The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-02
AL RINGLING, NOTED
CIRCUS MAN., DEAD
Protege Of Robinson. Early
show King, Won Big Sue
cess From First.

BARAsoo. WIS. Jan Al Ringing.
oldest nj the Ringing brothers. veteran
circus men. dice OF heart disease late
this afternoon at his home heIe, aged
SO years. He had been Ill more OF less
for the last three years. since hds franti
efforts to save the Ringing Circus from
dest when IL was caught In the
names of a burning lumber yard. HIS
illness was aggravated last SUMMER by
o~verexertIon when he personally con
Quoted the construction of a theatre
which he donated to Baraboo. lie had not
left his home slnce the theatre was dedl-
Gated on November Il.
AL R!nglings picture was the first in
the slanting line OF faces that featured
nearly every billboard In the country at
one time or another. II was as familiar
tn most Americans az the picture CT
Roosevelt or Bryan. lie was the Oldest
OF the FIVE Ringlings and the one who
Interested the rest OF his family In the
circus business. II was his success IN
the old hall shows that Influenced his
brothers TO enter the show field. and ne
was beloved of shOwnen and cir1: per
formers the world over OF lat. years
active OF the shows had
passed into the hands Of his Younger
brothers. but his faways has been tho
guiding spirit,
Mr. Ringing was led to enter upon a
showman's career BY Yankee Robinson
nearly forty years ago. lie originally
travelled with Robinson's hal enter
tanners, but his own genius for organi-
zation and management soon induced
him to start on his own responsibility.
He was n cleve- juggler and hi sorganiz-
ing ability was recognized among his as
s~ociates AZ far back ns 1854 he con-
Quoted a wagon show about the country.
His success prompted his brothers 70
Join forces with him n their combined
endeavors gathered together the great
circus organization known as the Ring
ling Bros Shows.
Arrangement Of a circus programme.
disposition OF the acts and features. the
individual ring performers and street
demonstration were his pride Street
parades were his hobby. lie had a re-
markable ability for arrangement and In
the first days Of the circus Mr.. Ring
ltngs performers were unique. He knew
how to blend various acts and later,
' when the circus business grew. others
engaged in it paid tribute to his ability.
lie was popular.v known TO all az
Uncle Al He was the friend Of every
one in the show business His human
side always WAS patent. There Was no
affectation about Mr., Ringling, his
friends said. Always he wa industri-
ous. square and true. But whatever his
SUCCESS throughout the countr he never
forgot his home town. II remained his
pride throughout his entire career and
though his brothers changed their resi-
dence to New York Mr.. Ringling STAYED
nj Baraboo and worked for his town as
we'll az his show.
There were seven Ringling brothers
IN the family, mostly showmcn. Their
father was German and their mother
Aleatian. Al was the oldest. Tho am.
bitfonh Of the brothers grew from pin
money shows TO a brass band and con.
cert company and then TO "A small one
ring show, which IN 1855 was trans.
FORMED into a railroad show and in
creased In magnitude ai,d prosperity 60
rapidly that the showmen gradually look
in tho Jack Robinson Circus, the Fore
paugh-Sells show In 1906 and finally the
Barnum & Bailey outfit In o tho
largest In America. The purchase fol.
lowed several a of hard fought bat.
ties between the Rlnglings and tho Bar.
NUN 4 Bailey people.
Mr. lipsllna always maintained his
homo at Baisboo. where his widow lives
lie bahlt "A fno mansion a few years ago.
IL Is estimated that he made upward Of
a million dollars In the circus business.
Recently he built an opera house for
haraboo. an which he took great pride
lie IN survived by a widow and four
brothers. Henry, John, Alfred and
Charles John and Alfred live In New
York. as does a sister. Mrs, Harvey
North.