Mexborough and Swinton Times June 24, 1892
Mexborough Feast
Nowhere in South Yorkshire is the so called village “feast” recognised with more gusto than at Mexborough, and although we feel the rural simplicity of local life has passed away by the introduction of mines and manufactories and the consequent increase in the population, still up stick, in a most concerted fashion, to the annual fixture, which brings to us so formidable an army of shows, swings, shooting galleries, stalls and other miscellaneous attractions of a fair.
Relatives and friends of came from a distance to stay was a few days must have got away with the impression that we are a “live a lot!”
What would be said by the Frenchman, who has had proverbially fathered upon him the slander that we “take our pleasure sadly?” If he were to stroll through our streets and mix with the giddy throng to Mexborough “Feast,” he would see as much levity and frivolity as he himself can display, although there is not that everlasting twisting of the Imperial Moustache the continental characteristic method of salutation which so readily provoked the rising susceptibilities of an Englishman.
There is one decided advantage of the “feast” – so we are informed (we cannot vouch for the accuracy of the station) and that is that the many attractions provided result in a diminution of drunkenness. If that be so, there ought to have been fewer followers after Bacchus than ever this week, for the vacant plots of ground in our main and side streets were never more largely utilised.
So great has been the competition by the proprietors of travelling roundabout etc, that we shall be surprised to hear that the income has exceeded the financial outcome. For example, fancy having to deposit the sum of £50 to begin with, for the expense of transit to the town. That is what was paid by Mr Murphy, the owner of the splendid “switchback” which he declares originally cost £5,000, the organ alone being valued at £1,000 and the machinery at £1,700!
The electric light and the decorative display was also a considerable cost. Mr Tuby, who has kindly handed £10 of his penny takings to the treasurer of the Montagu has an equally fine turnout.
Undoubtedly, the special attraction of the fair has been the wild beasts show which Mr Day is the owner – or, rather, we should say, the daring performance of Martina Bartlett, who enters the cage where the lion “Wallace” is, and who seems quite at home with wolves! My work, this was a sensation! And all for twopence! Crowds flocked into the spacious covered arena every time the band playing “God save the Queen.” Armed with a revolver and with a dagger ready in his belt, in case of emergency, Martina Bartlett stepped into the cage containing the Russian wolves, which snarled ominously, and he imperiously made them go through their accustomed antics having escaped the teeth of the walls, he joined “Deeming” and Melbourne”, lionesses, the young ladies showing their molars in a way which seemed the reverse of affection but he was quite a business to this, as was testified by the fact that you had no weapon with him except his fists, which he playfully pugilistic raised in front of the nose of “Deeming,” as he did with its mate, although he was bold enough to place his head between those of the two lionesses and hold them together. But he actually made Miss Melbourne kiss him, and afterwards placed his face into her mouth and kept it there for some moments, extending his arms at the same time to show that he was allowing the animal perfect freedom! No mishap occurred – to the surprise of the onlookers!
The most startling performance was that entering the large cage where the lion “Wallace” was restlessly pacing backwards and forward, and the public had been prepared with intelligence that this king of the forest and already entered the temporal career of two of its trainers. The crowd surged around the case, eager to catch every detail that was to be presented. As soon as Bartlett approached the iron bars, the lion sprang at them in so quick and powerful fashion that men held their breath,” women in voluntary exclaimed, “Oh! And some are known to have fainted. No “play” would be permitted by “Wallace,” and this no one knew better than the trainer. Too long, red-hot iron bars were held by assistant outside the cage, in case it should be necessary to thrust them into the fine beast, and then, with admirable celerity, Bartlett was in the presence of the lion and temporarily somewhat subdued him by the repeated discharge of his revolver. He moved rapidly about in the cage, yelling and keeping “Wallace” at a respectable distance, though to the spectators the lion was in such constant motion and seemed in such close quarters that it was momently feared the trainer would soon be laid low. Nevertheless, to the delight of the audience, after final revolver discharge, Bartlett again stood, safe and sound, in the presence of the people. Still, the general impression and observation was that this kind of thing is like “tempting providence,” and the fear is that we may someday read of the trainer been devoured.
The other exhibition in connection with the fair where a menagerie on a minor scale, what was described as a display of Artic “amphibious wonders”, pugilistic displays, a “peepshow” the outside of which was the most attractive, and a Palace of Varieties of no particular pretensions.
Of course, Messrs. Livesey have been placing before the footlights excellent performances at the Paragon, and they expect to have a continuous public patronage.
During the week the schools have been closed, as usual.