The evening times., 1900-10-01
PARADE OF THE CIRCUS
A Pageant of Performers and Wild
Beasts Passes in Review.
Crowds of Spectators Line the Streets
in Honor of the Periodical Event.
Familiar Scenes and Sounds-Rich-
Iy Caparisoned Prancfng Steeds
and Restless Bears and LeOpards.

The circus fever from which no town
or city seems to be immune, attacked
Washington this morning. It seized the
residents of the northeast section yester
day morning when the ring OF hammers
upon the iron-bound stakes greeted the
ears of people and when the great walls
of canvas Ioomed up at L and North Capt.
tol Streets.
But Washingtonians for the greater Fart
had their first attack of the circus fever
this morning when large crowds lined the
sidewalks of Pennsylvania Avenue erd ad-
Joining streets along which the circus pa
rade was advertised to pass. The colored
population was out in force, the small
boy abounded and followed the ealiope and
elephants over the entire line of march.
Steid and dignifed business men, who
averred that they did not care for the
parade themselves, but only brought their
children TO see it, were Interested on
lockers Business was at q low ebb in
stores past which the parade was passing.
In spite of lowering clouds, which threat
ened a deIuge all the morning, rain did
not fall.
The parade left the circus grounds on
schedule time, 10 o'clock, and soon the
waiting crowds on downtown streets were
rewarded by the sound of music. At the
head of the column rode two knights clad
in glittering medieval armor, and astride
prancing cream white chargers.
Eight coal black coach horses drew a
mammoth chariot in which band played
in approved circus style Following the
chariot we're six equestrians and equestri-
enneS on mettlesome hunters. a familiar
sight to Washingtonians was that of the
huge rhinoceros so long an inhabitant OF
the zoo. His enormous bulk was con-
fined in a huge cage SO heavy that it took
eight horses 20 draw it.
A pair of North American cinnamon
bears moved restIessly in cage but little
larger than themselves, while two 1.-THE
pulnas gazed eagerly through the bars of
their prison evidently longing for the free
outside air OF leopards, the most treach-
erous Of the feline tribe and most feared
by the animal keepers, there were two
that showed their cleaning fangs or
paved at the iron bars much to the dis
quietude of those spectators standing too
near the passing wagons.
A burst of melody heralded the approach
of another band seated in a gilded chariot
and followed by scXtet Of nen and wom-
en- jockies.
The largest and most gorgeously deco
rated OF all the cages was that which con-
tanned the lions. kings of the lower animal
world. On the top of the wagon seated
on a dais was a young woman dressed in
queenly costume and guarded on either side
by Roman knight in full armor quar-
tet OF women rough riders dressed in khaki
uniforms, campaign hats, and leggins, and
mounted on bronehos followed the lions
and preceded huge glass cage In which
was seated dark-haired snake charmer
who seemed utterly oblivIous to the writh-
ing reptiles at her feet
troupe Of Japanese ecrobats in a wag-
on drawn by four tiny Shetland ponies was
followed by two girl chariot drivers. with
ponies instead of horses hitched to the
ehartots. More Shetland ponies drew tiny
wagons, counterpaTts in all except in size
OF the huge vehicles that had gone before
and which were grouped under the name Of
"Children's Department" More cages OF
animals followed and nnally -ealiope.
screeching popular airs. gave tie signar
that the parade was at an end and the
crowds began to disperse and to make ar
rangenents TO attend the performances this
afternoon and evening and tomorrow aft
ernoon and evening.
This afternoon all the cars on the North
capitol Street Line were crowded with peo-
pie going to the Wallace shows and the
seating capacity OF the big tent was taxed.
The doors VIII be open this evening at I
O'Clock and the performance viii begin
one hour later.