Masthead Logo The Palimpsest
Volume 54 | Number 1 Article 2
1-1-1973 An Iowan with Buffalo Bill: Charles Eldridge Griffin inur E ope. 1903-1906 H Roger Grant
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Recommended Citation Grant, H R. "An Iowan with Buffalo iB ll: Charles Eldridge Griffin inur E ope. 1903-1906." The Palimpsest 54 (1973), 2-13. Available at: https://ir.uiowa.edu/palimpsest/vol54/iss1/2
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the industry by the turn of the century An Iowan with Buffalo and in 1907 the Ringlings took control of Bill: Charles Eldridge the latter two firms.1 2 With the end of frontier conditions in Griffin in Europe, the late nineteenth century, the American public, now nostalgically viewing the In 1903-1906 dian as a “noble savage,” and craving the raw excitement of a vanishing phase of by their history, flocked to a new variation H. Roger Grant" of the circus, the Wild West show.“ Unlike the circus, the Wild West show featured scenes and events depicting life in the trans-Mississippi West. The first true Since colonial times Americans have Wild West show appeared in 1882 when enjoyed live entertainment. Troupes of William Frederick Cody, “Buffalo Bill, jugglers, aerialists, acrobats, magicians, launched his “Cowboy Fun” extravaganza and clowns have toured the country just in North Platte, Nebraska. as they have done in Europe since the Born in Scott County, Iowa in 1846, Middle Ages. During the late eighteenth Cody embodied all the romance of the century some of these performers began West.3 In his youth he was a daring pony to join animal trainers to form the circus express rider. Later, he became a profes as we now know it. Circuses enjoyed al sional hunter supplying buffalo meat to most universal popularity. They were an construction gangs of the Kansas Pacific exciting form of entertainment and as Railroad. He also was a scout and guide Hamlin Garland would later note, “The for the army during several post-Civil circus relieved the dullness of farm life.’ War Indian campaigns. In the 1870 s, In the 1880’s more than fifty circuses however, Cody left the frontier for the operated in America, although most were melodrama stage. A born showman and small and shortlived. By World War I the organizer, Buffalo Bill converted popular number of circuses dropped considerably 1 There are numerous circus histories. The best over-all while their size steadily increased. Just as studies are Earl Chapin May, The Circus from Rome to Ringling (New York: Duffield & Green, 1932) and consolidation movements swept American George L. Chindahl, A History of the Circus in America industry following the great depression of (Caldwell, Ida.: The Caxton Printers, 1959). 2While the complete history of the Wild West show the 1890’s, circus companies, too, banded has not been written, the leading work is Don Russell, The Wild West: A History of the Wild West Shoves together or bought out their principal (Fort Worth: Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, rivals. Ringling Brothers, Barnum & 1970). 3For Buffalo Bill’s own colorful story see Don Russell, Bailey, and Forepaugh-Sells dominated The Lives and Legends of Buffalo Bill (Norman: Uni versity of Oklahoma Press, I960) and William Frederick *The author is indebted to John W. Griffin of Albia Cody, Story of the Wild West and Camp-Fire Chats for supplying material relating to Mr. Griffin’s uncle. (Philadelphia: Historical Publishing Company, 1888). Palimpsest 3
interest in the West into a prosperous 1892, but then did not return to Europe business venture. His new show featured until a decade later. a variety of riding, roping, and shooting Although Buffalo Bill’s troupe is per acts along with pageant-like productions haps the best known Wild West show, characterizing Western life: stage coach many others appeared from the late robberies, cavalry-Indian shoot-outs, and eighties well into the twentieth century. buffalo hunts. By 1887 the Cody com Pawnee Bill’s Historic Wild West, Col. pany had toured the United States and Zack Mulhall’s Wild West, Dr. E. F. Car Europe in an extensive and successful ver’s Wild America, and the Miller Broth series of engagements. In fact, Buffalo ers’ 101 Ranch Show were among the Bill and his show continued to visit Eng more famous. Like Buffalo Bill’s Wild land and the continent until the fall of West, these shows stressed the colorful and episodic. FOUR YEARS IN EUROPE An Iowan, Charles