The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-18
Sells BrOthers' Circus.
GREAT CROWD N ATTENDANCE-DIsAGR
ABLE D0DGES-ARREST OF CTRCUs-NEN, AND
INCIDENTS or THE OCCASION.

ABLE DODGbS-ARREST OF C1RCUS-MEN, AND
INCIDENTS or THE OCCASION.
Yesterday Sells Brothers circus exhibit
ed here. Early in the morning hundreds
OF people from the country began to pour
into the city, and the city folks. not one
whit less enthused on the subject, came
out from every quarter OF the town to see
the street-parade and afterwards go to the
show. II has been long time since like
number OF people were on the streets.
Along the line Of the street parade the
sidewalks were densely packed with old
and young men, women, and children. and
the windows and doorways filed with the
curious people. who. it was plaln, had sud
denly been smitten with the circus-fever.
In many instances the factories suspended
work, and the operatives turned out in
numbers TO enjoy the parade. IL was with
great difficulty that the sidewalks could be
passed over. The babies and little folks,
the large and the small boy, the snowy
white maiden and the sooty servant,
jostled each other in their eager anxiety
TO get glimpse Of the elephant and
the many wondrous things that had been
promised on the bills. The excitement
seemed contagious. and. as strange as ii
may appear, even old people gave their
time and attention to the pageant. The
parade was nothing more than is seen with
the average show. The teams were sleek,
and gave evidence OF good treatment, and
the herd Of elephants was larger than is or
dinarly seen. There were quite variety
OF bands Of music, and the never-to-be-left-
out calliope screeched it, steam notes with
accustomed regularity and notable di>cOrd.
Everybody, however. seemed satisfied
with the parade, and before II O'Clock NJ.
a vast concourse Of people were found ma
king their way to the crcus-grOund, at the
head OF Marshall and Broad streets. The
capacity OF the big tent is about 5000. in
cludmg standing-roOm, ard at the after
noon performance, which came of about
2:30 O'Clock, every inch Of space was occll-
pied. The ticket-wagOn was closed, and
il was given out that all who chose TO run
the risk OF getting a seat would have to
take the consequences. and that no money
would be refunded. The crowd on the
outside became excited and angry, and
one or two disturbances occurred, which
had no effect on the enthusiasm OF the in
mates OF the big tent.
These difficulties had their origin in
charges brought against the ticket-scler.
Parties charged him with taking money
and not returning change for the amount
above that gwen as the price OF ticket.
This led to several fights. and resulted in
the arrest of Mr.. Phillip Harrington. press
agent. who was charged with interfering
with Officer Hardy in the discharge Of his
duty, and creating a disturbance on the
circus grounds. Thomas l.. Carver was
also arrested on a warrant which charged
him with unlawfully aSSauiting and striking
William TAYLOR (cOored). 1t was in Car
ver'S behalf that Mr.. Harrington was ar
rested. For time Sergeant IIulce, who
had charge OF the police force on the
grounds. was kept rs busy as bee in
keeping back the crowd from the immedi-
ate vicinity OF the show and from the door
of the circus-tent. \ great many bought
tickets and were, it is alleged. refused
change when more than the price OF adj
mission was given the ticket agent.
Sergeant IIulce heard 30 many OF these
complaints that he determined to arrest the
ticket agent or force him to refund. The
agent seeing this was 10 be the sequel
promptly refunded the amounts in every
instance. Mr.. Harrington was taken first
TO the Third police station, and afterwards
to Second. He was subsequently released,
rs was also Thomas l.. Carver. y great
deal of complaint was made against the
ticket agent. and no doubt in many in-
stances the causes we're well grounded; /;
but the crowd was mixed one, and Of a
size never before seen at a circus in Rich
mond. and some allowance should be made
for this.
The circus is good one in many re-
spects. but the management do themselves
great injury in allowing matters to be car
ried on so loosely. There is some room for
lenent judgment whenever rush like
that OF yesterday takes place, but the mis-
takes came so frequently that the matter
became ineXcusable. 4 rain came on at
night. which had the effect to dampen the
ardor OF the people and cool off the fever
that sat in in the morning. Strange, all
circus entertainments are the same, but
they always attract, whatever may be said.
To-day the circus Will exhibit in Peters
| burg.