6th Street, Pittsburg, Kansas, American Express & Ringling Brothers Circus
Creator: Hughes, James Clark, 1888-1964
Date: 1917
Horse-drawn freight wagon for American Express Company in front of store by same name in Pittsburg, Kansas. A freight wagon nearby holds two milk cans and a large trunk. In 1917 James C. Hughes was Captain of Battery C, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas National Guard. Battery C was organized in Pittsburg, Kansas. A full biography of James Clark Hughes is available on Kansapedia.

Bond Brother's Circus parade, Garden City, Kansas
Creator: Wolf, Max
Date: 1896
This black and white photograph shows a parade of elephants from the Bond Brother's Circus traveling down the streets of Garden City, Kansas.

Circus parade
Date: Between 1940 and 1950
This is a view of elephants in a circus parade in Ness City, Kansas. Several business are visible in the background.

Circus parade, Council Grove, Kansas
Date: 1890s
In these photographs, a circus parade passes down Main Street, Council Grove, Kansas. A person riding an elephant, camels, clowns, and a horse-drawn steam calliope are pictured.

Circus parade in Dodge City, Kansas
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This is a photograph showing a circus parade in Dodge City, Kansas.

Circus parade, Iola, Kansas
Date: 1914
Postcard image of a circus parade in Iola. There are several people riding elephants.

Circus parade, Iola, Kansas
Date: Between 1905 and 1910
Photo of zebras pulling a wagon in a circus parade, Iola.

Circus parade, Osborne, Kansas
Date: Between 1900 and 1919
This is a view of a circus bandwagon, drawn by eight white horses, in a circus parade in Osborne, Kansas. Also visible are the drivers and band members on top of the bandwagon, and spectators. Severals business building are in the background.

Circus wagon in parade, Iola, Kansas
Date: Between 1905 and 1910
Photo of a circus wagon carrying tigers in a parade, Iola.

Cordts sisters
Date: 1930s
A poster announcing the Cordts Sisters Big Indoor Circus.

Costume
Date: between 1910 and 1930
Circus costume consisting of pants, trunks, shirt, and shoes. Worn by Rube Perkins, the stage name of Archie William Dickie (1881-1948) of Holton, Kansas. Rube Perkins toured the country as a circus, carnival, vaudeville, and minstrel performer, working both with larger touring troupes and as solo performer. He was most noted as an acrobat and loose-wire artist, but also performed in comedy routines and other acts.

Cracker-Jack clown
Creator: Albert Schoenhut Company
Date: between 1905 and 1910
This Cracker-Jack clown has a jointed wooden body, molded head and hand-painted features. It was sold as an accessory set for the Humpty-Dumpty circus created by Albert Shoenhut.

Cyle Horchem, Garver Flying Circus
Date: Between 1920 and 1924
This black and white photograph shows Cyle Horchem, co-founder of the Garver Flying Circus. The Garver Flying Circus established around 1920 or 1921, Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas, and Cyle Horchem an ex-army flyer from Ransom, Kansas, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

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.

Fred Andrew and Eddie Stone
Date: Between 1885 and 1895
Fred Andrew Stone, 1873-1959, actor and author, with his brother Eddie (d.1903), copied from Rolling Stone. The photograph is captiioned "Under the Big Top 'My little brother was top mounter.'" Fred and Eddie Stone performed in vaudeville, stage musicals, and movies. They were known especially for their acrobatic dancing and engaging onstage personality. The Stones were raised in Topeka, Kansas, and they made their stage debut as young children.

Fred Andrew Stone with a circus group
Date: Between 1885 and 1895
Fred Andrew Stone, 1873-1959, actor and author, with a group of circus performers, copied from Rolling Stone by Fred Stone. He performed in vaudeville, stage musicals, and movies. He was known especially for his acrobatic dancing and engaging onstage personality. Stone was raised in Topeka, Kansas, and made his stage debut there at age 11.

