Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1880-04-01

Audrain county boasts the citizen
ship of the world-renowned champi-
on bareback rider, James Robinson.
Not only is he the champion rider,
but also the largest and most thrifty
farmer in this part of Missouri. His
farm, comprising 1000 acres, lies
nine miles north of this city, and is
mostly fine, rolling prairie, with the
exception of so acres of timber. The
land is all fenced, and in cultivation,
with four dwelling houses on the
premises, the largest being occupied
by Mr.. Robinson and the other three
by his tenants. He states that he
will, next fall, SOW 40 acres of wheat.
He thinks as good wheat can be rais-
ed in this county as in California or
elsewhere. Last year he produced
wheat that yielded % bushels to the
acre.
A day or two since q LEDGER re-
porter rode out to Mr.. Robinson S
place, having curiosity to see the
much talked of farm. After driving
up and hitching, Mr.. Robinson, who
was out among his stock, welcomed
US with hearty shake of the hand .
We told him we had come to take a
look at his fine farm and talk circus.
Telling one of his men to stable and
feed our horses, he turned to us and
said:
Il am always glad to see the news
paper men. Come in and take a
look at the finest barn in Audrain
county,
Mr.. Robinson conducted the scribe
through his fine barn, lately built,
which is certainly the best arranged
and most convent ant building of the
KIND in this county. The structure
is 80 feet in width, $50 in length and
is so feet high There are stalls for
p horses, and in the west end of the
building is 4 special compartment, in
which there is splended ring for
| training purposes.
''NeNt fall | am going to build an
other barn of the same dimensions
for the shelter of my stock now run
ming out. Come, take look at this
well,' said Mr.. Robinson. cit is
l37 feet deep, the water is forced up
by the windmill on top, and cost me
$500. This hose, which is 135 feet
in length, use in sprinkling my CIR
Gus ring. If the barn were to catch
fire, it would be of invaluable service
to me-"
"Your ring horses; where are
they?"
''In the barn; come this way
This patting a beautiful snow
white steed on the neck-"is John
Bull. the horse invariably use in al
my bareback acts. He holds his head
like Georgia major on dress parade
bought him in Cincinnati, and he
has been around the world. While
crossing the Red Sea from Batavia
on the island Of Java, to Marseilles
France, the passengers on board the
ship came very near plucking all tht
hairs from his tail, they took such :
fancy to him.
IIn tnnp a~hibtfoI f,ur ,,,o,o l. o,oot
used by himself, two used by Billy
German, the hurdle rider, and alst
one his son Clarence rides The ami
mails are all in tirst-class condition
having been well cared for during th,
past winter.
Come down to the pasture ant
look at some blooded stock. All th
cattle you see in this lot are graded
l keep no scrubs around me; it don
pay" said Mr.. Robinson.
Turning around, he pointed to
distant part of the pasture and ask
ed, "Do you see those two horse
grazing over there? They are pen
sioners. They have served me lon,
and well, and will be treated kindl
while they live."
"How old is the pony?''
"She is p; years old, and has cross
ed the ocean four times. l bough
her from Chirina's Italian circus il
California. She is the one on whicI
Clarence learned to ride
"Mr. Robinson, how old are you?'
"Forty-two.' f.s.--s
"How old were you when yo
made your first appearance in th
arena?'
Eight years old. I first starte
out with Rockwell & Stone, who wer
both good riders in their day Iva
afterward-in disappointed t
Old John Robinson, and travelled wit
him until 1856. l then went wit
Spaulding & Rogers, and have sine
travelled with most all the first-clas
companies.
''You have shown before the crows
, ed heads of Europe, have you not p
eyes; on May ID, 1858, wa
before Her Majesty, Prince A
bert and the Royal Family, at Alham
, bra Palace, in London" (In Mr.
Roblnson's parlor hangs q magnif
cent painting as he appeared ON thi
: occasion.)
t "What company do you travel wit
this season."
"SellS Brothers"
, "Wha salary do they pay YOU?
, "Five hundred dollars week."
t ''Where do you meet the comps
. ny?' " Il 81"
SIN Topeka, Kansas. Sells Bros
start out two shows from that poir
!. about the first of Apri1-one yer
, large circus and the other smaller
. both railroad shows" 5s.
''Will Mrs. Robinson accompan
t your"
q "Yes; she was with me on m
: voyage around the world.
'How many times have you cross
i. ed the ocean,
81 have crossed the Atlantic 81
times
Dinner being announced the LED
j GER man was invited to the house, an
ii introduced to the following notet
lcircus riders, who will also traye