The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-11-10
CIRCUS MEN MEET.
Two Ringing Brothers Visit the Broth
ers Sells.

eTS sells.
New Orleans Times Democrat
There was a notable reunion of famous
circus men in New Orleans yesterday
William and Peter Sells were Joined here
by w. w. Coles of New York. the owner
of Coles circus which was famous a
dozen years ago, and John and Otto Ring
!, ling, members Of the hingling Brothers
show. These men, whose names are IA
miliar to almost every person over 10 years
Of age in the land, met under one tent in
Audubon park yesterday afternoon.
1t had been suggested that the Ringing
Brothers had come here to enter into an
agreement with the Sells Brothers In re-
gard to next seasons business The magni-
tude of the Sells and Ringling shows at
the present time preclude each from pitch
ing their tents in the smaller towns. In
consequence the circus field for these com
binatons is limited, ana when both shows
strike the same town in one season it
means generally peculiarly loss to one
or the other. or both lne suggestion has
been made that the managers of the two
big crcuses get together and arrange upon
+ division of the towns to be visited Dy
them another year. in order that no city
VIII be visited by both in the course Of
the season. When confronted with this
proposition as being the reason for the
Ringing Brothers visit to town, Peter
Sells entered n vigorous denial.
I'VE have tried to get together on this
matter before, but nothing was said about
1t today" said Mr. Sells last evening.
The Ringlngs had an OF day, and they
ran down from their show, which Is in
Mississippi, to see how were getting
along and pay us social visit. These
courtesies are exchanged between circus
men In the course of the season when
circumstances permit
Mr.. Coles was here to look after bust
ness angles Of the show. he being one of
the partners in our enterprise. He re
ceived the report Of the loss of all of our
camcls by tire the other night and upon his
return to New York will communicate with
Mr.. Bailey, who is at the head of the Bar
mum show In Europe, on che subject Mr..
Bailey VIII secure new contingent OF
camels for the show In all probability con
tracing for them in Hamburg.
While party of Orleanians were seated
at dinner in the dining tent at the show
grounds yesterday, Peter Sells Interesting
~ discussed his career In the circus busl-
ness
This is my, thirty-hrst season in the
self started out in 1870 with few wagons,
making Il tour OF several States We trav-
eled in wagons until 1878, when our pos
sessions became too cumbersome to he
taken through the country in that man
rer we engaged transportation for the show
ca railroads. We have Been getting a little
lcIEer every year until now it requires
SeNcra. trains to convey our men, women.
live stock menngerie and trappings around
the country,
"Chcus people are not what they were
in our early days in the business. Then
there was n rough element in tine husi-
ness that gave the whole outfit name
for toughness. Fights ard disputes were
the order of the day, and the mon Of
good habits were uncomfortable In the
company Of the majority of their asso-
| ciates Nowadays the well-regulated circus
has rules and regulations against drinking.
gambling and loafng, and while the old
circus man used TO take his money when
he got IT to the rumshop, or spent it In
having n roaring time, the circus man OF
| today takes his earnings 10 the nearest
hank or express office and sends it home.
where he puts II away.
The man who got extra applause used
! to get extra pay, too, but that has been
done away with also. A performer or n
| family makes n contract with the company
for 50 much n week and board, or for a
certain amount without board, and then
they are expected TO do their best They
| usually do, because they get large salaries
! The risks of life and limb arc taken into
consideration when contracts are made, and
as a class there are no professional PEG.
! Pile who complain less about their pay
| than circus people"