St. Thomas, 27; St. Michael, 28; Pt. Levis, 29; Stanfold, 30; Plattsburgh, N.Y., Sept. 1; Port Henry, 2; Whitehall, 3; Glens Falls, 4; Balston Spa, 5; Schenactady, 6. Everybody with the show well. It took two large steamers to carry us on and off the island - Frank Charvat.
Sporting and Theatrical Journal, August 30, 1884, 251, n.p.n. Note: This publication has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.
Circus Notes.
Washburn wants bill posters.
Doris thinks of Wintering in Louisville.
Provide now for the winter's chilling blast.
Charley Morosco is a fine slack-wire clown.
Captain Francis M. Kelsh is improved in health.
The Russian athletes have left the Sells Show. Madame Dockrell will ride no more this season.
Gillett Brothers have been re-engaged by Col. Hall.
At least three shows will make a Southern trip.
Short-change ticket-sellers are in swarms with Cole.
Barrett's Circus is billed to show at Pierre, D. T., Sept 3.
Frank A. Bobbins has been a big winner with his little show.
The Healy Brothers do a fine act with the Nickel-Plate Circus.
Billy Sloman is with the Nickel-Plate Show and is liable to stay.
By the time this is in print Sam Watson will be half seas over.
Mart Campbell's Indian medicine tent show is a winner in Jersey.
W. G. Lambkin, Julia Lowanke [sic] and Edward Shipp can be engaged.
The Belmont Family have left the W. H. Harris Nickel-Plate Show.
The Gillett Brothers do a fine act at the Grand Opera House, Chicago.
Bob Filkins says his late experience with Haverly abroad beats a circus.
The Quinnett Children aro growing away from childhood's happy hour.
Sells' two shows winter-quarter at a "rhubarb" of Columbus.
J. B. Doris' son is playing vaudeville theatres as a contortionist, under the title of Prince Flatow. He is at present in the east and doing well.
Forepaugh's Circus closes at Yonkers, N. Y., for the season on Oct. 11.
The circus boys are homeward bound, and the old folks are counting the days.
Forepaugh will tie up at his gigantic winter quarters at Philadelphia, as usual.
A popular equestrienne has shook her "hubby." Now he will have to go to work.
W. H. Harris' Show and Coup's Wild West may consolidate and go south this season.
Billy Morgan, the hurdle rider, is with the Nickel-Plate Show. He does love to play pool.
Mons. Josephs left the Nickel-Plate Show as soon as he was discharged, so says the boss.
Mons. Cherest's bicycle act on the high wire, without counter weights, is as novel as it is daring.
Sam McFlynn and Doc Thayer take out a a canvas show to go south very soon. They are organizing in Chicago.
The Harris Nickel-Plate Show will be located at Western avenue and Kinzie street, Chicago, for several weeks.
The large railroad managers are waiting for the circus-cage drivers to fulfill their usual winter's engagements.
May Antonio, the slack-wire queen, has left the Cooper and Jackson Show. She said she could not take it with her.
Jerry Hart and Beatrice Leo are in the concert of the Harris Nickel-Plate Show. They have recently returned from California.
"Cucumber" Buttons, in Philadelphia, will have to issue an extra soon to publish all the museum and circus news he knows.
Andy Springer, contractor for the Barrett Show, is in St. Louis, Mo., making contracts for the Arkansas and Texas country.
Harry Castello met with quite an accident by a fall of sixteen feet from a trapeze in the Col. Hall Show at Chicago one day last week.
Mr. A. S. Kohlund, the gentlemanly press agent of Harris' Nickel-Plate Shows, is in Chicago, and works for his employer's interest.
Barnnm's lighting np of his mammoth stand of bills in Chicago by electric light, attracted much attention and caused favorable comment.
C. W. Kidder, late with the Forepaugh show, has been engaged to do the outdoor advertising of the Chestnut Street Dime Museum, Philadelphia.
Forepangh has secured the services of W. W. Durand as press agent for next season. Durand is at present occupying that position in Barnnm's Show.
