Circus owner Ben Davenport began his circus career in 1914, he worked as an animal trainer, had his own touring animal exhibits, wrestled bears and operated Medicine shows.
In 1935 with only two truck Ben took out a "sidewall" (no tent), circus which he named "Davenport Society Circus". The small circus did well and grew, Davenport operated under the name until 1939.
For the 1940 season Ben and his wife Eva renamed the truck show the "Dailey Bros. Circus" they then purchased their first elephant "Nemo" from Honest Bill Newton's circus, they later bought a second elephant "Rosie" from Newton . After the opening pains of the first year, the 1941 season was very successful, the show had added acts and front end personnel, the circus wintered that year in Aransas Pass, Texas.
For the 1942 season the circus grew to sixteen trucks. The Second World War had begun and people found circuses to be a needed diversion from the war. The Dailey Bros Circus focused on performing in towns which had large defence plants where the money would be plentiful. At the close the circus winterd in La Grange, TX.
During the winter of 1943-1944 Daven began buying railroad cars from various circuses and carnival and for the 1944 season Ben converted his truck show to a 10 car railroad circus. During the course of the 1944 season, Ben purchased more rail cars to be used the following year. The circus opened that year in Yoakum, TX.
In 1945 the circus had grown to a 15 car railroad show, also Ben opened a second unit the "Austin Bros. Circus.
The Circus continued untill it closed 1950. After the close of the Dailey Bros. railroad circus, Davenport took out several more truck shows, the Campa Bros. Circus in 1951, Wallace Bros. Circus in 1952 and Diano Bros. Circus in 1953. |
