San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-01-28
CIRCUS STARS.
Peplno's Biography--Who Zamora
is--Wm. S. Wheeler, American
Clown.

feplno'S Biography--"hO ZamOra
is--Wm. S. Wheeler, American
Clown.
Few OF the thousands of people who have at
tended the performance of Howe's London
show during the past week have known, or
perhaps never given a thought as TO who were
the people who have been nightly pleasing
them. The comical Mexican clown, Pepino,
has become a favorite and q little about him.
self may interest his friends In convcrsa-
ton with him In the circus dressing ROOMS
last night LIGHT reporter had the fortune to
be able to place him on paper Us follows.
MY name is Pedro Lopez. or Pepino. Am
Is years old. Married and have my wife and
two children with me; first began the bust
ness as messenger boy In Reas Mexican cir
Gus, and worked Two years for nothing but
and the general show business. Then was
put on salary aud was with Rea for many
years; ! was first gymnast then
teachings of an American clown from south
America, Dick Bell, became clown. Leaving
Rea, was with big Mexican professional
gained good deal OF fame as a banderiiia
with Ponciano Dlaz. fighting bulls before the
prineipa, governors and municipal heads of
ago,a fine Spanish bulLighting company got in
ahead of us and played to big business. We
were discouraged, but undertook 10 play af.
eG aRsr aSa 6ssns SSr stay PLAYED 70
lighting Joined Rea again, as clown, tumbler
and leaper, and was in San Antonio two years
ago with Rea."
When asked where he had learned his novel.
and to the United States circus business,
new, trick OF making suit OF clothes before
the audience, wi,nont cutting or sew.
ing them, Pepino said his old tutor, Bell, learn
ed him that. Bell learned IL In Chill, South
America. Bell was with the same Mexican cir
Gus as Pepino IN Mexico for some time and was
treated so well by them all, that In their behalf
he presented Pepino vita costly clowns
suit, on which on artist painted the portraits
or each performer In the circus. He has the
His wife, comeIy little MEXICAN womanl T.
also circus star, doing acrobatlc work, iron.
Jaw, slide foi lie on wire hanging by
hair, etc.
81 ZAMoRA.
Another star In his business is John Johnson
Zamora. the tall aud athletic Mexican acrobat
and equiiibrist. He Is native of Laredo,
Mexico, and is OF lrish-Mexican percentage,
his fathers name being johnson. He was
sent when boy TO college Ia San Antonio,
but ran away and was for some time under
the care and teachings OF Bob StIckney,
a brother OF the ring.man Of Howes circus.
ness, he quit the circus life and became q
Texas cowboy. but this life was as hard as cir
Gus life, and he returned TO his first love. II
was while he was performing in the circus
ring that he broke his leg. Being unable to
speak English, stranger with no friends and
not being able to keep up with his circus, that
he thought. Contrary TO his anticipations he
found them friends and after taking care of
him until he was able TO again make a living,
they started him out. Since this incident
Zamora has been lover Of Americans and
never fails to tell his countrymen of their
goodness to him. When Pepino Joined Howes
show In Saltillo. he compelled his old friend.
Zamora, to take a solemn, friendly oath, In
Mexican fashion, never to leave him In Amer
lea, until he, Pepino was able to speak English
well. They are fast friends.
-
WIN. s. WHEELER.
Another star in the circus sky, who is now
doing concert work in Howe's London, is the
veteran tclOwn, VIM. :. Wheeler, who was
here some weeks ago with Schields' show He
began life at as cash boy in a store, then be-
came telegraph messenger boy; then made
his debut in theatrical business, taking the
small part of The Sleepy Messenger Boy" in
Boucicaults' nelo-drama, "The Long Strike"
From that he became minstrel and
end man and from minstrel he
entered the circus business IA
clown. Since then he has been museum man.
ager, lecturer, press agent, musical manager
theatrical manager. advance agent and per-
former. He is unmarried, chiefly because
while on his way to buy the wedding ring on
the night of his wedding, he stopped to see the
entertainment Of Whitfield, the humorist, IN
Williamantic, Conn. He stayed so long that
the wedding was over without him and his
lady love Tilted him, Notwithstanding his pro-
testations that he forgot all about the wed.
ding. He is young man yet. of strict moral
habits, and does not use liquor In any form.