Jack Joyce

John Edward Joyce (February 10, 1876 – June 16, 1934) was an American horse trainer. He was colorful figure in the world of horsemanship and animal training, who had nearly a ten-year career with Buffalo Bill on his Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Joyce toured throughout Europe until the late 1920s. He retired in upstate New York and died June 16, 1934.

Biography

Early years Joyce was born February 10, 1876, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, to Patrick J. Joyce and Elizabeth Graham. Joyce turned from his parents' desire that he enter priesthood to a nearly a ten-year career with Col. Cody on his Buffalo Bill's Wild West. In 1896 he was listed in the route book of that show as an assistant in the Cody and Salisbury Horse Department. He eventually became a most daring bronco rider and appeared with Will Rogers in a roping and riding acts in New York theaters. Around that time, he decided to go to Europe rather than start a career in Hollywood movies.

Europe In 1909 Joyce was in Berlin, Germany, on Circus Busch. On his famous horse, "Two Step", he was hailed as the first bucking horse rider and roper to appear in Europe. In Denmark, Jack became a good friend of young Prince Christian of Schaumburg-Lippe. The Prince presented him with a diamond scarf pin in the shape of a horseshoe superimposed with a whip. However, it seems doubtful if this anecdote regarding Jack Joyce's relationship with Prince Christian and the gift from the Prince is true. In 1911 still on Circus Busch with his horses, he presented a type of wild west drama with some 20 characters.

In January 1912 Jack Joyce's Wild West Show was appearing at Coliseum in London. Later, in May of that year, it was the big attraction at the New Hippodrome Palast in Berlin. The popular American cowboy had with him about a half dozen boys from Texas and a troupe of fake Indians. The "demand for a wild west show is so great that the Germans don't worry about the genuineness of the red skin--all they want is the excitement connected with the show." Joyce had a pretty strong feeling for cowgirls. Although they were not easily found in Berlin, he did not worry. He made a selection among a throng of Berlin maidens and trained them to be cowgirls. In 1916 Jack Joyce was doing well with his circus and wild west show touring Sweden.

In December 1925 the following ad appeared in Billboard (magazine): "Jack Joyce's 10 circus horses for sale or open bookings. They do 6 different numbers numbers. Two high school horses and a group of 8 beautiful Blacks booked from Europe and classes as the best horse act in America. Just finished 32 weeks at Keith-Albee-Orpheum and 6 weeks World Amusement Service Association Fairs at a salary of $1250 and $1500 weekly, respectively, plus transportation. Have all harness, trappings and complete equipment for proper presentation of act. Will sell or engage them any time after January 1, 1926 for Park, Fairs & Amusement Places. Permanent Address: Jack Joyce, 2034 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York".

Later life Except for one brief return trip to Europe in 1928, Joyce spent the rest of his career in the United States. He established stables in Albany, New York, and exhibited at fairs. After sustaining severe financial losses, he retired in 1932.

An interesting anecdote was related in 1930. Many years previously, as a youth when playing county fairs, he "followed the avocation of wild horse salesman, which furnished plenty of thrill and not so much remuneration. At fairs he would give demonstrations of cowboy sports in front of grandstands that wowed'em. The only item he carried with his one man Wild West opry was a suitcase. Jack's favorite stunt was to go among the farmers' horses parked on the fairgrounds and select horses he needed most for his act. At the conclusion of the act, he would return the horses to their respective places. Many of the farmers, however, thought they recognized their favorite steeds in Jack's act and they would compliment on the splendid appearance of his stock."

Personal life and death John E. Joyce died in Albany, New York, on June 16, 1934, after several years of illness. He and his first wife, Grace Gaylord, divorced in 1906, just six years after their marriage. From this union there was one daughter, Evelyn. Two years later Jack remarried, this time to Viola Mary Carey, with whom he had three children, John (Jack), Violet, and Maude. His widow and four children survived him. His funeral was from St. Vincent de Paul's Church in Albany with burial in St. Agnes Cemetery. During his stay in Denmark he had a daughter out of wedlock: Eva Lillian (1919–1962). The mother was Edith Mary Johanne Brandt. Eva was adopted by Anton and Anne Margrethe Christensen but knew that Jack Joyce was her father.