The Detroit times., 1909-06-18
CIRCUS MENAGER|E
Gets CROWDS NOW
Roosevelt Expedition Whets Interest
in Jungle Animals-Big Show
Gives Bang-Up Performance.

And just to think. Mr.. Roosevelt
shot one OF those pretty creatures,
remarked a well-dressed woman in
the animal tent of Barnum & Baileys
big show as she and companion
stood admiring one Of the big CIR
afres
Yes. isn't it a Pity" said her CON-
panion.
These and similar remarks were
heard frequently as one passed among
the interested groups Of spectators
gathered before the different cages.
The crowds attention centered chief
ly on the wild beasts of the jungle,
specimens OF the big game the ex-
president is now hunting. Always OBJ
Jects OF great curiosity. these animals
have become doubly interesting in
view OF the Roosevelt expedition, and
many who, In former years, were wont
to pass up" the menagerie fingered
in the animal tent until the big show
was well under way.
Handsome specimens they are, too.
these jungle beasts In the Barnum
az Bailey menagerie. fair samples Of
the game Roosevelt Is bringing down
almost daily in the heart OF the dark
continent, and this branch of the cir
Gus, therefore, affords an interesting
study In natural history.
A portion of the crowd was able to
put itself In Roosevelt's shoes for u
moment, Thursday afternoon. when
one OF the big lions opened its mouth
and let out a roar that sent the shiy-
ers capering down ones spinal col
umn.
Gee, think Of meeting one of those
fellows face to face in the jungle" re-
marked spectator. 1T must take a
pile of nerve to hunt lions"
The circus management. with It's
customary enterprise, has provided
humorous burlesque on the Roosevelt
expedition. Along about the middle
OF the performance. a short, stocky
figure in khaki uniform and sloucn
hat, wearing glasses and a smile that
discloses a double row Of glistening
teeth. Is seen hiking around the arena.
He carries gun under one arm and
camera under the other and is pre-
ceded by a group Of imitation jungle
beasts. including a giraffe. lion and
one or two other familiar animals. At
frequent intervals the party halts.
The animals" range themselves in
ludicrous poses, while Teddy" stand.
ing a few PAGES away, adjusts his
camera. axes a hasty shot with one
hand while pressing the bulb OF the
camera with the other. Then the en-
tire party moves on, as though moth
ing had happened. The burlesque ap-
peals strongly to the popular fancy.
Two big tentsful OF humanity wit
messed the Barnum & Bailey perform
ances, Thursday afternoon and even
ing, and got their moneys worth. It's
great show and no mistake.
With three rings and two stages in
constant operation, and small army
of clowns cutting capers in the big
circle there is plenty TO keep ones
eye busy. 1t is well nigh impossible
10 see it all. unless one wishes to
keep bobbing this way and that, but
one performing troupe is as good as
another and no matter which particu-
lar ring happens to claim the atten.
ton one is sure OF being pleased and
entertained.
The Barnum & Bailey circus Is
strong In aerial acts. The perform
ers, In their gay colored tights, re-
mind the observer of flock of birds
fitting from branch TO branch in
some spreading tree-top. Prominent
In the acrobatic contingent OF the big
show are the Imperial Vienese troupe,
the Six Neopolitans and La Troup La
mar. After witnessing their "desper-
ately dangerous feats In mid-air ons
feels that the program maker Is full
ly justified in describing them as IAN
imperial army OF aerialists In su-
perbly sensational array OF amazing
mid-air exploits on the flying trap
eze."
Next In interest. perhaps, were tho
hippodrome events, concluding with
a laundering chariot race. as thrill
ing as It is noisy. This feature was
cut out Of the bill Thursday night.
however, through no fault OF the man.
agement. part of the big audience.
supposing the show was over. started
to leave and the rest. with one accord
joined in the stamped for the door,
just as the racing events were get
ting nicely under way,
Desperate, the high diver. and Ju-
piter tho balloon horse. are the spe-
cial attractions this year. and both
acts are sufficiently thrilling to hold
the attention. Another feature that
pleased immensely was the elephant
band.