Fred Rowe, Walter Rowe, and H.J. Pullen proprietors
1940
Archie Silverlake - Clown
Raymond Duke - Clown
Shorty and Peggy Sylvester - Clowns
(from photo on Buckles blog)
Silverlake (Timberlake) Circus History Detailed
9-6-1882
Melvin Timberlake and Sarah Sadie
Youngblood have twins
1. Archie G. Timberlake (Silverlake)
(twins)
2.
Arthur Timberlake (Silverlake), Arthur Silverlake Sr.
born in Seneca Ohio
1889?,1889?
Edith Goodwin
born in Tennessee to William and Alora Scott
Vaudeville Act and Minstrel Act
Archie Silverlake and father, Melvin
Timberlake (late 1800's)
Archie marries Maud Ethel Brockett (early 1900's?)
11-27-1904 - Florence Silverlake, later Florence Lake - born in Charleston South Carolina
12-6-1905 - Melvin Harry Silverlake Sr
"Brownie" born
to Archie Silverlake and
Maud Ethel Silverlake
Brownie's cousin was Arthur Lake (Dagwood and Blondie)
Vaudeville Act
Archie Silverlake and wife
Melvin Harry Sr. "Brownie" a baby (early 1900's)
Gollmar Bros and Schuman (1901-1902)
1902-1903 (courier)
Brothers Silverlake - The Flying Men of the Air in Terrific Leaps and
Somersaults
(Archie Silverlake? and Arthur Silverlake Sr.?)
(Arthur Lake's Dad and Uncle? 20 years old)
4-17-1905 - Arthur Silverlake "Arthur
Lake" born in Corbin Kentucky
to Vaudeville/Circus family
His father, Arthur Silverlake Sr. and Uncle Archie Silverlake were with a circus as the Flying Silverlakes
Arthur Silverlake Sr. was a famous circus and stage clown
Family later with Vaudeville
His Mother Edith Goodwin was a dramatic actress
1908 - Emma Scott born
Wiedemann's Shows (1906-1911)
Wiedemann Bros Shows
Wiedemann Bros Big American Show and Custer's Last Charge
Wiedemann's kit Carson Show
Tom Wiedemann - owner
Brownie's mother, Maud Silverlake,
Maud Ethel Brockett dies ( ? )
Brownie still a child
Tom Mix (1909)
Tom Mix looked after Brownie, made sure he had supper every night
1910 -
Arthur and Florence Lake (brother and sister)
become part of the family act (show?)
1910 census - living in
Mobile Alabama
Arthur Silverlake Sr. (27 years old) - actor
Edith Silverlake (22 years old)
Florence (5 years old)
Arthur Silverlake Jr. (4 years old)
The Silverlakes were living with William and Alora Scott
William Scott - Trapeze
M L Clark and
Son's, M L Clark and Son's and Wild West Shows (1902-1921, 1923-1930,
1943, 1945-1946)
The Silverlakes - contortion, aerialists
(Billboard, 3-19-1910, pg54)
Downie and Wheeler Circus (1911-1913)
Andrew Downie and Al F Wheeler - owners (1911-1913)
Silverlake
Brothers - clowns
(Billboard 7-15-1911, pg58)
1910 late fall - Downie and Wheeler partner together
winter quarters - Oxford Penn.
4-1911 - opens in Oxford
1913 - season closes and circus divided
Signor Sautelle's Circus, 9 Big Shows (1911-1914)
Sig Sautelle, Oscar Lowande and George W. Rollins - owners (1911-1914)
Sig. Sautelle's 9 Big
Shows
1913 (from program)
Silverlake - flying trapeze
(Frank?) Coyle and Silverlake - Contortionist
The Silverlakes
(Billboard 5-24-1913, pg23)
Archie and
Melvin Silverlake
Brownie Silverlake - Cowboy (8 yrs old)
(Billboard 8-23-1913, pg21)
LaTena (1914-1917)
LaTena's Big 3 Ring Wild Animal Circus
"Andrew Downie" Mcphee- owner (1914-1917)
Flying Silverlakes - aerialists
Brownie - clown
(Billboard 5-30-1914, pg22)
Because the railroad agent had said that the La Tena's Big Three Ring Wild Animal Circus train was to arrive early from North Adams, we got to the Pittsfield, Mass., yard about 2:30 A.M. on Sept. 5, 1914. The circus train did arrive at 3 A.M. and was shifted to a siding where it could be unloaded. However none of the circus people stirred until about 6 a.m. at which time they did start unloading the show. Once they started they moved fast and everything was off the train and on its way to the circus grounds by 8 A.M.
Actually there was only one train which consisted of 5 flat cars, 2 horse cars, 2 sleepers and 27 wagons, including several cages. All of the train equipment and the wagons were painted a bright red.
In addition to the cages there were wagons for the cookhouse, a water tank, tableau or props, two carriages, reserved seats, canvas, stake and chain, poles, light dept., side show and menagerie, horse top, blacksmith, ticket office, calliope, dressing room and canvas, blue seats, a cart, privilege wagon, big top center poles and a clown cart.
Wild animals in cages were 5 black bears; 5 lionesses, 1 big lion, 5 seals, 1 hippo, 1 hyena.
At about 11 A.M. the circus gave its free street parade down North Street and it was formed in the following manner:
Mounted bugler
Two riders on horses
Carriage, pulled by 1 horse
Band tab - 2 horses
Small cage - 2 ponies
Open cage - 2 horses
Small cage - 2 ponies
Open cage - 2 horses
Open cage - 2 horses
Clown band
Boy with pony
Open cage - 4 ponies
Small cage - 2 ponies
Open cage - 4 horses
Mounted rider
Clown cart
A goat led by a boy
Small cage - 2 ponies
Tab wagon, negro band - 6 horses
Open cage - 2 horses
One camel
Two elephants
Calliope - 2 horses
A free attraction was presented on the circus grounds just before the afternoon and evening shows. This was a Slide for Life act on a steep wire. At the afternoon show there were only a few people in the seats and in the evening the show was about half full.
The menagerie and side show were all in one tent, which had the cages, elephants, camel and 13 ponies. There also was a sword walker, musical act, trained monkeys and cockatoos, Colored band, 2 Oriental dancers and the one goat.
Eleven tents made up the whole show and these were a four pole big top, side show and menagerie, 2 candy stands, colored dodger, small side show, horse top with 27 horses, the cookhouse, dressing room, dancing girls and a small top covering an odd knife rack.
The lot on Pleasant Street was very small for the circus, so actually they sidewalled the horse tent. The way that the show was set up, nothing could be moved on or off the lot until the side show had been taken down. This they did about 8 P.M. The other tents were quickly taken down afterwards and in fact by 11 P.M. the big top was down, too.
By 1 A.M. the train had already pulled out of town and was heading towards its next stand in Hudson, N.Y.
By Don Marcks. Bandwagon, Vol. 6, No. 3 (May-Jun), 1962, p. 11.
Andrew's wife is Mille LaTena (Christina Hewer)
1914 spring - opens in Timonium, Md
1916 - Chief and Babe -
elephants
5-3-1916
Wellsboro Pennsylvania
Captain Wesley - Seals - play musical instruments, tight rope, and juggle
Millie Eugene - Trained Lions and 2 Dogs
Herman Griggs and Olga Reed - Equestrians
Captain Herman - Bears
Silverlakes - Contortionists
The Silverlake children are most supple, in fact, they seem to be made of
rubber.
Horses
(Wellsboro Agitator Penn, 5-3-1916)
1917, 1919? - Arthur Silverlake's family
moves to Hollywood California
1917 - Arthur Silverlake's screen
debut in "Jack and the Beanstalk"
Sells Floto (1906-1932)
Harry Tammen and Fred Bonfils - owners (1906-1920)
1919 (from program)
H.B. Gentry - President and General Manager
Operated by the Champion Shows Company
Aerial Silverlakes - Double Trapeze
Aerial Silverlakes - Roman Rings
1920 census - living in
Nashville Tennessee
Edith Silverlake (31 years old) widow, owner of shoe store
Florence (15 years old)
Arthur Silverlake Jr. (12 years old)
LaRoy's Circus (1922-1925)
Harry and Marie LaRoy - owners (1922-1925)
8-14-1922
LaRue Ohio
Silverlakes (three) aerialists
(Billboard 9-9-1922, pg69)
Wait For Us! Wait!
Coming
LaRoy's Big, Two Ring Motorised Circus
Museum and Trained Animal Shows
Some of Our Big Feature Acts
Higgins & Higgins - Aerialists of the Better Class with Their Great Europeon
novelty
The Human Frog
Laroy's Troupe of Acting Monkeys and Baboons
The Freemans - Tight Wire Novelty
Mr. Joe Sawyer
Up-Side-Down Adams
Aerial Kolbs - The Human Butterfly
Vaughn Dell
Monsieur Demello's Troupe of Comedy Performing Dogs, Ponies, Donkeys
Featuring Duke ... the unridable kicking pony
The Renowned Silverlake Family - ... Aerial Act
Mr Bert Geyer's Troupe of Performing Dogs
Mr Ott with Daisy - The Wonder Dog
Aerial Brown - On the Silver Thread
Jack Watson and his all American Concert Band give a concert before each
performance
Funny Clowns
Mr Bert Geyer
A.D. Reynard and Lady Bicycle Artist
Watch for the Parade
(from 1922 poster - note: copy hard to read in places)
Miller Bros 101 Ranch Wild West (1907-1916,
1925-1931, 1933-1934, 1945-1946)
Brownie Silverlake was a cowboy (...)
Bernard W Buck Lucas was a cowboy (...1925...)
1930 census - living in
Los Angeles
Edith Silverlake - Head of Household
Florence - motion picture actress (22 years old) -
actually 26 years old
Arthur Silverlake Jr. - motion picture actor (21 years old) - actually 25 years old
The Mighty Haag Shows
(1894-1938)(1891-1938?)
(Ruby Fisher Haag 1928-1935)
Josephine, Ruth, Arthur, and Sarah Fisher
Brownie Silverlake
(Silverlake Trio - Brownie, Billie? ...) double trapeze?
Silverlakes aerialists (2-16-1929, 8-5-1933)
9-2-1928 -
Josephine (15 yrs old) marries Brownie Timberlake at
Royal Center Ind.
(they both joined Mighty Haag the
same day, married within 2 weeks)
Billie joins, later
girlfriend of Archie Silverlake
Brownie was a clown and aerialist (family had aerialist act - Flying
Silverlakes?)
Brownie was a cowboy, rope spinning, whip cracking
Josephine learns trick riding
Brownie's father, Archie, was an aerialist and did the double traps with
Ruby Haag
Brownie gets his nickname by wearing Buster Brown suits while performing as a cowboy (on the Mighty Haag Shows?)
