Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-19
CIRCUS DAY.
A High Time In FrankIin.-The
Boys and CaIabOOse Full--
FalIirs.


Nashville American. 1871
A gentleman who came to Nashville,
yesterday, from Franklin, reports that
Friday, circus day, was one OF the
liyeliest in the annals Of old William
son. Our informant, who had been in
Franklin only a short time, was told
that he should wait until circus day"
liz he wanted to see Williamson
county get on her hind legs and howl
for delight at the prospect Of fun"
that, on that day, were always re-
corded unnumbered fsticuffs, knock
downs and other melees edifying Of
the character Of the rougher class, in
whose heads novel sp~ectacles and
mean whisky put cranky notions Of
bossing CREATION
Shelby, Pullman 4 Hamilton's big
show" arrived Friday morning and
gave a parade at noon, when not less
than 5000 country people had arrived.
Then the fun began. A good force Of
special police soon had their hands
full ~escorting troublesome customers
to the calaboose, and by 3 o'clock that
institution could hold no more pris-
oners, arrested on charges of fighting,
disorderly conduct and other peace
disturbing offenses. Several of those
arrested attempted to resist the OH
GERS, and even drew knives on two of
the police holding them lin chancery,
and there would have been blood split
but for the timely arrival of other
officers, who overpowered the offenders
and carried them to the lookup. One
Of the prisoners was a visiting Texan,
who declared that all Williamson
couldn't arrest him. Two of the pris-
oners escaped from the calaboose, but
were captured and jailed for better
security,
In the meantime the circus was
exhibiting, and, during the perform
anees, there occurred what came near
ending in a serious row. A negro
insisted on occupying a standing posi-
ton in font Of the reserved Seats
and when ordered away by one Of the
circus men, replied insultingly. Pull
man, one Of the proprietors, struck
the negro three times successfully
with his fist, but without visible
effect. Just as the negro started to
respond, an acrobatic performer
bounded out of the ring, and with one
blow Knocked the %ruiian, it was said,
clear through the canvas" All this
occurred quicker than it can be told,
but created much excitement, the
other negroes in the show being yehe-
mentlyindignant and threatening. The
police and circus authorities however,
Gained the trouble and the perform
ance continued.
1t was known, generally, after the
crowd was dismissed, that the negroes
had threatened summary vengeance,
but nothing further was heard from
them until after the evening per-
Torrance. While returning with their
effects across the bridge to the depot,
the showmen were met with a volley
Of stones and several pistol shots.
Two men were found to have been
struck and one horse shot. One of
the men had a rib broken, being
knocked off his horse, but nobody was
seriously injured. The negroes seam
pered away afser paying their respects
in this manner, and neither police nor
circus men could find them.
Among the other notable events of
"circus" day were the stealing of a
fine gold watch from a young lady,
and another trick which is worth Civ
ing in detail. A young man from the
country was buying some pink-colored
lemonade (2) at a stand, when a fakir
politely accosted him with, II see, sir,
you have some large bills; it would be
a great accommodation, if you would
exchange them for some smaller bills
which l have" The request was
readily acceded to, the young man
handing the akir sixty dollars, and
the latter, to all i%ntents, and in full
view, carefully counting out sixty one
dollar bills to his victim, who showed
the change into his pockets and
started home. He counted his money
on the way, and found he had been
swindled, having been given thirty in
stead of sixty dollars in exchange.
The fakir had used a little sleight Of
hand, by some process of folding the
bills and had counted not sixty dollars,
but sixty ends of dollars. The victim
hurried back to the scene, but his
friend had flown. These are some OF
the events Of the "%circus day in Frank
ill.," The calaboose prisoners were
turned loose on payment of So each.