They still stand, sentinel like, as though guarding the glories of the past, the octagonal-shaped house that Sig Santell had built at Homer, N. Y., while immediately in the rear, across the little Tioughmioga River, stands the octagonal-shaped training stables, wherein one resounded the crack of the ringmaster's whip. The large animal barn that once housed the animals of the Santell Circus, also octagonal in shape, was razed in a windstorm many years ago.

When Sig Santell decided to make his permanent winter quarters at Homer, N. Y., - locale of the famed David Harum, story - he drew the plans to have the buildings resemble circus tents as much as possible, and these three structures, at the turn of the century, were the magnet that drew thousands of curious to view the odd shaped architecture.

The house, only recently remodeled when converted into a mercantile structure to house an electrical appliance store, still maintains its outward circus-tent shape. The rambling porch that once nearly encircled the house, has been torn away, the windows changed to single-pane sash, but otherwise the exterior of the building remains the same as when Sig Santell and his wife made Homer, N. Y., their winter home.

The success of Sig Santell parallels the adventures of the heroes of the dime novels, which were popular literature for youthful Americans at the period when Santell was taking his show through the canals of New York state, later putting it on wheels, conducting a successful wagon show, and still later taking to the rails. Only in the concluding chapter of his life does Santell's Story differ with the ending of the stories in the "yellowbacks." In those tales the hero, after having attained success, lived happily ever after. The closing years of Santell were filled with insurmountable obstacles, and he died a disillusioned and broken-hearted man.

Sir Santell was born George Satterlee at Luzerne, N. Y., September 22, 1848, and received his early education in the schools of that village. During the War of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Union Army, being said to be the youngest soldier to voluntarily enlist - an honor of which he was justly proud.

His career as a showman was laid while in the service of his country. He made the acquaintance of a ventriloquist, under whose tutelage he was taught the art of ventriloquism for doing favors and odd chores, such as blacking boots, washing clothes, keeping them in repair, and writing letters. He was the proficient pupil and when he was mustered out he had perfected his knack of voice-throwing.

But he did not put this talent to practical use at first, and learned the wagonmaker's trade, working at Saratoga, Glen Falls and Fort Edward. At the latter place he met Ida Belle Travers, whom he frequently entertained with feats of ventriloquism. She recognized that he evinced much talent in showmanship and encouraged him to capitalize on his ability as an entertainer.

Thus it was that when 24 years old and with $47 capital, Sig Santell started a Punch and Judy show. His next step was to marry the girl who encouraged him to be a showman.

Up to this time he was known by his true name - George Satterlee - but with the launching of his Punch and Judy show he planned to adopt the cognoman of Signor. But somehow his face lacked the Latin characteristics to go with the name, and the second syllable of "Signor" was never pronounced, and thus it was that the master showman was known as Sig Santell.

He gave his show in halls as well as opera houses and the plaudits of amusement seekers brought him to the attention of A. B. Stowe, who induced him to join the A. B. Stowe's Great American Circus and perform his act in the sideshow. Later he traveled with Barnum and Bailey.

For eight years he trooped around the country. In the summer with the circus, in the winter months he gave his exhibitions indoors, saving his money, and in 1882 he realized his great ambition circus of his own - Sig Santell's Big Shows - which opened at Syracuse, N. Y. The show traveled by canal boats and played towns along the Erie, Chemung, Seneca and Champlain Canals. Two boats were used, one accomodating the performers and other employees, fitted with plenty of staterooms, kitchen and large dining hall. The second boat carried the animal cages, horses, wagons, canvas, seats and other equipment.

Winter did not deter the redoubtable Sig from continuing his quest for riches. He froze his boats in the canal at Syracuse and turned them into beer saloons. To keep down the overhead on his circus livestock during the winter season, it is stated that Sig hired out his horses and wagons to the City Fathers of Syracuse for municipal work.

After five years of plying the waterways, Sig viewed the progress made in road building with an approving eye and in 1887 he opened the season as a wagon show. This new mode of transportation opened up new horizons; his route no longer was circumscribed by canal towpaths, he could take the fork to the right or to the left, wherever the prospect seemed brightest. It also allowed for a longer season. A certain share of the profits were invested in new show equipment and by 1891 he had 225 people on the payroll; boasted two elephants, 14 cages of animals and 1,50 heads of horses, and ponies.

Santell had planned to make Syracuse, N. Y., his winter quarters, and for many years was located in an old car barn on Grape street. Near the turn of the century the building was sold and Santell was forced to vacate the premises in the dead of winter.

Sig scouted about a few days and came back with the news that he had purchased a brick hotel and farm at DeRuyter, N. Y., a small village about 20 miles southeast of Syracuse.

The equipment was loaded and the wagons rolled through hubdeep snow toward the new home. It required two days to make the short trip.

The hotel was renamed Santell House, and while no one was refused, no effort was made to attract transient guests. The circus folk were just becoming contented in their new environment when friction developed over a large dog, resulting in the removal of the show quarters from DeRuyter.

Sig Santell had an aversion to dogs. His antipathy toward the canine world was unexplainable. He would tolerate no dogs in his circus, and no performer, no matter how valuable, was allowed to have a dog while with the show.

One of the residents of DeRuyter had a large dog that not only nettled, Santell, but frightened him as well. Sig wanted to buy the animal to have it killed or placed on some farm, where he would not see it again. The owner, learning of Santell's antipathy for dogs, had a similar regard for "circus folk" and refused to part with the dog, but delighted in strolling with the animal when he knew he would meet with Santell, especially evenings when everyone in the village sauntered to the depot of the Lehigh Valley railroad to see the trains come in. The dog and his master were always there to silently taunt Sig.

