The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-16
VAST THRONGS CROWD
JOHN ROBINSON CIRCUS
Thousands Turned Away from Night
Perforniancc-Ring Packed with
Spectators In Interval Between
Grand Entry and Hippodrome

Nearly 10000 Richmonders OF all
sizes. ages and colors enjoyed John
Rohinson's circus last night, after the
big top had been crowded to capacity
at the afternoon performance. II was
estimated that at least $500 persons
were turned away last night. After
the grand entry, ticket holders were
allowed to sit on straw spread in the
track. They took up all the room,
leaving the clowns crowded back
against the rings. When the hippo
drome announced. all the late corners
had to stand In the rings and on the
stage-more than 1000 of them. 1t
was the biggest day in the season for
the John Robinson circus
The big show got away late last
night for Petersburg, but the memory
of bareback riders gorgeous In tin
sci. weirdiy funny clowns in their
bizarre costumes, and the wonderful
horses, ponies. and dogs. together
with all the rest of the amazing things
which endear circuses to the youth
full heart. will long remain to In
spire boys and girls here with dreams
of happy day when they. too. can
be clowns or bareback riders. or
can make little dog stand on his
forelegs at a word Of command. Yes,
the youthful heart will cherish the
memory of that wonderful institution.
circus day, whether that heart beats
or Youngsters of fifty
What delight it all was with is
pretty ladies who hung from the vcr&-
top OF the great tent by their t >.
or swung breath takingly by IL T.
dainty toes from swaying trapl.eess
How every eye was fascinated by the
sleek. dashing horses with their riders
recklessly careless of bride or other
safeguard. And how every sense of
humor was tickled by the clowns in
kits. clowns in patches, clowns in the
the latest thing from Paris"
1t was indeed a great delicious
show. with every moment crammed
with wonders and joys, and Rich
mond will look eagerly towards the
time when circus day will come
again, and the famous John Robinson
Segregation will once more raise its
hugs stretches of canvas and begin
to get the lemonade and peanuts
ready.
In last nights crowd there were.
OF course, frst and most important.
the Riddles. Wide-eyed and In
ecstasy. they sat glued to their seats,
fearful of missing some marvel OF
the dozens which were constantly be-
ing performed lie the rings. on the
stage. or upon the hippodrome track.
Then there was the parent or uncle
or aunt or grand-daddy who came
just to give little Johnny treat. but
who. If there had been NO little
Johnny. would nave sneaked OFF for
q little while and seen the show
which they wouldn't miss for the
world any more than little Johnny
hmself And there were the ladies
who screamed when some particu-
lsrly hair raising feat was accomp-
lished by one Of the nonchalent arr
fists in pink tights. There were per-
haps the deacon who didn't quite
approve OF sucn goings-on. but who
Was facinated none the less ana who
will go next year and the next and the
next and knows in his heart that he
will: for was everything seen be-
fore like the Nelson family-eight
charming girls H. natty. gym. suits.
ranging in age from eight to eighteen.
Or did any one ever see the like Of
the Cinnamon in the green satin,
who dove as carelessly as tho he was
taking y dip in the surf through
Gree rows OF cleaning knives? or
the fetching brunette who slid two
hundred feet from high In the air.
suspended only BY her hair?
John Robinson's circus Is not only
the grandfather of <all circuses. 1t
il, a grandfather which would be
hard ITO beat. in variety. In exhibition
or skill and daring, innoveity and
rep. And II it had remained here
for more than one day many OF those
who witnessed the hrst performance
would have come to a secondhand
perhaps a third. for one could never
Cream Of seeing II all or nearly all
ty sitting through 1t once, try as
one might.
So Richmond will look forward
eagerly to hear once again the steam
eslltopes which hcarld the approach
II all circus parades, and signify a
day OF signify day or stupendovs
feats, glorious clownihg. and the
elephants. horses. ponies, ana dogs,
that seem to shore the gay. careless,
hut supremely skilful spirit ct
Americas own choies institution-