Early morning, June 22, 1918, the 26-car Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train on the outskirts of Hammond, IN, was struck by a troop train, killing 86 circus employees and performers. 56 are buried at Showmen's Rest, Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois. The identity of many of the victims was unknown, as they were roustabouts and temporary workers. Only two have "nicknames," Smiley and Baldy. The other stones are marked either with the person's job, such as "4 Horse Driver," or simply "Unknown Male No. 44," etc. With the help of other circuses, Hagenbeck-Wallace missed only one performance; the one scheduled in Hammond, IN the day of the crash.
Early morning, June 22, 1918, the 26-car Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train on the outskirts of Hammond, IN, was struck by a troop train, killing 86 circus employees and performers. 56 are buried at Showmen's Rest, Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois. The identity of many of the victims was unknown, as they were roustabouts and temporary workers. Only two have "nicknames," Smiley and Baldy. The other stones are marked either with the person's job, such as "4 Horse Driver," or simply "Unknown Male No. 44," etc. With the help of other circuses, Hagenbeck-Wallace missed only one performance; the one scheduled in Hammond, IN the day of the crash.
Bio by: David M. Habben
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