The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-08-04
THE BARNU4.LoNDOE SHOW

At Grand Rapids Mich, the performances were
attended by thirty thousand people, and the
Daily Times OF July 10 says Of this great exhibI.
tion, to be here Saturday, August 18lh:
Grand Rapids has never experienced so large
a crowd upon the streets at o'clock In the morn.
Ing as that Of yesterday to witness the street pa.
rade Of the Barnum, Hutchinson Il Baiey's great
consolidated shows. It was the finest parade
ever made through the streets Of this city by any
similar organization. Watching the long train
passing up Caual street, the thousands OF specta.
tors who throGged the walks, doors and windows
were impressed with two things first, that a co.
lossal sum Of money must have been expended
for the show, and secondly, that 1t had been ex.
pended we'll. All was not glitter, by any means,
though there was plenty of that the real solid,
merits OF the exhibition were as self RsertlVe as
the trappings were gorgeous. The most casual
observer knew without referring to the hand.
bills that the herd of elephants was the finest
ever seen together In this country, and he must
also have been astonlshed at the docility dis
played by the powerful beasts which worked so
admirably in harness.
First came large elght,horse chariot contain
Ing band, then the open cages with the princi
pal wild animals. In one cage were three lions
Of good siz9, sitting contenteily at the feet Of
their trainer, Other cages contained tigers, leop-
ards hyenas and snakes In all OF which there
were trainers In the latter cage we're jzeu or
more monster snakes, some Of them twelve or
fifteen feet long, The next attraction was
chime Of bells, melodiously played, After this
came a magnificent eight.horse chariot wo.
man on top swaying back and forth, keeping
time to the motion Of the vehicle. Then came q
lot Of closed cages covered with allegorical paint.
ings so attractive to th9 curious, The eamels
came next, shuill ng ungalnly over the pave.
menus, harnessed together drawing the vans
There were large number OF ponies, drawing
little charlots Prominent In this part OF the pa.
rade was the phaeton OF Gea Tom Thumb, a
brass band composed Of IudiaIs, a team OF 20.
bras, the steam piano, and many other attractions
too many and varied to be enumerated,
The show itself is the best ever brought TO the
city, In the mensgarie there is large collec.
ton Otrare and valuable animals, aud these ami.
mails are all In splendid condition aud are excel.
lent specimens Of their respective species. 1t
would be useless to attempt an enumeration Of
the many superior qualities OF this mammoth en-
terprise. Suffice 1t to say that In management,
and point Of excellence in all departments, 1t Is
just what it claims to be- the superior Of all trav.
cling shows. Noticeable in the circus, aside
from the long list OF fac performers, ware the
handsome wardrobes, the iue horses aud other
animals exhibited in the ring aud not least OF
all, hrst.class brass band, Circus music like
ciEcHs lemonade, is usually pretty thin, but with
Barnum's circus there is a decided exception.
The seats are comfortable, and no more than
could be nicely seated were admitted under the
canvas, The usual annoyance OF lemonade and
peanut vendors was thankfully missed, aud upon
the whole, so far as circus Can be enjoyable this
one stands In front. Th9 show has what 1t a1var.
tises to have, and in no respect are tn people de.
Ceiyed,