Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1909 — Panic In Circus At Fourth of July Celebration. [ARTICLE]

Panic In Circus At Fourth of July Celebration.

Routs’ Fourth of July celebration almost resulted in a tragedy Saturday night. In a tent in which 600 people had assembled to witness Ripple Bros, show a panic was caused by the bursting of an acetelyn gas tank. A performer on a rope or trapeze, shot down too far and struck the tank causing it to flame up fiercely. Instantly the place was in a panic, men, women and children rushing to the outside. Fortunately none was hurt and the excitement soon subsided, but for a time it looked bad.