Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-04-18
SIDE LIGHTS on the
CIRCUS BUSINESS

a talk over the long distance tele-
phone with Fred j. Worrel, manager
Of the Ringing Show at Baraboo. He
gave me a few of the details on the
opening of the worlds greatest show
for the season of '18 and 10 The
show will open on Saturday, April 20
at the coliseum in Chicago for about
two weeks after which they will go
to st. Louis for one week which will
be their first stand under canvass. All
the ring stock, the elephants and the
entire managerie will be shipped to
Chicago in ample time for the opening
there, but most of the baggage, wag-
ons and horses and all the cook tent
equipment will be shipped direct to ST.
Louis where everything will be put
in readiness for the opening there i'm
mediately after the closing perfor-
nance in Chicago Many of the ri
ders and other performers have been
busy practicing in the ring barn in
Baraboo for some time.
The big show will carry a message
of cheer and brighter things to every
! point in the Itinerary touches taking
the peoples thoughts from serious
subjects and relieving the nervous
tension occasioned by troublesome
times. The circus is coming, will be
youth will shout and elder folks will
grow young again, at least for one
day.
Along the muddy streets of Ring
lingville," that portion Of BarabOO that
lies near the river bank and has been
SO designated by the showfolks, as
we'll as natives, there are many indi-
cations that the show is about ready
to start. The cookhouse and commits
sary departments are packed on the
wagons and covered with roped can
vass, all ready for shipment to St.
Louis, he first city where the big tents
go up.
One new trick the elephants will
perform this year is bound to create
a sensation and be received with ire
mendous applause It is a patriotic
military episode and is the only ref
erence to the world war that will be
introduced during the entire perform
ance by any act Two of the largest
and best trained elephants in each
group take their positions on each
side Of the ring, regulation army rifles
are mounted on tripods. At a signal
each fires at the other. One falls and
lies mOti0nless. From the rear an
elephant advances appropriately
dressed as a Red Cross nurse and
carrying a physicians satcheI. This
she opens and takes from it a bottle
Of nOuriShment and palm leaf fan. In
grOtesQue, but in a perfectly natural
manner, she ministers to the patient,
and sits at his side tanning vigorous
ly Another limps forward on three
legs and using cane. while the
fourth vigorously waves the Stars and
Stripes. The act is bound to meet
with popular favor. It will be dupli-
Gated in three rings.
Over the "buII'' section Of the me-
nagerie will fly service flag with
nine blue stars, Indicating that num-
is probable that a service flag will
be carried near the head Of the pa
rade showing that nearly 100 Of the
Ringing forces have answered the
call to the coIors. With this exception
there will be little to remind spectat-
ors Of the struggle going on over the
seas.
The general admission price this
season will be increased to soc. which
will include the war tax. The price
for children Will remain at Csc. and
it is not likely the sideshow admission
will be increased, the show standing
the war tax on these two items, The
big show goes out this season COM
plete in every department, and a pros
Porous season is confidently anticipat-
ed.