April 28, 2025

Episode 164 Circus Tragedies and Mysteries of the South

27 minutes

The American circus promised wonder and spectacle—but behind the big top was a hidden world of danger, tragedy, and loss. In this episode, we explore the dark history of the circus, from deadly train wrecks and animal attacks to the mysterious death of aerialist Eva Clark. Discover the true stories of Clyde Beatty’s near-fatal encounter with lions and tigers, the public executions of elephants Mary and Black Diamond, and how their legacies changed the circus forever.

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Episode Sources

"Elephant Parade Erwin 2018." Elephant Parade. https://www.elephantparade.com/parades/erwin-2018

"From the Circus Train Wreck to the Man o’ War: History of the Railroad in Columbus (Part 3 of 3)." Historic Columbus. https://www.historiccolumbus.com/post/from-the-circus-train-wreck-to-the-man-o-war-history-of-the-railroad-in-columbus-part-3-of-3

"Mary the Elephant Hanging: 100 Years Later." WBIR-TV Knoxville. https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/mary-the-elephant-hanging-100-years-later/51-ee92f081-718d-4da6-bb6d-8be8dbe2b8b6

The Tennessean, via Newspapers.com. Image of article on Black Diamond the elephant. https://www.newspapers.com/image/385756327/?match=1&terms=black%20diamond%20elephant

The Daily Times (Maryville, Tennessee), via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/898209095/

"Clyde Beatty." Circuses and Sideshows. https://www.circusesandsideshows.com/owners/clydebeatty.html

"Elephant Hotel Historical Marker." Explore PA History. https://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-1DB

Wikipedia contributors. Various entries on Mary the Elephant, Black Diamond, and circus history. Wikipedia. https://www.wikipedia.org

"Execution of Mary the Elephant." WHSV-TV. https://www.whsv.com

Aine Norris. Circus history articles. AineNorris.info. https://www.ainenorris.info

Episode Music

Out of the Mines, courtesy of Ross Gentry, Asheville, North Carolina

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By Shannon Ballard

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