Walter L. Main Circus Train Wreck, Tyrone, PA, 1893

On May 30 1893,  A Circus Train Crashed Near Tyrone - Killing 7, wounding 19, and releasing Lions, Tigers, Apes and Elephants throughout the area.

Wait a Minute – let me see

Yes, Decoration Day 1893

Just 50 years ago that would be

It’s the date of the wreck of the Great Main Show

I was there so I guess I ought to know

5:30 in the morning it struck this blow

There were 7 good men all killed outright

I’ll never forget that awful sight

A hundred horses and animals died

30 cars went over the moun­tain side

The entire show was a tangled mess

I never saw the like I must confess

Frank Train our Treasurer died in the smash

He sold the tickets and handled the cash

Those men all died right where they lay

Never even had a chance to pray

It was the saddest event of my life I know

That terrible Wreck of the Great Main Show.

- Archie Royer, Principal Clown in the 1893 Circus

Walter L. Main had been born in Chatham Ohio on July 13th 1862, the son of a horse trader.  Walter's father William was in charge of a team of horses that hauled the big top for a traveling wagon show, when Walter was a young boy. By 1877, William Main was the hostler of the Hamlton and Sargents New York Circus.  Walter joined his father, becoming the youngest manager ever known.  Midway through the 1881 season, Walter became general agent, and by 1883, father and son left winter quarters with the largest wagon show in America.  It included 114 horses, ten cages, two camels, and an elephant.

In 1891, Walter L. Main had a ten car circus.  In 1893, his circus train  boasted seventeen large carriers averaging between seventy and seventy-five feet in length. It included 25 show wagons, several chariots, buggies, a steam calliope, and other assorted vehicles.

The circus train carried  sixteen cages,  housing the wild animals, including:  130 horses, two elephants, two tigers, three lions, two panthers, cows, camels, anteaters, an Australian agouti, “Man Slayer the Ape,” many snakes, and rare and colorful birds and monkeys.  A brilliant white stallion was valued at $35,000 - in 1893.  [That translates to more than 1 million dollars today.]

The circus had been traveling through Western Pennsylvania & Ohio, and in the second half of may, it had been in  Franklin, Kittanning, DuBois, Punxsutawney, Johnson-burg, Emporium, Lock Haven, Bellefonte and, on May 29, Houtzdale, in Clearfield County Pa.

This photo shows an unknown circus in Lock Haven PA.  Many circus companies came to Lock Haven, so that does not mean that this was the Walter L. Maine Circus - but it would have been in the same basic time frame.

On the evening of May 29th, the circus broke camp, loaded cars, equipment, and gear on the railroad cars waiting on the siding next to the circus grounds.  The circus was scheduled to be in Lewistown the following day.  Once the cars were loaded, they traveled five miles to Osceloa Mills.  At Osceola Mills, the train was split into three sections, to move to the summit. 

From Vail to the base of Summit, the rails ascended a steep mountain.  The line was constructed with 10 miles of  unusual twists and turns, in order to overcome the mounts 1,040 feet elevation. Still, finished grades were as steep as 2.86 percent, and freight descending the mountain often reached 16 miles an hour.

When Engineer M.S. "Red" Cresswell surveyed the long train, he was apprehensive.  Cresswell approached William Snyder, the conductor, and suggested an additional engine be added for more breaking power.  Snyder reluctantly wired the superintendent at Tyrone to request the additional engine, but was told that one engine could do the job.  “Let’s save the expense of an additional engine and crew.”   The superintendent was not aware that the Walter Main Circus train cars were 75 feet long - nearly twice the length of standard railroad cars.

At 5:09 am, the train began to descend the steeply pitched Allegheny mountain.  Before long, the train was picking up speed, and the brakes were losing their hold.  The train sped around Big Fill Curve, through Gardner, and around Van Soyac Horseshow Curve.  Soon a few performers roused from their sleep, sensing the train was out of control.

"The wreck occurred at McCann's crossing, the scene of so many wrecks on the mountain."

As the train thundered across McCann's crossing, barreling into the second half of the reverse curve, the engineer felt a thump.  Looking back, he saw the tender, followed by car after car, bounce off the track and plunge over the embankment.

Engineer Cresswell hurried to the telegraph office to report the catastrophe. A  wreck train arrived on the scene two hours later.  News of the wreck reached Tyrone, and thousands visited the site.  Residents offered their homes and and businesses invited the circus people to take what they needed, without charge.  Early in the afternoon a special train arrived to take the injured to the hospital in Altoona.  By late afternoon, large tents had been erected as temporary shelters for the people and animals.

DEAD.

WILLIAM HEVERLY, brakeman, Tyrone.

FRANK TRAIN, treasurer of circus, Indianapolis, Ind.

JAMES STRAYER, laborer, Houtzdale.

WILLIAM LEE, laborer, Lincoln, Neb.

BARNEY MULTANEY, laborer, New York.

INJURED.

JOHN CHAMBERS, colored, aged 30, Mercersburg, Pa., right hand bitten by lion.

ARTHUR RICHARDS, Butler county, Pa., age 18, laceration of left upper eyelid.

GEORGE CORTEN, Hollidaysburg, contusion of chest.

FRANK BARNETT, Tarentum, Pa., age 20, contusion of left arm and hand and laceration of thumb.

WILLIS O'BANNON, Chambersburg, Pa., age 30, wounds of scalp and face.

DAVID JONES, Harrisburg, Pa., age 33, sprain of right thigh.

FRANK MORSE, Rochester, N.Y., age 18, eyebrow and scalp wound.

WILLIAM EVANS, Williamstown, Pa., aged 19, laceration of right ankle and probable internal injury; condition critical.

WILLIAM E. PATCHELL, Dubois, Pa., age 20, contusion of left knee.

JAMES WILLIAM HANEY, Alberton, Westmoreland county, Pa., age 27, contusion of right shoulder and scalp wounds, right ear nearly torn off.

LOUIE CHAMPAIGN, Rochester, N.Y., serious internal injuries, unconscious.

On Wednesday, a large, 7 foot deep,  trench was dug to bury the dead animals.  

"The bodies of the five dead men were brought to Tyrone and prepared for burial at the undertaking establishment of Burley & Graham. Tyrone physicians were early on the scene and furnished all possible relief to the wounded who were conveyed on a special train to the Altoona hospital. There Chambers, Richards, Corten and Barnett, who were only slightly injured, received necessary treatment and left for their homes. The other seven wounded men remained at the hospital."

William Lee, Barney Multaney, and William Heverly were all buried in the Tyrone Cemetery.  Residents of Tyrone lined the streets while the circus bands escorted the bodies.  The body of Frank Train was placed aboard the Pacific Express West, to be sent home to his mother in Indianapolis, which had been his dying wish.

One account states that Mereb Main, Walter’s mother and circus book­keeper, heard Frank Train calling from the crushed ticket car. She grabbed a broom and, swinging it about her, forged a path through the dazed wild animals to the car im­prisoning him. A beam lay across Train’s sunken chest. Sensing his fate he whispered to Mrs. Main, “I am dying. Would you send my body and effects to my widowed mother in Indianapolis, Indiana?” When the beam was hoisted two hours later, he was dead.

Another states: Train, the treasurer, moaned for help. He was trapped under the rubble and life was seeping from his body.  Seeing their lodge brother’s plight, about 30 Knights of Pythias members who worked for Main prioritized his rescue. For the next two hours, they lifted, grunted and pushed in a valiant effort to free Train from the debris.  “Hurry up, boys, if you’re going to do anything for me, or I’ll die,” Train moaned.  "Die he did, even as the last piece of timber was removed from his wooden prison."

"At 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, May 31, the funeral of William Ebberly took place. The procession was headed by Mr. Main's band, and followed by the Tyrone order of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, the friends, and more than 100 employees of the circus. At 5 o'clock a special train brought in 100 canvasmen from the wreck, and the colored band of the circus proceeded to the undertaking establishment of Barley & Graham, from where they accompanied the bodies of the two unfortunate companions to the Tyrone cemetery, where the funeral ceremonies were conducted by Rev. R. H. Gilbert. In the funeral the march to the cemetery was a sad scene, and each one seemed deeply affected."

An additional death occurred when Robert Gates, a member of the wreck crew, was hit by a rope when it snapped.  

"Strange to say, the elephants and camels, the heaviest animals of the lot, were not injured in the least, and were apparently enjoying themselves as if nothing had happened"

"Three lions escaped.  One was quickly caught and caged.  Another was lassoed and tied to a tree by a colored attendant of the show, but a third is still at large, although there is no fear of his escape, as he is the quietest of the three."

The skull of the tiger shot by a local farmer hangs at the Tyrone Sportsmans Club.

"Two tigers belonged to the show, and both got away.  One was caged safely, but the other met his fate at the hands of Alfred Thomas, a native of McCann’s Crossing.  Mr. Thomas is a farmer, and his wife was attending to the milking of the cows at about 6 o’clock this morning when the tiger leaped into the yard, and, seeing one of the cows, killed it.  Mrs. Thomas went into the house and alarmed Mr. Thomas, who got his rifle and killed the tiger."

The “man-slaying” ape sat on a nearby stump and hissed, but several workers were able to surround him, lasso him, and tie him to a nearby tree.

"All the animals that were saved roamed around loose, seemingly content with their freedom, and not caring to abuse it by running off. The water buffalo, two camels, a dromedary, two elephants, a zebra, yak, hyena and many small animals from different parts of the world did not wander far from the wreck, although unrestrained. Many of the smaller animals were not injured, though their cages were crushed about them. None of them seemed at all nervous or excited, but browsed contentedly or wallowed in the creek nearby as through it was an every-day occurrence."

"Fifty Horses Were Killed Outright, and Others Were so Injured that They Will Have to be Killed-The Elephants and Camels Safe-Many Animals Escaped to the Woods-A Tiger Made for a Farmhouse and Killed a Cow, Being in Turn Killed by the Farmer-Scenes About the Wreck."

Nine days after the tragedy, the Walter L. Main circus performed in Tyrone, as a thank you to the town who had taken them in.  When the show ended, the performers bowed to thunderous and appreciative applause.  Years later, Walter Main  said “After fifty years it is a solemn moment to tell you that I am still alive and well, and that after this half-century I have not forgotten the unselfish kindness and helpful­ness on the part of your parents and grandparents during my dark hour of trial at the McCann’s Crossing, May 30, 1893, and to those who are still living and at the time rendered help and encouragement, I send a special mes­sage of thanks and grateful­ness, hoping we can meet again.”

The circus returned to Tyrone in 1895, and the route book includes these details:

This is a beautiful little city at the fool of the mountains, on Tyrone and Clearfield R.R. where two years ago on morning of May 30, the Walter L. Main Snow train was wrecked, six men killed outright, besides a dozen others badly injured. Sixty valuable horses lay dead in a space less than 100 feet in width, others wounded. Animals of all kinds roaming at large, with all wagons, cages and cars (except sleeping cars) broken in thousands of pieces. In circus annals this is known as the greatest and most complete wreck of a circus train in the world. The press throughout the country was given full details, which was covered in the Walter L. Main Route Book of 1894, and we think that a lengthy account at this date would be out of place.

