Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-10-06
Animals at the Fair.

About half way up the Pike, on
the north side, is found the Carl
Hagenbeck Animal Show. After
having visited this department you
will surely concede that even hog
has sense. In this trained animal
show is found great polar bears,
lions,l tigers, deer, sheep, together
with queer birds; while elephants
are chained in an open cage, and
it seems that both wild and tame
animals are living together in
harmony and peace. Most chill
dren, and not a few grown people,
are attracted to the cage just in
front of the gate, where is found
several species of monkey, rae
coons, a pig, brown bear cub, a
small dog, and l don't know what
else might be found in that won
derful little house, which stands,
with it's many little open doors, in
the center Of the cage. If you
want plenty of genuine sport, give
the old monkey all the chewing
gum he can manage, and watch
his antics. He will make the most
ludicrous faces, and enjoy himself
as much as some girls and boys.
A sack of peanuts will not create
quite the same commotion, but it
will get them all started, and you
may have them all running or
climbing as the occasion may suit.
Passing on to the main entrance to
the arena, the large cage-like stage
stands out, while the iron bars
seem little larger than a netting of
screen. The famous animal king
brings out his animals, presenting
seven polar bears, seven tigers,
several leopards and two dogs in
one act. 1t is remarkable to see
those bears, great clumsy, fat
things, step down off their tables
(bear chairs) and get in place,
ready to do his particular part as
soon as the ladder or stand is in
place. After climbing, bowling
and dancing, down they all file,
and each jumps or climbs back on
his particular table. At one time
the old tiger seemed to be jealous
of the big brown bear, and went
over uttering a fierce growl and
grabbed him in the side. 1t looked
as if trouble were sure to follow,
but with a crack of the keepers
whip order was restored, and the
tiger slowly climed in his place,
uttering angry growls and waving
his long tail as much as to say,
"I'Il get even yet" Another time
ladders were placed up to a plat
form, and the bears climbed to the
top and slid down a long chute on
the other side; up they went, each
in his turn, and took his slide,
then back again, until the signal
for return to places. The keeper
fed those who had done we'll a
share of fresh meat, which he
seemed to get through a little
opening in a door. When he was
through several of the bears
Jumped down and put their noses
up to see if they could find any
thing, and one great shaggy fellow
stood an his hind feet and peeped
in, hoping to get more. Two
young brown bears seemed the
best trained. They danced and
waltzed, sat in chairs and bowed
in response to the applause of the
audience. Four were seated at a
table and bottles were brought in,
and each bear took his bottle and
drank his portion. All but one
returned to his seat, but one had
to be helped. He pretended to be
beyond walking and staggered
across the stage, portraying with
wonderful exactness a condition
sometimes seen among animals OF
a higher order.
The tigers ride on the backs OF
elephants, the elephants dance and
set up, the dogs jump through
hoops, while the trainer keeps up
the interest, varying with ele-
plants, tiger and bear, finally leav-
ing you to see what the pigs can
do. Here they come, with their
little gray trousers and plaid shirts.
They climb ladders and sit in
chairs-doing things you never
thought q pig could do. They
Jump through hoops, over chairs,
in and out Of a barrel, and one
little mischief comes along and
roots the chairs over just when
another pig is about to take his
part. Ropes are stretched from
frames, and a slide from the floor
to the rope is fixed. Here Sir Pig
is expected to mount and walk the
rope. Without a grunt he acts his
part, walking over once and back.
School teacher should take re-
newed hope, for If a pig can be
taught to do SO many things, with
such seeming Intelligence, where
should be her limit with the rest
less lad and haxen-haired girl who
look to her for instruction. And
worst OF all those hogs look like
the old, pointed nosed, rail-splitter