The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-09-02
THE CIRCUS.
Barnum & Bailey's Show in the
City With All it's SpIendOr
and Magnificence.
Thousands of Strangers in the City.

Thousands of Strangers in the City.
This has been the best kind of a
day for circus. The cool, bracing
air, tempered by sunshine from a
cloudless sky, has denoted perfect
day. The pressing season of harvest
is practically at an end and the farm
ers have breathing spell before
threShing commences. Everything
connived to give the farmers chance
to see the circus and they came in by
hundreds and thousands. From early
morning until afternoon streams OF
wagons lined the roads leading to the
city, and each vehicle contained a
load of sturdy young men and gaily
attired farmers daughters, fathers and
mothers whose bronzed faces indicat-
ed that they had seen recent service
in the harvest fields, healthy children
who were wrapped up in the sights
they beheld. 1t is estimated that
the largest crowd ever gathered in
Mankato was on our streets today.
The circus train was late in 1eav-
ing st. Paul last night, owing to a
long transfer, and did not reach this
city until late this morning. The
train came in three sections of. TWEEN
ty cars each, and were unloaded as
quickly as possible, in the presence
OF a great crowd OF sightseers. AS
the great canvass covered wagons
rolled down Front street, each drawn
by six or eight horses, one could not
help but admire the size, strength
and beauty of the we'll fed and well
groomed horses. The race track was
planked and crossed and the immense
tents erected in the center of the
fair grounds. Hundreds of men were
employed in getting the great show
in readiness for the afternoon exhibi
ton.
The parade was delayed until
twelve O'Clock, and many waited on
Front street for hours for it's appear
ance. When it finally came
the multitudes crowded the
sidewalks, stairways, windows
and every point from which the sight
could be seen.
The parade was well worth the while
OF those who waited so long to see it.
1t undoubtedly surpassed anything Of
the kind ever seen in the city, both in
size and magnificence. There were no
tiresome spaces between the wagons,
while the apparel of the riders was
gorgeous. The horses attracted the
admiration of all. The animals were
numerous and well kept. All in all,
the parade was great success.
The street cars did a great business
taking the people to fairgrounds this
afternoon, and the carriages were all
in demand.
From 10000 to $4,000 people wit
messed the performance this after
noon, and were more than delighted.
Many hundred people took part in the
performances which were going on in
the three rings and two stages. There
was too much for the eye to take in,
and many attending this afternoon
will go again tonight.
The program included ten displays
on each arena and stage, making fifty
SpeclaltleS that were presented in an
hours time. The acrobatic feats,
daring trapeze acts, equestrian per-
formances, juggling, ETC., all won ap-
probation. Splendid horses were eX-
hibited. The closing spectacle was
Imre Kiralfy's spectacular story of
the discovery of America, carried out
against background of one side of
the canvass, appropriately painted.
The hundreds of performers told the
story in five scenes. The patomime
and choruses were splendid, while the
costumes, armor, dresses, ETC., were
faithful to the times represented.
This notable feature of the perform
ance will tonight be presented first, so
everyone should be on hand promptly.
The show is the finest that ever
visited the city. After tonight's per
Torrance it goes to Mason City, Iowa,