The Circus in Winter Page 12

  Sincerely,

  Curtis Grimm II

  Last Will & Testament of Curtis Archibald

  Grimm II, 1804

  SECTION IV : Property, Servants (Children)

  MALE: Aaron, Valentine, Ace, Jupe, Ned, Tom, Chance, Gus, Fortune, Apollo, Bo, Sweet, Collis, Luke, George, October, Damon, Victor, Walt, Virgil, Peter, Simon, Prince, Enoch.

  FEMALE : Rea, Alice, Alatea, Little Ellie, Marta, Corrine, Little Zosie, June, Loyal, Vangy, Delia, Athena, Spring, Sida, Polly, Bodie, Sibby.

  Journal & Ledger of Curtis Grimm III,

  Eastwater, July 16, 1810

  Weather hot & humid. Was forced to sell George yestiddy as he took one of my pigs. Kenneth found the bones behind his quarters & flog'd all in house. Caesar tried to confess to his son's crime, but I new he was not the culprit. Rice & Peaches both doing well & if continues to harvest will allow me to buy 50 acres from Mr. Yardley.

  Grimm Family Papers (Section C: 1804–1840)

  December 25, 1864

  My Dearest Caroline,

  I trust that you and the children are safe and enjoying a happy Christmas. The provisions you sent along with Festus have brought a small measure of cheer to us here on James Island. Please reassure Maum Ellie that Festus is out of harm's way. She 'd be proud of the job her son's been doing as my valet.

  I feel we will be together again soon, as it seems certain that we will soon lose Charleston. These are dark days indeed. The Yankees will no doubt reach Eastwater within the next month or two, so it would be best to distribute whatever provisions you have stored to prevent them from filling the enemy's belly. They will most likely destroy whatever they find, so please hide or bury what you cannot bear to lose. Be sure to secure my family papers as I would rather die than see 150 years of meticulous recordkeeping thrown on a Yankee cook fire. Do what you can to protect your womanhood from the Yankees and Negroes, for there is no telling what wretched acts they may perpetrate upon us. The Lord was not with us in our glorious fight, but may He at least protect and keep you safe until we are reunited.

  All my love,

  Curtis

  Grimm Family Papers (Section D: 1841–1908)

  October 14, 1888

  My Dear Friend James,

  It is with a heavy heart that I write to you. The house at Eastwater, where as boys we spent so many carefree days playing under the palmettos, has fallen into decay since The War, and the grounds have lost their lustre as I can no longer pay to keep them up. Most of our niggers have left, so the land's gone to waste, even that which I sold for shares. I've had some whites try to make a go of growing rice, but one season standing in the muck does them in, I'm afraid.

  As you suggested, I've turned to reading, the Good Book and Scott of course, but also the latest by Page, Harris, and Kennedy. Their words stir my memories of those blissful days of not-so-long ago, and so moved have I been that I decided to take pen to paper myself. To my mind, no writer has yet captured the sound of the Gullah spoken by the Low Country nigger. I have been paying close attention to the peculiar speech of my drivers Marvin and Sugar (they are the sons of my valet Festus, whom I think you will remember well). I've captured fragments of Gullah. For example, "We glade fa see onah " means "We are glad to see you," and "Uh nee' sumptin tas'e 'e mout" means "I need something good to eat." I find it easier to approximate this dialect on the page than in speech, but it flows quite easily from their thick lips. It seems to me to be for the most part a careless manner of speaking, a broken English wrapped around their clumsy tongues. Some of the phrases are completely incomprehensible to me, as they are most likely their jungle language secretly maintained.

  I am currently working on a tale told in the same manner as Page's "Marse Chan." A Yankee comes across an old nigger who tells with pride the story of the brave Cavalier who was his master. To tell my story, I need only think of Festus, who passed to a sweet repose last year. I felt his loss most keenly and remember with affection his devotion to me on the Field of Battle. He was like a father to me, since my own passed on when I was so young.

  Should you and Paulina desire to venture out, you are always most welcome, although Caroline and I can no longer offer you the comforts once at our disposal.

