Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-07-21

another such clown. If Dan Rice had
been a kings fool he would have taken
place in history. outranking some of the
kings themselves. AS a clown he be-
came known all over the country, and
his popularity was such that some 60
years ago he started forth with a show
of his own. It's main features were the
marvelously trained white stallion 'EN-
celsior," and Dan Rice himself. The
splendid horse and the superb clown
were 1.-The whole thing"
Dan Rice exhibited the first circus
that ever came to the national capital.
It was when Martin Van Buren, was
president, and every member of the cab
met attended the performance, while
special box was prepared for Van
Buren,. 1t consisted of two old-fash-
toned cane seat chairs dashed together
with whipcords. The members of the
cabinet sat on ordinary board seats,
near by the president.
Because of the fact that Rice had
only one horse, his circus was called
1.-The one-horse show" This was term
of derision, and originated with rival
circus managers. But Dan Rice took it
up and made it an attractive advertis-
ing card. People fiocked from far and
near to see the stallion which was such
a marvel that Dan Rice considered it
sufficient feature to constitute whole
show. They were not disappointed.
''Exselsior" was trained not merely to
do tricks, but to understand language.
He knew the meaning of upwards of 200
words. He would waltz, walk forward
or backward, turn to the left or right,
or q CrS
at the word of command. He did not
look for trick motions from his mas
ter, but simply listened for orders and
obeyed them with wonderful intelli-
gence.
The clever clown who trained him
knew that if Excelsior" should die his
show must Immediately collapse. Con-
sequently during the winter seasons he
trained young cream-colored stallion
with the same name. The younger stall
lion was of the same breed and readily
absorbed from the old horse his knowl
edge of the language. They were har-
messed together every day, and at a
word of command old Excelsior
would give the performance, aud the
younger horse was obliged to follow
his lead.
1AuS IL AdDpcnSu tndl "non Olu En-
celsior" died the show went on with but
slight interruption. Dan Rice sent to
Pennsylvania for the young stallion,
and the general public did not know for
many years that the old original of the
one-horse show was sleeping in the
Cumberland valley, with a tombstone
over his grave.
DUSTY Dan" Rice, now well-nigh 90
years old, took to himself new wife
less than ten years ago. He is we'll to
do, and is going down the decline of
life with gracefulness and in comfort.
He received the largest salary ever paid
to any man employed in any circus.
Rice was out of the show business. and
comparatively poor. His name was so
we'll known, however, and his PERSONAL
ity so agreeable to the public that in
1865 Adam Forepaugh paid him $4,000
to travel with his show for the season.
famous clown S27 500.
In 1856 Dan Rice was so popular that
he became self-conceited enough to be-
lieve that he should be a presidential
candidate, and his agents humored his
within by spreading banners everywhere
with the inscriptions: For President:
Col. Dan Rice, of Pennsylvania" The
old man took it seriously, and for a
long time insisted that he should at
least be sent to congress. But he never
vas. SMITH D. FRY.
Previously Acquainted.
ssQur old hOokEeeper saws he is max,