National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-12-19
Perils OF Circus Men.
Euiier Particulars OF the Fight OF Rob-
inson's Men In Texas scattering u
Mob with Deadly Eject.

Fuiier Particulars Of the Fight OF Rob
inson's Men In Texas scattering .
Mob with Deadly Eneet.
The report which we published, say,
the Cincinnati EHqpircr, of fight be
tween John Robinson's circus and q
gang of Texan roughs proves to have
been correct. Tho following extrac,
from a letter snbstantiates the other
published accounts
We had the most terrible fight | ever
saw. There were over five hundred
shots fred on both sides. Tho Gillies
commenced it in the big show in the
afternoon by one Of them drawing n
knife on Lowlow. He made lat all
right, though we did not show nt night,
and Just as we were putting the rhiuoc-
eros in the cage they commenced shoot
ing into our men. One OF the canvas
men was stabbed in the back, one was
shot through the leg, one in the side,
another through the toe, and still an
other in the heel. There is no telling
how many were killed on the other side.
They fired into our train with buckshot,
which went through and through the
beasts cages, and four of the shot
struck the elephant. God knows if
they will try and arrest the show or not.
The men say they will die before they
will be taken.
We all came very near losing our
lives at Jacksonville, thirty-fve miles
from here. During the afternoon per
formance the canvas was crowded with
people, when fifteen Texans came in
during the third act-bareb riding
and one of them sat down on the bank
of the ring. Mr.. Lowlow, our clown,
politely told him to occupy one of the
seats, as to remain in the position on
the bank would scare the horses; but
the Texan refused and drew knife,
and Mr.. Lowlow stepped away. Dur
ing this time Mr.. De We're, n powerful
man, belonging to the concert, stepped
up and asked the Texan to ge awayfro
the ring, when the Texan drew a knife
and attempted to stab De We're, but he
seized him by the arm that held the
knife, and while struggling with him
the other fourteen clme to the rescue
and took possession of the ring. You |
can imagine the disturbance and COM
motion caused by this act. Women and
children screamed, and general rush !
was made to get ont of the tent. This
lasted about fifteen minutes, when
everything seemingly quieted down, and
the Mayor of the town asked us to go
on with the circus, and we did so, but
the worst of it was to come, rs the
roughs once more made their appear
ance and threatened to kill all the
showmen.
Mr. j. Robinson gave orders not to
show at night, but to load the stock
and cages and try to leave the town be-
fore dark. The orders were obeyed,
and about five o'clock in the afternoon,
while the animalmen were engaged in
pulling the rhinoceros cage on the flat
,ar, the mob gathered more compan-
ons, and not thinking we were prepared
or them, made a raid upon our men
With knives and pistols. As this was
going on Gill Robinson gave orders to
ire on the mob. AS this order was
given 132 shots were fired, killing, as
ar as we know, three men. How many
more were wounded we have not yet
earned. Six of our men were wounded.
l1r. Robert Stickney's knee was dislo-
ated, and it is feared he will never be
bile to ride. Mr.. Allen Rose, per-
ormer, was shot through the left hand.
was shot through the right hand and
ny fur cap. One hostler was shot ,,
trough the right breast, and another
'as stabbed in the back near his kid |,
eys. Three canvasmen were shot
trough the legs. Mr.. Charles Robin '
on was struck on the head with club
nd knocked to the ground.