The Washington herald., 1908-06-17

AS the hands OF the clock reached yes
terday afternoon man in the judges
box at the Benning race track said: Il
officially open the rural jubilee and barn
dance" Another man pulled a cord, re-
leasing Elk and American flags coiled
in the rafters Of the grand stand, and as
the silken banners fioated TO the breeze,
the most successful affair given in the
history Of Washington Lodge. No. Is,
B. p. o. Elks, started off with a momen-
tum that did not deminish until u o'clock
last night when the gates to the track
were closed.
Robert NJ. McWade opened the jubilee
on behalf OF the exalted ruler OF the
Washington Lodge, Ernest W. Emery,
who is attending the Republican national
convention at Chicago The introduc-
tory address was delivered by Frederick
]. Mershelmer, who said the purpose Of
the Elks In giving the jubilee was TO
raise funds 10 pay the debt on their new
home. He was followed by Judge De
Lacy. who spoke as an Elk, congratulat-
ing his brother Elks on the assured sue
cess Of the jubilee. and concluding with
a brief talk explanatory OF what an Elk
is and FOR what he stands.
Jubilee Is Opened.
The formal opening Of the jubilee fol-
lowed. after which Benjamin F. McCau
ley sounded the gong, which started the
races.
HoI
the big event Of the afternoon. they
ecllpsed all expectations.
After the horses had raced there was
a rush for other attractions scattered
about the acres inclosed by tall board
fence. The main rush Of people was to-
wards the country circus.
Acrobats. contortionists, bareback riders,
clowns. tricksters, jumpers, tight and
slack wire walkers. and all the familiar
characters that form the personnel OF a
real circus are 20 be found In abundance,
with new and amazing feats of hair
raising variety.
Everything happens in a small ring
about thirty feet In diameter, surrounded
by pink cheesecloth. There are said 10
be only twelve ponies in Washington. and
the Elks, by industry and perseverance,
obtained nine of them for their circus.
Filing In single line into the ring, the
nine ponies. with boy on each pony.
start the performance with a grand entry.
consisting OF 6 combination between a
waltz of the dreamy variety and a coun-
try dance.
In Charge of the Circus.
Prof Maurice Joyce. in charge Of the
circus. assumed charge Of the ring and
announced In a voice that Was heard
many city blocks, the first great feat Of
the evening-a horizontal bar act by the
Seven Turner's. While the act was In
progress Pete Becker. the singing clown,
usurped the Office OF the band, and dem
onstrated how little the average citizen
OF Washington knows about the vocal
gift. Three acrobats, two men and a
boy. took possession Of a mat in the
center Of the ring and beat it nearly to
death with their feet, hands and head
while performing tricks.
Messrs. Drummer, Taylor. and Goldsmith,
acrobats, retired amid applause. Little
Elma, whose name tells the truth about
her size, and Baby Stevens. stepped into
the limelight and proved they belonged
there with their contortion act.
A. ID. Jennings sat on a chair balanced
on a wire. and played a mandolin. August
Duehring exceled anything OF a similar
nature seen in Washington. Messrs Walsh
and Stefbold illustrated how certain IA
nous statues should have been modelled.
Throughout the performance Dennis Con-
NELL tramp, and John Croghan, policeman,
were excellent as clowns. With an excel
lent exhibition of monkey and dog acts,
the circus closed.
The barn dance had large number OF
admirers. II was given in the building al
one time known as the betting ring.
Around the walls were large hay wagons
nearly concealed by loads of timothy. OPP
posite the entrance cows chewed their
cuds as uncOncernedly as though they
had been bred 10 the strains of the ''Mer-
ry Widow" and the sounds Of hundreds
Of gliding feet.
The result of the races was as follows;
First race-Clsss b purse. SEQ. One-mile heats.
best two In three. by Howard o.; Lord Rus
sell. second: Molly NJ. third: Bob r., fourth. Time
23ih, 23iA, and 23s.
Second race-Class 4 purse $50. One-nile heats
best two In three won by Ada d. In straight heats;
Sir Electroid second MAY Queen, third Carricita
fourth. Time. 2s2S11 and go.
housekeeping class 10 nnabouts-Won by Thomas
r Keano's horse, The Nddleman: Sport owned
by W. II. Wade second; Bcttina. owned by J. J.
Dnly third; Major. owned BY DIR. A. E. Powell.
fourth.
Hgh-cias5 saddle hcrscs-Flcet. owned BY F. B. +.
Board; first; Playmate. owned hy William Blanch-
ard. second; Glee owned by Thomas G. Taylor
third Dandy. owned by Theodore Schondeau fourth
Prize handsome gold and silver cup.
Roadster class-Won by Dr. G. G. Patten with his
marc Alysotis Oak bal le Baron. owned by VIII
Dobbins second: Bedford Boy. owned hy G.. J.
Caspy. third Oak Wilkes owned BY Phil steu-
bencr. fourth.
Judges IN harness and saddle classes-B. +. Nc
Caull,y. Dr. 5. Sansbury and Mr.. Burns.
u. = McCaulley gave notable exhibition with a
handsome pair Of chestnut sorrels