The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-06
BIG CROWD AT PEKIN
Two Member of Company A Badly
Burned About the Face by
the Fireworks.

"A Night in Pekin" proved a drawing
attraction last night. there being, accord
ing to the management, close to 1000 peo-
pie present The view from the front
seemed to bear out the estimate of Mr..
Kennedy. Every seat seemed occupied.
The weather. was ideal. 1t was cool with
out being chilly, and the moonlight assist
ed In making the scene picturesque. 1t
took forty-fve street cars TO haul the
crowd, and these were loaded TO the guards.
The railroads have made a one cent a
mile rate for these performances, and
yesterday the trains from every avail
able point were well filled. 1t was be-
lieved that the majority Of the crowd last
night was from out OF town. There will
be another performance tomorrow night.
The attendance thus far encourages the
belief that during the week Of the State
Fair the show will be given TO standing
room. The comment generally is that the
performance this year is better than that
OF last.
A great many people out driving Sc
cured some safe places near by and saw
what was free to all from their carriage
seats. The fireworks rise so high in air
as to be seen for miles around. There is
in the battle scene also a tumult of noise
which is free to the denizens of the neigh
borhood for many squares. The imitation
OF a fierce battle OF infantry, cavalry and
artillery is eminently successful. There is
the first gun Of the bicycle skirmishers,
a novelty In armies but certain to play an
important part in the next war. With
that the pickets OF the Chinese reply with
a spirited fire. and then the trouble be-
gins. The cavalry dash up and take a
crack at the Celestials, and platoon af-
e. - 49, nuhAnl nnrro ri
kneel and fire with a frequency that keeps
the air laundering enough TO precipitate a
rain. Then the artillery wheels up and
booms with repeated shots at the city
across the water. There are dreadful re-
suits apparently within the city, and hre
breaks ont to add to the scene OF carnage;
are showers OF sparks that Illuminate the
work Of destruction. Finally the soldiers
s seize cb sne walls ~ v; ana Iort Tbs soIdie asu march
around to ~quick-step music
The fireworks presented a brilliance and
proiISi0n OF color 4b. m n,s me a agTa ve sna' Ia wss
and have a kaleidoscope effect that is very
pleasing. Tn acrobatic piece presenting the
figure OF a horizontal bar performer was
something very unique and striking. 1t is
the purpose TO present some special pieces
on the special nights. 1t is expected that
one night viii be devoted TO the delecta-
ton OF travelling men and another to bicy-
Gle riders. and fireworks pieces will be
touched off. having a special pertinence
10 these events. Inc ODSeTNcTS last lflSul
seemed to enjoy very much the fountains
Of fire and the diving pieces in the water.
The Kissing, squirming rockets darting
hither and thither high in air. We'd with
the bursting shells releasing myriads OF
colored lights, in the favor Of the observ-
ers. There might have been more of these
without loss OF interest. The scenes, how
ever, are quite satisfying for one night in
the matter of b%rilliance in color and novel
ty and Beauty In design.
The specialties were up to a high stand
ard, especially the Herbert brothers, who
do some acts never before seen in this city.
The comic ladder act has some thrilling
features, and the crowd seemed to enjoy
the plunge the clown takes into the lake
as he descends. The butterfly ballet was
we'll received, but the closing ballet was.
in many respects, a failure. The music, per-
haps. is not positive and strong enough TO
create that unison of dancing that is lack
ing, but there are Indications also that
some of the dancers do not know what is
expected of them. There was one tall,
shapely woman, dressed in red, who was
graceful enough. when she caught the step,
but her kicks came in at the wrong time
and spoiled the artistic effect Of the ballet.