Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1899-08-18

another such clown. If Dan Rice had
been 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 GO
years ago he started forth with show
of his own. Its main features were the
marveously trained white stallion "Ex-
cesior,' 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.
II 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-
ioned cane seat chairs lashed 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
| lnt SllONs hlS hho 81 W ~
of derision, and originated with rival
circus managers. But Dan Rice took it
up and made il an attractive advertis'
ing card. People rocked from far and
near to see the stallion which was such
a marvel that Dan Rice considered ii a
sufficient feature to constitute whole
show. They were not disappointed.
"EXselsior" was trained not merely to
do tricks, but to understand language.
lie knew the meaning of upwards of 200
words. He would waltz, walk forward
or backward, turn to the left or right,
stand on one, two, three, or four legs
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-
sequeptly during the winter seasons he
trained young crcam-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, and the
younger horse was obliged to follow
his lead.
Thus it happened that when old "Ex'
celsior" died the show went on with but
slight interruption. Dan Rice sent tc
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 tombstone
over his grave.
DUSTY Dan" Rice, now well-nigh oC
years old, took to himself a new wife
less than ten years ago. lie is well tc
do. and is going down the decline oi
life with gracefulness and in comfort
lie received the largest salary ever pait
10 any man employed in any circus
Rice was out of the show business, ant
comparatively poor. His name was sc
well known, however, and his personal
ity so agreeable to the public that ir
1865 Adam Forepaugh paid him So, ,00t
to travel with his show for the season
In 1866 and in 1867 Forepaugh paid the
famous clown S2i,j00
In 1856 Dan Rice was so popular tha'
he became self-conceited enough TO be
lieye that he should be presidential
candidate, and his agents humored hii
whim by spreading banners everywhere
with the inscription: For President
Col. Dan Rice, of Pennsylvania" Th'
old man took it seriously, and for ;
long time insisted that he should a
least be sent to congress. But he never
was. SMITH o. FRY.