Sparks Circus in United States


Sparks Circus


Typecircus
OwnerJohn H. Sparks
?-1928: Charlie Sparks (adopted)
1928-?: American Circus Corporation
Ringling brothers
Closed down1932
Country United States
Directors?-1903: John Sparks
1903-1928: Charlie Sparks (adopted)
Key People
Veterinarians
Elephant department
Head keepers
of elephants		-1923: Louis Reed
(elephant superintendent)
1923-1924: Walter McClain
(assistant superintendent)
1924-1931: Walter McClain
(elephant superintendent)
Elephant keepers -1916: Walter Eldridge (elephant keeper)
Record history
History of updates2022-04-16
Latest document update2022-04-16 14:45:59
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 Mary (Big Mary, Murderous 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.

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:


Litterature about Sparks Circus

Recommended Litterature:

Relevant literature As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Sparks Circus on elephant-news.com

Sparks Circus is mentioned on Elephant News:

DateLinks which opens in new window
2020-09-13Today in elephant history: sept. 13 - Elephant News


Search more with Google for Sparks CircusThe link will automatically include Sparks Circus and open a new browser window.


Search more on the Internet Web for Sparks CircusThe link will automatically include Sparks Circus and open a new browser window

Categories circus in United States | United States Portal | northamerica Portal


About this documentThis document was updated: 2022-04-16 14:45:59 with valid HTML5 Valid CSS


Disclaimer & Privacy
Elephant Consultant Dan Koehl
Sweden: Kårbodavägen 39, S-184 97 Ljusterö
Cambodia: c/o Lindas, Sok San Road, Siem Reap
Thailand: c/o Maetaman Homestay, Chiang Mai
Email: webmaster@elephant.se

Your ip: 18.189.182.32

Visitors to Website
For Live update, click!