Friday, September 16, 2005

Big Ruth


ToddP has asked about Barnes Show "Ruth"

RUTH
1910 Barnes first elephant
1910-38 Al G. Barnes Cicus
1939-56 Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus
1957 Ringling Qtrs. Sarasota
1958-65 Eddie Billetti Shopping Center Show
1966 Sold to Puerto Rico (final disposition unknown)

Doc Henderson's discription as being the "herd leader" is deceptive. She never led the herd anywhere but more accurately would be considered "the most reliable". She was the elephant that could be sent out alone to do things and you knew there would be no problems. As an example, on the Ringling Show she would dig furrows around the lot with a farm plow to bury light cables. Tho not real big, most of the other elephants were afraid of her for some reason which came in handy in case one should decide to act up and could also be a steadying influence on young elephants in training.
She was very clever, I was fascinated when I saw one of the men throw his bull hook on the ground in front of her which she promptly picked up and manipulated until she had a grip on the handle and proceeded to scratch herself with the hook. First behind the ears then between her front legs and finally lifted her head high so she could scratch under her chin during which time she screwed up her face like a dog does when being scratched.
This is a picture of her on the Barnes Show and I might add that she was prominent in the Tarzan Movies the Barnes elephants appeared in. I recall one scene she is carrying a man to safety (supposedly Tarzan) by the leg in this fashion.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you. As a kid, I used to read about Unus, Francis Brunn, the Alzanas, and, of course, Ruth the elephant. What I read probably contained a lot of inaccuracies. And so it is great when you write --- with your first-hand experience --- about these icons. Please keep showing pictures and writing your terrific captions. ToddP

Anonymous said...

So, is this the RUTH that had a part in the Movie "The Greatest Show On Earth" opposite Betty Hutton? Buttoms ( Jimmy Stewart)was said, to have killed the thing he loved...And Ruth found a story in all the trash at tear down time...Betty Hutton picked the paper from Ruths mouth and said to Ruth , no Ruth you might get a tummy ache....What great lines in that movie...Could use some help on this one.

Anonymous said...

Would you know what became of the elephant"Baby Ruth"
who was with the Adam Forepaugh herd in 1893?
I believe she was 2 years old.
Was the Forepaugh Ruth the same one listed as going to the
William P. Hall farm in 1915?