Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-23
THE CIRCUS.
A Chat With Mayor Williams on Fast
and Future.
The Evolution OF the Wild West and What il
Likely TO Come Next.

1t doesn't seem so very long ago. to
| the older Inhabitants to the time when
| the circus was obliged to travel from
| town to town in wagons, and when
the great show of the year would be
| little more than some Of the poorest in
| size, of the present time. They had
good performers in those days, so no
comparison to that part is meant, but
OF course the circus of today has be-
come, like all other things, improved
with age and experience. 1t has not
been left behind in the march of
progress. and the feats in the great
three-ringcd shows, today, would have
made the natives stare" had they
been performed in the old days
For choice bit of gossip relative to
the old circus and the present. as We'll
as a look into the future, there is no
one who can give one more satisfaction
than the man who was at one time the
manager Of the Buffalo Bill aggrega-
ton, Major s. w. Williams, news
paper man Of New York City, con-
nected with the Herald. He il the man
to whom the newspaper fraternity. who
tiers of the Press Club, look for good
stories of the old time circus and for
prophecies in regard to the future. Just
as word of introduction it may be
said the major is not by any means an
old man. He began his circus career
away back before the war when but Is
years of age, as an assistant to the
treasurer in great show. Since that
time he has been connected with many
a combination as manager or treasurer,
50 that today the leading circus men
look to him for figures on their
projects. He thinks up new ideas and
the one he has in mind at the present
time he will doubtless manage. This
gigantic scheme is nothing more than
the plan for an amusement to take the
place of the great Wild West show. as
soon as Buffalo Bill chooses to retire
from the arena, and some Of his
friends believe that will not be at far
distant date, for tbs rumored he has a
snug little sum laid by for a rainy day
What will take the place of the
Buffalo Bill SHOVE someone asked the
major, the other afternoon, as he was
resting his six feet of humanity in a
chair that groaned under the massive
frame.
1T Will be in the form of a great
hippOdrome and congress Of military
cavalry replied the major, without u
moments hesitation. II have been at
work on the idea for several months.
and Mr.. Bailey, the head of the great
circus trust, has approved them. Now
all that remains is for the opportunity
to put the show on the road. 1t will
be an immense affair, but | doubt if
the expense is any greater than the
present large circuses which cost all
the way from $1,000 to $1,000 a day to
support In fact We have it figured
down 50 that We know we can make
the plan work.
col Cody will not remain on the
road many years" he continued, "for
he has a fortune already. Then the
public will be ready for our plan. 1t
has been demonstrated that the public
likes a show that can be given in the
open air as Col Cody's is and the new
one will be of that variety. 1t will re-
quire very large tract Of land for in
the chariot races there will be seven
chariots instead of two ana
the affair will be exciting
We will. of course. have the
races planned 50 that by the schedule
every driver will know just what route
to follow in the several times about the
great ground, but it will be the most
realistic thing ever given the Ameri-
can public. In order to give it properly
the ground will have to be prepared in
advance. for it must be perfectly free
Of bubbles and depressions. The crews
will be sent on ahead to prepare the
ground a week or more in advance of
the time.
Another feature will be the cavalry
uniforms of the various countries. We
will have 20 or more members of each
of the personal guards of the various
countries rulers. This is possible, for
we will send to the countries and get
the men who have served out their
terms of enlistment, and at the same
time get the uniforms made by the
tailors who make the dress for the
guards themselves. These will cost a
pretty penny but the result will justify
the means. With these expert riders
we will meet with the same success
that Col Cody has met in his present
endeavor along the same line. Then
We VIII nav oVV "NiiCH IlueIS VIII Will
appear 100 at a time in the uniforms of
the nations. They will make "a grand
sight. We can easily get the women,
amazons in size. and with the ability
to ride astride in a becoming manner.
1t will make a gorgeous pageant. In
addition there will be some acrobatic
acts that will be given for the first
time.
zone grand feature of the affair will
be that all can see every act. In the
circus Of the present time there are 80