The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-24
NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY MARCH a. 1861
Obituary.

Obituary.
r. SANDS, CIRCUS PROPRIETOR AND PERFORMER.
Richards or a. he was more familiarity known TO thou
sands throughout the United States and Europe Dick
Sands died In Havana the Gath u Of congestion Of
the brain.
The history Of his life would fill volume, and would
be interesting probably, the biography Of any man
who has lived during the last Atty years. We have only
space however for few Of the leading incidents In his
career.
Richard Sands born in May, 1914, on Long Island
his parents being When about twelve years Of
eye he New York TO seek his fortune aud has
often boosted that the first money be earned drv
ing dirt cart, at the time the large hills in the
vicinity Of the old Mount Pitt Circus were
dug away. The writer Of this has often heard
him say that the proudest hour Of his life when he
received his first weeks pay for his labor in this humble
employment. Here in those early days the circus had
many attractions for him, and good many Of his hard
earned dollars found their way into the treasury Of
the various shows which visited the city at that time
he fond OF emulatng the acrobatc performers,
and excered all his associates in "turning up walking
his hands, bending the crab" and putting himself
in all sorts OF uncomfortable and unnatural positions.
The litter heap in the neghborhood Of the circus stable
the scene of many Of young Dicks juvenile exploit
and he became at last expert that he attracted the
tention OF the circle people, and gvrg up his dirt car
he became apprentice TO the show business and one
the company OF Howes Turner general utility per
foImer Il long before his continual practice
perseverance led him excel in all the
and he became recognized "a star !" and
If not the principal OF the attractions of the establish
ment
He remained with Howes Turner until the expiration
of his apprenticeship and after buy farm for his only
sister, out Of his earnings, he joined Messrs Miller
Yates troupe and after performing star
purchased an interest in the concern which after
wards called Miller, Yates Sands Circus, and continued
travelling successfully In various parts OF the country
until the establishment Of the Geological Institute which
which WAS combination OF all the principal shows in the
United States. Sands joined This institute, and trans.
ferTed all his interest 10 the common stock; but the
speculation proved losing one and he started his
division tour through the South ana West where he
met with great success but owing losses
other parts Of the country by the other divisions the in
stitute sustained general loss OF which Dick had to
| bear his share
In 1870 he joined performer the establishment OF
Ira Ostead and at the expiration OF the he
to England at the head of large establishment known
all the principal cities Of England Scotland
Wales The company returned TO the United States
ls45 but Sands remained in England giving
went to Paris where he appeared at the principal thea
tres and returned to the United States in the spring
lSs6, bringing with him the celebrated trormng horse
May Fly, and large troupe of trick ponies On his
turn he entered into partne rshp with Lewis Lent
der firm of Sands Lent Co. and made an extended
and very successful tour through the United States during
the years ls46 and lsa7 and the following made
During this time Mr. sands continued his
with Jesse and Maurice and his great four horse
act entitled "The Courier of St. PeteIsburg,'
In the fall of 1852 Sands returned to England and asto
niehed London with bis wonderful antpodean feat of
walking q slab Of polished marble head downwards,
Drury Lane theatre. He also appeared in all the prn
cpa theatres Of Paris sometimes performing at the
| aires in one evening, with immense success
While performing IN Paris he fell from great height
TO the stage, and sustained some severe injuries which
obliged him TO relnqush his engagements and since that
time be has never appeared in public as performer
1 ny known r. Sands French and American Circus
and travelled with 1t manager through the Eastern
States Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and at the end
Of the season he with Others bought the entire interest
| Of the establishment and the new combination
| formed, popularity known all over the country as
Sands, Nathans Co.'s Circus.
This company travelled for five years all over the
United States and met with success unprecedented in
the Of the circus business In 1855 the
the firm discontinued and the major part Of the stock
sold which time Mr. SANDS has not been connected
with the circus business but has devoted himself to other
For days previous to his departure for Havana
Mr. Sands had been aborDg under indsposition result
ng from cold, and with the view Of improving
his health and joining some friends he left this city in
the steamer Cahawss on February IL He grew worse
most skfu physicians could do combined with he most
attentive nursing Of kind and anxious friends he died.
have stated six days after his arrival in Havana
MI sands was remarkable for ndomitab,e energy,
which characterized all his actions. He knew let
hndrance, far honorable endeavor went to
pish any object he had in view and all his movements
characterized by amount of business tact and
shrewdness He never Idle. Action was necessary
to his existence and by of these qualities he
ceeded in raising himself from very humble position TO
the front rank OF his profession and had accumulated
competency which would have enabled him to have
passed the remainder OF his days in and comfort
He had as many warm, personal friends, probably as
any man living. His disposition genial and social,
and though he not Of large education thou.
sands will testify that very few had the powers OF
versation the faculty OF making himself interesting
to his listeners TO greater extent than he As
teur he was unexceled His faults, which few,
those Of the head than OF the heart and
doubt II his bitterest enemy now that he Is gone, will
| hal Dor unkiDd thought Of him.
His funeral will take place at twelve O'Clock to day
from his late residence, 101st street ard Bioomngfae
road Carriages viii be In waiting a Odd Fellows Hall
Of Grand and Centre streets at ten O'Clock A. NJ
Mr. sands was member OF New York Lodge, $50,
and A. and at their last communication the follow
| ing preamble and resolutions we're adopted unsn
| mousy:-
Whereas has pleased the Supreme rchtect of the Uni
sands and whereas in his relations 10 US as brother
and friend, he mered love and esteem
Resolved. That New ork Lodge No $40 r. A. NJ has by
whS %as ,. al ,5 s wSshy and well
sben we meet around sacred altar, he win continue
Resolved That though deeply feel we have sus
We ns Il 1 opss sy bis
sss sa mS snd At
through the blessed promise made 70 all men meet him
hands aim heavens en '00ne
fG5 s Of
sorrow for the srsce Of six months and that the members
Resolved We deeply y%pase with he SsiSesved
ne BE and s e.
family an , ,,,,..
PARTNERS and those having intimate business relations
yeass,SsssTs k1assd HysTy smith y
lAId Quick and Rogers; H. Jones' ESQ., @. Peck ESQ,
Arrivals and Departures.