Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-06-22
John Robinson's Ten Big Shows VIII
Exhibit at Manchester. Four


Trains Of Circus Cars.
The great and only John Robinson's
Ten Big Shows will arrive in Man
chester. Friday, June "a and peoplt
who imagine that the trust shows
alone have any claim to the title of
greatest show on earth will be sur
prised at Its magnitude and gorgeous
ness. No less than four great trains
OF circus cars are required to trans
port Its enormous paraphernalia of 4
circus rings, combined menagerles,
big wild west; 1000 people, 500 horse
and ponies, etc.
The history of the Robinson show
is interesting. Founded in 1923 by
Uncle John Robinson, the First, it
has been on tour continuously ever
since. always under the same name
and title, and never out of the Rob
inson hands. The present owner and
proprietor is John Robinson the III,
a young man Of thirty-fiye years, a
college graduate and a, man OF extra
ordinary energy and force of charac-
ter. Three generations of circus own
ership has developed inbred faculties
for amusing and instructing the pub
lie to the highest degree, and every
one will notice a finish and perfec-
ton of methods In the conduct and
arrangement OF this exhibition I'M.
approached by any other.
The John Robinson Shows is the
only big institution that has not en-
tered the circus trust and 1t is, and
always will be, independent.
Its financial standing and resourc-
es are vastly greater than any or all
OF the trust shows, and it cannot be
coerced into surrendering its indie
pendence. The Robinsons do not
subscribe to the high handed meth.
DDS adopted by the trust manage
ment, such as the advance in prices.
and the skin game arrangement of
the seats, so that the public is COM
PEELED to cough up extra half dollars.
or stand up None Of these schemes
to swindle their patrons are allowed
around the Robinson shows.
The John Robinson show was south
of Mason and Dixon's line at the out
break OF the civil war, but it continu-
ed on its way, unmolested by the war
ring forces of either army, and was
the only neutral people in the south.
Many stories might be related OF the
strange experiences It passed through
of how it often fed starving union
refugees from the rebel prisons. and
OF Its giving exhibitions between
the lines of battle drawnup around
Atlanta, where the blue and the grey
mingled together in the big tents and
snapped tobacco and lies.
The present owner. John G. Robin
son married a daughter Of the IA
nous Amos Smith. twice mayor of
Cincinnati. Both he and his father,
now retired, are prominent in hank
Ing circles in Cincinnati. The Robin
son homestead at Terrace Park, is
one OF the show places of the city,
and millions have been expended on
its surroundings.
+ The show inaugurated its season at
Circleville. Ohio. April 30th, and the
Daily Union OF that city says:
1.-THE opening performance OF ths
John Robinson's 10 big shows in this
city yesterday was attended by enor,
nous crowds that packed the big tent
to the ring banks. 1t was the second
successive opening of the show in'oui
city. and the people who remembered
the splendid quality Of the show last
year, all came again and brought
their friends. Nor were they disap
pointed. The show this year is bet
ter than last, Mr.. Robinson has seem
lingly correlled about all the big. fine
acts in the circus world. Rounds o.
applause greeted every number oil
the lengthy program.
To mention few of the new fea
lures OF this year. the eight riding
away with their whirlwind horseman
ship. Nothing like 1t has ever beel
seen here. Miss Olga Bel Ra,
O'Wessney. Ella Hackett. Sadie Con
nors. Emily Stump, the Great De
Motts, Sarah Van Skaik, Miss Ennic,
and many others made up compan.
Of fearless and accomplished rider
that cannot be duplicated in the worl
There were no less than six grea
aerial thrillers, including the DaCom
family. the Hninger Trio act, etc. Th
menage acts and an endless number
ground. trapese and other number
all made extremely lively by lift
funny clowns, were on the program
Three famous herds of performing ell
. plants, Glassocks, McCammon's an
Sidney Kinks Wed with each other