Mexico weekly ledger., 1883-08-23

Inteyvisw viii James Reblnssn. /
A reporter Of the Columbia Heruld
sought the famous bareback rider,
Mr.. James Robinson, who trssels
with Mr.. Coles show and found af
smalfgentleman 5 feet, 4 inches high
and weighing about 126 pounds. and
very pleasant and agreeable. His
unnssuming manner Is much at varf
ance with the popular idea Of the
professional circus man. He receiv-
ed the reporter kindly and expressed
a willingness to give any informahon
within his ability. rszs
: ssThe fact, Mr.. Robinson, that for
the past rs years you have been the
recognized champion bareback rider
OF the world renders any facts about
yourself Of pubic interest. win
you not give me brief sketch OF
your career ~ a*5 4
ssCertainly il 1t is desired. I was
born in Boston in 1887. 1 entered
the profession in i845, wien but
eight years old, under old John Rob-
inson, and for ten years travelled with
him through the southern states. /
originated bareback riding and SON.
ersauiting upon horse without pad
| or saddle. No one had ever under
taken it until I84S, when I did it for
the first time. It took splendidly.
In 1855 and 1856 1 was with Spalding
& Rogers. From 1856 to 1860 Twas
in Europe and while there rode in
France and Germany and was the
recipient OF much honor. In 1862 /
rode at Havana, Cuba, for the cham
Epion belt, which was offered by
american citizens, and was awarded
to me over several contestants. The
latter rode with pads; I without.
Pads were entirely done away with
l2 years ago. saf
/ ain what, Mr.. Robinson, lies the
chief art of bareback riding?' =
''If you will allow me to respond
!, briefly I will answer in one word
NERVE. That is all Of it. A mai
= must of course possess supple limb
and good judgment. but he must b
s perfectly calm, however great the ex
cltement or loud the cheering. Whit
n he is riding he must attend strictly :
4 business, because the slip Of an inc
imeans fall. is5>
$ 'Have you had any bad falls -
q "In 1853 in Winchester, Virgins
v I fell and injured my neck and vi
It Ilaid up nearly two years. This sprin
Is my horse fell with me. About ont
sd a week I lose my balance, but it do
ID not materially interfere with my ri
th ing. aa'rs'.
70 aWhat are the most difficult fes
il ures Of bareback riding?"
a 1.-THE beginning and the inishln
or In getting good start and . go
er stop. That is where the power
he balance is tested.'
1 "Is the exertion great?"
re "Not much so. 1 am used to
he I am only engaged half hour twi
,th a day and it simply gives me 90
sh exercise. I am as strong now as
ever was.'' a3a4
,ts 81 notice you have the same ho'
De- you had several years ago?"
NO sYes. bought him in Cincinn
do in 1871 and 1 keep him because he
~ reliable and has a remarkably smo'
sal gait. Then be understands me th
me [oughly."
of "You have had considerable ex
,ou rience with horses. What do
,sv think of their powers Of intelligence
sU tssI think horse acts from habi
rite not from reason. He does q th
r."1 because he has done it before
on as your horse, when you turn
low loose, will go to the livery stable
lFr cause he has been in the habit OF
any ing there. They are great creatr
our of habit. l do not give them or
ter. for the intelligence claimed by SON
that sis. there at present any contes
adj with you for the championship"
'rth ''Mr. Fish is the only one vi
nap pretentions are worth mention
He does about everything that /
7our but he lacks the balance or fiji
the He and I rode in the same ring
see years, but I never had any diffic
SO in bearing off the paln.'' q
rec SIN the course Of your life
Will must have made the circle OF
a globe?'
with "Yes, sir. 1 have ridden in Fra
clen- England, Germany, Holland, s
'ally' Australia, Cuba, British India
e Is other countries. . fse.s
you slave you not been awarded
q number of medals?' J{,5
'.In 1866 the citizens of New
presented me with q silver sc
f worth $4,000. / have also
awarded medals in Cadiz, Spain
cago, Boston and New York"
oc- Mr. Robinson agreed with
'ais Cole that the circus Is grown
= : nv ~ merit and popularity, but sait
n was few men had in the past made
MN If ont Of Il. Seth B. Howcs and