Matt Gebler's Shenandoah Opera House has "kerflumexed" — he has concluded to build a barn. Matt will "lecture" in the new Burke-Day Dime Museum.
M'lle Ada is one of the leading features with the Harris Show, and at each entertainment makes a descent, hanging by her teeth, from the top-most height of the centre-pole.
Dan Castello is ring-master now with the Harris Nickel-Plate Show. Some of the trained horses, who had not seen Dan for nearly two years, knew him as quick as he spoke to them.
Cole, of Cole's Circus, has been having a great time in the west the past season. It cost him upwards of $14,000 to get out of one scrape, and the rope was about his neck once for a lynching party.
E. R. Richards, the treasurer of the W. H. Harris Nickel-Plate Show, is a great favorite with performers, and is business from the word, go. Besides this he is as jovial as he is good-looking, which is saying a good deal.
Mabel Nelson, professionally known as Mabel Pearl, and daughter of George B. Nelson, of Philadelphia, was recently joined in the bonds of wedlock to Wm. R. Harvey, son of the late renowned bareback rider, William Harvey.
Sells Bros.' Show played both afternoon and evening to the largest business ever done here in the circus line — 7,000 people attending in the afternoon and 4,500 in the evening. The performance was of unusual excellence. The management of Sells Bros, will always insure them a good house here, as they positively exhibit every feature advertised. — Ottawa (Kas.) cor.
Three men suddenly stood on their heads, uttering frightful shrieks, at the circus the other evening. The clown had actually gotten off a brand new joke, and the unexpected occurence had unseated their reason. Old circus-goers rose from their seats and rushed about embracing each other with emotion.
W. H. Harris, Circus Manager
The history of Western commerce, when written, will afford some remarkable instances of men who have risen to wealth and position in a brief space of time without any extraordinary good luck, and without speculation or unusual hazard, their success being simply the result of integrity, energy, industry and perseverance, and this, too, in the face of hardships and disadvantages which would have discouraged and disheartened the ordinary merchant and business man. Such an example is afforded in the following sketch:
W. H. Harris, whose portrait adorns our first page this week, was borm in Cooksville, Canada West, Feb. 23d, 1841. In the winter of 1854 he became acquainted with Young Berdsall, a neighbor's son, and conceived the idea of becoming a showman, and between them managed to obtain possession of an old sterioptican from a Mr. Johnson, and with four dollars' worth of printing, obtained on credit, started on their winter tour with a horse and cutter, showing in all the school houses within a radius of fifty miles of their home, with varied success. In 1855 Mr. Harris' father, with his family, moved to a new portion of the country, and young Harris abandoned the show business to become a merchant, and entered the general store of John McMillan, at Hoonby, as clerk, at a salary of $4.00 per month. The work was hard, but he received a prime business education, which he has never forgotten. After the first year he became book-keeper, assistant postmaster, and occupied a position of confidence and trust, which had not been misplaced. He remained some three years with McMillan, when he concluded to try his fortune by commencing business for himself. In 1859, at nineteen years of age, we find him in business for himself as a dry goods merchant. In the winter of 1859 he and a Dr. Lawrence organized a minstrel show, and gave a weekly show in the town to pass away the time. In the meantime he had made several trips to Chicago, purchasing grain for the Canadian millers, and on each return trip home, things looked slow. He then concluded to dispose of his business, which he did at a small profit.
