Sparks Circus in United States

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Sparks Circus


Typecircus
Closed down1932
Country United States
Related persons
OwnerJohn H. Sparks
?-1928: Charlie Sparks (adopted)
1928-?: American Circus Corporation
Ringling brothers
Zoological department
Directors 1911-1918: Fritz Brunner
(menagerie superintendent)
Elephant department
Elephant Superintendent 1924-1931: Walter McClain
1916-: Paul Jacobi
-1942: Louis Reed
-1923: Louis Reed
Elephant Trainer 1923-1924: Walter McClain
1911-1914: Paul Jacobi
-1916: Louis Reed
Elephant keepers
-1916: Walter Eldridge
Record history
History of updates2025-03-30: text & source added 2025-03-30:
Latest document update2025-03-30 14:02:13
Description

Sparks Circus, United States . Sparks Circus closed down in 1932.

Casualties

1 casualties
  1. 1916-09-12: elephant keeper Walter Eldridge fatal attack by Sparks Mary. Eldridge started to punish her, but she grabbed him with the trunk, right around the waist and throwed him against the side of the drink stand and crushed him. When he hit the ground the elephant set his foot on his head and blood and brains and stuff squirted all over the street † Walter Eldridge Died 1916-09-12, Kingsport. Eldridge was hired as elephant groom at 11th of September in St. Paul, Virginia, and was killed after one day on duty.

Comments / picturesCircus began in the 1890s as the John H, Sparks Old Virginia Shows, established by John H. Wiseman (1863-1903). He used the name of Sparks on all of his entertainment shows and legally changed his name to John H. Sparks. He died on January 29, 1903.

Sparks Circus in United States United+StatesSparks family


1911-04-13: The management of the Sparks shows have made it a study for years to give a circus program replete in all particulars, and knowing full well the importance of some high-class animal acts on the program, have this year imported from Germany several acts that cannot fall to create a sensation. The Germans have made an! mal training a fine art. and some of the most notable animal acts in this country are but copies of the wonderful acts as they are produced across the water. The acts Imported from Germany this season include a spectacular equine drill and pyramid performance by a Group of Arabian stallions that its said to be the most beautiful piece pf horse training ever attempted. The Herd of performing elephants under the direction of their German trainer, Paul Jacoby, will produce groupings, pyramids and maneuvers heretofore thought impossible.


1917: Walter McClain started 1917 as candy butcher at Sparks Circus, became assistant to Louis Reed in 1923, and Elephant superintendent 1924-1931.

References for records about Sparks Circus

Recommended Citation

Koehl, Dan (2025). Sparks Circus, Elephant Encyclopedia. Available online at https://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=338. (archived at the Wayback machine)

Sources used for this article is among others:


Sparks Circus on elephant-news.com

Sparks Circus is mentioned on Elephant News:

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2020-09-13Today in elephant history: sept. 13 - Elephant News


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