2-9-1929
The Silverlakes
Four Fisher Sisters - Acrobats and Aerialists
(Billboard 2-16-1929, pg62)
Archie marries Beatrice (Pea) Silverlake? (1930's ?)
1-8-1930 -
William Glenn Silverlake born
Royal Center Ind. at Charles Fisher's house
1930 - William Glenn Silverlake dies of pneumonia (6 months old)
1931 - Marcus Silverlake born
Walker Bros Circus
(1925-1928, 1992...)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake (...?...)
Tiger Bills Wild West
(1909-1936, 1941, 1952)
Snyder "Tiger Bill" - Owner Manager
2-13-1932
at Cincinnati
Miss Silverlake - Single Traps
Silverlake Trio - flying rings
Mrs. Silverlake - Traps and Web
Silverlakes - Double Traps
(Billboard 2-20-1932, pg30)
Al F Wheeler Circus and Tiger Bill Wild West (1932)
5-14-1932
Silverlake Family - aerialists
(Billboard 5-21-1932, pg 33)
5-14-1932 - opens in Gaithersburg, Maryland
1933 - Franklin Delano Silverlake born
at Royal Center Ind.
(Family performs as Circuses, Parks, and Fairs)
Wheeler and Almond Circus
(1933)
AL F.
Wheeler and Jethro Almond - owners
The Silverlakes - aerialists (7-15-1933)
Archie and Billie Silverlake - join 8-19-1933
left the Mighty Haag Shows
The Silverlakes
(Billboard 10-21-1933, pg29)
The Mighty Haag Shows
(1894-1938)(1891-1938?)
Billy Silverlake - Spanish Web (8-5-1933)
Almond and Conley 3 Ring Circus and
Menagerie
(1934)
James Conley and Jethro Almond - owners (Albemarle, North Carolina)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake, Fred and Frieda Conley
- pony drills, comedy circus (3-10-1934 billboard magazine)
Brownie Silverlake and Company (4-21-1934 billboard)
Rosie and Helen Silverlake - Swinging
Ladders (5-13-1934 billboard)
Rossi Brothers and Brownie Silverlake - Rope Spinning
Brownie Silverlake - head of clowns
Silverlake Trio - comedy Roman rings
Brownie Silverlake and Jim Conley- monkey highdives
The Silverlakes - Roman Rings (6-16-1934 billboard)
Brownie Silverlake Company (10-13-1934 billboard)
Kay Bros Circus (1918-1941, 1951, 1988-1989)
William Ketrow - owner (1918-1941)
11-10-1934
in Warrenton Georgia
Three
Silverlakes
(Billboard 11-17-34, pg35)
Oakley and Hartsel Wells - triple horizontal bars - 1933, 1934
1934 (from program)
William Ketrow - Manager
1 ring circus
Anthony Troupe - comedy acrobats
Saifiro and Natalie Kitchie - Japanese performers, perch
Bumpsy Anthony and the Wells Bros - funnel stunt
Miss Billy Silverlake - web
Miss Mary Ellen Ketrow - tight wire
Bumpsy Anthony and clowns - strip number, burlesque
Captain Kay - pony drill, West Point drill formation
Bumpsy Anthony and Captain Kay - clowns, no more whistles
ladies - roman ladders
Robert Kerow - comedy hand balancing
Well Bros - clowns, baseball game
Silverlake Trio - roman rings
Leroy Troupe - triple horizontal bars
Captain Kay - teeter totter ponies
Bumpsey Anthony and Robert Ketrow - boxing match
Sunshine Girls - swinging ladders
Captain Kay - performing dogs
Riding Dogs
Clowns - star gazing
Safiro Kitchie - head balancing, swinging trapeze
Clowns - the dentist's office
Silverlakes - double trapeze
Clowns - revolving ladder
Mary Ellen Ketrow, Joseph Sebastion - Elephants
Danny the plank walking elephant
Finale - Stars and Stripes Forever
Kay Bros Concert, Aftershow
Jose Fernandez
Chief Running Elk and tribe of Seneca Indians
Eva Hanna, Pat Nolan
Si Stone - bucking mule
1935 (from newspaper
ad)
Silverlakes - Aerialists
1935 - Brownie and family comes to Jackson County to
settle down
5-19-1936 - Myrna Silverlake born
Bud Hawkins Circus (March 1936 - Aug 1936)
(Al Sigsbee - General Manager)
(Ruby, Josephine, Arthur - Fisher Troupe of Acrobats)
(Harry Haag Jr. - Equestrian Director)
(Ruby Haag - Trained Dogs)
George Silverlake - Front Door
1937-1945 - Myrna Silverlake off the road
Downie Bros Circus
(1926-1939, 1985-1989, 1994)
Andrew Downie - owner (1926-1929)
Charles Sparks - owner (1930-1938)
The Silverlakes (...?...)
Pagel's Circus (...1937...)
Dutton Units
(...January - July... 1937)
The Silverlakes - Double Trapeze Act
Transvall - South Africa (6,000 feet above sea level)
(Billboard 7-17-1937, pg38)
Timberlakes and Jonnie Mae (female) went to South Africa with Nellie Dutton
Walter W Gentry
Circus and Bar S Ranch Real Wild West Shows(1938-1939)
1938
Brownie Silverlake and his champion riders
Billie Lake - Slack Wire
(from poster ad)
Bud E Anderson's Circus (1923-1925,
1939-1941, 1944-1945)
various titlesvarious titles, Bud E Anderson Jungle Oddities Circus
Silverlake Troupe of aerialists 4-1939
(2 men and 2 women)
Tiger Bill - wild west act
5-13-1939
at Lincoln Nebraska
Jonny Mae Silverlake - iron jaw
The Silverlakes - Double Traps
(Billboard 5-20-1939, pg32)
Rowe Bros Circus
(1940)
Fred Rowe, Walter Rowe, and H.J. Pullen proprietors
1940
Archie Silverlake - Clown
Raymond Duke - Clown
Shorty and Peggy Sylvester - Clowns
(from photo on Buckles blog)
1941 - Melvin Timberlake (Silverlake) born
1943 - James Fredrick "Jimmy" Silverlake born
Raymond Duke marries Emma Scott Briggs
(12-14-1944)
(from 1944-1975 works on Famous Barnes Trained Wild Animal Show, Russell Bros,
Bailey Bros, Clyde Beatty,
Stevens Bros, Adams & Sells, Sells Bros, Birnam Bros, Clyde Beatty-Cole
Bros, Ring Bros,
Clark & Walters, Fisher Bros)
King Tusk the elephant brought to the United States
Various Fairs
Arthur Bros Circus
(1943-1945)
Martin E. Arthur - owner (1943-1945)
The Silverlakes (hand balancers)
Archie Silverlake - Hollywood Stunt Show
Archie Silverlake - Helps direct the Girls of 1945
(Billboard 7-3-1943, pg38,55)
No Silverlakes listed on 1944 program
1945 - Brownie and family start traveling again
Cheerful Gardner 1944-45
Arthur Bros. Circus with elephants
1944 with "Bonnie", "India", "Shirley Temple", "Vera", "Wilhelmina" and
"Gentry Babe".
Mills Bros, Mills Bros 3 Ring Circus (1940-1967)
Jack Mills, Jake Mills, and Harry Mills - owners (1940-1967)
5-28-1947 (from Program)
Fremont Field Park
Bay City Michigan
The Flying Silverlakes - Trapeze
Sparks Circus (1889, 1894-1931,
1946-1947)
Ringling leased the name (1946-1947)
1946 (from program)
Maxine Silverlake - Aerial Ballet
Maxine Silverlake - Roman Rings
Miss Silverlake - Swinging Ladder
Barr Bros (1942-1946)(1950-1951)
(former Fisher and Sons Show)
William Meyers and Doc Ford - owners
Myrna Silverlake (1946)
2-23-1946 - F C Fisher and Son Circus sold to Barr Bros
Show to open in Nelsonville Ohio 4-27-1946
Gallipolis Ohio
Union City Indiana
5-2-1946 - Waverly Ohio
Winchester Indiana
Logansport Indiana
5-24-1946 - Lexington Illinois
5-28-1946 - Wilton Junction Iowa
Anamose Iowa
5-31-1946 - Meyers buys Ford's interest
6-7-1946 - Decorah Iowa
6-12-1946 - Kasson Minnesoa
7-9-1946 - re-opens in Springport Michigan
9-11-1946 - closes season in Ney Ohio
Banard Bros,
Barnard Bros Circus and Rodeo
(...1945-1946...)
