Fillis, Frank

Fillis, Frank, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Frank Fillis (#2 of 5 in series) James Fillis' nephew Frank Fillis became South Africa's most famous circus man. He was born in London about 1859 and apprenticed to Ginnett's Circus, then went to South Africa to join Bell's circus in 1880, later acquiring it when Bell died a decade later. Fillis embarked on ambitious world tours to India, Australia, Japan, China, and South America. He was also the producer of "Savage South Africa" that appeared in London and of the Boer War show at the 1904 St. Louis world's fair (during which he had dealings with William P. Hall, the Lancaster, Missouri, horse dealer and used circus equipment dealer).