Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-08-27
UNDER THE CANVAS.
AN OLD-TIME CIRCUS DAY SPENT WITH
SELLS BROS. GREAT SHOW.
Three Rings Full of Novelties Delight the Eye.
The Features of the Menagerie and Circus.
Everyone Well Pleased With the
Performance.

Two big circus days in one season is
rather a treat for Wheeling, but such
she has enjoyed. Barnum had pretty
large concern when he was here, but
Sells Bros. show is not so very far be-
hind. A good many people, not being
so well acquainted with the circus
by reason of its not having
played here for many years, were
under the impression that 1t
was small. third-rate show, a
sort of superannuated collection Of ar
lists and curios. But in this they were
aQreeably and delightfully."- disap-
pointed. 1t broke in upon the vision
with joyous surprise.
Sells Bros. circus proved OF such
mammoth proportions that the city
fairly took on gala appearance, and
during the passing of the procession
there was a temporary suspension OF
business all along the route.
All the characteristics and accom-
paniments of an old-fashioned circus
day were freely on tap. 1t was expect
ed that the procession would take place
about 10 o'clock, the conventional cir
Gus hour, and long before that time
crowds began to gather on Market
street, which increased in density as
the hours wore on. BY II o'clock there
was a dense throng OF sight-seers on
Market street, and the steps OF the
postoffice looked like pyramid OF hui
manity. Many people who came in
from the country with their families
Just to see the "procesh" helped TO
swell the throLg.
Sells Bros big show did not arrive in
town until after o'clock, owing to the
fact that the railroad company could
not give them enough power to pull
their Immense trains, and so very slow
time was made from Cambridge, o.,
where they last played. This naturally
caused the parade TO be somewhat late
aud it did not appear on Market street
until about 1890. At that time many
people had gone home to dinner, but
the streets were crowded as 1t was. 1t
was an excellent parade, in the minds
of many, even better than that given by
Barnum. The horses were particularly
sleek and well-rounded, decid-
eddy pleasing TO look at. All
seemed in the best OF condition
and in the parade they were prettily
caparisoned. The rich costumes OF the
riders were also noticeable features of
the parade. The chariots and cages
were in excellent shape, and together
with the trainers in the open lions
cages, the several bands OF music, and
the steam caliope at the rear Of the pro-
cession, all contributed to render the
display striking and picturesque.
The afternoon performance was fairly
we'll attended, although the audience
was light, as circus audiences are
considered, owing in part to the threat
! ening weather that prevailed. The
menagerie tent is well equipped, and
seldom has such varied animals been
seen in such fine condition. 1t was as
! il they had just emerged from their ma
tive elements, the forest, swamps or the
ocean. As the audience was retiring
at the close Of the afternoon perform
ance the animals were being fed, and
hundreds could not withstand the
temptation to tarry and view the raven
Gus antics OF the beasts. 1t was, indeed,
exciting for awhile.
The circus performance was meritor-
I ious. There were three rings, and they
were I'm almost continuous action. There
were two features that singularly caught
! the audience, and these were the train
ed seals, and the BedOuin warrior gym
nasts. Decidedly one of the strangest
and most fascinating displays was given
by the troupe of Arabs. These were led
into the arena by their chiefs, and after
a preliminary war dance some surprlS-
ing feats in the art Of handling weapons
were given. The men we're armed with
sword and buCkler, and they engaged In
combat with the seeming ferocity that
charaCterizes combatS in the desert.
There were some other feats by these
Arabs almost as wonderful. One of
them will take up the long rifle that
they use, and by one finger twirl it
round and round at such rate that 1t
is almost impossible to tell there is any
thing in his hand, while another would
perform the same feat with the rifle I'M
balanced on the back OF his elbow.
Then again they are Splendidlv 1.-the,
and all marvellous acrobatS, whilst their
strong man can bear eight Of them on
his shoulders.
The bareback riders were all artists,
while the tumblers and trapese per-
formers were most skilled and graceful
in their evolutions. Some crack bicy-
Gle riding was also on the programme,
not to speak of the Juggling and wire
rope walking by the agile JaDs. Sells
Bros circus is worth going a long ways
to see.