Bandwagon, January 1956

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Bandwagon, Vol. 1, Jan-Feb, 1956. Note: Only some articles are included in this online edition. Illustrations are not included. The Circus Historical Society does not guarantee the accuracy of information contained in the information in these online articles. Information should always be checked with additional sources.

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P. T. Barnum's Famous �Jumbo�

By Charlie Duble. Bandwagon, Vol. 1, Jan-Feb, 1956, pp. 5-6.

The famous "JUMBO" advertised by the one and only P. T. Barnum as the "Lord of Beasts" was the largest elephant ever to be on exhibition, and for 15 years he had attracted nationwide attention at the London Zoological Gardens. Because of his great size and popularity the word "Jumbo" was formally adopted into the English language as a term for anything unusually large.

P. T. Barnum, the great American showman, rightly called "The Exhibition King" on one of his trips to Europe witnessed the thousands who daily thronged to Jumbo's court, and quickly realized the tremendous attraction of this elephant. Without further ado, Barnum arranged to purchase Jumbo from the Zoological Gardens for $10,000. Upon completion of the transaction the entire British public gushed forth their wholehearted indignation in furious uproar. Even the Prince of Wales publicly condemned the procedure and it was only by subterfuge that Barnum was finally able to spirit the big elephant on board the "Assyrian Monarch," and the acquisition of Jumbo had by now cost him an additional $20,000.

With bands playing and much bally-ho all arranged in advance by Barnum, "the master of bally-ho," Jumbo arrived in America on April 9, 1882. Here he immediately took up where he had left off and endeared himself to the American public both young and old. For the next three years he was exhibited by his circus owners in the United States and Canada. The reception tendered him in every city, town, and hamlet was tremendous. His presence alone meant thousands of dollars to the coffers of the Barnum & London Circus - (The Barnum & Bailey name was not used until 1888).

For his daily ration he ate the following: 200 pounds of hay, two bushels of oats, a barrel of potatoes, ten loaves of bread, two or more quarts of onions, and according to his keeper Matthew Scott, he relished an occasional keg of beer.

It was on the night of September 15, 1885, to a large audience in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, that Jumbo completed what was destined alas, to be his lost magnificent performance. He was escorted by his keeper, Scott, to the waiting circus cars, there to be loaded for the next stop on the itinerary. The circus trains had been backed into the only siding of a one track line, ready to receive and load all the circus equipment. To expedite the loading, a gap had been torn in the fence along the right of way, and a space had been left between the cars on the siding to permit access to the main track.

Jumbo's private car was some distance down the main line, and it was while walking to this that a shrill whistle signaled the approach of an oncoming freight train on the Grand Trunk railroad, on the very same track. The railroad employee whose job it was to flag down any advancing train while the show was being loaded had, on hearing that the big elephant was coming through the gap, left his post to get a better view. His carelessness was the cause of Jumbo's sad ending.

Hysterically, but too late, the flagman ran toward the swiftly approaching train, waving his red lantern. Brakes were speedily set, sparks flew from the locked wheels, but the downward grade had already given the onrushing train a tremendous impetus, allowing the brakes to have little effect in the short distance. Scott frantically turned Jumbo around, shouting, "Run Jumbo, run." The elephant responded with alacrity and raising his trunk high in the air commenced to retrace his steps to the opening which he had just passed.

Running wildly he had in the meantime passed the opening he sought by two full car lengths, before he realized his mistake. Turning around to retrace this precious distance to safety, he was met head on by the engine. The force of the impact was so great that the engine was derailed and a car following it was also. Jumbo's head was crushed between a box car and a flat car. In a lawsuit that followed, between the railroad and the circus, a settlement was reached out of court, whereby Barnum received $10,000 in cash and free use of that railroad, the Grand Trunk, for one year for transportation of the circus. Barnum claimed that the loss of Jumbo meant at least $100,000 at the gate. Many accounts have been published of the famous elephant, some with errors, and his height stated as much as 11 feet at times, however from accurate records preserved by the MUSEUM of NATURAL HISTORY, Jumbo was 10 feet, nine inches tall.

The famous elephant was mounted and displayed by the circus for a period of two years as a silent added attraction of what was once mighty and strong. Later Jumbo's skeleton was presented to the Museum of Natural History, where it may be seen to this day during visiting hours. The hide was reconstructed and stuffed, and can be seen at the Barnum Museum at Tufts College, Medford, Mass., where P. T. Barnum was on the board of directors. The writer has seen the mounted Jumbo on two occasions while in Medford with Downie Bros. Circus. Many thousands have looked on with wonderment.

