The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-11-16
CIRCUS LIFE ON SUNDAY.
Journal $ Staff Correspondent Spends Day
With Forepaugh and Sells Circus.


graph pole and much higher, was
placed in the center, and the others
were put in position. When this had
been done the rolls Of canvas were
opened and lashed together. Three
big iron rings-one in the center and
one on either side, were fastened to
the canvas and then stripped over
three poles.
Ropes were placed on the three
rings and then the poles were showed
up and fastened to the ground. When
this had been done strong men pulled
on the ropes aud up went the canvas.
After this came a forest of little
poles. These were set out at the
sides of the canvas and fastened in
loops nade for them. This finished
getting up the top, but left the sides
open.
As soon as the top was up the am
NAL cages began to arrive. The big
wagons were driven under the tent by
the time it was up. More canvas
soon appeared aud then the sides,
known to showmcn as the "side
walls were strung around. This
made the menagerie tent complete.
A herd Of elephants came numbering
through the weeds. They were in
charge of William "Star'' Chambers
and Patsy Meagher Forepaugh.
Chambers is in charge of the ami
mails in the mcnagerie and is person
ally acquainted with each Of them.
He went to Australia with the Sells
brothers years ago and will remain
with them as long as both are alive.
Mr. Jordan, after he had gotten the
menagerie tent up, took his tape line
and measured off 437 feet in the rear
Of it, with fifteen feet between. The
437 feet was for the show tent, and
the fifteen feet was for what is known
as s'the connection between the two
tents.
The ground was measured off and
the poles and canvas laid on the
ground but not stake was driven, for
the laws Of the State say that no work
except that absolutely necessary shall
be done on the Sabbath. The horse
tents were put up before you could
turn around, and then l saw another
man in authority. He was Jack Sau-
mate, the man who has charge Of over
500 horses for the circus. he is abb
solute master in his department.
He has an army Of men under him,
for there is an attendant to every four
horses. T like Mr.. Shumate. He is
a plain fellow with an honest face and
knows his business. I say he knew
his business because he told me more
about the horses than they know
about themselves. They love him,
too, and / believe that down in the
center of his heart he has warm re-
gard and high personal esteem for
all Of them.
I asked him if the horses knew
him, and he said Listen" Then he
stood between the long rows of tents
and in loud voice said:
"Do you want your breakfast?'
Every horse in the outfit raised his
head and there was chorus Of glad
yesses, for no horse ever neighs when
asked to eat.
"Come In here and we will take a
look at the: rosin backs, said Schu
mate.
Then he explained to me that a
rosin back horse was one used in the
ring for bareback riding. They are
the broad back horses, and the finest
Of rosin is sprinkled into their hair so
that the feet of the rider will not slip.
The rosin is taken out once week,
generally on Sunday morning.
Pipe clay is rubbed over the horse J
back, and then this with the rosin is
washed out with warm water. If this
is not done the back of the horse will
blister.
The most valuable horse under his
care is Gypsy a broad-backed ami
NAL almost pure white. She is used
by several Of the riders, and Shumate
says $4,000 would not buy hair of
her back.
eff rider makes false step she
knows it" be said; "and you can sec
her settle herself and steady up to
catch him. She has saved many
fellow from broken neck
Another valuable animal in the
stables is "Duster.' He does what
is known as a manage act. This
means that the rider puts him through
all manners of gaits and tickets. To
the public he is known as "a high