Eldridge Griffin, WITH was associated with both the circus and BUFFALO BILL the Wild West show during their golden age. Although Griffin was never a central figure in either entertainment form, he authored the only book-length commen tary on Buffalo Bill’s second great tour of Europe. Published in Albia, Iowa in 1908 by the Stage Publishing Company, Four Years in Europe with Buffalo Bill is not only a valuable collector’s item (only 500 copies were printed) but pro vides useful glimpses into the operations of the show and the attitudes of one troupe member toward a variety of sub Br jects. Moreover, Griffin the entertainer CHARLES ELDRIDGE GRIFFIN represents an important social type. His A Descriptive Narrative of the Big American Show’s Successful Tour in Foreign Lands, Illustrated background, activities, and triumphs were With O riginal P hotos i;y the Author. probably typical of hundreds of other per 4 é é AIWA. IOWA: formers during the years between the siAGR rmi.isiiiNi; co. 1ÎH>S. Civil War and World War I. Griffin was born on June 16, 1859 in St. Joseph, Missouri. When a child, his The title page of Four Years in Europe. Most of the photographs which accompany this article are from family moved to Albia, the seat of Monroe Griffins book. County. Here Griffin’s father, John W. H. 4 Palimpsest
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Griffin, served as Monroe County sup he left Peter and Lewis Sells to become a erintendent of schools and later as county* member of the newly formed Hurlburt & clerk of courts. Charles’ mother, Fanny, Hunting Circus in New York City, later quickly became known for her musical known as Bob Hunting’s New York Cir abilities, particularly organ playing. Tal cus. Griffin stayed with Hunting for ent, however, was not limited solely to twelve seasons. Here he owned and op Mrs. Griffin. In time Charles and three erated the side show, and in 1898 he held other Griffin children, Frank, Fred, and a similar position with Frank A. Robbin’s Lucia B., gained a degree of fame for Circus. their special abilities. Frank and Fred In the 1890’s Griffin began writing and joined Charles in the circus business and publishing side-show books and pamph Lucia B. became a popular platform lets. While never best sellers, his works speaker. All of the Griffins were known were read widely by fellow entertainers for their extroverted personalities. and starry-eyed youngsters who hoped to Although information concerning leave home for an exciting life with the Charles Griffin’s early show business circus. In all, Griffin penned fourteen career is tantalizingly obscure, it is known specialty publications, including Griffins that as a sixteen year-old he toured coun Book of Wonders: A Description of Vari try school houses, town halls, and county ous Acts, Strange Phenomena, Illusions, fairs with his own “one man valise troupe.” be, Taught at the Griffin Conjuring Col In all probability it was here that young lege; How to Charm Snakes; Satan s Sup Griffin began to perfect his talents as a per; or Secrets of a Fire King (which magician and ventriloquist. went through nineteen editions); New and In 1881, Griffin, now an established Sure Key to Ventriloquism; and How to Iowa entertainer, joined his first show, Become a Contortionist. After the turn of Hilliard & DeMott’s Circus, as a “magi the century he acquired his own publish cian and lecturer.” After that company ing house in Albia, the Stage Publishing folded, he traveled to France to become Company, which reprinted earlier works general manager of the Paris Pavilion and published additional titles, including Shows. Next, Griffin, who called himself his well-known Four Years in Europe with The Comic Yankee Conjurer,” joined Btiffalo Bill. Between 1897 and 1901 he Pullman & Mack’s Circus. He stayed with was part owner of the Maquoketa (Iowa) this group for its short existence, 1884 to Weekly Excelsior. 1885. As a sign of his growing popularity Griffin took a giant step professionally and skill, he then affiliated with the na after leaving the Robbin’s Circus. In 1899 tionally famous Sells Brothers’ Circus as he became a performer and stage manager a ‘lecturer in side show and featured in for Ringling Brothers side show. Based concert (Fire Act).” In 1886, however, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the five Ringling
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“Les Gallerie (le les Phenomen” or the Side Show, Paris, 1906.
