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The Circus Blog by Ivan M. Henry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.thecircusblog.com.
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The Suarez Family #10
Posted By thecircusblog on March 24, 2012
In all of the times that I saw Raul do this trick–back ward somersault from horse to horse–I never saw him miss it. That does not mean that he didn’t. I just never saw it. He most likely to this day is an excellent performer.
Col.Tim McCoy #1
Posted By thecircusblog on March 22, 2012
Colonel. Tim McCoy ….. decorated military officer, cowboy, actor and wild west circus owner. There is much to be said about this man, he truly was a living legend, there is no denying that. I only knew him as a show owner and met him briefly when he had his TV show on KTLA in Los Angeles 1952. My dad knew him quite well because both were involved with wild west shows. Cliff Henry, Jimmy Woods, Frank Chicerella, and Jack Wright who was a famous cowboy, took out the 101 Wild West & Circus 1n 1945 and 1946. From time to time Tim would visit the 101 show. Please enjoy the next 9 photos of the Tim McCoy Wild West Show.
Col. Tim McCoy #2
Posted By thecircusblog on March 22, 2012
Tim McCoy’s Wild West Show carried many native Americans from different tribes ….Arapahoe. Lakota, Sioux, Cherokee and each and all performed in the show. Some of the performances were historical reenactment of battles, such as”Little Big Horn.” There were stage coach chases, native war dancing, trick roping and riding performed by the cowboys and a little fast gun slinging. There was story telling of the old west by Tim McCoy who would stand in the center of the arena relating facts and history of the American cowboy and native American people. Tim McCoy knew the sign language and as well understood and spoke in three different native American tongues. He would always teach the audience some of what he knew in sign language and simple native words. This most likely was the biggest hit of the show. To this day people can still remember the word “Washsta”, “all is good”. The Native Americans gave Tim McCoy the name “HIgh Eagle”.
Col. Tim McCoy #3
Posted By thecircusblog on March 22, 2012
Left, right and front was the canvas covered seating area. The seating was the same as circus seating made out of plank boards, stringers and jacks, at the height of about six feet. As seen here, there was a net barrier between the audience and arena. The back side wall is where the performers entered, it was also the staging and dressing change area. On the left and right of the back canvas wall were sliding curtains that would be opened and closed by the prop crew. Seen here is the beginning of the stage coach chase…….. Just a short story about myself and Berry Sugerbrown, from the native American Sugerbrown family. On the 101 Ranch show in mid season 1945, Berry and I rode in the six horse hitch stage coach for the grand arena parade that opened the show. The teamster on the boot of the coach may have been a little drunk and fell from the coach, spooking the team and away we went at a full gallop. Around the arena two or three times then out though the back door with the cowboys after us trying to stop the runaway. Finely the cowboys stopped the coach about a half a mile from the lot. We were brought back to the arena to a standing ovation…… The audience thought it was part of the show.…………. Of course Berry and I enjoyed the wild ride and wished that it would happen again but never did.
Col. Tim McCoy #4
Posted By thecircusblog on March 22, 2012
There was such great interest in those days when a show came to town. I do understand that the competition was not as it is today with television movies and other forms of entertainment. I think if shows would put more emphasis on their ads and what’s coming to town, as we used to, they could build up their exposure. Maybe this is just wishful thinking from an old circie.
Col. Tim McCoy # 5
Posted By thecircusblog on March 22, 2012
The Tim McCoy photos that are shown here were shot in 1938. In this picture the show flat bed cars are sitting on a rail siding. Either they were loaded up for travailing to the next town or waiting for unloading.
Col. Tim McCoy #6
Posted By thecircusblog on March 22, 2012
Ontario, Canada. 1938. This set up here was not part of the arena show. It may have been part of a Balley that was set up in front as a draw or for the media photos? Seen here is Tim McCoy with one of his Indian performers.
Col. Tim McCoy #8
Posted By thecircusblog on March 22, 2012
This way for the big show! It is hard to say if this is Tim or someone else doing the balley.
Pete Kolozey said the person on the balley platform is Edith Billingsley. Please read his comment. Thanks for the help Pete.
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