Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-26

leaves, occupied in their various trades
or pastimes. see real Filipino performs
arces in their own native play-houses,
the real live water buffalo hauling the
heavy wagon or swimming and diving
In the little lake in the center of the
village 1t is one thing to read about
South African savages, cannibals, pig
mics, etc, and quite another to VISIT
Darkest Africa and see the real I've
sgvages themselves. 1t is the same with
the Streets OF Mexico the BeautTul
Orient" .Nenice in America. With its
canals, its bridge of signs. its Rally,
gondolas and gondoliers, its costly
works of art in the real marble, etc.
Fair Japan" is surely most attractive
spot picturing Japanese life in all its
truth and reality. Who would want to
miss the Indian Congress" with Its
real red devils" old Geronimo among
them, and its representation of real In
clan life? The Eskimo Village with
Its real Eskimos, dogs and other Arctic
animals; and the Hawaiian Village"
with Its South Sea Island life, ETC., are
scarcely less interesting and instructive
Other shows belonging to this type are
the "Glass Factory" the Wild Water
Sport" with its elk and wild boars; the
baby incubator, and some others
Among panoramas and scenographs.
etc, are Jerusalem, the battle of Mis-
sion Ridge and the Johnstown flood, all
representing historical scenes, and of
considerable merit as means of educa-
ton. The Johnstown flood has proved
tc be by far the most popular of any of
these side shows, and is expected to
yield clean profit of $3.50 600 this year
to its owners.
Another large class of Midway attrac-
lions appeal mostly to peoples imagina-
ton and sentiment. Most of them have
this one merit, that they not only amuse
but set people thinking. Take for in
stance 1.-THE House Upside Down." in
which there are number of optical IL
my children into this show for the very.
purpose of having them try to find the
explanation of all these mysterious
things for themselves, or to point out
to them what can be done by means of
mirrors and plate glasses. The Trip to
the Moon, IS perhaps the most elabor-
ate Of this class of shows, and deserved-
~ popular with the visitors. Then comes
Darkness and Dawn" which gives a
,fanciful representation first of Sheol,
and of Heaven as a finale.
A third class of side attractions are
those calculated for amusement and
fun, pure and simple. To this class be-
longs the scenic railway, a ride on
which 10 really a treat for old and
young; the miniature railway, and a
most elaborate merry o-round, etc:
believe I have said enough to con-
vince you that there is place for side
shows and midways have not seen
the least thing that is Objectionable in
any of those here mentioned; and II 1
were In control OF the management, I
would not take the responsibility Of
"eliminating" single one Of them, or
any feature contained in them so far as
II have seen them These midway shows
seem to me legitimate. almost neces-
sary part of fairs and expeditions. The
publication sought for must come in
the suppression Of shows of other kinds,
and OF everything that is coarse and
vulgar. I. GREINER.
Niagara County, n. Y.
The Country Gentleman editors think
Mr.. Greiner overlooks the essential
point. Is 1T, or is 1t not. best to mix up
amusement, whether innocent or de-
grading, with an agricultural exhibit
ton? Succe ssful city men generally
prefer to keep business and pleasure
absolutely separate. in time and in
place. Does the same principle apply to
q farmers show?