Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-15
BARNUN'S GREATEST SHOW.
Nearly Twenty Thousand People View
the Dazzling Pageant.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CIRCUS D.v

gatherings of people. But all former crowds
were outnumbered yesterday. As early "a
three o'clock in the morning struggling teams
began to pour in from the country towns, and
the number increased steadily all day, until
our streets and stores fairly swarmed with
thousands of eager and perspiring spectators.
Inc barnum trains arrived from Bangor at
$50 O'Clock in the morning, and were greeted
by the cheers Of vast concourse. From
that hour until evening the city streets were
damned by an excited, surgiug multitude.
Special trains from Waterville, HallowelI
Gardiner, and from cities and towns up and
down the river, brought their quota of living
freight, while the country towns seemed to
empty themselves into Augusta.
The STREET PARADE.
AT little past ten o'clock the grand pro-
cession started from the circus grounds
through the densely packed streets Every
available niche along the route was occupied
and the sidewalks were deluged by an over.
flowing tide of human beings. The
procession was the finest spectacular
display ever made in this city. The
weather was prOpitious, being overcast,
foggy and cool in the morning, while later
the sun blazed out in full effulgence. There
was fine parade. First came a grand
gilded chariot containing a good band of mu-
sicians uniformed in blue, with crimson trim
mings; this was followed by handsomely
dressed riders on elegantly caparisoned steeds
Then followed the cage of lions with their
trainer. all in full sight; then came the vari-
Gus cages of tigers, panthers, leopards, hye-
mas. and serpents all with their tanners; the
animals all looked we'll and as if the Offices
of their keepers were not sinecures; following
these was magnificent golden chariot with
chime of bells then came the celebrated
trained black stations with their grooms :;
next was a high golden chariot with a lady
perched high in the air on globe, the chariot
was drawn by eight gray horses; in turn
were some handsomely painted menagerie
carts; then band chariot without riders ::
following was superb golden chariot with
classical figures Of horses and athletes now
with bagpipes in Highland costume, this was
preceded and followed by camels in single
file; after these was a Roman car drawn BY
four small camels next came the car with
group on top wearing 81 otesque masks; then
the steam piano. then pony carriages, and
numerous zebras ;now followed Tom Thumbs
diminutive coach: the sacred oxen; the
Modoc band; gilded elephant chariot
and large drove of these wonderful animals;
then a car of Jubilee singers drawn by ele-
plants another golden and red car drawn by
these beasts; then a steam CalIiope. The
procession was lengthy and everything was
carried out in good style. The display
evoked wonder and admiration from the thou
sands who lined the streets, and gave fore
taste of the fine exhibitions to be made. The
leading streets of the city were traversed and
the inmates of residences and business houses
in every section left their vocations to view
the animated sight.
On THE Circus GROUNDS.
Soon after twelve o'clock the streets lead
ing to the circus grounds were thronged with
people anxious to gain admittance to the
show. A tremendous throng was on hand at
one o'clock, and the ticket sellers wagons
were besieged by thousands. The multitude
was augmented by steady streams of people
from every side. There were the usual num-
Der of outside attractions, besides the great
tents. Booths where red and seductive lem
o,aja hot ,aaputs md pvumv slices of pine-
apple, were retailed. abounded. IIawkers
were numerous, crying their wares in stem
torian tones. Vendors of notions were doing
a brisk business. Side-shows abounded,
and the gentlemen with tanned faces and
toughened palms spent their money lavishly
in taking the attractions all in.
UNDER THE CANVAS.
At an early hour in the afternoon the two
immense pavilions of the Barnum and Great
London Show were crowded, with an audi
ence that averaged much better socially than
is usually seen in a circus. The best people
go to see this crest show, and well they
NAV for it is fine in every respect, and moth
ing is said or done to offend the most delicate.
The menaSeTle was ttc ceHtie vi oe'i"@'
for everybody. The cages were arranged IN
systematic order and were continuously sur
rounded by groups of curious people. There
was not thing exhibited that did not prove
of interest. The leading objects Of attraction
we're the giraffes, sea lions, the snakes, and
rare specimens of the feathered tribe. The
lions and tigers were large and active. and
there were many odd. queer looking animals
never before seen in this section. Chang
the Chinese giant, sold his photographs
shook hands with the crowd and conversed IN
excellent English with all who spoke to him.
while Gen. Tom Thumb and wife were affabls
and were looked upon with as much wonder
As ever. The giant horse, baby elephant
giant OK and baby camel attracted much at
tention and were all objects of wonder. At
two o'clock the great tent covering the two
rings were filled from one end to the other
We can conscientiously speak in very
high terms of the performances in the three
r;nos. The amount of talent is so large thar
e there were but two rings the performances
| out tn a tiresome length. As 1t