Banard W "Buck" Lucas
and Walter holtsberry - owner
1-1946 Buck Lucas asks Harry Haag Sr. to
join Banard Bros Circus, but he doesn't join
Harry has 2 acts - elephant
Harry mentions Brownie and Josephine
Show to open 4-14-1945
Ad ran to enlarge show 6-23-1945
3-16-1946
Etna, Ohio
Silverlake Family
(Billboard 3-23-1946,
pg75)
Show to open 5-3-1946 - Pataskala Ohio
Walter L Main came to see the show
Silverlake Family (3-23-1946)
Silverlake Family - riders (5-25-1946)
Myrna Silverlake (9 yrs old) - swinging ladder (1946)
5-18-1946 (Billboard)
Buck Lucas and Walter Holtsberry - owners
Carl Woolrich - band
Myrna Silverlake and Bobby Troy - single traps
Josephine and Brownie Silverlake - roman rings, whips and ropes, riders
Brownie - horse catching, clowning
Elaine Addison, Josephine and Myrna - swinging ladder
Miss Kern, Miss Adela, Myrna - performing mule
Silverlakes - comedy acrobatics
Silverlakes - comedy
Jargo clown
Archie and Maxine Silverlake - roman rings, web, single traps
5-18-1946
Norwalk, Ohio
Silverlake Family - riders
Mrs. Silverlake and Myrna Silverlake (9 yrs
old) - swinging ladder
Myrna Silverlake (9 yrs old) - single traps,
performing mule
Silverlakes - comedy acrobatics
Silverlakes - comedy
(Billboard 5-25-1946, pg80)
5-20-1946 - Medina Ohio
5-25-1946 - Norwalk Ohio - Banard Bros and Rodeo
5-28-1946 - Wellington Ohio
7-1946 - Michigan
75 cents - adult
25 cents - children
25 cents - concert
7-1946 - circus for sale
8-7-1946 - Pittsfield, Illinois
9-14-1946 - closed labor day at North Vernon Indiana
the show had played 5 states
1-3-1947 - sold to William
Meyers of Barr Bros of Nelsonville Ohio
Mills Bros (1940-1967)
Jack Mills, Jake Mills, and Harry Mills - owners (1940-1967)
1947 - (from route book)
Archie, Josephine, Brownie, Myrna Silverlake
Johnnie May Snyder
Clowns: Brownie, Marcus, Franklin Silverlake
4-26-1947
Bucyrus, Ohio
Brownie Silverlake - clown
Josephine Silverlake - swinging ladders
Jonnie Mae Snyder - Single Traps, Spanish Web, Cloud Swing
Myrna Silverlake
The Silverlakes - double
traps, aerialists, Roman Rings
Fisher Family - Puppets
(Billboard 5-3-1947, pg80)
Zanesville Fairgrounds
Jack Hoxie - former cowboy star and his horse Lightning
Ray Goodie - High Wire, slide for life from top of the big tent
Theresa Morales - Heel and Toe Catching Act on the High Trapeze without a
net
Conley Family of bareback Riders
Buffalo Ben - Comrade of Buffalo Bill
Princess Whitecloud - first cousin of Will Rogers
The Flying Silverlakes
Kenneth Waite - troupe of 19 clowns
Big Burma - largest trained elephant in the world
Lions, Pumas, Tigers, Bears, and Monkeys
Horse Show - 25 Precision Performing Horses trained by Capt. Roy Howze
(Zanesville Signal, Syracuse NY
4-28-1947)
Fraternal Order of Police
Jack Hoxie - famous western movie star and his horse, Silver Streak
Therese Morales - only woman in the world performing the Heel and Toe Catch
on the high trapeze without a net
The Flying Silverlakes
the Acevedos Troupe - High Wire
Conley Family of bareback Riders (just returned from England)
Jimmie O'Neil - the Human Bouncing Ball
Buffalo Ben
Princess Whitecloud - first cousin of Will Rogers
Chief White Eagle
Troupe of real live Indians
Kenneth Waite - King Clown of Circusdom
Beautiful Girl
Big Burma - the world's largest Trained Elephant
Lions, Pumas, Tigers, Bears, Baboons, Llamas,
Trained Horses - Captain Bert Wallace
Major George Bell and 15 piece military Band
$100,000 worth of Costumes brought back from Hollywood
Show at 2pm and 8pm
Jane Moser - Aerial
Pet Tiger - Ethelbert
(Vidette Messenger, Valparaiso
Indiana 6-13-1947)
9-22-1947
The Flying Silverlakes
Big Burma - World's Largest Performing Elephant
(newspaper ad, 1947)
1948 (from program)
Silverlake Family - Myrna, Archie, Josephine, Brownie
Jonnie Mae Snyder
Clowns - Brownie, Franklin, Marcus, Melvin Silverlake
Brownie, Franklin, Marcus Silverlake - Trick Roping and Horse Catching
Silverlake Family (1948)
Brownie Silverlake - roping, rope spinner at concert (1948)
Josephine - personnel (1948)
Myrna Silverlake (1947-1948)
Archie Silverlake (...1948...) aerialist
Mills Bros. 3-Ring Circus opened their 1948 season April 17th at Circleville, Ohio, where they had wintered and was proclaimed by CHS and CFA members present as the greatest improved motorized circus of 1948. Jack and Jake Mills, the genial co-owners, have done a grand job in producing a top-notch circus. The big top is a 100 ft. round top with three 40's, but a 120 with three 50's is expected to be delivered next month. They also carry a menagerie top, side show, cook house and dressing top and travel on 100 trucks and trailers. Equipment makes a flashy appearance, but a larger big top is needed to handle the crowds and performance. Harry Mills, a brother of the owners, is manager of the concessions. Doc Waddell, the only pastor of the big top, is again traveling with Mills Bros. and is as much of the circus as the big top itself. Doc recently received world-wide publicity. Robert A. Mills, no relation to the owners, heads the big top band which is composed of talented musicians, such as Jack Sweetman, the snare drummer, who has traveled with many famous Minstrels including Al G. Fields. The performance is very strong and will compare with that of the much larger shows with leading acts booked by Hans Lederer of New York. Big Burma, worked by Frank Noel, is the finest single elephant act of the road today. Other members of the staff include Rose Mills, sec'y; Ida Mills, treas.; Ted Edlin, general agent; Charles B. Schuler, press agent; Burt Wallace, equestrian director; I. B. McCoy, announcer; Robert E. Boyd, cookhouse steward. Side show - Paul Hubbard, manager; and L. E. Collins, inside lecturer.
Mills Bros. Circus Program
Display 1 - Opening Spectacle: On the Beach at
Waikiki.
2 - Big Burma in Hula Dance, presented by Frank Noel.
3 - Introduction of Buffalo Ben - a man who is synonymous with our early
American history, Buffalo Ben - the last of the original scouts, who was with
Buffalo Bill in 1876. Ninety-four years of age.
4 - Riding Dogs and Monkeys. Ring 1, Capt. Burt Wallace. Ring 3, Ed Mason.
5 - Hand Balancing. Ring 1, Joe and Annette Dobas; Ring 2, Willie Clark; Ring 3,
Bruna and Yolanda.
6 - Single Trapeze. Ring 1, Josephine and Silverlake; Ring 2,
Myrna Silverlake, assisted by grandfather, Archie Silverlake; Ring 3,
Jonnie Mae Snyder.
7 - Clowns: Hair-Growing Gag. Roy & Joy Thomas producing.
8 - The Cathalas Troupe: May, Charles, Tony & Henry, from Copenhagen, Denmark,
making their first American tour.
9 - Spanish Web. Ring 1, Virginia Noel; Ring 2, Ellen Knight; Ring 3, Georgia
Sweet.
10 - Performing Dogs. Ring 1, Donna Drew; Ring 2, Josephine Silverlake;
Ring 3, Jeannette Wallace.
11 - First Concert Announcement.
12 - Swinging Ladders. Ring 1 Willedean Black; Ring 2, Martha Ali; Ring 3,
Margie Butcher.
13 - Clown Wedding.
14 - Teeterboard and Acrobatics. Ring 1, Rubyatte, acrobatics; Ring 3, Cathalas,
teeterboard. Concluding with special announcement for Rubyatte, doing cartwheels
around entire hippodrome track.
15 - Tight Wire. Allen and Ellen Knight. Featuring a blind six foot high jump.
16 - Clown Crazy Number.
17 - Liberty Horses. Ring 1, Spotted Horses, Jeannette Wallace; Ring 2, Dapple
Grays, Capt. Burt Wallace; Ring 3, Black Horses, Ed Mason.
18 - Clowns Number: Jargo. Presented by Brownie Silverlake.
19 - Unsupported Roman Ladders. Rings 1 and 3, Girls on Ladders; Ring 2, Famous
Medini Family: Bruno, Bruna, Yolanda Michael and Petromille. Five high on
unsupported ladder, completing a triple somersault from an unsupported ladder.
20 - Second Concert Announcement.
21 - Clown Band, Brownie Silverlake leader.
22 - Flying Rings and Cloud Swing. Ring 1, Allen and Ellen Knight, flying rings;
Ring 2, Jonnie Mae Snyder, cloud swings; Ring 3, Silverlake Trio,
flying rings.
23 - Clown Walkaround.
24 - Pony Drill. Capt. Burt Wallace. Presenting on hippodrome track Jimmy,
hindleg walking pony.
25 - Joe and, Annette Dobas, Perch Act. Featuring Annette, only woman in America
supporting the perch.
26 - Menage Horses. Ring 1, Georgia Sweet, Margie Butchers, Martha Ali; Ring 2,
Jonnie Mae Snyder, Jeannette Wallace, Donna Drew; Ring 3, Ellen Knight,
Eddie Mason. Concluding with dancing horses on the hippodrome track: Waltzing,
Jeannette Wallace; Scotch Highland Fling, Georgia Sweet; After The Ball, Capt.
Burt Wallace.
27 - Big Burma - America's largest and fastest-performing elephant. Presented by
Frank and Virginia Noel. Concluding with and featuring Virginia Noel in a head
carry on the hippodrome track.
Equestrian Director: Capt, Burt Wallace.
Clowns: Roy and Joy Thomas, producing (Joy one of two female clowns now active
in America); Willie Clark, Brownie Silverlake, Steve Crowe, Marcus
Silverlake, Franklin Silverlake, Melvin Silverlake.
Concert: Featuring Buffalo Ben, 94-year-old original scout with Buffalo Bill.
Lloyd and Willedean Black, knife-throwing and Australian bullwhip manipulation;
Cowboys and Cowgirls
Bandwagon,# 5 (Jun), 1948, pp. 9-10.
A circus that never shows on a Sunday is a
rarity these days. And one carrying its own minister is a rarity this or any
other day. The Mills Bros Circus, in addition to being America's largest
motorized circus, can uphold both of the above claims. Its minister is Doc
Waddell, celebrated 85 year old circus chaplain, who will be here when the Mills
show exhibits at 2 and 8 pm on Friday, at Seward Avenue Circus Grounds. ...The
three ring circus comes here from Jamestown and plays one day only. The Cathalas,
Medinis and Bruna and Yolanda, all new foreign acts on their first American
tours, head the two hour under canvas program, which also highlights Big Burma,
celebrated performing elephant, the Knights, Dobas Duo of high perch artists, an
aerial ballet, the Silverlake Family, Joy Thomas, only American born female
clown and an army of mirth makers. Capt. Burt Wallace's equine brigade and
Buffalo Ben, 95 year old original Buffalo Bill Scout.
(The Bradford Era 7-13-1948)
From 5 to 65, from
Melvin Silverlake, 5, to
Grandpa Archie Silverlake, 65, nine members of the Silverlake family performed
yesterday with the Mills Bros three ring circus at the LeMoyne ave circus
grounds. Members of the family, attired in their circus garb, perform as aerial
artists and clowns. (photo) Grandpa Archie Silverlake, Josephine, Myrna, Melvin,
Jimmie, Brownie, Johnnie Mae, Franklin and Marcus.
(The Post Standard, Syracuse NY 7-29-1948, photo)
Approximately 1,100 boys and girls from St.
Mary's Salvation Army, Dunbar center, the county board of welfare, YMHA, Pioneer
Homes, Percy Hughes school, Elm crest Children's center and Huntington club
attended the matinee performance of Mills Bros three ring circus yesterday...
Among the troupe of 350, the circus lists Buffalo Ben, nearly 95 year old former
Indian scout, and the Silverlake family, nine aerial artists and clowns ranging
in age from 5 to 65. The usual circus acts, complete with clowns, elephants,
aerial acts, horses, wire artists, and the like, lasted for two hours and was
followed by a 30 minute wild west show, under the direction of Buffalo Ben.
