"Brevity Basket," Valley Record, Ashland, August 11, 1892, page 3

The Heavens Be Praised.

    Just at present the interest of the entire world is centered on the struggle for supremacy between Russia and Japan, and those of both races that are in this country are regarded with more than passing interest. The American public, however, look with a more friendly eye upon the Japanese than the Russians, and for that reason Norris & Rowe have secured for their new, big circus, that will exhibit at Medford, Friday, May 13th, a troupe of genuine Royal Japanese acrobats. By royal is meant that the Oka Troupe have performed before the Mikado, and it was only by the special consent of the imperial authorities that the Oka Troupe were allowed to leave Japan and come to America under contract to Norris & Rowe. Those who have witnessed their performances have declared it to be simply marvelous. They perform intricate feats with a brilliancy, dash and daring that is pleasing to the eye. Their picturesque flowing robes, wrought with the handiwork which only the deft fingers of the Japanese seem to fashion, are soon discarded for the red tights and white trunks, which give greater freedom. Then begins a bewildering array of feats of posturing, balancing, tumbling, lofty perch, breakaway ladder tricks, etc., until the eye fairly aches from watching the agile athletes perform. This is but one of the many dazzling acts that Norris & Rowe have provided for their new circus carnival.
Medford Mail, May 13, 1904, page 4

    Jerusalem and the Crusades, Ringling Brothers' sublime, beautiful and instructive spectacular production, is adapted from the religious and historical story of which every man, woman and child in the civilized countries of the world is familiar.
    No other narrative of Christian history, with the exception of those treating directly with the birth and life of Jesus, is of such thrilling interest to people of all classes as is the Crusades, on which Ringling Brothers' magnificent spectacular production is builded. Kings, queens, princes, lords, nobles, chevaliers, knights, courtiers, functionaries, church officials, attendants, pilgrims, pages, soldiers, penitents, choristers, theologians, students, serfs, vassals, characteristic types of every class, dancing girls, singing women, exuberant children and a thousand and one other picturesque characters, give varied animation and color and enthralling interest to the panoramic changes of incident and scene. The grand cathedral at Clermont, France, from whence the historic Crusaders started upon their holy mission, is pictured with classic accuracy and charming coloring. The palace yard of the Emir, the Egyptian ruler at the time of the Crusades, is portrayed with voluptuous fidelity, and presents in its passing incidents the most bewitching exemplification of ballet and dramatic art. The grand ballet divertissement in this scene is an original conception and more entrancingly beautiful than any dancing conceit ever invented and interpreted. The legions of girls employed in evolving the elegant and graceful figures of the novel ballet are artists, graduated from the best masters of the terpsichorean art, lithely and lissomely young and sensitively practiced in accomplishing the highest and most delightful effects in dancing study. The barbaric splendors of the Egyptian court are revealed in this reveling scene upon a scale of magnificence and expenditure never before attempted. This prodigal display of medieval luxury and Oriental extravagance is only in keeping with the progressive policy of the Ringling Brothers, who have enlarged and improved every department of their enormous shows, by far the greatest in existence, until now they appear to have reached the climax of human possibility. The great shows will exhibit in Medford, Saturday, September 3d, and give two performances daily, in the afternoon at 2 o'clock and in the evening at 8 o'clock.
Medford Mail, August 19, 1904, page 4

    The Belford family of aerialists, which consists of two young women, two young men and two older acrobats; John and Hugh LaNole and Miss Amy Melnotte in a sensational high silver wire act; the Leffel trio of pantomimists and aerial bar performers; Miss Rose Dockrill, a graceful lady bareback rider; George Holland, gymnast and bareback rider; Austin King, the famous jockey and hurdle rider; Dolly and Frank Miller in a wonderful bareback riding act; the Sugimoto troupe of Japanese lady swordswomen and expert athletes; the McDonald trio of bicycle experts; the Gardner family in a thrilling casting act; John LaNole, the breakaway ladder expert. The comedy element will be handled by the famous Jim West, a clown celebrated in the realm of the white tents. West will be assisted in his fun by Billy LaRue and a corps of merrie-makers.
    Some of the novelties in the animal line will be a large number of pure white Arabian cake-walking horses; a troupe of performing Russian bears; performing seals; an act containing one hundred educated Shetland ponies and one hundred educated dogs and a beautiful arrangement for the grand entree called the "Garland of Flowers," in which ladies and gentlemen expert riders participate in a picturesque act of high-class menage.
    The show will be given in three rings and will be the largest that Norris & Rowe ever sent out.
Medford Mail, February 3, 1905, page 8


Medford Mail, April 21, 1905, page 1

    That the circus clown is not always the foolish fellow he seems is shown by the ingenious devices Tote Ducrow and Billy Scott of the Norris & Rowe circus have invented for evoking laughter from the little folks. This season they have invented a breakaway trolley car. A burlesque circus parade headed by the clowns starts around the hippodrome track. They meet the trolley car coming towards them. They refuse to get out of the way. The trolley car starts ahead at full speed with the inevitable result that the burlesque parade is broken up, [and] the car runs over the clowns. They retaliate by jumping upon the car, when finally an explosion sends car and clowns high in the air, accompanied by the shrieks of delight from the children. Another of their laugh-provoking inventions is a large red automobile called the "Red Devil," and devil it is, for when it starts around the track at full speed it runs over everybody in sight. Squealing pigs, scurrying chickens, an old maid with her market basket, a fat man, a dude and a tramp are run over with equal impartiality, and the automobile finally goes up in smoke after all the confusion it has caused. The children will remember these comical fellows long after they have forgotten everything else they saw with the circus. Tote Ducrow and "Happy" Bill Scott have as assistants in fun-making Nick Mannigan, "Foolish" Willie Hyatt, Bob Curtin and "Grotesque" Charlie Medora. The New and Greater Norris & Rowe Circus will exhibit at Medford, Thursday, May 3d.
Medford Mail, April 27, 1906, page 4

    From a little one-ring affair, with a few dogs and ponies, Norris & Rowe have increased the size of their show year by year, until now they have one of the largest and best circuses in the West. At their performance on Thursday last they attracted the largest crowd they have ever showed to in this city, and the unanimous verdict was that the performance was equal [to], if not better, than that given by larger aggregations with more pretentious reputations that have shown here before. The best of the old features have been retained and a great number of new ones added.
Medford Mail, May 11, 1906, page 5

