Baraboo City (part 5 of 5)

literary societies, devoted almost entirely to scholastic problems and discussions which had little practical application to everyday life, Jiave grown organizations which take up every matter of current interest and moment affecting the man, woman and child of the community. In these present-day discussions the women have taken a noteworthy leadership.

In the late '50s, when the old Academy and Collegiate Institute were flourishing, the Hesperian Club was also much alive. In the midst of Civil war times was formed a "reading circle'' known as the Goose Club. The name rightly indicates that its regular membership was eonfined to the female sex. At such social functions as the annual dinner parties the men were admitted into the circle. The first members of the Goose Club, which substantially existed for a number of years, were Mrs. Ichabod Codding, Mrs. Dr. L. C. Stye, Miss Eva Stye, Mrs. C. C. Remington, Mrs. J. G. Train, Mrs. Freeman Longley, Miss Nethaway and Mrs. Norman Stewart.

The Literary Club of 1876 was organized for the benefit of both sexes in the winter of that year, at the house of R. II. Strong. Its membership was generally drawn from the best classes of the young people and for about a year its main object, besides the encouragement of literary discussions, was to raise funds to establish a free reading room. By lectures, readings, concerts and dramatic plays, a fund of nearly two hundred dollars was raised for that purpose and quite a collection of books and magazines had also been gathered. The room was, in fact, opened and maintained by the club for a year, but the business men did not back up the project and it was dropped. The collapse of the library enterprise seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the club itself.

The Woman's Club was organized April 23, 1880, by Sarah Powers, Adele Cook, Addie Donavan, Lizzie Woodman, Ida P. Roberts, Emma Train, Sarah Spence, Fanny Holz, Mary Donovan, Lucy Case and Emma P. Scott. Tts first officers: Lizzie Woodman, president; Fanny Holz, vice president; Lucy Case, secretary. According to the constitution of the club the objects of the organization were "to strengthen the feeling of sympathy and fellowship among women, independently of social distinctions and outside of the natural and proper affiliations of personal friendship or any existing organizations, and to discuss without personalities such theoretical or practical questions as relate to the well-being of home and society ; and also to extend our knowledge and broaden our culture by such reading and study as we shall deem best adapted to our needs." After an activity of several years, the club disbanded. This was the first woman's club for literary work ever formed in the city.

Since that time various societies and clubs of a similar kind have come and gone, all fulfilling good purposes and some still persevering in various fields of discussion and achievement. Every intelligent person knows what the women's clubs have done within the past thirty or more years. As to Baraboo they have solidly and intimately incorporated themselves into its best life. The Fortnightly Woman's Twentieth Century and Inter Se dubs still flourish and work.

The first meeting of the Fortnightly Literary Club was held on December 11, 1889, at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Lloyd Skinner, 215 Sixth Street, and this is the oldest organization of the kind in the city. Besides the host and hostess, those who were present and who organized the club included Prof, and Mrs. L. H. Clarke, Attorney and Mrs. J. E. Wright, Attorney and Mrs. E. Aug. Ruuge, Rev. and Mrs. J. A. Wood, Rev. L. J. Snodgrass, Maj. Charles H. Williams, Mrs. II. J. Abbott, Mrs. J. E. English, Madam Skinner and Miss Emma Gattiker. Mrs. English and Mrs. Runge are still active members of the club. Existing social economic, political and other problems are discussed and some of the noted personages of the state have appeared before the members. The present officers are H. E. Cole, president ; Dr. G. W. Snyder, vice president ; Mrs. Hugh Kelley, secretary ; and Miss Christian Wright, treasurer.

The first regular meeting of the Woman's Club was held on Saturday afternoon, September 12, 1896, at the home of Mrs. A. D. Dorsett, 533 Second Avenue. The first roll included Mi's. II. W. Battin, Miss Jennie Cheek, Mrs. G. L. G. Cramer, Mrs. A. D. Dorsett, Miss Maude Fuller. Miss Margaret Gattiker, Miss Luise Gattiker, Miss Hattie Hall, Miss Dorothy Hutchins, Mrs. H. J. Irwin, Miss Ida Johnson, Mrs. B. F. Mills. Miss Louise McGanu, Mrs. E. Pfannstiehl, Miss Ida Palmer, Miss Matilda Reul, Miss Viva Robinson, Mrs. A. R. Smith, Mrs. C. A. Swineford and Mrs. Ulrich F. von Wald. The present officers are: Miss Evva C. Varnell, president; Mrs. Clarissa Rowland, vice president; Miss Van Etta G. Reynolds, secretary; and Mrs. J. E. English, treasurer.