Bound to try his fortunes in the Great West, he landed in Chicago in the spring of 1861, and immediately thereafter commenced business as a grain and commission merchant at No. 2, Old Board of Trade building on South Water Street, which was a glorious and short career, for he became ruined in a day by speculating in corn; and in a strange city, employment scarce, too proud to beg and too honest to steal, thus for three months almost on the verge of starvation, he lived on a few pennies a day, when by chance he observed an advertisement in the Tribune, which read as follows: "Agent wanted for a first class show." He applied and obtained the situation with Prof. W. J. McAllister, the "Wizard of the North,: receiving one-third the profits for his services. He worked almost day and night, billing sometimes two and three towns a day and by this hard work and close economy the show coined money, playing through Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. The contract with McAllister expiring, he concluded to organize a specialty company, and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there got a first-class troupe, and started on a tour through Indiana; but the Hoosiers did not take kindly to the show, and it finally went to pieces at Kokomo, Ind. After paying off everybody in full, his entire capital which remained was $5.35. Investing five dollars in a ticket, he started for Chicago, where he landed on a bright Sunday morning in the spring of 1864. On Monday morning bright and early he commenced looking for a job, and obtained a position as packer of glassware. His desperate circumstances emboldened him to ask for the place which was given him. He performed his duties carefully and faithfully, though not very skillfully, while occupying this place, at a salary of ten dollars per week, he made application through an advertisement in the Tribune for a position as check clerk in C. C. Parks & Co.'s Bank, at a salary of $1,500 per year. He was accepted; and after thinking the matter over carefully, declined, not wishing to be a bank clerk the balnce of his life. During his show career he had paid out thousands upon thousands of dollars to various bill posters out all the large cities in the country. He concluded to embark in the bill posting business, and started in 1864. It is needless to say it was a success from the word "go." After a few months he consolidated his business with that of his opponent, J. H. Broadway, and the firm became Harris & Broadway, one of the best known on the continent. Their profits during 1864, '65, '66. '67 and '68 ran from eighteen to twenty thousand per annum. During these years Harris & Broadway were playing most all the shows that came west on a percentage or a certainty, and there is many a manager that owes their success to the kindly help of Harris and Broadway.
In 1867 Mr. Harris made another venture, and got married to a woman who has not only been a good helpmate but an able adviser, and much is due her for his great success in after years, she being the guardian of the finances. Through her the gents' furnishing business was established in September, 1869, at 301 South Clark street, which was an electric success, from extensive and persistent advertising. In the following spring a branch store was opened at 112 Randolph street, which was even a greater success than the parent store, the sales reaching nearly $100,000 the first year. In 1870 he disposed of his advertising business to Geo. A. Treyser, of the Milwaukee Sentinel, and the firm became incorporated Broadway & Treyser Company, and is without doubt the largest institution of the kind in the world. In 1871 the terrible Chicago fire laid waste the two stores of Mr. Harris, as well as a newly furnished home. Thus in an hour, his accumulations of years were swept away. Nothing daunted, he again commenced business and paid every dollar in full without compromise or extension a week after the fire, and the business was continued till 1879 without interruption. The business, from a small beginning, had grown to wonderful proportions, orders being shipped to all the western states and territories, which is still continued by his friend and former partner, M. R. Cobb, who was admitted to the firm in 1872. In 1879 Mr. Harris retired from all business, but after a few months, every day being Sunday to him, he longed for active business again, and purchased all the patents and machinery of the National Egg Carrier, which business he still conducts, shipping to every point where hen fruit is produced. In 1882 he built the Nickel Plate Show, which was the first circus and menagerie to penetrate the extreme far west, having visited seventeen states and territories in a single season, and paying out for transportation, what would run most shows. It was indeed a great success, and he promises that next season it will be vastly improved in every particular. Mr. Harris is a large property owner in Chicago, is yet a young man, and has in prospect many years in which to enjoy the results of his labors. He is an incessant, untiring worker, and his motto has always been, "Industry, honesty and perseverance will surely win in the end.
The season of 1884 was started at Roseburg, Oregon and the show has visited all principal towns in Oregon, Puget Sound, British Columbia, Wyoming Territory, Montana, Dakota, Minnesota, Manitoba and Iowa. The Nickel Plate has left a good name behind at all points visited. At present the show is located at the corner of Western avenue and Kinzie street, where it is being liberally patronized.
