By C. A. S.
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus had previously finished their last show on June 1, 1918 and were preparing to leave for their next location they were to perform at. They performed a charity show for the inmates in the State Penitentiary located in Michigan City, Indiana.[1] They were setting off to perform on June 22nd at Hammond, Indiana. They had previously performed in Hammond in 1907, 1910, 1912, and 1914 and this performance was to be no different than the ones before. Most of their traveling occurred at night, when most of the trains were not on the railroads. This trip was thought to be no different. Everyone was exhausted from a long week of performing. They were comforted by the fact that they were able to rest on a long relaxing train ride, or so they thought.
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
Benjamin E. Wallace, a resident of Peru, Indiana, was a lumber yard and livery owner.[2] Benjamin E. Wallace dreamed of one day running his own circus. Wallace began first by acquiring various and essential equipment with James Anderson, who was his business partner. They purchased equipment from the W.C Coup Circus and the Nathan and Co.’s Circus. On April 26, 1884, the “Wallace and Co.’s Great World Menagerie, Grand International Mardi Gras, Highway Holiday Hidalgo, and Alliance of Novelties Circus” opened in Peru, Indiana.[3] Wallace became the main proprietor of the renamed “B.E. Wallace Circus” when he bought out James Anderson’s share in 1890.
Carl Hagenbeck, who was an animal trainer and importer, had been exhibiting various animal shows in Europe and the United States since 1877.[4] Carl Hagenbeck then opened the “Carl Hagenbeck Circus” in 1903. Shortly after, Benjamin E. Wallace purchased Carl Hagenbeck’s circus and combined both of their circuses. Thus, in 1907 the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was established. The Circus was sold in May of 1913 to Edward W. Ballard, John O. Talbot, and C.E. Cory (the nephew of Benjamin E. Wallace). Edward W. Ballard, Bert Bowers, and Jerry Mugivan took ownership of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in 1918.[5] Later in 1918, the three of them formed the American Circus Corporation. John Nicholas Ringling bought the American Circus Corporation in 1929 for a total of 1.9 million dollars.[6] John Nicholas Ringling decided to close the circus in 1938 after running it several years.
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus became the second largest and most popular circus following behind the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, which was the most successful circus in the United States.[7] The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus traveled far and wide performing all across the country. The Circus collected large sums of currency, specifically silver, from their shows. The banks did not allow for the Circus to deposit such large sums of money. Benjamin E. Wallace did not want the money to be stolen, so he shipped it in barrels that were labeled as nails back to Peru, Indiana. The headquarters in Peru, Indiana are now used as the International Circus Hall of Fame. Wallace organized a bank, (Wabash Valley Trust, which was later renamed the Wabash Valley Bank), that was able to handle large transactions.[8]
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus suffered from various tragedies that they faced over the years. The Circus experienced two train wrecks in 1903. The circus train wrecked for the first time on July 16, 1903 in Shelbyville, Illinois.[9] This accident resulted in two deaths and four injured people. A couple weeks later the circus train wrecked again in Durand, Michigan on August 6, 1903, resulting in 121 people injured and 35 deaths.[10] The Wabash River flooded in 1913 nearby where the circus was stationed for the winter.[11] The flood came so quickly and unexpectedly that the circus employees were unable to react to the disaster in time. The circus employees were unable to save the animals and equipment from the flood on time. The flooded caused a huge financial set back because the circus lost vital equipment and animals, such as their horses and elephants. These various events were devastating to the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, but the disaster of June 1918 struck an incomparable blow to the circus and was known to be one of the biggest circus train wrecks in the history of the United States.
