The Con T. Kennedy Story: From Orphan to Famous King of Carnivals

Did you know an orphan from Lafayette, Indiana, gained national and international fame for creating a multi-million-dollar carnival empire in the early 20th century? The humble beginnings of Con T. Kennedy, “the Carnival King” and his rags-to-riches rise to fame is an inspirational, true story about a boy who overcame many obstacles in life. He ran away from a Lafayette orphanage at twelve years old, headed west, and "grew up with the country."  This story will evoke a roller coaster of emotions. It’s long, but worth the investment of your time. 

Orphan Never Felt the Loving Arms of a Loving Mother

St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum (Photo courtesy of Preserve Historic Lafayette)

The story begins with Cornelius T. Kennedy, an orphan about whom little is known regarding his family background.  Cornelius was born in 1870 to parents of Irish descent. The 1870 census records show Cornelius residing in Jackson, Ohio, with his parents, Thomas and Hanora Kennedy, along with two brothers, John and Richard. This is the only census record that documents the family together. 

It is unknown how the three boys came to the orphanage; however, Cornelius, the youngest of the Kennedy family, said that he never knew what the loving arms of a mother felt like, nor had she wiped away any of his childhood tears. He did not remember a time that he was not in an institution.

Cornelius and two brothers first came to Lafayette in 1877, possibly as transfers from a sister institution in Rensselaer, Indiana, when he was about seven years old and his brother, Richard, was ten. Another brother, an invalid, was reportedly sent to a Catholic hospital in Omaha, Nebraska for care.  Due to overcrowding at the Rensselaer institution, many of the orphan boys who could work were transferred to St. Joseph's Orphanage, a new facility in Lafayette, where they learned the art of shoe repair, tailoring, and farming. This lasted for about three years before Cornelius and Richard ran away from the orphanage and headed west via the "side door express" of a railroad car. 

Runaway Boy Life Struggles

The runaway travels of the Kennedy brothers led them to many places. The Macon News (Georgia) recorded Con T.’s feelings from those early days. “When Con T. Kennedy…first remembered life, he was a little curly-haired chap romping about the premises of an orphan asylum at Lafayette, Indiana. Feeling the call of the wanderlust, Kennedy, even as young as ten years, decided to ‘go west and grow up with the country.’” Con and his brother set out on a freight train to Omaha, Nebraska, selling newspapers and doing other odd chores to eke out an existence. He said the only trades they had were “energy and hunger,” and that they could neither read nor write. At 12 years old, Con T. worked in a rolling mill drawing $2 per day; at 14 he earned $3 per day.

After a few years, he became restless and joined Coxey’s Army in Salt Lake City. This was a national protest movement by unemployed workers from the United States, led by Ohio businessman, Jacob Coxey. Kennedy said that when he was not made a captain, he knew the job was too small for him, so he battled for a while with fate.  He tried, unsuccessfully, his hand at prospecting for gold, but he did hit paydirt in the romance department during his brief stay in Denver. He was a man of fine physique and became a successful heavyweight prize fighter on the west coast and was making quite the name for himself; however, he gave it up after he met his future wife. Little did he know at the time that he was about to find the fame and fortune he went looking for as a twelve-year-old kid.

A Turning Point – “Behind Every Good Man is a Good Woman”

On February 9, 1899, Con T. married his wife, Christina Westrup, in Denver, Colorado. The couple met while he was working at the Windsor Hotel. Con said that he “never went to school a day” in his life until he was 21 and married. Mrs. Kennedy insisted that her husband attend night school, so he acquired an education in three years. This would prove to be a turning point in Con T’s life. The old adage that “behind every good man is a good woman” proved true in Con’s life, because Mrs. Kennedy helped open doors that would change the course of history for him. Christina was the sister-in-law of Charles Wallace Parker, a famous and wealthy manufacturer of carnival equipment at Abilene, Kansas.

Parker was referred to as “the world’s Napoleon in the manufacture of amusement devices.” Parker launched the C. W. Parker Amusement Company, the first of its kind. Three years later he launched C.W. Parker Shows and the Great Parker Shows, elaborate and pretentious operations that required a train of thirty-five-steel cars for its transportation. These shows included attractions and amusement rides that became familiar throughout America and abroad. Parker invented the jumping horse for the carousel ride, which added to his fame. He was dubbed a “creative genius” and a “great businessman.” His associations with many of the world’s business leaders helped propel him to even greater fame.

