LET 'ER BUCK 



as compared with a major league. The principal prob- 

 lems were publicity, transportation of the attendance, 

 and accommodation of the great crowds by the little 

 city, then a trifle over five thousand. But the great 

 problem was the show itself, as well as the arena, track, 

 and methods of entrance and exit, not only for the 

 crowds but for the contestants and animals. The en- 

 trances and exits were uniquely and carefully planned, 

 so as not to interfere with each other; a quarter of a 

 mile track was determined upon as against the custom- 

 ary half mile oval in order to bring the events within 

 the easy vision of all the spectators. 



Then came the program itself. The events were di- 

 vided into three classes, the competitive, non-competi- 

 tive and Indians. Pep and snap must always be the 

 prime characteristic of the show so there must be con- 

 stant contact between the contestants and audience. No 

 waits could even be chanced. There were always 

 three events ready or on; always three paddocks and 

 three openings, so in case any horse or contestant was 

 not ready, they always had one and to spare to shoot 

 in. 



It was at first suggested that a sham battle between 

 soldiers from Vancouver Barracks and the Indians 

 would splendidly depict the passing of the last fron- 

 tier and furnish a thrilling climax. Here the first 

 snag was encountered when they could not get soldiers ; 

 and the second was the refusal of the Indians to come 

 in and be shot at, even with blank shells. However, 

 some of the old bucks agreed to come in if they were 

 allowed to do the shooting, regardless of the nature of 

 the shells. Then it was that the roping and bulldog- 

 ging and horse-bucking ideas went over big. 



Old circus bleachers were placed around a track 



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