Survivor List
(last names beginning with "C")
Nearly 7,000 circus fans attended the afternoon show on July 6, 1944, and many were fortunate enough to survive the blaze. Here are the names of some of the survivors, and also the names of those who helped or are otherwise associated with the Hartford Circus Fire, though they may not have been in attendance during the tragic performance.
Names are sorted by "last name first"; in cases of women who got married after the circus fire, their name in 1944 is used when known. The search function at the top of the each page can also be used to search the entire website for a name or term.
Names are sorted by "last name first"; in cases of women who got married after the circus fire, their name in 1944 is used when known. The search function at the top of the each page can also be used to search the entire website for a name or term.
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L -M - N - O
P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
Cables, Charles L. "Charlie" (14); South end of Hartford
- Went to the circus with his brother, Donald A. Cables. Both boys survived. Charles died in 1969.CFM
Cables, Donald A. (7); South end of Hartford
- Went to the circus with his brother, Charles L. Cables. Both boys survived.CFM
- Don and his brother Charlie were in the stands when the fire broke out. Seeing that the crowd was heading to the already clogged exits, Charlie told Don to drop down beneath the stands and crawl under the tent to safety. Don often credited Charlie with saving his life that fateful day.
- Donald Arthur Cables passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023 at St. Joseph's Hospital South near Tampa, Fla. at the age of 86. [LINK to obituary / Back up LINK]
Cagianello, Grace (8), 228 Front St, Hartford
- Went to the circus with her sister Victoria, their mother Victoria, her aunt Mrs. Mary Barberi and cousins Freddie Barberi and Albert Casale. They got to the circus grounds at 1:30pm and sat in the bleachers to the right as you walk in the Main Entrance. Mrs. Cagianello saw fire above them and grabbed her children and started for the Main Entrance, but the crowd pushed them out the exit by one of the animal runways.
Cagianello, Miss Victoria (5), 228 Front St, Hartford
- Went to the circus with her sister Grace, their mother Victoria, her aunt Mrs. Mary Barberi and cousins Freddie Barberi and Albert Casale. They got to the circus grounds at 1:30pm and sat in the bleachers to the right as you walk in the Main Entrance. Mrs. Cagianello saw fire above them and grabbed her children and started for the Main Entrance, but the crowd pushed them out the exit by one of the animal runways.
Cagianello, Mrs. Victoria (adult); 228 Front St, Hartford
- Went to the circus with her daughters Victoria and Grace, her sister Mrs. Mary Barberi and Mary's son Freddie, and nephew Albert Casale. They got to the circus grounds at 1:30pm and sat in the bleachers to the right as you walk in the Main Entrance. Mrs. Cagianello saw fire above them, grabbed her children and with her sister, they all started for the Main Entrance, but the crowd pushed her out the exit by one of the animal runways. When she got outside, she met her sister out front.
Calcagni, Joseph; 16 Farmington Rd, Avon
- Was awarded $500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Caldwell, Janet (child); Hartford
- Went to circus with several family members. Caldwell may be married name.CFM
Callahan, Mary (8); Westland St, Hartford
- aka Mary (Callahan) Tierney. Went to circus with neighbor "Jean", both survived.
Campbell, Ruth (25); Portland, CT
- Attended circus with her parents, Eva and George Wersig, and neighborhood boys Bill Conklin and Steve Clapp. All escaped without injuries except Ruth's mother whose back was injured.
- Read Steve Clapp’s story here: A Day at the Circus
Carallino, Leo (14); 103 Earle St., Hartford
- Provided a witness statement, seated in bleachers on right side.
Cardello, Mrs. Betty; 1161 Main Street, Hartford
- Provided a witness statement, seated in bleachers on right side.
Carlson, Axel (adult); New Britain
- Attended circus with his nephew, Donald Anderson. Both survived.
Carlton, Constance (16); Wilson
- Attended circus with friends Maxine Huntington and Jean Andrews, who also survived the fire. The girls were seated high on the bleachers when the fire broke out, and all prepared to jump except Maxine, who froze. Constance delivered a hard slap to the face of Maxine, and they all jumped to safety.
Carnell, Arthur (61); Simsbury
- Went to the circus with wife Millie, son Dave and daughter-in-law Helen Carnell. All survived.
Carnell, Dave (23); Manchester, NH
- Went to the circus with wife Helen, and parents Arthur and Millie Carnell. All survived.
Carnell, Helen (24); Manchester, NH
- Went to the circus with husband Dave, and Dave's parents Arthur and Millie Carnell. All survived.
Carnell, Millie (58); Simsbury
- Went to the circus with husband Arthur, son Dave and daughter-in-law Helen Carnell. All survived.
