Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-20
ROYAL RINGLINGS.
New Shows First Visit to Rock
island.
LAKES A FINE IMPRESSION.


Exhibiiion In the East End-soms of the
More Notable Attractioas Within TIE
Tsnts.
The Ringlings are with rs today.
1t is the first visit of this new and
modern aggregation to Rock Island.
1t has been in the neighborhood be-
fore. but this city has not been q
stopping point; but if the Ringlings
are as we'll pleased with Rock island
a. Rock Island is with them there
will not be the distance between
visits in the future that there has
been in the past. In other words it
is the hope that the good impression
the RiDglings made in Rock Island
today is mutual.
We will pass over the story Of how
the small boy arose before sunrise
this morning, and enchanted, set
forth to see them unload the ele-
plant. and speak directly of the
showdown which has been staked off
on the Gordon lot, Just east of
Brooks crossing. There IS acres Of
canvass have been stretched. There
are i've Of the Ringling brothers, and
each has charge of . separate and
distinct department., but every, day
there is staff consultation. at which
the last "a hours is reviewed and the
exigencies of the coming day care
fully met. Their enterprise travels
in four special trains with So cars.
They carry their own dining car
with chef and his assistants, who
prepare the dinners for the managers,
staff assistants and the performers.
10 the dining hall on the grounds
the canvassmen eat three times day
and the remainder Of the people twice.
The latter take dinner in the dining
car previously referred to.
The first impression that the shows
make in the minds of the people see
ing any feature OF the Kingling
Brothers shows from the street page
ant to the innumerable attractions at
the grounds is the neatness, refine
ment and good order that prevail.
The degree Of perfection attained in
all these regards is due to the pr
sonal supervision the noted family of
showmen give the big enterprise
they own and with which they all
travel; and the absence to o marked
extent Of the disorderly or crook ele-
ment is accounted for in the fact
that corps of detectives, under the
supervision OF Charles F. Ryan,
travels with the show and cooperate
with the local police authorities
wherever the show appears.
The Parade.
The street parade this morning
was, of course, the center OF attrac-
ton until it had passed, starting from
the grounds at 10 O'Clock. 1t was a
gorgeous pageant. eclipsing all at
tempts of the kind ever made BY a
circus organization. Everything
was first class, bright, clean. unique
and attractive. 1t would be impos.
sible to enter into elaborate detail of
all that was seen aud admired, but
aside from the golden chariots, open
dens. and well groomed animals,
there was one feature worthy of par
ticular mention. because it was dis. .
tinct. and that was the appearance
Of many Of the people connected with
the wonderful Ringling family in
beautiful English drags each drawn
by one hor Sc.
At the Groun 10.
Through the courtesy of the press
representative, Mr.. Patrick-and by
the way they made great mistake
when they left the saint off this
Patrick's name, for it belongs there
an ARGUS representative was
shown through this veritable slftw-
town this morning. The first place
visited was the dining hall for the
workers. Dinner was then being
served and Mr.. Patrick explained
how the men and women about the
show take their meals. The rousta-
bouts have three meals . day at this
general tent and actors and actresses
and executive staff have two meals
q day at the dining car, where they
are served even better than at the
regular hotels. They take a lunch,
at hall especially provided for them
on the grounds. 1t takes over 500
a day. he said, to provide provision
for the workingmen. The entire
number Of people engaged with the
circus reaches over 900. 1.-The Ring
lings," said Mr.. Patrick, "pride
themselves on having 3 clean organi-
zation. One of the chief desires of
the management is to uplift and ele.
vste the circus business of today.
They have succeeded in this admir-
ably, and that rowdyism and noise
so prevalent in circus organizations
Of yesrs ago is delightfully."- absent in
the Ringling shows. There is moth
ing Of this kind about" The points
Of interest were then related. and in
fact the whole history of the circus
business as relates especially to the
Ringling shows, was explained by
Mr.. Patrick. 1t was q big task for
him. but he did it gracefully and
thoroughly.
The Menagerso.
The menagerie was next visited.
This is one of the largest, best Sc
lected meuaCeries on the road todav