A restored Walter L. Maine Wagon

The arrival of our train in Tyrone, this beautiful Sunday morning brought back to many the horrible scenes enacted here two years ago. Those who were with us in 1893, and are still with the circus, explained to our new comrades with greatest elo­quence, of the kind of treatment they all received during the eight days they remained in Tyrone, from the citizens. Their doors were thrown open and all made welcome. In memory of those buried in Tyrone cemetery, a procession formed at 2 P.M. consisting of all attaches of the show. headed by Prof. F. Mont Long’s Military Band, and marched to Tyrone cemetery, to decorate graves of the two unfortunate canvas men and William Ebberly [Heverly], of the rail­road, who lie buried there. At Tyrone cemetery this procession was met by over 3,000 citi­zens, who climbed the hill in advance. Appropriate remarks were made by an accompanying clergy­man. Singing by lady members of the company, music by the band, graves were strewn with flowers, and men bowed with heads uncovered. The scene was a sad one, and each seemed deeply affected. In the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Main and Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, drove out to the spot four miles distance, where the wreck took place. Nothing remains to mark the spot, except a few pieces of broken wagons and cars.

"All told, the financial loss was estimated at around $150,000. Blame for the crash would be placed upon the speed of the train, which caused it to jump the track. As to why the train was going so fast, there were several explanations, but nothing definitive. The engineer and fireman testified that the train was never out of their control and that the derailment occurred when a wheel broke on the tender, causing that car to drop on the ties and the rails to spread, which sent the following cars over the embankment."

The Walter L. Main circus continued until 1905, with Walter continuing to dabble in circuses until his final retirement in 1937.  Main died November 29 1950, at the age of 88.

In 1970, the Tyrone-Clearfield branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad was closed, and the railroad tracks were later removed.  A monument, and a housing development, now stand in the area where the wreck occurred.

A circus elephant laying a memorial wreath in the Tyrone Cemetery in 1958

A scene in the 1952 The Greatest Show On Earth was inspired by the wreck.  A book, Unscheduled Stop: The Town Of Tyrone and the Wreck Of the Walter L. Maine Circus Train was written by Zitzler & OBrian (The book, more than $100 on amazon, is just $15 at the Tyrone Historical Society)

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Other Circus Train Wrecks:

• 8/14/1885 – Eddyville, Iowa:  Two sections of Adam Forepaugh’s circus collided.  No casualties.
• 10/4/1885 – Fergus Falls, Minnesota: A John Robinson’s circus train breaks in two on a steep incline, killing five and injuring 30-40.
• 9/9/1888 – Cincinnati, Ohio: A John Robinson’s circus train is hit from the rear by a freight train.  Four are killed, eighteen wounded.8/7/1903 – Durand, Michigan: A rear collision of two Wallace Brothers circus trains kills 23 and injures 28.  The report from this accident also mentions the strange calm of the elephants, “led out of the wreck without trouble” even though one elephant was killed in the crash.
• P. T. Barnum Great Traveling Exposition, Altoona, IW August 29, 1877 - 6 Killed
• Sells Bros. Circus, Birmingham, Pa., May 1, 1878
• Sells Bros. Circus, Caldwell, Ohio, September 15, 1878 - 1 Injured
• Sells Bros. Circus, Paint Lick, KY, August 1882 - 3 Killed 15 Injured
• W. C. Coup Circus, Cairo, IL. August 19, 1882
• Nathan & Company Circus, Wolcott, NY. September 23, 1882
• S. H. Barrett Circus, Harrodsburg, KY. April 10, 1884
• S. H. Barrett Circus, Abingdon, VA. April 19, 1884
• John Robinson Circus, Fergus Falls MN. October 4, 1885- 8 Killed, 10 Injured
• Frank A. Robbins, Putman, CT. July 7, 1886 - 1 Killed
• Adam Forepaugh, Augusta, Maine, June 16, 1886
• John Robinson Circus, St. Louis, MO. November 4, 1887 - 2 Killed
• John Robinson Circus, Brazil, IN. November 5, 1887
• 1888 Barnum & London, Vassalboro, Maine
• John Robinson Circus, Corwin, Ohio, September 10, 1888
• Barnum & Bailey's Circus, Potsdam, NY. August 22, 1889 - 2 Injured
• Cook & Whitby Circus, Richland Center, WI. July 7, 1892 - 1 Killed
• Cook & Whitby Circus, McGregor, IA, July 8, 1892 - 2 Injured
• Ringling Bros Circus, Concordia, Kans., May 17, 1892 - 2 Killed, 5 Injured
• Ringling Bros Circus, Centralia, Mo., October 18, 1892
• Walter L. Main Circus, Tyrone. PA. May 30, 1893 - 6 Killed, 11 Injured
• Buffalo Bill Wild West, Centralia, WI., September 5, 1896 - 1 Injured.
• Buffalo Bill Wild West, Altoona, Pa., June 1, 1901 - 1 Injured
• Buffalo Bill Wild West, Lexington, NC. October. 20, 1901
• Indian Bill Wild West, Mt. Jewet, Pa., 1901
• John H. Sparks Circus, Veedersburg, IN. September 1, 1902
• Sells & Downs, Choctaw, OK. Sept. 20 1902 - 2 Killed
• Harris-Nickle-Plate Circus, Tifton, GA. November 22, 1902
• Great Wallace, Shelbyville, IL. July 16, 1903 - 2 Killed, 4 Injured
• Wallace Bros. Shows, Durand, MI. August 6, 1903 - 23 Killed, 121 Injured
• Norris & Rowe, Saskatoon, Sask, Can., July 1 1906
• Carl Hagenbeck Circus, Tiger Creek, Ark., October 25, 1906
• Cole Bros., Ashburn, Ga., November 10, 1906
• Hagenbeck-Wallace, Big Rapids, Mich., July 24, 1907
• Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, Saint Paul, Minn. June 25, 1908
• Buffalo Ranch Wild West, Bessemer, AL.
• Campbell Bros. Circus, Oregon River, OR, June 16, 1910
• Campbell Bros. Circus,Sparta, WI., August 16, 1910
• Campbell Bros. Circus,Goliad, TX, December 9, 1910
• Yankee Robinson, Merriland Junction, WI., June 9, 1911
• Con. T. Kennedy Shows (carnival), Columbus, GA. November 22, 1915 - 24 Killed
• Barnum & Bailey, Richfield, Neb., August 12, 1913 - 27 Injured
• Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West, East Somerhill, MA. June 24, 1913 , 3 Injured
• Sells-Floto, Havensville, Kansas, September. 16, 1915
• 101 Ranch Wild West, Virginia October. 2, 1916
• Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, Hammond, IN. June 22, 1918 - 86 Killed, 179 Injured
• Christy Bros. Circus, Cardston AB. Canada May 25, 1920
• Patterson Circus, Girard, KS. July 11, 1922
• Al G. Barnes,, Willows, CA., October. 1, 1924
• Hagenbeck-Wallace, Longview, TX., November 11, 1924
• Heritage Bros., Toronto, OH, May 11, 1926
• Al G. Barnes Circus, Canaan, N. B., Canada July 20, 1930 - 5 Killed, 18 Injured
• Cole Bros Circus, Brainerd, MN., July 27, 1945 - 2 Injured
• Cole Bros Circus, Redding, CA., September 9, 1946
• Clyde Beatty Circus, Hubbard, NE July 10, 1947 - 1 Killed
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Kingstree, SC (fire on board train) December 3, 1974 - 4 Killed
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Lakeland, FL. January . 13, 1994 - 2 Killed

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Robert M. Gates, one of the crew helping with the clean up of the train wreck, was killed when a rope broke while pulling up the tender.

"Robert M. Gates Killed While Working at the Circus Train Wreck. Another fatal accident occurred between 3 and 4 Thursday morning at McCann's crossing along the T. & C. railway, by which Robert M. Gates, one of the workmen of the Tyrone repair shops and wreck crew, met his death. Mr. Gates was engaged with the crew in clearing up the wreck of the Main circus train. At the time of the accident the men were pulling the tender from the bank below to the track by means of a long rope, and Robert Gates and William Lehn jr were working together blocking the car as it was being raised, when the rope broke, and according to the best theory advanced, struck the unfortunate man as he was endeavoring to get out of the way. After he was struck he arose to his feet, then tell backward again to the ground. His companion asked Mr. Gates if he knew him. The stricken man answered  that he did, but never spoke again, and after lingering one hour, he died. There was only a slight bruise upon one eye and a small cut upon the back of his head, and it is thought that internal injuries caused his death. The remains were brought to the undertaking establishment of Burley & Graham in Tyrone and prepared for burial, being conveyed that afternoon to his parents' home at Pennsylvania Furnace. 

The deceased was aged 28 years and was the son of William and Catherine Gates, of Pennsylvania Furnace. Until a year ago he worked upon the farm at home, coming to Tyrone last May, and engaging as a laborer in the Tyrone railroad snaps. Two months ago he was promoted to the repair shop crew. He boarded with Mrs. McMurtrie on Blair avenue. An excellent and industrious young man, he is deeply mourned by all who knew him. He was a member of Camp 606 P. O. S. of A., of Pennsylvania Furnace, and had been a member of the Sheridan Troop for three years, his time of enlistment expiring last April. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church. Surviving the deceased are his parents, one sister and four brothers, Mila. Frank, Thomas, William and Roland

 An especially sad feature of the accident, too, is that he was betrothed to an excellent young lady of Tyrone, to whom the blow comes with grievous force. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. S. Ermentrout at the home of the bereaved parents at Pennsylvania Furnace, Saturday morning at 10.30 o'clock."

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The Life Story of an Eventful Career. 

True Tales of the White Tops.

As Related by one who knows the Facts

True to tradition and historic data, Walter Lee Main, the subject of these records and a man of affairs in the amusement world, first became imbued with a love for the circus and its surroundings long before he had an opportunity to witness its wonders or know the exact definition or real meaning of its name.

As a country boy, a farmer's lad, sitting by the fireside or in the field, he heard his elders tell of a certain kind of show given in the nearby towns; under tents in lieu of an opera house, where fine horses with fair riders, daring trapeze performers, acrobats and clowns in gaudy attire, with sawdust and spangles as a part of the decorations and adornment of the small tented concerns that passed from town to town by night or at early dawn in caravans drawn by horses and tents that were often pitched by the wayside, on some vacant lot or common in the villages through which they passed.

Vague stories of those wandering performers and their Gypsy-like lives reached the ears and heart of young Walter L. Main, who longed for the call of the white tents, the open roads and fields that afforded a free life and an opportunity to furnish amusements for the masses.

