The daily sentinel., 1905-07-26
Bdrnum & Bailey

Sensation has followed sensation
| sa rapidly in the circus world that
the public is prepared to receive
without incredulity the announcement
of the most startling and seemingly
impossible feats.
The latest thriller is known as the
''auto-bolide" and has been made
known in America by the Barnum &
l Bailey circus. 1t is a Paris import
alton. Literally translated the name
II auto bolide" means the auto me-
l teor. In its wild flight through the
| air IL is said TO suggest nothing so
much as shooting star. The auto
/ bolide is the legitimate development
/ of the aerial bicycle sensation, but
| it is so much more dangerous and
] is presented on such an ambitious
scale as to completely dwarf all pre-
vious efforts in this line.
To present the act requires an
immense amount of apparatus The
framework which supports the run
ways is as high as three-story build
l ing. 1t is constructed of the finest
steel and weighs many tons. The
general shape of the apparatus sug-
gests the hump of d buffalo. AT the
apex is a small platform. One side
of the steel framework supports an
incline that curves inward at its low
er extremity like the tail of mons
ter letter IS. =" The other section of
the framework holds a curved run
way, that begins. half-moon shape
40 feet in the air, and straightsns out
into an easy incline as il approaches
the ground. Between the extreme
end of the IS" and the second in
cline there is yawning chasm of 40
feet. Il is this awful gap that the
automobile must cross with its dar-
ing rider. And it must be accomp-
lished with the machine literally up
side down
When the time is ripe for the dip
of DEATH the automobile is raised to
its elevated platform by means of a
wire cable. When the auto has been
placed on its elevated pedestal. the
automoblist ascends. Mile Mauricia
de Tiers, the woman who dares'
in the auto bolide. is young and small
of stature, and nature has endowed
her with face of unusual beauty and
intelligence.
No unnecessary time is consumed
in the preparations. The suspense
is not prolonged. Almost before the
audience has nerved itself for the or
deal, the word is given and the auto
starts upon its perilous journey. For
two-thirds the distance down the in
cline the machine remains upright.
As it strikes the loop of the IS,
however, its position quickly becomes
reversed, and for a distance of so
feet. although still following the
curve of the incline, it is upside
down. IL is in that position when it
leaves the IS" II shoots through
/ the air at terrific speed. with its
wheels revolving in the air and point
| ing skyward, and with the automo-
| bilist riding head down; it strikes
/ the second runway still in its invert-
ed position. is quickly righted by
| the curve of the incline and goes
| rushing earthward with the speed
of an express train.
So great is the momentum that
the automobile runs distance of a
hundred feet before its speed can
/ be checked and the rider permitted
to alight. In the words of a writer
in the Paris Figaro: "She needs no
assistance With bound she is out
of the auto, and is bowling with smil-
| ing appreciation of the plaudits the
audience is showering upon her. She
has thrilled -astounded-the audi
ence, and she has risked her life to
do it. But no trace of the fearful
ordeal is visible in her face or attire
! Smiling she dared death; smilingly
/ she receives the appreciation that her
intrepidity has won"
The dip of death" will be present
ed here during the local engagement
of the Barnum & Bailey circus, Mon
| day morning.