San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-10-30
RINGLINGS' CIRCUS.
SPLENDID STREET PAGEANT THIS
MORNING.
Crowds at the Matlnee-What a.
Light Man Learned of Circus Life
and Conditions on the ''Inside."

Ringing Brothers circus arrived In
San Antonio at an early hour this morn
! ing on the |. Il G.. n. and transferred to
the grounds near the 5. A. & A. p. depot.
| The unloading of the several long trains
of cars was accomplished in short order,
and within a short time the tents were
being erected. The scene on the show
grounds was one Of life and activity.
while the work of raising poles, driving
stakes and the general preparations for
"Ringling Day" were in progress.
Promptly at $3.50 o'clock this morning
the parade apparel upon our streets.
The route was the usual one of circus pa
radeS, but the parade was an unusual
one. There were $50 of the very finest
horses in the procession. THY were In
fact the best lot of horses ever seen here
with a show. There were ten TO twelve
elephants, herd of camels, tahleaux,
chariotS, and an array Of cages, both open
and closed, that spoke wonders for the
strength OF the mPnagerie.
The costumes of the performers, repre-
senting knights and ladi,s Of I'VE olden
times" were bright and OF fine texture,
while the trappingS of the horses and
of the led wild animals were
exceptionally good There was a "spick
and span" appearance about the entire
pdTdub, "n'Cll db OuCtgd Iue luOuSduuS
who lined the streets, the impression that
the show was superior to those usual
ly seen.
The hig hippopotamTs and the giraffe
were shown open in the parade and
many people who had wondered whether
or not they would see the latter much
advertised feature were convinced by
this that the shows features would be
exhibited fully.
In this they were not mistaken for
when o'clock came and the crowds be-
gan pouring into the big tents II soon be-
came evident that the Ringing Brothers
had not miSrepreSPntPd the size or merit
OF their show The long named horse was
much admired. 1t Is a beautiful Percher-
on with name fully nine feet in length.
II the giraffe looked interesting in his
cage on the street, looking into the upper
story windows, in the menaEerie
he looked still more interesting on ac-
count Of being exhibited on the ground
inside of large netting, giving every one
an opportunity to observe the gait. the
structure and general movements of the
rare animal.
The large seven-pole menagere tent
was filed with cages and animals, and
after spending an hour in this depart
ment the crowds gathered under the
circus and hlppodrOme tent. BY two
o'clock the seats were literally packed
with people and many OF the audience
were occupying standing room. The
show opened with magnificent tourna-
ment and concluded with a series of eX-
citing hippOdrome races. All between
there was q succession OF the most artistic
circus acts and novelties in the rings and
on the stage. Among the riders were
ChaS. w. Fish and Mike Rooney. One OF
the cleverest Of lady riders seen here in
years was Miss Josie Ashton. Her high
jumping and DirOuetting, for woman,
was extraordinary. Lundin, the strong
man, appeared in his famous lifting and
held up Is men on his chest. The French
family Giet was another feature Of the
show, as were also the DacOmas, aerial
lists.
A LIGHT man was conducted about the
grounds by Mr.. NJ O'Neill, the press
agent, and shown many side views in
circus life, which the ordinary observer
has not the opportunity to see.
Toe horse tents were inspected and the
SuperlntendPnt'S explanation of the man
ner in which the noble horses are cared
for told the story of their fine appearance
and excellent condition. Said he: I'VE
use every day five tons OF hay, 200 bushels
Of oats. 1000 pounds Of bran aud three ton
of straw.
AT the cooking department three large
ranges are used and seven camp fires. In
the dining tents 200 can be seated aud
served a. one time. A large refrigerator
wagon carrying 5000 pounds Of meat is
used. also water wagon, provision wag-
on and wagons for the cooking utensils,
di hes, etc. There were twenty bushels
of potatoes, 800 lOaveS Of bread, rs dozen
eggs. $50 pounds of meat and vegetables.
Rice, coffee, tea and other ad iunctS of the
cuisine will be consumed here today. The
doors will be open tonight at Z o'clock
and the performance will commence at 8.