The Twentieth Century Club held its first meeting on October 7, 1897. Before this date the constitution and by-laws had heen drafted by some of those who organized the club. The charter members were Miss Lydia Kingswell (commander), Mesdames T. M. Case, J. B. Donovan, Charles Gorst, R. B. Griggs, Margaret D. Hill, E. M. Hoag, Alice Lewis, W. T. Kelsey, C. E. Martin, Ward Munroe, A. F. Snyder, Edwin Selleek, A. Reinking, Edward K. Tuttle, Frank D. Teel, Emma Walsh, D. B. Waite, E. Aug. Runge, William Faller and H. W. Hamilton. The officers for the current year are Mrs. George C. Astle, president ; Mrs. W. II. Hatch, vice president; Mrs. R. R. Grosinski, recording secretary; Mrs. George W. Ziegler, corresponding secretary; Mrs. E. H. Groth, treasurer; and Mrs. B. A. Clarke, auditor.

The Inter Se (Among Ourselves) Club was organized on February 8, 1898, at the home of Mrs. Frank D. Teel, 423 Third Avenue. The charter members were Mesdames W. B. Blachly, E. M. Hoag, Frank D. Teel, E. M. Adams, Emma Davis, Arthur Kellogg, Edwin Selleck. J. P. McGuan, C. H. Evenson, John H. Newman, C. A. Stanton, D. A. Lewis. Laura Martin, Nettie Stickney, and Miss Mayme Ryan. The present officers are : Mrs. Edwin Selleck, president ; Mrs. Samuel Briscoe, vice president ; Mrs. S. A. Pelton, secretary ; and Mrs. Emma Davis, treasurer.

The Fellowship Club was organized ten years ago and limits its membership to men. Timely topics are discussed. The officers are : Ernest Sanderson, president; L. H. Palmer, secretary; and W. H. Mcintosh, treasurer.

The Koshawagos (Men of the Valley) incorporated in 1889 and have a clubhouse at Devil 's Lake. The purpose of the club is of a social nature. M. H. Mould is the president and W. J. Power is the secretary.

The Pedro Club has had an existence of about thirty years and although pedro has long since passed into disfavor the members of this organization are inclined to believe, like wine, it improves with age. The midnight banquets at the homes of the hosts and hostesses have lingering memories.

As to the clubs which have come and gone a few are worthy of mention. The members of the Curling Club have long since sold their rink for a garage and placed their granite blocks away; the prompter no longer shouts for the dancers in the Midnight Organization; the bows and arrows of the Archery Club are covered with dust and rust; the members of the Goose Club, a social group, have gone to that other bourne; the mis and creels of the Grampas members are relics of the past ; the charitable work of the Dorcas Society has had its influence ; the chapter has been closed on Hizonor Card Club ; the members of the Phantoms are scattered; but now and then a remnant of the Kings Daughters, organized for charity, meet ; and at the close of the annals of the Green Room Club, for the study of the drama, there has been written, "Hie Jacet."

The Woman's Co-operative Civic League of Baraboo obtained a state charter on April 12, 1911. The incorporators were Mrs. Alf. T. Ringling, Mrs. H. M. Johnston, and Mrs. B. H. Strong. The officers named included Miss Katherine Falvey, president; Mrs. B. H. Strong, vice president ; Mrs. F. R. Bentley, secretary ; and Mrs. T. W. English, treasurer. The meetings of the organization have largely been held at the home of Mrs. Ringling, 103 Tenth Street. The organization was formed more particularly for the purpose of beautifying the City of Baraboo, its school grounds, streets, alleys, yards, and the parking of streets and other grounds. Much has been done in beautifying the street leading to the cemetery, the cemetery itself and other parts of the city. The present officers are: Mrs. R. B. Griggs, president; Mrs. H. C. Brown, vice president; Mrs. James Xeff, secretary; and Miss Maeta Junge, treasurer.