  Most sincerely,

  Curtis Grimm IV

  Chapter the Second

  The Jungle Goolah Boy's Circus Career,

  According to the Circus's Proprietors

  —The Grand Pacific Hotel—

  San Francisco, California

  December 29, 1900

  Colonel Ford, General Agent

  Great Porter Circus & Menagerie

  Winterquarters

  Lima, Indiana

  Dear Colonel:

  I hope this letter finds you in good health & that you found sufficient Yuletide spirit. My purchase of the Diamond Show has been completed at long last. Two 28-car sections loaded with property should reach Lima in the coming days; they are being shipped from the Diamond winterquarters in Old Mexico. I have inspected all stock and property and found them to be in good condition; if they should reach you otherwise, please inform me immediately. When the train arrives, take precautions that the animals not catch cold on their pull to the winter quarters. Hofstadter, superintendent of the Diamond menagerie, says feeding the elephants bran soaked in gallons of whiskey prevents them from taking cold. The big beasts go after the stuff like a child to candy. The Diamond menagerie includes the biggest bull elephant I've ever seen named Caesar, and a fine specimen of a hippopotamus, Helen. The new animals will add greatly to the menagerie, and Hofstadter's act with the elephants is not to be missed.

  If you have any questions about keeping our route book, please inform me. I encourage you to include as much information as possible, as you never know what may prove useful.

  Best Regards,

  Wallace Porter

  Route Book of the Great Porter Circus, Season 1898

  Portland, Oregon, Thursday, August 1—Population 78,000. Lot corner Twenty-second and U Streets. Weather fine. City officials raised the license fee to an extortionate figure, but we succeeded in getting a concession. Caesar the elephant went on a wild tear this morning in the parade. A young negro in our employ seems to be the only one who can handle the ugly brute, so he was summoned from honey bucket duty in the Pullmans, a foul task from which he was quite happy to be liberated. Within the hour, young Sugar had the situation controlled, and was then promoted to the menagerie department, where Hofstadter will no doubt teach the boy a thing or two. Hereafter Caesar will have the pleasure of wearing chains for his bad conduct. Oregon Railway & Navigation Co., 88 miles.

  May 15, 1900

  Dear Wife,

  Yuma, Arizona. Population 1,700. The hottest spot on the American continent, a dry heat much different from our beloved Virginia. Reached town at noon. Cloudless sky, blazing sun, and the temperature 120 degrees in the shade. If this keeps up, don't know how the polar bears will fare. At yesterday's stand in Riverside, California, a boy got his hand nipped by that cantankerous camel. Got the croaker away from his bottle long enough to come bandage up the finger, which was bleeding rather badly. Mr. Ryce, our fixer, was quick on the scene with a sucker, a free ticket, and the legal release form, which the lad signed with no fuss, thankfully.

  An incident of some humor occurred last week when Mr. Porter decided to make Sugar Church, a very capable Negro handler, part of Hans Hofstadter's act. (I am sure you can imagine how old Hans took the news!) Barnum & Bailey trouped with a Zulu Chief last season, one of their biggest draws. Porter decided we needed a Zulu Chief too, and asked me to come up with a good name. Sugar Church is Gullah—I recognized it in his voice, the same queer nigger speech I heard in Charleston during the War. So I said, "Why not name him the Jungle Gullah Boy." I know I said it right, GULL-ah, but Porter misheard me and wrote it down as "Jungle Goolah Boy." Sounds like Jungle Goulash Boy! I almost corrected him, but Porter is a Yankee, after all, and sometimes one must give Yankees a wid
e berth. Overall, show going well. Will write more later.

  With Kindest Affection,

  The Colonel

  Programme of Displays of

  The Great Porter Circus Season of 1900

  DISPLAY NO. 1

  Rings No. 1, 2, & 3: Opening Spectacular—a Kaleidoscopic Panorama of Regal Magnificence completely filling the immense Hippodrome course. Illustrating the grandeur of the Greatest Love Story of All Time. KING SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA. 1,000 characters, 200 chorus members, 300 dancing girls, elephants, camels, and horse-drawn chariots. A Superb Series of Animated Triumph in which Imitation surpasses Reality.

