A few weeks before the time for opening the circus season the horses
are taken in, stabled, groomed and fed with grain to get them "hard"
and in good condition for work. The wagons are overhauled, painted and
gilded, and, if necessary, new ones are built. The various agents are
by this time hard at work, each having his particular duties to
perform.
Previous to 1872 the "railroad circus" was an unknown quantity. Like
all other circuses of that day, the big show of which I was the manager
traveled by wagon. During our first season our receipts amounted in
round numbers to $400,000, exclusive of side shows, concerts and candy
stands. Of course we showed in towns of all sizes and our daily
receipts ranged from $1,000 to $7,000. Finding that the receipts in the
larger towns were frequently twice and three times as much as in the
smaller ones, I became convinced that we could at least double our
receipts if we could ignore the small places and travel only from one
big town to another, thereby drawing the cream of the trade from the
adjacent small towns instead of trying to give a separate exhibition in
each. This was my reason for determining to move the show by rail the
following season.
To this end, therefore, I at once telegraphed to the superintendents of
the different railroads asking if they could accommodate us and
guarantee to get us to the various towns in time to give the
exhibitions as advertised; and in order for us to do that it was
necessary, I informed them, that we be landed in a town as early as six
A.M. From some of the railroad superintendents came the reply, "Cannot
furnish switch room," and from others, "Give further particulars."
After a great deal of correspondence I went to Philadelphia and
interviewed the officials of the Pennsylvania Company. I urged and
argued and argued and urged, until they said I was the most persistent
man they had ever seen, and even told me they would pay me if I would
leave them in peace. This, however, did not suit my purpose, and I hung
on until I finally made arrangements with them.
After much preparation we eventually fixed upon New Brunswick, N.J.,
as our first loading place. We were new at the work and so commenced
loading at eight P.M. and finished the job at eight A.M., with no
extraordinary incidents except the breaking of one camel's back--the
creature having the misfortune to slip off the "runs." From New
Brunswick we went to Trenton, where I had hired Pullman cars for our
performers and band, and cheaper cars for our laborers and other
attaches.