The Lessons of the Show
No show ever pleases like Barnum's. It is to be here on Monday, Sept. 1, for a week, and everybody is rejoicing. The days may come, and the days may go, but the circus rolls on forever. The cup of Phineas T. Barnum's happiness is filled to overflowing, for the man in the box-office is sold out every night, and standing-room only is the order of the day. Then there are other things which serve to make the mighty showman happy. Toung Taloung is sacred, and the Burmese are genuine, for the scientists of New York have said so. Every night the same great hills of faces were seen at the Garden and the same bewildering panorama of circus girls and clowns, who cracked jokes, caused the audience to roar until the big building shook with the encores. There is so much to be learned at the garden that the opinion is spreading that the principals of private schools are teaching the young ideas how to shoot under the benign influence of Jumbo and a box of monkeys. One thing is certain, that the austere ladies, leading strings of vivacious damsels, who carry books on natural history in their hands, are becoming common occurrences. Only yesterday an old woman in specs stood in a group of five misses and, regarding a monkey that was hanging by his tail, said: "There, girls, we have an example of a prehensile tail."
Again, the number of clergymen who visit the Garden increases every day. What object the divines may have other than amusement is not evident, although, indeed, the sale of lemonade and apples does certainly go up on "ministerial" days. Toung Taloung lives alone, bound up in the time-honored sacredness of his own pink skin. The passing show of men and women, of maids and babies, evidently brings with it no moral to Toung Taloung. He is the same covetous sacred elephant to-day as when he first stuck his trunk up out of the hold of the Lydian Monarch, and recklessly devoured American peanuts. Now the case is quite different with Jumbo. He has become Americanized. He no more reaches his trunk till the peanut is seen, and does not make the frantic endeavors of Toung Taloung to draw attention. As for all the rest of the curiosities and the artists, they jog along, ride along, or swing along, the same as usual. — N. Y. World.
Circuses [Routes]
Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, Jackson, Mich., 28; Kalamazoo, 29; Elkhart, 30; Chicago, Ill., Sept. 1, one week; Joliet, 8; Streator, 9; Peoria, 10; Bloomington, 11; Lincoln, 12; Springfield, 13; St. Louis, Mo., 15, one week; Moberly, 22; Chillicothe, 23; Marysville, 24; Council Bluffs, 25; Omaha, 26; Lincoln, 27; St. Joseph, 29; Atchison, Kan., 30; Leavenworth, Oct. 1; Topeka, 2; Kansas City, Mo., 3; Sedalia. 4; Mattoon, Ill., 6; Terre Haute, Ind., 7; Crawfordsville, 8, Lafayette, 9; Indianapolis, 10; Anderson, 11; Shelbyville, 13; New Albany, 14; Louisville, Ky., 15; Frankfort, 16; Lexington, 17; Maysville, 18; Xenia, Ohio, 20; Columbus, 21; Urbana, 22; Marion, 23; Ashland, 24; Ravenna, 25.
Cole's Circus, St. Helena, Cal., 30; Napa, Sept. 1; Vallejo, 2; Mertinez,3; Oakland, 4; San Francisco, 6, one week.
Forepaugh's Circus, Fort Wayne, Ind., 29; Defiance, Ohio, 30; Windsor, Can., Sept. 1; Chatham, 2; London, 3; St. Thomas, 4; Stratford, 5; Guelph, 6; Woodstock, 8; Brantford, O; St. Catherines, 10; Hamilton, 11; Toronto, 12; Port Hope, 13; Peterboro, 15; Belleville, 16; Kingston, 17; Brockville, 18; Cornwall, 19; Ottawa, 20; Montreal, 22, 23; St. Johns, N. B., 24; Waterloo, 25; St. Hyacinth, Can., 26; Sherbrooke, 27; Holyoke, Mass., 29; Springfield, 30; Worcester, Oct. 1; Lowell, 2; Haverhill, 3; Providence, R. I., 4; Bridgeport, Conn., 6; New Haven, 7; Hartford, 8; Waterbury, 9; Danbury, 10; Yonkers, N. Y., 11.
John Robinson's Circus, Alexandria. Va., 30; Culpepper, Sept. 1; Gordonsville, 2; Charlottesville, 3; Lynchbnrg, 4; Danville, 5.
