Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1898 — The Circus. [ARTICLE]

The Circus.

“The Great (?) Wallace Show* has come and gone, and we believe we but voice the sentiment of the people who saw it when we say that it was a disappointment from beginning to end. In fact, was decidedly thin, except for two or three special features. In the first place the show cars did not arrive here until about 10:30 a. m., and the work of unloading, putting up tents, etc., did not progress as fast as it should. The parade was given at 1:30 and was not what the people had been led to believe it would be. The tents were old and dilapidated, especially the larger ones, which would hardly have held tof ether to spread over a straw stack. ’he main tent fell down after it was raised, and was so dilapidated that no effort was made to re-erect it. The animal cages were run out from the menagerie tent and seats placed therein, and the circus performances given under its cover, doors opening at 3:30. These quarters were much too small, and many of the best features of the show were not given, but no reduction in price was made by reason of only giving half a show. In fact, they had two ticket wagons, the one nearest the entrance to the grounds charging 60 cents for tickets, and the second one, nearer the tent, charging 50 cents. A great many people were induced to buy at the 60 cent wagon. The gambling features, of which the Wallace people pride themselves on not allowing in any form, were conducted in, the side-show, where, we understand, all sorts of “skin" games were worked. Ed Lewark of north of town, dropped §2O on the-shell game and came down town and got out a warrant for the manipulator of the little rubber balls. Returning with Sheriff Reed one of the gamblers was arrested, but was not identified, we understand, as the man who i took Lewark’s money, but he gave ! him back his §2O and paid the costs, just the same. The concert of “one hour’s duration'’ lasted ten minutes and was the thinnest of these always thin entertainments. People expect to be humbugged when they go to a ' circus, and in this case there was ; no disappointment whatever. Some jof the features of the main show ! were excellent, notably the Nelson family and the bicycle riding. Aside from this it was very tame indeed. The menagerie feature was only fair. A very good attendance was had at the afternoon performance, but in the evening it i was rather light, The Wallace people are no doubt able to put up a very good show under favorable circumstances, but there is no excuse for a circus going about the country with such rotten canvass that they are unable to erect it, and then apologizing for the lack of its best features on that account. They have a fine lot of horses and a very good lot of wagons, chariots, etc.

A handsome envelope, either square or oblong, for 5 cents per package at The Democrat office.