(The Post Standard, Syracuse NY 7-29-1948)
Robbins Bros Circus (1924-1931 railroad,1931-1932,1938
railroad,1940, 1949, 1965)
Bob Bonham Stevens - owner (1949)
Brownie Silverlake and Family join -
(5-16-1949)
clowning and other acts
Myrna Silverlake (1949)
4-9-1949 - Bill Woodcock - elephants
5-30-1949 - Stamford Ontario
St. Catherines, Welland, Brantford, Simcoe, and Tillsonburg
6-1949 - Buckles Woodcock and Robert Orton joins show
6-6-1949 - St. Thomas Ontario
6-20-1949 - Quebec Sorel
7-5-1949 - New Brunswick Edminston
Grand Falls, Woodstock, Fredericton, St. Stephen, St. Jon, Sussex Moncton
7-1949 - Bill Woodcock leaves and joins Al G Kelly and Miller Bros Circus
9-1949 - show closes
Brown Brothers - Your International Harvester Dealer
Family Party in Our Show Room
Brownie Silverlake Acts:
Clown Acts
Comical Acrobats
Silverlake Trained Dog Act
Comical Trapeze Performances
(The Daily Register,
Harrisburg Ill, 1-8-1951)
Warner Bros Circus (1952)
Jay Warner - owner
Archie Silverlake (1952)
Hattiesburg Mississippi - 1952
Stevens Bros Circus (1932-1933,1946-1952)
Robert A "Little Bob" Stevens - owner
Myrna Silverlake (1952?)
1952 - George Joseph "Joe" Silverlake born
Wallace and Clark (1951-1953,
1960-1963)
Norman Anderson - owner (1951-1953)
6-24-1952
Reedsburg Wisconsin
Walter Jennier and Seal, Buddy
7-16-1952
Sauk City Wisconsin
Archie Silverlake - clown
Bernie Griggs - clown
Jim Riddenour - clown
elephants Palm and Babe
7-16-1952 photo
Sauk City Wisconsin
Mrs Archie Silverlake and baby
Norman Silverlake
Archie Silverlake
Bernie Griggs
Jimmy Riddenour
Harry Haag went to see Arthur Lake with Franklin
Timberlake in California (...1953?,1954?...)
Wallace and Clark (1951-1953, 1960-1963)
Norman Anderson - owner (1951-1953)
1953 (from route card)
Brownie, Myrna, Josephine Silverlake
Clowns: Archie Silverlake, Melvin Silverlake
6-6-1953
Dell Rapids, S.D.
Brownie Silverlake - dogs
Brownie Silverlake, Archie Silverlake, Melvin Silverlake - Clowns
Myrna Silverlake - Atomic Girl, in concert
(Billboard 6-13-1953, pg53)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake - big show performers
Ring Bros (1953-1957, 1992)
Franco Richards - owner (1953-1957)
Myrna Silverlake (1953)
Tex and Marcy Maynard - music (1954)
Patterson Bros Circus(?)
Brownie Silverlake - clown (5-15-1954)
Josephine Silverlake - dogs (5-15-1954)
Von Bros (1954-1967)
Henry Vonderheid - owner (1954-1967)
(4-16-1955)
Clover S.C.
Marcus Timberlake - Billposter
Melvin Timberlake and Jimmie Timberlake - Pony Ride
Josephine Silverlake and Myrna Silverlake - ladder act
Aerial Franklins (Silverlakes), Double Trapeze
Myrna Silverlake - Contortion
Josephine Silverlake's K9s
Brownie Silverlake's Clowns
Helen Fisher, Josephine Silverlake, Myrna Silverlake - Web Act
Brownie Silverlake - Jargo
Silverlake Trio - Roman Rings
(Billboard 4-23-1955, pg62)
Carson & Barnes Circus
(1957-1963,1965- )
Jack Moores - owner (1957...)
1957
Archie Silverlake - clown (info from Jack Bennett)
Joe Applegate - boss canvasman
Jack Gagne
Bozo Cooper - clown
Curley Miller - equestrian director, trick horse, singer
Gail Miller - Annie Oakley act, singer
Adams Brothers and Seils Brothers
Circus (1959)
William Griffith, proprietor (1959)
Archie G. Silverlake - Clown
Freak Show
Bertha the Elephant rides
Pat Kelly (Son of Emmett Kelly) - Clown
Little Bertha - Performing Baby Elephant
(Daily Herald, Chicago 5-21-1959)
E.L. McCall - Alaskan Huskies Act - Tight Ropes, rode Shetland Ponies, Jumped
Hurdles
E.L. McCall - 4 Ponies (started in the act when he was 9)
Pinky Bradley, 12 - Flying Trapeze
Jugglers
Clowns
Archie G. Silverlake, 77 - Clown
Bertha, 8 - Elephant - Hand Stands, Balanced on a Beam, Laid over a performer on
the Ground
Jenda Smaha - Elephant Trainer
(Appleton Post Crescent, Wisconsin 7-22-1959)
Myrna marries Jack Earl
10-20-1959 - Janice Ruth Ratcliff born
Hoxie Bros Circus (1943,1947-49,1961-84)
Franklin Silverlake (1961)
photo from Buckles Blog
Sells Bros
Circus
1962
Janice Silverlake and Chiki Noble - Dogs
Frank Silverlake - Mechanic
Janice Silverlake - Swinging Ladders
An article in the March 31, 1962 edition of Amusement Business listed the following staff members for Sells Brothers at the beginning of the season: "Little Bob" Stevens, General Manager; Bill Griffith, General Agent; Ray Duke and Vera Himes, Contracting Agents; Billy Sheets, Bill Crew Manager; Harry Adams and Bob Williams, bill posters; Mavis Johnson, Office Manager; Dick Johnson, pit shows; Clara Stevens, Concessions Checker; Ted Wilson, side show, Doc Phillips, novelties; Frank Silverlake, Mechanic; Earl Tillman, Canvas Superintendent; Bill Dodson, Assistant Canvas Superintendent; Dave Boyd, Electrician; and Eddie Griffith, props.
The same article noted that the show would open the season with the following program of displays:
1 - Spec (walk-around).
2 - Janice Silverlake and Chiki Noble - dogs.
3 - Clowns - Jeff and Peggy Murphree.
4 - Dorene Morris - riding mechanic.
5 - Clowns - firecrackers.
6 - Louie McNeece and elephant "Dyna".
7 - Mavis Johnson and Janice Silverlake - swinging ladders.
8 - Chip Morris on dancing quarter-horse "Tequilla."
9 - Woodcock's barbershop elephants - worked by Buckles and Barbara Woodcock.
10 - Concert announcement.
11 - Don Gillette's trained goats.
12 - Clowns - long shirt.
13 - Liberty Horses (4) - trained by Chip Morris.
14 - Sells Brothers Elephants (3) presented by Captain Don Lee.
15 - Louie McNeece and "Liberace" - the piano playing chimp.
16 - Second concert announcement.
17 - Spanish Web - presented by Mavis Johnson.
18 - Clowns - camera.
19 - Woodcock's elephants - featuring Barbara Ann.
When the show played Davis, Arkansas in May,
Morris Horn - who had been with Carson and Barnes - joined the show with his
knife-throwing act. Ruby and Naomi Haag, Smokey Jones and his Bears, and
the Great Jackson and his blindfolded motor scooter act trouped with the show
for the Chicago area dates. And later in the season, Junior Brown replaced the
Woodcocks as the "Bull" Man. Brown worked the three animals leased from Suesz.
Bandwagon, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1974, pp. 11-16
1963 - Jim Timberlake graduates from Clearspring High School
Birnum Bros (1964-1966)
William Griffith - owner (1964-1965)
Myrna Silverlake (1964)
Brownie Silverlake - Rope Spinning (1964)
Josephine Silverlake
When asked why he chose the Birnam title, Bill quickly replies: "Have you ever heard of another name that is so nearly like Barnum?" And with the same reference to great names in circus history, he named the corporation which owned the Birnam show the American Circus Operating Corporation. Selecting these names, of course, was consistent with Bill's penchant for closely identifying his shows - in name and advertising - with famous titles of the past. A particularly notable example of this was the "herald" which the 1963 Sells show used when making the run through old Sells-Floto territory in the Dakotas and Wyoming. The title running across the top of the page read: "Sells Bros, featuring Floto." In appearance, however, the words were printed and arranged so as to suggest at first glance that it was the old Sells-Floto show that was returning to the area in which it had been so popular. (The words "Sells" and "Floto" appeared in large print. "Bros." was printed in small letters below "Sells" and "Featuring" was placed, in small print, between "Sells" and "Floto." The elephant, incidentally, had been temporarily renamed "Floto.")
For his new show, Bill selected orange and blue as the theme colors. The trailers were painted orange and the tractors red. The lettering and decoration was in red, yellow and blue. A balloon trim motif was used in 1965.
The rolling stock for both years was essentially the same, except that during the winter of 1964-65 the crew built a pole and sleeper trailer out of a used auto carrier. The design was unique - with the sleeping quarters fashioned on the top of the carrier.
Leland Antes, Jr. caught the 1964 show on February 29th at Odem, Texas - and in his review in the May-June issue of White Tops he listed the following show-owned vehicles: Office and house car (s-built for Bill in 1963-64 winter quarters by Marv Gauger and patterned after one owned by Ben Davenport), power wagon (30 KW) and concession (s), canvas spool, sideshow front (s) and seat and pole (s).
Mr. Antes saw the 1965 show on March 12th at San Antonio - and in his review in the March-April issue of the White Tops he noted the addition of the pole and sleeper trailer. He also observed that the crew spooled the "big top" with the sidewall attached and that the sideshow "top" rode on the spool truck trailboard.
Bill used 70' round with three 30' middles both seasons. Seating consisted of six-high planks on jacks and stringers. The side show was displayed in a 20' by 80' square "top" and was spotted behind the walk-through side show semi-trailer. In 1964 the side show "top" was also used for the cook house and the platforms were used for tables. A 20' by 30' cook "top" was added in 1965.
Birnam Brothers had a heavy and colorful midway. The lay-out consisted of three "pit" shows (snakes, a "giant" rat and a chimp billed as a "giant ape.") spotted on one side and the ticket wagon and side show on the other. Three food "joints" were lined up in the middle - in front of the marquee.
The side show talent included - at various times - Dick Johnson with magic and escape routines; Brownie Silverlake with a Will Rogers-type rope spinning and talk bit; a "vent" act performed by Sonny Burdette; and Bill Griffith with a sharp-shooting exhibit. Bill also did the "opening." (1964-65, incidentally, were the only years that Bill played any sort of performing role in his circuses.)