Jumbo, king of elephants, was mourned far and wide. He was one of the few African elephants ever brought to America, and he was an animal whose reputation eclipsed that of any favorite that since has been presented to the public.

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Big Circus Here

From The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Virginia, January 21, 1940. Bandwagon, Vol. 1, Jan-Feb, 1956, p. 8.

It seemed that everyone was at the circus yesterday afternoon, Forepaugh's big animal show, with all its side attractions, including a Wild West-Indian show. There was a great Wild West Exhibition, Custer's Last Rally and 200 mounted entertainers. There were realistic portrayals of an emigrant train crossing the plains; the robbery of the Overland Mail; the atrocious Mountain Meadow massacre; fort life in the Far West; Indian fights and many other interesting acts, too numerous to mention.

Between 11 and 12 o'clock, as the parade passed through the principal thoroughfares of the city, the sidewalks were literally packed, and bevies of young ladies, in their new fall costumes, were gathered on every balcony, filled every window.

The circus was far above the average. Especially fine were the educated bronchos and the cotillion dance by eight elephants; The Three Marvels in grotesque evolutions, William Harbeck, the wonderful contortionist; the Fisher Bros. leap for life, and other fine gymnastic performances.

The Wild West exhibition, in which the fate of the Western horse thief and scouting exploits are presented in a very realistic manner, is one of the best features. The circus closes with the great exhibition of Custer's last rally, which ends in a battle between the Indians and the General's brigade, which is remarkably well done. The tent was full at the performances, and when it comes this way again the show will not fail to draw an equally large crowd.

Police made a raid on a gang of fakirs at the show grounds and pulled six of them. They were doing a rushing business with games played with shells and balls. Mayor Evans, who is always persistent in his efforts to punish violators of the laws, was with the officers when the arrests were made. The circus manager is resolute that fakirs shall not follow up his aggregation.

The crowds were big and mostly on foot, as every conveyance with wheels in Roanoke had been pressed into service. The sleepy street car mules, accustomed to easy work and light loads, were fairly startled into activity that was only increased by the loads the cars bore. Press Agent Peck said there were 8,000 people inside the canvas when the performance began. It was a great day and everybody was in it.

[Note] According to the 1947 Edition of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Route Book, Adam Forepaugh & Wild West exhibited in Roanoke, Virginia, October 28, 1890. Subsequently, The Great Adam Forepaugh Show gave performances in Roanoke November 3, 1892 and May 2, 1894, followed by Adam Forepaugh & Sells Brothers, "America's Greatest Shows Consolidated," September 27, 1898. - A. Robert Hall.

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With The Greatest Show On Earth

By John G. Quinius. Bandwagon, Vol. 1, Jan-Feb, 1956, pp. 9-10.

Written in 1900 by John G. Quinius. Furnished the Band Wagon by his son Herman M. Quinius, CFA of Bette Leonard Tent, Wichita, Kansas. Please note these stories were written and published for childrens entertainment over 55 years ago.

The man who writes the programs calls me Oleander, and I'm the only "Happy Family" cat that has ever been asked to write a story. I'm proud of the distinction, and I'm going to do my best. I'm going to tell of some of the things I've seen and heard and learned about the many friends in feather and fur which live in the cages which surround my own home in the Happy Family Group of the Greatest Show on Earth.

This is my fifth season on the road, and I hear that this year we are to spend the entire six months in the United States. Last year we were in Australia and the year before in Europe. The year we were in Germany, Emperor William come to see us, and in London we were honored by a visit from the king. The Presidents of our own country never fail to attend our exhibitions when we are showing in Washington, D.C., the capital of our country, and it's all because there is no other menagerie on earth in which are gathered together so many different kinds and species of animals and birds. That, too, is the reason why we always draw a crowd, and there's never a day that thousands of people do not admire and examine us and talk about us. From their remarks and conversation we gather much that is useful and helpful and many facts worth knowing and remembering, and of some of these I will tell you when the proper time comes to weave them into my story.

It was while we were still in our winter quarters that I received my assignment to write the story of our coming season's trip, and so I must necessarily put the chapters following this in the form of letters, which I will write and forward from the various cities and towns in which we stop.

