"Tusko" and Slim Lewis #2

Scan00000010073, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. George "Slim" Lewis and "Tusko" enroute. In his book, Slim wrote: "I heard that Tusko had been sold by Al G. Barnes to a walkathon promoter on the West Coast. The promoter had gone broke and Tusko was stranded in Salem, Oregon." As we know by 1931 John Ringling had owned the Barnes Show for several years and after his experience with "Black Diamond", I'm sure he was delighted to see "Tusko" go on to bigger and better things. Buckles

From Mark Rosenthal

Oregon Zoo buys elephants Lily and Tusko for $400K PORTLAND – The Oregon Zoo now has the legal rights to elephants Lily and Tusko after buying them from Have Trunk Will Travel, the zoo announced Friday morning. The zoo purchased Tusko and Lily for $400,000, thus voiding its loan agreement with the California-based company, said Kim Smith, the zoo’s director. Tusko was on a breeding loan since 2005 and sired elephants Lily and Samudra. Background: Zoos routinely loan out elephants The purchase was funded entirely by the Oregon Zoo Foundation and did not involve public money, Smith said. Background: Calif. owner says elephant will stay at Oregon Zoo “We are grateful to the dedicated donors who recognize the zoo as an important community asset and support our work through the Oregon Zoo Foundation,” Smith said in a news release. “The ongoing support these gifts provide not only made this ownership transfer possible but helps advance our daily efforts to create a better future for wildlife.” Smith said she recognized the need for public reassurance about the fate of Rose-Tu's calf after early public outcry over reports concerning Have Trunk Will Travel. Photos: Rose Tu and her baby “If I thought for one minute that this baby was going to be taken from her mother — taken from her home — I would be outraged too," Smith said. "But Lily was never going away, and I think everyone understands that now.” Video: Rose Tu playing with new calf Controversy first stirred when the Seattle Times published a two-part series outlining elephants in captivity. The article cited the Oregon Zoo's 2005 breeding loan for Tusko, which stipulated that his second, fourth and sixth offspring would be owned by Have Trunk Will Travel. The zoo said the deal was a standard breeding agreement, and the company had no intention of taking the calf. “This controversy was much ado about nothing,” Smith said. “But it’s still been incredibly gratifying to see our community come together like this on behalf of elephants. The Oregon Zoo has a nationally recognized Asian Elephant program that has been breeding the highly endangered animals for 50 years.

From Joey Ratliff

diamond tusko28, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Great set yesterday, here is one more of Diamond, Tusko and Ruth on the lot in 1928. I believe Ruth was an anchor for one of the big boys. Joey "This looks like the Washington and Hill lot in Los Angeles with the Mode O Day building in the background. Despite having already been seen in the menagerie, "Tusko" and "Mighty Tusko" made a procession around the track and were officially introduced. You may note that "Ruth" is anchoring "Tusko" by the girth rather than by her neck. When I worked for Hugo Schmitt in 1957 there were 48 elephants in the barn, 21 went on tour and were practiced daily and of the remaining 27, the young ones were exercised around the quarters in this fashion (minus all the hardware of course). When collared neck to neck, I have sometimes seen the anchor elephant get manhandled around pretty good but with this method, should the exercisee decide to bolt she becomes a somersalting elephant when she reaches the end of her leg chain and thereafter has a more prudent attitude." Buckles

Tusko #12

"Tusko" became such a feature that customers complained when he wasn't on the show so another big male was purchased in 1928 from Wilson's Greater shows, "Black Diamond". They both trouped together that season billed as "Tusko" and "Mighty Tusko" As is generally known they are distinguished by the flat bar on "Diamond's" tusks and the bail ring on "Ned's"