The upshot of the affair was the removal from DeRuyter to Homer, N. Y., 20 miles to the south. Here, too, Sig purchased a hotel for the housing of his help. Homer was the locale of the famed David Harum story, and Santell called his hostelry the David Harum House, a name that still clings to the tavern.

The circus continued to grow in size and popularity and when the show closed at Tully, N. Y., September 28, 1901, the announcement was made that the following season the show would be on rails, using 2 sixty-foot cars for transportation; the menagerie to consist of 14 cages and the circus would have four elephants.

Santell startled the natives of Homer with his bizarre style of architecture - octagonal shaped buildings - resembling as near as possible a circus tent. The large animal barn was the first of the eight-sided structures to be erected; the training stables followed. Sig and his wife were living at the hotel, but it is stated that he was so pleased with his accomplishments as an architect that he promptly proceeded to draw plans for an octagonal shaped dwelling.

(There appears to be some difference of opinion among residents of Homer, regarding Santell's buildings. Some state that Sig razed the animal barn to build the house; others aver that all three octagonal structures were standing at the same time, and that a windstorm razed the animal barn. They also contend that the odor impregnated in the lumber of the animal barn would render it unfit for use in a dwelling).

The Santell Circus was a name that conjured thoughts of wholesome entertainment at a small price. The itinerary was lengthened and the new mode of transportation allowed for longer jumps to play the more populous spots. The show had won for itself an enviable spot in the circus world, and so it was during the 1904 season, Santell was approached by James McCaddon of the Barnum & Bailey show. He wanted a circus to take to France, and the show was turned over to him at the close of the season. Consideration $120,000.

The outcome of this European venture is one of the dark pages of circus history. Many were the hardships endured by veterans of the Santell circus before again reaching this country.

On January 5, 1905, papers were signed at Lancaster, Pa., whereby Sig Santell formed a partnership with Welsh Bros. This arrangement lasted two seasons, and Santell returned to Homer.

He backed Jim Morrow in a wagon show but the venture did not pay. With Jim Shipman, he then framed a Tom Show, using some of the idle wagons of the Morrow debacle This venture likewise failed to click.

In 1911 he formed a partnership with George Rollins and launched Sautell's Nine Big Shows. It was shortly after this that Mrs. Santell's health failed and Sig took her to Florida. She failed to improve, and they returned to Homer, where she died. She was buried at Fort Edward, N. Y.

In 1914 D. Thilman headed a group who bought the Santell show in August. Two months later the show again changed hands, Col. W. P. Hall buying everything but the baggage stock.

Santell began liquidating his real estate holdings in Homer and vicinity. He was nearing the 70 mark, yet he could not keep out of the show business. In 1917 he formed a partnership With Oscar Lowanda to put out a truck circus called Sig Santell & Oscar Lowanda Mammoth Motor Truck Circus. But the Midas of the circus world had lost his magic touch and the venture failed.

He removed to Fort Edward to make his home with Frank Stowell, but the yearning of the trouper could not be stilled. He made one more venture - "Humpty Dumpty Circus," a return to his first love, the Punch and Judy show, which he gave in schools and clubs, ending his career just as he started it.

Santell was a clever showmanan originator. His wife was the business brains. It was she who presided in the ticket wagon, handled all money, paid all bills. It was Sig who ruled the entertainment program.

In a previous paragraph mention was made of Santell's dislike for dogs. This hatred was an amazing antithesis to his love for cat. Any cat that strayed on the lot would be petted and fed by Sig. One of the most pleasing acts was Sig's cat orchestra. Miniature band instruments were fastened to the paws of the cats, and with invisible threads, manipulated by Santell, the feline orchestra gave forth musical strains. It was, of course, Punch and Judy perspective, using felines for puppets. It was such acts as this, appealing to children and grownups alike, that made the show popular with the "common people."

Santell was not superstitious, but it became almost a phobia with him to open his season on a Friday, the nearest to the 13th of April. He was jubilant when the 13th fell on Friday. He scoffed at the misgivings of his employees when the feared disaster would strike when the unlucky 13 came on Friday, and throughout all the years he maintained his policy of letting the calendar decide his opening.

Santell loved diamonds, it was a fetish with him. He was dubbed the "Diamond King" and it is doubtful if he had a near rival in the respect of wearing the dazzling gems. His pride was a shirt front piece depicting a prancing steed, rearing on his hind legs, with flowing tail and mane. It was made of 1-2 carat diamonds. His hands, too, were bedecked with the glittering stones.

Sig Santell died at Glen Falls, N. Y., June 21, 1928. He was buried beside his wife at Fort Edwards, It seems fitting that he and his wife are laid to rest just across the street from the lot where they had exhibited many times. He had little to leave, but he granted to Frank Stowell, with whom he made his home in his last years, the right to use the Santell title forever.

Gone are the days when the pulses of Homer's population thrilled to the tempo of doublequick time of circus music; gone too are the days when elephants grazing on the hillside was a familiar sight.

There are those who still remember the veteran showman; recall with nostalgic memories the prevailing excitement when the gaudily painted wagons rolled through the streets of Homer to the loading runways. They recall the dim and shadowy vistas of the past and in retrospection again see the proud figure of Sig Santell, who was once the idol of Homer.

There are those who aver that the spirit of Sig Santell still haunts the scenes of his former winter quarters, and that In the sombre hushes of the night, between midnight and dawn, on the Friday morning nearest the 13th of April, there can be seen a ghostly caravan approaching a vision of tents. There is a shrill blast of a ringmaster's whistle, then a ruffle of drums, followed by a stirring march from an unseen band. A few fleeting clouds hold the scene in focus, a sudden breeze and then the first pink finger of dawn dissipates the spectral picture, revealing a barren hillside.

But the chosen few who have seen the phantom circus know it is a ghostly tribute to the master showman who is opening another season in the spirit world.

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