Just now all is bustle and excitement in and about the large barn-like structure in which most of us have spent the winter days. The woodwork of the cages and wagons has all been cleaned and freshly painted, and the great band-wagon has received its new coat of crimson and of gold. The birds have been requested to trim their feathers and clean their beaks and claws, and all the animals are spending their leisure hours in slicking up their coats of hair and wool. You know, of course, that we are only allowed to take with us the coat upon our bodies and our backs, there being only one exception to this rule, and that's the drove of elephants; they always take their trunks with them.

Among the few animals who are to travel with us, but who have spent the winter elsewhere, is my mate Primrose (I call her Rosie for short). She had been spending the days in the home of a very kindhearted lady, and oh! how she did hate to hear the summons that called her back to a season with the Happy Family. But her fretting and fussing did her no good, for the manager said, "Rosie, I need you," and so she had to come. I told her as soon as I saw her that she had better stop growling and grumbling, get a smile on her face instead, and look at the bright and pleasant side of life. What's the use of being unhappy anyway. It's just as easy and for more healthy to find and bask in the sunshine and the bright things which surround us every day. We can find them if we only search and look aright.

Rosie was the last member of our Happy Family to reach the winter quarters. All others had already found and claimed their places in the large cage in which we are to make our home during the entire trip. Just now as I write the two monkeys are sitting side by side upon a large shelf near the top. Tony, the racoon, coiled up and sleeping soundly, has laid claim to a shelf about halfway up. Dash, the fox terrier, and Brindle, the bow-legged bull dog, lie side by side in one corner. The parrot and the cockatoo are using the swinging perches. The bantam rooster and his mate are scratching in the straw which was thrown upon the bottom of the cage. The pair of fantail pigeons are hopping from perch to perch. The lamb is quietly nibbling hay from a small rack fastened to one side of our house. The goose and gander are sighing for the drink of water an attendant brings twice each day. Just across the aisle the six seals are splashing about in their tank of water, and to their right, in an adjoining cage, a great, huge polar bear is growling because he feels too warm. Well, well! here comes my friend the billy goat, and I'll have to stop and chat with him. Excuse me, please; I'll write you later from Madison Square Garden in New York.

Dayton, Ohio.

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These Were The Good Old Days

By Bob Taber. Bandwagon, Vol. 1, Jan-Feb, 1956, pp. 11-12.

When newspapers of small towns in Texas carried stories the first year after the close of World War I of the coming of the Backman & Tinsch circus the citizens commenced to look forward to a gala day.

During a period of American circus history the two-car outfits brought amusement to places the big shows could not afford to play. These towns were fertile fields for the organization that could transport all equipment in two cars that moved in regular passenger service.

It was matter of burning the midnight oil to study timetables to learn how a small show could be routed on branch lines of railroads to play as many spots as possible so as to be able to tear down, load in the cars and be ready to move when the local came along. Sometimes it was hustle to make connections. There were cases when even the train crew helped load so the show could get rolling. Some towns were passed because it was impossible to show profitably and get away in train time.

A circus of this type that was out for a single season just after the war was Backman & Tinsch. This was organized in San Antonio. John Backman had the experience having operated animal shows on the Wortham and other carnivals as well as playing independent; Al Tinsch was a plumber, who had the money and desired to get into the show game.

In one 83 foot baggage car all equipment was loaded. The second car served as a sleeper and diner. The show usually played railroad lots. Every one ate on the train, when it was meal time every one ate even if the show was enroute.

This was a money maker. It is said that for 60 days the receipts averaged $1,000 a day with a nut of $350 daily.

The season out almost entirely was spent in Texas.

The performance was given under a tent that consisted of an 80 foot round top with two 30 foot middles.

Having had much experience with trained animals it was only natural that Mr. Backman made animals play a big part in the program. Captain Roy House put 10 lions through their act in an arena almost as large as the bigger shows carried. Mrs. Backman presented a six pony drill.

Roy Ludington, who got his first circus training there, worked a bear act.

Skinny Matlock, later in big time on The Al G. Barnes show, did a Spanish web act, also rode menage; Bert Dennis, who was later an important figure on the Barnes show and his wife worked in the program.

Tim Buckley, later on both the Ringling show and Barnes trained the ponies and was animal boss, Roy Ludington trained the monkeys. The show had no elephant.