Always attracted by show business, Kennedy said his dream of boyhood days were realized in Denver where he met C.W. Parker and received his big break, first managing Parker’s Carnival Company No. 1 in 1902, supervising 31 employees. He studied and learned from his protégé.  Con’s early achievements were reported in newspapers across the country. “Brilliant Event,” read an article from The Abilene Weekly Chronicle on November 11, 1903.  The news reports were impressive, largely due to the efforts of Harry R. Raver, a notorious press agent and valuable member of the Parker Amusement Park team.  Con T. Kennedy proved himself a worthy businessman, so his brother-in-law sold him the carnival company for $80,000 in 1904, for which he was able to secure a loan. (Pictured: Charles W. Parker)

A report from The Weekly Advocate in Victoria, Texas reported that Kennedy’s efficient management made his first year a great financial success. “Everywhere he has shown he has established a record the like of which few carnival companies can boast. Mr. Kennedy insists that everything around his aggregation shall be strictly on the square and is remembered through the territory in which it has shown for its cleanliness and strict moral character.

The Parker Amusement Company was considered one of the best and most valuable on the road and referred to as the “greatest show on earth,” largely due to the work ethic of Con T. Kennedy, who had finally realized his dream. He became a world-famous showman by accident, and it put him in a unique position to amuse the world.

The Orphans Were Always in Con’s Heart

Con T’s greatest assets were his integrity and character. Those with whom he worked described him as a “man of courage and kindness with a big heart.” Although he sometimes felt alone in the world, he never forgot his orphan roots and was known for treating orphan children around the country like royalty, always providing free entertainment before, during, and after his shows.  The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville, Tennessee, reported one such instance. “It would have done your heart good to have seen the children of the Orphan’s Home during the carnival yesterday afternoon,” read the report. “Con Kennedy beamed like a sixty-candle power electric light as he watched the rollicking youngsters staring wide-eyed with wonder.”  Con directed his management team to make it a point to entertain all the orphans in every town where they hold an event. “My Motto is: Every little bit helps,” he said. “I was one of them once, and if a carnival had ever been revealed to me, I would have busted with joy.”

Con spent his birthday one year with orphans in Freeport, Illinois, and considered it such an honor that he talked to a Freeport Journal-Standard news reporter about it. “Tomorrow is my birthday, and I am going to celebrate it with the orphans.” The followed up on the events of that day: “No happier man slept in the city of Freeport last night than Con T. Kennedy, the owner of the Kennedy shows that are here for the benefit of the American Legion.”

Con T’s sincerity was apparent, and the reporter was obviously affected by what he saw. “A big, broad-shouldered man stood on the grounds of the carnival company yesterday afternoon watching the kiddies from the local orphanage enjoy the various attractions, noting each smiling face and listening to the expressions of wonder and enjoyment made by each youngster as he or she came out of the various attractions.”

“He is in the prime of his life, rich as far as this world’s goods are concerned and respected of men. He ranks high in his chosen profession as one of the predominant leaders. As he watched the little ones having the time of their young lives, his thoughts went back some forty years, when he, himself, would have given his young eyes for such a treat, for he had been brought up in an orphanage and has raised himself to his present position from the sheltering doors of such an institution.”

The Tragic Death of Mrs. Con Kennedy

Con T’s life came crashing down on March 9, 1914, after his wife accidentally swallowed carbolic acid 
pills while visiting her sister at the Parker home in Leavenworth, Kansas. In poor health for months, Mrs. Kennedy had picked up the wrong medicine bottle thinking it was one filled with medicine she had been taking for her ailments. The room was dark, which caused the mix-up. After realizing her mistake, Mrs. Kennedy screamed for help; however, there was nothing that could be done to save her and she died a few hours after swallowing the toxic liquid. The loss for the family and the show was a devastating blow.

The Show Must Go On!  Facing the Past in Lafayette, Indiana

By June 1914, Con T. was back on the road, and this time he returned to his Indiana roots and to the St. Joseph’s Orphan Asylum from which he fled thirty-four years earlier. Ahead of the visit, Con T. had instructed his agent to visit Father Freiberger, Director of the orphanage, to plan for the orphans to attend all the shows, free of charge, at the Kennedy carnival that was to appear there the following week. Kennedy also decided that proceeds from the carnival store would go to the St. Joseph Asylum.

