The Portland daily press., 1875-06-01
THE HHPPODROME.
The Pageant of Nations-Oriental Mag
niGcencc nndsOccidentai Savagery- Out
Barnuming Barnum.

There was an immense crown in Portland
yesterday every train which came into the city
increasing the number. Specials were run on
all the roads, and were loaded down with men
women and children, anxious to see the Hippo
drome. The report had gone forth through
the state that Barnum was out-doing him
self, and people, half incredulous, were
anxious to see the spectacle which surpassed
all the great shows which; had gone before.
They saw it. The long street sion in the
morning with its chariots, and strange beasts,
and riders clothed in antique costumes, aroused
curiosity to theshighest pitch. Over 1000 peo-
pie gathered under the huge canvas, 450 feet in
length and N0 in width, for the morning per-
Torrance. To say that they were delighted is
to state only the fast. The races which make
up considerable part of the Hippodrome per-
Torrance are indeed races. The riders truly
''go to win,' and the best always gains the
victory. Five lady riders, mounted on English
thoroughbred racers, contest for the honors OF
the first race. Each rider wears distinguish
ing color, and those who pick ga favorite" can
have all the excitement of any race by watch
ing the various fortunes of their choice from
start to finish, where the result is often mar
rowly decided A flag is given the winner A
race between several English and American
Jockeys follows after an act or two. A very
clever colored boy, who was trained On tn e
Kentucky courses, was the winner last even.
ing Six youthful jockeys mounte d on Shet-
land ponies have jolly dash soon after. The
dash over hurdles, in which four lady riders
are the contestants, is included in the list of
races, and proves very exciting. The two horse
and four-horse chariot races are given with
great dash. The Roman standing race is also
introduced, and some excellent riding is the re-
suit Among the gymnast, Satsumaiand Lit
tie All Right" are first to appear, and the Jap
anese equalibrist act. in which the little fellow
performs on series of ladders balanced by the
man. is wonderful. Satsuma also performs
with tub. Madame D. Atalie proves her right
| to the title of "the female Samson" by lifting
three men Oh heavy iron bar, and finally al
| lowing brass cannon to be fired from her
| shoulders. Her children are neat tqmblers
| Lazelle and Millson do fine trapeze act end
| ing with mid-air leaps, which wins approv ne
recognition from the spectators.
| One of the best features of the entertain
ment is that in (which Indian life is wildly
| portrayed. The camp is pitched, buffalo
hunt takes place, white prisoner is captured,
snow shoe and hurdle races are run. "Deer-
foot' beats a running horse by an allowance of
| one-third distance. ''Chase for wife brings
| the interest to high pitch. la this act Miss
Maud Oswald does some wonderful riding on a
swift.runnng and quick lodging mustang, and
the Indian pursuers and the rangers who finally
pursue them exhibit daring horsemanship.
The surprising skill with which the vast
establishment is managed is evident to every
visitor. The huge tent, with six centre poles
each as large as the nainmast of a man-o'-war
and with spread of canvas covering ten aores
of ground, Is novel from place to place and
elevated into position with even less fuss than
in old times used to characterize the operations
of circus company. So, too the army of re-
tanners and the hundreds of horses belonging
to the combination are always in their place
with so little of friction, and such an entir
absence of confusion that the camping ground
| of a trained military organization could not be
more orderly or precise Mr., W. G. Coup i
the General Manager, Mr.. S. Hurd Superin
tendent and Treasurer Dan !Costello Directo
of Amusemeats, George b. Bunnell Assstan
Manager, james NJ. Nixon Superintendent O
Arrangements, Francis M. Whitaker Assistan
Superintendent Of Amusements, A. Seller
Cashier, b, 8, Kellogg Assistant Treasurer
! Mr. d. H. Thomas is the Press Agent, an
/ those who have experienced his thoughtful
attentions will vote him emphatically 18th
right man in the right place"
There was even greater crowd in the afte
> noon, over $4,000 tickets being sold. In til
, | evening rising IL 900 tickets found purchaser
: | The whole number of tickets sold during IL
!, day was 32,2l0.