| Here are a couple of pictures of the bull "Major". I'm sure you recognize Bill Woodcock at Hall's Cellar. I have seen a similar picture to this with the Col. standing in front of him. |
Friday, September 21, 2007
"Major" #1 (From Joey Ratliff)
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4 comments:
The term "cellar" is interesting. Usually one talks about an "elephant barn" or "elephant house." Did the topography in Lancaster cause the "basement" to be built surrounded by earth, with a "hay mow" overhead so that a minimum of heat was required during the winter? Or were there other requirements or issues? Maybe a series on "elephant houses"?
Throughout 1973 and '74, Bandwagon did a seven part series on Wm. P. Hall. This even included a sketch of the Farms's layout.
The elephant barn had no cellar but could and sometimes did house as many as thirty elephants.
The story goes that Hall's first elephant came as the result of the foreclosure of a show he had sold baggage horses to.
As luck would have it, she was gentle and he was surprised at how much he made on her resale, unaware that all elephants are not gentle.
So as soon as he got into the exotic animal business, wily showmen unloaded all their outlaws on him, consequently he had more than his share of tough elephants and the term "cellar" popped up giving the place a more ominous tone.
Buckles, Thanks for the great story. Lou Regan used to tell me stories about the place, that would "curl your hair". I dare say, history repeated it's self at another well know elephant facility in the late 80's and 90's. Wade Burck
I'm sure glad to be away from those parade wagons. I have quite a bit of that type material but take a beating every time I show it.
I can remember elephants but I can't tell automobiles or wagons apart.
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