| 1. | Murray Alexander Pennock was born on 11 Jul 1887 in Holstein, Grey County, Ontario, Canada; died on 5 Feb 1960 in Cresent City, San Diego County, California, United States; was buried in Hollywood Forever, Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, United States. Other Events and Attributes:
- FindaGrave Memorial ID: 225750772
- _UID: 8776A498875440C686CBB3D3B703157030FD
- Census-Household Member: Mar 1901, Mount Forest Town, Wellington North County, Ontario, Canada; Canada
- Immigration: 1903; as recorded on 1930 census
- Immigration: 30 Sep 1906, International Falls, Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States; arrival in US based on Naturalization Records
- Occupation: 1908, Fort William, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada; candy butcher, joined the Norris and Rowe circus
- Occupation: 1908; joined the Norris & Rowe circus as candy butcher, hired by Walter Shannon
- Residence: Between 7 Nov 1908 and 12 Mar 1909, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, United States; over the winter
- Occupation: 1909; 24-hour man with Norris and Rowe circus
- Occupation: 1909, Seattle, King County, Washington, United States; Seattle Exposition, after Norris & Rowe circus folded in May
- Occupation: Between Apr 1910 and May 1910, United States; 24-hour man, Norris & Rowe
- Occupation: Apr 1910, Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington, United States; contracting agent under Wm. Peck at the Al G. Barnes show
- Occupation: Apr 1910, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States; Sells Floto
- Occupation: 1911, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Atchinson Show in Australia
- Occupation: May 1912, Cheyenne, Laramie, Wyoming, United States; contracting agent for Irwin Brothers Wild West show
- Occupation: Dec 1912, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Atkinson Show in Australia
- Occupation: Abt 1918, United States; general manager, Barnes Wild West Show of the West
- Occupation: 1913 1923, United States; Barnes Wild Animal Show of the West
- Census: 1930, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, United States; USA
- Occupation: 1930, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, United States; theatre manager
- Residence: 1930, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, United States; 988 East Washington Street
- Census: 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States; USA
- Occupation: 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States; publicity
- Residence: 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States; 1014 El Centro Avenue
- Occupation: 1924 1943, United States; manager of movie theatres in New York, Minneapolis and Los Angeles
Notes:
Birth:
Name?tab?Murray Alexander Pennock
Gender Male
Birth Date 11 Jul 1887
Birth Place Grey, Grey, Ontario, Canada
Father?tab?Scott A Pennock
Mother Lizzie Gow
FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225750772
Census-Household Member:
Role: Household Member
Occupation:
Approached Walter Shannon for work will circus was in Canada.
Norris and Rowe Circus time in Canada (or was he in Montana?)
June
20 - New Westminster, B.C. Canada
21 - Sunday
22-23 - Vancouver, B.C. Canada
15 - Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
16 - Blairmore, B.C. Canada?tab? ?tab?July
17 - Lethbridge, Alta. Canada
18 - Claresholm, Alta. Canada
19 - Sunday
20 - Calgary, Alta. Canada
21 - Red Deer, Alta. Canada
22 - Edmonton, Alta. Canada
23 - Vermillion, Alta. Canada
24 - North Battleford, Sask. Canada
25 - Saskatoon, Sask. Canada
26 - Sunday
27 - Dauphin, Man. Canada
28 - Gladstone, Sask. Canada
29 - Minnedosa, Sask. Canada
30 - Carberry, Sask. Canada
31 - Portage La Prairie, Sask. Canada
August
1 - Kenora, Ont. Canada
2 - Sunday
3 - Ft. William, Ont. Canada
4 - Port Arthur, Ont. Canada
5 - Enroute
6 - Ft. Francis, Ont. Canada
Occupation:
Norris & Rowe Circus, opened in Santa Cruz on March 18, 1908 and was playing through Canada. C. I. Norris, H. S. Rowe. General offices, winter quarters 1908-1909, Santa Cruz, California.
?b?Greater Norris & Rowe Circus, 1908?/b?
