Saturday, September 16, 2006

John and Mary Ruth Herriott


This is an interesting picture, taken on the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus in 1974. Fred Logan was injured when struck by a falling quarter pole while setting up the show. John and Mary Ruth worked the act until he recovered.

Posted by Buckles at 9/16/2006 05:48:00 AM

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I AM SURE YOU ELEPHANT GUYS CAN SEE THAT WE JUST FINISHED DOING 'OVER THE GARDEN WALL'. THAT'S PETE, DINA AND SUE.

16 September, 2006 09:52
Anonymous said...

In replay to a recent comment, Yes we did have PETA [Professional Elephant Trainers Association], quite sometime before this distastful org. that exists now. Its ironic that they have used those letters from what was a nice fraternity of good dedicated people from all walks of life. I regret that I did not keep it going for various reasons.

It came about because at that time we were hearing alot about the Soviet State Circus and that the animal trainers were all licensed by the State and had to be apprenticed and eventually achieve Gold Metal status. such as bear trainer Filatov and they guy with the cats.rats,mice and other exotic animals,among others, all state owned and operated.

So I thought it would be nice if all elephant trainers could join together in some sort of fraternal group or Guild to be so recognized. I took it on myself to contact every trainer I knew of active in the field at that time with the proposal. Now there were no designs for it to be a Union, but just a fraternal group proud of their profession. I was very pleased to receive a one hundred per cent favorable reply from all of them.

Now, at that time I had a wonderful year around job at the CWM and wilbur Deppe had built a new building right outside the back gate of the museum with stabling, ring area and even an office where I had a desk, filing cabinent, tyypewriter, telephone and fancy chair that would tip back and I could even put my feet up on the desk. How sweet it was. But I did have the time and place to get involved wih this PETA.

So I established a checking acct., had some cards and certificates of different types and it was off and going. I had Mac, Slivers, Pinky, Bill, Buckles, Rex, Freddie, Smokey, Hugo, Al, and others I can't just recall. I even had Gosta Kruse, Bertram Mills trainer very supportive. Now each trainer, member was issued a certificate to present to his boss owner that would declare that he was also a member in association with Master Trainer, whoever it may be. I felt that this would create desire for them to hire only PETA trainers. Also all trainers were sent Associated Certifricates to sell to CFA members or friends to put a little money in the kitty. WE could and did send flowers to sick and deceased members and associates. I bought a mimeograph machine [remember them] and published a few newsletters. So, when I received an offer and went to RBBB no more office, desk, typewriter, phone etc. So it kind of died. I recall in choosing a Pres., Vice Pres. and board of directors I suggested Mac or Bill W. Bill W. wrote me back that he was pleased to be a member but in his words "would perfer to be only a lowly foot soldier. Some of the associates were wonderful guys like Herman Brandmiller, Joe Menchen and so many both active and assoctates sadly no longer with us. In later years I gave Smokey what was left of the cards, etc. So that was it and I wish we still were active.

16 September, 2006 17:08
Anonymous said...

MIMEOGRAPH MACHINE. A stack of paper two foot high, a whole bottle of purple ink, A wrong button. Purple room, purple person [me]. Yes I do remember a MIMEOGRAPH MACHINE. I never was one for machrine of any kind. Still working on getting my speakers working.

16 September, 2006 18:23

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