The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-05-08
A Circus in a Thunder StOrm-Dan.
Rec makes n SDeech,


DAN. RICE's circus performed at Harris
burg, Pa. on the 2sth ult. A thunder storm
came up suddenly, and performers and au-
dienee were alike unconscious of the low
ering clouds and threatening storm that
enveloped them. -.la
The King brothers had Just commenced
their performance upon the trapeze as the
first flash of lightning danced around the
enclosure, and penetrated every crevice and
hole In the canvas. This was startling
Only for the moment, though, no attention
being paid TO IL. as everything was dry and
apparently secure within, and it seemed but
n storm without. The Kings finished their
act, and Mrs. ). Stickney commenced her
feat of horsemanship, when torrent ofrain
commenced beating on the canvas; frequent
and vivid flashes oflightning, accompanied
with rolling thunder and heavy gales of
wind, attacked the SHOW" and seemed to
threaten its destruction The drums were
beating and the horns sounding as the little
and delicate creature was dashing around
the ring on her swift and spirited horse.
amid the roaring of the storm ard the surg
ing ofthe huge canvas as 1t bent to the gale.
The audience became panic-stricken. sprang
to their feet, and a scene followed beggar-
ing all description. The women shrleked
and the children cried. Ring-master and
grooms, managers and attaches did their
utmost to allay the tumult, but with little
avail. The surging canvas, the vivid light
ming, the rolling thunder and the presence
of so many wild and dangerous animals,
was calculated to produce a scene ofeXcite-
ment difficult to allay.
The canvas now became saturated-the
rain began to penetrate 1t, and the advan-
tages of safety really seemed out in the
open air. A number of the ''show people"
seeing this, made large openings in the
canvas for an easy exit of the frightened
and bewildered people, who rushed out
into the storm and darkness In search of
shelter-many became entangled in the
ropes and wagons, and were thrown down.
The wind blew perfect hurricane, the
rain fell in torrents, and the darkness was
so great that it was impossible to see foot
beyond You, except when illumined by the
flashes of lightning. Our ''local," having
been present and carried out by the current
of the crowd. was dashed up against the
''side show" and finally within. Here
was another scene of excitement. The
lights had become eXtinguished, 'local'
fell over several objects, whether fat wo-
man. little woman. lean man. wax statuary,
| or organ. he can not say. merely observing
| that he eventually secured temporary
shelter with others In the officers quarters
of the barracks on the eastern side of Sec
ond street. How the rest of the crowd
saved themselves is difficult to tell, as each
and every one were engrossed in their own
| safety but, we presume. as we have heard
of no serious accident, that the results were
merely frights, damaged and saturated
clothes. The tents, which proved to be
secure one, weathered the storm, notwitb-
standing its severity.
The duration of the storm was not quite
an hour. After it had subsidized, Mr. Rice
gave orders to admit everybody free, and
for the resuming Of the performance. The
greater portion of the audience returned,
and the ''show'' went on as If nothing had
occurred; the conduct of Mr.. Rice and his
company being so praiseworthy that every
body were free in their Acknowledgements,
and on the close of the performance uni
versal shout rang through the immense
throng for "Rice !" "Dan Ricer'
That gentleman having discharged his
professional duties to his friends and pat
rons, and assumed the character of citizen
he apparently, with great reluctance
yielded to the universal demand. He COM
menced by returning his thanks for the
honor done him; (cries now arose of show
about Lawry;" "give us political speech !;
''tell us about the South" and other Ques-
tions.) Mr.. Rice then gave a succinct ac-
count of his tour in the South, and tbe
sentiment of the people there.
He then stated his regrets that the course
of the Radical element in the Republican
party had unjointed ID, while the President
had labored so hard to prevent, and is now
struggling to preserve aud to strengthen
the bonds of the Union. If Andrew
johnson is supported by the loyal Democ-
raey and the conservative Republicans
peace and a reunited country will be pre-
served TO people who have not their equal
on the face of the earth.