Advertisement for Russell Brothers Circus
Date: Between January 01, 1930 and December 31, 1939
Photo of an advertisement for Russell Brothers Circus presenting Reb Russell and his horse, Rebel

Downie Brothers Circus
Creator: Kelty, Edward J, 1888-1967
Date: June 1, 1939
A photograph of the Downie Brothers Circus performers, crew, and band members posed before a large circus tent in Newburg, New York. Native Kansan Reb Russell performed with this circus.

Reb Russell
Date: Between 1930 and 1937
Reb Russell seated on his horse Rebel. Born Lafayette H. Russell in Coffeyville, Kansas in 1905, Reb got his nickname while playing football at the University of Nebraska and Northwestern University. Russell excelled at the sport, gaining All American status in 1930 and playing briefly with the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he chose instead to pursue a movie career after he got a bit part in Universal Pictures' The All-American (1932). Because he was an excellent rider, Russell became an actor in western movies. He appeared in a number of low-budget independent westerns, including The Man from Hell (1934), Fighting Through (1934), Outlaw Rule (1935), and Lightning Triggers (1935).

Reb Russell and daughter, Betty
Date: Between January 01, 1937 and December 31, 1937
Photo of Reb Russell with his daughter, Betty in front of a tent, unknown location.

Reb Russell and his horse Rebel
Date: Between 1930 and 1939
View of Reb Russell mounted on his horse Rebel on a custom made saddle.

Reb Russell and the Downie Brothers Circus
Creator: Kelty, Edward J, 1888-1967
Date: 1934
A photograph of Reb Russell and the Congress of Indians, members of the Downie Brothers Circus.

Reb Russell performing his bullwhip act
Date: Between January 01, 1937 and December 31, 1937
Reb Russell performing his bullwhip act while employed by Downie Brothers Circus, unknown location

Reb Russell performing his bullwhip trick
Date: Between January 01, 1937 and December 31, 1937
Photo of Reb Russell riding Rebel and performing his bullwhip trick with his daughter, Betty, unknown location.

Reb Russell performing his rope twirling act
Date: Between January 01, 1937 and December 31, 1937
View of Reb Russell performing his rope twirling act while employed by Downie Brothers Circus, unknown location.

Reb Russell photo collection
Date: 1930-1940
Lafayette H. Russell was born May 31, 1905, in Osawatomie and died March 16, 1978, in Coffeyville. He later changed his name to Reb Russell. Russell was an All American football player for Northwestern and was one of the original Philadelphia Eagles in the team's first year of existence. In 1932, Russell went to Hollywood to appear in "The All-American" where he met Tom Mix. In 1933, Reb Russell made a string of movies. After his short film career he joined the Russell Brothers Circus and later (1937) he performed with the Downie Brothers Circus. He later purchased a ranch which extended from southeast Kansas into northeast Oklahoma. Russell is remembered for his innovative Hi-Goal Agriculture, a plan to help small farmers increase productivity and profits without government aid. Russell also ran against Joe Skubitz for the Fifth Congressional District.

Reb Russell's jacket
Date: between 1932 and 1940
Man's double-breasted jacket produced by Hispanic weavers in Chimayo, a New Mexican village north of Santa Fe. Wool jacket with six silver-plated disk buttons down the front. It was a gift to Reb Russell from silent film star Tom Mix. The two appeared together in the film "The All American" in 1932. Russell was a native of Coffeyville, Kansas. He was a football player and, after his gridiron career, a star of Hollywood "B" Westerns.

Reb Russell trick riding and roping
Date: 1937
View of Reb Russell on his horse, Rebel, demonstrating trick riding and trick roping at the same time.

Reb Russell with Rebel
Date: Between 1930 and 1939
Reb Russell with his horse, Rebel in a horse trailer and an unidentified man, at an unknown location.