It was an event anxiously anticipated, the arrival in Hamilton of the famous Barnum circus on Monday,
July 23, 1883.
The Hamilton
Spectator assigned a reporter to cover both the street parade and the performances
of the circus both in the afternoon and the evening.
His report on the
parade, in full, follows :
“Everyone in the city
seemed to be afoot at daylight this morning awaiting the parade of Barnum’s
show, and the streets were crowded with country folk gathered for the same
purpose. As usual when there is a demonstration afoot or when Dundas manages to
secure a holiday, the morning broke cool and threatening, and by the time the
show came round, a drizzling rain endeavored to keep down the ardor and
excitement of the enormous crowds gathered on the line of march. At about eight
o’clock, the much-talked of, much-longed for, event, moved from their grounds
on Wentworth street followed by a tremendous crowd of eager and exited
spectators, who half-killed one another in endeavoring to get a glimpse of the wonderful
things in the procession. The route was straight along King, and at the corner
of King and James, the crowds were so great
and excited that they rushed into the road and it was with difficulty
that the colossal chariot containing a brass band and drawn by six prancing
horses could make its way through. The first band was followed by cages of lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas,
bears and other animals and in the dens with them were the keepers sitting as
cool and unconcerned as if the animals were mere kittens. Following these were
magnificent golden chariots surmounted with picturesque groups of Zulus,
Nubians, Indians and Highlanders. Interspersed among the chariots were droves
of camels and dromedaries, racing camels, harnessed to glittering chariots and
driven by female charioteers, thoroughbred horses, cowboys and male and female
equestrians on richly caparisoned horses. A clown dressed in his grotesque
costume attracted the attention of a horde of small boys, while a richly-gilded
chariot representing Mother Goose and another of Santa Claus elicited
exclamations of admiration from all sides. A herd of unusually large elephants
preceded a great number of very small ponies, some roaming loose, others
harnessed to gilt chariots driven by ladies, and the whole paraphernalia of the
elegant procession was brought to a close by a chariot which was colossal in
size and magnificent in appearance, followed by the steam organ or calliope
which was one of the wonders of the procession. The crowd on the street was the
largest ever seen on an occasion of this kind.” 1
1 “Jumbo on
Deck : The Parade of Barnum’s Show This Morning.”
Hamilton Spectator. July
23, 1883.
The Spec man’s report
on the performances follows:
“It has come and it has gone. To look at the
tier of happy faces under Barnum’s colossal tent yesterday was indeed a pretty
sight. Twelve or fourteen thousand passed through the entrance in the afternoon
as soon as the show opened., and a happier, pleasanter, more enthusiastic crowd
has not been seen in Hamilton for many a long day. Through the courtesy of Mr.
Thomas, the agent of the greatest show on earth, several representatives of the
press and a number of ladies had an excellent opportunity of thoroughly
inspecting everything connected with the circus, and the SPEC man had the honor
of allowing Jumbo to take the bun and had a toss on the tusks of one of the
other elephants.
“By a mysterious
short cut the ‘clergy’ as Mr. Thomas facetiously designated the party, found
themselves in the dressing tent confronting a glittering cavalcade of ladies
and gentlemen mounted on spirited steeds all ready for the grand entry. The
discipline among the attaches of the show was perfect, not the slightest
confusion occurred as the procession wheeled into their proper places, neither
was there any rough talking or swearing. Indeed, as Mr. Thomas remarked, a lady
might pass through every department of the circus without hearing a word that
would cause her to blush. After the grand entry had taken place, in which ands
of horsemen, elephants, camels, giraffes, llamas, zebras, scared cattle and
other animals took part, the party entered the main tent and were shown to reserve
seats in a spot that ensured a splendid view of the two large rings and the
elevated platform. The next emotion experienced by the spectator was a feeling
of surprise at the good order that was kept among the naturally restless
throng. Every spectator had an uninterrupted view of the various performances.