Carrier, Mrs. Jeanne A.; 11 Greenwood St, Hartford
- Was awarded $1,125 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Carson, John M.; Sarasota, FL
- Headed a staff of 75 ushers who used all available water buckets in an unsuccessful attempt to extinguish the flames.THC
Carter, Barry (minor); 330 Milton St, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Was awarded $1,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Carter, Donald J. (14)
- Circus fire survivor passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 5, 2012. [obituary]
Carter, Nancy (6)
- aka Nancy (Carter) Heaton. Went to the circus in a party of 3 adults and 3 children, and all survived. Some were slightly burned.CFM
Carter, Mrs. Norma; 330 Milton St, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Was awarded $1,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Carter, Norman (14); 28 Cortland St, West Hartford
- Attended the circus with his aunt, Mrs. Ernest Shirley and they sat in Section N, 2nd row from the ground, about the middle of the section. He heard screams and looked lightly to his right and saw people running from their seats and fire burning at the top of the canvas sidewall. The canvas roof began burning and Norman walked down to the track, climbed over an animal runway at the east end of the Big Top, and walked out the rear exit. Once outside, he saw two water tank trucks painted red with a hose on the back of each. A man was sitting in one of the trucks making no effort to assist with putting out the fire. Norman continued east to the street and went home.
Carter, William R.; 330 Milton St, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Was awarded $900 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Carter, Jr., William R.; 330 Milton St, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Was awarded $2,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Carvey, Dorothy (26)
- Attended the circus with her son Tighe, both escaped.
Carvey, Tighe (4)
- Attended the circus with his mother Dorothy Carvey, both escaped.
Carvozza, Ida; 447 North Terrace Ave, Mt. Vernon, NY
- On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44. THC
Casale, Albert (9)
- Attended the circus with his aunts Mrs. Victoria Cagianello and Mrs. Mary Barberi, and cousins Victoria and Grace Cagianello and Freddie Barberi. They all sat in the Southwest bleacher section, near the exit by Section A, and escaped safely.
- Albert J. Casale, M.D., 79, passed away on May 27, 2014 in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his loving family. [obituary]
Casalengo, Charles (adult)
- Connecticut State Police officer, helped with putting identification tags on the deceased and with escorting people who arrived to claim the victims.
Case, Ralph Dwight, Jr. (26); 315 Pearl St, Hartford
- Was awarded $1,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including extreme nervousness and discomfort in his back.
Casper, George H.; 133, AAF, Hillsgrove Army Base
- Attended the circus with a group of convalescing soldiers from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The group sat in Reserved Section A, first and second rows. At the conclusion of the animal act, they heard a cry of “FIRE” from behind them and to their left; they looked back and saw fire where the sidewall meets the roof canvas. When the fire began to spread rapidly, the group hurried out of the big top.
Castellani, Anthony (5); Avon, CT
- Anthony was sitting close to the top of the bleachers with his cousin when the fire started. They jumped from the top of the grandstand and crawled under the canvas sidewall to escape. Mr. Castellani passed away on July 26, 2014 (link to obituary)(back-up link).
Centurelli, Peter Jr. (5); New Britain, CT
- Went to the circus with his mother, Sophie Centurelli, and they had front row seats but moved to other seats because Peter kept whining that the elephant poop stunk! When the tent caught fire, a military man cut open the canvas sidewall and called for the ‘sexy lady with the baby boy” to come over and he tossed her and Peter through the hole, along with many others.
Centurelli, Sophie (adult); New Britain, CT
- Sophie attended the circus with her son, Peter Centurelli, Jr. They had front row seats, and Peter kept whining that it was smelly and the elephant poop stunk! Frustrated, Sophie traded seats with someone in the back where the smells weren’t so bad. When the tent caught fire, a military man cut open the canvas sidewall and called for the ‘sexy lady with the baby boy” to come over and he tossed her and Peter through the hole, along with many others.
Champa, Mrs. Rose (38); 75 John St, Hartford
- On injured list at St. Francis hospital with rib injury, Friday night 7/7/44.THC
- Was awarded $1,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Champa, Teresa (13); 75 John St, Hartford
- Attended the circus with her mother and her siblings and survived the fire.
- Teresa Jean (Champa) Montano, Strong and Faithful to the Lord, passed from this life on November 23rd, 2019. [obituary / back-up link]
Chapman, James; 2356 N. Lambert St, Philadelphia
- Circus employee, made possible the escape of many person by knocking out pegs which held the tent sides down.AA
Chase, Gladys (50 or 53); 236 Sigourney St, Hartford
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44, satisfactory condition.THC
- On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/10/44.THC
- Was awarded $7,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Cheney, Mrs. Edith L. (64); 230 Porter St, Manchester
- Attended the circus with her husband, Howard Cheney. Edith was thrown to the ground while trying to escape, and someone jumped on her legs and body. She was awarded $4,500 by the arbitration board for her injuries, including bruises on her legs, pain, and nervous shock.
Cheney, Howard (60); 230 Porter St, Manchester
- Attended the circus with his wife, Edith Cheney. Howard was awarded $500 by the arbitration board for his injuries received in the fire, including stiffness and swelling of his neck and knee, and nervous shock. Mr. Cheney worked as an electrician for Connecticut Power Co.
