Punch In the Circus - Pt. 1
Posted on November 10, 2009 by profreshwater
I've been delving into circus history lately. I'm finding that, in days past, it was quite common for circuses to have a Punch and Judy Show in their repertoire. Bandwagon, the journal of the Circus Historical Society, has posted profiles of some circus Punchmen on their web site. With their permission, I'll re-post some of these pieces here. We'll start with Sig Sautelle.
Sig Sautelle, A Great Showman
By John C. Kunzog. Hobby Bandwagon, Vol. 3, No. 7 (Aug), 1948, pp. 3-6.
Copyright © 2002-2005
Circus Historical Society, Inc.
Sir Sautelle was born George Satterlee at Luzerne, N. Y., September 22, 1848, and received his early education in the schools of that village. During the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Union Army, being said to be the youngest soldier to voluntarily enlist - an honor of which he was justly proud.
His career as a showman was laid while in the service of his country. He made the acquaintance of a ventriloquist, under whose tutelage he was taught the art of ventriloquism for doing favors and odd chores, such as blacking boots, washing clothes, keeping them in repair, and writing letters. He was the proficient pupil and when he was mustered out he had perfected his knack of voice-throwing.
But he did not put this talent to practical use at first, and learned the wagonmaker's trade, working at Saratoga, Glen Falls and Fort Edward. At the latter place he met Ida Belle Travers, whom he frequently entertained with feats of ventriloquism. She recognized that he evinced much talent in showmanship and encouraged him to capitalize on his ability as an entertainer.
Thus it was that when 24 years old and with $47 capital, Sig Sautelle started a Punch and Judy show. His next step was to marry the girl who encouraged him to be a showman.
Up to this time he was known by his true name - George Satterlee - but with the launching of his Punch and Judy show he planned to adopt the cognoman of Signor. But somehow his face lacked the Latin characteristics to go with the name, and the second syllable of "Signor" was never pronounced, and thus it was that the master showman was known as Sig Sautelle.
He gave his show in halls as well as opera houses and the plaudits of amusement seekers brought him to the attention of A. B. Stowe, who induced him to join the A. B. Stowe's Great American Circus and perform his act in the sideshow. Later he traveled with Barnum and Bailey.
For eight years he trooped around the country. In the summer with the circus, in the winter months he gave his exhibitions indoors, saving his money, and in 1882 he realized his great ambition circus of his own - Sig Sautelle's Big Shows - which opened at Syracuse, N. Y. The show traveled by canal boats and played towns along the Erie, Chemung, Seneca and Champlain Canals. Two boats were used, one accomodating the performers and other employees, fitted with plenty of staterooms, kitchen and large dining hall. The second boat carried the animal cages, horses, wagons, canvas, seats and other equipment.
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n 1914 D. Thilman headed a group who bought the Sautelle show in August. Two months later the show again changed hands, Col. W. P. Hall buying everything but the baggage stock.
Sautelle began liquidating his real estate holdings in Homer and vicinity. He was nearing the 70 mark, yet he could not keep out of the show business. In 1917 he formed a partnership With Oscar Lowanda to put out a truck circus called Sig Sautelle & Oscar Lowanda Mammoth Motor Truck Circus. But the Midas of the circus world had lost his magic touch and the venture failed.
He removed to Fort Edward to make his home with Frank Stowell, but the yearning of the trouper could not be stilled. He made one more venture - "Humpty Dumpty Circus," a return to his first love, the Punch and Judy show, which he gave in schools and clubs, ending his career just as he started it.
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In a previous paragraph mention was made of Sautelle's dislike for dogs. This hatred was an amazing antithesis to his love for cat. Any cat that strayed on the lot would be petted and fed by Sig. One of the most pleasing acts was Sig's cat orchestra. Miniature band instruments were fastened to the paws of the cats, and with invisible threads, manipulated by Sautelle, the feline orchestra gave forth musical strains. It was, of course, Punch and Judy perspective, using felines for puppets. It was such acts as this, appealing to children and grownups alike, that made the show popular with the "common people."
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Sig Sautelle died at Glen Falls, N. Y., June 21, 1928. He was buried beside his wife at Fort Edwards, It seems fitting that he and his wife are laid to rest just across the street from the lot where they had exhibited many times. He had little to leave, but he granted to Frank Stowell, with whom he made his home in his last years, the right to use the Sautelle title forever.
Gone are the days when the pulses of Homer's population thrilled to the tempo of doublequick time of circus music; gone too are the days when elephants grazing on the hillside was a familiar sight.
There are those who still remember the veteran showman; recall with nostalgic memories the prevailing excitement when the gaudily painted wagons rolled through the streets of Homer to the loading runways. They recall the dim and shadowy vistas of the past and in retrospection again see the proud figure of Sig Sautelle, who was once the idol of Homer.
There are those who aver that the spirit of Sig Sautelle still haunts the scenes of his former winter quarters, and that In the sombre hushes of the night, between midnight and dawn, on the Friday morning nearest the 13th of April, there can be seen a ghostly caravan approaching a vision of tents. There is a shrill blast of a ringmaster's whistle, then a ruffle of drums, followed by a stirring march from an unseen band. A few fleeting clouds hold the scene in focus, a sudden breeze and then the first pink finger of dawn dissipates the spectral picture, revealing a barren hillside.
But the chosen few who have seen the phantom circus know it is a ghostly tribute to the master showman who is opening another season in the spirit world.
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