The First Circus to Exhibit in Shepherdsville

This is one of the recollections written by Wallace A. McKay and published in The Pioneer-News. Follow the "Recollections" link above to find others of his writings.

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The Pioneer-News, January 20, 1933, pages 1, 4

During the first term of Prof Sam McKay Simmons as teacher of the Shepherdsville School, an event occurred which caused great interest and excitement throughout Bullitt County. In the late summer, just after the August election, some men came to town in a fancy colored buckboard, drawn by two beautiful sorrel horses and announced themselves as advance agents of the Cooper and Jackson Circus, which was to show in Shepherdsville Saturday, October the sixth. Flaming posters were tacked up all over town and throughout the entire county announcing the great event, and it was promised to be the show of shows. It was the talk of town among all classes of people for at least a month before the day of exhibition.

This was before the "Bullitt Pioneer" began publication and the Circus, therefore, had to do all its advertising by posters, handbills and barkers. One month before the great day the whole County was practically plastered with show bills and literally concerned about same. Interest and excitement was at fever heat, the coming show was anticipated with longing desire by both young and old.

No other circus had the privilege of being the guests of Shepherdsville within the memory of the town's oldest inhabitant. It was something new and different for everyone.

On the dawn of that bright and beautiful Oct. 6th. I hardly believe I was the only one who was up hours before the usual rising time All through the night I had seen those ferocious tigers and lions, as pictured on the billboards. I was not a subject of nightmares but I am sure I didn't fall out of bed that night because my brother shoved me.

It is no exaggeration to state that on that particular Saturday morning people came in droves, in wagons, buggies, horseback, and walking. Everyone wanted to be the first on the sidelines to witness the parade and then later attend this much talked about show. It was truly a Roman Holiday for the Bullitt County folks and was treated in the same spirit as an Armistice Day or Fourth of July celebration in any town today. The Negroes came from miles around, dressed in all the colors of the rainbow.

In those days Bullitt County was without a newspaper and of course we lacked the modern inventions, such as the telephone, radio and automobile. News had to spread by the more simpler means of "talk." This was one time I think when the telephone, radio and automobile wouldn't have aided in gathering a larger crowd to the county seat. In fact by the time the crowd was at its height, there was little room for any more. Horses, instead of being hitched, had to be corralled in fields. Buggies and wagons, carts and sulky's hemmed the little town in that day like a covered wagon camp of our western frontier forefathers.

A cavalcade on horseback led by J. G. "Gatton" Hough and Quincy Hall of Mt. Washington arrived in town early looking the picture of old Jeb Stuart's famous rebel cavalry troop. Crowds came from Pitts Point, Belmont and West Point, and many from Hardin and Nelson Counties.

Judge Wilhite Carpenter was then County Judge and Mr. James H. Hays, Sheriff, so being the town's high office holders they were honored by being given reserved seats and "as usual" passes to all the sideshows. As a special treat they were introduced to the star bare back riders, lion tamers and snake charmers "of which they often bragged about." Neal Trunnell insulted the circus owner by offering to sell him four of his horses, which he declared were better than those he saw in the show.

There was one large elephant, a giraffe, two camels and about a dozen cages containing various wild animals. These with the band led the grand parade, from the circus grounds, between the pike and the depot to the river Main street was walled with people to witness the grand pageant. The majority of the stores were closed, the Court House too, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Jailer had released some of prisoners as an act of grace on such an occasion, so they could attend this first Bullitt County circus.

The outstanding boyish impression I recall was the death-defying feat of "Fire Horse Satan," a trained horse, which leaped through hoops of fire as he loped around the ring. I had always thought horses were afraid of fire and couldn't figure why the animal would leap through searing flames, only to come through safely. The bareback riders, the clowns and the monkeys riding in races were too feats of unparalleled splendor to most all those present.

Everyone in town kept open house that day and on into the night. The proceedings of the day were repeated time and again and if any one had missed anything they would be well up on the matter before long. There was no decision as to whether this was the biggest day yet experienced to one and all, and I personally know it was one to be remembered.

In those days the people were extraordinarily hospitable and loved to entertain and have visitors remain for as long possible. The writer lived with his grandfather on the cross street which extended from the old court house to the culvert leading to the school He recalls vividly the continuous stream of people pouring in and out his house and some who were visitors over the week-end. From "early morn to dewey eve" the table was set with bountiful supplies of chicken, ham, ice cream and cake, peaches, apples, melons of all kinds, Everyone was welcome and everyone must have enjoyed their stay.

Weeks after this glamorous day the circus was still being discussed by the populace. Quite a few boys were being sought by anxious parents because of the fact that circus lure had crept into these young men's hearts and they pulled their stakes with the show. Harry Joyce and Ed Joyce disappeared after the circus left and it was generally understood that they were with the Cooper and Jackson show. It was not so very long, however, before these boys were back in town, having experienced all they cared to with the traveling outfit.

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