By this time, Con T. Kennedy owned eight shows and was one of the most famous men in the amusement world. Con T. spent a week in Lafayette and used the opportunity to inquire about his records in hopes of learning more about his past. A news article published in the Journal and Courier on June 17, 1915, stated that Con was born in Frankfort, Indiana, and was brought to the city by relatives who subsequently placed him in the asylum. However, this account is contradicted by what was reported in the same newspaper on June 23, 1915, after Kennedy’s visit with Father Freiburger, director of St. Joseph’s Orphan Asylum. Freiburger reported to Con that the record did not state who brought him to the institution or how he got there. It did show that Con met with an accident that caused a fracture of his leg; however, Con did not remember it. The visit was likely bittersweet for Con, as his difficult past collided with a successful present.

The carnival opened in Lafayette on Monday, June 21, 1915, in what was called the “Martin Bottom Lands,” which was located near the levee in West Lafayette. The newspaper gave a detailed account of the set-up.

“The shows reached Lafayette yesterday afternoon on their own special train, and at once the work of unloading and hauling the tents and equipment to the show lot was started. This morning the grounds presented a very pretty and invited picture with the different colored tents, the elaborate carved and decorated fronts, and the many pennants and flags flying in the wind. A splendid reputation precedes the Kennedy shows to this city, and judging from the general appearance of the company, and those who came here with the show, it will be fully sustained this week. There are over 400 people with the show, and they have their own electric lighting plant, their own dining room, office wagon, press wagon, horses, camels, elephants and donkeys, in fact, they are complete in every detail. Last evening the superb Con T. Kennedy concert band of 32 pieces gave a very enjoyable program at Tecumseh Trail, which was attended by hundreds who showed their approval with vigorous applause. Professor A. U. Ealick, director of the band, is a well-known leader, and in charge of show organizations for some years…The Con T. Kennedy shows will be here all week,” the report continued. “This is the city in which Mr. Kennedy first saw the light of day, and he is very anxious to give local residents the best that his long experience and money can secure.” The visit to Lafayette was significant in Con’s life as he talked to a Birmingham, Alabama, reporter about it shortly thereafter.

“After all these years he recently visited the orphanage at Lafayette, where he made his first music, and found he had a voice. Just to find out something about himself, he searched the records. There he knew he had opened his eyes, but the records showed he had broken his leg, but which one was not recorded, and now Con T. is perturbed; he does not know which leg suffered, and he’d give a dollar to know.  Con T. Kennedy has made a man of himself; ‘twas he who felt the responsibility of being alone in the world, and that the job was up to him. He is the best with those who serve him in his business, for these they measure his great, big heart – the man of courage and kindness.”

Tragedy Strikes in Georgia as Circus Train Involved in Deadly Crash

The Aftermath of the Deadly Train Crash

It was a tragedy so alarming that it’s still talked about today with claims that ghost clowns continue to wander the site of a horrific train crash in Columbus, Georgia, on November 22, 1915, that nearly cost Con T. Kennedy his life and almost destroyed his dreams. The circus troupe had just finished a show at the Atlanta Exposition where it set records for money and attendance. The caravan was headed to Macon, Georgia, when a steel passenger train crashed into the unsuspecting circus train, nine minutes ahead of the passenger train’s schedule. The fatal error resulted in 24 out of 60 circus employees losing their lives, while some survivors, including young Hazel Kempf from Columbus, Indiana, were treated at a local hospital, where Hazel became a staff favorite.

Flames as hot as a furnace quickly spread through the wooden circus train cars killing many of Con Kennedy’s circus family members and most of the exotic animals. It was reported that an angry circus bear escaped and that a few colorful parrots flew away. A gaggle of monkeys jumped into nearby trees, but sadly, they were shot down for fear that they would hamper rescue efforts.

Nine circus train cars were consumed by fire.  The chief performers of the carnival company rode in twelve coaches, which made up the rear of the train, so most of them survived with only bumps and bruises. Others were not so fortunate, including Fred and Hazel Kempf, who were part of the troupe for Fred to display his mechanical masterpiece at the Kennedy shows.

Fred and his brother, Irving, operated Kempf's Model City, a mechanical community that Fred had spent his teenage years assembling in a corner of his family garage in Capac, Mich., 62 miles from Detroit. The Kempf’s were friends with the Dodge Brothers and Henry Ford. Fred's tiny village became a popular attraction in Kennedy's sideshow. When the Kempf’s car caught fire, Mrs. Kempf quickly tossed her daughter out of the window before the couple burned to death. Hazel was rescued by a circus roustabout. Ironically, the little girl would share the status of being an orphan with Con T. Kennedy.

