The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-09
FAMOUS CIRCUS MAN DEAD FROM
 HEAD INJURIES
Shocks of StrerOuS and Daring TumbIIng Made Him
 Nervous Wreck
Walter Porter, Organizer of Melrose Troupe and Inventor of Many Thrillers For Big Show, Dies at Al Years

As a result of the constant shocks to his nervous system by the per forn1ance of thrilling acrobatic stunt of his own invention, Walter Porter. a famous acrobat, and organizer of the Meirose Troupe of acrobats known the world over, died here today.
 Porter was the originator of the spectacular double sonersauIting over elephants which for years was among the most sensational of the stunts of the Barn1mn & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. Most of his professional life was spent in the service of the Big Show, which which he travelled through the principal cities of Eur ope and America, but he had been identified with other circuses and spec tacleS in both Europe and America. Porter was a native of this city. born at 159 Norman street, Al years ago. Living in close proximity to the winter quarters of Barnum, and as a youth enjoying a personal acquaint- ance with the great snowman, he felt the call Of the tanbark arena so strongly that even as a boy he had the foundation well laid for troupe of acl obats that was destined to become world famed.
 Under the name of the Melrose Troupe, Porter's band of acrobats went out with the Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, and in one season became a fixed establishm ment in the circus arena Porter himself was an unusually strong man, of splendid physique. It devolved upon him to become the '+understander', the man who stands on the ground when the tumblers climb on the shouI- ders of one another.
 Porter was never satisfied with the conventional stunts He originated the somersauItlng over elephants, and finally in defiance to all the fixed rules of ttinb1fng. he originated and sue cessfuliy carried out the ffour-high' 7 stand that has since been incorporated in the feats of a. few of the most ex- pert troupes of tumblers.
 Several years ago Porter devised a stunt that very few have ever equal led. Standing three high, with Porter as the man on the ground, the topmost
 man would leap high, and while the second man was tumbling to the ground, he would execute a double somersault and land on the shoulders of the man on the ground.
 Reflearsals were held many weeks until the act was a finished product and when it was introduced, it caused where the merit of the stunt could be appreciated for it's real worth.
 It was this stunt, however. that proved his undoing. Repeatedly the would strike one or both feet upon the bottom mans head, rather than battering of his head wore him down so that he was forced to abandon the circus life. He became a nervous wreck and though once of powerful physique he became shadow of his former self and gradually wasted away until death came this morning.
 Porter is survived by a widow, who lives at 159 Norman street, and one brother, Edward Porter, 164 Hanover street, a salesman. Under the Aame of Melrose he was known throughout the world and many younger men who entered the arena as profession aIs under his tuteIage, have retained the name. He was a competent busi- ness man as well as accomplished ac- robat, and for many years was the business manager of the MeIrose Troupe The funeral will be held on Wednesday, privately, from Bishops mortuary chapel.