More on "Tusko" #1

SAVE2895, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. As John Herriott mentioned, Tusko's original name was "Ned", here he is seen with "Mena" on the M.L. Clark & Sons Shows in 1921 in Hartford, Arkansas, having just completed the walk from the previous town. I have a picture of him doing the "bottle-walk" while on this show but alas it eludes me. TUSKO (Ned) 1901- Great Syndicate Shows 1902- Great Eastern Shows (W.F. Smith) 1903-21 M.L. Clark Wagon Show (Trained by Don Leon) 1921-31 Al G. Barnes Circus (Sold to "Sleepy" Gray and George Lewis early in 1931) Tusko"s statistics in August of 1932 were: 14,000 lbs. and 10' 2" at the shoulder 17 " circumference of tusks 65" circumference of feet 2' 9" distance between eyes 18' 11" body length (Died June 10, 1933 at the Seattle Zoo)

Tusko 1932

In regard to RL,s statement regarding "Tusko" this is a picture of the occasion he mentions when CFA members measured him in August of 1932 at the Seattle Zoo. I have all those statistics including the 14,000 lb. weight which I believe to be a guess-timate since the figure rounds off too neatly, in fact he looks rather peeked in this shot. "Tusko" might have been close to that in his palmy days particularly since he carried almost 1,000 lbs. in chains. Thats George "Slim" Lewis with the lash hook and "Sleepy" Gray in the background. Tusko died the following year on June 10. You are right "King Tusk" and "Tommy" are the same elephant, when we were at Baraboo, Lee Keener took him up to the scale and weighed him but the Ringling management made Lee take a blood oath not to release the figure. All that "cloak and dagger" stuff was in place then I was on the show 30 years ago and remains the same today however lately it has turned into a pretty expensive hobby.

More on "Tusko" #2

SAVE2896, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Now with the Al G. Barnes Circus in 1922, we see "Ned" (Tusko), leading the daily street parade and being ridden by Cheerful Gardner's assistant Clyde "Highpockets" Baudendistl. Already becoming more massive due to an improved diet and being transported from town to town but with too much time on his hands he would become more difficult. My dad was on the Barnes Show at this time and said that "Tusko" did a single number in an end ring worked by Highpockets and it wasn't much but just laying down and sitting up was an impressive act in itself.

From Bob Cline

img097, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, This just gets a little more confusing all the time. I found this newspaper cut today in The Lethbridge Herald ( Canada ) from June 11, 1929. I then found the following article in the Oakland Tribune on May 4, 1929. CIRCUS BRINGS WONDERS HERE With all the sounds and sights and smells of any first rate circus, the Al G. Barnes Circus came to Oakland yesterday to delight the hearts of young and old for three days. The vast tent quarters are at Forty-fifth street and San Pablo Avenue. The center of interest in the menagerie are Tusko and the Mighty Tusko, monster elephants, while the hippo's cage, the dens of the larger cats and the monkeys all held the attention of the throngs that packed the tents yesterday afternoon and evening. Captain John Meyers with his 19 trained Bengal tigers, Miss Bobby Taylor wrestling a tiger,and the Misses Alma Taylor and Velda in their respective animal acts. The Davenport family of riders offer an excellent direction while Mack Smith and his riders were enjoyable. Miss Patricia Clancy has charge of the herds of performing elephants. Miss Bert??? Matlock in her slide for life, Miss Babe Laieaurmen, aerialist, and Miss Tetis Robinson on the high wire all win the pleasure of their audiences. Al G. Barnes has gathered his largest and best aggregation together in his many years of show business and his production, Aladdin and the Parade of Gold, to the last act is enjoyable.The circus will close it's season here tomorrow evening. I think the ad was intended to say what it says. Tusko staying at home probably couldn't change the advertising cuts by then. However the article which is an actual observation of the show says Yes he was there. The last sentence throws me though. Did the Barnes show close a tour there in early May of 1929 or is this just city-slicker lingo, saying they are done in this town on May 5th? Bob --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Mighty Tusko