Bill remembers the 1965 Birnam Brothers show as his finest
circus accomplishment. "I was the proudest of that circus - it was the
culmination of eight years of learning." He had set aside $20,000.00 and he
employed eight men full time over the winter of 1964-65 to sharpen up the show.
In a letter to Chappie Fox in Baraboo, Bill wrote that he intended to "pick up
many of the loose ends which there was no time for this first season, such as
uniforms for the ushers, ticket takers, etc." Billy sheets spent the winter
making an extensive wardrobe for the show, and a center ring spotlight and banks
of colored theatrical lights (which were suspended crosswise from the quarter
poles) were purchased. New ring-curbs were made from 1" stock and ring carpets
were added.
Several of the 1965 acts were set for costumed, grand entries and the opening
"walk-in" was produced with Chinese garb. "What we tried to do," Bill recalls,
"was to give the show some glamour - as best as a small show could. We tried to
give it the 'Disney' treatment."
Music for both seasons was provided by recordings.
The 1964 staff included: Bill and Dolores Griffith, owners; Bill Griffith, Manager; Billy Sheets, Equestrian Director; Dick Johnson, side show; Louie McNeece, elephant and animal handler; Ray Duke, General Agent; John "Red" Trower, Canvas Superintendent. The 1965 staff was the same, except that Dick Johnson became the Show Manager and Ted La Velda came on as Side Show Manager and Producing Clown. Billy Sheets doubled as Chef in 1965 and Louie McNeece also served as Concessions Manager. Jack Bennett joined the group that year as Seat Butcher and Number 1 Stand Manager.
The 1964 talent included: Dick and Mavis Johnson; Dot and Sonny Burdette; Brownie and Josephine Silverlake; Norma, the elephant, worked by Louie McNeece; and Janet Hill, who did rozenback stunts and Roman Post riding. The 1965 talent was essentially the same, with the exception that three more elephants - Topsie, Punk and Frieda - were added. Bill purchased the animals from "Little Bob" Stevens in the fall of 1964. However, Frieda, the "queen" died the day before the show opened.
Leland Antes, Jr. made note of the following program of displays when he saw the opening show of the 1965 season at San Antonio:
1 - Juggling - three rings.
2 - Dogs - three rings - climaxed by Johnson's high-diving canine.
3 - Clown band.
4 - Foot juggling - Dot Burdette.
5 - Trained Chimp - owned by Louie McNeece and trained by "Red" Trower.
6 - Clown stop.
7 - "Norma" the elephant-plank walk.
8 - Clowns.
9 - Program pitch.
10 -Aerial ballet.
11 - Rolling Globe, hand balancing and rolla-bolla - Dot Burdette.
12 - Single trap.
13 - Clown stop.
14 - Swinging ladders.
15 - Elephants.
16 - Clowns.
17 - Sedan chair illusion - Dick and Mavis Johnson as the "Ricardos."
Business for Birnam Brothers in 1964 was excellent. 1965 was less profitable than 1964, but more than 1962. Prices for the 1965 show were $.15 for the "pits," $.25 for the side show and $.75 and $1.50 for admission to the "big-top." Reserved seats were sold only on the inside (a standard policy for all Griffith shows) and went for $.50. Bill, who liked to use printed material for his advertising, prepared an eight-page "herald" for distribution that year. While playing in Colorado, he also tried using TV "spots" and found that method of communication to be most effective. He says that he would have used TV more extensively the following year, had he stayed in the business.
Bill paid his Birnam employees every Sunday. This was a trick that he learned from "Little Bob" - for by paying for a week's work (Monday through Sunday) he was able to get two "free" days of work from his people every year. This was possible because the show would open the season on a Saturday - and the first payday would not come until nine days later.
The 1964 Birnam show opened on February 29th at Odem, Texas. From there it worked its way north to Wisconsin and Upper Michigan before returning to Texas by way of the same states. The route card for that year noted that the total miles travelled was 8,443.
The 1965 show opened at Pleasanton, Texas on March 6th and moved north along through the same states as in '64. From Wisconsin, however, it jumped Minnesota and took the "highline" out across North Dakota, Montana and Idaho before turning south through Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
Both seasons had their problems and difficult moments. For example, a spectacular blow-down occurred just before the six o'clock performance at Ballwin, Missouri in May of 1964. (Bill recalls that he got the six o'clock matinee performance idea from Jack Moore of the Carson and Barnes show. Bill discovered that the six p.m., rather than earlier matinee, brought in more business - especially "butcher" sales to hungry kids who had come with soft-hearted dads. He also liked the increased set-up time and the more leisurely day which were made possible by the later time.) As a large crowd was gathering on the midway and waiting for the gates to open, high winds and rain began to descend upon the lot. Bill wouldn't let the "towners" inside the tent, rightly fearing their anger less than what might happen if the canvas should collapse. Within minutes the wind toppled the tent, and, upon perceiving the misfortune that might have befallen them, the crowd calmed down. In fact, Bill recalls, many pitched in to help clear away the canvas and put up the seats and the sidewall. Within an hour, the show went on.
Near-tragedy struck a second time that season when the pole truck was demolished in an unusual mishap. The show was taking the back road to Steele, Missouri - the usual procedure to avoid the weigh stations in that state. Ahead, the narrow road went up a rather steep hump with a set of railroad tracks running across the top. The pole trailer had less than a foot of clearance and - you guessed it - got hung on the tracks. There it sat - with the drive wheels dangling - as a 95 car freight train came roaring down the line. The driver went running down the tracks, trying valiantly to wave the big engine to a halt. But it was too late - and "kaboom" - the pole truck, as Bill describes it, "was very neatly divided into two pieces plus a lot of splinters."
The show blew Steele, Missouri, the next day (because there was no advance sale) and spent the day making new poles and seats. Bill called Bundy Oldsmobile in East St. Louis and a new tractor and trailer were on the way in hours to join the show.
The 1965 season had its share of problems, too. The day before the opening Frieda the elephant died and Bill had a difficult time finding a rendering plant to take the poor creature's cadaver. And on opening day, it seemed like almost everything went wrong. Dick Nongard, in his review of the event in the March-April issue of White Tops, described the situation this way: "The 'towners' got too close to the elephants, the music was left behind at winter quarters, the phonograph-public address system was inoperative, and the 'top' was late getting into the air."
1965 was the year that Bill decided that he would purchase no more used rolling stock. Second-hand equipment, he had learned from experience, gave nothing but trouble. So, in the spirit of that high resolve, he purchased a new bill truck just prior to leaving winter quarters. A few days after the show went on the road he received a phone call from the bill poster - the new truck had been rolled. The vehicle spent most of the rest of the summer in the body shop waiting for parts.
Missouri seemed to have been a jinx for the Birnam show, for late one night on a lot in that state the pole and sleeper trailer which had been fashioned from an auto carrier for the 1965 season caught on fire. The blaze started when one of the roustabouts fell asleep while reading by candlelight. He had placed the candle on top of a gallon can of "Little Bear" - a highly flammable canvas glue - which he had left beside his bunk. (He had not returned it to its proper storage place in another truck after using it.) The candle burned down and ignited the drippings on the outside of the can. The explosion and fire burned several of the crew, but no lives were lost.
A few days after the fire, Bill and his family were abruptly awakened in the early morning by an excited pounding on the door of their trailer. It was Mavis Johnson shouting: "Bill! Bill! The side show truck has run into a bank." Only half awake, you can imagine what kind of "bank" Bill and Dolores thought Mavis meant. "All I could think of," Dolores recalls, "was dollar bills strewn all over the street." Further conversation cleared up the matter: it was an embankment - and Bill promptly placed another call to Bundy Olds.
Such was circus life for Bill and Dolores Griffith. They loved it - but by the end of the 1965 season they had decided that the time had come to leave it. It was time to settle down and give the children roots: "That was the main reason why we left the business," Bill recalls.
They returned to Appleton and leased the show title and equipment to Dick Johnson and Louie McNeece. Dick and Louie took the show out in 1966, but it soon folded and the rolling stock was left behind - scattered throughout the Dakotas and Montana.
Today Bill Griffith is the successful publisher of several smaller newspapers in the area west and north of Madison, Wisconsin. He and his family have established themselves in a small town outside of Madison and have become respected members of the community. But I believe that Bill Griffith - down deep - is still "circus" - and that he will be long remembered by fans and friends as a circus fan who made his dream come true. Bandwagon, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1974, pp. 11-16
11-1968 - Myrna marries Ron Ratcliff
Josephine asks Fred and Ruby Haag Brown to work on Clark and Walters (1969?)
Sells and Gray Circus
(1900-1901, 1960-1978)
Joe Silverlake - bill poster (...1967)
Clark and
Walters Circus (1964-1972)
Herb and Helen Walters - owners (1964-1966)
Mel Silverlake - owner (1966-1967)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake buy from Herb Walters, Vevay Indiana -
6-26-1967
$10,000 ($5,000 down and $106/month)
Opens in Falmouth Kentucky with Myrna, Otis (elephant man), Carl Albright
(banner man)...
