The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-09

The usual quota of small boys, as
well as large number of older peo-
pie, were up before dawn had awaken
ed from its night of slumber, to see
the work of unloading the long train.
The arrival and unloading of a circus
is an event looked forward to with
great anticipation by the younger gen.
Grafton.
The SeIIs-F 1oto show is among the
best that has visited the city for some
time. Everything is new and up-to-
date and their many beautiful horses
as well as the animals, are in fine con-
dition.
The streets were thronged with spec
tators to view the parade. which was
over mile in length. The parade was
headed by a splendid band After the
band came corps of horsemen IN
magnificent costumes, then many pretty
ladies on horseback and more bands.
The various animals of different kinds
were seen in the long train. Many
scenes which created laughter and
brought cheers from the large crowd
were noticeable. For instance, the old
parade feature, patrol wagon, with
Carrie Nation for driver hauling a
clown to the police station There were
clowns riding mules and clown band.
The menagerie contains many babies,
the pretty little baby tigers attracting
considerable attention. while the mem
bers of the company pet the baby lions.
There is a whole drove of baby ponies,
which are very pretty; the smallest
one IS just six weeks old and tips the
scales at II pounds. In fact, the men
agerie is all good, but the babies at
tract the greatest amount of atten-
tor.
The management of the show as
sures the public that no discomforts
would follow a rain tonight, and there
is no indications of rain. The circus
tent is alleged to be water proof and
the location allows for plenty of drain
age.
The FIoto show has been unlucky in
Topeka and protection from rain is
one of the things the aggregation sees
to when they arrive. Three years ago
they landed in Topeka and were tied
up by a severe flood. The show stand
was a dead loss. The "razorbacks''
and performers got out and helped
rescue food victims from North To-
peka, because there was nothing do
ing IN the show line. A year later
they landed here and it rained to beat
four-of- kind. Now Willie Sells is a
part of the firm, and they hope to
break the bad weather spell.
The seat sale at Rowley's drug store
indicates that a full tent will greet the
performers tonight.
On account of the length of the
parade and the condition of the pave
ment. the street show was a little late
in getting around.
One Of the features of the street
parade was the tail end'=the ever
present calliope. This was no ordinary
caliope-it was actually in tune and
the operator knew how to play it.
Also-Willie Sells, semiproprietor Of
the show held the seat and drove the
six fine horses which pulled the mus5-
cal apparatus. Billie was rather
busy with his team. which did NOT
seem to be seasoned to the peculiar
brand of music which rose from the
rear, but he found time. between set
ing the brake to avoid a sl1lm0 into
some unexDlored abyss IN the Kansas
avenue pavement, and guiding his
heavy weights. to wave his hat at ac-
| quafntances along the way BY Bfllfe's
side sat otto Floto watching how 1t
was done.