Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 187, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1916 — RENSSELAER IN YOUTHFUL SPIRITS TODAY [ARTICLE]

RENSSELAER IN YOUTHFUL SPIRITS TODAY

Arrival of Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Responsible—Crowd Disappointed At Late Arrival. The spirit of youth prevails in Rensselaer today, and the old as well as young were up early to greet the arrival of the great Hageribcck-Wal-lace circus which arrived via the Motion about 9 o’clock, die three sections being delayed through some fault of the railroad but not on account of a strike as reported. There were 59 cars—loaded with gayly 'bedecked wagons and other paraphenalia, and the sight of these caused joy throughout the city. Young as well as old watched the unloading process. The train was in three sections. The work of unloading was started a Short time after the arrival of the train, as soon as the sleepy workmen could be aroused from their slumbers. The cars were rapidly unloaded and as fast as tlie wagons were rolled t j the ground from the cars, * waiting horses were attached to them and they were -soon rumbling over the city streets to the show grounds at Riverside Park, where a gang of workmen were already at work putting up the white canvas.

At the circus grounds thousands flocked about to catch the marvelous business system wliich prevailed. Towering center poles were pulled into the air by teams of horses. The little steam stake driver hummed ierrily. Over in the circus barber shop the barbers found no idle moments. In the library tent were many performers reading the daily newspapers and magazines. One little English girl was writing to her brother now at the front in France with the allies. Some of the women of the circus found time after breakfast to do a little knitting for the soldiers. The circus school taught by Billy Hart, opened about 10 o’clock. Enrolled were 18 children connected with the sohw. Some of them are sions and daughters of performers, while several are daughters of circus officials. The cttrriculum ranges from the oeginners’ class to Greek and calculus. The first performance was given late this afternoon an the tent wlas packed'. The show was well received and there were a great many new features which won_ the approval of the crowd. The second performance will be given tonight at 8 o’clock and the doors will open at 7.

Big crowds arrived on all incoming trains, while many other t visitors came via automobile. Rensselaer’s circus crowd was probably not as large as it would have been 'had not the circus shown at Kentland and Monticello before coming here. However, the following towns were well represented here during the day: Monon, Wheatfield, Remington, Wolcott, Parr, Fair Oaks, Thayer, Roselawn, Tefft, Surrey, Francesville, Mediaryville, Brook, Foresm'an and Morocco. Owing to the late arrival of the train it was impossible to give a parade and the unloading was not accomplished until afternoon. The last tent was erected about 2 o’clock and it was after three before the performance .began. The streets were crowded with people and those who make it a practice to come to town to see the parade only on circus day were greatly disappointed. The omission of the parade, however, could not be helped. It was one of those unavoidable events that- comes sometime in the life of every circus and had to be endured.