I am
trying to locate anyone who may have known my
father. He was in the circus and sideshow
industry for nearly 40 years before he died in
1997.
I
know he worked many jobs with carnies and circus
which included but probably not limited to
magician, talker canvas man, animal handler, At
shows, etc. His real name was John Howard
Stephen Bone. He went by Howard Bone. He may
have used a stage show name of Kard-O at one
time.
I
was curious if you know him or may be able to
direct me in the correct way to locate which
circus's or carnivals he was with. He was
originally from Evansville, IN and I assume went
into the business shortly after his discharge
from the Navy in 1944.
I
know he met my mother Betty Acton who was also
working as a Bally girl, and they had a "circus
wedding", before they were legally wed in 1960.
Betty it turned out grew tired of the business
and went home to her parents who were residing
in FL at the time. Betty and Howard were
officially divorced in 1970. However in stating
that I should mention.. I was born in Daytona
Beach, Florida in July 1961 and my younger
brother in Dothan, AL in Nov. 1963. I assume
our parents were with some circus or carnival at
that time, but by 1965 my brother and I were
placed as wards of the court into the home of
Howard's sister who resided in Indiana.
Betty returned home to her parents and gave
birth to our younger sister Susan in Eustis, FL
Mar 1966. At the time we came to stay with our
Aunt. She had to drive to St Louis to pick
Donald and I up and that was around Sept 1965 I
believe.
I
have very little information about his career.
I do know that when he would come to visit us he
always put on magic shows. He also was a master
of Itto Ryu Jutsu, a form of martial arts.
If
you knew him or if you know anyone who may have
I would love to get in contact with you. I
would also like to find out what circus's or
carnivals he traveled with.
Coincidentally... He wrote a book titled "Side
Show: My Life with Geeks, Freaks, and Vagabonds
in the Carny Trade". He also wrote another
book titled "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry" under the pen
name Col. Don E. Kerr which was a book about
side show magic.
He
had a friend in the trade named Mike Anderson if
that helps any. He was best known for his magic
act "The Man Who Can't Be Hung" which
was inducted into the American Museum of Magic.
He was also a good friend of Teller of Penn &
Teller in his later years in life. I really
want to find more information about his circus
life as I did not grow up with him.
Any
help greatly appreciated.
