New-York tribune., 1902-11-09
THE CIRCUS ARK UNLOADS
FREAKS PERFORM IN JOY AT REACH
ING HOMEGROWN TESTS SECRE~
TARY SHAW'S RULING.

After an absence of almost exactly five years.
Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth"
is once more on the soil of the United States
at least part of il is for some of the animals
were not unlOaded yesterday from the big ark
in which they came from France the Mime
apolis. of the Atlantic Transport Line. The
docking of the modern ark, which was accom-
plished with much more ease than in the case
Of the ancient ark commanded by Noah. was
accompanied by some unusual scenes. Several
Of the freaks had gathered at the rail, according
TO the we'll known press agent "fody Hamli-
ton, TO greet friends The telescope man, he
declared, became so excited when he saw an ac-
quaintance on the pier that he began to open
and shut.
Hermann. the expansionist-Mr. Hamilton said
that he was born in Boston. which fact had
doubled his value freak since the close of
the Spanish-American War-began to expand.
and the albno 'dislocationst' dislocated his
shoulder waving his handkerchief. George Zip.
Barnums original What Is It," waved his hat
and displayed his topknOt in his joy at once
more viewing his native shore. The Chinese
twins. who are connected like the celebrated
Siamese twins by ligament. leaned against
each other and looked placidly over the rail
while their father stood behind them
Although once more at home not all had an
opportunity to go ashore for the immigration
officials detained twenty-three because their
names did not appear on the manifest or be-
cause they had given their places of residence
as France OF these fourteen had been born IN
other countries but all had been in this country
before, and had beer. connected with the circus
for many years. When the manifest had been
officially corrected they were permitted to leave
the ship. One OF the CLOVIS. George Seagrist
had his troubles with the customs officials. Hav-
ing heard. before sailing, that Secretary Shaw
had declared that anyone could bring into the
country personal property to the value of $780,
even If il was bale of hay. he tried the expert
ment by bringing in large bale of hay. 1t is
understood that the customs inspectors refused
to admit it as personal baggage within the limit
MIR. Hamilton. who told the press that he would
be responsible for anything the reporters should
write said that some tried to catch one of
the customs inspectors with that old joke about
examining the trunks Of the elephants.
The voyage was pleasant one for the freaks
and other members Of the circus in the cabins
No one was seasick. Mandarin. one of the
elephants the only disturbing element
throughout the trip. For several weeks he has
been in bad humor, and he tried to smash his
crate He succeeded in breaking three oak bars
although he had been securely fastened with
chains both fore and aft. To his hind legs had
been attached six or eight chains and every leg
was fastened, Even his trunk was encased in a
leather harness, and chained in such a way that
1t could not be lifted except to feed himself He
broke the first bar while being put aboard at
Dunkirk. France. He tried 10 get at the men on
top OF the crate On the second night out he
lunsed at one OF the keepers who was passing
and a second, the lower. bar broke in half
Within a few hours he had smashed the third
bar. One of the attendants was giving him
some hay. when he pushed against the middle
bar. This one he could only split as II was
against the steel coaming Of the hatch. He
quieted down toward the latter part OF the voy-
age. IL was said yesterday that IL might be
necessary to kill him. Mandarin's crate was
labelled in white chalk yesterday, Keep clear"
He is one of a troup of five which were bought
He has never displayed any i'll temper before
The only loss among the animals monkey.
The telescope man. according to the veIacious
Mr.. Hamilton, had little fun with of the
stewards which amused the other passengers.
He sent word 10 the steward that his stateroom
was not high enough.
Not high enough?' calculated the steward
why, that room is eight feet high He went to
the stateroom and found that it the tel
escoptc man had said. His head touched the
ceiling. Il can't do anything for you; that's a
steel ceiling" said the steward when he had
recovered from his surprise
few hours later the steward while passing
through the smoking room, observed a man
seated az one OF the "a ables who looked like the
man who had complained OF the height of the
stateroom, but he seemed to be OF normal
height. He stared at the man a full minute in
establishment, and then passed out. scratching
his head.
The entire ship was taken up by the circus
The elephants were placed forward. the larger
ones in the matches. They We're protected from
the weather by a cover of tarpaulin. Amidships
on the same deck were the camels and dronle-
d@ries- Aft were the performing horses, of
which there 162 The draught horses
were left in Europe for the use OF Buffalo Bits
Wild West, which will go abroad on the Mime
apolis on her return trip.
ON the next deck were the cages containing
the tigers, lions. bears and other animals The
cages and wagons were also slowed between
decks. In the menagerie were twenty-three eIe-
giraffes. four Zebras. a water buffalo, yak
panthers. tigers, lions, hears, and monkeys
without number. OudSd. oTyX a WaFt hog. three
deer, llama. antelope. and birds. goats. dogs
kangaroos. etc. The two giTaffeS, OF which there
are only six in captivity, the objects of
much care They wrapped in cloths to
protect them from the cold of this climate
Coco. II is with its mother, KOIona
With the exception Of the horses none of the
animals were taken off the ship yesterday. They
cannot be taken through the streets except at
night. They are to be loaded cars at Thirty
thrd-st. and Twelfth-ave. to-day and trans
ferred To the New-YOrk New Haven and Hart
ford railroad for transportation to the winter
quarters at Bridgeport. Conn. Many Of the per-
formers did not come the Minnea polls as
they desired to give exhibitions i'm Europe until
their services were needed by the circus next
The circus will exhibit in Madison
Square Garden for six weeks next spring.