Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-07-06
PANIC AND DEATH
IN A CIRCUS TENT.
Storm Partly Wrecks Ringling's Big Can
vas During Performance IN
Aurora, Ill.

AURORA. ILL.,. June 30.-Ten thou
sand people were thrown in panic one
was killed, one died of fright and seven
injured during a performance of Ring
ling Bros circus here late Friday after
of the tent.
AL Ringling's Great Work.
The remarkable GOODNESS of Al Ring
ling saved many from being hurt. With
a megaphone he directed the band to
play lively and directed the crowd out
of the swaying tent. The dead:
BURY, MATHEW, Aurora, AZ years old,
legIess cripple, unmarried, formerly an en-
ploye of Burlington road; struck by pole
and also trampled on, ana instantly killed.
CRESS, WILLIAM, Geneva, 80 years old,
from tent; was leading wife and daughter
from danger; death due to shock OF acct
dent.
John Abel was the most seriously hurt
of the seven injured. He was a candy
butcher with the circus. The others in
iured are: Frank Kehoe, Aurora; John
Raw, driver of the police patrol; Miss
Bertha Seaman, Geneva; Mrs. Tarping,
Shabbona; Mrs. George Stanteld, Shah
bona, and James Schmidt, Aurora.
Elephants Trumpet in Terror.
Fifteen elephants were going through
their numbering performance when the
wind. by a peculiar freak, tore a fifty
foot hole in the center of the top of the
great tent Instantly the big beasts
began wild trumpeting. The lions and
tigers and other wild beasts in the ami
NAL tent adjoining, although the canvass
over them remained intact, were driven
crazy with fear.
All Ringing, managing partner of the
circus, and the canvas men, with mega
phone, aided by the performers who We're
in the ring or who came rushing IN from
the dressing, tents, trled TO CAIN the
crowd The band, which had been play
ing waltz music during the performance
of the elephants, changed under Ring
ling's orders. to q rag time. The spec
tacle of the Field of the Cloth of Gold
had lust been concluded and the last OF
the gorgeous retlnue had passed the can
vas portals of the dressing tent. -Four
fifths of the spectators were school chill
dren.
Evening Attendance Large.
While the Ringing Bros workmen
were unable to repair the tent last night,
the performance was given and nearly
as large a crowd attended as was pres
ent in the afternoon. Through the great
rent in the canvas the stars shone.
Scores of buildings were damaged in
this vicinity by the storm, which was
cyclOnic in nature.
How People Got Out
When the big hole appeared in the
canvas Ringing seemed to know just
what to do. Making a megaphone cut
of his hands he shouted to the band:
PLAY fast, something lively. keeT
on playing whatever happens!'
To the people he shouted: walk out
quickly and look after these little chill
dren. Make for the walls of the tent
You can't all get out through the mair
entrance. Make for the walls"'
Look out for those elephants
Frank" he shouted to the chief trainer
The people began to move forward
Some OF them began to rrn.
"Cut that OUT" yelled Ringing again
making a megaphone out Of his hands
you'll all get out. Be careful of those
children"
In a short time the people were al
out in the open air and the panic ended