Hartford Fire #1 (From John Goodall)

4ff231daa4535_preview-620, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Contributed / Circus World Museum - The crowd rushes from a flaming Ringling Brothers tent during the 1944 Hartford circus fire, which claimed the lives of nearly 170 people and injured more than 700 others. As the crowd rushed from the blazing circus tent, 10-year-old Catriona Sieracki stood frozen at the edge of the grandstand. She knew her only chance to make it out of the inferno alive was to jump from the bleachers onto the lions’ cage, then get to the ground and dash for daylight. But she couldn’t muster the courage to leap. A man who had been sitting next to her as the Flying Wallendas performed their death-defying stunt act — before the fire broke out — now stood behind Sieracki as the audience flocked toward the exits. “I just remember he gave me a push,” she said. That forced her to hop down and escape the tent before it was fully engulfed. Sixty-eight years later, Sieracki said she never learned the man’s name and doesn’t know what became of him. But she recalls many details of the historic blaze, which occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Conn., and claimed the lives of almost 170 people. As she sat near several heat-damaged folding chairs that were recovered from the Hartford fire — now kept at Circus World’s Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center in Baraboo — Sieracki described her experience during what is known as the worst tragedy in circus history. Sieracki’s tale of survival will soon become part of the historic record following a recorded interview with Circus World staff. Stars and Stripes Now 78 years old and living in Manitowoc, Sieracki’s memory of that fateful day is remarkably vivid. Over the years, she has told her version of events to friends and family in details so specific that when her son, Carl, finally saw a home camera’s grainy footage of the fire, it was exactly as he imagined. “It was as if I had seen it before, because it was so well-described,” Carl said. The 10-year-old Catriona — along with her mother and cousin — traveled from their home in the nearby city of New Britain to Hartford that hot summer day to see the Ringling Brothers Circus. As she sat in the grandstand, Sieracki said, she saw fire streak across the opposite side of the tent. One of the Wallendas was on his way up to perform a stunt, she said, but began to descend as soon as he saw trouble. Sieracki recalls the circus band began to play “Stars and Stripes Forever” — known as the circus disaster march — as her mother guided her out of the tent, which was the size of two football fields. Circus World ringmaster David SaLoutos, who has researched the Hartford fire, said the band’s song switch was a circus tradition designed to alert staff to a problem without sending the audience into a panic. “It’s the one piece every musician knows by heart,” he said. Circus World’s library contains a piece of singed sheet music that was on the band leader’s music stand when the fire started. ‘Smoldering ashes’ Once outside in the hot sun, Catriona and her cousin were ordered to run about 400 feet from the tent and take cover in some bushes. Once her mother gave permission, they returned to the scene. “We walked back,” Catriona said, recalling the sound of sirens. “There was nothing left but smoldering ashes... I just remember seeing the piles of ashes and it was still burning and hot.” Catriona’s mother searched for a phone to call her husband. But in those days, when an emergency occurred, phone lines were occupied by first responders. She couldn’t get through. Eventually, they drove to a nearby town to call him. After taking the children home, Catriona’s mother — a trained Red Cross aide — went back to the scene to help victims. More than 700 people were injured in the blaze. Five Ringling Brothers executives and employees were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Four were convicted but later pardoned. The circus paid nearly $5 million in claims to the victims and their families. ‘He saw a red man’ The Ringling Brothers’ tent had been coated with a flammable solution that was intended to protect it from rain. To matters worse, fire extinguishers that ordinarily were brought into the tent were left in the circus train that day. Although most agree it was this unfortunate combination that allowed the fire to spread rapidly, the origin of the blaze has remained in doubt for the past 68 years. Robert Dale Segee, a deranged former circus employee, confessed in 1950 that he had set the fire. A convicted arsonist, Segee said he unconsciously lit the tent after he experienced a nightmare. “He saw a red man, and the red man would tell him to do things,” Circus World archivist Pete Shrake said. Segee later recanted his confession. He was convicted of separate arson charges in Ohio, but never was proven guilty of setting the Hartford fire. Investigators doubted his confession because of his mental illness. A sense of gratitude Catriona knew of a handful of people from her hometown who were killed in the Hartford fire, including a little boy who she described as “cute” and has never forgotten. For years, certain events triggered her memory of the fire, including a circus in another town years later. “When I walked into that tent, even though it was in a different town, it brought back all sorts of memories,” she said as she recalled a light that started to burn during that performance. “I was almost out of my seat when I saw that, but nothing happened.” In the days leading up to the Hartford fire, Catriona had learned to play a song on the piano that was stuck in her head that day. To this day, the jingle makes her sick to her stomach. Although many of her memories from that day are unsettling, Catriona remembers the man who nudged her from the grandstands with a sense of gratitude. “Whoever he is, thank you,” she said.

