Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-02
PAWNEE BILLS SHOW
BIG CROWDS WITNESSED THE
PERFORMANCES.
Rain Did Not Phase the Performer
and the Riding Was Particu-
larly Fine.

Large crowds Of people occupying all the
available seats, witnessed the highly ex-
citing performances OF Pawnee Bits wild
west and far east show yesterday AFTER
noon and evening at the circus grounds,
10th and H streets northeast. The after
noon exhibition did not begin until 2:40
O. clock, delay in reaching the city having
been caused by the breakdown of an en-
CINE in the city yards Of the Pennsylvania
railroad so that the show cars had to be
held up from to 10 am. at Benning, D. -.
I AS is the custom with this kind OF q
show, the riding and shooting were adj done
under the open sky, while the spectators
were seated around three sides of the
arena under canvas. The muddy ana
consequently slippery condition OF tne
ground caused many of those who looked
on to tremble during some Of the more
hair-raislng feats, for fear the horses and
ponies would fall and roll over their riders
in the mire. But nothing of this KIND nap
pened, and long before the performances
were over every one was treasured, and
watched jumping, bucking broncos and
wild-running Cossacks horses, breat hlessly,
1t is true but still with the utmost conf
dence in their ability to keep their feet.
During a part of the afternoon and most
of the evening it rained steadily, though
not very hard. This, however, did not
phase the showmen, and everything went
off as announced.
One Of the most notable features of the
exhibition was the representation of fight
between Russian cavalrymen and party
of Japs. Cheers re-echoed when the little
dark-skinned fellows drove their big adj
versaries back and off the field.
Splendid Riding and Shooting.
In the procession of the riders of the
world the Japs received a large share of
the cheering, though, Of course, 1t was the
troop of United States cavalry that made
the crowd go wild. The Russian riders.
though as skilful as any there, got moth
Ing but silence.
The exhibition of riding, especially that
of the bronco-busters of our own west, the
vaQuerOs of Mexico and the Cossacks OF
Asia, was one of the best ever seen in this
city. Going around the arena at terrific
pace on their active mounts, these daring
horsemen performed all sorts of feats. pick
ing up articles from the ground. standing
on their hands on their horses backs and
even allowing themselves to be dragged
furiously along the ground.
About half a hundred Sioux Indians are
with the organization and added greatly to
the interest. Their attacks on the prairie
schooners of the immigrants, the old stage
coach and the log cabin were both realis-
tic and interesting. The scene of the burn
ing Of the cabin by the Indians, who rode
around 1t giving their yells, was unusually
the Indian burial ceremony and war dance
proved to be of much interest also.
The small troop of ex-cavalrymen of the
regular army of the United States were as
easy riders and interesting performers as
any others. Their bareback feats brought
them enthusiastic applause.
An aggregation of Moorish acrobats and
a body of Singhalese from Ceylon, the lat
ter mounted on camels, together with
Arabs In picturesque costumes, completed
the contrast between the east and the west.
The champion rife shot of the world,
Winona, real Indian maid" was an
nounced, and performed some really won
derful shooting feats.
Many times during the performance
"Pawnee Bi1p' himself whose real name is
Major Gordon w. Lille, appeared at the
head of his cowboys, and he always re-
ceived loud applause.
The show will be in the city until tonight
giving regular performances, at 2 o'clock
and o'clock.
Mrs Roosevelt and her children and Capt
Stone attended the show this afternoon