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.