Cheney, Paul (60's)
- Attended the circus with Fred Z. Johnson. Both men survived.CFR
Chesky, Eulah
- Attended the circus with her son Frank Chesky Jr., and both survived.
Chesky, Frank J. Jr.
- Attended the circus with his mother Eulah Chesky, and both survived.
Image of Ray Chintz and Elaine Chiz, courtesy of their daughter, Wendy.
Image of Ray Chintz, courtesy of his daughter, Wendy.
Chintz, Ray (22); Unionville, CT
- Ray took his fiancé, Elaine Chiz, and his two younger sisters, Roslyn and Rita, to the circus. Ringling Brothers put advertising posters on their father’s property in Unionville, so they were given tickets to the circus. Roz wanted to sit up on top, but he said no because his legs were too long and he’d be uncomfortable, so they sat on the bottom seats. They all survived.
Chintz, Rita (17); Unionville, CT
- Rita went to the circus with her older brother, Ray and his fiancé, Elaine Chiz, and her younger sister, Roslyn. Roz wanted to sit up on top, but Ray said no because his legs were too long and he’d be uncomfortable, so they sat on the bottom seats. They all survived.
Chintz, Roslyn (10); Unionville, CT
- Went to the circus with her older brother, Ray and his fiancé, Elaine Chiz, and her older sister Rita. "Roz" wanted to sit up on top, but her brother said no because his legs were too long and he’d be uncomfortable, so they sat on the bottom seats. They all survived.
Image of Elaine Chiz courtesy of her daughter, Wendy.
Chiz, Elaine (19); Springfield, MA
- Elaine went to the circus with her fiancé, Ray Chintz, and his two younger sisters, Roz and Rita. They all survived.
- Elaine (Chiz) Chintz, 94, born on Thanksgiving, November 27, 1924, in Springfield, MA to Jacob and Gessie Chiz, died in Avon on April 3, 2019. [link to obituary / back-up link]
Christensen, Kenneth (adult)
- Member of the Wilson Fire Department, responded to the fire call.
Clapp, Steve (5); Portland, CT
- Attended circus with neighbors Bill Conklin and Ruth Campbell, and Ruth’s parents Eva and George Wersig. All escaped without injuries, except Ruth's mother whose back was injured.
- Read Steve Clapp’s story here: A Day at the Circus
- Middletown Press story about Steve Clapp (link)(back-up link)
Clark, Gorden (32); 242 Center St, Bristol
- Attended the circus with his wife, Fern Clark; Mrs. Linquist and her son Bruce (3); Mrs. Beatrice Morway; and James White (7). The group sat in Section E, 11th row. The Wallendas were about to begin their act when Fern noticed the fire just left of the Main Entrance and in the corner at a spot on the canvas roof above the canvas sidewall. Fern told Gorden, and since their seats were right next to an exit, they jumped about 8-feet to the ground and escaped the tent. Gorden saw circus workers using buckets to throw water on the fire.
Clark, Jean (19), Hartford
- a.k.a. Jean Clark Nokes. Was on duty as a student nurse at Hartford Hospital during the circus fire. Died peacefully at Hartford Hospital after a brief illness on May 22, 2013.
Clark, Sam W. (72); Sarasota, FL
- Circus employee with 44 years of continuous service, works as a seat man assigned to the area underneath the reserved seats on the south side of the big top. He also helps install the canvas sidewall, and testified that the canvas comes straight down to the ground. Mr. Clark was at the far (east) end of his section when he saw the fire near the edge of the canvas roof; he saw people running for the exit, and he joined them. He saw buckets of water, but didn't use them because he was leading people out who had found their way under the seats. When Sam got outside, he turned and saw that one-third of the top was burning.
Clark, William David (adult); Main St, Farmington
- Head of a West Hartford real estate and insurance firm, observed a circus employee turn back hundreds from an escape exit.THC
- Attended the circus with his daughters Sally (7) and Eleanor (10), and his mother and her nurse Frances Balleyn. The group went in the main entrance and turned left, took seats in the northwest bleachers about halfway up and in the middle, about 50-feet from the entrance. William and his older daughter saw the fire by looking through the southwest bleachers, burning about 5 feet above the ground and traveling fast. In about 15 seconds it reached the top of the tent and people started to leave. As Mr. Clark's group was leaving, someone yelled "Fire!" and pandemonium ensued. They went to the main entrance and about 300 people had filed out and a man of about 60 years old in a maroon uniform exclaimed "You must all go back through the other entrance!". William replied "You damn fool, I am going out this one!" and held one of his daughters hands while the nurse had the other girl's hand, and they all went out, along with many others. They waited outside for 15 seconds and saw the uniformed man continue to turn women and children back into the tent. Mr. Clark did not see any policemen here at this entrance, and the turnstiles were gone. As they got out of the tent, the canvas nearest them dropped to the ground and ignited hay that was scattered about.
Clark, William M. Jr. (15); Windsor
- Went to Hartford to go to a movie, went to the circus instead.