    All Medford was alive this morning early in anticipation of the arrival of the great Forepaugh and Sells Brothers great combined shows. When the first train arrived in this city from Eugene it was met by a vast delegation. The wagons were followed to the show lots on the west side, where the thousands who had waited long for the show to come drank in with wonder the systematic movements of the small army of people.
    The three great herds of elephants won particular attention. The massive pachyderms, larger in size and in number than anything that ever came this way, played to an appreciative audience. Young Medford, who was to see his first elephant, made a thorough examination of the big fellows, and [but] only for the trainers he might have crawled up the long trunks of the monsters to see the whole show from a point of vantage.
    The Forepaugh Sells shows come to Medford after receiving the plaudits of the press in every city where they have stopped. They give two shows in this city and then jump south to California.
    At noon the giant parade of over a mile of cars moved through the main streets of Medford. Thence back to the grounds and the big show was ready for its great tent display. The menagerie is in itself a show well worth the price of admission, while the big circus performance is a kaleidoscope of daring acts, each worthy of the figure the circus charges to pass within its doors. The show has been advertised as the greatest show that ever played in Medford. Despite its miles of paper [billboards] the show lives up to every detail of its ads, and in this way marks itself a great show both in size and in integrity.
    Hundreds who attended the show in the afternoon saw their first fire engine. The show carries three complete fire companies, which are both ornamental as well as useful. The first scene, which depicts a burning hotel, is a most stirring spectacular production. In the center of the big tent is erected a street scene. In the middle of it is a hotel. This catches fire. The fire department responds and rescues imperiled people from the third-story windows. Others, who are cut off by imaginary flames, jump into life nets. In the line of equestrian work the Forepaugh Sells shows are revelations. Some of the feats of daring that are presented by the big show make one's heart stop beating for a second.
    In this respect as well as in many others, the Forepaugh Sells shows stand at the head of their line. The performance this afternoon was given before thousands. Another show takes place this evening at eight o'clock. The doors open an hour earlier.
Medford Daily Tribune, August 25, 1906, page 1

    Circus day has come and gone. For one whole day the city was in the hands of the circus man, the small boy and the sightseer. It was a Fourth of July with the fireworks left out.
    The trains bearing the big show were late in arriving, and as a consequence the parade was delayed until nearly one o'clock, and the doors to the main show were not opened until nearly three. During this time there were several hundred people waiting in the hot sun for admission, and there was some adverse comment concerning this.
    Once inside, however, troubles were forgotten by all and the crowd seemed bent on getting all the fun there was in the occasion. Everybody reveled in the genuine circus air. It was hot, it was dusty, the wild animals gave forth their natural effluvia even more pungently than usual, the clowns cracked the jokes which have been cracked and put together and cracked again for ages. The young lady in diaphanous apparel, who pirouetted on the wide back of a big horse, looked just like the one we fell in love with in the days of Montgomery Queens' old, one-ring show, the tumblers tumbled, the trapeze performers made apparently impossible leaps in midair, the--what's the use trying to tell about it. One man couldn't see it all at one time. There was something doing every minute, and it was all good, and the crowd appreciated it.
    The attendance from out of town was not as large as it would otherwise have been had it not been for the reports disseminated concerning the prevalence of diphtheria in Medford. One report was to the effect that there were three hundred cases of the disease in Medford and that twenty deaths had resulted, when as a matter of fact there hasn't been a single case in a malignant form and no deaths which can be traced to the disease.
    On the whole the show gave good satisfaction.
Medford Mail, August 31, 1906, page 1

    The program is a lengthy one and includes every act known to the circus arena and in addition to many odd and unusual features, trained animals etc. the bareback riders including such celebrities as Geo. Holland, somersault rider; Rose Dockrill, principal rider; Dolly Miller and her high school horse; Edna Maretta, somersault bareback rider; Frank Miller and his dog "Vic" in a hurricane hurdle jockey act; Frank O'Brien in a comedy mule hurdle act; Rose Stetson, in a pretty menage act; Herbert Rumley, the rough rider; Geo. Settler and his 20 Shetland ponies. The aerial acts include the Four Flying Banvard Sisters troupe; the Leffel Troupe on the aerial bars; the Sisters Rappo, trapeze performers; the Melno troupe of aerial silver wire experts; Irene Maretta on the swinging ladder; the Lanole Bros. on the unsupported dancing ladder. Novelty acts include the Seven Avalon troupe of cyclists; the Montrose-Keno troupe of grotesque gymnasts; the Adams troupe of acrobats; Ben Lucier and his giant golden ladder in backward somersaults; the Toozoonin Arabs, gun spinners; the Whirling Dervishes; the Zerhewsky troupe of Cossack dancers; the Turkish Patrol of soldiers in a wall-scaling feat, etc. The trained animals features, including lions, tigers, bears, wolves, elephants, camels, llamas, sea lions, dromedaries, bloodhounds, hyenas, kangaroos, etc. There will be the usual parade. Souvenirs will be given this season to commemorate the twentieth year of the partnership of Norris & Rowe, and the tour is known as the "Jubilee Souvenir Season." In Medford Monday, April 22.
Medford Mail, April 19, 1907, page 3

    The Great Norris & Rowe circus, museum, menagerie and hippodrome made its annual appearance in this city Monday, gave two well-attended exhibitions and pleased many. The show has a number of novel acts, and keeps moving in an interesting way from beginning to end. There are no wasted minutes. Everything was kept quickly moving, and good management was shown in every detail. The small boy was very much in evidence, and found all the things he delighted in. The time-honored parade showed a gay cavalcade of brightly plumaged knights and ladies, equestrians and equestriennes; open dens of wild beasts, thoroughbred horses, clowns; bands of music, tableaux wagons and all the appurtenances of the modern successful circus. The menagerie was a very fair one indeed. In this tent one could see excellent specimens of lions, tigers, hyena, bears, pumas, kangaroos, leopards, baby lion, deer, elk, monkeys, elephants, llamas, camels, dromedaries, sea lions, wolves, panthers. Here also was kept the curiously spotted Arabian horses, racing thoroughbred stock and performing Shetland ponies, while out in the horse tent was a fine collection of heavy draft stock that made many a farmer's eyes glisten. In the big tent proper was given a creditable exhibition of bareback, trick, fancy, high school and menage equestrianism, trapeze performances, high wire acts, flying acts, casting acts, feats of juggling, contortion, aerial horizontal bars, long and high leaping contests and the always exciting hippodrome races. Those who attended expressed themselves well satisfied, and it would be a person hard indeed to please who didn't get their money's worth.
Medford Mail, April 26, 1907, page 8

