The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-08-20
Tho Bsrnum ana London Allied Shows.
To exhibit In Ottawa Tuesday, the 9th Of Sep

|
The Grand Rapids, Mich, Democrat, Of July
10th, has this to say Of Is: 1.-THE Barnum and
consolidated London shows gave three perform
ances In this city yesterday on the Phoenix
grounds, west side. The attendance at each OF
the three performances was large, though largest
In the evening. Good judges put the total st
1000. The enterprise Is stupendOus one, and
is emphatically deserving Of patronage. There
are some 900 attaches and 800 horses, which 10
| BY far the largest circus combination on earth.
Whole seas OF canvas are used to shelter the me-
nagerie, circus proper, etc. The performances
are given In two rings simultaL eously. Between
the two rings there is quite a space which Is
used for the different specaties. trspeze, rings.
athletic sports etc. Most people thought the
performances too numerous.
On one side, about midway between the two
rings, Is located the reserved seats for members
OF the press. This 10 something entirely new
with the Barnum shows and is indeed splendid
arrangement. II Is furnished with folding chairs
and in good view of the two rings. Mr.. d. 8.
Thomas, the experienced and competent local
press agent. has reserved this space especially
for his friends and the newspaper fraternity.
The exhibitions are conducted with enterprise.
and each act goes" with q spirit and abandon
that pu,s the audience In the best OF humors.
The whole thing from the eating department up,
Is manipulated In business like manner.
The programme Is a lengthy one, but there are
no tedious waits" Every possible appliance Is
in readiness beforehand, and II Is remarkable
uoW opcSuuy TUE dpplldHCeo TeQulTtu ny Tue poI
formers are erected or placed into position.
The performance commence with grand ca
valcade OF horses, elephants, camels, etc. In
this procession around the tent appears the world
YmaPs 6RA8s lf|ehaRt gisnt H iissRAt ufh
and lady, Chang, the Chinese Giant, also appear
in this display. Among the many features that
are deserving OF mention Is the leapiDg Of Messrs
F. A. Gardner and w. II. Bachelor. They both
perform the feat Of turning a double somersault
over seven elephants-a very clever piece OF
tumDling. Miss Louise BOshell's Mrs. Frank
Melville) slack wire act Is marvellous and very
sensational Miss Maggie Glare gave a very fine
exhibition on the flying rings. Miss May An
tonio's slack wire Juggling act was wonderful in
deed, and well executed.
The performance Of Nine. Elsie Dockrill, the
equestrienne, is a remarkable bit Of bareback
riding. Miss Emma Lake, in her menage act.
rode with grace ana finish seldom Witnessed in
a aide saddle. The bareback riding OF Mr.. Frank
Melville was very fine. The elephants executed
msneuvres that surprised all, and are great
feature. The numerous other acts are good of
their kind. The trapeze, bar and specislty acts
are about as good # net better, than ever before
seen in this city. Taking tie Barnum- Bailey
Hutchinson consolidation altogether 1t is tho
finest circus that has ever exhibited In this city.
The mcDagerie 10 extensive and composed OF
nothing but the rarest OF animals. The execu-
tive department shows a fine corps OF expert
cnced men, and everything else accordingly.