Clemens, Walter (adult)
- HPD officer, arrived at the circus grounds at 3:50, worked crowd control then went to rear of the site and helped carry out bodies. Officer Clemens helped medical examiner Dr. Weissenborn when he arrived on scene, and later he went to the State Armory in an Army truck with some bodies. At the armory, he managed traffic, then went to Capital Ave. and Broad St. for traffic control until 1am.
Clifford, Bill (13); Hartford
- Went to circus with brother Jerry, and friends Joseph Smith, Mike Holmes and Ray Burns. All of the boys survived with no injuries.CFR
Clifford, Jerry (11); Hartford
- Went to circus with brother Bill, and friends Joseph Smith, Mike Holmes and Ray Burns. All of the boys survived with no injuries.CFR
Clough, Barbara D. (7); North Quaker Lane, West Hartford
- Went to the circus with her grandmother, Annie Wilson Dunnell. Both survived. (not sure if Clough is married or maiden name).CFM
Cofiell, Mrs. Margaret; Glastonbury
- Lost her pocketbook, which was found near a dead woman giving rise to a report that Mrs. Cofiell had been killed.THC
Cohen, Murray H. (14)
- Mentioned on a memorial brick.
Cohen, William (10)
- Attended the circus with cousins Alvin and Sheila Berger and Jerry Brener, and all of them escaped. Read Alvin and Sheila Berger’s stories here: Personal Accounts - Page 7
Coleman, Harvey (adult)
- Connecticut State Police officer, helped remove the dead bodies from the scene on July 6.
- On December 6, 1944, Officer Coleman was assigned to the circus grounds to search for valuables while men were burning debris from the fire. Nothing was found.
Coll, Mrs. Claire; 38 White St, Hartford
- Was awarded $500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Coll, Joyce (minor); 38 White St, Hartford
- Was awarded $500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Collins, Miss Ellen Gertrude (59)
- Miss Collins was the operator on duty at the Hartford Police Station and took the first call at the outbreak of the circus fire in Hartford in 1944. (from 12/23/70 obituary)THC
Collins, Joan Elizabeth (minor); 810 Farmington Ave, West Hartford
- Was awarded $35,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Collins, Rosemary (youth)
- Attended the circus with the Jim McCarthy group, all escaped unharmed. Read Jim McCarthy’s story here: Personal Accounts - Page 8.
Colton, Janice (12); East Hartford
- Janice survived the Hartford Circus Fire of 1944 where she recounted her father's perceptive calm as he held her hand to wait out the panic, thereby saving them from getting caught in the deadly melee.
- Janice (Colton) Ellison died July 5th, 2020, peacefully at home surrounded by her family after prolonged non-COVID illness. [LINK to obituary / Back-up LINK]
Comp, Charles (adult); 26 Francis St, East Hartford
- Attended the circus with his wife and son, Jonathan. Mr. Comp rushed his son to safety, then returned for his wife who had already been burned, but was able to escape without serious injury.THC
Comp, Mrs. Lidabelle (33); 26 Francis St, East Hartford
- Taken to East Hartford Hospital with her whole back burned, not on the danger list. Attended the circus with her husband Charles and son Jonathan. Mrs. Comp was the only one injured, and was taken to Municipal Hospital before being removed to East Hartford Hospital.THC
- Was awarded $9,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the circus fire, including severe burns to her back and arms, permanently disfigured, and nervous shock.
Comp, Jonathan (5); 26 Francis St, East Hartford
- Attended the circus with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Comp. Mr. Comp rushed his son to safety, then returned for his wife who had already been burned, but was able to escape without serious injury.THC
Conant, Barbara (29); West Hartford
- Barbara was a survivor of the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire.
- Barbara R. Conant, 105, of West Hartford, died Thursday, May 28th, 2020, at St. Francis Hospital. [LINK to obituary / Back-up LINK]
Conklin, Bill (child); Portland, CT
- Attended circus with neighbors Steve Clapp and Ruth Campbell, and Ruth’s parents Eva and George Wersig. All escaped without injuries, except Ruth's mother whose back was injured.
- Read Steve Clapp’s story here: A Day at the Circus
Conlin, Joan Elizabeth (5); West Hartford
- Joan attended the circus with her father, John Conlin, and a neighbor's boy, Ralph Livingston (7). They sat in Section C, row 9, seats 10 thru 12. Joan's father protected her and Ralph by covering their mouths and heads from the flames and leading them to the exit by the bandstand. Joan received 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her back, arms and left leg, and was taken to Bradley Field Station Hospital for treatment. She was dressed in a sun suit which gave her little to no protection from the heat and flames. She was awarded $8,750 by the arbitration board for her injuries.