Looking backwards to trace the line of his ancestry, we find that his paternal grandfather, Alexander Main, was born in Aberdinshire, Scotland, May 13, 1807, and died July 17, 1870. He was one of a family of thirteen children - six girls and seven boys - thus disproving that there was anything bad luck about the number thirteen when it came to a point of natural law or consequences. The elder Main was raised a farmer, but together with his six brothers learned the stone mason's trade, and he delved among the rocks for their learning and livelihood, following that calling indefinitely and long after coming to America. In sturdy youthful days he earned a living by carrying passengers across the river Doe on his back by walking on stilts to ford the stream and keep his human cargo above the tide. One day a very lordly individual came along and gruffly ordered Alexander, in a most pompous manner, to make haste as well as to use caution in carrying him across. Somewhat irritated, when in mid-stream, the stilt walker deliberately stepped in a hole, and slipped on the wet stones and gave his haughty passenger a good dunking as a part of the reward that was due him, and so far as we can learn, was his first and only attempt at a clown's play in or out of the circus.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson Main, the grandmother by that marriage and maternity, was born July 22, 1809 and died June 23, 1900. They were married at Cleonic, Scotland in the year 1829. This couple emigrated to America in 1835, coming over seas in a sailing vessel, requiring six weeks to make the trip. Four children were the result of this union; one of whom, William W. Main, was the father of Walter L. Main, who was born at Chatham, Medina County, Ohio, July 13, 1862 - again defying the unlucky omen by the inexorable laws of nature. Walter's mother, nee Morib A. Mihills, also came from a refined, moral race; she was well trained and graduated as a teacher from the public schools. When Walter was two, his parents moved to Trumbull, Ashtabula County, Ohio, and there engaged in the hotel business at Trumbull Centre. When he was ten years old, his parents moved into a private house adjoining a church where the young man had the advantage of listening to the sermons and songs through the open windows, which as he says, beat crawling under the circus tents in later life.

Walter's first recollection of the circus, by the way, was by hearing his father and the neighbors gathered about the village tavern tell of seeing several small wagon shows traveling through that section of the country and some of the wise ones had even been as far from home as Cleveland, where the bigger shows had stopped for two or three days. All of this excited his boyhood curiosity to such an extent he often found himself lurking in the shadow of the evening candle listening to the wonderful tales or the old clowns and their capers or the still more remarkable tricks and feats of the performers on the trapeze or on horseback. His father, who was a sort of non-professional veterinarian or "horse doctor" for the neighborhood, and a horse trader by profession.

A deal of the quick trade variety is recalled by a horse deal with D. E. Colvin, an old time circus man then traveling with the Van Amburgh show. It was at Paynesville, Ohio, in 1885. This trade was transacted while the circus men were eating dinner in the cook tent. The animal that was offered for sale was led up to the opening where he could be seen, and he looked fat and sleek, as a good specimen of baggage stock which just took Colvin's eye, as the purchasing agent of the circus. A price was agreed upon and a bargain struck in short order, as the showmen were enjoying a good dinner and did not want to be further disturbed at that time. The attendant was told to lead the animal back to the stable and turn him over to the boss hostler. Dinner finished and the diners feeling well satisfied with themselves, the cash was paid over and nothing further thought about the horse or his qualities until the teams were hitched up for the night haul to the show train when it was discovered that the glousy looking equine was so wind broken he wheezed like a porpoise and panted like a lizard when he stuck his head through the collar.

By this time young Main became so impressed with the circus and its calling that he induced his father to get a job with Hilliard & Skinner's Variety and Indian show in 1872; the young man (Note: The "young man" was ten years old. This statement appears rather farfetched.) doing most of the talking and negotiating a contract for his father and team of horses at $50.00 a month and findings. The show opened at Orwell, Ohio, May 1, 1872, and after he had spent a day with the show Walter got a chance to ride home, a distance of fifteen miles, with an old friend by the name of Cobb Curtis, who seemed to be very proud of the fact that he was able to give the young adventurer his first lift in the show business.

In 1873 William Main traveled with Hamilton, Blanchard & Carver's Wagon Circus; furnishing his own services and four horses to haul the bandwagon and there were about forty horses with the outfit all told. The show opened in Windsor, Ohio, and Walter walked from Trumbull to Windsor and returned to see that show which had no riding acts. The season continued with varied success and closed at Ft. Scott, Kansas. The panic of that year caused a sudden change of plans, and the show was shipped home to Windsor, by rail to Cleveland, and then driven overland "back to the farm."

In the spring of 1874 the father, William Main, branched out as an "impressario," with Brown's Concert Company, the "Co." consisting of just three people including the manager who also acted as advance agent and advertiser, using a horse and sulky with saddle bags to carry his bills, and the company following in a buggy, playing in school houses, hotel dining rooms and dancing halls where found. The leader, Mr. Brown, being totally blind, was accompanied by his daughter from Burton, Ohio. Walter may be said to have put his first season on the road with this organization, spending his vacation term with his father, riding on an improvised seat attached to the axle of the sulky and distributing bills, advertising the concerts, announcing where the entertainments were to be given, and the tour was more or less successful as the expenses were almost nil.

The spring of 1875 once more found "Doctor" Main on the road, again with four horses hitched to the bandwagon of Hilliard & Hamilton's forty horse circus. The show was billed to open at Orwell, Ohio, May 1, 1875, but the tents blew down, preventing a performance. They packed up and drove on to the next stand, Clarindon, and thence to Chardon, Ohio, where Walter left the show with his mother to return to the farm for the summer - which may be said to have been the saddest day in the life story of the young showman who had hoped to emulate Barnum. The feature of the show that year was Robert Hunting, the clown, who later became one of the most popular performers of his day and finally branched out with his own circus which he successfully managed for several seasons, leaving a clean, marl record everywhere, thus establishing a name throughout the country both for his professional talent and managerial ability.

About that time several shows and showmen seemed to hover about Ashtabula and Osange counties and they included such men as Elwood Hamilton, or Professor Hamilton, and the Newton Brothers, who made a specialty of breaking and training horses. Hamilton broke and trained a valuable animal called Sir Henry which made him famous and gave the farmers in that vicinity the circus fever which became epidemic and caused several men in that part of the country to set out and follow the trail of horse training. Among the most proficient showmen were the Newton Brothers, Lime and "Vet," who featured the renowned Levi J. North, one of the most famous bareback riders of his day and one of the greatest of all time. Professor Hamilton's two brothers, Morgan and Blank, next followed in the wake and were successful from the start. Another brother, Seam, was interested with Elwood in some of his enterprises. Mile Skinner and brothers of Windsor Mills also started a wagon show using many spotted horses which were very attractive and considered the proper thing for show purposes in those days. Many sons and daughters of that family are now (1922) living in or near Geneva, Ohio, but most of the old time, practical showmen of that period have passed over the great divide and gone down into the shadow of the valley. Mrs. M. M. Hilliard, of Orrville, Ohio, is still living, but at one time it seemed that all the young men of that section were in the lightning rod or circus business and an essay written and read by Miss Adell Stewart, one of our best known and most popular lady teachers in that vicinity, and who established the reputation of being able to cope with the biggest boys in school and bring them into subjection in a hand-to-hand struggle, when necessary, incorporated this little stanza in one of her addresses:

"And there is Bill Main, who lives on the hill,
He owns a farm which he dislikes to till.
So he travels with a circus all the summer
And lets his farm be still."

This little skit cut to the quick and worried Main to such an extent that he resolved to remain at home and show his neighbors that the next season he could run a farm, therefore the Main family moved from the four corners to the 105 acre farm on a by-road and lived in true farmer's style for one season at least, and it is said the gross receipts from all kinds of products from the farm that season were exactly $300, as compared with the net profits of the show a few years later, under the management of his son, Walter L. Main, which amounted to something over $100,000. That spring, while on the farm, Walter got kicked in the face by one of their colts in a playful mood, which might have been more serious and disfiguring, but motherly attention and good care soon healed the scars and as the doctor looked him over he remarked in his dry way: "Well, Walt, you won't look quite so well, but you will know a gol darned sight more."

In 1877 the show started out with Dwight Clapp as the general agent and Walter L. Main as assistant agent and boss billposter. This was the first Windsor show or circus to present riding acts and use 50 head of horses. The show opening in Windsor, Ohio, May 1, 1877, and closed the season at Sigerny, Iowa that October. It is one of the memories of that season that Walter rode a pony to the opening and had to sleep in a hay mow for lack of other accommodations.

During the season of 1878, William Main was employed as a boss hostler with Hamilton's & Sargent's New York Circus at a salary of $40.00 a month and keep. Walter retired to the farm with his mother. It was here that young Walter heard many more interesting stories of circus life and its opportunities and most of his day dreams were of the circus and the white tops. As might be expected, the farming venture was a failure. The cheese spoild in the factory, the weeds outgrew the corn, the potatoes rotted in the hill and Walter grew so disgusted with his farming experience that he resolved to abandon the project and start a circus on his own account. His mother tried to induce him to study law or teach school. That fall Walter traded the cows for horses and farm wagons to start a circus and he formed a partnership with Ephram Burdick and his own father, William Main, who had just finished the season his show. Burdick was a slick horse trader and a close neighbor of Main's on the old State Road. Here they began operations by cutting and making their own stakes, poles, and seats. In other words, they built the whole outfit themselves. Burdick furnished the little cash capital required to form this "Great Quadruple Combination." The show opened the season May 10, 1879, at Trumbull Center, Ohio, with four fat, plug horses and a new 50 foot round top. Everything was painted up fresh and fine, but the tent proved too small for the excellent performance presented that included such people as Pettit, Roy and White, Leopole and Harry Wentworth, Billy Wise, Tom Nichols and one performing horse, Herald. Mrs. Main sold tickets while Walter was the boss and only property man on the show, as the two owners devoted most of their time to horse trading and speculating on the outcome of the season. The outfit was "kidded" and jeered by the neighbors and was given just a week to last-three days to get out and three days to get back home - but contrary to all predictions the show remained out the entire season and returned with a net profit of $1,000 in cash and a vast improvement in stock and show property. The last stand of the tour was Woodsfield, Ohio, but the proprietors feared that they might lose some of that money, so they decided to close the show before they reached the last stand and thus saved their capital intact.

It is a notable fact that the show started out with a man by the name of Seth Hill as an inexperienced general agent, and the outfit lost money until a change was made in the advance and Walter became the official representative with the skillful advice and association of Dewight Clapp, who gave him some practical lessons as an agent and everything went well thereafter. But, instead of playing the last stand, as stated above, the proprietors turned their horses heads homeward and drove back to Trumbull for winter quarters, where William Main sold his half interest to Burdick, who in turn sold that interest to Dan Allen of Ashtabula, and they enlarged the show to a twenty-horse outfit. The new circus opened at Ashtabula, May 1, 1880, with Geneva and Rock Creek immediately to follow. Walter Main was general agent of this show and his assistants - Charley Chappell and Henry Rich - were the work-horses of the bill wagon that belonged to Rich. At Barngor, Pennsylvania in August, Burdick wanted to cut young Main's salary, but he spurned the proposition, and packed his grip and went to New York, where for the first time he saw Broadway. By riding, walking and breaking some of the long jumps by rail, he managed to reach Trumbull, which he was willing to admit was far different than New York. Walter consulted with his father and afterwards formed a partnership with F. W. Sargent, of Windsor, for the season of 1881. The show started out with 22 horses with the show and three in advance. Walter drew $50.00 monthly pay and expenses, with only two men as assistants in doing all the work ahead of the show.