That was before the days of amplified music. Ten musicians in red coats formed the band and got much music out of their instruments.

Joe Conley was agent with five men ahead. The show billed heavy. The advance was usually two weeks ahead.

Mr. Backman was manager and equestrian director. Geo. Donovan was assistant manager and legal adjuster. He studied timetables to help route the show on branch lines where it could play part of the towns going in and the alternating ones coming out to the main line.

Karl Knudsen, the lost few years 24 agent for Clyde Beatty, got his first training there.

Chas. Cook, later manager of the Al G. Barnes show, was utility man and looked after the loading at night.

All animals were in the sideshow. Mrs. Backman had her trained birds there and Mr. Backman worked magic.

Mr. Backman, now 88 years young is living a life of ease at Venice, California. This home has been headquarters for 34 years. He has farm property near Puente, Calif. His first trip to California was in 1889. He went west to join the Sells Brothers circus just back from Australia. The show wintered in Stockton, made a long move to San Diego, Calif., where it opened and then worked north. One thing he remembers of the equipment that year was that every other wagon and every other car of the train were lettered S. H. Barrett Circus. Mr. Barrett was general agent of the Sells Brothers show. Mr. Backman was equestrian for the Al G. Barnes show for several seasons in the twenties. He had complete charge of the program, even designing blankets for the elephants.

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One Man Circus a Georgia Institution

Written by Eddie Jackson in 1931-32. Bandwagon, Vol. 1, Jan-Feb, 1956, pp. 13-14.

Like migratory birds, several of the more pretentious circuses move south for the winter months. Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey, world's largest circus, to its palatial home in tropical Sarasota, Florida, while Charles Sparks' world's largest motorized organization to Macon, Georgia, which is located in the "Heart 'O Dixie" and widely known as the locale of that popular best seller, "Gone With The Wind" which we eventually hope to see in the cinemas.

Of course there are other tented enterprises that prefer a mild climate to the frozen north and included in this category is the Chas. R. Hall, Museum and Menagerie which not only bears the unique distinction of being the world's smallest, but the only circus in the world in which the entire performance is given by one man. Macon, Georgia also boasts of being the winter home of this famous little organization that is dear to the hearts of countless kiddies widely scattered throughout the smaller towns of the northern and southern states.

Chas. R. Hall, although comparatively young in years, has been the sole owner, manager and trainer of this little organization for fifteen successful years. He is even his own advance agent and sometimes bills as many as three towns in one day after which he returns to the show in time to give the night performance. These fifteen years have been so highly successful that he has already formulated plans for an early retirement to a California Fruit Ranch.

Emanating from the "House of Hall" in Evansville, Wisc., where three generations of circus owners first saw the light of day, Charles started life with his grandfather's circus, the then popular "Popcorn" George Hall's Wagon Shows. The sobriquet of "Popcorn George" having been given him for the reason that he was the first to introduce huge gaily hued popcorn balls to the circus public and the nickname followed him through life - incidentally proving to be a valuable trademark.

After the grandfather's death, Charles' father inherited the circus and later retired to the old homestead in Wisconsin after amassing a fortune. By this time the circus wanderlust had reached a climax in the life of young Charles and he started his managerial career with four wagons and eight horses. From the very start the venture proved to be a successful one. He has never aspired to be the owner of a large circus and even in the wagon show days he never permitted the show to expand beyond the twelve wagon limit. Eventually these wagons were superceded by automotive power and the season of 1928 found the circus traveling on three trucks or rather two and a beautiful living car. This equipment may appear small to the average layman, but Mr. Hall is justly proud of being the sole owner of the "world's smallest," as well as perennially successful circus for never has he had a losing season and it has covered a territory extending from California to Florida.

If you think it isn't a herculean feat to load the following animals on two trucks, just try to figure the floor space. The solution is that he double decks the standardized cages of the smaller animals and every available inch of space is utilized. No little task when one considers the size of a two ton elephant, a camel, two trained horses, a pony and mule, Canadian black bear, panther, ocelot, hyena, a troupe of monkeys, a sheep, goat, two trained great dane dogs and last but not least, a real Georgia razorback hog. It is a veritable Noah's Ark in miniature, except that Hall's animals come singly and not in pairs. Is there any reason why Chas. Hall should not be proud of his "world's smallest circus?"

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Mills Bros. Circus 1955 Route

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