Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-08-31
BARNUM & BAILEY'S CIRCUS.
Held on the Fair Grounds Thursday
Afternoon and Evening Visited
by Enormous Crowds.

Barnum & Bailey's great circus ar
rived in the city on Thursday and
hoisted the largest amount of canvass
ever seen as one time in Wausau. 1t
is fair to presume that this great
circus never pitched its tents in a
handsomer spot than on the fair
grounds, with its shady pine groves:
it's plentiful supplyof water; all made
the more beautiful by the park S
playing fountain and pond of clear,
sparkling water. The main tent and
side shows were pitched on the inside
OF the race track, the drive way across
the track being planked, so as not to
injure the same.
There was plenty of room for the
thousands of sight-seers without
crowding, and it was certainly an
ideal spot. The day was cloudless
and just cool enough to be pleasant.
1t brought thousands of people to the
city, and experienced men say that
about $4,000 people attended the after
moons performance, and half as many
more went out in the evening. The
parade was by far the handsomest
and largest that was ever seen in
Wausau. In this parade were about
700 horses which were marvels of
beauty, all mounted, excepting those
hitched to the cages, tanks and band
wagons; half dozen bands which
furnished enlivening music, and a
calliope; its vast number of cages
carrying its lions. tigers, bears
rhinocerous, hippopotamus, and
early every kind of an animal
known. A fine attraction were
the, shows herd of elephants. AL
together there were three miles of
parade, and it contained about 1900
people from all parts of the earth.
The streets were crowded with people,
especially Third, Fourth, Washington
and the march to the fair grounds.
Everything was orderly and there
were people from all adjoining cities:
Merrill, Amigo, Stevens Point, Marsh
field, Medford, Tomahawk, and the
county was generally represented, all
bent on having a good time, and from
appearances they had it.
1t was three o'clock before the
afternoon performance opened, being
given in three large rings, four stages,
in mid-air and hippodrome oval.
''The Greatest Show on Earth" is no
misnomer, as applied to Barnum &
Bailey's. AS prelude to the circus
arenic tournament, "Lalla Rookh"
was magnificent and spectacular. 1t
is the most brilliant allegorical and
military display perhaps ever intro
duced. 1t is spectacular pageant,
telling of the story of the departure
of the beautiful Princess, Lalla
Rookh, from the royal gardens of
Delhi.
The circus roster of famous bare
back riders, acrobats and aerialists,
tight rope walkers; the novel and ef-
fective trained animal features; it's so |
up-to-date clowns; its long list of hip |
podrome events, gave our people an
entertainment which was enjoyable |
to the last moment.
The show which followed the circus
performance was altogether different |
than the usual after-circus stunts. 1t |
consisted wholly of "Wild West" |
stunts, showing the cowboys in their
western sports of horseback riding |
and lasso throwing, and riding of
bucking bronchos. The events were |
taken part in by men and women,
and nothing better was ever seen
here. 1t is impossible to give any
kind of a description of this great |
show in a limited newspaper mention.
One has to see the whole things him
self and then he must have a vision
that will take in many things at one
time.
To say that circus like Barnum &
Bailey's is an injury to town; that
it is money thrown away to attend
such show, is an argument too silly
to even give it passing notice. Still
there are those who give utterance to
just such rot. Everyone, young and
old, should have the chance to see
such q great show as this once a year.
1t is a great educator. Who will say
this shows great menagerie is not of
more value to the student of natural
history than all the text books in this
country. 1t is alone worth the entire
price of admission. It's value to
city in financial way is large. Only
the narrow-minded, dried up fossils.
who are against everything and every
body, whose long suit is to find fault
will advocate the barring from city
such circus as Barnum & Bailey's.
Might as well bar out entertainments
of all kinds. The PILOT is glad to say
that only few of Wausau's people
entertain such views.
1t is but fair to say that the circus
was managed in most perfect man.
ner, and every man seemed to know
his duty. Sure there were crooks in
the wake of the circus, as there are
at county fairs, large conventions,
etc, but these fellows have to be
taken care of by city's efficient police
force. You cannot expect to take care
of an up-to-date, progressive city by
an inadequate force of detectives and
policemen, and there should be a
license sufficiently large TO enable
city putting on additional men at
times when there are large gather
ings.