The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-18
A SHOWPREPARINGTOSTART
A Reporters Visit to the Winter Quar-
tiers ola Circus and Menagerie.
A Glimpse at the Preparations for Starting
Show Out for the Seasons Exhibitions
Robinson, the Great Equestrian.

a shows winter means a season of res. for all
concerned he will be harboring mistake. The
horses and the performers have nothing to do.
but the work of preparing for the coming season
is sufficient to keep many persons employed. In
Mr.. Doriss shows, the great caravan-every
wagon-has been painted and decorated. the ami
NAL cages look like new, the band wagons are re-
glorifed, and the calliope or steam piano is more
beautiful than ever, while every part has been
specially oiled for the easy liberation of its awful
toots.
The boss hostler furnished the information
that, including trick mules, and ponies and per-
forming horses. the equine appendages Of the es-
tablisnment numbered over $50. OF these, the
finer animals. nearly fifty, have been wintered
at the Exposition grounds, while the remainder
have been kept near Plainfield. twenty miles
west of here. The hay eating animals have also
been kept at the Exposition grounds. while the
animals of the cat kind housed in the Expo
sition Building. The hay eaters include zebras.
camels, dromedaries, the zoalapa, sacred OK,
horned horse, antelopes, ,!amas and elephants.
The hostler who has care Of the horses ridden
by the famous James Robinson, the great bare
back rider, and of those ridden by
hurdle-rider puts him at the head of his
profession, seemed very, proud of his equine
charges Mr. RObinson's favorite horse is
large and beautiful dappled gray, weighing ,250
pounds, an animal of great sagacity and dociity.
He very kind to his horses and never allows
them to be touched by whip, or be plagued or
abused in any way. This gray horse is three.
quarters Messenger and one-quarter Morgan,
and as gentle and affectionate fawn. Mr..
Robinson still has with him the white horse,
twenty-six years old, that every body knows.
The old fellow is priced by his owner as the ap
pie of his eye, and is only called upon to work
in of accident happening to one of the
other horses. He has been entirely around the
world, and has exhibited before more people
than any half dozen horses now living He is
as bright and active ever, and could give
points on ring business to almost anybody. IL
the veteran could communicate what he has
learned by long observation.
Mr.. Clarence Robinson's favorite is large and
magnificent sorrel, with which he does the hur
die act. This horse, a most intelligent animal,
is of Revenue stock, his sire being the great four
mile running horse.
The Exposition Building and the grounds near
by look like great manufacturing establish
ment as large number of men are busily at
work-painters blacksmiths. wagon-makers,
mechanics of various kinds; cords of poles, stakes
and e-pins are stacked up in readiness for NOV
ing. which will take place in a few days, as the
first exhibition of the Inter Ocean Shows will be
made in this city week from tomorrow.
The reporter was shown into the cat-house,
as the space at the northwest corner of the Elk
position Building is called, and which is part-
toned off for the dens of the animals of the cat
kind. The animals are in remarkably good con-
dition. A royal Bengal tiger. on being aroused
yawned, stretched and went to sleep again.
Two old male lions slept on. unmindful of the
stir around them. One cage contained two
young lions. perhaps half grown, which were
like to be out few minutes for a frolc, as no
doubt they would. There was a baby
lion, scarcely larger than terrier,
and in bad health; though the keeper
the damp days having been particularly trying
on the baby, would bring back his health. There
was fine jaguar and as handsome leopard as
any menagerie ever held. A young panther, or
silver lion as he is called is the worst-disposed
beast in the cathouse AS the gentleman who
was showing the reporter about came near his
cage he rose and, splitting In true cat fashion,
attempted to seize him. thrusting vengeful lot
of claws suddenly out between the bars of the
cage. HE doesn't like my csothes," said the
Snowman. IL usually visit him in different
suit, but be is never at any time very amiabe.
think his disposition was made worse by asso-
ciating with leopard we had in with him for
while"
rose, stretched, and then pushed her great paws
out between the bars, as if she desired TO shake
hands She is widow. the male who occupied
the cage with her having died last winter. She
seems to bear her widowhood with pleasant
resignation. She purred softly. blinking her
great yellow eyes benignantly, while snug and
satisfied expression settled about her mouth.
There Is a sawdust ring forty two feet in di-
ameter. which is about the regulation size, and
here James Robinson and his son Clarence prac-
tice their horses twice day. There are two
celebrated equestrlennes, Salie Marks and Ella
Stokes, but they have not yet joined the circus,
but will be here. as will the eymnasts, acrobats
and other performers, within the next two or
L. r.
ing performing horses in order to save them
from the dust of the ring. When the
horses are brought from the ring after per-
Torrance their backs are heavily sprinkled with
sawdust before the blankets put on, expe-
rience having proven the fact that the sawdust
absorbs the moisture and in this way the ami
mails escape catching cold and also prevents
their backs from becoming tender sore
AS the reporter was leaving Mr. James Robin
son, the great rider, and his wife came out from
the city. Mr.. Robinson was about TO begin his
afternoon practice, but graciously postponed his
work for few minutes. Mrs. Robinson is a
pleasant talker and a most agreeable lady, and
they are both persons who have seen a great
people who inhabit this globe. Mr.
Robinson is quite young-appearing
man One would guess him to be
about thrty-fve or thirty-six years old. He is
not more than five feet FIVE inches in height, but
compactly built graceful aud symmetrical
How old am w he said, in reply to question,
laughing" swell, still want to be considered
young man--as young. at least. as / feel; and
yet l have been in the profession fortv-one
years-from the time when, a very small boy,
l was held up on riders hand. 1t is long
time-longer than any man in the country-and
think still hold my own
He said he would not show all the presents he
had received as the champion bareback rider of
the world. as he found it inconvenient to carry
them about with him. but his champion belt, q
beautiful and extensively jeweled ornament will
be placed on exhibition in few days with a
number of the finest of his numerous medals
my riding continued Mr.. Robinson, sis all
bareback. am the inventor, the originator of
what is called bareback trick riding have
been almost everywhere this globe-every-
where, think. where a circus tent
can be pitched. / look back with
most pleasure believe to my tour around the
world, which took two years. 1 sailed from San