    One of the biggest crowds that ever assembled in Southern Oregon was in Medford Saturday to witness the Ringling Bros. circus. From early morning until noon the people were coming in from all directions, and in every kind of conveyance, from puffing autos to a lumber wagon drawn by those faithful beasts who, in the words of a famous Oregonian, are "without pride of ancestry or hope of posterity."
    The small boy, who can barely arise in the morning in time to escape parental wrath, was at the depot before the whistle of the first train came, and from that time until the last car had been loaded and departed into the night, this was a day of unalloyed joy and excitement.
    By the time the parade was formed, the streets were a mass of crowding, jostling, good-natured humanity, bent on getting all the enjoyment possible out of the pageant. And it was well worthy of the effort, for a finer parade was never witnessed here. Everything looked bright and well cared-for. The horses were well groomed and in good spirits, the animals in the cages were different from the usual half-starved-looking, spiritless specimens one usually sees, but looked as if, were they given their liberty, they could render a good account of themselves.
    The performance was of the very best. Many new features had been added, and the performers were of the best talent possible to get together.
    Taken altogether Ringling Bros.' show was better this time than ever before, and this means that it was far and away the best show of the kind that ever pitched its tents in Medford.
Medford Mail, September 6, 1907, page 1

    The Gold Hill News takes occasion to point a moral by relating some of the occurrences of circus day in Medford, and one is perforce compelled to agree with him in the main. The system of handling passenger traffic on days when large crowds travel over short or longer distances on the railroads comes in for a good share of Bro. Purdin's criticism. He tells of the crowd waiting at the depot for the 5:09 train until 2:30 in the morning, and at the same time shows how the law compelling railroad companies to post up time of trains every half hour is made a farce. That bulletin board showed "guesses" at the time of the delayed train every 30 minutes or so, but nobody knew when it would come, and the expectant passengers were no better off than they were in the days when the only information to be had was a grunt.
    Bro. Purdin pays his respect to the Medford city government as follows: "And along the line of poorly managed affairs, the Medford city council is also deserving of some special mention from the way they policed the city on that day. In the evening while the crowds were awaiting the arrival of the trains, hoodlums would pass through the crowd shoving ladies and children into the rain and mud and doing other acts of a like nature, without the least interference from the police at all. One lady from Gold Hill was struck across the shoulders with a riding whip while her back was turned in a crowd, by some vagrant, who ought to have been tarred and feathered. It would have been a warm occasion for that miserable speck of humanity had he been caught by the Gold Hill boys shortly after it happened."
    We might say in this connection that if the above miscreant can be identified as a resident of this city, there will be no objection by anyone to his being duly disciplined.
Medford Mail, September 13, 1907, page 1

    The juveniles of Medford, together with the thousands of elders who only go "to take the children," are thoroughly prepared for the coming of "the dog and pony show," formally announced as Gentry Brothers' Famous Shows, United, which are to exhibit in Medford tomorrow afternoon and evening. Ever since the first announcement of the show's coming, the parent who happens to hold the purse strings in each family in and about Medford has been beset by overtures more or less direct looking to such a loosening as would get the small fry under the Gentry canvases at least once while the shows are here.
    Added to the superior attractive power of perfectly trained dogs, ponies and monkeys, has been the widely spread knowledge that the only and original Mrs. General Tom Thumb, happily known to three generations of amusement lovers as the cleverest and most entertaining little woman alive, is also with the Gentry shows. It has been announced that the famous little woman is accompanied by her present husband, Count Primo Magri, and his brother, Baron Magri, making a group of "diminished thirds," which promises to excite the admiration as well as the curiosity of all ages of circus devotees.
    Since no trained animal exhibition is without an elephant, providing such exhibition is properly constituted, the Gentrys have added five performing pachyderms to their collection since last the shows were seen here. And then there will be "Oklahoma," an American-born and -bred baby camel, a half dozen baby ponies, some of them barely able to walk, and groups of trained pigs, sheep and geese. Several acrobatic features have also been added to the Gentry shows playing to big audiences which continually voice their approval; a verdict which is rendered in full measure by the press.
Medford Daily Tribune, October 12, 1907, page 3

    Every day is "wash day" with the Gentry Brothers' famous shows, for the management prides itself on having the neatest and prettiest of tented shows on tour, and next to a performance whose quality and character have given the shows an enviable individuality rejoices in that cleanliness which is next to the highest virtue. So it happens that one of the big bills in connection with conducting the trained animal exhibition is for soap and water.
    Early morning visitors to the Gentry Brothers' show grounds at Medford, October 18, will therefore have the unusual opportunity of seeing a dog and pony wash day which sets a splendid example to the housekeeper and is calculated to inspire the onlooker with increased respect for the 20th century circus as exemplified by the Gentry Brothers' shows.
    The hundreds of trained dogs with the shows are led to the grounds as soon as the tents are in place and then turned loose, but it is a liberty with a string attached to it. For no sooner are the dogs on hand than they are brought fact to face with the huge iron tubs and even the unobserving layman can tell by the expression on their canine countenances that they know what is coming. Some are sad and some are glad; some "yip" in pleased anticipation and others growl in sullen resentment; while the healthiest ones bark their joy and the weaker ones whine in fear.
Medford Daily Tribune, October 15, 1907, page 3

    "Meet me at the carnival" is the watchword of everyone who is interested in the big festival that will be given at Medford October 17-18-19 by the Nat Reiss Carnival Company. The committee believe the opening performances Thursday will be attended by many thousands of people.
    It is to be a real carnival week. It is to be a week free from society restraints, but full of sociability, real, good, honest, innocent fun. There will be confetti to fill the hair of men and the gay gowns of the girls. There will be blowing of horns, whistling of balloons, waving of beribboned canes, congress of bashful maids, parading of the gay beaux, visiting, flirting, courting, joking, teasing, all on the promenade of the big white city, where Nat Reiss has 12 big shows, two bands and 200 performers, a one-ring circus, "Dixieland," which is a theater inside a Mississippi river steamboat, with plantation songs and scenes, high-class vaudeville in the Red Dome, the Ferris wheel, steam gondolas, the electric theater, with moving pictures from Rome, Vienna, Berlin, Paris and London; "Aga," a never-ceasing wonder and a beautiful picture; Maximo, the highest-diving dog in the world, Madam Wanda's 17 trained coach dogs, all of one mother and several litters, with the mother as directress general of her progeny's performances.
    There will be more real sociability of neighbors and friends meeting and visiting with one another in the promenade between the white tents next week at the carnival than there has been since New Year's Day.
    A carnival is distinctly a people's entertainment, and its leading feature is sociability. The amusements and entertainments, which are exceptionally good, are but an incident to bring the people of the whole community in pleasant, easy social abandon, where stiff society rules are abrogated, and true respect and genuine good fellowship prevail.
    Gates open at 2 and 7 p.m., and good order and good fellowship are on top from the opening to the closing of the gates. One cannot spend a more enjoyable, entertaining and even instructive afternoon or evening than by visiting the carnival.
Medford Daily Tribune, October 16, 1907, page 2

