Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-09
WORLDS GREAT RIDERS
famous Equestrisns to be Seen Only with
kiDgliug Bros. Shows.

With an enterprise and lavish dis
regard of expense entirely original
with themselves. Ringing Brothers,
the famous proprietors of the Worlds
Greatest Shows, have this year en-
gagged not only all the. leading male
and female riders of the United
States, and thus left to other shows
the alternative of either sacrificing
this important feature of an arenic
exhibition or OF accepting perform
ers of mediocre ability, but they
have also secured every notable
equestrian that the European cir
cuses have brought into prominence
during the past two or three seasons.
Mike Rooney, who heads the list of
champion male riders, is one OF the
youngest, but already the greatest
bareback somersault equestrian in
the world. The bareback celebrities
OF the past were amateurs compared
to this superb artist. Associated
with him are William DE Mott,
Charles Arson, Jerome Diehl,
Albert Leonard, and other world
famous riders. Among the nu-
merous female riders, Elena
Ryland claims special attention for
her finished and sprightly perform
ance. She is the personification of
grace and dexterity, and has been
justly named the Queen of The
Arena" This beautiful and dashing
equestrienne His ably seconded by
Lizzie Rooney. Josie Nelson, Sallie
Hughes, Marion Leslie and dozen
other equestriennes. each of whom is
an artistic of international celebrity.
In addition to this notable array Of
riders, Ringing Brothers offer the
most complete concourse of high
class acrobatic. aerial. gymnastic
and other arenic novelties ever pre-.
sented by q circus management, in
GLIDING the world-famous Nelson
family. the greatest acrobats of the
age. Many of these artists have
been especially imported by Ringing
Brothers for this season, and will re-
turn to Europe Immediately after the
close OF their engagement with these
enterprising managers. Among m any
other novelties, especial attention
has been given to the trained animal
features of the exhibition, which in
clude three distinct herds of marvel
ously educated elephants. wonder
fully trained sheep and goats, whole
schools of reason-endowed horses and
ponies. and complete pig circur COM
bining the most incredible exhibitions
OF animal intelligence, with the ludi-
crous antics of the porcine clown.
Ringling Bros. menagerie is the
largest and finest collection of wild
animals ever exhibited, and has re-
Gently been augmented by the addi-
ton OF an entire geological garden of
rare and interesting beasts. The
grand spectacular entry, the Festival
OF Olympus. is a dream of wealth.
beauty and classic magnificence. and
the revival of the thrilling sports,
gladiatorial contests and racing
giories of the ancient Roman hippo
drome lie a fitting finale to perform
ance that has never been equaled
even by the proprietors of this rec
ord-breaking exposition. The two
performances to be given at Rock
Island, Wednesday, May 20, will be
memorial among amusement events,
and the grand street parade. which
will be given at 10 o'clock in the
morning, will be the most glittering.
respondent spectacle ever offered by
any circus management to the Amer
lean public.