Sells & Downs Shows

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The Sells & Downs Shows was a 22-car traveling circus operated by Martin Downs which ended its 1905 run in Sylacauga on October 22 and wintered in Birmingham. The production suffered a theft of ticket receipts and was forced to auction off its equipment and animals at Smith's Park on January 16-17, 1906.

The assets included tents, cook-houses, railroad cars, wagons, cages, a steam calliope and a costume wardrobe along with an animal menagerie consisting of 40 draft horses, 40 ring horses, 2 somersault horses, 2 finish horses, 2 four-horse acts, 2 thoroughbred manage horses, 2 mules for hurdle acts, 2 four-horse chariot teams, and 16 hippodrome horses along with 2 performing female elephants, 6 camels, 2 male African lions, 3 lionesses, 2 lion cubs, 1 jaguar, 3 hyenas, 3 bears, 1 nygaul, 1 llama, 1 axis deer, 4 American deer, 20 monkeys, 12 Australian macaws, 1 elk, and 5 snakes. James A. Bailey of Barnum & Bailey's Circus entered a winning bid of $150,000 for the entire show, canceling the public auction. Downs continued as manager of the Cole Bros. United Shows.

References

  • "Will Winter in Birmingham" (December 1905) The Billboard