  DISPLAY NO. 2

  Ring No. 1: Thrilling display of Contortion by the Oriental Wonders from the Land of the Chrysanthemum. THE FUKINO IMPERIAL JAPANESE ACROBATIC TROUPE.

  Ring No. 2: Mirth-provoking Clowns in Amusing Antics.

  Ring No. 3: Pageant of Pachyderms. Caesar, Largest Elephant in America. Sambo, Found in Deepest Africa. And Ying Ying, the Dancing Elephant. Led by HANS HOFSTADTER, World-Famous Elephant Trainer. Assisted by his JUNGLE GOOLAH BOY.

  The Western Union Telegraph Company

  —Incorporated—

  23,000 Offices in America.

  Cable Service to all the World

  Robert C. Clowry, President & General Manager

  RECEIVED at

  Lima, Indiana

  Wallace Porter

  via Chicago, Illinois

  June 22, 1903

  Winter Quarters, the Great Porter Circus tragedy while halted on tracks struck from rear outside St Charles 111 cars hit burst into flames 61 men dead most roustabouts no records or identification must bury in unmarked graves 10 elephants buried where fell your presence urgently needed

  Col. Ford, Gen'l Agent 435AM Paid: to the account of the Great Porter Circus

  Route Book of the Great Porter Circus, Season 1905

  Hagerstown, Md., Monday, August 28—Population, 18,000. Lot in Fair Grounds. Rain all night. Lot very soft. Irene Hobzini met with a very painful accident during her teeth slide. In this act, she slides down an incline wire while suspended on a pulley by her teeth. The man who regularly breaks her fall was indisposed after a long night with the bottle, so Sugar was called from the sideshow tent. Unfortunately, his duties were not properly explained to him, and Miss Hobzini crashed into a pole. The blow knocked out many of her teeth, the bridge of her upper jaw was split, and all her remaining teeth were loosened. A dentist was summoned who did what he could, but we are afraid she will never be able to perform this exciting act again. Transfer to Western Maryland Ry., 39 miles.

  Route Book of the Great Porter Circus, Season 1907

  Wheeling, W. Va., Tuesday, May 9—Population 40,000. Lot on the Island. Rain up to 10 A.M., fine balance of day. Ed Garland visits from Pittsburgh where he is performing in the vaudeville "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Ed trouped with us last season in our blackface act, The Black Hussar Band, and since leaving has been sorely missed. Brutus the riding bear nearly caused a panic by rushing up into the seats after his act. Sugarchurch was sent to collect the animal. Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, 12 miles.

  Route Book of the Great Porter Circus, Season 1910

  Greenville, N.C. Friday, September 29—Population 3,500. Lot four blocks from depot. Weather clear. Promoted Sugar Church from the animal stalls to the sideshow where he makes a good Zumi the Monkey Boy. A negro woman of this town murdered her husband last month and her trial was set for 11 o'clock this morning. The judge and jury all wanted to attend the circus. They discussed and decided if they hurried a little they could finish in half the time and still do their duty. The case was presented in one hour and it took the jury of twelve good men eight minutes to bring in a verdict of not guilty. The afternoon show was attended by all and pronounced superior. Atlantic Coast Line, 28 miles.

  Deed of Sale, November 15, 1939

  Herewith all property of the Great Porter Circus & Menagerie is transferred to the Coleman Bros. Circus of New York, New York. This includes: 57 railcars (Pullman, stock, and flatcars); all canvas tops (total 575 feet); 12 tableau wagons; 3 steam calHopes; 39 animal cages; concession equipment; hitches; poles; star-back seats; rope; rigging; all draft stock (43 horses) and menagerie stock (7 elephants, 8 Liberty horses, 1 hippopotamus, 9 camels, 4 yaks, 3 llamas, 2 sacred cattle, 3 zebras). All officers, doormen, ticket sellers, ushers, musicians, candy butchers, canvas men, property men, wardrobe attendants, drivers, porters, cooks, performers, and attractions may continue service under new ownership; however, if they choose not to continue, must forfeit any materials used in performance of their duties. Signed this day, the Fifteenth of November in the Year of Our Lord, Nineteen hundred and thirty nine.