    The biggest of the smaller shows, better known as Gentry Brothers' Famous Shows, United, made good its promises of the past several days and presented to several thousands on the principal streets this morning one of the prettiest street parades ever given by a traveling circus.
    The crowds that lined the right of way were not only delighted with the diminutive chariots, coaches, cages and tableaux and charmed with the excellence of the wardrobe and decorative materials used in the parade, but they were a unit in expressing surprise at the fine condition of the hundreds of ponies and horses. In these particulars, especially, comparison with any other circus parade seen here this season is altogether favorable to the Gentry Brothers.
    In addition to the quality and individuality of the various features, not excepting the inevitable elephants, camels and calliope, the crowds had occasion to express surprise at the length of the "dog and pony" show parade, since the display was nearly a mile in length.
    Notable among the features were Count and Baron Magri in the tiny coach originally given Mrs. Tom Thumb by Barnum; the wagons bearing the scores of beribboned and well-groomed dogs; the little pony colts trotting alongside their mothers, and the monkeys, some of whom rode "outside" on top of the cages, while others were seen in durance vile behind the bars.
    Early this afternoon the doors of the Gentry tents were thrown open to the thousands of patrons, mostly children and their escorts, who came to see the pony drill, the monkey fire department, the diving dogs, the pyramid pony act and the various other features incident to the characteristic Gentry program. Countess Magri--Mrs. General Tom Thumb--also held court just inside the main entrance, renewing many friendships dating back 40 years, and the pony and animal tent also came in for a large share of attention.
    Following the afternoon performance all the children in the audience were given invitations to ride the ponies, elephants and camels, and few of them declined the offer.
    The Gentry shows will exhibit on the same grounds this evening.
Medford Daily Tribune, October 18, 1907, page 4

    The small boys of the city and the surrounding county sat on hard benches last Tuesday, munched hard nuts, drank pink lemonade and proclaimed to all who were there to hear that "the circus has come." The youngsters were happy, and many a man's thoughts turned backward to the time when he was small and could enjoy a circus as it should be enjoyed.
    It was a large crowd that greeted Norris & Rowe's circus, and for the most part everyone came away satisfied. The posters had proclaimed for some time that it was bigger and larger than ever, and so it was found. People from the surrounding county flocked to the city, and at the afternoon and evening performances the large circus tent was crowded. It was a good crowd too, from the circus manager's standpoint, for they saw all there was to see and consumed vast quantities of the standard circus edibles. Circus day was more like a holiday than anything else.
    Long before the big parade started in the morning the streets of the city were crowded, and latecomers experienced some difficulty in finding a location from which they could gain an unobstructed view of the parade. The vacant lots along the line [of] parade were crowded with automobiles, carriages and divers sorts of vehicles. The circus was good. Two large rings and an elevated stage were in evidence, and the management kept the large crowd amused for nearly three hours with one attraction after another. The menagerie was good and larger than that of last year. The side shows gave for the most part a new list of attractions. As a whole the show was good, and not many were disappointed.
Medford Mail, May 1, 1908, page 1


    The Norris & Rowe circus was accompanied by a number of fresh young men, who made themselves rather obnoxious by annoying young girls and women--without provocation. If one or two irate citizens had succeeded in locating certain members of this bunch, the circus would likely have been shy an employee or two the next morning.
"City Happenings," Medford Mail, May 1, 1908, page 5


    A few years ago a herd of elephants, property of a circus, came near smashing the bridge through, and since that date the city government has barred elephants from the structure.
"Electric Railroad Barred from Bear Creek Bridge in Medford," Medford Sun, February 3, 1911, page 6
A search of Medford ordinance books indicates no such formal ordinance was ever passed. A thorough search of newspaper reports after known circus performance dates for 1903-1911 found no newspaper reports about damage to the bridge.

    Then there was a group of Mexicans from Old Mexico who showed the use of the lasso, the old Deadwood stage coach, and then Buffalo Bill gave some exhibitions of expert shooting from horseback while on the gallop.
    The next on the program was what was termed the "race of races," and it was between a cowboy, Cossack, Mexican, Arab and Indian, on Mexican, bronco, Indian and Arabian horses. Attention was directed to the different seats in saddle by the various riders. This was won by the Arab.
    Then followed the United States artillery drill, showing the old muzzle-loading methods. The guns used were relics of the Civil War. A former Pony Express rider showed how telegrams of the republic were distributed and carried across the continent previous to the building of telegraphs and railways.
    The Arabs and Japanese performed various feats of agility.
    The emigrant train illustrated a prairie emigrant train crossing the plains guided by Buffalo Bill. Incidental to the scene there was a buffalo hunt, the Virginia Reel on horseback, songs by the emigrant's quartette, and high school performances by Ray Thompson's trained western range horses, including "Joe Belley," the most wonderfully trained equine in the world. After the emigrant camp had settled down for a night of rest and sleep, the peaceful scene was distributed by marauding Indians, and they were repulsed by the scouts and cowboys.
    The battle of Summit Springs, fought on July 11, 1869, was shown. During this engagement Buffalo Bill shot and killed the Indian chief Tall Bull.
    There was football on horseback, the newest form of equestrian sport, played under special rules and seen for the first time in any arena; a drill by the Sixth Cavalry, showing the evolutions of the regular army; Johnny Baker, the celebrated American marksman.
    "The Great Train Holdup and Bandit Hunters of the Union Pacific" was a scene representing a train holdup on the western wilds. The bandits stopped the train, uncoupled the engine from the coaches, robbed the express car and blew open the safe. Meanwhile the passengers were lined up and despoiled of their valuables. The scene ended with the arrival of the bandit hunters of the Union Pacific.
    Racing by Indian boys on bareback ponies, cowboys picking objects from the ground, lassoing and riding wild horses; Devlin's Zouaves, in manual of arms, lightning drills, finishing with an exhibition of wall scaling, showing the adaptability of citizen-soldiery in warfare; Cossacks from the Caucasus of Russia, in feats of horsemanship, and then the finale salute.
    In spite of the immense crowd in the city, all were on their good behavior, and the police had about as quiet a day in their line as if there had been nothing unusual doing. There was no accident, and as far as is known all the visitors were well taken care of by the hotels and restaurants and had a real good time, taking it all in all.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 2, 1908, page 1


    Queen Anne addition, in East Medford, will be the Wild West show ground. Time was when a circus tent could be pitched "close in" to the depot, but nothing doing for circuses on the old grounds--they are now all covered with residences and school buildings.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail, October 2, 1908, page 6

