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Showmen's Rest - Part 10  Submitted by Member on   5/9/2004 Last Modified Showmen's Rest - Part 10 by Peter & Joyce Rosa CLICK HERE to find the complete series To All Showfolks and Fans: In Part 10 of the Mount Olivet Cemetery series, we are covering the gravestones of: HOWARD M. RICHMOND HARRY E. ROOKS TED SVERTESKY Previous editions of SHOWMEN'S REST series can be seen at: circusnews.com website and the cfa website (Go to the CFA Resources Area under Showmen's Rest). All photos were taken in the SHOWMEN'S REST section of Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma. HOWARD M. RICHMOND MAY 15, 1906 SEP 11, 1977 Mr. Richmond was a billposter with the Al G. Kelly Miller Bros. Circus. He served in that position on several other shows. The monument features a circus semi tractor trailer truck with the words MILLER BROS. CIRCUS on the front of the trailer. Photo by Peter & Joyce Rosa in 2003 HARRY E. ROOKS MAR 4, 1907 FEB 9, 1976 Harry Rooks performed perch pole and head balancing trapeze acts on several major circuses. He was a show electrician on the Al G. Kelly Miller Bros. Circus. He was also known as a very talented horse trainer. On the gravestone are the etchings of two horses which appear to be looking down upon Mr. Rooks' name. The following inscription appears below his name and dates: A LIFE LONG CIRCUS PERFORMER, WILDWEST PERFORMER, AERIALIST, AND HORSE TRAINER. Photo by Peter & Joyce Rosa in 2003 TED SVERTESKY JUN 27, 1954 JAN 13, 1994 Ted Svertesky was an elephant man with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was killed when the Blue Unit circus train derailed in Lakeland, Florida on January 13, 1994. It was determined in the investigation of the accident that there was a weakness in a car's wheel due to a plate stamp. A female clown was also killed during this tragic train wreck. The gravestone has a white top located at the top of the stone which has a banner across the entrance that says BIG TOP. His name appears in circus style lettering with the dates. At the bottom of the monument are etched a mature Asian elephant (trunk down), followed by a baby elephant, followed by another mature Asian elephant (trunk up) which is followed by another baby elephant. Photo by Peter & Joyce Rosa in 2003 Special thanks to DUDLEY HAMILTON, Kelly Miller Circus winter quarters superintendent, for the additional information on the showfolks interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery. If you have information you would like to see included with these photos, please send it as soon as possible. We would especially like to list the shows that these showfolks trouped with during their careers. Also, if there are any corrections to information we list in this series, please contact us immediately so we may set the record straight at: peterscircus@AOL.com Photos are also attached to the email so those of you who are able to open attachments can view them at full size. This series is being done because it is felt that many folks will not be able to journey to Hugo, Oklahoma to see these magnificent monuments. These gravestones have been erected to honor the memory of those whose varied skills have allowed the circus-going public to view the wonder of the CIRCUS. We would like you to note that all of the showfolks interred at Mount Olivet will not be represented. Only those monuments that noted a circus motif were photographed. If you have photos and information of other showfolk's monuments, please send as soon as possible to: peterscircus@AOL.com Sincerely, Peter and Joyce Rosa Email This Resource   Copyright © 1999-2015 Circus Fans Association of America and Authors. For more information view our  Copyright Policy & Privacy Policy .

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