The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-11
THE LADY KNIFE THRowER.
Clara O'Brien Tells How She Does the Tris
with Knives and Hatchers.

Clara O'Brien Tells How She Does the Trick
with KNIVES and Hatchers.
| New York Press
| Now that Barnum has begun to plaster the
walls and boardings of New York with his
| posters and chrome autographs. the pubic is
very naturally becoming interested in knowing
who are the people he is using so much color 70
introduce TO popular notice. One of the most
striking pictures of the series s that of young
girl in a fanciful Greece Roman costume in the
act or lmpaling another who stands Dinioned
sgaInsta board with broad bl8ded knives and
hatchets. The inscription below simply deig-
mates her as THE only lady Roman knife
thrower." Her title to this designation is alb
soluteiy undlsputed. Indeed, it is likely there
are not many ladies about who would care to
dispute SO risky position with her. Yet she is
perfectly harmless Moreover. she is q very
charming young woman.
Her name is Clara O'Brien. Her sister Jen-
may be in counterfeit presentment
standing upon bare backed horses, with pigeons
nesting on her arms, shoulders and head.
Clara OBriea is not seventeen years old. She
is one of the most expert jugglers in Europe,
and plays with half dozen sharp knives, or
with the same number of balls. rings or bottles
with perfect ease. She is very pretty blonde.
somewhat over the average height but graceful
and engaging. Accomplished. too. for she sings
little, plays little, dances WELL and speaks
French.
How did learn my business2" she said
"Oh. it seemed to come to me naturally. All
my family are IN the circus profession. Most OF
them riders. / would have been rider
too, only am too tall. tall woman does not
look well standing on horseback.
1T needs little woman like Jennie; she is a
picture. / used to ride some. though, until
grew too tall. My brother taught me how to
jugele, and I learned to throw the knives from
seeing him do il. I used to try it in play, SO
when grew too big to ride father said I'd better
take it up IN earnest / often stood for my
brother to throw the knives at. Nervous2 On,
dear, no! What is there to be nervous about
1 don't think he could have missed if Il d
tried. / don't think I could. / just take
and let fly, and the kuife goes where send
Il used to have q man stand for me. L
some fun out of him once. He wore big. red
scarf round his waist. and the end of IL would fly
out aud lie against the board. l used to pin it
down with my knives At last quite destroyed
1t, so he bought new one. very pretty.red silk,
and ne said that wouldn't that as did the
other The very first time appeared that
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 l did laugh at him
So he got angry and said he wouldn't stay to
have practical jokes played on him."
Miss Gilbert is the impalee She is pretty
little gypsy girl. most perfect foil to Miss
Clara's more English style OF beauty.
why should. / be nervousP she asked, in re-
ply to the reporters query. II don't any
reason for being so. If Clara was nervous or if
have seen her throw the knives at the man she
formerly employed, and at her brother. and she
never cut them. Why should she cut me2"
Miss OBrien. however, says she often cuts
leave her hand one sometimes slightly Rrazes
the skin. Then the next makes the Craze a
wound, the next causes a slight cut and when
she has thrown the last knife there is
cash along the length of the palm her hand.
lneeed she has white scar crossing from the
ball of the thumb to the root of the little finger
So that 1t is not all fun to be- 1.-THE only lady Ro-
man knife thrower in the world