Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-19
BARNUM's in TOWN.
His Greatest show ON Earth In Rock
Island-This Mornings Grand Pa
radcliffe Various Attractions at the

His Greatest show ON Earth In ROcE
radcliffe Various Attractions at tn,
| Tents.
Barnum 6 Bailey's great and onl!
shows arrived in Rock Island this morn
ing and pitched tents on Twenty sixth
street between Moline and Seventh ave-
nues As is always the case when Bar
mum comes to town, whether in person Oh
otherwise, thousands of people from the
surrounding cities and villages came il
early this morning bent on seeing the
grand street parade and attending the
great shows this afternoon and evening.
The street pageant. the free feature, OF
the various attractions with which the
famous Snowman entertains the public.
passed through the principal streets at
Ii o'clock this morning. 1t was headed
by two heralds on horseback, brass
baud in gilded car drawn by eight
horses next appeared. followed by sever
al open cages of animals and two bands
in gilded cars. troupe of jubilee singers,
ten elephants, pretty girl riding on the
| first and last one of the big beasts, three
more cages, II ,lian organ. seven camels
| with riders, four camels and dromedaries
drawing car, more cages. another band,
Santa Claus" and his reindeers; the old
woman and her children in shoe; char-
lots surmounted with large gilded figures
representing the characters of Blue
Beard" 'Sinbad. the Sailor" mother
Goose" cinderella, and Red Riding
Hood" the whole closing with Cam
psnellicoD, or calliope on which was
skillfully played ''Dan McGinty," and
other familiar airs
The afternoon performance commenced
promptly at p. m, before an audience
of perhaps 1900 people. The first half
OF the show presents far more interests
ing entertainment for circus lovers than
any similar exhibition that has ever been
presented under canvas: the elaborate
spectacular production with which the Sec
ond part is made up is so truly magnifi :
cent that the veteran showmen have not
overestimated the grandeur and magni-
tude of their colossal show in styling 1t
the grandest on earth
Entering the mammoth tent, covering
an area of nearly two blocks, one passes
through large and wei,>s.eckcd mem
agerie, in which are exhibited splendid
specimens of almost every wild beast
that two continents afford, Including a
a herd OF more than Is elephants. The
big tent is mighty expanse of canvas
with seating capacity of 1900. The
seats are arranged on one side only, the
other side being given up entirely to a
monster stage $50 feet in length, on
which the spectacular performance of
Nero; or the Destruction of Rome" is
given. In the center are three large
rings and as many platforms Here is
witnessed an equestrian and acrobatic
exhibition, the like of which has never
been seen here. Frequently there were
as many as 10 distinct acts being per.
formed at the same time.
The second and most interesting part
of the performance was the historical
spectacular drama of Nero" in which
upwards of 1900 people are employed.
The costumes are brilliant and tasteful
and the scenery representing ancient
Rome would do credit to play house of
the greatest pretentions. The chorus is
admirably well trained and contains some
excellent voices. while the ballet, number,
ing upward of 800 daucers, has evidently
been organized from the best ballet
schools of Europe. From beginning to
end the production is remarkably artistic
in every detail and reflects great credit on
the skill and intelligence of Imre Kiralfy,
under whose direction this part of the
of the performance is given.
At the night show the production of
Nero" will be given first and the circus
performance last so it would be advis-
able for all to 60 early. The evening
performance commences at O'Clock.