Forepaugh Here: Interesting Process of Unloading a Great Show

In this piece that was printed in the the August 14h, 1894 edition of the "Lewiston Daily Sun", the writer discuses the Adam Forepaugh Show that just came to town (Lewiston) on August 14th, 1894. The writer discusses the amazing work ethic and the systematic manner in which the show is unloaded. This is a great peak into how

The Forepaugh Show Returns to the Roots of the Circus Show

In this piece that was printed in the the August 8th, 1894 edition of the "Lewiston Daily Sun", the writer discuses the recent Adam Forepaugh Show that would be coming to town (Lewiston) on August 14th, 1894. The writer discusses the dying

Bailey Brings the Adam Forepaugh Show to Lewiston on August 14, 1894

In 1894, James A. Bailey once again brought the Adam Forepaugh Show to Maine as we have discussed in previous installments on this blog. Be sure to click here for for information on the 1894 Forepaugh show and to see how the advertisement featured here compares with others. There are two striking differences I see with this ad compared to the ad for

Photo of the Sparks Circus "Dancing Girls Bandwagon" Crossing the Bridge in Caribou

This is a great photo taken on July 13th, 1927 of the "Dancing Girls Bandwagon" crossing the bridge in Caribou, Maine.

The Size of the Forepaugh Show in 1894 Was Not as Large as Usual But The Crowd Left Happy

In this short piece that was printed in the the August 17th, 1894 edition of the "Waterville Mail", the writer discuses the recent Adam Forepaugh Show that came to town (Waterville) on August 11th, 1894. It appears that while the show itself was smaller

"At the Circus"

Presented here is a short piece that was printed in the the August 17th, 1894 edition of the "Waterville Mail". It was likely a syndicated in multiple papers as well as it states it states the source as the "Detroit Free Press".

Source:

 Prince & Wyman, "The Waterville Mail (Vol. 48, No. 12): August 17, 1894" (1894). The Waterville Mail (Waterville, Maine). 

At The Circus

       The elephant had eaten a quart of peanuts and laid the paper bag carefully up on his back before reaching around and banging the royal Bengal tiger's cage a whack or two with his trunk. The tiger happened to be on watch at the moment, and he gave the elephant a claw that

The 1894 State Fair in Lewiston Offers Local Farmers a Great Opportunity

This was a piece published in the August 10th, 1894 edition of the "Waterville Mail" in regards to the State Fair in Lewiston. 

"The Coming Show"

This is another piece published in the August 10th, 1894 edition of the "Waterville Mail" the day before the Adam Forepaugh Shows came to the city of Waterville for their August 11th show. This article focuses on the great circus parade that would take place and the high standards Adam Forepaugh set in place.

"The Modern Circus"

This was a piece published in the August 10th, 1894 edition of the "Waterville Mail" the day before the Adam Forepaugh Shows came to the city of Waterville for their August 11th show.

Bailey Brings the Adam Forepaugh Show to Waterville on August 11, 1894

       In 1894, James A. Bailey once again brought the Adam Forepaugh Show to Maine! This tour would be proudly advertised as the 31st annual tour however it would also be it's last. The next time we would see the Forepaugh name would be in 1896 as a combined show

No Circus in Waterville!?

       This newspaper ad from July 6, 1894 talks of "No Circus this year." J.F. Larrabee warns that there will not be a circus but that's okay because you can get all your flavoring extracts at Larry's! Fortunately for

1894 Dolloff & Dunham Store in Waterville Ad Featuring an Elephant

This advertisement for Dolloff & Dunham store in Waterville, Maine showcases another great use of such an iconic animal for promotion of their goods. Dolloff & Dunham was a clothing store established in 1887 by George S. Dolloff and Horatio R. Dunham. Horatio Dunham graduated from Colby in 1886. Mr. Dolloff is a native of Mt.

North Kennebec Agricultural Society Vote and Lay the Ground for the Societies' First Fair in Waterville

The North Kennebec Agricultural Society was formed on July 31st, 1847, and met on again on September 29th of that same year to discuss and vote on some matters. Most notably of these matters was if they will actually be holding a fair for the public. What follows is the report on that meeting.