More comments from Henry Penndorf

Buckles, Thank you for for the information and the list of elephants performing with the 1955 Edition of Ringling Brothers Circus. I had to smile when I saw that one of the elephants was named Henry (#37). I have printed your list and placed it with my 1955 program. After you mentioned "Mamas In The Park", I went back to the program and found the elephants' production number right away. There it was, Display #17. There was even a drawing of a mother elephant pushing her baby in a carriage. I don't know how I missed it the first time. Maybe I was distracted by the lyrics to the song, "Mamas In The Park". As always your Blog is most informative. I learned that th! ere are two Hastings in New York. The one located near me in Westchester County and one in upstate New York, somewhere between Rochester and Syracuse. Actually the one that I have always known as just Hastings, I found out has a full name, Hastings-on-Hudson. The Double M Ranch is located in the upstate New York Hastings. For Erik Jaeger... I don't remember the circus where they finally caught up to Taras Bulba, but I am fairly sure that he appeared on the last program of "Circus" that season. I found a copy of Def Leppard's "Animal" video on You Tube. ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R2GLQDLFtM ) Was that Taras Bulba sitting in the car? Erik, what is the younger Alfred Beautour's cage act like? What makes it special? There is a great picture of the younger Alfred Beautour on Bill Strong's Blog. "Yesterday's Towns", with one of Mr. Beautour's tigers walking on his hind legs. You can find it in the Blog's archives - January 8, 2007. The picture is from Circus Krone 1996. For! Roger Smith... Thank you for the information on Bert Nelson an d Mabel Stark and their performing history relating to Ringling Brothers. Am I correct that Clyde Beatty was with Ringling Brothers before 1938? Were there any other notable wild animal trainers who worked for Ringling Brothers prior to 1938? I am looking forward to your book on Mabel Stark. I hope you will let everyone know via Buckles Blog and Bill Strong's Blog when it is completed. "The Marvelous Mabel Stark" a movie based on Robert Hough's fictional accounting of Mabel Stark's life starring Kate Winslet is scheduled to begin production sometime in 2008. Miss Winslet is very committed to this project. After a previous attempt to mak! e this movie failed, Miss Winslet, and her husband director/producer Sam Mendes purchased the movie rights to the book, "The Final Confession of Mabel Stark". The movie will be produced by Sam Mendes own production company, "Neal Street Productions". According to the 1955 program the ringmaster was Count Nicholas. He was Ringling Brother's Ringmaster from 1951 through 1955. Count Nicholas appeared as the Ringmaster in Cecil B. DeMille's "Greatest Show On Earth". Harold Ronk, the first singing ringmaster, began his circus career in 1957. He returned to Ringling Brother's as ringmaster in 1960, and except for 1973 and 1977, continued as the circus's ringmaster until 1980. A! fter the creation of Ringling Brother's second unit in 1969, Harold Ro nk served as the Blue Unit's ringmaster. For Harry Kingston... Mike Cecere sounds like a great gentleman and a good friend. If it were the Hastings near me, I would definitely like to visit with him. I would like to hear his story about the five wildest male lions ever, and the Hoxie Brothers Circus. For John Goodall... Thank you for the information on Wilson "Willie" Storey. Henry

Mstislav Zapashny #1 (From Henry Penndorf)