March
18 - Santa Cruz, California
19 - Watsonville, California
20 - Monterey, California
21 - Palo Alto, California
22 - Sunday
23 - Alameda, California
24 - Berleley, California
25 - Port Richmond, California
26-27 - Oakland, California
28 - Stockton, California
30 - Hanford, California
31 - Bakersfield, California
April
1 - Visalia, California
2 - Fresno, California
3 - Merced, California
4 - Sonora, California
5 - Sunday
6 - Jackson, California
7 - Lodi, California
8 - Sacramento, California
9 - Colfax, California
10 - Reno, Nevada
11 - Carson City, Nevada
12 - Sunday
13 - Vallejo, California
14 - San Rafael, California
15 - Petaluma, California
16 - Santa Rosa, California
17 - Heroldsburg, California
18 - Ukiah, California
19 - Sunday
20 - Vacaville, California
21 - Woodland, California
22 - Oroville, California
23 - Chico, California
24 - Red Bluff, California
25 - Redding, California
26 - Montague, California
27 - Ashland, Oregon
28 - Medford, Oregon
29 - Grants Pass, Oregon
30 - Roseburg, Oregon
May
1 - Cottage Grove, Oregon
2 - Eugene, Oregon
3 - Sunday
4 - Salem, Oregon
5 - Albany, Oregon
6 - Dallas, Oregon
7 - McMinnville, Oregon
8 - Forest Grove, Oregon
9 - Oregon City, Oregon
10 - Sunday
11-12 - Portland, Oregon
13 - The Dalles, Oregon
14 - Pendleton, Oregon
15 - La Grande, Oregon
16 - Baker City, Oregon
17 - Sunday
18 - Walla Walla, Washington
19 - Dayton, Washington
20 - Pomeroy, Washington
21 - Colfax, Washington
22 - Moscow, Idaho
23 - Lewiston, Idaho
24 - Sunday
25 - Palouse, Washington
26 - Rosalia, Washington
27 - Sprague, Washington
28-29 - Spokane, Washington
30 - Couer D'Alene, Idaho
31 - Sunday
June
1 - Prosser, Washington
2 - North Yakima, Washington
3 - Ellensburg, Washington
4 - Cle Elum, Washington
5 - Puyallup, Washington
6 - Tacome, Washington
7 - Sunday
8 - Vancouver, Washington
9 - Chehalis, Washington
10 - South Bend, Washington
11 - Centralia, Washington
12 - Aberdeen, Washington
13 - Olympia, Washington
14 - Sunday
15-17 - Seattle, Washington
18 - Ballard, Washington
19 - Sedro Wooley, Washington
?b?20 - New Westminster, B.C. Canada
21 - Sunday
22-23 - Vancouver, B.C. Canada?/b?
24 - Bellingham, Washington
25 - Everett, Washington
26 - Wenatchee, Washington
27 - Odessa, Washington
28 - Sunday
29 - Sand Point, Idaho
30 - Hamilton, Montana
July
1 - Missoula, Montana
2 - Anaconda, Montana
3-4 - Butte, Montana
5 - Sunday
6 - Lewistown, Montana
7 - Enroute
8 - Helena, Montana
9 - Great Falls, Montana
10 - Benton, Montana
11 - Havre, Montana
12 - Cut Bank, Montana
13 - Kalispell, Montana
14 - Enroute
?b?15 - Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
16 - Blairmore, B.C. Canada?tab? ?tab?July
17 - Lethbridge, Alta. Canada
18 - Claresholm, Alta. Canada
19 - Sunday
20 - Calgary, Alta. Canada
21 - Red Deer, Alta. Canada
22 - Edmonton, Alta. Canada
23 - Vermillion, Alta. Canada
24 - North Battleford, Sask. Canada
25 - Saskatoon, Sask. Canada
26 - Sunday
27 - Dauphin, Man. Canada
28 - Gladstone, Sask. Canada
29 - Minnedosa, Sask. Canada
30 - Carberry, Sask. Canada
31 - Portage La Prairie, Sask. Canada
August
1 - Kenora, Ont. Canada
?/b?2 - Sunday
?b?3 - Ft. William, Ont. Canada
4 - Port Arthur, Ont. Canada
5 - Enroute
6 - Ft. Francis, Ont. Canada
?/b?7 - Virginia, Minnesota
8 - Hibbing, Minnesota
9 - Sunday
10 - Grand Rapids, Minnesota
11 - Bemidji, Minnesota
12 - Brainerd, Minnesota
13 - Enroute
14 - Mandan, North Dakota
