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| July 1913 Newport, Rhode Island |
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The Sig Sautelle circus was founded by George Satterly, who later changed his name to Sig Sautelle. After working on small circuses as a magician, ventriloquist and a puppeteer, Sig decided to start his own show in 1882.
Sig's plan was to tour his circus on a flatboat, (the "Belle" named after his wife) along the Erie Canal. He had special wagons build with short spoked wheels to lower the height so the wagons would pass under the bridges of the canal. This idea was very successful, and after a few seasons Sig purchased a second boat , (the "Kitty") to accommodate the growing circus.
The circus grew in size and eventually became a railroad circus showing the eastern united states.
For more information about this innovative showman see our page on Sig Sautelle.
Photos below courtesy of - New York Public Library
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| July 1913 Newport, Rhode Island |
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