The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-21

Everything" Mr.. Tompkins replied
briefly. Some people think the big
shows such as play in Madison Square
Garden use up all the circus territory
within fifty miles Of a large city; but
that's a mistake. Our best field, for
instance. Is in the average committing
town, where a large number Of men
reside who are successfully engaged In
business in the city.
Most of these men originally came
to New York or Boston or Chicago
from little country towns when they
were young. They remember what fun
they used to have when a wagon show
struck their home village. and now
they're bound to let their own boys and
girls have just the same kind OF fun.
That's the type Of a crowd that goes
in for everything connected with a cir
Gus like ours-not only the circus itself
in the main tent and the side show but
the concert also and popcorl and pea
nuts and toy balloons. Just wait until
tonight and you'll see for yourself"
Years ago-thirty years ago-a good
many small circuses were out every
season playing in small towns all over
the country. Then the big railroad
shows found an enormous field. and &C.
cupied ii TO such an extent that many
Of the wagon shows were showed I'M
der II remained for the automobile
largely to resuscitate the unpreten-
tious wagon show.
In the old days of bad roads and
mudholes,' Mr.. Tompkins continued.
1T was not often that a wagon show
attempted an overnight jump of more
than ten or twelve milee, and then we
had to use four horse hooks to travel
across country. With the roads as they
are at present. and constantly grow
ing better. we can easily make jumps
OF hfteen miles. or even of twenty
miles when necessary, and by using
two horse hooks instead Of four"
Some OF the scores and scores of
small wagon shows now scattered over
the country carry but a few men and
women in addition to the boss and
his family. 1t is not uncommon to
come across a caravan in some of the
smaller villages remote from towns
Of considerable size which boasts bu,
one tent and horse top or shelter for
the few specimens Of live stock. From
the modest little enterprise OF this kind
wagon shows range In size UP to those
which carry fifty or more horses, sew
eral camels, one or two elephants and
dozen cages Of animals and birds.
In many instances the performers
are recruited for the summer from va :
riety theatres; but nowadays salaries
are not as large as they were in the
more palmy days. At present. 1t Is
said. canvasmen receive $50 per month
besides board and place to sleep. with
the promise OF S. additional per month
II they finish the season instead OF
quitting the show during the summer
Musicians also are less expensive than
before. their wages ranging from SIC
TO $l2 per week in small shows and
from SIS to SIS in more pretentlous
circuses. Back in the sos, when Bar
nun and Forepaugh were fighting each
other, a first class rider. 1t is said, could
command 800 per week; whereas to.
day two experienced men doing q
brother act' might consider them.
selves fortunate IL they earn $40 pei
week.
In this part of the country a wager
show usually starts out in the latter
part of April, and perhaps making {
circuit through New Jersey and up into
Connecticut and Massa chusetts, ther
doubling back across New York int,
| Pennsylvania and down into Maryland