15 - Dickinson, North Dakota
16 - Sunday
17 - Glendive, Montana
18 - Miles City, Montana
19 - Billings, Montana
20 - Red Lodge, Montana
21 - Livingstone, Montana
22 - Bozeman, Montana
23 - Sunday
24 - Dillon, Montana
25 - Idaho Falls, Idaho
26 - St. Anthony, Idaho
27 - Blackfoot, Idaho
28 - American Falls, Idaho
29 - Twin Falls, Idaho
30 - Sunday
31 - Montpelier, Idaho
September
1 - Kemmerer, Wyoming
2 - Rock Springs, Wyoming
3 - Rawlings, Wyoming
4 - Laramie, Wyoming
5 - Ault, Colorado
6 - Sunday
7 - Salida, Colorado
8 - Buena Vista, Colorado
9 - Florence, Colorado
10 - Walsenburg, Colorado
11 - Alamosa, Colorado
12 - Monte Vista, Colorado
13 - Sunday
14 - Trinidad, Colorado
15 - Dawson, New Mexico
16 - Raton, New Mexico
17 - Las Vegas, New Mexico
18 - Santa Fe, New Mexico
19 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
20 - Sunday
21 - Portales, New Mexico
22 - Roswell, New Mexico
23 - Lexico, New Mexico
24 - Amarillo, Texas
25 - Sayre, Oklahoma
26 - Anadarko, Oklahoma
27 - Sunday
28 - El Reno, Oklahoma
29 - Kingfisher, Oklahoma
30 - Enid, Oklahoma
October
1 - Geary, Oklahoma
2 - Alva, Oklahoma
3 - Woodward, Oklahoma
4 - Sunday
5 - Dalhart, Texas
6 - Tucumcari, New Mexico
7 - Santa Rosa, New Mexico
8 - Carrizozo, New Mexico
9 - Alamogordo, New Mexico
10 - Enroute
11 - Clifton, Arizona
12 - Enroute
13 - Globe, Arizona
14 - Safford, Arizona
15 - Tombstone, Arizona
16-17 - Cananea, Mexico
18 - Hermosillo, Mexico
19 - Guaymas, Mexico
20 - Magdolina, Mexico
21 - Nogales, Arizona
22 - Benson, Arizona
23 - Mesa City, Arizona
24 - Enroute
25 - Yuma, Arizona
26 - Imperial, California
27 - Redlands, California
28 - Pomona, California
29 - Pasadena, California
30 - San Pedro, California
31 - Long Beach, California
November
1 - Sunday
2 - Oxnard, California
3 - Santa Barbara, California
4 - Lompoc, California
5 - Santa Maria, California
6 - Paso Robles, California
7 - Salinas, California
End of season
C. I. Norris, H. S. Rowe. General offices, winter quarters, Santa Cruz, California.
Occupation:
Greater Norris & Rowe Circus, 1909 (partial), Winter quarters, Evansville, Indiana.
May
5 - The Dalles, Oregon
6 - Hepner, Oregon
7 - Pendleton, Oregon
8 - Walla Walla, Washington
10 - Moscow, Idaho
11 - Lewiston, Idaho
12 - Rosalia, Washington
13 - Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
14-15 - Spokane, Washington
20-22 - Seattle, Washington
24 - Everett, Washington
25 - Burlington, Washington
26 - Bellingham, Washington
27 - New Westminster, B.C. Canada
28-29 - Vancouver, B.C. Canada
31 - Kamloops, B.C. Canada
June
2 - Vernon, B.C. Canada
3 - Calgary, Alta. Canada
4 - McLeod, Alta. Canada
5 - Medicine Hat, Alta. Canada
7 - Maple Creek, Sask. Canada
8 - Swift Current, Sask. Canada
9 - Moose Jaw, Sask. Canada
10 - Regina, Sask. Canada
11 - Milestone, Sask. Canada
12 - Portal, North Dakota
14 - Kenmare, North Dakota
15 - Monto, North Dakota
16 - Harvey, North Dakota
17 - Carrington, North Dakota
18 - Jamestown, North Dakota
19 - Cooperstone, North Dakota
21 - Valley City, North Dakota
22 - Casselton, North Dakota
23 - Lisbon, North Dakota
24 - Oakes, North Dakota
25 - Redfield, South Dakota
26 - Clark, South Dakota
28 - Brookings, South Dakota
29 - Desmet, South Dakota
30 - Salem, South Dakota
July
1 - Worthington, Minnesota
2 - Lesueur, Minnesota
3 - River Falls, Wisconsin
5- Augusta, Wisconsin
6 - Marshfield, Wisconsin
7 - Clintonville, Wisconsin
8 - Oconto, Wisconsin