Brothers had built their circus into a CHARLES ELDRIDGE GRIFFIN, gigantic corporation by the late nineties. The Comic Yankee Conjurer. Little is known about Griffins four years with the Ringlings, except that he enter iVho (.* lour >t«r» plrtKd and p eriled Iht Royally ard Peasantry ft Eunpt. tained thousands with his sleight of hand Re-engaged for Season of Hi07 as Manager of Privileges wilh Buifalo Rill's Wild West. and ventriloquist acts, remembered as jrt 7 futi— ‘the very best. His wife Octavia, a snake ■< 4 y aA 'Y T '^7 charmer, joined him as did his brothers oking Backw ard\ ZJL Frank and Fred, and Fred s wife Julia, a 375 to 1880 Country k~*T7 u t* , ^ ^rr :hool Houses, Town 7 ~ Tf,
Charles Griffin and his family.j “I was fire-eating, snake charming, and mind among the lucky ones,” Griffin later re reading; and the “Wonders of the Known marked, “and when I received my con World.” The latter curiosities featured tract I felt highly elated at the prospect the “Blue Man,” the “Three-legged Man,” of a European tour with the most suc two “Tattooed Men,” “Grace Gilbert, the cessful amusement institution of modern Auburn Bearded Venus,” a “Scotch Piper times.” and Polyphonist,” and Professor James T. In December 1902 the Buffalo Bill Jukes, “one of the Original P. T. Barnum show sailed for England. Charles, his wife Bohemian Glass Blowers.” At the main Octavia, and Fred and Julia Griffin, how show the public heard the “Star Spangled ever, did not leave America until late Banner” overture played by Colonel Wil March 1903. After landing at Liverpool, liam Sweeney and his thirtv-six member the Griffin contingent joined the show at Cowboy Band. They then thrilled to the Manchester. Charles immediatelyj as- Grand Review. This colorful performance, sumed his duties as performer of “Yankee reminiscent of the circus parade, included magic” in the side show, working closely “Rough Riders of the World, genuine with the side show’s manager Lew Gra Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, Cowboys, ham. Cossacks, Mexicans, Scouts and Guides, Throughout England Buffalo Bill’s veteran members of the United States Wild West presented its standard pro Cavalry, a group of Western Girl Rough gram. The side show offered a variety Riders, and a detachment of colorguards, of popular acts: Punch and Judy shows; soldiers of the armies of America, Eng two bands, “Sig. Sagatta’s Belgian Hare land, Germany, Japan, Russia, Arabia and Band and “Tito Altobelli’s Italian Band; Mexico.’ The Grand Review had been numbers featuring magic, ventriloquism, an integral part of all Wild West shows
A long line of ticket buyers, waiting to get into the Wild West in Paris, 1905. 8 Palimpsest
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A “Bunch” (to use Griffins description) of the Wild West in front of the Colosseum in Rome. A strange mixture of Italian workmen, American showmen, and Sioux, the latter decked out in uniform Wild West outfits. since their inception. Frequently the Re produce this class of realistic entertain view was followed by the “Race of Races” ment. He will give an exhibition of expert —a spirited horseback contest between shooting from horseback, while galloping American cowboy, Indian, Mexican, Ara around the arena.’’ bian, and Cossack riders which illustrated Buffalo Bill’s Wild West had instant their differing styles of horsemanship. audience appeal. This can be explained Next to occur were artillery drills, various by the colorful and fast-moving acts them military exercises, reenactments of pony selves and the fact they mirrored popular express relay rides, attacks on wagon ly-held assumptions. In both Europe and trains, buffalo hunts, and train hold-ups. America the populace frequently glorified As the show’s program for 1907 noted, no military life, expressed an extreme brand performance was complete without the of national and racial pride, and firmly appearance of Colonel Cody: “The origi believed in the eventual triumph of West nal Buffalo Bill, the last of the great ern civilization over the world s heathens. scouts the first to conceive, originate and Not surprisingly, the greatest applause Palimpsest 9
often came with a cowboy victory over the season to accept a similar post with an Indian or Mexican during the "Race Ringling Brothers, Griffin took his place. of Races. As Griffin himself said, “We He would keep this job for the remainder gave them a show that was full of action of the European tour and for one year and something that they wanted and ex after the show returned to America. After pected to see.” the 1904 season closed the Griffins once During the 1903 season, the 800-mem more wintered in England. Charles again ber show moved from Manchester to found a temporary position. Instead of Birmingham and then to Wales and back returning to Paris, he traveled to Edin to various English cities closing on Octo burgh for the twentieth annual Waverly ber 23 at Burton-on-Trent. “We had a Market Carnival. Here he had a three very pleasant and prosperous season, not week contract with Sir Henry E. Moss, withstanding the fact that the elements the well-known British entertainment ty were against us most of the time,” noted coon. Griffin. "Three hundred and thirty-three The third season