Conlin, Capt. John Peter (adult), West Hartford
- Capt. John Conlin was the officer in charge with the First Service Command, Security Intelligence Division, stationed in Hartford, and attended the circus with his daughter, Joan (5) and a neighbor's boy, Ralph Livingston (7). They sat in Section C, row 9, seats 10 thru 12. John heard cries of "Fire" as he watched the Wallenda's setting up, looked over his left shoulder and saw the roof of the big top burning. The fire was horseshoe shaped and about 15 feet in diameter. Everyone sprung to their feet and the panic was on, John tried to tell people to be calm but they rushed the aisles and exits, knocking chairs over. John and the children couldn't move forward or backward, so he grabbed them and pushed them to the floor and covered them, putting his hands over their mouths and their heads under his body. He felt a great blast of heat on his back and smelled his hair burning, then saw a clearing in front of them and took the children down the grandstand. The main entrance was all in flames and canvas was dropping all around them, so they ran to the exit by the bandstand and got out of the big top. John didn't recall being touched by the flames at all, but the children were badly burned. John was burned on both elbows and his back from the wax coating on the canvas that spattered onto his cotton army shirt.
- Was awarded $1,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Conlon, Sr., John W., Vine Hill Rd, Elmwood
- Was awarded $2,442.77 by the arbitration board for expenses.THC
Conlon, Mrs. Geraldine (27); Vine Hill Road, Elmwood
- Attended the circus with her son, John "Jackie" Conlon Jr.(5); her sister-in-law Evelyn Conlon and her children Louis Benjamin (7) and Thomas Francis (4); and a neighborhood child, Helen Merrill (4). When the fire began, Geraldine was able to escape with Jackie and Helen while Evelyn fled with her sons. All in the party survived except Evelyn.
- Geraldine Conlon described her escape from the burning big top and some of her recovery in her 1946 statement to the court. [Link to Geraldine Conlon's statement].
- Awarded $19,165.88 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, which included deep burns to her arm, burns on her head, and more.
- Mrs. Geraldine Conlon Harrington passed away peacefully on February 13, 2015, surrounded by family. [Link to obituary]
Conlon, John "Jackie" Jr. (5); Vine Hill Rd, Elmwood
- Attended the circus with his mother, Geraldine Conlon; his aunt Evelyn Conlon and her children Louis Benjamin (7) and Thomas Francis (4); and a neighborhood child, Helen Merrill (4). When the fire began, Jackie was able to escape with his mother and Helen while Evelyn fled with her sons. All in the party survived except Evelyn.
- Jackie's mother described her escape from the burning big top and some of her recovery in her 1946 statement to the court. [Link to Geraldine Conlon's statement]
- Awarded $20,691.35 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, which included 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns on both arms, both legs, and approximately 7/8 of his back, approximately 35% of his total body area.
- John W. Conlon, Jr. died December 16, 2014 at his home in Nevada. [Link to obituary / Back-up link]
Conlon, Jr., Louis Benjamin "Benny"; 78 Mayflower St, Elmwood
- Attended the circus with his mother, Evelyn Conlon; his brother, Thomas Francis (4); his aunt Geraldine Conlon and her son, John "Jackie" Conlon Jr. (5); and a neighborhood child, Helen Merrill (4). When the fire began, Geraldine was able to escape with Jackie and Helen while Evelyn fled with her sons. All in the party survived except Evelyn.
- Awarded $500 by the arbitration board for expenses.THC
- Climbed to safety over the lion's cages, "That's the closest I ever got to a lion's cage."THC
Conlon, Thomas Francis (4); 78 Mayflower St, Elmwood
- Attended the circus with his mother, Evelyn Conlon; his brother, Louis Benjamin (7); his aunt Geraldine Conlon and her son, John "Jackie" Conlon Jr. (5); and a neighborhood child, Helen Merrill (4). When the fire began, Geraldine was able to escape with Jackie and Helen while Evelyn fled with her sons. All in the party survived except Evelyn.
- Thomas suffered 1st degree burns on his back and 2nd degree burns on his right arm. He was a patient at Hartford Hospital until July 27, 1944.
- Awarded $2,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Connerton, Mrs. Coranna B. (55); 149 Holcomb St, Hartford
- Was awarded $10,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including burns to her scalp, chest, back,and arms; multiple sprains and wrenching of her back, spine and limbs; severe shock to nervous system, and permanent scars and deformities.
Connor, Joseph P.; 1965 Park St, Hartford
- Was awarded $5,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Connors, Mrs. Genevieve (39); 51 Boothbay St, Hartford
- On injured list at St. Francis hospital with burns, Friday night 7/7/44.THC
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC
- Still remained at St. Francis Hospital Monday, July 11.THC
- Was awarded $17,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Connors, Marie Ann (5 1/2); 51 Boothbay St, Hartford
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC
- On injured list at St. Francis hospital with fractured arms, Friday night 7/7/44.THC
- Was awarded $7,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
- Still remained at St. Francis Hospital Monday, July 11.THC
- Photograph in The Hartford Times shows Marie in a hospital bed, with bandages on her legs and left arm, being served ice cream by a nurse at St. Francis Hospital.