S. H. Barrett & Co.'s Shows. Aberdeen, Minn., 30; Redfleld, Sept. 1; Miller, 2; Pierre, 3; Blunt, 4; Huron, 5; Brookinge, 6; Tracy, Minn., 8; New Ulm, 9; S. Peter, 10; Waseca, 11; Owatonna, 12; Rochester, 13; Winona, 15; La Crosse, Wis., 16; Sparta, 17; Reedsburgh, 18; Jefferson, 20; Waukesha, 22; Kenosha, 23; Harvard, Ill., 24; Belvedere, 25; Sycamore, 26; Rochelle, 27.
Sells Brothers, Carthage, 28; Nevada, 29; Fort Scott, Kan., 30.
Sporting and Theatrical Journal, September 13, 1884, p. 292. Note: This publication has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.
Circus Notes
Sedro goes to Bridgeport.
E. Fritz will winter in Brooklyn with his family.
Nellie Dorr goes to Frisco this fall to visit relatives.
Leando will Join Oeo. Bliss in the fall in a new bar act.
Schrode Brothers will play variety theatres this winter.
The Elliott, Silbon, and Wood families, comprise fifteen people.
Natolio Lowande. and Jos Le Desma, will perch with Orrin Brothers.
Five thousand children were at Barnum's in Chicago, last Saturday.
Major Newell will "wou chou a wau I tink" with the Injuns this winter.
At the close of Barnum's, the Jeal Sisters go to their home in Jersey City.
At the close of Barnum's, the Lorellas check their wardrobe direct to New York.
Chas. Ellis, bar performer, with Barnnm, retires from the profession Oct. 25.
The Fletcher Trio refused $150 per week, for the next season with Barnum.
Mattie Jackson, is a niece-in-law of P. T. Barnnm, and in winter resides in New York.
Tom Watson, the gymnast, will play the New York circuit at the Barnum finish.
Mette Brothers will commence to close with variety theatres after the 25th of October.
Fred Mendoza, the Italian gentleman, now with Barnum, will not return to his home in Sunny Italy, but will rusticate on his farm in Eighth street during the fall months.
The Elliott Family open in Montreal Oct. 27, with the Elliott and Silbon Combination.
H. Moulton, bar performer, with Barnum, at the close goes to Frisco non-proessionally.
Newman and Orshigstalde remain in Bridgeport this season with, their elephant highness.
Happy Jack, the Barnum cowboy, will break stock in Cheyenne for Owl Creek Davis, this winter.
Leon Washburn is credited with shooting and killing a man in a small town in New York State.
John Batchelor,the leaper. will winter in Mexico. As yet he has not arranged for an engagement.
Eddie Rice purchased a magnificent three karat stone of Geo. Rice, when in Chicago, valued at $200.
Jennie Sawyer recently fell from her horse, but sustained no injury. Miss Jennie is still with Barnum.
Soda, now being rode by Miss Mattie Jackson, is the winner of most of the races with Barnum this season.
Wm. Conrad, the clown, will break during the Winter, a line of animals as yet unknown to the circus arena.
Wm. Ducrow, now with Barnum, will count over his New York postoffice orders during the month of November.
Miss Lillie Fletcher, the queen of the roller skates, will open with M. B. Leavitt, with an entire new wardrobe.
James Coyle will remain at his home in Chicago, while his partner, Willie Dorr, visits his relatives in Frisco.
Fred Runnells, and a party of friends made a floral visit to Bonnie Runnells grave last Friday, while in Chicago.
S. S. Smith has held the same position with the Barnum Show for the past thirteen Years, with another to come.
Mr. Chas. Holton, for many years business manager of Cole's circus, is now in advance of the Humpty Dumpty party.
Lew Snow, the all-around clown with the Big Show, will hie himself away to New Hampshire, and baked beans after Oct. 25.
Madame Watson, the lady driving the chariot race with Barnum, at the close of the season, returns to her home in Geneseo, N. Y.
