Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-28
A CIRCUS ON SUNDAY.
How a Great Show is Enjoyed by
Hundreds on Its Arrival in Town.
ORDER BROUGHT OUT OF CHAOS
Lots Of Fun for the Small Boy Who Peeps
Through the Fence.
THE CAUSE OF TO-DAY'S CROWD HERE

| One often hears about hens raising ducks,
| etc., but that's nothing to mule raising
man IL feet in the air, nor does it approach
the speechless wonder which excites the agi-
tated small boy as he CLUES his eye to knot
hole In the fence and watches with emotion
the raising of circus tent.
For hours yesterday small boys by the hum
dred gazed with thrill through little cracks
and apertures in the Exposition Park fence
at the raising OF Barnum & Bailey's tents.
Monument Hill and all the surrounding
sheds were alive with people who focused
the circus with the same burning look of
curiosity in their orbs that shone in the
eyes OF the ancients who used to laugh at
the same jokes Of the clown that one laughs
| at now
! All was quiet within the circus grounds,
save the occasional sounds of the groups oil
sledgers driving in the stakes, and the busy
work Of the employees engaged within the
hippodrome and rings. System and prompt
ness hastened the vast preparation. The
entire length OF one side of the immense
| tent was rapidly transformed into vast
stage. Huge pieces of scenery, representing
part OF Rome, formed tine background,
| while all the rings and every available
space were in process of construction to be
utilized in the grand final spectacle of Imre
Kiralfy's "Nero."
GREAT FEATURE.
The destruction Of Rome is a great fea-
ture of the circus, and is described as a
magnificent display, exhibiting daring
chariot races, thrilling Roman combats on
horseback, and host of characters. Heaps
OF canvas. poles. imposing balconies, and
variety of trappings belonging to Nero's
fall were set up like magic, all ready Tor the
realistic tableaux which will be presented to-
day just as itappe&red before British royalty.
"Of the hundreds of ballet girls who ap-
pear in this imposing representation few, If
any, are native talent" said Mr.. Bert
Davis, the press representative, to Dis
PATCH reporter. "We have one corp that
travels continually with the show. You
can't find many dancers along the road who
would fill the bill When we showed for
two weeks in Chicago we advertised for
ballet girls, and of 81 who answered the
'ad, only FIVE we're found to be able to 60
properly through the figures"
The menagerie of the Greatest Show on
Earth" was arranged in short order.
Glimpses of wild, untamed terrors of the
wilderness we're had through the iron bars OF
numberlesS cages, devouring their dinners.
The first lion tanner in the world, George
Conklin, amused himself by toying with
savage hyena that crouched before him,
snarling with rage.
'The greatest coward on EARTH" coolly
remarked Conklin, raising his hand as if to
strike the growing beast, anybody can
scare him."
RATHER BE EXCUSED.
Excuse me-" remarked a bystander.
ord rather give him all he wants-spades
and little caslno-before I'd try to scare
him."
This bloodthirsty hyena chawed off the
tails of two lions which occupy the other
section of the double cage. One day they |
Inadvertently allowed their caudal append |
ages to dangle out between the bars, and the !!
hyeEa made breakfast out of them.
Four spotted baby lions. about the size of
pups, were seen jealously guarded by the
majestic mother. while an infant wolf frisked !
around the grounds like pet.
Visitors to the menagerie to-day will /
notice with interest the great care taken of
the only giraffe. No peanuts or any kind |
of food is allowed to be passed to this long |
necked stranger. The giraffe is one of the |
most delicate creatures, and every precau-
ton must be observed to feed him only |
proper food. But the elephants will be |
doing business at the old stand, and gorge |
ginger bread with the same unfailing ap-
petite as OF yore.
This morning, shortly after o'clock, the
parade will leave the grounds and 20 over
the route as published in yesterdays DIS
PATCH, and which is as follows: South
avenue to Allegheny avenue, to Western
avenue, to Ohio street, to Federal street,
across bridge to Liberty street, to Smith
field street, to Water street, to Wood street,
to Third avenue, to Market street, to Sixth
street across bridge to Robinson street, to
Anderson street, to Church avenue, to
Union avenue, to Ohio street, to Federal
street, to Lacock street, to Exposition
dc