Al G. Barnes 1925 Oh! You mean this Toby Tyler!

Al G. Barnes blow down #1 (Big Timber, Mont. 7/14/25)

I have quite a few pictures of this blow down and subsequent shots of the show working outdoors without a big top which I will show tomorrow. The photographers name is Tobias Tyler and must have traveled with the show since his series covers about a week. Unfortunately these pictures present more questions than answers. Could they have had a blow down in Big Timber and then again two days later in Bozeman? If the big top was still erect in Bozeman on the 16th, why was it necessary to show outdoors in Sunburst, Mont. on the 19th? How many viewers of this Blog have ever been in a blow down? I have experienced four.

Al G. Barnes blowdown #2 (Big Timber, Mont. 7/14/25)

These first two pictures show the remains of the pad top which must have been similar to what we had with the Cole Show. The tent was always spotted near the back door since it contained the ring stock as well as dressing areas for ladies and gentlemen that were partitioned off in the end of the tent.

Al G. Barnes blowdown #3 (Bozeman, Mont. 7/16/25)

The last two pictures taken two days later in Bozeman showing the menagerie and pad top leveled but the big top still up.

Al G. Barnes blowdown #4 (Bozeman, Mont. 7/16/25)

At first I thought those were the show's coaches in the background until I noticed that it included a system baggage car.

Fred Logan Ceremony

The final arrangements for Freddy's Memorial have been made and the Service will he held August 9th at 2:00 PM at the Ewing Funeral Home, 140 Venice Ave. in Venice, Fla.

Floto Show Post Card

Sells-Floto undated back yard shots #1

Too bad this isn't in color, the ladies with their parasols look quite fetching, this might be wardrobe for a Statuary Act. The second lady from the left looks like Charlie Luckey's wife Katy, both of whom I remember from Cole Bros. Circus about 30 years later. She and Mrs. MacFarlan ran the Wardrobe Department while Mr. Luckey built everything from wagons to props.

Sells-Floto undated back yard shots #2

Sells-Floto undated back yard shots #3

Leaving the lot for parade in a more recent photo. In the left background the Elephant Tableau can be glimpsed with the band mounted up.

Sells-Floto undated back yard shots #4

Working men cutting up jackpots between shows.

101 Ranch Program 1930 #1

Zack T. Miller ............................General Manager R.M.Harvey.........................General Agent Tom O. Manning.....................Treasurer T.K. Davenport.....................Asst. Treasurer Harry Earl.........................Press Staff Ora A. Parks....................... " Geo. Mendelsohn.................... " Tex. Sherman....................... " R. Scatterday......................Advertising Manager Eddie Vaughn.......................Legal Adjustr George L. Myers....................Arena Director Jack Bell..........................Bandmaster Dr. J.L. Oyler.....................Side Show Supt. C.R. Caldwell......................Concessions Supt. Capt. R.V. Swift...................Mail Agent General Offices, Ponca City, Okla.

101 Ranch Program 1930 #2

Display No. 1 Presenting the Gorgeous Spectacle, "THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS" under the Reign of Julius Caesar, introducing games, hippodrome racing and the 101 Ranch "ROMANETTE BALLET" featuring the Orienal dance by MISS ESTELLA GERMAIN on the back of an elephant. Display No. 2 CAPT. Swift and his military, wall scaling ZOUAVES, in a remarkable series of rapid, intricate, perfect manouvers, UNEXCELLED ANYWHERE. NOTE- Watch the humorous burlesque of the drill presented off stage. Display No. 3 EUROPEAN TRAMPOLINE WONDERS by the RASMUSSENS, first time in America, especially imported by 101 Ranch Show. Display No. 4 The fearless, courageous DARE-DEVIL COSSACKS with the renowned TED ELDER furnishing the comedy as the old man. Display No. 5 MENAGE, Capt. Leonard, Anna Lock Hamilton, Cornelia Manning, Mary Cardinal, Elizabeth Carter, June Sergie, Marie Brown, Zelda Carson, Alma Graham, Myrtle Shier, Gladys Siebert, Pearl Qualt, Rose Herlin, Lawrtence Cardinal, Grady Smith and Jack Satchell.

101 Ranch Program 1930 #3

"GEORGE L. MYERS and JACK BELL, Arena Director and Bandmaster, talking it over before Mr. Myers blows the first whistle" Display No. 6 HIGH JUMPING HORSES, featuring ROWLAND HUNTER who presents the most smashing novelty of the season, "THE EQUESTIAN ACROBATIC HURDLE". Display No. 7 Many tons of wise old elephants displaying unusual intelligence and remarkable precision in their many new tricks, the Best Troupe of Performing Elephants in America-CAPT. EARL MURRAY, trainer and presented by the petite MISS SELMA ZIMMERMAN. Display No. 8 A remarkable leap by the RASMUSSENS, doing a somersalt jump over an automobile. Display No. 9 INTRODUCTION OF THE WILD WEST. Introducing the entire personnel of the 101 Ranch Wild West with JACK HOXIE, the Universal Moving Picture Star. His leading Lady MISS DIXIE STARR and the Boss of the Ranch, COL. ZACK T. MILLER. Display No. 10 BULL DOGGING, Very dangerous and difficult feat.

