The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-03-14
sead Before the Chawta,.q,.a Circle.

Paper Read Before the Chaata.qua Circle.
IKE the circus a carnival compa-
ny Is conducted or operated for
IL two purposes, to amuse the pub
lie and 70 increase the managers
bank roll, the latter being the most es-
sentlal. A manager when in want Of
people, freaks or curiosities for any de-
partment Of the show business, will
hsvesome theatrical agent engage them
for him, or else win insert an advertise
ment in some Of the leading theatrical
journals, stating the number ami kind
ofpeople required.
Several years ago while filling vaude-
Vile dates in the twin cities the writer
answered one of these advertisements
and the following week Joined the Nor
ris and Berger carnival company then
playing in the capital city of Wiscon-
sin. This company had fifteen "Mid-
way" shows on the streets, but the
majority of them were owned by pri-
vate individuals who paid certain
percentage or so much per week for the
privilege of doing business under this
company's advertising.
The mechanical amusements or de-
vices, such as the Ferris wheel and
merry-gO-rOund, are conducted on the
came basis as the different shows. The
fruit vendors, souvenir peddlers and
owners of the various concession
stands, also pay small fee when not
controlled by the company. These
shows are generally given under the
auspices of the press association or
some club. In cases of this kind the
promoters furnish a ticket taker for
each show. The tickets which are in
rolls are numbered and arranged alpha
betically, which makes it impossible for
either party to receive more than their
share.
Every kind Of show Imaginable was
represented, such as electric, plantation,
German village, vaudeville, animal and
reptile, in addition to many others.
The free attractions consisted of two
aerial artists, three bands and Mr.. Nc
Comb the high diver. 1 believe the
most important person with this COM
pany (Omitting one or two) was the elec-
trician. This person whose duties are
to decorate the "welcome arch" with
transparent and vari-colored electric
bulbs, to see that each show is supplied
with sufficient light, and to keep the
electrical shows exempt from any mie-
haps is kept very busy man. The
effects of his skill should be seen at
night to be fully appreciated. The
street advertisers and banner painters
are generally paid by the citizens they
work for, and they use every method
known to their profession in advertis-
ing.
The people connected with these
companies receive better pay than those
with small show. Performers, mu-
sicians, and spielers receive as much as
$4,000 per month, while feature act
draws as high as 81, 200 per week., but
those salaries are large and are very
seldom paid, unless the act is worth it.
The feature actors that can afford it,
furnish their own special Autographs
and carry an under-study to their acts.
Each of the shows are indicated by
sldesh0w paintings, or large banners
lettered in gaudy c0lOrs on a rich back
ground of sky-blue, yellow, ermine or
other bright shades. The booths are
decorated with bunting, festoons of
colored tissue paper, flags and rosetts
of ribbons. With such scenes, amid
the piping OF the venders and the bands
playing the latest music, it is no won-
der that so many people become stage
struck.
The accommodations with the Morris
and Berger company were excellent, the
attaches stopping at first-class hotels,
and the "ghost" made its appearance
every week. The feature with "Big
Otto's" animal show was q little horse.
This little equine wonder stood about
seven hands high, and a silver dollar
would cover its forward hoofs. The
wagon that this midget was exhibited
In, is masterpiece of workmanship,
being painted with white enamel and
gold stripes, the panels all set with oval
and diamond-shsped mirrors. Ibid not