The Early Days with “Young Strangler Lewis”

As Young Strangler Lewis's reputation for honesty and integrity grew, so did the size and scope of his business venture. This article, the second in a series of five, will continue to examine the evolution of the Southern Tier Shows and the fascinating life of James E. Strates.

1919

On September 28, Young Strangler Lewis and his uncle, Theodore Koumoudorous, formed a partnership and purchased the fruit, candy and tobacco store located at 108 Washington Street in Endicott, New York. This partnership allowed Lewis to continue traveling on the professional wrestling circuit while his uncle took care of the store.


1924

Nick Bozinis (shown at right) and Jack Albright began to manage the athletic show traveling with the Southern Tier Shows. Both of these men were world-class professional wrestlers who starred in the show and continued managing until 1931.
                                        

1927

Strates purchased the Acquatite Enamel plant on Chemung Street in Horseheads, New York, which was better known as West Junction. The plant was acquired to help facilitate equipment maintenance.

Billed as the largest show in New York, the Southern Tier Shows featured the following 11 acts:

• Mr. Normile - the contortionist

• Professor George White - and his educated dog and pony show

• Mexican Pete & his wife - with a western knife-throwing and sharp-shooting act

• Captain Good - and his four trained bears

• Punch & Judy

• The Monkey Motordome

• Professor Silka - and his ventriloquist act

• Bill "The Musical Rube" Spiven - playing 75 different instruments

• Margaret Morgan - "World's Daintiest Little Lady" - 35 inches tall

• Jolly Dolly - weighing 382 pounds

• World Class Athletic Show

1928

On February 1, Mrs. Mabel Strates gave birth to a baby girl whom she and James named Elizabeth.

After purchasing land around the enamel plant, Strates moved his Winter Quarters to West Junction in Elmira, New York. Mr. Strates' total investment in his show was then valued at $75,000 (when a dime was a dollar).

During a morning workout in Sayre, Pennsylvania, Tess, a man-eating lioness attacked lion tamer Robert Bailey from Cristie, Texas. Bailey, 23 years old, fought off the lioness but not before she sank her teeth into his shoulder and deeply clawed his back.

1929

The Southern Tier Shows, traveling on 18 trucks, was completely motorized before the Great Depression struck. The next few years were lean, and many of Strates' creditors carried him because of his honest reputation.

James E. Strates & family - early 1940s,
L to R, Theodora, Mabel, Elizabeth, James E., E. James

1930

On April 9, Mrs. Mabel Strates gave birth to fraternal twins. For the first year of their lives, they were known only as "Brother" and "Sister." They were later baptized E. James and Theodora.

1932

Strates purchased a young gorilla from South Africa, 18-month-old Joe Mendi. He weighed 48 pounds and was an exceptional actor. Starring in the original Tarzan of the Apes, he could eat with utensils, shake hands, smoke, answer questions and even whistle.
At the end of the season, the decision was made to change the name of the Southern Tier Shows to The James E. Strates Shows.

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