Garver Flying Circus
Date: Between 1920 and 1926
This black and white photograph shows members of the Garver Flying Circus inside a Laird Swallow. From left to right: H.M. "Doc" Arrowsmith, front seat, and Wayne Neville, pilot. The Garver Flying Circus established around 1920 or 1921, by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas and Cyle Horchem an ex-army flyer from Ransom, Kansas, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Garver Flying Circus
Date: June 26, 1923
This black and white photograph shows members of the Garver Flying Circus at the Lone Tree Ranch in Attica, Kansas. Standing from left to right: David Garver, LeVaughn Neville, Ruth Garver, Mrs. R. O. Williamson (or Mrs. Ruby Arrowsmith), Ray O. Williamson ( or Jay Sadowsky), Karl Garver, Paul Duncan, Wayne Neville. The Garver Flying Circus, established around 1920 or 1921 by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas, and Cyle Horchem an ex-army flyer from Ransom, Kansas, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Garver Flying Circus
Date: 1922
This black and white photograph shows members of the Garver Flying Circus. Standing from left to right: Ruth Garver, "Champion Lady Pararchute Jumper", Karl Garver and to the far right, Paul Duncan the group's wingwalker. The Garver Flying Circus, established between 1920 and 1921 by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas and Cyle Horchem an ex-army flyer from Ransom, Kansas, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Garver Flying Circus
Date: 1920
This black and white photograph shows members of the Garver Flying Circus in La Cross, Kansas. Kneeling from left to right: J.O. Lewis, Geo. Ellers, Karl Garver, Ralph Anderson, J.M. Moellendick, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Martin (?), Bertha and Cyle Horchem. The Garver Flying Circus, established around 1920 or 1921, by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas and Cyle Horchem and ex-army flyer from Ransom, Kansas, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Garver Flying Circus
Date: Between 1920 and 1926
This black and white photograph shows performers from the Garver Flying Circus packing a balloon type parachute. The gentleman bending over the parachute has been identified as Paul Duncan "Champion Wing Walker". The Garver Flying Circus established around 1920 or 1921, by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas and Cyle Horchem an ex-army flyer from Ransom, Kansas, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Garver Flying Circus
Date: Between 1920 and 1924
This black and white photograph shows members of the Garver Flying Circus. Standing from left to right behind a Laird Swallow: Karl Garver, Ruth Garver, and Paul Duncan. The Garver Flying Circus, established around 1920 or 1921, by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas and Cyle Horchem an ex-army flyer from Ransom, Kansas, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Garver's Flying Circus
Date: Between 1920 and 1926
This black and white photograph shows members of Garver's Flying Circus. From left to right: Jay Sadowsky, Ray Williamson, and Wayne Neville. Garver's Flying Circus was established around 1920 by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas, and Cyle Horchem, an ex-army airman from Ransom, Kansas. These men and others, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Garver's Flying Circus
Date: October 21, 1923
This black and white photograph shows an advertisement for the Garver's Flying Circus in Wellington, Kansas. Garver's Flying Circus was established around 1920 by Karl Garver from Attica, Kansas, and Cyle Horchem, an ex-army airman from Ransom, Kansas. These men and others, performed spectacular aerial stunts across the Kansas sky. The group of daredevils successfully entertained the crowds of spectators with death defying acts until tragedy struck in 1924. On March 2, Bertha Horchem fell to her death during a loop stunt in San Antonio, Texas. On October 12, Ruth Garver "Champion Lady Parachute Jumper", fell to her death from one thousand feet in the air with a tangled parachute. Later that same year on November 12, Cyle Horchem slipped and fell to his death as he attempted to climb onto a wing while in flight. Karl Garver continued to perform at air shows but eventually sold his airplanes and died of alcohol poisoning in 1926.

Great American Circus, Salina, Kansas
Date: Between 1880s and 1890s
This photograph shows a street scene of the Great American Circus in Salina, Kansas. In the foreground crowds of people are visible gathered along the street as gentlemen on horseback ride past the spectators.