John Robinson Circus #9

Scan000010130, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. My dad told me quite a bit about these four young elephants. Bill Emery put this act together when he was on the Robinson Show in 1928. Oddly enough the Corp. bought two of them (Ruth and Bessie) untrained, from 101 Ranch and the other two (Judy and Tillie) from Gentry Bros. (Floyd and Howard King) in lieu of money owed. My dad knew these elephants from the Floto Show where they went in 1931 after John Ringling took the Robinson Show off the road and he often mentioned how well trained they were. Unfortunately the following winter in Peru, "Bessie" became ill and died suddenly. The remaining three went to H-W in 1933 where Cheerful changed "Tillie's" name to "Rose" since he already had a Tillie in the herd. "Ruth", "Judy" and "Rose" were eventually with RBBB by 1939 but "Rose" was lost in the 1942 menagerie fire. The other two remained with the show as long as it was under canvas. Recently we saw "Ruth" in Mr. Penndorf''s 1955 picture and as mentioned, she was retired to the New Orleans Zoo in 1967.

"Tillie" #3

Dan and Rose Noonan with "Tillie" July 12, 1913. TILLIE 1872-11 John Robinson Cicus 1912-16 Ropbinson Elephants (Selog Z00) 1917-32 Robinson Military Elephants (Vaudeville) (Her final days in the Cincinnati Zoo)

"Tillie" #1 (From Buckles)

Dan "Curley" Noonan and "Tillie" 1914.

Trilby, Josky, Tessie & Tillie (TO BE CONTINUED)

Trilby, Josky, Tessie & Tillie, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The names listed above are from long time Sells-Floto elephants. Looks like "John" at right. Buckles

From Bill Strong #1

Hagenbeck-Wallace Tillie & Moton '30, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Hagenbeck-Wallace Tillie and Moton 1930 I may have already sent these to you,,,,I am no longer taking responsibility for my memory. In fact I'm thinking about getting a DNA test to see if I'm really me???? Bill "There was a "Moton" with H-W in 1926 but was only with the show one season and was sold to a zoo. However he resurfaced in 1935 with the newly framed Cole Bros. Circus where his name was changed to "Barney". Buckles

Robinson Elephants #1 (From Buckes)

When the Robinson Family sold their circus they retained four elephants that appeared in Vaudeville for many years. Here is one such date in 1914 and shows "Tillie" doing the "walk-across" with her trainer Dan "Curley" Noonan. "Tillie" first appeared with the John Robinson Circus in 1872.

#4 Military Elephants

Noonan with "Tillie", "Tony", "Pitt" (Petite) and Clara. My father said they were not easy to work. spoiled rotten, he said that one of the tricks was the announcer would proclaim "Tillie will now say MA-MA" and she would go "ma-ma" then he would mutter "Louder You SOB".....and finally-- MA-MA-MA..... I've often wondered what the title on that wagon was! Looks like Carnival equipment.

Dan Noonan and "Tillie" 1914

Scan10914, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Letter from Bill Woodcock to Homer Walton 5-30-60. "John Robinson's "Tillie" was an old elephant when she died but nothing like 120 years old. They don't live that long. Also she died the winter of 1931-32. I took Curley Noonan's place and worked these bulls the last half of the 1931 season. Noonan had a stroke which left him incapacitated, he died in 1933. After I left, George (Red Cap) Thompson worked the Robinson act as long as it existed."

From Dave Price

Six big features: Let's see... there were Tillie, Tony, Clara and Pitt. Who are the two I'm missing?" "When the John Robinson show closed under Robinson family ownership in 1911 they retained the six elephants Tillie, Tony, Pit (Petite), Clara, Ella and Basil (male). For reasons unknown to me they spent the next four years in the Selig Zoo in California.  By 1915 they were down to the four you mention and best remembered from their days in Vaudeville as the John Robinson Military Elephants." Buckles

Circus Oddities #5

Here are the last two pictures. There are more cutouts from papers but they are in poor shape. The big one is the funeral of Tillie. It said "Funeral of Tillie 1932, Robinsons Elephants, Terrace Park Ohio". The other is "Amityville L.I. - Frank Bucks Elephants". Thanks again for posting these for me. I have enjoyed the site. I will keep coming back to look for new pictures and I'm still slowly working my way thru the archives. Maybe one day I will discover what made him join the circus. I like to believe one weekend the circus pulled into the small town of Pitcairn, NY and the whole family got all dolled up and at the first site of the elephants...little Samuel just fell in love. I think it could be just that simple! Lori Gilbert

Adele Nelson Elephants #1

Scan000010939, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Adele Nelson and "Tillie" in 1931 while touring with the Fanchon & Marco Vaudeville Unit "Circus Days", seen here loading into a baggage car at the Grand Trunk Depot in Cleveland, bound for Toronto. I see that Mr. Reed has applied a set of hobbles and a trip chain on "Tillie", he must have known something.