R.B. Peterson, a tuba player in the circus band, described the scene on the side of Macon Road where hundreds of rescuers assembled -- led by Con T. Kennedy himself: "He knew what was concealed under the wreckage; the mangled and charred remains of men who had been with the company for years still reposed. A flame of blast-furnace intensity had swooped down over the train, and in its course, it ate its way over and into the vitals of the showmen, caught like rats in a trap. The eye of the director of this monster organization was dimmed with a tear. Not a year ago, he buried his wife, now he was forced to stand idly by and see his co-workers burn to death. 'Rather my whole train go up in smoke than that one of the people who worked for me should have lost his life,' Kennedy said."

A Marble Tent Memorial

Two months after the tragic train crash, Con T. Kennedy made a short visit to Columbus, Georgia, and arranged for a marble memorial to be erected over the gravesites where the dead carnival workers had been buried. The memorial, three feet wide and six feet long, was made in the shape of a circus tent. Kennedy arranged every detail, including the regulation ‘main entrance’ ropes down the sides, seams in the cloth, and grass on the ground. At each end, the entrance and the exit, parted draperies will disclose a wreath and the words “In Memoriam.” The two sides of the marble are inscribed, “Erected by the Con T. Kennedy Shows, in the Memory of the Members of the Show Who Lost Their Lives in a Railroad Wreck Near Columbus, Ga., Nov. 22, 1915.”

It was reported that every carnival company in the country would hold a memorial service over the grave whenever they visited the city. They stated that they “felt it was their duty to mark their respects for their dead brothers whenever they could.”

Ghost Clowns, Carnival Music, and Other Urban Legends

To this day, urban legends continue to spread that circus ghosts haunt the old fairgrounds across the street from the Big Top Memorial stone that some say is haunted by the ghost of a little boy asking for a nickel to get into the fair.  Others say they can hear carnival music faintly coming from the area and report ghostly orbs floating in the air. Claims have been made about seeing a couple dressed in early 20th-Century clothing riding in an empty Ferris Wheel. Ghost Hunting enthusiasts have created YouTube videos about the haunting legends.

Rising From the Ashes & a New Wife

Con T. Kennedy used compensation from the train company after the crash to buy new equipment, allowing his carnival business to resume operations. Demonstrating their dedication to extended work hours, the team successfully launched a new show within ten weeks and resumed performances nationwide in the spring of 1916. One of the new features was a motordrome, built by W. G. Jones. The largest of its kind, there was a 75-degree incline track shaped like a saucer on which riders could gain speed. Riders amazed audiences with thrilling stunts and sensational feats during their performances. The carnival employed two daring women motorcycle riders, Dorothy Connell and Grace Brave. Kennedy enjoyed unbridled success for the next several years.

Con found love again with Mary E. Snyder, a 31-year-old woman from Massillon, Ohio, who performed an Apache dance in his show. The couple were married on August 2, 1916.

Back Home Again in Indiana

Kennedy chose his former hometown of Lafayette, Indiana, as a winter headquarters for the 1921 fall season. He and his wife made their home at the Fowler Hotel, and he secured the Indiana Wagon Works plant east of town on South Street to store carnival equipment.  

Kennedy launched his 23^rd season in Lafayette near the corner of Main and Kossuth Streets. The local newspaper reported that it was a clear day, which made it a favorable opening day.  The midway and grounds included a collection of five rides, 15 shows and 35 concessions. One feature was such an interesting sight that the local newspaper wrote about it.

“An unusual sight was witnessed at the Wabash station late Wednesday afternoon when eight tiny midgets, with heights ranging from 26 to 30 inches, alighted. The party was the European Wonder Midgets and had just arrived from Hamburg, Germany to join the Con T. Kennedy shows, which opened the season here Saturday at Main and Kossuth Streets. The midgets were accompanied by George E. Bistany, their personal manager, who secured them in Hamburg while commissioned by Mr. Kennedy to secure talent for his shows.”

A New Home in Florida

The following year Kennedy chose Miami, Florida, as the show’s winter headquarters and purchased land with the intention of making it a permanent home base. The couple purchased 60 acres of Florida coast land between Buena Vista and Lemon City for $45,000 to house the show equipment. They also bought two lots to build a villa near the beach. This would be a permanent move for Con and Mary. This location made it convenient for the couple to make frequent trips to Havana, Cuba. Things seemed to be going well for the Kennedys and their carnival show; however, it would be short-lived as trouble and tragedy would follow two years later.

