Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Hawthorne Elephants #4


scan0005, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.


Photo #4 Joey, a lot of commands are standard, but there is nothing wrong with being creative. I stood by Liz and used the command "swing here to me" to turn the herd around. Two reasons. I was by myself, plus it made me feel like a teamster, which I have always thought would be neat. The 4th elephant from the left, backing out, calculating the distance to the the succulent green leaves X one man afoot, Buckles might recognize. That's Gyp. I asked Rex Williams one day in 1981 on Vargas, when he told Gyp to "come in line" as she sauntered over, and kicked open a bag of grain, "what's her deal? Does she have a hearing problem?" Rex replied, "Gyp hears fine, she just interprets the command different. She sure is athletic, isn't she?" Quite a girl she was right, Curator

Posted by Buckles at 3/11/2008 06:04:00 AM

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Legend has it that Little Bobby Cline would set his cot up and sleep between Bea & Gyp in the sideshow tent...
:-)
Cindy Potter

11 March, 2008 16:39
Anonymous said...

You are referring to the Gyp on CBCB....Rex named the elephant Wade refers to... "Gyp" after the Elephant you refer to...Now I believe the elephant Wade refers to that Rex named Gyp...was named Hope by Buckles....her orignal name was Dale.....If this is confusing....I apologise..it is a result of working..or rather Gyp working me for 9yrs... with that said I will retreat to my corner and drool in confusion....dazed and never the same..Jim Zajicek

11 March, 2008 20:00
Anonymous said...

Cindy Potter,
If it was anywhere near where Gyp could reach him, I promise it was a miserable night. Rumor has it the elephant knew some of the best in the business. Starting with Hugo Schmidtt and ending with me. How's that for a fall from glory? Rumor also has it she was a named Hope, at one time, under the assumption that she was cute and charming. Fact of the matter, Hope was short for, Hope she doesn't make me lose my freaking mind. The only animal I have ever been around that "may", prove the contention that they think, in an abstract sense of the word, and operate by means of a well laid out master plan.
My vote for the smartest elephant in the world.
Wade Burck

11 March, 2008 20:24
Anonymous said...

Darlene Williams,
If you see this poste, I sure would like you to tell us about the time you took Gyp out to do rides the first time. This "beautiful eared" girl was truly special, and I could not look at her without thinking of your special Dad. I also hope you get a chance to go say hi to her and Nic in California one day. Don't call ahead, she'll probably have the gate open by the time you get there.
Best wishes,
Wade Burck

11 March, 2008 20:32
Buckles said...

In 1972 Hugo Schmitt named the seven newly imported elephants "Minyak", Mala", "Sandra", "Sheva", "Assam", "Patna" and "Matsho".
I changed most of the names including the last one "Matsho" to "Hope".
After she was sold, Rex changed her name to "Gyp" and as we know she is best remembered as the mother of "Brat".

11 March, 2008 20:39
Buckles said...

"Bee" and "Gyp" were originally imported by Tony Gentry who named them "Burma" and "Gypsy", and were later owned by Bob Snowden.
They wound up with Beatty-Cole in 1961 and when Rex joined the show, he shortened their names to Bee ad Gyp.

11 March, 2008 21:01
Anonymous said...

Curator and Jim Elliott,
Taking nothing away from Debbie and her pugilist talents, I often would tag team partner her and Gyp, as you know, when a Karate/judo mentality in addition to a straight forward ram was required. In those instances, not only did the Lord of the Manor cry like a baby, he screamed like a women. getting in the barn. Gyp learned and honed her skills around the likes of Gardner, Maclain, Tusko, Reed, and there were none better at the art of street fighting. You may have heard of an elephant named Billie. Truly "stone cold". THE GYPSY saved my life, 4 times when we were loading Billie for the first time since 1993. I'm grateful Gyp hadn't had my back that day. Now if you will excuse me, I have something in my eye.
Wade Burck

11 March, 2008 21:04
Anonymous said...

Hi Wade
Sorry I haven't looked here in a while. I am in New Orleans working on a vampire movie for Universal Pioctures until May.

I remember Gyp. She was a really great elephant and very sweet. All she wanted to do was be a mommie to any baby elephants. My dad really liked her. I always trusted her. I dont remember the first time I took her out on rides. She was always good with me. I would love to see Gyp sometime. Where is she?

Do you know where the elephant my dad called Betty Boop is? Her & I had a special bond. I would love to know where she is?

I do remember the first time I took Sue out. That I do remember was not such a great experience for me.

12 March, 2008 14:23
Anonymous said...

Darlene,
Gyp was indeed special. She now resides at Pat Derby's facility in California, Buerllton I believe, where she continues to babysit Nick. I will never forget her, and within 24 hrs. I realized why your father thought so much of her.
You are dead on about her maternal instincts. Nic learned to make a baby eh,eh,eh sound that would make Gyp run from her grain, to see if he was alright. I think he just did it to see if she would come.
I may have heard that Boop was with Scott Riddle, but I may be wrong. Buckles will probably know.
Sue was a neat elephant too. My last day's with her were heartbreaking, and I don't like thinking about it, sorry.
My best,
Wade Burck

12 March, 2008 18:02
Anonymous said...

Sorry I am a bit tired working 5pm to 6 am...did you say "was"? Is she? Can you email me privately and let me know?
Darlene

13 March, 2008 07:28
Anonymous said...

Oh sorry, I just reread your post. Gyp is ok. I am so happy to hear that. Is Pat Derby's facility a good place?
Yes I know the story of what happened to Sue by that woman.

13 March, 2008 07:33
Anonymous said...

Darlene,
Gyp is as happy as a pig in mud. And you know how Gyp loves mud. You mention, a women doing something to Sue? Maybe you don't understand the circumstances of what happened?
Wade Burck

wburck3@aol.com

13 March, 2008 08:47

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