9 - Hermansville, Michigan
10 - Manistique, Michigan
12-17 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
19 - Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
20 - Pembroke, Ont. Canada
21 - Hull, Que. Canada
22 - Lachute, Que. Canada
23 - St. Johns, Que. Canada
24 - Ste Hyacinthe, Que. Canada
August
4 - Rimouski, Que. Canada
5 - Campbellton, N.B. Canada
6 - Bathurst, N.B. Canada
7 - Chatham, N.B. Canada
9 - Halifax, N.S. Canada?tab? ?tab?August
10 - Bridgewater, N.S. Canada
11 - Liverpool, N.S. Canada
12 - Shelbourne, N.S. Canada
13 - Yarmouth, N.S. Canada
14 - Digby, N.S. Canada
16 - Kentville, N.S. Canada
17 - Windsor, N.S. Canada
18 - Truro, N.S. Canada
19 - New Glascow, N.S. Canada
20 - Amherst, N.S. Canada
21 - Moncton, N.S. Canada
23 - Sussex, N.S. Canada
22 - St. John, N.S. Canada
25 - Fredricton, N.S. Canada
26 - Woodstock, N.S. Canada
27 - St. Stephens, N.S. Canada
28 - McAdams Junction, N.S. Canada
30 - Megantic, Que. Canada
31 - Waterloo, Que. Canada
September
1 - Valleyfield, Que. Canada
2 - Cornwall, Ont. Canada
3 - Brockville, Ont. Canada
4 - Kingston, Ont. Canada
6 - St. Catherines, Ont. Canada
7 - St. Thomas, Ont. Canada
8 - Chatham, Ont. Canada
9 - Windsor, Ont. Canada
10 - Montpelier, Ohio
11 - Huntington, Indiana
23 - Beardstown, Illinois
24 - Rushville, Illinois
25 - Lewiston, Illinois
27 - Elmwood, Illinois
28 - Princeton, Illinois
29 - Galva, Illinois
30 - Aledo, Illinois
October
1 - Farmington, Iowa
2 - Bloomfield, Iowa
4 - Milan, Missouri
5 - Carrollton, Missouri
6 - Richmond, Missouri
7 - Plattsburg, Missouri
8 - Brunswick, Missouri
11 - Fulton, Missouri
12 - Vandalia, Missouri
13 - Carrollton, Illinois
14 - Jerseyville, Illinois
15 - Carlinville, Illinois
16 - Lincoln, Illinois
20 - Mt. Vernon, Illinois
21 - Albion, Illinois
22 - Princeton, Indiana
23 - Oakland City, Indiana
25 - Huntingburg, Indiana
26 - Tell City, Indiana
27 - Rockport, Indiana
28 - Booneville, Indiana
29 - Evansville, Indiana
30 - Henderson, Kentucky
November
1 - Hopkinsville, Kentucky
End of season
?b?Looking back: Photo of unplanned Salmon Arm circus stop prompts digging
?/b?Salmon Arm Observer
June 8, 2020
(photo caption - This image, captioned "1912 ? Circus held up in Salmon Arm," published in the Salmon Arm Scrapbook in 1980, prompted some digging by staff in the archives room at the Salmon Arm Museum, who found the photo, taken by Rex Lingford, actually dated back to 1909 when the Norris & Rowe circus made an unplanned stop in town. Image courtesy the Archives Room at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum
?b?
?/b?Date in publication leads to search through archives at Salmon Arm Museum
While the elephants in the photo may have left large footprints in Salmon Arm, it took some digging to determine the historic footprint of the image itself.
Salmon Arm Museum curator Deborah Chapman, who provides the weekly historic photo for the Salmon Arm Observer, recently submitted an image depicting a man standing by four elephants, with camels and other men in the background. Chapman explained when the image was published in the Salmon Arm Scrapbook in 1980, it was captioned "1912 ? Circus held up in Salmon Arm."
Volunteers at the museum's archives room have developed an index for the Salmon Arm Observer newspaper from 1907 and 1953 (currently on hold due to COVID-19). That index yields more detailed information suggesting the photo was taken before 1912.