I had to smile by a comment that Mr. Strong posted on his "Yesterday's Town" Blog for his post of "Snapshots: Penny Ran Across These, Don't Know Where They Came From". In answering a poster's comment, Mr Strong said, "Besides would I put a date without checking with Encyclopedia Woodcock". Your knowledge is approaching legendary status. I believe that at one time Gunther Gebel-Williams took two tigers up on a swing during his act. Mark Oliver Gebel like his dad, also used the tiger on swing in his tiger act.For Todd P. and Larry Allen Dean...Attached are two pictures of Nikolai Pavlenko performing, complete with his tuxedo and conductor's baton. I don't know when those pictures were taken. I do have some pictures of him in more colorful costumes.I have also attached two pictures of another Russian animal trainer, Mstislav Zapashny. His act is likes of something that I have never seen. It is even more unique than the four lions riding on horseback. Apparently the entire act takes place while both the trainer and his animals balance on large mirrored balls. If I read the article correctly, the act starts out with showgirls balancing on the mirrored balls, who are then replaced by the tigers. At one point of the act, the tigers create a bridge from ball to ball. Each tiger placing their front paws on the ball next to them, balancing between the two balls.For John H... When I asked about pictures of Flavio presenti! ng tigers with Ringling Brothers, I was not quite sure if he did or not. When I saw him perform with Ringling Brothers the only cage act he presented was a mixed act consisting of a white rhino and a black leopard. I did read that when Flavio joined Ringling Brothers, he brought with him fifteen elephants, forty-two horses, two tigers, a rhino and a black leopard. Also in an issue of the "White Tops" magazine (Volume 67, January-February 1994), Mike Cecere in his chronicling of "Ringling Brothers Big Cat and Elephant Trainers" credits Flavio with presenting with a rhino/tiger act in 1990 and 1991. Those facts led me to believe that Flavio may have been working on a tiger act and it was added after he left New York or in the second year of the 120th Edition's tour. I know he presents a tiger act now in his American Circus.Mr. Cecere also in his article states that in 1989, Jerry Wesman brought over a mixed act to finish out t! he Blue Unit's tour after Larry Allen Dean took his lion act to Japan that summer with the then Gold Unit. He said Mr. Wesman went back after that year's tour finished. Any more information on him? Any pictures?The former Ringling Brothers' employee, Archele Hundley, who testified at the hearing in Buffalo, New York asking to ban elephants in circuses, appears to be making the rounds. Appearing on behalf of PETA, with another former Ringling Brothers' employee, Robert Tom, took their tales of abuse to the North Carolina area where Ringling Brothers is appearing. Ms. Hundley has changed her tactics somewhat. Armed with a PETA video, she is not asking for a ban on elephants, but asking that bullhooks and chains be banned. There is a Wavy TV-10 news video of her statements before the committee that accompanies the a news article.WAVY TV 10 - News, Weather, Traffic, Sports for Hampton Roads, Virginia - North Eastern North ! Carolina - Former Ringling Bros. employees allege animal abuse; circus dismisses accusationsTwo questions...I was looking through some old circus programs yesterday and came across a Hamid-Morton program from 1982. The program list a wild animal trainer, Prince Marcanna, presenting a mixed group of sixteen tigers, two lions an a rare white tiger. Are you familiar with the name? Did Josip Marcan ever perform under the name Prince Marcanna?The second question...Are Katja Schumann and Paul Binder still together? Thank you, Henry

From Sue Lenz

From Sue Lenz, originally uploaded by buckleswoodcock. Shannon has come up with a new service (Flickr) to host pictures, maybe it will solve the recent problems. This first picture is from a set of about twelve, received today from Sue Lenz and I have asked Shannon to also include her accompanying message. Under this new system, to enlarge the photo, you click on the picture as usual and you are taken to a second page, then click on "all sizes". Hi Buckles As I noticed you are putting some pictures from the UK on your wonderful Blog, I thought that you might be interested in some pictures of my Mother taken in the 1930s. Her family ran a Astley's Circus in the summer seasons at Scarborough. At that time they had lots of British Circus families in their programs, Fossetts Cooks Rosaires Ginnetts and many more. Sadly there isn't many folks still alive from that era that could give more information but I do have some pictures that I will send with this as an attachment. Note the old wagons at the front of the Circus also the lace on the chairs. The elephant that my Mother used to present was called Rosie, after the family finished with the Circus, Rosie was sold to Bristol Zoo and gave elephant rides for many years. Mother also had an act with Geese, and a dog & pony act Mother used the name Olga Astley until she married my Dad, Freddy Yelding also from an old English Circus family, My Dad and some of his brothers were with Bertram Mills Circus riding with Billy, Dickie & Pat Baker as the Cumberlands, including one brother known as Victor Julian here in the States. I continued in their footsteps and the first act I ever presented was A Joey pony which was worked with Hugo Darty an Italian clown when I was 12 years old. I also did a Cowboy act with my Mother & Father, Three Corrals rope spinning ,whip cracking & riding, Later worked a dog act with Norman Barrett (first husband) presented a sealion act and worked in an elephant act on Robert Bros Circus. Met my second husband Rudi Lenz while working with Bertram Mills with my Pigeon act and thats how I got into the Chimp business. Just thought that if any time you run short of material (which I doubt) something different for your blog. I have tons of photos from the Fossetts, Yeldings, Bakers, Robert Bros Circus. Bertram Mills from the 1930s to 1970s, All the pictures that I have enclosed are of my Mother and her family Circus. Kindest regards. Sue Lenz.

