The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-31
RECORD BREAKIAG
 CROWDS AT CIRCUS Oyer 26,000 People Were al Ringling Brothers Show THE SHOW WAS IMMENSE All People Could Not Be Accommo- dated-AIf Rinellne Praises Bir-
 minsham and Will Stay
 Two Days Next Year.
THE SHOW WAS IMMENSE


 Ringing Brothers shows broke mum Der of records in Birmingham yesterday. Never before in the history of the city were so many people on the streets to see any kind of a parade. The circus people declare that 1t was something new for them to refund the price of admission to more than 500 people after taxing every available spot in the vast tent. Besides those who could not find standing room after procuring tickets there were no less than 2000 persons who wended their way to Smiths park in the afternoon and were unable to buy tickets after getting there. At the performance last night the management determined to avoid a repeti- ton of the afternoon jam and closed down the box office at 7:45, fifteen minutes before the performance began. At that time there was not a seat left and hum dreds were seated on the ground all the way around the spacious canvass.
 Not even the jam to see President Roose- welt at Capitol park one week ago today eaualled the crowd of men, women and children that focked to see the parade and to the circus grounds yesterday af- ternoon. Women almost tainted and more than one child narrowly avefted death by being trampled by the eager. fighting throng that pushed and showed to get near the ticket wagon. After all the seats had been exhausted the management per mtted number to go in on standing room passes. In doing this too many were allowed to get on the inside and the dis order was little less than a panic. Fully 500 left the tent and went to the box office to get their money refunded. Twice as many were turned down at the doors and not permitted to enter.
 It was something new for the circus people to see such a crowd and they were in a better position to handle the thou sands at the evening performance than in the afternoon. When the usual number oi tickets were sold the box office was closed and that ended it. There were no more admissions at any price.
 Ali Ringllng, one of the five brothers who own the shows, declared that he had underestimated Birmingham and thai in the future it will be two night stand This means that when Ringing Brothers 
 matinees and two night exhibits, will be given.
 Rlnglings Surprised.
 T do not remember anything like it. said MT. Ringing. Never before has city with Birminghams population, ac cording to the last census, turned out SC many people. l estimate the attendanc, today at no less than 26.0Oo, including both performances. There were at leas 1900 at the matinee and you see thu tent is full tonight. Our seating capacit, is about 12,000, and no less than 1000 oc cupied seats on the ground.
 Tt is pleasure to show to such enthu. siastic audiences, and I know the per. formers were inspired at the sight of SC many expectant faces. I am sure WI will be here next year. and now that know more about the Magic City, I an sure we will remain here twice as long You make no mistake in calling your city Greater Birmingham. While I am mol from Missouri, you have shown me thai you can get a bigger crowd than tn, average city of 10000 inhabitants.
 While we are gratified at the box of fee II may interest you to know that wt spent something more than 5000 here, oi 5000 more than we spend in the average city. I am glad we made this a purchas ing point. since the people have seen fiji to favor us with such attendances." description of Ringing Brothers shows this year would fail to convey z correct idea of what was to be seer under the big canvass at both perform ances yesterday. It would have to b, witnessed to be appreciated. There wa: a blast of trumpets at the opening of tho performance, followed by parade and g series of elaborate exhibitions, including ballet of dancing girls who presented e feast of mirth and merriment. At the close there were something like ten hip podrome sensations that not only thrilled but called for vociferous applause. Be tween the beginning and the end ther, were so many displays In three rings ant on two stages that 1t was almost i'm possible to keep up with them. Ther, were something like sixty acts by som, of the finest performers in the country. Mid-Air Performances.
 The mid-air performances were reve lat1OnS m Shlllull ltdtS Oi tidptZt, rope wire, bars and every other imagina blt thing that could be used for support Equestrians gave exhibitions that were difficult and intricate, and the horse. acted with almost as much intelligence as human being. There were acrobatiC specialties hand balancing and uniqut performances on high wire. Some of the country's greatest athletic and acrobatic performers were introduced, and the dis plays showing the Jackson troupe and the Kaufman troupe In cycling feats were considered two of the hits of tho evening. The aerial number and th' bareback riding were wonderful exhibi tions of nerve, daring anu skill.
 There were clowns without end. They had regular carnival There was some thing happening with fifty of the comic fellows at work every minute to create laughter dancing Advertisement tha is practically new was featured, and il