Lew Davenport, acrobat, with Barnum opens a gents' furnishing goods store, May next, at 305 Atlantic avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
The chances are Mr. S. S. Smith will connect himself with Hagar, Campbell, and Company, at their museum in Philadelphia.
R. W. Fryer, the equestrian director, with the Greatest Show on Earth, will spend the winter in Independence, Iowa, taining horses.
The Gilfort Brothers, the gladiators, with Barnum, at the close of the show will return to their residence in Orange, Essex County, N. J.
Miss Chrissie Stickney joins John Robinson's Circus at the close of Barnum, for the winter season, and will make a speciality of a four horse act.
One of the horses fell in the Roman standing Race during the Chicago engagement, while being driven by John Hunterson. No damage was done.
Eddie Rice, formerly of the Rice Brothers, a most clever gymnast, now with Barnum, will spend the first part of the winter at his home in Greenwich, N. Y.
Of the Davenport Brothers, acrobats; now with Barnum, Lew will visit his home in Cincinnati, while the elder, Fred Mendoza, will take charge of Coney Island.
Orrin Hollis, who has done wonders with the Barnum Show this season, on the horse and spring board, has partly closed with the Orrin Circus for Mexico this winter.
The veteran showman, "Pop" Whittaker, is lying dangerously ill in the Bellevue Hospital, New York. The Elks are taking care of him, and are seeing that he has every attention.
The Fletcher Trio who have created such a furore in the parlor skatorial circles, will travel the coming season with M. B. Leavett's All Star Show. They close with Barnum Oct. 25.
"Yankee" Robinson, the well-known showman, died at New Jefferson, Iowa at four o'clock on the 4th. He was sixty-six years of age, and had devotee nearly fifty years of his life to the show business.
The Barnum Show has named the 25th of October for the grand knock-out affair. Akron, Ohio, is the place. They opened and close in the two states that control the next presidential election, New York and Ohio.
Eddie Snow and wife, Miss Annie Carroll, in conjunction with the "Boss," their only heir, return to Weschesterville, at the close of Barnum, when Miss Annie will receive that much-needed rest, she so richly deserves.
John T. Crossley, in November, will visit Roscommon county, Ireland, his native country. By Jan. 1, Americans can once more look for another Irish agitation, followed by a Crossley fund. P. S. The Crossley and Elder Circus will take the road May 16, opening at Roundout, N. Y.
Barrett's Circus showed here twice Wednesday, 3rd, to a crowded tent. The features of the show are little Daisy Belmont, Robert Stickney, Willie Sells, C. O'Brien, whose different acts took the town by storm. Dad Saarles and his brother Tom are all worth noticing in the concert. — Pierre (D. T.) Cor.
Mr. James L. Hutchinson, junior partner of the Barnum Show, purchased recently, Bessie Sheridan, a black mare, with a record of 22 1/2, and only in her seventh year. Col. Snoden, superintendent of the Philadelphia mint, was the former owner. If sleighing is good this winter In New York, Bessie Sheridan will be well-known.
Eddie Belmont,at the close of the Barnum season, will visit his parents in Manchester, N. H. The coming season Mr. Belmont in conjunction with a partner, will produce a new and novel variety business, that of using a springboard on the stage, throwing a somersault, landing on a table ten feet away from the start.
Frank Charvat writes: Balston Spa, Sept. 5, 1884. — Editor Journal: The Frank Bobbins Circus is back in the States after a ten weeks' season in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edwards Island, and Quebec, and an extra successful season it was. You say in one of your papers F. R.'s little show. I'll tell you how little it is. We feed between ninety and 100 men at the cook tent, and over forty at the hotels, run seven fifty-foot flat cars, five fifty-foot stock cars, and three sleeping cars for people; twelve cages, five tableaux cars, two bands, and two pony teams in parade besides the mounted people, Mardi Gras, two elephants, and four camels, etc. Not quite a Barnum or Forepaugh show, but will compare favorably with a great many, and what is best of all has done a ripping business all summer.