abroad shifted to the performances were given, and it can be Continent when the show opened in Paris recorded with satisfaction that only one in April 1905. Griffin, who did not speak performance was omitted . . . and that French, took a cram course from the Ber made necessary as a matter of public litz School of Languages in London prior safety on account of the high gale pre to rejoining the show. His twenty French vailing at the time.” lessons were some preparation for his Although most members of the Buffalo ventriloquist and magic acts. “Well, I got Bill show returned to the United States along pretty fair, considering that I did at the end of the 1903 season, Griffin and not know the meaning of half the words his wife stayed in England. After exten I was saying. Anyway it amused them, sive sight-seeing in the London area, so I was satisfied. I honestly believe that Charles accepted a four week engage more people came in the side show in ment at Frank C. Bostock’s Hippodrome Paris to hear and laugh at my ‘rotten’ in Paris, “one of the finest amusement French than anything else, and when I temples in the world.” Here the “Comic found that a certain word or expression Yankee Conjurer” once again displayed excited their risibilities, I never changed his talents. it. Buffalo Bill s second successful season The Paris stand from April 2 to June 4 in Great Britain began in April 1904. The was exceedingly successful. According show visited various English and Welsh to historian Don Russell, it was “the most cities and performed in Scotland for the prosperous in tent-show history.” From first time. When Lew Graham resigned the French capital, the show zigzagged as side show manager before the start of across the country, stopping in Cher- 10 Palimpsest
“A Sad Farewell” soon to be shot. bourg, Rouen, Le Havre, Lille, Lyons, St. Marseilles. The final season in Europe Malo, Bordeaux, and several other cities. opened there on March 4. Rather than In the midst of popular success a minor touring France for a second consecutive disaster struck the show. In early July season, the show moved to Italy, stopping show officials discovered to their great in Genoa, Spezia, Livorno, and Rome. dismay that glanders had broken out Italians enthusiastically greeted Buffalo among the horses. This disease was highly Bill’s Wild West. As Griffin wrote: "Never infectious among animals and could be in the twentv-fourj vears* historv * of the transmitted to humans. Bv¥ the time the Wild West was there such a crowd of Wild West closed the season in November people to welcome its arrival [in Rome]. at Marseilles, nearlv two hundred horses The streets were blocked and traffic sus had been shot, leaving only about one pended in the vicinity of the station. The hundred. The show was able to keep the police reserves were called out, and they glanders problem a virtual secret and finally✓ cleared the wav > for us to the Piazzi Griffin boasted in his Four Years in d’Armi, where we were to exhibit. ’ As in Europe that ‘the story has never been England and France nobility and promi publicly told until now. nent politicians were in attendance. The From November 1905 until March showmen and the “blue bloods” seemed 1906, the Buffalo Bill show wintered in to admire one another. This rapport simi- Palimpsest 11
larly extended to the commonfolk, for the likelv✓ that Griffin’s conclusions were fair- show throughout its existence provided ly typical of other Wild West entertain considerable cross-class appeal. ers. For example, he liked the British, From Italy, Buffalo Bill s Wild West not suffering from the Anglophobia that journeyed into the Austro-Hungarian Em plagued so many of his fellow country pire. Performances came in Trieste, Agram men. Perhaps this was because he felt at (Zagreb), Vienna, Budapest, and in a num home throughout the country, particular ber of smaller communities. The show ly London. Griffin noted that, “There are briefly visited czarist Russia. Then in American shoe stores, American quick August 1906, the Wild West arrived in lunches, American pharmacies, American Germany. At Dresden it enjoyed an un barbers, American dentists, American bars, usually fine four-day stand. T never saw American this and American that.” As a so many people on a show ground in my ventriloquist, the fact that he did not life as there were at Dresden, Sunday have to learn or memorize a new language afternoon, August 19,’ remarked Griffin. might have made him inclined toward “Although our seating capacity was about the British. Moreover, business was good 17,000 people, we could not accommo in England and this likely put Griffin in date half of those who desired admission.” a pro-English mood. He particularly liked After a successful tour of the countrv, English politeness and their “wholesome the show went to Belgium, closing the regard for law and order.” 