Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-06-01
RARE MENAGFRIE WONDERS
WITH THE RINGLING CIRCUS


The NEST extensive and valuable
collection of Wild animals in the world
is the menagerie feature of Ringing
Brothers wonderful circus exhibit
tions. Among the rare features to be
seen nowhere else. and rated above
price, are two giraffes, the only rhi-
noceros known 10 be in captivity, the
almost extinct gnu. or horned horse.
perfect specimen Of the white polar
bear, real baby elephant born in
America. standing no higher than its
mothers knees. and the only one ever
successfully reared in captivity, and
i gigantic troop of 40 elephants. the
largest herd ever shown under canvas.
and twice as many as are with any
other show in the world. In this price
less collection Of odd animal creatures
the specimens are all perfect types.
and IOS cages. denS and lairs are re-
quired to carry them. The big menaG-
erie tent is the largest ever made for
a circus, and So big that an army of
1000 men could he easily maneUvered
under its walls. Naturalists and cN-
ploTers unqualifiedly pronounce the
Ringing Brothers menaSerie the larg
est and most valuable i'll existence.
Frequently colleges and schools are
closed to give students an opportunity
to inspect this celebrated wild animal
collection. One may practically make
Il tour Of the world in the time devot-
ed to the study of this immense nc
illogical display. and it is safe to say
that never again will an opportunity
present itself for seeing a great many
animals almost extinct. The horse
show with Ringling Brothers is anoth-
err surprising feature of the wonder
full circus. exhibiting ESQ superb speci-
mems. 800 of which are performing
cquiEes of blue-blooded pedigree. The
capital invested in this department
alone indicates the progressive spirit
of this firm, which is wOrld-renowncd
aS prOprietGrS of the most successful
circus institution in existence. This
policy is again Illustrated this sea-
son in the production of a magnificent
spectacle. Jerusalem and the Crusades,
invoking 200 characters. Il ballet of
800 and a singing chorus of 200, requir-
ing the use of a stage larger than the
More than 1000 costumes. the design
and make of Partisan artists. are EN-
ployed. and the scenes Of marching
hosts. dancing galaNies, 9alloping
knights. ecclesiastical groupings and
swiftly changing dramatic incidents
form Il spectacular display indescrib-
ably fascinating. The music compoS-
ed for this gorgeous production is
rendered by the largest portable grand
pipe organ ever built. and a band of 80
selected soIoists. The scenic investi-
ture is elaborate and ornate. and the
spectacle in its entirety is incompar-
ably the most important and success
full historical display ever shown I'M
der canvas. The same policy Of en-
largcment and novelty is to be seen in
the ring performances this season.
Three hundred and Seventy-fiVC of the
pick and flower of Europe, America
and the Orient in the circus profession
are to he found in the huge arenic
program. Many of the leading ar
lists in the riding. acrobatic and gym
nastic numbers have never been seen
in this country before. and are cele-
brated in their foreign homes. This
wear it takes 81 cars of double length
to transport the immense equipment.
horses and personal factors. When the
circus is completely set up on the
show grounds there are 20 paviliOns
in all. The street pageant on the morn
ing of show day is the biggest and
most varied ever organized. This at
traction with Ringing Brothers has
always been UNNECESSARILY superior
to the efforts of all other shows. and
this season it is more diversified. re-
splendent, novel, sensational and
larger than ever before. The great
show will he in Davenport one day
only. Saturday, June Is. and give two
performances, at = o'clock and s
o'clock.