The Wisconsin Marine Band was organized about twenty years ago and for a time was known as the First Regiment Band, playing for the troops at Camp Douglas. Open air concerts are given regularly during the summer, the city bearing the expenses. The officers are : Emil Weirich, president ; F. E. Morey, vice president ; E. D. Sceales, secretary anil treasurer; C. A. Hofmann, manager; and 13. H. Hood, director.

numerous citizens (especially young men) of Baraboo connected with the Chicago & North Western Railway, a reorganization was effected under the name of the Railway Young Men's Christian Association. After several years of patient work, those behind the association purchased a lot at the corner of Second and Ash streets and commenced the erection of a large 2-story and basement building. The Ladies' Auxiliary rendered important assistance in the furtherance of the work, which was brought to a conclusion in October, 1890, when the building was opened to the young men and the public. Not only does it meet the requirements of the members for physical exercise and mental recreation, but several rooms are thrown open for club and society meetings. It furnishes a shelter for many young men who reside in Baraboo and is a welcome resting place for strangers as well. The present general secretary is C. II. Copley.

Baraboo has had a much-needed hospital since the winter of 1913. In February of that year Doctors F. II. Powers and Henry Fehr rented the Fischer property, comer of East and Third streets. It was immediately adapted to hospital purposes and the building opened about the first of April. Doctor Fehr was obliged to relinquish his interest soon after and Dr. F. R. Winslow, of Baltimore, Maryland, joined Doctor Powers in the enterprise. The hospital, which has twelve beds, is under the active superintendence of a trained nurse, who, at the present time, is Miss Charlotte Smith.

Through the efforts of F. A. Philbrick, its first secretary, the Sauk County Branch of the Wisconsin Humane Society was organized at Baraboo. March 23, 1912. Some work along the well known lines of the organization has been accomplished. Its present officers are: E. P. McFctridge, president ; G. T. Thuerer, vice president ; L. S. Van Orden, secretary and treasurer; H. E. Stone, humane officer. Since its organization, the society has received from the estate of the late Julia A. Getchell a bequest of $1,500. This was nearly all that she possessed.

Three banks contribute to the growth and stability of Baraboo and are themselves supported and developed by its business and industrial interests.

The Bank of Baraboo is the direct successor to the Sauk County Bank, the first institution of the kind to be established at the county seat. The latter was organized July 1, 1857, the year of the great panic and the commencement of a long and profound financial depression. Its officers were Simeon Mills, president, and Terrell Thomas, cashier. The capital was $50,000. In 1861 Mr. Thomas purchased the interest of Mr. Mills and conducted the bank himself until 1873, when it was merged into the First National Bank. Perhaps it would be more correct to say that the First National Bank took over the Sauk County Bank. Its charter was surrendered in January, 1880, and the Bank of Baraboo, under the state law, succeeded to the business, with George Mertens, president, and J. Van Orden, cashier. In 1908 Mr. Mertens retired, and Herman Grotorphost succeeded him as president, Mr. Van Orden continuing as cashier. At the same time the capital was increased from $50,000 to $100,000. In January, 1915, Mr. Grotorphost resigned and was followed in the presidency by Mr. Van Orden.

The First National Bank was organized on December 4. 1886, by the following: T. M. Warren, president; F. T. Brewster, vice president; C. L. Sproat, cashier: and W. A. Warren, assistant cashier. The bank opened the next month and the directors, in addition to the above, were Carlos Bacon and Robert A. Cowan. Early in this century H. C. Merritt, of Minneapolis, purchased a large interest in the bank, the Warrens retiring. In 1906 the bank was reorganized, Mr. Merritt selling his interest, the members of the new firm being T. W. English, M. H. Mould, T. M. Mould and others. In 1906 the deposits were about $190,000, and these have grown to be about a million dollars. The officers of the bank now are T. W. English, president; D. M. Kelly, vice president; M. II. Mould, cashier ; T. M. Mould and J. J. Pfannstiehl, assistant cashiers.

