THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO MY TWIN BROTHER, BILL DYKES (1943-1995). WE WERE NOT ONLY BROTHERS BUT PARTNERS IN BUSINESS AND BEST FRIENDS! AND TO ALL THE "BUTCHERS" THAT HAVE PASSED ON TO THE BIG LOT IN THE SKY!


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2014 Convention

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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

CIRCO BRANDON--MEXICO (FROM BOB COX) #1


Heres a few pics of the Brandon Circus... Its a family affair as many circuses are in Mexico, theres probably about 150 to 200 one ring family circuses traveling year round in Mexico.The Brandon Circus is opening here on New Years Day for a week stand, I'll send more pics later. Bob

CIRCO BRANDON, MEXICO (FROM BOB COX) #2

The Padilla Family






Tuesday, December 30, 2008

BENNER'S AMUSEMENTS FIRE--DEC 21, 2008







DAYTON, PA ARMSTRONG COUNTY FAIR FAIR 1973

This was our 1st "Professional Garbage Joint"
We purchased it from Paul Goldfarb out on Long Island.
Mr Goldfarb was the gentleman that invented the "Goldfarb Balloon Inflater"
Dayton, PA is a little town nestled in the Hills of Northwestern PA.
We used to joke that tyhe only thing to do in town on Sundays was
to visit the Mister Softee Truck!
But the Fair there was the Armstrong County Fair and they drew over
30,000 people for the week. We must have played that fair at least 4 or 5 years,
Little Richard had the carnival contract.

PENNY BROS CIRCUS 1961

Penny Bros, if I'm not mistaken was owned by George Penny.
The photos were taken by LIFE magazine in the south,
they were part of a story about Charles "Doc" Boas.
I'll post the photos of Doc Boas from this article tomorrow.

PENNY BROS CIRCUS 1961

"part of the satisfied audience on Penny Bros Circus"
Life identifies this shot as the cookhouse on Penny Bros.

Can you identify the three people in this photo?
Leave a comment and tomorrow I'll answer the question my self!



Saturday, December 27, 2008

CIRCO TIHANY VIDEO

CIRCUS TIHANY (MEXICO) BOB COX #3










Sorry I tried a new way to post this morning and I posted in the wrong order!
I'll know better the next time, maybe!




CIRCUS TIHANY (MEXICO) BOB COX #2

Well a pretty girl is worth seeing twice!









CIRCUS TIHANY--MEXICO (BOB COX) #1

That has to be Bob on the right and I'm guessing Mr Tihany
I'm also guessing that this must have been the 50th Anniversary of the show.
Please correct Me if I'm wrong Bob.
Unfortunately Bob didn't send any commentary on the photos.













Friday, December 26, 2008







FROM BOB COX:

Dick... I just got notice today about a friend of mine who died about two months ago, because he wasn't an "Artiste" or in management his death went unnoticed. His name was Jack Molinara, he was a Candy Butcher on the Beatty Cole Circus for years and also on the Ringling Show, he was also a first class rigger and one of the nicest people you could meet. If you could just mention this so people who knew him would know I'd appreciate it.
He died in Sarasota at a Social Security retirement home after a bout with Cancer & heart problems. He did military service in the Navy and per his wishes he was cremated and his ashes were cast into Sarasota Bay. May he rest in Peace.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008


DAVENPORT FAMILY & "BUTCH"

"Butch", baby female Indian elephant in the Dailey Circus, making herself one of the family in the Davenport household. The Davenports own the circus.Location: Gonzalez, TX, US Date taken: 1948 Photographer: Cornell Capa
Photo & Caption from LIFE Magazine

DAILEY BROS CIRCUS

Dailey Elephants"Butch" (R), baby female Indian elephant, with other elephants in the Dailey Circus.Location: Gonzalez, TX, US Date taken: 1948 Photographer: Cornell Capa

FROM LIFE MAGAZINE--

Circus performers clowning around during a break from the show.Location: US Date taken: May 1961 Photographer: Francis Miller
Czech midget showman Baron Richard Nowak, 19, stands 19 inches high & weighs 17 lbs., while posing on pedestal on the midway at the Hamid-Morton Circus next to one of the band's tuba players.Location: Trenton, NJ, US Date taken: July 1940 Photographer: John Phillips

Audience enjoying the circus.Location: Walla Walla, WA, US Date taken: August 1945 Photographer: Hans Wild

photos and captions from LIFE Magazine.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

MOTORDROME


MRS EARL PURTLE--LION MOTORDROME

Mrs. Earl Purtle and her Husband Earl were around a long time with a Lion Motordrome.
The first time I saw them I was a kid and they were on the John H. Marks Shows,
"The Mile-Long Pleasure Trail"
I beleive they were from Richmond, VA,

WALL OF DEATH MOTORDROME

MOTORDROME LION ACT

Lion Act presented in the Motordrome on
Hennies Bros Shows.


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