The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-03
CIRCUS SETTLES
 FOR THE WINTER Many Interesting Scenes at
 Smiths Park IS AN IDEAL LOCATION Mir. Dow,c Is Very Much Pleased With Birmingham as Winter Quarters.
 May Establish
 Zoo.
 
IS AN IDEAL LOCATION

Winter quarters for 1sO5-o6 have been established in Birmingham by the Sells & Downs shows. Smiths park, the scene of so many amusements in this city, shelters the stock, animals, reptiles and all parephernalia connected with the circus.
 the animals Large cages, with steel and iron bars, have been erected. and inside are the lions, tigers, hyenas. leopards, wild cats and other animals. Monkeys in large numbers are also there. The chirp of the little fellows can be heard through out the building as they beg for food from the keepers. Queen elephant over 100 years of age, is there and ac- cepts fruit from the hands of people. Baby the young elephant is stationed next to the older one, and both romp and play with each other continually.
 Place for Stock.
 Across the track from the building, where the animals are stationed is the stock. Horses that perform in the ring and those that pull the heavy circus wagons are together, and the one hundred or more head receive every attention. The trick mule, with all his unusual pranks, mingles with the more intelli- gent brutes. The Shetland ponies and jacks are kept in stalls, and the camels are not allowed to mingle with the horses but instead are fenced off in another DOT tion of the park.
 The big stock and animal wagons used in the season are under a shed near the park entrance, and are covered in order to preserve them from the weather.
 The more rare and expensive animals, such as the female elk, the nylghau and birds of every description are kept be- meath the grand stand in places specially fitted up for them.
 1.-The quarters could not be improved upon," said Mr. Downs. Here I have a. general observation of everything with out leaving the park. The matter of se- curing water for the stock is easy and the buildings in which the animals ar~ located are warm and insure the health of the stock am delighted with coming here.
 We will remain in quarters until the spring, when we will open the season in Birmingham. That is. we will inaugurate our moving season here.
 Tn other places where we have win tered the animals would be stationed at one end of the city and the stock at the other. I have known quarters we oc- cupied to have the animals and stock six miles apart. Here everything is different, as can be seen, and we are pleased to know that all our possessions are within our eyesight at all times"
 VIII Spend Money.
 The location of Sells & Downs in Bir- mingham for the winter means that the commission and feed merchants here will profit. The feed bill alone will reach 8 minimum of $1200 per month, not to men tion the cost of meat for the animals. The employees will of course need goods and wares, which also means that they will leave cash in the pockets of the merchants.
 Another thing that may result from the visit of the circus to Birmingham may be the establishing of zoo, where women and children will be given an opportunity
 
 Houppert are considering the matter seriously, and if the proper arrange ments can be made zoo will be one Of the many forms of entertainment that will be furnished citizens of Birmingham and visitors
 The winter quarters of a circus meH1- that everything is systematized The ani- mals are feed twice day with the ex- captions of the lions and other vicious beasts. They are feed once a day, and nothing is given them on Sunday. Lions, tigers and such animals can only be feed raw meat, with no fat or skin. Careful attention is paid to this matter by the keeper. number of young lions are within the enclosure for the beasts. and they present an appearance seldom seen Henry Goddell, manager; W. M. Faulk- ner, in charge of stock; Henry Cassidy, animal custodian; Albert Smith, superin- tendent of lights, are the men in charge of the winter quarters of Sells & Downs, and the proprietors lend all the assist ance possible