The youngest bank in Baraboo is the Farmers and Merchants, which opened for business in May, 1917. Its officers are: George C. Astle, president ; Wilber Cahoon, vice president, and N. H. Gerber, cashier. Its capital is $50,000, and its average deposits (in the fall of 1917) $50,000.

The financial operations of the Baraboo banks are naturally connected with its business houses and industries. Its stores are well stocked and arranged, and among its leading industries are the large mills operated by the old Island Woolen Manufacturing Company, the large canning works, the linen mills which turn out a good grade of towels, the Humane Stanchion Works, Gollinar's Machine Shop and other plants. From 1872 to 1883 Baraboo 's leading industry was the plant of the Chicago & North Western Railway Company, with its large roundhouse, machine shop and other buildings. At one time more than a hundred men were employed, and the place was considered one of the leading railroad towns in Wisconsin. Although still a division town, not so many men are employed in the shops.

During the very last years of the last century there existed for a short time the Baraboo Business Club, the organization being for purely social purposes. The members occupied rooms at 106 Fourth Avenue and after a short life the furniture was sold and the club disbanded.

This was followed early in this century by the Ten Thousand Club, Edward L. Luckow, then editor of the Sauk County Democrat and now auditor of the navy department at Washington, being the moving spirit. Banquets were held but. no marked results followed the efforts of the organization.

The Ten Thousand Club was succeeded by the Baraboo Commercial Association, incorporated September 15, 1913. The presidents have been E. S. Johnston, L. S. Van Orden, T. F. Risley, T. Edw. Mead and G. W. Andrews, the last named holding the office at the present time. The secretaries include T. Edw. Mead, Attorney J. W. Frcnz and W. E. Baringer. For a number of years the business and industrial interests of the city have been fairly represented by this general organization of leading citizens.

Baraboo has become known throughout the country as the home of the Ringling Brothers. The (iollmar Brothers also gave the place standing as a "circus town"; and that feature of its activities can really be classified as one of its business assets. It happened, also, that the Ringling family was public spirited as far as Baraboo was concerned and did much for it in many ways. The most noteworthy act was, of course, the building of the $100,000 theater hy the late Al Ringling, its formal opening to the public on November 17, 1915, and the subsequent donation of the splendid temple of amusement to the City of Baraboo. Mr. Ringling died January 1, 1916, about a month and a half after the opening. In his will the building was left in care of the four remaining brothers,

Mrs. Ringling to receive the profits. Mrs. Ringling released her interest, and in July, 1917, it was offered to the city, to be always known as the Al Ringling Theater. Announcement of the gift was made by ITenry Ringling, then the only brother residing in Baraboo. Charles E. Ringling has his home in Evanston. 111., and John and Alf T. are in New York. The theater is pronounced the finest municipal playhouse of any city of the size of Baraboo in the country.

The people of Baraboo are justly proud of the Ringling Brothers and will therefore appreciate a condensation of their record in the show business made from the book which they issued in 1915, entitled "Routes, 1882-1914." It succinctly tells of their lives as showmen. They began with what they termed the "Ringling ('lassie and Comic Concert Co.," and their first concert was in Mazomanie, Monday, November 27, 1882.

The season closed at Oregon, Saturday, February 3, 1883. The company embracing Al Ringling, then twenty, oldest of the boys, who dedicated at Baraboo a $100,000 theater; Alf T. Ringling, Charles Ringling, E. M. Kimball, E. S. Weatherby, Fred Hart and William Trinkhouse, with M. A. Young as agent. John Ringling joined the company at Sanborn. Iowa, December 18th, about three weeks after the organization ventured forth. The route included Mazomanie, Spring Green, Richland Center, Boscobel, and so on, out into Iowa, with Bangor, Norwalk, Wilton, Kendall, Elroy, Wonewoc, [ronton, Reedsburg, Baraboo, Lodi, Waunakee and Oregon on the return trip.