101 Ranch Program 1930 #4

"TED ELDER, known as "Suicide Ted" account of his dangerous feats, is one trick rider of exceptional daring who cannot be imitated. There is only one TED ELDER and he is with the 101 Ranch Show". Display No. 11 STEER RIDING, by the cowboys. Display No. 12 (Suicide) TED ELDER, the World'sChampion Trick Rider, stands erect on the backs of two excitable horses as they leap over an automobile- a real thriller without any camouflage. Display No. 13 A BUFFALO HUNT, using buffalo from the Buffalo Park off the famous 101 Ranch, the largest diversified farm in the wide world- showing the speed of these quadrupeds. Display No. 14 STAGE COACH HOLDUP. Note the sensational holdup by the bandits and the remarkable rescue by the cowboys. Watch the wonderful display of affection the bandit's horse shows for his master. NOTE- After the entire company has left the arena, watch the wounded bandit and his faithful horse, note the almost human intelligence of the horse and how it aids his master- the most unique performance ever seen presented by FAITHFUL, the horse. Display No. 15 SHARP SHOOTING, unsurpassed marksmanship by Selma Zimmerman, Jack Webb and Stack Lee.

101 Ranch Program 1930 #5

Display No. 16 Difficult trick roping gracefully presented by cowboys and Mexicans. Display No. 17 Indian War Dances, with the CHIEF WASHINGTON TRIO of bow and arrow marksmen. Featuring the "POCAHONTAS INDIAN BALLET". Display No. 18 Trick and Fancy Riding featuring TED ELDER and the 1929 Rodeo Contestants. Display No. 19 Bronc Riding by the cowboys and the Worlds Champion Lady bucking horse rider, MISS ROSE HERLIN. Display No. 20 Pioneer days in "Happy Hickory Canyon" Stupendous closing spectacle. Featuring the PIONEER HAPPY HICKORY BALLET.

101 Ranch Program 1930 #6

CAST: Bob Sherwood...............JACK HOXIE "Sunshine" Blair...........DIXIE STARR Blackie Blevins............BERT DEMARK Bill Dugan.................JERRY MOORE Shorty Wells...............FRANK REEVES Bunk.......................BY HIMSELF

Beatty-Cole Elephants 1968 #1

This set of pictures from Eric Beheim of the Aladdin Shrine Circus taken in Columbus at the State Fairgrounds in 1968. Just up from Florida, the rolling stock is freshly painted. The truck in the foreground might be for the Cristiani horses.

Beatty-Cole Elephants 1968 #2

Ava Williams riding the lead elephant in Spec.

Beatty-Cole Elephants 1968 #3

Rex and Ava Williams with the center ring elephant act "Pete", "Sue", "Dena", "Bee" and "Gyp".

Beatty-Cole Elephants 1968 #4

Beatty-Cole Elephants 1968 #5

Circus World Museum 1966

I received this wonderful picture from John Herriott yesterday, along with the following information: From left No. 1- Paul Luckey, CWM Ringmaster, formerly band member with Parker & Watts Circus and friend of Merle Evans. No. 2- Chappie Fox, Director of Circus World Museum. No. 3- David (Deacon) Blanchfield, 50 years Transportation Supt. with RBBB having started as a teamster with the John Robinson Circus. No. 4- Dick (Rocko) Lewis, famous clown who died while doing the table rock in San Antonio on the Texas Shrine dates. No. 5- Mayme Ward, who started the Bloomington Flying Act School with husband Edward. A famous flyer and catcher and now Wardrobe Mistess at CWM and the Milwaukee Parade. No. 6- Edna Curtiss Christianson, former wife of Denny Curtiss (First Shrine Circus Producer along with John Agee) and former Ringling horse trainer. No. 7- Jorgen M. Christianson, greatest liberty horse trainer of all time. Trained two 24 horse liberty acts, RBBB in 1924 and Cole Bros. in 1939 as well as a 72 animal tableau for the Ringling Show. No. 8 & 9- John and Mary Ruth Herriott No. 10 & 11- Julia and Mauricio Droguett.

