The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-22

sang several songs and accompanied
herself on the pianoforte. n feat never
attSm1ted by any other person
In 1928 there was an Rmphitheaers and
circus at the Richmond Hill Garden, at the
corner of Charlton and VaEtck sfreets. AND
through the winter a grand caravan OF
4vang animals. among them a Hon, Old
Napoleon" was to Ne seen At 10 BoWery,
while in March of the following year we
read Of a New Circus on Canal street,
between Broadway and Elm streets, where
a Mr.. la Conta threw a somersauit through
n rice fierce, the whole troop assisting
in Sports Of the Ring. Inc Master Spencer
performed on horseback"
In 1925 the glOries Of the old circus on
Broadway we're dimmed before the su-
perior attractions ~ the Lafayette Circus
on Laurens street Vest Broadway, near
canal street. At tie opening -ap address
written by the poet 1amuel Woodwork
was delivered by Mr.. Dinnell.'
There were new thrills. Master Ia
Forrest rode on his head without saddle
or bride and leHpt over a canvas ten feet
wide Mr.. Bogardus. from MeKtco also
gave n two horse act. loaped pver 9arters
and u pyramid Of men ana threw a sOnsr-
sault over ton horses, and there vas a
balancing Upon the chin of a boy seated
on n role bv a young Greek, lthtgas. Az
the performance Of Tuesday, Julytl2, Q
Lafayette was present.
The Broadway Circus was reopened in
way, lhsN' sue enbTy WhH HtWAG Wy -,
"cavalcada Of twenty Polish LsnoeIs,
with horsemanship iy three hoys. dancing
by a girl. vault ing and tight rope Perform
ing by actors fresh from London 4
magic phrase Of the press agent Of that
Period.
Meanwhile a srec'ous and coumod:ous
building had been erected quite out OF
the city" on Grant street, just Opposite
Harmon street, or, as IL was afterwaru
called, East Broadway. Hardie, deecIlo-
ing II, said that 1T night the lights OF that
circus. which was named the o Pitt,
could be seen in the distance II one stood
NJ Chatham Square,
II was by oil odds the fines CIRCUS Duild-
ing yet erected in New York. and one OF
the lsrgcst plscrs al amusement in Amer
icc." Built 81 wood, with y brick front
thCt was yer iVpOsinR. II had sests for
$500 persons. end until the place was
burned. on August 5. 1879. II wss we'll filed
nearly every day.
The building stood near the site Of the
IN ssnt Grand street ferry to Williams
burg. and it wes on the river sands there
that Dick Sands, long a popular performer.
threw his first hipdaps. Charley white.
one Of the original successful minstrels,
used tn help trim the lamps ct the Gun
Pitt Circus To get free admission 10 the
show.
The reason he didn't get in by carrying
water for the elephant was thst there was
nv NEIIAAsAlNE as = ~ AAAO AAGh
man for many years, and Archie Madden.
= renowned clown. got their start there.
The quotation ITO witch the world with
noble horsempn ship" sppesred on the first
programme Issued by the Mount Pitt, The
same programme announced thet p strong
Police ~ engaged end strict order
decouum will he enforced"
One notable lecture of thst circus was the
singing. on the night Of November II. 1928.
of , sOng comma morative Of the Siege Of
Plsttsburg in September. tslt." The song
began:
Back side Albany stan Lake Champlain.
The singer was Tatnell. the FLYING Horse
man" in the character Of n negro. and the
singing Of that dsrky jingle Gevc an impetus
10 hat bird OF minstrelsy and caused il 10
spread gnd win popularity throughout the
s'ftlcd parts Of the country.
II WIS in 1928. the wear sfter the publica-
ton Of Hsrdia's book. thrt William Niblo's
son SOuCi' g'rien was erected. and two
years efteT thst that BlanChsrd's noted
Am1hithsPtre IVES opened on Chatham
street. between Duane end Pearl.