The same "Classic and Comic Concert Company" was out in 1883, opening at Baraboo March 12th and closing at Viroqua April 27th. As before, only the small places were visited. Madison, though close to Baraboo, was studiously avoided. This year Otto Ringling joined the brothers, and in 1883-4 the eompany had developed into what was designated as "Ringling Bros. Grand Carnival of Fun." This year Otto was out as agent, and there was a slight expansion of the eompany. 1 1 now included besides the brothers about eight people. A notice here says that "on November 2d all people were discharged and on November 3d, at Starbuck, Minnesota, made a parade. Alf Ringling, cornet; John Ringling, alto; Charles Ringling, baritone; Otto Ringling, bass drum." It is further noted that "Alf Ringling, Charles Ringling and John Ringling gave the show alone. Ran this way until Al Ringling joined January 6th." When the company reached Minneapolis there was "no show*' and again, passing through Minneapolis, "no show," but four days were spent there "visiting vaudeville shows" - the boys were learning - and at Des Moines a little later there were "three days' recreation" and the same sort of a vacation at Omaha.

In 1884 the first real circus was given. This was called the "Yankee Robinson and Ringling Bros. Great Double Shows, Circus and Caravan. ' ' It opened at Baraboo May 19th and closed at Benton, in Grant County, September 27th. It was a wagon show and the admission was 25 cents, but there was no band wagon, and the band, such as it was, "paraded on foot," while "all the people stopped at hotels." There were "nine wagons without privilege wagons." The canvas was 49 by 90 feet and the side show 35 by 15. Robinson died at Jefferson, Iowa, about August 25th, aged sixty-six. The members included Al Ringling, Otto, Alf, Charles and John. Here the five brothers were associated together as circusmen for the first time, and they continued in that relationship until the death of Otto in 1911, when Henry took his place. Mrs. Louise Ringling, wife of Al, is listed as a member of the company which included fifteen other people, besides an agent. This circus gave its second performance at Sauk City, its third at Black Earth, fourth at Mount Horeb, fifth at Mount Vernon, sixth at New Glarus and after 103 performances closed at Benton, Grant County, September 27th, and went to Baraboo for "winter quarters."

That same year, 1884, the summer circus season over, the brothers continued their "Carnival of Fun" as a winter affair, opening at Garden Prairie, Illinois, November 12th, and closing at Mount Horeb March 14th. Their route, as before, lay through Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska. They gave 94 performances that year and in 1885-6 the "Carnival of Fun" still ran on, opening at Warren's Mill April 6th and closing at Barron May 5th, a very short season. The company now embraced Alf, Charles and John Ringling and two others, Al for some reason having dropped out temporarily. The boys still avoided the larger towns. They were moving upward cautiously.

In 1885 we have "Ringling Bros. Great Double Shows, Circus Carnival and Trained Animal Exposition," the Yankee Robinson legend having been dropped. It opened in Baraboo May 18th and after a tour through Wisconsin, Iowa and Northern Illinois closed at Randolph October 3d, going thence to Baraboo for the winter. But the "Carnival of Fun" was at once resumed. November 12th it opened at Ironton, and closed at Fort Dodge, Iowa, January 30th. Al Ringling was again in the "carnival" with Charles, John and Alf, while Otto went ahead as agent. Then, says a notation, "went to Janesville and bought two cages, advance wagon and wardrobe." This winter the "Carnival" was snow bound half a dozen times in Iowa and Nebraska, which meant "no show."

In 1886 the "Carnival of Fun" opened at Waunakee March 2d and dosed at Rice Lake April 23d, another short season. In this year's "Carnival of Fun" the names of neither Al nor Otto appear, but Alf, Charles and John were on duty with two others.

In 1886 we have the name "Ringling Bros. Great Double Shows and Congress of Wild and Trained Animals." Now the boys had a 90-foot round top. At this time they had eighteen wagons, whereas two years before they had but nine. Their equipment included "two cages, ticket wagon, band wagons, hyena, bear, monkeys, eagle. Bought the donkey and Shetland pony, January and Minnie (the first trick act with the show) at Winnebago City, Minnesota, June 23d. Bought another Shetland pony during the season." Henry Ringling, youngest of the brothers, joined the show September 9, 1886, not, however, as an owner but as as employee of his five elder brothers. Mrs. Al Ringling is again included among the members of the company. During the latter part of the season glanders broke out in the stock and fourteen head were lost, including several shot in the winter quarters.

