Tom Mix on Sells Floto Circus
Posted By thecircusblog on January 5, 2010
This photo of Tom Mix taking it easy between shows was shot in 1931. Later he took out his own Circus.
See the comment below.
There is another comment By Dick Smith.
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thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
8 Responses to “Tom Mix on Sells Floto Circus”
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Around 7pm one evening in 1935 I was chased out of the backyard at the Tom Mix Circus which was playing Pontiac, Michigan.
Off season Tom was having his motor home worked on at the GMC Truck and Coach plant in Pontiac. A mechanic was told to check the water tank for leaks. He attached a compressed air line to the tank and then went to lunch. He forgot that the air hose was still connected and the pressure inside rose so high that the tank blew up and damaged a portion of the vehicle.
Thanks for the great comment. This is what it is all about……. Regards IVAN
Also in 1935 I visited the Al G. Barnes lot in Sarnia, Ontario. As a youngster, I suffered from asthma and so I wasn’t allowed to attend many circus performances because I’d be exposed to a lot of dust and pollen for an extended period of time. However, I’d do my best to visit circus lots and watch the trains unload and the tents go up early in the day or at least get a good look at the showgrounds later on. In 1936 I had a chance to view the Barnett Bros. parade on Saginaw Street in Pontiac. As I recall, many of the parade vehicles were Ford trucks.
Thank you….. for all your comments, other readers ofthe circus blog enjoy them. Thanks again Mr. Smith….My regards IVAN
I have been doing some research on an old neighbor, Jake Hubbell (1882-1966). He was aerialist in the circus and use to teach the local kids to walk the tightrope. Supposedly his daughter was an aerialist and married Tom Mix. Mix’s fifth wife is listed as Mabel Hubbard Ward. Hubbard is not the same as Hubbell, but close.
Jake Hubbell was supposedly also an artist and use to make his brushes using his wife’s hair. I haven’t been to find anything on the genealogy boards.
My Uncle Herman Nowlin was a childhood friend of Tom Mix in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and my Uncle and Aunt were both a part of the Tom Mix circus. In 1934 or 1935 (not sure) the cicus was in Chicagoandall of my family including my grandmother who also knew him went to visit. Tom was sitting in a directors chair in a roped off circle of about 30 feet. I was allowed to enter and bored him stiff with my childish talk. He gave me a “silver” bullet which unfortunately was lost . We had a wonderful tour of the circus by his daughter Ruth Mix and somewhere in time and in the family we have photos of the entire visit. There was one photo of me in the circle with Tom Mix.I will search again! I found one photo of my grandmother and two aunts with Tom. It was not at the Chicago appearance.
I just happened on this site because we have been invited to a country western fundraiser and I thought that I would go as my hero Tom Mix.
My family used to be part of the Sells-Floto circus as the Monge Troupe, any information on how can i get additional information on the troupe will be appreciated
Miriam Stuckey,
My great grandfather was in the Monge Troupe. Please contact me directly at jam06j@my.fsu.edu. I’m trying to piece some information together as well a little bit beyond the circus as I have been working on a genealogy tree the last few years. Please contact me soon. Thanks!