The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-06
VAST THRONG OF PEOPLE APPLAUDED
CIRCUS AND ITS NUMEROUS ATTRACTIONS

aerial bars, swings and platforms. From
the time the bugle sounded for the grand
march, SIGNALLING the beginning of the
entertainment until the startling climax
the marvellous act of Diavolo-there was
something doing under the circus tent
and applause was frequent from the man.
moth audience.
In passing 1t should be observed that
Forepaugh & Sells show carries a brass
band that plays music that is music. This
band is under the direction of Professor
Merrick. AS a prelude TO each perform
ance yesterday this band rendered con-
cert music seldom heard under a circus
tent.
While the special features of the circus
are too numerous to mention 1t Is well
enough to say that the daring act of
Davolo in looping the loop on BIZ
cycle, which was reserved for the climax
of the entertainment, is easily the great
est feature. Nothing like 1t was ever
seen here before. The young man went
to the top of the tent, mounted a bicycle
and shot down a steep incline at an
amazing rate of speed. The great mo-
mentum sent the wheel up into and
around the barrel-shaped loop, and as he
shot around the cylinder his head was
hanging downward while the wheel chung
10 Tile surface AS DldNOlU llc" oil tHC
incline he was caught by a rope, and
jumping from the bicycle smiled and
bowed to the vast audience which had
been thrilled by his daring feat.
This act of Diavolo is a demonstration
of the fact that the man who works the
greatest number of hours doesn't always
earn the most money. Diavolo actually
works twelve seconds a day, six seconds
at each performance. For these twelve
seconds of work it is said he receives
1856. 66 2-3, or 81, 900 a week. The law of
supply and demand Is responsible for the
price paid for the act. II is claimed that
Diavolo is the only man in the world
who has ever successfully accomplished
this remarkable 1eat. Others have tried
it-four in number to date-and all four
have failed at the first attempt. Every
trial has resulted in serious or fatal in
jury.
The last victim made the attempt on
June IA, 1902, at Sheepshead Bay, the re-
suit being two broken ribs, a. broken col
lar bone and the loss of the sight of his
left eye. the management of the Fore
paugh-Seis Shows has endeavored in ev-
cry way to find another man who could
successfully perform the act, so that in
case of injury to Diavolo they would have
a substitute to fall back on. The owners
of the show say they have even gone to
the extent of having a duplicate loop"
built at Sheepshead Bay, where appli-
cants are. given every opportunity to
prove their ability to successfully circle
the concentric coil.
AS yet Diavolo has no understudy, much
less al imitator.
There were excellent equestrian acts,
startling aerial features-the Potter fami-
ly being the best-trick and fancy bicy
cling, hippodrome races and a small army
of clowns.
The drill by the Aurora Zouaves, six
teen men. under the permanent COM
mand of Captain A. H. Tarble, was so
fast and clever that 1t appealed particu-
larly to military men. The Zouaves are
first prize winners of all the Interstate
drill contests, and are rated as the Of
fetal drill champions of the United States.
They rank as the drilled soldiers of the
world, and when the speed in executing
movements Is considered they doubtless
deserve the name. In scaling the wall
Immediately after the drill the Zouaves
showed their expert tactics and got round
after round of applause.
At the conclusion of the circus perform
ance the usual concert was given and it
attracted a large crowd. The program
consisted of songs, dances and other in
teresting numbers.
The circus trains left Montgomery at
an early hour this morning for Selma,
where two performances will be given to-
day.
The Forepaugh and Sells show will close
its season in New Orleans on November
IS and will go to Columbus, Ohio, near
which city the show will winter on its |
large farm.