The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-08-26
DAVID B1pwELL AND NAPOLEON Ill.

DAVID BIDWELL AND NAPOLEON Ill.
During the winter Of 1866 and z, ana
in fact for some time before, great pre-
parations were being made all over
the world for tho Exposition OniVef~
selie." to be held ut Paris, during the
summer of 1867. The American show
men being always up to the require
ments of the public, five OF Americas
most prominent and wealthy mana
gers !; Messrs. John J. Nathans, Avery
Smith, David Bidwell, G. G. Yorick
to send to Paris as part of the "Expo-
sition," the largest and most complete
circus company that America could
produce. They chartered the large
steamer, Guiding Star, to convey the
company, horses, ponies, mules, per-
forming buffalo, wardrobe, trappings,
and a portable ampitheatro to be put
together in sections and capable OF
comfortably seating 5000 spectators.
Among the equestrians were James
Robinson, Frank Pastor and Robert
Stickney. Large gold medals We're
ordered to be made by the proprietors
and called, "the champion medal of
the world" Each artist was to be
ready ut all times to compete with any
artist in their line for the medal and
championship of the world.
They arrived safely at Paris and
after most successful season of six
months in Paris and three months in
London they returned to the United
States and were presented with their
medals and title OF champion of the
world in their separate line of business,
as they had successfully triumphed
over all competitors that Europe could
produce against them.
Mr.. David BidWell was the European
manager, and among the very large
stud of American horses Of the COM
pany, was a pair of very fast trotters,
belonging to Mr.. Bidwell, of which he
was justly proud. Nearly every day
he caused great attraction whilo Grjv-
ing through the Bots de BoulOgne and
the Champs. Elysees.
One day a gentleman called at the
Cirque Americani and inquired for Mr..
Bidwell, and he was shown to Mr..
Bidwell's private Office.
81 have come," he said, ''to inquire
if you would sell your American trot-
ting horses to his Majesty, the EN-
peror?"
eyes," replied Mr.. Bidwell, s'at my
for $4,000, as a favor to tho Emperor"
every we'll, L will return tomorrow
with the Emperor's reply"
1t happened that just ut that partic-
ular part of the season Bidweli was
very much occupied in getting together
a very large troupe of lady dancers to
send to America, the very best his
agents could procure in France, Ger
many and Italy for his theatres in Now
Orleans, Mobile, Memphis and st.
Louis, and for a tour aftcrward
throughout the United States and
Canada. AS several Of tho ladies had
not arrived and his arrangements had
all been perfected to send them by
steamer direct from Southampton,
England, to New Orleans, the next
day found Mr.. Bidwell in anything
but a pleasant mood. He was very
busy answering kilograms and dicta-
ting letters his private secretary was
writing, when the agent of tho Empe-
ror was again announced. After lie
had been shown n seat, Mr.. Bidwell
inquired:
"WeD, did you sec tho Emperor
"Yes, SIR" he replied, "and he
thinks your price much too high. He
thinks 10, 900 francs $4,000 a fair price"
"EIe does, oh? Well, allow mo to in
form you that bought my horses in
America, and L. brought them over
here for my own amusement, and I
intend to take them back. l have,
like your merchants, who display SO
conspicuously in their places of business
n fixed price, Yesterday tho IGmre-
ror could have purchased the best trot-
ting horses in this city, to-day, you can
please inform him, he has not money
enough to buy my horses "
"But," replied the astOnished agent
81 could not convey such 4 message To
his Majesty"
"Well, that is my answer. You can
tell him what you pleace. Good morn
ing, sir,' and Ridwell went on with
his business.
The Emperor did not get Bidwelrs
trotters, or any one else, though he had
many tempting offers to sell. He
used to show them with great pride
to his friends and say, therc are the
trotters that Napoleon III had not
money enough TO buy" --.Sut,Wt7aH
Night.