Connors, William Thomas (adult); HFD
- Firefighter with Hartford Fire Department Truck Company 4, 25 Blue Hills Avenue. Connors responded to the alarm from Box 82 at 2:44pm; went North on Blue Hills, East on Greenfield, North on Vine to Westland, then East on Westland to the intersection with Barbour. As they went North on Barbour, they were stopped at the entrance to the circus grounds by fire apparatus coming the other way. Captain Crawford ordered Connors to help stretch lines with the engine company. The tent was gone when Connors arrived, all he saw were the bleachers on fire and burning bodies. The elephants had just got across Westland Street when he arrived. He estimates that it took them 2 minutes to get from the firehouse to the scene, and less than a minute to get off the vehicle, lay lines and spray water on the fire.
Conroy, Vera (adult)
- HPD officer, reported to work on her day off to help with the circus disaster. She was assigned to open a clearinghouse for children at the Brown School, where she worked until 12:15am, handling 145 cases. All lost children were returned to their parents, and a copy of the list was given to the War Council, the Red Cross, and police headquarters.
Constantino, Joseph; P.F.C., Bat. “D” 539th, A.A.A., East Hartford
- Attended the circus with a group of convalescing soldiers from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The group sat in Reserved Section A, first and second rows. At the conclusion of the animal act, they heard a cry of “FIRE” from behind them and to their left; they looked back and saw fire where the sidewall meets the roof canvas. When the fire began to spread rapidly, the group hurried out of the big top.
Cook, Barbara (11); Storrs
- Attended the circus with siblings John and Wendell Jr., and their mother Frances Cook. All survived.CFM
- The fire started directly behind the Cook's and spread over the top of the tent while they raced to escape.
Cook, Donald (9); Southampton, MA
- Donald attended the circus with his mother, Mildred Cook, his sister Eleanor, and his brother Edward. As the fire began to spread, Donald went up to the top of the grandstand to make his escape, while his mother and the other children made their way down, towards an exit. Donald would escape the burning top by climbing down the support rigging to the grand and crawling under the side wall to safety. Don wandered around the circus grounds looking for his family, and was eventually approached by a married couple who helped him search for a while, and then took him to their home where he had supper and contacted his uncle Ted Parsons in Massachusetts, who came to pick him up. The couple that brought Don to their home also had a couple children, a boy and a girl around 9 years old, and possibly lived on the bottom floor of a two-story duplex. If you were one of these children or know who they were, please send an email to [email protected]
Cook, Frances (adult); Storrs
- Attended the circus with her children Barbara, Wendell Jr., and John Cook. All survived. Mrs. Cook died on July 6, 1999, on the 55th anniversary of the fire. Her husband was serving in France at the time of the fire.CFM
- The fire started directly behind the Cook's and spread over the top of the tent while they raced to escape.
Cook, John (9); Storrs
- Attended the circus with siblings Barbara and Wendell Jr., and their mother Frances Cook. All survived.CFM
- The fire started directly behind the Cook's and spread over the top of the tent while they raced to escape.
Cook, Mrs. Mildred P. (38); Southampton, MA
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC
- Still remained at Hartford Hospital, Monday, July 11.THC
- Staying at 4 Marshall St, Hartford, at time of fire.THC
- Went to the circus with her children Donald, Eleanor and Edward Cook. Mildred and son Donald survived, Eleanor and Edward did not.TCF
- Was awarded $30,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Cook, Wendell Jr. (12), Storrs
- Attended the circus with siblings Barbara and John, and their mother Frances Cook. All survived.CFM
- The fire started directly behind the Cook's and spread over the top of the tent while they raced to escape. Wendell dropped his glasses during the escape but was lucky enough to recover them.
Cooney, Mrs; 41 Arnold St, Hartford
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC
- Was awarded $21,100 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Cooney, Monica (26 or 30); 62 Oak St, Windsor Locks
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC
- Still remained at St. Francis Hospital Monday, July 11.THC
- Was awarded $15,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Cooper, Anne (10); 67 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford
- Provided a witness statement, seated in bleachers on right side.
Cormier, Mr. (adult)
- Mr. and Mrs. Cormier went to the circus with their 3 daughters and a friend of their daughters'. All survived. Mr. Cormier suffered minor burns to his neck.CFR
Cormier, Mrs. (adult)
- Mr. and Mrs. Cormier went to the circus with their 3 daughters and a friend of their daughters'. All survived. Mr. Cormier suffered minor burns to his neck.CFR
Cormier, Pauline (7)
- aka Pauline (Cormier) Jones.
