Everybody loves the circus …
Howard R Valentine “was 17 when he went to Ringling Brothers Circus as a member of the famous 16-man Jackson family. After a year with Ringling a partner act called Valentine and Dooly began a six-month tour of South and Central America. The pair played Panama during construction of the Panama Canal.”
“When the partnership dissolved, Valentine returned to the United States to marry Rae Bell another member of the Jackson family.” (SB, May 23, 1956) “The little lady is unusually attractive while the expert cyclist is a wizard as an equilibrist.” (Montgomery Adv, Jan 30, 1920)
“Valentine and Bell became a hit as a bicycle comedy and in 1911 played Hammerstein’s Victoria Theatre in New York – at that time tops in billing.” (SB, May 23, 1956)
“No well balanced vaudeville bill would be complete without a big laugh act. This is provided in those comedy cyclists, Valentine and Bell. … Incidentally, it is remarkably clever and unusual bicycle riding.”
“Their act is a novelty and their string of stunts a long and daring one, But laughter is the main thing that was considered by these artists. They will please you.” (Portland Telegram, March 21, 1915)
Travelling across the country. the Valentine and Bell “comedy … trick bicycle riders” act included “a comedy cycling oddity called the ‘Furniture Removers’”. (Louisville Courier-Journal, Jan 4 & 6, 1920)
A “unique feat which was thrilling to the extreme was the fancy bike riding of Valentine and Bell, who performed the astonishing stunt of riding about the stage on various articles of furniture …
“… in addition to the exhibition of bicycle feats that for daring and grace have not been equaled in Montgomery in many months.” (Montgomery Adv, Jan 30, 1920)
“Valentine and Bell have perhaps the best bicycle act seen on a local stage this season. It has an unusual setting. And along with regular stunts which all bicyclists know, this pair of acrobats has several tricks which are uncommonly difficult.” (The Tennessean, Jan 9, 1920)
“The couple was getting top billing with Haag Brothers Circus … when a daughter, Patricia [‘Pat’ Adrienne Valentine], was born [May 9, 1919]. The Valentines were back in Honolulu with EK Fernandez shows in 1935 – 36.”
“In 1941 the Valentines decided it was time to settle down and picked the Islands as an ideal spot.” (SB, May 23, 1956)
They “had first set foot [in the Islands] in 1912, and where in 1915 they had performed at the Old Opera House at the present site of Honolulu’s main post office.” (Alton Slagle, SB, Feb 23, 1960)
“Patricia was born in Chicago … She went on the road at the delicate age of 10 weeks. There followed a childhood of tinsel and glitter, sawdust and one-night stands, spills and thrills as Patricia learned the tricky operation of walking a tight rope.”
‘‘’At first I went on the road as excess baggage,’ she said. ’Then I joined the act.’ (Pat Valentine). … Soon she was riding a unicycle on the wire.” (Alton Slagle, SB, Feb 23, 1960)
“To circus goers a few years back she was known as ‘Patricia Valentine, Queen of the Silver Strand.’” (Alton Slagle, SB, Feb 23, 1960) She was also called the Wizard of the Wire. (SB, June 16, 1942)
In 1942, Patricia married Herman Meyers, who ‘worked the circus as a sort of stage manager.’ She attended Cannon’s Business School, worked for several years as secretary to the Central YMCA physical director, and joined the Board of Water Supply … ‘In civil service there’s security,’ she explained. (Alton Slagle, SB, Feb 23, 1960)
“Patricia wouldn’t trade her circus upbringing, but she’s happy now to be settled down away from it, she confided.”
“‘I am very happy where I am,’ she said. ‘Besides, they’ve been kidding me that I’d never get all this up on that wire now.’ She patted her ample frame and laughed heartily.”
“‘I wouldn’t want to try after all these years.’” (Alton Slagle, SB, Feb 23, 1960) Pat V Meyers died January 5, 1994.