"We know Rex Lingford took this image and his dates are between 1909 and 1914. We know from the Observer that a washout on the C.P. Railway near Craigellachie compelled the Norris & Rowe circus train to feed and water in Salmon Arm in early June 1909. Can we assume the image matches the occasion?," explained Chapman in an email.
Chapman said other resources were checked to determine other times elephants were in town.
"A quick search of the Observer index shows that only 'white elephants' were reported from 1907 to 1952," said Chapman.
So then the museum staff brought out microfilm of the Observer and read the 1909 article carefully.
Read more: Looking back: Salmon Arm's experience with the Spanish flu
Read more: History mystery: Mammoth-sized cave discovered at Shuswap Lake
"The 1909 circus was bound for Vernon and Okanagan points to Revelstoke," said Chapman. "Promoters contacted the Salmon Arm schools and offered to give an impromptu performance. Large crowds came out.
"The Observer staff reported that few objected to paying admission, 'as it is not often we have the privilege of
seeing such a circus.'
"The article went on to say the tight wire artists and trick bicycle riders were very clever and their work was heartily applauded."
To the disappointment of the crowds that gathered, Chapman continued, the only animals that were shown were the elephants and camels.
"Note the camels and elephants in Rex Lingford's image. We suspect, but cannot be sure, that this is a photo from the 1909 circus.
?b?BROKE DOWN CIRCUS?/b?
(date not stated)
Every April, "our" circus returned to Santa Rosa for one glorious day. Then came the year we wish it hadn't.
In the first decade of the Twentieth Century, there were other circuses that also played here; the bigger and more famous Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth blew into town every couple of years or so, and once Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show raised its tents. Six months after the great 1906 earthquake, the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers' Circus provided much-welcomed distraction from the long slog of rebuilding the downtown. But it was the Greater Norris & Rowe Circus that kids in Santa Rosa and Petaluma counted on to roll into town every spring. "When the long circus train unloaded at the depot, Norris & Rowe received their annual demonstration of welcome," the Santa Rosa Republican reported in 1909. "The small boy was much in evidence, as were also big boys, and they worked with unflagging interest."
The Republican article was undoubtedly written by Tom Gregory in his finest bathetic dry humor ("It is hard to follow all the daring things they do and say in a circus, but the excitement of trying makes life worth living") and named some acts, which gives a feel of what the show was like (hint: lots of horse riding and trapeze swinging). Thanks to the wonderful archives of the Circus Historical Society we also know the sideshow included four hootchy-kootchy dancers, "the Musical Smiths, South Sea Island Joe and wife Beno, Montana Jack and Maritana, Liza Davis and her pickininnies," plus a mind reader, a magician, and "La Belle Carmen."
The Norris & Rowe circus always played the town for one day only, visiting Petaluma the day before or after (the circus additionally went to Healdsburg in 1908). Like every tent show that came to Santa Rosa, they set up on the large empty lot on College Avenue that's now Santa Rosa Middle School. It was an ideal location, close to the Southern Pacific railroad tracks, with Fourth street just a few blocks further away for the traditional morning parade.
But this visit by Norris & Rowe was like none before. Girlie shows "for men only" were touted on the midway and children were invited to try their luck at gambling. When they left, the lot was strewn with garbage. It was as if they didn't care if they would be in Santa Rosa ever again. And indeed, they never were.
What no one in town knew was that the circus had declared bankruptcy a few months earlier, with liabilities of about $1.5 million in today's money. They owed workers back pay, the printing company for their posters, even the candy company that provided popcorn and peanuts and Cracker Jack. Everything was auctioned off in January, 1909; the winning bid and new sole owner was Hutton S. Rowe, one of the original co-owners.
The comments in the Santa Rosa Republican show the revived circus was a lot rougher along the seams, probably because the creditless touring company needed the cash boost from lowlife acts and barely-legal game booths. As the summer of 1909 passed, the Norris & Rowe circus found itself performing in small crossroad towns and villages on the high plains and across the Canada border, places that were tiny then, and sometimes nonexistent today. It was like the route of someone seeking to hide.
