Carlos Trower was a high rope artist who wowed audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with his incredible performances throughout the second half of the nineteenth century. In the 1860s, he travelled to Beverley and Hull showcasing his talents to local audiences.
It is probable that Carlos Trower was born in America around 1845. His father George was a theatrical entertainer; however, his mother remains unknown.[1] Although Trower was a relatively famous high rope artist in the mid to late nineteenth century, it has been extremely difficult to trace his personal and professional life as there are many different variants of his name used within articles and historical documents. To add to this, Trower was known as the African Blondin, however there were others using the same show name to advertise their acts during the period in which he was performing. Thus as Trower is an extremely complex character, this story has only focused on his time in Hull and East Yorkshire.
Trower’s first appearance in Hull was at Mr Alderson’s Gala which took place at the Rifle Barracks in Elm Tree Avenue on 9 June 1867. The Hull Packet reported that, ‘Amongst the attractions provided were some Blondin fetes, performed by a “gentleman of colour,” rejoicing in the name of Carlos Trower.’[2] During the following summer, a Black tightrope walker, believed to be Carlos Trower, advertising as the African Blondin starred in a two-night show in Beverley. The Hull and Eastern Counties Herald reported that the Black entertainer performed in a field adjoining the Beverley Cattle Market in front of several hundred spectators.[3] The article went on to explain that the twenty-yard rope was fixed to large vertical poles which reached 30 feet high.[4] The first night went very well with the audience clapping and cheering the skilled high rope artist. However, the second night ended in disaster as the great African Blondin was part of a serious accident. Trower ascended the poles, addressed the crowd, then began to walk across the rope; however it snapped, and he came crashing to the ground. The Black performer lay on the field, face down with those gathered around him believing that he was dead. It was only realised that he was still alive when Mr Stretton and Mr Weir came forward to give him medical attention. The African Blondin was then taken to his lodgings in Watergate, where he was examined further. He had a broken wrist and arm, and was suffering badly with internal injuries.[5] Trower made a full recovery and returned to work soon after this incident. It is possible that he visited this region for a final time in the early 1870s, performing in Hull and possibly even falling again.[6] However, a newspaper report has not yet been found regarding this visit.
Although, Trower may not have visited the East Riding of Yorkshire after 1870, the 1871 census (below) reveals that his first wife Myra was living at 67 Mill Street, Myton, Hull with their five-year-old son also named Carlos in 1871. She was described as a 24-year-old widow from Ripley in Derby, who worked as a hawker selling merchandise.[7] |
The census information does seem slightly suspicious given that Trower appears to have been alive and well. There are multiple explanations for possible inaccuracies or fabrications within this data. However, the census record demonstrates that Mary and her son, who was of African heritage, were living in Hull in the early 1870s. There is speculation that Trower went on to marry another woman, Annie Francis Emmett and had several children, some of whom performed with their father or in their own right.
Trower appears to have had a spectacular career travelling frequently across the Atlantic to perform tricks and to showcase his skills on the rope to spectators who appreciated his talents. Sadly, he died at Grove Hall Lunatic Asylum on 8 April 1889 at the age of 40. [8]
Trower appears to have had a spectacular career travelling frequently across the Atlantic to perform tricks and to showcase his skills on the rope to spectators who appreciated his talents. Sadly, he died at Grove Hall Lunatic Asylum on 8 April 1889 at the age of 40. [8]
Footnotes
[1] The African Blondin, https://theafricanblondin.com/timeline.php accessed 13/11/17
[2] Hull Packet, 14 June 1867, p.8
[3] Hull and Eastern Counties Herald, 23 July 1868, p. 8
[4] Ibid, p.8
[5] Ibid, p. 8
[6] The African Blondin, https://theafricanblondin.com/timeline.php accessed 13/11/17
[7] Ancestry.com. 1871 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
[8] The African Blondin, https://theafricanblondin.com/timeline.php accessed 13/11/17
[1] The African Blondin, https://theafricanblondin.com/timeline.php accessed 13/11/17
[2] Hull Packet, 14 June 1867, p.8
[3] Hull and Eastern Counties Herald, 23 July 1868, p. 8
[4] Ibid, p.8
[5] Ibid, p. 8
[6] The African Blondin, https://theafricanblondin.com/timeline.php accessed 13/11/17
[7] Ancestry.com. 1871 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
[8] The African Blondin, https://theafricanblondin.com/timeline.php accessed 13/11/17