Pete Cortez Side Show 1955 Butte, Montana
Posted By thecircusblog on January 6, 2010
The Pete Cortez side show spent many seasons with the Siebrand circus and carnival. I really never paid much attention to the show except for this one day. What I am about to write are personal thoughts. I do not know what made me walk into the side show but when I did I even surprised Pete. In the hour I spent there, the education I received could not have been taught in any school. I entered the tent and walked down the long isles of platform stages. I was recognized by many of the side show performers, A wave or a hello brought me closer to them for a chat. This is where my education began and what I have learned has remained with me ever since……………… Awaken your wisdom, Pursue excellence, Earn respect, Take care of mankind, Have courage, Show generosity for others. Share wisdom with the young, Thank God you are whole. I learned these things from people that were not whole in body but they were certainly whole in their souls…… 1955. C.Owen Smithers Photo, 21 West Granite st Butte, Montana. 75% of all Siebrand Bros show photos were taken by Smithers. Most likely still in business.
Update, interesting comment from Jim O’Brien, 9/1/2016. Please reads.
About the author
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
3 Responses to “Pete Cortez Side Show 1955 Butte, Montana”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
i saw your reference to c. owens smithers. it reminded me that i tried to contact him in 199?.
i wrote to the address on the back of the photos thinking i would not get a responce.
however, i did receive a letter from his son who said his father had passed away, but that he did have pictures of “siebrands” that he was willing to send me if i paid an outstanding bill of about $300.00 that the show owed from the fifties. the guy either has a great memory or an incredible bookkeeper!
years later i called him.
evidently his father’s shop burned down years ago, but he was able to save all of his negatives. he mentioned that he had negatives of several other shows that toured in that area. i asked what he wanted for them. he said $2000.00. that ended that conversation
I remember as a child when mother and father (Norman and Marion Prather) would have Sealo the Seal Boy over for dinner. He was a close friend of theirs and as young children growing up around Knotty the Knot Man; Sam, the two faced man; and others it was common to have them as guests in our house and we never thought anything different of them.
The large banners displayed could very well have been painted by my father.
Bruce Siebrand:
The C. Owen Smithers collection has since bee acquired by the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives, 17 W. Quartz St., Butte, MT 59701 (406) 782-3280
Ellen Crain is the director. She and her staff are very helpful. Good luck to you. Jim O’Brien
https://buttearchives.org/Default14.aspx