The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-15
A DECIDED DAMPER
ON THE ENJOYMENT AT rAEclRcvs
An uAwOn..d Seen, uadsr Canvas, Attended By
Excitement ID which Democratic COursn.
tiOn is QuAksr hssting-i Good Day
Show, But Spoiled 0ne At Night.
Barnum's circus was seen yesterday to

Barnum's circus was seen yesterday t
be all It is represented.
The parade was the finest ever seen II
Wheeling, and the afternoon exhibition
was beyond criticism, unless 1t be tina
there was 30 much Of It no one could TAX
it in. The programme was carried ou
to the letter, to the delight Of an immens'
audience, estimated by some as high Al
10000. There are so many good features
OF merit and interest that 10 particulariz!
is impossible. II may be justly said tina
this Ia the crowning triumph OF Barnum'i
career. II would be difficult 10 conceive {
more brilliant, varied and complete per
formance, or q larger, more striking ol
novel collection OF features Of interest Ii
the museum and menageIie.
The success Of the day performance had
It's effect
FLocHIEG TO THE NIGHT PERFORMANCE.
The heavy rain that occurred about $50
O'Clock, the threatening clouds that hung
overhead and the black ominous looking
bank in the West after the storm was over
did not deter the people from turning out
in enormous numbers for the evening per
formance.
By 7 o'clock the suspension bridge was
one mass OF moving people, all armed with
umbrellas and gum costs, while the West
river bridge presented like sight, and
from all paris OF the Island people wer q
seen hurying toward the cid Fair grounds.
Jumbo and the strange people in the frat
tent were inspected and duly appreciated
Then the animal tent filled up and loco
motion was difficult.
Finally about 7:45 o'clock the elegant
band in the circus tent struck up, and q
rush occurred for seats. About the same
time there was loud burst OF thunder,
and Immediately following came steady
rain. 1t could be heard beating with O
dull roar on the canvass, but very little
rain came through, and no discomfort was
anticipated.
The crowd continued to pour into the
big circus tent, aud il rapidly filled up. Il
was u nice crowd, too, many OF Wheel
ing's leading citizens, with their wives, be-
ing present.
Ats o'clock, when the grand entree took
place, the rain had, iianything, increased
and was beginning to come through the
canvass. Umbrellas were hoisted, and
people who came in were undecided
whether to sit down or go out Then the
pandemonium commenced. Yells, cries
and hoots filled the air and drowned the
noise OF the rain; but the fact that it was
falling was still evident, as it came through
the canvass faster and faster. The band
played continually, but those on the OPP
posite side could hardly hear it, SO great
was the noise. Now curse was heard as
SONS one raised an umbrella and one Of
the ribs struck an unfortunate one in the
eye; now an imprecation, as some one
consigned some other one in front oil him,
who refused TO sit down or lower an
umbrella, TO the internal regions. The
management kept tho entree going until
everything connected with the act was
over, and the rain kept increasing until
there was regular shower inside.
WORSE AND WORSE.
Just as the second act was ruug on,
there came burst OF thunder that caused
many face to blanch, and then It seemed
as II the food gates Of Heaven had been
opened. How It did rain Nothing like
it was ever seen or heard on the Island.
The roar OF the rain drowned all noises.
Performances were stopped, and the audi.
ence rose to its feet. For an instant every
voice was hushed. Then came q mighty
wind. The huge canvass surged up and
down and the tent poles swayed danger.
ously baCk and forth. With a rush the
people poured down from the seats and
with shrieks and yells started for the exit.
Suddenly theresounded above all the noise
three shrill whistles, and the scarlet
coated attendants dashed for the guy ropes
that ran down the poles. The big lights
were lowered in an instant, and the trapezes
came down with rush. Other whistles
we're sounded and more men rushed hilher
and thither. The system was admirable;
every employe knew what was expected OF
him and did it without moments hesita.
ton. The ropes were pulled taut and the
poles that had been lifted from their posi-.
lions by that gust OF wind were replaced.
Then the stentorian voices of the ring mas
ters were heard calling on the people to
take their seats, and the excitement grad;
ually subsided.
For time, in less time than It would
take 10 relate, the excitement was intense.
From the reserved seat section not less
than twenty knives could be seen in the
hands OF pale-iaced men, who watched
the surgiug canvass overhead. They were
ready 10 cut it iiitshoud fall. Some women
screamed; others clupg to their escorts and
seemed on the verge OF fainting. 1t Is
simply wonderful that no one was hurt.
Gradually confidence was restored and u
large majority Of the audience either
went back to their seats or crowded about
the rings. The band struck up the rOcqutt
and everyone began to BIO good natured
and jolly.
FOLLY UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
A laugh was raised when clown came
out in white stovepipe hat and gum
coat. The black stations and ponies por.
formed and the wire dancers and acrobats
on ladders made their appearance.
They might as well have
had no clothes on at all,
for the rain caused their tights to stick like
wax. Sill the rain continued. 1t just
poured through the canvass like sieve,
and people on the opposite side were seen
dimiy as through a mist. The duellsts
essaved O performance, but the stage was
50 slippery they could do nothing.
The rings were covered with
an inch Of water and 1t
was rapidly growing worse. Vivid
flashes Of lightning llled the tent with a
ghastly, blush light. The excitement was
Increasing when It was announced that
further performance was impossible and
the people were advised to get
out as soon as possible, for there
was danger under the canvass. Many had
long suspected this, aud many others knew
II, 90 that the emptying process was not
prolonged. Outside the storm ragged ter.
Umbrellas and gum coats were
as SO much paper, and many cold and
sore throat will be developed to-day.
Inside the tent the mud was awful
enough, but outside It was