Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-05
CIRCUS DAY.
Cole Bros. Show Gives
A Great Performance
Thousands Of People Attend
Afternoon and Evening.
Fine Parade and Show One Of Best
That Has Visited City.

Yesterday was circus day in this city
with Cole Brothers Wonderful Shows
as the attraction. 1t was certainly a
typical circus, and the crowds; about
| the streets was the largest seen for Il
| long time. The weather which threat
ened rain all the morning did not keep
| the people from coming to the city and
more strangers We're present from sur
rounding towns than at any previous
circus.
There was the usual number on hand
| to witness the unloading and tent rails
| ing. which are always interesting fea-
lures If circus. The train arrived
from Bangor in the morning and after
| unloading, went to the Central Maine
| Fair grounds, where two fine exhibit
| tions were given. The circus, although
not us large as some which have visit
cd the city, was unusually good and
the cleanliness of the personnel and
| attractivcneSS Of the horses and cos
tunes left q very good impression In
the minds of all. These qualities never
fail to impress and if they should ever
return they will be greeted with cor
| diality.
Long lcfore the time for the parade
the main streets We're lined with solid
mass of people, who had come from
| far and near to witness the festivities
and they were not disappointed. The
parade had Il long distance to come,
but the people We're patient and We're
| repaid for their waiting. The parade
| left the fair grounds at 10 o'clock, came
down Western avenue to Pleasant, then
| down Main to Silver and back over
| Western avenue. The cages containing
| the wild animals We're all opened SO
that the PEOPLE had the advantage of
| seeing the wild beasts. There were
| three bands and the usual number OF
| clowns which ever delight tn" people.
| The costumes of the riders We're neat
| and attractive and the horses We're OF
| the best. Then came the elephants with
| ''MiohtV Mary" in the lead. 1t would
not be Il circus if these animals were
| missing Several camelS We're also IN
| the procession. The steam organ, which
| causes all people to hold tight rein
| on their horses, played some unusually
| fine selections and bringing M in the
1 rear were the rural acrobats perched
| in load of hay and doing all sorts OF
gymnaStic stunts. They were last but
| not least
| A large crowd took the cars and went
to the grounds to be on hand for the
| free exhibitions The Cole Brothers cir
! Gus boasts of giving the largest num-
! Der of free exhibitions for the bene-
| fit of the people of any show on the
| road. The first was the daring ride for
! life by the lady cyclist. Elevated upon
| a high run she at the word raced down
| the incline leaped over four large ele
phants and reached the ground. Then
| a free exhibition was given in front of
| the side show tent which immensely
pleased the crowd.
The Big Show.
After passing through the menagerie
where all descriptions of wild beasts
were seen, the big show was the next
attraction. A large, well-ventilated
tent capable of seating 10000 people
were arranged in a neat manner, All
| the different sections were clearly
marked and the tent itself presented
4 favorable appearance.
The performance started at o'clock
with the parade of performers and
| animals. The show was one of the
best ever seen in this city and the
audience was generous with its ap-
plause. The clowns We're funny and
| the acts were precise and not too long
to be tiresome. The acrobatic work
was feature, the Stirk family in par
ticular. This troupe was on the center
! stage and their work was well worth
the price of admission Their slack
wire work met with special approval.
| Then there We're some great races
which proved exciting all through The
boys had foot race and sack race
and these pleased the crowd. The ar
ternoons entertainment wound up with
the ever pleasing chariot race. The con-
cert following was largely attended.
| Those who attended the concert had
the benefit of seeing the animals fed
and this is always something of great
interest. The wild man while being fed
attracted considerable attention.
In the evening at $50 O'Clock the lady
bicycliSt again performed her wonder
full feat Of riding down the incline over
the elephants
In the evening there was larger
crowd on hand than in the afternoon
and the exact performance was given
and it was enjoyed as well. The large
canvas tent was packed and the crowd
was handled in manner that was a
credit t. the management. Many extra
cars were put into service in the even
ing and there was no long delay In
reaching the city. The circus was de-
clared by all to be one of the best. 1t
may not be as large but the quality IS
to be judged
The Prohibition county committee
met in this city last evening at Lafay-
cite hall and transacted a small