by the Showmen's League of America, created when 86 performers and workers of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus were killed in a 1918 train wreck. 56 of the victims are buried there. Many of them remained unidentified because they were known only by their "handles."

Showmen's League of America — Founded in 1913 by a group of outdoor showmen meeting at the Saratoga Hotel in Chicago, the League promotes the image of the circus and carnival and performs charitable work. Buffalo Bill Cody was the club's first president. Here's a link to their website.

Side Poles — Short poles at the outer edge of the top canvas.

Sidewall — The canvas wall that hangs below a canvas 'top,' as in 'big top.' What most outside the business would call a 'tent' is thecanvas top with its sidewalls attached. Compare British term 'lacings.' Used as a verb, to sidewall is to sneak in without paying by crawling under the sidewall.

Sixteen Wagon — The show office wagon.

Sky Boards — The decorative boards, sometimes detachable, around the tops of wagons used in parades.

Slack Wire — A wirewalker's wire that is set up slightly slack, creating a much less firm footing than a tight wire.

Slanger — Trainer of cats. Compare British usage.

Sledge Gang — Crew of men who pounded in tent stakes.

Slide For Life — Usually performed by a woman, who would climb to the top of the building, hook a hand loop or a foot loop to a cable connected to the top beam and the floor, and slide down the cable. An