Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-05-07
aRsArgsr xitoU ON rARrn,


The Barnum s Bailey Aggregation win
Lonntr ON the Oid show Grounds at Front
ana Union streets-some OF tine Leading
Features.
The tents of tho Barnum & Bailey
Greatest show on Earth will bo located
on the old show grounds at Front and
Union streets. when ii visits Will
miEgton next Saturday. The road
season of the big aggregation will begin
on Monday at Jersey City. where the
cara composing the four special trains
that are 10 transport IL across the
country arc waiting for it, Tho show
is now in Brooklyn, where it will close
its engagement Saturday night. Tne
tent which has been spread there is
both wider and longer than last season,
and tho apparatus required for the
many novelties that viii be exhibited
is elaborate. ~
For the mysterious globe ascension
Of Leon La Roche alone an entire car
is required, aud vet 30 startling is this
act that Mr.. Bailey considers it well
worth the extra expense thus entailed.
La Roche comes in with an attendant
carrying two metal hemIspheres. Into
ono he crouUhes, while the other is
placed above ms head, the two form
ing hollow globe two feet only in
diameter. This ball is then propelled
steadily and without jerks or bitches,
up steep spiral incline, to the very
| apex OF the canvas roof. From the top
Of the high pedestal on which IL rests,
La Roche fires several shots, and then
thrusts forth an American flag. His
descent, seemingly so much more
periloun than the ascent, is accom-
plished AS steadily and surely. and
arrived from the bottom La Roche,
liberates himself and retires. Among
acrobats there is much speculation as
to how he prope!ls the ball. That is a
secret be has divuged to no one.
Whether he turns cart wheels inside
the globe, and thus sends il forward
with his revolving weight or runs
along its under surface with his hands
can't be told, but no one who has
watched his sphere imagines that he
has an easy task, or one that can be
readily initiated.
The concaltrie platforms which form
the footing for John O'Brien's IL
thoroughbred stations is one Of the
surprising new numbers, also requires
car to transport, and the horses
themselves two cars, but the act they
perform is everywhere said to be the
most wonderful exhibition of equine
Intelligence, and skill in training the
circus has yet produced. There is adj
ditional reason for pride in this act in
that it is purely a horse product. 1t
was not like most of the great novel
ties, imported from Europe. Last
season John O'Brion, who was then
equestrian director OF the show, confided
to Mr.. Bailey that he had plan for
a wonerful Kaleidoscope effect in the
manmuvres of 30 horses in one ring at
once. "All right, john, said Mr..
Bailey, ''i If you think you can accom-
plish it will let you have the horses,
tine use of the ring barns at Bridgeport
and all winter to work out the scheme. -
O'Brien went to work, and worked
steadily for three months at tho end
of which time he treated New Workers
to new sensation in tho exhibition of
his great group. He was asked on
the opening day OF the season at the
Madison Square Garden il he really OK.
pected, when he began, to accomplish
such results. NO" he said, Il
didn't. When | first laid my plan
before Mr.. Bailey knew it sounded
well, but it was such gigantic scheme.
and required 80 many horses that | had
no idea he would consent lie took
my breath away when no said yes, and
| tell you | worked hard after that, for
| knew If failed I'd lose my Job, -