Performances were held simultaneously both on the stage and in the rings, so
that the audience found themselves troubled by an embarrassment of riches, and
in endeavoring to take in the varied attractions of really three circuses,
failed to get a proper idea of even one. Among the acts on the programme were
the various gymnastic and acrobatic exhibitions which were very clever, and
were got through with lightning-like rapidity. Then there was a boxing bout
between the Davenport Brothers , and an assault between two fencers, Col.
Albert Gaston and Capt. Armand Thiebault. These last two gave a very pretty
exhibition of the various tricks of fence, showing also the different thrusts
and parades, and closing with a brilliant example of the disarm. The three
Girards did some capital high kicking and grotesque dancing. The bicycle riding
of the Elliot children was much and deservedly admired and applauded, and their
act was one of the features of the show. There was the lady with the iron jaw,
Miss Emma Jutta, who was drawn along a 200 ft. wire while suspended by her
teeth, and who, while hanging by her legs from a trapeze, supported a 170 pound
man by a sling which she held in her teeth. Then there were two men, also with
iron jaws, who lifted heavy tables by their teeth and performed other feats of
abnormal strength. There were also the tricks of the educated elephants, who
did astonishing things, the bareback riding of a number of equestrienne
artistes, some laughable scenes by their roller skaters, Rose, Harris and
French, the funny business of a trio of clowns, some exhibition wrestling by a
couple of Hindoos, and, finally, the hippodrome races, the whole winding up
with a representation of an Indian chase for a wife and a fight with cowboys.
“One feature must not
be omitted, and that was the appearance of a dude among the spectators, who
dressed in the extreme style that his class effects, and who seemed to be in a
dreadful state of mind concerning a seat for which he had no check. It was only
after he had excited the greatest amusement among the audience and had been
nearly ‘fired out’ by an over-zealous policeman, that it was discovered that he
belonged to the circus itself. The hippodrome races introduced at the
conclusion of the programme were an exciting novelty to the majority of the
spectators. The riders flew around the lengthy track at lightning speed, and
the races were sufficiently closely contested to arouse the greatest
enthusiasm. The finest display of skill in driving was certainly the chariot
race with four horses abreast. The animals flew past at full gallop, the earth
thundering under their tread, and it seemed a miracle that the charioteers were
not hurled from their places during the sharp curves at either end of the
track. A comical race of ponies with monkeys on their backs for jockeys excited
much amusement. The double team standing race was a fine exhibition of
equitation. Other races were equally exciting and well-contested.
THE EVENING
“An immense crowd
gathered in the neighborhood of the tents and when the doors were opened a rush
took place and soon the tents were filled with a mass of struggling humanity,
eager to inspect the attractions of the interior. The programme was the same as
in the afternoon. During the ladies’ race, Miss Nellie Venoce’s horse fell. At
first, it was thought that she had been seriously hurt, but when she remounted
and rode around the course, she was vociferously cheered. The train bearing the
show left for Brantford about midnight.
THAT CONCERT.
“During the
performance at the circus last evening, it was announced that, after the main
performance, the large center platform would be turned into a stage and some
famous comedians and a minstrel troupe would give a concert. Later in the
evening, it was announced that two-thirds of those present had purchased
tickets and in order to induce the rest to stay to the concert, the managers
would exhibit the contents of the side-shows for the sum of ten cents. Several
thousand purchased tickets and remained expecting to see something great, but
as soon as the circus was over, the reserved seats and platform were taken
away. A few boards were thrown out for a platform, and an orchestra played a
tune, and amid the clatter of boards and hauling of posts, a bearded woman,
four giants and a few other trifles were exhibited for a moment and then passed
out, after which a little girl danced a jig, two girls sang, and a number of
darkies gave a chorus. Then the lights went out, preventing anyone seeing much,
and the noise of the men working prevented hearing. This should not be done. If
a concert is announced, a concert should be given. If it is not given, public confidence
in the announcements will soon be shaken.”1
1 “Barnum’s Great Show
: About 30,000 People View Jumbo and the Circus : The Street Parade – The
Afternoon Performance – The Concert in the Evening a Failure.”
Hamilton
Spectator. July 24, 1883.
