Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-17
IN WINTER QUARTERS.
What Reporter Saw and Found Out by Strolling Out to the
 Circus Grounds.

Among other things for which Birming- ham is becoming noted is her ability to take care of any kind of an attraction dur ing the winter season, from single seeker after a home to a ful-sized circus and menagerie.
 This latter assertion has been substan- tiated by the late Howe < Cushing circus, which, after prosperous ard successful season, went into winter quarters in Bir- mingham, and are with us now. However, tue circus is making rapid preparations to go on the road for another season of either prosperity or diversity.
 Thinking that description of what the winter quarters of circus look like would be of interest To readers of the AGE HER. ALD, reporter took stroll ia that dIrec- tion few evenings since, and through the courtesy of the gentleman iu charge of tbe quarters, saw what circus under boards looked like.
 Arriving at the grounds the reporter first saw number of houses, around which were 10 be seen number of men engaged each with some kind of work. Some were busily engaged in repairing cars, others in handling canvas, others moving busily back and forth, and all steadily intent upon earning salaries.
 In the first house entered the reporter found the animals. Here were lions, there in number and of massive build. They seemed content, inasmuch as they were quietly tearing the great chunks of meat rom the bones thrown them by their keeper. Then the baby elephant was seen leisurely eating hay and apparently con tent with the entire world. There were other animals, all looking the picture of contentment and health.
 h another house were men busily en gagged in repairing canvas and painting vans and animal wagons. Some were otherwise engaged and all were as busy as could be. Everything was being sys- tematcally performed and each individual seemed to know what was required of him and went about doing it without comment or question. The men were in as good humor as the animals and the scene as a whole presented the sight of small town or village with contentment and peace with the world plainly visible on all sides.
 Few there are who can imagine what it means to city to say that circus is in winter quarters within it's limits. close calculation, however, would show that It means more thau the bare assertion that they are there. It really means the turn ing loose In that city of immense sums of money every week, the employment of many men and general benefit to the com munity. The laborers as rule are expert, and therefore command good salaries, the merchant who deals in grain gets big pile of money for feed for the animals and the butcher has a chance at the proprietor 8 coffers in furnishing meat for the men and animals. Then, too, the hotel man comes in on the ground floor. There are many who remain with the show who spend their wages in good living and recuperat- ing.
 While this is not perhaps known to the general public it is nevertheless a fact and it car therefore readily be seen that city is indeed greatly benefited by having the circus in winter quarters within it's gates.
 The reporter Was informed that the man : agement of the circus had perfected ar- engagements for wintering here regularly and would during the present summer erect substantial quarters for the accom- mediation of his men and beasts.