Joe Strong’s parents were both circus performers. His mother, Janet Strong, did horse riding tricks under the pseudonym of Madame Hortense. His father, Alexander Strong, performed magic using the nom de guerre “Professor Moretti”. Joe Strong was orphaned at the age of five. His father contracted pneumonia following a water trick. His mother died shortly after from injures incurred from a fall off her horse. The circus people were kind to Joe. Mr. Beeze, the manager of the circus, realized the environment wasn’t suitable for a young orphan and placed an advertisement to find a pair of adoptive parents for Joe. Mr. Amos Blackford and his wife adopted Joe. The Blackfords returned to the town of Bedford with their new foster son. The couple were old-fashioned and harsh in their views of Joe’s circus performer heritage, discouraging his interests in that direction. As he grew, Joe was a daring young man of pronounced skill and intellect. He learned horse and magic tricks, although he hid them from his foster parents. Joe assisted in a rescue of a magician named Professor Morello from a burning fireworks factory. Morello was impressed to discover Joe the son of Moretti. Joe decided to run away from the Blackford home. After this, two men, Denton and Harrison, broke into the Blackford home, accidentally knocking over a lantern, starting a fire. Amos Blackford blamed Joe for the fire. Oblivious to the fire, Joe sought out Morello to begin his career as a magician. He improved his skills over time, and was soon amazing paying audiences.
First Appearance Joe Strong, The Boy Wizard (1916)
First Publisher George Sully & Company
Appearance List Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard; or, The Mysteries of Magic Exposed. Joe Strong on a Trapeze; or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer. Joe Strong, the Boy Fish; or, Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank. Joe Strong on the High Wire; or, Motorcycle Perils in the Air. Joe Strong and his Wings of Steel; or, A Young Acrobat in the Clouds. Joe Strong and his Box of Mystery, or, The Ten Thousand Dollar Prize Trick. Joe Strong, the Fire Eater; or, The Most Dangerous Performance on Record.
Sample Read Joe Strong on the Trapeze; Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer [PG]
Description Joe Strong’s parents were both circus performers. His mother, Janet Strong, did horse riding tricks under the pseudonym of Madame Hortense. His father, Alexander Strong, performed magic using the nom de guerre “Professor Moretti”. Joe Strong was orphaned at the age of five. His father contracted pneumonia following a water trick. His mother died shortly after from injures incurred from a fall off her horse. The circus people were kind to Joe. Mr. Beeze, the manager of the circus, realized the environment wasn’t suitable for a young orphan and placed an advertisement to find a pair of adoptive parents for Joe. Mr. Amos Blackford and his wife adopted Joe. The Blackfords returned to the town of Bedford with their new foster son. The couple were old-fashioned and harsh in their views of Joe’s circus performer heritage, discouraging his interests in that direction. As he grew, Joe was a daring young man of pronounced skill and intellect. He learned horse and magic tricks, although he hid them from his foster parents. Joe assisted in a rescue of a magician named Professor Morello from a burning fireworks factory. Morello was impressed to discover Joe the son of Moretti. Joe decided to run away from the Blackford home. After this, two men, Denton and Harrison, broke into the Blackford home, accidentally knocking over a lantern, starting a fire. Amos Blackford blamed Joe for the fire. Oblivious to the fire, Joe sought out Morello to begin his career as a magician. He improved his skills over time, and was soon amazing paying audiences.
