The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-13
THE BRIAR ROOT HUNT
TT WAS THE FEATURE OF LAST
NIGHTS SOCIETY CIRCUS.
Even the Briarbrookers Pronounced
1t Success-Other Sights to
He Seen.

The latest thing out is a midwinter fox
chase in a room warmed by natural gas,
the tanbark of circus ring. 1t may
seem rather strange, but such the
sight witnessed by hundreds of people
last night. A genuine fox chase-it must
have been genuine, because the managers
of it patterned the whole affair after the ia
nous fox chase given by the Briarbooke
Hunt Club, recognized to be the best au-
thority such matters between Pogue's
run and Fall creek. Besides that every
essential feature necessary to make fox
chase included, horsemen, hounds,
hunting horns, coon skin, in fact everything
except fox, and the best authorities say
foxes are unnecessary encumbrances to
fashionable fox hunts. All this was seen
last night at the Society Circus without the
necessity of paying 81 to 81 for the use
of horse and then lying in bed and eating
from the mantel for week following. 1t
was not dignifed by the name of fox hunt,
but according to the programme, The cir
Gus Will conclude with the exciting Briar
Root Hunt with a full pack of coon dogs.
1t was an exciting chase and especially so
to those who were fortunate enough to
witness the famous hunt of Dec. q, 1894,
now passed into history.
When it was announced that the thrilling
hunt was about to begin the audience was
other to get the first view of the noble ami
mal-not the dogs but the coon, which,
d skin wc not ad Seen or or the 9e
occasion. 1t was thrilling sight. Round
Youth the they sfeea aragane
a. rope, at the other end of which the coon
skin. was securely fastened. Then came
and opened" on it, his mates Joining in.
Faster and faster went the coonskin, close
~ followed by the dogs. Then the chase was
mentarily becoming more feverish, when
suddenly cry went up. The leader had
caught the coonskin; but no. 1T only for
a moment. With one bound high in the air
Caused by a dexterouS jerk on the rope)
the brave coonskin landed on the horses
back, and, for a moment at least was
safe. Cruel hard-hearted man. The poor
coonskin, shaking with fear and terror, was
less rider, and once more was at the mercy
of the dogs. The coonskin was tired out.
It could run . no further, and. seeing that
tracks (the rope slipped from the mans
hand) and calmly awaited the fate it knew
could not be avoided. The ladies covered
their eyes to shut out the horrible sight;
but cruel though the were, they could
not stand by and see the poor coon skin
torn limb from limb without interfering
the skin was needed for tonight, when the
performance will be repeatedly
This part of the Society Circus was I'M
doubtedly most laughable success and
scored the greatest hit of the evening
1t was just what it was intended to be, a
burlesque, and even those who were lead
ers in that memorable hunt of Dec n pro-
nounced it the most laughable and ENJOYABLE
part of the circus.
Bert Adams, Madam Dekack-i-ack.
the greatest bareback rider on EARTH" was
a success, but would have been perfect if he
had been able to mount his horse without
the of ladder. His song, Sweet
Marie" topical song relating to local af-
fairs, was received with applause, but when
he was called out by the applause after the
last verse he was unable to respond the
author having failed to provide for an en-
core.
The attendance last night was consider
ably better than Monday night and the
circus now promises to be as great a
success financially as artistically. The
characters are all well taken. and those
taking part have rehearsed their parts until
now everything moves along without that
appearance of amateurism too often noticed
in such performances.