Thursday, July 28, 2005

Al G. Barnes Circus/ Date unknown


This cage is buried to the hub. This photo shows how brawny the Barnes elephants were, something like people who work-out today. After the Al G. Barnes Circus was taken off the road, these elephants were absorbed into the Ringling herd and the differences were remarkable, six elephants exceeded 10,000 pounds, the largest came from the Barnes Show, "Babe", "Jewell", "Josky" and "Trilby".
Buckles

Posted by Buckles at 7/28/2005 07:11:00 AM

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have you noticed how unfit the a/r people are. All tubs of lard. I think their inter beauty must be ugly too. Those people I see waving signs look like death warmed over. Must be the mistreatment they receive. Ugly to the bone. They must have had an ugly bring up to be so full of hatefulness.

28 July, 2005 10:10
Anonymous said...

This is why they were called MUDD SHOWS. I have many fond memories. Try laying in the mudd while an elephant did the cross over. Talk about glamor! Believe it or not it was FUN. My mother met Gene on just such a lot for the first time. He was covered with mud. Her nose went into the air. Later when she saw him in the ring she swore it was not the same man. I still feel to this day that a hot bubble bath is the greatest invention and am so happy to be able to take one. I would give them up in a minute to be back in the 60s on Kelly Miller.

28 July, 2005 12:58
Anonymous said...

Rebecca,

I know how you showfolk are. My father was a showfolk and spent years on the circus. He left me my mother and I behind. He was always sleeping around with all the other women. When he did come home he always had to go out at night with his showfolk. Most people in the show business do not live a family life. Men have multiple partners and it can get out of hand.

28 July, 2005 14:28
Anonymous said...

A horse would be much more useful to pull a wagon. I would take 6 really well trained horses over 6 elephants any day. The horses are smarter and more realiable. I understand most people think elephants are smarter than horses but not too great trainer.

28 July, 2005 14:43
Anonymous said...

Wendy your problem is with your father, not the circus, Don't blame us for his life. You shound be blogging with DR PHIL not Circus History. I knew you were full of hate about something besides us. A little strange piece of warmth never hurt anyone. Jealousy is a killer.

28 July, 2005 16:58
Anonymous said...

Arnt elephants better suited for pushing then pulling?
I read were 60 percent of their bodyweight/center of gravity is just behind the forelegs.

14 September, 2005 18:21
Anonymous said...

In working on my mom's obit, I discovered your blog. Mom was in the Al G. Barnes circus. I am not quite sure of her dates. She told the story that each performer was in charge of an animal and was to make sure the animal got what it needed. Her animal was Babe, the huge elephant. She loved Babe and Babe seemed to love her back. She had lots of stories of the roustabouts, the small folk who later performed in The Wizard of Oz and the Hawaiians who taught her hula. Later they all played showrooms on the East Coast, Chicago and Montreal.

18 March, 2008 14:56

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