Myrna Ratcliff - booking agent
3 ring show with tent to seat 500
5 trucks with trailers
3 elephants, 6 ponies, 3 llamas
a bear, a lion, an ocelot, a chimpanzee
several monkeys
Marlyn Hockstetler graduates from Seymour Senior High
School
Jess the elephant dies in 1967 or 1968? (69 years old)
11-1968 Mel Silverlake marries BK Duke in Sulphur Louisiana by Judge E.W. Thompson
Original winter quarters - Sulphur Louisiana
including 1st winter on show
2-4-1968
Big Jess (Jess?), Norma, Dixie the Elephant
2-4-1968 (from Lake Charles American Press)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake owners
Mel Silverlake - Manager and Booker
winter quarters had been at family farm in Indiana
winter quarters to be in West Lake, Louisiana
3 elephants, chimpanzee, an ocelot, a black bear, laughing hyena, monkeys
performing goats
Goliath an 18 foot python, 6.5 inches in diameter, 200 lbs
Thai a pigtailed mocaco from Thailand - smokes cigarettes
(learned from sailors on ship coming to America)
Indian elephants:
Jess 69 years old, 7,800 lbs
Norma 24 years old, 5,550 lbs
Baby Dixie 12 years old, 3,500 lbs
each consumes 50 lbs of Omaline, 50 gallons of water, a number of bales of hay
lion died of uremic poisoning the day after the West Lake Show
James Silverlake - elephant trainer ***photo with Big Jess***
14 trucks and trailers
Silver lakes have put on shows at Hackberry, South Cameron and Moss Bluff gymnasium
2-8-1968 - Mossville High
1968
Melvin Jr. - Manager
Kathy Siverlake - Trapeze, Swinging Ladder, Elephants
Marlyn - Swinging Ladder, Spanish Web, Elephants
Joe Silverlake - goats and dogs, Trapeze, RolaBola, Llama
Elephants - Norma and Dixie
Thai the Monkey
20 ft Python
winter quarters at Mt Zion Church Neighborhood
Spring of 1968 - Herb Walters dies
Summer 1968 - Clay City, Kentucky
John G. Martin (veterinarian) - examines elephant, chimp, python
Python came from animal dealer in Detroit
(the story is written in, "Doc My Tiger's got an Itch")
Josephine and Melvin Silverlake
From Local Paper (1968)
Clark and Walters Wild Animal Circus
quarters in Jackson County
home in Mt Zion Neighborhood - to stay the winter
Myrna wife of Ronnie Ratcliff
Myrna has worked at Brock's Restaurant
Myrna - last year booking agent, several yrs ago - Ring Contortionist
Brownie and Josephine for many yrs had their own acts and traveled with many
shows
Melvin Jr. - Manager, Advance Work, plans and announces the programs, Ponies and
Elephants
Mel graduated from Clearspring High School
Melvin finished a stint in the US Air force
Kathy "BK" Timberlake - Trapeze, Swinging Ladder, Elephants, Concessions
14 members of the family are on show
Big Top holds 1400
Brownie - clown, monkey act, book keeping
Josephine - Financial Affairs
Norma and Dixie the elephants
Jim Timberlake - Superintendent, Assistant Manager
Marlyn Timberlake - Swinging Ladder, Spanish Web, Elephants
Raymond Dukes travels on show
Joe Timberlake age 16 (former student at Brownstown High School)
studies by correspondence
trained goats and dogs, trapeze, rola-bola, llama
Swinging Anchor Perch, Rope Act
Fred and Ruby Haag Brown - Concessions
Naomi Haag Carpenter - Concessions
Ralph Carpenter - Mechanic
Raymond and Emma Duke - Advance People, Advertisements
Janice Ruth "JR" - Contortion Act, Ponies
Sharon Hockstetler (Marlyn's sister) - Swinging Ladder, Web (for last two
summers)
Sharon graduated from Seymour High School in 1963
Brownie Timberlake can trace 5 generations in show business
His father and grandfather were in the old-time minstrel and vaudeville business
in the late 1800's
In the Mt Zion neighborhood, near the Ruth Fisher farm, there are plans to build
animal winter quarters
Last year they played from Texas to Maryland, including Louisiana, Arkansas,
Tennessee,
West Virginia, Missouri, and Kentucky
Next season Melvin Jr. plans to go to North and South Dakota, Idaho, Colorado,
Wyoming, Montana
Norma the elephant - 24 years old, 6,500 lbs
Dixie the elephant - 13 years old, 3,800 lbs
They travel in the same truck, with a horse that insists on traveling with the
elephants
Last year lost an elephant 69 years old
Thai the monkey - from Thailand, smokes cigarettes - tears filter off and blows
smoke through nose
20 ft python - around 7 years old, eats only twice a year, 2-3 chickens
Palomino horse with 5 legs
Pig with 5 legs
3 llamas, laughing hyena, a black bear
3 more monkeys, a chimp
an ocelot, several dogs, goats, ponies and horses
Next season they plan to add a camel and a zebra
2 clowns, trapeze acts, animal acts
1, 2, or 3 rings
In December the show will be on TV each Saturday for 3 weeks before Christmas
WISH-TV, two acts 15 minutes each
1969 (from flyer)
Jim Silverlake
Regal Python - over 20 feet long, 200lbs
1969 (from program)
Mel Silverlake - Tom Thumb Circus with King Kong and his firey mount Ginger
Myrna and Marlin - Swinging Ladders
Brownie - Clowns
Joe Silverlake - Comedy Goats
Joe Silverlake - K9 Revue
Brownie - Miss Thai from Thailand
Mel Silverlake - Norma Jean the Elephant with La Torche
Suzie the Llama
Mel Silverlake - Performing Elephants
opens in Brownstown Indiana (4-9-1969)
10 trucks and trailers
Ted LaVelda - advance agent
Raymond Duke - billposter
Melvin Silverlake - Manager
James Silverlake - Assistant Manager
Kathy Duke Silverlake - Big Show tickets
Franklin Silverlake - Pony ride
Melvin - Side show
Marlin and Jim Bib - snake
Myrna and Ron Ratcliff - Rodent show, African porcupine
Ted and Alice Wilson - Jewelry
Fred and Ruby Brown - Concessions, Cook, Pie Car, Candy Wagon
Ralph and Naomi Carpenter - Snow and cool drinks
Joe Silverlake and Mike Gasca - Novelties
Ralph Carpenter - Mechanic
Billy Gunga - Electrician
Bob Greene - Announcer and Musical Director
Myrna and Marlin - Web and Ladders
Billy Gunga and Ivy - Glass and Chair Balancing
Mike Gasca - Plate spinning and Rola Bola
Brownie and Franklin - Clown Alley
Joe - Single traps and military goats
Brownie - Performing Llama and Monkey
Myrna - Acrobatic Contortion and Dogs
Kathy - Menage
Mel - Pony drill and Elephants
Josephine - front door, designed circus coloring book
called Clark and Walters Wild Animal Circus
(1970- )
Josephine Silverlake
Ruby Haag - Cook
Harry Haag Jr. (out of Texas) worked an elephant (for 1 week?)
winter 1970 - moved Texas Rio Grande Valley
1971 (from flyer)
Jim Silverlake
Regal Python
1971 - (from Program)
Mel Silverlake - Riding Monkey
Fabulous Frederick - Single Trapeze
Carl Conley - Juggling
Oscar the Great - Hand Balancing, 1 Finger Stand
Norma Jean the Elephant
Brownie Silverlake - Clown
Aerial Ballet - Swinging Ladder, Anchor Perch
Conley's K-9 Revue - High Diving Dog
Miss Thai - Cigarette Smoking Monkey
Miss Marlyn Anita - Spanish Web
Intermission
Trained Goats
Spinning Plates - Carl Conley
Little Suzie the Llama from the Andes - Presented by Brownie Silverlake
Aerial Cloud Swing - Oscar the Great
Willie the Worm - 300 lb 27 foot Python
Debbie the Giant Ape
6-1971
Josephine Timberlake
Jim Timberlake
Joe Timberlake
Jim Timberlake - Norma Jean the Elephant
Mel Silverlake - Pony Riding Monkey, Beer Drinking and Cigarette Smoking Monkey
Mel Silverlake - Suzie the Llama
Joe Timberlake - Dogs
(Southern Sawdust 11-1971, pg16)
1972 (from program)
Mel Silverlake - Tom Thumb Circus
Miss Thai - Monkey
Norma Jean the Performing Elephant
Marlyn Anita - Spanish Web
Comedy Goats
Little Suzie the Llama from the Andes Mountains
Willie the Worm - 200lb 24ft Regal Python
Debbie the Giant Ape
Norma Jean Elephant killed by Lightning at Oquawka
Illinois- 7-17-1972
Jimmy Silverlake was on the show
Oquawka Illinois, Norma Jean, a 6,500
pound elephant owned by the Clark and Walters Circus, was struck by lightning
and killed yesterday while tied to a tree in the village square. The circus
general manager, Jim Silverlake, gave Norma Jean's age as 27 years and her value
at about $10,000. It was just like losing one of the family, Silverlake mourned.
The circus arrived Sunday night for shows opening yesterday. Silverlake said the
show would go on as planned. He said Norma Jean made headlines when she got
loose form the circus last year and was found in a residential back yard at
Ligonier Indiana.
(The Oakland Tribune, California 7-18-1972) (Iowa Press Citizen, Iowa City 7-18-1972)
1973 - Josephine closes
Clark and Walters
joins Fisher Bros Circus
from White Tops July Aug. 2001:
Brownie Silverlake - rope spinning, clowning, monkey named Thai
Melvin and Jim - elephants
Franklin - mechanic
Franklin and Myrna - Roman rings
Joe - rola bola, single traps, swinging perch, juggling
2nd season:
acts - included goat, llama and dogs
Marlyn Hoffstettler and B.K. Duke -
joined to do web, single trapeze, swinging ladder
B.K. Duke - booking agent
Maylyn and B.K. - present elephants
Sharon Hoffstettler - web, ladder
Conley family troupe
Josephine - bookkeeping, supplies, front door tickets
Carson & Barnes Circus
(1957-1963,1965- )
D.R. "Dorey" Miller from Hugo OK - Owner
D.R. Miller and Associates - owners (1971-1984)
Ruby Haag Brown - Jewelry (1971-72?)
Fred Brown - Mechanic
7-17-1972 - Blowdown in La Salle Illinois
Fisher Bros.
Circus (1923, 1934-1935,1971-1974, 1975,
1978, 1989)
Mel Silverlake - owner (1971-1974, 1976?)
Mel Silverlake and B.K. Silverlake - owners (1989)
"within 8 days the show was able to stand on it's own" Melvin Silverlake
"put together from parts left in the barns after the Clark and Walters Circus
took to the road"
Josephine and BK Silverlake gave guidance
Opened 5-8-1971 at Holland Indiana
5-1971 - Indiana
6-8-1971 - Michigan
Fisher Bros. in Mackinaw City, Michigan - Lions Club
(7-9-1971)
in Cheboygan, Michigan (7-10-1971)
10-12-1971 - New Lebanon Ohio
Melvin Silverlake - Owner and Manager
Larry Pardon - Advance Man
Kathy Silverlake - Single Trapeze and High diving dog
Cheryl Haag - Spanish Web and Swinging Ladder
Harry Haag and Volunteers - Bareback Riding Academy
Ruby Haag - Miss Ruby's Dog Act
Mel -
Elephant Dixie
Dennis and Lynne Micheals - Clown Dentist Gag and Jugglers
Patricia Smith - Rope Spinning and Whip
Mike Gasca - Rolla Bolla, Plate Spinning, and Coffee pot balancing
Bobo and Mandy Micheals - Girl Acrobats (Miss Trixie and Miss Pixie)
Marie Loter - Organ
David Knoderer - Drums
Python - Side Show
10-1971 Schedule
5 - Winchester Ohio
6 - Greenfield
7 - Midland
8 - Leescreek
9 - Lynchburg
11 - Goshen
12 - New Lebanon
13 - West Mancherster
14 - Williamsburg, Indiana
15 - Moores Hill
16 - Rising Sun
10-17-1971 - Closes Season at Sunman Indiana
1-1972 - Arkansas
2-1972 - Texas
7-11-1972 - blowdown at Cheboygan Michigan
7-1972 - Extensive Michigan tour then to Ohio
1973 - Josephine joins Fisher Bros Circus
1973 - winter quarters moved from Medora to Donna Texas (Mid Valley)
2-23-1974 - opens in winter quarter town of Alamo Texas
Melvin and BK Silverlake - owners
Brownie Silverlake - Snake Show
Raymond Duke and Billy Sheets - Contracting Agents
Billie Grubb - Billposter
Kathleen Stevens - Office
Clara Stevens - Concessions
Jim Davis - Show Superintendent
Bill Cloud - Canvasman
Wes Barton - Animals
Harold Cloud - Elephant
Marie Loter - Organ
Bob "Boom Boom" Stiles - Drum
Rat Show
Freak Animals
Elephant
Hippo
(3 generations of Silverlakes)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake
sons: Melvin and Joe
Melvin's son Melvin Ray
Raymond and Emma Duke
daughter: BK Silverlake
B K's son Melvin Ray
3-21-1974 - Sugarland Texas
(date? 1974)
Gloria Null - Web, Trampoline
Peggy Null - Organist
Antonette "Toni" - Drummer
Toni married in cookhouse (1974?)
