Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-07
Robbins Circus June II.

The Bristol CR. - Phoenix has the
following to say regarding the Frank
a. Robbins circus which appeared in
that city May %:
THE Frank \. Robbins menagerie
and circus drew large audiences Sat
urday, the attendance being especially
large at night. despite the fact that
the weather was cold and disagree
able. The show has been greatly en-
larged since its appearance here two
years ago. and now takes rank as one
OF the really large circuses There
were two rings and a central stage,
and several times during the perform
ance as many as five acts We're going
on at the same time. The bareback
riding, the tumbling, the bicycle act.
and the LlOyds in their casting act on
the nigh trapeZe are features that are
not surpassed by any of the artists
with largest circuses, in fact some of
the performers We're with the Barnum
K BAILEY show last season. There
were no arrests and no disturbances in
connection with the show and the en-
ployees were above the average of cir
Gus men as a rule. The performance
greatly pleased all who saw it.
Frank A. Robbins has been in the
circus business practically all his life
He is now past 60 years of age, but
ne travels with his show and person.
ally superintends all the details from
the time of arrival in town until de-
Iarture. He is the son of a physician
and when boy ran away from his
nome in the West to follow a circus.
After several years Of roughing it
with various shows he started a small
circus which travelled in wagons.
This was 81 years ago, and since that
time ne has been out with his own
show every season. In speaking of
his experiences Mr.. Robbins said Sat
urday morning: During the first
few years Of my proprietorship Of a
show | sometimes had horses to haul
my wagons from town to town and
sometimes after bad weeks business
| was obliged to sell some Of nv
horses and hire animals to draw the
wagons to the next town. Then when
business was better I bought horses
again. and 50 it went for years. Now
| have show of which 1 am proud
and | have a complete organization
which has been built up by years of
IilIu NOlh ana experience and which
can be obtained in no other way. r
have about 800 men on my pay rolls
ana some of them have been with me
long time. For instance the fore
man of the canvas men has been with
the Robbins Show for over 80 years.
and of course understands how to
handle the men in the difficult daily
task Of erecting and taking down the
big tents. All the departments are
under capable heads and the result is
that, although there is much to do,
everything goes like clock work, as
every man understands what is ex-
nccted OF him and fills his own place
in the big organization. One thing
that holds the men with this show is
the good treatment they receive. We
feed everybody alike, the tent men get
the same food as the performers and
all is the best l can buy in the town
where we show. The men have good
appetitoS and value wholesome food
and plenty Of it more than they do
high wages. l treat my men fairly |
and the result is satisfactory both to !
me and them. We have been doing |
big business 50 far and it looks like a |
successful season for us