Survivor List
(last names beginning with "E")

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.

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

Earley, John Philip (34); Main Street, Rocky Hill
  • Attended the circus with his daughter Sandra, they sat in the bleachers at the east end near the bandstand.  John was able to safely escape with his daughter, without injuries.  Read Sandra's story here: Personal Accounts - Page 9. 
Earley, Sandra (7); Main Street, Rocky Hill
  • Attended the circus with her father, John Earley, and they sat in the bleachers at the east end near the bandstand.  While escaping the burning big top, Sandra dropped her glasses and then got her foot caught in an animal chute, but her father was able to get them both out safely.  Read Sandra's story here: Personal Accounts - Page 9.
Earley, John Philip (34); Main Street, Rocky Hill
  • Attended the circus with his daughter Sandra, they sat in the bleachers at the east end near the bandstand.  John was able to safely escape with his daughter, without injuries. 
Ecclaston, Clifford; Glastonbury
  • Received minor burns.THC 
Edwards, Barbara (16); 30 Colonial St, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Edwards, Donald; 30 Colonial St, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Edson, Patricia; 74 Plymouth Lane, Manchester
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • Probably went to the circus with victim Ellen Edson, of same home address.
Einbinder, Esther (53); 20 Saxon Rd, Wethersfield 
  • Esther was injured when she jumped 6 feet from the stands while escaping the fire and was taken to St. Francis Hospital for treatment.  She was awarded $1,200 by the arbitration board for her injuries, including a sprained ankle, laceration to her buttocks, nervous shock, and hysteria.  Mrs. Esther was widowed, with adult children.  
  • On injured list at St. Francis hospital with ankle injury, Friday night 7/7/44.THC ​
Ellsworth, Beryl (16); Thrall Road, Broad Brook
  • Miss Ellsworth was awarded $350 for injuries received when escaping the circus fire, including first degree burns on her face, shoulder and back, and hemorrhage of her right thigh.  
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Elovitz, David M. (12)
  •  Went to circus with neighbor Ruby Schaller and his older son Earl and younger son.
Epps, Mabel (28); Bellevue Square, Hartford
  • Mrs Mabel Epps attended the circus with her sons William and Richard; Mrs. Patrica Smith and her son Luther Jr.; and Maurice Goff and her daughter Muriel. Muriel and Maurice would perish in the fire, the others in the party would survive. Mrs. Epps was pregnant at the time of the fire, and was helped to safety by Mrs. Patrica Smith.AA 
  • On injured list at St. Francis hospital with fractured pelvis, Friday night, 7/7/44.THC 
Epps, Richard (3); Bellevue Square, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his mother, Mrs. Mabel Epps; his brother William; neighbor Mrs. Patrica Smith and her son Luther Jr.; and his aunt Maurice Goff and hid cousin Muriel. Muriel and Maurice would perish in the fire, the others in the party would survive.AA 
Epps, William (9); Bellevue Square, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his mother, Mrs. Mabel Epps; his brother Richard; neighbor Mrs. Patrica Smith and her son Luther Jr.; and his aunt Maurice Goff and his cousin Muriel. Muriel and Maurice would perish in the fire, the others in the party would survive.AA 
  • Mr. Epps passed away August 26, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family.THC
Eustice, Mrs. James; Terryville
  • Attended the circus with Marion LeVasseur and her son Gerald, and Mrs. M. E. Linxwiler and her daughter Mary Ann. Mrs. Eustice, who was burned about the hands, was pushed up on top of a lion's cage by policemen and was then dropped to the ground by a third policeman standing on the cage.
Evans, Lawrence N.; Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his mother, Mrs. Mary L. Evans, his sister Rebekah Gorham and his nephew Walter E. Gorham. The group moved down from the back row of bleacher seats while watching the acts.  When the fire broke out, they all became lost in the stampeded, but were able to meet up together outside.  Read Lawrence N. Evans’ story here: Personal Accounts ~ Page 8.
Evans, Mrs. Mary L. (adult); Hartford
  • Attended the circus with her son Lawrence N. Evans, her daughter Rebekah Gorham and grandson Walter E. Gorham.  The group moved down from the back row of bleacher seats while watching the acts.  When the fire broke out, they all became lost in the stampeded, but were able to meet up together outside.  Read Lawrence N. Evans’ story here: Personal Accounts ~ Page 8.

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Sources:

TWT: The White Tops magazine
WCF: Women and Children First by Donald H. Roy
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