Milwaukee Parade 1986 #2

Traveling aboard the train briefly was only done as a publicity stunt since the trip was a two day affair stopping overnight at Janesville. When we arrived there, Chico had the elephant truck waiting and we continued on with the elephants. However the Museum staff, now completely exhausted, spent the night in a Janesville hotel resting and the following afternoon the train pulled into Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Parade 1986 #3

With elephants it doesn't take long to draw a crowd, this is Greg and I standing in the doorway of the car while making a brief stop in Madison.

Milwaukee Parade 1986 #4

While at the Parade Grounds, a number of us made brief talks to a number of Circus Fans. From left: Tex, myself (with microphone), Barbara, Doc, Evy and Lou. By the way, John Herriott and I will do our act at the CFA gathering next Spring in Hershey.

For KC/"Jolly" #1

I have more pictures of "Jolly" that I thought, these taken in 1899 when the Bostock-Ferrari Show was making it's American tour and appearing at the Wilmington Street Fair and Midway (Wilmington, Ohio) during the week of July 25. This must be while on parade with the Harem ladies on board.

"Jolly" #2

This is odd, at first I thought it was an elephant ride but on closer inspection I think these are the same people as in Picture #1 but now out of wardrobe.

"Jolly" #3

"Jolly" at work on the lot with what appears to be the same man as in the previous picture. This is a complicated way to pull a wagon. The trace chains are going straight back to the fifth wheel and a collar chain to the end of the wagon pole to steer. What an operation to have to disconnect and reconnect from wagon to wagon. I was always told that when you spotted a wagon, you were supposed to leave the wagon pole off-center so that when it was moved, the front wheels would already be in motion before the elephant recieved the full weight of the load.

Terry Fenne

Just had a conversation with B.K. Silverlake who informed me that the cause of Terry's death is still undisclosed. Further adding that his estranged family are on their way down from Wisconsin with plans for a cremation which I think are contrary to his wishes. B.K. said that Mount Olive Mortuary is waiting to receive the word and that Services would be held on Monday. After all the trouble he went thru to prepare for his final resting place at Mt. Olivet, I hope things work out O.K.

From Bill Strong

If you click on this picture it should enlarge and hopefully become readable. It's Billy Rose knocking Robert Ringling's 1946 Show. It comes as a surprise since Mr. Rose should have been aware better than most that World War II had just concluded during which time no talent from Europe was forthcoming and many of the American performers serving in the Army were just beginning to return. Not to mention that the U.S. Government had reduced the size of the show so as not to interfere with Military train transportation.

From Bill Strong

How to oil an elephant #1

When elephants were imported directly from Asia to the Animal Dealers, Zoos or Circuses they were invariably infested with a variety of parasites both internally and externally. Most of the internal parasites died right away from the change of soil they would consume while grazing. The most common parasites still today are "Round Worms" that are easily disposed of but many were lost from "Liver Flukes" much harder to detect. They all would have lice or I should say ticks, that usually congregated mostly behind the ears or in the arm pits and would spread among other elephants like a rumor. I was at Circus World when Gee Gee called and said that her elephants were constantly scratching and had these little red bugs, no doubt acquired while co-mingling with other elephants while on tour. I invited her to bring them up to Circus World and we could take care of this in short order. In this picture the first elephant has come out of the truck and Gee Gee had her lie down on her side so we could start slopping on the neatsfoot oil from the container at right.

How to oil an elephant #2

Now she arises to a stretched out position and we continue the greasy-pig operation. I explained to her that when she got home to keep them in the barn for a day or so since it took a little longer to kill the eggs. Just like washing a dog for fleas.

How to oil an elephant #3

Now once again upright, you check for all the places you missed and the final thing to do is wipe away all the beads that might gather on the elephants stomach. If allowed to remain, a water pocket might develop. Dr. Dan once mentioned some Zoo elephants he was attending that had water pockets the size of footballs from having just been oiled. I explained what had happened and that they would slosh around and eventually go away, quicker if excercised regularly. He had a problem with this and later said he had conferred with several other Vets and they agreed that my Hypothesis was impossible.

Pawnee Bill (Gordon Lillie) and Buffalo Bill (William Cody)

Legends of the Early West.

Buffalo Bill Wild West #1

Interesting picture, the car is titled "Excursion and Railway Dept.". It looks like a bill crew but not a bill car. Maybe someone can add to this.

Buffalo Bill Wild West #2

This looks to be a picture of a more recent vintage, possibly with Sells-Floto & Buffalo Bill in 1914 or '15.

Buffalo Bill Wild West #3

Another Advertising car with portraits of the Great Man himself.

Buffalo Bill Wild West #4

To the uninformed, Wild West Shows were held out in the open however the public was seated on three sides beneath the canopy. This view shows the back yard area and the tent in the foreground would stable the horses for Cowboys, Indians, Cossacks, Vaqueros, Lancers, etc.

Farewell....

Just received word from Jennie Wallenda that Bunni Bartok passed away at 3:00 AM this morning.

More wardrobe pictures #1

In the center are Barbara, Tito and Lee Merriwether. The young lady at left is Lee's daughter Kyle and at right a friend of Lee's. Shot taken at the Forum in LA just prior to Spec.

More wardrobe pictures #2

This wardrobe was worn by the riders of the seven pay-off elephants in Spec. Each costume matched the elephant's blanket.