From John Goodall

300px-Htfdcircusfire, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The Hartford Circus Fire, which occurred on July 6, 1944 in Hartford, Connecticut, was one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the United States. The fire occurred during an afternoon performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that was attended by approximately 6,800 people. History The fire began as a small flame about twenty minutes into the show, on the southwest sidewall of the tent, while the Great Wallendas were on. Circus Bandleader Merle Evans is said to be the person who first spotted the flames, and immediately directed the band to play Stars and Stripes Forever, the tune that traditionally signaled distress to all circus personnel. Ringmaster Fred Bradna urged the audience not to panic and to leave in an orderly fashion, but the power failed and he could not be heard. Bradna and the ushers unsuccessfully tried to maintain some order as the panicked crowd tried to flee the big top. Sources and investigators differ on how many people were killed and injured. Various people and organizations say it was 167, 168, or 169 persons (the 168 figure is usually based on official tallies that included a collection of body parts that were listed as a "victim") with official treated injury estimates running over 700 people. The number of actual injuries is believed to be higher than those figures, since many people were seen that day heading home in shock without seeking treatment in the city. The only animals in the big top at the time were the big cats trained by May Kovar and Joseph Walsh that had just finished performing when the fire started. The big cats were herded through the chutes leading from the performing cages to several cage wagons, and were unharmed except for a few minor burns. The cause of the fire remains unproven. Investigators at the time believed it was caused by a carelessly flicked cigarette but others suspected an arsonist. Several years later while being investigated on other arson charges, Robert Dale Segee (1929-1997) who was an adolescent roustabout at the time, confessed to starting the blaze. He was never tried for the crime and later recanted his confession. Because the big top tent had been coated with 1,800 lb (816 kg) of paraffin dissolved in 6,000 US gallons (23 m³) of gasoline (some sources say kerosene), a common waterproofing method of the time, the flames spread rapidly. Many people were badly burned by the melting paraffin, which rained down like napalm from the roof. The fiery tent collapsed in about eight minutes according to eyewitness survivors, trapping hundreds of spectators beneath it. The circus had been experiencing shortages of personnel and equipment due to World War II. Delays and malfunctions in the ordinarily smooth order of the circus had become commonplace. Two years earlier, on August 4, 1942, a fire had broken out in the menagerie, killing a number of animals. Circus personnel were concerned about the 1944 Hartford show for other reasons. Two shows had been scheduled for July 5, but the first had to be cancelled because the circus trains arrived late and could not set up in time. In circus superstition, missing a show is considered extremely bad luck, and although the July 5 evening show ran as planned, many circus employees may have been on their guards, half-expecting an emergency or catastrophe. It is commonly believed that the number of fatalities is higher than the estimates given, due to poorly kept residency records in rural towns, and the fact that some smaller remains were never identified or claimed. It is also believed that the intense heat from the fire combined with the accelerants in the paraffin and gasoline could have burned people completely, as in cremation, leaving no substantial physical evidence behind. Additionally, free tickets had been handed out that day to many people in and around the city, some of whom appeared to eyewitnesses and circus employees to be drifters, who would never have been reported missing by anyone if they were killed in the disaster. The number of people in the audience that day has never been established with certainty, but the closest estimate is about 7,500 to 8,700. While many people were burned to death by the fire, many others died as a result of the ensuing chaos. Though most spectators were able to escape the fire, many people were caught up in the hysteria and panicked. Witnesses said some people simply ran around in circles trying to find their loved ones, rather than trying to escape the burning tent. Some escaped but ran back inside to find family members. Others stayed in their seats until it was too late, assuming that the fire would be put out promptly, and the show would continue. Because at least two of the exits were blocked, by the chutes used to bring the large felines in and out of the tent, people trying to escape could not bypass them. Some died from injuries sustained after leaping from the tops of the bleachers in hopes they could escape under the sides of the tent, though that method of escape ended up saving more people than it killed. Others died after being trampled by other spectators, with some asphyxiating underneath the piles of people who had fallen down over each other. Most of the dead were found in piles, some three bodies deep, at the most congested exits. A small number of people were found alive at the bottoms of these piles, protected by the bodies that were on top of them when the burning big top ultimately fell down on those still trapped beneath it. The emotional toll on performers and spectators should not be underestimated, and because of a picture that appeared in several newspapers of sad tramp clown Emmett Kelly holding a water bucket, the event became known as "the day the clowns cried."