1975
Janice Ruth "JR" Ratcliff - Trapeze
Raymond Duke - Agent
Myrna Ratcliff
3-1975
Joe Silverlake and Gloria Null - jugglers
Mary Diane - swinging ladder, dogs
Brownie Silverlake - trained monkey
Joe Silverlake - swinging anchor
Gloria Null - spanish web
educated llama
elephant
hippo
cloud swing
clowns
closing words "Good luck, God bless and may the
Good Lord take a liking to you"
9-1975 - Donna Texas quarters
The circus world mourns the death of 2
circus stars
Janice Ratcliff (aka Janice Ruth Earl) died 9-7-1975 (15
years old)
Emma Duke died 9-7-1975 (66 years old)
(robbery at Donna Texas quarters by former cook, Dennis K. Wright, age 32)
1975 - Mel leased hippo to Royal Bros, Al Stencell and John Frazier
1976? - Melvin Silverlake
Josephine Silverlake - selling peanuts and novelties, taking tickets
1976 - Fisher Bros sold to Johnny and Corky Frazier on the income from Mel Silverlake
1977 - Brownie on Fisher
Bros?
Lewis Bros. Circus (1931-1942, 1945, 1973-1976)
Jimmy Silverlake - owner (1972?, 1973)
Hoxie Tucker and John Lewis - owners (1974-1975)
1973 - John Lewis breaks partnership with Jimmy Silverlake
3-1973 - John Lewis back to Hoxie Bros where he was the administrative assistant
Jimmy Silverlake Owns Show (Leased equipment owned by
John Lewis)
Babe the elephant - blind in one eye
3-29-1973 Announcement of planned Show
To open in Freetown Indiana 4-27-1973
Jimmy Silverlake breaks partnership with John W. Lewis
Bobby Green - Air Calliope
Leo Gasca - Bounding wire and balancing (to join in May)
Jim and Sandi Windland's giant ape show
Snake show
Hoop Pitch
Midget Horse Show (maybe?)
Myrna Ratcliff - General Agent at Norman Indiana
4-27-1973 - Freetown Indiana
Advance Ticket $1 for Adult or Child
Jimmy and Marlyn Silverlake
Elephant Babe
Jim and Sandy Windland - Windland's Pit Show
Bottle hoop pitch
Cheryl Haag - Loop Walk and Trapeze
Boozo Webber and David Terrell - Clowns
Diane Wilson - Seal
Joe Eddy - Drums and Sword Box
Bobby Greene - Calliope and Announcer
Senor Gasca
Leo Gasca - Balancing and Juggling
Marlyn Silverlake - Web and Swinging Ladder
Diane Wilson - Trained Monkeys
Pat Haag - Super Dog
Alice Haag - Horse Riding
Kim Haag - Standing on Horse Riding
Gordo
1973 - Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
Note: Cold weather killed most of the Windland's
snakes and lizards
Tornado near Dayton
6-17-1973 - Bloomington Indiana (Courier Tribune newspaper article)
David Terrell from Mitchell (19 yrs old)
Ruby Ann Haag (8 yrs old)
Duane Webber from Seymour Indiana, clown, electrician
Ruby Haag Brown - Cook
Fred Brown - Maintenance
"give the people the best entertainment they'll ever get for a dollar" Jimmy Silverlake
11-1973 - Onarga-Loogootee-Roachdale Circuit then winter in Medora Indiana
1973 - Indiana, Ohio, W. Virginia, Maryland, South to Medora Indiana
Hoxie Bros Circus
(...1961-1984)
Jimmy - manager (1973?)
6-1974 - Lewis Bros at Circus Fans Convention
(Hoxie and Betty Tucker's Lewis Bros)
Barnes and Daily
Circus (1974)
renamed from Lewis Bros
(Photos by Hartland
Smith)
Jimmy Silverlake - owner (1974)
Former Fisher Bros Drummer
Clowns
Jugglers
Aerialists
Rolling Globe
Calliope and Ring Master
Jimmy sells out to John strong, who sells most of equipment to Hoxie
Jimmy Silverlake sells to Hoxie (winter quarters in Hialeah Florida)
9-2-1974 - Mackinaw City Michigan
1975 - Barnes and Daily Circus
sold to Bob Tripp (Robert Trippe) and Parley Baer
renamed Mid America Circus
Mid-America Circus (...1976...)
Mel Silverlake - Circus Manager (...1976...)
The show must go on but if it does, someone is going to get
their day in court. Police said today that Gibson's Discount, 5320 10th, is
sponsoring the Mid America Circus on their parking lot. However, officers said
today, the discount firm has not secured a permit. Wednesday afternoon at 3:20
Mel Silverlake, circus manager, was advised to shut down the show. At 6:15pm he
again was advised to shut down the show but he told police Gibson's manager
Dubert D. Hood, 43, Rt 2, told him to go ahead and run the circus. When the
circus started up again at 7:23pm, the principals involved were notified they
would be served with a notice to appear in police court for violation of the
city ordinances concerning circuses and carnivals.
(The Great Bend Tribune, Kansas 9-16-1976)
American Big Top Circus (...1977...)
(3 units)
Gopher Davenport - owner
Melvin Timberlake - owner
Josephine and Joe Silverlake
Melvin Timberlake - Elephant trainer
(date?) newspaper
Brownie Timberlake - trainer of Susie the elephant
Melvin Timberlake
visiting relatives in Ewing
Timberlakes were taking Susie and another elephant back to American Big Top
Circus
expect to rejoin in Wyoming or western South Dakota
winter quarters in southern Texas, previously in western Jackson County
In a Motel with a 28 year old Female, Their main Luggage Was
Her Trunk
It was a shady deal at best. The 36 year old man wanted to check into the motel
with a 28 year old female. Their main luggage was her trunk. But the motel clerk
said "yes" and circus owner Melvin Timberlake of Clear Spring reported Monday
that Susie the elephant got a good night's sleep. Actually, Susie spent the
night in a small willow grove near the Airport Quality Inn concealed from
curious eyes, while Timberlake sacked out in a room. "You try not to let anyone
know you've got an elephant with you." Timberlake said However he admitted
hiding a 6,800 pachyderm is not the easiest task in the world. He said he had
driven around Interstate 465 trying to find a place for Susie when he spotted
the grove near the motel. Then his problem was convincing the clerk he was
serious about wanting to check in with an elephant. "I didn't believe him" clerk
Paul S LaFollette said, "I thought he was making a joke." Finally the clerk said
that if Timberlake would take a single room, the elephant could stay for free.
Susie got some sleep but also had a few tree branches for a light snack her
owner said. She'll eat anything.. mirrors, headlights, the inside of the truck,
which is why I make sure I find a place to tie her outside for the night,
Timberlake said. He explained that he owned three circuses called the American
Big Top and Susie had been touring with one of the two small shows. "It only had
the one elephant and she was lonesome for the other elephants and got hard to
manage. He said, "I brought an older elephant out and am taking her back to the
herd." He said the main circus was at Wounded Knee South Dakota and he planned
to catch up with it in his 18-wheeler some place in Montana.
(Nevada State Journal, Reno 8-3-1977)
Ford Bros Circus (...1977...)
Gopher Davenport - owner
Brownie Silverlake - monkey smoking cigarettes
- sold tickets for snake show, owned by Melvin Silverlake
- has heart attack
Brownie Silverlake returns home to Donna Texas
1977 - Brownie Silverlake dies in Donna Texas
Great American Circus (1875,
1886-1889, 1896, 1929, 1939, 1978-1981, 1985-1994)
Jim Silverlake - owner
(1978-1982)
Hoxie Bros Circus
(...1961-1984)
Melvin Silverlake - concessions (...1980...)
Jules and Beck
(1982-1988, ...2005...)
Pat Guthrie - owner (1982-1988,...2005...)
operated by Rich Hughes out of Atlanta
"Col. Mel" Melvin Silverlake - peanut sales
(...1980...)
1980's - Joe worked at restaurant in McAllen
- paper mill in Southern Indiana
Roller Bros Circus
(1983 - 1986)
"Jim" James Roller - owner near Hot Springs Arkansas
1 ring circus
Jimmy and Joe Silverlake (1983...)
Jimmy Silverlake - concessions
Jimmy Silverlake - Supervisor (1984)
Elephant Trainer Timothy Maerkisch, 23, died when a two ton
Burmese elephant names Ellie was electrocuted and fell onto him. The 40 year old
elephant was killed Tuesday morning when the central tent pole she was pulling
into position with a chain touched overhead power lines, said Jim Silverlake. A
circus employee standing nearby, 21 year old Mickey King, suffered second degree
burns on his back and legs and was taken to Baptist Medical Center in Little
Rock Ark. After attending Norwalk High School, Maerkisch went to Florida five
years ago and joined the Hoxie Brothers Circus as an apprentice elephant
trainer. After two years, he became head elephant trainer for the circus.
Maerkisch worked for Vargas, Carson and Barnes, and Ford Brothers. He appeared
in the move "Smokey and the Bandit II" with Burt Reynolds. He also handled the
callipoe pulling elephant in the 1981 Rose Bowl parade. Maerkisch joined the one
ring Roller Bros circus at its Florida winter quarters only two weeks ago. The
elephant was buried where it died since it weighed 4,000 pounds and stood 7-8
feet tall.
(Chronicle Telegram, Elyria Ohio 4-18-1984)
Toby Tyler Circus
(...1985...)
Dick Garden - owner
Melvin Silverlake - gorilla show, snake show, pony ride on the midway
Robinson's Racing
Pigs (1984-1998...)
