Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-10-14
How the Circus Won the Day Despite
the Fair.

to tell an amusing story of fair cir
Gus combination in the "fush times"
of his state. A fair had been project
ed in one of the river counties. One
had never been held there before, and
grave doubts as to its success were ex-
pressed by many. Among them
was the richest man in all that section,
Familiarity known as "Uncle Johnnie" I"
He protested that few bales of cot
ton, basket or two of yams and
few horse races would not prove
sufficient attractions to draw and hold
a crowd, and ended by offering to bet
$4,000 that less than 100 people,
white or black, could be got on to the
ground at one time on the day it was
to be held. This wager was quickly
taken by pool of the promoters of
the fair and the money put up. The
next day Uncle Johnnie left for New
Orleans. In addition to his great
wealth and knack of getting more
work out of his slaves, of which he
owned nearly 1000, than any of his
neighbors. he enjoyed the distinction
of being the fattest man in the state.
Arriving at his destination the
planter took carriage and was driven
to the ground where the canvas of
circus and menagerie was pitched.
The performance over he called upon
the proprietor at the ST. Charles, his
own hotel as we'll.
1--we called to make an arrange
ment for exhibiting" wheezed he, as,
having looked distrustingIy at the
proffered chair, he seated himself eau.
tiousIy upon the bed.
"Fm pretty full just at present. re-
lied the Snowman, As he eyed the ma.
jestic proportions of his caller aud
thought what drawing card he would
prove, at the same time trembling
lest he might betray his eagerness to
close bargain.
"Very WE'LL" growled tho planter,
making an effort to rise. II under
stand that Van Amberg will be here
next week and"
Hold on! I'll make place for
youl What are your terms"
81 allowed that you might mention
yours, hut I'll make you an offer.
I'll give you $1,000 for a days per-
formance and find vituals and drink
for the whole caboodle Of you, down
to the trick bear"
"Whew!" calculated the Snowman,
as he realized the narrow escape he
had made from an awful blunder. An
agreement was soon arrived at. The
showman's route lay to the northward
through Mississippi. and he agreed to
report at Uncle Johnnie's plantation
early on the morning Of the day fixed
for the fair. Having placed the most
liberal order for refreshment ever
given in the Crescent city, the fat
planter returned home.
In the meantime expectation had
been on tiptoe up the river. Every
body knew that Uncle Johnnie had
scheme, but no one had the least idea
what it was. A month passed and
fair day was near at hand. Embold-
ened by the grim and seemingly savage
silence of their opponent, who could
not be induced to speak upon the sub
iect, the friends of the fair offered to
renew their bet at liberal odds. This
was taken by the friends of the plant
er. who secretly supplied the funds,
and numerous wagers resulted.
Three days before the event of the
fair Uncle Johnnie sent out invitations
for "treat," consisting Of a big cir
Gus performance, and grand barbe-
cue and something to drink, to begin
on his plantation the morning Of fair
day. Mind" the printed card con.
concluded, this affair is democratic;
everybody is sinvited, niggers included.
A niger that day is to be as good as
white man. He cansit on the front
seat and eat at the first table. I've
got the best flock of niggers in the
state, and I'm going to give them
treat and everybody else. And when
l give treat, allow it will be a
treat"
II received special invitation"
DR.. Russell used to say, in rccounting
the occurrence. II had two import.
ant matters in hand, but I .couldn'l
help il; l had to go. / had known
the old man for years, and well under
stood that his treat would be treat
that l couldn't afford to stay away
from. 1t was 30 miles, but 100 wouldn't
have kept me at home. So saddled
my horse and started at midnight. 1t
was just after sunrise on q warm au.
tumn morning that l reached the plan.
tation. The place was already alive
with people. In meadow near the
old-fasbioned mansion the canvasmen
we're putting up tents. Beyond num-
Der of bullocks and sheep were being
barbecued in huge trenches. wb;le