Sarasota Revisited #12

Scan12432, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. As everyone knows the main facility for the elephants was similar to a Wild West Show canopy with the herd facing inward from three sides, There was a doorway in the back for the manure wagon to enter and exit, When I joined out there was an even 50 elephants housed in both barns that included Hugo's elephant "Targa". "Big Modoc" had died just prior to my arrival and "Sparks Myrtle" got knocked down by another elephant and couldn't get up, she was very old. Doc Henderson eventually put her to sleep, she was the one being washed down by Bob Wild in the movie, I'm sure someone can remember the line delivered by Brad regarding her upset stomach. I don't know when this barn was built, maybe 1929 or 30. Earlier photos I have indicate that the first few winters they simply had them on picket lines and loaded in the cars at night if it got cold.