The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-02-08
Circus Hustlars.

'Yes, it has been a booming season
for some of the shows; but some of
them, on the other hand, have gone to
pieces" said well-known advance
agent, in Union Square. the other day.
''You see," he continued, ''the big fish
have swallowed up the little fish, and
there has been good deal of squirm-
ing"
''But can you tell me what hustler
is, and what he has to do with the SER
vices of circusP' queried the Star re-
porter.
"What do you know about a hustler
young man?"
Only this" said the reporter, display
ing the following advertisement from a
sportive paper:
for United Shows. We have already secured
seventy good men, but, as we anticipate sixty
days opposition this spring right on the start,
want forty more reliable bllposters.
They must be good war workers, true to their
employers, husters, and ready, day or night,
for any emergency. Not afraid to fight for
their side if it should become necessary to
protect their rights. Only those who are we'll
known bill-posters need apply. We want no
photographers or programmes, To the right
kind of men long engagements and liberal
wages will be paid Want none but SOBER re-
liat ie men. Consider two weeks silence a re-
spectful negative. Apply Immediately to
"Well, that is pretty bold advertise
ment," said the man of sawdust, ''but
'huStlers' must be had, and | don't
know of any better way of getting
them. People who go to circus shows
in the city have no idea of the trials we
have to encounter in cut of-the-way
country places. Not only is there the
competition of rival companies, but the
countrymen, although they will come
any distance to see the show, seem to
look upon the show people as their nat
ural enemies outside of the canvas. 1t
is necessary, therefore, for every COM
pany to carry with it number of strong
fellows, who, as this advertisement says,
are not afraid to fight for their side if it
should become necessary to protect
their rights"
''You mean to say, then, that the cir
Gus companies carry fighters with themp'
''Of course. Why, when circus man
goes off to some of the out of the way
places in the Southwest he takes his life
in his hands. Tody Hamilton used to
tell story of his adventures in town
somewhere in Texas. The show had
large crowd at both the day and even
ing performances, but many negroes of
the vicinity had tried to force tbeir wav
in without paying. On being elected,
they vowed vengeance 1t was evident
when the time came for striking the
tents that there would be trouble. The
night was pitchy dark and torches were
lighted outside the line of the tents.
Then it was seen that little knots of
negroes had gathered and were watch
ing the proceedings with sullen express
sion. The circus men knew what was
coming and prepared for action. A tent
was never struck quicker than that 1t
was folded, packed and placed in the
wagons, when there was a movement
among the negroes, The circus men
knew that the moment for action had
come. Almost in the twinkling of an
eye the torches were extinguished, and
in the stiffness of the night came the
sound of the tent men as they descend
ed upon the negroes heads. Each tent
man had selected the negro he was to
attack, and silently and swiftly the work
was done, and the circus moved out of
town before daybreak. Tody used to
say that six negroes were left dead on
the field, and that the show people were
not prosecuted, because it would have
been impossible to have identified the
killers. 1t was certainly a case of the
lives of the circus people against those
of the negroes, and the circCs people
did not. propose to take any chances.
This was one of the most serious circus
fights that has occurred in some time,
but every season there are greater or
less number of these encounters which
never get into the papers; and the show
folks have learned to go prepared. So
you see, young man, a hustler is very
useful element in the interior economy
of a circus .n-NeaO York Star.