thecircusblog | August 26, 2008
As time went on, more and more animals were added to Grandfather’s circus and every time he got a new one, a picture was taken. Sometimes he even made postcards as advertisement. Notice how Llama is spelled on the sidewall of the tent.
thecircusblog | August 26, 2008
“Gyp” takes it easy between shows. She would roam about freely and partake of whatever greens she could find along with her daily rations of hay and grain. As some of the towns people look on, the child with the elephant is my Uncle Robert (Hap) Henry.
thecircusblog | August 26, 2008
Another “Muddy Lot” I believe taken in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The “Mud Shows” derived their names from the lots that they played on…..either a farmer’s field, a vacant lot outside of town or anything they could find to set up the show. A few free tickets and a good handshake was all it took to rent […]
thecircusblog | August 26, 2008
This photo shows J.E. Henry, my grandfather, in his buggy leading the parade. In the background you can see the wagons heading to the circus lot. I was reminded by my family, the six member band on the top of the elephant “Gyp”, were at one time musicians in the Mexican Military. Grandfather hired them and they […]
thecircusblog | August 23, 2008
There’s always time for a picture. Snuffy, the handler, poses with “Gyp.”JE was the trainer and presented her in the show. She had other jobs such as pulling wagons off of muddy lots and pulling the peaks on the Big Top. The elephant on any circus was the most important animal because of its diversity.
thecircusblog | August 23, 2008
Picture shows JE Henry entertaining on his stilts. Often he would bally the show to develop excitement …..especially among the children.
thecircusblog | August 23, 2008
Circus Parade Line-Up. It was common with Mudd shows, such as the JE Henry Show, that the circus would parade through town and bring the circus crowd back to the lot. This was a wagon show….there were not automobiles or trucks at this time.
thecircusblog | August 23, 2008
Photo taken in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. I was told 1906. Originally a tin type and later reproduced by Harry Quillen. J.E. Henry stands at the flank of his elephant “Gyp”. He was the first circus owner to place his band on top of an elephant used mainly for circus parades….Main street, Any […]