TUSKO 1901 Great Syndicate Shows (Original name "Ned") 1902 Great Eastern Shows 1903-20 M.L. Clark Shows (Purchased from W.F. Smith- Trained by Don Leon) 1920-23 Al G. Barnes Circus (Renamed "Tusko") 1924-26 Barnes Quarters 1927-28 Al G. Barnes Circus 1929 Barnes Quarters 1930-31 Al G. Barnes Circus 1931- 33 Owned by Bayard Gray and later George Lewis (Died June 10 1933 at the Seattle Zoo)

From Hal Guyon

agb tusko, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Buckles, Found this picture of Tusko, taken before the bail ring was put on the ivory, don`t have a year, but it appears that he his younger than the photos on your site a few days ago. Maybe you can date the picture. I also have a picture of his rail car somewhere I`ll try to look it up and send it. Hal Guyon "This picture matches the one I ran a few days ago of "Tusko" ridden by Highpockets and on the back my dad had dated it 1921 or '22. So during his first two seasons on the Barnes Show only a martingale was required." Buckles

Al G. Barnes #1 (From Joey Ratliff)

diamond-tusko, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Here are some additions to the Diamond-Tusko debate. Scanned these from "I Loved Rogues". The first picture, I don't know if it is from '28 or '29 but the two are at a water stop. You can make out the end of Diamond's trunk bar and Tusko's chain headpiece is evident.

Al G. Barnes Program 1929 #2

"Sofia, Ida and Agnes Klinkhart with "Jiggs" the chimpanzee with a college education". Display No. 1 A troupe of Royal Lilliputians, the smallest people on earth and Mr. Sky-High, the tallest man in the world. Display No. 2 "Tusko" and "Mighty Tusko" the largest beasts that tread the earth today. *(In 1929 "Tusko" remained in quarters all season, only "Black Diamond" was on tour, that's his picture on the front cover. Elephant boss that season was E.W. Jackson.") Display No. 3 "Lotus" the biggest blood-sweating hippopotamus in captivity. Valued at $50,000. Display No. 4 Mr. Al G. Barnes' blue ribbon winners- three and five gaited saddle horses. These equines are genuine thoroughbreds. Display No. 5 Ring 1 Highly trained ponies and leaping greyhounds presented by Bert Dennis. Steel Arena A group of pumas and leopards, offered by Miss Bobby Todd. Ring 3 Favorites of the childen- ponies and high jumping greyhounds by William Keffer. Steel Arena

"Tusko" #4

A peculiar hook-up with "Tusko" and two young males "Barney" (named after Mr. Barnes himself) and "Vance".

Tusko #13

Another shot of both big males at what appears to be a procession around the track that included "Ruth", looks like the Mode O Day lot in Los Angeles . This would be "Tusko's" last year on the show but "Diamond" would remain for a 1929 season that would end in tragedy

Tusko #7

This is 1922 when Cheerful Gardner was in charge with "Tusko" leading the herd in parade ridden by Clyde Baudendistl. Included in the department was an 18 year old William Woodcock Sr.

1000 Oaks #9

Written on the back: "Tusko and Jug Head Emma" "Tusko" of course, featured in Circus Boy TV Series.

From Frank Murray

Tusko Colonel Joe 86 001, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Good evening Buckles from the back yard of Dick Gardens Tented Show, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Col Joe. I used to put a massive stage howda on Joe, complete with matching blanket and take Jan Bickerstaff in the center ring for her trapeze entrance. Between his height and the elevation of the howda she was able to jump up and grab the bar and begin her act. I am sure some where in the either there are pics of her grand entrance. I also searched for Joe for seven days just north of Lake Okeechobee and found him on the morning of the eighth. It was quite an ordeal and the story is best told on a lazy rainy day with plenty of libation on hand. As the song says "Those where the days my friend, we thought they would never end". Requiscat in pace All the best, Frank Murray

"Tusko" #7

"Tusko" with the bail ring across his tusks and "Diamond" with the flat bar.

"Tusko" #17

George Lewis and "Tusko".

#9 Tusko

A lot of hardware. Notice the half bail-ring on "Tusko".