A Pensacola News Journal article of November 2, 1922 announced that the Sparks circus was coming to town! However, this time the big top production would be without its most popular performer. Mary the elephant was the star performer of the circus but through a tragic set of circumstances she would not be present. In the meantime, the circus was to be held at the Goulding field at what is today the southeast area of Texar and Palafox Street. In those days, it was a large grassy area sometimes used as a landing area for the bi-plane barnstormers. Entertainment was limited in those times and a circus was a great fanfare. The silent motion picture industry was still in its infancy and most citizens couldn't afford the more sophisticated operas and stage productions. But the circus was affordable and entertaining to young and old alike so everyone was talking about the huge coming attraction!
John H. Wiseman began the circus in the late 1880's and it became the "Spark's Circus" after he changed his name to John H. Sparks. Along the way he adopted a young orphan who became Charles M. Sparks. The company went through a series of changes until John's death in 1903 at which time Charles took over as the manager. Under his leadership, he and the company achieved the reputation of the finest, cleanest, and most fair circus of its era. Charlie eventually married one of his adopted father's sisters, Addie who became a mainstay in the operation of the circus. Along the way, Charlie had purchased a four-year old Asian elephant in 1898 that he named Mary. The young pachyderm quickly became the "adopted" daughter of the childless couple and Charlie lavished her with his love! As Mary grew older she was trained to play musical instruments and to pitch baseballs with ceaseless accuracy. She quickly became the "star and main attraction" of the Sparks Circus. In fact, the beginning of each circus began with the obligatory street parade led by the 10,000 pound Mary and her fellow troop.
But on September 11, 1916, the circus hired a 32-year old homeless man by the name of Joseph Walter "Red" Eldridge. He was hired to fill in as a handler for Mary during a opening parade in Kingsport, Tennessee. Although the stories vary as to what actually happened, it appeared the untrained attendant may have poked Mary with his hooked prod and inadvertently hit an infected tooth. Mary flew into a rage and snatched Eldridge up with her trunk, threw him to the ground and crushed him to death in front of hundreds of horrified spectators (Eldridge was buried in Kingsport). Afterwards, Mary performed as usual never realizing this was her last show under the big top.
The citizens and authorities were outraged and quickly screamed for vengeance and retribution on "Murderous Mary." Sadly, Charlie and Addie were between a rock and a hard place. Box office receipts was all that kept the circus in business and to ignore the public uproar was financial suicide. Thus, Mary was sentenced to death and she was to be executed by hanging. Even as close as Charlie and Mary were, he nevertheless advertised her execution in Erwin, Tennessee with great fanfare for the benefit of his circus. Two days later on September 13, 1916, as great crowds gathered, Mary was led in with the other elephants to keep her from knowing what was amiss. However, observers said they she appeared very nervous and fretful as if she sensed what was about to happen. Her legs were chained and the other elephants were led away to keep them quiet. Out of site of Mary, her grave was being dug alongside the railroad tracks. She was led under a giant crane and a chain was placed around her neck. The crane lifted her off the ground and after two attempts, Mary was pronounced dead. She was buried in her makeshift grave, thus becoming the only known elephant to ever be executed by hanging.
But the show had to go on without Mary, even though with a heavy heart! The Sparks Circus would finally pull into Pensacola, Florida for the first time three years later on September 23, 1919. Consecutive showings would continue in the Gulf Coast town in 1921, 1922, 1926, 1929, and 1931. After the last performance, the company began to suffer from the effects of the Great Depression. The remaining elephants were sent to the Ringling-Barnum herd and for all practical purposes the Sparks Circus was finished. Charlie was pass away in 1944 in Macon, Georgia.
Spark's Circus Comes to Pensacola, article of 11-2-1922
Charles McGee Sparks, adopted son of John Sparks
Sparks Advertisement 1920's
The Sparks Circus opening show 1922
1916 Advertisement featuring the famous Asian elephant performer "Mary"
Mary as a baby
Mary the five ton Asian performer
The crane used to perform Mary's hanging.
Mary's execution (right) on September 13, 1916 in front of large crowd. Mary's grave has never been located and to this day the town does not wish to remember what happened to Mary.
Death Certificate of Joseph Walter "Red" Eldridge (1884-1916)
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