June 22, 1918
The Circus Train
The Circus prepared for their travel to Hammond, Indiana for their performance that was expected to start at 10 o’clock on June 22.[12] The first train took off at one o’clock that morning, packed with all of the equipment and show and work animals. It was very common for circuses to have multiple trains to transport all of their equipment, animals, and personnel quickly and efficiently to their next locations. The second train was to be pulled by Engine Extra 7826.[13] This train consisted of 26 cars, which included seven stock cars, fourteen flatbeds (used for the circus wagons and work trucks), and four Pullman sleeping cars.[14] The second train loaded the rest of the equipment and personnel and headed on their way to Hammond at 2:30 in the morning. The passengers were sound asleep in the Pullman sleeping cars. There was only one car that had electric lighting, so the rest of the cars were lit with oil and kerosene lamps. The cab of the engine held the fireman Clyde Phillips, engineer Gasper, and the front brakeman Curtis Aust.[15] The train conductor R.W. Johnson, train master Fred Whipple, and the rear brakeman Oscar Timm occupied the caboose.[16]
Military Troop Train
Alonzo Sargent was a 28 year-old Michigan Central veteran and Kalamazoo engineer. On June 21, he was called into work at 5 o’clock that evening. Sargent was in desperate need of sleep due to his inability to sleep the night before. Alonzo Sargent then received orders three hours later to operate Engine Extra 8485.[17] Sargent took off from Kalamazoo at 10:55 pm with an empty 21-car military troop train. Sargent rode alone with his fireman, Gustave Klauss.[18]
The military troop train stopped to fill the water tanks at Michigan City at 2:47 am and quickly got back on its way ten minutes later.[19] Sargent found that the travel was very slow because they were stuck behind a slower traveling train. Sargent had to slow down many times until the train pulled off onto another track. It was a cold night and the firebox warmed up the cab very quickly. Soon, Sargent became very drowsy and fell asleep.
World War I
World War I began in 1914, but the United States did not officially become involved in the war until April 6, 1917. Before the United States entered the war, they tried to stay neutral and provided supplies to Britain and other Allied Powers. Before Indiana was involved in the war, there raged a war within the state. There was a large number of German immigrants and residents that resided in Indiana. These German-Americans were poorly looked upon and discriminated against in society. They were thought to be spies that were sent from Germany to collect information about situations that were happening within the United States.
There were around 4 million military personnel that were mobilized from the United States and 130,000 of those soldiers were sent out from Indiana.[20] There was a large number of deaths that the United States experienced at the time of World War I. Many of these deaths happened within the heat of battle, but a large number of deaths occurred due to the Spanish Influenza.[21] Indiana attempted to find ways that would prevent this deadly influenza from spreading, but these efforts were little to no help at ceasing it from spreading.
During World War I, the United States kept the railroads very busy with transporting troops to the east coast to send off to fight that were brought from across the country. After reaching the east coast, the trains would take off empty to pick up more soldiers to send off. Extra Engine 8485 was used as one of the trains that would transport soldiers to mobilize for the war.[22] The 21-car steel Pullman was returning from dropping soldiers off at the east coast. Sargent made a quick stop in Kalamazoo, Michigan before he continued his trip to Chicago to pick up more troops.[23]
The Unexpected Accident
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus’ second train stopped around 4 o’clock am to check an overheated wheel bearing box from one of the flatcars. The train pulled halfway into the switch with the front part of the train on the Gary and Western Railroad tracks and the rear on the Michigan City Railroad tracks. The train had sent off two yellow signals of caution and two red signals of warning.[24] Oscar Timm was sent to the back of the train to keep watch. Timm saw up ahead that a train was approaching quickly and threw a flare to warn the train to stop. Sargent was driving this train and ignored all of the signs as he drew closer to the circus train. Timm was frantic and threw his lantern into the front window of Sargent’s train. Suddenly, the troop train rear ended the stationary circus train. The troop train was traveling at 60 miles per hour. The troop train smashed all three sleeping cars before it stopped. The impact of the troop train killed those who were sleeping in the cars instantly within 35 seconds. Due to the oil and kerosene lamps that were lit in the cabins, the whole train went up in flames. The fire viciously consumed many lives and burned the people beyond recognition.
Surgeons and nurses were dispatched from Hammond, Gary, Whiting, Chicago, and other nearby towns to help with all of the affected victims. The Gary Fire Department responded to the incident and tried to put out the flames, but were unable to due to the lack of water that was available in that area.[25] Those who were stuck in the fire refused to be rescued in attempts to prevent others from going into the fire. Many efforts were made in attempts to save those circus personnel, but the impact of the wreck was astonishing.