From Robert Karczewski #1

Buckles, Here are five pictures that are in the Grand Traverse Heritage Society picture files. The picture of the elephants gathered together getting a drink, was, I believe, taken in 1948 when Cole Brothers played Traverse City, Michigan. According to Joe Bradbury's article in the White Tops, the Traverse City date was the biggest of the year for Cole Brothers Circus. The other pictures were taken around the turn of the century. Ringling Brothers played Traverse City in 1891, 1893, and 1915. Other shows that played Traverse City included Adam Forepaugh, Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros., Great Wallace, Carl Hagenbeck & Great Wallace, Miller Bros 101 Ranch, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Sun Bros., Al G. Barnes, Sparks Circus, and John Robinson Circus. The pictures do not have and identification markings on them so it is anyone's guess as to when the older ones were taken. Maybe one of you or one of your blog readers can identify the shows that were on parade. Bob Karczewski

Aileen Christine Ringling deceased.

Aileen Christina Ringling, 86 yrs, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16 , 2010, at 2:24 a.m. at her residence. She was born April 1, 1923, in Chicago, to the late Dr. Robert Rowlain Mustell and the late Myrtle Ilene Mustell, nee Gates. She married James C. Ringling April 1962 in Chicago. He preceded her in death December 3, 2004. Aileen was the fourth of seven children. She began her career with the circus in 1940 and was a aerialist and performed equestrian acts in several circuses, including Pollack Brothers, Ringling Brothers and Shrine Circus. At one point, she left the circus for a time and became a Rockette Dancer at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY. She had a passion for raising exotic animals, and in 1972, they chose to move to Fort Madison, which is where her grandparents, Americus and Mercy Gates lived, in the home known as the Betsy Ross House. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, Fort Madison, IA. She is survived by two sons, Christopher (Marvalyn) Ringling, of Mililani, HI and Charles (D'Lee) Ringling, of Richmond Hill, GA; a daughter, Lucretia Ringling, of Carmichael, CA; a brother, Gabriel R. "Doc" Mustell, of St. Joseph, MI; a sister, Lucretia Moore Hoepfner, of Sarasota, FL; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces; and nephews; she was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Mercy "Bobby" Morrison; and three brothers, Landon "Rob" Mustell, Frederick "Pete" Mustell and Robert "Sonny" Mustell. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. The family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a Christian Wake Service being held at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home during visitation. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2010, at Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Madison, IA, Reverend Troy Richmond as Celebrant. Private entombment services will be conducted at the family mausoleum out of state. Online condolences to the Ringling family may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel website, www.barrmemorialchapel.com. Published in Chicago Tribune on January 18, 2010

From Don Covington #2

39029, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Dateline Hollywood About a month ago we reported that Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon would be starring in Water For Elephants, Francis Lawrence's adaptation of Sarah Gruen's bestselling novel. At the time, Sean Penn was said to be circling the project, interested in the role of Witherspoon's gnarly husband, the animal trainer August. But thrice nay. It now transpires, courtesy of Deadline Hollywood, that the role has gone to Inglourious Basterds' Christoph Waltz. /Film seem to think this means that Penn will now take the role of circus ringmaster Uncle Al, but DH imply that Penn is no longer on board at all. Whatever, it's good news for Waltz, picking up his second post-Basterds Hollywood role, following dastardly gang lord Chudnofsky in Green Hornet. Another villain though. Let's hope he finds a way to avoid getting typecast. Water For Elephants is a love triangle set in a depression-era American circus. Pattinson plays Jacob, a recently orphaned vet who takes up with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, and falls in love with the circus life, Rosie the elephant, and Witherspoons' Marlena, risking the wrath of August. Shooting is scheduled for later this year, before Pattinson starts Breaking Dawn and Lawrence gets going on Sgt. Rock.

