On Saturday June 28, 1908,
the newspaper ad appeared in the Hamilton dailies. The circus would be coming
to Hamilton on July 11.
The copy for the ad, which echoed
the boasts appearing on posters which had gone up across the city, touted that
the circus was “Earth’s Largest Show” :
“Adam Forepaugh, Sells
Brothers – Enormous Show United
‘America’s Only Metropolitan
Shows. An absolutely exact duplicate of the performances given at Madison
Square Garden by these, the only shows big enough or good enough to exhibit in
the Metropolis, and the Only Circuses, Menageries and Hippodromes that ever
have or do exhibit in New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and other Eastern
cities.”1
1 Hamilton
Spectator. June 28, 1902.
Besides the ‘All Star
Clowns, Reigning Equestrian Queens and the 4 Herds of Elephants’ promised, special
highlight was placed on the Loop the Loop on a Bicycle act, by Diavolo, a ‘Desperate
Daredevil, Deriding Danger, Defying Death.’1
Finally the poster and
newspaper ads promised a ‘Grand, New, Free Street Parade.’
Crowds started to appear along the published
procession route of the circus on Friday, July 11, 1902:
“Forepaugh & Bells
Brothers’ big circus came to town today, and the city took on a holiday
appearance. The streets were crowded from early morning.”2
2 “Many
Thousands at Circus : And Greater Crowds Likely at Tonight’s Performance : A
Fine Street Pageant”
Hamilton Times. July 11, 1902.
However, when the advertised
time for the procession to begin arrived, there was no parade. A rumor
circulated that maybe the parade had been cancelled.
What was happening involved
the circus management refusing to pay $100 to the city of Hamilton for a
permit. The circus people claimed that the circus was being presented outside of
the city limits, and that a permit was not needed. Inspector Brick noted that
the circus needed to be supplied with water from city hydrants close to the site
of the circus, and that the parade was indeed on city property. He was quoted
as saying, ‘No pay, no procession, and no city water.’2
The circus managers’ attempt
to avoid municipal permit requirements was standard business for them whatever
city they visited. While the negotiations were behind closed doors, the circus
men claimed that they did not have $100 in cash, and ultimately they consulted
with Mr. C.K. Green, traction manager with the Hamilton Street Railway who
agreed to put up the money. $100 cash
was handed to Inspector Brick with the commitment that it would be repaid to
the HSR immediately after the days’ revenues from the box office were totaled.
From the Hamilton Spectator,
July 12, 1902:
“The Forepaugh-Bells Bros.’
circus arrived here this morning, and the usual army of small boys was on hand
to see just how the cars were unloaded and the big show put under canvas. So
perfect is the organization that it doesn’t take long, and the average citizen
is surprised at the way things are done.
“Those who were not curious
to see the tents pitched were on hand early to see the procession. The crowds
commenced to gather shortly after 9 o’clock, and they kept getting bigger and
bigger.
“There was considerable
consternation when it was rumored that the procession had been called off
because of trouble with the civic authorities over the fees, but soon the bands
were heard and in a short time, the procession was in sight. It was a very long
procession, there being a large number of mounted men, prettily decorated
wagons, chariots, elephants, and last, but not least, the steam calliope.
“There was nothing cheap
about the procession. The horses were sleek and well-groomed, and the wagons
were well-kept. There were not many open wagons. The procession made a very
favorable impression.”2
There were two performances
of the circus that day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Both were very
well-attended. The fronting of the required $100 by the HSR ensured that the
performances went ahead. The loan was quickly repaid as receipts for both
performances totaled well-over $20,000. The HSR also benefitted. While it may
have lost some revenue when procession occupied the city streets, blocking the
street cars, the loss would have been more than recouped by the fares paid by
those taking the HSR along Barton street to the grounds and back.