Showmen’s Rest
The Showmen’s League of America purchased a plot of land in 1916 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois at the intersection of Des Plaines Avenue and Cermak Road.[26] This plot of land was named the Showmen’s Rest and was reserved for the burial of circus employees (such as the circus crew) and circus performers. Showmen’s Rest consists of 750 graves of circus personnel. The plot only had burials for people, no animals were buried here. The plot is encircled by five white elephants. These elephants were sculpted with their trunks lowered showing signs of mourning. These elephant statues are important because the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was known for presenting the most extravagant elephant acts ever seen.[27]
A desire and well known saying that drives the passion of a circus is a performers wanting to never “leave the boards” of the stage. This desire and passion is still lived out to this day to recognize and honor those performers who lost their lives and are buried at Showmen’s Rest. A private memorial service for these fallen performers is held each year in August during International Clown Week. The circus then performs a public performance in honor and remembrance of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus performers.
The Burials
The final calculation of those who were involved in the devastation was concluded. Various newspapers reported that out of the 400 people aboard the circus train, 86 people were killed and 127 were injured.[28] The people were reported to have been killed either from the initial impact of the empty troop train or the untamable fire. There were still others who had gone missing and were never found. Edward W. Ballard reported that there were around 60 people who remain missing. The Rooney family (bareback riders), the Meyers family (animal trainers), the Cottrell family (bareback riders), Rosie Rosiland (equestrienne), the Donovan family (elephant trainers), and Robert Ellis and his wife (aerialists) were among those who were reported to be missing.[29] Those who had lost their lives in this unexpected disaster were buried in Showmen’s Rest. The burial and memorial for these people took place directly five days after the accident. A Catholic priest and a Protestant clergyman equally lead the memorial service.
Out of all the people that were recorded to have been killed, only 24 of these bodies were identified.[30] Those who were identified received their own grave with their identifiable information on the tombstone. Many of the bodies that were unrecognizable were renamed as unknown male/female and then given an identification number. These unknown bodies were mostly buried in bigger graves altogether. “Baldy” and “Smiley” were two performers that were buried under their show names. Jennie May Ward Todd, Joe Coyle and his family, and the “Great Dieckx Brothers”, Arthur Dieckx and Max Nietzborn, were some of the few performers who were identified.
Victims
Jennie May Ward Todd was one of the many whom were tragically killed in the crash. Jennie was born on December 8, 1889 and was 29 years old at the time of the accident.[31] She was a young but extremely talented circus performer. She performed as one of the “Flying Wards”. Jennie was married to Alexander William Todd. Jennie performed with her brother, Edward, and Edward’s wife, Mayme.[32] Edward was seriously injured, but fortunately Mayme was able to escape without any serious injuries.
Joe Coyle was born in 1881 and always held the nickname “Big Joe”.[33] As a kid, he knew that he wanted to be a performer. He started performing in 1901 in the W.H. Harris Nickel Plate Show by singing and performing on his bicycle. Later he left to join the John Robinson Big Ten Show. Joe was able to get good experience before he joined the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus as a clown. He and his wife, Stella had a nine-year-old son, Howard, and a two-year-old, Joe Jr.[34] Joe Jr. was also considered “Little Joe” after the nickname that his father had. Traveling with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, Joe was unable to see his family often. Joe was very thankful that his family was able to come and support him at his performance in Illinois and travel with him on the train June 22, 1918.[35] His family planned to travel to with him then take a trip back home once they reached Hammond, Indiana. Unfortunately, Joe’s happiness of having his family travel with him quickly dissipated. Joe watched as his wife and two sons were crushed and burned to death. Joe was rescued and taken away to the hospital. Later, Joe also passed due to terrible injuries from the crash.
Aftermath
The Show Must Go On
The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus lost many of their clowns, bareback riders, trapeze performers, and acrobat veterans. The losses that they faced were devastating for the friends and family of those who perished, as well as for the continuing on of the show. Thanks to their circus competitors, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus only missed the show that was to take place in Hammond, Indiana. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey helped the circus by providing necessary equipment and performers to help them finish their performance schedule for that season. They performed their next show in Beloit, Wisconsin.[36]
Sargent’s Charges
Alonzo Sargent was then brought to court to testify about the wreck. Oscar Timm, the flagman for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train, explained that there were many yellow and red signals that Sargent ignored.[37] He also explained that he lit a flare when he saw the train coming from a mile away. As the train moved closer, Timm threw his lantern into the front window and noticed that he was unable to see the engineer. Later, Timm explained that Sargent was asked by a circus personnel how the wreck happened and said that Sargent told him that he had been sleeping.
