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daughter Stasia and historian, Chris Berry. Their
histories are almost as thrilling as Emmett’s and

I was so lucky to have been able to hear them first
hand over dinner in a beautiful farmhouse nestled
in the hills of Southern, Missouri. We shared some
time at the Piney River Brewing Company, owned by
Brenda Senter’s children. What an amazing place!
The weekend was magic.
Emmett Kelly remains the most famous hobo clown
to ever live, his character taken from childhood
memories and experiences during the depression.
Weary Willie was world famous. Emmett Kelly was
an accomplished author, an actor, a comedian, a
clown, a humanitarian and even a hero. For those
who don’t know, Emmett was present on the tragic
night of the circus fire that took 168 lives in 1944 in
Hartford, Connecticut. He could be seen trying to
help the panicked crowd escape the rapidly burning
embers of the tent. He would go on to say that these
memories haunted him throughout his life, but he
continued to spread joy and laughter to masses of
audiences worldwide.

I love going to UTUBE and watching old clips of
him on television. He expands the mind of this clown
and gives me so many ideas that extend endlessly.
Every expression in his face has meaning, speech is
unnecessary. He evokes a message flawlessly. He will
always be remembered for sweeping up the spotlight
to end the show and of course his adorable, sad and
humble face will forever stick in my mind. What many
people don’t know is that he never spoke in public…
he was an impeccable mime who represented the
most flawed and humble character. Google the clip of
Emmett and Carol Burnett and watch the beauty of
the simplest idea come to life. His memory will never
be forgotten and he will always be celebrated in Texas
County in a little town in Southern, Missouri called
Houston.

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