Buckles Blog: From Buckles

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Scan10119, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Anonymous said...: This is Gollmar Bros. out of Baraboo, about 1910-1912. The image is part of a large set of views taken at Shawano [pronounced Shaw-no], WI. Yes, this is how it went into parade [with team and driver]. Some shows [Howes, Forepaugh, Sells, Forepaugh-Sells, etc.] also had live animals, lions, bears, leopards, secured on top of wagons. They were usually at the feet of their trainers, secured in place by a chain and nose ring. This started by 1864. A photo showing the ramp that was used to get a lion atop a tableau is in Thompson's book, "On The Road With A Circus," facing page 225. You may want to post it for the cognoscenti. A view of Barbara, accompanied by a leopard in one of the Milwaukee parades, would also be great.; 25 July, 2007 11:47
Anonymous said...: Many trainers, presenters and assistants rode parade inside cages with various animals. We all know the story of how Mabel Stark nearly lost her life riding like this.; 25 July, 2007 16:24
Anonymous said...: Who was the one armed cat trainer that appeared in a side show maybe in the 40's. It seems that I saw this act but old age is catching up.; 25 July, 2007 19:31

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