Feds Seize Show for Unpaid Taxes

The Michigan State Fair in Detroit was the scene of an intense stand-off between Con T. Kennedy and
the federal government.  Agents arrived and seized the show’s assets for non-payment of taxes. The Detroit Free Press gave this sad account in its September 8, 1924, edition:

“The Kennedy shows were notified several weeks ago in Arkansas, that they would have to furnish several thousands of dollars in alleged unpaid taxes. Officers have traveled with the show since, in the interest of the government. Tuesday, official notices were placed on the company’s office wagon, announcing that all effects had been seized.”

The news account described the dismal mood among the circus artists. “The spirit that pervades a theatrical company when the management ‘goes broke’ somewhere in the sticks, pervaded among the sideshow ‘artists’ connected with the Michigan State Fair, Sunday. The ballyhoo men, the pitch men, the jugglers, trapeze performers, and vendors sat around on soap boxes, eyeing the gray clouds that presaged the end of a gray day, and waxed lugubriously talkative. They were wondering whether they’d have a job next day, and if not, what they would be able to do.”

Con was forced to cancel a show in Missouri; however, an agreement was made for the show to continue. It moved on to Wichita Falls, Texas on September 28, 1924, and other locations until it closed for the season. San Angelo, Texas was the next stop on October 6, 1924. The desperation was palpable as the show’s press agent did his best to paint a positive picture of its state of affairs.

The next stop was Monroe, Louisiana on November 8, 1924, where Con T. Kennedy continued his practice of treating newspaper boys to free entertainment. Con T. had worked as a newspaper boy as a means of surviving after he ran away from the orphanage, so he showed them special favor during his shows throughout the country. His money woes did not stop him at the end of his career. The November, 19, 1924, edition of the News-Star captured the excitement that Con’s generosity created.

“They saw it all. The newsboys of the News-Star, as the guests of the Con T. Kennedy Shows, last night ‘did’ the carnival from every aspect. They rode the caterpillar, sported on the Whizz Bang, glided in the Butterfly, mixed in the Merry Mix-Up, went up in the Ferris Wheel, came down to ride the horses on the Merry-go-round and then started out to see the many shows along the midway.”

“If I was as fat as that guy, I wouldn’t sell newspapers anymore,” one of the boys said as he watched the family of fat persons doing their dancing, singing and boxing exhibitions. “I wouldn’t have to sell papers,” the boy continued, “I would go with a carnival and travel and travel and see the world!”

“Virtually all the boys had a monkey and car which they rooted for. The monkey in No. 2 car is named Valentine, perhaps after Rudolph of the same name. Well, when the monkeys got away, and they were speeding around the track at a great speed, the boys backing the No. 2 monkey shouted: ‘Come on Valentine; speed up, we’re betting on you!’ And Valentine, with monkey sense, put on the juice and speeding under the wire a winner in the two races.”

Little did Con T. Kennedy know that this would be his last hurrah.

Death and Taxes

The carnival world was shocked to learn that Con T. Kennedy, the famous Merry-Go-Round Man, died unexpectedly on December 2, 1924, at the age of 53 of pneumonia. Headlines broke many hearts as the news made its way around the country. Mr. and Mrs. Con T. Kennedy had departed the Monroe, Louisiana venue and continued to Greenville, Mississippi, where Mr. Kennedy became ill. He was admitted to a local hospital and subsequently passed away with his wife at his bedside. His remains were transported to Miami, Florida, where he was interred.

Uncle Sam once again seized the assets of the show in hopes of finding someone from the carnival to run the Kennedy operation so they could collect back taxes; however, the showmen resented the “amusement tax” and seizure and would not bid on it. Some news reports shared the sentiment and taunted the feds about their well-deserved predicament: “Uncle Sam today has a circus on his hands and doesn’t know what to do with it.”

It’s said that there are two sure things in life, death and taxes, but in the end, Con T. Kennedy beat the Tax Man. America was made a better place thanks to the man who brought laughter to millions of people over a twenty-five-year period.  He was America's finest orphan.

The author, Diana Vice, would like to dedicate this story to all the overcomers who were forced to face life without the love of a parent as well as to her late grandmother, Lorraine Hanthorn, who absolutely loved the circus, and likely attended Con T. Kennedy’s Lafayette event in 1922.