Episode 587: The Hartford Circus Fire
Episode 587: The Hartford Circus Fire
6Digest
The episode of Morbid delves into the devastating Hartford Circus Fire of 1944, which claimed the lives of 139 people, mostly children. The hosts discuss the fire's rapid spread, fueled by flammable materials used for waterproofing the tent, and the confusion caused by the "disaster march" signal. They explore the investigation, which led to the arrest of Robert Segge, who confessed to setting the fire but later recanted his statement. The episode highlights the tragic story of "Little Miss Number 1565," an unidentified victim who was later identified as Eleanor Cook through the efforts of Lieutenant Rick Davy. The episode concludes by reflecting on the lasting impact of the fire on the community and the importance of remembering the victims.
Outlines
The Hartford Circus Fire: A Tragic Event
This episode of Morbid explores the tragic Hartford Circus Fire of 1944, investigating the fire's cause, the victims, and the lingering mystery surrounding the event. The episode begins with a brief introduction and an announcement of the upcoming release of the book "The Butcher Game."
The Fire's Spread and the Disaster March
The episode details the rapid spread of the fire, the use of a "disaster march" to signal an emergency, and the confusion and panic that ensued. The hosts discuss the dangers posed by the fire, the presence of animals in the tent, and the horrifying impact of molten paraffin wax falling on the audience.
The Investigation and the Aftermath
The episode describes the aftermath of the fire, the investigation into its cause, and the arrests of several circus officials. The hosts discuss the overwhelming task of identifying the dead, the search for missing people, and the tragic story of "Little Miss Number 1565," an unidentified victim.
Robert Segi's Confession and Recantation
The episode focuses on the arrest of Robert Segge, a young man who confessed to setting the fire and other crimes. The hosts delve into Segge's confession, where he claimed to be influenced by a Native American spirit to commit arson and murder. They discuss Segge's later recantation of his confession, claiming he was not involved in the fire, and the unresolved mystery surrounding the cause of the fire.
The Reopened Investigation and Identifying "Little Miss 1565"
The episode details the reopening of the investigation in 1991, led by Lieutenant Rick Davy, who believed the fire was deliberately set. The hosts discuss Davy's investigation, which led to the identification of "Little Miss 1565" as Eleanor Cook, and the closure it brought to her family.
The Legacy of the Hartford Circus Fire
The episode reflects on the lasting impact of the Hartford Circus Fire on the community. The hosts discuss the importance of remembering the victims and the dedication of those who worked to identify them. They highlight the fascinating and haunting aspects of the case, including the use of flammable materials and the tragic loss of lives.
Keywords
Hartford Circus Fire
A devastating fire that occurred on July 6, 1944, at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut, resulting in the deaths of 139 people and hundreds of injuries.
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus
A renowned traveling circus that operated in the United States from the early 19th century to the early 21st century, known for its grand spectacles and animal shows.
Paraffin Wax
A flammable substance used for waterproofing and other purposes, tragically contributing to the severity of the Hartford Circus Fire.
Disaster March
A musical signal used in the circus and theater industry to alert staff and performers of a catastrophic emergency without causing panic among the audience.
Little Miss Number 1565
The moniker given to an unidentified victim of the Hartford Circus Fire, a young girl whose story highlights the tragedy's lasting impact.
Robert Segge
A young man who confessed to setting the Hartford Circus Fire and other crimes, but whose mental state raised questions about the validity of his confession.
Eleanor Cook
A young girl who died in the Hartford Circus Fire. Her identity remained unknown for decades until Lieutenant Rick Davy's investigation led to her identification and proper burial.
Q&A
What were the main factors that contributed to the severity of the Hartford Circus Fire?
The fire's rapid spread was fueled by the highly flammable materials used for waterproofing the tent, including gasoline and paraffin wax. The large size of the tent and the lack of adequate fire safety measures also contributed to the tragedy.
What was the "disaster march" and how did it play a role in the fire?
The "disaster march" was a musical signal used in the circus to alert staff and performers of an emergency without causing panic. While it helped to organize the response, it also contributed to the confusion among some audience members who thought it was part of the performance.
