The Washington times., 1916-08-12

Five outlaws were placidiy standing
In a group at Muirkirk. Nd. yesterday
afternoon, sitting tight and not saying
much. Then Alice picked up a piece OF
wire. scratched herself all over with 1t.
and passed II to Lizxie, who was stand
ing next to her. Each Of the outlaws
used the piece of wire. Anna then took
II In her trunk. and threw II away.
Then a bale Of hay was put before
the elephants-for they were outlaw
elephants attached to the Wheeler
Bros. Shows. now going into winter
quarters at Muirkirk. which In fourteen
miles from e.. .ashington. The bulls"
took their tusks. broke the bale into
pieces. and made prepa ations for
most gargantuan meal.
These are stampede eiephants-and
that means that they will break away
from their tether II anything frightens
them. and II may be several days be-
fore they are caught. One OF the bulls
that Is the circus name for all ele-
phants). Anna by name. stampeded the
Ringing elephants at Danviile. Va. a
short time ago. When recaptured she
was Immediately sold.
Chains Won't Stop Them.
when they want to go. chains won't
stop 'em!" was the verdict OF the bull
man. who was stretched beside the Ave
leathery outlaws In an easy chair sip
ping lemonade and watching Alice. who
had a habit OF untying her chain.
They are all scared Of cats even the
little domestic cats" claimed the bull
man. but II 1t came to a fight It would
be bad argument. These animals are
N Ak-A
know everything you say to them
He stopped his conversation to yell at
Alice. who was playfully pulling up
wisDs Of straw about her stake.
shes Just playing. she'll 10 II
while. and then when I'm not looking
she'll unite her chain and scampcr
awav. She is n mighty smart bull.
They always take their right place
In line. and when they get scared and
break awav from their stakes. all !
line they do. Alice goes first. .then
Booz."
The show is now in its winter quar-
ters-and thereby hangs a tale. The
circus Is not stra nded for lack Of funds.
but for lack OF men. Too much pros-
peritv made II come to winter quarters
while the summer season was vet in
full blast. with Golfers full and pockets
bulging.
The Wheeler Bros show Is a twenty
four car show. with three rings. n side
show. where the wild man from NADIA
gascar. captured mt the expense of sew
"nteen men. three women. and four
small children. looks at Abraham Lin
coin. the educated pig. and wonders N
educated Dork chops are any more sue
culcnt than the common or garden
| variety.
Travelling in West.
1t had been travelling in the West.
Young man. 20 West.' may be a finc
maxim. but according to the circus men
II Should never be changed to Circus.
20 West" For there Is where Il hap
pened. The circus was travelling in
Kansas and Minnesota. The. farmers
came to see the show. ana then went
back to farm But the men OF the cir
Gus went with them. The wages Of S.
or u dav which they could set as
farm hands appealed to them much
more that did the so or so a month as
drivers 0r animal men or tent men.
In addition to the acrobats and per-
formers the show had about 2Ol men,
who we're absolutely necessary to move
the show These men went to the
farms by droves. and left the circus
| so short handed that II had to come
TO quarters-and that is the whole
story.
was the worlds best-known circus press
agent He Las been with circuscs for
| over twenty-five years. and the call OF
| tho calHope is no weak and thurbling
| threnody In his ears. His name IL Ar,
thur Bennett sometime of California
erstwhile director of the Wells Fiotc
circus and press agent for many ar
aggregation over the face OF the globe
Mr.. Bennett Is also q writer on circus
| topics under another name.
| lie was In an expansive mood the af'
ternoon Times reporter visited tho
camp, and gave n few OF his expert
| ences.
II Happened in Kansas.
| The most remarkable thing that evel
happened to me-" began the press agent