The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-08-07

CATION vi Aihuseinen's' AZ
tastic Farago of Freaks and
Monster Combination Of Delights" had
at last arrived at Manchester!
On great piece OF waste land adj
Joining the famous canal that went
from Wanchester to Ironpool the mon
ster combination" had pitched its
tents and built its vast temporary
wooden building.
Woombanger's with all its mighty
freight OF animals and humans, or
tent building and caravan, had ar
rived at Manchester.
II was, indeed, wonderful show.
For 80 years IL has toured England
and the continent, for 80 years IL had
been unrivaled In the esteem OF the
cosmopolitan amusement seekers. The
great Woombanger himself-traveled
with the vast organization, and each
detail OF 1t was under his personal SUI
pervision and control. He was typi-
cal Chicago-bred, American-keen, hard,
alert and masterful-a perfect Napo-
leon In his own sphere. or middle
height, immensely broad-chested. ana
with arms as long as old Sinban'
the veteran gorilla OF the menagerie'
he was Instantly seen to be strong
and forceful figure. He had huge
clean.shaved face, an expanse or pale,
tirm flesh, IN which two small ana
brilliant gray eyes shone like lamps.
The nose was hooked like the beak
Of bird OF prey. and mouth alive with
capability Of a hard, good humor which
no one ever dared TO test too far.
In his frock coat and shining silk hat.
his fingers blazing with diamond rings,
heavy gold-mounted cane In his
hand. he patroiled the various tents
and buildings OF the show and mingled
with the public with never-failing
geniality.
Patrons OF Woombanger's were
provided with very many attractions.
The monster advertisements In this
instance really did speak the truth
when they stated that an Infinite va
riety OF attractions were provided.
There was the great menagerie 10
begin with. The cages all round the
long covered enclosure contained Il
magnificent collection OF wild beasts.
The lions were superb. Restless and
angry, they strobe up and down their
narrow homes, flashing the air with
deep. full-chested thunder. The feed
ing hour was fine sight--an exhibit
ton OF savage eagerness and force as
the Negro attendants threw Jumps OF
reeking horse beef into the cages.
Three great elephants with wrinkled
skins and treacherous wisdom In tnelr
eyes picked fretfully at the stout ankle
chains and swayed their powerful IL
telligent trunks for cakes and DIS
cults. There were tall. cruel-faced
camels with brown projecting teeth,
brilliant spotted leopards that leapt
and writhed against the bars IKE
things OF steel and velvet, hundred
monkeys that sprang and chartered
with faces like cunning and mischie-
vous old men.
The big round circus building was
always full twice day when the per
formances were given. 1t was first
rate show. The performing animals
from Stanley, the largest elephant.
down TO the priceless pony, no bigger
than a Newfoundland dog, were all
celebrated. The trick riders. the lazy
trapeze artists, the girl who dived
from the roof into six-foot tank,
whimsical Woopledorf. the acrobatic
clown--one and all were at the top OF
their profession.
And to the crowds OF sporting north
country folk who filled the buildings
twice every day there was unique
human attraction, who appealed 10
their strong healthy Saxon blood as
few other things had the Sower TO 90.
Did not Caesar Kennedy, the famous
half.caste prize-fghter, travel with
the show?
Night after night in the circus ro-
tunda the notorious pugilist would put
On the gloves with local champions.
To De sure. the champions were al
ways beaten; but sport lived. and
drubbing from Caesar Kennedy was
no dishonor,
The afternoon performance In tho
circus was over, and the hour WAS
drawing towards 6. when the snow
closed for an hour and half before
opening for the evening performances.
A great crowd was pouring out or
the circus rotunda and passing down
a long covered aisle toward the big
central menagerie tent, Hundreds OF
feet made thunder upon the boards
of the floor The air was full OF
shouting and laughter as the toe OF
pecple pressed onward past the shrii'
cries OF the Negroes and gypsy-look-
ing women who vended popcorn, Ari-
roma hardbaked, and chewing gum.
aad Colorado candy.
IL was the hour at which the nonS'
tigers and panthers were to be fea,
and already the distant roar and snari
OF the savage and angry animals
could be heard by the hurrying
crowd.
About halfway down the broad pas
sage. between a stall Of Indian work
and an American syrup fountain. n
sautily painted archway bore tho le-
gend Rocky Mountain Shooting Sa-
loon" Beneath II glimpse could be
caught Of a background OF painted
scenery, before which targets, shaped
like deer and rabbits, ran upon hid
den wires and tempted the amateur
sportsman TO take chances OF knock
ing them over for penny.
AS the last hurrying group OF peo-
ple swept by the door OF the shooting
gallery tall young man separated
himself from 1t and went under the
archway with a quick, definite foot
stem in the manner Of one who knew
his way and had a purpose In view.
The young man was dressed In an
ordinary serviceable lounge suit Of
dark blue. The expert eye would
have placed him at just about six
feet. though casual glance might
perhaps have set him down as lower.