The tent that season was an 80 foot round top with a small dressing room and no side show. The horses were kept in livery stables and the people fed and lodged at hotels. The 1881 season of the William Main & Company Circus was very pleasant and profitable from the opening at Orrwell, Ohio to the closing at Brookville, Pennsylvania on October 1. Sargent was treasurer, William Main door tender, and Mrs. Main in charge of the stands and auditor of the books. The performers were the DeAlma family, Pettit and White, Albert Denneier, Kelly the Irish comedian, Winfield's dogs, Dick Vino, Jack Russell, Fred Sylvester and Charley Diamond, the famous harpist and dancer. Frank Griswold was the boss canvasman and built his own canvas, including horse and cook tents which were the best to be made. At the finish of the season Main bought Sargent's interest and in casting up the books it was found that the big show had cleared a net profit of just $5,000 - and these were happy days when we were young and poor and contented, says Walter. The winter of 1881-1882 was most enjoyable as it was the first time the Main family had ever been living on Easy Street.

In 1882 William Main was sole proprietor; Walter L. Main, then not of age, was the youngest manager in the business, and his mother was treasurer of the show; Dwight Clapp was the general agent. The show had 40 horses, an 80 foot round top, a side show, horse tent and a performance that compared favorably with anything ever presented up to that time. Some of the performers were: the DeAlmas, Perry and Lulu Ryan, Sam Romer, John Quigley, the Fisher Brothers, Little Victor, Pettit and White, a wonderful performing horse called Dan Rice, and a pair of trick ponies - Grant and Toney - worked by R. H. Blanchard. The season opened with snow on the ground at Trumbull and moved on to Geneva, thence toward Pittsburgh and eastward to New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York. The show closed the season at Unia Villia, New York and wintered on the fair grounds at Oneonta, New York. The baggage horses worked in the lumber woods during the winter and more than paid for their board and keep. The season of 1882 was a grand success for the William Main International Circus. With the exception that Clapp's health failed in the middle of the season and he had to resign, and Walter took charge of the advance, the tour was a round of pleasure and at the close Walter and his mother returned to Trumbull for the winter while the father remained with the show at winter quarters.

In 1883 William Main joined hands with M. M. Hilliard, of Orwell, Ohio, to combine their two shows with 114 head of horses and mules, a menagerie of one elephant, two camels and several cages of wild animals. The owners were equal partners, except in the matter of the elephant, and Walter's services were placed against the elephant as an offset. The Hilliard and Main Circus opened on April 28, 1883, and closed on December 1, and went into winter quarters at Chetopia, Kansas.

Up to this point most of this information was furnished by Mr. Main off hand from memory, but he has in his possession, and from which the writer has occasionally made many notes, while in friendly conversation with Walter, on these subjects and jotting down the notes upon which the basis of all facts are founded. The records show that at the age of twenty-one, he became the general agent of the then largest wagon show on the road, although at that time, George Castello, one of the most experienced men of the day, was engaged as an instructor in the matter of laying out routes and advertising, but his services did not prove satisfactory and he was dispensed with before the season was over and Dwight Clapp was re-engaged as an assistant and local contractor for the balance of the season. M. M. Hilliard was manager, William Main was door tender, Add Relley was treasurer, Mrs. Hilliard and her father had charge of the candy stands, Mrs. William Main was in charge of the reserved seats, Frank Griswold was boss canvasman, Harry Mack was the equestrian director, Al Martin was in charge of seats and connection tickets, George S. Cole was manager of the concert, his son, Bert Cole, was the assistant of the concert, and Tom Mack was manager of the side show. P. O. Satchel was the band leader. He later became famous as an "Uncle Tom" manager, as did C. G. Phillips and Frank Griswold, all graduates of the Main school. Among the performers that year were: William Amar, Ed Billings, Fred Runnels, the O'Brien Brothers, Hilliard's famous trick horse White Hawk, Babe, the performing elephant, and Walter Main's trick horse and ponies. The Main horses were all trained by Elwood Hamilton, who educated Sir Henry, one of the most versatile and renowned horses of his day, and a monument erected to his memory now stands at Windsor Mills, Ohio.

During the season matters became somewhat complicated and trouble began when Hilliard withheld much of the money to which he was not entitled, and left his partner, William Main, to look out for many obligations which had been incurred at home in wintering and promoting the show. It was also discovered that several mistakes had been made in routing the show, so that it might play into the hands of the light fingered gentry, where the "open games" could be run, and this necessitated numerous changes in the routing and working arrangements for the balance of the season. As a matter of fact it took many years to readjust affairs and again get the show sailing in clear waters as events will disclose. (Note: Obviously the Hilliard and Main Circus had grift, and created a good deal of "heat" at some of the stands.)

The next spring a third interest was sold to Harry Mack and Giles Pullman, the latter becoming general agent of the show. The Hilliard, Pullman, and Mack opened at Chetopa, Kansas in May 1884, and this proved to be the first loosing season in the history of the Main show. Walter was made contracting agent in advance and the elder Main was left to the tender mercies of his partners. Conditions became unbearable and at the end of the season Walter resigned and returned home to look after his own affairs and determine upon his next move. The equipment on the show went out on the Pullman, Mack and Company Circus.

In the spring of 1885 Walter started a "Tom Show" on wagons, with six horses and two bloodhounds, with a cash capital of $800.00 to start the organization. After a few weeks he sold the entire outfit to his friend Phillips, who continued the business with great success. (Note: Cooke is certainly right here. G. C. Phillips, operating out of Cortland, Ohio, had possibly the largest Uncle Tom's Cabin Shows of all time. He featured a fine street parade that included "gabled" cages.)

During this interval in 1885, William Main was in Chetopia, and was persuaded to sell his interest in the Hilliard. After taking notes for the amount, he left without any menas except three private horses with which he joined a wild west of which Billy Monroe was the manager. (Note: The title of this show has not been ascertained.) Soon after that Main started out with his three horses, riding one and leading two, on the trail for his home in Ohio, making his way as best he could, he reached home just in time to join the first show Walter ever owned outright and in his own name. (Note: However, the show was titled William Main and Company.) It consisted of four cheap horses, two wagons and a carry all, to which the three performing horses and ponies were added, making a total of seven of stock all told. Martin, the tent maker of Boston, trusted him for a tent and took his notes for it. The entire cash investment did not exceed $600.00. The show opened in Wellington, Ohio, at the first fall fair in August and following at other fairs, closing at Canfield, Ohio, in October. The net profit was $200.00 for two months' work and they drove back home quite encouraged by their success. The real feature of this show was the famous Commodore Perry, who was engaged to make up and appear as the "Wild Man of Borneo" which he did to more or less perfection and especially to the satisfaction of his friends who were delighted with the humorous action and talent of the "Commodore" who was considered the real comedian of that locality. The best fair and business done was at Ashtabula, Ohio, where the eccentric "Commodore" was well known and the natives were eager to see their prime favorite in his wonderful make-up and do his comedy stunts as the wild man, and it is said that he slept in the wagons in order to get the hay on his clothes so that it would look more realistic when he did a war dance and gnashed his teeth in the height of his frenzy before the audience. The Burton and Conneauteville engagements were also profitable as the "Commodore" was well known in those counties and his reputation as a "village cut-up" had extended to that part of the state as well.

After her husband's departure, Mrs. Main, Walter's mother, was left behind to follow the old show in the west, trying to collect the notes given for the property as they became due. The proprietors failed to send any money to the Geneva banks as they had promised to do. As fast as these collections could be made she sent the money forward and canceled all of her husband's obligations, but when she got through there was nothing left from the financial wreck of the ruined show.

During all this distressing period Mrs. Main made and paid most of her expenses by selling corsets and ladies underwear. She often walked from town to town, to put in time and sell her goods as she went along, stopping at the farm houses both for rest and prospective sales, arriving home the same day the fair ground show got to Shelton and there was a happy reunion of the Main family.

After consultation it was decided that the mother would back Walter for a circus of his own in 1886 and she immediately mortgaged the farm, which was left to her by her father to raise $1,000.00 to start with. The first winter quarters, an old cheese factory, was purchased for $300.00 which was paid for by a note, and the building commenced. Fourteen new horses were acquired for the show. This gave the show twenty-one horses. It opened in Geneva, Ohio, on April 30, 1886 titled Walter L. Main's Circus, and closed at Rock Creek, on October 9th, with forty horses, all debts paid, and $5,100.00 in Post Office orders.

The father, William Main, started a show on his own account the next spring, 1887, taking in as partners F. W. Sargent and Dwight D. Clapp. After meeting his financial losses Clapp retired at the end of the season. He took some horses for his interest in the show. Main, senior, and Sargent struggled along for three years until the show was worn out and they had to quit. All the years the show was titled William Main and Company Circus.

In 1887 Walter reorganized the Walter L. Main show with forty horses. His mother casted new features with Walter. The show opening in Geneva on April 28th and close in Kinizne, Pa., October 19th, all debts paid and a balance of $10,000 in the treasury.

It must be understood that all these facts, so far, are taken from memory, but authentic reports and well documented books are referred to in future reports, etc.

In 1888, the show started as a sixty horse wagon show. It opened in Geneva on April 28, and closed at Green Back, N.Y. on October 20th with a net profit of $12,000. This was the first season the Walter L. Main show ever had an elephant which was rented from Adam Forepaugh for $500.00 for the season, and a note given for that amount, payable August 1st, was promptly paid at maturity. On closing day everything deteriorated or not in first class order was sold at auction, and the balance was shipped to Geneva. Among the discarded equipment was a pair of lions, one of which was subject to fits, from over feeding; she fell as a legacy to other shows. All the old, broken-down, blind, kicking and heavy draft horses fell under the hammer of the highest bidder.

It is worthy to note that from time to time various performers were added to the list of employees already mentioned, constantly swelling the roster, and among them were such people as Caster and Carriea, Gorman and Webb, Curley Potts, Jack Russell, John and Charley Sparks (Note: Yes, they were the John and Charley Sparks. The next year John went into business for himself), Durand and Regan, and the DeAlma Family. Clark Daugherty was the bandmaster. Also around the show in 1888 were: William Harbeck, Dot Pullman and partner, Sig. Dawn, Joe Berris, Pop Quinett and family, the Gregory Brothers, Delia Gregory, George Bickle, Jessie Fusner, H. Platner, and George S. Cole, the old, experienced showman.

