The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-28
IT WAS CIRCUS DAY TOO.
Thousands Of People Left the Races
to See the Big Forepaugh
Shows.
The First Big Circus In Helena
Was q Very Satisfac-
tory Affair.
More Than 10000 People Thronged tho
Big Tents and Werc Well
Entertained.

Thousands sat beneath the white folds d
F~orepaugh's big tent yesterday Afternoon
and evening and saw the best circus enter
tainment ever given in Helena. They cam,
from every section of the state, from thu
land of the Teton and the Assinaboine
from the cattle ranges of Custer county and
from the gold gulohes of southern Montana
Some of them rode with their families
two days overland to be in Helena in time
for the fun. Not all came for the circus
alone. for 1t is race week and a time for en-
joyment in the queen city. The circus
nevertheless was a most potent attraction,
as was shown by the attendance at the
races. 1t was ~Forepaugh's first visit to
Helena and his show was given a great re-
c%eption. The trains arrived from Butte
early in the morning and the raising of
tents commenced Immediately under the
quick action of a large and well-trained body
of men. 1t was a sight worth witnessing.
Every man knew his work, and while there
was rapidity there was no confusion. Shortly
after daylight everything was complete
and ready for the days programme. The
street parade was witnessed by thousands
along the line. 1t compared favorably with
SpAS SAASuo q bOOA ~ II C1byv DuU
was no better. There were gilded band
wagons, red animal cages, elephants and
COW boys, and of course the steam calliope.
What would a circus parade be without a
calliope? The procession had hardly dis
appeared down Helena avenue than the
rush for the grounds commenced. Ye
country swain and his best girl. dressed in
her best Sunday white gown, could not
overlook any chances of losing q seat.
Neither we're the small boys to be caught in
the same predicament. They were hanging
about the main entrance, m were in the
first tent two hours before the performance
commenced. Proprietor James E. Cooper
stood at the door and watched the shekels
flow into the Golfers.
Tho exhibition of animals was not large
was very good. The lions, tigers,
baby leopards and all other foreigners were
in fine condition. There was not an ill fed
or poor looking animal in the lot. The
elephants, the pride of the Forepaugh shows
looked finer than those of previous shows
that nave visited the city.
The big circus tent was all but packed at
the afternoon performance. At least 1000
people sat during a two hours siege with
the sun and saw an admirable programme
rendered IN Il mOsG satisfactory manner.
There were nc cheap acts in either of the
rings at any time and the performance was
given with dash and spirit. The first
event was the appearance of Col. Boone
and Miss Carlotta with five ions
and a German boar hound in a great steel
cage between the rings. 1t was fairly
startling to see the familiarity between the
trainers and their subjects. The lions went
through various exercises in a really remark
able exhibition. 1t was the event of the
programme. This was followed BY an ex-
hibition called Realistic Illustrations of
life in the wild vest" 1t was entertaining
to some. but a chestnut to the oId-timers
who were present. The other acts followed
in rapid succession. and all were thorough
ly artistic. The equestrian acts by the
Misses Reed were particularly high classed
mi pleasing. The exhibition of the Han
Ion VOTERS was full evidence that they are
justly entitled to their prestige among
aerialists. The trained elephants and
horses filled their parts on the programme
quite as capably. The marvellous Japs, the
acrobats, contortionists and Others were of
IL much higher order than usual. The races
at the close of the programme were exciting
enough to keep the audience in enthusiasm.
, Heienaites hope Mr.. Cooper will bring the
Forepaugh shows here again.