Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1902 — Carnival Likely a Go. [ARTICLE]

Carnival Likely a Go.

K, of P. Lodge Reconsider the Fair and Carnival Project. A special meeting of Knights of Pythias Lodge was held Friday evening at the lodge hall pursuant to a call in Friday’s Evening paper. The object for which this meeting was held was for the purpose of reconsidering their action on the street fair matter of a few days ago, at which it was practically decided to abandon the project. This meeting was. also called to consider a proposition submitted by Mr. Geo. B. Ensenberger, who is chief promoter of Wright’s Carnival Co. with headquarters at Evansville Ind. Mr. Ensenberger’s proposition was very favorably received by the large majority of those present at the meeting and it was decided to consider it and if it proved up to b as represented by Mr. Ensenberger to make a contract with him to put on his carnival here. With this view the former committee on finance was reappointed which consisted of Ellis, McCoy and Wilson, with the addition of two new members, Fred Phillipfe and Bert Goff, who are instructed to solicit the necessary finance to carry the project to a successful termination.

A committee consisting of Messrs. J. H. S. Ellis and H. F. Parker were also appointed to go to LaSalle. 111., when Wright’s Carnival will be in progress all next week and determine if everything exhibited there is strictly first class and up to the standard of morality claimed by Mr. Ensenberger; on report of this committee if all is as represented a contract will be made which will give Rensselaer a street fair and carnival this season, for the first time in its history, and one that will be in every way a credit to our little city. The company according to Mr. Ensenberger’s representations is no one-horse affair but a veirtable portable street fair. They travel by special train embracing twelve coaches and baggage cars, seven of which are filled and effects. A band of 16 pieces and 300 persons make up the company. Everything pertaining to putting up the carnival is carried by this company except the electric current, and includes electric lamps, wires globes and effects, their own electrician and a corp of carpenters. All that is asked of the city is the electric current and SSOO in money. They also agree to give the lodge 15 per cent of the earnings of their various companies. The contract calls far 15 shows of various kinds, among which will be found the Ferris Wheel, Streets of India, animal shows comprising lions, tigers etc., glass blowers, streets of Cario, merry-go-around and numerous high class, vaudeville shows all of which are guaranteed to be strictly moral and respectable shows. Mr. Ensenberger comes very highly recommended from the various places he has given this carnival and carries personal recommendations from the pastors as Well as the press, and there is

bat little doubt that thia company will tarn out just as represented. The company also furnishes the lodge with 1,000 sheets of lighographs for advertising purposes free of charge. The committee will likely go to LaSalle, 111., next Wednesday.