Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-10
JOKE on Fi7zHUen LEE.
How circu. clown Cot me Better o
Him. 4t3

How n Circus clown Coz the Better Of
Him. R
New Orleans Picayuno, 80
A few days ago, when the Second
Texas Regiment of Volunteers was
about to leave Jacksonville, the wives
of tho officers were congregated at the
Windsor Hotel. Gen. Fitzhugh. Lee
had been quite indisposed, and was
also forced to seek the comforts o.
dwelling. The day the Texas soldiers
departed the general strolled into the
breakfast room,, and bade farewell to
the fair Texas ladies. Hearing. they
were to start soon for Dallas, he re,
lated the experiences he encountered
on his first visit there.
1t was during the spring, away back
near the '60s. The troop had been
having a hard time chasing Indians
away. At this time ten troopers were
missing, with their horses, and Lieut..
Lee was placed in charge of detail,
and ordered to capture the deserters.
| At once the party started, following
| the trail, across the prairie, toward
| the eastward and Dallas. For hours
the riding was hard, and at night the
| little band was still in the open, md
no sign had been seen Of thesfugitiv.-,.
only the footprints where the horses
had passed hours before. The party
was allowed to rest Just long enough to
renew life in the horses, when they re-
sumed the journey
1t was night when they reached the
little frontier town, but their efforts
were rewarded. The ten deserters were
all found in one of those canteens for
which the West was then famous.
They were promptly turned over to
the town marshal and looked in Jail.
1t SO happened that strolling circus
had stopped in. Dallas that night, and
Lieut.. Lee was one among those who
crowded the board seats In the big
tent. The indispensable clown was
naturally the centre Of attraction, and
years afterward this performer became
one of the best known men in the
circus ring. A number of local jokes
were, of course, included in the even
ing's entertainment, and Lieut.. Lee
was praised and made, fun of to the
delight of the entire gathering Later
the young officer was presented TO the
, performer, and behind the canvas
separation between the big amphi-
, theater and the dressing room the two
. men, SO differently situated, became
| quite friendly. They strolled back tc
the hotel-such as it was in those days
:, and before morning they were sworr
|. allies.
. During the exchange of condolences
] Lieut.. Lee promised to send on his
horse with the prisoners to. point
! some Is miles further west, where the
roads divided, and there the part,
would wait for the, officer, he having
! agreed to drive out with the clown
4 The circus was also moving west a
daylight, and the men expected tt
' overtake their respective travelling
! companions.
a Morning came, and about o'clocl
the officer and clown breakfasted.
: little later the clown announced tn
arrival Of his carriage. Lieut.. Lee hat
s noticed with surprise the number o
4 men and women who had congregatet
o on the street, but he never suspected
/ the cause for such congregation.
The clown had excused himself som,
q vehicle to the officer that arrange
v ments were complete. The lieutenan
q strolled out of the rough building
which enjoyed the name OF hotel, an,
was speechless with amusement to SO
his circus friend, fully equipped 70
the ring, seated on the high seat
lcurious red and blue vehicle, whicl
E, was drawn by half a dozen ponies
Then Lieut. Lee realized that he ha
T. been caught in q trap, and would hav
to submit to this practical Joke. H
4 climbed up to the high seat, and
rs perched by the side Of the painte
clown, who, Immediately began
comic song, and did everything in hi
power to attract attention. The tow
turned out to see the sight, and tina
departure was memorable one. TIL
clown was not satisfied, but drove tn
officer across the miles OF rolling prairi
to where the sunburned troopers ha
10 halted. Here Lieut.. Ice was pract
cally turned over to his men wit
fitting pomp, and ceremony.
Tho roads divided, the clown fade
away in the blue line of the horizon
and the young officer galloped beyon
!. the reach of eye TO tho cavalry CAM
%, This was Gen. Lees first visit
- Dallas, Tex, and he has never sin,
that day, years ago. yentured into IL
streets of that little city.