The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-05
UNEXPECTED END
OF A CIRCUS
The Interior Of the Big Tent Suddenly
Becomes q Pond.
THE ANIMALS HOWL WITH TERROR
River at Atlantic, Iowa, Rises and
lnundates Ringing Brothers, Big
Tent..Many Spectators Carried Out
on Shoulders.

Atlantic. Iowa, Aug. 4.-Terror over
came the multitude of men, women and
children who thronged the tents of
Ringing Brothers circus tonight. when,
just as the grand cavalcade had fin
ished Its circuit of the hippodrome
course, water began to flood the level
ground.
1t rose so fast and so evenly that what
was at the first alarm just shining
covering to the ground i'm few mo-
ments became the ripping waves of a
lake rejecting the colors of the myriad
of lights above.
But the multitude did not stop to look
at the colOrs. With the appearance Of
the water, which came from the over
flowing river near by and covered vast
area of bottom lands, some of which
were below the level of the river bank,
the menagerie attendants were put int
commotion getting ready to move the
cages. The animals set up startling
and uncanny shrieks and cries, and the
elephants. which We're just finishing the
parade, trumpeted tempestuously as
they splashed in the waters while leay-
ing the main tent.
SCARE AMONG SPECTATORS.
The spectators had not been much
disturbed by the quietly rising waters
until the uproar and bellowing of the
animals commenced. Then with each
rising inch fright increased, and in a
moment terrified thousands We're splash
ing their way toward exists. The splen-
did discipline of the Ringlings was
manifested in the care of attendants,
which prevented panic. Their men
We're at every exit directing the people
and whenever possible the tent sides
We're raised to permit exit. Without,
loud-voiced men shouted out the way to
higher ground. Before half the vast
crowd was out Of the tent the water was
a foot deep.
They plunged into the shallow pond,
which had now become thick with
mud by skurrying feet, often without
regard to trousers or boots, but many
took off foot gear and rolled up trous-
ers legs. There was humor in the COM
motion, as barefooted men waded
along, carrying shoes and stockings and
often coats upon their shoulders and
above their heads.
women picked up all flowing garments
and plunged, with shoes and stockings
at risk, into water which splashed its
muddy stains above their ankles.
But women who We're frightened and
children alarmed by the uprOar hesi-
tated to take the water. Possibly 1000
of them were left huddled high upon
the seats, when only few hurrying
spectators were picking their way, with
bare feet and legs or elevated skirts,
through the water, which was rapidly
becoming two feet deep. Then rescue
parties were formed. Big men, with
trousers well uD to the hips. and lusty
circus men, who had not tried to keep
clothing dry, took pale women upon
their shoulders and little ones under
dry land. Dainty misses, who had re-
covered from their fright enough to see
that nobody was being drowned, and
who laughed at the funny sights. put
cOnventionalities aside, and laughingly
mounted the willing carriers shoulders
and We're borne out. There We're tears
and disgust and laughter i'm the motley
throng when the fair burdens were put
down.
Circus people can pack their belong
ings in a hurry, and the performers
prepared to leave upon the first ap-
pearance of water, SO little real damage
was done to the circus property.