Cole Bros. - Clyde Beatty Circus Hand Book

Jim Stockley in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa sent me via Adobe PDF a 290 page Cole Bros. - Clyde Beatty Circus Hand Book including information, routes and newspaper items from 1934 up into the 1940's. I have asked Shannon to include the first two pages and would appreciate comments. FULTON COUNTY, INDIANA HANDBOOK COLE BROS.-CLYDE BEATTY CIRCUS COLE BROS.-CLYDE BEATTY CIRCUS [Rochester, Indiana] Organized by Zack Terrell and Jess Adkins. Located in the former Rochester Bridge Co. buildings. Also had some of their animals in the former Rochester Shoe Co. building [now the Rochester Metal Products]. Main attractions: Clyde Beatty; Alan King; Jorgen M. Christiansen. The Cole Bros.-Clyde Beatty Circus buildings were destroyed by fire, February 20, 1940. The fire started in the paint shop during the evening meal. The circus left town permanently. See Christianesn, Jorgen See Morris, Harvey Leroy (Jack) See Sawdust and Tinsel [Also See Francis E. Sanders, The Cole Bros. Circus From Rochester, Indiana, 1986.] [Also See Johnny Zoppe Family, Shirley Willard, Fulton Co Folks, Vol. 2, Willard, pp 656-664] ROCHESTER MEN LISTED IN CIRCUS CORPORATION Articles of incorporation for the Indiana Circus Corporation were filed with the secretary of state at Indianapolis Friday and two Rochester men were named among the directors. A. C. Bradley, owner of the Colonial Hotel, Lake Manitou, was listed as a director as was Jess Murden, a summer resident of Lake Manitou. The third man named was Fred E. Shortemeier, of Indianapolis, former secretary of state. Announcement was made in Peru that the circus will be built up this winter and that it will be operated under the management of prominent circus men. No details were made public by the local men here but it was stated that further announcements would be forthcoming following the election of officers. [The News-Sentinel, Saturday, September 29, 1934] CIRCUS ESTABLISHES WINTER QUARTERS HERE PURCHASES BRIDGE COMPANY GROUNDS AND CONSTRUCTURES Announcement was made here today by the Indiana Circus Corporation, just recently organized, that their winter headquarters would be established in Rochester. The corporation a few days ago purchased the land and buildings of the Rochestr Bridge Company, located at the Erie and Nickel Plate railroad crossing in the northeast section of the city. The grounds include three foundry buildings, the large office edifice and approximately seven acres of land. The circus owners purchased the property outright and the deal was completed before the general public even had an inkling about it. The purchasers asked for possession by November 10th and all efforts will be made by the Bridge Company to have the grounds and buildings cleared of machinery and equipment by that time. Through this transaction the community will benefit by the bringing of a large industry to the city, one which will employ many men and also be the means of attracting thousands of sightseers to the grounds. It will also bring thousands of dollars into the county yearly for supplies and equipment. Incorporators and Directors The incorporators of the organization are Jess L. Murden, of Peru, and resident of Lake Manitou; F. E. Schortemeier, of Indianapolis, former secretary of state, and R. A. Hendrickson, of Indianapolis. The directors are A. C. Bradley, of Rochester and Indianapolis; Mr. Murden and Mr. Schortemeier. Murden is listed as the resident agent of the corporation and will be in charge of the work here until the organization is well established. It is understood that several well known circus men of long experience are interested and behind the new corporation, but no other names have been made public by the directors. Only partial plans were given to this newspaper but indications point to this being the beginning of a massive circus organization with winter headquarters and all offices located in Rochester. The local site was selected, it was said, because of the north and south railway transportation connections, the adaptability of the buildings here, the proximity of the city to Chicago, together with the fact that Fulton County is in the center of the grain section of the middle west. Own Many Animals The owners of the new circus, have already a number of trained wild animals in their possession and these will be shipped here sometime in November, it was said. Meanwhile they will be busy purchasing additional lions, tigers, elephants and many other animals for the menagerie, as well as approximately 200 horses and ponies. These will all be sent to the headquarters as fast as they are obtained and by the first of the year it is thought a complete menagerie will be installed and training headquarters will be started in full swing in the buildings. The first indication of activity the directors said will be the improvement of the bridge company buildings just as soon as they have complete possession. This will mean considerable repair work, making the brick and steel plants winter tight and the installation of complete heating systems. Then will follow the building of modern cages for the animals, indoor rings and installation of all the necessary circus paraphenalia. Living quarters for the employees will be erected so that the men can live in comfort during the winter season. A new switch track will be laid through the yards, it is said, and this will run into one of the large buildings so that the circus cars and wagons can be switched directly inside and can be repaired and painted there. In the spring, the loading can be done inside and the trains started on their way direct from the circus yards. New Road to be Built The corporation has asked that a wide road be built so as to hold up the heavy circus wagons and trucks from U. S. Highway 31, directly east to the Nickel Plate Railway and thence south to connect with the present road that crosses the Erie at the tower. This new road will run along the north side of the grounds. It is already established and partly built, but will be greatly improved for the use of the circus and the public. Offices of the corporation will be established in the commodious brick building on the grounds, and all office business of the organization will be carried on there. It is thought that several members of the corporation and leading performers will establish their homes in Rochester or at Lake Manitou.