By Danny Minton

“I heard what sounded like laughter at first, and then it turned into a terrible scream. They all sounded like beaten dogs.” Emmett Kelly.

June 6, 1944, brought hope to war-torn nations that “Operation Overlord” and the storming of Normandy would be the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. The hopes and dreams of a possible end dwelt in the hearts of people both in the nations devastated by the war and of those at home whose loved ones were constantly in harm’s way. 

One month later, on July 6, 1944, the Ringling Brothers Circus had made its way to Hartford, Connecticut. Unable to open on the fifth due to a late train, thousands of people, primarily women and children, flooded the circus to enjoy an afternoon of fun. Most of the men were either at war or working, so it was the mothers who brought their children to see “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

The animal acts had finished, and the “Great Wallendas,” a family trapeze artist act, had made their way to the platforms high above the crowd. Then, a small fire was noticed in an area near the main entrance. At first, some thought it was part of the circus act, but they quickly saw that the fire was starting to grow. The Wallendas slid down the ropes to escape while the crowds, in a panic, made their way to the exits. The band began to play “Stars and Stripes Forever,” which was a signal to the performers that something was wrong.

Circus tent fire

Mothers and children rushed to try to save their children, many falling and trampled by the crowds. The performers, including clown Emmett Kelly, got buckets of water to try to extinguish the fire, but quickly realized it was useless. Within ten minutes, the wax and oil coating on the Big Top became an inferno, finally collapsing the tent. When it was over, the death toll would be over 160, mostly women and children. A picture of Emmett Kelly carrying a bucket of water, still in costume with the frown painted on his face, became the headlines: “The Day the Clowns Cried.”

Emmett Kelly in circus fire

I came across a site that listed all the victims by name and provided a brief description of each, including their family. (https://www.circusfire1944.com/the-victims.html) Each life had a story to tell. It was sad to read of so many whose lives were just beginning, only to be cut short by a ime that was supposed to be a fun family time. One stood out, “Little Miss 1565, white female, 5 to 6 years of age, probably blue eyes; 3′-10” height, weight 40 pounds; head circumference 20 1/2”, blond or light brown shoulder length curly hair; wearing brown shoes and a flowered dress. She was not identified until forty-five years later.” 

No one knows what started the fire, although many believe it was likely a cigarette or match carelessly discarded. It is said that more could have escaped if, instead of panicking and storming the exits, they could have gone under the sides of the tent. However, we often find ourselves unable to think clearly when faced with a situation that is out of control.

As I walk through the hospital, especially as I make rounds through the ICU and the emergency room, I see stories of people who are in a place in life they never planned to be. Along the line, their lives were going well when something happened that altered their path in life. Most of us face times when something unexpected happens, sending us down a path we didn’t want to take. There are things in life that we cannot plan for but require us to act and make a decision we are not prepared to make, but have no choice. 

James tells us, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”  James 4:13-16 (NASB)  

One question I have considered at times is, “What will people say of me after I’m gone?” A second question is, “What story will I leave behind?” We don’t like to think about such things, but we never know what tomorrow will bring. It could be a day of excitement and fun, or it could be a day that shakes our world. We never know for sure what tomorrow holds for us, so we must ensure that we stay close to God and be prepared for whatever we face.

No matter what happens, we should never forget the words of our God that He spoke to Joshua and the Israelites, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NASB)

Personal Note: I wrote this a day before the tragedy that struck in Kerr County. A friend, Holly Frizell, was missing and later found dead. As I browsed Facebook, I saw that many other friends have people they know who are unaccounted for—prayers for all those affected by the flood, whether missing, displaced, or anxious for their loved ones. 

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