Ringlings running circus in summer and concert in winter. Their winter entertainment embraced music, in which about all the Ringlings participated with one instrument or another, also other things. Al Ringling balanced a plow on his chin, then a peacock feather, then a table.

In 1887 we have 14 Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Museum, Caravan and Congress of Trained Animals." So-ome na-ame ! This year one camel bought on the road died and by this time a kangaroo had been added, as well as an elk and two lions. Now we have the legend for the first time - "Al Ringling, Otto Ringling, Alf T. Ringling, Charles Ringling, John Ringling proprietors and managers." But again Mrs. Al Ringling and Henry Ringling appear among the circus people. The nearest it got to Madison that year was Stoughton.

The "Carnival of Fun" for this seasonal 887 -8, was divided into two companies. Alf, Charles, John and Henry headed one and Al and his wife the other. Here we have the notice that while this company (No. 1) was on the road, the Ringling brothers bought two elephants; "after this important event no further interest was taken. John had to see the elephants five days before we closed, leaving the rest to give the show without him ; having previously lost "William and Madeline Wheeler, the company was reduced to Alf, Charles and Henry, C. White and Frederick Madison."

This season, 1887-8, was the last of the "Carnival of Fun." Thereafter the Ringlings devoted themselves wholly to the circus. The title of the organization in 1888 was "Ringling Bros. Stupendous Consolidation of Seven Monstrous Shows." It opened at Baraboo May 5th and closed at Sauk City November 13th. There now were two advance wagons and the circus tent had grown from 90 feet to 100 by 148, with a menagerie 70 by 100 feet, sideshows 40 by 80 feet, and two or three horse tents, also a 35-foot dressing room. The two elephants were Babylon and Tony. It was Babylon that died recently. This was the first season that a 50-cent show was attempted. Before it had been 25.

This year the circus had a tragedy. Mons. Dialo (James Richardson) was shot and killed at Webster City, Iowa, June 23d, by Thomas Baskett, who was sentenced to fifteen years in state prison.

This was a very wet season. " Did not see sun for four weeks. Missed mauy afternoon stands on account of mud and rain. Finally were obliged to abandon advance wagons and bill by rail for a short time. Business was, of course, .bad, and after we were out two weeks we determined to drop the price of admission to 25 cents. We played six stands at this price and found it did not do; we immediately raised the admission again to fifty. We left the rain and mud on June 5th, after which business was good and we had a good season."

In 1889 the name was "Ringling Bros, and Van Amburgh s United Monster Circus, Museum. Menagerie, Roman Hippodrome and Universal World Exposition." Here we are told that "a small amount was paid

Hyatt Frost for the use of Van Amburgh's name.'* Now the number of horses had grown from 9 at the beginning to 110, and the third elephant had been added, as well as leopards and other animals. This year there were three advance wagons instead of two, and the personnel of the circus had grown greatly. This was the last season in wagons.

In 1890 the show took up the rail. There were two advertising cars, one performers' sleeper, one workingmen's sleeper, one elephant car, five stock cars, and eight flat cars. But there was only one_ring. The main tent had now grown to a 125-foot roundtop with two 50-foot additions for the menagerie, etc. Out in Iowa and Nebraska JWallace & Andrews' and Sells' shows were in opposition. This year the circus opened at Baraboo May 3d and closed at Chicago Junction October 21st. There were 107 horses.

In 1891 the hippodrome, an aquarium and a spectacular tournament, a production of Caesar's Triumphal Entry Into Rome were added. Twenty-two railroad cars were necessary to carry the show, and there were 130 horses and ponies. This year the Ringlings first showed in Madison.

In 1892, among other features, a chime of bells and a "steam traction engine" were added. May 17th the train was wrecked at Concordia, Kansas, four cars being destroyed and twenty-six horses killed with many others injured. Two men also were killed and four badly injured. Only two stands were missed, however, as a consequence of this disaster. A bit later the same season the train was wrecked at Centralia, Missouri, and six cages demolished. But no further damage was done, and only one day was lost. Then, on October 28th, while the train was en route to Baraboo for winter quarters, a rear-end collision occurred. But little damage was done. Twenty-eightjiars were with the show that year.