From Kelly Maynard #1

sylvesters, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I received your address from Robert Perry who is my cousin. I am at least 6th generation circus performer and my parents own Eroni's Circus in Australia. I have been following your blog for some time now and would love to add some photos of my great grandmother,Margaret Nellie Perry nee Hodson,(She was known as Nellie Perry). She caught her brothers in the family flying act "The Flying Sylvesters",who worked with Wirths,Perry Bros and Soles Bros Circuses in the 30's and 40's. After that she went on to run Perry Bros Circus with her husband Jim Perry Jnr. As far as I know she has been the only woman catcher in Australia.I would be interested in knowing of any other women catchers around the world. Personally I believe her achievements as a flyer/aerialist/acrobat have gone largely unrecognised. She died in 1997 when I was five. Regards, Kelly Maynard.

Charlie Roark (From Don Covington)

Remembering the circus life By Meag Hunt Malvern (ARKANSAS) Daily Record September 5, 2007 He watched an elephant be struck dead by lightening. He met Harry Houdini's wife, Bess Houdini. He even performed in Madison Square Garden. Charlie Roark, 89, has lived a fuller life than the average person and has a room full of memorabilia to show for it. Roark began seeking a life on the road when he was still in elementary school. Roark's fifth grade year, Bert the Magician came to Malvern, performing tricks like vanishing horses. "And it snowed," Roark said. "I mean the snow was deep and he was afraid nobody would come to the show." To ensure a successful show, Bert the Magician picked out boys with boots to walk door to door and hand out fliers. Roark did not have boots. He had a pair of leggings that came to the top of his shoes so that it appeared he had boots. While the boys were being picked out, Roark stood back in a corner and volunteered. "I hadn't gone three feet and my shoes had filled up with snow," he said. The night at the show, Roark volunteered again to perform in a trick. "I don't remember what the trick was, but I did something up there and everyone laughed," Roark said. "And I thought this is for me." Roark began learning magic tricks shortly after and met up with the Robert Brothers Picture Show. He convinced them to take him along. Roark went from there to perform in medicine acts and burlesque shows until a 40-car railroad show stopped in town. "I told them all what I could do and I could speak English and most working in the circus couldn't," Roark said on how he was hired for the show and then later promoted to introducing the side shows. Roark learned to be a ventriloquist during his time on the road and it turned out to be the biggest card in his bag of tricks. "Everyone wanted a ventriloquist," he said. In the spring of 1938, Roark performed in Madison Square Garden. Because of his fame as a ventriloquist, he was asked to perform on the radio where he was interviewed by a young intern named Kip Carson. After the interview, Carson pulled out a whistle, one similar to what Roark used to create the voices of Punch and Judy, two famous puppets. "He said to me 'I know you,'" Roark said. "I met you in Northfolk, Nebraska and you sold me this whistle and I can't blow it." Roark later found out the man named Kip Carson was Johnny Carson. "They [the others performers] teased me all the way back," Roark said. "They said to me 'He knows you took his dime.'" Roark recalls a similar situation that occurred during a storm. During a hurricane, the ropes began to break on the tents, things were turned over and as Roark was running out of the main tent, it was ripped from overhead. "It was raining so hard it stung," he said. "And this little boy comes running up to me and grabs my pant leg and is tugging on it to get my attention. All I could think was that me and this kid were going to die." The boy then asked Roark how to blow on the same type of whistle Roarck had sold to Johnny Carson. Despite dangerous situations, however, Roark continued to perform even after his retirement from the road in the 80's. "I love to make them laugh," he said. It's this mentality that led Roark to the collection of photos, posters and puppets that line a back room in his house. "In the Bible, King Solomon looked back at his life and called it all vanity," Roark said as he stood beneath the pictures of dead friends and coworkers. "I call it precious memories." _________________________________________________________________ Test your celebrity IQ. Play Red Carpet Reveal and earn great prizes! http://club.live.com/red

Baraboo, Wisconsin 1984 (From Bob Karczewski)

Ringling Brothers 100th Anniversary in Baraboo, Wisconsin 1984, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Ringling Bros. 100th Anniversary. These pictures puzzled me until Dick Flint pointed out that '84 was the year the CHS Convention was held in Baraboo and that Shannon and I took the elephants down to the Court House Square to honor the plaques that had been placed for Baraboo related circus people. This would account for Rick Pfening's inclusion in one picture These pictures were taken during my "Poor man's Robert Baudy" period.