The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-06
Barnum & Bailey Outdone at
Infantry Hall by Society Folk.
SIDE SHOW A Big LAUGHING HIT.
Local Society Well Represented At Initial
Performance Many Prominent Men
Implicated In FunmakIng Conspiracy

night was wa fled the blatant strains OF
music that only a circus band can pro-
duee. and as the seductive strains were
heard in the still night air the crowds
were drawn irrislstibly toward the main
entrance. where such cries as Hes alive'
the fatteet man on earth weighs l%p
pounds. is Z: inches around the wrist. and
II only costs the insignificant sum OF
dime. ten cents IL YOU don't get the
worth OF your money pay another dime.
The Chinese giant, The bearded lady
Tie living skeleton! The dog-faced boy,
see II all for dime were the shouts
IL any one could resist those appeals
he was a wonder, and after passing into
TIE big tent where the program boys the
candy butchers who vended peanuts
and circus lemonade OF a deep ruby tini'
and the side show outfit where Charles
+. Bennett wearing the traditional dia-
monds on his expanse of snowy hnen''
extollei tie list OF wonders 20 he seen
beneath the gayly pictured canvas, ore
bcgcn to real re that for certainty NJ.
circus had come TO town. and that ~ 1as
a good old fashioned circus OF the scrt
that our fathers tell about, where al
the dolngs occur in the single sawdust
arena.
n the circus gosr arrived early he had
his choice of waiting about In the ring
and listening to the concert by the hand
or OF going with the others TO the s,ne
show where Barker Bennett and his
two mercenaries Messrs. Morrison and
Brown were busy and on the inside could
view the marvels there displayed and take
in the wonderful tales which Lieut. Mar
tin S. Tanning reeled of without the
slightest difficulty or attempt at veraoity
When every one had purchased at least
eP s0riefV
had filled the boxes which we're on Level
with the ring the show was officially
opened by chief Snowman Col. Harold j.
Gross. with n ceremony that was bur-
lesaue on the recent opening OF the 81.
Louis Exposition.
A GOLDEN KEY.
He presented an immense golden key
TO chief OF the ringma sters. Col Fl. An
thony Dyer, who appeared In bristling
blond mustache, and he in happily
worded speech accepted the responsibility
and proceeded to open the paddock TO the
green room and therefrom there issued
splendid cavalcade headed by the ring
masters. Commissioners Luther as chief
OF police and two assista nts. the Imperial
band master Felix Wendelschaefer lead
ing the musicians who played the col.
Gross march, the side show aggregation,
tho gentlemen riders on their mettleHome
steeds and the funny company of clowns.
Twice around the circle did they pass In
review like tho gladiators OF old, around
the arena and then pa ssed out OF sight
while the big show Mas commenced with
q clever aerial act by "Estrador' one OF
the professional performers.
The humorous and burlesoue acts were
alternated with the straight acts In
pleasing manner and the displays were
as follows:
EQUINE Paradox-Eight romping. raging
and roaring fiery thoroIlghbreds. gyrating
through tho most intricate terpsichorean
buck and wing dancing; Wolfings Arabian
| stations, a superb high school and menage
act: an acrobatic troupe by kind permls-
sion OF the Providence Y. NJ. G. A. under
! direction Of Hugo r. Sekel, Messrs
| whitmarsh. Lynn, Heustace. Rockwell
| Lambert and Marshall: Sig. Dublin Stout,
| the strongest OF strong men. in feats OF
| strength: twenty hundred weight Is but
/ a plaything in his hands: by kind permis-
| sion OF the audience he will lift the saw
dust of the ring above his head Adams
/ and Adams. hoop rollers and jugglers
| a troupe OF parallel bar performers by
/ kind permission OF the Providence Y. NJ.
/ c. A., under direction OF Hugo 4. Siekel,
/ Messrs. Csdy. Young, Lewis. Lincoln.
Browning and West. exhibition military
! drill by the prize drill squad under the
/ command of Capt. Fl Tudor Gross, Serst.
! Brown. Sergt. Wilkinson. Private Bonner.
! Private w p. w Smith: William Buff
I faio and Alkaii Mike. I'm a truly wonder
/ full demonstration OF marksms nship;
! Howard Starrett and his wonderful horse
and dog act. the Jeromes. In An aerial
perch act: Mile. Onanag. queen OF the
/ arena late premier eauestrienne with
! Eightfeet and Sold Brothers circus, and
Dive, the only monkey looping the loop
J in an automobile.
A CONCERT FOLLOWED.
| The conventional vaudeville concert
! was given at the close OF the regular ring
! performance. and a large number stayed
! to IT, although the hour was late.
One OF the interesting features OF the
/ affair was the presentation OF bouquets
! TO Police Commissioners Luther by the
chief ringmaster. one of scarlet flowers
! been given to typify the sin that IL all
about the city. and a bunch OF the 'pinks
/ OF perfection" to typify the conditions
that are being worked for
| A tall infautryman. in full rcgimentals,
7 including the bearskin. was stationed at
each fire exit and added to the interest
! OF the scene which was further enlivened
I by the presence OF a number OF them In
/ fatigue uniform in the arena, acting as
ushers. ticket vendors and peanut men.
The thing that was the greatest laugh
| ing hit OF tho whole show was the trick
mule and the clowns who must have got
| some had bumps in their efforts To ride
| him for they were thrown very heavily
4 sometimes bobbed up serenely. nevert',e-
/ less There is no doubt of tho success
/ OF the circus. which will he seen the
balance Of the week with a matinee Sat
| urday.
The local participants include: Ring
masters, Col ". Anthony Dyer, Capt.
George ". Webb. Mr.. Edward Martin
Guild. Mr.. ". Waldo Greenough. lady
bare back rider. Capt John A. Gammons:
strong men. Mr.. Wilbur A. Scott. Mr..
Archie II. webb: clowns. Mr. Weir Mr..
Bonner. Mr. Mincher. Mr. Martin. Mr..
Carpenter Mr.-nearehei- riding clown.
/ MFR BENJAMIN l.. Cook. Jockeys. Mr..
Mason, Mr.. simmons. Mr.. Page. Mr..
Howe. Mr. Wilkinson. MIR. Mclaughlin
Buffalo Bill. Mr.. w. r. w smith: Alkali
Ike. Mr.. Turner. Happy Hooligan. Mr..
Hart Foxy Grandpa. Mr.. Benjamin W.
! smith: Ruber Mr.. Andrews Mr.. O'Rrien
/ policemen. chief Hon William W.
. Tmther. Mr. selonsk. Mr.. v X Hebder
freaks, Chinese sisnt, Mr., Hunt.msn, fst