Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-16
ATTR ACTED MANY
WIN. p. HALLS SHOWS A WEI.
COME VISITOR IN oTTuMwA
YESTERDAY
Immense Crowds Visit the Tented, the
Clean, Up to Date Entertainment as
Provided by the Circus Some Of
the Shows Features

Shining with a newness that is sci.
dom seen in circuses, and Of gigantic
magnitude, William P. Halls stupen-
dous three ring exhibition and horse
fair entertained thousands of people
yesterday afternoon and evening. The
day was an ideal one for the show, and
the. crowded city took advantage of
the opportunity and turned out en-
masse to greet the popular Mr.. Hall
and his show. The afternoon perform
'ance attracted an immense crowd of
people. The final exhibition Of the
day, which began at 8 o'clock in the
evening, attracted a duplicate of the
afternoons enormous attendance. Both
performances were strong throughout,
from the grand entry to the exciting
four horse Roman chariot race, which
was the concluding feature.
Represents $25o,ooo.
AS foundation for this great can.
vass amusement, Mr.. Hall purchased
the Walter L. Main shows for the sum
Of 100000. BY afterwards purchas-
ing the Nickel Plate shows and adding
new articles and charging in all de-
partments, he now has show that
represents $250,000. He is at all times
on the market for a high class animal;
expense being secondary considera-
ton. At no time will the circus force
number less than 400 persons and will
usually run near $50. The total daily
expense of the show will approximate
$1,000.
Mr. Hall was born on a farm near
Lancaster, Mo-, and now at the age of
SO years has the distinction of being
one Of the greatest, if not the greatest
horseman Of the present day, and the
worlds recognized authority as the
most competent judge of horsefesh.
Adam Forepaugh was the largest indi-
vidual show proprietor and horse
owner of his day. A new Napoleon
has arisen in the person Of Col VIM.
P. Hall, who is a worthy successor to
Forepaugh. i.
Completeness of Show.
The circus in itself is thing Of gi-
gantic magnitude and splendor. Great
credit Is due Mr.. Hall for the COM
pleteness Of the show. and it seems all
the more wonderful when one realizes
that it's inception was but a few
months ago. At present the circus is
carrying $50 horses and ponies. For
the past two years Col. Hall has had
special agents securing Europe and
America, with instructions to spare no
expense in purchasing the finest
horses procurable for use in what is
known as the Great VIM. P. Hall
shows. But short time ago, his
agents transported ten Norman. stall
lions direct from Normandy. They in
themselves represent a small fortune.
Another department of the Hall shows
which adds it's part to making the cir.
Gus the success 1t is, can be readily
seen in the beautiful costumes worn
by the performers. Amski & Sons, of
New York City, the famous theatrical
costumers, manufactured the entire
wardrobe of the Hall shows. The cos.
tunes are conceded to be the finest
and most costly of any ever seen under
canvas.
The Performers.
:, Some<of the best performers in this
and other lands have been secured for
the present of Col Halls shows.
Principal among them are the famous
family of acrobats, the ST. Icons of
Australia; Orrin Hollis, champion
bareback somersault rider, who exc
cutes forward and backward somer.
saults with surprising proficiency;
Bert Mayo, Americas greatest somer
sault equestrian, who accomplishes the
unrivaled feat of turning somersaults
while going a rapid speed; Ed Mil
lette, twentieth century wonder, great
est of all head balancers on single ira
peze; La Belle Leona, whose master
full execution of bareback riding proved
.e.O +e.e.ap.e. ap.e.O.e.