The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-08
RINGLING'S GREAT CIRCUS.
Nearly 10000 People Saw the Per-
fOrmances Yesterday.

R1ngllng Brothers circus proved 10 De a
strong drawing card yesterday. At both
performances. afternoon and evening, the
big tent capable of seating nearly fifteen
thousand people, was filled to its full capac-
ity. A general verdict of satisfaction was
given by those who the performances.
There was nothing that was promised that
was not given and it was given in a way
that showed the management held sacredly
to the rule to advertise nothing that it did
not have to offer. 1t is this reputation that
has had much to do with the wonderful
popularity of the Ringing Brothers as
showmen. People who attended their cir
Gus Il year ago remembered that they had
not been attracted to the tents by a big
display of Autographed bills which prom
ised impossible feats which were never at
tempted. They remembered that a year
ago the performance had strictly followed
the public advertisements of the attrac-
lions.
The coming of the circus to the city this
year found the people who are accustomed
to patronize such exhibitions ready to give
it a cordial welcome. The confidence the
public had learned to place in the manage
ment of the circus was not betrayed by
yesterdays performances. They were fully
up TO the expectations created by the adj
vertisements, and far superior to the cir
cuses of the past. The best of talent per-
formed the most daring feats ever attempt
ed by human beings. The best talent in the
world exhibited the results of the exercise
of their talents in the work of numerous
trained animals. The world was secured
to produce the collection of wild and
trained animals exhibited.
1t was very noticeable that the class of
patrons of yesterdays two performances
was of higher grade than is customarily
seen al similar entertainments. The repu-
q rot or no
courteous treatment of patrons, which they
exact from every employe, and the reputa-
ton of the management for the high order
of the entertainment, doubtless is account
able for the presence of the hundreds of
people who would not be seen at the ordi-
nary circus. Women and children felt free
to attend without escort, and many of them
availed themselves of the opportunity.
With the break of day yesterday morn
ing the visitors began to arrive at the show
grounds. Some were anxious to witness
the erection of the big tent, which had been
employees might have as much rest on Sun
day as possible. BY the time the parade
people on hand. A constant stream of
farmers and their families poured into the
city from every direction from early morn
ing until noon. When the parade passed
along the route over which it was scheduled
to march the crowds in the streets amount
ed to a jam everywhere, and it required
the effort of almost every member of the
police force to keep the passageway clear.
Street-car traffic was practically suspended
TO pass The parade proved a strong ad-
Yertisement for the performances which
ture in itself. More wild animals and spe-
cialties We're shown upon the street free of
charge than are to be found in many of the
circus menageries. When the pageant
turned west again Washington street,
the Ringing Brothers had made many
friends that they did not formerly possess,
and the number who counted upon witness
ing one of the two performances had in
creased materially. The comments upon
the parade were highly fiattering.
The performances were given under the
largest tent ever stretched on the West
Washington-street grounds. The tent con-
tanned three rings and an elevated stage
and around them the race course in which
the final races were run. There were six
teen series of events on the programme
ing on in the three rings, upon the stage
and in midair or upon the race course.
everything-it was impossible to see all.
But the variety of entertainment was so
great that there was all the time some
thing going which would suit the taste of
any spectator. The opening pageant intro
duced the performers and then they fol-
lowed in rapid succession for over two
hours, giving an entertainment of the high
est class of its kind.
Among the special features was the work
of the Nelson family, composed of nine
members, from full grown men and women
down to the tiniest little tots. They APP
peared in full dress suits and gave an ex-
hibition of acrobatic work which the Ring
lings class as uneQualed and upon which
they lay a standing offer of
$4,000 to any company which can
equal it. The performance of the
trained elephants was also remarkable.
as was the work of the trained horse. Sill
yer King. The headlong plunge of Mons.
LIE Fluer from the dome of the tent was
one of the marvellous feats of the season.
Then there the living pictures, the
daring horseback riding, the ballet dane
ing. the trained hogs, the trained donkeys
and scores of other unusually strong at
fractions. Throughout the show
fined, up-to-date and highly entertaining.
in the animal kingdom that were adver-
tised The greatest interest was mani
tested by the spectators in the chimpan-
zee. He was to be seen in a glass house
in the middle of the place.