The year before, 1891, at Bolivar, Missouri, on September 26th, "a very serious battle was fought between the show and the people of the town and vicinity. Many of the local bad men were badly injured. The show got away after having a very exciting experience without suffering any injury."

In 1892 the Ringlings were opposed by the Barnum & Bailey show at Kansas City and various other places, including Milwaukee, as well as by the Wallace and the John Robinson shows. This spring the show had thirty days of rain, yet it was a profitable year.

In 1892-3 a giraffe was purchased from John Robinson and shipped to Baraboo on a freight car in a cage over which was built a shanty. This year the Ringlings lost two elephants and bought three, and three camels died during the winter. A calliope also was obtained of John Robinson. Now the company has 207 horses and ponies with 39 cars and 3 advance cars.

bought an interest in Sells Brothers' show, which now took the name of Forepaugh & Sells Bros. ' ' This put Bailey with an interest in three big shows - Barnum & Bailey, Buffalo Bill and the Forepaugh-Sells. " The Hingling and Forepaugh shows were in opposition at forty-five or more stands.

In 1897 the show had twenty-two elephants and over thirty cages. This year the boys traded an elephant and lion for a hippopotamus with the New York Zoo, and at Minneapolis were shut out of bill-boards by the Barnum & Bailey people, but "used newspapers strongly" and banners and "turned people away from each performance." It was not many years after this that all circus opposition was abated for the

In 1898 the Ringlings opened in a building at St. Louis - the first time that such a thing had happened in that city - that is, that a circus had been exhibited in a building. This year the John Robinson show was rented and conducted by the Ringlings. A white elephant cage caught fire near Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the elephant was so badly burned that it died three or four days later.

In 1899 the business was "very big" and for the first time the Ringlings played in Washington and Oregon. The year 1900 also was a tremendous year and the show made its first trip to California.

Jerusalem and the Crusades were a special feature of 1903, and along about this time annually the Ringlings were opening their show at the Coliseum, Chicago. In 1905 they conducted the Adam Forepaugh and Sells Bros, united shows, opening at Columbus, Ohio, and

In 1906 the Ringlings bought from James A. Bailey the half-interest which he owned in the Forepaugh & Sells show, thereby completing their ownership of that circus. In 1908 they took charge of the Barnum & Bailey show, opening in Madison Square Garden, New York. In 1909 they opened their show in Madison Square Garden and the Barnum & Bailey at the Coliseum, Chicago, thus reversing the usual order, and in 1910 the Ringlings had three shows - their own, Barnum & Bailey's and Forepaugh's. Both the Ringling and Forepaugh shows wintered at Baraboo. In 1911, Otto Ringling having died March 31st, Henry Ringling acquired his interest and became a member of the firm. At that time the use of the pictures of the owners in advertising was discontinued.

An unusual incident happened at McCook, Nebraska, in 1911, when the Forepaugh stand had to be abandoned because of the inability to unload "on account of wagons facing the wrong way on the flat cars and facilities for turning the train were unavailable in the limited time."

Joan of Arc was the special spectacular feature of the Ringling show during 1913 and Cleopatra of the Barnum & Bailey, while in 1914 Solomon and the Queen of Sheba was put on by Ringlings, and the Wizard Prince of Arabia by Barnum & Bailey.

Otto Ringling died in 1911, aged fifty-three, and August G. Ringling, also one of the brothers, but not a member of the firm, died in 1907, also at the age of fifty-three. The father was born in 1826 and died in 1898, the mother in 1907, aged seventy-four. The father was a harness maker and carriage trimmer, and at this occupation the sons worked more or less in their boyhood. Al, the oldest, was born in Chicago, living for a time at McGregor, then for the rest of his life at Baraboo. The other boys were born at different places, some at McGregor and some elsewhere. Only Al and Henry made their homes at Baraboo in late years. John lives in New York and Montana, Charles in Evanston, and Alf T. in New York. Several of them have summer homes on the coast of Florida.