The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-18

The Sells & Downs circus hibernated
an Topeka this winter. but it did not
remain stationary. Tt has grown.
Since the show went into winter quar-
tiers in November the size has increased
from IA to % big railroad cars. This
season the show viii take its place
among the larger circuses. Wallace
circus has 80 cars. Ringlings' 50. SO 1t
viii be seen the Topel1a show is inn
proving and may soon be one of the
biggest shows on earth.
1t WIS a little over 13 years ago thar
William Sells went into the show bust
ness for himself He began the BUSH
ness of circus proprietor with man
named Norris, who now owns one of tht
best dog and pony shows in the coun-
try Then the show had six wagons
six, count them, six. Later Sells Joined
with Rentfrow and a larger show was
put out which toured the west and the
Pacific coast In 1902 Sells and NJ. j.
Downs. a Canada circus man, Joined
their shows and went through a most
profitable season. Just what the sea-
son netted them they do not state. but
1t was over, way over, $4,000 That
much has been expended BY the owners
this year in improving the show ana
there is big nest egg still on deposit in
the bank.
Before Will Sells started in the busi-
ness for himself he was performer. III
his day Willie" Sells was the greatest
bareback rider in the world. He began
riding with the Sells brothers circus
a
up and educated with n circus. His
Foster father Allan Sells. was then a
9artner with Lewis and Peter Sells.
There were some differences between
Willie Sells and the rest of the family
and young Sells signed with Barnum s.
6aileys circus for a tour of EuroDe.
He received Sl75 a week for his bare
pack riding. and he was acknowledged
the best on earth. He was the first rider
90 turn "a back somersault on a horse
and also the first to leap onto a horse
while the animal was running He
rode q white horse in the ring named
chesterfield The Chesterfield hotel, in
Topeka was named for that horse
Chesterfield became a family horss
when VIII Sells quit riding Sells go.
SEQ rat TO ride and Chesterfield got ton
oiq and stiff for the circus ring. He
died a year or two ago in Topeka. ana
was almost 80 years old
When VIII Sells started in the curcus
business ne was not in good standing
WIN Lewis and Peter Sells because OF
supposed agreement that no one else
should use the name Of Sells in the cir
Gus business. There were a good deal
Q! family troubles connected with the
Enlargement VIII Sells claimed that
the Sells brothers owed him back sal
airy one time when the Sells Brothers
circus was in Topeka VIII Sells attach
&c the. center poles, thereby tieing up
the show. A redclivery bond was given
and the show got out OF town While
Bert Lucas, the present sheriff, was a
deputy under Sheriff Kepley. the Sells
Brothers circus was in Topeka. Lewis
and Peter Sells, however. did not come
with IT. They stayed in Kansas City out
side the state.
The circus was to pass through To-
peka at night. Will Sells got out pa
pers to be served on the Sells brothers.
The papers We're given to Bert Lucas.
Lewis and Peter Sells locked themselves
~ their private car to avoid a meeting
with an officer. Lucas was determined
90 serve the papers. The circus train
was not to stop in Topeka but it was
TO cross the river on the Rock Island
bridge. The colored porter was stand
ing guard at the window in the door
of the car. The door was locked The
lights We're out and Lewis and Peter
Sells We're lowering in the darkness.
Lucas swung on to the train. as it was
moving, with the ease of a brakeman.
He put up some sort of a convincing
talk to the colored porter that he was
either q railroad president. a brakeman
or some other dignitary of the road It
was necessary for him to pass through
the car. The porter let him In and be-
fore the train had crossed the bridge
Lewis and Peter Sells had been forced
to accept service and the papers were
in their hands. The Sells brothers
fought VIII Sells show by camping on
his trail through the west. putting up
CIRCUS plitH over MS ana uSnttuB MIN
to a finish. But the war between Sells
Brothers and Willie Sells has ended
Lewis and Peter are now friendly tc
Willie Sells and are ready to help him
in the circus business when he needs
it, The Ratchet is buried. Sells Broth
ers and Forepaugh's circus VIII be ia
Topeka May 9, two weeks after the
Sells & Downs circus, but it simply Sc
happens and is about the only place
where the two circuses come close to-
sether.
The show that is now in close compe-
tition with the Sells & Downs circus is
the Luella-F orepaugh- F'ish wild west