On New Years Day in 1889, Main purchased all new horses in Chicago, and while absent on this mission complete changes were at the winter quarters in Geneva where a practically new show was organized, with animals rented from Adam Forepaugh. Others who were eager to take his notes which indicated that his credit was good which enabled him to start out with a seventy horse show. He closed the season with ninety. This was the first season with a regular parade and a real circus all the way through. The lay-out consisted of a 110 foot round top big top, a 60 foot top side show, and dressing room, open tent and "push-pole" horse tents, making it the biggest wagon show of its time. The season closed with a net profit of $25,000 at twenty-five cents admission. (Note: Some of the figures for season profits seem open to question.) That year all the reserve funds were placed in the banks for safe keeping, and it made a nice tidy sum but not visible to the naked eye like the post office orders. The 1889 season opened at Geneva, April 28th, and closed at Summerville, Mass., on October 10th from where the show was shipped home. The tour covered Pennsylvania and most of New England with ten weeks in the state of Maine where the show became "The Main Show" and established a reputation. In many of these towns, not available for railway shows, they had not seen an elephant for fourteen years. Business was capacity most of the time and the performance applauded to the echo, daily. The new people added that year were: the Marietts, Oscar Lowande, Clarence Richardson, the treasurer, and Sam Scribner, manager of the side show.

In 1890 the show shipped to Pittsburgh and opened on the south side on April 19th, giving three shows. It closed in Geneva, October 23rd, with a profit of $17,000. The show had 120 horses, ten cages of animals, but was still a wagon show. (Note: In 1890 the show was titled, "Walter L. Main and Van Amburgh Circus." Hyatt Frost did not die until 1895, and it is all but certain that Main leased the title directly from him. In 1889 Frost leased the title to the Ringlings and in 1894 to Frank A. Robbins. It is strange that Cooke would not mention this fact.)

In 1891 the show was put on the railways for the first time. It started with eleven and ended with thirteen cars. This, of course, increased the expenses, but the circus showed a net profit of $32,000. The season opened at Geneva and closed at Havre de Grace, Maryland on October 24th. The show was shipped home to Geneva, and was housed in the old skating rink which had been purchased during the summer and was located just opposite the L.S. & N.S. Railway Station, and it was a conspicuous object of interest for all tourists passing through the city. The horses were always wintered on the Main group of farms at Trumbull, about seven and a half miles from Geneva, where this writer once purchased a fine string of small western ranch ponies from Mr. Main for the Buffalo Bill Wild West; they proved one of the best bunches we ever had for the Indians to ride bareback, as they were light, quick, and sure of foot and could make a turn on a horse blanket if required to do so. (Note: Again Cooke skipped over a rather important part of the Main Circus history. After the 1890 season, the wagon show equipment was sold to the Scribner & Smith Circus. Scribner was on the Main Circus in 1889 as the side show manager.)

The first season by rails was a pleasant experiment and it was resolved to continue that mode of transportation and build up the show on these lines. The Forepaugh animals had been leased for that season, but in the meantime Forepaugh had died and the show was sold to Barnum, Bailey and Cooper, who insisted that Main either purchase or return the animals. They forced him to pay cash to close the deal on time which he did, and Mr. Bailey was so pleased with the transaction that he sold and leased some other animals to Walter. It is remembered that in the lot was a pair of tigers that had been somewhat disfigured by having their tails chewed off by some hyenas confined in an adjoining cage when they were young.

In 1892 the show started with sixteen cars back with the show and two in advance. George W. Aiken was the general agent that season and continuously thereafter up to and including the season of 1894. He proved a very efficient man in many respects. Walter Fisher was the contracting agent, Oliver Scott was manager of advertising car number one; Perry Cooke, manager of car number two; Frank Train, treasurer during 1891-1893; and Hugh Harrison was manager of the side show from 1891 until 1901. (Note: Harrison should be well known to wagon historians because he acquired the Cinderella pony float and the Cleopatra Barge from the Forepaugh Sells Circus sometime between January 1905 and March 1906. He was on the Forepaugh Sells show after leaving the Main show. Both the wagons he acquired disappeared after being offered for sale by Harrison in a March 1906 Billboard.)

The season of 1892 opened at Geneva, April 23rd, and closed at Paragold, Arkansas, on November 19th. The show was shipped home and arrived in Geneva just in time for a Thanksgiving dinner. New people were: the four Walton Bros., Chas. W. Fish, Joe Cousina, F. Mont Long (band director), Fisher Bros, and others.

That season was the first year the show used two rings and a stage. Another elephant, Lizzie, was purchased from George S. Cole for $3,000 on a note. Main also purchased a ticket wagon and some other animals from Cole, and some animals were acquired from the Cincinnati Zoo. Needless to say the show had a very impressive menagerie. The season was profitable, but not as much so as the year before.

The 1893 season opened in Geneva, April 22nd in a snow storm. The show traveled on seventeen railway cars with fifteen back and two ahead. The flat and stock cars were all sixty feet long, and the sleepers were seventy feet in length. The menagerie had two elephants, three camels, an ox and other lead animals. The big top consisted of 140 foot big top and three fifties in the center, the menagerie had a sixty foot end with five thirties in the center, the dressing tent had a fifty with one thirty, the cook tent and horse tent were sixties with two thirties in the middle.

New on the management staff in 1893 were D. R. Colvin, assistant manager; and Charles Bolus, boss canvasman. New performers were: Mrs. James Stow, Stirk and Zeno, Alexander Seabert and wife, Parrell and Mareno, J. A. Barton as Col-vin's assistant, Jim Rane, Judge Palmer, Annie Sylvester, and "Dutch" Rice who was in charge of tickets.

Everything went along as merry as a wedding bell and business was measured only by the capacity of the tents until the fateful morning of Decoration Day - May 30th, 1893, when without warning and with more than customary precaution, the circus train, loaded with its animate and inanimate freight, started gradually down the grade over the hills into Tyrone, Pennsylvania, where the show was to exhibit the next day. But man proposes and God disposes, and as the massive train glided down the steep incline, for some unaccountable reason, with breaks on, it got beyond the control of the engineer and train crew and kept speeding on down the grade, rocking and reeling in its mad course, sweeping around the curves, swaying on the steel rails made slippery by the morning dew, until the train struck an abrupt curve and toppled over like a house of cards, throwing the heavy laden cars off the track on their sides and grinding their grist of human and animal lives into a gruesome mass of horrible, unsightly forms beneath the shapeless mill stone, thus illustrating Longfellow's immortal lines:

"There is a Reaper, whose name is Death,

And with his sickle keen,

He reaped the bearded grain at a breath,

And all the flowers that grow between."

And there on the dew-damp grass and grinding sand lay the mangled forms of all who met their fate in the awful plunge into eternity on the runaway train that came tearing down the mountainside like a tornado in its path of destruction. But to better describe this terrible calamity we will quote a well written report of the scenes by an eye witness, as the records show that the destruction stands unparalleled in all history:

Main circus train wreck

Photo: One of the worst, if not the worst, circus wreck ever was the one that occurred to the Walter L. Main Circus at Tyrone, Pa., on 30 May 1893. Fortunately for present day historians, the local photographer was on the scene to record the tragic event. Photo from the P. M. McClintock collection.

The Tyrone Wreck

The engineer of Walter L. Main's Circus train lost his grip on the locomotive when going down the mountain on the Tyrone & Clearfield Railroad Tuesday morning, May 30, 1893, about 5:30 o'clock, and there was a wild ride at flying speed, and then nineteen cars filled with people and animals from all parts of the world leaped from the tracks and were crushed to splinters. Five men were dead and a dozen more badly injured. Lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and beasts from African jungles and Indian plains bellowed, roared, screamed, and either lay helpless with shattered limbs or sprang forth to liberty. Forty-nine horses were killed, others wounded groaned piteously and suffering men cried for help. One lion, a tiger and a panther are still roaming about in the forests.

The following persons were killed outright: William Henry, brakeman, of Tyrone; Frank Train, of Indianapolis, Ind.; William Multainy, of Geneva, Ohio; James Strayer, of Houtzdale; Charles Lock, of Newport, Ky.

The following persons were injured, several of them so terribly they cannot recover: Willie Brannon, the cook, still alive, but in a critical condition; Louis Champaign, Rochester, N.Y., hurt internally, unconscious and cannot live; John Chambers, colored, Chambersburg, bitten severely by lion; Willis O'Brannan, Chambersburg, wound of scalp; Arthur Richards, of Peachville, wounded about the face; George Corten, of Hollidaysburg, contusion of chest; Frank Barnett, of Tarentum, contusion left arm; David Jones, of Harrisburg, sprained right leg; Frank Morse, of Rochester, N.Y., wounded about the head; William Evans, of Williamstown, right ankle injured; William Patchel, DuBois, contusion of left knee; James Haney, Alberton, badly injured about the body; William Jenks, keeper, left knee-cap torn off by lion.

The Engineer Was Powerless

Main's Circus was going from Houtzdale to Lewistown, and set out in a train composed of three passenger coaches and nineteen circus cars. The route lay over the Tyrone & Clearfield branch of Pennsylvania Railroad, and when descending the steep grade near Vail Station, five miles north of Tyrone, the engineer became powerless to abate the train's rapidly-increasing speed. At the station the train was going at a forty-mile-an-hour gait and jumped the track, owing to a broken axle. The locomotive and passenger coaches remained on the rails. Many of the men slept in the cars under the wagons containing the animals. Sixteen animal cages, along the cars, were flattened into small pieces, and pandemonium reigned. The dead and wounded people were taken from the wreck and the latter were removed to the hospital. When the wild beasts were freed a strange spectacle was witnessed. The head of one of the elephants was fastened down by one of the cars. As soon as released the huge beast struggled to his feet, shaking off the heavy timbers like straw, plowed through the balance of the wreck to freedom, seemingly happy of his escape. One of the tigers got out, and immediately began looking around to see what he could devour. He pounced upon the sacred ox, which had been badly wounded and tore it frightfully, killing it. The untamed monster started out in the country, looking for new fields.

Terrifies A Farmer's Wife

He came to the farm-yard of Alfred Thomas, where a woman was milking a cow. The woman left suddenly and the tiger sprang upon the cow and killed her. He was devouring his quivering meal, when the farmer appeared with his rifle and shot the tiger. Pleased with his royal sport, Farmer Thomas shouldered his rifle and started in pursuit of a panther that he knew was cavorting on the mountain-side. He failed to find the wily forest cat, and it is still at large. One lion is roaming the woods, but the other lion was captured easily by its trainer. He first cowed it, and then tied a rope around its neck and secured it to a log, where it has been quietly lying all day, viewing the turbulent scene below. Keeper Jenks was endeavoring to subdue a king of the forest, when the ferocious king seized the keeper and tore off his kneecap. All the animals that were saved roamed around loose, seemingly content with their freedom, and not caring to abuse it by running off. The water buffalo, two camels, a dromedary, two elephants, a zebra, yak, hyena and many small animals from different parts of the world did not wander far from the wreck, although unrestrained. Many of the smaller animals were not injured, though their cages were crushed about them. None of them seemed at all nervous or excited, but browsed contentedly or wallowed in the creek nearby as through it was an every-day occurrence.

A Famous Horse Badly Injured

A great many monkeys escaped chattering to the trees, where they looked down in wonderment, but were soon calmed by sweetmeats and tied. The dying groans of some of the trained horses were piteous. Most of them were pulled out only to be shot, the limbs being broken or otherwise fatally injured. Five horses, pure white with pink nostrils, all elegant performers, representing years of patience and teaching, had to be slain. "Flake," the famous fire-jumping horse, and leader of the trained horses, was badly wounded. He lay carefully bedded and covered by an awning, breathing heavily. Every once in awhile he made an effort to rise, when the attendant would place his hand on the horse's head and it would lay back again. The alligators were stretched on the ground as if dead, but a rub along the nose with a stick would show them wide awake.

