Buckles Blog: Al G. Barnes #6

Monday, May 28, 2007

SAVE2885, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Barnes and "Tusko" at circus winter quarters in December of 1927.

Anonymous said...: How many people did Tusko kill, compared to say Black Diamond?; 28 May, 2007 06:59
Buckles said...: I'm not aware of him killing anyone.
He died in solitude at the Seattle Zoo 6/10/33.; 28 May, 2007 07:05
Anonymous said...: Since he is heavily chained in several of these pictures was he known for running a lot, or was that just standard procedure in those days?
Carl; 28 May, 2007 07:20
Anonymous said...: We've never seen another bull in any of your pictures with chainmail like this. Did he have a lot of bad habits or was his size that intimnidating??cc; 28 May, 2007 07:44
Buckles said...: When he was bulling, he was a Holy Terror, in fact he was left in quarters throughout the seasons of 1924-25-26 and 29.
Since he was so heavily advertised Barnes decided to get another big tusker. Both "Diamond" and "Tusko" were with the show in 1928, it must have been something.; 28 May, 2007 07:51
Anonymous said...: was the loss of his ivory due to the martingales ?
wasn't this the Tusko of Slim Lewis fame ? (I Loved Rogues)
Mr. Barnes certainly projects an image of authority, looking absolutely presidential on train vestibule; 28 May, 2007 08:54
Buckles said...: I think the photo of him being taken to the Seattle Zoo on a flat bed trailer shows quite a bit of ivory remaining.
He may have rubbed most of that off while walking free in his outdoor pen.; 28 May, 2007 09:17

Buckles Blog