The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-01-31
Gave Good Show.
Society Circus at the Grand Thea
tire Last Thursday and Friday
Nights Best Thing of the Kind
Ever Seen Here Audiences
Captivated by Wonderful Work
of Clever Performers.

In the two splendid performances pre-
sented Mt the Grand Theatre last Thurs
day and Friday nights. the Society Cir
Gus more than met public expectation.
And knowing the reputation and ability
oil the performers, much was expected.
1t was not only good show, but the
best OF its kind. No such riding was ever
seen here before, and we do not believe
better has been seen anywhere. When
we say the CASTILLO (Loughlin) Family
NJ lie. Ada, David and Fred-were the
principals this opinion will be readily ac-
cepted by those who know them.
The opening number OF the program
was leaping and somersaulting over
horses-a feature of the old time circus
now too rare. Mr. David CASTILLO Lough.
lin was master OF ceremonies and the
old man was given an ovation by
his friends when he appeared on the
stage. Time was when Mr.. Loughlin
was recognized as one of the best all
round show men in the business. As
leaper. somersaulter, acrobat and gym
mast he was equally good, while as a
bareback rider and bounding jockey be
was the peer of any But he has retired
nOw-some time ago. Dead Ito the pro-
fession) he yet lives in his sons, who are
veritabe Chips of the old block Not
many OF their friends in Henderson had
seen their performances and their work
was pleasing surprise to them.
The performance was good all the
way through and very enjoyable but
the riding of Mrs. CASTILLO, David and
Fred CASTILLO and France Reed constitu-
ted the chief features in which the ac-
complished work of the true artist was
illustrated in the highest degree. The
double carrying act of Mrs. CASTILLO and
Mr.. David CASTILLO (mother and SOM ex-
ecuting the most difficult and daring
feats ever done on two bareback gallop-
ing horses, was of the highest order and
took the audience by storm. We have
never seen this act excelled and the only
counterpart was when David CASTILLO,
the elder, did the same act with his wife
some years ago before he retired from
the arena.
The high school riding of Madam Ros-
81 and the fancy and trick driving with
sulky, Introducing her beautiful import
ed thoroughbred horse, 'Rheingold, were
among the best and most pleasing num-
bers on the pragram. One did not know
which to admire most, the performances
of the beautiful and well trained horse
or the skill and grace of the dashing and
pretty woman who managed him.
The bareback riding Of Mrs. CASTILLO
was the act of finished performer, every
movement an expression OF grace and
skill, challenging the wonder and admir-
alton of the audience.
The burlesque riding act of France
Reed dressed in comical attire as female,
was one of the best features on the pro-
L. l. IL ,,,I
in the extreme and yet so bold and dar-
ing, 50 skillful and clever was his work
that it proclaimed him a bareback rider
in class by himself-champion of cham
pions.
The comedy riding act of Fred CASTILLO
and France Reed was great-a regular
whirlwind of daredevil craftsmanship
and breakneck acrobatic performances
which were greeted with storms of ap-
plause
The grand double jockey act of David
and Fred Castillo, assisted by France
Reed, was the acme of equestrian skill
and daring. They rode in all kinds
of ways, in every conceivable position,
leaped from the stage to the back OF the
galloping horse and landed on their feet
in a standing position with the ease OF
jumping over flour barrel, and did va
rious stunts which seemed quite impossi-
BILE David and Fred CASTILLO were on
the back of one horse together, both
astride. France Reed ran, leaped up
ward, turned forward somersault and
took the back of the horse in sitting
attitude-crOss ways-an act we had
never seen done before. AS a climax
Fred Castillo jumped from the stage to
the horses back, standing erect: David
CASTILLO did the same thing taking a po-
sition in front of him and France Reed
followed in like manner standing in front
of David, the horse thus carrying three
men each of whom had jumped from the
stage to the animals back while he was
galloping around the small circle accom-
plishing the feat without slip or error
OF Judgment in movement or action. 1t
was great and brought forth tremen-
dous applause.
Charles Castillo, youngest OF the Cas-
tello Brothers, performers, surprised his
friends perhaps more than the older boys
did. His work on the flying perch pole
was we'll done But it was in his loop
walking act and with the flying rings
that he won heartiest applause and al
most took ones breath away by his diff
ficult and death defying performances.
Fred Nicoti made funny "old clown.
He looked and acted the part well and
kept the audience in constant laughter.
The children especially enjoyed his antics
greatly and without him the perform
ance would not have been near SO pleas
ing a success to them.
Altogether it was a good show-a su-
perb performance by accomplished per-
formers-and those who witnessed it ac-
cord it highest praise.