Treasurer Train resigned Saturday, May 27, but was asked to continue until the show reached Lewistown, May 30. He always slept in the wagon, and was the first person looked after. He was still alive but pinned down, and the men worked faithfully to release him. He died before taken out. He was well known among circus people. All the wrecked cars are a total loss. The proprietor's money loss in the smash up is placed at $150,000.

Engine No. 1500 was selected to draw the circus train. Stephen Croswell, engineer and Harvey Meese, fireman. When Osceola was reached, in order to make the ascent of the mountain, another engine in charge of Engineer Reeder, was attached as a pusher. The ascent was made in safety. When the summit was reached, and the pusher left the train on its trip down the mountain, it is reported that the train containing its charge of human lives, and stock and equipment to the value of $200,000, seemed to shoot right off, and someone then remarked that it would be a miracle if it was not wrecked before Vail was reached.

The train rounded the dozen or more short curves, including the one at the big fill, at a high rate of speed, and when it passed Gardner's one who was on it informed the author that it was going so fast that it would have been impossible to count the telegraph poles, that the train seemed to be literally flying down the mountain. A mile or two below Gardner's there is a reverse curve, and then follows a mile of straight track to Vail. It was at the Tyrone end of the reverse curve where the appalling and fearful accident occurred.

The Rails Spread

Just what occasioned it an investigation will likely prove. There seems to be no doubt that the train ran away and was beyond the power of the engineer to control. Whether the brakes would not hold, or whether the fault was not in furnishing another engine, remains to be determined. One report has it that a wheel on the tender bursted, but a gentleman who has constructed many miles of railway informed the author, after a carefully examining the wreck, that it was caused by the rails spreading; that the fast running of the train, when the engine left the curve, and struck the straight track, did so with such force as to cause the rails to spread, leaving the tender to drop on the ties, thereby bringing about the disaster which followed. The engine remained on the track, but following the tender, over the 15 or 20 feet embankment on the left-hand side of the road going towards Tyrone, in the twinkling of an eye came every car in the train, except the four coaches, which were in the rear.

Passenger Coaches Saved

Horrible as the accident was, it was not so bad as though it had occurred at night. By some good fortune the passenger coaches were brought to a sudden stop as soon as the engine separated from the tender. From the first coach Mr. Main himself was the first to see the work of destruction that had taken place, and with his entire force went at once to work rescuing those who were pinned beneath the wreck. The fifteen cars were a mass of kindling wood, and in length the debris occupied a distance equal to about five car lengths.

Six People Killed

Four persons were instantly killed. These were William Ebberly, head brakeman, of Tyrone; William Mutterly, showman, of East Liberty, and two other show attachees, names unknown.

Frank Train, the treasurer of the company, occupied his usual place in his ticket wagon, which was on a car near the center of the train. He was buried beneath a mass of wreckage, and it was two hours before he could be reached. At times he would urge his rescuers to hurry if they wanted to get him out alive. He died just as he was being conveyed from the wreck.

James Strayer, son of the widow Strayer, of Houtzdale, lived an hour after the accident occurred. He was thrown to the open ground where he was found. He and John E. Eddings, also of Houtzdale, had obtained permission to ride to Lewistown. Eddings says that when he and Strayer found the train running so fast, and the wagon on which they were seated vibrated so fearfully, they scrambled down from the seat and prostrated themselves flat on the canvas. A moment after the car left the track, and the next he knew he was on the ground, so close to Strayer that he could touch him. He says Strayer was able to speak but did not know anything and died in about an hour. Eddings' face was scratched and he complained of a slight sickness of the stomach, but was otherwise uninjured. He returned to his home by the first train, the train that carried the corpse of his companion back to Houtzdale.

Those injured seriously enough to require medical attention were sent to the Altoona hospital. They numbered eleven. Names and addresses as follows: Frank Barnett, Tarentum; George Corton, Hollidaysburg; John Chambers, colored, Mercersburg; Louis Champaign, Rochester, N.Y., fatally injured; James W. Harry, Alberton; William Eavans, Williamstown, perhaps fatally; David Jones, Harrisburg; Frank Morse, Rochester, N. Y.; W. O'Brannan, Chambersburg. In addition to these were to be seen around the wreck many persons having slight wounds, and it is safe to say that few, except those occupying the passenger coaches, escaped without being to a greater or less extent scratched or bruised.

The dead were taken to Tyrone as soon as all the railroad men and show attachees were accounted for, the supposition being that all the bodies had been recovered. As in the case of young Strayer, there may have been others on the train unknown to Mr. Main, in which case it is possible other bodies may be found.

Two More Victims

William Evans and Louis Champaign, who were taken to the hospital, have died of their injuries. It is said their bodies will be sent back to Tyrone and interred by the circus people.

Another Man Killed

Another fatality has occurred at the scene of the disaster. While working with a wrecking crew, in the effort to remove debris, a rope broke which was attached to a tank for the purpose of pulling it up the bank, and struck Robert M. Gates on the chest. His injuries proved serious and he died within an hour of the accident. The unfortunate victim was single, aged 28, and lived at Tyrone.

Every Show Wagon In Splinters

To show the completeness of the wreck, there was not one of the show wagons to be seen - all were broken into thousands of pieces, and the same is true of the nineteen cars, the only one retaining even the shape of a car being the one containing the elephants, and this was cut to pieces in order to release the huge animals. The car laid on its side and through the two openings the elephants and their attendants were taken out, all more or less bruised, cut and bleeding, but not seriously injured. Later information is that one of the elephants had one of its fore legs broken.

Animals Turned Loose

Sixteen cages of animals were crushed and the animals either killed, maimed or set loose. Three lions escaped. One was speedily caught and caged, another was seen captured and chained to a tree, and the third roaming the mountains, as are tigers, hyenas, bears, panthers, several huge snakes, a man-slaying ape (very dangerous), with many birds, monkeys and small animals.

There were three sacred cows in the animal exhibition. Two were killed and the other escaped. One of the tigers spying the cow made a savage attack on her, was driven away, and immediately sprang over a fence into a field and attacked a lot of cattle belonging to Alfred Thomas. Mrs. Thomas was milking at the time the tiger put in an appearance and running to the house informed her husband, who, seizing his 38-55 Piker rifle, soon dispatched the tiger.

Sixty-eight horses are known to have been killed, including nearly all of the valuable ring and trick horses, among the number being the trick horse "Chicago" and "Flake", the white leader of Joe Berris' six-horse team, together with all the valuable horses ridden by Toney Lowande.

A Woman Races A Lion

For a short time after the wreck strange and wild animals were to be met with at every turn. Mrs. William Lyson, wife of the telegraph operator at Vail, on learning of the wreck, started to walk to the wreck and met a lion, and on turning to run was horror struck at seeing a large hyena within a few feet of her. She stood stock still and screamed when the animals left. When the wreck occurred the engineer and fireman started to walk back to the wrecked cars, and meeting two lions hastily made their way back to the locomotive.

The Loss About $150,000

Mr. Main was too busily engaged looking after the comfort of his men, and trying to save whatever of his property he could, to talk about the wreck. He places his loss at upwards of $150,000.

The Coroner's Inquest

Coroner Michael Poet was summoned, and arrived in town at noon, and immediately got together the following jury of inquest, who, being duly sworn, examined the remains of those killed which were lying at the undertaking establishment. By special train the jury went out and viewed the wreck. The jury were: Captain D. R. Miller, David Adams, A. A. Smith, R. G. McLanahan, F. J. Haverly and D. T. Caldwell, foreman. After their return they adjourned to meet Wednesday evening. The jury held a session in Herald Hall on Wednesday evening. Lawyer A. A. Stevens, Esq., represented Mr. Main, and J. D. Hicks, Esq., of Altoona, represented the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Not Running Over 30 Miles An Hour

The evidence of the trainmen was heard, and they all stated that the cars were not running over 25 or 30 miles an hour when the accident happened, and at no time was the train beyond their control. The jury here adjourned to meet on Thursday evening at 7 o'clock in the Sheridan Troop armory, a larger building.

"Nearer, My God, To Thee"

The body of Treasurer Train was shipped to Indianapolis on the Pacific Express Wednesday morning, May 31. Tyrone lodge of Knights of Pythias, the Elks, and representatives of Tyrone lodge of Masons, headed by Mr. Main's fine band, escorted the body from the undertaking establishment to the station, and while the body was being placed on the cars and the train pulled out, the band played the grand old hymn, "Nearer, My God, To Thee." Many of the circus people stood by with bowed heads and tears in their eyes, and the women wept aloud; while Mr. Main stood by and wept like a child for the departed companion and esteemed assistant.

Burial of the Dead

At 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, May 31, the funeral of William Ebberly took place. The procession was headed by Mr. Main's band, and followed by the Tyrone order of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, the friends, and more than 100 employees of the circus. At 5 o'clock a special train brought in 100 canvasmen from the wreck, and the colored band of the circus proceeded to the undertaking establishment of Barley & Graham, from where they accompanied the bodies of the two unfortunate companions to the Tyrone cemetery, where the funeral ceremonies were conducted by Rev. R. H. Gilbert. In the funeral the march to the cemetery was a sad scene, and each one seemed deeply affected.

Notes of the Disaster

Mr. Main himself was the first one out of the cars. He took in the situation at a glance. The efforts and achievements of patient years of toil, industry and frugality, lay scattered on every hand, a complete mass of irreparable ruins; but, heedless of his own personal loss, he immediately ordered everyone out of the cars, and took entire charge of the whole affair. He allowed no one to speak, except his different heads of departments, to whom he issued his orders in a calm, cool, but decisive judgment, and with the precision of a general directing the movements of a vast army, and it was only at the earnest entreaties of his employees that he was induced at the end of three hours to retire to his private car to habilitate himself, having all the while been working like a Trojan, with nothing on but a night shirt, bare-headed and shoeless, the sharp stones and splintered wreckage having lacerated his feet until they bled profusely. In this hour of distress there was no distinction, but from the high-salaried aerialists, riders, gymnasts, clowns, down to the lowest paid workingman, all were on an equal footing, each doing his utmost to free his fellow-man from the wreck. All the while Mr. Main remained as cool as if the wreck was a part of their every-day programme.

Countless telegrams and letters of sympathy have been received by Mr. Main from all parts of the United States and proffers of financial aid were numerous, proving Mr. Main's standing to be of the highest order. All seemed to remember the adage, "A friend in need," etc.

Thanks are hereby extended to the citizens of Tyrone and Altoona, Pa., for their hospitality, and also for their liberal patronage when the show again opened. By his calm demeanor and wonderful generalship, Mr. Main saved many human lives, and those of some very valuable horses.

