The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-10-19
Mrs. Alice Williams Recalls
Days Of Years Ago
LIFE in 0LD-TIME SHOW
Travel BY Wagon From Town
To Town; Speaks Lovingly
Of Papa"
From Fridays Daily.

ring! The tinsel, the lights and the
music of life beneath the big "top!"
Only in memory can Alice Williams
once a bright particular star in the
palmy days of the circus, turn back
the universe and live again those days
of yesterday
Propped up on pillows on her white
cot in ward at Emmanuel hospital
this lady of the circus talked cheer
fully of her experiences to a Free
Press reporter yesterday afternoon.
81 was hoping that l could go home
today" she said wistfully, and peered
obviously out of the window at the
foot of her cot at the first snow of
the season, which a biting north wind
was driving against the window pane
weather don't seem to be fit for
travel though" she sighed smiling.
There's nothing at all the matter
with me except touch of bronchitis,
and / caught that by getting chilled in
sprinkle while attending a w. c. T.
U. picnic at Sibley park few weeks
ago. In all my life l have never been
seriously ill, always had good health,
never headache or a pain, except a
few minor illnesses"
Recalls Death of Papa.
Let me see. 1t was just eighteen
years ago when papa died. He was my
husband, you know, and l always call
him papa He died in this hospital
in room overhead in 1908. We were
both theatrical people, as we were
brought up that way. Our folks were
theatrical, and it was natul I that we
should be brought up that Wa
81 was born in the town OF St.
Mary's, Ontario, Canada, and he was
born in New York state. My mother
died when / was three years old, so
don't remember her, but 1 remember
my grandmother quite WELL We drift
ed to Pittsburg, Penn, and there
my father was killed by the cars. Oh,
l remember that quite distinctly. After
that travelled around with an aunt
Joined Dan Rice Circus.
81 always loved horses, and l liked
to ride. 1t was at Pittsburg, Penn,
where we Joined the old Dan Rice
circus. Everybody has heard of Dan
Rice. / rode horse when I was so
small I had to be strapped to his
back, grew right up on the stage and
In the circus, and that's where I got
my education.
Il was young woman when I met
Mr.. Williams. He was also a circus
rider. and l met him just four years
before we were married. We travelled
together after that. We also travelled
with other circuses besides the Dan
Rice company, and were for awhile
with Howe & Cushing. We rode
horses, and did concert acts, all
ground work. We had lot of stunts
to do, including singing and dancing,
and we travelled around a great deal,
and saw much of the country. On this
side of the ocean believe have been
almost every place, but never was at
Boston, although we were within
twenty miles of the city at one time.
Yet | never got there. I travelled an
my life until about thirty years ago.
Lots of Excitement.
There's lots Of excitement belong
ing to circus, and it is lively life,
but we had to work, all right, all
right. In those days I enjoyed it. as
was young, and could have a good time
people nowadays have a snap. They
travel in cars and take things easy.
In the old days we travelled by wagon
from town to town, but everybody
was anxious to see a circus, and we
were well paid for our act.
when we became old we decided to
go to Camp Douglas, Wis, and l in
tended to go into partnership with an
other woman, and start a millinery
and dressmaking establishment, as I
had learned that trade But we be-
came financially embarrassed on the
way. When we got to North Mankato
thought it was the prettiest place |
had seen in my life, so we decided to
settle there. For awhile we continued
our life as circus people, and in COM
pany with a man who also did circus
stunts, we made many of the smaller
towns, and also entertained at private
homes.
Went Way Back.
Finally i said to Papa, we are
getting Old. Let us go away back and
sit down and we did, We made our
home at S42 Belgrade avenue. Now |
am all alone in the world. Our two
children died when they were babies
Yes, l am all alone. But have some
good friends" she ended brightly.
II never had but one accident" she
continued reminiscently. In a parade
one time my horse reared unexpected
ly and I fell off. But wasn't hurt
and there was ring of boys around
in no time and was back on my horse
again before hardly knew what had
happened. Papa was injured badly
while doing bridge work. You know in
the circus ring they have a bridge
and as the horse gallops under the
rider jumps over the bridge and
lands on the horse again. Papa missed
his leap and fell, and the horse kicked
him in the back. He never fully re.
covered, and this was what finally
caused his death. Papa and l were
married in 1875. He has been deaG
eighteen years. and / will be sixty
eight years old on the sixth of next
March. 1t seems just about time
ought to be ready to go, doesn't it?'
She was assured that she was look
ing remarkably we'll, and there wer,
probably many years yet before her