"Tillie" #2

Dan "Curly" Noonan and "Tillie" 1914.

From Erin #5

circus pics 11, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The youngest of the four John Robinsons (also G, like his father). He stands beside Tillie, the leader of the elephants. TILLIE 1872-11 John Robinson's Circus 1912-16 Robinson Elephants (Selig Zoo) 1917-30 Robinson Military Elephants (Vaudeville) 1930-32 Cincinnati Zoo Buckles

John Robinson Circus #1

Scan000010122, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. An often seen picture taken around the turn of the century when the Robinson family still owned the show. The lead elephant is "Tillie" and the trainer on horseback is Tim Buckley. I don't envy Mr. Buckley or even "Tillie" for that matter, having to listen to a flageloet solo every day.

To Lori

Buckles,I have some old photos of my Grandfather that I would like to share with you. Sorry for posting here but I couldn't find another way to contact you. He was a handler/trainer with John Robinson and possibly Sells-Floto. I'm guessing late 20's, early 30's. One pic is dated 1931. His name is Sam LaFleur. He passed away in 1985 so I was just in my teens then. I wish I had asked more questions when he was alive but I do remember his love for elephants. He always talked about his favorite, Tillie, who is buried here in Cincinnati (Terrace Park). Or that is the rumor i think. Thanks Lori (This might be the 1931 picture you mention. My father at left, your grandfather at right and George "Red Cap" Thompson in the center, with the John Robinson Militaty Elephants "Tillie", "Tony" "Pitt (Petite) and "Clara'.) Buckles

Robinson Military Elephants #5

This is my dad at left with the Robinson Elephants in 1931 at St. Thomas, Ont. with St. Leon Bros. European Circus. With him are George "Red Cap" Thompson and Sean "Cactus" LaFleur. My dad was with the Floto Show 1930-32 and as I undestand it, Zack Terrell the manager of the show was very good friends with the Robinson family and sent my dad over there to make this gig (years later they gave Terrell "Pitt" when he owned the Cole Show.) My dad told me that it was not an easy job, the elephants having been in the Robinson family so long he was given a long list as to how they should be worked and endless instructions. He said the thing he hated most was that "Tillie" would make a peculiar noise on command which might be construed as "Ma Ma". It was included in the act, the band would stop playing and a lengthy announcement would be made. Tillie would go "ma ma" then to his chagrin he would have to walk over close to her and whisper "Louder you son of a bitch" Then she would go "MA MA!". All in all, I think he was glad to get back to the Floto Show.

John Robinson Circus parade #4

This picture taken around the turn of the Century and shows "Tillie" who had been with the Robinson's since the 1870's. I have several more pictures of her in parade always carrying this (Turkish?) ensemble. 1911 was the last season the show went out owned by the Robinson family dispite the title being in use for many more years. They retained the elephants that appeared in Vaudeville as the Robinson Military Elephants. "Tillie" remained in this act thru 1925 and was then retired to the Cincinnati Zoo where she died in 1932. If you look closely you can see the incredibly large ivory on the third elephant "Tommy" tho only half grown his tusks almost touched the ground. To those unaware, you can click twice on these pictures and they will enlarge a bit.

Louis E. Reed #5

Now with considerable backing, they ordered  these three elephants ("Myrtle", "Tillie" and "Jenny") from an Importer but months later they still hadn't arrived and after learning they were sitting in England, Louie and Adele boarded a ship and on arrival there found that they were skin and bones and the Importer feared they might not survive the crossing. So they simply took up residence in England, got them back in shape, trained the act and remained there for several years appearing Bertram Mills Circus.

Dailey Bros. #3

Louis Reed with part of the 1944 Dailey Bros. elephant herd. 1. Nemo  2. Jap 3. Lucy 4. Myrtle (former Adele Nelson elephants) 5. Tillie 6. Jenny 7. Cutie (former Weir elephants) 8. Trixie 9. Luna 10. Hank

#1 Family Pix

William Woodcock Sr. at left presenting the Robinson Military Elephants "Tillie", "Tony", "Pitt" (Petite) and "Clara".