"Shrieking his rollicking roundelay, a monster marched through the town;
He woke the echoes, disturbed the peace, and shouted defiance to the police,
He frightened the horses, annoyed the dogs, and even the autos trembled,
But the youngsters rejoiced at the din he made and followed his way with glee
As youngsters have done since in Hamelin town, another piper of high renown
Created havoc across the sea, so latter-day children are wont to be
Entranced by the singing cal-i-o-pe."
    Again the painted wagons rolled through the streets, and everybody, young and old, feasted their eyes on the spectacle of the circus parade that Norris & Rowe brought to the city this morning.
    When the long circus trains unloaded at the depot this morning Norris & Rowe received their annual demonstration of welcome. The small boy was much in evidence as was also the big boys, and they worked with unflagging interest in assisting men and horses to the circus lot. The big tent is filled this afternoon, and for the convenience of those unable to attend the matinee, the whole thing will be repeated tonight, when a number of attractive special features will be added.
    The Norris & Rowe enterprise is properly conducted, and it offers all the ecstatic thrills and aesthetic delights demanded of a circus. It begins in the good old way. Three bands are united and march around the ring to a most inspiring air. Elephants come lumbering after, holding each others' tails. After that is the camels, dromedaries and then, delight of delights, shade of chivalry, the knights and princesses ride in graceful ranges, garbed in such glory as to outshine the pomp of power. Then come the clowns, humble Yoricks of the sawdust, and then the pageant melts away and in the two rings upon the elevated stage and high aloft toward the billowing tent top there is a riot of daring deeds. It is hard to follow all the things they do and say in a circus, but the excitement of trying makes life worth living.
    "The circus has comed!"
    So shouted the small boy to the world this morning, and then he got busy with watching all of the never-failing delights of unloading and moving and setting up, and the parading and all of the countless thousand and one things that go to make a circus day complete. This afternoon he is contentedly sitting on the same old hard bleachers munching peanuts and letting his illumined being [be] o'errun with the deluge of delightful sensations that he receives. Circus day is an event in his life, and the older people go, hoping against hope that they will again turn old time backward in his flight and experience some of the delights that belong to the youngster.
    The city was filled early in the day with people who drove in from miles around to witness the performance. They lunched wherever they could, many picnicked, while a number filled up on the circus day lemonade (?), peanuts and popcorn. The hawkers were busy early with their fancy whips and countless other circus day souvenirs. The show played to a large attendance, but nothing to be compared with the 11,500 that turned out to see Buffalo Bill in October last.
    The merchants of the city did a splendid business. Saturday is always a good day with them, and especially so when the crowds come in as they did today. Withal circus day is a busy day in Medford.
    Norris & Rowe will give a second performance this evening, and there is no doubt but that a larger crowd will be out than was this afternoon.
    The circus was delayed to some extent by the wreck yesterday in the neighborhood of Dunsmuir. They arrived early enough, however, to get in shape by show time.
Medford Daily Tribune, April 24, 1909, page 1

    The weather was fine, and the country folk besieged the town early. Townspeople joined merrily in the crowd that thronged the streets, and the balloon man vended his wares to the intense delight of many a "precious little darling," while everybody waited to see the elephants.
    The parade started promptly at 10 o'clock from the circus grounds and, traversing several of the residence streets, wound its way, shedding happiness and awe in its pathway, back to the main street, continuing thence eastward to the grounds. It was a creditable turnout, lacking none of the features that go to make a circus parade interesting, and many of its features were exceptionally fine. The Armour sextet of dapple gray draft horses is [by] far the most handsome turnout of horseflesh ever exhibited here.
    The big circus tent was crowded early this afternoon in spite of the fact that this circus closely follows one last month. Sells-Floto have many things to delight the young and old alike, and many were there to enjoy themselves.
    A big time is promised people this evening, and doubtless the circus management will do well here.
Medford Daily Tribune, May 17, 1909, page 1


    One hundred and twenty-five wagons passed our house up to 10 o'clock with from two to four passengers bound from the north of the county, bound for the circus.
J. G. Martin, "North Medford Notes," Medford Mail, May 21, 1909, page 8

    Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! The circus has come again. The seal of the great Ringling Brothers' show has been stamped upon Medford, and once more with joyous accord we revel in the sights and sounds and scents of a never-to-be-forgotten love--the big show.
    Like huge white birds the mammoth tents stretch surrounded by the gaily colored wagons, resplendent in much gilt, the great flapping poster, recitals of the side show attractions, and any number of peanuts, lemonade, candy and popcorn booths, without which a circus would be as "Hamlet" with Hamlet left out.
    The usual scattering of small boys with ventilator trousers and wide, questioning eyes, waited outside to hear the elephants--28, count 'em--and perchance be taken inside the tent by some philanthropist with memories of another circus day agone. Bold, blase paterfamilias, with gleaming eyes and the circus fever itching every spot of his anatomy, had been coerced into bringing the children. Old ladies, holding their reticules firmly against the pit of their stomachs, hosts and hosts of happy boys and girls. Youth and old age alike snuffed the sawdust and turned handsprings to the places. Crowds from all nearby cities came as delegations, hundreds strong. Trains from every direction, east, west, south and north, brought in a merry, merry crowd of merry makers.
    The animals would have been pickin's for one T.R. Dromedaries and camels, with their backs up, were objects of interest chiefly because they can go 90 days without a drink. Kings of the forest roared beautifully and at regular intervals, and tossed their manes in true jungle book style. Lady lions inclined languidly by and looked bored at their high lords' noisings. Freckled leopards, clumsy bears, timid deer, mountain lions, tigers and a herd of mammoth pachyderms, or in Americanus vulgaris, "effalunts," were among the list of eye-holders.
    And such a crowd. Everyone was there to see the bizarre, bantering, button-breaking comical convocation of clownish celebrities, the gyroscopic and gymnastic jeopardies of graceful girls, the dainty, dexterous and daring displays of equitation, the agile exploits of equilibrium and the crowning culminating climax of transcendent terrible thrilldom, the desperately dangerous quintessence of aerialism.

