Nemo Carnivals arrive in Albany
Albany hosts “Nemo Carnivals” in 1912 and 1914.
I can find no references to a “Nemo Carnival” anywhere else in the country. I’d assume it had something to do with the then-popular “Little Nemo” comics, but the traveling circus that conducted these had an act named Prince Nemo, The Malay Wonder. Perhaps we’ll never know.
The Johnny J. Jones Shows traveled across the country for more than 50 years, second in size only to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.
It’s hard to believe a show of this magnitude could fit either at the intersection of Clinton & Judson, or at Central and Partridge, but as the 1914 ad demonstrates, it was a sizeable event.
These were some pretty cool shows. I’d pay to see the lineup described in this 1912 Variety article:
“The Johnny J. Jones Shows is a twenty-two [railroad] car affair. The principal attractions are: Capt. Paul Johaning’s six trained lions; Princess Floring’s tigers, leopards, pumas and jaguars; Capt. Jos. Walters’ trained African lion; Louis and Capt. De Carto’s polar bears; the Diving Venuses, Margaret Stanton and Helen Robertson.
“Trip To Mars, managed by H.F. Maynes.
“Five-in-one Show, featuring: Alma, fat woman; Prince Nemo, the Malay wonder; Prof. Coleman, tattooed man; Bohemian glassblowers, and an octopus.
“W. Kuntz’s trained fleas, headed by ‘Henry.’
“Doletta, the midget mother, and her babies.
Johnny J. Jones with his midgets
“The illusion ‘Joyland,’ with Arthur Ramsay, manager.
“S. Wirebach’s attractions are the little horse, Lulu, and Hattle, snake charmer.
“The Dixieland Minstrels is J.S. Oppice’s attraction. All [18] performers and musicians are genuine Southern darkeys.
“The outside free attractions are: Thos. Quincy, high diver; Freida La Florenz, in her balloon act, making from three to eight parachute leaps from the one balloon.
“Prof. Saracina’s Royal Italian band of sixteen pieces supplies the music.”
In a later review, additional acts were mentioned: Charles Kirchman, armless wonder; Prince Omar and the Zaxas, mind-readers; a troupe of wrestlers “that met all comers;” Majo, the three-legged girl; Alma and Zeda, the largest and smallest woman on earth; Oscar Babcock’s motordrome; and Minnie, the strange girl.
A typical Johnny J. Jones midway, this from Calgary in 1919
In addition there were many food stands, rides, and games of chance. Sounds like a great time.
Doc Circe Died For Our Sins 
One Response to “Nemo Carnivals arrive in Albany”
The name Nemo came from the sponsor of the carnival, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.). Albany temple was the central meeting place for “Grand Canton Nemo.” There are still Odd Fellows active in Albany who could probably tell you why they chose that name, which in Latin means “no one.” I’m afraid that’s still mystery to me.