Nestled in the quiet town of Hugo, Oklahoma, Mount Olivet Cemetery is no ordinary resting place. Known as “Circus City, USA,” Hugo has long been a haven for the colorful characters of the traveling circus, and its cemetery reflects that legacy with a section called “Showmen’s Rest.” Marked by granite posts topped with elephant statues and a central monument featuring a performing pachyderm, this patch of earth is a tribute to the performers who brought magic, daring, and wonder to audiences under the big top. Among the circus legends buried here are Anne May, Barbara, and William “Buckles” Woodcock, John August Strong, The Great Huberto Weber, “Watch the Snake” Popcorn, and The Riding Conleys Vonderheid—each with a headstone that tells a story as vibrant as their lives.
Hugo: The Circus Winter Capital
Hugo’s circus connection began in 1937, when Vernon Pratt, a local aficionado, convinced Obert Miller of the Al G. Kelly Miller Brothers Circus to move their winter headquarters from Mena, Arkansas, to this small town in southern Oklahoma. The milder climate offered a respite from harsher winters, making it ideal for circus troupes to rest, repair their gear, and train for the next season, typically from December to March. Word spread, and soon Hugo became a magnet for circuses like Kelly-Miller, Carson & Barnes, and over 20 others across the decades. By the 1940s, the town was a bustling off-season hub, with performers, trainers, and roustabouts forming a tight-knit community.
As these circus folk aged or passed away during their winter stays, the need for a dedicated burial ground emerged. D.R. Miller, a key circus figure, purchased a section of Mount Olivet Cemetery, naming it Showmen’s Rest. It became a sacred space where performers could rest among their own, supported by endowments like the John Carroll Showmen’s Rest Trust Fund, ensuring even those without family or funds had a place beneath the big top in eternity. Today, Hugo’s circus legacy endures, with troupes like Carson & Barnes still wintering here and the Endangered Ark Foundation caring for Asian elephants nearby. Mount Olivet stands as a testament to this history, its headstones etched with elephants, trapezes, and big tops—a final bow for the stars of the ring.
The Performers of Showmen’s Rest
The headstone of Barbara and William “Buckles” Woodcock features a female performer standing on an elephant, hinting at their circus roles. William “Buckles” Woodcock was a well-known elephant trainer associated with the Kelly-Miller Circus and other shows. Born into a circus family, he worked with elephants like Anna May, a famous performing pachyderm, from the 1940s until his retirement. Barbara, his wife, likely was part of his act, performing as equestriennes or assisting with the animals.
John August Strong, known as “Big John,” rests beneath a headstone shaped like a three-ring circus tent, marking him as a ringmaster. He worked with the Carson & Barnes Circus and other Hugo-based shows, famous for his commanding presence and a reputation that earned him the epitaph, “The man with more friends than Santa Claus.” His death in 1992 ended a career that spanned decades, leaving a legacy as a beloved figure in the circus world.
The Great Huberto Weber’s grave, marked by a trapeze bar and a soaring figure, identifies him as a high-wire artist. Known simply as Huberto Weber in circus circles, he performed with the Kelly-Miller Circus, specializing in daring aerial acts. Born in 1914, he died in 1991, and his headstone captures his skill and the thrill he brought to audiences.
“Watch the Snake” Popcorn, whose real name was Thomas Edward Sink, lies under a marker of clown attire. A sideshow performer with the Kelly-Miller Circus, he worked as a clown for over 30 years before retiring to Hugo. Born in 1940, he died in 2012 at age 72, his nickname possibly tied to a snake-handling act or a playful persona that delighted crowds.
The Riding Conleys Vonderheid, a husband-and-wife team, are buried beneath a headstone that marks their family’s involvement in the circus and National Parks. Carl and Hilda Vonderheid were equestrian performers with the Carson & Barnes Circus, known for standing horseback acts that showcased their balance and coordination. Active in the 1950s and 1960s, they retired to Hugo, where Carl died in 1980 and Hilda in 1985, their grave honoring their time in the saddle.
A Legacy Beyond the Big Top
These performers, and dozens more, turned Mount Olivet into a gallery of circus history, their headstones a permanent encore for lives spent in motion. Hugo’s role as Circus City, USA, gave them a home in life and death, a place where the spirit of the big top lingers in every elephant statue and etched tent pole.
Mount Olivet is also the resting place of famous rodeo bull riders like Freckles Brown and Lane Frost, whose graves draw fans to the “Bull Rider’s Reprieve” section. Their stories, tied to Hugo’s cowboy roots, are a fascinating chapter I’ll explore in a separate blog post. For now, Showmen’s Rest invites you to step right up and honor the circus stars who made Hugo their final stage.
GPS Coordinates: 33.999035585299204, -95.50396027888907