Southern Oregonian, August 28, 1909, page 1

    The domain in the north part of town was the most precious bit of acreage in Medford today--at least to those of the young set and "upward"--for with the rising of the sun came a whole trainload of the dandiest circus things--red wagons, canvas by the hundred yards, side shows, peanuts, pink lemons and tartaric acid (brought for the purpose of making the lemonade) and everything that goes to make the hearts of young people and old ones, too, rejoice.
    The weather was fine, and the country folk besieged the town early. Townspeople joined merrily in the crowd that thronged the streets, and the balloon man vended his wares to the intense delight of many a "precious little darling," while everybody waited to see the elephants.
    The parade started promptly at 10 o'clock from the circus grounds, and, traversing several of the residence streets, wound its way, shedding happiness and awe in its pathway, back to the main street, continuing thence eastward to the grounds. It was a creditable turnout, lacking none of the features that go to make a circus parade interesting, and many of its features were exceptionally fine. The Armour Sextet of dapple gray draft horses is [by] far the most handsome turnout of horseflesh ever exhibited here.
    The big circus tent was crowded early this afternoon. Sells-Floto have many things to delight the young and old alike, and many were there to enjoy themselves.
    A big time is promised people this evening, and doubtless the circus management will do well here.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 16, 1910, page 8

    The Barnum and Bailey greatest show on earth will give one exhibition here next Monday morning at 10 o'clock. The event is of more than passing interest to this community. It is the day the small boy has been waiting for; the circus posters have had him hypnotized ever since they were pasted on the billboards. Now the day draws near, and, of course, Papa and Mama must go just to take care of the children and incidentally recall moments of their own childhood.
    It wasn't so very long ago that a circus with one ring was thought by old heads--then young heads, by the way--to be a pretty big affair. The one-ring show was changed to two rings with a larger circumference of canvas. Later the series of circus circles was increased to three, and then a big platform was added.
    But with the speed of the American nation this was not enough, and the hippodrome races, which gave a brutal spice to old Roman days, was added. The evolution of the circus in this way has reached its highest development and greatest success under the direction of the Barnum and Bailey management.
    They now have a show of colossal size as against what history records, or the average man is familiar with. When they strike their tents in a given place instantly a village arises, with a thousand or more souls, each of whom has a definite duty, and lends to the systematic effect of the glorious whole. And their sheltering roof of canvas by the exact rules of measurement represents thousands of yards and affords not only a temporary home for these many people, but for 500 or more horses, each of which has a distinct office in the fulfillment of a show-making scheme that has lifted the name of the Barnum and Bailey shows to a high place of honor.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 26, 1910, page 3

    Pa was routed of bed in the cold grey dawn this morning in order that the cows might be milked, the pigs fed, and Nancy and Dobbin hitched to the spring wagon in time to get Ma and the kids into town in time to see the big parade of the Barnum & Bailey circus, scheduled at 8 o'clock. And not alone did Pa arise. Mr. City Man was in his office an hour earlier than usual that he might get his work out of the way so he could snatch an hour to see the mile of gilt and glittering wagons. It was a horrible hour for a circus, anyway, wasn't it, Arabella?

    There was no more popular spot in Jackson County today than the 15 acres of ground occupied by Barnum & Bailey just at the end of the Main Street pavement. A tremendous crowd gathered there early today, and this afternoon are wending their way homeward with nothing but praise for the "greatest show on earth."
    Barnum & Bailey arrived in the city Sunday afternoon. They gave one performance here at 10 a.m. and are now leaving for the south.
    When the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth is packed away for the night and speeding over the rails to its next point of exhibition, it lives in a rolling home over a mile in length. This wonderful train is divided in five sections. It is a congress of nations on wheels, a Noah's Ark of animals and a world's fair of a thousand charms.
    When the show lies spread out for a day's business it covers 14 acres of ground. Over it waves a sea of canvas, spotted with ten thousand flags and banners. The spirit of P. T. Barnum, the greatest showman who ever lived, still animates its faultless policy. The wonderful system of James A. Bailey, that has made the handling of the gigantic proposition possible, is still in evidence, urging it on from year to year to better and grander achievements.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 29, 1910, page 1

    The attack by the troops under General Carr will constitute a stirring scene, and the rigors of war will be dramatically illustrated. The battle of Summit Springs, while the chief feature of the exhibition, will by no means constitute the only scene of western life. There will also be the overland emigrant train and settlers' trailside camp, in which scene there will be blended the pleasures and pastimes of the plainsmen with the horrors of an Indian attack upon the whites. The three big scenic features will be of exceptional interest because of their historic correctness, and because of their value as replicas of scenes taken from an eventful period in our nation's past. The exhibitions of horsemanship by the rough rider contingent will form a novel and interesting section of the program, and at every performance the only and original Buffalo Bill will be in the saddle directing the entertainment and participating therein. Contrasting with these pictures of far western life will be seen an oriental display of great beauty; a pageantry of color and customs in strong contrast to the strenuous scenes and incidents of the Wild West. Incidental to the Far East scene, and as a special feature thereof, Rossi's Musical Elephants will be seen in a brilliant and truly wonderful exhibition of animal training.
    This visit is rendered interesting as the final appearance here by Buffalo Bill.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 15, 1910, page 3

CIRCUS JARS SEWER, REMEDYING DEFECT

    The recent visit of the circus proved of a permanent benefit to the city in one respect at least, for, according to Street Commissioner Patton, it remedied a sewer which has been giving trouble throughout the winter. The jar of loading and unloading from the cars dislodged debris which has been choking the sewer, and now storm water escapes freely, where before it backed up and flooded the street.
    Throughout the winter a sewer at the Southern Pacific crossing on Main Street has been choked. All efforts to clear it failed. It was believed that digging would have to be resorted to.
    Then came the circus.
    The work of loading and unloading the cars happened to be directly above the seat of trouble. It is presumed that the jarring of the earth started the debris clogging the sewer and opened the drain. At least that is the way Patton dopes it out.

    The Barnum & Bailey "Greatest Show on Earth" will exhibit at Medford Saturday, August 29th for two performances, and street parade will be given. In recent seasons the big circus has had spectacular features, but this season the management has gone to untold expense in investing the big circus with a wonderfully brilliant pageant of Oriental splendor entitled "The Wizard Prince of Arabia." This colossal innovation is offered at the opening of the show, thereby doing away with the old, stereotyped "grand entree" idea which has been worked to death by all the tented aggregations throughout the land.
    In this realistic reproduction of the glamorous, eventful days of the land of the "Thousand and One Nights," Barnum & Bailey engage the services of more than 2,000 persons which embraces the dancing activities of hundreds of gaily bedecked coryphées and a grand ballet effect at the finale which leaves a lasting impression.
    The spectacle opens with an elaborately decorated setting of Arabic land where there is much confusion over the departure of the prince and his five wizards, who perform modern-day miracles in helping their noble master conquer strange domains. The subsequent adventures of the prince and his wizardly retinue which sets forth from their native heath with horses gaily caparisoned and amid a great and gorgeous spectacle. In quick succession follows the invasion of King Babar's realm in India, where by magic aid of the five wizards the prince is enabled to win the heart and hand of the king's daughter. There's a magnificent wedding feast which is produced in kaleidoscopic splendor, teeming with life, action and color. The ballet finale was pronounced by the press of New York City to be the last word in circus pageantry.
Central Point Herald, August 13, 1914, page 1


