Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1892 — GROWTH OF THE CIRCUS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GROWTH OF THE CIRCUS

AN INSTITUTION OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE. From Insignificance It Has Attained Immense Proportions-Millions Invested to Form an Exhibition, Amusing, Instructing and Entertaining. Advancement marks the growth of the United States in every trade and in every profession, and in this race of progress the circus has kept pace. That popular amusement of the people, says the Chicago TJmes, illustrates by its growth the development of this great country. From the one-ring a dozen performers, a score of horses, under a small, dingy canvas, it has grown into a vast commercial enterprise, which is thoroughly American in its character, in no other country can such organizations be found conducted upon such an extensive plan. They move from town to town, from State to State, giving pleasure to thousands each day. In the smaller cities circus day ranks with the Fourth of July and Christmas as a holiday. Each railway deposits its car-loads of excursionists, every road becomes a thoroughfare for the farmers’ teams. Circus day rings in the air for months before it arrives. Then when it comes what joy it brings! It.* VttHt lletail.H. Divided into various departments, each of which is governed and controlled by men of experience, army discipline is maintained in each section. A campaign and policy, the route and the features are determined upon a year in advance. No rest comes to those wfft> head the organization. Even now before this season has passed half of its existence the minis of the leaders are studying new forms of entertainment for the public. Tho chief of the foreign

service is in weekly receipt of letters from his subordinates. From all parts of the world comes the news of such attractions as are to be seen at work. - Cables from the great European centers, like London, Paris, Hamburg, Borlin, Vienna, and Borne, post those interested with news of every performer’s debut, of each fresh animal placed upon the market and of every wonder that may make its appearance. Prospectors are overlooking the territory of the coming season. This is one of tho most essential points of the business. The quiet-looking gentlemen, who, between this time and next January, will visit nearly all points of tho Union, are those whose verdict will, toa groat extent, determine what cities shall be honored with a visit. The railway must have sufficient side tracii to accommodate the cars that are requiredto transport the show. The point selected must be a central ono to which, railways or steamers can convey excursionists. Its financial affair* must'be looked into, the banks’ report as to the money market, and it must beknown if great fires have taken fflaed' or if epidemics have made top many houses of mourning. Farmers must have good crops and manufacturers run on full time to warrant such an exhibition as one of the big traveling shows to devote a day’s time to the place. With daily expenses of froju SI,OOO to $5,000 all this care is requisite. The route once having been selected, the contractors spring into their harness. Bailwuys are negotiated with to handle the specially constructed cars from point to point. The excursion agent begins his campaign by securing a reduction of rates and round-trip tickets to the show. Bill-boards are secured, licenses are negotiated for, and the exhibition grounds are often selected when covered with snow. Thus months ahead tho preliminary work progresses. By the time the show reaches its winter quarters the manager is at work upon his programme for the coming season. Artists are engaged, novelties secured, and once more the general agent prepares the groundwork of the gorgeous posters, lithographs and bills. At the winter quarters renovation has already begun. Painters, carpenters, gilders, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, all classes of artisans are at work. Animals and horses are being trained for their summer’s tour. There is no income now. All is outlay, and the money seems to melt away, so rapidly do tho expenses grow. Catos from far-off lands send the treasurer flying for for-

elgn exchange to supply the wants of the extravagant European agent. The agents congregate in masses at the offices waiting for the signal when the proprietor of the show shall order the skirmishers to advance. Tentmakers submit their models. Costumers are hard at work. Time is limited. Only a few have knowledge of this part of the business, and a newv outfit is necessary each year. Even up to the hour of opening the show the rush goes on. Six weeks in advance of the opening the first of the avant-couriers shakes the dust of the from his feet and rides into the towns that are to be visited. Listless as he has been for a few weeks, now that the time has come to take the warpath he is bright, cheerful, full of dash and that self-confidence eo marked in the circus agent. Then car follows car, carrying its tons of pictorial printing that will decorate every

vacant spot upon fence or wall with literature that will penetrate to, every household and inflame the curiosity of ail their inmates. Not a sheet of printed matter, not a movement of the men in advance can be made without a record being kept. No one is allowed to misrepresent or make promises. A system of check marks the organizations which

prevents fraud upon the part of the qgents and protects the agents as well as the management from others taking unjust advantage of them. What are termed route riders make the advance more careful, for they inspect and report upon all the work in advance. Then comes the layer-out, who sees that everything is ready for the arrival. He is a day in advance and remains with tho exhibition on show day, while his associate takes the next stand. Beads and bridges are investigated, to see if .they will sustain the

weight of the wagons and elephants. Tho point of unloading is selected. Hay, Straw and feed are weighed and placed upon the lot at daylight in the morning. Water must be secured also, each contract must be investigated, hotel rooms arranged when required, and a multitude of little things fixed so that no hitch may mar the opening of the show. No easy job, this of the layer-out. Two stewards purchase the supplies for the commissary department, alternating the stands with each other, 800 loaves of bread, several bushels of vegetables, 1,500 to 2,500 pounds of moat, and other articles in like proportion being required to feed this army of nearly a thousand employes each day. The animals also must be fed. Elephants alone consume each in one year $750 worth of food. The details of such an organization as any one of the great shows are so vast that only, a passing glance can be given

to them. This bird’s-eye view, as it were, may show that to be a successful showman requires intelligence, business capacity and courage. It is not so easy to run a show as it looks, and the man who imagines that it is all luck can judge from the alove that it is a business that can not trust to fortune.

INSIDE THE GREAT TENT.

THE LION-TRAINER.

WHERE CLOWNS ARE MADE.

NOOK IN THE DRESSING-ROOM.