The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-09
FEATURES OF THE BIG SHOW
That Delighted Two Immense Audi
ences Yesterday.

The consolidated circus, representing a
union of the Adam Forepaugh and the Sells
Brothers shows, was witnessed by thousands
of st. Paul people yesterday afternoon and
evening. 1t is super1uous to say that they
enjoyed the performance. The circus is des-
tined to live as the most popular form of
devised. 1t is small wonder then that a
three-ring show of the magnitude of the
Forepaugh and Sells Brothers combination
should bring out vast crowds of people.
This combination is a remarkable under
taking. Under one management and but for
one price of admission are concentrated two
separate, indispensable menageries, circuses,
hippodromes and parades, either of which
heretofore has singly taken rank as among
the greatest shows on earth.'' The tents,
railroad trains, and other accessories of ex-
nibition must necessarily be a proper
tonately gigantic SCALE. The number of per-
formers is unprecedented novel acts and
features are plentiful, and the entire display
is brilliant, substantial and satisfying. I'm
doubtedly this combination will exert a per-
manent influence in the future upon arenic
affairs in this country.
Large as the audience yesterday after
noon, its numbers were greatly exceeded last
night. There is certain fascination about
the circus at night that exerts a potent at
traction upon the "old boy well the
small boy. Somehow everybody seems live
Eer, the performers splightlier, the animals
more spirited, the spangles brighter and the
clown funnier under the gaslight. A perfect
sea Of faces lined both sides of the big tent
busily engaged for two hours and half
watching the variegated entertainments in
the three rings and on the stage in the CEN
ter Of the vast enclosure. The big show can
not be surpassed in its variety.
1t comprises a score of displays, each fea-
ture subdivided and adapted for exhibition
in each ring. The close of the programme
is the best and most exciting portion of the
entertainment consisting, it does, of
series of hippodrome events, comprising
sword combats horseback, lariat throwing
and rough riding, a pony race, ladies' race,
a two-horse Roman standing race, jockey
race, a clowns pony race and a four-horse
Roman chariot race with two ladies as the
drivers. This last event was the most spir-
tied and exciting. But the, most interesting
| and novel feature was the exhibition of
rough riding and lariat throwing given by
Mustang Walter" assisted by Miss Lillian
Lowe. &c.
| exhibition of the trained sea lions and seals
| from Alaska. These animals, under the con-
| troll of Prof Joseph Woodward, display an
intelligence fairly startling. Their Individual
feats are remarkable enough, but when, in
| conclusion, their master equips them with
arms banjos, tubas and other musical I'M
| struments, which they beat, pick and blow
| in perfect accord with the professors baton,
| the climax "amaZes indeed the very facui-
| ties of eyes and ears.
The elephants seven of them were ex-
hibted last night-constitute another most in
| teresting feature They are all big dignihed
| fellows, and all are exceptionally well trained
They take no offense at small things For
| instance. their trainer, Joe Beattie, stepped
| right on the trunk of one mammoth, but the
| titan simply raisedjhis proboscis and elevated
| Mr.. Beattie to his nelephantine forehead and
| then gently took him down and deposited
| him upon terra hrma.ai
The trained ponies, as pretty collection
| of miniature equines as one could wish to
| see. delighted everybody, but especially the
women and children.
| The equestrian trapez, acrobatic and aerial
| feats were fully UP to- the standard. The
somersault riding of William Wallet and
| the trick riding Of William Oxford provoked
special applause, as did the feats .; dexter
| ity by the four Omy sisters on revolving
| trapeze. Cradoc fairly alarmed the people
! with his nonchalan* manner Of Juggling with
| Roman battle axes, theoFery weight of which
| would sever a mans head from his body
| The clowns with this combination have
| been reformed. They are not allowed to talk
or attempt to spring new jokes. There are
] six or eight of them, all clever and comical
| acrobats with good enough voices to sing
that popular ditty sbeut. Poverty Row very
| we'll indeed.
| Besides the features mentioned. the per-
| Torrance comprises all sorts of gymnastic
| feats exhibitions of fancy riding, flying ira
! peze acts, wire walking, hurdle riding, feats
! of strength, ETC., etc. -
! The music furnished by the circus band
! under the direction of Prof. T. B. Long, was
noteworthy for its exceptionally pleasing char
! acter.