    Stanko Bros. pitched their show tent at the ball park Friday and gave an exhibition in the evening. The attendance, like the performance, was slim.
"Local News," Jacksonville Post, June 5, 1915, page 3

    Al G. Barnes circus will show in this city tomorrow, and a large crowd is assured. It will be the only circus to appear in this city this year.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 1, 1915, page 2

    After weeks of anticipation, with daily inspection of the billboards and pictures in the store windows, the small boy comes into his own tomorrow. The Big Barnes Wild Animal Circus will be here to entertain young America and his parents and other relatives.
    A big circus, bristling with as much new entertainment as the Barnes show provides, always sends a thrill along the spinal column of every red-blooded youngster and grownup. And why shouldn't it--it's the big fun day of the year, the day when folks for miles around come to town to meet and visit their friends and join in having a good time.
    The day's festivities commence with the parade, which leaves the show grounds to traverse the principal downtown streets promptly at 10:30. This pageant is instructive as well as alluring and represents the greatest monetary value ever assembled in a circus parade, due to the great value of many trained animals. Many cages of wild animals are shown--the finest specimens of their kind in captivity.
    The great troupe of Barnes world's prize-winning horses and ponies are shown in the parade, which are claimed to be the most beautiful, best bred and best trained horses known to exist.
    Many thrilling wild animal acts are introduced by men and women trainers during the show's performance. Sixty lions, tigers and leopards and thirty bears are shown in these acts, twenty-four full-grown man-eating lions being handled in one group by one trainer.
    Thirty huge bears are performed in another act. Then there's educated zebras and laughing hyenas. A tiny pony rides on the back of an elephant. African lions ride galloping horses; one jumps through hoops of fire. Another lion rides in a balloon and shoots fireworks. A troupe of over 600 educated animals are shown.
    Fifty clowns, rib-tickling animals, provide fun for the kids.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 1, 1915, page 3


    The Al G. Barnes wild animal show exhibited in this city Thursday without an untoward incident. A large crowd attended both performances. The animal acts were unusually good. A feature of the show is the band, which is probably the best circus band in the land. They gave a concert on Main Street Thursday evening.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 3, 1915, page 2

    There's only one direction in Medford today, and that is toward South Holly Street. The very air spells circus, for during the early hours of morning several trainloads of happiness reached the city via the Southern Pacific, and like the Arabs of old, a veritable city of tents were soon wafted to the breezes. Hardly had the cars been "spotted" in the yards until a multitude of souls poured forth; souls from many climes, and all with a certain work to perform. Of course, the unloading process came first, and to the delight of the small boy, the wagons and canvas-covered cages--all labeled "Dangerous"--began rolling off the cars and were hurried away to the circus grounds one after another. To the younger generation keen disappointment was felt when it was learned that Jess Willard was still sleeping peacefully in his private car and could not be viewed by the multitudes.
    The parade was fully two miles in length. Tableaux wagons, floats, elephants drawing guns and other novelties abounded..
    There was a Wild West section; real bonneted Indians, South American gauchos, Mexican vaqueros and the typical American cowboy were the features of this section.
    A troupe of gaily clad Zouaves--drummers and buglers on foot--were in the line of march. Bands of music were plentifully scattered throughout the parade, dispensing music such as only a circus band can, and calliopes--well, there were two in line, as well as a large set of the Chimes of Normandy, presided over by an attractive young lady. It was a wonderful parade and well worth seeing.
    Two performances will be given today at 2 p.m. and 8 o'clock. Doors open one hour earlier in order to give everybody an opportunity to visit the large menagerie, ostrich farm and Toyland.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 28, 1916, page 5

    Circus day and no circus parade. Can you imagine it?
    Yes, perhaps some of the older folk can, but the kiddies--
    Disappointed--yes they were--hundreds of them, 'cause they always expect, always look forward to the great sights given in these grand free street pageants. And this, for numbers of little tots, is their only glimpse of the big attractions on circus day, for many of them do not get to attend the performance.
    But circus day, nevertheless, is here, and it is the Sells-Floto Circus, the big red, white and blue cars carrying the tons of paraphernalia, the hundreds of horses and ponies, the dens of wild animals and 600 people having arrived in the wee sma' hours of the morning from Montague, where a large business was done yesterday.
    The great wagons, after being brought down the runs, were hastened to the fairgrounds, where Sells-Flotoville is the place of amusement for today and tonight only.
    The parade, which was scheduled for this morning, was declared off, as the city would not permit, it so only the performances will take place as scheduled, one for this afternoon and the other for tonight, the latter beginning at 8 o'clock, doors opening one hour early.
    "La-a-a-de-e-ez and gen-tell-mun, Sells-Floto challenges the wurruld to produce its equal in a-muse-ment, ed-gew (with a soft "G") kay-shun and di-vertise-ment com-bin-ing ev-eree ex-ee-bishun with champeens giv-ing odd, nov-el and speck-tack-yew-lur per-forman-ces."
    And with that announcement from a leather-lunged announcer, whose voice could be heard a mile on a clear day, the Sells-Floto Circus, which the genial press agent admits is the "most astounding aggregation of talent, a world of glitter, gold, gladness, music and melody, ever brought together under a mammoth canvas," made its bow in Medford today on the fairgrounds.
    Painting the Sells-Floto Circus alphabetically, it really is an aggregation of acrobats, bears, camels, dogs, elephants, gorillas, horses, an ibex, jaguars, kangaroos, llamas, mountain lions, Nubian lions, orang outangs, panthers, quadrumanous animals, ring-tailed monkeys, sables, tigers, urials, vampires, walrus, yellowhammers, zerus and zebras, not to mention Alice, from Dallas, "the fattest girl in the world," and Traveno, the man with two heads. It's all circus!
    To the small boy seeing his first circus, it is a midsummer night's dream of revelry, beauty and action--a fairyland of frills and silver gauze, of sylph fairies in silken tights. Judging from the youngster's eyes, it is some enchanted dreamland where naught but beauty dwells and where all the inhabitants perform impossible feats. To this boy queens of the air flew from heights to heights and made a joke of the law of gravitation. Ponderous elephants stood upon their heads and walked erect upon their hind feet, turned somersaults and other remarkable stunts gymnastic. To this youngster every clown was a "Silvers" personified, and he howled with glee when the clowns cut up in age-old form.
    Along with a fast-moving show, the Sells-Floto people infuse a spirit of patriotism that makes the heart beat faster. Old Glory is constantly in evidence. Instead of the usual wind-up--the hippodrome races--the circus band arises and plays "The Star-Spangled Banner." Even the perspiring circus hands drop their ropes to uncover and stand at attention until the last note dies away.
    So, if you have no little kiddies of your own, just grab one or two of your neighbor's, take them as your guests for an evening, as they will enjoy making the acquaintance of the ponies, monkeys, the elephants, and they will also like to get a glimpse of Colossus, the giant gorilla, the only living animal of the kind in captivity.
    And by taking them you will gladden their little hearts and also will be happy yourselves.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 8, 1918, page 4