What were the main findings of the investigation into the Hartford Circus Fire?
The investigation determined that several circus officials were guilty of negligence, including inadequate firefighting equipment and personnel, and the use of dangerous materials for waterproofing the tent. The exact cause of the fire remained unclear, but a dropped cigarette was a leading theory.
Who was "Little Miss 1565" and how was she identified?
"Little Miss 1565" was the unidentified body of a young girl found in the aftermath of the fire. Lieutenant Rick Davy's investigation led to her identification as Eleanor Cook, allowing her family to finally bury her.
What was the impact of the Hartford Circus Fire on the community?
The fire had a devastating impact on the community, leaving a lasting scar. While people tried to move on, the memory of the tragedy remained. A memorial was unveiled in 2004 to honor the victims and ensure they would not be forgotten.
What are some of the fascinating aspects of the Hartford Circus Fire case?
The case is fascinating due to the use of flammable materials in the circus tent, the mystery surrounding the cause of the fire, and the dedication of those who worked to identify the victims, particularly "Little Miss 1565."
Show Notes
On July 6, 1944, an estimated 7,000 people, mostly women and children, gathered at the Barbour Street fairgrounds in Hartford, Connecticut to see the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Baily Circus. Inside the big top tent, the lion show had just ended, and the Flying Wallendas were getting ready to begin their performance when the tent caught fire, sending the large audience into a panic as the spectators and performers rushed to get to safety. The tent, which had been coated in paraffin wax, was quickly engulfed in flames and by the time the fire was put out, 139 people were dead and hundreds were badly injured. In the weeks that followed, another twenty-eight would die from their injuries. At the time, the Hartford circus fire was one of the worst fires in American history, and it remains one of the biggest tragedies in the state’s history.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research!
References
Cavanaugh, Jack. 1994. "The Hartford fire, 50 years later." New York Times, July 3: CN1.
Daily Boston Globe. 1945. "7 Ringling officials held responsible by coroner for Hartford circus fire." Daily Boston Globe, January 12: 12.
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Davis, John. 1944. "Circus Fire is described by witness." Hartford Courant, July 7: 3.
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Glaberson, William. 1991. "Our towns." New York Times, August 2: B2.
Hartford Courant. 1944. "113 children, mothers not yet located." Hartford Courant, July 7: 1.
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Kelley, Robert. 1945. "The strange case of Little Miss No. 1565 still baffles police." Daily Boston Globe, July 16: 1.
Linscott, Seymour. 1944. "136 die in circus fire." Daily Boston Globe, July 7: 1.
Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. 1950. "Quiz firebug suspect in '44 circus tragedy." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, May 19: 1.
Morning Edition. 2007. Remembering the Horror and Heroes of a Circus Fire. July 6. Accessed July 2, 2024. https://www.npr.org/2007/07/06/11768511/remembering-the-horror-and-heroes-of-a-circus-fire.
New York Times. 1950. "Arson killer sane, psychiatrists find." New York Times, November 2: 47.
—. 1950. "Arsonist imprisoned; admitted 172 deaths." New York Times, November 4: 34.
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Ross, Leonora. 1944. "Hartford tragedy leaves cricus artisits staggered." Daily Boston Globe, July 8: 2.
Skidgell, Michael. 2019. The Hartford Circus Fire. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing.
Smith, John Henry. 2024. 80 years ago, a gas-soaked roof and WWII created a perfect storm for the Hartford circus tragedy . July 1. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2024-07-01/80-years-ago-a-gas-soaked-roof-and-wwii-created-a-perfect-storm-for-the-hartford-circus-tragedy.
Tuohy, Lynne. 2004. "Back to the circus." Hartford Courant, May 16: 69.
United Press. 1942. "Scores of animals killed in $125,000 circus fire." Brooklyn Citizen, August 4: 1.
Wallenfeldt, Jeff. 2024. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. May 31. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ringling-Bros-and-Barnum-and-Bailey-Combined-Shows/Ringling-Bros-and-Barnum-Bailey-Combined-Shows.
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