The San Francisco call., 1896-04-16
CIRCUS AND CONSTABLE.
A Great Hippodrome Attached
and Chased All Over
Town.
The Driver of Wagon, Loaded With
Show, Arrested and Released
on a Bond.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI,


/
908 Broadway, April 15. I
There was circus performance given in
the city to-day which was not on the bills
and to which a large audience was specta-
/ tors, although they paid no admittance
fee. The leading men were trades people
who atte mpted to get their money from
Howe & Aliens "three great shows COM
bined' circus, which came to the city the
first of the week with flourish of tinsel,
a brass band and newfoundland dog on
float.
Collector John Stewart secured an at
tachment in Judge Cliffs court this morn
ing for $50 bill for advertising and, as the
people were ready to leave for San Fran
cisco, the constable took charge. The
whole outfit was found on dray of local
firm and was at the foot of Broad way
ready to take the boat wien the constable
arrived. When he claimed the load the
driver telephoned to his employers notify
ing them of the state OF affairs
The delay caused the driver to miss the
creek boat and he went to lunch. The
consta bic put keeper in charge and re-
turned to court. Later in the afternoon
the teamster and the circus management
and all toward the pier where they would
take the regular boat for the City. Seeing
he was not being honored, the keeper
rushed to a telephone and notified the
constable of what was being done.
The officer rushed to the rescue and
caught the party on Seventh street, near
Wood. He stopped them and ordered the
driver to leave his wagon, as it was under
attachment. The driver again appealed to
his principals bv telephone and received
orders to go ahead. With that he mounted
his seat and started his team once more
for the pier.
With this the constable jumped on the
wagon, arrested and handcuffed the driver
and hauled him to the nearest police
patrol-box and attempted to ring in for
the patrol wagon. The officer did not un-
derstand the mechanism of the affair, for
he stood for more than an hour awaiting
the patrol, which never came. Meanwhile
large crowd had gathered and amused
themselves in ridiculing the outfit. Will
liam Leslie, the prisoner, took it all good
naturedly, and when the constable failed
to work the police alarm he told him that
| if he did not know his duty better than he
did the working of the box he had better
resign.
The express company meanwhile rushed
out, secured bond and went after the
wagon and its contents, but left the driver
TO be taken uptown on charge of resist
ing an officer.
William Long, the West Oakland
DulCuer, also became an uDWlll0g par
ticipant in the impromtu performance.
While the constable was turning round
the dray on which the circus was packed,
the tent poles swept through Mr.. Longs
buggy and smashed it, and also broke
some of his harness, as well as frightened
his horse.
Now all the parties concerned are won
dering where they will come out. The
constable has to pay the butchers bill,
the policeman had TO endure the jeers of
the small boys while he tried to work
patrol-box, and it looks very much as if
the officials carried off the honors of
clown between them, while the circus man
made passable knave.