The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-12
THE LADY KNIFE rHRowER.
Clara O'Brien Tells How She Does the Trio L
with Knives and Hntchers.


New York Press.
Now that Barnum has begun TO plaster the
walls and boRrdings of New York with his
posters and chrome Autographs. the public is
very naturally becoming interested in knowing
who are the people he is using much color to
introduce TO popular notice. One of the most
striking pictures of the series is that of young
girl in fanciful Greece Roman costume in the
act of impalng another who stands pinioned
against board with broad bladed knives and
hatchets. The inscription below simply deig.
mates her as The only lady Roman knife
thrower." Her title to this designation is alb.
solutely undisputed. Indeed, it is likely there
are not many ladies about who would care to
dispute SO risky position with her. Yet she Ia
perfectly harmless Moreover. she is very
charming young woman.
Her name is Clara OBrien- Her sister Jen-
ME may be seen in counterfeit rresentment
standing upon barsbacked horses, with pigeons
nesting on her arms, shoulders and head.
Clara 0fBrien 10 not seventeen years old She
Is one of the most expert jugelers in Europe.
and plays with half dozen sharp knives. OF
with the same number of balls. rings bottles
with perfect ense She is very pretty blonde.
some what over the average height but graceful
and engaging Accomplished too for sings
a little, plays little. dances well, and speaks
French
''How did learn my business1s she said
oh. 1t seemed to come to me naturally. All
my family are In the circus profession. Most OF
them are riders. | would have been a rider.
too, only am too tall. A tall woman does not
look well standing on horseback.
1T needs u little woman like Jennie she is a
picture. used To ride some. though, until
grew too tall. My brother taught how to
Juggle, and learned to throw the knives from
seeing him do IL. used try il in play. so
when grew toe big to ride father said I'd better
take it up IN earnest / often stood for my
brother to throw the knives at. Nervous7 on.
dear, no! What is there TO be nervous about
l don't think he could have missed ifshe had
tried don't think could. just take aim
and let fly, and the kuife where / send it,
Il used to have man stand for me. / had
some fun out of him ones He wore q big red
scarf round his waist. and the end OF il would ay
out aud lie against the board. I used Gu pin it
down with my knives. At last quite destroyed
IL, SO he oought new one, very pretty red silk,
ana ne said th at wouldn't use that az did the
sash blew out. and quietly put three knives
into it, one above the other When he walked
away from the board he left about fifteen inches
OF scarf behind him. How / did laugh AZ him.
30 he got angry and said be wouldn't stay to
have practical jokes played on him."
Miss Gilbert is the impales She is pretty
little Rypsy-like GIRL n most perfect foil to Misa
Clara's more English style Of beauty
why should De nervousl" she asked in re-
ply 70 the reporters query. II don't see any
reason for being So II Clara was nervous or il
thought she was not sure, / might be. But
have seen her throw the knives at the man she
formerly employed and at her brother and sha
never cut them Why should she cut metz
Miss O'Brien. however, says she often cuts
herself. The knives are very sharp. and as they
leave her hand one sometimes slightly grazea
the skin. Then the next makes the Craze A.
wound the next causes a slight cut. and when
shs has thrown the last knife there is a
cash along the length of the palm her hand.
lneeed she has a white crossing from the
ball of the thumb TO the root of the little finger.
So that IL lie not all fun be 1.-The only LADY Ro-
man knife thrower in the world"