Wednesday, May 14, 2008

RBBB 1951 (From Buckles)


Scan000011216, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Eugene "Arky" Scott with wife Pat seated directly behind him, in what appears to be another happy day with "The Greatest Show on Earth".

Posted by Buckles at 5/14/2008 06:21:00 AM

2 comments:

Roger Smith said...

Arky, indeed, did look tough, and had the booming voice of an old-time elephant boss, but just on the other side of this image lay a very wry sense of humor and a very kind disposition that his photos concealed.

During my first season at Jungleland, I soon had charge of the care of 72 cats. I started at 6 a.m. and usually left around 9:30 at night. I was chasing myself getting everything done. Of course, I couldn't get enough of it, but Arky could see what my workload was. I'd be running by with a full wheelbarrow, and Arky would command, "All right, now, get over here and sit down!" He could see I was really into keeping it going, and he'd demand, "I said get over here goddammit!" I'd go over and sit by him outside the Elephant Barn, and he'd give me that long, low laugh of his. There must be a presence of him because I can hear him now. He wasn't yelling at me in anger. He was making me slow down and take a break. He knew he could keep me still with a Clyde Beatty story, or one about the picture, and he had stories I wasn't going to hear from anyone else. And funny. Oh my God, he could be funny. He had quick insight and keen observations on everything and everybody, which sometimes induced the huffy disgruntlement of Mabel Stark. He alone could poke sport at her and get away with it.

When Arky was diagnosed with cancer, I took him and his battered old suitcase to the bus station. He was quiet on the way. He knew he had been given a death sentence. He returned to work for a time, but then had to remain in his trailer, where Dick McGraw and I would visit him. Forty years ago this past April 11, Arky departed for the Big Lot. His gruff exterior never put off those around him who loved him.

I'm grateful to see this photo. It is the quintessential Arky, and I've seldom seen him look better. I sadly miss him, especially this year, but there is great comfort in knowing he's got 40 years up there with the Big Herds.

Roger Smith

14 May, 2008 19:47
Anonymous said...

During the Philly CFA Convention we made our own FUN in THE BULL ROOM...thanks to Tex & Dolly Copeland and PAT SCOTT...What a week it was...Hoxie Tucker was the Banquet Speaker...I believe he checked himself out of the hospital to be with us...He still had the hospital wist band on..

16 May, 2008 16:36

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