Cole's Colossal Circus was slated to give their show on the 19th and 20th of June in Helen, Montana in 1884. Samson the biggest elephant ever would show up as wells as bears, buffalo, baboons, beasts, and birds.Montana was still a territory and Helena wasn't very big, but the circus would give two shows each day.
The Daily Independent (20 June, 1884 page 5) reported that eight thousand people had attended the first performance of the "splendid entertainment." Mlle. Aimee, called the "human fly" was most exciting. It took three trains to bring the show to Helena.
It was not without controversy, though. A large band of thieves and pickpockets follow the circus wherever it goes and takes advantage of the distracted crowd. However, these evil people are in no way connected to the circus.
What an event it must have been to go to the circus if you lived in or near Helena, Montana in 1884! What an EFFORT it must have been to pull a circus together, transport it to wild places out west, put on successful shows, and keep everyone healthy and the circus profitable.
Entertainment people occasionally become famous, and rarely become rich, but those that spend their lives in makeup on stages have traditionally worked very hard for their livelihood. So kudos to those who showed up in Helena (Montana Territory) in June of 1884. The folks probably really enjoyed your show!
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