The North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair of 1863: Part V

This is part V of the full detailed account of the 1863 North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair:

The North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair of 1863: Part IV

 This is part IV of the full detailed account of the 1863 North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair:

The North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair of 1863: Part III

This is part III of the full detailed account of the 1863 North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair:

MISCELLANEOUS.

       To a worsted tidy and an Afghan, or sofa blanket, both presented by Miss Louisa E. Ingals, of Waterville, we award 25 cts. each, for the pleasant idea of domestic comfort suggested by their elegance.
       A pair of slippers, neatly wrought by Miss C.A. Gowor, of Winslow,-giving

The North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair of 1863: Part II

 This is part II of the full detailed account of the 1863 North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair:

The North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair of 1863: Part I

Agricultural fairs have a long history in Maine. The North Kennebec Agricultural Society, incorporated on July 31st, 1847 and it's first exhibition was held in Waterville in October of that same year. This write up presented here is a full detailed account of the North Kennebec Agricultural Society Show and Fair of 1863 and will be presented in multiple parts due to it's length. Part I reads as follows:

Jonathan Harrington's 1863 Farewell Tour Stops in Waterville

Billed as "The Greatest Ventriloquist in America", Jonathan Harrington was one of the earliest American magicians. Born in Boston, Harrington began his performing career as a ventriloquist in 1826 at the young age of 17. His shows became increasingly focused on magic with a small section devoted to ventriloquism and mimicry. He quickly rose as a public figure making his performances a high demand ticket. His fiscal success

1863 Marrifield Store in Waterville Ad Featuring an Elephant

This advertisement for Geo. A. L. Merrifield's shoe store in Waterville, Maine showcases great use of such an iconic animal for promotion of their goods. The ad reads as follows:

I'm an expansive animal!
But guess Marrifield knows enough to keep me going
A NEW and large supply of Boots and Shoes at the Parlor Shoe Store-all kinds, styles and fashions; - selling at reasonable prices. Call at the Parlor Shoe Store, opposite Elden & Arnold's, Main st.

Photos of the Legendary Sword Swallower Red Stuart Performing at The Skowhegan State Fair in 2015 #1

The huge crowd that had gathered under the World of Wonders'

sideshow tent watches in amazement as Red Stewart

demonstrates the art of sword swallowing on August 13,

2015 at the Skowhegan State Fair.

Is That Uncle Fester at the 2015 Skowhegan State Fair?

Miss Spooky illuminates a light bulb

by placing it in her mouth while

an electric current runs through her

body on August 13, 2015.

When the World of Wonders visited the Skowhegan State Fair, one of the acts would feature a chair with an electrified seat that would send a current of electricity though the body of the performer who dares sit on it. How does one make the electric current running through their

World of Wonders Presents Escape Explosion in 2015 at the Skowhegan State Fair

Sir Kade dangles in the air while escaping a straitjacket on
August 13, 2015 at the Skowhegan State Fair.

The Box of Blades Presented at the Skowhegan State Fair in 2015

Insectavora narrates as Trixie Turvey
prepares the enter the "Box of Blades". 

The traditional blade box act showcases a performer standing in a box while steel blades are pushed through it. The performer then contorts themselves like they're made of rubber. Like a lot of 10-in-1 sideshows, the World of Wonders used this act as the blowoff for their show on August 13, 2015 at the Skowhegan State Fair.

The World of Wonders Keeps the Headless Girl Act Alive in 2015

Presented in 1937, "Olga the Headless Girl" is believed to be the first "Headless Girl" act in the United States. That particular demonstration was brought to America from Hamburg, Germany by a man who billed himself as "Doctor" Heineman and was a featured exhibit at the New York World's Fair (EXPO New York City) of 1939. In the Mid-1970s, Ward Hall & C.M. Christ added two headless attractions to their sideshow and the "headless girl" tradition lives on with Ward Hall and the World of Wonders! The act displayed here on August 13, 2015 at the Skowhegan State Fair was presented by Tommy Breen, and Miss Spooky.

World of Wonders' Performer Insectavora Displays Fire Eating in 2015

Insectavora, a performer with the World of Wonders, demonstrates the fire eating act at the Skowhegan State Fair on August 13, 2015.

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Knife Throwing is Demonstrated in 2015 at World of Wonders