Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-09
HOWES' LONDON
SHOWS PLEASE
AUGUSTA PEOPLE

HoweS Great London Shows, filled
with novel and up-to-date act, exhib-
tied Thursday in this city, giving per-
formances in the afternoon and eve
ming at Capital Park. Circus day com
bined with Dollar Day brought crowds
to the city from the surrounding coun-
try. and from morning when the
young folks went down to the station
to see the circus unload. throughout
the day Augusta was the center Of
attraction for a large number of peo-
pie.
Howe's Shows, while not among the
largest, have the distinction of being
among the oldest of the circus es. hav-
ing been in existence since 1S4S and
are now owned by James Howe, who
is the grandson of the original founder
of the shows. They have the reputa-
ton of giving all that is advertised
and that was the general verdict of
those who attended yesterday. In the
afternoon the spectators numbered
with the performance.
The opening number after the pa
rade under the main top which fea-
lures the initial part of the .circuses
was posing act of living models rep
resenting the various arts and proved
to be an excellent portrayal. Variety
gave to the program all that was
needed for an afternoon of real enjoy
ment, and each act was well received
The Robbins troupe of acrobats, in
Guiding. four small children who for
their pes ware surely star nerfornarS
gave an up-to-the-minute show of all
sorts Of stunts. The bicyclists came in
for their share of the applause in an
act which included all kinds of trick
riding, from going around the circle
with The front wheel of the cycle spin
ming to balancing on single wheel.
Coy Harandon from Malay was a
wizard at hoop rolling and his act was
indeed unique. One OF his most diff
cult tricks was that of rolling. a hoop
on a cord and by pulling the cord taut
making the hoop jump from one cord
to another higher up and finally to
return to him on the uppermost of the
four stretched cords. And to close his
was needed to make them circle two or
three times ana tDeN IdiI IN Two pies
at the front of the platform.
In addition to these, there were
clever equestrian acts, animal acts,
acrobatic gymnasts, aerialists and
contortionistS who We're stars in their
departments, and many other num-
bers too numerous to describe The
clowns were very much in evidence.
There were dancing clowns, clown
mules, clown dogs and, in fact. clowns
of every description and all kept the
spirit of mirth alive.
The after show was featured by
wild west acts of fancy riding, and
lassoing. The wrestling match in
which Lewis Demetrie, called Young
Stranger Lewis. challenged any man
to stay with him for Is minutes for a
purse of 800, was fine exhibition of
the art. Abbott Of sidney accepted
the wrestlers challenge and proved
himself a worthy opponent, holding
his own with Lewis Demetrie for Is
minutes and winning the purse. Both
wrestlers had good knowledge of
the tricks Of the game and worked
with rapidity and the exhibition
brought forth rounds of enthusiastic
applause.
At the evening show Abbott stayed
with Demetrie for minute period.
winning another purse of 800. At
the close of the afternoon match. the
announcers stated that this was only