E. C. White, of the show management, makes mention of his luck in escaping death as follows: On Sunday, May 28, the day before the accident, Treasurer Train resigned and handed over books, papers, etc., to him. After the transfer Mr. Main and Mr. Train came to an understanding, by which Train was to continue as treasurer; a re-transfer was made of the papers, etc., and Train, when the train left Houtzdale, took his accustomed place in the ticket office to guard the money, etc., in consequence of which arrangement Mr. White claims he escaped the fate that was in store for Train.

Especial mention must be made of the ladies connected with the circus, who lent a kind and loving hand to soothe the pain of those who were injured, and administered comforting assurances and with tender and loving hands held the demon of death at bay until the last victim succumbed.

Especial praise is due to keepers Reed and Jenks, who secured a great many of the valuable animals which had escaped. In the capture of the lioness, keeper Jenks had his left knee-cap torn off, but heedless of his pain kept right at his work of capturing every other animal he could locate.

Rohelio Judge, a young acrobat 17 years of age, captured and held at bay a huge royal Bengal tiger. For five hours young Judge stood within ten feet of the wiry animal, and with stick in hand completely subdued him.

The wreck occurred at McCann's crossing, the scene of so many wrecks on the mountain.

The young man Craig, who left Houtzdale with Strayer and Eddings, and who was reported as in the wreck, arrived home Tuesday evening, May 30. He says he was in one of the passenger coaches.

A long ditch, seven feet deep, is being dug, in which the horses and other dead animals will be buried. Later investigation shows 47 horses dead, with the probability of a number more of the more seriously injured dying.

It is not true that the engineer, fireman and conductor of the wrecked train have left for parts unknown. They went to Vail, the nearest station, and telegraphed the disaster to the railway officials at Tyrone, and during the afternoon were at the scene of the wreck.

After a long and tedious investigation, accompanied by several postponements, the coroner's jury rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts, and that the train was running too fast, which caused it to jump the track, causing the several deaths.

And this ends our description of the worst wreck that ever occurred in the history of circus business, or even in the annals of the world. It stands without a parallel, and has attracted the attention and sympathy, not only of the people in America, but of the world at large. It marks an epoch which will never be forgotten by the friends and patrons of America's greatest and most instructive source of pleasure and amusement, the circus, whose coming is ever hailed in village and city with enthusiasm and delight by young and old.

In conclusion, we pause to reverently place a garland of sweet remembrance upon the bier of those who perished in the awful disaster, and to that add our most ardent hope, that out of the dire calamity there may arise a mighty amusement enterprise that will cater to the pleasure of the numberless friends of the noble, heroic Walter L. Main, who, by inherent courage, and true grit, surmounts the fearful blow of fate, and, Sphinx-like, arises from the dark clouds into the sunlight of greater and brighter success than that which he has achieved in the past.

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The Walter L. Main Circus was founded by Walter L. Main in 1886. Walter's father "William" was a horse farmer, trainer and trader in Trumbull, Ohio. William began supplying horses to circuses, which led to him joining the "Hilliard & Skinner's Variety and Indian show". William toured with several shows and in the 1870s began his own, very small circus.

In 1878 Walter and his mother stayed home to tend their farm, however Walter soon found that he was a failure as a farmer, frustrated, Walter began dreaming of owning his own circus. Walter started selling off the farm animals to buy horses and farm wagons, he cut trees to make poles, stakes and seats. Walter's father, mother and a neighbor Ephram Burdick joined as a partner in the endeavor and together they built a small circus from the ground up.

On May 10, 1879, in Trumbull, Ohio the Main's family circus took to the road. The season began slow so, young Walter went ahead of the show and became his own "advance-man" then the circus began to make money. The show worked a full season and closed with a net profit of $1,000. After the close of the season Walter's father sold his half interest of the circus to Burdick who in turn sold that share to businessman Dan Allen from Ashtabula, Ohio.

In 1880 the circus opened on May 1, 1880 in Ashtabula, with Walter still ahead of the show as the agent. In August of that year, Ephram Burdick wanted to cut Walter's salary. Walter objected and left the show. After a short trip to New York, Walter returned home to Trumbull.

After returning home Walter and William formed a partnership with F. W. Sargent of Windsor, Ohio. The circus went out in 1881 as the "William Main & Company Circus". The circus opened in Orwell, Ohio with a larger tent (80' round) and 22 head of horses. Walter was again the agent, his father handled ticket sales, Sargent was treasurer and Mrs. Main was in charge of the concessions and the show's bookkeeper. Walter received $ 50.00 a month for his services. At the close of the season William bought out Sargent's interest in the show, the circus had closed with a net profit of just $5,000. For the first time the Main family were now the sole proprietors.

In 1882, 20 year old Walter became the manager of the show and his mother served as treasurer the circus was now named the "William Main International Circus". The circus had grown to 40 horses and had added mare acts and a sideshow. They opened in Trumbull and closed in New York State, wintering at the fairgrounds in Oneonta.

In 1883 the Mains joined forces with M.M. Hilliard of Orwell. With the new partner the circus grew to owning 114 horses, an elephant and acquired other exotic wild animals.

The 1884 season was not a profitable on for the circus, the circus performed as far west as Kansas, where it closed and wintered that year. Walters grandmother Elizabeth Main a seamstress, made women's corsets and underwear selling them to farm families to pay the bills. The losing season resulted in the termination of the partnership between the Mains and Hillard.

In the beginning of 1985 Walter took out a "Tom Show" (a "Tom Show" was stage play based on the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin), which only lasted a few weeks. The Main Family not giving up, started a new circus, "The William Main and Company", which show mostly, in the families home state of Ohio. The new show was fairly profitable, owing it's success to a highly publicized sideshow attraction they called "The Wild Man of Borneo", (who was actually anyone they could get to play the role of the savage).

Walter's mother Morib, had inherited a farm after her father died. Walter talked her into mortgaging the farm in order to start yet another new circus. The new show was titled "The Walter L. Main Circus", (the first time the title was used), it opened on April 30, 1886 in Geneva, Ohio. This time the new venture turned out to be successful, they began the season with 20 horses and closed with 40, the circus was debt-free, and ended with a profit of over five thousand dollars.

The Walter L. Main's Circus grew rapidly, in 1888 the show acquired an elephant, in 1889 they enlarged the big top and sideshow tents and closed with a profit of $25,000 that year.

In 1891, Walter purchased 11 railroad cars and put his circus on rails, the left over circus wagons were sold to the "Scribner and Smith Circus".

The circus was now a huge success and it seemed as if nothing could stop it, but then......
At 5:30 a.m. on "Decoration Day", May 30, 1893, the Walter L Main circus train was traveling on the "Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad". While descending a steep grade near Tyrone Pennsylvania, the engineer lost control and the train crashed at high speed at the bottom of the mountain. Four people were killed instantly and another two died later of their injuries. The circus lost many of the valuable animals and most of the show's equipment was destroyed.

After the devastating circus train wreck, the show was rebuilt and returned to the road. The Circus continued until Main sold out in 1889, however in 1901 Main took the circus out again.

1904 was the last year that the "Walter L. Main Circus" operated under Walters ownership, the circus was sold that year to William P. Hall.

In 1918 Walter leased the Main title to  Andrew Downie who made a small fortune operating his circus under the Main name until he sold the show to the Miller Bros. of the 1010 Ranch Wild West Show  in 1924. In 1925 until 1928 the Main title was used by Floyd King and his brother Howard. The Main title was used by various operators 1930 - 1937.

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FIVE ARE KILLED
Walter L. Main's Circus Train Wrecked Near Tyrone
VALUABLE PROPERTY DESTROYED.
The Wreck Occurred on the Tyrone & Clearfield Railway, Four Miles from Tyrone - Five Men Killed and Eleven Injured - Fifty-two Horses and Other Animals Meet Their Fate. The Circus a Complete Wreck - Clearing up the Debris Today - Coroner Poet's Inquest.

The most destructive and appalling wreck in the history of the Tyrone & Clearfield branch of the Pennsylvania railroad occurred about 5:30 Tuesday morning at McCann's crossing four miles north west of Tyrone. The train containing Walter L. Main's circus and menagerie was derailed and piled in a confused mass, five men were killed outright, seven were seriously injured, and others suffered more or less injury, over a half hundred horses with other animals were killed, a few of the animals escaped to the woods, fourteen cars were demolished, and the twenty-five handsome wagons and most of the other equipment of the circus were destroyed.

Walter L. Main's circus exhibited at Houtzdale Monday. Their train consisted of ten flat cars, three stock cars, a combination car and three sleepers, placed in order named. The flat cars contained the wagons, calliope and other vehicles, with the caged animals; the combination car had a lunch compartment; the sleepers were used by the show managers and members. About 2 o'clock Tuesday morning the loaded circus train left Houtzdale for Lewistown where the exhibit was to have been made Decoration day, and the train was in charge of the following crew, with engine 1500 hauling it: Engineer M. S. Creswell, Fireman Harry Miess, Conductor William Snyder, Flagman James Barger, and Brakeman William Heverly, John Grazier and Harry Myers. Over three hundred people, all told, members and attaches of the circus, were on board.

The run was made without incident until in the vicinity of McCann's crossing, when the speed had become sufficient to alarm those riding on the cars, and it was evident that the train was not under complete control. Suddenly there was a terrific crash and the forward cars left the track, those in the rear with their heavy freight piling rapidly upon and around them. The engine became detached from the train and did not leave the track. The heavily laden combination car swung around and directly across the track forming a Providential barrier against which the sleepers rushed with a heavy thud and then came to a standstill, the occupants receiving a sudden, severe jolt but suffering no further injury.

Not so well, however, did those unfortunates fare, who occupied the flat and stock cars. These cars, wagons, stock, wild animals and men were thrown in all directions. The scene of wreckage is beyond adequate description. An awful silence momentarily followed the crash, then the cries of the wounded, the rush of the unrestrained animals, the crackling of timbers, and the hurry to rescue sounded upon the clear morning air.

It required two hours' laborious work to extricate Frank Train from under the heavy wagon and timbers where he lay. Brakeman William Heverly was taken from beneath a mass of debris, and three laborers were taken from the wreck dead. Besides a number of others were injured in the catastrophe, and placed in as comfortable position as possible. The Tyrone wreck crew was early on the scene and carried on the work of rescue nobly aided by the circus people. The casualties to human life were as follows:



DEAD.



WILLIAM HEVERLY, brakeman, Tyrone.
FRANK TRAIN, treasurer of circus, Indianapolis, Ind.
JAMES STRAYER, laborer, Houtzdale.
WILLIAM LEE, laborer, Lincoln, Neb.
BARNEY MULTANEY, laborer, New York.



INJURED.



