The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-09-28
A CIRCUS IN DISTRESS.

CLOWNS, ACRoBATs AND PEDESTRIANS HARD UP
AND WAITING FOR THEIR PAY.
Nearly six months ago the circus Of Mr. John Muir
ray (ormerly Stone l. Murray started from here on
a trip through the Eastern States. They began with
this State, going up by the Erie Railway as far
Buffalo, and that trip they accounted as the
worst in their experience Then they branched
OF toward New England and journeyed through
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and
subsequently, Long Island and Staten Island Long
Island proved 10 the most profitable feld and they
still retain kindly memories OF the green corn fresh
eggs and delicate chicken wings that frightened up
their daily feed their travels through that primitive
section OF the State. The circus had sixty
Ders all told and Its expenses from day to day were
no considerable sum- Finally, after travelling over
all the territory Indicated, they pulled up at New
Rochelle, September 10, and the season OF circus me-
anderings was closed the year, the horses going
into winter quarters the village named the company
coming to New York. Yesterday by arrangement
with Mr.. Murray, the performers went to the Bulls
Head Hotel on Third avenue 10 receive the money due
TO them Throughout the trip they were accustomed
TO receive nstaients OF So $40 SIS and, at the
most $40 their wages, according to the quality OF
the business, but when the end of the
reached tney found individually that quite consider
able amount still owing to them. However,, they
trip through the West indies, winch had all the
fascination OF romance Tor his impecunious following,
aud made them partly forget the .act that they were
the large and heartless city OF New York without
enough cash 10 pay their board bills Ior u week
The treasurer OF the company Mr.. c. A. Demouln.
was hand early the Bull Head, with his books,
aud the performers equally prompt putting In
an appearance. There was the Carroll iamiiy-ialher.
son ana daughters-who have been doing the gay gy
nastc aud The light fantastic, ana there was Tom
Barry, the clown. alas "Poor Yorck" with his hands
IN his pockets, aud nothing In bis pockets but his
hands. There was king Sarbro, the japanese wire
walker, melancholy as clam out OF season, aud The
Mctic family who were gay In the sawdust arena,
twisting auu whirng their 1.-the and graceful bodies
the music OF band and smiling on empty
stomnchs, and the Roscoe family OF acrobats were
also ihe:e-Walter, Charley, Frank and Harry-all
bright and lively boys. Charles IL Lowry, bold
equestrian was also IN the hrong and OF ieapers and
tumblers Though little disposed at that particular
time To play cap frog were Tom Butler, james Dono
aud Eugene Leach. Perhaps, yet rather strange
to say the most cast down and melancholy
Grimaii aud Charley Adams, the clowns. rhcy had
presenument that no pay would be Forthcoming, and
they forcsaw hard times ahead that no originality OF
humor could alter and make pleasant Murray never
his appearance, and there was much misery felt
In consequence Finally the treasurer received tee
gram rom him from Poughkeepsie, saying that he
had gone away tor the purpose OF raising money to
pay the performers and would do his best There
much murmurlng In the unhappy band, Tor some
had the price oil glass oil beer
The showed all the sympathy the heart Of
q treasurer IS capable Of showing and finally the
crowd of performers departed IN various directions.
most OF them vending their way to saloon IN Hous-
street. where they made the best OF the situation,
saying lang IT, you know, 'ow is man to get money
where AIT cawnL be ad y
The John Murray Circus replaced the Steve Murray
Circus about four years ago, The latter having been IN
existence ABOUT ten years previously. 1t empoye
forty 1tyelght men, and It's virtual failure
OWING TO the nard times when weighed So heavily
all classes the community. The Circus Is IN debt
to the performers canvasmen and Others employed 10
the exieut of about $4,000, the employees do not
yet quite despair OF having their earnings PAID to