  X Wallace Porter

  Owner and Manager, the Great Porter Circus

  X Edgar Coleman

  President, Coleman Bros. Circus

  Chapter the Third

  The Jungle Goolah Boy's Story,

  According to Life Magazine

  Cook, Roger. "May All Your Days Be Circus Days," Life. July 30, 1940.

  The big top provides many opportunities to the American Negro. For example, "Sugarchurch" (he did not divulge his real name) was a struggling sharecropper in South Carolina until he joined the circus at age 16. He started as a Pullman porter, worked his way up to animal handler, and eventually found himself working for various circuses in a number of different incarnations as "The Wild Man." Currently, he is trouping with Warren Barker's Wild Animal Odyssey as "King Kungo," but over the years, he's worked for the now-defunct Great Porter Circus, the Coleman Bros. Circus, and others, where he was billed under a variety of names: "Zumi the Monkey Boy," "Zootar the Missing Link," and "Jungle Goolah Boy." On average, he earns $30 a week, a sum he says far exceeds that which he can make elsewhere.

  According to Mr. Sugarchurch: "They keep me in a cage most times in hardly no clothes, and I'm not to talk to folks, just grunt and look mean. When the people come to look, they throw me raw meat. I poke at it and smell it and worry over it, but I just pretend to eat it because it's horse meat mostly." When his sideshow duties were over, he donned a clean pair of dungarees and went directly to the cook tent to enjoy his real dinner: pork chops and mashed potatoes.

  Advance departments often circulate bogus stories in small-town newspapers the week before the circus is scheduled to arrive to increase ticket sales. A common promotional tactic is to report that the wild man has escaped. The advance man for Warren Barker planted such a story in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The day before the show arrived, the local paper announced that, after a weeklong manhunt, "King Kungo" had been captured by Canadian Mounties and was safely chained for his visit to Sioux Falls. Mr. Sugarchurch claims that in the many years he's worked as a wild man, he's "escaped" thousands of times.

  Chapter the Last

  How Sugar Church became the Jungle Goolah Boy—According to his Brother—According to the WPA

  Federal Writer's Project, WPA Life Histories

  South Carolina Worker's Project

  NAME OF WORKER : Florence Place, Murrell's Inlet, S.C.

  DATE: September 10, 1938

  FORM A : Circumstances of Interview

  Subject: Negro Folklore and Migration.

  Name and Address of Informant: Marvin Church, Edisto Island.

  Place of interview: his home.

  Description of room, surroundings, etc.: Kitchen in three-room pole house, clay chimney. No electricity, meagerly furnished, but clean.

  FORM B: Personal History of Informant

  Ancestry: Negro.

  Place and date of birth: Eastwater plantation, March 10, 1882.

  Family: Married, eight children, five living.

  Occupations: drove a carriage until 1908, when Eastwater's owner died; moved to Edisto in 1908, makes living as ferryman.

  Special skills and interests: Mr. Church is a "sticker" with the Edisto Island Shouters. NOTE : "Shouts" are a remnant of the slave-song tradition incorporating call an
d response singing to the beat of a broom or stick on a wooden floor. Recorded by John A. Lomax. Songs, spirituals, hymns, including a narrative on the storm of 1893 spoken by Mrs. Ursula Brown. Recorded in Murrells Inlet, SC, August 1936. (See AFS 829–877. Two discs. Tape copy on LWO 4872 reels 59; 62–63.)

  Description of Informant: medium/slightly built, weight about 155, skin heavily lined, the color of coffee with cream.

  Other points gained in interview: The subject spoke in a Negro dialect that was sometimes difficult to understand. I have translated somewhat for ease of reading.