JOHN CHAMBERS, colored, aged 30, Mercersburg, Pa., right hand bitten by lion.
ARTHUR RICHARDS, Butler county, Pa., age 18, laceration of left upper eyelid.
GEORGE CORTEN, Hollidaysburg, contusion of chest.
FRANK BARNETT, Tarentum, Pa., age 20, contusion of left arm and hand and laceration of thumb.
WILLIS O'BANNON, Chambersburg, Pa., age 30, wounds of scalp and face.
DAVID JONES, Harrisburg, Pa., age 33, sprain of right thigh.
FRANK MORSE, Rochester, N.Y., age 18, eyebrow and scalp wound.
WILLIAM EVANS, Williamstown, Pa., aged 19, laceration of right ankle and probable internal injury; condition critical.
WILLIAM E. PATCHELL, Dubois, Pa., age 20, contusion of left knee.
JAMES WILLIAM HANEY, Alberton, Westmoreland county, Pa., age 27, contusion of right shoulder and scalp wounds, right ear nearly torn off.
LOUIE CHAMPAIGN, Rochester, N.Y., serious internal injuries, unconscious.



The bodies of the five dead men were brought to Tyrone and prepared for burial at the undertaking establishment of Burley & Graham. Tyrone physicians were early on the scene and furnished all possible relief to the wounded who were conveyed on a special train to the Altoona hospital. There Chambers, Richards, Corten and Barnett, who were only slightly injured, received necessary treatment and left for their homes. The other seven wounded men remained at the hospital.



With the exception of the engine and three sleeping cars, the loss of rolling stock and freight is almost total. The cars and wagons were smashed beyond repair, among the property destroyed being a calliope which cost $2,500. Altogether twenty-five show wagons, chariots, buggies and other vehicles were wrecked. Sixteen cages containing the animals of the menagerie were broken open and the imprisoned beasts were killed, maimed or escaped to the fields and woods.



Mr. Main had 130 hear of horses; and better never traveled with any circus. The mortality among these is very large, no less than 52 having been killed in the disaster. Among the unfortunate animals were some of the most valuable in the show. Snow Flake, the marvelously intelligent leader of Joseph Berriss' six-horse team, was mortally injured, and despite every effort to save him, he died last evening; he was the most valuable of the team valued at $20,000. All the horses ridden to Tony Lowanda, the principal rider are dead.



The escape of wild animals from their cages created great consternation and it was in the midst of danger that the friends of the killed and wounded went to their rescue. The big man-slayer, a ferocious ape, was luckily captured and caged before he could do any damage. One elephant was injured about the hip; the other elephant safely withstood the shock. The camels, dromedaries and many of the other animals escaped, the pair of sacred cows were killed.

The most ferociously inclined of the escaped animals were the two Bengal tigers. One of these was safely captured. The second made his way to the farm of Alfred Thomas. Here Mrs. Thomas was milking the cows, when the tiger leaped upon one of the bovines killing it instantly and beginning to devour its quivering flesh. The terrified woman screamed for Mr. Thomas who appeared on the scene and shot the carnivorous beast.

Three lions escaped, one of which was shot and the other two captured. A silver tip panther was at large until Tuesday night when he was shot. The skins of the animals being valuable, they were removed from the dead lion,tiger and panther next morning. Most of the animals are either secured or accounted for. Not to mention the small animals, reptiles and birds which have escaped to the mountains and will probably not be recaptured, there remain only three of the larger beasts at large. These are an Australian anteater, Australian agoutis and a black tiger (only three of the species in America). Local hunters are assisting in the search for these animals.

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Transcribed from The New York Times, 31 May 1893

A CIRCUS TRAIN IN A WRECK

WALTER H. MAIN'S SHOW BADLY USED UP.

SEVEN KILLED AND NINETEEN INJURED

The Cars Went Down a Steep Grade and Over an Embankment.

LIONS AND TIGERS GOT LOOSE.

     ALTOONA, Penn. May 30.裕he most complete railroad wreck that has occurred

in this section for many years took place this morning at a place known as

McCann's Crossing, on the Tyrone and Clearfield Railway, about three miles from

Tyrone, a station on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, fourteen miles

from Altoona.

     The accident occurred at 5:30 o'clock and owing to it the circus and Wild

West show of Walter H. Main was almost wiped out of existence. The circus

train, composed of fourteen cars and one engine, was coming down the steep

grade of the road, and when at McCann, Crossing, where there is a sharp reverse

curve, an axle broke under one of the front cars, throwing fourteen cars of the

rails and down a thirty-foot embankment.

     

     Immediately there was a scene of wildest confusion. Groans and cries of

distress came from those who were in the wreck, and with those were mingled the

roars of the animals, who, maddened by fear and pain, leaped frantically

against the bars of their cages, and in many instances succeeded in escaping

and making their way to the adjoining woods.

     

     The result of the accident was simply awful, and the scene that ensued

was a terrible and heartrending one. Seven occupants of the cars were instantly

killed and nineteen others were more or less seriously injured.  Six of the

killed were showmen, one the Treasurer of the company, and the seventh was a

railroad brakeman whose home was in Tyrone.

     Directly after the accident, word was sent to the headquarters of the

division at Tyrone, and a relief train was at once made up and sent to the

scene, all the physicians of the town being hurriedly called into service, and

taken to the relief of the wounded.

     

     Arriving on the ground, relief was soon given to those who had sustained

injuries, and all the dead bodies in sight were gathered up and sent into

Tyrone to be prepared for burial and await an inquest to be held by County

Coroner Michael Poet. 

     

     A little later the wounded were placed on a special train and brought to

this city. Five of these, after having received proper attention here, were

able to leave for the East at noon, but the remainder are still here.

     

DEAD.

FRANK TRAIN. Treasurer and ticket seller of the company. Indianapolis, Ind.

J. STRAYER. Houtzdale, Penn.

WILLIAM MUTTERLY. East Liberty, Penn. 

WILLIAM HEVERLY, Tyrone.

And two men not yet identified.

INJURED. 

The injured at the Altoona Hospital are as follows:

WILLIS OBANNAN, Chambersburg, Pa., aged thirty; wounds of scalp and face.

DAVID Jones, Harrisburg, Penn., aged thirty-three; sprain of right thigh.

FRANK MORSE. Rochester, N. Y., aged eighteen: eyebrow and scalp wounds.

WILLIAM EVANS, Williamstown, Penn., aged fifteen; laceration of right ankle

and probable internal injury, condition critical.

WILLIAM E. PATCHELL, Dubois, Penn., aged twenty; contusion of left knee

JAMES WILLIAM HANEY, Atheron, Westmoreland County, Penn. aged twenty-seven;

contusion of right shoulder and scalp wounds, right ear nearly torn off.

LOUIE CHAMPAIGN. Rochester, N. Y.; fatal internal injuries. unconscious.

     It was two hours before Frank Train could be reached. Ho was riding in

the ticket wagon and was buried underneath a pile of debris many feet high. He

was conscious all the time. Several times he urged on his rescuers, saying:

"Hurry up, boys, if you're going to do anything for me, or I'll die."

     

     The last timber was just removed from his body when he breathed his last.

He was a prominent member of several secret societies, among them being the

Knights of Pythias, Freemasons, Redman, and Elks. 

     

     William Henerty, a brakeman, of Tyrone was killed instantly. His head was

crushed to a pulp. He was aged thirty-three years, was married, and the father

of three children, the oldest of them six years. 

     

     J. Strayer, who was also killed, only joined the show last night, and was

making his first trip with it.

     The smash-up was simply awful. Of most of the cars nothing is left but

firewood and old iron. The flats were new, baying been built in Youngstown,

Ohio. only last year. 

     

     The destruction to stock was enormous, but the loss of human lives is

still more awfuL The man-slaying" ape, the most dangerous animal of the whole

lot, was luckily soon taken alive, and was safely caged.

     

     Strange to say, the elephants and camels, the heaviest animals of the

lot, were not injured in the least, and were apparently enjoying themselves as

if nothing had happened.

     

     In one place not 20 feet square lay the bodies of eight horses and a

trick pony and its young foal. In another were five horses, and close by was a

crushed box car, with an inextricable mass of horses, harness, and timber

impossible to picture. All were dead, and their positions showed that some, at

least, had struggled hard for a short time. Others had not moved. The cars had

caught them fairly, and, as one of the hostlers said, pointing out one horse,

"Poor Chicago; he never know what struck him." Scattered over the field were

the bodies of other horses that had staggered away with broken limbs and

internal injuties, and had been shot to put them out of their misery.

     

     Three lions escaped. One was quickly caught and caged. Another was

lassoed and tied to a tree by a colored attendant of the show, but a third is

still at large, although there is no fear of his escape, as he is the quietest

of the three.

     

     Two tigers belonged to the show, and both out away. Out was caged safely,

but the other met his fate at the hands of Alfred Thomas, a native of McCann's

Crossing. Mr. Thomas is a farmer. and his wife was attending to the milking of

the cows at about 6 o'clock this morning when the tiger leaped into the yard,

and, seizing one of the cows, killed it. Mrs Thomas went into the house and

alarmed Mr. Thomas, who got his rifle and killed the tiger.

     

     A bear, a hyena, a savage water Buffalo, the alligators, and a lot of

valuable snakes, which were in a glass ease, also escaped. but all of them were

captured in the bushes surrounding the scene of the accident. One was apt to

come on to a bear tied to a tree, a hyena. or some other fierce animal. In all

sixteen cages containing wild animals were crushed, and the animals escaped.

but were captured with but few exceptions. All the vehicles, chariots, show

wagons, &c., to the number of twenty-five, were utterly destroyed.

     

     Mr. Mains was asked about his insurance, but said he could not make an

estimate of his loss or insurance as yet. Two hundred thousand dollars is

placed by many as a low figure.

     

     A valuable new calliope was also utterly smashed up. The only animals

killed, besides the horses, were two sacred oxen, both of which were so

terribly injured that they had to be shot to put them out of their misery.

     

     Around the wreck, among the trees, tents were pitched as quickly as

possible, and the wounded horses were stabled in them and their wounds dressed.

Not one of them escaped uninjured.

     

     By dinner time supplies were being brought to the spot and cooking was

proceeded with. Everything was sent that was possible from Tyrone. Thousands of

sandwiches were cut at the Ward House and sent to the scene.

     

     At noon all Tyrone was out there, and not a buggy was to be had anywhere.

Along the road to Vail there was one long string of vehicles, carrying

sightseers, who came back loaded with relics of the wreck. There was no

Decoration Day in Tyrone this year.

     

     In any wreck such as this there are always some narrow escapes to report.

The most marvelous piece of luck was that which attended E. C. White or the

show company. On Sunday last Frank Train, the treasurer, who was killed, quit

the show and handed over to Mr. White all the accounts, tickets, and money. Mr.

Mains and Mr. Train, who bad been with the company several years, talked the

matter over yesterday, and Mr. Train decided to stay on as Treasurer. In

consequence of that arrangement he, and not Mr. White, was sleeping last night

in the ticket wagon and was killed.

     

     The real facts as to the cause of the wreck will probably be ascertained

at the inquest. It appears to be the general impression that such a heavy train

should have had at least two engines attached to it. The cars were sixty-five

feet long, solidly built, and very heavy.

     

     So far as could be ascertained on the spot the loss of rolling stock was

everything on the train, except the coaches. In them were sleeping about 125

people. Had they left the track the result would have been terrible to

contemplate.

     

     The loss of horses is very large. The hostler, Charles Evans. counted up

forty-nine dead, all told, among them all the valuable ring horses.