The Chariot Race #8

. . . and on the front of a spice can.

The Chariot Race #9

It even appeared on the curtain of the Forum Theater in Wichita, Kansas, as seen in this old postcard.

The Chariot Race #10

Most of us, however, are familiar with The Chariot Race from its having being adapted for this famous Ringling poster . . .

The Chariot Race #11

. . . and its equally famous variant. This poster, in turn, inspired still another noteworthy variant . . .

The Chariot Race #12

. . . that was painted onto the side of one of the Red Unit trucks for the 1979-1980 109th Edition tour. As seen in this photo taken in San Diego in 1979, it portrays Gunther as Ben-Hur some 97 years after The Chariot Race first appeared. (Von Wagner would have been amazed!)

Mayme Ward

This was taken at the New York World's Fair in 1964. Mayme was in town to appear on "What's My Line" and Chappie asked if "Anna May" could make this pose for a beer sponsor in regard to the Milwaukee parade

From Chic Silber

Flyers #1

Flyers #2

Flyers #3

Flyers #4

Flyers #5

Flyers #6

Flyers #7

Flyers #8

Flyers #9

Flyers #10

Flyers #11

Flyers #12

Unique Vehicles #1

My Dad wrote on the back: "Russell Hall's One Man Barnyard Circus on the Kelly-Miller lot at Kennett, Mo. 1950. Russell Hall seated in the door, grandson of Col. George W. Hall (Popcorn George)."

Unique Vehicles #2

Unique Vehicles #3

Rube Act.

Unique Vehicles #4

Early Drive In Movie.

Unique Vehicles #5

Unique Vehicles #6

Gypsy Overland Living Wagon One of several built by Beggs Wagon Co.

Unique Vehicles #7

Unique Vehicles #8

Unique Vehicles #9

Calliope

Unique Vehicles #10

Unique Vehicles #11

Unique Vehicles #12

More 1994 stuff

While Ted was re-routining the elephant acts for the fateful 1994 season, he would invite me up to the Fairgrounds to see if I might have some suggestions. He even went so far as to have this pass issued.

To Chic Silber

My presence continued to occasionally grace the ring up to and  including our final season, a span that ran from 1982 to 2000.

To Paul Gutheil #1

This was the 1995-96 show.

To Paul Gutheil #2

To Paul Gutheil #3

Hugo Quarters 1957-58 #1

Came across these pictures of my folks practicing the act in front of the ring barn not long after I left for the Army. My dad liked that Vaudeville stuff so here we see "Lydia" playing the harmonica, "Anna May" beating the drums accompanied by "Sadie" doing her "monkey dance".

Hugo Quarters 1957-58 #2

Hugo Quarters 1957-58 #3

My father liked dogs and over the course of time joined out these two strays "Charlie" and "Pom Pom" and my mother finally said "If we have to feed them I might as well put them to work!"

Hugo Quarters 1957-58#4

The Grand Finale with "Lydia" and "Anna May" turning on spindles waving American flags while "Sadie" did the whirl out front accompanied by the playing of "Stars and Stripes Forever".

Dogs in the act #1

On my return in the Spring of 1959 I was immediately thrust into the act in what turned out to be a harrowing experience when confronted with the facts of just how little I knew. During the performance my dad would yell instructions from outside the ring and on occasion step inside, take the  bullhook and say "Dammit!.....this is what I mean!" I remember overhearing one Shriner saying to another, "Nice elephant act this year but I wonder why that guy is ranting and throwing things around outside the ring?"

Dogs in the act #2

With Rudy Bros. Circus in 1959, the Colonel in the background picking up the flags for the grand finale (lots of props in the act) while "Charlie" does his big trick and "Pom Pom" waits patiently at right.

Dogs in the act! #3

From Chic Silber #1

Two popular animals from Sarasota's Big Cat Habitat are starring in the new Martin Scorsese film, "The Wolf of Wall Street". The movie features Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill. The animals from Kay Rosaire's Big Cat Habitat are a 4 year old chimpanzee named Chance and a 600 lb lion named Handsome. Chance got to star alongside DiCaprio in a couple of scenes, said Pam Rosaire. Handsome the lion is a symbol of the company DiCaprio owns in the film.

From Chic Silber #2

"Chance"

From Chic Silber #3

"Handsome"

To Chic Silber

Received this picture from Jimmy Silverlake, showing me exiting the lot March 5th 1995 in Charlotte, N.C. After a brief R&R I was back at it, putting an act together for the 1995-96 Big Apple tour.

Follow Up

While replacing my 1994 journal I noticed something long forgotten. During the season I had listed the numbers and contents of the railroad cars and rolling stock. Also the staff and you might notice the turnover that year was quite brisk.

Merry Christmas!

Final Xmas Cards #1