- Went to the circus with her parents, two sisters, and one of her older sister's friends. All survived.CFR
Cormier, unknown girl #1 (10)
- Went to the circus with her parents, two sisters, and a friend. All survived.CFR
Cormier, unknown girl #2 (3)
- Name is either Loraine or Joan. Went to the circus with her parents, two sisters, and a friend. All survived.CFR
Corn, Dave (15), Chatham St, Hartford
- Dave and his friend Joe Veroff took Dave’s little brother Philip and 5 other kids to the circus. The younger kids sat in first or second row and the older boys sat 6 or 7 rows behind them. When they noticed a hole in the roof of the tent caused by a ring of fire, they joined the crowd and started running. Dave ran frantically out of the tent, couldn’t find his brother and ran back in, escaping only seconds before the tent collapsed. They all got out safely. Read Philip’s full story here: Personal Accounts Page 6
Corn, Philip (9), Chatham St, Hartford
- Philip’s older brother Dave and his friend Joe Veroff took Philip and 5 other kids to the circus. The younger kids sat in first or second row and the older boys sat 6 or 7 rows behind them. When they noticed a hole in the roof of the tent caused by a ring of fire, they joined the crowd and started running. They all got out safely, though Philip wandered about through the mayhem until his brother Dave found him. Read Philip’s full story here: Personal Accounts Page 6
Corrigan, Raymond L. (adult)
- HPD Traffic Division officer, was patrolling the Keney Park district, come out of the park onto Barbour Street at 2:25pm and went south. When nearing the circus grounds, he saw people running and when he arrived at the grounds he saw smoke. Officer Corrigan went to Charlotte and Barbour Street and rang the fire box, then went to the main tent and helped carry out bodies. He was later assigned to keep spectators off the grounds, then he worked the emergency telephone on the circus to until being released at 7pm.
Corunsen, Martin B. (Sr); 51 Monroe St., Hartford
- Provided a witness statement, seated in bleachers on right side.
Cosgrove, Thomas B. (11); 24 Linnbrook Rd, West Hartford
- Thomas attended the circus with his mother, Mary Cosgrove, and they had seats in the front row. It is believed that Thomas was grabbed by a clown or a showgirl who brought him to safety after his mother was struck by a falling tent pole. Tom was hospitalized for burns on his arms, and Mary's body was identified at the State Armory morgue the next day. Thomas was on the Injured List at Municipal Hospital on 7/7/44, and was awarded $600 by the arbitration board for the injuries he received in the fire.
- Thomas Browne Cosgrove (aka Tom or Tommy), 87 years of age, passed away on May 13, 2020 at Greenwich Hospital. [obituary / back-up link]
Costello, Emily Spain; 51 Hollenbeck Ave, Great Barrington, Mass
- Was awarded $8,700 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including burns and bruises about the body, injured ankles, and severe nervous shock. Emily was a teacher in Massachusetts and was spending some of her summer break visiting her sister in Hartford.
Cote, Maria (52); 318 High St, Orange, NJ
- Maria was injured when she jumped from the upper tier of the grandstand seats while escaping from the burning big top. She was awarded $7,500 by the arbitration board for her injuries, which included a broken pelvis, neuritis in her back and shoulder, extreme nervousness, inability to walk on left leg, and back pain. Maria was a divorcee with no children, and was employed as a sewing machine operator.
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC
- On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/10/44.THC
Cote, Mary; 278 Park Terrace, Hartford
- On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC
Cotton, Robert (child); Granby
- Surviving the Great Hartford Circus fire triggered a desire to serve his community. Bob was active in the Chalfont Fire Company, the Brittany Farms Association, a Masonic brother, the VFW, and was a founding member of Lenape Valley Presbyterian Church. He served as a NBT supervisor for more than four decades. In honor of his community work, Bob had a Rte. 202 bridge and township park named for him.
- Lifelong Community Leader, Robert V. Cotton, passed away from COVID-19 on Sunday, May 24, 2020. [LINK to obituary / Back-up LINK]
Court, Alfred (adult); Sarasota, FL
- President of "Alfred Court - Wild Animals, Inc.", was in New York when the fire occurred. Court has a contract to rent his animals to RBBB, and they were exiting the performance rings when the fire was first noticed. He has three trainers working for him, the animal cages and metal runways belong to him, and circus personnel set the equipment in place. The wood runways and wagons for the animals belong to RBBB.
Crandall, Alden B.(adult); Hartford, CT
- Attended the circus with his wife and 6 children. When the big top burned, he took his wife and 5 children to safety and went back looking for his son Timmie, and carried out 50 bodies during his search. When he and his family returned to their car, Timmie was there waiting for them.
Crawford, C.H. Leon (adult); HFD
- Captain with Hartford Fire Department, normally in charge of Engine Company 3 on Market Street, 25 years with HFD. On July 6, Captain Crawford was in charge of Engine Company 2, about 1.5 miles from the circus grounds. Crawford responded to the 2:44pm alarm from Box 82 as Acting Deputy Chief. He saw smoke and immediately went to the circus grounds, no other companies were on scene when he arrived, although Company 7 is closer. He and his crew stretched a 2.5-inch line into the South side of the grounds and sprayed water onto the burning tent. Crawford estimates it took 3 to 4 minutes to reach the fire and put the hose in operation.
Cronin, Claire L. (minor); 51 Dover Rd, Manchester
- Was awarded $500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Cronin, Henry L.; 51 Dover Rd, Manchester
- Was awarded $1,250 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Cronin, Lillian D. (A) (69); 158 Pearl St, Middletown
- Lillian's estate was awarded $500 by the arbitration board for injuries that she received in the fire, including bruises to the body, chest and legs, sprained knee and ankle, and nervous shock. Lillian died Feb. 1, 1945, before the settlement was paid. Her death was not believed to have been caused by her injuries from the fire.
