Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-07-17
RIcT's CIRCUS AZ ELK POINT.
It Winds Up in . Disgraceful Row.
ICuMmunicated.l

In consequence of the weather the cir
Gus party gave an evening entertainment
in the hall, at the conclusion Of which
the management gave the artists notice
that they were going to start for Vermill-
ion OF once. 1t was a dirty dark rainy
night; Spencer, n Of the engineers OF
the late wrecked 'damsel'-the show boat
said his wife Zone of the ladies engaged)
should not start in such weather in an
open wagon, that it was enough to kill
any woman. Upon this other members
of the company refused to 60 on until
morning-the object Of the management
in starting over night was $50 Mr.. Spencer
says) to rave a few cents at the hotel for
beds &c. At A o'clock the company that
stayed behind had their break fast at the
Elk Point House whcu Rice refused 10
pay for Spcncer's meal. Spencer then
said give me some money and l will pay
the bill myself, you are owing me over
$40. Upon this Rice called him a d-n
liar, which Spencer repeated, when Rice
struck him in the face which Spencer
quietly returned. 1t seems Rice got the
worst Of tho fight and rctreated. when
Rice's brcther.in-iaw Sholes, Min,
the clown, and another closed with Spen.
Ger threw him to the ground and com
menced kicking him in a most brutal
manner lie succeed in scrambling to
his feet when he received blow in the
mouth from Sho,es, and . severe cut
over the eye from Rice with b large
umbrella, Spencer closed with Rice and
succeeded in wrench,ng the weapon away
from HIM this did not seem to cool the
blood Of the clown, the supposed Dan
Rice, who went into the kitchen Of the
hotel and armed himself witw a large
cleaver which he hurled at Spencer, miss.
ing him by . mere chance; he then
brought out i loaded rife which was
taken from him by the crowd. When tho
Marshal arrived Rice was getting into his
buggy using the most disgusting and
threatning language. The Marshal eau
toned him 10 60 away quietly Of he
would he arrested. He answered, if /
| had a revolver I would shoot you--arrest
| me!-there is not sufficient power in Elk
Point to arrest mc--and drove of.
Mr.. & Mrs. Spencer are still in Elk
Point perfectly destitute OF money. The
proprietor aud treasurer of Rice's show,
Mr.. Coe, refused to pay them their salary
which they have not received for weeks
The only excuse he would give was. nc
money. A few admirers Of Mrs. spencer'i
talent have persuaded her to give a variety
entertainment at LaBeilo's hal, on FRIDAY
evening when she will receive the valu
able assistance Of several local ladies ant
gentlemen amateurs, the proceeds from
which will enable them to leave the tow
aud get on their way down east. In tn
course Of the evening Mrs. Spencer vii
deliver her very amusing and comica
lecture on Woman's Rights. Mrs. Spencc
has given this lecture over 500 times j
England and the West Indies am
America. After the prformance whicl
will last about . hours. there will be
select dance, for which there Will be n
extra charge to those who have purchase
concert tickets. II is hoped t6efe wi
be a good attendance. Mrs. spsncer wi
represent ten different original character