John Robinson Circus Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Horace Barré

Posted on Wednesday, November 8th, 2017 by John Wood

Horace Barre was Louis Cyr’s protege as they traveled the country performing in the John Robinson Circus. Though from Montreal, circuses through a more exotic moniker would be better for ticket sales so Barré was often billed as the “French Hercules” or the “French Sampson” and, like his mentor, he excelled in such oldtime strongman feats as the back lift, hefting heavy dumbbells overhead and barrel lifting.

Louis Cyr and Horace Barre ~ John Robinson’s $25,000 Challenge Feature

Posted on Friday, October 31st, 2014 by John Wood

During the 1898 Circus Season, Canadian Strongman Louis Cyr and his assistant/protege’ Horace Barre performed their unique feats of strength all around the country in the John Robinson Circus. As Cyr and Barre criss-crossed the map, John Robinson put up $25,000 for any person who could duplicate any ONE of their feats. Their performance included the back lift, Cyr’s Barrel Lifting Feat, supporting feats, and lifting other heavy dumbbells or blockweights of various sizes and shapes. Adjusting for inflation, that would be nearly $600,000 today, and, ironically enough, their money would still be safe…

Louis Cyr “The Canadian Colossus”

Posted on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 by John Wood

Louis Cyr Circus Poster

The great Canadian Strongman, Louis
Cyr traveled and performed with The
John Robinson Circus during the 1898 season. According to records, Cyr’s measurements at the time
were as follows:

* Width across shoulders: 27 inches
* Neck: 23 inches
* Forearm: 19 inches
* Bicep: 21.5 inches
* Waist: 52 inches
* Thigh: 29-3/4 inches
* Calf: 24 inches
* Chest: 59.5 inches

John Robinson’s challenge was whether
any man could equal or better any one of Cyr’s feats… With numbers like a backlift of 4300 pounds and a one-arm Jerk of 254 pounds, needless to say, the
money was very safe.