The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-10
Poodles, Noted AS Eques-
TRAN, Realizes Ambition
To Be Laughmaker In
stead of a Thriller-Is Hit
of Big Show at Armory.

"Poodles,'' the clown who has made
Elks' big circus all this week is In
reality not a clown at ali but one
| of the greatest bare back riders in
the world. How "Poodles' became
'Poodles," for of course that is only
story. Before Saturday, although he
was a member of a famous old cir
thing but ride. He had always want
ed, however, to be a clown but had
been too busy riding to try this very
different branch of profession. Last
week he appeared at the office of
Charles r. Hutchinson, manager of
the show, saying that he wanted to
go to work. Mr.. Hutchinson, how
ever, had all the necessary acts al
ready booked and would not be able
to place him as a rider. It was then
that t'POodles,'' told Mr.. Hutchinson
of his desire to clown and Mr. Hutch
inson finally agreed to let him try
it.
stPood1es'' originated his own com
edy including the fifty cent piece
stunt with which he has convulsed
everyone who has seen the show and
the several other funny things which
he does. When he made his first ap-
pearance on. Saturday, he electrified
not only the attendants but the entire
circus staff who witnessed the per-
Torrance. ssPoodles'' Immediately be-
show. Whether when the circus
starts on the road 'tPood1es'' will re-
sumo his old place as one of the
greatest living bareback riders or
whether he will prefer to seek fame
as one of the worlds greatest clowns
has not yet been decided by the young
man.
goodies and all the other world
known acts are drawing immense
crowds But three more perform
ances remain to complete the en-
gagement of the largest circus enter
tainment that has ever been held un-
der any roof outside of Madison
Square Garden.
Employees of the Remington Arms
& Ammunition Co. and the u. M. C.
at this evenings performance. A
large advance sale indicates a packed
house tonight Seats for Saturday
matinee and evening are selling rap
idly and it behooves those who wish
to witness the big show to order their
places early.
Five thousand school children with
their escorts taxed the seating capac-
ity of the Armory this afternoon. The
performance started promptly at
o'clock and many special features
particularly interesting to children
other performers. The big show has
all the circus glamour, all the
strange circus mystery SO dear to the
hearts of children and to those who
still retain the elusive youthfu1ness
of childhood.
The performance last evening was
an enthusiastic one. The Derby
lodge of Elks four hundred strong
came to Bridgeport in a special train.
to witness the big entertainment CIV
en- by their brother lodge. At the
depot they were met by the Wheeler
& Wilson band. and headed by this
famous musical organization, they
marched along Main street to the
Armory.
The knights of Columbus of
Bridgeport expressed their friendli-
ness to the Bridgeport lodge of Elks
by occupying an entire section at
last evenings performance.
Not to be forgotten in the praise of
wonderful acrobatic, equestrian and
aerialistic acts is the side show pre-
sided over by Al Goulden. Here are
to be found Zip, with head like a
pecan Madame Maxirna, the fat
woman and Helen Girard, the illusion
girl, while Bill O'Hara is guardian
of Bambula's cave before which
stands a Zuzu warrior in full martial
array.
The peanuts, pop corn, lemonade
and all the similar accessories SO ne
cessary to the enjoyment of a circus
are also all to be found in quantity
at the Elks' Big Circus.