Catastrophe struck on October 22, when a storm suddenly blew up near the end of a show in Princeton, Indiana. Without warning, the big top collapsed on a thousand people. "For a few minutes the wildest excitement reigned and the cries of the people could be heard for blocks away," the Indianapolis Star reported. Then apparently all the men and boys in the audience remembered that they were wont to always carry folding pocket knives, and the canvas was slashed in hundreds of places. No one was seriously injured, but the circus couldn't proceed with a shredded tent. It was decided that they would winter in Indiana, far from their Santa Cruz home.
According to a memoir by one of the musicians with the circus, bad luck crushed the circus in 1910. Pockets were empty; they couldn't even afford a splash of new paint on the wagons or signs, and train cars were "very much run-down condition." On opening day, the wardrobe lady was jailed after she shot and killed a man peeking into the dressing tent. Over the next three weeks, the situation deteriorated rapidly. The weather was terrible, with cold, hard April rain keeping audiences away, and some days there were no performances at all. The railroad insisted on being paid in advance in cash. Performers began fielding offers from other shows. When they crossed the Kentucky state line, the circus was hit with a lawsuit from another unpaid printer. And that was that. A benefit performance was given for the stranded performers.
None of that was was mentioned when the next circus arrived in Santa Rosa. In May of 1910 came the Campbell Brothers Circus, with twenty "happy jolly funny clowns", a lady in a cage with a bunch of snakes, and The Marvelous Renello, who could flip a complete somersault on a bicycle. It was a good, clean show, which had even more railroad cars that urgently needed unloading under the close supervision of our local kids.
CIRCUS SHOW IS IN TOWN
Good Story About Norris & Rowe Exhibition
"Shrieking his rollicking roundelay, a monster marched through the town; he woke the echoes, disturbed the peace, and shouted defiance at the police; he frightened the horses, annoyed the dogs, and even the autos trembled; but the youngsters rejoiced at the din he made and followed his way with glee, as youngsters have done since in Hamlin town, another piper of high renown created havoc across the sea. So latter day children are wont to be entranced by the singing cal-i-o-pe."
Again the painted wagons rolled through the streets and everybody, young and old, who could gain a vantage point, feasted their eyes on the classic spectacle of the circus parade that Norris & Rowe brought to us Monday morning. When a man or woman becomes so old as to lose all interest in circus day it is time for them to call in Dr. Osler. When the long circus train unloaded at the depot, Norris & Rowe received their annual demonstration of welcome. The small boy was much in evidence, as were also big boys, and they worked with unflagging interest in assisting men and horses to the circus lot. The big tent is filled this afternoon and for the convenience of those unable to attend the matinee, the whole thing will be repeated again tonight, when a number of attractive special features will be added. There is a set formula for modern circuses and one which departed from it would fail for want of patronage. They may vary somewhat in form and quantity, but in spirit they must follow the traditions. The Norris & Rowe enterprise is properly conducted and it offers all the ecstatic thrills and aesthetic delights demanded of a circus. It begins in the good old way. Three bands are united and march around the ring to a most inspiring air. Elephants come lumbering after, holding each other's trail. After that it is the camels, dromedaries, and then delight of delights, shades of chivalry, the Knights and Princesses ride in graceful ranks, garbed in such glory as to outshine the pomp of power. Then come the clowns, humble Yoricks of the saw-dust and the pageant melts away, and in the two rings upon the elevated stage and high aloft toward the billowing tent-top this is a riot of daring deeds. It is hard to follow all the daring things they do and say in a circus, but the excitement of trying makes life worth living. From the shrieking of the calliope to the spieling of the concert and sideshow, Norris & Rowe's is a real big circus, just as good as any other, and maybe better. Young or old, you cannot miss it, and if you did not go this afternoon, go tonight, and if you went this afternoon, go again. It will make your big troubles little ones and your little ones disappear altogether.
The afternoon performance was a good one and many attended and were entertained by the various acts. The principal riding acts included George Holland, the somersault bareback rider; Edw. Hocum, also a somersault and principal rider; Frank Miller, principal jockey and hurdle rider; Herbert Rumley, trick, fancy and rough riding; Frank O'Brien in a mule hurdle act; Rose Dockrill, the dainty equestrianne; Dolly Miller in a four horse carrying act; Maude Hocum and her well educated high school horse; Edna Maretta, principal lady somersault bareback rider; Mlle. Julienne and her trick horse Banaldo. The Melnotte troupe on the high silver wire; the flying Banvard troupe of aerial performers; the Leffe troupe of mid-air bar performers; the Sisters Sillbon on the flying trapeze; the famous Avalon troupe of seven daring trick and fancy bicyclists; the Montrose and Keno troupe of acrobats and other things.
