Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Col. Tim McCoy #4


This is Col. Tim McCoy in 1959 with the Carson & Barnes Circus and at right is the show's owner Jack Moore.
This might take a little explanation, Jack Moore was another Hugo, Okla. showman that D.R. Miller took under his wing and in 1954 leased him his first elephant "Mabel" at that time it was called the Tex Carson Circus. While I was away in the Army my dad booked our elephants on his little show which solved his driver problem and by 1958, Moore had done so well that he now had 3 elephants "Mabel", "Josky" and "Jenny" and a new title "Carson & Barnes".
After Jack Moore's unexpected death from cancer, D.R. bought out Moore's interest, added it to his own show and for some reason disposed of the old Al G. Kelly & Miller Bros. title
and from then on used Carson & Barnes.
Sixteen years later in 1985 when David Rawls first took his show out of Hugo he decided to bring back the old title but cut it back to just "Kelly-Miller".

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did Jack Moore and his family live down the road from Kelly Miller Quarters? I spent a Xmas dinner at their house in 59 I think It was, They were very nice to me. Is their daughter still living? I think she was married to their elephant person at this time.

Buckles said...

Her name is Wanda and is still with us as far as I know. She attended mine and Barbara's wedding in Paris in 1959. (Texas)

Anonymous said...

I have a memory about this I think. Either Wanda or Barbara had had their hair done that morning. When one or the other went to bath, Wandas husband had left the shower attachment on and ruined the persons hair do. This was in the fifth wheel apartment of their truck. The odd things that one remembers and this blog brings back.

Anonymous said...

Show name question: Did D.R.Miller change to the Carson and Barnes title after the ill-fated boat circus?
Jim A.

Buckles said...

In 1963 my mother, father and I caught the Ringling Show in the Chicago Amphtheater and during intermission we were taken to an office area by Harold Ward where we were introduced to Rudy Bundy, Tuffy Genders, etc. and during this little chat Jack Joyce, who was reading a paper, exclaimed "Jesus Christ, D.R.'s boat sank".
The title episode didn't occur until 1969.

Buckles said...

Rebecca, Wanda's husband's name was Dave and came from outside the business. Unlikely he worked any elephants.

Anonymous said...

I think he just cared for them, not a performer. The hair thing might have been New Years Eve thing. This time was in the winter and in winter quarters so I never saw any performances. Maybe a little xmas show DR put on in a barn for the town folks.

Anonymous said...

Was Jack Joyce DRs Office Manager?. I am thinking IRS

Buckles said...

I believe you are thinking of Jack Smith.
Jack Joyce was a famous horse trainer and later Performance Director with the Ringling Show.

Anonymous said...

Was Jack Joyce the trainer who had the beautiful huge wheeled carriages that made spec? Poodles walked inbetween the spokes of the wheels as they moved. I always thought that was amazing. I always get horse people mixed up.

Buckles said...

Jack is best remembered for his camel act. I have a nice picture of this act I'll send out in the morning.

Anonymous said...

Jack Joyce's mother lived two doors down from me on Crescent Way, in Thousand Oaks. Mabel Stark lived across the street and a long block down. I couldn't do a thing around there without Mrs. Joyce telling Mabel on me--like coming in with a case of beer,or a girlfriend, and boy, did Mabel let me have it the next morning. I never knew it was Mrs. Joyce until long after she died. Jack and Ethel came out for the funeral, and an elephant guy named Whitey and I were chosen among the pallbearers. Jack was so appreciative, he said he'd get me a job on the Ringling show, but I never heard anything more. It was another neighbor, Iola Johnson, directly across from me, who later told me Mrs. Joyce knew me far better than I knew her.

Anonymous said...

To Rebecca? and Buckles, Wanda Moore's husband as we knew it was Hank Hoover, "The Candy Man", and boy o boy could he sing while making "Money". True he was not from the business, but did he ever give us all the business, especially Ann and Jack, Ha!Ha! He was a great man, just too funny, which brings to mind, also a very good clown in his early years. Do either of you possibly know anything about Mike Moore's whereabouts?

Ruby L. (Fulbright) Harris

Anonymous said...

To Rebecca & Buckles, I've got to retract what I said about Hank Hoover. He was not a clown at all, I'm sorry but I had him mixed up with Chuck Fuller which was a black face clown. Don't know why I was confused and didn't know it, but my mother straightened me out, once again!

Ruby L. Fulbright Harris