1906 season in Ghent on September 21. Griffin had different views toward the “Take it all in all, the tour was a most French. Although business was good in successful one, both financially and artis France and there were numerous tourist tically,” Buffalo Bill then sold most of attractions to enjoy, the country bothered the animals, shipped the railroad cars and him. “There are two classes of people in show wagons to the Barnum & Bailey Paris,” he complained, “one class is there winter cpiarters in England, and sent the for the sole purpose of making money, remaining livestock, mostly the bucking and the other class to spend it. They are bronchos and other Wild West parapher both working overtime, and as a result nalia, back to New York. Nearlv all of the you pay top prices for everything.” Grif show’s personnel returned immediately to fin blasted some who attended Wild West America, but Griffin took a much needed performances. “The Hooligan element vacation in England. “When we closed was verv much in evidence there, remind- our season . . . , I felt as though I was ing one of the early days in America, on the verge of nervous prostration, hav when the ‘bad’ element of a section re ing been at a high nervous tension all garded the advent of a circus as an intru Summer . . . .” lie and Octavia arrived sion or menace, and would attack the show back in New York in late October 1906. people for no other reason than that they Although Griffin’s Four Years in Europe were strangers. ’ He grumbled, too, about with Buffalo Bill contains much narrative the French money situation. “I never saw material, it clearly reveals the author’s so much bad coin in my life as in France, views toward Europe and Europeans. It is and particularly Marseilles. It is not con- 12 Palimpsest
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sidered bad form to pass out a counter Why, his managers have to hedge him in feit piece if you have been unwise enough and keep the people from him during the to accept one. The government does not season, otherwise he would have his tents seem to make any effort to keep bad filled with free tickets . . . .’ Such a feel money out of circulation." ing of admiration toward Buffalo Bill was Griffin admitted that he was pleasantly common and perhaps explains why the surprised with Italy. “Many of us had it great showman consistently kept the down as a land of anarchists, with bombs loyalty of his employees. and stilettoes, but we found the people Apparently Charles Griffin’s four active the most peaceable and most subject to years in Europe proved too much for him. police control than any country we visited Shortly after arriving back in the United outside of England. He generally had States, he suffered a mild stroke. Never the same thoughts about the Austro- theless this indefatigable showman dem- Hungarian Empire, and he seemed sym pathetic to the problems of the various ethnic groups in that sprawling nation. “We think we have a race problem in America, but it is more complicated and acute [here] . . . , and it is not a matter of color, either. The majority of the peas antry are on a par, educationally, with the negroes of our Southern States, and the poor Jew is far more persecuted." Finally, Griffin appeared favorably in clined toward both the Germans and Belgians, although he admitted that he wished he could perform in the English language. These people were orderly and respected authority, ideal traits for “law and order” advocate Griffin. Four Years in Europe also indicates the author’s attitude toward Buffalo Bill. Griffin worshipped Cody. As he said in the book’s introduction, “It is really too bad that evervbodv cannot know the Colonel as his friends know him. He is truly one of the best fellows in the world A photo of Cody himself, inscribed to Griffin, —open hearted and generous to a fault. and printed at the front of Four Years in Europe. Palimpsest 13
Other Books by Same Author
(HOT TO BE HAD ELSEWHERE| Now is the Time to Learn an Act and Start In Vaudeville, Ventriloquism—Complete in three les sons; instructions for making and oper ating' the Talking Hand. and. three new dialogues. By mail, postpaid, $1.0 0 . Faust’s Fantastic Feats with Fire- Twenty tricks, representing all that is known in the art of Fire Fating. Fullv illustrated. Postpaid, $1 .0 0 . Juggling and Balancing — Fourteen lessons in Juggling. Balancing and Spin ning. $1 .0 0 . Rope and Wire Walking Made Easy— Eleven lessons. Fullv illustrated. Si.oo. How to Become a Contortionist— With instructions for making and using Limber Lizard Oil, together with seven illustrations and nine lessons in Front and Backward Bending, Leg Mania, etc. $ 1. 00. Stage Dancing—Ten lessons. $i.oo. “ Living Portraits’’— New monologue, introducing imitations of Irish. Dutch. Tramp and Jew Characters. $i.oo. Black Face Monologue— Fifteen min utes, with song. $r.oo. Magic Kettle Act—Without liquid air. $ 1.00 . Magic Cauldron (New)—A sequel to the Magic Kettle. $i.oo.
ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS. ALL BY MAIL POSTPAID.
STAGE PUB. CO. Box 43J, Albu, Iowa
Advertisements proclaiming Griffin’s side show library. See p. 14. onstrated his lovaltv* * for Buffalo Bill and local residents with performances at Al- rejoined the show for the 1907 season. bia s opera house. Soon he was the victim This ended his affiliation with a national of a more serious stroke and as a nephew entertainment group. Returning to Albia remembers “he wasn’t able to do any that fall, Griffin concentrated on publish thing.” Griffin died in Albia on January ing and writing. However, he entertained 3, 1914 at the age of fifty-four.