Mr. Tuba

Appendix

459 APPENDIX Circus Language With King Bros., I soon adopted some of the most used and colorful words of circus language. Advance Man One who travels the route two to three days ahead of the circus, marking correct directions on telephone poles, especially at intersections, with whitewashed arrows pointing the way. First of May One traveling with the circus for the first time. May 1 is the traditional annual opening of the circus season. (“Don’t mind him; he’s a First of May.”) Mud Show A circus that travels on roads and highways with motor vehicles (as opposed to traveling by train). Windjammer Circus musician. Red Wagon Front Office (managers, owners). Local Yokel Local citizen. Hey Rube Altercation between local yokels and circus personnel. Band Sleeper On King Bros., lower and upper bunks were built into a semi-trailer pulled by a truck cab. Each bunk was equipped with two Army surplus khaki wool blankets (no sheets) and a gray striped feather pillow (no pillowcase). No toilets available; each person had a container. YMCA Since traditionally there was no specific place to bathe, circus performers often took bucket baths or improvised their own shower setup. Bandsmen, clowns, and oth- 460 Appendix ers maintained membership in the Sunbury, Pennsylvania, YMCA, which had the lowest annual dues and maximum membership privileges throughout the United States. Circus Tents Big Top The big tent for outdoor performances—performance rings and stages, an oval track (space between seating and rings/stages), reserved seating (either side), bleachers at each end (blues), the cheaper general admission seats. Side Show Freaks and contortionists, fortune tellers. Wardrobe Tent Costumes. Dressing Tents For use by performers , clowns, band, ushers, roustabouts , etc. Cookhouse Where meals were served (only when the flag was up!). The first tent set up at each venue. Donikers Tented toilets with honey buckets. Menagerie tents Untrained caged animals plus trained horses, elephants , etc. Dispensary Nonprescription medicines , candy bars, etc. Concession Souvenirs, cotton candy, popcorn, Cracker Jack, hot dogs, cold drinks, etc. Back Lot Power plant (electric generator ), motor homes, house trailers, private autos, service trucks, semi trailer trucks, etc. All vehicles were assigned a number. All tents and other equipment were positioned in a like manner on every lot, their juxtaposition always the same. 461 Appendix The Route Card (Note: Sunday performances of the circus were banned in many eastern states by “blue laws.”) King Bros. Circus Schedule july (1)-Waterbury, CT; (2)-Willmantic, CT; (3)-Norwich, CT; (4)-New London, CT; (5)-Westerly, RI; (6)-sunday; (7)-Derby, CT; (8)-Holyoke, MA; (9–10)-Springfield, MA; (11–12)-Bridgeport, CT; (13)-sunday; (14)-Pittsfield, MA; (15)-Northampton, MA; (16)-Fitchburg, MA; (17–18)-Worcester, MA; (19)-Taunton, MA; (20)-sunday; (21)-Fall River. MA; (22)-New Bedford, MA; (23)-Framingham, MA; (24)-Athol, MA; (25)-Greenfield, MA; (26)-Meriden, CT; (27)-sunday; (28)-Asbury Park, NJ; (29)-Camden, NJ; (30)-Millville, NJ; (31)-Dover, DE; august (1)-Salisbury, MD; (2)-Cambridge, MD; (3)-sunday; (4)-Culpepper, VA; (5)- Front Royal, VA; (6)-Luray, VA; (7)-Harrisonburg, VA; (8)-Waynesboro, VA; (9)-Lexington, VA; (10)-sunday; (11)-Radford, VA; (12)-Wytheville, VA; (13)-Marion, VA; (14)-Kingsport, TN; (15)-Johnson City, TN; (16)-Greenville, TN; (17)-sunday; (18)-Asheville, NC; (19)-Spartanburg, SC; (20)-Greenville, SC; (21)-Anderson, SC; (22)-Greenwood, SC; (23)-Augusta, GA; (24)-sunday; (25)-Columbia, SC; (26)-Camden, SC; (27)-Florence, SC; (28)-Sumter, SC; (29)-Orangeburg, SC; (30)-Charleston, SC; (31)-sunday: Depart Charleston, SC, for Missouri and home via passenger train. 462 Appendix 1948: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band— Merle Evans, Bandmaster Flute/Piccolo: Max Ring; Clarinet: (7) Tony Ramirez, Carl Erickson, Nick Altroth, George Oliva, Fred Dini, Ford Reed, J. C. Colliver; Cornet: (6) Jimmy Ille, Al Hiltonsmith, Frank Sering, Joe Browning, Eddie Broz, George Paugh; Horn: (2) Paul Davis, Frank Simaner; Trombone: (4) Lew Bader, Jack Evans, Rudy Anderson, Andy Grainger; Euphonium: (2) John Horak, Clarence Bennett ; Tuba: (2) Johnny Evans, Harvey “Junior” Phillips; Snare Drum: Red Floyd; Bass Drum: Rollin Sherbundy; Organ: William Sten. (Add five Local 802 musicians for New York City.) 1949: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Band— Merle Evans, Bandmaster Flute/Piccolo: Max Ring; Clarinet: (6) Tony Ramirez, Everett Gavin, Nick Altroth, Gene Roy, Fred Dini, J. C. Colliver; Cornet: (6) Jack Carroll, Al Hiltonsmith , Frank Sering, Joe Browning, Jim Downs, Jack Sparrowhawk; Horn: (2) Paul Davis, Frank Simaner...