Dennie Curtis and "Bees Wax" the Taximeter Mule

Mr. Curtis was an early pioneer in producing Shrine Circuses. After his death his widow Edna Cutris produced the Minneapolis Shrine Date for many years. He did this "January Act" in black-face makeup, the gist of which the mule would kick the collapsible wagon apart. About 1928, my dad had three of Hall's elephants, "Tommy", "Ding" and "Boo", on a Fair Route. The elephants traveled by baggage car and were housed in a 40' X 40' tent, set up in the race track infield. Included on the bill was the great elephant trainer Sidney Rink who at the time, had a January Act similar to this one. My dad made room in the tent and one end of the baggage car for his two mules, wagon and two grooms. Mr. Rink must have been quite picturesque, my dad said his usual attire was a swallow-tail coat and top hat, topped off by a large gold medallion bearing a Masonic Emblem with a tiger claw embedded on either side. On the back was enscribed "To Sidney Rink, the greatest animal trainer in the world.- Al G. Barnes".