? Santa Rosa Republican, April 12, 1909
COMPLAINT REGARDING SOME CIRCUS FEATURES
There is heard considerable complaint and criticism regarding several of the features of Norris & Rowe's circus, which showed in this city yesterday, and those who witnessed the vulgar actions of certain of the noisy spielers connected with the affair are wondering why the police did not take notice. In front of one of the side tents near the entrance to the park several men and women, employees of the circus, were "barking" for an exhibition within "for men only," and their work in that public place was suggestive of positive indecency. Ladies passing would hurry away, but boys and little girls were standing around witnessing the talk and actions. So vulgar was the language that it could not be printed and it is a shame that such was permitted.
There were also several gambling schemes running and it is stated that several young men lost money in the skin games. The park which the show occupied was left littered with straw, scraps from the kitchen tents, waste paper and other rubbish, causing the whole to be an eyesore to the public and a general nuisance.
? Santa Rosa Republican, April 13, 1909
Occupation:
Greater Norris & Rowe Circus, 1910
C. I. Norris, H. S. Rowe. Bad weather, poor business, salaries and debts unpaid, therefore show attached. Shipped to Peru, Indiana, where it was sold in lots by the Peru Trust Co.
?b?April?/b?
16 - Evansville, Indiana
18 - Henderson, Kentucky
19 - Princeton, Kentucky
20 - Paducah, Kentucky
22 - Central City, Kentucky
23 - Owensboro, Kentucky
25-26 - Louisville, Kentucky
27 - Shelbyville, Kentucky
28 - Danville, Kentucky
29 - Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
30 - Georgetown, Kentucky
?b?May?/b?
2 - Lexington, Kentucky
3 - Winchester, Kentucky
4 - Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
5 - Moorehead, Kentucky
6 - Ashland, Kentucky
7 - Maysville, Kentucky
9 - Newport, Kentucky
?b?Closed?/b?
-------------------
The Downfall of a Circus
Rowe combination Bound South
THE DOWNFALL OF A CIRCUS Remnants of Norris * Rowe Combination Bound South
Eight or ten wagons, drawn for the most part, by mules that had been on short rations for some time, apparently, passed through Healdsburg yesterday morning bound south. Signs on the wagons proclaimed that they were of "Norris & Rowe's Greater Circus." The circus met with lack of patronage In Mendocino county, at Wlllits, and It was reported that creditors forced It to close. And so the wagons and paraphernalia, in part, were on their way to San Francisco to be disposed of to meet the demands of- creditors, it was stated. For many years Prof. D. C. Smith of Healdsburg was bandmaster of the Norris & Rowe circus? ln the days when it was one of the big traveling shows of the country. Prof. Smith told of his travels? from California to Canada, to the New England States and down Into Mexfco? ln letters to the Tribune at the time. And the circus made money. But discord came into the firm, one of the members took his own life. and the original combination gave up the road. The remnants that passed through Healdsburg yesterday carried the name only of the' old firm; and now it, too, has gone by the board.
Healdsburg Tribune,
Enterprise and Scimitar,
Volume XXVIII, Number 11, 24 June 1915
Occupation:
"In 1910 he opened with Sells Floto at Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 17-19. He wasn't there long. Due to a misunderstanding with the manager he suddenly departed, going to the Al G. Barnes show at Wenatchee, Washington in late April or early May
Residence:
rented, $33 per month
Murray married Grace Shannon on 19 Aug 1920 in Clayton, St Louis County, Missouri, United States. Grace was born on 28 Apr 1894; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Murray married Emma Elizabeth Frances "Emily" Neuman on 19 Mar 1923 in Manhattan, New York City, New York County, New York, United States. Emma (daughter of William E. Neuman and Frances Esther Byrnes) was born on 19 Oct 1891 in New York City, Bronx County, New York, United States; died on 29 Nov 1960 in California, United States; was buried in Hollywood Forever, Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 2. Murray Francis "Jack" Pennock
 was born on 16 Mar 1924 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, United States; died on 29 Dec 1993 in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California, United States; was buried in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California, United States.
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1887 - 1960 (72 years)