John Burke
The energetic proprietor of the Chestnut Street Dime Museum, Philadelphia, a portrait of whom graces our first page, is like the majority of museum proprietors, a graduate from the circus arena and has all those sterling qualities of ambition and push to make a success. As the proprietor of the new museum of Philadelphia it is his aim to cater strictly to the better class of patrons by presenting a No. 1 vaudeville entertainment, in conjunction with rareist freaks, curiosities, and sensational novelties.
Charles H. Day is the worthy associate and manager of Mr. Burke's venture. Mr. Day has long been a contributor to the JOURNAL and numerous other papers throughout the country, and is known as a versatile and talented writer. He is thoroughly acquainted with the show business in every department, and his long experience must be of incalcuable service in his capacity, of business manager of the new enterprise. May success attend the efforts of both gentlemen is the hearty wish of the JOURNAL.
Circuses [Routes] Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, Lincoln, Ill., Sept 12; Springfield, 13; St. Louis, Mo., 15, one week; Moberly, 22; Chillicothe, 23; Marysville, 24; Council Bluffs, 25; Omaha, 26; Lincoln, 27; St. Joseph, 29; Atchison, Kan., 30; Leavenworth, Oct. 1; Topeka, 2; Kansas City, Mo., 3; Sedalla, 4; Mattoon, Ill., 6; Terre Haute, Ind., 7; Crawfordsville, 8, Lafayette, 9; Indianapolis, 10; Anderson, 11; Shelbyville, 13: New Albany, 14; Louisville, Ky., 15; Frankfort, 16; Lexington, 17; Maysville, 18; Xenia, Ohio, 20; Columbus, 21; Urbana, 22; Marion, 23; Ashland, 24; Ravenna, 25.
Burr Robbins' Show, Rossville, Ill., 12; Aledo, 13; Fort Madison, Iowa, 15.
Cole's Circus, San Francisco, Cal., Sept. 6, one week.
Donaldson's Circus, Kalamazoo, Mich., 15, one week.
Forepaugh's Circus, Toronto, 12; Port Hope, 13; Peterboro, 15; Belleville, 16; Kingston, 17; Brockville, 18; Cornwall,, 10; Ottawa, 20; Montreal, 22, 23; St. Johns, N. B., 24; Waterloo, 25; St. Hyacinth, Can., 26; Sherbrooke, 27; Holyoke, Mass., 29; Springfield, 30: Worcester, Oct. l; Lowell, 2; Haverhill, 3; Providence, R. I., 4; Bridgeport, Conn., 6; New Haven, 7; Hartford, 8; Waterbury, 9; Danbury, 10; Yonkers, N. Y., 11.
S. H. Barrett & Co.'s Shows, Winona, Minn., 15; La Crosse, Wis., 16; Sparta, 17; Reedsburgh, 18; Jefferson, 20; Waukesha, 22; Kenosha, 23; Harvard, Ill., 24; Belvedere, 25; Sycamore, 26; Rochelle, 27.
Frank A.Robbins' Circus, Ontono, N.Y., 12; Lyndonville, 13; Suspension Bridge, 15; Medina, 16; Brockport, 17; Geneva, 18; Senaca Falls, 19; Clyde, 20; Weedsport, 22; Canstola, 23; Canajoharie, 24; Fonda, 25; Northville, 26; Gloversville, 27.
Sells Brothers Circus, Wamego, 10; Topeka, 11; Osage City, 12; Manin Centre, 13; Eldorado, 15; Newton, 16; Hutchison, 17; Wichita, 18; Wellington, 19; Winfield, 20; Cherryville, 22; Joplin, Mo., 28; Neosho, 24; Springfield, 25; Pierce City, Fayettesville, Ark., 27; Van Huron, 29; Fort Scott, 30.
Yankee Robinson's Eldorado, 11; Wellsburg, 12.
Sporting and Theatrical Journal, September 20, 1884, p. 312. Note: This publication has typographical errors, and the transcription will have additional typos. Information should be checked with additional sources. Underlined word, transcription may not be correct. Unreadable word indicated by ___.
