The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-12
BILLY ANDREWS CLOWN Is DEAD
Famous Circus Favorite Passes Away In An
Asylum.

Chicago, Dec. 11.-"Billy" Andrews,
an old-time circus clown, died Saturday
night at the Kankakee insane asylum
of paresas. He was about 50 years old
and had been in the asylum for a year
and a half The remains were sent 10
Chicago yesterday and will be buried
by the Elks. of which he was a mem
Der.
The name of Billy Andrews, clown
and tight rope dancer. was familiar To
the people OF the west during war times
and for twenty years after. He was The
first man to invade Texas with d cir
Gus, and in those days the lone star
state was notorious for shooting ARRAYS
and lynchings. Andrews used 20 say
that it was an unusually quiet day
when less than two men We're killed
during the performance.
Andrews started in the show bust
ness when he was about 20 years old.
He was living in Debuque, Ia. and one
day the Dan Rice circus came TO town.
He became infatuated with the saw
dust and spangles and, after the nigh s
performance, he begged Rice 10 take
him along.
What can you do?" asked the vet
eran clown Of the lad.
Il can't do anything. but / can learn"
the boy replied, land III haul water
for the elephant while I'm learning"
Rice took liking to the bright-faced
lad, and consented to take him with
the show. And a few years later An
drews owned a circus of his own and
his fame as a clown was known TO the
people of many western States. William
Thornton of Shelbyville, ILL.,, and @. c..
Grady Of Indianapolis were interested
with Andrews in his circus venture. and
it was This show that made the first
trip to Texas.
Andrews met with varying fortune,
being the owner Of a show one season
and working for a salary another. He
was first a tight rope dancer, then a
ieaper and tumbler. and afterwards a
clown. He mad Travelled with Barnum,
Sells Brothers, Van Amburgh, w. G..
Coup-in fact. with all the big shows
Of the past. He was one OF the last Of
the old time circus men and although
he had made several fortunes IN the
business. ne died penniless.
When the Dan Rice show went into
winter quarters the first season that
Andrews with with il he went to St
Louis and learned 70 be a typesee ter in
the office Of the Old Missouri ReDubli-
can. now the 81. Louis Republic. This
tiers, but always returned 10 the saw
dust ring when the circus season open
ed. When Andrews retired from the
show business fifteen years ago, he
went back 10 the case and worked
steadily until taken TO the insane asy-
lum. His last employment before ne
was taken to Kankakee was in the CON-
posing room Of the Chicago Herald.
He worked on this paper for several
years. and. although he was not fast
composisor his work was OF a Superior
qualify, as he was intelligent and keen
" lttSd.
Sadie Belmont. one OF the greatest
bareback riders in the world, Is the
daughter OF Billy Andrews. She r.
the wife q william Showles. Whose dar-
fng featss on horseback are known 20 the
people q two continents. Andrews
was married twice. HIS second wife
IS living somewhere in the city keeping
a board .ng hnuse-
The Chicago lodge of Elks has made
the old clowns last days az peaceful
as possible. a member having been cent
% Kankakee at frequent intervals q
So how be was getting along For some
tine he had been unable % recognize
lis most intimate friends.