John Pawling Circus 1949 #1

The official title for this show was "John Pawling Great London Circus", it only existed for one season and as I recall, the owners name was Rumbaugh. The equipment looks very well painted and canvas in good shape. The show had a cat act as well as Rudy Mueller's elephant "Rosie", formerly of Billy Rose's "Jumbo". Tommy Bently was on the show and I remember him telling my dad later with Kelly-Miller that it was a pretty neat operation, the spec was well choreographed and the band leader had even written a March which Tommy sang for us: "There's something about a circus, something about a circus, something about a circus that is fine, fine, fine! Something about the music, something about magic, something about the uniforms that shine, shine, shine!". A catchy little ditty, odd what people will remember after all these years.

John Pawling Circus 1949 #2

John Pawling Circus 1949 #3

John Pawling Circus 1949 #4

This is Capt. Engerer's cat act, also well painted and what appears to be about a 100' bale ring top in the background.

From Dwight Hanson

Dear Buckles, A few moments ago I spoke with Omii Logan and she said there would be Memorial Service for Freddy on Aug. 5 in Venice with the time and Funeral Home yet to be determined.

Bare chested animal trainers #1

Ben Williams

Bare chested animal trainers #2

Robert Baudy and Charlotte Walch.

Bare chested animal trainers #3

Rebecca Apponey

Bare chested animal trainers #4

Joe Horvath with Gil Gray Circus (from Bill Strong).

Bare chested animal trainers #5

This is the cover of a 1935 "Sawdust" magazine but I was unable to find a mention of the trainers name. Did see however, that the magazine sold for six pence at the time.

From Charlie Gray

HI BUCKLES, THIS IS A PICTURE OF "LOGAN" TAKEN TODAY. PLEASE PASS ALONG OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE LOGAN FAMILY. CHARLIE GRAY

Sarah Elizabeth Orton

While on the melancholy subject of the recently deceased, I received this picture of my Great Grandmother's tombstone from Historian Jim Stockley of South Africa. This is new to me since I was under the impression my relatives were all buried at the home site and circus winter quarters in Ortonville. The following is from his source of information, an unknown cousin of mine. "My great grandfather, Hiram, died in 1884. My great grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth, died in 1890 at Ortonville, Iowa. Mary Ann Cooke, her daughter-in-law for just a few years, was very close to my great grandmother who was buried in a private cemetary called Miller Cemetary about two miles east of Adel, Iowa. Sometime after 1890, Mary Ann bought and placed a very expensive and beautiful seven foot tall headstone. It has at it's base, Mary Ann's name as it's donor." I might add that Mary Ann Cooke was previously married to circus owner W.W. Cole. My mother's name was Sarah Elizabeth as well but being the youngest of the family was always called "Babe".

Fred Logan Memorial

I am told today that Freddy will have a burial ceremony in DeLand but restricted to family members. However there are plans for a Memorial Service at the Sarasota Show Folks Club in November.

African Lion Safari #1

These pictures just received from Darryl Atkinson, taken last month during his visit with Charlie Gray at African Lion Safari in Hamilton, Ontario. This picture especially meaningful since it shows "Logan", Freddy's namesake.

African Lion Safari #2

African Lion Safari #3

Fred C. Logan

Just received a call from Jim Elliott telling me that Freddy passed away this morning.

Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus 1916 #1

From the Bob Bernard collection, the arrival of Hagenbeck-Wallace into Memphis, Tenn. Oct. 16, 1916.

Hagenbeck-Wallace 1916 #2

Hagenbeck- Wallace Circus 1916 #3

Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus 1916 #4

Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus 1916 #5

Fred Logan

I just received an eMail from Dwight Hanson that Fred Logan suffered a heart attack last night in the Hospital and is not expected to survive the day.

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #6

George Engesser's show being ferried across a river in Wisconsin in 1926. Written on the back is "Lion cage and dog trailer".

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #7

This is the elephant truck for "Ruth" that Ned mentioned yesterday. I'm sure Andrew Downie (Downie Bros. Circus) must have had a truck for his three elephants this same year. In fact I have a picture of the four small Rhoda Royal elephants with Coop & Lent Circus in 1918 being hauled in a four wheel trailer, towed by a chain driven truck.

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #8

I find it hard to believe that this Monkey Motor Drome made one day stands but the picture is out of the Zellmar Bros. set.

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #9

The remains of the cook house truck after a fire.

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #10

This looks to be a former Rep Show tent (Repetory Company) with a partition across the square end. You can see the rigging for two sets of Roman Rings and one Trapeze. Back door and band on the left, long side grandstand on the right.

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #1

I don't know when George Engesser took his first show out but as an early motorized circus in 1926 it looks to be a pretty good sized affair already. More musicians here than with RBBB today. It was titled Zellmar Bros. but was changed to Schell Bros. Circus in 1928.

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #2

"Bum" Henry from the J.E. Henry family of former circus owners. I'm sure many of you remember both he and his brother Glen.

Zellmar Bros. Circus 1926 #3

Something you don't see every day, an act presented by two one-legged performers.