The Washington times., 1906-05-06
ROMANCE
OF A CIRCUS RIDER
The True Story of Josie
De Motifs Brave Battle
Against Adversely.

The circus. like the stage. has its ro-
mances- Sometimes they are true. and
sometimes they exist only in the imag
ination of the versatile press agent. This
is a true romance, and the heroine of IL
is Josie De Mott the little somersault
rider who was thrown from her horse
at the inaugural performance of the
Barnum & Bailey circus at Madison
Square Garden, and injured so badly
that she has only within a week return
ed to the circus arena.
Several years ago there was a young
principal equestrienne with the old John
Robinson circus who attracted almost
universal attention She was pretty.
chic, and clever. Her riding was grace
full and finished, and she evoked ap-
plause and admiration by accomplishing
the most difficult backward somersaults
on horseback. At that time there was
only one other young woman in Ameri-
ca who successfully accomplished this
difficult feat. Naturally, the young rider
was given a great deal of newspaper at
tention, and Josie De Mott became one
of the most popular among arenic fav-
/ oTites-
Bride of Young Charley" Robinson.
Among those who saw and admin ed
Josie De Mott was Charles Robinson, a
son of John Robinson, the second, the
| proprietor cf the show. Around the
show the young man was Familiarity
known as Charley" He was popular
and when it was announced that he had
won the young riders heart and that
they were to be married, he was univer-
sally congratulated
Life looked very bright to the young
couple. Charley Robinson was well-to-
| do. His wife was charming, educated,
and well-fitted 10 grace any position in
society. At her husbands request she
| bade gOOd-by. as she beiie-sG. to the
| circus life forever. After some time
spent in lovely home on Walnut Hill.
the aTistocrauc part Of Cincinnati, Mr..
and Mrs. Robinson came ito New York,
and purchased a handsome improved
| estate at Hampstead. l. I. 1t is the
dream of every actress, as well as every
| circus wOman,> to own farm. or at
least a suburban residence withsall the
| appurtenances that the name implies.
and the Hampstead estate was both.
Became the Family Bread Winner.
This life was idyllic until Mr.. Robin
sol was confronted by several financial
rev erses. \ large part of his fortune
was, it is said, lost in Wall Street. and
bin promising but unfortunate ventures.
In order TO recoUp these losses the
couple went to the Klondike, but even
there no turn of fortune came TO their
aid. On returning to their Long Island
home Mrs. Robinson's courage and de-
termination came TO the front
Il can still ride" she said. II can still
turn a somersaut on a horse. 1 will re-
turn to the circus arena
Her husband tried to persuade her
from taking this STEP but she was reso-
lutte and determined. She knew hel
ability as a rider and when the intima-
ton was made to the management ot
the Barnum & Bailey circus that sh,
could be secured for the season of 1906
a p.incely offer was Immediately mad,
to her
Thrown by Nervous Horse.
At the arst performance before tn,
} public the danger of the new horse. in
troduced for the first time in crowded
/ building, with all the Incidental noises
OF the circus In action, was painful,
: evident. The horse, being nervous anC
easily frightened swerved, and the lit
tie rider was thrown off. She fell heav
: lily upon the wooden curb ring. anS
'Housh severely ana paln1ulIy injured
refused TO leave the arena. In fact
: with the ligsments of one of her leg.
torn apart, She mounted her horse anC
{ turned a graceful somersault on the ami
2 mars back She knew she was badl,
injured. she SAID afterward, but th-
, management had advertised her as |
, somersault equestrienne. and sic wouIc
not dlsappofnt Manager Bailey or tn,
public. IL is this artistic instinct thai
gives circus women their individuaI;+,-
II seemed doubiy unfortunate ma
after returning TO the arena in SO gooC
: cause, such an accident should hav,
! occurred But Josie De Mott was mo-
discouraged. The injury has healed ane
the little somersault equestrienne will
| make known her cleverness to the reo
pie of Washington when the big shor
} exhibits here Monday and Tuesday. Man
IA and 10 1t viii be her first appear.
/ ance in Washington in several wears