Gustave Klauss was on the troop train as Sargent’s fireman. He was a previously new fireman. Klauss testified that he saw the lantern thrown into the cab and realized what was about to happen. He screamed to get Sargent’s attention, but was so struck with fear that he was unable to recall whether or not Sargent attempted to respond.[38]
Alonzo Sargent refused to confess what had happened to have caused the wreck. He said that there was an abundant amount of steam that inhibited him from seeing any of the signals that were set off.[39] Later, Sargent admitted that he had fallen asleep and was the reason that the crash happened. Sargent was charged with manslaughter and charged for failure of not following the rules of the railroad by blowing his whistle to have alerted the other train.[40]
Conclusion
The train wreck of June 22, 1918 still stands as being the worst circus train wreck in US history. Many lives were forever changed due the mistake of one man. After the wreck, a regulation was put into effect that required for train crews to have had a certain number of hours of sleep at the least before operating the train. Many regulations were put in place in attempts to make the railroads safer to travel upon. In the years following, the railroad became a safe and fun way to travel and transport various resources most effectively.
[1] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[2] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[3] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[4] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[5] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[6] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[7] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[8] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[9] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[10] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[11] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[12] “Showmen’s Rest,” <http://www.showmensleague.org/showmens-rest>, 2012. 18 February 2014. (1).
[13] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[14] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[15] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[16] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[17] “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus,” < http://www.circusesandsideshows.com/circuses/hagenbeckwallacecircus.html>, 2013. 18 February 2014. (1).
[18] “Showmen’s Rest,” <http://www.showmensleague.org/showmens-rest>, 2012. 18 February 2014. (1).
[19] “The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918, Part 2,” http://regionrambler.com/features/history/the-great-circus-train-wreck-of-1918-part-2/, 2014. 18 February 2014. (1).
[20] “World War I,” Indiana Historical Society, 18 February 2014. (1).
[21] “World War I,” Indiana Historical Society, 18 February 2014. (1).
[22] “The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918, Part 2,” http://regionrambler.com/features/history/the-great-circus-train-wreck-of-1918-part-2/, 2014. 18 February 2014. (1).
[23] “61 Dead, 179 Hurt in Circus Wreck: Wallace-Hagenbeck Cars Destroyed,” New York Times, 23 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (6).
[24] “Wreck Inquest Opens Today, As Circus Goes On,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 24 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (3).
[25] “Wreck Inquest Opens Today, As Circus Goes On,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 24 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (3).
[26] “62 Bodies From Wreck: 85 Killed In Circus Train Disaster, Is Belief of Manager,” Washington Post, 24 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (5).
[27] “The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918, Part 2,” http://regionrambler.com/features/history/the-great-circus-train-wreck-of-1918-part-2/, 2014. 18 February 2014. (1).
[28] “Says Engineer Was Sleeping: Railway Lawyer Fixes Responsibility For Wreck,” Los Angeles Times, 25 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (15).
[29] “Circus Lists 60 Dead: 129 Others in Gary Train Wreck Sent To the Hospital,” Washington Post, 23 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (1).
[30] “Eighty-Five Dead Total In Circus Train Wreck,” Los Angeles Times, 24 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (13).
[31] “Jennie May Ward Todd,” , 7 July 2009. 18 February 2014. (1).
[32] “Jennie May Ward Todd,” , 7 July 2009. 18 February 2014. (1).
[33] “Wreck Inquest Opens Today, As Circus Goes On: 62 Bodies Found, While 23 More Are Believed Fused In Cinders,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 24 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (3).
[34] “Wreck Inquest Opens Today, As Circus Goes On: 62 Bodies Found, While 23 More Are Believed Fused In Cinders,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 24 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (3).
[35] “Wreck Inquest Opens Today, As Circus Goes On: 62 Bodies Found, While 23 More Are Believed Fused In Cinders,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 24 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (3).
[36] “One Funeral for 53 Wreck Dead Here Tomorrow,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 25 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (5).
[37] “One Funeral for 53 Wreck Dead Here Tomorrow,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 25 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (5).
[38] “Arrest Wreck Engineer: Fireman Also Must Explain 61 Circus Dead,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 23 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (1).
[39] “Arrest Wreck Engineer: Fireman Also Must Explain 61 Circus Dead,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 23 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (1).
[40] “One Funeral for 53 Wreck Dead Here Tomorrow,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 25 June 1918. 18 February 2014. (5).