Crowe, James Joseph Jr. (adult); 469 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford
- Member of Hartford Fire Dept, Truck One, Lieutenant, was off-duty and attended the circus with his wife Catherine and their children Mary (7), Joseph (6), and Jimmie (4). The family sat in the northeast bleachers, about 50-feet north of the bandstand. Right after the first act ended, Catherine alerted James of the fire, directly over the men's toilet area, at the top of the tent. He got his family out safely via the exit just north of the bandstand, and then called the fire in to headquarters and went toward the main entrance end of the tent. Along the way, he saw men spraying water with a 1 1/2" hose from a circus wagon onto the power plant wagons, and he told them it was more important to spray the water on the tent. Lt. Crowe showed his badge and tried to grab the hose but he was thrown by a circus employee who knocked him down and took the hose.
Croxton, Alma; Osgood, Indiana
- Was awarded $2,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Cummings, Audrey (adult); Hillstown community
- Went to the circus with her husband and two sons, all survived. Mrs. Cummings suffered a slight burn on her shoulder.CFR
Newspaper photo of Charles H. Cummings, courtesy of his son Donald.
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Cummings, Charles Henry; Pvt., 162 Base Unit, Bradley Field; Delavan, WI
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Cummings, Guy (12); Hillstown community
- Went to the circus with his parents and brother, all survived. The top of Guy's hair was singed.CFR
Cummings, Horace (adult); Hillstown community
- Went to the circus with his wife and two sons, all survived.CFR
Cummings, Jeffrey (4); Hillstown community
- Went to the circus with his parents and brother, all survived.CFR
Cunningham, C.J.
- HPD Detective Sgt., went to circus ground and assisted in preventing looters and in gathering articles which were turned over by others on scene. He was later sent to the fire scene to pick up several fire extinguishers as requested by State's Attorney Alcorn for evidence.
Cunningham, Francis R. (adult)
- Parole officer for the Connecticut Reformatory in Cheshire, was on-duty at the circus looking for parole violator Nicholas Manenza. Cunningham was inside the big top with HPD detectives Barber, Beckwith and Kershaw, on the left side of the main entrance. He first saw a patch of fire about 2 feet in diameter burn thru where the canvas sidewall meets the roof. He remained at the main entrance for 3 or 4 minutes and told people to take it slow.
Curlee, David William (6); 65 Sherbrooke Avenue, Hartford
- David and his father William Curlee, Jr. initially escaped from the big top; Will instructed his son to wait for him by the car and he went back inside to help others in need. Witnesses reported that William was helping people over the animal chutes when the canvas roof and supporting pole collapsed on him.
- In 1959, David Curlee, age 22, was fatally injured when a car he was riding in left the road and struck a tree near Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Curtin, Edward (adult); 393 Fairfield Ave, Hartford
- Lieutenant with Hartford Fire Department Truck Company 3; 19 years with HFD. Lieutenant Curtin responded to Barbour Street with Truck 3, and were met by elephants coming out of the circus lot. Curtin and his crew connected to the hydrant and ran a line into the Main Entrance of the Big Top and worked their way inside with the hose, finding bodies along the way. The Big Top was all on fire when Curtin got to the scene, all he could see were seats, no tent.
Czertak, John J.; 35 Ingraham Place, Bristol
- Was awarded $3,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Czertak, Mrs. Eugenia G. (29); 35 Ingraham Place, Bristol
- aka Mrs. John J.Mrs. Czertak
- She and her son Jackie were burned and were both patients at St. Francis Hospital.
- Was badly burned and in serious condition at St. Francis Hospital, early Friday 7/7/44.THC
- On injured list at St. Francis hospital with serious burns, Friday night 7/7/44.THC
- On the Critical List at St. Francis Hospital, 7/10/44.
- Still remained on the critical list at St. Francis Hospital Monday, July 11.THC
- Was awarded $46,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Czertak, Jackie (6); 35 Ingraham Place, Bristol
- Jackie and his mother, Mrs. John J. Czertak, were burned and are both patients at St. Francis Hospital.
- On injured list at St. Francis hospital with arms and face injury, Friday night 7/7/44.THC
- Still remained at St. Francis Hospital Monday, July 11.THC
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Sources:
TWT: The White Tops magazine
WCF: Women and Children First by Donald H. Roy
CFM: Circus Fire Memories
CFR: Circus Fire Reminiscences (Manchester Public Library)
MEH: Manchester Evening Herald
TCF: The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan
UPI: United Press International
SDN: Springfield Daily News
JOWBR: JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry
THC: The Hartford Courant
WCF: Women and Children First by Donald H. Roy
CFM: Circus Fire Memories
CFR: Circus Fire Reminiscences (Manchester Public Library)
MEH: Manchester Evening Herald
TCF: The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan
UPI: United Press International
SDN: Springfield Daily News
JOWBR: JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry
THC: The Hartford Courant