The Campbell Brothers Circus began operations in 1883. In their highest grossing year, 1910, Campbell Brothers toured the USA by train in 42 double length railroad cars, and the show featured 17 performing elephants and a troupe of 30 trapeze artists. A series of calamities including a train wreck, fires and an economic downturn brought about Campbell Brothers end in bankruptcy in 1912. While traveling to Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, the circus train was struck by a passenger train causing the death of several animals. One circus employee was killed and four others were badly injured. Campbell gave their final performance on August 13, 1912 while on tour in Texas.