Back in 1978, I purchased a hard cover copy of THE CIRCUS MOVES BY RAIL by Tom Parkinson and Chappie Fox. (It cost me $30.00, which was a lot to pay for a book back then!) Of the many photos it contains, here are few of my favorites. |
Monday, January 31, 2011
Circus Trains #1 (From Eric Beheim)
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9 comments:
Horton, Kansas is a little farm town just north of Topeka. Any historians have the 1918 Sells-Floto route? Enroute to or from?
Erik Jaeger
You can see here why this was called the "White Show" back then.
This was of course when it was still out of Denver and before the Corportion bought it.
I hope all you Bloggers have read "Timberline."
Why would the horses be wearing harness if just a feed stop?
Erik, there a bunch more photos at the Kansas State Historical Society showing the John Robinson Ten Big Shows in Horton, KS. Must have been on the railroad, a good show town. Could be there were also some Capbell Bros. shots made there. Photographer was Jules Borquin.
My understanding is that draft horses made the jump with harness on so they would be ready to unload the wagons and haul them to the lot immediately. If harness was ever removed from draft horses, except for repair, it was during the day.
Mark Horton
Set to play at Horton, Sells Floto did not set up owing to wet grounds. The date is September 4, 1918.
Dick Flint
Baltimore
I forgot to further comment that there are some unusual activities in this picture: note the wagon that is open on the flat and partially unloaded. There is quite a bit of steam coming from a tall stack near where the runs might be. Might they be operating the cookhouse at the runs to feed everyone before moving on? Note all the rain water in the railyard, adding credence to my earlier, just sent post.
And given the discussion of long poles, note the long one on a wagon side on the near flat, extending the length of another wagon.
Dick Flint
Baltimore
Thanks to all for the information! The population of Horton today is around 2000.
Erik Jaeger
Thanks Dick, another possible re. spare poles. Though it would either have gone to lot on wagon (unlikely?) or got left on flat!
Fred Neill
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