The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-16
THE CIRCUS TRUST.


The circus trust is probably the most
closely organized in existence, for it ex-
tends on both sides Of the Atlantic and is
owned by four men-James A. Bailey, Peter
Sells, Lewis Sells and W.. W.. Cole. In
Europe the combination Is the Barnum &
Bailey show, now triumphant In England.
In this country the trust is represented by
the ~Forepaugh-Sells show, which will give
two exhibitions in this city Wednesday. A
resume of the growth of the circus institu-
ton is interesting. The era of the present
form OF circus entertainment began within
the recollection of the middle-aged men
| of to-day. TIL greater half of the men who
have made the circus popular in this coun-
try are still in control of the circus business
of the country. Thirty years ago the great
| c~ircuses Of the country were the Adam
Forepaugh and p. T. Barnum show, oper-
ating principally in the East: the Sells
Brothers show, owned and operated by
Allen. Ephraim. Peter and Lewis Sells. and
exhibiting chiefly in the middle States; the
W. w. Cole show, whose territory was gen.
orally west of the Alleghenies and extend
ing to Australia; the John Robinson show,
best known in the Southern States; the
| Cooper & Bailey show, that gave battle
principally to p. T. Barnum: the Van Am
berg show. and Howe's London circus. OF
these noted tented exhibitions but three are
in existence to-day; there are four, counting
the Robinson show, but 1t is run, If in exist
ence this year, OH a small scale.
| Old John Robinson was the first Of the
show magnates of thirty years ago TO pass
away. w. w. Cole amassed a great for
tune, retired from business and his show
| Bailey show, handled by the Napoleon Of
the show world, j. A. Bailey. forced P. T.
Barnum to sue for peace, and a new con-
and under the proprietorship of Barnum,
Bailey, Cole and Hutchinson, the Cooper
L the real manager Of the QgfQhl1GhmQnf md
in time he bought out Messrs. Cole and
Hutchinson, the latter retiring permanently
and after 9 a period Of A Ave W Years saMyr Mr. Bailey dIey
bought the interest of the Barnum estate
and became the sole proprietor.
| The Van Amberg show and Howe's Lon
don circus faded away many years ago.
Adam Forepaugh died in January, 1890, and
his show was bought by Messrs. Barnum,
died two years later and Mr.. Bailey bought
his interest in the show from his estate,
thereby becoming the sole proprietor.
The Sells brothers never had any partners.
Allen Sells retired some years ago and died
owning a large part of the city of Topeka.
Kan. Ephraim Sells died last year and the
two Younger brothers, Lewis and Peter, who
had always been the active managers, are
now at the head OF the enterprise. Two
years ago. when Mr.. Bailey could no longer
resist the urgent appeals to take his Bar
mum & Bailey show back to England, he
set about arranging matters so he could
in i1H this country 1a HE.'t He n had ins the e't directions HoSlse of
the tour of Buffalo Bits Wild West, and he
effected an alliance with the Sells brothers
whereby their show was consolidated with
the Adam Forepaugh show. He also in
duced w. w. Cole, who was living in re-
tirement, although still in the prime of life,
to buy an interest in the Adam Forepaugh
show and also one-half of the Bailey inter-
est in the tours Of Buffalo Bills Wild West.
The great tent of the Forepaugh-Sells
show covers 1900 people. 1t is said the
operating expenses of the show amount to
$500 a day. The show comes here from
performances in the big cities Of the East,
and IL has been universally praised. Among
the performing animals in the menagerie
are three distinct groups of trained ele-
plants taught in different schools. Eight of
the largest of the ~Forepaugh contingent
dance a quadrille. Captain Woodward's
seals and sea lions is said to be the only
troupe of the kline in the world. Another
feature will be the unique performance of
the baby elephant Cuba, an Indian zebra
and a group of Hungarian ponies. Jules
Cars educated grizzly bears give another
animal act"
The equestrian. aerialistic, acrobatic and
hippodrome acts are numerous and novel.
Most of them were engaged in Europe,
Among those most notable are the Flor
ence, Millette and Carl Damann troupes OF
acrobats and the four Hanlons, "gymnastiC
comets" Hadj Lessik's Arab acrobats and
Prince Sanbro's japanese ~jugglers give a
cosmopolitan complexion to the perform
ance. The principal equestrian feature is
the simultaneous appearance in three rings
of the three women riders Nav DayennnTf
Marie Marietta and Sallie StickneY. who
hail from England. France and America In
the order named. The contingent of male
riders includes A. NJ. Davenport. William
De Mott and Oscar. Lowanda. Other eques-
trian stars are Mile. Bonnie, Europe's fore
most high school rider; Walter Lowe and
William German, the hero horseman Of the
world, who rides and drives thirty thorough
breds at one time.
The usual parade will occur Wednesday
morning