Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-14
BUFFALO BILL
Delights Thousands Of Men,
Women and Children.
Morning Parade Through Streets
Literally Packed with People.
Two Fiae Performances Before Gre.t iuti.
ences. Afternoon and veiins.

tlon. EVEN the nlSnt before evidences
of an unusual event began to appear.
People were out on the streets much
later than usual, and some did not
close their eyes for the night. but walk
ed and waited for the show trains
to appear.
The first signal was heard, at 4
o'clock III the morning. Then the first
section of the train appeared and be-
gan to unload. From that time until
long after the second section Of the
show train was reported at the railway
telegraph offices along the line, there
was a steady stream Of teams going
over state street to the Augusta DriV-
ing Park grounds where the show was
given.
BY > o'clock in the morning, several
hundred people had gathered either at
the grounds or at the station to watch
the big company at work. There was
no act in the erection Of the mush-
room city that attracted more attention
than the stake driving. There the stake
was placed in the ground ana by the
time the eight men all striking the
same post had struck a round Of two
blows that part Of the work was fin
ISllcu anu tut lItAl Idll WIS ldktll w.
1t was the same with every detail.
Other shows have been here and under
taken a similar task but few if any hal
the work reduced to such a science.
There We're the usual number of hang
ers-On while the crews We're preparing
their breakfast and that part of the
free show was watched with as much
interest as though it had happened for
the first time.
BY the time the sun was fairly up
the country roads began To show black
Specks ana from that time on the
Specks began to grow more numerous
and the clouds Of dust more heavy ~
the out-of-toWn people began 10 drive
in. But there We're good many who
did not drive in. More than one young
boy vas seen tramping in over the
dusty roads ana his first place of rest
was at the trottirg park. The Togus
veterans. too. many Of whom are past
50 years, walked into town. These with
the crowds that came in on the train
made up the usual circus day number.
by o'clock the streets We're lined with
people. The largest crowd was gathered
at the corner of Water and Bridge
streets as they felt sure that there they
had the best opportunity for seeing the
parade.
In the meantime the peanut vendors
and Cony Island candy men began To
erect their booths, and finally thu
frankfurtcr men took their stands. II
is a remarkable fact that, yesterday,
for the first time in years, the frank
furter man had a tin can, 50 common
some years ago. when that alleged del
icacy was first seen in the State.
BY 10 o'clock the parade was fairly
on Water street. Such a parade has
not been seen in the city for five years
and by many had never before been
seen. Even though the parade had
been seen by some there was something
new each time one viewed it. 1t was
in itself a work of art. There was
nothing glittering, snowy or unsub-
stantial but was solid and better still
there was back Of the whole a sub
stantial sentiment
a year ago every one was talking
about the men at san Juan hill. Then
to have some Of the same
men who had participated in
that fight come before them
was something that made more than
one person sup anu tl4liIN. II w. ''
from the time the fife and drum corps
appeared in sight until the last gilt
ter of the bronze field piece had passed
from View. If there was not any APP
plausp for the procession it was not be
cause it was not appreciated but be
cause there was something Of that
same feeling that person has when NJ
stands before a masterpiece and per
ceiving the thought on which the Work
was founded becomes speeches. as
long as he looks.
The horses were one Of the principal
subjects If comment. when n" rest Ok
the procession had been discussed.
Maine people know good horses and in
no place are they known better than III
this CITY. And from the time the first
until the last was in sight there was
nothing but words Of praise for the APP
pearance of the scores and scores oil
handsome animals.
There was one part that caused much
notice. The cowboy band boys Werr
mounted on white horses. each 81
which was a picture. In spite 81 u"
noise ana lin the horses listened 1or
every sound Of their masters LBS. IN"
horse in particular. that On when th'
bass drummer WAS seated. kept nir
! var back toward the drum in spite "I
the minia ture thunder Claps hrih@
! poured into it. appeared II" more n'fN-
| Gus than as in ugh h We're all by hill'-
self This is but one of the many III
stances in the parade which alone was
worth going i long distance to see.
Bv II o'clock. tn" streets We're de-
| serted Of the parade and the pe"pl'
! began to flock to the grounds. Wher'
| they again watched the company al
the tents Many Of the rough riders
ana the cOlorra soldiers came down
| town ana not Il few made purchases
! Ana while they We're in the business
section nothing but complimentary
words followed their preSt nee. III
fact the company made deep ana
lasting impression and Will be warmly
! welcomed should il again visit our
CITY. Indians. soldiers. cowboys
! ana fore igncrs. all We're VOL behaved.
In the afternoon. the streets were dc-
s,,tod There was some business down
..., Ill., l.. n>-aev4