A grand institution has gone by the wayside, taking with it another slice of Americana. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey have closed down the big top and folded away the costumes. The animals have been put out to pasture, and we are the poorer for their passing. Animal rights activists, and Americas changing attitudes, have spelled her demise. More than a tent has come down this week. A part of our soul has been moved into memory land forever..
The following is a story I wrote years ago about the winter quarters of Carson and Barnes Circus in Hugo, Oklahoma, and its own private cemetery. I wonder if P.T. Barnum will raise his tent here, along with all the clowns and peanut venders?
Psalm 81:2
Begin the music, strike the tambourine…
They have all come to a common place to hang up their hats and wash off their makeup.. The clowns and the animal trainers and the peanut vendors and the tightwire walkers. All are here where the corner markers read, “Showman’s Rest”
This is Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Okla., and here, near the winter quarters of the Carson and Barnes circus, is the final resting place of many of the troubadours of the sawdust. One tombstone is in the shape of a circus bigtop, while many have permanent photos of the stars set into the marble, giving the appearance that they have just gone out to lunch.
The “Great Humberto” has taken down his wire for the last time, and Donnie Charles has put up his bridles on the wagon peg, never to be taken down again. The message under the marble pillow of Ted Bowman reads, “ There is nothing left but empty popcorn sacks and wagon tracks. The circus is gone.”
With the towering pines for a big top and the Okla. red dirt for the center ring, the players have now moved on to a circus in the sky. There is a heavenly three ring show getting ready to start there and the ringmaster is the King of Kings. Here the bright lights shine eternally on all who sit around the throne, and the calliope happily plays, “Shall we gather at the River.’
Yes, the circus has sadly left town today , but it is still playing up the road a bit. I already have my ticket, and the parade is getting ready to start. Hurry, you don’t want to miss this one, “The greatest show above the Earth.”
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