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Showmen's Rest - Part 7 

Submitted by Member on   5/8/2004
Last Modified

Showmen's Rest - Part 7

by Peter & Joyce Rosa
CLICK HERE to find the complete series


To All Showfolks and Fans:

We continue the SHOWMEN'S REST series with the gravestones of:
  • KENNETH IKRIT
  • JESSE &LORRAINE JESSEN
  • LUCIANO JOSEPH LOYAL
  • ZEFTA LOYAL
NOTE: Your comments, additional information about the showfolks covered in this series and photos are welcomed. If you have photos of showfolks gravestones not covered in this series, please email as soon as possible. This series is being presented in alpha order using the showfolk's last name. Please contact Peter and Joyce Rosa at: Peterscircus@AOL.com.

All photos were taken in the SHOWMEN'S REST section of Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma. We will scan photos and send at least three per email over the next few weeks.

We would appreciate your participation in this series. In the next email, we will send photos of the gravestones of JACK B. MOORE, DONNIE &IONE McINTOSH and GRACE McINTOSH McFARLAND. If you have information you would like to see included with these photos, please send it not later than Wednesday, March 24, 2004, to peterscircus@AOL.com. 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.

The photos in this email are the gravestones of:


KENNETH IKRIT
DATES NOT AVAILABLE

Kenneth Ikrit was said to have been especially good with elephants known to have bad temperaments. He toured with Ring Bros. Circus, Kelly Morris Circus, John Pauling's (Correct spelling of Pauling is not known) Great London Circus and was elephant trainer with Miller family shows. We were not able to gain further information concerning this person. The photo appears to be the backside of the gravestone. The saying etched on the monument says:
BOSS ELEPHANT MAN FOR CARSON BARNES CIRCUS
LARGEST ELEPHANT HERD IN AMERICA

Photo provided by Toni McIntyre


JESSE JESSEN LORRAINE JESSEN
APR 11, 1922 AUG 11, 1923
MAR 4, 1987 STILL LIVING

Jess Jessen started as a telephone promoter for Carson &Barnes Circus and later became general agent. Lorraine Jessen was home office manager for Carson &Barnes Circus and was also in charge of telephone promotions. Jess and Lorraine Jessen are part of the ownership of the Kelly Miller Circus. Mrs. Jessen is still living in Kansas and continues as co-owner of the Kelly Miller Circus.

On the front of the crypt are service organization emblems and the names and dates. On the opposite end is an elephant. One side has JESSE A JESSEN, Captain, U.S. Marine Corp., Retired with the Marine insignia and the other side has a Big Top with the names of the Carson &Barnes Circus, Al G. Kelly - Miller Bros. Circus and Circus Genoa etched above the Big Top.



Photo by Peter and Joyce Rosa


Photo provided by Toni McIntyre


LUCIANO JOSEPH LOYAL
DEC 16, 1951
NOV 7, 1973

Luciano Joe Loyal died as the result of a circus truck accident which resulted in the truck catching fire. He was a member of the famed Loyal bareback riding troupe. He was the son of Alphonso (correct spelling unknown at the time of this email) Loyal of the original Loyal Repenski Troupe which was brought to the United States by John Ringling North.

To the left of his name is an etching of floral artwork, praying hands and a photograph of Luciano Joseph Loyal. Above his name are the words:
BELOVED SON AND BROTHER
Below the name LOYAL are the words:
YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF
THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL.

Photo provided by Toni McIntyre


ZEFTA LOYAL
SEP 23, 1916
APR 26, 1996

On the front of the monument is floral sketch, a horseshoe and a photo of Zefta Loyal with a show horse. Also inscribed are the words:
BELOVED MOTHER OF DOLLY AND GINA

Photo by Peter and Joyce Rosa

On the back of the gravestone is the name LOYAL and the words:
QUEEN OF THE BAREBACK RIDERS

Photo by Peter and Joyce Rosa


HOST NOTE: Photos will be sent so they show in the body of the email. We will also attach them to the email so those of you who are able to open attachments can view them at full size. Also, we will note the text etched on each gravestone if they are hard to read in the photo.

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

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