South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-07
ROBINSON CIRCUS
WILLPARADE AT
II THIS MORNING
Tented City Erected in Big
Lot Next to SpringbroOk
Park-Two Shows.

They're here" was the cry that
greeted the arrival of the two long
trains Of red and yellow cars bearing
the paraphenalia of the John Robin
son Circus, which is here for two
performances today. Ordinarily a
circus pulls into a city about dawn,
but owing TO the long run from
Lansing. Mich, John Robinson and
his mighty aggregation did not
reach South Bend until shortly after
s o'clock Sunday morning so II at
fOrded the late arisers time TO get
their usual Sunday rest and still get
up I'm ample time 70 see the unload
ing and erecting Of the tented city"
The railroad yards at the intersec-
tion Of Eddy ST, was literally jammed
with eager and anxious watchers, all
bent on seeing "elefunts 'nevery-
thing and the majority OF them fol-
lowed the first wagons TO the show
grounds. just beyond Springbrook
Park, where the work was soon
strated. and the white topped city
soon became a reality.
Up i'm Two Hours.
Tent otter tent arose, until in less
than two hours the grounds, which
previously had been bare, now was
covered with % different tents, all
OF which form the necessary depart
ments OF the John Robinson Circus
and which were quickly becoming
inhabited with the many hundreds
of "RobinsOnites."
About the first tent TO be erected
was the "cOokhouse" or commissary,
and immediately after, a shrill
whistle sounded. announcing the
first meal OF the day, which brought
everybody hurrying in that direction.
Breakfast over. the work was re-
sumed. and IL was not very long be
fore everything was in readiness for
the two performances and street
parade today.
Day OF Work.
Sunday 10 some. is a day of rest,
but not in ali departments OF "a
Circuit, for the people must be fed,
the animals must be cared for, the
horses must be grOomed. the proper
ties and equipment must be gone
over, repairs done needed, wagons
washed, aerial apparatus inspected,
in fact, the day is generally spent In
going over equipment, wardrobe etc.
and yesterday was no exception. and
on ecould see the grooms washed
and Currying the hundreds OF beanti-
ful horses, sail makers busily en-
gagged in sewing small tears in the
canvas, butchers. bakers and cooks
getting three hearty meals in prepa-
ration. BARRIERS. harnessmakers and
blacksmiths at their respective
trades.
Congo Gets a Bath.
In the menagerie. Congo the baby
Hippo, was getting his usual bath.
at the hands OF a keeper and hose
attached 10 a city hydrant. Little
John VI possibly the smallest ele-
phant ever exhibited. was getting
his daily feed OF bran, the cages
were being washed and disinfected.
the Camels., lions, tigers and other
animals were being carefully in
speCted.
Today the first thing on the pro-
gram will be the street parade which
will move over the business district
and back TO the park, after which
the doors 10 the big shows and out
side stands will be thrown open to
the public shortly after which the
big show doors Will be opened
and at 2:15 the main performance
will commence In the evening
the show will start at S o'clock
sharp. the doors opening one hour
earlier