The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-01-20
Circus Hustlers.

Eyes, it been booming season
for some of the shows; but some OF
them, on the other hand, have gone to
pieces" said q well-known advance
agent, in Union Square. the other day.
You see," he continued. "tho big fish
have swallowed up the little fish, and
there has been y good deal of squirm-
ing"
but can YOU tell me what hustler
is. and what he has to do with the SER
vices of q circus?" queried the Star re-
porter. i
What do you know about u hustler
young man?" =.
Only this" said the reporter, display
ing the following advertisement from
sportive paper:
wanted-Forty more first-class bill-posterss
for United shows we nave already see lure,
days opposition this spring right on the start,
we want forty more reliable blll-posters.
They must be good war workers, true 10 ineir
employers, hustlers, ana ready, gay or nignt,
for any emergency. Not afraid TO hight for
their side IL II should become necessary 10
protect their rights. Only those who are we'll
known bl-posters need apply. We want no
photographers or programmes, To the right
kind of men long engagements ana liberal
wages will be paid. Want none but sober, re-
liable 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 l 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 out-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
i fellows, who, as this advertisement says,
are not afraid to fight for their side ii it
should become necessary to protect
their rights"
lyon mean to say, then, that the cir
Gus companies carry fighters with them"
"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 q
large crowd at both the day and even
ING performances, but many negroes OF
the vicinity had tried to force their way
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 sullcn 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 4 movement
II among the negroes, The circus men
knew tina, the moment for action had
e come. Almost in the twinkling OF an
n eve the torches were cXtinguiShed, and
T. 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 Il
attack. and silently and swiftly the worl
?. was done, and the circus moved out o.
:. town before daybrcak. Tody used Il
J; say that six negroes were left dead OF
!. the field, and that the show people wer'
= not prosecuted. because it would hav'
8 been impossible to have iden ,itied thu
. killers. 1t was certainly acase OF tn,
lives of the circus people against those
. of the negroes, and the circus people
9 did not propose to take any chances
4. This was one of the most serious circus
y fights that has occurred in some time
:. but every season there are greater o.
less number of these encounters which
: never get into the papers; and the show
= folks have learned to go prepared. s.
you see, young man. hustler is YER.
useful element in the interior econOm,
2 of a circus Nee York star.