    The Brown Carnival Company, which shows here the rest of this week, arrived in the city this forenoon from Springfield, Ore., and at once began the work of unloading the carnival cars and putting up the various tents and amusement devices on the grounds on North Fir Street, just north of the Big Pines Lumber Company plant.
"Local Briefs," Medford Mail Tribune, October 20, 1919, page 2



Medford Mail Tribune, May 5, 1921, page 6


    Notwithstanding the very large crowd of people in Medford yesterday for the circus there was not an accident or trouble of any kind, or untoward incident, according to the police reports. There were no burglaries or cases of pocketpicking. In fact, the day was rather a remarkable one in the history of circus visits in Medford.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, May 5, 1921, page 2


    Double-length circus cars measuring more than 70 feet each, a long movement and an uphill grade caused the big Sells-Floto circus to arrive rather late this morning and the result was a late parade and a somewhat later performance. However; the circus is here in all its glory and that is what mainly concerns the small boy and, incidentally, his dad. There are certain days in the year which have a sort of reaction over Dad, and the reactionary period is most pronounced on circus day, especially if the circus trains are late in arriving. Then Dad is "the reactionary kid," and he takes just as much delight in the circus as his small offspring.
    Dads were much in evidence this morning as the circus trains pulled into the city. He enjoyed the sight of ponderous elephants tugging at big cages and wagons; massive motor tractors drawing trains of eight and ten cages toward the circus ground at a rapid clip, the hoisting of the circus tents, the feeding of the 914 people who are connected with the show and the viewing of more than 340 head of beautiful Percheron baggage horses which were soon stabled in the horse tents.
    And at last came the parade. It is doubtful if the city ever beheld a longer, more flashy or better staged street procession than that what was seen on the main thoroughfares shortly after 1 p.m. A decided feature of the parade was the open cages or dens. Every big barred wagon was wide up to free inspection of the thousands of curb spectators and each den held perfect specimens of wild beasts. It was truly a novel and exceptionally clean parade. Even the parading performers seemed to be of a higher type than that of the ordinary circus.
    About 2 p.m. the midway of the circus was packed with a surging, noisy and hilarious mob of circus fans who clamored around each of the three ticket wagons and when the doors opened, there was a grand rush to inspect the wonders of the circus and menagerie.
    The big concert band and pipe organ under the direction of Don Montgomery rendered a short but highly delightful musical program and then the circus started. And what a circus! Each of the three rings and two stages were constantly occupied with fast-turning circus acts which kept the heads of the big audience bobbing from side to side until their very necks ached. Seven times the performance was stopped for "thrillers," chief of which was the celebrated "Poodles" Hannaford Family of riders. "Poodles" kept the audience in a constant roar through his funny antics and for the first time in local circus history this city witnessed a circus act which called for repeated encores.
    Taking the Sells-Floto program as a whole, it is decidedly clean and refreshing to a degree. Slang or vulgarity have not place in their entertainment and it is really a circus worth looking at. There will be another performance tonight at 8 o'clock and indications point to another large audience.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 24, 1921, page 1


    Much grumbling was heard about the city last night and today because the school board had rented the school's athletic park to the Al G. Barnes circus to park on today, especially among the baseball lovers, who fear that the diamond and field will be greatly damaged by the circus showing there. It is understood that the school board did not originally rent the park to the circus advance representative, but the plot of ground beyond the athletic park, which is also owned by the board, for $60, and that later a resident nearby who did not want the circus so near his house plowed up the lot.
    This automatically barred the circus from showing on this plot and the school board, on the promise of the circus representative not to plow up the diamond, or damage the park in any way, agreed to let the attraction appear there today. At that, the ball park is too small to accommodate such a large amusement aggregation comfortably and some of the circus belongings had to be stored outside.
    There was no other lot in the city available for the circus as the usual show grounds at the foot of South Grape and South Holly streets is planted in grain, and a large amount of old lumber is piled on the Palm lot, which might be used for that purpose.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 3, 1922, page 3


    It was a queer circus day here today to the local people and visitors in that there was no parade, but the crowds began gathering early this forenoon to see the big Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey show, and get what excitement they could on the streets. There was general disappointment when it was announced that but one performance would be given and that at 6 p.m.
    The time-honored toy balloons and such circusy and holiday stuff were on sale on the streets early this morning before even a sign of the coming circus was seen.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 25, 1923, page 2


    Babe White, famous Human Fly, internationally known throughout the United States, Canada, Cuba, and Old Mexico, is to climb the Hotel Holland building, Saturday, May 17th, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Besides climbing the building he is to perform upside down stunts in mid-air showing you that he has nerve in the air upside down as well as right side up and it does not make him dizzy to look down. Mr. White has been a professional daredevil for the last fifteen years, scaling buildings, airplane stunt performing, high tight-wire walker, and also bullfighter. (He has recently returned from Mexico where he has been climbing buildings and fighting the bull throughout the republic.)
    He has climbed the Woolworth bldg., 63 stories, New York: L. C. Smith Bldg., 42 stories, Seattle, Wn.; St. Francis Hotel, 12 stories, Humboldt Bank Bldg., 17 stories, San Francisco; the historic Cathedral of Mexico City which is 250 feet in height and 256 years old, built by the Indians before the reign of Maximilian. During his exhibitions in Mexico City it was estimated that he had a crowd of 60,000 people daily watching him perform his death-defying stunts. He promises the citizens of Medford a high-class exhibition of nerve, skill, and ability, one that you seldom get a chance to see. In the afternoon he will be dressed in gay colors and at night in white, also a powerful searchlight will be used so it will enable the crowds that come out to see every movement as plain as day. "Babe" will furnish thrills for one and all.
Medford Mail Tribune, May 15, 1924, page 10



















    In days gone by, as days do, the Ringling Brothers circus was not too proud to play a one-day stand in a field near the Jackson School. One year, an aging Tom Mix (a great star of westerns when such pictures had the understandably simple plot of a cowboy in love with his horse) appeared with the circus and was involved in a most embarrassing incident. It was on a warm day in July that Tom Mix sent his lariat spinning out to capture a fleeing calf in the arena when the loop dropped neatly over the shoulders of a Medford spectator, jerking him from his seat and into the ring. Old Tom was still apologizing as he entered the court room, destined to emerge as the loser in a civil suit.
J.W.S., "Circus Days," Medford Mail Tribune, April 14, 1963, page 4