Carl Lauther was a well-known sideshow owner that worked in the business for over 50 years. He is perhaps most famous for introducing the performer Percilla “The Monkey Girl.” Lauther and his wife adopted Percilla upon the untimely death of her father. Over the years Lauther was with Rubin & Cherry Shows, Cetlin & Wilson, and World Of Mirth Shows. His biggest gig was having the sideshow on the enormous Johnny J. Jones Exposition for more than a decade, beginning in 1920. The Jones operation actually carried three complete sideshows on its midways, in addition to a half dozen or so other shows. Lauther created and ran large Store Shows in the winter season, beginning in the mid-1930s, and continuing into the 1940s. Capitalizing on the name Robert Ripley had built in the business through his Odditoriums which played at World’s Fairs starting in 1933, Lauther’s shows often included Ripley’s name, as well as the copyrighted “Believe It Or Not” trademark. Lauther along with other showmen like Ray Marsh Brydon got away with the Ripley’s swipe for quite a few years. Lauther used various other names for his traveling museums, or Store Shows, such as “Oddities On Parade,” “World’s Fair Oddities”, and “Stranger Than They Seem.” Lauther and his wife also operated a show in the 1950s called “Hollywood Chimps,” with an chimpanzee named Cheeta. In 1956, a 9 year old girl attending the show had her finger bitten off while dangling her arm over the enclosure in Michigan. In the pre-litigious 50s, the punishment brought by the courts was simply that the Lauthers were forbidden to exhibit the ape in that county ever again. Lauther was born in Cincinnati in 1884. His wife Frances worked in the business with him, and helped him manage the shows. She likewise had an act as a fortuneteller/astrologist billed as “Miracle Girl.” Their son Carl. Jr. grew up in and worked in the business, but later left to work for the US Postal Service. Lauther’s mother also trouped with her son, running shooting galleries and other concessions. Luther’s brother Clarence was a concessionaire, and his other two brothers were also in show business for a few years. His sister Anna also ran sideshows and rides for many years. Lauther died in 1957 at his home and winter quarters in Miller’s Tavern, Virginia at age 73