The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-26
AN INDOOR RING.
Big Circus in the Auditorium
Next Week.

In the cold Auditorium the people
of the Shipp Indoor circus have today
been building their circus ring and
fastening up the bars and trapeze upon
which the performers will do their vari-
Gus stunts during the week beginning
Monday, February 20. No effort has
been made to keen the Auditorium
warm while the preparations for the
show have been going on and the north
outside door stood wide open while the
laborers hauled in the dirt and cinders
which were used in the AZ foot ring
upon which the equestrian perform
anceS ara shown. The timber in the
ring is the same as that which was put
into the ring last year with the excep-
ton of a few panels which have been
replaced. On the floor of the Auditor
ium thick planks have been laid to
form the base of the artificial ring. The
walls of the ring are of wood and
about two feet high and are built up
simply to retain the dirt. Upon the
board floor IL yards of cinders are
dumped and spread about evenly and
upon this ten yards of clay are placed.
After the dirt has been settled firmly
the sawdust is scattered over the sur
face.
The arrangement of the Auditorium
will be about the same as that of last
years show. The ring occupies the
main floor below but seats are arrang-
ed on the south and back of the hall.
All the balcony seats will be desirable
for the performance. The north side of
the first floor will be used for the dress
ing rooms. The animals will be led in
and out through the main entrance of
the building on the north and all the
property of the circus is stacked up
under the north balcony. This part Will
be curtained off.
This engagement of the Shipp aggre-
cation closes the season and the per-
formers will scatter out to begin en-
gagements with summer shows in the
east. Several of the people will go to
New York city to begin with the Bar
ium show which opens its season in
Madison Square garden. Others will go
to Chicago to begin with the Ringing
and the Sells-Forepaugh shows. Will
liam Shipp, who has charge of the in
door circus. will go with the Sells
Forepaugh and will have charge of the
entire ring performance. Shipp was
formerly circus rider. but met with
an injury and had to give up euues-
business and has become one of the
big ring managers. He was for many
years with Ringing brothers.
One Of the new features this year
Will be Signor Ponsol and his perform
ing Russian bear. 1t will fill the place
taken by the performing bull in last
years show. The trained bear puts
on a wrestling stunt with his master
ana goes through a NUMBER OF Otner
feats showing remarkable intelligence.
The educated horses with the indoor
circus are the best in the United States
and will be among the best features of
some of the greatest shows in the
country next season. Miss Nettie Car
roll who gives an aerial high wire per-
Torrance is, out of the circus ring,
Mrs. William Ship.
The Pascatel company of aerial per-
formers and acrobats will be a new at
traction in this years show The Pas
catels do their trick upon an elevated
/ set of parallel bars about thirty feet in
I length which are suspended from the
ceiling of the auditorium. There have
been several additions to the eques-
trian features SO that the show is con-
siderably larger than it was last year.
| Topeka will probably give the Indoor
circus a good reception. It pleased a
year ago and went away leaving the
best of reputa tions. Every act is good
and there are many of them The peo-
pie are selected from among the best
paid circus performers of the country
and have had a successful tour this win
ter. The people are staying at the