Joe Metcalf #4

SAVE1440, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Al G. Barnes in 1931, Metcalf at left presenting "Ruth" and the human pendulum.

Joe Metcalf #5

Scan10208, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Seen here at Goebel's place well past his prime in 1948 with "Bunny". Chang Reynolds once told me that in 1940 he happened to be at the Lincoln Park Zoo in LA when he witnessed Metcalf being rolled around by "Billy Sunday".

Joe Metcalf #6

Scan10209, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Tony Gentry and his new elephant "Burma" in 1953 with Mr. Metcalf at right armed with "dukies". Mr. Gentry eventually wound up with three elephants, two of which "Burma" and "Gypsy" were sold to Bob Snowdon (Acme Circus Corp.) in 1961 and eventually to CB-CB where Rex Williams promptly changed their names to "Bee" and "Gyp". Interestingly, years later with Circus Vargas, Rex changed the name of "Colonel" to "Colonel Joe" in the memory of Joe Metcalf.

Joe Metcalf #7

Scan10202, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Pallbearers, all animal men, Eugene "Arky" Scott formerly of Ringling Bros., Vernon "Sllim" Walker of Christy Bros., Frank Phillips of Al. G. Barnes, Barney Unrath and Bob Matthews of King Tuffy Lion Farm. (From White Tops)

Air Calliope #1

Scan10207, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Lots of parades on Memorial Day bringing to mind the circus parades of old and one of their most stellar attractions, the calliope. After finishing our morning chores at Baraboo, Bobby Gibbs and I would sometimes cross over the bridge while the "America" was building up steam. Often the earliest visitors were groups of senior citizens who at the first scream from America's whistles, sent canes, walkers and crutches flying in all directions. We would then go over and help with the dead and wounded. Bobby once asked an old lady if she had been frightened and she replied, "Of course not, I always wear them down around my ankles!"

Air Calliope #2

Scan10206, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The Beggs people must have cranked these units out with considerable assiduity.

Rain or Shine!

Scan10205, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This picture taken by Bill Green of Washington, Kansas in 1936. I remember him well, tho being handicapped, he would make it to the Kelly-Miller lot every year.

A J. Augustus Jones offering.

Scan10204, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Parker & Watts Circus

Scan10203, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This was one of the best painted shows on the road but unfortunately only lasted two seasons.

Parker & Watts Circus1939

Scan10202, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I think this straight job truck carrying a steam calliope is unique. Quite a load on the rear axle.

Double Duty!

Scan10208, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This unit would make either a street parade or a bally down town and then be backed into the big top to play for the performance.

Floyd King's Pride and Joy!

Scan10002, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Cristiani Bros. Circus 1959

Scan000011274, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I took this picture in Tuscon, Arizona. We were enroute with Rudy Bros. Circus and stopped on the lot for a while. Not a happy time, for whatever reason, the show was on it's last legs but despite this, it still looked beautiful on the lot.

Show Unknown

Scan000011273, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. I like this picture. Possibly the regular calliope wagon broke down and someone decided to take the air calliope off the bandstand, toss it into the back of a canvas wagon and with the command, "Go ahead driver!" sent it on it's way.

The Gentlemanly Weigh-In....... Week #3

Scan000011194.MOD, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Today's weight............245 lbs. Net Loss....................11 lbs.

Charles W. Cushman Photographs

Scan000011154, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

No. 112- RBBB in Chicago 1949

P04522, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Aug. 4, 1949 "Antoinette Concello"

No. 113- RBBB in Chicago 1949

P04524, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Aug, 4, 1949 "The Flying Concellos"

No. 114- RBBB in Chicago 1949

P04515, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Aug. 4, 1949 "Bell Wagon"

No. 115- RBBB in Chicago 1949

P04523, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Aug. 4, 1949 "Peterson's Jockey Dogs."