The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1886-01-13
WHOLE NO. $500

'ortions Of the globe-Europe, Austria
liza, New Zealand and elsewhere-and
when he grows too old to spring into the
sawdust and delight the multitudes, he
can retire upon a well-earned compe-
tence. Speaking about circus-folks re-
minds me Of old
DAN RICE.
The Uncle Dan who amused our grand.
pas when they used to sneak in under
the canvas years and years ago still
lives, but he lectured at Hillsboro once.
and so, Of course, you know all about
him. Yet I guess I'll tell you "Guv"
Robinson's story Of his debut as clown.
1t was in little town in the Hoosier
State .ong time ago. where the clown
was taken sick, and it was found neces-
sary to fill his place. Talant was scarce.
and so one Of the property-men was
chosen to fill the place as well as possi-
BILE. The property-men with circus
are those fellows who wear red coats
much too short with blue trimmings.
carry in the papered hoops, tear down
the trapeze, and roll out the tubs the
elephants perform on, ct cetera. This
particular property man happened to be
Dan Rice. The performers managed to
rake up some fantastic tights, and he
was made acquainted with powder and
carmine. Once in the ring Dan made
such hit as to preclude the possibility
of his leaving the arena for "props." I
met Uncle Dan at Waco, Texas, recent
Iy, and found him about as usual thank
you, but his whiskers are white, and it
takes no close observer to notice that he
too, as well as myself, is growing old.
He is now appearing in a new role
that Of claimant for the island upon
which Galveston is built, under an old
Mexican land grant of some sort. It's.
however, very improbable that he will
ever be successful in his endeavors to
secure that very sugary plum. It is
better than picnic to hear Uncle Dan
tell Of some of his adventures during his
circus life, and perhaps 1 will be able to
write some of them up some dav.
Though once rich he is now obliged to
work for his "chuck" like some of the
rest OF us.
PAUL BOYTON
Is one of the most celebrated personapes
on the globe, and is entitled to be called
the greatest living navigator He began
his watery career as a member of the
life saving corps OF Pittsburgh, and
afterwards invented a rubber swimming
suit, in which he has traversed the
principal rivers OF theworld such as the
Mississippi, Yellowstone, Missouri,
Amazon, Rhine, Danube, Gaudalsquiver.
etc. In tow of his rubber suit he al
ways takes a small craft which he calls
Baby Mine" a diminutive ship con-
tanning some necessaries Of life, medi-
cines, etc, and a small American flag.
which has protected him in many
strange lands. About two years ago he
took unto himself a better half, and it
was on his wedding tour upon one OF
the grand Anchor Line Mississippi
steamers that 1 met him He is genial
and adable to an admirable degree, and
in appearance is rather above the med
ium build, solid looking and manly. He
has light blue eyes and a light mustache
and very small imperial, and while we
cooked our small feet upon the rails Of
the boiler deck and watched a glorious
southern moon rise and sink behind the
clouds OF a spring night, he told many
thrilling stories of his adventures in the
realms OF Neptune. He has served
under four hags-ouTs, the French.
Peruvian, and Il believe) the Belgian.
and his fund Of anecdotes is ineIhausts-
bic. Some time, gentle reader, if YOU
will come around when I am in a good
humor and kiss me persuasively, I will
be happy to repeat the account OF his
adventures in uninhabitable wilds, OF
his interview lin costume) with Sitting
Bull and his Sioux, who took him to be
a water-spirit or the old Nick himself.
etc. Capt. Boyton is now a resident of
New York City, and when his estimable
young wife concludes the history of his
life that she is writing I shall advise all
my friends to buy one, Choping that
Paul will send me a copy gratis.)
BILLY MCALLIsTER,
One of the kings Of burnt-cork comedy.
is Of Scotch descent and though doubt
ii you are aware Of the fact, is one Of the
prominent people Of the nation. Where
amusements are a part Of life and where
real fun is considered not a luxury but
a necessity, Billy McAIlister is known
and appreciated, and though last in my
List is not to be considered least Of. A
j1vial being, with the soul Of a gentle
man and position on the top round Of
the ladder Of his chosen profession, 90
to make greatness, and if this court
knows itself she thinks they do. As an
artist he is a iavorite, and his portly
form, graceful "fgger" is always well
'Omed where the public appreciate the
best. With the cork Off he is a priestly
looking individual, but genial and gem