The "Women And The Circus" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Over 100 years ago in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the circus had come to town.  It more than likely took up residence at the old Fair Grounds along the Harrisburg Pike near Longs Park.  Everyone in town was excited since for many it was the only form of entertainment they might have until the circus arrives again next year.  There was no television and heavens...no Twitter.  Everyone in town was ready to head to the circus to see the exotic animals, the clowns, the acrobats and of course the Circus girls.  It was at the turn of the century that the circus spotlight began to shine on women, highlighting their athletic talents as well as their beauty. Back in the early 1900s woman's roles were still considered to be homemakers and child bearers.  And the few women that traveled and performed with the circus were a rarity.  Seems the circus offered a home for some female outsiders and castaways and provided the independence that was abnormal for most woman.  The women of the American Circus worked tirelessly to try and perfect their acts, attempting to steal the limelight and perform stunts not thought possible for their male counterparts.  

Lillian Leitzel

One such women was Lillian Leitzel who was a famous aerialist whose story was one told in the Saturday Evening Post in 1920.  She once said, "They seem to assume that circus people have not got beyond the primitive stage of the cave man and are an aggregation of unlettered louts wholly devoid of the commonest sense of social amenities."  What made Lillian different than most women of the day was...she was wealthy!   In 1917 she was making up to $200 a week with Ringling Brothers.  Today that $200 would be about $4,000.  Actually, many female circus stars raked in more than their male counterparts.  

Advertisement poster showing Lillian

Lillian had her own train car that contained a piano, and at each stop would dress in her own private tent.  By the 1920s she was making close to $500 per week and was a brassy prima donna.  She was the daughter of Czech circus performers and began in the gymnasium at the age of 3.  She was best known for climbing up a rope and placing her hand in a loop while she threw her body around and around; dislocating her shoulder over and over again as she performed her "one-arm planges".  Phalanges are the bones that make up the fingers and toes.  She was a daredevil who suffered many injuries during her acrobatic career.  She was also known for giving parties for all of the circus children and giving them expensive gifts.  She encouraged women to exercise to stay healthy and suggested swimming daily.  Lillian married the Mexican trapeze artist Alfedo Codona, but the marriage was filled with jealousy and resentment.  In Copenhagen, Leitzel was performing when the brass ring she was holding snapped and she fell 20 feet onto her head.  She died the next morning from a concussion.  

Mabel Stark

Another famous woman performer was Mabel Stark who was working as a nurse when she made a visit to the circus in Venice, California.  She became obsessed with the Bengal tigers and eventually joined the Al G. Barnes Circus in 1911.  She was the first American woman to take up the dangerous profession of big cat trainer.  In 1920 she joined the Ringling Brothers after they told her how much they loved her wrestling matches with the big cats.  She often said that the tone of her voice had much to do with her success.  

A poster showing Miss Mabel Stark

She was mauled one time in the ring and required 378 stitches and another bout with one of her cats gave her a limp arm.  She retired from the circus in the 1930s and began work at an amusement park called Jungleland.  She committed suicide in her late 70s after one of her tigers escaped and was shot.  

Miss May Wirth leaping from one horse to the other.

One final woman who requires mention is May Wirth who was known as "The World's Greatest Rider."  At the age of 17 she made her first appearance in the Ringling Brothers' show at Madison Square Garden.  During her performance the five-year-old  leapt from horse to horse while doing flips and twists, all with a giant hair bow.  Will Rogers witnessed the young Australian and predicted "the day would come when there would be but two types of bareback riders in the world, May Wirth and all the others."  Mr. Ringley was skeptical that she could perform her legendary somersault and wanted to see it.  

Poster showing May Wirth

She missed it the first time, but aced it the second time.  That earned her a contract with the Ringley Brothers' Circus.  In 1913, an unfortunate slip caused her to be dragged around the track by her feet.  Nine years later she rode a 3 year old, 2,400 pound bull while standing on her hands upon his back.  She was inducted into the Ringling Museum and Circus Hall of Fame in 1964.  These three women are alleged to have been the three most dominant females in the field of circus performers.  I would have loved seeing them perform, but never had the chance.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.