Circus Notes
Barnum's show closes Oct. 25.
Sells' Brothers Show has done but fairly this season.
The "Old Man" Jacques remains the same next season as last season.
Charley Stowe has hied himself to the happy domesticity of Girard, Pa.
Tody Hamilton intends starting a paper in New York, this fall, entitled the Sunday Sport.
Adam Forepaugh says "Jim Bailey gets all de boys, but dey will fine him all O. K. anytime."
It is said that the outcome of the white elephant fight was that Barnum bested Forepangh.
Charles Bradford, of Wilbur and Bradford, Spanish ring performers, is lying sick at Fargo, D. K.
Billy Durand thinks that a man is worthy of his hire, and, therefore, will go higher on salary with the Forepaugh Show next season.
The big shows, Forepaugh and Barnum, will doubtless have something to fight over next season. If it is not white elephants, it will be something else.
Miss Nellie Burke, the equestrienne and chariot rider, has been engaged by Manager Emmett, for ten weeks at the Chicago Driving Park, as one of the attractions for next summer.
Romer and La Rue are haying twelve new suits made for their winter work. They close their season with Leon Washburn the 27th of this month, and then open at Harry Williams', Koster and Bial's, London, and Tony Pastor's.
S. H. Barrett & Co.'s Shows, Sparta, Wis.,17; Reedsburgh, 18; Jefferson, 20; Waukesha, 22; Kenosha, 23; Harvard, Ill., 24; Belvedere, 25; Sycamore, 26; Rochelle, 27; Minonk, 29; Clinton, 30; Mason City, Oct. 1; Monticello, 2; Edwardsville, 3. S. H. Barrett, the manager and proprietor, is with advertising car, No. 1; he went on to Mason City, Saturday, on special business. The car followed Sunday, with a gang of posters numbering twenty-two - more to follow next week. Clinton cor.
Circuses [Routes]
Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth, St. Louis, Mo., 15, one week; Moberly, 22; Chillicothe, 23; Marysville, 24; Council Bluffs, 25; Omaha, 26; Lincoln, 27; St. Joseph, 29; Atchison, Kan., 30; Leavenworth, Oct. 1; Topeka, 2; Kansas City, Mo., 3; Sedalia, 4; Mattoon, Ill., 6; Terre Haute, Ind., 7; Crawfordsville, 8, Lafayette, 9; Indianapolis, 10; Anderson, 11; Shelbyville, 13; New Albany, 14; Louisville, Ky., 15; Frankfort, 16; Lexington, 17; Maysville, 18; Xenia, Ohio, 20; Columbus, 21; Urbana, 22; Marion, 23; Ashland, 24; Ravenna, 25.
Burr Bobbins' Show, Eldora, Ia., 20; Hampton, 22.
Doris' Circus, Pulaski, Tenn., 19; Columbia, 20.
Frank A. Robbins' Circus, Geneva, N.Y., 18; Seneca Falls, 19; Clyde, 20; Weedsport, 22; Canstola, 23; Canajoharie, 24; Fonda, 25; Northviile, 26; Gloversville, 27.
Forepaugh's Circus, Cornwall, Can., 19; Ottawa, 20; Montreal, 22, 23; St. Johns, N. B., 24; Waterloo, 25; St. Hyacinth, Can., 26; Sherbrooke, 27; Holyoke, Mass., 30; Springfield, Oct. 1; Worcester, 2; Providence, R. I., 4; Hartford, Conn., 6; Waterbury, 8; New Haven, 9; Bridgeport, 10; Danbury, 11.
John Robinson's Circus, Lynchburg, Va., 20; Danville, 22: Chatham, 23.
O'Brien's Circus, Medina, N. Y., 20; Brockport, 22; Geneva, 23.
Sells Brothers Circus, Winfield, Kan., 20; Cherryville, 22; Joplin, Mo., 23; Neosho, 24; Springfield, 25; Pierce City, Fayettesville, Ark., 27; Van Buren, 29; Fort Scott, 30.
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