Paul and Carlota Robinson - Owners (5 units)
William Shilling - Agent
On The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (5-1986)
Myrna - 40th annual stock show and rodeo, San Antonio Tx
(2-17-1989)
Naomi and Myrna (3 years)
Melvin (1985-1998...)
Mel, Bessie Katherine "B.K.", and Mel Ray Silverlake at
Cayuga County Fair (7-1986)
Elvira - Pig
Mel, age 45, from Florida
Mel and Mel Ray Silverlake train the pigs
Melvin Silverlake "Col. Mel" and Gloria Silverlake
on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (3-1997,
10-1997)
Article from the
Pueblo Chieftain
(8-26-1998)
FACES OF THE FAIR
Col. Mel Silverlake talks to one of his 7-week-old Robinson's Racing Pigs. Silverlake has been a ``Swinemaster" for about 13 years. He travels across the country approximately eight months a year with his family, racing pigs, and 150 foot racing oval. Some of the pigs that vie for the Oreo cookie prize sport such names as Arnold Snortsenegger, Jerry Swinefeld, Hammy Fae Baker, Bruce Swillis, and Dr. Kaporkian. This is the 10th year that Silverlake has been at the Colorado State Fair, and his racing pigs have even landed him on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Oink, oink, Jay.
Winnebago County Fair, Wisconsin
Myrna Silverlake (8-1988)
Naomi Carpenter
Monroe County Fair, Michigan
11-1988
Rochester NY
Myrna Silverlake (11-1988)
Red River Valley Fair
Myrna and Naomi
King Tusk with Ringling (1987-1995)
Jimmy Silverlake trainer (...1989...1992...1994...1995-2000?)
1945 - brought to USA
1958 - with Cristiani Bros Circus, Tony Diano
1987 - trainer Lee Keener on Ringling Bros.
1989 - King Tusk 43
years old, 6 ton, asian elephant
10-1989 - visited Jackson County, family farm near Clearspring
headed to winter quarters in Florida
1990 - toured Japan
Jimmy Silverlake traveled to Japan to pick up King Tusk
1992 -
King Tusk (age 46) with Ringling Bros (Blue Unit)
Asian Elephant - 10 ft tall from back down, 11,762 lbs, one tusk over 100 lbs
1998 - comes out of retirement for Asian elephant awareness
1998 - Handlers - David, Lynn and Jessica Polk
12-21-2002 - King Tusk euthanized (57 years old)
** King Tusk previous
name was Tommy, before Ringling Bros.
Fisher Bros (1989-1990)
1990
out of Gibsonton Florida
BK Silverlake
Mel Ray Silverlake
Queen Tusk - Paula the African elephant
leased from Carson and Barnes
Torchy townsend, ex-performer with Clark and Walters
4-19-1990 - opens in Land O Lakes Florida
5-15-1990
Torchy, Josephine's Aunt - owner (ex-aerialist) runs business from home
Big Ivory
Ruby Haag Brown - sign painter, head ticket-taker
Josephine Silverlake - souvenirs and novelty sales
BK Silverlake- general manager
Myrna - booking agent
Joe Silverlake - aerialist, handles animals, concessions
Mel Ray SIlverlake- juggles, magician, whip, superintendent
Naomi - clown
Jim and Chris Reeves - advertising, bookkeeper
Reeves daughters - 13 year old - aerialist
-11 year old - clown
Richard and Jewel Atencio - Concession manager, secretary
Richie Atencio - clown (5 years old)
Bobby Greene - band leader, snake trainer
Unity Whitworth - elephant caretaker, aerialist
Bonnie Bonta - head clown
Jane Randall - horse, pony and dogs
Lance Gifford - ring master, magician
Jackie Bradford - ropes, juggles, bird act
Johnny Marshall - press agent
Katy Jones - office worker
Mel Silverlake - publicity agent, gun juggling, whip cracking, rope spinning
40 members of the traveling troupe
1 full time cook
8-10 roustabouts
6-16-1990 Ashland Ky
4-1990 - Florida
5-1990 - Florida, Alabama
6-1990 - Kentucky, Indiana
featured in movie, Big Top with Pee Wee
This one ring, family
owned circus was featured in the movie "Big Top Pee Wee" with Pee Wee Herman.
Complete with an elephant named "Big Ivory" horses, dogs, snakes, clowns,
aerialists, popcorn, cotton candy, and peanuts, the circus will arrive in town
on Saturday, May 9 to set up their tent on the vacant lot behind Railroad
Square. The show itself will be at 2:30 on Sunday, May 20. Tickets are available
from merchants at the discount advance price of $4 for adults and $3 for
children. (At the door, prices will be $6 and $4) - The Bell Buckle
Gazette 5-19-1990, Tennessee
Pow Wow
1990s - Joe and Josephine on Pow Wow circuit (6
years)
selling their crafts
1994 - Melvin and Gloria Silverlake are married
Hendricks Bros
Circus
(1995-1998, 2000,2001...2004...)
Bob Childress - owner (1995-1998,
2000...)
BK Silverlake (one of the Managers) (...1996...)
Wantage PA - 6-1996
Kelly Miller Circus
Myrna Timberlake (...1998...)
6-5-1998 News, Frederick Maryland
Myrna Silverlake - Spitzes
Perez Family - High Flying Trapeze Act, Wheel of Destiney, Russian Swing
Cindy Herriott Wells - Equestrian, 6 Horse Liberty Act, Arabian Dressage Act
featuring Silver
Roy Wells - Elephants: Viola, Nina, and Libby
Kelly Miller's 60th Anniversary
9-4-1998 Indianapolis Star
On the Road - Myrna Timberlake - Kelly Miller
62 years old
two snakes, Monty and Hugo
Viola the elephant
Starr the Chihuahua
Snow, Lace and Goofus - Spitz Dogs (been with Myrna for 8 years)
as soon as Myrna could walk she was dressed as a clown
works at Brock's Cafe part time
tent seats 1,500
75 member troupe
Star Bros Circus
Gopher Davenport - owner
Joe Silverlake - bill poster - (2001)
Josephine Silverlake - dates posters, makes crafts -(2001)
Myrna - (2000,2001...)
King Royal Circus
(1990-1997)
John Gopher Davenport - owner (1990-1997)
Joe Silverlake - (.....)
King Tusk comes out of retirement 1998
L.E. Barnes Circus
Mel Ray Silverlake (...2001...)
Ringling Bros and BB Circus
Jimmy Silverlake (2001...)
Kelly Miller Circus (1987-...)
David Rawls and Geary Byrd - owners (1999-...)
Myrna Silverlake - Myrna's Dogs - (1998)
B.K. Silverlake - office (...2001...)
Joe Silverlake - snake show, front door, postal agent - (1999-2001)
Josephine Silverlake - crafts -(1999-2001)
Jimmy Silverlake - elephants (...2001...2003...)
elephants - Nina, Viola, and Libby
2003:
Among the featured acts and performers are:
Miss Esmerelda, an aerial display.
Ponderous Pachyderms, featuring Nina, Viola and Libby, who are trained by Jim Silverlake.
Miss Laura Herriott, the daughter of well-known animal trainer John Herriott, displays a dog and pony revue and the Mixed Animal Extravaganza, featuring camels, llamas and horses working in unison.
The Perez Family from Mexico City, who present the flying trapeze.
The Fernandis Family, performing aerial acrobatics.
The Pampas, a ring full of flipping, flying, foot stomping acrobatics.
Kevin Ryan, performing comedy.
The Kelly Miller Circus Band, featuring Alan Thompson on the drums and Evan Whitfield on the keyboards.
King Tusk dies (12-22-2002)
Josephine
Silverlake dies summer
2003
(buried in Medora Indiana)
Joe
Silverlake (Timberlake) dies 10-2003
Fisher Brothers Circus, King Royal
Circus, Kelly Miller Circus, Star Brothers Circus, Shrine Dates and others
He spent 5 years on the Great Lakes Pow Wow Circuit
Bailey Bros Circus
(...2003-2005... )
based in Venice Florida
Jimmy Silverlake - Elephant Trainer (2003)
Baby Ruth - Elephant (9,700 pounds)
(Oberlin Herald Newspaper, Kansas - 11-19-2003)
Circus
for town
Two real tigers were not far from the fake one, pacing in their cages and waiting for things to get started. The show kicked off as the lights were turned down a little. Performers showed off their skills, including a clown who walked on a very bouncy tight rope. The audience gasped as he almost fell off, but realizing it was all an act, laughed as he jumped from one side of his bottom to the other over the rope.
Possibly the biggest ohs and ahs came when the big door on the north side of the arena opened and in walked Baby Ruth, a 9,700 pound elephant. Baby Ruth and her trainer, Jimmy Silverlake, entered the ring. She showed her skills at getting all four feet on a large metal pedestal, sitting on it and then putting one foot on a smaller metal pedestal and rotating in a circle.
The last act of the evening was the tiger show. The woman trainer entered the large metal cage, locked the door and picked up a whip and a very long pointer as the men near the tiger cages started to release them one at a time. Each cat had its own seat. The large animals showed how they could all four lie in a row, and growl, and one jumped through a flaming hoop.
At one point, the trainer was on her knees pleading with a cat to do its trick, when the one behind her jumped off his seat and seemed about to lunge. People in the audience speculated about whether this was part of the show or if the big cat wanted to play.
After the performance, kids carrying balloons and toys stayed around to get autographs on circus coloring books.
Jules and Beck
(1982-1988, ...2005...)
Pat Guthrie - owner (1982-1988,...2005...)
Myrna Silverlake (2005)
Jimmy Silverlake (2005)
Carnival in Michigan?
Mel Ray Silverlake, BK Silverlake, Myrna Ratcliff (2005)
Bobbie Green (2005)
Miscellaneous
Mel lost a 22 foot python in Harlan Kentucky for a week. Mel put
up a $200 reward and two boys found it. (before 1986)
Melvin Silverlake was nicknamed Colonel in the mid 1970s.
Melvin Silverlake did an Elvis act
Melvin meet B.K when she was a trapeze artist on a circus
Mel Ray won a small role in "Made in Heaven" starring Timothy Hutton and Kelly McGillis (12-1986)
Archie G. Silverlake was an aerial artist until 1955, then he started clowning
Norma Jean the elephant made headlines
when she got loose form the circus last year and was found in a residential back
yard at Ligonier Indiana in 1971
Hoxie Bros (1943,1947-1949, 1961-1984)
Hoxie Tucker - owner
Mel Silverlake - Concessions Manager ( date? )
Jonnie Mae (female) worked with Billie and Archie Silverlake ( date? circus?)